lord de Gamaches in Compiegne, who at that time was its governor, and
earnestly entreated him to assemble a body of men to raise the siege
of Saint Martin. The lord de Gamaches collected a large force in as
short a time as he could, and summoned the brothers Anthony and Hugh
de Beaussault, and many other gentlemen, partisans of the dauphin,
as well as of the duke of Burgundy, so that they amounted to near
sixteen hundred combatants. With this army he marched for St Martin,
and about sun rise came near to the place, when, drawing up his men in
battle-array, he detached four hundred of them to attack and win the
barriers which the English had erected.
About sixty English were on guard at these barriers, and defended them
manfully; but they were defeated, and put to death, except a few who
saved themselves by flight. The lord de Gamaches, at the head of his
army, now attacked the town, but the greater part of the English had
retired with their horses within a large church, and fought valiantly.
The lord de Gamaches, apprehensive that the enemy might be soon
reinforced, as the English were spread over the country, set fire to
the castle, and carried the garrison safely away.
On this occasion, Anthony de Beaussault, Gilles de Rouvroy, and some
others, were created knights.
Within eight days after the earl of Huntingdon, governor of Gournay
in Normandy, assembled about two thousand English from the troops on
the borders, and led them to a considerable village named Poix, where
they quartered themselves and did much damage. Thence they marched
to Bretueil, to make a grand attack on the abbey; and because some
of their men were killed, they set fire to the town, which was very
strongly built, and retreated toward Clermont. They won the tower of
Vendueil, and burnt it; and after destroying the country with fire and
sword, they marched back to Gournay, carrying with them many prisoners
and much plunder.
On the other hand, sir Philip Les, before mentioned, had fixed his
quarters at Eu and Monchaulx, and made excursions from Abbeville to
Pont de Remy, over the whole of Vimeu, so that the country was greatly
desolated. Sir James de Harcourt, who resided at Crotoy, and Hector
de Saveuses, with the garrison of Pont de Remy, put a check to these
excursions as much as in them lay; as did also sir Louis de Thiembronne
and those with him in garrison at Gamaches.
CHAP. XXV.
THE KING OF ENGLAND HAS THE FORTRESSES OF CHASTEAU-GAILLARD AND OF LA
ROCHE-GUYON BESIEGED.--THEY ARE CONQUERED.--OTHER MATTERS.
The king of England, about this time, ordered the castles of Château
Gaillard and of La Roche-Guyon to be besieged, which are the two
strongest places in Normandy, and were garrisoned by the party of the
dauphin.
At the end of two months, La Roche-Guyon surrendered, with the consent
of the lady who was within it, to king Henry, who immediately gave it
to sir Guy Bouteiller, and was desirous of giving him also the lady in
marriage; but she would not consent, and marched away from that country
with all her men.
Château-Gaillard held out for the king of France sixteen months, and
then surrendered in consequence of the cords being worn out with which
they drew up their water. Sir Olivier de Manny was the governor,
having with him six score gentlemen at the utmost; and the siege was
carried on by the earls of Huntingdon and Kyme.
While these things were passing, many of the Dauphinois and Burgundians
had frequent intercourse with each other since the peace, hoping that
it would last for ever, and often assembled in parties to attempt to
drive the English, the ancient enemies of France, from their conquests;
but dame Fortune provided in such wise that, within a very few days, a
more rancorous hatred arose between them than ever, as shall be fully
related hereafter.
CHAP. XXVI.
THE DAUPHIN COMES TO MONTEREAU-FAUT-YONNE WITH A POWERFUL ARMY, AND
SUMMONS THITHER THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, WHO IS CRUELLY MURDERED.
When Charles duke of Touraine and dauphin had visited his duchies of
Berry and Touraine, he marched to Montereau-faut-Yonne with about
twenty thousand combatants. Soon after his arrival, he dispatched sir
Tanneguy du Châtel, with others of his confidential servants, to Troyes
in Champagne, with letters written by himself to the duke of Burgundy.
In them he addresses the duke most affectionately on the affairs of
the realm, and concludes by desiring that he would come to him at
Montereau, where they could more fully discuss what related to public
affairs.
