the greater number of his men together with his banner, under the
command of Hector de Saveuses. Fifteen days after this, Hector, with
the consent of the count de Conversan, set out with about three
hundred combatants, and the banner, on his return to Artois; but, on
passing through Champagne, he was surprised by the Dauphinois, who
had posted themselves in Montagu. Notwithstanding the Dauphinois were
inferior in numbers, they conquered Hector and won the banner: many
were killed and one hundred taken, with a quantity of baggage, all
of which they carried back with them to Montagu; but the men at arms
saved themselves by the goodness of their horses, with their commander
Hector, who retreated very melancholy at his ill success toward the
Artois. The Dauphinois brought only about forty prisoners to Montagu,
who within a month perished in prison, not without suspicion of being
poisoned, excepting a few who had been set at liberty, to seek for
their ransoms.
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.
About the middle of April, the English ambassadors, who had been lately
at Provins, returned to the king of France and the duke of Burgundy
at Troyes in Champagne,--when a treaty was negotiated so far that a
truce was agreed on between the two kings, to last for a certain space
of time, in the expectation that more conclusive measures would be
adopted; and a day was fixed on for the negotiation to be continued on
both sides, near to the town of Meulan.
When this had been settled, the ambassadors went back to their king at
Rouen; and within a short time afterward, the king and queen of France,
with their daughter, the princess Catherine, and the duke of Burgundy,
escorted by a powerful body of men at arms, came to Pontoise. On
their arrival, according to the measures that had been agreed on with
the said ambassadors, they ordered a large inclosure to be made with
planks, within which the conferences were to be carried on: it was also
surrounded with a deep ditch, having one side on the bank of the Seine.
There were several entrances, well secured by three barriers; and tents
and pavilions were pitched within, for the lords to repose themselves
in.
They then had proper arrangements made in the adjacent villages for the
lodging the attendants and equipages of the ambassadors. At this time
the king of England had advanced from Rouen to Mantes.
When the day appointed for the conference was come, notwithstanding the
king of France was much indisposed as to his health, the queen, the
princess Catherine, the duke of Burgundy and the count de St Pol, with
the members of the council, escorted by a thousand combatants, went to
the place of conference near to Meulan, and entered the tents that were
without the inclosure.
Soon after, the king of England arrived, attended by his brothers, the
dukes of Clarence and Glocester, and a thousand men at arms. He entered
the tent that had been pitched for him, as the others had done; and
when they were about to commence the conference, the queen on the right
hand, followed by the lady Catherine, the duke of Burgundy, and the
count de St Pol, entered the inclosure. In like manner did the king of
England, with his brothers and council, by another opening, and, with a
most respectful obeisance, saluted the queen, and then kissed her and
the lady Catherine. After this, the duke of Burgundy saluted the king,
bending his knee a little and inclining his head; but the king took him
by the hand, embraced him, and shewed him great respect.
They then entered the tent appointed for the conference, the king
leading the queen, where they staid a very considerable time. Their men
at arms were drawn up without the paling; but a sufficient number of
guards were within side, to prevent any improper persons, or such as
were not especially ordered, from entering it.
After they had remained in conference a long time, they separated,
taking most respectful leaves of each other; and one party returned to
Pontoise, and the other to Mantes.
On the morrow three weeks, they again met there, and remained together
for several days, in the same state, and with the same number of
persons, as before, with the exception of the lady Catherine, who had
been brought the first time that the king of England might see her, and
who was not now present. King Henry was very desirous to marry her, and
not without cause, for she was very handsome, of high birth, and of the
most engaging manners.
During their meetings, several matters were brought forward, in the
hope of concluding a solid peace. It frequently happened that one party
was more grandly attended than the other, and at other times less;
and although the English and French were quartered close together,
there was never the smallest riot or quarrel between them,--and they
exchanged provision with each other. This conference, however, ended
in nothing, from the demands of the king of England, in regard to the
portion of the lady Catherine, being as exorbitant as before.
