At the beginning of the month of May, a valiant man at arms named
Franquet of Arras, attached to the duke of Burgundy, was overthrown and
taken. He had made an excursion with about three hundred combatants
toward Lagny sur Marne, but, on his return, was met by Joan the Maid
and four hundred French. Franquet and his men attacked them valiantly
several times; and, by means of his archers whom he had dismounted,
made so vigorous a resistance that the Maid, finding they gained
nothing, sent hastily for succours from the garrisons of Lagny and
other castles under the dominion of king Charles. They came in great
numbers with culverines, cross-bows and other warlike instruments, so
that in the end the Burgundians, after doing great mischief to the
enemy's cavalry, were conquered, and the better part of them put to
the sword. The Maid even caused Franquet to be beheaded, whose death
was exceedingly lamented by his party,--for he was a man of most
valiant conduct.
CHAP. LXXXVI.
RÉNÉ DUKE OF BAR LAYS SIEGE TO CHAPPES, NEAR TO TROYES IN CHAMPAGNE.
About this period, the duke of Bar, called Réné of Sicily, collected
from his duchies of Lorraine and Bar, and the borders of Germany,
a considerable force of men at arms, commanded by that prudent and
valiant knight the lord de Barbasan, who, as has been said, was
detained by the English for a long time prisoner. The duke's troops
might amount to three or four thousand combatants; and he led them
to besiege the town of Chappes, three leagues from Troyes in which
were the lord d'Aumont, his brother and many warriors, who diligently
applied themselves to its defence.
They also sent to the lords of Burgundy, to entreat that they would
come to their aid in this time of need. In consequence, sir Anthony de
Toulongeon marshal of Burgundy, the count de Joigny, sir Anthony and
sir John du Vergy, the lord de Jonvelle, the lord de Chastellux, le
veau de Bar, and in general the greater part of the burgundian nobles,
to the number of four thousand combatants, assembled, and advanced
toward the quarters of the duke of Bar, to offer him battle.
The duke, knowing of their coming, was drawn up ready to receive them,
when the Burgundians were soon thrown into disorder, and returned to
their own country. About sixty were killed or taken: of the latter
number were the lord de Plansi and Charles de Rochefort. The lord
d'Aumore was also made prisoner, with several of his men, when sallying
out of the town to support his friends. His brother was likewise taken,
and he was forced to deliver up the castle to the duke of Bar, who
completely destroyed it.
CHAP. LXXXVII.
THE MAID IS TAKEN PRISONER BY THE BURGUNDIANS BEFORE COMPIÈGNE.
During the time that the duke of Burgundy was quartered at Coudun,
and his men at arms in the villages between Coudon and Compiègne, it
happened, that about five o'clock in the afternoon, on Ascension-eve,
the Maid, Poton and other valiant french captains, having with them
from five to six hundred combatants horse and foot, sallied out of
Compiègne by the gate of the bridge leading to Mondidier, with the
intent to attack the post of sir Baudo de Noielle, at the end of the
causeway of Marigny.
At this time, sir John de Luxembourg, the lord de Crequi, and eight or
ten gentlemen, but with very few attendants were with sir Baudo. They
had rode thither to consult with him on the best mode of directing
their attacks on Compiègne.
The French were very near to Marigny, before the greater part of the
men who were unarmed could prepare themselves; but they soon collected
together, and a severe conflict commenced,--during which the cries of
'To arms!' were echoed through all the english and burgundian quarters.
The english, who were encamped on the meads of Venette, formed
themselves into battle-array against the French, and were near five
hundred men.
On the other hand, sir John de Luxembourg's men quartered at Claroi,
hastened to the relief of their lord and captain, who was engaged in
the heat of the skirmish, and under whom the most part rallied. In this
encounter the lord de Crequi was dangerously wounded in the face.
After some time, the French, perceiving their enemies multiply so fast
on them, retreated toward Compiègne, leaving the Maid, who had remained
to cover the rear, anxious to bring back the men with little loss. But
the Burgundians, knowing that reinforcements were coming to them from
all quarters, pursued them with redoubled vigour, and charged them on
the plain. In the conclusion, as I was told, the Maid was dragged from
her horse by an archer, near to whom was the bastard de Vendôme, and to
him she surrendered and pledged her faith. He lost no time in carrying
her to Marigny, and put her under a secure guard. With her was taken
Poton the Burgundian, and some others, but in no great number.
