Chapter I: Part 1

THE

CHRONICLES

OF

ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET.

_H. Bryer, Printer, Bridge-Street, Blackfriers, London._

THE

CHRONICLES

OF

ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET;

CONTAINING

AN ACCOUNT OF THE CRUEL CIVIL WARS BETWEEN THE HOUSES OF
ORLEANS AND BURGUNDY;

OF THE POSSESSION OF

PARIS AND NORMANDY BY THE ENGLISH;

_THEIR EXPULSION THENCE_;

AND OF OTHER

MEMORABLE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN THE KINGDOM OF FRANCE,
AS WELL AS IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

_A HISTORY OF FAIR EXAMPLE, AND OF GREAT PROFIT TO THE
FRENCH_,

_Beginning at the Year_ MCCCC, _where that of Sir JOHN FROISSART
finishes, and ending at the Year_ MCCCCLXVII, _and continued by
others to the Year_ MDXVI.

TRANSLATED

BY THOMAS JOHNES, ESQ.

IN THIRTEEN VOLUMES VOL. VIII.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, PATERNOSTER
ROW; AND J. WHITE AND CO. FLEET-STREET.

1810.

CONTENTS

OF

_THE EIGHTH VOLUME_.

PAGE

CHAP. I.

James I. king of Scotland is murdered in
his bed-chamber during the night by
his uncle the earl of Athol.--Other matters 1

CHAP. II.

La Hire, Poton, with many other french
captains, are near taking Rouen. They
are attacked and defeated by the English,
who surprise them in their quarters 11

CHAP. III.

The town of Bruges rebels against its lord
and his officers.--A great conflict and
slaughter is the consequence 13

CHAP. IV.

The bastard de la Hire makes an excursion
through the countries of Peronne,
Roye, and Mondidier, where he commits
great waste 23

CHAP. V.

King Charles of France orders his captains to
reconquer some towns and castles from
the English.--He marches in person against
Montereau-faut-Yonne, and recaptures
it 25

CHAP. VI.

The men of Bruges make frequent excursions
from their town, and lay the low
countries under contributions 31

CHAP. VII.

The English recover the town of Fêcamp in
Normandy 33

CHAP. VIII.

The lord d'Offemont makes La Hire his prisoner
while he was playing at ball at Beauvais 35

CHAP. IX.

Charles king of France makes his first entry
into Paris after its reduction,--the preparations
for it 39

CHAP. X.

The commonalty of Bruges become more
moderate in their proceedings, and send
ambassadors to the duke of Burgundy to
sue for peace 47

CHAP. XI.

The lord d'Auxy and sir Florimont de Brimeu,
seneschal of Ponthieu and of Abbeville,
march to lay siege to Crotoy 49

CHAP. XII.

A large body of men at arms, under the command
of several French captains, harrass
the country of Hainault.--They are nicknamed
Skinners 60

CHAP. XIII.

A great famine in France 65

CHAP. XIV.

The populace of Ghent again take up arms,
excited thereto by the artisans 66

CHAP. XV.

Peace concluded between the duke of Burgundy
and the town of Bruges 84

CHAP XVI.

War recommences between the duchy of Bar
and the county of Vaudemont 89

CHAP. XVII.

Famine, war, and pestilence, rage in many
places 94

CHAP. XVIII.

Lord Talbot, sir Thomas Kiriel, and other
English captains, conquer Longueville, and
many more castles, from the French 95

CHAP. XIX.

A treaty of marriage is concluded between
the eldest son to the king of Navarre and
the princess of Cleves, niece to the duke
of Burgundy 97

CHAP. XX.

The towns and castles of Montargis and
Chevreuse submit to the obedience of king
Charles of France 98

CHAP. XXI.

A quarrel arises between Pope Eugenius and
the council of Basil.--Other matters 99

CHAP. XXII.

The count d'Eu, who had been prisoner in
England since the battle of Azincourt,
obtains his liberty, and returns to France.--He
raises large armies 103

CHAP. XXIII.

La Hire, Blanchefort, and others of king
Charles's captains make excursions into
Germany 107

CHAP. XXIV.

The count d'Estampes recovers the castle
of Roullet from the men of the lord de
Moy.--Other matters 109

CHAP. XXV.

A meeting is held between Calais and Gravelines
between the Cardinal of England
and the duchess of Burgundy, to deliberate
on the means of establishing a lasting
peace between France and England 112

CHAP. XXVI.

The king of France compels Roderigo de
Villandras, who was committing great
waste on his territories, to march away
and make war on the English 114

CHAP. XXVII.

Pope Eugenius sends bulls to divers parts of
Europe.--Their tenour 117

CHAP. XXVIII.

Sir John de Luxembourg, in consequence of
being in the ill graces of the duke of Burgundy,
sends letters to the knights of the
golden fleece 139

CHAP. XXIX.

The count de Richemont, constable of
France, gains the town of Meaux in Brie
from the English 156

CHAP. XXX.

Sir John de Luxembourg sends letters to exculpate
himself, to the great council of the
duke of Burgundy.--Their contents 161

CHAP. XXXI.

King Charles of France sends the princess
Catherine, his daughter, to the duke of
Burgundy, conformably to the treaty of
marriage agreed on with the count de
Charolois his son 174

CHAP. XXXII.

The bastard of Bourbon takes the town of
La Mothe in Lorraine 177

CHAP. XXXIII.

Many noble ambassadors from the kings of
France and England meet between Gravelines
and Calais, to hold a conference on
the subject of peace 179

CHAP. XXXIV.

The English make an excursion into the
country of Santois, where they gain the
castle of Folleville, and commit many ravages
and cruelties 181

CHAP. XXXV.