The dauphin, during the holding of this conference, with the intent of
seducing the duke of Burgundy, sent Tanneguy du Châtel to propose a
treaty of peace with him, although the duke had before made repeated
offers of the same. When the conference was broken off, the inclosure
was destroyed, the tents and pavilions pulled down,--and the two
parties returned to Pontoise and Mantes.
The king of England was much displeased at the breaking off the
conference, as it prevented him from gaining his ends, and was very
indignant against the duke of Burgundy, whom he considered as the
cause of it, he being the principal leader of the government. The last
day they were together, seeing that his demands would not be complied
with as to his marriage with the lady Catherine, he said to the duke
of Burgundy, 'Fair cousin, we wish you to know that we will have the
daughter of your king, and all that we have asked, or we will drive him
and you out of his kingdom.' The duke replied, 'Sire, you are pleased
to say so; but before you can drive my lord and me out of his kingdom,
I make no doubt but that you will be heartily tired.'
Many more words passed, which would be too tedious to report; and,
taking leave of each other, they separated, and went different ways.
Within a few days, sir John de Luxembourg came to Pontoise with a large
body of men at arms, which he had assembled from Picardy by orders of
the duke of Burgundy, to escort him to Melun, where he was to meet the
dauphin; for the ambassadors from each had advanced their treaty so
far, that they had fixed on a place and day for their principals to
meet and conclude it. In compliance with the above, the dauphin had
departed from Tours, and was come to Melun, by Montargis, with a large
force of men at arms.
In like manner, the duke of Burgundy had left Pontoise, attended by
his nephew, the young count de St Pol, sir John de Luxembourg, many
great lords, and a numerous body of men at arms, and went to Corbeil.
The lady of Giac, who had been the chief manager to bring about this
reconciliation, was also in company with the duke.
On the morrow, the 11th day of July, the two parties took the field
with their whole force, and met about a league from Melun, near to
Pouilly le Fort. When they were about two bow-shots distant from each
other, they halted their men, and, attended by about ten persons each,
whom they had selected, they rode forward between the two battalions,
and dismounted. On the duke of Burgundy's approaching the dauphin, he
inclined his body most humbly several times; and the dauphin doing the
same, took the hand of the duke, who was on his knees, and kissed it,
and wished to make him rise, but he would not, saying, 'My lord, I know
how I ought to demean myself when speaking to you;' but the dauphin,
in the mean while, raised him up, and pardoned him for any offences he
might have committed against him, adding, 'Fair cousin, should there be
any articles in the treaty that has been drawn up between us that you
dislike, we will that it be altered; and henceforth doubt not but that
our wishes shall be ever the same as yours.'
In short after much conversation between these princes and their
attendants, they swore to preserve for ever a peace between them; on
which the two battalions, joining together, shouted for joy, and cursed
all who should ever again bear arms in so damnable a quarrel. When
they had remained some time together, mutually shewing each other the
greatest affection, the dauphin mounted his horse, the duke of Burgundy
holding the stirrup, notwithstanding the dauphin frequently requested
him to desist. The duke then mounted, and, having rode a short way
together, they took an affectionate leave, and separated: the dauphin
went to Tours, and the duke to Corbeil.
Here follows a copy of the treaty that was concluded between them.
'Charles son to the king of France, dauphin of Vienne, duke of Berry
and of Tours, count de Poitiers, and John duke of Burgundy, count of
Flanders and Artois, palatine of Burgundy, lord of Salines and of
Mechlin, to all who these presents shall see or hear of, greeting.
Since by the unfortunate divisions that have for some time reigned
within this kingdom several hatreds and suspicions have arisen
within the hearts of ourselves, our vassals and our subjects, against
each other, the which effectually put a stop to any concord or
unanimous effort for the reformation of abuses that have crept into
the government, or to resist the damnable enterprises of our ancient
enemies the English, who under the shadow, and by means of these
divisions, have been hardy enough to advance into the middle of the
kingdom, and in fact have conquered, and do now occupy a great part of
the dominions of our lord the king, and may do still greater mischiefs,
should public affairs remain as they are at this moment.
