them toward Langres; and thence the Burgundians and Picards advanced
toward the Barrois, where they were joined by the count de Vaudemont
with all the forces he could collect. When united, they might amount
to about four thousand combatants; and their chief captains were the
said Anthony de Toulongeon marshal of Burgundy, the count de Vaudemont,
the lord d'Antoing, Gerard de Marigny, the count de Fribourg, the lord
de Mirabeau, the lord de Sez, the lord de Roland, sir Imbert Marechal,
a Savoyard, the bastard du Vergy, Matthieu de Humieres, nephew to
the above-mentioned lord d'Antoing, sir John de Cardonne lord de
Bichancourt, Boort de Bazentin, a gallant english knight called sir
John Ladan, and sir Thomas Gergeras.
Sir John Ladan was governor of Montigny-le-Roi, and had with him six
score combatants at the least, with many notable gentlemen renowned
and expert in war. They advanced in handsome array into the Barrois,
followed by sixteen or twenty carts laden with stores and provision.
They announced their entrance into the Barrois by setting fire to
different parts of that country; and thus they advanced to a large
village called Sandacourt, within seven leagues of their adversaries,
where they arrived on a Saturday night. On the morrow, Sunday, they
expected an attack from the enemy, and, consequently, they formed
their men in order of battle, and remained in this state the most
part of that day, having their archers posted behind sharp stakes to
prevent the charge of the cavalry. As the enemy did not appear, they
retired, about vespers, to the village to refresh themselves, and
called a council to consider how they should act. It was resolved, that
since from the badness of the roads, and from the country being so
intersected with hedges, they could not, without danger, march to meet
the enemy, who were superior to them in numbers, they should return
through the Barrois to Burgundy, destroy the country they marched
through, and reinforce themselves with men and every thing necessary to
enable them to combat the enemy.
This resolution was very displeasing to the count de Vaudemont, but
he was, through necessity, forced to abide by it. The captains then
ordered all things to be packed and ready for the march on the ensuing
day, Monday, the feast of St Martin in the summer; but the duke of Bar,
having heard of their arrival, quitted the siege of Vaudemont, leaving
a sufficient body to blockade it until his return, and marched his army
to offer them battle before they were reinforced.
His strength consisted of about six thousand combatants, under some of
the highest rank in Bar, Lorraine and Germany, and advanced in handsome
array. The scouts of the marshal of Burgundy fell in with those of
the duke of Bar, attacked and conquered them; and this was the first
intelligence the marshal had of their intentions.
He gave instant notice of the coming of the enemy to his captains, who
drew up their men in good order, chiefly under the directions of the
english knight. The archers were posted in front, and on the wings,
with their stakes before them. The burgundian men at arms wanted to
remain on horseback, but the Picards and English would not suffer them;
and at last it was ordered, that every man, whatever might be his rank,
should dismount,--and all who should disobey should be put to death.
The horses and carriages were placed in the rear, in such wise as to
prevent the enemy from making any attack on that quarter.
While this was passing, the duke of Bar had advanced his army to within
half a quarter of a league of them, and thence sent his heralds and
trumpets to announce to them his approach, and to say, that if they
would wait for him, he would offer them battle. The burgundian captains
sent for answer, that they were ready to receive him, and wished for
nothing better than what he had proposed.
The heralds returned with this answer to the duke, who then advanced
to within cross-bow shot of his enemies, although the lord de Barbasan
had frequently advised him to avoid an open combat, but to force them
to retreat from his country by famine and other means. He added many
arguments in support of his advice; but the duke would not listen to
them, trusting to superiority of numbers, notwithstanding the greater
part of his men had not been accustomed nor experienced in war like to
his adversaries, the Burgundians, Picards, and English.
The duke, partly by the advice of the lord de Barbasan, drew up his
army handsomely; for he had a great desire for the combat, though he
had with him but very few archers. When this was done, many new knights
were created on his side.
Preparatory to the battle, the marshal of Burgundy and the count de
Vaudemont had two tuns of wine brought to the front of their line,
which, with bread and other victual, were delivered out to their men
in what quantity they pleased; and all who had any hatreds made peace
with each other. They had also some cannon and culverines on the two
wings and in the center of their army, and they remained for two hours
fronting each other.
While they were thus situated, a stag, as I was informed, came between
their battalions, and, stamping thrice with his feet on the ground,
paced along the burgundian line,--and then, returning, dashed through
that of the Barrois, when great shoutings were made after it.
Some new knights were now created by the Burgundians and Picards, such
as Matthieu de Humieres, Gerard de Marigny, his son, and others. The
count de Vaudemont during this ceremony rode on a small hackney along
the line, entreating the men 'to combat bravely, assuring them, on the
damnation of his soul, that his cause was good and just,--that the duke
of Bar wanted to disinherit him,--and that he had ever been strongly
attached to the party of duke John and duke Philip of Burgundy.'
The Burgundians and Picards were well pleased with this address, and
determined to remain as they were, and not advance on the enemy. On
the other hand, the duke of Bar, having finished his preparations, and
drawn up his army mostly on foot, observing that the enemy did not
move, resolved to begin the combat, and marched toward them, who still
remained in their position.
When the Barrois were advanced to within twelve or sixteen diestres[4]
of their line, they discharged the cannons and culverines before
mentioned, and set up a loud shout. This caused such an alarm among
the Barrois that they flung themselves on the ground, and were greatly
frightened. Shortly after, the battle raged on all sides, and it might
then be about eleven o'clock. The Picard-archers made excellent use of
their bows, and killed and wounded numbers with their arrows.
The violence of the combat lasted about a quarter of an hour, and the
two parties were engaged in different quarters; but at length that of
the duke began to give way, and to fly in various directions,--which
being observed by the enemy, it renewed their courage, and they made
fiercer attacks than before. The Picard-archers especially killed and
wounded an incredible number, so that the disorder and defeat very soon
became general on the side of the Barrois.
The duke of Bar was made prisoner by one named Martin Fouars, belonging
to the count de Conversan, lord d'Enghien, who had all the honour and
profit of such a prize, although some said he was not taken with his
own hand. Together with the duke were made prisoners, the bishop of
Metz, John de Rodemaque, sir Everard de Salebery, the viscount d'Arcy,
the lord of Rodemaque, sir Colard de Sausy, sir Vilin de la Tour, and
others, to the amount of more than two hundred.
There remained dead on the field of battle, and including those slain
in the pursuit, which lasted for two good leagues, from five and twenty
hundred to three thousand men. The principal among them were the counts
de Salmes and de Salme-Salmes, de Linanges, Germans,--the lord de
Barbasan, sir Thibault de Barbey, two brothers to the bishop of Metz,
George de Banastre and his two brothers, and others, to the amount
aforesaid, the greater part of whom were gentlemen.
This defeat and pursuit lasted two or three hours; and when all were
re-assembled, the burgundian lords, with the count de Vaudemont,
returned their most humble thanksgiving to their Creator for the great
victory they had obtained through his means. They did not lose more in
killed than forty men, the chief of whom was sir Gerard de Marigny.
They remained that night on the field of battle. The marshal of
Burgundy was slightly wounded in the face, and the duke of Bar above
the nose. On the morrow, they marched away for Burgundy, carrying with
them their prisoners.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 4: Diestres. See Du Cange, Supplement, _Dextri_.]
CHAP. X.
THE YOUNG KING HENRY COMES FROM ENGLAND, WITH A GRAND ATTENDANCE, TO
PARIS, TO BE CROWNED KING OF FRANCE.
About the end of November, in this year, the young king Henry came from
Pontoise to St Denis, with the intent of proceeding to Paris, to be
anointed and crowned king of France. He was accompanied from England
by his uncles the cardinals of Winchester and of York, the duke of
Bedford, the rich duke of York, the earls of Warwick, Salisbury and
Suffolk. He was likewise attended by many of the great lords of France,
such as sir Louis de Luxembourg bishop of Therouenne, master Peter
Cauchon, bishop of Beauvais, master John de Mailly, bishop of Noyon,
the bishops of Paris and of Evreux, sir John bastard de St Pol, sir
Guy le Bouteiller, the lord de Courcelles, sir Gilles de Clamecy, sir
James de Painel, sir John de Pressi, the lord de Passy, the bastard de
Thian, and several more.
King Henry was escorted by about two or three thousand combatants, as
well from England as from the country round St Denis, for the security
of his person. He left that town for Paris about nine o'clock in the
morning, and was met at la Chapelle, half way between Paris and Saint
Denis, by sir Simon Morier, provost of Paris, with a numerous company
of the burghers dressed in crimson-satin doublets with blue hoods, to
do him honour and respect: there were also very many of the inhabitants
dressed in scarlet.
When the provost and his company had made their obeisances, the
king was next saluted by persons on horseback representing the
nine worthies[5], armed each according to his manner. Then by the
commandant of the watch, the provost of merchants, with the officers of
the court, dressed in silk and crimson hoods.
At a small distance came master Philip de Morvillers, first president
of the parliament, in his robes of ceremony, followed by all the lords
of the parliament in flowing robes of vermilion. Then came the members
of the chamber of accounts, the directors of the finances, the masters
of requests, the secretaries, in robes of the same colour. As they
advanced, they made their reverences to the king, each according to his
rank, and to the lords who accompanied him. With regard to the common
people, they were numberless.
When the king arrived at the entrance of the gate of St Denis, the arms
of the town were on so large a scale that in the body of them were
inclosed six men, one to represent a bishop, another the university,
and a third the burghers: the others personated sergeants. The king was
presented, on his passing the gate, with three crimson hearts: in one
were two doves; in another, small birds, which were let fly over the
king's head; and in the third, violets and other flowers, which were
thrown over the lords who accompanied him.
The provost of merchants and the sheriffs now brought a handsome
azure-coloured canopy besprinkled with flowers de luce, which they
bore over the king's head as he passed through the streets. When he
approached the little bridge of St Denis, a pageant of three savages
and a woman continued fighting, in a sort of forest that had been
formed there, until he had passed. Underneath the scaffold was a
fountain of Hippocras, with three mermaids swimming round it, and which
ran perpetually for all who chose to drink thereat. On advancing to
the second gate of the street of St Denis, there were pageants that
represented in dumb show the nativity of the holy Virgin, her marriage,
the adoration of the three kings, the massacre of the innocents, and a
good man sowing his corn, which characters were specially well acted.
Over the gate was performed the legendary history of St Denis, which
was much admired by the English.
In front of the church des Innocents was formed a sort of forest in
the street, in which was a living stag: when the king came near, the
stag was hunted by dogs and huntsmen,--and, after a long chace, it took
refuge near the feet of the king's horse, when his majesty saved its
life.
At the entrance of the gate of the Châtelet was another scaffold, on
which was a representation of king Henry clothed in a robe of flower
de luces, and having two crowns on his head. On his right hand were
figures to personate the duke of Burgundy and the count de Nevers
presenting him with the shield of France: on his left, were his uncle
the duke of Bedford, the earls of Warwick and Salisbury presenting him
with the shield of England. Each person was dressed in his own proper
tabard of arms.
The king thence went to the palace, where the holy relics were
displayed to him and to his company, and was then conducted to the
hôtel des Tournelles to partake of a repast. When he had dined, he
went to visit the queen his grandmother at the hôtel de St Pol. On the
morrow, he was carried to the castle of Vincennes, where he remained
until the 15th day of December, when he returned to the palace.
On the 17th of that month, he went from the palace in great pomp, and
attended by a numerous body of nobles and ecclesiastics, to the church
of Nôtre Dame for his coronation. In the nave of the church had been
erected a scaffold eight score feet long, and of a proper height, which
was ascended from the nave, and led to the entrance of the choir.
The king was crowned by the cardinal of Winchester, who also chaunted
the mass, to the great displeasure of the bishop of Paris, who said
that that office belonged to him. At the offertory, the king made an
offering of bread and wine in the usual manner. The wine was in a
large pot of silver gilt, which was seized on by the king's officers,
to the discontent of the canons of the cathedral, who claimed it as
their perquisite; and they urged their complaints before the king and
council, who, after it had cost them much in this claim, caused it to
be returned to them.
All the other ceremonies usual at coronations were this day performed,
but more after the english than the french mode; and the lords before
named were about the person of the king, and serving him while in the
church according to their several offices.
When mass was over, the king returned to the palace, and dined at
the table of marble in the midst of the hall. On one side of him
were seated the cardinal of Winchester, master Peter Cauchon, bishop
of Beauvais, master John de Mailly, bishop of Noyon; and on the
opposite side were the earls of Stafford, Mortimer and Salisbury, as
representing the peers of France. Sir John, bastard de St Pol, was
grand master of the household; and with him, preceding the meats, were
sir Gilles de Clamecy, sir Guy le Bouteiller, and sir John de Pressy.
The lord de Courcelles was on that day grand butler, and sir James de
Painel grand pantler: an english knight, called sir Walter Hungerford,
carved before the king.
During the dinner, four pageants were introduced: the first was a
figure of our Lady, with an infant king crowned by her side; the
second, a flower de luce, surmounted with a crown of gold, and
supported by two angels; the third, a lady and peacock; the fourth, a
lady and swan. It would be tiresome was I to relate all the various
meats and wines, for they were beyond number. Many pieces of music were
played on divers instruments; and on the morrow a gallant tournament
was held at the hôtel de St Pol, where the earl of Arundel and the
bastard de St Pol won the prizes, and gained the applause of the ladies
for being the best tilters. King Henry, having made some days' stay at
Paris, departed, and went to Rouen.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 5: _Nine worthies._ According to the Encyclopedie, vol. iv.
supplement, the _neuf-preux_ were named Joshua, Gideon, Samson, David,
Judas Macchabeus, Alexander, Julius Cæsar, Charlemagne and Godefroy de
Bouillon. For further particulars, I refer to the Encyclopedie, where
mention is made of this procession to meet Henry VI.]
CHAP. XI.
THE DETACHMENT THE DUKE OF BAR HAD LEFT TO BLOCKADE VAUDEMONT MARCH
AWAY ON HEARING OF THE ILL SUCCESS OF THE BATTLE.
Very soon after the defeat of the duke of Bar and his army, news of it
was carried to the French before Vaudemont by those who had escaped;
and it caused such an alarm among them that they instantly took to
flight in a most disorderly manner, each man imagining the enemy at his
heels, and leaving behind the artillery, stores and provision, that had
been intrusted to their guard, and which were in great abundance.
The garrison, observing the confusion and disorder in the camp of the
besiegers, concluded that the duke of Bar had been conquered, and
instantly sallying out on horseback and on foot made a great slaughter,
and took many prisoners. They gained so much that they were all
enriched.
Intelligence of this defeat was spread throughout the countries of Bar
and Lorraine, and that their lord had been made prisoner, which caused
the severest grief to all attached to him. The place where this battle
had been fought was called Villeman; and from that day it bore the name
of the Battle of Villeman.
The count de Vaudemont was lavish in his thanks and praises to the
marshal of Burgundy and the other lords and gentlemen who had so
essentially aided him. He then returned to his country, and the
marshal, with his Burgundians and Picards, to Burgundy, carrying with
him the duke of Bar, whom he placed under a good guard at Dijon.
CHAP. XII.
SIR JOHN DE LUXEMBOURG ASSEMBLES MEN AT ARMS AND MARCHES INTO
CHAMPAGNE AGAINST THE FRENCH, FROM WHOM HE CONQUERS SEVERAL
CASTLES.--OTHER MATTERS.
In the month of July, of this year, sir John de Luxembourg, count de
Ligny, assembled, by orders from king Henry and the duke of Burgundy,
about a thousand combatants, whom he led into the countries of
Champagne and the Rethelois, to conquer some castles held by the troops
of king Charles, which had much harrassed those parts.
Sir John was accompanied by the lord de Ternant and the Rethelois;
and his first attack was on the castle of Guetron, in which were
from sixty to four score of king Charles's men, who, perceiving the
superiority of the enemy, were so much frightened that they permitted
them to gain the lower court without offering any resistance; and,
shortly after, they opened a parley, and proposed to surrender the
place on having their lives and fortunes spared. This offer was
refused,--and they were told they must surrender at discretion. In the
end, however, it was agreed to by the governor, that from four to six
of his men should be spared by sir John.
When this agreement had been settled, and pledges given for its
performance, the governor re-entered the castle, and was careful
not to tell his companions the whole that had passed at the
conference,--giving them to understand in general, that they were to
march away in safety; but when the castle was surrendered, all within
it were made prisoners. On the morrow, by orders from sir John de
Luxembourg, they were all strangled, and hung on trees hard by, except
the four or six before mentioned,--one of their companions serving for
the executioner.
An accident befel one of them, which is worth relating. The hangman was
in such haste that the cord, as he was turned off the ladder, hitched
under his chin, and thus suspended him, while the executioner went on
to complete the sentence on others. Some of the gentlemen standing
by took compassion on him,--and one of them, with a guisarme, cut
the cord: he fell to the ground and soon recovered his senses. The
spectators then entreated sir John to have pity on him for the love
of God, and to spare his life, which request was at length complied
with,--and he went away in safety.
Sir John de Luxembourg, having executed justice on these marauders,
marched away with his army, but not before he had demolished the castle
of Guetron, to the castle of Tours en Porcien.[6] He remained before it
some days, during which the captain capitulated to deliver it up, with
the exception of the cannon, on being allowed to march off unmolested,
but without any baggage. Some, who had formerly taken the oaths to
king Henry, were hung, and the castle was razed to the ground.
Thence sir John marched to a castle called Bahin: the captain thereof
was one Barete, who soon offered to surrender, on condition that he
himself and his garrison might have their lives spared, and be allowed
to depart with their baggage, which terms were accepted.
At this time, the earl of Warwick's son joined sir John, with sir
Gilles de Clamecy and four hundred combatants, to assist him should
there be occasion; but as the French were not in sufficient force in
Champagne and those parts to resist, they returned shortly after to
Meaux in Brie, and to the other garrisons whence they had come.
Sir John reduced to obedience many other places and towns that had been
held for king Charles,--some by treaty, others by force of arms.
At this period, the lord de l'Isle-Adam, who was decorated with the
duke of Burgundy's order of the Golden Fleece, was appointed, by the
king of England and his council, marshal of France. He assembled about
six hundred fighting men, part of whom were English; and in conjunction
with the bastard de St. Pol, and one of his own brothers, he led them
to the town of Lagny sur Marne, then possessed by king Charles's party,
thinking to conquer it by surprise,--but it was too well defended by
those to whose guard it had been intrusted.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 6: Porcien,--a principality in Champagne.]
CHAP. XIII.
THE DUKE D'ALENÇON MAKES THE CHANCELLOR OF BRITTANY PRISONER.
This year, the duke d'Alençon made his uncle's chancellor of Brittany
prisoner, because he would not assist him with money according to
his pleasure, for his ransom when captured at the battle of Vermeuil
in Perche, which he looked to obtain from the chancellor. He carried
him prisoner to his town of Poussay. But in a short time, the duke of
Brittany, being much exasperated at such conduct, assembled his barons
and a large force of men at arms, whom, with some english captains,
he marched to the town of Poussay, and besieged it all round,--but
the duke d'Alençon had quitted it from fear of his enemies: he had,
however, left there his duchess, daughter to the duke of Orleans, then
a prisoner in England, who was ill in child-bed, and sorely vexed at
these matters.
The siege was carried on for some time; but at length, the duke of
Alençon, on account of the situation of the duchess, and to prevent
his town and subjects being further harrassed, made peace with his
uncle, and restored to him his chancellor and the others whom he had
made prisoners. Thus was the siege broken up. The duke had taken the
chancellor prisoner at a country-seat which he had near to Nantes,--and
his object was to get paid a certain sum of money that his uncle, the
duke of Brittany, was indebted to him.
CHAP. XIV.
THE FRENCH ARE NEAR TAKING THE CASTLE OF ROUEN.
On the 3d day of February in this year, at the solicitations of the
marshal de Bousac, the lord de Fontaines, sir John Foulquet, the lord
de Mouy, and other captains assembled a force of about six hundred
fighting men in the city of Beauvais. They marched thence to within a
league of Rouen, and posted themselves in ambush in a wood.
Thence the marshal sent off secretly a gentleman called Richarville
with a hundred or six score combatants, all on foot, except four or
five who were mounted on small horses, to the castle of Rouen, in which
the marshal had for some time kept up a correspondence with a marauder
on the part of the English named Pierre Audeboeuf, a Béarn man, who had
promised to deliver up the castle to him.