Chapter V: Part 5

While this was going forward, Poton, La Hire, sir Regnault de Fontaines, Philip de la Tour, and other valiant captains who had arrived there the preceding night with five or six hundred combatants, held a council how they should act, and whether they should wait or not for the enemy to attack them. This question was long debated by some, who strongly urged their being badly provided with provision and warlike stores, and that if they allowed themselves to be shut up in the castle, they would run great risks: others declared they would not wait a siege, and therefore advised to attack them on their arrival. It was at length unanimously concluded for an immediate attack; and that the three principal captains, namely, Poton, La Hire, and Regnault de Fontaines, should be on horseback, with sixty of the best mounted and most expert lances, and that all the remainder, men at arms, archers and guisarmes, should be on foot, excepting a few that were to remain behind to guard the fort. They likewise ordered that when the enemy should advance, but few should at the first appear, in order that their numbers might not be known. Having thus arranged their plan, they armed themselves, and made preparations for the combat.

When the earl of Arundel had properly posted his six score men by way of advanced guard, the remainder were encamping themselves to wait for the arrival of the main body and rear of their army. During this time, the watch the French had placed on the castle observed a very large and thick body of English advancing, by far more considerable than the first, and followed by a long train of waggons.

They instantly informed their captains of what they had seen, who now, thinking it a fit opportunity for them to make their attack before the two bodies joined, ordered their infantry to sally out of the castle as quietly as they could, and fall on the English, whom they half surprised, and shortly defeated, putting the greater part to death. Then those on horseback (who had sallied out to prevent the earl from assisting his men whom he had posted near the barriers) advanced toward the main body of the English, who were near at hand, and careless of the enemy because their commander was before them, and immediately threw them into confusion, and repeated their charges so vigorously that they could not recover themselves; great part retreated to Gournay, or fled to other places, while the rest were either slain or taken. La Hire chaced the runaways full two leagues, when many were killed and made prisoners.

The infantry had approached the earl of Arundel, who, with the remnant of his men, had retired to a corner of the field, having his rear to a thick hedge, and his front guarded by pointed stakes,--so that this fortification could not be forced by the French. Seeing this, they had a culverine brought from their fort,--and, at the second shot, hit the earl near the ancle, so that he was grievously wounded and could scarcely support himself.

When La Hire was returning from the pursuit, with the many prisoners he had made, he observed this body of English under the earl quite entire: collecting more forces, he began to combat them,--and they were soon reduced to a similar state with their companions, the whole of them being killed or taken. Among the last, those of name were the earl of Arundel, sir Richard de Dondeville[18], Mondo Domonferrant, Restandif[19], and others, to the amount of six score, that remained prisoners in the hands of the French. Upward of twelve score were slain,--and the remainder saved themselves by flight where they could.

When the business was over, the French collected their men, and found that they had not lost more than twenty. They were very joyful for this signal victory,--and, having devoutly returned thanks for it to their Creator, they returned to their castle. The earl of Arundel was removed thence to Beauvais, where he died of his wound, and was buried in the church of the cordelier-friars. The other English prisoners redeemed themselves by ransoms; and thus those in Rue remained unmolested. They daily increased their strength, and made excursions over the countries far and near.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 18: Woodville.]

[Footnote 19: Dondo Domonferrant, Restandif. Q.]

CHAP. LXXIV.

THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY IS DISPLEASED WITH THE INHABITANTS OF ANTWERP.

In these days, while the duke of Burgundy was in Brabant, he collected a large force of men at arms from Picardy and other countries under his obedience, whom he intended to march into Antwerp, by means of certain connexions which he had established in that town, to punish the magistrates and inhabitants, who had incurred his displeasure.

The cause of his anger was, that a long time before, they had seized by force a large vessel belonging to the duke, and filled with his men,--which vessel he had stationed at the mouth of their harbour, so that all vessels trafficking to Antwerp must pass close to it, on whom the duke's men laid several taxes that were, as they said, highly prejudicial to their commerce, and contrary to the oaths which the late dukes of Brabant had always made on taking possession of the dukedom, and which the duke of Burgundy himself had also taken.

On this account, the townsmen of Antwerp, without giving any notice to the duke, had seized the vessel, and confined those found within it in prison. The duke was so much displeased with their conduct that he had collected the force before mentioned to punish them.--In the mean time, his intentions were known to the men of Antwerp, who, though greatly surprised thereat, lost no time in providing men at arms to defend their town, should it be attacked.

They went in a body to the abbey of St Michael, where the duke was lodged whenever he visited Antwerp, having suspicions that some of their enemies were in it; but alter searching every part both above and below, and finding no one, they broke down the walls, to prevent them becoming places of defence. After this, they retired to continue their warlike preparations.

When the duke of Burgundy found that they had discovered his purposes, and were preparing to resist them, he disbanded his men at arms. At the same time, he caused it to be proclaimed through the principal towns in Flanders, Brabant, and his other dependances, that no one, under pain of being capitally punished, should carry provision or stores of any kind to Antwerp, nor give to the inhabitants any counsel or aid whatever. The Antwerpers were in great distress and dismay on hearing of these proclamations,--but they carefully guarded their town, and remained a considerable time in this situation. However, at length a treaty was entered into between them, by which the duke received a very large sum of money, and the magistrates recovered his good graces.

CHAP. LXXV.

THE FRENCH CONQUER THE TOWN OF ST DENIS FROM THE ENGLISH.

