Chapter I: Front Matter (1)

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. V.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, PATERNOSTER-ROW;
AND J. WHITE AND CO. FLEET-STREET.

1810.

CONTENTS

OF

_THE FIFTH VOLUME_.

PAGE

CHAP. I.

The cardinals d'Orsini and di San Marco
come to France to appease the quarrels of
the princes of the blood royal. A peace
is made at Montereau, but not kept 1

CHAP. II.

King Henry of England conquers many
towns in Normandy. The capture of the
count de Harcourt, in Aumale, by his
cousin sir James de Harcourt 5

CHAP. III.

The city of Paris is taken by the duke of
Burgundy. The Parisians turn to his
party. The consequences that follow 7

CHAP. IV.

After the capture of Paris, many towns and
castles submit to the obedience of the
duke of Burgundy. Other matters 17

CHAP. V.

The commonalty of Paris assemble in great
numbers, and cruelly put to death their
prisoners 20

CHAP. VI.

The duke of Burgundy, on hearing what
had passed at Paris, carries the queen thither.
The death of Jean Bertrand 24

CHAP. VII.

Pope Martin adjourns the council of Constance.
The king of England conquers
Pont de l'Arche. Other matters 28

CHAP. VIII.

The duke of Touraine continues the war.
The town of Compiegne won by the lord
de Bocquiaux. The marriage of the duke
of Brabant, and other matters 32

CHAP. IX.

The king and the duke of Burgundy send
captains for the defence of Rouen. Of a
robber called Tabary 37

CHAP. X.

King Henry of England, with many Irish,
besieges Rouen, where several skirmishes
take place 40

CHAP. XI.

The sentence that had been formerly passed
on master John Petit is publicly reversed.
The capture of Laigny-sur-Marne. The
arrival of the duke of Brittany, and other
matters 44

CHAP. XII.

The Parisians again put to death the prisoners.
The siege of Montlehery. The
capture of Soissons by the lord de Bocquiaux
and his companions 47

CHAP. XIII.

The dauphiness is sent to the dauphin. The
siege of Tours, in Touraine. Of the government
established by the king and the
duke of Burgundy 52

CHAP. XIV.

The town of Rouen sends messengers to the
king to demand succour. An embassy is
sent to king Henry of England, and many
other matters 54

CHAP. XV.

A large army is collected to raise the siege
of Rouen. The besieged send another
embassy. The excursion of sir James de
Harcourt 60

CHAP. XVI.

The king of France holds many councils on
the means of raising of the siege of Rouen.
The surrender of that town to the king
of England, and other matters 66

CHAP. XVII.

The castle of Coucy is taken by the prisoners
confined therein, and the governor, Peter
de Saint Treille killed. Other matters 75

CHAP. XVIII.

The king of England sends an embassy to
the king of France and the duke of Burgundy
at Provins. Other matters relative
to what passed on the frontiers 80

CHAP. XIX.

The dauphin carries on a vigorous war in
different parts of the realm. The enterprise
of Lyonnet de Bournouville and
Daviod de Gouy, and other matters 83

CHAP. XX.

Sir John de Luxembourg marches six hundred
combatants to meet his brother in
the county of Brienne. The defeat of
Hector de Saveuses 85

CHAP. XXI.

The queen of France, the princess Catherine,
and the duke of Burgundy unite
with the king of England. Peace between
the dauphin and the duke of Burgundy 87

CHAP. XXII.

The treaty of peace concluded between the
dauphin and the duke of Burgundy is
proclaimed through divers parts of France.
Other matters 102

CHAP. XXIII.

King Henry of England is dissatisfied with
the peace between the dauphin and the
duke of Burgundy. The English capture
the town of Pontoise from the lord de
l'Isle-Adam. The consequences thereof 105

CHAP. XXIV.

The duke of Clarence besieges Gisors, and
takes it. The siege of Saint Martin le
Gaillart, and other matters between the
French and English 108

CHAP. XXV.

The king of England has the fortresses of
Chasteau-Gaillard and of La Roche-Guyon
besieged. They are conquered. Other
matters 112

CHAP. XXVI.

The dauphin comes to Montereau-faut-Yonne
with a powerful army, and summons thither
the duke of Burgundy, who is cruelly
murdered 113

CHAP. XXVII.

The conduct of the dauphin, and of those
with him, after the death of the duke of
Burgundy. He sends letters to different
towns 126

CHAP. XXVIII.

The lord de Montagu writes letters to several
of the principal towns of the kingdom of
France. The Parisians renew their oaths
of fidelity after the death of the duke of
Burgundy 137

CHAP. XXIX.

The dauphin departs from Montereau. The
deliverance of those who had accompanied
the duke of Burgundy, and other matters 140

CHAP. XXX.

Philip count de Charolois is made acquainted
with the cruel murder of his father.
He holds a grand council on the state of
his affairs, and concludes a truce with the
English. Other matters 142

CHAP. XXXI.

The duke of Burgundy orders a funeral service
to be performed in the church of St
Vaast, at Arras, for duke John his late
father. Other matters 146

CHAP. XXXII.

Sir John de Luxembourg assembles a large
body of men at arms, and leads them before
Roye. Other occurrences that happened
at this period 152

CHAP. XXXIII.

The French and Burgundians begin to form
acquaintance with the English. The siege
of Fontaines-Lavagam. Other matters 160

CHAP. XXXIV.

The duke of Burgundy departs from Arras,
and marches a large army to lay siege to
the town of Crespy in the Laonnois, and
thence to wait on the king of France at
Troyes in Champagne 163

CHAP. XXXV.

