a sally from the town, induced thereto by the information of some of
their prisoners, that the provost of Paris, the admiral of France, and
the vidame d'Amiens, were coming to the camp with a large sum of money
from Paris to the king, to enable him to pay his troops. In the hope of
defeating and plundering the above, they rode on and posted themselves
in a wood, the more readily to surprise them. Intelligence of this
was however carried to the lord de Ront, by some of his spies who had
observed them march out of the town; and he instantly made the duke of
Lorraine and the lord de Heilly acquainted therewith. They collected
about five hundred men at arms, under pretence of a foraging party,
and, leaving the camp, crossed the river by an old bridge which they
repaired as well as they could, and took up their quarters in a small
vineyard, whence, during the night, they sent off scouts to observe
the situation of the enemy. They were found in ambuscade, thinking to
take the king's treasure, but were themselves taken,--for no sooner
were these lords informed where they were than they instantly attacked
them, and killed and took many: among the latter was a gentleman named
Guistardon de Seure: the rest saved themselves by flight.
The duke of Lorraine and the lords de Ront and de Heilly returned to
the camp with their prisoners, much rejoiced at their victory. The
duke of Berry, and those with him in Bourges, were much grieved at
this defeat, and others of a similar nature; for he saw with pain his
country ruined, and daily witnessed the deaths of his most valiant
knights and esquires. He nevertheless did not slacken in his endeavours
to defend himself against all who wished to hurt him,--and it
frequently happened that his men retaliated severely on the besiegers.
While these things were passing, sir Philip de Lignac, grand master of
Rhodes, who had attended the king, exerted himself at various times to
bring about a peace between the two parties. The count de Savoye had
also sent his marshal, and some of his principal knights, to the king
and to the duke of Berry, to attempt the same thing. They, therefore,
united in their endeavours, and, by permission of the king and of the
duke of Acquitaine, who acted as his lieutenant, they had interviews
with each party. By their diligence, a conference was appointed to be
holden; and there were added to them as commissioners, the master of
the cross-bows, the seneschal of Hainault and some others.
The commissioners on the part of the Armagnacs were the archbishop of
Bourges, the lord de Gaucourt, the lord de Tignonville, the lord de
Barbasan, the lord d'Aubreticourt and others, who diligently exerted
themselves on each side to bring a treaty to a conclusion. They had
frequent consultations on the subject with the different princes of
each party; but in fact it was not a matter speedily to be finished,
for each of the parties was too much interested and suspicious. It was
strongly remonstrated that the besieged had, during a truce, made a
treacherous attack on the army; and many arguments were urged by both
sides, which greatly retarded the conclusion of a peace.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 10: Louis II. de Châlon, count of Auxerre, son of Louis I.
and Mary of Parthenay.]
CHAP. X.
THE KING OF FRANCE DECAMPS, AND LAYS SIEGE TO BOURGES ON THE OPPOSITE
SIDE.--A TREATY IS CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES.
When the king of France had remained with his army for sixteen months
before the city of Bourges, on the side toward la Charité sur Loire,
without any hope of taking it, and had perceived the town was well
supplied with provision on the side opposite to his camp, he broke up
the siege, and ordered fire to be set to all his quarters. He marched
away, and again encamped on the right of the city, about four leagues
distant, on the river, and near to Yeure-le-Châtel.
The besieged, seeing their adversaries thus suddenly decamp, thought
it was done from fear of the English, who had promised them their aid,
and that they were marching back to France. They were consequently much
rejoiced, and some of them sallied forth, with a multitude of peasants,
in the expectation of making prisoners,--but it happened otherwise
than they looked for.
Enguerrand de Bournouville had, with some other captains, remained
behind, with about three hundred men at arms in ambuscade, and,
when they saw it was time, issued forth, killed many, and made more
prisoners, and returned to the king's army.
On the morrow, the king and his whole army crossed the river. One
division advanced toward Bourges, and another to Orleans, to despoil
and waste the country in the same manner as they had done on the
opposite side. The townsmen of Bourges, observing the army to cross the
river, hastily set fire to the suburbs on that side, which were very
extensive, to prevent the enemy from occupying them, and some churches
were also burnt: the more the pity.
