CHAPTER XXVII
THE SIEGE OF ROUEN
Although Henry V had left the shores of France without having concluded a treaty with his defeated foes, hostilities were practically suspended for a space of nearly two years. But in 1416 the King entered into an alliance with the Duke of Burgundy, who, since the fatal field of Agincourt, had become paramount in France.
With this powerful ally Henry's chances of securing the French crown were greatly increased, and in the month of July, 1417, he again prepared to invade Normandy.
After two years of ease following the strenuous life in the field, Geoffrey longed for the opportunity of buckling on his armour and again seeking his fortune in the land of the Fleur de Lys, and great was his delight when orders were received for the army to assemble at Southampton.
As in the glorious expedition of 1415 Geoffrey went in attendance upon Sir Thomas Carberry, but with this difference: he was now the senior squire, a lad of fifteen, Walter Talbot by name, having recently been taken into the Constable of Portchester's service as junior squire.
This time the star and mullet of the Lysles was also in evidence, but without the waving black line, for Sir Oliver Lysle was now present in person to lead the men of Warblington. With him went Oswald Steyning, and though in separate companies the two comrades had ample opportunities of enjoying each other's companionship.
Arnold Gripwell, also, had joined the army assembled at Southampton. Sinewy as of yore the gaunt old man-at-arms looked no older than he did on the day when he watched in vain for his master's return in the Grâce à Dieu, though in truth his strength was slowly failing.
On the 1st day of August, 1417, the English army landed on the shores of Normandy, and the march of the invaders became a veritable pageant of martial triumph. The royal castle of Touques fell after a short siege, and disheartened by the success of their foes and torn by internal dissensions, the French seemed to have given up all hope of holding the Duchy of Normandy. Damvilliers, Harcourt, Eu, Evreux, opened their gates without resistance, and after a stubborn yet ineffectual defence Caen was taken by escalade on the last day of August.
Shortly after this success the Duke of Brittany deserted the cause of Charles of Valois, and swearing fealty to Henry, joined his forces to those of the invader, with the result that the town and castle of Falaise—so closely associated with William the Conqueror—surrendered on the second day of January, 1417. This was the last of Henry's successes in that year.[[1]]