cardinals, the citations served on the contending popes, and the place
of meeting of the council, as being perfectly convenient and secure.
The council declared, that it was supreme on earth to take cognizance
and judge of the charges brought against the contenders for the papacy.
It was also declared by the council, that it had been lawful for any
one to quit his obedience to either of the popes, from the moment they
had promised to abdicate the papacy; and that all suits and processes,
carried on against such as had quitted their obedience to either, were
annulled and of no weight.
‘Public charges were then made against them, and an interlocutory
sentence passed on the notorious sins of the two competitors. This
day, doctor Peter Paoul declared, in full council, your opinions,
and took for his text, ‘Congregabuntur filii Judæ et filii Israel et
facient sibimet caput unum.’ That is to say, Those who are come to
this council, and such as shall hereafter come, will choose from among
themselves a head to the church. A little before this, doctor Dominic
le Petit had made a solemn harangue before all the cardinals, taking
for his text, ‘Principes populorum congregati sunt cum Deo Abraham.’
The cardinals and prelates of the holy church are styled princes of
the people. On this day also, the theologians, to the number of six
score and three, delivered their opinions, and eighty of them are your
friends and supporters.
‘Item, this day it has been ordered that the two rival popes be
summoned to appear at the doors of the church on Wednesday the 5th of
July, to hear their definitive sentence.
‘Gregory has sent a bull to the English to entreat they would be of his
party, with Robert king of the Romans, to change the place of holding
the council, and that they would please to be of his council; but
he labours in vain, for the English, Germans, Bohemians, Polanders,
French, those from Cyprus, Rhodes and Italy, are all unanimous,
excepting Robert, whose ambassadors have gone away.
‘Few prelates have come to this council from the kingdom of Hungary.
King Ladislaus wrote that he intended being here in person, but he is
fully occupied in his war against the infidels.
‘Pietro Mastin, called della Luna, has issued a most thundering bull,
in which he admonishes the cardinals to return to their duty toward
him; and should they refuse, he prohibits them from attempting to
make another election, menacing them, in case of disobedience, with
excommunication and other penalties against them and their supporters.
‘Reverend fathers, and redoubted masters, we have nothing more for the
present to write to you, except that all nations seem inclined to a
reformation in the church, which the new pope, whom it shall please
God to elect, will be forced to comply with. Should you have any orders
to send us, we are ready to obey them to the utmost of our power.
Beseeching you humbly to keep all our concerns in your consideration,
may the Sovereign Lord have you under his guard!
‘Written at Pisa the 29th day of May.’ Underneath were signed the
names of Dominic le Petit, Pierre Paoul de Quesnoy, Jean Pere Ponce,
Vincent, Eustace de Faquemberge, Arnoul Vibrant, Jean Bourlet, dit
François.--Master Pierre de Poingny and master Guillaume le Charpentier
did not sign the above, because they were absent.
Here follows the sentence on the two contending popes.
‘This present holy council, assembled in the name of JESUS CHRIST,
withdraws itself from the obedience to Pietro della Luna, called Pope
Benedict XIII. and from Angelo Corrario, called Pope Gregory XII.; and
the holy council decrees and declares, that all true Catholics ought to
do the same.
‘Item, the same holy synod, as representative and judge of the
universal church, after mature consideration and examination of
witnesses concerning the horrible sins of the two contending popes,
pronounces, in the church of Pisa, this its definitive sentence, that
both popes be deprived of every honour and dignity, especially that of
the papacy. It also pronounces, that they be separated from the holy
church, in conformity to the sacred canons, and by the above sentence,
forbidding all persons to have the boldness ever to defend or obey
either of them as pope.
‘The council forbids any Christians from obeying or showing favour
to either, notwithstanding any oath or promise they may have made or
entered into, under pain of excommunication,--and decrees, that whoever
shall disobey this sentence shall be delivered into the hands of
secular justice, and condemned as one who favours heretics, and that he
shall be punished according to the divine commandments, and the decrees
of the holy canons.
