Chapter II: Part 2

The king and the dauphin were dressed in plain armour, all but their heads: on that of the king was a tourmole[10] covered with silversmith's work. His horse's housing was of dark blue velvet, richly embroidered with large flowers de luce in gold, which reached to the ground. The head-piece was of polished steel, bearing a handsome plume of feathers. He was preceded a few paces by Poton de Saintraille, carrying the royal helmet on a staff supported by his thigh, having a rich crown on the top, and in the centre was a double flower de luce. His horse was led by a gentleman on foot, named Jean d'Olon,--and the canopy was all the while borne over his head. The king was followed by his pages, very richly dressed, and ornamented with silversmith's work, as well as their horses.

A little before Poton rode the constable of France, the counts de Vendôme and de Tancarville, and others of the high nobility, handsomely mounted and richly dressed. At a short distance behind the king was the dauphin, his armour covered over with silversmith's work, as well as his horse, and his pages and their horses also. He was accompanied by his uncle the lord Charles d'Anjou, the counts de Perdiac and de la Marche, and followed by the bastard of Orleans in plain armour,--but his horse's accoutrements were highly ornamented. He had on a rich scarf of gold, which fell down on the back of his horse. He commanded the king's battalion consisting of about a thousand lances, the flower of the men at arms, most handsomely dressed out, themselves and horses.

With regard to the other knights, esquires, and gentlemen present at this ceremony, they were very numerous, and richly equipped at all points, and their horses loaded with silversmith's work. Among these, but after the princes, sir James de Chabannes and the lord de Restelant had the reputation of being most handsomely dressed, themselves their attendants and horses.

The crowd of common people was so great that it was difficult to walk the streets; and they sang carols in all the squares, and other places, as loud as they could, for the welcome return of their natural lord and king, with his son the dauphin. Many even wept for joy at this happy event.

The king and the dauphin, as I have said, when the ceremonies were over, went to the palace, where they were lodged,--and the lords, knights, and others in different houses in Paris as well as they could. It was proclaimed in the king's name, by sound of trumpet, that no one, whatever his rank, should ill treat the Parisians in body or effects, on pain of instant death.

On the morrow, the king displayed to the populace, in the holy chapel, the relics of the true-cross of our Saviour, and the lance which had pierced his side while on the cross: after which, he mounted his horse, and went to lodge at the new hotel, near the bastille,--and the dauphin did the same at the Tournelles.

They remained for a considerable time in Paris,--during which, many new regulations were made for the better government of the realm: and several new offices were created at Paris, as well as in the court of parliament as elsewhere.

Some days after the king's entry into Paris, the counts de la Marche and de Perdiac (sons to Bernard count d'Armagnac, formerly constable of France, who had been basely murdered by the Parisians) went to the spot where their father had been buried, attended by many lords, as well spiritual as temporal, and had the body taken up, put into a leaden coffin, and carried to the church of St Martin des Champs, where a solemn service, attended by the members of the greater part of the colleges and university of Paris, was performed for his soul. On the morrow, the coffin was placed on a car covered with black, and conveyed out of the town with much solemnity, and thence conducted by his two said sons, and a numerous company of friends and attendants, to the county of Armagnac.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 10: Tourmole. Q. Not in any of my dictionaries.]

CHAP. X.

THE COMMONALTY OF BRUGES BECOME MORE MODERATE IN THEIR PROCEEDINGS, AND SEND AMBASSADORS TO THE DUKE OR BURGUNDY TO SUE FOR PEACE.

The men of Bruges now began to feel that they had greatly offended their prince the duke of Burgundy, and were much alarmed; for, as none of the great towns in Flanders would afford them support or assistance, they could not long withstand the duke.

They knew also, that they were not in great favour with the ghent men; and each day brought them intelligence of the mighty preparations their lord was making to subjugate them, in which he would have the aid of Ghent. For these and other reasons, they found means to send ambassadors to the duke at Arras, to endeavour to conclude a peace. The business was discussed at length, and occupied much time,--during which, those of Bruges relaxed in their excursions, and ceased harrassing the country as they had hitherto done.

CHAP. XI.

THE LORD D'AUXY AND SIR FLORIMONT DE BRIMEU, SENESCHAL OF PONTHIEU AND OF ABBEVILLE, MARCH TO LAY SIEGE TO CROTOY.

About the middle of October, in this year, the lord d'Auxy, commander in chief, on the frontiers of Ponthieu and Abbeville, together with sir Florimont de Brimeu, seneschal of the same, and a bold and hardy knight of Rhodes, called sir John de Foix, assembled a certain number of combatants. These they marched before the castle of Crotoy, held by the English, with the hope of conquering and putting it under the obedience of the duke of Burgundy within a short time, from the intelligence of a peasant,--who had lately, as he said, been in the castle, and the garrison had so wasted their corn and flour that he gave them to understand they would not be able to hold out, from famine, more than one month.

On this report, which was afterward found to be untrue, they fixed their quarters in front of the castle, within the old inclosure of the town. They demanded assistance from different lords, who sent them some men at arms. They were also much aided with provisions and money from Abbeville, the inhabitants of which were very desirous that Crotoy should be conquered, for the garrison had frequently done them great mischief. They sent intelligence of what they were about to the duke of Burgundy, and required his support. The duke dispatched some of his household to examine into the matter, and they reported to him, that unless the place were blockaded by sea, it would be impossible to reduce it by famine. Upon this, the duke wrote letters to the governors of Dieppe, St Valery, and of the adjoining sea-ports, to hire as many vessels as they could to blockade the entrance of the river Somme; and went himself to the castle of Hêdin, whither he sent for sir John de Croy, bailiff of Hainault, who had been formerly governor of Crotoy, to ask his opinion as to the probability of its being conquered.

