tried combatants; but when they came before the castle of Beaumont they
found it deserted; for Amadour de Vignolles, having heard of their
intentions, had abandoned it, and retreated with his men and baggage to
the town of Creil.
The English, having destroyed the fortifications of Beaumont, hastened
to follow them; and having surrounded Creil on all sides, many severe
skirmishes took place, in which the besieged made a gallant defence:
but in one of them, Amadour was mortally wounded by an arrow, which
greatly disheartened his men, for they held him to be a courageous and
expert man at arms.
During this siege, the bishop of Therouenne joined the besiegers;
and at the end of six weeks, the garrison surrendered, on condition
of being allowed to depart with their baggage and effects. After the
English had re-garrisoned the town and castle of Creil, they advanced
to lay siege to the Pont de St Maixence, held by Guillon de Ferrieres,
nephew to St Trailles, who surrendered it on conditions similar to
those granted at Creil.
The English thence marched to Neufville en Esmoy and to La Rouge
Maison, and then to Crespy in Valois, which was taken by storm. There
were full thirty French within it, under the command of Pothon le
Bourguignon. They then returned to Clermont in the Beauvoisis, held by
the bourg de Vignolles, who submitted to them, and thence to Beauvais;
but perceiving they could not gain any thing further, they retreated to
Paris and to the other garrisons whence they had come.
CHAP. LIX.
THE COUNT D'ESTAMPES RECONQUERS THE TOWN OF ST VALERY.
At the same time with the foregoing expedition, the count d'Estampes,
accompanied by the lord d'Antoing, sir John de Croy, the vidame of
Amiens, and most of the lords who had been with him at Moreiul, marched
to lay siege to St Valery, where they remained about one month.
At length, Charles du Marests and Philip de la Tour, who had gained the
town by surprise, entered into a capitulation to evacuate it within
eight days, should they not before then be relieved, on receiving a
certain sum of money, and on being allowed to depart in safety with
their baggage and effects.
On the appointed day, no french forces appeared to offer combat to the
count d'Estampes; but on the contrary, Louis de Luxembourg, chancellor
of France, came thither to the support of the count, with five hundred
English, commanded by the lord Willoughby, sir Guy le Bouteiller,
and Brunclay governor of Eu. The chancellor and his companions were
joyfully received by the count d'Estampes and the other lords.
The French marched away, according to the terms of their treaty from
St Valery to Rambures, whither they were led by Charles du Marests.
On their departure, a barge arrived at the port from St Malo, laden
with wines for the French, which was instantly seized by the sailors
attached to the english party.
The chancellor and the English returned to their former quarters at Eu,
and the count d'Estampes was lodged that night in St Valery. On the
morrow, he began his retreat to Artois, having appointed John de Brimeu
governor of the town and castle, where he disbanded his forces.
From the town of Eu the chancellor marched the English to lay siege
to the castle of Monchas, which in a few days surrendered by means of
a sum of money given to sir Regnault de Fontaines, the governor. The
whole of this castle was destroyed, although it was the finest castle
in the county of Eu. During this time, the earl of Arundel resided
mostly at Mantes, and in the district of Chartres, and reconquered many
forts from the French in those parts, as well as in Perche. The duke
of Bedford was now returned from England to Rouen, and thence went to
Paris, where he resided a considerable time.
CHAP. LX.
THE FRENCH GAIN THE TOWN OF HAMME ON THE SOMME, IN THE VERMANDOIS.
In the month of August of this year, a party of French won the town of
Hamme, which had been held by the count de Ligny's men. The townsmen
instantly surrendered on the French appearing before it, for the
garrison had abandoned the place.
The count de Richemont, constable of France, the bastard of Orleans,
La Hire, and many other captains came thither with a large body of
combatants.
The countries of the Vermandois, Artois, and Cambresis were greatly
alarmed at the conquest of Hamme, which was a strong situation, and
gave them the passage of the river Somme, and also because their prince
was absent in Burgundy. However, the counts de St Pol, d'Estampes,
and de Ligny used all diligence to collect a sufficiency of troops to
oppose any further incursions of the French. A treaty was at the same
time set on foot, and the French agreed to restore the town of Hamme
to its owner, sir John de Luxembourg, on receiving the sum of forty
thousand crowns.
