THE
CHRONICLES
OF
ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET.
_H. Bryer, Printer, Bridge-Street, Blackfriars, London_
THE
CHRONICLES
OF
ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET;
CONTAINING
AN ACCOUNT OF THE CRUEL CIVIL WARS BETWEEN THE HOUSES OF
ORLEANS AND BURGUNDY;
OF THE POSSESSION OF
PARIS AND NORMANDY BY THE ENGLISH;
_THEIR EXPULSION THENCE_;
AND OF OTHER
MEMORABLE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN THE KINGDOM OF FRANCE,
AS WELL AS IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
_A HISTORY OF FAIR EXAMPLE, AND OF GREAT PROFIT TO THE
FRENCH_,
_Beginning at the Year_ MCCCC. _where that of Sir JOHN FROISSART finishes,
and ending at the Year_ MCCCCLXVII. _and continued by others to
the Year_ MDXVI.
TRANSLATED
BY THOMAS JOHNES, ESQ.
IN THIRTEEN VOLUMES ... VOL. X.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, PATERNOSTER-ROW;
AND J. WHITE AND CO. FLEET-STREET.
1810.
CONTENTS
OF
_THE TENTH VOLUME_.
PAGE
CHAP. I.
The king of France countermands his summons
to the duke of Burgundy, forbids
him to come to Montargis, and orders
him to send thither three or four of his
nobles to consult with the other peers of
France. Slight mention made of the sentence
passed on the duke of Alençon in
the town of Vendôme, with the reservation
of the king's approval 1
CHAP. II.
The king's sentence on the duke d'Alençon
read in his presence while seated on his
judgment-seat, by his chancellor 6
CHAP. III.
The English make an inroad on the Boulonnois
from Calais. The duke of Burgundy
sends an embassy to the pope, and fortifies
his towns against the English. Arthur
of Brittany dies, and is succeeded in
the dukedom by the count d'Estampes.
Other events 10
CHAP. IV.
The king of France summons the twelve
peers of France to the town of Montargis,
to hear sentence passed on the duke
d'Alençon. Of the death of pope Calixtus.
The king transfers the court of justice
from Montargis to Vendôme 13
CHAP. V.
The duke of Alençon is convicted, and condemned
to death for having intended to
deliver up his strong places to the English,
the ancient enemies of France, and to introduce
them into Normandy 15
CHAP. VI.
The ambassadors from England are denied
access to the king of France. The duke
of Cleves attends the meeting of princes
at Mantua. The dauphiness brought to
bed of a son at Genappe. The king of
Scotland killed by a splinter from a bomb 41
CHAP. VII.
Slight mention made of the rebellion and
discord in England. Other incidents 48
CHAP. VIII.
Edward earl of Marche, eldest son to the
late duke of York, defeats in battle queen
Margaret of England and obtains the
crown by means of the Londoners. The
queen seeks aid from the Scots 53
CHAP. IX.
King Charles of France, having been told
that it was intended to poison him, fell
sick at heart and died 60
CHAP. X.
Twelve houses are burnt in the village of
Juchy, near Cambray. The duke of Burgundy
holds the feast of the Golden
Fleece, at St Omer. The dauphiness
brought to bed of a princess, at Genappe.
Ambassadors from the Holy Land come to
the court of France, and thence to the
court of Burgundy 62
CHAP. XI.
Of the death of Charles VII. king of
France. Of the troubles and difficulties
he had to encounter at the commencement
of his reign, and of his glorious and great
feats of arms 67
CHAP. XII.
The dauphin and the duke of Burgundy
make preparations to go to Rheims, for
the coronation of the dauphin. Of the
interment of the late king Charles. The
coronation of king Louis XI. at Rheims.
Other matters 70
CHAP. XIII.
King Louis XI. makes his public entry into
Paris. The handsome reception he meets
with. The great magnificence of the
duke of Burgundy and his attendants 77
CHAP. XIV.
The king and the duke of Burgundy take
leave of each other, and depart from Paris.
Events that happened in divers parts 85
CHAP. XV.
The count de Charolois waits on the king
of France at Tours, where he is magnificently
entertained. He loses himself
while at the chase. He returns to Artois
through Normandy, of which the king
had made him his lieutenant 90
CHAP. XVI.
Duke Philip of Burgundy dangerously ill,
but recovers. Other matters which happened
at this period 96
CHAP. XVII.
A more particular account of the funeral
services performed at Paris and St Denis,
on the death of king Charles VII. of
France 99
CHAP. XVIII.
The disgraceful death of John Coustain,
master of the wardrobe to duke Philip of
Burgundy. The cause of it. The death
of his accuser 107
CHAP. XIX.
The duke of Burgundy causes a number of
rogues and vagabonds to be executed in
his country of Artois. The death of the
abbot of St Vaast at Arras. Other events.
Taunting replies made by the lord de Chimay
to the king of France. 113
CHAP. XX.
The duchess of Bourbon comes to reside
with her brother the duke of Burgundy.
The king of France grants succours to the
queen of England. Other events that
happened in divers parts 118
CHAP. XXI.
Of the many different events that happened
during the course of the above year. Of
the hard fortune of Margaret queen of
England 122
CHAP. XXII.
The king of France gives the county of
Guisnes to the lord de Croy. The count
d'Estampes quits his attachment to the
house of Burgundy. Other events 127
CHAP. XXIII.
