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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7aff31d --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #52911 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52911) diff --git a/old/52911-8.txt b/old/52911-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 18ad931..0000000 --- a/old/52911-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7828 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Chronicles of Enguerrand de Monstrelet -(Vol. 3 of 13), by Enguerrand de Monstrelet - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Chronicles of Enguerrand de Monstrelet (Vol. 3 of 13) - Containing an account of the cruel civil wars between the - houses of Orleans and Burgundy - -Author: Enguerrand de Monstrelet - -Translator: Thomas Johnes - -Release Date: August 28, 2016 [EBook #52911] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHRONICLES OF ENGUERRAND *** - - - - -Produced by Graeme Mackreth and The Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - - THE - - CHRONICLES - - OF - - ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET. - - - - - 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. III. - - - LONDON: - - PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, PATERNOSTER-ROW; - AND J. WHITE AND CO. FLEET-STREET. - - 1810. - - - - -CONTENTS - -OF - -_THE THIRD VOLUME_. - - - CHAP. I. - - PAGE - - The king of France sends different captains - with troops to harrass the Armagnacs on - the frontiers. The defeat of the count de - la Marche 1 - - - CHAP. II. - - The king of France sends ambassadors to - England. The lord de Croy and the duke - of Bourbon's children obtain their liberty. - Of count Waleran de St Pol 9 - - - CHAP. III. - - The dukes of Berry and of Orleans, with - others of their adherents, send an embassy - to the king of England. The consequences - of it 13 - - - CHAP. IV. - - Duke Louis of Bavaria is driven out of Paris - by the Parisians, and his people robbed. - Of the cardinal de Cambray, and the - prohibition of the king of England 24 - - - CHAP. V. - - The king of Sicily leaves Paris. The siege - of Domfront. The battle of St Remy du - Plain. The siege of Bellesme, and other - events of the year 28 - - - CHAP. VI. - - Charles king of France, attended by other - princes, marches a large force from Paris - to Bourges. Letters from the king of - England, and other matters 39 - - - CHAP. VII. - - The town of Vervins is taken by sir Clugnet - de Brabant, and afterward retaken. The - castle of Gersies is won by sir Simon de - Clermont 45 - - - CHAP. VIII. - - The king of France receives certain information - that his adversaries had formed an alliance - with the king of England. The constable - marches into the Boulonois 49 - - - CHAP. IX. - - The king of France lays siege to Fontenay and - to Bourges. The events that happened - while he remained there 52 - - - CHAP. X. - - The king of France decamps, and lays siege - to Bourges on the opposite side. A treaty - is concluded between the two parties 65 - - - CHAP. XI. - - The princes and lords within the city of Bourges - wait on the king and the duke of Acquitaine, - and afterward at Auxerre 73 - - - CHAP. XII. - - The king of France orders his edict respecting - the peace to be sent to his different officers - for proclamation in the usual places, and - other matters 85 - - - CHAP. XIII. - - The war continues in the Boulonois. The - king returns to Paris. The duke of Orleans - satisfies the English, and other matters 91 - - - CHAP. XIV. - - The duke of Berry is dangerously ill. He is - visited by his daughter the duchess of - Bourbon, and by the duke of Burgundy. - Notice of other matters 95 - - - CHAP. XV. - - The king of France holds a grand assembly at - Paris on the reformation of abuses in the - government. Other matters 98 - - - CHAP. XVI. - - The duke of Acquitaine is displeased with his - chancellor. Jealousies arise among the great - lords, and other matters 133 - - - CHAP. XVII. - - Henry of Lancaster, king of England, who - had been a valiant knight, dies in this - year. Of the alliance between him and - the french princes 137 - - - CHAP. XVIII. - - The king's ministers are greatly alarmed at - the arrest of sir Peter des Essars and of - the duke of Bar. Other proceedings of - the Parisians 144 - - - CHAP. XIX. - - The Parisians propose whatever measures - they please in the presence of the duke - of Acquitaine and the other princes. - Cruelties committed by them 152 - - - CHAP. XX. - - The count de Vertus and several of the - nobility leave Paris. Other regulations - and edicts obtained from the king by the - Parisians 165 - - - CHAP. XXI. - - King Ladislaus of Naples enters Rome with - a powerful army. The death of sir James - de la Riviere. The dismission of the - chancellor, and other matters 173 - - - CHAP. XXII. - - The ambassadors from the king of France - return with those from the princes to - Paris. They are joined by others, who - negotiate a fourth peace at Pontoise 182 - - - CHAP. XXIII. - - The duke of Acquitaine orders the prisoners - to be liberated. The duke of Burgundy - leaves Paris. Several princes arrive there. - Their actions 212 - - - CHAP. XXIV. - - The duke of Brittany comes to Paris. The - duke of Burgundy holds a council at - Lille. The actions of the count de Saint - Pol, and other matters that happened at - this time 229 - - - CHAP. XXV. - - The duke of Burgundy holds many councils - to consider of his situation, fearing that his - enemies would turn the king against him, - which they afterwards did 234 - - - CHAP. XXVI. - - Duke Louis of Bavaria marries at Paris. Of - those who had been banished on account of - the discords between the dukes of Orleans - and Burgundy, and of many other incidental - matters 241 - - - CHAP. XXVII. - - The king of France, fearing the peace would - be broken, publishes other edicts for its - preservation throughout the realm, and - also respecting the coin 247 - - - CHAP. XXVIII. - - The king of Sicily sends back the daughter of - the duke of Burgundy. The duke writes - letters to the king of France, containing - remonstrances, and other matters 264 - - - CHAP. XXIX. - - The duke of Burgundy goes to Antwerp. - The arrest of sir John de Croy, and other - remarkable events that happened about this - period 283 - - - CHAP. XXX. - - The duke of Burgundy marches a large force - toward Paris. He fixes his quarters at - Saint Denis. The events that happened - during this march, and in consequence - of it 299 - - - CHAP. XXXI. - - On the retreat of the duke of Burgundy from - St Denis, the king of France issues orders - throughout his kingdom to raise forces to - march against him 324 - - - - - HERE BEGINNETH - THE THIRD VOLUME - OF THE - CHRONICLES - OF - _ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET_. - - - - -CHAP. I. - -THE KING OF FRANCE SENDS DIFFERENT CAPTAINS WITH TROOPS TO HARRASS THE -ARMAGNACS ON THE FRONTIERS.--THE DEFEAT OF THE COUNT DE LA MARCHE. - - -Many of the nobles and captains were now sent by the king to the -countries of such as were confederates with the duke of Orleans and -his party. In the number, the count de la Marche was ordered into the -Orleanois, to subject it to the king's obedience, in company with the -lord de Hambre. - -Aymé de Vitry, Fierbourd, and others were sent against the duke of -Bourbon, who had done much mischief to the country of Charolois; and -having a large force with them, they despoiled the Bourbonois and -Beaujolois. They advanced with displayed banners before the town of -Villefranche, in which was the duke of Bourbon and his bastard-brother, -sir Hector, a very valiant knight and renowned in war. There was with -them a large company of knights and esquires, vassals to the duke, who, -seeing the enemy thus boldly advancing, drew up in handsome array and -sallied forth to meet them, and the duke himself joined them in their -intent to offer battle. A severe skirmish ensued, in which many gallant -deeds were done on each side. The bastard of Bourbon distinguished -himself much in the command of the light troops, and fought most -chivalrously. He was, however, so far intermixed with the enemy that -the duke was fearful of his being slain or taken, and, sticking spurs -into his horse, cried out to his people, 'Push forward! for my brother -will be made prisoner unless speedily succoured.' Great part of his -battalion followed him on the gallop toward the enemy, and the battle -was renewed with more energy: many men at arms were unhorsed, wounded -and slain: at length, the van of the Burgundians, under the command -of Aymé de Vitry, was forced to fall back on the main army, which was -at a short distance off. The bastard, who had been struck down, was -remounted, and returned to the duke. Before that day, no one person had -ever heard the duke call him brother. - -About forty were slain on both sides, but very many were wounded. - -When the skirmish was ended, each party retreated without attempting -more,--the duke and his men into Villefranche, and the others toward -the country of Charolois, destroying every thing on their march. - -Other parties were sent to Languedoc, Acquitaine and Poitou, to despoil -the countries of the duke of Berry, the count d'Armagnac, and the lord -d'Albreth. Sir Guichard Daulphin, master of the king's household, -commanded one division; and the two others were under the lord de -Heilly, marshal of Acquitaine, and Enguerrand de Bournouville. - -They did infinite damage to the lands of the aforesaid lords; but -one day, as the lord de Heilly was lodged in a large village called -Linieres, he was attacked at day-break by a party of the duke of Berry, -who defeated and plundered great part of his men of their horses and -baggage: a few were killed and taken,--but he and the majority of his -army saved themselves by retreating within the castle, which held out -for the king. - -I must say something of the count de la Marche and the lord de Hambre, -who, as I have said, were ordered into the Orleanois. It is true, they -might have under their command from five to six thousand combatants, -whom they conducted, destroying all the country on their line of march, -as far as Yeure-la-Ville and Yeure-le-Chastel. The count de la Marche -was quartered in the village of Puchet, and the lord de Hambre in -another town. - -The moment their arrival at Yeure-la-Ville was known in Orleans, where -were considerable numbers of men at arms for the guard of the country, -about six hundred of them were assembled under the command of Barbasan -de Gaucourt, sir Galliet de Gaulles, and a knight from Lombardy, -together with three hundred archers. They marched all night as secretly -as they could to Yeure-la-Ville, to the amount of about a thousand -men, under the guidance of such as knew the country well, and where the -count was lodged. The count was, however, somehow informed of their -intentions, and, having armed his men, posted the greater part of them -in and about his lodgings: the others he ordered to keep in a body, and -sent to the lord de Hambre to acquaint him with the intelligence he had -received, that he might be prepared to come to his assistance, should -there be any necessity for it. The count and his men were under arms, -waiting for the enemy, the whole of the night; but when day appeared, -and no news or the enemy arrived, he was advised to repose himself, and -to order his men to their quarters. - -Soon after sun-rise, one of the adversary's scouts rode into the -town, and, seeing that no watch was kept, hastened back to inform his -friends, whom he met near the place, of this neglect. They instantly -entered the town, shouting, 'Vive le roi!' but soon after, crying -out 'Vive Orleans!' made a general attack on the houses. The greater -part hastened to the lodgings of the count, who was preparing to hear -mass,--and the tumult became very great, for the count and his people -fought gallantly: nevertheless, he was conquered and made prisoner. -The whole quarter was carried, and all taken or slain. After this -defeat, the count and his men were conducted hastily to Orleans. - -In the mean time, as the lord de Hambre was coming to their assistance, -he was misled by a man whom he had chosen for his guide, and, on his -arrival, found the whole town destroyed, and the count with his men -carried off. Notwithstanding his grief for this event, he pursued the -enemy with all speed, and, by his activity, overtook the rear, upon -which he fell manfully, and defeated part of it. He rescued some of -the prisoners,--but the count, with about four score (as it was told -him), were sent forward as fast as horses could carry them, and were -to be confined in the prisons of Orleans. The lord de Hambre was much -troubled that he could not rescue him. There were slain in these two -affairs from three to four hundred men on both sides, but the greater -part were Armagnacs. Among others of the party of the count de Vendôme -that were mortally wounded was Guoit le Gois, eldest son to Thomas le -Gois, a capital citizen of Paris, which caused great sorrow to the -Parisians. - -After this affair, the lord de Hambre assembled, by the king's orders, -a larger force than before, and made a very severe war on the duchy of -Orleans and all attached to that party, which caused the country to -suffer greatly. - -King Louis of Sicily arrived at this time at Paris from Provence, -attended by three hundred men at arms well equipped, and was lodged in -his own hôtel of Anjou. He was grandly received by the king, the duke -of Acquitaine and the other princes, and united himself with the king -and the duke of Burgundy, promising to join their party against the -family of Orleans and their adherents. - -The duchess of Burgundy and her daughter came, nearly at the same time, -from Burgundy to the Bois de Vincennes, where the queen and the duchess -of Acquitaine resided, who received her with much pleasure. Thence they -went to visit the dukes of Acquitaine and Burgundy,--and very gay and -magnificent feasts were made on their arrival. They remained for a long -time with the queen, living at the expense of the king. - -At this period, the king of France sent the lord de Dampierre, admiral -of France, with other lords, to Boulogne-sur-mer, to meet the -english ambassadors who were arrived at Calais. They went together to -Leulinghen, where they agreed on a truce between the two crowns for -one year,--after which the admiral and his companions returned to the -king at Paris, where he was holding a grand assembly of prelates and -ecclesiastics for the general reformation of the church. The particular -object of this assembly was to select proper delegates to send to -the holy father the pope, to request that a convenient place might -be appointed for the holding of a general council. But in truth very -little was done, for they could not agree on one single point: another -meeting was therefore fixed upon, when a greater number of churchmen -should be summoned to attend it. - -The Parisians, having loyally served the king and the duke of -Acquitaine in the late wars, obtained, through the means of the duke of -Burgundy, that the power of the shrievalty, with all its franchises, -of which the city of Paris had been deprived by royal authority in the -month of January, in the year 1382, should be restored to it fully -and freely by letters patent from the king. This created very great -rejoicings, and much increased the popularity of the duke of Burgundy. - - - - -CHAP. II. - -THE KING OF FRANCE SENDS AMBASSADORS TO ENGLAND.--THE LORD DE CROY AND -THE DUKE OF BOURBON'S CHILDREN OBTAIN THEIR LIBERTY.--OF COUNT WALERAN -DE SAINT POL. - - -At the beginning of the month of May, the duke of Burgundy, with the -approbation of the king of France, sent ambassadors to England, namely, -the bishop of Arras, the provost of Saint Donas de Bruges, and the -provost of Viefville, to treat of a marriage between one of the duke's -daughters and the prince of Wales, a matter which had been talked of -before[1]. They found the king of England at Rochester, who honourably -entertained them, as did the other princes; but the prince of Wales was -particularly attentive, as their mission more immediately concerned -him. - -In the course of a few days, the bishop had fully explained the object -of his coming to the king, his sons, and council; and having received -a favourable answer, with very handsome presents to himself and his -colleagues, they returned by way of Dover to Calais, and shortly after -arrived at Paris. - -The ambassadors related, in the presence of the kings of France and -Sicily, the dukes of Acquitaine, Burgundy and Bar, and other great -lords of the council, a full detail of their proceedings, and that the -king of England and his family were well pleased with their proposals. -Upon this, the duke of Burgundy sent orders to his son the count de -Charolois, then at Ghent, to repair to Paris, to be present at the -festivals of Easter. - -At this time, by the intercession of the duchess of Bourbon, daughter -to the duke of Berry, with the duke of Orleans and others of that -party, the lord de Croy obtained his liberty from the prison in which -he had for a considerable time been confined, and was escorted safely -to Paris. On his departure, he promised by his faith to make such -earnest applications to his lord, the duke of Burgundy, that the duke -of Bourbon's children should be delivered. - -On his arrival at Paris, he was received with joy by the dukes of -Acquitaine and Burgundy, especially by the latter; and a few days after -he made the request he had promised, and so successfully that the king -and the other lords gave the duke of Bourbon's children their liberty. -They were sent for to Paris from the castle of Renty, where they -were confined; and they and their attendants were delivered without -any ransom to the care of sir John de Croy, who escorted them to the -territories of the duke of Berry. The son of sir Mansart du Bos, who -had been taken with them, remained prisoner in the castle of Renty. - -The lord de Croy was nominated governor of the county of Boulogne -and captain of the castle of Braye sur Somme, by the king, with the -approbation of the duke of Berry and the aforesaid duchess. He also -obtained, through the recommendation of the duke of Burgundy, the -office of grand butler of France. To sir Peter des Essars, provost of -Paris, was given the office of grand master or waters and forests, -which had been held by count Waleran de St Pol, who was contented to -yield it up. - -The count de Saint Pol, now constable of France, ordered a large body -of men at arms to assemble at Vernon sur Seine. In consequence, full -two thousand armed with helmets came thither, with the design of making -war on the inhabitants of Dreux, and on the count d'Alençon and his -people, who had overrun parts of Normandy, near to Rouen, where they -had plundered every thing they could lay their hands on. - -To provide for the payment of this force, as well as for others in -different parts of the country which the king had employed under -various captains, a heavy tax was imposed on the whole kingdom, to -be paid at two instalments,--the first on the Sunday before Easter, -and the second at the end of June following. This affected the poor -people very much; and in addition, the pope had granted to the king -a full tenth to be levied, through France and Dauphiny, on all the -clergy, payable also at two terms,--the one on St John the Baptist's -day, and the other on All-saints following. The clergy were greatly -discontented,--but it was not on that account the less rigorously -levied,--and commissioners were appointed to receive it from them. - -The constable set out in the holy week from Paris for Vernon, to take -the command of the men at arms, and to lead them against the king's -enemies. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 1: Their passport is, in the Foedera, dated January 11. -1412.] - - - - -[A.D. 1412.] - -CHAP. III. - -THE DUKES OF BERRY AND OF ORLEANS, WITH OTHERS OF THEIR ADHERENTS, SEND -AN EMBASSY TO THE KING OF ENGLAND.--THE CONSEQUENCES OF IT. - - -At the commencement of this year, the dukes of Berry, of Orleans, -and of Bourbon, the counts de Vertus, d'Angoulême, d'Alençon and -d'Armagnac, and the lord d'Albreth, calling himself constable of -France, with other great lords, their confederates, sent ambassadors to -the king of England, with instructions, under their seals, for them to -act according to the occasion with the king of England, his children -and ministers. - -As they were journeying through Maine to go to Brittany, and thence to -England, they were pursued by the bailiff of Caen in Normandy, who, -with the aid of the commonalty, attacked and defeated them, making some -of them prisoners, with their sealed instructions and other articles: -the rest escaped as well as they could. - -After the defeat, the bailiff dispatched an account of it to the king -and council at Paris, and sent the sealed instructions, with the other -articles, in a leathern bag, well secured. The king assembled a great -council at his palace of St Pol, on the Wednesday after Easter, for -the full examination of these papers. He was present, as were the -king of Sicily, the dukes of Acquitaine and Burgundy, the counts de -Charolois, de Nevers, and de Mortaigne, the lord Gilles de Bretagne, -the chancellor of France, namely, master Henry de Marle[2], the bishops -of Tournay, of Amiens, of Constance, and of Auxerre, the rector of -the university, the provost of Paris, and several others, as well of -the king's council as capital citizens of Paris and students of the -university. - -The chancellor of the duke of Acquitaine, the lord d'Olhaing, lately an -advocate in the parliament, then declared, that there had been given -to his charge, by the king's ministers, a leathern bag, which had been -taken by the bailiff of Caen, together with a knight, chamberlain -to the duke of Brittany, from de Faulcon d'Encre and friar James -Petit, of the order of the Augustins, and other ambassadors from the -lords mentioned in the papers contained in the bag, which had been -transmitted by the said bailiff to the king's council. He added, that -he had found in this bag four blank papers, signed and sealed by four -different persons, namely, Berry, Orleans, Bourbon and Alençon. Each -blank had only the name signed on the margin above the seal. He had -also found many sealed letters from the duke of Berry addressed to -the king of England, to the queen, and to their four sons; and in -like manner, from the duke of Brittany to the earl of Richmond and to -other noblemen in England. There were also many letters without any -superscription, being credential ones for the aforesaid Faulcon and -friar James Petit, to the king and queen of England. - -These letters were publicly read, and in them the duke of Berry styled -the king of England, 'My most redoubted lord and nephew;' and the -queen, 'My most redoubted and honoured lady, niece and daughter;' and -they were signed with the duke of Berry's own hand. In the one to the -queen, there were two lines in his own handwriting, desiring her to -place full confidence in the said ambassadors. - -These blanks were publicly displayed,--and the king held them some -time in his hand. There was a small article on a single sheet of paper -containing the instructions for the ambassadors, which was likewise -read aloud, and contained a repetition of the charges made against -the duke of Burgundy, by the duchess of Orleans and her sons, for -the death of the late duke of Orleans. It recited, that they had -frequently demanded justice of the king of France for this murder, but -could never obtain it, because the duke of Burgundy had prevented -and evil counselled the king, by persuading him that the duke of -Orleans had been a disloyal traitor to his king and country, which was -false,--adding, that the duke of Burgundy had seduced the commonalty -of France, more especially the populace of Paris, by asserting that -the late duke of Orleans wanted to destroy the king of France and his -family, which was also a falsehood, for it had never even entered his -thoughts. - -These instructions contained, likewise, that the duke of Burgundy had -caused the king to be angry with the duke of Brittany, because he had -obstructed his expedition against Calais, and several other attempts -which the duke of Burgundy had plotted against England; that the duke -of Burgundy had instigated the people of Paris so greatly against -the king and the duke of Acquitaine that every thing was governed to -his will,--and he had now the royal family in such subjection that -they dared hardly to open their mouths; that the Parisians, under -pretext of a bull granted by pope Urban V. against the free companies -that had ravaged France, had caused them and their adherents to be -excommunicated, and had forcibly constrained the official at Paris -to proceed against them in the severest manner, and to denounce them -publicly, as excommunicated, with every aggravation of circumstance. - -These ambassadors were not to discover themselves to any man in -England, unless they were sure of his support; and when they had read -the contents of these papers to the king, they were to demand a private -audience, and declare from the dukes of Berry, of Orleans, of Bourbon, -and from the count d'Alençon, that they were most anxious for his -welfare and honour, and ready to aid and assist him against the duke of -Burgundy, as well as against the Welsh and Irish. - -They were to add, that if they could not succeed against the Scots, -which they would attempt, and in case they could not obtain all they -wished, they would engage to establish a peace between him and the king -of France; and that if there were any lands to which he laid claim, -or pretended any right, on their side the sea, they would manage the -matter to his full satisfaction. They were also to say, that for want -of due justice being administered at home, they were come to claim it -from him, in regard to the death of the late duke of Orleans; and as -bearing the name of king, it belonged to him to do justice; and he -would acquire perpetual honour to himself, and great advantages to his -subjects, by granting them his aid and support. It was also worthy -of his interference, considering the high rank of the late duke of -Orleans. They were likewise to say, that the undersigned would serve -him and his family, as well as their descendants, in all times to come, -and which they were enabled to do, even against the most potent in the -realm of France. - -These ambassadors were also to require an immediate aid against the -duke of Burgundy, of three hundred lances and three thousand archers, -who should receive pay in advance for four months. - -The chancellor of Acquitaine next produced a sketch of their intended -government of France, containing many articles, which were read aloud. -Among other schemes, there was to be imposed on every acre a tax called -a land-tax; and as there were deposits of salt in the kingdom, there -were likewise to be granaries of wheat and oats for the profit of the -king: that all lands or houses which were in a ruinous state should be -instantly repaired, or otherwise forfeited to the crown: that every -commoner should be