The Dauphin, the duke of Bourbon, and
many of the great lords quit in disgust
the court of king Charles 188

CHAP. XXXVI.

The French overrun the lands of Neel, belonging
to sir John de Luxembourg 198

CHAP. XXXVII.

The earl of Somerset besieges Harfleur with
a powerful army of English 200

CHAP. XXXVIII.

A very great lord in Brittany, called the
lord of Retz, is accused and convicted of
sorcery 211

CHAP. XXXIX.

Pierre de Regnault, bastard-brother to La
Hire, goes on a foraging party to the
country round Abbeville 213

CHAP. XL.

Ambassadors from France, England, and
Burgundy, meet at Calais. To treat of a
general peace 218

CHAP. XLI.

The Barrois and Lorrainers overrun the
county of Vaudemont, where they commit
great waste and destruction 220

CHAP. XLII.

The duke of Orleans obtains his liberty by
means of the duke of Burgundy, and marries
the lady of Cleves, niece to the said
duke 223

CHAP. XLIII.

The king of France goes to Troyes in
Champagne. Several towns and forts submit
to his obedience. Other matters. 254

CHAP. XLIV.

The English in the castle of Folleville do
much damage to the country round Amiens.
They defeat some Picard lords and
their men 256

CHAP. XLV.

Some of the garrisons of the count de St Pol
rob the king of France's servants as they
were conducting warlike stores from the
city of Tournay. The reparation the
count de St Pol makes for this conduct 260

CHAP. XLVI.

The duchess of Burgundy waits on the king
of France at Laon, to make some requests
to him. Other matters 269

CHAP. XLVII.

The duchess of Burgundy leaves king
Charles at Laon, and returns to the duke
her lord at Quênoy 273

CHAP. XLVIII.

The fortress of Montaigu, belonging to the
lord of Commercy, is destroyed, and
razed to the ground, by orders from the
duke of Burgundy 276

CHAP. XLIX.

The king of France lays siege to, and conquers,
the town of Creil 278

CHAP. L.

The king of France marches to besiege the
town and castle of Pontoise 280

CHAP. LI.

The duke of York, governor of Normandy
for the king of England, marches an army
to Pontoise, to force the king of France to
raise the siege 287

CHAP. LII.

The duke of Orleans returns to the duke
of Burgundy from France 303

CHAP. LIII.

Remonstrances are sent to king Charles of
France by the nobles assembled at Nevers 305

CHAP. LIV.

The answers of the king of France and of
his great council to the remonstrances of
the nobles of France assembled at Nevers 306

CHAP. LV.

King Charles assembles a large body of men
at arms, and marches them to Tartas,
where, however, the English do not appear 333

CHAP. LVI.

The king of France, after gaining Tartas,
comes before Saint Severe, and conquers
that town and castle, with some others in
Gascony 337

CHAP. LVII.

Pierre de Regnault is forced to dislodge from
the castle of Mailly 343

CHAP. LVIII.

The king of France assembles a large army
to march into Normandy.--The earl of
Somerset makes some conquests from the
French in Anjou and elsewhere 348

CHAP. LIX.

Some knights and gentlemen of the duke of
Burgundy's court hold a tournament near
to Dijon 351

CHAP. LX.

The challenges for this tournament and
the names of the champions 352

CHAP. LXI.

Here follow the articles for the deeds of
arms on foot 355

CHAP. LXII.

The duke of Burgundy sends the count d'Estampes,
with a large body of men at
arms, into the duchy of Luxembourg 359

CHAP. LXIII.

The duke of Burgundy reduces the duchy
of Luxembourg to his obedience 364

CHAP. LXIV.

Some of the Dauphin's men, having advanced
into Burgundy, are attacked and
defeated by the marshal of Burgundy 377

CHAP. LXV.

A truce is concluded between the kings of
England and France, and with all the allies
and relatives of either party 379

CHAP. LXVI.

The English prolong the truce for eight
months.--The king of England is betrothed
to the daughter of Réné king of
Sicily.--The king of Sicily demands succours
from the king of France 390

CHAP. LXVII.

The king of Sicily meets the king of France
at Châlons, to treat with the duke of
Burgundy respecting his ransom.--The
duchess of Burgundy comes thither.--After
the deaths of the queens of Spain and
Portugal, the king of France sends an embassy
to the court of England 401

CHAP. LXVIII.

In the year MCCCCXLVI. When the king of
France returned from hearing mass, he
found on his bed the following ditty 405

CHAP. LXIX.

The duke of Brittany puts his brother, the
lord Giles, to death.--The Genoese send
an embassy to the king of France, to offer
him their sovereignty.--The event 407

CHAP. LXX.

The king of France, on the death of pope
Eugenius, has a grand council held at Lyons,
whither came many ambassadors from
Germany, England and other parts, to restore
union in the church and put an end
to all schisms 411

CHAP. LXXI.

The duke of Orleans receives from the hands
of the duke of Milan his uncle, the county
of Asti in Piedmont.--The king of
France besieges the city of Mans, which
surrenders by capitulation 418

CHAP. LXXII.

The king of France sends ambassadors to
Pope Nicholas V.--The town of Final is besieged
by the Genoese.--It is revictualled
by sea.--The duke of Orleans makes preparations
to raise this siege by land 420

CHAP. LXIII.

Sir Francis de Surienne, called the Arragonian,
takes the town and castle of Fougeres,
belonging to the duke of Brittany, notwithstanding
the truce between the kings
of France and of England.--The great
mischiefs he does there 427

CHAP. LXXIV.

The populace of London rise against the
king's officers.--They inhumanly murder
the bishop of Glocester, and imprison the
marquis of Suffolk,--but the king sets
him at liberty 431

CHAP. LXXV.

