The chronicles of Enguerrand de Monstrelet, Vol. 04 [of 13]

CHAP. XXXI.

THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH MEET IN BATTLE ON THE PLAINS OF AZINCOURT. THE ENGLISH GAIN THE VICTORY.

On the ensuing day, which was Friday the 25th of October, in the year 1415, the constable and all the other officers of the king of France, the dukes of Orleans, Bourbon, Bar and Alençon; the counts de Nevers, d'Eu, de Richemonte, de Vendôme, de Marle, de Vaudemont, de Blaumonte, de Salines, de Grand Pré, de Roussy, de Dampmartin, and in general all the other nobles and men at arms, put on their armour and sallied out of their quarters. Then, by the advice of the constable and others of the king of France's council, the army was formed into three divisions, the vanguard, the main body, and the rearguard. The van consisted of about eight thousand helmets, knights, and esquires, four thousand archers, and fifteen hundred cross-bows.

This was commanded by the constable, having with him the dukes of Orleans and Bourbon, the counts d'Eu and de Richemonte, the marshal Boucicaut, the master of the cross-bows, the lord de Dampierre admiral of France, sir Guichart Dauphin, and some others. The count de Vendôme, and others of the king's officers were to form a wing of fifteen hundred men at arms, to fall on the right flank of the English; and another wing, under the command of sir Clugnet de Brabant admiral of France, sir Louis Bourdon and eight hundred picked men at arms, was to attack the left flank: with this last were included, to break in on the english archers, sir William de Saveuses, with his brothers sir Hector and sir Philippe, Ferry de Mailly, Aliaume de Gaspammes, Allain de Vendôme, Lamont de Launoy, and many more.

The main battalion was composed of an equal number of knights, esquires, and archers as the van, and commanded by the dukes of Bar and Alençon, the counts de Nevers, de Vaudemont, de Blaumont, de Salines, de Grand-pré, and de Roussy.

The rear guard consisted of the surplus of men at arms, under the orders of the counts de Marle, de Dampmartin, de Fauquembergh, and the lord de Louvroy, governor of Ardres, who had led thither the garrisons on the frontiers of the Boulonois.

When these battalions were all drawn up, it was a grand sight to view; and they were, on a hasty survey, estimated to be more than six times the number of the English. After they had been thus arranged, they seated themselves by companies as near to their own banners as they could, to wait the coming of the enemy; and while they refreshed themselves with food, they made up all differences that might before have existed between any of them. In this state they remained until between nine and ten o'clock in the morning, no way doubting, from their numbers, but the English must fall an easy prey to them. Some, however, of the wisest of them had their fears, and dreaded the event of an open battle.

The English on that morning, perceiving that the French made no advances to attack them, refreshed themselves with meat and drink. After calling on the divine aid against the French, who seemed to despise them, they dislodged from Maisoncelles, and sent some of their light troops in the rear of the town of Azincourt, where, not finding any men at arms, in order to alarm the French, they set fire to a barn and house belonging to the priory of St George at Hesdin. On the other hand, the king of England dispatched about two hundred archers to the rear of his army, with orders to enter the village of Tramecourt[41] secretly, and to post themselves in a field near the van of the French, there to remain quiet until it should be a proper time for them to use their bows. The rest of the English remained with king Henry, and were shortly after drawn up in battle array by sir Thomas Erpinghan; a knight grown grey with age and honour, who placed the archers in front, and the men at arms behind them. He then formed two wings of men at arms and archers, and posted the horses with the baggage in the rear.

Each archer planted before himself a stake sharpened at both ends.

Sir Thomas, in the name of the king, exhorted them all most earnestly to defend their lives, and thus saying he rode along their ranks attended by two persons. When all was done to his satisfaction, he flung into the air a truncheon which he held in his hand, crying out, 'Nestrocque[42]!' and then dismounted, as the king and the others had done. When the English saw sir Thomas throw up his truncheon, they set up a loud shout, to the very great astonishment of the French.

The English seeing the enemy not inclined to advance, marched toward them in handsome array, and with repeated huzzas, occasionally stopping to recover their breath. The archers, who were hidden in the field, re-echoed these shoutings, at the same time discharging their bows, while the english army kept advancing upon the French.

Their archers, amounting to at least thirteen thousand, let off a shower of arrows, with all their might, and as high as possible, so as not to lose their effect: they were, for the most part, without any armour, and in jackets, with their hose loose, and hatchets or swords hanging to their girdles: some indeed were barefooted and without hats.

The princes with the king of England were the duke of York, his uncle, the earls of Dorset, Oxford, Suffolk, the earl marshal, the earl of Kent, the lords Cambre, Beaumont, Willoughby, sir John de Cornewall, and many other powerful barons of England.

When the French observed the English thus advance, they drew up each under his banner, with his helmet on his head: they were, at the same time, admonished by the constable, and others of the princes, to confess their sins with sincere contrition, and to fight boldly against the enemy. The English loudly sounded their trumpets as they approached; and the French stooped to prevent the arrows hitting them on the vizors of their helmets; thus the distance was now but small between the two armies, although the French had retired some paces: before, however, the general attack commenced, numbers of the French were slain and severely wounded by the English bowmen.

At length the English gained on them so much, and were so close, that excepting the front line, and such as had shortened their lances, the enemy could not raise their hands against them. The division under sir Clugnet de Brabant, of eight hundred men at arms, who were intended to break through the English archers, were reduced to seven score, who vainly attempted it. True it is, that sir William de Saveuses, who had been also ordered on this service, quitted his troop, thinking they would follow him, to attack the English, but he was shot dead from off his horse. The others had their horses so severely handled by the archers, that, smarting from pain, they galloped on the van division, and threw it into the utmost confusion, breaking the line in many places. The horses were become unmanageable, so that horses and riders were tumbling on the ground, and the whole army was thrown into disorder, and forced back on some lands that had been just sown with corn. Others, from fear of death, fled; and this caused so universal a panic in the army that great part followed the example.

