Chapter VIII: Part 8

At this period, the duchess of Luxembourg, widow to duke Anthony of Brabant and to John of Bavaria (both of them uncles to the duke of Burgundy, one by the father's the other by the mother's side), made heavy complaints to the duke of Burgundy that the greater part of her subjects and vassals in the duchy of Luxembourg had refused to obey her, or pay her the rents that were her due. The inhabitants of Luxembourg and Thionville were particularly rebellious, with those of other places in their neighbourhood, by driving out of their towns her officers. She most humbly requested of him, from his love to God, and in honour to his two uncles, whom she had married, and to whom she had always behaved most honourably, that he would take compassion on her case, and afford her such succour as should replace her with honour in her duchy, otherwise she should be reduced to live in great poverty and misery.

The duke made her a very kind answer, saying that he would heartily assist her against her rebellious subjects with every means in his power,--for which she gratefully thanked him. In consequence, he lost no time to assemble his council, for them to deliberate on the matter and determine on the most efficacious method of performing his engagement.--It was resolved at this council, that the duke of Burgundy should send a solemn message to the inhabitants of Luxembourg, to require of them to perform their duties to the duchess and to her officers, as they were bounden to do,--and that, should they refuse, he, the duke, would support her with all his power, to restore to her her rights.

The inhabitants refused to attend to this summons, although several requests were made to them for the purpose, and instantly introduced into their towns a body of troops from duke William of Saxony, who laid claim to the duchy as next heir. He sent thither eight hundred combatants from the borders of Germany, under the command of a relative called the count de Clicque, who garrisoned the town of Luxembourg, Thionville, and others of their party.

The duke of Burgundy, perceiving they persevered in their rebellion, determined to make war upon them, and wrote letters to the count de Vernembourg, the heir of Sarrebrusse, Henry de la Tour, and to other nobles of the duchy of Luxembourg, the greater part of whom supported the duchess, to request that they would join him in his war against her rebellious subjects. He added that he would shortly send thither an army, and command it in person, to conquer that duchy, and drive out those who at present occupied it. They returned for answer, that they were very agreeable to join him; and, after they had sent to the different towns in rebellion their challenges, made open war upon them. In the mean time, the duke of Burgundy ordered the count d'Estampes into Picardy, to assemble a large force, and march with it to meet him in Burgundy.

When his army was ready, he commanded it to advance toward Saint Quentin, whither he himself went, accompanied by Waleran de Moreul, Guy de Roye, the lord de Humieres, the lord de Saveuses, sir Simon de Lalain, the lord de Neufville, Gauvain Quieret, sir Anthony de Wissoch, Jean de Haplaincourt, and many noble knights and esquires, to the number of twelve or thirteen hundred combatants.

From St Quentin, the army marched toward Laon, to pass through the county of Rethel; but when near to Montagut[118], intelligence was brought that Dimenche le Court, le Roucin, and others of the king of France's captains, were posted in Montagut and Sissonne[119], whence they had lately laid waste the whole country of the Rethelois. The count d'Estampes was very indignant on hearing this; for a short time before, Dimenche le Court had been defeated in Burgundy, and had then promised never more to invade the territories of the duke of Burgundy, nor of his allies. The count sent to order them to decamp, for that he intended to lodge in Montagut; but as they refused to obey, a dispute ensued between the two parties, and the count instantly attacked them, when the French were defeated, with the loss of their horses and baggage, taken by the Picards. Few were killed, but many wounded,--and such as had been made prisoners were afterwards set at liberty. Some had even their baggage restored,--in particular, that of de Court,--and they made a retreat as speedily as they could.

Neither the king nor dauphin were pleased that their men should have been attacked and defeated on the territories of France, more especially as these troops in obedience to a summons from the dauphin, were on their march to the relief of Dieppe, of which ample mention shall be made: the mischief, however, was done,--which caused, hereafter, great remorse.

The count d'Estampes marched his army toward Burgundy, and encamped in the plains near to Langres and Montfaucon: during which, the count and principal nobles waited on the duke of Burgundy at Dijon, where they were joyfully received and feasted. They remained there some time, while the duke was finishing his preparations to march with his army into Luxembourg.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 118: Montagut,--a village in Picardy, near Laon.]

[Footnote 119: Sissonne,--a town in Picardy, near Laon.]

CHAP. LXIII.

THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY REDUCES THE DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG TO HIS OBEDIENCE.

We must now speak of the duke of Burgundy, who was making great preparations for the attack of Luxembourg. In the interval, several attempts were made to reconcile the duchess and her disobedient subjects, but in vain. The duke was, therefore, resolved to make a severe war on them, and reduce them to his obedience.

He first detached sir Simon de Lalain into Luxembourg, with three or four hundred combatants, who formed a junction with the count de Vernembourg, and the other nobles allied to the duke of Burgundy. They quartered themselves in Arlon, and other towns attached to the duchess, and thought to have gained Thionville by an understanding with the inhabitants, but failed, from the count de Clicque and his party having the ascendency, together with a considerable garrison to enforce obedience. Shortly after, the count de Clicque, with a large army and train of artillery, advanced near to Arlon, with the intent to besiege it, and several skirmishes took place, when many were killed and wounded on both sides,--but fearing the superior force of the duke of Burgundy, he retreated into Luxembourg.

