lately we agreed with the duke of Burgundy at a place called Pouilly
on the terms of peace, for the obtaining of which we acceded to all
his demands. To prevent the destruction of my lord the king's and of
our realm, among other articles, the said duke did engage on his faith
and oath, that within one month he would wage war against the English,
the ancient enemies of this kingdom. It had been also agreed, that in
consequence of this, we were to unite our mutual endeavours to reform
the grievances and disorders of the government and to join in expelling
the common enemy out of the country.
'On this account, we came to the town of Montereau, and waited there
the space of eighteen days for the coming of the duke of Burgundy, for
whose accommodation we had dislodged from, and assigned to him, the
castle, as his residence.
'Afterward, when we did meet on the terms he had demanded, we amicably
remonstrated with him, that notwithstanding his promises, and that
peace was now between us, he had not waged war against the English,
nor had disbanded the troops from the garrisons under his command,
according to his solemn engagement, and which we now again required him
to do.
'The duke of Burgundy, in reply, made use of several foolish
expressions, and even laid his hand on his sword to attack and
disfigure our person, intending, as we were afterward informed, to
seize and keep us under his subjection, but from which, however,
through Divine mercy, and the attachment of our loyal servants, we were
preserved, and he for his mad conduct was put to death on the spot.
'We signify the above matters to you, well knowing how much you will
rejoice that we have been preserved from such imminent danger; and we
most earnestly entreat and command, on that loyalty you have alway had
for my lord the king and for us, that whatever events may happen, you
do not fail to make a strong resistance to the enemies of my lord and
us; and that you prepare yourselves for war, in which we will aid and
comfort you to the utmost of our power, and, thanks to the grace of
God, that is sufficiently great.
'We will that every thing that has passed be pardoned and forgotten,
and that no retaliations be made on any one, but that an entire
oblivion may cover the whole, and that the peace be maintained, the
which we promise to keep on the faith and word of the son of a king.
To this effect we have sent our letters to the provost of merchants,
the sheriffs and citizens of Paris, that they may be proclaimed and
published wherever it may be thought necessary: and for the due
observance of what we have said, we are willing to give such securities
as may be demanded.
'We are desirous of preserving the peace with the duke of Burgundy and
his friends, and all of his party, on the terms concluded, without
infringing it in the smallest degree, being anxious to unite all the
faithful subjects of my lord the king to oppose the common enemy.
'We shall in this warfare personally serve: and we will, that you do
proclaim these our intentions in all the towns and villages near to and
within your several jurisdictions.--Dear and well beloved, may the Lord
have you in his holy keeping. Written at Montereau faut Yonne, the 11th
day of September,' and contersigned, 'Charles Champion.'
This paper was indorsed, 'To our very dear and well beloved the
burghers, clergy, and inhabitants of the town of Paris.'
To these letters, especially from the towns subject to the Burgundian
party, no answer was given.
In like manner, sir Clugnet de Brabant, whose quarters were at Vitry,
wrote to many of the large towns to detatch them from the dauphin; but,
when he found by their answers that he could not succeed, he made a
severe war upon them.
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.
The lord de Montagu, instantly on his return from Montereau to Bray
sur Seine, caused letters to be written, charging the dauphin and his
advisers with having committed murder on the person of his lord the
duke of Burgundy,--which letters he dispatched to Troyes, Rheims,
Châlons, and to all the towns attached to the king and the duke of
Burgundy.
In these letters, he humbly begged of them to be on their guard, and
not to pay any attention to the lies and assertions of those who upheld
the dauphin's party, for that their disloyalty was now discovered, but
remain firm to the king and to the count de Charolois, successor to the
duke of Burgundy, from whom, under God's good pleasure, they should
have speedy assistance and support.
The towns received these letters in great kindness, and strongly
expressed their thanks for them to the lord de Montagu, saying they
were mightily grieved at the unfortunate death of the duke of Burgundy.
