[Footnote 25: In the French Dictionary of Richelet, it is thus
explained: _à la queue leu leu_, (_Continenti serie ludere_) a kind
of play, which means, 'the tail of the wolf.' To play _à la queue leu
leu_, is said when children place themselves in a file, and the leader,
making a half-wheel round, drags the rest after him, endeavouring to
catch hold of the last in the file.]
CHAP. C.
ARTHUR COUNT DE RICHEMONT, CONSTABLE OF FRANCE, MAKES WAR ON THE HEIR
OF COMMERCY.
In this year, the count de Richemont, constable of France, advanced
into Champagne with a large body of troops to make war on the heir of
Commercy and others, who were disobedient to king Charles, and had
greatly annoyed that and the surrounding countries.
On his arrival, he took Laon, some leagues from Rheims, and thence
marched to Braine[26], belonging to the lord of Commercy; but as it was
too strong and well garrisoned, and refused to submit, he passed on to
Saint Menehoud, in the possession of Henry de la Tour, who gave it up
on capitulation.
The constable was here joined by the youth Everard de la Marche, who
made an agreement with him for his men to lay siege to Chavensy[27].
The constable gave him several of his captains and their men: with
these he commenced the siege of Chavensy about eight days after Easter,
by erecting a strong block-house, wherein he quartered about four
hundred of his troops and a number of common people, who came thither
at times from the low countries.
Everard had with him the constable's lieutenant named Jean de
Malatrait, sir John Geoffry de Conurant, and the provost of the
marshals, Tristan de l'Hermite, and also Pierre d'Orgy, Yvon du Puys,
the Arragonian, Estienne Diest, le grand Pierre, and others, men of
renown, who remained full four months carrying on a severe war against
this garrison, which, nevertheless defended themselves with prudence
and ability.
While this was going forward, a party of the besieging army kept the
open country, with the intent of harrassing in other places the heir
of Commercy, who was always on his guard, and well attended by men at
arms. He learnt from his spies, that his adversaries were quartered
at the village of Romaigne[28], in Champagne; and before they could
be prepared to resist him, he made a sudden attack on them at eight
of the clock in the morning, and totally defeated them. About sixty
were slain, among whom were Alain Geron bailiff of Senlis, Geoffry de
Morillon, Pierre d'Orgy, Alain de la Roche, Olivier de la Jouste, the
bastard of Villebranche, and many other gentlemen. Six score were made
prisoners,--and in the number was one Blanchelaine.
The heir of Commercy retreated after this defeat,--and when news of it
was carried to the besiegers of Chavensy, they were greatly surprised.
Everard de la Marche was not cast down by this misfortune, but gained
to his party the count de Vernembourg, who in person, attended by his
two sons, and accompanied by four or five hundred combatants, went
to this siege. He carried with him, likewise, sir Hugh Tauxte and
sir Herault de Gourgines, governors of Ainville[29], the children of
Brousset, and many more great lords, who remained at this siege until
the night of St John's day,--when the besieged made a grand sally, and
set fire to the quarters of the besiegers. They were successful in
throwing the enemy into confusion, and slew from two to three hundred,
among whom were Estienne Diest and the Arragonian. Another skirmish
took place, when one of the sons of the count de Vernembourg was
killed, and the great block-house set on fire by means of rockets. The
besiegers, having suffered severely in these sallies, decamped, when
their quarters were burnt.
Angillebert de Dolle and Girard de Marescoup commanded in Chavensey,
during this siege, for the Lord de Commercy, with about two hundred
fighting men.
During this time, the constable had reduced to obedience the towns
of Nampteuil-sur-Aine[30], Han-les-Moines[31], Bourg[32], and other
castles, on his presenting himself before them.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 26: Braine,--near Compiégne.]
[Footnote 27: Chavensy. Q.]
[Footnote 28: La Romaigne,--near Rethel in Champagne.]
[Footnote 29: Ainville, on the frontiers of Champagne and Lorraine.]
CHAP. CI.
THE BISHOP OF LIEGE AND THE LIEGEOIS DESTROY BOUSSEUVRE[33], AND OTHER
FORTS THAT HAD MADE WAR AGAINST THEM.