‘The council also declares and pronounces, that all promotions of
cardinals made by the two rival popes, namely, those made by Angelo
Corrario since the 3d day of May, and by Pietra della Luna since the
15th day of June, of the year 1408, have been and are of no effect,
and are annulled by this definitive sentence. It also declares, that
every judgment given by the aforesaid competitors for the papacy, to
the prejudice of the holy church, against any kings, princes, lords,
patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, prelates of the church, or other
private persons, are of no effect; and the holy synod has ordained that
proceedings to the contrary, and to the welfare of the holy church
shall commence on the ensuing Monday, the 10th day of June.’
The above sentences and declarations were passed in the general council
of Pisa, the 5th day of June, in the year 1409.
The 26th day of June, in the year 1409, Peter of Candia, a Cordelier
and native of Greece, doctor of divinity, and usually called the
Cardinal of Milan, was unanimously chosen pope by the cardinals at
Pisa, with the approbation of the general council, and called Alexander
V. who, immediately after his election, published the following bull.
‘Alexander, bishop and servant to the servants of God, to the bishop
of Paris, health and apostolical benediction. Praise and glory be to
the God of heaven for having instilled into the minds of men a desire
of peace on earth, and who, through his benign grace and mercy, has
brought about an union of his Christian people, hitherto long disturbed
by a dangerous schism.
‘Who is there among mankind that will not most heartily rejoice at
this happy event, on considering the perils souls must run when such
divisions take place in the holy church, and which have for so long a
time been encouraged by sacrilegious schismatics?
‘Our blessed God, taking pity on his people, who had long suffered
from this division, opened and illuminated the minds of the holy
general council, who have justly condemned the two popes, according
to the sacred canons, as enemies to God and his holy church, by their
enormous, horrible, and notorious sins.
‘When our brethren, the venerable Cardinals of the holy roman church,
of whom we were one, were desirous of finding a proper pastor for the
Christian flock, after the usual ceremonies and solemnities, with the
consent of the council-general, they entered into conclave, where,
after long discussions, they unanimously selected our humble self, then
cardinal-priest of the church of the Twelve Apostles, and chose us
bishop of Rome. Although we knew our unworthiness of so great a charge,
considering our weakness, yet, always confiding in the aid of God, we
have accepted of it.
‘Venerable brother, these things we notify to thee, as one loving and
desirous of the peace of the church, as we have been well informed;
and we exhort thee and thy flock to render thanks to the all-powerful
God for this most gracious gift which he has granted to us. We have so
great an affection for thy worthy person, that we inform thee, that we
are ready to serve thee and thine to the utmost of our power.--This
present letter we have intrusted to be delivered to thee by our
well-beloved son, that notable man Paulin d’Arcé, esquire of honour,
chamberlain, and our loyal servant.--Given at Pisa the 8th day of July,
in the first year of our papacy.’
It is the good pleasure of our very sacred lord Alexander V. by divine
Providence, pope, that all promotions, translations, confirmations and
collations whatever, and all consecrations of bishops and others, that
have been granted or performed by the two competitors for the papacy,
shall be considered as strictly legal, provided they were effected
prior to passing of the definitive sentence, and done according to the
regulations of the canon law.
Item, it is also the pleasure of the general council, that our
aforesaid lord shall give his orders concerning the archbishop of Genoa.
Item, the benefices in the church, that had been given by ordinary
judges, have the approbation of the holy council to continue to them to
whom they have been given.
Item, the holy council approves of proceedings being instituted against
all who shall obstinately obey or favour either of the late competitors
for the papacy, Pietro della Luna or Angelo Corrario,--and the council
condemns such, as guilty of schism and notorious heresy, and ordains
that they be punished according to the regulations of the sacred canons.
Item, it is ordered, that should the cardinal de Flisque[31] be willing
to return to his duty, and appear personally within two months, he
shall be kindly received, and enjoy all his honours and benefices,
which he obtained in the year 1408.
Item, all dispensations given by bishops of dioceses in those parts
not obedient to the two competitors, in the cases of persons not being
of sufficient age to obtain dignities in the church or benefices,--and
all absolutions, and acts of penitence, ordained by the competitors
during the schism, shall be reserved to the determination of the holy
apostolic see. All of which has been approved of and certified by the
holy council.
CHAP. X.
