FOOTNOTES:
[6] Porcien,—a principality in Champagne.
THE DUKE D'ALENÇON MAKES THE CHANCELLOR OF BRITTANY PRISONER.
This year, the duke d'Alençon made his uncle's chancellor of Brittany prisoner, because he would not assist him with money according to his pleasure, for his ransom when captured at the battle of Vermeuil in Perche, which he looked to obtain from the chancellor. He carried him prisoner to his town of Poussay. But in a short time, the duke of Brittany, being much exasperated at such conduct, assembled his barons and a large force of men at arms, whom, with some english captains, he marched to the town of Poussay, and besieged it all round,—but the duke d'Alençon had quitted it from fear of his enemies: he had, however, left there his duchess, daughter to the duke of Orleans, then a prisoner in England, who was ill in child-bed, and sorely vexed at these matters.
The siege was carried on for some time; but at length, the duke of Alençon, on account of the situation of the duchess, and to prevent his town and subjects being further harrassed, made peace with his uncle, and restored to him his chancellor and the others whom he had made prisoners. Thus was the siege broken up. The duke had taken the chancellor prisoner at a country-seat which he had near to Nantes,—and his object was to get paid a certain sum of money that his uncle, the duke of Brittany, was indebted to him.
THE FRENCH ARE NEAR TAKING THE CASTLE OF ROUEN.
On the 3d day of February in this year, at the solicitations of the marshal de Bousac, the lord de Fontaines, sir John Foulquet, the lord de Mouy, and other captains assembled a force of about six hundred fighting men in the city of Beauvais. They marched thence to within a league of Rouen, and posted themselves in ambush in a wood.
Thence the marshal sent off secretly a gentleman called Richarville with a hundred or six score combatants, all on foot, except four or five who were mounted on small horses, to the castle of Rouen, in which the marshal had for some time kept up a correspondence with a marauder on the part of the English named Pierre Audeboeuf, a Béarn man, who had promised to deliver up the castle to him.
When Richarville and his detachment approached the castle, he found the Béarnman ready to perform his promise; and they all entered, except a few who were left to guard the horses. They instantly made themselves masters of the greater part of the castle, and particularly the great tower, which was well supplied with stores.
The earl of Arundel and many English were in bed in the castle, most part of whom saved themselves as well as they could over the walls: the others retired within the town, but not without leaving several killed and wounded by the French.
When this was done, Richarville mounted his horse, and hastened back with all speed to where he had left the marshal, and told him the success of his enterprise, requiring him, at the same time, to advance quickly to the support of his men, when, without doubt, the whole of the castle would be won. But, to make short of the matter,—for all that he could say, and notwithstanding the urgency of the case which he stated to the commanders, he could not prevail on them to march, although the marshal and the principal captains had most faithfully promised to support him, if he should succeed in making a lodgement within the castle: now he had succeeded, they would not fulfil their engagements; and when within one league, as I have said, of Rouen, they began to quarrel among themselves about the division of the plunder, which had not as yet been won.
These disputes caused them to march back without proceeding further, and leave part of their men in the utmost danger. Richarville seeing this, and knowing that he had successfully done his duty, abused them in the coarsest terms, which they very patiently suffered, and hastened their departure.
They returned to Beauvais and the other places whence they had come, to the great vexation of Richarville, who had flattered himself that he should conquer the castle of Rouen. He remonstrated with several who had friends and relatives within the town of Rouen, but in vain: they marched away with the others to Beauvais.
While this was passing, the French were exerting themselves to drive the English without the gates of the castle, which they had gained possession of; but when day appeared, and they heard nothing of their army, they began to fear they should not be supported, and that they had been deceived in the promises made them. They were much surprised and cast down; and, on the other hand, the English were hourly increasing, and attacking them with great courage. They were accompanied by many of the townsmen, for fear they might be suspected of favouring the French.
The French, finding they were not in sufficient force to defend all they had conquered, with one accord retired to the great tower, with all the provision they could lay hands on, and determined to hold out until death. They were, however, soon attacked on all sides, by the cannon and engines the English brought against it, which damaged it in many places. Those within were in a few days much straitened for provision and other things, which forced them, having now no hopes of relief, to surrender at discretion to king Henry and his council, after having held out for twelve days.
Before they were conquered, they had done much mischief to the English by the artillery they found within the tower, and that which they had transported thither. They were all made prisoners, and put under a good guard; and shortly after, one hundred and fifty were beheaded in Rouen,—and Pierre Audeboeuf was quartered, and his body affixed at the usual places.
About this period, the duke of Burgundy marched a thousand combatants from his country of Artois to Burgundy, where he remained three days to visit those parts that had been much harrassed by the enemy. While there, he was waited on by the archbishop of Rheims and other notable ambassadors from king Charles, to treat of a peace between them; but as they could not conclude on terms, they returned to the king. When the duke of Burgundy had ordered proper measures for the government of that country he returned to Artois, Flanders and Brabant.
THE FRENCH TAKE THE CASTLE OF DOMMART IN PONTHIEU, AND CARRY OFF THE LORD DE DOMMART PRISONER.
