Front matter (continued 5)

Sir John de Croy, who commanded in the Boulonnois, was ordered to quarter himself and men nearer to Calais, on the other side, toward the bridge of Nieullay, when much conversation took place between them and those in the town. The duke, shortly after, countermanded him, and sent him before Guines, where he quartered his detachment near to the walls and gates, and pointed many large engines against them, which damaged them much.

Sir John de Croy was accompanied by sir Galois de Rancy, Robert de Saveuses, and other men of note, who attacked the enemy so vigorously that, for fear of being taken by storm, they abandoned the town and withdrew into the castle, whither they were pursued,—and the attack was renewed with more courage than ever. Before they came to Guines, the fortress of Vauclingen had surrendered to sir John, on condition that the English should retire in safety, with part of their baggage. On similar terms was Sangate-castle yielded up to Robert de Saveuses, who had marched thither during the siege of Guines,—and he re-garrisoned it with his men.

During all this time, the duke of Burgundy was encamped before the strong town of Calais, wondering what was become of his fleet, which ought to have arrived some time. The Flemings were also much discontented, and began loudly to complain of the duke's council, and against the admirals of the fleet, namely, sir John de Hornes, seneschal of Brabant, and the commander de la Morée; but the duke appeased them with gentle words, saying that they would soon arrive, as he had lately had letters from them,—and that hitherto the wind had been against them, which had prevented their sailing sooner.

There came daily vessels from England to Calais, in sight of their enemies, some days more, others less, laden with fresh provisions, reinforcements of men, and warlike stores; and the opposite parties were not so near each other but that the English turned out every day their cattle to graze, which vexed their adversaries very much, and was the cause of frequent skirmishes, in hopes of seizing some of them.

The lords and men of Ghent, perceiving that the Picards were in the habit of carrying off these cattle, thought within themselves that they were strong, well made and armed, and might as well have their share also. On a certain day, therefore, about two hundred assembled, and went as secretly as they could toward the marshes before Calais, to forage; but they were seen and known from their dress by the English, who were not well pleased at the attempt to carry off that whereon they lived, and instantly attacked them with such courage that twenty-two were killed on the spot and thirty taken prisoners. The remainder fled in haste to their quarters, saying they had suffered a great loss, and caused much confusion, for they thought they had narrowly escaped. There were frequent alarms in the quarter of the Flemings, for at the smallest noise they were on the alert and under arms, to the great vexation of their lord the duke of Burgundy,—but he could not prevent it, for they would have all things according to their good pleasure.

At this time, a herald, called Cambridge, came from England to the duke, and, having saluted him very respectfully, said, 'that his lord and master, Humphry, duke of Glocester, made known to him, by his mouth, that, with God's pleasure, he would very shortly combat him and his whole army, if he would wait his arrival,—and, should he decamp thence, that he would seek him in his own territories,—but he could not fix on any day for coming, as that would depend on the winds, which are unsteady, and he could not cross the sea at his pleasure.'

The duke replied, 'that there would be no necessity for the duke of Glocester to seek him in any other place but where he was, and that, unless some misfortune should happen, he would there find him.' After these words, the herald was magnificently feasted,—and rich gifts were made him, with which he returned to Calais.

On the morrow, the duke of Burgundy went to the head-quarters of the Flemings, where, having assembled their captains and the nobles of Flanders, he caused them to be harangued by master Gilles de la Voustine, his counsellor in the courts of Ghent, on the challenge he had received from the duke of Glocester, by his herald, and the reply he had made,—on which account, he requested them, as his dear friends, to remain with him and assist him in the defence of his honour. Those present immediately promised to comply with his demand in the most liberal manner,—as did those from Bruges and the other towns of Flanders.

It was also determined at this meeting to erect a high block-house on an eminence near Calais, to enable them to view from it the proceedings of those in the town. It was instantly begun with oak and other wood,—and some cannon were placed thereon, to fire into Calais, and a strong guard ordered for its defence. The English were not well pleased at this, for they were afraid lest their sallies should be cut off: to obviate which, they made an immediate attack on it with a large body of men; but it was well defended by the Flemings, under the conduct of some able warriors (le bon de Saveuses was one) who had gone thither; and as numerous reinforcements to the Flemings were continually pouring in, the English retreated to Calais without effecting any thing, and leaving some dead behind them.

On the morrow and following days, there was much skirmishing at the palisades of the town. In one of them, a half-witted knight, the lord de Plateaux, was made prisoner: notwithstanding his folly, he was a determined and brave man at arms. On Thursday, the 25th of July, the fleet, which had been so anxiously expected, was discovered at sea. The duke of Burgundy mounted his horse, and, attended by many lords and others, rode to the sea-shore. When a barge having advanced as near as the surf would permit, a man jumped out, and, coming to the duke, informed him that the fleet in sight was his own. This spread universal joy throughout the army, and several ran to the downs to see it,—but their captains made as many return to the camp as they could.

The following evening-tide commissioners, appointed for this purpose, quitted the fleet, and sunk four vessels in the mouth of the harbour of Calais, that were filled with immense stones, well worked together and cramped with lead, in order to choak up the entrance, and prevent any supplies from entering the harbour from England. The fleet kept up, in the mean time, a constant fire against the vessels in harbour, and sunk one. The next day two other vessels, filled with stones like the others, were also sunk at the mouth of the port. But, to say the truth, all these sunken vessels were so improperly placed that when the tide was out many remained on the sand, scarcely covered with water.

The English hastened from the town at ebb tide, as well women as men, and with strong efforts, pulled them to pieces, and what wood they could not convey into the town they burnt and destroyed, notwithstanding a continual fire from the fleet, to the great astonishment of the duke and his admirals.

Sir John de Hornes, seneschal of Brabant, the commander de la Morée, and other lords from Holland, set sail with the fleet on the morrow, and were soon out of sight, on their return to whence they had come; for indeed they could not with safety remain long before Calais, on account of danger from sea, which sailors say is more imminent between Calais and England than elsewhere. They had also received information that a fleet was on the point of sailing from England, against which they would be unable to make head.

The Flemings were much discontented at their sailing away, and murmured among themselves, saying they were betrayed by the ministers of their prince,—for they had been promised, on leaving Flanders, that Calais should at the same time be besieged by sea and land,—so that their leaders had difficulty enough to pacify them.

