placed an ambuscade near that place, that if the enemy should pursue
them, they might fall into it. What they had supposed did happen; for
sir James de Chambannes, the governor, hearing a disturbance, instantly
armed, and, mounting his horse, galloped into the plain, to attack the
English. At the first onset, Georges de Croix was made prisoner, and
several unhorsed.
A grand skirmish ensued; but, in the end, by the valour and
perseverance of the said Foulkes, sir James and two other knights were
made prisoners, together with some of their ablest men. In this action,
however, Foulkes was struck on the uncovered part of his neck with the
sharp point of a spear, so that he instantly died, though the wound was
very small.
All those of his party who knew him greatly lamented his death, and
were sorry at heart, for they looked on him as one of the most valiant
and expert men at arms in England.
The remaining English now collected together, under their leaders,
Bohart de Boyentin and Robinet Eguetin, and returned with the prisoners
to their castle. Within a few days they concluded a treaty with sir
James de Chabannes, giving him his liberty on his paying a certain sum
of money, and delivering up Georges de Croix.
The duke of Bedford perceiving that Château Gaillard, from its
situation and strength, greatly annoyed the adjacent countries in
Normandy, resolved to have it besieged before the enemy could revictual
it, or reinforce it. The siege lasted from six to seven months, and it
was then surrendered from want of provisions,--and the garrison were
allowed to march away with their baggage and effects.
CHAP. LXXVI.
THE LORD DE SAVEUSES AND THE BASTARD DE ST POL ARE MADE PRISONERS BY
THE FRENCH, NEAR TO PARIS.--A PARTY OF FRENCH GAIN THE TOWN OF ST
DENIS BY SCALADO.
About this time, the duke of Burgundy sent the lord de Saveuses and
John de Brimeu, with five hundred combatants, to assist the Parisians
against the French, who were daily making excursions on all sides of
the town, to the great loss of the inhabitants.
They quartered themselves in St Denis, and gained several advantages
over the enemy in their many skirmishes; but one day, the French,
having formed a junction with some of the garrisons on the side of
Montlehery, advanced to Paris, leaving a detachment in ambuscade at a
small village. At that time the lord de Saveuses and the bastard de
St Pol were in Paris, and, hearing the disturbance, hastily mounted
their horses, and set out instantly in pursuit of the enemy with few
attendants, and without waiting for their men at arms. The French, in
their flight, made for the ambuscade, where these two knights, finding
resistance vain, were taken prisoners by them, and carried away, with a
few of their attendants, to one of their castles.
The bastard de St Pol was badly wounded in the neck by a lance before
he was taken, and was some time in danger of his life. The two knights,
however, on paying a heavy ransom, soon returned to Paris, to the great
joy of the inhabitants.
On the other hand, the French, under the command of Allain Geron,
Gaucher de Bruissart, and other captains, advanced, at the break of
day, to St Denis; in which town, John de Brimeu was lately arrived with
some men at arms, whom he had brought from Artois, and he had also
some of the men of the lord de Saveuses. A party of the French gained
admittance by means of ladders, and, opening one of the gates, their
whole body rushed in, shouting, 'Town won!' and, battering down the
doors and windows of all the houses wherein they thought there were any
Burgundians, who, on hearing the noise, were much alarmed.
Some retreated to the strong parts of the town, and John de Brimeu
with many to the abbey; the bastard de Saveuses to the gate leading to
Paris, and others saved themselves under different gates; while great
part, sallying out of their quarters to join their captains, were made
prisoners or slain. Among the prisoners were Anthony de Wistre, Thierry
de Manlingehem, and from twelve to sixteen others, mostly gentlemen.
Thevenin de Thenequestes, Jean de Hautecloque, and a few more were
killed.
While the affray was going on, John de Brimeu and his companions
recovered their courage, and began to assemble in different parts
where they heard their war-cries; and having introduced a valiant man
at arms, called Guillaume de Beauval, he collected a body of men and
attacked the enemy, who were more intent on pillaging than on keeping
good order, and drove them out of the town, with the loss of eight or
ten of their men.
The lord de Saveuses, then in Paris hearing of this attack, assembled
in haste as many men as he could, and galloped off to succour his
friends at St Denis; but before his arrival, the French were gone, and
had retreated toward Senlis, and others of their garrisons, carrying
with them many horses from those in St Denis.
