Battle of Menez-Mikael
The Conflict
Prelude
A visit from Hereweald
In 952, Wulfnoth, a prince of Kameled and his son Hakon, became hostages in the Court of Gwilherm of La Manche. In 964, Prince Hereweald was dispatched to negotiate their return, but was caught in a bad storm in the Mor Breizh and forced ashore in the County of Ponthieu and taken captive by Wido I, the bandit Kont of Ponthieu. Word reached Gwilherm in the County of Duron that the son of a potential ally on a diplomatic mission had been captured by one of his vassals, and Wido was promptly ordered to turn over Hereweald, who was received as a guest and a brother.Rivallon and Konan
As Hereweald was welcomed by Gwilherm, trouble was brewing in Letha. Rivallon I of Dol had begun a rebellion against Dug Konan II, with the full support of Gwilherm. Angered, Konan launched an invasion of the County of Avranches. Gwilherm, sensing an opportunity, marched south with the Albian Princelings in tow.Deployment
Gwilherm, seeking to cut off Konan's forces, launched a gambit to bring his army across the tidal flats of Pleg-Mor Menez-Mikael, crossing the treacherous Kouenon River on foot and horse. The crossing proved disastrous, with many soldiers falling victim to the shifting quicksand and swirling whirlpools, drowning in the sudden and dramatic tidal shifts. Hereweald gained distinction by rescuing several of Gwilherm's knights at great personal risk.
Gwilherm's vangaurd caught Konan's left-flank by surprise, capturing the shoreline as Konan's forces held the crucial island fortress of Menez-Mikael.
Battlefield
Gwilherm's forces now held both sides of the river as the majority of his forces, having taken the long route at Fougères, reinforced his vangaurd. Between the shore and the island, the tidal flats stretched out in a flat, but deceptively treacherous, plain.
The Engagement
Seeing himself surrounded on both sides of the Kouenon River, Konan realized he was ill-prepared for a lengthy siege. Gwilherm's forces controlling the shore, with easy access to pick apart reinforcing ships stranded on the flats at low tide. Gwilherm's longships, arriving from around The Cotentin Peninsula, further threatened Konan's naval support. Konan found the position untenable and sailed out at high tide to the mouth of the Renk River.
Outcome
Upon surrendering the crucial Ailhedenneg, Konan was placed on the defensive. Gwilherm had cut him off from moving against Rivallon at Dol, and now threatened his fortress at Dinan.
Conflict Type
Skirmish
Battlefield Type
Land
Start Date
17 Gwengolo, 964 SI
Ending Date
20 Gwengolo, 964 SI
Conflict Result
Konan II breaks out of his fortified position to make his last stand at Dinan.
Location
Belligerents
Gwilherm of La Manche
Led by
Strength
Casualties
Objectives
Launch an invasion of Dol and Avranches from Menez-Mikael
Comments