A list of characters from Koei's Bladestorm The Hundred Years War, and the tropes they embody. The game is loosely based on The Hundred Years' War between the Kingdoms of England and France in the 14th and 15th century, and so includes a variety of real-life historical figures (albeit in often anachronistic order), as well as fictional supporting characters.
Note: The tropes presented here primarily relate to the historical characters' in-game personifications.
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The Kingdom of England
In General
- Color-Coded Armies: England's team colour is predominantly red, taken from the red St George's Cross on the national flag.
- Sliding Scale of Shiny Versus Gritty: The English team have a more rugged, hard-edged (and some would say more masculine) look compared to the comparitively ornate, fancily embellished outfits of the French team.
- Wearing a Flag on Your Head: The St George's Cross is prevalent throughout the English uniform designs.
Edward The Black Prince
Edward The Black Prince
"Onward, valiant warriors of England! Onward to glory!"
Based on: Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales and Aquitaine, Duke of Cornwall
Born: Woodstock Palace, Oxfordshire (1330)
Status: Royalty
Weapon: Spear
Edward the Black Prince, son of King Edward III, was heralded as a military genius. A popular ruler in his youth, he was known to be a pragmatic yet considerate gentleman. His title, "Black Prince", was not attributed to him during his lifetime and is thought to allude to either the black armour he wore, or a reference to his brutality against the French. In-series he is depicted as a highly accomplished strategist and leader in battle. Despite his royal lineage and high expectation of his officers, Edward is very amiable especially to those who show courage and chivalry.
- Authority Equals Ass Kicking: He's the Prince Regent of England (and its wider territory in Aquitaine) and therefore commands huge respect, even before he directly leads his men into battle.
- Black Knight: A benign version, however. His sobriquet of "The Black Prince" is most commonly thought to refer to his all-black suit of armour. In character, he's one of England's most celebrated heroes.
- Dark Is Not Evil: Sports full plate armour in deepest black, but he is one of England's legendary heroic princes.
- Four-Star Badass: He's an exceptional military leader and never shies away from combat, despite his privileged life.
- Knight in Shining Armor: He believes in the concepts of chivalry, and historically was one of the founding members of England's venerable Order of the Garter, which is still in the present day the highest honour bestowed on his/her subjects by the monarch.
- Long-Haired Pretty Boy: With his porcelain-pale skin and long, glossy black hair.
- Master Swordsman: Amongst the best in the game, befitting his role as England's hero.
- Patriotic Fervor: A number of his battle cries rally his men with reference to glorifying in the name of the homeland.
- Red Baron: "The Black Prince", by which he is almost always referred to, and far more commonly than his actual title of Edward of Woodstock.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: He looks intimidating in his polished, all-black armour, and as a medieval royal prince, his word is absolute, though he's presented as a supportive leader, especially to those who show courage in battle.
- Royal Blood: Prince Edward is of The House of Plantagenet and King Edward III's son and heir. He never had a chance to inherit the throne, however, as he died two years prior to his father, with the throne going to his own son.
- Royals Who Actually Do Something: One of the last English royals to actively lead troops into battle.
- Shoulders of Doom: Sports huge, spike pauldrons as part of his full armour.
- Tall, Dark, and Handsome: He presents the English ideal of male beauty — tall, distinguished features, (very) fair skin and glossy dark hair.
- Universally Beloved Leader: An exceptional military leader, his victories over the French at Crécy and Poitiers made him very popular during his lifetime.
- Warrior Prince: A literal and real life example — Edward of Woodstock was the heir to the throne of England and its territories at the time, though nevertheless led troops into battle on multiple occasions.
John Chandos
John Chandos
"If you choose to stand against me, naught but death itself shall await you."
Based on: Sir John Chandos, Viscount of Saint-Sauveur in the Cotentin
Born: Radbourne Hall, Derbyshire (1320)
Status: Gentry
Weapon: Morning star
John Chandos is one of England's most famous medieval knights. He was a close friend of the Prince Edward's and fought alongside him in many battles. In-series, John serves as Edward's adviser and is almost always seen in battle beside the prince.
- Blue Blood: Sir John, by birth, is from amongst the English 'gentry', a landowning class that was powerful and respected, though not quite nobility.
- Cool Old Guy: Technically, he's only ten years older than Prince Edward, but in-game, he's presented as an older distinguished gentleman, who acts as the prince's mentor.
- Epic Flail: He wields a triple-headed morning-star.
- Eyepatch of Power: Sports an eyepatch and is a seasoned warrior.
- Colonel Badass: He's one of England's commanding officers.
- Nerves of Steel: He's consistently cool and calm under pressure, calmly advising Prince Edward of the best course of action, even under the pressure of battle.
- Number Two: He's Prince Edward's second in command and Chief of Staff.
- Officer and a Gentleman: In-game, he’s presented as a chivalrous leading general of England. In life, Chandos was a founding member of the Order of the Garter — still the most prestigious honour in the land.