At this same time, the English besieged the lord de Rambays
in his castle of Estrepaigny, the inheritance of the count de
Tancarville,--and remained so long battering it with their engines that
the lord de Rambays, hopeless of succour, treated with the English for
its surrender, on condition that he and his men should depart in safety
with their baggage.
CHAP. LXXVII.
THE ENGLISH MAKE MANY CONQUESTS.
In this year the duke of Bedford had the castle of Torcy besieged,
which was the best built and strongest in all that part of the
country. The command of the besieging army was given to the bastard
of Clarence, who by his cannon and other engines, which he kept
continually playing against it, greatly damaged the walls. At the end
of six months, the besieged seeing no hope of relief, and finding
that their provision began to fail, entered into a treaty with the
bastard of Clarence for their surrender, on condition that some of the
principal inhabitants might depart whither they pleased with their
effects; and that from ten to twelve others, who had formerly been of
the english party, but who had even aided the French to win the castle,
should remain at their pleasure. These were very cruelly put to death,
and the castle was then demolished and razed to the ground.
In the month of January of this year, sir Thomas Kiriel, an Englishman,
with four hundred combatants, most part of whom were his countrymen,
marched from Gournay in Normandy, where they had been in garrison,
passing by Beauvais toward Beauvoisis and the county of Clermont. He
committed much mischief in those parts, seized many cattle, especially
horses, and made several prisoners. He advanced even to the suburbs of
Clermont, and then set out on his return to his garrison.
The count de Clermont was then at Beauvais, and hearing of this
enterprise of sir Thomas, quickly collected from all the neighbouring
garrisons attached to king Charles eight hundred or more combatants. To
these were added a multitude of peasants, as well from Beauvais as from
the adjacent parts,--and all of them hastened to meet and fight the
English.
Sir Thomas had heard from his scouts of their coming, and had drawn
up his men in battle-array, about a league off Beauvais, to wait for
them. They were on foot, having a wood on their rear, and sharp stakes
in front to prevent the horse from charging without great danger to
themselves. The French, nevertheless, began the attack, and very
severe it was on both sides, but, as they were on horseback, were soon
repulsed by the arrows of the archers, and thrown into confusion: the
English then, seizing their opportunity, rushed on them with such
courage that the enemy were defeated, very many being slain, and upward
of a hundred of these peasants made prisoners. They gained the field
of battle,--for the horsemen had retreated, very melancholy at their
loss, to Beauvais. Sir Thomas, rejoiced at his victory, carried his
prisoners and plunder safe to his garrison of Gournay.
The earl of Suffolk, about this time laid siege to the castle of
Aumale, of which the lord de Rambures was governor, having under him
six score combatants. The castle was surrounded on all sides; and
at the end of twenty-four days it was constrained to surrender, on
condition that the lord de Rambures and his men should have their lives
spared, with the exception of about thirty who were hanged, because
they had formerly taken oaths of fidelity to the English and had been
of their party. Soon afterward, the lord de Rambures was carried to
England, where he remained prisoner five or six years before he could
obtain his liberty. The castle was revictualled and regarrisoned. Thus
did the English regain, this year, many strong places which the French
had won, with scarcely any loss of men.
CHAP. LXXVIII.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY MARRIES, FOR THE THIRD TIME, THE LADY ISABELLA,
DAUGHTER TO THE KING OF PORTUGAL.
On the 9th day of January, in this year was solemnised in the city of
Bruges, in a house that had been expressly prepared for that purpose,
the marriage of Philip duke of Burgundy with the lady Isabella,
daughter to the king of Portugal. The feast was very grand and
magnificent: all the principal streets of the town were hung with rich
cloths and the finest tapestry; and there were present at it his two
sisters, the duchess of Bedford and duchess of Cleves, the countess of
Namur, the countess of Lielse, the countess of Conversan, sir John de
Luxembourg, the lady of Beaurevoir, the bishop of Liége, and many other
great lords and ladies.
These personages displayed the richest dresses, themselves, their
attendants and horses being each day clothed in different liveries,
more especially the bishop of Liége, John bastard de St Pol, sir John
d'Hornes and others. When the duchess landed (for she had been brought
by sea by one of her brothers, together with the ambassadors from the
duke of Burgundy, the principal of whom were the lord de Roubais and
master Gilles d'Escornay provost of Harlebecque,) near to Bruges, the
burghers in great pomp went out to meet her. They had with them one
hundred and sixty-four trumpets which sounded very melodiously.