The duke ordered sir John to join the lord d'Auxy and his companions, with a body of men at arms, and to take the chief command of the siege. He went thither also himself, with few attendants, to examine into the state of the business, but made no long stay. That his men might be undisturbed by the English in their quarters, either by sea or land, from Crotoy, he ordered a large blockhouse to be erected, wherein they might be more securely lodged. It was very substantially built, and surrounded with ditches, under the directions of a knight called sir Baudo de Noyelle. When this was done, other works were erected, and the whole provided with a sufficiency of all sorts of stores and provision. In the interim, several skirmishes passed,--and in one of them the lieutenant governor of Crotoy was taken prisoner by the lord d'Auxy.

Intelligence of these preparations of the duke of Burgundy was carried to king Henry of England and his council, who were not well pleased thereat; for they were sensible of the great advantage of Crotoy to facilitate their landing a force in Picardy. It was therefore resolved to provide a speedy remedy against them; and letters were instantly dispatched to the governor of Rouen, ordering him to collect as large a body of men at arms as he could in Normandy, and to march to the relief of Crotoy. This order was immediately published, and four thousand combatants, as well horse as infantry, speedily assembled, under the command of lord Talbot, lord Faulconbridge, sir Thomas Kiriel and others. They advanced to the abbey of St Valery, where they quartered themselves, having brought provision with them.

While this army was collecting, the duke of Burgundy, having had information of the intentions of the English, had previously summoned from Picardy and his other dominions the greater part of his nobility and men at arms, who might amount to eight hundred or a thousand fighting men. They marched from Hêdin, and had arrived at Abbeville the day before the English came to the abbey of St Valery.

The duke of Burgundy was attended on this expedition by the count d'Estampes, his nephew of Cleves, the count de St Pol, and other nobles. Sir John de Luxembourg had also, in obedience to his summons, joined him at Hêdin,--but he excused himself to the duke for not bearing arms, because he had not then sent back his oath of alliance with the English, and could not therefore with honour then take part against them: but this excuse, as I was informed, was not well received by the duke of Burgundy, who remonstrated with him on the occasion,--how he was bound by his oath to serve him, as his vassal; that he wore his order, and had always been attached to his party; for all these reasons, therefore, he could not honourably refuse to serve him, more especially as it was to repulse his enemies, who had invaded several parts of his dominions. Notwithstanding the duke's arguments, sir John de Luxembourg returned home with his permission, and obtained from the duke letters of remission to this effect. When the duke, on his arrival at Abbeville, was assured of the coming of the English, he reinforced that town with all sorts of stores and provision, and there might be with him from eight hundred to a thousand expert and well tried men at arms. When the duke asked them if they thought they could hold out the place against the enemy, they replied, that they had no doubt of so doing.

The duke determined not to make any engagement of fighting the English on an appointed day, and to avoid a general action; to guard all the defiles and fords, and to attack them in their quarters, or wherever they should meet them to their disadvantage, and to endeavour to cut off their supplies. These plans were not, however, carried into execution.

The English, having fixed their quarters in the abbey of Saint Valery, immediately crossed the river at a ford above Crotoy, to the number of three or four hundred, and foraged the whole of the country round the blockhouse, and even as far as the town of Rue. They made prisoners of some men at arms, with their horses and baggage, without meeting with any to oppose them.

The whole army marched on the morrow very early, and crossed the river in good order: about two thousand of the infantry had the water above their middle and drew up in battle-array on an eminence above the town, and in sight of those within the blockhouse, who were expecting an attack every moment, and in consequence made preparation for their defence. On this occasion, the following were created knights in the blockhouse: James de Craon lord of Dommart in Ponthieu, Aymon de Moucy lord of Massy, Eustache d'Inchy, the tall bastard of Renty, Anthony d'Ardentin lord of Bouchanes, Harpin de Richammes, Gilles de Fay, and some others.

The English, who had been unmolested on their march, advanced to Forest-monstier[11], two leagues distant, and there quartered themselves.--Two days after they took the field, and halted at a large village called La Broye[12], on the river Authie, which was full of all kinds of provision: they remained at this village four or five days, whence parties of a hundred or six score went daily foraging all the villages within half a league of their quarters. While they remained at la Broye, a party went to set fire to a considerable village called Angien, close to Hêdin, although the duke had detached a large body of men at arms to Hêdin for the defence of that place and the surrounding country; but, to say the truth, the English did little mischief. On their departure from la Broye, they burnt it down, and advanced to Auxi, where they staid three days, making thence excursions in small parties to forage all the country round, and without the smallest hinderance on the part of their adversaries of whom it is necessary now to speak.

The duke of Burgundy remained in Abbeville, but had detached the greater part of his men to garrison and defend the principal towns and castles in that part of his territories. He one day sent the lord de Croy and Jean de Brimeu, bailiff of Amiens, to inspect the blockhouse at Crotoy, and to learn if those within were firmly resolved to defend it.--On their arrival, they soon discovered that the greater number would gladly be out of it, could they do it with honour. It was therefore concluded by the duke and his ministers, on hearing this report, that to avoid worse happening, all the artillery and stores should be packed up, and the men at arms retreat with them to the town of Rue, after they should have set fire to the blockhouse.

