| “ | I am the Duke D'Alençon, my lady. I will proudly ride with you to Orléans. | ” |
| —Saluting Joan of Arc in The Maid of Orleans | ||
John II of Alençon (March 2, 1409 - September 8, 1476), known in Age of Empires II as Duke D'Alençon, was a French duke and general during the later phase of the Hundred Years' War. He was a close friend and supporter of Joan of Arc, appearing as a cavalry hero in the scenario The Maid of Orleans. He is also available in the Scenario Editor. As a hero, he cannot be converted and can regenerate health (since The Conquerors).
Duke D'Alençon has the appearance similar to a Frankish Paladin, similar to several other hero units. Like other cavalry, the Duke is affected by all technologies that affect cavalry as well as any other bonuses that affect them.
Campaign appearances[]
Joan of Arc[]
- The Maid of Orleans: Duke D'Alencon joins Joan of Arc at Chinon, alongside the rest of the army given to her to liberate Orleans with.
Alaric[]
- Emperor of the West: Saurus is a renamed Duke D'Alencon. He leads the Gothic opposition against Alaric and appears briefly while sending his troops to kill Alaric.
Edward Longshanks[]
- Vain Ambition: Simon de Montfort is a renamed Duke D'Alencon. He will arrive with the rest of the Baronial forces in the east should sufficient time elapse.
- Hammer of the Scots: Robert the Bruce is a modified Duke D'Alencon. He appears briefly in council with Edward Longshanks alongside John Comyn,
The Hautevilles[]
- Bohemond in the East: Godfrey of Bouillon is a renamed Duke D'Alencon and is one of the Crusader commanders in Antioch.
Victors and Vanquished[]
- Ironside: The Frankish Count, a renamed Duke D'Alencon, leads a small Frankish force by the northwestern Frankish village. Killing him grants a small amount of gold.
Trivia[]
- D'Alençon was nicknamed "The Good Duke".
- His father, John I, was killed by English longbowmen at Agincourt.
- Though his unit is playable in The Maid of Orleans, he was actually not involved in the Siege of Orléans but on the later Loire Campaign, where he commanded the French troops at the battles of Jargeau, Meung-sur-Loire, and Beaugency. He also fought at The Siege of Paris.
- Yet, D'Alençon opposed Charles VII's military reforms that created a standing French army, supported the nobles' rebellion of 1440 known as the Praguerie, and entered into negotiations with the English. Because of this, he was dispossessed of his lands and title in 1474.
- D'Alençon was a witness in the 1456 retrial of Joan of Arc that found her innocent.
Gallery[]
The Duke in the Scenario Editor
The Duke (top left) and Joan's starting army in The Maid of Orleans