The king of France repurchases the towns
and lands on the river Somme that had
been pledged to the duke of Burgundy.
He meets the duke at Hêdin. Other
matters 132
CHAP. XXIV.
The death of the dowager queen of France.
The king summons the count de Saint
Pol and the lord de Genly to appear personally
before him. The marriage of the
son of the duke of Gueldres. The abolition
of the pragmatic sanction 136
CHAP. XXV.
A coolness takes place between the duke of
Burgundy and his son the count de Charolois.
The count makes heavy complaints
against the lord de Croy to the
deputies of the three estates assembled by
the duke his father 141
CHAP. XXVI.
The answer of the deputies of the estates of
Flanders to the count de Charolois. Peace
restored between him and his father the
duke of Burgundy. The king of France
comes to Arras and Tournay 150
CHAP. XXVII.
Of the expedition of the bastard of Burgundy.
The king of France detains prisoner
Philip of Savoy, notwithstanding
he had given him a safe conduct. The
count de St Pol pacifies the king of
France. A battle shortly noticed to have
taken place in England. Other matters 159
CHAP. XXVIII.
The king of France comes to Hêdin a second
time. What passed at the meeting
between him and the duke of Burgundy.
The death of pope Pius II. 166
CHAP. XXIX.
The bastard de Reubempré is sent to Holland,
to attempt to take the count de Charolois.
He is arrested himself 169
CHAP. XXX.
The king of France summons deputies from
the towns on the Somme, and from other
places to come before him. His harangues
to them. He appoints the count de Nevers
governor of Picardy, and sends an
embassy to the duke of Burgundy, at
Lille 174
CHAP. XXXI.
The answer of the count de Charolois to
the ambassadors from France. The king
of France orders Crevecœur, near Cambray,
to be taken possession of. The
duke of Burgundy sends an embassy to
the king of France. The death of the
duke of Orleans 183
CHAP. XXXII.
The marriage of king Edward of England,
and the alliance he wishes to form with
France. The bastards of Burgundy return
from their expedition. The duke
of Burgundy dangerously ill. The family
of Croy are dismissed from their
places 189
CHAP. XXXIII.
A copy of the letters which the count de
Charolois sent to the nobles and principal
towns under the dominion of the duke
of Burgundy, to explain the reasons why
he had dismissed the lord de Croy and
his friends from his father's service 197
CHAP. XXXIV.
The duke of Berry, only brother to the
king of France, withdraws himself from
the court of France, and takes refuge
with the duke of Brittany. The count
de Dammartin escapes from prison. Letters
from the duke of Berry to the duke
of Burgundy 208
CHAP. XXXV.
A correspondence takes place between the
king of France and the duke of Bourbon.
The king publishes other letters throughout
his realm, and the count de Nevers
issues proclamations in all the towns within
his lieutenancy for the king of France 216
CHAP. XXXVI.
The duke of Burgundy pardons his son.
He orders a large body of men to be
raised for the assistance of the duke of
Berry against his brother the king of
France. Other events that happened at
that time 223
CHAP. XXXVII.
The count de Charolois takes leave of the
duke of Burgundy, and marches his army
and artillery toward France. He crosses
the river Somme, and subjects to his obedience
the towns of Neelle, Roye, and
Mondidier. He besieges Beaulieu, and
crosses the Oise 231
CHAP. XXXVIII.
The count de Charolois passes the river
Oise, advances to St Denis, and draws up
his army in battle-array before Paris.
The count de St Pol gains possession of
the bridge of St Cloud, and crosses the
Seine with his division of the count's
army 236
CHAP. XXXIX.
The king determines to combat the count
de Charolois. A battle takes place below
Montlehery. The event of it 244
CHAP. XL.
The conduct of the count de Charolois after
the victory he had gained over the king
of France. The consequences of it in
divers places 253
CHAP. XLI.
The dukes of Berry and of Brittany meet
the count de Charolois at Estampes, where
they are also joined by the dukes of Bourbon,
of Calabria, and of Nemours, with
the count d'Armagnac and others of their
confederation. The king of France leaves
Paris for Rouen 259
CHAP. XLII.
The various accounts of the success of the
battle of Montlehery that were reported
in divers places 264
CHAP. XLIII.
The king of France forms an alliance with
the Liegeois, to make war on the duke
of Burgundy and the count de Charolois.
They besiege the town of Luxembourg 268
CHAP. XLIV.
The inhabitants of the town of Dinant insult
the count de Charolois with mockeries.
The king of France meets the
count de Charolois at Conflans. The
duke of Bourbon takes the town of
Rouen 274
CHAP. XLV.
The death of the countess de Charolois.
The count de Nevers is made prisoner in
the castle of Peronne. The Liegeois are
discomfited at Montenac. The treaty of
Conflans, between the king of France
and the confederated princes 281
CHAP. XLVI.
A royal edict respecting what the king of
France had conceded to the count de Charolois
by the treaty of Conflans 290
CHAP. XLVII.
The king is present at a review of the count
de Charolois' army. The count takes
leave of the king, and marches his army
against the Liegeois. The duke of Berry
does homage to the king for the duchy
of Normandy 298
CHAP. XLVIII.
The entry of the duke of Berry into Rouen.
The king of France goes into Normandy
and retakes possession of that duchy. He
causes some of the lords of that country,
who had supported his brother, to be
executed and drowned 303
CHAP. XLIX.
