The chronicles of Enguerrand de Monstrelet, Vol. 09 [of 13]

THE

CHRONICLES

OF

ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET.

H. Bryer, Printer, Bridge Street, Blackfriars, London.

THE

CHRONICLES

OF

ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET;

CONTAINING

AN ACCOUNT OF THE CRUEL CIVIL WARS BETWEEN THE HOUSES OF

ORLEANS AND BURGUNDY;

OF THE POSSESSION OF

PARIS AND NORMANDY BY THE ENGLISH;

THEIR EXPULSION THENCE;

AND OF OTHER

MEMORABLE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN THE KINGDOM OF FRANCE,

AS WELL AS IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

A HISTORY OF FAIR EXAMPLE, AND OF GREAT PROFIT TO THE

FRENCH,

Beginning at the Year MCCCC. where that of Sir JOHN FROISSART finishes, and ending at the Year
MCCCCLXVII. and continued by others to the Year MDXVI.

TRANSLATED

BY THOMAS JOHNES, ESQ.

IN THIRTEEN VOLUMES ... VOL. IX.

LONDON:

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

1810

CONTENTS

OF

THE NINTH VOLUME.

HERE BEGINNETH

THE NINTH VOLUME

OF THE

CHRONICLES

OF

ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET.

CHAP. I.

THE KING OF FRANCE, BEING SATISFIED THAT THE ENGLISH HAD BROKEN THE TRUCE, DECLARES WAR AGAINST THEM.—VERNEUIL IS TAKEN BY A MILLER, WHOM AN ENGLISHMAN HAD BEATEN.

The king of France, having received full information of the warfare carried on by the English against Scotland, which was included in the truce, and of that against the Spaniards by sea, who were also included in it, as well as that on his own subjects of Dieppe, la Rochelle, and elsewhere, ever since the signing of the truce, without making any restitution whatever for the damages done by them, more especially in the capture of Fougeres from the duke of Brittany, for which they refused to make any reparation, although often summoned by the king so to do, as well by ambassadors to king Henry as to those who had the government of Normandy: having, therefore, maturely deliberated on all these grievances in his council, and knowing that he had fully acquitted himself of his duty in endeavouring to preserve peace, he declared war against England by sea and land.

During the truce, the english garrisons of Mantes, Verneuil, and Laigny had gone on the high roads between Orleans and Paris, and had robbed and murdered all passengers and merchants that fell in their way. In like manner did the English of Neufchâtel, Gournay, and Gerberoy, on the roads between Paris, Abbeville, and Amiens: they also made inroads over the country, seizing all they could lay hands on, and murdering gentlemen in their beds, who had sworn allegiance to the king of France; such as the lord de Maillebois, the lord de St Remy, Olivier de Noirequerque, and several more.

On the other hand, such tradesmen and labouring farmers as had, on the faith of the truce, returned to their occupations, houses, and villages, were continually harrassed and put to death by the English, who called them false Armagnac-traitors.

These were the fine exploits of the English during the existence of the truce. They were called Vizards, from wearing masks and frightful disguises over their other clothes, when they went on any such expeditions, to prevent them being discovered.

To put an end to all these deceitful proceedings of the English, the king of France assembled a large body of men at arms, as did the duke of Brittany, on their frontiers. The garrison of Fougeres made a sally on these last,—but they were repulsed so valiantly that they lost upwards of six score in killed and taken.

At this time a miller in the town of Varneuil[1] was beaten by an Englishman going the rounds. In revenge, he went to the bailiff of Evreux, and promised, on certain conditions, to admit him and his men into the town. In consequence of this, sir Pierre de Brésé, seneschal of Poitou, the said bailiff of Evreux, Jacques de Clermont and others, collected their men with all haste, and appeared before the walls of Verneuil by break of day on the 29th day of July.

The miller was on guard this night, and dismissed the watch sooner than usual because it was Sunday, that they might attend mass and then breakfast. The French, by the aid of the miller, fixed their ladders to his mill, and, by this means, entered the town without any one knowing, or even suspecting it. Six score English were in garrison, some of whom were killed or made prisoners, and the rest fled in haste to the castle.

On the morrow, the miller drew off most part of the water from the ditches of the castle, which was then vigorously attacked and defended,—but at last it was taken by storm. Many gallant deeds were done, particularly by the seneschal, who acquired greater renown than any other, although all fought well, for they had not any heavy artillery,—and numbers of the English were killed, wounded, and taken. The remainder took shelter in the tour grise, which was impregnable so long as provisions did not fail, being very thick and high, and detached from the castle, surrounded with ditches full of water. Notwithstanding its strength, the French attacked it on all sides,—and while they were thus engaged, the count de Dunois arrived with the lord de Culant and many other knights and esquires. The first had been lately appointed lieutenant-general of the armies of the king of France,—and the lord de Culant had been made grand master of the household.

Having had information that lord Talbot was on his march to relieve his countrymen in the tower, and was arrived at Breteuil[2], they soon departed, leaving sir Florent Dilliers, who remained to manage the siege, with about eight hundred combatants.

The count de Dunois kept advancing until he met lord Talbot near to Harcourt[3], who, when he perceived the French, fortified himself so strongly, with stakes and the baggage-carts which carried his stores, that they could no way injure him. At nightfall, he retreated in haste to Harcourt. All the ensuing day the French were drawn up in battle-array in the expectation of an engagement, but Talbot would not quit the town.

The following knights were this day created: the lord de Herbault, sir John de Bar lord of Baugey, and John Daulon, equerry of the king's stables; and the French, finding that Talbot would not come out of Harcourt, withdrew that evening to Evreux.

On the sixth day of August, in this year, the king of France advanced toward Amboise, to cross the river Loire, and march his army into Normandy to support the besiegers of Verneuil. The count de Dunois and his company remained two days in Evreux.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Verneuil,—a town in Normandy, diocese of Evreux.

[2] Breteuil,—a town in Normandy, near Conches.

[3] Harcourt,—a town in Normandy, election of Conches, ten leagues from Rouen.

CHAP. II.

THE COUNT DE ST POL APPEARS BEFORE NOGENT, WHICH SURRENDERS TO HIM.—THE CAPTURE OF POINT-AUDEMER.

On Friday, the 8th day of August, in this year, the count de St Pol, with about four hundred[4] horse, came before the castle of Nogent, of whom twenty or thirty of the most valiant of the van, at the first shock, forced their way into the lower court, and gained the barriers. Fearing the cannon of the English, they instantly retreated, to wait for their companions,—but not before the portcullis had been rapidly let down, and inclosed two of their number, who were made prisoners. On the approach of the main army, the place was courageously attacked on the side toward the fields, when many were killed and wounded on each side. The governor for king Henry was called Jean le Fevre, born near to Louviers, who had with him about thirty companions in arms.

On the Saturday, the place surrendered between eleven and twelve o'clock, on condition that the garrison should march away in safety unarmed, except the governor, who was to wear his sword. They deposited all their effects in the church of St Peter, whence they afterward came to seek and carry them away whither they pleased. The conquerors, perceiving on the Sunday that the place was not tenable, decamped, but not before they had set fire to it, and burnt it to the ground.

The same Friday, the count de Dunois marched from Evreux with a large company of knights and esquires, and two thousand five hundred combatants. Two days after, the counts d'Eu and de St Pol, the lords de Saveuses, de Roye, de Moy, de Rambures, and others, to the number of three hundred lances, and from fourteen to fifteen hundred archers, passed Pont de l'Arche, and continued their march until they formed a junction, on the 12th before Pont Audemer, with the count de Dunois and his army. The count de Dunois was posted on the side toward Rouen, and the counts d'Eu and de St Pol nearer to Honfleur, on the other side of the river Rille, which runs by the town,—and each lord drew up his men to the attack of the place.

That part of it near to the quarters of the count de St Pol was so courageously attacked that it was carried by storm, notwithstanding the very gallant defence of the English. Many brilliant acts were done by the count de Dunois' men, who entered the place at the same time with the others, crossing the ditches with water up to their necks.

Four hundred and twenty English retreated into a strong house at the end of the town under their captains, Montfort, treasurer of Normandy, and Foucques Ebon, who surrendered themselves prisoners to the counts de Dunois and de St Pol.

Twenty-two new knights were made on this occasion, such as the lord de Moy, the son of the vidame of Amiens, the son of the lord de Rambures, and others. Thus was Pont Audemer replaced under the obedience of the king of France.

King Charles came to Vendôme on this day, the 12th, and remained there until the 18th day of August, when he marched for Chartres, and arrived there on the 22d.

FOOTNOTES:

[4] Four hundred. In the original it is four thousand,—but this number appeared to me too great.

CHAP. III.

THE ENGLISH INVADE SCOTLAND TWICE, AND ARE AS MANY TIMES REPULSED[5].—THE TOWER OF VERNEUIL SURRENDERS TO THE KING OF FRANCE.—OTHER MATTERS.

It was evident that Heaven was against the English,—and they were deserving of it, for it is a fact that they have alway encroached on their Christian eighbours, as well in the kingdom of France as in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and elsewhere. Many violences have most unjustly been done by them, by reason of their not having the words of our Saviour Jesus Christ before their eyes, 'Render unto Cæsar the things that be Cæsar's and unto God the things that be God's.'

Among their various plans of annoyance to their neighbours, they carried one about this time into effect, namely, an invasion of Scotland. The earl of Salisbury sent two lords of great renown, natives of England, sir Thomas de Hanton, knight, and the lord Percy, son to the earl of Northumberland, to wage war against Scotland. They had with them fifteen thousand combatants and a numerous body of peasants, and, crossing the river Solway, entered Scotland, where they remained three days, having advanced six miles of that country, equal to three french leagues.

When the earl of Douglas heard of this inroad, he collected, without delay, six thousand Scots, and attacked the English on the plain in open day. The battle was well fought on both sides, and many were killed and wounded; but it was won by the Scots, who kept the field, and made many prisoners: in the number were sir Thomas de Hanton and Percy: the rest escaped as quickly as they could, to carry the melancholy news to lord Salisbury. He was very much grieved, and not without cause, but not cast down; for he instantly raised a greater army than before, consisting of sixty thousand men, thinking to destroy the whole kingdom of Scotland.

When the earls of Murray and of Ormond heard of the English having crossed the Solway with a large army, they, having the fear of God before their eyes, and finding the English determined thus conjunctly to destroy their country, took measures to oppose them; for it is perfectly lawful that every one should fight for his country. They soon, with the aid of other scots lords, assembled a force of thirty-two thousand able warriors, and, falling on the english camp unawares, put them to the rout, with great slaughter and loss in prisoners and wounded. They were pursued as far as the Solway, wherein many were drowned. The English lost in these two invasions from twenty to twenty-four thousand men in killed and prisoners.

