are betrayed! _Gaubbe, Gaubbe!_' which words signified nearly, 'Let
us return to our own country.' Having set fire to their huts, they
began their march toward Gravelines in a most disorderly manner. The
duke, overwhelmed with sorrow, put himself and his men at arms in
battle-array to cover the retreat of the Flemings, and kept on their
rear until they were at a sufficient distance, to prevent them from
being attacked by the English in Calais sallying out against them. He
formed his men at arms into a rear-guard, and thus followed the army,
which was already advanced as far as the castle of Marque.
The Flemings then marched, in a mere orderly manner, to quarter
themselves near to Gravelines, on the same spot they had occupied
before. The men of Bruges were, however, very much displeased at this
shameful retreat, and from not having horses to carry away their large
cannon and other engines of war which they had brought with them: they
put them on carts, and had them drawn by men to their former encampment
near to Gravelines.
This day the duke sent orders to sir John de Croy to break up his siege
of the castle of Guines, and join him with his men at arms without
delay. Sir John, on receiving this order and hearing of what had passed
in the main army, made instant preparations to obey it, and marched off
in good array, but was forced to leave behind many large engines, and a
quantity of other things, from want of means to convey them off.
The garrison of Guines were very much rejoiced at their departure, for
they were hardly pressed, and would have been obliged to surrender in a
few days had the Burgundians remained. They made a sally when the enemy
was marching away, shouting after them.
The garrison of Calais were likewise well pleased at their departure,
and issued out of the town to collect what had been left behind, and
made a considerable booty. They also sent messengers to England with
information of this event.
The duke of Burgundy was lodged in Gravelines, very much mortified
at what had happened, and complained bitterly of the disgrace the
Flemings had put on him to those of his lords who had accompanied him.
They consoled him as well as they could, and advised him to bear it
patiently, as it was the chance of fortune in this world. At the same
time, they recommended him to reinforce all his towns on the frontier
with steady men at arms, stores and provisions, as soon as possible,
to resist his enemies, who were daily expected from England, and who
would, as he might suppose, make every attempt to injure him, in return
for what he had done to them; and that he himself should retire to one
of the towns in the interior.
The duke of Burgundy issued summonses for all bearing arms to be ready
prepared to defend such parts of his dominions as should need it. He
then entreated some of the nobles present that they would remain in the
town of Gravelines, which, unless well guarded, would, if taken, be
very prejudicial to the whole country, promising them, on his honour,
that should they want assistance, or be besieged, he himself would
come to their succour, cost what it would. The lord de Crequi, the lord
de Saveuses, sir Simon de Lalain, his brother sir Sausse, Philibert de
Vaury, and other valiant men at arms, complied with his request, and
remained in Gravelines.
On the other hand, sir Louis de Thieubronne with his brother Guichart
were sent to Ardres, and others into the Boulonnois where the towns and
castles were garrisoned according to their strength and importance.
Some lords of the council were present at this meeting who had
advised the expedition to Calais, but greatly hurt at its unfortunate
termination, which they could not help: they were, nevertheless, forced
to hear many severe observations made thereon.
When the council broke up, and the above dispositions for the defence
of the country had been arranged, the duke again solicited the Flemings
to wait a few days longer for the arrival of the enemy,--but they
refused to remain from the fear they now had of the English; and some
of their captains waited on the duke the last day of July, to demand
leave to return to their own country. The duke, seeing that he could
no way detain them, gave permission for their departure; for he was
satisfied they would never act well against the enemy from want of
courage.
They marched from Gravelines, by short days marches, to their different
towns; but those from Ghent refused to enter their town unless each
man had a robe given him at the expense of the magistrates. This was
an ancient usage on the return of the townsmen from war; but now the
magistrates refused compliance, because it seemed to them that they
had behaved very ill. On receiving this answer, they did enter the
town, but much discontented and with murmuring. On marching from before
Calais, they had set fire to and destroyed the forts of Balinghen[41]
and of Sangate.
The duke of Burgundy, on leaving Gravelines, went to Lille, and thence
issued a proclamation for every person who had been accustomed to bear
arms to hold himself ready to march whithersoever he might please
to order, to oppose his adversaries the English, who were about to
disembark at Calais. In truth, the duke of Glocester arrived with his
army before Calais just after the burgundian army had decamped.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 38: Mene. Q. Mechlin, or Menin?]
