The French, notwithstanding the resistance they experienced, frequently advanced near to Paris,—and many severe conflicts took place between that town and Saint Denis. They also gained the castle of Escouen, near Montmorency, from the English, and put to death about thirty whom they found in it. They then marched to the castle of Orville, near to Louvres, belonging to Anglois d'Aunay, knight, attached to the party of Henry of Lancaster. When they had been before it two days, a treaty was concluded for its surrender on a certain day, unless the English should appear there in force to offer the French battle.
Before the term expired, the lords Talbot, Scales, and Warwick, with George de Richammes, the bastard de Thian, sir François l'Arragonois, and others, to the amount of three thousand combatants, assembled, and marched to join the lord de l'Isle-Adam in Paris; and, when united, they all came to the castle of Orville to keep the appointment made with the French for its surrender; but the French neither appeared nor sent any message, so that this castle remained in the peaceful possession of its lord. Henceforward, the English were superior in the field to their enemies in the Isle de France, and subjected the whole of the open country to their obedience, reconquering several castles held by the French.
THE FRENCH, AFTER HAVING AGREED TO A TRUCE WITH THE BURGUNDIANS ON THE FRONTIERS OF THE BEAUVOISIS, OVERRUN THE BOULONOIS AND OTHER PARTS.
At this time, a truce was concluded by the partisans of the duke of Burgundy on the frontiers of Santerre and Mondidier, with La Hire and his men. The last engaged, for a large sum of money paid down, to demolish the strong castle of Bretueil in the Beauvoisis, which was done.
On the conclusion of this truce, the great and little Blanchefort,[20] Poton the Burgundian, and about six hundred combatants, marched away from the country of Beauvais to the town of Rue. They had not been long there when they made an excursion, together with the garrison, into the country of the Boulonnois. They marched silently by the town of Estaples, not to alarm it, and advanced to Deure, and thence to Samer-aux-bois.
The inhabitants of this part of the country were totally unsuspecting of any attack likely to be made on them, and were therefore a defenceless prey to the enemy, who made prisoners of the greater part, bound them, and carried them away with all their most valuable furniture and stock. They ransomed the town of Samer for a considerable sum of money,—and on their return spread themselves over the country, destroying every thing with fire and sword without meeting any opposition.
Having burnt many houses in the town of Fresnes, and done unnumbered mischiefs to the Boulonnois, they returned with a multitude of prisoners to Estaples, where they halted and refreshed themselves for some time; and because the inhabitants had retreated within the castle, and would not ransom their town, they set it on fire, and committed every damage on their departure, which was a grievous loss, for it was well built and very populous. They made their retreat good to the town of Rue, notwithstanding that sir John de Croy, the lord de Crequi, the lord de Humieres, and others of the country, had assembled, to the amount of three hundred combatants, in the hopes of cutting off their retreat. It was in vain, for the French rode in such compact order that no advantage could be taken of them,—and they arrived safely at the places whence they had come.
When the French had remained some days at Rue, and divided their plunder, they made another excursion toward Dourlens and Hêdin, burning and destroying the countries they traversed, and bringing home many prisoners and great pillage of every thing that was portable. They returned by La Broi, and made an attack on the castle; but it was so well defended, by those whom the vidame of Amiens had placed therein, that several of the assailants were wounded. Perceiving that they were losing time, they retreated to Rue with their plunder.