Battle of Ballon

The Battle of Ballon took place on 22 November 845 between the forces of Charles the Bald , king of West Francia, and Nominoë, Lord of the Bretons. Nominoë was appropriating border territory and opposing Charles' attempt to impose Frankish authority.

The Conflict

Prelude

Following the death of Louis the Pious, Nominoë initially supported Charles in the dispute between him and his brothers over control of the Frankish Empire.
While Nominoë was ill, forces loyal to Charles attacked Breton territory, but were defeated by Erispoe, Nominoë's son. Recovered from his illness, Nominoë prepared for war.
In November of 845, Charles decided to strike first instead.

Deployment

Charles quickly assembled an army of around 3,000 men. Nominoë's men were probably much fewer in number, comprising mostly a highly-mobile cavalry.

Battlefield

Nominoë lured the king into marshland at the confluence of the Oust and the Aff between Redon and Bains-sur-Oust, near Ballon Abbey - hence the name of the battle. The Bretons were then able to exploit their knowledge of this treacherous wetland territory.

The Engagement

Nominoë performed ferociously on the field, reportedly charging Charles' bodyguard, brandishing a javelin from horseback in the Breton fashion.
With his enemy in site and about to cast, a charge by the men of Kernev led by Lord Alfrond's bannerman, Eddar, broke the back of the Frankish line and swept the two leaders apart.

Outcome

Following his defeat, rumors circulated that Charles had been killed. However he rebuilt his army and headed back towards the Breton Lands late in 846.
There he concluded a treaty with Nominoë. Despite this a "cold war" persisted, and Breton raids continued again into Frankish territory.

Iudoc Stoneheart at Ballon.

Conflict Type

Battle

Battlefield Type

Land

Start Date

22 November 845

Conflict Result

Total Breton victory