The Picards made several excursions, and at times advanced even to the gates of Luxembourg. The duke of Burgundy now left Dijon in handsome array, and grandly attended with knights and esquires. He fixed his quarters at Yvoy, in the duchy of Luxembourg, where he was joyfully received by the inhabitants. While at Yvoy, he ordered the castle of Villy to be besieged, as it contained a party of marauders, who had done great mischief to the poor farmers, under the command of one called Jacquemin de Beaumont.

The command of this expedition was given to Guy de Roye, the lord de Saveuses, Hugh de Hasines, and others, having with them six hundred combatants. They pointed many engines against this castle, which damaged it much; but those within declared, that they belonged to the young lord de Commercy, who had been with the dauphin to the relief of Dieppe. They also sent to inform him of what was passing, when he assembled about a thousand combatants,--among whom was Pierre Robert, le Roucin, and many other veterans. They pushed forward by forced marches until they were near the castle, and then, at early morn, they surprised the burgundian camp, without meeting much resistance. Those, however, who had the command of the siege, hearing a noise, assembled their men in haste, and, in handsome array, attacked the enemy, drove him out of their camp into the plain, where a sharp engagement ensued, and where sir Gauvain Quieriet, sir Hugh de Longueval, and others of the chiefs displayed great courage. Sir Gauvain had joined them the day before, and had informed them of the march of the young lord of Commercy.

This lord and his companions, finding that they would lose rather than gain by a longer stay, galloped off in haste, and returned to Commercy, leaving behind eight or ten dead and several wounded. On the part of the Burgundians, a gentleman, named Walter de Pavant, was slain, and a few with him. During the engagement, Jacquemin de Beaumont abandoned his men, and, issuing out at a postern of the castle, joined the young lord de Commercy, and returned with him. The garrison now surrendered on capitulation, that they should march away with arms and baggage.

The duke of Burgundy encamped his army nearer Luxembourg, and the count d'Estampes, with the greater part of his captains, went to Ez[120], a large town that was formerly inclosed, and remained there some time. His men made frequent excursions thence, and, when they met any of the enemy's troops, made very light of them.

While these things were passing, the duke, who had with him some of his ablest advisers, held frequent consultations with those best acquainted with the country, on the means of putting an end to the war. He was advised to attempt scaling the walls of Luxembourg during the night, to which he readily listened, and ordered preparations to be made accordingly. Two gentlemen,--one from Burgundy named Guillaume le Grevant, and the other from Picardy called Robert de Miraumont,--were dispatched, under care of proper guides, to examine the place and make a trial. They set out, having with them some excellent scalers, and soon discovered that the enterprise was feasible,--for, finding the watch inattentive, they mounted the walls, and examined at their ease the whole state of the town. They then returned as secretly as they could, and related to the duke all they had observed.

On their report, he determined to make the attempt, and sent information thereof to the count d'Estampes and the other captains with him, signifying to them that it was his pleasure they should undertake it, and that he would support them should there be occasion. The duke was at this time at Arlon, and the count d'Estampes at Ez. The count, on receiving this information, assembled the majority of the captains, and laid before them the plan and orders from the duke, and demanded their opinions. It was long debated, when some declared themselves doubtful of its success, and gave their reasons for so thinking; but at length it was resolved to undertake it, since it was the will and pleasure of the duke.

After this determination, it was next considered who should take command of the first party of scalers--and sir Gauvain Quieriet, the lord de Bosqueaux, Guillaume le Grevant, and Robert de Miraumont, were appointed, with sixty or eighty men to support the scalers. They began their march under the direction of able guides of the country, and were overtaken by the lord de Saveuses, although at the time he was labouring under a severe disorder, whose arrival gave them great pleasure. They advanced in silence to within half a league of Luxembourg, when they dismounted, and there left their horses, and continued to advance to the appointed place. Having then ordered who were to mount first, and those who were instantly to follow in a line, the ladders were raised against the wall, and the enterprise proceeded. The lord de Saveuses was requested to remain at the foot of the ladders to see that order was observed, and that such mounted as had been fixed on,--for there was not a man among them who would have refused to obey him.

When sir Gauvain and the others had gained the ramparts, they seized some of the inhabitants, threatening to put them to death if they made the least noise, and hastened to break open a postern, to admit the lord de Saveuses and those who had followed them, to the number of two hundred, who instantly shouted, 'Town won!' to the dismay of the inhabitants, who cried out, 'To arms!' in several places.

The Burgundians hastened to the market place, which they gained, notwithstanding some few of the townsmen had assembled there to defend it. They made little resistance, but sir Gauvain was wounded,--and two of the townsmen being slain, the rest fled for the castle and the lower town. The count d'Estampes, having received on his march several messages of the success of the detachment, hastened as fast as he could to Luxembourg. On his arrival, he ordered a party in front of the castle, to prevent those within from making a sally; but they had already set fire to the houses in the street opposite, which destroyed several handsome dwellings, and the greater part of the horses of the men at arms in their stables, their masters having retired within the castle. When the populace, who had retreated in multitudes to the lower town, saw that the place was won without hope of rescue, they issued forth, and went to Thionville, and other places, in despair, abandoning all their effects.

This same day, the duke of Burgundy came to Luxembourg, and his men were then regularly quartered through the town: the great wealth, and abundance of all things therein, were plundered by those who had made the conquest. It had been ordered, prior to the march, that no indiscriminate pillage should take place,--but that all things should be regularly shared to each person, according to his rank, without fraud: but this order was not observed,--and the majority of the middling and lower ranks in the army were defrauded of their portion: indeed, few had any portions but the chiefs of the army and those who had commanded the expedition. Those also gained who were intrusted with the guard of the plunder; but this conduct caused great murmurings in the army,--and complaints were loudly uttered by many, saying that this was a bad example for them to adventure their lives another time for plunder, when they now received no share of it: but, notwithstanding their complaints, they gained nothing. On the contrary, they were forced rigorously, to deliver up whatever they had taken, into the hands of commissaries appointed for that purpose.

The lord de Humieres was on this expedition, and exercised the office of marshal for the lord de Beaumont, marshal of Burgundy. Beside the count d'Estampes, there were with the duke of Burgundy from Picardy and its borders, the lord de Croy, count Porcien, Waleran de Moreul, sir Simon de Lalain, Guy de Roye, the lord de Saveuses, his brother Hugh de Hames, Hugh de Longueval, the lord de Bosqueaux, sir Anthony de Wissoch, and numbers of others of the nobility. From Burgundy were the lord de Ternant, sir Pierre de Bauffremont lord of Chargny, the lord of Brassay, Charles de Rochefort, Philibert de Vaudray, Jean de Vaudray, Philibert d'Aincourt, and many more knights and esquires.

The count de Clicque had retreated, with his men, into the castle,--but escaped thence secretly during the night, and went on foot to Thionville. The castle of Luxembourg held out for three weeks after the capture of the town, during which sir John bastard of Dampierre was killed by the shot of an arrow on the head from one of the garrison; and the lord de Saveuses was grievously wounded on the breast by a cross-bow shot, at a sally made from the castle: he was in danger of death, but by the abilities of the duke's surgeons he recovered.

At the end of three weeks, the count de Clicque signed a capitulation with commissioners from the duke of Burgundy for the surrender of the castle of Luxembourg, on condition that his men therein might depart in safety, but without carrying away any thing with them. The town of Thionville surrendered at the same time,--when the count de Clicque returned with his men to his country of Germany, covered with disgrace and confusion. Thus did the duke of Burgundy in a short time subdue the whole duchy of Luxembourg to his obedience, and with little loss of men.

He was now joined by his duchess and the duchess of Luxembourg, with whom a treaty was concluded for her enjoyment of the duchy during her life with the same powers as before, and that she was to pay annually to the duke of Burgundy the sum of ten thousand francs, french money, as a reimbursement for his expences, and the duchy was to revert to him and his heirs on her decease.

The duke published a proclamation during his stay at Luxembourg to forbid all persons, whatever might be their rank, from seeking any quarrels or doing wrong to any of the lords of that country or to their vassals. This was infringed by one of his body-archers, called The Little Scotsman, who quarrelled with sir Pierre Bernard, and struck him; for which the duke had him instantly hanged, notwithstanding the entreaties of several great lords of his household, and even the solicitations of sir Pierre Bernard, to save his life, and although he had been before very fond of him, and was well pleased with his services; but he would not remit the sentence, to afford an example to all others not to dare infringe his edicts or ordinances.

At this time, several embassies took place between the kings of France and England, to endeavour to conclude a peace between them, or at least to prolong the truce. The king of France was now at Tours in Touraine, when many great councils were held on these matters, and for which a meeting of the three estates was called; but notwithstanding these measures, the two parties continued a severe warfare on each other.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 120: Ez. Q. Metz?]

CHAP. LXIV.

SOME OF THE DAUPHIN'S MEN, HAVING ADVANCED INTO BURGUNDY, ARE ATTACKED AND DEFEATED BY THE MARSHAL OF BURGUNDY.

About the beginning of this year, the dauphin returned to the king his father at Tours. He had been long absent in Languedoc, as well in respect to the affair of the count d'Armagnac[121] as on other business. On his return, many of his army advanced into Burgundy, and committed similar mischiefs to what they had done before. They had fixed their quarters at a large village called Espoise, where the lord de Beaumont, marshal of Burgundy, accompanied by a party of nobles, overtook and attacked them,--and the French were defeated, with the loss of numbers killed and taken.

Intelligence of this event was soon carried to the dauphin, who swore a round oath that he would march himself into Burgundy to revenge the loss. On the other hand, the duke of Burgundy having heard what the dauphin had said and sworn, declared that he would personally defend his country. Thus was the foundation laid for the ill blood between these two princes,--but shortly after, by the mediation of prudent persons on each side, matters were made up, and the dauphin restrained his anger and resentment.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 121: The count d'Armagnac, disgusted with the king's taking the county of Cominges from him, and for other causes, had revolted, and entered into a treaty with England, offering one of his daughters in marriage to king Henry VI. Hall seems to say, that the cardinal of Winchester betrayed this to the king of France, from hatred to the duke of Glocester; and consequently the king of France attacked and overpowered the count of Armagnac.]

CHAP. LXV.

