Vendôme, the lords de la Trimouille, de Chaumont, de Prie, and other
nobles and great lords, whose intentions were to invest the dauphin
with the sole government of France, and to put king Charles in wardship
to be managed by them.
In order to have aid to accomplish their plans, they summoned barons
and gentlemen from divers countries, to whom they disclosed their
intentions, and required them to make oath that they would serve
the dauphin against all who should attempt to injure him. In this
number came the great lords of Auvergne, who on hearing the proposal,
made answer by the mouth of the lord de Dampierre, that they would
cheerfully serve him in every thing, excepting against the king his
father; adding, that should the king come with an army into their
country, and require their support, and a free entrance into their
towns and castles, they would not dare to refuse him,--and this those
who made them the request must expect to see done, should the case
happen.
This answer was not agreeable to the dauphin, nor to the other lords,
who now began to suspect they should fail in their enterprise, and
that it would turn out badly for them. They had also received exact
intelligence that the king was marching a great power against them, and
had already entered the Bourbonnois, carrying on a severe war against
the towns and castles of the duke of Bourbon and his adherents, and had
reduced several to his obedience.
In the mean time, the dauphin and his advisers had sent messengers
to the duke of Burgundy to know if he would receive them in his
territories, and afford them assistance to carry on their plans. The
duke, after he had consulted with his ministers, replied, that his
territories and fortune were at the disposal of the dauphin whenever he
might please to come thither, but that upon no account would he afford
him any assistance to carry on a war against the king his father,--and
would be at all times ready to aid him in the recovery of his father's
affections. He added, that he advised him to take this step without
loss of time,--for the continuance of this warfare was disgraceful
to those concerned in it, and would be the most effectual means of
completely ruining the kingdom of France.
To put an end to this quarrel, the duke of Burgundy sent ambassadors
to the king of France, who mediated between the parties; and a treaty
of peace was concluded, on condition that the dauphin, the duke of
Bourbon, and their adherents should appear with all humility in the
presence of the king, and beg pardon for their offences. However,
before this could be accomplished, the greater part of the estates of
the duke of Bourbon and of his partisans were totally destroyed by the
warriors of the king, who had marched thither a large army.
On the 19th day of July, the king being at Cusset[56] the dauphin
and duke of Bourbon, accompanied by the lords de la Trimouille, de
Chaumont, and de Prie were on the road to present themselves before
him,--but when they were half a league off, a messenger from the king
met them, and said, that the king would not promise them safety, and
ordered them not to approach nearer to him.
The dauphin on hearing this, turned round to the duke of Bourbon, and
said, 'My good friend, you could not have guessed how things would
have turned out, or that my father would not have pardoned those of my
household.' He then swore a round oath, that he would not return to his
father. The duke of Bourbon replied, 'My lord, all will go well: do not
doubt it: but you cannot go back, for the van of the king's army, is
on the road.' He would, however, have attempted it, had not the count
d'Eu, and other lords who had come from Cusset, to meet him, strongly
remonstrated on the impropriety and danger of such proceedings.
The three lords aforesaid then went to Moulins; and the dauphin, with
the duke of Bourbon, entered Cusset, and dismounted at the hôtel of
the king. On entering the king's apartment, they kneeled three times
as they approached; and at the third they begged of him with great
humility, to be pleased to lay aside his anger. The king then addressed
his son, and said, 'Louis, you are welcome; you have been long absent.
Go and repose yourself for to-day at your lodgings: to-morrow we will
talk with you.'--After this, he conversed long and wisely with the duke
of Bourbon, saying, 'Fair cousin, we are much displeased at the fault
you have committed against our majesty, and which has been repeated
five different times,' (mentioning when and where he had been guilty of
it). 'Were it not for the honour and love we bear to some persons, whom
I will not name, I would have made you feel severely my displeasure.
Take care, therefore, that you be not guilty of the like again.'
