to whom, on his arrival, the towns and castles of Charles-Maisnil,
Aumarle, St Germain sur Cailly, Fontaines le bourg, Préaux, Blainville
and others, surrendered, in all of which garrisons were placed; and
thus, at this season, was the greater part of the country of Caux
conquered by the French. It is true, that they were forced from want
of provision to leave these parts,--but their captains, before they
departed, posted strong garrisons along the frontier.
Charles des Marêts and Richarville were present at all these
conquests: they took the field from Dieppe, and joined the marshal de
Rieux, the lord de Torsy, Poton le Bourguignon, Broussart, Blanchefort,
John d'Estouteville, and other captains renowned in war. To them,
likewise, attached himself Le Kerennier with six thousand of the
peasantry, to accomplish their work of driving the English out of the
country.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 23: Fécamp,--a city of Normandy by the sea, diocese of Rouen.]
CHAP. XCV.
THE ENGLISH SUSPECT THE BURGUNDIANS WHO ARE WAGING WAR WITH THEM
AGAINST THE KING OF FRANCE: THEY NO LONGER CONVERSE OR KEEP COMPANY
WITH THEM.--OTHER MATTERS BRIEFLY SPOKEN OF.
When the English in France were perfectly assured that a treaty had
taken place between the duke of Burgundy and king Charles, they became
very suspicious of the Burgundians, and guarded as much against them as
they had done before against the French. Notwithstanding they had been
on the greatest intimacy together, they had no longer confidence in
each other,--and although there was no open warfare between them, the
English and Burgundians were mutually taking measures in secret to gain
advantages over each other.
The English guarding the frontier toward Calais even attempted to take
the town of Ardres by surprise,--and the Burgundians in Ponthieu made
a similar attempt in regard to the castle of Crotoy, keeping outwardly
fair appearances. Each were, however, much displeased at these
attempts, and made preparations for open war.
During this time, La Hire was quartered at Gerberoy;[24] and, in
conjunction with Poton de Saintrailles and sir Regnault de Fontaines,
collected about six hundred combatants, whom they led toward Rouen,
in the hope of entering that town by means of friends within it,--but
they failed in their enterprise. They and their men, being much tired,
retreated to a large village, called Le Bois, to refresh themselves,
but not without sir Thomas Kiriel, and the other English captains in
Rouen, gaining intelligence thereof. He and his companions therefore
speedily armed, and fell on the French at this village unexpectedly,
with about a thousand combatants, who soon put them to the rout;
for the French had not time to mount their horses, nor draw up in
battle-array.
The greater part fled the way they had come,--but a few of their
leaders, attempting to rally them, were conquered by the English.
Among the prisoners were the lords de Fontaines, Alain Geron, Alardin
de Monssay, Jean de Bordes, Garnarde and many others, to the amount
of upward of sixty. Eight or ten only were killed: the rest saved
themselves by flight. La Hire was wounded, and lost his equipage.
The English gained almost all their horses,--for the greater part
dismounted, and escaped into a wood hard by.
At this time, king Henry of England sent an embassy to the emperor of
Germany; but the ambassadors, passing through Brabant, were arrested
by the officers of the duke of Burgundy: they were, however, as I was
informed, soon set at liberty, because the king of England and the duke
had not declared war against each other. About this time also, by the
exertions of sir John de Vergy, and some French captains under him, the
English were driven out of the two strong towns they held in Champagne,
on the frontiers of Bar, namely, Nogent le Roi and Montigny.
In like manner, those of Pontoise surrendered their town into the hands
of the lord de l'Isle-Adam, which had before been under the command of
the English; for though this lord de l'Isle-Adam had carried on the
war for the English, and had even been made marshal of France by king
Henry, within a short time he had turned against him. The English lost
also the castle of Vincennes, and other places they held in the Isle de
France, and now began to perceive how much they suffered from the duke
of Burgundy having quitted them, and from his union with France. They
therefore conceived a greater hatred against him and his friends than
against their ancient enemies the French.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 24: Gerberoy,--in the Isle de France, four leagues from
Beauvais.]
CHAP. XCVI.
