reinforcements. While these things were passing, the lord de Cohen,
governor of the town of Abbeville, going one night after supper to
visit the guard, attended by only six persons, but preceded by his
servants, carrying lighted torches, was suddenly attacked by three or
four persons, who were lying in wait for him, and severely wounded him
in the face. They also struck an advocate, called John de Quex, who
was in his company, mounted on a handsome horse: he was stunned with
the blow, and, in his fright, stuck spurs into his horse, who galloped
off against a chain that had been stretched across the street from two
posts. One of them, by the great strength of the horse, was torn from
the ground, but the shock flung the advocate with such force that he
died shortly after, of the bruises. The lord de Cohen was carried home
by his servants, thus wounded, and was unable at first to discover the
perpetrators of this deed. They were, however, of Abbeville, and, by
means of friends, escaped secretly, and went to Crotoy, to relate what
they had done to sir James de Harcourt, who was well pleased thereat,
and retained them in his service. Some few years afterward, however,
they were taken, and executed for this and other crimes.
CHAP. LX.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY MARCHES TO PONT DE SAINT REMY, AND CONQUERS
IT.--THE DEEDS OF ARMS THAT WERE PERFORMED BEFORE SAINT RIQUIER.
The duke of Burgundy advanced his whole army from Auxi to a large
village called Viurens, within a league from St Riquier. On the morrow,
he marched by this last town, and quartered himself and his army at
Pont de St Remy, on the night of the feast of the Magdalen. Some of his
men were lodged in large houses near the bridge; but the Dauphinois,
who were in the castle and island, discharged rockets into them, and
set them on fire, which forced the Burgundians to retire, and fix their
quarters further off.
Two days after their arrival, the cross-bows from Amiens, and a body
of men at arms who escorted them, descended the Somme in twelve boats,
ready to attack the castle and island. But the Dauphinois, on learning
that they were near at hand, took fright, and, packing up their
baggage, fled to the castle of D'airaines, leaving Pont de St Remy
without any guard. Some women, who had remained in the island, lowered
the drawbridge on the side where the Burgundians lay, who instantly
entered the place, and plundered all that the Dauphinois had left.
This same day, by orders from the duke of Burgundy, the castle and town
were burnt, wherein were many handsome houses. In like manner, on this
and on the following day, were destroyed the castles of Marveil and
Jaucourt, which the Dauphinois had deserted from fear of the duke.
While the duke of Burgundy was thus employed at Pont de St Remy,
sir John de Luxembourg went to the town of St Riquier, under proper
passports from the lord d'Offemont, with one hundred picked men at
arms, as an escort to six knights, well mounted and accoutred, who were
to perform a deed of arms against six champions of the Dauphinois,
under the lord d'Offemont.
This combat had been previously settled by messages which had passed
between the parties. The burgundian champions were Henry l'Allemant,
the bastard de Robaix, Lyonnet de Bournouville and three others. The
Dauphinois were the lord de Verduysant, Guillaume d'Aubigny and four
others, whose names I have forgotten. On the parties meeting, the
justings commenced; but, at the onset, the two Dauphinois killed the
horses of their opponents: the others broke several lances gallantly
enough; but from the shortness of the time two on each side could not
just,--and there was no one wounded on either side. The parties took a
friendly leave; and sir John de Luxembourg returned with his company to
the Pont de St Remy, and the lord d'Offemont re-entered St Riquier.
Sir John de Luxembourg had been accompanied for his security, by one
hundred of the most expert men at arms in the burgundian army: he had
also formed an ambuscade of three hundred men in a wood to succour him,
should there be occasion. When on his road to St Riquier, having placed
this ambuscade, he halted on an eminence to observe if his orders were
obeyed, and to his surprise saw that those in ambush were wandering
about and the horses grazing. In a great rage, he seized a lance and
galloped back to reduce them to proper order; but his men, perceiving
him coming, mounted their horses and fled as fast as spurs could make
them. Nevertheless, he overtook a man at arms, named Aloyer, whom he
pierced through the thigh and unhorsed, and to many others he gave
severe blows. When he had restored order, and severely reprimanded the
leaders, he continued his march to witness the deed of arms already
related.
CHAP. LXI.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY MARCHES FROM PONT DE ST REMY TO LAY SIEGE TO THE
TOWN OF ST RIQUIER.--HE BREAKS UP HIS SIEGE TO COMBAT THE DAUPHINOIS,
WHO ARE ADVANCING TO THE RELIEF OF THAT TOWN.