The Scots gave all the merit of this signal defeat to God, and not to human force, for which they celebrated a thanksgiving; and, to prevent the English from being in future so eager to invade their country, they resolved to continue the pursuit into England. Having crossed the Solway, they destroyed the country, full twenty leagues in length, and six in breadth, as far as the strong town of Newcastle, without leaving a town or house on their road unburnt. On this expedition, a knight of great power in Scotland was slain, called sir John Vbouailles; and the Scots then returned unmolested home.

The account of these battles was given to the writer of the Chronicles of St Denis, at that abbey, by three scots priests of the diocese of Dunblaine, of which church one was a canon, and affirmed it for true before the holy shrine of St Denis, in the manner above related, and in the presence of the monks of that abbey.

On the 12th of August, the king of France came to Vendôme, grandly accompanied by men at arms, as well lords, knights and esquires, as others. He remained there until the 18th; and, during this time, the lord de Lohéac, marshal of Brittany, sir Geoffry de Couren[7], and Joachim Rohault and others, attacked the town of St Jacques de Beuvron with great vigour from nine in the morning until night, and, with heavy and small artillery, kept up a continual fire on the walls. It was, however, gallantly defended; but on the morrow; the English capitulated for its surrender, on being allowed to march away in safety with their effects.

On the 22d of the said month, the king of France entered Chartres; and, on the next day, the garrison of the tower of Verneuil surrendered themselves prisoners. They were but thirty, of whom the greater part were renegado French,—several having escaped a little before, carrying off all their valuables, owing to the negligence of those who had the guard during the night. Sir Florent was very much blamed for this, as the king had sent him orders, by one of his heralds, to be very attentive in guarding the place. The king, on the departure of the principal leaders, made matters easy to those who had remained, from the consideration that the place was impregnable but from want of provisions; and he concluded a treaty with the lords de Presigny and de Baugey, for their paying a moderate ransom, on delivering up the tower to the king.

At this time, or a little after, Joachim de Rohault, with these lords who had gained St Jacques de Beuvron, took, after an attack of ten hours, the town of Mortain[8]. The count de Dunois, with the count de St Pol and those who had been at the capture of Pont Audemer, marched to lay siege to the city of Lisieux; but when those within the city observed the great force brought against it, and which it was impossible for them to resist,—fearing also that, should it be taken by storm, they would lose every thing,—they held several conferences together, and, by the advice of their bishop, offered to surrender the place to the king of France. The bishop managed so honourably and ably that not the smallest damage was done to any individual, but each peaceably enjoyed his property as before the surrender. Several small places round Lisieux surrendered to the count de Dunois at the same time.

FOOTNOTES:

[5] Under the years 1446, 47, 48, 49, 50, in Andrew's History of Great Britain, &c.

'An invasion of Scotland is attempted by the English, led by the earl of Northumberland and Magnus Reidman. They are defeated at Sark[6] by the Scots, under the command of the lord Douglas and his brother the earl of Ormond.'

I see from Douglas's Peerage that it ought to be Archibald earl of Murray, (and not lord Douglas) third son to James VII. earl of Douglas. The earl of Ormond was his next brother.

The following extract is from Hutchinson's History of Northumberland, page 233, vol. ii.

'Henry earl of Northumberland, in the 14th Henry VI. made an unsuccessful irruption into Scotland,—and at Piperden was defeated by the earl of Angus, with the loss of 1500 men.

'In the 29th of the same reign he entered Scotland again, and engaged, near the river Sark, a large body of Scots under the command of sir William Wallace of Craigey, where he again had a defeat, and narrowly escaped being made prisoner,—his son choosing to throw himself into the hands of the enemy to save his father.'

[6] Sark,—a river in Scotland formed of two branches, the white and black, falls into the Eden four miles below Carlisle.

[7] De Couren. Couvren.——MS. Du Cange.

[8] Mortain,—a town in Normandy, on the river Lances, on the borders of Maine.

CHAP. IV.

THE KING OF FRANCE SUMMONS MANTES TO SURRENDER,—WHICH IT DOES, AND IS TAKEN POSSESSION OF, IN THE NAME OF THE KING, BY THE COUNT DE DUNOIS, HIS LIEUTENANT-GENERAL.

On the 26th of this same month of August, and on the morrow of the feast of St Louis, the king left Chartres with a noble company, and fixed his quarters at Château-neuf-en-Timerais[9], and, the same day, sent his heralds to summon the garrison of Mantes,—which town was held and occupied against his will. While the heralds were on their embassy, the counts de Dunois and St Pol arrived with five or six hundred combatants, the same day, before the town of Mantes, and summoned the inhabitants to return to their obedience to the king of France. They at first refused, from fear of the garrison, although in their hearts they were well inclined to obey the summons,—and the lieutenant-general ordered preparations for an immediate attack.

The inhabitants noticed this, but were fearful that the english garrison, amounting to two hundred and sixty men, under the command of sir Thomas Hos[10], knight, and chancellor for the king of England in these parts, would make a defence. He was indeed not in the town; but his lieutenant, Thomas de Sainte Barbe, bailiff of the place, was present, and determined on resistance as long as he could. The inhabitants, therefore, foreseeing the ruin of their town, caused the bailiff to be informed, that if he would not enter into a capitulation for the surrender of the place, they should certainly do so. This they would not have dared to say, if they had not felt themselves the strongest; and the better to force the English to terms, they seized the tower and gate called the Port-au-Saint, with the whole of that quarter, and then went in a body to the lieutenant-general, and concluded with him a treaty for the surrender of their town.

The English were desirous of making resistance, and would have opposed the French, had not this tower and its defences been occupied by the townsmen. A copy of the capitulation was sent them, about four o'clock in the afternoon, by a herald accompanied by fifty men at arms, who were received by the inhabitants, and posted in this tower, to guard them against the English, should there be occasion. Although the lieutenant-governor had accepted the terms for himself and his companions the bailiffs, the count de Dunois remained with his army in order of battle before the walls from morning to evening, when he entered the place with a strong detachment, to guard the inhabitants from pillage and other mischiefs, which men at arms were accustomed to do on similar occasions,—and also to confirm the townsmen in their loyalty and obedience toward the king.

FOOTNOTES:

[9] Château-neuf-en-Timerais,—a town in Perche, election of Verneuil.

[10] Sir Thomas Hos. Q.

CHAP. V.

THE KING OF FRANCE MAKES HIS ENTRY INTO VERNEUIL.—THE RECEPTION HE RECEIVES.—THE SENESCHAL OF POITOU UNDERTAKES AN EXPEDITION AGAINST THE CASTLE OF LOIGNY[11].—IT SURRENDERS TO THE KING, AND SEVERAL ENGLISH ARE TAKEN IN IT.—VERNON SURRENDERS TO THE KING.

On the 27th of August in this year, the king of France made his entry into Verneuil, with much pomp and grandly attended. He was received there as magnificently as possible, for the churchmen and chief inhabitants came out in procession to meet him, dressed in their best clothes and hoods. The populace issued out also in crowds to welcome his arrival: they made bonfires, and strewed the streets with flowers in the best manner they could, singing carols day and night.

The king remained some time in Verneuil, and thither came the bishops of Lisieux and Auxerre to do him homage. During this interval, the seneschal of Poitou formed a plan to gain the castle of Loigny, held by an esquire of Normandy, called the lord de Sainte Marie, as governor for sir Francis de Surienne, called the Arragonian, the owner of this castle, and who had married sir Francis's daughter. Although the seneschal did not come before the place personally, he had practised with the governor (who had under his command two hundred combatants quartered in the lower court); so that when the French appeared, they were admitted into the dungeon, without the knowledge of the men at arms sent by sir Francis for its defence, or of his lady, who was in the castle.

The English, when they saw the French, thought to defend themselves; but finding they were too weak in numbers, they desisted, and were, with their horses in the lower court, and all their effects, seized in the name of the king of France, except the lady of sir Francis, who departed with her baggage, much enraged at the treachery of her son-in-law. The lord de Sainte Marie was re-appointed to the government of the castle, on the terms he had held it before.

On the same day, the captain of Robert de Flocques, bailiff of Evreux, was sent with a certain number of men at arms to summon the garrison and inhabitants of Vernon to submit themselves to the king of France, by sending to him the keys of the town. The governor, John Ormond, an esquire, son to the earl of Ormond in Ireland, replied, that he would willingly do so,—and, by way of derision and mockery, sent for all the old keys he could from the locksmiths in the town, and presented them to the pursuivant who had brought the summons; but he made answer, that they were too old to be of use to such a place, and departed, to make his report of what had passed to the count de Dunois, who was not far off with the main army.

On the morrow morning, the 28th, came the lieutenant-general, attended by the counts de St Pol and d'Eu, the lord seneschal of Poitou, and several other captains, with a large body of franc archers, (an institution lately established in France) attacked, and instantly gained possession of a small island, on which they raised a battery of cannon, although they did not fire them, but some sharp skirmishings took place between the archers,—and the English lost the bridge, when their governor was pierced through both his cheeks with an arrow, to their great dismay. Seeing, therefore, the great force that was brought against them, and that numbers of towns and castles had of late surrendered, they, in conjunction with the inhabitants, demanded from the count de Dunois passports for four or six persons to hold a parley respecting the summons that had been sent them.

This was agreed to; and the following persons were selected by the governor and inhabitants to wait on the count de Dunois, namely, John Abaron[12], an Englishman, captain of the troops in the town, master Guillaume d'Aguenet, a most determined partisan of the English, Regnault de Bordeaux and others,—and d'Aguenet was appointed spokesman. Having made the usual salutations to the lieutenant-general, he thus addressed him,—'My lord, you have summoned us to surrender the town of Vernon to the king your lord: tell us on what grounds you have made this demand.' The count de Dunois, with coolness and dignity becoming the representative of a king, answered most eloquently, (for he was one of the most eloquent men in all France) that the said town of Vernon, and its dependances, belonged to the king his lord by rightful inheritance; that it had been taken from him more by violence than otherwise, with great part of his kingdom, during the life of the late king his father; and he then recited, in a style that would have done credit to a doctor, a history of the war between the kings of France and England, and the innumerable evils that had resulted from it: that the king of France, moved by his great charity, had consented to certain truces, in the hope that, during their continuance, means might be found to establish a permanent peace,—but that the English had, through their disorderly love of conquest, in the interval, gained by force the town of Fougeres from the duke of Brittany, a relative and subject of the king, and especially named in the said truces. He then related all the conferences that had taken place on the occasion, and their result, which have been already mentioned.

