Chapter II: Part 2

About the same period of this year, the duke of Brittany, his brother the count de Richemont, constable of France, with other nobles and men at arms from his duchy, amounting to a thousand or twelve hundred lances, entered lower Normandy, to restore it to the obedience of the king of France from the dominion of the English (the ancient enemies of the realm), who had usurped the government of it for nearly thirty-two years. They first advanced to the town of Mont St Michel[25]; and the nobles and men at arms were quartered in the villages of upper and lower Les Pas[26], Courtis[27], St George en Gaine, Postulbanch, and thereabouts.

The duke, on quitting Brittany, had left his brother, the lord Peter, on the frontiers, near to Fougeres and Avranches, for their defence, with three hundred lances. On the morrow, the duke and the constable formed their van-guard under the command of sir James de Luxembourg, lieutenant to the constable, the marshal and admiral of France, of five hundred spears, who that day marched to Coutances[28], and lay before it,--while the duke and the main army, consisting of five or six hundred lances, remained that night in and about Granville[29]. On the morrow, the constable advanced the main army toward Coutances, and halted opposite to the hospital; but they were not there a day before the English in the town marched away, and the inhabitants continued in the same peaceful state as before this renewal of war.

The duke of Brittany next marched to lay siege to St Lo, and ordered his van to advance and take up their quarters on one side of the town,--while he followed with the army on the next day, and posted himself on the opposite side. Sir William de Poitou commanded in the place, with a garrison of two hundred men,--but notwithstanding these numbers, he made no resistance, but capitulated with the duke for its surrender, on being allowed to march away with his men whither he should please. The duke and the constable, during their stay at St Lo, won the following towns, villages and castles, namely, le Hommet[30], Neufville[31], Torigny[32], Beuseville[33], Hambie[34], La Motte l'Evêque[35], la Haye-du-Puy[36], Chanteloup[37], L'Aunay[38], and many other small places round St Lo, in which city, as well as in those captured places, strong garrisons were posted.

The van was now detached to the town of Carentan, and followed by the main body; but the garrison held out only three days before they surrendered, and then marched away with staves in their hands,--and those in the town were reinstated in their possessions.

The marshal and the admiral of France now separated from the duke and the constable, and came before Pont d'Oue[39], which having taken by storm, they overran all the country of Coutantin, without meeting any resistance. The government of it and Carentan was given to Joachim Rohault. From Carentan, the above lords returned to Coutances, and thence, in the month of October, detached a party to Gavrey[40]. On the morrow, the duke and the constable came to Coutances, where the duke staid that day, and before the constable could arrive at Gavrey, the bulwark had been won by storm; and on the morrow, sir Geoffry de Couvren, who directed the siege, having made great approaches by his mines, attacked the castle with such vigour that the english garrison, of about six score men, demanded a parley, and concluded a treaty with the constable for its surrender, on being allowed to march away in safety with their effects.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 23: St Lo,--a city of Normandy, on the Vire.]

[Footnote 24: Carentan, a town in Normandy, three leagues from the sea-coast.]

[Footnote 25: Mont St Michel,--a strong town in Normandy, built on a rock, and surrounded by the sea at high water.]

[Footnote 26: Les Pas,--a village in Normandy, diocese of Avranches.]

[Footnote 27: Les Courtis,--a village in Normandy, diocese of Avranches.]

[Footnote 28: Coutances,--capital of the Coutantin, two leagues from the sea.]

[Footnote 29: Granville,--a sea-port in Normandy, six leagues from Coutances.]

[Footnote 30: Le Hommet,--a small town near St Lo.]

[Footnote 31: Neufville,--a village near Alençon.]

[Footnote 32: Torigny,--three leagues from Coutances.]

[Footnote 33: Beuseville, a village in Normandy.]

[Footnote 34: Hambie,--a market-town near Coutances.]

[Footnote 35: La Motte-l'Evêque,--a barony and castle near St Lo.]

[Footnote 36: La Haye-du-Puy,--a market-town near Coutances.]

[Footnote 37: Chanteloup,--a village near Coutances.]

[Footnote 38: L'Aunay,--a village.]

[Footnote 39: Pont d'Oue. Q. Pont d'Ouilly? a market-town in Normandy, on the Vire.]

[Footnote 40: Gavrey,--a town on the Seine, four leagues from Coutances.]

CHAP. IX.

THE DUKE OF ALENÇON CONQUERS HIS TOWN OF ALENÇON[41].--THE COUNT DE FOIX GAINS THE TOWN AND CASTLE OF MAULÉON[42].--THE COUNT DE DUNOIS TAKES ARGENTAN[43].--THE ENGLISH RETIRE INTO THE KEEP OF THE CASTLE, AND, ON SURRENDERING IT, MARCH AWAY WITH ONLY STAVES IN THEIR HANDS.

The duke of Alençon, in consequence of intelligence with friends in Alençon, advanced thither by day-break, and by their means was admitted into the town. The english garrison retreated to the castle, which was instantly surrounded by the duke, who had with him eight hundred lances besides archers. There were numbers of English in the place,--but their hearts failed them, for they made little resistance, and surrendered the town to the duke, whose inheritance it was. Sir Louis de Beaumont, governor of Mans, had come to his assistance with sixty lances, and archers in proportion. During this time, the king of France was at Louviers.