Three malefactors, two men and one woman,
are condemned to death by the
court of parliament at Paris 434

CHAP. LXXVI.

In consequence of the capture of Fougeres,
the allies of the duke of Brittany gain
the town and castle of Pont de l'Arche
from the English.--Gerberoy is afterwards
taken 436

HERE BEGINNETH

THE EIGHTH VOLUME

OF THE

CHRONICLES

OF

_ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET_.

CHAP. I.

JAMES I. KING OF SCOTLAND IS MURDERED IN HIS BED-CHAMBER DURING THE NIGHT BY HIS UNCLE THE EARL OF ATHOL.--OTHER MATTERS.

About this time, a very cruel and surprising event took place in Scotland, while the king resided at Perth in the middle of his realm, and held his court at an abbey of Jacobins, situated on the river Tay, a conspiracy was formed against his life by some who hated him. The leader was his own uncle the earl of Athol[1].

The earl came to Perth the second Wednesday in Lent, which was one of the ember weeks, accompanied by about thirty men, and, an hour after midnight made for the king's bed-chamber, who was unsuspicious of what was intended. They instantly broke open the door, and having gained an entrance, most barbarously assassinated him with upward of thirty wounds, some of which went through his heart. During this transaction, his queen, sister to the earl of Somerset, endeavoured to save him, but was villainously wounded in two places by some of the murderers. When the deed was done, they hurried away, to save themselves by flight.

The cries of the queen, and of her attendants, soon made the matter publicly known throughout the palace and town, when crowds hastened to the king's bed-chamber, where they found him mangled and dead, and the queen wounded. Great sorrow and lamentations were shown on the occasion,--and on the morrow the king was interred at the Carthusians.

Shortly after, the nobles and great lords of Scotland were summoned, and agreed with the queen, that the murderers should be immediately pursued, which was instantly executed,--and the assassins were arrested, and put to death in various ways, and with divers torments.

The earl of Athol, as principal, although uncle to the king, had his belly cut open, his bowels taken out and burnt before his face: his body was then quartered, and the four parts sent to four of the greatest towns of the realm. Sir Robert Stuart, having been very active in the business, was hung on a gibbet and then quartered. Sir Robert Graham was put into a cart, having a gallows erected within it, to which was fastened one of his hands, namely, that with which he had assassinated the king, and thus led through the streets. He was surrounded by three executioners, who kept pinching his thighs, and other parts of his body, with red hot pincers, and was afterwards quartered. All the rest were horribly tormented before they were executed; and this act of justice was done within forty days of the king's murder.

The reason of the earl of Athol's committing this atrocious deed was, that on the king's return from his imprisonment in England, where he had been for a long time detained, as mentioned in my first book of this history, he had put to death many great lords, (as well those related to him by blood as others) who had been members of the regency during his absence, for not having exerted themselves more expeditiously for his ransom. In this number were some very near relatives to the earl of Athol, who, though before this act he kept up the appearance of loyalty, had for a considerable time been plotting this assassination, which he put in practice as you have seen.

King James left a son about twelve years old, who was crowned king of Scotland, with the unanimous assent and approbation of the three estates of the realm. He was placed under the governance of a knight of great renown, called sir William Crichton[2], who had been his tutor during the life of the king his father. This young monarch had a vermilion mark down one cheek, and a white one down the other.

Within a short time, the queen carried away suddenly, from the knight above named, the king her son, out of the castle of Edinburgh, and put him under other governors, namely, the great lords of the country. This regency put to death the earl of Douglas[3] and his brother, called David de Combrebant[4], for having as they said, formed a conspiracy against the young king, to depose him from his throne. King James had six sisters, the eldest of whom was married to the dauphin of France, son to king Charles; the duke of Brittany had another; the third married the duke of Savoy's son; the fourth married the lord de Vere in in Holland. The queen also married a young scots knight called sir James Stuart and had by him several children[5].

It has happened, that since I had written the foregoing account, I have received more authentic information respecting the execution of the earl of Athol. It was as follows. He was stript quite naked, all but his drawers in the streets of Edinburgh, and hoisted several times up and down a high gibbet by means of a pulley, and then let fall to within two feet of the ground. He was then placed on a pillar and crowned with a coronet of hot iron to signify that he was king of the traitors. On the morrow, he was seated on a hurdle, naked as before, and dragged through the streets; after which, he was put on a table, his belly cut open, and his entrails drawn out, and thrown into a fire before his face and while he was alive. His heart was then cast into the fire, his body quartered, and the quarters sent to the four principal towns in the kingdom as has been mentioned before. The rest of his accomplices were grievously tortured prior to their execution,--and several of their near relations and intimates, though perfectly innocent, were executed with them; and such severe punishments were not remembered to have been ever before inflicted in a Christian country.

The duke of Burgundy, at this time held many councils with the three estates of his dominions, to consider on the best means of opposing the English, whom he expected daily to invade them. It was determined to garrison every town as well those inland as on the sea-shores; and all the nobles, and others who had been accustomed to bear arms, were ordered to hold themselves in readiness to march with their captains in defence of their country, under the orders of John of Burgundy, count d'Estampes commander in chief.

Many of the inhabitants of the city of Lyons now rebelled against the officers of the king of France, because they were overloaded with taxes and gabelles; but several of them suffered death for it, and others were imprisoned by the royal officers.

The Parisians were also accused of intending to betray that city to the English, when master James Joussel and master Mille des Faulx advocates in the parliament together with a pursuivant, were beheaded, and their effects confiscated to the king.

In this year also the ghent men rose in arms in considerable numbers and slew one Gilbert Pactetent, head deacon of the trades, for having, as they said, prevented Calais from being stormed; and they moreover accused him of treason, because their cannon and other engines had fired but little during that siege.