The duke for some days deferred giving any answer, saying, that the
dauphin ought to come to his father the king, and the queen at Troyes,
and often remonstrated with Tanneguy how much more proper it would be
for him to come thither to discuss all that related to the good of the
realm. Sir Tanneguy, upon this, returned to the dauphin with the answer
he had received; but in the end, the dauphin and his ministers resolved
to remain at Montereau.
Sir Tanneguy returned to Troyes, and at length prevailed on the duke
to come as far as Bray sur Seine, whither many messages were sent from
both sides. The dauphin dispatched to the duke the bishop of Valence,
brother to the bishop of Langres, who was one of the duke's principal
advisers: his name was Charles de Poitiers. The bishop of Valence, on
his arrival at Bray, frequently conversed with the duke, and admonished
him to wait on the dauphin, saying, that he need not have any fears
or suspicions of mischief happening to him. His brother supported him
in these remonstrances, adding, that he might loyally go, and that he
would act unwisely if he refused so to do. This bishop, however, was
perfectly ignorant of what happened afterward, and gave his advice with
the most upright intentions.
At length, in consequence of these remonstrances, and the assurances of
sir Tanneguy du Châtel, the duke ordered preparations to be made for
his departure, and set out from Bray to wait on the dauphin, attended
by the bishop of Langres and his council on Sunday the 10th day of
September 1419. He was escorted by about five hundred men at arms and
two hundred archers, under the command of sir Charles, de Lens admiral
of France, and James de la Barne master of the cross-bows. There were
many lords in his company, such as Charles eldest son to the duke of
Bourbon, the lord de Nouaille brother to the count de Foix, John son to
the count de Fribourg, the lord de St George, sir Anthony du Vergy, the
lord de Joinville, the lord d'Ancre, the lord de Montagu, sir Guy de
Pontailler, and many more.
They rode joyously on until they came near to Montereau, about three
o'clock in the afternoon, when three of the duke's dependants came
thence to meet him, sir Anthony de Toulongeon, Jean d'Ermay and
Saubretier. They told him they were come from the town, and had noticed
on the bridge, where the conferences were to be held, several new
barriers erected much to the advantage of the dauphin's party, and
advised him to take care of himself,--for if he should enter within
them he would be in danger from the dauphin.
The duke, on hearing this, called a council on horseback to know what
were best to be done. The opinions were divided, for many suspected
what might happen, and the reports they had just heard confirmed them
in their fears: others, who imagined no evil, advised the duke to
proceed and wait on the dauphin, saying, they could never suppose that
a prince, son to the king of France, and successor to his crown, would
harbour any thoughts but such as became his rank.
The duke, hearing such diversity of opinions, declared aloud, that he
would proceed and wait whatever it might please God to ordain, adding,
that he would never suffer his courage to be any way doubted, and that
the peace and reformation of the kingdom and government might by his
failure be delayed; for he well knew that if any quarrel or dissention
should arise between them, the fault would be all thrown on him.
He continued his march, and dismounted at the gate of the castle of
Montereau--which leads to the open fields; for this castle had been,
by orders of the dauphin's ministers, appointed for the lodgings of
himself and his men, that he might not have any suspicions of mischief
being intended. All the principal lords dismounted with him; and two
hundred men at arms and one hundred archers were selected as his guard.
The lady of Giac accompanied him, who, as has been said before, had
made some journeys to the dauphin on matters between the duke and him:
she had chiefly persuaded the duke to come to Montereau, remonstrating
that there could not be any fear of treasonable practices against him.
The duke was very much attached to this lady, and put full confidence
in all she said. He gave her in charge, with part of his jewels, to
Philip Josquin, as to the most faithful of his servants.
As soon as he was within the castle, he ordered Jacques de la Baume to
post all his men at arms at the entrance of the gate leading to the
town, for the better security of his person, and also to preserve the
articles of the convention. In the mean time sir Tanneguy du Châtel
came to him to say that the dauphin was ready and waiting for him. He
replied, that he was going to him; and then calling to those who were
to attend him, forbade all others to follow excepting such as had been
so ordered.
