THE
CHRONICLES
OF
ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET.
_H. Bryer, Printer, Bridge Street, Blackfriars, London._
THE
CHRONICLES
OF
ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET;
CONTAINING
AN ACCOUNT OF THE CRUEL CIVIL WARS BETWEEN THE HOUSES OF
ORLEANS AND BURGUNDY;
OF THE POSSESSION OF
PARIS AND NORMANDY BY THE ENGLISH;
_THEIR EXPULSION THENCE_;
AND OF OTHER
MEMORABLE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN THE KINGDOM OF FRANCE,
AS WELL AS IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
_A HISTORY OF FAIR EXAMPLE, AND OF GREAT PROFIT TO THE
FRENCH_,
_Beginning at the Year_ MCCCC. _where that of Sir JOHN FROISSART
finishes, and ending at the Year_ MCCCCLXVII. _and continued by others
to the Year_ MDXVI.
TRANSLATED
BY THOMAS JOHNES, ESQ.
IN THIRTEEN VOLUMES VOL. IV.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, PATERNOSTER-ROW;
AND J. WHITE AND CO. FLEET-STREET.
1810.
CONTENTS
OF
_THE FOURTH VOLUME_.
PAGE
CHAP. I.
The chains are taken away from the streets
of Paris. The Parisians are kept in great
subjection. Other royal edicts are proclaimed 1
CHAP. II.
The duke of Burgundy holds a grand conference
with his nobles in Arras, who
promise to serve him against all his enemies 15
CHAP. III.
A grand council held, in the king's name at
Paris 17
CHAP. IV.
The duke of Acquitaine leaves Paris, and
joins the king of France at Senlis. He
marches thence to lay siege to the town of
Compiegne 22
CHAP. V.
The king of France marches his army from
Compiegne to Soissons, which he besieges
and takes by storm: it is pillaged
and destroyed 26
CHAP. VI.
The king, after the capture of Soissons,
marches to St Quentin, and thence to Peronne,
to facilitate his entrance into Artois 35
CHAP. VII.
The duke of Burgundy places garrisons in
different towns and castles. The king
of France marches his army from Peronne
to besiege Bapaume 40
CHAP. VIII.
The inhabitants of Arras fortify their town
very strongly, and burn and destroy several
handsome edifices which were
around it 46
CHAP. IX.
Charles king of France, having reduced
Bapaume to his obedience, marches to lay
siege to Arras, and to subject that city to
his power 48
CHAP. X.
The duke of Brabant and the countess of
Hainault visit the king of France when
before Arras, and negociate a peace for
their brother the duke of Burgundy and
his allies 58
CHAP. XI.
The treaty of peace concluded at Arras,
which was the fifth, is read in the presence
of the duke of Aquitaine, and
several other princes of the blood-royal,
and the oaths that were taken in consequence 64
CHAP. XII.
Sigismund of Bohemia is elected emperor
of Germany, and receives the oaths of
the greater part of the lords of that
country 73
CHAP. XIII.
The death of Ladislaus king of Naples. His
rival king Louis sends the marshal of
France to Naples, and other matters 79
CHAP. XIV.
The duke of Burgundy, on the king's departure
from before Arras, marches a
force into Burgundy. Other events that
happened at that period 83
CHAP. XV.
Count Waleran de St Pol marches about six
hundred combatants into the duchy of
Luxembourg. The duke of Acquitaine
goes to Mehun-sur-Yevre 88
CHAP. XVI.
The earl of Warwick and others from England
attend the council of Constance.
The king of France has solemn obsequies
performed for his brother the duke of
Orleans 91
CHAP. XVII.
The king and his grand council send forces
to attack the Burgundians. Other events
that happened 95
CHAP. XVIII.
Ambassadors arrive at Paris from England.
The king of France holds a grand festival.
The peace is every where preserved 99
CHAP. XIX.
Three Portuguese perform a deed of arms
against three Frenchmen, in the presence
of the king of France. The Portuguese
are vanquished 114
CHAP. XX.
The peace of Arras solemnly sworn to in
the presence of the king of France. It
is afterwards sworn to in divers other
places 116
CHAP. XXI.
The commonalty and clergy of Amiens are
assembled to swear to the observance of
the peace of Arras 119
CHAP. XXII.
The count Waleran de St Pol dies at
Yvoix, in the county of Chiny in Luxembourg.
The princes of the blood go
to Melun, by orders from the queen and
the duke of Acquitaine 121
CHAP. XXIII.
The king of England assembles a large army
to invade France. Ambassadors sent
him from that country. The answers
they receive 129
CHAP. XXIV.
The duke of Burgundy sends ambassadors
to the duke of Acquitaine. The answers
they receive. He takes the oath 133
CHAP. XXV.
Henry king of England makes great preparations
to invade France. He sends
letters to the king of France at Paris 136
CHAP. XXVI.
The king of England, while at Southampton,
discovers a conspiracy of his nobles
against him. He lays siege to Harfleur,
and wins that town 140
CHAP. XXVII.
The canons of St Gery in Cambray quarrel
with the inhabitants. The duke of Burgundy,
in consequence, makes war on
Cambray 147
CHAP. XXVIII.
The king of France collects a great body of
men at arms from all parts of his kingdom
to oppose the English. The summons
he issues on the occasion 152
CHAP. XXIX.