forced to work or quit the realm,--and that there -should be but one weight and one measure throughout the country. Item, -that the duchies of Lorraine and Luxembourg should be conquered, as -well as the towns in Provence and Savoy, and annexed to the kingdom of -France. Item, that the university should be removed from Paris, and one -erected and nobly endowed for the reception of numbers of discreet men. - -There were many rolls produced, but not read, as they were of little -consequence. After the chancellor of Acquitaine had concluded, the -provost of the merchants and the sheriffs preferred two requests to the -king, by the mouth of a monk of the order of St Benedict and doctor of -divinity. - -One was, that the king would be pleased to grant to the city of Paris a -third of the taxes collected in that city in the same form and manner -as had been done during the reign of king Charles, whose soul may God -receive! for the reparations of the said town and the improvement of -the river Seine, of which, as the provost of merchants declared, they -were in great need; that it would be for the advantage of the king -and his good city that certain repairs, very much wanted, should be -undertaken, and the place better fortified against the bitter hatred -which the dukes of Berry, Orleans, Bourbon, and their faction bore to -it. He added, that the town of Tournay was the best fortified, and in -the most complete repair of any in the kingdom, because the inhabitants -allot certain sums for this purpose; and that, if all the king's -enemies were to besiege it, they would never be able to injure it. - -The other was, that orders should be given to the chancellor to seal -without opposition the patent of an office vacant, or becoming so, by -the demission of one of the Armagnacs, which had hitherto been refused. - -They were told, that on the Thursday ensuing, they should have answers -to both of these requests. - -The provost and sheriffs demanded beside, that the chancellor of France -should lay before the king such letters as had come to the knowledge of -the duke of Acquitaine, mentioning that the dukes of Berry, Orleans, -Bourbon, and the count d'Alençon intended making a new king, to the -exclusion of his present majesty and the duke of Acquitaine. The -chancellor replied, that the subject of their present consideration -was the letters contained in the bag; that it was true, he was in -possession of letters and other papers mentioning this circumstance, -and that he had assured the duke of Acquitaine of their contents. - -The chancellor of Acquitaine then declared publicly to the king, that -the grand master of his household, sir Guichart Daulphin, had written -to inform the duke of Burgundy, that the dukes of Berry, Orleans, -Bourbon, and the count d'Alençon, had again renewed their oaths of -alliance in the city of Bourges; that the leaders of the confederacy -had met in that city, and had there determined to destroy the king of -France, his whole royal family, the kingdom of France, and the good -city of Paris, or perish themselves in the attempt. - -The king was much affected on hearing this, and replied with tears, 'We -now fully see their wickedness, and we entreat of you all that are of -our blood to advise and aid us against them; for the matter not only -regards you personally, but the welfare of the whole kingdom is in -danger; and we shall therefore expect the support of all present, and -of every loyal subject.' - -The king of Sicily then rose, and, falling on his knees before the -king, said, 'Sire, I entreat, that in regard to your own honour and -welfare, as well as for that of your realm, you will order the most -efficacious measures to be pursued against these rebels, for there -seems to be instant need of it.' - -In like manner, the dukes of Acquitaine and Burgundy, and all the other -lords, knelt to the king, and proffered him their services to the -utmost of their power. When this was done, the assembly broke up, and -all that had passed was promulgated through Paris: even accounts of it -were sent in writing to different bailiffs in the kingdom, to the great -astonishment of many. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 2: Morery, in his list of chancellors, places Arnauld de -Corbie, lord of Joigny, from 1409 to 1413, and makes Henry de Marle, -lord of Versigny, his successor in the _latter year_.--See _post_, -where it is said, that sir Reginald (_i.e._ sir Arnauld) de Corbie was -displaced (1413), and Eustace de Lactre appointed in his place.] - - - - -CHAP. IV. - -DUKE LOUIS OF BAVARIA IS DRIVEN OUT OF PARIS BY THE PARISIANS, AND HIS -PEOPLE ROBBED.--OF THE CARDINAL DE CAMBRAY, AND THE PROHIBITION OF THE -KING OF ENGLAND. - - -About this time, duke Louis of Bavaria, brother to the queen of France, -and residing at Paris, was much suspected by the Parisians of having in -secret spoken favourably to the king and queen of the dukes of Berry -and Orleans; and fearing it might be prejudicial to them, knowing how -much they were hated by these dukes, they assembled one day in great -numbers, and sent to tell duke Louis, that they were much displeased -with him, for that he was of the Orleans-party; and since he was so -well inclined to them, he must go and join them. - -Duke Louis sent for answer, that he was not of any party, but of that -of the king. The matter, therefore, rested in this state for the -present; but as he perceived they were dissatisfied with him, and -apprehending some insult, he went away with very few attendants to the -castle of Marcoussy. Before his departure, he had a waggon laden with -his plate and other most valuable effects, which he sent off under the -escort of three gentlemen of his household,--one of whom was a young -nobleman of about fifteen years old, of high rank in Germany,--and -some servants, to the town of Valenciennes, intending to follow them -speedily. - -They had not proceeded far on their journey when some of the burgundian -party, incited by avarice and cruelty, namely, the bailiff de -Foquesolle, his brother Jacotin, Jacques de Bracquencourt, and others -of their companions, the greater part from Picardy, having learnt the -value of this convoy, by the treachery of sir Morlet de Betencourt, -followed and overtook it between the rivers Seine and Oise. They made -a sudden attack, which was no way resisted, putting to death most of -the attendants, and seizing the waggon, which they carried off, with -the young esquire above mentioned, and lodged themselves at a nunnery -called Premy, near to the city of Cambray. - -When they had tarried there two or three days, they led the young man -out of the nunnery by night, and most inhumanly murdered him, and -threw him into a ditch full of water.--When he was dead, they drove a -stake through his body, to fix it at the bottom of the ditch; and in -this state was it found, some days after, by the servants and workmen -of the nunnery. - -He was carried thence and interred in the consecrated ground of the -church, where, afterward, was performed a most solemn service for the -salvation of his soul, at the expense of his friends, who made great -clamours and lamentations when they heard of his fatal end. - -The Burgundians, having well secured their prize, lodged it in the -house of an inhabitant of their acquaintance in Cambray, and set off -from the Cambresis to other parts where they had business. On duke -Louis receiving information of this exploit, he was in the utmost rage -and grief, especially for the death of the young esquire, as well as -for the loss of his other servants, and his effects, and made heavy -complaints of it to the king, the duke of Acquitaine, and particularly -to the duke of Burgundy, whose vassals the perpetrators said they were. -The duke of Burgundy promised him the restitution of his valuables, -and the punishment of the offenders; but, a few days after, duke Louis -set out from the castle of Marcoussy, and was, by orders of the duke -of Burgundy, escorted by the vidame of Amiens, with a considerable -force, as far as the town of Valenciennes, where he staid a long -time. At the end of six weeks, he learnt that the greater part of his -effects were deposited in the town of Cambray: he therefore wrote to -the magistrates, and caused letters also to be sent to duke William of -Hainault, to whom he was related: in short, he made so much stir that -his effects were restored to him,--that is to say, all that had been -deposited in Cambray. - -The then bishop of Cambray was master Peter d'Ailly, an excellent -doctor of divinity: he was created cardinal by pope John XXIII. and -took the title of Cardinal of Cambray. John de Gaures, son to the lord -de Liquerque, master of arts, who was at that time with the court of -Rome, succeeded to this bishoprick. - -At this period, Henry king of England caused it to be proclaimed by -sound of trumpet in Calais, and in all the places bordering on France, -that none of his subjects, of whatever rank, should any way interfere -between the two factions in France, nor go into France to serve either -of them by arms or otherwise, under pain of death and confiscation of -fortune. - - - - -CHAP. V. - -THE KING OF SICILY LEAVES PARIS.--THE SIEGE OF DOMFRONT.--THE BATTLE OF -SAINT REMY DU PLAIN.--THE SIEGE OF BELLESME,--AND OTHER EVENTS OF THE -YEAR. - - -On Tuesday the 20th day of April of this year, the king of Sicily, by -order of the king and council, marched his men at arms out of Paris -in handsome array. He was escorted out of the town by the duke of -Burgundy, the provost of Paris, and a very great number of noblemen and -others. He hastened to Angers, and to his possessions in the county of -Maine, to defend them against the counts d'Alençon and de Richemont, -who harrassed them much by an incessant warfare. On his arrival at -Angers, he summoned all his vassals, as well knights and esquires as -those who were accustomed to bear arms, and sent them to garrison all -his towns which were near to those of the enemy. - -Shortly after, sir Anthony de Craon, the borgne de la Heuse, knight, -and other captains were sent by the king to the county of Alençon, -to subject it to his obedience. They gained the town of Domfront, but -failed in taking the castle; for it was very strong in itself, and -well garrisoned and provided with all necessary stores. They remained, -however, before it, annoying the garrison to the utmost of their -ability. - -The garrison sent to the count d'Alençon to require instant succours: -he was much grieved at the loss of the town of Domfront, but answered -by one of his heralds, that he would very shortly come and give the -enemy battle, if they would wait for him there. Sir Anthony de Craon -and the other captains, hearing this, dispatched messengers to the -king of France for reinforcements. The king sent instant orders to -the constable and marshal of France, who were at Vernon with a great -armament, to advance to Domfront. This they obeyed,--and the king of -Sicily also sent thither large reinforcements. But on the day fixed -for the battle, the count d'Alençon neither came himself nor sent any -forces. - -The constable and the other commanders having waited under arms the -whole of that day, seeing no signs of their adversaries coming, -erected a strong bulwark against the castle, in which they left a -numerous garrison, to keep it in check, and oppose any attempts to -relieve it, and then departed. - -The constable marched to besiege the town of St Remy du Plain, and -sent sir Anthony de Craon, with a large force to Vernon, to escort -the cannons, bombards, and other military engines, to St Remy. There -were in company with the constable, his nephew John of Luxembourg, sir -Philip de Harcourt and his brother sir James, the lord de Beausault, -the vidame of Amiens, the lord d'Offemont[3], the lord de Canny, the -borgne de la Heuse, Roux de Neele, Raoul son to the vidame of Amiens, -the lord de Lovroy, le Galois de Renty[4], sir Bort Queret, the lord de -Herbainnes, the lord de Saine, and many noble knights and esquires, to -the number of twelve hundred helmets, and a large body of archers. - -They quartered themselves within the town of St Remy, and around the -castle, which was tolerably strong and well garrisoned with men at -arms, and summoned it to surrender to the king's obedience; but on -a refusal, some engines were pointed against the walls, which did -them much damage. During this time, the lord de Gaucourt, sir John -de Dreues, sir Jean de Guarenchieres, Guillaume Batillier, the lord -d'Argiellieres, John de Falloise, with other captains of the Orleans -and Alençon party, assembled a considerable body of combatants, with -the intent of making an unexpected attack on the constable and taking -him by surprise. - -In consequence, they marched on the 10th day of May from their place of -rendezvous, and, riding all night, came towards the end of it very near -their adversaries. The latter were, however, day and night on their -guard, and had spies and scouts dispersed over the country. Morlet -de Mons, Galien bastard of Auxi, and others, were on guard when the -Armagnacs approached. They made Morlet de Mons and Galien prisoners; -but the rest escaped, and, galloping as fast as their horses could -carry them to the main army, shouted out, 'To arms, to arms!' adding, -that the Armagnacs were advancing in battle-array toward the camp, and -had already made prisoners of Morlet and Galien, with some others. - -The constable, hearing the noise, ordered his men to arm without -delay, and dispatched the lord de St Legier and the lord de Drucat, -two well experienced knights, to examine and report the truth of this -alarm. They had not gone far before they saw the enemy advancing, as -had been said, on which they returned to inform the constable of it. -He immediately caused his banner to be displayed, and his trumpets -sounded, and, sallying out of his tent with a part of his men, drew -them up in battle-array to receive the enemy, and urged the remainder -of his men to make haste to join him. When he had mounted his horse, he -rode along the line, to post his army most advantageously, and exhorted -the whole, in the kindest manner, to combat boldly the enemies of the -king and crown of France. - -By the advice of the most experienced, his carts and baggage were -disposed of in the rear of his army, with varlets to guard them. On -each wing of the men at arms were posted the archers and cross-bows, -as far as they could be extended. When every arrangement was made, and -the enemy was in sight, several new knights were created, as well by -the constable as by others present, namely, John of Luxembourg, John -de Beausault, Raoul son to the vidame of Amiens, Alard de Herbainnes, -le Brun de Saine, Roux de Neele, Raillers de Fransseurs, Regnault -d'Azincourt, and many more. This done, the constable dismounted and -posted himself under his banner,--when instantly after the Armagnacs -entered the town, full gallop, thinking to surprise their adversaries. - -On perceiving they were prepared for them, they charged the division -of archers and cross-bows with great shoutings, and at the first shock -killed about twelve: the rest posted themselves very advantageously -on the other side of a ditch, whence they made such good use of their -bows and cross-bows that they routed the horses, which were unable to -withstand the sharpness of their arrows, and flung down many of their -riders. - -The constable then advanced his main battalion, and cried out to them, -'Here, you scoundrels! here I am whom you are seeking for: come to me!' -but their ranks were so broken, chiefly by the bowmen, that they could -not rally, and, consequently, betook themselves to flight. The army -of the constable, noticing this, fell on them lustily, shouting their -cries, and killed numbers: the archers, being lightly armed, pursued -them vigorously, and put many to a cruel death. - -There was near the field of battle a fish pond, into which many horses -ran with their riders, and both were drowned. - -A valiant man of arms from Brittany attacked these archers with great -gallantry, expecting to be supported by his companions, but he was soon -pulled from his horse and slain. The constable, seeing the defeat of -his enemies, mounted several on the fleetest horses, that they might -attack them in their flight, and very many were indeed slain and taken: -the remnant fled for refuge to Alençon and other towns belonging to -their party. - -More than four score prisoners were brought to the constable, who was -with his knights, rejoicing on the victory they had gained; and in the -number were the lord d'Anieres, knight, and sir Jaunet de Guarochieres, -son to the lord de Croisy, who was with the constable. When he thus -perceived his son led prisoner, he was so exasperated against him that -he would have killed him had he not been withheld. - -Those who had made this attack on the constable had brought with them -a multitude of peasants, in the expectation of destroying him and his -army,--but the reverse happened, for upwards of four hundred of them -were killed in the field, and from six to eight score made prisoners. -Shortly after, the constable returned into the town of St Remy du -Plain, whence he had dislodged in the morning; and this battle, ever -since, has borne the name of St Remy. He then made preparations to -storm the castle; but the garrison, seeing no chance of further relief, -surrendered it, and were, by the constable, received to the obedience -of the king. - -The king of Sicily had about eight hundred chosen men at arms in -the county of Alençon,--and when he heard that the Armagnacs had -collected a large force to march to raise the siege of St Remy, he -sent four score of his men to reinforce the constable, who arrived -at St Remy four hours after the action was over. They were overjoyed -at the victory, and the surrender of the castle, both of which they -were ignorant of; and having thanked God for this good fortune, and -congratulated the constable thereon, they returned to the king of -Sicily. - -The constable advanced to Bellême with his army, accompanied by the -marshal of France and sir Anthony de Craon; and on their arrival, they -were soon joined by the king of Sicily, with archers, cross-bows, -and other implements of war. They instantly formed the siege of the -castle,--the king of Sicily investing it on one side, and the constable -and marshal on the other. Their attacks were so severe and incessant -that the garrison could not withstand them, but surrendered on terms. -Having placed a new garrison there in the king's name, the constable -marched away toward Paris; the marshal returned to Dreux; and the king -of Sicily and his men went for Mans, to guard his territories of Anjou. - -On the constable's arrival at Paris, he was magnificently feasted by -the king, and the dukes of Acquitaine and Burgundy, as well for the -victory he had gained at St Remy as for other matters, which, during -his expedition, he had brought to an honourable conclusion; and a sum -of money was instantly ordered him, for the payment of his men at arms. -Splendid presents were also made him by the king and the duke of -Burgundy. - -While things were thus carried on successfully against the count -d'Alençon, Aymé de Vitry and the bastard of Savoy[5] kept up a -continued warfare with the duke of Bourbon in the Beaujolois; and about -the middle of April, an engagement took place near to Villefranche, -when two of the duke's captains, Vignier de Reffort and Bernardon de -Seres, were defeated, and with them eight score men at arms, knights -and esquires: few escaped death or being made prisoners. - -In another part of the kingdom, the lord de Heilly and Enguerrand de -Bournouville were equally successful, and had subjected to the king's -authority the greater part of Poitou. They had very lately gained a -victory over two hundred of the duke of Berry's men, near to Montfaucon. - -The grand master of the king's household, sir Guichard Daulphin, and -the master of the cross-bows of France, and sir John de Châlon[6], -were sent by the king's orders, with ten thousand horse, to lay siege -to St Fargeau in the Nivernois, which belonged to John son to the duke -of Bar. While there, they were in daily expectation of a battle, but in -vain: however, when they had remained ten or twelve days, with the loss -of many men in killed and wounded, the town surrendered, and was by -them regarrisoned in the king's name. - -With similar success did the lord de St George and the nobles of -Burgundy make war on the count d'Armagnac, in Gascony. Sir Elyon de -Jacques-Ville was stationed at Estampes, and made daily conquests from -the Orleans-party, who at this period were very unfortunate, for war -was carried on against them on all sides. - -To provide a remedy, and to enable themselves to make head against -their adversaries, they sent a solemn embassy to Henry king of -England, and to his children, to solicit succours of men and money. -The ambassadors, by means of their credential letters and other papers -which they brought from these lords of France, treated with king Henry -so that he consented to send to the dukes of Berry, Orleans, and their -party, eight thousand combatants, under the command of his second son, -the duke of Clarence. - -For the confirmation of this, he granted to the ambassadors letters -under his great seal, which they carried back to the dukes of Berry, -Orleans, Bourbon, and the count d'Alençon and others, whom they found -at Bourges waiting their return. They were much rejoiced on seeing the -great seal of the king of England; for they expected to have immediate -need of his assistance, as they had information that the duke of -Burgundy was intending to lead the king in person to subdue and conquer -them. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 3: Guy de Nesle, vol. ii. p. 228.] - -[Footnote 4: Renty was the name of a considerable family in Artois. I -can find nothing about any of the others.] - -[Footnote 5: Humbert, natural son of Amadeus VII. and brother of -Amadeus VIII. counts of Savoy.] - -[Footnote 6: John de Châlon, second son to Louis I. count of Auxerre, -and brother to Louis II.] - - - - -CHAP. VI. - -CHARLES KING OF FRANCE, ATTENDED BY OTHER PRINCES, MARCHES A LARGE -FORCE FROM PARIS TO BOURGES.--LETTERS FROM THE KING OF ENGLAND,--AND -OTHER MATTERS. - - -The council of state now determined that the king should march in -person against his rebellious subjects, to reduce them to obedience. -Summonses were sent throughout the kingdom for men at arms and archers -to assemble between Paris and Melun; and at the same time, great -numbers of carriages were ordered to meet there for the baggage. In -like manner, the dukes of Acquitaine and Burgundy issued their special -summonses. - -When all was ready, and the king on the point of leaving Paris on this -expedition, a large body of the Parisians and members of the university -waited on him, and earnestly required, in the presence of his council, -that he would not enter into any treaty with his enemies without their -being included and personally named therein. They remonstrated with him -on the necessity for this, as they were hated by his enemies, because -they had loyally served him against them. - -The king and council granted their request.--The king then left Paris -in noble array, on Thursday the 5th day of May, and lay the first night -at Vincennes, where the queen resided: he thence went through Corbeil -to Melun, where he remained some days waiting for his men at arms. On -the ensuing Sunday, the dukes of Acquitaine and Burgundy set out from -Paris to join the king at Melun, to which place large bodies of men at -arms and archers repaired from all parts of the kingdom. - -On Saturday, the 14th of May, the king marched his army from Melun, -accompanied by the dukes of Acquitaine, Burgundy and Bar, the counts -de Mortain and de Nevers, with many other great barons, knights and -gentlemen. It had been resolved in council, that the king should not -return to Paris until he had reduced the dukes of Berry, Orleans and -Bourbon, with their adherents, to obedience. - -He then advanced to Moret, in the Gatinois, and to -Montereau-Faut-Yonne. At this last place, he was wounded in the leg -by a kick from a horse, but continued his march to Sens, where he -was confined by this accident six days. The queen and the duchess of -Burgundy had hitherto attended him, but they were now sent back by -their lords to reside at Vincennes. The count de Charolois was ordered -by his father to return to Ghent; and, shortly after, the queen went to -Melun, where she held her court. - -During this time the English, on the frontiers of the Boulonois, -took by storm the fortress of Banelinghen, situated between Ardres -and Calais, and the inheritance of the lord de Dixcunde[7], -notwithstanding there were sealed truces between the kings of -France and England. It was commonly said that the governor, John -d'Estienbecque, had sold it to the English for a sum of money. The -French were much troubled when they heard of this capture, but they -could not any way amend it, and were forced to be contented. The -governor and his wife resided quietly with the English, which convinced -every one that the place had been sold, and also some of his soldiers, -who had been made prisoners, were ransomed. This conduct of king Henry -surprised many; for he had appeared earnest in his desire to marry his -eldest son with the daughter of the duke of Burgundy,--but he had been -turned from it by the offers and negotiations of the ambassadors before -mentioned, and had now united himself with them. - -The king of England wrote the following letter to the towns of Ghent, -Bruges, Ypres and the Franc, which he sent by one of his heralds. - -'Henry, by the grace of God, king of England and France, and lord of -Ireland, to our honoured and wise lords the citizens, sheriffs and -magistrates, of the towns of Ghent, Bruges, Ypres, and of the territory -du Franc, our very dear and especial friends, we send health and -greeting. Very dear and respected lords, it has come to our knowledge, -through a very creditable channel, that under the shadow of our -adversary the king of France, the duke of Burgundy, count of Flanders, -is making, or about to make, a speedy march into our country of -Acquitaine, to wage war upon and destroy our subjects, particularly on -our very dear and well beloved cousins the dukes of Berry, Orleans and -Bourbon, and the counts of Alençon, of Armagnac, and the lord d'Albreth. - -'Since, therefore, your lord perseveres in his malicious intentions, -you will have the goodness to assure us, on the return of our -messenger, by your letters so soon as possible, whether the Flemings be -willing to conform to the truces lately concluded between us, without -any way assisting their lord in his wicked purposes toward us. - -'Understanding, honoured lords, and very dear friends, that if your -town, and the other towns in Flanders, be desirous of continuing the -terms of the truces, to the advantage of Flanders, we are very willing, -on our part, to do the same. Very dear friends, may the Holy Spirit -have you alway in his keeping!