In the mean time, the duke of Burgundy had sent to summon men at arms from all parts of his dominions, and was impatiently expecting their arrival to assist him in opposing the troops that were coming from England. He ordered the ground to be examined by such as were well acquainted with those parts, for a spot whereon he might best offer battle to his enemies on their arrival; and to be better prepared for every event, he summoned a grand council of his advisers, together with the principal leaders of the commonalty, on the 27th of July, and laid before them the whole of his intended operations, with which they were perfectly satisfied.

But these were wholly deranged, a few days afterward, by the commonalty from Ghent; for on the day the council was held, the English made a grand sally from Calais, both horse and foot, and advanced unexpectedly to the block-house before mentioned: the cavalry were posted between the camp and the block-house, so that no immediate aid could be sent thither. There were from three to four hundred Flemings in the block-house,—and the cries of 'To arms!' were re-echoed through the army, which caused great confusion and alarm. Multitudes rushed from all sides to relieve the block-house, and even the duke of Burgundy himself went thither on foot. But the English made a most vigorous attack, and the defence was but indifferent, so that the block-house was won before assistance could arrive.—About eight score Flemings were killed, and the greater part of the rest made prisoners,—and full half of them were put to death before the gates of Calais, because the Flemings had slain an English knight whom the Picards had taken prisoner while on horseback at this rencounter. The capture of the block-house and its consequences were grievous to the duke of Burgundy,—and the Flemings retreated to their camp disconsolate and vexed at the death and capture of their friends and companions.

This same day, they collected together in different parts, and said among themselves that they were betrayed, for that not one of the promises which had been made them were kept; that they daily had some of their number killed, without their nobles attending to it, or endeavouring to prevent it. In short, they worked upon themselves so much by this kind of conversation that they determined, in spite of every remonstrance, to decamp and return home; and some of them wanted even to put to death several of the duke's ministers.

The duke, on hearing of their intentions, was much troubled, and vexed at the disgrace that would fall on him should he now decamp, after the challenge sent him by the duke of Glocester by his herald and the answer he had returned. He went, therefore, to the head-quarters of the ghent division, and there assembled a large body of the malcontents, whom he entreated in the most pressing manner to remain with him until the arrival of the English, which it was now ascertained could not be long; adding, that should they depart without waiting for the enemy and offer him battle, they would cover themselves and him with indelible disgrace, and such as no prince ever had incurred. With such language did the duke and his council harangue the ghent men, but it was all in vain, for they were most obstinately bent on departing, and listened with a deaf ear to all that was said; notwithstanding, some of their captains answered courteously for them, making excuses for their conduct,—but for which the lower ranks little thanked them.

The duke, perceiving the difficulty in which these commoners had involved him, and the blame which would be cast on him for their departure, it need not be asked whether he was grieved at heart, for hitherto all his undertakings had succeeded to his wish, and this, which was of the greatest consequence, he failed in. He was, however, obliged to endure the rudeness and folly of the Flemings,—for he could not alter their dispositions, although he made repeated attempts to detain them for a few days only.

When he perceived that it was labour in vain to make further requests, he agreed with the lords of his council to decamp with the Flemings,—and informed them, that since they would not remain longer, he wished them to wait until the morrow, when they should pack up their baggage, and march away in good order, with their arms, that they might not be harrassed by the enemy, and that he would escort them as far as the river of Gravelines. They returned for answer, that they would comply with this order; but the greater number said, that they were in sufficient force not to need any escort.

Several of the ringleaders of this mutiny were anxious to go to the duke's quarters, to put to death the lord de Croy, sir Baudo de Noyelle, Jean de Brimeu bailiff of Amiens, and others of the ministers, saying, that it was by their advice that this enterprise had been undertaken, which was not possible, as they affirmed, to be achieved, considering the manner in which the business had been carried on. These three lords, hearing of the mutiny of the Flemings and the plots against their lives, left the army privately, with few attendants, and hastened to the quarters of sir John de Croy before Guines.

The Flemings began on the Saturday and Sunday to strike their tents, and to load their baggage for the march. The ghent men were the principals in the mutiny,—and after their example, the whole of the army and its followers packed up their baggage; but from the suddenness of the departure, a very great quantity of provision and wine were left behind,—and it was necessary to stave many pipes of wine, and of other liquors, to the great loss of the merchants.

Several large engines of war and other stores belonging to the duke of Burgundy were lost, because there were not enough of carts or waggons to carry them away; and for the like cause, a number of things belonging to the Flemings remained behind.

They broke up their camp with loud shoutings, bawling together, 'We are betrayed! Gaubbe, Gaubbe!' which words signified nearly, 'Let us return to our own country.' Having set fire to their huts, they began their march toward Gravelines in a most disorderly manner. The duke, overwhelmed with sorrow, put himself and his men at arms in battle-array to cover the retreat of the Flemings, and kept on their rear until they were at a sufficient distance, to prevent them from being attacked by the English in Calais sallying out against them. He formed his men at arms into a rear-guard, and thus followed the army, which was already advanced as far as the castle of Marque.

The Flemings then marched, in a mere orderly manner, to quarter themselves near to Gravelines, on the same spot they had occupied before. The men of Bruges were, however, very much displeased at this shameful retreat, and from not having horses to carry away their large cannon and other engines of war which they had brought with them: they put them on carts, and had them drawn by men to their former encampment near to Gravelines.

This day the duke sent orders to sir John de Croy to break up his siege of the castle of Guines, and join him with his men at arms without delay. Sir John, on receiving this order and hearing of what had passed in the main army, made instant preparations to obey it, and marched off in good array, but was forced to leave behind many large engines, and a quantity of other things, from want of means to convey them off.

The garrison of Guines were very much rejoiced at their departure, for they were hardly pressed, and would have been obliged to surrender in a few days had the Burgundians remained. They made a sally when the enemy was marching away, shouting after them.

The garrison of Calais were likewise well pleased at their departure, and issued out of the town to collect what had been left behind, and made a considerable booty. They also sent messengers to England with information of this event.

The duke of Burgundy was lodged in Gravelines, very much mortified at what had happened, and complained bitterly of the disgrace the Flemings had put on him to those of his lords who had accompanied him. They consoled him as well as they could, and advised him to bear it patiently, as it was the chance of fortune in this world. At the same time, they recommended him to reinforce all his towns on the frontier with steady men at arms, stores and provisions, as soon as possible, to resist his enemies, who were daily expected from England, and who would, as he might suppose, make every attempt to injure him, in return for what he had done to them; and that he himself should retire to one of the towns in the interior.