THE DEATH OF THE BISHOP OF PARIS.----THE MARRIAGES, OF THE
DUKE OF BRABANT WITH THE NIECE OF THE KING OF BOHEMIA,--OF THE
CONSTABLE OF FRANCE’S DAUGHTER WITH THE SON OF MONTAGU, GRAND
MASTER OF THE HOUSEHOLD,--OF THE KING OF CYPRUS WITH CHARLOTTE
DE BOURBON.
In these days, the lord John d’Orgemont, bishop of Paris, departed this
life, in his episcopal palace, about the end of June. He was succeeded
in his bishoprick by the lord Gerard de Montagu, bishop of Poitiers,
chancellor to the duke of Berry, and brother to the grand master of
the king’s household and to the archbishop of Sens. He was honourably
received in the cathedral church of Nôtre Dame in Paris, the 22d day of
September following.
The king of France, the dukes of Berry, Burgundy, and Bourbon, the king
of Navarre, and several other princes, with prelates and churchmen
without number, were present at his consecration. With the aid of the
grand master, his brother, the feast he gave on the occasion was the
most magnificent ever seen, in regard to the quantity of gold and
silver plate, and the diversity and abundance of meats and liquors.
From this grand display, the princes observed that the grand master
governed the king as he pleased; and they began to form suspicions as
to the uprightness of his conduct.
On the 16th day of July following, duke Anthony of Brabant married, at
Brussels, the niece of the king of Bohemia[32], heiress to the duchy
of Luxembourg in right of her father. This marriage had been concluded
by the mediation of the bishop of Châlons and sir Regnier Pot.
Several knights, esquires, ladies and damsels of high rank, had
accompanied the lady to Brussels, according to the orders of the king
of Bohemia, her uncle. There were present at these nuptials the two
brothers of the duke of Brabant, the duke of Burgundy and the count de
Nevers, with their sister, wife to duke William count de Hainault; the
count de Charolois and the countess of Cleves, children to the duke of
Burgundy; the marquis du Pont, his brother John[33] and their sister,
the countess de St Pol[34], all three children to the duke de Bar; the
counts de Namur and de Conversant, with their ladies, with many more of
the great nobility of both sexes.
The count de Clermont, son to the duke de Bourbon, was also there,--and
when he tilted was attended by the duke of Burgundy and count de
Nevers. The duke bore his shield and the count his lance, to the
surprise of many present, on account of the great hatred that had so
lately subsisted between them for the murder of the duke of Orleans:
however, they seemed then to be in perfect concord. This feast was
abundantly served with all sorts of provisions and wines,--and when it
was ended, the different guests retired to their respective countries.
On the last day but one of the same month of July, the marriage of the
daughter of the lord d’Albret, constable of France, with the eldest
son of Montagu[35], grand master of the king’s household, was solemnly
celebrated. The queen of France and numbers of the great nobles were
present,--and the whole of the expense was paid by the king, which
created much anger and envy in several of the princes of the blood
against Montagu.
At this time, the truces were broken between the kings of France and of
England, but only at sea; and a bitter naval war ensued, to the great
loss of many merchants in each country.
On the 2d day of August, John de Lusignan, king of Cyprus, espoused by
proxy, Charlotte de Bourbon, sister-german to the count de la Marche.
The ceremony was performed in the castle of Melun, in the presence of
the queen of France, the duke of Acquitaine and her other children,
the king of Navarre, the dukes of Berry and of Bourbon, the counts de
la Marche and de Clermont, the lord Louis de Baviere, brother to the
queen, and many ladies and damsels, who greatly amused themselves in
tournaments, dances, in feastings and other pastimes.
The lady Charlotte, queen of Cyprus, was very handsome, and well
endowed with noble and gracious manners. On the conclusion of these
feasts, she departed for Cyprus, most honourably accompanied by the
nobles so ordered by her brother, and also by those who had been sent
to her from the king of Cyprus. She landed at the port of Chermes,
whither the king came to meet her, much rejoiced at her safe arrival,
and conducted her, attended by the greater part of the nobility of
the island, to Nicosia, where were made many feasts, according to the
custom of the country. They reigned for a long time with much honour,
and had two children, of whom more shall be spoken hereafter.
CHAP. XI.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY HOLDS A GREAT COUNCIL AT LILLE ON HIS
AFFAIRS.--THE DEATH OF THE DUCHESS OF ORLEANS.
On the 5th of August, and the eight succeeding days, duke John of
Burgundy held a grand council in his town of Lille, on his own affairs,
and on the means of reconciling his brother and brother-in-law, the
duke of Brabant and duke William of Holland, who had quarrelled for a
cause before mentioned.
With these two dukes, there were also present the duke of Burgundy’s
sister, the wife of duke William, the bishop of Liege, and the count
de Namur. At length, the duke of Burgundy made peace between them, on
condition that duke William should pay to the duke of Brabant, for all
his demand of debt, the sum of seventy thousand golden florins of the
coin of France, by different instalments.
When this had been settled, the duke of Burgundy went, about the
middle of August, to Paris, by orders from the king and royal council:
he was accompanied by many men at arms, whom he quartered in the
villages round Paris. The reason why he was attended by such a force
was, because the duke of Brittany had lately brought from England
great numbers of English, and, in conjunction with his Bretons, was
carrying on a sharp war against the old countess of Penthievre[36]
and her lands. The queen of France and the king’s ministers were much
displeased at this conduct of the duke of Brittany, because it was to
the prejudice of the realm. The duke had increased this displeasure
against him by having beaten and ill treated his duchess, daughter to
the king of France, for blaming him on account of his undertaking this
war.
It was therefore intended, that the duke of Burgundy should march the
forces he had brought, attended by other princes and captains, against
the duke of Brittany, to conquer his country and oblige him to submit
to the king. The duke of Burgundy was very desirous of succouring
the countess and her fair son, the count de Penthievre; but while the
preparations were making, the duke of Brittany, informed by some of
his friends that he was in the ill graces of his mother in law, the
queen of France, and of those who governed the king, sent, by advice
of his council, certain ambassadors to Paris, to offer to submit his
differences with the countess de Penthievre to the king and council,
which was at length accepted, through the interference of the king of
Navarre.
The countess de Penthievre and her son were summoned to Paris, whither
also came the duke of Brittany, when, after some discussions, peace was
made between them.
In this same month, Isabella, the king of France’s eldest daughter, and
dowager queen of England, but wife to Charles duke of Orleans, died
in childbed. The duke bitterly lamented her loss, but received some
consolation out of regard to the daughter she had brought him.
The patriarch of Alexandria, bishop of Carcassonne, succeeded Guy de
Roye (whose murder has been noticed) in the archbishoprick of Rheims,
and the archbishop of Bourges succeeded to the patriarchate. Doctor
William Bouratier, secretary to the king, was nominated archbishop
of Bourges; and nearly about this time died doctor Peter Paoul, and
was succeeded in his dignities by doctor Gilles des Champs, almoner
to the king. Louis de Harcourt, brother to the count de Harcourt, was
appointed archbishop of Rouen.
CHAP. XII.
THE TOWN OF GENOA REBELS AGAINST BOUCICAUT, MARSHAL OF FRANCE,
THE GOVERNOR, WHILE OBEYING A SUMMONS FROM THE DUKE OF MILAN.
Boucicaut, marshal of France, was at this time governor of Genoa, and
resided there. He was called upon by the duke of Milan and his brother,
the count of Pavia[37], to settle a dispute which had arisen between
them, respecting part of their dominions. He accepted the invitation,
thinking he should do an agreeable service to the duke of Milan, and
not suspecting any trick in the matter. But during his absence, the
inhabitants of Genoa rebelled against his government, and sent for some
of their allies and accomplices to come to them.
They cruelly murdered the marshal’s lieutenant, the chevalier de
Colletrie, named Chollette, a native of Auvergne, which the other
Frenchmen hearing of, fled into the forts, for fear of suffering a
similar fate. These were instantly besieged by the Genoese, who sent
for the marquis of Montferrat[38]: he lost no time in hastening to
their aid with four thousand combatants, as they had promised to pay
him ten thousand florins yearly,--and they immediately elected him doge
of Genoa. They also chose twelve knights, as a council to manage public
affairs.
A few days after, Fassincault[39], a very renowned captain in Italy,
and a great friend of the marquis of Montferrat, came to Genoa with
the intent of assisting the marquis; but the Genoese refused to admit
him, or accept of his offers. On his return, his force, amounting
to eight thousand men, took a town called Noefville; but the French
retreated within the castle, which was instantly besieged.