While these things were passing in Brabant, the French won the town of St Denis from the English by storm. They were about twelve hundred combatants, under the command of sir John Foulcault, sir Louis de Vaucourt, sir Regnault de St Jean, and other captains, who put to death some of the English whom they found in the town. The Parisians began to be alarmed by this conquest, as it was so near, and would probably cut off all provision coming to Paris,--for the French made frequent excursions to their walls.

To prevent any supplies being delayed from Normandy, they sent deputations to the duke of Bedford at Rouen, and to Louis de Luxembourg bishop of Therouenne, and chancellor of France for king Henry, to request that a sufficiency of men at arms might be ordered to Paris, to defend them against the enemy.

By the advice of the chancellor, sir John bastard of St Pol, Louis his brother, Waleran de Moreul, sir Ferry de Mailly, Robert de Neufville, and some other gentlemen, with five hundred men, were sent to them from the frontiers of Picardy. They took the road from Rouen, and safely arrived in Paris, where they were most joyously received; and, with the counsels and aid of the lord de l'Isle-Adam, governor of Paris for king Henry, they commenced a sharp warfare with the French in St Denis.

The French, notwithstanding the resistance they experienced, frequently advanced near to Paris,--and many severe conflicts took place between that town and Saint Denis. They also gained the castle of Escouen, near Montmorency, from the English, and put to death about thirty whom they found in it. They then marched to the castle of Orville, near to Louvres, belonging to Anglois d'Aunay, knight, attached to the party of Henry of Lancaster. When they had been before it two days, a treaty was concluded for its surrender on a certain day, unless the English should appear there in force to offer the French battle.

Before the term expired, the lords Talbot, Scales, and Warwick, with George de Richammes, the bastard de Thian, sir François l'Arragonois, and others, to the amount of three thousand combatants, assembled, and marched to join the lord de l'Isle-Adam in Paris; and, when united, they all came to the castle of Orville to keep the appointment made with the French for its surrender; but the French neither appeared nor sent any message, so that this castle remained in the peaceful possession of its lord. Henceforward, the English were superior in the field to their enemies in the Isle de France, and subjected the whole of the open country to their obedience, reconquering several castles held by the French.

CHAP. LXXVI.

THE FRENCH, AFTER HAVING AGREED TO A TRUCE WITH THE BURGUNDIANS ON THE FRONTIERS OF THE BEAUVOISIS, OVERRUN THE BOULONOIS AND OTHER PARTS.

At this time, a truce was concluded by the partisans of the duke of Burgundy on the frontiers of Santerre and Mondidier, with La Hire and his men. The last engaged, for a large sum of money paid down, to demolish the strong castle of Bretueil in the Beauvoisis, which was done.

On the conclusion of this truce, the great and little Blanchefort,[20] Poton the Burgundian, and about six hundred combatants, marched away from the country of Beauvais to the town of Rue. They had not been long there when they made an excursion, together with the garrison, into the country of the Boulonnois. They marched silently by the town of Estaples, not to alarm it, and advanced to Deure, and thence to Samer-aux-bois.

The inhabitants of this part of the country were totally unsuspecting of any attack likely to be made on them, and were therefore a defenceless prey to the enemy, who made prisoners of the greater part, bound them, and carried them away with all their most valuable furniture and stock. They ransomed the town of Samer for a considerable sum of money,--and on their return spread themselves over the country, destroying every thing with fire and sword without meeting any opposition.

Having burnt many houses in the town of Fresnes, and done unnumbered mischiefs to the Boulonnois, they returned with a multitude of prisoners to Estaples, where they halted and refreshed themselves for some time; and because the inhabitants had retreated within the castle, and would not ransom their town, they set it on fire, and committed every damage on their departure, which was a grievous loss, for it was well built and very populous. They made their retreat good to the town of Rue, notwithstanding that sir John de Croy, the lord de Crequi, the lord de Humieres, and others of the country, had assembled, to the amount of three hundred combatants, in the hopes of cutting off their retreat. It was in vain, for the French rode in such compact order that no advantage could be taken of them,--and they arrived safely at the places whence they had come.

When the French had remained some days at Rue, and divided their plunder, they made another excursion toward Dourlens and Hêdin, burning and destroying the countries they traversed, and bringing home many prisoners and great pillage of every thing that was portable. They returned by La Broi, and made an attack on the castle; but it was so well defended, by those whom the vidame of Amiens had placed therein, that several of the assailants were wounded. Perceiving that they were losing time, they retreated to Rue with their plunder.

They continued these inroads on the territories of the duke of Burgundy; but in one of them Harpin de Richammes made prisoner sir John de Bressay, near Montrueil. At another time, the little Blanchefort was taken by one of the bastards of Renty. In this manner did the French destroy those parts that were near to Rue: they even burnt the town of Cressi on the Authie, which was part of the proper domain of the king.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 20: Little Blanchefort was made prisoner in the lxxiid chapter.]

CHAP. LXXVII.

THE CARDINALS OF SANTA CROCE AND OF CYPRUS COME TO ARRAS, TO ATTEND THE CONVENTION.

In the month of July, two cardinals, sent by the pope and the council of Basil, with many ambassadors of note from divers nations, arrived at Arras, to be present at the ensuing convention for establishing a general peace. On the part of the holy father, came the cardinal of Santa Croce, archdeacon of Metz, attended by some theologians. On that of the council, the cardinal of Cyprus, accompanied by the bishop of Ache, and a doctor called Nicholas, ambassador from the king of Poland; and the bishop of Alba in the same capacity, from the duke of Milan. With them came also the bishop of Uzes and the abbot de Vezelay, and other envoys from various lords in distant countries.

