The dauphin having appointed sir Pierre de Guitry (who had been present at the murder of the duke of Burgundy), governor of Montereau, departed thence with his whole force. He sent the prisoners, with the lady of Giac and Philip Josquin, to Bourges in Berry. Charles de Bourbon and sir Pierre de Giac took oaths of fidelity to serve the dauphin; but although the other prisoners were repeatedly solicited by the dauphin and his ministers to turn to their party, to which they were tempted by the most splendid offers of wealth and honours, they would never consent, replying to such solicitations, that they would rather die in prison, or suffer such death as the dauphin might please to inflict, than do any thing for which they or their successors might be blamed.
When it was seen that they were firm in their resolution, they were all set at liberty, on paying certain sums as their ransom, except sir Charles de Lens, admiral of France, whom they put to death.
On the dauphin's arrival at Bourges, he summoned men at arms on all sides to join him there, with whom he advanced into Anjou, and had a conference with the duke of Brittany, who consented that a part of his nobles should serve the dauphin. He received also great succours from Scotland, which he caused to be conducted down the Loire, and thence to Poitiers. He collected likewise men at arms in Auvergne and in Languedoc, and elsewhere, that he might have sufficient strength to oppose all who should attempt to injure him or the kingdom of France.
He caused it to be declared throughout all the towns and countries under his dependance, that what had been done to the duke of Burgundy was in his own defence, and that he had been justly put to death, alledging numerous reasons in his justification for suffering it, but which it would occupy too much time to relate.
When the king and queen of France heard of all these matters, they were highly displeased, and to provide a remedy for them, different royal edicts were published in all parts of the kingdom, under the king's obedience, containing an account of the death of the duke of Burgundy, and the disloyalty of the perpetrators of it, commanding all governors, magistrates, and others, under pain of death, not to afford any aid, support or advice, to the dauphin or to his party, but to prepare themselves in all diligence to oppose him and them; in so doing, they should have steady and effectual support.
CHAP. XXX.
PHILIP COUNT DE CHAROLOIS IS MADE ACQUAINTED WITH THE CRUEL MURDER OF HIS FATHER.—HE HOLDS A GRAND COUNCIL ON THE STATE OF HIS AFFAIRS, AND CONCLUDES A TRUCE WITH THE ENGLISH.—OTHER MATTERS.
Philip count de Charolois was at Ghent when he was informed of the cruel death of his father, and was so sorely afflicted by it that it was some days before his ministers could comfort him. When his countess, the lady Michelle de France, sister to the dauphin, heard of it, she was greatly troubled, fearful that her lord would, on this account, be estranged from her, and hold her less in his affections; but this did not happen, for within a short time, by the exhortations and remonstrances of his ministers, he was no way displeased with her, and shewed her as much kindness as before.
He soon afterward held a council with the principal persons of Ghent, Bruges and Ypres, and then took possession of the country of Flanders, without paying any attention to his liege lord. He departed thence for Mechlin, where he had a conference with the duke of Brabant his cousin, John of Bavaria his uncle, and his aunt the countess of Hainault, on several matters; and from Mechlin he went to Lille. From this day he styled himself duke of Burgundy, and in his letters assumed all the titles of the late duke John his father.
While he was at Lille, many great lords came thither to offer their services to him, as they had been the dependants of his father, some of whom he retained in his household, and promised the others great advantages hereafter. Master Philip de Morvillers, first president of the parliament of Paris, came also, with many notable persons; and in concert with them, and with his own ministers, the duke resolved to write letters to the different towns attached to the king's and his party, setting forth, that as they had been the friends and supporters of his father, he hoped they would in like manner be his. He added, that he would very shortly request a truce from the English; and desired them to send him a deputation to Arras on the 17th day of October, with sufficient powers to agree to whatever terms might be demanded from them by him.