About this same period, namely, the latter end of September, the count de Foix accompanied by the counts de Comminges, d'Estract[44], the viscount de Lautrec his brother, and many other knights, barons, and esquires from the counties of Foix, Comminges, Estract, Bigorre and Béarn, to the amount of five or six hundred lances and two thousand cross-bows, marched from his country of Béarn through that of the Basques[45], until he came before the town of Mauléon de Soule, to which he laid siege. The inhabitants, perceiving such numbers, were afraid of the consequences, should the siege be pushed to extremities, and capitulated to surrender, on condition that no harm should be done to them.

Upon this, the english garrison retreated into the castle, which is the strongest in all the duchy of Guienne, and is seated on a high rock. But the count de Foix, learning that it was badly provided with stores and provision, surrounded it with his troops on all sides; and this coming to the knowledge of the king of Navarre, he instantly issued his summons for the relief of the English, and marched six thousand Navarrois, Arragonians, Gascons and English, to within two leagues of it, to raise the siege. Finding the enemy so strongly intrenched, and so numerous, he retreated, and sent messengers to the count to say that he was desirous of having a conference with him, if he would send passports for himself and what company he might please to bring with him.

The king of Navarre, on receiving the passports, advanced with a small company to within a quarter of a league of the count's army, where he was waiting for him; when, after the usual salutations from the count, (who had married the king of Navarre's daughter, and had a beautiful family) the king said that he was much astonished, considering how nearly they were connected together, that he had besieged a place under his protection, his constable being governor for the king of England, to whom he had promised to defend it against all his enemies. The count good-humouredly replied (paying at the same time all honour and respect), that he was lieutenant-general for the king of France of all the countries between the river Gironde and the mountains: he was, likewise, a relation and subject to the king of France, and it was by his command that he had taken the town and besieged the castle; and to preserve his honour unspotted, and that no blame might ever be cast on him by any of his family, he would never raise the siege until the place was reduced to the obedience of the king of France, unless he should be fought withal and conquered; that in every other respect he would assist and serve the king of Navarre, the father of his wife, against all persons whatever, excepting the king of France, his subjects and allies, and all things appertaining to the crown of France. Upon this, the king of Navarre returned with the troops to his own country.

The garrison in the castle, finding they had no hopes of succour, and knowing their scarcity of provisions, surrendered it on capitulation,--and thus was the castle restored to the obedience of the king of France. Shortly after, the lord de Luce[46], attended by six hundred combatants, all wearing red crosses, came and did homage to the king of France in the hands of his lieutenant-general for the town and castle of Mauléon, which was his inheritance. After he had taken the oaths, he and his company returned to his mansion, wearing white crosses, to the great astonishment of all the men, women and children, of his country. When this had been done, the count de Foix marched his army back to Béarn, having left a sufficient garrison in the town and castle of Mauléon.

On the 27th of September, the lord de Blainville came with a large force of men at arms before the castle of Toucques, strongly situated on a rock close to the sea, and having an english garrison of sixty men. On seeing so large a body, they did not attempt resistance, but surrendered on having their lives and fortunes spared, and being allowed to march in safety whither they pleased.

On the last day of this month, the counts de Dunois and de Nevers laid siege to the castle of Yemmes[47], which the English instantly surrendered on similar terms.

The count de Dunois then marched his army to besiege the town and castle of Argentan. The English opened a parley, although they had not any intentions to surrender; but when the townsmen saw that they were only laughing at the French by these pretended parleys, and knew their intention of holding out to the last, and that what they were saying to the French was the farthest from their thoughts, they called some of their countrymen aside, and bade them have no more parleys with the English, for that they would hold out as long as they could. At the same time, they asked for a banner or pennon, which they would display from a certain part of the walls,--and that when they should see it they should advance thither with courage, and they would admit them into the town, which was done.

The English, perceiving themselves betrayed, retreated into the castle; but a large bombard was instantly pointed against the walls, and made a breach wide enough for a cart to pass. The French, on this success, attacked the castle, and entered the breach,--but the English retired into the dungeon, which they soon surrendered, fearing to be taken by storm; and although they demanded a capitulation, they were marched away with only staves in their hands.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 41: Alençon,--a handsome city in lower Normandy, 47 leagues from Paris.]

[Footnote 42: Mauléon. Q. Mauléon de Soule? a town in Gascony, eight leagues from Pau.]

[Footnote 43: Argentan,--seven leagues and a half from Alençon.]

[Footnote 44: D'Estract. In the MS. from Du Cange's copy, it is changed to _d'Estrar_. I suspect that it ought to be _de la Trane_; for the souldich de la Trane was of that country, and one of Edward the IIId's great captains. He is frequently mentioned by Froissart.]

[Footnote 45: Basques,--a small country near the Pyrenées, surrounded by Spain, the ocean, Béarn and the river Adour.]

[Footnote 46: De Luce. Luxe.----MS. Du Cange.]

[Footnote 47: Yemmes. Q. if not Yesme, a village in Maine?]

CHAP. X.

THE KING OF SICILY WAITS ON THE KING OF FRANCE AT LOUVIERS.--FRESNOY[48] SURRENDERS TO THE DUKE OF ALENÇON.--GISORS[49] CAPITULATES.--THE CASTLE OF GALLON[50] IS BESIEGED.

At this season, the king of Sicily came to the king of France at Louviers, where he was very joyfully received. He had with him his brother the count du Maine, and a long train of nobles, knights and esquires, whose names it would be tedious to relate, to the number of more than two hundred lances, and archers, without including those from the army of the duke d'Alençon, the duke of Brittany, the count de Dunois lieutenant-general, the count de Clermont, nor those of the count d'Eu, or of the count de St Pol, who all had with them very many men of note.

