age, turned hermit, and fixed his residence at Ripaille, about half a
league from Thonon,[15] where he had been accustomed to hold his court.
This mansion he had greatly improved; and there was adjoining an abbey
and priory of the order of Saint Maurice, which had been founded many
years ago by the duke's ancestors.
Ten years before, the duke had a desire to become a hermit, in the
manner he had now done, and had asked two of his most confidential
servants if they were willing to follow his example and accompany him
so long as he should please to remain a hermit, when they, having
considered that he might change his mind, consented. One was sir Claude
de Sexte: the other a valiant esquire named Henry de Colombieres.
The duke having, as I said, improved and properly altered the mansion
of Ripaille for himself and his companions, left his palace at Thonon
during the night with few attendants, and went to Ripaille, where he
put on the dress of a hermit, according to the order of St Maurice. It
consisted of a grey robe, a long mantle with a grey hood, and a tippet
of about a foot long,--a crimson bonnet over the hood, with a golden
girdle above the robe, and on the mantle a cross of gold, similar to
what the emperors of Germany wear.
The two noble men joined him within a few days, and remonstrated with
him on his manner of quitting Thonon, as it was not becoming his rank,
and might be disagreeable to the three estates of his country, whom
he had not summoned, to declare to them his intentions of becoming a
hermit. He replied, that as he was not weakened in understanding or
power, he would provide sufficient remedies for their dislike, and that
their business was to keep the promises they had made to reside with
him and keep him company. On this, seeing nothing better could be done,
they were contented, and quickly clothed in similar dresses to what he
wore.
The duke then summoned the three estates and his son the count of
Geneva, whom he created prince of Piedmont, and surrendered up to
him, in the presence of the estates, the government of his country,
reserving, however, to himself a power of taking it from him, and
bestowing it on whomever he pleased, should he behave ill. He created
his second son count of Geneva. But although the duke had put on the
religious habit, and surrendered up the administration of affairs to
his son, nothing of importance was done without his knowledge and
approbation.
With regard to his personal attendance, he retained about twenty of
his servants to wait on him,--and his companions selected also a
sufficiency to attend them according to their different ranks; but
instead of roots and water, they were served with the choicest wines
and most delicate food that could be procured[16].
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 13: Commerci,--on the Meuse, five leagues to the westward of
Toul.]
[Footnote 14: Ripaille,--a burgh of Savoy, in the Chablais, and
principal commandery of the order of St Maurice, founded by Amadeus
VIII. He built there a mansion for six knights-hermits, to keep him
company in this solitude, whither he retired in 1434, being a widower
of Mary of Burgundy, and resigned the government of his duchy, &c. to
his son.--_La Martiniere._
This retirement was supposed to arise from ambition, and the hope of
being chosen pope, to which he was elected in 1440, and took the name
of Felix V. He afterward resigned the popedom, and returned to his
solitude.]
[Footnote 15: Thonon,--the capital of a small country of the Chablais.]
[Footnote 16: Hence, probably, came the french proverb, _faire
ripaille_, to make good cheer.]
CHAP. LXX.
THE COMMON PEOPLE OF NORMANDY ASSEMBLE IN LARGE BODIES BEFORE CAEN.
The commonalty of Normandy had not forgotten the ungenerous conduct of
the English when they had last risen in rebellion. They again assembled
by the exhortations of the lord de Merville and other gentlemen, who
offered to lead them to battle, to the amount of about twelve thousand,
in the country near to Bayeux,--whence their leaders marched them
toward Caen, with the intent of taking that town by surprise, but it
was well defended by the garrison and inhabitants.
When they found they could not succeed, they departed thence, making
great mockeries of their enemies, and marched to Avranches, before
which place they remained eight days, in hopes that the duke of Alençon
would come to their support with a strong force of men at arms,--but in
this they were disappointed.
The English, in the mean time, collected numbers of men to offer
them battle; but their intention being known to the leaders of this
commonalty, they marched away toward Brittany and Fougeres,--and soon
after they separated without having done any thing worthy of notice.
For this conduct, their captains were banished, and their estates and
effects confiscated, together with those of all their accomplices and
adherents: but afterward some exceptions were made in regard to several
of the commonalty.
