CHAP. LXXVI.
IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE CAPTURE OF FOUGERES, THE ALLIES OF THE DUKE OF BRITTANY GAIN THE TOWN AND CASTLE OF PONT DE L'ARCHE FROM THE ENGLISH.—GERBEROY IS AFTERWARDS TAKEN.
On the 16th day of May, in this year, while the commissioners from the king of France and the duke of Somerset were assembled, according to appointment, in the town of Louviers, some of the friends and allies of the duke of Brittany found means to gain the town and castle of Pont de l'Arche, on the river Seine, four leagues distant from Rouen.
This capture was owing to a travelling merchant from Louviers observing, in his frequent crossing of Pont de l'Arche, that it was but slightly guarded, and giving information thereof to the before mentioned friends of the duke of Brittany. He offered to take the place, if they would give him a sufficiency of men at arms,—and having explained his plans, which seemed feasible, they fixed on a day to meet him at a tavern in the suburbs of that town.
On the day appointed, several of those who had been ordered on this expedition, came to the said tavern, one after another, to avoid suspicion; two of whom were dressed as carpenters, each with his hatchet swung round his neck. Shortly after, the carrier arrived, with his cart laden with provisions. About midnight, they seized the tavern-keeper and his servants, and shut them up in a room, to prevent them from making any discovery, and then told their intentions, with which the master of the house seemed very well pleased, for he said he had been lately beaten by some of the garrison.
During the night, the lord de Brésé came thither with some men on foot, whom he placed in ambush near to the gate of St Ouen: he was followed by the bailiff of Evreux with four or five hundred horse, whom he posted in the wood on the side of Louviers.
When these measures had been taken, Jacques de Clermont and the carrier approached the drawbridge with his cart, and entreated the porter to let him pass, as he was in haste to get to Rouen, and return that night to Louviers, offering him at the same time, a present for so doing. The two pretended carpenters were with him, and the carrier pledged himself for them. The porter, through avarice, called to him another Englishman, and let down the bridge. When the carrier had his cart on the first bridge, he took out of his purse two bretons and a placque[148], to pay the Englishmen: but he let fall one breton to the ground, which the porter stooping to pick up, the carrier drew a dagger and stabbed him dead. In like manner, the two carpenters slew his companion on the second bridge.
On a signal that this was done, the ambuscade of horse and foot sallied forth, and, passing the bridges, entered the town, shouting, 'St Yves for Brittany! All the English were asleep when this happened, and were made prisoners, to the amount of a hundred or six score; among whom was the lord Falconbridge, an english knight, who had only arrived the preceding day, and his ransom was worth twenty thousand crowns. He was carried to Louviers for greater safety,—and the conquerors remained in the place for its guard, until other arrangements should be made.
When the English heard of this capture, they were much troubled and enraged. On its being told to king Charles, as he was desirous of the welfare of his nephew the duke of Brittany, he consented, after many conferences at Louviers, that mutual restitutions should take place, namely, that Fougeres should be given back to the duke of Brittany, with sixteen hundred thousand crowns, according to the estimate of damages done, and Pont de l'Arche yielded up to the English, together with the lord Falconbridge, who had been there made prisoner.