Chapter III: Front Matter (3)

The dauphin, during the holding of this conference, with the intent of seducing the duke of Burgundy, sent Tanneguy du Châtel to propose a treaty of peace with him, although the duke had before made repeated offers of the same. When the conference was broken off, the inclosure was destroyed, the tents and pavilions pulled down,--and the two parties returned to Pontoise and Mantes.

The king of England was much displeased at the breaking off the conference, as it prevented him from gaining his ends, and was very indignant against the duke of Burgundy, whom he considered as the cause of it, he being the principal leader of the government. The last day they were together, seeing that his demands would not be complied with as to his marriage with the lady Catherine, he said to the duke of Burgundy, 'Fair cousin, we wish you to know that we will have the daughter of your king, and all that we have asked, or we will drive him and you out of his kingdom.' The duke replied, 'Sire, you are pleased to say so; but before you can drive my lord and me out of his kingdom, I make no doubt but that you will be heartily tired.'

Many more words passed, which would be too tedious to report; and, taking leave of each other, they separated, and went different ways.

Within a few days, sir John de Luxembourg came to Pontoise with a large body of men at arms, which he had assembled from Picardy by orders of the duke of Burgundy, to escort him to Melun, where he was to meet the dauphin; for the ambassadors from each had advanced their treaty so far, that they had fixed on a place and day for their principals to meet and conclude it. In compliance with the above, the dauphin had departed from Tours, and was come to Melun, by Montargis, with a large force of men at arms.

In like manner, the duke of Burgundy had left Pontoise, attended by his nephew, the young count de St Pol, sir John de Luxembourg, many great lords, and a numerous body of men at arms, and went to Corbeil. The lady of Giac, who had been the chief manager to bring about this reconciliation, was also in company with the duke.

On the morrow, the 11th day of July, the two parties took the field with their whole force, and met about a league from Melun, near to Pouilly le Fort. When they were about two bow-shots distant from each other, they halted their men, and, attended by about ten persons each, whom they had selected, they rode forward between the two battalions, and dismounted. On the duke of Burgundy's approaching the dauphin, he inclined his body most humbly several times; and the dauphin doing the same, took the hand of the duke, who was on his knees, and kissed it, and wished to make him rise, but he would not, saying, 'My lord, I know how I ought to demean myself when speaking to you;' but the dauphin, in the mean while, raised him up, and pardoned him for any offences he might have committed against him, adding, 'Fair cousin, should there be any articles in the treaty that has been drawn up between us that you dislike, we will that it be altered; and henceforth doubt not but that our wishes shall be ever the same as yours.'

In short after much conversation between these princes and their attendants, they swore to preserve for ever a peace between them; on which the two battalions, joining together, shouted for joy, and cursed all who should ever again bear arms in so damnable a quarrel. When they had remained some time together, mutually shewing each other the greatest affection, the dauphin mounted his horse, the duke of Burgundy holding the stirrup, notwithstanding the dauphin frequently requested him to desist. The duke then mounted, and, having rode a short way together, they took an affectionate leave, and separated: the dauphin went to Tours, and the duke to Corbeil.

Here follows a copy of the treaty that was concluded between them.

'Charles son to the king of France, dauphin of Vienne, duke of Berry and of Tours, count de Poitiers, and John duke of Burgundy, count of Flanders and Artois, palatine of Burgundy, lord of Salines and of Mechlin, to all who these presents shall see or hear of, greeting. Since by the unfortunate divisions that have for some time reigned within this kingdom several hatreds and suspicions have arisen within the hearts of ourselves, our vassals and our subjects, against each other, the which effectually put a stop to any concord or unanimous effort for the reformation of abuses that have crept into the government, or to resist the damnable enterprises of our ancient enemies the English, who under the shadow, and by means of these divisions, have been hardy enough to advance into the middle of the kingdom, and in fact have conquered, and do now occupy a great part of the dominions of our lord the king, and may do still greater mischiefs, should public affairs remain as they are at this moment.

'We make known, therefore, that considering what infinite evils might result from these divisions unless put an end to, even to the total perdition of the kingdom, which, though severe to all, would fall most heavy on us, who are bounden by every tie to provide a remedy against so great a misfortune.

'In consequence, we have entered into terms of pacification, and are now assembled with the unanimous intent of concluding a peace,--first in honour of God, and for the love of peace, to which every good Catholic ought to incline, and to relieve the poor people who have suffered many grievous oppressions from these said divisions.

'We have therefore promised and sworn, in the presence of the reverend father in God, Alain, bishop of Léon in Brittany, sent to us for this purpose by the holy apostolical see of Rome, on part of the true cross, and on the holy evangelists by us touched, on condition of failure to be deprived of Paradise, and on the word of honour of a prince, to observe and punctually maintain every article of the treaty of peace made between us.

'And in the first place, I John duke of Burgundy, so long as I shall live, do promise and swear, that, after the person of my lord the king, I will honour and obey, from the bottom of my heart, the person of the dauphin, and will not suffer any thing knowingly to be done to his prejudice, but will aid and support him and his measures to the utmost of my power, and will conduct myself toward him as becomes a loyal and kind relative; and I will always advertise him of any thing that may be attempted to injure him.