The duke of Burgundy issued summonses for all bearing arms to be ready prepared to defend such parts of his dominions as should need it. He then entreated some of the nobles present that they would remain in the town of Gravelines, which, unless well guarded, would, if taken, be very prejudicial to the whole country, promising them, on his honour, that should they want assistance, or be besieged, he himself would come to their succour, cost what it would. The lord de Crequi, the lord de Saveuses, sir Simon de Lalain, his brother sir Sausse, Philibert de Vaury, and other valiant men at arms, complied with his request, and remained in Gravelines.

On the other hand, sir Louis de Thieubronne with his brother Guichart were sent to Ardres, and others into the Boulonnois where the towns and castles were garrisoned according to their strength and importance. Some lords of the council were present at this meeting who had advised the expedition to Calais, but greatly hurt at its unfortunate termination, which they could not help: they were, nevertheless, forced to hear many severe observations made thereon.

When the council broke up, and the above dispositions for the defence of the country had been arranged, the duke again solicited the Flemings to wait a few days longer for the arrival of the enemy,—but they refused to remain from the fear they now had of the English; and some of their captains waited on the duke the last day of July, to demand leave to return to their own country. The duke, seeing that he could no way detain them, gave permission for their departure; for he was satisfied they would never act well against the enemy from want of courage.

They marched from Gravelines, by short days marches, to their different towns; but those from Ghent refused to enter their town unless each man had a robe given him at the expense of the magistrates. This was an ancient usage on the return of the townsmen from war; but now the magistrates refused compliance, because it seemed to them that they had behaved very ill. On receiving this answer, they did enter the town, but much discontented and with murmuring. On marching from before Calais, they had set fire to and destroyed the forts of Balinghen[41] and of Sangate.

The duke of Burgundy, on leaving Gravelines, went to Lille, and thence issued a proclamation for every person who had been accustomed to bear arms to hold himself ready to march whithersoever he might please to order, to oppose his adversaries the English, who were about to disembark at Calais. In truth, the duke of Glocester arrived with his army before Calais just after the burgundian army had decamped.

FOOTNOTES:

CHAP. CVII.

SIR FLORIMONT DE BRIMEU, SENESCHAL OF PONTHIEU, CONQUERS THE TOWN OF CROTOY.

While the duke of Burgundy was employed on the expedition against Calais, sir Florimont de Brimeu, seneschal of Ponthieu, Richard de Richaumes, governor of the town of Rue, Robert du Quesnoy, governor of St Valery, and others in the neighbourhood of Crotoy, collected together about four hundred combatants, and marched them by night to an ambuscade on the shore near the town and castle of Crotoy.

Robert du Quesnoy ordered about thirty of his men to embark very early in a boat and row towards the town, to induce the English to pursue them. This they executed,—and when they thought that they were within sight of the enemy, they made pretence as if their boat were aground, and that they could neither advance nor retire, notwithstanding the efforts ten or twelve of the crew pretended to make to get her afloat.

The English, observing this from the ramparts, thought to take advantage of their situation, and made a sally, in hopes of taking them prisoners; but they were immediately surrounded by those in ambush, who attacked them with vigour, killing on the spot more than sixty-four, and making prisoners from thirty to forty. The party of the seneschal lost several. Thus was the garrison of Crotoy much weakened,—and when the seneschal learnt from his prisoners that but few men at arms were in the town, he collected a reinforcement of men from the adjoining parts, and within a few days made an attack on Crotoy, which he took by storm with little loss of men.

The townsmen retreated to the castle,—before which the seneschal fixed his quarters, and pointed his engines against it, but without doing any damage, for it was wonderous strong. When the seneschal had remained before it some length of time, finding his attempts to conquer it vain, he dislodged, after he had destroyed the fortifications of the town, and marched back his men to the places they had come from, carrying with them all the plunder they had gained in Crotoy.

The English had afterward at Crotoy two boats, called 'Gabarres,'[42] with which they much harrassed the town of Abbeville, and especially the fishermen. In consequence, the inhabitants of Abbeville sent by night a party toward Crotoy in a boat, whence some of the crew by swimming fastened grappling irons to each of these gabarres,—the cords of which being fixed to the Abbeville boat, they towed them to Abbeville, to the vexation of the English.

FOOTNOTES:

CHAP. CVIII.

HUMPHRY DUKE OF GLOCESTER ARRIVES AT CALAIS WITH A LARGE ARMAMENT.—HE ENTERS FLANDERS, ARTOIS, AND OTHER TERRITORIES OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, AND DOES MUCH DAMAGE TO THEM.

A few days after the decampment of the duke of Burgundy and the Flemings, the duke of Glocester arrived at Calais with about ten thousand fighting men to combat the duke of Burgundy, had he waited for him. Since that it was otherwise, he followed the duke to Gravelines, and thence marched into Flanders, and through several towns and large villages, namely, Poperingues, Bailleul and others, whose suburbs he burnt and destroyed, for no one opposed him,—but the people fled on all sides, and none of the Flemings dared wait his coming. He drove, therefore, away great numbers of cattle, with little or no loss of men,—but they suffered much from want of bread.

He passed le Neuf-châtel, and burnt Rimesture and Valon-Chapelle. Having entered Artois, he advanced to Arques[43] and Blandêques,[44] where some skirmishing passed,—and he set fire to every town and village that lay in his way. Marching through the jurisdiction of St Omer, he committed great waste on all sides; and when near to Tournehem, Esprelecques and Bredenarde,[45] some skirmishes took place between him and the different governors: Cavart and other companions of de Langle were wounded. Many captains were expelled by force from their castles; and there were more killed and wounded near to Ardres than had been in all Flanders.

The duke of Glocester now retreated toward Guines and Calais, on account of sickness in the army, occasioned from want of bread, of which they had not a sufficiency; and many good women saved their houses by giving bread, and even got in return cattle, of which the army had plenty, and which they were driving from Flanders. They were rather embarrassed with them; for, not finding water to give them, they wandered abroad and were lost,—and those who went in search of them were very frequently surprised by the enemy when at a distance from their vanguard.