The king of England makes his entry into
Harfleur. The regulations which he ordained.
He resolves to march to Calais.
The disposition and government of the
French 158
CHAP. XXX.
The king of France and several of the
princes of the blood royal hold a council
at Rouen, and resolve on fighting the
English 164
CHAP. XXXI.
The French and English meet in battle on
the plains of Azincourt. The English
gain the victory 172
CHAP. XXXII.
The names of the princes, and other lords
from divers countries, who perished at
this unfortunate battle, and of those who
were made prisoners 185
CHAP. XXXIII.
On the departure of the English, many
Frenchmen visit the field of battle to
seek their friends, whom they bury,
and other matters 195
CHAP. XXXIV.
King Henry embarks at Calais for England,
where he is joyfully received on his late
successes. The count de la Marche goes
to Italy 199
CHAP. XXXV.
The king of France and his princes are
much grieved on hearing the melancholy
event of the battle of Azincourt. Of
the duke of Burgundy, and other matters 200
CHAP. XXXVI.
The Parisians and members of the university
of Paris wait on the duke of Acquitaine
to propose certain measures of public
safety. The death of the duke of Acquitaine.
The arrival of the constable in
Paris 205
CHAP. XXXVII.
The duke of Brittany arrives at Paris. The
duke of Burgundy leaves Lagny sur
Marne. The capture of sir Martelet du
Mesnil and Ferry de Mailly 209
CHAP. XXXVIII.
The bishop of Arras causes the sentence
that had been pronounced against master
Jean Petit to be revoked. The emperor
of Germany comes to Paris 212
CHAP. XXXIX.
A heavy tax is laid on the kingdom of
France by the government, to the great
discontent of the Parisians. Events that
happened in consequence of it 218
CHAP. XL.
The emperor of Germany arrives in London.
The brother to the king of Cyprus comes
to Paris. The death of the duke of
Berry. Many embassies take place between
France and England 224
CHAP. XLI.
Jennet de Poix and others, by command of
the duke of Burgundy, march secretly to
Saint Denis, and make inroads on different
parts of France 228
CHAP. XLII.
Lihons, in Santerre, pillaged by many captains
who had taken up arms. The capture
of the castle of Beaumont. The
storming the castle of Neele. And other
matters 230
CHAP. XLIII.
The duke of Burgundy increases his men
at arms. The marriage of the lord de
la Trimouille. The duke of Clarence
embarks a large army for Harfleur 245
CHAP. XLIV.
The emperor of Germany and the king of
England come to Calais. Duke John of
Burgundy meets them there. The matters
that were then transacted 247
CHAP. XLV.
The duke of Burgundy goes to Valenciennes,
in obedience to a summons which
he receives from the dauphin. They
mutually swear friendship to each other 250
CHAP. XLVI.
Duke William count of Hainault carries his
son-in-law the dauphin to St Quentin,
and thence to Compiegne, where he dies.
The conduct observed on this journey 254
CHAP. XLVII.
The Neapolitans rebel against their king,
Jacques de la Marche, and make war on
him. They take the queen prisoner. The
consequences that follow 257
CHAP. XLVIII.
The earl of Dorset, governor of Harfleur,
makes an incursion into the country of
Caux, and is combated by the French.
The emperor creates the count of Savoy
a duke 260
CHAP. XLIX.
Duke William, count of Hainault, dies at
Bouchain. John of Bavaria declares war
against his niece, daughter to the late
duke William 263
CHAP. L.
The duke of Burgundy sends letters to many
of the principal towns in France, describing
the state of those who govern
the kingdom 265
CHAP. LI.
Sir Louis Bourbon, knight, is arrested and
executed. The queen of France is banished
to Blois, and thence to Tours 278
CHAP. LII.
The commonalty of Rouen put to death
their bailiff, sir Raoul de Gaucourt.
They seize the government of the town.
The arrival of the dauphin at Rouen 280
CHAP. LIII.
The death of Louis king of Sicily. The
conduct of the leaders of companies.
The overthrow of Raymonnet de la
Guerre. The destruction of the town of
Aumale 285
CHAP. LIV.
The king's garrison in Peronne carries on a
severe war against the countries attached
to the duke of Burgundy 290
CHAP. LV.
The duke of Burgundy sends ambassadors
to many of the king's principal towns,
to form alliances with them. The oaths
that were made on the occasion 292
CHAP. LVI.
King Henry of England returns to France
with a large army, and takes many
towns and fortresses. The council of
Constance, where pope Martin is elected
head of the church 297
CHAP. LVII.
The lord de Canny is sent by the king of
France ambassador to the duke of Burgundy,
whom he finds at Amiens. The
answer he receives from the duke 300
CHAP. LVIII.
The lord de Canny, on his return from his
embassy, to Paris, is accused by the royal
council. Orders are issued against the
duke of Burgundy 326
CHAP. LIX.
The duke of Burgundy continues his march
toward Paris. Several towns and forts
surrender to him, in which he places captains
and governors 329
CHAP. LX.
The duke of Burgundy crosses the river
Oise with his army at l'Isle-Adam. He
besieges and conquers Beaumont and Pontoise,
whence he removes his quarters to
l'Arbre-Sec 334
CHAP. LXI.
The duke of Burgundy sends his herald to
the king of France in Paris. The answer
he receives. The siege of Montlehery,
and other matters 344
CHAP. LXII.
