After this conversation, he returned to his father in Damascus, and related to him the reception he had met with in Cyprus, and that the king would not even see or hear him. The holy man was so much exasperated against the king of Cyprus, that he became, ever after, his most mortal enemy, and was continually urging the sultan to make war on Cyprus, declaring there could be no doubt but that he would be victorious over his enemies.

CHAP. XXXV.

THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY MAKES GREAT PREPARATIONS TO COMBAT THE DUKE OF GLOCESTER.—OTHER MATTERS.

The duke of Burgundy lost no time in making his preparations, as well in armour as in housings for his horses, to be ready for the day of combat with the duke of Glocester. The greater part of his armour he had forged within his castle of Hesdin. He also exercised himself with all diligence, and was very abstemious, the better to strengthen his breath; for in truth he was very impatient for the arrival of the day, that he might combat his enemy, as he well knew that his brother-in-law the regent and his council were endeavouring, by all means, to procure a reconciliation, and that measures for the same effect were pursuing with the duke of Glocester in England.

In the mean time, the regent ordered the earl of Salisbury to besiege the castle of Rambouillet, in the possession of king Charles's partisans, who at times made excursions even to the gates of Paris, and heavily oppressed the people. The castle held out some time, and then surrendered to the earl, on condition that the garrison should carry away their effects.

About the feast of St John Baptist, the people of Tournay again rebelled, and gained the government of the town to rule it as it had formerly been done by one named Passecarte, with another called Blarie and others of low degree, who for their misconduct had been banished the town. The populace, however, with displayed banners and in arms, brought them back in triumph, and replaced them in their situations contrary to the will of the higher ranks of burghers and the magistrates, some of whom were imprisoned and in great danger of their lives; but all was after some time appeased.

In this year, the sultan of Egypt required the aid of the king of Tunis to carry on his war against Cyprus, which was granted him. He then collected the largest possible force of armed vessels from all his dependancies, which he victualled and filled with men, and sent them, under the command of one of his admirals, to make a descent on Cyprus, near to Famagousta, where, having effected a landing, they overran the country and committed innumerable mischiefs.

At this period, the king of Cyprus lay dangerously ill; for which reason, he appointed his brother, the prince of Galilee, captain and commander in chief of his army. The prince collected the whole force of Cyprus, and advanced to where the Saracens were to offer them combat; but they, having intelligence of his motions, retreated to their vessels.

The prince pursued them; but when near to them, he found that the greater part of his vessels had deserted, which forced him to return to Nicosia; and the Saracens relanded, behaving worse than they had done before, so that the country was destroyed wherever they came.

After they had gorged themselves with plunder and rapine, they returned to Syria with numbers of Christian prisoners. They carried off with them a gentleman of high renown, called Ragonnet de Picul, who had been taken in the large tower of Lymissa, and presented him to the sultan for he had defended himself like a man of valour.

The sultan attempted strongly to persuade him to renounce the religion of Jesus Christ, promising to make him a great lord if he would so do; but he would never listen to such proposals, and even in the presence of the sultan contemned the doctrines of Mohammed, which so much exasperated the sultan that he caused his body to be sawn in twain.

It was afterward assured for truth, by many persons worthy of belief, that on the spot where he had been buried they saw a crown of fire descend from heaven to earth, and repose on the aforesaid grave.

When the earl of Salisbury had conquered the castle of Rambouillet, he went to lay siege to the town of Mans St Julien. Having surrounded it, he was some time combating the garrison with his engines of war; but the inhabitants, despairing of succour, offered to capitulate.

The bishop and other churchmen waited on the earl, and, with all humility, besought him to take pity on them, to avoid further effusion of Christian blood. The earl inclined to their prayers, and concluded a treaty, that if within eight days they were not relieved by king Charles's party, they were to surrender the town with all its artillery, arms and stores, and to swear allegiance to king Henry. In return, they were to enjoy all their effects unmolested. Upon this, they gave sufficient hostages for their due performance of the above; and as they were not succoured by any one, they delivered the town up to the earl of Salisbury, who, after placing a new garrison within it, returned to the duke of Bedford at Rouen.

CHAP. XXXVI.

THE DUCHESS JACQUILINE OF BAVARIA ESCAPES IN DISGUISE FROM GHENT, AND GOES TO HOLLAND.

