anxiety for peace, has, through his chancellor, made known to the
duchess of Burgundy, that he is content that another conference should
be holden on the 25th of next October in the parts before named, either
between Pontoise and Mantes, between Chartres and Vernueil, or between
Sablé and le Mans, wheresoever the commissioners on both sides shall
fix on as most agreeable to themselves for a place of meeting.
The king cannot propose any earlier day than the 25th of next October,
for two very substantial reasons. In the first place, he should wish
to be returned from the relief of Tartas, to attend this meeting in
company with the princes of his blood, and such of the nobility of his
kingdom as might choose to be present, more particularly the lords and
prelates of Normandy, without whose presence, and that of those before
specified, the king will not agree to any negotiations being carried
on; for they have most loyally served both him and his father, and have
suffered so much in their cause that they are well deserving of being
called to this congress, and having their opinions asked--and also
because the negotiations for peace affect them more than any others.
Secondly, in regard to the ancient alliances still maintained between
France and the kingdoms of Spain and Scotland, there must be time
allowed for the king to send information thither of the time of
meeting of this congress, to them and to their allies, that they may
send ambassadors with their consents thereto; for, by the articles of
alliance, neither party can conclude a final peace with England without
their being parties, or at least consenting thereto,--and the king
would not on any account infringe these alliances, which have been
most advantageously maintained respecting France,--for the subjects of
these respective kingdoms have done him and his predecessors the most
essential services.
The king therefore most anxiously desires that these his reasons may be
publicly known, (which all men must think satisfactory and reasonable
for his acquittal toward God and man); and he declares his willingness
that a congress should be holden at any of the places aforesaid, for
treating of a general and lasting peace with his adversaries, who may
have assurances of safety from our holy father the pope, the kings of
Spain and Scotland, and their allies.
The king will make known these his intentions to his adversary the
king of England, that he may send thither sufficient ambassadors. The
king also requires from the duke of Orleans, the dukes of Burgundy and
Brittany, and the duchess of Burgundy, who have exerted themselves in
the business, that they also send proper notice of this conference to
England, that efficient ambassadors may meet them to negotiate the
terms of a peace on the appointed day; at which time the king will
not fail to send thither men of note, with-full powers to bring this
matter to a conclusion.
The king is desirous, at this moment, to open his mind fully to his
nobles, as to those on whose attachment he depends,--being assured that
they can only wish to support his honour and that of his crown,--and
to those who are so nearly allied to him by blood, touching certain
expressions which the king has been informed were used respecting
the terms of a peace. At the first conference, held between Calais
and Gravelines, present the duchess of Burgundy and the cardinal of
England, the archbishop of York said, that the whole english nation
would never suffer or consent _usque in ultimo flatu_, that their
king should hold any lands in homage, or dependant on other sovereign
than himself, which expression would not accelerate a peace; for the
king was determined not to concede any thing to the English but under
similar terms with his other subjects and vassals, by doing homage
and service. He will not that what has been gained or augmented by
the valour and good conduct of his ancestors should be thus lost;
and the king cannot believe that any of the princes of his blood, or
the gallant nobles of his realm, would suffer such act to be done, or
consent thereto, considering the superiority and excellence of the
crown of France.
In order that no blame may attach to the king respecting the
non-accomplishment of peace, he will cause an account of the different
efforts he has made to effect it to be drawn up and enregistered with
a copy of this answer in his chamber of accounts, for the perpetual
remembrance of what he has done.
Item, as the nobles have required that proper provision be made against
the enterprises of the English in the countries of Chartrain and
Beauce, prior to the king's departure for the relief of Tartas, the
king will provide a remedy, and send thither the bastard of Orleans,
whom these nobles cannot object to, with sufficient powers to resist
the further enterprises of the English.
Item, as these nobles are soon to assemble at Nevers, and as their
ambassadors have notified the same to the king, requesting also, that
as the king was contented that the duke of Brittany should there join
them, he would be pleased to write again to the said duke of Brittany
his consent to his meeting the other nobles at Nevers, sending him
passports for his personal security, should there be occasion.
Item, the king makes known to his nobles by the lord chancellor and sir
Louis de Beaumont, that he is contented with their assembling, in the
hope of seeing them in his good town of Bourges, or in any other place,
where he would have given them good cheer, and received them kindly
as his near relatives, and discussed openly with them the affairs
of the realm. With regard to the duke of Brittany going to Nevers,
the king is surprised that any complaint or doubt should be made
concerning it,--for the king was so well inclined toward him that, had
he travelled by land, it was his intention to have invited him to pass
through Tours and accompany him to Bourges, to meet the said nobles, if
the duke could have done so with convenience to himself,--otherwise,
the duke might have thought that he had estranged himself from him.