'The king, therefore, having maturely considered this conduct with his council, captains and allies, and witnessing the infidelity of the English, has raised a sufficient army to regain all that legally belongs to him, and has appointed me his lieutenant-general to carry his intentions into execution: I therefore have summoned, and do now summon, you to restore this town to its rightful lord, to avoid the perils you will run into from your rebellion and disobedience, and that you may not attribute the evils that will ensue from your refusal to your lawful lord and mine, whose benign grace is willing to receive you again as his subjects.'

At the close of this speech, the English and the other deputies withdrew to consult how they should act. In the discussion, great disputes arose; for the French, considering king Charles as their lawful king, and feeling that what the lieutenant had said was founded in reason, wanted to surrender, but the English would not. After much altercation, the townsmen declared that they would surrender, whether the English would or no, if a fair treaty were offered for the tower, in which the English should be included if they were agreeable to it.

The English, perceiving they could not resist the will of the inhabitants, so plainly discovered, demanded letters, under the town-seal, declaratory that the surrender was agreed to without their consent, which were given them.

The deputies returned to the count de Dunois, who concluded a treaty, with the assent of the lords in his company, by which the town and castle of Vernon were surrendered,—in which were twelve score English, under the command of the son of the earl of Ormond. They marched away in safety with their baggage,—and the inhabitants remained peaceably in the town, without losing an article of their effects.

The king afterwards gave this town and castle to the count de Dunois, for the great services he had rendered him, and in the expectation that he would do more in conquering Normandy, or wherever else he might be employed.

FOOTNOTES:

[11] Loigny,—a village in Beauce.

[12] John Abaron. Q.

CHAP. VI.

THE KING OF FRANCE COMES TO THE TOWN OF EVREUX, WHERE HE IS HANDSOMELY RECEIVED, AND GOES THENCE TO LOUVIERS.—THE CASTLE OF ANJOU SUBMITS TO THE KING.—GOURNAY SURRENDERS ALSO.—JOHN HOWEL YIELDS UP THE CASTLE OF LA ROCHE-GUYON TO ITS LORD, AND TURNS TO THE FRENCH.

About the end of August, the king departed from Verneuil, and made his entry into the city of Evreux with great pomp. He was sumptuously received by the inhabitants, who went out in procession to meet him, made bonfires, sang carols, and hung all the streets with tapestry through which he passed. He slept one night only in Evreux, and on the morrow went to Louviers, where he was equally well received. He was accompanied by the count du Maine, brother to the king of Sicily and the queen of France, the count de Clermont, eldest son to the duke of Bourbon, the viscount de Longmaigne, eldest son to the count d'Armagnac, the count de Castres, son to the count de la Marche, the youngest son of the house of Albreth, John lord of Lorraine, many other great lords and barons, and knights and esquires without number.

The king had two hundred lances for his body-guard, and his usual archers, without including four armies he had in the field,—namely, the army of the duke of Brittany, another under the command of the count de Dunois lieutenant-general, the army of the counts d'Eu and de St Pol, and that of the duke d'Alençon. The king was very active in supplying these armies with every thing they might want, as well with money as bombards, artillery, and all kinds of stores; and couriers were constantly passing and repassing between him and them, to convey orders and intelligence.

During this time, William de Chance, governor of Pontoise, marched a body of men before the castle of Anjou, and summoned Portugal, the governor, to surrender it to the king of France. Portugal, hearing how the whole country, with its towns and castles, was submitting daily to king Charles, and knowing the impossibility of any effectual resistance, capitulated for its surrender,—when de Chance was appointed, by the king of France, the governor.

Sir Louis de Luxembourg, count de St Pol, marched, on a Sunday, from Vernon, to lay siege to Gournay. On his march, he was met by some of the townsmen, who came to make an offer to yield up the place, which was under the guard of William Harper, lieutenant to William Coram, an Englishman. The lieutenant, fearful of the event of a siege, and knowing also how the tide of war was turned,—and that all the towns and castles were surrendering to the French,—having also in mind that prudent maxim, 'Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum,'—went out with one of the inhabitants, called Raoullet Pailleavoine, and some others, to the count de St Pol, on his arrival before the place, and confirmed the treaty that had been made at Longueville.

It was articled that the town and castle should be surrendered to the count de St Pol, notwithstanding that the lord de Moy and William de Chance, ignorant of the count's enterprise, had attempted to take it by storm, and had opened batteries against its walls. The moment they were informed of the count's intentions, they abandoned their enterprise,—and the king of France gave it to the count, with all its dependances, for his life. He appointed, therefore, as governor of the castle and town, sir George de Croix, lord of Blainsel.

While this treaty was carrying on, the count d'Eu remained at Andeli sur Seine[13], and thence went to quarter himself and his forces at Pont Saint Pierre[14], where he staid three days, when he crossed the Seine to besiege Harcourt[15].

On Monday, the 29th of August, all the lords who had been at the surrender of Vernon joined the king at Louviers, to arrange their plans for further conquests. During their assembly, the lord de Jalognes, marshal of France, and the lord of Roche-Guyon, marched a large body of men at arms to conquer the castle of La Roche-Guyon[16]. To effect this, they detached about thirty men by water, well supplied with cannon and ammunition, who approached the place as if intending to besiege it, making as much noise as though they had been two hundred, and remained before it for three days, constantly skirmishing with the garrison; but although this garrison did not consist of more than sixteen men, the French gained no advantage over them.