They also insisted, among other extravagant demands, that an order should be proclaimed, forbidding any beer to be brewed within three leagues of Ghent; but as the sheriffs and other municipal officers had intermixed among them, with the banner of France displayed, in the Friday market-place, and had addressed them in moderate and good-humoured terms, telling them, that they would consider on their demands, and provide for them in such wise that they should be contented, the mob dispersed quietly to their homes, and laid down their arms.

Many councils were held by the sheriffs and magistrates on these requisitions, which were declared useless, and impossible to be carried into effect. They likewise resolved to leave things in the state in which they had prospered so long, without making any unreasonable reformation.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 1: 'Walter earl of Athol had innumerable favours and honours conferred upon him by the king and royal family, yet he was the chief actor in that horrid murder of his nephew king James I. for which he was most justly condemned and executed, and all his estates and honours were forfeited to the crown. The title of Athol was suspended till king James II. bestowed it upon his uterine brother, sir John Stewart of Balveny,' &c.--_Douglas's Peerage of Scotland._]

[Footnote 2: Lord chancellor of Scotland.]

[Footnote 3: 'William VI. earl of Douglas, third duke of Touraine, &c. a youth of a fine genius and noble spirit, and of great expectation. Soon after his father's death, he came to a meeting of the parliament at Edinburgh with a splendid and numerous retinue, and behaved with all due obedience and submission. He was in great favour with the young king, and gave all the marks of a sincere, generous and loyal disposition. However, it seems his grandeur made him be looked upon with a jealous eye by the faction at the time, though he was then only about sixteen years of age. He and his young brother were invited to an entertainment in the castle of Edinburgh by chancellor Crichton. They went without the least suspicion or distrust, and were both barbarously assassinated, with their trusty friend sir Malcolm Fleming of Cumbernauld, in the king's presence, who had the tragical event in the utmost abhorrence, and wept bitterly, but had not the power to prevent it. This happened on the 24th November 1440.'--_Douglas's Peerage of Scotland._]

[Footnote 4: Combrebant. This must be meant for sir Malcolm Fleming of Cumbernauld.]

[Footnote 5: Mr Pinkerton says, that Margaret was married to the dauphin,--Isabel to Francis duke of Brittany,--Eleanor to Sigismund archduke of Austria, Mary to the count de Boucquan, son to the lord of Campvere,--Jean to the earl of Angus, and afterwards to the earl of Morton.

See note p. 142. Hist. of Scotland.]

CHAP. II.

LA HIRE, POTON, WITH MANY OTHER FRENCH CAPTAINS, ARE NEAR TAKING ROUEN. THEY ARE ATTACKED AND DEFEATED BY THE ENGLISH, WHO SURPRISE THEM IN THEIR QUARTERS.

In this year, several french commanders assembled a body of men on the frontiers of Normandy, to the amount of eight hundred or a thousand, namely, La Hire, Poton de Santrailles, the lord de Fontaines, Lavagan, Philip de la Tour, and others. They marched toward Rouen with the expectation of entering it by means of some of the inhabitants, who had promised them admittance,--but failed, from a considerable reinforcement of English having lately arrived in the town.

The french captains, finding their enterprise could not be accomplished although they were close to Rouen, retreated with their men to refresh and quarter themselves at a large village called Ris, only four leagues distant from it. While they were there, the lord Scales, lord Talbot, sir Thomas Kiriel and other english captains, having had information where they were, collected about a thousand combatants and instantly pursued them,--and, before they were aware, attacked them on different sides, having surprised their quarters.

The French unable to collect together were very soon defeated. La Hire, however, having mounted a horse belonging to one of his men at arms, attempted to rally them, but in vain, and then fled. He was briskly pursued, and severely wounded in several places, but escaped by the aid of some of his men. The lord de Fontaines, Alain Geron, Louis de Basle, Alardin de Mousay, John de Lon, were made prisoners; and the other nobles, with the rest of the army, saved themselves chiefly in the woods, but they lost all their baggage and the greater part of their horses. With regard to the killed, they did not amount to more than eight or ten.

[A.D. 1437.]

CHAP. III.

THE TOWN OF BRUGES REBELS AGAINST ITS LORD AND HIS OFFICERS.--A GREAT CONFLICT AND SLAUGHTER IS THE CONSEQUENCE.

At the beginning of this year, the populace of Bruges revolted against the officers of their lord the duke of Burgundy, and suddenly put to death Maurice de Versenaire, and his brother, James de Versenaire, sheriffs and magistrates of the town, because they had gone to wait on the duke at Arras. They were sought for in the houses in which they had hidden themselves, on hearing that the mob intended to murder them; and this event greatly alarmed the principal inhabitants.

The duke of Burgundy was much vexed on hearing what had passed at Bruges, and held many councils to consider how he could most effectually punish this outrage against his authority. He was advised to send secretly some trusty persons to Bruges, to learn from those supposed to be attached to his party how he could punish the offenders. Those of the highest rank wrote letters, in consequence to the duke, to excuse themselves from having been any way concerned in the late business, and to offer their services to assist him in punishing those who had done these murders.

The duke now made known his intention of going to Holland on his private affairs, and that he would pass through Bruges in his way, when he should see how he could best accomplish his object. He therefore assembled a large body of men at arms, with their captains, from Picardy, to the amount of fourteen hundred combatants, and, attended by many noble lords, departed from Lille, and lay at the town of Rousselaire. On the morrow, he sent his harbingers to Bruges to prepare his lodgings, escorted, as usual, by a detachment from the above-mentioned men at arms. They entered the town, and took up their quarters as they could. The duke immediately followed them with the main army, receiving hourly intelligence from his friends in the town. In truth, the principal inhabitants would have been rejoiced to see those who had committed the before-mentioned atrocious acts properly punished,--for they were men of low degree, who wished to throw things into confusion that, they might master the richer ranks.