The duke of Burgundy lays siege to Corbeil.
He marches thence to Chartres and
into Touraine, on the summons of the
queen of France, who accompanies him
on his return 355
CHAP. LXIII.
The queen, on her arrival at Chartres, writes
to several of the principal towns in
France. Some new ordinances are made
for the better government of the kingdom 362
CHAP. LXIV.
Sir Elyon de Jacqueville is dragged out of
the church of our lady in Chartres by
Hector de Saveuses and his accomplices,
who put him to death 369
CHAP. LXV.
The duke of Burgundy marches his whole
army to Paris to force an entrance. He
then carries the queen of France to
Troyes, and other events 372
CHAP. LXVI.
John of Bavaria makes war on the duchess
his niece in Holland. The conquests of
Henry king of England in Normandy 378
CHAP. LXVII.
Sir James de Harcourt espouses the daughter
of the count de Tancarville. The defeat
of Hector de Saveuses. The constable
lays siege to Senlis 381
CHAP. LXVIII.
The king of France sends ambassadors to
Montereau-faut-Yonne to treat of a peace
with the queen and the duke of Burgundy.
The inhabitants of Rouen turn to the
Burgundy faction 384
CHAP. LXIX.
The duke of Burgundy visits the emperor
Sigismund. The count de Charolois
takes the oaths of allegiance to the queen
and his father the duke of Burgundy,
the siege of Senlis is raised by the
Picards 388
HERE BEGINNETH
THE FOURTH VOLUME
OF THE
CHRONICLES
OF
_ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET_.
CHAP. I.
THE CHAINS ARE TAKEN AWAY FROM THE STREETS OF PARIS.--THE PARISIANS
ARE KEPT IN GREAT SUBJECTION.--OTHER ROYAL EDICTS ARE PROCLAIMED.
When the duke of Burgundy, as has been said, was returned to his own
country, Taneguy du Châtel, who had lately been appointed provost of
Paris, and Remonnet de la Guerre, were commissioned by the dukes of
Berry and of Orleans to take down all the chains that had been affixed
to the different streets and squares in Paris, and carry them to the
bastille of St Antoine and to the castle of the Louvre. They also
seized the arms of the burghers and inhabitants, and carried them to
the said fortresses, riding daily through the streets attended by a
strong force, and followed by cars and carts, which conveyed the arms
and chains to the places appointed for receiving them. There was not,
at that period, any burgher who dared even to carry a quarter-staff.
The same men at arms kept a very strict watch day and night at the
gates and on the walls, at the expense of the inhabitants, without
attention being paid to their complaints, or placing the smallest
confidence in them. They were consequently very much discontented,
and sore at heart, when they saw how they were treated; and many now
repented that they had put themselves under the government of the
enemies of the duke of Burgundy, but dared not shew it openly.
In regard to the duke, various edicts were issued against him, charging
him with attempting to seduce the king's subjects from their obedience.
One, addressed to the bailiff of Amiens, was as follows:
'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of
Amiens, or to his lieutenant, health and greeting.
'Whereas it has come to our knowledge, that John our cousin of
Burgundy, our rebellious and disobedient enemy, has written, and
sent at different times, sealed letters, as well to our good town of
Paris as to many others within our realm, with the intent to seduce
and deceive our subjects, and enable him to accomplish the damnable
enterprise which he lately formed of marching a large army into Paris.
We have, by our letters, expressly commanded, that no one, whatever
may be his rank, should receive any of these letters from the duke of
Burgundy; and should any have been received, that no answer whatever
should be made to them, but that they should be sent to us, or to our
chancellor, to do by them as we shall think expedient.
'This said duke of Burgundy, continuing his damnable projects, has
lately sent certain letters-patent, sealed with his privy seal, to
our town of Paris, which he has caused to be fixed secretly in the
night-time to the gates of several churches, and in other public
places of the said town, as well as to several others within our
realm, as we have heard, by which he declares that he had marched to
Paris solely with the intention of delivering us and our very dear
and well-beloved son, the duke of Acquitaine, from the bondage in
which he said we were held. The said duke further declared, that he
would never abandon his attempt until he should have restored us and
our dear son to the full enjoyment of our free will and government.
These assertions, and others made by the said duke of Burgundy, are,
thanks to God, groundless, and notoriously false; for neither ourself
nor our dear son have been or are under any subjection whatever, nor
are our honour, our justice, or the state of our government, any way
wounded or diminished,--but ever since the departure of the duke of
Burgundy from Paris we have governed peaceably, freely, without any
hindrance or contradiction. This, however, we were but little able to
do, after the horrible murder committed by this said duke on the person
of our well-beloved brother Louis, duke of Orleans, whose sins may
God pardon! We do now govern, and have governed, our kingdom, since
the departure of the aforesaid duke, according to our pleasure and
the right that belongs to us, and have been constantly obeyed in all
things, humbly and diligently, by all those of our blood and lineage,
like as good relations, vassals and loyal subjects should do to their
king and sovereign lord, excepting alway the duke of Burgundy, who,
contrary to our orders and positive commands, has assembled great
numbers of men at arms and archers, and, like an enemy, has marched
them to the walls of Paris, having in his company many traitors and
murderers, and other criminals against our royal majesty.
'With such persons, and others who have been banished our realm for
similar crimes, the said duke, persevering in his wickedness, attempted
to enter Paris, to seize on and usurp (all that he has written to the
contrary in his letters notwithstanding) the government of us, of our
eldest son, and of the whole kingdom, and to appropriate to himself the
finances, as he long did to our very great displeasure, and to the loss
of the kingdom, after the said murder by him committed; for the said
Burgundian and his adherents are known to have had and received sixty
hundred thousand francs and upwards,--for which, and various other
causes, more fully explained in our ordinances, we have declared him a
rebel, a violator of the peace, and, consequently, an enemy to us and
to our whole kingdom.
'Whereas several of our subjects and vassals may perchance be ignorant
of these said things, and therefore not believe them; and because
the said Burgundian, by his written letters, may publish false and
wicked lies as may deceive our said vassals, and prove of the utmost
detriment to us, our kingdom, and to our faithful and loyal subjects:
we being therefore desirous that every person may be fully ascertained
of the truth, and in order to counteract such false and damnable lies,
do thus publicly signify and make known, that the matters which the
said Burgundian has written and published, either by himself or his
adherents, are detestable lies, spread abroad to seduce and deceive our
people, and to enable him to succeed in his damnable design.
'It is therefore our determination, with the aid of God, to oppose this
duke by every means in our power, and to reduce him, his abettors,
accomplices and adherents, under such subjection as befits vassals who
are disobedient to their lord and sovereign. Such is our will, and we
shall never depart from it. We therefore command and strictly enjoin,
under pain of our displeasure, that you instantly do proclaim, in the
most public manner, these presents in every place within your bailiwick
where such proclamations are usually made, so that no one may plead
ignorance thereof.
'You will likewise forbid, in our name, all our vassals within your
jurisdiction, on the faith, loyalty and obedience they owe us, and
under pain of being reputed rebels, and suffering the punishments due
to such, henceforward to receive any letters from the said duke of
Burgundy, his adherents or allies. Should any letters be sent them,
we order that they do not open them, nor make any communications
thereof--but that they do bring them sealed up to our trusty and
well-beloved chancellor, for him to do therewith as he may judge
proper.
'And we, by these presents, do absolutely forbid them, under pain of
the aforesaid penalties, in any way to advise, comfort or support, or
show favour to the said duke of Burgundy, his partisans or allies, that
they may prove themselves faithful and obedient subjects to us, as they
are so bounden; otherwise, they shall be punished like rebels, to serve
for examples to all others.
'Given at Paris, the 17th day of February, in the year of Grace 1413,
and of our reign the 33d.' Thus signed by the king, on the report of
his grand council, and countersigned 'E. Mauregard.'
Shortly after, another edict was issued against the duke of Burgundy,
and proclaimed throughout the kingdom at the usual places, the tenour
of which was as follows:
'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of
Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting.
'Whereas it is so notorious to all our subjects that none can pretend
ignorance thereof, that John, our cousin of Burgundy, has lately
advanced to the walls of our good town of Paris, with a large body
of men at arms and archers, contrary to our positive orders, and in
defiance of our will and pleasure, solemnly made known to him, as well
by ambassadors as by sealed letters from us: that he captured the town
of St. Denis, and made of it a bulwark against our city of Paris,
marching thence to the walls of our said city with displayed banners,
and sending his scouts to the gates thereof: that he has seized and
retains the possession of many of our towns by occupying them with a
force of men at arms, more particularly Compiegne and Soissons: that
he has now under his orders a very numerous army within our kingdom,
to our great prejudice and to the oppression of the realm: that he
has published certain declarations, as a colour for this disobedient
and rebellious conduct, which are all of them perfectly false and
malicious, his intention being to attempt gaining admittance, by fair
or foul means, into our good city of Paris, to do his pleasure on us,
our very dear companion the queen, our well-beloved son the duke of
Acquitaine, and on others of our blood and lineage within the said
city, and consequently to regain the whole government of the kingdom,
in like manner as it is notorious he did formerly usurp it, and by his
tyrannical domination caused irreparable injuries to those connected
with us by blood, the inhabitants of the town of Paris, and in general
to the whole kingdom.
'For these causes, we have branded him, all his adherents, partisans
and allies, as rebels to us and enemies to our kingdom. Fie is now
departed from our town of St. Denis, and we know not what road he
has taken; but we have sent you letters to enjoin you to proclaim
throughout your bailiwick, that none be so daring, under pain of
corporal punishment and confiscation of effects, as to serve or
join him in the army which he has raised; and should there be any
within your jurisdiction who, in defiance of these our orders, shall
have joined the said duke, we order you to seize their persons, and
confiscate their estates which lie within your bailiwick, for our use.
'Notwithstanding these explicit orders, you have been, as we have
heard, very dilatory and negligent in obeying them, and have paid but
little attention thereto: should this have been the case, we are, and
not without reason, much displeased. We therefore again command, and
most strictly enjoin, on penalty of dismission from your office, that
on the receipt of these presents, you do proclaim them, or cause them
to be proclaimed, in all the accustomed places within your bailiwick,
so that no one, whatever be his rank, may think of joining or serving
the duke of Burgundy, in the army which lie has assembled; and that all
who may have joined him may instantly return to their homes, under pain
of suffering corporal punishment and confiscation of effects.