The duchess Jacquiline, finding her confinement in Ghent very irksome, began about the beginning of September to look for means of escape. One evening, when her guards were at supper, she dressed herself in man's clothes, as did one of her women, and, quitting her apartments unobserved, they mounted horses which were waiting for them, and, escorted by two men, rode off full gallop from Ghent to Antwerp, where she reassumed her female dress, and thence proceeded on a car to Breda, and to la Garide[6], where she was honourably received, and obeyed as their princess.

She there ordered the lord de Montfort, her principal adviser, to meet her, and many of the noble barons of Holland, to take council with them on the state of her affairs. Knowledge of this event was soon carried to the duke of Burgundy, who was much troubled thereat, and sent in haste for men at arms from all quarters: he collected numerous vessels to pursue the duchess into Holland, whither he also went in person.

On his arrival in Holland, many of the principal towns opened their gates to him, such has Harlem, Dordrecht, Rotterdam, and some others. Then began a serious war between the duke of Burgundy and the duchess Jacquiline of Bavaria, his cousin-german.

CHAP. XXXVII.

THE DUKE OF BEDFORD PREVENTS THE COMBAT BETWEEN THE DUKES OF BURGUNDY AND GLOCESTER.—OTHER EVENTS.

In the month of September, the duke of Bedford, who styled himself regent of France, assembled in the city of Paris many of the nobles of France, some learned men from the three estates, and the ambassadors from England, to consider on the combat that had been declared between the dukes of Burgundy and of Glocester. Having for several days discussed the origin of this quarrel, and all matters appertaining thereto in council, it was concluded, after mature deliberation, that there was no cause for a combat; and although a day had been fixed for it to take place, it was annulled; and it was declared that neither party was bound to make any satisfaction to the other.

There were present at this meeting, on the part of the duke of Burgundy, the bishop of Tournay: from the duke of Glocester, the bishop of London: each of them attended by some of their lord's council.

On the 17th of this same month, the marriage between Charles de Bourbon count de Clermont, son and heir to the duke of Bourbon, a prisoner in England, and Agnes, sister to the duke of Burgundy, was solemnly celebrated in the city of Autun. The duchess-dowager of Burgundy, sister to the duke de Bourbon, was present at the ceremony and feasts; and when they were finished she returned to Dijon, where she suddenly departed this life, and was buried in the church of the Carthusians, without the walls of Dijon, being followed to the grave by the universal sorrow and lamentations of the Burgundians, who loved her much; for she was a good and pious lady toward God and man.

In this year, an embassy was sent to the holy father in Rome from the two kingdoms of France and England, consisting of the abbot of Orcamp and two knights from France, and of the abbot of Beaulieu and two knights from England, to summon the pope, (in like manner as had been done previously to the last general council held at Constance) to convoke a council to perfect and accomplish those things that had been left unfinished at the last council, notifying to him, at the same time, that he had too long delayed this, which was hurtful to the universal church.

In this year, a great quarrel took place in England between the duke of Glocester and the cardinal of Winchester. The cause of this discord arose from the duke wishing to have the government of his nephew the young king, who had been by his father king Henry given in wardship to the cardinal.

The cardinal, overpowered by force, was constrained to take refuge, from the duke of Glocester, in the tower of London, where he remained six days, without daring to venture abroad, for eight or ten of his people had been slain. At length peace was made between them; and the parliament was assembled to take cognisance of their dispute. During its sitting, the young king Henry was frequently brought thither, and seated on the royal throne: the earl-marshal was then created a duke. This parliament lasted a considerable time, in which many weighty matters were discussed, relative to affairs in France as well as in England.

In the month of December the duke and duchess of Bedford, attended by about five hundred combatants, left Paris for Amiens, where they staid some days. While the duke was at Amiens, there were in that neighbourhood about a thousand pillagers, well mounted, under the command of one Sauvage de Fermanville, who was not in favour with the regent. Sauvage was quartered at Esclusiers, near Peronne, and hearing that the duke was to leave Amiens, for Dourlens, lightly accompanied, was in hopes of taking him by surprise, and to this effect he marched his men from Esclusiers, and hastily advanced to Beauquesne, where he halted; but the duke had passed by, and was lodged in Dourlens, and thence went to Calais, by St Pol, and Therouenne. He embarked from Calais to England, whither he went to reprimand and check his brother Humphrey of Glocester, for his conduct toward the duke of Burgundy.