The reason of this treaty being made on such easy terms was the
expectation of a speedy peace being concluded between king Charles and
the duke of Burgundy, for negotiations on this subject had already
commenced. With the town of Hamme the fort of Breteuil was also
given up to the count d'Estampes, which Blanchefort had held for a
considerable time.
At this period, the duke of Burgundy caused Coulogne-les-Vigneuses to
be besieged by sir William de Rochefort and Philibert de Vaudrey, with
eight hundred combatants. They posted themselves in a block-house,--and
at the end of three months, the garrison surrendered, on having their
lives and baggage spared.
CHAP. LXI.
THE TOWN AND CASTLE OF CHASTEAU-VILAIN SUBMITS TO THE OBEDIENCE OF THE
DUKE OF BURGUNDY.
On the duke of Burgundy's return to that country, he advanced to
Grantsy, which had for some time been besieged by sir John de Vergy
and his allies. The inhabitants, seeing no hope of being succoured,
concluded a treaty to surrender it to the duke, when the castle was
not destroyed, but given to the lord de Thil, brother to the lord de
Château-vilain.
When this had been done, the duke ordered sir John de Vergy, and the
other captains as well from Burgundy as from Picardy, to advance
before the city of Langres, and summon the garrison to submit to his
obedience. This they not only refused to do but detained the herald,
called Germole, who had brought the message. The Burgundians, finding
themselves unable to take the place, returned with the army to the duke.
CHAP. LXII.
HEAVY TAXES LAID ON THE COUNTRIES OF ARTOIS AND THOSE ADJOINING, ON
ACCOUNT OF THIS WAR.
In these days, very heavy taxes were laid on the countries of Artois,
Vermandois, Ponthieu, Amiennois, and others adjoining, to pay the
composition-money to the constable of France, which had been agreed to
for the surrender of Hamme. The poorer ranks were sorely oppressed by
them, and began to murmur and be very much discontented with the rulers
and ministers to whom the duke of Burgundy had intrusted the government
of these countries in his absence, but it availed them nothing: for
those who refused to pay were arrested, and their effects seized
without regard to justice, until their quotas were duly paid.
During this time, the lord de Saveuses had been ordered by the count
d'Estampes to demolish the town and castle of Breteuil in Beauvoisis,
which, as has been said, was given up to him by Blanchefort, the late
governor thereof. The lord de Saveuses had brought a number of workmen
and labourers from Amiens, Corbie, and other places, who soon destroyed
the whole, excepting a strong gate of the castle that had been well
fortified, and which the lord de Saveuses filled with provisions and
artillery, leaving within it from twenty to thirty of his men, to guard
it. In like manner were demolished the tower of Vendueil, and some
other smaller forts in the country round about.
CHAP. LXIII.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY'S CAPTAINS APPEAR BEFORE VILLEFRANCHE, WHEREIN
WAS THE DUKE OF BOURBON.--THEY AFTERWARD BESIEGE BELLEVILLE, WHICH
SURRENDERS TO THEM.
About this time the duke of Burgundy sent the greater part of his
captains, with a large body of men at arms, to overrun the country
as far as Villefranche, wherein was Charles duke of Bourbon. This
detachment was commanded by the lord de Chargny, sir Simon de Lalain,
sir Baudo de Noyelle, the lord d'Auxi, Robert de Saveuses, Lancelot
de Dours, Harpin de Richammes, and consisted of about sixteen hundred
combatants, who marched in handsome array toward the parts whither they
had been ordered.
Toward evening, on one of their marches, they fell in with about
six hundred of the enemy, who instantly fled to their lord the duke
of Bourbon; some of the worst mounted were made prisoners by the
Burgundians and Picards.
On their arrival before Villefranche, they drew up in battle-array, and
sent a pursuivant to inform the duke of Bourbon of their coming, and to
offer him battle. The duke, ignorant of their force, was not inclined
to accept their challenge,--but made answer, that since the duke of
Burgundy was not present on the field, he would not fight them. He
dispatched, however, many on horseback and on foot, from his town, to
skirmish with them. The duke himself even made a sally, mounted on his
excellent war horse, but without arms, and dressed in a long robe, with
a wand in his hand, to make his men keep up a steady countenance at the
barriers; during which a considerable skirmish took place, but without
any great losses on either side.