On Thursday the 3d of September, the lords de Jalognes and de la Roche-Guyon appeared before it with their forces; and when John Howel, the english governor, saw so numerous a body that it would be vain for him to oppose it, at the same time fearing the event of a siege, and considering the right the king had to reconquer his kingdom, entered into a treaty with these lords conditionally to surrender the castle, unless he should be relieved by the king of England or his lieutenant in Normandy, within fifteen days; and that he and his men should have free liberty to march away with their baggage whither they pleased.

Intelligence of this was sent to the duke of Somerset, lieutenant of Normandy, in Rouen, who tampered with the messenger to introduce four and twenty English into the castle, and put Howel to death. On his return, he attempted to gain over some of the garrison to his purpose, of admitting the twenty-four Englishmen to execute his damnable design; but knowledge of this plan coming secretly to the ears of Howel, he sent in haste for the lord de la Roche-Guyon, who had withdrawn himself and his forces until the fifteenth day should arrive, to whom he surrendered the place. The garrison marched away, under passports, with their effects; but Howel was so indignant at the plot formed against his life that he became a Frenchman, and took the oaths of allegiance, on condition that he should enjoy the landed property of his wife, who was a native of France,—and the lord de la Roche-Guyon continued him in the government of his castle.

FOOTNOTES:

[13] Andeli-sur-Seine,—three leagues from Mantes.

[14] Pont St Pierre,—four leagues from Andeli.

[15] Harcourt,—ten leagues from Rouen, near Brionne.

[16] La Roche-Guyon,—a market-town in Normandy, three leagues from Mantes.

CHAP. VII.

THE COUNTS OF EU AND OF ST POL TAKE BY STORM THE NEW CASTLE OF NICORPS[17].—THE CASTLE SURRENDERS ON TERMS.—THE COUNT DE DUNOIS GAINS THE CASTLE OF HARCOURT.

About the middle of September, it was resolved, in the councils held at Louviers, that, considering the great body of french chivalry, it would be necessary to form two divisions: the one under the command of Charles d'Artois count of Eu, Louis de Luxembourg count of St Pol, and other captains, having with them from three to four thousand combatants, were ordered to besiege the new castle of Nicorps, which was held by the captain, Adam Illeton[18], an Englishman. The french army came before it on Tuesday the 12th day of September, and took the town by storm on the following Thursday. The castle was then besieged,—and surrendered on capitulation fifteen days afterward.

The other division was under the command of the count de Dunois, lieutenant-general, having with him the counts de Clermont and de Nevers, with four thousand veteran soldiers. On leaving Louviers, they marched to lay siege to the castle of Chambrais[19] on the 18th of September, of which an Englishman, called William Crinton[20], was governor, and had under him two hundred men for its defence. After seven days siege, it surrendered on capitulation with the count de Clermont,—and thus was it restored to the obedience of the king of France.

Without losing time, the lieutenant-general marched his army before the castle of Harcourt, which is handsome and strong. It was governed by sir Richard Frongueval[21], an Englishman, having under him about eight score of his countrymen. The siege lasted about fifteen days, with daily skirmishes with the garrison. Great advances were made, in which a very valiant man at arms from the garrison of Louviers was killed by a cannon-shot,—and an Englishman lost his life by the shot of a culverine, on the portal of the lower court.

A mutiny now took place in the garrison, when the governor was disgraced, and hung by his feet under the gate,—when the French, taking advantage of it, played their cannon so well that they greatly damaged the walls of the lower court. The English, fearful of consequences, entered into a capitulation to surrender, if they should not, on the ensuing Friday, be in force to meet them in the field, and gave hostages for the performance. When the day arrived, not receiving any succours, they yielded up the place.

While these armies were thus employed, the english garrison of the town and castle of Essay[22] made an excursion to fish a pond at some distance,—which coming to the knowledge of the duke d'Alençon, he instantly ordered his men to mount, and marched, as secretly as he could, to cut off their retreat. He succeeded in making the whole prisoners, and, carrying them to Essay, forced them to deliver up the town and castle, on pain of losing their heads.

The french garrison in Dieppe, knowing that there was but a small garrison in Fecamp, which is a sea-port, marched thither secretly, and won it by storm.

Shortly after, arrived a vessel from England, having on board ninety-seven soldiers to garrison the abbey, supposing it still to belong to king Henry, whom the French suffered to land without opposition, but instantly afterwards took them all prisoners.

FOOTNOTES:

[17] Nicorps,—a village in Normandy, diocese and election of Coutances.

[18] Adam Illeton. Q. Elton, or Hilson?

[19] Chambrais,—a market-town in Normandy, 13 leagues from Evreux.

[20] W. Crinton. Q. Clinton?

[21] Sir Richard Frongueval. Q.

[22] Essay,—a market-town in Normandy, five leagues from Alençon, two from Sées.

CHAP. VIII.

THE DUKE OF BRITTANY AND THE CONSTABLE OF FRANCE ENTER NORMANDY WITH A GREAT ARMY, AND LAY SIEGE TO ST LO[23], WHICH SURRENDERS TO THEM, AS DO MANY OTHER SMALL PLACES.—THE TOWN OF CARENTAN[24] SURRENDERS ALSO.

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:

[23] St Lo,—a city of Normandy, on the Vire.

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

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

[26] Les Pas,—a village in Normandy, diocese of Avranches.

[27] Les Courtis,—a village in Normandy, diocese of Avranches.