The count de Charolois enters the country
of Liege with his army. The Liegeois
demand and obtain a truce, but, although
a peace is made, it does not last long 306
CHAP. L.
After the treaty concluded at Saint Tron,
the inhabitants attempt to murder the
men of the count de Charolois, but are
overpowered. The count returns to his
father at Brussels. The king of France
raises a large army, in consequence of
which the count de Charolois puts himself
on his guard 313
CHAP. LI.
The Liegeois in Dinant break the peace, and
recommence the war against the duke of
Burgundy. Dinant is besieged and battered
with cannon 317
CHAP. LII.
Dinant is forced to surrender to the will of
the duke of Burgundy. The treatment
it receives, for a perpetual example to
other towns in a like situation 325
CHAP. LIII.
The duke of Burgundy after the destruction
of Dinant, makes dispositions to
march his army into the territories of
Liege. Several towns surrender to him.
A peace is concluded between them 335
CHAP. LIV.
Sir Anthony, bastard of Burgundy, goes to
England, to tilt with the lord Scales, brother
to the queen of England 343
CHAP. LV.
The death and interment of the noble duke
Philip of Burgundy, and the grand obsequies
performed for him in the church
of Saint Donnast in Bruges 348
CHAP. LVI.
Prologue to the chronicles of the most
christian, most magnificent, most victorious,
and most illustrious kings of France,
Louis XI. of the name, and his son
Charles VIII. 355
CHAP. LVII.
Some recapitulations of the description of
the battle of Montlehery by Monstrelet,
with the addition of facts which he had
omitted 359
CHAP. LVIII.
A true account of several events that happened
during the reigns of king Charles
VII. and his son Louis XI. which have
been omitted, or slightly mentioned, in
the chronicle of Enguerrand de Monstrelet 365
CHAP. LIX.
The king of France comes to Paris, and returns
to Rouen. The bastard de Reubempré
is arrested on the coast of Holland.
The king goes to Tours and other
places, and then to Poitiers, whither the
Parisians send him a deputation respecting
certain of their franchises. Ambassadors
arrive there from the duke of Brittany,
who carry off the duke of Berry. The
death of the duke of Orleans. The duke
of Bourbon makes war on the king of
France, and other events that happened in
the year MCCCCLXIV. omitted by Monstrelet,
and some facts relative to the
death of the good pope Pius II. and concerning
pope Paul II. more than is contained
in the said chronicles 372
CHAP. LX.
The king of France enters the Bourbonnois,
and takes many towns and castles. Events
at Paris and elsewhere. The king besieges
Rioms, in Auvergne. Other incidents
up to the period of the war of
Montlehery, omitted by Monstrelet 380
CHAP. LXI.
The king comes to Paris after the battle of
Montlehery. Several persons are executed
there. Events that followed the battle of
Montlehery, which have been omitted
by Enguerrand de Monstrelet 390
CHAP. LXII.
The Burgundians and Bretons quarter themselves
round Paris; on which account the
citizens add to the fortifications of their
town during the king's absence in Normandy.
The king returns to Paris, when
several sallies are made thence on the
enemy, during the lieutenancy of the
count d'Eu. Other events omitted by
Monstrelet 401
CHAP. LXIII.
Commissioners appointed by the king and
the confederates to settle the differences
between them. The nobles of Normandy
come to Paris to serve the king. Several
sallies and assaults on each side. Other
events that happened in this same year
MCCCCLXV. omitted by Monstrelet,
until the final peace between the king and
the princes 414
CHAP. LXIV.
After the treaty, of Conflans between the
king and princes, provisions are brought
to the confederate army from Paris, on
payment being made for them. The count
de Charolois, on mustering his troops, declares
himself vassal to the king. He does
homage for what he holds under the
crown of France. The duke of Berry
and the others do their homage. Peace is
proclaimed. Other events 431
HERE BEGINNETH
THE TENTH VOLUME
OF THE
CHRONICLES
OF
_ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET_.
CHAP. I.
THE KING OF FRANCE COUNTERMANDS HIS SUMMONS TO THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY,
FORBIDS HIM TO COME TO MONTARGIS, AND ORDERS HIM TO SEND THITHER
THREE OR FOUR OF HIS NOBLES TO CONSULT WITH THE OTHER PEERS OF
FRANCE.--SLIGHT MENTION MADE OF THE SENTENCE PASSED ON THE DUKE OF
ALENÇON IN THE TOWN OF VENDÔME, WITH THE RESERVATION OF THE KING'S
APPROVAL.
On the return of Golden Fleece king at arms, about the beginning of
June, he told duke Philip his lord, that the king having learnt that he
intended coming to Montargis with a very numerous army, which would
unavoidably do great damage to the countries they should pass through,
on that account held him excused from coming thither in person, and
entreated that he would send three or four of his council to represent
him.
The duke immediately appointed the count d'Estampes, sir Simon de
Lalain, knights, and some clerks of his council, together with Golden
Fleece king at arms, as his proxies at the ensuing meeting.
Before this, however, took place, a great meeting was held at
Gravelines, between commissioners from England and others sent by
duke Philip. Soon after, the count d'Estampes went under a passport
to Calais, where he was grandly feasted by the English; and it was
reported that a truce was then agreed on between the two countries.
