King Henry VI faced a host of problems in the latter half of the 1440s. A war with Scotland, widespread discontent, and even rebellion made his strategic position rather weak. A war with France at this point was among the things to avoid at all costs. Unfortunately, English-controlled Normandy proved to be too much of a powder keg, again. In 1449 the French town of Fougéres was sacked by a Captain in English service. The French soon retaliated by taking several towns in Normandy as bargaining chips. Neither side backed down, and King Charles VII of France declared war shortly after.
With so many problems, the English holdings in France were left to their own devices. King Charles' troops swept through Normandy, taking most of it within a year of the declaration of war. Eventually the Duke of Suffolk decided to stem the tide and raised an army of fewer than 5000 men. At its helm, Sir Thomas Kyriell, an experienced commander, crossed the Channel and landed at Cherbourg on 15 March 1450. Support came from some of the last English-held towns, which would add much-needed manpower under Sir Matthew Gough, among others, to the army.
The French did not sit idly by, however. The young Count de Clermont was ordered by the king to bring the English
