melancholy; for he saw no end to a siege when the town was so
continually and uninterruptedly reinforced. Nevertheless, he was
personally active in strengthening his leaguers, and in providing them
with all necessary stores, in case the enemy should advance to attack
them.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 89: Solignes,--Jaloignes.--Du Cange.]
[Footnote 90: Maubuisson,--a convent in the diocese of Beauvais.]
[Footnote 91: Cotivy,--Coitiny.--Du Cange.]
[Footnote 92: Cheurin. Q. Ennery?]
[Footnote 93: Mantes,--capital of the Mantois, on the Seine, 19 leagues
from Rouen.]
CHAP. LI.
THE DUKE OF YORK, GOVERNOR OF NORMANDY FOR THE KING OF ENGLAND MARCHES
AN ARMY TO PONTOISE, TO FORCE THE KING OF FRANCE TO RAISE THE SIEGE.
The duke of York, commander in chief and lieutenant-general for king
Henry in the marches of France and Normandy, had assembled from six
to seven thousand combatants,--among whom were the lord Scales, the
lord Talbot, sir Richard Woodville, who had married the duchess of
Bedford, sister to Louis de Luxembourg count of St Pol, and many other
captains, then at Rouen, but whose names I have not been told. There
were likewise collected a large train of carts and horses, laden with
artillery and provision, together with a great number of live cattle.
The duke of York began his march about the middle of July, and in a few
days, came near to Pontoise, the lord Talbot commanding the vanguard of
three thousand men. The duke fixed his quarters at Cheuery[94], half a
league from Pontoise; and the van were lodged at Hetonville[95] where
they remained for three days and reinforced and revictualled Pontoise
most abundantly.
When this was done, the duke sent to tell the king, that he was come
to offer him and his army combat, if he would give him an opportunity.
But the king was not inclined to comply; for his council had repeated
the advice they had given on other occasions, that he would act
imprudently to risk his army and person against men of such low
degree,--adding, that the battles that had formerly taken place with
the English during his reign had cost him too dearly, and that it was
more advisable to let them for this time run their career and guard the
fords of the river, for that the English could not long remain where
they were without danger from want of provisions for so large a force.
This resolution was adopted,--and many captains, with their men, were
detached along the river Oise, even farther than Beaumont[96] and the
king and the rest of his army remained in their quarters.
The English, finding they would not hazard a battle, resolved, if
possible, to cross the Oise and advance into the isle of France,
and even attack the king's quarters. They decamped therefore
on the fourth day from their arrival, and marched in a body to
Chanville-haut-Vergier[97]; but as they heard that all the passes on
the river were guarded, they determined to execute their plan by night,
and they had with them on carts small boats of leather and wood, with
cords and other necessaries. They ordered a large detachment to advance
to Beaumont, under pretence of their crossing the river and to make a
prodigious noise, that the guards at the other passes might be, drawn
off to resist their attempt at Beaumont, while the remainder of the
army should proceed silently along the river to find out a proper place
to cross.
A place was found according to their wish, opposite to the abbey of
Beaumont, whence the guards had gone; for all the soldiers near were
attracted by the noise at Beaumont, as it had been planned by the
English, who, when they saw numbers had been collected, pretended to
make an attempt to force a passage, which was quite impracticable
should any tolerable defence be made.
The other party of English now launched a boat into the river, and with
difficulty three or four passed over, when, having fastened two strong
cords to each bank with staves of wood between them, from forty to
fifty crossed by this means, and instantly fortified themselves with
sharpened palisades, as was their usual custom.
Now, consider the extreme danger the first party that crossed would
have been in had only ten Frenchmen staid to guard this pass, who
would easily have defended it against the whole power of the duke of
York; and this may serve for an example to those who are intrusted
with similar commands, never to place any guards but such as they know
may be depended on, and such as will have a proper regard to their own
honour,--for by neglect the greatest misfortunes may happen.