They might amount, in the whole, to about eight score masters, and were handsomely received by the bishop of Arras, his clergy, and the inhabitants, as well as by the attendants of the duke of Burgundy, from whom they had had orders to that effect.

The whole of the town went out to meet them on their arrival, with great crowds of people, who escorted them with cries of joy to their hôtels, where many rich presents were made them.

CHAP. LXXVIII.

LOUIS DE LUXEMBOURG, COUNT OF ST POL, ESPOUSES JOAN OF BAR, COUNTESS OF MARLE AND OF SOISSONS.

On Sunday the 16th day of July, in this year, Louis de Luxembourg, count of St Pol, of Conversan, of Braine, and lord of Anghien, espoused Joan of Bar, only daughter to sir Robert de Bar, countess of Marle and of Soissons, lady of Dunkirk, of Varneston, and of many other valuable places, niece to sir John de Luxembourg, count of Ligny, uncle to the said count of St Pol.

The marriage was celebrated in the castle of Bohaim, and attended by at least one hundred knights and esquires, relatives or friends of the parties, but not one prince of the royal blood of France, to which the countess was very nearly connected. At this feast were the dowager countess of St Pol, mother to count Louis, with several of her children.

The count de Ligny was reported to have paid all the expenses of this feast, which was most, abundantly served with every delicacy in food and liquors,--to which were added justings and all kinds of pastimes.

CHAP. LXXIX.

THE FRENCH ARE DEFEATED NEAR TO RETHEL, BY THE BASTARD DE HUMIERES.

At this period, some of king Charles's captains guarding the frontiers near Rheims assembled about four hundred combatants to make an inroad toward Rethel, and other parts attached to the duke of Burgundy,--and in fact collected a great number of peasants, cows, horses, and other plunder, which they proposed to carry back with them in safety to their garrisons. The chief of this expedition was Yvon du Puys.

News of it, however, came to the bastard de Humieres, governor of Herquery, who instantly called out his men at arms, and pursued the French so rapidly that he overtook them, and a combat ensued, in which these marauders were completely defeated, leaving forty dead on the field; the rest saving themselves by flight in the best manner they could. On the part of the bastard, his loss did not amount to more than ten men.

CHAP. LXXX.

AMBASSADORS FROM THE KING OF ENGLAND ARRIVE AT ARRAS TO ATTEND THE CONVENTION.

At this time, the ambassadors from the king of England arrived at Arras, to attend the convention with the council of the duke of Burgundy. They were about two hundred knights, the principal of whom were the archbishop of York, the earl of Suffolk, the bishop of St David's, sir John Radcliffe, keeper of the king's privy seal, the lord Hungerford, master Raoul le Saige, official to the archbishop of Canterbury, and some other theologians.

They were lodged within the city of Arras, and cheerfully attended to in whatever they might be in want of by the servants of the duke of Burgundy. At the same time, there came from divers nations other ambassadors and mediators. The duke of Gueldres, the count Nassau, the bishop of Cambray, the count de Vernambourg, the bishop of Liege, the count de Vaudemont, the count de Nevers, the count de Salines, the duke of Bar, and in general all the higher nobility of the countries of the duke of Burgundy, came thither to support his claims and pretensions. They were all grandly dressed,--and soon after the counts of St Pol and of Ligny arrived with a handsome retinue.

On the 28th day of July, the duke of Burgundy entered Arras: he had lain the preceding night at his town of Lens in Artois. The whole company in Arras, attached to the embassy from England, went out a league beyond the walls to meet him,--as did the attendants of the two cardinals,--and when they met the duke, every one was most honourably received by him.

The duke's entrance into Arras was well ordered, he having the archers of his body-guard, all dressed in a rich uniform, to precede him,--and wherever he passed, the people sang carols for his arrival. In this state, he went to pay his compliments to the cardinal de Santa Croce, and then to the cardinal of Cyprus, whence he retired to his lodgings in his hôtel at La Cour-le-Comte.

CHAP. LXXXI.

AMBASSADORS FROM FRANCE ARRIVE AT ARRAS, TO ATTEND THIS CONVENTION.

On the Sunday following, the last day of July, the embassy from king Charles of France arrived at Arras. The ambassadors had come from Rheims, through Laon to St Quentin in the Vermandois, where they had been joyfully received by the magistrates and townsmen; and to this place the duke of Burgundy had sent the count d'Estampes, attended by many knights and esquires, to meet and to conduct them to Arras.

After a few days stay at St Quentin, they all departed together for Cambray, and thence they journeyed until they came to the wood of Mouf-laine, within half a league of Arras. The principal persons in this embassy were the duke of Bourbon, the count de Richemont, constable of France, who had each married a sister of the duke of Burgundy, the count de Vendôme, the archbishop and duke of Rheims chancellor of France, sir Christopher de Harcourt, sir Theolde de Valperge, the lord de la Fayette marshal of France, the lords de St Pierre and du Châtel, sir James du Bois, sir John de Châtillon bastard de Dampierre, sir Paillaird du Fiè, the lord de Raillieq, the lord de Rommet, the lord de Courselles, master Adam de Cambray first president of the parliament, the dean of Paris, named master John Tudart, the treasurer of Anjou, the borgne Blesset, master John Chanetier, the lord de Cletel, the lord de la Motte, master Adam le Queux, master John de Taisè, with many other able men, as well noble as not, accompanied by four or five hundred horsemen, including those who had gone before to prepare their lodgings.