When the duke of Bedford learnt the intentions of Sauvage de Fermanville he was very indignant, and so managed that some time afterward, he was severely punished, as you shall hear, for this and others of his evil deeds.

CHAP. XXXVIII.

THE LORD FITZWALTER ARRIVES IN HOLLAND TO THE AID OF THE DUCHESS JACQUELINE.

While the duke of Burgundy was carrying on a deadly warfare in Holland against his cousin the duchess Jacquiline, about five hundred English, all picked men, arrived at Zuricksee in Zealand, under the command of the lord Fitzwalter, calling himself lieutenant for the duke of Glocester in the countries of Holland and Zealand. This body of men advanced toward the duchess to aid her to support the war.

The duke of Burgundy was at Leyden when he heard of the landing of this reinforcement; he departed thence with about four thousand combatants, whom he had assembled from his different territories, and marched to Rotterdam, where he embarked with the intent to meet the English and offer them battle. In the mean time, a party of Burgundians, falling in with them, were defeated, slain or made prisoners by the English.

The duke having had intelligence that his enemies, Dutch, Zealanders, and English, amounted from two to three thousand combatants, and were at the port of Branvers[7] en une aduene, he marched thither, and made so successful an attack on them that they were soon discomfited. From seven to eight hundred of his enemies lay dead on the field: the rest fled in great confusion toward the sea-shore, and great part saved themselves on board their vessels. Among those who escaped were the lord Fitzwalter and the lord de Hentredée.

On the part of the duke of Burgundy, the only man of note that was killed, was sir Andrew de Valines: Robert de Brimeu was carried away so badly wounded that he died thereof. After this victory, the duke collected his men around him, and most humbly returned thanks to his Creator for the fortunate issue of the day. Having strengthened the garrisons of those towns under his obedience, he returned to Flanders to collect reinforcements to carry on his war in Holland against the duchess with greater vigour.

On the duke of Burgundy's leaving Holland, the duchess Jacquiline assembled a large force, and led it before Harlem, which she closely blockaded. The captains for the duke within the town were the damoiseau Ysambergue and sir Roland de Hultquerre knight, with a sufficient garrison. During the siege, sir John de Hultquerre, son to sir Roland, assembled in haste a body of men, from seven to eight hundred, of nobles and common people, from Flanders, whom he conducted into Holland by forced marches to succour his father; but his intentions were known to the duchess, who detached a force to meet him,—and he was found near the sea with his men in great disorder, so that, when attacked, he was speedily routed: the greater part were made prisoners: the others escaped with sir John de Hultquerre.

The duchess was delighted with her victory, but cruelly caused the prisoners to be put to death: and after this, from fear of the arrival of the duke of Burgundy, who was raising an immense army in Flanders and Artois, she raised the siege of Harlem.

In this year, the earl of Salisbury besieged the castle of Moyennes in Champagne, which was beyond measure strong and well garrisoned with men at arms. During the siege, there were many severe skirmishes on each side. In one of them, Valerien de Bournouville, brother to sir Lyonnel de Bournouville, was slain by a lance passing through his body. However, notwithstanding the obstinate resistance of the garrison, from the length of the siege, they were forced to capitulate, with liberty to depart with their baggage and effects. The castle was afterward razed to the ground.

When the duke of Burgundy was in Flanders, he had many conferences with his cousin the duke of Brabant and his council, respecting the affairs of Holland. Many great lords there joined him, and a noble chivalry from Burgundy under the command of the prince of Orange. With these and a large body of Picards and Flemings, the duke returned to Holland about Mid-Lent, and renewed his war more earnestly than before against the duchess Jacquiline and her adherents.

Although several of the principal towns soon surrendered to him, the duchess collected about four thousand combatants, and led them to the town of Horn, on the borders of Frizeland to conquer it by surprise. Within the place was the lord de l'Isle-Adam, the bastard de St Pol, and about five hundred combatants, who with great gallantry sallied out against the enemy, and fought them with such determined courage that they conquered and put them to flight.

Four hundred were left dead on the field, and the numbers of the wounded were very great indeed. On the part of the duke of Burgundy were slain the bastard de la Viefville and about ten archers; and in consequence of this defeat, the greater part of Holland submitted to him. There were very many severe rencounters between the two parties in Holland, but it would be too tedious to relate them in detail: suffice it to say, that in general the success of them was against the duchess Jacquiline,—for the duke's men had been long experienced in arms, and were expert in war; add to this, he had plenty of archers, to whose mode of fighting the Hollanders had not been accustomed.

