Bedford, who called himself regent of France, laid siege to the castle
of Mont Aquilon in Champagne. Lord Salisbury was then governor of the
countries of Champagne and of Brie.
This siege, notwithstanding the many attacks that were made, and the
warlike engines employed, lasted for six months, or thereabout. The
garrison consisted of full six score combatants, under the command of
the lords de la Bourbe, de Cotigny, and a man at arms named Bourghenon.
Very many of these six score left the place, so that toward the end no
more than about thirty remained, who were so much distressed that they
were forced to eat their horses.
At length, the earl of Salisbury accepted their surrender, on condition
that they paid twenty-two thousand saluts of gold for their lives being
spared; and for the payment of which, they were to give four of the
principal men at arms as pledges. The garrison now departed in their
bare pourpoints, under safe escorts, excepting those who had sworn
to the observance of the last peace between the kings of France and
England; and then the castle was demolished and razed to the ground.
About this same time sir Mauriod de St Leger was arrested in Arras,
by command of the duke of Burgundy, many complaints having been made
against him to the duke, and particularly for having plundered his
town of Auchin. He was carried prisoner to the castle of Chavetignes,
where he remained a whole year and was delivered therefrom by the
solicitations of his friends.
The duke of Bedford now caused the strong castle of Orsay, between
Paris and Montlehery, to be besieged by his English. It held out
for about six weeks and then was unconditionally surrendered. The
garrison were led to Paris bareheaded, in their under doublets, some
with cords round their necks, and others with the points of their
swords turned to their bosoms. In this manner they were brought before
the duke and duchess of Bedford, at the hôtel des Tournelles, when
the duke commanded them to be carried instantly to the Châtelet; but
the duchess, moved by pity, pressed the duke so urgently for mercy
that they were all set at liberty, without any other punishment, and
went whithersoever they pleased. Some joined the English, and others
returned to their own party.
In the month of May, seven hundred English marched from Rouen and the
territory of Caux, under the command of the bailiff of Caux, through
Abbeville, to besiege the castle of Noëlle on the sea side, belonging
to sir James de Harcourt. Those within the castle being doubtful of
succour, after a few days, surrendered it, on condition that their
lives and fortunes should be spared.
Sir James de Harcourt, on hearing this, hastily remanded his men from
Rue, and abandoned that town, without any defence, to his enemies. The
English lost no time in taking possession of it, and much harrassed the
poor inhabitants who had remained. They made it a frontier-town, to
oppose that of Crotoy, as you will hear.
In this month of May, a severe battle was fought near to Naples,
between Alphonso king of Aragon and the great captains of Italy, who
had revolted from him. The defeat was so complete that Alphonso was
forced to fly with a few attendants, or he would have been slain or
made prisoner by his enemies.
About St John Baptist's day following, the English besieged Crotoy by
sea and land, under the command of sir Raoul le Bouteiller, who having
posted his men very advantageously, had his camp strongly fortified.
Sir James de Harcourt prepared for an obstinate defence, and pointed
many cannon and other warlike engines to annoy the enemy, and to
prevent their nearer approach. The country people round were very much
rejoiced at this siege.
CHAP. XI.
KING CHARLES OF FRANCE HAS THE TOWN OF CREVANT BESIEGED BY THE
CONSTABLE OF SCOTLAND AND THE COUNT DE VENTADOUR.
In the beginning of the month of July, king Charles ordered a large
body of forces to cross the Loire and besiege the town of Crevant,
which was of the burgundian party. The chief of this expedition was the
constable of Scotland who had under him many great lords and expert
captains: and they vigorously assaulted the town by their engines of
war.
As neither the English nor Burgundians seemed to attend to this siege,
the duchess-dowager of Burgundy sent in haste to the nobles of that
country, to require, in the name of her son the duke, that they would
assemble their men, and march to the relief of Crevant. The lord de
Toulongeon, marshal of Burgundy, in consequence, assembled his men,
and, with the united forces of the other lords, advanced to Auxerre to
join the earl of Salisbury, the earl of Suffolk, the lord Willoughby,
and other English lords, whom the duke of Bedford had sent thither to
the amount of four thousand combatants, all picked men and tried in
arms. To do these English honour, the count de Joigny, the borgne de
Toulongeon, the lord du Vergy, sir John and sir William de Vienne, sir
Regnier Pot, the lord de Rochefort, and many more notable lords, went
out of Auxerre, to meet them on their march.