The English took instant advantage of the disorder in the van division, and, throwing down their bows, fought lustily with swords, hatchets, mallets and bill-hooks, slaying all before them. Thus they came to the second battalion, that had been posted in the rear of the first; and the archers followed close king Henry and his men at arms. Duke Anthony of Brabant, who had just arrived in obedience to the summons of the king of France, threw himself with a small company (for, to make greater haste, he had pushed forward, leaving the main body of his men behind), between the wreck of the van and the second division; but he was instantly killed by the English, who kept advancing and slaying, without mercy, all that opposed them, and thus destroyed the main battalion as they had done the first. They were, from time to time, relieved by their varlets, who carried off the prisoners; for the English were so intent on victory, that they never attended to making prisoners, nor pursuing such as fled.

The whole rear division being on horseback, witnessing the defeat of the two others, began to fly, excepting some of its principal chiefs.

During the heat of the combat, when the English had gained the upper hand and made several prisoners, news was brought to king Henry, that the French were attacking his rear, and had already captured the greater part of his baggage and sumpter-horses. This was indeed true, for Robinet de Bournouville, Rifflart de Clamasse, Ysambart d'Azincourt, and some other men at arms, with about six hundred peasants, had fallen upon and taken great part of the king's baggage, and a number of horses while the guard was occupied in the battle. This distressed the king very much, for he saw that though the french army had been routed they were collecting on different parts of the plain in large bodies, and he was afraid they would renew the battle. He therefore caused instant proclamation to be made by sound of trumpet, that every one should put his prisoners to death, to prevent them from aiding the enemy, should the combat be renewed. This caused an instantaneous and general massacre of the french prisoners, occasioned by the disgraceful conduct of Robinet de Bournouville, Ysambart d'Azincourt, and the others, who were afterward punished for it, and imprisoned a very long time by duke John of Burgundy, notwithstanding they had made a present to the count de Charolois of a most precious sword, ornamented with diamonds, that had belonged to the king of England. They had taken this sword, with other rich jewels, from king Henry's baggage[43],—and had made this present, that, in case they should at any time be called to an account for what they had done, the count might stand their friend.

The count de Marle, the count de Fauquembergh, the lords de Louvroy and du Chin, had with some difficulty retained about six hundred men at arms, with whom they made a gallant charge on the English; but it availed nothing, for they were all killed or made prisoners. There were other small bodies of French on different parts of the plain; but they were soon routed, slain or taken.

The conclusion was a complete victory on the part of the king of England, who only lost about sixteen hundred men of all ranks: among the slain was the duke of York, uncle to the king. On the eve of this battle, and the following morning, before it began, there were upwards of five hundred knights made by the French.

When the king of England found himself master of the field of battle, and that the French, excepting such as had been killed or taken, were flying in all directions, he made the circuit of the plain, attended by his princes; and while his men were employed in stripping the dead, he called to him the french herald Montjoye king at arms, and with him many other french and English heralds, and said to them, 'It is not we who have made this great slaughter, but the omnipotent God, and, as we believe, for a punishment of the sins of the French.'

He then asked Montjoye, to whom the victory belonged: to him, or to the king of France. Montjoye replied, that the victory was his, and could not be claimed by the king of France. The king then asked the name of the castle he saw near him: he was told, it was called Azincourt. 'Well then,' added he, 'since all battles should bear the names of the fortress nearest to the spot where they were fought, this battle shall from henceforth bear the ever-durable name of Azincourt.'

The English remained a considerable time on the field, and seeing they were delivered from their enemies, and that night was approaching, they retreated in a body to Maisoncelles, where they had lodged the preceding night: they again fixed their quarters there, carrying with them many of their wounded. After they had quitted the field of battle, several of the French, half dead and wounded, crawled away into an adjoining wood, or to some villages, as well as they could, where many expired.

On the morrow, very early, king Henry dislodged with his army from Maisoncelles, and returned to the field of battle: all the French they found there alive were put to death or made prisoners. Then, pursuing their road toward the sea-coast, they marched away: three parts of the army were on foot sorely fatigued with their efforts in the late battle, and greatly distressed by famine and other wants. In this manner did the king of England return, without any hindrance, to Calais, rejoicing at his great victory, and leaving the French in the utmost distress and consternation at the enormous loss they had suffered.

CHAP. XXXII.

THE NAMES OF THE PRINCES, AND OTHER LORDS FROM DIVERS COUNTRIES, WHO PERISHED AT THIS UNFORTUNATE BATTLE, AND OF THOSE WHO WERE MADE PRISONERS.

Here follow the names of those lords and gentlemen who were slain at the battle of Azincourt, on the side of the French.

We shall begin with the king's officers: the lord Charles d'Albreth, constable of France, the marshal Boucicaut, carried a prisoner to England, where he died, sir James de Chastillon lord de Dampierre, admiral of France, the lord de Rambures master of the cross-bows, sir Guichard Daulphin master of the king's household.

Of the princes were, duke Anthony of Brabant, brother to the duke of Burgundy, Edward duke of Bar, the duke d'Alençon, the count de Nevers, brother to the duke of Burgundy, sir Robert de Bar, count de Marle, the count de Vaudemont, John brother to the duke of Bar, the count de Blaumont, the count de Grand-pré, the count de Roussy, the count de Fauquenberghe, sir Louis de Bourbon, son to the lord de Préaux.