- Old Soldier: He's presented as at least twenty years older than the rest of the England team, who are all primarily (apart from the King and Queen) a group of young guns.
- Stern Teacher: He's clam, but very no-nonsense in demeanor.
- The Stoic: His overall persona — he refuses to succumb to emotion or high drama.
- The Strategist: He is Prince Edward's top strategist, and as per the real Chandos, he fights alongside the prince in battle.
- Team Dad: To the English side, in is capacity as the faction's oldest team member.
- Undying Loyalty: To Prince Edward, and England.
- Unflappable Guardian: To Prince Edward.
Hal
Hal
"You would seek to best me in battle? How amusing!"
Based on: Prince Henry of Monmouth, the future King Henry V of England
Born: Monmouth Castle, Principality of Wales (1386)
Status: Royalty
Weapon: Longsword
The future Henry V, who goes by the nickname "Hal", is one of the kings who ruled during the latter half of the Hundred Years' War. He rose to political prominence during his childhood when his father usurped Richard II. He took part in the subjugation of Henry Percy's revolt and ordered several campaigns in France when he inherited the throne. In-series, he is depicted as foul-mouthed, and rough. He loves to quarrel and fight, and is a natural born fighter.
- Badass Family: Chalk it up to the game's anachronistic order, but historically he is Prince Edward's great-nephew and King Edward III's great-grandson.
- BFS: He wields a huge cleaver-like blade of a type that's pure fantasy and not historically accurate.
- Blood Knight: He lives for combat and much like the real Henry V, he's amongst the best warriors in English history.
- Boisterous Bruiser: His most overt personality trait.
- Fiery Redhead: Sports bright auburn hair and has a bolshy personality to match.
- Hot-Blooded: Whilst most of the England team are quite reserved and stoic (befitting the Imperturbable Englishman archetype), he's loud, somewhat vulgar and brash.
- Hunk: Very rugged and handsome, with a bad-boy persona.
- Lovable Rogue: Despite his abrasiveness, he's also a charming, inspiring warrior.
- Red Oni, Blue Oni: He and comrade in arms Richard Beauchamp respectively. The two (real-life) friends couldn't be more different, with Richard being much calmer and considered than Hal.
- Royal Blood: It's downplayed in-game, but Hal is Henry of Monmouth of The House of Plantagenet, son of Henry IV, and therefore King Edward's great-grandson, who would go onto become Henry V, one of England's most celebrated monarchs.
- Shoulder of Doom: He wears a huge, spiked shoulder pauldron and gauntlet on his left arm.
- Sir Swearsalot: He's foul-mouthed and loves to quarrel.
- Spirited Competitor: He lives for fighting.
- Vitriolic Best Buds: He's constantly bossing poor Richard about, though as he's a Royal Prince, there's little Richard can do about it.
- Warrior Prince: You wouldn't be able to tell at a glance, as his manner is less than regal, but Hal is a Royal Prince and King Edward's great-grandson. He's also a demon on the battlefield, as per the real-life Henry V.
Richard Beauchamp
Richard Beauchamp
"Courage without ability is but stupidity in disguise."
Based on: Sir Richard de Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick
Born: Salwarpe Court, Worcestershire (1382)
Status: Nobility
Weapon: War hammer
Richard Beauchamp is an English nobleman and general who served three generations of English royalty. He subdued revolts for Henry IV, served in many campaigns under Henry V, and tutored Henry VI. In-series, he is gentle-hearted man who calmly obeys Hal's commands despite the latter's tendency to act recklessly.
- Badass Bookworm: He's The Smart Guy of the English team, acting as a strategist under Hal's (Henry V) command. In real-life, he was also court-tutor to Hal's son, Henry VI.
- Blue Blood: He's of the ancient de Beauchamp family and is a member of the English nobility, bearing the title of 'Earl'. His present day descendant holds the even higher rank of Marquess of Abergavenny, a Rank Up in the British peerage.
- Cultured Warrior: He's far gentler and kinder than some of his compatriots, who are on the whole a fairly boisterous group.
- Gentleman and a Scholar: He's noble by birth, and amongst the smartest of the characters in the game.
- Just the Introduction to the Opposites: Richard is far more princely than his master Hal, an actual Royal Prince and it’d be easy to muddle the pairs’ roles up.
- Knight in Shining Armor: He exhibits the required chivalrous qualities.
- The Quiet One: He's much more studious and focussed than his master, Hal, speaking in a mannered tone.
- Red Oni, Blue Oni: He's the calm, collect blue to Hal's brash, boisterous red.
- Vitriolic Best Buds: With the boisterous Hal.
John Chandos
John Talbot
"Let those who would oppose us feel the wrath of England's armies!"