While these things were passing in Artois and Flanders, sir Thomas Kiriel and lord Faulconbridge assembled at Neuf-châtel d'Incourt about a thousand combatants, whom they led across the Somme at Blanchetaque, and quartered at Forest-montier; thence they advanced to Broye, on the river Authie, where they remained four days, and took the castle by storm, which, however, was not very strong, nor of much value,—but it belonged to the vidame of Amiens. Part of the garrison were slain, and from five to six of the English. This capture created great alarm in the country round; for they feared the enemy would keep possession, as at the time there were but few men at arms in those parts.

The English having found in this and in other towns much wealth, and made many prisoners, they returned, by way of Blanchetaque, the same road they had come, to their different garrisons, without any loss worth mentioning; but they committed very great waste on the lands of their enemies.

FOOTNOTES:

CHAP. CIX.

THE FLEMINGS AGAIN TAKE UP ARMS, AFTER THEIR RETREAT FROM CALAIS TO THEIR TOWNS.

Not long after the Flemings were returned home, news was brought them that a large fleet of English ships was off the Flemish coast, near to Biervlict, with intent, as was supposed, of invading the country. The principal towns remanded the men who had been disbanded, and instantly marched with a powerful army and artillery toward Biervlict, and encamped near the sea to wait for the English, who were off the coast.

This fleet, however, was not stationed there for the purpose of covering an invasion, but merely to alarm the Flemings, and prevent them from opposing the duke of Glocester, who was with his army in the neighbourhood of Poperingues and Bailleul. It had on board no men at arms, but only mariners to manage and defend it, which made them no way anxious to enter any of the enemy's ports; and, after hovering along the coast for a few days, it made sail for Calais.

When the fleet was gone, each company of Flemings marched back to its town, excepting those from Ghent, who being discontented at the blame thrown on them, for being the principal cause of the retreat from Calais, would not lay down their arms, and wanted to introduce many reforms, and were in so mutinous a state that it was necessary for their prince to go thither.

On the duke of Burgundy's arrival in Ghent, he ordered their remonstrances to be laid before him. Some contained demands why Calais had not been besieged by sea as well as by land, according to a promise made,—and why the English fleet had not been burnt as had been determined on.

To these demands the duke ordered answers to be given, that it was impossible, as every seaman knew, to besiege Calais on the sea-side, by reason of the danger of the vessels being driven on shore and captured by the enemy. Add to this, that the Hollanders had not kept their promise of assisting him in this business with their shipping. With respect to burning the English fleet, the men and vessels ordered on this service at Sluys had been constantly wind-bound in that harbour, during the whole time.

In regard to their other demands, namely, to order three governors of Ghent to make a procession through the country, with a sufficient force to regarrison all their towns with native Flemings, and to put an end to the quarrels between Bruges and Sluys, and several other points insisted on by them, the duke made such satisfactory answers that they were contented with them; and each laid down his arms, and retired to his home, although they had shown great signs of violence at the beginning. They caused the duke's archers to lay aside their staves, saying that they were strong enough to guard him.

Sir Roland de Hautekirque, sir Collart de Comines, sir Gilles de la Voustine, Enguerrand Auviel and John Daudain, were afterward banished Ghent, because they had declined to appear with the other citizens to remonstrate; and the Ghent men wrote to their castlewicks, that whoever would arrest any one of the above persons, and deliver him into their hands, should receive three hundred livres tournois as a reward, besides all reasonable expenses.

Many ordinances were published for the more effectual guard and defence of the country; and several governors were appointed, under the chief command of the lord d'Estrenhuse, such as the lord de Comines at Ghent, sir Gerard de Tournay at Oudenarde, and sir Gerard de Guystelles at Courtray. Other nobles and men at arms were posted in different towns, according to their rank, as well on the frontier toward Calais as elsewhere, and on board of their fleet.

It was also proclaimed, that no person should, on account of the war, quit the country, under a heavy penalty,—and that everyone should provide himself with arms suitable to his rank; that all the principal towns and forts should be repaired, and well supplied with provision and warlike stores; and likewise that the ditches and ramparts should be examined, and where weak strengthened and rebuilt at the charge of the country, or of those who were bounden to keep them in proper repair. It was at last necessary, in order to keep the commonalty in good humour, that the duke should say publicly to them, that he was perfectly satisfied with their departure from before Calais, and that they had returned by his permission and by his orders. They were most anxious to have this disgrace wiped away from them, because they knew full well that all cried shame on them for it.

When all things had been restored to order, the duke of Burgundy returned to Lille, whither came to him the lord de Chargny, with other noble and valiant men, bringing with them from near Boulogne about four hundred combatants, who were dispersed in the garrisons on that frontier. Shortly after, the lords d'Ansy and de Warembon came thither, with three or four hundred men, who did much mischief to the countries of Artois and Cambresis, near to Tournay. The lord de Warembon led them afterwards to garrison Pontoise, where they remained for a considerable time.

Throughout all France, the poor people and the church were sorely oppressed by this war, for they had no defenders; and notwithstanding the peace concluded at Arras, the French and Burgundians in the countries of Beauvoisis, Vermandois, Santois, Laonnois, Champagne, and in the Rethelois, made frequent wars on each other on the most unreasonable pretences, by which the country was wasted and destroyed,—and the inhabitants suffered more than before this peace was made.

The poor labourers had no other resource than pitifully to cry out to God, their Creator, for vengeance on their oppressors. But the worst was, when they had obtained letters of favour from any of the captains, they were frequently not attended to by others, even though of the same party.

About this time, sir John de Hornes, seneschal of Brabant, who had had, with the lord de la Morée, the command of the duke of Burgundy's fleet before Calais, was met near the sea-coast, by a party of Flemings, where he was attending his private affairs, and accompanied by a few servants, who put him to death, to the great sorrow of the duke of Burgundy.

When the duke had appeased the disaffected Flemings, as has been told, and when he thought all was harmony among them, the men of Bruges suddenly rose in arms, and marched with a large body to besiege Sluys, near to which place they remained a long time. They began by murdering one of the officers of their prince, called Vaustre d'Estembourg, because he would not join the commonalty in arms before Sluys, where they remained upwards of six weeks. Their leaders were Peter de Bourgrane and Christopher Myneer; and one among them, named George Vauderberques, made the duchess of Burgundy and her son quit their carriage, in order that they might search it,—when they arrested the lady of sir John de Hornes, which much troubled the duchess, although the lady did not suffer any thing further. Sir William and sir Simon de Lalain were with these ladies,—but by some negotiation between them and the duke, they returned to their homes, and were pardoned for this and other offences, because he thought that he should want their services hereafter.