The garrison, however, did not make so honourable a retreat,--for without any reasonable cause, nor seeing the enemy near them, great part mutinied, and sallied out of the blockhouse in the utmost confusion and disorder, leaving behind the artillery, the most part of their armour, and much other baggage, and thus they marched to Rue.

Some of their captains took great pains to rally and bring them back, but in vain. Fire had been secretly set to the outworks, which soon communicated with the blockhouse and consumed it. The English made a sally from the castle, shouting after them as they would have done to a ribald mob.

Shortly after, the captains, who were (as may be supposed) the most valiant and renowned belonging to the duke of Burgundy, left the place, ashamed of the conduct of their men, and went to Rue, and thence to other places under their obedience. The principal among them were, sir John de Croy, bailiff of Hainault, sir Florimont de Brimeu, sir Jacques de Brimeu, sir Baudo de Noyelle--all four bearing the order of the Golden Fleece; sir Waleran de Moreul, the lord d'Auxi, sir Galois de Renty, the lord de Fremesen, sir Robert de Saveuses, sir Jacques de Craon, sir Jean d'Arly, with a great number of knights and esquires from Picardy who were much blamed for this dishonourable retreat.--They excused themselves by throwing the fault on the archers, whom they said they could not restrain.

The English heard of this event the day it happened, and were greatly rejoiced. In consequence, they resolved to recross the Somme and return to the places they had come from, and burnt down the town of Auxi, which was a fair and considerable place.

They took the road to Crotoy, and lodged at Nonnion[13]: on the morrow, they recrossed the Somme at the place where they had crossed it before, and quartered themselves at the abbey of St Valery, and thence returned to Rouen and other parts under their command, carrying with them many prisoners, horses, cattle, and all the plunder they had made. They had done great damage to the country by burning seven or eight towns and villages, without meeting with any opposition from their adversaries, who had hanged only thirty or forty foragers that had straggled at too great a distance from the main body.

When the English were departed, the duke of Burgundy retired to Hêdin, where he dismissed all his men at arms excepting those appointed to guard the frontiers.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 11: Forest-monstier,--election of Dourlens, near Abbeville.]

[Footnote 12: Broye,--bailiwick of Hêdin.]

[Footnote 13: Nonnion. Q.]

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.

When king Charles had resided some time in Paris, he departed for Tours in Touraine. After he was gone, several of his captains set out for the frontiers of Normandy, as they found great difficulty to maintain themselves,--namely, Anthony de Chabannes, Blanchefort, Gaultin de Bron, Floquet, Pierre, Regnault Chapelle, Mathelin d'Escouvet, and others. On assembling together, they mustered about two thousand horse, and took the road through the country of Vimeu, to cross the Somme at Blanchetaque, and quarter themselves in the country of Ponthieu. Thence they advanced toward Dourlens, and stationed themselves at Orville, and in the villages round, belonging to the count de St Pol. They went next toward Braye, and recrossed the Somme at Cappy, to lodge at Lihons in Santerre, committing great mischiefs wherever they passed.

They were not satisfied with seizing on provision but ransomed all they could lay hands on, peasants and cattle. They even attacked the castle of Lihons; but it was well defended by sir Waleran de Moreul and his men within it.

After remaining there some time, and committing the greatest disorders and waste, they advanced toward the lands of sir John de Luxembourg count de Ligny, in the Cambresis, who had not yet taken the oaths of allegiance to king Charles. Nevertheless, they did him no mischief, because he was always well provided with men at arms,--and they mutually exchanged sealed agreements not to molest each other. The French, however, committed much waste in other parts of the Cambresis, and thence went to fix their quarters at Solesmes[14], in Hainault.

Sir John de Croy, at that time bailiff of Hainault, assembled the nobles of Hainault, and sent to the principal towns for reinforcements to defend the country against these French, who, in the vulgar tongue, were called Skinners. The reason why this name had been given them was, that whoever was met by them, whether French, Burgundian or English, he was indiscriminately stripped of all his clothes to his shirt; and when he, thus naked, returned to his home, he was told that he had been in the hands of the Skinners, and much laughed at for his misfortune. This name was in vogue a long time,--and thus the name of Armagnac was forgotten which had lasted so long.

While these Skinners were quartered at Solesmes, and in the adjoining villages a party of them advanced farther into Hainault, beyond Quênoy, to seek for pillage. In the course of this expedition they accidentally met the bailiff of Lessines named Colart de Sennieres, with three or four hundred men whom he had assembled in his village, and was marching them toward Quênoy le Comte, in obedience to the summons of the countess-dowager and of the before mentioned bailiff of Hainault, who was there collecting all his forces together.

It was very early in the morning when the French fell in with these men, and instantly charged them most courageously. The Hainaulters were much surprised at the suddenness of the attack, and although some of them made a resistance and prepared for the combat, they were very soon defeated, and the greater part made prisoners or cruelly put to death. Colart was killed on the field, with about eight score of his men. The prisoners were ransomed as if they had been enemies to France: the rest escaped by the nimbleness of their heels.

