of the nobles of Burgundy, he was so hardly pushed that the greater
part of his castles were conquered and demolished, namely, Graussy,
Flongy, Challancy, Villiers le Magnet, Nully, the castle of St Urban,
Blaise, Saint Vorge, Esclaron, Varville, Cussay, Romay, Vaudemont, and
Lasoncourt.
The siege of Graussy lasted more than three months under the command
of Jean du Vergy, the principal in this quarrel, having with him sir
William de Baufremont, William de Vienne, sir Charles du Vergy, and
twelve hundred combatants. The lord de Château-Vilain, with the heir of
Commercy and Robert de Vaudricourt, and sixteen hundred fighting men,
marched to raise the siege, when a grand skirmish took place, but only
one man was killed.
The lord de Château-Vilain, however, finding that he could not attempt
to raise the siege without very great danger from the strength of his
enemies, retreated to the place whence he had come; and shortly after,
sir Denis de Sainct-Flour, who commanded within the castle, capitulated
to surrender the place, on the garrison being allowed to march away in
safety with their lives and baggage.
Having concluded this treaty, sir Denis went to the king of France, who
had him beheaded for several charges that had been made against him,
and also for having put his wife to death.
At this time, some captains of the duke of Burgundy took by storm and
by scalado the town of Epernai, belonging to Charles duke of Orleans,
a prisoner in England, in which every disorder was committed as in a
conquered town.
CHAP. XXXVI.
A TREATY OF PEACE IS CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY AND THE
LIEGEOIS.
At the end of this year, a peace was concluded between the duke of
Burgundy and the Liegeois. Many meetings had been held before the two
parties could agree on terms: at last, it was settled that the Liegeois
should pay the duke one hundred and fifty thousand nobles by way of
compensation for the damages they had done to his country of Namur by
demolishing his castles, and other mischiefs. They also consented to
raze to the ground the tower of Mont-Orgueil, near to Bovines, which
they held, and which indeed had been the chief cause of the war.
They completely fulfilled all the articles of the treaty; and the
pledges for their future good conduct were John de Hingsbergh their
bishop, Jacques de Fosseux, and other nobles of the country of Liege.
For the more effectual security of this treaty, reciprocal engagements
were interchanged between the parties; and thus the Liegeois who had
been in very great alarms and fear, were much rejoiced to have peace
firmly established throughout their territories.
[A.D. 1433.]
CHAP. XXXVII.
THE DUKE OF BEDFORD, WHO STYLED HIMSELF REGENT OF FRANCE, MARRIES THE
DAUGHTER OF THE COUNT DE SAINT POL.
At the commencement of this year, John duke of Bedford espoused, in
the town of Therouenne, Jacquilina, eldest daughter to Pierre de
Luxembourg count de St Pol, and niece to Louis de Luxembourg bishop of
Therouenne, chancellor of France for king Henry, and also to sir John
de Luxembourg.
This marriage had been long negociated by the bishop, who was very
eager to bring it about, and he was at that time the principal minister
and adviser of the said duke. The duke of Burgundy was not in that
country when it was solemnized,--but hearing of it on his return, he
was displeased with the count de St Pol for having thus, without his
knowledge or advice, disposed of his daughter.
The wedding-feasts were celebrated in the episcopal palace of
Therouenne; and for the joy and happiness the duke felt in this match
(for the damsel was handsome, well made and lively), and that it might
be long had in remembrance, he presented to the church of Therouenne
two magnificent bells of great value, which he had sent thither from
England at his own cost.
Some days after the feasts were over, he departed from Therouenne.
CHAP. XXXVIII.
THE TOWN OF ST VALERY, IN PONTHIEU, IS WON BY THE FRENCH.
At this time, sir Louis de Vaucourt and sir Regnault de Versailles,
attached to king Charles, accompanied by about three hundred
combatants, surprised about day-break, and took by scalado the town of
St Valery in Ponthieu. The town was governed for the duke of Burgundy
by Jean de Brimeu, and great mischiefs were done there by the French
according to their custom of dealing with conquered towns.
The capture of this place alarmed the whole country round, and not
without cause; for within a few days they greatly reinforced themselves
with men at arms, and commenced a severe war on all attached to the
English or Burgundians. The most part of those in the neighbourhood
entered into an agreement for security with them, for which they paid
heavy sums of money.
At this time also, by means of Perrinet Crasset, governor of la
Charité on the Loire for king Henry, was that town and castle given up.
It was strongly situated, and had not been conquered during the whole
of the war.
CHAP. XXXIX.
THE DUKES OF BEDFORD AND OF BURGUNDY GO TO SAINT OMER.
Toward the end of May in this year, the dukes of Bedford and of
Burgundy went to St Omer to confer together on several public matters,
and to consider on certain angry expressions that had been used and
reported on both sides. The cardinal of England was with the duke
of Bedford, and very desirous to bring these two dukes to a right
understanding with each other. However, though these two noble princes
were come to Saint Omer for this purpose, and though it had been
settled that they were to meet at an appointed time without either
being found to wait on the other; nevertheless, the duke of Bedford
expected that the duke of Burgundy should come to him at his lodgings,
which he would not do. Many of their lords went from the one to the
other to endeavour to settle this matter of ceremony, but in vain.
At length, the cardinal waited on the duke of Burgundy, and, drawing
him aside, said in an amicable manner, 'How is this, fair nephew, that
you refuse to compliment a prince who is son and brother to a king, by
calling on him, when he has taken so much trouble to meet you in one
of your own towns, and that you will neither visit nor speak to him?'
The duke replied, that he was ready to meet him at the place appointed.
After a few more words, the cardinal returned to the duke of Bedford;
and within a short time, the two dukes departed from St Omer without
any thing further being done, but more discontented with each other
than before.
CHAP. XL.
THE DEATH OF JOHN DE TOISY BISHOP OF TOURNAY.--GREAT DISSENTIONS
RESPECTING THE PROMOTION TO THE VACANT BISHOPRICK.
In this year, died in the town of Lille, at a very advanced age,
master John de Toisy bishop of Tournay, and president of the duke of
Burgundy's council. John de Harcourt, bishop of Amiens, was nominated
by the holy father the pope to succeed him, which much displeased the
duke of Burgundy, for he was desirous to have promoted to it one of
his counsellors, called master John Chevrot, archdeacon of the Vexin
under the church of Rouen. The duke had spoken on this subject to the
bishop of Amiens, that when it should become vacant he might not apply
for it; and it was reported, that de Harcourt had promised not to
accept thereof. However, when he had been translated to Tournay, the
duke ordered all his subjects, in Flanders and elsewhere, not to pay
him any obedience; and in addition, the whole, or greater part of the
revenues of the bishoprick were transferred to the duke, to the great
sorrow of the bishop. Hoping, nevertheless, to devise some means for a
reconcilement, he resided a long time in Tournay as a private person,
where he was obeyed, and much beloved by the burghers and inhabitants.
During this interval, the archbishoprick of Narbonne became vacant,
and, through the solicitations of the duke of Burgundy, it was given
to John de Harcourt by the pope, and the bishoprick of Tournay to the
before-mentioned Jean de Chevrot. This translation was made by the holy
father to please all parties, more especially the duke of Burgundy;
but it was very unsatisfactory to Jean de Harcourt, who refused to be
translated, saying, that the pope had only done it to deprive him of
his bishoprick of Tournay.
The duke, seeing that he would not comply, was more angered against
him and the townsmen of Tournay than before, and in consequence,
forbade his subjects to carry any provisions to Tournay, under pain
of confiscation and corporal punishment. He had it also proclaimed,
that all persons should give to his officers information where any
property lay belonging to the burghers of that town, that it might be
confiscated.
Very many mischiefs were done for the space of four or five years, on
account of this discord. During which time, the count d'Estampes was
sent into Tournay with a large company of knights and esquires, to take
possession of the bishoprick for Jean de Chevrot, although John de
Harcourt was in the town. It happened therefore, that when the count
d'Estampes had ordered master Stephen Vivien to take possession of the
cathedral, the greater part of the townsmen, to shew their discontent
at the proceeding, rose in rebellion, and advanced to the cathedral,
where Vivien, seated on the episcopal throne, was going through all the
ceremonies and acts that he had been ordered to do in the name of Jean
Chevrot, in taking possession of the bishoprick.
The populace no sooner witnessed what he was about than they rudely
pushed him from the throne, and tore his surplice and other parts of
his dress. Many, in their rage, would have put him to death if the
officers of justice had not laid hands on him and carried him off
as their prisoner, giving the crowd to understand that he should be
judicially punished to their satisfaction.
John de Harcourt, on whose account this riot had been raised,
restrained them as much as he could by gentle remonstrances, and
begging of them to return to their houses, for that all would end well,
and he would legally keep possession of his bishoprick. After some
little time, the commonalty retired, and the magistrates and principal
inhabitants made the best excuses they could to the count d'Estampes
for this riot,--for they were afraid they should fare the worse for it
in times to come. The count d'Estampes, finding nothing effectual could
be done, departed, and returned to the duke of Burgundy at Arras, and
told him all that had passed in Tournay. He was much vexed thereat,
and issued stricter orders than before to distress the town, so that
from this quarrel respecting the two bishops very many persons suffered
great tribulations.
Even after the peace was concluded between king Charles and the duke
of Burgundy, the king was much displeased at the conduct of the duke
respecting Tournay, and was desirous of supporting the claim of John de
Harcourt.
John de Harcourt perceiving that the duke was obstinately bent on
having Jean de Chevrot bishop of Tournay, and that he should not be
allowed to enjoy peaceably the revenues of the bishoprick, and that
withal his lands in Hainault had been seized on and confiscated by the
duke, departed from Tournay, and went with a few attendants to the
king, who gave him a most gracious reception, and he then continued his
journey to his archbishoprick of Narbonne. Thus did Jean de Chevrot
gain the bishoprick of Tournay, who sent thither, to take possession,
a canon of Cambray, named master Robert d'Auclair. He was at this time
very courteously received there, and obeyed as his procurator.
CHAP. XLI.
THE FRENCH MAKE MANY CONQUESTS ON THE CONFINES OF BURGUNDY.
About this time, ambassadors were sent from the three estates of the
duchy and county of Burgundy to the duke, to remonstrate with him on
the great damages the partisans of king Charles were doing to his
country by fire and sword, more especially his brother-in-law the
duke of Bourbon. They told him, that they had already taken by force
many towns and castles, and were daily making further inroads into
the country, which must be totally destroyed unless a speedy remedy
was applied. They concluded by requesting most humbly, that he would,
out of his grace, raise a sufficient body of men, and that he would
personally march to their assistance.
The duke, having heard their harangue, assembled his council, and then
determined to collect men at arms from all his dependancies in Brabant,
Flanders, Artois, Hainault and other parts. Clerks were instantly
employed to write letters to the different lords, knights and esquires,
who had usually served him in his wars, to assemble as many men at arms
and archers as they could raise, and be ready to march with him at the
beginning of the month of May, whither he might be pleased to lead
them. The captains, on receiving these orders from their prince, made
every diligence to obey them; and several soon brought their men into
the field, which harrassed much the countries of Picardy, Ponthieu,
Artois, Tournesis, Ostrevant, Cambresis, Vermandois and the adjoining
parts, for the duke had not been equally diligent in completing
his preparations, so that these men remained wasting the countries
aforesaid for upwards of a month.
At the end of May, the duke having assembled, from divers parts,
a great quantity of carriages, stores and artillery, set out from
the town of Arras on the 20th day of June, attended by many of his
captains. He was also accompanied by his duchess, who had a numerous
attendance of ladies and damsels, to the amount of more than forty; and
they were lodged in Cambray, where sir John de Luxembourg met him, and
requested that he would come to his castle of Bohain, to which the duke
assented.
On the morrow, when the duke and duchess had heard mass in the church
of our Lady at Cambray, and afterward taken some refreshment, they set
out for the castle of Bohain, where they were joyfully and honourably
received by sir John de Luxembourg, count de Ligny, and the countess
his lady. They and their attendants were plentifully and nobly served
with all sorts of provisions that were in season; and they remained
there for two days, taking their pleasures in the chace and other
amusements.
In the mean time, the captains and men at arms advanced into the
Rhetelois. The duke and duchess, on leaving Bohain, went to Peronne,
and thence through Champagne, passing near to Rheims. There were with
him full six thousand combatants, as well men at arms as archers, the
principal leaders of whom were the lord de Croy, sir John de Croy his
brother, sir John de Hornes seneschal of Brabant, the lord de Crequi
and his brother, sir John bastard de St Pol, his brother Louis, the
lord de Humieres, sir Baudo de Noyelle, the lord de Crevecoeur, Robert
de Neufville, Lancelot de Dours, Harpin de Richammes, and many other
nobles, as well knights as esquires. When the duke marched through
Champagne, he formed his troops into a van guard, a main body, and a
rear guard.
Sir John de Croy commanded the first under his brother,--and he had
with him Harpin de Richammes. During the march, all the baggage was
placed between the van and main body; and the duchess, then far gone
with child, was there also, with her women, and near to the duke.
The army marched in this array before the town of Troyes, that was held
by the French, and advanced to Cappes on the line to Burgundy. Many
of the burgundian lords now joined him, to whom he gave a gracious
reception,--and having called a council of war, resolved on their
future proceedings.
It was settled that the duchess should fix her residence with her
attendants at Châtillon-sur-Seine, while the duke marched to lay siege
to Mussi-l'Evêque, in the possession of the French. Great preparations
were made, and many pieces of artillery were pointed against the gates
and walls. The garrison once intended making an obstinate defence; but
when they saw how numerous and well appointed were the duke's forces,
and found they had no hope of succour, after eight days siege, they
capitulated to surrender the place on having their lives and fortunes
spared. On the conclusion of this treaty, they marched away under the
duke's passports for St Florentin.
When the duke had appointed a new garrison, he went to the duchess at
Châtillon, and his men at arms advanced toward the county of Tonnerre.
CHAP. XLII.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY RECONQUERS SEVERAL PLACES WHICH THE FRENCH HAD
WON IN BURGUNDY.
When the duke of Burgundy had sojourned some days at Châtillon, he
ordered the duchess to go to Dijon, where she was most honourably
received, and he himself went after his army. He had Lussigines and
Passy besieged; and the first was so hard pressed that the garrison
surrendered on having their lives spared, but giving up their effects.
Those of Passy also gave hostages to surrender on the first day of
September following, unless the duke and his army should be fought
withal and beaten by his adversaries before that time.
Many other castles and forts held by the French, who were much alarmed
at the great power of the duke of Burgundy, were yielded up to him,
namely, Danlermoine, Herny, Coursaint, Scealefloug, Maligny, Saint
Phalle, Sicry, Sabelly and others, to the amount of twenty-four. After
these surrenders, the duke went to Dijon, and his captains and men
at arms were quartered over the country. Sir John de Croy was the
commander in chief at all these sieges of places that submitted to the
obedience of the duke of Burgundy.
CHAP. XLIII.
GILLES DE POSTELLES IS ACCUSED OF TREASON TO THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, AND
BEHEADED.
In this year, a gentleman of Hainault was accused of treason against
the duke of Burgundy. His name was Gilles de Postelles, who had been
brought up as a dependant on the dowager-countess of Hainault, aunt to
the said duke. He was charged with having practised with divers of the
nobles of that country to put the duke to death by shooting him with an
arrow, or by some other means, while hunting in the forest, whither he
would accompany him.
For this cause, he was arrested in the mansion of the countess, at
Quesnoy, by sir Willian de Lalain bailiff of Hainault. When he had
been strictly examined and tortured, he was beheaded and quartered
in the market-place of Mons, and his quarters were sent to be placed
in the four principal towns of that country. One of his servants was
beheaded with him; but John de Vendeges, to whom he had discovered his
plot, fled the country, and afterward, by means of different excuses,
and through the interest of his friends, was pardoned by the duke. The
countess of Hainault was strongly suspected of being implicated in this
affair, but nothing was clearly proved against her.
CHAP. XLIV.
THE FRENCH WIN BY SCALADO THE TOWN OF CRESPY IN THE VALOIS.--OTHER
MATTERS.
While these things were passing, a party of king Charles's adherents
won by scalado at day-break, the town of Crespy in the Valois from
the English. The bastard de Thian was governor; and he, with part of
the garrison, and the inhabitants, were made prisoners: innumerable
mischiefs were done to the town, for the French treated it in their
usual manner to a conquered place.
On the eve of the feast of the Ascension, in this year, the commonalty
of Ghent rebelled against the duke's officers and the magistrates. But
the principal sheriff posted himself with the banner of the counts
of Flanders in the market-place well accompanied, before the rebels
had time to collect together, who, perceiving that they could not now
carry their intentions into effect, fled from the town: some of them,
however, were taken, and punished by the magistrates of Ghent.
In these days, the town of Bruyeres, in the Laonnois, was won from
king Charles by sir John de Luxembourg's men, commanded by Villemet de
Hainau, governor of Montagu. This capture caused great alarm in the
adjoining places, for they expected a strong garrison would be posted
therein to attack them; and they, consequently, reinforced themselves
as much as they could, to be enabled to resist them.
CHAP. XLV.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY KEEPS HIS APPOINTMENT BEFORE PASSY.--HE BESIEGES
THE TOWN AND CASTLE OF AVALON.
When the first day of September was come, the duke of Burgundy (having
previously sent his orders to all those who had been accustomed to
serve under him) made his appearance before Passy, according to the
terms of the capitulation.
He was there joined, by orders of king Henry, by the lord de
l'Isle-Adam, marshal of France, and sir John Talbot, with sixteen
hundred combatants. The duke received them joyfully, and made very
handsome presents to these lords and to their men. The French, however,
did not appear; and the garrison, in consequence, surrendered the place
to the duke of Burgundy, and marched away under his passports.
The duke then sent a detachment to surround Avalon, of which was
captain one called Fort Espice, having under him two hundred men
at arms, the flower of the army and renowned in war. They made an
obstinate defence.
The principal burgundian lords among the besiegers were the lord de
Charny, Philibert de Vaudray, and others,--from Picardy were sir
John bastard de St Pol, the lord de Humieres, and many noblemen, who
advanced with great courage and encamped near to the ditches. Several
engines were pointed against the gates and walls, and damaged them
greatly, breaches being made in divers parts.
The besiegers now thought to take the place by storm, and made a
vigorous attack, but were gallantly repulsed. However, the garrison,
foreseeing that they could not hold out longer, and having no hopes of
succour, they fled by night in much disorder, through a postern that
had been neglected by the enemy. Their flight was soon known, and the
Burgundians lost no time in arming and pursuing them, so that falling
courageously upon them, they took and slew many. Fort Espice and some
others saved themselves by flight. The town was now suddenly attacked,
and won without resistance. The wife of Fort Espice was made prisoner,
with many of his men and some peasants,--and every thing that was found
in the place was plundered and carried away.
CHAP. XLVI.
PIERRE DE LUXEMBOURG, COUNT DE ST POL, BESIEGES THE TOWN OF ST
VALERY.--THE DEATH OF THE COUNT DE ST POL.
In the month of July of this year, Pierre de Luxembourg, count de Saint
Pol, accompanied by lord Willoughby, an Englishman, and twelve hundred
combatants of the two nations, laid siege to the town of Saint Valery;
in which were, on the part of king Charles, sir Louis de Vaucourt,
Philip de la Tour and sir Regnault de Versailles, with a garrison of
three hundred men.
They pointed artillery against the walls and gates; and after the
siege had lasted for three weeks, the before-named knights entered
into treaty with Robert de Saveuses, who had been commissioned by the
count de St Pol for the purpose, and agreed that they would surrender
the place at a fixed day, should they not be relieved before then, on
receiving a sum of money, and liberty to depart in safety with their
prisoners and baggage. As no one appeared to their succour, they
marched away, under passports, to Beauvais.
Shortly after, sir Louis de Vaucourt and sir Regnault de Versailles
were met by one called Le Petit Roland, on the road to Senlis, who,
though of the same party, from a private quarrel, attacked them with
the men he was leading to Chantilly; and in the end he defeated and
robbed them, making sir Regnault his prisoner.
The count de St Pol, having re-garrisoned St Valery, gave the command
of it to sir Robert de Saveuses. On marching thence, he fixed his
quarters at a large village called Blangy, in the county of Eu, with
the intent to besiege the castle of Monchas, held by sir Regnault de
Fontaines for king Charles. Sir Regnault, not wishing to wait the
event of a siege, capitulated with the commissioners of the count to
surrender the place on the 15th day of next October, provided that
neither king Charles nor any of his partisans should be in sufficient
force to offer him combat on that day before the castle of Monchas,
or on the plains of Santhois near to Villiers-le-Carbonel, one league
distant from Haplaincourt. This treaty was confirmed, the 26th day
of August, by the count, and hostages given on each side for its due
performance.
On the last day of this month of August, while the count was encamped
near to Blangy, and giving his orders for besieging the castle of
Rambures, he was taken suddenly ill, and died almost instantly.