On the 5th day of this same month, the duchess of Burgundy left Lille, by orders from the duke, to go to Bruges. The ghent men soon had intelligence of this,—and, supposing that she would travel the strait road, they posted a strong ambuscade near that road, intending to overpower her escort, and put those who composed it to death. The duchess was informed of their plan, and consequently took a different road, and arrived safely at Bruges.
Sir Simon de Lalain, governor of Sluys, hearing that the duchess was to travel from Lille to Bruges, set out with two hundred combatants to escort her thither, and followed the main road, ignorant of the ghent men being there. In his company was the lord de Maldeghen, a flemish knight, well acquainted with all the roads and passes. Happening to ride at some little distance from the great road, he espied the ambush of ghent men, who were watching the coming of the duchess, and also of sir Simon, whom they had perceived. The lord de Maldeghen instantly sounded his trumpets, as loudly as he could, that sir Simon, on hearing them, might retire,—but he was too far advanced for this, being already in the midst of his enemies without perceiving it. He was sharply attacked on all sides, his banner beaten down,—and he and his men were forced to show all their courage, to save their lives. They exerted themselves so manfully that, with the aid of the lord de Maldeghen, who hastened to their succour, the ghent men were repulsed,—and they continued their march in safety to Bruges, having only lost three or four men at arms, and from twelve to sixteen archers, which was not much, considering how severe the attack had been.
Three or four days before this skirmish took place, the ghent men in Poulcres burnt Englemonstier, a considerable village belonging to the count d'Estampes, in right of his countess. They could do no harm to the castle, for it was strong and well garrisoned. A few days after this, the ghent men again demanded passports from the duke for twenty commissioners to meet his ministers any where he should appoint, to consider if they could find means to put an end to this disastrous war. The good duke complied with their request, and fixed on Seclin[143] as the place of conference, whither he sent the count d'Estampes as his representative, and some of his ministers,—but nothing was done, by reason of the insolent pride of the ghent deputies.
Not long after the return of the deputies from Seclin, a french man at arms, who had offered his services to Ghent for gain, called Pierre Moreau, who also was one of their captains, collected a large company, and marched to attack Dendermonde, wherein was sir Anthony of Burgundy. The knight, having had notice of their coming, issued out to meet them, and, after killing several, forced them to retreat to Ghent.
FOOTNOTES:
[143] Seclin,—an ancient town in Flanders, four miles south of Lille.
[A.D. 1453.]
CHAP. XLII.
PIERRE MOREAU MAKES ANOTHER ATTACK ON DENDERMONDE.—THE GHENT MEN INVADE HAINAULT, AND COMMIT GREAT RAVAGES THERE.
On the 3d day of April, in the year 1453, immediately after Easter, Pierre Moreau collected a greater force than before, and made another attempt on Dendermonde, but with no better success than formerly, and, having lost from nine to ten of his men, returned to Ghent.