The commonalty were alarmed when they heard of the duke's coming, being fearful that this armament was brought, as was the truth, against them. In consequence, they assembled by companies in divers parts of the town, and gave out that the duke and his Picards were only coming thither to plunder and destroy it. The chief inhabitants, hearing this, were more uneasy than before: the whole town was now in arms.

A large party of the commonalty collected under arms, in the market place, and sent off a detachment to the gate leading to Rousselaire, through which the duke was to enter. It was on Whitsun-Wednesday; and when the duke came to the gate, thinking to enter, he was surprised to find both that and the barriers closed, and the townsmen armed and accoutred for war. They refused to admit the duke but with few attendants, which he would not agree to saying that he and his army would enter together. A long conference now took place between the two parties in the town.

The duke had with him sir Roland de Hautekirk and sir Colart de Comines, whom the men of Bruges disliked exceedingly, with many nobles of renown in war such as the count d'Estampes, the lord de l'Isle-Adam, the lord de Therouenne, the lord de Humieres, the lord de Haubourdin, the lord de Saveuses, the lord de Crevecœur, James Kiriel, the lord de Lenternelle, Pierre de Roubaix and others, who were astonished at the conduct of the bruges men toward their prince.

Some advised him to arrest those who had come through the barriers to the conference, and to behead all who had been concerned in these disturbances; but this was negatived, for fear those within the town would retaliate on the harbingers and their escort. However, after a space of two or three hours, it was concluded that the duke might enter; but before he made his entrance, he posted at the gate Charles de Rochefort, sir John bastard of Dampierre, Melides Breton, with others of his gentlemen, and a party of archers.

The duke entered the town in handsome array, attended by many nobles and warriors; but when he was about to dismount at his hôtel, and when four or five hundred of his men at arms had passed the gate, the townsmen (who, as I have said, were there under arms, and in great numbers,) closed the barriers and gate, shutting out the remainder of the duke's army. The duke was very angry when he heard of this, and caused the magistrates to be informed, that since they would not permit his people to enter with him, he would return to them,--but the magistrates excused themselves as well as they were able.

In the mean time, the duke drew up those who had been allowed to follow him, in good array, in the old market-place, when a quarrel took place between them and the townsmen, and battles ensued in different parts of the town. The duke was advised to retire with part of his men towards the gate by which he had entered, to attempt gaining it, in order that he might have the support of the rest of his army, or make his retreat should it be thought necessary.

This was done, and he detached a body to the ramparts, to attack those at the gate on the flank, while he marched in person down the great street. The enemy set up a grand shout, and made a desperate attack,--but suddenly they fled from the gate, were pursued, and many slain. The lord de l'Isle-Adam had dismounted, and was advanced beyond some of the archers, who did not behave to please him in pursuing the townsmen, concluding, at the same time that he should be followed by others, which was not the case, or at least by a very few,--so that, seeing him thus alone, a party of the townsmen surrounded him, and, before any succour could arrive, put him to death, and tore from him the order of the Golden Fleece which he had on.

The duke of Burgundy and in general all who had accompanied were much grieved at his death, but now there was no remedy for it. At this moment there was not one but was in danger of suffering the like,--for the commonalty were in multitudes under arms ready to surround them on all sides, who were but a handful of men in comparison to them.

The duke, nevertheless, was in good spirits, and only regretted that he had not the rest of his troops to give combat to these bruges men, now in absolute rebellion. Those with him were very uneasy, and those without much vexed at their situation: the last heard from some of their companions the disagreeable state their lord was in, and also saw eight or ten of their fellow-soldiers, pursued by the townsmen, leap from the ramparts to save themselves in the ditches wherein they were drowned.

This confusion and affray, in the town of Bruges, lasted a full hour and half when the duke was informed that the mob were preparing to fall on him in immense numbers, and with artillery, so that resistance would be vain. He was advised to make a desperate attempt to gain possession of the gate, cost what it would, before this mob should arrive. He advanced, therefore, to the gate, with all the men he now had; and the enemy, as before, retreated from it. Large hammers were got from a smith's house hard by, with which the bolts and bars were broken,--and on opening the gate the army rushed out with a hearty good will; but the duke, mounted on a handsome courser, had remained steady in the midst of the tumult, though nearly approached by the enemy, and, like a good shepherd, saw all his men out of the gate before him, and then took the road to Rousselaire, whence he had marched that morning, much hurt that affairs had turned out so ill, and sincerely grieved at the loss of the lord de l'Isle-Adam and others of his people.

The greater part of the army were so panicstruck with what had happened that it was with difficulty they could be marched in any order. Neither sir Roland de Hautekirk nor sir Colart de Comines had entered the town with the duke, who lost that day in killed upward of a hundred of his men. They were all interred together in a grave in the hospital church-yard, except the lord de l'Isle-Adam, who was buried apart,--and his body was afterward removed, with great solemnity, into the church of St Donât at Bruges.

Two hundred prisoners were made by the townsmen, and on the Friday following thirty two of them were beheaded; the rest had their lives saved by the intercessions of the churchmen and foreign merchants, who earnestly exerted themselves in the business. At the end of eight days, they set at liberty all the attendants of the duke, with their baggage; but they hung and quartered the blacksmith, for having given hammers to break down the gates: his name was Jacob van Ardoyen.

On the side of the townsmen, there were not more than twelve killed; and among the Picards, none of name but the lord de l'Isle-Adam and an usher of the apartments to the duke, named Herman. The bruges men remained night and day under arms and in very great bodies, not only within the town but through all parts of their jurisdiction. They shortly after pulled down the house of a citizen called Gerard Reubs.

