CHAP. XLIX.
DUKE WILLIAM, COUNT OF HAINAULT, DIES AT BOUCHAIN.—JOHN OF BAVARIA DECLARES WAR AGAINST HIS NIECE, DAUGHTER TO THE LATE DUKE WILLIAM.
At the commencement of this year, duke William and his duchess, after their return from Compiegne, went to visit the duke of Burgundy at Douay, when many conferences were holden on the state of public affairs, and on the answers duke William had received from the queen of France and the king's ministers. When these were ended, duke William returned to his castle of Bouchain, where he was seized with a violent illness that put an end to his life in a few days. His body was carried to Valenciennes, and buried in the church of the minorite friars. He left one only daughter by the duchess, called Jacquelina of Bavaria, who, as his legal heiress, took possession of all his inheritances, which fell to her on the decease of the duke. Nevertheless, John of Bavaria, her uncle on her father's side, made opposition to this, on pretence that the succession of the late duke Albert, his father had not been fairly divided in regard to him; adding, that Jacquelina could not lawfully succeed to the country of Holland,—and, with the consent of the inhabitants, he gained possession of Dordrecht and some other towns, which acknowledged him for their lord.
He soon after declared open war against her, and resigned into the hands of the pope his bishoprick of Liege, which bishopric was put into commission. He made this resignation to strengthen his claims against his niece,—and shortly married the duchess of Luxembourg, the widow of duke Anthony of Brabant, brother to the duke of Burgundy.
[CHAP. L.]
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY SENDS LETTERS TO MANY OF THE PRINCIPAL TOWNS IN FRANCE, DESCRIBING THE STATE OF THOSE WHO GOVERN THE KINGDOM.
In these days, the duke of Burgundy sent letters, open and closed, to many of the chief towns in France, to stir them to rebellion, and to join his faction,—which letters were of the following tenour:
'John duke of Burgundy, count of Flanders and Artois, palatine of Burgundy, lord of Salines and Mechlin, to all to whom these presents shall come, health and peace.
'Whereas, by divine grace, we had in former times the government of the kingdom of France; but since we have withdrawn ourselves therefrom, persons of low degree, and of doubtful birth, have seized the management of public affairs, with the sole intent of appropriating to themselves by open or secret means the treasure of the realm,—and so outrageous has been their conduct that my lord the king, his family and officers were kept in the utmost penury. They neither paid nor suffered to be paid the usual royal charities, nor did they see to the repairs and maintenance of the various garrisons, with things absolutely necessary for them; for notwithstanding the immense sums yearly raised by taxes and loans, scarcely any part of them were applied to public uses, or for the welfare of the kingdom.
'We therefore, having fully considered all these matters, and how nearly we are by blood connected with my lord the king, being his cousin-german, and holding from him the duchy of Burgundy and counties of Flanders and Artois, and that we are in a double degree father and dean of the peers of France, and that our various and great obligations to him and to his crown are well known, have determined to provide a sufficient remedy for the above evils, and that restitution be made to the public treasury to the utmost of our power.
'We have had the above facts demonstrated by our ambassadors, in the presence of the grand council at the Louvre in Paris, presided by our very dear lord and son the duke of Acquitaine lately deceased, whose soul may God pardon! requesting at the same time, that from his good sense and for the acquittal of his conscience, he would check these said abuses, and attend to the better government of the state. In this matter we were joined by the members of the university of Paris, who sent us letters to that effect, and which were publicly read in the church of St Genevieve at Paris; and at that time there were appearances that our remonstrances would be listened to.
'But their real intentions were otherwise; for it is notorious that we have met with nothing but tricks and dissimulations of all sorts, and perseverance in their evil government, whence have proceeded these intestine wars; although we have never ceased to urge our remonstrances against the present ministers, by able clerks, as well of the parliament and university as otherwise, by prudent knights, and other wise citizens, in whose presence ordinances were published by our said lord the king, and sworn to in his court of justice, without any novelties being introduced or exception of persons made.
'Nevertheless, grievous as it may be to relate, the contrary to these ordinances has been done; and it is a well-known fact, that the wretches have found means to keep me from the presence of our said lord the king. Soon after these edicts were annulled, and every sort of disorder was committed, taxes upon taxes were laid, loans on loans, reductions of offices, banishments, beheadings, and innumerable despotic acts done, to the very great dissatisfaction of my said well-beloved lord and son lately deceased, and to which he had resolved to put an end, by ordering us to come to him with a competent number of men at arms, notwithstanding any orders we might receive to the contrary; and, as proofs thereof, I have in my possession three letters written and signed with his own hand, containing the above commands.
'In obedience to these orders, we came to St Denis, and advanced toward the town of Paris but could not gain admittance to his person; for the affair was become known to the aforesaid evil advisers, who instantly laid hands on our very redoubted lord and his son, confining them in the castle of the Louvre for a considerable time, with the draw-bridges raised, and gates closed. They also imprisoned the greater part of the king's servants, thus illegally depriving them of their liberties, although they had certain intelligence upwards of a year prior to this, that the enemies of the kingdom were preparing to invade it; but, through their damnable avarice and concupiscence of wealth, they made no provision whatever to resist them. Hence it happened that our said lord and king has lost one of the finest sea ports in his realm, the key to his country, and has suffered the almost total destruction of his chivalry; and none can foresee the infinitive misfortunes that may now ensue, but which God avert.
'We also, bound by our royal duty toward our sovereign, have assembled for his service the greatest possible force we could to defend his kingdom, as we are bounden to do by every tie. But the aforesaid evil advisers have ordered several cities and towns not to permit us to enter them, and have forbidden them to supply our men with provision, as if we had been public enemies; but, notwithstanding such atrocious conduct, our vassals and subjects have been, and still are, strongly attached to his majesty's person.
'They have likewise, heaping grievance on grievance, imprisoned a great number of notable inhabitants of many towns well affected to the king, but who saw with displeasure the miserable state the nation was reduced to by their wicked measures. But the worst part of their conduct has been the poisoning of the said deceased well-beloved lord and son (as the manner of his death plainly shewed,) the moment he was made acquainted with their wickedness, and testified a resolution to remedy the various evils they had caused; and this was done to increase and strengthen their authority.
'When we witnessed their fury, to avoid all manner of quarrel as much as in us lay, we retired to our countries of Flanders and Artois, and to our very dear brother the count of Hainault, to explain to our well-beloved nephew, my lord the dauphin, lately deceased, whose soul may God receive! the honesty of our intentions, and the bad consequences that would infallibly ensue if the present public measures were continued.
'We did not expect to have done this immediately, because our foresaid lord and nephew was in Holland, and could not instantly come to us in Hainault, from the dangers of the sea: nevertheless, on his arrival at Valenciennes we waited on him, and explained fully many matters, and our desire for a general peace with all so inclined, excepting king Louis of Sicily, with whom we had cause for quarrel that greatly affected our honour and estate: with these explanations he was very well satisfied, as was our aforesaid brother. For the more effectually accomplishing this peace, and for the better considering of other public affairs, they went from Valenciennes to St Quentin, in the Vermandois, and thence to Compiegne; but these wicked ministers, by their deceits, attempted to detain our brother in Paris, when he was about to proceed on his journey toward Compiegne, with an earnest desire of attending to the before-mentioned business, not supposing that any attempt would be made against his person while he was endeavouring to conclude measures of such interesting importance. They would, however, have succeeded in their attempt, had not his good sense provided a timely remedy, by hastily leaving Paris with few attendants. He arrived at Compiegne early in the day, although the distance from Paris is twenty leagues.
'Soon after his arrival, a grievous misfortune befel us; for about vespers of that same day, our very dear lord and nephew was taken so dangerously ill that he shortly after expired, having his cheeks, tongue, and lips greatly swelled, and his eyes starting out of his head,—in such wise that it was a most melancholy sight, considering that such are the usual appearances of those who die by poison.
'These aforesaid rapacious ministers, poisoned him, as they had done our very redoubted lord and son his brother, which we now relate with grief, believing firmly that all the honest and good men of the kingdom will be sorely displeased when they shall hear of these deaths.
'In this state remained public affairs while these infamous poisoners, who governed the realm, would not listen to our terms of peace, nor take pity on the poor people of France, destroyed through their quarrels. In truth, the tempers of these men must be wretched, who are only desirous of evil, and who have broken or infringed six treaties, solemnly sworn to, namely, those of Chartres, Bicêtre, Auxerre, Pontoise, Paris, and of Rouvres in Burgundy.
'We shall not detail, at this moment, how these treaties have been broken,—for it would take too much time, and it is notorious to every one. We only mention the circumstance, that you may be thoroughly acquainted with the wickedness of these false, disloyal and perjured traitors, who add murder, rapine and poison to their crimes, who are without faith, and made up of treasons and cruelty.
'We also make known to you, that we, in former times, bore patiently, as became us, all the insults and persecutions that were heaped on our person,—having in our memory, what is to be found in history both sacred and profane, that it was usual for the friends of God and of the public good to be bitterly persecuted for their virtuous actions.
'Nevertheless, it is our fixed intention to follow up our measures, with the aid of our Creator, and our whole force, with that of our relations, friends, vassals, and well wishers to the king and crown of France; and to prosecute to conviction those who are guilty of these poisonings, their accomplices and adherents, so long as God shall grant us life.
'At the same time also, we shall urge on those reforms of grievances already begun by us, that press so heavily on the poor people under the names of gabelles, tythes and other exactions; and we have determined to employ every force we can collect to obtain so desirable an object.
'To this end, we entreat and summon you, on the faith and obedience you owe to my aforesaid lord, and on your love of the public weal, to eschew the crime of high treason,—and require that you, and each of you, do aid, counsel and assist in the punishment of these destroyers of the noble house of France, who are guilty of murders, treasons and poisonings, as you are bounden to do by every law natural and divine. By your conduct, we shall know whether you possess charity, loyalty, virtue, and the fear of God,—and whether you be desirous of repressing cruelty, disloyalty, vanity and avarice. This can alone save the kingdom of France from ruin. By this alone, my lord the king will recover his power, and be obeyed and honoured, which is the utmost extent of our wishes in this world, and which it seems to us you should be most desirous of also.
'Thus the kingdom will be at peace, the churches supported, the wicked punished, and the injuries done to the people will cease. Surely these are objects more worthy and fit to occupy your attention than seeking the favour of these false and infamous traitors, in contempt of the grace God.
'Doubt not of our intention to revenge the insults that have been shewn us; for we promise, on the faith and loyalty we owe to God, to our aforesaid lord, and to the public welfare of his realm, that our sole bent and will is to prevent, to the utmost of our power, my aforesaid lord and his kingdom from being completely destroyed, which these disloyal traitors are compassing to accomplish,—and that satisfactory justice be done on them, according to the advice and opinions of those who shall assist us in these our intentions. For this end, we offer peace to all who shall be inclined to accept of it from us, excepting Louis king of Sicily, for the better prosecution of our intentions to support the king and his realm,—being resolved to persist in these loyal measures until death, without offering any conciliatory terms to these profligate traitors and poisoners.
'This business has been too long delayed; for it may be clearly seen that the aforesaid traitors are determined on the total ruin of the royal house of France and the whole of the nobility, and that they are resolved to deliver up the kingdom to foreigners; but we have firm reliance and hope in God, who knows the secrets of every heart! that we shall obtain a happy issue to our enterprise by means of the good and faithful subjects of the realm, whom in this case we will support to the utmost of our power, and maintain for ever in the fullest enjoyment of their liberties and franchises.