The duke of Burgundy, attended by his household, the duke of Gueldres, and the other princes and nobles in Arras, with the exception of the English, went out to meet them. He joined them about a quarter of a league from the town, when great marks of friendship and affection were mutually displayed on both sides, more especially between the duke and his two brothers-in-law, who frequently embraced each other. When the compliments of meeting were over, they all proceeded, in handsome array, at a slow pace, toward Arras,--the three dukes, of Burgundy, Bourbon, and Gueldres, riding abreast at the head of the line. They were preceded by six trumpets and clarions, sounding most melodiously, and by numbers of kings at arms, heralds and pursuivants, dressed in tabards, with the arms of the different princes then at Arras, among whom Montjoye, king at arms for king Charles of France, took the lead.

Next to them, but a few paces before the dukes, rode the constable, the counts de Vendôme and d'Estampes, and the damoisel de Cleves, with a few more of the higher nobility: the remainder of the knights, lords and esquires followed close behind the dukes; and in this order they advanced in front of the town-house, to the small market-place, multitudes of people shouting and singing carols wherever they passed.

The duke of Burgundy now separated from them, and returned with his household to his lodgings: he would have attended his brothers-in-law to their hôtels, but they insisted he should return, while they made a visit to the two cardinals. Having done this, they went to the lodgings that had been prepared for them, and received many rich presents from churchmen as well as from seculars.

On the third day afterward, the duchess of Burgundy arrived at Arras, and the French and English ambassadors went out to meet her, as did all the nobles, and the attendants of the cardinals, most richly clothed. She was carried in an ornamented litter, dressed in cloth of gold, and a variety of precious stones; behind her rode on palfreys six of her ladies and damsels, elegantly and nobly habited, with robes and hood decorated, and covered with wrought silver and gold. Next came three three handsome cars, in which were the countess de Namur and others of the duchess's ladies and damsels, dressed in similar robes and hoods to the others.

Near to the litter were the dukes de Bourbon and de Gueldres, the constable of France, and the count de Vendôme,--and the rest of the nobility rode either before or behind the duchess, excepting the English, who had taken their leave of her while in the open country, and were returned to their lodgings in Arras.

The duchess, thus attended, went to pay her respects to the cardinals; after which she went to the hôtel of her lord the duke of Burgundy, who received her most joyfully and honourably, and gave a handsome entertainment to the two dukes and the other nobles who had accompanied her.

Among the numerous ambassadors that came from divers parts, were those from the city of Paris, namely, the abbot of Mont St Catherine de Rouen, master William Breton, master John le Monstardier, master Thomas de Courselles, master Robert Poitevin. There were likewise others from the kings of Sicily, Spain, Navarre, Poland, Asia, Romania, and from the principal towns of Holland, Zealand, Flanders, Brabant, Hainault, Namur, Burgundy, whose names it would be tedious to relate: each of them were handsomely lodged by the purveyors of the duke, who, with others, had been especially ordered for this purpose. They were all abundantly supplied with any sort of provision they inclined to buy during the three months they staid in Arras. No accident happened during this time,--but there was much alarm, that mischief would have happened from the heat with which disputes were carried on, while the matter of peace was debating. Commissaries were appointed to patrole the town night and day to see that no disorders arose, and that no extortions were practised in the markets.

The duke had ordered about one hundred gentlemen and two hundred archers to be always armed, under the command of some of the lords of his household, such as the lord de Croy, sir John de Horne, the lord de Crevecoeur, the lord de Chargny, John de Brimeu and others, as well for his own personal security as to be ready, should occasion require it, to put an end to any affrays. The duke was always attended by fifty archers.

CHAP. LXXXII.

SIR JOHN DE MELLO, A KNIGHT OF SPAIN, AND THE LORD DE CHARGNY COMBAT EACH OTHER IN THE PRESENCE OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY AT ARRAS.

On the 11th day of August in this year, a combat at arms took place at Arras, in the presence of the duke of Burgundy as judge of the lists. A handsome scaffold was erected for him in the great market-place, on which were seated behind him the dukes of Bourbon and of Gueldres, the counts de Richemont constable, de Vendôme, d'Estampes, and many other great lords.

The combat was between sir John de Mello, a very renowned knight banneret of Spain, appellant, without any defamatory quarrel, but solely to acquire honour, against Pierre de Bauffremont lord of Chargny, knight banneret also, a native of Burgundy, and knight of the Golden Fleece. The terms were to break three lances only.

When the lord de Chargny had acceded to this request, he in his turn demanded from the Spanish knight a combat on foot with battle-axes, swords and daggers, until one of them should lose his arms, or place his hands on his knees or on the ground,--subject, however, in all cases, to the decisions of the judge of the field.

These proposals having been for some time agreed to by the two knights, on Thursday morning, about ten o'clock, the Spanish knight appeared in the lists, attended by four others, whom the duke of Burgundy had ordered to accompany him,--namely, the lord de l'Or, governor of the Rethelois, the lord de Ligny, the lord de Saveuses, and the lord de Sainzelles, with four or five of his attendants, one of whom bore on the end of a lance a small banner emblazoned with his arms. The other knights carried his lances; and thus, without more pomp, he made his obeisance to the duke of Burgundy, and retired from the lists, by the way he had come, on the left hand of the duke.

He waited a considerable time for his adversary, who at length appeared grandly accompanied by the counts d'Estampes, de St Pol, and de Ligny, together with the earl of Suffolk, all bearing his lances. Behind him were four coursers, richly caparisoned with his arms and devices, with pages covered with robes of wrought silver,--and the procession was closed by the greater part of the knights and esquires of the duke of Burgundy's household. Having made his bow to the duke, as the Spanish knight had done, he withdrew to the right of the lists.

When they were ready, they ran some tilts with lances, without any injury on either side. Then the Spaniard mounted a courser which the duke of Bourbon had lent him, for his own shied at a lance. They broke their lances with great courage against each other, until the number agreed on had been performed. Neither were wounded, although the helmet of don Mello was a little broken. They then quitted the lists, with the assent of the duke of Burgundy, and returned to their lodgings accompanied as before.

The Spaniard wore over his armour a vermillion-coloured mantle, with a white cross on it, like to the badge of the French, which created a disgust in some of the burgundian lords, as it seemed to mark a partiality for their enemies. When he was informed of this, he excused himself by saying, that in consequence of the strict alliance which had so long continued between the kingdoms of France and Spain, he could not with propriety wear any other badge.

On the morrow, which was a Friday, the duke of Burgundy proceeded to the lists, between eight and nine o'clock in the morning, grandly attended by his chivalry, and with him came the princes who had accompanied him the preceding day. Shortly after, the lord de Chargny, the appellant, appeared with the same persons as on the first day, who carried the weapons he was to combat with. He was mounted on a courser covered with housings of his arms, and followed by four pages mounted in like manner, and by the greater part of the knights and esquires of the duke of Burgundy's household, with some other nobles.

Having thus entered the lists, he went to dismount at his pavilion, and thence on foot to make his obeisance to the duke; after which he retired to a seat, where he waited a full hour for his adversary. When he arrived, he was accompanied as on the preceding day,--and the knights and esquires whom the duke of Burgundy had appointed to attend him bore his weapons for the combat. Behind him were his servants, one of them carrying a small banner at the end of a lance. On his entering the lists, he saluted the duke, and withdrew to his pavilion.

While he remained there, he was frequently admonished by the knights that attended him, who gave him the best advice in their power for the success of his combat,--but he paid not any attention to what they said, nor would discover to them his plans, telling them not to be any way concerned about him, for that, with God's good pleasure, he would do his duty.

Every thing being ready, the king at arms, called Golden Fleece, proclaimed, in three different parts of the lists, that all who had not been otherwise ordered should quit the lists, and that no one should give any hinderance to the two champions under pain of being punished by the duke of Burgundy with death. Eight gentlemen armed were appointed to stop or raise up either of the champions, as the judge of the field should direct. When the proclamation was made, the lord de Chargny issued out of his pavilion, holding his battle-axe by the middle in his right hand, the iron part toward his adversary, and thus advanced a little forward.

The Spanish knight advanced at the same time from his pavilion, having a kerchief thrown over his helmet that covered his vizor, which was half raised,--but this kerchief was taken away, when he was advancing, by his servants. They made for each other with vigorous strides, brandishing their lances; but the Spaniard all this time had his vizor raised.

The lord de Chargny, without waiting for his adversary, threw his lance at him as he approached, while the Spaniard advanced to throw his, and hit him on the side, where he was wounded, as well as in the arm, for the lance hung in the vambraces of his his armour, whence the lord de Chargny soon shook it off on the ground. The two champions now approached with great courage, and handled their weapons very nobly; but the lord de Chargny was much displeased that his adversary did not close his vizor.

While they were thus combating, the duke of Burgundy gave his signal for the battle to cease, and ordered the champions to be brought before him, who seemed very much vexed that an end had been put so soon to their combat,--more especially the Spaniard, who twice declared aloud that he was far from being pleased that so little had been done; for that he had come at a great expense, and with much fatigue by sea and land, from a far country, to acquire honour and renown.

The duke told him, that he had most honourably done his duty and accomplished his challenge. After this, they were escorted back to their lodgings in the same manner as before. The Spanish knight was much noticed by very many of the nobles present, who greatly praised him for his courage, in thus having fought with his vizor raised,--for the like had not been before seen.

When this combat was over, the duke of Burgundy paid great respect and attention to the Spanish knight, by feasting him at his hôtel on the Sunday and following days,--presenting him, at the same time, with many rich presents, to reimburse him for all the expenses he had been at. The knight soon afterward took leave of the duke and his company, and departed from Arras on his return to his own country.

CHAP. LXXXIII.

THE FRENCH AND BURGUNDIANS ARE ON VERY AMICABLE TERMS IN ARRAS.

On the Monday, which was the feast of our Lady of the middle of August, the dukes of Burgundy, of Bourbon, and of Gueldres, the counts d'Estampes, de Richemont, de Vendôme, de St Pol, de Ligny, de Meurs and de Nassau, with the greater part of their attendant knights and esquires, went on horseback in great concord from the hôtel of the duke of Burgundy, to hear the mass of our Lady in the city, richly dressed in most splendid habiliments. The poor people, who were there in crowds, were very much rejoiced to see this, as they hoped it would be the forerunner of a general peace that was so much wanted and wished for. After the mass, most part of them returned to the apartments of the duke of Burgundy and dined, and were sumptuously served with an abundance and variety of dishes.

The English ambassadors were not well pleased at these entertainments; and from the frequent intercourse that took place between the French and the duke, they suspected some treaties were in agitation that would not be for the advantage of their country.

CHAP. LXXXIV.

THE CARDINAL OF WINCHESTER COMES TO ARRAS TO ATTEND THE CONVENTION.

The cardinal of Winchester arrived at Arras on the 19th day of August, to be present at the convention, attended by the earl of Huntingdon and other noble knights and esquires from England, to the amount of three hundred horsemen. The dukes of Burgundy and of Gueldres, with the counts de St Pol, de Ligny, de Meurs, and the greater part of the duke of Burgundy's nobles, went out of Arras to meet him. The duke and cardinal mutually paid each other the greatest respect, as did the other lords; and they returned together to the gate of Arras, where they separated, and the cardinal and his attendants went to lodge at the palace of the bishop.

Ambassadors daily arrived from various nations. The place of meeting for this convention was fixed at the abbey of St Vaast, where there were apartments sufficiently spacious and numerous for the purpose,--and there the three parties assembled, in the presence of the two cardinals who had first come thither. The cardinal de Santa Croce harangued them most eloquently on the great inconveniences all Christendom had laboured under from the severity and long continuance of the war,--admonishing them, at the same time, with much feeling, that, from their love to God, they would not separate without concluding a peace, and that they would not insist on any terms but such as each might mutually concede to the other.

After this harangue, the convention met on several different days,--and many proposals for a treaty were brought forward, so contradictory that it was difficult to reconcile them. Among others, king Charles's ministers required that king Henry of England should desist from styling himself king of France, on condition of having the sovereignties of Guyenne and Normandy given up to him,--but to this the English ministers would not agree.

CHAP. LXXXV.

DURING THE MEETING OF THE CONVENTION AT ARRAS, LA HIRE AND POTON OVERRUN AND FORAGE THE COUNTRY OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.

On the 20th day of this month of August, while the convention was sitting at Arras, La Hire and Poton de Saintrailles, with six hundred combatants, six score being lance-men, whom they had assembled on the frontiers of Beauvais, rode during the night for the river Somme, which they crossed at Cappy; thence they retreated, and fell back on Dourlens and Beauquesne, to forage the country. They divided into smaller bodies, and collected a great booty of peasants, cattle, horses, sheep, and other things, with which they marched back the way they had come to recross the Somme.

Intelligence was brought of this, by the lord de Saveuses, to the duke of Burgundy, who was much troubled thereat, as he feared the matters that were then under discussion in the convention would be greatly retarded. To provide a remedy, he ordered the counts d'Estampes, de St Pol, de Ligny, with the greater part of his chivalry, to mount their horses, and repel the French. With them went some of the English lords, to the amount of about three hundred horsemen,--so that they were in the whole full sixteen hundred, but most of them were without armour.

They hastened toward Mailly and Attinghen, having sent forward the lord de Saveuses, with some scouts, to collect intelligence of the enemy. They soon learnt the line of march the French were following with their plunder to cross the water, and pressed forward with so much diligence that they overtook them near to Corbie, at a town called Boumay, on the water of Helly.

The French, hearing of this pursuit, detached a party of their men at arms to guard the passage of this river, and marched to draw up in battle-array on a hill between Corbie and Helly. In the mean time, sir John de Croy was dispatched, with a certain number of men at arms, to gain this passage,--but he was defeated and made prisoner: ten or twelve of the French were slain, but the rest retreated to their main body on the hill.

The Burgundians and English, having crossed the river, advanced and drew up in order of battle at the foot of the hill, where they remained for a good half-hour, without any intention of combating the French, for they were too slightly armed.

While this was passing, the duke of Bourbon, and the constable of France, sent from Arras messengers to the French, to order them to retreat, and restore the plunder they had taken; so that when the two parties had been for some time drawn up in battle against each other, they separated without coming to action, and returned the way they had come; for the French, in obedience to the orders they had received from their ambassadors at the convention, restored the greater part of their prisoners, and the pillage they had collected,--but it was sorely against their will. They lost about twenty men in killed and prisoners.

CHAP. LXXXVI.

THE KINGS OF ARRAGON AND NAVARRE ARE DEFEATED, AND MADE PRISONERS, BEFORE GAIETA, BY THE ARMY OF THE DUKE OF MILAN.

On the 16th day of August, in this year, the kings of Arragon and of Navarre, the grand master of the order of St James, their brother, the duke of Sessia, and his son the count de Fondi, the prince of Tarentum, his son sir Christopher Garganeymè,[21] surnamed the Eagle, the viceroy of Sicily, and four hundred knights and esquires, were made prisoners before the town of Gaieta, and their army, of four thousand soldiers, defeated.

They had been employed in besieging the town of Gaieta by sea and land, to the great displeasure of Philip Maria Visconti duke of Milan, who had prepared an army and stores in Genoa to raise the siege and revictual the place. The commander of this army for the duke of Milan was the admiral of Genoa, who attempted to enter the port and throw in succours; but the besiegers marched to the shore to combat him,--and though they were far more numerous than he was, fortune favoured him, and he completely routed the arragonian and neapolitan forces.

The kings and princes before mentioned were carried by the admiral prisoners to Genoa, then under the protection of the duke of Milan, and were soon after delivered up to him on certain terms agreed upon between him and the Genoese, and also on his promising not to give them their liberty without their consent.

This promise, however, he did not keep; for, after he had handsomely entertained them in his town of Milan, he gave them their liberty without ransom, or insisting on any terms, and even made them, on their departure, many rich gifts. When this came to the knowledge of the Genoese, they were very indignant thereat, and not without reason, for they were their inveterate enemies; and they now withdrew themselves from the obedience and protection of the duke of Milan.[22]

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 21: Garganeymè. Q.]

[Footnote 22: 'In the year 1435, the town of Gaieta, in the kingdom of Naples, offered to submit itself to the protection of the Genoese, to avoid falling into the hands of Alphonso king of Arragon. In consequence, Francisco Spinola and Ottolino Zoppo are sent with a good garrison to defend the place. Alphonso hastens to besiege it,--and Gaieta, ill provided with provision, is reduced to great distress.

'The Genoese, informed of the situation of the garrison, send thither, on the 22d July, a fleet under the command of Luca Aseréto, a famous captain, to their relief. Alphonso, hearing of this, embarks on board his own fleet, with all the nobility and eleven thousand combatants. The fleets meet near to the island of Ponza on the 5th August, and the battle lasts from sun-rise to night, but victory is on the side of the Genoese. It could not be more complete: the king of Arragon, his two brothers, John king of Navarre, the infant don Henry, with a quantity of nobles, are made prisoners; and of fourteen vessels, only one escaped.

'The besieged, on learning this event, make a sally, drive the enemy from their lines, and deliver the place. The prisoners are carried from on board the fleet to Milan, where the duke entertains the king of Arragon magnificently, enters into a league with him, and gives him and his companions their liberty without ransom. This generosity causes the Genoese to lose the fruit of their victory, and enrages them against the duke of Milan. On the 12th December, they rise in arms, kill the governor, drive away the Milanese, and shake off the yoke of the duke.'

_Art de Verifier les Dates._]

CHAP. LXXXVII.

THE CARDINAL OF WINCHESTER AND THE WHOLE OF THE ENGLISH EMBASSY LEAVE ARRAS.--OTHER AMBASSADORS ARRIVE THERE.

The cardinal of Winchester, and the English embassy, left Arras on the 6th day of September for England, without concluding on any terms with the French, although there had been conferences for several days between them for this purpose, and although the duke of Burgundy had interfered with his council as much as possible to accommodate their differences.

The English, notwithstanding, departed for Calais, and thence to England, suspecting greatly, what happened soon after, that Charles king of France and the duke of Burgundy would make peace; for they had perceived, while at Arras, that great cordiality existed between the duke and the French, which was far from pleasing to them.

Ambassadors continued to arrive at Arras from the kings of Navarre, of Dacia, of Spain, of Cyprus, of Portugal, the constable duke of la Puglia, the duke of Milan, the king of Sicily, the king of Norway, and the duke of Brittany. The archbishop of Auch came thither, as did the bishops of Alby, of Usez, of Auxerre, of Alba, of Vicenza, the abbot of Vezelay, the archdeacon of Metz in Lorraine, procurator for the holy council of Basil, the archdeacon of la Puglia, with numbers of others of note and of authority.

CHAP. LXXXVIII.

A PEACE IS CONCLUDED BETWEEN CHARLES KING OF FRANCE AND THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, IN THE CITY OF ARRAS.

When the ambassadors from king Henry had quitted the city of Arras, without agreeing to any preliminaries for a peace, the two remaining parties, of the king of France and duke of Burgundy, met for some few days at the accustomed place, when, by the exhortations and interference of the cardinals de Santa Croce and of Cyprus, and other prelates and nobles, a peace was finally concluded between them on the following terms.

'We Philip, by the grace of God, duke of Burgundy, Austria, Brabant and Limbourg, count of Flanders, Artois, Burgundy, palatine of Hainault, Holland, Zealand and Namur, marquis of the holy empire, lord of Frizeland, Salins and Mechlin, make known to all to whom these presents shall come, that many assemblies and conventions have been holden for the procuring of a general peace, as well in the cities of Auxerre and Corbeil as latterly in our city of Arras for this desirable purpose.

'To this place our very-redoubted lord, king Charles, has sent our most dear and well beloved brothers and cousins, the duke of Bourbon and Auvergne, the count de Richemont, constable of France, the count de Vendôme, grand master of the household, the very reverend father in God the archbishop and duke of Rheims, chancellor of France, Christopher de Harcourt, Gilbert lord de la Fayette, marshal of France, master Adam de Cambray, first president of the parliament, master John Tudart, dean of Paris and master of requests of the king's household, William Charetier, Stephen Moreau, counsellors of the parliament, John Chastignier and Robert Marlier, secretaries to the said king, as his ambassadors.

'On the part of our very dear lord and cousin, the king of England, there came the most reverend fathers in God the cardinal of Winchester and the archbishop of York, our well beloved cousins the earls of Huntingdon and Suffolk, the reverend fathers in God the bishops of Norwich, St David's, and Lisieux, and many other churchmen, as his ambassadors.

'We also came thither in person, attended by many of our blood, and great numbers of our faithful and loyal subjects. Our holy father the pope sent also to this convention the most reverend father in God, and our especial friend, the cardinal de Santa Croce, invested with sufficient powers from him. In like manner, the sacred council at Basil sent thither, as its ambassadors, the most reverend father in God, our dear and well beloved cousin the cardinal of Cyprus, the very reverend fathers in God the bishops of Verona, of Alby, Nicholas provost of Cracovia, Hugh archdeacon of Metz.

'In the presence of the above ambassadors from our holy father the pope, and from the sacred council at Basil, we, as well as the ambassadors from France and England, have appeared as often as it was thought expedient, and have mutually made overtures and presents to each other. And although the ambassadors from the king of France made great and handsome proposals for the conclusion of a general peace, and such as were thought by the cardinals and prelates to be just and reasonable, and which ought not to have been refused,--and although the cardinals de Santa Croce and of Cyprus, together with the other envoys from the pope and council, even pressed the English ambassadors to accede to these terms, remonstrating with them, that in case they would not listen to the conclusion of a general peace, they had been charged by their holy father, and by the sacred council, to summon us to conclude a private peace with our lord the king, in so far as the whole of our personal interests were concerned.

'Nevertheless, the English ambassadors, continuing obstinate, in refusing the terms offered them, quitted our city of Arras without coming to any conclusion, or fixing any period for their return thither. For this cause, the cardinal legates, and the other ministers from the pope and council, exhorted and required of us to conclude a private peace with our said lord the king, provided that satisfactory proposals should be made touching the death of our very dear lord and father, whose soul may God pardon! by the ambassadors from him, and in his name, so that we should be contented therewith.

'The following proposals from our said lord the king were delivered in a written roll to the said cardinal legates, and other ambassadors from our holy father the pope and sacred council, and by them given to us.

'These are the offers made by us Charles duke of Bourbon and of Auvergne, Arthur count de Richemont constable of France, Louis de Bourbon count de Vendôme, Regnault de Chartres archbishop and duke of Rheims, great chancellor of France, Gilbert lord de la Fayette marshal of France, Adam de Cambrai first president of the parliament, John Tudart dean of Paris, counsellor and master of the requests of the king's household, William Chartier and Stephen Moreau counsellors, John Chastignier and Robert Morlier secretaries, ambassadors from Charles king of France, now in the city of Arras, for and in the name of our sovereign lord king Charles, to my lord the duke of Burgundy and Brabant, respecting the death of the late lord John duke of Burgundy, his father, and likewise touching other matters, that a treaty of peace and concord may be concluded between them.

'In the first place, the king will declare, or others sufficiently authorised by him shall declare, to the said lord the duke of Burgundy, that the death of the late lord John duke of Burgundy, his father, (whose soul may God pardon!) was iniquitously and treacherously caused by those who perpetrated the deed, and through wicked counsel, which was alway displeasing to him, and continues to be so in the sincerity of his heart. That if he had been aware of the consequences, and of an age to have judged of them, he would have prevented it; but at the time he was very young, having little knowledge, and inconsiderately did not prevent it. He shall entreat my lord the duke of Burgundy that what hatred and rancour he may have conceived against him for this cause may cease, and that henceforward good faith and peace may exist between them,--express mention of which shall be made in the articles that shall be drawn up in consequence.

'Item, the king will deliver up all who may have perpetrated the said wicked deed, or were consenting thereto, and will use all diligence to have them apprehended wherever they may be found, so that they may be punished in body and goods. Should they not be discovered, he will irrevocably banish them the realm of France and Dauphiny, with confiscation of effects, and exemption from profiting by any treaty.

'Item, the king will not permit any of them to be received or favoured in any place under his obedience; and will cause it to be proclaimed in all parts of France and Dauphiny, where proclamations have been usually made, that no persons do receive or favour them, under pain of corporal punishment and confiscation of effects.

'Item, the aforesaid lord, the duke of Burgundy, shall, so soon as he conveniently can after the signing of the treaty, name those who he has been informed perpetrated the said wicked deed, or were consenting thereto, that they may be proceeded against with diligence on the part of our said lord the king. And whereas the said duke of Burgundy may not at this present moment be sufficiently acquainted with the names of all who were concerned in, or who actually perpetrated, the aforesaid wicked act, at all times, that he may receive additional information, he may signify the names of such persons, by his letters patent, or otherwise, to the king, who shall be bound to pursue them, in his royal courts of justice, in the most summary manner.

'Item, the following edifices and religious foundations shall be made for the repose of the souls of the late John duke of Burgundy, of the late sir Archambault de Foix, count de Noailles, who was put to death with him, and for those of others who have been slain on this occasion, or in the wars that took place in consequence of this event,--namely, in the church of Montereau, where the body of the late duke John of Burgundy was first buried, shall be founded a chapel and chapelry, in which a low mass of requiem shall be daily chaunted; which chapel shall be endowed with an annual income of sixty livres parisis in mortmain, and furnished with a chalice, and all other ornaments sufficiently handsome, at the sole expense of the king. The presentation to this chapel shall be vested in my lord of Burgundy, and in his successors the dukes of Burgundy, for ever.

'Item, within the said town of Montereau, or as near to it as well may be, shall be constructed and endowed by the king, and at his expense, a church, with a convent of Carthusians, to consist of a prior and twelve monks, with cloisters, halls, refectories, granges and all other necessary buildings. This monastery, consisting of a prior and twelve religious, shall be founded by the king with well secured rents in mortmain, to the amount of eight hundred livres parisis, for the maintenance of the monks, the keeping up religious worship, and for the repairs of the convent, church and buildings, according to the advice of the reverend father in God the lord cardinal de Santa Croce, or whomsoever he may nominate in his stead.