The marshal de Rieux had posted on different parts of the ramparts detachments under captains, with orders not to quit their posts whatever they might see or hear,—and he had a body of men at arms ready to succour such places as should be distressed. The attack was very fierce and bloody, and lasted for two hours, when many gallant acts were done on both sides.
The new knights created on this occasion were Louis de Luxembourg, bastard of St Pol, who behaved excellently well, Jean de Humieres, Robert de Neufville, and some others. When the assailants had had about four score men, or more, slain in the ditches and under the walls, they perceived they could not carry their point without too serious a loss, and their captains sounded a retreat, carrying off their dead and wounded. The besieged suffered also greatly, and were much alarmed lest the enemy, by continuing the attack, should constrain them more. They nevertheless, in hopes of succour from the constable of France, who was attending the convention at Arras, with many of his officers, repaired the walls and gates, that had been broken, and prepared to defend themselves as well as circumstances would permit.
The constable, on the conclusion of the peace at Arras, departed thence, accompanied by numbers of the nobility, and went to Senlis. He was anxious to collect a sufficient force to raise the siege of St Denis; but when he examined his powers, he found that he was unable to do so.
The marshal de Rieux, therefore, knowing that the constable was unable to afford him relief, entered into negotiations with the English that he and his captains would surrender the place, on having their lives and fortunes spared, and would also give up the prisoners they had made, among whom was the new knight sir Jean de Humieres. This offer was acceded to,—and the French marched off, escorted by about sixteen hundred cavalry.
The english army likewise broke up, and returned to different towns under their obedience, leaving behind such of their captains and men as had been killed in St Denis. Among the first were sir Louis de Vaucourt, sir Regnault de St Jean, Artus de la Tour, one called Josselin, and others, whose deaths caused great grief. The town of St Denis was now under the government of king Henry.
Shortly after this event, the Picards, who had been informed of the peace concluded between the duke of Burgundy and king Charles, took leave of the english captains as soon as they could, and returned without loss to their own country. At the same time, the French took by storm the bridge of Meulan, and put to death about twenty English who guarded it. This success much vexed the Parisians, because it cut off the communication with Normandy, and would prevent them from receiving hence any provisions.
ISABELLA, QUEEN OF FRANCE, DIES IN THE CITY OF PARIS.