The nobles of Hainault were greatly alarmed at this defeat, in so much that the bailiff sent information of what had happened to the duke of Burgundy requiring from him aid, when the duke sent him a strong reinforcement of men at arms. The bailiff again assembled a greater force than before in Quênoy, as well from Valenciennes, as from the other great towns, to pursue and combat these Skinners; but they, hearing of it, quitted the country and made for Guise, and thence proceeded toward Champagne, committing waste wherever they passed.

Before they left Hainault, they gave up several prisoners without ransoms, in consequence of the duke of Burgundy's writing to request it. He had also sent to them a gentleman of his household, called Meliades, who was a Breton, and much beloved by these french captains.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 14: Solesmes,--a village of Hainault under the government of Quesnoy.]

CHAP. XIII.

A GREAT FAMINE IN FRANCE.

In this year of 1437, wheat and all sorts of corn were so extravagantly dear throughout all France and several other countries in Christendom, that what had usually been sold for four sols french money was now sold for upwards of forty. This dearth created a famine, so that very many poor died of want,--and it was a pitiful sight to witness the multitudes in the large towns dying in heaps on dunghills.

Some towns drove the poor out of them, while others received all, and administered to their wants as long as they were able. The foremost in this act of mercy was the city of Cambray. This dearth lasted until the year 1439, and was the cause of many strict regulations respecting corn, which by many lords and towns was forbidden to be carried out of their jurisdictions under the most severe penalties.

A proclamation was made in Ghent ordering a stop to be put to the brewing of beer, and other liquors, from corn, and all the dogs of poor people to be killed, and that no one should keep a bitch-dog unless splayed. Such and other like ordinances were issued in several parts, that the poor, and beggars, might be supplied with a sufficiency to support nature.

CHAP. XIV.

THE POPULACE OF GHENT AGAIN TAKE UP ARMS, EXCITED THERETO BY THE ARTISANS.

At this time, the ghent men, in great numbers rose in arms, through the instigation of the artisans. The reason they gave for this was, that the garrison of Sluys had plundered the flat country round,--the inhabitants of which had made their complaints to them, at the same time requesting them to punish the pillagers.

They had also taken up arms against Bruges, to know whether they would peaceably separate from those of the Franc[15], and allow them to become one of the four departments of Ghent. They wanted likewise to march against Sluys, and carry away the posts that had been placed in the bed of the river Lieve, to prevent merchandise from passing up or down. They had further designs of visiting all Flanders, to see who were their friends and willing to support them in the maintenance of peace in the country, that the poor might have work in all the towns. Should the sheriffs and inhabitants of Ghent refuse to co-operate with them, they had resolved to undertake the matter themselves, with the aid of their allies. They declared, they would not lay down their arms until they should have accomplished their undertaking. The deacon of these artisans, at this time, was one Pierre Hemubloc. The sheriffs explained the whole of this business to the townsmen, to the deacon of the weavers, and to those of the other trades, at the usual place, before the town-house, that they might fully consider it, each with their brother-tradesmen, and lay the whole of their deliberations, on the morrow, before the magistracy. Each trade, in consequence, had a meeting at their different halls; and the deacons waited on the magistrates on the 9th day of October.

After many debates, the demands of the artisans were acceded to, owing to their own importunities, and those of their supporters, but not without great murmurings on the part of the principal inhabitants, because Bruges was at that time treating for peace with the duke of Burgundy at Lille, whither Ghent had sent ambassadors, and because they thought that this was only a pretext to seize the properties of the rich.

The artisans, having carried their point, immediately hastened to the corn-market, with displayed banners, and were instantly joined by the tailors, old clothes-sellers, and all the inferior tradesmen. They were followed by the twenty-seven banners of weavers, the bailiff with the magistracy, preceded by the banner of Flanders, and crowds of common people, so that, in the whole there were eighty-two banners.

The magistrates soon departed, and the other banners after them in the usual procession; but the artisans and their friends withdrew to the friday market-place, in front of the hall of appeals where they remained all night, in the resolution of taking the field on the morrow.

The better part of the weavers, however, and the more substantial inhabitants were of a contrary opinion, and left the artisans, being averse to go to war. Upon this, a quarrel arose between them, which nearly caused a battle, the artisans retired to one side of the market-place from the others, telling those to follow them who were of the same opinion.

Several joined them,--and they then all marched away in handsome array for Marienkirk, on the road to Bruges, were they encamped under tents and pavilions. At this time also, there were great riots in several places, on account of the debasements of the new coinage of 1433 as well as the old coinage, and for the heavy taxes which had been imposed for the expedition to Calais.

No english wool was now exported to Flanders, which threw very many out of work and bread: more especially the town of Ypres suffered from this, as their principal manufacture was working up these wools into cloth. On the other hand, corn and every necessary of life were extravagantly dear; and provision became more scarce in Flanders from the war carrying on by those of Bruges: moreover, the townsmen of Sluys had fixed stakes in the bed of the Lieve, so that a stop was put to the transport of merchandise on that river.

The rich took every care of their money, for they perceived that the poorer sort, now having arms, would probably live by plunder, and that few of them would return to their trades or cultivate the fields. They also made as little show of wealth from expecting daily that a general war would take place in one quarter or another.

The men of Ghent next issued a summons to all the inhabitants of towns and villages throughout their jurisdictions, to appear there immediately in arms, and the same number as when ordered to march to Calais. The sheriffs laid this summons before the commonalty and inhabitants, for them to advise thereon. As this was not willingly attended to, some went to the sheriffs to obtain a delay, or that they might send fewer in number,--but the sheriffs told them they must immediately obey.

