Bar and the county of Vaudemont, principally caused by sir John de
Hossonville hereditary seneschal of Lorraine, attempting to take the
town of Vaudemont[18], for some complaints he pretended to have against
it; and failing in his attempt, he had since made open war on that
country, and had set several villages on fire.
This intelligence coming to the count de Vaudemont, who was at
Genouillé, he hastily mounted his horse, accompanied by Forte-Espice
and about a hundred combatants, and pursued his enemies with such speed
that he overtook them on the borders of his county. He attacked them so
courageously that, although they were full three hundred, he put them
to the route. Forty were slain, and as many made prisoners: the rest
saved themselves by flight. Their standard was won, and carried to the
church of Veselize[19].
Open war was now carried on by both parties, and the men at arms of the
count made inroads on the lands of the enemy. In one of them, they were
met by sir Gerard du Chastellier, and defeated and carried prisoners
to Mirecour, a good town belonging to the duke of Lorraine. The count
de Vaudemont, some little time after, gained this town of Mirecour by
the aid of Floquet and Forte-Espice, when he recovered his men that had
been made prisoners, and appointed Floquet governor of it: but he soon
after restored it to the Lorrainers, and also turned against the count
de Vaudemont at the solicitations of La Hire.
On the other hand, Blanchefort, Anthony de Chabannes, Chappelle,
Gautier le Breton, Mathelin, and other captains, with their men, made
war on the Lorrainers and Barrois, for the count de Vaudemont, who
had given up to them Veselize and others of his places. When they had
completely spoiled the country they changed sides, under pretence of
an order they had received to depart thence and serve the enemies of
the count; which order they showed to sir Hector de Flavy, governor
of the county of Vaudemont. They soon after yielded up Veselize to
the Lorrainers, who totally destroyed it; and after committing every
waste in the countries of each party, these French, commonly called
Skinners, marched away toward Germany, but not before they had received
great sums of money from the duchies of Bar and Lorraine. They also
carried with them hostages for the due payment of the balances left
behind,--and the son of sir Gerard du Chastillier was among these
hostages.
At this time, the king of Sicily sent his son, the marquis du Pont,
nine years old, to reside in the duchy of Bar: and the bishop of Toul
and sir Gerard du Chastellier governed the country in his name.
A little before this, one called Watelin Tieulier made war on the
count de Vaudemont, and had fixed his retreat in a strong castle of
his father-in-law, the lord de Hartuel, who supported him. He had done
much mischief by fire and sword to the vassals of the count, who in
revenge, accompanied by his nephew the count de Blamont, the lord de
Commerci, Forte-Espice, and about four hundred combatants, marched
against this castle, took it by storm, and the knight within it. The
Lorrainers were seen instantly after advancing with a strong army,
to assist the knight; but finding that the place was taken, and the
enemies on the ramparts, they retreated, and increased their army, in
order to lay siege to Monstier sur Saxe[20]; but sir Hector de Flavy
had burnt the town which they intended to take and lodge in: they were,
therefore, obliged to return whence they had come. Thus did these two
parties mutually destroy each other.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 18: Vaudemont,--six leagues from Toul, seven from Nancy,
three from Mirecour.]
[Footnote 19: Veselize,--five leagues S.E. from Toul, two N. from
Vaudemont.]
[Footnote 20: Monstier sur Saxe,--six leagues from Bar-le-duc.]
[A.D. 1438.]
CHAP. LXXIX.
FAMINE, WAR, AND PESTILENCE, RAGE IN MANY PLACES.
At the beginning of this year, the famine, which had long afflicted
many parts, was much increased; and it was pitiful to see the
multitudes of poor who died daily from want. There were also epidemic
distempers in various parts of France, and in Flanders,--but the
towns of Bruges and Paris suffered more from them than any other. War
was likewise carried on with great bitterness in many places. From
these three plagues many of the nobles, and common people were great
sufferers, and in doleful perplexity. In the mean time, that body of
French called Skinners remained in large parties on the borders of
Burgundy, where they committed unnumbered mischiefs, by taking castles
and prisoners, killing men, and ravishing women, noble or not, and
acting as if they were in a country conquered from an enemy.