'And should it happen that any person, whatever may be his rank, undertake a war against him, I will serve him with my whole forces, in the same manner as if the war had been mine own.

'In like manner, I Charles the dauphin, so long as it may please God to grant us life, having put out of our memory all remembrance of past actions, do promise, very sincerely to love our very dear and well beloved cousin the duke of Burgundy,--and in all that concerns him will treat him as our near and loyal relative, and procure for him all the good he may desire, and ward off every evil. Should any one attempt to injure him of his estates, we will aid and support him to the utmost of our power, when he shall call on us, against all persons whatever: even if any of our blood and kindred should, on account of matters that have passed some time since, pretend to injure him or his dominions, we will exert ourselves to the utmost in his support, and defend him against them.

'Item, we Charles the dauphin and John duke of Burgundy do undertake henceforward the government of public affairs for the good of the realm, without harbouring any envy or jealousy of each other; and should any of our officers make to us reports contrary to our honour, and likely to create a division between us, we mutually engage to give information thereof, and not to put any faith in such reports.

'As true and loyal subjects to our lord the king, and to the crown of France, we will earnestly exert ourselves to drive the enemy out of the kingdom, and to repair the mischiefs done by him as speedily as possible; and we will neither of us enter into any treaty or alliance with him, without the approbation and consent of the other; for we engage that henceforth all our alliances shall comprehend both of us. Should any treaties or alliances have been made with the said enemy, or with others, prejudicial to our personal interests, we will and agree that all such shall be and are annulled: all which things we do faithfully promise and swear to observe, without any fraud or covin whatever.

'Should either of the parties wish to infringe or break this present treaty, which God forbid! then we will and order that all vassals, subjects and servants of the person who shall thus break it, do not obey his orders, but do aid and support his opponent; and in this case they shall be absolved from all oaths of allegiance and service,--and in times to come, no blame or reproach shall ever be cast upon them or their heirs for so doing.

'For the further security of this treaty, we willed and ordered, that our principal vassals and servants should swear to the observance of every article; and they instantly did take the oath prescribed, at the hands of the said bishop of Léon, in as much as it concerned them, and that they would use their utmost endeavours to preserve union between us; and should any appearance of coolness arise, they would immediately strictly perform their duty by giving information thereof under their seals.

'Our faithful and well beloved servants, hereafter mentioned, by orders from us the dauphin, have sworn to the above on the holy evangelists, namely, sir James de Bourbon, master Robert le Masson, late chancellor, the viscount de Narbonne, the lords de Barbasan, d'Espaignon, du Bosquaige, de Montenay, de Gamaches, sir Tanneguy du Châtel, sir John Louvet, president of Provence, Guillaume de Margouin, Hue de Noyeries, Jean de Mesnil, Pierre Frotier, Guichard de Bourdon and Collart de la Vuigne.

'On the part of the duke of Burgundy, his well beloved and loyal servants the count de St Pol, sir John de Luxembourg, sir Archambault de Saxe, the lord de Nouaille, the lord d'Autun, sir Thibault de Neuf-chatel, the lord de Montagu, sir John de la Trimouille, Guillaume de Vienne, sir Pierre de Bauffremont grand prior of France, sir Gaultier des Ruppes, sir Charles de Lens, John lord of Coctebrune marshal of Burgundy, John lord de Toulongeon, Regnier Pot, Pierre lord of Giac, Anthony de Toulongeon, Guillaume de Champdivers, Philip de Jossequin and Nicolle Raullin.

'And for greater security of the above treaty, we will and consent that the princes of our blood, ecclesiastics, and the magistrates of the principal towns, do likewise swear to the observance of the different articles, which we, on our part mutually and individually, do faithfully promise to keep; and should we, or any of those who may take the said oath fail to observe it, we submit ourselves and them to our holy mother the church, and to our sacred father the pope, or to any persons deputed by him, to inflict on us their interdict or excommunication, or any other punishment that may be appointed for our said breach of promise.

'In testimony whereof, we have each of us signed this treaty with our own hands, and have added our seals. Given at our place of meeting on the Ponchiel, one league distant from Melun, and very near to Poilly le Fort, on Tuesday, the 11th day of July, in the year of Grace 1419.'

CHAP. XXII.

THE TREATY OF PEACE CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE DAUPHIN AND THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY IS PROCLAIMED THROUGH DIVERS PARTS OF FRANCE.--OTHER MATTERS.

On the morrow after the conclusion of this peace, the dauphin left Melun with his whole force, and went by Tours to Partenay, which he had before held besieged, by the count de Vertus and others of his captains, because the lord de Partenay had been ever attached to the duke of Burgundy. He ordered the count to break up the siege, and to make every preparation to carry on the war against the English.

The duke of Burgundy returned to Pontoise, where he gave great joy to the king and queen of France by his intelligence of the happy reconciliation that had taken place. From Pontoise, the duke conducted the king and queen, with their state, to reside at St Denis, leaving the guard of Pontoise to the lord de l'Isle-Adam, marshal of France, and giving him a large sum of money to pay the men at arms that should garrison that town.

