Jean Dunois, comte de, a French soldier, born Nov. 23, 1402, died Nov. 28, 1468. The natural son of Louis, duke of Orleans, brother of Charles VI., he early gained warlike distinction under the appellation of the bastard of Orleans. In 1427, in conjunction with La-hire, he raised the siege of Montargis, then beset by the English. In 1428 he threw himself into Orleans, which was hard pressed by a powerful English army, and upheld the spirit of the troops and citizens until they were relieved in April, 1429, by Joan of Arc. Dunois then became a faithful follower of the heroine, sharing in all her exploits, and particularly in her victory at Patay. In 1432 he recovered Chartres by stratagem; and in 1436 he was one of the generals who marched into Paris, to help the citizens in driving out the English. Several measures adopted by the government of Charles VII. were obnoxious to the nobles, and Dunois in 1440 took part in the rebellion headed by the dauphin, and known as La Praguerie; but he soon became reconciled with Charles, and in 1449 received the title of lieutenant general of the king, with command of the principal force for the invasion of Normandy. In less than a year, chiefly by his activity, skill, and prudence, all the cities, towns, and fortresses of Normandy were recovered.

In 1451 he led his victorious army into Guienne, stormed the town of Blaye on the Gironde, and within three months completed the conquest of that province, Bordeaux included, which for 300 years had been in the hands of the English kings. Nothing was now left them on the continent except the city of Calais and its vicinity As a reward for his services Dunois was appointed grand chamberlain to the king. After the accession of Louis XL he was deprived of some of his offices, and joined in 1465 the rebellious league of the great lords, which assumed the name of "league of the public weal;" but on the conclusion of the peace at Conflans, he was restored to his former offices.