THE
CHRONICLES
OF
ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET.
_H. Bryer, Printer, Bridge Street, Blackfriars, London._
THE
CHRONICLES
OF
ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET;
CONTAINING
AN ACCOUNT OF THE CRUEL CIVIL WARS BETWEEN THE HOUSES OF
ORLEANS AND BURGUNDY;
OF THE POSSESSION OF
PARIS AND NORMANDY BY THE ENGLISH;
_THEIR EXPULSION THENCE_;
AND OF OTHER
MEMORABLE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN THE KINGDOM OF FRANCE,
AS WELL AS IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
_A HISTORY OF FAIR EXAMPLE, AND OF GREAT PROFIT TO THE
FRENCH_,
_Beginning at the Year_ MCCCC. _where that of Sir JOHN FROISSART
finishes, and ending at the Year_ MCCCCLXVII. _and continued by others
to the Year_ MDXVI.
TRANSLATED
BY THOMAS JOHNES, ESQ.
IN THIRTEEN VOLUMES....VOL. V.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, PATERNOSTER-ROW;
AND J. WHITE AND CO. FLEET-STREET.
1810.
CONTENTS
OF
_THE FIFTH VOLUME_.
PAGE
CHAP. I.
The cardinals d'Orsini and di San Marco
come to France to appease the quarrels of
the princes of the blood royal. A peace
is made at Montereau, but not kept 1
CHAP. II.
King Henry of England conquers many
towns in Normandy. The capture of the
count de Harcourt, in Aumale, by his
cousin sir James de Harcourt 5
CHAP. III.
The city of Paris is taken by the duke of
Burgundy. The Parisians turn to his
party. The consequences that follow 7
CHAP. IV.
After the capture of Paris, many towns and
castles submit to the obedience of the
duke of Burgundy. Other matters 17
CHAP. V.
The commonalty of Paris assemble in great
numbers, and cruelly put to death their
prisoners 20
CHAP. VI.
The duke of Burgundy, on hearing what
had passed at Paris, carries the queen thither.
The death of Jean Bertrand 24
CHAP. VII.
Pope Martin adjourns the council of Constance.
The king of England conquers
Pont de l'Arche. Other matters 28
CHAP. VIII.
The duke of Touraine continues the war.
The town of Compiegne won by the lord
de Bocquiaux. The marriage of the duke
of Brabant, and other matters 32
CHAP. IX.
The king and the duke of Burgundy send
captains for the defence of Rouen. Of a
robber called Tabary 37
CHAP. X.
King Henry of England, with many Irish,
besieges Rouen, where several skirmishes
take place 40
CHAP. XI.
The sentence that had been formerly passed
on master John Petit is publicly reversed.
The capture of Laigny-sur-Marne. The
arrival of the duke of Brittany, and other
matters 44
CHAP. XII.
The Parisians again put to death the prisoners.
The siege of Montlehery. The
capture of Soissons by the lord de Bocquiaux
and his companions 47
CHAP. XIII.
The dauphiness is sent to the dauphin. The
siege of Tours, in Touraine. Of the government
established by the king and the
duke of Burgundy 52
CHAP. XIV.
The town of Rouen sends messengers to the
king to demand succour. An embassy is
sent to king Henry of England, and many
other matters 54
CHAP. XV.
A large army is collected to raise the siege
of Rouen. The besieged send another
embassy. The excursion of sir James de
Harcourt 60
CHAP. XVI.
The king of France holds many councils on
the means of raising of the siege of Rouen.
The surrender of that town to the king
of England, and other matters 66
CHAP. XVII.
The castle of Coucy is taken by the prisoners
confined therein, and the governor, Peter
de Saint Treille killed. Other matters 75
CHAP. XVIII.
The king of England sends an embassy to
the king of France and the duke of Burgundy
at Provins. Other matters relative
to what passed on the frontiers 80
CHAP. XIX.
The dauphin carries on a vigorous war in
different parts of the realm. The enterprise
of Lyonnet de Bournouville and
Daviod de Gouy, and other matters 83
CHAP. XX.
Sir John de Luxembourg marches six hundred
combatants to meet his brother in
the county of Brienne. The defeat of
Hector de Saveuses 85
CHAP. XXI.
The queen of France, the princess Catherine,
and the duke of Burgundy unite
with the king of England. Peace between
the dauphin and the duke of Burgundy 87
CHAP. XXII.
The treaty of peace concluded between the
dauphin and the duke of Burgundy is
proclaimed through divers parts of France.
Other matters 102
CHAP. XXIII.
King Henry of England is dissatisfied with
the peace between the dauphin and the
duke of Burgundy. The English capture
the town of Pontoise from the lord de
l'Isle-Adam. The consequences thereof 105
CHAP. XXIV.
The duke of Clarence besieges Gisors, and
takes it. The siege of Saint Martin le
Gaillart, and other matters between the
French and English 108
CHAP. XXV.
The king of England has the fortresses of
Chasteau-Gaillard and of La Roche-Guyon
besieged. They are conquered. Other
matters 112
CHAP. XXVI.
The dauphin comes to Montereau-faut-Yonne
with a powerful army, and summons thither
the duke of Burgundy, who is cruelly
murdered 113
CHAP. XXVII.
The conduct of the dauphin, and of those
with him, after the death of the duke of
Burgundy. He sends letters to different
towns 126
CHAP. XXVIII.
The lord de Montagu writes letters to several
of the principal towns of the kingdom of
France. The Parisians renew their oaths
of fidelity after the death of the duke of
Burgundy 137
CHAP. XXIX.
The dauphin departs from Montereau. The
deliverance of those who had accompanied
the duke of Burgundy, and other matters 140
CHAP. XXX.