The names of other great lords as well from Picardy as elsewhere: the vidame of Amiens, the lord de Croy, and his son sir John de Croy, the lords de Helly, d'Auxi, de Brimeu, de Poix, l'Estendart lord de Crequi, the lord de Lauvroy, sir Vitart de Bours, sir Philippe d'Auxi, lord de Dampierre bailiff of Amiens, his son the lord de Raineval, his brother sir Allain, the lord de Mailly and his eldest son the lord d'Inchy, sir William de Saveuses, the lord de Neufville and his son the castellan of Lens, sir John de Moreul, sir Rogue de Poix, sir John de Bethune lord of Moreul in Brie, sir Symon de Craon lord de Clarsy, the lord de Rocheguyon, and his brother the vidame de Launois, the lord de Galigny, the lord d'Aliegre in Auvergne, the lord de Bauffremont in Champagne, sir James de Heu, the lord de Saint Bris, Philippe de Fosseux, sir Regnault de Crequy, lord de Comptes, and his son sir Philippe, the lord de Mannes and his brother Lancelot, Mahieu and John de Humieres, brothers, sir Louis de Beausault, the lord de Ront, sir Raoul de Manne, sir Oudart de Renty and two of his brothers, the lord d'Applincourt and his son sir James, sir Louis de Guistelle, the lord de Vaurin and his son the lord de Lidequerke, sir James de Lescuelle, the lord de Hames, the lord de Hondescocte, the lord de Pulchres, sir John Baleul, sir Raoul de Flandres, sir Collart de Fosseux, the lord de Roissimbos and his brother Louis de Boussy, the lord de Thiennes, the lord d'Azincourt and his son, sir Hustin Kieret, le bègue de Caien and his brother Payen, the lord de Varigines, the lord d'Auffemont and his son sir Raulequin, sir Raoul de Neele, the lord de St Crêpin, the viscount de Quesnes, sir Pierre de Beauvoir, bailiff of the Vermandois, sir John de Lully and his brother sir Griffon, the lord de St Symon and his brother Gallois, Collart de la Porte, lord of Bellincourt, sir Yvain de Cramailles, the lord de Cerny in the Laonnois, sir Drieu d'Orgiers, lord de Bethencourt, sir Gobert de la Bove, lord de Savoisy, the lord de Becqueville and his son sir John Marthel, the lord d'Utrecht, the seneschal d'Eu, the lord de la Riviere de Tybouville, the lord de Courcy, the lord de St Beuve, the lord de Beau-mainnil, the lord de Combouchis, the lord de la Heuse, the lord Viesport, sir Bertrand Painel, the lord Chambois, the lord de St Cler, the lord de Montcheveul, the lord d'Ouffreville, sir Enguerrand de Fontaines and his brother sir Charles, sir Almaury de Craon lord de Brolay, the lord de Montejan, the lord de la Haye, the lord de l'Isle Bouchart, sir John de Craon, lord de Montbason, the lord de Bueuil, the lord de Laumont sur Loire, sir Anthony de Craon, lord de Beau Vergier, the lord d'Asse, the lord de la Tour, the lord de l'Isle Gonnort, sir John de Dreux, sir Germain de Dreux, the viscount de Tremblay, sir Robert de Bouvay, sir Robert de Challus, sir John de Bonnebault, the lord de Mongaugier, sir John de Valcourt, the lord de Sainteron, sir Ferry de Sardonne, sir Peter d'Argie, sir Henry d'Ornay, the lord des Roches, sir John de Montenay, the lord de Bethencourt, the lord de Combourt, the viscount de la Belliere, the lord de la Tute, sir Bertrand de Montauban, Bertrand de St Gille, seneschal of Hainault, the lord de la Hamecte, the lord du Quesnoy, the lord de Montigny, the lord de Quiervran, the lord de Jumont, the lord de Chin, sir Symon de Havrech, the lord de Poctes, sir John de Gres, sir Allemand d'Estaussines, sir Philippe de Lens and sir Henry, brothers to the bishop of Cambray, sir Michel du Chastellier and his brother Guillaume de Vaudripont, Ernoul de Vaudrigien, Pierre de Molin, Jean de Buait, George de Quiervran and his brother Henry, the lord de Saures, sir Briffault his brother, le Baudrain d'Aisne knight, sir Maillart d'Azouville, Palamedes des Marquais, the lord de Bousincourt, the lord de Fresencourt, the lord de Vallusant, the lord de Hectrus, Guernier de Brusquent, the lord de Moy in the Beauvoisis, his son Gamot de Bournouville and his brother Bertrand, Louvelet de Massinguehen and his brother, sir Collart de Phiennes, Alain de Vendôme, Lamont de Launoy, sir Colinet de St Py, the lord de Bos d'Ancquin, Lancelot de Fremeusent, the lord d'Aumont, sir Robinet de Vaucoux, sir Raisse de Moncaurel, sir Lancelot de Clary, the lord de la Rachie, sir Guerard d'Herbaines, sir Guerard de Haucourt, sir Robert de Montigny, sir Charles de Montigny, sir Charles de Chastillon, Philippe de Poitiers, the lord de Feuldes, the lord de St Pierre, Guillaume Fortescu, Burel de Guerames, Robert de Potiaumes, the son to the bailiff of Rouen, the provost to the marshals of France. Bertrand de Belloy, Jacques de Han, the lord de Baisir and Martel du Vauhuon his brother, Jean de Maletraicts, Raoul de Ferrieres, Raoul de Longeul knight, Henry de la Lande, sir Ernault de Corbie, lord d'Aniel, Jean Discoüevelle, sir Yvain de Beauval, sir Brunel Fretel, le Baudrain de Belloy knight, sir Regnault d'Azincourt, the governor of the county of Rethel, Ponce de Salus knight, lord of Chastel-neuf, the lord de Marquectes, Symmonet de Morviller, Foleville, butler to the duke of Acquitaine, Gallois de Fougiers, sir Lancelot de Rubemprè, Lyonnet Torbis, the lord de Boissay, Anthony d'Ambrine, sir Hector de Chartres the younger and his two brothers, Tauppinet de la Nefville, Thibault de Fay, the lord de Beauvoir sur Autre, Hue des Autels, the lord de Caucroy and his brother Eustace d'Aubrunes, Lancelot de Couchy, Jean de Launoy, sir Collart de Monbertant, sir Charles Boutry, sir Guy Gourle, with John Gourle his brother, le Bon de Sains, Anthony de Broly, Guillaume de Villers, lord d'Urendone, Floridas du Souys, the lord de Regnauville, Baughois de la Beuvriere, and his brother Gamart, le Plontre de Gerboal, Pierre Aloyer, Percival de Richebourg, the lord de Fiefes and his son the bègue de Quenoulles, Godfrey de St Marc, the lord de Teneques, the lord de Herlin, Symon de Monchiaux, sir Maillet de Gournay and his brother Porus, Jean de Noyelle, Pierre de Noyelle and Lancelot de Noyelle, sir Carnel de Hangiers, Jean d'Authville lord de Vaverans, Regnault de Guerbauval, William lord de Rin, Pierre Remy, Sausset d'Eusne, the Lord de Haucourt in Cambresis, sir Guichard d'Ausne, the lord de Raisse, the lord d'Espaigny, the lord de Cheppon, Jean de Chaule lord of Bretigny, Jean de Blausel, Guillebert de Gubauval, Haudin de Beleval, sir Guerard de Hauressis, sir Louis de Vertain, sir Estourdy d'Ongines with his brother Bertrand, sir Henry de Boissy lord of Caule, sir Arthur de Moy, the borgne de Noaille, sir Floridas de Moreul, sir Tristrain de Moy, sir Bridoul de Puiveurs, the lord de Verneul, Langhois de Guerbauval, the viscount de Dommart, Ponchon de la Tour, Godfrey de Prouville.