'We will also exert ourselves that in future no taxes, impositions and gabelles, may be ever again paid in France; and we will proceed against all who shall say or act to the contrary by fire and sword, whether they be universities, corporations, chapters, colleges, nobles, or any others, of whatever condition they may be.
'In testimony whereof, we have signed these presents with our own hand and our privy seal, in the absence of the great seal, in our castle of Hesdin, the 24th day of April, 1417, after Easter.'
These letters were sent to the towns of Montrieul, St Riquier, Abbeville, Dourlens, Amiens, Corbie, St Quentin, Roye, Mondidier, Beauvais, and to many other places; and by their means several principal towns and corporations were strongly excited against those who then governed the king.
[CHAP. LI.]
SIR LOUIS BOURDON, KNIGHT, IS ARRESTED AND EXECUTED.—THE QUEEN OF FRANCE IS BANISHED TO BLOIS, AND THENCE TO TOURS.
About this time, while the queen of France resided with her court at the castle of Vincennes, she was visited by the king her lord. On his return to Paris in the evening, he met sir Louis Bourdon, knight, coming thence, and going to Vincennes, who, on passing very near the king, made a slight inclination of his head as he rode by, and gaily pursued his road. The king instantly ordered the provost of Paris to follow and arrest him, and to take especial care to give a good account of him. The provost performed his duty in obeying this command, and confined sir Louis in the Châtelet of Paris, where he was, by command of the king, very severely tortured, and then drowned in the Seine.
Some few days after, by orders from the king, the dauphin, and those who governed in Paris, the queen, accompanied by her sister-in-law the duchess of Bavaria, was banished to Blois, and thence to reside at Tours in Touraine, with a very private establishment. She was placed under the guard of master Willian Torel, master John Picard, and master Laurence du Puys, without whose consent she could not do any thing, not even write a letter, however pressing the occasion.
She thus lived a considerable time very unpleasantly, expecting, however, daily to receive worse treatment. The dauphin, by the advice of his ministers, took possession of the immense sums of money the queen had placed in different hands in Paris. The three above-mentioned warders of the queen had been appointed by those who governed the king and the dauphin to prevent her from intriguing, or plotting any thing to their prejudice.
[CHAP. LII.]
THE COMMONALTY OF ROUEN PUT TO DEATH THEIR BAILIFF, SIR RAOUL DE GAUCOURT.—THEY SEIZE THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TOWN.—THE ARRIVAL OF THE DAUPHIN AT ROUEN.
In these days, by the instigation of the partisans of the duke of Burgundy, some wicked persons of the lower ranks in the town of Rouen rose in rebellion. The leader was one Alain Blanchart, who was afterward governor of the town. They first went armed, and with staves, to the house of the king's bailiff, sir Raoul de Gaucourt knight, at whose door they knocked loudly, and said to those within, (although it was about ten o'clock at night), 'We want to speak to my lord the bailiff, to deliver up to him a traitor whom we have just arrested in the town,' the servants bade them detain their prisoner in safe custody until the morrow: however, in consequence of their importunity and violence, the door was opened to them.
The bailiff instantly arose from his bed, and, having wrapped himself up in a large cloak, came to speak to them; but he had no sooner made his appearance, than some of the party, who had disguised their faces, cruelly murdered him.
They then left the house, and went to that of his lieutenant, John Leger, whom they also put to death, and thence to different parts of the town, and killed ten other persons; but many of the municipal officers, such as the viscount and receiver-general, having had information, of what was passing, fled to the castle, into which they were admitted by sir James de Bourbon the governor.
On the morrow-morning, the commonalty again assembled in great numbers, and marched in arms to the castle, with the intent of forcing an entrance, but were prevented by the governor, who had under his command one hundred of the king's troops to defend it. At length, after many parleys, it was agreed that sixteen of the most notable citizens should be admitted, to remonstrate with the governor on some matters that much concerned him.
Upon their admittance, they offered many excuses for the murder of the bailiff, and of the others, declaring that the whole commonalty of the town would be rejoiced if the perpetrators could be discovered and punished. They were greatly alarmed as to the conduct of the king and the dauphin when they should hear of these deaths, and requested the governor would permit them to have the guard of the castle, but it was refused. They then required that the gate which led to the country should be shut up, which was also refused.
Upon this they declared, that should the king and the dauphin attempt to enter their town with an army, admittance should be denied,—at the same time beseeching the governor to apologise for them to the king and the dauphin. The governor replied, that he would make excuses for them in proper time and place, provided they did not refuse to admit them into the town should they come thither.
After this conversation, the citizens returned home; and, a few days after, what they dreaded came to pass,—for the dauphin marched two thousand men out of Paris to Pont de l'Arche, whence he sent the archbishop of Rouen, brother to the count de Harcourt, to that town, to exhort the inhabitants to a due sense of obedience.
On the archbishop's arrival at Rouen, he found several of the canons of the cathedral church under arms, and inter-mixed with the citizens, to whom he displayed the proclamation of the dauphin. They, in answer, said, that it had been unanimously decreed that he should not enter the town with his army; but that if he would come with few attendants, and engage to pay his expenses, they would agree to it, but not otherwise. The archbishop, seeing he could not conclude any thing satisfactory, returned to the dauphin, and related all he had seen and heard.
Upon this the dauphin sent for sir James de Bourbon, and fixed his quarters at St Catharine's on the hill. On the arrival of sir James, he said, 'Cousin, return to your castle, and admit by the gate leading to the country two hundred men at arms, and as many archers, whom we will send thither.'
The townsmen were greatly enraged on hearing of this reinforcement being admitted into the castle; however, within three days, the dauphin, by negotiation, entered Rouen with his whole army; he rode straight to the cathedral to offer up his prayers, and thence to the castle, where he was lodged.
In the course of eight days, a treaty was made with the townsmen, which confirmed them in their obedience,—for all that had passed was pardoned, with the exception of the actual murderers of the bailiff. The dauphin, having paid his expenses, departed for Paris with his army, where he appointed the lord de Gamaches bailiff of Rouen, with orders to inflict exemplary punishment on such of the murderers as should be duly convicted. Some of them were punished; but Alain Blanchart absented himself for some time; and when he returned to the town, he enjoyed great authority and power, as shall hereafter be related.
[CHAP. LIII.]
THE DEATH OF LOUIS KING OF SICILY. THE CONDUCT OF THE LEADERS OF COMPANIES.—THE OVERTHROW OF RAYMONNET DE LA GUERRE.—THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TOWN OF AUMALE.
In these days, king Louis, father-in-law to the daulphin, died, leaving three sons and two daughters,—Louis, who succeeded to his crown, René, afterward duke of Bar, and Charles. One of his daughters was married to the dauphin, and the other, named Yolande, was but two years old. By his death, the dauphin lost an able counsellor and friend; the more to be lamented, as the greatest confusion now reigned in many parts of France, and justice was trampled under foot.
The foreigners also that were attached to the party of the duke of Burgundy, such as Gastellimas Quigny, and others before named, robbed and plundered all the countries they marched through, and every person, noble or not, even such as were of the same party as themselves. Infinite mischiefs were done by them to poor countrymen, who were grievously oppressed.
These foreign companies bent their march toward the Boulonois, intending to treat it as they had done to other districts; but some of the inhabitants assembled during the night, under the command of Butor, bastard of Croy, and made an attack on the quarters of the lieutenant of John de Clau, named Laurens Rose, whom they put to death, with several of his men: the rest were robbed of all they had.
In revenge for this insult, the bastard de Thian, one of the captains of these companies, seized a very proper gentleman, called Gadifer de Collehaut whom he hanged on a tree. However, these strangers, seeing they were likely to be strongly opposed, speedily retreated from the Boulonois, and, shortly after took the town and castle of Davencourt belonging to the heirs of the lord de Hangest. When they had rifled it of its furniture, they set it on fire, so that it was totally destroyed, and thence marched to lay siege to Neuf-Châtel sur Eusne.
Sir Raymonnet de la Guerre, and sir Thomas de Lersies bailiff of the Vermandois, collected a considerable force in the king's name to raise the siege, and to overpower these foreigners; but as their intentions were known the besiegers marched to meet them, and in the end completely put them to the rout, taking and killing full eight score: the remainder, with Raymonnet and sir Thomas de Lersies, saved themselves by flight, and took refuge in such of the strong towns belonging to the king as they could first gain.
After this defeat, those of Neuf-Châtel surrendered the town, which the foreigners having plundered it of its valuables, set on fire, and then departed for the Cambresis, where they did infinite mischiefs.
At this same period, but in another part of the kingdom John de Fosseux, Daviod de Poix, Ferry de Mailly, sir Louis de Thiembronne, Louis de Varigines, Guerrard bastard de Brimeu, and some other captains of companies attached to the duke of Burgundy, crossed the Somme near to Blanchetaque, with full twelve hundred combatants, and, passing through Oisemont, went to Aumale, belonging to the count de Harcourt.
They quartered themselves in the town, and then made a sharp assault on the castle; but it was so well defended by the garrison that very many of the assailants were dreadfully wounded. When they were retreating, and during the night, they, through mischief or otherwise, set fire to the town, which, with the church, was completely burnt. It was a great pity, for it was a town that carried on a very considerable commerce.
John de Fosseux and his accomplices then marched away to quarter themselves in the town of Hornoy, and in the adjacent villages in the county of Vimeu, which district they totally plundered; and after three days, they conducted their prisoners, with the cattle, sheep and pigs, across the Somme, at the place where they had before passed.
In like manner, similar excursions were made into the countries of the Beauvoisis, Vermandois, Santerre, Amiennois, and other districts under the king's government,—in all of which the inhabitants were grievously oppressed.
[CHAP. LIV.]
THE KING'S GARRISON IN PERONNE CARRIES ON A SEVERE WAR AGAINST THE COUNTRIES ATTACHED TO THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.
During these times, the town of Peronne situated on the river Somme, was strongly garrisoned by forces sent thither by the constable of France, in the king's name under the command of sir Robert de Loyre. They consisted of one hundred men at arms well appointed, one hundred genoese cross-bowmen, and the same number of other combatants; and they made very frequent excursions, day and night, over the countries attached to the duke of Burgundy and his allies, bringing to their garrison considerable plunder of cattle and other effects.
In like manner did the garrison of the castle du Main, belonging to sir Collart de Calville, make war in the king's name on all the allies and supporters of the duke of Burgundy.
The towns of Corbie and Amiens, suffered much from these continued attacks; and the inhabitants of the latter town, by the command of the duke of Burgundy, was forced to banish sir Robert d'Eusne the king's bailiff, Hugh de Puys the king's advocate, and some others, because they had acted with too much vigour, and contrary to his good pleasure, against several of his adherents. He had even declared, that he would make war on them if they pretended to support them against his will.
They consequently left the town and went to Paris, where they made heavy complaints against the duke to the king and council, who were very far from being satisfied with the conduct of the duke, who was urging on matters from bad to worse.
[CHAP. LV.]
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY SENDS AMBASSADORS TO MANY OF THE KING'S PRINCIPAL TOWNS, TO FORM ALLIANCES WITH THEM.—THE OATHS THAT WERE MADE ON THE OCCASION.
