[A.D. 1427.]

CHAP. XLIII.

THE CASTLE OF MALMAISON, BELONGING TO THE BISHOP OF CAMBRAY, IS TAKEN BY SIR JOHN BLONDEL.—OTHER EVENTS.

In the beginning of this year, the fortress of Malmaison, situated two leagues from the castle of Cambresis, belonging to Jean de Lens, lord of Liéequerque and bishop of Cambray, in right of his bishoprick, was surprised by sir John Blondel of king Charles's party, accompanied by a few men. The governor for the bishop was a fair esquire, called Walter de Baillon, whom they caught in bed.

Sir John Blondel having traversed the ditches, though full of water, scaled the walls by means of ladders, and entering the lower court, seized the guard, and his troops posted themselves in ambuscade near the bridge of the dungeon. In the morning, when the porter lowered the drawbridge, they rushed upon him with drawn swords, and put him to death; after which, they entered without further opposition, although it was the strongest of all the forts in that country.

The adjacent parts were greatly alarmed at this conquest, even those within the castle of Cambresis; and the bishop of Cambray, being then there, was much surprised how and by whom it could have been taken, for at that time the whole country was at peace. The bishop, however, sent some of his people, and the inhabitants of Cambresis to Malmaison, to learn who had done this, and by what means.

On their arrival, they had a parley with those who had taken it; but they, through mischief, replied by shouting the war-cries of Burgundy and Luxembourg, and those who had come thither returned to Château Cambresis. Sir John Blondel having soon provided himself with provision, stores, and men in abundance, began to make inroads on the country of Cambresis, and the parts adjoining, committing irreparable injuries, and in some of these he was joined by parties attached to the duke of Burgundy and sir John de Luxembourg.

In the mean time, the bishop sent to the duke of Burgundy, to know if it had been with his consent that his castle had been taken. The duke replied, that so far from having consented, he would send him such assistance that his castle should be restored to him.

Some time after the decease of duke John of Brabant, a grand assembly of the nobility was held at Valenciennes, at which were present the duke of Burgundy, the counts de Namur, de Penthievre, and de Conversan, the prince of Orange, sir John de Luxembourg, the bishops of Tournay and of Arras, with many other churchmen, to consider who was to have the government of Hainault. After long and mature deliberation, it was resolved it should remain in the hands of the duke of Burgundy, who in consequence nominated various officers for the due government thereof.

In this year, the earl of Warwick and other Englishmen besieged the town of Pontorson, and forced the garrison to surrender on capitulation, provided they were not relieved by a certain day, and that the French and Bretons should not be sufficiently strong to conquer the English. As they were not relieved, the place was surrendered according to the terms of the capitulation.

CHAP. XLIV.

SIR JOHN BLONDEL SURRENDERS THE CASTLE OF MALMAISON, WHICH HE HAD TAKEN FROM THE BISHOP OF CAMBRAY.

When the meeting broke up at Valenciennes, the duke of Burgundy went to Mons in Hainault, attended by a great part of his council, and while there, constituted (as I have said) different officers, natives of Hainault, for the well governing that country.

During his stay at Mons, sir John Blondel came thither on a passport from the duke, and was by him more than once summoned and required to restore the castle of Malmaison to the bishop of Cambray. Sir John would not consent to this, but gave evasive answers. The duke then resolved to afford the bishop such aid as should recover for him the castle; and the bishop sent summonses to all his friends to come to his assistance.

The duke of Burgundy made sir William de Lalain, bailiff of Hainault, the bégue de Launoy, knight, governor of Lille, with some other nobles, commanders of the aid which he sent to the bishop; but sir John Blondel, hearing of these preparations, and knowing that the duke was displeased at his conduct, condescended to treat, and offered to surrender the castle on condition that his peace was made with the dukes of Bedford and Burgundy, that all his lands and castles, which had been confiscated to king Henry of Lancaster, were restored to him, that he and his men were to carry away all their effects, and that he was to be paid four thousand crowns for his expenses.