Based on: Sir John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury
Born: Blackmere Castle, Shropshire (1387)
Status: Nobility
Weapon: Polearm and shield
John Talbot is one of the English generals who fought in the Hundred Years' War and the first Earl of Shrewsbury. He fought the French armies and was reputed for his tenacious leadership and bravery within the English front lines. In-series, he's a loyal soldier and always commits himself to carrying out his duties. He is diligent but may be considered stubborn. In defensive situations, no man compares to him.
- The Big Guy: Of the English side — he's built like a tank and is a huge, imposing presence on the battlefield.
- Blue Blood: John is of the English nobility and a member of the venerable Talbot family. Previously holding the more junior title of 'Baron', he was created an Earl by Henry VI (Hal's son) for his efforts in the War.
- The Champion: To Prince Edward. Along with John Chandos, he is Edward's other close companion, protecting him with his life at any cost.
- Colonel Badass: He's one of England's commanding officers.
- The Dreaded: He was the most renowned in England and most feared in France of the English captains in the last stages of the Hundred Years' War conflict.
- Hair-Trigger Temper: He can be very stubborn and is quick to become moody and difficult, as per his real-life counterpart.
- Heroic Build: A huge man whose build is enhanced via a full suit of armour.
- Heroic Spirit: He always commits himself to carry out his duties.
- The Juggernaut: He's practically unstoppable in combat and is the largest built, most heavily armoured man in the series.
- Made of Iron: He's literally encased in armor and in defense, no man compares to him.
- Mighty Glacier: Probably the single strongest fighter in the game, though easily the slowest too.
John Fastolf
John Fastolf
"Now, let us keep this civilized, shall we?"
Based on: Sir John Fastolf
Born: Caister Hall, Norfolk (1380)
Status: Gentry
Weapon: Rapier
John Fastolf is an English knight who fought many battles during the Hundred Years' War. He was considered to be a military genius who favored conservative decisions. In-series, he is depicted a witty and detached, and is sometimes mistaken for being insincere. Clever and intuitive, he adapts very quickly to any situation on the battlefield.
- Blue Blood: John hails from an old Norfolk family, though he's not quite nobility, but rather a member of the English gentry, a landowning class who wielded power and influence at a local level.
- The Dandy: His look and personality.
- Gentleman Snarker: He's witty and detached, and often mistaken for being insincere.
- Guile Hero: Clever and intuitive, he adapts very quickly to most battlefield situations.
- Let's Fight Like Gentlemen: As seen in his pre-battle quote above, he'd rather keep things clean-cut.
- Lovable Rogue: He's sarcastic and a little blunt, but nonetheless a supportive member of Hal's core crew, as per real-life.
- Pretty Boy: One of English team’s less rugged, more clean-cut combatants.
- Royal Rapier: He wields a rapier, befitting his gentlemanly vibe.
- Scarf of Asskicking: Sports a yellow cravat-type stock around his neck.
Henry "Hotspur" Percy
Henry "Hotspur" Percy
"If you wish to face me, you must prepare yourself for death."
Based on: Sir Henry "Hotspur" Percy
Born: Alnwick Castle, Northumberland (1364)
Status: Nobility
Weapon: Arming sword and shield
Henry Percy is an English knight of the ancient Percy family, traditionally the noble guardians of England's border with Scotland, who primarily fought in the battles against the Scots. His services earned him a favorable reputation within the royal court. In-series, he is depicted as England's most aggressive combatant, constantly moving and fighting on the battlefield, and is feared by both friend and foe for his fierceness during combat.
- Attack! Attack! Attack!: His style of fighting is pure aggression, making him one of the most effective swordsmen in the game.
- Blue Blood: Henry is the oldest son of the Earl of Northumberland, and a member of the ancient and noble Percy family, whose origins date back to the Norman Conquest.
- Heroic Spirit: The honour of fighting for King and country means everything to him, and exhibits an irrepressible character.
- Hot-Blooded: The nickname "Hotspur" was given to him by his Scottish enemies in recognition of his speed and willingness to all-out attack.
- Hunk: He's amongst the most ruggedly handsome men in the game, sporting manly stubble, chiselled features and wild, mid-brown hair.
- Master Swordsman: Amongst the best in the game, and the best offensive character on the England side.
- One-Man Army: In-game, he's unmatched in attack speed and power.
- Red Baron: He's almost always known by his nickname, "Hotspur".
- Spirited Competitor: He lives for fighting.
- Wild Hair: He sports a full, lion's mane of hair in a warm mid-brown.
[[folder: Iamarl]]
Iamarl
"I show my adversaries no mercy."
Based on: N/A (original character)
Born: The Maghreb
Status: Attendant
Weapon: Kris and clawed-glove
Iamarl is an original character created for the game. She is an assassin who was initially contracted to kill Prince Edward, however due to unknown circumstances, she failed. Instead of facing execution for her attempt, she is hired to become his bodyguard.
- Action Girl: She amongst the female-fighters in the game, and is the only non-European amongst them.
- Bodyguard Babes: Having defected to the English side, she becomes Prince Edward's bodyguard.