When the articles of the peace were made public, the greater part of the nobles, clergy and people were much rejoiced, flattering themselves that there would be an end of the heavy persecution they had suffered from a war that had lasted for such a length of time. People of both parties began to traffic, and to visit each other. In many of the principal towns the commonalty assembled and shouted for joy, making at the same time large bonfires in the squares, more particularly at Paris.

On the 20th day of July, the archbishop of Sens brought the treaty to Paris and presented it to the lords of the court of parliament, of the requests, and of the chamber of accounts; where it was read by master Nicolle Raullin, in the presence of master Robert Mailliere and master John Champion, both secretaries to the dauphin. When it had been read, the archbishop produced an edict from the king, by which he ordered a general oblivion of all crimes that had been perpetrated in consequence of the late intestine divisions, and directed that every person whose properties had been confiscated should be restored to their possession, with the exception of the moveables.

The duke of Burgundy was to appoint a governor of Partenay, for the defence of Poitou, that was well inclined to the dauphin; and all garrisons were ordered to be removed, excepting from those towns and castles on the borders near to where the English lay.

Letters were then produced from the dauphin, which were incorporated with those of the king, by which he consented, agreed to, and promised to observe all the articles of the treaty, and to conform to the royal edict.

In like manner, Raullin produced similar letters from the duke of Burgundy. When these different papers had been read and verified, the lords of the parliament and all present swore to keep this peace, which was now proclaimed in Paris and elsewhere. On the morrow, a solemn procession was made to the church of St Martin des Champs, to return thanks to Heaven for the above peace.

CHAP. XXIII.

KING HENRY OF ENGLAND IS DISSATISFIED WITH THE PEACE BETWEEN THE DAUPHIN AND THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.--THE ENGLISH CAPTURE THE TOWN OF PONTOISE FROM THE LORD DE L'ISLE-ADAM.--THE CONSEQUENCES THEREOF.

We must now return to the king of England. When king Henry heard of a peace being concluded between the dauphin and the duke of Burgundy, he was not very well pleased, for he was aware how much stronger they would be by their union than when divided.

Notwithstanding this, he determined to pursue his enterprise in spite of all obstacles, and considered, that if he could gain Pontoise, it would be very advantageous to him.

He summoned his most trusty captains, and those who had attended the late embassy to Pontoise, and declared to them his intentions: they replied, that in whatever he should be pleased to command them, they would exert themselves to the utmost, without regarding their lives or fortunes, or the difficulties and hardships they might have to encounter. The king then nominated those who were to be of the expedition against Pontoise.

They arrived on the last day of July, between day-break and sun-rise, at one of the gates of Pontoise, and might be about three thousand combatants. The gate was not open, and some of them scaled the walls by means of ladders, without alarming the guard, and instantly opened the gate, so that their whole army entered, shouting 'Saint George!' 'The town is taken!'

At this cry, there was a general alarm, and the lord de l'Isle-Adam awakened, who, without delay, armed himself, mounted his horse, and, with some of his men, hastened to where the shoutings came from; but when he saw the English so numerous within the place, he speedily returned to his quarters to pack up his effects and money, and, with many of the principal inhabitants, went to the gate leading to Paris, which was still closed,--but he had it forced open, and, with about ten thousand of the townsmen, in despair and affliction, took the road toward Paris. Several of them carried away their most precious articles, such as plate and jewels, and, having separated from the others to go toward Beauvais, were robbed of their effects by Jean de Guigny and Jean du Clau.

The English, meeting with no resistance, treated the place as a conquered town, and did innumerable mischiefs: they gained great riches, for the town was full of wealth. The principal commander of this expedition was the captal de Buch, brother to the count de Foix.

The whole country of France, more particularly those parts nearer to Paris were infinitely alarmed at this conquest; and the inhabitants within the Isle de France began to quit their dwellings in all haste. When the news of it was brought to St Denis, where the king of France and the duke of Burgundy held their court, they instantly departed, and, by way of Provins, hastened to Troyes in Champagne, accompanied by the queen, the lady Catherine, and many others of the nobility. They left in Paris, for its government, the count de St Pol, master Eustace de Lactre chancellor, and the lord de l'Isle-Adam marshal of France.

This last, so soon as he could assemble a sufficient body of men at arms, posted himself with them in garrison at Beauvais, to oppose the English in that quarter, where they were daily making inroads. The lord de l'Isle-Adam was, however, greatly blamed for having kept so negligent a guard at Pontoise; and the ministers of the dauphin were particularly dissatisfied with him.

CHAP. XXIV.

THE DUKE OF CLARENCE BESIEGES GISORS, AND TAKES IT.--THE SIEGE OF SAINT MARTIN LE GAILLART,--AND OTHER MATTERS BETWEEN THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH.

Shortly after, the king of England caused the town of Gisors to be besieged by his brother the duke of Clarence, in which as governors were Lyonnet de Bournouville and Daviod de Gouy. When the siege had lasted for three weeks, the town, being in want of provisions, surrendered to the duke of Clarence, on condition that the garrison should march away with all their baggage, and that the inhabitants should place themselves under the obedience of the king of England, and take the oaths of fidelity to him. The garrison departed, and joined the lord de l'Isle-Adam at Beauvais.