CHAP. CX.

LA HIRE CONQUERS THE TOWN AND CASTLE OF SOISSONS.—OTHER MATTERS.

La Hire about this period won the town and castle of Soissons by storm, from the governor, Guy de Roye, on the part of sir John de Luxembourg, who, not having taken the oaths to king Charles as the other burgundian captains had done, conformable to the peace at Arras, was considered by the French as an enemy. The king, however, had granted him a delay for a certain time, to consider of it, and had during that period forbidden his captains to make war on sir John, provided he and his party should abstain from war also.

When news of this event reached sir John de Luxembourg, he was much angered,—for the greater part of Soissons and its dependances appertained by legal descent to his daughter-in-law, Jane de Bar, countess of St Pol. He reinforced all his other castles with men and stores, to prevent any similar accident from befalling them. On the other hand, Guy de Roye, who held the castle of Maicampre, between Chargny and Noyon, placed a strong garrison within it, and carried on a severe warfare against La Hire, in the Soissonnois, Laonnois, and other parts attached to king Charles.

Similar reprisals were made by La Hire and the king's friends on those of sir John de Luxembourg,—and thus was the country oppressed and ruined, as well by one party as by the other.

After the duke of York had gained the town of Fécamp, by the surrender of John d'Estouteville, it was reconquered by the French from the English,—and nearly at the same time the duke of York gained, after a long siege, St Germain sur Cailly[46], when about twelve of the French were hanged. In like manner were the towns of Fontaines sur Préaux[47], Bourg,[48] Blainville,[49] Préaux,[50] Lillebonne,[51] Tancarville,[52] and other strong places reconquered, and the greater part destroyed by the English. After this, they continued to waste all the corn countries round Harfleur, with the intent of laying siege to it as speedily and as completely as they could.

FOOTNOTES:

CHAP. CXI.

THE DUCHESS OF BEDFORD, SISTER TO THE COUNT DE ST POL, RE-MARRIES OF HER OWN FREE WILL.—THE KING OF SICILY NEGOTIATES WITH THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY FOR HIS LIBERTY.—THE ENGLISH RECOVER THE TOWN OF PONTOISE.

In this year, the duchess of Bedford, sister to the count de Saint Pol, married, from inclination, an English knight called sir Richard Woodville, a young man, very handsome and well made, but, in regard to birth, inferior to her first husband, the regent, and to herself. Louis de Luxembourg, archbishop of Rouen, and her other relations, were very angry at this match, but they could not prevent it.[53]

About the end of the following November, Jacquilina of Bavaria, who had married Franche de Borselline, died, after a long and lingering illness. She was succeeded by the duke of Burgundy in all her possessions.

The king of Sicily, duke of Anjou, the duke of Bourbon, the constable of France, the chancellor, and many other noble princes and great lords, visited the duke of Burgundy, about St Andrew's day, at Lille, where he held his court. He received them most honourably. During their stay, a treaty was proposed for the liberty of the king of Sicily, for he was still a prisoner to the duke of Burgundy, as has been before mentioned,—and some of his children were hostages for him in Burgundy.

This treaty was concluded, on condition that the king of Sicily would engage to pay a certain sum of money for his ransom, for the security of which he was to pledge four of his towns and castles in his duchies of Lorraine and Bar, namely, Neuf-châtel in Lorraine, Clermont in Argonne, Princhy[54] and Louye,[55] which were to be given up to the duke when demanded. The duke of Burgundy, shortly after, placed his own garrisons and captains in these towns and castles.

Thus did the king of Sicily recover his liberty and his children; but he had only the two eldest sent to him at first, with a promise that the two others should follow, provided there was not any default of payment. In order that no delays might arise, sir Colard de Saussy and John de Chambly bound themselves, with the king of Sicily, for the due performance of all the articles of the treaty.

When this business was over, the constable of France treated with sir John de Luxembourg, who was then at Lille, that all matters in dispute between him and La Hire, on the subject of the capture of Soissons, should be referred to arbitrators, and that an end should be put to the warfare now raging between them. The term for taking the oaths of allegiance to the king of France, or for declaring for one or other of the parties, was prolonged for sir John de Luxembourg until St John Baptist's day ensuing, on his promising to abstain from all hostilities during that time.

During these feasts, William de Flavy, who had been driven out of Compiégne by the constable of France, found means to re-enter it, with a large body of men at arms, and kept possession a long time; in which at length he was confirmed by king Charles, in spite of all the attempts of the constable to reconquer it.

At this period also, the English regained by storm the town of Pontoise. The attack commenced at day-break, when great part of the garrison, consisting of about four hundred combatants of the lord de l'Isle-Adam and de Warembon's men, saved themselves by flight, leaving their baggage and effects behind them: which conquest was very hurtful to the country of the Isle de France and the adjoining parts, for the English placed a very strong garrison in Pontoise, whence detachments made excursions, and frequently to the very gates of Paris.

FOOTNOTES:

END OF VOL. VII.

NOTES AND EMENDATIONS.

Page 1. line 3. Simon de Lalain.] Either Simon de Lalain lord of Montigny, younger brother of the lord de Lalain, or another Simon de Lalain, lord of Chevrain, son of a great uncle of the former, who married a lady of the house of Luxembourg, daughter to the count de Ligny.

Page 1. line 4. Enguerrand de Crequi.] Enguerrand de Crequi, called le Begue, second son of John II, lord of Crequi, and uncle of John IV, who was killed at Agincourt.

Page 3. line 15. Rambures.] Andrew II, master of woods and waters in Picardy, son of David who was killed at Agincourt and was master of the cross bows of France.

Page 3. line 20. Ferry de Mailly.] Ferry de Mailly, 4th son of John Maillet de Mailly, lord of Talmas, &c. who on the death of all his brothers without issue, succeeded to their lordships and also to the lordship of Conti, which came into the family by the marriage of Colart, third son of John Maillet, to the heiress Isabel. The lords of Talmas were a younger branch of the house of Mailly.

Page 4. line 5. Bousac.] Jean de Brosse, descended from the ancient viscounts de Brosse in the Angoumois, was lord of St Severe and Boussac, and a marshal of France. He signalized himself in many actions, particularly at the siege of Orleans, and at the battles of Patai and la Charité, and died in 1433. His son, of the same name, who succeeded him, was equally celebrated in the history of the day. He married Nicole de Blois only daughter and heir of Charles, last count of Penthievre, and transmitted her large possessions to his descendants.

Page 8. line 7. Lord de Chargny.] Peter de Bauffremont, lord of Chargny, a noble Burgundian, knight banneret, and of the golden fleece. See post, p. 222.

Page 8. line 8. Lord de Humieres.] Matthew II, second son of Philip lord of Humieres, who was made prisoner at the battle of Agincourt.

Page 9. line 19. Lord de Crevecoeur.] James lord of Crevecoeur, and Thois, chancellor and chamberlain to the duke of Burgundy.

Page 12. line 6. Anthony de Chabannes.] Anthony, third son of Robert lord of Charlus killed at Agincourt. Stephen, his eldest son, was killed at Crevant in 1423. James the second, was lord of La Palice; seneschal of Toulouse, and grand master of France, and was killed at Castillon in 1453. This Anthony was at first, lord of S. Fargeau. He was born in 1411, and served as page to the count of Ventadour and to the great La Hire. He was at the battle of Verneuil 1424. In 1439, he married Margaret de Nanteuil, countess of Dammartin, and assumed the title of count de Dammartin by virtue of that marriage. He was grand master, governor of Paris, &c., and died in 1488.

Page 13. line 20. Lord de Châtillon.] Perhaps Charles de Chàtillon lord of Sourvilliers, son of Charles lord of Sourvilliers killed at Agincourt.

Page 13. line 20. Lord de Bonneul.] Another Charles de Châtillon, of a younger branch, was lord of Bonneuil.

Page 29. line last. Quarrel.] Renè claimed the duchy of Lorraine in right of his wife Isabella, only daughter of Charles the late duke; and Heuterus, relating the cause of this quarrel, says that Anthony count of Vaudemont, brother of the deceased refused to admit Renè's pretensions, alledging that the duchy could not descend to the heirs female. For some reasons, however, it would appear probable that Heuterus is mistaken, and that the dispute related to the affairs of the county of Vaudemont only.

Page 36. line 7. Count de Fribourg.] The county of Freyburg became united with that of Neufchàtel by the marriage of Egon XIV, count of Furstenburg and Freyburg, with Verena heiress of Neufchàtel. Their grandson John count of Freyburg, &c. married a daughter of the prince of Orange, but died 1458 without issue.

Page 36. line 7. Lord de Mirabeau.] Henry de Bauffremont married Jane, sister and heir to John last lord of Mirabeau of the family of Vergy, about 1388.

Page 75. line 11. Gilles de l'Aubespine.] Giles baron d'Aubespine was of a noble family in Beauce, and ancestor of the marquisses of Chateauneuf, Verderonne, and Aubespine, many of whom were distinguished characters in the two following centuries.

Page 78. line 19. Lord d'Orville.] Robert d'Aunoy Seigneur d'Orville, master of the woods and waters in the year 1413, who died the year following, was son of Philip d'Aunoy, Maitre d'Hotel to king Charles V, and present at the battle of Poitiers. John, the son of Robert, is the lord here mentioned; he was grand echanson of France, and died in 1489. Le Galois was a common surname of the lords d'Orville.

Page 89. line 17. Magistrates.] The cause of this commotion was the baseness of the gold and silver coin struck in the duke's name. The sedition lasted twelve, not two days only, and was appeased by the promise of a new coinage. Pontus Heuterus in vit: Philippi boni.

Page 92. line 14. Blanchefort.] Perhaps, Guy III. de Blanchefort, lord of St Clement, &c. a chamberlain of the king, and seneschal of Lyons, who died in 1460.

Page 93. line 9. Lord d'Amont.] This must be James lord of Aumont, counsellor and chamberlain to the duke of Burgundy, son of John lord of Aumont, grand Echanson, who was slain at Agincourt.

Page 98. line 14. Flanders.] Monstrelet appears to have been but imperfectly informed of these transactions. In the year 1428, the countess being besieged in Gouda by the Burgundian forces, submitted to a peace, by which she acknowledged Philip as her heir to Hainaut, Holland, Zealand, and Friezland, appointing him protector of the said states during her life-time. It was also stipulated that she should not marry without the consent of Philip and her states. Upon the conclusion of this treaty, the duke departed, leaving Francis de Borselle, a nobleman of high rank attached to the Burgundian party, lieutenant of the provinces. In July 1433, says, the historian of Holland, the countess married this gentleman in violation of her engagement, upon which the duke entered the country, caused him to be apprehended, and confined him in the tower of Rupelmonde. It was rumoured that he would be beheaded; and Jacqueline alarmed for his safety, conveyed absolutely the whole of her estates to Philip for his liberation, in consideration of which the generous robber assigned to his late prisoner the county of Ostervant, the lordships of Brill and south Beveland, with the collection of certain tolls and imposts, on which they lived together but a short time before death put a period to her eventful history, in the month of October 1436. Barlandi Hollandiæ comitum historia et Icones.

Page 98. line 18. Thomas Conette.] This unfortunate heretic was a Breton by birth. Being seized with an inordinate desire of reforming the dress of the ladies and the manners of the clergy, he left Rennes and travelled into the low countries where he preached with so much success that the towers of gauze and ribbons called hennins, which were then the rage, disappeared wherever he went. Perhaps he was spared the mortification of hearing that they were resumed several stages higher, immediately after his departure. From Flanders he travelled into Italy, reformed the order of Carmelites at Mantua, and made himself famous for his zeal and eloquence at Venice. The papal ambassadors reported his praises at Rome; but his ardour for reform which had captivated many others alarmed pope Eugenius, who justly dreaded the consequences of his strenuous assertions, that marriage ought to be allowed to the clergy, and that flesh might be eaten by them without risk of damnation. It was not long after his arrival at the pontifical city, that a process was instituted against him for these and other heretical doctrines, and father Thomas was at last burnt for not knowing how to confine his eloquence to the harmless subject which first called it forth. He suffered with great constancy, and was by some, even among the catholics, reputed a martyr. For further particulars, consult Bayle, Art. Conecte.

Page 105. line 13. Daughter.] Frederick and Iolante. The marriage thus agreed upon was concluded; and the duchy of Lorraine and county of Vaudemont were afterwards united in their persons.