Philip count de Charolois is made acquainted
with the cruel murder of his father.
He holds a grand council on the state of
his affairs, and concludes a truce with the
English. Other matters 142
CHAP. XXXI.
The duke of Burgundy orders a funeral service
to be performed in the church of St
Vaast, at Arras, for duke John his late
father. Other matters 146
CHAP. XXXII.
Sir John de Luxembourg assembles a large
body of men at arms, and leads them before
Roye. Other occurrences that happened
at this period 152
CHAP. XXXIII.
The French and Burgundians begin to form
acquaintance with the English. The siege
of Fontaines-Lavagam. Other matters 160
CHAP. XXXIV.
The duke of Burgundy departs from Arras,
and marches a large army to lay siege to
the town of Crespy in the Laonnois, and
thence to wait on the king of France at
Troyes in Champagne 163
CHAP. XXXV.
The conduct of the duke of Burgundy on
his march to Troyes, and when there.
The behaviour of the English ambassadors
who accompanied him thither 168
CHAP. XXXVI.
Sir John de Luxembourg makes an excursion
with his whole force toward Alibaudieres
and the event thereof 172
CHAP. XXXVII.
The count de Conversan, with his brother
sir John de Luxembourg, the lord de Croy,
and other captains, lay siege to Alibaudieres.
The consequences thereof 174
CHAP. XXXVIII.
The greater part of the duke of Burgundy's
army return to their own countries. The
marshal de l'Isle-Adam and the lord de
Croy lead an expedition toward the Auxerrois 178
CHAP. XXXIX.
Henry king of England arrives, with his
whole army, at Troyes in Champagne, to
celebrate his marriage, and to conclude a
perpetual peace with the king of France 182
CHAP. XL.
The kings of France and of England depart
from Troyes with their queens, in
company with the duke of Burgundy. The
sieges of Sens and of Montereau 198
CHAP. XLI.
The town of Villeneuve-le-Roi is taken by
scalado. The siege of the Pont St Esprit.
The croisade undertaken by the pope, and
many other matters 205
CHAP. XLII.
The town of Melun is closely besieged. The
capture of the count de Conversan. The
departure of the young king of Sicily for
Rome 208
CHAP. XLIII.
Several castles and forts are delivered up to
king Henry of England, in which he
places his own captains. The royal edicts
issued at his request 214
CHAP. XLIV.
Philip count de St Pol goes to Brussels, and
arrests the ministers of the duke of Brabant.
Other events that happened in
these times 220
CHAP. XLV.
The lord de l'Isle-Adam, marshal of France,
is sent to garrison Joigny. The surrender
of the town and castle of Melun 224
CHAP. XLVI.
After the surrender of Melun, the two
kings of France and of England, with
their queens, and several princes and
great lords, go to Paris in grand pomp 232
CHAP. XLVII.
A party of English are defeated near Mont-Epiloy.
The marriage of the marquis du
Pont with a princess of Lorraine. The
conduct of sir James de Harcourt 238
CHAP. XLVIII.
Commissioners arrive at Paris from different
towns in the kingdom of France. The
two kings hold there a council of the
three estates. Other matters 241
CHAP. XLIX.
King Henry sets out from Rouen to Calais
with his queen, and thence to England,
where he is received with great joy by all
ranks of people 244
CHAP. L.
A quarrel takes place between the duke and
duchess of Brabant. She separates herself
from him and passes over into England 247
CHAP. LI.
The duke of Brittany is made prisoner by
the count de Penthievre, and detained by
him for a considerable time. A war
takes place in consequence thereof 249
CHAP. LII.
The Dauphinois retake Villeneuve-le-Roi.
The lord de Chastillon conquers Chasteau-Thierry,
and makes La Hire prisoner 258
CHAP. LIII.
The dauphin is summoned by the parliament
to appear at the table of marble. The
duke of Exeter arrests the lord de l'Isle-Adam
in Paris 260
CHAP. LIV.
The duke of Clarence is defeated by the
Dauphinois near to Baugey. In this engagement,
great numbers of the nobles
and gentlemen of each party are slain 262
CHAP. LV.
The Dauphinois advance to Alençon: the
English march thither also. The marriage
of the duke of Alençon, and other matters 265
CHAP. LVI.
Sir James de Harcourt begins a war on the
vassals and countries of the duke of Burgundy.
The inconveniences that arise
from this conduct 267
CHAP. LVII.
King Henry of England returns to France
with a powerful army to combat the dauphin,
who had besieged Chartres 269
CHAP. LVIII.
The king of England marches from Calais,
through Abbeville, to Beauvais, and thence
to Mantes, where the duke of Burgundy
meets him 272
CHAP. LIX.
The lord d'Offemont enters St Riquier. The
adventure of the lord de Cohen, governor
of Abbeville. Other events that happened
in these times 276
CHAP. LX.
The duke of Burgundy marches to Pont de
Saint Remy, and conquers it. The deeds
of arms that were performed before Saint
Riquier 280
CHAP. LXI.
The duke of Burgundy marches from Pont
de St Remy to lay siege to the town of St
Riquier. He breaks up his siege to combat
the Dauphinois, who are advancing to
the relief of that town 283
CHAP. LXII.
The Burgundians and the Dauphinois draw
up in battle array against each other on
the last day of August. The consequences
that followed 290
CHAP. LXIII.
The names of the principal lords who had
accompanied and remained with the duke
of Burgundy in the late rencounter. Also
the names of the principal Dauphinois 299
CHAP. LXIV.
News of the late victory is made public in
different parts. The capture of the fort
of Douvrier. The departure of the duke
of Burgundy from Hesdin 301
CHAP. LXV.