With regard to the duke of Burgundy, he went to Rousselaire, and thence to Lille, where many councils were held to consider how he could reduce the town of Bruges to his obedience. It was proposed, in order to accomplish this the sooner, to have it proclaimed through all the adjoining towns and villages, that no persons should carry any provisions to Bruges under pain of being reputed an enemy to the prince. This was done; and the men of Bruges, though surprised and fearful of the consequences, did not relax in continuing the business they had begun.

CHAP. IV.

THE BASTARD DE LA HIRE MAKES AN EXCURSION THROUGH THE COUNTRIES OF PERONNE, ROYE, AND MONDIDIER, WHERE HE COMMITS GREAT WASTE.

At this season, the bastard de la Hire was posted in the castle of Clermont in the Beauvoisis, with about sixty or four score combatants, with whom he sorely harrassed the adjoining countries, more particularly the castlewicks of Peronne, Roye, and Mondidier, belonging to the duke of Burgundy. Thither they made frequent excursions, carrying away each time to their garrison great plunder in cattle and other effects, notwithstanding the peace concluded at Arras between the king of France and the duke.

One day, they came before the town of Roye, and drove off cattle, and whatever else they could lay hands on, to the castle of Clermont. They were usually accompanied by several garrisons as well from Mortemer[6], belonging to William de Flavy, as from others. The governor of Roye for the duke of Burgundy, was a valiant noble man, called Aubert de Folleville, who, hearing of their enterprise assembled with all speed as many men at arms as he could collect, and instantly pursued them, in the hope of recovering the plunder they were carrying away. He overtook them at a village called Boulogne, and immediately charged them; but they had seen him coming, and had placed an ambuscade, who sallied out against sir Aubert, and, from their superior numbers, defeated him and put him to death. Many gentlemen were likewise killed, such as the souldan de la Bretonnerie, his nephew Hugh de Bazincourt, the bastard d'Esne, Colart de Picellen, Jacques de Bruyiere, Jean Basin, Simon le Maire, and several more: the rest saved themselves by the fleetness of their horses.

The duke of Burgundy was greatly vexed at this defeat, and at similar inroads being made on his territories,--and to oppose these pillagers, the count d'Estampes reinforced the garrisons of Peronne, Roye, and Mondidier with men at arms.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 6: Mortimer,--a village in the election of Mondidier.]

CHAP. V.

KING CHARLES OF FRANCE ORDERS HIS CAPTAINS TO RECONQUER SOME TOWNS AND CASTLES FROM THE ENGLISH.--HE MARCHES IN PERSON AGAINST MONTEREAU-FAUT-YONNE, AND RECAPTURES IT.

In these days, king Charles sent orders to his nobles and captains, scattered throughout the realm, to meet him, on an appointed day, at Gien sur Loire, as he was resolved to regain some of the towns and castles the English held near to Montargis and in the Gâtinois.

The king was met at Gien by the constable of France, sir Jacques d'Anjou, the count de Perdiac, the count de Vendôme, the bastard of Orleans and others. It was there determined in council, that the constable and the count de Perdiac should advance to Château Landon[7] with their men, and besiege it. This was instantly executed, and the place surrounded on all sides, to the great alarm of the English garrison. They were so far inland that they had little hopes of being relieved, and were beside badly provided with provision and stores: notwithstanding, they made show as if they meant to defend themselves to the last.

When the constable summoned them to surrender on having their lives spared, they made answer, that they were not so advised, and that it would cost him dear before such an event happened. However, on the third day, they were so courageously attacked that the place was taken by storm, when the greater part of those within were hanged, especially such as were natives of France: the rest had their liberties, on paying ransoms.

When this business was finished, the two lords marched their army to besiege Nemours; which held out for about twelve days, when it surrendered, on the inhabitants and garrison having their lives and effects spared, and being allowed to march off to Montereau.

While these things were passing, sir Gascon de Logus, bailiff of Bourges, in Berry, in company with other captains, laid siege to the town and castle of Terny, held by the English, which, after a few days, surrendered, on the garrison having their lives and fortunes spared. When they marched away, sir Gascon, mounted on a spirited courser, escorted them part of the road; but, on spurring him, the horse turned short round, and the knight fell with such force that he was killed on the spot,--and Poton de Saintrailles was, by the king, appointed bailiff of Bourges in his stead.

Shortly after, the king, with his company, went from Gien to Sens in Burgundy, and thence to Braye-sur-Seine. From this place, he sent the lord de Gaucourt, sir Denis de Sailly, Poton de Saintrailles, Boussac, the bastard de Beaumanoir, with other captains, and about sixteen hundred fighting men, to Montereau-faut-Yonne. They posted themselves on an eminence opposite the castle, on the side toward Brie, and raised there a large blockhouse, which they fortified as strongly as they could, placing therein a numerous garrison.

The constable, the count de Perdiac, the bastard of Orleans, sir James de Chabannes, with their men, advanced on the side toward the Gâtinois, and took up their quarters near to the town. After them came the lord de Valogne, sir Anselm de la Tour bailiff of Vitry, Regnault Guillaume bailiff of Montargis, who posted themselves on the island, between the two rivers, so that the place was surrounded on all sides by the army of the king of France; and they pointed so many cannons against the walls that they were soon greatly damaged.

The commander in chief, within the town and castle, for the king of England, was sir Thomas Gerard, having under him Mondo de Montferrant, Mondo de Lausay, and other valiant captains, together with three or four hundred combatants, who made as vigorous a resistance against their enemies as their circumstances would permit. They had great hopes of succour from the english commanders in Normandy, according to their promises.

The king of France now arrived at Montereau from Bray-sur-Seine, grandly accompanied, and was lodged in the blockhouse before mentioned. He had with him six or seven thousand, well tried and well equipped, fighting men. On his arrival, the greatest exertions were made to approach the town,--and the cannons, and other engines, were continually in action; the king even did not spare himself in the labours of this siege.

At the end of six weeks, or thereabouts, from the commencement of the siege, the town was won by storm, with little loss to the assailants. With regard to the besieged, from twenty to thirty were killed, and as many made prisoners, the greater part of whom were hanged. The king, on making his entry, strictly forbade any mischief being done to the persons of the inhabitants, men, women or children, who had retired within churches or monasteries; but as for their effects they were plundered, as is usual when any place is taken by storm.

Many new knights were made at the storming, namely, the young count de Tancarville, son to sir James de Harcourt, Robert de Bethune lord de Moreul, and others.

The king and most of the princes were lodged in the town; and, about fifteen days afterward, those in the castle surrendered to the king, on having their lives and fortunes spared. The bastard of Orleans was then appointed governor, who regarrisoned it with his own men.

When this business was settled, the king and dauphin, with great part of the princes, went to Melun. The men at arms separated, in companies, to divers places, but most of them went to Paris.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 7: Château Landon,--in the Gâtinois, three leagues from Nemours.]

CHAP. VI.

THE MEN OF BRUGES MAKE FREQUENT EXCURSIONS FROM THEIR TOWN, AND LAY THE LOW COUNTRIES UNDER CONTRIBUTIONS.

We must now return to what was going forward at Bruges, the inhabitants of which continued their mad and foolish rebellion against their prince.

They made frequent sallies in large bodies to forage the low country, and to destroy the houses of all whom they suspected as enemies. Among others, they took the castle of Koecklare, held by the bastard of Bailleul, and did great damage to it.

On the other hand, when they remained within the town, they committed many acts of injustice on such as they knew were of a contrary way of thinking to themselves. In the number of their wicked deeds, they caused the deacon of the handicraft trades to be beheaded, on a charge which they made against him of intending to deliver up the town to the ghent men. But all the principal and most wealthy citizens had left Bruges, and gone to other places for fear of them.

The commonalty next collected a body of three or four thousand, and marched against Sluys, with every implement of war to lay siege to it, for they had an implacable hatred against it. The duke of Burgundy and sir Simon de Lalain were in that place, with a certain number of combatants: notwithstanding this, the men of Bruges remained before it three and twenty days, and made many attacks on the barriers and gates,--in which numbers were killed and wounded on each side, but more especially on that of Bruges.

The duke of Burgundy, during this time, was assembling a large force of the nobles and men at arms in Picardy, and in his lordships near to St Omer, with intent to give them battle. But in the interim, the bruges men, fearful of the consequences, prevailed on those of Ghent to mediate between them and the duke, and returned quietly to Bruges.

CHAP. VII.

THE ENGLISH RECOVER THE TOWN OF FÊCAMP IN NORMANDY.

At this period, the English laid siege to the town of Fêcamp in Normandy. They remained before it about three months, when it capitulated, on the garrison and townsmen having their lives and fortunes spared. It was, however, within a few days after, reconquered by the French. A severe warfare was now carrying on throughout Normandy, and frequent skirmishes took place between the parties, one of which deserves notice[8].

La Hire, Poton de Saintrailles, the lord de Fontaines, L'Avagan, and other captains, had one day collected about six hundred fighting men, and advanced toward Rouen, in the expectation of gaining some advantage over their adversaries the English. Having failed, they returned toward Beauvais; but as they and their horses were much fatigued, they halted at a village called Ris, to refresh and repose themselves.

During this time, sir Thomas Kiriel, with a body of English, surprised the village, and defeated them completely, with little loss, before they could arm and collect together. The lord de Fontaines, Alardin de Moussay, with numbers of others, were made prisoners, La Hire, with difficulty, escaped by the goodness of his horse,--but he was severely wounded in many places. Poton de Saintrailles, and others, escaped also,--but they lost the greater part of their horses and arms. The English, after this victory, returned to Rouen: joyful at their success, however, they soon after lost the town of Fêcamp, as has been related.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 8: This expedition and failure have been before related in chap. ii. with very little variation: in the first, it was to gain Rouen by surprise and treachery.]

CHAP. VIII.

THE LORD D'OFFEMONT MAKES LA HIRE HIS PRISONER WHILE HE WAS PLAYING AT BALL AT BEAUVAIS.

While these matters were passing, the lord d'Offemont, who had not forgotten the ill treatment he had suffered from La Hire, when he was made prisoner and ransomed at Clermont in the Beauvoisis, as has been mentioned, assembled a body of about six score combatants, under his brother-in-law the lord de Moy the bastard de Chauny, and other captains.

By means of the lord de Moy he led them to the city of Beauvais, of which La Hire was governor, and was at this moment playing at ball in the court of an inn having the sign of St Martin. The lord d'Offemont hastened thither with his men, for he had learnt where La Hire was, from his spies; but La Hire hearing of his approach, had hidden himself in a stable under the manger, where he was found and taken, after some search, by the lord d'Offemont's men, together with one called Perret de Salle-noire.

They were instantly mounted behind two men at arms, and told, that if they made the slightest noise, or cry to be rescued, they would that moment be put to death. Without further delay, they were carried through the gates of the town; but several of his men, and the common people, assembled to pursue them and attempt their deliverance, when some skirmishing took place with arrows. They were first carried to the castle of Moy, and thence to Meulan, where they were detained a considerable time. They were afterwards removed to the castle of Ancre[9], belonging to the lord d'Offemont, and kept prisoners.