[A.D. 1426.]

CHAP. XXXIX.

THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY RETURNS TO HOLLAND, AND BESIEGES THE TOWN OF ZENEUBERCHE[8], WHICH SURRENDERS TO HIM.—OTHER MATTERS.

At the beginning of this year, the duke of Burgundy assembled a great body of men at arms from his countries of Flanders, Artois and Burgundy, whom, after he had finished his preparations, he led into Holland, to the attack of a strong town called Zeneuberche, which, with its lord, had supported the party of the duchess Jacquiline of Bavaria, and, in consequence, had carried on a severe warfare by sea and land against the friends of the duke of Burgundy.

The town was surrounded on all sides, and vigorously attacked; but the lord of it had a numerous garrison, with whom he for a considerable time made a gallant defence,—but at length the lord de Zeneuberche was forced to capitulate, and on the hard terms that he should surrender the town, its inhabitants and dependancies to the duke, and also that he and all the gentlemen with him should yield themselves up to the will of the duke, on having their lives spared, and promise to remain prisoners on their parole, in any place whithersoever he might please to order them.

The whole of the stores in the town and castle were given up to the duke, as well as the shipping: the foreign soldiers were allowed to march away, on taking an oath that they would never make war on any of the territories of the duke of Burgundy. All the prisoners of the duke's party were set at liberty, among whom were the lord de Moyencourt, the damoiseau d'Ercle and others.

The burghers and inhabitants of the town took the oaths of allegiance to the duke, or to his commissioners,—and on paying a certain sum of money they remained in peace. Thus was the lord de Zeneuberche deprived of his town and fortune, and, in addition, carried to Lille.

The duke, having regarrisoned the place with his own men, marched his army back to Flanders and Artois; but the lord de Humbercourt, sir Manfroy de St Leger, and some others, died of an epidemical disorder in their march home.

The duke of Bedford, after a residence of eight months in England with his duchess, returned to Calais, escorted by three thousand combatants, and thence to Paris, where he remained some time, to regulate the affairs of France. He thence went to Lille, where he and his duchess were joyfully received by the duke of Burgundy. They had many conferences together on the subject of the dissentions between the dukes of Burgundy and Glocester; but as the regent could not any way succeed in bringing about a pacification, he returned to Paris.

In these days, the duke of Glocester, on the departure of his brother, the duke of Bedford, for France, issued his summonses for the raising a large force to succour the duchess Jacquiline in Holland, whom he called his wife. The earl of Salisbury and many other great lords had connected themselves with him, in opposition to the duke of Burgundy; but the duke of Bedford, hearing of these movements, sent in haste ambassadors to his brother of Glocester, who prevailed on him to give up his intentions, on the conclusion of a truce for a certain period, in the hope that, in the course of time, peace might be made between them. The abbot of Orcamp and master John le Duc were the ambassadors on this occasion.

CHAP. XL.

THE SARACENS RETURN TO CYPRUS.—A BATTLE BETWEEN THEM AND THE CYPRIOTS, IN WHICH THE KING IS MADE PRISONER, AND CARRIED TO THE SULTAN.

About this period, many knights and esquires arrived at Cyprus, in consequence of the king of Cyprus's solicitations, to oppose the Saracens, who were daily expected to return thither. The king collected all the forces within the island, whom he provided with lodging, food and money, as well as he could, according to their different ranks.

While they were thus expecting the Saracens, his army, which was collected from various nations, mutinied, so that the king had much difficulty to keep peace among them, and knew not whom to appoint as commander in chief, who would be agreeable to them. During these dissentions, the Saracens came before Cyprus in prodigious numbers, and landed at Lymeson: they besieged the great tower, and, notwithstanding it had been much strengthened, and was full of men at arms, they took it by storm, and killed the governor, Estienne de Buyserse, and all his men.

The king, hearing of this, assembled his council, and demanded what measures he should pursue. The greater part proposed that he should remain in the town of Nicosia, saying that a country wasted was better than a country lost; but all the foreigners were of a contrary opinion, and advised him to march his army into the plain, and combat boldly an enemy who was destroying his kingdom, and putting to death his subjects. The king, on this, determined to march his army to meet the Saracens; and on the second day after, when he was mounted, his horse, at the first step, fell on its knees to the ground. The prince of Galilee also, his brother, let his sword fall out of the scabbard on the earth: many persons thought these such omens of ill success, that they had but little hopes of victory.