--Given under our privy seal, at our -palace of Westminster, the 16th day of May, in the 13th year of our -reign[8].' - -The Flemings sent for answer to this letter by the bearer, that they -would no way infringe the truces between the two countries; but that -they should serve and assist the king of France their sovereign lord, -and their count the duke of Burgundy, as heretofore, to the utmost of -their power. This letter and answer were sent to the duke of Burgundy, -who was attending the king in the town of Sens in Burgundy. - -At this same time, the duke of Berry, by the advice of the count -d'Armagnac, coined money with the same arms and superscription as that -of the king of France, in the town of Bourges, to pay his troops, which -greatly exasperated the king and his council when they heard thereof. -The coins consisted of golden crowns and others, perfectly similar to -those of the king. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 7: Q. Dixmuyde?] - -[Footnote 8: See this letter, and the treaty with the duke of Berry, -&c. in Rymer, A.D. 1412.] - - - - -CHAP. VII. - -THE TOWN OF VERVINS IS TAKEN BY SIR CLUGNET DE BRABANT, AND AFTERWARD -RETAKEN.--THE CASTLE OF GERSIES IS WON BY SIR SIMON DE CLERMONT. - - -About this same time, the town of Vervins, which was very strong and -rich, was taken by treachery, by sir Clugnet de Brabant and Thomas de -Lorsies, lord of Boquiaux, and some other gentlemen, to the amount of -six hundred men, from different countries, of the party of the duke of -Orleans. This was said to have been effected by a butcher who had been -for ill conduct banished the town, and in revenge had joined the army -of sir Clugnet de Brabant. - -The butcher's wife and family had remained in the town; and one -day, when it was dusk, they hid themselves near the gate, and about -sun-rise, when the guard had quitted the ramparts, and the gate -was opened and the drawbridge let down, they made a signal to the -enemy, who was in ambuscade. Sir Clugnet instantly entered the place, -sounding trumpets, and shouting out, 'The duke of Orleans for ever!' -to the great surprise of the inhabitants, who were far from expecting -such a morning salute. - -Very few were made prisoners, but all were robbed; and for three days -the money and plate of the lord de Vervins, who was with the king, -or on his road to join him, as well as every thing of value in the -different houses, were collected, and sent off by sir Clugnet, to -the amount of thousands of florins, to the town of Ardennes[9], that -those of his countrymen who had joined his party, and those who had -accompanied him on this expedition, might be paid. - -The neighbouring towns were astonished when they heard of this event, -and collected a large force to enable them to besiege the enemy in -Vervins, and retake the town. The bailiff of the Vermandois, sir -le Brun de Bairins, the lord de Chin, with many other knights and -citizens, hastened thither, to the number of four hundred helmets and -from six to eight thousand infantry very well armed. - -The lord de Vervins, who was of high rank and a very expert knight, -no sooner heard of his loss than he hastened to join the besiegers, -and led many brisk attacks on the town. Those who had captured it made -an excellent defence from the walls with bows and cross-bows, so that -the besiegers were twenty-three days before it. On the 26th of June, -the lord de Boquiaux, Thomas de Lorsies, son to the lord de Selebes, -knights, the bastard d'Esne, and those who were with them, considering -that their enemies were daily increasing, and that they had done -much damage to the walls and houses, were afraid of being killed or -taken, and held a council on the best means to escape. They defended -themselves with greater vigour than before, the better to conceal -their intentions; and when the besiegers were at their dinner in their -tents and pavilions, and they had seen their guard posted at one of -the gates, they mounted their horses fully armed,--and, having had the -gates thrown open, all except three, who were asleep or too negligent, -sallied out full gallop, sticking spurs into their horses, and made -with all speed for the forest near the town. - -The besiegers were astonished on seeing this, and, pushing aside their -tables, mounted instantly to pursue them, and followed with such haste -that they took about forty of them,--and the rest saved themselves by -dint of speed. The royalists returned to the town with their prisoners, -and found there the three negligent Armagnacs and some other wretches -of their party, who, by the command of the bailiff of the Vermandois, -were sent to prison; and when he had heard their confession, they were -by him sentenced to be beheaded. The bailiff then set out for Laon, -whither he carried the other prisoners, well bound, there to suffer a -similar punishment. - -The lord de Vervins remained in his town to put it into repair, and the -lord de Chin and the rest went to their homes. - -A few days after, the castle of Gersies, which was very strong, was -taken by some of the army of sir Clugnet de Brabant, namely, by sir -Simon de Clermont, a captain called Millet d'Autre, and others, who -won it one morning by storm. But shortly after, the bailiff of the -Vermandois, with some of the aforesaid lords and a large body of the -commonalty, regained it by assault. Sir Simon and Millet d'Autre, -with their companions, were all made prisoners, carried to Laon, and -beheaded. The castle was new garrisoned for the king. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 9: Q. Ardres?] - - - - -CHAP. VIII. - -THE KING OF FRANCE RECEIVES CERTAIN INFORMATION THAT HIS ADVERSARIES -HAD FORMED AN ALLIANCE WITH THE KING OF ENGLAND.--THE CONSTABLE MARCHES -INTO THE BOULONOIS. - - -During the residence of the king of France at Sens in Burgundy, he -received positive intelligence, that the dukes of Berry, Orleans, -Bourbon, and their confederates, had formed an alliance with the king -of England, who had engaged to send a large army to their assistance, -to lay waste his kingdom,--and that part of it had already marched from -Calais and the other castles on the frontiers of the Boulonois, and -commenced the war. - -They had carried away much plunder, and had set fire to the town of -Merck on the sea-shore, thus infringing the truces which subsisted -between them. - -In consequence of this inroad, the king of France ordered his -constable, the count de St Pol, to march thither, to assemble all the -nobles of Picardy, and to garrison and victual the frontier towns, and -to use every diligence in opposing the further progress of the English; -for the duke of Burgundy had carried with him all the youth, and the -most warlike men, from the countries of the Boulonois, Ponthieu, and -Artois, leaving behind only the superannuated and such as were unable -to bear arms. - -The constable, hearing of the mischiefs the English were doing, more of -his own free will than in obedience to the king's, hastened to Paris, -laying all other matters aside, with the borgne de la Heuse and some -other knights whom he left there, at the earnest entreaties of the -Parisians, to carry on the war against Dreux. He went then to Picardy -and to St Pol, to visit his lady; thence he went to St Omer and to -Boulogne, inspecting the whole frontier, and providing necessaries -where wanted. The whole country was now alarmed and in motion, insomuch -that the English retired worsted; but they very soon recommenced their -warfare. - -When the constable saw this, and that they did not abstain, he held a -council of his principal officers, such as the lord d'Offemont, the -lord de Canny, the lord de Lovroy, sir Philip de Harcourt and others. -At the conclusion of it, he assembled a body of men at arms, to the -amount of fifteen hundred, whom he put under the command of the lord -de Lovroy and one called Alin Quentin, and ordered them to march -toward the town and castle of Guines. As they approached the place on -foot, the constable sent off, by another road, forty helmets under sir -John de Renty, who was well acquainted with all the avenues to the -town, to make a pretence of attacking it on that side, which was only -inclosed with a palisade and ditch, and garrisoned with Dutchmen and -other soldiers who resided there.--The constable, with six hundred -combatants, advanced between the town and Calais, to guard that road, -and to prevent the English, should they hear of the attack, from -sending any considerable reinforcements. Thus did he remain between -his two battalions so long as the engagement lasted. The infantry, at -day-break, began the storm with courage, and continued it a long time, -until they had succeeded in setting the town on fire, so that upward -of sixty houses were burnt.--Those in the castle defended themselves -valiantly, and much annoyed the assailants with stones and arrows shot -from their cross-bows. Perceiving the distress of the townsmen, they -opened a gate of the castle to receive them,--and thus they escaped -death. By the advice of the said marshal de Renty, his division made a -retreat to where they had commenced the attack, but not without many -being severely wounded: few, however, were killed. The constable, -when informed of their retreat, made it known to the whole army, and -returned to Boulogne, but leaving garrisons along the whole frontier, -who daily had some skirmishes with the English. - - - - -CHAP. IX. - -THE KING OF FRANCE LAYS SIEGE TO FONTENAY AND TO BOURGES.--THE EVENTS -THAT HAPPENED WHILE HE REMAINED THERE. - - -The king of France having remained some days at Sens, and having held -many councils on the state of his realm, marched thence to Auxerre, -and to la Charité on the Loire, where he staid five days. He then -advanced toward a strong castle called Fontenay, in the possession of -the Armagnacs, who, on seeing the great force of the king, instantly -surrendered it, on condition of having their lives and fortunes saved. -Several captains, who had commanded on the frontiers against the -Armagnacs, entered it,--and the army of the king was greatly increased -by troops daily arriving from all quarters. In the number of those that -came were the lord de Heilly, Enguerrand de Bournouville, the lord de -Vitry and others. - -The king marched from Fontenay to the town of Dun-le-Roi in Berry, -where he encamped, and had it besieged by his army on all sides, -and well battered by his engines. During this siege, Hector, -bastard-brother to the duke of Bourbon, with only three hundred men, -made an attack on a body of the king's army when foraging, and killed -and took many. After this exploit, he hastened back to Bourges, and -told the dukes of Berry and Bourbon of his success. - -Dun-le-Roi was so much harrassed by the cannon and engines of the -besiegers that, on the ninth day, the garrison offered to surrender, -on condition of their lives and fortunes being spared, and that sir -Louis de Corail, lately made seneschal of the Boulonois, should return -with his men in safety to the duke of Berry. These terms were accepted, -and the town was delivered up to the king. He remained there for three -days, and then departed with his army, leaving sir Gautier de Rubes, -a burgundy knight, governor of the town. The king and his army were -quartered, on Friday the 10th day of June, three leagues distant from -Dun-le-Roi, at a town near a wood. On the morrow he continued his -march, and came before the city of Bourges, which was strong, very -populous, and full of every sort of provision and wealth. This city -was, in ancient times, the capital of the kingdom of Acquitaine, and -is situated on the river Yeure. Through the town, a small rivulet runs -from Dun-le-Roi. - -The lords within this town, namely, the dukes of Berry and Bourbon, the -lord d'Albreth, the count d'Auxerre[10], John brother to the duke of -Bar, with the inhabitants, showed every appearance of making a strong -resistance. There were also in Bourges many who had fled their country, -such as the archbishops of Sens and of Bourges, the bishops of Paris -and of Chartres, the lord de Gaucourt, Barbasan, Aubreticourt, le -borgne Foucault, and fifteen hundred helmets, or thereabout, and four -hundred archers and cross-bowmen. - -When the king's army approached, which was estimated and commonly -believed to consist of upward of one hundred thousand horse, some few -sallied out of the town well armed, shouting, 'Long live the king, and -the dukes of Berry and Bourbon!' at the same time falling desperately -on the light troops of the van, so that very many were killed and -wounded on each side; but the main army, advancing, soon forced them to -retreat. - -When they had re-entered the town, they set the gates wide open, and -gallantly made preparations for defence. The van of the king's army was -commanded by the grand master of the household, sir Guichard Daulphin, -and the lords de Croy and de Heilly, knights, Aymé de Vitry and -Enguerrand de Bournouville, esquires. The lords de Croy and de Heilly, -in the absence of the marshals of France, Boucicaut and de Longny, were -ordered by the king to exercise the functions of marshals. - -The rear division was commanded by the lords d'Arlay, sir John de -Châlon, the lord de Vergy, marshal of Burgundy, the lords de Ront and -de Raisse. - -In the king's battalion were the dukes of Acquitaine, Burgundy, and -Bar, the counts de Mortain and de Nevers, the lord Gilles de Bretagne, -and a numerous body of chivalry. When the army arrived on the plain -in front of the city, they were from three to four hours in arranging -their places of encampment, and in dividing the army under the -different commanders. Then, near to a gibbet, were created more than -five hundred knights, who, with many others, had never before displayed -their banners. After this ceremony, the army was advanced nearer to -the town, and encamped on the marshes on the side of the small river -before mentioned, and other flat grounds.--Some tents and pavilions -were pitched among vineyards, and by the ruins of the houses belonging -to the priory of St Martin des Champs, of the order of Cluny, and -others near to part of the suburbs which had been destroyed by the -inhabitants prior to the arrival of the king's army, and among the -large walnut-trees adjoining. - -It is true, that some from thirst drank water from wells without the -town; but whoever did so died suddenly, so that the wickedness and -treachery of the besieged were discovered. It was proclaimed by sound -of trumpet, that no one should in future drink any well-water, but -alway make use of spring or running water, for that the wells had been -poisoned. The besieged afterward confessed, Isatis that an herb called -[Greek: Isatis] by the Greeks, and by the Latins _Glastum_, had been -thrown into the wells, to cause the deaths of all who should drink out -of them. - -Though the townsmen could not now pass the marches and cross the fords -as usual from fear of the besiegers, they had, by another road, free -communication with the country, so that all manner of provision could -be brought into the town, to the great vexation of the lords in the -king's army. - -The besiegers had now approached pretty near to the town, and had -brought their artillery to bear on it, so that, from the continued -cannonading and shooting from cross-bows, they slew many of their -adversaries. - -The townsmen frequently insulted them by their abuse, calling them -false burgundian traitors, who had brought the king thither confined -in his tent, as if he was not sound in mind. They called the duke of -Burgundy a treacherous murderer; adding, that they would instantly have -opened their gates to the king if he had not been there. - -The Burgundians were not behind hand in their replies, retorting on -the Armagnacs by calling them false and rebellious traitors to their -king, and using various other invectives on each side; but the duke of -Burgundy, who heard all their abuse, made no reply whatever, but only -thought how he might distress them the more. - -On Wednesday the 13th of June, a truce was agreed on between the two -parties, at the solicitation of the duke of Berry; but during this -time, some of the king's household, incited by treason, sent to the -besieged,--'Sally forth: now is the time!' well knowing what they would -do. When precisely between one and two o'clock in the afternoon, while -the king was in his tent, and the dukes of Acquitaine and Burgundy -were reposing, and the greater part of the army disarmed, as not -suspecting any thing, about five hundred chosen men at arms sallied out -of two gates of the town, and marched on as secretly as they could -through vineyards and by-paths to avoid being seen, with the intent of -surprising and taking the king and the duke of Acquitaine, in their -tents, and putting the duke of Burgundy to death. - -What they were afraid of happened; for two pages of the lord de Croy, -riding their coursers to exercise and to water, perceived this body -of five hundred marching toward the army, and instantly galloped back -again, bawling out, 'To arms! here are the enemies advancing, who have -sallied out of their town.' On hearing this, every one hastened to -his tent, and armed. The vanguard drew up in array, and soon met the -enemy. The engagement immediately commenced; but the Armagnacs were -overpowered by their adversaries, who increased every moment, so that -they could not withstand them. Six score were soon killed, and about -forty made prisoners: the rest took disgracefully to flight, making all -haste back to Bourges, led on by the lord de Gaucourt. - -Among the slain were Guillaume Batiller, who had been taken at the -battle of St Cloud, and set at liberty, and Guillaume de Chailus, -knight, whose bodies, when stripped, were thrown into the wells said -to have been poisoned, to serve them for a grave. In the number of -prisoners were the grand master of the household of the duke of Berry, -an esquire of the lord d'Albreth, and also his principal cook, called -Gastard, who declared in the presence of several, that he would name -those who had urged them to make this attempt. - -In consequence, on the morrow were arrested master Geoffry de Bouillon, -secretary to the duke of Acquitaine, and the family of the lord de -Boissay, first maistre d'hôtel to the king,--and afterward one called -Gilles de Toisy, esquire, a native of Beauvais, his servant, and -Enguerrand de Seure, esquire, a Norman, who were all on this account -beheaded before the king's tent; but as the lord de Boissay was only -suspected, and no proof brought to convict him, he was imprisoned, and -made to witness the punishment of the others. - -There were a body of English and French in the king's army, consisting -of about three hundred, under the command of Aymé de Vitry, two hundred -of whom one day deserted; but, as they were making for the town, they -were so closely pursued that numbers of them were slain by lances, -swords and arrows, before they could enter the gates. One half of the -garrison of Gien-sur-Loire, consisting of about four hundred helmets, -attempted, on the 19th of June, to enter the city; but, before they -could accomplish it, having been observed by the besiegers, they were -so vigorously attacked that from one hundred to six score were killed. - -During the time the king was at this siege of Bourges, the foragers -were almost daily cut off by the ambuscades of the enemy, they -themselves and their horses being slain or taken; and as they were -obliged to seek forage at the distance of six or eight leagues, the -army suffered much from famine. Moreover, the waggons that brought -provision from Burgundy and other parts, were way-laid by the soldiers -of Sancerre, and other places in rebellion against the king, and -plundered: this caused great distress to the besiegers, and very many -were disheartened from want of bread. However it lasted not long, for -by the vigilance of sir Guichard Daulphin, he met the garrison of -Sancerre convoying provision to the town of Bourges, when he attacked -them, and forced them to surrender the town and castle of Sancerre, -which had been more active than any others in preventing forage being -brought to the camp; and thus all dread of famine was removed. - -Toward the end of June, about sun-set, four hundred men at arms made -a sally from the town, induced thereto by the information of some of -their prisoners, that the provost of Paris, the admiral of France, and -the vidame d'Amiens, were coming to the camp with a large sum of money -from Paris to the king, to enable him to pay his troops. In the hope of -defeating and plundering the above, they rode on and posted themselves -in a wood, the more readily to surprise them. Intelligence of this -was however carried to the lord de Ront, by some of his spies who had -observed them march out of the town; and he instantly made the duke of -Lorraine and the lord de Heilly acquainted therewith. They collected -about five hundred men at arms, under pretence of a foraging party, -and, leaving the camp, crossed the river by an old bridge which they -repaired as well as they could, and took up their quarters in a small -vineyard, whence, during the night, they sent off scouts to observe -the situation of the enemy. They were found in ambuscade, thinking to -take the king's treasure, but were themselves taken,--for no sooner -were these lords informed where they were than they instantly attacked -them, and killed and took many: among the latter was a gentleman named -Guistardon de Seure: the rest saved themselves by flight. - -The duke of Lorraine and the lords de Ront and de Heilly returned to -the camp with their prisoners, much rejoiced at their victory. The -duke of Berry, and those with him in Bourges, were much grieved at -this defeat, and others of a similar nature; for he saw with pain his -country ruined, and daily witnessed the deaths of his most valiant -knights and esquires. He nevertheless did not slacken in his endeavours -to defend himself against all who wished to hurt him,--and it -frequently happened that his men retaliated severely on the besiegers. - -While these things were passing, sir Philip de Lignac, grand master of -Rhodes, who had attended the king, exerted himself at various times to -bring about a peace between the two parties. The count de Savoye had -also sent his marshal, and some of his principal knights, to the king -and to the duke of Berry, to attempt the same thing. They, therefore, -united in their endeavours, and, by permission of the king and of the -duke of Acquitaine, who acted as his lieutenant, they had interviews -with each party. By their diligence, a conference was appointed to be -holden; and there were added to them as commissioners, the master of -the cross-bows, the seneschal of Hainault and some others. - -The commissioners on the part of the Armagnacs were the archbishop of -Bourges, the lord de Gaucourt, the lord de Tignonville, the lord de -Barbasan, the lord d'Aubreticourt and others, who diligently exerted -themselves on each side to bring a treaty to a conclusion. They had -frequent consultations on the subject with the different princes of -each party; but in fact it was not a matter speedily to be finished, -for each of the parties was too much interested and suspicious. It was -strongly remonstrated that the besieged had, during a truce, made a -treacherous attack on the army; and many arguments were urged by both -sides, which greatly retarded the conclusion of a peace. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 10: Louis II. de Châlon, count of Auxerre, son of Louis I. -and Mary of Parthenay.] - - - - -CHAP. X. - -THE KING OF FRANCE DECAMPS, AND LAYS SIEGE TO BOURGES ON THE OPPOSITE -SIDE.--A TREATY IS CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES. - - -When the king of France had remained with his army for sixteen months -before the city of Bourges, on the side toward la Charité sur Loire, -without any hope of taking it, and had perceived the town was well -supplied with provision on the side opposite to his camp, he broke up -the siege, and ordered fire to be set to all his quarters. He marched -away, and again encamped on the right of the city, about four leagues -distant, on the river, and near to Yeure-le-Châtel. - -The besieged, seeing their adversaries thus suddenly decamp, thought -it was done from fear of the English, who had promised them their aid, -and that they were marching back to France. They were consequently much -rejoiced, and some of them sallied forth, with a multitude of peasants, -in the expectation of making prisoners,--but it happened otherwise -than they looked for. - -Enguerrand de Bournouville had, with some other captains, remained -behind, with about three hundred men at arms in ambuscade, and, -when they saw it was time, issued forth, killed many, and made more -prisoners, and returned to the king's army. - -On the morrow, the king and his whole army crossed the river. One -division advanced toward Bourges, and another to Orleans, to despoil -and waste the country in the same manner as they had done on the -opposite side. The townsmen of Bourges, observing the army to cross the -river, hastily set fire to the suburbs on that side, which were very -extensive, to prevent the enemy from occupying them, and some churches -were also burnt: the more the pity. - -The king encamped his army round the city on that side, and had his -cannons and engines pointed in such wise as effectually to annoy the -place. The besieged were not idle in providing for their defence, and -the means of preventing the city from being taken, but were very much -grieved and cast down at the great damage which had been done to it. - -The duke of Acquitaine, son and lieutenant to the king, saw with regret -the destruction of so noble a city, the capital of Auvergne and Berry, -and to which he was heir, and, fearing its total ruin, forbade the -cannoneers, and those who had the direction of the other engines, to -fire any balls, or to cast more stones into it, under pain of death. -The duke of Burgundy, on hearing these orders, which counteracted his -wish to push matters to extremity, was much displeased and surprised, -and suspected the duke of Acquitaine had changed his opinion, or was -moved with compassion toward his enemies: however, in the conversation -that passed between them on the subject, the duke of Acquitaine -declared positively, that he would put an end to the war. The duke of -Burgundy most earnestly begged of him, that if he were determined upon -it, he would conclude it according to the terms that had been agreed -to by the king's ministers at Paris, namely, that if their adversaries -should present themselves with all humility before the king, and submit -themselves to his mercy, he would receive them, but entreated that any -terms he should make might not be to his dishonour. - -The duke of Acquitaine replied, that in truth the war had lasted too -long; that it was prejudicial to the king and kingdom, and that he in -the end might suffer from it,--for those against whom the war was made -were his uncles, cousins-german, and others of his kindred, by whom he -should be greatly assisted in any cases of need,--but he was desirous -that they should submit themselves in the manner proposed in council -before he had left Paris. - -The duke of Burgundy, in consequence of this and other conversations, -humbled himself much toward the duke of Acquitaine; for he had -discovered that the business had been discussed with some other great -lords, of whom he was very suspicious, and particularly of the duke -of Bar, who had, for some time past, clearly shown he was displeased -with him. He, however, told the duke of Acquitaine publicly, that he -was satisfied that the negotiations for a peace should be continued -according to the good pleasure and honour of the king and himself. - -The commissioners were, therefore, ordered to renew the conferences, -which they willingly obeyed. When they had reduced to writing the -demands and answers of the two parties, they requested of the princes -on each side, that the dukes of Berry and Burgundy might meet and -conclude the treaty; and this was agreed to by the king and the duke of -Acquitaine, and the leaders of the opposite party. - -An elevated place was fixed and well secured for the meeting of the -uncle and nephew, for neither of them had much confidence in the other. -It was for this reason that barriers were erected on a platform, on -which the dukes entered at separate ends, having bars between them, -and their council behind, whom they occasionally consulted as to the -demands and answers. - -For greater security, a body of their men at arms was stationed near to -each, but not so near as to hear any conversation that passed.