About this time, William Coraon, the English governor of Meure, made
an excursion as far as Yvis, in the country of Ligny, with only three
hundred combatants,--and was followed by Jean de Beaurain, with a
company of six hundred, to give him battle, when he was defeated, and
the greater part of his men taken or slain.
La Hire now took by storm the old fort of Amiens, wherein he remained
eight or ten days. When he had pillaged it of all it contained, he
returned to Breteuil, whence he had come.
[A.D. 1435.]
CHAP. LXXI.
THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF BURGUNDY RETURN FROM THAT COUNTRY TO FLANDERS
AND ARTOIS.
At the beginning of this year, when the duke of Burgundy had with much
labour freed his country from enemies, and concluded a peace between
himself and the duke of Bourbon, he made preparations for his and the
duchess's return from Burgundy to his territories of Flanders and
Artois, that he might be ready to meet the ambassadors from the king
of France at the convention at Arras. This convention was appointed to
assemble on the 2d day of July, in the city of Arras.
The duke left Dijon with his whole army, having appointed sir John de
Vergy governor of Burgundy, and advanced toward Euchoire[17], where he
was met by a thousand Picards, whom he had ordered thither to accompany
him on his return. They were under the command of sir John de Croy,
bailiff of Hainault, the lord de Saveuses, sir James de Brimeu, John de
Brimeu, and other lords.
Thence the duke marched toward Paris, crossing the river Seine at
Montereau-faut-Yonne: he was joyfully received by the Parisians, who
made very rich presents to him and to his duchess. Having staid there
some days, he continued his march slowly to Arras, and dismissed all
his men at arms so soon as he had crossed the Somme.
He went soon after to visit his countries of Flanders and Brabant,
where he consulted with his ministers on convoking all the nobles and
gentlemen of those districts to the convention at Arras. He then sent
an embassy to England, to inform the king and his council of this
convention, and that it was purposely to treat of a general peace
between France and England. The principal persons of this embassy were
sir Hugh de Launoy, the lord de Crevecoeur, and master Quentin Mainart,
provost of St Omer.
The king of England and his ministers gave them a handsome reception;
and they were told that the king would send ambassadors to the
convention. On receiving this answer, they returned to their lord the
duke of Burgundy.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 17: Euchoire. Q. Not in Martiniere.]
CHAP. LXXII.
THE FRENCH GAIN THE TOWN OF RUE FROM THE ENGLISH.
In the beginning of the month of May, sir John de Bressay, lieutenant
to the marshal de Rieux, Bertrand Martel, William Braquemont, the lord
de Longueval, Charles de Marêts, and others of king Charles's party,
assembled a body of well tried men at arms, amounting to about three
hundred. They crossed the Somme during the night at Blanchetaque, and
advanced to the town of Rue, which they entered by scalado, and gained
complete possession without meeting with much resistance.
The noise they made awakened the garrison; and seven or eight
Englishmen retreated to a bulwark which they defended for some
time,--but in the end it was taken by storm, and part of the defenders
were put to death: the rest saved their lives on paying a large
ransom. Many of the inhabitants were made prisoners, and others escaped
over the walls.
The town was completely plundered; and the countries of Ponthieu,
Artois, Boulogne, and others in that neighbourhood, were in great
alarms, when they learnt that the enemy was so near them, and so well
supplied with all sorts of stores and provision. These alarms were
well founded, for, shortly after, having increased their numbers, they
overran all those parts, committing infinite mischiefs by fire and
sword. They even one day made an excursion toward Boulogne, so far as
Samer-au-bois, when they took many prisoners, and great numbers of
horses and cattle.
On their return, they burnt the town of Estaples, wherein were many
handsome houses,--and continued these excursions from Rue, doing every
sort of mischief to the farmers of those countries. However, in one of
the expeditions near to Montrieul, sir John de Bressay, Harpin, and
de Richammes, were made prisoners; and at another time were taken the
little Blanchefort and one of the bastards de Reully,--and on these
accounts the country suffered the more.
CHAP. LXXIII.
LA HIRE, POTON, PHILIP DE LA TOUR, AND THE LORD DE FONTAINES, DEFEAT
THE EARL OF ARUNDEL BEFORE THE CASTLE OF GERBEROY.
The duke of Bedford was at Rouen when he heard of the capture of Rue.
He was remonstrated with on the great prejudice this would be to those
of his party, more particularly to the town and castle of Crotoy. To
provide a remedy, he wrote to the earl of Arundel, then quartered near
to Mantes, ordering him to collect all his men and to march them to
Gournay in Normandy, thence to Neuf-châtel d'Azincourt, to Abbeville
and to Ponthieu, instantly to besiege the town of Rue.
The earl partly obeyed the orders of the duke, and marched eight
hundred of his men to Gournay, with the intent of continuing the
line of march prescribed to him. But from the representations of the
inhabitants of Gournay, Gisors and other places, he changed his mind;
for having heard at Gournay that the French were repairing an old
fortress called Gerberoy, between Beauvais and Gournay, he judged it
would be very prejudicial to the english interests were they suffered
to finish the works they had begun. In consequence, therefore, of the
representations of the towns of the english party that were near to it,
he determined to attack the French at Gerberoy, and take the fort by
storm.
He caused a sufficiency of provision and artillery to be collected at
Gournay, and marched from thence about midnight, accompanied by some of
the garrison. At eight o'clock in the morning his van came in sight of
Gerberoy, and the rest followed with the baggage, not aware indeed that
the French were so numerous, or under such captains.
The earl posted his men in a field inclosed with hedges, and detached
a hundred, or six score, toward the barriers of the castle, that the
garrison might not sally forth and surprise them.
While this was going forward, Poton, La Hire, sir Regnault de
Fontaines, Philip de la Tour, and other valiant captains who had
arrived there the preceding night with five or six hundred combatants,
held a council how they should act, and whether they should wait or
not for the enemy to attack them. This question was long debated by
some, who strongly urged their being badly provided with provision and
warlike stores, and that if they allowed themselves to be shut up in
the castle, they would run great risks: others declared they would not
wait a siege, and therefore advised to attack them on their arrival. It
was at length unanimously concluded for an immediate attack; and that
the three principal captains, namely, Poton, La Hire, and Regnault de
Fontaines, should be on horseback, with sixty of the best mounted and
most expert lances, and that all the remainder, men at arms, archers
and guisarmes, should be on foot, excepting a few that were to remain
behind to guard the fort. They likewise ordered that when the enemy
should advance, but few should at the first appear, in order that their
numbers might not be known. Having thus arranged their plan, they
armed themselves, and made preparations for the combat.
When the earl of Arundel had properly posted his six score men by way
of advanced guard, the remainder were encamping themselves to wait for
the arrival of the main body and rear of their army. During this time,
the watch the French had placed on the castle observed a very large
and thick body of English advancing, by far more considerable than the
first, and followed by a long train of waggons.
They instantly informed their captains of what they had seen, who now,
thinking it a fit opportunity for them to make their attack before the
two bodies joined, ordered their infantry to sally out of the castle
as quietly as they could, and fall on the English, whom they half
surprised, and shortly defeated, putting the greater part to death.
Then those on horseback (who had sallied out to prevent the earl from
assisting his men whom he had posted near the barriers) advanced toward
the main body of the English, who were near at hand, and careless of
the enemy because their commander was before them, and immediately
threw them into confusion, and repeated their charges so vigorously
that they could not recover themselves; great part retreated to
Gournay, or fled to other places, while the rest were either slain or
taken. La Hire chaced the runaways full two leagues, when many were
killed and made prisoners.
The infantry had approached the earl of Arundel, who, with the remnant
of his men, had retired to a corner of the field, having his rear to
a thick hedge, and his front guarded by pointed stakes,--so that this
fortification could not be forced by the French. Seeing this, they had
a culverine brought from their fort,--and, at the second shot, hit
the earl near the ancle, so that he was grievously wounded and could
scarcely support himself.
When La Hire was returning from the pursuit, with the many prisoners
he had made, he observed this body of English under the earl quite
entire: collecting more forces, he began to combat them,--and they
were soon reduced to a similar state with their companions, the whole
of them being killed or taken. Among the last, those of name were the
earl of Arundel, sir Richard de Dondeville[18], Mondo Domonferrant,
Restandif[19], and others, to the amount of six score, that remained
prisoners in the hands of the French. Upward of twelve score were
slain,--and the remainder saved themselves by flight where they could.
When the business was over, the French collected their men, and found
that they had not lost more than twenty. They were very joyful for this
signal victory,--and, having devoutly returned thanks for it to their
Creator, they returned to their castle. The earl of Arundel was removed
thence to Beauvais, where he died of his wound, and was buried in the
church of the cordelier-friars. The other English prisoners redeemed
themselves by ransoms; and thus those in Rue remained unmolested. They
daily increased their strength, and made excursions over the countries
far and near.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 18: Woodville.]
[Footnote 19: Dondo Domonferrant, Restandif. Q.]
CHAP. LXXIV.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY IS DISPLEASED WITH THE INHABITANTS OF ANTWERP.
In these days, while the duke of Burgundy was in Brabant, he collected
a large force of men at arms from Picardy and other countries under
his obedience, whom he intended to march into Antwerp, by means of
certain connexions which he had established in that town, to punish the
magistrates and inhabitants, who had incurred his displeasure.
The cause of his anger was, that a long time before, they had seized
by force a large vessel belonging to the duke, and filled with his
men,--which vessel he had stationed at the mouth of their harbour,
so that all vessels trafficking to Antwerp must pass close to it, on
whom the duke's men laid several taxes that were, as they said, highly
prejudicial to their commerce, and contrary to the oaths which the late
dukes of Brabant had always made on taking possession of the dukedom,
and which the duke of Burgundy himself had also taken.
On this account, the townsmen of Antwerp, without giving any notice to
the duke, had seized the vessel, and confined those found within it in
prison. The duke was so much displeased with their conduct that he had
collected the force before mentioned to punish them.--In the mean time,
his intentions were known to the men of Antwerp, who, though greatly
surprised thereat, lost no time in providing men at arms to defend
their town, should it be attacked.
They went in a body to the abbey of St Michael, where the duke was
lodged whenever he visited Antwerp, having suspicions that some of
their enemies were in it; but alter searching every part both above and
below, and finding no one, they broke down the walls, to prevent them
becoming places of defence. After this, they retired to continue their
warlike preparations.
When the duke of Burgundy found that they had discovered his purposes,
and were preparing to resist them, he disbanded his men at arms. At the
same time, he caused it to be proclaimed through the principal towns
in Flanders, Brabant, and his other dependances, that no one, under
pain of being capitally punished, should carry provision or stores of
any kind to Antwerp, nor give to the inhabitants any counsel or aid
whatever. The Antwerpers were in great distress and dismay on hearing
of these proclamations,--but they carefully guarded their town, and
remained a considerable time in this situation. However, at length a
treaty was entered into between them, by which the duke received a very
large sum of money, and the magistrates recovered his good graces.
CHAP. LXXV.
THE FRENCH CONQUER THE TOWN OF ST DENIS FROM THE ENGLISH.
While these things were passing in Brabant, the French won the town
of St Denis from the English by storm. They were about twelve hundred
combatants, under the command of sir John Foulcault, sir Louis de
Vaucourt, sir Regnault de St Jean, and other captains, who put to
death some of the English whom they found in the town. The Parisians
began to be alarmed by this conquest, as it was so near, and would
probably cut off all provision coming to Paris,--for the French made
frequent excursions to their walls.
To prevent any supplies being delayed from Normandy, they sent
deputations to the duke of Bedford at Rouen, and to Louis de Luxembourg
bishop of Therouenne, and chancellor of France for king Henry, to
request that a sufficiency of men at arms might be ordered to Paris, to
defend them against the enemy.
By the advice of the chancellor, sir John bastard of St Pol, Louis his
brother, Waleran de Moreul, sir Ferry de Mailly, Robert de Neufville,
and some other gentlemen, with five hundred men, were sent to them from
the frontiers of Picardy. They took the road from Rouen, and safely
arrived in Paris, where they were most joyously received; and, with the
counsels and aid of the lord de l'Isle-Adam, governor of Paris for king
Henry, they commenced a sharp warfare with the French in St Denis.
The French, notwithstanding the resistance they experienced, frequently
advanced near to Paris,--and many severe conflicts took place between
that town and Saint Denis. They also gained the castle of Escouen,
near Montmorency, from the English, and put to death about thirty whom
they found in it. They then marched to the castle of Orville, near to
Louvres, belonging to Anglois d'Aunay, knight, attached to the party of
Henry of Lancaster. When they had been before it two days, a treaty was
concluded for its surrender on a certain day, unless the English should
appear there in force to offer the French battle.
Before the term expired, the lords Talbot, Scales, and Warwick, with
George de Richammes, the bastard de Thian, sir François l'Arragonois,
and others, to the amount of three thousand combatants, assembled, and
marched to join the lord de l'Isle-Adam in Paris; and, when united,
they all came to the castle of Orville to keep the appointment made
with the French for its surrender; but the French neither appeared
nor sent any message, so that this castle remained in the peaceful
possession of its lord. Henceforward, the English were superior in the
field to their enemies in the Isle de France, and subjected the whole
of the open country to their obedience, reconquering several castles
held by the French.
CHAP. LXXVI.
THE FRENCH, AFTER HAVING AGREED TO A TRUCE WITH THE BURGUNDIANS ON THE
FRONTIERS OF THE BEAUVOISIS, OVERRUN THE BOULONOIS AND OTHER PARTS.
At this time, a truce was concluded by the partisans of the duke of
Burgundy on the frontiers of Santerre and Mondidier, with La Hire and
his men. The last engaged, for a large sum of money paid down, to
demolish the strong castle of Bretueil in the Beauvoisis, which was
done.
On the conclusion of this truce, the great and little Blanchefort,[20]
Poton the Burgundian, and about six hundred combatants, marched away
from the country of Beauvais to the town of Rue. They had not been
long there when they made an excursion, together with the garrison,
into the country of the Boulonnois. They marched silently by the town
of Estaples, not to alarm it, and advanced to Deure, and thence to
Samer-aux-bois.
The inhabitants of this part of the country were totally unsuspecting
of any attack likely to be made on them, and were therefore a
defenceless prey to the enemy, who made prisoners of the greater
part, bound them, and carried them away with all their most valuable
furniture and stock. They ransomed the town of Samer for a considerable
sum of money,--and on their return spread themselves over the country,
destroying every thing with fire and sword without meeting any
opposition.
Having burnt many houses in the town of Fresnes, and done unnumbered
mischiefs to the Boulonnois, they returned with a multitude of
prisoners to Estaples, where they halted and refreshed themselves for
some time; and because the inhabitants had retreated within the castle,
and would not ransom their town, they set it on fire, and committed
every damage on their departure, which was a grievous loss, for it was
well built and very populous. They made their retreat good to the town
of Rue, notwithstanding that sir John de Croy, the lord de Crequi, the
lord de Humieres, and others of the country, had assembled, to the
amount of three hundred combatants, in the hopes of cutting off their
retreat. It was in vain, for the French rode in such compact order that
no advantage could be taken of them,--and they arrived safely at the
places whence they had come.
When the French had remained some days at Rue, and divided their
plunder, they made another excursion toward Dourlens and Hêdin, burning
and destroying the countries they traversed, and bringing home many
prisoners and great pillage of every thing that was portable. They
returned by La Broi, and made an attack on the castle; but it was so
well defended, by those whom the vidame of Amiens had placed therein,
that several of the assailants were wounded. Perceiving that they were
losing time, they retreated to Rue with their plunder.
They continued these inroads on the territories of the duke of
Burgundy; but in one of them Harpin de Richammes made prisoner sir John
de Bressay, near Montrueil. At another time, the little Blanchefort was
taken by one of the bastards of Renty. In this manner did the French
destroy those parts that were near to Rue: they even burnt the town of
Cressi on the Authie, which was part of the proper domain of the king.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 20: Little Blanchefort was made prisoner in the lxxiid
chapter.]
CHAP. LXXVII.
THE CARDINALS OF SANTA CROCE AND OF CYPRUS COME TO ARRAS, TO ATTEND
THE CONVENTION.