- Emotionless Girl: Quiet, withdrawn and speaks softly and flatly.
- Heel–Face Turn: She was originally sent to kill Prince Edward, before defecting to England.
- The Middle East: As a black woman in medieval Europe, she's possibly Moorish in origin.
- Professional Killer: She's an assassin, though luckily she defected to England before she could carry out her contract.
- Undying Loyalty: She now protects the Prince with her life.
- Shout-Out:
- A Moorish character in medieval England is by now an established trope, due mostly to the modern Robin Hood adaptations depicting a Moor as a member of his outlaws — Azeem from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, for example.
- Like other black women in gaming (Elena, Vanessa, Dolores), she sports bleached-white hair — a convention likely started in tribute to Storm from X-Men.
- Wolverine Claws: As pictured, she wields a glove with claws on the fingertips.
Branwyn
Branwyn
"My bow shall be of great benefit to Prince Edward!"
Based on: N/A (original character)
Born: Anglesey, Principality of Wales
Status: Commoner
Weapon: Longbow
Branwyn is an original character created for the game. Despite initial complaints from his knights, Prince Edward allows her to fight to test her skills with her bow. Once the battle is won, an impressed Prince Edward apologizes to her for the behavior of his subordinates and accepts her among the ranks of his army.
- Action Girl: Amongst the series' female warriors, though she's less of an up-close fighter, relying on her skills with a bow.
- Awesome Anachronistic Apparel: Branwyn’s outfit, with its mini-dress and midriff-exposing top (which are a late 20th Century fashion) is pure fiction, and would be completely against the strict modesty laws associated with 14th Century women’s clothing.
- The Cutie: Unlike the maudlin Iamarl and the glamorously poised Queen Phillipa, she's cute, bouncy and cheerful.
- Genki Girl: Amongst the stern, grizzled English team, she's a cute, cheerful and upbeat bundle of energy.
- Little Miss Badass: She looks to be in her mid to late teens, but is already a master bowman.
- Loyal Animal Companion: In artworks, she's rarely seen without her pet toad.
- Mini Dress Of Power: Unrealistic for the period, but she sports a mini-skirt in the same wooly green material as her top.
- Plucky Girl: She impressed Prince Edward so much with her skills that he appointed her to serve directly under him, despite the fact that her age and gender would typically preclude her from such a position.
- Wales: Her homeland — she's specifically presented as a Welsh archer and is even voiced with a (passable) Welsh accent. At the time, Wales was still a separate Principality, though still under English control for the most part.
Queen Philippa
Queen Philippa
"If you are foolish enough to challenge me, there is surely no hope for you."
Based on: Philippa of Hainault, Queen Consort of England
Born: Valenciennes, County of Hainault, Holy Roman Empire (1315)
Status: Royalty
Weapon: Lance
Philippa is the King of England's Queen Consort and Prince Edward's mother, though this fact is mostly omitted in the game. She was chosen for a political marriage between the English royal court and Flanders. In-series, she is depicted as an eloquent and beautiful woman, and her skills as a general are respected by all who serve her.
- Action Girl: Philippa is a master lancer — a role she didn't hold in real-life of course, though she was a powerful, respected queen.
- The Beautiful Elite: She's famed for her beauty, and as the Queen Consort of England, she's elite as it gets, ranking highest of any woman in the land and amongst the highest in Europe overall.
- Breast Plate: She's the most fully armoured of the women in the series and only her head remains unarmoured.
- Colonel Badass: She's one of England's commanding officers.
- The High Queen: Philippa is Queen Consort of England and its territories beyond, and in her time she was a beloved ruler alongside her husband, King Edward III.
- Iron Lady: She's a perfect example, as not only is she hard as nails, but she's also the Queen Consort of England and therefore a champion of her subjects.
- Jousting Lance: Befitting her knightly vibe, she wields a large lance in combat.
- Knight in Shining Armor: Or rather, a Lady in shining armour.
- Lady of War: Philippa is elegant, beautiful, composed and deadly.
- Mum Looks Like a Sister: It's downplayed in-game, but she's Prince Edward's mother, but looks barely a couple years older than him.
- Only Sane Woman: She is very cool, calm and level-headed, especially compared to the other more hot-headed English generals like John Talbot and Henry Percy.
- Royal Blood: She's royal by marriage, but also by blood as her mother was Princess Joan of Valois of the French Royal Family.
- The Stoic: Very much so.
King Edward III of England
King Edward III of England
"You would defy the King of England? Very well..."
Based on: King Edward III of England
Born: Windsor Castle, Berkshire (1312)
Status: Royalty
Weapon: Longsword
The King of England, Edward III, is one of the reigning kings during the Hundred Years' War. Known to be an incredibly charismatic and popular with the nobility, he prospered with military success during his early reign. He founded the Order of the Garter, the highest order chivalry which is still used in England today. Edward the Black Prince is his eldest son. In-series, he is depicted as a militaristic and majestic ruler. Despite his harsh demeanor towards his son, he actually believes in the young man's capabilities as a commander and eventually comes to entrust him with the task of conquering France.
- A Father to His Men: King Edward is a charismatic, beloved monarch whom all the nobility rallied round, and is still thought of as one of greatest kings in English history.
- Badass Family: He is Prince Edward's imposing father, Hal's great-grandfather and Queen Philippa's husband.
- Determinator: He will do whatever it takes to carry out his will.
- Large and in Charge: He's depicted as a tall, imposing man in full armour, and of course he's monarch to not only England, but its French territories too.
- Requisite Royal Regalia: He wears a highly decorated suit of full armour, complete with a Badass Cape and a helmet that incorporates a Cool Crown.
- Royal Blood: From a venerable line going back to Alfred the Great and beyond to Egbert of Wessex, the first monarch to establish a stable and extensive rule over all of Anglo-Saxon England in the year 802.
- Sensitive Guy and Manly Man: He's very much the manly man, whereas his rival King Charles, is the intelligent sensitive one.
- Stiff Upper Lip: Being English, and a stoic ruler, this is a given, and Edward showed amazing bravery and skill in combat, as well as measured diplomacy when needed.
- The Stoic: Very badass, and very majestic.
- Took a Level in Badass: England did this during his reign — he transformed his Kingdom into the most efficient military power in Europe.
- Universally Beloved Leader: Historically, one of England's most successful monarchs. England (and later Great Britain) has often thought to have enjoyed a better track record with its queens as opposed to kings, though Edward III is one of nation's legendarily beloved male monarchs. As well as being a brave, frontline fighter, he also modernised the country's court and economy, and much of the imagery we now associate with a Medieval European Fantasy (jousting, knights in armour, vast castles, beautiful princesses etc) is derived from his reign in the 14th Century.
The Kingdom of France
In General
- Bling of War
- Color-Coded Armies: France's team color is predominantly blue, taken from the bleu royal background of the old medieval French flag.
- Fleur-de-lis: The national flower appears throughout the team's uniforms.
- Gratuitous French: A few odd quips of “mais oui” or “mon ami” are bunged in for good measure.
- Sliding Scale of Shiny Versus Gritty: The French team (on the whole) sport comparitively ornate, fancily embellished outfits, compared to the more rugged, hard-edged look of the England team.
Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc
"It is not merely those who fight who suffer from the fighting... The innocent... our village... The very land 'neath our feet."
Based on: Saint Jeanne d'Arc
Born: Domrémy, Duchy of Bar (1412)
Status: Commoner
Weapon: Spear and shortsword
Joan of Arc is a Catholic saint and considered a national French heroine. She is famed for leading French troops in victory against the English which contributed to ending the Hundred Years' War. In-series, Joan is portrayed as a modest young girl whose sole desire is to save her people and her fellow soldiers from suffering the plagues of war. She is gentle yet her very presence seems to inspire her comrades in battle. Despite her young age, gender, and social status, she has an uncommon strength rarely found in the French ranks of the time.
- A Child Shall Lead Them: She leads the French forces at the age of just 17.
- Action Girl: The original example — the fact that Joan commands an army is extraordinary for her time, not just because of her gender, but also due to her being of poor, peasant stock.
- Badass Adorable: She's a beautiful young woman of an earnest disposition and a badass with her short-sword and spear.
- Beauty Equals Goodness: She's a true-hearted heroine, and of course, what with this being a Koei game, she's adorable.
- Dual Wielding: She wields a large spear with a huge heraldic flag attached, and a long-sword for close-quarters combat.
- Folk Hero: She is considered a national heroine (if not the national heroine) of France and a Catholic saint.
- God Was My Copilot: The real Joan was an eccentric young girl, who claimed to have visions from God instructing her in her quest to save France, though in-game she will only occasionally refer to a higher power, or of being called upon by a supernatural force, to fight for the French.
- Heroic Spirit: Her sole desire is to protect the ordinary folk, from which she derives, from the horrors of war.
- Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Not that it prevents her from being on the monster's side in Nightmare.
- Jeanne d'Archétype: Naturally — Joan is Koei's take on the fabled heroine.
- Knight in Shining Armor: Joan wears a full suit a sleek, silver armour — something the real-life Joan also did, though "cross-dressing" was among the list of accusations levelled at her prior to her being burned at the stake.
- Lady of War: She provides an excellent example, as she's elegant and composed, primarily wielding a distance-based weapon (her spear) in combat, as opposed to engaging more physically.
- Patriotic Fervor: Her patriotism lies with the ordinary people of France, and it's they whom she fervently fights to protect.
- Plucky Girl: Her spirit is irrepressible and her actions extraordinary, especially in a time-period when women, and more explicitly peasant women, were absolutely required to Stay in the Kitchen.
- Red Baron: She is commonly known as "The Maid of Orleans"
- Too Good for This Sinful Earth: Valiant Joan meets an terrifying end, being burned at the stake for heresy when finally captured, though in-game, you can save her.