On the 11th of September, the duke's death was known at Paris; and the
inhabitants on hearing the manner of it were thrown into the utmost
consternation and sorrow. On the morrow-morning, the count de St Pol,
lieutenant of the king in Paris, the chancellor of France, the provosts
of the town and of the merchants, together with the greater part of the
king's ministers and officers, great numbers of nobles and inhabitants
assembled as early as they could; when, after the detail of the manner
in which the murder of the duke of Burgundy had been perpetrated, they
renewed their oaths of fidelity to the count de St Pol, and swore to
serve and obey him with all their forces, in the guard and defence
of Paris, and the preservation of the realm, against the damnable
intentions of all wicked and seditious persons, who have violated the
peace; and to pursue, to the utmost of their power of vengeance, the
conspirators and actors in the murder of the duke of Burgundy, and to
denounce and accuse before the courts of law all who shall any way
favour the aforesaid conspirators and murderers.
They likewise engaged never to surrender the town of Paris, nor to
enter into any treaty whatever without its being made public; and this
they also swore to in the hands of the count de St Pol,--which oaths
were afterward sealed, and sent to Senlis and other places of their
party, to induce them to take similar oaths to their governors.
When these things were done, many persons of both sexes were arrested
in Paris, who were known to be of the dauphin's party, as well those
who had returned in consequence of the peace as others of whom they had
any suspicions. They were confined in different prisons, and some of
them were executed in a summary way of justice.
CHAP. XXIX.
THE DAUPHIN DEPARTS FROM MONTEREAU.--THE DELIVERANCE OF THOSE WHO HAD
ACCOMPANIED THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY,--AND OTHER MATTERS.
The dauphin having appointed sir Pierre de Guitry (who had been present
at the murder of the duke of Burgundy), governor of Montereau, departed
thence with his whole force. He sent the prisoners, with the lady of
Giac and Philip Josquin, to Bourges in Berry. Charles de Bourbon and
sir Pierre de Giac took oaths of fidelity to serve the dauphin; but
although the other prisoners were repeatedly solicited by the dauphin
and his ministers to turn to their party, to which they were tempted
by the most splendid offers of wealth and honours, they would never
consent, replying to such solicitations, that they would rather die in
prison, or suffer such death as the dauphin might please to inflict,
than do any thing for which they or their successors might be blamed.
When it was seen that they were firm in their resolution, they were
all set at liberty, on paying certain sums as their ransom, except sir
Charles de Lens, admiral of France, whom they put to death.
On the dauphin's arrival at Bourges, he summoned men at arms on all
sides to join him there, with whom he advanced into Anjou, and had a
conference with the duke of Brittany, who consented that a part of
his nobles should serve the dauphin. He received also great succours
from Scotland, which he caused to be conducted down the Loire, and
thence to Poitiers. He collected likewise men at arms in Auvergne and
in Languedoc, and elsewhere, that he might have sufficient strength to
oppose all who should attempt to injure him or the kingdom of France.
He caused it to be declared throughout all the towns and countries
under his dependance, that what had been done to the duke of Burgundy
was in his own defence, and that he had been justly put to death,
alledging numerous reasons in his justification for suffering it, but
which it would occupy too much time to relate.
When the king and queen of France heard of all these matters, they were
highly displeased, and to provide a remedy for them, different royal
edicts were published in all parts of the kingdom, under the king's
obedience, containing an account of the death of the duke of Burgundy,
and the disloyalty of the perpetrators of it, commanding all governors,
magistrates, and others, under pain of death, not to afford any aid,
support or advice, to the dauphin or to his party, but to prepare
themselves in all diligence to oppose him and them; in so doing, they
should have steady and effectual support.
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.
Philip count de Charolois was at Ghent when he was informed of the
cruel death of his father, and was so sorely afflicted by it that
it was some days before his ministers could comfort him. When his
countess, the lady Michelle de France, sister to the dauphin, heard
of it, she was greatly troubled, fearful that her lord would, on this
account, be estranged from her, and hold her less in his affections;
but this did not happen, for within a short time, by the exhortations
and remonstrances of his ministers, he was no way displeased with her,
and shewed her as much kindness as before.