The English who had gained Gisors, within a few days, laid siege to St Martin le Gaillart, in which place were Regnault de Fontaines, sir Karados de Quesnes, and some others, who had always been attached to the party of the dauphin and the duke of Orleans: a valiant captain, named sir Philip Les, was the governor.

Sir Karados left the town one night very secretly, and went to the lord de Gamaches in Compiegne, who at that time was its governor, and earnestly entreated him to assemble a body of men to raise the siege of Saint Martin. The lord de Gamaches collected a large force in as short a time as he could, and summoned the brothers Anthony and Hugh de Beaussault, and many other gentlemen, partisans of the dauphin, as well as of the duke of Burgundy, so that they amounted to near sixteen hundred combatants. With this army he marched for St Martin, and about sun rise came near to the place, when, drawing up his men in battle-array, he detached four hundred of them to attack and win the barriers which the English had erected.

About sixty English were on guard at these barriers, and defended them manfully; but they were defeated, and put to death, except a few who saved themselves by flight. The lord de Gamaches, at the head of his army, now attacked the town, but the greater part of the English had retired with their horses within a large church, and fought valiantly. The lord de Gamaches, apprehensive that the enemy might be soon reinforced, as the English were spread over the country, set fire to the castle, and carried the garrison safely away.

On this occasion, Anthony de Beaussault, Gilles de Rouvroy, and some others, were created knights.

Within eight days after the earl of Huntingdon, governor of Gournay in Normandy, assembled about two thousand English from the troops on the borders, and led them to a considerable village named Poix, where they quartered themselves and did much damage. Thence they marched to Bretueil, to make a grand attack on the abbey; and because some of their men were killed, they set fire to the town, which was very strongly built, and retreated toward Clermont. They won the tower of Vendueil, and burnt it; and after destroying the country with fire and sword, they marched back to Gournay, carrying with them many prisoners and much plunder.

On the other hand, sir Philip Les, before mentioned, had fixed his quarters at Eu and Monchaulx, and made excursions from Abbeville to Pont de Remy, over the whole of Vimeu, so that the country was greatly desolated. Sir James de Harcourt, who resided at Crotoy, and Hector de Saveuses, with the garrison of Pont de Remy, put a check to these excursions as much as in them lay; as did also sir Louis de Thiembronne and those with him in garrison at Gamaches.

CHAP. XXV.

THE KING OF ENGLAND HAS THE FORTRESSES OF CHASTEAU-GAILLARD AND OF LA ROCHE-GUYON BESIEGED.--THEY ARE CONQUERED.--OTHER MATTERS.

The king of England, about this time, ordered the castles of Château Gaillard and of La Roche-Guyon to be besieged, which are the two strongest places in Normandy, and were garrisoned by the party of the dauphin.

At the end of two months, La Roche-Guyon surrendered, with the consent of the lady who was within it, to king Henry, who immediately gave it to sir Guy Bouteiller, and was desirous of giving him also the lady in marriage; but she would not consent, and marched away from that country with all her men.

Château-Gaillard held out for the king of France sixteen months, and then surrendered in consequence of the cords being worn out with which they drew up their water. Sir Olivier de Manny was the governor, having with him six score gentlemen at the utmost; and the siege was carried on by the earls of Huntingdon and Kyme.

While these things were passing, many of the Dauphinois and Burgundians had frequent intercourse with each other since the peace, hoping that it would last for ever, and often assembled in parties to attempt to drive the English, the ancient enemies of France, from their conquests; but dame Fortune provided in such wise that, within a very few days, a more rancorous hatred arose between them than ever, as shall be fully related hereafter.

CHAP. XXVI.

THE DAUPHIN COMES TO MONTEREAU-FAUT-YONNE WITH A POWERFUL ARMY, AND SUMMONS THITHER THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, WHO IS CRUELLY MURDERED.

When Charles duke of Touraine and dauphin had visited his duchies of Berry and Touraine, he marched to Montereau-faut-Yonne with about twenty thousand combatants. Soon after his arrival, he dispatched sir Tanneguy du Châtel, with others of his confidential servants, to Troyes in Champagne, with letters written by himself to the duke of Burgundy. In them he addresses the duke most affectionately on the affairs of the realm, and concludes by desiring that he would come to him at Montereau, where they could more fully discuss what related to public affairs.

The duke for some days deferred giving any answer, saying, that the dauphin ought to come to his father the king, and the queen at Troyes, and often remonstrated with Tanneguy how much more proper it would be for him to come thither to discuss all that related to the good of the realm. Sir Tanneguy, upon this, returned to the dauphin with the answer he had received; but in the end, the dauphin and his ministers resolved to remain at Montereau.

Sir Tanneguy returned to Troyes, and at length prevailed on the duke to come as far as Bray sur Seine, whither many messages were sent from both sides. The dauphin dispatched to the duke the bishop of Valence, brother to the bishop of Langres, who was one of the duke's principal advisers: his name was Charles de Poitiers. The bishop of Valence, on his arrival at Bray, frequently conversed with the duke, and admonished him to wait on the dauphin, saying, that he need not have any fears or suspicions of mischief happening to him. His brother supported him in these remonstrances, adding, that he might loyally go, and that he would act unwisely if he refused so to do. This bishop, however, was perfectly ignorant of what happened afterward, and gave his advice with the most upright intentions.