The king, seeing such a numerous and well appointed body of chivalry, resolved to pursue with vigour the conquest of the whole duchy of Normandy, and began his operations by ordering siege to be laid to the castle of Gallon. This castle was very strong, and impregnable but by famine,--for it was seated on a rock near to the Seine, out of cannon-shot, and could not any way be won, so long as provision for the garrison should last. The command of the siege was given to the seneschal of Poitou and others, who pushed their approaches toward it with great activity. The king went thither in person.

In the mean while, the duke of Alençon laid siege to the town and castle of Fresnoy, wherein were many English; but they made no opposition to the prosperity of the king's affairs, and surrendered on capitulation.

During the siege of Gallon, and about three or four days before its surrender, sir Richard de Merbury, an english knight and governor of Gisors, agreed to terms of capitulation with the brother of his wife, for its surrender on the 17th day of October following. In fact, the governor turned to the french interest, and took the oaths of allegiance, on condition that two of his sons, John and Hemond, who had been made prisoners at the capture of Pont-Audemer, should be restored to him without ransom; and also that he should enjoy unmolested the lands of his wife, which were now held by the French, whether by gift from the king or otherwise. At the solicitations of his wife's relations, the king granted his requests,--and, in expectation of the services that he looked to from him and his children, he also made him governor of St Germain en Laye, and gave him, for his life only, all the profits and emoluments arising from this government.

The king appointed, as governor of Gisors, the lord de Gaucourt, who had long laboured in his majesty's service: and considering his great age, of four score years and upwards, he had lately acquired very great honour.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 48: Fresnoy,--a village in Normandy.]

[Footnote 49: Gisors,--a city in Normandy, capital of Vexin-Normand.]

[Footnote 50: Gallon,--10 leagues from Rouen, about a league from the Seine.]

CHAP. XI.

THE KING OF FRANCE ORDERS THE COUNTS DE DUNOIS, D'EU, AND DE ST POL TO JOIN HIM, AS HE INTENDED TO MARCH TO ROUEN, WHENCE, AFTER REMAINING THREE DAYS HE RETURNS.--SOME OF THE INHABITANTS OF ROUEN ARE NEAR DELIVERING UP THE CITY TO HIM.--THE DUKE OF BRITTANY BESIEGES FOUGERES.--CONDE IS TAKEN.

In the month of October, the king of France ordered the count de Dunois, and the lords in his company who had subdued Argentan, to join him: and likewise the counts d'Eu and de St Pol; for it was his intention to march to reduce Rouen to his obedience. They hastily complied with his orders, insomuch that their armies were soon in the plains of Neufbourg[51], and assembled on the opposite side of the river, toward Rouen.

The king of France departed from Louviers, attended by the king of Sicily and his nobles, and advanced to Pont de l'Arche,--when the inhabitants came out with great joy, to welcome him on his arrival. He thence sent heralds without delay to summon Rouen to surrender, that all oppressions might be avoided by a voluntary submission: but the english garrison, aware on what embassy the heralds came, would not let them approach the walls, nor would they hear their summons, ordering them, at the same time, to make haste and return, under pain of death. They reported to the king all they had seen and heard, who, having learnt the answers the English had given to his heralds, commanded the army to cross the bridge at Pont de l'Arche, which was done under the conduct of the count de Dunois, and thence to proceed to Rouen. They remained before that city for three days with a multitude of men at arms and soldiers of all descriptions; but during these three days, the army suffered so greatly from the continual rains and storms that the whole was nearly destroyed.

Notwithstanding the severity of the weather, the garrison made many sallies, in which very gallant deeds of prowess were done; and a french esquire, called the bastard de Forbier, was made prisoner by reason of his horse falling under him. The french lords drew their army up in battle-array before the walls, and sent the king's heralds, a second time to summon the city to surrender; but as the English would not suffer them to approach near enough to be heard by the people, they were forced to return as before, which was quite contrary to every rule of chivalry; for heralds are always allowed the liberty of freely going and coming, to deliver their messages, provided such messages do not contain any thing treasonable.

The heralds, having made their report to the count de Dunois on their return, and he having considered that there seemed at present no chance that the city would surrender, and that the severity of the weather had much weakened his army, and worse was to be expected during the winter, which was nigh at hand, marched back to Pont de l'Arche, and quartered his men in the villages round that town. On the day of this retreat, the king of France had come with the king of Sicily to a nunnery within a league and a half of Rouen; but the king of France returned to his former quarters at Pont de l'Arche, while the king of Sicily remained until all the companies had marched for their cantonments near to Pont de l'Arche.

Shortly after, the king received intelligence that some of the inhabitants of Rouen had gained two towers that commanded part of the walls, and that they would admit them by this way into the city. On this information, the count de Dunois was ordered with the army to undertake the business, who marched off, on the 16th day of October, in handsome array.

On their arrival before Rouen, the army was drawn up fronting the new castle, whence two detachments were ordered,--the one to the gate of the Carthusians, and the gate Beauvoisienne, under the command of the counts de Dunois, de Nevers, d'Eu, and de St Pol, having with them many knights and esquires. The other detachment was to take post between the place appropriated to the execution of criminals and the walls of the city, under the command of the counts de Clermont, de Chartres, the viscount de Lomaigne and others. Each remained in battle-array until two hours after midday, when a person sallied out of the city on horseback, and told the above-mentioned commanders that some of the townsmen had gained, and kept by force, two towers, purposely to introduce, by their means, the king's army into the town.