High as these terms were, they were in the end agreed to, and securities given for their due performance. Thus was Malmaison delivered into the hands of Balthazar, bastard of Quesnoy, who had been appointed by the duke of Burgundy to take possession and the charge of it for a certain time.

To pay the ransom-money, and other expenses, a heavy tax was laid on all ranks throughout the country of Cambresis, as well on churchmen as others, the payment of which was most rigorously exacted.

When these matters had been settled, the castle of Malmaison was razed to the ground, with the consent of the bishop and others of that country. It was a great pity, for it was a nonpareil, and the best built and strongest place in all those parts. Sir John Blondel, by means of his misconduct, succeeded in his intentions, for all his castles, lands and manors, were restored to him.

CHAP. XLV.

THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY RETURNS TO HOLLAND, AND ATTACKS THE TOWN OF HERMONTFORT.[12]—OTHER EVENTS.

The duke of Burgundy, having finished his business in Hainault, returned to Holland with a great force of men at arms to punish those who, after having sworn allegiance to him, had revolted. On his march, he attacked a town fortified with thick hedges and deep ditches, called Hermontfort, which attack lasted a long time, and was very severe.

The duke crossed the ditches, and valiantly fought in person with his enemies, who defended themselves with the utmost courage, regardless of their lives. In this attack the lord de Voydanquin, a valiant and powerful knight, who had with him some very expert warriors, was slain. The good lord de Saveuses was also wounded, and so badly, that he was obliged to be carried from the field, with many more in the same condition. The duke, seeing the loss he was suffering, took council, and ordered the retreat to be sounded, which was done, and they lodged themselves near to the town, where they were badly off that night for all sorts of necessaries. On the morrow, the duke marched away in another direction.

The town of Utrecht had now joined the party of the duchess Jacquiline, and the dukes of Gueldres and of Cleves that of Burgundy, by which means war and misery were daily increased throughout that country.

At this time, about five hundred combatants, as well men at arms as archers, were assembled on the confines of Picardy, and, by orders from the duke of Burgundy (at the request of a knight called sir Phillebert Andrinet,) were conducted by sir Charles de Moyencourt, Matthieu d'Hermieres, John de Longueval and other gentlemen, to the aid of Amé duke of Savoy, uncle to the duke of Burgundy, then at war with the duke of Milan.

This body of men at arms, after many days marches, arrived in Savoy, and were joyfully received by the duke. They were thence ordered to the borders of Lombardy, where they committed numberless mischiefs, insomuch that, through fear of them, and from compassion to the poor natives, these two princes concluded a peace.

When this was done, duke Amé of Savoy gave orders for the Picards to return home, thanking them greatly for their effective services, and presenting to some of the principal captains pieces of damask and other precious ornaments. The Picards were now marched home again. The origin of this war was owing to the duke of Milan having forcibly taken Novara and the city of Vercelli from the duke of Savoy, which were restored to him.

After the duke of Burgundy had visited many parts of Holland, and placed garrisons on the frontiers of Gouda, where the duchess Jacquiline resided, leaving some of his most expert captains for the defence of the country, such as the lord de l'Isle-Adam, sir Lyonnel de Bournouville, and others, he returned to Flanders.

In this year, there were great earthquakes in Spain, Catalonia and Languedoc, which overthrew many towns and handsome edifices; and the people remained for a long time in the utmost trouble and dismay.

CHAP. XLVI.

THE SULTAN OF BABYLON WRITES LETTERS TO THE PRINCES IN CHRISTENDOM.—THE TENOUR OF THESE LETTERS.

