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The Combat of the Thirty,

The Breton War of Succession was part of the greater Hundred Years War and was an ongoing conflict between House of Montfort and House of Blois for control of the Duchy of Brittany.  For over two decades the two factions did battle, with the English backing Montfort and the French backing Blois. In 1351 the Montfort knight Robert Bemborough was challenged to single combat by the Blois knight Jehan de Beaumanoir. Bemborough upped the ante by suggesting that perhaps a special battle should be planed between 20 or 30 men instead.  Beaumanoir agreed, and both factions called a truce so that the combat could be arranged.

On the 26th of March, 1351 the two forces met in a field between Ploërmel and Josselin.  Both sides chose thirty of their best men, the Anglo Bretons brought seven knights and 23 squires/men at arms, while the Franco Bretons brought ten knights and twenty squires. Along with the combatants were a few thousand spectators who came to watch the combat and enjoy the spectacle. The two sides formed lines and fought on foot, eventually pairing off into side duels and bouts of single combat.  After several hours of fighting, resulting in four dead on the French side and two dead on the English side, half time was called and the combatants took a short break, complete with a siesta, snacks and refreshments.