Chapter II: Front Matter (2)

There was living in that part of the country near to Pontoise, l'Isle-Adam, Gisors, and on the borders of Normandy, a captain of a gang of thieves called Tabary, who had taken part with the Burgundians. He was of small stature, and lame; but he often collected bodies of forty or fifty peasants, sometimes more, sometimes less, armed and dressed in old jackets and haubergeons, with decayed battle-axes, half lances with mallets at their end, and other poor armour. Some were mounted on miserable horses; while others on foot formed ambuscades in the woods, near to the English quarters. Whenever Tabary could lay hands on any of them he cut their throats, as indeed he did to all the dauphin's friends. This conduct made him greatly feared by both these parties.

CHAP. X.

KING HENRY OF ENGLAND, WITH MANY IRISH, BESIEGES ROUEN, WHERE SEVERAL SKIRMISHES TAKE PLACE.

King Henry of England marched a most powerful army, accompanied by a large train of artillery and warlike stores, in the month of June, before the noble and potent town of Rouen, to prevent the inhabitants and garrison from being supplied with new corn. The van of his army arrived there at midnight, that the garrison might not make any sally against them. The king was lodged at the Carthusian convent; the duke of Glocester was quartered before the gate of St Hilaire; the duke of Clarence at the gate of Caen; the earl of Warwick at that of Martinville; the duke of Exeter and earl of Dorset at that of Beauvais: in front of the gate of the castle were the lord Marshal and Sir John de Cornwall. At the gate leading to Normandy were posted the earls of Huntingdon, Salisbury, Kyme, and the lord Neville son to the earl of Westmoreland. On the hill fronting St Catherine's were others of the english barons.

Before the English could fortify their quarters, many sallies were made on them, and several severe skirmishes passed on both sides. But the English, so soon as they could, dug deep ditches between the town and them, on the top of which they planted a thick hedge of thorns, so that they could not otherwise be annoyed than by cannon shot and arrows. They also built a jette on the banks of the Seine, about a cannon shot distant from the town, to which they fastened their chains, one of them half a foot under the water, another level with it, and a third two feet above the stream, so that no boats could bring provision to the town, nor could any escape from it that way. They likewise dug deep galleries of communication from one quarter to another, which completely sheltered those in them from cannon or other warlike machines.

The garrison in the fort of St Catherine, at the end of a month, surrendered it to the English from want of provision, and were allowed to depart in safety, but without baggage.

The king of England had in his army numbers of Irish, the greater part of whom were on foot, having only a stocking and shoe on one leg and foot, with the other quite naked. They had targets, short javelins, and a strange sort of knives. Those who were on horseback had no saddles, but rode excellently well on small mountain horses, and were mounted on such paniers as are used by the carriers of corn in parts of France. They were, however, miserably accoutred, in comparison with the English, and without any arms that could much hurt the French whenever they might meet them.

These Irish made frequent excursions, during the siege, over Normandy, and did infinite mischiefs, bringing back to their camp large booties. Those on foot took men, and even children from the cradle, with beds and furniture, and, placing them on cows, drove all these things before them; for they were often met thus by the French. By such means was the country of Normandy wasted, and its poor inhabitants ruined, by English, Irish, Burgundians and Dauphinois.

The king of England, during this siege of Rouen, had the gates and walls of the town battered by bombards and other engines to destroy them; but to relate the whole, and the many sallies that were made, would occupy too much time. Suffice it to say, that the besieged behaved with the utmost courage.

While the siege was going on, Langnon bastard d'Arly, one of the principal captains in the town, and in whom the inhabitants placed their greatest confidence, had the charge of guarding the gate of Caux. One day, an English knight, called sir John le Blanc, governor of Harfleur under the earl of Dorset, came before this gate, and demanded of Langnon to break three lances with him, which he granted,--and, having quickly armed himself, sallied out with about thirty companions on foot. In front of the barriers, they attacked each other gallantly; but it happened, that at the first thrust, the english knight was run through the body, and unhorsed: he was then dragged by force into the town, and soon after died. Langnon received four hundred nobles on returning the body, and was universally applauded by the townsmen for the address and valour he had shewn on this occasion.

CHAP. XI.

THE SENTENCE THAT HAD BEEN FORMERLY PASSED ON MASTER JOHN PETIT IS PUBLICLY REVERSED.--THE CAPTURE OF LAIGNY-SUR-MARNE.--THE ARRIVAL OF THE DUKE OF BRITTANY,--AND OTHER MATTERS.

In these days, a public procession was made from all the churches in Paris, and mass was chaunted in that of Nôtre Dame. While mass was celebrating, a friar minorite, doctor in theology, preached a solemn sermon in the square before the church,--at which were present the king's ministers, such as the chancellor and others, the rector and principal heads of the university, several great lords, the provost of Paris, and some of the chief citizens. There were also present the vicars and officials of the bishop of Paris, who, having received an especial commission for the purpose from the bishop, then very ill at St Maur des Fossés, reversed, in his name, the sentence which he and others had formerly pronounced contrary to the honour of the duke of Burgundy, and against the proposition avowed by this duke through the organ of master John Petit, as has been before related, and now made every possible reparation in regard to the honour and loyalty of the said duke, as the true champion of the crown of France.