The duke was accompanied by ten persons, namely, Charles de Bourbon,
the lord de Nouaille, John de Fribourg, the lord de St George, the
lord de Montagu, sir Anthony du Vergy, the lord d'Ancre, sir Guy de
Pontailler, sir Charles de Lens, sir Peter de Giac, and a secretary,
named Pierre Seguinat. In company with the above, he advanced to the
front of the first barrier on the bridge, when many of the dauphin's
people came to meet him, and again renewed the promises and oaths that
had been taken before: they said, 'Come to my lord: he is waiting for
you on the bridge;' and then they returned toward the dauphin.
The duke demanded from his companions if they thought he might in
safety advance to the dauphin, on the securities offered him. They,
having upright intentions, answered, that certainly he might proceed
with safety, considering the promises and assurances given by so many
noble persons on each side, adding, that they were willing to run the
same risk as he should. On this answer, he advanced, ordering some of
his attendants to keep close behind him, and entered the first barrier,
where he found others of the dauphin's men, who again said, 'Hasten to
my lord, for he is waiting for you.' He replied, 'I am going to him,'
and entered the second barrier, which was instantly closed and locked
by those appointed to do it, so soon as he and his company were within
it.
As he advanced, he met sir Tanneguy du Châtel, and, from affection,
slapped him on the shoulder, saying to the lord de St George, 'This is
he in whom I trust.' He then passed on until he approached the dauphin,
who was completely armed and girth with his sword, and leaning on
one of the barriers: when near, to pay him greater honour, the duke
dropped on one knee, and most respectfully saluted him. The dauphin,
however, made no return, nor shewed him the least sign of affection,
but reproached him for not having kept his promise of discontinuing
the war, and for not disbanding his forces from different garrisons,
according to his engagements. At the same time, sir Robert de Loire,
taking him by the right arm, said, 'Rise, for you are too great a man
thus to bend.' The duke, as has been said, was on his knee; and his
sword having turned too much behind him as he knelt down, he put his
hand to replace it properly, when sir Robert cried out, 'What! do you
put your hand to your sword in the presence of my lord the dauphin!!!'
During these words, sir Tanneguy du Châtel approached him on the
opposite side, and making a signal, saying, 'It is now time,' struck
the duke with a small battle-axe he had in his hand so roughly on the
face that he felled him on his knees, and cut off part of his chin.
The duke, on this, put his hand to his sword to draw it, and attempted
to rise to defend himself; but at the instant, Tanneguy with others
repeated their blows, and laid him dead. While he was on the ground,
Olivier Layet, assisted by Pierre Frotier thrust a sword under the
haubergeon into his belly.
The lord de Nouaille, seeing this, drew his sword half out, to defend
the duke; but the viscount de Narbonne held a dagger in his hand,
ready to strike him. The lord de Nouaille now turned toward him, and
vigorously wrested the dagger out of his hand: however, while he was
thus engaged, he received a blow from a battle-axe on the back part of
his head, which put an end to the scuffle and his life.
While these things were passing, the dauphin leant on the barrier,
looking on, but soon drew back, as one much frightened, when he was
immediately conducted to his lodgings by Jean Louvet, president of
Provence, and others his counsellors.
On the other hand, Jean de Fribourg drew his sword, but was soon forced
to drop it by dint of blows. In short, the whole of the ten, with the
secretary who had accompanied the duke of Burgundy, were without delay
made prisoners, excepting the lord de Nouaille, who was killed, and the
lord de Montagu, who escaped over the barriers to the castle. The lord
de St George was wounded in the side by the point of a battle-axe, and
the lord d'Ancre by a cut on the hand.
The lord de Montagu, when clear of the barriers, loudly cried out, 'To
arms!' upon which, sir Anthony de Toulongeon, sir Symon Othelimer,
Saubertier, and John Demay, with some others, hastened to the
barriers, and began to skirmish with their lances with those within
them. In this conflict, sir Symon was wounded in the head; for their
opponents, and the rest within the town, began to shoot lustily at them
with cross-bows: finding, therefore they could not gain entrance to the
barriers, they retreated to the castle.