[28] Coutances,—capital of the Coutantin, two leagues from the sea.

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

[30] Le Hommet,—a small town near St Lo.

[31] Neufville,—a village near Alençon.

[32] Torigny,—three leagues from Coutances.

[33] Beuseville, a village in Normandy.

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

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

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

[37] Chanteloup,—a village near Coutances.

[38] L'Aunay,—a village.

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

[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:

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

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

[43] Argentan,—seven leagues and a half from Alençon.

[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.

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

[46] De Luce. Luxe.——MS. Du Cange.

[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:

[48] Fresnoy,—a village in Normandy.

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

[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:

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

[52] Darnetal,—a town very near to Rouen.

[53] Regnéfort. Q. Rainford.

[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:

[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:

[56] Arques,—two leagues from Dieppe.

[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:

[58] Fonteville. Fontenay.——MS. Du Cange.

[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.

On the 23d of November, in this year, the impregnable castle of Gaillon surrendered to the king's forces, after a siege of six weeks. The english garrison amounted to from one hundred to six score, and marched away on capitulation, to carry with them their effects to Harfleur, or to any other place under their subjection.

About the same time, the duke of Brittany gained the town and castle of Fougeres, after a siege of a month. He had battered the walls with his cannons and bombards so that the breaches were nearly wide enough to storm, when the English, seeing their danger, and knowing their provisions were expended, surrendered on capitulation. Their captain was sir Francis de Surienne, called the Arragonian, having under his command from five to six hundred men,—and they were allowed to march away with their horses and arms, but each with only a small bundle before him. This sir Francis afterwards turned to the French, and took the oaths of allegiance to the king, notwithstanding that he had taken the town of Fougeres from the duke of Brittany, and thus had broken the truce between the kings of France and England.

The duke of Brittany had, at that time, in his army, eight thousand combatants, lords, knights and esquires; but after the surrender of Fougeres they returned home, on account of the great mortality in the army, which carried off very great numbers, and among the rest the son of the viscount de Rohan, which was a great pity. The duke went also into Brittany, after he had placed sufficient garrisons in his conquests.

Toward the end of November, the duke of Alençon laid siege to his town and castle of Bellême, then occupied by the English contrary to his will. He had with him about three hundred lances, knights and esquires, and a body of archers, without including the peasantry from the countries of Maine and Vendôme, who were estimated at three thousand fighting men. After several skirmishes and sallies, the English, finding all resistance vain, entered on a treaty with the duke, and engaged to surrender the town and castle on the 20th day of December, unless their friends should appear on that day in sufficient force to give the duke battle and conquer him.

The duke, therefore, intrenched his army on the plain to wait the arrival of the English, who were on their march to relieve the place. Two thousand of them had advanced to Torigny[61], and, on their departure, had set it on fire, and proceeded to Thury[62], where they received certain intelligence of the exact strength of the duke's army, and in consequence marched back again. On the 20th day of December, the duke of Alençon and the lord de Saintrailles drew their army up in battle-array, and waited thus until the hour for the appearance of the enemy was passed. The captain of the english garrison in Bellême, called Matago[63], having about two hundred combatants with him, then surrendered the place, and marched away in safety with their effects, according to the terms of the capitulation, whither they pleased.

About Christmas-day, the english garrison in Vire[64], to the number of twelve score, marched out to seek adventures, but were met by a party of the constable's men in garrison at Gourey[65], near to the Croix de Vamoux, under the command of sir Geoffry de Couvran, Joachim Rouhault, and others, when a very sharp engagement took place,—but the English were discomfited, so many being killed or taken that few escaped.

FOOTNOTES:

[60] Bellême,—a town in Perche, 10 leagues from Alençon.

[61] Torigny,—a small town in Normandy.

[62] Thury,—a small town in Normandy.

[63] Matago. Q. Matthew Gough?

[64] Vire,—on the river Vire in Normandy, diocese of Bayeux, generality of Caen.

[65] Gourey. Q. if not Gournetz, a village in Normandy.

CHAP. XVI.

THE KING OF FRANCE LEAVES ROUEN.—HE SENDS HIS LIEUTENANT-GENERAL TO BESIEGE HARFLEUR, WHICH SURRENDERS ON CAPITULATION.—THE FAIR AGNES IS TAKEN ILL.—HER DEATH, AND HER LAST TESTAMENT.

The king of France, having settled the government of Rouen to his satisfaction, marched thence clothed in a brigandine, having over it a jacket of gold tissue, accompanied by the king of Sicily, and the other princes of his blood, magnificently dressed, more especially the count de St Pol, whose horse's forehead-piece was valued at thirty thousand francs.

Thus attended, the king rode to Caudebec,—in which town it was resolved to lay siege to Harfleur; and in consequence, he advanced to Montivilliers, which is but half a league distant from Harfleur, and thence detached his lieutenant-general, the count de Dunois, to open the trenches. The count had with him the counts d'Eu, de Clermont, de Nevers, de Castres, with many men at arms, archers and franc archers, so that his force was estimated at six thousand men, without including the franc archers, who amounted to three thousand, or the cannoneers, labourers, and followers, or the mariners who blockaded the place with twenty-five large vessels, or those who had besieged the abbey of Graville, amounting, in the whole, to more than a thousand men.