The duke of Burgundy sent the lords de Fosseux, de Humbercourt, and master Philip de Morviller, as ambassadors, to several of the king's principal towns, with letters patent from the duke, addressed to the magistrates and commonalty.
They first went to Montrieul, which instantly assented to his proposals, then to St Riquier, Abbeville, Amiens and Dourlens; and at each place they had their letters publicly read to the commonalty; after which master Philip de Morviller notably harangued them on the good intentions of the duke to provide for the public welfare, and with such effect that all the above towns formed alliances with the ambassadors, which they solemnly swore to maintain, and mutually exchanged the acts drawn up for this purpose.
The tenour of that of the town of Dourlens was as follows.
'To all those to whom these presents shall come; John de Fosseux lord de Fosseux and de Nivelle, David de Brimeu lord of Humbercourt, knights, and Philip de Morviller, councellors and ambassadors from the very high and puissant prince our much redoubted lord the duke of Burgundy, on the one part, and the governor, mayor, sheriffs, and resident burghers of the town of Dourlens on the other part, greeting. We make known, that we have entered into and formed a treaty of concord and amity, the terms of which are as follow.
'First, the said governor, mayor, sheriffs, and resident burghers, will aid and support the said duke of Burgundy in his endeavours to restore the king our lord to the full enjoyment of his power and liberty, so that his realm may have uninterrupted justice, and commerce an unrestrained course.
'Item, they will assist the said duke to the utmost of their power, that the king and his realm may be wisely and well governed and secured against all enemies. They will admit him and his army into their town, allowing him to have a superiority of force, and they will, for money, supply him and his men with whatever provisions or necessaries they may require, they taking on themselves the guard and defence of the town, and permitting all merchants, as well of the town as otherwise, to bring into it, without molestation, whatever merchandises they may please.
'Item, during the time the said duke shall remain in possession of the town of Dourlens, he shall not arrest, or cause to be arrested, any of the inhabitants, of whatever rank or condition, without a judicial enquiry having previously been held; and should any of the officers of the said duke commit an injury or insult on the inhabitants, he or they shall be severely punished by those to whom the cognizance of such cases belongs.
'Item, the townsmen of Dourlens, of every degree, shall have free liberty to repair to the countries of the said duke on their affairs, without let or hindrance, either personally or otherwise.
'Item, my lord the duke will support and defend the townsmen of Dourlens against all who may attempt to injure them, for having entered into this treaty in favour of the king and our aforesaid lord.
'Item, it is not the intention of our said lord the duke to place any garrison in Dourlens, nor to claim any right of dominion over the said town; but he is contented that the town shall be governed in the king's name, as it has heretofore been, to the honour of the said town, and to the advantage of the public weal.
'The said town engages, on the other hand, never to admit any garrison from the party in opposition to the said duke.
'Item, should there be any persons in the said town of Dourlens who may any way injure and attempt to retard the operations of the said duke, by speech or action, and the same be proved by legal evidence they will cause such person or persons to be most rigorously punished as it behoves them to do.
'Item, since the said town has been of late heavily oppressed in its agriculture, more especially in the harvest of this present month of August; and since many cattle have been carried away by men at arms avowing themselves of the Burgundian party, by which the labourer and poor people are much distressed, and unless a remedy be speedily applied, must quit their habitations. We, therefore, the inhabitants of Dourlens, most humbly supplicate you, my lords ambassadors, that you would, out of your goodness and discretion, remonstrate with the duke on these matters, that such remedies may be applied as the urgency of the case requires, and the people of Dourlens will pray for your present and future welfare.
'Item, for the more effectual security of the aforesaid articles, and of each of them, the said ambassadors and the said governor, sheriffs, and resident burghers of the town of Dourlens having exchanged the said articles, sealed with their seals, and signed by the sworn clerk of the shrievalty of the said town.
'We the said ambassadors, by the powers vested in us by our very redoubted lord, and we the governor, mayor, &c. have promised, sworn and agreed, and by these presents do punctually promise, swear and agree, to preserve every article of this treaty, without any way the least infringing of it, under penalty of confiscation of our goods, without the smallest diminution. In testimony of which, we have affixed our seals to these presents, in the town of Dourlens, the 7th day of August, in the year of Grace 1417.'
[CHAP. LVI.]
KING HENRY OF ENGLAND RETURNS TO FRANCE WITH A LARGE ARMY, AND TAKES MANY TOWNS AND FORTRESSES. THE COUNCIL OF CONSTANCE, WHERE POPE MARTIN IS ELECTED HEAD OF THE CHURCH.
King Henry of England, accompanied by his brothers the dukes of Clarence and Glocester, a number of other nobles, and a numerous army, landed at the Port of Touques in Normandy, with the intent to conquer the whole of that duchy. The royal castle at Touques was speedily invested on all sides, which caused the governor, sir John d'Engennes, to surrender it within four days, on condition that he and the garrison should depart with their effects.
Within a short time afterward, the following towns and castles surrendered to king Henry without making any resistance: Harcourt, Beaumont le Roger, Evreux, and several others, in which he placed numerous garrisons. He then opened negotiations for the surrender of the towns of Rouen and Louviers.
The other towns in the duchy were astonished at the facility of king Henry's conquests, for scarcely any place made a defence. This was caused by the divisions that existed among the nobles, some taking part with the king and others with the duke of Burgundy, and therefore they were fearful of trusting each other. The constable had besides drawn off the greater part of the forces in this district to Paris, to be prepared to meet the duke of Burgundy, whom he daily expected in those parts with a large army.
At this period, by orders from the holy council at Constance, Italy, France, England and Germany, selected four discreet men from each nation, who entered the conclave with the cardinals of the roman court, to elect a pope, on the eve of Martinmas-day. During the time they were shut up in conclave, Sigismund emperor of Germany, and king of Hungary and Bohemia, was seated on his royal throne without the doors of the conclave, having on his head an imperial crown, and in his hand the sceptre, surrounded by a numerous body of princes, knights, and men at arms.
By the grace of the Holy Spirit (it is to be believed), they unanimously elected for pope the cardinal Colonna, a native of Rome. He bore for arms a shield vermilion, having a column argent in the center surmounted with a crown or. He was conducted to the cathedral church, and consecrated by the cardinal of Ostia, dean of the cardinals, and took the name of Martin V.
This nomination was instantly published throughout all nations, for which the clergy and people returned thanks to God, with the exception of the city of Paris; for they were afraid this new pope and the emperor of Germany would be more favourable to the king of England and the duke of Burgundy than to the king of France, his son, the count d'Armagnac and others of the king's council.
[CHAP. LVII.]
THE LORD DE CANNY IS SENT BY THE KING OF FRANCE AMBASSADOR TO THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, WHOM HE FINDS AT AMIENS.—THE ANSWER HE RECEIVES FROM THE DUKE.
The duke of Burgundy had been a long time in making his preparations for a successful issue to his enterprise; and when all things were ready, he marched his army from Arras on St Laurence's day, toward Corbie, with the intent to continue his march to Paris.
On the same evening that he arrived at Corbie, Raoul de Roye, abbot of the place, departed this life, to the great sorrow of the duke. After remaining some days at Corbie, he went to Amiens, where he was most honourably received by all ranks, and carols were sung in the streets he passed through to his lodgings, at the house of master Robert le jeune, his counsellor.
Before he left Amiens, he appointed a new set of officers, namely, the lord de Belloy governor, the lord de Humbercourt bailiff, Andrew Clavel attorney general; and he changed others according to his good pleasure. During his stay at Amiens, letters were presented to him, signed by the king himself, by sir Aubert lord of Canny and Varennes, who said, 'Very noble prince, and renowned lord, it will appear by these letters from the king our lord that I am commanded to enjoin and order you in his name, that you do instantly lay aside the expedition you have undertaken, by disbanding your army, that you return to your own country, and that you write him your reasons why you have raised this army contrary to his orders.'
The duke instantly replied, 'You, lord de Canny, are, if you please, or if you do not please, of our kindred, by the flanders line; notwithstanding which, in good truth, I have a great mind to have your head struck off for having brought me such a message.' The lord de Canny, greatly terrified at this speech, fell on his knees, and humbly begged that he would hold him excused, for that he had been constrained to obey the king's commands, shewing, at the same time, the instructions that had been given him by the king and council.
The knights who surrounded the duke taking the part of the lord de Canny, he was somewhat appeased, but said he would not inform him of his intentions, and that another should carry his answer to the king; that he should not pay any regard to the prohibitions the king had sent, but would march his army to Paris as speedily as he could, and reply, face to face, to his majesty, to all the charges he had made against him.
The duke, notwithstanding, ordered his council to draw up separate answers to the articles of the instructions given to the lord de Canny, as well as to the different charges made by the king which he gave to the lord de Canny, making him at the same time promise that he would deliver this writing into the hands of the king and of none other. It contained also the names of the traitors in the king's council, and such of his officers as wished the destruction of the duke.
The lord de Canny, having finished his business, left Amiens and returned to the king at Paris.
Here follow the instructions given to sir Aubert de Canny lord de Varennes in the name of the king and council, prescribing his mode of proceeding with the duke of Burgundy.
'He will first address the duke of Burgundy, and say that the king and my lord the dauphin are greatly astonished at his conduct towards the king and his highness, considering how near related to them he is by blood, and under what obligations he lies to them, as he has often avowed by his speeches, and by his various letters.
'He will strongly remonstrate with him on the open warfare which his vassals, subjects and allies are carrying on against the king, by taking towns and castles by storm, and committing numberless cruelties by fire and sword against the liege subjects of the king, as bad or even worse than his enemies the English could have done.
'He will remonstrate with him, that his officers, and others attached to him, make the inhabitants of many of the king's towns swear obedience to the duke of Burgundy, forbidding them henceforward to pay any taxes or subsidies which they have usually done to the royal treasury, which is an astonishing act of authority against the honour and dignity of the king.
'He will likewise declare, that the above acts having been done so nearly at the time of the invasion of the English, it has caused many persons to suspect they were committed for their advantage, and to prevent the king from making resistance against them, and that the duke of Burgundy is their sworn ally.
'The lord de Canny, for these reasons, will, in the king's name, insist that the duke of Burgundy do henceforth abstain from such acts, more especially from attacking any of the towns in France, laying siege to them, and forcing the inhabitants to take illegal oaths.
'He will at the same time require, that all the men at arms who have been assembled shall be disbanded, and sent to their different homes; for, considering the manner and time in which they have been collected, the king is firmly persuaded they have been thus raised to afford succour to the English, and to harrass the king and his realm.
'Item, to induce the duke to comply, sir Aubert, will dilate on the great dishonour he will incur, and the shame and reproach that will fall on him and his family, should he persevere in his present conduct; and at the same time gently entreat him to consider well these matters, and not to inflict such disgrace on the memory of his good father, who was so valiant and loyal, and who enjoined him, on his death-bed, to be ever obedient to the king and to his commands.
'Item, sir Aubert will, in like manner, remonstrate on all these matters with the barons, knights, esquires, and others who may have accompanied the duke of Burgundy, and to whom he may gain access, requiring them, in the king's name, not to fall off from that loyalty which they and their predecessors have alway shewn to the king and his realm, nor to disgrace themselves by listening to evil advisers, or by any act to draw on themselves and successors the opprobrium of being reported in times to come not only disobedient to their king, but even favourers of the enemies of the kingdom.
