from Pontoise to Beauvais, to have provisions in greater plenty,
and held there many private councils on the best means to relieve
the town of Rouen. They could not devise any mode that would be
successful, on account of the quarrel between the dauphin and the
duke of Burgundy, and because the king of England had too powerful an
army. Notwithstanding this, they daily summoned more men at arms and
cross-bows from the towns under their obedience.
While the court resided at Beauvais, four gentlemen, and four citizens
of Rouen, were sent to lay before the king and council their miserable
state: they told them, that thousands of persons were already dead of
hunger within their town; and that, from the beginning of October,
they had been forced to live on horses, dogs, cats, mice and rats, and
other things unfit for human creatures. They had nevertheless, driven
full twelve thousand poor people, men women and children, out of the
place, the greater part of whom had perished wretchedly in the ditches
of the town. That it had been frequently necessary to draw up in
baskets new born children from mothers who had been brought to bed in
these ditches to have them baptised, and they were afterward returned
to their mothers: many however, had perished without christening,--all
which things were grievous and pitiful to be related. They then added,
'To you our lord and king, and to you noble duke of Burgundy, the loyal
inhabitants of Rouen have before made known their distress: they now
again inform you how much they are suffering for you, to which you have
not yet provided any remedy according to your promises. We are sent to
you for the last time, to announce to you on the part of the besieged,
that if within a few days they are not relieved, they shall surrender
themselves and their town to the English king, and thenceforward
renounce all allegiance, faith and service, which they have sworn to
you.'
The king, duke and council, courteously replied, that the king's
forces were not as yet adequate to raise the siege, which they were
exceedingly sorry for; but, with God's pleasure, they should very soon
be relieved.
The deputies asked, by what time: the duke answered, before the fourth
day after Christmas. They then returned to their town with difficulty,
from the great danger of being taken by the besiegers and related all
that had passed.
The besieged now suffered the greatest distress; and it is impossible
to recount the miseries of the common people from famine: it was
afterward known, that upwards of fifty thousand had perished of hunger.
Some, when they saw meat carried through the street, in despair, ran to
seize it, and, so doing, allowed themselves to be severely beaten, and
even wounded. During the space of three months, no provisions were seen
in the markets, but every thing was sold secretly: and what before the
siege was worth a farthing was sold for twenty, thirty, or even forty;
but these prices were too high for the common people, and hence the
great mortality I have mentioned.
December was about half over when these last ambassadors returned to
Rouen; and during this tempestuous season, sir James de Harcourt and
the lord de Moreul assembled about two thousand combatants, whom they
led to within two leagues of the English quarters, with the hope of
plunder. They posted their men in two ambuscades near to each other, to
fall on the enemy, should he pass that way,--and then ordered about six
score of their men at arms to attack a village near the town, in which
were a party of English. These were either taken or killed, except a
few, who by having good horses, escaped to their main army, crying out
that they had seen the French in great force.
The English were instantly in motion, and under arms; and the king
of England ordered sir John de Cornwall to mount his horse, and take
six hundred men to see what truth was in this report. Sir John de
Cornwall, without delay, marched off his men, taking with him some of
those who had seen the French, and soon came up with the enemy; but the
French, seeing the English were too numerous, hastily returned to their
ambuscades, to whom they told that the enemy were coming.
Sir John de Cornwall followed them in good array, and so closely that
he could plainly distinguish their numbers,--when the French that
were in one ambush advanced in order of battle to combat them, but the
greater part of the others turned their backs and fled. The English,
noticing this, made a vigorous charge, and put the whole to the rout,
with a very trifling loss on their side,--and to the great confusion
of the French, for on this day were twelve score men at arms killed or
made prisoners: among the last was the lord de Moreul, Butor bastard de
Croy, and many noble gentlemen of high rank. Sir James de Harcourt and
others saved themselves by the fleetness of their horses. Sir John de
Cornwall returned with his prisoners to the camp, very much rejoiced at
his victory.
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.
