in their stead, persons well armed and accoutred, with their powers to
join us, or our said son. Should any difficulties be made in obeying
these our commands, you will enforce obedience by seizing on the lands
of such as may refuse placing foragers within their houses, and by
every other means employed on such occasions, that they may be induced
to join with us in expelling the enemy from our kingdom with disgrace
and confusion.
'You will likewise enjoin, in addition to the above, that all cannon,
engines of war, and other offensive or defensive weapons that can be
spared from the principal towns, be sent to our aid without delay,
which we promise to restore at the end of the war.
'You will use every possible diligence in seeing to the execution of
these our commands; and should there be any neglect on your part, which
God forbid, we will punish you in such wise that you shall serve for an
example to all others in like manner offending.
'We command all our officers of justice, and others our subjects,
punctually to obey all your directions respecting the above; and you
will send an acknowledgement of the receipt of these presents to our
loyal subjects the officers of our chamber of accounts in Paris, to be
used as may be thought proper.
'Given at Meulan, the 20th day of September, in the year of Grace
1415, and of our reign the 36th.' Thus signed by the king and council.
When this proclamation had been published at Paris and Amiens, and in
other parts of the kingdom, the king sent ambassadors to the dukes
of Burgundy and Orleans, to require that they would, without fail,
instantly send him five hundred helmets each.
The duke of Orleans was at first contented to send his quota, but
afterward followed with all his forces. The duke of Burgundy made
answer, that he would not send, but come in person with all the
chivalry of his country, to serve the king: however, from some delay
or dispute that arose between them, he did not attend himself, but the
greater part of his subjects armed and joined the french forces.
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.
The town of Harfleur surrendered to the king on the appointed day:
the gates were thrown open, and his commissioners entered the place;
but when the king came to the gate, he dismounted, and had his legs
and feet uncovered, and thence walked barefooted to the parochial
church of St Martin, where he very devoutly offered up his prayers and
thanksgivings to his Creator for his success. After this, he made all
the nobles and men at arms that were in the town his prisoners, and
shortly after sent the greater part of them out of the place cloathed
in their jackets only, taking down their names and surnames in writing,
and making them swear on their faith that they would render themselves
prisoners at Calais on the Martinmas-day next ensuing,--and then they
departed.
In like manner were the inhabitants constituted prisoners, and forced
to ransom themselves for large sums of money. In addition, they were
driven out of the town, with numbers of women and children, to each of
whom were given five sols and part of their cloathing. It was pitiful
to see and hear the sorrow of these poor people, thus driven away
from their dwellings and property. The priests and clergy were also
dismissed; and in regard to the wealth found there, it was immense, and
appertained to the king, who distributed it among such as he pleased.
Two towers that were very strong, and situated on the side next the
sea, held out for ten days after the surrender of the town; but then
they surrendered also.
The king of England ordered the greater part of his army home, by way
of Calais, under the command of his brother the duke of Clarence and
the earl of Warwick. His prisoners and the great booty he had made were
sent by sea to England, with his warlike engines. When the king had
repaired the walls and ditches of the town he placed in it a garrison
of five hundred men at arms and one thousand archers, under the command
of the governor sir John le Blond, knight[29]: he added a very large
stock of provision and of warlike stores.
After fifteen days residence in Harfleur, the king of England departed,
escorted by two thousand men at arms and about thirteen thousand
archers, and numbers of other men, intending to march to Calais. His
first quarters were at Fauville[30] and in the adjacent places: then,
traversing the country of Caux, he made for the county of Eu. Some of
the english light troops came before the town of Eu, in which were
several french men at arms, who sallied out to oppose them: in the
number was a most valiant man at arms, called Lancelot Pierres, who,
having attacked one of the English, was struck by him with a lance,
which piercing the plates of his armour, mortally wounded him in the
belly, and being thus wounded, he was killed by the Englishman, to the
great grief of the count d'Eu and many of the French.