During this time, the ghent men chosen a commander named Rasse Rouven, a citizen of Ghent, of about thirty years old; to assist whom they appointed a council of twelve persons, who had never been in the magistracy of that town. Four of these councellors were selected from the citizens at large, four from the weaver's company, and four from the artisans; but the person whom they had chosen for commander refused to take the office.

Item, on the 9th day of October, it had been proclaimed in the sheriff's court, that all foreign merchants must appear within three days in the town of Ghent sufficiently well armed, under pain of corporal punishment and confiscation of effects. Several did appear within the time prescribed; but others sent excuses that urgent and lawful business prevented them, and entered into a treaty to pay a sum of money to be excused.

Those who had, in obedience to the summons, gone to Ghent, after remaining there three days without being any way employed, returned to their homes. On the 27th day of this same month of October, they were again summoned to appear under pain of losing their citizenship, and paying the forfeiture. On this same day, eight soldiers from Sluys were taken prisoners, who, under pretence of making war on the bruges men, had pillaged the country.

The men of St Laurence-au-bloc had taken them, under the proclamation that had been made, that all pillagers should be arrested and brought to justice, and that when they could not be taken alive they should be put to death. These they disarmed, and, retaining their armour and clothes, led them to the ghent army at Marienkirk in their pourpoints,--and, the ensuing day, they were beheaded, according to the sentence of the sheriffs. Their bodies, at the request of the head deacon, were given to the Austin-friars, who buried them. Four men were expelled the army of Ghent for having robbed some villages.

The before-mentioned Rasse, who had been elected commander in chief, went to the duke of Burgundy at Arras for his commission, provided his appointment were agreeable to the duke. He left behind him in Ghent three lieutenants: one chosen from the burghers, called Jean l'Estauble,--one from the trades, called Jean Cacialle,--and the third from the company of weavers, called Jean de Sterque.

On Monday, the 4th day of November, Rasse returned with his commission, as captain-general of the ghent men, signed by the duke of Burgundy. He had taken the oaths of allegiance before the lords of the council at Lille, and took similar oaths in the presence of the army in the hands of the bailiff and sheriffs of Ghent, to be true and loyal to the prince, to preserve his rights as well as those of the town,--to observe law and justice, and to keep the people in peace and union. The twelve councellors took the same oaths.

On the 5th of November, the captain-general Rasse, with two deputies from each banner and from the municipality, went from Marienkirk to Ghent, at the request of those who had taken up arms, and arrested several persons who had principally governed that town,--namely, Louis de Holle, who had been first sheriff, Lievin de Jagre, who had often served that office and been treasurer, Gilles le Clerc, advocate, Jean l'Apothicaire, who had been treasurer and sheriff of Ghent and Jacques la Jaschere, formerly deacon of the trades.

These they confined together, as prisoners, in the palace of the prince, calling them traitors, and would have done the same to others, but they had fled.

The commander in chief ordered proclamation to be made for all who had served any offices in Ghent for the last ten years to join, without delay, the army at Marienkirk. It was now greatly augmented, for those within their jurisdictions came handsomely equipped and attended, with the exception of those from Courtray,--and their tents and pavilions had, at a distance, the appearance of a large town.

The army appeared under arms on the 6th instant, and wanted to go to Ghent, and bring back with them the prisoners; but their captain restrained them, saying, that it had been ordered that they should remain in prison until the army were returned home, when ample justice would be done on them according to the evidence that a general investigation of their deeds through Flanders should produce.

Their commander would have been glad that his army had been diminished, saying, that he would establish peace and justice every where, with but a fourth part of the present numbers. The troops, however, would not be separated, but declared they would remain together in brotherly love.

They wanted to march and post themselves between Bruges and Sluys, and take possession of the Franc according to the judgement of their prince, and, subject the inhabitants, for their outrages and misdeeds, to the obedience of the duke and the other three members of the states of Flanders, saving their lives and privileges.

The burghers of Bruges, they said, must submit themselves and supplicate their prince to receive them in mercy, and likewise put an end to all disputes between them and Sluys, so that passengers and merchants, might travel the country unmolested. Should those of Bruges refuse compliance, they would exert themselves to force them to obedience. This was told to the forty-two deputies sent by Bruges, from the different trades, to treat with the ghent army at Marienkirk. After some debating, these deputies agreed to the terms proposed, and on the 12th day of November drew up, and presented to the captain-general, the following articles of agreement.

'We, the burgomasters, sheriffs, principal burghers, deacons, corporators and commonalty of the town of Bruges, make known to all to whom these presents shall come, that we, from respect to our redoubted lord and prince, the duke of Burgundy, earl of Flanders, &c. and at the entreaty of the three departments of the town of Ghent, and of all the free towns within its jurisdictions, have consented, and by these presents do consent, for ourselves and successors, to keep firm and stable the judgment given by our said lord and his council, in his town of Ghent, the 11th day of February in the year 1436, constituting those of the Franc a fourth department of Ghent, without fraud, and according to the literal meaning of the said judgement. In testimony whereof, we have sealed these presents with the obligatory seal of our said town of Bruges.'