--They -were both completely and handsomely armed. The duke of Berry, -notwithstanding he was seventy years of age, wore a sword, dagger, -and battle-axe: he had on a steel scull-cap, and a rich clasp on his -breast,--over his armour a purple jacket, the cross belt of which was -bespangled with pearls. After they had been two hours together, they -separated, to outward appearance, in good humour; but the duke of -Berry said peevishly to the duke of Burgundy, 'Fair nephew and fair -godson, when your father, my dear brother, was living, there was no -need of any barriers between us: we were alway on the most affectionate -terms.' The duke of Burgundy replied, 'My lord, it has not been my -fault.' The duke of Berry then mounted his horse, and returned, with -his attendants, to Bourges,--and the duke of Burgundy, in like manner, -to the camp. - -The knights of the duke of Burgundy, on their return, said, that -those of the duke of Berry, in their common conversations, declared -themselves no way rebellious nor disaffected to the king; that their -lord had been for some time very unwell, and unable to command them; -that had he been otherwise, he would not so long have left the death of -his nephew unpunished; that in regard to their having burnt, taken, and -destroyed several towns and castles, in different parts of the kingdom, -such as St Denis and Roye, which they had plundered, they replied, that -as their lords were of the blood-royal, they had a right to lead their -men at arms through any towns in the realm, on their personal wars, for -that they had very just cause for attacking the duke of Burgundy, and -that in so doing they committed no offence against the king; but, in -regard to having refused to open the gates of the city of Bourges when -the king came in person before it, they confessed themselves guilty of -contempt, for which they humbly asked his pardon, as was stated in the -treaty, and offered him the keys of the town. - -On the Wednesday following, the two dukes again met, with their -counsellors, at the barriers in front of the city-gate, and renewed -their conference. When it was concluded, they drank wine together, and -separated very joyfully. On the next day, all the nobles and knights -of the army assembled before the tent of the duke of Acquitaine, who -appeared in state as the representative of the king. He was attended by -the dukes of Bar and Lorraine, and many others of high rank. - -The chancellor of Acquitaine, sir John de Neelle, knight and licentiate -of law, and of great eloquence, then recited most notably all the -different acts of rebellion committed by John de Berry, Charles -d'Orleans, John de Bourbon, John d'Alençon, Bernard d'Armagnac and -Charles d'Albreth, and their adherents, declaring their alliance -with the king of England, the king's adversary, and detailing all -the destruction they had brought on the kingdom,--concluding a long -speech by demanding, by orders of the king and of his son the duke of -Acquitaine, that every person should now promptly deliver his opinion, -whether there should be peace or war. - -Many replied, that it were better peace should be made with the above -lords, and that they should be reinstated in the king's favour, than -otherwise, provided the peace were a solid one; but others were of -a contrary opinion,--and thus ended this meeting, which caused much -murmuring. It is true, that at this time the heat of the weather was -excessive, and great sickness prevailed in the army, insomuch that very -many, hearing daily of the deaths of their companions, departed without -taking leave. There was a great mortality among the horses, and the -stench of their carcases much infected the camp. - - - - -CHAP. XI. - -THE PRINCES AND LORDS WITHIN THE CITY OF BOURGES WAIT ON THE KING AND -THE DUKE OF ACQUITAINE, AND AFTERWARD AT AUXERRE. - - -On Friday the 15th day of July, when all things had been settled, the -dukes of Berry and of Bourbon, the lord d'Albreth, the count d'Eu[11], -the lord John de Bar, brother to the duke of Bar, accompanied by many -knights and esquires bearing their banners, came forth of the city -toward the king's army, and entered the tent of the duke of Acquitaine, -who was surrounded by many nobles, such as the dukes of Burgundy and -Bar, and other knights and esquires, the king being afflicted with his -usual disorder. - -After the treaty had been read and agreed to, each kissed the other; -but when the duke of Berry kissed his nephew the duke of Acquitaine, -tears ran down his cheeks. This treaty contained, among other articles, -that the treaty which had been concluded at Chartres by the king -and his council, between Charles duke of Orleans and his brothers, -respecting the death of their late father, Louis duke of Orleans, on -the one part, and John duke of Burgundy on the other, for being an -accomplice in the aforesaid death, should be kept inviolable for ever; -and that the marriage formerly proposed between one of the brothers of -the Orleans family and a daughter of the duke of Burgundy should take -effect. - -The other articles declared, that the duke of Berry and the lords of -his party should surrender to the obedience of the king all such towns -and castles as the king might demand; and the duke entreated, that the -king would excuse and pardon him for not having before submitted to his -obedience the city of Bourges. - -And also, that the aforesaid lords would renounce all confederations -which had been made between them, as well as all foreign alliances -against the duke of Burgundy, who in like manner was to renounce the -alliances he might have formed against them. - -That the king would restore to them, fully and completely, all their -towns, castles and forts which he might have taken, excepting such as -had been demolished or razed, which were to remain in their present -state. The articles also declared, that the officers of the aforesaid -lords who had been deprived of their places should be reinstated. - -When they had dined, the duke of Berry presented the keys of the -city of Bourges to the duke of Acquitaine, as the representative of -the king, and then returned thither with his companions. The duke of -Acquitaine caused the peace to be proclaimed throughout the army and -country in the king's name, acting as his lieutenant. By the same -proclamation, it was most strictly ordered, that henceforth no one of -either party should personally abuse another, either corporally or in -his fortune, nor use any opprobrious language, nor call any one by the -names of Armagnac or Burgundian. - -On Saturday, the 16th day of the same month, king Louis of Sicily came -from his possessions in Anjou and Maine, escorted by three thousand -two hundred men at arms, knights and esquires, and accompanied by the -count de Penthievre with his Bretons, to assist the king in his siege -of Bourges. The king of Sicily was very much rejoiced when he was -informed of the peace that had been concluded with the princes; and on -the morrow, attended by the duke of Bar and a number of other knights, -he went into the city, and was there magnificently entertained at -dinner by the duke and duchess of Berry. - -The other lords dined in the duke's palace, and were grandly and -plentifully served: after dinner, they all returned to the camp. On the -ensuing Wednesday, the king of France decamped from before the town, -having remained there, at this second siege, forty days, at an immense -expense, and with his whole army marched back, the way they had come, -to la Charité sur Loire, where he was lodged. Thither came the dukes of -Berry and of Bourbon, and the lord d'Albreth, with the commissioners -from the duke of Orleans and his brothers, who, in the tent of the duke -of Acquitaine, and in his presence and in that of the principal lords, -made oath on the holy evangelists punctually and faithfully to observe -the peace that had been concluded at Bourges. They promised to swear -the same in the presence of the king; and as the duke of Orleans and -his brothers were absent, they solemnly engaged that they would meet -the king, to take this oath personally before him, on any appointed -day, at Auxerre: when this was done, they returned home. The peace was -again proclaimed by the king's orders; and all persons were strictly -enjoined, whatever might be their rank, not to molest each other in -body or estate, and not to use any defamatory language, or call any one -by the name of Armagnac. - -After this, the king of Sicily, the dukes of Acquitaine, Burgundy, and -Bar, and all the princes, counts, barons and chivalry, departed. The -king retained with him a great body of the captains of his army, and -their men at arms, and gave permission for all the rest to return to -their homes. He went thence to Auxerre, and was lodged in the episcopal -palace: the king of Sicily and the duke of Acquitaine were quartered in -the town, and their men in the adjacent villages. The lord Gilles de -Bretagne, on his arrival at Auxerre, died of a dysentery. - -In like manner, the count de Mortain, brother to the king of Navarre, -lost his life either at Auxerre or at Sancerre from the same disorder. -His body was carried to Paris, and interred in the church of the -Carthusians. Aymé de Vitry, sir John de Guistelle, John d'Jequennie, -and several others, died on their road home; and this disorder was so -fatal that from one thousand to twelve hundred knights and esquires, -not including varlets, died of it, as it was reported to the lords in -Auxerre. - -When the marshal de Boucicaut, the count de Foix and the lord de St -George, who were carrying on the war against the count d'Armagnac, -heard that peace was concluded between the king and his enemies, they -disbanded their army, and gave permission for all to return home. - -During the time the king was at Auxerre, he had summoned the greater -part of his nobles and prelates thither, as well as the chief citizens -of the great towns, to witness the solemn swearing to the observance -of the peace. But before they could arrive, other intelligence was -brought, which was far from being agreeable, namely, that the English -were at anchor, with their whole navy, before the town of la Hogue de -St Vas, in the country of Coutantin; that they had made a descent, and -spread themselves over the adjacent countries, destroying or plundering -every thing they could find, and that their numbers amounted to about -eight thousand, of whom two thousand were men at arms, and the rest -archers or infantry, and that they were under the command of the duke -of Clarence, second son to the king of England. - -These English had landed in consequence of the treaty between the dukes -of Berry and Orleans and their allies, and the king of England, and -were on their march to assist in raising the siege of Bourges. The -counts of Alençon and of Richemont went to meet them, and received them -most joyfully, although they had come too late to do them any effectual -service; but, notwithstanding this, they exerted themselves to the -utmost to supply them with horses and provision. - -This force was much increased by the junction of six hundred gascon -helmets that had likewise been subsidized by the confederates at -Bourges. When these forces were united, they overran the country, and -committed great destruction. - -The prisoners confined at Lille, as before mentioned, consisted of the -lord de Hangest, formerly master of the cross-bows of France, sir -Louis de Bourdon, sir Charles de Gerammes, Enguerrand des Fontaines, -and some others. They were all set at liberty by the count de la -Marche, on each paying a large ransom to the person who had made him -prisoner; and in like manner were all others delivered, by exchange or -by ransom. - -About the feast of the Assumption of our Lady, those who had been -summoned by the king of France arrived at Auxerre. In their number, -the Parisians came in great pomp; and the dukes of Berry and Bourbon, -and the lord d'Albreth, also attended. The lord d'Albreth, soon after -his arrival, wished to resume the office of constable; but the count -Waleran de St Pol would not suffer him, and exercised it himself. Many -high words passed between them; and the lord d'Albreth, having taken -the oaths of peace, retired much displeased and indignant. - -On the ensuing Monday, the duke of Orleans and his brother, the count -de Vertus, came to Auxerre, escorted by about two thousand combatants. -When all the lords were arrived, they assembled on an extensive plain -without the city, near to a convent of nuns, where had been erected -a handsome scaffolding, richly adorned, on which was the duke of -Acquitaine, as representative of his father, the king of Sicily, the -dukes of Burgundy, of Bar, and others. - -The duke of Burgundy and his party repeated the oaths they had before -taken, as also did the duke of Orleans and his friends; and the same -proposal of marriage as had been made at Chartres was again solemnly -agreed to take place, between the count de Vertus and a daughter of the -duke of Burgundy, on the terms before mentioned. - -The aforesaid lords then publicly renounced all confederations and -alliances which they had formed with Henry king of England, with his -sons, or with any others of the english nation, enemies to France, the -duke of Burgundy having before declared that he had no connexion with -them,--and they agreed to write such letters to the king of England as -the king and his council should advise. - -They also promised and swore to renew their oaths respecting the -observance of this peace in the king's presence, so soon as he should -have recovered his health,--for at that time he had had a relapse,--and -to sign such papers as he would please, that they would never again -form any confederations or alliances against each other; and that -if either of them should attempt to infringe the articles of this -peace, the others would unite against him or them to enforce their due -observance, and oblige them to listen to reason. - -At this ceremony, by orders of the king, were some of the members of -the parliament, of the chamber of accounts, and of the university of -Paris, the provosts of Paris and of the merchants, the sheriffs and -some of the principal citizens, to many of whom this treaty was not -very agreeable. - -There were also present, in consequence of the king's summons, very -many from Rouen, Caen, Amiens, Tournay, Laon, Rheims, Troyes, Langres, -Tours, and from the chief towns in the kingdom. - -When this solemnity was over, all the great lords went to dine with the -duke of Acquitaine at his lodgings. At this entertainment, which was -most splendid and abundant, the duke of Burgundy served, and the counts -de Nevers and de St Pol, assisted by other noble knights, carried the -dishes. After they had dined, the company amused themselves by playing -at divers games. These being ended, towards dusk all retired to their -lodgings. On the morrow, and for several days following, they continued -feasting together, and, according to all outward appearances, were in -great harmony with each other. Even the dukes of Orleans and Burgundy -rode out together, both on the same horse, in company with other lords, -and showed such mutual affection as is becoming brothers and near -relations. Nevertheless, some wicked tongues were not sparing of them -behind their backs, but loudly spoke their minds. - -With regard to the people, they were in such crowds that it need not be -asked if they were pleased,--for they continually shouted out, 'Gloria -in excelsis Deo,' as if they wished to praise the gloriousness of the -heavens. It indeed seemed to them a kind of miracle that such bitter -hatred as had existed between these great lords should be so speedily -appeased. - -When every thing was concluded, and because this epidemic disorder -raged at Auxerre, the king and princes departed, and went by Sens -to Melun, where great feasts and entertainments, with justings and -dancings, were held by the queen and her court, for joy of the happy -reconciliation that had taken place between the princes of the -blood royal. In truth, while the king resided at Melun, he recovered -his health, and then, at the entreaties of the queen, his daughter, -the dukes of Acquitaine and Burgundy, and of the king of Sicily, he -approved of and ratified the treaty of peace that had been made. In -consequence, he delivered up all the castles, towns and lands, which -he had seized on account of the rebellion of his nephews and other -lords, as well secular as ecclesiastic, and restored them to their free -possession. Thus they re-entered their towns and castles, but without -any restitution for the damages which had been done to them: several of -them had been nearly destroyed; and the vineyards, forests and other -lands, had suffered greatly, with various mischiefs that had been done -to the farms. That this peace might be publicly known, and that no one -might plead ignorance, but that it should remain for ever inviolate, -the king issued the following edict. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 11: Charles d'Artois, count of Eu, son to the constable d'Eu -(who died in Turkey 1397) and to Mary daughter of the duke of Berry. He -married twice, but had no issue, and in him ended the royal branch of -Artois, commencing in Robert the good count d'Artois, who was killed in -Egypt in the year 1250, when accompanying his brother St Louis.] - - - - -CHAP. XII. - -THE KING OF FRANCE ORDERS HIS EDICT RESPECTING THE PEACE TO BE SENT TO -HIS DIFFERENT OFFICERS FOR PROCLAMATION IN THE USUAL PLACES,--AND OTHER -MATTERS. - - -'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting.--Among the heavy and continued -anxieties which we always feel for the preservation of our crown and -kingdom, the warmest wish we have is to nourish love and affection -among our subjects, and to guard them from all oppressions and other -inconveniences which are consequent on civil commotions, that they -may live under us in perfect tranquillity. Whereas many very serious -discords and divisions have arisen within our realm between several -of the princes of our royal blood, their adherents and allies, which -have caused great mischiefs to ensue, to the detriment of our faithful -subjects; and others still more disastrous might have followed, had we -not provided a sufficient remedy. These discords have occasioned to us -the utmost grief of heart; and for this reason we make known to thee, -that, through the grace of the sovereign King of kings, our Creator and -Saviour, and the Giver of all peace; and through the diligent exertions -of our very dear and well-beloved son the duke of Acquitaine, dauphin -of Vienne, and others who have laboured with him, we have concluded -a sound peace with the aforesaid princes, our kindred, and their -confederates, in the manner and form expressed In the treaty drawn up -for this purpose. - -'By this treaty all rancour and malevolence between one party and -another are extinguished, and the princes aforesaid have solemnly -sworn on the holy evangelists, in the presence of our very dear son, -many prelates and other persons, that they will strictly observe every -article of it, and no way infringe it, according to the oaths which -they had before taken on a similar occasion. - -'For this reason, we therefore enjoin, and most strictly command, thee -to proclaim this peace in all the squares and public places of Amiens, -by sound of trumpet, and then to make proclamation of the same in all -the villages and other places within thy bailiwick, particularly -ordering all our subjects most faithfully to keep this peace, under -pain of our highest displeasure, and of being criminally guilty towards -our royal person, forbidding any person, whatever may be their rank, in -our name, in any wise to offend against any of its articles, on pain of -being corporally punished, with confiscation of property. - -'We, moreover, enjoin thee, that thou do punish most severely and -publicly, according to the exigency of the case, any who shall be found -violating this peace in any degree whatever, either by word or deed, -who may be regularly accused before thee, so that it may serve as an -example to all others. - -'Given at Melun, in the year of Grace 1412, and in the 32d of our -reign.'--Signed by the king from the report made to him by the council -held by my lords the dukes of Acquitaine, Berry, Burgundy, Orleans and -Bourbon, the counts of Vertus and Alençon, and John de Bar, with others -present at it. Countersigned, 'Emau, inspector.' - -The English, during this time, had advanced, from the Coutantin, into -the countries of Maine and Touraine, despoiling the districts they -marched through with fire and sword. A grand council was held on this -subject at Melun, presided by the duke of Acquitaine as the king's -_locum tenens_, and at which were present the king of Sicily, the dukes -of Berry, Burgundy, Orleans and Bourbon, the count de Vertus, the -chancellors of France, Acquitaine, and of Orleans, the lords de Torsy, -d'Offemont, with others, the provost of the merchants, the sheriffs -and council of Paris,--when it was ordered, that all persons capable -of bearing arms, noble or not, should assemble, properly equipped at -Chartres, on the 8th day of October ensuing; at which time and place, -they should receive pay for the defence of the realm, and to drive the -ancient enemies of France out of the kingdom. This edict was copied, -and sent to the principal seneschalships and bailiwicks of France -sealed with the royal seal, by the aforesaid princes, that a sufficient -force might be provided against the 8th day of October. - -The Parisians, as being more nearly affected, hastened to raise their -levies of men at arms and archers at Paris or at Melun,--and others in -the adjacent countries. Every one, on the receipt of the king's edict, -assembled his quota. Had the duke of Berry and those of his party -kept the engagements they had made with the English, and paid them the -large sum of two hundred thousand crowns, according to their promises, -they were ready to return to England, either through Acquitaine or -Bourdeaux; but from the melancholy state of the country, they were -unable to raise this sum by any means they could offer,--and thus -their terms not being fulfilled, the English thought they might pay -themselves. - -The king of Sicily returned, however, to Anjou, to raise men for the -defence of his territories, whither the English were fast advancing. - -In these days, the duke of Acquitaine reinstated the eldest son of the -late grand master Montagu in his office of chamberlain, and obtained, -through his entreaties with the king, that all his estates should be -restored, which ought to have descended to him by right of inheritance, -so that, with the exception of some trifling confiscations, he regained -all the patrimony he would have inherited from his father and mother. - -He obtained likewise the head of his father; and one evening, about -vespers, the provost of Paris, with his executioner, attended by -twelve guards, or thereabout, holding lighted torches and carrying -a ladder, followed by a priest dressed in his robes, came to the -market-place, when the executioner mounted the ladder to where the -head of the late grand master had been fixed to the end of a lance, -and, taking it off, delivered it to the priest, who received it in a -handsome napkin. Thus wrapped up, he placed it on his shoulder, and -carried it, attended by these lighted torches, to the hôtel of the late -Montagu, grand master of the king's household. - -The body was in like manner taken down from the gibbet at Montfaucon, -in the presence of the provost, by his hangman, and brought to Paris. -It was there joined to the head, placed in a handsome coffin, and -carried in great state, attended by his children, and a numerous party -of friends, with priests chaunting, and a vast number of lighted -torches, to the church of the Celestins at Marcoussy, which he had -founded and endowed in his lifetime and made a convent of monks, and -there honourably interred. Among other gifts which he had made when -alive was the great bell, called St Catherine, to the church of Nôtre -Dame at Paris, as appears from his arms and crest that are upon it. - - - - -CHAP. XIII. - -THE WAR CONTINUES IN THE BOULONOIS.--THE KING RETURNS TO PARIS.