requests were made to them for the purpose, and instantly introduced
into their towns a body of troops from duke William of Saxony, who
laid claim to the duchy as next heir. He sent thither eight hundred
combatants from the borders of Germany, under the command of a relative
called the count de Clicque, who garrisoned the town of Luxembourg,
Thionville, and others of their party.
The duke of Burgundy, perceiving they persevered in their rebellion,
determined to make war upon them, and wrote letters to the count de
Vernembourg, the heir of Sarrebrusse, Henry de la Tour, and to other
nobles of the duchy of Luxembourg, the greater part of whom supported
the duchess, to request that they would join him in his war against
her rebellious subjects. He added that he would shortly send thither
an army, and command it in person, to conquer that duchy, and drive
out those who at present occupied it. They returned for answer, that
they were very agreeable to join him; and, after they had sent to the
different towns in rebellion their challenges, made open war upon them.
In the mean time, the duke of Burgundy ordered the count d'Estampes
into Picardy, to assemble a large force, and march with it to meet him
in Burgundy.
When his army was ready, he commanded it to advance toward Saint
Quentin, whither he himself went, accompanied by Waleran de Moreul,
Guy de Roye, the lord de Humieres, the lord de Saveuses, sir Simon de
Lalain, the lord de Neufville, Gauvain Quieret, sir Anthony de Wissoch,
Jean de Haplaincourt, and many noble knights and esquires, to the
number of twelve or thirteen hundred combatants.
From St Quentin, the army marched toward Laon, to pass through the
county of Rethel; but when near to Montagut[118], intelligence was
brought that Dimenche le Court, le Roucin, and others of the king of
France's captains, were posted in Montagut and Sissonne[119], whence
they had lately laid waste the whole country of the Rethelois. The
count d'Estampes was very indignant on hearing this; for a short time
before, Dimenche le Court had been defeated in Burgundy, and had then
promised never more to invade the territories of the duke of Burgundy,
nor of his allies. The count sent to order them to decamp, for that he
intended to lodge in Montagut; but as they refused to obey, a dispute
ensued between the two parties, and the count instantly attacked them,
when the French were defeated, with the loss of their horses and
baggage, taken by the Picards. Few were killed, but many wounded,--and
such as had been made prisoners were afterwards set at liberty. Some
had even their baggage restored,--in particular, that of de Court,--and
they made a retreat as speedily as they could.
Neither the king nor dauphin were pleased that their men should
have been attacked and defeated on the territories of France, more
especially as these troops in obedience to a summons from the dauphin,
were on their march to the relief of Dieppe, of which ample mention
shall be made: the mischief, however, was done,--which caused,
hereafter, great remorse.
The count d'Estampes marched his army toward Burgundy, and encamped in
the plains near to Langres and Montfaucon: during which, the count and
principal nobles waited on the duke of Burgundy at Dijon, where they
were joyfully received and feasted. They remained there some time,
while the duke was finishing his preparations to march with his army
into Luxembourg.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 118: Montagut,--a village in Picardy, near Laon.]
[Footnote 119: Sissonne,--a town in Picardy, near Laon.]
CHAP. LXIII.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY REDUCES THE DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG TO HIS OBEDIENCE.
We must now speak of the duke of Burgundy, who was making great
preparations for the attack of Luxembourg. In the interval, several
attempts were made to reconcile the duchess and her disobedient
subjects, but in vain. The duke was, therefore, resolved to make a
severe war on them, and reduce them to his obedience.
He first detached sir Simon de Lalain into Luxembourg, with three
or four hundred combatants, who formed a junction with the count de
Vernembourg, and the other nobles allied to the duke of Burgundy.
They quartered themselves in Arlon, and other towns attached to the
duchess, and thought to have gained Thionville by an understanding
with the inhabitants, but failed, from the count de Clicque and his
party having the ascendency, together with a considerable garrison to
enforce obedience. Shortly after, the count de Clicque, with a large
army and train of artillery, advanced near to Arlon, with the intent to
besiege it, and several skirmishes took place, when many were killed
and wounded on both sides,--but fearing the superior force of the duke
of Burgundy, he retreated into Luxembourg.