The king of England conquers Dreux, and
pursues the dauphin, he then lays siege
to Meaux in Brie, and other matters 303
CHAP. LXVI.
The duke of Burgundy enters into a treaty
with his prisoners for the surrender of
St Riquier, to which the lord d'Offemont,
governor of the place, agrees 307
CHAP. LXVII.
The Burgundian lords assemble in arms to
conduct thither their duke from Picardy.
Other matters 310
CHAP. LXVIII.
Sir James de Harcourt meets a party of English,
and is defeated with loss. A heavy
tax laid for a coinage to supply the towns
with current cash 313
CHAP. LXIX.
The duke of Burgundy and the count de St
Pol depart from Arras, and wait on the
kings of France and of England. Other
matters 315
CHAP. LXX.
Sir John de Luxembourg waits on king
Henry, to solicit the liberty of the count
de Conversan, his brother, and other events 318
CHAP. LXXI.
The lord d'Offemont attempting to enter
Meaux, is made prisoner by the English.
The besiegers take the town by storm 320
CHAP. LXXII.
Sir John de Luxembourg conquers, this
campaign, the fortresses of Quesnoy,
Louvroy and Hericourt. Other matters 323
CHAP. LXXIII.
The emperor of Germany raises this year
an army against the heretics of Prague.
Similar heresies are discovered near to
Douay. The siege of D'airaines 326
CHAP. LXXIV.
The Dauphinois assemble to raise the siege
of D'airaines. The Burgundians and English
march to meet them, and offer them
battle 329
CHAP. LXXV.
King Henry reduces Meaux to his obedience.
The executions that take place in
consequence of orders from him 333
CHAP. LXXVI.
After the reduction of Meaux, many towns
and castles surrender to the king of England,
who regarrisons them with his own
men 340
CHAP. LXXVII.
The queen of England returns to France in
grand state. An assembly of the three
estates is held in Paris. Other matters 343
CHAP. LXXVIII.
The kings of France and England go from
Paris to Senlis. The siege of Saint Valery.
The reduction of Compiegne. An
embassy sent to sir James de Harcourt 346
CHAP. LXXIX.
The king of England goes from Senlis to
Compiegne. The capture of the town of
Saint Dizier. A conflict between the
Dauphinois and Burgundians 350
CHAP. LXXX.
The dauphin lays siege to Cône-sur-Loire.
The expedition of the duke of Burgundy
for its relief. The death of the king of
England 364
CHAP. LXXXI.
The duchess of Burgundy dies in the town
of Ghent. The duke of Bedford is made
regent of France. Several forts are demolished 379
HERE BEGINNETH
THE FIFTH VOLUME
OF THE
CHRONICLES
OF
_ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET_.
CHAP. I.
THE CARDINALS D'ORSINI AND DI SAN MARCO COME TO FRANCE TO APPEASE
THE QUARRELS OF THE PRINCES OF THE BLOOD ROYAL.--A PEACE IS MADE AT
MONTEREAU, BUT NOT KEPT.
During the time the Duke of Burgundy resided in his duchy, he was
visited by the cardinals d'Orsini and di San Marco, who had been sent
by the pope to France to endeavour to make up the quarrels between the
king, the queen and the duke of Burgundy. The duke paid them every
respect, and feasted them magnificently, and declared that he was ready
to make peace with all who wished it; and for this purpose had sent
ambassadors to Bray-sur-Seine to meet others from the king.
On this the cardinals left Burgundy, and, passing through Troyes, went
to Bray and Montereau, where they were handsomely received by the
ambassadors from each party. Thence the cardinal di San Marco went to
Paris, and in the presence of the king, his constable and ministers,
explained the object of his mission, and the infinite advantages that
would result from a peace. After he had been much honoured by the lords
of the court, he returned to the ambassadors at Montereau, where he
and the cardinal d'Orsini remained the whole time of the negotiations,
going daily to the church of La Tombe, wherein the conferences were
held.
They laboured so diligently in this business that a treaty was drawn
up and sworn to by the ambassadors, in the presence of the cardinals,
on condition that the ambassadors should carry copies of it to their
respective lords; and if the terms were not approved of by them, each
party was to remain in the same state as before any negotiations
were begun. Thus some of them went to Paris, to wait on the king and
constable; and others to Troyes, to the queen and the council of the
duke of Burgundy.
These last, on being shewn the treaty, very much approved of it, and
sent it to the duke for his approbation,--who, having examined it with
his ministers, returned for answer, that he accepted it wholly without
exception; that he would cheerfully swear to its observance, and cause
all of his party to do the same.
In like manner, the ambassadors from the king and the constable, on
their arrival at Paris, laid a copy of the treaty before the king, the
dauphin, some of the principal ministers, and most leading citizens,
who were well satisfied that the king should sign it. But when it was
shewn to the count d'Armagnac, to the chancellor, the provost of Paris,
and Raymonnet de la Guerre, they were highly indignant thereat, and
said plainly, that they would never remain in the room where the king
should sign it as it then was. The chancellor even declared, that the
king might seal it himself, for that he never would.
The bishop of Paris, many of the citizens, and several of the ministers
of the king and dauphin, who were very desirous of peace, were
thunderstruck on hearing these declarations, and advised the dauphin
to call a meeting at the Louvre on this matter. He did so; but the
constable would not attend, saying, that those who had agreed to such a
peace, and those who advised the king to consent to it, were traitors.
By these means the peace was prevented: all negotiations were broken
off, and both parties remained in the state they were in before,
without peace or truce. This, however, created very great hatred among
the Parisians to the constable, who nevertheless ordered detachments
against the castles of Montlehery and Marcoussy, possessed by the
Burgundians, but who were obliged to surrender them to the king's
forces. The constable regarrisoned them for the king.