The king, nevertheless, sent the lord de Gaucourt to him with letters
patent, which he has, and, should he travel by water through Blois
and Orleans, to accompany him, that he might afford an opportunity to
the duke to open his mind to him, as if the king had personally been
present. But to write again to the duke of Brittany, to repair to the
assembly at Nevers, does not seem to the king a proper or reasonable
request,--nor is it very decent that the nobles should hold any
meetings to treat of the affairs of the nation, except in the king's
presence or by his commands. The king, on his return from Tartas,
intends calling on them for their aid and advice, and to lead as large
an army as possible into Normandy, as the surest means of obtaining a
better peace, or with the aid of God and their support to recover his
lost territories.
Item, in answer to their complaints of the want of justice being duly
administered, as well in the parliaments as in the other jurisdictions
of the realm,--and their requests to the king that he would be pleased
to nominate only such as have experience and knowledge in the laws, and
that suitable persons be appointed to the different offices without
favour or affection,--
The king has ever filled up the places in his parliaments with the most
learned and intelligent lawyers he could find; and it now consists
of the most experienced and of those most versed in the laws of the
realm. At the solicitations of and to please the duke of Burgundy, the
king has nominated twelve persons whom he recommended as judges in
parliament; and when other lords have applied, the king has attended
to their recommendations, and appointed such as were said to be
fully competent to discharge faithfully the several duties of their
respective offices, in the administration of justice throughout the
realm.
Item, the king has been requested to shorten the proceedings of the
courts at law, as well in respect to the subjects of these nobles as of
all the king's subjects, without partiality as in former times, and
that indiscriminate justice may be had.
In reply to this request,--the king has been much grieved at the delays
of the courts of law, and earnestly desires the due administering of
justice with as little delay as possible, and will punish such as may
act to the contrary. It is the king's intention to write to his courts
of parliament, and to his other law-officers, that henceforth they
abridge all suits at law more than they have hitherto done, and that
they do strict justice to all without the least partiality.
Item, in respect to the complaints made to the king of the robberies,
crimes, and abuses committed by many soldiers under the king's name,
and calling themselves the king's men, whether they be the king's or
the nobles' subjects, a remedy is demanded for such abuses, not by
letters but by effectual measures,--and it has been remonstrated,
that it would be proper that only those who are well known, and have
loyally served the king, should have the command of these companies
of soldiers: likewise, that all soldiers should be well and regularly
paid, and quartered on the frontiers, which they were not to leave and
harrass the country people without being severely punished; that the
king should only keep near his person those experienced in war, and not
a multitude of indisciplined men; and that all of low degree, idlers,
and ignorant of war, should be constrained to return to their trades
and labour.
The king, in answer, says, that such robberies have always gone to his
heart,--and he has made frequent attempts to rid the kingdom of such
pillagers. With regard to quartering his soldiers on the frontiers,
when the king was last at Angers, he had settled this business; but the
new levies that have been raised have alone caused a renewal of these
abuses,--and other causes have arisen to prevent the proper notice
being taken of these pillagers, as was intended to have been done.
The king, in consequence of the complaint from his nobles, will issue
ordinances to put an end to them, and to dismiss all that are useless
in war: he therefore requires these said nobles not to countenance or
support any one who shall act contrary to these proposed regulations.
Item, respecting their request to the king, that he would be pleased
to take measures that the poorer ranks be not unnecessarily vexed or
harrassed, from the excessive taxes that are now raised on salt and
other articles,--the king replies, that he is extremely affected at
the poverty of his people, for that his interest is connected with
theirs, and it is his meaning to relieve them as soon and as much as
he conveniently can. He last year put an end to the vexations they
suffered in Champagne, and will not cease, doing the same in the other
parts of his realm as speedily as may be.
The king has also taken measures for the regular supply of provision
and pay to the troops on the frontier, otherwise he knows what
destruction and ruin will ensue to his subjects. But with regard to the
excessive taxes which these nobles complain their vassals are aggrieved
with, the king has shown far greater indulgence to them than to his
own; and it will be found that in the course of a year, when two taxes
have been raised on the king's subjects, the vassals of these lords
have paid but one, or that these nobles themselves have laid hands on
the greater part of what should have been paid to the king. It is clear
that the king must have the aid of his subjects for the support of the
war and the maintenance of his crown and dignity.
Item, it has been advanced, that before any taxes be laid, the king
should call together the three estates of the realm, to consult with
them and have their opinions thereon. In reply to this: the taxes have
been laid on the lands of these lords with their consent,--and, as for
the other impositions, the king, when there has been an opportunity,
has called them together, and shown them, of his royal authority,
the urgent state of his kingdom, when great part was occupied by his
enemies. There can be no need for calling the three estates to lay on
taxes,--for this would only add to the expenses of the poorer people
in paying the deputies' charges for coming and going; and many lords
of great weight have, in consequence, required that such convocations
should cease, and were satisfied that proper warrants should be issued
in the king's name for the raising of these taxes. In respect, however,
to the affairs of the nation, the king is bounden to consult with the
princes of his blood in preference to all others, considering how much
they are interested in its welfare,--and this has been usually done by
the most Christian kings, his predecessors.
