Ecorcheurs! Hundred Years War Historical Background

Once upon a time, in the last century no less, I studied medieval history and archaeology to postgraduate masters level, not that it's been of much use since. This might explain why I'm currently exploring some historical contextual background for my Ecorcheurs! Hundred Years War project, especially as it was my third year depth study for my first degree. 

I currently have two potential options, one in the 1420's and the other the 1440's but both with a personal connection of sorts.

As I grew up in Cornwall I thought it might be nifty to make the retinue part of Sir John Cornwall's military forces during the siege of Meaux in the winter of 1421-1422. During the siege his seventeen year old son, also named John, was tragically decapitated by a stone cannon ball. Not a nice way to go but at least he wouldn't have known what hit him!

Prior to this I thought he would be a good candidate for a retinue commander tasked with patrols, raids and counter sorties during the siege. As this occured in the deep mid winter, it would also make good use of my existing winter terrain, saving me some time and effort while allowing for some further terrain scratch building, which I really enjoy.

The second option is to focus on the retinue of Sir Thomas Hoo in Lord Talbot's forces during the expedition into France under Richard Duke of York. He served as bailiff and Captain of Mantes in 1440 and 1441, at which time one of his retained men at arms was James Jaquemin, an apparent name sake of yours truly and possibly a very distant ancestor, although that is a long shot to say the least!