On their meeting, very great and mutual respects were shewn on both
sides; and they rode together in handsome array into the town, where
the earl of Salisbury was lodged in the bishop's palace. When they had
somewhat refreshed themselves with meat and drink, the English and
Burgundians assembled in the cathedral, and there entered into such
resolutions as you shall hear.
This united force began their march toward Crevant; and when within a
long quarter of a league from the town they dismounted. It was at the
time very sultry; and they suffered much thus marching on foot, by the
weight of their armour and from the extreme heat of the sun. This day
were knighted William de Vienne, son to the lord de St George, John
lord of Auxi, Philip lord de Trenont and Coppin de la Viefville.
The regulations that had been made by the chiefs of the English and
Burgundians, when in the cathedral of Auxerre, were as follow:
First, that on the morrow, Friday, they would march away at ten o'clock
in the morning, to fix their quarters near to Crevant.
Secondly, two marshals were to be appointed to overlook and inspect the
army, namely, the lord du Vergy for the Burgundians, and sir Gilbert de
Hallesal for the English.
Thirdly, it was to be proclaimed that the Burgundians and English
should live in good harmony with each other, without quarrels or
strife, on pain of being severely punished by their commanders.
Fourthly, that the whole should form one army; and that there should
be six score men at arms, namely sixty English and sixty Burgundians,
with as many archers, sent forward as scouts to gain intelligence.
Fifthly, it was ordered that when the army should arrive near any
spot where a battle was likely to take place, proclamation should be
instantly made for every one to dismount,--and those who refused should
be put to death: the horses were to be led half a league in the rear;
and all that should be found nearer the army should be seized and
confiscated.
It was also ordered, that every archer should provide himself with a
stake with two sharp points, to plant before him should it be found
necessary.
Item, that no person, whatever might be his rank, should dare attempt
making any prisoners on the day of battle until the field should be
fairly won. Should any such be made, the prisoner was to be instantly
put to death, and with him the person who had taken him, should he
refuse to obey.
Item, that every man should provide himself with provision for two
days; and that the town of Auxerre should send after the army as much
provision as could possibly be collected, for which they were to be
well and truly paid.
Item, it was then also ordered that no one should precede or remain
behind their captains, but that every man should keep the station that
had been assigned him, under pain of corporal punishment.
All these regulations and orders were proclaimed by sound of trumpet
throughout Auxerre; and on the ensuing day, after having heard mass
with great devotion, and drank a cup, they departed from Auxerre in
much brother-like affection, and fixed their quarters within a short
league of their enemies.
On the following Saturday, they decamped at ten o'clock in the morning,
and advanced in handsome array toward the French, whom they saw posted
on a mountain in front of the town of Crevant, and where they had
remained the preceding night waiting the arrival of more men.
Upon the English and Burgundians crossing to the other side of the
river Yonne, near to Coulogne les Vimeus or Vigneuses, the French
descended the mountain, and marched toward the enemy with great
appearance of courage; and each party formed their order of battle, in
which they remained without doing any thing more for three hours, as
the river Yonne was between them. The English and Burgundians, however,
made an advance, and gained possession of a bridge, whence they annoyed
the French greatly, those in Crevant, at the same time, making a
sally, and attacking them briskly in their rear. The battle now began
in earnest on both sides, and, finally, the English and Burgundians
won the day and the field; the greater part of the Scots, amounting
to three thousand, who were in the front ranks, were either killed or
taken.
The constable of Scotland surrendered himself prisoner to the lord de
Châtellux, but with the loss of an eye. In like manner, the lord de
Ventadour surrendered to the lord de Gamaches,--and he also had lost
an eye. Stephen and John de Farimeres[1], scots, knights, with several
gentlemen of note, to the number of four hundred were made prisoners.