The Picards made several excursions, and at times advanced even to the
gates of Luxembourg. The duke of Burgundy now left Dijon in handsome
array, and grandly attended with knights and esquires. He fixed his
quarters at Yvoy, in the duchy of Luxembourg, where he was joyfully
received by the inhabitants. While at Yvoy, he ordered the castle of
Villy to be besieged, as it contained a party of marauders, who had
done great mischief to the poor farmers, under the command of one
called Jacquemin de Beaumont.
The command of this expedition was given to Guy de Roye, the lord de
Saveuses, Hugh de Hasines, and others, having with them six hundred
combatants. They pointed many engines against this castle, which
damaged it much; but those within declared, that they belonged to the
young lord de Commercy, who had been with the dauphin to the relief
of Dieppe. They also sent to inform him of what was passing, when he
assembled about a thousand combatants,--among whom was Pierre Robert,
le Roucin, and many other veterans. They pushed forward by forced
marches until they were near the castle, and then, at early morn, they
surprised the burgundian camp, without meeting much resistance. Those,
however, who had the command of the siege, hearing a noise, assembled
their men in haste, and, in handsome array, attacked the enemy, drove
him out of their camp into the plain, where a sharp engagement ensued,
and where sir Gauvain Quieriet, sir Hugh de Longueval, and others of
the chiefs displayed great courage. Sir Gauvain had joined them the
day before, and had informed them of the march of the young lord of
Commercy.
This lord and his companions, finding that they would lose rather than
gain by a longer stay, galloped off in haste, and returned to Commercy,
leaving behind eight or ten dead and several wounded. On the part of
the Burgundians, a gentleman, named Walter de Pavant, was slain, and a
few with him. During the engagement, Jacquemin de Beaumont abandoned
his men, and, issuing out at a postern of the castle, joined the young
lord de Commercy, and returned with him. The garrison now surrendered
on capitulation, that they should march away with arms and baggage.
The duke of Burgundy encamped his army nearer Luxembourg, and the count
d'Estampes, with the greater part of his captains, went to Ez[120], a
large town that was formerly inclosed, and remained there some time.
His men made frequent excursions thence, and, when they met any of the
enemy's troops, made very light of them.
While these things were passing, the duke, who had with him some of
his ablest advisers, held frequent consultations with those best
acquainted with the country, on the means of putting an end to the war.
He was advised to attempt scaling the walls of Luxembourg during the
night, to which he readily listened, and ordered preparations to be
made accordingly. Two gentlemen,--one from Burgundy named Guillaume le
Grevant, and the other from Picardy called Robert de Miraumont,--were
dispatched, under care of proper guides, to examine the place and make
a trial. They set out, having with them some excellent scalers, and
soon discovered that the enterprise was feasible,--for, finding the
watch inattentive, they mounted the walls, and examined at their ease
the whole state of the town. They then returned as secretly as they
could, and related to the duke all they had observed.
On their report, he determined to make the attempt, and sent
information thereof to the count d'Estampes and the other captains with
him, signifying to them that it was his pleasure they should undertake
it, and that he would support them should there be occasion. The duke
was at this time at Arlon, and the count d'Estampes at Ez. The count,
on receiving this information, assembled the majority of the captains,
and laid before them the plan and orders from the duke, and demanded
their opinions. It was long debated, when some declared themselves
doubtful of its success, and gave their reasons for so thinking; but
at length it was resolved to undertake it, since it was the will and
pleasure of the duke.
After this determination, it was next considered who should take
command of the first party of scalers--and sir Gauvain Quieriet, the
lord de Bosqueaux, Guillaume le Grevant, and Robert de Miraumont,
were appointed, with sixty or eighty men to support the scalers. They
began their march under the direction of able guides of the country,
and were overtaken by the lord de Saveuses, although at the time
he was labouring under a severe disorder, whose arrival gave them
great pleasure. They advanced in silence to within half a league of
Luxembourg, when they dismounted, and there left their horses, and
continued to advance to the appointed place. Having then ordered who
were to mount first, and those who were instantly to follow in a line,
the ladders were raised against the wall, and the enterprise proceeded.
