Portrait of Jean Dunois "The Bastard of Orleans"
French School. 15th century painting.

Jean de Dunois. (November 23, 1402 - November 24, 1468), French patriot and general, commonly called the "Bastard of Orleans," a celebrated French commander, was the natural son of the duke of Orleans (brother of Charles VI.) and Mariette d' Enghien, Madame de Canny.

He was broughtup in the house of the duke, and in thecompany of his legitimate sons, and it appears that he was present at the battle of Baugé in 1421 and Vemeuil in 1424. His earliest feat of arms was the surprise and rout in 1427 of the English, who were besieging Montargis—the first successful blow against the English power in France following a long series of French defeats.

He became one of the most active leaders in the defense of Orléans when the city was besieged by the English in 1428. Jean was one of the first military commanders to value Jeanne d'Arc's participation. His tactful dealing with her contributed significanly in the success of her mission to relieve the town of Orléans. Jean was an active commander in the post-Orléans campaign of 1429, where he directed forces in the capture of Jargeau and was one of the French commanders at the victory of Patay.

After Jeanne's death he raised the siege of Chartres and of Lagny (1432) and engaged in a series of successful campaigns which ended in his triumphal entry into Paris on the 13th of April 1436.

He continued to carry on the war against the English, and gradually drove them to the northward, though his work was to some extent interrupted by the civil disorders of the time, in which he played a conspicuous part.

Finally in 1450 he completed the reconquest of northern France, and in 1451 he attacked them in Guienne, taking among other towns Bordeaux, which the English had held for three hundred years, and Bayonne.

After the expulsion of the English he was constantly engaged in the highest diplomatic and military missions. He married a second time to Marie d'Harcourt (d. 1464), Lady of Parthenay October 26, 1439 and had two children. In 1465 he joined the league of revolted princes, but, assuming the function of negotiator, he was after a time reinstated in his offices. Dunois was thenceforward in the greatest favour with the court. He died on the 24th of November 1468.

Titles
*Lord of Valbonais (1421–1468) *Count of Mortain (1424–1425)
*Viscount of Saint-Sauveur *Count of Périgord (1430–1439)
*Count of Dunois (1439–1468) *Count of Longueville (1443–1468)