'We make known, therefore, that considering what infinite evils might
result from these divisions unless put an end to, even to the total
perdition of the kingdom, which, though severe to all, would fall most
heavy on us, who are bounden by every tie to provide a remedy against
so great a misfortune.
'In consequence, we have entered into terms of pacification, and are
now assembled with the unanimous intent of concluding a peace,--first
in honour of God, and for the love of peace, to which every good
Catholic ought to incline, and to relieve the poor people who have
suffered many grievous oppressions from these said divisions.
'We have therefore promised and sworn, in the presence of the reverend
father in God, Alain, bishop of Léon in Brittany, sent to us for this
purpose by the holy apostolical see of Rome, on part of the true cross,
and on the holy evangelists by us touched, on condition of failure to
be deprived of Paradise, and on the word of honour of a prince, to
observe and punctually maintain every article of the treaty of peace
made between us.
'And in the first place, I John duke of Burgundy, so long as I shall
live, do promise and swear, that, after the person of my lord the king,
I will honour and obey, from the bottom of my heart, the person of the
dauphin, and will not suffer any thing knowingly to be done to his
prejudice, but will aid and support him and his measures to the utmost
of my power, and will conduct myself toward him as becomes a loyal and
kind relative; and I will always advertise him of any thing that may be
attempted to injure him.
'And should it happen that any person, whatever may be his rank,
undertake a war against him, I will serve him with my whole forces, in
the same manner as if the war had been mine own.
'In like manner, I Charles the dauphin, so long as it may please God
to grant us life, having put out of our memory all remembrance of past
actions, do promise, very sincerely to love our very dear and well
beloved cousin the duke of Burgundy,--and in all that concerns him will
treat him as our near and loyal relative, and procure for him all the
good he may desire, and ward off every evil. Should any one attempt to
injure him of his estates, we will aid and support him to the utmost of
our power, when he shall call on us, against all persons whatever: even
if any of our blood and kindred should, on account of matters that have
passed some time since, pretend to injure him or his dominions, we will
exert ourselves to the utmost in his support, and defend him against
them.
'Item, we Charles the dauphin and John duke of Burgundy do undertake
henceforward the government of public affairs for the good of the
realm, without harbouring any envy or jealousy of each other; and
should any of our officers make to us reports contrary to our honour,
and likely to create a division between us, we mutually engage to give
information thereof, and not to put any faith in such reports.
'As true and loyal subjects to our lord the king, and to the crown of
France, we will earnestly exert ourselves to drive the enemy out of
the kingdom, and to repair the mischiefs done by him as speedily as
possible; and we will neither of us enter into any treaty or alliance
with him, without the approbation and consent of the other; for we
engage that henceforth all our alliances shall comprehend both of us.
Should any treaties or alliances have been made with the said enemy,
or with others, prejudicial to our personal interests, we will and
agree that all such shall be and are annulled: all which things we do
faithfully promise and swear to observe, without any fraud or covin
whatever.
'Should either of the parties wish to infringe or break this present
treaty, which God forbid! then we will and order that all vassals,
subjects and servants of the person who shall thus break it, do not
obey his orders, but do aid and support his opponent; and in this case
they shall be absolved from all oaths of allegiance and service,--and
in times to come, no blame or reproach shall ever be cast upon them or
their heirs for so doing.
'For the further security of this treaty, we willed and ordered, that
our principal vassals and servants should swear to the observance of
every article; and they instantly did take the oath prescribed, at the
hands of the said bishop of Léon, in as much as it concerned them, and
that they would use their utmost endeavours to preserve union between
us; and should any appearance of coolness arise, they would immediately
strictly perform their duty by giving information thereof under their
seals.