The king of France, considering that Montargis could not hold the
numbers of people summoned to attend the judgment of the duke of
Alençon, changed the place of meeting to Vendôme, where he appeared
in so royal a state that it was a pleasure to see him,--and all who
had been summoned were expected to come thither. On the day appointed,
only the proxies for the duke of Burgundy appeared before the king, of
all the temporal peers: in consequence, by royal authority, he named
proxies for the duke of Bourbon, the count de Foix, the count de la
Marche, and the count d'Eu, to assist the king in passing sentence on
the duke d'Alençon.
When the court had been thus regularly formed in the place prepared
for it, master John L'Orfevre, president of Luxembourg, and one of the
proxies for the duke of Burgundy, arose, and besought the king that
he would be pleased to hear what he had been charged by his lord to
say, in defence of the duke d'Alençon. The king having granted him
permission to speak, he began an harangue of some length, very well
arranged and ornamented, with apt quotations from the Scriptures,
containing four propositions which the duke of Burgundy had ordered him
to lay before the king, to induce him to incline to a merciful sentence
on the duke of Alençon, whom his lord considered as his near relative.
The first proposition was, that it belonged at all times to royal
majesty to show mercy, and use clemency.
The second, that the duke of Alençon was nearly related to the king.
Thirdly, that the services which the duke of Alençon himself, and
his ancestors, had rendered to the crown of France, should be well
considered; and, fourthly, the weakness of mind of the duke of Alençon,
which being added to the three foregoing propositions, if duly weighed
by the king, might induce him to show clemency to the duke.
The cardinal de Constance answered in the king's name, that his majesty
had carefully listened to all the reasons that had just been offered
by the duke of Burgundy, to incline him to show mercy on the duke
d'Alençon: that in reply to the first proposition, it was true, mercy
and clemency properly belonged to kings and sovereign princes,--but to
do justice was also an inherent right in them, and it was in virtue of
this that kings reigned; for if that were neglected, their kingdoms
would be devoured by robbers and thieves.
As to the second point, that the duke d'Alençon was related to the
king, he should answer, that so much the more was he bounden to guard
the preservation and welfare of the king and his crown.
As to the third point, touching the services done by the duke's
ancestors to the crown of France, &c. he should say, that he had not
in these instances followed their steps: and since children should not
suffer for the evil deeds of their fathers, neither ought they to claim
any merit from their services.
With regard to the last point, he should reply, that the lord d'Alençon
had clearly shown that he was not very wise; but he was not so simple
as had been stated, for he had, in the matters charged against him,
proceeded with great subtilty and malice, as was apparent and might
be seen in the evidence on his trial: that it had not depended on him
that his treason was unsuccessful, and that he was equally deserving
punishment as if his treachery had taken effect. The cardinal concluded
by saying, that the king would act in this business with the advice of
the princes of his blood, and the members of his council; that the
king would have been glad, and was desirous of the able assistance of
the duke of Burgundy, whose absence he regretted, but that he would
act in such wise that the duke of Burgundy and the public should be
satisfied with the sentence he would give.
CHAP. II.
THE KING'S SENTENCE ON THE DUKE D'ALENÇON READ IN HIS PRESENCE WHILE
SEATED ON HIS JUDGMENT-SEAT, BY HIS CHANCELLOR.
'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France. Having been duly
informed that John duke of Alençon, peer of France, has entered into
a treasonable correspondence, by himself and others, with our ancient
enemies and adversaries the English,--we make known, that having
personally examined in our chamber of peers, and others for this
business called in, the charges and evidence produced against John
d'Alençon, together with his confessions, and other facts brought
duly forward,--we, by the advice of the aforesaid chamber of peers,
have declared, and by these presents do declare, that the said John
d'Alençon is guilty of high treason against us and our crown,--for
which we have deprived, and do deprive him of the honour and dignity of
a peer of France, and of all dignities and honours attached thereto.
'We have also condemned, and do by these presents condemn, him to
suffer death according to law, and have declared, and do declare, all
the effects of the said John d'Alençon to be confiscated to our use,
and to belong to us, saving, however, any further orders or regulations
we may make concerning the same.'
This sentence having been publicly read, the king declared his will to
be, that the execution of the duke d'Alençon should be deferred until
his further pleasure were known: that in respect to the confiscation
of his effects, &c. although his children ought, according to law
and usage, to be deprived of every honour, prerogative and property,
and reduced to such beggary as may be an example to all others,
considering the enormity of the crimes of their father,--nevertheless,
in remembrance of the services done by their ancestors to the kings
and crown of France, and in the expectation that these children
will conduct themselves toward the king as good and loyal subjects
should do to their sovereign lord, and likewise out of favour to the
solicitations of the duke of Brittany[1], uncle to the duke of Alençon,
the king, out of his grace, declares, that the effects of the duke
of Alençon shall remain to the wife and children of the said duke of
Alençon; but the king reserves to himself all artillery, arms, and
military stores.
With regard to the lands and lordships, the king retains the towns,
castles, and viscounties of Alençon, Domfront, and Verneuil, as well
on one side of the river Aure as on the other, with all their rights,
privileges, and dependences, which, from this moment, he incorporates
into the domain of the crown of France. The king retains also the
castlewick and lordship of St Blansay in Touraine, together with the
tolls which the said d'Alençon had and received from the bridges of
Tours, to regulate at his pleasure.
Item, the king reserves to himself all the homage, dues, and
acknowledgments which appertained to the said d'Alençon on account of
his country of Perche, on the town of Nogent le Rotrou, with all its
dependances, and all other lands belonging to the count du Maine, in
right of the countess du Maine his wife.
