in most of the former state-papers merely by way of example. It was
probably the nearest bailiwick to Monstrelet's place of residence,
and the edicts, &c. which he inspected were those directed to this
particular bailiff.]
[Footnote 23: There was clearly no such person as the duke d'Evreux;
but the earl of Rutland himself was also duke of Aumerle; and, both
being norman titles, Monstrelet might have confounded them. But I
can find no mention of an embassy in which the earl of Rutland was
concerned.]
[Footnote 24: Monstrelet must have mistaken the names of these
ambassadors; for in the Foedera mention is made of a promise from the
king of England, by his commissioners, the bishop of Durham, the earl
of Warwick and doctor Ware[25], 'De non contrahendo, citra certum diem,
cum aliqua alia muliere, nisi cum Katerina Franciæ, matrimonio.'--Dated
Westminster, 28th January 1414.]
[Footnote 25: This, however, seems to refer to the second embassy
mentioned after.]
[Footnote 26: St Mor. Q. St Maur?]
CHAP. XXV.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY HOLDS MANY COUNCILS TO CONSIDER OF HIS SITUATION,
FEARING THAT HIS ENEMIES WOULD TURN THE KING AGAINST HIM, WHICH THEY
AFTERWARDS DID[27].
The duke of Burgundy, while these things were passing, resided in the
town of Lille, where he had assembled many great lords to consult and
have their advice respecting the situation he was then in. He received
almost daily intelligence from Paris, and learnt how his enemies
governed the king and the duke of Acquitaine, and were labouring to
keep those of his party at a distance from the royal presence, in order
to prevent their receiving any marks of favour or benevolence.
The duke formed various opinions on this intelligence, and suspected,
what indeed afterward happened, that his adversaries would succeed
in setting the king and the duke of Acquitaine at variance with him,
and in the end making war upon him. He was, however, prepared to meet
whatever events might befal him.
At this period, the earl of Warwick, the bishop of St Davids, and
others, waited upon him, to treat of a marriage between the king
of England and a daughter of the duke, notwithstanding the embassy
that had been sent to the king of France on a similar subject. These
ambassadors and the duke of Burgundy could not agree on the terms of
alliance, and they consequently returned to England.
On the 4th day of October, the lords d'Offemont and de Moy came to St
Pol en Ternois, by orders from the king of France, to demand from
the count de St Pol, that he would surrender to them, or send to the
king, his constable's sword. The count replied, that he would never
willingly, nor without the advice of his friends, comply with such
a request, but that he would refer the matter to the counsel of his
friends, and would shortly send such an answer that the king should be
satisfied therewith. These lords, having heard this, returned to Paris,
after having been honourably entertained by the constable, and related
to the king and council what they had done, which was not any way
agreeable to those who had sent them.
This same day, another royal edict was published against all who should
not strictly keep the peace, forbidding every one to spread abroad any
evil reports that would tend to create discord and commotion, and to
call any one by such sirnames as should engender strife, and renew the
mischiefs that had so lately desolated the kingdom. It was proclaimed
throughout France, and was of the following tenour.
'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of
Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting.
'It has come to our knowledge, that whereas by great and mature
deliberation of council, and by the aid and diligence of many of our
blood and other discreet men of our realm, we have, by the grace of
God, established a peace between several of our kindred, among whom
disputes and discords had arisen and continued for a considerable
time. We have first shown all the points of the treaties that had been
proposed, after mature council, as well to those of our blood and
great council as to the prelates, barons, and knights of our different
courts of parliament, and to other officers of justice in the court of
the Conciergerie, and also to our well-beloved daughter the university
of Paris, the clergy and citizens of our capital, who have been all
delighted therewith, and have unanimously supplicated us to complete
the peace, which, through the mercy of God, we have done.
'For the greater security of its observance, our very dear and well
beloved eldest son, nephews, uncle and cousins,--that is to say, Louis
duke of Acquitaine, dauphin of Vienne, the dukes of Berry, Burgundy,
Orleans, Brittany, Bourbon, and of Bar,--the counts d'Alençon, Vertus,
Richemont, d'Eu, Vendosme, and many others of our blood,--have
promised and sworn in our presence, on the word of a son to a king
and a prince, on part of a piece of the true cross, and upon the holy
evangelists of God touched corporally by them, never more in any
respect to misbehave toward us, but to pay a due regard to their own
honour and rank, and henceforward to act toward each other like to kind
relations and friends.
'This they declare they have done without any fraud, deception, or
mental reservation, and promise most faithfully to observe this union,
and to deposit in our hands their several letters patent.
'In like manner have the different ranks of our faithful subjects
promised and sworn to the due observance of that affection, loyalty,
and service they owe to us, and that they will most strictly keep this
aforesaid peace concluded between the princes of our blood,--and that
they will, to the utmost of their power, prevent it from being in any
way infringed, as is more fully explained in others of our letters
patent.
'Nevertheless, there are, as we learn, several within your bailiwick
full of evil intentions, who, believing that no proceedings will take
place against them for any commotions they may excite, and that they
may remain unpunished in body or goods, do daily spread abroad reports
injurious to the said peace, and by wicked murmurings endeavour to
raise discontents against it, and also to make use of such odious
sirnames as have been by this peace strictly forbidden, and by other
acts and speeches urge on the people to dissensions that may produce
fresh warfare; which things are highly, and not without cause,
displeasing to us.
'We will, that the aforesaid peace be most strictly kept, and such is
our firm intention, that all means of future dissensions may be put
an end to, and that every kind of warfare cease in our kingdom, so
that each person may henceforward live in peace and tranquillity. We
therefore command, that you do instantly cause these presents to be
most solemnly proclaimed by sound of trumpet in every part within your
bailiwick wherever any proclamations have been or are usually made.
'Our will and purpose is, to preserve this peace most strictly
inviolate, and to observe it in the manner that has been so solemnly
sworn to in our presence, without suffering it to be infringed by any
person whatever. And we expressly command that you do most attentively
regard its preservation, and that you do make very exact inquiries
after all who may in any manner attempt its infringement. We rigorously
forbid any factious sirnames to be used, and all other words and
expressions that have a tendency to revive past dissensions, under pain
of corporal punishment and confiscation of goods. And any such whom
you shall find disobeying these our commands you will punish in such
wise that he or they be examples to deter others from committing the
like,--and see that there be no failure in this through any fault or
neglect of your own.
'For the due fulfilment of these our commands, we give full powers,
as well to yourself as to your deputies and under officers,
notwithstanding any letters, edicts, prohibitions, oppositions, or
appeals to the contrary. Given at Paris, the 6th day of October,
1413.'----Signed by the king in his great council, in the presence of
the king of Sicily, the dukes of Berry, Orleans, Bourbon, the counts
de la Marche, d'Alençon, d'Eu, Vendosme, Armagnac, the constable, the
count de Tancarville, the grand master of the household, the master
of the cross-bows, the admiral, the chancellors of Acquitaine and
of Orleans, the lords d'Oyrront[28], de Torcy, de Ray de Boyssay, de
Bauquille, l'hermite de la Fayette, and many more.--Countersigned, 'P.
Naucron.'
This edict was afterwards proclaimed at Amiens, and in that bailiwick,
on the 3d day of November in the same year.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 27: At the head of this chapter, in the edition of Monstrelet
in Lincoln's-inn Library, (which is the black letter of Anthoine
Verard,--I can find no date), is a curious wooden print, representing,
perhaps, the duke of Burgundy and his lords in council; but I do not
understand what the figures of dead bodies in the back ground are meant
for.
I should suspect that the print is misplaced, and is meant to describe
the bloody entry of the duke into Paris some time after.]
CHAP. XXVI.
DUKE LOUIS OF BAVARIA MARRIES AT PARIS.--OF THOSE WHO HAD BEEN
BANISHED ON ACCOUNT OF THE DISCORDS BETWEEN THE DUKES OF ORLEANS AND
BURGUNDY,--AND OF MANY OTHER INCIDENTAL MATTERS.
In these days, duke Louis of Bavaria, brother to the queen of France,
espoused, at the hôtel of St Pol, the widow of the lord Peter de
Navarre, formerly count de Mortain. At this wedding, the king and many
others of the princes tilted, for there were very grand feasts on the
occasion.
On the morrow, sir Robinet de Mailly, sir Elyon de Jacqueville, les
Goys, namely, father and son, master John de Troyes, Denisot de
Chaumont, Caboche, and others who have been before mentioned as having
suits brought against them in parliament, were for ever banished from
Paris. The duke of Burgundy very soon received information of this, as
he was at St Omer, where he had assembled the nobility of Artois, to
deliberate on the subject of taxes, and they had granted him one equal
to what the king annually levied. He was not well pleased with this
intelligence, for the greater part of those who had been banished were
then with him; and they daily urged him to march a powerful army to
Paris, assuring him, that if he would appear before it, the Parisians
would instantly declare for him, and drive his enemies out of the town.
The duke, however, being otherwise advised, would not comply with their
request.
About this time there was a violent quarrel between the dukes of
Orleans and Brittany, on the subject of precedency, insomuch that it
came to the ears of the king, who decided for the duke of Orleans. On
this, the duke of Brittany left Paris in ill humour; but before he
departed, he had some high words with his brother-in-law the count
d'Alençon, in consequence of his telling him that he had in his heart
a lion as big as a child of one year old, which greatly angered the
duke, and caused a hatred between them.
At this period, the borgne de la Heuse was, by the king's order,
dismissed from the provostship of Paris, and master Andrieu Marchant,
advocate in the parliament, appointed in his stead. Sir Guichart
Daulphin, grand master of the king's household, the lord de Rambures,
master of the cross-bows of France, and sir Anthony de Craon, were
also dismissed, by order of the duke of Acquitaine, and commanded not
to return to Paris until the king should send for them. In like manner
were three hundred persons, as well men as women, driven out of Paris
because they were attached to the party of the duke of Burgundy.
The count de Vendosme was made grand master of the cross-bows, and
several were restored to their former offices.
About this time, sixteen hundred horse, whom the duke had sent for from
Burgundy, marched through Champagne, the Cambresis, and thence into
Artois. The duke was at Lille, and with him the count de St Pol, who
had come thither to consult him whether or not he should surrender the
constable's sword. The duke advised him to retain it, and said that he
would support him to the utmost of his power. In consequence, the count
sent the vidame of Amiens again to Paris, to inform the king and his
council of his intention to keep the constable's sword.
Another edict, to forbid any persons whatever from bearing arms, was
now published, 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.
'Since, through the Divine Grace, we have succeeded in establishing a
peace between some of our kindred, among whom discords and dissensions
had taken place,--on which we ordered, that all foreign men at arms and
archers should instantly quit our kingdom, and no longer live upon and
harrass our subjects, as they had been accustomed to do, and which was
highly displeasing to us,--
'Know ye, that we will that this our order be most strictly obeyed,
and that nothing be done to the contrary, to the oppression of our
said subjects, or to their hindrance in living under us in peace and
tranquillity. For this, and other sufficient reasons which move us,
we expressly command you to cause this our pleasure to be publicly
proclaimed by sound of trumpet, in all places within your bailiwick
where proclamations have been usually made, that no knight or noble
esquire, of whatever rank he may be, shall put on arms or attend to the
commands of any superior lord whatever to begin and carry on a warfare
in any part of our realm, under pain of forfeiture of his goods and
estate, unless he shall have our especial commands for so doing.
'All such as you shall find acting contrary to this our order you will
punish, so that they may be examples for others; and you will seize on
all their goods and chattels for our use, because they have been guilty
of disobedience and disloyalty towards us their sovereign lord, without
having received our commands. Be careful that this order be obeyed, and
not neglected through any fault of yours.
'Given at the Bois de Vincennes, the 22d day of October, in the year of
Grace 1413, and of our reign the 33d.'
It was signed by the king in his great council,--present the lord de
Preaulx[29], the count de Tancarville, the lords de Montenay and de
Cambrillac, Pierre de l'Esclut, and several others. This edict was
proclaimed in Amiens the 12th day of November following.
On the Monday preceding the feast of All-saints, the duke of Burgundy
gave a grand entertainment at Lille. The Monday and Tuesday, the
knights and esquires tilted, namely, the duke himself, his son the
count de Charolois, the duke of Brabant and the count de Nevers, his
brothers.
Soon after this feast was over, and the company departed, the lord
de Dampierre, admiral of France, the bishop of Evreux, and others,
came to Lille as ambassadors from the king of France, and commanded
the duke, in the king's name, by virtue of their royal orders, not
to enter into any treaty or agreement with the king of England, for
the marriage of his daughter or otherwise, under pain of having his
estates confiscated. They summoned him to surrender to the king three
castles which were garrisoned by his men, namely, Cherbourg, Caen,
and Crotoy,--and ordered him, on his allegiance, to maintain the
peace he had so solemnly sworn to observe with the duke of Orleans,
his brothers, their friends and adherents. The duke, on hearing these
commands, made no reply whatever to the ambassadors, but called for his
boots, and rode off instantly for Oudenarde. The ambassadors returned
to Rolaincourt le Châtel, which belonged to the admiral, on the eve of
Saint Martin, and thence came to Paris.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 28: D'Oyrront. Q. D'Orgemont?]
[Footnote 29: James de Bourbon, grand butler of France, son to James I.
count de la Marche, and uncle to the present counts de la Marche and
Vendôme, and lord of Carency.]
CHAP. XXVII.
THE KING OF FRANCE, FEARING THE PEACE WOULD BE BROKEN, PUBLISHES OTHER
EDICTS FOR ITS PRESERVATION THROUGHOUT THE REALM, AND ALSO RESPECTING
THE COIN.
The king of France, suspecting that the peace lately concluded at
Pontoise would be broken, by several who were endeavouring to excite
fresh disturbances by their seditious speeches, published the following
edict.
'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to all those to whom
these presents may come, greeting.
'Since it is a duty appertaining to our royal majesty, as well as
to all princes who have subjects to govern, and consonant to the
establishment and ordinance of God, appointed by the divine, canon,
and civil law, that a good and strict police should be observed and
supported for the well governing and keeping in peace our people, and
to avoid all wars and intestine divisions, which we have always had
most earnestly at heart, and are determined to prevent as much as
shall lie within our power.--It has, however, happened, that quarrels
and dissensions have arisen between some of the princes of our blood,
whence have sprung intestine warfares, to the great detriment of our
subjects residing within towns, as well as of those employed in rural
affairs.
'We have, through the wholesome advice of many discreet and wise
persons of our blood and council, as well as of our daughter the
university of Paris, and several of its citizens, concluded a peace
between the contending parties, which each has most solemnly sworn, on
the holy relic of the true cross, most faithfully to preserve, and not
invalidate in the smallest trifle. On this occasion, we have overlooked
and pardoned the crimes that have been committed during these divisions
in our good city of Paris.
'We have also given our letters of pardon, tied with silken cords and
sealed with green wax; and this peace, so sworn, we have had proclaimed
throughout our kingdom, and wherever else we have thought it necessary,
so that no one may plead ignorance of it, and carry on a warfare from
partiality or attachment to either of the late contending parties, or
by murmurs or seditious words endeavour to infringe this peace, and
renew the dissensions that have so much distressed our realm, by any
means, or in any measure whatever.
'It has, notwithstanding, come to our knowledge, that many
evil-disposed persons, as well within our town of Paris as elsewhere,
and of various ranks and conditions, do privately murmur, and use many
seditious expressions in their secret meetings, in order to overturn
this peace, and attempt to excite the commonalty of Paris to second
their damnable ends and intentions,--to stir up a mortal war to our
evident disadvantage, to the peril of our realm and government,--to
put an end to all legal justice, and to the destruction of all good
and loyal subjects who are desirous of peace. This conduct imperiously
demands an efficient and speedy remedy, to prevent the dangers that
might otherwise ensue.
'Know ye, that we have held divers councils on the above with the
princes of our blood, and with our wisest and most prudent counsellors,
to provide and to determine on the most effectual means to check
such treasonable practices. We therefore order and enjoin, by these
presents, that whoever may have knowledge of any person or persons,
who, since the signature of the peace at Pontoise, have murmured, or do
murmur, or spread abroad any factious words or expressions, to excite
the populace against the said peace, or shall have knowledge of any
conspiracy or damnable secret meetings, and will denounce them to any
of our officers of justice, so that legal cognizance may be taken of
the same, shall, on the conviction of such persons, receive one third
part of the goods and estates that may, in consequence of the sentence
or sentences passed on them, be adjudged to ourself. And we further
will, that this our edict be published throughout the realm, that all
diligence may be used to discover such traitors as are seditiously
active in disturbing the peace, so that punishment may be inflicted
upon them according to the heinousness of their offences, as violators
of the peace, and to serve for an example to others. We will that full
credit be given to the copies of these presents, the same as if they
were the original.
'We therefore give it in command to our bailiff of Amiens, or to his
lieutenant, and to all others our officers and subjects within our
realm, each as it may behove him, to see that the above ordinance
be duly and diligently put into execution, and that it be no way
neglected. In witness whereof, we have to these presents affixed our
seal.
'Given at Paris the last day but one of October, in the year of Grace
1413, and of our reign the 33d.' Signed by the king in his great
council,--present the king of Sicily, the dukes of Berry, of Orleans,
the counts de Vertus, d'Eu, de Richemont, de Vendosme, the constable
of France, the archbishop of Sens, and several others. Countersigned,
'Gontier.'
This edict was proclaimed in Amiens the 15th day of December, in the
same year.
The king was at this period busied in making some regulations
respecting the coin, and in consequence issued an edict, which he
ordered to be promulgated throughout the kingdom: the tenour of it was
as follows:
'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of
Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting.
'Know ye, that in order to provide for the security of the public
welfare of our kingdom, and to obviate the great varieties of coins
that for some time have had currency in our realm, we do ordain, after
mature deliberation with our council, that a coin be struck of the form
of deniers, called Gros, which shall be current for twenty deniers
tournois, and of five sols to five deniers, the fourth part of a denier
of the poids de marc of Paris,--and coins of half a gros and half a
quarter of a gros, twenty sols six deniers tournois being the value of
each,--also small crowns, of the value of fifteen sols tournois each.
Those gros, half gros, quarter gros, which have been formerly coined,
and blancs of ten deniers, and of five deniers, shall have currency
with the new money.
'We therefore command and enjoin you to make this our will respecting
the regulation of our coin as public as possible, so that no one may
plead ignorance of it,--and you will cause this edict to be proclaimed
in all the usual places of your bailiwick. You will observe its
regulations without favour or affection to any one, and punish such as
may act contrary thereto, that they may be examples to others.
'Given at Paris the 13th day of November in the year of Grace 1413, and
of our reign the 33d.' It was thus signed by the king on the report of
the council held in the chamber of accounts,--present the archbishop of
Bourges, the bishop of Noyon, the members of the chamber of accounts,
the officers of the treasury, the master and monoyers of the mint, and
countersigned, 'Le Begue.'
It is true, that the king was fearful beyond measure of the peace
being interrupted; and, anxiously desirous of preventing it from being
infringed, he issued another edict much stronger than the preceding
ones to all the bailiffs and seneschals in his kingdom.
'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of
Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting.
'Whereas during the time we were last at Auxerre, through the Divine
Providence, and great deliberation of council, we succeeded in the
establishment of peace between some of the princes of our blood, and
between our subjects, which was afterward confirmed in our good town of
Paris. Our princes then faithfully promised to keep this peace without
any way infringing it, or suffering it to be infringed by others.
'We, considering that peace is advantageous to us, our realm, and our
subjects, and reflecting upon the manifold and numberless evils that
would result should it be broken, are desirous to preserve it with
our whole heart, and to prevent it from being in the smallest degree
infringed.