When Boucicaut heard of the rebellion of the Genoese, he set out
accompanied by his men, and the duke of Milan and the count of Pavia,
and arrived with speed at the castle of Gaing[40], situated between the
town of Noefville[41] and Genoa, and fought with Fassincault and his
forces. In this battle, eight hundred men were slain, the greater part
belonging to Fassincault,--and night alone separated the combatants.
Boucicaut, by the advice of Enguerrand de Bournouville and Gaiffier
de la Salle, both men at arms of acknowledged prowess, advanced that
night to the castle of Gaing, which he won, and amply provided it with
provision and all necessary stores. Fassincault remained in the town;
but seeing he could not gain the castle, he departed with his men to
his own fortresses.
The marshal Boucicaut carried on a severe warfare against the Genoese
and those who had assisted them. He also sent messengers to inform
the king of France of his situation, and to require that he would
immediately send him reinforcements of men at arms.--The king and his
great council, on receiving this intelligence and considering the
fickleness of the Genoese, determined to proceed cautiously against
them. The king sent, at his expense, the lords de Torsy, de Rambures,
and de Viefville, with a certain number of men at arms, to the city of
Asti, belonging to the duke of Orleans, and near to the territory of
Genoa, with the hope of affording assistance to Boucicaut.
On their arrival at Asti, they found that the whole country was in
rebellion, excepting some forts, which held out for the French; but as
they were without the town, and could not contain many men, from dread
of wanting provision, they were not of consequence, nor could they do
much mischief. The above knights, therefore, perceiving they could not
perform any essential services, resolved to return to France.
All merchants, and others who came from or had any connexions with
Genoa, were now sought after in Paris, arrested and imprisoned, and
their goods confiscated to the king’s use. Now these Genoese had for a
long time been under obedience to the king, and had diligently served
him in many of his wars.
CHAP. XIII.
THE PRINCES OF THE BLOOD ASSEMBLE, AND RESOLVE TO REFORM THE
MANAGEMENT OF THE ROYAL FINANCES.--THE DEATH OF MONTAGU.
At this period, the following princes of the blood,--Louis king of
Navarre[42], the dukes of Berry, Burgundy, and Bourbon, and many other
great lords, were at Paris; and having learnt that the king’s treasury
was impoverished by his officers and those who governed him, insomuch
that his plate and the greater part of his jewels were in pawn, they
one day personally explained to the king, in the presence of the queen,
the duke of Acquitaine and others of his council, the miserable state
of his finances, and the unworthy government of the officers of his
household. They at the same time requested, that he would be pleased
to permit that some of them should have power to reform in general the
abuses that had commenced with his reign, and to call to an account,
dismiss, and punish all who should have mismanaged the finances,
according as the cases might require, without any exception whatever.
This request the king granted; and for the better carrying on their
object, the greater part of the lords before mentioned left their
own hôtels, and resided in the king’s palace of St Pol, where, with
the advice of the members of the parliament and the university, they
continued their reformations for many days.
They soon discovered that those who had managed the finances for the
last sixteen or twenty years had very dishonestly acquitted themselves,
and had acquired for themselves and their friends immense fortunes,
to the prejudice of the state. Montagu, who had been the principal
minister of finance, was particularly the object they aimed at,--and
they ordered him, with several others, to be arrested and confined in
the prisons of the Châtelet.
Sir Peter des Essars, provost of Paris, was directed to put this order
into execution, with his sergeants; and by the command of the duke of
Burgundy, the lords de Heylly, de Robais, and sir Roland de Vequerque,
were appointed to assist the provost in this duty. Having assembled
together, they, on a certain day, met Montagu, and with him the doctor,
Martin Gouge, bishop of Chartres, both going to hear mass at the
monastery of St Victor.
The provost, attended by the above lords, on meeting them, laid his
hands on both, saying, ‘I lay hands on you by virtue of the royal
authority vested in me for this purpose.’--Montagu, hearing these
words, was much astonished, and trembled greatly; but his courage soon
returned, and he replied to the provost, ‘What! rascal, art thou daring
enough to lay hands on me?’ But the provost answered, ‘Matters will
not turn out as you think,--for you must make reparation for the many
and great mischiefs you have done.’