CHAP. II.
KING HENRY OF ENGLAND CONQUERS MANY TOWNS IN NORMANDY.--THE CAPTURE OF
THE COUNT DE HARCOURT, IN AUMALE, BY HIS COUSIN SIR JAMES DE HARCOURT.
At this season, as has been before noticed, king Henry of England was
in great force in Normandy, where he conquered towns and castles at his
pleasure; for scarcely any resistance was made against him, owing to
the intestine divisions of France. He thus easily gained possession of
the towns of Evreux, Fallaise, Bayeux, Lisieux, Coutances, Avranches,
St Loth, and many more.
Through fear of king Henry, the count de Harcourt had retired within
his castle of Aumale, with all his dependants; whither on a certain
day, under the appearance of a visit to pay his compliments, came his
cousin sir James de Harcourt, attended by about sixty combatants. He
purposely dismounted at the gate of the castle, which, on his being
recognised, was instantly opened, and every honour was paid him by the
officers of the count. Part of his men entered with him, and he went
to the count, who joyously received him, saying, 'Fair cousin, you are
welcome.' Sir James had ordered the remainder of his men to come to the
castle when they had put up their horses in the town; and shortly after
some conversation together respecting the wars now going on in France,
seeing the opportunity was proper, sir James took the count by the
hand, and said, 'My lord, I make you a prisoner in the king's name.'
The count, much astonished, replied, 'Fair cousin, what do you mean? I
am the king's man, as you know, and have never acted to his prejudice.'
However, in spite of his protestations and claims of kindred, or any
other excuses, he was detained a prisoner and placed by sir James under
a secure guard. On the morrow, after sir James had seized on all the
moveables within the castle, and appointed a part of his men for its
defence, he departed, and carried the count with him to the castle of
Crotoy.
Sir James, by these means, got from the count a beautiful chesnut
horse, with a short tail, which was afterward famous as a war-horse.
After that day, the count remained prisoner to his cousin; but he was
frequently transported from one castle to another, and it was commonly
reported that he was thus kept prisoner with the consent of his son,
John de Harcourt, count of Aumale.
CHAP. III.
THE CITY OF PARIS IS TAKEN BY THE
DUKE OF BURGUNDY.--THE PARISIANS
TURN TO HIS PARTY.--THE CONSEQUENCES
THAT FOLLOW.
You have already heard how the Parisians were much discontented with
the count d'Armagnac and others of the king's ministers, because they
would not accept of the treaty of peace that had been made with the
duke of Burgundy. They were much afraid of this duke and his army, and
saw clearly that if he was not reconciled to the king and the dauphin,
they must remain in their present uncomfortable state for a long time.
Numbers of them were strongly attached to him, and wished him to have
the government of the kingdom,--but in fact they knew not how to
accomplish it, for they were very narrowly watched, and dared not hold
any meetings to communicate together, because the ministry had always
ready a body of men at arms to punish them on the slightest appearance
of rebellion.
Notwithstanding this, some daring youths of the commonalty, who had
formerly been punished for their demerits, adventured to have a
conference with the lord de l'Isle-Adam at Pontoise, where he was in
garrison. These youths were six or seven in number; and the principal
were Perrinet le Clerc, son to John le Clerc, Ferron, John Thiebert,
son to Michael Thiebert butcher, Perron Bourdechon.
The lord de l'Isle-Adam concluded a treaty with them, that he would
assemble as great a number of men at arms as he could, and, on the
29th day of May ensuing, would march them to the gate of St Germain
des Pres at Paris, which they engaged to have opened to him. On this,
they separated; and the lord de l'Isle-Adam collected, as privately as
he could, about eight hundred men at arms, among whom were le veau de
Bar bailiff of Auxois, the lord de Chastellus, the lord de Chevreuse,
Ferry de Mailly, Louis de Varigines, Lionnet de Bournouville, Daviod
de Guoy and others. These the lord de l'Isle-Adam led to the appointed
rendezvous on the day fixed on, where he found Perrinet le Clerc, who
had stolen from behind his father's pillow the keys of the gate of St
Germain, to whom they had been intrusted, and the aforesaid youths.
The gate was opened according to their promise, and some of the
Parisians came out to speak with the lord de l'Isle-Adam and the
others: they assured them that they might enter the town in security,
and that they would conduct them whithersoever they pleased.
Upon their report, the burgundian lords and their men armed ready for
battle, entered the town on horseback. It might be about two hours
after midnight; and Perrinet le Clerc, seeing them within the town,
locked the gate and flung the keys over the wall.
They began their march in silence toward the Chatelet, where they met
about four hundred of the Parisians ready armed to join them: they
then, with one accord, resolved to make attacks on the houses of the
different ministers of the king, and ordered two parties to parade the
streets, shouting, 'that all who wished for peace must unite with them
in arms.'
This cry brought great multitudes of the populace to join them,--and
they hastened to attack the houses of the ministers of state. One party
went to the king's hotel of St Pol, where they broke down doors and
windows, and were not satisfied until they had spoken to the king, who
was forced to grant them all their demands. They, shortly after, made
him mount his horse, as well as the brother to the king of Cyprus, and
ride with them through the streets of Paris.
Another party went to the hotel of the constable to seize him; but
he had been advertised in time of their intent, and had escaped in
disguise to the house of a poor man adjoining his own. Some went to
the hotels of the chancellor and Raymonnet de la Guerre, whom they
arrested. Tanneguy du Chatel, provost of Paris, hearing the uproar,
hastened to the hotel of the dauphin, and, wrapping him up only in a
blanket, carried him to the bastille of St Anthony, whither numbers of
their friends had retired on the first appearance of the insurrection.