Thence the king of England marched through Vimeu, with the intent
of crossing the river Somme at Blanchetaque, where his predecessor,
king Edward, had passed when he gained the battle of Cressy against
Philippe de Valois; but learning from his scouts that the French had
posted a considerable force to guard that ford, he altered his route,
and marched toward Arraines, burning and destroying the whole country,
making numbers of prisoners and acquiring a great booty.
On Sunday, the 13th of October, he lodged at Bailleul in Vimeu,--and
thence crossing the country, he sent a considerable detachment to gain
the pass of the Pont de Remy[31]; but the lord de Vaucourt, with his
children and a great number of men at arms, gallantly defended it
against the English. This constrained king Henry to continue his march,
and quarter his army at Hangest sur Somme[32] and in the neighbouring
villages.
At that time, the lord d'Albreth, constable of France, the marshal
Boucicaut, the count de Vendôme grand master of the household, the lord
de Dampierre, calling himself admiral of France, the duke d'Alençon,
the count de Richemont, with a numerous and gallant chivalry, were in
Abbeville. On hearing of the line of march which the king of England
was pursuing, they departed thence and went to Corbie and Peronne, with
their army near at hand, but dispersed over the country to guard all
the fords of the river Somme against the English. The king of England
marched from Hangest to Ponthieu[33], passing by Amiens, and fixed his
quarters at Boves, then at Herbonnieres, Vauville[34], Bainviller, the
French marching on the opposite bank of the Somme.
At length the English crossed that river on the morrow of St Luke's
day, by the ford between Betencourt and Voyenne[35], which had not been
staked by those of St Quentin as they had been ordered by the king of
France. The english army were quartered at Monchy la Gache[36], near
the river of Miraumont; and the lords of France, with their forces,
retired to Bapaume and the adjacent parts.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 29: Hollingshed says, that the king appointed the
duke of Exeter governor of Harfleur, and sir John Fastolfe
lieutenant-governor,--and that the duke of Clarence had leave to return
to England on account of the epidemical disorder that was so fatal to
the army before Harfleur.]
[Footnote 30: Fauville,--a market-town of Normandy, in the country of
Caux, four leagues from Fécamp.]
[Footnote 31: Pont de Remy,--a village in Picardy, election of
Abbeville.]
[Footnote 32: Hangest sur Somme,--a small town in Picardy, diocese of
Amiens.]
[Footnote 33: Ponthieu,--a village near Amiens.]
[Footnote 34: Vauville,--a village near Peronne.]
[Footnote 35: Villages between Hamme and St Quentin.]
[Footnote 36: Monchy la Gache,--a small town near Hamme.]
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.
While these things were passing, the king of France and the duke of
Acquitaine came to Rouen, and on the 30th day of October a council was
held to consider how they should best act, in regard to opposing the
king of England. There were present at this council the king of Sicily,
the dukes of Berry and Brittany, the count de Ponthieu, youngest son to
the king of France, the chancellors of France and of Acquitaine, with
other able advisers, to the amount of thirty-five persons.
When the matter had been fully discussed in the king's presence, it was
resolved by thirty of the said counsellors, that the king of England
should be combated. The minority of five gave substantial reasons
against fighting the english army at the time they had fixed on; but
the opinion of the majority prevailed. The king of France instantly
sent his commands to the constable, and to his other captains, to
collect incontinently as large a force as they could, and give battle
to the king of England. Orders were likewise dispatched through every
part of the realm for all noblemen accustomed to bear arms to hasten
day and night to the constable's army wherever it might be.
The duke of Acquitaine had a great desire to join the constable,
although his father had forbidden him; but, by the persuasions of the
king of Sicily and the duke of Berry, he was prevailed on to give it up.
The different lords now hastened with all speed to unite their men to
the army of the constable, who, on his approach toward Artois, sent the
lord de Montgaugier to announce to the count de Charolois, only son
of the duke of Burgundy, the positive orders he had received to give
battle to the English, and to entreat him most affectionately, in the
king's and constable's name, to make one of the party.
The lord de Montgaugier met the count de Charolois at Arras, and was
well received by him and his courtiers. When he had explained the cause
of his coming to the count in presence of his council, the lords des
Robais and de la Viefville, his principal ministers, replied, that the
count would make sufficient haste to be present at the ensuing battle,
and on this they parted. Now although the count de Charolois most
anxiously desired to combat the English, and though his said ministers
gave him to understand that he should be present, they had received
from the duke of Burgundy express orders to the contrary, and they were
commanded, under pain of his highest displeasure, not to suffer him
to go on any account. In consequence, to draw him farther off, they
carried him from Arras to Aire. To this place the constable sent again
to request his support; and Montjoy, king at arms, was dispatched to
him with a similar request from the king of France. However, matters
were managed otherwise by his ministers: and they even contrived to
keep him secretly in the castle of Aire, that he might not know when
the day of the battle was fixed. Notwithstanding this, the greater part
of the officers of his household, well knowing that a battle must be
near at hand, set out unknown to him, to join the French in the ensuing
combat with the English. The count de Charolois therefore remained with
the young lord d'Antoing and his ministers, who at last, to appease
him, were forced to avow the positive orders they had received, not to
permit him to be present at the battle. This angered him very much;
and, as I have been told, he withdrew to his chamber in tears.
We must now return to the king of England, whom we left at Monche la
Gache. He thence marched toward Ancre[37], and quartered himself at
Forceville[38], and his army at Cheu and the adjacent parts. On the
morrow, which was Wednesday, he marched near to Lucheux[39] and was
quartered at Bouvieres l'Escaillon; but his uncle the duke of York
who commanded the van division, was lodged at Fienench, on the river
Canche: it is true that this night the English were quartered much
apart, in seven or eight different villages.
They were, however, no way interrupted; for the French had advanced,
to be beforehand with them at St Pol and on the river Aunun. On the
Thursday, the king of England dislodged from Bouvieres, and marched
in handsome array to Blangy[40]: when he had there crossed the river,
and ascended the heights, his scouts saw the French advancing in
large bodies of men at arms to quarter themselves at Rousianville and
Azincourt, to be ready to combat the English on the ensuing day.
On this Thursday, Philip count de Nevers, on his return from a
reconnoitring party about vespers, was knighted by Boucicaut marshal
of France, and with him many other great lords received that honour.
Shortly after, the constable arrived near to Azincourt; and the whole
french army, being then formed into one body, was encamped on the
plain, each man under his banner, excepting those of low degree, who
lodged themselves as well as they could in the adjoining villages.
The king of England quartered his army at a small village called
Maisoncelles, about three bow-shots distant from the enemy. The French,
with all the royal officers, namely, the constable, the marshal
Boucicaut, the lord de Dampierre and sir Clugnet de Brabant, each
styling himself admiral of France, the lord de Rambures, master of the
cross-bows, with many other princes, barons and knights, planted their
banners, with loud acclamations of joy, around the royal banner of the
constable, on the spot they had fixed upon, and which the English must
pass on the following day, on their march to Calais.
Great fires were this night lighted near to the banner under which each
person was to fight; but although the French were full one hundred and
fifty thousand strong, with a prodigious number of waggons and carts,
containing cannon and all other military stores, they had but little
music to cheer their spirits; and it was remarked, with surprise,
that scarcely any of their horses neighed during the night, which was
considered by many as a bad omen.
The English, during the whole night, played on their trumpets, and
various other instruments, insomuch that the whole neighbourhood
resounded with their music; and notwithstanding they were much fatigued
and oppressed by cold, hunger, and other discomforts, they made their
peace with God, by confessing their sins with tears, and numbers of
them taking the sacrament; for, as it was related by some prisoners,
they looked for certain death on the morrow.
The duke of Orleans sent, in the night-time, for the count de
Richemonte, who commanded the duke of Acquitaine's men and the Bretons,
to join him; and when this was done, they amounted to about two hundred
men at arms and archers, they advanced near to the quarters of the
English, who suspecting they meant to surprise them, drew up in battle
array, and a smart skirmish took place. The duke of Orleans and several
others were, on this occasion, knighted, but the action did not last
long,--and the French retired to their camp,--and nothing more was done
that night.
The duke of Brittany was, at this time, come from Rouen, to Amiens, to
join the French with six thousand men, if the battle had been delayed
until the Saturday. In like manner, the marshal de Longny was hastening
to their aid with six hundred men. He was quartered that night only six
leagues from the main army, and had set out very early the following
morning to join them.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 37: Ancre or Albert,--four leagues from Peronne, seven from
Amiens.]
[Footnote 38: Forceville,--a village near Ancre.]
[Footnote 39: Lucheux,--a town in Picardy, near Dourlens.]
[Footnote 40: Blangy,--a village in Picardy, near Amiens.]
CHAP. XXXI.
THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH MEET IN BATTLE ON THE PLAINS OF AZINCOURT. THE
ENGLISH GAIN THE VICTORY.
On the ensuing day, which was Friday the 25th of October, in the year
1415, the constable and all the other officers of the king of France,
the dukes of Orleans, Bourbon, Bar and Alençon; the counts de Nevers,
d'Eu, de Richemonte, de Vendôme, de Marle, de Vaudemont, de Blaumonte,
de Salines, de Grand Pré, de Roussy, de Dampmartin, and in general all
the other nobles and men at arms, put on their armour and sallied out
of their quarters. Then, by the advice of the constable and others of
the king of France's council, the army was formed into three divisions,
the vanguard, the main body, and the rearguard. The van consisted of
about eight thousand helmets, knights, and esquires, four thousand
archers, and fifteen hundred cross-bows.
This was commanded by the constable, having with him the dukes of
Orleans and Bourbon, the counts d'Eu and de Richemonte, the marshal
Boucicaut, the master of the cross-bows, the lord de Dampierre admiral
of France, sir Guichart Dauphin, and some others. The count de Vendôme,
and others of the king's officers were to form a wing of fifteen
hundred men at arms, to fall on the right flank of the English; and
another wing, under the command of sir Clugnet de Brabant admiral of
France, sir Louis Bourdon and eight hundred picked men at arms, was to
attack the left flank: with this last were included, to break in on the
english archers, sir William de Saveuses, with his brothers sir Hector
and sir Philippe, Ferry de Mailly, Aliaume de Gaspammes, Allain de
Vendôme, Lamont de Launoy, and many more.
The main battalion was composed of an equal number of knights,
esquires, and archers as the van, and commanded by the dukes of Bar and
Alençon, the counts de Nevers, de Vaudemont, de Blaumont, de Salines,
de Grand-pré, and de Roussy.
The rear guard consisted of the surplus of men at arms, under the
orders of the counts de Marle, de Dampmartin, de Fauquembergh, and the
lord de Louvroy, governor of Ardres, who had led thither the garrisons
on the frontiers of the Boulonois.
When these battalions were all drawn up, it was a grand sight to
view; and they were, on a hasty survey, estimated to be more than six
times the number of the English. After they had been thus arranged,
they seated themselves by companies as near to their own banners as
they could, to wait the coming of the enemy; and while they refreshed
themselves with food, they made up all differences that might before
have existed between any of them. In this state they remained until
between nine and ten o'clock in the morning, no way doubting, from
their numbers, but the English must fall an easy prey to them. Some,
however, of the wisest of them had their fears, and dreaded the event
of an open battle.
The English on that morning, perceiving that the French made no
advances to attack them, refreshed themselves with meat and drink.