Page 109. line 3. from the bottom. Chasteau-vilain.] William lord of Chateauvilain held the office of Chambrier de France in 1419 and died in 1439.

Page 130. line 1. John de Hingsbergh.] John son of the lord de Hynsberch Lewenborch, archdeacon of Champagne. He was an adherent to the duke of Burgundy, was present at some of his campaigns, and is celebrated as a prelate of vast magnificence.

Page 130. line 2. William de Lalain bailiff of Hainault.] Of this family, "a family," says Comines, "of great and brave men, who for the most part found their deaths in fighting for their native princes" was Otho lord de Lalain, who died in 1441 at the advanced age of 108 years. His eldest son William, who succeeded him in his honours, and was bailiff of Hainault and Holland is the person here mentioned. He died in 1444. Sansay, the second son of Otho, married the heiress of the family of Robesarte: and Simon the third son, has been already mentioned at the commencement of the volume, unless that be another Simon, the first cousin of Otho. See ante p. 1.

Page 132. line 13. Sir John Talbot.] This is the great Talbot, created earl of Shrewsbury in 1442.

Page 114. line 12. Lord Willoughby.] Robert, lord Willoughby of Eresby, one of the greatest heroes of the English army—present at the battles of Agincourt and Verneuil, and at almost all the celebrated actions of the day, was in 1432, dignified with the title of earl of Vendosme, Beaufort, &c. and died in 1442, leaving only a daughter Joan the wife of sir Richard Welles knight. Dugdale.

Page 137. line 15. Viscount de Thouars.] Louis d'Amboise, viscount of Thouars, prince of Talmont, &c. &c., had been deprived of his lands for adherence to the English party, but was afterwards restored to them, and served the king of France in his conquest of Guienne. He was grandson of Ingerger, surnamed the great, who married Isabel, heiress of Thouars, and widow of the marshal de Nesle, and was made prisoner at the battle of Poitiers.

Page 137. line 2 from the bottom. Lord de Bueil.] John V, count of Sancerre, son of John lord de Bueil, killed at Agincourt, and of Margaret countess of Sancerre. He was a celebrated commander, and called le Fleau des Anglais.

Page 137. line last. Pregent de Coetivy.] Coetivy, the name of an ancient family of lower Brittany. Pregent VII, lord of Coetivy, was eldest son of Alan III. killed at the siege of St James de Beauvron in 1424, and of Catherine daughter of Hervè lord of Chàtel, killed at Jersey. This Pregent married Mary de Laval, daughter of the infamous marshal de Retz. He was chamberlain in 1424, governor of La Rochelle, and in 1439 promoted to the high office of admiral of France. He was killed at Cherbourg in 1450. "Ce fut un gran dommage et perte notable pour le Roi, car il etoit tenu des vaillans chevaliers et renommé du royaume, fort prudent et encor de bon age." Hist. du Roi Charles VII.

Page 139. line 4. Count de Penthievre.] Oliver de Bretagne, or de Blois, grandson of the famous competitor of John de Montfort, had been deprived of his large counties of Penthievre, Limoges, &c. &c. but never of the duchy of Brittany, to which he pretended no claim. His brother John lord de l'Aigle was restored to Penthievre soon after, and died 1454. Charles, the third brother succeeded, whose only daughter and heir, Nicole de Blois, marrying Jean de Brosse, the county of Penthievre passed into that family.

Page 139. line 3 from the bottom. William de Coroam.] Should be Coram.

Page 140. line 15. Sir Pierre de Beausalt.] Peter de Montmorency, lord of Plessis Cacheleu, son of John II, lord of Beausalt, and uncle of Anthony, who was slain at Verneuil, and of John in whom the direct line of this younger branch ended in 1427.

Page 148. line 5 from the bottom. King of Cyprus.] Lewis, count of Geneva, eldest son of Amadeus duke of Savoy, married Charlotte, only daughter of John king of Cyprus and Helen of Montferrat.

Page 149. line 10 from the bottom. Count de Nevers.] Charles, count of Nevers, eldest son of Philip count of Nevers killed at Agincourt, was born in the year preceding his father's death, and died in 1464. His mother was Bona d'Artois, daughter of Philip count of Eu.

Page 151. line 15. Sect.] Here is a vast confusion of names, as usual, in the affairs of distant countries. Tabouret is evidently an invention of Monstrelet's derived from Taborite, the general name by which the religious insurgents were then distinguished, from Tabor a town in Bohemia, founded by their leader John Zisca. Protestus may, very probably, be a mistake for Procopius, surnamed "of the shaven crown," a celebrated leader and bishop among these Taborites during the reign of Sigismund, who was slain in a bloody battle near Prague. Of Lupus I can say nothing.

Page 153. line 11. Lord de la Grange.] John de la Grange, ancestor of the lords of Vesvre and Montigni, and of the marquisses of Arquien. Marshal de Montigni, celebrated under Henry the third, was fifth in descent from him.

Page 156. line 6. John.] John of Burgundy, a posthumous son of Philip, and brother to Charles, count of Nevers. He succeeded to the estates of his brother in 1464, assumed the title of duke of Brabant, and died in 1491. Elizabeth his daughter married the duke of Cleves, and brought the earldom of Nevers into that family. His first wife was daughter of the vidame of Amiens mentioned immediately afterwards.

Page 156. line 16. Vidame of Amiens.] Raoul d'Ailly, sieur de Pequigny, and vidame of Amiens.

Page 174. line 8. Mathagon.] This can be no other than Matthew Gough, an English captain of those days, and one of the commanders in the town of St Denis when it was won by the French.

Page 176. line 5 from the bottom. Fled.] John bastard son of the great earl of Salisbury, to whom in his will he bequeathed 50 marks. See Dugdale.

Page 182. line 2 from the bottom. Sir Christopher de Harcourt.] Christopher de Harcourt lord of Avrech, grand master of the woods and waters in 1431, was third son of James de Harcourt lord of Montgomery.

Page 202. last line. Woodville.] Richard de Widvile, was seneschal of Normandy under Henry V; constable of the tower in 1425; lieutenant of Calais in 1427; and 1429, served the king in his wars with 100 men at arms and 300 archers. In 1437, he married the duchess of Bedford (Jacqueline de Luxembourg) without license, for which he was condemned to pay a fine of 1000l. In 1448 he was created lord Rivers; and in 6 Edward IV. (his daughter being then queen of England) was advanced to the dignity of earl Rivers, constable of England. Three years after he was beheaded by the Lancastrian insurgents at Northampton. Dugdale.