During this night and the two following days, the burgundian lords,
and the populace of Paris, plundered the houses of the ministers, and
of their favourites and adherents, whom they robbed of every thing. An
infinite number of prisoners were made, and confined in the palace, the
Louvre, the Chatelet, and in other places: among them were the bishops
of Bayeux, Senlis and Coutances, sir Hector de Chartres, sir Enguerran
de Marcoignet and others.
The lord de l'Isle-Adam went himself to the hotel de Bourbon, where he
found Charles de Bourbon, then about fifteen years of age, whom, having
awakened, he demanded which party he was of: he replied, "Of the
king's party;" upon which, the lord de l'Isle-Adam made him rise, and
conducted him to the king, with whom he remained during all the time
these sad events were passing.
Great part of the men at arms attached to the constable and to Tanneguy
du Chatel had retired within the bastille of St Anthony, and with them
John Louvet, president of the parliament of Provence, master Robert
Masson, with numbers of high rank.
The cardinals de Bar and di San Marco, with the archbishop of Rheims,
were also made prisoners, and their horses seized; but at the
intercession of the bishop of Paris, and because they had advised
peace, they were set at liberty, and had their effects returned to them.
About eight o'clock on the Monday-morning, the king, by sound of
trumpet, dismissed Tanneguy du Chatel from the provostship of Paris,
and appointed le veau de Bar, bailiff of Auxois, in his stead. In
short, all the king's ministers, the members of the different courts
of justice, and all the citizens of rank who were attached to the
Armagnacs, were plundered and made prisoners, or cruelly murdered. It
was also proclaimed throughout the streets, in the king's name, by
sound of trumpet, that all persons of either sex who should know of
any of the Armagnac party being hidden or disguised must, on pain of
confiscation of their property, instantly denounce them to the provost
of Paris, or to some of the captains of the men at arms. In consequence
the poor man in whose house the constable was hidden, went to inform
the provost of it, who instantly returned with him, and found the
constable as he had said. The provost made him mount him behind him,
and carried him to the palace with other prisoners.
While these things were passing, Tanneguy du Chatel sent away Charles
duke of Touraine and dauphin, by the bridge of Charenton, to Corbeil,
Melun, and to Montargis: he at the same time dispatched messengers to
the leaders of his party, to hasten to his succour, with as many men
at arms as they could collect.
The lord de l'Isle-Adam and the other great lords were not dilatory in
summoning their party, from Picardy and elsewhere, to join them with
speed in Paris; and in a few days very great numbers came thither.
Early in the morning of the Wednesday following the capture of Paris,
the marshal de Rieux, the lord de Barbasan and Tanneguy du Chatel,
with sixteen hundred combatants, picked men, entered Paris by the gate
of saint Anthony, in hopes of conquering it. A party of them went by
the back way to the hotel de St Pol, thinking to take and carry off
the king; but on the preceding day, he and all his household had been
conducted to the castle of the Louvre.
The remainder, with displayed banners, marched through the streets,
as far as the hotel de l'Ours, shouting, 'Long live the king, the
dauphin, and the constable d'Armagnac!' This cry instantly brought
forth a great number of the Parisians in arms, with the new provost of
Paris, the lord de l'Isle-Adam, and all the other men at arms within
Paris, to offer them combat. A very severe battle took place; but in
the end, from the multitudes of Parisians coming upon them on all
sides, the marshal de Rieux and his men were forced to retreat toward
the bastille, but not without heavy loss,--for there remained dead on
the field of battle from three to four hundred of his best men. On the
side of the Parisians about forty were killed, and among them was a
gentleman, called Hairpin de Guoy, attached to the lord de l'Isle-Adam.
After this, Barbasan and Tanneguy du Chatel, seeing their cause for the
present hopeless, placed a sufficient garrison in the bastille, and
departed, some to Meaux en Brie, others to Corbeil, to Melun, and to
different towns that were under their obedience.
On the Thursday following, Hector and Philip de Saveuses arrived in
Paris with two hundred combatants. The lords within that city were
rejoiced at their coming, and quartered them at the Tournelles, and
in different houses facing the bastille, wherein there was still a
garrison of the Armagnacs.
On the Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and the eight ensuing days, the
greater part of the captains of Picardy arrived at Paris with their
men at arms, such as sir John de Luxembourg, the lord de Fosseux and
his brothers, sir Janet de Poix, the lord de Cohen, and many more,
expecting to find much gain in that city; but the majority were greatly
disappointed, and were forced to pay their own expenses.
Those of the Armagnacs who had fallen in battle were flung into carts,
and carried by the public executioner out of Paris, and buried in
the fields, while the Parisians that had been slain were handsomely
interred in consecrated ground.
All Paris now wore the badge of the duke of Burgundy, namely, a Saint
Andrew's cross, which had of late been held in much contempt. On the
Saturday, those within the bastille, seeing it was but lost time to
remain there, entered into a treaty with the lord de l'Isle-Adam and
the other lords in Paris, that they would surrender the bastille, if
they were permitted to march away in safety. This was accepted; and,
on passports being granted them, they departed. The lord de Canny,
who had remained a prisoner in the bastille ever since his return from
his embassy from the king to the duke of Burgundy, as has been before
mentioned, was nominated governor thereof by the king and the duke of
Burgundy.
CHAP. IV.
AFTER THE CAPTURE OF PARIS, MANY TOWNS AND CASTLES SUBMIT TO THE
OBEDIENCE OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.--OTHER MATTERS.