After the destruction of Pont de St Remy, the duke of Burgundy departed
for Abbeville with his army, a part of which was quartered in the
suburbs. About the end of July, he marched to St Riquier, and fixed his
quarters in the castle of la Ferté, which a little before, together
with the castle of Drugy and the suburbs, had been set on fire. His men
were quartered in other places near sir John de Luxembourg, at the gate
of St John leading toward Auxi: the lord de Croy, some days after, was
lodged near the gate of St Nicholas toward Abbeville. At the gate of
the Heronhault, leading toward Crotoy, there was not any lodgement of
men at arms, which gave free liberty to the garrison or inhabitants to
go in and out of the town at their pleasure, on horseback or on foot.
Numerous reinforcements from the principal towns, in consequence of
his summons, now joined the duke. When the quarters had been all
marked out, the Burgundians made their approaches near to the walls,
and began severely to annoy the garrison. The duke might have under
his command, as well men at arms as archers and cross-bows, including
those sent from the towns, five or six thousand combatants. The enemy,
under the lord d'Offemont, Poton de Santrailles, Verduysant, Mengues,
and other captains in the town, might consist of twelve or fourteen
hundred men; for in addition to those they had brought thither, sir
James de Harcourt had sent them some of his most expert soldiers; and
they exerted themselves to the utmost to resist the attacks of the
Burgundians.
It would be too long and tedious, were I to attempt to enumerate all
the sallies of the garrison; but in truth, they made many in which
they gained more than they lost; and in the number, was one by which
they captured some of the duke's captains, the principal of whom were
sir Emond de Boubers, Henry l'Allemant, John de Courcelles, John de
Crevecoeur, one called Ancellet, and some other noblemen.
In the mean time, the engines which the duke had erected broke down the
gates and walls, and even destroyed some of the houses within the town;
and those which the besieged had pointed against the burgundian army
were equally destructive, so that many lives were lost on both sides
during this siege.
Sir James de Harcourt sent frequent messengers to the lord d'Offemont,
to exhort him and his brother-captains to hold out with courage, for
that they would shortly be succoured, as he had sent for relief from
divers places in Champagne, Brie, Valois, to Compiègne and other places
attached to the interest of the dauphin, and had earnestly besought
them to assemble as large a force as they possibly could to join him,
and offer battle to the duke of Burgundy.
In consequence of this request, the Dauphinois did assemble in force in
the neighbourhood of Compiègne, whence they were to begin their march.
The duke, however, continued the siege with vigour; but, hearing of the
intentions of the Dauphinois to force him to raise it, and to offer him
battle, he called a council to determine in this case how he should act.
It was resolved, that the duke should break up the siege, and advance
to fight the Dauphinois before they could effect a junction with sir
James de Harcourt and the others. In conformity to this resolution,
on the 29th of August, the duke dispatched Philip de Saveuses and
the lord de Crevecoeur, at night-fall, from the camp with six score
combatants, to cross the Somme at Abbeville, whence they were to
advance into Vimeu, to inquire diligently into the state and condition
of the Dauphinois, he earnestly entreated and commanded them to attend
particularly to his orders, and to send him as soon as possible a true
statement of what the Dauphinois were intending, adding, that his whole
army should very speedily follow them.
These two captains rode during the night to Abbeville, where having
refreshed their horses a little, they advanced into Vimeu. In the mean
time, the duke of Burgundy secretly made his preparations for breaking
up the siege by packing up his tents, baggage and stores, and, having
set fire to his camp, marched strait for Abbeville. On his arrival
there, those of his army who chose to eat or to drink were obliged to
do so on horseback; for he would not suffer any one to dismount, as he
was every moment expecting intelligence of the enemy from Philip de
Saveuses and the lord de Crevecoeur.
When they had entered Vimeu, they observed about sun-rise, toward
Oisemont, the Dauphinois in handsome array, briskly pushing forward,
and making for the ford of Blanchetaque. They were so near, that some
of the Dauphinois were taken by them; and by their means they acquired
full knowledge of their intentions. They sent them instantly to the
duke, who, as I have said, was at Abbeville, that he might hasten his
march to meet them before they could cross the river.
The duke, on receiving this intelligence, was much rejoiced, and
immediately quitted the town, and pressed his march as much as he
could, leaving behind at Abbeville his archers and cross-bows. The
Dauphinois saw the duke's army was pursuing them, and consequently,
made all haste to gain the ford of Blanchetaque, and cross the Somme to
Sir James de Harcourt, who was waiting for them on the opposite side
near to Saint Riquier. During this time, repeated messengers were sent
to hasten the march of the duke, who, on his side, was equally eager to
come up with the enemy; and his forces pushed forward as fast as their
horses could carry them.
