Sir John Fastolf
Knight of the Garter; Master of the Household
"A man may be counted wise when he fights only on ground of his own choosing."
Biography
Sir John Fastolf was one of the most successful English captains in France — wealthy, cunning, and a capable commander who won the unusual victory of the 'Battle of the Herrings' in 1429. His reputation was permanently destroyed at Patay two months later, where he fled the field when Joan of Arc's cavalry shattered the English army before it could form. He was stripped of his Garter for cowardice (though later rehabilitated), and his name — slightly altered to 'Falstaff' — became synonymous with cowardly braggadocio in Shakespeare's plays. In reality, he spent his later years as a wealthy Norfolk landowner and patron of letters.
Did you know?
Fastolf left most of his fortune to fund a college of priests at Caister — but after his death, John Paston claimed the bequest was for a secular college, leading to a legal dispute preserved in the famous Paston Letters, among the earliest collections of personal correspondence in English history.
Key Battles
Battle of Patay
France victoryJune 18, 1429 · 2,600 total casualties
Patay proved that the English longbow was not magic — it required time, discipline, and defensive preparation to be effective. The French had learned the lesson and exploited it brutally. English military superiority in France was broken. The battle is often called 'the French Agincourt' and cleared the road for Charles VII's coronation at Reims.
Battle of the Herrings
England victoryFebruary 12, 1429 · 2,500 total casualties
The Battle of the Herrings seemed to confirm that England's hold on France was unbreakable. French morale collapsed to its nadir. It was precisely this despair that made the arrival of Joan of Arc weeks later so electrifying — her mission began in the darkest hour of the French cause.
Life Journey
Timeline
c. 1380
🌅 Birth
Born in Caister, Norfolk, England
February 12, 1429
⚔️ Battle
Wins the Battle of the Herrings, defending herring convoy against French attack
June 18, 1429
⚔️ Battle
Flees the Battle of Patay; stripped of his Garter for cowardice
November 5, 1459
✝️ Death
Dies at Caister Castle, a wealthy and controversial figure