The conduct of the duke of Burgundy on
his march to Troyes, and when there.
The behaviour of the English ambassadors
who accompanied him thither 168

CHAP. XXXVI.

Sir John de Luxembourg makes an excursion
with his whole force toward Alibaudieres
and the event thereof 172

CHAP. XXXVII.

The count de Conversan, with his brother
sir John de Luxembourg, the lord de Croy,
and other captains, lay siege to Alibaudieres.
The consequences thereof 174

CHAP. XXXVIII.

The greater part of the duke of Burgundy's
army return to their own countries. The
marshal de l'Isle-Adam and the lord de
Croy lead an expedition toward the Auxerrois 178

CHAP. XXXIX.

Henry king of England arrives, with his
whole army, at Troyes in Champagne, to
celebrate his marriage, and to conclude a
perpetual peace with the king of France 182

CHAP. XL.

The kings of France and of England depart
from Troyes with their queens, in
company with the duke of Burgundy. The
sieges of Sens and of Montereau 198

CHAP. XLI.

The town of Villeneuve-le-Roi is taken by
scalado. The siege of the Pont St Esprit.
The croisade undertaken by the pope, and
many other matters 205

CHAP. XLII.

The town of Melun is closely besieged. The
capture of the count de Conversan. The
departure of the young king of Sicily for
Rome 208

CHAP. XLIII.

Several castles and forts are delivered up to
king Henry of England, in which he
places his own captains. The royal edicts
issued at his request 214

CHAP. XLIV.

Philip count de St Pol goes to Brussels, and
arrests the ministers of the duke of Brabant.
Other events that happened in
these times 220

CHAP. XLV.

The lord de l'Isle-Adam, marshal of France,
is sent to garrison Joigny. The surrender
of the town and castle of Melun 224

CHAP. XLVI.

After the surrender of Melun, the two
kings of France and of England, with
their queens, and several princes and
great lords, go to Paris in grand pomp 232

CHAP. XLVII.

A party of English are defeated near Mont-Epiloy.
The marriage of the marquis du
Pont with a princess of Lorraine. The
conduct of sir James de Harcourt 238

CHAP. XLVIII.

Commissioners arrive at Paris from different
towns in the kingdom of France. The
two kings hold there a council of the
three estates. Other matters 241

CHAP. XLIX.

King Henry sets out from Rouen to Calais
with his queen, and thence to England,
where he is received with great joy by all
ranks of people 244

CHAP. L.

A quarrel takes place between the duke and
duchess of Brabant. She separates herself
from him and passes over into England 247

CHAP. LI.

The duke of Brittany is made prisoner by
the count de Penthievre, and detained by
him for a considerable time. A war
takes place in consequence thereof 249

CHAP. LII.

The Dauphinois retake Villeneuve-le-Roi.
The lord de Chastillon conquers Chasteau-Thierry,
and makes La Hire prisoner 258

CHAP. LIII.

The dauphin is summoned by the parliament
to appear at the table of marble. The
duke of Exeter arrests the lord de l'Isle-Adam
in Paris 260

CHAP. LIV.

The duke of Clarence is defeated by the
Dauphinois near to Baugey. In this engagement,
great numbers of the nobles
and gentlemen of each party are slain 262

CHAP. LV.

The Dauphinois advance to Alençon: the
English march thither also. The marriage
of the duke of Alençon, and other matters 265

CHAP. LVI.

Sir James de Harcourt begins a war on the
vassals and countries of the duke of Burgundy.
The inconveniences that arise
from this conduct 267

CHAP. LVII.

King Henry of England returns to France
with a powerful army to combat the dauphin,
who had besieged Chartres 269

CHAP. LVIII.

The king of England marches from Calais,
through Abbeville, to Beauvais, and thence
to Mantes, where the duke of Burgundy
meets him 272

CHAP. LIX.

The lord d'Offemont enters St Riquier. The
adventure of the lord de Cohen, governor
of Abbeville. Other events that happened
in these times 276

CHAP. LX.

The duke of Burgundy marches to Pont de
Saint Remy, and conquers it. The deeds
of arms that were performed before Saint
Riquier 280

CHAP. LXI.

The duke of Burgundy marches from Pont
de St Remy to lay siege to the town of St
Riquier. He breaks up his siege to combat
the Dauphinois, who are advancing to
the relief of that town 283

CHAP. LXII.

The Burgundians and the Dauphinois draw
up in battle array against each other on
the last day of August. The consequences
that followed 290

CHAP. LXIII.

The names of the principal lords who had
accompanied and remained with the duke
of Burgundy in the late rencounter. Also
the names of the principal Dauphinois 299

CHAP. LXIV.

News of the late victory is made public in
different parts. The capture of the fort
of Douvrier. The departure of the duke
of Burgundy from Hesdin 301

CHAP. LXV.

The king of England conquers Dreux, and
pursues the dauphin, he then lays siege
to Meaux in Brie, and other matters 303

CHAP. LXVI.

The duke of Burgundy enters into a treaty
with his prisoners for the surrender of
St Riquier, to which the lord d'Offemont,
governor of the place, agrees 307

CHAP. LXVII.

The Burgundian lords assemble in arms to
conduct thither their duke from Picardy.
Other matters 310

CHAP. LXVIII.

Sir James de Harcourt meets a party of English,
and is defeated with loss. A heavy
tax laid for a coinage to supply the towns
with current cash 313

CHAP. LXIX.

The duke of Burgundy and the count de St
Pol depart from Arras, and wait on the
kings of France and of England. Other
matters 315

CHAP. LXX.

Sir John de Luxembourg waits on king
Henry, to solicit the liberty of the count
de Conversan, his brother, and other events 318

CHAP. LXXI.