- Working-Class Hero: One of history's ultimate examples, Joan is from humble, peasant stock and finds her greatest support amongst the common people of France, who rally to a young woman to whom they can fully relate.
Bertrand du Guesclin
Bertrand du Guesclin
"I was hoping for a more entertaining encounter!"
Based on: Bertrand du Guesclin
Born: Château de la Motte-Broons, Duchy of Brittany (1320)
Status: Nobility
Weapon: Two-handed axe
Bertrand is a French general who fought during the first half of the Hundred Years' War. He specialized in guerrilla tactics and effectively used his limited number of troops for surprise attack or night raids. In-series, Bertrand is known as a genius of the battlefield. Known for his foul-mouth and simple personality, he sometimes acts like a child when things fail to go his way.
- Blue Blood: Bertrand's family was of minor Breton nobility, bearing the title of seigneur (of Broons) — a rank analogous to Lord (Baron) in the English peerage.
- Boisterous Bruiser: He's foul-mouthed and crude — something that causes Joan to wince on occasion.
- Cluster F-Bomb: He's known for his foul mouth.
- Genius Bruiser: Amongst the smartest members of the French team, he also wields one of deadliest weapons and specialises in close-quarters combat.
- Manchild: He has a fairly simple personality and often acts childishly, throwing tantrums.
- Obfuscating Stupidity: Despite his Manchild persona, he's actually a strategic genius and the main brains behind France's war effort.
- Stout Strength: Amongst a group of tall, lithe men, he's quite short and rotund.
- The Strategist: For the French team.
Philippe Le Bon
Philippe Le Bon
"It would be an honor to face you."
Based on: Philip III, Duke of Burgundy
Born: Château de Rouvres, Duchy of Burgundy (1396)
Status: Nobility
Weapon: Lance
Philippe "the Good" is best known for his luxurious reign and a love for the arts and education. Historically, he was involved in scandalous negotiations for the throne and had an early alliance with the English. In-series, Philippe is portrayed as a kind but insecure man who detests fighting his own people, including at Flanders.
- Blue Blood: Bearing the rank of Duke, Philippe is the highest-ranking non-royal character in the game — only Prince Edward, Prince Hal, Queen Philippa, King Edward III of England, and his own king, Charles VII, rank higher. His family is a cadet branch of the House of Valois, from where the French kings descend.
- Cultured Warrior: He's a gifted warrior, though his main passions are in the field of arts and education. Philippe's court was regarded as the most splendid in Europe by his contemporaries, and it became the accepted leader of taste and fashion.
- Ermine Cape Effect: His outfit is particularly fancy, even for the French team and includes an actual ermine cape.
- For Great Justice: He wants nothing more than to bring about peace.
- Historical Hero Upgrade: Historically, he actually spent most of his time during the war on the side of the English, even being responsible for capturing and handing Joan of Arc over to them in 1430. He would only defect five years later with the Treaty of Arras.
- Hunk: One of handsomest characters in the game.
- Knight in Shining Armor: Probably the noblest member of the French nobility, even berating his subordinate for leaving the mercenaries without reinforcements. Historically, he also founded the Order of the Golden Fleece, the most prestigious chivalric order in Europe.
- Martial Pacifist: His sobriquet of "The Good" references his true-hearted nature and his hatred of violence and combat in general.
- Meaningful Name: Literally, "Philip the Good".
- Nice Guy: He is a kind and gentle-hearted man.
Arthur de Richemont
Arthur de Richemont
"I must warn you. Your ability is clearly lacking."
Based on: Arthur III, Duke of Brittany
Born: Château de Sucinio, Duchy of Brittany (1393)
Status: Nobility
Weapon: Basket-hilt sword
Arthur is a French nobleman who fought for France's defense during the latter half of the Hundred Years' War. He fought against Henry V's troops several times and suffered many defeats, even being held in captivity within England for five years. In-series, he is able to assess major battles quickly, and is always calm and composed. He never flaunts his prestigious background and is greatly respected by his men.
- Blue Blood: Another of the game's highest-ranking non-royal characters, Arthur's family are the stewards of the Brittany region in northern France. Amongst his countrymen, he's only outranked by Philippe, and of course King Charles.
- Ermine Cape Effect: His outfit is nearly as fancy as Phillippe's.
- Colonel Badass: He's one of France's commanding officers.
- Knight in Shining Armor: He values the concept of chivalry, and never takes advantage of his position as a noble.
- Modest Royalty: He never flaunts his prestigious background and is depicted as a calm, composed young man who cares deeply about the common folk, which at time puts him at odds with his fellow nobles.
- Nerves of Steel: He is consistently calm and composed.
- Number Two: He's one of Joan's most influential supporters.
- Pretty Boy: Sports a clean-cut look and tousled blonde curls.
La Hire
La Hire
"I shall strike you down where you stand!"