Upon this, the count de Dunois, and the other lords in the detachment before the gate of the Carthusians, ordered their archers to march towards that part of the walls between these two towers,--and the count and his companions instantly dismounted and advanced to the foot of the walls, against which they raised the few scaling ladders they had, and made all diligence to mount them.

On this occasion were made knights the count de Nevers, the lord Concresault, Brunet de Long-champ, the lord de Pleu-martin, Pierre de la Fayette, the lord de Graville, master William Cousinot, Jacques de la Rivierre the bailiff of Nivernois, Robert de Hurenville, who all exerted themselves manfully to scale the walls, so that there were more than thirty Frenchmen who were on the battlements or within the town.

The lord Talbot now advanced, with about three hundred men, planting his banner on the wall, charged the French most valiantly, to repulse those who had made good their entrance into the town. They, however, fought well,--and great part saved themselves by leaping into the ditches, being forced thereto by the arrows of the english archers. Those who could not thus escape were put to death, or made prisoners,--and the English became masters of the wall and of these two towers. At this attack, from fifty to sixty French, including those of the townsmen who had assisted them, were killed or taken; and several, in attempting to escape, destroyed themselves. A few saved themselves from the towers: others had their legs broken by their fall, and such as remained were inhumanly slaughtered; so that it was an abomination to see the torrents of blood that ran in streams from the two towers.

During this time, the kings of France and of Sicily arrived at Darnetal[52]; but when they saw that the attempt had failed, and that the citizens of Rouen were not unanimous to assist them, they returned, on the 16th day of October, to Pont de l'Arche. The army was quartered in the villages on the banks of the Seine, according to their former disposition.

On the 17th day of October, sir Richard Merbury, the english knight before mentioned, fulfilled his engagement, and delivered the town and castle of Gisors to the lord de Gaucourt, for the king of France. In consequence, his children were restored to him, and all the articles agreed on fulfilled; after which, he departed. He, however, sent away, previously to yielding up the place, an english captain called Regnéfort[53], who had been his lieutenant in the command of the garrison, and in the guard of the castle.

At this period, the duke of Brittany left lower Normandy, where he had taken many places, on his return to besiege the town of Fougeres, held by sir Francis de Surienne, called the Arragonian.

The French, at this time, won the town of Condé sur Noireau[54] through neglect of the guard at the gate; and therein was taken the lady of sir Francis de Surienne, who had been driven from her lord's own residence, and forced to shelter herself in Condé. The French plundered every thing within the town, and also carried away the English prisoners.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 51: Neufbourg,--a town in Normandy, between the Seine and Rille, 8 leagues from Rouen.]

[Footnote 52: Darnetal,--a town very near to Rouen.]

[Footnote 53: Regnéfort. Q. Rainford.]

[Footnote 54: Condé sur Noireau,--in the valley of Noireau, diocese of Bayeux.]

CHAP. XII.

THE ARCHBISHOP OF ROUEN AND OTHERS OF THE CITIZENS NEGOTIATE TO SURRENDER THAT CITY TO THE KING OF FRANCE.--THE KEYS ARE PRESENTED TO THE LIEUTENANT-GENERAL, THE COUNT DE DUNOIS, WHO ENTERS THE TOWN WITH HIS ARMY.

On the 18th day of October, the inhabitants of the city of Rouen, being greatly frightened lest their town should be stormed by the French, and of course pillaged and destroyed, and also to avoid the further effusion of blood, assembled with one accord at the bishop's palace. They were much enraged at the deaths of their relatives and friends; and had they met the lord Talbot, it was generally supposed that they would have murdered him, as he had done their fellow-citizens and friends.

They, however, saw the duke of Somerset, and plainly told him, that it was expedient that a treaty should be opened, with the king of France, otherwise they would be ruined and starved,--for it was upwards of six weeks since any corn, wood, meat or wine had entered the town. This language was not very agreeable to the duke,--but looking round, and seeing that he had not more than fifty or sixty Englishmen with him, and that there were from eight hundred to a thousand of the townsmen, without including the remainder of the inhabitants who were under arms in the different streets, he began to be alarmed, and, addressing himself with much humility to the archbishop and people, said, that he was ready to do whatever the inhabitants of the town should wish. To appease the populace, he went to the town-hall, where public meetings are usually held,--and, after some discussion, it was resolved that the archbishop, with some english knights and citizens, should attend at the gate of St Ouen, to confer with the king, or with a part of his great council, respecting the welfare and surrender of the city of Rouen.

In consequence of this resolution, the official of the town was sent to the king at Pont de l'Arche to obtain a safe conduct for certain persons therein named, to treat of peace,--which being granted, the official returned to the archbishop and the duke. The archbishop, and some knights and esquires on the part of the duke of Somerset, together with certain of the townsmen, were sent to Port St Ouen[55], within a league of Pont de l'Arche, where they met, on the part of the king of France, his lieutenant-general the count de Dunois, the chancellor of France, the seneschal of Poitou, sir William de Cousinot, and some others. They had a long conference, in which the deputies from Rouen insisted on a general amnesty being granted, and that such as chose might depart with the English, and all who preferred to stay should have the enjoyment of their fortunes unmolested. It was also stipulated, that the English and their party should have safe conducts for themselves and their effects, when they marched away. All these demands having been agreed to by the count de Dunois and the king's counsellors, the archbishop and his associates promised to deliver up the town to the king's obedience.