When the deputies was returned to Bruges with this treaty, the magistrates assembled the commonalty before the sheriff's court, and demanded if they were willing to ratify this treaty. There were present upwards of twenty thousand persons, who, after a moment's silence, unanimously replied, 'Yes.' Then stepped forth one called Coppin de Mesinacre, who had been lately banished Ghent for his misdeeds, and said, 'All goes wrong: how are ye such cowards as to fear the ghent men? You certainly ought to suffer for your folly and want of firmness.'

In consequence of this speech the deacon of the artisans, a tailor, and some others, began to murmur, and to oppose the confirmation of the treaty, more especially to putting their assent on paper; and at last, by their tumultuous behaviour, the treaty was destroyed. Some time afterward by a legal sentence, the said Coppin, the deacon of the artisans, the tailor, and one other, were beheaded for this conduct: seventeen of their accomplices were also banished.

The negotiations for peace between Bruges and Ghent were put an end to, although seventeen hostages had been left with the army by the deputies from Bruges. The ghent men afterward set them at liberty without ransom, because they had assured them that they had done all in their power to get it ratified.

In this treaty it had been agreed, that the inhabitants of the Franc might take up their rights of burghership at Ghent or Bruges at their pleasure. The towns of Ghent and Ypres were to send ambassadors to the duke of Burgundy, to request that he would withdraw all foreign soldiers from Sluys, and order the stakes to be removed from the bed of the river Lieve, that vessels might freely pass and repass with merchandise, or permit them to take away these obstructions.

The army of Ghent now marched to fix its quarters at Ardembourg; and because Bruges persisted in refusing to ratify the treaty to which their deputies had agreed, and would not yield up their claims on the Franc, the duke's ordinance of last year, forbidding all kinds of provision to be carried to Bruges, was again proclaimed in Ghent, and throughout its jurisdictions; and also, that all debts and effects belonging to those of Bruges should be delivered up to the magistrates.

It was afterward proclaimed that, should the men of Bruges attempt to make any inroads on the territories of Ghent, all the church and other alarm bells should be instantly rung to collect a force sufficient to oppose them. After this, Clarus Boye, a native of the town of Axel, William le Boquelaire, a patten maker, and from the country of Waast, and a man of Courtray, were beheaded, for having gone to Courtray at the instigation of the artisans and petty traders of Ghent,--and for having said that the ghent men were very desirous that those of Bruges would join them in arms for the common good and union of the country of Flanders, and to punish the inhabitants of Sluys.

The 16th day of November, the army resolved to send deputies to Ghent and to the towns within its jurisdictions, to know how they would wish them to proceed,--and to inform them, that if they advised marching against Bruges, it would be necessary to send them reinforcements equal to the present state of the army.

The council at Ghent thought, that as provisions were now so dear, and winter at hand, it would be of more advantage not then to send any supplies, but disband the army; for the greater number were of the same opinion, and sought to diminish it.

The army, therefore, marched from Ardembourg to Ekeloo. While there, one of the private men of that castlewick having on his shoulders some stakes which he had taken from a hedge to dress his victuals, some ghent men would take them from him by force, when he defended himself and shouted out for aid to his countrymen,--and the ghent men shouted, 'Ghent!' both parties assembled with arms, and a grand battle would have taken place, had not Pierre Simon, sheriff of Ghent, by gentle words and with much courage, put an end to the affray. He suffered a good deal by thus interfering, but was not seriously hurt from the goodness of his armour. Many were much wounded, which caused loud murmurings among the ghent men,--for one of them, a strong active boatman of Ghent, died of his wounds. Two, who had first struck the sheriff, were banished Ghent.

On the eve of St Andrew's day, the ghent army returned home: they had taken up arms inconsiderately, and were come back with little satisfaction. Those within their jurisdictions, who had marched against their inclinations, returned cheerfully home. Shortly after, their captain-general, Rasse Rouven, was deposed, and the six persons set at liberty, on promise made to the magistracy that they would answer any interrogations, and obey any sentences that might be passed on them, within three days after they should be summoned to appear.

In the month of December, proclamations were made throughout Flanders, by order of the prince, forbidding all persons to obey Rasse Rouven, for that he had recalled his commission of captain-general.

On the eve of Christmas-day, it was ordered, by the magistracy of Ghent in full assembly, that sir Roland de Hautekerque, sir Colart de Comines, Jean de la Damme, Gilles de la Voustine, Girard de Mal-digen, Jean de Papegen, Pierre Gougebur, Pierre Bris, Josse de Beys, Martin de Sinimes and Jean de Crique, who had been banished Ghent and Flanders, might return thither.

It was also agreed, that one Coppin Coppon, who had for five years past absented himself from Ghent, and had robbed so many passengers on the high roads in Flanders that travellers were afraid of him, might return,--Coppin, thinking that every thing was pardoned, did come back; but he was arrested and condemned to be beheaded, with two others who had committed robberies on two persons near to the town of Dendermonde.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 15: Franc,--a part of the Low Countries, comprehending the castlewicks of Bergues, Bourbourg, and Furnes. It was thus called from being exempted from the jurisdiction of Bruges, on which it formerly depended.]

CHAP. XV.

PEACE CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY AND THE TOWN OF BRUGES.

While these things were going on, the men of Bruges, perceiving that a longer resistance to their lord would be the ruin of themselves and their town, sought every means of concluding a treaty with him. At length they succeeded, and submitted themselves to the duke and his council, on terms concluded at Arras the 4th day of March, in the presence of their lord and his council, and numbers of other people, the principal articles of which were as follows.