[Footnote 39: Drinchaut,--a village near Dunkirk.]
[Footnote 40: Oye,--a small town and territory between Gravelines and
Calais.]
[Footnote 41: Balinghen--is called before Vauclingen.]
CHAP. CVII.
SIR FLORIMONT DE BRIMEU, SENESCHAL OF PONTHIEU, CONQUERS THE TOWN OF
CROTOY.
While the duke of Burgundy was employed on the expedition against
Calais, sir Florimont de Brimeu, seneschal of Ponthieu, Richard de
Richaumes, governor of the town of Rue, Robert du Quesnoy, governor
of St Valery, and others in the neighbourhood of Crotoy, collected
together about four hundred combatants, and marched them by night to an
ambuscade on the shore near the town and castle of Crotoy.
Robert du Quesnoy ordered about thirty of his men to embark very early
in a boat and row towards the town, to induce the English to pursue
them. This they executed,--and when they thought that they were within
sight of the enemy, they made pretence as if their boat were aground,
and that they could neither advance nor retire, notwithstanding the
efforts ten or twelve of the crew pretended to make to get her afloat.
The English, observing this from the ramparts, thought to take
advantage of their situation, and made a sally, in hopes of taking them
prisoners; but they were immediately surrounded by those in ambush, who
attacked them with vigour, killing on the spot more than sixty-four,
and making prisoners from thirty to forty. The party of the seneschal
lost several. Thus was the garrison of Crotoy much weakened,--and when
the seneschal learnt from his prisoners that but few men at arms were
in the town, he collected a reinforcement of men from the adjoining
parts, and within a few days made an attack on Crotoy, which he took by
storm with little loss of men.
The townsmen retreated to the castle,--before which the seneschal
fixed his quarters, and pointed his engines against it, but without
doing any damage, for it was wonderous strong. When the seneschal had
remained before it some length of time, finding his attempts to conquer
it vain, he dislodged, after he had destroyed the fortifications of
the town, and marched back his men to the places they had come from,
carrying with them all the plunder they had gained in Crotoy.
The English had afterward at Crotoy two boats, called 'Gabarres,'[42]
with which they much harrassed the town of Abbeville, and especially
the fishermen. In consequence, the inhabitants of Abbeville sent by
night a party toward Crotoy in a boat, whence some of the crew by
swimming fastened grappling irons to each of these gabarres,--the
cords of which being fixed to the Abbeville boat, they towed them to
Abbeville, to the vexation of the English.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 42: Gabarre--is a flat-bottomed boat, used in Holland and on
canals.]
CHAP. CVIII.
HUMPHRY DUKE OF GLOCESTER ARRIVES AT CALAIS WITH A LARGE ARMAMENT.--HE
ENTERS FLANDERS, ARTOIS, AND OTHER TERRITORIES OF THE DUKE OF
BURGUNDY, AND DOES MUCH DAMAGE TO THEM.
A few days after the decampment of the duke of Burgundy and the
Flemings, the duke of Glocester arrived at Calais with about ten
thousand fighting men to combat the duke of Burgundy, had he waited for
him. Since that it was otherwise, he followed the duke to Gravelines,
and thence marched into Flanders, and through several towns and large
villages, namely, Poperingues, Bailleul and others, whose suburbs he
burnt and destroyed, for no one opposed him,--but the people fled on
all sides, and none of the Flemings dared wait his coming. He drove,
therefore, away great numbers of cattle, with little or no loss of
men,--but they suffered much from want of bread.
He passed le Neuf-châtel, and burnt Rimesture and Valon-Chapelle.
Having entered Artois, he advanced to Arques[43] and Blandêques,[44]
where some skirmishing passed,--and he set fire to every town and
village that lay in his way. Marching through the jurisdiction of
St Omer, he committed great waste on all sides; and when near to
Tournehem, Esprelecques and Bredenarde,[45] some skirmishes took place
between him and the different governors: Cavart and other companions of
de Langle were wounded. Many captains were expelled by force from their
castles; and there were more killed and wounded near to Ardres than had
been in all Flanders.
The duke of Glocester now retreated toward Guines and Calais, on
account of sickness in the army, occasioned from want of bread, of
which they had not a sufficiency; and many good women saved their
houses by giving bread, and even got in return cattle, of which the
army had plenty, and which they were driving from Flanders. They were
rather embarrassed with them; for, not finding water to give them,
they wandered abroad and were lost,--and those who went in search of
them were very frequently surprised by the enemy when at a distance
from their vanguard.
While these things were passing in Artois and Flanders, sir Thomas
Kiriel and lord Faulconbridge assembled at Neuf-châtel d'Incourt about
a thousand combatants, whom they led across the Somme at Blanchetaque,
and quartered at Forest-montier; thence they advanced to Broye, on the
river Authie, where they remained four days, and took the castle by
storm, which, however, was not very strong, nor of much value,--but it
belonged to the vidame of Amiens. Part of the garrison were slain, and
from five to six of the English. This capture created great alarm in
the country round; for they feared the enemy would keep possession, as
at the time there were but few men at arms in those parts.
The English having found in this and in other towns much wealth, and
made many prisoners, they returned, by way of Blanchetaque, the same
road they had come, to their different garrisons, without any loss
worth mentioning; but they committed very great waste on the lands of
their enemies.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 43: Arques,--diocese of St Omer.]
[Footnote 44: Blandêques,--diocese of St Omer.]
[Footnote 45: Bredenarde,--diocese of St Omer.]
CHAP. CIX.
THE FLEMINGS AGAIN TAKE UP ARMS, AFTER THEIR RETREAT FROM CALAIS TO
THEIR TOWNS.
Not long after the Flemings were returned home, news was brought them
that a large fleet of English ships was off the Flemish coast, near to
Biervlict, with intent, as was supposed, of invading the country. The
principal towns remanded the men who had been disbanded, and instantly
marched with a powerful army and artillery toward Biervlict, and
encamped near the sea to wait for the English, who were off the coast.
This fleet, however, was not stationed there for the purpose of
covering an invasion, but merely to alarm the Flemings, and prevent
them from opposing the duke of Glocester, who was with his army in the
neighbourhood of Poperingues and Bailleul. It had on board no men at
arms, but only mariners to manage and defend it, which made them no way
anxious to enter any of the enemy's ports; and, after hovering along
the coast for a few days, it made sail for Calais.
When the fleet was gone, each company of Flemings marched back to its
town, excepting those from Ghent, who being discontented at the blame
thrown on them, for being the principal cause of the retreat from
Calais, would not lay down their arms, and wanted to introduce many
reforms, and were in so mutinous a state that it was necessary for
their prince to go thither.
On the duke of Burgundy's arrival in Ghent, he ordered their
remonstrances to be laid before him. Some contained demands why Calais
had not been besieged by sea as well as by land, according to a promise
made,--and why the English fleet had not been burnt as had been
determined on.
To these demands the duke ordered answers to be given, that it was
impossible, as every seaman knew, to besiege Calais on the sea-side, by
reason of the danger of the vessels being driven on shore and captured
by the enemy. Add to this, that the Hollanders had not kept their
promise of assisting him in this business with their shipping. With
respect to burning the English fleet, the men and vessels ordered on
this service at Sluys had been constantly wind-bound in that harbour,
during the whole time.
In regard to their other demands, namely, to order three governors of
Ghent to make a procession through the country, with a sufficient force
to regarrison all their towns with native Flemings, and to put an end
to the quarrels between Bruges and Sluys, and several other points
insisted on by them, the duke made such satisfactory answers that they
were contented with them; and each laid down his arms, and retired
to his home, although they had shown great signs of violence at the
beginning. They caused the duke's archers to lay aside their staves,
saying that they were strong enough to guard him.
Sir Roland de Hautekirque, sir Collart de Comines, sir Gilles de la
Voustine, Enguerrand Auviel and John Daudain, were afterward banished
Ghent, because they had declined to appear with the other citizens to
remonstrate; and the Ghent men wrote to their castlewicks, that whoever
would arrest any one of the above persons, and deliver him into their
hands, should receive three hundred livres tournois as a reward,
besides all reasonable expenses.
Many ordinances were published for the more effectual guard and defence
of the country; and several governors were appointed, under the chief
command of the lord d'Estrenhuse, such as the lord de Comines at Ghent,
sir Gerard de Tournay at Oudenarde, and sir Gerard de Guystelles at
Courtray. Other nobles and men at arms were posted in different towns,
according to their rank, as well on the frontier toward Calais as
elsewhere, and on board of their fleet.
It was also proclaimed, that no person should, on account of the war,
quit the country, under a heavy penalty,--and that everyone should
provide himself with arms suitable to his rank; that all the principal
towns and forts should be repaired, and well supplied with provision
and warlike stores; and likewise that the ditches and ramparts should
be examined, and where weak strengthened and rebuilt at the charge
of the country, or of those who were bounden to keep them in proper
repair. It was at last necessary, in order to keep the commonalty in
good humour, that the duke should say publicly to them, that he was
perfectly satisfied with their departure from before Calais, and that
they had returned by his permission and by his orders. They were most
anxious to have this disgrace wiped away from them, because they knew
full well that all cried shame on them for it.
When all things had been restored to order, the duke of Burgundy
returned to Lille, whither came to him the lord de Chargny, with other
noble and valiant men, bringing with them from near Boulogne about
four hundred combatants, who were dispersed in the garrisons on that
frontier. Shortly after, the lords d'Ansy and de Warembon came thither,
with three or four hundred men, who did much mischief to the countries
of Artois and Cambresis, near to Tournay. The lord de Warembon led them
afterwards to garrison Pontoise, where they remained for a considerable
time.
Throughout all France, the poor people and the church were sorely
oppressed by this war, for they had no defenders; and notwithstanding
the peace concluded at Arras, the French and Burgundians in the
countries of Beauvoisis, Vermandois, Santois, Laonnois, Champagne,
and in the Rethelois, made frequent wars on each other on the
most unreasonable pretences, by which the country was wasted and
destroyed,--and the inhabitants suffered more than before this peace
was made.
The poor labourers had no other resource than pitifully to cry out to
God, their Creator, for vengeance on their oppressors. But the worst
was, when they had obtained letters of favour from any of the captains,
they were frequently not attended to by others, even though of the same
party.
About this time, sir John de Hornes, seneschal of Brabant, who had had,
with the lord de la Morée, the command of the duke of Burgundy's fleet
before Calais, was met near the sea-coast, by a party of Flemings,
where he was attending his private affairs, and accompanied by a few
servants, who put him to death, to the great sorrow of the duke of
Burgundy.
When the duke had appeased the disaffected Flemings, as has been told,
and when he thought all was harmony among them, the men of Bruges
suddenly rose in arms, and marched with a large body to besiege Sluys,
near to which place they remained a long time. They began by murdering
one of the officers of their prince, called Vaustre d'Estembourg,
because he would not join the commonalty in arms before Sluys, where
they remained upwards of six weeks. Their leaders were Peter de
Bourgrane and Christopher Myneer; and one among them, named George
Vauderberques, made the duchess of Burgundy and her son quit their
carriage, in order that they might search it,--when they arrested the
lady of sir John de Hornes, which much troubled the duchess, although
the lady did not suffer any thing further. Sir William and sir Simon
de Lalain were with these ladies,--but by some negotiation between
them and the duke, they returned to their homes, and were pardoned for
this and other offences, because he thought that he should want their
services hereafter.
CHAP. CX.
LA HIRE CONQUERS THE TOWN AND CASTLE OF SOISSONS.--OTHER MATTERS.
La Hire about this period won the town and castle of Soissons by storm,
from the governor, Guy de Roye, on the part of sir John de Luxembourg,
who, not having taken the oaths to king Charles as the other burgundian
captains had done, conformable to the peace at Arras, was considered by
the French as an enemy. The king, however, had granted him a delay for
a certain time, to consider of it, and had during that period forbidden
his captains to make war on sir John, provided he and his party should
abstain from war also.
When news of this event reached sir John de Luxembourg, he was much
angered,--for the greater part of Soissons and its dependances
appertained by legal descent to his daughter-in-law, Jane de Bar,
countess of St Pol. He reinforced all his other castles with men and
stores, to prevent any similar accident from befalling them. On the
other hand, Guy de Roye, who held the castle of Maicampre, between
Chargny and Noyon, placed a strong garrison within it, and carried on a
severe warfare against La Hire, in the Soissonnois, Laonnois, and other
parts attached to king Charles.