Thus was the duke of Burgundy cruelly murdered, trusting to the
promises and securities of the duke de Touraine, dauphin of Vienne,
and his ministers. The act and the manner of perpetrating it were most
horrible; and the hearts of noble and worthy men, natives of France,
must suffer the greatest shame and grief thus to witness the noble
blood of the flower de luces, and princes so nearly allied destroy each
other; and the kingdom, by these and other acts done prior to this, put
to the infinite risk of changing its sovereign, and all things thrown
into confusion and peril.
The principal actors in this conspiracy against the duke of Burgundy
were Jean Louvet, president of Provence, the viscount de Narbonne,
sir Guillaume Batiller, sir Tanneguy du Châtel, sir François de
Grimaulx, sir Robert de Loire, Pierre Frotier, Olivier Layet, sir
Ponchon de Namac, seneschal of Auvergne, and several more. They had
for a considerable time before confederated, and sworn to bring the
matter to the conclusion they had just accomplished; and, as I have
been informed, they intended to have put their plan in execution at
the moment of the meeting of these two princes at Pouilly le Fort,
when peace was made between them,--but were then forced to abandon it
because the duke was too powerful in arms, and because the armies of
each were drawn up so near that great mischiefs must have ensued.
The lord de Joinville and the others in the castle of Montereau, to
whom the duke had confided the guard, were greatly alarmed, and not
without cause, when they noticed the conduct that was observed toward
their lord, whose real situation they were as yet ignorant of, and
those who had accompanied him. They were likewise very uneasy as to
themselves,--for they were unprovided with any stores of provision or
of ammunition, excepting what they had brought with them, which were
not in any great quantities; and before their arrival, the castle had
been dismantled of artillery, and every other store carried away. They
held many consultations, whether they should depart or not, but at
length determined to remain where they were until they should receive
more certain intelligence respecting their lord than they had hitherto
had. Notwithstanding the lords de Joinville and de Montagu most
earnestly and often begged of the duke's men to stay with them in the
castle, they would not listen to their words, but set off in haste, and
in a most disorderly manner galloped away for Bray sur Seine, whence
they had come that morning.
However, a large body of the dauphin's army pursued them, and killed
and wounded great numbers without any resistance. The lords de
Joinville and de Montagu remained, as I have said, in the castle,--and
with them sir Robert de Marigny, sir Philip de Servoiles, sir John de
Murat, the lord de Rosmat, John d'Ermay, John de Caumaisnil, Sabertier,
Philip de Montant, Regnault de Chevilly, Regnault de Rethel, Guillaume
de Biere, the lady of Giac and her woman, Philip Josquin, with about
twenty varlets and pages of the household of the late duke of Burgundy.
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.
When the duke of Burgundy had been thus cruelly murdered, the dauphin's
people stripped him of his tabard, his coat of mail, his rings, and
of every thing except his doublet and drawers; and in this state he
remained on the ground until midnight, when he was carried on a table
to a mill near the bridge, and, on the morrow-morning, was interred in
front of the altar of St Louis, in the church of our Lady at Montereau,
in his doublet and drawers, with his bonnet drawn over his face, and
twelve masses were hastily said for him.
At this moment, there were several noble persons with the dauphin,
who had been kept in ignorance of the plot against the duke, many of
whom were highly displeased at what had happened, considering the great
evils that would probably result from it, as well to the kingdom in
general as to the person of their lord the dauphin. In this number were
John de Harcourt, count d'Aumalle, and the lord de Barbasan: the last
loudly reproached those who had contrived this murder, saying, that
they had ruined their master in honour and reputation; and that he had
rather have been dead than present at that day, although perfectly
ignorant of what was intended to be done.
The dauphin, however, on his return to his lodgings after the murder,
ordered, by the advice of his ministers, two hundred men at arms
to march to the castle and demand its surrender. On their arrival,
admittance was denied them, for those within had posted a party over
the drawbridge, and another party in the tower facing the suburbs of
the town, where they remained the whole of the night.
The detachment from the dauphin walled up the gate leading to the
town, and continued inactive until the ensuing morning, when they
opened a battery of cannons against one of the gates, and, shortly
after, some four or five knights went from the dauphin to signify that
the castle must be surrendered, otherwise they would win it by storm,
and those that should then be found therein would have their heads cut
off.