'Our faithful and well beloved servants, hereafter mentioned, by orders
from us the dauphin, have sworn to the above on the holy evangelists,
namely, sir James de Bourbon, master Robert le Masson, late chancellor,
the viscount de Narbonne, the lords de Barbasan, d'Espaignon, du
Bosquaige, de Montenay, de Gamaches, sir Tanneguy du Châtel, sir John
Louvet, president of Provence, Guillaume de Margouin, Hue de Noyeries,
Jean de Mesnil, Pierre Frotier, Guichard de Bourdon and Collart de la
Vuigne.
'On the part of the duke of Burgundy, his well beloved and loyal
servants the count de St Pol, sir John de Luxembourg, sir Archambault
de Saxe, the lord de Nouaille, the lord d'Autun, sir Thibault de
Neuf-chatel, the lord de Montagu, sir John de la Trimouille, Guillaume
de Vienne, sir Pierre de Bauffremont grand prior of France, sir
Gaultier des Ruppes, sir Charles de Lens, John lord of Coctebrune
marshal of Burgundy, John lord de Toulongeon, Regnier Pot, Pierre lord
of Giac, Anthony de Toulongeon, Guillaume de Champdivers, Philip de
Jossequin and Nicolle Raullin.
'And for greater security of the above treaty, we will and consent
that the princes of our blood, ecclesiastics, and the magistrates
of the principal towns, do likewise swear to the observance of the
different articles, which we, on our part mutually and individually,
do faithfully promise to keep; and should we, or any of those who may
take the said oath fail to observe it, we submit ourselves and them
to our holy mother the church, and to our sacred father the pope, or
to any persons deputed by him, to inflict on us their interdict or
excommunication, or any other punishment that may be appointed for our
said breach of promise.
'In testimony whereof, we have each of us signed this treaty with our
own hands, and have added our seals. Given at our place of meeting on
the Ponchiel, one league distant from Melun, and very near to Poilly le
Fort, on Tuesday, the 11th day of July, in the year of Grace 1419.'
CHAP. XXII.
THE TREATY OF PEACE CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE DAUPHIN AND THE DUKE OF
BURGUNDY IS PROCLAIMED THROUGH DIVERS PARTS OF FRANCE.--OTHER MATTERS.
On the morrow after the conclusion of this peace, the dauphin left
Melun with his whole force, and went by Tours to Partenay, which he
had before held besieged, by the count de Vertus and others of his
captains, because the lord de Partenay had been ever attached to the
duke of Burgundy. He ordered the count to break up the siege, and to
make every preparation to carry on the war against the English.
The duke of Burgundy returned to Pontoise, where he gave great joy
to the king and queen of France by his intelligence of the happy
reconciliation that had taken place. From Pontoise, the duke conducted
the king and queen, with their state, to reside at St Denis, leaving
the guard of Pontoise to the lord de l'Isle-Adam, marshal of France,
and giving him a large sum of money to pay the men at arms that should
garrison that town.
When the articles of the peace were made public, the greater part of
the nobles, clergy and people were much rejoiced, flattering themselves
that there would be an end of the heavy persecution they had suffered
from a war that had lasted for such a length of time. People of both
parties began to traffic, and to visit each other. In many of the
principal towns the commonalty assembled and shouted for joy, making at
the same time large bonfires in the squares, more particularly at Paris.
On the 20th day of July, the archbishop of Sens brought the treaty to
Paris and presented it to the lords of the court of parliament, of the
requests, and of the chamber of accounts; where it was read by master
Nicolle Raullin, in the presence of master Robert Mailliere and master
John Champion, both secretaries to the dauphin. When it had been read,
the archbishop produced an edict from the king, by which he ordered a
general oblivion of all crimes that had been perpetrated in consequence
of the late intestine divisions, and directed that every person whose
properties had been confiscated should be restored to their possession,
with the exception of the moveables.
The duke of Burgundy was to appoint a governor of Partenay, for the
defence of Poitou, that was well inclined to the dauphin; and all
garrisons were ordered to be removed, excepting from those towns and
castles on the borders near to where the English lay.