With regard to the various entertainments, which were continued for
about eight days, it would take too much time to detail them. Suffice
it to say, that there was the greatest profusion of meats and wines,
and representations of unicorns and other beasts, from which flowed
rose-water, wines, and different liquors, for the entertainment of
the guests at this feast. The duke had never made such a display of
magnificence at any of his former marriages,--and this was the third.
There were tiltings, and various amusements, for many days, between
knights and esquires of name and renown; and this feast must have cost
the duke immense sums of money.
CHAP. LXXIX.
ESTIENNE DE VIGNOLLES, SURNAMED LA HIRE, SURPRISES AND TAKES THE TOWN
OF LOUVIERS, IN NORMANDY.
In these days, Estienne de Vignolles, surnamed La Hire, took the town
of Louviers, in Normandy, by surprise, having entered it with scaling
ladders. He had with him from five to six hundred men, who found
therein such plenty that they were greatly enriched. On their entrance,
about thirty townsmen, English and others, were killed. After the
capture, the majority of the inhabitants took the oaths of allegiance,
to whom La Hire restored their houses and the greater part of their
effects: the rest saved themselves as well as they could, leaving their
wealth behind them.
La Hire and his companions soon made a severe warfare on the districts
around, and at times even advanced as far as Rouen. The poor people
were much harrassed by them, to the great vexation of the English, for
at the time they could not assist them by reason of the more weighty
matters they had on hand.
CHAP. LXXX.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY INSTITUTES, THIS YEAR, THE ORDER OF THE GOLDEN
FLEECE.
In this year, the duke of Burgundy established, in honour of God and
St Andrew, whose cross he bore in his arms, an order or fraternity
of twenty-four knights without reproach, and gentlemen from four
generations, to each of whom he gave a collar of gold handsomely
wrought with his device, namely, 'Du Fusil,'--to each of which, collars
were suspended in front, like as great ladies wear crosses, clasps or
diamonds,--and in the centre thereof was a golden fleece, similar to
what Jason conquered in old times as is written in the history of Troy,
and which no Christian prince had ever before made use of. The duke,
therefore, called this order, The Order of the Golden Fleece.
He, in conjunction with his council selected twenty-four knights to
be of this order: the names of some of them follow First, the duke,
the founder, then William de Vienne lord de St George, sir Regnier Pot
lord de la Roche, the lord de Roubaise, the lord de Montagu, sir Roland
de Huquerque, sir Anthony du Vergy count de Dammartin, sir David de
Brimeu lord de Ligny, sir Hugh de Launoy lord de Santes, sir John lord
de Commines, sir Anthony de Toulongeon marshal of Burgundy, sir Petro
de Luxembourg count de Conversan, sir John de la Trimouille lord de
Jonvelles, sir John de Luxembourg lord de Beaurevoir, sir Gillebert de
Launoy lord de Villerval, sir John de Villiers lord de l'Isle-Adam,
sir Anthony lord de Croy and de Renty, sir Florimont de Brimeu lord
de Massincourt, sir Robert lord de Mamines, sir James de Brimeu lord
de Grigny, sir Baudouin de Launoy lord de Moulembais, sir Peter de
Bauffremont lord de Chargny, sir Philip lord de Ternant, sir John de
Crequi, sir John de Croy lord de Tours sur Marne.
These knights and their successors were, on receiving the order,
to enter into and sign solemn statutes and engagements for its
preservation, and the maintaining it in due splendour, which shall be
hereafter more fully detailed when the order shall have had its full
number of knights,--for after the first institution of it, many others
were added to those above named. The heirs of any knight were bounden,
on his decease, to deliver up the collar of the order to the duke of
Burgundy, for him to give it to another knight.
CHAP. LXXXI.
THE LORD DE CREVECOEUR AND SIR ROBERT DE SAVEUSES ARE ATTACKED BY THE
FRENCH ON THEIR MARCH TO CLERMONT IN THE BEAUVOISIS.
In the month of February of this year, the lord de Crevecoeur,
governor of Clermont in Beauvoisis, set out from Amiens to go thither,
accompanied by sir Robert de Saveuses and about eight score combatants,
as an escort to carts and cars laden with provision for Lent, and other
matters.