The duke of Burgundy was exceedingly angry when these things came to
his knowledge, as well from his love to his vassals as from the time
that they had chosen for these misdeeds, when his country was afflicted
with famine and mortality.
CHAP. XVIII.
LORD TALBOT, SIR THOMAS KIRIEL, AND OTHER ENGLISH CAPTAINS, CONQUER
LONGUEVILLE, AND MANY MORE CASTLES, FROM THE FRENCH.
In the month of May of this year, the lord Talbot, sir Thomas Kiriel,
with other english captains, took the field with about eight hundred
combatants, and marched to the castle of Longueville, in the possession
of a party of La Hire's men; for of this castle and domain he called
himself lord, in consequence of a gift made to him of it by king
Charles, in the same manner, and on the same terms that Bertrand du
Guesclin, that valiant warrior, formerly constable of France, had held
it.
The besieged did not long hold out, on seeing the English before it,
but surrendered on having their lives and fortunes spared, and with
permission to march away in safety. They went to Beauvais; and the
English, having well garrisoned it, marched to Charles-Mesnil, a
very handsome castle, situated very near to Dieppe, and belonging to
the lord de Torci, which also surrendered. In like manner, they won
Guellemcourt and some other places which the French held in the country
of Caux. The reason why these castles so soon surrendered was their
great want of provision, military stores and artillery.
CHAP. XIX.
A TREATY OF MARRIAGE IS CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE ELDEST SON TO THE KING
OF NAVARRE AND THE PRINCESS OF CLEVES, NIECE TO THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.
About this time there came to the town of Douay about four-and-twenty
horsemen as ambassadors from the king of Navarre, to treat with the
duke of Burgundy of a marriage between the princess of Cleves, niece to
the duke, and the hereditary prince of Navarre.
The principal ambassadors were the prior of Roncesvalles, a noble
knight, and other gentlemen, attended by the king at arms of Navarre.
This business lasted some time, but it was at last concluded,--and the
duke gave his consent. The princess was then sent away, honourably
escorted by her eldest brother to the kingdom of Navarre.
CHAP. XX.
THE TOWNS AND CASTLES OF MONTARGIS AND CHEVREUSE SUBMIT TO THE
OBEDIENCE OF KING CHARLES OF FRANCE.
While these things were passing, the towns and castles of Montargis and
Chevreuse, held by the English, submitted to king Charles. On the other
hand, the garrisons of Meaux in Brie, of Creil, Pontois and Gisors,
greatly harrassed the country of France, more particularly parts of
Santois, Vermandois, Amiennois, Beauvoisis, and other dependances. In
like manner, those garrisons which had been posted against the English
did great damages, so that the poor people were every way grievously
vexed and worn down.
In regard to sir John de Luxembourg, he kept neuter, and joined neither
party,--but filled his towns and strong places with men, artillery and
provisions, to defend himself against such as should attempt to injure
his country.
He had been several times admonished and summoned to take the oaths
to king Charles of France, but had never complied, and was waiting the
issue of events, to see what might happen. He was in the possession
of sealed engagements from the king of England, the duke of York, and
several english lords, promising him, on their faith and honour, that
should the French attempt to make war upon him, they would come to his
relief with so powerful a force that he should be delivered from his
enemies, notwithstanding any other business they should have in hand,
the which should be laid aside. Sir John de Luxembourg put great faith
in these promises.
CHAP. XXI.
A QUARREL ARISES BETWEEN POPE EUGENIUS AND THE COUNCIL OF
BASIL.--OTHER MATTERS.
In this year, ambassadors were sent to the king of France, the duke of
Burgundy, and other princes of the blood royal, from our holy father
pope Eugenius and from the council at Basil, who were quarrelling
with each other. Each ambassador, when discoursing on the subjects in
dispute before the king, most grossly abused his adverse party.
This dissention lasted a considerable time; but the king inclined more
to the council of Basil, while the duke of Burgundy strongly supported
the cause of the pope, as did also the king of England.
The duke of Burgundy at this time sent a solemn embassy to the pope,
consisting of master Quentin Mayart, provost of St Omer, the prior of
Lihons in Santerre, sir Simon de Lalain, Guillaume le Jeune, brother to
the cardinal of Therouenne, with other noble personages. They were most
graciously received by the holy father, and obtained the greater part
of the object of their mission.