Shortly after, the men of Floquet, who had had this part of the river
in charge, returning from Beaumont, whither they had gone on hearing
the shoutings of the English, noticed them crossing the river, and
instantly gave the alarm, along the banks, as far as Beaumont, where
the greater part of their captains were quartered. They lost no time
in mounting their horses, and hastened to where the English were,
intending to combat them; but it was lost labour, for they were too
numerous, although some skirmishing passed between them.
In these skirmishes, a very valiant man was slain, called William du
Châtel, nephew to sir Tanneguy du Châtel, and with him two or three
more.
On this bridge of cords the English conveyed over their baggage, carts
and stores; and when the French saw that they could not prevent them,
they retreated to Pontoise, to inform the king of what had passed,
who was greatly displeased at the intelligence. Some of his council,
being fearful of the event turning out more disastrous and to their
greater shame, had all the artillery and stores moved into the large
blockhouse of St Martin, and made every preparation for immediately
decamping with the whole army, should it become necessary.
The English, having passed the Oise at their ease, lodged that night
on the spot, and there created some new knights,--such as the two
brothers of lord Stafford, one of whom styled himself count d'Eu[98].
On the morrow, they dislodged, and marched in handsome order toward
Pontoise, and were quartered in two villages. The king, on receiving
intelligence of the approach of the English, was advised to remove his
quarters from Maubuisson, and march his whole army to Poissy[99], with
the reserve of those in the great blockhouse, to the amount of two or
three thousand combatants, under the command of the lord de Coetivy,
admiral of France. He had also with him La Hire, Joachim Rohault, John
d'Estouteville and his brother Robinet, sir Robert de Bethune lord of
Moreul in Brie, the lord de Châtillon, the lord de Moyencourt, Regnault
de Longueval, the lord de la Roche-Guyon, the lord de Moy in the
Beauvoisis, and other gentlemen of renown.
Those who had been sent from Tournay remained there likewise, and great
plenty of provision and stores of all sorts had been carried thither.
The king, on his departure, had promised to relieve them so soon as
possible. With regard to the bulwark at the end of the bridge, the
French had abandoned it.
The duke of York continued his march to Maubuisson, but arrived after
the king's departure. He found great abundance of provision and other
things, which the merchants had not had time to remove. The duke fixed
his quarters there, and lord Talbot at a town a league distant, on the
Oise, between the towns of Pontoise and Conflans. They remained there
for three days, and went into Pontoise by the bridge which the garrison
had repaired, as well as the bulwark that had been abandoned, without
any opposition whatever from the French; and those of the town went in
and out at their pleasure, without hinderance.
The French in the blockhouse were every day expecting and hoping for
an attack, as they were determined to defend themselves well; but the
English had no thoughts of risking the attempt, considering that their
affairs were growing worse, and that they could not foresee the end of
them. The enemy, however, threatened to attack them, but offered to let
them march away in safety, with part of their baggage,--which, like men
of sense, they ought gladly to have accepted of, since their king had
abandoned them in such danger. But they had no such inclination, and
replied, that they would not accept of terms, as they were not afraid
of their attempts. While this kind of parley was going forward, several
skirmishes took place, but more between the archers than with any
others.
On the fourth day, the duke of York dislodged from Maubuisson, and
marched to the quarters of Talbot, who had made a bridge over the Oise
with cords and hurdles, on which full fifty cars and carts crossed
that river. On this same day, Poton de Saintrailles had left Poissy,
accompanied by a numerous escort, with provisions to revictual the
blockhouse of St Martin. He was followed by the constable, the count de
St Pol, and other captains, to support him, should there be occasion.
Having learnt that the English had recrossed the river, they sent
orders to Poton to hasten his return,--but he sent back the messenger,
to tell them to cross the river at Meulan, and return to Poissy on the
other side, which they did.
The duke of York, having recrossed the Oise, advanced his whole army
in battle-array before Poissy, wherein were the king of France, the
dauphin, and the greater part of his nobles and captains. A very great
skirmish took place, in which two of the archers of the constable, and
one belonging to the count de St Pol, were made prisoners.
