Gaillard IV de Durfort

Gaillard IV de Durfort, Lord of Duras (died 1481), was a 15th-century Gascon noble of the Durfort family. Biography Durfort was the eldest son of Gaillard III de Durfort and his wife Judiote of La Lande. A minor upon his father's death in 1444, he inherited the titles and possessions of his father. He obtained in 1446 a safeguard or conduct to go to England and to return to Aquitaine at his pleasure. Durfort was one of the main vassals of the Duchy of Gascony. On 12 June 1451, he signed as representative of the nobility of Bordeaux, the treaty of capitulation of the city before the French army led by Jean de Dunois, Count of Dunois. The French, anxious to conciliate the inhabitants of the region, offered them favourable conditions and they were permitted to maintain their existing titles and lands. The following year, he returned to the favour of the English, contributing to the return of Bordeaux to John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury. In 1453, after the French victory at the Battle of Castillon, the French routed the English forces from Gascony. The Count of Clermont invaded the Medoc and took Castelnau, while other French troops captured Cadillac. The castle of Blanquefort, held by Durfort, was the last to surrender. After the capture of Bordeaux, King Charles VII of France issued directions that the leaders of the insurrection were to be saved, but to be exiled from France. Durfort went to England, and his property in France, the lands and castles of Blanquefort, Duras and Villandraut, with the barony of Duras, were confiscated and entrusted to vassals loyal to the crown.