The lord de Saveuses was requested to remain at the foot of the ladders
to see that order was observed, and that such mounted as had been fixed
on,--for there was not a man among them who would have refused to obey
him.
When sir Gauvain and the others had gained the ramparts, they seized
some of the inhabitants, threatening to put them to death if they made
the least noise, and hastened to break open a postern, to admit the
lord de Saveuses and those who had followed them, to the number of
two hundred, who instantly shouted, 'Town won!' to the dismay of the
inhabitants, who cried out, 'To arms!' in several places.
The Burgundians hastened to the market place, which they gained,
notwithstanding some few of the townsmen had assembled there to defend
it. They made little resistance, but sir Gauvain was wounded,--and
two of the townsmen being slain, the rest fled for the castle and the
lower town. The count d'Estampes, having received on his march several
messages of the success of the detachment, hastened as fast as he
could to Luxembourg. On his arrival, he ordered a party in front of
the castle, to prevent those within from making a sally; but they had
already set fire to the houses in the street opposite, which destroyed
several handsome dwellings, and the greater part of the horses of the
men at arms in their stables, their masters having retired within the
castle. When the populace, who had retreated in multitudes to the lower
town, saw that the place was won without hope of rescue, they issued
forth, and went to Thionville, and other places, in despair, abandoning
all their effects.
This same day, the duke of Burgundy came to Luxembourg, and his men
were then regularly quartered through the town: the great wealth,
and abundance of all things therein, were plundered by those who had
made the conquest. It had been ordered, prior to the march, that no
indiscriminate pillage should take place,--but that all things should
be regularly shared to each person, according to his rank, without
fraud: but this order was not observed,--and the majority of the
middling and lower ranks in the army were defrauded of their portion:
indeed, few had any portions but the chiefs of the army and those who
had commanded the expedition. Those also gained who were intrusted with
the guard of the plunder; but this conduct caused great murmurings in
the army,--and complaints were loudly uttered by many, saying that this
was a bad example for them to adventure their lives another time for
plunder, when they now received no share of it: but, notwithstanding
their complaints, they gained nothing. On the contrary, they were
forced rigorously, to deliver up whatever they had taken, into the
hands of commissaries appointed for that purpose.
The lord de Humieres was on this expedition, and exercised the office
of marshal for the lord de Beaumont, marshal of Burgundy. Beside the
count d'Estampes, there were with the duke of Burgundy from Picardy
and its borders, the lord de Croy, count Porcien, Waleran de Moreul,
sir Simon de Lalain, Guy de Roye, the lord de Saveuses, his brother
Hugh de Hames, Hugh de Longueval, the lord de Bosqueaux, sir Anthony de
Wissoch, and numbers of others of the nobility. From Burgundy were the
lord de Ternant, sir Pierre de Bauffremont lord of Chargny, the lord of
Brassay, Charles de Rochefort, Philibert de Vaudray, Jean de Vaudray,
Philibert d'Aincourt, and many more knights and esquires.
The count de Clicque had retreated, with his men, into the castle,--but
escaped thence secretly during the night, and went on foot to
Thionville. The castle of Luxembourg held out for three weeks after the
capture of the town, during which sir John bastard of Dampierre was
killed by the shot of an arrow on the head from one of the garrison;
and the lord de Saveuses was grievously wounded on the breast by a
cross-bow shot, at a sally made from the castle: he was in danger of
death, but by the abilities of the duke's surgeons he recovered.
At the end of three weeks, the count de Clicque signed a capitulation
with commissioners from the duke of Burgundy for the surrender of the
castle of Luxembourg, on condition that his men therein might depart
in safety, but without carrying away any thing with them. The town of
Thionville surrendered at the same time,--when the count de Clicque
returned with his men to his country of Germany, covered with disgrace
and confusion. Thus did the duke of Burgundy in a short time subdue
the whole duchy of Luxembourg to his obedience, and with little loss of
men.
He was now joined by his duchess and the duchess of Luxembourg, with
whom a treaty was concluded for her enjoyment of the duchy during her
life with the same powers as before, and that she was to pay annually
to the duke of Burgundy the sum of ten thousand francs, french money,
as a reimbursement for his expences, and the duchy was to revert to him
and his heirs on her decease.