Item, in regard to the other lands and effects immoveable, the king
wills that they belong to the children of the said d'Alençon,--namely,
the county of Perche to be enjoyed by his only son Réné, and his heirs
in lawful marriage, without, however, any dignity or prerogative of
peerage. As for the other effects of the said d'Alençon, the king
wills, that they be divided among the younger children, who are to
be under the wardship of the king until they become of an age to
manage for themselves,--they to enjoy these estates as their own free
inheritance, and the said estates to descend to the heirs of their
bodies lawfully begotten in marriage, according to the usages of the
countries in which those estates are situated.
When this had been finally settled, the king ordered the duke d'Alençon
to confinement in the strong prison of the castle of Aiquesmortes,[2]
not far from Avignon.
CHAP. III.
THE ENGLISH MAKE AN INROAD ON THE BOULONOIS FROM CALAIS.--THE DUKE OF
BURGUNDY SENDS AN EMBASSY TO THE POPE, AND FORTIFIES HIS TOWNS AGAINST
THE ENGLISH.--ARTHUR OF BRITTANY DIES, AND IS SUCCEEDED IN THE DUKEDOM
BY THE COUNT D'ESTAMPES.--OTHER EVENTS.
About this period, eight hundred combatants issued out of Calais and
marched to Estaples,[3] where they found many vessels laden with wines
from Poitou, which the Bretons had brought thither to sell, all of
which the English made them ransom. They gained also numbers of mules,
which some merchants from Languedoc had conducted thither to carry back
a cargo of salted herrings: these were also ransomed, and they carried
away several prisoners.
The duke of Burgundy sent this year, about Christmas, a handsome
embassy to pope Pius at Rome, to do him homage for all his states, like
a good son of the church, and, shortly afterward, another embassy to
the king of France, to avoid a war, which every body conjectured would
ensue, because the dauphin resided with the duke contrary to the will
of his father, and had refused to return to France.
The English, on the frontier of Calais, made continual inroads on the
territories of the duke; and to check them, he strengthened with men at
arms the garrisons of Bologne, Ardres, Gravelines, Fiennes and St Omer.
They were ordered to oppose force by force, and to hang all whom they
should take.
About Christmas died Arthur duke of Brittany, without leaving any male
heir: he was therefore succeeded in the duchy by John de Bretagne
count d'Estampes, son to the brother of a former duke of Brittany by
a sister of the duke of Orleans. Notwithstanding that he was count
d'Estampes, John of Burgundy, brother to the count de Nevers, assumed
the same title, but without advantage,--for the king held possession of
Estampes, and gave the revenue of it to whomsoever he pleased.
At this time, peace was restored between the duke of Burgundy and the
count of St Pol, so that the count was on the same familiar terms with
the duke and as much beloved by him as before: he was likewise in the
good graces of the count de Charolois.
Nearly at this period, an embassy from Greece, of about fifty horsemen,
waited on the duke, to request that he would personally attend, or send
his proxies, to a meeting appointed by pope Pius, of all the princes
of Christendom, touching the welfare of the catholic church. The duke
received them honourably, and gave them rich presents, and said, that,
under God's pleasure, he would send proxies to the meeting they had
mentioned.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 1: Duke of Brittany. Q. if it should not be of Burgundy.]
[Footnote 2: Aiquesmortes,--a town in lower Languedoc, five leagues
from Montpellier.]
[Footnote 3: Estaples,--a town in Picardy, at the mouth of the Conche,
four leagues from Bologne.]
CHAP IV.
THE KING OF FRANCE SUMMONS THE TWELVE PEERS OF FRANCE TO THE TOWN OF
MONTARGIS, TO HEAR SENTENCE PASSED ON THE DUKE D'ALENÇON.--OF THE
DEATH OF POPE CALIXTUS.--THE KING TRANSFERS THE COURT OF JUSTICE FROM
MONTARGIS TO VENDÔME.
In the year 1458, the king of France summoned the twelve peers of his
realm, secular as well as temporal, and the members of his court of
parliament, to assemble in the town of Montargis on the 8th day of
June, in which place he intended holding a court of justice, and for
considering other matters that greatly affected the welfare of the
realm. The most part of those summoned attended, and were there for
two months, treating on the condemnation or acquittal of the duke of
Alençon, cousin-german to the king, and one of the peers of France.
The duke of Alençon had been imprisoned for certain treasonable acts
imputed to him, and of which he was said to be guilty. There were
present at this meeting the count de Dunois and de Longueville, the
chancellor of France, master Pierre du Reffuge,[4] general of France,
and many other great lords and officers. The duke of Burgundy would not
appear, although he had been summoned, and was the first of the peers.
He had refused to come in consequence of an article in the treaty of
Arras, by which he could not be constrained to attend any meeting but
at his own free will.
The king remained at Baugency during these two months, always intending
to have gone to Montargis; but fearing the epidemic distemper which
raged there, and the badness of the air, he dissolved the meeting, and
appointed it to assemble within fifteen days afterward at Vendôme.
On the 4th of April, in this year, died pope Calixtus,--and Pius, a
native of Italy, was elected in his room.
The 15th of August, all the king's counsellors, as well laics as
ecclesiastics, of his court of parliament, who had been summoned, came
to Vendôme,--even the bishop of Paris and the abbot of St Denis, who
had not appeared at Montargis.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 4: Reffuge. Q.]