This day, the king advanced three leagues, and fixed his quarters at a very beautiful spot called Beaulieu. On the Saturday following, for on the Thursday, he had taken the field, he marched in handsome array to a town called Citolye[9]. On the ensuing Sunday, the 6th day of July, after the king had attended mass, and was seated at table, and while he and his army were at dinner, a great smoke was seen in different parts not far distant, and intelligence was brought that the Saracens were advancing against him.

The commander of Cyprus, with some of the knights of Rhodes, the lord de Varemboulais, and several gentlemen from France, hearing this, requested the king's permission to go and reconnoitre the enemy. It was very unwillingly granted. They advanced so far that they fell in with the Saracens, with whom they skirmished, and killed a few; but numbers were so much against them that they could not longer resist, and, leaving nearly thirty dead behind them, retreated as well as they could to their army, which they met, with the king, advancing at a quick pace.

The king of Cyprus marched his army without much order for some time, and at last came in sight of the Saracens near to a town called Domy. He had near him his brother the prince of Galilee, the constable of Jerusalem, two german counts, and the flower of his own chivalry. The king charged the Saracens very gallantly and rapidly, insomuch that at the onset they suffered much; but fortune seemed unwilling to continue her favours, for the king's horse fell under him to the ground and burst the girths of the saddle; so that when the king was remounted, and engaged in the combat, the saddle turned, and he fell to the ground: the horse galloped off, and necessity forced him to mount a small horse of one of his esquires, named Anthony Kaire, for the boys had fled for fear with all the war-horses. By reason of this accident, most of the Cypriots believed their king was killed, and were panic-struck. The Saracens were beginning to retreat toward the coast, but, observing some disorder in the enemy's army, recovered their courage, and with their main body charged the Christians with such vigour that the king was obliged to retire to Citolye, whence he had departed; but when almost close to it, he was surrounded by the Saracens, and his entrance cut off.

The Christians were now discomfited, and began to fly on all sides as fast as they could. The king retired to an eminence, alway attended by his brother the prince of Galilee, who said to him, 'My lord, you see clearly that your men are flying, and that all resistance against the enemy is vain: deign, therefore, to save yourself, and take compassion on your kingdom, for should you be made prisoner we shall all be ruined. Take with you therefore some of your most faithful servants, and retire to a place of safety. In the mean time, I will remain here with the banners until I shall be sure that you have escaped, and will then save myself in the manner God shall be pleased to point out to me.'

The king, on hearing these words, looked with much tenderness on his brother, and replied, 'Fair brother, God forbid that I should separate myself from you: go, and comfort and rally my people, and urge them to the assistance of their natural lord and sovereign in his distress.'

The prince of Galilee departed, but was met by a large body of Saracens, by whom, after displaying acts of valour worthy of a prince, he was slain and left dead on the field. On the other hand, the king was so hardly pressed that, finding himself abandoned by his men, he descended the eminence and made for a small valley; but he was pursued, wounded in four places, and at length struck off his horse.

The Saracens, ignorant that it was the king, rushed on him from all quarters to put him to death, when a knight from Catalonia, called sir Galleran Savary, throwing himself over the king's body, cried out, in the syrian language, 'It is the king! it is the king!' upon which a saracen captain made a sign with his hand, when all around dropped their swords to the ground, and the captain thrust his own into the scabbard. He then advanced to the king, took him by the hand, and, addressing him in Greek, said, that it had pleased God to deliver him into the hands and power of the sultan. 'You will come before him; but take comfort, for I have the greatest hopes that he will be a good friend to you.' The catalonian knight was made prisoner with the king; for his life was spared on account of the great courage he had displayed.

Thus was the king of Cyprus made captive by the Saracens, who fastened a chain round his neck: and, shortly after, a body of saracen infantry came up, who wanted, by all means, to put the king to death, but God, from his kind mercy saved him, for he was a man of great charity, and of a pious life toward his God.

The army of Cyprus, after its defeat, saved itself as well as it could, and the greater part fled to the mountains: there remained dead on the field from sixteen to seventeen hundred. The Saracens carried the king to the coast where their shipping lay, and put him under a strong guard.

