Saintrailes, Theolde de Valperghue, and other french leaders, laid
siege to Proissy sur Oise, in which was the bastard de Chevereuse, with
about forty combatants. They were soon forced to submit, and the most
part were put to death by the guisarmes of the marshal, and the castle
totally demolished. In like manner were subjected the strong monastery
of Cathu le Chastel, and some other places, and those found within them
were generally put to death. The marshal and his companions, however,
did not make any attempt on the besieging army of Compiègne, as is
usual in similar cases, until the last, when the siege was raised, as
shall be hereafter told.
At this period, the duke of Norfolk, commanded a powerful army in the
countries bordering on Paris, and subjected many towns to the obedience
of king Henry, such as Dammartin and others. On the other hand, the
earl of Stafford took by storm the town of Bray-comte-Robert: the
castle, which was exceedingly strong, immediately surrendered. The earl
then crossed the Seine, and foraged the whole country so far as Sens in
Burgundy, and returned with a great booty to the place whence he had
set out, without meeting with the least opposition, or even seeing the
enemy. He took, soon after, Le Quene en Brie, Grand Puys and Rappelton:
he had four score handed of those whom he found in Le Quene.
He also took the strong tower of Bus, which, with the other places,
were dismantled. Sir James de Milly and sir John de la Have were in
Bray-comte-Robert, when it was taken, and made prisoners, but afterward
obtained their liberty by paying a large ransom.
CHAP. XCVI.
THE PRINCE OF ORANGE IS CONQUERED BY THE FRENCH.
On Trinity-day in this year, the prince of Orange, having assembled
about twelve hundred fighting men marched them into Languedoc, where he
gained many castles from the partisans of king Charles. He did the same
in Dauphiny, which displeased the king and his council so much that
they resolved to oppose him, and that the lord de Gaucour, governor of
Dauphiny, sir Ymbert de Grolée, seneschal of Lyons, and Roderick de
Villandres, should collect their forces, and with the loyal nobles and
gentlemen defend the country against these Burgundians. On mustering
their forces, they amounted to about sixteen hundred combatants, whom
they marched to lay siege to a castle called Colomier, which in a short
time submitted to them.
In the mean time, the prince of Orange had retreated, knowing that
his enemies, with a superior force, had taken the field and moreover
had won a castle garrisoned by his men. He lost no time in sending
messengers with letters to the nobles and gentry in Burgundy, and to
his friends and allies, to request aid. He was so diligent that, within
few days, he collected very many of the nobles, whom he led to those
parts where he knew the enemy was, in hopes of regaining the castle of
Colomier.
The French having been apprised by their spies of the coming of the
Burgundians, had made preparations for receiving them, and in handsome
array advanced to meet them, which they did between Colomier and
Autane. The Burgundians, having a wood to pass through, could not
immediately form in battle-array, nor instantly resist the vigorous
charge of the French. The combat was however, severe, and the victory
long disputed. Among those who were dismounted on the part of the
Burgundians was a valiant knight called sir Louis de la Chapelle: he
was soon slain, and the French remained masters of the field by the
defeat of the enemy.
Two or three hundred were left dead of the Burgundians and six score,
or more made prisoners. The principal among the last were the lord de
Bussy, son to the lord de St Georges, the lord de Varembon, whose nose
was cut off by a stroke of a sword, sir John Louis son to the lord
de Conches, the lord de la Frete, Thibault de Rougemont, the lord de
Ruppes, the lord d'Escabonne, sir John de Vienne, the lord de Raix,
John de Baudè, sir Duc de Sicon, Gerard de Beauvoir and others, to the
number before stated.
On the day of battle, many of the Burgundians, to the amount of sixteen
or eighteen hundred combatants, fled in great disorder, the principal
were the prince of Orange, (who was pursued as far as Autane, wherein
with difficulty he saved himself) the count de Fribourg, the lord de
Montagu, by name sir John de Neuf-Chastel, who bore the order of the
Golden Fleece, but of which he was afterward deprived, the lord de
Pesmes, and many more notable gentlemen, who fled different ways.
This engagement, in which Roderick de Villandras, who commanded the van
of the French behaved most gallantly, took place about eight o'clock in
the morning. When the business was over, the French assembled together
in great joy, and returned thanks and praises to the Creator for the
happy issue of the day. In consequence of this victory, they won many
towns and castles from the Burgundians: one was Aubrune, belonging to
the prince of Orange, which after its capture was demolished.