CHAP. V.
THE DUKE OF ALENÇON IS CONVICTED, AND CONDEMNED TO DEATH FOR HAVING
INTENDED TO DELIVER UP HIS STRONG PLACES TO THE ENGLISH, THE ANCIENT
ENEMIES OF FRANCE, AND TO INTRODUCE THEM INTO NORMANDY.
'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to all to whom these
presents may come, health and affection. Whereas we have been duly
informed, that John duke of Alençon, a peer of France, has held various
treasonable correspondences with our ancient enemies the English; and
that for this purpose he has sent divers messengers to England without
our leave or licence, and without making us acquainted with the purport
of them, to the great danger and prejudice of us and our realm. To
obviate the evil effects that might have arisen from such conduct, we
provided a remedy, and, in conscience, commanded, under our letters
patent given at Chastelier, near Esbrimbe, the 24th day of May, in the
year 1456, our dear and well beloved cousin the count de Dunois and
de Longueville, our beloved and faithful counsellors and chamberlains
Pierre de Brézé, lord of Varennes and grand seneschal of Normandy, John
le Boursier, superintendant general of our finances, William Cousinot,
knight, bailiff of Rouen, and Odet d'Aidié, bailiff of Coutantin, to
lay hands on and arrest our said nephew the duke of Alençon; and for
the furtherance of his trial, we issued our orders, dated at Mont
Richart[5] the 23d of last May, for our court of parliament, then
sitting at Paris, to adjourn to the town of Montargis, on the first
day of June last, and to remain there until the whole of the judicial
proceedings on this subject should have been brought to a conclusion.
'We also summoned to attend this court of justice, at Montargis, a
sufficient number of presidents and counsellors of our said parliament,
together with the peers and princes of our blood, the chancellor, some
masters of the requests of our household, and others of our council. In
consequence whereof, our said chancellor, our well beloved and faithful
counsellors, the archbishop-duke of Rheims, the bishops and dukes of
Laon and Langres, the bishops and counts of Beauvais, of Châlons and
Noyon, peers of France, our said presidents, masters of requests, and
counsellors of our court of parliament and the members of our council
have regularly assembled in the town of Montargis, and have there taken
the preparatory steps for the judgment of the said d'Alençon, by the
interrogation of his accomplices and adherents, which occupied them
until the 10th day of July last passed.
'These lords did not proceed further, in the expectation of our
coming thither to bring the matter to a conclusion in our presence;
but we delayed going to Montargis on account of the great mortality
that then existed in the towns of Orleans, Sully, and other places
around, through which we must have passed; and not only to avoid the
consequences that might have arisen from this mortality we deferred
going thither, but also having heard that our enemies had fitted out
a considerable fleet, with the intent of invading our kingdom on the
coasts of Saintonge, Poitou, and lower Normandy. That we might be
ready to oppose any such attempts, we, by the advice of our council,
transferred this court of justice from Montargis to the town of Vendôme.
'We ordered the members of the said court to assemble at Vendôme on
the 15th day of August, then and there to continue sitting until they
should have brought this trial to a close.
'We afterward came to Vendôme in person, where were assembled
many of the princes of our blood, peers of France, both laics and
ecclesiastics, and those before named, with the members of our council
and court of parliament, and others for this business summoned thither.
While we were seated on our judgment-seat, the court being filled
with the whole of its members, the said d'Alençon was brought before
it, who, after having had the oath administered to him, to declare the
whole truth respecting the crimes with which he was charged, frankly
and voluntarily confessed as follows.
'That after lord Shrewsbury had taken Bordeaux, an Englishman called
James Hay, attached to sir Richard Woodville, an English knight, came
to him at Alençon, under a passport, and made secret proposals to him
of a marriage between his daughter and the son of the duke of York:
that, as well in regard to this marriage as for other matters they
mutually wished to be acquainted with, they held many conversations,
and agreed on a certain manner of squeezing the hand and thumb, as a
signal that every person was to give before he delivered any message
relative to this business, to prevent their being betrayed.
'That about the month of August in the year 1455, he, the said duke of
Alençon, sent for a priest living at Domfront, called Thomas Gillet,
whom, having sworn to secrecy, he told that he intended to send him
to England, and detained him some time with him for this purpose, and
carried him to La Fleche in Anjou, expecting to be enabled to send
him from thence: that while he was at La Fleche, an English herald,
called Huntingdon, came thither, to whom he opened his intentions, and
charged him to return to England, and to exhort his countrymen, by
every possible means, to make a descent in Normandy, desiring them, by
the aid of God, or the devil, to make up their internal quarrels, and
not think of any thing else but this invasion: that now was the time or
never; and should they allow the present most favourable opportunity
to slip by, they would never again find another; for that the king
was at a distance, and his army separated in three divisions,--one
in Armagnac, another in Guienne, and the third employed against the
dauphin: that the nobles and great towns, as well as the people of all
ranks, were more discontented than could be conceived; and that he, the
duke of Alençon, was himself so displeased with the present government
that, if the English would support him, he would aid them to the
utmost of his power,--for that he had sufficient stores and artillery
to combat for a day ten thousand men. He advised that the king of
England should come in person, and with not less than from thirty to
forty thousand combatants: that there was in Normandy only one of the
king's generals, with but four hundred lances, and that they might
conquer the greater part of the country before any resistance could be
made.
