While this matter was passing, Everard de la Marche, who was in alliance with the bishop of Liege, and had also many subjects of complaint against these pillagers, assembled in haste as many men as he could,—and, being joined by some forces from Dinant and the surrounding country, advanced to Orchimont, and took the town by storm. Bernard had at this moment but few men with him, and therefore retreated to the castle, whither he was gallantly pursued by the Liegeois. They pressed him so hardly that, at the end of four days, he surrendered, on capitulation, to Everard de la Marche.
The castle and town were after this razed to the ground, to the great joy of all the neighbouring country,—for they had been inhabited by a set of wicked vagabonds, who had annoyed all within their reach.
THE ENGLISH MAKE EXCURSIONS FROM CALAIS TOWARD BOULOGNE AND GRAVELINES.—LA HIRE CONQUERS GISORS, AND LOSES IT SOON AFTERWARDS.
While the war was on the point of breaking out between the English and Burgundians, for each party was now watching the other, the English suddenly came before Boulogne, thinking to win it by surprise,—but it was too well defended. They burnt part of the shipping in the harbour, and then retreated to Calais with all they could collect, without loss.
Shortly after, they again assembled a force of five or six hundred combatants, and set out on a foraging party toward Gravelines. The Flemings in that quarter collected, and attacked the English, contrary to the will and advice of the gentlemen who commanded them, namely, Georges des Ubes and Chery Hazebrouch. The consequence was, that they were conquered,—from three to four hundred killed, and full six score prisoners, whom the English carried with them and their forage to Calais, and to other places under their obedience. The remainder saved themselves by flight as speedily as they could.
At this time, La Hire was posted at Beauvais and Gerberoy,—and, by means of intelligence which he had kept up in the town of Gisors, he gained admittance, with the forces under his command, and won the place. Part of the garrison retired into the castle, and hastily sent off messengers to Rouen, and to other towns, to state their situation and demand succours. On the third day, so strong a reinforcement came, the town was reconquered,—and La Hire and his companions marched off at a quicker step than a pace, with the exception of twenty or thirty who had remained behind. These were put to death or detained prisoners by the English, together with a great number of the inhabitants, because they had afforded assistance to their enemies.