In the collective imagination, medieval knights were handsome fighters, clad in shining armour and mounted on powerful steeds. Historical reality, however, as often happens, turned out to be far different from this fairytale vision. Living proof of this was Bertrand du Guesclin (1320-1380): a medieval knight who served under three French kings (from 1335 to 1380), even reaching the rank of Constable of France.

Du Guesclin, in fact, did not fit the mold of the perfect knight: he was not tall, stocky, awkward, and not handsome (as evidenced by the photo in the description); so ugly that his parents are said to have said of him: "They hated him so much that often, in their hearts, they wished he would die or drown in running water." However, he made up for this with uncommon strength and fighting ability, earning him the nickname the Black Dog of Brocéliande.

From a young age, he demonstrated great skill in wrestling, even winning several games in a tournament at just 15 (he participated without permission) and earning his father's respect and permission to pursue a career as a soldier/knight. After gaining a reputation as a skilled jouster, Bertrand also began to distinguish himself in the various wars between local French lords and later in the Hundred Years' War, when, in 1354, he took possession of a castle. Thanks to his skills and military successes, Du Guesclin obtained numerous fiefs and titles (duke, count) until he became, as mentioned, constable in 1370, following his personal success in expelling the English from the French provinces. Bertrand also demonstrated great military ingenuity here, preferring to besiege castle after castle and resorting to subterfuge (such as disguising his men as Englishmen). "Certainly, he led only a small force of a few hundred men, but he achieved greater results with them than with a large army [...]," French historian Georges Minois would say of him. Du Guesclin later died at the age of 60 of pneumonia (or dysentery) during the siege of a city that had already surrendered two weeks before the constable's death.

Bertrand du Guesclin proved that, with talent and perseverance, even without wealth or good looks, one can reach the pinnacle of one's goals.