At length, in consequence of these remonstrances, and the assurances of sir Tanneguy du Châtel, the duke ordered preparations to be made for his departure, and set out from Bray to wait on the dauphin, attended by the bishop of Langres and his council on Sunday the 10th day of September 1419. He was escorted by about five hundred men at arms and two hundred archers, under the command of sir Charles, de Lens admiral of France, and James de la Barne master of the cross-bows. There were many lords in his company, such as Charles eldest son to the duke of Bourbon, the lord de Nouaille brother to the count de Foix, John son to the count de Fribourg, the lord de St George, sir Anthony du Vergy, the lord de Joinville, the lord d'Ancre, the lord de Montagu, sir Guy de Pontailler, and many more.

They rode joyously on until they came near to Montereau, about three o'clock in the afternoon, when three of the duke's dependants came thence to meet him, sir Anthony de Toulongeon, Jean d'Ermay and Saubretier. They told him they were come from the town, and had noticed on the bridge, where the conferences were to be held, several new barriers erected much to the advantage of the dauphin's party, and advised him to take care of himself,--for if he should enter within them he would be in danger from the dauphin.

The duke, on hearing this, called a council on horseback to know what were best to be done. The opinions were divided, for many suspected what might happen, and the reports they had just heard confirmed them in their fears: others, who imagined no evil, advised the duke to proceed and wait on the dauphin, saying, they could never suppose that a prince, son to the king of France, and successor to his crown, would harbour any thoughts but such as became his rank.

The duke, hearing such diversity of opinions, declared aloud, that he would proceed and wait whatever it might please God to ordain, adding, that he would never suffer his courage to be any way doubted, and that the peace and reformation of the kingdom and government might by his failure be delayed; for he well knew that if any quarrel or dissention should arise between them, the fault would be all thrown on him.

He continued his march, and dismounted at the gate of the castle of Montereau--which leads to the open fields; for this castle had been, by orders of the dauphin's ministers, appointed for the lodgings of himself and his men, that he might not have any suspicions of mischief being intended. All the principal lords dismounted with him; and two hundred men at arms and one hundred archers were selected as his guard.

The lady of Giac accompanied him, who, as has been said before, had made some journeys to the dauphin on matters between the duke and him: she had chiefly persuaded the duke to come to Montereau, remonstrating that there could not be any fear of treasonable practices against him. The duke was very much attached to this lady, and put full confidence in all she said. He gave her in charge, with part of his jewels, to Philip Josquin, as to the most faithful of his servants.

As soon as he was within the castle, he ordered Jacques de la Baume to post all his men at arms at the entrance of the gate leading to the town, for the better security of his person, and also to preserve the articles of the convention. In the mean time sir Tanneguy du Châtel came to him to say that the dauphin was ready and waiting for him. He replied, that he was going to him; and then calling to those who were to attend him, forbade all others to follow excepting such as had been so ordered.

The duke was accompanied by ten persons, namely, Charles de Bourbon, the lord de Nouaille, John de Fribourg, the lord de St George, the lord de Montagu, sir Anthony du Vergy, the lord d'Ancre, sir Guy de Pontailler, sir Charles de Lens, sir Peter de Giac, and a secretary, named Pierre Seguinat. In company with the above, he advanced to the front of the first barrier on the bridge, when many of the dauphin's people came to meet him, and again renewed the promises and oaths that had been taken before: they said, 'Come to my lord: he is waiting for you on the bridge;' and then they returned toward the dauphin.

The duke demanded from his companions if they thought he might in safety advance to the dauphin, on the securities offered him. They, having upright intentions, answered, that certainly he might proceed with safety, considering the promises and assurances given by so many noble persons on each side, adding, that they were willing to run the same risk as he should. On this answer, he advanced, ordering some of his attendants to keep close behind him, and entered the first barrier, where he found others of the dauphin's men, who again said, 'Hasten to my lord, for he is waiting for you.' He replied, 'I am going to him,' and entered the second barrier, which was instantly closed and locked by those appointed to do it, so soon as he and his company were within it.

As he advanced, he met sir Tanneguy du Châtel, and, from affection, slapped him on the shoulder, saying to the lord de St George, 'This is he in whom I trust.' He then passed on until he approached the dauphin, who was completely armed and girth with his sword, and leaning on one of the barriers: when near, to pay him greater honour, the duke dropped on one knee, and most respectfully saluted him. The dauphin, however, made no return, nor shewed him the least sign of affection, but reproached him for not having kept his promise of discontinuing the war, and for not disbanding his forces from different garrisons, according to his engagements. At the same time, sir Robert de Loire, taking him by the right arm, said, 'Rise, for you are too great a man thus to bend.' The duke, as has been said, was on his knee; and his sword having turned too much behind him as he knelt down, he put his hand to replace it properly, when sir Robert cried out, 'What! do you put your hand to your sword in the presence of my lord the dauphin!!!'

During these words, sir Tanneguy du Châtel approached him on the opposite side, and making a signal, saying, 'It is now time,' struck the duke with a small battle-axe he had in his hand so roughly on the face that he felled him on his knees, and cut off part of his chin. The duke, on this, put his hand to his sword to draw it, and attempted to rise to defend himself; but at the instant, Tanneguy with others repeated their blows, and laid him dead. While he was on the ground, Olivier Layet, assisted by Pierre Frotier thrust a sword under the haubergeon into his belly.