'He advised that the king of England should, on his landing, issue
a proclamation, by sound of trumpet, to forbid any one, under pain
of instant death, to take goods or other effects from husbandmen
or labourers by force, and to leave every one at peace in their
habitations. The king of England was likewise to revoke all the gifts
made by his father and by himself, to grant a full pardon to every one,
and to proceed as if it were a new conquest.
'In consequence of this treachery, our enemies did land in several
parts of our dominions, namely, the king of England and the duke of
York in lower Normandy, the duke of Buckingham at Calais, to march
through Picardy to the country of Caux, and to cut off all intercourse
with us, should we attempt to oppose them. Those of Guienne, according
to the duke of Alençon, were much discontented; and if our enemies
would support them, they would rise in rebellion against us,--and, in
short, we should lose all that part of our country. The enemy was to
inform the duke of Alençon three months before they intended to land,
that he might provide his places with stores, and prevent us from
taking possession of them.
'On their landing, the English commander was to send the herald
Huntingdon to the duke to make him acquainted with their numbers and
plans, that he might take measures to act in concert with them. The
duke particularly insisted, when he sent Huntingdon to England, that
king Henry should bring with him as much money as possible; and that he
should deliver at Bruges, or elsewhere, twenty thousand crowns, or at
least ten thousand, at his disposal, should be there deposited without
loss of time, and not longer than a month after their landing, for him
to pay his men, and put his artillery on a respectable footing; for he
charged the herald to say, that on their landing they would find part
of his artillery at Alençon or Domfront.
'The said d'Alençon confessed that he had promised, on oath, to
Huntingdon, that he would punctually perform the engagements he had
entered into with the enemies of our realm; and he made this herald
swear that he would tell all these things to the duke of York, Richard
Woodville, and James Hay, and that he would reveal them to none others
but them.
'That our enemies might not have any doubts of the truth of the above
engagements, the said d'Alençon gave to Huntingdon, on his departure,
credential letter addressed to the duke of York, signed with an N,
with a stroke through it, containing as follows; 'Gentlemen, have the
goodness to believe what the bearer of this shall tell you from me. I
thank you for your kind intentions, and it shall not be my fault if
they be not farther strengthened.' In saying this, our said nephew
had well remembered that he had given to Huntingdon the fullest
information respecting his own affairs, as well as those of our
kingdom, in order to accomplish his designs, and then had sent him to
England.
'The said d'Alençon confessed, that some time afterwards, he had
also sent thither Thomas Gillet, the priest before mentioned, and
had charged him to acquaint the duke of York or Richard Woodville
(having previously made the signal with the thumb) with the state of
our kingdom, and the discontent of the people, and to press them to
make the invasion as soon as they could, and with as large a force
as possible,--to tell them, that they were very thoughtless in not
having before attempted it, for they could never have so fair an
opportunity of recovering what they had lost; and if they would land
twenty thousand men, they would regain the greater part of the country
before we could provide any effectual resistance; for we were at a
distance, in Berry, on an expedition against our son the dauphin: that
there were no forces in that part of the kingdom: that the people were
exceedingly discontented, and that now or never was the time for
reconquering Normandy. Thomas Gillet said, that the duke d'Alençon was
much surprised he had not heard from them, nor from the herald; that
they should send him back with intelligence of their intentions; and he
told them frankly, that unless they showed more vigour and activity,
the enterprise had better be dropped. He spoke to them likewise of the
twenty thousand crowns that had been stated as necessary, by the said
d'Alençon, to Huntingdon; and the said d'Alençon had bidden him assure
the duke of York, that he was the most beloved of all his family in
Normandy, and that the people of the country would do more for him than
for any one else.
'Thomas Gillet was also charged to tell the English, on their
landing, not to forget to issue the proclamations he had mentioned to
Huntingdon; and if he were spoken to concerning the marriage of his
daughter with the eldest son of the duke of York, to say all he knew
and all he had seen of her. The said d'Alençon gave to Gillet letters
of the following tenour, to deliver to the duke of York. 'Sir,' &c. 'I
commend myself to you, and entreat that you will instantly let me hear
from you, and have me in your thoughts. For God's sake, use diligence
in his designs: it is time: and acquit yourself manfully, for who waits
becomes displeased. Hasten to send me money, for your service has cost
me much, and may God grant all your desires.' Written as above, and
at the bottom 'always yours, N.' adding a postscript, to say, that a
little before Christmas, he would send a person, called Pierre Fortin,
to Calais, and would instruct him to make the signal of the thumb, that
he might converse with James Hay or Richard Woodville, and know from
them if they had any intelligence to give him from the herald or Thomas
Gillet.
'The said d'Alençon also confessed, that between Christmas and the
Epiphany, Thomas Gillet and the herald returned from England, and
reported to him, that the duke of York and the chancellor of England
thanked him for his good intentions; that the parliament of England
was not as yet assembled, nor the king of England in a situation to
send him an immediate and decisive answer,--but that the parliament
would shortly be holden, and the matter should then be so arranged that
the duke of Alençon should be satisfied, and that he should receive
information thereof in the course of the ensuing Lent, by the said
Woodville.
'Gillet added, that the duke of York commended himself to the said
d'Alençon, thanked him for his good wishes, and begged of him to
continue them to him,--and assured him that before the month of
September next the duke, accompanied by the greatest lords of England,
would invade Normandy with such a large army that the said d'Alençon
should be contented; but he was required to secure some good sea-port
on that coast for their landing,--and they wished to know whether the
dauphin would go into Normandy. A nearly similar message did Gillet
deliver from the chancellor of England.