And whereas it is notorious, that many persons within your jurisdiction
have joined the duke of Burgundy, and that others are his supporters
and abettors, who, contrary to our pleasure, have murmured and continue
discontented, attempting also to deceive and seduce our people from
their allegiance, and endeavouring, as we have heard, by every possible
means, to advise and comfort the said duke of Burgundy: we therefore
enjoin you, under the penalties aforesaid, to take instant possession
of all their effects, moveable and immoveable, within your district,
and wherever they may be, for us and in our name. You will act in like
manner to all whom you may know to be favourable to the said duke of
Burgundy, and partisans in his abominable and traitorous designs.
'Nevertheless, if you can lay hands on any of their persons, you will
instantly arrest them wherever they may be, except in sanctuaries, and
immediately inflict such corporal punishment on them as they may have
deserved. Should you not be able to do this, summon them to appear,
under penalty of banishment and confiscation of effects. You will also
command, by proclamation, all who are bound to serve us, to hasten
to join us with as numerous a body of men at arms as possible, that
we may effectually oppose the duke of Burgundy and his accomplices,
reduce them to the obedience they owe us, and punish them according
to their misdeeds, and the tenour of those letters which we have
before addressed to you. Do you be careful to execute punctually and
diligently these our orders, that we may not proceed against you for
disobedience.
'Given at Paris the 20th day of February, in the year of Grace 1413,
and of our reign the 33d.' Thus signed by the king, on the report
of the grand council held by the queen and the duke of Acquitaine.
Countersigned, 'J. du Châtel.' It was proclaimed in Amiens and its
bailiwick by orders of the bailiff and his deputies on the last day of
February and the following days.
Letters patent were also sent to the nobles of Artois from the king,
and to those who had attended the duke of Burgundy in his march to
Paris from the bailiwicks of Amiens, Tournay, and the Vermandois; and
to those who had remained at home were sent letters sealed with the
small round seal. The first letters, in the king's name, forbade these
nobles, under pain of the before-mentioned penalties, to accompany, or
to give counsel or aid, to the said duke of Burgundy, and commanded
them to prepare themselves and their horses to serve the king against
this Burgundian and his abettors. By the second, they were ordered to
collect as large a force as they could, and advance to Paris and join
the king there, or wherever else he might be, that he might be enabled
to impugn and humble the duke of Burgundy, his partisans and advisers.
These letters were forwarded to the bailiff of Amiens by the
chancellor, who sent them, according to orders, to the provostships
and bailiwicks, for the guards in each to deliver them to those within
their districts to whom they were addressed. These guards were to
receive hostages, if possible, and send them to Paris, and they were
to write word what other securities they had obtained. Should they not
receive any, nor letters of acknowledgment, they were also to write
this, that it might be known who had and who had not received these
letters from the king.
About this time, the bishop of Paris, at the request of the university,
sent to the duke of Burgundy, to know whether he would avow those
arguments which master John Petit had advanced by his desire against
the late duke of Orleans. The duke, in reply, told the messengers,
that he would neither avow nor support the said master John, saving
his just rights. On this answer being carried to Paris, it was ordered
by the bishop and the inquisitor of the faith, that the aforesaid
arguments should be condemned, and publicly burnt in the presence of
the clergy, and of whoever else might choose to witness it. When this
was done, it was proposed that the bones of the said master John Petit
should be sought for in the town of Hêdin, where he had died,--for it
was intended to burn them in the same place where his arguments had
been burnt,--but in the end nothing more was done.
CHAP. II.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY HOLDS A GRAND CONFERENCE WITH HIS NOBLES IN
ARRAS, WHO PROMISE TO SERVE HIM AGAINST ALL HIS ENEMIES.
The duke of Burgundy daily received intelligence that the king and the
duke of Acquitaine were completely turned against him, through the
means of those who then governed. In consequence, he assembled all his
nobles of Artois and Picardy at Arras. On his appearing among them, he
first apologised for having made them wait, saying that he had been
at Paris in obedience to the commands of the duke of Acquitaine, and
again caused to be read the letters which he had received from him. He
added, that he had left large bodies of his men at arms in the towns
of Compiegne and Soissons, at the request of the inhabitants; for they
had learnt that the king, by the advice of his present ministers, was
raising a large force to reconquer these towns.
He then asked the nobles, whether he might depend on their support.
They replied, that they would cheerfully serve him against all his
enemies, saving the king of France and his children. This they all
promised excepting the lord de Ront, who declared that he would serve
him even against the king of France.
At this period, there raged an epidemical disorder throughout France
and other countries: it affected the head, and very many died of it,
both old and young. It was called the Coqueluche.
CHAP. III.
A GRAND COUNCIL HELD, IN THE KING'S NAME, AT PARIS.
On the 2d day of March, in this year, was held a grand council, at
the hôtel of St Pol, in the presence of the queen and the duke of
Acquitaine, (because the king was not then in perfect health,) of
many princes and prelates beside the ordinary members of the council.
The chancellor of France harangued for a considerable time on the
behaviour of the duke of Burgundy, and how he had conducted himself
toward the king and the princes of the blood at many and divers times,
since the death of Louis duke of Orleans: that lately, in defiance of
the commands of the king and the duke of Acquitaine, he had marched
a powerful force of men at arms and archers, with displayed banners,
to the very walls of Paris, committing at the same time irreparable
damages to the kingdom: he had likewise placed garrisons in the towns
of Compiegne and Soissons, who daily made open war on the subjects of
the king, in like manner as our ancient enemies of England would have
done: that since he had thus notoriously broken the peace that had
been agreed to at Auxerre, and confirmed at Pontoise, the chancellor
earnestly demanded those present, on their allegiance, to declare what
measures the king and the duke of Acquitaine should pursue against the
duke of Burgundy.
This council consisted of the king of Sicily, the dukes of Berry,
Orleans, Bourbon and Bar, the counts d'Alençon, de Vertus, de
Richemont, d'Eu, de Dampmartin, d'Armagnac, de Vendôme, de Marle and de
Touraine; the lord d'Albreth, constable of France, the archbishop of
Sens, and many other prelates, with a considerable number of notable
barons, knights and esquires of the royal council. When they had for
some time deliberated on the chancellor's demand, they replied, by
the mouth of the archbishop of Sens, that the king might legally and
honourably wage war on the duke of Burgundy, considering the manner in
which he had conducted and continued to conduct himself with regard to
him.
It was then resolved, that the king should raise a large army, and
march in person against the duke and his adherents, to subjugate
them, and reduce their country to obedience. The queen, the duke of
Acquitaine, all the princes, and the whole council, then engaged, and
solemnly swore, on their faith and loyalty, that they would never pay
attention to any letters or embassy from the said duke, until he and
his allies should be destroyed, or at least humbled and reduced to
obedience.
When the council broke up, clerks were employed to write letters, which
were dispatched to divers countries, and throughout France; and the
king at this time raised a larger army than he had done during his
whole reign,--insomuch, that in a very short time, by the activity of
the said princes, and by the king's summons, a very great multitude of
men at arms were collected round Paris, and in the parts adjacent in
the isle of France. Some of the captains were dispatched with a large
body of men toward the town of Compiegne, which, as I have before
said, was garrisoned by the duke of Burgundy, namely, the lord Charles
d'Albreth, constable of France, sir Hector, bastard of Bourbon,
Remonnet de la Guerre, the lord de Gaucourt and several others,--who,
on their forming the siege, had many and severe skirmishes with those
of the town, as they made frequent sallies night and day, and at the
beginning did them much damage.
They were, however, often driven back by the besiegers into the town,
which was under the government of sir Hugh de Launay, the lord de
Saint Legier, and his son, the lord Mauroy, Hector Philippe, le bon de
Savouses, the lord de Sorres, knights, Louvelet de Malinghen, and many
other notable men at arms, by orders of the duke of Burgundy. These
captains, to prevent the besiegers from quartering themselves at their
ease, were diligent in harrassing them, and burnt all the suburbs, with
many handsome buildings, as well houses as churches. The besiegers, on
their side, were not idle: they threw two bridges over the river Oise,
to succour each other should there be occasion, and pointed against the
walls and gates two large engines, which annoyed them much.
The king of France on the Saturday in the holy week, the third of
April, marched out of Paris in a triumphant manner, and with great
state, to the town of Senlis to wait for his army. He there celebrated
the feast of the Resurrection of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. The king and
the duke of Acquitaine wore, on this expedition, the badge and arms of
the count d'Armagnac, laying aside that noble and gallant banner which
he and his royal predecessors had hitherto borne, for the plain white
cross. Many of the great barons, knights, and other loyal servants of
the king and the duke, were much displeased at this, saying, that it
was not becoming the excellence of his royal majesty to bear the arms
of so poor a lord as the count d'Armagnac, particularly as it was for
his own personal quarrel, and within his own realm. This banner, which
was now the cause of such rejoicing, had been given to an ancestor of
the said count, by the decision of a pope, to be borne for ever by him,
and his heirs and successors, as a penalty for certain crimes committed
by his predecessors against the church.
[A.D. 1414.]
CHAP. IV.
THE DUKE OF ACQUITAINE LEAVES PARIS, AND JOINS THE KING OF FRANCE AT
SENLIS.--HE MARCHES THENCE TO LAY SIEGE TO THE TOWN OF COMPIEGNE.
At the beginning of this year, namely, on Easter-Monday, the duke of
Acquitaine set out from Paris with a noble company, and went to Senlis,
to join the king his father. The king then departed from Senlis,
attended by many princes and prelates, and a grand assemblage of
chivalry, to fix his quarters at Verberie[1]. The queen and the duchess
of Acquitaine, who had come with the duke from Paris, went to lodge
at Meaux in Brie. The duke of Berry remained behind, as governor of
Paris and the adjacent country. King Louis of Sicily went to Angiers,
and thence returned to Paris, and did not attend the king on this
expedition.
The king of France, on leaving Verberie, marched toward Compiegne; and
when he had approached near, he sent one of his heralds to the gates of
the town, to announce to those within that the king was coming, that
they might, like loyal subjects, admit him as their lord. The townsmen
made answer, that they would very cheerfully admit him and his son,
the duke of Aquitaine, with their attendants, but no more. The herald
carried this answer to the king, who had lodged himself in a small
house between the town and the forest, and the duke of Acquitaine in
the monastery of Royaulieu. The other princes and captains quartered
themselves as well as they could; and the king's batteries kept
constantly playing against the town, to which they did much damage,
while skirmishes frequently happened between the two parties. One of
them is deserving of notice. When the month of May was near at hand,
sir Hector, bastard of Bourbon, sent to inform the besieged, that on
the first of May he would try their courage.