'Item, in the execution of these instructions, sir Aubert will act in the most gracious and polite manner,—and, before his return to Paris, will request to have answers in writing from all to whom he shall have addressed himself.
'Item, should the duke of Burgundy, or any of his partisans, say, that those who have at present the government of the king have showered on him, the duke, so many and gross insults that they were not longer to be borne,—sir Aubert will reply, that supposing any of those about the king's person should have done any thing displeasing to the duke, that is not a sufficient reason why he should endeavour to destroy the kingdom, as he is daily doing, nor why he should favour and give support to the English, the king's enemies, at the expense of his own honour and that of his posterity; for he might have expressed his dissatisfaction in a more decent and becoming manner.
'Item, sir Aubert will beside say, that in compliance with the requests of the late lord of Hainault, whose soul may God pardon! and from a sincere wish for peace with the duke of Burgundy and all others, the king had granted many considerable gifts, which ought to have been very agreeable to the duke for they were much to his profit, and to that of his dependants. Nevertheless, the king's hand is not so closed but that he is well inclined to show great courtesy and favours to the duke of Burgundy, and all others in his service, should there be occasion, and should they perform that duty they are bounden to do.
'Item, should it be necessary, sir Aubert shall have given to him copies in writing of the answers which the king made to the complaints of the duke of Burgundy, and of the acts that he said had been done to his prejudice, for him to show such answers to the barons, knights, esquires, and others of the nobility who may be attached to, or in the service of the duke of Burgundy.
'Given at Paris, the 2nd day of August, in the year of Grace 1417.'
'Signed by the king: countersigned, Ferrement.'
Here follows a copy of the answers which the duke of Burgundy made to the articles of the instructions in the name of the king, and given to sir Aubert de Canny, lord de Varennes.
'In the first place, with regard to the astonishment of the king at the conduct which the duke of Burgundy holds in opposition to his majesty, considering how nearly related he is to him by blood, and how very much he has been obliged to him,—the duke replies, that he is in truth his relation and vassal, and bound to serve him before all and against all; and it is from his warm affection and attachment that he is so anxious and pressing to procure a reform in the government of the realm, as well in regard to what personally concerns the king, the queen, and his children, as in the repairs of his palaces the maintenance of strict justice, and a more equitable management of the public finances, as may be clearly proved by various royal ordinances.
'These reforms have been solemnly sworn to be pursued by the perseverance of the duke of Burgundy, in the presence of the king holding a bed of justice; but, through the intrigues of those who now surround the throne, and who shall hereafter be named, these measures have not only been interrupted, and then laid aside, but the finances of the king, his realm, and in general of all the resident subjects in the kingdom, have been most shamefully dissipated.
'They have even attempted to destroy, in body and estate, the duke of Burgundy, his wellwishers, and such of them as they could apprehend; and have employed the arms of the spiritual court against them, to effect the dishonour and damnation of his fair reputation, and of the renown of himself, and posterity; but the duke of Burgundy did obtain from the council of Constance a sentence in his favour, which clearly demonstrates the upright conduct of the duke, and the wickedness and hatred of his enemies.
'Item, with respect to what concerns the subjects of Burgundy, and others who avow their attachment to the duke, making open war on the king's towns and subjects, &c.—the duke of Burgundy replies, that when he perceived those about the king's person were persevering in their rigorous acts, and that they were unwilling to listen to any wholesome reforms for the welfare of the state, and that insult was added to insult upon him, by every violent means, the duke of Burgundy found himself obliged to send notice, by letters patent of these harsh proceedings, to many of the principal towns within the realm, signifying, at the same time, his good intentions, and the means he proposed to remedy them; and it was for this purpose he issued his summonses for assembling men at arms and archers.
'Thanks to God, he had now under his command, for the service of the king and the welfare of the kingdom, six thousand knights and esquires, and an army of thirty thousand combatants, all wellwishers to his majesty, his realm, and loyal subjects.
'During the march of this army, the duke approached several large towns, the inhabitants of which, knowing his good intentions, opened their gates to him. This army has forced many places, full of plunderers, to surrender to him in the king's name, and he has regarrisoned them with good and loyal subjects to the king, who are incapable of committing any thing dishonourable to his majesty, themselves, or their country; and this has been done with the full approbation of these towns and the adjoining countries.
'Item, respecting the charge that has been made against the officers of the duke of Burgundy, for having induced several towns to swear obedience to him, and having afterward forbidden them to pay any taxes to the king, &c., the duke of Burgundy replies, that if he has received the oaths of allegiance from any city or town, it has been done that they might persevere in their loyalty toward the king, and for the good of his realm, to the confusion and disgrace of those who prevent a peace being made, and who are the destroyers of the kingdom. Such as may have joined the duke of Burgundy, and are obedient to him, have been induced so to do from a knowledge of his upright intentions, and a confidence that his love for the king and kingdom exceeds that of all others.
'It is not true, under respect to the king, that such towns have been forbidden to pay any of the taxes due to the crown; but it may have been that they were ordered not to pay them to those false traitors the present ministers, but to reserve them to be employed for the king's service at proper times and places,—and this should be considered as praise-worthy; for of all the immense sums they have received, the greater part have been shamefully mismanaged, and taken from the king to be divided among themselves and the enemies of France, to the irreparable loss of the king, his realm and chivalry, as is well known to all the world. The duke, however intends, when he shall be admitted to the presence of the king, to propose the abolishing of the most oppressive taxes, and that the good subjects of the realm may again enjoy their ancient rights and privileges in a reasonable manner.
'Item, in regard to the charge made against the duke of Burgundy, that his conduct has been influenced by his friendship for England, and that what he has done has been with a view to support the English in their invasion of France, and that the duke of Burgundy is their sworn ally,—
'The duke replies, that such an imagination could not have been formed in the heart of any honest man. The English have formerly invaded France without opposition, (although the same traitorous ministers governed the king and his realm), and to the great loss of the french chivalry. It is therefore to be supposed that since the English gained such success from the weak administration of his majesty's ministers, they intend to persevere in hopes of further advantages; and they have even taken the town of Harfleur, one of the strongest sea-ports in Normandy.
'This ought to be treasured up in the memories of all the noble chivalry attached to the duke of Burgundy, whom these wicked traitors wish to denounce as being disinclined to make any resistance to the English; and, with all due respect to the king, those who shall say that the duke of Burgundy is the sworn ally of the English, lie wickedly and damnably.
'Item, respecting the request made to the duke of Burgundy, that he would disband and send to their homes the troops he has assembled, the duke replies, that now the false and disloyal conduct of these traitors is very apparent, for every one knows that they have not raised any powers to oppose the English; and that it is at this moment more necessary than ever to have a sufficient force for the defence of the king and kingdom, especially such faithful and loyal knights and esquires as compose the duke's army, instead of disbanding and dismissing them to their homes; and it is clear that the conduct of the ministry tends more to favour the enemy, and oppress the king and country. Those noble men who compose the duke's army should particularly observe, that these traitors consider them as disloyal to their king, and enemies to their country. The duke also declares, in the most positive manner, for himself and his companions, that he will not disband his army, but will continue to proceed according to the tenour of his public letters declaratory thereof.
'Item, with regard to the dishonour and disgrace in which he, the duke of Burgundy, will involve himself and family should he persevere in his present line of conduct, and, according to the remonstrances of sir Aubert de Canny, cover thereby his worthy and valiant father's memory with infamy, who, on his death-bed, strictly enjoined him to be ever obedient to the king and to his commands,—
'The duke replies, that his father, of worthy memory, whose soul may God pardon! was, as it is truly said, ever loyal and faithful to the king; and it was from his knowledge of the weak and wicked government of France at the time of his decease, that he ordered his son faithfully to serve the king and crown of France without sparing his person or fortune; and it has been for this reason that the duke of Burgundy has adopted the present measures, as the sole means for the reformation and reparation of the king's government. These measures have not been adopted by him of a sudden, but deliberately, and after maturely weighing the consequences with his council; and should he now change his conduct, he would be very justly blamed and reproached,—for this reason, therefore, he is resolved to proceed therein.
'Item, with respect to sir Aubert de Canny remonstrating with the lords, barons, knights and esquires attached to the duke of Burgundy, on the above matters,—the duke replies, that the conduct he has hitherto held and proposes to pursue, with God's pleasure, has been with the advice and approbation of his barons, knights, esquires, and other notable persons, and he therefore shall give full liberty for any such remonstrances to be made to them; for the more they shall be conversed with on these matters, the more fully will they be made acquainted with the iniquities of those who prevent a peace, and disturb the good intentions of the duke of Burgundy.
'Item in regard to the polite and gracious manner in which sir Aubert de Canny is ordered to make these remonstrances, and to declare the king's prohibitions to him and to his company, &c.—
'The duke replies, that not having any consciousness that such commands and prohibitions were proper to be made him, knowing for a certainty that they are not the real sentiments of the king, who on the contrary loves him affectionately, and is very earnest to see him, having often demanded his presence, he is aware that these false and wicked traitors have drawn up these instructions in an underhand manner, and that at this moment, when the enemy have landed in the kingdom, it is not a time to obey such orders and prohibitions; but this force, as well as the aid of all loyal subjects, ought now to be exerted in the defence of the country. Even supposing the enemies had not effected their invasion, the duke of Burgundy would not have suffered such false traitors to hold the government of the kingdom.
'Item, respecting what is said of the duke of Burgundy and of others in his company, that supposing those who have the management of the king should have done acts displeasing to them, and added insults to insults, these were not sufficient reasons to authorise the duke to endeavour to destroy the kingdom, or to afford aid and advice to the English,—the duke replies, that in addition to what he has before said, and other innumerable instances too long to relate, it is notorious that the present ministers namely, sir Henry de Marle the bishop of Paris, sir Tanneguy du Châtel, sir Burel de Dammartin, master Stephen de Mauregard, master Philip de Corbie, with several others, have been the principal promoters, and leaders in those iniquitous measures, disturbers of the peace of the realm, and guilty of many other excesses and great crimes, as shall be detailed more at large hereafter.
'The duke of Burgundy, therefore, has not assembled his forces to destroy the kingdom, or to favour the English, but to drive the present ministers from power, and from about the person of the king; and he will never desist from this praise-worthy intention so long as life may be granted him,—for they are not such persons as should have authority, not being worthy by birth, knowledge, experience, or loyalty; and it is become a subject of contempt and laughter that persons of such low estate, and of so small a share of knowledge or experience, should have intrusted to them the expulsion of the English.
'The barons and principal persons of the realm should weigh this matter well, and not suffer themselves to be thus supplanted by persons of no understanding or birth; for they have shewn themselves of weak capacity in daily committing acts of the utmost cruelty on the liege subjects of the king, under pretence of maintaining justice and order.
'Item, in respect to what relates to the king having (at the solicitations of the count de Hainault, whose soul may God pardon!) from a love of peace, granted to the duke of Burgundy and those who had served him, many handsome gifts, but which the duke made light of,—
'The duke replies, that from his anxiety to preserve peace and union in France, which he has ever felt and feels from the bottom of his heart, he waited on my lord the dauphin lately deceased, and my lord of Hainault, to whose souls may God shew mercy! and after much conversation relative to a peace, the duke of Burgundy offered them a schedule of his terms for the conclusion thereof, with all who may be desirous of partaking of it, with the exception of king Louis of Sicily, lately deceased, on account of disputes that existed between them: with this proposal, the dauphin and the count de Hainault were perfectly satisfied. For the accomplishment of which, they were to meet at Compiegne, as every dispatch would be necessary, the sooner to put an end to the miseries of war. However, those traitors who surround the king, by their intrigues, protracted the business for three months, or thereabout, without coming to any final decision.
'The count de Hainault at length went to Paris, and, by means of the queen, procured from these traitors a sort of agreement to the offers of peace, with which he was satisfied; but during these negotiations, he privately learnt, that it was intended to arrest him and the queen, and imprison them, that they might manage the dauphin as they should please; and this information caused the count de Hainault to quit Paris precipitately and return to Compiegne, where soon after the dauphin was carried off from this life in a most wicked and damnable manner, which has been before related in different letters patent from the duke of Burgundy.
'After the dauphin's decease, the count de Hainault returned to his own county, whither was addressed the answer of the king's ministers to the proposals for peace, which much displeased him: he said, that since the death of the dauphin, they had changed their minds, and totally altered and perverted what had before been agreed upon. This answer he sent to the duke of Burgundy, who, having maturely considered it with his council, found it was highly derogatory to the honour and welfare of the king and his realm, as well as to himself the duke of Burgundy, and paid no regard to it. Instigated, however, by such conduct, he dispatched into several parts of the kingdom a manifesto, declaratory of the ruin of the country were the present ministers continued in power, and his firm resolution to do every thing to prevent it, by driving them from about the person of the king.
'This declaration he presented himself to the count de Hainault during his last illness, who having heard the contents read, was very willing that it should be published throughout his dominions, saying, that it was well done of the duke of Burgundy; for the traitors that surrounded the king were worse than imagination could form an idea of, making at the same time an offer of his personal services, should God grant him the grace to recover from his illness; and should sickness detain him, he offered the duke the aid of his vassals, friends, wellwishers, and money. He then swore, by a round oath, that if he had not suddenly left Paris, the traitors intended to have arrested the queen and himself, as is now notorious from their subsequent conduct to the queen; for they laid hands on her, and took possession of every thing she possessed, to the great disgrace of the king and of all his family.
'It is likewise true, that when the duke of Burgundy was at Lagny, the duke of Brittany ran great risks at Paris, and was forced to depart thence because he was desirous of procuring a peace to France. The count de Hainault also added, with a great oath, that were the English at one of the gates of Paris, and the duke of Burgundy at another, they would permit the English to enter the city rather than the duke of Burgundy. All these things did the count de Hainault say in the presence of madame de Hainault, my lord de Charolois, my lord de St Pol, the treasurer of Hainault, John the bastard, master Eustace de Lactre, my lord de Champdivers, and several others.
'It is very clear that the king's ministers have no inclination to promote the good of the realm; for they have lately caused the declaratory letters of the duke of Burgundy to be publicly burnt in the courts of the palace at Paris, in which the duke offered peace to all who were willing to accept of it from him, as has been before related. This act is but a poor revenge on their part, and a pitiful weakness thus to burn a few skins of parchment.
'Item, to conclude; that all persons may know the will and intention of the duke of Burgundy, he thus declares publicly that he shall persist in his present line of conduct until he shall have had a long audience of the king, to remonstrate with him on the enormous abuses committed by the present government, and to lay before him the means of reformation, which are such as must be satisfactory to his majesty, and to every honest man in the kingdom,—notwithstanding the duke had offered, by his declaratory letters, peace to all, but which the king's ministers would not accept, and have persevered in their wickedness.
'The duke of Burgundy, desirous of procuring peace to the kingdom, which is in so great want of it, is willing to lay aside all thoughts of revenge for the numerous insults offered him, and again proposes peace on the same terms on which he has before done.'
When the duke of Burgundy had, as he thought, fully answered all the charges made against him in the paper of instructions given by the king's order to the lord de Canny, a fair copy was written thereof, and delivered to the lord de Canny, who took leave of the duke and returned to the king at Paris, carrying the above answers with him.
[CHAP. LVIII.]
THE LORD DE CANNY, ON HIS RETURN FROM HIS EMBASSY, TO PARIS, IS ACCUSED BY THE ROYAL COUNCIL.—ORDERS ARE ISSUED AGAINST THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.
Previously to the return of the lord de Canny to Paris, his secretary had given copies of the instructions, and the duke of Burgundy's answer, to many of his friends, insomuch that they made them public long before they were laid before the king and his ministers. In consequence, when the lord de Canny had an audience, to make his report of the embassy, he was told in full council, 'Lord de Canny, you have shewn yourself very unworthy of the king's confidence, by thus distributing copies of the king's instructions, and the duke of Burgundy's answer, of which this is one of them, that you have dispersed at Amiens, Paris and elsewhere, among your friends and acquaintance, with no good intent toward the king's service.'
The copy was compared with the original, signed by the duke's own hand, and found perfectly similar, to the great confusion of the lord de Canny, who, in excuse, said they must have been distributed by his secretary, who had fled from his service.
The lord de Canny was, notwithstanding, carried prisoner to the bastille of St Anthony, where he was confined a long space of time, even until the taking of Paris; for the ministers were very much displeased that the duke of Burgundy's answers should have been made public in so many places; and whatever they may have affected, they were greatly alarmed at the duke's power, for they had been informed that the greater part of the principal towns, and the commonalty throughout the kingdom, were favourable to him, as well as many of the principal lords and gentlemen.
When they found, from the duke's answers, that he was determined to persevere in his enterprise of marching his army to Paris, to demand an audience of the king, they were more uneasy at their situation than before; for they knew they would be driven from their places, and many of them, criminally punished, should he succeed in his object.
To obviate this as much as in them lay, they caused letters to be written in the king's name, and sent to all the chief towns in France, to command them neither to admit within their walls the duke of Burgundy or any of his partisans, nor to pay any obedience to them. They also placed garrisons at all the passes and other important places; and the constable even remanded his men from Normandy for the greater security of Paris.
Thus whilst the king of England was making good his landing in France with an immense army, as has been said, he found no difficulties in adding to his conquests,—and, from the effect of these internal divisions, he met with scarcely any resistance.
[CHAP. LIX.]
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY CONTINUES HIS MARCH TOWARD PARIS.—SEVERAL TOWNS AND FORTS SURRENDER TO HIM, IN WHICH HE PLACES CAPTAINS AND GOVERNORS.
After the duke of Burgundy had remained some days in Amiens, and had delegated the government of his dominions in Picardy to his eldest son the count de Charolois, with an able council to assist him, he departed thence and returned to Corbie, and continued his march to Mondidier.
During this time, the lady of the castle of Mouy promised that she would no longer permit her people to make inroads on the territories of the duke. He was accompanied to Mondidier by the young count de St Pol, sir John de Luxembourg, and many other great barons, such as the lord de Fosseux and his three brothers, sir Philip, sir James, and sir John, sir Jennet de Poix, Hector, Philippe, and le bon de Saveuses, the lord de Rambures, sir Burnel, and Louis de Varigines, and others. He went from Mondidier to Beauvais,—in which place he was received on certain assurances in the name of the duke of Burgundy, in like manner as had been done at Amiens.
To this town the lord de Fosseux had previously marched, and caused the mayor, sheriffs, and commonalty to be harangued by master Robert le jeune, advocate and councellor to the duke of Burgundy, on the sincere and loyal affection the duke bore to the king and realm, as well as to the whole royal family. He explained the object of the duke's enterprise as being to reform the abuses in the goverment of the kingdom, which had been caused by those persons of low degree and weak understandings, that had usurped the management of the king and his council.
The townsmen of Beauvais were well satisfied with this harangue, and finally consented to admit the duke, and as large a force as he should please, into their town. The duke, in consequence, marched thither from Mondidier, and was most joyfully received, carols being sung in all the streets through which he passed. He was lodged at the bishop's palace, and tarried there eight whole days,—while his army was quartered in the adjacent country, which suffered severely therefrom, although it was abundantly supplied with every necessary.
During his stay at Beauvais, some of the inhabitants from Gournay in Normandy were deputed thither by the governor and commonalty, to submit themselves to his obedience, and to offer attachment to his party. The duke received them kindly, and made them swear obedience and loyalty to the king and himself, which they instantly complied with.
He acquitted them of gabelles, subsidies, and all taxes, as he had done to those of others of the king's towns that had submitted themselves to him.
In the mean time, Hector and Philip de Saveuses, sir Elyon de Jacqueville, and some other captains made an excursion to Beaumont sur Oise, in the hope of gaining that pass; but it was well defended by the constable's men within the place, and they were forced to return by the town of Chambly le Haubergier, where they pillaged from churches and other places, and brought a very considerable booty to the duke their lord at Beauvais, who, a few days after, sent great part of his army to quarter themselves at Chambly and in the neighbouring villages.
Shortly after, the duke departed from Beauvais with the remainder of his army,—the whole of which was so considerable that it was estimated, by those who ought to know, at sixty thousand horse.
By the intrigues and solicitations of a gentleman called Charles de Mouy, the lord of Isle-Adam joined the party of the duke of Burgundy, and delivered up his town and pass to John de Fosseux, Hector and Philip de Saveuses, who placed therein, as a garrison, a sufficient number of their men at arms. When the duke was informed of this, he was very much rejoiced that the lord de l'Isle Adam had joined him, and delivered up the passage through his town.
On the other hand, John de Luxembourg crossed the river Oise, with a number of men at arms which he had at Presy, in small boats, making their horses swim the river; and he quartered them at a village hard by. The morrow, he led the greater part of them to Senlis, of which town sir Robert d'Esne was bailiff for the king, having under him about sixty combatants. He made a sally with his men on foot against those of John of Luxembourg, and a grand skirmish took place.
However, the majority of the commonalty of the town were not well pleased that sir Robert should thus wage war on the friends of the duke of Burgundy: and on the ensuing night, when John of Luxembourg had retreated, the townsmen rose, seized sir Robert d'Esne and all his men, after eight or ten had been killed, and carried him to prison; but through the interference of some of the principal inhabitants, he was permitted to leave the town, with his men and baggage,—and he went thence to Mont-Epiloy.
The next day those of Senlis sent very early for John of Luxembourg, before whom they swore obedience to the duke of Burgundy. He received their oaths in the names of the king and duke, promising loyalty and good behaviour, and appointed Troullart de Moncruel bailiff of Senlis, with other officers according to his pleasure. When this was done, John of Luxembourg returned to the duke of Burgundy.
[CHAP. LX.]
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY CROSSES THE RIVER OISE WITH HIS ARMY AT L'ISLE-ADAM.—HE BESIEGES AND CONQUERS BEAUMONT AND PONTOISE,—WHENCE HE REMOVES HIS QUARTERS TO L'ARBRE-SEC.
When the duke of Burgundy had repaired the bridge at l'Isle-Adam, the greater part of his army passed over under the command of the lords de Fosseux, de Vergy, and de Salnoe, and were lodged in the open fields, and under hedges and bushes, within the distance of a league from where they had crossed the river. On the morrow they decamped, and marched in battle-array to Beaumont-sur-Oise, and quartered themselves in the town, and around the castle, in spite of the resistance made by those within it.