The siege was commenced on the 8th day of December, with many difficulties,—for there were neither houses nor trees near at hand, and the weather was more severe, by reason of frosts and inundations, than had been experienced for some time. The besiegers suffered also greatly from the sea, which at times destroyed their huts, which were composed only of earth covered with juniper branches.

Sixteen large bombards were pointed against the walls, which the king came frequently from Montivilliers to see fired. Deep trenches of communication were formed, wherein the king often exposed his person, armed only with a light helmet and covering shield, to witness the effect of this battery against the walls. Covered trenches were carried to the very walls of Harfleur; and these mines and trenches were formed under the directions of master John Bureau, treasurer to the king, in conjunction with his brother Jasper, grand master of the royal artillery, both very expert and able in the sciences.

Thomas Aurmagan[66], governor of Harfleur, and the English with him, to the amount of sixteen hundred, receiving pay, witnessing the great preparations of the king of France, opened a treaty with the count de Dunois, on the eve of Christmas-day, for the surrender of the place. On the morrow, the capitulation was signed,—and they were to march away with their baggage, and were allowed to transport their effects by land or sea, the term for so doing being limited to the first day of the year. Eight english gentlemen were given as hostages for the due performance of the treaty, who were sent under an escort to Montivilliers. On the first day of January, they were brought back to Harfleur, for the accomplishment of the treaty. About vespers, Thomas Aurmagan, the governor, presented the keys of the gates and towers to the count de Dunois, with much reverence and kneeling, in the presence of all the English, and even before master Sanice[67], who had brought a reinforcement of five hundred English just before the siege.

The lieutenant-general, on receiving the keys, sent a party to take possession of the towers, and to lower the english standard, of a red cross on a white field, that was flying on one of them. He afterwards ordered two heralds to replace it with the standard of France, which was done with the shouts and rejoicings of the populace. The count also posted a party of his men in the towers on the side toward Rouen. This day, the greater part of the English departed; but as all could not be ready by the return of the tide, the lieutenant-general listened to their humble supplications, and permitted those who remained to tarry there until the Friday and Saturday at midday, and appointed a guard over them that they might not be ill treated. When the English were all gone, the king gave the government of Harfleur to the count de Dunois, who appointed the lord de Moy his lieutenant, with one hundred lances and a proportionate number of archers for its defence, and for that of the country around.

Jacques de Clermont, esquire, was made governor of Montivilliers,—and he had likewise one hundred spears and archers for its guard, and for the defence of other forts in the neighbourhood. The king, having made these appointments, left Montivilliers on the 5th day of January: he ordered detachments of his army to march through Rouen, Caudebec and Tancarville, to besiege Honfleur, and went himself to the abbey of Jamieges[68], on the Seine, five leagues below Rouen, where he remained for some time, while preparations were making for the siege of Honfleur.

At this abbey, the king met the fair Agnes, who had come thither (as she said) to give the king information that some of his officers intended to deliver him up to his enemies the English. The king, however, paid no attention to the intelligence, but laughed at it. This fair Agnes had been five years in the service of the queen, during which she had enjoyed all the pleasures of life, in wearing rich clothes, furred robes, golden chains, and precious stones; and it was commonly reported that the king often visited her, and maintained her in a state of concubinage,—for the people are more inclined to speak ill than well of their superiors.

The affection the king showed her was as much for her gaiety of temper, pleasing manners, and agreeable conversation, as for her beauty. She was so beautiful that she was called the Fairest of the Fair, and the Lady of Beauté, as well on account of her personal charms as because the king had given her for life the castle of Beauté, near Paris. She was very charitable, and most liberal in her alms, which she distributed among such churches as were out of repair, and to beggars.

It is true, that Agnes had a daughter, who lived but a short time, which she said was the king's, and gave it to him as the proper father: but the king always excused himself, as not having any claim to it. She may indeed have called in help, for the matter was variously talked of.

At length, she was seized with a bowel-complaint, and was a long time ill,—during which, she was very contrite, and sincerely repented of her sins. She often remembered Mary Magdalen, who had been a great sinner, and devoutly invoked God and the virgin Mary to her aid. Like a true catholic, after she had received the sacraments, she called for her book of prayers, in which she had written with her own hand the verses of St Bernard, to repeat them. She then made many gifts (which were put down in writing, that her executors might fulfil them, with the other articles of her will), which, including alms and the payment of her servants, might amount to nearly sixty thousand crowns. Her executors were Jacques Coeur, counsellor and master of the wardrobe to the king, master Robert Poictevin, physician, and master Stephen Chevalier, treasurer to the king, who was to take the lead in the fulfilment of her will, should it be his gracious pleasure.

The fair Agnes, perceiving that she was daily growing weaker, said to the lord de la Trimouille, the lady of the seneschal of Poitou, and one of the king's equerries called Gouffier, in the presence of all her damsels, that our fragile life was but a stinking ordure. She then required that her confessor would give her absolution from all her sins and wickedness, conformable to an absolution, which was, as she said, at Loches, which the confessor, on her assurance, complied with. After this, she uttered a loud shriek, and called on the mercy of God, and the support of the blessed virgin Mary, and gave up the ghost on Monday, the 9th day of February, in the year 1449, about six o'clock in the afternoon. Her body was opened, and her heart interred in the church of the said abbey, to which she had been a most liberal benefactress; and her body was conveyed, with many honours, to Loches, where it was interred in the collegiate church of our Lady, to which also she had made many handsome donations, and several foundations. May God have mercy on her soul, and admit it into paradise![69]