Chapter I: Part 1

THE

CHRONICLES

OF

ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET.

THE

CHRONICLES

OF

ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET;

CONTAINING

AN ACCOUNT OF THE CRUEL CIVIL WARS BETWEEN THE HOUSES OF

ORLEANS AND BURGUNDY;

OF THE POSSESSION OF

PARIS AND NORMANDY BY THE ENGLISH;

_THEIR EXPULSION THENCE_;

AND OF OTHER

MEMORABLE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN THE KINGDOM OF FRANCE,

AS WELL AS IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

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

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

TRANSLATED
BY THOMAS JOHNES, ESQ.

IN THIRTEEN VOLUMES VOL. XI.

LONDON:
PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, PATER-NOSTER-ROW;
AND J. WHITE AND CO. FLEET-STREET.

1810.

CONTENTS

OF

_THE ELEVENTH VOLUME_.

PAGE

CHAP. I.

The king thanks the Parisians for their loyalty
and courage, confirms their privileges,
and offers them new ones. He restores
sir Robert d'Estouteville to the provostship
of Paris. He displaces some and appoints
others to fill their offices, and then
goes to Orleans. Charles, the king's brother,
is received by the Normans as their
duke. The king goes into Normandy.
Other events 1

CHAP. II.

The king of France recovers the duchy of
Normandy from his brother, Charles duke
of Berry. The lord d'Esternay is drowned,
and several officers in Normandy are
executed or banished. The duke of Berry
leaves Normandy, and sir John de Lorraine,
thinking to follow him, is made
prisoner and carried to the king 11

CHAP. III.

The king of France sets out from Rouen to
Orleans. He sends ambassadors to England.
Several malefactors are executed
at Paris. The divorce of sir William Colombel
from his wife. The lord du Lau
is made prisoner. The king publishes an
edict at Paris against the English. A
truce concluded between the French and
English. Many persons lose their senses
at Paris, at the bean-flowering season 17

CHAP. IV.

The king sends commissioners to make reforms
at Paris. Their pages and the
clerks of the palace quarrel. A murderous
war between the Liegeois and the
duke of Burgundy. A great mortality in
Paris and its environs. The king appoints
certain lords for the guard and defence of
his realm. Events that happened at Paris
in this year MCCCCLXVI. 24

CHAP. V.

The king appoints the count of Dammartin
grand master of his household. He goes
with the queen to Rouen, where he had
appointed the earl of Warwick to meet
him. The death of duke Philip of Burgundy.
The king goes to Chartres, whither
he summons some of the Parisians,
and commands them to have banners
made according to the different professions
and trades. A monk is murdered
in the temple. The queen most honourably
received in Paris 31

CHAP. VI.

The king orders the banners of Paris to be
mustered. Of the war with Liege. Of
the Pragmatic, which a legate from the
pope and Balue attempt to abolish. The
king pardons the duke of Alençon and
the lord du Lau. The count de Saint Pol
concludes a truce between the king and
the duke of Burgundy, without including
the Liegeois. Other events that happened
in the year MCCCCLXVII. 42

CHAP. VII.

The king sends commissaries to review the
Parisian banners, officers as well as men.
The king's army marches between Mans
and Alençon, to oppose that of the Bretons.
The duke of Burgundy collects a
large army at Saint Quentin. The three
estates of France assemble at Tours in
MCCCCLXVII. 56

CHAP. VIII.

Tournaments at Paris and at Bruges. The
king goes to Meaux. The prince of Piedmont
comes to Paris. The lord du Lau
escapes from his confinement in the castle
of Usson, which causes many to lose their
heads. The Bretons and Burgundians
take Merville. Charles de Melun beheaded.
The substance of what passed
between the king and the dukes of Berry
and Brittany. Peace concluded with
the duke of Burgundy, in the year
MCCCCLXVIII. 64

CHAP. IX.

The king of France goes to Nôtre Dame of
Halle. The town of Liege destroyed.
The king ratifies at Paris his treaty with
the duke of Burgundy. He has all the
game round Paris taken alive, to send to
the count de Foix, as a token of friendship.
A great inundation in Holland and
Zealand. A prisoner in the Chastelet for
theft informs against his companions, who
are all hung. MCCCCLXVIII. 76

CHAP. X.

The treason of the cardinal of Angers, who,
in consequence, is imprisoned. The king
of Sicily and his queen wait on the king.
Peace made between the king and his
brother, now duke of Guienne, who
comes to Montils-les-Tours. An alliance
between France and Spain. The duke
of Brittany refuses to wear the king's
order. The ban and rear ban summoned
to oppose king Edward of England.--Other
events that happened in the year
MCCCCLXIX. 86

CHAP. XI.

The earl of Warwick and the duke of Clarence,
driven out of England by king
Edward, come to France. Queen Margaret
and her son arrive there also, to
the displeasure of the duke of Burgundy.
The birth of the dauphin, Charles. The
earl of Warwick returns to England. An
alliance between the king of France and
king Henry of England. The flight of
king Edward. The entry of the queen
of England into Paris. The inhabitants
of Auxerre take part with the duke of
Burgundy. The king's victories in the
duchy of Burgundy and the countries of
Charolois and Picardy. Of the king's
journeys, and other events that happened
during the year MCCCCLXX. 97

CHAP. XII.

The king of France receives intelligence of
the victory of king Edward and the defeat
of king Henry's army. The king
and the duke of Guienne come to Paris,
and thence go to Orleans, where the
prince of Piedmont dies. Of the death
of the count d'Eu. The duke of Guienne
and the count d'Armagnac form an
alliance. Other events that happened in
the course of this year 114

CHAP. XIII.

Pope Paul II. shortens the intervals of the
jubilees. He dies. Pope Sixtus IV. elected
in his stead: he was general of the
order of Franciscan monks. A young
girl pretends to have the wounds of our
Lord on her hands, feet, and side 119

CHAP. XIV.