--THE -DUKE OF ORLEANS SATISFIES THE ENGLISH,--AND OTHER MATTERS. - - -During this time, king Henry of England sent the earls of Warwick and -Kyme, with two thousand combatants, to Calais, whence, with other -garrisons, they invaded the Boulonois, and did much mischief. They -burnt the town of Saumer-au-Bois, took by storm the fort of Ruissault, -pillaging, robbing, and setting fire to every place they came to. - -To oppose them, the king ordered to St Omer count Waleran his -constable, the lord de Rambures, master of the cross-bows, and the lord -de Heilly, with a large body of men at arms, who were posted in the -various garrisons,--and thus was the country harrassed on all sides. - -At this period, the king of France returned to Paris, and was lodged -in his hôtel of Saint Pol, to the great joy of the Parisians, who -sang carols in all the streets, lighted bonfires, and had great -illuminations, shouting out all night, 'God save the king!' There were, -likewise, very magnificent feasts and other entertainments. The king -was attended, on his entry into Paris, by the dukes of Acquitaine, -Burgundy, Bourbon, and the count de Vertus. The queen, with the dukes -of Berry and Orleans, had remained at the castle of Vincennes, and -thence, on the Sunday following, made her entry into Paris, and was -lodged with the king at the hôtel de St Pol. The duke of Orleans had -accompanied her part of the way; but, when he approached Paris, he -separated from her, and took the road for his county of Beaumont. The -duke of Berry staid at Vincennes. - -Although the town of Chauny had been surrendered to the king in -perpetuity, he restored it to the duke of Orleans, and, at the same -time, granted him permission to raise from his vassals the sum of sixty -thousand florins of gold, by way of tax, for his own private use. But -he could never succeed in the attempts which he made to regain his two -castles of Coucy and Pierrefons. When he had been at Beaumont a few -days, he departed, and went to meet the English under the command of -the duke of Clarence, who had landed, as has been said, at his request, -and satisfied him fully, as to the pay of his men, so far as was in -his power; but as he could not then advance the whole that was due for -their pay, the duke of Orleans gave, as a pledge for the due fulfilment -of his engagement, his youngest brother, the count of Angoulême, with -many other gentlemen, namely, sir Marcel le Borgne, Jean de Saveuses, -Archambault de Villiers, Guillaume le Boutillier, Jean David, and -others of his dependants. They were all carried away by the duke of -Clarence, who retired with his English to Guienne. - -The count of Angoulême was pledged for the sum of two hundred and nine -thousand francs french money. When the duke of Orleans had concluded -this, he returned to Blois; but these bondsmen remained in England a -long time, as shall be told hereafter. The duke of Orleans sent some -of his most able knights to prevail on the king to restore to him his -castles of Coucy and Pierrefons, which were held by the constable; but -although the king granted his letters for the surrender of them, the -constable refused to obey, giving for answer, that until he should be -repaid the money he had advanced to his men at arms for the conquest -of them, he would retain them,--adding, that the king had made him a -promise of them, and had nominated sir Gerard de Herbannes governor -of Coucy, and of Pierrefons sir Collard de Fiennes. The castle of -Pierrefons, which was a very strong and handsome edifice, was one night -burnt to the ground, to the great displeasure of the duke,--but as he -could not obtain any redress, he was forced to endure it. - -The duke of Burgundy, who resided at Paris, to be near the king, about -this time caused sir Bourdin de Salligny to be arrested, and carried -prisoner to Flanders, where he was confined some time, and then set at -liberty. Sir Bourdin had been the particular and confidential friend -of the duke; and it was reported, that he was inclined to change sides -and turn to that of Orleans, and had even betrayed some of the duke's -secrets. - -In these days also, some very sharp words passed between the bastard -of Bourbon and a butcher of Paris, called Denisot de Chaumont, when -the bastard said to him, 'Peace! hold thy tongue: I shall find thee -again another time.' Shortly after, Denisot, who had great weight among -his brethren of the trade, collected a large body, and, with other -Parisians, they barricaded the streets with chains,--but they were at -length appeased by the duke of Burgundy. - -John duke of Bourbon, the count d'Armagnac and the lord d'Albreth -were ordered by the king and council into Languedoc, to oppose the -enterprises of the duke of Clarence and the English, who had fixed -their quarters in Acquitaine, and sorely oppressed all who defended the -french interest on the frontiers. - - - - -CHAP. XIV. - -THE DUKE OF BERRY IS DANGEROUSLY ILL.--HE IS VISITED BY HIS DAUGHTER -THE DUCHESS OF BOURBON, AND BY THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.--NOTICE OF OTHER -MATTERS. - - -The duke of Berry, who had come to Paris to attend the king his nephew, -and a grand council about to be holden, was taken dangerously ill at -his hôtel of Neele; but by the care and affection of his daughter the -duchess of Bourbon, who, on hearing of his illness, had come to see -him, and by her nursing, he was soon restored to health. He was also -very frequently visited by his nephew the duke of Burgundy. - -While the duchess of Bourbon was at Paris, she obtained from the king, -and from the dukes of Acquitaine and Burgundy, that the body of Binet -d'Espineuse, formerly the knight of her lord the duke of Bourbon, -should be taken down from the gibbet of Montfaucon, and his head from -the market-house, where it had been placed some time since by the -king's officers of justice. She had it escorted by many of his friends -to the town of Espineuse, in the county of Clermont, where it was -honourably interred. - -The duke of Burgundy at this time had the sole government of the -kingdom, for nothing was done but by his advice or that of his friends. - -Notwithstanding it had been promised at the peace of Auxerre, by the -king and the princes of the blood, that every one, of whatever party -he might have been, should be reinstated in his property in such -offices as had been held by them, very many could not profit of this -royal favour; for with all their diligence in suing for reinstatement, -they met with nothing but delays, more especially those who had been -attached to the Orleans-party. This caused much silent bitterness and -discontent; and both sides were busily employed underhand on the means -of securing the support of the king and the duke of Acquitaine,--one -party making secret attempts to gain the former, the other the latter. -Thus, therefore, there was not any sincere love between them; and the -war was daily expected to recommence with greater fury than before, as -shall be more fully explained. - -I shall hereafter, towards the end of this year 1412, lay before you -all the letters and treaties that passed between king Henry of England -and his children, and other princes, on the one part, and the dukes of -Berry, Orleans, Bourbon, the counts d'Alençon, d'Armagnac, the lord -d'Albreth, and their adherents, on the other part, and their mutual -engagements to each other. - - - - -CHAP. XV. - -THE KING OF FRANCE HOLDS A GRAND ASSEMBLY AT PARIS ON THE REFORMATION -OF ABUSES IN THE GOVERNMENT.--OTHER MATTERS. - - -The king of France, by the advice of the duke of Burgundy, summoned -the greater part of the princes, prelates, heads of universities, -and principal citizens of the great towns, to Paris, to consider on -several matters of great importance to the kingdom in general, and more -especially respecting the reformation of his ministers, who had for a -long time very ill governed the realm. - -When this assembly had held many consultations on the subjects laid -before it, its members determined that the university of Paris should -make their report in the name of all,--which report was delivered to -the king, at his hôtel of St Pol, in manner following. - -'To our most high and most excellent prince, our sovereign lord and -father. Your most humble and devoted daughter the university of -Paris, your very submissive and obedient subjects the provost of the -merchants, the sheriffs and citizens of your good town of Paris, lay -before you their opinions and advice, as required by you, for the -welfare and happiness of yourself and kingdom. - -'In the first place, respecting the peace that has been lately -concluded between certain princes of your royal blood, according to -the terms your majesty has been pleased to lay before us, we say, that -all who have sworn solemnly to keep this peace, and have hitherto -observed it, ought to continue this same conduct, in pursuance of their -intentions sworn to before God: but we think that you should summon -certain others of the lords of your blood, and of their principal -servants, to swear personally before you to keep the peace; and that -for many reasons,--first, because they never yet have taken the said -oaths,--secondly, because many among them do not keep the peace. - -'It is a notorious fact, that although the English are in your kingdom, -and in conjunction with other companies, as well natives as foreigners, -daily commit waste on the country, scarcely any attempts have been made -to oppose their further progress, and petitions and clamours arise -throughout the realm. - -'Item, the count d'Armagnac, who is your subject, pays no regard to the -peace; and, so far from observing it, is constantly making war on your -more faithful subjects. - -'Item, for the better observance of this peace, we recommend that -your majesty should cause letters to be drawn up, in which all the -articles of the treaty shall be incorporated, and sent to the different -officers, or to whomsoever else you may please, with orders to make -known all transgressors of them, that they may be punished accordingly. - -'With regard to the second point on which you, our sovereign lord, -demand our advice, having fully considered all that concerns your own -honour and welfare, with every thing that may tend to the prosperity -of the kingdom, we feel ourselves obliged to make known to you what we -perceive to be defects in your government. We must begin by the bad -administration of the public finances, to which you, as king, ought -to have caused more faithful attention to be paid. We recommend, in -the first place, that the revenues of the royal demesne be divided -into four parts: one to be distributed in alms, another to defray the -expenses of your majesty, those of the queen, the duke of Acquitaine, -and your household; another to pay the salaries of your officers and -servants; another to be applied to the repairs of bridges, roads, -mills, castles, causeways, or other public works,--and the overplus to -be paid into the king's treasury, as was formerly done. - -'Item, it clearly appears, that the finances are not at this present -time so regulated, which, is the fault of your treasurers, who have the -administration of them. The religious of both sexes, as well belonging -to convents as to hospitals, are frequently forced to expend their own -money on the repairs of their churches, without deriving any assistance -from the royal treasury, to their great detriment, to the loss of their -personal comforts, the ruin of the churches, and the failure of divine -service, to the prejudice of the souls of your predecessors, and to the -oppression of your own conscience. - -'In regard to alms, it is well known that scarcely any thing is -paid; and as to the expenses of yourself, the queen, and the duke of -Acquitaine, which are regulated by sir Pierre de Fontenay, and paid -by Raymond Ragnier and Jean Pie, clerks of the exchequer, they are -found to amount to four hundred and fifty thousand francs, as well -received from the royal demesnes as from other sources; whereas in -former times only ninety-two thousand francs were received for this -purpose, and your predecessors kept up a royal state, and the tradesmen -were regularly paid, notwithstanding the smallness of the sum: but at -present this is far from being the case, for the tradesmen are not -only unpaid, but your household and those of the queen and the duke of -Acquitaine are frequently broken up. - -'Even so lately as Thursday last, this disgrace happened to the -household of the queen,--whence it appears, that these sums are not -employed for your expenses, but wasted at the will of your ministers, -and among their favourites, as we shall more fully explain at a proper -time and place. - -'In former days, the sum raised for the expenses of the queen's -household was but thirty-six thousand francs; but at present, one -hundred and forty thousand are raised on this account, from taxes -independant of the revenues of her demesnes. This difference proceeds -from the fault of the administrators of this department, the principal -of whom is Raymond Ragnier, the treasurer; and he has so managed -this money destined for the use of the queen that he has purchased -large estates, and built fine houses, as may be seen both in town and -country. The management of this part of the finances should be examined -into; for beside the regular receipt, other sums are demanded by way of -extraordinaries. - -'Item, there are also great abuses in the offices of the master of -your wardrobe, and of the treasury; for those who have the direction -receive very large sums of money, and dispose of them otherwise than in -the payment of your debts or to your advantage: the salaries of your -officers and servants are consequently in arrear, and those who have -supplied your table with provision and wine cannot get their money. -Of course, these sums must be applied to their own use, as is very -apparent from the great state they live in, from the number of their -horses and other luxuries,--as in the instance of Raymond Ragnier, who, -in purchasing and building, has expended, as it is said, upward of -thirty thousand francs. - -'Charlot Poupart, master of the wardrobe, and master William Budé, -storekeeper, have also made great acquisitions of property, and live -at an immense expense, which cannot be done from the salaries of their -office, nor from their estates before they had these offices given to -them. - -'There are likewise great defects in the management of your stables, -which is an office of very great receipt, and the prodigious sums that -are there expended are not for your honour nor profit. - -'Item, in regard to the salaries of the officers of your household, -they are very ill paid at the treasury; nor are their payments any way -regular, so that they suffer very great poverty, and are unable to -appear before you so decently dressed as they would wish. There are, -however, some favourites among them that are very well paid. - -'With respect to the repairs of your castles, mills and other public -works, they are all going to ruin; and as for the overplus that should -remain to be paid into your private treasury, there is not at this -moment one penny,--although in the days of king Philip, king John, and -king Charles, when the receipt was not any thing like what it is now, -there were savings, but the treasury was then far better managed. - -'We must likewise observe, that this kind of management of the finances -has been continued for nearly thirty years,--and that those who have -had the administration of them have no way attended to your honour or -profit, or to the good of the kingdom, but solely to their own private -emolument. - -'It therefore befits your said daughter the university of Paris to -lay before you the following facts, that a better administration -of your finances may be adopted. In the first place, you have too -many treasurers, who have increased since the time before mentioned, -from the additional business in the office; and several have forced -themselves into it, who before the expiration of the year have been -removed to make way for others of more popularity in the country. God -knows, they would not be so eager to be admitted into this office, were -it not for the plundering daily going on there; and if a treasurer do -not yearly gain from four to five thousand francs, he thinks he is -badly off. Where formerly there were but two treasurers, there are now -five or six from the great increase of business, and at times there are -six or seven. Thus, it is clear as the day, that you lose every year -from sixteen to twenty thousand francs, from the bad conduct of your -treasurers. When they are admitted to their office, they pay not any -attention to the discharge of the necessary disbursements, nor to the -oaths they took on admission, but solely to the enormous grants that -have been surreptitiously obtained, which are paid from their general -receipt. - -'In regard to the other offices where the net receipt is paid, it -passes through so many hands that immense fortunes are made from the -exorbitant fees claimed by the treasurers: these are Andrieu Guiffart, -Burel Dampmartin, Regnier de Bouligney, Jean Guerin, and the director -Nicolle Bonet, who was clerk to his predecessor in office, Jean Chayf, -and the clerk master Guy Bouchier, who are all of them useless and -guilty of mismanagement, except Jean Guerin, who has but lately come -into the office, and has not as yet misbehaved himself. - -'Andrieu Guiffart is particularly culpable for having wasted all the -patrimony he had received from his father. He was appointed, through -the influence of the provost of Paris, (who is his cousin by the -mother's side) to one of the treasurerships, where he has amassed such -sums of money that he wears nothing but sapphires, rubies, and other -precious diamonds, with the most costly dresses, and rides the best of -horses. He lives in the utmost state with his side-boards covered with -plate of every description for ornament and use. - -'Item, formerly it was not necessary to have a treasurer for the -criminal prosecutions, but only an occasional counsellor; but now there -are four counsellors, who receive very large sums to your prejudice. - -'In regard to the administration of those taxes called Aides, there -are officers appointed for that purpose called Generals, through whose -hands pass all that is ordered for the carrying on the wars, amounting, -one year with another, to twelve thousand francs. The aforesaid -treasurers, by the connivance of these generals, manage the finances -very badly; for they commonly obtain their places through the influence -of friends, to whom the generals make great gifts, to your loss. The -salaries of these generals amount to from two to four thousand francs -yearly each; and if a general remain in office for two years, he will -acquire from nine to ten thousand francs, or some such great sum, by -private gifts, and which are sometimes levied on the properties of -great lords without their knowledge: particulars of such conduct, and -false certificates, were discovered during the late inquiries for the -reformation of abuses. - -'There is also another office, wrongfully called the Treasury of -Savings, under the government of Anthony des Essars, for which the -sum of about one hundred and twenty thousand francs is taken from the -taxes. In former times, this chest for savings was kept under two -locks, of which you had one key, to take from it any sum that should -be wanting for yourself or your kingdom. Those, however, who now have -the management of it have so acted that there is not one penny in -the chest, nor is it known who in the world has been bettered by it, -excepting the administrators, with the consent of those they found -in the office, by drawing out false statements of expenses, to your -prejudice. - -'Item, this aforesaid Anthony has the keeping of your wardrobe and -jewels, and is so negligent that whatever may be wanting for your -dress is bought from day to day, of which he alone is culpable. - -'Item, after this comes another office, called the Cofferers, held by -Maurice de Rully, who, in general, receives daily ten golden crowns, -which he ought to deliver into your hands to spend according to your -pleasure; but the coffers are empty, for he has dissipated their -contents,--and under shadow of this office, immense sums have been -wasted, as shall be spoken of in proper time and place. - -'The manner in which you, the queen and the duke of Acquitaine, are -pillaged, is easily shown; for when you have need of a speedy sum of -money for the war, or for any other urgent necessity, application -must be made to certain money-lenders, who, for usury, make a traffic -of money, and supply your wants on having your plate and jewels in -pawn, and at an exorbitant loss in the interest paid for these loans, -insomuch that what may be worth ten thousand francs costs you fifteen -or sixteen; and thus your losses are annually very great from these -usurious practices and pretended exchanges. You may readily suppose -that your officers must be accomplices in this traffic, and that this -alone will occasion such an empty treasury. Your inferior servants are -much distressed and ill treated; and in this manner are not only your -own affairs but those of the princes of your blood managed, without any -exception. - -'Item, it is proper that you should be made acquainted with the tricks -and deceit of those officers called Generals, in the receipt of your -finances. When any receiver shall have lent you a sum amounting to five -or six thousand crowns over and above his receipt, he is dismissed from -his office, to prevent him from reimbursing himself, and another put in -his place, who will receive the whole of the taxes in that department. -When, therefore, there shall be little or nothing to receive, he that -was dismissed will be replaced in his office, provided he has made -sufficient presents to his superior officers. By this means, the -aforesaid receiver can neither be paid nor pay what he owes; and thus -they ride one on another, to the ruin of your finances,--and you drink -your wine sour. - -'Item, when there is an ambassador to be sent, or even a simple canon -to be dispatched to a foreign country, money for their expenses must be -borrowed from usurers; and it frequently happens that the aforesaid -ambassador cannot depart for want of money, which renders the embassy -useless, and the kingdom suffers greatly from it. - -'Item, it is also necessary that you should know what is become of all -the money that for these last two years has been raised, as well from -the domains of the crown as from the very numerous and heavy taxes and -impositions of all sorts, of which the provost of Paris has, as is -notorious, taken on himself the management, and styled himself Director -and General Superintendant of the Finances. - -'Item, it should likewise be remembered, that other great officers, -as well as the provost, have held many offices of importance, which -they have sold, and pocketed the amount, to your great disadvantage -and contrary to your royal edicts, and also to the prejudice of the -kingdom,--for, by this system, ignorant and improper persons are put -into the said offices. - -'Item, the provost of Paris, who had held for some time the office of -grand master of waters and forests, has now resigned it to the lord de -Jury, for which six thousand francs have been levied. But beside the -provostship of Paris, he holds the government of the town of Cherbourg -and its dependancies, which brings him an annual rent of six thousand -francs, with the government of Nemours, amounting to two thousand -more. Your income is also ruined by another mode, namely, by the -immense number of receivers, treasurers, clerks, comptrollers and other -officers, who swallow enormous sums by way of fees, over and above -the regular fees of office, of which the provost and his dependants -have the greater share, and which they regard as their own personal -property, to your great loss, and to the delay of payments to many of -your faithful servants, knights, and counsellors of state. It is daily -witnessed, that when a young man has been appointed to any of the above -offices, however poor his situation may have been before, or how little -versed he may be in the management of public affairs, he soon becomes -rich, keeps a grand establishment, and purchases large estates and -manors, all at your expense. - -'There are great frauds committed by your treasurers of the war -department, who are accustomed to take from your knights and esquires -blank receipts sealed by them, of which they make a very bad use, -as they know to their cost: but they can more fully inform you on -this head than we can. It is melancholy to hear their complaints of -the delays in the payment of their salaries, which are always much -curtailed, at least to the greater part of them. It is consequently now -become a rule among your men at arms, when their salary is in arrear, -to pay themselves from the countries they are quartered in, saying, -that, since they cannot obtain their pay, they must live by their -service. - -'Item, whenever these directors or superintendants of your finances are -called upon, they make answer, that they are ready to produce their -accounts, as if that were sufficient, and even go so far as to desire -commissioners may be appointed to inspect and examine them; but, under -correction, this answer is futile,--and if the real culprits are to be -discovered, let their original state, and what substance they possessed -before they entered into office, be inquired into,--what the amount -of their salaries and fees, how much their reasonable expenditure, -and then what is their present income, what estates they possess, and -what buildings they have erected. It is notorious, that the superior -officers are rich and magnificent, but that they were indigent before -their appointments to office, and that some of them have purchased -houses of great value, namely, master Jean Chastegnier, Guillaume -Luce, and Nicaise Bouses. To say the truth, every loyal subject must -be astonished and grieved at heart when he witnesses such management, -that you, their lawful prince and sovereign, should be thus robbed, and -that all your finances should be lodged in such beggarly purses, by the -aforesaid, whose purses are swollen out, and by those who have preceded -them, without any regard to your own wants, or to those of the state. - -'Item, since mention has been made of the grand state in which many -live, it seems to your daughter, that such a style of living is too -generally adopted throughout your kingdom; and she fears, from the -evils that daily result from it, lest God may be angered against his -people. - -'Item, in regard to the great councils, they are not held in the -manner they ought to be; for generally almost every one is admitted, -whereas none but wise and discreet men, such as knights and clerks, -should be suffered to enter, to a competent number receiving pay and -salaries from you, and from none other,--and these should always -have an attentive eye to your personal profit and honour, and to -the strengthening of your crown and kingdom. It frequently happens, -from the numbers admitted, that business of every sort is neglected -or delayed, and that when any good resolution has been made, as now -and then will be the case, it remains unexecuted, However nearly it -may affect your interests.--Foreign ambassadors should have their -negotiations terminated, and our own should be dispatched; and whenever -any thing conclusive has, by mature deliberation, been settled, it -ought not to be broken off by a few persons afterward, as has often -happened. - -'Item, it is very distressing to hear such loud complaints of the -debility of your government in protracting business. We even see the -lord de Mouberon, the viscount de Murat, and those of la Rochelle, -complaining of the delays of your council, although they are employed -for the service of your kingdom, and declaring, that if more energy is -not exerted, they must necessarily make peace with your enemies,--and -thus you may lose many of your faithful vassals. - -'In regard to the administration of justice in the realm, your court of -parliament, which is the most eminent, is not governed as it is wont -to have been. Formerly it was composed of excellent lawyers, as well -secular as ecclesiastical, of a mature age and learned in the laws; and -from its great fame for learning and justice, without partiality to any -one, was resorted to, not only by Christians of all nations, but even -by Saracens, who have applied to it for judgment. - -'For some short time past, through favour of friends, relations, or -other means, many young men have been admitted who are ignorant of -the laws and unworthy of such honour, by which the authority and fair -reputation of this court is greatly lessened. There are also other -inconveniences attending these indiscriminate admissions: for instance, -there are in this court many sons, brothers, nephews and relations -sitting together, and many others who are lineally connected, as -is the case with the family of the first president,--and from this -circumstance great injustice may ensue in the decisions of the court. - -'Item, there are now before the parliament several causes between poor -persons, that are, as it were, dead; for the members do not use such -expedition in deciding upon them as they in reason should. - -'Item, respecting the chamber of accounts, nothing is done, for all -causes are there buried; for although some new members have been -lately admitted, no progress seems to be made. Among the new ones is -Alexander Boursier, who has several times been receiver-general of -taxes, and whose accounts are said not yet to have been closed. You -may, consequently, be a great loser in this business; for he who ought -to be narrowly examined himself, is appointed to examine and reduce the -accounts of others. - -'Item, the better to effectuate his own business, this Alexander has -so well practised that he has got Jean Vautier, who was his clerk, -appointed to succeed him in the office of receiver-general; and -notwithstanding the royal ordinances, and the oaths which receivers, -and other officers in the receipt of taxes, take on entering their -offices, to make the proper payments in regard to alms, they avoid, as -it is said, by dissimulation and fraud, these distributions of alms, -and frequently infringe the aforesaid ordinances. - -'Item, respecting the administering of justice on those guilty of -crimes against the revenue laws, it appears to us that the great -multiplicity of officers is useless in this general dissipation of the -substance of the kingdom, as well as the numbers of inferior officers, -who, from their salaries and the presents they receive, devour the -wealth of the country; for the greater part of these aforesaid officers -are intruded on this court by the influence of friends. - -'We must also notice the many presidents of the criminal court. -During the reign of king Charles, there was but one, or two at the -utmost,--whereas at present there are seven, who receive each annually -one hundred livres, not including the notaries. Were we to enter -into any detail respecting the masters of requests of the king's -household, God knows how far it would lead us. In former times, -ancient men, experienced in the laws and customs of the realm, were -appointed to such places, who replied to all the petitions presented -to them, and signed such as they judged expedient, so that the matter -was speedily decided in chancery; but now raw and inexperienced -youths are appointed, who expedite nothing but by orders from the -chancellor,--and this occasions supernumerary officers to be named, to -supply their defects, whose pay is very great, and of course to your -loss. - -'Item, in respect to your chancery, it is well known, that your -chancellor of France undergoes great labour, and is very deserving -of a large salary, but without prejudice to your realm. Although his -salary should not amount to more than two thousand livres parisis, he -has nevertheless, for these last twenty years, taken, besides these two -thousand livres and the gift of two thousand livres for the profits -of the great seal, fines on remissions and registerings, of twenty -sols parisis, which in the course of a year amount to a very large -sum of money. He has also received other two thousand francs from the -taxes levied for the support of the war. Item, he receives annually -for his robes two hundred francs; and also from the treasury, for the -use of his chancery, five or six hundred livres parisis. He receives -likewise, in addition to the above gifts, to a very large amount, on -the different taxes and impositions. He has likewise signed and sealed -with too great facility letters patent for large sums, without making -any opposition: the particulars of them may be found in the accounts -of Michel de Sabulon and Alexander Boursier, and in the accounts of -several others, who have not failed to make advantage of them. To speak -more plainly in regard to this article, there will be found in the -above accounts grants, to the amount of six thousand francs, to private -persons, sealed by the chancellor, although he well knew that this -money was appropriated for carrying on the war.--These grants bring -considerable emolument to the chancery, whose finances are managed by -master Henry Machalie and master Buder, comptroller of the seal of -chancery. They charge double fees on the king's dues, namely, those of -notary and secretary, and receive exorbitant salaries and presents; and -in such wise is your chancery governed that no great profit comes to -you, although the emoluments of it are immense. In regard to the fees -of notaries, as they connect themselves with whomever they please, we -shall enter more fully into their detail when occasion offers. - -'Item, there are several offices in the kingdom which are incompatible, -and yet are held by the same persons, who serve them by proxy, and thus -in different ways pillage your subjects of their money. The debasement -of your coin must not be forgotten,--and its weight and value have been -lately so much diminished that a crown is now of less worth than two -sols were formerly. The penny and twopenny pieces are scarcely worth as -many farthings, which is very prejudicial to your people; and thus the -good money is carried off,--for the Lombards in their exchanges collect -all the good, and make payment in the new coin. - -'You ought to know by whose advice this debasement of the value of -your coin has been made, for it is commonly said to have been thus -lowered in value by the provost of Paris, the provost of the merchants, -and Michel Lallier, who have taken upon themselves the management of -your mint; and although they may have allowed you some profit on this -diminution of the coin, the loss that you and the queen will ultimately -suffer is incomparably greater, as you may learn from those who are -competent to give you information. - -'Although your daughter and others of your subjects have now briefly -laid before you the guilt of the aforesaid, this is not enough, nor -will several days suffice, to enter into a full detail of all the -wickedness and disgraceful conduct of your ministers and their -adherents. Very many others, beside those we have named, are equally -guilty, but we now pass them over, in the expectation of more amply -speaking of them hereafter, for the welfare of yourself and of your -kingdom. - -'In regard to the aid, advice and support, most sovereign lord, which -you demand from your aforesaid daughter, and other loyal subjects, -whom you have summoned for the purpose, they pray to God that he would -be pleased, out of his grace, to comfort and advise you, for we are -willing to expose our lives and fortunes in your service and support: -indeed, we are bounden so to do by the solemn resolutions entered into -at our last congregation, feeling ourselves greatly obliged to your -royal majesty for the innumerable acts of kindness shown to us. - -'The first advice we shall give regards your finances, that they -may be put under a better administration as speedily as may be. We -therefore recommend it as expedient for you to shut the hands of all -your treasurers, directors and receivers, without any exception, and to -dismiss them from their offices, taking, at the same time, possession -of all their fortunes, moveable and immoveable, and having their -persons secured, until they shall have rendered you a just account of -their administration. - -'Item, we think it necessary that you should annul all assignments -of grants and extraordinary pensions. We advise, that you instantly -command, under pain of death and confiscation of goods, all receivers, -treasurers, and other officers in the country, as well of your domain -as of other taxes, to bring you the whole sums they may have in their -hands, and that they make no payment whatever, by way of assignation, -to any one, however great his rank, excepting to such as yourself shall -then order; that, at the same time, they bring you their books, and all -papers concerning their receipt, and that, on their arrival, they have -no communication whatever with the aforesaid directors, under pain of -the above punishments. - -'Item, in order the more effectually to establish order in your -finances, seeing the great waste and misapplication of the large sums -that have been raised for your personal defence, and in support of the -war, you will order the whole of the receipt of taxes to be produced -before you, as is your right, that henceforth they may be applied -according to the true intent of raising them, and as the urgency -of events may require. When the great need of such an ordinance is -considered, no one ought to be dissatisfied; and on this subject have -the goodness to keep in remembrance the prudent conduct of your father -king Charles, whose soul may God receive! who nobly employed his taxes -in driving the English out of his kingdom, and by this means made -himself master of fortresses that were not before under his subjection: -his officers and army were, at the same time, well paid; and there -remained to him an overplus, which served him to purchase many precious -jewels. - -'Item, should these means not be sufficient for your immediate wants, -it seems to us that as you have treasuries in different parts, you may -justly take from them, for they are alike your own. There are also a -number of very rich persons, to the number of sixteen hundred, who -can at any time be named to you: these ought to assist in the support -of the poor,--for one third of them do not pay, one with another, one -hundred francs, which certainly cannot oppress them; but repayments -may be made them when the treasury shall be better filled, according to -the most advised plan. - -'Item, we recommend that you nominate for receivers of your finances, -as well from your demesne, as from the taxes, prudent persons, fearing -God, without avarice, and who were never employed in any such offices, -with reasonable salaries, but without any extraordinary presents, by -whom your finances will be distributed according to the wants of the -state, and the overplus paid into your private treasury. When such are -appointed, all deputy-receivers, and tax-collectors, should be ordered -to produce their papers and books to them. - -'Item, we recommend that all the schedules of the common expenses of -yourself, the queen and the duke of Acquitaine, be carefully examined, -so that the annual amount may be exactly known, which we believe does -not exceed two hundred thousand francs; for the treasurers do not -receive more than that sum from the demesne or taxes. - -'Item, in regard to the court of parliament, it is necessary that -all inefficient members be dismissed, and replaced by others better -informed, who shall adhere to ancient usages. The presidents of -finances, of the civil and criminal courts, with the greffiers, -treasurers and clerks, must be handsomely provided for, but reduced to -a competent number. - -'Item, the chamber of accounts must undergo similar regulations; and -the members of it should consist of men of a prudent age, who may -inform you of any mismanagement in the finance-department. - -'Item, in regard to the minor officers, and deputy-receivers of -finance, we think that if the whole of this business was put under the -management of the presidents, you would gain considerably, whereas -these minor officers swallow up great sums in salaries and fees. - -'Item, it appears to us that you ought to select certain wise men, that -they may be solely your council, in conjunction with the princes of -your blood, and that they may loyally advise you for the real good of -yourself and state, having their attention directed to nothing else, -and that, when so doing, they should be strenuously supported by you in -such wise that whatever they may propose for the welfare of the state -may be instantly put into execution, without any opposition whatever. -They should take such oaths as are usually taken, or any more solemn -ones, such as you shall think proper. - -'Item, we recommend that the defence of the frontiers of Picardy, -of Acquitaine, and of other parts, be sufficiently provided for, -by allotting adequate sums of money for the payment of men at arms -and repairs of castles, so that all danger of invasion, and other -inconveniences, may be prevented. - -'Item, to check as much as possible the daily oppression of the lower -orders, by provosts and other inferior officers, it will be necessary -to nominate honest and discreet persons, with moderate salaries, to -overlook their conduct, and see that these men do not surcharge the -poor by exorbitant fines. - -'Item, there are several other oppressive grievances that have lasted -for a considerable time, and which cannot be immediately remedied. Your -daughter and aforesaid dutiful subjects promise to apply themselves -diligently concerning them; and they most humbly and earnestly -supplicate you to reform the abuses they have stated to you, and -more especially those that relate to your treasury, which has been -exceedingly wasted, and that without any cause. They also beg of -you to appoint a commission of the princes of your blood, with other -well-informed persons, no way connected or related to those who have -had the management of your finances, that they may reform and punish -all who have been culpable, let their rank be what it may. - -'Item, we also entreat that you would order the prelates and chief -citizens in the different provinces, to impeach those who in their -districts have been guilty of any peculations in your finances. All -these things, most redoubted lord, have your aforesaid daughter and -dutiful subjects laid before you, as being anxiously interested in your -honour and welfare, and in the preservation of your crown and kingdom. -Your aforesaid daughter has not done this through any expectation of -worldly profit, but simply as her duty; for it is well known she has -not been accustomed to hold offices, nor to seek for such profits, but -solely to attend to her studies, and to remonstrate with you on what -touches your honour and welfare whenever the case may require it. - -'But although she has several times presented herself before you, to -remonstrate on some of the before-mentioned grievances, no remedy has -been hitherto applied, by which your kingdom is in the utmost possible -danger. Your faithful and loyal subjects again acquit themselves of -their duty; and, that the reformation may now be entered upon in -earnest, your aforesaid daughter requires the aid of your eldest son -the duke of Acquitaine, and of the duke of Burgundy, by whom a reform -was some time since begun, with heart and hand, without sparing any -one, with whom your daughter joined, considering such reformation was -so much wanted. - -'However, from the great opposition made by those who were interested -in checking it, no great progress was made, for they were afraid the -consequences would have been fatal to them. They urged every objection -to it, as well as those now in power. We demand also the assistance of -our much-honoured lords of Nevers, of Vertus, of Charolois, of Bar, -and of Lorraine, of the constable and marshal of France, of the grand -master of Rhodes, of the admiral, of the master of the cross-bows, -and in general of all the chivalry and esquiredom in the realm, whose -peculiar duty is to watch for the preservation of your crown, and also -of your counsellors and all other your subjects, who, according to -their several situations, may wish to acquit themselves toward your -majesty. - -'It has been publicly said by some, that your aforesaid daughter has -made this exposition to your majesty, through hatred to particular -persons, and from the reports of five or six. May it please you to -know, that she has never been accustomed to gain information by such -means, but has learnt the existence of the before-stated grievances -from their public notoriety; and there is no man so ignorant as -not to be fully sensible of the truths we have asserted, and of -the culpability of those we have impeached. She has also received -informations from many who are attached to your person, who have not -indeed been gainers by it; but in further regard to them, she will be -silent, unless you shall order otherwise in a private audience. - -'Your daughter, therefore, concludes by begging your majesty to pursue -diligently, and without delay, an examination and reform of the -above grievances, in which she will join without the least personal -disrespect to your royal person, otherwise your daughter would not -acquit herself properly in regard to your royal majesty.' - -After this conclusion, the university demanded of the princes, -prelates, and lords, then present, that they would avow that what they -had declared would be for the honour of the king and the welfare of -the kingdom, which they complied with; adding, that they were ready to -assist in carrying the aforesaid reforms into execution to the utmost -of their power. - -The king's ministers, more especially those of the finances, were -thunderstruck, and fearful of an immediate arrest. Among them, master -Henry de Marle, chancellor of France, seeing that he was accused with -the others, found means of admission to the king, and by his fair -promises, and by engaging to pay a very large sum of ready money within -a few days, he contrived to gain his favour. - -On the following Saturday, the 2d day of March, Andrew Guiffart, one -of the treasurers, was arrested and confined in the Châtelet: his -associate, John Guerin, took refuge in a church,--and thither also fled -sir Peter des Essars, provost of Paris, who lately had great command in -the expedition to Bourges. The duke of Burgundy had hitherto supported -him, but his affection was cooled, for the provost had lately shown -himself more attached to the party of Orleans. - -Having formed the resolution of quitting Paris, sir Peter des Essars -sent Thomelin de Brie with five other men at arms to gain possession -of the bridge at Charenton, that his passage over it might be secured; -but they were made prisoners by the inhabitants of Charenton, who had -received information of their coming, and carried back to the tower of -the Louvre, wherein they were confined. The provost, learning this, -took another road, and escaped to Cherbourg, of which place he was -the governor, and remained there for some time. Shortly afterward, -Baudrin de la Heuse was appointed provost of Paris, for the king -had now relapsed into his former disorder. The duke of Acquitaine, -however, took the whole government of the kingdom into his own hands; -and many of the king's ministers, particularly those in the treasury, -were ordered to be put under arrest, until they should have rendered a -faithful account of all their receipts. - - - - -CHAP. XVI. - -THE DUKE OF ACQUITAINE IS DISPLEASED WITH HIS CHANCELLOR.--JEALOUSIES -ARISE AMONG THE GREAT LORDS,--AND OTHER MATTERS. - - -In these days, at a full council, of which the duke of Acquitaine was -president, high words passed between the chancellor of France and the -lord d'Ollehaing[12] chancellor of Acquitaine, insomuch that the latter -told the chancellor his words were not gospel; and the other madly -replied, that he lied in his throat.--Several other abusive expressions -were used by him, and so often that the chancellor of France said, -'You abuse me, who am chancellor of France, and have often done so: -nevertheless, I have always borne it patiently, from respect to my lord -of Acquitaine, who is now present, and shall even still suffer it.' - -But the duke of Acquitaine, hearing these words, arose in a -passion, and, taking his chancellor by the shoulders, thrust him -out of the council-chamber, saying, 'You are a wicked and proud -vagabond, for having thus abused the chancellor of my lord the king -in my presence,--and I have no further need of your services.' In -consequence, the lord d'Ollehaing resigned the seals, which were given -to master John de Vailly, advocate in the parliament, who was appointed -chancellor of Acquitaine in his stead. - -The queen attempted, but in vain, to appease her son, as did the duke -of Burgundy, who had recommended the late chancellor to him; for he now -took the whole government into his hands, and insisted that every thing -should be done according to his pleasure. Some of his confidential -servants encouraged him in this conduct, as the welfare of the kingdom -concerned him more than any one else; and since, as he was now of a -proper age to govern, it was absolutely necessary for him to take the -reins, considering the melancholy state of the king his father. - -Among those who thus encouraged him were the duke of Bar, duke Louis of -Bavaria, the count de Vertus, and others of that faction then at Paris, -who visited him often, and desired nothing more than that he would -take the government of the kingdom upon himself. - -The duke of Burgundy was duly informed of all these intrigues, and saw -clearly that their object was to drive him from the administration, -which very much displeased him. He formed different plans, and -remembered that the duke of Acquitaine had told him, when before -Bourges, that he would put an end to the war, and was sensible that the -treaty of peace then concluded was contrary to the engagements sworn to -be observed at the royal council held at Paris previous to their march -from the capital. Nevertheless, he did not openly show that he was hurt -by what was passing. - -At this time, the county of Poitou was given to John de Touraine[13], -at the instance of duke William of Hainault, whose daughter he had -married. The Poitevins made all the opposition they could, as they -preferred being vassals to the king; but it was taken possession of -in the name of the duke of Touraine, by the lords d'Andregines and de -Mouchas, members of duke William's household, who brought with them the -king's grant of this county, which was proclaimed in the usual manner. - -At the same period, namely, about Mid Lent, some of the inhabitants -of Soissons rose suddenly in rebellion, and, advancing to the castle, -broke down all the out-walls as well as those which surrounded their -city, to open a free entrance on all sides. They also demolished the -bridge over the river that gave access to the castle, so that none -could gain admittance but by means of boats, which might formerly -have been done without their leave. This castle belonged to the duke -of Orleans, who was much exasperated by their conduct, although at -the moment he could not obtain any reparation, notwithstanding he had -remonstrated with the king's ministers on the subject. - -At the request of the duke of Acquitaine, the head and body of sir -Mansart du Bos, who had been beheaded at Paris, were restored to his -widow and children. At ten o'clock at night, his head was taken down -from the market-place, and his body from Montfaucon: they were united -together in a coffin, and carried to the town of Rainsseval, in the -diocese of Amiens, where his remains were honourably interred near the -bodies of his father and ancestors. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 12: _Sir John de Neele_ in the original, and so before. Was -sir J. de Neele lord of Ollehaing? It appears so from p. 156.] - -[Footnote 13: Second son of the king.] - - - - -CHAP. XVII. - -HENRY OF LANCASTER, KING OF ENGLAND, WHO HAD BEEN A VALIANT KNIGHT, -DIES IN THIS YEAR.--OF THE ALLIANCE BETWEEN HIM AND THE FRENCH PRINCES. - - -Toward the end of this year, died, Henry of Lancaster, king of England. -He had in his time been a valiant knight, eager and subtile against -his enemies, as is recorded in history, which also has enregistered -the strange and disgraceful manner of his obtaining the crown of -England, by dethroning his cousin-german Richard, after he had reigned -peacefully for twenty-two years. He was before his death sorely -oppressed with leprosy, which pitifully put an end to him, and he was -royally and honourably interred among his ancestors in Westminster -Abbey. - -This king left behind him four sons,--namely, Henry prince of Wales, -who succeeded to the throne, Thomas duke of Clarence, John duke of -Bedford, and Humphry duke of Glocester,--and a daughter married to -Philip Barbatus, duke of Bavaria[14]. - -All the four sons were handsome, well made, and versed in the different -sciences,--and in process of time each had great commands, of which -mention shall be hereafter made. But we must not omit reporting a -conversation that passed between the king and his eldest son at his -last moments. He was so sorely oppressed at the latter end of his -sickness that those who attended him, not perceiving him breathe, -concluded he was dead, and covered his face with a cloth. It was the -custom in that country, whenever the king was ill, to place the royal -crown on a cushion beside his bed, and for his successor to take it -on his death. The prince of Wales, being informed by the attendants -that his father was dead, had carried away the crown; but, shortly -after, the king uttered a groan, and his face was uncovered,--when, on -looking for the crown, he asked what was become of it? His attendants -replied, that 'my lord the prince had taken it away.' He bade them -send for the prince; and on his entrance, the king asked him why he -had carried away the crown? 'My lord,' answered the prince, 'your -attendants, here present, affirmed to me that you were dead; and as -your crown and kingdom belong to me as your eldest son, after your -decease, I had taken it away.' - -The king gave a deep sigh, and said, 'My fair son, what right have you -to it? for you well know I had none.' 'My lord,' replied the prince, -'as you have held it by right of your sword, it is my intent to hold -and defend it the same during my life.' The king answered, 'Well, act -as you see best; I leave all things to God, and pray that he would have -mercy on me!' Shortly after, without uttering another word, he departed -this life. - -After the king's interment, the prince of Wales was most honourably -crowned king, in the presence of the nobles and prelates of England, no -one appearing to contest his right.