their dishonourable retreat, delivered from such false and traitorous
enemies, who had for so long a time kept them in the utmost danger.
Many men at arms were dispatched to examine the remaining forts, in
which they found some provision, and great quantities of other things,
all of which were carried safely to the town, and made good cheer of,
for they had cost them nothing. The whole of these castles were soon
burnt, and razed to the ground, so that no men at arms, from whatever
country they might come, should ever lodge in them again.
CHAP. LXI.
THE KING OF FRANCE, AT THE REQUESTS OF THE MAID JOAN AND THE NOBLE
CAPTAINS IN ORLEANS, SENDS THEM A LARGE REINFORCEMENT OF MEN AT ARMS
TO PURSUE HIS ENEMIES.
The French within Orleans, and the captains who accompanied the
Maid, with one common accord, sent messengers to the king of France,
to inform him of their vigorous exploits, and that the English had
retreated to their own garrisons,--requesting him, at the same time,
to send them as many men at arms as he could procure, with some of the
great lords, that they might be enabled to pursue his enemies, now
quite dismayed at their reverse of fortune, and praying that he himself
would advance toward the country where they were.
This intelligence was very agreeable to the king and his council, and
the advice readily, as may be supposed, attended to. He instantly
summoned to his presence the constable, the duke d'Alençon, Charles
lord d'Albreth, and many other lords of renown, the greater part of
whom were sent to the town of Orleans. After some time, the king
advanced, with a considerable force, to Gien, where many councils were
held with the captains from Orleans and the nobles lately arrived,
whether or not they should pursue the English. To these councils the
first person summoned was the Maid, for she was now in high reputation.
At length, on the 4th day of May, the siege of Orleans having been
raised, the French took the field with about five or six thousand
combatants, and marched straight for Gergeau, where the earl of Suffolk
and his brothers were quartered.
The earl had sent frequent messages to the regent at Paris, to acquaint
him with the misfortunes that had happened at Orleans, and to request
speedy succours, or he would be in danger of losing several towns
and castles which he held in Beauce and on the river Loire. The duke
of Bedford was much angered and cast down at this intelligence; but
seeing the necessity of immediately attending to what was most urgent,
sent in haste for four or five thousand men from all the parts under
his dominion, whom he ordered toward the country of Orleans, under
the command of sir Thomas Rampstone, the bastard de Thian and others,
promising very soon to join them with the large reinforcements which he
was daily expecting from England.
CHAP. LXII.
THE MAID JOAN, WITH THE CONSTABLE OF FRANCE, THE DUKE D'ALENÇON, AND
THEIR MEN, CONQUER THE TOWN OF GERGEAU.--THE BATTLE OF PATAYE, WHEN
THE FRENCH DEFEAT THE ENGLISH.
The constable of France, the duke d'Alençon, Joan the Maid, and other
captains, having, as I said, taken the field, advanced with their army
to Gergeau, wherein was the earl of Suffolk, and from three to four
hundred of his men, who, with the inhabitants, made all diligence
to put themselves in a posture of defence. The place was very soon
surrounded by the enemy, who commenced an instant assault on the walls.
This lasted a considerable space, and was very bloody; but the French
pushed on so boldly that the town was stormed in spite of the courage
of the besieged, and about three hundred of the English slain, among
whom was a brother to the earl of Suffolk. The earl and another of his
brothers, the lord de la Pole, were made prisoners, with sixty or more
of their men.
Thus was the town and castle of Gergeau won by the French, who, after
their victory refreshed themselves at their ease. On departing thence,
they went to Mehun, which soon surrendered; and the English who were in
la Ferté-Imbaut fled in a body to Beaugency, whither they were pursued
by the French, always having the Maid with her standard in front, and
they quartered themselves near to Beaugency. The whole report of the
country now resounded with praises of the Maid, and no other warrior
was noticed.
The principal english captains in Beaugency, observing that the fame of
this Maid had turned their good fortune, that many of their towns and
castles were now under the subjection of the enemy, some through force
of arms, others by composition,--and that their men were panic-struck
by their misfortunes, were very desirous of retiring into Normandy.