About this time, by orders from the king, Hector and Philip de
Saveuses, and the lord de Crevecoeur, were dispatched with their men at
arms toward Compiegne and the adjoining castles. On their coming before
Compiegne, they concluded a treaty, that all who were of the Armagnac
party should depart in safety with their effects; and that the other
inhabitants of the town, who would swear allegiance to the king and the
duke of Burgundy, should remain unmolested.
In like manner were surrendered to them the town and castle of Creil,
St Maixence, Mouchy le Piereux, Pont a Choisy, and other places, in
which they placed garrisons of their own men. Noyon submitted to the
obedience of the king and the duke by means of the lord de Genly[1],
and le Plaisser by sir John de Roye. Laon, Corbeil, Soissons, Chauny
sur Oise and Gisors, also submitted.
In the town of Creil, a gentleman called le Begue de Groches was
appointed governor,--but only eight men entered that town. In the
castle were the count de Ventadour, the lord de Chateau-morant, and sir
Charles de Saint Saulieu, with a certain number of men at arms attached
to the party of the Armagnacs; but they were forced to surrender it by
le Begue de Groches and the commonalty of the town, on condition of
their lives and fortunes being spared, and le Begue de Groches remained
governor of the castle and town for a long time.
I must not forget to say something of Perrinet le Clerc and his
companions, who had delivered up the city of Paris to the Burgundians.
They were, at first, in great authority, and lived in high state; but,
in the end, they became as poor and as wicked as they had been before.
When the inhabitants of Peronne, who had been strongly attached to the
king, the dauphin and the count d'Armagnac, heard of the capture of
Paris, and of the surrender of so many towns and castles, they were
much astonished and alarmed, considering that they were so near to
the territories of the duke of Burgundy, lest they should have their
town taken by storm, or besieged. They therefore resolved to send a
deputation to the count de Charolois, to propose submitting themselves
to the obedience of the king and the duke.
They in consequence sent ambassadors for this purpose, although sir
Thomas de Lersies, bailiff of the Vermandois, exhorted them to keep
steady to the dauphin. These ambassadors, namely, master Oudard
Cuperel, a canon of St Foursy, and others, treated so successfully with
the count de Charolois and his ministers that the town was surrendered
to the duke. Notwithstanding the magistrates and inhabitants had
promised not to conclude any treaty that should be prejudicial to sir
Thomas de Lersies, he was arrested, carried to Laon and beheaded. In
like manner were executed John de Bervenucourt, his lieutenant, and
Alard de Vercuigneul.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 1: Genly. Q. If not Genlis.]
CHAP. V.
THE COMMONALTY OF PARIS ASSEMBLE IN GREAT NUMBERS, AND CRUELLY PUT TO
DEATH THEIR PRISONERS.
About four o'clock on the 12th day of June, the populace of Paris rose
to the amount of about sixty thousand, fearing (as they said) that the
prisoners would be set at liberty, although the new provost of Paris,
and other lords, assured them to the contrary. They were armed with old
mallets, hatchets, staves, and other disorderly weapons, and paraded
through the streets, shouting, 'Long live the king and the duke of
Burgundy!' toward the different prisons in Paris, namely, the Palace,
St Magloire, St Martin des Champs, the Chatelet, the Temple, and to
other places wherein any prisoners were confined.
They forced open all their doors and killed Chepier and Chepiere[2],
with the whole of the prisoners, to the amount of sixteen hundred, or
thereabout: the principal of whom were the count d'Armagnac constable
of France, master Henry de Marle chancellor to the king, the bishops
of Coutances, of Bayeux, of Evreux, of Senlis, of Saintes, the count
de Grand-Pré, Raymonnet de la Guerre, the abbot de St Conille de
Compiegne, sir Hector de Chartres, sir Enguerrand de Marcoignet,
Charlot Poupart master of the king's wardrobe, the members of the
courts of justice and of the treasury, and in general all they could
find: among the number were several even of the burgundian party
confined for debt.
In this massacre several women were killed, and left on the spot
where they had been put to death. This cruel butchery lasted until
ten o'clock in the morning of the following day. Those confined in
the grand Chatelet, having arms, defended themselves valiantly, and
slew many of the populace; but, on the morrow, by means of fire and
smoke, they were conquered, and the mob made many of them leap from the
battlements of the towers, when they were received on the points of the
spears of those in the streets, and cruelly mangled. At this dreadful
business were present the new provost of Paris, sir John de Luxembourg,
the lord de Fosseux, the lord de l'Isle-Adam, the vidame of Amiens, the
lord de Chevreuse, the lord de Chastellus, the lord de Cohen, sir James
de Harcourt, sir Emond de Lombers, the lord d'Auxois, and others, to
the amount of upward of a thousand combatants armed and on horseback,
ready to defend the murderers should there be any necessity.
Many were shocked and astonished at such cruel conduct; but they dared
not say any thing, except 'Well done my boys!' The bodies of the
constable, the chancellor, and of Raymonnet de la Guerre were stripped
naked, tied together with a cord, and dragged for three days by the
blackguards of Paris through the streets. The body of the constable
had the breadth of two fingers of his skin cut off crosswise, like to
a bend in heraldry, by way of derision; and they were thus publicly
exposed quite naked to the sight of all; on the fourth day, they were
dragged out of Paris on a hurdle, and buried with the others in a ditch
called la Louviere.
Notwithstanding the great lords after this took much pains to pacify
the populace, and remonstrated with them, that they ought to allow
the king's justice to take its regular course against offenders, they
would not desist, but went in great crowds to the houses of such as had
favoured the Armagnacs, or of those whom they disliked, and killed them
without mercy, carrying away all they could find. In these times, it
was enough if one man hated another at Paris, of whatever rank he might
be, Burgundian or not, to say, 'There goes an Armagnac,' and he was
instantly put to death, without further inquiry being made.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 2: These were probably the gaoler and his wife.]