The preacher, in his sermon, compared him to the prop that supports the vine, and explained the legality of the powers granted by the bishop to his vicars to annul this sentence, at the same time making excuses for the bishop's absence on account of his illness. In short, every thing was done to the satisfaction of the duke of Burgundy, and the sentence was annulled in the middle of the sermon.

At this time news was brought to the duke while at Paris, that the Dauphinois at Meaux-en-Brie had taken the town of Laigny-sur-Marne, by the carelessness of the garrison, which was true, and the day they won it, they committed many outrages. Some of the garrison escaped into a strong tower, and sent in haste to the duke for help, who instantly dispatched thither the lord de l'Isle-Adam; and, by means of those in the tower, he gained admittance to the town, and put the greater part of the Dauphinois to the sword,--when, having placed therein a strong garrison, he returned to Paris.

On the morrow, the duke of Burgundy, attended by a large body of men at arms, went from Paris to the bridge of Charenton, to meet the duke of Brittany, who was coming to negotiate a peace between him and the dauphin; but as nothing could be agreed on, the duke of Burgundy returned to Paris, and the duke of Brittany to his own country.

The reason why they met at Charenton was the epidemical disorder that then raged in Paris. By accounts from the rectors of the parishes, it was known that upward of fourscore thousand had died within that town. Many of the dependants of the duke of Burgundy were carried off by this pestilence, as were the prince of Orange, the lord de Fosseux, sir Jenet de Poix, the lord d'Auxois, and numbers of other gentlemen.

Shortly after, the cardinals d'Orsini and di San Marco returned to Saint Maur des Fossés, to treat of a peace between the dauphin and the duke of Burgundy; and many notable ambassadors were sent to them from the king, queen and duke, who at length concluded a treaty by means of these cardinals with the commissioners sent from the dauphin. It seemed good, and to the mutual advantage of both parties; but when it was carried to the dauphin and his advisers, they were dissatisfied with it, so that the war continued with greater bitterness than before.

CHAP. XII.

THE PARISIANS AGAIN PUT TO DEATH THE PRISONERS.--THE SIEGE OF MONTLEHERY.--THE CAPTURE OF SOISSONS BY THE LORD DE BOCQUIAUX AND HIS COMPANIONS.

To add to the tribulations of these times, the Parisians again assembled in great numbers, as they had before done, and went to all the prisons in Paris, broke into them, and put to death full three hundred prisoners, many of whom had been confined there since the last butchery. In the number of those murdered were sir James de Mommor, and sir Louis de Corail chamberlain to the king, with many nobles and churchmen.

They then went to the lower court of the bastille of St Anthony, and demanded that six prisoners, whom they named, should be given up to them, or they would attack the place. In fact, they began to pull down the wall of the gate,--when the duke of Burgundy, who lodged near the bastille, vexed to the heart at such proceedings, to avoid worse, ordered the prisoners to be delivered to them, if any of their leaders would promise that they should be conducted to the Châtelet prison, and suffered to be punished according to their deserts by the king's court of justice.

Upon this, they all departed,--and, by way of glossing over their promise, they led their prisoners near to the Châtelet, when they put them to death, and stripped them naked. They then divided into several large companies, and paraded the streets of Paris, entering the houses of many who had been Armagnacs, plundering and murdering all without mercy. In like manner as before, when they met any person they disliked, he was slain instantly; and their principal leader was Cappeluche, the hangsman of the city of Paris.

The duke of Burgundy, alarmed at these insurrections, sent for some of the chief citizens, with whom he remonstrated on the consequences these disturbances might have. The citizens excused themselves from being any way concerned, and said they were much grieved to witness them: they added, they were all of the lowest rank, and had thus risen to pillage the more wealthy; and they required the duke to provide a remedy, by employing these men in his wars.

It was then proclaimed, in the names of the king and the duke of Burgundy, under pain of death, that no persons should tumultuously assemble, nor any more murders or pillage take place, but that such as had of late risen in insurrection should prepare themselves to march to the sieges of Montlehery and Marcoussi, now held by the king's enemies. The commonalty made reply, that they would cheerfully do so, if they had proper captains appointed to lead them.

Within a few days, to avoid similar tumults in Paris, six thousand of the populace were sent to Montlehery, under the command of the lord de Cohen, sir Walter de Ruppes and sir Walter Raillart, with a certain number of men at arms, and store of cannon and ammunition sufficient for a siege. These knights led them to Montlehery, where they made a sharp attack on the Dauphinois within the castle.

The duke of Burgundy, after their departure, arrested several of their accomplices, and the principal movers of the late insurrection; some of whom he caused to be beheaded, others to be hanged or drowned in the Seine: even their leader Cappeluche, the hangsman, was beheaded in the market-place. When news of this was carried to the Parisians who had been sent to Montlehery, they marched back to Paris to raise another rebellion; but the gates were closed against them, so that they were forced to return to the siege. Within a short time, however, they were recalled thence,--for negotiators from the two parties were busily employed to establish peace.

The lord de Château-vilain, at this period, came to wait on the duke of Burgundy in Paris: he was preceded by a fool, who, riding some paces before him as he entered the gate of St Anthony, shouted aloud, 'Armagnac for ever!' and was instantly put to death by the guards at the gate, to the great anger of his lord, but he could not amend it.