--When the duke of Clarence and the -English in the duchy of Acquitaine, heard of king Henry's death, they -returned as speedily as they could to England, for at that moment there -was a truce between the two countries. But, notwithstanding this truce, -the English on the frontiers of Calais continued to make inroads on, -and to harrass, the Boulonois, insomuch that the constable was obliged -to reinforce the garrisons of Ardres, Gravelines, and other places in -the french interest. - -Here follows a copy of the treaty concluded by king Henry IV. and his -children, on the one part, and the dukes of Berry, of Orleans, of -Bourbon, the counts d'Alençon, d'Armagnac, and the lord d'Albreth on -the other, on the 8th day of May, in the year 1412. - -It was first agreed to by the above lords, or by their commissioners, -that they would expose their lives and fortunes in the service of the -king of England, his heirs and successors, whenever they should be -required so to do, in all their just quarrels,--in which they include -the king of England's warfare in Guienne as a just quarrel, and -maintain that the duchy of Guienne and its dependencies belong to him -by right of succession, and that by such declaration and assistance -they shall no way act contrary to their loyalty. - -'Item, the aforesaid lords make offer, by themselves or their delegates -sufficiently authorised, of their sons, daughters, nephews, nieces, -relations, in short, of all their subjects, to contract such marriages -as shall be agreeable to the aforesaid king of England. - -'Item, they likewise make offer of all their towns, castles, treasures, -and in general all belonging to them for the assistance of the said -king and his heirs in all their lawful quarrels, saving their loyalty, -which they have more fully explained in other acts passed between them. - -'Item, they also make offer of all their friends and adherents, to -support the said king in the recovery of his duchy of Guienne. - -'Item, the aforesaid lords are willing, without any fraud or deceit, to -acknowledge at the altar, or in any sacred place, the said king's right -to the duchy of Guienne, in as full a manner as any of his predecessors -ever possessed it. - -'Item, the aforesaid lords acknowledge, by themselves or their -delegates, that all the towns, castles, and possessions they may have -in Guienne, they hold under the king of England, as the true duke of -Guienne, promising every service due from their homage, to be performed -in the best possible manner by them. - -'Item, they also engage to deliver up to the king of England, as far as -lies in their power, all towns and castles, said to have belonged to -the king of England, to the number of twenty, as well castles as towns, -which are fully detailed in the treaty[15]. - -'In regard to the other towns and fortresses that are not under their -obedience, they will gain them, or assist the king of England or his -heirs to gain them, at their expense and with a sufficient number of -men. - -'Item, as is more fully detailed in the treaty, that it shall be -agreeable to the king of England that the duke of Berry, his loyal -uncle, subject and vassal, that the duke of Orleans, his subject and -vassal, and in like manner the count d'Armagnac, do hold under him the -following lands by fealty and homage. The duke of Berry shall possess -the county of Poitou during his life: the duke of Orleans shall hold -the county of Angoulême for his life, and the county of Perigord in -perpetuity: the count d'Armagnac shall hold four castles specified in -the treaty, upon the terms and conditions therein declared. - -'Item, among the engagements entered into by the king of England as -duke of Guienne, he was to guarantee them safe possession of the above -places, and to defend them against all enemies whatever, and afford -them the assistance due from their true and superior lord,--and he -was also to aid them in bringing the duke of Burgundy to exemplary -punishment. - -'And the said king was not to make or enter into any treaties with the -duke of Burgundy, his children, brother, or with any of his adherents, -without the previous consent of the aforesaid princes. - -'Item, the king of England promises to assist the aforesaid lords as -his loyal vassals in all their just wars, and to enforce recompense to -them by the duke of Burgundy for all the damages he may have done to -them. - -'Item, the king of England will instantly send them eight thousand -combatants to their aid against the duke of Burgundy, who has excited -the king of France to march against them with the whole force of his -realm.' - -This treaty of alliance was signed and sealed by the parties on the 8th -day of May, in this year 1412. The aforesaid princes, however, agreed -to pay the men at arms, whom the king of England should send to them, -and gave sufficient securities for so doing. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 14: Monstrelet has forgotten Philippa of Lancaster, Henry's -younger daughter, married to Eric king of Denmark, and died without -issue. His elder daughter outliving the duke of Bavaria, and her second -husband the king of Arragon, was married to the duke of Bar, but had no -issue by any of them.] - -[Footnote 15: See the original treaty in the Foedera. It is dated the -18th of May, and not the 8th as in Monstrelet.] - - - - -[A.D. 1413.] - -CHAP. XVIII. - -THE KING'S MINISTERS ARE GREATLY ALARMED AT THE ARREST OF SIR PETER DES -ESSARS AND OF THE DUKE OF BAR.--OTHER PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARISIANS. - - -At the beginning of this year, the king's ministers, that is to say, -those who had had the management of the finances under their care for -twenty years past, were much pressed to give in their accounts. Several -public and private accusations were made against them, which caused -the greater part to fear that they should not escape with honour. -Many had been arrested, and others had fled, whose fortunes had been -sequestrated by the king. - -They sought, therefore, by divers means, to obtain the protection of -those princes who governed the king; and sir Peter des Essars, who had -fled to Cherbourg, through the interest of the duke of Acquitaine, was -remanded to Paris. He secretly entered the bastille with his brother -sir Anthony, but not so privately as to prevent its being known to some -of the Parisians, who disliked him, and who instantly acquainted the -duke of Burgundy and his people with it, by whom he was equally hated. -A party of the commonalty was soon collected; and headed by sir Elion -de Jacqueville, then governor of Paris, and some others of the duke of -Burgundy's friends, they marched to the bastille, and made prisoners of -sir Peter des Essars and his brother, whom they first led to the castle -of the Louvre and then to the prison of the palace. When this was done, -they again assembled, to the amount of six thousand, under the standard -of the aforesaid Jacqueville, who was joined by sir Robert de Mailly, -sir Charles de Lens, and several other men at arms of the household of -the duke of Burgundy,--and about ten o'clock in the morning they drew -up before the hôtel of the duke of Acquitaine. - -The principal instigators of this insurrection of the commonalty were, -Jeannot Caboche, a skinner of the slaughter-house of Saint James, -master John de Troyes, a surgeon at Paris, and Denisot de Chaumont, -who, having forcibly entered the apartment of the duke, addressed him -as follows: 'Our most redoubted lord, here are the Parisians, but not -all in arms, who on behalf of your good town of Paris, and for the -welfare of your father and yourself, require that you cause to be -delivered up to them certain traitors who are now in your hôtel.' - -The duke, in a fury, replied, that such affairs did not belong to -them, and that there were no traitors in his hôtel. They answered, -that if he were willing to give them up, well and good,--otherwise -they would take them before his face, and punish them according to -their deserts. During this conversation, the dukes of Burgundy and of -Lorraine arrived; and several of the Parisians at the same time entered -the hôtel, and instantly seized master Jean de Vailly, the duke's new -chancellor, Edward duke of Bar, cousin-german to the king, sir James de -la Riviere, the two sons of the lord de Boissay, Michel de Vitry and -his brother, the two sons of sir Reginald de Guiennes, the two brothers -de Maisnel, the two de Geremmes, and Peter de Naisson. - -The duke of Acquitaine, witnessing this outrage committed -before his eyes, turned to the duke of Burgundy, and angrily -said,--'Father-in-law, this insurrection has been caused by your -advice: you cannot deny it, for those of your household are the leaders -of it. Know, therefore, that you shall one day repent of this; and the -state shall not alway be governed according to your will and pleasure.' - -The duke of Burgundy replied, by way of excusing himself, 'My lord, -you will inform yourself better, when your passion shall be somewhat -cooled.' But, notwithstanding this, those who had been seized were -carried off, and confined in different prisons. - -They afterward made search for master Raoul Bridoul, the king's -secretary, who, as they were carrying him away, was struck by one that -hated him with a battle-axe on the head, and thrown dead into the -Seine. They also murdered a very rich upholsterer, who was an eloquent -man, called Martin d'Aue, and a cannon-founder, an excellent workman, -but who had been of the Orleans-party, whose bodies they left naked two -whole days in the square of St Catherine. - -They compelled the duke of Acquitaine to reside with the king his -father, in the hôtel de St Pol, and carefully guarded the gates that -he might not quit Paris. Some said this was done for his amendment, as -he was very young, and impatient of contradiction, but others assigned -different reasons: among them was one, that he had intended to have -tilted on May-day in the forest of Vincennes, and that he had ordered -sir Peter des Essars to meet him there with six hundred helmets, and to -pay them for one month, and that this order had been executed. It was -added, that the duke of Orleans and those of his party were collecting -large bodies of men at arms to join the duke of Acquitaine in the -forest of Vincennes, which had greatly displeased the duke of Burgundy -and the Parisians. - -It was melancholy to behold this reign of the mob, and the manner in -which they conducted themselves in Paris, as well toward the king as -toward the other lords. They also wrote letters to the different towns -to inform them that what they had done was for the welfare of the king -and kingdom, and required of them to give them all aid and advice -should there be any necessity for it, and to remain obedient in their -fidelity to the king and his eldest son. - -Afterward, that no assembly of men at arms might be made by any lord, -the king, at the request of these same Parisians, published an edict, -addressed to all the seneschals and bailiffs in the realm, of the -following tenour. - -'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting. - -'Whereas, in the divisions and disputes that so lately harrassed our -kingdom, we, and our very dear eldest son the duke of Acquitaine, -dauphin of Viennois, have so successfully laboured, that, through -God's grace, we have established a solid peace in our realm, for the -observance of which the greater part of our liege subjects have given -security, and have promised, on their oaths, to keep and preserve it, -and not to issue any summons, or to raise any men, without our express -permission. - -'Notwithstanding this, we have heard that some of our blood, and -others, are making preparation to raise men, by way of companies, in -different parts of our kingdom, which may not only be very expensive to -the country, but cause other great inconveniences, unless an immediate -remedy be provided. - -'These, therefore, are to enjoin you to cause this our prohibition to -be most publicly proclaimed in the usual places within your bailiwick, -and to forbid any person, under penalty of death and confiscation of -goods, whether baron, knight or others, to obey any summons from their -superior lord, unless so ordered by us, our son, or our well-beloved -cousin the count de St Pol, constable of France, or others so -commissioned by us. That no doubts may arise in regard to these our -intentions, we send you this sealed with our great seal. You will -likewise inform all our vassals, that whenever and wherever we, or our -son, may send for them, they must obey. - -'And because our very dear uncle and cousin the dukes of Berry and of -Lorraine are continually in our service, our intention is not that -their vassals or subjects should be prevented going to them whenever -they are sent for, or whenever they may employ them in our service; and -should any in your bailiwick act contrary to the premises, we will and -order that you constrain them to do their duty, by arrest and seizure -of goods. - -'Given at Paris the 9th day of May in the year 1413, and of our reign -the 33d.' It was thus signed by the king, on the report made to him of -the council held by the dukes of Acquitaine, Berry and Lorraine, and -others, by J. Millet. It was then sent off, and proclaimed throughout -the kingdom in the usual places. - -The Parisians in those days wore an uniform dress with white hoods, -to distinguish all who were of their party. They even made many of -the nobles and prelates wear it; and what was more, the king himself -afterward put it on, which seemed to many discreet persons very -ridiculous, considering the abominable and detestable manner of the -Parisians, and their cruelties, which were almost beyond bearing; -but they were so powerful, and obstinate in their wickedness, that -the princes knew not well how to provide a remedy. They were also -strengthened in it from the belief that they should be supported by the -duke of Burgundy and his party, should there be occasion for it. - - - - -CHAP. XIX. - -THE PARISIANS PROPOSE WHATEVER MEASURES THEY PLEASE, IN THE PRESENCE OF -THE DUKE OF ACQUITAINE AND THE OTHER PRINCES.--CRUELTIES COMMITTED BY -THEM. - - -On Thursday the 11th of May, the Parisians held a great assembly, and -made various propositions, in the presence of the dukes of Acquitaine, -Berry, Burgundy and Lorraine, the counts of Nevers, Charolois, and -many nobles and prelates, with others, wearing white hoods by way of -uniform, who were said to exceed twelve thousand in number. Toward the -conclusion, they presented a roll to the duke of Acquitaine, which he -would have refused to accept; but they constrained him not only to take -it, but to read its contents publicly. Sixty persons, as well absent -as present, were charged in this roll as traitors: twenty of whom were -instantly arrested, and confined in prison. In this number were the -lord de Boissay, master of the household to the king, Michel Lallier, -and others to the number above mentioned. The absent that had been thus -accused were summoned by sound of trumpet, in all the squares of Paris, -to appear within a few days, under penalty, in case of disobedience, of -having their properties confiscated to the king's use. - -On the 18th day of this same month, the king recovered his health, and -went from his hôtel of St Pol to the church of Nôtre Dame, wearing a -white hood like the other princes. When he had finished his prayers, he -returned home accompanied by a vast multitude of people. On the Monday -following, the Parisians had their city surrounded by numbers of men at -arms, so that no person might leave it without permission: the gates -were closely shut, and the bridges drawn up and watched by a numerous -guard at each, armed with all sorts of weapons. They also appointed -armed divisions of tens in all the streets; and when this was done, the -provost of the merchants, the sheriffs, and other leaders marched a -large body of armed men to the hôtel of St Pol, which they surrounded -with a line three deep; and having given their orders how they were -to act, they waited on the king, the queen, and the dauphin, who were -perfectly ignorant of their proceedings. - -There was at this time a grand assembly of nobles in Paris, namely, -the dukes of Berry, Burgundy, Lorraine, and duke Louis of Bavaria, -brother to the queen, who was on the morrow to marry, at the hôtel de -St Pol, the sister of the count d'Alençon, the widow of the lord Peter -de Navarre, count de Mortain. The counts de Nevers, de Charolois, de -St Pol, constable of France, and many more great barons and prelates, -were likewise present. They there ordered a carmelite friar, called -friar Eustache, to harangue the king, who, having taken for his text -'Nisi Dominus custodierit civitatem suam, frustra vigilat qui custodit -eam,' discoursed well and long upon it, and made some mention of the -prisoners, of the bad state of the government of the kingdom, and of -the crimes that were committed. - -When he had ended his speech, the chancellor of France bade him say who -were his protectors, when instantly the provost of merchants and the -sheriffs acknowledged him. But as there were but few people present, -and as they did not speak loud enough, according to the will of the -chancellor, some of them descended to the court to call those of the -greatest birth and weight that had remained armed below. - -The principal leaders returned with them to the king's apartment, -and with bended knees avowed that what father Eustache had said was -conformable to their sentiments; that they had the sincerest love for -him and for his family, and that their sole wish was to serve his royal -majesty with clean and pure hearts; that every thing they had done had -been for the welfare of himself and his kingdom, as well as for the -preservation of his person and family. - -While this was passing, the duke of Burgundy, noticing the line of -armed men that were drawn up three deep, and surrounding the king's -hôtel, went down and earnestly entreated of them to retire, demanding -of them what they wanted, and why they were thus come armed; for that -it was neither decent nor expedient that the king, who was so lately -recovered from his illness, should thus see them drawn up, as it -were, in battle-array. They replied, they were not assembled with -an ill intent, but for the good of the king and his kingdom: they -concluded by giving him a roll, and said, they were on no account to -depart thence until those whose names were therein inscribed should be -delivered up to them, namely, Louis of Bavaria, brother to the queen, -and the following knights: Charles de Villers, Courard Bayer, Jean de -Neelle lord d'Ollehaing, the archbishop of Bourges, master William -Boisratier, confessor to the queen, Jean Vincent, Colin de Pieul, -Jeannet de Cousteville, Mainfroy, treasurer to the duke of Acquitaine, -and a courier of the duke of Orleans, who happened accidentally to be -in Paris, having brought letters from his master to the king; the lady -Bona d'Armagnac, lady of Montauban[16], la dame du Quesnoy, la dame -d'Avelays, la dame de Noyon, la dame du Chastel, and four other damsels. - -When the duke of Burgundy found that every thing he could say was -vain, he went to the queen, and showed her the list they had given to -him, telling her what they required. She was much troubled thereat, -and, calling her son the dauphin, bade him return with the duke of -Burgundy, and entreat them most affectionately in her name to desist -for only eight days from their present demands, and that on the eighth -day she would without fail deliver up her brother, or suffer them to -arrest him, and carry him a prisoner to the Louvre, to the palace, or -whithersoever they should please. - -The duke of Acquitaine, hearing these words from his mother, retired -to a private chamber and wept bitterly,--but was followed by the duke -of Burgundy, who exhorted him not to weep, which he complied with, and -wiped away his tears. They descended to the Parisians, and the duke of -Burgundy explained in a few words the request of the queen; but they -positively refused to grant it, and declared they would go up to the -queen's apartment,--and should those contained in the list be refused -to be given up, they would take them by force, even in the king's -presence, and carry them away prisoners. - -The two dukes, hearing this answer, went back to the queen, whom they -found in conversation with her brother and the king. They reported -their reception from the Parisians,--when the duke of Bavaria, seeing -he could not escape, full of bitterness and distress, descended down to -them, and desired that he alone might be taken into custody; that if he -were found guilty, he might be punished without mercy,--otherwise that -he might instantly have his liberty, and go to Bavaria, never more to -return to France. - -The others also, with the ladies and damsels, were forced to surrender -themselves, but it was not without great lamentations and effusion of -tears. They were directly put two and two on horseback, each horse -escorted by four men at arms, and carried, some prisoners to the -Louvre, and others to the palace, followed by a large body of the -Parisians under arms. When this was done, the king went to his dinner, -and the queen with her son retired in great grief to their apartments. - -Within a short time, the courier was set at liberty,--and so was the -lord d'Ollehaing, who was reinstated in the office of chancellor of -Acquitaine, from which he had been dismissed. - -The duke of Burgundy had under his guard his cousin-german the duke -of Bar, sir Peter and sir Anthony des Essars, with other prisoners -confined in the Louvre, whom he caused to be attended by his servants, -and for whose security he had pledged himself. But he acted quite -contrary, and returned them to the Parisians, who imprisoned them -closely, and caused twelve knights to be nominated by the king as -commissaries, and six examiners, to inquire into their offences, and to -condemn and punish them according to the heinousness of their crimes -and the exigence of the case. - -In consequence of this, a statement was drawn up by directions of the -duke of Berry, uncle to the duke of Bar, the countess de St Pol, and -others his friends, and given to the Parisians, who sent it to the -university of Paris for their advice and approbation of what they had -done. The university replied, that they would no way intermeddle nor -advise in the business; and they moreover declared, in full council -before the king, that so far from having advised the arrest of the duke -of Bar and the other prisoners, they were much displeased that it had -taken place. - -The Parisians, therefore, seeing that the university was disunited -from them, and fearing that their conduct would, in after times, be -examined into, obtained from the king and his council a royal edict, as -an indemnity and excuse for their actions, the tenour of which was as -follows. - -'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to all to whom -these presents shall come, greeting, on the part of our dear and -well-beloved, the provost, sheriffs, citizens and inhabitants of this -good town of Paris. - -'We make known, that for our urgent profit and welfare, and also for -that of our very dear son the duke of Acquitaine, dauphin of Viennois, -and for the public welfare, for the security of our good town of -Paris, and to obviate inconveniences that might have arisen from the -malversation of some of our ministers, as well those of justice as -others, and in order to prevent such malversations from increasing, -certain arrests have lately taken place on divers men and women, as -well of our blood and household as of those of our very well beloved -consort the queen, of our son, and our very dear daughter the duchess -of Acquitaine, and countess of Charolois, for the effecting of which -arrests a large assemblage of men at arms was thought expedient, -considering the rank and power of those to be arrested, who are now -confined in our prisons of the Louvre, of our palace, and in different -prisons in our good town of Paris. - -'The crimes alledged against them are for treasonable practices -committed against us, our said son, the welfare of the kingdom and that -of our good city of Paris, and also concerning the government of our -person, of our son, and of the police of our said town and kingdom, for -all of which sufficient judges have been appointed, who will examine -into their various delinquencies, and punish in such wise as the public -good may require, so that our good city of Paris, which is the head of -our realm, may not again suffer any alarms through their fault, or that -of their accomplices, who, fearing the consequences, have escaped out -of the city. - -'For these causes, and from the great love and loyalty they bear to -us, who are their sovereign and natural lord, as well as to our said -eldest son, the aforesaid provost, sheriffs, and citizens of Paris, -have requested these presents, in order that good government may be -restored, the security and welfare of our person and state be provided -for, and that such arrests and imprisonments may be considered as -solely done out of the purity of their loyal intentions towards us, our -family, and the public good of the realm. - -'We will, therefore, that such arrests and imprisonments be so -considered, and that they be regarded as done for the true honour and -profit of us and of our crown; and that all who have been abettors or -aiding in the above arrests and imprisonments, noble or not noble, -shall be deemed praiseworthy; and by the advice of some of our kindred, -as well as by that of our great council, we do approve of and avow such -acts. - -'By the tenour of these presents we acknowledge and hold them for -agreeable, and forbid that for these causes, or for any others that may -be connected with them, those who have thus acted be any way harrassed -or molested in body or estate, or any suit be preferred against them in -our courts of justice, by any means or pretext whatever, but that they -shall be held acquitted in perpetuity. - -'We give this, therefore, in command to all our beloved and faithful -counsellors, who now hold or shall hereafter hold our courts of -parliament at Paris, all masters of requests in our household, and -those holding similar situations in our royal palace, all officers -in our exchequer, and all commissaries named to inspect our finance -and domain, as well as those lately appointed to examine into the -charges brought against the prisoners in our castle of the Louvre, and -elsewhere in our prisons in Paris, to the provost of Paris, to all our -seneschals, bailiffs, provosts, judges and other officers of justice -at present and in times to come, and to each as in duty bound, that -they do proclaim these presents in the accustomed public places, and -that they do see that the commands herein contained be not infringed -or disobeyed, so that the engagements we have entered into with the -parties demanding these presents may be punctually observed. - -'And as the parties may wish hereafter to renew the publicity of these -presents, we will that there be exact copies made of them under the -seal of the Châtelet, or other royal seals, to make them as authentic -as the original, and that they may be of equal efficacy. Given at Paris -the 24th day of May, in the year of Grace 1413, and of our reign the -33d.' - -It was thus signed by the king in council; at which were present the -dukes of Berry and Burgundy, the constable of France, the archbishop -of Bourges, the bishop of Evreux, the bishop of Tournay, the grand -master of the household, the lord de la Trimouille governor to the -dauphin, sir Anthony de Craon, sir Philippe de Poitiers, the chancellor -of Burgundy, the abbot of St Jean, master Eustace de la Chere, the -lords de Viefville, de Mont-Beron[17], de la Rochefoucault[18], the -provost of Paris, sir Charles de Savoisy, the hermit de Faye, Jean de -Courcelles, the lord d'Allegrez[19], master Mille d'Orgemont, Raoul le -Saige, Mille d'Angeul, Jean de Longneux, and many others. 