In the month of February, a party of king Charles's men, to the amount of fourscore combatants, under the command of a noble knight called sir Regnault de Verseilles, collected from Beauvais, Breteuil, and other places, crossed the river Somme in small boats near to Pequigny, and were thence conducted to the castle of Dommart in Ponthieu, to the walls of which, without being perceived by the guard, they fastened their ladders and gained an entrance.
They instantly shouted, 'The castle is won!' and began to batter down doors and windows. This noise awakened the inhabitants, and especially the lord, sir James de Craon, who was in bed with his wife. He suddenly arose, thinking to put an end to it, but it was in vain; for his enemies were too powerful, and his men, who were not very numerous, could not collect together. He and the greater part of them were made prisoners: the rest escaped over the walls.
The French, after having gained possession, packed up all the moveables they could find within the castle, such as gold and silver plate, furs, clothes, linen, and other things, which, after having refreshed themselves, they carried away, with their prisoners, by the way they had come, leaving the castle in the same outward state as they had found it.
In the mean time, the inhabitants of the town of Dommart, hearing the noise in the castle, collected together, and sent notice of what had passed to Pequigny and to other places. It was not long, before nearly two hundred men of all sorts were assembled, who pursued the French with such haste, that they overtook them at the place where they had before passed the Somme, and instantly attacked them. They were soon defeated: part were made prisoners or killed, and the others were drowned in attempting to cross the river. However, sir Regnault had crossed the Somme before they came up with them, with his prisoner sir James de Craon, and carried him, without any opposition, to Beauvais, whence he afterward obtained his liberty by paying a large sum of money.
SIR THOMAS KIRIEL, AN ENGLISHMAN, IS APPOINTED GOVERNOR OF THE CASTLE OF CLERMONT IN THE BEAUVOISIS.
This year, through the intrigues of sir John de Luxembourg, the strong castle of Beauvoisis was given to the command of sir Thomas Kiriel, an Englishman,—which castle had been long held by the lord de Crevecoeur, under the duke of Burgundy. The duke had consented to this appointment, on sir Thomas giving sir John de Luxembourg a promise, under his hand and seal, that he would yield it up whenever required.
Sir Thomas soon collected a large company of English, whom he placed in this castle, and carried on a severe warfare against the towns on the French frontier, such as Creil, Beauvais, Compiègne and others. In like manner, did they act in regard to the castlewicks of Mondidier and other places under the obedience of the duke of Burgundy.
In truth, during these tribulations, they made many prisoners, and even carried off women, as well noble as not, whom they kept in close confinement until they ransomed themselves. Several of them who were with child were brought to bed in their prison. The duke of Burgundy was very angry at such things being done to those under his obedience, but could not obtain redress; for when he demanded the restitution of the castle according to sir Thomas's promise and agreement, he put off the matter with different reasons for delay, such as soldiers readily find, who often, on certain occasions, follow their own will. In short, after many delays, the duke of Bedford, in compliment to his brother-in-law the duke of Burgundy, ordered sir Thomas to deliver up the castle of Clermont to the lord d'Auffremont.
THE INHABITANTS OF CHAUNY-SUR-OISE DESTROY THE CASTLE OF THEIR TOWN.
About the same time, sir Colart de Mailly, bailiff for king Henry in the Vermandois, and sir Ferry de Mailly, resided at the castle of Chauny sur Oise, the lawful inheritance of Charles duke of Orleans, a prisoner in England. Sir Ferry happened to say some things not very respectful, in regard to the townsmen, which alarmed them lest he might introduce a stronger garrison of English into the castle by the back gate than would be agreeable to them, and reduce them the more under his subjection.
They, consequently, held some secret meetings of the principal inhabitants, namely, John de Longueval, Matthew de Longueval his brother, Pierre Piat and others, who bound themselves by a solemn oath to gain possession of the castle, and demolish it, the first day that sir Colart and sir Ferry de Mailly should be in the town.
Having arranged their plan, they posted some few of their accomplices near to the gate of the castle, properly instructed how to act. When they saw the two knights, with their attendants, quit the castle to amuse themselves in the town, as was their usual custom, they crossed the drawbridge, the guard having no suspicion of them, and instantly raised it and gained possession of the place. The guard was greatly vexed, but there was no remedy; and those in the secret within the town, instantly on hearing what had passed, rang the alarm bell, and, arming themselves with staves and what weapons they could find, hastened to the castle, wherein they were instantly admitted.
Some of the principal inhabitants waited on the two knights to assure them they needed not be under any apprehension for their persons or property; that all their effects should be strictly restored to them, for what they were about was for the good and security of the town. The knights, seeing there was no alternative, replied, that since it could not be otherwise, they would act according to their pleasure; and, much discontented with what was passing, they retired with their friends to a house in the town, where all their property was delivered to them.
The inhabitants, with one accord, followed up the destruction of the castle, so that within a very few days it was demolished from top to bottom.