The duke published a proclamation during his stay at Luxembourg to
forbid all persons, whatever might be their rank, from seeking any
quarrels or doing wrong to any of the lords of that country or to their
vassals. This was infringed by one of his body-archers, called The
Little Scotsman, who quarrelled with sir Pierre Bernard, and struck
him; for which the duke had him instantly hanged, notwithstanding
the entreaties of several great lords of his household, and even the
solicitations of sir Pierre Bernard, to save his life, and although
he had been before very fond of him, and was well pleased with his
services; but he would not remit the sentence, to afford an example to
all others not to dare infringe his edicts or ordinances.
At this time, several embassies took place between the kings of France
and England, to endeavour to conclude a peace between them, or at least
to prolong the truce. The king of France was now at Tours in Touraine,
when many great councils were held on these matters, and for which a
meeting of the three estates was called; but notwithstanding these
measures, the two parties continued a severe warfare on each other.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 120: Ez. Q. Metz?]
CHAP. LXIV.
SOME OF THE DAUPHIN'S MEN, HAVING ADVANCED INTO BURGUNDY, ARE ATTACKED
AND DEFEATED BY THE MARSHAL OF BURGUNDY.
About the beginning of this year, the dauphin returned to the king
his father at Tours. He had been long absent in Languedoc, as well
in respect to the affair of the count d'Armagnac[121] as on other
business. On his return, many of his army advanced into Burgundy, and
committed similar mischiefs to what they had done before. They had
fixed their quarters at a large village called Espoise, where the lord
de Beaumont, marshal of Burgundy, accompanied by a party of nobles,
overtook and attacked them,--and the French were defeated, with the
loss of numbers killed and taken.
Intelligence of this event was soon carried to the dauphin, who swore
a round oath that he would march himself into Burgundy to revenge the
loss. On the other hand, the duke of Burgundy having heard what the
dauphin had said and sworn, declared that he would personally defend
his country. Thus was the foundation laid for the ill blood between
these two princes,--but shortly after, by the mediation of prudent
persons on each side, matters were made up, and the dauphin restrained
his anger and resentment.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 121: The count d'Armagnac, disgusted with the king's taking
the county of Cominges from him, and for other causes, had revolted,
and entered into a treaty with England, offering one of his daughters
in marriage to king Henry VI. Hall seems to say, that the cardinal of
Winchester betrayed this to the king of France, from hatred to the
duke of Glocester; and consequently the king of France attacked and
overpowered the count of Armagnac.]
CHAP. LXV.
A TRUCE IS CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE KINGS OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE, AND WITH
ALL THE ALLIES AND RELATIVES OF EITHER PARTY.
The meetings for peace were, during this time continued with much
activity at Tours, whither came many of the high nobility of France
and of England: such as could not personally attend sent their
commissioners, with full powers to act for them. On the part of the
duke of Burgundy came sir John de Croy, bailiff of Hainault, the prior
de Vergy, master Oudart Caperal, and other notable men, there were
likewise envoys from the principal towns.
On the part of the king of England were sir William de la Pole, earl of
Suffolk, master Adam Moleyns, keeper of the king's privy seal and dean
of Salisbury, sir Robert Roos and others[122].
Several conferences were holden to conclude a general peace,--but
so many difficulties arose that it was found to be impracticable at
present to bring it about, and the meetings were continued until the
terms of a truce were agreed to, the articles of which were as follow:
'Charles duke of Orleans and of Valois, count of Blois and of Beaumont,
lord of Coucy and of Oisy, Louis de Bourbon, count of Vendôme and of
Chartres, grand master of the royal household of France, Pierre de
Brésé, lord de la Varenne and of Bressac, seneschal of Poitou and of
Anjou, Bertrand de Beauveau, lord of Precigny, knight, counsellor and
chamberlain to the most excellent king of France, our most redoubted
lord and sovereign, to all to whom these letters may come, greeting.