Sir Jennet de Poix, with four hundred combatants under his banner, advanced to a village a league further, and on the road toward Paris, which he fortified, and kept possession of until the whole army was dislodged. The duke of Burgundy was encamped on the other side of the river, and had his artillery pointed to batter the castle of Beaumont from across the Oise; and they kept up so brisk an attack that the castle was damaged in several places.
The besieged, seeing they were in danger of being taken by storm, surrendered to the will of the duke of Burgundy. Fifty two persons were found in the castle, nine of whom were beheaded, and their bodies hung by the arms to trees: the rest or the greater part, were set at liberty on paying a heavy ransom; and the lord de Vergy, marshal of the army, received, by right of his office, all the effects that were found in the castle.
The duke of Burgundy revictualled this castle, and gave the command of it to a burgundian gentleman called John de Torsenay. After this conquest, the duke ordered the van, which was on the opposite side of the river, to advance toward Paris, and to quarter themselves at the abbey of Morbuisson, and other places near to the town of Pontoise, while the duke should encamp on the side toward Beauvais, and by this means the town would be surrounded on all sides. On their arrival, the garrison made a sally, but were repulsed and driven back; and the duke soon after had his artillery pointed against the gates of Pontoise, making other preparations to subdue them.
When the townsmen noticed these things, they opened a parley, and, five days after, surrendered the place to the duke, on condition that their lives and fortunes should be spared. They also promised not to bear arms against him until Christmas-day ensuing; but this they did not keep, for on his arrival at Paris they continued their warfare against him as before.
There were within the town three captains having banners, namely, the bastard de S. Terre, Tromagon and Maurigon, natives of Gascony, who marched away together under the passport of the duke, and, crossing the bridge at Meulan, went to Paris. After their departure, the duke, with a few attendants, entered the town to examine it, and was well received by several of the townsmen, who had been long attached to him. When there, he issued a proclamation throughout the army, forbidding all persons to enter the town but such as were especially ordered so to do. To prevent the provisions within the place from being wasted or destroyed, he appointed, in the king's name, and in his own, the lord de l'Isle-Adam governor of it.
When these things were done, the duke marched away, taking the road to Meulan, from which place terms were offered him; for the men at arms who had been posted there by the constable had marched away, in company with those from Pontoise to Paris.
The duke ordered his whole army to be drawn up in battle-array between Pontoise and Meulan, that he might see it in order of battle, as if in the presence of the enemy. The spot where the soldiers were drawn up was a handsome plain at the foot of a hill; and it was a very agreeable sight to him, for there were a number of nobles and gentlemen handsomely equipped, and willing to serve him against all his opponents: the principal, and those of name, were as follows.
First, count Philip de St Pol, son to duke Anthony of Brabant, and nephew to the duke of Burgundy, sir John de Luxembourg, the lord d'Antoing, the lord de Fosseux and his three brothers, the vidame of Amiens, Anthony lord of Croy, the lord d'Auxi, sir Jenet de Poix, the lord d'Inchy, the lord de Humieres, sir Robinet de Mailly and two of his brothers, the lord de Rambures, sir John de Vaucourt and his brother Louis, the younger de Renty, the lord de Varigines, the lord de Cohem, sir Alliamus de Gappamus, sir Hue Burnel and his son sir Louis, Robert le Roux, Robert de Bournouville, sir Charles Disque, the lord de Fremeusent, the lord de Humbercourt bailiff of Amiens, sir Charles de Lens, the lord de Noyelle, the lord de Longueval, sir Payen de Beaufort, sir Pierre Kieret lord de Ramecourt, George la Personne, sir Hue de Launoy and his brother sir Guillebert, the lord de Briauté, sir David de Brimeu and his brother James, the lord de Saint-Leger and his son sir Mauroy, David de Bouflers, sir John de Courcelles, John de Flavy, sir Elyon de Jacqueville, the lord de Mesnil, Charlot de Dully, the bastard de Namur, sir Gastellain Vas, John de Guigny, John d'Aubigny, the bastard de Thian, Charles l'Abby, Matthew des Près, the lord de Jaucourt, Guerard bastard de Brimeu, Emard de la Riviere and his father Philip, Gadifer de Mazinqhen and his brother Thierry.
From the county of Flanders were the lord d'Estenu, the lord de Comines, the lord de Gruthuse, the lord de Roubaiz, Robert and Victor, bastards of Flanders, sir Victor de Rabbecque, Robert de Mauvignes, Henry de Disquemude, sir Roland de Velereque, Hector de Venront, the bastard de Collequent, and several others.
From Burgundy were the lord de Vergy marshal of Burgundy, sir Anthony de Vergy, Louis de Châlons son to the prince of Orange, the lord de Salines, sir John de la Trimouille lord de Souvelle, sir Regnier Pot, the lord de Montagu, the lord de Neuf-Châtel, the lord de Château-Vilain, the lord de Château-vieux, the lord de Rochefort, the lord de Thy, sir John de Cotte-brune, the lord d'Ancre, the lord de Toulongeon, sir William de Champdivers, the lord de Gastellus, sir John de Digonne, sir Anthony de Toulongeon and his brother Andrew, le veau de Bar, bailiff of Auxi, Henry de Champdivers, sir Gautier de Rupes, Andrew de Salines, Regnault de Moncouvin, Anthony de la Marche, sir James de Courtjambe lord of St Liebault, the lord de Rausse, Pierre de Digonne, sir Peter de Bauffremont, Emard de Viene, John and Clavin du Clau, with many other noblemen from various countries, who, with their men, were drawn up in most handsome array for two hours,—during which time the duke of Burgundy, attended by some of his most confidential advisers, rode along the ranks, bowing to each battalion as he passed, and thanking them most graciously for the honour and service they did him. In truth, it was a pleasant spectacle to see so many nobles with the flower of their men at arms thus handsomely drawn out.
When the review was over, he marched his army across the Seine, at the bridge of Meulan; and then John de Fosseux and Hector de Saveuses, with no more than two hundred combatants, advanced by Val-de-Galie to a castle called Bayne, that belonged to the abbot of Fécamp, who was within it. He made his peace with them by means of his relation Louis de Saint-Saulieu, who was with Hector; and it was agreed that a party of their men should remain in the castle, to guard it against others of the Burgundians,—and in consideration of a sum of money, they gave the abbot an agreement signed with their seals; but a few days afterward, by the consent of Hector de Saveuses, as reported, Philip de Saveuses, and others in his company carried off all the effects, and did much damage to it.
The duke of Burgundy continued the march of his army until he came to Mont-Rouge: whence Paris could be plainly seen. He there encamped himself and his army, and the number of tents was so great that they had the appearance of a considerable town. The duke ordered sir John de Luxembourg to march his men to St Cloud, who, having quartered them near to the bridge, made an attack on a small tower at the end of it, near the town: it was soon taken and set on fire, as well as the mills under the bridge, when some large bombards were pointed against the tower of St Cloud, which greatly damaged it in many places; but it was not taken, for continual reinforcements came from Paris to defend it.
When the duke of Burgundy had remained for eight days on Mont-Rouge, he decamped with his army, and advanced a league nearer to Paris, to a hill whereon was a withered tree, on which he fixed his standard, and thence was this encampment called 'the camp of the withered tree.' He remained here also for eight days; and as many of his men were quartered in the villages close to Paris, several skirmishes took place between them and the Parisians, although no great losses ensued on either side. The foragers from the duke's army scoured the country for eight leagues round, and brought to the camp great booties of horses, cattle, sheep and pigs, to the ruin of the poor peasantry.
[CHAP. LXI.]
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY SENDS HIS HERALD TO THE KING OF FRANCE IN PARIS.—THE ANSWER HE RECEIVES.—THE SIEGE OF MONTLEHERY,—AND OTHER MATTERS.
During the time when the duke of Burgundy was encamped at the withered tree on Mont-Chastillon, before Paris, he sent one of his heralds called Palis, who was afterward Flanders king at arms, with letters to the king and the dauphin of France. On his arrival at the gates of Paris, he was led to the count d'Armagnac and the king's ministers, who bade him address the dauphin, and give to him his letters, for that he could not be admitted to the presence of the king,—which he did, shortly detailing the object of his mission from the duke of Burgundy.
The dauphin, who had been well instructed what answer he was to make, replied in a great rage, 'Herald, contrary to the will of my lord the king and of us, thy lord of Burgundy has already destroyed several parts of the kingdom, and, by his persevering in his conduct, he plainly shews that he is not our wellwisher as he signs himself. If he be anxious that my lord and ourself should consider him as our relative, loyal vassal and subject, let him march to combat and conquer the king of England, the ancient enemy of this realm, and then return to the king, when he shall be well received. Let him no longer say that my lord the king and ourself are kept in servitude at Paris, for we both of us enjoy our full liberty and authority; and do thou be careful that thou repeat what we have just said, aloud to the duke of Burgundy, and in the presence of his army.'
After this speech, the herald returned to his lord, and repeated to him what the dauphin had said, which made no great impression on the duke, for he considered it as the speech of those who governed the king.
When the duke perceived that he could not gain admittance to Paris, and that his partisans in that city were unable to perform what they had promised him, he decamped from Mont-Chastillon, with his whole army, to lay siege to Montlehery. The inhabitants, knowing the power of the duke, and thinking they should not be supported, entered into a treaty to surrender the castle, if within eight days they were not succoured by the king or the constable. They sent information of this treaty to the constable, but it was of no avail, for no succours were sent,—and they delivered up the castle conformably to their agreement.
In like manner were reduced to the obedience of the duke of Burgundy the castles of Marcoussy, Dourdan, Palaiseau, and some other forts in the neighbourhood. During the siege of Montlehery, the duke detached a part of his army to the castle of Doursay, who lodged themselves in the town, in front of the castle, and there pointed some cannons to batter the walls and conquer it; but a large body of the constable's men attacked their quarters at break of day, and slew the greater part of them. Those who escaped fled to the quarters of the duke of Burgundy, crying, 'To arms! for that the enemy were marching in great force against them.'
The duke instantly drew up his army in battle-array on the plain, as if the enemy had been in sight. The leaders of the detachment sent to Doursay were the lord de Salines, the lord de Toulongeon, and some other captains from Burgundy; and at this surprise were made prisoners sir Geoffroy de Villers, a knight from the Rethelois, with fifty other gentlemen.
While this was going forward, the duke dispatched sir Elyon de Jacqueville John de Guigny, John du Clau, and other captains, with sixteen hundred combatants to Chartres,—which place with Estampes, Gallardon, and other towns and forts, surrendered to the duke of Burgundy. Jacqueville remained governor of Chartres. In like manner, sir Philip de Fosseux and Robert le Roux were sent to the lady de la Riviere at Auniau, who promised that she would not admit any garrisons into her forts of Auniau and Rochefort, that would carry on war against the duke of Burgundy or his wellwishers.
At this time, numbers of towns, castles, and noble men joined the duke, in the expectation that he would succeed in his enterprise and obtain the government of the kingdom. In the towns which submitted to his obedience, he would not allow any taxes to be raised excepting that on salt, which gained him great popularity among the inhabitants and peasantry of the countries round. He also sent letters to many of the principal towns in France, of the following tenour.