The Dauphinois, to the amount of three hundred combatants, under the command of the lord de Bocquiaux, won by storm at break of day the city of Soissons from the lord de Longueval, governor of it for the king and the duke of Burgundy. The lord de Longueval escaped with much difficulty on foot, in company with Robert de Saveuses and others, by leaping down from the walls. The city was, in great part, plundered of every thing.

CHAP. XIII.

THE DAUPHINESS IS SENT TO THE DAUPHIN.--THE SIEGE OF TOURS, IN TOURAINE.--OF THE GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED BY THE KING AND THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.

With the consent of the king and queen of France, and the duke of Burgundy, the dauphiness was honourably sent to the dauphin in Anjou: she had remained in Paris at the time when it was taken: and with her were sent all her jewels and wardrobe, that the dauphin might be the more inclined to peace and to return to the king. It was in vain; for those who governed him would not suffer it, as they knew that in that case they should be deprived of all their offices and employments.

The young count d'Armagnac now joined the dauphin magnificently accompanied by men at arms, and made bitter complaints concerning the murders of his father, the constable of France, and of the other great lords. The dauphin and his council replied, that speedy and substantial justice should be done, in proper time and place, on those who had committed these murders.

The dauphin then marched a powerful army to lay siege to Tours in Touraine, of which place sir William de Romenil, knight, and Charles l'Abbe were governors. They in a short time surrendered both town and castle to the dauphin; and Charles l'Abbe even turned to his party, and took the oaths of allegiance to him. The men at arms that were under his command, being unwilling to follow his example, received passports to go whither they pleased. The dauphin kept his court at Tours for a considerable space of time.

The duke of Burgundy, on the other hand, who held the king and queen under his subjection, ordered the government of the kingdom according to his pleasure; and notwithstanding he had formerly abolished all subsidies and taxes, he caused the king's ministers to issue a royal edict to raise certain sums for the relief of the city of Rouen, which was hard pressed by the English. In addition to this, the Parisians were required to furnish a loan for the same purpose; and the municipality lent one hundred thousand francs, on condition that every tun of wine should pay twelve farthings when brought to Paris, until the above sum were repaid,--and the municipality were to receive this duty by their own officers. Large subsidies were likewise raised throughout those parts of the realm that were under the king's obedience,--namely, in the bishoprick of Beauvais, in the bailiwicks of Amiens, of the Vermandois, and elsewhere. Master Robert le Jeune, advocate in the parliament, was nominated to collect these taxes; and one of the judges with some of the king's officers were sent to enforce payment from such as refused.

CHAP. XIV.

THE TOWN OF ROUEN SENDS MESSENGERS TO THE KING TO DEMAND SUCCOUR.--AN EMBASSY IS SENT TO KING HENRY OF ENGLAND,--AND MANY OTHER MATTERS.

At this period, a priest of a tolerable age, and of clear understanding, was deputed, by those besieged in Rouen, to the king of France and his council. On his arrival at Paris, he caused to be explained by an augustin doctor, named Eustace de la Paville, in presence of the king and his ministers, the miserable situation of the besieged. He took for his text, 'Domine quid faciemus?' and harangued upon it very ably and eloquently. When he had finished, the priest addressed the king, saying,

'Most excellent prince and lord, I am enjoined by the inhabitants of Rouen to make loud complaints against you, and against you duke of Burgundy, who govern the king, for the oppressions they suffer from the English. They make known to you by me, that if, from want of being succoured by you, they are forced to become subjects to the king of England, you will not have in all the world more bitter enemies; and if they can, they will destroy you and your whole generation.'

With these or with similar words did this priest address the king and his council. After he had been well received and entertained, and the duke of Burgundy had promised to provide succours for the town of Rouen as speedily as possible, he returned the best way he could to carry this news to the besieged.

Shortly after, the king of France and the duke of Burgundy sent ambassadors to Pont de l'Arche, to treat of a peace with the king of England. This embassy consisted of the bishop of Beauvais, master Philip de Morvilliers, first president of the parliament, master Regnault de Folleville, knight, sir William de Champdivers, master Thierry le Roy, and others: they were likewise accompanied by the cardinal d'Orsini, as a mediator.

The king of England appointed the earl of Warwick, the lord chancellor, and the archbishop of Canterbury to meet them at Pont de l'Arche, with others of his council. The negotiations lasted fifteen days,--during which the cardinal paid a visit to the king of England, at his siege of Rouen, and was handsomely received by him and the other lords.

The ambassadors from the king of France had brought with them a portrait of the princess Catherine, daughter to the king, which was presented to the king of England, who liked it well; but he made too great demands for her marriage-portion, namely, that with the princess should be given him a million of crowns of gold, the duchy of Normandy, of which he had conquered a part, the duchy of Acquitaine, the county of Ponthieu, with other lordships, the whole to be held independent of the crown of France.

Nothing therefore was concluded; and the English ambassadors replied to those from France, that their king was not in a situation to form any treaty with,--for the dauphin was not made a party, and it was unbecoming the duke of Burgundy to dispose by treaty of the inheritances of France. On receiving this answer, the cardinal and ambassadors returned to the king and queen of France and the duke of Burgundy, who had lately quitted Paris, and were at Pontoise.

They reported to the council all that had passed at Pont de l'Arche; and soon after the cardinal went to pope Martin at Avignon, for he saw clearly that no peace was likely to take effect between the three parties.