They were, however, uncertain how to act, or whether they should soon
receive succour; and thus situated, they treated with the French for
the delivery of the town, on condition that they might depart in safety
with their property.
On the conclusion of this treaty, the English marched away through
Beauce toward Paris; and the French joyfully entered Beaugency, whence
they resolved, by the advice of the Maid, to advance to meet a party of
the English, who, they heard, were marching to offer them combat. They
again took the field and were daily reinforced by new comers.
The constable ordered the marshal de Boussac, La Hire, Poton, and some
other captains, to form the vanguard; and the main body, under the
command of the duke d'Alençon, the bastard of Orleans, and the marshal
de Raix, amounting to eight or nine thousand combatants to follow it
close.
The Maid was asked by some of the princes, what she would advise to
be done, or if she had any orders to give. She said, 'that she knew
full well their ancient enemies the English were on their march to
fight with them,--but in God's name, advance boldly against them, and
assuredly they shall be conquered.' Some present having asked, 'where
they should meet them?' she replied, 'Ride boldly forward, and you will
be conducted to them.'
The army was then drawn up in battle-array, and advanced slowly, for
they had dispatched sixty or eighty of their most expert men at arms,
mounted on the fleetest horses, to reconnoitre the country and gain
intelligence of the enemy. They thus marched for some time, until they
came within half a league of a large village called Pataye. The men at
arms who had been sent to reconnoitre put up a stag, which ran straight
for the army of the English, who were assembling their men together,
namely those who had come from Paris, as has been mentioned, and those
who had marched from Beaugency,--and the English, seeing the stag dash
through them, set up a loud shout, not knowing the enemy was so near:
but this shout satisfied the scouts where the English were, and a
moment afterward they saw them quite plain.
They sent back some of their companions with intelligence of what they
had seen, and they desired that the army might advance in order of
battle, for the hour of business was at hand. They immediately made
every preparation with great courage, and were soon in sight of the
enemy.
The English, observing the French advance, made also their preparations
with diligence for the combat. Some of the captains proposed that they
should dismount where they then were, and take advantage of the hedge
rows to prevent being surprised on their rear; but others were of a
contrary opinion, and said they should be better off on the plain.
In consequence they retreated about half a quarter of a league from
their former position, which was full of hedges and bushes. The French
were very eager to come up with them; and the greater part dismounted,
turning their horses loose.
The vanguard of the French were impatient for the attack, having
lately found the English very slack in their defence, and made so
sudden and violent a charge that they were unable to form themselves
in proper order. Sir John Fastolfe and the bastard de Thian had not
dismounted, and, to save their lives they, with many other knights, set
off full gallop.
In the mean time those who had dismounted were surrounded by the French
before they had time to fortify themselves, as usual, with sharp
pointed stakes in their front; and, without doing any great mischief to
the French, they were soon completely defeated.
About eighteen hundred English were left dead on the field, and from
one hundred to six score made prisoners, the principal of whom were
the lords Scales, Talbot, Hungerford, sir Thomas Rampstone and several
more. Some of the great lords were killed, and the rest were people
of low degree, of the same sort as those whom they were accustomed to
bring from their own country to die in France.
When the business was over, which was about two o'clock in the
afternoon, all the french captains assembled together, and devoutly
and humbly returned thanks to their Creator for the victory. They were
very gay on their good fortune and lodged that night in the village of
Pataye, which is two leagues distant from Anville in Beauce; and this
battle will bear the name of that town for ever.
On the morrow, the French returned to Orleans, and the adjacent parts,
with their prisoners. They were every where received with the utmost
joy; but the Maid especially seemed to have acquired so great renown,
it was believed that the king's enemies could not resist her, and that
by her means he would soon be acknowledged throughout his kingdom. She
accompanied the other captains to the king, who was much rejoiced at
their success, and gave them a gracious reception.
Several councils were held in the presence of the king; and it was
resolved to collect as many men at arms as possible from all parts
under his dominion to pursue his enemies.
On the day of the battle of Pataye before the English knew that their
enemies were so near, sir John Fastolfe one of the chief captains,
and who fled without striking a blow, assembled a council when he
remonstrated on the losses they had suffered before Orleans, at
Gergeau and other places, which had greatly lowered the courage of
their men, and on the contrary, raised that of the French, and which
made him now advise that they should retire to some of their strong
towns in the neighbourhood, and not think of combating the enemy until
their men were more reconciled to their late defeats, and until the
reinforcements should be sent them which the regent was expecting from
England.
This language was not very agreeable to some of the captains, more
especially to lord Talbot, who declared, that if the enemy came, he
would fight them.
Sir John Fastolfe was bitterly reproached by the duke of Bedford for
having thus fled from the battle,--and he was deprived of the order
of the Garter: however, in time, the remonstrances he had made in
council, previously to the battle, were considered as reasonable; and
this, with other circumstances and excuses he made, regained him the
order of the Garter. Nevertheless, great quarrels arose between him and
lord Talbot on this business, when the latter was returned from his
captivity.
Prior to the battle of Pataye, Jacques de Milly, Gilles de St Simon,
Louis de Marconnay, Jean de la Haye and other valiant men, were made
knights by the French.
CHAP. LXIII.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, AT THE REQUEST OF THE DUKE OF BEDFORD, COMES TO
PARIS, WHEN THEY RENEW THEIR ALLIANCES.
When news of this unfortunate defeat was known to the duke of Bedford
and the council at Paris, he was very much disturbed,--and several,
on hearing of it, wept in the council. They were also informed, that
king Charles was assembling his forces to march and conquer all the
country before him. In consequence of this, the duke of Bedford and the
Parisians appointed a solemn embassy to duke Philip of Burgundy, to
make him acquainted with the strange events that had happened, and to
request that he would hasten to Paris, to advise with the regent and
his ministers how to act in these extraordinary circumstances.
The ambassadors on this occasion, where the bishop of Noyon, two
celebrated doctors in theology from the university, and some of the
principal burghers of Paris. They found the duke at Hêdin, related to
him the cause of their coming and earnestly required of him, on the
part of his brother-in-law the regent and the Parisians, that he would
be pleased to come to Paris with all diligence, to concert measures
with them for the more effectually opposing their adversaries.
The duke complied with their request, and promised to be at Paris
within a few days. He instantly assembled from seven to eight hundred
combatants from his territories in Artois, by whom he was escorted to
Paris. His arrival gave great joy to all ranks, and for many days he
and the regent held constant councils on the present state of affairs,
at the end of which they entered into the following mutual engagement,
namely, that each would exert his whole powers to resist their
adversary, Charles de Valois, and then solemnly renewed the alliances
that existed between them.
When these things were done, the duke of Burgundy returned to Artois,
and carried his sister the duchess of Bedford with him, whom he
established with her household at Lens in Artois. The duke of Bedford
dispatched messengers to England, with orders to send him, without
delay, as large a body of the most expert men at arms as could be
raised. In like manner he called to him the different garrisons in
Normandy, and from other parts under his government, with all nobles
and others accustomed to bear arms.
Some little time before, about four thousand combatants had been
sent from England to the regent, under the command of the cardinal of
Winchester, who crossed the sea with them to Calais, and thence marched
to Amiens. The cardinal went from Amiens to Corbie, to meet the duke
of Burgundy and his sister-in-law the duchess of Bedford, who were on
their return from Paris.
After they had conferred together some time, the cardinal went back to
Amiens, and conducted his men to the regent, who was much rejoiced at
their arrival. In these days, John, bastard of St Pol, was sent to the
duke of Bedford with a certain number of men from Picardy, by orders of
the duke of Burgundy. The regent appointed him governor of the town and
castle of Meaux in Brie, and gave him the sovereign command of all the
adjacent country, to defend it against the power of king Charles, who
was daily expected in these parts.
CHAP. LXIV.
KING CHARLES OF FRANCE TAKES THE FIELD WITH A NUMEROUS BODY OF
CHIVALRY AND MEN AT ARMS.--MANY TOWNS AND CASTLES SUBMIT TO HIM ON HIS
MARCH.
While these things were passing, Charles king of France assembled at
Bourges in Berry a very great force of men at arms and archers, among
whom were the duke d'Alençon, Charles de Bourbon count of Clermont,
Arthur count of Richemont constable of France, Charles of Anjou,
brother-in-law to the king, and son to Réné king of Sicily, the bastard
of Orleans, the cadet of Armagnac, Charles lord d'Albreth, and many
other nobles and powerful barons from the countries of Acquitaine,
Gascony, Poitou, Berry and different parts, whom he marched to Gien on
the Loire. He was alway accompanied by the Maid and a preaching friar
of the order of St Augustin, called Richard, who had lately been driven
out of Paris, and from other places under subjection to the English,
for having in his sermons shown himself too favourable to the french
party.
From Gien the king marched toward Auxerre; but the constable went with
a large detachment to Normandy and Evreux, to prevent the garrisons in
that country joining the duke of Bedford. On the other hand, the cadet
d'Armagnac was dispatched into the Bourdelois to guard Acquitaine and
those parts.
The king on his march reduced two towns to his obedience, Gergeau and
St Florentin, the inhabitants of which promised henceforward to be
faithful to him, and to conduct themselves as loyal subjects should do
to their lord: and they obtained the king's promise that he would rule
them justly, and according to their ancient customs.
He thence marched to Auxerre, and sent to summon the inhabitants to
surrender to their natural and legal lord. At first, the townsmen were
not inclined to listen to any terms, but commissioners being appointed
on each side, a treaty was concluded, in which they engaged to render
similar obedience to what the towns of Troyes, Châlons and Rheims,
should assent to. They supplied the king's army with provision for
money, and remained peaceable, for the king held them excused this time.
The king marched next to Troyes, and encamped his men around it. He was
three days there before the inhabitants would admit him as their lord:
however, in consideration of certain promises made them, they opened
the gates and permitted him and his army to enter their town, where he
heard mass. When the usual oaths had been received and given on each
side, the king returned to his camp, and caused it to be proclaimed
several times throughout the camp and town, that no one, under pain of
death should molest the inhabitants of Troyes, or those of the other
towns which had submitted to his obedience.
On this expedition, the two marshals, namely, Boussac and the lord de
Raix, commanded the van division, and with them were la Hire, Poton de
Saintrailles and other captains. Very many great towns and castles
submitted to king Charles on his march, the particulars of which I
shall pass over for the sake of brevity.
CHAP. LXV.
KING CHARLES OF FRANCE WITH A NOBLE CHIVALRY AND A NUMEROUS BODY OF
MEN AT ARMS, ARRIVES AT RHEIMS, WHERE HE IS CROWNED BY THE ARCHBISHOP
OF RHEIMS.
During the time king Charles remained at Troyes in Champagne, deputies
arrived from Châlons, who brought him the keys of their town, with
promises of perfect obedience to his will. The king, upon this, went
to Châlons, where he was kindly, and with great humility received. In
like manner, the keys of the city of Rheims were presented to him, with
promises to admit him as their king, and to pay him due obedience.
The lord de Saveuses had been lately made governor of Rheims, having a
certain number of men at arms under him, to keep the town steady to the
dukes of Bedford and Burgundy. On the arrival of the lord de Saveuses,
the townsmen promised him that they would obey king Henry and the duke
of Burgundy until death. Nevertheless, from fear of the Maid, of whose
prowess they were told wonders, they resolved to surrender themselves
to king Charles, although the lord de Chastillon and the lord de
Saveuses wanted to persuade them to the contrary. These lords, noticing
their obstinacy, quitted the town of Rheims; for in answer to their
entreaties not to change sides, they had used very rough and strange
expressions. The two lords then went to Château-Thierry.
The men of Rheims carried their resolution of submitting to king
Charles into effect, as you have heard, through the instigation of the
archbishop, who was chancellor to king Charles, and some others.