On that day, he accordingly mounted his horse, attended by about two
hundred able men at arms and some foot-soldiers, having all May
garlands over their helmets: he led them to the gate of Pierrefons, to
present a May garland to the besieged, as he had promised. The besieged
made a stout resistance, insomuch that it became very serious, and
several were killed and wounded on each side: the bastard of Bourbon
had his horse killed under him, and was in great danger of being made
prisoner or slain.
While these things were passing, the duke of Burgundy held many
conferences with the Flemings, to persuade them to levy a certain
number of men, that he might raise the siege of Compiegne; but they
refused, all edging that they could not bear arms against the king
of France. The duke of Burgundy, to whom his people in Compiegne had
sent to know if they might expect succours, advised them to make the
best terms they could with the king and the duke of Acquitaine. On
hearing this, they offered to open the gates to the king and his army,
on condition that the troops of the duke of Burgundy should retire
in safety with their effects,--they promising, or their captain for
them, that they would never again oppose the king, or the duke of
Acquitaine, in any town which belonged to them.
The king consented to pardon the inhabitants, and to receive them again
into favour, without touching their lives or fortunes.
Thus on Monday, the 8th day of May, at the same time that the troops
of the duke of Burgundy marched out under passports from the king and
the duke of Acquitaine to fix their quarters in Artois, the royal army
marched into Compiegne.
At this time, Waleran count de St Pol, who still called himself
constable of France, riding from Amiens to his castle of St Pol, had
a severe fall, and broke his leg: the pain was so great that he was
carried to St Pol; but there was a report current, that he pretended
to have been thus sorely hurt in order to be excused from obeying the
king's summons, which had been often repeated to him; and also out of
regard to the duke of Burgundy, whom he saw much distressed, and was
perplexed how to assist him in his quarrel. In like manner, sir James
de Châtillon, lord of Dampierre, styling himself admiral of France,
remained all this season at his castle of Rolaincourt, pretending
to be confined with the gout, which often attacked him, in order to
be excused, like the constable, from serving in the king's army, or
joining the duke of Burgundy, of whose success he was very desirous.
Their dependants, however, who were accustomed to follow them in arms
to war, or at least the greater part of them, joined the duke of
Burgundy and his partisans. This war placed many lords in disagreeable
situations and perplexities; for they knew not well how to steer, with
honour to themselves, between the two parties.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 1: Verberie,--a town in Picardy, on the Oise, three leagues
from Senlis, four from Compiegne.]
CHAP. V.
THE KING OF FRANCE MARCHES HIS ARMY FROM COMPIEGNE TO SOISSONS, WHICH
HE BESIEGES AND TAKES BY STORM:--IT IS PILLAGED AND DESTROYED.
The king, having reduced the town of Compiegne to his obedience,
departed, on the 5th day of May[2], with his army, to lay siege to the
town of Soissons, of which place the brave Enguerrand de Bournouville
was governor. The van division had before advanced thither, under the
command of the duke of Bar, the count d'Armagnac, Clugnet de Brabant,
calling himself admiral of France, the bastard of Bourbon, sir Aymé de
Sallebruche, and other able captains.
The inhabitants of Soissons, perceiving that they should be besieged,
acted like to those of Compiegne, in destroying their suburbs, with
many noble buildings, churches and houses. Notwithstanding this, they
were, on the arrival of the royal army, very closely besieged. The
king, on his coming thither, sent to summon the town to surrender
itself to his obedience, otherwise the inhabitants were in the
road to destruction; but in defiance of this, they resolved to
defend themselves against the king's army, in the hope of receiving
reinforcements from their lord and master the duke of Burgundy, who
had promised to succour them by a certain day.
The king fixed his quarters in the convent of St Jean des Vignes of
the order of St Augustin: the dukes of Acquitaine and of Orleans were
lodged in the abbey of St Quintin, and the other princes and lords in
the best manner they could. With sir Enguerrand within the town, were
sir Collart de Phiennes, Lamon de Launoy, sir Pierre Menau, Gilles
du Plessis, the old lord de Menau, full of years and riches, Guyot
le Bouteiller, with many more warriors from the Boulonois, Artois
and Picardy. There were also full four hundred English soldiers; but
owing to some quarrels, the townsmen and those under the command of
Bournouville, were not on good terms together, by which their strength
was much weakened.
The king's forces were very diligent in their daily attempts to annoy
the town, by means of bombards, cannon, bricolles, and other engines
of destruction. They were also frequently played off during the night
against the walls and gates, which greatly damaged them in several
places, and harrassed the garrison. At length, on the 21st of May, the
place was vigorously stormed on every side; but before this happened,
some new knights were created, among whom were Louis duke of Bavaria,
the count de Richemont, and the provost of Paris.
The van division posted on the opposite side, under the command of the
duke of Bar, the count of Armagnac, and Remonnet de la Guerre, made
their attack at the same time; and the princes and leaders urged their
men on with such bravery, that in spite of the obstinate resistance of
the besieged, the king's forces made an entry by a large breach which
had been effected by the engines, and there the combat raged,--for
every inch was disputed with lances, battle-axes and swords, hand to
hand.