The lords de Joinville and de Montagu made answer, that my lord of
Burgundy, their commander, to whom the dauphin had delivered this
castle, had intrusted them with the guard thereof, and that they would
not surrender it but upon some tokens sent them from their lord. The
knights on this went back to the town, and soon returned with sir
Anthony du Vergy, who calling to the two aforesaid lords, they replied,
by asking after his health. He made no answer to this, but said,
'Brothers, my lord the dauphin bids me tell you, that if you do not
yield the castle to him, and you should be taken within it by storm, he
will have you beheaded; but that if you will surrender it, and join his
party, he will shew you every kindness, and divide between you very
liberally the different offices in the realm.'
On hearing this speech, the two lords asked sir Anthony if he knew any
thing of their lord the duke. To which he made no other reply than by
pointing his finger to the ground, and then said, 'I would advise you
to surrender the castle to my lord the dauphin;' but they repeated as
before, that until they should have some certain intelligence of their
lord the duke, who had intrusted them with its defence, they would not
surrender.
The knights of the dauphin now advanced, and said, 'Put on paper what
terms you expect, and you shall have an answer.' Both parties withdrew,
and those in the castle wrote down as follows:
In the first place, they demanded to restore the castle into the hands
of the duke, who had confided to them the guard of it, or to have a
discharge from the same, signed by the duke.
Item, that all those who had been made prisoners by the dauphin's
party, and those attending the duke, should have their liberties
without paying any ransom.
Item, that all persons, of whatever rank, and of both sexes, now within
the castle, should have permission to depart freely with all their
effects, and be allowed to go whithersoever they should please.
Item, that a delay of fifteen days be granted for them to continue in
the said castle, or until their horses shall arrive.
Item, that passports be given for two hundred men at arms that shall
come to fetch them, and escort them to such places as they may choose:
the said passports to be of force for fifteen days.
When these articles had been examined by the dauphin and his council,
they were returned to the castle by the same knights who had brought
them, who said, that in regard to the person or signature of the duke
of Burgundy nothing need be said, for it could not be obtained. With
respect to the prisoners, they belong to my lord the dauphin, who will
divide among them the several offices in the kingdom, so that no more
need on that subject. As to the effects in the castle appertaining to
the duke of Burgundy, they are the property of my lord the dauphin, who
will receive them according to an inventory made thereof, and give a
receipt conformable to such inventory, to those who have the charge of
them. Those within the castle shall be permitted to carry away whatever
effects they may have brought thither. With regard to the fifteen days
delay required, it cannot be granted; but my lord the dauphin will have
them escorted as far as Bray-sur-Seine. With respect to the passports
for two hundred men at arms, there will not be any need of them, as
they will have a sufficient escort.
After much parleying, the lords de Joinville and de Montagu concluded
for themselves and their companions a treaty with the dauphin, on
condition that they should freely depart, with all their baggage,
on yielding up the castle,--and that all the effects of the duke of
Burgundy should remain in the possession of the dauphin, and also the
lady of Giac, who, as was commonly reported, was consenting to this
murder of the duke of Burgundy.
Philip Josquin remained behind also: he was afraid to return to the
duchess of Burgundy, or to her son the count de Charolois, for he was
not in their good graces. This Philip Josquin was a native of Dijon,
and son to an armourer of Philip of Burgundy, and for a long time had
been beloved more than any of his other servants by the late duke John,
who even intrusted him with his private signet, and made him sign his
letters, insomuch that there was scarcely any difference between the
handwriting of the duke and that which counterfeited it.
All this great favour and authority created him many enemies among the
princes and lords who repaired to the duke's court; but notwithstanding
their hatred, from the situation he was in, he amassed great wealth,
and built a very handsome house in Dijon. On his leaving that place,
he disposed of his money in various parts of Burgundy, Flanders, and
elsewhere, which was seized and confiscated by the count de Charolois
and given by him to some of his servants,--and this Philip was
consequently thus deprived of all his riches.
On Monday, the 11th day of September, after the dauphin had held a
grand council in the town of Montereau on the state of his affairs, he
wrote and dispatched letters to the towns of Paris, Rheims, Châlons and
others, to gloss over his having broken the peace, and having perjured
himself. The contents of that sent to Paris were as follow: