will do every thing that may be expected from a catholic prince, for
we are always inclined to conclude a solid peace, not such a false
and treacherous one as that of Montereau-faut-Yonne, when, through
your connivance, that most horrid and disgraceful murder was committed
contrary to every law of chivalry and honour, on the person of our late
very dear and well-beloved father duke John of Burgundy, whose soul may
God receive!
'By means of this peace so wickedly violated by you, upwards of one
hundred nobles have deserted your realm, as may be clearly shewn by the
letters patent under your hand and seal, by which you have absolutely
and unreservedly acquitted them of every oath of loyalty, fealty and
subjection.
'However, if from the iniquity and malice of mankind peace cannot be
obtained, we may each of us then with our swords defend the cause of
our quarrel before God, as our judge, and to whom and none other will
my said lord refer it. We therefore most humbly supplicate the Almighty
as knowing the right of my lord in this matter, that he would dispose
the hearts of this people so that they may remain in peace without
further oppressions; and such ought to be the object of all Christian
kings and princes in regard to their subjects.
'We, therefore, without using more arguments or longer delay, make
known our proposals to you, which should you refuse, and should
further murders and mischiefs be, through your fault, committed by a
continuation of the war, we call God to witness, and protest before him
and the world, that we are no way the cause, and that we have done and
do our duty. We therefore profess our willingness to consent to a solid
and reasonable peace, and, should that be rejected, then to resort to
open combat becoming princes, when no other means can accommodate their
differences. In testimony whereof, we have had these presents sealed
with our seal.
'Given at Montereau-faut-Yonne the 7th day of August, in the year of
Grace 1429.' Signed by my lord the regent of France and duke of Bedford.
CHAP. LXVII.
THE ARMIES OF CHARLES KING OF FRANCE AND OF THE REGENT DUKE OF BEDFORD
MEET NEAR TO MONT EPILOY.
The duke of Bedford, finding that he could not meet the army of king
Charles to his advantage, and that many towns were surrendering to the
king without making any resistance, withdrew his forces toward the isle
of France, to prevent the principal towns in that district following
their examples.
King Charles, in the mean while, advanced to Crespy, where he had been
received as king, and, passing through Brie, was making for Senlis,
when the two armies of the king and the duke came within sight of each
other at Mont Epiloy near to the town of Baron.
Both were diligent in seizing the most advantageous positions for the
combat. The duke of Bedford chose a strong post, well strengthened,
on the rear and wings, with thick hedge-rows. In the front, he drew
up his archers in good array on foot, having each a sharp-pointed
stake planted before them. The regent himself was with his lords in
one battalion close to the archers, where, among the banners of the
different lords, were displayed two having the arms of France and of
England: the banner of St George was likewise there, and borne that day
by Jean de Villiers, knight, lord of Isle Adam.
The regent had with him from six to eight hundred combatants from
the duke of Burgundy, the chief leaders of whom were the lord de
l'Isle-Adam, Jean de Croy, Jean de Crequi, Anthony de Bethune, Jean
de Fosseux, the lord de Saveuses, sir Hugh de Launoy, Jean de Brimeu,
Jean de Launoy, sir Simon de Lalain, Jean bastard de St Pol, and other
warriors, some of whom were then knighted. The bastard de St Pol
received that honour from the hand of the duke of Bedford, and Jean de
Crequi, Jean de Croy, Anthony de Bethune, Jean de Fosseux, le Liegeois
de Humieres, by the hands of other knights.
When these matters were ordered, the English were drawn up together
on the left wing, and the Picards, with those of the French in king
Henry's interest, opposite to them. They thus remained in battle-array
for a considerable time, and were so advantageously posted that the
enemy could not attack them without very great risk to themselves; add
to which, they were plentifully supplied with provision from the good
town of Senlis, near to which they were.
King Charles had drawn up his men with his most expert captains in
the van division, the others remained with him in the main battalion,
excepting a few posted, by way of rear-guard, toward Paris. The king
had a force of men at arms with him much superior in numbers to
the English. The Maid was also there, but perpetually changing her
resolutions: sometimes she was eager for the combat, at other times
not. The two parties, however, remained in this state, ever prepared
to engage, for the space of two days and two nights, during which
were many skirmishes and attacks. To detail them all would take too
much time; but there was one very long and bloody, that took place on
the wing where the Picards were posted, and which lasted for an hour
and a half. The royal army fought with the utmost courage, and their
archers did much mischief with their arrows, insomuch that many persons
thought, seeing the numbers engaged, that it would not cease until one
or other of the parties were vanquished. They, however, separated, but
not without many killed and wounded on each side.
The duke of Bedford was very well pleased with the Picards for the
gallantry and courage they had displayed; and when they had retreated,
he rode down their ranks, addressing them kindly, and saying, 'My
friends, you are excellent people, and have valiantly sustained for us
a severe shock, for which we humbly thank you; and we entreat, that
should any more attacks be made on your post, you will persevere in the
same valour and courage.'
Both parties were violently enraged against each other, so that no man,
whatever his rank, was that day ransomed, but every one put to death
without mercy. I was told, that about three hundred men were killed in
these different skirmishes; but I know not which side lost the most. At
the end of two days, the armies separated without coming to a general
engagement.
CHAP. LXVIII.
KING CHARLES OF FRANCE SENDS AMBASSADORS TO THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY AT
ARRAS.
About this time, ambassadors were sent to the duke of Burgundy, at
Arras, by king Charles of France, to treat of a peace between them.
The principal persons of this embassy were, the archbishop of Rheims,
Christopher de Harcourt, the lords de Dammartin, de Gaucourt and de
Fontaines, knights, with some counsellors of state. Having demanded an
audience, some few days after their arrival, they remonstrated through
the mouth of the archbishop with the duke of Burgundy, most discreetly
and wisely on the cause of their coming, and, among other topics,
enlarged on the perfect affection the king bore him, and on his earnest
desire to be at peace with him,--for which purpose, he was willing to
make condescensions and reparations even more than were becoming royal
majesty.
They excused him of the murder committed on the person of the late duke
of Burgundy, on the score of his youth, alledging that he was then
governed by persons regardless of the welfare of the kingdom, but whose
measures at that time he dared not oppose.
These and other remonstrances from the archbishop were kindly listened
to by the duke and his council; and when he had finished speaking, one
of the duke's ministers replied, 'My lord and his council have heard
with attention what you have said: he will consider on it, and you
shall have his answer within a few days.'
The archbishop and his companions now returned to their hôtel, much
respected by all ranks, for the majority of the states were very
desirous of a peace between the king and the duke of Burgundy. Even
those of the middle ranks, although there was neither truce nor peace,
came to the chancellor of France at Arras, to solicit letters of grace
and remission, as if the king had been in the full possession of his
power,--which grants, however, they obtained from the archbishop as
chancellor.
The duke of Burgundy held many consultations with those of his privy
council, which much hastened the conclusion of this business.
CHAP. LXIX.
THE LORD DE LONGUEVAL CONQUERS THE CASTLE OF AUMALE FROM THE ENGLISH.
The lord de Longueval, having been deprived of his estates, had turned
to king Charles, and, by the means of a priest resident in Aumale,
had gained the castle of the town, the chief place of that country,
and held by the English. Four or five Englishmen were found within
it, who were put to death; but the inhabitants were spared, on their
making oath to behave in future like good Frenchmen, and paying a heavy
ransom for the deliverance. This castle was shortly after repaired,
revictualled, and reinforced with men at arms, who carried on a
continual warfare against the English and their allies in these parts.
The duke of Bedford was much vexed at this; but he could not, by reason
of more important matters, at the time go thither, nor provide any
remedy.
At this time also, the castle of Estrepagny was taken by storm from
the lord de Rambures and his men; but on the other hand, the fortress
of Château-Gaillard was reduced to the obedience of king Charles, which
is excellently situated and is very strong. In this castle had been
confined for a long time that valiant knight the lord de Barbasan, who
had been made prisoner, as has been said, by king Henry's army at Melun.
By means of this lord de Barbasan was Château-Gaillard won, and himself
freed from prison. He gave the command of it to some of his people, and
soon after joined king Charles, by whom he was most joyfully received
and honoured.
The castle of Torcy was also put into the hands of the French by
some of the country people, who had connexions with the English, and
who betrayed it to the enemy. Thus in a short time were four of the
strongest castles of the enemy recovered; and in consequence of their
capture, those parts were very much harassed; both by the French and
English.
CHAP. LXX.
THE TOWN OF COMPIÈGNE SURRENDERS TO THE FRENCH.--THE RETURN OF THE
FRENCH EMBASSY WHICH HAD BEEN SENT TO THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.
When king Charles was marching from near Senlis, where he and the duke
of Bedford had been within sight of each other, he was detained at
Crespy in Valois, and there he received intelligence that the town of
Compiègne was willing to submit to his obedience. He lost no time in
going thither, and was received by the inhabitants with great joy, and
lodged in the royal palace. His chancellor and the other ambassadors to
the duke of Burgundy, there met him, and informed him, that although
they had held many conferences with the ministers of the duke of
Burgundy, nothing had been finally concluded, except that the duke had
agreed to send ambassadors to king Charles to confer further on the
subject.
They had learnt that the majority of the duke's council were very
desirous that peace should be established between the king and him, but
that master John de Tourcy, bishop of Tournay and sir Hugh de Launoy
had been charged by the duke of Bedford to remind the duke of Burgundy
of his oaths to king Henry, and were against a peace with the king
of France. This had delayed the matter,--and further time had been
required by the duke to send his ambassadors. He had however, nominated
sir John de Luxembourg, the bishop of Arras, sir David de Brimeu, with
other discreet and noble persons for the purpose.
About this time, sir Lyonnel de Bournouville, who had lost his town and
castle of Creil, requested some men at arms from the duke of Bedford to
reconquer one of his castles called Breteictre, which the French had
won. His request was granted, and he took the fort by storm, putting to
death all within it,--but he was so severely wounded himself that he
died soon after.
CHAP. LXXI.
THE KING OF FRANCE MAKES AN ATTACK ON THE CITY OF PARIS.
During king Charles's stay at Compiègne, news was brought him that the
regent-duke of Bedford had marched with his whole army to Normandy,
to combat the constable near to Evreux, where he was despoiling the
country. The king did not leave Compiègne for ten or twelve days, when
he marched for Senlis appointing sir William de Flavy the governor.
Senlis surrendered on capitulation to the king, who fixed his quarters
in the town, and distributed his army in the country about it.
Many towns and villages now submitted to the king's obedience, namely,
Creil, Beauvais, Choisy, le Pont de St Maixence, Gournay sur l'Aronde,
Remy la Neuville en Hez, Moignay, Chantilly, Saintry and others.
The lords de Montmorency and de Moy took the oaths of allegiance to
him; and in truth, had he marched his army to St Quentin, Corbie,
Amiens, Abbeville, and to other strong towns and castles the majority
of the inhabitants were ready to acknowledge him for their lord, and
desired nothing more earnestly than to do him homage, and open their
gates.
He was, however, advised not to advance so far on the territories of
the duke of Burgundy, as well from there being a considerable force
of men at arms as because he was in the expectation that an amicable
treaty would be concluded between them.
After king Charles had halted some days in Senlis, he dislodged and
marched to St Denis, which he found almost abandoned, for the richer
inhabitants had gone to Paris. He quartered his men at Aubervilliers,
Montmartre, and in the villages round Paris. The Maid Joan was with
him, and in high reputation, and daily pressed the king and princes to
make an attack on Paris.
It was at length determined that on Monday, the 12th day of the month,
the city should be stormed, and, in consequence, every preparation was
made for it.
On that day, the king drew up his army in battle-array between
Montmartre and Paris: his princes, lords and the Maid were with him:
the van division was very strong; and thus, with displayed banner, he
marched to the gate of St Honoré, carrying thither scaling ladders,
fascines, and all things necessary for the assault.
He ordered his infantry to descend into the ditches: and the attack
commenced at ten o'clock, which was very severe and murderous, and
lasted four or five hours. The Parisians had with them Louis de
Luxembourg, the bishop of Therouenne king Henry's chancellor and
other notable knights, whom the duke of Burgundy had sent thither,
such as the lord de Crequi, the lord de l'Isle-Adam, sir Simon de
Lalain, Valeran de Bournouville, and other able men, with four hundred
combatants. They made a vigorous defence, having posted a sufficient
force at the weakest parts before the attack began. Many of the French
were driven back into the ditches, and numbers were killed and wounded
by the cannon and culverines from the ramparts. Among the last was the
Maid, who was very dangerously hurt; she remained the whole of the day
behind a small hillock until vespers, when Guichard de Thiembronne came
to seek her.
A great many of the besieged suffered also. At length the french
captains, seeing the danger of their men, and that it was impossible
to gain the town by force against so obstinate a defence, and that the
inhabitants seemed determined to continue it, without any disagreement
among themselves, sounded the retreat. They carried off the dead and
wounded, and returned to their former quarters. On the morrow, king
Charles, very melancholy at the loss of his men, went to Senlis, to
have the wounded attended to and cured.
The Parisians were more unanimous than ever, and mutually promised each
other to oppose, until death, king Charles, who wanted to destroy them
all. Perhaps, knowing how much they had misbehaved by forcing him to
quit Paris, and by putting to death some of his most faithful servants
they were afraid of meeting with their deserts.
CHAP. LXXII.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY SENDS AMBASSADORS TO AMIENS, TO KEEP UP HIS
INTEREST WITH THE INHABITANTS.
In these days, the duke sent, as ambassadors, to Amiens, the bishops of
Noyon, of Arras, the vidame of Amiens and others to remind the mayor
and townsmen of the good affection which he and his predecessors had
ever shewn them; and to say, that if there was any thing he or his
friends could do for them, they were at their commands; requesting
them, in return, to persevere in their attachment to his interests,
like good friends and neighbours.
The townsmen of Amiens, seeing themselves thus honoured and courted by
such ambassadors from so mighty a prince were in the highest spirits,
and said among themselves, that it would be well to put their town
under his protection, on his abolishing all taxes. They replied to the
ambassadors, that they would shortly send commissioners, to the duke to
declare their intentions. They did send commissioners, in conjunction
with deputies from Abbeville, Montrieul, St Riquier, Dourlens and
others, who were instructed to demand an abolition of taxes. This
was not granted by the duke; but he promised them his support and
assistance to obtain their demand from king Henry.
At this time, the duke of Burgundy summoned, from Picardy and the
adjacent parts, all those who had been accustomed to bear arms, to be
ready prepared to join and march with him where he might please to
lead them. They were soon assembled in great bodies, and passed muster
at Beauquêne, where they took the oaths before sir James de Brimeu,
constituted marshal for this purpose. They advanced toward Abbeville
and St Riquier, where they remained a considerable time waiting for
the duke of Burgundy, which was a heavy oppression to those parts.
CHAP. LXXIII.
CHARLES KING OF FRANCE RETURNS TO TOURAINE AND BERRY.
King Charles, finding the city of Paris unwilling to submit to his
obedience, resolved with those of his council to appoint governors to
all the towns and castles which had surrendered to him, and to return
himself to Touraine and Berry. Having determined on this, he made
Charles de Bourbon count of Clermont governor in chief of the Isle
de France and of Beauvoisis: his chancellor had the command in the
town of Beauvais, the count de Vendôme at Senlis, William de Flavy at
Compiègne, sir James de Chabannes at Creil.
The king attended by the other great lords who had come with him, went
from Senlis to Crespy, and thence, by Sens and Burgundy, to Touraine;
for the truce between the Burgundians and French did not expire until
Easter. The passage of the Pont de St Maixence, of which the French
now had possession, was again intrusted to the hands of Regnault de
Longueval,--so that all that part of France was at this time sorely
distressed by the french and english garrisons making daily inroads on
each other; in consequence of which, the villages were deserted, by the
inhabitants retiring to the strong towns.
CHAP. LXXIV.
DUKE PHILIP OF BURGUNDY CONDUCTS HIS SISTER BACK TO PARIS, IN GREAT
POMP TO HER LORD THE DUKE OF BEDFORD.
On the 20th of September in this year, the duke of Burgundy left Hêdin,
with his sister the duchess of Bedford, grandly accompanied, and lay
that night at Dourlens. They proceeded the next day to Corbie, where
they remained some days to wait the arrival of men at arms who were
coming to them from all quarters.