There were in this battle two counts from Germany, namely, the count de Humberche and the count de Noorch, protector of Cologne, with a certain number of their vassals. There were also from Savoy the lord de Varembon and sir John de Champaigns lord de Gruffy,—and all these gentlemen escaped death and imprisonment.

When the news of this defeat and capture of the king was known throughout Cyprus, sir Gilles de Lusignan, brother to the king and archbishop of Nicosia, sir James de Caffran marshal of Cyprus, who had remained as guard to the royal children, were much troubled at these melancholy events; and, about midnight of this same Sunday, they left the city of Nicosia, carrying with them the king's sister and his children, to the castle of Cerines, on the sea coast, about five leagues distant from Nicosia, where they remained until the king's return.

On the morrow, Monday, the commonalty of the town hastened to the palace to learn some news of the king; but finding no one to speak with, they returned home, and taking their wives, children and effects, quitted the town, leaving the whole abandoned to old beggars and blind men. Some of them fled to Famagousta, others to Cerines, to divers towns, or to the mountains, so that it was a piteous spectacle.

On the second day after the battle, the chief of the Saracens marched his army to Nicosia, which he found abandoned. He was lodged in the royal palace, and caused a proclamation to be instantly issued for all the inhabitants to return to their houses and occupations, on promise of not being disturbed, or any way molested. In consequence of this proclamation, from ten to twelve thousand persons returned to the city.

The king of Cyprus and the grand master of Rhodes had at this time a considerable fleet at sea, on board of which were the bastard of Burgundy, brother to duke Philip, the lord de Roubaix, and many other great lords from divers countries, very impatient to combat the Saracens, but they never could have a favorable wind to carry them near the infidels. The bastard of Burgundy had arrived at Baffa, in hopes of being present at the battle in which the king was captured; but hearing of the unfortunate issue of that day, he and his men returned and embarked again on board of the fleet.

At length, the Christians had a favourable wind, which brought them in a short time within sight of the enemy's fleet. The commander of the Saracens was then on board, and, seeing the Christians so numerous, sent messengers in haste to the governor of Nicosia, ordering him, on pain of being reputed a traitor, to return with his men to his ship without delay. This order he obeyed, but not until he had plundered the city of all that he could, and reduced the inhabitants to poverty. He also set fire to the royal palace and to several other parts of the town, and then marched for Salina, where the saracen fleet lay. On their march, they forcibly took many children from the breasts of their mothers, and flung them on thorns among the hedges, and then stoned them to death.

On the other hand, the Saracens, who had the guard of the king of Cyprus, made him write letters to the admiral of the Christian fleet, containing in substance that he must be careful not to do any damage to the saracen ships, if he valued the life of the king. Sir Galeran Savary was the bearer of these letters in a small galliot. The admiral obeyed these orders, which, according to the opinions of many, he ought not to have done; but there was a good deal of fighting between the vessels before these orders arrived, particularly by the bowmen, in which there were very many killed and wounded.

At this affair, Guy bastard of Burgundy, brother to duke Philip, Simon de Lan, Robert lord de Rebecque, and others from different countries were made knights, although no vessel was taken on either side, but one having pilgrims on board, as shall be now mentioned. While the fleets were drawing up against each other, a ship filled with pilgrims eager to acquire honour, concluding for certain, that as the Christian fleet was in sight of the Saracens, a combat must insue, advanced so near that of the infidels that they could not put back; and notwithstanding succour was instantly sent them, and that they were in sight of the king of Cyprus, they were all hacked to pieces, as butchers would chop meat in a market, excepting a very few who were detained prisoners. Some days after, the saracen fleet, having the king of Cyprus on board, sailed for Egypt.

On the arrival of the Saracens in Egypt, they conducted the king of Cyprus to Cairo to the sultan of Babylon, and the other Christian prisoners chained two and two like beasts. They dragged after them the banner of the holy virgin reversed on the ground, and then followed the king mounted on a small mule without saddle and bound with chains. In this manner were they led into the presence of the sultan of Babylon, and constrained to bow their heads nine times to the very ground, kissing it each time. When they arrived in front of the sultan, who was seated in great pomp in a high gallery, he kept them a full hour in his presence, and then had them conducted to a tower for their prison so long as he should stay in Cairo, where the sultan was served royally and abundantly with all sorts of provision, excepting wine; but this was secretly supplied to him by Christian merchants. The other Cypriot prisoners were confined in divers places.