In these days, the sultan of Babylon sent letters to all the kings and princes in Christendom, of the following tenour:

'Baldadoch, son of Aire, constable of Jericho, provost of the terrestrial paradise, nephew of the gods, king of kings, prince of princes, sultan of Babylon, of Persia, of Jerusalem, of Chaldea, of Barbary, prince of Africa, and admiral of Arcadia, lord de Siche, des Ainces, des Payens, and des Maritans,—master Archipotel, protector of Amazone, guardian of the islands, dean of the abbeys, commander of the temples, crusher of helmets, splitter of shields, piercer of hauberks, breaker of armour, lancer of spears, overturner of war-horses, destroyer of castles, flower of chivalry, a wild boar for courage, an eagle for liberality, the fear of his enemies, the hope of his friends, the raiser up of the discomfited, standard of Mohammed, lord of all the world.

'To the kings of Germany, of France, and of England, and to all other kings, dukes and counts, and generally to all on whom our courtesy may condescend, greeting, and love in our grace.

'Whereas it is very commendable for all who please to relinquish error, through wisdom,—we send to you that you may not delay coming to us to receive your fiefs and inheritances from our hands, by denying your God and the Christian faith, and laying aside your errors, in which you and your predecessors have been too long involved. Should you not instantly obey these our commands, our indignation will be raised, and our powerful sword turned against you, with which we will have your heads as a recompense, without sparing yourselves or your countries.'

These letters were dated the vigil des Ambassadiens, the 10th year from our coronation, and the 2d from our noble victory and destruction of the unfortunate country of Cyprus.

CHAP. XLVII.

THE ENGLISH INVADE BRITTANY, WHERE THEY DO GREAT DAMAGES.—OTHER MATTERS.

This year, the earl of Suffolk and sir Thomas Rampstone, on account of the duke of Brittany having joined king Charles, made an inroad on his duchy with about twelve hundred combatants, and advanced even to Rennes, where the duke resided. They committed great waste, and made a very considerable booty in prisoners and effects, with which they returned to a large village in that country, called Tintenarch[13]. On the morrow, they marched back to lower Normandy with all they had gained without any opposition.

Soon afterward, sir Thomas fixed his quarters in a small town, called St James de Beuvron, which had been destroyed; but he had it repaired and refortified to serve him as a post to carry on the war against the Bretons, for it was but half a league from their country. Sir Thomas was deputy to the earl of Suffolk, the governor of lower Normandy, and thence he led the English on different excursions through Brittany, carrying on a severe warfare.

The duke, to oppose them, assembled a large force of his nobles, whom he gave in charge to his brother the count de Richemont, lately made constable of France. The count led them straight to St James de Beuvron, which he instantly besieged, and commenced his operations with a grand skirmish. Having surrounded it on all sides, he established his quarters, and had his engines pointed against the walls, which greatly damaged them. He attacked the place by storm, which lasted for a considerable time very sharply.

A party of Bretons from the lower parts of the duchy had been posted below the town, near to a pond; and to get near the walls, it was necessary to cross the head of this pond, which was very narrow. There was beside it a small bulwark under the command of an english knight, sir Nicholas Bourdet, having with him from sixty to eighty combatants, and near to it was one of the town-gates well guarded by the English.

When these Bretons were descending the ditch in great numbers to attack the walls, they heard on each side of them the English shouting, 'Salisbury! Suffolk!' which threw the Bretons into great confusion. Sir Nicholas, seizing the opportunity of their dismay, vigorously fell on them, and, meeting scarcely any defence, put to death or drowned in the pond from seven to eight hundred, and made about fifty prisoners. The English won eighteen standards, and one banner. News of this defeat was speedily carried to the count, who was storming the town on the opposite side. He was much hurt at the intelligence, and ordered the retreat to be sounded, for the siege had been raised on the other side of the place.

When the count had collected his men together, he held a council on what should now be done, and it was resolved, that considering the great loss they had sustained, it would be prudent to march away, which was carried into effect; but he waited until midnight, when he returned to the town of Fougeres in a disorderly manner, leaving behind great quantities of provision, stores, bombards, and other artillery. Sir Thomas, with his six hundred men, for he had no more, and the greater part of them were wounded, remained in the town very much rejoiced at his good fortune; and he caused all the things the enemy had left behind them to be brought thither.