KING HENRY SENDS LETTERS TO THE HOLLANDERS, TO DRAW THEM TO HIS
PARTY.--A COPY OF THESE LETTERS.
In this year, king Henry of England sent letters, sealed with his seal,
to the mayor, sheriffs, counsellors, burghers and commonalty of the
town of Ziric-zee, to entice them over to his party against the duke of
Burgundy, a copy of which follows.
'Henry, by the grace of God, king of England, lord of Ireland, to our
very dear and great friends the burgomasters, sheriffs, counsellors and
commonalty of the town of Ziric-zee, health, and perpetual love and
affection. Very dear and great friends, how much advantage and profit
arises to kingdoms from an uninterrupted alliance and confederation
between kingdoms and great lords their prosperity fully evinces,
and of which you have had experience. In recalling to mind the very
ancient friendship and alliance that has so long subsisted between our
predecessors the kings of this realm and the princes who have ruled
over Holland, Zealand and Frizeland, we have observed that commerce
has flourished and public tranquillity been preserved through means of
this friendship, to the overthrow of hatreds, jealousies, and internal
divisions.
'Being most heartily desirous that such an alliance and friendship
may continue, we shall pursue the steps of our predecessors, as well
through affinity of blood as from old attachment to those princes of
Zealand, who have worn our order of the Garter in the same manner that
emperors and other royal persons, through affection to us, have done.
'Having taken this opportunity of notifying to you that our friendship
and love continue the same, and which we shall ever cultivate,
preferring old friends to the making of new ones, as being far more
honourable as well as profitable,--we frankly inform you, that we
understand that, under pretence of a peace, divers novelties and
changes have taken place in our kingdom of France, to the great
prejudice of us and of our state, by infringing the general peace
of the two realms, so loyally and faithfully concluded between our
late very dear lords, our father and grandfather, the kings Henry and
Charles lately deceased, whose souls may God pardon! and between the
greatest nobles of the two kingdoms, as we have in full remembrance.
'From this cause, various rumours are abroad, as if some countries were
about to break off their confederations and alliances with us, but for
which we know not of any reasons that should induce them so to do. We
are anxious, therefore, for our satisfaction, to learn your intentions
on this subject, as we make known ours to you,--and most affectionately
entreat you to accept of our wish that our former friendship may be
preserved, and that you will inform us of your intentions by the bearer
of these presents, whom we send purposely to you; or should you be
willing to send any envoys to notify to us your inclinations, we shall
attend to them with a hearty good will. Very dear and great friends,
may the Holy Spirit have you under his protection.
'Given under our privy seal, at our palace of Westminster, the 14th day
of December, in the year of Grace 1435, and of our reign the 14th.'
The address on the letter was, 'To our very dear and great friends
the burgomasters, sheriffs, counsellors and commonalty of the town of
Ziric-zee.'
On the receipt of this letter, the only answer the burgomasters gave
the messenger was, that they would consider of it,--and then they
sent it to the duke of Burgundy and his council, who were very much
displeased at the conduct of the English toward him and his country, in
this as well as in other matters.
CHAP. XCVII.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY DETERMINES TO MAKE WAR ON THE ENGLISH.
While affairs were growing worse every day between the English and
Burgundians, the duke and some of his most able counsellors thought
that it would be more advisable to consider on some private means to
prevent the two countries going to war,--for that it would be better
for all parties the duke should remain in peace, and neuter as to the
war with France. To accomplish this, sir John de Luxembourg count de
Ligny, who had not as yet taken the oaths of fidelity to king Charles,
was sent for to the duke. At his request, sir John offered to write
to his brother the archbishop of Rouen, who was one of the principal
advisers of king Henry, and his chancellor for the kingdom of France.
The business was immediately commenced, and the archbishop dispatched
to king Henry in England. It was there resolved, that for the welfare
of the two countries, they would remain in peace; and the archbishop
sent word to his brother, that his request would be complied with,--and
that England would give good security not to undertake any enterprise
against the territories of the duke of Burgundy, provided the duke
would give similar security to king Henry.
Sir John de Luxembourg, on receiving this information in writing,
sent it to the duke of Burgundy, and desired to know by the messenger
whether he were willing to proceed further in the matter. The duke
made answer, by the bishop of Tournay, that he would not; for that the
English had of late behaved in a very hostile manner toward him and his
subjects, and in various parts had defamed his person and his honour.
They had overthrown from four to five hundred of his combatants on the
borders of Flanders, and had also attempted to gain the town of Ardres
by surprise. This had been confessed by four of the party who had been
beheaded for it in that town. They had also done many other acts of
hostility, which could not longer be passed over in silence.
When the bishop of Tournay had given this answer to the messengers from
the count de Ligny, they requested of the duke to have it in writing,
which he complied with, and signed it with his own hand; but before the
messengers were departed, the duke was strongly exhorted, by several
of his council, to make preparations for a war against the English, in
defence of his honour.
In consequence, he shortly after had letters written and sent to king
Henry of England, in which he stated the acts done on his part against
himself and his subjects since the signing of the peace at Arras, which
were so disagreeable and offensive to his honour that they could not
longer be borne nor dissembled. He added, that if any thing should
have been done inimical by him, no one ought to be surprised; for he
had received too many insults and neglects not to warrant him therein,
which had been very displeasing to him.
When these papers had been examined by king Henry and his council,
they were perfectly convinced that a war with the duke of Burgundy was
inevitable, and gave immediate orders for the reinforcement of all the
frontiers of the Boulonnois and of Crotoy, and warned those countries
to be ready for whatever attempts might be made on them. In like manner
did the duke of Burgundy strengthen all his towns on the frontier.
The king of England sent declaratory letters to several parts of
France, and the principal towns, to explain the cause of quarrel
between him and the duke of Burgundy, which in substance contained
excuses for the charges made against him by the duke, of the
hostilities carried on against himself and subjects. He also stated
the letter sent to Ziric-zee, as an instance of his wish to avoid any
quarrel. With regard to the alliance he was desirous of forming with
the emperor of Germany, he had a right so to do without being called to
an account for it; and as for the summons that had been issued to raise
a large army to wage war against the duke, he did not deny but that
such summons was issued, though no cause for it was mentioned,--and he
had a right to assemble an army, and employ it wheresoever he pleased.
He concluded by saying, that the charges made against him by the duke
of Burgundy were groundless, as would be apparent to all from the acts
done against him and his subjects by the said duke and his allies. This
declaration shall, if it please God, be thrown back on him from whom it
came.
CHAP. XCVIII.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, BY THE ADVICE OF HIS PRIVY COUNSELLORS, RESOLVES
TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO CONQUER CALAIS.
Soon after the duke of Burgundy had sent his dispatches to England,
charging king Henry and his subjects with the many hostile acts they
had done against him, he knew that a war must take place, and held many
councils to consider on the best means of conducting it.
The council were much divided in their opinions: some were for the duke
beginning the war, and assembling the whole of his forces, not only
to oppose the English but to make an attempt to conquer Calais, which
was his own inheritance. Others were of a different opinion, for they
thought again and again on the commencement, and what might be the end
of the war,--saying, that the English were so near many parts of their
country that they could invade it with advantage whenever they pleased;
and they knew not what dependance and aid could be expected from king
Charles, his sovereign, and the princes he was now connected with, in
case any misfortunes should befal him.
This matter having been debated for many days, it was at length
determined that the duke should commence hostilities, and require the
assistance of his countries of Flanders, Holland, and the rest, to aid
him in the conquest of Calais and the county of Guines. The principal
advisers of this measure were master Jean Chevrot bishop of Tournay,
the lord de Croy, master Jean de Croy his brother, sir Jean de Hornes,
seneschal of Brabant, the lord de Chargny, the lord de Crevecoeur, Jean
de Brimeu, bailiff of Amiens, and many others.
Several great lords, who had constantly served the duke of Burgundy
in his wars, were not called to this council,--such as sir John de
Luxembourg, the lord d'Antoing, the vidame of Amiens, the bastard of
St Pol, the lord de Saveuses, Hugh de Launoy, the lord de Mailly, and
several others of high rank and power, as well in Picardy as in the
other territories of the duke, who thought that, since they had been
thus neglected, they were not bound to serve with their vassals in
the ensuing war with that alacrity they would have done had they been
summoned.
When war had been resolved on, the duke went to Ghent, and assembled
in the banqueting hall the sheriffs and deacons of the trades. He
caused them to be harangued by master Goussenin le Sauvage, one of
his counsellors at the castle of Ghent, how the town of Calais had
belonged to his predecessors, and that it was his lawful inheritance,
as part of his county of Artois, although the English had long held
it by force, and against his right: of this they might be truly
informed, by examining the report formerly made by Collart de Comines,
high bailiff of Flanders, or by others of his counsellors: that the
English, since the peace of Arras, had done many hostile acts against
him and his subjects, which had much vexed him; and that they had, in
various proclamations, defamed his person and honour, which he could
not longer, without disgrace, suffer from them. For this reason he
had visited them, to request that they would afford him aid in men
and money to conquer the town of Calais, which, as master Goussenin
added, was very prejudicial to all Flanders; for that the Flemings who
went thither to purchase wool, tin, lead or cheese, were forced to pay
in money according to what alloy the English pleased to put on it,
or in ingots of refined gold and silver, which was not done in other
countries, and this the deacons of the trades vouched to be true.
When this harangue, which was very long, was concluded, the majority
of the sheriffs and deacons, without deliberation, or fixing a day to
consult with the other members of their body, consented to support
the war, and would not listen to some wise and ancient lords, who
were of a contrary opinion. But what is more, when news of this was
spread through the other towns of Flanders, the whole country was eager
for war; and it seemed to many to proceed too slowly,--for they were
impatient to display how well provided they were with arms and warlike
habiliments. They proceeded thus arrogantly and pompously,--for in
truth it seemed to them that Calais could not be able to withstand
their arms.
The duke of Burgundy made similar applications to the other towns and
castlewicks in Flanders for their aid in the war, and all liberally
supported him. He also went to Holland, to solicit from the Hollanders
shipping against Calais, who complied with the greater part of his
demands. He thence returned home to make great preparations for his war
against the English, and to conquer Calais.
While these matters were going forward, several enterprises had been
undertaken by the English and Burgundians against each other. The
duke of Burgundy on his return to Picardy sent thence six hundred
combatants, under the lord de Ternant, sir Simon de Lalain and other
captains, to reinforce the lord de l'Isle-Adam at Pontoise, and to
guard the frontier against the English, who were making a sharp attack
on that town, although it was but lately won from them by the lord de
l'Isle-Adam. A party of French joined these Picards, and made frequent
attempts to gain the city of Paris.
During this time, king Charles's queen was brought to bed of a son,
to whom the king gave the baptismal name of Philip after the duke of
Burgundy. The sponsors for the duke were Charles duke of Bourbon and
Charles d'Anjou, brother to the queen. When the christening was over,
the king sent a pursuivant with letters to the duke of Burgundy, to
inform him of what he had done, and to express a wish that it might be
agreeable to him. The duke was much pleased with the news, and made the
pursuivant presents becoming a prince.
The duke, in the mean time, continued to make requests throughout his
dominions for succours of men and money, to carry on with effect his
war against the English.
[A.D. 1436.]
CHAP. XCIX.
THE CITY OF PARIS IS REDUCED TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHARLES KING OF
FRANCE.
At the beginning of this year, the count de Richemont, constable of
France, the bastard of Orleans, the lords de la Roche, de l'Isle-Adam,
de Ternant, sir Simon de Lalain, his brother Sausse, with other french
and burgundian captains, collected a force of about six thousand
combatants, and marched from Pontoise toward Paris, in the hope of
gaining admittance through the intrigues of the lord de l'Isle-Adam
with the partisans of the burgundian faction within that city.
Having remained there from four to five hours, seeing they could not
succeed, they quartered themselves at Aubervilliers, Montmartre, and
other places around. On the morrow, they attacked the town of St
Denis, wherein were from four to five hundred English, and won it by
storm.--About two hundred English were slain,--and the rest fled to
the abbey, where they were besieged, but soon surrendered on having
their lives spared, with the reservation of some of the natives, who
were to remain at the discretion of the conquerors.
The next day, which was a Thursday, sir Thomas Beaumont, lately
arrived at Paris with six hundred fighting men from Normandy, marched
from Paris to St Denis, to inquire into the state of the French. When
they perceived him, they made a sally with a large force, and almost
immediately defeated him. Three hundred and eighty were killed or made
prisoners, and among the last was sir Thomas: the rest escaped by
flying to Paris, pursued to the very gates.
The Parisians most inclined to the duke of Burgundy, namely, those in
the quarter of the market-place, and some few of the university, with
Michael Lallier and others of the principal citizens, seeing the great
loss the English had suffered, and so large a force of French and
Burgundians under their walls, assembled in parties, and resolved to
drive out the English and admit the others into their town. This they
made known to the lord de l'Isle-Adam, that he might inform the other
captains of their intentions. He sent notice thereof to the constable
and the nobles, who, eager to gain Paris, marched from St Denis in
handsome array, very early on the Friday morning.
In the mean time, Louis de Luxembourg, bishop of Therouenne, the
bishops of Lisieux and of Meaux, the lord Willoughby, and others of
the english party, suspecting that the commonalty were about to turn
against them, posted their men in the street of St Antony, near to the
bastille, which they filled with provision and warlike stores. They
kept their men armed, and on their guard, to retreat thither should
there be occasion.
When the French and Burgundians were come before Paris, to the gate of
St James, on the other side of the Seine toward Montlehery, they sent
the lord de l'Isle-Adam to hold a parley with the inhabitants on the
ramparts. He displayed to them a general amnesty from king Charles for
all that was passed, sealed with his great seal,--admonishing them, at
the same time, to surrender instantly to their lawful king and lord, at
the request of the duke of Burgundy, as they were now reconciled, for
that they had been ever steadily attached to the duke, and under his
government they would still remain. The Parisians, hearing these soft
speeches from the lord de l'Isle-Adam and his confederates, were so
much pleased, that they agreed, shortly after, to admit them into the
city.
Ladders were now hastily placed against the walls, by which the lord
de l'Isle-Adam mounted and entered the town. He was followed by the
bastard of Orleans and numbers of their men. A large body of the
Burgundy-faction and of the commonalty met them, shouting, 'Peace! Long
live king Charles, and the duke of Burgundy!'
Soon after, the gates were thrown open, and the constable entered,
with the other lords and their men at arms. They advanced toward the
bastille, whither the bishops, and those of the english party, had
retreated, with a show of making some resistance; but it was vain, for
their enemies were too numerous. They were, therefore, repulsed at
the first onset, and a few killed and made prisoners. Barriers were
now erected before the gate of the bastille with large timber, and men
at arms posted in the Tournelles and adjoining parts, to prevent the
English from making any sallies. All their effects were now seized and
plundered,--and those who had been their principal supporters were
imprisoned, and their property confiscated. New officers were also
appointed, in the name of king Charles, for the government of the town.
The bishop of Therouenne, lord Willoughby, and the others in the
bastille, held a parley with the French; and, by means of the lord
de Ternant and sir Simon de Lalain, it was concluded that, on the
surrender of the bastille, those within should be allowed to depart in
safety, with all their effects. They had a passport from the constable,
under which they went by land and water to Rouen.
The Parisians, at their departure, set up a grand shouting at them,
crying out 'à la queue[25]!' Thus was the city of Paris reduced to the
obedience of king Charles. The English, after passing the gate leading
to the country, went round to embark at the back of the Louvre. The
bishop of Therouenne lost all the rich ornaments of his chapel; and the
greater part of his jewels and valuable rings fell to the lot of the
constable. However, he was much favoured by the lord de Ternant and sir
Simon de Lalain; and they restored to him some of his wealth, which was
dispersed in different parts of the town.
The standard of the duke of Burgundy was displayed at all the gates, as
an inducement for the Parisians to turn to his party. Some new knights
were created on this occasion by the constable, from the country of
Picardy, namely, Sausse de Lalain and Robert de Neufville, with others
of the French.
The constable remained for a long time in Paris after this
conquest,--and with him the lord de Ternant, who was made provost. The
aforesaid sir Sausse de Lalain, the bastard of Orleans, and others of
the French and Picards, now returned to the places they had come from.