THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY VISITS THE EMPEROR SIGISMUND.—THE COUNT DE CHAROLOIS TAKES THE OATHS OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE QUEEN AND HIS FATHER THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.—THE SIEGE OF SENLIS IS RAISED BY THE PICARDS.
At the beginning of this year, John duke of Burgundy arranged the establishment of the queen of France in Troyes; and having ordered some of his captains, such as Charlot de Dueilly, John du Clau, John d'Aubigny, and others, with two thousand men at arms, to march to Senlis, and combat the army of the king and the constable, he took leave of the queen, and set out from Troyes to Dijon to visit his duchess and daughters.
Having resided there some time, he departed for Montmeliart, to meet Sigismund emperor of Germany, with whom he had a conference. This being finished, they separated with many tokens of respect for each other, and the duke returned to Burgundy.
During this time, Philip count de Charolois came to Arras; and by commands from the queen and his father, he convoked all the barons, knights, esquires and clergy of Picardy and other parts under his obedience, to meet him on a certain day in Arras. On their being assembled, they were required by master Philip de Morvillers to swear allegiance to the queen and the duke of Burgundy against all persons whatever, excepting the king of France: which oath they all took, namely, sir John de Luxembourg, sir James de Harcourt, the vidame of Amiens, the lords d'Antoing and de Fosseux, the lord d'Auxois, sir Emond de Lombers, and many more, who declared they would serve him with their lives and fortunes so long as they should breathe.
Those who had been deputed from the principal towns were required to raise a certain sum of money from their constituents. The meeting was then adjourned to Amiens where they were desired to assemble,—for within a few days the count de Charolois would go thither, to consult on further measures for the relief of Senlis. The different commanders were ordered to raise as many men at arms and archers as they possibly could by that day.
The count de Charolois was at Amiens on the appointed time, whither also came the aforesaid lords, and a number of deputies from the great towns. There were likewise some from Rouen, who had been sent to request advice and support from the count as the representative of the duke of Burgundy, adding, that they were daily expecting to be besieged by king Henry's army; that they had often been under the obedience of the duke, in preference to the king, the dauphin, the constable, and all others; and that should they fail of having succours from him, in whom was their only hope, they could not expect them from any other person.
The count by advice of his council, replied by requesting them to nourish such good intentions,—and that within a short time they should have, with God's pleasure, effectual aid. Letters, addressed to the magistrates and principal citizens in Rouen, were also given them, with which they returned.
When this matter had been settled, the count de Charolois directed master Philip de Morvillers to declare to the assembly of nobles and others from the towns, who were collected in the great hall of the bishop's palace, that it would be necessary and expedient for each of the towns to make a free gift in money, and for the clergy to pay half a tenth, for the carrying on the war.
This business, however, could not be hastily concluded; and in the mean time messengers arrived from those in Senlis, who brought letters to the count, to say that if they were not succoured on or before the 19th of April, they must surrender the place to the king and constable having given hostages to that effect.
The count and his council, on receiving this news, determined to provide a remedy; and he was very desirous of marching thither himself, but his council would not consent to it: he therefore ordered, as principal commanders of the reinforcement, sir John de Luxembourg and the lord de Fosseux, having under them the whole of the forces in Picardy and on the frontiers.