In short, the numbers of persons, including princes, knights, and men of every degree, slain that day, amounted to upward of ten thousand, according to the estimates of heralds and other able persons.

The bodies of the greater part were carried away by their friends after the departure of the English, and buried where it was agreeable to them.

Of these ten thousand, it was supposed only sixteen hundred were of low degree; the rest all gentlemen; for in counting the princes, there were one hundred and six score banners destroyed.

During the battle, the duke of Alençon most valiantly broke through the english line, and advanced, fighting, near to the king,—insomuch that he wounded and struck down the duke of York: king Henry, seeing this, stepped forth to his aid; and as he was leaning down to raise him, the duke of Alençon gave him a blow on the helmet that struck off part of his crown. The king's guards on this surrounded him, when, seeing he could no way escape death but by surrendering, he lifted up his arm, and said to the king, 'I am the duke of Alençon and yield myself to you;' but, as the king was holding out his hand to receive his pledge, he was put to death by the guards.

At this period, the lord de Longny marshal of France, as I have said, was hastening, with six hundred men at arms attached to the king of Sicily, to join the French, and was within one league of them, when he met many wounded and more running away, who bade him return, for that the lords of France were all slain or made prisoners by the English. In consequence, Longny, with grief at heart and in despair, went to the king of France at Rouen.

It was supposed, that about fifteen hundred knights and gentlemen were this day made prisoners: the names of the principal are, Charles duke of Orleans, the duke of Bourbon, the count d'Eu, the count de Vendôme, the count de Richemont, sir James de Harcourt, sir John de Craon lord of Dommart, the lord de Humieres, the lord de Roye, the lord de Cauny, sir Boors Quieret lord of Heuchin, sir Peter Quieret lord of Hamecourt, the lord de Ligne in Hainault, the lord de Noyelle, surnamed le Chevalier Blanc, Baudo his son, the young lord of Inchy, sir John de Vaucourt, sir Actis de Brimeu, sir Jennet de Poix, the eldest son and heir to the lord de Ligne, sir Gilbert de Launoy, the lord d'Ancob in Ternois.

CHAP. XXXIII.

ON THE DEPARTURE OF THE ENGLISH, MANY FRENCHMEN VISIT THE FIELD OF BATTLE TO SEEK THEIR FRIENDS, WHOM THEY BURY,—AND OTHER MATTERS.

When the king of England had on this Saturday begun his march toward Calais, many of the French returned to the field of battle, where the bodies had been turned over more than once, some to seek for their lords, and carry them to their own countries for burial,—others to pillage what the English had left. King Henry's army had only taken gold, silver, rich dresses, helmets, and what was of value; for which reason, the greater part of the armour was untouched and on the dead bodies; but it did not long remain thus, for it was very soon stripped off, and even the shirts, and all other parts of their dress were carried away by the peasants of the adjoining villages.

The bodies were left exposed as naked as when they came into the world. On the Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the corpses of many princes were well washed and raised, namely, the dukes of Brabant, Bar and Alençon, the counts de Nevers, de Blaumont, de Vaudemont, de Faulquemberge the lord de Dampierre, admiral, sir Charles d'Albreth, constable, and buried in the church of the Friars Minors at Hesdin. Others were carried by their servants, some to their own countries, and others to different churches. All who were recognised were taken away, and buried in the churches of their manors.

When Philippe count de Charolois heard of the unfortunate and melancholy disaster of the French, he was in great grief, more especially for the death of his two uncles, the duke of Brabant and count de Nevers. Moved by compassion, he caused all that had remained exposed on the field of battle to be interred, and commissioned the abbot de Roussianville and the bailiff of Aire to have it done. They measured out a square of twenty-five yards, wherein were dug three trenches twelve feet wide in which were buried, by an account kept, five thousand eight hundred men. It was not known how many had been carried away by their friends, nor what number of the wounded had died in hospitals, towns, villages, and even in the adjacent woods; but, as I have before said, it must have been very great.

This square was consecrated as a burying ground by the bishop of Guines, at the command and as procurator of Louis de Luxembourg, bishop of Therounne. It was surrounded by a strong hedge of thorns, to prevent wolves or dogs from entering it, and tearing up and devouring the bodies.

In consequence of this sad event, some learned clerks of the realm made the following verses:

'A chief by dolorous mischance oppress'd,
A prince who rules by arbitrary will,
A royal house by discord sore distress'd,
A council, prejudic'd and partial still,
Subjects by prodigality brought low,
Will fill the land with beggars, well we trow.

Nobles made noble in dame Nature's spite
While humble commoners forego their right
And the harsh yoke of proud oppression feel:
Thus, while the people mourn, the public woe
Will fill the land with beggars, well we trow.

Ah feeble woe! whose impotent commands
Thy very vassals boldly dare despise:
Ah helpless monarch! whose enervate hands
And wavering counsels dare no high emprize:
Thy hapless reign will cause our tears to flow,
And fill the land with beggars, well we trow[44].'

I shall here add the names of such principal persons as escaped death or imprisonment in consequence of this battle.

First, the count de Dampmartin, lord de la Riviere, sir Clugnet de Brabant, styling himself admiral of France, sir Louis Bourdon, sir Galiot de Gaules, sir John d'Engennes.

CHAP. XXXIV.

KING HENRY EMBARKS AT CALAIS FOR ENGLAND, WHERE HE IS JOYFULLY RECEIVED ON HIS LATE SUCCESSES.—THE COUNT DE LA MARCHE GOES TO ITALY.

On the 6th day of November, when king Henry had refreshed his army in Calais, and when those prisoners who at Harfleur had promised to meet him there were arrived, he embarked for Dover. The sea on his passage was very rough, so that two vessels full of sir John de Cornewall's men were in great danger; and some of the fleet were driven to different parts in Zealand, but none of them were lost.

The king of England, on his return home from such a victory, and his conquest of Harfleur, was most joyfully received by the nobles, clergy, and all ranks of men: he proceeded to London, accompanied by the french princes his prisoners. A little before this unfortunate battle, sir James de Bourbon, count de la Marche, had gone to Italy, magnificently attended, and had married queen Johanna of Naples, and thus acquired the kingdoms of Sicily and Naples: indeed, he for some time held quiet possession of them. He appointed sir Lourdin de Salligny his constable; and one of his captains was sir Here de Bruneul, lord de Thiembronne.

CHAP. XXXV.

THE KING OF FRANCE AND HIS PRINCES ARE MUCH GRIEVED ON HEARING THE MELANCHOLY EVENT OF THE BATTLE OF AZINCOURT.—OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY,—AND OTHER MATTERS.

When news was brought to Rouen of the unfortunate loss of the battle of Azincourt, and the deaths of so many noble persons, the king of France and the princes with him were in the utmost consternation and grief. Nevertheless, within a very few days, at a council held in the presence of the king, the dukes of Acquitaine, Berry, and Brittany, the count de Ponthieu his youngest son, and some of his ministers, the count d'Armagnac was nominated constable of France, and orders were dispatched to him in Languedoc, for him instantly to come to the king.

Duke John of Burgundy was in that duchy when he heard of the defeat and loss of the French. He, like the others, was much grieved thereat, particularly for the death of his two brothers, the duke of Brabant and the count de Nevers. Notwithstanding his sorrow, he made preparation to march a large force of men at arms to Paris without delay; but as the report of his intentions had reached the king at Rouen, he, with the princes, hastened to return thither before the duke should arrive, and came there on the eve of St Catherine's day.

In company with the duke of Burgundy were the duke of Lorraine and ten thousand men.

The Parisians, suspecting the object of the duke in this expedition, sent a solemn embassy to the queen of France at Melun, where she lay dangerously ill; but, in consequence of the information she received, she caused herself to be carried in a litter to Paris, where she was lodged in the hôtel d'Orleans with the duchess of Acquitaine, daughter to the duke of Burgundy.

True it is, that the Parisians, and some of the king's ministers who had been favourable to the Orleans faction, against that of Burgundy, were very much alarmed, because the duke had in his company many who had been banished France, such as sir Helion de Jacqueville, sir Robinet de Mailly, master Eustace de Lactre, master John de Troyes, Caboche, Denisot de Chaumont, Garnot de Sanction and several more. They therefore prevailed on the king and the duke of Acquitaine to order sir Clugnet de Brabant, the lord de Barbasan and the lord de Bocquiaux, to hasten to Paris with a sufficient body of men at arms for its defence, and for the security of the duke of Acquitaine.

The count d'Armagnac was again commanded to push forward to Paris as speedily as possible, and with as many men at arms as he could raise.

The duke of Burgundy, on his march thither, passed through Troyes and Provins, to Meaux in Brie, where he was refused admittance by orders from the duke of Acquitaine and the council, who had written to the governor on no account to suffer him to enter the town, which displeased him much. Upon this he proceeded to Lagny sur Marne, and quartered himself in the town, and his men in the country around, which suffered severely from them.

On the other hand, many captains had raised their forces in Picardy, namely, sir Martelet de Mesnil, Ferry de Mailly, the brothers Hector and Philippe de Saveuses, sir Mauroy de St Leger, sir Payen de Beaufort, Louis de Varigines, and others. They despoiled all the country they marched through by Pont St Mard to Lagny, whither the duke of Burgundy had summoned them. His army was so much increased that it now amounted to twenty thousand horse.

The king of Sicily, knowing that he was not beloved by the duke of Burgundy for having sent back his daughter, left Paris in an ill state of health, and went to Angers; but before his departure, he was desirous of submitting their differences to the king and his council, provided he should be heard in his defence. The duke of Burgundy would not listen to his proposal, and returned for answer, to those who had brought the offer, that for the wrongs and disgrace the king of Sicily had done to him and his daughter, he would have his revenge when time and opportunity should serve.

While he remained at Lagny sur Marne, he sent to the king and council at Paris, sir John de Luxembourg, the lord de St George, and other able counsellors, to explain fully the cause of his coming, and to request that he and his men might be admitted peaceably into Paris for the security of his royal person. No other reply was made to this, but that the king would shortly send an answer to their lord the duke of Burgundy. John de Vailly, president of the parliament, with others of the council were dispatched to the duke; but after various embassies and conferences, he could not prevail on the king or the Parisians to admit him into the capital. They told him, that if he would consent to enter Paris simply as the duke of Burgundy, with his usual attendants, the king and council would not object to it; but this the duke would not do, for he knew that those who governed the king were his mortal enemies, and he would not trust his person with them.

CHAP. XXXVI.

THE PARISIANS AND MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PARIS WAIT ON THE DUKE OF ACQUITAINE TO PROPOSE CERTAIN MEASURES OF PUBLIC SAFETY. THE DEATH OF THE DUKE OF ACQUITAINE.—THE ARRIVAL OF THE CONSTABLE IN PARIS.

The Parisians, and principally those of the university, seeing the discords and quarrels daily increase between the princes of the blood, to the ruin and the overturning of the kingdom, and the destruction of the people, went one day in a body to the duke of Acquitaine; and in the presence of the duke of Berry, the count de Penthievre, and several nobles and prelates, demanded an audience, and liberty to state their grievances. Having obtained this, the first president of the parliament began an oration, choosing for his text, 'Domine salva, nos perimus,' from the gospel of St Matthew: 'Lord save us, or we perish.' He very clearly and eloquently pointed out the various grievances the nation was labouring under, and named several evil doers, who were endeavouring to throw the kingdom into confusion by harrassing and oppressing the people.

When he had ended, the duke of Acquitaine instantly swore, on the word of a king's son, that henceforth all evil doers, whatever might be their rank, should be indiscriminately punished according to their crimes; that justice should be impartially administered, and the clergy and people be maintained in peace.