The lord de Nouaille, seeing this, drew his sword half out, to defend the duke; but the viscount de Narbonne held a dagger in his hand, ready to strike him. The lord de Nouaille now turned toward him, and vigorously wrested the dagger out of his hand: however, while he was thus engaged, he received a blow from a battle-axe on the back part of his head, which put an end to the scuffle and his life.

While these things were passing, the dauphin leant on the barrier, looking on, but soon drew back, as one much frightened, when he was immediately conducted to his lodgings by Jean Louvet, president of Provence, and others his counsellors.

On the other hand, Jean de Fribourg drew his sword, but was soon forced to drop it by dint of blows. In short, the whole of the ten, with the secretary who had accompanied the duke of Burgundy, were without delay made prisoners, excepting the lord de Nouaille, who was killed, and the lord de Montagu, who escaped over the barriers to the castle. The lord de St George was wounded in the side by the point of a battle-axe, and the lord d'Ancre by a cut on the hand.

The lord de Montagu, when clear of the barriers, loudly cried out, 'To arms!' upon which, sir Anthony de Toulongeon, sir Symon Othelimer, Saubertier, and John Demay, with some others, hastened to the barriers, and began to skirmish with their lances with those within them. In this conflict, sir Symon was wounded in the head; for their opponents, and the rest within the town, began to shoot lustily at them with cross-bows: finding, therefore they could not gain entrance to the barriers, they retreated to the castle.

Thus was the duke of Burgundy cruelly murdered, trusting to the promises and securities of the duke de Touraine, dauphin of Vienne, and his ministers. The act and the manner of perpetrating it were most horrible; and the hearts of noble and worthy men, natives of France, must suffer the greatest shame and grief thus to witness the noble blood of the flower de luces, and princes so nearly allied destroy each other; and the kingdom, by these and other acts done prior to this, put to the infinite risk of changing its sovereign, and all things thrown into confusion and peril.

The principal actors in this conspiracy against the duke of Burgundy were Jean Louvet, president of Provence, the viscount de Narbonne, sir Guillaume Batiller, sir Tanneguy du Châtel, sir François de Grimaulx, sir Robert de Loire, Pierre Frotier, Olivier Layet, sir Ponchon de Namac, seneschal of Auvergne, and several more. They had for a considerable time before confederated, and sworn to bring the matter to the conclusion they had just accomplished; and, as I have been informed, they intended to have put their plan in execution at the moment of the meeting of these two princes at Pouilly le Fort, when peace was made between them,--but were then forced to abandon it because the duke was too powerful in arms, and because the armies of each were drawn up so near that great mischiefs must have ensued.

The lord de Joinville and the others in the castle of Montereau, to whom the duke had confided the guard, were greatly alarmed, and not without cause, when they noticed the conduct that was observed toward their lord, whose real situation they were as yet ignorant of, and those who had accompanied him. They were likewise very uneasy as to themselves,--for they were unprovided with any stores of provision or of ammunition, excepting what they had brought with them, which were not in any great quantities; and before their arrival, the castle had been dismantled of artillery, and every other store carried away. They held many consultations, whether they should depart or not, but at length determined to remain where they were until they should receive more certain intelligence respecting their lord than they had hitherto had. Notwithstanding the lords de Joinville and de Montagu most earnestly and often begged of the duke's men to stay with them in the castle, they would not listen to their words, but set off in haste, and in a most disorderly manner galloped away for Bray sur Seine, whence they had come that morning.

However, a large body of the dauphin's army pursued them, and killed and wounded great numbers without any resistance. The lords de Joinville and de Montagu remained, as I have said, in the castle,--and with them sir Robert de Marigny, sir Philip de Servoiles, sir John de Murat, the lord de Rosmat, John d'Ermay, John de Caumaisnil, Sabertier, Philip de Montant, Regnault de Chevilly, Regnault de Rethel, Guillaume de Biere, the lady of Giac and her woman, Philip Josquin, with about twenty varlets and pages of the household of the late duke of Burgundy.

CHAP. XXVII.

THE CONDUCT OF THE DAUPHIN, AND OF THOSE WITH HIM, AFTER THE DEATH OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.--HE SENDS LETTERS TO DIFFERENT TOWNS.

When the duke of Burgundy had been thus cruelly murdered, the dauphin's people stripped him of his tabard, his coat of mail, his rings, and of every thing except his doublet and drawers; and in this state he remained on the ground until midnight, when he was carried on a table to a mill near the bridge, and, on the morrow-morning, was interred in front of the altar of St Louis, in the church of our Lady at Montereau, in his doublet and drawers, with his bonnet drawn over his face, and twelve masses were hastily said for him.

At this moment, there were several noble persons with the dauphin, who had been kept in ignorance of the plot against the duke, many of whom were highly displeased at what had happened, considering the great evils that would probably result from it, as well to the kingdom in general as to the person of their lord the dauphin. In this number were John de Harcourt, count d'Aumalle, and the lord de Barbasan: the last loudly reproached those who had contrived this murder, saying, that they had ruined their master in honour and reputation; and that he had rather have been dead than present at that day, although perfectly ignorant of what was intended to be done.