'Conformably to the frequent requests and solicitations of our holy
father the pope, and latterly by a renewal of them through his
ambassador, the reverend father in God the bishop of Viese, to the
king, our redoubted and sovereign lord, that he would condescend to
take speedy measures for the accomplishment of a lasting peace, or
long truce, with the most high and potent prince his nephew, king of
England, who, on his part has sent hither, with full powers to treat of
the same, certain lords as his ambassadors, namely, William de la Pole
earl of Suffolk, master Adam Moleyns keeper of his privy seal, doctor
of laws and dean of Salisbury, sir Robert Roos, sir Thomas Hors[123],
knight, Richard Andrews, one of his secretaries.
The king our redoubted lord, from his reverence to God, and from the
compassion he has ever felt for the afflictions and distresses the
poorer people have so long suffered from each contending party, and to
prevent the longer continuance thereof and likewise to avoid further
effusion of human blood, has liberally condescended to treat on these
matters with the aforesaid ambassadors from his nephew the king of
England, and has been pleased to commission us to act on his part in
the said business, giving to us letters with full powers to treat of
the same.
'Charles duke of Orleans, &c. Be it known that we have assembled,
for several days, in the town of Tours, to treat of a peace or truce
with the ambassadors from England; and at their request, in the full
persuasion that we may in the end conclude a final and lasting peace
between our redoubted lord and sovereign and his aforesaid nephew, for
the two kingdoms, of France and England, have consented and agreed to
a truce in the name of our sovereign lord, conformably to the powers
granted to us, with the before-mentioned earl of Suffolk and the other
ambassadors from England, on the following terms.
'A general truce on the part of the king, our sovereign lord, and
his kingdom, as well by sea as by land, his vassals and subjects,
including those most powerful princes the kings of Castille and Leon,
of the Romans, of Sicily, of Scotland, the dukedoms of Anjou, Bar
and Lorraine, the dauphin of Vienne, the dukes of Orleans, Burgundy,
Brittany, Bourbon, Alençon, the count du Maine, and generally the whole
of the princes of the blood-royal of France, and all allies of our
sovereign throughout Europe: including, likewise, all their vassals,
subjects and adherents, provided they be not of suspicious character to
either party, and shall wish to be included in this truce,--promising,
at the same time, on oath, to preserve the truce inviolate, and to make
reparations for any infractions that shall be committed. This truce
shall take effect throughout the kingdom of France in manner following.
In the duchy and country of Gascony, and in the sea-ports and adjacent
isles, on the 15th day of May next ensuing, at sunrise, and in all
other parts of the kingdom. But in regard to the sea, the truce shall
not commence on the coasts of England, Ireland and Wales until the
first day of July at sunrise,--and throughout the other parts of the
dominions of the said high and potent prince, nephew to our said lord,
on the same day and hour.
'With respect to the allies on each side, the truce shall take effect
from the moment they shall have signified their acceptance to either
of the parties. It shall be sufficient for the acquittal of the king,
our sovereign lord, that he declare the acceptance of any of his allies
to the person who shall have the government of the territories of
his nephew, the king of England, on this side of the sea in Guienne
or Normandy. And it shall be sufficient for the said high and potent
prince his nephew, king of England, to make similar declarations to the
court of parliament of Paris. This truce shall last until the complete
revolution of the year, which, according to the usual mode of counting
in France, will be on the first day of April, in the year 1445, before
Easter-day.
'Item, during this truce, our sovereign lord will put an end to all
warfare between the two kingdoms and their allies; and the said high
and potent prince, his nephew, shall not aid or abet any of the king's
subjects in designs prejudicial to his honour or dignity. In like
manner will our said sovereign act towards the said high and puissant
prince his nephew.
'Item, during this truce, neither of the parties shall attempt to
gain any city or town by force or stratagem, by sale or seduction, or
under any colour or manner whatever; and our said redoubted lord and
sovereign will order all captures of persons, whatever may be their
rank and ransoms, to cease, (excepting, however, the ransoms of such
as may have been made prisoners prior to the signing of the truce)
together with all plunderings, robberies, and every misery attendant on
war. Those who have borne arms on one side ought not to intermix with
such as have borne arms on the other, nor seek the doing of mischief.