Early in the above year, after Hêdin had been gained, some of the
inhabitants of Arras under pretence of going to the king of France,
obtained passports from the lord admiral. He, however, suspected their
intentions, and caused them to be followed,--when it was found that
they were going to Flanders to the princess of Burgundy, and were in
consequence arrested and brought back to Hêdin, where they were tried.
It was now discovered that the object of their journey was treasonable;
and they were accordingly sentenced to be beheaded in the market-place
of Hêdin, to the number of eighteen: among them was master Oudart de
Bucy, attorney-general of the town of Arras and country of Artois.
His head was cut off in a hood of scarlet cloth lined with fur: both
were nailed fast to the top of a pole, that the head might not be
carried away; and under the hood was written, 'This is the head of
master Oudart de Bucy, king's councellor in his court of parliament at
Paris[75].'
When these examples had been made, the king went on a pilgrimage to
our Lady of Boulogne. He was very indignant at the rebellious conduct
of the inhabitants of Arras, and declared that the town should be
destroyed. To effect this, he ordered a large force to march and
besiege it, which was done, and the artillery began to play on the
town, when the king returned to the city about the end of April. The
fortifications were much battered, and the bulwark which those in the
town had erected against the city was so completely destroyed that the
view of the interior of the town was laid open.
The inhabitants now gave themselves up for lost; but they found means
to obtain the king's mercy, although he had abandoned the town to be
plundered by his men at arms and franc-archers, who were very much
discontented thereat, considering that the pillage of the town had been
solemnly promised to them. As the men of Arras had persevered in their
rebellion, had insulted the king, and proceeded from bad to worse by
killing many of his troops, they thought them undeserving of mercy.
However, the capitulation was signed: and the royal army marched into
Arras on Sunday, the 4th of May.
This matter being settled, the king went to the abbey of Nôtre Dame
de la Victoire; and the lord admiral, the nobles and franc-archers
separated for their own homes. While the king was at the above
mentioned abbey, news was brought that fifty of his archers had
been refused admittance into Peronne, whither they had carried five
prisoners in his name. He went, therefore, to Peronne, thinking that
a rebellion was intended, and staid there some time. Having had
information that the Flemings were arming, with the intent to invade
his country, he issued a proclamation, which was published at Paris on
Sunday the 18th of May, for all persons, of every description whether
privileged or not, to be ready in arms to resist the invasion of the
Flemings.
The king went to Cambray, which surrendered on capitulation, and
remained there until Trinity Sunday, to recruit his men at arms.