The king of France obtains indulgences for
those who shall say Ave Maria three times.
The death of the bishop of Paris. Of
the duke of Calabria. The roof of Nôtre
Dame of Clery burnt. The death of the
duke of Guienne. A truce with the duke
of Burgundy. Of the siege and attack of
Beauvais. The townsmen of Auxerre
defeated. Different edicts published at
Paris. Accusations made against the constable.
Paris and Orleans send supplies to
Beauvais 123

CHAP. XV.

The Parisians are mustered. The duke of
Burgundy marches in disgrace from before
Beauvais. Of the king's army in
Brittany. The shameful conduct of the
Burgundians in Normandy. The French
reconquer Eu from the count de Roussi.
The queen of France delivered of a son,
named duke of Berry. The lord of Beaujeu
betrayed to the count d'Armagnac.
Lectoure regained, and the count d'Armagnac
killed. The king of Arragon
flies from Perpignan. The duke of Alençon
made prisoner. The king goes to
Bordeaux. The son of the count d'Albret
beheaded at Poitiers 137

CHAP. XVI.

The siege of Perpignan. The duke of
Alençon detained prisoner in the Louvre.
The death of the duke of Calabria. The
execution of John Hardy for intending to
poison the king. Edicts from the king
respecting the gens d'armes and the coin.
An embassy from the king of Arragon.
Other events in this year 150

CHAP. XVII.

The Parisians are reviewed by the king.
Of the Arragonian ambassadors. A conference
between the king and the constable.
A truce with the duke of Burgundy.
Other events. The duke of
Alençon condemned to be beheaded at
Paris. The king takes possession of Anjou.
The duke of Burgundy besieges
Nuys. He takes several towns, notwithstanding
the truce between the king and
himself 165

CHAP. XVIII.

King Edward summons the king of France
to restore to him the duchies of Guienne
and Normandy. Good news from the
French army in Arragon. Some Arragonians
beheaded. The king's physicians
open a man alive, and recover him. Of
the feast of St Charlemagne, king of
France. Of the losses of the duke of
Burgundy before Nuys, and of the conquests
gained over him in Picardy and
Burgundy. Some barons executed at Paris.
The reduction of the town of Perpignan 174

CHAP. XIX.

An alliance between the emperor of Germany
and the king of France. Ambassadors
from Florence and from the emperor.
Prudent acts of the king. A devout procession
at Paris. Tronquoy, Roye, Mondidier
and other places, are taken for the
king. The treachery of the constable. A
great defeat of the Burgundians and Lombards
by the duke of Bourbon, when the
count de Roussy and several great lords
of Burgundy are made prisoners. The
men of Arras suffer another considerable
defeat by the king's army. The deliverance
of the prince of Orange. The flight
and decampment of the duke of Burgundy
from before Nuys. A conference
and treaty of alliance between king Edward
of England and the French king.
Other events that happened at Paris during
the year MCCCCLXXV. 183

CHAP. XX.

The duke of Burgundy delivers the constable,
Louis de Luxembourg, into the
hands of the king's officers, by whom he
is carried prisoner to the bastile at Paris.
The count de Roussy is conducted a prisoner
from Burges to Montils-les-Tours.
The conversation between the king and
him. The trial and execution of the constable
at Paris. Some of the officers in
that city are displaced. The duke d'Alençon
delivered from the Louvre. A council
ordered by the king. The duke of
Burgundy defeated by the Swiss at Granson.
The duke of Nemours made prisoner
at Carlat, in the king's name, by
the lord de Beaujeu. Other events in
this year of MCCCCLXXV. 203

CHAP. XXI.

The duke of Burgundy borrows money to
raise forces to retaliate on the Swiss for
his late ill success. The arrival of the
king of Sicily at Lyon, where the king of
France then was. What passed between
them. Of the seneschal of Normandy,
who murdered his wife and his huntsman
for adultery. The duke of Lorraine
opposes the duke of Burgundy at Morat
in Swisserland, and in the county of Romont.
The king of France makes several
pilgrimages. The duke of Lorraine
recovers the town of Nancy. The king
of Portugal arrives in France. Other
events that took place in the year above
mentioned 230

CHAP. XXII.

The duke of Milan is murdered. The total
destruction of the Burgundian army,
and death of the duke of Burgundy, by
the victorious duke of Lorraine, before
Nancy. The reduction of the countries
and towns the duke of Burgundy had
usurped from France, such as Arras,
Hesdin, &c. Several beheaded in Arras,
Cambray, and in other towns 244

CHAP. XXIII.

The king summons his parliament from
Paris to Noyon, to try the duke of Nemours.
A forger executed at Paris. Of
the victory of the lord de Craon over the
prince of Orange. Of the death of the
duke of Gueldres before Tournay. The
duke of Nemours executed at Paris. A
party of Flemings defeated. Several persons
hanged at Paris, for having assassinated
the son of the public executioner 262

CHAP. XXIV.

The cardinal of St George is detained prisoner
at Florence, where the archbishop
of Pisa is strangled, and several others put
to death, for having murdered Giuliano
de Medici. Rhodes besieged by the Turks.
Of St Symon and another that were crucified.
Of a devout hermit, who lived
fifteen years on the holy wafer. Of a
monster, born in the town of Verona.
Of a marvellous comet, and other extraordinary
events 272

CHAP. XXV.

The king on his return from Picardy, sets at
liberty the prisoners in the Chastelet. Of
the prince of Orange and sir Claude de
Vaudray in the country of Burgundy.
The statues of St Louis and St Charlemagne
removed. The king has twelve
great bombards made. Edward king of
England causes his brother the duke of
Clarence to be drowned in a butt of
Malmsey. An accusation is laid against
Daniel the servant to Olivier le Daim.
On the return of the king from Picardy,
great entertainments are given at Paris in
the year MCCCCLXXVIII. 278

CHAP. XXVI.

