The other Cravants

By the time we moved into our house in 2008, we had already got to know a few people socially. Cravant was always up for discussion. But on one occasion reference was made to a particular event involving the French and the English. At the time I assumed it was our Cravant in the Indre et Loire region being referred to, as nothing was said to suggest otherwise.

While trying to find out a little more about Paulette Doireau author of Cravant: Coutumes et Dires, I noticed the name Cravant appeared on several separate listings. There are in fact three places with the same name. Cravant in the Yonne departement was the site of a battle between the French and the English during the Hundred Years' War, known as The Battle of Cravant.  The French Dauphinist army of 10,000 contained a large number of Scots, while the English army of 4000 led by the Earl of Salisbury contained a large number of Burgundians who had decided to side with them against the French. It seems they eye-balled each other for about three hours, as no one wanted to cross the river that ran between them. The English army finally and literally took the plunge - up to their waists - with English bowmen providing lethal cover. The French took off. The Scottish stayed and put up a fight and were slaughtered as a result.

The Battle of Cravant was fought on 31 July 1423, five hundred and ninety years ago this month. A disaster for the allied French/Scots army with at least 6000 dead and over 2000 taken prisoner. The exact same field was the scene of yet another battle - the Battle of Beaugency-Cravant - which took place during the Franco-Prussian war in 1870. Over three days (as opposed to three hours) December 8-10, the Duke of Mecklenburg fought the Armée de la Loire, and ultimately won. Conditions were terrible.

The third Cravant is in the departement of Loiret near Orléans. Doesn't appear to be a lot of information about the village, other than in 2007 there were 921 residents. Given that Orléans is only 26 kilometres away, I would have thought village history to have recorded some interesting features and facts.  

As to the meaning of the name Cravant, it has been really difficult to find anything. But eventually a few links appeared which all suggested the same thing -  that the name is associated with web-footed migratory sea birds.

Here's hoping Cravant: Coutumes et Dires comes up with an explanation.