A TRUCE IS CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE KINGS OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE, AND WITH ALL THE ALLIES AND RELATIVES OF EITHER PARTY.

The meetings for peace were, during this time continued with much activity at Tours, whither came many of the high nobility of France and of England: such as could not personally attend sent their commissioners, with full powers to act for them. On the part of the duke of Burgundy came sir John de Croy, bailiff of Hainault, the prior de Vergy, master Oudart Caperal, and other notable men, there were likewise envoys from the principal towns.

On the part of the king of England were sir William de la Pole, earl of Suffolk, master Adam Moleyns, keeper of the king's privy seal and dean of Salisbury, sir Robert Roos and others[122].

Several conferences were holden to conclude a general peace,--but so many difficulties arose that it was found to be impracticable at present to bring it about, and the meetings were continued until the terms of a truce were agreed to, the articles of which were as follow:

'Charles duke of Orleans and of Valois, count of Blois and of Beaumont, lord of Coucy and of Oisy, Louis de Bourbon, count of Vendôme and of Chartres, grand master of the royal household of France, Pierre de Brésé, lord de la Varenne and of Bressac, seneschal of Poitou and of Anjou, Bertrand de Beauveau, lord of Precigny, knight, counsellor and chamberlain to the most excellent king of France, our most redoubted lord and sovereign, to all to whom these letters may come, greeting.

'Conformably to the frequent requests and solicitations of our holy father the pope, and latterly by a renewal of them through his ambassador, the reverend father in God the bishop of Viese, to the king, our redoubted and sovereign lord, that he would condescend to take speedy measures for the accomplishment of a lasting peace, or long truce, with the most high and potent prince his nephew, king of England, who, on his part has sent hither, with full powers to treat of the same, certain lords as his ambassadors, namely, William de la Pole earl of Suffolk, master Adam Moleyns keeper of his privy seal, doctor of laws and dean of Salisbury, sir Robert Roos, sir Thomas Hors[123], knight, Richard Andrews, one of his secretaries.

The king our redoubted lord, from his reverence to God, and from the compassion he has ever felt for the afflictions and distresses the poorer people have so long suffered from each contending party, and to prevent the longer continuance thereof and likewise to avoid further effusion of human blood, has liberally condescended to treat on these matters with the aforesaid ambassadors from his nephew the king of England, and has been pleased to commission us to act on his part in the said business, giving to us letters with full powers to treat of the same.

'Charles duke of Orleans, &c. Be it known that we have assembled, for several days, in the town of Tours, to treat of a peace or truce with the ambassadors from England; and at their request, in the full persuasion that we may in the end conclude a final and lasting peace between our redoubted lord and sovereign and his aforesaid nephew, for the two kingdoms, of France and England, have consented and agreed to a truce in the name of our sovereign lord, conformably to the powers granted to us, with the before-mentioned earl of Suffolk and the other ambassadors from England, on the following terms.

'A general truce on the part of the king, our sovereign lord, and his kingdom, as well by sea as by land, his vassals and subjects, including those most powerful princes the kings of Castille and Leon, of the Romans, of Sicily, of Scotland, the dukedoms of Anjou, Bar and Lorraine, the dauphin of Vienne, the dukes of Orleans, Burgundy, Brittany, Bourbon, Alençon, the count du Maine, and generally the whole of the princes of the blood-royal of France, and all allies of our sovereign throughout Europe: including, likewise, all their vassals, subjects and adherents, provided they be not of suspicious character to either party, and shall wish to be included in this truce,--promising, at the same time, on oath, to preserve the truce inviolate, and to make reparations for any infractions that shall be committed. This truce shall take effect throughout the kingdom of France in manner following. In the duchy and country of Gascony, and in the sea-ports and adjacent isles, on the 15th day of May next ensuing, at sunrise, and in all other parts of the kingdom. But in regard to the sea, the truce shall not commence on the coasts of England, Ireland and Wales until the first day of July at sunrise,--and throughout the other parts of the dominions of the said high and potent prince, nephew to our said lord, on the same day and hour.

'With respect to the allies on each side, the truce shall take effect from the moment they shall have signified their acceptance to either of the parties. It shall be sufficient for the acquittal of the king, our sovereign lord, that he declare the acceptance of any of his allies to the person who shall have the government of the territories of his nephew, the king of England, on this side of the sea in Guienne or Normandy. And it shall be sufficient for the said high and potent prince his nephew, king of England, to make similar declarations to the court of parliament of Paris. This truce shall last until the complete revolution of the year, which, according to the usual mode of counting in France, will be on the first day of April, in the year 1445, before Easter-day.

'Item, during this truce, our sovereign lord will put an end to all warfare between the two kingdoms and their allies; and the said high and potent prince, his nephew, shall not aid or abet any of the king's subjects in designs prejudicial to his honour or dignity. In like manner will our said sovereign act towards the said high and puissant prince his nephew.

'Item, during this truce, neither of the parties shall attempt to gain any city or town by force or stratagem, by sale or seduction, or under any colour or manner whatever; and our said redoubted lord and sovereign will order all captures of persons, whatever may be their rank and ransoms, to cease, (excepting, however, the ransoms of such as may have been made prisoners prior to the signing of the truce) together with all plunderings, robberies, and every misery attendant on war. Those who have borne arms on one side ought not to intermix with such as have borne arms on the other, nor seek the doing of mischief.

'Item, should it happen that the men at arms of either party take possession of any city, town, or castle, that party shall be bounden to yield it back again fully repaired, should any damage have been done to it; and in case those who have thus taken it shall refuse to give it back unless forced thereto, the party to whom they belong shall be bounden to recover the same by force of arms, and at their expense; and supposing there may not be time sufficient during the existence of the truce to finish all the repairs, the party that had taken it shall be bounden to complete it wholly.

'Item, during the truce, the subjects of either shall have free liberty to pass to and from each country with their merchandise (excepting always military stores) freely and securely,--and to transact their business in whatever manner they shall choose, without any let or molestation whatever, free from arrest for any debt or obligations contracted prior to this truce, on paying duly all the accustomed tolls through the different provinces or jurisdictions they may pass: provided always that none of the subjects of either party, noble or men at arms, shall enter any castle, inclosed town or fort, without having previously demanded leave from the governor or his lieutenant of all such places, and then without arms and in small parties. In respect to real pilgrims, they may travel in small or large parties, according to the usual mode of pilgrims going on pilgrimages to the accustomed shrines. In regard to merchants and common people, it will be enough for them to demand leave of entrance from the porters at the gates of any towns or castles.

'Item, whereas several of the subjects of our said redoubted lord and sovereign possess lands under the obedience of his said nephew, the revenues of which, or in part, they have enjoyed by the hands of farmers or otherwise, they may now again enjoy the same during the truce in the manner and form as before.

'Item, in regard to the contributions which have been customarily levied by each party, the conservators of the truce and others commissioned from the two kings shall regulate them according to their pleasure.

'Item, should any attempts be made to infringe the truce, which God forbid! it shall not be broken, nor shall war be declared on either side, but the truce shall remain in full force, as if nothing had been done contrary to the meaning and purpose of these articles. Such attempts shall have due reparation made for them by those who committed them, and be punished corporally by the aforesaid conservators of the truce.

'Item, if, during the truce, any dispute or quarrel shall arise between one of the parties and the subjects or allies of the other, the latter party shall not form any alliances for his support with those who have commenced the dispute.

'All the above articles, and each of them, we duke of Orleans, and the other commissioners for our said lord the king, have solemnly promised on oath to observe, and do solemnly promise and swear for, and in the name of, our said lord the king to observe, and to make these said articles agreeable to our most potent and redoubted sovereign,--and we will, according as the case shall require, send ratifications of the same to the person who may have the government of the town of Rouen, on or before the 15th day of July next ensuing, provided that the same be done within the aforesaid term by the most potent and noble prince the nephew of our said lord and sovereign.

'In testimony whereof, we, each of us, having signed these articles with our hands, and sealed them with our own seals.--Given at Tours, the 20th day of May, in the year 1444.'

While this treaty was going on, several other matters were introduced, and a treaty of marriage was proposed between king Henry of England and the daughter of Réné king of Sicily, duke of Lorraine and Bar, which was afterwards concluded, as shall be noticed in the ensuing chapter.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 122: Page 53. vol. xi. of the Fœdera, contains the warrant for their wages for three months. The _others_ were master Richard Andrews, king's secretary and doctor of laws, and John Wenlok, esquire.]

[Footnote 123: Sir Thomas Hors--must be a mistake; for only the four mentioned in the preceding note are contained in the warrant in the Fœdera.]

[A.D. 1444.]

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.

Toward the end of April, and after Easter, in the year 1444, the English prolonged the truces for eight months, and at the same time betrothed the daughter of Réné king of Sicily to king Henry of England, in the hope that this measure would establish peace between the two kingdoms. The english ambassadors then returned to England, to report to their king and parliament what they had done, and to accelerate a peace.

In this state of affairs, the king of France determined with his ministers to send his men at arms, as well french as foreigners, to take up their quarters in Germany during the truce, under the command of the dauphin. In consequence the dauphin marched from Troyes in the month of July, and, by short marches, came before the town of Montbelliart in Germany, bordering on the country of Burgundy, which he laid siege to, because the bailiff of that place had made an inroad as far as the city of Langres in France, had carried away men and cattle, and done many other mischiefs, which had greatly displeased the king. The town and castle of Montbelliart surrendered on capitulation.

The king shortly after, followed the dauphin with a large army, by slow marches, to the city of Langres, whence he detached his van to a castle called Arlay, on the borders of Lorraine, held by the bastard of Vergy, who had done from thence, and others of his forts, great damages to the country of Champagne. All these castles the bastard yielded up to the king except that of Arlay, which he said he possessed as a pledge for money advanced to Réné king of Sicily: it was very strong, in excellent repair, and well victualled.

The king advanced his army to a town called Espinal, on the frontiers of Lorraine and Germany, which was held by the bishop of Metz, and the castle by the commonalty: both surrendered to the king on his appearing before them. He thence marched to Nancy. While he was there, Réné king of Sicily earnestly entreated that he would assist him to conquer the city of Metz and other towns in Lorraine, which, although his own personal domain, were in rebellion against him. The king, in compliance with his request, sent to summon Metz to surrender, otherwise he would march his army to besiege it.