The inhabitants of Rouen knowing well that the negotiation between the kings of France and England was broken off, and fearing that succour would be too long delayed, resolved to make a sally, and fight their way through one of the quarters of king Henry's army, to seek for succour themselves. On mustering their forces, they found they were full ten thousand combatants, leaving a sufficiency for the defence of the town. Orders were given for each man to provide himself with two days provision. When all were ready, and two thousand of them had made an attack on the king's quarters, where they had done much damage, they began their march out of the town; but it happened that the props which bore the drawbridge had been wickedly and secretly sawed nearly through, so that when their first ranks advanced thereon it broke, and very many fell into the ditch and were killed or wounded.

They hastened to another gate to support their men that were engaged with the English, and ordered them to retreat; but they could not regain their town without great loss, although they had made their enemies suffer also.

There were now many murmurings against the honour of sir Guy le Bouteiller, who was believed to have caused the supporters of the drawbridge to be sawn.

Not long after this sally, Langnon bastard d'Arly died of sickness, to the great sorrow of the commonalty, who as I have before said, had greater confidence in him than in any of the other captains.

At this time sir John de Luxembourg took to wife Joan of Bethune, daughter and heiress to the viscount de Meaux, who had before espoused Robert de Bar count de Marle and de Soissons. She had a young daughter, two years old or thereabout, the heiress of these counties. This marriage was concluded through favour of the duke of Burgundy and the count de Charolois; and by it sir John de Luxembourg had the management of extensive territories. Within a year, the lady brought him a son, who died young. The duke of Burgundy gave up to him many lordships, such as Dunkirk, Varmeston and others, which he had holden as being confiscated,--for the late sir Robert de Bar, during his lifetime, had been of the opposite party.

CHAP. XV.

A LARGE ARMY IS COLLECTED TO RAISE THE SIEGE OF ROUEN.--THE BESIEGED SEND ANOTHER EMBASSY.--THE EXCURSION OF SIR JAMES DE HARCOURT.

We must now return to the situation of the king of France, and of the duke of Burgundy's government. It is true that large bodies of men at arms had been summoned in the king's name for the relief of the town of Rouen, from different parts of the kingdom, and ordered to rendezvous at and near Beauvais. A great many of the lords from Picardy, with a numerous body of their men accustomed to bear arms, came thither; and the country suffered much from them wherever they passed.

The king, queen and duke of Burgundy, with their households, came from Pontoise to Beauvais, to have provisions in greater plenty, and held there many private councils on the best means to relieve the town of Rouen. They could not devise any mode that would be successful, on account of the quarrel between the dauphin and the duke of Burgundy, and because the king of England had too powerful an army. Notwithstanding this, they daily summoned more men at arms and cross-bows from the towns under their obedience.

While the court resided at Beauvais, four gentlemen, and four citizens of Rouen, were sent to lay before the king and council their miserable state: they told them, that thousands of persons were already dead of hunger within their town; and that, from the beginning of October, they had been forced to live on horses, dogs, cats, mice and rats, and other things unfit for human creatures. They had nevertheless, driven full twelve thousand poor people, men women and children, out of the place, the greater part of whom had perished wretchedly in the ditches of the town. That it had been frequently necessary to draw up in baskets new born children from mothers who had been brought to bed in these ditches to have them baptised, and they were afterward returned to their mothers: many however, had perished without christening,--all which things were grievous and pitiful to be related. They then added, 'To you our lord and king, and to you noble duke of Burgundy, the loyal inhabitants of Rouen have before made known their distress: they now again inform you how much they are suffering for you, to which you have not yet provided any remedy according to your promises. We are sent to you for the last time, to announce to you on the part of the besieged, that if within a few days they are not relieved, they shall surrender themselves and their town to the English king, and thenceforward renounce all allegiance, faith and service, which they have sworn to you.'

The king, duke and council, courteously replied, that the king's forces were not as yet adequate to raise the siege, which they were exceedingly sorry for; but, with God's pleasure, they should very soon be relieved.

The deputies asked, by what time: the duke answered, before the fourth day after Christmas. They then returned to their town with difficulty, from the great danger of being taken by the besiegers and related all that had passed.

The besieged now suffered the greatest distress; and it is impossible to recount the miseries of the common people from famine: it was afterward known, that upwards of fifty thousand had perished of hunger. Some, when they saw meat carried through the street, in despair, ran to seize it, and, so doing, allowed themselves to be severely beaten, and even wounded. During the space of three months, no provisions were seen in the markets, but every thing was sold secretly: and what before the siege was worth a farthing was sold for twenty, thirty, or even forty; but these prices were too high for the common people, and hence the great mortality I have mentioned.

December was about half over when these last ambassadors returned to Rouen; and during this tempestuous season, sir James de Harcourt and the lord de Moreul assembled about two thousand combatants, whom they led to within two leagues of the English quarters, with the hope of plunder. They posted their men in two ambuscades near to each other, to fall on the enemy, should he pass that way,--and then ordered about six score of their men at arms to attack a village near the town, in which were a party of English. These were either taken or killed, except a few, who by having good horses, escaped to their main army, crying out that they had seen the French in great force.