On this, they departed, perfectly satisfied with the answer of the duke of Acquitaine; but he had not time to carry his intentions into execution, for a few days after he was seized with a fever, and died on the 18th of December, in the hôtel de Bourbon.

His death occasioned many tears and lamentations among numbers of the nobility, and his servants; and it was reported to have been caused by poison,—for which reason, his body was kept in a leaden coffin four days at the above hôtel. The different orders of clergy came thither to pray beside it; after which, it was carried to St Denis, and interred near to his royal ancestors.

Eight days afterward, the count d'Armagnac, who had been sent for by the council, arrived at Paris to receive the investiture of his constableship, by receiving from the king the sword of constable, and taking the usual solemn oaths. He thanked the king for the high honour he had conferred on him.

The new constable had now a force of six thousand combatants at least, including those whom he found in Paris, and very shortly dispatched Raymonnet de la Guerre with four hundred helmets to garrison St Denis, and defend it against any attack from the duke of Burgundy. He strengthened in like manner other towns on the Seine, and had all the bridges and ferries destroyed.

The king, at this period, filled up the vacant offices caused by the misfortune at Azincourt, and appointed Jean de Corssay, a native of Berry, master of the cross-bows of France; sir Thomas de Lersies, bailiff of the Vermandois, and the lord de Humbercourt, bailiff of Amiens; the lord d'Aunay, a native of la Rochelle, to the same office at Senlis; sir Mansart d'Asne, bailiff of Vitry, and sir Brunet de Bans to the same at Tournay, with very many others.

CHAP. XXXVII.

THE DUKE OF BRITTANY ARRIVES AT PARIS. THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY LEAVES LAGNY SUR MARNE.—THE CAPTURE OF SIR MARTELET DU MESNIL AND FERRY DE MAILLY.

The duke of Brittany at this time came to Paris to treat with the king, that the duke of Burgundy with his army might march into Brittany, but he was unsuccessful. Before he departed from Paris, he was violently enraged against sir Taneguy du Châtel, provost of Paris, and abused him much, because he had imprisoned in the Châtelet the minister of the Mathurins, a doctor of theology, for having, in his presence, harangued the populace in favour of the duke of Burgundy. In a few days, however, he gave him his free liberty.

When the duke of Burgundy had remained at Lagny sur Marne six weeks without having been able to prevail on the king and his council to permit him to enter Paris any otherwise than in his simple state, he marched away to Dampmartin, thence toward Rheims, and through the Laonnois, Tierrache and Cambresis, to the town of Douay, and thence to Lille. He was, all the time, accompanied by a strong body of men at arms, who much oppressed the poor people on their march.

On his departure from Lagny, some of the king's soldiers advanced to Pont à Vaire, and slew and made prisoners many of his men, at which he was highly displeased. From his long residence at Lagny, the Parisians, and others attached to the king, called him, in common conversation, Jean de Lagny. After some short stay at Lille, he went to visit his nephews in Brabant, namely, John and Philip, sons to the late duke Anthony of Brabant, taking with him Philippe Maisne, by whom he governed that country. He appointed officers to those places in the counties of Ligny and St Pol, that had been formerly held by count Waleran de St Pol, maternal grandfather to these children.

When he was returned to Flanders, he ordered the lord de Fosseux, governor of Picardy, to cause his captains and their men at arms to retire from his territories of Artois and the adjoining lands; and, as many of these captains harrassed the king's subjects, Remonnet de la Guerre, the provost of Compiegne and the lord de Bocquiaux, the king's governor of the Valois, secretly assembled, on the night of the 24th of January, a number of men at arms, and surprised the quarters of sir Martelet du Mesnil and Ferry de Mailly, in the country of Santerre[45], where they had posted full six hundred men among the villages, who made havoc on all the country round about. Excepting such as escaped by flight, they were all slain or made prisoners: among the last were the two captains, sir Martelet du Mesnil and Ferry de Mailly, who were carried to Compiegne.

On the day of the Purification of the Virgin Mary, the said sir Martelet and four other gentlemen, after having been tortured by the king's officers, were hung on the gibbet of Compiegne; but Ferry de Mailly, through the intercession of friends, obtained his free deliverance.

CHAP. XXXVIII.

THE BISHOP OF ARRAS CAUSES THE SENTENCE THAT HAD BEEN PRONOUNCED AGAINST MASTER JEAN PETIT TO BE REVOKED.—THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY COMES TO PARIS.

In this same year, by the exertions of Martin Poree, doctor in theology, and bishop of Arras, and some other ambassadors from the duke of Burgundy, having sufficient authorities from him, the following judgement was obtained from the council of Constance.

'By the advice of the clergy, in whose name we issue the following sentence. We pronounce and declare, that the suits, judgments, burnings, prohibitions and executions, ordered by the bishop of Paris, against master Jean Petit, and all consequences that may therefrom have ensued, are null and void, and we now do annul and revoke the same. In regard to the costs that legally attach to this cause, we shall leave them to be taxed on sufficient grounds. In which sentence, I Jourdan bishop of Alba, I Anthony cardinal of Aquileia, I Francis cardinal of Florence, do heartily acquiesce.'

Thus the sentence of the bishop of Paris, against master Jean Petit, was reversed and condemned by the council of Constance, the 15th day of January 1415.

Not long after this, two knights arrived at Paris from the emperor Sigismund, to prepare the lodgings he was to have in that city, and lay in his purveyances. The castle of the Louvre was given to them for this purpose; and on the following Sunday, being Shrove Sunday, the emperor arrived at Paris, attended by about eight hundred horse.

The duke of Berry, the cardinal de Bar, the constable, the chancellor, the provosts of Paris and of the merchants, the sheriffs, and a noble company of the citizens in handsome state, went to meet him, and he was by them conducted to the Louvre. Some days afterward, he explained to the king and council the cause of his coming, which was to establish union in the whole church: he also made many offers of service to the king and his realm. A doctor of divinity, named master Guerrard Machet, then harangued him in the name of the king of France, with which he was much pleased.

Charles king of France was very sensible of the honour of this visit, and the two monarchs eat frequently together. On the first Sunday in Lent, the king of Sicily and his son-in-law, the count de Ponthieu came to visit the emperor at Paris; and during the emperor's stay there, the highest honour and distinctions were paid him by the king and princes. When many conferences had been holden on the state of the universal church, and on other matters, he set out from Paris on the Wednesday before Palm Sunday, and was accompanied by the king of France as far as la Chappelle, between Paris and St Denis, where they separated.