Letters were then produced from the dauphin, which were incorporated
with those of the king, by which he consented, agreed to, and promised
to observe all the articles of the treaty, and to conform to the royal
edict.
In like manner, Raullin produced similar letters from the duke of
Burgundy. When these different papers had been read and verified, the
lords of the parliament and all present swore to keep this peace, which
was now proclaimed in Paris and elsewhere. On the morrow, a solemn
procession was made to the church of St Martin des Champs, to return
thanks to Heaven for the above peace.
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.
We must now return to the king of England. When king Henry heard of a
peace being concluded between the dauphin and the duke of Burgundy,
he was not very well pleased, for he was aware how much stronger they
would be by their union than when divided.
Notwithstanding this, he determined to pursue his enterprise in spite
of all obstacles, and considered, that if he could gain Pontoise, it
would be very advantageous to him.
He summoned his most trusty captains, and those who had attended the
late embassy to Pontoise, and declared to them his intentions: they
replied, that in whatever he should be pleased to command them,
they would exert themselves to the utmost, without regarding their
lives or fortunes, or the difficulties and hardships they might have
to encounter. The king then nominated those who were to be of the
expedition against Pontoise.
They arrived on the last day of July, between day-break and sun-rise,
at one of the gates of Pontoise, and might be about three thousand
combatants. The gate was not open, and some of them scaled the walls by
means of ladders, without alarming the guard, and instantly opened the
gate, so that their whole army entered, shouting 'Saint George!' 'The
town is taken!'
At this cry, there was a general alarm, and the lord de l'Isle-Adam
awakened, who, without delay, armed himself, mounted his horse, and,
with some of his men, hastened to where the shoutings came from; but
when he saw the English so numerous within the place, he speedily
returned to his quarters to pack up his effects and money, and, with
many of the principal inhabitants, went to the gate leading to Paris,
which was still closed,--but he had it forced open, and, with about
ten thousand of the townsmen, in despair and affliction, took the
road toward Paris. Several of them carried away their most precious
articles, such as plate and jewels, and, having separated from the
others to go toward Beauvais, were robbed of their effects by Jean de
Guigny and Jean du Clau.
The English, meeting with no resistance, treated the place as a
conquered town, and did innumerable mischiefs: they gained great
riches, for the town was full of wealth. The principal commander of
this expedition was the captal de Buch, brother to the count de Foix.
The whole country of France, more particularly those parts nearer to
Paris were infinitely alarmed at this conquest; and the inhabitants
within the Isle de France began to quit their dwellings in all haste.
When the news of it was brought to St Denis, where the king of France
and the duke of Burgundy held their court, they instantly departed,
and, by way of Provins, hastened to Troyes in Champagne, accompanied by
the queen, the lady Catherine, and many others of the nobility. They
left in Paris, for its government, the count de St Pol, master Eustace
de Lactre chancellor, and the lord de l'Isle-Adam marshal of France.
This last, so soon as he could assemble a sufficient body of men at
arms, posted himself with them in garrison at Beauvais, to oppose the
English in that quarter, where they were daily making inroads. The
lord de l'Isle-Adam was, however, greatly blamed for having kept so
negligent a guard at Pontoise; and the ministers of the dauphin were
particularly dissatisfied with him.
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.
Shortly after, the king of England caused the town of Gisors to be
besieged by his brother the duke of Clarence, in which as governors
were Lyonnet de Bournouville and Daviod de Gouy. When the siege
had lasted for three weeks, the town, being in want of provisions,
surrendered to the duke of Clarence, on condition that the garrison
should march away with all their baggage, and that the inhabitants
should place themselves under the obedience of the king of England, and
take the oaths of fidelity to him. The garrison departed, and joined
the lord de l'Isle-Adam at Beauvais.
The English who had gained Gisors, within a few days, laid siege to
St Martin le Gaillart, in which place were Regnault de Fontaines, sir
Karados de Quesnes, and some others, who had always been attached to
the party of the dauphin and the duke of Orleans: a valiant captain,
named sir Philip Les, was the governor.