La Hire

La Hire (c.1390–c.1443) was a French commander during the Hundred Years' War. He fought alongside Joan of Arc in Patay in 1429.

Born Étienne de Vignolles, but more commonly known as La Hire, this great French soldier joined Charles VII for the first time in 1418, when the English invaded France. Three years later, in 1421 he fought at the battle of Bauge .

He was a good friend of Joan of Arc, being the king's captain and commanded the advance guard at the battle of Patay (a French victory). When the English imprisoned Joan at Rouen in 1430, La Hire assaulted the town hoping to rescue the Maid, only to be defeated and captured.

Set free again he won the battle of Gerbevoy in 1435 and was made Captain General of Normandy in 1438. He died at Montauban on 11th January 1443 of an unknown illness.