CHAP. VI.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, ON HEARING WHAT HAD PASSED AT PARIS, CARRIES THE
QUEEN THITHER.--THE DEATH OF JEAN BERTRAND.
When news of the capture of Paris, and of the submission of so many
towns and castles, was carried to the duke of Burgundy in Dijon, he was
greatly rejoiced, and collecting in haste a body of men, went to the
queen at Troyes, where he was magnificently received. He gave orders
for preparations to be instantly made for the queen's journey to Paris,
and summoned men at arms from all quarters to attend her.
Sir John de Luxembourg, the lord de Fosseux, with other captains from
Picardy, and about a thousand combatants, went to meet him so far as
Troyes. The duke first heard when at Troyes of the massacre of the
count d'Armagnac and the other prisoners at Paris, which angered him
greatly; for he had planned by their means, and by offering them their
liberty to gain possession of the person of the dauphin, and of all
the towns and castles held by the Armagnacs.
On the 2d day of July, the queen and the duke of Burgundy set out from
Troyes for Paris in grand array,--the Picards, under the command of
John de Luxembourg, forming the vanguard. The duke, with his battalion,
conducted the queen, taking their road through Nogent-sur-Seine and
Provins. On the 14th day of the same month, they entered Paris attended
by an immense crowd of armed men and displayed banners.
Six hundred of the Parisians went out to meet the queen and the duke,
dressed in blue jackets, having thereon a St Andrew's cross, which they
had worn for some time. They presented the duke and his nephew the
young count de St Pol, with two robes of blue velvet, which they put
on, and thus made their entry through the gate of St Anthony.
They were received in Paris with the greatest joy: carols were sung in
all quarters, and flowers were thrown in abundance on the carriage of
the queen, and on the lords who accompanied her from all the upper
windows in the streets they passed through. The duke of Burgundy
escorted the queen to the hôtel de St Pol, where the king resided, who
gave to both of them a most welcome reception.
Shortly after, many great councils were holden by the duke and other
lords, on the present state of the kingdom and on its government. At
their conclusion, the king, to please the duke of Burgundy, created
several new officers: the lords de l'Isle-Adam and de Chastellus were
made marshals of France, sir Robinet de Mailly grand butler, sir
Charles de Lens admiral of France, although the king had a little
before nominated sir Jenet de Poix to that office, and he for a short
time bore the title of admiral: master Eustace de Lactre was appointed
chancellor of France, and master Philip de Morvillers first president
of the parliament.
The duke of Burgundy was made governor of Paris, and chose sir Charles
de Lens as his lieutenant. Many great changes were made, with which the
king seemed satisfied, and granted every thing that was asked by those
who had the government of him.
In these days (as it was commonly believed by orders of sir John de
Luxembourg), Jean Bertrand, governor of St Dennes, was put to death
at La Chapelle, between Paris and St Dennis. He had been one of the
leaders of the companies with sir Gastelin Vas, Jean de Guigny and Jean
de Clau, and was a butcher. The Parisians were greatly exasperated at
his death, and issued out in crowds to find and punish his murderers,
but in vain,--for, having performed the deed, they hastened to escape.
They made loud complaints of it to the duke of Burgundy, who demanded
of sir John de Luxembourg if he had been the author of this murder;
and he replied that he was not. It was afterwards known, that the
perpetrators of it were principally Lyonnet de Vendôme, and the bastard
de Robais, with about twelve other wicked fellows as their accomplices.
CHAP. VII.
POPE MARTIN ADJOURNS THE COUNCIL OF CONSTANCE.--THE KING OF ENGLAND
CONQUERS PONT DE L'ARCHE.--OTHER MATTERS.
At this period, pope Martin, with the consent of the holy council of
Constance, adjourned that council to the month of April in the year
1423, to be held in a convenient city, which should be named by him or
his successor in proper time. The pope then departed from Constance,
and was conducted from the palace of the bishop by Sigismund emperor of
Germany and king of Bohemia, walking on foot, and holding the bridle of
his mule. When he was without the town, the pope mounted his horse and
went to Geneva, where he held his court for three months.
At this same time, king Henry of England advanced to Louviers in
Normandy, which had submitted to his obedience, and thence went to
quarter himself at the abbey of Bomport, of the order of Cisteaux[3],
very near to Pont de l'Arche, of which place sir John de Graville was
governor for the king of France. King Henry sent sir John de Cornwall
to summon him to surrender it, but the lord de Graville replied that
he would not: upon which Cornwall said, 'Graville, I pledge my word,
that in spite of you or of your men I will cross the Seine. Should I do
so, you shall give me the best courser you have; and if I fail, I will
present you with my helmet of steel, which I will prove to be worth
five hundred nobles.' After this conversation and engagement, they
parted mutually pleased with each other.
Sir John de Graville sent in haste to all parts for reinforcements
of men at arms to guard the fords of the river, and among them came
sir James de Harcourt, who happened at that time to be at Estampigny.
Several other gentlemen, and many lords, came to his aid, to the amount
of eight hundred combatants, and full twelve thousand of the common
people.
On the morrow, as Cornwall had promised, he came to the banks of the
Seine, and embarked on board eight small boats, attended by his son,
fifteen years of age, sixty combatants, one single horse, some small
cannons, and military stores: he made for a little island that was in
the middle of the stream, whence he could fire at the enemy who guarded
the opposite shore. But although the French were so many as I have
said, they did not even attempt to make any defence, but instantly fled
in the utmost disorder, every man escaping as well as he could.
