The chronicles of Enguerrand de Monstrelet, Vol. 09 [of 13]

by Enguerrand de Monstrelet

CHAP. XLV.

THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY TAKES THE CASTLE OF POULCRES,—BUT THAT FLOWER OF CHIVALRY SIR JAMES DE LALAIN IS SLAIN BEFORE IT.—HE BESIEGES THE CASTLE OF GAVERE[147], TAKES IT, AND HANGS ALL WITHIN, BEFORE THE GHENT MEN ADVANCE TO OFFER HIM BATTLE,—THEY ARE DEFEATED.

After the capture of the castle of Helsebecque, the duke advanced to besiege the castle of Poulcres, which the ghent men obstinately defended. It happened, that during the time the artillery men were pointing a bombard against the wall, in the presence of sir James de Lalain and other lords, sir James was hit on the head by a stone from a veuglaire in the castle, which carried away part of his skull, and he fell down dead. It was a great loss, for he was renowned as not having his equal in all France,—witness his many deeds of chivalry in Scotland, Spain, and in other parts, where he had displayed his gallantry. He was also the most modest, the most prudent, most courteous, and most liberal of mankind, fearing and serving God above all things. He was but thirty-two years of age when death so unfortunately seized him; and this same shot from the veuglaire killed also a man at arms and four archers.

The duke of Burgundy was very much affected by the death of sir James, for he loved him more than any other of his household for his numberless virtues, and had the place attacked with such violence that the garrison were forced to submit to his will. He had the whole hanged, excepting five or six, one of whom was a leper, and the rest boys. He then had the place razed to the ground, and the body of sir James de Lalain most honourably interred at his church of Lalain[148].

After the surrender of Poulcres, the duke returned to Courtray, and left his army to live on the country, where the men at arms did innumerable mischiefs; for he had not money sufficient to pay them until his revenues were paid, and he had borrowed as much as he could from the rich merchants and burghers of his territories, the war having totally exhausted his treasury. He resided at Courtray twelve days,—and during that time his finances were recruited, and he paid his army one month in advance; so that, on the 16th day of July, he departed from Courtray to besiege the castle of Gaveren, which was strongly fortified and held by the ghent men. It is situated between Ghent and Oudenarde.

In marching thither, he formed his army into three battalions. The marshal of Burgundy, as commander in chief, sir Anthony the bastard, the lord de Chimay bailiff of Hainault, with a numerous company of men at arms and archers, led the van. In the center was the duke, the most fearless, courageous, and gallant of men: with him were his son the count de Charolois, the count d'Estampes, sir Adolphus of Cleves, and almost all the knights and esquires of Picardy. In the rear division were sir James de St Pol, the lord de l'Isle-Adam, and the whole chivalry of the Boulonois.

This army was in truth very strong; and there was need that it should be so, for the men of Ghent had boasted, that this time, they would fairly meet the duke in battle. When they learnt that the duke intended to besiege Gaveren, they sent thither an Englishman, called John de Voz, a very able man at arms, with sixteen others, and swore to him, on his departure, that the duke should not remain four-and-twenty hours unfought with. Nevertheless, the duke's army posted themselves around the place,—and the batteries were erected without any molestation.

There was at this time in the place a trumpeter, who had formerly served one of the lords in the duke's army, but had turned to the ghent men: he mounted the highest rampart,—and, having sounded his trumpet as loudly as he could, he abused the duke in the grossest manner, calling him a tyrant, and threatening him that the men of Ghent would soon lower his pride. The duke, when told of this, like a good prince, laughed at it, and turned the trumpeter's folly into ridicule.

Although the place was unfavourably situated for the batteries to have their full effect, they alarmed the garrison so much that they offered to surrender on having their lives spared, seeing also that the ghent men did not fulfil their promises when they left that town; but the duke refused their offer. When the Englishman heard this, and found that the men of Ghent had deceived him, it is said that he had a communication with some of the English in the duke's army, and promised to deliver up to them one of the towers of the castle; but this he could not accomplish,—for the ghent men had no confidence in him, nor in any of the English. A vessel happened to be lying in the river, near to the castle, and during the night John de Voz, and fourteen others, embarked on board and went to Ghent.

When those in Gaveren saw the next morning that their captain had deserted them, they abandoned all hope of succour, and surrendered themselves to the duke's will before twelve of the clock. His will was that they should be all hanged or strangled, together with two cordelier friars that were in the place, and the trumpeter who had abused the duke.