The archbishop and his companions then departed, to make their report to the English and the citizens of Rouen,--but as they arrived in the night, they could not do it until the following day. On the 18th, therefore, the archbishop and the other deputies went very early to the town-hall, and related every thing that had passed between them and the ministers from the king of France, which was very agreeable to the inhabitants, but sorely displeasing to the English, who, when they saw the strong inclinations of the townsmen to turn to the french interest, were greatly astonished, more especially the duke of Somerset and the lord Talbot. They therefore left the town-hall much discontented, and, instantly arming themselves, withdrew to the government-palace, the bridges, and portals of the castle.

The citizens, having observed their motions, began to take alarm, and armed themselves also. They, as well as the English, kept up a strong guard the whole of this Saturday, and likewise during the night; but the townsmen, anxious to expel the English for refusing to accept of the terms the deputies had agreed to, sent a messenger to Pont de l'Arche, who arrived there on Sunday by day-break, to inform the king, that if he would send a force to their relief, it should have free entrance into the town.

On this same Sunday, the 19th day of October, about eight o'clock in the morning, the whole of the inhabitants were under arms, and on their guard against any attempts of the English,--when they attacked all of that nation whom they found in the streets so sharply that it was with difficulty that they could join their companions on the bridge, and in the palace and castle. In the pursuit, from seven to eight English were killed,--and the townsmen gained possession, in the interim, of the principal gates of the town.

The count de Dunois lost no time in hastening to the relief of Rouen, but instantly mounted his horse, attended by a large company of men at arms. In the number was Flocquet, bailiff of Evreux; but in his hurry, he forgot to put his greaves on, and was so badly kicked by one of the horses of his troop that his leg was broken, and he was carried back to be cured at Pont de l'Arche, after he had given the command of his men to the lord de Maulny.

On the arrival of this force before Rouen, those within St Catherine's were summoned to surrender the place to the king of France, who had, during the summons, set out from Pont de l'Arche, grandly accompanied by men at arms and archers, to appear personally before the walls of Rouen. He had ordered his artillery to be charged, for an immediate attack on his arrival at St Catherine's, although there was no necessity,--for the governor of the place, having six score English under his orders, seeing so noble a company, and knowing that the king was on the road, fearful also of the event, if he made any resistance, surrendered it to the count de Dunois, and he and his garrison marched away whither they pleased. The bailiff of Evreux was appointed governor, until the king should otherwise dispose of it. A herald was sent with the english garrison of St Catherine's, to answer for their safety, and to conduct them to Port St Ouen. On their march, they met the king, who bade them take nothing from the poor people without paying for it; but as they said they had no money, he gave them the sum of one hundred francs to defray the expences,--and then they continued their march with their baggage, of which, indeed, they had little, to Honfleur, or wherever else they pleased. The king took up his quarters that night at St Catherine's, with the intent to accomplish his enterprise.

To gain the city of Rouen, the count de Dunois, the count de Nevers, the lord d'Orval, the lord de Blainville and the lord de Maulny, advanced with all their men, with the king's banners displayed, before that gate of Rouen called Martinville, and drew up in battle-array near to the bulwark of the gate. The citizens came out with the keys of the gates and presented them to the count de Dunois,--at the same time pressing him to enter the town with as many of his men as he pleased. The count replied, that he would act as should be most agreeable to them, when, after some further conversation respecting the welfare of the city, sir Pierre de Brézé, seneschal of Poitou, was ordered to enter with one hundred lances and his archers, the lord de Maulny with the same number of lances, and the archers of Robert de Flocques, and one hundred lances and archers from the men of the count de Dunois.

They posted themselves as near to the English as they could, namely the men of the count de Dunois in front of the government-palace, in which were the duke of Somerset and lord Talbot, with twelve hundred English,--the lord de Maulny between the palace and the castle, and the seneschal of Poitou facing the castle. The other captains were encamped in the fields, and posted in the villages on the side toward the countries of Caux and Beauvoisis.

The king's army was a fine sight; for never, in the memory of man, had the king so grand or so numerous an assembly of lords, barons, knights and esquires, with common men, as were now under his orders.

This evening, the English surrendered the bridge, the guard of which was given to the lord de Herunville,--and, on the morrow, the gates of the town were thrown open, for all to enter or go out as they pleased.

The duke of Somerset was afflicted at heart to see the great army the king had brought against him, and demanded a conference with him. On this being told the king, he was well pleased to agree to it. In consequence, the duke of Somerset set out, on the fifth day afterward, from the palace, accompanied by a certain number of persons, and by some of the king's heralds, who escorted him to St Catherine's on the mount of Rouen, where the king received him, attended by the king of Sicily, the count de Dunois, and others of his council and blood: the patriarch of Antioch, the Archbishop of Rouen, and other prelates, were likewise present. After the usual salutations, and when the duke had paid his respects to the king, he requested that his majesty would be pleased to allow him and lord Talbot, with the men under their command, to march away with their baggage in safety, according to the terms of the general amnesty which had been agreed to by the lords of his council.

The king deliberately and prudently replied, that his request was unreasonable, because they had refused to accept or adhere to the terms of the amnesty; but in contempt of it had held, and now did hold, the palace and castle contrary to his will, and had also done every thing in their power to prevent the inhabitants of Rouen from surrendering their town. The amnesty had, therefore, been annulled by their own conduct; and before they were suffered to leave the palace, Honfleur, Harfleur, and all places in the country of Caux, now in the hands of the king of England, must be given up to him.