The king of France's soldiers seize the
money that was sent to pay the Flemish
troops, and gain also the town of Conde
from them. A cordelier friar, named
Anthony Fradin preaches at Paris, and is
afterwards banished. The pope sends a
legate to the king of France and to the
duke of Austria. The deceit of the last
toward the king. A treaty concluded
between them. Sir Charles d'Amboise
regains many towns for the king in the
duchy of Burgundy 290

CHAP. XXVII.

The king of France presents rich gifts to
several churches. A council held at Orleans
on the pragmatic sanction. An alliance
between the kings of France and
of Castille. A tame lion escapes in Auvergne,
and does much mischief. The
attorney-general of Artois beheaded at
Tours. A new bombard on trial bursts,
and kills many people at Paris. A gascon
captain, named Oriole, and his lieutenant
beheaded at Tours. Other events that
happened in the course of this year
MCCCCLXXVIII. 300

CHAP. XXVIII.

Of the king's preparations for war. The
Flemings are admitted into Cambray. Several
towns in Burgundy reduced to the
king's obedience, who often visits Champagne
in consequence. Ambassadors arrive
from Spain. The duke of Albany
comes to Paris. The duke of Austria
defeated near Therouenne, and the son of
the king of Poulaine taken prisoner. The
king's troops are again successful and
gain seventeen towns. Four score Flemish
vessels are captured, by Coulon and
other adventurers from the coasts of Normandy,
in the course of the above year 309

CHAP. XXIX.

An embassy arrives from the king of England
to the king of France. The king
issues a commission against the duke of
Bourbon. The cardinal of St Pietro ad
vincula comes to France as legate. The
king sets the cardinal Balue at liberty.
A body of Swiss troops subsidized instead
of the Franc-archers. A very severe
winter. Truces are established between
the Flemings and the English 318

CHAP. XXX.

The king of France forms a camp between
Pont de l'Arche and Pont de St Pierre.
Armour which the duke of Brittany had
ordered from Milan is intercepted. The
king taken ill at Tours. During certain
pilgrimages he makes, he visits the dauphin
at Amboise, and goes thence to St
Claude. A great famine this year 326

CHAP. XXXI.

The deaths of the lady Jane of France,
duchess of Bourbon, and of the countess
of Flanders, and also of several persons
at Paris. Events that happened there.
The king returns from his pilgrimage to
St Claude, to Nôtre Dame of Clery, and
to other places. Ambassadors arrive from
Flanders. Of the capture of the town of
Aire. Of the assassination of the lord
Louis of Bourbon, bishop of Liege. Other
events that happened in the course of the
above year 332

CHAP. XXXII.

The king's illness continuing, he comes
from Tours to Amboise, to recommend
to his son Olivier le Daim. Of the marriage
of the dauphin with the countess
Margaret of Flanders. A peace concluded
between the kings of England and Scotland,
which includes the good duke of
Albany. The king recommends his health
to the devotions of the monks of the
church of St Denis 340

CHAP. XXXIII.

The lord and lady de Beaujeu, and others,
come to Paris, to receive the dauphiness.
The death of king Edward of England.
The death of the lady Margaret of Bourbon
countess of Bresse. The entry of
the dauphiness into Paris, and her reception
there. The steeple of the church of
Sainte Genevieve burnt. The marriage
of the dauphin and dauphiness 348

CHAP. XXXIV.

The holy ampulla is brought from the
church of Saint Remy at Rheims to the
king of France, when dangerously ill, at
Plessis-le-Parc. The devout death of
Louis XI. He is buried in the church
of our Lady at Clery. May God pardon
his soul 352

CHAP. XXXV.

The great chronicles of the most Christian,
magnanimous, and victorious king of
France; Charles VIII. collected and put
together by me, Pierre Desrey, simple
orator of Troyes in Champagne 356

CHAP. XXXVI.

King Charles VIII. crowned at Rheims. He
afterwards visits several towns in France.
He makes his entry into Paris. Master
Olivier le Daim and his servant Daniel
executed there. John de Doyac has his
ears cut off, and his tongue bored with a
hot iron 359

CHAP. XXXVII.

The death of pope Sixtus IV. He is succeeded
by pope Innocent VIII. Of the
victorious war of king Charles in Brittany.
He marries the princess Anne
daughter to the noble duke Francis of
Brittany. Other events 365

CHAP. XXXVIII.

King Charles generously restores Roussillon
to king Ferdinand of Arragon. The institution
of the order of Filles Repenties
at Paris. The town of St Omer is taken
by the lord des Cordes. A treaty of
peace concluded with the king of England
after the siege of Boulogne. The
treason committed by Carquelevant in the
town of Arras. Amiens well guarded.
The treaty between the king of France
and the archduke of Austria 371

CHAP. XXXIX.

King Charles marries Anne duchess of Brittany.
She is crowned queen of France in
the church of Saint Denis, and makes her
public entry into Paris. The king visits
his province of Picardy. A priest executed
and burnt at Paris. The death of pope
Innocent VIII. He is succeeded by pope
Alexander VI. 377

CHAP. XL.

Of the expedition which king Charles undertakes
to recover his kingdom of Naples,
and the reasons that moved him
thereto 382

CHAP. XLI.

Friar Jerome Savonarola foretels the invasion
of Italy by the king of France. The king
while at Lyon prudently arranges a regency
to govern the kingdom during his
absence. He departs thence for Grenoble,
where he takes leave of the queen 384

CHAP. XLII.

The king of France sets out from Grenoble,
to cross the alps on his march to Naples 392

CHAP. XLIII.

The king of France makes his public entry
into Turin, where he is received with
great honours and solemnity 394

CHAP. XLIV.

The king leaves Quiers for Asti, where he
is informed of the gallant conduct of the
duke of Orleans at Genoa. Ludovico
Sforza and his lady visit the king at Asti.
A marvellous event at Genoa 397

CHAP. XLV.

King Charles makes his entry into the town
of Casal. The marchioness of Montferrat
and her son place themselves under his
protection 402

CHAP. XLVI.

The king of France enters Pavia. His reception
there 405

CHAP. XLVII.

Of the several towns the king of France
passes through in his march from Piacenza
to Lucca 407

CHAP. XLVIII.

Of the entry and reception of the king of
France in the town of Lucca 410

CHAP. XLIX.

The king enters the town of Pisa. Others
of his captains advance as far as Florence 411

CHAP. L.

The king of France, with his lords, enters
Florence, accompanied by his whole army 412

CHAP. LI.

The king makes his entry into Sienna, Viterbo,
and other towns 414

CHAP. LII.

The king of France enters Rome with his
army. What passed there 417

CHAP. LIII.

King Charles departs from Rome with his
army for Naples. What passed on his
march 422

HERE BEGINNETH

THE ELEVENTH VOLUME

OF THE

CHRONICLES

OF

_ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET_.

CHAP. I.

THE KING THANKS THE PARISIANS FOR THEIR LOYALTY AND COURAGE, CONFIRMS THEIR PRIVILEGES, AND OFFERS THEM NEW ONES.--HE RESTORES SIR ROBERT D'ESTOUTEVILLE TO THE PROVOSTSHIP OF PARIS.--HE DISPLACES SOME AND APPOINTS OTHERS TO FILL THEIR OFFICES, AND THEN GOES TO ORLEANS.--CHARLES, THE KING'S BROTHER, IS RECEIVED BY THE NORMANS AS THEIR DUKE.--THE KING GOES INTO NORMANDY.--OTHER EVENTS.

The Monday following, sir Robert d'Estouteville[1], knight, lord of Beyne, who had been provost of Paris during the former reign,--but the king had deprived him of that office, and given it to Jacques de Villiers, lord of l'Isle-Adam,--who was now restored by him to the provostship. He presided this day at the town-house, and the watchword for the night was given to him as provost of Paris.

On the Tuesday, the king supped at the town-hall, where was a handsome service of flesh and fish,--and many of the nobility, with their ladies, were invited to meet him. Before supper, the king addressed some of the heads of the wards, who were come thither for the purpose, and said, that he thanked them all, generally and individually, for their great loyalty, and the services they had done him; that, in return, he was disposed to do every thing possible for them; and that as he had, during the war, remitted several imposts, which some might think was done from the necessity he was then in for their assistance and support, and that after a peace he would renew them, he therefore declared that such was not his intention, for that he had, from his great affection, freely remitted them, never to be renewed,--and that if there were any other things they wished from him, they need only mention them, and he would grant their requests. He added, that he should leave in their town the lord de Beyne as their provost, to whom they would pay the same obedience as to himself, because he had well served him at the affair of Montlehery, and for other causes, which he told to the provost des marchands, and to the sheriffs of the city of Paris. He begged of them to be always true and loyal to him and to the crown of France, without any partiality being found in their town.

This day, the natural daughter to the king was betrothed to the bastard of Bourbon; and, after supper, dancings and other amusements took place: the lord bastard there danced and made good cheer.

On the ensuing Monday, the 7th of November, sir Robert d'Estouteville was conducted to the Châtelet of Paris, by sir Charles de Melun and master John Dauvet first president of the parliament of Toulouse, whom the king had ordered to receive the oaths of office from sir Robert, as he had nominated him provost of Paris in the room of Jacques de Villiers, lord of Isle-Adam, who had received the appointment on his joyous entry into Paris, and to institute sir Robert into the same. When the letters of his patent were read before the court of the Châtelet, sir Robert was instituted into the office of provost, without prejudice to any appeal from the said lord de l'Isle Adam.

When this was done, the king summoned before him the presidents of his court of parliament, and addressed them nearly as follows: 'On my coming to the throne, I constituted sir Helie de Thorettes first president of our court of parliament, who soon after died. Our affections were then fixed to replace him by master John Dauvet, our first president of our parliament of Toulouse, now present; but through the importunities of several, and at the particular solicitation of sir John Bureau, we appointed the president de Nanterre, who has enjoyed the office, until the arrival of some princes of our blood before Paris, who have remonstrated with us on various existing abuses within our realm, and even in our court of parliament; for which, and other causes, we declare the said de Nanterre to be no longer first president of our said court of parliament, but do appoint, in his place, the said master John Dauvet, to hold the same during our good pleasure.'

The next day, Saturday, sir Pierre de Morvilliers, chancellor of France, was dismissed from that office, and sir John Juvenal des Ursins, who had been chancellor at the time of the decease of king Charles, was re-appointed in his stead. At the same time, sir Pierre Puy was displaced from his office of master of requests in ordinary to the king's household, and master Regnault des Dommans succeeded him.

The king set out for Orleans when he had made the above arrangements, and took with him Arnoult L'Huillier, burgher and banker at Paris, charging him expressly always to follow and be near him. He carried also with him master John Longue-Jove, the younger, who had lately married the damsel Genevieve, daughter to master John Baillet, and made him of his great council. Just as he was leaving Paris, he created master Charles d'Orgemont lord of Mery, treasurer of France, Arnoult L'Huillier treasurer of Carcassonne, and master Pierre Ferteil, the husband of Terteau, master of the requests of his household, but without pay or emolument.

On the Monday following, a great comet appeared at Paris, about six in the morning, and so resplendently bright that a man crossing the square of the Greve at that hour, to hear the mass of the Holy Ghost, was so frightened by it that he lost his senses and became mad.

The king's brother, as I have said, was gone into Normandy, and had arrived at St Catherine's on the mount, near to Rouen, where he remained some days, until the preparations making by the townsmen for his entry into Rouen were ready. During this interval, a great quarrel arose between the duke of Brittany and the count de Dammartin, when it was told to the duke of Normandy, that the two said lords intended to arrest and carry him into Brittany. Sir John de Lorraine, hearing of this, went instantly to the town-house in Rouen, when the magistrates ordered the inhabitants under arms; and sir John led a numerous body of them to St Catherine's on the Mount, where admittance was at first refused him,--but sir John, in despite of the duke of Brittany and the count de Dammartin, and without much ceremony, made the new duke mount a horse, that had a saddle, indeed, but no housings, and in this simple state, with only a black velvet robe on, led him through the town of Rouen to the church of our Lady, where 'Te Deum laudamus' was chaunted, and thence to the castle of Rouen.

While the king resided at Orleans, he made many ordinances and regulations for the better government of the realm, and displaced several of his captains. Among the rest, he took from Poncet de Riviere, the command of a hundred lances, but made him bailiff of Montferrant; and he acted thus to many others. Poncet de Riviere, on loosing his command, went on a voyage to Jerusalem, and thence to St Catherine's on mount Sinai. The king re-appointed the lord de Lohéac marshal of France, in the place of the count de Cominges, bastard of Armagnac.

Having done this, the king left Orleans, and marched his whole army, his franc-archers and his artillery, great and small, into Normandy, by way of Argentan, Eynes, Falaise, Caen, and other places, to gain possession of them. At the last town, he met the duke of Brittany, and they were together for some time. The duke of Bourbon, in consequence of the king's orders, had entered another part of Normandy, and came before Evreux, which would not surrender on his first summons; but the garrison afterward capitulated, and the duke and his men were admitted into the town. He thence advanced to Vernon on the Seine, which also demurred at first, but afterwards admitted him. Sir Charles de Melun, grand master of the king's household, took possession of several towns in Normandy, such as Gisors, Gournay, and others: he also overthrew six score Scots, who were marching to the lord de Bueil[2] for the duke of Normandy,--which affair took place at a village, called Cailly, in the bailiwick of Caen.

At this time, the lord d'Esternay was general of Normandy,--but, for fear of the king's anger, he had fled from Rouen, disguised as a cordelier friar, in company with an augustin monk. They were met, however, by some of the men of the grand master at Pont St Pierre, four leagues from Rouen, who taking them prisoners, they were afterwards searched, and much money and other precious effects found on them and seized. The new duke of Normandy had gone from Rouen to Louviers, expecting to meet the duke of Bourbon; but being disappointed, he instantly returned to Rouen,--when the principal persons conducted him to the town-house, and invested him with the duchy, by placing a ring (as was customary) on his finger, and he promised to preserve and defend all their rights and privileges. He, at the same time, reduced the taxes they had paid before his investiture to one-half, and the whole assembly of clergy, nobles, and populace swore obedience to him, and to support him, as his loyal subjects, to the last drop of their blood.

They then caused to be read to him aloud an extract from an old chronicle preserved in the town-house, which contained in substance, that there was formerly a king of France who left two sons on his decease, the eldest of whom succeeded to his throne, and the younger had for his appanage the duchy of Normandy, which his brother wanted to annex to his crown, and great wars ensued. The Normans, however, so successfully supported their duke that the king was forced into exile, and the duke was crowned in his stead.

After this had been read, they told him not to be uneasy at any thing, for that henceforward the townsmen would supply him with so many engines of war, and other means of defence, that no harm should come to him or to their town.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 1: He had been confined in the bastile by Louis XI.]

[Footnote 2: Lord de Bueil,--Anthony count of Sancerre.]

CHAP. II.

THE KING OF FRANCE RECOVERS THE DUCHY OF NORMANDY FROM HIS BROTHER, CHARLES DUKE OF BERRY.--THE LORD D'ESTERNAY IS DROWNED, AND SEVERAL OFFICERS IN NORMANDY ARE EXECUTED OR BANISHED.--THE DUKE OF BERRY LEAVES NORMANDY.--AND SIR JOHN DE LORRAINE, THINKING TO FOLLOW HIM, IS MADE PRISONER AND CARRIED TO THE KING.

On Monday, the last day but one of December, the king of France, returning from lower Normandy, came to Pont Audemer, and thence to la Champagne du Neufbourg, near Conches. He sent the duke of Bourbon to Louviers,--and on the first of January, that town submitted to the duke of Bourbon for the king. This same day the king entered it, in the afternoon when the lord d'Esternay was brought him by the men of the grand master,--and he was immediately after drowned in the river Eure, and the augustin monk with him, by the officer of the provost-marshal. The body of the lord d'Esternay was afterwards taken out of the river, and buried in the church of our Lady at Louviers, where his obsequies were performed.

At this period, very many officers of Normandy, were executed or drowned by the provost-marshal, on account of their having interfered in the dissensions between the king and his brother. On the king's departure from Louviers, he laid siege to the town of Pont de l'Arche, four leagues distant from Rouen; and on the 6th of January it was proclaimed in Paris, that all purveyors, who had been accustomed to supply the army with provisions, should repair thither instantly with forage,--and, also, that the pioneers should make themselves ready to march from Pont de l'Arche on the morrow, under the command of sir Denis Giber, one of the four sheriffs of Paris who had been appointed to conduct them.

On the Wednesday, a detachment of the king's army, that had gone on a foraging party, took four men at arms belonging to the duke of Berry, but who had formerly belonged to the king. One was called le Petit Bailiff, and had been in the company of Joachim Rohault marshal of France, and an accomplice in the betraying Pontoise to the Bretons. When brought before the king, they were ordered to be beheaded instantly; but they offered, on their lives being spared, to cause Pont de l'Arche to be surrendered,--and as the duke of Bourbon and other lords seconded their offer, the king pardoned them.

This same day, the king entered Pont de l'Arche with his army, the garrison having retreated from the town into the castle: among them was master John Hebert, superintendant of the french finances. Three days after, the castle likewise surrendered to the king.

In consequence of these surrenders to the king, the town of Rouen sent a deputation to request a conference,--which deputation laid every thing that had been done amiss to the charge of the dukes of Brittany and Bourbon. Their commissioners at the conference made several requests and remonstrances, insisting, among other things, that the king should declare himself satisfied with them, notwithstanding any acts to the contrary, and that he would not only grant them his full pardon, but similar franchises to those he had lately granted to Paris. They made many other demands, to all of which the king said he would consider on them. While this was going on, several of the king's army passed and repassed into the town without interruption.

The duke of Berry, in the mean time, quitted Rouen, in company with several of his friends, and went to Honnefleur and Caen, where he remained some time. John lord of Lorraine thought also to escape into Flanders; but he was met by a party of the king's army, who made him prisoner, and brought him to the king.

On the departure of the duke of Berry, the town of Rouen surrendered to the king, who, having displaced the greater part of the officers in Normandy, appointed others in their places. He disbanded his franc archers, giving them leave of absence until the first day of the ensuing month of March, and sent back his artillery to Paris: he himself took the road toward lower Normandy, and to St Michael's Mount.

At this time, Anthony de Chabannes, count de Dammartin, (of whom mention has been often made) accompanied the king, and had the command of one hundred lances of the gens d'armes, which sir Charles de Melun had before had. The king also deprived sir Charles of his office of grand master of the household, and gave it to the lord de Craon, although many persons were of opinion that sir Charles had well served the king, and done him many considerable services,--more especially by his great prudence and activity in the guard of Paris, while the king was absent in the Bourbonnois; for it was observed, that had he not been as diligent as he was, the king and kingdom would have suffered much more. While the king was thus employed, he made an exchange with the count de Dammartin for a castle he had in Gascony called Blancaffort; for which he gave him, in sovereignty, all the rights and royalties in the towns of Gonesse, Gournay sur Marne, and Crecy in Brie,--and gave orders for his parliament to annex them, in perpetuity, to his said county of Dammartin.

At this same time, the king commanded that the fortress of Chaumont sur Loire, which belonged to sir Pierre d'Amboise, lord of Chaumont, should be set on fire, and razed to the ground, which was done.

Monday, the 4th of February, Gauvain Manniel, who had been lieutenant-general of the bailiff of Rouen, was arrested in that town, and carried prisoner to Pont de l'Arche,--where, by orders of the marshals, a scaffold had been erected, on which the said Gauvain was beheaded for certain crimes laid to his charge. His head was placed on a lance on the said bridge, and his body thrown into the river Seine. At the same time, the dean of the cathedral of Rouen and six of the canons were expelled the town, and banished out of the duchy of Normandy.

CHAP. III.

THE KING OF FRANCE SETS OUT FROM ROUEN TO ORLEANS.--HE SENDS AMBASSADORS TO ENGLAND.--SEVERAL MALEFACTORS ARE EXECUTED AT PARIS.--THE DIVORCE OF SIR WILLIAM COLOMBEL FROM HIS WIFE.--THE LORD DU LAU IS MADE PRISONER.--THE KING PUBLISHES AN EDICT AT PARIS AGAINST THE ENGLISH.--A TRUCE CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH.--MANY PERSONS LOSE THEIR SENSES AT PARIS, AT THE BEAN-FLOWERING SEASON.

The king now departed from Rouen for Orleans, where the queen was, and remained there a long time, making excursions to Gergeau[3] and in that neighbourhood. While he was at Orleans, many embassies came to him from divers countries, on different matters. He also there determined to send an embassy to England, and selected for this purpose the count de Roussillon, bastard of Bourbon and admiral of France, the lord de la Barde, the duke-bishop of Langres, master John de Poupaincourt, lord of Cercelles, master Olivier le Roy, councellor in the chamber of accounts, and others, who set out for England in April, in the year 1466.

At this time, the officers of justice in Paris, arrested many poor creatures, thieves and other malefactors,--some of whom, for their crimes, were hanged on the gibbet at Montfaucon, and others, less criminal, were whipped at a cart's tail through the streets of Paris.

At this time also, the damsel Isabeau de Cambray, wife to sir William de Colombel, a rich and powerful man, was confined a prisoner in the Conciergerie of the palais-royal at Paris, on the complaint and information of her husband, who charged her with the three following crimes: first, that she had abandoned him, and been faithless to his bed; secondly, that she had robbed him of large sums of money; and, thirdly, that she had compounded divers poisons to compass his death.

In consequence of these charges, she was long detained in prison, and put to the torture, to make her confess her guilt. At length, the court of parliament, having taken full cognizance of the evidence, and her confession, declared that the said Colombel had sufficiently proved his accusations,--and she was sentenced to be deprived of all community of effects, and of her dower. With regard to the poisons, she pleaded an error in the suit, and paid into court six score livres parisis, as her pledge for re-appearing.

The 10th day of May, in this year, sir Anthony de Château-neuf lord du Lau, who had had the king's pardon some time since, on certain conditions, was accidentally met by the lord de Chabesnais, and others, in the plains of Clery, near Orleans; and because that he and his attendants were disguised, they made him a prisoner, and carried him before the king, who ordered him and his people to be confined in a castle near Mehun.[4]

On Wednesday, the eve of the Ascension of our Lord, master John Prevost, notary and secretary to the king, entered the bastile, by the king's direction, in a subtle manner, and took thence one called Mare, who was lieutenant to the lord des Bordes, and lately married to the natural daughter of sir Charles de Melun, son to the lord des Bordes.

On Saturday, the eve of Whitsunday, was proclaimed through all the squares of Paris, with sound of trumpet, a summons from the constable of France, which included one from the king, to declare that he had received information of his ancient enemies the English having raised a very numerous army for the destruction of his kingdom,--and that they had prepared a fleet, accordingly, to invade his coasts; that the king, being resolved to oppose such wicked attempts to the utmost of his power, had ordered his constable to make proclamation thereof in the usual places throughout the realm, that all the noble tenants of the king, as well those of fief as of arriere-fief, of whatever rank, might be properly prepared with arms, horses, and habiliments for war, on the 15th day of June next ensuing, under pain of corporal punishment and confiscation of effects. All franc-archers and others were, at the same time, ordered to be ready by the said 15th day of June.

The king displaced, at this time, the lord des Bordes from being governor of the bastile of St. Anthony at Paris, and gave it to the lord de Blot, seneschal of Auvergne, who was said to be a man of an excellent character.

At this period, the lord de Montauban[5], who had been admiral of France, grand master of woods and waters, and the principal cause of the disturbances in Brittany, which were followed by those in France, and who had received immense sums of the public money, died at Tours, and was not much lamented. After his death, the king gave the office of lord high admiral to the lord bastard of Bourbon, who had married his natural daughter,--and the office of grand master of woods and waters to the lord de Châtillon, brother to the marshal of Lohéac.

A truce was now concluded by sea and land with England for twenty-two months, which was every where publicly proclaimed.

At this time, for some particular cause, the king was moved to displace the count du Maine from his government of Languedoc, and give the same to the bastard of Bourbon,--who also received, in consequence of his marriage with Jeanne, the king's natural daughter, the castle and town of Usson[6] in Auvergne, said to be the strongest place in the kingdom, together with the government of Honnefleur, and other places in Normandy.

In the month of June, of this year 1466, the beans were very abundant and good,--nevertheless, very many persons of both sexes lost their senses at this time in Paris. In the number, was a young man named master Marcial d'Auvergne[7], an attorney in the court of parliament, and notary to the Châtelet. He had been married about three weeks to one of the daughters of master Jacques Fournier, king's counsel in the said court of parliament,--and lost his senses in such wise that, about nine in the morning of St. John Baptist's day, his frenzy seized him, and he threw himself out of the window into the street, broke his thigh, and so bruised his body that he was long in the utmost danger, for his frenzy continued a long time; but at length he recovered.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 3: Gergeau, or Jargeau,--an ancient town four leagues from Orleans.]

[Footnote 4: There are three Mehuns,--sur Loire, sur Indre, sur Yevre.]

[Footnote 5: The lord de Montauban--was of the house of Rohan, had followed the king, when dauphin, to Flanders,--was much beloved and regretted by him, but not by the people.]

[Footnote 6: Usson,--four leagues from Brionde.]

[Footnote 7: Marcial d'Auvergne--was the author of the _Arresta Amorum_, and several pieces now become very scarce.]

CHAP. IV.

THE KING SENDS COMMISSIONERS TO MAKE REFORMS AT PARIS.--THEIR PAGES AND THE CLERKS OF THE PALACE QUARREL.--A MURDEROUS WAR BETWEEN THE LIEGEOIS AND THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.--A GREAT MORTALITY IN PARIS AND ITS ENVIRONS.--THE KING APPOINTS CERTAIN LORDS FOR THE GUARD AND DEFENCE OF HIS REALM.--EVENTS THAT HAPPENED AT PARIS IN THIS YEAR MCCCCLXVI.

In the month of July, many prelates, lords, knights, churchmen, and others of the king's council arrived at Paris, by the king's orders, as commissioners to inspect the courts of justice, and to reform whatever they should find irregular, having had very great powers given them for the purpose. They were twenty-one commissioners in all, and the lord John bastard of Orleans, count of Dunois and of Longueville, was their president; but no business could be transacted unless thirteen members were present, the count de Dunois being always one.

They were called 'The Reformers of the Public Welfare,' and opened their sittings on the 16th day of July; and, that their measures might be salutary, they commenced by hearing a fine mass to the Divine Spirit chaunted in the holy chapel in the palace at Paris. This was celebrated by Juvenel des Ursins, archbishop of Rheims, who had been chosen one of the commissioners. This day twelve-month, the king met the count de Charolois at Montlehery.

On the morrow, some of the pages of the counsellors in the court of parliament, while waiting for their masters, sought a quarrel with the pages of these commissioners, and a great riot and noise ensued, because they had refused to pay their welcome-money at the palace. This quarrel was renewed with more earnestness the next day, when their masters returned to the court, and proceeded at length to blows with fists, knives, and stones; so that many were much beaten and bruised, and some even had their eyes knocked out,--and force was employed to separate them. Several said, that this was only done as an anniversary of the battle of Montlehery.

This year was very moist, so that although the corn was good in some parts of France, in others it was spoilt and mildewed. There were many tempests, and storms of thunder and lightning, which did much damage in divers places of the kingdom, more particularly in the Soissonnois, where several houses were destroyed, churches unroofed,--and infinite mischief was done to the vineyards and corn-fields.

A serious war now took place between the Liegeois and the duke of Burgundy, who, on this occasion, resumed his arms, and advanced to his army carried in a litter, attended by his son the count de Charolois, with all his nobles, and the whole of his artillery. He began the campaign, by laying siege to Dinant, as has been amply detailed in the chronicles of Monstrelet.

The heat of the weather in the months of August and September, of this year, was so excessive that it brought on a great mortality in and about Paris, insomuch that more than forty thousand persons of both sexes died. In the number, was master Arnoul, the king's astrologer, a very good kind of man, wise and pleasant. Several physicians, and officers of the king died; and such numbers were buried in the churchyard of the holy Innocents, and the great hospital being full of dead and dying, it was ordered, that in future all buryings should be made in the churchyard of the Holy Trinity, which church was appertaining to the town-house of Paris. This mortality continued until the month of November. Public prayers were offered up to God that it might cease,--and solemn general processions were made by the different parishes, in which were carried holy relics, and the shrines of saints, and even the shrines of our Lady, of Saint Genevieve and Saint Marcel, when the number of deaths decreased some little.

At this period, there were great alarms in Paris, from the number of thieves and housebreakers, who did great mischiefs during the night. Some were arrested and whipped at a cart's tail, and others hanged, for these crimes, on the gibbet at Paris. In this year was hanged at Paris, a large Norman, a native of Coutantin, in Normandy, for having long cohabited with his own daughter, by whom he had several children, whom they put to death as soon as born. He was hanged,--and she was burnt at Maigny, near Pontoise, where they resided on quitting Normandy. The shrines of St Crespin and St Crespinian were now brought to Paris, in the hopes that they would stop the mortality, and also to solicit alms for the new-roofing of their church at Soissons, which had been destroyed in the summer by lightning, as has been mentioned.

During this time, the king and his ministers resided at Orleans, Chartres, Bourges, Mehun, Amboise, and other places, where he received divers embassies from England, Burgundy, and elsewhere. The king now determined to make war on the duke of Burgundy, and on his son the count de Charolois; and for this purpose issued his summons for the assembly of the ban and arriere-ban, in the different towns of his realm. He created a large body of franc-archers beyond their established number, and made several regulations for the more effectual defence of his kingdom. He appointed the marshal de Lohéac his lieutenant for the town of Paris and the Isle of France. To the lord de Châtillon was given the guard of Champagne. The care of Normandy was intrusted to the count de Saint Pol, constable of France, who, a little before, had been the king's enemy, in conjunction with the duke of Burgundy and the count de Charolois.

In the month of February, an embassy came to the king from Brittany, who, having heard what they had to say, received them well. They afterwards pursued their journey into Flanders, to wait on the duke of Burgundy and his son. The report was now current, that the king and his brother had made up their quarrel, to the great joy of the nation. I should have mentioned, that, prior to this, the king had sent master John Hebert and the bishop of Troys, with others, on an embassy to the Liegeois.

It happened, about this time, that three sergeants at mace of the Châtelet, of bad repute, forcibly entered, during the night the chamber of a priest of St Paul's church, while he was quietly asleep, and beat and mutilated him much; but not content with this, they dragged him through the streets, and, having sorely wounded him in many places, went their way. The priest prosecuted them; in consequence of which they were confined in the prisons of the Châtelet, and were sentenced to be banished from France, to have their effects confiscated to the king, and to make an amende honorable. From this sentence, they appealed to the court of parliament, and the king's attorney appealed thither also against the sentence, as being too mild for such an outrage. The court, therefore, confirmed the judgment of the provost at the Châtelet, and condemned them, in addition, to be whipped through all the squares of Paris, which was done.

CHAP. V.

THE KING APPOINTS THE COUNT OF DAMMARTIN GRAND MASTER OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.--HE GOES WITH THE QUEEN TO ROUEN, WHERE HE HAD APPOINTED THE EARL OF WARWICK TO MEET HIM.--THE DEATH OF DUKE PHILIP OF BURGUNDY.--THE KING GOES TO CHARTRES, WHITHER HE SUMMONS SOME OF THE PARISIANS, AND COMMANDS THEM TO HAVE BANNERS MADE ACCORDING TO THE DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS AND TRADES.--A MONK IS MURDERED IN THE TEMPLE.--THE QUEEN MOST HONOURABLY RECEIVED IN PARIS.

On Thursday, the 22d day of April, in this same year, Anthony de Chabannes, count of Dammartin, who had escaped out of the bastile, and had afterward done many mischiefs to the king's subjects in Auvergne and elsewhere, on his arrival before Paris with the confederated princes, was created grand master of the royal household in the room of the lord de Croy,--and letters were granted him by the king, to certify that the said Chabannes had sworn to serve him loyally and faithfully against all the world.

In the month of June, the king set out from Paris for Rouen in Normandy; and during his stay there, he sent for the earl of Warwick, who, for some cause, had been forced to leave England. The earl landed at Harfleur, and thence went in a boat, with his company, to the village of La Bouille on the Seine, five leagues from Rouen. He arrived there on Saturday, the 7th of June, in time for dinner, which he found ready prepared for him; for the king was come thither to receive him, and feasted him and his company very grandly. After dinner, the earl reimbarked in his boat for Rouen, whither the king and his attendants went by land. The inhabitants of the town went out to meet the earl as far as the gate of the Quay St Eloy, where the king had ordered all the parishes to give him a most honourable reception, with banners, crosses, and holy water presented to him by the priests in their copes. He was thus conducted in procession to the cathedral, where he made his offering, and thence went to the lodgings that had been prepared for him at the Jacobins.

The queen and princesses came likewise to Rouen,--and the king remained there with the earl of Warwick the space of twelve days, when the earl returned to England. On his departure, the king sent with him the lord admiral, the bishop of Laon, master John Poupaincourt his minister, master Olivier le Roux, and others. During his stay at Rouen, the king made him many rich presents; such as pieces of gold plate, and a cup of gold ornamented with precious stones: the lord de Bourbon presented him also with a handsome diamond ring,--and the whole of the expenses of himself and his attendants were defrayed by the king, from his landing at Harfleur to his re-embarkation. The king, on his departure returned to Chartres, where he made some stay.

In the month of June, in this year, died Philip duke of Burgundy, in the town of Bruges: his body was afterward carried to Dijon, and interred at the carthusian convent. But this has been fully described in the last chapter of the chronicles of Enguerrand de Monstrelet.