Two days after this affair, the earl of Suffolk joined sir Thomas with fifteen hundred combatants, whom the latter conducted with some of his own men, to a strong monastery that soon surrendered. The earl thence advanced farther into the country, toward the city of Dol, with the intent to reside there. In the mean time, the duke of Brittany sent a poursuivant with letters to the earl, to request that he would consent to a suspension of arms, according to the inclosed terms, which being agreed to, he remanded sir Thomas and his men, who returned to St James de Beauvron with a very rich booty.

A negotiation now took place, when a truce was signed to last for three months; and the earl of Suffolk had four thousand five hundred francs for consenting to it. The truce was well kept until the end of June, which terminated it, as the two parties could not agree on a final peace, so that the war recommenced, and the English daily committed great waste on the country by fire and sword.

To obviate these evils, the duke, and his brother the constable, had the town of Pontorson, which divides Normandy from Brittany, and is two leagues from Mont St Michel, well repaired and fortified, to serve as a barrier town against the English.

A few days after this, the earl of Suffolk was dismissed from his government, and the earl of Warwick appointed in his stead, who assembled a considerable body of men and laid siege to Pontorson.

During this siege, the English were in constant danger of having their convoys of provision cut off by the garrisons of Mont St Michel and other places. To prevent which, lord Scales was detached with five hundred combatants to lower Normandy to escort the convoys. On his return, the Bretons, who had been made acquainted therewith, placed themselves, to the amount of fifteen hundred men, in ambuscade, near to Mont Saint Michel, and, watching their opportunity, sallied out on the English, as they were marching by. They found them, however, in handsome array; and they made so valorous a resistance that the Bretons were completely routed. Eight hundred were slain; and in the number were the lord Château-Geron, the lord de Couesquen, the lord de Chambourg, the baron de Chamboches, the lord de la Hunaudes, sir Pierre le Porc, the commander of the Scotsmen, and many others of the nobility. The lord de Rohan and several great lords were made prisoners.

This event was known in Pontorson by the English having caused the dead bodies of the baron de Soulenges and sir Pierre le Porc, and of others, to be brought to the walls, and delivered to the garrison for burial, and hastened their determination of surrendering to the earl of Warwick, on having their lives spared, as they had no longer hopes of succour. They were marched out of the town with white staves in their hands, leaving all their baggage and effects behind them. Lord Scales was made governor of the town.

Toward the end of this year, sir John de Luxembourg assembled in Picardy, and the parts adjacent, about a thousand combatants, men at arms and archers, with the intent to besiege and reduce to his obedience the town of Beaumont in Argonne, held by William de Flavy, of the party of king Charles,—which Flavy, and those under his command, did many injuries and oppressive acts to all the surrounding country.

In these days, duke Philip of Burgundy again collected a large body of troops from Flanders and Artois, to march into Holland and besiege the duchess Jacquiline in the town of Gouda. On this occasion, he wrote to inform his nobles, that he was resolved this campaign to finish the war with Holland, and not return until it was ended. They had indeed often been assembled for this purpose, and were almost tired with the war.

The duke led this armament to Sluys, and there embarked for Holland. During these tribulations, the English continued a severe warfare on the borders and in Brittany. A very sharp combat took place between them and the Bretons, under the command of the constable de Richemont, in which numbers were slain on both sides; but, in the end, the earl of Warwick and his English gained the day.

[A.D. 1428.]

CHAP. XLVIII.

SIR JOHN DE LUXEMBOURG BESIEGES BEAUMONT IN ARGONNE.

Sir John de Luxembourg, in the beginning of this year, had besieged Beaumont in Argonne. He was attended by many of the nobles from Picardy, and frequent skirmishes took place between the besieged and besiegers. In one of them, a vigorous and subtle man at arms, named Enguerrand de Brigonval, was made prisoner, which much troubled sir John de Luxembourg, who feared he was wounded or killed,—for William de Flavy had wickedly caused a coffin to be buried with great ceremony, meaning to have it understood that Enguerrand was dead. He had also a solemn funeral service performed, intending at the same time to send Enguerrand secretly out of the town to some safer place, knowing him to be a rich man and able to pay a heavy ransom.