The duke of Somerset, on receiving this answer, took leave of the king and returned to the palace, and saw every one, in all the streets he passed through, wearing the white cross, which did not tend to raise his spirits. He was escorted back by the counts of Eu and of Clermont.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 55: St Ouen. I believe there must be some mistake, for there is no St Ouen near to Pont de l'Arche; but a St Ouen seems to be within a league of Elbeuf, which is near to Pont de l'Arche.]

CHAP. XIII.

THE KING OF FRANCE BESIEGES THE DUKE OF SOMERSET, LORD TALBOT, AND THEIR MEN, IN THE GOVERNMENT-PALACE OF ROUEN.--THEY SURRENDER, ON CONDITION OF BEING ALLOWED TO MARCH AWAY ON YIELDING UP THE CASTLE OF ARQUES[56], AND OTHER PLACES MENTIONED.

On Wednesday, the 22d of October the king of France commanded the government-palace and the castle of Rouen to be besieged at the same time. Eight hundred lances, with the archers, were ordered on this service, who made deep trenches round the palace, as well in the town as in the fields. Bombards and cannon were pointed against the gates that opened to the country and town. All these preparations greatly dismayed the duke of Somerset. Having considered that there was very little provision or stores within the palace, and a great many men, and that there was not a possibility of his being relieved, he requested, on the 28th of the same month, that the king would permit him to speak with him, which the king kindly granted. The duke left the palace accompanied by about forty of his principal knights and esquires: he was dressed in a long robe of blue figured velvet, lined with sables, having on his head a crimson-velvet bonnet, trimmed also with sables. The king's heralds escorted him through the tower to the sallyport leading to St Catherine's, where he was met by the count de Clermont, eldest son to the duke of Bourbon, and other knights and esquires, who conducted him to St Catherine's where the king received him very kindly, in an apartment most richly decorated.

The king had with him, at this audience, the king of Sicily, the counts of Maine, of Dunois, of Nevers, of Clermont, of St Pol, of Castres, of Tancarville, the viscount of Loumaigne, and so many great lords and knights that it would be tiresome to name them all. When the duke had saluted the king, he requested that his majesty would be pleased to grant to him, and the English in the palace and castle, the same capitulation he had granted to the town.

The king replied aloud, and in handsome terms, that the same capitulation had been granted them at the conference at St Ouen, but that neither himself nor his countrymen, like ill-advised persons, would accept of it: his request was therefore so unreasonable that he could not grant it. The duke then took his leave of the king and returned, with those who had accompanied him, to the palace, escorted, for his security, by the counts of Clermont, of Eu, and of Castres.

The king ordered the count de Dunois to push forward his approaches to the palace with the greatest vigour, on the side toward the country as well as on that toward the town. The lieutenant-general obeyed this order with so much activity, valour and prudence, that the English were completely blockaded in both the castle and the palace.

The English now demanded a parley with the count de Dunois, and a truce was concluded between them. The bailiff of Evreux, the marshal de la Fayette, and others of the king's council were called in to the conference, when the truce was prolonged from day to day, for the space of twelve days, because the English would not leave the lord Talbot as an hostage for the performance of the treaty. After many discussions, it was at length agreed that the duke of Somerset, lieutenant of the king of England, his lady, children, and all the English within the palace and castle should depart in safety with their effects whithersoever they pleased, leaving behind the prisoners and heavy artillery. They were bound to pay the king of France the sum of fifty thousand crowns within the twelvemonth, and to those who had concluded this treaty six thousand. They also promised faithfully to pay every thing they owed to the innkeepers, townsmen, tradesmen and others of Rouen.

The duke of Somerset and his companions were besides bounden to deliver up the castle of Arques, the town of Caudebec, the castle of Tancarville, and L'isle-bonne, the towns of Honfleur and Monstierville, to the king of France, or to such commissioners as he should appoint to receive them. For the fulfilment of these engagements, the duke of Somerset gave written promises, and also left, as hostages for their performance, lord Talbot, the sons of lord Abergavenny, of lord Roos, and of the duchess of Somerset, of the earl of Ormond in Ireland, and two other english noblemen.

On the conclusion of this treaty, the duke of Somerset and the English departed from the palace on the 4th day of November, and went strait to the town of Harfleur,--some by water, others by land. The hostages remained under the care of the king's commissaries in Rouen. The duke of Somerset, before his departure, had directed sir Thomas Hou and Fulk Hou[57] to restore to the king of France the places mentioned in the treaty; which was done, excepting Honfleur,--for the governor, called master Thomas Courson, refused to surrender it,--and the lord Talbot, therefore, remained prisoner to the king. On Monday, the 10th of November, the eve of the feast of St Martin, the count de Dunois and the bailiff of Rouen had the king's banner displayed from the castle, palace, and walls of the city, by one of the king's heralds, and in the presence of the principal inhabitants.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 56: Arques,--two leagues from Dieppe.]

[Footnote 57: Sir Thomas Hou, &c. Q. Howe? Berry changes the names into Heu and Heston. See Hollingshed, &c.]

CHAP. XIV.

THE KING OF FRANCE MAKES A GRAND ENTRY INTO ROUEN.--HE IS SUMPTUOUSLY RECEIVED.--THE ENGLISH RESTORE TO THE KING THE CASTLE OF ARGUES, CAUDEBEC, TANCARVILLE, MONSTIERVILLE, &c.

