The commander in chief ordered proclamation to be made for all who had served any offices in Ghent for the last ten years to join, without delay, the army at Marienkirk. It was now greatly augmented, for those within their jurisdictions came handsomely equipped and attended, with the exception of those from Courtray,—and their tents and pavilions had, at a distance, the appearance of a large town.
The army appeared under arms on the 6th instant, and wanted to go to Ghent, and bring back with them the prisoners; but their captain restrained them, saying, that it had been ordered that they should remain in prison until the army were returned home, when ample justice would be done on them according to the evidence that a general investigation of their deeds through Flanders should produce.
Their commander would have been glad that his army had been diminished, saying, that he would establish peace and justice every where, with but a fourth part of the present numbers. The troops, however, would not be separated, but declared they would remain together in brotherly love.
They wanted to march and post themselves between Bruges and Sluys, and take possession of the Franc according to the judgement of their prince, and, subject the inhabitants, for their outrages and misdeeds, to the obedience of the duke and the other three members of the states of Flanders, saving their lives and privileges.
The burghers of Bruges, they said, must submit themselves and supplicate their prince to receive them in mercy, and likewise put an end to all disputes between them and Sluys, so that passengers and merchants, might travel the country unmolested. Should those of Bruges refuse compliance, they would exert themselves to force them to obedience. This was told to the forty-two deputies sent by Bruges, from the different trades, to treat with the ghent army at Marienkirk. After some debating, these deputies agreed to the terms proposed, and on the 12th day of November drew up, and presented to the captain-general, the following articles of agreement.
'We, the burgomasters, sheriffs, principal burghers, deacons, corporators and commonalty of the town of Bruges, make known to all to whom these presents shall come, that we, from respect to our redoubted lord and prince, the duke of Burgundy, earl of Flanders, &c. and at the entreaty of the three departments of the town of Ghent, and of all the free towns within its jurisdictions, have consented, and by these presents do consent, for ourselves and successors, to keep firm and stable the judgment given by our said lord and his council, in his town of Ghent, the 11th day of February in the year 1436, constituting those of the Franc a fourth department of Ghent, without fraud, and according to the literal meaning of the said judgement. In testimony whereof, we have sealed these presents with the obligatory seal of our said town of Bruges.'
When the deputies was returned to Bruges with this treaty, the magistrates assembled the commonalty before the sheriff's court, and demanded if they were willing to ratify this treaty. There were present upwards of twenty thousand persons, who, after a moment's silence, unanimously replied, 'Yes.' Then stepped forth one called Coppin de Mesinacre, who had been lately banished Ghent for his misdeeds, and said, 'All goes wrong: how are ye such cowards as to fear the ghent men? You certainly ought to suffer for your folly and want of firmness.'
In consequence of this speech the deacon of the artisans, a tailor, and some others, began to murmur, and to oppose the confirmation of the treaty, more especially to putting their assent on paper; and at last, by their tumultuous behaviour, the treaty was destroyed. Some time afterward by a legal sentence, the said Coppin, the deacon of the artisans, the tailor, and one other, were beheaded for this conduct: seventeen of their accomplices were also banished.