The Swiss, in consequence of the resolutions they had formed, entered Burgundy, and committed great destruction wherever they passed. By rapid marches, they came before Dijon, into which the lord de la Trimouille had thrown himself; but with the few men at arms and infantry with him, it was impossible to resist such a deluge of Swiss. However, he ordered as many things as could be carried away or drove off, to be brought into Dijon.
The Swiss, on coming before Dijon, saluted the town with a large train of artillery, that battered and damaged the walls and houses; but the lord de la Trimouille, being well advised, held a parley with some of the Swiss leaders, and agreed to pay them down one hundred thousand golden crowns, on their marching back into Swisserland, without doing more damages to the country, which was executed.
A BODY OF FRENCH ON THEIR RETURN FROM VICTUALLING THEROUENNE, BESIEGED BY THE ENGLISH AND HAINAULTERS, ARE ATTACKED AND PUT TO FLIGHT.
The king of France marched in person to Picardy, and advanced as far as Amiens, where he was magnificently received by those of the town and country. Thence he sent the duke of Valois, as his lieutenant-general, to command the camp against the English, and to order whatever measures he should think advisable for the victualling of Therouenne.
This town was then besieged by the king of the Romans, the king of England, and a number of flemish lords, and particularly by a body of Hainaulters, who had posted themselves in a fort near the town, and thence battered it with heavy artillery. The garrison and townsmen defended the place valiantly, but they were in the utmost distress from want of provision, and a convoy was ordered to supply their necessities, under the command of the lord de Longueville.
He executed this order punctually by throwing in all his supplies; but on his retreat, he fell unexpectedly into an ambuscade,—for his men, not suspecting any such stratagem, were marching very disorderly, and amusing themselves by playing in the fields. On the enemy sallying from their ambush, the French were panicstruck, and began to fly, notwithstanding all attempts of their officers to prevent them. In consequence, the lord de Longueville, the captain Bayard, the lord de Bussy, and many more captains of renown were made prisoners, some of whom were carried to England, and their liberty set at a very high ransom[50].
During this time, the king of France sent orders to the governor of Paris to have all the companies of tradesmen, and of other descriptions, mustered. This was done, and several companies were richly accoutred, well armed, and in uniforms. The numbers were found to be very great, according to the report made by the commissaries who had been sent thither for this purpose.
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