The king of Sicily, the duke of Berry, and the cardinal de Bar, attended him to St Denis, where he was most honourably received by the abbot and his clergy. He thence rode to Beauvais: the bishop of the place and the inhabitants had come out to meet him, and the bishop conducted him to his palace, where he was lodged.

The emperor there celebrated Easter, in company with the duke of Milan, uncle to the duke of Orleans, the archbishop of Rheims, and others, ambassadors from the king of France to his adversary the king of England. Leaving Beauvais, he crossed the bridge at St Remy, and went to St Riquier, because the townsmen of Abbeville would not admit his people, although he was in company with ambassadors going to England. From St Riquier he went on a pilgrimage to St Josse, where the abbot and the whole convent came out in procession to meet him, in the same state they would have done had he been king of France. After offering up his prayers, he made no present to the glorious friend of God saint Josse.

The emperor was clad in armour, having on the pummel of his saddle a montauban hat, and over his armour a robe, on the front and back part of which was an ash-coloured upright cross, with a latin motto round it,—'O how merciful God is!' Most of his attendants were armed, and well mounted; and from St Josse, by way of Estaples, he went to Boulogne, but the townsfolk would not permit him to enter, at which he was so indignant that he would not accept the presents the inhabitants sent to him.

After dining in the suburbs of Boulogne, he went to lie at Calais, whence the governor, the earl of Warwick, had come to meet him, accompanied by men at arms and archers. He was there most honourably entertained, at the expense of the king of England, until the ensuing Wednesday, when he embarked for England.

During the time the emperor was at Paris, he one day went to the court of parliament, where the presidents and counsellors shewed him every honour, and seated him, as was right, on the royal throne. The advocates then began to plead such causes as were before the court; and among others, was one of a languedocian knight, called William Segnot, respecting the seneschalship of Beaucaire. It was claimed by two persons in right of the king's gift; but sir William proved, that no one could hold that office unless he were a knight. The emperor, hearing this, asked the esquire in latin, if he wished to be a knight; and on his replying in the affirmative, the emperor called for a sword, which being given him, he instantly dubbed the esquire a knight, who by this means obtained the office by sentence of the judges of the parliament. The king and his council, however, when they heard of this, were greatly angered against the judges of the court for having suffered it; for it seemed that this act had been done by the emperor, as having superior authority to the king of France, who, had he been present, would not on any account have permitted it. It was nevertheless passed over in silence, and no notice taken of it to the emperor.

CHAP. XXXIX.

A HEAVY TAX IS LAID ON THE KINGDOM OF FRANCE BY THE GOVERNMENT, TO THE GREAT DISCONTENT OF THE PARISIANS.—EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN CONSEQUENCE OF IT.

When the emperor had left Paris, a very heavy impost was laid on all France, by those who governed the king, namely, the queen, the king of Sicily, the duke of Berry and others. The populace, more especially such as were attached to the duke of Burgundy, were very clamorous against these lords; for many of the duke's friends had remained in the city, who were day and night practising on the means of his restoration to the king's favour, and to the government of the realm. To accomplish this, they had advised him to send secretly to Paris some well-informed and prudent persons, to whom they might resort and have advice in case of need.

In compliance with their request, he sent thither sir Jennet de Poix, Jacques de Fosseux, the lord de St Leger, and Binet d'Auffeu, who brought credential letters, signed by the duke, to those whom he knew to be attached to his party.

The Parisians, having thus entered into a conspiracy under pretence of the severity of the new tax, swore to rise in a body in the afternoon of Good Friday, and make prisoners of all that should oppose them. Their first object was to seize the provost of Paris, and, if he refused to sanction their conduct, they intended to kill him and then seize and confine the king. They were afterward to put to death the queen, the chancellor of France and numberless others, with the queen of Sicily; and after dressing the king of Sicily and the duke of Berry in some old cloaths of the king, and shaving their heads, to carry them through Paris on two lean bullocks, and then put them to death. The day of action was however put off by some of the conspirators, who said that many of their intended victims might escape on Good Friday, from being at their devotions in and out of Paris, or at confession in the churches, or on pilgrimages, which would prevent them being found at their houses,—and that it would be better to defer the matter until Easter-Day, when they all promised to meet for the above purposes.

This conspiracy was revealed by the wife of Michel Lallier, who sent letters to her lover, Bureau de Dampmartin, advising him to fly instantly from Paris. This he did; but, before his departure, sent information of it to the chancellor, as he was at dinner, who lost no time in hastening to the Louvre, to advise the queen and princes of the blood to save themselves by flight. His council was followed by all except the provost of Paris, who, arming himself and his men, to the number of fifty, suddenly took possession of the market-place, and seized some of the conspirators before they had armed themselves, in their houses, and imprisoned them in the Châtelet, which so confounded the other conspirators that an end was put to their project.

The provost, being reinforced with men at arms, forced different houses in which he found many gentlemen hidden, who were armed for this massacre. In the number, he seized sir Almeric d'Orgemont, archdeacon of Amiens, dean of Tours and canon of Paris, with one of the presidents of the chamber of accounts and some masters of requests, Robert de Belloy, a very rich draper, the host of the hôtel of the Bear, at the Porte Baudet, and many other considerable persons.

The chancellor sent information of this conspiracy to the constable and marshal of France, then on the confines of Harfleur, who, without delay, dispatched Remonnet de la Guerre, with eight hundred men, to the assistance of the princes in Paris, and concluded a truce with the English in Harfleur, from the 5th day of May to the 2nd day of June.

On Saturday, the 2nd of May, the above-mentioned prisoners were brought to the market-place and beheaded as traitors; but sir Almeric d'Orgemont, being an ecclesiastic, was, by orders from the council, delivered by the provost of Paris to the dean and chapter of Nôtre Dame, for them to try him: this was soon done; and he was sentenced to perpetual imprisonment on bread and water.

The constable, on the conclusion of the truce, came to Paris, with three hundred men at arms, and, being attended by the provost with a very strong force, detached the iron chains from the streets, and sent them to the bastille, at the same time taking away all armour and offensive weapons from the Parisians.

Louis Bourdon came also to Paris with two hundred men at arms, and was followed by Clugnet de Brabant and the lord de Bosquiaux, governor of Valois, with another considerable body of men at arms. Those in Paris who were friendly to the duke of Burgundy were now in much perplexity, especially such as had been concerned in the late conspiracy; for they were punished without mercy, some publicly beheaded, others drowned in the Seine. The gentlemen whom the duke of Burgundy had sent to Paris escaped as secretly as they could, and were neither taken nor stopped.

When this business was over, numbers of men at arms were collected in the name of the king, by his ministers, throughout France; and in like manner did the duke of Burgundy, or permitted it to be done by those under him, so that the clergy and poorer sorts of people suffered greatly in various parts of the kingdom,—for there were few who defended them,—and they had no other support but their earnest prayers to God their Creator to take vengeance on their oppressors.

[A.D. 1416.]

CHAP. XL.

THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY ARRIVES IN LONDON.—THE BROTHER TO THE KING OF CYPRUS COMES TO PARIS.—THE DEATH OF THE DUKE OF BERRY.—MANY EMBASSIES TAKE PLACE BETWEEN FRANCE AND ENGLAND.

In the beginning of this year, the emperor of Germany arrived at London; and the king, accompanied by his princes, nobles, great multitudes of the clergy and citizens, went out to meet him. During his stay, every honour was paid to him, and he was treated with great magnificence.

A few days after his arrival, duke William of Hainault came thither also, attended by six hundred horse, to endeavour to make a peace between England and France. Ambassadors likewise arrived at London from various countries, and in the number were one hundred persons from the duke of Burgundy.

At this same time, the brother to the king of Cyprus, who was count of three cities, came to visit the king of France in Paris. The constable, Charles son to the duke of Bourbon, the provost of Paris, and many more went to meet him; and they escorted him to the presence of the king and queen, who received him most graciously.

On the 16th day of May, Jennet de Poix, Jacques de Fosseux, the lord de St Leger, Binet d'Auffeu, Hue de Sailly, master Philippe de Morvillier, Guillaume Sanguin, and others of the Burgundy faction, were publicly banished at Amiens from the kingdom of France, on suspicion of having been concerned in the late plot against the royal family.

In these days, the duke of Berry, who was now at a very advanced age, was taken ill at his hôtel de Neele in Paris, and was frequently visited by the king his nephew, at that time in perfect health, and by other princes of the blood. Notwithstanding the care of his physicians, he departed this life on the 13th day of June, without leaving a male heir,—so that the duchy of Berry and county of Poiteu reverted to the crown, and the king gave them to John de Touraine, his eldest son, and godson to the defunct.

The heart of the duke of Berry was interred at St Denis, his bowels in the church of St Pierre-des-Degrez, and his body was carried to Bourges, and there buried in the cathedral church. He left two daughters; the eldest was countess d'Armagnac, mother to Amadeus duke of Savoy, and the youngest was duchess of Bourbon. The duke of Berry had, during his lifetime, given to his nephew and godson John duke of Burgundy, the county of Estampes, on certain conditions. On the duke of Berry's decease, the king appointed his youngest son Charles, afterward Dauphin, to the government of Paris, under the management of his father in law the king of Sicily, and likewise gave him the duchy of Touraine.

The ambassadors from France, who had accompanied the emperor of Germany to England, namely the archbishop of Rheims, the lord de Gaucourt and others, now returned to the king; but, at the instance of the emperor, the bishop of Norwich and sir Thomas Erpingham, a knight of great renown, grand master of the king's household, attended by seventy horsemen, went with him to Calais, as ambassadors from king Henry. At Calais they received passports from the king of France, and went to Montrieul, thence to Abbeville and Beauvais, where commissioners from the king met and honourably received them. A negociation was opened for a truce to take place between the two kings for a certain time, and also respecting the ransoms of some prisoners who had been carried to England in consequence of the victories of king Henry; but nothing was concluded, because the constable had besieged Harfleur by sea, and would not break up the siege, in consequence of which the English ambassadors returned home.

Soon afterward the king of England sent the earl of Warwick and others, as ambassadors to the duke of Burgundy at Lille, who concluded a truce between England and the duke, from St John Baptist's day in this year to Michaelmas day in 1417, but only for the counties of Flanders, Artois and the adjacent parts. The duke of Burgundy caused this truce to be publicly proclaimed at the usual places, to the great astonishment of many who were surprised that such a truce should have been concluded independantly of France.

CHAP. XLI.

JENNET DE POIX AND OTHERS, BY COMMAND OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, MARCH SECRETLY TO SAINT DENIS, AND MAKE INROADS ON DIFFERENT PARTS OF FRANCE.

In the month of June, sir Jennet de Poix, with the approbation of the duke of Burgundy his lord, collected four hundred men, who, hiding their arms in casks, divided themselves into companies, and went by different roads, disguised as merchants, to the frank fair of St Denis. As the king was at St Germain-en-Laye, and the constable in Normandy, many hid themselves on the road-side, and others entered the town as merchants, chiefly with the intention of seizing the chancellor and Tanneguy du Châtel provost of Paris. But while they were eating and drinking, the chancellor and Tanneguy passed unmolested through the town and returned to Paris.

When they heard of this, they hastened back in confusion to Picardy, carrying with them some prisoners, and spoils from the king's territories, which greatly incensed the people.

On the other hand, Ferry de Mailly, with many men at arms, invaded the towns of Quesnel and Hangest, in Santerre, where he and sir Martelet had been made prisoners, and carried off a large booty with many captives, whom, after they had miserably tortured them, they set at liberty for heavy ransoms.

In like manner, sir Mauroy de St Leger crossed the Seine, and during the night, formed an ambuscade near to the castle of Chaulnes[46]; and in the morning when the draw-bridge was lowered, his men rushed into the castle, and made themselves masters thereof, which was full of rich effects. Soon afterward, the peasants of Lihons[47], and from other villages who had therein deposited their goods, entered into a treaty with sir Mauroy; and, for a considerable sum of money paid him and his people, he surrendered the castle to the lady-dowager, and marched away.