The king and queen of France, and the duke of Burgundy, held very many
councils, while at Beauvais, on the most effectual means to relieve
Rouen; but as it was found that at the moment the royal forces were
insufficient to combat the army of England, and to raise the siege, the
greater part of the men at arms that had been assembled were disbanded,
excepting some from the principal towns, who were sent to garrison the
frontiers, as well against the English as the Dauphinois.
When this was done, the king, queen, and duke of Burgundy, escorted by
his Burgundians and a considerable body of men at arms, departed from
Beauvais, and, passing through Creil and Laigny sur Marne, went to
Provins. Many were astonished at this measure.
News of it was carried to Rouen, and the duke of Burgundy privately
advised the besieged to treat with the king of England on the best
terms they could. When this was made public, there was an universal
grief throughout the town, for the inhabitants were sorrowful at heart:
however, some of the captains and principal citizens comforted them as
well as they were able, and afterward assembled in the town-hall to
consider on their future conduct toward the king of England.
They resolved, since they had now lost all hope of relief, and
that their provisions were nearly exhausted, to treat with their
adversaries,--for that purpose they sent a herald to the king of
England, to require a passport for six persons, which was granted.
They nominated, as their ambassadors, two churchmen, two gentlemen,
and two citizens, who were wise, prudent and well spoken. They went
strait to the tent of the king, and were conducted to the lodgings of
the archbishop of Canterbury, who, with the earl of Warwick, had been
appointed to treat with them.
When they were met, they opened the business, to discover on what terms
they would be received, but could obtain no other answer than that
the whole of the inhabitants must submit unconditionally to the king.
On this they returned to their town without saying more,--and again
assembled the principal burghers and many of the commonalty, to whom
they related the answer they had received, which appeared to those who
heard it uncommonly harsh. They declared it would be far preferable to
die combating the enemy, than to be reduced to subjection by this king.
The assembly now broke up, but met again on the morrow more numerous
than before. After much conversation, it was resolved unanimously to
undermine part of their wall, and support it on props withinside the
town, to which they would set fire,--and when the wall should fall
down, having completely armed themselves, they would then sally forth
through the breach, with their wives and children, and march whither
God might please to lead them.
They separated, with the intention of putting their plan into execution
on the night of the morrow; but the king of England, having had
information of it, and being desirous of gaining the whole town and its
inhabitants, had the late ambassadors privately summoned to come again
to the camp by the archbishop of Canterbury, who with others delegated
to this purpose, concluded a treaty on the following terms.
In the first place, the king of England was to receive from the
inhabitants of Rouen the sum of three hundred and sixty-five crowns of
gold, of the coin of France, and three men to deal with as he might
please,--first, master Robert de Linet, vicar-general to the archbishop
of Rouen, who during the siege had conducted himself most imprudently;
the second was a citizen called Jean Jourdain, who had had the command
of the cannoneers; the third was Alain Blanchart, leader of the common
people, and the principal of those who had formerly murdered sir Raol
de Gaucourt, bailiff of Rouen, as has been before mentioned. The
whole of the inhabitants were to swear faith and loyalty to the king
of England and to his successors, he and they promising in return
to guard and defend them against all who might attempt to injure
them,--and also to maintain them in their liberties, privileges and
franchises, of which they had been in possession since the reign of St
Louis.
It was likewise ordained, that all who chose to quit the town might
freely depart, having only their usual clothes on, leaving the rest
behind, as confiscated to the king; and also that the whole of the men
at arms should deposit their armour and effects at a specified place;
when, after they had sworn not to bear arms for one whole year against
king Henry, passports would be granted them, and they would be escorted
in safety beyond the king's outposts, but dressed in their usual
clothing, with staves in their hands.
When this treaty had been concluded, and sufficient pledges given to
the king for its due observance, a certain number of the townsmen were
permitted to enter the English camp at their pleasure to seek for
provisions, of which there was such abundance that the whole carcase of
a sheep was not worth more than six sols parisis.