The king made his public entry into Rheims on Friday the 6th day of
July, attended by a noble chivalry; and on the following Sunday, he was
crowned by the archbishop in the cathedral of Rheims, in presence of
all his princes, barons and knights, then with him. In the number were,
the duke d'Alençon, the count de Clermont, the lord de la Trimouille,
his principal minister, the lord de Beaumanoir, a Breton, the lord de
Mailly, in Touraine, who were dressed in coronation-robes, to represent
the noble peers of France absent at this ceremony. They had been,
however, called over at the great altar by France king at arms, in the
usual manner.
When the coronation was over, the king went to the archiepiscopal
palace to dinner, attended by his princes and nobles. The archbishop
was seated at the king's table, and the king was served by the duke
d'Alençon, the count de Clermont, and other great lords. The king, on
his coronation, created, while in the church, three knights, of whom
the youth of Commercis was one. On his leaving Rheims, he appointed
sir Anthony de Hollande, nephew to the archbishop, governor; and on
the morrow of his departure, he went on a pilgrimage to Corbeni, to
pay adoration to St Marcou. Thither came deputies from Laon, to submit
themselves to his obedience in the manner other towns had done.
From Corbeni, the king went to Provins and Soissons, which places,
without hesitation, opened their gates to him. He made La Hire bailiff
of the Vermandois, in the room of sir Colart de Mailly, who had been
appointed to that office by king Henry.
The king and his army next came before Château-Thierry, in which were
the lord de Châtillon, John de Croy, John de Brimeu and other great
lords of the burgundian party, with about four hundred combatants.
These gentlemen, perceiving the townsmen inclined to submit to the
king, and not expecting any speedy succour, and being withal poorly
provided for defence, yielded up the town and castle to king Charles,
and marched away with their effects and baggage undisturbed. They went
to the duke of Bedford at Paris, who was then collecting a sufficient
body of men at arms to combat the French.
CHAP. LXVI.
THE DUKE OF BEDFORD ASSEMBLES A LARGE ARMY TO COMBAT KING CHARLES.--HE
SENDS A LETTER TO THE KING.
At this period, the regent duke of Bedford, having collected about ten
thousand combatants from England, Normandy and other parts, marched
them from Rouen toward Paris, with the intent to meet king Charles
and offer him battle. He advanced, through the country of Brie, to
Montereau-faut-Yonne, whence he sent ambassadors to the said king, with
a sealed letter of the following tenour.
'We John of Lancaster, regent of France, and duke of Bedford, make
known to you Charles de Valois, who were wont to style yourself
Dauphin of Vienne, but at present without cause call yourself king,
for wrongfully do you make attempts against the crown and dominion
of the very high, most excellent and renowned prince Henry, by the
grace of God, true and natural lord of the kingdoms of France and
England,--deceiving the simple people by your telling them you come to
give peace and security, which is not the fact, nor can it be done by
the means you have pursued, and are now following to seduce and abuse
ignorant people, with the aid of superstitious and damnable persons,
such as a woman of a disorderly and infamous life, and dissolute
manners, dressed in the clothes of a man, together with an apostate and
seditious mendicant friar, as we have been informed, both of whom are,
according to holy scripture, abominable in the sight of God.
'You have also gained possession, by force of arms, of the country of
Champagne, and of several towns and castles appertaining to my said
lord the king, the inhabitants of which you have induced to perjure
themselves by breaking the peace which had been most solemnly sworn
to by the then king's of France and England, the great barons, peers,
prelates and three estates of the realm.
'We, to defend and guard the right of our said lord the king, and to
repulse you from his territories, by the aid of the All-Powerful, have
taken the field in person, and with the means God has given us, as you
may have heard, shall pursue you from place to place in the hope of
meeting you, which we have never yet done.
'As we most earnestly and heartily desire a final end to the war, we
summon and require of you, if you be a prince desirous of gaining
honour, to take compassion on the poor people, who have, on your
account, been so long and so grievously harrassed, that an end may be
put to their afflictions, by terminating this war. Choose, therefore,
in this country of Brie, where we both are, and not very distant from
each other, any competent place for us to meet, and having fixed on a
day, appear there with the abandoned woman, the apostate monk, and all
your perjured allies, and such force as you may please to bring, when
we will, with God's pleasure, personally meet you in the name and as
the representative of my lord the king.