The Dauphinois were in the act of passing the river Somme, when,
perceiving the Burgundians, they deliberately changed their purpose,
and returned to the plain, where they drew up in battle-array, and
advanced with every appearance of giving battle to the duke, although
they were very inferior in numbers to his army. Poton de Santrailles
had joined them that night, with twelve others from St Riquier, in
order to be present at the battle.
The two parties were now advanced near enough to observe exactly the
numbers on either side; and because some of the duke's men were behind,
several heralds and poursuivants were sent to hasten them forward.
Thus the two armies moved on for a considerable space, approaching each
other; but sir James de Harcourt who, as has been said, was posted on
the other side of the river, seeing the two parties ready to engage,
never attempted to cross the ford to the assistance of his friends,
notwithstanding he himself had sent for them, but returned to Crotoy,
whence he had come that morning.
CHAP. LXII.
THE BURGUNDIANS AND THE DAUPHINOIS DRAW UP IN BATTLE ARRAY AGAINST
EACH OTHER ON THE LAST DAY OF AUGUST.--THE CONSEQUENCES THAT FOLLOWED.
On Saturday, the 31st of August, the two armies kept advancing with
much courage, and halted about eleven o'clock in the forenoon, at three
bow-shots distance from each other.
During this short halt, many new knights were hastily created on both
sides. In the number was the duke of Burgundy, by the hand of sir John
de Luxembourg, when the duke did the same to Philip de Saveuses; and
there were knighted of his party Collart de Commines, John d'Estenu,
John de Robais, Andrew and John Villain, Philebert Andrenet, Daviod de
Poix, Guerrard d'Acties, the lord de Moyencourt, Le Moyne de Renty,
Colinet de Brimeu, Jacques Pot, Louis de Saint-Saulieu, Guillain de
Halluin, Derre de Cauroy and others.
On the part of the Dauphinois were, in like manner, created knights,
Gilles de Gamaches, Regnault de Fontaines, Colinet de Villequier, the
Marquis de Serre, John Rogan, John d'Espaigny, Corbeau de Rieux, and
Sarrasin de Beaufort.
When this ceremony was over, the duke sent the banner of Philip de
Saveuses, with six score combatants, under the command of sir Mauroy
de Saint-Leger and the bastard de Roussy, across the plain to fall on
the flank of the Dauphinois. Both armies were eager for the combat; and
these last advanced with a great noise, and fell on the division of
the duke with all the strength of their horses' speed. The Burgundians
received them well; and at this onset there was a grand clattering of
arms, and horses thrown to the ground in a most horrible manner on
each side. Both parties now began to wound and kill, and the affair
became very murderous; but during this first shock of arms one half of
the duke's forces were panic-struck and fled to Abbeville, where being
refused admittance they galloped on for Picquigny.
The duke's banner was carried away with them; for, in the alarm, the
varlet who had usually borne it forgot to give it to some other person,
and in his flight had thrown it on the ground, where it was found,
and raised by a gentleman called John de Rosimbos, who rallied about
it many of the runaways, who had until that day been reputed men of
courage and expert in arms. They had, however, deserted the duke of
Burgundy, their lord, in this danger, and were, ever after, greatly
blamed for their conduct.
Some pretended to excuse themselves by saying, that seeing the banner,
they thought the duke was with it. It was also declared, on the
authority of Flanders king at arms, that to his knowledge the duke was
either killed or made prisoner, which made matters worse; for those
who were most frightened continued their flight across the Somme at
Picquigny, to their homes, whence they did not return.
Some of the dauphin's forces, perceiving them running away from the
duke's army set out on a pursuit after them, namely, John Raullet
and Pierron de Luppel, with about six score combatants, and killed
and took a good many of them. They imagined they had gained the day,
and that the Burgundians were totally defeated; but in this they
were mistaken, for the duke, with about five hundred combatants of
the highest nobility and most able in arms, fought with determined
resolution, insomuch that they overpowered the Dauphinois, and remained
masters of the field of battle.
According to the report of each party, the duke behaved with the utmost
coolness and courage; but he had some narrow escapes, for at the onset
he was hit by two lances, one of which pierced through the front of
his war saddle and grazed the armour of his right side: he was also
grappled with by a very strong man, who attempted to unhorse him; but
his courser, being high mettled and stout, bore him out of this danger.
He therefore fought manfully, and took with his own hands two men at
arms, as he was chacing the enemy along the river side. Those nearest
his person in this conflict were the lord de Longueval and Guy de Rely,
and some of his attendants, who, though few in number, supported him
ably.
It was some time before his own men knew where he was, as they missed
his banner; and when John Raullet and Pierron de Luppel returned from
their pursuit of the burgundian runaways, expecting to find their
companions victorious and on the field of battle, they were confounded
with disappointment on seeing the contrary, and instantly fled toward
St Valery, and with them the lord de Moüy, others made for d'Araines.
The duke of Burgundy, on coming back to the field of battle, collected
his men, and caused the bodies of those to be carried off who had
fallen in the engagement, particularly that of the lord de Viefville.
Although all the nobles and great lords who had remained with the
duke of Burgundy behaved most gallantly, I must especially notice the
conduct of John Villain, who had that day been made a knight. He was a
nobleman from Flanders, very tall and of great bodily strength, and was
mounted on a good horse, holding a battle-axe in both hands. Thus he
pushed into the thickest part of the battle, and, throwing the bridle
on his horse's neck, gave such blows on all sides with his battle-axe
that whoever was struck was instantly unhorsed and wounded past
recovery.
In this way he met Poton de Saintrailles, who, after the battle was
over, declared the wonders he did, and that he got out of his reach as
fast as he could.
When the duke had collected his men, and had caused the dead to
be inspected and stripped, he returned to Abbeville, where he was
joyously received, with those of the Dauphinois who had been made
prisoners,--namely, the lord de Conflans, Louis d'Offemont, sir Gilles
de Gamaches, his brother Louis, sir Louis de Thiembronne, Poton de
Saintrailles, the marquis de Serre, his brother de Saint-Saulieu, Sir
Regnault de Fontaines, Sauvage de la Riviere, John de Proisy, governor
of Guise, sir Raoul de Gaucourt, sir John de Rogan, Bernard de St
Martin, John de Joigny, the lord de Mommor, John de Verselles, le bourg
de la Hire, Yvon de Puys, John de Sommam, Hervé Dourdis, and others, to
the amount of one hundred and six score.
There were left dead on the field, of both parties, from four to
five hundred men; but it was thought only from twenty to thirty were
Burgundians, and chiefly belonging to the lord de Viefville and John
lord of Mailly. Those of note slain of the Dauphinois were sir Peter
d'Argensy lord of Ivry, Charles de Saint-Saulieu, Galhaut d'Aarsy,
Thibaut de Gerincourt, sir Corbeau de Rieux, sir Sarrasin de Beaufort,
Robinet de Verseilles, Guillaume du Pont, the bastard de Moy, and many
other gentlemen, to the above amount.
The prisoners made and carried off by the Dauphinois were sir Colart
de Commines, sir Guillain de Halluyn, the lord de Sailly en Hernaise,
Lamon de Lannoy, and some others. In this engagement, sir John de
Luxembourg, from his too great eagerness at the onset, was made
prisoner by a man at arms called le Mouse, and carried away to some
distance, but he was rescued by a party of his own and the duke's men.
He was, however, very badly wounded on the face and across his nose. In
like manner was the lord de Humbercourt taken, wounded and rescued.
On the arrival of the duke of Burgundy at Abbeville, he went to the
church of our Lady to offer up his prayers and thanksgivings for his
great success, and thence to his lodgings at the hôtel of the Crown.
His people, many of whom had been wounded in the battle, quartered
themselves in the town as well as they could.
The duke now first heard that great part of his force had deserted him
and fled to Picquigny, which surprised and angered him greatly, and not
without cause. He would never afterward admit any of those runaways to
his presence, and dismissed all of them who had been of his household:
very few men of rank, however, of the latter description, had fled.
When he had remained three days in Abbeville to refresh and recover his
men, and had resolved in council not to lay siege again to St Riquier,
on account of the present state of his army, and for other reasons, he
departed, and, passing by St Riquier, fixed his quarters at Auxi. Sir
John de Luxembourg was carried thither in a litter on account of the
severity of his wounds. On the morrow he advanced to Hesdin, where
he made some stay; and, having ordered different garrisons to oppose
that of St Riquier, he disbanded the greater part of his army. By his
moderation in their ransoms, he gained over all the captains of the
Dauphinois who had been made prisoners, and sent them to his castle of
Lille, where they remained a considerable time.
Thenceforward this engagement was called the rencounter at Mons in
Vimeu, and was not deemed a battle, because the two parties met
accidentally in the manner you have heard, and without any banner
displayed.
Among the principal persons who had fled, were the lord de Cohen
governor of Abbeville, who was not yet recovered from the wound he had
received, of which mention has been made, and which prevented him from
putting on his helmet: he had been advised, on leaving Abbeville, not
to engage in combat; and he was held excused on account of his wound.
The others were the before named John de Rosimbos, and the whole of
those attached to the duke's banner.
CHAP. LXIII.
THE NAMES OF THE PRINCIPAL LORDS WHO HAD ACCOMPANIED AND REMAINED WITH
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY IN THE LATE RENCOUNTER.--ALSO THE NAMES OF THE
PRINCIPAL DAUPHINOIS.
Here follow the names of the lords and captains who supported the duke
of Burgundy in the late engagement. Sir John de Luxembourg, the lord
d'Antoing, sir John de la Trimuille, lord de Jonvelle, the lords de
Croy, de la Viefville, de Longueval, de Genlis, de Robais and his son,
d'Auxi, de Saveuses, de Crevecoeur, de Noyelle, surnamed the White
Knight, de Humbercourt, sir Pierre Kieret, sir Guy de Rely, John lord
of Mailly, John de Fosseux, le Moyne de Renty, sir David de Brimeu,
lord of Ligny, sir Andrew de Vallines, the lord de Saint-Simon, the
lord de Framensen, Regnault de Longueval, Aubiliet de Folleville,
the bastard de Coussy, sir Louis de Saint-Saulieu, who was that day
knighted, and on the morrow was drowned in the Somme at Abbeville, as
he was giving water to a horse he had taken from the Dauphinois, John
de Flavy, Andrew de Toulongeon, sir Philibert Andrenet, sir Gauvain de
la Viefville, sir Florimont de Brimeu, sir Mauroy de Saint-Leger, sir
Andrew d'Azincourt, the lord de Commines, his brother sir Colart de
Commines, sir John d'Estenu, sir John de Hornes, sir Roland du Querque,
his son sir John du Querque, sir Guillain de Haluyn, sir John and sir
Andrew Vilain, sir Daviod de Poix, the lord de Moyencourt, and many
other noble knights and esquires of the duke's household.
On the part of the Dauphinois were the lord de Conflans, the baron
d'Ivry, the lord de Moy, the lord d'Eschin, Louis d'Offemont, sir
Gilles de Gamaches, his son Louis de Gamaches, Poton de Saintrailles,
sir Regnault de Fontaines, sir Charles de Saint-Saulieu, John de Proisy
governor of Guise, the marquis de Scare and his brother, Pierron de
Luppel, John Raulet, sir John de Rogan, sir Raoul de Gaucourt, sir
Louis de Thiembronne, the lord de Mommor, Bernard de St Martin, Thibaut
de Gerincourt, Galhaut d'Aarsy, sir Sarrasin de Beaufort, Robinet de
Verseilles, his brother John de Joigny, Yvon du Puys, John de Sommam,
Hervé and John de Dourdis and some more. They had under their command
about five or six hundred men at arms, and from three to four hundred
most able archers, whom they had selected from different garrisons.
CHAP. LXIV.
NEWS OF THE LATE VICTORY IS MADE PUBLIC IN DIFFERENT PARTS.--THE
CAPTURE OF THE FORT OF DOUVRIER.--THE DEPARTURE OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY
FROM HESDIN.
On the morrow of this victory of the duke of Burgundy, the news was
spread abroad in divers places, which gave great joy to all of his
party, more particularly to the inhabitants of Montrieul and the
adjacent country. Soon after, sir John de Blondel, who was but lately
returned from his imprisonment in England, collected a body of the
gentlemen of that neighbourhood, among whom was sir Olivier de Brimeu,
a very ancient knight, and some of the inhabitants of Montrieul, and
led them to the fort of Douvrier, then held by the men of Poton de
Saintrailles. He addressed them so eloquently and ably that they agreed
to surrender the place to him, on condition that they should be safely
escorted to St Riquier, which was done; and he regarrisoned it, to make
head against the Dauphinois.
When the duke of Burgundy had disposed of his troops to oppose the
further progress of the enemy to his satisfaction, he left Hesdin, and
went to Lille; thence he made a pilgrimage to our Lady at Halle, and
returned to Flanders, where he made a considerable stay, to attend to
his affairs in that country.
CHAP. LXV.
THE KING OF ENGLAND CONQUERS DREUX, AND PURSUES THE DAUPHIN, HE THEN
LAYS SIEGE TO MEAUX IN BRIE,--AND OTHER MATTERS.
We will now return to the king of England, and relate how he conducted
himself. When the duke of Burgundy left him at Mantes, as has been
before mentioned, he marched thence his army which was very large, and
daily increasing from the reinforcements that joined him from Normandy
and Paris, and advanced to Dreux after the dauphin had raised the siege
of Chartres.