At the end of the month of April, the bishop of Liege raised a large
force to combat and reduce to obedience several forts in the forest
of the Ardennes, held by a set of plunderers, who had done much
mischief to the inhabitants of his territories. The principal leaders
and supporters of these marauders were Jean de Beaurain, Philipot de
Sergins, the lord d'Orchimont and others, who made the castle of
Boussenoch, Villers opposite to Mousson, Aubigny, Beaurain, Orchimont,
and several other castles in these parts, their retreats.
Some of them gave out that they were attached to the king of France,
others to the duke of Burgundy, but the greater part to sir John de
Luxembourg, count de Ligny; while two of them, John de Beaurain and
Philipot de Sergins, made war on their own account, to recover sums due
to them for services they had done the Liegeois.
The bishop, through the aid of the nobles of the country, assembled
from two to three thousand horse, and from twelve to sixteen thousand
infantry, well equipped, and armed each according to his rank: he
had also three or four thousand carts laden with provision, military
engines, and stores of all kinds. The bishop, on quitting Liege,
advanced to Dinant[34], and thence across the river Meuse. Having
marched through woods for five leagues, his forces halted two days
at Rigniues,[35] to wait for the baggage, which travelled slowly on
account of the badness of the roads. At this place, the bishop formed
his army into four divisions, namely, two of cavalry, and the same
number of infantry,--and, riding down their fronts, admonished every
one to perform his duty well.
He dispatched part of his cavalry to post themselves before the castle
of Boussenoch, while he followed with the main body, and on his
arrival surrounded it on all sides, placing his bombards and engines
against the walls and gates of the castle, in which were about twenty
pillagers, greatly surprised to see so large an army before the gates.
The Liegeois set instantly to work, and soon drained the ditches
by sluices which they cut, while others brought faggots and filled
them, so that they began to storm the place with such vigour that the
bulwark was instantly won. Those within retreated to a large tower,
and defended themselves for a long time; but it was of no avail, for
they were overpowered by fire and arrows, and surrendered at discretion
to the bishop, who had them all hanged on trees near to the castle,
by a priest who acted as their captain,--and he, after hanging his
companions, was tied to a tree and burnt, and the castle razed to the
ground.
The bishop, after this exploit, marched away toward the upper Châtelet;
but many of his army wanted to march to Hirson[36] and other places
of sir John de Luxembourg,--because, they said, he was the supporter
of those they were now making war on. But this same day the bastard
of Coucy met the bishop, and said that he was sent by sir John de
Luxembourg to assure the bishop that sir John was only desirous of
living on neighbourly terms with him, and to request that he would
not suffer any injuries to be done to his country or vassals; that if
any thing wrong had been done to the Liegeois by those who gave out
that they were dependant on him, he wished to be heard in his defence,
and would refer the matter to friends of either side as arbitrators.
At the same time, letters were brought from the duke of Burgundy to
the bishop, to require that he would not do any injury to sir John de
Luxembourg, nor to the lord d'Orchimont, which put an end to their
intended plan.
The bishop, with a part of his army, then marched to the castle of
Aubigny, when, finding that the garrison had fled through fear of
him, he ordered the castle to be burnt. From Aubigny he went to
upper Châtelet, wherein a body of his men were, for the garrison had
abandoned it,--and it was destroyed as the others had been.
The bishop had intended marching to Villiers; but his intention being
known to the inhabitants of Mousson and Ivoy, they destroyed the castle
of Villiers, fearful of the damages that would be done to the country
should the Liegeois once enter it. On hearing this, the bishop took
the road to Beaurain, which castle John de Beaurain, its lord, had
lately repaired and strengthened with the addition of four towers: one
he called Hainault, another Namur, the third Brabant, and the fourth
Rethel, because it was from those countries he had gotten the money
to build them. However, when he heard of the march of the Liegeois, he
was afraid to wait their coming, and fled with his men, but not before
he had set the castle on fire. This did not prevent the bishop from
completely demolishing it to its foundations; then, without proceeding
further, he marched his men back to their own country, and went himself
to the city of Liege.
At this season, the town of Gamaches in Vimeu, which had long been held
by the English, surrendered to the lord d'Aussi and to sir Florimont de
Brimeu, seneschal of Ponthieu, by means of certain friends they had in
the town. The seneschal re-garrisoned it with men at arms for the duke
of Burgundy. In like manner, the English were driven out of Aumarle,
which surrendered to a gentleman called David de Reume, attached to
king Charles.
About the same time, the constable laid siege to Creil, in the
possession of the English, and erected a block-house at the end of
the bridge on the road to the Beauvoisis, wherein he remained for a
long time, but at length marched away in disgrace, which grieved him
much,--for he had lost many men, together with very large quantities of
military stores and artillery.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 30: Nampteuil,--near Rheims.]
[Footnote 31: Han,--near Rheims.]
[Footnote 32: Bourg,--near Rheims.]
[Footnote 33: Bousseuvre,--is called afterward Boussenoch.]
[Footnote 34: Dinant, on the Meuse, sixteen leagues from Liege.]
[Footnote 35: Rigniues. Q.]
[Footnote 36: Hirson,--or Herisson, a town in Picardy, election of
Guise.]
CHAP. CII.
THE TOWN AND CASTLE OF ORCHIMONT ARE DESTROYED BY EVERARD DE LA MARCHE.
Bernard de Bourset kept quiet possession of the town of Orchimont and
its castle,--but one day, having as usual sent out a detachment of
about fifty to lay waste and plunder the country of Liege, they were
observed and pursued by the Liegeois, under the command of the provost
of Rebogne. Their passage being cut off on the way they meant to have
returned, they fled for Dinant, and entered Bouvines, thinking they
should be safe there, but were mistaken, inasmuch as they were detained
prisoners. Although the officers of justice from Liege made frequent
applications to those of Bouvines to have them punished according to
their deserts, they were set at liberty, for these two towns did not
much love each other.
While this matter was passing, Everard de la Marche, who was in
alliance with the bishop of Liege, and had also many subjects of
complaint against these pillagers, assembled in haste as many men
as he could,--and, being joined by some forces from Dinant and the
surrounding country, advanced to Orchimont, and took the town by
storm. Bernard had at this moment but few men with him, and therefore
retreated to the castle, whither he was gallantly pursued by the
Liegeois. They pressed him so hardly that, at the end of four days, he
surrendered, on capitulation, to Everard de la Marche.
The castle and town were after this razed to the ground, to the great
joy of all the neighbouring country,--for they had been inhabited by a
set of wicked vagabonds, who had annoyed all within their reach.
CHAP. CIII.
THE ENGLISH MAKE EXCURSIONS FROM CALAIS TOWARD BOULOGNE AND
GRAVELINES.--LA HIRE CONQUERS GISORS, AND LOSES IT SOON AFTERWARDS.
While the war was on the point of breaking out between the English and
Burgundians, for each party was now watching the other, the English
suddenly came before Boulogne, thinking to win it by surprise,--but it
was too well defended. They burnt part of the shipping in the harbour,
and then retreated to Calais with all they could collect, without loss.
Shortly after, they again assembled a force of five or six hundred
combatants, and set out on a foraging party toward Gravelines. The
Flemings in that quarter collected, and attacked the English, contrary
to the will and advice of the gentlemen who commanded them, namely,
Georges des Ubes and Chery Hazebrouch. The consequence was, that they
were conquered,--from three to four hundred killed, and full six score
prisoners, whom the English carried with them and their forage to
Calais, and to other places under their obedience. The remainder saved
themselves by flight as speedily as they could.
At this time, La Hire was posted at Beauvais and Gerberoy,--and, by
means of intelligence which he had kept up in the town of Gisors, he
gained admittance, with the forces under his command, and won the
place. Part of the garrison retired into the castle, and hastily sent
off messengers to Rouen, and to other towns, to state their situation
and demand succours. On the third day, so strong a reinforcement came,
the town was reconquered,--and La Hire and his companions marched off
at a quicker step than a pace, with the exception of twenty or thirty
who had remained behind. These were put to death or detained prisoners
by the English, together with a great number of the inhabitants,
because they had afforded assistance to their enemies.
CHAP. CIV.
THE MEN OF GHENT, AND THE FLEMINGS, MAKE GREAT PREPARATIONS FOR THE
SIEGE OF CALAIS.
The men of Ghent were not idle all this time. They issued a summons
throughout their castlewicks and dependances, for all burghers,
whatever their rank might be, (reserving, however, the vassals of their
prince) to appear within three days before the sheriffs of Ghent, and
have their names and surnames inrolled, under pain of losing their
franchises. They were also ordered to provide themselves with arms
and all necessary habiliments for war. They likewise caused it to be
proclaimed, that those who had for their misdeeds been condemned to
perform certain pilgrimages, would be excused from doing them until
their return from the war, and fourteen days after; and also that those
who had quarrels should be placed under the safeguard of the law,
and all who dared to infringe it should be punished according to the
custom of the town of Ghent. It was also forbidden for any one of that
country, whatever his rank, to carry, or have carried away, any armour,
or habiliments for war, under pain of banishment for ten years.
When these proclamations were issued, there was much bustle in Ghent
and its dependances in preparations for the war,--and every town and
village knew exactly how many men they were to provide to make up the
quota of seventeen thousand, which the city of Ghent had promised
to deliver to their prince in the course of the present year; and
each family knew also the exact amount of the taxes it was to pay
for the support of the war. Summonses were next issued through their
castlewicks, that a third more carts and waggons were to be provided
than had been necessary for the late expedition to Hamme on the Somme;
and these demands were proclaimed in all the usual places by officers
sent from Ghent. But as these matters did not seem to the men of Ghent
to be pushed forward with the expedition they expected, they sent
another proclamation to their officers, declaring, that if within three
days from the date thereof there were not sent to their commissary in
Ghent the number of carriages required, they would order the deacon of
the black hoods and his attendants to the different towns and villages
to seize on all the best carts and carriages without exception, and at
the expense of those who should neglect to send them to Ghent by the
time specified. This second proclamation caused such an alarm among the
farmers and peasants, lest the black hoods should be sent, that they
made such dispatch in forwarding their carriages to the appointed place
that the townsmen of Ghent were well satisfied with them.
The regulations for their arms were as follow: each was to provide
himself with a short mallet of lead or iron, having points on its head
and a lance; that two mallets would be reckoned as equal to one lance;
that without such arms they would not pass muster,--and those who
should be found defective would be punished.
The inhabitants of Bruges, and the other towns, made likewise very
grand preparations to join the army; and for two months the majority of
such as had been ordered on this service had not done a single day's
work at their trades. Thus the greater part of their time was occupied
in spending their money in large companies at taverns and ale-houses,
which very frequently caused quarrels, when several were killed or
wounded.
The duke of Burgundy, in the mean while, was busily employed in
preparing for his attack on Calais.
During this time, there lived one Hannequin Lyon, a native of
Dunkirk, but who, for his demerits, had been banished from Ghent,
and, becoming a fugitive, turned pirate, and, by his good fortune and
activity, increased in wealth, so that he now possessed eight or ten
vessels, well armed and victualled, under his command. He made war
indiscriminately on the flags of all nations, and was much feared on
the coasts of Holland and Flanders. He called himself The Friend of God
and the Enemy of all Mankind.
At length, he met with the fate that people of his way of life
generally experience,--for, when he was at the highest pinnacle of his
fortune, he lost his life and his wealth in a tempest at sea.
CHAP. CV.
SIR JOHN DE CROY, BAILIFF OF HAINAULT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER
CAPTAINS, ATTACK THE ENGLISH AND ARE DISCOMFITED BY THEM.
At this time, sir John de Croy, bailiff of Hainault, assembled, on
the borders of Picardy and the Boulonnois, about fifteen hundred
combatants, the principal leaders of whom were the lord de Waurin, sir
Baudo de Noyelle, sir Louis de Thieubronne, Robert de Saveuses, Richard
de Thieubronne, the lord Deulez, the bastard of Roucy, with several
more, well experienced in war. They intended to march them against
Calais and other places dependant on the English, and for this reason
had their rendezvous at a village called le Wast, two leagues from St
Omer.
They marched thence one night to forage the country of the enemy,--but
this same night the English had formed an expedition to do the like
in the Boulonnois, to the amount of about two thousand men. Neither
of them knew of the other's intent, nor did they take roads likely
to meet; but on sir John de Croy's approaching the English border,
he dispatched some expert men at arms, well acquainted with the
country, to gain intelligence. They fell in with the rear of the
English detachment near the bridge of Milay, about day-break, and, on
reconnoitring them, found that they were very numerous. When returned
to sir John, they made him acquainted with what they had seen, and
that the English were advancing toward the Boulonnois. A council of
the captains was called to determine how they should act, when it
was resolved to pursue and attack them during the time they would be
engaged in plundering the villages, if they could overtake them in
time--otherwise to combat them wherever they should meet.