Notwithstanding the obstinate defence of the besieged, they were soon so closely blockaded that no one could go out of the town without danger of his life. William de Flavy, therefore, losing all hope of succour, and foreseeing that he must in the end yield, entered into a treaty with sir John de Luxembourg to surrender the place toward the latter end of May, on condition that he and his men should march away in safety with their baggage and effects.

By this means sir John gained possession of Beaumont, in which he placed his own garrison, and appointed as governor Valeran de Bournouville. Enguerrand de Brigonval was likewise given up to him, safe and well. While this siege was carrying on, a truce was agreed to between sir John de Luxembourg and the townsmen of Mouzon, until the feast of St Remy ensuing; and in the interval the burghers were to go to king Charles, to learn if they might depend on succours from him, or whether they were to surrender to sir John.

When these matters had been concluded, sir John dismissed his troops, and returned to his castle of Beaurevoire. William de Flavy, in like manner, disbanded those who had served under him and went with a few attendants, under passports, to the mansion of his lord and father; for during the time he was besieged in Beaumont, the duke of Bar had caused one of his fortresses, called Neufville sur Meuse, to be destroyed, which was held by a garrison of his, and wherein he had placed all his treasures.

CHAP. XLIX.

A TREATY CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY AND THE DUCHESS JACQUILINE, WHICH ENDS THE WAR IN HOLLAND.—THE CONTENTS OF THIS TREATY.

On the return of the duke of Burgundy, with such vast preparations of stores and men at arms, into Holland, to besiege the duchess Jacquiline in the town of Gouda, whither she had retired with her adherents, the country was greatly alarmed. The duchess, in consequence, held a council of her most faithful friends, when, having considered the great power of the duke, that the majority of the nobles and commonalty were already turned to his party, and that it was very doubtful if she could further resist, it was determined that she should offer terms of peace to her adversary the duke; and a treaty of the following import was concluded by the commissioners from each party.

The duchess Jacquiline shall acknowledge and avow that the duke of Burgundy is the true and legal heir to all her territories, and that henceforth she shall appoint him governor and guardian of them, promising to give him possession of all the towns and castles she now holds, in which the duke shall place such captains as he may please.

The duchess promises also never to marry but with the consent of the said duke; and the town and castle of Zeneuberche is to be given up to the duke of Burgundy. When this treaty had been signed, a day was appointed for the meeting of the parties in the town of Delft,—when, after mutual salutations and gratulations, they received, by themselves or by their commissaries, the oaths of many of the principal towns. Thus was Holland, after having long suffered the miseries of war, restored to peace; and the duke of Burgundy, having disbanded his Picards, returned to his countries of Flanders and Artois.

CHAP. L.

THE EARL OF SALISBURY ARRIVES IN FRANCE WITH GREAT REINFORCEMENTS TO THE DUKE OF BEDFORD.—THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY ESCORTS THE DUCHESS JACQUELINE INTO HAINAULT.

In the month of May ensuing, the earl of Salisbury, a knight very expert, and of great renown in arms, by orders from king Henry and his ministers, assembled a force of six thousand combatants, men tried in war, great part of whom he was to carry to France to the aid of the duke of Bedford, who styled himself regent of that kingdom. The earl sent off a detachment of three thousand to Calais, whence they marched to Paris, to carry on the war against king Charles.

About Midsummer-day, the earl followed with the remainder of his men, and, crossing to Calais, marched by St Pol, Dourlens and Amiens, to Paris, where he was joyfully received by the duke of Bedford and the council of France attached to the interests of king Henry.

Instantly on his arrival, many councils were held respecting the war; and it was resolved that the earl, after having subdued some trifling towns held by the enemy, should lay siege to Orleans, which they said had done them great injury.