The French re-entered Compiègne doleful and vexed at their losses, more
especially for the capture of Joan: while, on the contrary, the English
were rejoiced, and more pleased than if they had taken five hundred
other combatants, for they dreaded no other leader or captain so much
as they had hitherto feared the Maid.
The duke of Burgundy came soon after from Coudun to the meadows before
Compiègne, where he drew up his army, together with the English and the
troops from their different quarters, making a handsome appearance,
and with shoutings and huzzas expressed their joy at the capture of
the Maid. After this, the duke went to the lodgings where she was
confined, and spoke some words to her; but what they were I do not now
recollect although I was present.
The duke and the army returned to their quarters, leaving the Maid
under the guard of sir John de Luxembourg, who shortly after sent her,
under a strong escort, to the castle of Beaulieu, and thence to that
of Beaurevoir, where she remained, as you shall hear, a prisoner for a
long time.
CHAP. LXXXVIII.
YOUNG KING HENRY OF ENGLAND DISEMBARKS AT CALAIS AND COMES TO FRANCE.
In this year, king Henry of England, then about eight years of age,
disembarked about ten o'clock in the morning of St George's day, from
his vessel at Calais. Having mounted his horse, he went to hear mass
at the church of St Nicholas attended by the cardinal of Winchester,
the duke of York, the earls of Huntingdon, Warwick, Stafford, Arundel
and Suffolk, the counts de Bonneterre, de Hemme, the lords de Roye, de
Beaumont, d'Escaillon, de Grez, and many more.
He was likewise accompanied by master Pierre de Cauchon, bishop of
Beauvais, who had been sent to meet him. His attendants then followed;
and he was escorted from Calais to Rouen by his army, where he remained
a long time.
CHAP. LXXXIX.
AFTER THE CAPTURE OF THE MAID, THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY ENCAMPS HIS ARMY
BEFORE COMPIÈGNE.
On the morrow of the feast of the Ascension, the duke of Burgundy
changed his quarters from Coudun to La Venette, where he was lodged
in the abbey, and his men in the town and near to it. Sir John de
Luxembourg was quartered at Marigny. They had soon erected an earthen
bulwark within a bow-shot from the outworks of Compiègne, and huts of
wood and earth were built still nearer to the ramparts, in which men at
arms kept guard day and night. They had a deep ditch of communication
sunk from the bulwark to these huts, so that the guard could safely
pass and repass, without fear of the guns from the walls, which were
continually firing.
The duke had some large engines pointed against the gates of the town,
which, by the huge stones they cast, did great damage to the gates,
bridges and mills: some of the last were rendered quite useless, to the
great distress of the inhabitants. Among other mischiefs done by these
machines, a young gentleman of twenty-two years old, called Louis de
Flavy, son to sir William de Flavy governor of Compiègne, was struck
dead. All present were much grieved at this accident on account of sir
William, who, although he was much affected, concealed his feelings, to
avoid discouraging his men, and soon after, by way of heartening them,
caused his minstrels to sound before him as usual; and ordered the
ramparts to be more diligently defended notwithstanding they had been
greatly damaged by these engines.
There had been constructed within the ditch small wooden huts, in which
the guard were sheltered from danger. Some mines were also begun on
by orders of sir John de Luxembourg, which, though very deep and well
concealed, were of little service, but had cost much.
While these different measures were pursuing, many skirmishes took
place, in which the besiegers had numbers killed and wounded. The
principal persons among the dead were sir John de Belles, knight,
Alain d'Escaussines, Thibault de Caitigines, and many others, as well
Burgundians as English.
CHAP. XC.
THE LIEGEOIS RAISE A LARGE ARMY, AND INVADE THE COUNTRY OF NAMUR.
At this time, the Liegeois were instigated by some arrogant men
attached to the party of king Charles, such as John de Beaurain, John
de Saumain, Everard de la Marche, with others, and, by the hatred and
malice they had long borne the duke of Burgundy on account of former
quarrels, which have been already detailed in the preceding part of
this work, to rise in arms, and invade the territories of the duke,
more especially the county of Namur, and despoil it. John de Heneberg,
their bishop, remonstrated with them strongly on this subject; but
his attempts to dissuade them from executing their plans were vain,
although he plainly shewed that very great misfortunes might befall
Liége in consequence. The Liegeois were much displeased with these
remonstrances, and being determined to pursue hostile measures against
the duke of Burgundy, the bishop considered, that should he not take
part and support them, he might be deprived of his bishoprick. He
therefore, having advised with his council, resolved to save his own
honour, by sending letters of defiance to the duke before he made war
upon him. The tenour of these letters was as follows.
'Most high, most noble, and most puissant prince Philip, duke of
Burgundy, count of Artois, Flanders and Burgundy, palatine of Namur, &c.
'Notwithstanding that I, John de Heneberg, bishop of Liége and count
de Loz, in virtue of certain statements that have passed between us,
have made frequent applications to you for reparation according to
the claims declared in these aforesaid statements, which have been
but little attended to, and that divers great and abominable outrages
have been committed by your captains and servants on my country and
subjects, which, if it may please you to remember, have been fully
detailed in the complaints that were made to you thereon.
'Nevertheless, most high, noble and puissant prince, although your
answers have been very gracious, and although you declare your
intentions of preserving a good understanding between us, your promises
have hitherto been without effect; and these matters are now so much
entangled with others, no wise concerning them, that it is very
grievous to us, and most highly displeasing.
'Most high, noble and puissant prince, you must, in your wisdom, know,
that by reason of my oath to remain faithful to my church and country,
it behoves me to support and defend their rights against all who may
attempt to infringe them, with the whole force I shall be possessed of.
'For this reason, most high, noble and puissant prince, after my humble
salutations and excuses, I must again inform you of these things, and,
should they be continued, opposition will be made thereto, so that my
honour may be preserved.
'Given under my seal, appended to these presents, the 10th day of July,
in the year 1430.' Then signed, by command of my lord, 'J. Berrard.'
In like manner were challenges sent to the duke from different lords,
allies and friends of the bishop, namely, the count de Beaurienne,
Picard de la Grace lord de Quinquempoix, Rasse de Rabel, Gerard
d'Edevant, John de Valle, Henry de Gayel, John de Boilleur, John de la
Barre, John de Gemblais, Corbeau de Belle-Goule, Thierry Ponthey, and
several others.
CHAP. XCI.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY SENDS THE LORD DE CROY TO THE COUNTY OF NAMUR
AGAINST THE LIEGEOIS.
When the duke of Burgundy learnt that the bishop of Liége and the
Liegeois were preparing to invade his county of Namur, he determined
with his council to send thither the lord de Croy to guard and defend
the town and castle of Namur, and the whole of that country. The lord
de Croy, in consequence, departed from before Compiègne, having
about eight hundred men under his command, and entered Namur, where
the Liegeois had already commenced the war, by taking of Beaufort and
setting fire to it.
The lord de Croy remained inactive in Namur, for about ten days: after
this, he began his operations, by the storming of the town of Fosse,
which he burnt, with the exception of the monastery. On the ensuing
day, from forty to eighty Liegeois were put to death at Florennes, and
forty made prisoners.
With the lord de Croy were his brother sir John de Croy, the lords de
Mainsnèe, de Rambures, de Fauquemberg and de d'Juselle, le Galois de
Roly, the lord de Framesant, Robert de Neufville and other nobles. The
lord de Rambures was ordered to Polvache, where in a sally, he was
mortally wounded and made prisoner. The lord de Senlis was then sent
thither, who surrendered the place to the Liegeois, and they set fire
to and burnt it.
The Liegeois were led by their bishop, and amounted to fifty thousand
men. When they had gained Polvache, they laid siege to Bouvines, and
took and burnt Golesme. While they were thus engaged, the lord de Croy
made frequent attacks on them, and in these different skirmishes slew
and took from seven to eight hundred.
CHAP. XCII.
THE EARL OF HUNTINGDON COMES TO THE AID OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY BEFORE
COMPIÈGNE.
About this time, the earl of Huntingdon, de Robersac, and others, with
a thousand archers from England, came to the assistance of the duke
of Burgundy before Compiègne. They were quartered in the town of la
Venette, where the duke had lodged before he had moved to the fort
between Compiègne and Marigny: the duke's men were posted at Marigny,
whence the governor, sir John de Luxembourg, and his people had
dislodged and gone to Soissons, which, through some connexions he had
in the town had surrendered to him, with other places in those parts.
On the arrival of the earl of Huntingdon, the lord Montgomery marched
his English back to Normandy. The duke of Burgundy laboured diligently
day and night, to destroy a rampart in front of the town-bridge, which
much annoyed his men, and which had held out for upwards of two months.
At length by an unexpected attack made at night it was won, and from
eight to ten men taken in it, who made no great defence although well
supplied with stores.
After its capture, the ditches were filled, and its batteries turned
against the town, and manned by a strong force of men at arms. During
the assault, some were drowned in the Oise from being in too great a
hurry to escape.
The duke had a bridge thrown over the Oise near to la Venette, and
well guarded, which the English and Burgundians frequently crossed in
their excursions to skirmish with the French near to Pierrefons. The
earl of Huntingdon one day passed this bridge with all the English,
and advanced to Crespy in the Valois, and thence to Sainctrines, which
submitted to his obedience. He then marched to quarter himself for
the night at Verberie, and made a sharp attack on the church whither
the peasants had retreated, who in the end were constrained to yield
themselves to his mercy. He hanged one of them, called Jean de d'Ours,
who was their leader, because he had refused to obey his first summons.
The rest of the peasants escaped by paying ransoms, and losing all
their effects. The earl then returned with what he had gained to his
quarters before Compiègne.
During all this time, the lord de Crevecoeur and Robert de Saveuses
remained with their men at Clermont in the Beauvoisis, to guard that
frontier against the French in Creil and Beauvais, and to prevent the
escorts with wine and other necessaries going to the duke's army, from
being cut off.
The duchess of Burgundy had fixed her residence with her household
at Noyon, whence she from time to time visited her lord the duke.
The period for the surrender of Gournay now approached, and the duke
marched his army thither to keep the appointment: he was accompanied by
the duke of Norfolk and the earl of Huntingdon, with about a thousand
combatants, to support him, should there be occasion; but when the day
came, no one from the french king appeared: the governor, therefore,
seeing no hope of succour, yielded the place into the hands of the duke
of Burgundy, who made the lord de Crevecoeur governor of it.
The duke then returned to his siege of Compiègne with the earl of
Huntingdon, having left a sufficiency of men at arms to keep the
garrison in check, and to guard his camp. The duke of Norfolk went to
Paris.
CHAP. XCIII.
AN ADVENTURER NAMED TOUMELAIRE, WITH SOME OF THE TOWNSMEN OF RHEIMS,
LAYS SIEGE TO THE CASTLE OF CHAMPIGNEUX
In these days, an adventurer called Toumelaire, whom king Charles had
appointed provost of Laon, having collected five or six hundred men
from the town of Rheims and that neighbourhood, led them to besiege the
castle of Champigneux, in which were some English and Burgundians that
much harrassed the country of Champagne.
He instantly laid close siege to it on all sides, expecting to gain
possession thereof; but that did not happen, for within a few days,
William Corain, an Englishman, and Georges de la Croix, then at
Montagu, assembled as many men as they could, and, without delay, gave
battle to these peasants, who unable to make any good defence, were
soon conquered, and the greater part killed or taken.
Toumelaire, however, and some others escaped; but there remained from
six to seven score dead on the field, and a party of them were burnt
in a house whither they had retreated. They left behind many cannons,
cross-bows, and other warlike stores, which they had brought with them.
William Corain and Georges de la Croix, having repaired the castle,
returned to Montagu much rejoiced at their victory.
CHAP. XCIV.
THE DEATH OF PHILIP DUKE OF BRABANT. THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY TAKES
POSSESSION OF HIS DUCHY.
At this time, duke Philip of Brabant, who had for a long time before
been in a languishing state, died in the town of Louvain. Some of his
domestics were suspected of having caused his death, and several of
them were severely tortured, in divers manners, to force them to a
confession; but the matter was not the more cleared up. Physicians
declared, that he died of a natural death, occasioned by excesses in
his younger years in tilting and other things. He was buried by the
side of his ancestors.
His death was soon notified to the duke of Burgundy at the siege of
Compiègne, because the nobles of the duchy of Brabant and the greater
part of the commonalty considered him as the lawful successor to the
late duke Philip, for he had never been married; while others said,
that the countess-dowager of Hainault, aunt to these two dukes, was the
nearest of kin, and of course that the succession was hers.
The duke of Burgundy, on hearing of this event, appointed some of his
most confidential captains to carry on the siege of Compiègne, namely,
sir James de Brimeu marshal of the army, sir Hugh de Launoy, the lord
de Saveuses and some others, who were to co-operate with the earl of
Huntingdon and his Englishmen. He likewise sent messengers with letters
to recal sir John de Luxembourg from the Soissonois, and to entreat
that he would, without delay, return to Compiègne to take the chief
command of the army, relating to him, at the same time, the event that
had happened, and the necessity there was for him to set out instantly
for Brabant.
When these matters were done, the duke of Burgundy having provided
every thing for the continuance of the siege, and well garrisoned the
great fort opposite to the gate of the town, of which he made sir Baudo
de Noyelle captain, he first took leave of the earl of Huntingdon and
set out for Noyon. He thence, after some days, went to Lille, and
having held a council of his most confidential advisers, resolved to
take possession of the duchy of Brabant and its dependancies.
The duchess of Burgundy, when the duke left her, returned to the
country of Artois. The duke was received in all the towns of Brabant
as their lord, although the countess-dowager of Hainault, as I have
said before, laid claim to the succession of duke Philip; but when
she considered the great power of the duke of Burgundy, and that the
nobility and principal towns had acknowledged him for their lord, she
desisted from further pursuing it.
At the same time, the lady of Luxembourg, sister to count Waleran,
now advanced in years, and who was at the castle of Beaurevoir,
under the wardship of sir John de Luxembourg, her nephew, seized and
took possession, in his name, of all the lordships that had formerly
belonged to the said count Waleran, her brother, and which were now
again escheated to her, as the heiress, by her father's side, to her
fair nephew the duke of Brabant, lately deceased. All the oaths of
the officers were renewed to her,--and from that time she was called
the countess of Ligny, and of St Pol. From her great affection to her
nephew, sir John de Luxembourg, she bequeathed to him the greater part
of these estates after her decease, which was very displeasing to the
count de Conversan lord d'Enghien, elder brother to sir John, and they
had many quarrels concerning it,--however, in the end, they made up
their differences, and were good friends.
CHAP. XCV.
SIR JOHN DE LUXEMBOURG TAKES THE COMMAND OF THE SIEGE OF
COMPIÈGNE.--THE ORDERS HE GIVES,--AND OTHER EVENTS.
Soon after the departure of the duke of Burgundy from the siege of
Compiègne. Sir John de Luxembourg and his men arrived, and he took the
chief command of the siege, according to the commands of the duke. He
lost no time in strengthening the fort in front of the bridge, and
erected two smaller ones on the river toward Noyon: the command of one
he gave to Guy de Roye and Aubert de Folleville,--and that of the other
to a common man from the Boulonois, named Branart, who had under him
some genoese and portuguese cross-bows, and other foreigners.
Having done this, sir John crossed the river by the bridge at la
Venette, and went to lodge at the abbey of Royaulieu. He was followed
by sir James de Brimeu marshal of the army, sir Hugh de Launoy, the
lord de Crequi, the lords de Saveuses, de Humieres, sir Daviod de Poix,
Ferry de Mailly, sir Florimont de Brimeu and several other noble men,
who were lodged as well in the abbey as in the village, which was much
deserted, and among the vineyards and gardens in that neighbourhood.
The earl of Huntingdon remained in his quarters at la Venette. During
this time the besieged made many sallies on foot and on horseback, when
some were killed and wounded on both sides, but in no great number.
This caused the besiegers to erect another great fort a bow-shot and a
half distant from the town, near to the gate of Pierrefons, the guard
of which was given to the marshal, the lord de Crequi, sir Florimont
de Brimeu, having under them three hundred combatants: they lodged
themselves within it before it was quite finished, and remained there a
long time.
The besieged now suffered severely from famine, and no provisions were
to be had in the town for money, since, for the space of four months,
none had been publicly sold in the markets. Several messengers were in
consequence sent to the marshal de Bousac, to the count de Vendôme, and
to other captains of king Charles, to inform them of their distress,
and to require instant aid if they wished to save the town and its
inhabitants.