In these days, the lord de Crevecœur, a wise and prudent person, was
sent by the duke of Burgundy to the french court, to treat on divers
matters, and, among others, to negotiate a marriage between his only
son, the count de Charolois, and the second daughter of the king of
France. This lord was joyfully received as well by the king as by the
queen; and because the princess he was come to demand in marriage was
lately dead, the duke sent him orders to ask for the eldest princess,
Catherine, which he did,--and his request was granted. Before the
return of the lord de Crevecœur to Flanders, the dispute between
the bishops of Tournay, namely, Jean de Harcourt, and master Jean
de Chevrot, was settled by the king: so Chevrot remained bishop of
Tournay, and Harcourt was archbishop of Narbonne. When all matters had
been concluded, the lord de Crevecœur returned to the duke of Burgundy,
who received him most graciously and honourably.
About this time, a knight attached to the household of the duke of
Burgundy, having had the duke's licence, set out on his return to his
own country of Savoy, and took the road to Guise, to visit sir John de
Luxembourg, in whose good graces he was, and who feasted him nobly at
his hôtel. On his departure, he was met on the road by some marauders,
pretending to belong to sir John de Luxembourg, (among whom was one
called Garmonset), who arrested and led him to the English at Meaux
in Brie, and thence to Rouen, where he was some time confined as a
prisoner. He died there from illness contracted, as was said, from
vexation and anger at the treatment he had suffered.
The duke of Burgundy was much dissatisfied at this capture, and wrote
sharp letters on this and other subjects to sir John de Luxembourg; but
sir John clearly and frankly exculpated himself from this charge,--and
it may be supposed that he was no way implicated in this capture, for
he had executed several who had been concerned therein, and had also
exerted himself as much as he could, through the means of his brother
the cardinal of Rouen, to obtain the liberty of this knight, called sir
Philibert de Savoye, from the hands of the English.
CHAP. XXII.
THE COUNT D'EU, WHO HAD BEEN PRISONER IN ENGLAND SINCE THE BATTLE OF
AZINCOURT, OBTAINS HIS LIBERTY, AND RETURNS TO FRANCE.--HE RAISES
LARGE ARMIES.
In this same year, the count d'Eu, who had been prisoner in England
since the year 1415, returned in liberty to France. He had been taken
at the battle of Azincourt, and was exchanged for the earl of Somerset,
whom the duke of Bourbon brother to the count d'Eu, held prisoner,
having bought him, or rather the duchess his mother having purchased
him, from those who had captured him at the battle of Blangy, where the
duke of Clarence was slain, as has been before fully related.
King Charles of France, the duke of Bourbon, and all the nobility, were
greatly rejoiced at the return of the count d'Eu; and, shortly after
his arrival, he was appointed by the king governor of Normandy, from
the river Seine to Abbeville and as far as the river Somme.
He, in consequence, assembled a body of men at arms, and went to take
possession of the town of Harfleur, where he was received by the
lord de Rieux, marshal of France, and those of his party; but others
disputed his authority, and withdrew into the towers, and fortified one
of the gates, to the great displeasure of the count d'Eu, who instantly
attacked them with such vigour that those in the gate surrendered to
him. The others, who had taken possession of the towers, sent to Rouen
for assistance from the English; but, in a short time, they made secret
arrangements with the count,--so that when the English advanced to
their support, conformably to their own request, they were deceived,
and about thirty made prisoners: the rest, being aware of their
treachery, returned back to Rouen very much vexed.
After the count d'Eu had subjected Harfleur, and other places in the
country of Caux, to his will, and strongly garrisoned them, he departed
for Brussels, to visit his brother-in-law the duke of Burgundy,
who feasted him grandly, and presented him with very rich gifts. On
leaving the duke, he went by short days journeys to Noyon, where he
was congratulated on his liberty by the inhabitants. They made heavy
complaints to him of certain pillagers that held some castles in their
neighbourhood, and who daily committed on them great damages, advancing
even to their gates, seizing and carrying away all they could lay hands
on, calling themselves at one time partisans of the king of France; at
others, of sir John de Luxembourg.
In the number, was one named Jean de L'Isle, who, with his brother,
had under their command more than thirty companions, and had taken
possession of an old castle called Bretigny, which they had repaired
and fortified, with the intent of waging war against the whole country.