Based on: Étienne de Vignolles
Born: Préchacq-les-Bains, Duchy of Gascony (1390)
Status: Commoner (soldier)
Weapon: Halberd
La Hire (literally "the anger") is one of the French generals who fought in the Hundred Years' War. He was a close comrade of Joan of Arc's and one of the few military leaders to believe in her. He was known for his ferocity and cruelty on the battlefield who ruthlessly pillaged from his defeated foes. In-series, La Hire is a man with a very strong sense of justice. He prefers to move on his gut instincts rather than analyze things, which earns him his men's respect.
- The Berserker: He acts on impulse in battle, no matter the consequences.
- The Big Guy: Of the French team. Amongst a group of fancily embellished, dandyish men, he stands out as a huge beast of a man and has a way more masculine vibe — in line with the English side, in fact.
- The Champion: For Joan. He hails from common folk himself, and is therefore much more ready to believe in and back Joan (a fellow commoner), supporting her with Undying Loyalty in her mission.
- Colonel Badass: He's one of France's commanding officers.
- Fiery Redhead: Sports red hair and is easily the most aggressive member of the French side.
- For Great Justice: His maxim.
- Heroic Build: Very tall and muscular. He also shows more skin than all of his fellow French teammates, with gaps of exposed, muscular flesh on display.
- Hot-Blooded Sideburns: Sports bushy red sideburns and an aggressive personality.
- Names to Run Away from Really Fast: "La Hire" literally means "the Anger".
- Red Baron: He is mostly known by his nickname, La Hire, and is only ever referred to as such in-game.
Gilles de Rais
Gilles de Rais
"Fool... Do you not know your place?"
Based on: Gilles de Montmorency-Laval, Baron de Rais
Born: Château de Champtocé, Duchy of Anjou (1405)
Status: Nobility
Weapon: Rapier and dagger
Gilles de Rais is a French nobleman. Although he fought for the French royalty throughout the latter renewal of the Hundred Years' War, he is best known for fighting beside Joan of Arc. He is also known for his reputation and later conviction as a confessed serial killer of children. In-series, he is depicted as cunning and calculating, and likes to use people as pawns.
- Badass Longcoat: He sports a knee-length coat in French blue.
- Blue Blood: He bears the rank of baron in the French peerage.
- Darker and Edgier: Compared to the rest of the French team, he's ostensibly a far more duplicitous, calculating individual (In real life, he was even worse and in fact, a child murderer.)
- Eyes Always Shut: Never depicted with his eyes open.
- French Jerk: His tendency to speak badly about others make him unpopular amongst the French team.
- Historical Hero Upgrade: Overlaps with Historical Villain Downgrade. He may be Darker and Edgier compared to his French compatriots, but he was still far tamer than the child murderer he became later, he limits himself in being the French Jerk and Token Evil Teammate as far as the war is concerned.
- No Mouth: The high neckline of his coat covers his mouth.
- Punch-Clock Hero: Was a sword for hire.
- Royal Rapier: He wields a fencing foil.
- Token Evil Teammate: Amongst a fairly chivalrous group, with a Purity Personified leader in Joan, Gilles represents a far darker addition to the French team, though he's definitely Joan's ally. In-game, this translates as a brisk, blunt attitude and rudeness, but in real-life, he was a convicted heretic and child-killer.
- We Have Reserves: His blunt attitude to warfare.
Jean de Metz
Jean de Metz
"It appears I am in for a fight..."
Based on: Jean de Metz
Born: Nouillonpont, Duchy of Lorraine
Status: Attendant
Weapon: Arming sword
Jean was an attendant to Bertrand du Guesclin. In-series, he is always there to aid Bertrand du Guesclin, and is dedicated but otherwise has little to say. There are times when he does state his opinions in order to calm his lord from anger or rouse him out of depression.
- Number Two: He is Bertrand's loyal adjutant.
- The Quiet One: He's very softly spoken and rarely says much.
- Undying Loyalty: To Bertrand.
Marie
Marie
"I shall give all that I am able for Lord Philippe!"
Based on: N/A (original character)
Born: Kingdom of France
Status: Attendant
Weapon: Short sword and buckler
Marie is an original character created for the game and Philippe le Bon's assistant who is in charge of maintaining order amongst his ranks. Marie is an austere woman, who maintains her stern personality no matter the circumstance. Despite her frigid disposition, her primary concern seems to be her lord's welfare.
- Action Girl: Involves herself in active combat, fighting with a short-sword and buckler.
- Bodyguard Crush: She’s Phillippe's adjutant and protector and appears to have feelings for him, though these feelings seem to be unrequited.
- Close-Range Combatant: She wields a short-sword and shield, so getting up close and personal with her opponents is required.
- Cool Crown: She sports an elegant, period-correct crespine headdress — an ornate circlet incorporating filigree coverings worn on either side of the head to gather up long hair, Princess Leia-style.