The inhabitants having remonstrated on this, and declared that they were independant of the king of Sicily and of any other lord, they were closely besieged for the space of five months or more, when they concluded a treaty with the king, and the blockade was raised. During this siege, a great lord from Germany, called the lord Bourgalemoine[124], came thither, having been sent by the emperor to the dauphin, as his guide to the countries round Basil, Montbelliart, Coulombaria[125], Selestat[126], Strasbourg, Hagenau, in the district of Aussays[127], to conquer the Swiss and Germans, who had thrown off their dependance on the emperor.

The dauphin, accompanied by many lords and captains, advanced as far as Basil; but when he had come within a league of that place he was met by about eight hundred Swiss, who took possession of an hospital and garden, where, considering the smallness of their numbers, they made a gallant defence, and killed the german nobleman whom the emperor had sent as a guide to the dauphin, with several others, although they lost the greater part of their own men. The dauphin now approached Basil, and the townsmen thinking his army must be fatigued, sallied out against him; but at this affair upward of a thousand Germans were slain, and from two to three hundred made prisoners: the rest took to flight.

The dauphin next marched to the town of St Hipolyte[128] to take it by storm, but it capitulated, as did that of Vau-du-Lieure. The army began now to pillage and commit great devastations on the country round, insomuch that the Swiss and Germans rose in large bodies and killed numbers of the men. Their captains, perceiving that the whole country was rising against them, and that their leader, who was acquainted with all the passes, was dead, returned with the army to the king of France at Nancy.

With the king were Réné king of Sicily, and numbers of great lords and knights, the queens of France and Sicily, the dauphiness, and the daughter of king Réné, whom the earl of Suffolk had come with a splendid embassy to demand in marriage for the king of England. After a few discussions, every thing was agreed on; but before their departure with the new queen a magnificent tournament was held, in which the kings of France and Sicily, the lord Charles d'Anjou, the counts de Foix, and de St Pol, the lord Ferry de Lorraine, and several other great lords, tilted. These feasts lasted eight days,--and the ladies were most splendidly dressed.

The kings of France and of Sicily escorted the queen of England two leagues from Nancy, where the king took leave of his niece with many tears, and recommended her to the protection of God: their grief was so great that they could not speak. The king returned to Nancy,--but her father, the king of Sicily, accompanied her as far as Bar-le-Duc, where he and her mother took their leave of her, with floods of tears, and prayers for her welfare.

Soon after the return of the dauphin, the Germans, in contempt of their oaths, gained the towns of St Hipolyte and Vau-du-Lieure, by force, and set fire to both of them. At this moment, the archbishop of Treves, elector of the holy roman empire, and the count de Blancquemain[129], came to the king of France from the Germans, to propose a perpetual peace and alliance[130].

I had forgotten to say, that during the long siege of Metz many vigorous sallies were made by the garrison, but courageously repulsed by the besiegers. Several small castles were won by the king's troops without interrupting the business of the siege. One belonged to a gentleman called William Chance, governor of Harfleur. Two or three were held by the duke of Burgundy's men, but no attempts were made on them, because they had been given by the king of Sicily to the duke of Burgundy, as pledges for the payment of his ransom which was still owing to the duke.

The governor of Metz was a very cruel man, called John Vitout, who, during the siege, rode a small courser, having at his tail a bell which made a great noise. He did this that all might hear and know when he was riding about the town. This governor was very severe on all women who left the town to ransom their husbands that had been made prisoners by the French; for on their return, he had them drowned, because they had supplied the enemy with money. He put to death, without mercy, all french prisoners, and would not hear of a ransom or exchange. Nevertheless, the king was so benign a prince that he wished not his death nor that of his accomplices, but granted them most handsome terms of surrender. The heavy articles of the capitulation were a handsome present of gilt plate, two hundred thousand crowns for the expenses of the siege, and the acquittance of one hundred thousand florins of gold which king Réné and his predecessors had borrowed from them. On these terms they preserved all their rights and privileges from any innovation; and their quarrel with the king of Sicily remained undetermined, nor were any further measures taken towards bringing it to a conclusion.

When this matter had been settled, and during the stay of the king at Nancy, he ordered a general muster of all the troops who had marched into Germany, and of those who had served at the siege of Metz, from whom five[131] hundred of the best-appointed lances and four thousand archers were to be selected. The remainder of his army he disbanded and sent to their homes, at the same time breaking the greater part of their captains, retaining only fifteen of the most experienced,--to each of whom he gave the command of one hundred lances, and a proportionate number of archers. This was intended for a permanent establishment, to be quartered in different towns in the kingdom, and to be fed and paid in so ample a manner that for the future no soldier was to be suffered to plunder at his pleasure the country farmers or villages, as had formerly been done.

When this ordinance had been carried into effect, the king and his court went to Châlons, and there remained some time.

At this period, the king of Poland and the cardinal of St Angelo, the pope's legate, conquered, with the aid of a body of Christians, who had joined them, all Greece and Wallachia, driving the Saracens thence to the Black Sea. But shortly afterward, the sultan and great Turk raised a large army of Saracens, crossed the sea, came up with the Christians, who at that moment were but few in number, and completely defeated them. Among the dead, were slain and killed alive, the king of Poland and the cardinal, who, please God, are now martyrs in Paradise,--for they were killed while endeavouring to extend the doctrines of JESUS CHRIST[132].