While the king of Cyprus thus remained prisoner to the sultan of Babylon in Cairo, the archbishop of Nicosia, brother to the king, sent for sir Peter de Lusignan, constable of Jerusalem, and resigned to him the government of the island of Cyprus. He was no sooner in the possession thereof than he executed rigorous justice by punishing all who in these times of tribulation had attempted to revolt. Shortly after, the archbishop returned to Nicosia, which by degrees was repeopled.

In the course of time, a genoese merchant, named Benedict Percussin, moved by compassion, required of the regency at Cyprus, that he might be sent to Cairo, for that he had great hopes of obtaining the king's liberty. He was accordingly sent thither, and was so successful with the sultan that he ransomed the king of Cyprus for two hundred thousand ducats, and on condition that he would also pay an annual tribute to the sultans of Babylon of five thousand ducats.

Thus was peace made between the sultan and the king of Cyprus, and on the feast of the Assumption of our Lady, the latter was delivered from chains. After this, the sultan frequently sought opportunities of conversing with him, and put different questions by way of tempting him to abandon the Christian faith; but the king made such sagacious and prudent answers, that the sultan not knowing how to reply, ordered him refreshments of all sorts and then dismissed him,—for on the ransom being agreed on, the sultan had him taken from his prison and lodged in the town.

The king was often permitted to make excursions into the country for his amusement, well mounted, but alway attended by some of the Saracens. When part of his ransom was paid, and security accepted for the remainder, on Palm Sunday he had his full liberty, and embarked on board a galley in the port of Alexandria. In company with the admiral of Rhodes, he disembarked at Cerines, where he was met by his sister, his children and all the nobles and gentlemen of the island, who most reverently and humbly gave thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for his safe return.

Some days afterward he left Cerines, and went to Nicosia, where he was joyfully received by his subjects, and was lodged at the mansion of the constable of Jerusalem, wherein he ever after remained, because his own palace had been burnt and destroyed by the Saracens. After the death of his queen Charlotte, he never remarried, nor, as his attendants firmly believed, had he connection with any other woman: he lived after this for a considerable length of time.

CHAP. XLI.

THE CASTLE OF MOYENNES IN CHAMPAGNE SURPRISED BY THE FRENCH.—THE POPE GIVES SENTENCE IN FAVOUR OF THE DUKE OF BRABANT.—THE FORTRESS OF ORIPECTE IN PROVENCE WON BY TREACHERY.

In these days, the castle of Moyennes in Champagne was surprised by a party from king Charles, through the treachery of an Englishman of the garrison. It was, however, instantly besieged by the earl of Salisbury, who remained so long before it that it was forced to surrender. The French within it were allowed to depart in safety; but those who had been attached to the english and burgundian party were punished with death,—and among them was a gentleman called Gilles de Clary. Sir John de Luxembourg was present at the surrender; and when the walls had been completely demolished, he returned to his castle of Beaurevoir.

The pope this year published his definitive sentence in the suit of the duke of Brabant, by which he declared that the marriage between the duke of Glocester and Jacquiline duchess of Bavaria was null and void; and that if the duke of Brabant should die, the said duke of Glocester and the duchess Jacquiline could not be legally married to each other.

The duke of Glocester, on being informed of this sentence of the pope, took to wife a woman of low degree compared with his rank, named Eleanor Cobham, of whom mention has been before made. The duke had for some time lived with her as his mistress; and her character was not spotless in regard to her connexions with others beside the duke. This created much wonder in France and in England, considering that the duke did not act conformably to the blood he sprung from.

At this period sir John Blondel, accompanied by John Blondel, his cousin german, and eight others his companions in arms, by means of the chaplain, gained the fortress of Oripecte in Provence, of which John Cadart was governor, and made him prisoner, expecting to receive a large sum for his ransom. News of this was soon spread over the country; and the place was so expeditiously and strongly besieged that those who had won it were glad to be allowed to depart in safety, and without carrying away any thing. Notwithstanding this treaty, on their marching out, John Blondel was slain by the peasants, and the chaplain who had done the treason was beheaded.

CHAP. XLII.

THE DUKE OF BEDFORD LAYS SIEGE TO MONTARGIS.—THE SIEGE IS RAISED BY THE FRENCH.—OTHER EVENTS BRIEFLY TOUCHED ON.

This year, the duke of Bedford, who styled himself regent of France for king Henry, had the town and castle of Montargis besieged by the earls of Warwick and Suffolk. With them were the lord de la Pole, brother to the earl of Suffolk, sir Henry Bisset and other captains, having under them three thousand combatants.

