On Thursday the 3d of September, the lords de Jalognes and de la Roche-Guyon appeared before it with their forces; and when John Howel, the english governor, saw so numerous a body that it would be vain for him to oppose it, at the same time fearing the event of a siege, and considering the right the king had to reconquer his kingdom, entered into a treaty with these lords conditionally to surrender the castle, unless he should be relieved by the king of England or his lieutenant in Normandy, within fifteen days; and that he and his men should have free liberty to march away with their baggage whither they pleased.
Intelligence of this was sent to the duke of Somerset, lieutenant of Normandy, in Rouen, who tampered with the messenger to introduce four and twenty English into the castle, and put Howel to death. On his return, he attempted to gain over some of the garrison to his purpose, of admitting the twenty-four Englishmen to execute his damnable design; but knowledge of this plan coming secretly to the ears of Howel, he sent in haste for the lord de la Roche-Guyon, who had withdrawn himself and his forces until the fifteenth day should arrive, to whom he surrendered the place. The garrison marched away, under passports, with their effects; but Howel was so indignant at the plot formed against his life that he became a Frenchman, and took the oaths of allegiance, on condition that he should enjoy the landed property of his wife, who was a native of France,—and the lord de la Roche-Guyon continued him in the government of his castle.
FOOTNOTES:
[13] Andeli-sur-Seine,—three leagues from Mantes.
[14] Pont St Pierre,—four leagues from Andeli.
[15] Harcourt,—ten leagues from Rouen, near Brionne.
[16] La Roche-Guyon,—a market-town in Normandy, three leagues from Mantes.
CHAP. VII.
THE COUNTS OF EU AND OF ST POL TAKE BY STORM THE NEW CASTLE OF NICORPS[17].—THE CASTLE SURRENDERS ON TERMS.—THE COUNT DE DUNOIS GAINS THE CASTLE OF HARCOURT.
About the middle of September, it was resolved, in the councils held at Louviers, that, considering the great body of french chivalry, it would be necessary to form two divisions: the one under the command of Charles d'Artois count of Eu, Louis de Luxembourg count of St Pol, and other captains, having with them from three to four thousand combatants, were ordered to besiege the new castle of Nicorps, which was held by the captain, Adam Illeton[18], an Englishman. The french army came before it on Tuesday the 12th day of September, and took the town by storm on the following Thursday. The castle was then besieged,—and surrendered on capitulation fifteen days afterward.