Sir John de Graville returned to Pont de l'Arche, sir James de Harcourt
to Estampigny, and the commonalty fled to the woods. Sir John de
Cornwall and his men seeing all this from the island re-imbarked in
their boats, and landed without opposition. He immediately created his
son a knight; and shortly after, others of the English crossed also in
these boats, to the number of about a thousand combatants, part of whom
followed sir John de Cornwall, to skirmish before Pont de l'Arche, and
the rest scoured the country round. Sir John de Cornwall addressed
sir John de Graville, and said, that he and his countrymen had badly
acquitted themselves, to suffer him and his small company to cross the
river, when they were so very numerous, declaring, that if he had been
in his situation with only his sixty English, he would have defended
the landing against the united forces of the kings of France and of
England.
When the English who had passed the river were re-assembled, they fixed
their quarters in the abbey of Mortemer, in the forest of Lyons. The
whole of the country of Caux were much alarmed, and not without cause,
when they learnt that the English had passed the Seine.
The next day the king of England ordered his brother the duke of
Clarence to cross the river with four thousand combatants, and to
invest the town and castle of Pont de l'Arche on all sides. He had also
a bridge thrown over the Seine, on the side leading toward Rouen, that
he might cross whenever he pleased; and this bridge was called the
Bridge of Saint George.
After three weeks siege, sir John de Graville surrendered the town and
castle to the king of England, on condition that he and his men might
depart in safety with their baggage. Thus king Henry was master, to
pass the Seine at his pleasure; and he placed a strong garrison in Pont
de l'Arche, in dread of whom the greater part of the peasantry fled the
country with all their effects.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 3: Cisteaux.--An order of white friars (instituted in the
year 1090,) who under their uppermost white habit wear a black one and
red shoes.--_Cotgrave._]
CHAP. VIII.
THE DUKE OF TOURAINE CONTINUES THE WAR.--THE TOWN OF COMPIEGNE WON
BY THE LORD DE BOCQUIAUX.--THE MARRIAGE OF THE DUKE OF BRABANT,--AND
OTHER MATTERS.
True it is, that at this time sir Tanneguy du Châtel, the viscount de
Narbonne, Jean Louvet president of Provence, master Robert Masson, and
the other ministers of the duke of Touraine, dauphin of the Viennois,
who had escaped from Paris, as you have heard, exerted themselves as
much as possible to induce him to continue the war against the duke of
Burgundy and his partisans.
The dauphin had been several times summoned and required to return to
Paris by the king, the queen and the duke of Burgundy, who offered to
pay him every respect and deference. He would not, however, listen to
them, but began to make preparations in all quarters to renew the war,
styling himself Regent of the kingdom of France.
At this time also, about eight of his men, secretly armed, came to the
gate of Compiegne that leads to Pierrefons with a small cart laden with
wood. When on the drawbridge, they stabbed one of the cart-horses,
so that the bridge could not be raised, and killing some of the
guards at the gate, instantly made a signal which had been agreed
on,--and the lord de Bocquiaux, who was lying in ambush in the forest,
suddenly appeared with five hundred men, and entered the town without
opposition, shouting, 'Long live the king and the dauphin!'
On their arrival, they slew one named Boutry, who had been left there
by Hector de Saveuses to manage his household. The lord de Crevecoeur,
who was lieutenant to Hector, hearing the noise, retreated to the
tower of St Cornille, and with him the lord de Chievres, Robinet Ogier,
and others; but it was in vain, for they were soon forced to surrender
themselves.
The Dauphinois lost no time in plundering the town, and took every
thing they could lay hands on, not only from those of the burgundian
party, but even from such of the inhabitants as had shewn any
partiality to them. Thus did the lord de Bocquiaux and his companions
regain the town of Compiegne, in the name of the dauphin. He kept up,
in his name also, a heavy warfare on the adjoining country, and sent
the lords de Chievres and de Crevecoeur prisoners to the castle of
Pierrefons, whence they meditated an escape by means of a brother of
the lord de Chievres, who was attached to and had long served the lord
de Bocquiaux; but it was discovered, and the lord de Bocquiaux caused
him to be beheaded. However, some time afterward, they obtained their
liberty by paying a sum of money.
A strong garrison was placed in Compiegne, and the lord de Gamaches
came thither; and by their means, those attached to the party of the
king and the duke of Burgundy were sorely oppressed.
At this time, duke John of Brabant espoused his cousin-german
Jacquelina of Bavaria, countess of Hainault, Holland, Zealand and
Ostrevant: she was his god-mother. This marriage had been managed
by his mother Margaret of Burgundy, with the three estates of those
countries, in the good intention and hope that, as these countries
joined those of the duke of Brabant, greater concord and peace would
subsist between them. Notwithstanding the countess had given her
consent, she was not very well satisfied with the match; for she knew
the duke to be weak in body and mind, and unfit for the government
of her country or person, which was handsome and well made; and she
herself was well informed in various matters.
On the accomplishment of this marriage, the war between the countess
and her uncle John of Bavaria was put an end to by means of a
negotiation that took place on that subject.
It happened, that while the duke and duchess were at Mons in Hainault,
and whilst he was gone to hunt and amuse himself without the town, sir
Evrard, bastard of Hainault, and brother to the duchess, with some
others came purposely to the hôtel de Nactre, the residence of William
le Begue, the confidential adviser of the duke, and put him to death
when lying ill in bed. Sir William de Sars, bailiff of Hainault, was
present when this murder was committed; but they forbade him to stir;
and when it was accomplished, they departed without any hindrance, and
left Mons.