Having passed St Just, near to St Remy en l'Aire, they were watched
by the French, who knew of their coming and instantly attacked. The
leaders of the French were sir Theolde Valperghue, sir Regnault de
Fontaines, sir Louis de Vaucourt and others, having a much superior
force to the enemy. Notwithstanding this, the lords de Crevecoeur and
Saveuses dismounted with their men, the greater part of whom were
archers, and defended themselves valiantly for the space of four hours
or more, during which many men and horses were killed and severely
wounded on both sides. At length, the French seeing their loss, and
that they could not conquer the enemy, returned to their garrisons, and
the lord de Crevecoeur and sir Robert de Saveuses continued their march
to Clermont, where they remained until the ensuing year waiting for the
coming of the duke of Burgundy.
CHAP. LXXXII.
FIVE FRENCHMEN COMBAT FIVE BURGUNDIANS AT ARRAS,--AND OTHER MATTERS.
On the 20th of February, in this same year, a combat took place in the
great market-place at Arras, in the presence of the duke of Burgundy as
judge of the field, between five Frenchmen of the party of king Charles
and five Burgundians, who had challenged each other to break a certain
number of lances. The french knights were sir Theolde de Valperghue,
Poton de Saintrailles, sir Philibert d'Abrecy, sir William de Bes,
and l'Estandart de Nully: the Burgundians were sir Simon de Lalain,
the lord de Chargny, sir John de Vaulde, sir Nicolle de Menton and
Philibert de Menton.
This Tournament lasted five days; and a large spot was inclosed for
the purpose covered with sand, and the lists constructed with wood,
with a division so that the horses of the two knights could not run
against each other. The first day, sir Simon de Lalain and sir Theolde
de Valperghue performed gallantly against each other; but toward the
end sir Theolde and his horse were struck to the ground. In like manner
were the ensuing days employed, and very many lances were broken. The
lord de Chargny, however at the thirteenth course against sir Philibert
d'Abrecy, struck off the vizor of his helmet, and drove the lance into
his lace, so that he was instantly carried to his lodgings in the
utmost danger.
On the last day, sir l'Estandart de Nully was hit exactly in the
same manner, by the same Philibert de Menton, and, like the other
was conducted to his lodgings in such great pain that he could with
difficulty sit his horse: he had behaved with much gallantry, and had
broken several lances against his adversary.
The French were served with lances by an expert and active man at arms
called Alardin de Mousay, and most of the Burgundians by sir John de
Luxembourg. Each day the duke came to the seat prepared for him grandly
attended by his chivalry, and nobly dressed.
When this tournament was over, and the French had been well
entertained, and presented with handsome gifts by the duke, they
departed from the town of Arras for Compiègne, very disconsolate that
they had been so unsuccessful. They left the two wounded knights
behind, to be attended by the duke's surgeons, who in the end cured
them.
In these days, the French on the borders of Beauvoisis, on the river
Oise, made daily excursions against those of the Burgundy-party, who
returned the compliment, although a truce had been sworn to last until
the ensuing Easter; and these continual excursions caused the villages
and country to be nearly deserted.
Duke Philip of Burgundy summoned a large body of men at arms to meet
him at Peronne, where he and his duchess solemnised the feast of
Easter. This done, he marched them to Mondidier, where he remained some
days.
During these tribulations, the town and castle of Melun surrendered to
king Charles. It had been given in charge to the lord de Humieres, who
had appointed some of his brothers to defend it with a certain number
of men at arms, but the inhabitants rose against them and drove them
out of the town. King Charles and his party were much rejoiced at this
event, because they could, by means of its bridge, cross the Seine when
they pleased, and it was beside the strongest place in all that part of
the country.
[A. D. 1430.]
CHAP. LXXXIII.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY QUARTERS HIS ARMY AT GOURNAY SUR ARONDE.
At the commencement of this year, the duke of Burgundy marched his army
from Mondidier, and fixed his quarters at Gournay sur Aronde, in front
of the castle, which belonged to Charles de Bourbon count de Clermont,
his brother-in-law. He summoned Tristan de Maguillers, the governor, to
surrender, or he would storm it. Tristan, seeing he could no way hold
out against the duke's forces, concluded a treaty, by which he engaged
to yield it up on the first day of next August, if he was not before
relieved by king Charles or his party: he also promised, that neither
he himself nor his garrison would, during that time, make war on any of
the duke's partisans,--and by this means Tristan remained in peace.
This compromise had been hastily concluded, because the duke and sir
John de Luxembourg had received intelligence to be depended upon,
that the damoiseau de Commercy, Yvon du Puys and other captains, with
a very large force, had besieged the castle of Montagu. Commercy, to
whom this castle belonged, had marched thither secretly a great number
of combatants, with bombards, veuglaires and other warlike engines,
intending, by an unexpected and sharp assault, to recover the place;
but it was well defended by those whom sir John de Luxembourg had
placed therein. The principal leaders of the garrison were two notable
men at arms, one of whom was an englishman, and the other Georges de la
Croix.
They were frequently summoned to surrender, but would not listen to the
summons, for they had not a doubt but that they should be very shortly
succoured. At length, the besiegers having learnt that the duke of
Burgundy was marching against them, and that they must stand the chance
of a battle, were panic-struck, and so great was their fear that they
marched away about midnight for their own garrisons, leaving their
cannon, bombards, and all their stores behind. Information of this was
instantly dispatched to the duke and sir John de Luxembourg, who made
all diligence to attack them, and the duke marched his whole army to
Noyon.
In these days sir John de Luxembourg advanced against Beauvais, and on
the countries of the enemy, particularly against sir Louis de Vaucourt
and his men, who had remained there for a considerable time during the
winter, and set fire to a castle which they had repaired. The enemy
retired within the town of Beauvais; and sir John encamped before the
castle of Prouveulieu, which some Englishmen had refortified, and,
by their excursions from thence, frequently oppressed the town of
Mondidier, and the territories of the duke of Burgundy. They were soon
forced to submit to sir John, who had the greater part executed and the
rest sent to different prisons: having done this, he returned to the
duke of Burgundy at Noyon.
CHAP. LXXXIV.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY LAYS SIEGE TO THE CASTLE OF CHOISY, WHICH HE
CONQUERS IN A FEW DAYS.
When the duke of Burgundy had remained for about eight days in Noyon,
he departed, to lay siege to the castle of Choisy sur Oise, in which
was Louis de Flavy, holding it for sir William de Flavy. The duke's
engines did so much mischief to the walls of the castle that the
garrison capitulated, on being allowed to march away with their baggage
in safety. So soon as they had quitted the castle, it was demolished
and razed to the ground.
The duke built a bridge over the Oise, to enable himself and his army
to cross toward Compiègne on the side of Mondidier. During this time,
the lord de Saveuses and John de Brimeu had been appointed to guard the
suburbs of Noyon, with their men, and those of the lord Montgomery and
of other English captains quartered at Pont l'Evêque, to prevent the
garrison of Compiègne from cutting of the supplies from the duke's army.
It happened on a certain day, that those in Compiègne, namely, Joan
the Maid, sir James de Chabannes, sir Theolde de Valperghue, sir
Regnault de Fontaines, Poton de Saintrailles, and others of the French
captains, accompanied by about two thousand combatants, came to Pont
l'Evêque between day-break and sun-rise, and attacked the quarters
of the English with great courage. A sharp conflict took place; and
the lord de Saveuses with John de Brimeu, with their men, hastened to
their support, which renewed the vigour of the English; they together
repulsed the French, who had made good progress in their quarters.
About thirty were killed on each side,--and the French retreated to
Compiègne, whence they had come. The English from that day strengthened
their position on all sides, to avoid a similar attack.
Shortly afterward, John de Brimeu going to the duke of Burgundy
with about one hundred combatants, was suddenly attacked by a party
of French in the forest of Crespy in the Valois, who had come from
Attichy for this purpose, and to seek adventures, and without much
defence made prisoner. The reason of his being thus taken was because
his men followed in a file, and were unable to form into battle-array
until the attack had commenced. He was put into the hands of Poton de
Saintrailles, who, in the end, gave him his liberty on paying a heavy
ransom.
When the duke of Burgundy had demolished the castle of Choisy, he
quartered himself in the fortress of Coudun, within a league of
Compiègne, and sir John de Luxembourg was lodged in Claroi. Sir Baudo
de Noielle was ordered to post himself with a certain number of men at
arms on the causeway of Marigny, and the lord Montgomery and his men
were quartered along the meadows of La Venette. The duke was joined by
some reinforcements from his different countries, having the intention
to besiege the town of Compiègne, and reduce it to the obedience of
king Henry of England.
CHAP. LXXXV.