After calling on the divine aid against the French, who seemed to
despise them, they dislodged from Maisoncelles, and sent some of their
light troops in the rear of the town of Azincourt, where, not finding
any men at arms, in order to alarm the French, they set fire to a barn
and house belonging to the priory of St George at Hesdin. On the other
hand, the king of England dispatched about two hundred archers to the
rear of his army, with orders to enter the village of Tramecourt[41]
secretly, and to post themselves in a field near the van of the French,
there to remain quiet until it should be a proper time for them to
use their bows. The rest of the English remained with king Henry, and
were shortly after drawn up in battle array by sir Thomas Erpinghan; a
knight grown grey with age and honour, who placed the archers in front,
and the men at arms behind them. He then formed two wings of men at
arms and archers, and posted the horses with the baggage in the rear.
Each archer planted before himself a stake sharpened at both ends.
Sir Thomas, in the name of the king, exhorted them all most earnestly
to defend their lives, and thus saying he rode along their ranks
attended by two persons. When all was done to his satisfaction, he
flung into the air a truncheon which he held in his hand, crying out,
'Nestrocque[42]!' and then dismounted, as the king and the others had
done. When the English saw sir Thomas throw up his truncheon, they set
up a loud shout, to the very great astonishment of the French.
The English seeing the enemy not inclined to advance, marched toward
them in handsome array, and with repeated huzzas, occasionally stopping
to recover their breath. The archers, who were hidden in the field,
re-echoed these shoutings, at the same time discharging their bows,
while the english army kept advancing upon the French.
Their archers, amounting to at least thirteen thousand, let off a
shower of arrows, with all their might, and as high as possible, so as
not to lose their effect: they were, for the most part, without any
armour, and in jackets, with their hose loose, and hatchets or swords
hanging to their girdles: some indeed were barefooted and without hats.
The princes with the king of England were the duke of York, his uncle,
the earls of Dorset, Oxford, Suffolk, the earl marshal, the earl of
Kent, the lords Cambre, Beaumont, Willoughby, sir John de Cornewall,
and many other powerful barons of England.
When the French observed the English thus advance, they drew up each
under his banner, with his helmet on his head: they were, at the
same time, admonished by the constable, and others of the princes,
to confess their sins with sincere contrition, and to fight boldly
against the enemy. The English loudly sounded their trumpets as they
approached; and the French stooped to prevent the arrows hitting them
on the vizors of their helmets; thus the distance was now but small
between the two armies, although the French had retired some paces:
before, however, the general attack commenced, numbers of the French
were slain and severely wounded by the English bowmen.
At length the English gained on them so much, and were so close, that
excepting the front line, and such as had shortened their lances, the
enemy could not raise their hands against them. The division under sir
Clugnet de Brabant, of eight hundred men at arms, who were intended to
break through the English archers, were reduced to seven score, who
vainly attempted it. True it is, that sir William de Saveuses, who
had been also ordered on this service, quitted his troop, thinking
they would follow him, to attack the English, but he was shot dead
from off his horse. The others had their horses so severely handled
by the archers, that, smarting from pain, they galloped on the van
division, and threw it into the utmost confusion, breaking the line in
many places. The horses were become unmanageable, so that horses and
riders were tumbling on the ground, and the whole army was thrown into
disorder, and forced back on some lands that had been just sown with
corn. Others, from fear of death, fled; and this caused so universal a
panic in the army that great part followed the example.
The English took instant advantage of the disorder in the van division,
and, throwing down their bows, fought lustily with swords, hatchets,
mallets and bill-hooks, slaying all before them. Thus they came to
the second battalion, that had been posted in the rear of the first;
and the archers followed close king Henry and his men at arms. Duke
Anthony of Brabant, who had just arrived in obedience to the summons of
the king of France, threw himself with a small company (for, to make
greater haste, he had pushed forward, leaving the main body of his men
behind), between the wreck of the van and the second division; but he
was instantly killed by the English, who kept advancing and slaying,
without mercy, all that opposed them, and thus destroyed the main
battalion as they had done the first. They were, from time to time,
relieved by their varlets, who carried off the prisoners; for the
English were so intent on victory, that they never attended to making
prisoners, nor pursuing such as fled.
The whole rear division being on horseback, witnessing the defeat of
the two others, began to fly, excepting some of its principal chiefs.