While the negotiations were carrying on with the English, the king of France celebrated the feasts of All-saints in St Catherine's with the utmost joy on seeing his enemies fall before him,--and he returned thanks to God for the good fortune that was daily pouring in upon him. The count de Dunois having restored good government in the town of Rouen, the king prepared to make his solemn entry into it.

He set out from St Catherine's on this same Monday, about one o'clock after midday, attended by the king of Sicily, and several great princes, as well of his blood as otherwise, with his army drawn out in handsome array. First marched his archers, the leaders of whom were dressed in striped jackets of red, white and green, covered with embroidery. After these came the archers of the king of Sicily, of the count du Maine, and of other great lords, to the number of six hundred, well mounted, and all armed with plate armour, under jackets of various colours, having greaves, swords, daggers and helmets, richly ornamented with silver. The king appointed the lords de Preuilly and de Cléré, sir Theaulde de Valperge, and a few more, to command them, who had their horses covered with satin housings of different forms and colours.

After the archers came the heralds of the king of France, the king of Sicily, and the other princes in company with the king, all dressed in their tabards of arms,--and with them were some pursuivants. Then came the trumpeters and clarions, who sounded so loudly that it was very melodious, and gave much delight to hear them: the king's trumpeters were clothed in crimson, having their sleeves covered with embroidery.

Next came sir William Juvenal des Ursins, knight, lord of Trainel and chancellor of France, dressed in his robes of ceremony, namely, a robe, mantle and hood of scarlet, trimmed with minever, and on each of his shoulders were golden ribbands, interlaced with strips of fur. Before him walked two footmen, leading by the bridle a white hackney, covered with a housing of blue velvet, besprinkled with flowers de luce and gold tissue. On this housing was placed a small coffer, covered also with blue velvet and flowers de luce in silversmith's work, in which were the seals of the king. After him rode an equerry of the stables, called Pierre Fonteville[58], fully armed, and mounted on a charger covered with housings of azure velvet, having great clasps of silver gilt: he had on his head a pointed hat, with the point trimmed with crimson-velvet and ermine. He bore before him, in a scarf, the royal mantle of scarlet, ornamented with purple fringes and ermine. Next came, without any interval between him and the king, the lord de Saintrailles, grand equerry of the royal stables, and bailiff of Berry. He was in complete armour, mounted on a charger with similar housings and clasps as the said Fonteville, and bore in a scarf the royal sword of state, whose handle, cross and sheath, were covered with blue velvet, besprinkled with flowers de luce of gold.

Then came the king, in complete armour, on a stately charger with housings, reaching to the ground, of blue velvet, covered with flowers de luce in embroidery. On his head was a beaver hat lined with crimson velvet, having on the crown a tuft of gold thread. He was followed by his pages dressed in crimson,--their sleeves covered with silver plates, the armour of their horses' heads was of fine gold, variously ornamented, and with plumes of ostrich feathers of divers colours. On the right of the king rode the king of Sicily, and on the left his brother the count of Maine, both in full armour, their horses richly ornamented, with similar housings, having white crosses, and their devices intermixed with tufts of gold thread. Their pages' horses had the like housings,--but their head-armour was of fine gold with their devices.

After them came the counts de Nevers, de St Pol, and de Clermont. The first was mounted, fully armed, on a charger covered with green velvet embroidered with gold, and followed by three pages dressed in violet and black: he was also accompanied by twelve gentlemen completely armed, mounted on horses covered with violet-coloured satin: each housing bore a white cross, except one whose housing was of green satin. The count de St Pol was likewise in full armour, mounted on a charger having a housing of black satin covered with silversmith's work and embroidery. His five pages were clothed in black satin, slashed below, which slashes were covered with silversmith's work: the housings of their horses were the same. One of them bore a lance covered with crimson-velvet, another a lance covered with figured gold tissue, and the third bore on his head an helmet of fine gold richly ornamented; and behind these pages was his groom handsomely dressed, with the housings of his horse similar to the others, leading a handsome charger in hand. The count de Clermont was also completely armed, mounted on his charger covered with housings of his livery, as were his pages.

The lord de Culant, grand master of the king's household, (having the command of a battalion of six hundred lances, each having a pennoncel of crimson satin with a golden sun in the center,) followed the pages of the king, in complete armour, a hat on his head, and mounted on a charger covered with a housing of blue and red velvet in stripes, each stripe having a large golden or silver leaf: the armour of his horse was similarly ornamented. He wore round his neck a baldrick of pure gold, that hung down below the crupper of his horse. With the lord de Culant was an esquire called Rogerin Blosset, equerry of the stables to the king, who bore the royal standard of crimson satin, having the figure of St Michael in the center, and besprinkled with leaves of gold.

Jean de Scaenville was also in the rear of the king: he was surnamed Havart, bailiff of Dreux and esquire-carver to the king, and bore the royal pennon, which was of azure velvet, with three flowers de luce embroidered thereon in gold, and the border of this pennon was of large pearls.

In their attendance on the king were numbers of great lords, such as the viscount de Lomagne, the count de Castres, Ferry lord of Lorraine, sir John his brother, the lord d'Orval, the count de Tancarville, the lord de Montgascon, son to the count de Boulogne and Auvergne, the lord de Jalognes marshal of France, the lord de Beauveau, and more than I can remember, all clad in complete armour, and their horses covered with housings of velvet or satin, having on each a white cross.