Item, the nobles have requested the king to preserve to them their
prerogatives and authorities, which they hold, as well from their
peerage as from the other lordships they possess within the realm of
of France. The king in reply says, that he has never treated on any
affairs of consequence without their knowledge, or at least that of
the greater part of them,--and it his intention not to do otherwise.
It is his pleasure, as well as his will, to preserve to them all their
prerogatives and authorities, and in no way to act contrary to them:
they will therefore govern their vassals and lands in the manner in
which they are bounden to do.
Item, the king is requested that he would be pleased to select, as
members of his great council, men of knowledge, fearing God, and who
have not been partisans in the late disturbances; and likewise that he
would be pleased to elect a sufficient number, so that the weight of
the business of the kingdom may not be intrusted to two or three, as
has been hitherto the case.
The king replies, that he has always selected for his council the most
able men of his realm, without thinking on what may have passed during
the late disturbances, which he has put clean out of his remembrance,
and in such numbers as the state of public affairs at different periods
may have required.
Item, the nobles request the king to receive favourably these
remonstrances, in consideration of the four reasons already laid before
him, which have induced them thus to make them. They also remonstrate
with him on the case of the lord duke of Alençon, required that he
should be restored to his town of Niort, or that payment be promptly
made him in money for the loss of it; that he should be re-established
in his lieutenancy and pension; and that his place of Sainte Susanne,
should be delivered up to him, together with an Englishman whom he had
made prisoner, and that speedy and equitable justice be done him.
The king makes answer to these demands, that when he was in Poitou,
putting an end to the pillaging and robberies that were going on there,
and taking possession of several towns and castles the resort of the
robbers, he was suspicious, that during his absence for the relief
of Tartas, the town and castle of Niort would continue these evil
practices as it had been accustomed to do, and consequently laid hands
on it with the intent of paying its full value. But though the whole
amount was not at that time paid, he had given to the lord d'Alençon
six thousand crowns, with an engagement to that lord to make the
remainder of the payments punctually at the time specified in writing,
without making any deductions for the rents which the lord d'Alençon
had continued to receive since the first payment had been made.
In regard to re-establishing him in his lieutenancy and pension, when
the lord d'Alençon shall conduct himself in a becoming manner toward
his sovereign, the king will treat him as a relative and subject,
holding in his mind the nearness of their kindred, and the services
which he and his ancestors may have rendered to the king and the realm.
This the king continued to do, until he was obliged to change his
behaviour from the fault of the lord d'Alençon.
In respect to the place of Sainte Susanne[103], the king has not
given it to the lord de Bueil, nor is it held by him by the king's
orders. The lord de Bueil is fully able to answer the lord d'Alençon's
accusation respecting his holding this place wrongfully. Whenever
the lord d'Alençon shall appeal to the king's justice, it shall be
willingly and duly administered; and in like manner shall he have
justice done him in regard to the prisoner whom he demands.
Item, the nobles also made a requisition that the duke of Bourbon
should have his pension restored to him, for that it was not excessive.
The king replied that he had regularly continued the payments of this
pension and nothing was now due. Of fourteen thousand and four hundred
francs, the whole amount of this pension, the king had ordered nine
thousand francs to be paid to the duke's servants at Bressure[104],
in the month of January last, but which they refused to receive; and
the king wonders greatly how this matter has been, at this moment,
introduced.
Item, they likewise mention the case of the lord de Vendôme,--and
supplicate the king that he would be pleased to continue to him his
former pensions, of which he has great need, as there were not
sufficient grounds for striking them off; and that it would please
the king to permit him to exercise his office of grand master of the
household, as he had usually done in former times.
The king answers, that he did not dismiss the lord de Vendôme from his
household, but that he dismissed himself; and when the lord de Vendôme
shall conduct himself toward the king in a proper manner the king will
do on his part all that shall be thought right.
Item, the nobles beg leave to state the case of the lord de Nevers;
and, considering how near a-kin he is to the king, and that the lord
his father died in his service, and also the services the present
lord may render to his majesty to solicit that all opposition to his
establishing a warehouse for salt, at the town of Arcy-sur-Aube, may be
removed, and that he may receive the accustomed payment of his pension.
The king makes for answer, that, notwithstanding the very heavy charges
he is now at for the expenses of the war, out of favour, and in
kindness to the lord de Nevers, he consents to his having his former
pension,--for the payment of which he will receive the protection-money
of the Rethelois, as far as it shall go; and the balance shall be
paid from the amount of the taxes on the lands of the said lord de
Nevers, until he shall have received the whole sum. But the king is
much dissatisfied that the lord de Nevers should suffer his vassals,
and those of others, to overrun and despoil the country of Champagne,
by means of the country of the Rethelois, to which they retreat, and
expects that such measures will be taken to prevent it in future as
will satisfy him. In regard to the salt-warehouse at Arcy-sur-Aube, the
king wishes that the matter be laid before his court of exchequer, for
them to decide whether the lord de Nevers be entitled or not to have a
warehouse for salt at that place,--and whatever their decision may be,
the king will conform to it.
The nobles remonstrate also on the case of the duke of Burgundy, not
by way of complaint, but in the manner he had desired them, namely,
to make the king acquainted that many articles of the treaty of peace
between them had not been fulfilled on the part of the king,--and that
several were daily attempted to be infringed contrary to the intent of
the peace, and to the great loss of the duke of Burgundy.
The king replies, that he always most ardently wished for peace with
the duke of Burgundy, and to obtain it has nothing spared. The king
has hitherto maintained the peace inviolate, and has the intention of
ever doing so. For the better establishing of this peace, the king
gave his daughter in marriage to the duke's son the lord de Charolois.
As for the non-performance of some of the articles, the duke has seen
what weighty affairs the king has had on his hands to prevent its
being done,--but he has the will and inclination to have the remaining
articles fulfilled as speedily as he possibly can, and in such wise
that the duke of Burgundy shall be satisfied. As for the daily attempts
to infringe the peace, the king is perfectly ignorant of any such
being made, for he has never given the least encouragement to them,
but the king has great cause for grief at the business which is now
carrying forward.
When the ambassadors from the nobles had remained some days at the
king's palace, where they were very honourably entertained, and had
discussed at length the subjects of complaint in the remonstrance they
had brought, as well as the answers thereto from the king as well in
writing as verbally, they took leave, and returned to their lords.
The king however, was very uneasy at his nobles thus assembling
without his being present,--for they were daily attended by some of
the greatest lords in the realm; and his ministers reported to him,
that these meetings were not for his welfare; that the nobles were
endeavouring to gain to their party the barons of his realm, the
churchmen, and the common people, to make great reforms, and to place
the government of the kingdom in the three estates,--which must turn
out to his destruction; for, if they succeeded in their plans, he would
possess no other authority than the three estates should be pleased to
allow him. The king said, that he could not believe that his nobles
would be desirous to do any thing to his prejudice, or to the prejudice
of his crown,--and more especially that the duke of Burgundy, with whom
he had so lately made peace would interfere or consent to any thing so
destructive to the royal authority. He added, that if he were assured
they intended to bring forward such measures to his prejudice, he would
lay all other matters aside, and instantly attack them with his forces.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 103: Sainte Susanne,--a village in Normandy, election of St
Lo: or it may be a city in Maine, nine leagues from Mans.]
[Footnote 104: Bressure. Q. Bressolles? a village in the Bourbonnois,
near Moulins.]
[A.D. 1442.]
CHAP. LV.
KING CHARLES ASSEMBLES A LARGE BODY OF MEN AT ARMS, AND MARCHES THEM
TO TARTAS, WHERE, HOWEVER, THE ENGLISH DO NOT APPEAR.
At the beginning of this year, the king of France issued his summonses
throughout his realm, for the assembly of a very large force to carry
on his warlike enterprises, and to relieve the town of Tartas, whither
he intended marching in consequence of a time being fixed for its
surrender, unless relieved by the king. He was determined now to have
the greatest army that had been raised during his reign: indeed, there
was much necessity for it,--for, had he neglected this business, he ran
great risk of losing all Gascony and Guienne, and the obedience of the
greater part of the lords in those countries.
This army was collected with all diligence in the different parts of
the kingdom, and ordered to march by various roads, and rendezvous at
Toulouse. The day of relief had been fixed for the first of May,--but
at the request of the english captains who had signed the capitulation
at Tartas, it was prolonged to the ensuing feast of St John Baptist,
and during this time, the king continued his preparations.
At length, the king marched from Toulouse,--and for a truth, when he,
his great lords and all the captains, with their men, were assembled,
there were four score thousand horse, and carts and cars without number
to carry artillery, provision, and stores of all descriptions. Almost
all the principal nobility came thither,--among whom were the dauphin,
the count de Richemont constable of France, the lord Charles d'Anjou,
the count d'Eu, the count de Foix, the viscount de Helman[105], son
to the count d'Armagnac, the lord d'Albreth, the count de Comminges,
the two marshals, namely, the lords de Lohéac and de Jaloignes, who
commanded the vanguard with the constable, the lord de Coetivy admiral
of France, the lord de Villars, the lord de Mongascon, the lord de St
Priath, the lord de Chalenton[106], the lord de St Valier, the lord de
Videmont and many more great lords.