After the Burgundians and Picards had remained four hours in battle
array, seeing that no advantages were to be gained, they retreated
in good order, posting their most expert men in their rear by way of
guard, and thus returned to their lord the duke of Burgundy.
The duke ordered them afterward to lay siege to Belleville,--in
which place the duke of Bourbon had put sir James de Chabannes and
the bailiff of Beauvais, with three hundred men, who made instant
preparations for defence. Nevertheless, the besiegers so pressed them
with their engines and continued attacks that, at the end of a month,
they surrendered, on having their lives spared, and marched off without
arms and baggage, on foot and with staves in their hands, to their lord
the duke of Bourbon. He was much mortified to receive them in that
condition, but he could not amend it.
The duke of Burgundy placed several of his Picardy captains as a
garrison in that town, whence they committed innumerable mischiefs
all over that part of the Bourbonnois. On the other hand, the duke of
Burgundy sent a detachment from his army in Burgundy to Dombes, and
to the neighbourhood of Lyon on the Rhône, who took many castles, and
wasted the country with fire and sword, carrying back with them a very
large booty in plunder. The leaders of this last expedition were, the
count de Fribourg, the bastard de St Pol, the lord de Vaurin, and some
others.
CHAP. LXIV.
THE LORD WILLOUGHBY AND MATHAGON LAY SIEGE TO ST SEVERIN, WHERE THE
ENGLISH ARE AT FIRST VICTORIOUS, BUT ARE AFTERWARDS DEFEATED BY THE
FRENCH.
In this same year of 1434, the lord Willoughby, accompanied by
Mathagon and some other captains, and from eight hundred to a thousand
combatants, laid siege to a very strong place in the country of Maine
called St Severin, about two leagues distant from Alençon, which was
held by the French. The governor was a gallant knight, named sir
Anthony de Loreuil, who, on the arrival of the enemy, made a vigorous
defence: nevertheless, the English surrounded the place on all sides,
and remained there about six weeks.
While this was going forward, the lord de Bueil, sir William Blesset,
the lord de la Varenne, and other French captains, assembled about
fourteen hundred fighting men, with the intent to force the enemy to
raise their siege. They remained for some days at Beaumont le Vicomte,
where part of them were quartered, and the remainder at Vivien, four
leagues distant from St Severin. While at Beaumont, they called a
council of all the chief captains, to consider how they should act;
when, after much noise and debating, they considered themselves not
strong enough to fight the English in their present situation, and
determined to attempt withdrawing the besieged the back way out of the
town.
The captains now returned to their different quarters, and established
good guards around them during the night, both of horse and foot. The
lord de Bueil was, on this expedition, lieutenant for the lord Charles
d'Anjou, and had the charge of his banner.
This same night, a detachment of the English, having had intelligence
of the advance of the French, took the field, and marched in silence
until they came near to the town of Vivien, whither they sent scouts to
reconnoitre the state of the French, who, having twice entered Vivien,
brought word they were in tolerable good order. The English then made
an attack on their quarters about day-break, and easily defeated them
without much loss. Many were taken and killed: among the last was a
valiant man from Amiens, but originally from Auvergne, called John de
Belley.
When the business was over, the English took the field with their
prisoners; but the lords de Bueil and de la Varenne, who were in
Beaumont, hearing of this discomfiture from the runaways, made instant
preparations to pursue the English, who no sooner saw them than they
rejoiced, thinking to defeat them as they had done the others,--and
each party met gallantly. Many valorous acts were done on both sides;
but, in the end, the English lost the day, partly from the prisoners
whom they had taken at Vivien joining the French. A valiant knight
named Arthur, was slain, and Mathagon made prisoner,--but the bastard
of Salisbury fled. Four hundred, or more, of the English were killed or
taken, and the French left masters of the field, very joyful for their
victory. When the English who had remained at the siege of St Severin
heard of the ill success of their companions, they raised the siege,
and retreated to the garrisons whence they had come.
CHAP. LXV.
LA HIRE TREACHEROUSLY MAKES THE LORD D'AUFFEMONT A PRISONER.
During these tribulations, La Hire, accompanied by Anthony de
Chabannes, the bourg de Vignolles his brother, and about two hundred
combatants, passed one day near to the castle of Clermont in the
Beauvoisis, of which the lord d'Auffemont was governor. He was no way
alarmed at their appearance; and, as a mark of his good will, ordered
wine to be drawn, and carried without the postern of the great tower,
for them to drink.
The lord d'Auffemont came also out of the castle, with only three
or four of his attendants, to converse with them, and showed great
courtesy to La Hire and his companions, not having the smallest
distrust of their treacherous intentions, which they very soon made
apparent; for during the conversation, La Hire laid hands on him, and
forced him to surrender the castle, putting him withal in irons and in
confinement. In this state, he kept him upwards of a month, insomuch
that his limbs were greatly bruised and benumbed, and he was covered
with lice and all sorts of vermin.
At length, he obtained his liberty, and paid for his ransom fourteen
thousand saluts d'or, and a horse of the value of twenty tons of wine,
notwithstanding king Charles wrote several times to La Hire to set him
at liberty without ransom, for that he was well satisfied with his
services,--but it was all in vain.
CHAP. LXVI.
THE COMMON PEOPLE OF NORMANDY RISE AGAINST THE ENGLISH GARRISONS.
In this year, the common people in Normandy, especially those in the
country of Caux, rebelled against the English. There were upward
of two thousand in one company, who had risen in their own defence,
because, contrary to the royal edicts, the English had plundered the
poorer ranks. The bailiff and other officers in that country had before
advised them (each according to his state) to provide themselves with
arms and staves, to enable them to oppose all who should attempt to
pillage or oppress them by seizing their effects by force.
In obedience to these commands, the peasants had risen and driven
back many parties of marauders to their garrisons, having killed and
taken captive several, to the great displeasure of their captains.
They, however, did not let this appear, but concluded a treaty with
the peasants, who foolishly began their retreat in a very disorderly
manner, not suspecting the malice of the English, who secretly followed
them to St Pierre sur Dive, near to Tancarville, when they attacked
them, and slew from a thousand to twelve hundred: the rest saved
themselves as well as they could in the woods, and by flight.
Great complaints were made of this conduct at Rouen, and many were
banished that had been of this enterprise: but shortly after, it was
hushed up, on account of more serious matters that fell out in that
country.
CHAP. LXVII.
LA HIRE GAINS THE CASTLE OF BRETEUIL, IN BEAUVOISIS, BY STORM.
When La Hire had conquered the castle of Clermont, as has been related,
he assembled about five hundred combatants from the garrisons in the
Beauvoisis, and marched them to the castle of Breteuil, which was in
the possession of Saveuses' men. He made a sharp attack on it,--but it
was well defended, and several of the assailants were killed.
The garrison, however, from the repeated attacks, finding they had
lost many men in killed and wounded, and that the fortifications were
much damaged, surrendered to La Hire at discretion. He had some of
them hanged, and sent the rest prisoners to Clermont,--and, having
re-garrisoned the place, committed numberless mischiefs throughout the
adjacent parts in Santerre, and toward Amiens, Corbie, Mondidier, and
elsewhere.
CHAP. LXVIII.
THE DUKES OF BURGUNDY AND OF BOURBON MEET IN THE CITY OF NEVERS, AND
AGREE ON TERMS FOR A PEACE.
A murderous war having been continued for a long time between the
duke of Burgundy and his brother-in-law, the duke of Bourbon, secret
negotiations were set on foot, in the hope of pacifying them. They
were begun by commissioners from each side meeting in the town of
Mâcon, where they remained several days. At the commencement, some
difficulties arose respecting the precedency of these two dukes, and
which should have the honour of being named first. After some dispute,
it was settled that the duke of Burgundy should be first named, and
take the precedency of the duke of Bourbon in every instance.
When this matter had been determined, they then discussed various
proposals for bringing about a peace between them, and appointed
another meeting, when the two dukes might have an interview, either at
Douzy[12] or in the city of Nevers, in the ensuing month of January.
This being settled, the commissioners separated, and returned to their
respective lords. While these negotiations were passing, the duke of
Burgundy celebrated the festivals of Christmas and Twelfth-day, in his
town of Dijon, in a most magnificent manner; and when the feasts were
over, he departed thence grandly attended by the count de Nevers, the
marquis de Rothelin, his nephew of Cleves, with many other knights and
esquires of note, and a numerous body of men at arms. He journeyed
to Douzy, and thence to Nevers, where he was lodged at the bishop's
palace, and waited some days for the arrival of the duke of Bourbon and
his sister the duchess.
