that they could not walk or ride by reason of the slipperiness of the
streets, but went about in a traineau, made of wood, square and without
wheels, wherever business or pleasure led them. They visited the noble
and royal church of St Denis, and were received at the gate of the
church by the convent in their copes, but the abbot was absent. They
were presented to kiss a cross of gold set with precious stones, that
contained within it a part of the true cross, and they were besprinkled
with holy water and incense: in short, their reception was similar to
that which would have been given to the late king of Hungary, had he
been there in person. The treasures and sacred vestments of the church
were displayed to them,--and they saw the bodies of the saints that had
been interred in separate chapels, and the sepultures of the kings and
queens of France; all of which gave them much pleasure, for they had
for interpreter one of the king's pursuivants, who understood their
language, and had been ordered by the king to attend on them. After
their return from St Denis to Paris, they departed for Hungary.
On the 21st day of August, sir Pierre de Brézé, lord of Varenne and
count de Maulévrier, accompanied by Robert de Flocques, bailiff of
Evreux, with many other lords, men at arms and archers, sailed from
Honfleur, to the number of four thousand combatants. And on the 25th
of the said month, the lords de la Fosse and de l'Eure put to sea, and
sailed for several places without meeting any adventures, nor being
able to land from the roughness of the weather.
On the following Sunday, the 28th of the month, from sixteen to
eighteen hundred combatants made a descent, two leagues from Sandwich
in England, about six o'clock in the morning, and formed themselves
into three battalions. They marched on foot two long leagues through
very bad roads, until they came to a bulwark that had been lately
repaired, the ditches of which were full of water. This bulwark had two
towers full of archers, who were sharply attacked, and many wounded on
each side. Several of the English were killed,--and the bulwark was won
by storm, the English having retreated into the town.
The bailiff of Evreux, who commanded the rear-guard, remained at his
post during this attack, and, when the bulwark was won, kept his
position, as it had been ordered. A division came by sea before
Sandwich, to the great joy of their companions on foot, seeing their
handsome appearance, while the English were as much cast down. In
this division was a guidon of the count de Dunois, borne by Galiot de
Genouillac.
There were in the port of Sandwich a large carrack and three ships of
war, into which many English had retreated, and would have continued
to do much mischief to the French, if the grand seneschal of Normandy
had not sent them orders to cease shooting or he would burn their
vessels. It was then agreed, that they should retire in safety from
these vessels, provided they ceased from hostilities, which was fully
complied with.
This same day the seneschal had it proclaimed through his army, that no
one, under pain of death, should touch the effects of the churches, or
violate the honour of any woman, or set any house on fire, or kill any
one in cold blood: all of which commands were most honourably observed.
The infantry now entered the town by the gates, and the division by
sea the harbour,--when the English gave them full employment, for they
attacked them in every square when they rallied after being defeated in
another place. However, the French, but with great difficulty, drove
them out of the town, and displayed their banners from the gates, under
which the French formed themselves in battle-array: indeed, they had
need so to do, for the English were increasing in strength from all
the adjacent parts. They had heard that the French intended to attack
Sandwich, but, from pride, they said they would not believe it until
they should see them.
The English, thus increased, kept up the skirmishes before the gates
for six hours without intermission, when many were killed and wounded
on each side. Thirty new knights were created on this occasion, namely,
Robert de Flocques, called Flocquet, bailiff of Evreux,--Thibault de
Termes, bailiff of Chartres,--John Charbonnel, lord of Chevreuses, and
others, who behaved very valiantly.
When it was about five o'clock in the afternoon, the French, perceiving
no end to skirmishing from the numbers of the enemy constantly
increasing, and that their own men were greatly fatigued from their
sufferings at sea, as the weather had been against them, determined on
making a retreat; for they thought they should be unable to continue
the engagement during the night, considering that they had many killed
and wounded, that their men had little or no refreshments during the
whole day, and that the English were hourly receiving reinforcements.
In this retreat, the French suffered no other loss than that of a boat,
in which were twelve men at arms, that sunk, and nine of them were
drowned: it was a pity, for they had that day well done their duty. May
God grant them his pardon, and show mercy to all the others who fell!
If it had not been for the great quantity of wine in Sandwich, of which
many archers took more than was necessary, the seneschal would have
tarried there with his whole company that night. They, however, carried
off much wealth, and numbers of vessels, of different sizes, that were
in the harbour: in the number were three large ships of war, which
cast anchor in the road, two leagues from Sandwich, and remained there
until the Wednesday following: the English all the time were drawn up
in battle-array, about a cannon-shot distant one division from another.
The seneschal departed with his fleet on the Thursday, with numbers of
prisoners and much wealth. On his arrival at Honfleur, the prisoners
were ransomed, and the plunder divided.
This was a year of great scarcity in France, and of great mortality in
other places.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 234: I have said 'a waggon hung on springs,' as it is in the
original _chariot branlant_.]
[Footnote 235: The commencement of the year seems _now_ to take place
seven days after Christmas.]
CHAP. LXX.
DUKE PHILIP OF BURGUNDY CARRIES THE DAUPHIN TO BRUGES, WHERE HE IS
JOYFULLY RECEIVED WITH MANY HONOURS.--OTHER EVENTS MENTIONED AND
REPEATED.
Soon after Easter in this year, the duke of Burgundy, accompanied by
the dauphin, set out from Brussels for Bruges, passing through the
towns of Oudenarde and Courtray. In both these towns, the dauphin was
received most honourably. Thence they proceeded to Bruges,--and the
principal inhabitants, to the amount of eight hundred, very richly
dressed, came out to meet them, with a great concourse of common
people, to do honour to the dauphin, and to please their lord.
On the first day of July, in this year, a meeting was held between
St Omer and Gravelines, by the count d'Estampes and the bastard of
Burgundy, on the part of the duke of Burgundy, and the earl of Warwick
for the king of England, to repress and check the enterprises of the
English on several parts of the duke's territories. The matter was so
well managed that a truce was settled between them for eight years.
The 10th of this month, the lady Charlotte of Savoy, daughter to the
duke of Savoy, and married to the dauphin, was conducted to him in the
town of Namur by the lord de Montagu, whom he had sent to escort her;
and then the marriage was perfectly consummated,--for although they had
been married five years, it was said that they had never lain together.
Duke Philip was not then at Namur, but in Picardy, whither he had gone
to learn the intentions of the towns on the Somme, namely, St Quentin,
Corbie, Amiens, and Abbeville; for it had been rumoured that the king
of France had raised a large army, but no one knew how he intended to
employ it,--and it was also reported that the king was much displeased
with the duke of Burgundy, for detaining his son (as he thought)
against his will, and out of contempt to him. The duke had therefore
gone to these towns, which belonged to him by the treaty of Arras, to
put them on their guard, and to entreat them not to admit any men of
arms that the king might send to their towns. But should the king come
in person, they were to admit him with every honour, as their supreme
lord. These requests the several towns willingly complied with.
About the end of this month of July, upward of two thousand houses were
destroyed by fire in the town of Dordrecht in Holland: many persons
were also burnt to death, which was a most melancholy case.
The latter end of August, a large body of French sailed from Normandy,
giving out that they were going to aid the Scots against the English;
but they made a descent near to Sandwich, which they took by storm,
before the country could be raised to oppose them. They, however, only
staid there one tide; for had they remained longer, they would not
have returned, from the great numbers of English that were hastening
thither from all quarters. The commander in chief of the French was the
lord de Varennes, seneschal of Normandy; and new knights were made, to
the number of twenty gentlemen,--among whom were Flocquet, Charlot
de Mares, Porrus de Liques, and others. At this attack, three hundred
English were killed, and about thirty French. They sailed back to
Normandy with their plunder, which was very considerable.
Some short time before this, a party of Bretons had invaded the English
coast, and burnt and pillaged some villages: they made no long stay,
for the English assembled in force to destroy them, had they not
departed.
In the month of September, of this year, the king of France sent the
bishop of Constance and a few others, as his ambassadors to the duke of
Burgundy at Brussels, to remonstrate with the duke on several matters,
especially on the dauphin's remaining so long with him, to the great
displeasure of the king.
CHAP. LXXI.
A COOLNESS BETWEEN THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY AND THE COUNT OF ST
POL.--OTHER MATTERS.
In the preceding year, the duke of Burgundy, as earl of Hainault, had
taken possession of the lands of Enghien, belonging to the count de
Saint Pol, and situated in the country of Hainault, although he had
not touched any other lands of the count, situated in France or in the
other territories of the duke. The count de St Pol was much displeased
at this conduct; but, wishing to avoid an open rupture with the duke,
he sent to require, if it were his good pleasure, that he might appear
in his presence to hear what he had been guilty of, and to make such
answers and defence as became him,--and for this purpose he demanded a
passport from the duke. The duke replied, that he had no occasion to
require a passport, unless he reputed himself his enemy. The count,
in answer, said, that so far from reputing himself his enemy, he was
his true and loyal subject, but that he had demanded a passport for
the security of his person, to avoid the effects of the anger of his
prince; for that he was surrounded by counsellors who loved him little,
and who were seeking to create trouble between the duke and him,--and
he had, therefore, been advised not to appear before him without first
having a passport. The passport was at length sent him.
It was reported that the count de St Pol considered the lord de Croy,
first chamberlain and principal minister to the duke, as his chief
enemy, although, a long time before, a marriage had been agreed to
between the eldest son of the lord de Croy and the daughter of the
count de St Pol; and the lady of Croy had received the damsel, and had
educated her as her own child, because she was too young for marriage.
I know not whether the count repented of this match, but he wanted to
have his daughter again, probably to match her more nobly,--and he
sent secretly one of his sons to the place where she was, to bring
his sister back; but the lord de Croy, having had intimation of this,
managed matters so dexterously that the young couple were married and
bedded before the count de Saint Pol could provide a remedy. This was
the cause of their hatred.
The count, having received his passport from the duke, came to Brussels
grandly attended by noble men, and by more than two hundred horse. The
next day, which was about the middle of September, he had an audience
of the duke, and was accused of having slain, or caused to be slain,
certain persons, and of having taken, or caused to be taken, effects
wrongfully and contrary to justice. It was on these grounds the duke
had laid hands on the lands of Enghien; and he was told that he made
but a sorry return for the numerous acts of kindness that had been done
to him and to his family by the duke and his predecessors.
To these charges the count replied, that he always had been, and still
was, ready to serve and obey the duke in all things, whom he considered
so good and benevolent; that if there were none who had prejudiced the
duke's mind against him, he trusted he should satisfy him, as to these
accusations, if it were his pleasure to hear him in private, for that
he should submit himself wholly to his gracious mercy,--but that if
he would not hear him in private, he was ready to reply instantly and
publicly to the accusations that had been laid against him.
This was accepted; but, notwithstanding any defence or excuses that he
made, he could not obtain the repossession of the lands of Enghien, and
returned this time without effecting any thing.
In this year of 1457, a splendid embassy, consisting of upwards of
seven hundred horses, arrived at Tours from Lancelot king of Hungary
and Bohemia. Among them were an archbishop, twelve or thirteen great
barons, and more than thirty gentlemen, who were followed by twenty-six
waggons richly adorned and well equipped, to carry their baggage.
Before they entered the city, king Charles sent out the principal lords
of his household to meet and escort them into the town: the churchmen
and people went out also to do them honour; but the king then resided
at a favourite palace at Montils la Tours, where he had been ill, so
that the ambassadors were forced to remain ten days at Tours before
they could have an audience.
The ambassadors went to Montils les Tours on the 18th day of December,
where they were presented to the king, the queen, their youngest
son Charles, and the princess Magdalen. When the presentations were
performed, the archbishop of Bolisdastain[236] made an harangue
in Latin, in such terms as he had received from his sovereign,
and discoursed first on the love and friendship that had always
existed between the kings of France and the kings of Hungary and
Bohemia,--adding, that it was in consequence of their mutual affection
that the king of Hungary had sent this embassy. 'When,' continued he,
'peace and amity shall exist between you both, who in the world can
hurt you? Thy predecessors and our sovereigns, the kings of Hungary and
Bohemia, have been in alliance. Thou art the column of Christianity,
and my sovereign lord is the shield: thou art the house of
Christendom, and my sovereign is the wall.' Many other fine compliments
he addressed to the king, and, at the conclusion, formally demanded in
marriage the princess Magdalen for king Lancelot his lord, which had
been before done in a private manner.
As the king was well inclined to this marriage, he ordered his
ministers to confer on the subject with the ambassadors; but the first
days were employed in feasting the ambassadors, which was done by grand
and plentiful entertainments given them by one lord after another. At
these feasts, all the nobles of the court of France were present in the
most sumptuous dresses,--so that it was a splendid sight to view the
dukes, counts, barons, knights, esquires, ladies, damsels, heralds,
pursuivants, minstrels and trumpets out of number.
But above all these entertainments was the first given by the count de
Foix, which, in variety and magnificence surpassed them all. The first
ornament was a castle having four small towers at the corners, and in
the middle a larger one with four windows: in every window was seen the
fair countenance of a damsel with her yellow hair, like fine gold,
scattered over her shoulders, and no other parts of her form were seen.
On the summit of this tower was displayed the banner of king Lancelot,
having his arms properly emblazoned, and around the smaller towers
were attached the arms of the principal ambassadors. Within this large
tower, but unseen, were six boys singing so very melodiously that they
were supposed to be damsels.
The second pageant was the resemblance of a tyger, a horrible beast,
with a short thick body, two small pointed horns on his forehead, and
with tusks of a wild boar. A man was concealed within the beast, who
moved him at his pleasure, to appear as if alive; and he was borne by
four gentlemen dressed in the fashion of the country of Béarn, and
dancing after their manner.
The third was the resemblance of a great rock, on which were a fountain
and great plenty of rabbits and other animals. From the rock issued
five small children dressed as savages, who danced a morris-dance.
The fourth interlude was the appearance of a very able esquire as if
on horseback; but the head and housings only were fastened to him, with
which he pranced about the hall, holding in his hand a pot painted
in various colours. From this pot there sprang roses, daisies, and
other flowers; and, rising above all, was a handsome lily, loaded with
flowers de luce. Having placed this pot on the table, another gentleman
arrived with a live peacock in a dish, which he also put on the table,
in order that all who wished to make any vows might then do so. Upon
which, two knights of the embassy did make vows to perform a deed of
arms, and the other to hold a tourney.
At length, dishes full of spices and all kinds of sweatmeats were
brought to the great table, under the figures of stags, wild boars,
bears, monkeys, lions and other beasts; and on each dish were the arms
of those who were present at this dinner. When the dinner was ended,
the dancings began.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 236: Bolisdastain. Q. In the former account of this embassy,
the archbishop of Cologne and bishop of Passau, according to M. du
Cange, are mentioned.]
CHAP. LXXII.
THE DEATH OF LANCELOT KING OF HUNGARY, WHICH CAUSES GREAT MOURNING AT
THE COURT OF FRANCE.--THE DEATHS OF JOHN OF COIMBRA, KING OF CYPRUS,
AND OF THE DUKE OF BRITTANY,--WHICH LAST IS SUCCEEDED BY HIS BROTHER
ARTHUR COUNT DE RICHEMONT.
On Christmas-eve, in the year 1457, news arrived at Tours of the death
of Lancelot king of Hungary, while his ambassadors were feasting, as
has been said. This sad event changed their feastings into sorrow, and
their grief moved the compassion of all; for they well knew the ardent
desire their king had to marry the daughter of the king of France, not
through any wish of obtaining lands or money with her, but through a
strong passion to connect himself by marriage with the king of France,
as he was then but eighteen years old. They also perceived, from the
great respect and attentions that had been shown them in France, that
the king was equally desirous of this match: you may therefore suppose
that their grief was very great.
This event was concealed six days from king Charles, lest it might
increase his disorder, and in order to afford time for its being broken
gently to him. Funeral obsequies were performed in the church of St
Martin at Tours, before the king was made acquainted with it; but on
that day it was told him, and he much lamented it. On the morrow, the
ambassadors set out on their return, very sorrowful at the unfortunate
issue of their embassy.
Intelligence of the king of Hungary's death was carried to the duke
of Burgundy on Christmas-day, for which he testified his grief; for
king Lancelot and he were nearly related; although he well knew
that the projected alliance between the two kings was meant for
his disadvantage, and particularly to deprive him of the duchy of
Luxembourg, which he had gained, as well by arms as by purchase. King
Lancelot, it was said, claimed this duchy; and it was reported, that
he had bequeathed it to the lady Magdalen of France, and had ordered
his executor, king Charles, to put her in the possession of it.
Notwithstanding that duke Philip had heard all this, he cared very
little about it. Soon after Christmas, the duke ordered a grand funeral
service to be performed in the cathedral church of Bruges for the soul
of the king of Hungary. It was rumoured, that he had died of poison
given him by some of his ministers, who feared, that should he marry
the princess of France, they would be dismissed from the government;
and it was said, that from the time he had swallowed the poison, he
only lived three hours.
In this year, died also John of Coimbra, a Portuguese, nephew to the
duchess of Burgundy. He had married the widowed queen of Cyprus, and in
her right became king of that island. It was a great loss, for he had
given great hopes of his being a good and virtuous prince.
The duke of Brittany departed this life without leaving any male heirs,
so that the duchy fell to his brother Arthur count de Richemont,
constable of France, who reigned as duke in his stead.
CHAP. LXXIII.
KING CHARLES IS DANGEROUSLY ILL.--ON HIS RECOVERY, HE SENDS TO INFORM
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY THAT HE SHALL TAKE UNDER HIS WARD THE ESTATES OF
THE YOUTH OF RODEMAC[237].--THE DUKE'S ANSWER.--OF THE STORMS OF WIND,
FROST, AND SNOW IN THIS SEASON.
At this period, king Charles of France was so grievously ill at Tours
that it was thought he could never recover, and processions and public
prayers were made and offered up in several parts of the kingdom for
the restoration of his health. He shortly after this recovered, and
then sent a gentleman of his household with credential letters to the
duke of Burgundy; and, having laid them before the duke, he said, that
the king of France signified to him by his mouth, that he had taken
under his wardship all the lands of the youth of Rodemac, as well
those in France as elsewhere.
The duke instantly replied, that the lands of that youth were not in
France but in the duchy of Luxembourg, and that, as he was his subject,
the king had nothing to do with it. 'I would wish to know,' added he,
'whether the king means to keep the peace of Arras, which I shall not
on my part infringe: tell him, I beg of you, to make me acquainted
with his will, and recommend me to him; for I know that he has some in
his council who are no friends of mine.' When the duke had given this
answer, he sent off on the morrow a secret embassy to the king.
This youth of Rodemac, whose estates lay in the duchy of Luxembourg,
had always been of the party of king Lancelot, in opposition to the
duke of Burgundy, and was still against him. On the other hand, the
count de St Pol, in the expectation of being constable of France, had
attached himself to king Charles,--so that, from these circumstances,
war rather than peace was looked for between the king of France and the
duke of Burgundy.
In this year, the winter was so severe and long that the frost lasted
from Michaelmas-day until the 18th of February, and the large rivers
were so hard frozen that carriages passed over them. At length, the
frost broke up with such falls of snow and rain that the country was
greatly damaged by the inundations. These miseries were increased by
storms of wind that blew down many houses and steeples, and chimnies
without number: great damage was done to the vessels all along the
coast.
Toward the end of this year, there were such numerous pilgrimages of
Germans and Brabanters, men, women and children, to St Michael's Mount,
that the like was never seen before; nor could any one divine the
reason of their being so numerous at this time, but from a sudden fit
of devotion that had seized them.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 237: Rodemac. Rodemacheron, or Rodemark,--a town in
Luxembourg.]
[A.D. 1458.]
CHAP. LXXIV.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, AT THE REQUEST OF THE TOWN OF GHENT, GOES
THITHER.--A GREAT FEAST IS MADE THERE.
On the 23d day of April, after Easter, in the year 1458, duke Philip
of Burgundy made his entry into the town of Ghent, at the request
of the inhabitants,--but not on their first soliciting it, for they
had frequently made this request through the dauphin and other great
lords. He would not, however, agree to go thither until that day, when
he made his entry with the dauphin; for he would not, for particular
reasons, take thither the count de Charolois, nor the lord de Croy his
first chamberlain. He was there received with greater honours than
any prince had ever obtained, for the whole town came out to meet
him,--the churchmen, in their robes and copes, as far as a quarter of
a league, followed by the officers of justice, as well those of the
town as of the prince,--then the deacons of the different trades, to
the number of seventy, each attended by ten of his trade, all variously
and appropriately dressed: after them came the knights, esquires, and
burghers of the town, to the amount of more than four hundred.