On this occasion many new knights were made on the part of the Burgundians, namely, le bègue de Launoy, Anthony de Reubempré, James de Brimeu, Robert Fritel, Gilles de Hardecourt, Matthew de Landas, Philip du Bos, John de Beauvoir, Waleran de Fieses, Framet de la Tramerie, and many more. Much skirmishing took place between them, in which several men at arms were unhorsed and severely wounded or slain: during this the burgundian and english infantry remained inactive, and the Dauphinois galloped away in good order toward Compiègne, forming a rear guard of their ablest men for their security.
The Burgundians, seeing this, dispatched the lord de Saveuses with a certain number of men at arms, to pursue and check them, while the main body kept advancing after them as fast as they could. The Dauphinois, however, were panic-struck, and made their escape with a trifling loss of seven or eight men, who were killed on the first onset: in the number was a gallant man at arms, called Brunet de Gamaches. On the side of the Burgundians, an old man from Auxerre, named Breton d'Ailly, who for a long time had not followed the wars, was slain, and a few others.
The English and Burgundians now returned to their quarters at Moreul and other villages, and thence to sir John de Luxembourg at the siege of D'airaines. The besieged were informed of the fate of the succour intended them, and that there was no hope of being relieved, which induced them to accede to a treaty, by which they were to surrender the castles, and to have permission to march unhurt, with their baggage, under passports from sir John de Luxembourg, to Compiègne, Crotoy, Gamaches, St Valery, or to any other places within their obedience from the river Seine to Crotoy.
The garrison consisted of about one hundred men at arms, and as many archers, under the command of sir Cocquart de Cambronne and John Sarpe. The two castles, when surrendered, were found full of stores and provision; but sir John de Luxembourg destroyed one of them, namely, that of the lady of D'airaines. The other he strongly regarrisoned, and appointed sir James de Lievin the governor. When the Dauphinois had marched off, sir John returned with his army to his castle of Beaurevoir, where he dismissed his captains, and the others who had followed him.
Shortly after, sir James de Harcourt made an inroad as far as Auxi on the river Authie, and to other towns and villages, whence he returned to Crotoy with many prisoners and much plunder.
CHAP. LXXV.
KING HENRY REDUCES MEAUX TO HIS OBEDIENCE.—THE EXECUTIONS THAT TAKE PLACE IN CONSEQUENCE OF ORDERS FROM HIM.
The king of England was indefatigable at the siege of Meaux, and having destroyed many parts of the walls of the market place, he summoned the garrison to surrender themselves to the king of France and himself, or he would storm the place. To this summons they replied, that it was not yet time to surrender,—on which the king ordered the place to be stormed. The assault continued for seven or eight hours in a most bloody manner: nevertheless, the besieged made an obstinate defence, in spite of the great numbers that were attacking them.
Their lances had been almost all broken; but in their stead they made use of spits, and fought with such courage, that the English were driven from the ditches, which encouraged them much. Among the besieged who behaved gallantly must be noticed Guichart de Sisay; and his courage and ability were remarked by king Henry, who, after the reduction of the place, offered him a large sum if he would take the oaths and serve him; but he would never listen to the proposal, and remained firm to the dauphin.
Many new knights were made by the English at this attack, such as John Guigny, a Savoyard, and the bastard de Thiam, who had formerly been a great captain in the free companies under duke John of Burgundy. There were also at this siege, under the king of England, the lords de Châtillon and de Genlis, with many others of the french nobility.