The English were instantly in motion, and under arms; and the king of England ordered sir John de Cornwall to mount his horse, and take six hundred men to see what truth was in this report. Sir John de Cornwall, without delay, marched off his men, taking with him some of those who had seen the French, and soon came up with the enemy; but the French, seeing the English were too numerous, hastily returned to their ambuscades, to whom they told that the enemy were coming.

Sir John de Cornwall followed them in good array, and so closely that he could plainly distinguish their numbers,--when the French that were in one ambush advanced in order of battle to combat them, but the greater part of the others turned their backs and fled. The English, noticing this, made a vigorous charge, and put the whole to the rout, with a very trifling loss on their side,--and to the great confusion of the French, for on this day were twelve score men at arms killed or made prisoners: among the last was the lord de Moreul, Butor bastard de Croy, and many noble gentlemen of high rank. Sir James de Harcourt and others saved themselves by the fleetness of their horses. Sir John de Cornwall returned with his prisoners to the camp, very much rejoiced at his victory.

CHAP. XVI.

THE KING OF FRANCE HOLDS MANY COUNCILS ON THE MEANS OF RAISING OF THE SIEGE OF ROUEN.--THE SURRENDER OF THAT TOWN TO THE KING OF ENGLAND,--AND OTHER MATTERS.

The king and queen of France, and the duke of Burgundy, held very many councils, while at Beauvais, on the most effectual means to relieve Rouen; but as it was found that at the moment the royal forces were insufficient to combat the army of England, and to raise the siege, the greater part of the men at arms that had been assembled were disbanded, excepting some from the principal towns, who were sent to garrison the frontiers, as well against the English as the Dauphinois.

When this was done, the king, queen, and duke of Burgundy, escorted by his Burgundians and a considerable body of men at arms, departed from Beauvais, and, passing through Creil and Laigny sur Marne, went to Provins. Many were astonished at this measure.

News of it was carried to Rouen, and the duke of Burgundy privately advised the besieged to treat with the king of England on the best terms they could. When this was made public, there was an universal grief throughout the town, for the inhabitants were sorrowful at heart: however, some of the captains and principal citizens comforted them as well as they were able, and afterward assembled in the town-hall to consider on their future conduct toward the king of England.

They resolved, since they had now lost all hope of relief, and that their provisions were nearly exhausted, to treat with their adversaries,--for that purpose they sent a herald to the king of England, to require a passport for six persons, which was granted. They nominated, as their ambassadors, two churchmen, two gentlemen, and two citizens, who were wise, prudent and well spoken. They went strait to the tent of the king, and were conducted to the lodgings of the archbishop of Canterbury, who, with the earl of Warwick, had been appointed to treat with them.

When they were met, they opened the business, to discover on what terms they would be received, but could obtain no other answer than that the whole of the inhabitants must submit unconditionally to the king. On this they returned to their town without saying more,--and again assembled the principal burghers and many of the commonalty, to whom they related the answer they had received, which appeared to those who heard it uncommonly harsh. They declared it would be far preferable to die combating the enemy, than to be reduced to subjection by this king. The assembly now broke up, but met again on the morrow more numerous than before. After much conversation, it was resolved unanimously to undermine part of their wall, and support it on props withinside the town, to which they would set fire,--and when the wall should fall down, having completely armed themselves, they would then sally forth through the breach, with their wives and children, and march whither God might please to lead them.

They separated, with the intention of putting their plan into execution on the night of the morrow; but the king of England, having had information of it, and being desirous of gaining the whole town and its inhabitants, had the late ambassadors privately summoned to come again to the camp by the archbishop of Canterbury, who with others delegated to this purpose, concluded a treaty on the following terms.

In the first place, the king of England was to receive from the inhabitants of Rouen the sum of three hundred and sixty-five crowns of gold, of the coin of France, and three men to deal with as he might please,--first, master Robert de Linet, vicar-general to the archbishop of Rouen, who during the siege had conducted himself most imprudently; the second was a citizen called Jean Jourdain, who had had the command of the cannoneers; the third was Alain Blanchart, leader of the common people, and the principal of those who had formerly murdered sir Raol de Gaucourt, bailiff of Rouen, as has been before mentioned. The whole of the inhabitants were to swear faith and loyalty to the king of England and to his successors, he and they promising in return to guard and defend them against all who might attempt to injure them,--and also to maintain them in their liberties, privileges and franchises, of which they had been in possession since the reign of St Louis.

It was likewise ordained, that all who chose to quit the town might freely depart, having only their usual clothes on, leaving the rest behind, as confiscated to the king; and also that the whole of the men at arms should deposit their armour and effects at a specified place; when, after they had sworn not to bear arms for one whole year against king Henry, passports would be granted them, and they would be escorted in safety beyond the king's outposts, but dressed in their usual clothing, with staves in their hands.

When this treaty had been concluded, and sufficient pledges given to the king for its due observance, a certain number of the townsmen were permitted to enter the English camp at their pleasure to seek for provisions, of which there was such abundance that the whole carcase of a sheep was not worth more than six sols parisis.

This treaty was concluded on the 16th day of January in the year 1419; and on the following Thursday, the 19th of the same month, the king of England made his public entry into the town of Rouen with great pomp, attended by the princes of his blood and numbers of his nobles. He was followed by a page mounted on a beautiful horse, bearing a lance, at the end of which, near the point, was fastened a fox's brush, by way of streamer, which afforded great matter of remark among the wise heads.