The king of France and many of his officers were very angry at this capture, for it had taken place on the territories of France; but the nobles who had accompanied the lord d'Offemont excused themselves by saying, that they had done this service to the lord d'Offemont from their near relationship in blood to him. The king wrote very pressing letters to the duke of Burgundy in favour of la Hire, that he might be set at liberty, and that no personal harm might be done to him.

In short, the matter was so strongly urged that the duke of Burgundy found means, partly by threats, that the whole of their quarrel should be submitted to his decision, after it had been discussed before his council. The discussion lasted for several days, in the presence of the duke at Douay, when, as well perhaps to please the king (who had very strongly written to him,) as because he did not think the mode of making La Hire prisoner fair or honourable, but just the contrary, the duke made up the quarrel, and the lord d'Offemont had his castle of Clermont restored to him, and a sum of money paid, but not so much as he had been forced to give for his ransom. Perret de Salle-noire was ordered to pay one thousand crowns for his liberty. Thus were all differences settled between them, and they were made friends.

At the same time, peace was made between La Hire and sir John de Luxembourg, who had hated him mortally, as well for his having taken Soissons as for other damages he had done to different parts of his territories; and they remained to all appearance good friends ever after.

La Hire soon returned to the king of France, and related all the kindness and favour the duke of Burgundy had shown him, from his regard to his majesty. This was very agreeable to the king, who entertained La Hire very splendidly, and gave him, at the same time, wherewithal to discharge the greater part of his ransom, and the other expences he had incurred.

When La Hire's men heard that they were to quit the castle of Clermont, they set about repairing an old fortress called Thoys, belonging to the lord de Crevecœur, wherein they placed themselves, and again began to harrass all the country near to Amiens and Pecquigny, more especially the lordships of those who had been assisting in the capture of la Hire, their captain. The principal leader, both in the reparation of the castle and in their oppressions of the country, was one who called himself Philip de la Tour.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 9: Ancre,--or Albert, a small town in Picardy, diocese of Amiens, four leagues from Peronne.]

CHAP. IX.

CHARLES KING OF FRANCE MAKES HIS FIRST ENTRY INTO PARIS AFTER ITS REDUCTION,--THE PREPARATIONS FOR IT.

On Tuesday the 12th of November, in this year, king Charles of France was lodged in the town of St Denis. He was accompanied by his son the dauphin of Vienne, the constable of France, the lord Charles d'Anjou, the counts de Perdiac, de Vendôme, and the young count de Tancarville, sir Christopher de Harcourt, the bastard of Orleans, and a very great number of nobles, great lords, knights and esquires. La Hire was also there in very grand state.

The provost of merchants and the sheriffs of Paris came out as far as La Chapelle to meet him, attended by the citizens, cross-bows, and archers of the town, dressed in robes similar to those of the peers. When they met the king, the provost presented him with the keys of Paris, which the king delivered to the care of the constable. The provost and sheriffs, then expanded a blue canopy, studded with flowers de luce of gold, over the king's head, and thus supported it as he proceeded.

He was next met by the governor of Paris, attended by his common sergeants, having each of them a hood half green and half crimson. After the sergeants came the notaries, attornies, advocates and commissaries of the Chastelet. Then came persons representing the seven virtues and the seven deadly sins, dressed in character, and on horseback: they were followed by the judges of the parliament, of the court of requests, the presidents and by crowds of people.

Thus nobly accompanied did the king make his entry into the city of Paris by the gate of St Denis. Three angels supported a shield bearing the arms of France over the gate above which were placed angels singing and underneath was written in large characters,

'Most excellent and noble king,
The burghers of this loyal town
To you their grateful offering bring,
And bow before your royal crown.'

At the little bridge was a fountain, over which was a pot having a flower de luce, whence spouted good hippocras, wine and water: two dolphins were playing in the fountain,--and above the whole was a terrace, vaulted with flowers de luce, which exhibited a representation of St John Baptist pointing to the Agnus Dei, surrounded with angels singing melodiously.

In front of Trinity-church was a pageant of the passion of our Lord, and how Judas hanged himself. Those who exhibited this did not speak, but acted as in a pantomime. The acting was good, and very affecting.

At the second gate were the figures of St Thomas, St Denis, St Maurice, St Louis of France, and Ste Genevieve in the middle. There was likewise a representation of the holy sepulchre, of the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST, and of his meeting Mary Magdalen.

Item, at St Catherine's, in the street of St Denis, was a representation of the descent of the holy Ghost on the Apostles. Before the Châtelet was the annunciation of the angel to the shepherds, singing, 'Glory be to God on high,' &c. Suspended below the gate were represented the attributes of justice with divine law, the law of nature, and the law of man. On the opposite side, against the slaughter-houses, were exhibited the last judgement, paradise, and hell: in the centre was St Michael weighing souls in a balance.

Item, at the foot of the great bridge, behind the Châtelet, was represented the baptism of our Lord, and St Margaret issuing out of the mouth of a dragon.

When the king came to the front of the church of Nôtre Dame, he dismounted, and was shortly harangued by the members of the university. The following prelates were waiting for his arrival before the great door: the archbishop of Toulouse and of Sens, the bishops of Paris, of Clermont, of St Mangon, near Montpellier, the abbots and superior clergy of St Denis, of St Maur, of St Germain near Paris, of Sainte Magloire and of Sainte Genevieve.

The king made the usual oaths in the hands of the bishop of Paris, and then entered the church,--where had been erected three arches, like to those at Amiens the last day of the year, covered with tapers and wax lights.

When the king had offered up his prayers, he went to the palace, where he lay that night. He was escorted on his entrance by about eight hundred archers, well equipped and in handsome array, under the command of the count of Angoulême.