The dauphin, however, on his return to his lodgings after the murder, ordered, by the advice of his ministers, two hundred men at arms to march to the castle and demand its surrender. On their arrival, admittance was denied them, for those within had posted a party over the drawbridge, and another party in the tower facing the suburbs of the town, where they remained the whole of the night.

The detachment from the dauphin walled up the gate leading to the town, and continued inactive until the ensuing morning, when they opened a battery of cannons against one of the gates, and, shortly after, some four or five knights went from the dauphin to signify that the castle must be surrendered, otherwise they would win it by storm, and those that should then be found therein would have their heads cut off.

The lords de Joinville and de Montagu made answer, that my lord of Burgundy, their commander, to whom the dauphin had delivered this castle, had intrusted them with the guard thereof, and that they would not surrender it but upon some tokens sent them from their lord. The knights on this went back to the town, and soon returned with sir Anthony du Vergy, who calling to the two aforesaid lords, they replied, by asking after his health. He made no answer to this, but said, 'Brothers, my lord the dauphin bids me tell you, that if you do not yield the castle to him, and you should be taken within it by storm, he will have you beheaded; but that if you will surrender it, and join his party, he will shew you every kindness, and divide between you very liberally the different offices in the realm.'

On hearing this speech, the two lords asked sir Anthony if he knew any thing of their lord the duke. To which he made no other reply than by pointing his finger to the ground, and then said, 'I would advise you to surrender the castle to my lord the dauphin;' but they repeated as before, that until they should have some certain intelligence of their lord the duke, who had intrusted them with its defence, they would not surrender.

The knights of the dauphin now advanced, and said, 'Put on paper what terms you expect, and you shall have an answer.' Both parties withdrew, and those in the castle wrote down as follows:

In the first place, they demanded to restore the castle into the hands of the duke, who had confided to them the guard of it, or to have a discharge from the same, signed by the duke.

Item, that all those who had been made prisoners by the dauphin's party, and those attending the duke, should have their liberties without paying any ransom.

Item, that all persons, of whatever rank, and of both sexes, now within the castle, should have permission to depart freely with all their effects, and be allowed to go whithersoever they should please.

Item, that a delay of fifteen days be granted for them to continue in the said castle, or until their horses shall arrive.

Item, that passports be given for two hundred men at arms that shall come to fetch them, and escort them to such places as they may choose: the said passports to be of force for fifteen days.

When these articles had been examined by the dauphin and his council, they were returned to the castle by the same knights who had brought them, who said, that in regard to the person or signature of the duke of Burgundy nothing need be said, for it could not be obtained. With respect to the prisoners, they belong to my lord the dauphin, who will divide among them the several offices in the kingdom, so that no more need on that subject. As to the effects in the castle appertaining to the duke of Burgundy, they are the property of my lord the dauphin, who will receive them according to an inventory made thereof, and give a receipt conformable to such inventory, to those who have the charge of them. Those within the castle shall be permitted to carry away whatever effects they may have brought thither. With regard to the fifteen days delay required, it cannot be granted; but my lord the dauphin will have them escorted as far as Bray-sur-Seine. With respect to the passports for two hundred men at arms, there will not be any need of them, as they will have a sufficient escort.

After much parleying, the lords de Joinville and de Montagu concluded for themselves and their companions a treaty with the dauphin, on condition that they should freely depart, with all their baggage, on yielding up the castle,--and that all the effects of the duke of Burgundy should remain in the possession of the dauphin, and also the lady of Giac, who, as was commonly reported, was consenting to this murder of the duke of Burgundy.

Philip Josquin remained behind also: he was afraid to return to the duchess of Burgundy, or to her son the count de Charolois, for he was not in their good graces. This Philip Josquin was a native of Dijon, and son to an armourer of Philip of Burgundy, and for a long time had been beloved more than any of his other servants by the late duke John, who even intrusted him with his private signet, and made him sign his letters, insomuch that there was scarcely any difference between the handwriting of the duke and that which counterfeited it.

All this great favour and authority created him many enemies among the princes and lords who repaired to the duke's court; but notwithstanding their hatred, from the situation he was in, he amassed great wealth, and built a very handsome house in Dijon. On his leaving that place, he disposed of his money in various parts of Burgundy, Flanders, and elsewhere, which was seized and confiscated by the count de Charolois and given by him to some of his servants,--and this Philip was consequently thus deprived of all his riches.

On Monday, the 11th day of September, after the dauphin had held a grand council in the town of Montereau on the state of his affairs, he wrote and dispatched letters to the towns of Paris, Rheims, Châlons and others, to gloss over his having broken the peace, and having perjured himself. The contents of that sent to Paris were as follow:

'Dear and well beloved,--we understand that you are fully sensible how lately we agreed with the duke of Burgundy at a place called Pouilly on the terms of peace, for the obtaining of which we acceded to all his demands. To prevent the destruction of my lord the king's and of our realm, among other articles, the said duke did engage on his faith and oath, that within one month he would wage war against the English, the ancient enemies of this kingdom. It had been also agreed, that in consequence of this, we were to unite our mutual endeavours to reform the grievances and disorders of the government and to join in expelling the common enemy out of the country.