On his entrance, which was about two o'clock in the afternoon, the bells of all the churches were rung, and the mitred abbots, and all others of the clergy, went out in procession to meet him dressed in their sacred robes, bearing many relics, who, with chaunting, conducted the king to the cathedral of our Lady. When he was come to the great gate, he dismounted, and, bare-headed, reverently entered the church, and returned his thanksgivings to God at the high altar: thence he went to the castle, where he was lodged, and the others wherever they could in the town.

This city of Rouen, now conquered by the king of England, had, with all Normandy, appertained to France, and been under the obedience of her kings for 215 years from the time when king Philip, grandfather to saint Louis, acquired it from king John of England, by judgment of the peers of France, in right of confiscation.

King Henry, the day after his entry, had Alain Blanchart, who had been the leader of the populace, beheaded: the two others escaped punishment by dint of money. The garrison were ordered to march out by the gate leading toward the Seine, and were escorted by the English as far as the bridge of St George, where they were searched by commissaries from the king, who took from them all their money, with every thing valuable, giving them in return only two sols. Some of the gentlemen were even stripped of their handsome robes, made of martin skins, or embroidered with gold, and others of less value given them in return.

This conduct was noticed by those of the garrison who were in the rear; and foreseeing the same would be done to them, they quietly, and unobserved, threw into the Seine many purses full of gold, silver and jewels. Others, to avoid being plundered, had sewed up their money within the waistbands of their breeches. When they had all passed the bridge of St George, they kept together until they came to Pontoise, where they separated, and went to different parts, excepting the nobles, who joined the king of France and the duke of Burgundy at Provins.

Sir Guy le Bouteiller, who had been governor of Rouen, turned to the English, with several of his men, and took the oaths of allegiance to the king of England, deserting his own natural lord the king of France, for which he was much blamed by the French, and even by the English. Sir Guy was a native of Normandy, and not only had his estates restored to him, but was appointed deputy to the duke of Glocester, the new governor of Rouen.

The surrender of this town spread such an alarm and fear of the king of England throughout the whole of Normandy and the adjacent countries, as far as Pontoise, Beauvais and Abbeville, that the greater part of the chief towns and castles submitted to him without offering any resistance, or even striking a blow; such as Caudebec, Monstieriller, Dieppe, Fêcamp, Argues, Neuf-Châtel, Denicourt, Eu, Monchaulx,--and on the other side of the Seine, Vernon, Mantes, Gournay, Honfleur, Pont au de Mer, Château Molineaux, le Treict, Tancarville, Abrechier, Maulevrier, Valmont, Neufville, Bellaucombre, Fontaines le Bourc, Preaulx, Nogondouville, Logempré, St Germain sur Cailly, Baudemont, Bray, Villeterre, Charles Maisnil, les Boules Guillencourt, Ferifontaines, le Becq Crepin, Bacqueville,--and many more, in which the king of England placed his own garrisons.

From that time, the inhabitants of these countries wore a red cross as a badge, and several bore arms for the English; not indeed those of great authority, for it was not then become the custom for gentlemen or nobles to join the English. The inhabitants of Rouen in general took the oath of fidelity before the commissioners, at least all who intended to reside there; and they individually gave security to pay whatever they should be assessed to make up the sum of three hundred and sixty-five golden crowns before mentioned.

None were permitted to go out of the town without a billet from the king; and the same was practised in all the other towns under his obedience. These billets cost four sols each, French money; and by this means large sums were raised, to the advantage of the king and his ministers.

CHAP. XVII.

THE CASTLE OF COUCY IS TAKEN BY THE PRISONERS CONFINED THEREIN, AND THE GOVERNOR, PETER DE SAINT TREILLE, KILLED.--OTHER MATTERS.

About Candlemas in this same year, Peter de Saint Treille, governor of the castle of Coucy for the duke of Orleans, prisoner in England, was betrayed by some of his servants, namely, his taylor and marshal. They had entered into a conspiracy with the Burgundians, numbers of whom were confined in this castle, and had suffered many to escape: they went with others secretly by night to knock at the window of the governor's apartment in the great tower. A varlet who slept in the apartment arose, and, opening the window, demanded what they wanted: upon this, the taylor replied, that he had within his room a piece of his master's robe, which he had just cut out. On the door being opened, six persons with stout staves burst into the apartment, and murdered the governor and his servant.

They went thence to another tower, wherein were confined the lord de Maucourt en Santerre, Lyonnet de Bournouville, and other gentlemen,--from whom having obtained certain promises, they set them at liberty.

After this, with one common accord, they seized and killed the watch porters, and all who were not of their party, shouting with a loud voice, 'Burgundy for ever!'

A gentleman, named Brutel de Humerculles, was confined with his servant in the great tower; but hearing this cry, they burst open the doors of the dungeon, and got upon the drawbridge.

While this was passing, La Hire, who was in the town with a body of men at arms, being told what had happened by some of the garrison who had escaped over the walls, and also by a trumpeter that was posted on the leads of the castle, sounding to arms, marched his men to the bridge, thinking to reconquer it: but Brutel found means to ascend to the leads, and flung down on them stones so fast, and the others who had been prisoners made so vigorous a defence, that La Hire and those with him, seeing their attempt was now fruitless, retired with his men within the town until it should be day.