Similar reprisals were made by La Hire and the king's friends on those
of sir John de Luxembourg,--and thus was the country oppressed and
ruined, as well by one party as by the other.
After the duke of York had gained the town of Fécamp, by the surrender
of John d'Estouteville, it was reconquered by the French from the
English,--and nearly at the same time the duke of York gained, after
a long siege, St Germain sur Cailly[46], when about twelve of the
French were hanged. In like manner were the towns of Fontaines sur
Préaux[47], Bourg,[48] Blainville,[49] Préaux,[50] Lillebonne,[51]
Tancarville,[52] and other strong places reconquered, and the greater
part destroyed by the English. After this, they continued to waste all
the corn countries round Harfleur, with the intent of laying siege to
it as speedily and as completely as they could.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 46: St Germain-sur-Cailly,--in Normandy, diocese of Rouen.]
[Footnote 47: Fontaines-sur-Préaux,--diocese of Rouen.]
[Footnote 48: Bourg Baudorion,--diocese of Rouen.]
[Footnote 49: Blainville,--diocese of Rouen.]
[Footnote 50: Préaux,--diocese of Rouen.]
[Footnote 51: Lillebonne,--diocese of Rouen.]
[Footnote 52: Tancarville,--near Lillebonne.]
CHAP. CXI.
THE DUCHESS OF BEDFORD, SISTER TO THE COUNT DE ST POL, RE-MARRIES OF
HER OWN FREE WILL.--THE KING OF SICILY NEGOTIATES WITH THE DUKE OF
BURGUNDY FOR HIS LIBERTY.--THE ENGLISH RECOVER THE TOWN OF PONTOISE.
In this year, the duchess of Bedford, sister to the count de Saint
Pol, married, from inclination, an English knight called sir Richard
Woodville, a young man, very handsome and well made, but, in regard to
birth, inferior to her first husband, the regent, and to herself. Louis
de Luxembourg, archbishop of Rouen, and her other relations, were very
angry at this match, but they could not prevent it.[53]
About the end of the following November, Jacquilina of Bavaria, who
had married Franche de Borselline, died, after a long and lingering
illness. She was succeeded by the duke of Burgundy in all her
possessions.
The king of Sicily, duke of Anjou, the duke of Bourbon, the constable
of France, the chancellor, and many other noble princes and great
lords, visited the duke of Burgundy, about St Andrew's day, at Lille,
where he held his court. He received them most honourably. During their
stay, a treaty was proposed for the liberty of the king of Sicily, for
he was still a prisoner to the duke of Burgundy, as has been before
mentioned,--and some of his children were hostages for him in Burgundy.
This treaty was concluded, on condition that the king of Sicily would
engage to pay a certain sum of money for his ransom, for the security
of which he was to pledge four of his towns and castles in his duchies
of Lorraine and Bar, namely, Neuf-châtel in Lorraine, Clermont in
Argonne, Princhy[54] and Louye,[55] which were to be given up to the
duke when demanded. The duke of Burgundy, shortly after, placed his own
garrisons and captains in these towns and castles.
Thus did the king of Sicily recover his liberty and his children; but
he had only the two eldest sent to him at first, with a promise that
the two others should follow, provided there was not any default of
payment. In order that no delays might arise, sir Colard de Saussy and
John de Chambly bound themselves, with the king of Sicily, for the due
performance of all the articles of the treaty.
When this business was over, the constable of France treated with sir
John de Luxembourg, who was then at Lille, that all matters in dispute
between him and La Hire, on the subject of the capture of Soissons,
should be referred to arbitrators, and that an end should be put to
the warfare now raging between them. The term for taking the oaths of
allegiance to the king of France, or for declaring for one or other of
the parties, was prolonged for sir John de Luxembourg until St John
Baptist's day ensuing, on his promising to abstain from all hostilities
during that time.
During these feasts, William de Flavy, who had been driven out of
Compiégne by the constable of France, found means to re-enter it,
with a large body of men at arms, and kept possession a long time; in
which at length he was confirmed by king Charles, in spite of all the
attempts of the constable to reconquer it.