On the return of the dauphin's army from Germany, the English left him, with their leader Mutago, who marched them back, for subsistence, to Normandy, then in the possession of king Henry of England.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 124: Bourgalemoine. Du Cange MS. has Belleforest. Bourgumoine? Q.]

[Footnote 125: Coulombaria,--Columbaria, the latin name for Colmar.]

[Footnote 126: Selestat,--or Schlestadt, a town in Lower Alsace, about four miles from Strasburg.]

[Footnote 127: Aussays. Q. Aussois?]

[Footnote 128: St Hippolyte,--a town formerly of Germany, now of the duchy of Lorraine, a few leagues distant from Schlestadt.]

[Footnote 129: Blancquemaine. Blanquevau.--MS. Du Cange.]

[Footnote 130: 'To keep the disbanded soldiers out of mischief, (during the truce) the dauphin leads twenty thousand of them, of whom eight thousand were English, to assist the duke of Lorraine and the town of Zuric against the Switzers. Near Basil, they attack four thousand men, who had come to assist that town. The dauphin, after an obstinate resistance, slays them all but sixteen; nay, some say one, and that he, on returning to his canton, had his head cut off for cowardice. The French retreat, and abandon the war in that district. They then besiege Metz,--and raise vast contributions from the towns around to buy their absence. With this money the dauphin pays his soldiers, and discharges all but fifteen hundred.'--_Andrews_ from _Mezeray_.]

[Footnote 131: _Five._ Q. If it should not be _fifteen_ from what follows?

This is the origin of a standing army in France.]

[Footnote 132: In the 'Art de Verifier les Dates,' the account of this event is as follows.

'A peace was concluded with the Turks and Christians for ten years, and signed about the middle of June, 1444, but almost immediately violated by the Christians, on the representations of the cardinal Julien Césarini, who had been present at the treaty. A battle was fought on the 10th November 1444, near Varna, in Lower Mesia, between Ladislaus, at the head of eighteen thousand men, and Amurath, who had upward of sixty thousand. The victory, long disputed, was at length gained by the infidels. Ladislaus, after performing prodigies of valour, was killed. He was but twenty years old. The cardinal Julien was among the dead,--but the manner of his death is variously related.']

[A.D. 1445.]

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.

In the year 1445, during the residence of the king of France at Châlons, the king of Sicily came thither to treat of his ransom with the duke of Burgundy, whose prisoner he was. He had not money enough when taken, and had therefore turned over to him, as pledges for the payment, the towns and castles of Neufchâtel in Lorraine, of Beaumont in Argonne, and Gaudricourt[133], and in all of them the duke of Burgundy had placed garrisons, paid by the king of Sicily; but when they wanted money, from neglect of due payments they made incursions over the duchies of Bar and Lorraine, and committed all sorts of outrages.

The duchess of Burgundy came to meet the king at Châlons, to make a treaty with the king of Sicily; and it was agreed that the above-named towns should be restored to him, on condition he would settle in perpetuity, on the duke of Burgundy and his heirs, the town and castlewick of Cassel in Flanders[134]. Many grand feasts were made on the arrival of the duchess of Burgundy at Châlons.

At this time, the queens of Spain and Portugal departed this life: they were sisters to the kings of Arragon and Navarre. The queen of Scotland died also this year, as did the dauphiness of France at Châlons, daughter to the king of Scotland by his late queen. She was buried in the cathedral church at Châlons,--and her loss caused great sorrow to all who knew her, for she was a handsome and good lady[135].

The king of France sent from Châlons, on an embassy to England his cousin the count de Vendôme, grand master of the household, the archbishop of Rheims, first ecclesiastical peer of France, with others, to endeavour to bring about a general peace between the two kingdoms. The king of Castille, brother at arms and ally to the king of France, the king of Sicily, the dukes of Brittany, Burgundy, and Alençon, sent likewise ambassadors thither, to confirm whatever should be proposed by those of the king.

This embassy was graciously received by the king of England, his nobles and prelates, but only concluded a prolongation of the truce from the month of April until the ensuing November, in the year 1446. In the mean time, a meeting was fixed for the two kings between Rouen and Chartres, or between Rouen and Paris; and, for a further accommodation the king of England sent master Adam de Mouleyns, keeper of his privy seal, and, bishop of Exeter[136] elect, to king Charles, to prolong the truce from November 1446 to the following April, that there might be sufficient time allowed for the full discussion of the various articles incidental to a treaty of peace. The king of France sent in return, to his nephew, master Guillaume Causinot, councellor and master of requests of his household, and Jean de Havart, his esquire-carver, to signify his acceptance of this prolongation of the truce.

When they went back, king Henry sent Garter king at arms with them, charged with letters to the king of France in which he promised, on the word of a king to come to France before the ensuing month of November. Garter brought back to the king of England similar letters which were proclaimed throughout the two realms.

At this time, duke Francis of Brittany did homage to the king, in the castle of Chinon, for that duchy, and likewise for the county of Montfort.

About the same time, two daughters of the king of Scotland arrived in France, expecting to find their sister the dauphiness alive; for she had desired them to come to her, that she might marry them. They first learnt the account of the dauphiness's decease at Châlons, on their landing in Flanders, and were exceedingly affected by it. On their arrival at the court of France, the king ordered them to be waited on by the servants of the late dauphiness, and appointed them a similar establishment, at his expense, until other arrangements should be made or they should be married.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 133: Gaudricourt,--Gondrecourt, a village in Champagne, near Bar-sur-Aube.]

[Footnote 134: Réné became possessed of Cassel and its lordships by virtue of a gift of the cardinal Louis de Bar, his uncle, who died 1430.]

[Footnote 135: It was this dauphiness who made the celebrated answer for giving Alain Chartier a kiss when he was asleep.]

[Footnote 136: Exeter. Glocester.--MS. Du Cange. See Fœdera.]

CHAP. LXVIII.

IN THE YEAR MCCCCXLVI. WHEN THE KING OF FRANCE RETURNED FROM HEARING MASS, HE FOUND ON HIS BED THE FOLLOWING DITTY.

Bad payments, evil counsellors,
The discord of our warriors,
Gabelles, and burdensome taxation
Again torment this hapless nation.
With wars, which, till our state be mended,
We ne'er shall see or check'd or ended:
For multitudes, with trait'rous arts,
Serve France's king with english hearts;
And service wrought against the will
Can ne'er turn out to aught but ill.
True is the maxim of the sage,
Which saith, The broils of civil rage
Surely befal that wretched state
Whose king his subjects view with hate.
War too delights the ravening train
Who still the royal treasure drain:
Who, midst the strife, with greedy hands,
Seieze gold and silver, house and lands;
Who, aye the first to seize the prey,
Are aye the last their dues to pay.
But, dukes and kings, to me attend:
If thus your warfare know no end,
Be sure at length you'll rue the cost,
When all your lands are waste and lost;
For friends by ready pay are won,
While tardy payers are undone.
No more within your castle's walls
Court libbard ease while honour calls,
But quit your forests and your streams,
And haste where many a banner gleams.
Alas! for France so meek and tame,
No glory dwells upon thy name!
To thee, O duke! to thee, O king!
With honest grief this plaint I bring.

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.

In the year 1446, the lord Giles of Brittany was arrested in the castle of Guilledon[137], by order of his brother the duke, who suspected him of intending to favour an invasion of the English on his coasts. This arrest was made by four hundred of the king's lances, under the command of sir Regent de Coetivy admiral of France, sir Regnault de Dresnay bailiff of Sens, and sir Pierre de Brésé seneschal of Poitou. They delivered their prisoner to the duke of Brittany, to do with him as he should please,--and he soon after had him murdered in his prison.

In the month of September, the bishop of Exeter, keeper of the king of England's privy seal, and the lord Dudley[138], waited on the king of France on an embassy, at a house in Touraine called Rassilé, near to Chinon; and on their departure, king Charles sent to his nephew of England master Guillaume Cousinot and Jean Havart, to prolong the truce for a year.

In this year, the families of Doria and Fregoso sent a fleet of five vessels to Marseilles from Genoa with ambassadors, to offer the sovereignty of their country to the king of France, if it were agreeable to him to accept of it. The king dispatched as ambassadors the archbishop of Rheims and others, to examine into the matter, and to proceed accordingly, who went to Marseilles to practice for the reduction of Genoa. At this time, John Fregoso had gained possession of Genoa, Pisa, and other places, in the king's name, having many family-connexions in the first town. He in consequence of a concerted plan, came before Genoa in a single galley, with no more than four hundred men; and on his landing, he raised the king's banner, when he was instantly surrounded by his friends in arms, and marching to the palace, was proclaimed doge of Genoa. Bernabo Adorné fled on his approach, who, a little before, had been raised to the same dignity.

Fregoso had been accompanied by one of the king's esquires, called the bastard of Poitiers, who had assisted him in gaining Genoa, thinking he would restore it to the king; but no sooner had Fregoso succeeded than he put the esquire out of the town. When news of this reached the archbishop of Rheims and the others, they embarked on board a galley at Villa-franca, near Nice, and came to Genoa, where they remonstrated with Fregoso on his treachery, and summoned him to restore the place to the king of France as he and his friends had promised under their hands and seals. Fregoso replied, that as he had conquered the town by his sword, by his sword he would keep it[139]. On hearing this, the archbishop and his companions returned to Marseilles, and thence went to the king at Bourges.

In the month of February following, pope Eugenius died,--and on the 28th instant, Nicholas V. was elected pope[140]

[A.D. 1447.]

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.

On the first of April, in the year 1447, the truces between the kings of France and England expired, but were prolonged until the first of April in 1449, and thence until the first day of June ensuing, in the hope that a general peace might be concluded in the mean time.

Great differences had existed during the late papacy between pope Eugenius and the council of Basil; which council the pope declared was at an end, for that he had transfered it to Ferrara, and afterward to Florence and to Rome. The council at Basil maintained that the pope could not thus transfer them without their consent,--and had proceeded against him, with the authority of a general council, to suspend him from all power in the church, and to depose him from all authority. They afterwards elected pope the lord Amadeus of Savoy, who led the life of a monk at Ripaille, and took the name of Felix V.[141]