'The said d'Alençon likewise confessed that, on the return of these his
messengers, he had dispatched to England a person called master Edmund
Gallet, having first sworn him on the Scriptures to secrecy, and then
he gave him a letter addressed to the duke of York, signed with his
real name 'John,' and sealed with his own signet: it was cut into four
pieces, and contained as follows: 'My lords, I commend myself to you.
The messages you sent me have been delivered; and I beg to hear further
from you as speedily as may be, if you propose undertaking the measures
the bearer will explain to you: it is now time, and I will support you
in such wise that you shall be satisfied. You may believe all that the
bearer shall say to you from me.'
'The said d'Alençon owned that he had charged Gallet to bring him
back an answer as to the marriage, and the other things that he had
mentioned to the English lords by Gillet and the herald: to tell them
that it was now full time to begin the business, if they looked for
success; and that he wished they were landed in Normandy in bodies as
thick as flies or hailstones.
'That the said d'Alençon was assured that we intended to march against
our son the dauphin; and that if they landed and entered into proper
engagements with him, the dauphin would join them, and give up to them
his artillery and strong places, and every thing else within his power:
he repeated, therefore, that they must not delay nor fail to come,--and
the twenty thousand crowns must be instantly paid.
'The said d'Alençon said, that being astonished that Gallet was not
returned from England, he sent about Easter the said Fortin to Calais,
and charged him, after making the usual signs, to talk with the
English, and learn whether they intended invading Normandy or not. He
added, that Gallet came back from England about Low Sunday, and brought
letters signed, as he said, by the king himself, namely, Henry, and
that these letters contained in effect as follows: 'Very dear cousin,
we thank you for your good will toward us: we shall send commissioners
on the first day of next August to Bruges, to propose a truce between
us and our fair cousin of Burgundy, where we shall hope that they may
meet commissioners from you, to settle every thing between us, and we
shall act in such wise as, please God, you may be satisfied.'
'The said d'Alençon said, that Gallet had informed him the king of
England had taken the government into his own hands, and that the
duke of York had retired into Wales, which had caused the said Gallet
to address himself to the king in person, telling him of the good
inclinations of the duke of Alençon, for which he thanked him, and
said, that he should send ambassadors to Bruges, as he had stated
in the said letters, and that the duke d'Alençon should send others
from him to meet them; that these ambassadors would settle every
thing relative to the twenty thousand crowns, and they would mutually
exchange written documents respecting the matters under consideration.
'The said d'Alençon confessed, that because the term for the payment
of the said twenty thousand crowns was remote, and because he wished
to be made acquainted with the state of preparation of our enemies, he
again sent Gallet into England, to press the advance of the money, and
to obtain a blank passport, for any one of his people whom he might
wish to send thither touching these several matters, should there be
any necessity for it; that he told the said Gallet, as the chance of
war was uncertain, he wished to secure a retreat in England, should
their plans prove abortive, and mentioned the duchies of Bedford, of
Glocester, and of the lands which the dukes of the said duchies held
for life, that he might speak of them to the king of England.
'That, on the departure of Gallet, the said d'Alençon gave him letters,
addressed to the duke of York, containing as follows: 'My lord, I
commend myself to you, and am very much surprised that I did not
receive any intelligence from you by the bearer of this on his return
from England. I entreat that I may speedily hear from you,--and you may
safely believe whatever he shall tell you from me.' He wrote also other
letters to master Louis Gallet, residing in England, father to this
Edmund Gallet, thanking him for his good inclinations toward him, of
which he had been informed by his son, to whom he desired that he would
always address himself on this business.
'The said d'Alençon added, that as he and master Edmund were
conversing on this subject, master Edmund told him that it was the
intention of the English to send the duke of Glocester and the son
of lord Shrewsbury, to make a landing in Guienne, with ten or twelve
thousand men,--while the king, the duke of York, and a large body
of nobles should invade our province of Normandy: that the duke of
Buckingham, with the earls of Wiltshire and Worcester, should land
at Calais, with ten or twelve thousand combatants, and march through
Picardy. He likewise confessed that he had spoken on this subject to
Fortin, one of the gentlemen of his chamber, to induce him to join
him in his plans to support the English, and that he had sent him to
Granville,[6] to examine the state of that place, if it were well
fortified, and what repairs had lately been made there, especially on
the side where it had been formerly taken; and if that Fortin joined
the English, as it appears he did, he was to find out some means of
delivering up Granville, and as many other places as possible to them.
'The said d'Alençon confessed, that he had been induced by his
different messages to excite the English to invade our kingdom by the
advice and instigation of a person called Matthew Prestre, whom he knew
not otherwise than by name, but who said he was from the country of
the Lionnois and attached to the bastard d'Armagnac, and who, (as the
said d'Alençon said) had brought him credential letters from our son
the dauphin, and from the bastard d'Armagnac. Of the letters from the
dauphin, the said d'Alençon said, that he had his suspicions of their
reality from their not being in the usual style in which the dauphin
was accustomed to write to him: he also suspected the signature was not
the dauphin's. On this matter, and at the request of the said d'Alençon
several witnesses specified by him, and of his household, have been
examined by our commissioners, who have affirmed that they saw the said
Matthew Prestre.