At length the duchess came, accompanied by her two sons and a brilliant
attendance of knights, esquires, ladies and damsels. The duke of
Burgundy went out of the palace to meet her, and received her with much
affection and joy, for he had not seen his sister for a long time, and
showed the same love to his nephews, although they were very young. The
duchess, on quitting her carriage, was handed by the duke as far as
her lodgings, where he took his leave, and left her to repose for the
night. On the morrow, the duchess waited on her brother at the palace:
she was received most kindly, and partook of a variety of amusements.
There was much dancing, and a numerous party of masqueraders on the
part of the duke of Burgundy: when wines and spiced had been brought,
the company retired to their lodgings.
On the next day a council was held, when it was determined that Arthur
of Brittany, constable of France, and the archbishop of Rheims, should
be sent for. Within a few days, the duke of Bourbon arrived at Nevers,
attended by sir Christopher de Harcourt, the lord de la Fayette marshal
of France, and many other knights and esquires of renown. The duke
of Burgundy sent out the lords of his household to meet him; and when
he was approaching the duke of Burgundy, without the town, he pressed
forward,--and the two dukes, on their meeting, shewed the greatest
respect and brotherly affection to each other.
A knight of Burgundy, observing this, said aloud, 'We are very foolish
to risk our bodies and souls at the will of princes and great lords,
who, when they please, make up their quarrels, while we oftentimes
remain poor and in distress.' This speech was noticed by many on each
side, for there was much truth in it,--and thus it very frequently
happened.
After this meeting, the duke of Burgundy escorted his brother-in-law
to his lodgings, and then went to his own. Shortly after, the duke
and duchess of Bourbon visited the duke of Burgundy, when there were
again great feastings and pastimes. On the morrow, the two dukes and
the duchess heard mass in an oratory; and after dinner a grand council
was held at the lodgings of the count de Nevers, when a peace was
finally concluded between these two dukes on terms that were mutually
agreeable; and the utmost satisfaction was now shown on all sides by
the principals and their friends and dependants.
The whole of the expense of these feasts, or at least the greater
part, was defrayed by the duke of Burgundy, for he would have it so.
As soon as this business was concluded, the constable of France (who
had married a sister to the duke of Burgundy) and Regnault de Chartres,
archbishop and duke of Rheims, chancellor of France, accompanied by
some of the principal members of king Charles's council, and numbers of
knights and esquires, arrived at Nevers.
The two dukes went out to meet them; and the greatest respects having
been paid on each side, they all together returned to the town, where
they were lodged in the best manner possible, each according to his
rank. Within a few days many councils were held respecting a peace
between the king of France and the duke of Burgundy; and various
proposals were made to the duke concerning the murder of the late
duke John that were agreeable to him, insomuch that preliminaries were
agreed on, and a day appointed for a convention at Arras to put a final
conclusion to it.
When this was done, they separated most amicably; and news of this
event was published throughout the realm, and other countries: notice
of it was sent to the pope and the council at Basil, that all persons
who chose might order ambassadors to attend the convention at Arras.
The duke of Burgundy now returned to Dijon, and made his preparations
for going to Artois, to be ready for the meeting at Arras; and from
this day forward, the borders of Burgundy enjoyed more peace than they
had done for a long time before.
In these times, the young heir of Richmond, with seven or eight hundred
English and Picards, whom sir John de Luxembourg had sent him, made
an inroad on the country of Ardennes, sacking many towns belonging to
Everard de la Marche; and having done great mischiefs there with fire
and sword, returned in safety with a very large booty.
In this year, Renè duke of Bar caused the town of Commerci[13] to be
besieged, to reduce it to his obedience, on account of the failure of
some dues that he claimed from its lord; but through the interference
of the constable of France, who was then in the adjoining country,
peace was made between the parties, on the lord de Commerci promising
to pay obedience to the duke of Bar. Thus was the siege broken up; and
during this time the constable reduced many castles in Champagne, by
capitulation or by storm.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 12: Douzy,--a small town in Champagne, on the borders of
Luxembourg.]
CHAP. LXIX.
AMADEUS DUKE OF SAVOY TURNS HERMIT, AND RESIDES AT RIPAILLE.[14]