The king encamped his army round the city on that side, and had his
cannons and engines pointed in such wise as effectually to annoy the
place. The besieged were not idle in providing for their defence, and
the means of preventing the city from being taken, but were very much
grieved and cast down at the great damage which had been done to it.
The duke of Acquitaine, son and lieutenant to the king, saw with regret
the destruction of so noble a city, the capital of Auvergne and Berry,
and to which he was heir, and, fearing its total ruin, forbade the
cannoneers, and those who had the direction of the other engines, to
fire any balls, or to cast more stones into it, under pain of death.
The duke of Burgundy, on hearing these orders, which counteracted his
wish to push matters to extremity, was much displeased and surprised,
and suspected the duke of Acquitaine had changed his opinion, or was
moved with compassion toward his enemies: however, in the conversation
that passed between them on the subject, the duke of Acquitaine
declared positively, that he would put an end to the war. The duke of
Burgundy most earnestly begged of him, that if he were determined upon
it, he would conclude it according to the terms that had been agreed
to by the king's ministers at Paris, namely, that if their adversaries
should present themselves with all humility before the king, and submit
themselves to his mercy, he would receive them, but entreated that any
terms he should make might not be to his dishonour.
The duke of Acquitaine replied, that in truth the war had lasted too
long; that it was prejudicial to the king and kingdom, and that he in
the end might suffer from it,--for those against whom the war was made
were his uncles, cousins-german, and others of his kindred, by whom he
should be greatly assisted in any cases of need,--but he was desirous
that they should submit themselves in the manner proposed in council
before he had left Paris.
The duke of Burgundy, in consequence of this and other conversations,
humbled himself much toward the duke of Acquitaine; for he had
discovered that the business had been discussed with some other great
lords, of whom he was very suspicious, and particularly of the duke
of Bar, who had, for some time past, clearly shown he was displeased
with him. He, however, told the duke of Acquitaine publicly, that he
was satisfied that the negotiations for a peace should be continued
according to the good pleasure and honour of the king and himself.
The commissioners were, therefore, ordered to renew the conferences,
which they willingly obeyed. When they had reduced to writing the
demands and answers of the two parties, they requested of the princes
on each side, that the dukes of Berry and Burgundy might meet and
conclude the treaty; and this was agreed to by the king and the duke of
Acquitaine, and the leaders of the opposite party.
An elevated place was fixed and well secured for the meeting of the
uncle and nephew, for neither of them had much confidence in the other.
It was for this reason that barriers were erected on a platform, on
which the dukes entered at separate ends, having bars between them,
and their council behind, whom they occasionally consulted as to the
demands and answers.
For greater security, a body of their men at arms was stationed near to
each, but not so near as to hear any conversation that passed.--They
were both completely and handsomely armed. The duke of Berry,
notwithstanding he was seventy years of age, wore a sword, dagger,
and battle-axe: he had on a steel scull-cap, and a rich clasp on his
breast,--over his armour a purple jacket, the cross belt of which was
bespangled with pearls. After they had been two hours together, they
separated, to outward appearance, in good humour; but the duke of
Berry said peevishly to the duke of Burgundy, 'Fair nephew and fair
godson, when your father, my dear brother, was living, there was no
need of any barriers between us: we were alway on the most affectionate
terms.' The duke of Burgundy replied, 'My lord, it has not been my
fault.' The duke of Berry then mounted his horse, and returned, with
his attendants, to Bourges,--and the duke of Burgundy, in like manner,
to the camp.
The knights of the duke of Burgundy, on their return, said, that
those of the duke of Berry, in their common conversations, declared
themselves no way rebellious nor disaffected to the king; that their
lord had been for some time very unwell, and unable to command them;
that had he been otherwise, he would not so long have left the death of
his nephew unpunished; that in regard to their having burnt, taken, and
destroyed several towns and castles, in different parts of the kingdom,
such as St Denis and Roye, which they had plundered, they replied, that
as their lords were of the blood-royal, they had a right to lead their
men at arms through any towns in the realm, on their personal wars, for
that they had very just cause for attacking the duke of Burgundy, and
that in so doing they committed no offence against the king; but, in
regard to having refused to open the gates of the city of Bourges when
the king came in person before it, they confessed themselves guilty of
contempt, for which they humbly asked his pardon, as was stated in the
treaty, and offered him the keys of the town.
On the Wednesday following, the two dukes again met, with their
counsellors, at the barriers in front of the city-gate, and renewed
their conference. When it was concluded, they drank wine together, and
separated very joyfully. On the next day, all the nobles and knights
of the army assembled before the tent of the duke of Acquitaine, who
appeared in state as the representative of the king. He was attended by
the dukes of Bar and Lorraine, and many others of high rank.
The chancellor of Acquitaine, sir John de Neelle, knight and licentiate
of law, and of great eloquence, then recited most notably all the
different acts of rebellion committed by John de Berry, Charles
d'Orleans, John de Bourbon, John d'Alençon, Bernard d'Armagnac and
Charles d'Albreth, and their adherents, declaring their alliance
with the king of England, the king's adversary, and detailing all
the destruction they had brought on the kingdom,--concluding a long
speech by demanding, by orders of the king and of his son the duke of
Acquitaine, that every person should now promptly deliver his opinion,
whether there should be peace or war.
Many replied, that it were better peace should be made with the above
lords, and that they should be reinstated in the king's favour, than
otherwise, provided the peace were a solid one; but others were of
a contrary opinion,--and thus ended this meeting, which caused much
murmuring. It is true, that at this time the heat of the weather was
excessive, and great sickness prevailed in the army, insomuch that very
many, hearing daily of the deaths of their companions, departed without
taking leave. There was a great mortality among the horses, and the
stench of their carcases much infected the camp.
CHAP. XI.
THE PRINCES AND LORDS WITHIN THE CITY OF BOURGES WAIT ON THE KING AND
THE DUKE OF ACQUITAINE, AND AFTERWARD AT AUXERRE.
On Friday the 15th day of July, when all things had been settled, the
dukes of Berry and of Bourbon, the lord d'Albreth, the count d'Eu[11],
the lord John de Bar, brother to the duke of Bar, accompanied by many
knights and esquires bearing their banners, came forth of the city
toward the king's army, and entered the tent of the duke of Acquitaine,
who was surrounded by many nobles, such as the dukes of Burgundy and
Bar, and other knights and esquires, the king being afflicted with his
usual disorder.
After the treaty had been read and agreed to, each kissed the other;
but when the duke of Berry kissed his nephew the duke of Acquitaine,
tears ran down his cheeks. This treaty contained, among other articles,
that the treaty which had been concluded at Chartres by the king
and his council, between Charles duke of Orleans and his brothers,
respecting the death of their late father, Louis duke of Orleans, on
the one part, and John duke of Burgundy on the other, for being an
accomplice in the aforesaid death, should be kept inviolable for ever;
and that the marriage formerly proposed between one of the brothers of
the Orleans family and a daughter of the duke of Burgundy should take
effect.
The other articles declared, that the duke of Berry and the lords of
his party should surrender to the obedience of the king all such towns
and castles as the king might demand; and the duke entreated, that the
king would excuse and pardon him for not having before submitted to his
obedience the city of Bourges.
And also, that the aforesaid lords would renounce all confederations
which had been made between them, as well as all foreign alliances
against the duke of Burgundy, who in like manner was to renounce the
alliances he might have formed against them.
That the king would restore to them, fully and completely, all their
towns, castles and forts which he might have taken, excepting such as
had been demolished or razed, which were to remain in their present
state. The articles also declared, that the officers of the aforesaid
lords who had been deprived of their places should be reinstated.
When they had dined, the duke of Berry presented the keys of the
city of Bourges to the duke of Acquitaine, as the representative of
the king, and then returned thither with his companions. The duke of
Acquitaine caused the peace to be proclaimed throughout the army and
country in the king's name, acting as his lieutenant. By the same
proclamation, it was most strictly ordered, that henceforth no one of
either party should personally abuse another, either corporally or in
his fortune, nor use any opprobrious language, nor call any one by the
names of Armagnac or Burgundian.
On Saturday, the 16th day of the same month, king Louis of Sicily came
from his possessions in Anjou and Maine, escorted by three thousand
two hundred men at arms, knights and esquires, and accompanied by the
count de Penthievre with his Bretons, to assist the king in his siege
of Bourges. The king of Sicily was very much rejoiced when he was
informed of the peace that had been concluded with the princes; and on
the morrow, attended by the duke of Bar and a number of other knights,
he went into the city, and was there magnificently entertained at
dinner by the duke and duchess of Berry.
The other lords dined in the duke's palace, and were grandly and
plentifully served: after dinner, they all returned to the camp. On the
ensuing Wednesday, the king of France decamped from before the town,
having remained there, at this second siege, forty days, at an immense
expense, and with his whole army marched back, the way they had come,
to la Charité sur Loire, where he was lodged. Thither came the dukes of
Berry and of Bourbon, and the lord d'Albreth, with the commissioners
from the duke of Orleans and his brothers, who, in the tent of the duke
of Acquitaine, and in his presence and in that of the principal lords,
made oath on the holy evangelists punctually and faithfully to observe
the peace that had been concluded at Bourges. They promised to swear
the same in the presence of the king; and as the duke of Orleans and
his brothers were absent, they solemnly engaged that they would meet
the king, to take this oath personally before him, on any appointed
day, at Auxerre: when this was done, they returned home. The peace was
again proclaimed by the king's orders; and all persons were strictly
enjoined, whatever might be their rank, not to molest each other in
body or estate, and not to use any defamatory language, or call any one
by the name of Armagnac.
After this, the king of Sicily, the dukes of Acquitaine, Burgundy, and
Bar, and all the princes, counts, barons and chivalry, departed. The
king retained with him a great body of the captains of his army, and
their men at arms, and gave permission for all the rest to return to
their homes. He went thence to Auxerre, and was lodged in the episcopal
palace: the king of Sicily and the duke of Acquitaine were quartered in
the town, and their men in the adjacent villages. The lord Gilles de
Bretagne, on his arrival at Auxerre, died of a dysentery.
In like manner, the count de Mortain, brother to the king of Navarre,
lost his life either at Auxerre or at Sancerre from the same disorder.
His body was carried to Paris, and interred in the church of the
Carthusians. Aymé de Vitry, sir John de Guistelle, John d'Jequennie,
and several others, died on their road home; and this disorder was so
fatal that from one thousand to twelve hundred knights and esquires,
not including varlets, died of it, as it was reported to the lords in
Auxerre.
When the marshal de Boucicaut, the count de Foix and the lord de St
George, who were carrying on the war against the count d'Armagnac,
heard that peace was concluded between the king and his enemies, they
disbanded their army, and gave permission for all to return home.
During the time the king was at Auxerre, he had summoned the greater
part of his nobles and prelates thither, as well as the chief citizens
of the great towns, to witness the solemn swearing to the observance
of the peace. But before they could arrive, other intelligence was
brought, which was far from being agreeable, namely, that the English
were at anchor, with their whole navy, before the town of la Hogue de
St Vas, in the country of Coutantin; that they had made a descent, and
spread themselves over the adjacent countries, destroying or plundering
every thing they could find, and that their numbers amounted to about
eight thousand, of whom two thousand were men at arms, and the rest
archers or infantry, and that they were under the command of the duke
of Clarence, second son to the king of England.
These English had landed in consequence of the treaty between the dukes
of Berry and Orleans and their allies, and the king of England, and
were on their march to assist in raising the siege of Bourges. The
counts of Alençon and of Richemont went to meet them, and received them
most joyfully, although they had come too late to do them any effectual
service; but, notwithstanding this, they exerted themselves to the
utmost to supply them with horses and provision.
This force was much increased by the junction of six hundred gascon
helmets that had likewise been subsidized by the confederates at
Bourges. When these forces were united, they overran the country, and
committed great destruction.
The prisoners confined at Lille, as before mentioned, consisted of the
lord de Hangest, formerly master of the cross-bows of France, sir
Louis de Bourdon, sir Charles de Gerammes, Enguerrand des Fontaines,
and some others. They were all set at liberty by the count de la
Marche, on each paying a large ransom to the person who had made him
prisoner; and in like manner were all others delivered, by exchange or
by ransom.
About the feast of the Assumption of our Lady, those who had been
summoned by the king of France arrived at Auxerre. In their number,
the Parisians came in great pomp; and the dukes of Berry and Bourbon,
and the lord d'Albreth, also attended. The lord d'Albreth, soon after
his arrival, wished to resume the office of constable; but the count
Waleran de St Pol would not suffer him, and exercised it himself. Many
high words passed between them; and the lord d'Albreth, having taken
the oaths of peace, retired much displeased and indignant.
On the ensuing Monday, the duke of Orleans and his brother, the count
de Vertus, came to Auxerre, escorted by about two thousand combatants.
When all the lords were arrived, they assembled on an extensive plain
without the city, near to a convent of nuns, where had been erected
a handsome scaffolding, richly adorned, on which was the duke of
Acquitaine, as representative of his father, the king of Sicily, the
dukes of Burgundy, of Bar, and others.
The duke of Burgundy and his party repeated the oaths they had before
taken, as also did the duke of Orleans and his friends; and the same
proposal of marriage as had been made at Chartres was again solemnly
agreed to take place, between the count de Vertus and a daughter of the
duke of Burgundy, on the terms before mentioned.
The aforesaid lords then publicly renounced all confederations and
alliances which they had formed with Henry king of England, with his
sons, or with any others of the english nation, enemies to France, the
duke of Burgundy having before declared that he had no connexion with
them,--and they agreed to write such letters to the king of England as
the king and his council should advise.
They also promised and swore to renew their oaths respecting the
observance of this peace in the king's presence, so soon as he should
have recovered his health,--for at that time he had had a relapse,--and
to sign such papers as he would please, that they would never again
form any confederations or alliances against each other; and that
if either of them should attempt to infringe the articles of this
peace, the others would unite against him or them to enforce their due
observance, and oblige them to listen to reason.
At this ceremony, by orders of the king, were some of the members of
the parliament, of the chamber of accounts, and of the university of
Paris, the provosts of Paris and of the merchants, the sheriffs and
some of the principal citizens, to many of whom this treaty was not
very agreeable.
There were also present, in consequence of the king's summons, very
many from Rouen, Caen, Amiens, Tournay, Laon, Rheims, Troyes, Langres,
Tours, and from the chief towns in the kingdom.
When this solemnity was over, all the great lords went to dine with the
duke of Acquitaine at his lodgings. At this entertainment, which was
most splendid and abundant, the duke of Burgundy served, and the counts
de Nevers and de St Pol, assisted by other noble knights, carried the
dishes. After they had dined, the company amused themselves by playing
at divers games. These being ended, towards dusk all retired to their
lodgings. On the morrow, and for several days following, they continued
feasting together, and, according to all outward appearances, were in
great harmony with each other. Even the dukes of Orleans and Burgundy
rode out together, both on the same horse, in company with other lords,
and showed such mutual affection as is becoming brothers and near
relations. Nevertheless, some wicked tongues were not sparing of them
behind their backs, but loudly spoke their minds.
With regard to the people, they were in such crowds that it need not be
asked if they were pleased,--for they continually shouted out, 'Gloria
in excelsis Deo,' as if they wished to praise the gloriousness of the
heavens. It indeed seemed to them a kind of miracle that such bitter
hatred as had existed between these great lords should be so speedily
appeased.