Thus did the king advance until he came within bow-shot of the beauvoisine gate, near to the carthusian convent, where the count de Dunois, his lieutenant-general, came out to meet him, mounted on a charger covered with crimson velvet, and himself dressed in a crimson-velvet jacket trimmed with sables: he was girt with a magnificent sword, whose pummel was set with diamonds, pearls and rubies, to the Value of fifteen thousand crowns. The seneschal of Poitou, and Jacques Coeur, master of the king's wardrobe, attended him mounted on chargers covered and clad like to the lieutenant-general. The bailiff of Evreux and sir William Cousinot were also there,--the first mounted on a charger covered with crimson velvet, and himself clad in the same stuff. Sir William Cousinot had lately been nominated bailiff of Rouen, and was dressed in blue velvet with rich clasps of silver gilt: his horse had housings of the same.

The lieutenant-general had brought from the town, to do reverence to the king, the archbishop of Rouen, the bishops of Lisieux, Bayeux, and Coutances, and the principal inhabitants. When these prelates had done their obeisance, they returned into the town, leaving the citizens, who were very numerous, clad in blue with red hoods, with the lieutenant, who presented them to the king. After paying their humble reverence, they delivered the keys of their town into the hands of the king, as their sovereign lord; and after many fine speeches from them, which he heard with kindness, he gave the keys to the before-mentioned seneschal, appointing him governor of the place.

The king then began his entrance into the city in the same order as I have described; but the moment he began to move a procession of prelates and churchmen, in their pontifical habits, regulars and seculars, bearing jewels and relics, and accompanied by the four mendicant orders, came out to meet him, singing 'Te Deum laudamus,' for the joyful arrival of the king of France, their sovereign lord. They placed themselves before the chancellor of France, the lord de la Fayette marshal of France, the lord de Gaucourt first chamberlain to the king, the lord de Presseigny, and Jacques Coeur, who all had their horses covered with velvet and satin, and had jackets of the same with white crosses. The count de Dunois placed himself directly before the king, near to the equerry of the stables.

It is certain, that in the memory of man, never was king seen with such a handsome body of chivalry, so finely dressed, nor so great a number of men at arms as the king of France had with him on his regaining his good city of Rouen. At the entrance of the gates, a youth, aged about twelve or thirteen years, and son to the lord de Presseigny, was knighted by the seneschal of Poitou. At the gate of the bulwark were four of the most distinguished of the citizens with an exceedingly rich canopy, which they held over the head of the king until he came to the church of our Lady in Rouen. All round this gate, and on the bulwark, were immense crowds of people, who, on the king's entrance in the midst of his men at arms, sang carols for joy at the happy event. In all the squares were different pageants: in one was a fountain ornamented with the arms of the town, namely, a lamb, who spouted out liquors from his horns. Elsewhere was a tyger with its young ones, who were admiring themselves in looking glasses; and near to the church of our Lady was a flying stag, sumptuously made, having on his neck a crown,--and he kneeled down, by way of reverence to the king as he passed on his way to the church.

At this place were the count de Dunois with lord Talbot and the english hostages at a window to see the pageant: the last were very pensive, and hurt at heart, on witnessing a sight so disagreeable to their interests. The king dismounted on his arrival before the church, where he was received by the archbishop and his clergy, richly dressed in their copes. Having entered the church, he continued some time in prayer, and thence went to the palace of the archbishop, where he was lodged.

Every one now returned to their homes,--and the populace made great bonfires in all the streets, to testify their joy on the occasion. The archbishop, on the morrow, led several solemn processions,--and the day was kept sacred from all labour and work, the same as if it had been Sunday. On the Wednesday and Thursday, the rejoicings were continued, and tables were spread in the street, covered with meats and wines for all comers, at the expense of the inhabitants. They also made rich presents to the king, his officers, his heralds and pursuivants, then present. While the king remained at the archbishop's palace, the churchmen, citizens and inhabitants, required an audience of him, touching certain requests they had to make. On its being granted, they entered the great hall, where the king was seated on his throne richly adorned, and himself dressed in cloth of gold, surrounded by his ministers. They proposed various measures to him, and, in the number, most humbly supplicated that he would be graciously pleased to pursue his ancient enemies the English; for by means of the towns they yet possessed in Normandy they were still enabled to do great mischiefs to the country. To assist him in this measure, they offered their lives and fortunes.

The king was well pleased with their proposal, more particularly with their offers of service and of money, and made, by means of the chancellor, a satisfactory answer to all they had proposed. They then took their leave, and retired to their homes. The king staid some time in Rouen to remodel the government of it; during which the English surrendered all the places they had given hostages for namely, the castle of Arques, Tancarville, Lillebonne, Monstierville[59] and Caudebec. But although they had engaged to restore Honfleur, it was not done, because the governor refused to obey, in this point, the orders of the duke of Somerset, and, consequently, the lord Talbot with the other hostages remained prisoners to the king of France. Sir Pierre de Brézé, seneschal of Poitou, was appointed governor of Rouen.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 58: Fonteville. Fontenay.----MS. Du Cange.]

[Footnote 59: Monstierville--should be _Montivilliers_, a town in Normandy, three leagues from Havre, eight from Fecamp.]

CHAP. XV.

THE CASTLE OF GAILLON SUBMITS TO THE OBEDIENCE OF THE KING OF FRANCE.--FOUGERES SURRENDERS TO THE DUKE OF BRITTANY, AND BELLÊME[60] TO THE DUKE OF ALENÇON.--A WELL-FOUGHT BATTLE TAKES PLACE BETWEEN THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH.