he appointed a knight of Wales, renowned in arms, governor, with a
sufficient garrison to defend them. He detached the earl of Suffolk in
pursuit of the French, who had advanced to within three leagues for
its relief, and went with the rest of his army to Evreux. He there
received intelligence that the French had won Verneuil by stratagem,
and were with their whole force within it. He instantly dislodged, and
marched for Verneuil; but the French, having had information thereof,
made all haste to prepare for his reception, and drew their men up in
battle-array without the town, ready for the combat. They only formed
one grand division, without any advanced guard,--and ordered the
Lombards, with others, to remain on horseback, under the command of
the borgne Cameran, du Rousin, Poton, and La Hire, to break the ranks
of the enemy on their flanks and rear.
The grand battalion of the French was on foot,--which being observed
by the duke of Bedford, he ordered his army to be formed in the same
manner, without any vanguard, and not having any party on horseback.
The archers were posted in front, each having a sharp-pointed stake
stuck in the ground before him; and the stoutest of these men were
placed at the two ends of the battalion, by way of wings. Behind the
men at arms were the pages, the horses, and such as were unfit for the
combat. The archers tied the horses together by their collar-pieces and
tails, that the enemy might not surprise and carry them off. The duke
of Bedford ordered two thousand archers to guard them and the baggage.
Very many new knights were now created on both sides; and when all was
ready, these two powerful armies met in battle, about three o'clock in
the afternoon, on the 16th day of August, The English, as usual, set
up a grand shout as they advanced, which alarmed the French much; and
the conflict raged with the utmost violence for three quarters of an
hour,--and it was not in the memory of man that such armies had been so
long and warmly engaged without victory declaring for either of them.
That division of the French which had been ordered to remain mounted
to attack the rear of the English, while the combat was going on, came
to the horses and baggage of the enemy, but could make no impression
from the resistance of the guard of archers: they, however, seized
some of the cavalry and baggage with which they fled, leaving their
army fighting on foot. The archers then, finding themselves thus
disembarrassed from the enemy, were fresh to join their companions in
the front, which they did with loud shouts.
The French now began to fail; and the English, with great bravery,
broke through their ranks in many places, and, taking advantage of
their success, obtained the victory, but not without much effusion
of blood on both sides: for it was afterward known by the kings at
arms, heralds, pursuivants, and from other persons worthy of belief,
that there were slain of the French and left on the field of battle,
from four to five thousand, great part of whom were Scotsmen, and two
hundred made prisoners.
On the part of the English, sixteen hundred were killed, as well from
England, as from Normandy,--the principal persons of whom were two
captains of the name of Dudley and Charleton. The following is a list
of those of name who fell on the side of the French.
Jean count d'Aumale, the son of the count de Harcourt, the count de
Tonnerre, the count de Ventadour, the earl, of Douglas, sir James
Douglas his son the earl of Buchan, at that time constable to king
Charles, the earl of Murray, the lord de Graville the elder, the lord
de Montenay, sir Anthony Beausault, Hugh de Beausault his brother,
the lord de Belloy and his brother, the lord de Mauny, the lord de
Combrest, the lord de Fontenay, the lord de Bruneil, the lord de
Tumblet, the lord de Poissy. From Dauphiny, the lord de Mathe, the
lord de Rambelle. From Languedoc and Scotland, sir Walter Lindsay, sir
Gilles de Gamaches, Godfrey de Malestroit, James Douglas, sir Charles
de Boin, sir John de Vretasse, sir Gilles Martel, the son of Harpedame,
sir Brunet d'Auvergne, sir Raoul de la Treille, Guy de Fourchonivere,
sir Pochart de Vienne, sir John de Murat, the lord de Vertois, sir
Charles de Gerammes, Dragon de la Salle, the lord de Rambouillet, the
bastard de Langlan, the viscount de Narbonne, whose body, when found
on the field, was quartered, and hung on a gibbet, because he had been
an accomplice in the murder of the late duke of Burgundy,--the lord de
Guictry, sir Francis de Gangeaux, sir Robert de Laire, sir Louis de
Teyr, the lord de Foregny, Moraut de la Mothe, sir Charles d'Anibal
and his brother Robinet d'Anibal, Pierre de Courçeilles, sir Aymery de
Gresille, Andrew de Clermont, sir Tristan Coignon, Colinet de Vicomte,
Guillaume Remon, sir Louis de Champagne, Peron de Lippes, sir Louis de
Bracquemont, the lord de Thionville, the lord de Rochebaron, sir Philip
de la Tour, and Anselin de la Tour.
The principal prisoners were the duke d'Alençon, the bastard d'Alençon,
the lord de la Fayette, the lord de Hormit, sir Pierre Herrison, sir
Louis de Vaucourt, Roger Brousset, Huchet de St Mare, and Yvon du Puys;
but there were numbers of others, whose names I cannot remember.
When the duke of Bedford had gained this important victory at Verneuil,
he assembled his princes and captains around him, and with great
humility, with uplifted hands and eyes, he returned thanks to the
Creator for the great success he had given him. The dead were then
stripped, and whatever was valuable taken away.
The duke encamped that night round Verneuil, and appointed a strong
guard to prevent any surprise from the enemy. On the morrow, the French
within the town and castle were summoned to surrender. They were so
much terrified by the defeat and carnage of their army that they
instantly obeyed, on condition that their lives and fortunes should be
spared. The lord de Rambures, governor, was also permitted to depart.
After the duke had regarrisoned Verneuil and its castle, he marched his
army into Normandy.
On the very day that this battle took place, a number of knights and
esquires from Normandy and the adjacent parts deserted from the duke's
army, although they had before sworn loyalty and obedience to him. For
this offence, some of them were afterward severely punished in their
bodies by the duke, and all their estates and effects confiscated to
the use of king Henry. In the number were, the lord de Choisy and the
lord de Longueval.
About this time, the lord de Maucour was taken, who had been implicated
by the lord de Longueval, and others accused before master Robert le
Jeune, bailiff of Amiens: he was beheaded by orders from the council of
king Henry, in the town of Amiens, his body hung on a gibbet, and his
fortune confiscated to the king. In like manner was afterward taken,
Pierre de Recourt implicated likewise with the above, by one named
Raoul de Gaucourt, who sent him to sir John de Luxembourg; and sir John
sent him to Paris, where his body was quartered, and parts of it hung
up at the usual places.
Very soon was intelligence of this unfortunate battle carried to king
Charles, who was sorely affected at the destruction of his princes and
chivalry, and for a long time was mightily grieved, seeing that all his
plans were now unsuccessful.
CHAP. XXII.
THE INHABITANTS OF TOURNAY REBEL AGAINST THEIR MAGISTRATES.
In the beginning of the month of September, the inhabitants of
Tournay rose in rebellion,--the burghers against the magistrates and
others of rank,--namely, those of the market-place, and of the old
precincts, against those within the walls. This commotion was caused
by a blacksmith having fastened a chain during the night about the
slaughter-houses, for which he was banished the town. In consequence
of this banishment, those within the old precincts, to a large number,
put on, as badges, an upright cross; while those of the market-place
raised the bridges, and erected many bulwarks against them. They began
hostilities with courage; but in the end a truce was agreed on, for the
sake of their annual procession,--and at last peace was established,
without any great harm being done to either party.
CHAP. XXIII.
THE GARRISON OF GUISE CAPITULATE TO SIR JOHN DE LUXEMBOURG AND SIR
THOMAS RAMPSTONE.
When sir John de Luxembourg and sir Thomas Rampstone had, with great
perseverance, continued their siege of Guise and its castle until the
month of September,--the garrison finding provisions grow short, and
losing all hope of relief offered to capitulate with the two aforesaid
lords, on the following terms.
'To all to whom these presents shall come, we John de Luxembourg lord
de Beaurevoir, and Thomas Rampstone knight, chamberlain to the lord
regent, and governors of this district for the king of France and of
England, our sovereign lord, by the appointment of my lords the regent
and the duke of Burgundy, send health and greeting.
'Know ye, that we have this day signed a treaty in the names of our
lords aforesaid, with John de Proisy governor and captain of the town
and castle of Guise, and with the churchmen, gentlemen, men at arms,
and the burghers of the said town, according to the terms and articles
hereafter to be declared.
'First, the governor and the persons aforesaid, residing within the
town and castle of Guise, do promise truly and faithfully to surrender
the said town and castle to one of us, or to such other person or
persons as the king of France and England may depute for that purpose,
on the first day of March next ensuing, provided that on or before that
day they be not relieved by the princes or others of the same party
as themselves, by combating us between the town of Sains and the house
of Fouquausuins, which spot we have fixed on, in conjunction with the
garrison of Guise, for the field of battle.
'Should those of the party of king Charles be defeated in fair combat,
by the forces of the king of France and England, or put to flight, the
garrison of Guise shall hold themselves bounden to deliver up the town
and castle. In case the contrary should happen, and we of the party of
the king of France and of England be beaten, or afraid to appear on
the appointed day, we shall be bounden to return without ransom the
hostages which shall have been given to us for the due observance of
this treaty.
'Item, my lord the regent, and my lord of Burgundy, or those
commissioned by them, shall be bound to appear with such force as they
may please on the first day of March, to hold the wager of battle
namely, from sun-rise of that day until sunset; and if they shall not
then be fought with nor defeated, the garrison shall, without fail, or
any fraud whatever, surrender the town and castle immediately after
sunset, on receiving back the hostages whom they had given.
'Item, during the term of this treaty, and within one month afterward,
the governor and all others within the said town and castle, of
whatever rank they may be, shall have free liberty to depart singly
or in companies across the river Seine, to such places as are held
by their party, and carry with them, or have carried, their armour,
horses, baggage and all their effects; and for their greater security
we promise to deliver to them sufficient passports in the name of my
lord the regent, if so required, that shall include not more than
twenty in a company. Should any of them wish to go out of the kingdom,
even to Hainault, they must do so at their peril.
'Item, should any now resident within Guise be inclined to remain
there, or elsewhere, under the dominion of our lord the king, or
of our lords the regent and the duke of Burgundy, they shall have
full liberty, on taking the oaths of allegiance, and on swearing to
preserve the last-made peace between the kingdoms of France and
England, with the free enjoyment of all their effects and inheritances
that may not before have been disposed of. Should they wish to depart,
they shall not carry with them any of their moveables.
'Item, the inhabitants of Guise having passports from the conservators
of the articles of this treaty, who are bounden to give them, may go to
such towns as we have notified, and enter the same with the permission
of their captains or governors, namely, St Quentin, Riblemont, Laon,
Bruyeres, Crespy, Marle, Aubenton, Vertus and the adjacent villages,
to procure provision and other necessaries for money, so that the
quantities be not more than sufficient for their sustenance, until the
capitulation be expired.
'Item, the inhabitants of Guise may pursue their lawful and just debts
before the said conservators, who will take cognisance thereof and do
justice between the parties, on hearing each side.
'Item, if during the terms of this treaty, any of the king's party
shall take by scalado, or otherwise, the town and castle of Guise, we
will exert ourselves to the utmost of our loyal power to force them to
evacuate the same,--and we will replace them in their former state for
we will neither attempt to take them ourselves, nor suffer others to do
so during the said term.
'Item, in like manner those within Guise shall not, during the same
term, gain openly or secretly any places dependant on the king or his
allies, nor carry on any manner of warfare against his or their vassals.
'Item, a general pardon shall take place with regard to all persons
indiscriminately within Guise, excepting, however, those who may have
been implicated in the murder of the late duke of Burgundy, whose
soul may God pardon! those who have sworn to observe the articles of
the last peace concluded between France and England; those guilty of
treason on the person of the duke of Brittany; all English and Irish
who may be in the said town or castle; all of whom must be delivered
up to justice. For the better knowledge of the aforesaid persons, the
governor of Guise shall give to us in writing the names and surnames of
all men at arms now within that town and castle.
'Item, should any violences be committed, contrary to the above
articles, by either party, during the said term, this treaty shall not
thereby be infringed nor violated; but the conservators shall have full
powers to arrest and punish those, guilty of any violence, and to make
restitution of whatever things may have been unlawfully plundered.
'Item, the garrison of Guise shall not, during the said term, although
they have possession of the castle and town, carry on any warfare, nor
give aid or support to any of their party that may be so inclined.
Should it happen that any persons acting hostilely be pursued by the
king's party, and chaced visibly into the said town or castle, the
governor shall cause them to be delivered up to those who had thus
pursued them, to be dealt with like prisoners.
'Item, the inhabitants of Guise shall not, during the said term,
demolish any part of the fortifications or outworks of the said town
and castle,--nor shall they in any way add to their strength.
'Item, so soon as we shall have withdrawn all our cannon, artillery,
stores and engines of war, to a place of security, we will raise
the siege, and depart from before the said town and castle, to go
whithersoever we shall please.
'Item, the governor, the gentlemen and burghers within the said town,
to the number of twenty-four persons, shall solemnly swear punctually
to observe all the above articles, and promise faithfully not to
infringe any one of them in the smallest degree, and those who may have
a seal shall seal these articles with their seal.
'Item, for the better observance of these articles, eight persons
shall be given as hostages, namely, Jean de Regnault, du Hamel, Jean
de Cadeville, Jean de Beauvoir, Jean de St Germain, the elder Wautier,
sir Walerant du Mont, and Jean Flangin de Noulles. In case any of the
above shall die, or make their escape, during the time aforesaid, those
of Guise shall be bounden alway to find eight sufficient hostages, on
demand of the besiegers.
'Item, the inhabitants of Guise, in conjunction with us, have
unanimously appointed as conservators of this treaty sir Daviod de
Poix knight, and Collart de Proisy, or his deputy. To this sir Daviod
de Poix, or to his deputy, we have given full powers and authority to
grant to the said inhabitants of Guise good and sufficient passports,
and to determine all suits at law that may be brought before him from
either party, according to what has been before mentioned.
'Item, we have promised and sworn and do by these presents promise
and swear to fulfil all things contained in these said articles,
most loyally and honourably, to the utmost of our powers, and that
we will have them faithfully observed and maintained by all subjects
and vassals under the obedience of our lord the king, of our lord the
regent, and of our lord of Burgundy.
'Item, for the greater security of the above, we will have these
articles confirmed by our said lord the regent, in manner hereafter to
be declared. In testimony of which, we have affixed our seals to these
presents. Given at our camp before the town and castle of Guise, the
18th day of September, in the year 1424.'
When the treaty had been signed, and the hostages delivered, the siege
of Guise was broken up. Sir John de Luxembourg returned to his castle
of Beaurevoir, and dismissed his captains; and sir Thomas Rampstone
went with the English to wait on the duke of Bedford, at Paris, by whom
he was most graciously received.
About this time, the lord de Montagu, a Burgundian, concluded a treaty
with Estienne de Vignolles, called La Hire, of the opposite party,
that Vitry en Pertois, and other fortresses held by La Hire, should
be surrendered to the lord de Montagu on the first Sunday in Lent, in
case they were not relieved on or before that time by king Charles. No
succour arrived, and in consequence they were yielded up according to
the agreement.
In these days, sir Manfroy de St Leger and the bastard de St Pol
assembled from four to five hundred combatants, and led them into
Barrois, where they committed infinite mischiefs, and gathered much
riches, with which they returned in safety, and without opposition to
their own country.
In the month of October, the duke of Glocester and Jacqueline of
Bavaria, countess of Hainault, of Holland and of Zealand, (whom the
duke of Glocester had married some time before in England, although
duke John of Brabant, her first husband, was still alive,) disembarked
at Calais with five thousand english combatants, intending to make a
powerful invasion on Hainault, and gain the government thereof, as
belonging of right to the said Jacqueline. The earl marshal of England
was commander in chief of these men at arms.
CHAP. XXIV.
THE DUKES OF BEDFORD AND OF BURGUNDY ENDEAVOUR TO MAKE UP THE QUARREL
BETWEEN THE DUKES OF GLOCESTER AND OF BRABANT.
About the end of October the dukes of Bedford and of Burgundy met at
Paris, with their confidential ministers, according to what had been
agreed on when they were last at Amiens, to discuss the differences
that had arisen between the dukes of Glocester and of Brabant. The
matter was most fully debated during several days before their council,
notwithstanding a suit was still pending at the court of Rome. At
length, the dukes of Bedford and Burgundy agreed on the terms of a
pacification, according to the opinions of their counsellors, and sent
them to the dukes of Glocester and of Brabant. The ambassadors who went
to the duke of Glocester and his lady, at Calais, were sir Raoul le
Bouteiller and the abbot Fouquans. When they showed their credentials,
and the terms that had been agreed on, they had a direct negative from
the duke and the lady, who declared they would not abide by them, but
would march a powerful army into Hainault to take possession of that
country. On receiving this answer, the ambassadors returned to Paris.
Those who had been sent to duke John of Brabant, were graciously
received; and he declared, with the advice of his council, that he was
very willing to accept the terms agreed on by the dukes of Bedford and
Burgundy, and was well contented therewith.
On these answers being carried to the two dukes in Paris, they were
much troubled that the duke of Glocester would not accept of the terms
which they had settled,--more particularly the duke of Burgundy, who
plainly told his brother-in-law, the duke of Bedford, that since
he found his brother the duke of Glocester would not listen to any
reasonable terms, he should assist his cousin, the duke of Brabant,
with all his power, to enable him to preserve his honour and
territories against the duke of Glocester.
The duke of Bedford was much angered against his brother at heart,
for his obstinacy, and greatly feared, that from this quarrel, all
connexions of the English with the duke of Burgundy would be done away,
and their power in France destroyed.
The dukes of Bedford and of Burgundy kept each at his hôtel in Paris
the feast of All-saints, with much solemnity; and some days afterward,
the duke of Burgundy had the marriage of sir John de la Trimouille
lord de Jonvelles, with the damsel of Rochebaron, sister to the lord
d'Amboise, (who at that time resided with the queen of France, widow of
the late king, in company with the lady of La Ferté) celebrated at his
hôtel of Artois, and at his own expense.
At this marriage were present the said queen of France, the duke and
duchess of Bedford, sister to the duke of Burgundy, attended by the
earl and countess of Salisbury, the earl of Suffolk, the bishop of
Therouenne, the lord d'Estable, and many noble knights, esquires,
ladies and damsels of high degree, who were all magnificently
entertained by the duke of Burgundy and his officers. There was a
grand display of every costly viand and wines, followed by dancings,
tiltings, and other amusements.
The dukes of Bedford and Burgundy even tilted themselves with other
princes and knights. When this feast was over the duke of Burgundy
returned from Paris to his residence in Burgundy, where he united
himself in marriage, by an apostolical dispensation, with the widow
of his uncle the count de Nevers, who had been slain at the battle of
Azincourt. This lady was much renowned for her pious life: she had two
children by the count de Nevers, and was sister-german to the count
d'Eu, then a prisoner in England, and sister by the half blood to
Charles de Bourbon count de Clermont.
At this time died John of Bavaria formerly bishop of Liége, uncle to
the duke of Burgundy, and to Jacqueline of Bavaria; and because he had
not had any children by his lady, he declared the duke of Burgundy his
heir and successor, thus putting aside Jacquiline of Bavaria his niece.
CHAP. XXV.
THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF GLOCESTER LEAVE CALAIS FOR HAINAULT, TO
RECEIVE THE ALLEGIANCE OF THE PRINCIPAL TOWNS OF THAT COUNTRY.--THE
DUKE OF BURGUNDY MAKES PREPARATIONS TO AID HIS COUSIN THE DUKE OF
BRABANT.
Toward the end of November the duke and duchess of Glocester marched
their great army from Calais, and taking their route by Hesdin, and
passing by Lens in Artois, arrived in Hainault. As they marched through
the territories of the duke of Burgundy, no disorders were suffered to
be committed, but all provisions were courteously paid for.
They were liberally received at Bouchain and Mons, whither they went
first, and many lords and gentlemen of the country came thither to pay
obedience and homage to the duke and to his lady. Shortly after, all
the principal towns in Hainault, dependant on the lady Jacquiline took
oaths of allegiance to the duke of Glocester; for she declared herself
his wife, and all the lords and gentlemen did the same excepting the
single town of Halx, which held for the duke of Brabant.
In like manner did the count de Conversan lord of Anghien support duke
John and sir Angilbert d'Anghien, with Jean de Jumont, and all their
garrisons and dependants. The remainder, as well towns as nobles,
breaking the oaths they had formerly taken to the duke of Brabant, now
openly espoused the cause of the duke of Glocester and the duchess
Jacquiline.