The duke thence marched to Tourtie sur Seine, and on the morrow
returned to Mantes,--and the king went to Poissy and Conflans with a
part of his army. The constable, the count de St Pol, and others,
passed through St Cloud to Paris, where they staid two days, and then
retired with their men at arms into the isle of France, where different
towns were delivered up to them for the quarters of their men, each
according to his rank.
The king afterwards went, with his attendant lords, to St Denis,
and remained there until the middle of August, when he returned to
Conflans, and caused a bridge to be constructed over the Seine to an
island in that river, and another bridge thence to the main land, with
a strong blockhouse, and ditches round at that end, wherein he posted a
body of troops. In the mean while, lord Talbot plundered the convent of
Poissy, and carried away the effects of the nuns to Mantes.
Shortly after, the town of Pontoise was again revictualled, for the
fourth time; and the men of the duke of York remained there in the
room of the lord Talbot's, which vexed the king greatly,--for he saw
but little hope of his accomplishing his enterprise. He thought,
however, that should he depart without having gained Pontoise, after
lying before it so long, and at such a prodigious expense, he would be
disgraced, and the people would cry out against him and his ministers,
more especially the Parisians, who had advanced large sums of money for
this purpose.
He was likewise informed that the nobles of his realm, and even the
princes of his blood, were much dissatisfied with his government, and
that there was to be a meeting of them, which could not be meant for
his welfare: he had, therefore, enough to think on. Nevertheless, he
determined, with his most faithful advisers, to return to Maubuisson
and prosecute the siege, which he did on the twelfth day from the time
he had quitted it, and quartered his troops in their former situations.
Soon after his return, a grand skirmish took place with the constable's
division, between Maubuisson and Pontoise, in which Claude de Hangest,
lord of Ardilliers, was killed by a cannon-shot. Various and frequent
skirmishes passed between the French and English,--but it would be
tiresome to enter into a detail of each: in one of them, the lord
Charles d'Anjou was wounded by an arrow. Very little worth noticing
took place in the main business of the siege.
The count de St Pol's men having been much harrassed, and having
expended large sums of money, were desirous of returning home, and
entreated of him permission so to do: upon this, he took leave of
the king and the dauphin, who, on his going away, made him handsome
presents, and returned him their thanks for the services he had done
them.
The count de St Pol marched with his men from before Pontoise, to cross
the river Oise at Pont St Maixence. At the entrance of the bridge,
the captain of the fort came out to meet the count,--when, sharp
words arising between them, the count would have seized the captain,
had he not made haste to retire within his fort, whence he instantly
discharged the cannon and cross-bows on him and his men. The horse of
sir Ferry de Mailly was killed under him by a shot, and another man at
arms had his arm broken. The count retreated with his army and crossed
the Oise at Compiégne, and thence returned to his own country. The
garrison of the bridge before mentioned followed a party of the count's
men who were marching toward Mondidier, overtook and pillaged them.
On the same day, the count de Vaudemont marched his men from before
Pontoise, as did several other great lords, and left the king in the
state you have heard, to his no small displeasure, although he did not
suffer it to appear, for he could not help it; and he was forced to
bear all things patiently which God was pleased to send him. He daily
employed his cannon and other engines against the walls and gates of
the town, and also against the church of our lady, without, the walls,
but possessed by the English, and held by them for a long time.
The walls of this church were so battered that, on the 16th day of
September, the king resolved in council to storm it, which took place
on a Saturday, and all within were put to the sword or made prisoners.
This church was very high, and so near to the town that from the top
could be seen almost every thing the English were doing,--and they
could be thence annoyed with small cannons, culverines, and even
cross-bows.
The church being won, it was ordered, that on the ensuing Tuesday, a
general storm should be made on the town, to see if they could not
conquer it. This was executed; and on the Tuesday, the king and his
lords, having well armed their men, urged them on with shouting,
'St Denis! Town won!' A large party having forced an entrance, the
townsmen fled to the churches and other strong places; but about five
hundred of the English were soon put to the sword, and the remainder,
to the amount of four hundred, made prisoners. Among the slain was an
English knight called sir Nicholas Burdet,--but the governor of the
town was taken prisoner. Only forty, or thereabout, were killed on the
king's side at the attack, or died afterward of their wounds. Many new
knights were made on the occasion: among whom were the brothers, John
and Robert d'Estouteville, Regnault de Longueval, le bon Roly, and
others.
