The duke, whome the matter touched so néere, did so much with his
nephew the French king, that eftsoones he raised his whole puissance,
and came downe into Flanders, so that the Englishmen perceiuing
themselues not of power to incounter with this huge and mightie armie,
were constreined after a great assault, which they gaue the eight
of August, to raise their siege from Ypres the mondaie after, being
S. Laurence daie, and to withdraw into Bruckburge, Berghen, Dixmew,
Newport, Cassell, Dunkirke, Grauelin, and other places which they
had woon. But at Newport the townesmen set vp the earles banner, and
assailing those that were come into the towne, slue diuerse of them.
The Englishmen being sore offended therewith, came running thither
with certeine Gauntiners, and made great slaughter of them that had
so murthered their fellowes. The towne was sacked, and all the goods
aswell church iewels as other were sent awaie, partlie by sea into
England, and partlie by waggons vnto Berge. After this, they set fire
in more than thirtie places of the towne, so that there remained
nothing vnburnt. The Englishmen & Gauntiners that were withdrawne into
Berge, got togither all the waggons in the countrie about, placing the
same vpon the diches and rampiers, to fortifie the same against their
enemies.
[Sidenote: _Thom. Wals._ A couragious & warlike bishop.]
Some write, that after the breaking of the siege at Ypres, the bishop
of Norwich would gladlie haue persuaded the lords and knights that
were there with him, to haue entred into Picardie, and there to haue
offered the French king battell, before his whole puissance had beene
assembled: but sir Thomas Triuet and sir William Elmham with other,
would in no wise consent therevnto, so that the bishop taking with
him sir Hugh Caluerlie, that did neuer forsake him, bad the other
farewell; and first making a road into Picardie, he after withdrew into
Grauelin, whiles the other went to Bruckburge. But by Froissard, and
other writers it appeareth, that sir Hugh was certeinlie at Berge, with
other that were retired thither, in purpose to defend it against the
French king, who still followed them, and recouered diuerse places out
of their hands by force, as Mont Cassell, the castell of Crincham, and
other. Also at his comming to Berghen, the said sir Hugh Caluerlie,
and other that were within it, perceiuing that they were not able to
defend it against such a puissance as the French king had there with
him, being greater than euer sir Hugh Caluerlie that ancient capteine
wold haue thought that France had béene able to haue set foorth,
departed, and left the towne to be spoiled of the Britons, and other
French souldiers, which executed there all kinds of crueltie. The more
part of the Englishmen went to Bruckburge, but sir Hugh Caluerlie went
to Grauelin, and so to Calis, as one sore displeased in his mind, for
that his counsell could not be regarded in all this voiage, which if it
had béene followed, would haue brought it to a better issue than now it
was, as was supposed. |761|
[Sidenote: The French king with his huge armie driueth the Englishmen
out of Flanders. Bruckburge yéelded to the French.