distant from Ghent, and remained there on the morrow to wait for their
baggage and stores. On the ensuing Monday they departed, and continued
their march until they came to the town of Armentieres, when they
quartered themselves in the meadows without the town with those from
Courtray and Oudenarde, who were within the castlewick of Ghent, and
had joined them on the march. The lord d'Antoing was their leader and
commander in chief, as being hereditary viscount of all Flanders.
When they remained at Armentieres, twenty-one of their men were
arrested, and hung on trees in front of head-quarters, for
having robbed some peasants. The ghent division then advanced to
Hazebrouch, in the country of Alleu, where they destroyed the mill
of d'Hazebourch, because he had, as they said, led on the Flemings
ungallantly when they were lately defeated by the English near to
Gravelines; but he excused himself by declaring, they would not attend
to his advice, nor obey his orders.
Thence they advanced to Drinchaut[39], where they were met by their
prince the duke of Burgundy, and the count de Richemont, constable of
France, who had come thither to wait on the duke. Both of them visited
the ghent men, and partook of a collation at their head-quarters.
The army marched through Bourbourg, and quartered themselves near to
Gravelines, where they destroyed the mill of Georges de Wez, for the
same reason they had done that of Cherry de Hazebourch.
At this place they were joined by the forces from Bruges, Ypres, the
Franc and other towns in Flanders, and formed an handsome encampment,
placing the tents regularly according to the towns they came
from--which made a fine sight, and at a distance had the appearance of
a large town. The carriages were innumerable to convey these tents,
baggage and stores; and on the top of each was a cock to crow the
hours. There were also great numbers of peasants to drag the culverines
and other engines of war; and the majority of the Flemings wore plain
armour, according to the custom of their country.
On their departure, they all mustered under arms before the duke and
constable, who viewed them with much pleasure,--and on this day a wolf
ran through the ranks of the division from Bruges, which caused a great
alarm and a cry of 'To arms!' on which the whole took the field, when
there might be full thirty thousand wearing helmets. They crossed the
river at Gravelines, and fixed their quarters at Tournehem, not far
distant. The weather was at this time dreadfully severe, with rain and
such high winds that they could not pitch their tents, but were forced
to lie on the ground. Three Picards were arrested and hanged by the
ghent men, for robbing the landlord of an hôtel of his provisions.
The count d'Estampes here joined the army of Flanders with the men at
arms the duke of Burgundy had ordered on this expedition,--and on a
Friday the whole encamped before the castle of Oye[40], in possession
of the English. This place soon surrendered to the duke and to the
men of Ghent, who ordered nine and twenty to be hanged the same day
in front of the castle; and afterward twenty-five suffered the like
sentence, with the exception of three or four that were respited at the
request of the duke. The castle was on its surrender burnt, and razed
to the ground.
With regard to the Picards and Burgundians now with the army, although
very expert plunderers, they could not lay hands on any thing; for the
flemish commanders would on no account suffer such things, or, when
known, pass them over with impunity,--and, what was worse, when they
chanced to get any things from the enemy, it often happened that, with
their spoil, their own private property was taken from them also. When
they complained of this, they only received additional blows, which
obliged them to be silent and suffer all, from the greater power of the
Flemings, but it was most impatiently.
The Flemings were so presumptuous that they thought nothing could be
done without them, and even imagined that the English, from fear of
them would abandon Calais and fly to England. This was frequently the
subject of their conversations with the Picards, adding, that they
well knew that, when the English should be informed of their lords of
Ghent being in arms against them, they would not run the risk of being
conquered by them, but make a timely retreat; that it was negligence in
the fleet not to have advanced prior to their arrival, before the port
of Calais, to cut off their escape.
They needed not have been so uneasy on this head, for the English were
well inclined to defend themselves,--and in truth, king Henry and all
England would just as soon have lost their thirty-year's conquests in
France as the single town of Calais, as I have been credibly informed,
and as they full well showed by their defence shortly afterward.