Shortly after, the bailiff of the Vermandois and his brother quitted the town of Chauny,—and in their stead sir John de Luxembourg first sent sir Hector de Flavy to govern them, and then Waleran de Moreul; but, after what the inhabitants had done, they found them more inclined to disobedience than before the castle was demolished.
THE CITY OF CHARTRES IS CONQUERED BY KING CHARLES'S PARTY.
On the 20th day of April, in this year, was won the noble city of Chartres by the arms of king Charles. This city had followed the party of dukes John and Philip of Burgundy since the year 1417, when she first attached herself to duke John, and afterward to the English party.
The taking of it was owing to two of the inhabitants, named Jean Conseil and le Petit Guillemin, who had formerly been prisoners to the French, with whom they had resided a long time, and had been so well treated by them that they had turned to their side. They had made frequent journeys, with passports from the French, to Blois, Orleans, and other places under their obedience, with different merchandise, bringing back to Chartres other articles in exchange.
There was also within Chartres a jacobin doctor of divinity, called Friar Jean Sarragin, of their way of thinking, who was the principal director of their machinations, and to whom they always had recourse. Having formed their plan, when the day arrived for its execution, the French collected in different parts a force amounting in the whole to four thousand men, the principal leaders of which were the lord de Gaucourt, the bastard of Orleans, Blanchet d'Estouteville, sir Florent de Lers, La Hire, Girard de Felins, and other chiefs of inferior rank.
They began their march toward Chartres, and, when within a quarter of a league, they formed an ambuscade of the greater number of their men. Others, to the amount of forty or fifty, advanced still nearer the town; and the two men before named, who were the plotters of this mischief, were driving carriages laden with wine and other things, especially a great quantity of shad fish. Some expert and determined men at arms were dressed as drivers of these carriages, having their arms concealed under their frocks.
So soon as the gate leading to Blois was opened, these carriages advanced to enter, led on by Jean Conseil and Petit Guillemin. The porters at the gate, knowing them well, asked what news. They said they knew none but what was good,—on which the porters bade them welcome. Then, the better to deceive them, Jean Conseil took a pair of shad, and, giving them to the porters, said, 'There's for your dinner: accept of them with our thanks,—for we often make you and others wait for us to shut and open the gates and barriers.'
While this conversation was passing, those disguised as carters suddenly armed themselves and fell on the porters, killed part of them, and gained possession of the gate. Then making the signal that had been agreed on, the whole army that was in ambuscade quickly advanced, and began their march into the town in handsome order, completely armed, and with displayed banners before them.
Those of the porters who had escaped into the town gave the alarm to the inhabitants, who instantly, and in many places, cried 'To arms!' The burghers and commonalty immediately assembled; but unfortunately the said jacobin friar had been preaching to them in a very popular strain some days before; and had requested that they would hear a sermon of his, which would greatly profit their souls if attended to; and he had fixed on this very morning to preach it, at a remote part of the town, the most distant from the gate where the attempt was to be made.
At the moment when the alarm was given, the majority of the inhabitants were attending to the friar's sermon; but on hearing the cries, 'To arms!' often repeated, they were greatly frightened, and hastened to their homes as speedily as they could. Very many of them armed, and with staves joined their bishop and their governor, who led them to where the French were, intending to drive them out of the town; but it was too late, for the French were much superior in numbers, well armed, and accustomed to war. They were beside far advanced within the town when the inhabitants met them,—and the French, the more to deceive them, shouted out, 'Peace! peace!' as they pushed forward in handsome array, discharging their arrows. Some shot passed on each side; but it lasted not long, for, to complete their misfortune, William de Villeneuve, captain of the garrison, instead of leading them to battle, perceiving the business was so far advanced, mounted his horse, and, with about a hundred of his men, fled in haste through the opposite gate, and multitudes of people with him. Those who remained were soon defeated, without offering further resistance.
The French having advanced to the market-place, and seeing none to oppose them, held a council, and detached parties through the streets, to discover if any of the enemy were preparing for resistance; but every one fled before them, and saved himself as well he could.
In consequence of this attack, about sixty or four score of the townsmen lost their lives,—the principal person of whom was master Jean de Festigny, a native of Burgundy, the bishop. From five to six hundred were made prisoners: the chief was master Gilles de l'Aubespine, who governed the town for the English.
All who were taken, churchmen or burghers, were forced to pay heavy ransoms,—and every thing that could be turned into money was seized.
In regard to rapes and other extraordinary acts, they were committed according to military usage on a conquered town.
On the morrow, several who had been partisans of the English were publicly beheaded; and new magistrates were appointed in the name of the king of France, together with a very strong garrison to defend the frontier against the English. The commander in chief within the town, and of this force, was the bastard of Orleans.
THE CARDINAL OF SANTA CROCE IS SENT BY THE POPE TO FRANCE, TO ENDEAVOUR TO MAKE PEACE BETWEEN THE CONTENDING PARTIES.
At this time, our holy father the pope sent to France the cardinal of Santa Croce to appease the quarrel between the king of France on the one part, and Henry king of England and the duke of Burgundy on the other. The cardinal made great exertions to procure a peace, but in vain: however, he did succeed by his diligence in establishing a truce between the king of France and the duke of Burgundy for six years,—and they mutually exchanged assurances of this truce under their hands and seals, drawn up in the strongest manner.