- Ice Queen: She exhibits a haughty, detached persona, and is a pale, stunning beauty.
- Lady of War: Marie is elegant, beautiful and feminine, as well as a badass fighter.
- Luckily, My Shield Will Protect Me: She wields a small buckler.
- Mini Dress Of Power: Her outfit includes a short tunic-like skirt.
- Eerie Pale-Skinned Brunette: Sports shiny black hair, pale blue eyes and porcelain-pale skin.
- Undying Loyalty: To Philippe, to whom she acts as an attendant, though her being fairly obviously in love with him helps too.
You Ji
You Ji
"The enemies of Lord de Richemont deserve no mercy!"
Based on: N/A (original character)
Born: Ming Empire
Status: Attendant
Weapon: Crossbow
Hailing from the Far East, You Ji is an original character created for the game and Arthur de Richemont's assistant and bodyguard. You Ji is usually a quiet individual but is sternly loyal to Arthur. He gladly risks his life to save de Richemont's honor and position within the ranks of the King.
- Bash Brothers: He always fights alongside Arthur and is his protector.
- Canon Foreigner: He's a nice Shout-Out to the Dynasty Warriors series, to which Bladestorm owes its origins.
- Inscrutable Oriental: He's a quiet, thoughtful character and originally hails from the Ming Empire (modern-day China).
- Mukokuseki: Completely (and pleasantly) averted — his look is typically east asian, versus the rest of the cast’s obviously European looks.
- Token Minority: He's Chinese and is the only Asian main character in the game.
- Undying Loyalty: To Arthur.
Christine de Pizan
Christine de Pizan
"My talent is a gift to the world. It is obvious that we should preserve it!"
Based on: Christine de Pizan
Born: Venice, Republic of Venice (1364)
Status: Nobility
Weapon: Staff
Christine de Pizan is an Italian-French writer in the court of King Charles VI. Considered a sort of "proto-feminist", de Pizan wrote such works as The Book of Deeds of Arms and of Chivalry and The Book of the City of Ladies. Her writings not only shaped the world of literature, but also helped improve the position of women in a male-dominated society. In-series, she acts as the French king's court magician, in a nod to the real-life Thomas de Pizan (her father), who was the King's court astrologer.
- Alchemy Is Magic: Her role as the royal astrologer is, in-game, presented as if she were an actual magician.
- Court Mage: To the King of France — she serves as his alchemist, astrologer and physician.
- Insufferable Genius: She’s highly intelligent and a skilled alchemist, though her haughty persona tends to rub people up the wrong way.
- High-Class Glass: She wears a pair of neat pince-nez.
- Hot Witch: She was known as a skilled healer and in-game, she’s presented as an actual magician.
- Ms. Fanservice: She wears a fairly flimsy medieval style sideless gown, fish-net stockings and stiletto heels. Whilst exaggerated and made much skimpier for Fanservice-purposes, sideless clothes, in the form of sideless surcoats
, were a 14th century fashion amongst women. - Purely Aesthetic Glasses: She may just use them for close-up work, but her little pince-nez clearly aren’t for long-distance.
- Regal Ringlets: Sports long blonde ringlets befitting her status.
- Smug Snake: She may be smart, but she can also be arrogant and selfish.
King Charles VII of France
King Charles VII of France
"I shall vanquish you and your ilk...for the glory of France!"
Based on: King Charles VII of France (primarily)
Born: Hôtel Saint-Pol, Paris (1403)
Status: Royalty
Weapon: Longsword
Charles VII is one of the reigning kings during latter half of the Hundred Years' War. During his early years, he was not a favored successor for his father and was even ridiculed as "The Small King of Bourges". He was able to salvage his reputation and gain prominence within the court by using Joan of Arc, La Hire and Gilles de Rais's victories within the war to his advantage. In-series, he is depicted as a highly intelligent, learned individual, and his manner gives the impression that he can read anyone's mind.
- A Father to His Men: Whilst he’s less of a combatant than his English counterpart King Edward, he still leads his troops into battle.
- Composite Character: Unlike the King of England, who is definitively based on Edward III, the King of France stands in for at least three different kings of France, Philippe VI (at Crecy), John II the Good (at Poitiers), and Charles VII the Victorious (after Joan of Arc shows up).
- Ermine Cape Effect: He wears an actual ermine cape, befitting his kingly status.
- Requisite Royal Regalia: Easily the most fancily dressed character in the game.
- Royal Blood: He was King during the latter years of the War and a member of the House of Valois, the royal house of France from 1328 to 1589. His reign witnessed the expulsion of the English from France and the reestablishment of a strong French monarchy.
- Sensitive Guy and Manly Man: He's very much the intelligent sensitive one, whereas his English rival, King Edward, is the manly man.
- Super-Intelligence: He's incredibly intelligent and is said to have an uncanny knack for reading situations, verging on some level of Telepathy.
- The Wise King: He is a learned ruler and he makes highly considered decisions.