They then armed themselves again, packed up their baggage, and mounted their horses; and alter they had cruelly put to death sixty prisoners who were under confinement in the town, they departed for Guise.

This very much rejoiced those who had won the castle, and they instantly examined into its strength and the great wealth it contained. They dispatched messengers to sir John de Luxembourg to come to their aid, who, without delay, collected as many men at arms as he could, and set out for Coucy.

In the mean time, those who had sent for him resolved, nevertheless, not to let him enter the castle until he should promise that all the riches it contained should belong to them; and for this purpose, they sent the lord de Maucourt to meet him and declare their intentions, but who, in good truth, was afraid of telling him their resolution.

On the arrival of sir John de Luxembourg before the castle, to his great surprise, it was not instantly opened to him, for the reasons above mentioned; and he was so displeased that he caused the lord de Maucourt to be arrested, reproaching him with a design of betraying him,--and if an executioner had been present, or any one who would have done the office, he would have had him immediately beheaded. Shortly after, however, through fear of him and his men, those within the castle opened its gates, and admitted him, excusing themselves for the delay the best way they could. He directly new-garrisoned it; and with regard to its wealth, he seized the greater part, and those who had conquered it were not much enriched thereby.

At this time, the frontiers of Normandy, as far as Pontoise, Clermont, Beauvais, Mondidier, Bretueil, Amiens, Abbeville and St Valery, were overrun by the English, and wasted by fire and sword: sometimes, in their excursions, they carried off prisoners and considerable booties. The Normans now generally wore the red cross, which served them as a passport to go whither they pleased in security; and the Dauphinois also adopted the same badge. The party of the king and the duke of Burgundy were not idle; and thus the noble realm of France was, in divers places, torn in pieces by three different factions. The clergy and poor people were left defenceless, and had no other resource than to offer up their prayers lamentably to God their Creator, and patiently to wait his benign grace and pity.

CHAP. XVIII.

THE KING OF ENGLAND SENDS AN EMBASSY TO THE KING OF FRANCE AND THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY AT PROVINS.--OTHER MATTERS RELATIVE TO WHAT PASSED ON THE FRONTIERS.

While the king of France and the duke of Burgundy resided at Provins, an embassy, consisting of the earls of Warwick and Kent, was sent to them by the king of England. They were escorted by a party of Burgundians, but, on the road, were attacked, close to Chammes in Brie, by Tanneguy du Châtel and the Dauphinois,--who at first succeeded in gaining some of the horses and baggage of the ambassadors, but in the end were defeated, leaving upwards of forty men at arms dead on the field. The remainder, with Tanneguy, retreated to Meaux.

After the English had conferred with the duke of Burgundy and the king's ministers at Provins, they returned to the king of England at Rouen.

To afford satisfaction to the Parisians, Philip count de St Pol, nephew to the duke of Burgundy, and about fifteen years of age, was sent thither, and appointed king's lieutenant thereof: he was accompanied by master Eustace de Lactre, chancellor of France, who was to reside in Paris, and direct every measure as well respecting justice as war.

Le veau de Bar, bailiff of Auxois, was deprived of the provostship of Paris, and sir Giles de Clamessy nominated in his room.

At this period, Hector de Saveuses collected a great body of men at arms at Pont de Remy, whom he marched against the castle of Monchaulx, in the county of Eu, held by the English. On their approach, the garrison made a vigorous sally, and a severe skirmish ensued, in which the governor made Hector prisoner, and carried him off some distance; but he was rescued by his men, who killed about a dozen of the English, and took a gentleman of arms called Jovancherum. After this, they all returned to Pont de Remy.

In like manner, sir Louis Burnel, his brother Guichard, Guavain and Jean de Hersellames, with several other gentlemen who were in the town of Gamaches, kept up a sharp warfare against the English, often killing them, or making prisoners, and plundering all they met. They also sorely harrassed the towns and peasants who had turned to the enemy.

On the other hand, sir John de Luxembourg was hard pressed on the frontiers to resist the enterprises that were daily made on him by La Hire, Poton de Santrailles, and other captains of the dauphin's party. He was also charged with the defence of the fortresses toward Roye and Mondidier, against those of Compiegne, which obliged him to keep up a very large force of men at arms in those countries.

CHAP. XIX.

THE DAUPHIN CARRIES ON A VIGOROUS WAR IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE REALM.--THE ENTERPRISE OF LYONNET DE BOURNOUVILLE AND DAVIOD DE GOUY,--AND OTHER MATTERS.

The dauphin, on gaining Tours, made that place his residence, and carried on from thence a vigorous war on Chartres and other places under the subjection of the duke of Burgundy. The town of Bonneval surrendered to his arms, as did several more in the country of the Chartrain.

During these unfortunate times, Lyonnet de Bournouville, brother-in-law to the lord de l'Isle-Adam, marshal of France, and Daviod de Gouy, both very expert in arms, had posted themselves in Gisors, near to the frontier of the English, to whom they did much mischief. They had information that about eight hundred of the Irish were quartered in Ferrifontaine, together with about two hundred English. They formed a plan to attack their quarters during the night; and when they executed it, found them all disarmed, fast asleep, and without any guard. Their attack was so sudden, that very many were instantly killed; but the others, hearing their cries, barricaded and defended their houses the best way they could, when their enemies set them on fire. In short, what with killed and burnt, there remained four hundred dead on the spot, and one hundred were made prisoners, the rest saved themselves as they could in the adjacent woods. With their prisoners and plunder, the Burgundians returned to Gisors in great joy for their victory.