It was ordered that sir John de Croy, accompanied by a body of the most
able men at arms, should advance with the greater part of the archers,
and that the main body should follow near, under the banner of sir
Louis de Thieubronne.
Scouts were again sent forward, who rode long before they saw the
fires which the enemy had made by burning different villages and small
towns. Some prisoners whom they had taken had given information to the
English of their being abroad, who in consequence had collected their
men on a small eminence between Gravelines and Campagne[37]. It might
be at this time about ten o'clock, but the greater part of the English
were assembled lower down, and could not well be seen.
The main body of the Burgundians, on perceiving the enemy, were very
eager for the combat, because the advanced party had already begun
the engagement, and from sixty to eighty of the English on the hill
were slain and the others put to flight; but when, on advancing, they
perceived so large a body on the other side of the declivity rallying
the runaways, they were surprised and fearful of the event, and halted
for the arrival of the main body.
In the mean time, the English recovered courage on seeing the enemy
afraid to follow up their victory, and made a well ordered and firm
charge upon them. The Burgundians could not withstand the shock, were
thrown into confusion, and, instantly wheeling round, fled in haste for
the castles under their obedience.
The English, who had been half conquered at the first onset, pursued
them, full gallop, as far as the town of Ardres, and even within the
barriers. Upwards of a hundred were slain or made prisoners: among the
first was Robert de Bournonville, surnamed the Red. In the last were
Jean d'Estreves, Bournonville, Galiot du Champ, Maide, Houttefort,
Barnamont, and many others, men of note. The English pursued their
enemies with such eagerness that five or six were killed close to the
ditches of the town,--and among them was one of very high rank.
The lord de Waurin, sir Baudo de Noyelle, sir Louis de Thieubronne,
Robert de Saveuses, who had that day been knighted, and several more,
saved themselves in Ardres. Sir John de Croy had been wounded by an
arrow at the first onset, and his horse killed. He and the lord Deulez
retired to the abbey of Lille, much troubled and hurt at his defeat.
The others escaped to divers forts and castles in the neighbourhood.
When the English had ceased pursuing, they collected together, and
returned with their prisoners to Calais, and to other places under
their government. The count de Mortaigne came out of Calais to meet
them, and gave them a most joyful reception, blaming greatly, at the
same time, those who by flying had put them in such imminent danger.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 37: Campagne-les-Boulonnois,--a village of Artois, near St
Omer.]
CHAP. CVI.
THE FLEMINGS MARCH TO THE SIEGE OF CALAIS--AND MARCH BACK AGAIN.
At the beginning of the month of June, duke Philip of Burgundy having
completed his preparations for the siege of Calais, as well in men
as in warlike stores, went without state to Ghent and other places
in Flanders, that he might hasten the march of the troops from that
country.
On the Saturday after Corpus-Christi-day, a general muster was made
in Ghent before the duke, of all who were to join his army from that
town and its dependances, namely, from the towns of Alost, Grammont,
Dendermonde and Mene[38], (with those of the five members of the
county of Alost, containing seventy-two country towns and lordships)
of Boulers, Sotengien, Tournay, Gaures and Rides, with those from
Regnaits, and the regalles of Flanders, situated between Grammont and
Tournay. These troops remained in the market-place, where they had
been mustered, from eight o'clock in the morning until noon, when
they marched out of the town, taking the road to Calais. The duke
accompanied them as far as the open country, where he took leave of
them and went to Bruges, to hasten their contingent of men.
The weather was so exceedingly oppressive that two of the ghent
captains died of the heat. They were named Jean des Degrez, deacon of
the watermen, and Gautier de Wase-Reman, captain of Westmonstre, with
several others of low degree. The commander in chief of this division
of the flemish army was the lord de Comines; of that of Bruges, the
lord de Fienhuse; of those from Courtray, sir Girard de Guistelles; of
those from the Franc, the lord de Merque; of those from Ypres, Jean de
Comines.