The people fondly hoped that this truce would be lasting, and in consequence returned to their agricultural labours, restocking their farms with cattle and other things: but their joy did not long continue, for within the first half year, so bitter were the parties against each other, the war recommenced with greater fury than before.
The principal reason for this renewal of war was owing to the French seizing some of the burgundian party with the English; and in like manner, some poor adventurers among the Burgundians having joined the English, and wearing a red cross, made war on the French,—so that by these means the truce was broken. Justice was no where attended to, and numberless plunderings were daily practised against the lower orders of the people and the clergy; for notwithstanding they paid very large sums to the leaders of the two parties, according to the country they lived in, to enjoy security, and had received from them sealed papers as assurances of not being disturbed, no attention was paid to them, and thus they had none other resource than to offer up their prayers to God for vengeance on their oppressors.
THE ENGLISH CONQUER THE BULWARK AT LAGNY-SUR-MARNE.
During the month of March of this year, the duke of Bedford, in conjunction with the council of king Henry then at Paris, ordered a body of men at arms to march and subject to the king's obedience some castles held by the French on the borders of the Isle of France, such as Mongay, Gournay, and others. They were also commanded to destroy the bridge of Lagny sur Marne.
The chief commanders of this force were the earl of Arundel, the eldest son of the earl of Warwick, the lord de l'Isle-Adam, marshal of France to king Henry, sir John bastard de St Pol, sir Galois d'Aunay lord d'Orville, and others. When they left Paris, they were about twelve hundred fighting men, having with them abundance of carts and carriages, with cannon and other artillery. In a few days, they came before the above mentioned castles, which were soon constrained to submit. Some of the garrisons marched away in safety, and with part of their baggage; while others remained at the discretion of the English,—many of whom were executed, and others ransomed.
After these surrenders, the English took the road toward Lagny sur Marne; and on their arrival before it, the earl of Arundel had a large bombard pointed against the arch of the drawbridge leading to the town, which broke it down at the first discharge, so that all communication with the bulwark at the opposite end of the bridge was cut off.
The earl now made a fierce attack on this bulwark, and won it, notwithstanding the few within defended it with much courage and obstinacy. John of Luxembourg, one of the bastards of St Pol, was killed at this attack, and others wounded. The English broke down the bridge in many places, and, having set the bulwark on fire, retired to their quarters.
The English having determined to make an attempt, within a few days, on the town of Lagny on different parts at the same time, the earl of Arundel remained with a certain number of men for that purpose. When the day arrived, and as the marshal and the other captains were marching to the assault, sir John de Luxembourg bastard of St Pol, who bore for his device, and on his banner, a brilliant sun, said aloud, in the hearing of many, that he made a vow to God, that if the sun entered the town, he would do the same,—which expression was diversely construed by those who heard it.
They advanced gallantly to storm the place; but by the vigilance and intrepidity of Huçon Queue, a Scotsman, sir John Foucault, and the other captains in the town, they were boldly received, and very many of the assailants were killed or severely wounded. They lost also four or five of their banners and pennons, which were, by force of arms, drawn into the town by their two ends: one was the banner of the lord de l'Isle-Adam, and another, having the sun on it, that of the bastard de St Pol, who had vowed to enter the place if the sun did. They were forced to retreat to their quarters with shame and disgrace.
At the end of three days, the greater part of the men disbanded without leave of their captains,—saying that they were losing their time by a longer stay, for that they ran a greater risk of loss than gain,—and returned to the duke of Bedford at Paris. These English and Burgundians had been eight days before Lagny, battering the walls with their artillery, before they made this attack.
PHILIBERT DE VAUDRAY, GOVERNOR OF TONNERRE, AND THE LORD D'AMONT WAIT ON THE DUKE OF BEDFORD TO SERVE HIM.
In these days, Philibert de Vaudray and the lord d'Amont left Burgundy with about five hundred men at arms, by command of their lord the duke of Burgundy, to aid his brother-in-law the duke of Bedford. They took the road through Champagne to gain Picardy; but the French, hearing of their intentions, had assembled from seven to eight hundred combatants, on their line of march, to combat and to conquer them. They were commanded by Yvon de Puys, the bastard de Dampierre, the borgne de Remon, and some others, who drew themselves up in battle-array on the approach of the Burgundians. These last immediately dismounted to defend themselves; but when they were on the point of commencing the engagement, the French, who for the greater part had not dismounted, suddenly wheeled about in great confusion and fled, but not without having some few killed and wounded.
The Burgundians now continued their route unmolested to Picardy, where they remained for some time pillaging and devouring the country. They thence marched to join the duke of Bedford at Paris.
About this time, the king of Cyprus, in consequence of a long illness that had succeeded to his imprisonment by the Saracens, departed this life, after having most devoutly received all the sacraments of the holy church. With the unanimous consent of the estates of that kingdom, he was succeeded by John de Lusignan, his only son by his queen Charlotte de Bourbon, who was crowned in the cathedral church of Nicosia.
[A.D. 1432.]
THE DUKE OF BEDFORD MARCHES A LARGE FORCE TO LAGNY-SUR-MARNE, TO SUPPORT THE ENGLISH AND BURGUNDIANS WHO HAD REMAINED THERE, BUT RETIRES WITHOUT MAKING ANY CONQUEST.
At the beginning of this year, the duke of Bedford, styling himself regent of France, collected about six thousand combatants from different parts under his obedience, whom he marched against the town of Lagny sur Marne, held by the supporters of king Charles. There might be in that place from eight hundred to a thousand picked and well tried men under the orders of a scots captain, called sir Ambrose Love, and sir John de Foucault, who valiantly conducted those under their banners.
With the duke of Bedford were the lord de l'Isle-Adam, marshal, sir John bastard de St Pol, the bastard d'Aunay, knight and lord of Orville, Philibert de Vaudray, the lord d'Amont, and many others of notable estate, who had long laid siege to the town, to reduce it to the obedience of king Henry.
There were numerous pieces of artillery pointed against the gates and walls, which they damaged in many places, and caused the greatest alarm to those of the garrison,—for in addition, they were much straitened for provisions. The duke of Bedford had them frequently summoned to surrender, but they would never listen to it,—for they never lost hopes of being relieved by their party, as in fact they afterward were.
The besieged had thrown a bridge of boats over the Marne, for their convenience of passing and repassing, and had erected a bulwark at each end, the command of which was intrusted to a certain number of men at arms.
While these things were passing, the king of France assembled about eight hundred combatants, whom he dispatched to Orleans, under the command of the marshal de Bousac, the bastard of Orleans, the lord de Gaucourt, Rodrique de Villandras, the lord de Saintrailles, and other captains of renown, to throw succours into the town of Lagny.
They advanced in a body to Melun, where they crossed the Seine, and thence, through Brie, toward Lagny, being daily joined by forces from their adjoining garrisons. In the mean time, the duke had so hardly pressed the garrison that they had offered to capitulate when the French forces arrived.
The duke prepared with diligence to offer battle to the French, and sent for reinforcements from all quarters. He ordered his heralds at arms to signify to the French his willingness to combat them and their allies, if they would fix on the time and place. To this they returned no other answer than that, under the pleasure of God and of our blessed Saviour, they would not engage in battle but when it should be agreeable to themselves, and that they would bring their present enterprise to a happy conclusion.
The French advanced in handsome array, in three divisions, to a small river within a quarter of a league of the town; and the duke of Bedford, having drawn up his army in three divisions also, marched thither to defend the passage. When the two armies were near, several severe skirmishes took place at different parts: especially on the quarter where the heir of Warwick and the lord de l'Isle-Adam were posted, a sharp attack was made by Rodrique de Villandras, the lord de Saintrailles, and other captains, who were escorting a convoy of provision for the town.
In spite of their adversaries, they forced a passage for part of their convoy to the very gates, and drove in from twenty to thirty bullocks, a number of sacks of flour, and a reinforcement to the garrison of about four score men at arms; but this was not effected without great effusion of blood, for very many were killed and wounded on both sides.
On the part of the French was killed the lord de Saintrailles, eldest brother to Poton de Saintrailles. In another quarter, where sir Thomas Kiriel, sir John bastard of St Pol, the lord d'Amont, and Philibert de Vaudroy were posted, many gallant deeds were done, and several killed and wounded on both sides. The English lost there a gentleman called Odart de Remy.
These skirmishes lasted nearly till vespers,—and as it was St Laurence's day in August, and very hot, the two armies suffered greatly from it. The french captains, perceiving that they could not gain any advantage, for the English and Burgundians were strongly posted, retreated with their army to Cressy in Brie, where they halted for the night, and thence marched to Château Thierry and to Vitry-le-François, where they staid four days.
The duke of Bedford, knowing that the French intended entering the Isle of France, and fearing they might conquer some of his towns, decamped in no very orderly manner from before Lagny, for many things were left behind by him, and advanced towards Paris. Having collected his men, he followed the French to offer them battle again; but they sent for answer, that they had gained what they had come for.
The lord de Gaucourt was of infinite service to the French by his wisdom and prudence. The French now left Vitry and returned toward Lagny, where the lord de Gaucourt remained: the other captains led their men to the garrisons whence they had come. The besieged were much rejoiced, and not without cause, at the departure of their enemies,—for the siege had lasted upwards of four months, in which time they had suffered very great hardships from want of provision and other distresses.
At this period, the English lost the castle of Monchas in Normandy, belonging to the count d'Eu, prisoner in England, and which they had held for a long time. The captain of it was called Brunclay[7], but he was at the time with the duke of Bedford at the siege of Lagny. The French delivered all of their party confined in the prisons, and sent in haste to offer its government to sir Regnault de Fontaines, then at Beauvais, who immediately accepted of it, and marched thither with about eighty combatants. By means of this castle, a sharp warfare was carried on in Vimeu, and the adjacent parts, against all who supported the party of king Henry and of the duke of Burgundy.
FOOTNOTES:
[7] Brunclay. Q. Brownlow.
THE COMMONALTY OF GHENT RISE AGAINST THEIR MAGISTRATES.
At this season, the commonalty of Ghent rose in arms, to the amount of fifty thousand, against their magistrates. Having assembled about ten o'clock in the morning, they went to the square of the market-place, and drew up in front of the hall where the magistrates were. They were obliged instantly to speak with them, or they would have forced an entrance through the doors and windows.
When the magistrates appeared, they immediately put to death the deacon of small trades, called John Boëlle, one of the sheriffs, named Jean Daniel van Zenere, with one of the counsellors called Jason Habit. The other magistrates were in fear of their lives from the cruelties they saw committed before their eyes; the mob, however, were contented with what they had done.
The commonalty then marched away in a body for the abbey of Saint Pierre, to destroy a wood that was hard by: from thence they went to St Barron, to recover some hereditary rents they had paid the church; but the abbot, by his prudent conduct and kind words, pacified them, and prevented further mischief. He complied with all their requests, and gave them abundantly to eat from the provisions of the monastery.
They went away well pleased with the abbot, and then broke into three or four houses of the principal burghers, carrying away all they thought proper, and destroying the rest of the furniture. They threw open the gates of all the prisons of the duke, setting those confined at liberty,—more especially one called George Goscath, who was a strong partisan of theirs against the magistrates.
After they had thus acted for two days, by the interference of several of the chief men in Ghent, they were appeased, and returned quietly to their former occupations. During these riots, the duke's officers left the town, fearful that the mob would put them death, as they had done others; and the duke of Burgundy, by reason of the many weighty affairs he had on his hands, was advised to act mercifully toward them. They entreated forgiveness of the duke's council, who, on their paying a fine, pardoned them, and they afterward remained peaceable.
SIR JOHN BASTARD OF ST POL AND THE LORD DE HUMIERES ARE TAKEN PRISONERS BY THE FRENCH.
While these things were passing at Ghent, sir John bastard de St Pol and the lord de Humieres marched from Artois, with about sixty combatants, to join the duke of Bedford in Paris. They went to Mondidier and to l'Isle-Adam, thinking to proceed thence in safety to Paris; but they were met by a detachment from the garrison of Creil, who had received notice of their intended march, and were instantly attacked with such vigour that, in spite of their resistance, they were both made prisoners, with the greater part of their men, and carried to Creil.
A few saved themselves by flight; and the two knights, after some little time, ransomed themselves by paying a large sum of money to those who had taken them.
GREAT DISORDERS ARE COMMITTED BY THE FRENCH IN THE AMIENNOIS, SANTERRE AND VIMEU.
At this time, Blanchefort, who held the castle of Breteuil for king Charles of France, did infinite mischief to the countries of Amiens, Santerre and Vimeu, by fire, sword and pillaging,—insomuch that most of the inhabitants had deserted the country, and retired within the fortified towns; for they were by these means deprived of the power of paying the tributes levied on them for forbearance.
This party had also repaired some of the castles in Vimeu such as Araines, Hornoy and others, in which they posted garrisons, who much annoyed the adjacent parts. They were likewise harassed by those of the Burgundy-faction. The poor labourers knew not whither to fly, for they were not defended by the lords of either party; and what added to their distress, sir Philibert de Vaudray and the lord d'Amont, on their return from serving the duke of Bedford, took possession of Pont de Remy, by driving away the lord de Saveuses' men, who had the guard of it.
The lord de Saveuses was very indignant at this conduct, and assembled his friends and dependants to expel them thence; but as he found they were superior to him in numbers, he gave up the attempt,—and they remained in the quiet possession of the post, to the great annoyance of the country round.
THE HEIR OF COMMERCY TAKES THE TOWN OF LIGNY IN THE BARROIS, BELONGING TO SIR JOHN DE LUXEMBOURG.
In the month of September of this year, the heir of Commercy, who had a long standing enmity against sir John de Luxembourg, as well for his detaining from him the castle of Montague as for other matters of quarrel between them, assembled from divers parts four or five hundred combatants, whom he led secretly to Ligny in the Barrois, and, through neglect of the guard, took it by scalado.
The town was instantly alarmed, and the majority of the inhabitants precipitately withdrew into the castle, which had not been conquered,—whence they defended themselves gallantly against the enemy, who summoned them repeatedly to surrender. They would never listen to the summons, but dispatched messengers in all speed to inform sir John de Luxembourg of their distress, and to require his aid. Sir John, on hearing this, immediately set clerks to write letters to all his friends and relations, to press them most earnestly, from the affection they bore him, now to hasten to the succour of his town of Ligny. Many of the nobles and gentlemen to whom he had applied made instant preparations to attend him, and would have joined him in great numbers; but, in the mean time, the young lord of Commercy perceiving he could not win the castle, and fearing the great force sir John de Luxembourg would march against him, whose power and inclinations he well knew, concluded with those in whom he had the greatest confidence to return whence they had come. Having thus determined, they packed up all the moveables they found in the town that were portable: they set the houses on fire, to the grief and dismay of the inhabitants, and then marched away with their prisoners to Commercy.
Intelligence of this was instantly sent to sir John de Luxembourg, who was grieved at heart on hearing it; and as his plans were now at an end, he sent letters to countermand the coming of his friends, and gave up his intended expedition.
THE BURGUNDIANS, UNDER PRETENCE OF BEING ENGLISH, GAIN THE CASTLE OF LA BOUE, NEAR TO LAON.—OTHER MATTERS.
At this same period, the men of the lord de Ternant, who resided in Rethel, dressed themselves with the red cross, to counterfeit being English, and, on a certain day, won by stratagem the castle of la Boue, within two leagues of Laon. They were under the command of a man at arms called Nicholas Chevalier; and, by means of this capture, those of Laon, and other places under the obedience of king Charles, suffered much.
The reason why they put on the red cross was on account of the truce between king Charles and the duke of Burgundy, which was not then expired. They had always been of the duke's party; and very many mischiefs were done to the poor countrymen by English, French, and Burgundians.
The count de Vaudemont, at this time also, assembled three or four hundred combatants in Picardy, whom he conducted to his town of Vezelize: one of his captains was the bastard de Humieres: and on their arrival, they commenced a severe warfare on the Barrois and Lorrainers, to whom they did much mischief by fire, sword and plunder.
In the month of October, the duke and duchess of Burgundy went to Holland, escorted by about six hundred combatants from Picardy. The duke staid there about a month to examine the country,—and during that time, a treaty was concluded between his counsellors and those of the duchess of Bavaria, by which it was settled that the duke of Burgundy should from the present enjoy all the honours, profits, and emoluments of the countries of Hainault, Holland, Zealand and Frizeland, with their dependancies, as his own hereditary right; but that, should the duke die before the said duchess, all these territories were to return to her as the legal heiress of them.
Many noble lordships and rich estates were at the same time allotted her together with the county of Ostrevant, of which county alone she was now to style herself countess, laying aside all the titles of the above-named places. When these matters had been finally concluded, the duke consented that his cousin the duchess should marry sir François de Borselle, which had been secretly treated of between the parties. The duke of Burgundy henceforward styled himself, in addition to his former titles, Count of Hainault, Holland and Zealand, and lord of Frizeland. On the conclusion of this treaty, he returned to Flanders.
FRIAR THOMAS GOES TO ROME.—HE IS BURNT THERE.
In this year, friar Thomas Conette, of the order of Carmelites, whom we have before noticed in this history, made many preachings in divers parts of Champagne, the which had induced numbers of ladies of high rank to lay aside their ridiculous dresses.
He thence journeyed to Rome, during the popedom of Eugenius IV. and arrived there with the venetian ambassadors. He was lodged at Saint Paul's, whence the pope ordered him to come before him, not with any evil intentions toward him, but for him to preach, for he had heard much of his renown. He refused twice to attend the holy father, under pretence of being ill; and the third time, the pope sent his treasurer to bring him.
Friar Thomas, seeing the treasurer enter the house, instantly leaped out of the window to escape,—but, being directly pursued, was taken and carried before the pope in his palace. The cardinals of Rouen and of Navarre were charged to examine him and his doctrines, who, finding him guilty of heresy, and of death, he was in consequence sentenced to be publicly burnt in the city of Rome.
THE DEATH OF THE DUCHESS OF BEDFORD.
In these days, Anne duchess of Bedford and sister to the duke of Burgundy lay ill, at the hôtel of the Tournelles in Paris, of a lingering disorder, which in spite of all the care of her physicians, of whom she had many, carried her off from this life. She was buried in the same chapel of the Celestins where Louis, late duke of Orleans, had been interred.
The duke of Bedford was sorely afflicted at her death; as were many of his party; for they feared that the connexion which had been continued by her means with her brother the duke of Burgundy would thereby be weakened.
When she died, ambassadors from the three parties, namely, king Charles, king Henry, and the duke of Burgundy, were assembled at Auxerre, and at Melun, to treat of a peace; but as they could not agree upon terms, they separated and returned to their lords.
SOME OF THE FRENCH CAPTAINS CROSS THE THE RIVER SOMME, AND OVERRUN ARTOIS.
In the beginning of December, captain Blanchefort, sir Anthony de Chabannes, the lord de Longueval, sir Carados Desquesnes, and others of king Charles's party, assembled about eight hundred or a thousand combatants near Breteuil, and thence marched to cross the river Somme at Capy. They advanced during the night for Dourlens, whither they had sent spies to learn if they could not win it by scalado: but the lord de Humieres, having had notice of their intentions, sent in all haste to inform the mayor and magistrates, that the French were marching to attack their town.
Upon this, they made every preparation for a good defence, and sent a messenger to the castle of Beauval, to make the garrison acquainted with the above intelligence. The messenger was met just before day-break, a quarter of a league from the town by the french scouts, by whom he was taken and examined, and they soon learned from him his errand. They returned to their main body, which was close in the rear, who, hearing what the messenger had said, found their enterprise had failed, and returned to the town of Beauquesne. When they had fully refreshed themselves, they re-crossed the Somme, and marched back to their garrisons with great numbers of prisoners and a rich pillage.
A BENEDICTINE MONK ATTEMPTS TO GAIN THE CASTLE OF ST ANGELO AT ROME.
While all these things were passing, a Benedictine, surnamed The Little Monk, who had been a great favourite of Pope Martin, and had much power during his reign, attached himself, after his decease, to his successor, pope Eugenius, and gained the same power under him as he had enjoyed before.
Notwithstanding the favour he was in with the pope, he conceived the design of betraying him, through the temptations of the devil, as it may be supposed, and had connected himself with the prince of Salerno, promising to put him in possession of the castle of St Angelo, and even of the city of Rome. To effect this, he one day waited on the pope to take his leave, saying, that he was going to Avignon to fix his residence there for some time. He then requested of the governor of the castle of St Angelo to take charge of his coffers, containing his wealth, until his return, which the governor assented to, not suspecting his treachery.
He ordered twelve cases to be made, capable of holding twelve men, which were to be intrusted to the care of two men to each case. When all things were ready, the better to succeed in his enterprise, he sent a page, who was his own nephew, with letters to one of the prisoners confined in the castle of St Angelo, which fortunately fell into the hands of the governor, and thus made him acquainted with the whole of the plot. He instantly carried them to the pope, who ordered the monk to be delivered to the secular power, by whom he was put to the torture, and confessed his guilt. He was then condemned to death, and hanged on a gibbet and quartered in the principal market-place of Rome.
The prince of Salerno, having failed in his attempt, did not however refrain from making open war on the pope within a short time after this event.
In these days, an adventurer called Thomelaire, provost of Laon for king Charles, won the castle of Passavant, by means of certain intelligence with those within it. This was very displeasing to the duke of Burgundy, for he was afraid that it would lay open his country to the enemy; and he had the place so strongly besieged that those who had taken it were forced to surrender at discretion. The said Thomelaire and some others were put to death, and the castle razed to the ground.
A PEACE IS CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE DUKE OF BAR AND THE COUNT DE VAUDEMONT.
In this year, a peace was concluded, through the mediation of the duke of Burgundy, between the duke of Bar and the count de Vaudemont.
Each promised to restore to the other whatever castles or towns they had won; and it was also agreed, that the eldest son of the count should marry the duke's eldest daughter, who was to give her annually six thousand francs, and a certain sum in ready money on the day of her marriage.
This treaty having been drawn up by their most able counsellors, was signed by them, and then they mutually pardoned each other for whatever they might have done amiss. The young lady was delivered into the hands of the count, and all the articles of the treaty were duly observed, to the great joy of their subjects, who now found themselves free from all the vexations they had suffered in consequence of the late warfare between their lords.
THE DUCHESS OF BURGUNDY IS BROUGHT TO BED OF A SON IN THE TOWN OF GHENT.
On the 14th of April in this year, the duchess of Burgundy was brought to bed of a son in the town of Ghent. His godfathers were, the cardinal of Winchester, and the counts de St Pol and de Ligny, brothers,—and the countess de Meaux was the godmother. He was christened Josse, although neither of the godfathers bore that name, but it had been so ordered by the duke and duchess. They all presented very rich gifts to the child.
This year, the duke, with the consent of the estates, renewed the coin; and golden money was struck, called Riddes[8], of the value of twenty-four sols in silver coin called Virelans[9]. All the old money was called in at a fourth or fifth part of its value, and recoined. At this time, there were great quarrels between the towns of Brussels and Mechlin, insomuch that a severe war took place between them. In like manner, there was much dissention among the Ghent-men, so that several officers were banished from the town.
A PEACE CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE DUKE OF BAR AND THE COUNTS DE ST POL AND DE LIGNY.
A treaty of peace now took place between the duke of Bar and the two brothers, the counts de St Pol and de Ligny, who had for some time been at war,—by which the whole country of Guise, parts of which had been conquered by sir John de Luxembourg, count de Ligny, and which was the hereditary inheritance of the duke of Bar, was given up to the said sir John de Luxembourg, in perpetuity to him and his heirs.
For the greater security of the above, the duke freely gave up the castle of Bohain, in the presence of many of his nobles and officers of the county of Guise, whom he had ordered thither for the purpose of witnessing it, as well as several imperial and apostolical notaries.
There were likewise some discussions relative to Joan de Bar, daughter of sir Robert de Bar, count of Marle, and the portion of property she was to have in the duchy of Bar, in right of her said father. There were also some proposals for a marriage between the second son of the count de Saint Pol and one of the youngest daughters of the duke of Bar: but these two articles were deferred to the next time of meeting. When this negotiation had lasted some days, and the duke had been most honourably and grandly feasted by the two brothers in the castle of Bohain, he departed thence, according to appearances, highly pleased with them, and returned to his duchy.