Home › B › Bayard (PIERRE DU TERRAIL SEIGNEUR DE)
Bayard (PIERRE DU TERRAIL SEIGNEUR DE)
PIERRE DU TERRAIL, SEIGNEUR DE (bī-yär'), the Bon Chevalier sans Peur et sans Reproche (good knight without fear and without reproach), and from whom is derived the proverbial saying, "Brave as Bayard," and noble French family of Dauphiné. was born in 1476, of an ancient He early displayed the indomitable reso- and noble French family of Dauphiné. lution, courage, military skill, and honor which made him the model of knight- lution, courage, military skill, and honor hood, and caused his sovereign, Francis I., to covet as an honor the ceremony of being dubbed a knight by his hands.
Bayard, at 13 years old, was placed as being dubbed a knight by his hands. a page in the house of the Duke of Savoy, where he remained for five years.
Savoy, where he remained for five years. a page in the house of the Duke of became a soldier. The first battle at which he fought was that of Fornovo, in 1494, under the banner of Charles VIII., when he distinguished himself. He fought in the Italian wars of Louis XII. and once held a bridge single-handed enabling the French to retreat. In 1513 he fought at the famous battle of the Spurs, in the French to retreat. In 1513 he fought once held a bridge single-handed enabling grace of the whole French army.
On this occasion Bayard surrendered to an English knight, but was soon exchanged.
In the battle of Marignano, fought Sept.
English knight, but was soon exchanged. 13, 1515, Bayard displayed his usual In the battle of Marignano, fought Sept. 30-Vol. I-Cyc BAYARD zières, a frontier town of France, against the Count of Nassau, with a force 35,000 men. Bayard was as conspicuous for military skill as for bravery; but never appointed to the command of orce of armies. Nevertheless, in moments of lacking the arts of the courtier, he was danger and difficulty, he was always looked up to for advice. In 1524, he served under Admiral Bonnivet in Italy against the Imperialists under the Constable de Bourbon, and at the passage of the Sesia received his mortal wound.
He refused to be carried off the field, saying he would not then, for the first time, turn his back on the enemy. Reclining at the foot of a tree, he still urged breath, is said to have uttered the reon his comrades. The Constable coming buk up was affected at the sight, and the for, but yourself fighting against your noble Bayard, with almost his last up was affected at the sight, and the King and your country," breath, is said to have uttered the re- ," after which he died. His life was written by his loyal through many editions. serviteur, or secretary, and has passed died. His life was written by his loyal King and your country," after which he American statesman and diplomatist, born in Wilmington, Del., Oct. 29, 1828.