CHAP. XCVII.
THE FRENCH MARCH TO COMPIÈGNE AND RAISE THE SIEGE.
The earl of Huntingdon and John de Luxembourg laboured long at the
siege Compiègne, and, by cutting off all provision from entering the
town, and by their continued attacks from the forts, were in daily
hopes of forcing the garrison to submit to their will. But on the
Tuesday before All-Saints' day the French, to the number of four
thousand fighting men, under the command of the marshal de Bousac,
the count de Vendôme, sir James de Chabannes, Poton de Saintrailles,
sir Regnault de Fontaines, the lord de Longueval, sir Louis de
Vaucourt, Alain Giron and other captains, who had frequently been most
earnestly pressed by William de Flavy, the governor, and inhabitants of
Compiègne, to come to their assistance, at length quartered themselves
at La Verberie, attended by a multitude of peasants with spades,
mattocks, saws, and other implements, to repair the roads which the
Burgundians had destroyed, by felling down trees, digging deep ditches,
and various other hindrances to the march of an army.
The besiegers were soon made acquainted with their arrival, and a
council was holden of the chiefs, to consider whether it would be
more advantageous to advance and offer them battle or wait for them
in their entrenchments. Many were for fighting them before they
proceeded further; but others offered solid reasons why it would be
better to strengthen their camp and wait their arrival,--adding, that
should they quit the siege, to march to the French, and leave their
forts unprotected, the besieged who were impatient to get out of their
distressed situation, would demolish them, or at least they would
make their escape from the town to a place of safety. This had such
weight that the majority of the council agreed to it; and they resolved
unanimously to wait the event, and exert themselves to the utmost to
resist their enemies.
The following orders were issued. The earl of Huntingdon was to cross
the river very early on the morrow, Wednesday, with his Englishmen,
at the new bridge, and march to Royaulieu, where he was to draw up in
order of battle, with sir John de Luxembourg, leaving in the abbey of
La Venette, which was strong, all useless hands, with the horses and
baggage, with a few of his men to guard them and defend the passage of
the bridge.
Item, all carts, cars, merchandise and stores were to be secured in
the abbey of Royaulieu, and the guard of it was given to sir Philip de
Fosseux and the lord de Cohen.
Item, sir James de Brimeu with three hundred combatants were to remain
in their fort, on promise from the lords, that should they be attacked,
they would hasten to their support, having agreed on the signal they
were to make, should they require aid.
Item, it was ordered, that the grand fort near the bridge of Marigny
should be on a similar footing, as well as the two smaller ones on the
river side toward Cleroi.
When these orders had been issued, the captains retired to their tents,
and exhorted their men to be ready prepared on the morrow to meet the
enemy. A strong guard was also ordered, of horse as well as foot, for
the night, at all the avenues likely to be attacked.
On the morrow, in conformity to these regulations, the earl of
Huntingdon marched six hundred English to join sir John de Luxembourg
in order of battle between Royaulieu and the adjoining forest, near
which they expected the enemy would advance. The remainder of the army
posted themselves at the different quarters ready to defend them should
they be attempted.
The French in Verberie took the field at break of day; and, by orders
from the marshal de Bousac and other captains, a detachment of about
one hundred men were sent toward Choisy, with provision to throw into
the town, and exhort the garrison to make a strong sally against the
enemy's fort.
On the other hand, Poton de Saintrailles, with two or three hundred
combatants, advanced by the high road toward Pierrefons, to attack that
fort, while the marshal, the count de Vendôme, and the other leaders,
marched across the Oise, when, having passed the forest, they drew up
in array about a bow-shot and a half distant from the Burgundians: they
were all on horseback, with the reserve of some guisarmes and inferior
people.
The English and Burgundians were on foot, excepting a few that had been
ordered to remain on horseback. Sir John de Luxembourg then created
some new knights, such as Andrew lord de Humieres, Ferry de Mailly,
L'Aigle de Sains, Gilles de Saucourt and others. With sir John de
Luxembourg were Hugh de Launoy lord de Xaintes, the lord de Saveuses,
sir Daviod de Poix, sir John de Fosseux and many nobles impatient for
the combat,--which could not well take place, for the French were on
horseback and themselves on foot, and besides it was necessary that
they should be in readiness to succour their forts if attacked.
There were nevertheless many skirmishes in the course of the day; in
one of them, the count de Vendôme was repulsed, but no great damage
was done on either side. However a valiant man at arms attached to the
marshal de Bousac, having charged the picard archers, thinking that he
was followed by his men, was instantly pulled off his horse by these
archers, and cruelly put to death.
In the mean time the detachment that had been sent to Choisy announced
the arrival and plans of their friends to the besieged, who, rejoiced
at the news, and with a fervour of courage arising therefrom, as well
as from hatred to those who had caused them such distress, made a
numerous sally from the town, with scaling ladders and other warlike
instruments, to attack the grand fort, in which were the marshal,
sir James de Brimeu, and the lord de Crequi. They made a gallant
defence and repulsed them into the town, but, fresh men rushing out,
recommenced the assault, which lasted a long time,--but, as in the
former one, they were again driven out of the ditches which were not
deep nor wide, for, as I have said, the works had not been completed.
At this moment, Poton de Saintrailles advanced with his men from the
forest and, near the high road leading to Pierrefons, joined those from
the town and, thus united, made a fresh attack on this fort. William
de Flavy was very active himself, and encouraged his men to do their
duty; and even the women assisted greatly, no way sparing themselves to
annoy their adversaries.
Notwithstanding the courage of the Burgundians, the fort was stormed in
spite of their defence, and upward of eight score warriors were slain,
the principal of whom were the lord de Ligniers, knight, Archambault de
Brimeu, Guillaume de Poilly, Druot de Sonis, Lyonnel de Touleville and
many other gentlemen. Those made prisoners were instantly carried into
Compiègne, namely, sir James de Brimeu marshal of the duke's household,
the lord de Crequi, sir Florimon de Brimeu, sir Valerian de Beauval,
Arnoul de Crequi, Colart de Bertanecourt, lord de Rolepot, Regnauit
de Saincts, Thierry de Mazingien de Reteslay, the bastard de Remy and
other noblemen, who, after some time obtained their liberties by paying
great ransoms.
Sir John de Luxembourg having promised his friends succour if they
were attacked, hearing what was passing, was desirous of fulfilling
his engagement, and going thither with his whole power, but he was
advised to remain where he was lest the enemy should take advantage of
his absence, and worse happen. This induced him to remain, and the day
passed away.
The marshal de Bousac, the count de Vendôme and the other captains, now
entered the town of Compiègne with their men, where they were joyously
received,--but from the great scarcity of provision suffered much that
night from want of food. They, however, consoled themselves with their
good success, and heartily congratulated each other thereon, expecting
on the morrow to drive away the enemy from before the town.
They constructed in haste a bridge of boats, by which they crossed
the river to attack a fort on its banks, guarded by forty or fifty
combatants, Genoese, Portuguese and other foreigners, which was
quickly won, and all within put to death, except a common man from the
Boulonois, very expert in arms, named Branart, who was carried prisoner
into the town of Compiègne.
Aubert de Folleville, who commanded in another fort hard by, observing
what was passing, and fearing to be stormed, set fire to his works,
and retreated to the quarters of the English. The French made a grand
attack on the fourth fort, at the end of the bridge, which was of some
continuance. Sir Baudo de Noyelle guarded it so well, and had such
a force of men at arms and artillery that the enemy was obliged to
withdraw into the town, seeing they could not then succeed in taking it.
It was late in the evening, when the French retreated into Compiègne,
vespers having sounded some time. The earl of Huntingdon and sir John
de Luxembourg, knowing they should not be attacked that evening, called
a council of the principal captains to consult on their situation and
determine how they were to act. It was resolved that, on returning to
their quarters, they should that night sleep in their armour, and, on
the morrow, draw up in battle-array before the town, to see if their
adversaries were inclined to combat them, expecting from the great
dearth of provision they could not remain in such numbers therein
without making some sallies.
When this had been settled, the earl of Huntingdon with his English
returned to their quarters at la Venette: he promised to have the
bridge well guarded, so that none of their men should go away without
leave. Sir John de Luxembourg retreated with his force to Royaulieu,
and established a strong guard round his quarters, but, notwithstanding
this, a great part of his men collected together, and took upon them to
depart without sound of trumpet, and go whither they pleased. The most
of them crossed this bridge, which, although promised, had not been
sufficiently guarded. With them went also some of the earl's men.
When the captains heard of this, they changed the plan they had
determined on the preceding evening, namely, to appear in battle-array
before the town; and sir John de Luxembourg, and the others, made
preparations to pass the Oise with the earl of Huntingdon. This was
done on the Thursday morning early,--on which day the French sallied
out of Compiègne in great force, sending forward scouts to learn what
was become of the enemy, who soon found they had marched off; and when
this was made known to those who had sent them, they and their men were
greatly rejoiced.
They hastily made for the abbey of Royaulieu, wherein they found plenty
of provision and wines, which they devoured till they were satisfied,
and made excellent cheer, for it had cost them nothing. Finding the
English and Burgundians were decamped, the better-armed part of the
French went to the bridge near la Venette, which they destroyed without
any great opposition, and threw it into the river in sight of the
enemy, abusing them with many villanous expressions; for the French
were now no longer afraid of the Burgundians hurting them, since the
bridge was demolished.
They also this day made a serious attack, with all the large cannon
from the town, on the fort commanded by Baudo de Noyelle, which damaged
it much. But the earl of Huntingdon and sir John de Luxembourg, having
again advised with their captains, concluded, that as it was impossible
at that moment to withstand their enemies with hopes of success, or to
keep their men together, it was advisable to withdraw to Noyon, and
thence to dismiss their men to their homes. In consequence, they sent
orders to sir Baudo to set fire to his fort, and march away, which he
punctually obeyed.
The Burgundians decamped about vespers, in a very disorderly manner,
for Pont l'Evêque, shamefully leaving behind in their quarters, and in
the large fort, a great number of huge bombards, cannon, culverines,
veuglaires, with other artillery and very many stores, belonging to the
duke of Burgundy,--all of which fell into the hands of their enemies.
Sir John de Luxembourg was vexed at heart at this retreat but he could
not avoid it. On the Saturday, they left Pont l'Evêque, and went to
Roye, and thence, without making any stay, each departed to his own
country, or to different garrisons.
The garrison of Compiègne, on their departure, repaired the bridge
over the Oise, and issued in large bodies, with displayed banners,
over those parts that had been possessed by the enemy, bringing back
all stragglers, whom they put to death. They burnt many buildings and
villages, committing great cruelties in a short time, so that they were
dreaded by the country round, and scarcely any person would, from fear
of them, venture out of the fortified towns or castles.
In short, they created such terror that the following places
surrendered to them, without waiting for an attack or striking a blow,
namely, Ressons sur Mas, Gournay sur Aronde, le Pont de Remy, le Pont
de St Maixence, Longueil Sainte Marie, the town and strong castle
of Bertheuil, the castle of Leigny les Chastigniers, the tower of
Vermeil, and others, in which they found abundance of wealth. Having
regarrisoned them, they sorely harrassed the adjoining countries, more
especially those parts that were of the english or burgundian party.
CHAP. XCVIII.
THE MARSHAL DE BOUSAC LAYS SIEGE TO THE CASTLE OF CLERMONT IN THE
BEAUVOISIS.
While these things were passing, the marshal de Bousac collected a
great part of the French who had raised the siege of Compiègne, and
marched away, with cannon and other artillery, to lay siege to the
castle of Clermont in the Beauvoisis, at the instigation of some of the
townsmen of Beauvais, wherein he and his men were lodged.
The lord de Crevecoeur, his brother Jean de Barentin, the bastard
Lamon, with about fifty combatants, were in the castle, and vigorously
defended it against the French, who made many assaults, but in vain.
Several of their men were killed and wounded: nevertheless, they
continued the siege for about twelve days; at which time, Boort de
Buyentin, with ten combatants and a trumpet, secretly entered the
castle during the night, by a postern that opened to a vineyard, to
assure the lord de Crevecoeur that he would very shortly be relieved.
This was true; for the earl of Huntingdon, who had lately retreated
to Gournay in Normandy, again took the field, having with him sir
John bastard of St Pol, and a thousand fighting men, with the intent
to raise the siege. The French hearing of this, marched off one
morning very early, leaving behind them the cannon they had brought
from Compiègne. They returned to their garrisons, and with them many
Burgundians from Clermont who had joined their party. The lord de
Crevecoeur was well pleased at their departure.
CHAP. XCIX.
A LARGE BODY OF ENGLISH AND BURGUNDIANS, ON THEIR MARCH TO BESIEGE
GUERBIGNY, ARE ATTACKED AND CONQUERED BY THE FRENCH.
Duke Philip of Burgundy was in Brabant when he heard that the French
had forced his men to raise the siege of Compiègne. He was much
troubled thereat, as well for the loss of his troops in killed and
wounded as for the great sums of money he had expended on this siege.
He, however, made preparations to return to Artois with all the men at
arms he had with him, and summoned his nobles to assemble as large a
force as they possibly could.
The duke advanced to Peronne, and sent forward sir Thomas Kiriel, an
Englishman, James de Helly, sir Daviod de Poix, Anthony de Vienne,
and other captains, with five or six hundred combatants, by way of
vanguard, to post themselves at Lihons in Santerre. The duke, in the
mean time, was preparing to follow them, having intentions to lodge at
Guerbigny, to wait for the arrival of the main body of his men; for
the French had possession of the castle, whence they much annoyed the
country.
It happened that these captains whom the duke had sent in advance,
dislodged one morning from their quarters at Lihons, and took the road
toward Guerbigny, in separate bodies, without keeping any order on
their march, or sending scouts forward, as experienced men at arms
always do, more especially when near their adversaries.
Gerard bastard de Brimeu, the governor of Roye, now joined them
with about forty combatants, and they advanced together to a town
called Bouchoire. On their march, they put up many hares, which they
pursued with much hooting and hallowing, for their captains were very
inattentive in not preserving better order,--and many of them had not
even put on their armour, for which neglect they suffered severely, as
you shall hear.
This same day, Poton de Saintrailles had arrived very early at
Guerbigny, and taking the garrison with him, advanced into the open
country. He had altogether full twelve hundred fighting men, the
greater part well experienced in war, whom he led toward Lihons
in Santerre, and prudently sent his scouts before him. These, on
approaching Bouchoire, heard the shoutings, and saw the state of the
enemy, and returned with all haste to give an account of what they had
seen and heard.
Poton, on learning this, ordered his men instantly to prepare
themselves, and led them straight to the enemy, admonishing them to do
their duty well against adversaries no way in a state for the combat.
Poton and his men advancing thus suddenly, and with a great noise,
charged the enemy, and soon threw them into confusion: most part of
them were unhorsed by the lances of the French. The leaders, however,
and some others, rallied under the banner of sir Thomas Kiriel, and
made a gallant defence; but it was in vain, for their men were so
scattered and confused that most of them saved themselves by flight as
well as they could.
Those who had stood their ground were either killed or taken: in the
number of the first were James de Helly and Anthony de Vienne, with
fifty or sixty Burgundians and English. From four score to a hundred
were made prisoners, the chief of whom were sir Thomas Kiriel and two
of his kinsmen, valiant men at arms, Robert and William Courouan, sir
Daviod de Poix, l'Aigle de Saincts, knight, l'Hermite de Beauval and
others, to the numbers aforesaid.
Sir Gerard de Brimeu attempted to escape, after the defeat, to Roye,
whence he had come; but, the trappings of his horse being very
brilliant with silversmith's work, he was closely pursued, and carried
away prisoner with the others.
When the business was over, Poton, having collected his men, led his
prisoners to Guerbigny, but not before they had stripped the dead,
among whom were not more than four or five of the French. He and his
men refreshed themselves that day and night at Guerbigny, and on the
morrow he departed with his whole force, leaving the castle in charge
with the townsmen. In like manner, he dislodged the garrison of La
Boissiere, and set it on fire. He went to Ressons sur Mas, and thence
to Compiègne, with his prisoners, where he was joyfully received, on
account of the victory he had gained over the enemy. James de Helly was
interred in the church, with a few others of the dead: the rest were
buried in the church-yard near to the place where they had been slain.
CHAP. C.
THE FRENCH OFFER BATTLE TO THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY AND HIS ARMY, WHICH
THE DUKE, BY ADVICE OF HIS COUNCIL, REFUSES.