The nephew of the earl of Buchan was slain, as were sir Thomas
Secron[2], sir William Hambon[3] and his son, all three knights of
Scotland, John Pillot[4], a scots captain and bastard to the king,
with many others, to the amount of twelve hundred or thereabout.
The english and burgundian captains assembled together in great harmony
and joy after the victory, and entered the town of Crevant rendering
thanks to the Creator for their success. They were received with every
demonstration of joy, and their men lodged within and near to it.
Perrinet, however, and some others followed the runaways, and took
and slew several in the pursuit. On the Monday following, when all
their men were returned, the army separated: the Burgundians went
home, and the earls of Salisbury and Suffolk returned to the siege of
Mont-Aquilon, whence they had come, having left a sufficient force to
blockade the place.
Soon after the battle of Crevant, the earl of Suffolk laid siege to
the town of Coussy, which was yielded up to him within a few days.
He thence marched into the Maconnois, where he subdued many castles
held by the French. He ordered one of his captains, called Claidas, to
besiege the strong castle of la Roche, which in the end surrendered to
him.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 1: To clear up, if possible, these misnomers, I consulted
my friend, Dr Robert Anderson, at Edinburgh. 'He thinks, that Stephen
and John de Farimeres may perhaps mean Ferrier, or Ferrieres, which
are scottish names. It may be Farmer, or Farnihurst, or Fernihurst,
the ancient title of the family of Lothian. Stephen, however, is a
Christian name of but rare occurrence.
_The nephew of the earl of Buchan_ is doubtful. Robert Stewart was
active in raising the levies, but whether he attended his uncle to
France, and was killed at Crevant, is uncertain.]
[Footnote 2: Sir Thomas Secron is probably sir Thomas Swinton, who
is mentioned by our historians among the gentlemen of reputation and
honour who fell at this battle. This is almost certain.]
[Footnote 3: Sir William Hambon is evidently sir William Hamilton. Hume
mentions him among those who were left on the field of battle.]
[Footnote 4: John Pillot does not apply to any Scottish name, except
perhaps Pollock, which seems probable. Of the bastard of the king, I
find no name.']
CHAP. XII.
MANY EVENTS BRIEFLY SPOKEN OF.
While these things were passing, the duke of Burgundy left Artois, and,
making Paris in his road, went to Burgundy, where he remained until the
month of February following. He took with him the count de Richemont,
who there espoused his sister, as this marriage had been agreed on some
time before.
At the end of July, a body of French assembled from the borders of
Mousson, the county of Guise and other parts, and suddenly shut up
within Bethlehem the bailiff of the Vermandois, and the bastard de
St Pol; but sir John de Luxembourg, and the earl marshal of England
instantly collected a number of their men, and hastened to raise the
siege. The French, on hearing this, decamped as speedily as they could
for their own territories, and were pursued full twenty leagues by the
earl marshal and sir John de Luxembourg, who hastened after with the
intent to combat them.
In this year, a numerous army of Castilians and Arragones arrived at
the port of Naples, and took by storm that town, which was plundered
and sacked. Eight hundred of the principal inhabitants were made
prisoners and sent to Arragon, where the greater number of them died.
A third part of the town was burnt and totally destroyed, to the great
grief of king Louis; but he shortly after, by the succours sent him
from the duke of Milan reconquered it and several other towns.
In August following, sir John de Luxembourg took by storm the fortress
of Arsie, in which were about thirty pillagers of the party of king
Charles, some of whom were beheaded, others hung, and the place
demolished. Sir John went thence to besiege Landrecy, where he
remained until October battering the wall with his engines of war. In
the end, however, the garrison surrendered, on having their lives and
great part of their fortunes spared; and the castle was also demolished.
At the same time, the earl marshal of England, with about six hundred
combatants, entered the Laonnois; and those of the party of king
Charles assembled a body of men to repel him,--but the earl, having
notice thereof, marched against them, and forced them to fly. Part of
them, in their flight, took shelter in a fort wherein they were so
closely besieged by the earl that they surrendered at discretion, when
many of them were hanged, and the fort demolished.