It was, in the first place, ordered, that when the duke of Burgundy should first visit Bruges, twenty of the chief burghers and magistracy should come out of the town one league to meet him, bare-headed, bare-legged, and bare-footed. On their approach to him, they were to fall on their knees and beg his pardon, and entreat that he would be pleased to enter their town.

Item, that the gate of the Bouverie[16] should be converted into a chapel, wherein the seven masses should be daily celebrated.

Item, that henceforward, whenever the said lord and his successors, earls and countesses of Flanders, should come to Bruges, the burghers should meet them without the gates with the keys of the town, in perpetual remembrance of their obedience.

Item, every year, on the day of their misconduct toward their prince, there shall be celebrated a solemn mass in the church of St Donast by the dean and sub-dean, attended by twenty-four of the principal burghers, each holding in his hand a burning wax taper of the weight of one pound, and of the value of four groats.

Item, all property of bastards shall no longer be free, but confiscated to the duke on their deaths.

Item, a handsome cross shall be erected to commemorate their rebellion.

Item, the burghers shall buy up and discharge all fee-farm rents from their said lord, due from the said demesnes.

Item, the burghers of Bruges shall have no further communication with those of Sluys; that is to say, those of Bruges, shall not make Sluys their principal quarters, nor join them in their disputes, nor in arms, nor have any connexions with Sluys but in respect to their commerce.

Item, in regard to the trades carried on at Sluys, which has been a matter of long quarrel between the towns of Ghent and Sluys, Bruges must no longer interfere.

Item the inhabitants of Bruges shall not be permitted to raise an army, on pain of forfeiting their lives and fortunes.

Item, whoever shall stop the workmen from continuing their trades, when a riot may happen, shall incur similar penalties as in the foregoing article.

Item, the persons of some of the burghers are to be reserved for the will of the duke of Burgundy, as well as those who may have become burghers during these dissentions.

Item, the town of Bruges shall pay to their said lord two hundred thousand golden riddes[17].

Item, the magistracy of Bruges, and others hereafter to be named, shall, within eight days, go out of the town to meet some deputies sent thither by the said duke of Burgundy, and shall receive them with due obedience.

Item, no foreigner shall be admitted henceforth a burgher of Bruges, unless he shall have remained therein the space of one hundred and twenty days.

Item, it was ordered, that the son of the lord de l'Isle-Adam should receive for the death of his father ten thousand crowns, with other honourable recompenses. In like manner shall the wife and children of the blacksmith, who had given the hammers to open the gate, receive a fine for his death, he having been put to death for so doing.

There were many other fines and reparations contained in this treaty, but, for the sake of brevity, I pass them over.

This treaty was read at the hôtel of their prince at Arras, in the presence of the four-and-twenty deputies from Bruges, on their knees, who suffered much from the length of it, so that the duke, taking pity on them, caused them to be seated to be more at their ease. When all had been completed, the deputies returned to their town carrying a copy of the treaty, which they read to the inhabitants assembled; and, from their anxiety to have peace with their lord, the terms were agreeable to the greater part of them.

Some persons of low estate, who had ruled the town during these dissensions, were displeased and would willingly, by seditious speeches, and other means have made the commonalty rise against those of the upper ranks,--but their attempts were vain. They were afraid, should peace be effected, that they would be punished for their demerits, and their fears were realized; for, within a few days after, ten or twelve of the principal ringleaders of the rebellion were arrested and beheaded: several were banished, and some fled of their own accord.

These acts of justice were done on the arrival of the heir of Cleves, nephew to the duke of Burgundy, who had been sent thither by the duke, accompanied by some of his council, to receive the fines, and see that all the articles of the treaty at Arras were fulfilled. A little before this, the town of Bruges had sent back to the duke at Arras sixty-three of his men, who had been made prisoners when he was driven out of that town, each of them clothed in a green robe at the expense of the town of Bruges.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 16: Bouverie,--ox stables. It was here, probably, where the principal engagement took place between the duke's men and the burghers of Bruges.]

[Footnote 17: Ridde,--a flemish coin, worth about five shillings sterling.]

CHAP. XVI.

WAR RECOMMENCES BETWEEN THE DUCHY OF BAR AND THE COUNTY OF VAUDEMONT.

In this year a violent war again took place between the duchy of Bar and the county of Vaudemont, principally caused by sir John de Hossonville hereditary seneschal of Lorraine, attempting to take the town of Vaudemont[18], for some complaints he pretended to have against it; and failing in his attempt, he had since made open war on that country, and had set several villages on fire.

This intelligence coming to the count de Vaudemont, who was at Genouillé, he hastily mounted his horse, accompanied by Forte-Espice and about a hundred combatants, and pursued his enemies with such speed that he overtook them on the borders of his county. He attacked them so courageously that, although they were full three hundred, he put them to the route. Forty were slain, and as many made prisoners: the rest saved themselves by flight. Their standard was won, and carried to the church of Veselize[19].

Open war was now carried on by both parties, and the men at arms of the count made inroads on the lands of the enemy. In one of them, they were met by sir Gerard du Chastellier, and defeated and carried prisoners to Mirecour, a good town belonging to the duke of Lorraine. The count de Vaudemont, some little time after, gained this town of Mirecour by the aid of Floquet and Forte-Espice, when he recovered his men that had been made prisoners, and appointed Floquet governor of it: but he soon after restored it to the Lorrainers, and also turned against the count de Vaudemont at the solicitations of La Hire.