The town was so situated that it required three different sieges, which could with difficulty afford assistance to each other: however, the English formed lodgements all around it and fortified them. The earl of Warwick was quartered in a nunnery on one side of the town. They soon threw bridges over different parts of the river to serve for communications between their quarters.

Having done this, they made vigorous approaches toward the town, which they damaged very much by their cannon and engines of war. The besieged made so good a defence, that the business was continued for more than two months, during which time they sent notice to king Charles that unless speedy succours were afforded them, they must surrender to his enemies. The king, hearing this, assembled his council, when it was resolved to raise the siege, or at least to throw reinforcements of men and provision into the place. This was attempted but without effect. An assembly of men at arms was then ordered by king Charles at Orleans, and the command of them given by the king to the count de Dunois bastard of Orleans. He had with him sir William d'Albreth lord d'Orval, the lords de Graville, de Villag, de Gaucourt, Estienne Vignolles surnamed La Hire, sir Gilles de St Simon, Gaultier Boussart, and many other captains, amounting to sixteen hundred combatants, all men of tried courage. They commenced their march with a large train of forage-carts, intending only to revictual the town, and not to raise the siege.

When they were arrived within half a league of the enemy's camp, they held a council as secretly as they could, and determined to attack the nearest quarters of the English. They had some of the garrison of Montargis with them as guides,—and in the number was one called le Petit Breton.

La Hire was appointed leader of one of the parties, and fell on the English quarters with great courage, shouting, 'Montjoye St Denis!' The English were quite unprepared,—and their camp was soon on fire in various parts,—and much slaughter was committed near to where the lord de la Pole was lodged: indeed the whole of that part was defeated, and the lord de la Pole escaped with eight others in a small boat.

The garrison of the town had dammed up the river so high that the bridges the English had made were overflowed, and most of them who attempted to escape over them fell into the water and were drowned.

The bastard of Orleans, while this was going forward, made a vigorous attack on the quarters of sir Henry Bisset: he had dismounted, and began to be hard pressed, when those who had destroyed the lord de la Pole's quarters opportunely came to his support, for the lord de Graville had been wounded.

The English, finding that fortune was against them, began to retreat toward the quarters of the earl of Warwick; but crossing a bridge in haste, and too many at once, it broke down with their weight and great numbers lost their lives. Add to this, that the garrison made a well-timed sally to assist their friends, and killed great numbers and made many prisoners.

In the mean time, the earl of Warwick assembled his men around him as speedily as he could; but when he perceived the greatness of his loss, for from one thousand to fifteen hundred had been slain, drowned or taken, he formed his men in order of battle, and thus retreated to a small eminence, covered with vineyards, above his quarters.

The French, who had fought hard and were fatigued, entered Montargis. When night came on, the English collected their men together, the greater part of whom were now on foot, and retreated to castle Landonin Nemours, and to other places under their dominion. The French remained in Montargis, making good and hearty cheer, being rejoiced that with the aid of God they had accomplished the purpose they had been sent on. They afterward returned to king Charles of France, who received them most graciously.

In this year, duke John of Brabant after a very severe illness, departed this life in his castle of Leneure[10], repeating most devoutly, 'Miserere mei Deus,' &c. He was buried in the chapel of this castle, near to the body of his father. On his decease, his brother Philip count de Ligny and de St Pol took possession of all his territories. Thus was the duchess Jacquiline deprived of her two husbands,—for, as I have before said, the duke of Glocester had married another woman, and the duke of Brabant was dead.

During the life of the duke of Brabant, a person named John Chevalier had engaged at the request as it was said, of the countess-dowager of Hainault, to put an iron collar round the duke's neck, for which this chevalier was arrested at Brussels and beheaded.

At the same time, the fortress of Escandeur, near to Cambray, was put into the hands of sir John de Luxembourg, with the consent of the duke of Burgundy, and was the cause why sir Louis, bastard-brother to the duchess Jacquiline, to whom it had belonged, carried war and tribulation through that country in fighting the battles of his sister, but he lost his inheritance for so doing.

In these days, a terrible combat took place near to Mont St Michel, between the English who had possession of Mont de Hellem[11] on the one side, and the French and Bretons on the other; but in the end the French were victorious, having killed or put to flight the English and consequently gained the castle.