When the castle of Oye had been demolished, the whole army decamped, to
take post between the castle of Marque and Calais. At the same time,
the duke of Burgundy and his men at arms made an excursion before the
town of Calais, whence issued out a party of horse and foot, and a
considerable skirmish took place,--but in the end the English were
repulsed, and the Picards and Flemings drove away a large booty in
cows, sheep, horses, and other things.
The duke staid with his men at arms some time near Calais, until the
armies were returned to their quarters, and then went to his own tent
before the castle of Marque, as the Picards were about to make a
serious attack on it. The bulwark was won, to the great astonishment of
the garrison, who displayed on the side toward Calais the banner of St
George, ringing at the same time all their bells, and making the most
horrid noises and cries.
The assailants, fearful that the garrison would escape by night, placed
a strong guard all around; and, on the morrow, pointed many great
engines against the walls, which damaged them in several places.
They were then jointly attacked by the Picards and Flemings; but they
defended themselves obstinately by throwing down stones from the
battlements, with which and with arrows they killed and wounded so many
that the assailants were glad to retreat. The besieged demanded a truce
for a parley, which was granted them, when they offered to surrender
to the duke on the sole condition of not being hanged,--but that they
would submit in other respects unconditionally. These terms were
accepted, and all persons forbidden to enter the castle under pain of
death, unless ordered so to do.
The garrison was conducted by the four chief flemish officers to the
head-quarters of the ghent division; and it was determined to make
reprisals, in order to have some flemish prisoners in Calais exchanged.
In consequence, one hundred and four English were delivered over to the
bailiff of Ghent, who carried them thither to be imprisoned.
The greater part of the common men now entered the castle and took
whatever they could find; but some of the ghent men, placing
themselves at the gates, seized on all articles that had been taken, as
they repassed, and laid them in a heap, saying they were so ordered by
the sheriffs of Ghent,--but, when night came, they loaded the whole on
carts, and carried it whithersoever they pleased. They were, however,
charged with this before the sheriffs, and were banished from Ghent,
and the country of Flanders, for fifty years. This sentence raised
great murmurings, and was nearly the cause of a general mutiny among
the Flemings.
On the following day, several men were beheaded because they had been
taken with the English: six were Flemings, and the seventh a Hollander;
after which, the castle was demolished and razed to the ground.
The army now decamped, and fixed their quarters on the spot where,
it was said, Jacques d'Artavelle was formerly encamped when king
Edward won Calais after the decisive battle of Cressy. Duke Philip
was encamped hard by with his chivalry and men at arms, but nearer to
Calais. A severe skirmish took place this day with the English, in
which many were killed and wounded on both sides. La Hire, who had come
to visit the duke of Burgundy, was wounded by an arrow in the leg. Many
engines were also pointed, to throw stones and balls into the town of
Calais, which were returned with such interest from the ramparts, that
the enemy were glad to retreat to a greater distance.
The duke of Burgundy was encamped on the downs, among the sand hills;
and as he was one day riding, with few attendants, to reconnoitre the
towns, a cannon-shot fell so near him that it killed a trumpeter and
three horses, one of which belonged to the lord de Saveuses.
The English made frequent sallies on horseback and on foot, and many
severe skirmishes happened between the two parties, the details of
which would be tedious to relate, or to make mention of those who
behaved the worst or best: but I have heard from very good authority,
that the lords de Habourdin, de Crequi, and de Waurin, were much
applauded for their conduct in these several skirmishes, as well as
other valiant men of note from Picardy. The English, however, carried
off the palm of the day. At times, the Picards repulsed them back to
the barriers, in visible confusion.