This treaty was concluded on the 16th day of January in the year 1419;
and on the following Thursday, the 19th of the same month, the king of
England made his public entry into the town of Rouen with great pomp,
attended by the princes of his blood and numbers of his nobles. He was
followed by a page mounted on a beautiful horse, bearing a lance, at
the end of which, near the point, was fastened a fox's brush, by way of
streamer, which afforded great matter of remark among the wise heads.
On his entrance, which was about two o'clock in the afternoon, the
bells of all the churches were rung, and the mitred abbots, and all
others of the clergy, went out in procession to meet him dressed in
their sacred robes, bearing many relics, who, with chaunting, conducted
the king to the cathedral of our Lady. When he was come to the great
gate, he dismounted, and, bare-headed, reverently entered the church,
and returned his thanksgivings to God at the high altar: thence he went
to the castle, where he was lodged, and the others wherever they could
in the town.
This city of Rouen, now conquered by the king of England, had, with
all Normandy, appertained to France, and been under the obedience of
her kings for 215 years from the time when king Philip, grandfather to
saint Louis, acquired it from king John of England, by judgment of the
peers of France, in right of confiscation.
King Henry, the day after his entry, had Alain Blanchart, who had been
the leader of the populace, beheaded: the two others escaped punishment
by dint of money. The garrison were ordered to march out by the gate
leading toward the Seine, and were escorted by the English as far as
the bridge of St George, where they were searched by commissaries
from the king, who took from them all their money, with every thing
valuable, giving them in return only two sols. Some of the gentlemen
were even stripped of their handsome robes, made of martin skins, or
embroidered with gold, and others of less value given them in return.
This conduct was noticed by those of the garrison who were in the
rear; and foreseeing the same would be done to them, they quietly,
and unobserved, threw into the Seine many purses full of gold, silver
and jewels. Others, to avoid being plundered, had sewed up their money
within the waistbands of their breeches. When they had all passed the
bridge of St George, they kept together until they came to Pontoise,
where they separated, and went to different parts, excepting the
nobles, who joined the king of France and the duke of Burgundy at
Provins.
Sir Guy le Bouteiller, who had been governor of Rouen, turned to the
English, with several of his men, and took the oaths of allegiance to
the king of England, deserting his own natural lord the king of France,
for which he was much blamed by the French, and even by the English.
Sir Guy was a native of Normandy, and not only had his estates restored
to him, but was appointed deputy to the duke of Glocester, the new
governor of Rouen.
The surrender of this town spread such an alarm and fear of the king of
England throughout the whole of Normandy and the adjacent countries,
as far as Pontoise, Beauvais and Abbeville, that the greater part
of the chief towns and castles submitted to him without offering any
resistance, or even striking a blow; such as Caudebec, Monstieriller,
Dieppe, Fêcamp, Argues, Neuf-Châtel, Denicourt, Eu, Monchaulx,--and
on the other side of the Seine, Vernon, Mantes, Gournay, Honfleur,
Pont au de Mer, Château Molineaux, le Treict, Tancarville, Abrechier,
Maulevrier, Valmont, Neufville, Bellaucombre, Fontaines le Bourc,
Preaulx, Nogondouville, Logempré, St Germain sur Cailly, Baudemont,
Bray, Villeterre, Charles Maisnil, les Boules Guillencourt,
Ferifontaines, le Becq Crepin, Bacqueville,--and many more, in which
the king of England placed his own garrisons.
From that time, the inhabitants of these countries wore a red cross as
a badge, and several bore arms for the English; not indeed those of
great authority, for it was not then become the custom for gentlemen
or nobles to join the English. The inhabitants of Rouen in general
took the oath of fidelity before the commissioners, at least all who
intended to reside there; and they individually gave security to pay
whatever they should be assessed to make up the sum of three hundred
and sixty-five golden crowns before mentioned.
None were permitted to go out of the town without a billet from the
king; and the same was practised in all the other towns under his
obedience. These billets cost four sols each, French money; and by this
means large sums were raised, to the advantage of the king and his
ministers.
CHAP. XVII.
THE CASTLE OF COUCY IS TAKEN BY THE PRISONERS CONFINED THEREIN, AND
THE GOVERNOR, PETER DE SAINT TREILLE, KILLED.--OTHER MATTERS.
About Candlemas in this same year, Peter de Saint Treille, governor
of the castle of Coucy for the duke of Orleans, prisoner in England,
was betrayed by some of his servants, namely, his taylor and marshal.
They had entered into a conspiracy with the Burgundians, numbers of
whom were confined in this castle, and had suffered many to escape:
they went with others secretly by night to knock at the window of the
governor's apartment in the great tower. A varlet who slept in the
apartment arose, and, opening the window, demanded what they wanted:
upon this, the taylor replied, that he had within his room a piece of
his master's robe, which he had just cut out. On the door being opened,
six persons with stout staves burst into the apartment, and murdered
the governor and his servant.
They went thence to another tower, wherein were confined the
lord de Maucourt en Santerre, Lyonnet de Bournouville, and other
gentlemen,--from whom having obtained certain promises, they set them
at liberty.
After this, with one common accord, they seized and killed the watch
porters, and all who were not of their party, shouting with a loud
voice, 'Burgundy for ever!'
A gentleman, named Brutel de Humerculles, was confined with his servant
in the great tower; but hearing this cry, they burst open the doors of
the dungeon, and got upon the drawbridge.
While this was passing, La Hire, who was in the town with a body of
men at arms, being told what had happened by some of the garrison who
had escaped over the walls, and also by a trumpeter that was posted
on the leads of the castle, sounding to arms, marched his men to the
bridge, thinking to reconquer it: but Brutel found means to ascend to
the leads, and flung down on them stones so fast, and the others who
had been prisoners made so vigorous a defence, that La Hire and those
with him, seeing their attempt was now fruitless, retired with his men
within the town until it should be day.
They then armed themselves again, packed up their baggage, and mounted
their horses; and alter they had cruelly put to death sixty prisoners
who were under confinement in the town, they departed for Guise.
This very much rejoiced those who had won the castle, and they
instantly examined into its strength and the great wealth it contained.
They dispatched messengers to sir John de Luxembourg to come to their
aid, who, without delay, collected as many men at arms as he could, and
set out for Coucy.
In the mean time, those who had sent for him resolved, nevertheless,
not to let him enter the castle until he should promise that all the
riches it contained should belong to them; and for this purpose, they
sent the lord de Maucourt to meet him and declare their intentions, but
who, in good truth, was afraid of telling him their resolution.
On the arrival of sir John de Luxembourg before the castle, to his
great surprise, it was not instantly opened to him, for the reasons
above mentioned; and he was so displeased that he caused the lord de
Maucourt to be arrested, reproaching him with a design of betraying
him,--and if an executioner had been present, or any one who would have
done the office, he would have had him immediately beheaded. Shortly
after, however, through fear of him and his men, those within the
castle opened its gates, and admitted him, excusing themselves for the
delay the best way they could. He directly new-garrisoned it; and with
regard to its wealth, he seized the greater part, and those who had
conquered it were not much enriched thereby.
At this time, the frontiers of Normandy, as far as Pontoise, Clermont,
Beauvais, Mondidier, Bretueil, Amiens, Abbeville and St Valery, were
overrun by the English, and wasted by fire and sword: sometimes, in
their excursions, they carried off prisoners and considerable booties.
The Normans now generally wore the red cross, which served them as a
passport to go whither they pleased in security; and the Dauphinois
also adopted the same badge. The party of the king and the duke of
Burgundy were not idle; and thus the noble realm of France was, in
divers places, torn in pieces by three different factions. The clergy
and poor people were left defenceless, and had no other resource
than to offer up their prayers lamentably to God their Creator, and
patiently to wait his benign grace and pity.
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.
While the king of France and the duke of Burgundy resided at Provins,
an embassy, consisting of the earls of Warwick and Kent, was sent
to them by the king of England. They were escorted by a party of
Burgundians, but, on the road, were attacked, close to Chammes in Brie,
by Tanneguy du Châtel and the Dauphinois,--who at first succeeded in
gaining some of the horses and baggage of the ambassadors, but in the
end were defeated, leaving upwards of forty men at arms dead on the
field. The remainder, with Tanneguy, retreated to Meaux.
After the English had conferred with the duke of Burgundy and the
king's ministers at Provins, they returned to the king of England at
Rouen.
To afford satisfaction to the Parisians, Philip count de St Pol, nephew
to the duke of Burgundy, and about fifteen years of age, was sent
thither, and appointed king's lieutenant thereof: he was accompanied by
master Eustace de Lactre, chancellor of France, who was to reside in
Paris, and direct every measure as well respecting justice as war.
Le veau de Bar, bailiff of Auxois, was deprived of the provostship of
Paris, and sir Giles de Clamessy nominated in his room.
At this period, Hector de Saveuses collected a great body of men at
arms at Pont de Remy, whom he marched against the castle of Monchaulx,
in the county of Eu, held by the English. On their approach, the
garrison made a vigorous sally, and a severe skirmish ensued, in which
the governor made Hector prisoner, and carried him off some distance;
but he was rescued by his men, who killed about a dozen of the
English, and took a gentleman of arms called Jovancherum. After this,
they all returned to Pont de Remy.
In like manner, sir Louis Burnel, his brother Guichard, Guavain and
Jean de Hersellames, with several other gentlemen who were in the town
of Gamaches, kept up a sharp warfare against the English, often killing
them, or making prisoners, and plundering all they met. They also
sorely harrassed the towns and peasants who had turned to the enemy.
On the other hand, sir John de Luxembourg was hard pressed on the
frontiers to resist the enterprises that were daily made on him by La
Hire, Poton de Santrailles, and other captains of the dauphin's party.
He was also charged with the defence of the fortresses toward Roye and
Mondidier, against those of Compiegne, which obliged him to keep up a
very large force of men at arms in those countries.
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.
The dauphin, on gaining Tours, made that place his residence, and
carried on from thence a vigorous war on Chartres and other places
under the subjection of the duke of Burgundy. The town of Bonneval
surrendered to his arms, as did several more in the country of the
Chartrain.
During these unfortunate times, Lyonnet de Bournouville, brother-in-law
to the lord de l'Isle-Adam, marshal of France, and Daviod de Gouy,
both very expert in arms, had posted themselves in Gisors, near to
the frontier of the English, to whom they did much mischief. They had
information that about eight hundred of the Irish were quartered in
Ferrifontaine, together with about two hundred English. They formed a
plan to attack their quarters during the night; and when they executed
it, found them all disarmed, fast asleep, and without any guard. Their
attack was so sudden, that very many were instantly killed; but the
others, hearing their cries, barricaded and defended their houses the
best way they could, when their enemies set them on fire. In short,
what with killed and burnt, there remained four hundred dead on the
spot, and one hundred were made prisoners, the rest saved themselves as
they could in the adjacent woods. With their prisoners and plunder, the
Burgundians returned to Gisors in great joy for their victory.
About Palm-Sunday, the king and queen of France and the duke of
Burgundy, with their households, went to reside at Troyes in Champagne,
where they were most honourably received by the inhabitants, and
celebrated the feast of Easter there in company with a large retinue of
nobles.
[A.D. 1419.]
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.
In the beginning of this year, sir John de Luxembourg, accompanied by
Hector de Saveuses and about six hundred combatants, marched through
the Vermandois, Laonnois and Rheimois, to meet his brother, the count
de Conversan, in the county of Brienne. On their junction, they made
a severe war on the Dauphinois, who, a little before had wasted that
country, and burnt the suburbs of Vitry. They also overran great part
of the Barrois, toward Grand Pré.