During the storm, the commander of the English forces within the town,
having held a parley with some of his countrymen in the king's army,
caused a gate leading to the river to be cut down, through which the
count d'Armagnac's men rushed, and hoisted, on the highest tower, the
banner of their count; and the greater part of the English suddenly
turned against the townsmen.
Soon after, the army forced an entrance through the walls, putting
all they met to the sword, inhabitants and garrison indiscriminately.
During this attack, as Enguerrand de Bournouville was riding through
different parts of the town, to encourage his men, he was pursued
through a narrow street which had a chain thrown across it by some
of the men of Remonnet de la Guerre, who pressed on him so much that
he was forced to retreat and attempt to leap over the chain; but, in
so doing, his horse could not clear it, and remained suspended, when
he was made prisoner and led with great joy to Remonnet. The others,
seeing the town was taken, retired to different parts within the gates,
and the towers of the walls,--whence, parleying with their enemies,
they surrendered, on promise of their lives being spared. Those who
defended their posts were slain or made prisoners: in short, including
the townsmen with the duke's garrison, there were that day full twelve
hundred killed or taken.
In regard to the destruction committed by the king's army in Soissons,
it cannot be estimated; for, after they had plundered all the
inhabitants and their dwellings, they despoiled the churches and
monasteries. They even took and robbed the most part of the sacred
shrines of many bodies of saints, which they stripped of all the
precious stones, gold and silver, together with many other jewels and
holy things appertaining to the aforesaid churches.
There is not a Christian but would have shuddered at the atrocious
excesses committed by this soldiery in Soissons: married women violated
before their husbands, young damsels in the presence of their parents
and relatives, holy nuns, gentlewomen of all ranks, of whom there were
many in the town: all, or the greater part, were violated against their
wills, and known carnally by divers nobles and others, who after having
satiated their own brutal passions, delivered them over without mercy
to their servants; and there is no remembrance of such disorder and
havoc being done by Christians, considering the many persons of high
rank that were present, and who made no efforts to check them: there
were also many gentlemen in the king's army who had relations in the
town, as well secular as churchmen, but the disorder was not the less
on that account.
During the storming of the place, several, foreseeing that it must
be taken, thought to save themselves by escaping over the walls to
the river, and swimming across; but the greater part were drowned, as
their bodies were found in divers parts of the stream. Some women of
rank were, however, in this disorder conducted to the quarters of the
king and the duke of Acquitaine by their friends, and thus saved from
suffering the like infamy with others who could not escape from the
place.
During the siege, sir Hector, bastard of Bourbon, as prudent and
valiant in arms as any of the king's party, while parleying with
Enguerrand de Bournouville, was so grievously wounded in the face
by an arrow that he died; and the duke of Bourbon, who much loved
his brother, conceived, on account of this act, which he thought was
treacherously done, so violent a hatred against Enguerrand, and some
others of the besieged, that he prevailed on the king and council to
have him beheaded, his head placed on a lance, and his body hung by
the shoulders on a gibbet. Many princes and captains, notwithstanding
Enguerrand had been their enemy, were greatly displeased at his death,
and not without cause, for he was at that time renowned as the flower
of the warriors of all France.
With him were beheaded sir Pierre de Menau, one of the governors of the
town,--and of the inhabitants, master Aussiel Bassuel, advocate, and
four other gentlemen, whose heads were put on lances, and their bodies
hung in the usual manner on the gibbet.
Master John Titet, a wise and learned advocate, by whom all the
business of the town had until then been managed, was carried with some
others to Laon, and there examined: he was afterwards beheaded, and
hung by the shoulders on a gallows. Fifty-one persons were sent to the
Châtelet prison in Paris, several of whom were beheaded, such as Gilles
du Plessis, knight, and others.
Very many of the townsmen, english archers, and soldiers of the
garrison were hung on a gibbet without Soissons: others escaped death
by ransoming themselves, namely, the old lord de Menau, sir Colart de
Phiennes, Lamon de Launoy, Guyot le Bouteiller, and great numbers of
gentlemen. Those who had taken them allowed them their liberty, on
their promising to send the amount of their ransoms by a certain day,
so that the king's justice might not be inflicted upon them.
After some days had passed, the king caused to be restored, by some of
the pillagers, the bones of many bodies of saints, and divers relics;
but all the gold and jewels that had adorned them were gone; and even
in this state, many were forced to buy them back for large sums, when
they were replaced in the churches from which they had been stolen.
Thus was this grand and noble city of Soissons, strong from its
situation, walls and towers, full of wealth, and embellished with fine
churches and holy relics, totally ruined and destroyed by the army of
king Charles and of the princes who accompanied him. The king, however,
before his departure, gave orders for its rebuilding, and appointed
new officers for the defence and support of it,--who, when the army
had marched away, recalled as many as possible of the inhabitants who
had fled before it was taken. The king also granted a total abolition
of taxes, excepting, nevertheless, those who had been principally
instrumental in admitting the Burgundians within their town.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 2: Monstrelet mentions in the preceding chapter, that the
king of France made his public entry into Compiegne on the 8th day of
May.]
CHAP. VI.
THE KING, AFTER THE CAPTURE OF SOISSONS, MARCHES TO ST QUENTIN, AND
THENCE TO PERONNE, TO FACILITATE HIS ENTRANCE INTO ARTOIS.