On the other hand, Blanchefort, Anthony de Chabannes, Chappelle, Gautier le Breton, Mathelin, and other captains, with their men, made war on the Lorrainers and Barrois, for the count de Vaudemont, who had given up to them Veselize and others of his places. When they had completely spoiled the country they changed sides, under pretence of an order they had received to depart thence and serve the enemies of the count; which order they showed to sir Hector de Flavy, governor of the county of Vaudemont. They soon after yielded up Veselize to the Lorrainers, who totally destroyed it; and after committing every waste in the countries of each party, these French, commonly called Skinners, marched away toward Germany, but not before they had received great sums of money from the duchies of Bar and Lorraine. They also carried with them hostages for the due payment of the balances left behind,--and the son of sir Gerard du Chastillier was among these hostages.

At this time, the king of Sicily sent his son, the marquis du Pont, nine years old, to reside in the duchy of Bar: and the bishop of Toul and sir Gerard du Chastellier governed the country in his name.

A little before this, one called Watelin Tieulier made war on the count de Vaudemont, and had fixed his retreat in a strong castle of his father-in-law, the lord de Hartuel, who supported him. He had done much mischief by fire and sword to the vassals of the count, who in revenge, accompanied by his nephew the count de Blamont, the lord de Commerci, Forte-Espice, and about four hundred combatants, marched against this castle, took it by storm, and the knight within it. The Lorrainers were seen instantly after advancing with a strong army, to assist the knight; but finding that the place was taken, and the enemies on the ramparts, they retreated, and increased their army, in order to lay siege to Monstier sur Saxe[20]; but sir Hector de Flavy had burnt the town which they intended to take and lodge in: they were, therefore, obliged to return whence they had come. Thus did these two parties mutually destroy each other.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 18: Vaudemont,--six leagues from Toul, seven from Nancy, three from Mirecour.]

[Footnote 19: Veselize,--five leagues S.E. from Toul, two N. from Vaudemont.]

[Footnote 20: Monstier sur Saxe,--six leagues from Bar-le-duc.]

[A.D. 1438.]

CHAP. LXXIX.

FAMINE, WAR, AND PESTILENCE, RAGE IN MANY PLACES.

At the beginning of this year, the famine, which had long afflicted many parts, was much increased; and it was pitiful to see the multitudes of poor who died daily from want. There were also epidemic distempers in various parts of France, and in Flanders,--but the towns of Bruges and Paris suffered more from them than any other. War was likewise carried on with great bitterness in many places. From these three plagues many of the nobles, and common people were great sufferers, and in doleful perplexity. In the mean time, that body of French called Skinners remained in large parties on the borders of Burgundy, where they committed unnumbered mischiefs, by taking castles and prisoners, killing men, and ravishing women, noble or not, and acting as if they were in a country conquered from an enemy.

The duke of Burgundy was exceedingly angry when these things came to his knowledge, as well from his love to his vassals as from the time that they had chosen for these misdeeds, when his country was afflicted with famine and mortality.

CHAP. XVIII.

LORD TALBOT, SIR THOMAS KIRIEL, AND OTHER ENGLISH CAPTAINS, CONQUER LONGUEVILLE, AND MANY MORE CASTLES, FROM THE FRENCH.

In the month of May of this year, the lord Talbot, sir Thomas Kiriel, with other english captains, took the field with about eight hundred combatants, and marched to the castle of Longueville, in the possession of a party of La Hire's men; for of this castle and domain he called himself lord, in consequence of a gift made to him of it by king Charles, in the same manner, and on the same terms that Bertrand du Guesclin, that valiant warrior, formerly constable of France, had held it.

The besieged did not long hold out, on seeing the English before it, but surrendered on having their lives and fortunes spared, and with permission to march away in safety. They went to Beauvais; and the English, having well garrisoned it, marched to Charles-Mesnil, a very handsome castle, situated very near to Dieppe, and belonging to the lord de Torci, which also surrendered. In like manner, they won Guellemcourt and some other places which the French held in the country of Caux. The reason why these castles so soon surrendered was their great want of provision, military stores and artillery.

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.

About this time there came to the town of Douay about four-and-twenty horsemen as ambassadors from the king of Navarre, to treat with the duke of Burgundy of a marriage between the princess of Cleves, niece to the duke, and the hereditary prince of Navarre.

The principal ambassadors were the prior of Roncesvalles, a noble knight, and other gentlemen, attended by the king at arms of Navarre. This business lasted some time, but it was at last concluded,--and the duke gave his consent. The princess was then sent away, honourably escorted by her eldest brother to the kingdom of Navarre.

CHAP. XX.

THE TOWNS AND CASTLES OF MONTARGIS AND CHEVREUSE SUBMIT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF KING CHARLES OF FRANCE.

While these things were passing, the towns and castles of Montargis and Chevreuse, held by the English, submitted to king Charles. On the other hand, the garrisons of Meaux in Brie, of Creil, Pontois and Gisors, greatly harrassed the country of France, more particularly parts of Santois, Vermandois, Amiennois, Beauvoisis, and other dependances. In like manner, those garrisons which had been posted against the English did great damages, so that the poor people were every way grievously vexed and worn down.