After this conversation, the dauphin and the duke of Bourbon retired
to their lodgings, where they remained until the morrow, and when
the king's mass was ended, they again waited on him. In the presence
of the members of the council, they again most humbly requested the
king that he would have the goodness to pardon them and the lords
de la Trimouille, de Chaumont, and de Prie. The king made answer,
that he would do no such thing, but was satisfied that they should
return to their houses and estates. The dauphin replied, 'My lord, I
must then go back to them, for such has been my promise.' The king
displeased at this speech, instantly said, 'Louis, the gates are open
to you,--and should they not be wide enough, I will have thrown down
sixteen or twenty fathoms of wall that you may have sufficient room to
go whithersoever you please. You are my son, and cannot bind yourself
under promises to any one without my leave and consent: but should you
wish to go away, go,--for, under God's pleasure, we will find some of
our blood who will assist us in the maintenance of our honour and power
with more firmness than we have hitherto done.'
The king turned away from him on the conclusion of this speech,
and went toward the duke of Bourbon, who instantly took the oath
of allegiance to be true to him henceforward for ever. The king
discharged all the officers of the household of the dauphin, except his
confessor and cook.
The duke of Bourbon, in consequence of the terms of the treaty,
promised to restore to the king, within a few days, the towns of
Corbeil, Vincennes, Sancerre, and the castle of Loches, which were in
his possession; but the king would not permit his army to quit the
Bourbonnois and Auvergne until these places were fairly given up. The
king also pardoned the duke d'Alençon, the count de Vendôme, and many
other princes and nobles, who had taken part with the dauphin. When all
these things were accomplished, the dauphin was satisfied to remain
with the king his father, and peace was proclaimed in the following
terms.
'We make known to you, by the king's command, that my lord the dauphin
and my lord the duke of Bourbon have appeared before his majesty in all
humility and obedience; that the king has affectionately received them
into his good graces, and pardoned every thing. By these presents, the
king wills and ordains, that all quarrels and warfare cease, and that
no prisoners nor captures of cattle, or of other effects, be made, or
injuries done to any one by taking castles or towns, or otherwise,--but
that all persons do now attend to their affairs, and go about their
business without any interruption whatever,---and he forbids any places
belonging to the duke of Bourbon or to others, being demolished.--Given
at Cusset, the 24th of July, in the year 1440.'--It was subscribed
at the bottom by order of the king and his great council, and signed
'Jugon.'
Within a few days after, the king gave to the dauphin the government of
Dauphiny,--and ordered his army to march from the estates of the duke
of Bourbon, toward Orleans and Paris.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 53: This quarrel was caused by reforms which the king
wanted to make in his army, that devoured the country, and was very
displeasing to the nobles, who fattened on the misery of the people.
The commotion was called _La Praguerie_. The dukes of Alençon, Bourbon,
Vendôme, and even the bastard of Orleans, the count de Dunois, entered
into it. They complained that the king intrusted the government of the
realm only to two or three private persons, and formed a league against
the ministers. The duke of Alençon seduced the dauphin, then only
sixteen years of age,--but whose turbulent disposition readily inclined
him to make part of the conspiracy, in order to get rid of the count de
Perdriac, his tutor.--_Mezeray._]
[Footnote 54: Loches,--a town in Touraine, on the Indre, ten leagues
from Tours.]
[Footnote 55: Moulins,--capital of the Bourbonnois, 43 leagues from
Lyons.]
[Footnote 56: Cusset,--a town in the Bourbonnois, near St Gérond.]
CHAP. XXXVI.
THE FRENCH OVERRUN THE LANDS OF NEEL, BELONGING TO SIR JOHN DE
LUXEMBOURG.
In the month of July, of this year, while sir John de Luxembourg count
de Ligny was at Neel in the Vermandois, the garrisons of Crespy in
Valois[57], of Ver[58], and other places, to the amount of about one
hundred combatants, advanced thither having crossed the Oise at the
bridge of Saint Maixence, under the command of Gilbert de la Roche, a
companion of arms to sir John de Luxembourg. They overran the country
round Neel, belonging to the count de Ligny, and made great prizes of
peasants, cattle, horses, and of all they could seize,--after which,
they set out with their plunder, on their return home.
Intelligence of this was carried to sir John de Luxembourg, who was
very indignant thereat,--for it was not the first time such pillaging
had taken place. He instantly assembled, from his nearest towns and
castles, about a hundred fighting men, whom he sent in pursuit of them.
The principal captains were sir David de Poix governor of Guise, Guyot
de Bethune, Antoine de la Baniere governor of Ham, Antoine du Belloy,
and other gentlemen, who, riding full speed, overtook them below
Compiégne, opposite to Royaulieu[59], where they had sent across the
river, by means of a boat which they had found there, good part of the
cattle and horses,--and about twenty were in the boat crossing, when
they saw their adversaries arrive, and vigourously attack those who
had remained behind. Wishing therefore, to assist their companions,
they turned the boat toward the shore they had come from, but it was
useless; for no sooner did it approach than such numbers, from fright
and surprise, leaped into it that it overset, and many were drowned and
their effects lost. The rest were defeated, and several slain: in this
number was Gilbert de la Roche. Rassillé saved himself by flight, with
only about eight or ten of his men.
The conquerors now crossed the river to seek for the plunder,--and,
by another road, drove the cattle, &c. to Neel, where sir John de
Luxembourg came out to meet them, much rejoiced at their good success.
They brought with them five prisoners, the majority of whom were hanged.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 57: Crespy in Valois--capital of the Valois, six leagues from
Senlis.]
[Footnote 58: Ver,--a village in Picardy, diocese of Senlis.]
[Footnote 59: Royaulieu,--a convent in the diocese of Soissons, near
Compiégne.]
CHAP. XXXVII.
THE EARL OF SOMERSET BESIEGES HARFLEUR WITH A POWERFUL ARMY OF ENGLISH.
About the end of April, in this year, six thousand english combatants
were assembled near to Rouen, under the command of the earls of
Somerset, of Dorset[60], and of Falconbridge, they having with them
the lord Talbot, sir Francis the Arragonian, Matago, Jacquemin,
Vacquier, Thomas Heniton, the bailiff of Rouen, and some other
captains, who marched thence, and besieged Harfleur by sea and land.
The governor for the king of France was John d'Estouteville, having
with him his brother Robert and others, to the amount of four
hundred fighting men, who, with the townsmen and sailors, made
every preparation to receive their adversaries with courage. They
strengthened every weak part of the fortifications, and made some
sallies, in which they took prisoners, or slew several of their
adversaries.
The besiegers on their side, were not idle in securing their camp
with deep ditches all round, and with strong hedges, to prevent
any surprise, leaving, at proper intervals, openings for their
own convenience to sally forth. They pointed bombards, and other
destructive engines, against the gates of Harfleur, which harrassed
the town much, and for so long a time that the inhabitants suffered
greatly. They were also oppressed by a famine, caused from a want of
all necessaries. They sent several messengers to king Charles to state
their situation and solicit succour, which he promised to send: but,
from the many weighty affairs on his hands, he was unable to do it so
soon as they required.
However, at the end of about four months that this siege had lasted,
and when the countess of Somerset and other ladies and damsels were
come thither to see the conclusion of it, the count d'Eu was ordered
to march, with the promised succour, to the relief of the town. He
had with him the count de Dunois bastard of Orleans, the bastard de
Bourbon, the lord de Gaucourt, La Hire, sir Giles de St Simon, the lord
de Penerach, Pierre de Broussac, and other experienced captains, with
about four thousand combatants.
John d'Estouteville had in the town about four hundred fighting men,
whose captains were John de Bressay, sir James de Hincourt, Hector
de Fol, Guillot de Las and John Gentil. The succours sent him were
all picked men: they marched through the country near Paris, then
suddenly turned toward Amiens and Corbie, where they crossed the river
Somme, and thence through Ponthieu, came to Abbeville, where they
held a council on their future proceedings. As they marched through
Picardy, they were joined by all the vassals of the lords d'Auxi and
de Humieres, John d'Ailly lord of Araines, Guillaume le Jeune lord of
Cousay[61], and many other gentlemen.
When they had fully deliberated in a general council how they should
act, they caused thirty carts to be laden with artillery, provision and
warlike stores, and then left Abbeville in handsome array, and marched
to Eu[62]. The bastard of Bourbon and La Hire commanded the vanguard.
From Eu they marched to quarter the greater part of their force at Le
Bourg-d'Un[63],--and the count was lodged at St Aubin en Caux[64]; but
this same day, about vespers, the lord de Gaucourt, having remained
behind, was made prisoner by about eighteen English, who had watched
his steps, and carried him off to the castle of Neufchâtel[65] de
Hincourt He afterwards regained his liberty, on paying a large sum of
money for his ransom.
The count d'Eu had intelligence while at St Aubin, that the English had
taken master John de la Motte, whom he had sent to inform the garrison
of Harfleur of the relief he was bringing them; and this very day, the
English sent pursuivants to say, that they would advance to combat the
French before they proceeded further,--which, however, they did not
do. On this account, the French advanced their whole force to Fauville
en Caux[66], two leagues nearer their adversaries. On the morrow, at
day-break, they marched to Montivilliers[67], which was under their
obedience, and there learnt for certain that the English had not broken
up their siege.
This day the count d'Eu went to reconnoitre the enemy, escorted by
about one hundred chosen horsemen mounted on the flower of their
cavalry, when some sharp skirmishing took place between them and a
party of English. On his return, he called a council of his ablest
captains, to consider how they should act,--and they lamented the
loss of the lord de Gaucourt, who, from his great experience in
such matters, would have ably advised them. It was resolved in
this council, that the count should embark with a certain number of
combatants, and attack the enemy on the side of Caux; that the bastard
of Orleans should do so, with another detachment, on the opposite side;
and that the Picards should advance on foot, with pontoons to throw
over the ditches which the english had made round their camp; and that
all these operations should commence as nearly as possible at the same
instant of time. La Hire and the rest of the captains were to remain on
horseback with their men, ready to succour those that might stand in
need of support.
When these orders had been given, every one made his preparations for
executing them on the ensuing day. The attack first commenced on the
quarters of the lord Talbot, and was very sharp, lasting for more than
half an hour; but the assailants, though they fought valiantly, made
little impression, from the superior resistance of the English, and
because their pontoons were too short for them to cross the ditches.
On the other hand, the enemy was advantageously posted,--and their
archers, who were very numerous, shot so well and briskly that they
wounded and killed great numbers with their arrows. Among the slain
were two valiant knights, sir John de Chailly, lord of Chambois, and
sir Harpin de Richames, governor of Rue[68], and a few more.
At this attack, some new french knights were made,--such as John
d'Ailly, Guillaume le Jeune, and others. While this was going forward,
the English to the amount of five hundred, charged the infantry, but
were soon repulsed by the cavalry, with the loss of forty or fifty
slain. The garrison now made a sally on the guard before the gate, and
killed about thirty.
The count d'Eu made a fruitless attempt with his men on the side near
the sea, for the English had so strongly fortified every point where he
could land that it was labour in vain; and after losing some of their
vessels, which had grounded, they retreated to Montivilliers. The
infantry likewise retreated thither, finding that they could not gain
any advantage.
The French remained eight days at Montivilliers, in great want of
provisions for themselves and their horses, waiting to see if they
could any way afford assistance to the besieged,--and during this time
many skirmishes took place. The count d'Eu sent proposals to the earl
of Somerset, to decide the raising of the siege on a personal combat
with him, or of one hundred men against a hundred Englishmen; but
neither was accepted, because the earl knew full well that the garrison
and inhabitants were so much distressed by famine that they must,
within a few days, surrender at discretion. The earl and the other
captains considered also the very great expence their king had been
at for this siege, and, when so near gaining their object, would not
put the risk of losing it to the chance of a battle, at the request of
their adversaries.
The French then, from their great want of victual, and from the
superior numbers of the English, seeing the impossibility of relieving
the town, concluded unanimously to return whence they had come as
speedily as they could. They were forced to this from want of food
for themselves and their horses, which was not to be had for any
consideration; but, before their departure, they requested a passport
from the enemy for the lord de Rambures, which was granted.
The lord de Rambures then went to the english camp to treat for the
surrender of Harfleur,--and the French and Picards, in the mean time,
retreated to Abbeville. On their march, they were met by certain
messengers from the duke of Burgundy, to forbid them entering his
territories, by reason of the great damages they had done when passing
through them before, threatening that if they should set foot in them
he would drive them back by force.
They promised not to touch the duke's lands,--but a few broke their
word, and entered Ponthieu, drawing toward Amiens, and committed great
damages; but the counts d'Estampes and de St Pol, having collected a
large force of men at arms, attacked and repulsed them.
Some skirmishes took place on each side; but at length, for certain
considerations, they promised to withdraw from the duke's territories
and make for Santois, and for the lands of sir John de Luxembourg,
threatening to carry thither fire and sword. Sir John was, however, so
well provided with troops to resist them that they were happy to pass
quietly through his possessions,--for the count de St Pol was hard on
their rear, with a very numerous body of men, ready to succour his
uncle should there be any need of it. They advanced into Champagne,
doing great waste to all the poor people whose countries they passed
through, and who were unable to oppose them.
The lord de Rambures concluded a treaty with the earl of Somerset and
the other english captains for the surrender of Harfleur, that the
inhabitants might depart in safety, each with a white staff in his
hand. In like manner was Montivilliers reduced, for it was forced to
surrender from want of provisions.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 60: The following note, having been mislaid, was omitted at
p. 177, line 7. 'Mortaigne.'
The count de Mortain was going on an expedition to France, when he was
counter-ordered to Calais, on account of the duke of Burgundy besieging
it. Sir John Radcliffe was lieutenant of the town of Calais, and baron
Dudley of the castle.
This count de Mortain is styled, in the treaty of Harcourt between the
French and English, A.D. 1438, 'Edmond comte de Dorset, et de Mortain,
et de Harcourt, captaine general et governeur de par monseigneur
le roi du pays d'Anjou, du Maine, &c.' Dumont, Corps Universel de
Diplomatique.]
[Footnote 61: Cousay. Contay.--_Du Cange._]
[Footnote 62: Eu,--a considerable town in Normandy, eight leagues from
Abbeville.]
[Footnote 63: Le Bourg-d'Un,--a village in Normandy, near St Valery en
Caux.]
[Footnote 64: St Aubin en Caux,--a village in Normandy, near Dieppe.]
[Footnote 65: Neufchâtel,--on the road from Amiens to Rouen, 16 leagues
from Amiens.]
[Footnote 66: Fauville,--a market-town in Normandy, in the country of
Caux, four leagues from Fêcamp.]
[Footnote 67: Montivilliers,--a town in Normandy, in Caux, two leagues
from Harfleur.]
[Footnote 68: Rue,--a town in Picardy, two leagues from St Valery.]
CHAP. XXXVIII.
A VERY GREAT LORD IN BRITTANY, CALLED THE LORD OF RETZ, IS ACCUSED AND
CONVICTED OF SORCERY.
In this year, a very extraordinary event happened in Brittany. The
lord of Retz, then marshal of France and of a very noble birth, and
a great landed proprietor, was accused and convicted of sorcery,
which he had long followed, by the instigation of the devil and his
adherents. He confessed having put to death many young children and
women with child, with the intent of arriving at great fortunes and
honours,--and that with the blood of these victims to his superstition,
whom he had violently murdered, were written divers books of diabolical
conjurations, and other things contrary to the catholic faith.
When he was arrested and examined, he confessed that in this way, he
had caused upward of eight score persons of different sexes and ages
to be put to death. After a trial before competent judges, he was
condemned to be hanged and strangled until he should be dead, and then
his body to be burnt.
The duke of Brittany and numbers of the nobility, as well secular as
ecclesiastical, were present at this trial in the town of Nantes,
where the sentence was executed. However, when the first part of it
was done, and his body partly burnt, some ladies and damsels of his
family requested the body of the duke, that they might inter it in holy
ground, which the duke granted.
Notwithstanding the many and horrid cruelties he had been guilty of,
he made a very devout end, full of repentance, requesting most humbly
of his Creator to have mercy on his manifold sins and wickednesses.
The greater part of the nobles of Brittany, more especially those of
his kindred, were in the utmost grief and confusion at his disgraceful
death. Before this event, he was much renowned as a most valiant knight
at arms.
CHAP. XXXIX.
PIERRE DE REGNAULT, BASTARD-BROTHER TO LA HIRE, GOES ON A FORAGING
PARTY TO THE COUNTRY ROUND ABBEVILLE.