On the council breaking up, orders were issued for the Normans, and others of the english party, to assemble immediately; and such diligence was used, that within a very short time the earl of Salisbury had upward of ten thousand combatants. The principal captains were the earl of Suffolk, the lord Scales, the lord de Calaboche, the lord Lisle, Classedach, and many valiant and expert men in arms. When they had been well feasted and honoured in Paris, they departed, under the command of the earl of Salisbury, to besiege the town of Nogent le Roi, which was soon conquered, and great part of the garrison put to death: the rest escaped by paying large ransoms. The earl marched thence to Gergeau.

While this was passing, the duke of Burgundy had returned to Holland with his most faithful adherents, to make further arrangements with his cousin the duchess Jacqueline, and to receive the oaths of fidelity from divers others of the nobles and towns of that country. After these matters were finished, the duke, and duchess Jacqueline went into Hainault; and in all the towns through which they passed they received similar oaths to what had been given in Holland and Zealand, from the nobles, clergy and commonalty. In some places, they were received with honour and respect, although very many were much dissatisfied with these arrangements, but at present they saw no means to remedy them.

CHAP. LI.

THE TOWNSMEN OF TOURNAY AGAIN REBEL.

In the month of July of this year, the inhabitants of Tournay again mutinied against their magistrates, and rose more than once in arms, as they had frequently done before. The cause of the present tumults was the magistrates having laid a tax on beer, to aid them to pay the demands of the duke of Burgundy. However, by the exertions of some prudent persons in the town, peace was restored; and shortly after, one of their leaders called John Isaac, a goldsmith, was arrested,—and for various crimes by him committed, and for having been the cause of Arnoul le Musi and Loctart de Villeries being beheaded, Isaac was publicly hanged on the gibbet at Tournay.

At this time, Réné duke of Bar laid siege to the castle of Passavant, in which was a person named Varnencourt, who had for a long space sorely harrassed and cruelly treated the inhabitants of the country round that place.

CHAP. LII.

THE EARL OF SALISBURY CONQUERS GERGEAU AND OTHER PLACES NEAR ORLEANS.—THE DUKE OF BEDFORD WANTS TO LAY HANDS ON THE REVENUES OF THE CHURCH.

The earl of Salisbury, on his arrival before Gergeau, caused it to be surrounded on all sides, and very hotly attacked by his artillery, insomuch that the garrison who held it for king Charles, fearing the consequences, entered into a treaty with the earl to surrender it, on being permitted to depart in safety.

The earl, having regarrisoned it, advanced to Genville, which he besieged on all sides; but the French being in force within it, defended themselves valiantly. After a few days, however, they held a parley with the earl, but they could not agree as to the terms of delivering it up. On the French retiring, a skirmish took place between the besiegers and the besieged, which occasioned the whole of the English to arm themselves suddenly, and without command from the earl to storm the place so vigorously that it was won, and numbers of the French taken or killed, and other great disorders committed which it would be tedious to relate.

During these transactions, the regent duke of Bedford and king Henry's ministers at Paris were earnestly attempting to acquire, for the king's use, all the rents and revenues that had been given to the church for the last forty years. To succeed in this, several great councils were held in Paris, between the duke and his ministers and the members of the university, in which the matter was fully and long debated: it was, however, in the end negatived, and the church remained at peace in regard to this demand.

In this year, the king of Portugal raised a large army, in conjunction with the duke of Cambray[14], who commanded the van division, and the whole amounted to ten thousand combatants. They led his army to an island against the infidels, where were the king of Albastre[15] with twenty thousand Saracens, Turks, Tartars, Barbaresques, of which the greater number were left dead on the field, and the said king of Albastre made prisoner. The king of Portugal suffered but little loss, and after the victory he returned with his army back to his own country.

CHAP. LIII.

THE EARL OF SALISBURY LAYS SIEGE TO THE TOWN OF ORLEANS.—HE IS THERE SLAIN.