With regard to the Flemings, they were not much afraid of these
English,--and thought, that if there were but three Flemings against
one Englishman, they should easily gain their point. The duke of
Burgundy was attended, on this occasion, by his nephew of Cleves, the
count d'Estampes, the lord d'Antoing, commander of the Flemings, the
lord de Croy, the lords de Crequi, de Fosseux, de Waurin, de Saveuses,
de Habourdin, de Humieres, d'Inchy, de Brimeu, de Launoy, de Huchin,
the brothers de Hastines and de Fremessen, with numbers of other lords
and gentlemen of his household from Burgundy, Flanders, Brabant,
Hainault, Artois and other parts of his dominions; but the duke had not
assembled half of his forces from Picardy, in regard to men at arms.
He had even sent back great part of those who were mustered, to the
surprise of many who wished him well; for they thought that it would
have been more to his advantage to have retained them than double the
number of common men.
Sir John de Croy, who commanded in the Boulonnois, was ordered to
quarter himself and men nearer to Calais, on the other side, toward the
bridge of Nieullay, when much conversation took place between them and
those in the town. The duke, shortly after, countermanded him, and sent
him before Guines, where he quartered his detachment near to the walls
and gates, and pointed many large engines against them, which damaged
them much.
Sir John de Croy was accompanied by sir Galois de Rancy, Robert de
Saveuses, and other men of note, who attacked the enemy so vigorously
that, for fear of being taken by storm, they abandoned the town
and withdrew into the castle, whither they were pursued,--and the
attack was renewed with more courage than ever. Before they came to
Guines, the fortress of Vauclingen had surrendered to sir John, on
condition that the English should retire in safety, with part of their
baggage. On similar terms was Sangate-castle yielded up to Robert de
Saveuses, who had marched thither during the siege of Guines,--and he
re-garrisoned it with his men.
During all this time, the duke of Burgundy was encamped before the
strong town of Calais, wondering what was become of his fleet,
which ought to have arrived some time. The Flemings were also much
discontented, and began loudly to complain of the duke's council,
and against the admirals of the fleet, namely, sir John de Hornes,
seneschal of Brabant, and the commander de la Morée; but the duke
appeased them with gentle words, saying that they would soon arrive, as
he had lately had letters from them,--and that hitherto the wind had
been against them, which had prevented their sailing sooner.
There came daily vessels from England to Calais, in sight of their
enemies, some days more, others less, laden with fresh provisions,
reinforcements of men, and warlike stores; and the opposite parties
were not so near each other but that the English turned out every day
their cattle to graze, which vexed their adversaries very much, and was
the cause of frequent skirmishes, in hopes of seizing some of them.
The lords and men of Ghent, perceiving that the Picards were in the
habit of carrying off these cattle, thought within themselves that they
were strong, well made and armed, and might as well have their share
also. On a certain day, therefore, about two hundred assembled, and
went as secretly as they could toward the marshes before Calais, to
forage; but they were seen and known from their dress by the English,
who were not well pleased at the attempt to carry off that whereon they
lived, and instantly attacked them with such courage that twenty-two
were killed on the spot and thirty taken prisoners. The remainder fled
in haste to their quarters, saying they had suffered a great loss, and
caused much confusion, for they thought they had narrowly escaped.
There were frequent alarms in the quarter of the Flemings, for at the
smallest noise they were on the alert and under arms, to the great
vexation of their lord the duke of Burgundy,--but he could not prevent
it, for they would have all things according to their good pleasure.
At this time, a herald, called Cambridge, came from England to the
duke, and, having saluted him very respectfully, said, 'that his lord
and master, Humphry, duke of Glocester, made known to him, by his
mouth, that, with God's pleasure, he would very shortly combat him and
his whole army, if he would wait his arrival,--and, should he decamp
thence, that he would seek him in his own territories,--but he could
not fix on any day for coming, as that would depend on the winds, which
are unsteady, and he could not cross the sea at his pleasure.'
The duke replied, 'that there would be no necessity for the duke of
Glocester to seek him in any other place but where he was, and that,
unless some misfortune should happen, he would there find him.' After
these words, the herald was magnificently feasted,--and rich gifts were
made him, with which he returned to Calais.
On the morrow, the duke of Burgundy went to the head-quarters of
the Flemings, where, having assembled their captains and the nobles
of Flanders, he caused them to be harangued by master Gilles de la
Voustine, his counsellor in the courts of Ghent, on the challenge he
had received from the duke of Glocester, by his herald, and the reply
he had made,--on which account, he requested them, as his dear friends,
to remain with him and assist him in the defence of his honour. Those
present immediately promised to comply with his demand in the most
liberal manner,--as did those from Bruges and the other towns of
Flanders.
It was also determined at this meeting to erect a high block-house on
an eminence near Calais, to enable them to view from it the proceedings
of those in the town. It was instantly begun with oak and other
wood,--and some cannon were placed thereon, to fire into Calais, and a
strong guard ordered for its defence. The English were not well pleased
at this, for they were afraid lest their sallies should be cut off: to
obviate which, they made an immediate attack on it with a large body
of men; but it was well defended by the Flemings, under the conduct of
some able warriors (le bon de Saveuses was one) who had gone thither;
and as numerous reinforcements to the Flemings were continually
pouring in, the English retreated to Calais without effecting any
thing, and leaving some dead behind them.
On the morrow and following days, there was much skirmishing at the
palisades of the town. In one of them, a half-witted knight, the lord
de Plateaux, was made prisoner: notwithstanding his folly, he was a
determined and brave man at arms. On Thursday, the 25th of July, the
fleet, which had been so anxiously expected, was discovered at sea. The
duke of Burgundy mounted his horse, and, attended by many lords and
others, rode to the sea-shore. When a barge having advanced as near
as the surf would permit, a man jumped out, and, coming to the duke,
informed him that the fleet in sight was his own. This spread universal
joy throughout the army, and several ran to the downs to see it,--but
their captains made as many return to the camp as they could.
The following evening-tide commissioners, appointed for this purpose,
quitted the fleet, and sunk four vessels in the mouth of the harbour
of Calais, that were filled with immense stones, well worked together
and cramped with lead, in order to choak up the entrance, and prevent
any supplies from entering the harbour from England. The fleet kept up,
in the mean time, a constant fire against the vessels in harbour, and
sunk one. The next day two other vessels, filled with stones like the
others, were also sunk at the mouth of the port. But, to say the truth,
all these sunken vessels were so improperly placed that when the tide
was out many remained on the sand, scarcely covered with water.
The English hastened from the town at ebb tide, as well women as
men, and with strong efforts, pulled them to pieces, and what wood
they could not convey into the town they burnt and destroyed,
notwithstanding a continual fire from the fleet, to the great
astonishment of the duke and his admirals.
Sir John de Hornes, seneschal of Brabant, the commander de la Morée,
and other lords from Holland, set sail with the fleet on the morrow,
and were soon out of sight, on their return to whence they had come;
for indeed they could not with safety remain long before Calais, on
account of danger from sea, which sailors say is more imminent between
Calais and England than elsewhere. They had also received information
that a fleet was on the point of sailing from England, against which
they would be unable to make head.
The Flemings were much discontented at their sailing away, and murmured
among themselves, saying they were betrayed by the ministers of their
prince,--for they had been promised, on leaving Flanders, that Calais
should at the same time be besieged by sea and land,--so that their
leaders had difficulty enough to pacify them.
In the mean time, the duke of Burgundy had sent to summon men at arms
from all parts of his dominions, and was impatiently expecting their
arrival to assist him in opposing the troops that were coming from
England. He ordered the ground to be examined by such as were well
acquainted with those parts, for a spot whereon he might best offer
battle to his enemies on their arrival; and to be better prepared for
every event, he summoned a grand council of his advisers, together with
the principal leaders of the commonalty, on the 27th of July, and laid
before them the whole of his intended operations, with which they were
perfectly satisfied.
But these were wholly deranged, a few days afterward, by the commonalty
from Ghent; for on the day the council was held, the English made a
grand sally from Calais, both horse and foot, and advanced unexpectedly
to the block-house before mentioned: the cavalry were posted between
the camp and the block-house, so that no immediate aid could be
sent thither. There were from three to four hundred Flemings in the
block-house,--and the cries of 'To arms!' were re-echoed through the
army, which caused great confusion and alarm. Multitudes rushed from
all sides to relieve the block-house, and even the duke of Burgundy
himself went thither on foot. But the English made a most vigorous
attack, and the defence was but indifferent, so that the block-house
was won before assistance could arrive.--About eight score Flemings
were killed, and the greater part of the rest made prisoners,--and
full half of them were put to death before the gates of Calais,
because the Flemings had slain an English knight whom the Picards
had taken prisoner while on horseback at this rencounter. The capture
of the block-house and its consequences were grievous to the duke of
Burgundy,--and the Flemings retreated to their camp disconsolate and
vexed at the death and capture of their friends and companions.
This same day, they collected together in different parts, and said
among themselves that they were betrayed, for that not one of the
promises which had been made them were kept; that they daily had some
of their number killed, without their nobles attending to it, or
endeavouring to prevent it. In short, they worked upon themselves so
much by this kind of conversation that they determined, in spite of
every remonstrance, to decamp and return home; and some of them wanted
even to put to death several of the duke's ministers.
The duke, on hearing of their intentions, was much troubled, and vexed
at the disgrace that would fall on him should he now decamp, after the
challenge sent him by the duke of Glocester by his herald and the
answer he had returned. He went, therefore, to the head-quarters of the
ghent division, and there assembled a large body of the malcontents,
whom he entreated in the most pressing manner to remain with him until
the arrival of the English, which it was now ascertained could not be
long; adding, that should they depart without waiting for the enemy and
offer him battle, they would cover themselves and him with indelible
disgrace, and such as no prince ever had incurred. With such language
did the duke and his council harangue the ghent men, but it was all in
vain, for they were most obstinately bent on departing, and listened
with a deaf ear to all that was said; notwithstanding, some of their
captains answered courteously for them, making excuses for their
conduct,--but for which the lower ranks little thanked them.
The duke, perceiving the difficulty in which these commoners had
involved him, and the blame which would be cast on him for their
departure, it need not be asked whether he was grieved at heart, for
hitherto all his undertakings had succeeded to his wish, and this,
which was of the greatest consequence, he failed in. He was, however,
obliged to endure the rudeness and folly of the Flemings,--for he could
not alter their dispositions, although he made repeated attempts to
detain them for a few days only.
When he perceived that it was labour in vain to make further
requests, he agreed with the lords of his council to decamp with the
Flemings,--and informed them, that since they would not remain longer,
he wished them to wait until the morrow, when they should pack up their
baggage, and march away in good order, with their arms, that they might
not be harrassed by the enemy, and that he would escort them as far
as the river of Gravelines. They returned for answer, that they would
comply with this order; but the greater number said, that they were in
sufficient force not to need any escort.
Several of the ringleaders of this mutiny were anxious to go to
the duke's quarters, to put to death the lord de Croy, sir Baudo
de Noyelle, Jean de Brimeu bailiff of Amiens, and others of the
ministers, saying, that it was by their advice that this enterprise
had been undertaken, which was not possible, as they affirmed, to
be achieved, considering the manner in which the business had been
carried on. These three lords, hearing of the mutiny of the Flemings
and the plots against their lives, left the army privately, with few
attendants, and hastened to the quarters of sir John de Croy before
Guines.
The Flemings began on the Saturday and Sunday to strike their tents,
and to load their baggage for the march. The ghent men were the
principals in the mutiny,--and after their example, the whole of the
army and its followers packed up their baggage; but from the suddenness
of the departure, a very great quantity of provision and wine were left
behind,--and it was necessary to stave many pipes of wine, and of other
liquors, to the great loss of the merchants.
Several large engines of war and other stores belonging to the duke
of Burgundy were lost, because there were not enough of carts or
waggons to carry them away; and for the like cause, a number of things
belonging to the Flemings remained behind.