In this month of August, the governor of la Buisserie, between
Tornus and Mâcon, who was attached to king Charles, fixed a day for
the surrender of that castle to the lord de Toulongeon, marshal of
Burgundy, on payment of a sum that had been previously settled between
them; but on that day the governor placed two ambuscades near to the
town, and when the lord de Toulongeon had passed the first with but
a dozen persons, those in ambush fell on him so suddenly that few
escaped being carried with their lord prisoners into the castle. After
a certain time, he was exchanged for the count de Ventadour, made
prisoner at the battle of Crevant, as has been related.
In this year also, sir John de Luxembourg reduced to obedience the
strong places which king Charles held in the Cambresis and Tierrache;
and all the lands in that country belonging to the count de Pontieuvre
were placed in the hands of the count de Hainault by the lord de
Havrech, governor thereof,--because it was suspected that the count de
Pontieuvre would not garrison the strong places which he had there,
such as Landrecy, Avesnes, and others.
CHAP. XIII.
SIR JAMES DE HARCOURT HOLDS A CONFERENCE WITH SIR RAOUL LE BOUTEILLER
FOR THE SURRENDER OF CROTOY.
Sir Raoul le Bouteiller having continued the siege of Crotoy by sea
and land until the month of October, then held a parley with sir James
de Harcourt, when each of them appointed commissioners to draw up a
treaty, truces having been agreed on for the intermediate time.
After a short delay, the following were the terms proposed by their
commissioners, and ratified by them.
Articles of a treaty concluded between sir Raoul le Bouteiller, knight,
and William Miners, esquire, as deputies for that most excellent
prince John duke of Bedford, regent of France, on the one part, and
sir James de Harcourt, knight, lieutenant-general of Picardy for king
Charles,--he the said sir James answering for the clergy, nobles and
inhabitants of the town and castle of Crotoy on the other part.
In the first place, my lord regent, or his deputies, shall, on the
first day of March next, appear in arms in the plain between Crotoy and
Rue, and for three successive days, from sun-rise until three o'clock
in the afternoon; when if they should not be combated by the said sir
James so powerfully that the field of battle shall remain to the said
sir James de Harcourt, he, the said sir James, engages loyally to
deliver up the town and castle of Crotoy to the said lord regent, or
to whomever else he may appoint. This is to be accomplished at three
o'clock in the afternoon of the said ensuing third day of March.
Item, the said sir James de Harcourt and all such as may please shall
have full liberty to depart from the town and castle of Crotoy, on the
day of its surrender, excepting those who may have been implicated in
the death of the late duke of Burgundy, should any such be there, who
are to remain at the discretion of the lord regent.
Item, sir James shall leave within the castle all the powder,
cross-bows and bolts, without any way injuring or damaging them, with
the exception of nine veuglaires, two kegs of powder, twenty three
cross-bows, and nine boxes of bolts. His men to be allowed to carry
with them their armour, clothes and other effects.
Item, in case any of the men at arms, or inhabitants of the said town
and castle shall wish to take the oaths of allegiance to the lord
regent, all their effects, moveable and immoveable, shall be preserved
to them, and sufficient certificates given them thereof.
Item, the said sir James shall have the use of part of the fleet
before Crotoy, namely, the great hulk and the barge, Colin l'Anglois,
Plumeterre, Balenier, Jacquese and Martinet,--and he shall leave behind
all other vessels. The boats of the fishermen shall remain to their
owners, on condition that they take the oaths of allegiance.
Item, sir James shall deliver up all the prisoners whom he may have at
this moment in the town and castle of Crotoy, and, in return, sir Raoul
le Bouteiller will give up one of his men, whom he has captured.
Item, during the whole intermediate time henceforth to the first day
of March, all those within the said town and castle shall abstain from
making war either secretly or openly, saving that sir James de Harcourt
may carry on the war wheresoever he pleases on the other side of the
Seine.
Item, it is strictly forbidden any persons that belong to the lord
regent to make any inroads, or to plunder the lands appertaining to the
said town and castle, or on the lands of any of their allies, during
this said space of time.
Item, from henceforward to the first day of March, the inhabitants of
Crotoy may carry on commerce with the towns of Rue, Abbeville and Saint
Valery, provided they obtain leave from the governors of these towns,
but not otherwise. They shall also have liberty to traffic by sea, and
to bring wines and other provision for sale, but not in sufficient
quantities to revictual the town or castle, but solely for their daily
supply during the aforesaid term.
Item, all persons attached to the lord regent shall have liberty to
enter the town of Crotoy on business, provided they first obtain leave
from the governor.
Item, should it happen, that during this intermediate time, any armed
vessel, or other having men at arms on board, appear before Crotoy,
such shall not be admitted into the harbour, nor receive any succour
from the vessels then within the port. Sir James de Harcourt shall not,
during this aforesaid term, in any way strengthen or demolish the said
town and castle.
Item, the lord regent, or his commissioners, shall, at the time of
surrender, grant passports to all within the town and castle to go
whithersoever they may please to join their party, and carry with them
all their effects,--for the moving of which they shall be allowed
fifteen days, and passports to continue for fifteen days more.
Item, sir James de Harcourt shall in like manner have passports for
himself, his children and family, to depart by sea or land, as he may
please, and whithersoever he shall choose.
Item, for the due performance of these articles, the said sir James
shall deliver as hostages the lord Pierre de Hergicourt, knight,
Boort de Fiefiez, Jean Sarpe, and Percival Combiet, esquires, Jean
d'Estampes, Gilles le Roi, and Jean de Gonne, burghers of the town of
Crotoy. These hostages shall be set at liberty on the surrender of
Crotoy; and in case that he who calls himself their king shall, by
himself or others, come to their succour, and remain victorious, these
said hostages shall have their liberty as before.
On the signing this treaty, and the delivery of the hostages, the siege
was broken up. Sir James de Harcourt, had all his stores of provision
in Abbeville and elsewhere sold, and ordered his children from Hainault
to the castle of Hamesche, whence, on their arrival, he sent them to
Monstreul-Bellay.
After sir James had disposed of his stores, he embarked with a part of
his people and his immense wealth, leaving sir Choquart de Cambronne
his lieutenant in the castle of Crotoy. He sailed for Mont St Michel,
where he was received honourably, and thence to visit his children at
Monstreul-Bellay, where he deposited the greater part of his wealth.
Some days after, he waited on king Charles, who received him very
kindly, and made him kingly presents. He thence took his way to visit
the lord de Partenay, uncle to his lady, who was attached to the
Burgundy interest. When the lord de Partenay had shewn him much honour
and liberal entertainment, sir James required his uncle to give up his
castle to his guard, and that he would quit the duke of Burgundy, whose
quarrels he had hitherto espoused, and he (sir James) would make his
peace with king Charles, so that he should keep up his usual state.
The lord de Partenay replied, that it was his intention to remain lord
of his own castle and lands, and that those to whom they would belong
after his decease might then do with them as they listed. Upon this,
sir James, having formed his plan so that it could not fail, laid
hands on the lord de Partenay, and made him prisoner in the name of
king Charles. Sir James's people raised the drawbridge of the castle;
but in doing so, they made a noise which alarmed the townsmen, who
hastened in crowds to enquire what was the matter,--and as the bridge
was neither fastened by bolt nor latch, they pulled it down again, and
entered the castle so suddenly that they put to death sir James, Jean
de Huselames, Jean de Frousieres, Philip de Neufville, and others of
his men. Thus did sir James de Harcourt find a sudden and cruel death
through somewhat too much covetousness,--although this has been related
in various other manners.
CHAP. XIV.
SEVERAL EVENTS BRIEFLY TOUCHED UPON.
In these days, the county of Hainault was in great alarm and
tribulation for fear of a war between the dukes of Glocester and of
Brabant, which now seemed very probable, for both of them had espoused
the heiress of these territories; and each styled himself lord of the
country as a matter of right.
The lords of these parts were also divided, some declaring for the duke
of Brabant, and others for the duke of Glocester, notwithstanding they
had all sworn fidelity to the duke of Brabant, and had, for a long time
acknowledged him for their legal lord.
The dukes of Bedford and of Burgundy met at Amiens, having with them
many of their council, to adjust the differences between these two
dukes; but not being able to do so, they adjourned the business for
final determination at Paris, and fixed a day for meeting there.