About Palm-Sunday, the king and queen of France and the duke of Burgundy, with their households, went to reside at Troyes in Champagne, where they were most honourably received by the inhabitants, and celebrated the feast of Easter there in company with a large retinue of nobles.

[A.D. 1419.]

CHAP. XX.

SIR JOHN DE LUXEMBOURG MARCHES SIX HUNDRED COMBATANTS TO MEET HIS BROTHER IN THE COUNTY OF BRIENNE.--THE DEFEAT OF HECTOR DE SAVEUSES.

In the beginning of this year, sir John de Luxembourg, accompanied by Hector de Saveuses and about six hundred combatants, marched through the Vermandois, Laonnois and Rheimois, to meet his brother, the count de Conversan, in the county of Brienne. On their junction, they made a severe war on the Dauphinois, who, a little before had wasted that country, and burnt the suburbs of Vitry. They also overran great part of the Barrois, toward Grand Pré.

When this had been finished, sir John de Luxembourg departed, leaving the greater number of his men together with his banner, under the command of Hector de Saveuses. Fifteen days after this, Hector, with the consent of the count de Conversan, set out with about three hundred combatants, and the banner, on his return to Artois; but, on passing through Champagne, he was surprised by the Dauphinois, who had posted themselves in Montagu. Notwithstanding the Dauphinois were inferior in numbers, they conquered Hector and won the banner: many were killed and one hundred taken, with a quantity of baggage, all of which they carried back with them to Montagu; but the men at arms saved themselves by the goodness of their horses, with their commander Hector, who retreated very melancholy at his ill success toward the Artois. The Dauphinois brought only about forty prisoners to Montagu, who within a month perished in prison, not without suspicion of being poisoned, excepting a few who had been set at liberty, to seek for their ransoms.

CHAP. XXI.

THE QUEEN OF FRANCE, THE PRINCESS CATHERINE, AND THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY UNITE WITH THE KING OF ENGLAND.--PEACE BETWEEN THE DAUPHIN AND THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.

About the middle of April, the English ambassadors, who had been lately at Provins, returned to the king of France and the duke of Burgundy at Troyes in Champagne,--when a treaty was negotiated so far that a truce was agreed on between the two kings, to last for a certain space of time, in the expectation that more conclusive measures would be adopted; and a day was fixed on for the negotiation to be continued on both sides, near to the town of Meulan.

When this had been settled, the ambassadors went back to their king at Rouen; and within a short time afterward, the king and queen of France, with their daughter, the princess Catherine, and the duke of Burgundy, escorted by a powerful body of men at arms, came to Pontoise. On their arrival, according to the measures that had been agreed on with the said ambassadors, they ordered a large inclosure to be made with planks, within which the conferences were to be carried on: it was also surrounded with a deep ditch, having one side on the bank of the Seine. There were several entrances, well secured by three barriers; and tents and pavilions were pitched within, for the lords to repose themselves in.

They then had proper arrangements made in the adjacent villages for the lodging the attendants and equipages of the ambassadors. At this time the king of England had advanced from Rouen to Mantes.

When the day appointed for the conference was come, notwithstanding the king of France was much indisposed as to his health, the queen, the princess Catherine, the duke of Burgundy and the count de St Pol, with the members of the council, escorted by a thousand combatants, went to the place of conference near to Meulan, and entered the tents that were without the inclosure.

Soon after, the king of England arrived, attended by his brothers, the dukes of Clarence and Glocester, and a thousand men at arms. He entered the tent that had been pitched for him, as the others had done; and when they were about to commence the conference, the queen on the right hand, followed by the lady Catherine, the duke of Burgundy, and the count de St Pol, entered the inclosure. In like manner did the king of England, with his brothers and council, by another opening, and, with a most respectful obeisance, saluted the queen, and then kissed her and the lady Catherine. After this, the duke of Burgundy saluted the king, bending his knee a little and inclining his head; but the king took him by the hand, embraced him, and shewed him great respect.

They then entered the tent appointed for the conference, the king leading the queen, where they staid a very considerable time. Their men at arms were drawn up without the paling; but a sufficient number of guards were within side, to prevent any improper persons, or such as were not especially ordered, from entering it.

After they had remained in conference a long time, they separated, taking most respectful leaves of each other; and one party returned to Pontoise, and the other to Mantes.

On the morrow three weeks, they again met there, and remained together for several days, in the same state, and with the same number of persons, as before, with the exception of the lady Catherine, who had been brought the first time that the king of England might see her, and who was not now present. King Henry was very desirous to marry her, and not without cause, for she was very handsome, of high birth, and of the most engaging manners.

During their meetings, several matters were brought forward, in the hope of concluding a solid peace. It frequently happened that one party was more grandly attended than the other, and at other times less; and although the English and French were quartered close together, there was never the smallest riot or quarrel between them,--and they exchanged provision with each other. This conference, however, ended in nothing, from the demands of the king of England, in regard to the portion of the lady Catherine, being as exorbitant as before.