With regard to the person who first mounted the tower du Frice[100], he
was much praised by all for his valour, and was ennobled, himself and
his successors, by the king, who also gave him large estates to support
his rank. The king entered the town with those who had stormed it, and,
on its being gained, issued his orders that no harm should be done to
the inhabitants who had retired into the churches, excepting such as
had borne arms. On his arrival with his banner in front of the great
church, an Englishman issued forth and surrendered himself to him. He
was mercifully received, and not only delivered without ransom, but the
king made him handsome presents. He entered the church, and devoutly
offered up his prayers and thanksgivings at the great altar, to God his
Creator, for the good success he had experienced.
The French sought day and night after the English who had hidden
themselves, and put them to death or made them prisoners. Thus did
Charles VII. king of France, reconquer his town of Pontoise by a most
gallant attack, notwithstanding the many and severe skirmishes that
took place before it. In respect to the nobles, as well knights as
esquires, and other captains, who were there in great numbers, very
many behaved themselves valiantly and prudently,--but I was told that
sir Charles de Bosqueaux was much praised by all.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 94: Cheuery. Q. Ennery?]
[Footnote 95: Hetonville. Herouville, near Pontoise.]
[Footnote 96: Beaumont,--a seigniory in the isle of France, near to
Melun.]
[Footnote 97: Chanville-haut-Vergier. Q. Chambly?]
[Footnote 98: See Dugdale's Baronage.]
[Footnote 99: Poissy,--in the Isle of France, two leagues from Meulan,
seven from Paris.]
[Footnote 100: Du Frice. Du Fresche.--Du Cange.]
CHAP. LII.
THE DUKE OF ORLEANS RETURNS TO THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY FROM FRANCE.
The duke of Orleans this year returned from France to the duke of
Burgundy, then residing at Hêdin--and who no sooner heard of his coming
than he went out with a large company to meet him. The duke of Burgundy
showed him every mark of friendship, and entertained him handsomely
during the eight days he remained at Hêdin, where he celebrated the
feast of All-saints.
The two dukes held frequent and secret conferences on the state of
their own and the public affairs,--and agreed to meet the other princes
and nobles of France, who were shortly to assemble at Nevers. The duke
of Orleans, on departing thence, passed through St Pol to the town of
Arras, where he was most honourably received and entertained by the
magistracy, who made him also rich presents. He went thence to Paris
and to Blois.
The duke of Burgundy having assembled a body of men at arms, was
escorted by them toward Burgundy. A number of the burgundian nobles
came to meet him at Troyes in Champagne, when he dismissed his Picards,
who had escorted him thither, with strict orders not to oppress or hurt
the country or subjects of the king of France.
The fortress of the lord de Commercy, namely, the castle of Montaigu,
was a second time destroyed,--for the lord de Commercy had rebuilt it.
CHAP. LIII.
REMONSTANCES ARE SENT TO KING CHARLES OF FRANCE BY THE NOBLES
ASSEMBLED AT NEVERS[101].
The nobles assembled having considered the four propositions made to
them by the king's commissioners at Nevers, with the answers to each,
then remonstrated on the necessity of a general peace for the kingdom
of France, according to the terms the king had assented to; adding,
that he ought, in order to avoid expense, to continue the negotiations
at the usual place, without making objections to its situation, which
were not of sufficient interest to hinder the conferences from being
holden,--and they recommended that the appointment for the relief of
Tartas[102] should also be kept.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 101: Nevers,--capital of the Nivernois, 17 leagues from
Bourges.]
[Footnote 102: Tartas,--a town in Gascony, seven leagues from Dax.]
CHAP. LIV.
THE ANSWERS OF THE KING OF FRANCE AND OF HIS GREAT COUNCIL TO THE
REMONSTRANCES OF THE NOBLES OF FRANCE ASSEMBLED AT NEVERS.