He soon afterward held a council with the principal persons of Ghent,
Bruges and Ypres, and then took possession of the country of Flanders,
without paying any attention to his liege lord. He departed thence for
Mechlin, where he had a conference with the duke of Brabant his cousin,
John of Bavaria his uncle, and his aunt the countess of Hainault, on
several matters; and from Mechlin he went to Lille. From this day he
styled himself duke of Burgundy, and in his letters assumed all the
titles of the late duke John his father.
While he was at Lille, many great lords came thither to offer their
services to him, as they had been the dependants of his father, some
of whom he retained in his household, and promised the others great
advantages hereafter. Master Philip de Morvillers, first president of
the parliament of Paris, came also, with many notable persons; and in
concert with them, and with his own ministers, the duke resolved to
write letters to the different towns attached to the king's and his
party, setting forth, that as they had been the friends and supporters
of his father, he hoped they would in like manner be his. He added,
that he would very shortly request a truce from the English; and
desired them to send him a deputation to Arras on the 17th day of
October, with sufficient powers to agree to whatever terms might be
demanded from them by him.
The duke of Burgundy did not delay to send ambassadors to the king of
England at Rouen, to endeavour to obtain a truce for a certain space
of time, for all the countries under the dependance of the king of
France and himself. The ambassadors were the bishop of Arras, the lord
de Toulongeon, sir Guillaume de Champdivers, sir Guillebert de Launoy
and some others; and they obtained the requested truce, hoping also to
proceed further with the English.
During this time the Dauphinois, quartered at or near Compiegne,
recommenced a sharp warfare against such of the Burgundians as were
near to them. In another part of the country, La Hire and Ponton de
Santrailles, with a large force, took the town of Crespy, in the
Laonnois, and the castle of Clarcy; by which conquests, the town of
Laon and the countries of the Laonnois and Vermandois were kept under
great subjection.
When the 17th of October was come, the duke of Burgundy, sir John de
Luxembourg, with numbers of other lords and captains, together with the
deputations from the principal towns, assembled in Arras. They were
very affectionately addressed by the dean of Liege, by orders of the
duke, and particularly those lords and captains who had served his late
father, and requested that in like manner they would serve him in an
expedition which he proposed shortly to undertake for the good of the
king and kingdom. The deputies from the towns were also required to
support his party, and to afford him every aid and assistance, should
there be occasion. To these requests all present unanimously assented.
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.
On the 13th day of this same month of October, the duke of Burgundy had
a solemn service celebrated in the church of St Vaast, in Arras, for
the salvation of the soul of duke John his father. There were present
at it the bishops of Amiens, of Cambray, of Terouenne, of Tournay,
and of Arras,--many abbots from Flanders, Artois and the adjacent
countries,--and there were in the whole twenty-four crosiers.
The chief mourner, the duke of Burgundy, was supported by sir John
de Luxembourg and sir James de Harcourt. The bishop of Amiens said
mass,--during which friar Pierre Floure, doctor in divinity and of the
order of preaching friars, delivered the sermon. He was also inquisitor
of the faith in the province of Rheims; and he exhorted the duke most
strongly in his discourse not to take vengeance into his own hands for
the death of his father, but to apply to the laws for reparation of
the crime,--and should the laws be insufficient, he should afford them
every assistance, and not think of executing justice himself, for that
belonged to God alone.
Many of the nobles present were not very well pleased with the preacher
for his sermon.
Some days after this service, sir John de Saulx, knight, doctor of
laws, and chancellor to duke John, sir Andrieu de Valines, master John
d'Orle, advocate in the parliament, John de Caumesnil, with others of
the principal citizens of Paris, sent by the count de St Pol and the
Parisians, arrived at Arras, and waited on the duke of Burgundy, to
know what his future intentions and plans might be. When they had been
well entertained by the duke and his ministers, they were told, that
within a few days the duke would form an alliance with the king of
England, by the consent of the king of France; and that when this was
done, he would, with his whole force, seek for reparation and vengeance
on the cruel murderers of his father.
On receiving this information, and after having concluded several
agreements, the Parisians returned home to carry back the intelligence,
and to keep the citizens and inhabitants of the isle de France in
good obedience. The duke of Burgundy then assembled some of his most
powerful and faithful lords, as well seculars as ecclesiastics, with
whom he held many secret councils, to consider how he should conduct
himself in the present state of his affairs, more especially respecting
the death of his father.
On this subject their opinions were divided; but at length the
majority determined, that since he had permission from the king
of France, he should form a strict alliance with the English. In
consequence of this resolution, an embassy was again sent to the king
of England at Rouen, consisting of the bishop of Arras, sir Actis de
Brimeu, sir Roland de Uniquerke, and others, who, on their arrival
at Rouen, were kindly received by the king and princes; for he was
very desirous of forming a connection with the duke of Burgundy, well
knowing that through his means in preference to all others, he could
obtain the hand of the lady Catherine of France, which he was so
anxious to have.
When the ambassadors had declared the causes of their coming, and
exhibited a sketch of their articles for the proposed alliance, the
king was tolerably satisfied, and told them, that within a few days
he would send ambassadors to the duke, who should declare his final
resolutions. With this answer, they returned to Arras.
About St Andrew's day following, the bishop of Rochester, the earls
of Warwick and of Kyme, with other knights and esquires, arrived at
Arras, as ambassadors from the king of England, to whom the duke gave a
most honourable reception. They laid before him the different articles
of a treaty which the king wished to conclude with Charles king of
France and the duke,--who, in return, gave them other articles, such
as he would abide by. In short, the negotiations were carried on so
effectually that a treaty was agreed on, provided the king of France
and his ministers would consent thereto.
At this time, the king and queen of France, with the lady Catherine
their daughter, resided at Troyes in Champagne, and were under the
guidance of such as had been posted there purposely, who were strongly
attached to the party of Burgundy. In consequence of this treaty, it
was ordered, that the men at arms of the king of France and of the
duke of Burgundy should discontinue their warfare against the English,
who were, on their part, to desist from all offensive operations. The
truces were again renewed and confirmed; and it was agreed, that the
king of England should send ambassadors, in company with the duke of
Burgundy, to the king of France at Troyes, in Champagne, who intended
going thither soon, to put a finishing hand to this treaty of alliance.
When these matters had been arranged, and the ambassadors had been
greatly feasted and honoured by the duke of Burgundy in Arras, they
returned to the king of England at Rouen.
While this treaty was going on, sir James de Harcourt showed himself
every way strongly attached to the duke of Burgundy. He was the first
called to the private councils of the duke, who paid him more attention
and greater honour than to any other person of his court; for he loved
him most cordially, in consequence of his having sworn to serve him on
the death of duke John. Sir James, in these days, caused the castle of
Crotoy, of which he was governor for the king of France, to be strongly
repaired, and replenished with all sorts of provision and military
stores.
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.
In conformity to the treaty with the English, the duke of Burgundy
commenced his operations by assembling men at arms in Artois, Flanders
and elsewhere, which he sent with different captains to be under the
general command of sir John de Luxembourg, near to Peronne, who was to
muster them, and lead them to lay siege to the castle of Muyn, which
was strongly garrisoned by the Dauphinois, who had sorely oppressed the
country round Amiens and Corbie.
Several of the nobility joined sir John de Luxembourg, at Peronne, such
as, the lord de l'Isle-Adam, marshal of France, the vidame of Amiens,
Anthony lord of Croy, le borgne de Fosseux knight, John de Fosseux his
brother, the lord de Longueval, Hector and Philip de Saveuses, the
lord de Humbercourt, sir John de Luquerque, the lord de Cohen, with
many other notable knights and esquires, who marched from Peronne to
Lyhons in Santerre, and to the adjacent villages, intending to besiege
the castle of Muyn, but their intentions were soon changed.
