Chapter XV: Book THE SECOND (4)

The king departed extremely well pleased, and was conducted by the Lords des Cordes, and d’Aimeries[263] (Grand Bailiff of Hainault) out of the Duke of Burgundy’s territories, who himself continued at Liege.[264] That city indeed was barbarously treated, but they had used his subjects with the same cruelty ever since his grandfather’s time, never keeping any promise, nor observing any peace that they made; and it was now the fifth year that the duke had been there in person, and made peace with them every time, and the next year they would be sure to break it. Besides they had stood excommunicated a long time for their insolence to their bishop; yet they could never be restrained, nor brought to receive the commands of the Church with either reverence or obedience.

As soon as the king was gone, the duke resolved (with a small detachment of his forces), to march into the country of Franchemont, which is steep, hilly, full of woods, and lies a little beyond Liege, from whence the best soldiers which they had, came, and particularly those who made that desperate sally which I mentioned before. Before the duke left the city, a great number of those poor creatures, who had hid themselves in the houses when the town was taken, and were afterwards made prisoners, were drowned. He also resolved to burn the city, which had always been very populous; and orders were given for firing it in three different places, and 3000 or 4000 foot of the country of Limbourg (who were their neighbours, and used the same habit and language), were commanded to effect this desolation, but to secure the churches. The first thing they did was to demolish a great bridge over the River Maes; then a strong body was appointed to protect such houses of the canons as were near the great church, that they might have lodging and convenience for the performing of divine service. Other parties were likewise ordered for the preservation of the rest of the churches. All things being thus ordered, the duke began his march into the country of Franchemont: he was no sooner out of the town, but immediately we saw a great number of houses on fire beyond the river; the duke lay that night four leagues from the city, yet we could hear the noise as distinctly as if we had been upon the spot; but whether it was the wind which lay that way, or our quartering upon the river that was the cause of it, I know not. The next day the duke marched on, and those who were left in the town continued the conflagration according to their orders[265]: but all the churches (except some few) were preserved, and above 300 houses belonging to the priests and officers of the churches, which was the reason it was so soon re-inhabited, for many flocked thither to live with the priests.

The cold and frost were so violent, that the greatest part of the duke’s detachment was forced to march on foot into the country of Franchemont, which has no walled towns, but consists wholly in villages. The duke lay still five or six days in a little village called Polleur[266] (which stands in a small valley); he divided his forces into two bodies for the speedier destruction of the country: his orders were to burn all the houses, break down all their iron mills (which were the greatest part of their livelihood), and search about among the woods for such of the poor people as had with their goods run thither to hide themselves, of whom many were killed, and made prisoners; and the soldiers got good store of plunder. In this march I saw incredible effects of the severity of the cold: one gentleman lost the use of his foot, and never recovered it again. A page had two of his fingers drop off with extremity of cold. I saw a woman and her new-born child starved to death with it. For three days together the duke’s attendants could get no wine but what they cut out with a hatchet; for it was frozen in the pipes, and the ice being thick and entire, they were forced to cut it out in pieces, which they carried away in their hats and baskets as they thought fit. I could tell other strange stories of this nature, which would be tedious to write; but we, in short, were starved out of that country, and forced (after we had been there eight days) to march back with all expedition to Namur, and from thence into Brabant[267], where the duke was received with joy.

CH. XV.—Of the King of France’s Subtilty, by which he prevailed with his Brother Duke Charles, to accept of the Duchy of Guienne, in lieu of Brie and Champagne, and contrary to the Duke of Burgundy’s Intention.—1468-69.

The king, having taken his leave of the Duke of Burgundy, returned with great joy into his own kingdom, not in the least complaining of his usage either at Peronne or Liege, but bearing all things patiently, at least, in appearance; yet, for all that, great wars arose afterwards between them, but not presently, nor was that the cause which I mentioned before (though it might have contributed towards it); for the conditions of peace were much the same as if the king had freely signed it at Paris. But, by the advice of his officers, the Duke of Burgundy was encouraged to extend the bounds of his dominions, and great artifice was used to have it done secretly—of which I shall speak in due time.

Lord Charles of France, the king’s only brother, and lately Duke of Normandy, being informed of the treaty of Peronne, and of the proportion which he was to have thereby, sent presently to the king to desire his majesty would accomplish the treaty, and grant him the investiture of those countries he had promised to give him. The king sent to him again, and several messages passed between them. The Duke of Burgundy sent also an ambassador to the Lord Charles, to desire him not to accept of any other appanage but Champagne and Brie, since they were granted upon his interposition. He also reminded him of the friendship which he had always shown him, and that even when he had deserted the Duke of Burgundy, the duke could not be tempted to retaliate as he had observed others had done, but had comprehended the Duke of Bretagne in the treaty of peace as his ally[268]; besides, he ordered his agents to acquaint him, that the situation of Champagne and Brie was very commodious for them both, and if the king should ever attempt to resume his gift, in a day’s time he might have succours out of Burgundy, for those countries were contiguous; besides, all the taxes, subsidies, and revenues, would accrue wholly to him, and nothing to the king, but the bare homage and sovereignty.

This Lord Charles of France was a person who did little or nothing of himself, but in all things was governed and managed by other people, though he was then above twenty-five years of age. In this manner that winter passed, being half spent before the king left us. Messengers were passing continually about this appanage. The king resolved upon no terms to suffer his brother to enjoy what he had promised, for he did not like that the Duke of Burgundy and he should be such near neighbours. Whereupon the king proposed to the Lord Charles to accept of Guienne and La Rochelle (which is almost all Aquitaine, and more valuable than Brie and Champagne). Charles was afraid of disobliging the Duke of Burgundy; he feared also that if he should comply, and the king afterwards not stand to his word, he should lose friend and fortune both, and leave himself nothing to depend upon.

The king (who in such affairs was the wisest prince of that age), perceiving that he would lose time, unless he could make interest with some of those who were in credit with his brother, addressed himself to Odet de Rye, Lord of Lescut, and since[269] Count of Comminges (who was born and married in the country of Guienne), desiring him that he would be pleased to use his interest with his master to persuade him to accept of that for his appanage; it being much larger and of a greater revenue than what he demanded; which would be the only means to make them live in perfect peace and harmony together like good friends and brothers, and for which all his servants would reap no inconsiderable advantage, but more particularly himself; and, as to the investiture, he was ready to grant it him presently. The Lord Charles being wheedled and cajoled in this way, was easily persuaded to accept of Guienne[270], to the great dissatisfaction of the Duke of Burgundy and his ambassadors in France. Cardinal Balue, Bishop of Angers, and the Bishop of Verdun[271], were arrested and imprisoned, because the cardinal had written to the Duke of Guienne not to accept of any other share than that which was assigned to him by the treaty at Peronne, which the king had promised and sworn to observe. Besides, he added several other arguments to induce him to it, which were directly contrary to the king’s designs. So the Lord Charles of France was created Duke of Guienne in the year 1469, and put into peaceable possession of that country, with the government of La Rochelle; after which the king and he had a meeting[272], and conversed together a long time.