From Corbie they went to Mondidier, and thence to Chastenay, quartering
the men at arms, who amounted to from three to four thousand, in the
country round. They crossed the river Oise at Pont St Maixence, and,
passing by Senlis, were lodged at Louvres-en-Parisis.
The duke marched his men in handsome order, sir John de Luxembourg
commanding the van, and the duke the main body. Near to him was his
sister, mounted on a good trotting horse, attended by eight or ten
ladies on hackneys. The lord de Saveuses and other knights, with a
certain number of men at arms, followed by way of rear-guard.
The duke was much looked at by the French, who had come out of Senlis
in great numbers on foot and on horseback, armed or not as they pleased
on account of the existing truce. He was completely armed except the
head, and mounted on a beautiful horse, and handsomely dressed and
equipped, followed by seven or eight pages on excellent coursers.
The archbishop of Rheims, chancellor of France came first to meet and
do him reverence in the plains without Senlis, and shortly after came
the count de Clermont, with about sixty knights. When they had drawn
near to the duke they both pulled off their hoods, bowed their heads,
and addressed each other in obliging terms, but did not embrace through
love and joy, as those nearly allied by blood are accustomed to do.
After these first salutations, the count de Clermont went to embrace
his sister-in-law the duchess of Bedford, who was on the right hand
of his brother-in-law the duke of Burgundy,--and having made a short
acquaintance with her he returned to the duke; but observing that he
did not seem willing to enter into any conversation, or have much to
say to him, they took leave of each other and separated on the spot
where they had met. Charles de Bourbon and the chancellor went back
to Senlis, and the duke pursued his march to Louvres, where as I have
said, he intended to pass the night.
On the morrow, he directed his march toward Paris, whither the duke of
Bedford was returned from Normandy. On their meeting, joyous was the
reception on both sides, and great and numerous were the embracings.
The men at arms of the duke of Burgundy were drawn up in array near to
Paris, where they waited a considerable time before the harbingers had
settled their quarters within the town. This done the princes and the
duchess made their public entry with their men at arms. The Parisians
were highly delighted at the arrival of the duke of Burgundy, and sung
carols in all the streets through which he passed. They conducted the
regent and his duchess to the palace of the Tournelles, and then the
duke to his hôtel of Artois.
Great councils were held on the following day respecting the present
state of public affairs; and, among other things the duke of Burgundy
was required by the Parisians to be pleased to take on him the command
of Paris, whose inhabitants had so strong an affection for him, and
were ready and willing to support his and his late father's quarrels.
They added, that it was absolutely necessary that he should comply with
their wishes, considering the very many weighty matters the regent had
on his hands in Normandy and elsewhere.
The duke of Burgundy granted their request until the ensuing Easter,
but it was very much against his inclinations. The two dukes then
determined to bring forward all their forces about Easter, in the
spring of the year, to reconquer those towns in the Isle of France
and on the Oise which had turned against them. Having arranged these
matters, the duke of Bedford, with his duchess and the English,
departed from Paris.
The duke of Burgundy appointed the lord de l'Isle-Adam governor of
Paris, with a small number of men at arms at St Denis, the Bois de
Vincennes, at the bridge of Charenton, and at other necessary posts.
Having settled this business, and tarried in Paris the space of three
weeks, he took leave of the queen of France, mother to king Charles,
and returned, by the same route by which he had come, to Artois, and
thence to Flanders. With him departed several of the burghers of Paris
and some merchants.
CHAP. LXXV.
THE FRENCH AND BURGUNDIANS ATTACK EACH OTHER, NOTWITHSTANDING THE
TRUCE.
Although a truce had been concluded between king Charles and the duke
of Burgundy, it was very little respected on either side, for they
frequently attacked each other. To cover their proceedings, some of the
Burgundians joined the English, with whom no truce had been made, and
thus carried on open war against the French.
The French acted in the same way, by making war on the Burgundians,
under pretence of mistaking them for English, so that the truce
afforded no manner of security. Among others, a gallant act was done
by a valiant man at arms from England, called Foulkes, with whom some
of the Burgundians had united themselves; and they were quartered in a
handsome castle at Neuville le Roi, which they had repaired.