During the time that these men at arms were at Lyhons, and on the night
of the 10th of December, sir Karados de Quesnes, Charles de Flavy,
the bastard de Tournemine, and one called Harbonniers, made a sally
from Compiegne, with about five hundred combatants, to the town of
Roye in the Vermandois, which they attacked, and, from neglect of the
guard, great part of them entered the place. They assembled in the
market-place, shouting out, 'Town won! Long live the king and dauphin!'
The inhabitants were awakened by these shouts; and, seeing they could
not make any resistance, the greater part escaped over the walls, and
fled.
A detachment of the Dauphinois now advanced to the gate, which they
opened to admit the remainder of their forces, and their horses, into
the town. Perceval le Grand, governor of the place for the duke of
Burgundy, having been awakened like the others, and perceiving that no
resistance could be made, escaped as well as he could from the town,
leaving behind his wife, children, and great part of his wealth. He
hastened to Lyhons, and very dolefully related to his commander, sir
John de Luxembourg, the news of the capture of Roye.
Sir John instantly ordered his trumpets to sound for the assembling of
his men at arms, and led them toward Roye, sending forward a party of
scouts to the town, to gain intelligence, who found the scaling ladders
still reared against the walls by which the enemy had entered. They
were no sooner observed, than the Dauphinois made preparations for
defence, and gave a sharp discharge of cannons, cross-bows, and bows
on them, and on some men at arms, who had joined the scouts. However,
notwithstanding their defence, one of the suburbs was taken, and in
the conflict several were wounded on each side. On that of sir John de
Luxembourg was a valiant man at arms named Robert de Rebretanges, and
who, in consequence of this wound, died shortly after.
After sir John had posted his men in the different suburbs and houses
round the town, he fixed his own quarters at a village about half
a league distant. He then sent the lord de Humbercourt, bailiff of
Amiens, to that place, and to Corbie, to require that they would send
him cross-bowmen, cannons, and other implements of war, to enable him
to subdue the Dauphinois in Roye, which request was complied with in
the most ample manner. With the same eagerness were the cross-bowmen of
Douay, Arras, Peronne, St Quentin, Mondidier, Noyon, and other places
under the dependance of the king, sent to Roye in great numbers.
On the arrival of these reinforcements, sir John invested the town on
all sides, and made some vigorous assaults: he also had some bombards,
and other engines, pointed against the walls and gates, which greatly
harrassed the besieged. They made, however, a handsome defence, and
some sallies; but in these they did not gain much.
At length, the besieged seeing all their efforts vain, and hopeless
of succour, concluded a treaty with sir John, by his commissioners,
on the 18th day of January, to surrender the place, on condition that
they should depart in safety, with their baggage, and with a part of
what they had gained in the town. When this treaty was ratified, the
Dauphinois marched away under passports from sir John de Luxembourg,
who appointed Hector de Saveuses to escort them; and, when out of the
town, they took the road to Compiegne, marching with great speed.
Very soon after their departure, about two thousand English came to
Roye, under the command of the earl of Huntingdon, and his father-in
law sir John de Cornwall,[4] to assist the Burgundians; for, as I have
said, there was a truce between the English and them, expecting that
this truce would shortly be (as it happened) turned into a solid peace.
The English, hearing of the departure of the Dauphinois, hastily set
out in pursuit of them, and overtook them about four leagues from Roye.
The moment they came near, without any words, they attacked them lance
in hand, although they were few in number; for, having rode so hard,
three parts of their men were behind.
The English were accompanied by many of the men at arms of sir John de
Luxembourg, the principal of whom were Butor bastard of Croy, Aubellet
de Folleville, the bailiff de Foquesolle, the bastard Dunon and several
other gentlemen. The Dauphinois made no great resistance, and were
therefore soon routed, very many were killed, taken or robbed; but a
few escaped as well as they could, by flying to the woods and other
places.