'On this account, we came to the town of Montereau, and waited there the space of eighteen days for the coming of the duke of Burgundy, for whose accommodation we had dislodged from, and assigned to him, the castle, as his residence.

'Afterward, when we did meet on the terms he had demanded, we amicably remonstrated with him, that notwithstanding his promises, and that peace was now between us, he had not waged war against the English, nor had disbanded the troops from the garrisons under his command, according to his solemn engagement, and which we now again required him to do.

'The duke of Burgundy, in reply, made use of several foolish expressions, and even laid his hand on his sword to attack and disfigure our person, intending, as we were afterward informed, to seize and keep us under his subjection, but from which, however, through Divine mercy, and the attachment of our loyal servants, we were preserved, and he for his mad conduct was put to death on the spot.

'We signify the above matters to you, well knowing how much you will rejoice that we have been preserved from such imminent danger; and we most earnestly entreat and command, on that loyalty you have alway had for my lord the king and for us, that whatever events may happen, you do not fail to make a strong resistance to the enemies of my lord and us; and that you prepare yourselves for war, in which we will aid and comfort you to the utmost of our power, and, thanks to the grace of God, that is sufficiently great.

'We will that every thing that has passed be pardoned and forgotten, and that no retaliations be made on any one, but that an entire oblivion may cover the whole, and that the peace be maintained, the which we promise to keep on the faith and word of the son of a king. To this effect we have sent our letters to the provost of merchants, the sheriffs and citizens of Paris, that they may be proclaimed and published wherever it may be thought necessary: and for the due observance of what we have said, we are willing to give such securities as may be demanded.

'We are desirous of preserving the peace with the duke of Burgundy and his friends, and all of his party, on the terms concluded, without infringing it in the smallest degree, being anxious to unite all the faithful subjects of my lord the king to oppose the common enemy.

'We shall in this warfare personally serve: and we will, that you do proclaim these our intentions in all the towns and villages near to and within your several jurisdictions.--Dear and well beloved, may the Lord have you in his holy keeping. Written at Montereau faut Yonne, the 11th day of September,' and contersigned, 'Charles Champion.'

This paper was indorsed, 'To our very dear and well beloved the burghers, clergy, and inhabitants of the town of Paris.'

To these letters, especially from the towns subject to the Burgundian party, no answer was given.

In like manner, sir Clugnet de Brabant, whose quarters were at Vitry, wrote to many of the large towns to detatch them from the dauphin; but, when he found by their answers that he could not succeed, he made a severe war upon them.

CHAP XXVIII.

THE LORD DE MONTAGU WRITES LETTERS TO SEVERAL OF THE PRINCIPAL TOWNS OF THE KINGDOM OF FRANCE.--THE PARISIANS RENEW THEIR OATHS OF FIDELITY AFTER THE DEATH OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.

The lord de Montagu, instantly on his return from Montereau to Bray sur Seine, caused letters to be written, charging the dauphin and his advisers with having committed murder on the person of his lord the duke of Burgundy,--which letters he dispatched to Troyes, Rheims, Châlons, and to all the towns attached to the king and the duke of Burgundy.

In these letters, he humbly begged of them to be on their guard, and not to pay any attention to the lies and assertions of those who upheld the dauphin's party, for that their disloyalty was now discovered, but remain firm to the king and to the count de Charolois, successor to the duke of Burgundy, from whom, under God's good pleasure, they should have speedy assistance and support.

The towns received these letters in great kindness, and strongly expressed their thanks for them to the lord de Montagu, saying they were mightily grieved at the unfortunate death of the duke of Burgundy.

On the 11th of September, the duke's death was known at Paris; and the inhabitants on hearing the manner of it were thrown into the utmost consternation and sorrow. On the morrow-morning, the count de St Pol, lieutenant of the king in Paris, the chancellor of France, the provosts of the town and of the merchants, together with the greater part of the king's ministers and officers, great numbers of nobles and inhabitants assembled as early as they could; when, after the detail of the manner in which the murder of the duke of Burgundy had been perpetrated, they renewed their oaths of fidelity to the count de St Pol, and swore to serve and obey him with all their forces, in the guard and defence of Paris, and the preservation of the realm, against the damnable intentions of all wicked and seditious persons, who have violated the peace; and to pursue, to the utmost of their power of vengeance, the conspirators and actors in the murder of the duke of Burgundy, and to denounce and accuse before the courts of law all who shall any way favour the aforesaid conspirators and murderers.

They likewise engaged never to surrender the town of Paris, nor to enter into any treaty whatever without its being made public; and this they also swore to in the hands of the count de St Pol,--which oaths were afterward sealed, and sent to Senlis and other places of their party, to induce them to take similar oaths to their governors.

When these things were done, many persons of both sexes were arrested in Paris, who were known to be of the dauphin's party, as well those who had returned in consequence of the peace as others of whom they had any suspicions. They were confined in different prisons, and some of them were executed in a summary way of justice.

CHAP. XXIX.

THE DAUPHIN DEPARTS FROM MONTEREAU.--THE DELIVERANCE OF THOSE WHO HAD ACCOMPANIED THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY,--AND OTHER MATTERS.