With regard to the first point, it need not be noticed,--for it has not
been repeated in the answers made by the nobles at Nevers to the lord
chancellor of France, and to sir Louis de Beaumont, and others, deputed
thither by the king.
Respecting the remonstrances for peace,--the king has always shown the
sincerest wish to obtain so desirable an object by every reasonable and
just means, and this the said nobles must have well known. Considering
the very many advances he has made to this effect, he holds himself
acquitted in this matter before God and before the world. It is
notorious, that when the treaty of Arras was concluded, the king, by
the advice of the duke of Burgundy, who was anxious to promote an union
between the kingdoms of France and England, made greater offers than
was becoming him to the english ministers sent thither by their king to
treat of a peace,--but which offers were by them refused. It seemed,
therefore, just, to the cardinals who had been deputed by our holy
father the pope and the sacred council of Basil, and likewise to the
relatives and allies of the duke of Burgundy, who were there assembled
in great numbers, that from the unreasonableness of the English in
refusing such offers, the duke of Burgundy, was no longer bound in
loyalty to them,--but that, for this and other causes, he was at
liberty to quit their party, and unite himself in peace with the king
of France, his natural sovereign.
Since then the king, at the request of the duke of Orleans and of the
duke of Brittany, and with the consent of the duke of Burgundy, without
whom he would never have listened to the treaty of Arras, nor to any
overtures of peace with the English, although on their part some had
been made, but simply to perform his duty, he sent a solemn embassy to
the duke of Brittany to fix on a spot for the holding of a conference
between commissioners to negotiate a peace, from the kings of France
and England, and whither the duke of Orleans was to be conducted.
Cherbourg was the place appointed, although this conference never took
effect.
The king again, at the solicitations of the duke of Orleans and the
duchess of Burgundy, consented to another conference being held on the
subject of peace, between Gravelines and Calais. To this place he sent
ambassadors with full powers to treat, notwithstanding that Gravelines
and Calais were far distant, and the last in the hands of his enemies.
But this he did in favour to the duke of Orleans, who was to be brought
thither,--for the king was desirous that he should be present at or
near to the place of conference, to give his advice and opinion on the
terms that should be proposed, considering how nearly connected he was
in blood with the king, and also that he might endeavour to obtain his
deliverance from England. Had it not been for these reasons, the king
would never have assented to the conferences being held at Gravelines.
At this conference, a schedule, containing many articles respecting a
peace, was delivered to the duchess of Burgundy by the duke of Orleans,
and which was transmitted to the king of France, then holding the three
estates of the realm, to have their opinions thereon: but from the
absence of the dauphin, whom it more immediately concerned after the
king, as must be known to all, and of many of the great barons from
Languedoc and Vienne, another conference was appointed to be held at
Bourges in Berry in the ensuing month of February, and which the king
proposed personally to attend, but was prevented by other important
matters intervening.
Nevertheless, a solemn embassy was sent to this conference in the month
of May, in compliance with the appointment of the said duke of Orleans
and duchess of Burgundy, with full powers to treat of peace; but they
remained there for the space of seven or eight months without coming
to any final conclusions,--except, indeed, appointing another meeting
for the month of May in the year 1442, when the king again sent thither
his ambassadors. Nothing, however, was done, through the fault of the
English, who only sent a simple clerk, a very insufficient person to
treat of and discuss such various and weighty matters.
The lord chancellor, in consequence of fresh overtures made him by the
duchess of Burgundy, appointed another conference on the first days of
this present month of May, at any place in the countries of Beauvais,
Senlis, or Chartres,--which appointment the duchess made known to the
king of England, but he sent for answer, (which letter she transmitted
to the king of France) that he would not consent to hold any conference
but at Gravelines, a place which the king had especially objected to.
Considering that the king had consented to three conferences being held
in places under the subjection of his adversaries, the English ought
not to have refused meeting for once within his territories, where they
might conveniently have assembled; and the king had not consented to
a congress so often meeting at Gravelines, except in the hope that it
would expedite the deliverance of the duke of Orleans.