'John duke of Burgundy, count of Flanders and Artois, palatine of Burgundy, lord of Salines and Mechlin. Very dear and good friends, you have known, from melancholy experience, the miserable system of government which is adopted in this kingdom, as well with regard to the king as the country, by those who have seized the management of our lord the king, without respect or care for his royal majesty; but, forgetful of every thing, they have impoverished his estate, and his own personal wealth, which formerly acquired for him great renown among Christian princes. His government was, anciently, celebrated for the equity of the courts of justice, which was administered indiscriminately to the poor as well as to the rich; but the present ministers have so greatly neglected it that it has fallen off, and is now directed according to their pleasure, while all parts of his majesty's dominions are in a state of anarchy, and a prey to the bitter enemies of the kingdom, by the destruction of the nobles and other supporters of the dignity of the crown.
'Heavy taxes, under various pretences, have been and are raised, to the great vexation and ruin of the nobility, clergy, citizens and commonalty, who groan under them.
'To obviate and reform these and similar abuses, we have taken up arms, as it is well known to you; for we have frequently and publicly summoned these ministers to desist from such practises declaring that otherwise we should ourselves provide a remedy, for the benefit of our said lord the king, so that an adequate provision might be made for his establishment, his kingdom be better governed, and the lost territories recovered.
'And again, while we were lately before Paris, we sent our herald to our said lord the king, with sealed letters, in which we repeated the grounds of our conduct, supplicating him that we might be permitted to approach his sacred person, and make offer of our personal services to him as to our sovereign lord; but the present ministry would not allow these letters to be given to our said lord, and sent them back to us. They forbade our herald to return again, and continue their usual mode of government to the destruction of the realm and of all his majesty's loyal subjects, because they know that we are averse to their measures which are daily becoming from bad to worse. It is this which engages us to persevere in our resistance whatever may be the consequences thereof, that they may no longer continue their wicked practices, and that commerce may have free course, and the kingdom may be governed according to justice. Such is our firm intention that we may loyally acquit ourselves; for it has been pronounced by the holy court of Rome, that it behoves us to attend to the government of the kingdom, considering the unfortunate state of the king and the youth of the dauphin, rather than the count d'Armagnac, or those who style themselves council to the king. In confirmation of this, we have annexed to these presents the decree that was pronounced by the holy college in the presence of a very learned doctor, our ambassador to the court of Rome.
'We therefore summon you in the name of our said lord, and earnestly request you on our part, that you take the above subjects into your serious consideration, and form such conclusions as may be honourable to our aforesaid lord, and to the preservation of his lineage and dominions; and that all his subjects may enjoy peace and justice, and that these our intentions may be adopted by you, is the earnest object of our wishes.
'We request, that on the 20th day of October next ensuing, you would depute to us not less than two well-instructed persons, at whatever place we may be, with whom we may advise with sufficient powers to form any treaties in your names, and in those of the prelates, chapters, and all dependances on your jurisdiction.
'Be careful that herein you fail not, from the love you bear our aforesaid lord, ourselves and his realm. Should you desire any thing from us, you have but to mention it and we will do it to the utmost of our power. Written at Montlehery, the 8th day of October.'
Underneath is a copy of the schedule from the college of cardinals, annexed to the duke of Burgundy's mandatory letter.
'I Lievin Nevelin, doctor en decret, ambassador from the sacred college of cardinals, to the most mighty and puissant prince my lord the duke of Burgundy, have presented to him, on the part of the sacred college, letters sealed with three seals, namely, that of the dean of the cardinal-bishops, of the dean of the cardinal-priests, and of the dean of the cardinal-deacons, which are my credential letters, and which I have explained to my lord the duke, by offering to him from the sacred college the words of the holy prophet David, 'Domine refugium factus es nobis;' that is to say, 'Lord, in times of trouble we seek refuge in thee.' In continuing my discourse from the above text and for many reasons comparing the sacred college to king David, I have laid before my said lord of Burgundy the state of the holy council of Constance, and the labours of the cardinals to restore union to the church.
'I afterward explained to him, that all Christendom was now united, except as it were a single grain in a bushel of wheat, namely, the dominions of the count d'Armagnac, who still obey Pietro della Luna, and whose adherents have been declared schismatics and guilty of heresy. I then explained, that I was sent by the sacred college as ambassadors to him, not simply as duke of Burgundy, but as the representative of the crown of France, and to whom the government of that country legally belonged, to make to him certain requests and propositions from the sacred college; and I mentioned the reasons why I was deputed to him, and not to the king, to my lord the dauphin, the count d'Armagnac, or to the king's ministers. These reasons were, as the sacred college bade me inform him, because my lord the king was overwhelmed with a sore disorder, because my lord the dauphin was too young in years, and because the count d'Armagnac had relapsed into schism, and some of the king's ministers, adherents to the count, were suspected of being schismatics also.
'True it is, that the said count d'Armagnac has not been pronounced schismatic; but at the public sessions of the council, when Pietro della Luna was dethroned and declared schismatic and heretic, he was personally accused by the king of the Romans, and the procureur-fiscal of the said council, and has since relapsed into schism, notwithstanding the frivolous excuses made in his behalf by master John Gerson.
'I made three requests to my said lord of Burgundy; the first was, that he would be pleased to have in his protection the sacred college, the pope, and the proceedings of the said general council, by guarding and maintaining them in their ancient rights, liberties and privileges. Secondly, that should any one write, or cause to be written in time to come, any things against the said holy college or pope, he would not give faith to such writings. Thirdly, that my said lord would approve of whatever acts the said sacred college should issue, as well touching the election of the pope as the reformation of the holy church.' At the end of this schedule, the said Lieven had put his sign-manual.
[CHAP. LXII.]
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY LAYS SIEGE TO CORBEIL.—HE MARCHES THENCE TO CHARTRES AND INTO TOURAINE, ON THE SUMMONS OF THE QUEEN OF FRANCE, WHO ACCOMPANIES HIM ON HIS RETURN.
When the duke of Burgundy had submitted to his obedience the castle of Montlehery, and re-furnished it with provision and stores, he marched his army to lay siege to Corbeil on the side toward Montlehery. He planted many cannons and other engines to batter it in vain; for the constable and the king's ministers had strongly garrisoned the place with men at arms, who made a vigorous defence against the duke, and daily slew his men by their cannon and other shot. The garrison was continually supplied, as well by land as by water, with provision, ammunition, and all other necessary articles.
In short, after the duke had remained about three weeks before Corbeil, seeing he was unable to conquer it, and that his army was much harrassed by the continued rains, and by an epidemic disorder which carried off many, he raised the siege, and departed from before Corbeil on the 28th day of October, taking the road to Chartres.
The duke left behind, in his camp, many warlike engines, and great quantities of provision which merchants had brought to his army: all of these things the besieged carried into their town, on the departure of the duke, and were highly rejoiced that their enemies had left them.
During the siege of Corbeil, sir Mauroy de St Legier was struck with a bolt from a cross-bow so severely on the leg that he was maimed, and limped all his life after.
The real cause of the duke of Burgundy's breaking up the siege of Corbeil so suddenly, was a private message which he received by a confidential servant from the queen of France, then resident at Tours in Touraine, to request he would come and release her from her state of confinement, as she thought herself in much danger. The duke, in consequence, had sent one of his secretaries called John de Drosay to make further inquiries, and to conclude a treaty with the queen.
The queen promised to accompany the duke provided he would come to fetch her; and, for a confirmation thereof she gave the secretary a golden signet to present to his lord. This signet was known by the duke, for he had often seen it; and on his arrival at Chartres, on the eve of the feast of All-saints, attended by the greater part of his nobles, and those of the men at arms best mounted and equipped, he suddenly set off, taking the road through Bonneval and Vendôme to Tours.
When he was within two leagues of that place, he sent forward the lords de Fosseux and du Vergy with eight hundred combatants, who posted themselves in ambuscade half a league distant from Tours; at the same time dispatching a trusty messenger to inform the queen of the duke's arrival.
On hearing this, she called to her master John Torel, master John Petit and master Laurens du Puy, her principal wardens, and told them she wished to hear mass at a church without the town, called Marmoutier, and that they must prepare themselves to accompany her. They exhorted her to lay such thoughts aside, but in vain, for she shortly after issued out of Tours, and carried them with her to the aforesaid church.
The lords in ambuscade almost instantly advanced in front of the church, and sent Hector de Saveuses forward to the queen with about sixty combatants. Her warders approached her as she was hearing mass, and said, 'Lady, here is a large company of Burgundians or English'; but she, like one unsuspicious of what was intended, ordered them to keep near her.
Hector de Saveuses then entered the church, and saluted her in the name of his lord the duke of Burgundy. She, in reply, asked where he was,—when he said that he would instantly be with her. After these words, she commanded Hector to lay hands on masters John Torel, Petit and Laurens du Puy: the last she hated much, for he addressed her very rudely, without raising his hand to his hood, and never bowing to her,—beside, she could not any way act without the consent of Laurens du Puy. Finding he could not escape being arrested if he remained, he flew out of the church and entered a small boat by the back-yard, to cross the river Loire, but in such haste that he fell into the water and was drowned: the others were taken prisoners.
All this passed about nine o'clock in the morning: at eleven the duke of Burgundy waited on the queen and paid her the respect that was her due, which she returned and said, 'Most dear cousin, of all men in the kingdom I ought to love you the most, for having laid aside every other thing and complying with my request to come hither and deliver me from prison, and which my dear cousin I shall never forget; for I clearly see that you have always loved my lord, his family, his kingdom, and the public welfare.'
They afterward dined together with much cheerfulness in the said church; after which, the queen sent notice to the inhabitants of Tours, that she and her cousin the duke of Burgundy would make a public entry into their town; but, by the advice of the governor, the inhabitants delayed a little in their answer: however, at last they complied with what had been demanded, when the governor retired into the castle, and the queen and the duke, with their attendants and escort, made their entry.
The duke was handsomely received and entertained in Tours; after which, the queen sent a passport and orders for the governor to come to her, whom she commanded to deliver up the castle, which he did, though much against his will. When the duke had tarried three days with the queen, he appointed Charles l'Abbé? governor of the town and castle, with two hundred combatants for its defence. He took an oath carefully to guard and defend it in the name and on behalf of the duke of Burgundy; but this oath he was very unmindful of, for in the following year he surrendered both town and castle to the dauphin, while he was continued governor, taking a similar oath.
The queen and the duke of Burgundy caused proclamation to be made through Tours, that no one was to pay any subsidies or taxes but that on salt. They then departed for Vendôme, where was issued a similar proclamation, and then continued their route through Bonneval to Chartres, where they arrived the 9th day of November. The queen was accompanied by four carriages containing twenty women. She had only one knight with her, called sir Robert le Cyne, with whose prudence and discretion she was well pleased.
[CHAP. LXIII.]
THE QUEEN, ON HER ARRIVAL AT CHARTRES, WRITES TO SEVERAL OF THE PRINCIPAL TOWNS IN FRANCE.—SOME NEW ORDINANCES ARE MADE FOR THE BETTER GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM.
On the queen's arrival at Chartres, it was resolved that she should write letters in her own name to all those towns that had submitted to the obedience of the duke of Burgundy. A copy of that addressed to the town of Amiens now follows.
'Very dear and well beloved,—you know that by the intrigues and damnable avarice and ambition of some persons of low degree, who have seized the person and government of my lord and his kingdom, unnumbered mischiefs have arisen, as well by the molestation of those of his royal family as by the destruction and loss of many parts of his realm, more particularly in the duchies of Acquitaine and Normandy, where the utmost confusion reigns, without these the present ministers any way attempting to check or prevent it,—but, on the contrary, they have conceived a mortal hatred against all that are gallant and loyal, by confiscating their fortunes, or putting them to death.
'They continue in their wickedness, though they know we are anxious to labour for the reparation of all these evils, and to procure peace to the realm; for, through the grace of God, we are competent so to do, as queen and wife to our aforesaid lord, according to the terms that had been begun on by our son and our cousin of Hainault, those souls may God receive! But they, knowing our intentions, took care to keep us at a distance, that their iniquities might be hidden, and that they might keep possession of their places.
'By such means do they daily apply to their own profit the whole amount of the revenue, without any part being allotted for the use of my said lord, or for the security and welfare of his kingdom. They have, under false pretences and most disloyally, robbed my said lord, ourself and our son the dauphin, so that we have not wherewithal to maintain our establishments, or to defray our expenses; insomuch that they have acquired so great power that all must obey their wills, and it is very probable that the government of my lord and his realm may fall into the hands of strangers, which God forbid!
'When our very dear and well beloved cousin the duke of Burgundy shall have put an end to such shameful abuses he offers peace to all who may be inclined to accept of it, by his letters patent that have been published in various parts of the realm; but those persons above mentioned having refused to accept his terms, our cousin has taken up arms, in company with a large number of knights and esquires, with the intent to drive the above traitors from the government of this kingdom. They, however, to resist the said duke, and prevent him from approaching the person of our said lord, have remanded to Paris all the men at arms from their different garrisons, thereby leaving the kingdom a prey to its ancient enemies the English.
'This conduct clearly shows their wicked intentions; but the greater part of the nobility, prelacy, and the chief towns have united themselves to our said cousin, sensible of the loyalty of his conduct, for the good of our said lord and the welfare of his realm. All who are any way related to us by blood should be warmly attached to our said cousin, for it concerns them much; and they should know, that quitting his siege of Corbeil, he came to set us at liberty, and deliver us from the hands of our late gaolers.
'We have accompanied our said cousin to the town of Chartres, as was reasonable, where we shall advise together on the most effectual means of regaining those parts of the kingdom that have been conquered, and for the preservation of the remainder, without any further dissembling, by the aid and support of all the vassals, friends, allies and subjects of my aforesaid lord.
'For this reason, therefore, very dear and good friends, we ought to have the government of this kingdom, with the advice and assistance of the princes of the blood, and for which we have the authority of letters patent irrevocably passed by the great council, and in the presence of the princes of the blood, such as uncles, cousins-german, and others related to the crown. We have also full and competent knowledge of your good and loyal intentions regarding the dominions of our said lord, and even that you are willing, in conjunction with our said cousin, to use your utmost endeavours, even to the shedding your last drop of blood, for the obtaining so necessary and desirable an object.
'We summon and require you, in the name of my aforesaid lord, and expressly command you from ourselves, that you remain steady to the orders of our said cousin, notwithstanding any letters or commands you may receive to the contrary in the name of my aforesaid lord, or in that of my son the dauphin; and also, that you do not suffer henceforward any sums of money to be transmitted to the present rulers of the realm under any pretext whatever, on pain of disobedience and disloyalty to my said lord, and of incurring the crime of rebellion toward him and toward us. In so doing, you will perform your duty, and we will aid succour and support you against all who shall attempt to injure or hurt you for your conduct on this occasion.
'Very dear and well beloved, we recommend you to the care of the Holy Spirit. Given at Chartres, the 12th day of November.'
It was afterward determined in the council of the queen and the duke of Burgundy, that master Philip de Morvillers should go to the town of Amiens, accompanied by some notable clerks of the said council, with a sworn secretary, and should there hold, under the queen, a sovereign court of justice, instead of the one at Paris, to avoid being forced to apply to the king's chancery to obtain summonses, or for any other cases that might arise in the bailiwicks of Amiens, Vermandois, Tournay, and within the seneschalships of Ponthieu, with the dependancies thereto attached. A seal was given to master Philip de Morvillers, having graven upon it the figure of the queen erect, with her hands extended towards the ground: on the right side were the arms of France on a shield, and on the left a similar shield, with the arms of France and Bavaria. The inscription around it was,—'This is the seal for suits-at-law, and for sovereign appeals to the king.'
It was ordered that the seals should be imprinted on vermilion-coloured wax; and that all letters and summonses should be written in the queen's name, and in the following terms:
'Isabella, by the grace of God, queen of France, having the government of this realm intrusted to her, during the king's illness, by an irrevocable grant made to us by our said lord and his council.'
By authority of this ordinance and seal, the said master Philip de Morvillers collected large sums of money. In like manner, another chancellor was appointed for the countries on the other side of the Seine, under the obedience of the queen and the duke of Burgundy.
[CHAP. LXIV.]
SIR ELYON DE JACQUEVILLE IS DRAGGED OUT OF THE CHURCH OF OUR LADY IN CHARTRES BY HECTOR DE SAVEUSES AND HIS ACCOMPLICES, WHO PUT HIM TO DEATH.
At the time when the duke of Burgundy resided in Chartres at his hôtel behind the church of our Lady, so serious a quarrel arose between sir Elyon de Jacqueville, knight, and Hector de Saveuses, that high words passed between them in the presence of the duke. Within a few days after, Hector collected from twelve to sixteen of his friends, determined men; and in this number were his cousin-german the lord de Crevecoeur, his brother le bon de Saveuses, Hue de Bours, and an arrogant fellow called John de Vaulx, on whose account this quarrel had arisen between them,—for, a short time before, Jacqueville had robbed this de Vaulx, who was related to Hector. These, with some others to the number before stated, one day, with a premeditated design, entered the church of our Lady, and met Jacqueville returning from the hôtel of the duke of Burgundy: Hector and his friend instantly addressed him, saying, 'Jacqueville, thou hast formerly injured and angered me, for which thou shalt be punished,' when, at the moment, he was seized by him and his accomplices, and dragged out of the church, and most inhumanly hacked to pieces; during which he most pitifully cried to Hector for mercy, and offered a large sum of money for his life, but all in vain, for they never left him until they thought he was dead.
They quitted the town of Chartres without delay, and went to a village two leagues off, where Hector's men were quartered. After their departure, Jacqueville caused himself to be carried in the melancholy state he was in to the duke of Burgundy, and made bitter complaints of the cruel usage he had met with; adding, that it was in consequence of the loyalty and truth with which he had served him.
The duke, on seeing him thus, was greatly affected, insomuch that he immediately armed himself, and, mounting his horse, rode through the streets with few attendants, thinking to find Hector and his accomplices, but he was soon informed that they had left the town. Many of the nobles now waited on the duke, and appeased his anger as well as they could, such as sir John de Luxembourg, the lord de Fosseux, the marshal of Burgundy and several more. However, he ordered the baggage and horses of Hector to be seized, and then returned to his hôtel, whence he sent the most expert physicians to visit Jacqueville; but they were of no avail, for within three days he died.
Numbers were convinced, that could the duke have laid hands on Hector and his accomplices, he would have had them put to an ignominious death, for he declared he would never, during his life pardon them: nevertheless, within a few days, Hector, somehow or other, made up his quarrel with the duke, who consented to it on account of the important affairs he had now on his hands.
[CHAP. LXV.]
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY MARCHES HIS WHOLE ARMY TO PARIS TO FORCE AN ENTRANCE.—HE THEN CARRIES THE QUEEN OF FRANCE TO TROYES,—AND OTHER EVENTS.
When these matters had been concluded, the duke of Burgundy marched his army from Chartres, through Montlehery, toward Paris, with the intention of forcing an entrance into that city by means of some of the Parisians his partisans. To succeed in his plans, he sent forward Hector de Saveuses, with his brother Philip, the lord de Sores, Louis de Varigines and several other captains, with six thousand combatants to the porte de Louvel de Chastillon[53], near to the suburbs of Saint Marceau; but, a little before their arrival, their coming was betrayed by a skinner of Paris to the constable, who instantly reinforced that part of the town with a large body of his troops; so that when Hector and his men approached the gate, to enter therein, he was sharply repulsed, and himself wounded on the head by a bolt from a cross-bow. Finding he had failed, from his intentions having been discovered, he retreated within the suburbs of St Marceau to wait the coming of his lord the duke of Burgundy.
The constable did not suffer them to remain quiet, but, making a sally with three or four hundred of his men, vigorously attacked the Burgundians, killing some and taking others. The Burgundians rallied, and renewed the combat so courageously that they forced the enemy to fall back within the town, and rescued some of the prisoners they had made.
In this affair, John, eldest son to the lord de Flavy, behaved remarkably well: he was the banner-bearer to Hector de Saveuses, and advanced it to the very gates of Paris, for which he was greatly praised by the duke when it came to his knowledge.
Several of the partisans of the duke were, at this moment, beheaded in Paris, while he remained in battle-array half a league distant, waiting for intelligence from those whom he had sent in advance. When he learnt that his attempt had been discovered, he remanded his men from St Marceau, and marched his army back to Montlehery, attended always by the young count de St Pol his nephew.
At Montlehery, he disbanded all his Picards, namely, sir John de Luxembourg, the lord de Fosseux, and the other captains before-mentioned, ordering them to the different towns on the frontier, until the winter should be passed. To sir John de Luxembourg was given in charge the town of Mondidier and the adjacent country: Hector and Philip de Saveuses were posted with their men in Beauvais; the bastard de Thian was appointed governor of Senlis; the lord de l'Isle-Adam had in charge Pontoise and Meulan; the lord de Cohen and several more returned to their own habitations in Picardy and the adjoining countries.
The duke of Burgundy went from Montlehery to Chartres, where, having ordered governors for that and the neighbouring places, he departed with the queen of France and his Burgundians for Troyes and Champagne, taking the road toward Joigny, whither he was pursued by the count d'Armagnac, constable of France.
The constable followed the duke for a long way with the intention of combating him, should he find a favourable opportunity; and in fact, when the queen and the duke were lodged in Joigny, some of his captains, with about three hundred combatants, made an attack on the quarters of the lord du Vergy and the Burgundians, which much alarmed and dispersed them.
The whole of the duke's army were in motion, and soon drawn up in battle array on the plain; and a detachment was ordered to pursue the enemy, who drove them as far as the head-quarters of the constable, about a league distant from Joigny. The lord de Château-vilain was one of the principal commanders of this detachment, and pursued the enemy the farthest. On their return, a sufficient guard of men at arms was appointed at Joigny, where, having remained five days, they continued their march to Troyes, and were magnificently and honourably received by the inhabitants and magistrates of that town.
The queen was lodged in the palace of the king her lord, and she received all the taxes and subsidies due to the crown by the town of Troyes, and from all other places under the obedience of the duke of Burgundy. By the advice of the duke, the duke of Lorraine was sent for to Troyes; on his arrival, the queen appointed him constable of France; and a sword was presented to him, on his taking the usual oaths, thus displacing the count d'Armagnac from that office.
The duke of Burgundy now dismissed the greater part of the burgundian lords, and remained in Troyes almost all the winter. He nominated John d'Aubigny, John du Clau and Clavin his brother, commanders on the frontiers of Champagne with a large force of men at arms, who carried on a vigorous war on the party of the constable.