The lord d'Offemont attempting to enter
Meaux, is made prisoner by the English.
The besiegers take the town by storm 320

CHAP. LXXII.

Sir John de Luxembourg conquers, this
campaign, the fortresses of Quesnoy,
Louvroy and Hericourt. Other matters 323

CHAP. LXXIII.

The emperor of Germany raises this year
an army against the heretics of Prague.
Similar heresies are discovered near to
Douay. The siege of D'airaines 326

CHAP. LXXIV.

The Dauphinois assemble to raise the siege
of D'airaines. The Burgundians and English
march to meet them, and offer them
battle 329

CHAP. LXXV.

King Henry reduces Meaux to his obedience.
The executions that take place in
consequence of orders from him 333

CHAP. LXXVI.

After the reduction of Meaux, many towns
and castles surrender to the king of England,
who regarrisons them with his own
men 340

CHAP. LXXVII.

The queen of England returns to France in
grand state. An assembly of the three
estates is held in Paris. Other matters 343

CHAP. LXXVIII.

The kings of France and England go from
Paris to Senlis. The siege of Saint Valery.
The reduction of Compiegne. An
embassy sent to sir James de Harcourt 346

CHAP. LXXIX.

The king of England goes from Senlis to
Compiegne. The capture of the town of
Saint Dizier. A conflict between the
Dauphinois and Burgundians 350

CHAP. LXXX.

The dauphin lays siege to Cône-sur-Loire.
The expedition of the duke of Burgundy
for its relief. The death of the king of
England 364

CHAP. LXXXI.

The duchess of Burgundy dies in the town
of Ghent. The duke of Bedford is made
regent of France. Several forts are demolished 379

HERE BEGINNETH

THE FIFTH VOLUME

OF THE

CHRONICLES

OF

_ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET_.

CHAP. I.

THE CARDINALS D'ORSINI AND DI SAN MARCO COME TO FRANCE TO APPEASE THE QUARRELS OF THE PRINCES OF THE BLOOD ROYAL.--A PEACE IS MADE AT MONTEREAU, BUT NOT KEPT.

During the time the Duke of Burgundy resided in his duchy, he was visited by the cardinals d'Orsini and di San Marco, who had been sent by the pope to France to endeavour to make up the quarrels between the king, the queen and the duke of Burgundy. The duke paid them every respect, and feasted them magnificently, and declared that he was ready to make peace with all who wished it; and for this purpose had sent ambassadors to Bray-sur-Seine to meet others from the king.

On this the cardinals left Burgundy, and, passing through Troyes, went to Bray and Montereau, where they were handsomely received by the ambassadors from each party. Thence the cardinal di San Marco went to Paris, and in the presence of the king, his constable and ministers, explained the object of his mission, and the infinite advantages that would result from a peace. After he had been much honoured by the lords of the court, he returned to the ambassadors at Montereau, where he and the cardinal d'Orsini remained the whole time of the negotiations, going daily to the church of La Tombe, wherein the conferences were held.

They laboured so diligently in this business that a treaty was drawn up and sworn to by the ambassadors, in the presence of the cardinals, on condition that the ambassadors should carry copies of it to their respective lords; and if the terms were not approved of by them, each party was to remain in the same state as before any negotiations were begun. Thus some of them went to Paris, to wait on the king and constable; and others to Troyes, to the queen and the council of the duke of Burgundy.

These last, on being shewn the treaty, very much approved of it, and sent it to the duke for his approbation,--who, having examined it with his ministers, returned for answer, that he accepted it wholly without exception; that he would cheerfully swear to its observance, and cause all of his party to do the same.

In like manner, the ambassadors from the king and the constable, on their arrival at Paris, laid a copy of the treaty before the king, the dauphin, some of the principal ministers, and most leading citizens, who were well satisfied that the king should sign it. But when it was shewn to the count d'Armagnac, to the chancellor, the provost of Paris, and Raymonnet de la Guerre, they were highly indignant thereat, and said plainly, that they would never remain in the room where the king should sign it as it then was. The chancellor even declared, that the king might seal it himself, for that he never would.

The bishop of Paris, many of the citizens, and several of the ministers of the king and dauphin, who were very desirous of peace, were thunderstruck on hearing these declarations, and advised the dauphin to call a meeting at the Louvre on this matter. He did so; but the constable would not attend, saying, that those who had agreed to such a peace, and those who advised the king to consent to it, were traitors.

By these means the peace was prevented: all negotiations were broken off, and both parties remained in the state they were in before, without peace or truce. This, however, created very great hatred among the Parisians to the constable, who nevertheless ordered detachments against the castles of Montlehery and Marcoussy, possessed by the Burgundians, but who were obliged to surrender them to the king's forces. The constable regarrisoned them for the king.

CHAP. II.

KING HENRY OF ENGLAND CONQUERS MANY TOWNS IN NORMANDY.--THE CAPTURE OF THE COUNT DE HARCOURT, IN AUMALE, BY HIS COUSIN SIR JAMES DE HARCOURT.

At this season, as has been before noticed, king Henry of England was in great force in Normandy, where he conquered towns and castles at his pleasure; for scarcely any resistance was made against him, owing to the intestine divisions of France. He thus easily gained possession of the towns of Evreux, Fallaise, Bayeux, Lisieux, Coutances, Avranches, St Loth, and many more.

Through fear of king Henry, the count de Harcourt had retired within his castle of Aumale, with all his dependants; whither on a certain day, under the appearance of a visit to pay his compliments, came his cousin sir James de Harcourt, attended by about sixty combatants. He purposely dismounted at the gate of the castle, which, on his being recognised, was instantly opened, and every honour was paid him by the officers of the count. Part of his men entered with him, and he went to the count, who joyously received him, saying, 'Fair cousin, you are welcome.' Sir James had ordered the remainder of his men to come to the castle when they had put up their horses in the town; and shortly after some conversation together respecting the wars now going on in France, seeing the opportunity was proper, sir James took the count by the hand, and said, 'My lord, I make you a prisoner in the king's name.'

The count, much astonished, replied, 'Fair cousin, what do you mean? I am the king's man, as you know, and have never acted to his prejudice.' However, in spite of his protestations and claims of kindred, or any other excuses, he was detained a prisoner and placed by sir James under a secure guard. On the morrow, after sir James had seized on all the moveables within the castle, and appointed a part of his men for its defence, he departed, and carried the count with him to the castle of Crotoy.

Sir James, by these means, got from the count a beautiful chesnut horse, with a short tail, which was afterward famous as a war-horse. After that day, the count remained prisoner to his cousin; but he was frequently transported from one castle to another, and it was commonly reported that he was thus kept prisoner with the consent of his son, John de Harcourt, count of Aumale.

CHAP. III.

THE CITY OF PARIS IS TAKEN BY THE
DUKE OF BURGUNDY.--THE PARISIANS
TURN TO HIS PARTY.--THE CONSEQUENCES
THAT FOLLOW.

You have already heard how the Parisians were much discontented with the count d'Armagnac and others of the king's ministers, because they would not accept of the treaty of peace that had been made with the duke of Burgundy. They were much afraid of this duke and his army, and saw clearly that if he was not reconciled to the king and the dauphin, they must remain in their present uncomfortable state for a long time. Numbers of them were strongly attached to him, and wished him to have the government of the kingdom,--but in fact they knew not how to accomplish it, for they were very narrowly watched, and dared not hold any meetings to communicate together, because the ministry had always ready a body of men at arms to punish them on the slightest appearance of rebellion.

Notwithstanding this, some daring youths of the commonalty, who had formerly been punished for their demerits, adventured to have a conference with the lord de l'Isle-Adam at Pontoise, where he was in garrison. These youths were six or seven in number; and the principal were Perrinet le Clerc, son to John le Clerc, Ferron, John Thiebert, son to Michael Thiebert butcher, Perron Bourdechon.

The lord de l'Isle-Adam concluded a treaty with them, that he would assemble as great a number of men at arms as he could, and, on the 29th day of May ensuing, would march them to the gate of St Germain des Pres at Paris, which they engaged to have opened to him. On this, they separated; and the lord de l'Isle-Adam collected, as privately as he could, about eight hundred men at arms, among whom were le veau de Bar bailiff of Auxois, the lord de Chastellus, the lord de Chevreuse, Ferry de Mailly, Louis de Varigines, Lionnet de Bournouville, Daviod de Guoy and others. These the lord de l'Isle-Adam led to the appointed rendezvous on the day fixed on, where he found Perrinet le Clerc, who had stolen from behind his father's pillow the keys of the gate of St Germain, to whom they had been intrusted, and the aforesaid youths.

The gate was opened according to their promise, and some of the Parisians came out to speak with the lord de l'Isle-Adam and the others: they assured them that they might enter the town in security, and that they would conduct them whithersoever they pleased.

Upon their report, the burgundian lords and their men armed ready for battle, entered the town on horseback. It might be about two hours after midnight; and Perrinet le Clerc, seeing them within the town, locked the gate and flung the keys over the wall.

They began their march in silence toward the Chatelet, where they met about four hundred of the Parisians ready armed to join them: they then, with one accord, resolved to make attacks on the houses of the different ministers of the king, and ordered two parties to parade the streets, shouting, 'that all who wished for peace must unite with them in arms.'

This cry brought great multitudes of the populace to join them,--and they hastened to attack the houses of the ministers of state. One party went to the king's hotel of St Pol, where they broke down doors and windows, and were not satisfied until they had spoken to the king, who was forced to grant them all their demands. They, shortly after, made him mount his horse, as well as the brother to the king of Cyprus, and ride with them through the streets of Paris.

Another party went to the hotel of the constable to seize him; but he had been advertised in time of their intent, and had escaped in disguise to the house of a poor man adjoining his own. Some went to the hotels of the chancellor and Raymonnet de la Guerre, whom they arrested. Tanneguy du Chatel, provost of Paris, hearing the uproar, hastened to the hotel of the dauphin, and, wrapping him up only in a blanket, carried him to the bastille of St Anthony, whither numbers of their friends had retired on the first appearance of the insurrection.

During this night and the two following days, the burgundian lords, and the populace of Paris, plundered the houses of the ministers, and of their favourites and adherents, whom they robbed of every thing. An infinite number of prisoners were made, and confined in the palace, the Louvre, the Chatelet, and in other places: among them were the bishops of Bayeux, Senlis and Coutances, sir Hector de Chartres, sir Enguerran de Marcoignet and others.

The lord de l'Isle-Adam went himself to the hotel de Bourbon, where he found Charles de Bourbon, then about fifteen years of age, whom, having awakened, he demanded which party he was of: he replied, "Of the king's party;" upon which, the lord de l'Isle-Adam made him rise, and conducted him to the king, with whom he remained during all the time these sad events were passing.

Great part of the men at arms attached to the constable and to Tanneguy du Chatel had retired within the bastille of St Anthony, and with them John Louvet, president of the parliament of Provence, master Robert Masson, with numbers of high rank.

The cardinals de Bar and di San Marco, with the archbishop of Rheims, were also made prisoners, and their horses seized; but at the intercession of the bishop of Paris, and because they had advised peace, they were set at liberty, and had their effects returned to them.

About eight o'clock on the Monday-morning, the king, by sound of trumpet, dismissed Tanneguy du Chatel from the provostship of Paris, and appointed le veau de Bar, bailiff of Auxois, in his stead. In short, all the king's ministers, the members of the different courts of justice, and all the citizens of rank who were attached to the Armagnacs, were plundered and made prisoners, or cruelly murdered. It was also proclaimed throughout the streets, in the king's name, by sound of trumpet, that all persons of either sex who should know of any of the Armagnac party being hidden or disguised must, on pain of confiscation of their property, instantly denounce them to the provost of Paris, or to some of the captains of the men at arms. In consequence the poor man in whose house the constable was hidden, went to inform the provost of it, who instantly returned with him, and found the constable as he had said. The provost made him mount him behind him, and carried him to the palace with other prisoners.

While these things were passing, Tanneguy du Chatel sent away Charles duke of Touraine and dauphin, by the bridge of Charenton, to Corbeil, Melun, and to Montargis: he at the same time dispatched messengers to the leaders of his party, to hasten to his succour, with as many men at arms as they could collect.

The lord de l'Isle-Adam and the other great lords were not dilatory in summoning their party, from Picardy and elsewhere, to join them with speed in Paris; and in a few days very great numbers came thither.

Early in the morning of the Wednesday following the capture of Paris, the marshal de Rieux, the lord de Barbasan and Tanneguy du Chatel, with sixteen hundred combatants, picked men, entered Paris by the gate of saint Anthony, in hopes of conquering it. A party of them went by the back way to the hotel de St Pol, thinking to take and carry off the king; but on the preceding day, he and all his household had been conducted to the castle of the Louvre.

The remainder, with displayed banners, marched through the streets, as far as the hotel de l'Ours, shouting, 'Long live the king, the dauphin, and the constable d'Armagnac!' This cry instantly brought forth a great number of the Parisians in arms, with the new provost of Paris, the lord de l'Isle-Adam, and all the other men at arms within Paris, to offer them combat. A very severe battle took place; but in the end, from the multitudes of Parisians coming upon them on all sides, the marshal de Rieux and his men were forced to retreat toward the bastille, but not without heavy loss,--for there remained dead on the field of battle from three to four hundred of his best men. On the side of the Parisians about forty were killed, and among them was a gentleman, called Hairpin de Guoy, attached to the lord de l'Isle-Adam.

After this, Barbasan and Tanneguy du Chatel, seeing their cause for the present hopeless, placed a sufficient garrison in the bastille, and departed, some to Meaux en Brie, others to Corbeil, to Melun, and to different towns that were under their obedience.

On the Thursday following, Hector and Philip de Saveuses arrived in Paris with two hundred combatants. The lords within that city were rejoiced at their coming, and quartered them at the Tournelles, and in different houses facing the bastille, wherein there was still a garrison of the Armagnacs.

On the Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and the eight ensuing days, the greater part of the captains of Picardy arrived at Paris with their men at arms, such as sir John de Luxembourg, the lord de Fosseux and his brothers, sir Janet de Poix, the lord de Cohen, and many more, expecting to find much gain in that city; but the majority were greatly disappointed, and were forced to pay their own expenses.

Those of the Armagnacs who had fallen in battle were flung into carts, and carried by the public executioner out of Paris, and buried in the fields, while the Parisians that had been slain were handsomely interred in consecrated ground.

All Paris now wore the badge of the duke of Burgundy, namely, a Saint Andrew's cross, which had of late been held in much contempt. On the Saturday, those within the bastille, seeing it was but lost time to remain there, entered into a treaty with the lord de l'Isle-Adam and the other lords in Paris, that they would surrender the bastille, if they were permitted to march away in safety. This was accepted; and, on passports being granted them, they departed. The lord de Canny, who had remained a prisoner in the bastille ever since his return from his embassy from the king to the duke of Burgundy, as has been before mentioned, was nominated governor thereof by the king and the duke of Burgundy.

CHAP. IV.

AFTER THE CAPTURE OF PARIS, MANY TOWNS AND CASTLES SUBMIT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.--OTHER MATTERS.

About this time, by orders from the king, Hector and Philip de Saveuses, and the lord de Crevecoeur, were dispatched with their men at arms toward Compiegne and the adjoining castles. On their coming before Compiegne, they concluded a treaty, that all who were of the Armagnac party should depart in safety with their effects; and that the other inhabitants of the town, who would swear allegiance to the king and the duke of Burgundy, should remain unmolested.

In like manner were surrendered to them the town and castle of Creil, St Maixence, Mouchy le Piereux, Pont a Choisy, and other places, in which they placed garrisons of their own men. Noyon submitted to the obedience of the king and the duke by means of the lord de Genly[1], and le Plaisser by sir John de Roye. Laon, Corbeil, Soissons, Chauny sur Oise and Gisors, also submitted.

In the town of Creil, a gentleman called le Begue de Groches was appointed governor,--but only eight men entered that town. In the castle were the count de Ventadour, the lord de Chateau-morant, and sir Charles de Saint Saulieu, with a certain number of men at arms attached to the party of the Armagnacs; but they were forced to surrender it by le Begue de Groches and the commonalty of the town, on condition of their lives and fortunes being spared, and le Begue de Groches remained governor of the castle and town for a long time.

I must not forget to say something of Perrinet le Clerc and his companions, who had delivered up the city of Paris to the Burgundians. They were, at first, in great authority, and lived in high state; but, in the end, they became as poor and as wicked as they had been before.

When the inhabitants of Peronne, who had been strongly attached to the king, the dauphin and the count d'Armagnac, heard of the capture of Paris, and of the surrender of so many towns and castles, they were much astonished and alarmed, considering that they were so near to the territories of the duke of Burgundy, lest they should have their town taken by storm, or besieged. They therefore resolved to send a deputation to the count de Charolois, to propose submitting themselves to the obedience of the king and the duke.

They in consequence sent ambassadors for this purpose, although sir Thomas de Lersies, bailiff of the Vermandois, exhorted them to keep steady to the dauphin. These ambassadors, namely, master Oudard Cuperel, a canon of St Foursy, and others, treated so successfully with the count de Charolois and his ministers that the town was surrendered to the duke. Notwithstanding the magistrates and inhabitants had promised not to conclude any treaty that should be prejudicial to sir Thomas de Lersies, he was arrested, carried to Laon and beheaded. In like manner were executed John de Bervenucourt, his lieutenant, and Alard de Vercuigneul.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 1: Genly. Q. If not Genlis.]

CHAP. V.

THE COMMONALTY OF PARIS ASSEMBLE IN GREAT NUMBERS, AND CRUELLY PUT TO DEATH THEIR PRISONERS.

About four o'clock on the 12th day of June, the populace of Paris rose to the amount of about sixty thousand, fearing (as they said) that the prisoners would be set at liberty, although the new provost of Paris, and other lords, assured them to the contrary. They were armed with old mallets, hatchets, staves, and other disorderly weapons, and paraded through the streets, shouting, 'Long live the king and the duke of Burgundy!' toward the different prisons in Paris, namely, the Palace, St Magloire, St Martin des Champs, the Chatelet, the Temple, and to other places wherein any prisoners were confined.

They forced open all their doors and killed Chepier and Chepiere[2], with the whole of the prisoners, to the amount of sixteen hundred, or thereabout: the principal of whom were the count d'Armagnac constable of France, master Henry de Marle chancellor to the king, the bishops of Coutances, of Bayeux, of Evreux, of Senlis, of Saintes, the count de Grand-Pré, Raymonnet de la Guerre, the abbot de St Conille de Compiegne, sir Hector de Chartres, sir Enguerrand de Marcoignet, Charlot Poupart master of the king's wardrobe, the members of the courts of justice and of the treasury, and in general all they could find: among the number were several even of the burgundian party confined for debt.

In this massacre several women were killed, and left on the spot where they had been put to death. This cruel butchery lasted until ten o'clock in the morning of the following day. Those confined in the grand Chatelet, having arms, defended themselves valiantly, and slew many of the populace; but, on the morrow, by means of fire and smoke, they were conquered, and the mob made many of them leap from the battlements of the towers, when they were received on the points of the spears of those in the streets, and cruelly mangled. At this dreadful business were present the new provost of Paris, sir John de Luxembourg, the lord de Fosseux, the lord de l'Isle-Adam, the vidame of Amiens, the lord de Chevreuse, the lord de Chastellus, the lord de Cohen, sir James de Harcourt, sir Emond de Lombers, the lord d'Auxois, and others, to the amount of upward of a thousand combatants armed and on horseback, ready to defend the murderers should there be any necessity.

Many were shocked and astonished at such cruel conduct; but they dared not say any thing, except 'Well done my boys!' The bodies of the constable, the chancellor, and of Raymonnet de la Guerre were stripped naked, tied together with a cord, and dragged for three days by the blackguards of Paris through the streets. The body of the constable had the breadth of two fingers of his skin cut off crosswise, like to a bend in heraldry, by way of derision; and they were thus publicly exposed quite naked to the sight of all; on the fourth day, they were dragged out of Paris on a hurdle, and buried with the others in a ditch called la Louviere.

Notwithstanding the great lords after this took much pains to pacify the populace, and remonstrated with them, that they ought to allow the king's justice to take its regular course against offenders, they would not desist, but went in great crowds to the houses of such as had favoured the Armagnacs, or of those whom they disliked, and killed them without mercy, carrying away all they could find. In these times, it was enough if one man hated another at Paris, of whatever rank he might be, Burgundian or not, to say, 'There goes an Armagnac,' and he was instantly put to death, without further inquiry being made.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 2: These were probably the gaoler and his wife.]

CHAP. VI.

THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, ON HEARING WHAT HAD PASSED AT PARIS, CARRIES THE QUEEN THITHER.--THE DEATH OF JEAN BERTRAND.

When news of the capture of Paris, and of the submission of so many towns and castles, was carried to the duke of Burgundy in Dijon, he was greatly rejoiced, and collecting in haste a body of men, went to the queen at Troyes, where he was magnificently received. He gave orders for preparations to be instantly made for the queen's journey to Paris, and summoned men at arms from all quarters to attend her.

Sir John de Luxembourg, the lord de Fosseux, with other captains from Picardy, and about a thousand combatants, went to meet him so far as Troyes. The duke first heard when at Troyes of the massacre of the count d'Armagnac and the other prisoners at Paris, which angered him greatly; for he had planned by their means, and by offering them their liberty to gain possession of the person of the dauphin, and of all the towns and castles held by the Armagnacs.

On the 2d day of July, the queen and the duke of Burgundy set out from Troyes for Paris in grand array,--the Picards, under the command of John de Luxembourg, forming the vanguard. The duke, with his battalion, conducted the queen, taking their road through Nogent-sur-Seine and Provins. On the 14th day of the same month, they entered Paris attended by an immense crowd of armed men and displayed banners.

Six hundred of the Parisians went out to meet the queen and the duke, dressed in blue jackets, having thereon a St Andrew's cross, which they had worn for some time. They presented the duke and his nephew the young count de St Pol, with two robes of blue velvet, which they put on, and thus made their entry through the gate of St Anthony.

They were received in Paris with the greatest joy: carols were sung in all quarters, and flowers were thrown in abundance on the carriage of the queen, and on the lords who accompanied her from all the upper windows in the streets they passed through. The duke of Burgundy escorted the queen to the hôtel de St Pol, where the king resided, who gave to both of them a most welcome reception.

Shortly after, many great councils were holden by the duke and other lords, on the present state of the kingdom and on its government. At their conclusion, the king, to please the duke of Burgundy, created several new officers: the lords de l'Isle-Adam and de Chastellus were made marshals of France, sir Robinet de Mailly grand butler, sir Charles de Lens admiral of France, although the king had a little before nominated sir Jenet de Poix to that office, and he for a short time bore the title of admiral: master Eustace de Lactre was appointed chancellor of France, and master Philip de Morvillers first president of the parliament.

The duke of Burgundy was made governor of Paris, and chose sir Charles de Lens as his lieutenant. Many great changes were made, with which the king seemed satisfied, and granted every thing that was asked by those who had the government of him.

In these days (as it was commonly believed by orders of sir John de Luxembourg), Jean Bertrand, governor of St Dennes, was put to death at La Chapelle, between Paris and St Dennis. He had been one of the leaders of the companies with sir Gastelin Vas, Jean de Guigny and Jean de Clau, and was a butcher. The Parisians were greatly exasperated at his death, and issued out in crowds to find and punish his murderers, but in vain,--for, having performed the deed, they hastened to escape.

They made loud complaints of it to the duke of Burgundy, who demanded of sir John de Luxembourg if he had been the author of this murder; and he replied that he was not. It was afterwards known, that the perpetrators of it were principally Lyonnet de Vendôme, and the bastard de Robais, with about twelve other wicked fellows as their accomplices.

CHAP. VII.

POPE MARTIN ADJOURNS THE COUNCIL OF CONSTANCE.--THE KING OF ENGLAND CONQUERS PONT DE L'ARCHE.--OTHER MATTERS.

At this period, pope Martin, with the consent of the holy council of Constance, adjourned that council to the month of April in the year 1423, to be held in a convenient city, which should be named by him or his successor in proper time. The pope then departed from Constance, and was conducted from the palace of the bishop by Sigismund emperor of Germany and king of Bohemia, walking on foot, and holding the bridle of his mule. When he was without the town, the pope mounted his horse and went to Geneva, where he held his court for three months.

At this same time, king Henry of England advanced to Louviers in Normandy, which had submitted to his obedience, and thence went to quarter himself at the abbey of Bomport, of the order of Cisteaux[3], very near to Pont de l'Arche, of which place sir John de Graville was governor for the king of France. King Henry sent sir John de Cornwall to summon him to surrender it, but the lord de Graville replied that he would not: upon which Cornwall said, 'Graville, I pledge my word, that in spite of you or of your men I will cross the Seine. Should I do so, you shall give me the best courser you have; and if I fail, I will present you with my helmet of steel, which I will prove to be worth five hundred nobles.' After this conversation and engagement, they parted mutually pleased with each other.

Sir John de Graville sent in haste to all parts for reinforcements of men at arms to guard the fords of the river, and among them came sir James de Harcourt, who happened at that time to be at Estampigny. Several other gentlemen, and many lords, came to his aid, to the amount of eight hundred combatants, and full twelve thousand of the common people.

On the morrow, as Cornwall had promised, he came to the banks of the Seine, and embarked on board eight small boats, attended by his son, fifteen years of age, sixty combatants, one single horse, some small cannons, and military stores: he made for a little island that was in the middle of the stream, whence he could fire at the enemy who guarded the opposite shore. But although the French were so many as I have said, they did not even attempt to make any defence, but instantly fled in the utmost disorder, every man escaping as well as he could.

Sir John de Graville returned to Pont de l'Arche, sir James de Harcourt to Estampigny, and the commonalty fled to the woods. Sir John de Cornwall and his men seeing all this from the island re-imbarked in their boats, and landed without opposition. He immediately created his son a knight; and shortly after, others of the English crossed also in these boats, to the number of about a thousand combatants, part of whom followed sir John de Cornwall, to skirmish before Pont de l'Arche, and the rest scoured the country round. Sir John de Cornwall addressed sir John de Graville, and said, that he and his countrymen had badly acquitted themselves, to suffer him and his small company to cross the river, when they were so very numerous, declaring, that if he had been in his situation with only his sixty English, he would have defended the landing against the united forces of the kings of France and of England.

When the English who had passed the river were re-assembled, they fixed their quarters in the abbey of Mortemer, in the forest of Lyons. The whole of the country of Caux were much alarmed, and not without cause, when they learnt that the English had passed the Seine.

The next day the king of England ordered his brother the duke of Clarence to cross the river with four thousand combatants, and to invest the town and castle of Pont de l'Arche on all sides. He had also a bridge thrown over the Seine, on the side leading toward Rouen, that he might cross whenever he pleased; and this bridge was called the Bridge of Saint George.

After three weeks siege, sir John de Graville surrendered the town and castle to the king of England, on condition that he and his men might depart in safety with their baggage. Thus king Henry was master, to pass the Seine at his pleasure; and he placed a strong garrison in Pont de l'Arche, in dread of whom the greater part of the peasantry fled the country with all their effects.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 3: Cisteaux.--An order of white friars (instituted in the year 1090,) who under their uppermost white habit wear a black one and red shoes.--_Cotgrave._]

CHAP. VIII.

THE DUKE OF TOURAINE CONTINUES THE WAR.--THE TOWN OF COMPIEGNE WON BY THE LORD DE BOCQUIAUX.--THE MARRIAGE OF THE DUKE OF BRABANT,--AND OTHER MATTERS.

True it is, that at this time sir Tanneguy du Châtel, the viscount de Narbonne, Jean Louvet president of Provence, master Robert Masson, and the other ministers of the duke of Touraine, dauphin of the Viennois, who had escaped from Paris, as you have heard, exerted themselves as much as possible to induce him to continue the war against the duke of Burgundy and his partisans.

The dauphin had been several times summoned and required to return to Paris by the king, the queen and the duke of Burgundy, who offered to pay him every respect and deference. He would not, however, listen to them, but began to make preparations in all quarters to renew the war, styling himself Regent of the kingdom of France.

At this time also, about eight of his men, secretly armed, came to the gate of Compiegne that leads to Pierrefons with a small cart laden with wood. When on the drawbridge, they stabbed one of the cart-horses, so that the bridge could not be raised, and killing some of the guards at the gate, instantly made a signal which had been agreed on,--and the lord de Bocquiaux, who was lying in ambush in the forest, suddenly appeared with five hundred men, and entered the town without opposition, shouting, 'Long live the king and the dauphin!'

On their arrival, they slew one named Boutry, who had been left there by Hector de Saveuses to manage his household. The lord de Crevecoeur, who was lieutenant to Hector, hearing the noise, retreated to the tower of St Cornille, and with him the lord de Chievres, Robinet Ogier, and others; but it was in vain, for they were soon forced to surrender themselves.

The Dauphinois lost no time in plundering the town, and took every thing they could lay hands on, not only from those of the burgundian party, but even from such of the inhabitants as had shewn any partiality to them. Thus did the lord de Bocquiaux and his companions regain the town of Compiegne, in the name of the dauphin. He kept up, in his name also, a heavy warfare on the adjoining country, and sent the lords de Chievres and de Crevecoeur prisoners to the castle of Pierrefons, whence they meditated an escape by means of a brother of the lord de Chievres, who was attached to and had long served the lord de Bocquiaux; but it was discovered, and the lord de Bocquiaux caused him to be beheaded. However, some time afterward, they obtained their liberty by paying a sum of money.

A strong garrison was placed in Compiegne, and the lord de Gamaches came thither; and by their means, those attached to the party of the king and the duke of Burgundy were sorely oppressed.

At this time, duke John of Brabant espoused his cousin-german Jacquelina of Bavaria, countess of Hainault, Holland, Zealand and Ostrevant: she was his god-mother. This marriage had been managed by his mother Margaret of Burgundy, with the three estates of those countries, in the good intention and hope that, as these countries joined those of the duke of Brabant, greater concord and peace would subsist between them. Notwithstanding the countess had given her consent, she was not very well satisfied with the match; for she knew the duke to be weak in body and mind, and unfit for the government of her country or person, which was handsome and well made; and she herself was well informed in various matters.

On the accomplishment of this marriage, the war between the countess and her uncle John of Bavaria was put an end to by means of a negotiation that took place on that subject.

It happened, that while the duke and duchess were at Mons in Hainault, and whilst he was gone to hunt and amuse himself without the town, sir Evrard, bastard of Hainault, and brother to the duchess, with some others came purposely to the hôtel de Nactre, the residence of William le Begue, the confidential adviser of the duke, and put him to death when lying ill in bed. Sir William de Sars, bailiff of Hainault, was present when this murder was committed; but they forbade him to stir; and when it was accomplished, they departed without any hindrance, and left Mons.

When the duke heard of this murder, he was much troubled; for he loved him in preference to all his other counsellors; but in the end, his duchess pacified him,--for, according to the reports of the time, she was not averse to the above deed being done.

CHAP. IX.

THE KING AND THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY SEND CAPTAINS FOR THE DEFENCE OF ROUEN.--OF A ROBBER CALLED TABARY.

In these days, several captains were ordered by the king and the duke of Burgundy to Rouen, to aid the inhabitants in the defence of their town against the king of England, by whom they daily expected to be besieged. In their number were the lord de Gapennes, sir John de Neuf-châtel lord de Montagu, sir Anthony de Toulongeon, sir Andrew des Roches, Henry de Chaufour, the bastard de Thian, le Grand Jacques, a native of Lombardy, Guerard bastard de Brimeu, and many others renowned in arms.

Sir Guy le Bouteiller, a Norman, was captain-general of the town, having under him Langnon, bastard of Arly. The whole of the men at arms were selected for their courage, and amounted to about four thousand; and the citizens, well armed and clothed suitably to their degree, were full fifteen thousand, ready and eager to defend themselves against all who might wish to injure them.

They united cheerfully with the men at arms in making every preparation of defence, in strengthening the gates, bulwarks, walls and ditches of their town, as well within side as without. They also made many regulations, distributing to each captain of men at arms certain portions of the town to defend. The citizens were likewise divided into constablewicks; and it was proclaimed by sound of trumpet, that all persons, whatever might be their rank, who intended to remain in the place, must provide themselves with provision for ten months; and those who were unable to do this must quit the town, and go whither they pleased.

In consequence of this proclamation, numbers of poor people departed, as did several ladies, damsels, and citizens' wives, with churchmen and others, who could not be of any assistance. After this, the garrison made frequent sallies on the English, who were hard by, and killed many, and made prisoners,--at other times they were unfortunate.