When the earl of Salisbury had subjected the towns of Gergeau, Genville, Mehun, and several castles and forts in those parts, to the obedience of king Henry of Lancaster, he made diligent preparations to lay siege to the city of Orleans. His army came before it in the month of October; but as the garrison and inhabitants had long expected his arrival, they had provided themselves with all sorts of warlike stores and provision, having determined to defend the place to the last extremity.

To prevent the earl from fixing his quarters in the suburbs, and fortifying them, the French had demolished the whole, including many excellent houses, and upward of twelve churches, belonging to the four orders of mendicant friars, with several fine houses of recreation for the burghers of Orleans. By thus doing they could discharge the cannon from the ramparts freely all around.

Lord Salisbury, notwithstanding this, and a violent opposition from the garrison, who made many sallies, and fired on him from culverines, and other instruments of death, to the wounding and killing many of his men, quartered himself and his army near to the walls. The English repulsed these attacks with the utmost courage, to the wonder of the besieged; and while these skirmishings were going on, the earl ordered the tower at the end of the bridge, over the Loire, to be stormed, which was won, as well as a small bulwark hard by, in spite of the defence of the French. The earl commanded a party to enter and guard this tower, that the garrison might not unobserved make any sallies from the town. He then, with his captains, made a lodgment in some of the ruins that remained in the suburbs near the walls; and his men, in their usual manner, raised huts of earth, to shelter themselves from the effects of the arrows which were showered at them from the battlements.

The earl, on the third day after his arrival before Orleans, entered the tower on the bridge, and ascended to the second story, whence from a window that overlooked the town he was observing what was passing within, and was considering on the best mode of reducing it to obedience. While thus occupied, a stone from a veuglaire struck the window, whence the earl, hearing the report, had withdrawn, but too late, for the shot carried away part of his face, and killed a gentleman behind him dead on the spot[16]. The army were greatly grieved at this unfortunate accident, for he was much feared and beloved by them, and considered as the most subtle, expert, and fortunate in arms, of all the english captains.

The earl, though so severely wounded, lived eight days; and having summoned all his captains, he admonished them, in the name of the king of England, to reduce the town of Orleans to his obedience without fail: having done this, he was carried to Mehun, and there died, as I have said, at the end of eight days.

The earl of Suffolk was now the commander of the english army before Orleans, having under him the lords Scales, Talbot, sir Lancelot de Lisle, Classedach and others. The English, notwithstanding the loss they had suffered in the death of the earl of Salisbury, recovered their vigour, and exerted themselves in every way to carry the town. They also erected block-houses in various parts, in which large detachments were posted, to prevent any surprise from the enemy.

King Charles, knowing that his ancient and inveterate enemies, the English, were desirous to gain the city of Orleans, had resolved in council, before they came before it, to defend the place to the last, believing that should it be conquered, it would be the finishing stroke to himself and his kingdom. For this reason, he had sent thither his most expert and faithful officers, namely, Boussac, the lord d'Eu, the bastard of Orleans, the lords de Gaucourt, de Graville, de Vilain, Poton de Saintrailles, la Hire, sir Theolde de Valperghe, sir Louis de Vaucourt, with others renowned in arms, and of great authority.

They had under their daily command from twelve to fourteen hundred combatants, well tried and enterprising; but sometimes more and sometimes less,—for the town was not so completely surrounded but that the besieged could replenish themselves with provision or stores whenever they pleased.

Very many sallies and skirmishes took place during the siege, but it would be tiresome to relate the various successes that attended them; but from what I have heard from well-informed persons, I do not find that the besieged did any great damage to the enemy, except with their cannon and other like instruments from their walls. By one of these was slain sir Lancelot de Lisle, a very valiant english knight and renowned in arms.

CHAP. LIV.

A PREACHER CALLED FRIAR THOMAS, CONVERTS MANY PERSONS, AND INVEIGHS AGAINST THE EXTRAVAGANT DRESSES OF THE WOMEN, IN DIFFERENT PLACES.

In this year, a friar called Thomas Conecte, a native of Brittany, and of the carmelite order, was much celebrated through parts of Flanders, the Tournesis, Artois, Cambresis, Ternois, in the countries of Amiens and Ponthieu, for his preachings.

In those towns where it was known he intended to preach, the chief burghers and inhabitants had erected for him in the handsomest square, a large scaffold, ornamented with the richest cloths and tapestries, on which was placed an altar, whereon he said mass, attended by some monks of his order, and his disciples. The greater part of these last followed him on foot wherever he went, he himself riding on a small mule.

Having said mass on this platform, he then preached long sermons, blaming the vices and sins of each individual, more especially those of the clergy, who publicly kept mistresses, to the breach of their vows of chastity. In like manner, he blamed greatly the noble ladies, and all others who dressed their heads in so ridiculous a manner, and who expended such large sums on the luxuries of apparel. He was so vehement against them that no woman thus dressed dared to appear in his presence, for he was accustomed, when he saw any of them with such dresses, to excite the little boys to torment and plague them, giving them certain days of pardon for so doing, and which he said he had the power of granting. He ordered the boys to shout after them, Au hennin, au hennin![17] even when the ladies were departed from him and from hearing his invectives; and the boys pursuing them endeavoured to pull down these monstrous head dresses, so that the ladies were forced to seek shelter in places of safety. These cries caused many tumults between those who raised them and the servants of the ladies.

Friar Thomas, nevertheless continued his abuse and invectives so loudly that no women with high head dresses any longer attended his sermons, but dressed in caps somewhat like those worn by peasants and people of low degree.

The ladies of rank on their return from these sermons, were so much ashamed by the abusive expressions of the preacher, that the greater part laid aside their head dresses, and wore such as those of nuns. But this reform lasted not long, for like as snails, when any one passes by them, draw in their horns, and when all danger seems over, put them forth again,—so these ladies, shortly after the preacher had quitted their country, forgetful of his doctrine and abuse, began to resume their former colossal head dresses, and wore them even higher than before.

Friar Thomas, however, acquired very great renown in the towns wherein he preached from all ranks of people, for the boldness and justness of his remonstrances, more especially for those addressed to the clergy. He was received wherever he went with as much respect and reverence by the nobles, clergy, and common people as if he had been an Apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ, sent from Heaven to earth.

He was followed by multitudes of people, and his mule was led by knights, or those of high rank, on foot to the house wherein he was to lodge, which was commonly that of the richest burgher in the town; and his disciples, of whom he had many, were distributed among the best houses; for it was esteemed a great favour when one of them lodged in the house of any individual.

When Friar Thomas arrived at his lodgings, he retired to a private chamber, and would not be visited by any but those of the family, except for a few moments. At the conclusion of his sermons, he earnestly admonished the audience on the damnation of their souls, and, on pain of excommunication, to bring to him whatever backgammon boards, chess boards, ninepins, or other instruments for games of amusement they might possess. In like manner did he order the women to bring their hennins,—and having caused a great fire to be lighted in front of his scaffold, he threw all those things into it.

Friar Thomas remained in these parts for the space of six months, and visited many great cities, such as Cambray, Tournay, Arras, Amiens and Therouenne, wherein he made many celebrated sermons, to the delight of the lower ranks, who sometimes assembled to hear him, to the number of from sixteen to twenty thousand persons. At his sermons, he divided the women from the men by a cord; for he said he had observed some sly doings between them while he was preaching. He would not receive any money himself, nor permit any of the preachers who attended him to do so, but was satisfied if presents were made to him of rich church ornaments, if his disciples were clothed and his own expenses paid. The people were very happy in thus gratifying him.

Many persons of note, in the conviction that to serve him would be a pious act, believing him to be a prudent and holy man, followed him every where, deserting their parents, wives, children and homes. In this number was the lord d'Antoing, and some others of the nobility. When he had remained any time, without the clergy attempting to confute his reasonings, he departed with the love of the people, but with the indignation of some churchmen. He embarked at the port of St Valery, to return to Brittany, where he had been born.