true friends, that my redoubted lord the duke of Burgundy is angered
against me, by reason of some reports that had been made to him.
In consequence, I sent John Taillemonde and my secretary Huet with
letters, to supplicate him that he would have the kindness not to be
angered against me, nor hold me in his indignation, without first
hearing me in my own justification and defence.
'He sent me by them credential letters,--and told them verbally the
grounds of his discontent against me, from the reports that had been
made him. As the charges seemed to them very heavy, they required to
have them put in writing, but never could obtain it, which appears to
me very surprising. However, they repeated them to me as well as they
were able, and thereupon I wrote to my said lord my justification.
'I had hopes that some of you might have been present, to have heard
it,--but as that was not the case, I now write to repeat it, that you
may have it fresh in your memories.
'I shall begin with the charge against my loyalty, as what most touches
my honour and hurts my feelings. It has been declared, that my lord
has been informed by the English, that a short time after the peace of
Arras, they wrote to my brother the archbishop of Rouen, that if it
were agreeable to my lord the duke of Burgundy and his allies to keep
the peace in respect to them, they and their allies would do the same
in regard to him, his subjects, allies and countries; and that my lord
and brother had pressed me to touch on this matter with the duke, and
endeavour to have it accomplished,--but that, although my lord the
archbishop had thus written to me, I had concealed the matter, which
has been the cause of numberless and great evils, that would not have
happened if I had acted loyally.
'In my excuse, I must say (saving the reverence due to my lord duke),
that these great evils have not been caused by my fault or neglect;
nor has the war been commenced or advised by me. I know for a truth,
that if my said lord had but remembered my actions in respect to this
business, no such charge would have been made against me.
'It is a fact, that on the morrow after I had this information from my
brother the archbishop of Rouen, dated Rouen, the 29th day of January,
in the year 1435, and which I received on the 8th of February, I
dispatched some of my people to Brussels, where they arrived on the
10th, with credential letters from me, charging them to declare the
intelligence I had just received from Rouen, and which they reported
to me had been done. They received for answer, by the mouth of the
bishop of Tournay, that for certain causes, which he then told them, my
lord duke was not determined how to act in regard to the intelligence
contained in my brother the archbishop of Rouen's letter, which had
been in substance laid before him.
'It has been a matter of great wonder to me, that this bishop, who has
such dignities and honours, in the church, who is reputed so wise and
prudent, and who is the principal adviser of my lord duke, should
send a verbal answer by my people, and did not inform my lord of the
necessity of otherwise acquitting himself toward me,--for had this been
done, no such imputation could have been thrown on me.
'Should what I have now said be insufficient for my acquittal, I can
produce letters signed by the hand of my lord to prove that I duly
informed him of the contents of my brother's letter,--and that he
declares in these letters, that he was not fully resolved how to act
respecting the proposal from the English. You will, therefore, clearly
perceive, that I have faithfully performed my duty; and henceforward
I intend, if it be the good pleasure of God my Creator to exculpate
myself by every means in my power, so that all the world may know that
I have been no way to blame.
'With regard to another charge made against me, namely, that I have,
since the peace at Arras, sent a body of men to join the English in
Calais, without the knowledge of my said lord, or of my most redoubted
lady the duchess of Burgundy, or of the members of his council. It is
true, that when I heard, my lady duchess was at Gravelines, I did send
thither some of my people on business with my lord cardinal of England,
thinking that he was there, as had been reported, I ordered them to
treat on this business with him, the which I had formerly mentioned to
my lord duke, who had consented that I might send to England on this
subject. I wished not that this matter should be transacted privately,
or in secret, but openly before all the world and even in the presence
of my lady duchess and her council, should it then happen to be brought
forward.
'Since my lord cardinal was not there, nor, as it was said, expected
to arrive for some time, those whom I had sent thither, seeing many
persons go to Calais, took on themselves to go thither also on their
own affairs; but they first asked the permission of the lieutenant of
Gravelines, who granted it, and they set off, not imagining any harm
in so doing, as they have informed me. I certify to you, that I never
charged them to signify any thing whatever to the English prejudicial
to the realm or to my said lord, or any way tending to retard the
negotiations that were to commence at Gravelines,--and I should suppose
that I, of all persons, should be clear from the smallest suspicion
of treasonable practises; for were I inclined that way, which God
forbid! you may imagine I would have acted otherwise, and employed
unknown emissaries, or merchants who daily repair thither; but never,
please God, shall I have the will or courage to do any contrary to the
honour or interest of my said lord, or unbecoming a knight of unsullied
honour.--Respecting the summonses I had issued for guards, which was
ascertained during a late meeting of the three estates at Arras, when
it was discussed, that as my said lord was, through God's mercy, more
powerful than ever any counts of Artois, his predecessors, had been,
it seemed to this meeting that no other person but himself required
guards; and, among other things, it is said, then and there determined
upon, it was resolved that none but my said lord should have guards.
'I have no remembrance whatever of being present at this meeting of the
three estates at Arras when such conclusions were made; but I perfectly
recollect, that at Lille, in the house of the lord de Roubaix, where
my lord duke held his court, it was determined, in the presence of
many of his council, that in future no one should have guards,--when I
joined in opinion with the others, and said, that I would not summon
any, if the rest would do the same. On this, I departed from Lille; but
observing some time after, that several had their guards, I did the
like, but did not suppose that my lord could be angered by my so doing,
or that he wished to keep me in greater servitude than others. My lord
even wrote me several letters with his own hand, and signed by him,
on this subject, as did my lady duchess, assenting to my having these
guards. It should seem, therefore, that my lord was not then displeased
with my conduct.
'In regard to Riflart de Neufville, who is said to have been killed on
account of this business, and the lord des Bosquets, who was driven out
of his house and grossly injured,--although I had many reasons to be
displeased with both, yet when my lord shall be completely informed of
the whole truth of these matters, I shall expect that the tales he has
heard will be found lying and falsely wicked.
'As for the disobedience alleged against my officers and commissaries
to the bailiff of Amiens, to the king's officers, and to those of the
duke, whom they will not permit to execute any warrants saying and
maintaining that I have not taken any oaths of allegiance but to the
king of England,--I have never before heard any mention made of this,
nor do I know what private wrongs may have been done, nor to whom: of
course, I am unable to make any reply to this charge. I should have
expected that the bailiff of Amiens, whom I consider as my particular
friend, would have informed me of any misconduct in my people, for had
he done so, I should have exerted myself in such wise that my lord
should have been satisfied. In regard to the provost of Peronne, who
has charged my officers with waylaying and chacing him into the town
of Cambray, with the intention of ill-treating and perhaps of killing
him,--I have inquired of my officers, and they tell me, that when
they were amusing themselves twenty leagues from Cambray, they were
informed, that the said provost had vauntingly declared, that if he
could lay hands on them, he would hang them by the necks; on which they
suddenly pursued him, to know if what they had heard were true,--and
learning that he had not said any such things, they had quietly left
him.
'As for the threats which my said officers have held out to the abbot
of St Aubert of Cambray, they beg to be held excused.
'With regard to the complaints of the receiver-general of Peronne,
that he cannot exercise his office, nor the toll-gatherers at Bapaume,
from the hinderance of my officers,--my lord will cause further
informations to be made on this subject, and will then write to me
fully thereon, according to his pleasure, when I shall make such
answers as ought to be satisfactory.
'In respect to master Ador Caperel, who has told my lord that I have
caused him to be waylaid, to abuse and ill treat him, I assure you
that this is not true,--and I beg that further information may be had
thereon. Should it clearly appear, after I have been heard, that I have
caused him to be waylaid, I am willing to receive such punishment as
justice shall order; but should the contrary be proved, I entreat that
you will beg my said lord to lay hands on the said Caperel and others,
who have been guilty of such lying reports, that they may be severely
punished, for an example to all others, to prevent them from doing the
like, and that it may be publicly known that my said lord, and the
members of his council, will not suffer such scandalous reports to be
made against me, or others of his servants, with impunity.
'As for you, my very dear brothers and companions, whose prudence,
valour, and wisdom, I am acquainted with, you would not that one of
your brethren should be unjustly accused,--and in this confidence I
have written thus fully, for your information, of the charges alledged
against me, entreating you fraternally, at the same time, that you
would exert yourselves toward my said lord, to induce him to withdraw
his indignation from me, and be satisfied with the explanations and
excuses contained in this letter, and no longer give faith to any
reports made against any one without that person being first heard in
his exculpation, that it may be proved on which side the fault shall be.
'In truth, if I am not assisted by you, and if proceedings shall be
carried on against me without my being heard in my defence, I know not
to whom to apply, nor have I any hope of being treated with justice,
which must cause me to suffer the utmost grief. I refer you for all
other particulars to the bearers of this letter, the before mentioned
Taillemonde and Huet, either of whom can relate to you the details of
every charge.
'Very dear brothers and companions, if there be any thing you would
wish me to do, let me be made acquainted therewith, and I will perform
it most willingly, as the Lord knows, to whose holy keeping I commend
you.
'Written at my hotel at Bohain on Candlemas-day.'
Such were the contents of the letters sir John de Luxembourg sent to
the different knights-companions of the order of the Golden Fleece,
the greater part of whom were very desirous to mediate with the duke
of Burgundy that sir John might remain in his good graces. They daily
remonstrated with the duke on this subject, and that he ought not to be
so much displeased; but new matters of quarrel arose between them, and
various tales were continually carried to the duke against him.
It happened, at this time, that in the provostship of Peronne a heavy
tax was ordered to be collected, and, among others, some villages
within the lordships of Ham and Neel, then in the possession of sir
John de Luxembourg, were taxed, who was very much discontented that
such levies should be raised on his subjects; but, as the deed was
done, he made an appeal against the officers of the duke of Burgundy
who had laid the tax, and wanted to collect it.
The duke, dissatisfied on his part that this right should be
questioned, sent a body of archers to support his officers in
collecting the tax, who, on their arrival, carried the edict very
rigorously into execution, by seizing all they could lay hands
on,--insomuch that the sufferers went to Ham to make complaint to
Jacotin de Bethune then in garrison.
On hearing what had passed, he instantly ordered his men to mount and
go and see what could be meant by it, while he followed soon after.
They advanced to where the duke's archers were, and, without further
enquiry beat them soundly: a sergeant from Mondidier was wounded in
many places; but when Jacotin came up, and saw that they belonged to
the duke of Burgundy, he put an end to the affray, and made excuses
for what had happened, saying, that he had taken them for a party of
the Skinners attached to king Charles.
They were, however, very ill treated, and speedily returned to the
duke their lord, to whom they made heavy complaints about what had
passed.--The duke was so indignant with sir John de Luxembourg for this
that he resolved to force him to make amends for it, cost what it would.
He wrote shortly after to sir John to order him to send to him Jacotin
de Bethune and the others who had committed this offence; but sir
John refused, excusing himself, by saying, that he did not think that
his people should be meddled with. Thus was their quarrel mutually
increased.
Not long after this, Jacotin overthrew with the garrisons under his
charge, a body of men belonging to the counts de Nevers and d'Estampes;
when a gentleman, called La Perriere, was killed, together with
others, at which the above named lords were greatly vexed. Sir John
de Luxembourg was, however, much feared, because he was possessed of
some very strong places, such as, Coussy[26], Beaulieu[27], Ham sur
Somme[28], Neel[29], La Ferté[30], St Goubain[31], Marle[32], Arsy[33],
Montaigu[34], Guise[35], Herison[36], Bouchain[37], Beaurevoir[38],
Honnecourt[39], Oisy[40], and others, all of which had numerous
garrisons. He had not as yet broken off his connexions with the
English: on the contrary, he depended much on their support,--for which
reason many who were inclined to injure him, were afraid to attack any
parts of his territories, lest he should fill his towns and castles
with English, which would be the total ruin of the country. For fear
of this, all who hated him dissembled their feelings; nevertheless,
he did not slacken in providing means of defence, but retained in his
different towns and castles men at arms, ready to oppose all who should
wage war against him, as well French as Burgundians. These warriors,
however, harrassed the country much, more especially the Cambresis.
The english garrisons of Creil[41] and of other places, under pretence
of being his men, made frequent excursions, taking many prisoners, and
collecting all they could find, which they drove away to places under
their obedience. Several of sir John's captains were connected with
the English; one in particular, called Perrinet Quatre-Yeux, who was
from near Beauvais in the Cambresis, who had served them as a guide
to make prisoners and ransom some rich men in those parts, but it
happened that, in the course of these wicked pursuits, he had come to
a farm near Oisy, called Gourgouche; which being told to Sir John de
Luxembourg then in the castle of Oisy, he instantly sent thither his
archers, who put him to death, and buried him in a ditch,--and sir John
gained great praise from all the country for so doing.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 26: Coussy. Q. Courcelles? a town in Picardy.]
[Footnote 27: Beaulieu,--a town in Picardy.]
[Footnote 28: Ham sur Somme,--a town in Picardy.]
[Footnote 29: Neel,--a village in Picardy.]
[Footnote 30: La Ferté. Q. La Ferté-Milon? a town in Picardy.]
[Footnote 31: St Goubain. Q. St Gobin? a town in Picardy.]
[Footnote 32: Marle,--a town in Picardy.]
[Footnote 33: Arsy. Q. A town in Picardy.]
[Footnote 34: Montagu,--Montaigu, a town in Picardy.]
[Footnote 35: Guise,--a town in Picardy.]
[Footnote 36: Herison,--a town in Picardy.]
[Footnote 37: Bouchain. Q. Bohain, a town in Picardy.]
[Footnote 38: Beaurevoir,--a town in Picardy.]
[Footnote 39: Honnecourt,--a town in Picardy.]
[Footnote 40: Oisy,--a village in Picardy.]
[Footnote 41: Creil,--situated on the Oise, ten leagues from Paris.]
CHAP. XXIX.
THE COUNT DE RICHEMONT, CONSTABLE OF FRANCE, GAINS THE TOWN OF MEAUX
IN BRIE FROM THE ENGLISH.
While these things were passing, Arthur of Brittany count de Richemont
and constable of France, collected about four thousand combatants,
under the command of La Hire, Floquet, the lord de Torcy, sir Giles de
Saint Simon, and other french captains, as well from Champagne as from
other parts, whom he marched about the beginning of July before the
town of Meaux in Brie, then in the possession of the English.
He first fixed his quarters at Champ-commun[42], which is a very
large village, and, shortly after, erected a blockhouse, fronting the
gate of Saint Remy at Meaux, and lodged his men in the convent of the
Cordeliers at St Faron-les-Meaux, and in other places near. He erected
another blockhouse on the island opposite the town,--and one was placed
by sir Denis de Chailly at the gate of Cormillon, leading toward Brie.
Five others were afterwards erected on two islands near the court of
Supletes, and opposite to the market-place, all of which were filled
with men at arms.
Several large engines were also pointed against the gates and walls,
which damaged them greatly. Having continued these attacks on the
place for about three weeks, the constable consulted his officers and
determined to storm the town, for which the men were very eager,--and
it was won with but little loss to the assailants. The bastard de Thian
was made prisoner in the town, who was instantly beheaded together
with another gentleman called Carbonnel de Haule, and some others.
The besieged lost about sixty men,--and from forty to fifty were made
prisoners on their retreat to the market-place. The constable now
quartered himself and the greater part of his army in the town of
Meaux, leaving, however, very strong garrisons in the blockhouses.
The chief commanders for the English in the market-place of Meaux were
sir William Chamberlain, sir John Ripley and others, with about five
hundred combatants. Prior to the siege, they had sent information to
the government at Rouen of the intentions of the French to besiege
them, and required to be reinforced as speedily as possible.
The earl of Cambridge, at that time governor of the duchy of Normandy
for the king of England, accompanied by sir John Talbot, the lord
Falconbridge, sir Richard Woodville, and other english captains, with
about four thousand fighting men, began their march from Rouen to
raise this siege, and arrived before the town of Meaux. The constable,
hearing of their intentions, had, however, withdrawn into the town
before they came all his men and stores; and lucky it was, for had
they remained in the field great mischiefs must have happened on both
sides,--for the English desired nothing more than to fight the French.
They made many proposals to the constable to this effect,--but he
refused to listen to them, or consent to a general action. Several
skirmishes, however, took place, in one of which the English gained
from the French twenty boats laden with provision; and in another
quarter a blockhouse, under the command of the lord de Moy, was
abandoned.
The English attacked and took one of the blockhouses, on the island
opposite to the market-place, in which from a hundred to six score
French were slain, and the rest made prisoners. After various
attempts, finding the French unwilling to combat them, and that it
was impossible to hurt them in their present situation, they made
preparations to return to Normandy the same way they had come, after
having revictualled their countrymen in the castle of the market-place.
When they were departed, the constable renewed his attacks on the
market-place with greater vigour, and with so many engines that
after three weeks sir William Chamberlain capitulated to surrender
the place, on having the lives and fortunes of the garrison spared.
When this treaty was concluded, the English marched to Rouen, under
passports; but on their arrival, their commander was much reproached
for his surrender of Meaux which was so well provided with stores
and provision, and was one of the strongest places of France: he was
committed to prison in the castle of Rouen,--but, after some time, he
found means of excusing himself to the lords of his party, who set him
at liberty.
At this period, a gentleman named Jean de la Fange attached to the
constable, was beheaded and quartered, on being convicted of holding
communications with the English, to the prejudice of the king of France
and his realm. A sergeant of the Châtelet was also quartered with this
Jean de la Fange.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 42: Champ-commun--in the MS. corrections in M. du Cange's
copy of Monstrelet in the imperial library at Paris: it is Chant-conin
from the life of the constable; but I cannot find either of these names
in the Gazetteer nor in Cassini's large map of France.]
CHAP. XXX.
SIR JOHN DE LUXEMBOURG SENDS LETTERS TO EXCULPATE HIMSELF, TO THE
GREAT COUNCIL OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY. THEIR CONTENTS.
Sir John de Luxembourg, count de Ligny and de Guise was duly informed
how much the duke of Burgundy was displeased with him, and chiefly for
the offence committed by Jacotin de Bethune against his archers, as has
been before mentioned. In order, therefore, to exculpate himself as
well as the said Jacotin, he wrote letters to the grand council of the
duke, of the following tenour.
'Most reverend fathers in God, very dear and beloved cousins, and my
most especial friends,--I believe it is within your knowledge that a
sudden quarrel has accidentally arisen between some archers of my most
redoubted lord the duke of Burgundy and the men of Jacotin de Bethune,
in my town of Ham.
'This has raised the indignation of my most redoubted lord against
me,--for which I am more grieved than I can express. I shall therefore
explain the matter fully to you, that you may be made acquainted with
the whole, and exculpate me from any blame.
'Prior to this quarrel with the archers, the officers of my most
redoubted lord imposed a tax on the land, without calling together a
competent number of the three estates to authorize it,--and this tax
they wanted to raise on my possessions. Some of my officers made an
appeal against this conduct, and matters remained in this state,--when
a body of those called Skinners, from the Valois, and other men at
arms, showed a disposition to make war on me.
'These appearances obliged me to reinforce my strong places with men
at arms,--and I sent Jacotin de Bethune to guard my town of Ham.
Some time afterward, certain persons on horseback made an inroad on
my villages near to Ham, and carried away horses, cows, and whatever
they could lay hands on: in consequence, many women hastened to Ham and
complained of these outrages,--upon which Jacotin concluded they must
be the Skinners, and instantly sent a party after them, when a scuffle
ensued. But as Jacotin followed his men, finding that they belonged to
the duke of Burgundy, he immediately put an end to the affray, and was
exceedingly distressed that it had happened,--for he could never have
supposed that they had belonged to my most redoubted lord, considering
that an appeal was then lying in his courts against this tax being laid.