Among the numerous ambassadors that came from divers parts, were those from the city of Paris, namely, the abbot of Mont St Catherine de Rouen, master William Breton, master John le Monstardier, master Thomas de Courselles, master Robert Poitevin. There were likewise others from the kings of Sicily, Spain, Navarre, Poland, Asia, Romania, and from the principal towns of Holland, Zealand, Flanders, Brabant, Hainault, Namur, Burgundy, whose names it would be tedious to relate: each of them were handsomely lodged by the purveyors of the duke, who, with others, had been especially ordered for this purpose. They were all abundantly supplied with any sort of provision they inclined to buy during the three months they staid in Arras. No accident happened during this time,—but there was much alarm, that mischief would have happened from the heat with which disputes were carried on, while the matter of peace was debating. Commissaries were appointed to patrole the town night and day to see that no disorders arose, and that no extortions were practised in the markets.
The duke had ordered about one hundred gentlemen and two hundred archers to be always armed, under the command of some of the lords of his household, such as the lord de Croy, sir John de Horne, the lord de Crevecoeur, the lord de Chargny, John de Brimeu and others, as well for his own personal security as to be ready, should occasion require it, to put an end to any affrays. The duke was always attended by fifty archers.
SIR JOHN DE MELLO, A KNIGHT OF SPAIN, AND THE LORD DE CHARGNY COMBAT EACH OTHER IN THE PRESENCE OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY AT ARRAS.
On the 11th day of August in this year, a combat at arms took place at Arras, in the presence of the duke of Burgundy as judge of the lists. A handsome scaffold was erected for him in the great market-place, on which were seated behind him the dukes of Bourbon and of Gueldres, the counts de Richemont constable, de Vendôme, d'Estampes, and many other great lords.
The combat was between sir John de Mello, a very renowned knight banneret of Spain, appellant, without any defamatory quarrel, but solely to acquire honour, against Pierre de Bauffremont lord of Chargny, knight banneret also, a native of Burgundy, and knight of the Golden Fleece. The terms were to break three lances only.
When the lord de Chargny had acceded to this request, he in his turn demanded from the Spanish knight a combat on foot with battle-axes, swords and daggers, until one of them should lose his arms, or place his hands on his knees or on the ground,—subject, however, in all cases, to the decisions of the judge of the field.
These proposals having been for some time agreed to by the two knights, on Thursday morning, about ten o'clock, the Spanish knight appeared in the lists, attended by four others, whom the duke of Burgundy had ordered to accompany him,—namely, the lord de l'Or, governor of the Rethelois, the lord de Ligny, the lord de Saveuses, and the lord de Sainzelles, with four or five of his attendants, one of whom bore on the end of a lance a small banner emblazoned with his arms. The other knights carried his lances; and thus, without more pomp, he made his obeisance to the duke of Burgundy, and retired from the lists, by the way he had come, on the left hand of the duke.