Part of them wore the red cross, pretending to be English.
The count d'Eu, on hearing this, collected a number of men at arms to
provide a remedy for it, and ordered thither the count d'Estampes,
his nephew, with a party of his men. They marched to the castle of
Bretigny, the fortifications of which were incomplete; and it was
likewise badly provided with stores, artillery and provision; so that
it was very soon forced to surrender to the will of the count d'Eu.
He sent Jean de l'Isle and his brother to Noyon, where they were soon
after beheaded, and about twenty of the others were hanged.
For these executions, sir John de Luxembourg conceived a great hatred
to the count d'Eu, and to those who had been parties in the expedition.
A few days afterward, in consequence thereof, while the count d'Eu was
at Chargny-sur-Oise, sir John ordered an ambuscade to be formed on
the road leading thence to Noyon, to attack the count on his return
thither; but he, having received information of the plan, took another
road, so that the ambuscade failed of the intended effect: a violent
quarrel, however, ensued ever after between them.
CHAP. XXIII.
LA HIRE, BLANCHEFORT, AND OTHERS OF KING CHARLES'S CAPTAINS MAKE
EXCURSIONS INTO GERMANY.
At this same period, several of king Charles's captains, such as La
Hire, Blanchefort, Boussac, Anthony de Chabannes, Chappelle, Pierre
Regnault, and others, to the amount of six thousand horse, marched from
the frontiers of Bar and Lorraine toward Germany, and even advanced
as far as the city of Basil, wherein the council was sitting. They
gave it to be understood by some, that they were sent thither with the
consent of pope Eugenius, in defence of his rights, and to lay waste
the country with fire and sword.
They then directed their march to the country of Aussois[21], and
toward Franckfort, taking and ransoming many small castles and large
monasteries. While they were thus employed in wasting the country,
the Germans assembled in great bodies to oppose and repulse them.
They first ordered the farmers and peasants to retire into the strong
castles and great towns with their corn and provisions,--and then made
war on the French whenever they could do it advantageously, or when
they went out to forage in small parties. In this manner they destroyed
numbers, and always refused to accept a challenge for a general battle,
although required by the French to name a day for a combat.
The French, therefore, seeing their numbers daily lessened, while
the enemy were increasing, retreated from Germany toward Burgundy,
doing great mischiefs, wherever they passed, and thence went into
the Nivernois. Continuing their wicked conduct in those parts, they
retreated, after a short stay, into Auvergne.
Their army was now increased by evil-disposed persons, and vagabonds,
to the amount of ten thousand men: and they spared no person noble or
not, nor any towns, although dependant on the king of France, or on
the princes of his blood and alliance,--all were equally despoiled.
No remedy could be applied to these evils, on account of their great
numbers,--and they were called in all countries through which they
passed, 'Skinners,' as has been before mentioned. The whole kingdom
suffered intolerable hardships by this army, in addition to famine and
pestilence.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 21: The country of Aussois is comprehended in the duchy of
Burgundy.--See Martiniere's Geographical Dictionary.]
CHAP. XXIV.
THE COUNT D'ESTAMPES RECOVERS THE CASTLE OF ROULLET FROM THE MEN OF
THE LORD DE MOY.--OTHER MATTERS.
Prior to this melancholy famine, the men of the lord de Moy, in the
Beauvoisis, gained the castle of Roullet (two leagues distant from
Mondidier) from those of Guy de Roye, who had the guard of it, and made
war against Mondidier and the country around.
As this district was within the government of the count d'Estampes,
and under his charge, he detached a body of men under the command
of some of his captains--namely, Waleran de Moreul, Guy de Roye, and
others--against this castle of Roullet, who attacked it so sharply that
it was surrendered unconditionally to the will of the count d'Estampes,
who hanged from twenty to thirty of the garrison, and again placed it
under the guard of Guy de Roye.
The lord de Moy, who was governor of Clermont, from vexation at this
loss, carryed on a severer war than before on Mondidier, which made it
necessary to post garrisons of men at arms in all the towns and castles
round to oppose it. Thus did the country suffer greater hardships from
both parties than before peace was concluded, as each destroyed it at
their pleasure.
In another quarter, the English won the castles of St Germain en Laye
and Gerberoy by storm, and strongly garrisoned them, to the great
annoyance of the Parisians.
At this time, a shocking and unheard of crime was detected at a village
near Abbeville. A woman was arrested on the charge of having murdered
several children, of cutting them in pieces, and of having kept them
when salted in her house. She was accused of this crime by some
robbers, who, having entered her house by night, had discovered parts
of the bodies of these children. She confessed herself guilty, and was
publicly burnt at Abbeville, according to the sentence of the law.
Great quarrels and dissensions now arose between those of Brussels and
the towns of Lovain, Mechlin, and other places in Brabant, for having
constrained all the farmers within the district of Antwerp to carry to
them their corn, in prejudice to the inhabitants of Brussels; which
caused a war against Mechlin,--and this last town closed the passage
of the river with chains, so that no boats could go to Brussels. They
met in arms, and very many were slain and wounded on each side; but the
duke of Burgundy and his council found means to appease these discords.
CHAP. XXV.
A MEETING IS HELD BETWEEN CALAIS AND GRAVELINES BETWEEN THE CARDINAL
OF ENGLAND AND THE DUCHESS OF BURGUNDY, TO DELIBERATE ON THE MEANS OF
ESTABLISHING A LASTING PEACE BETWEEN FRANCE AND ENGLAND.
About the month of January in this year, the cardinal of England and
the duchess of Burgundy met at a place agreed on between them, half way
from Calais to Gravelines, to consider on the means of establishing a
firm peace between England and France. Tents had been pitched for their
meeting; and each party was grandly accompanied by nobles, as well
ecclesiastical as secular.
The ambassadors from the king of France were a master of the household
named sir Regnault Girard, knight and lord of Bazoches, and master
Robert Mallien, councellor and master of accounts, to give their advice
and aid toward the conclusion of a general peace, and also to treat
of the ransom and deliverance of Charles duke of Orleans from his
imprisonment in England.
Many proposals were offered on different days, but no conclusion was
made, except to adjourn, to inform the respective kings of France and
England of these proposals, and hold another meeting when they should
have been fully discussed.
The time and place for another meeting was to be communicated to the
duchess of Burgundy, that she might make it known to each party; and it
was agreed that, at that time, the duke of Orleans should be conducted
either to Calais or to Cherbourg, as the two parties should fix. When
these matters had been settled, they all separated, and returned to the
places they had come from.
In this year, the duke of Burgundy assembled about sixteen hundred
combatants, whom he marched toward Calais, to cover and defend against
the English a very great number of pioneers, carpenters and labourers,
who had been sent thither to break down and destroy a sea-dyke, in
order to drown the town of Calais and the surrounding country. The duke
had been made to believe that this was possible to be done, and the
town destroyed; but when the pioneers had worked a short space of time,
they found that it was a work not easily accomplished, the enterprise
was therefore abandoned; but they broke down the bridge of Nieulay, and
some small dykes, which did very little harm to the English.
CHAP. XXVI.
THE KING OF FRANCE COMPELS RODERIGO DE VILLANDRAS, WHO WAS COMMITTING
GREAT WASTE ON HIS TERRITORIES, TO MARCH AWAY AND MAKE WAR ON THE
ENGLISH.
King Charles of France, in the course of this year, learnt that many of
his captains were grievously harrassing divers parts of his kingdom,
and that they kept large bodies of armed men under their command to
overrun the provinces. The principal among them was Roderigo de
Villandras, who had upwards of six hundred horse under his orders.
The king sent him his commands to quit his territories immediately, and
to make war on those of the English, but he refused obedience to them.
On this, the king, who was at Bourges in Berry, assembled an army to
march against him in person, and force him to obey him; but Roderigo,
having had information of the king's intentions, retreated toward
Toulouse, and thence advanced into Guienne, where in conjunction with
some of that country, he again collected a considerable force.
He carried on a severe warfare against the English, to their great
loss, and won from them many towns and castles, which he garrisoned
with his own men. He entered Medoc, and advanced as far as Soulac[22],
destroying the country, which he found very rich in all sorts of
commodities. In like manner he conquered the territory of Blanchefort,
and came to a fort called Châtel-neuf, belonging to the Captal de Buch,
which he took by storm.