Page 202. line last. Restandif. Q.] Restandif, is sir Ralph Standish, who was killed in this battle. Stow and Holinshed.

Mondo Domonfarrant is only an error of the press for Mondo de Montferrant, who occurs again vol. 8. p. 28.

Page 223. line 3. Bishop of Ache.] There came to this convention according to Stowe, Nicholas Albergat, a Carthusian friar, entitled a priest cardinal of the holy cross, and Hugh de Lusignan, a Cyprian (I presume he means Cypriot) Greek, bishop cardinal of Præneste: which, or whether either of these, was the person meant by Monstrelet under the fanciful name of "bishop of Ache," the reader may determine. Q. Auch.

Page 215. line 7. from the bottom.] Sir John Ratcliffe was constable of Fronsac in Aquitaine, under Henry V, and seneschal of Aquitaine in 1 H. 6. knight of the garter, &c. He died before 1441 and left a son, John, who succeeded him, and in 1 H. 7. was summoned to Parliament as lord Fitzwalter.

Page 215. line 5 from the bottom. Lord Hungerford.] Walter lord Hungerford of Heytesbury, treasurer of England, and of the executors to the will of Henry V. He had summons to parliament from 4 H. 6, to 26 H. 6 inclusive, and died in 1449, leaving Robert lord Hungerford, his son and successor, who during his father's life-time served in the wars of France with 29 men at arms and 80 archers, and died in 1459.

Page 216. line 5. Duke of Gueldres.] Arnold earl of Egmont succeeded to Gueldres on the failure of the direct line in 1423. His son Adolph (by Margaret daughter of Adolph IV, duke of Cleves) made war upon him, in consequence of which he was disinherited, and his father made over the duchy to Charles duke of Burgundy.

Page 216. line 6. Count de Vernambourg.] Vernambourg i.e. Virnemburg, or Wirnemburg, the title of a noble house of the duchy of Luxemburg, of whom Robert count of Wirnemburg governed the duchy in the name of Elizabeth of Burgundy.

Page 218. line 12. Du Châtel.] Oliver lord du Châtel, chamberlain of Bretagne; son of Hervè lord du Châtel, killed at Jersey, and brother to the famous Tanneguy.

Page 218. line 14. Sir Paillard du Fiè.] Q. Fai? John Genevois Bouton, lord of Fai, chamberlain of Burgundy, bailiff of Dole, was a commissary sent by the duke on this occasion. It is not impossible that an error of the press may have converted his office of bailli into the disgraceful appellation of paillard.

Page 219. line 3 from the bottom. Cleves.] John, who succeeded his father Adolph IV. duke of Cleves in 1445.

Page 237. line 5. Duke of Milan.] The death of Joan queen of Naples followed closely upon that of Louis of Anjou, king of Sicily, in 1434. The following year, Alphonso passed over from Arragon and commenced the siege of Gaeta; and during that siege the battle was fought of which this account is given. The personages here mentioned to have been taken prisoners, are the king Alphonso, his brothers, John king of Navarre, and Don Henry grand master of St James, the prince of Tarento, John Anthony de Marzan, duke of Sessa, Christopher Gaetano, count of Fondi, &c. The name of Garganeymé, I conjecture to be a blunder for Gaetano; but it is a gross mistake to call him son to the prince of Tarento.

Page 302. line 15. Lord de Bloseville.] Qu. Bonvile? Sir William Bonvile served under Henry V, and again under Henry VI, in the year 1443 with 20 men at arms and 600 archers. He was then seneschal of Guienne, but may possibly have been in Normandy at this time. In 1450, he was summoned to parliament as lord Bonvile of Chuton. He afterwards joined the York party, and was beheaded after the second battle of St. Alban's.

Page 306. line 3. Lord de Torsy.] William d'Estouteville, lord of Torsy, made prisoner at the siege of Harfleur, in 1429, ransomed himself by the alienation of great part of his estates, and died in 1449. John d'Estouteville, here also mentioned, was his son, and succeeding him in his lordship was made provost of Paris and master of the cross-bows.

Page 323. line 6. Duke of Burgundy.] This prince, the second son of Charles VII. died in his infancy.

Page 332. line 4. Commercy.] Robert de Sarbuck, lord of Commercy, (son of Amé lord of Commercy and Mary daughter of John lord of Chateauvilain) married in 1417 Jane countess of Roucy and Braine; and John, their eldest son, here called the heir of Commercy became count of Roucy and Braine by the donation of his mother in 1439.

Page 332. line 3 from the bottom. Everard de la Marche.] Everard III, de la Marck, lord of Aremberg, &c. and, by marriage of Sedan, was of a younger branch of the family of the counts of la Marck, dukes of Cleves, &c.

Page 339. line 13. Lord d'Aussi.] John IV, son of David, sire et ber d'Auxi, killed at Agincourt, and of Margaret de la Trimoille. He was lord of Fontaines sur Somme, seneschal of Ponthieu, knight of the golden fleece, and finally master of the cross bows of France.

Page 340. line 5. Everard de la Marche.] Everard de la Marck. See before.

Page 348. line 11. Sir Louis de Thieubronne.] Should be Louis lord of Thiembrune.

Page 363. line 14. Lord de Croy.] Anthony lord de Croy and Renti, count of Porcean, Guisnes, &c. son of John II, killed at Agincourt, was grand chamberlain of Burgundy and grand master in 1463.

Page 364. line 4. Sir John de Croy.] Brother of Anthony lord de Croy, made count of Chimay in 1473, before which he was lord of Thou sur Marne.

Page 365. line 12. Seneschal of Brabant.] John de Hornes, lord of Baussignies, &c. admiral and grand chamberlain to the duke of Burgundy, descended from the grandfather of William lord of Hornes, who was killed at Agincourt.

Page 398. line 3. Franche de Borselline.] Francis, or Frank de Borselle. See above.

Page 398. line 7. Duke of Anjou.] René, duke of Bar, who had been made prisoner as related to p. 42: soon afterward succeeded to the duchy of Anjou and to the claims of this house on Sicily and Naples, by the death of his brother, Louis III.

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