'P. Naucron.' - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 16: Bona, eldest daughter of the constable d'Armagnac, -afterwards married to Charles duke of Orleans.] - -[Footnote 17: Called before 'Mouberon;' but Montberon is right. James, -son of Imbert lord of Montberon in Angoumois, was made mareschal of -France in 1422, in the place of John de Villiers de l'Isle-Adam.] - -[Footnote 18: Guy VIII. lord of la Rochefoucault, was one of the first -lords of Guienne who did homage to the crown of France after the peace -of Bretigny. Froissart mentions a duel which took place in 1380 between -this nobleman and William lord of Montferrand, at which he was attended -by two hundred gentlemen of his own family. He married Margaret de -Craon, lady of Marsillac and Montbazon, by whom he had two sons, -Foulcault III. lord of la Rochefoucault, mentioned hereafter, and Aymar -lord of Montbazon and Sainte Maure.] - -[Footnote 19: Called 'Allaigre' in the original. Alegre is the name of -a noble and ancient family of Auvergue.] - - - - -CHAP. XX. - -THE COUNT DE VERTUS AND SEVERAL OF THE NOBILITY LEAVE PARIS.--OTHER -REGULATIONS AND EDICTS OBTAINED FROM THE KING BY THE PARISIANS. - - -During these melancholy times, the count de Vertus, indignant at the -arrest of the duke of Bar and other nobles, secretly left Paris, -attended by two persons only, without the knowledge of the king or the -duke of Burgundy, and hastened to his brother the duke of Orleans, at -Blois, to whom he related all the extraordinary events that had passed -in Paris, as well in the hôtel of the king as in that of the dauphin, -and elsewhere, to the great displeasure of the duke of Orleans. - -The duke of Burgundy was much vexed at the departure of the count de -Vertus, for he had hopes to accomplish the marriage that had been for -some time agreed on between him and his daughter. Many other noblemen -quitted Paris from fear of the changes that were taking place, namely, -sir James de Chastillon, eldest son to the lord de Dampierre, the -lords de Croy and de Roubaix, Coppin de la Viefville, master Raoul, -head provost of St Donas at Bruges, Pierre Genstiere, who had lately -been provost of merchants, and many more. Several were particularly -remanded by the duke of Burgundy, who returned in great alarm, and not -without cause; for of those who had been imprisoned, many were daily, -without regard to sex, drowned in the Seine, or miserably put to death, -without any form of law or justice. - -On the 26th day of May, the king went to the parliament, and, at the -instance of the duke of Burgundy and the Parisians, held a royal -sitting, and caused several edicts to be published respecting the -reformation of abuses. These, and other regulations for the government -of the kingdom, were sent to the different bailiwicks, and other usual -places, for proclamation. One of them was directed against sir Clugnet -de Brabant, who in company with other captains had assembled in great -force on the river Loire, to be ready to march to Paris,--the tenour of -which was as follows. - -'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting.--Whereas it has come to our -knowledge, that notwithstanding the very great oppressions which -our subjects have suffered in various parts of our realm from the -assembling of large bodies of men at arms, which the princes of our -blood, and other barons, have thought proper, at different periods, to -raise on their own authority,--there are still several who now continue -such practices, to the great grievance of our faithful subjects. We -have caused to be published and proclaimed throughout our realm, as -well by messages as by sealed letters, our strict prohibition of such -acts, under very heavy penalties; and we have ordered, that none, of -whatever rank he may be, subject or foreigner, shall have the boldness -to raise any men in future on their own sole authority, whether by way -of companies or otherwise, without our special orders, or in obedience -to our summons to come to serve us. - -'Several of our kindred, however, contrary to these our orders, and in -opposition to the treaty of peace lately concluded at Auxerre by us, -to put an end to dissentions which had arisen in our family, and which -they solemnly swore to observe, are now preparing to assemble large -bodies of men at arms without any authority or licence from us, and to -unite them with a numerous army of English and foreigners, to carry -into effect their damnable purposes, which they have plotted against us -and our government, according to the information we have received. - -'We have been repeatedly assured that they are favoured and supported -by many in an underhand manner; and to force others to join them, they -harrass and despoil all who have served us, more especially those who -assisted us in our late expedition to Bourges, when we considered -them as enemies of the state, and marched thither with the intent of -correcting them sufficiently for their outrageous conduct. - -'They at this moment, as we have had sufficient information, commit -every sort of violence, by killing our subjects, violating damsels, -setting fire to houses and villages, and despoiling churches, and many -other atrocious crimes, such as the bitterest enemies of the country -would commit, and which are such bad examples that they must not longer -be suffered. - -'In consequence, therefore, of the lamentations and heavy complaints -that have been made to us, we are resolved to remedy these grievances, -which are so highly displeasing to us, in the most effectual manner: -we therefore most expressly enjoin and command you, by these presents, -that you instantly make public proclamation, by sound of trumpet, of -this our prohibition, for any knight, esquire, or others accustomed -to bear arms, of whatever rank they may be,--and we order them, on -pain of our severest anger, and on the loyalty they owe us, not to -arm themselves, nor to join any bodies that may have assembled in -arms within our kingdom without our especial authority, nor to obey -the summons of any one related to our person or not, on any occasion -whatever, unless they be particularly ordered by us to join them for -the good of our service. - -'All whom you shall hear of having such intentions, you will command, -in our name, to desist, and peaceably to return to their dwellings, or -whither else they may please, without doing any harm to our subjects. -Should they refuse to obey your orders, and persist in their wicked -intentions, you will instantly take possession, in our name, of all -their castles, dwellings and possessions, causing an exact inventory to -be made out, of the real and annual value, which you will place in the -hands of safe persons to administer such estates, to render us an exact -account of their amount, and to relinquish them whenever we may see -good. You will also proceed against them as rebels; for we abandon them -to you to imprison and punish according as you shall judge expedient. - -'You will likewise, should they have quitted their dwellings, pursue -them by every means in your power, shutting them out from all towns, -and depriving them of provisions, and harrassing them in every way -deserving of their disobedience, and to serve as an example to others. - -'It is not, however, our intention that such of the princes of -our blood as are now near our person, and in our service, should -be prevented from ordering their vassals to come to them, or from -employing them for our welfare, as they shall specify in their summons; -but they must not, on their march, live on the country, or despoil -the inhabitants. Should any of them do the contrary, we command you to -proceed against them as against the aforesaid; and you will inflict on -them such punishments as their demerits require, without paying regard -to any letters of protection they may show to you. - -'To enable you to execute these our orders, we give you full authority -to call upon and assemble all our vassals and subjects to your aid, and -as many as you shall think necessary for the occasion, and to lead them -to any parts of your bailiwick where you shall hear of any robberies -or other rebellious acts being done. And we strictly enjoin, by these -presents, all our vassals and subjects, on the faith and loyalty they -owe us, and under pain of corporal punishment and confiscation of -goods, to obey your orders, and to assist you heartily to accomplish -the above commands. - -'That no one may pretend ignorance of them, you will cause these -presents to be proclaimed in all the different parts of your -bailiwick, or wherever else you shall judge proper. We also command -all our officers of justice, and others having authority under us, -and we entreat all our friends and wellwishers, to aid and support -you on this service, and diligently to keep up a good understanding -with you thereon, and to show you every favour, even allowing their -dwellings to be turned into prisons, should the exigency of any case -require it,--for we delegate to you full and complete authority, -notwithstanding any opposition or appeal made to the contrary. Given at -Paris the 6th day of June, in the year of Grace 1413, and of our reign -the 33d.' - -Then signed by the king, on the report of his council,--at which were -present my lords of Berry, Burgundy, the constable, the chancellor of -Burgundy, Charles de Savoisy, Anthony de Craon, the lords de Viefville, -de Montberon, Cambrilach, d'Allegrez, and many others.--'P. Naucron.' - -This edict was sent to the different bailiwicks and seneschalships in -the kingdom of France, and proclaimed in the usual places. - - - - -CHAP. XXI. - -KING LADISLAUS OF NAPLES ENTERS ROME WITH A POWERFUL ARMY.--THE DEATH -OF SIR JAMES DE LA RIVIERE.--THE DISMISSION OF THE CHANCELLOR,--AND -OTHER MATTERS. - - -This year, Ladislaus king of Naples and Sicily, at the instigation of -some false and disloyal traitors, marched a very large army to Rome, -which he entered without resistance, and began to pillage the whole -of it,--at the same time making prisoners the most powerful and rich -citizens, who were forced to ransom themselves by paying heavy sums of -money. - -Pope John and his cardinals, witnessing these transactions, took flight -in the utmost fear, and escaped from castle to castle, until they at -length reached Bologna, where the pope fixed his court. The greater -part of their estates were despoiled by this army of Ladislaus, who -for a long time reigned in Rome; and when, in consequence of certain -accommodations, he departed, he carried away many precious jewels from -the churches and palaces. - -Sir James de la Riviere, brother to the count de Dampmartin, was taken -prisoner with the duke of Bar, in the hôtel of the duke of Acquitaine, -and carried to the palace-prison, where it was reported, that from -indignation at this treatment, he had struck himself so roughly with a -pewter-pot on the head as to beat his brains out. His body was thence -carried in a cart to the market-place of Paris, and beheaded. - -But the truth was otherwise; for sir Elion de Jacqueville, knight to -the duke of Burgundy, visiting him in prison, high words passed between -them, and he called him a false traitor. Sir James replied, that he -lied, for that he was none such,--when Jacqueville, enraged, struck him -so severe a blow on the head with a light battle-axe which he had in -his hand that he killed him. He then spread abroad this rumour of his -having put an end to his life himself by means of a pewter pot, which -was propagated by others through the town, and believed by very many. - -Shortly after this event, Mesnil Berry, carver to the duke of -Acquitaine, and a native of Normandy, was led to the market-place, -and there beheaded. His head and that of sir James de la Riviere were -affixed to two lances, and their bodies hung by the shoulders on the -gibbet of Montfaucon. - -On the Thursday in Whitsun-week, Thomelin de Brie, who had been page to -the king, was, with two others, taken from the prison of the Châtelet -to the market-place, and beheaded: their heads were fixed on three -spears, and their bodies hung at Montfaucon by the shoulders. These -executions took place at the request of the Parisians. - -And because sir Reginald[20] de Corbie, a native of Beauvais, though an -old and discreet man, was not agreeable to them, he was dismissed from -his office of chancellor of France, and sir Eustache de Lactre[21], at -the solicitation of the duke of Burgundy, appointed to succeed him. - -On Tuesday, the 20th of June, Philip count de Nevers espoused, at the -castle of Beaumont, the sister of the count d'Eu, in the presence of -the duchess of Bourbon, her mother, and the damsel of Dreux, who had -been principally instrumental in forming this marriage. - -After the festivities of the wedding, the new-married couple were -conducted by the duchess of Bourbon and the damsel of Dreux to -Maizieres, on the Meuse, which belonged to the count de Nevers. The -count d'Eu, who had been of the party, soon after returned to his -county, where he collected a large body of men at arms, to the amount -of two thousand combatants, under the pretext of making war on the lord -de Croy, in revenge for an attack made upon him some time since, as has -been mentioned, by his eldest son sir John de Croy; but it was not so, -for he marched his army across the Seine at Pont-de-l'Arche, and thence -to Verneuil in Perche, where were assembled king Louis of Sicily, the -dukes of Orleans, Brittany, and Bourbon, the counts de Vertus and -d'Alençon, with many other great barons, lords, and knights, not only -on account of the imprisonment of the dukes of Bar and of Bavaria, -or of the other prisoners, but for the deliverance of the duke of -Acquitaine, who had informed them by letters, which had been confirmed -by the count de Vertus, that he himself, the king, and the queen were -kept as prisoners under the control of the Parisians, and that they -were not allowed any liberty, which was highly displeasing to them, and -disgraceful to royalty. - -This had caused so large an assembly of these great lords, who, after -mature consideration, wrote letters to the king, to his great council, -and to the Parisians, desiring them to allow the duke of Acquitaine to -go whithersoever he pleased, and to set at liberty the dukes of Bar and -of Bavaria, and all other prisoners. Should they refuse to comply, they -declared war against the town of Paris, which they would destroy to the -utmost of their power, and all within it, except the king and such of -his royal blood as may have therein remained. With regard to those that -had been murdered, they said nothing of them; for as they were dead, -they could not have them back. - -These letters were laid before the king in council, where it was -determined to send ambassadors to these lords to negotiate a peace, who -were kindly received by them. - -On Saturday, the 1st day of July, after his trial had been concluded, -sir Peter des Essars, lately provost of Paris, and son to the late -Philippe des Essars, a citizen of that town, was beheaded in the -market-place, his head fixed on the market-house, and his body hung -at Montfaucon in the usual manner. His brother, sir Anthony, was in -great danger of being also executed; but through the activity of some -friends, a delay of his trial was procured, and he afterward obtained -his full liberty. - -In these days, as the king was in good health, he went to the cathedral -of Paris to say his prayers and hear mass. When it was over, he visited -the holy relics: he departed and returned to his hôtel, accompanied -by the duke of Burgundy and the constable of France, and followed by -crowds of people who had assembled to see him. - -On the morrow, the 6th of July, it was ordered in the king's council, -presided by the duke of Acquitaine, that John de Moreul, knight to -the duke of Burgundy, should be the bearer of letters and royal -summons to the two bailiwicks of Amiens and of Vermandois, and to all -the provostships within them. He was commanded to assemble all the -prelates, counsellors and magistrates of these districts, and then, in -full meeting, to read aloud these letters from the king, sealed with -his great seal, and dated this 6th day of July. Countersigned, 'John -Millet,' according to the resolution of council, at which had been -present the duke of Burgundy, the constable of France, the chancellor -of Acquitaine, the chancellor of Burgundy, and several others. - -These letters contained, in substance, an exhortation that they would -remain steady and loyal in their duty to the king, and be ready to -serve him or the dauphin whenever and wherever they should be summoned -to march against the enemies of the kingdom and the public weal; that -they should place confidence in his knight, counsellor and chamberlain, -sir John de Moreul, according to the instructions given him under the -king's privy seal, which he was to show and give them to read. - -When he had visited many towns and provostships in these bailiwicks, -he came on Monday, the 16th day of July, from Dourlens to Amiens, -and there, in the presence of the nobles, prelates, and principal -inhabitants of the great towns within the district, he read his letters -and instructions with a clear and loud voice, for he was a man of -great eloquence. He explained how much the peace and union of the -kingdom had been and was troubled; how the trials of those who had been -beheaded at Paris were carried on before a sufficient number of able -and honest men, as well knights as advocates of the parliament, and -other lords and discreet men, who had been nominated for this purpose -by the king; and how sir James de la Riviere, in despair, had killed -himself with a pewter pot in which he had had wine, as well as the -manner in which he had done it. - -The charges which were brought against those who had been beheaded -occupied each sixty sheets of paper,--and he assured them, that good -and impartial justice had been administered to all who had been -executed, without favour or hatred having any concern in their just -sentences. He asserted, that the duke of Acquitaine had never written -such letters to the princes of the Orleans-party as they had published; -and he concluded,--'Know then, all ye present, that what I have just -been saying are notorious truths.' - -After this, he asked whether they were loyal and obedient to the king, -and desired they would tell him their intentions. The nobles and -prelates, and the rest of the assembly, instantly replied, that they -had always been obedient to the king, and were ready to serve him, -believing that he had told them the truth. In confirmation of this, he -required letters from the provost, with which he returned to Paris. - -In like manner were other knights sent, in the king's name, with -similar letters and instructions to the different bailiwicks and -seneschalships within the realm, who, being equally successful, -returned with letters of the same import. - -While these things were passing, the English appeared off the coast -of Normandy with a large fleet of ships, and landed at the town of -Treport, where having plundered all they could find, and made some -prisoners, they set fire to it, and burnt the town and monastery, and -also some of the adjoining villages. When they had remained about -twenty-two hours on shore, they re-embarked and made sail for England -with their booty. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 20: Called 'Ernault' a little after, which agrees with -Moreri's Arnold.--See _ante_, p. 14, note.] - -[Footnote 21: In Moreri's list, Henry de Marle succeeds Arnauld de -Corbie in 1413, and is succeeded by Eustache de _Laitre_ in 1418.] - - - - -CHAP. XXII. - -THE AMBASSADORS FROM THE KING OF FRANCE RETURN WITH THOSE FROM THE -PRINCES TO PARIS.--THEY ARE JOINED BY OTHERS, WHO NEGOTIATE A FOURTH -PEACE AT PONTOISE. - - -On Wednesday, the 12th day of July, the ambassadors whom the king -and the dukes of Acquitaine, Berry, and Burgundy, had sent to the -princes of the blood, namely, the bishop of Tournay, the grand master -of Rhodes, the lords d'Offemont and de la Viefville, master Peter de -Marigny, and some others, returned from their embassy. The answer -they had brought having been soon after considered in council, the -king ordered the dukes of Berry and Burgundy to go with the aforesaid -ambassadors to Pontoise, when the king of Sicily, the dukes of Orleans -and of Bourbon, the counts d'Alençon and d'Eu came to Vernon, and -thence sent their ambassadors to Pontoise, to explain to the dukes of -Berry and Burgundy, and the other ambassadors, the causes of their -griefs, and the great miseries that must ensue should the war take -place that was on the point of breaking out. - -One of their ambassadors harangued well in clear and good French on -the above subjects: the substance of what he said was as follows. 'To -explain what has been intrusted to us by our lords, namely, the king -of Sicily, the dukes of Orleans and of Bourbon, the counts d'Alençon -and d'Eu, to you, my very redoubted lords of Berry and Burgundy, and -to the gentlemen of the great council of the king and of my lord of -Acquitaine, now in their company, since it becomes me to speak the -words of peace, trusting in Him who is the sole Author of peace, and -in the good will of my hearers, I shall take my text from the 33d -Psalm, 'Oculi mei semper ad Dominum;' that is to say, My eyes are -always turned to the Lord; and continue my discourse from what the wise -Plato says, among other notable things, that all princes or others -intrusted with the affairs of government should obey the commands of -their sovereign in all they shall do for the public welfare, laying -aside every private consideration for their own advantage, and regard -themselves as part of a whole, the smallest member of which being -wounded, the effect is felt by the head or chief lord. - -'I consider, therefore, the kingdom of France as a body, of which our -sovereign lord the king is the head, and his subjects the members. -But in what degree shall I place my lords the princes who have sent -us hither, or you, my lords, who hear me? for we know of no other -head but our sovereign lord.--I can neither liken you to the head nor -to the aforementioned members, on account of your rank; but I think -I may compare you to the members nearest to the head, for among them -may be counted the eyes, which are of the greatest use to it. I shall -consequently compare you to the eyes, and for three singularly good -reasons. - -'First, the eyes ought to be well placed and formed alike; for should -one be placed differently from the other, half closed or awry, the -whole person is disgraced and acquires the name of Blind or Squinter. -Now, it seems to me, that as my lords who have sent us, and you, my -lords, who hear me, have persons handsomely made, you ought to be of -one mind, and tending towards good; for you have eyes of a clear -understanding, and of real affection, 'Oculi sapientis in capite ejus.' - -'Secondly, the eyes are the most striking parts of the human body, and -have a full view over every part of it, as the prophet Ezekiel says, in -his 33d chapter, 'Speculatorem dedi te domui Israel.' Just so are our -princes of the blood, for from their singular and strong affection to -their sovereign lord and his kingdom, they constantly watch over and -guard him. - -'Thirdly, from the nobleness of the eye, which is of a circular form, -and of such sensibility that when any other member of the body is hurt, -or struck with grief, it weeps, as the prophet Jeremiah says in the -19th chapter, 'Plorans, plorabit, et educet oculus meus lachrimam quia -captus est grex Domini.' In like manner Valerius Maximus relates, in -his 8th book, that when Marcellus the tyrant saw his city despoiled -by the enemy, who had taken it by storm, he could not refrain from -weeping, which was becoming a real eye. Certainly it ought to bewail -the pain of its members, as Codrus, duke of Athens, did, who caused -himself to be slain to gain a victory over his enemies, as is related -by Julius Frontinus, and this same Valerius Maximus in his 8th book. -And because all our lords are and ought to be of the same stamp, I have -compared them thereto by saying, 'Oculi mei semper ad Dominum.' - -'As for me, being the spokesman of those who have been charged to come -hither by our lords, we do not think of comparing ourselves to eyes, -but solely to the very humble servants of the eye, being no greater -parts of the members than the nail on the little finger, ready at the -calls of our superiors; and from their commands have we been led to -speak of such high concerns, which was matter of great grievance to us; -but it is for the sake of peace, and in obedience to the eye, 'Oculi -mei semper ad Dominum;' for in all times, every one should obey his -lord, more especially when he is in adversity,--as Tully says in his -treatise on Friendship,--Come to thy friend in prosperity, when he -calls thee; but when he shall be in adversity, wait not to be called. -I apply this to all landholders who are not the immediate ministers of -a king, or of the Lord, according to the apostle St Peter, who says in -his second chapter, 'Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for -the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king as supreme,' &c. And again, -'Be obedient in the fear of our Lord, not only to the good and just but -to the ignorant.' Thus may every one repeat the text I have chosen, -'Oculi mei semper ad Dominum.' - -'Notwithstanding my lords who have sent us hither having the eyes of -clear understanding, and affected with a true love to their sovereign -as the head of the whole body of this Christian kingdom, are fearful -that what Isaiah says in his 8th chapter may be applied to them; -'Speculatores ejus cæci omnes;' and that they may be said to resemble -the hog who devours the fruit that falls from the tree, without ever -looking up to the tree whence it falls. Nevertheless, they having -considered the events that have lately taken place in Paris, are full -of grief lest the whole body of the kingdom should consequently suffer -such destruction as, from its continuation, may be mortal to it, which -God, out of his gracious mercy, avert! - -'In the first place, they have heard of the arrests and executions of -the servants of the king, queen and duke of Acquitaine, to whom alone -belongs the cognizance of any offences committed by them, and to none -others. They have also been informed that the same conduct has been -followed in regard to the ladies and damsels of the queen and the -duchess of Acquitaine, which things, from honour to the queen their -mistress, as well as for the respect due to the female sex and to -modesty, ought not to have been done. - -'The laws declare and command, under heavy penalties, that modest women -shall not be publicly handled; and the honour of their families would -seem to assure them of not being so treated, for which they make loud -lamentations. - -'Notwithstanding that the cognizance of any crime committed by a prince -of the royal blood belongs solely to the king, the duke of Bar has been -imprisoned, who is cousin-german to the king our lord, which causes -much sorrow to our lords, more particularly to the king and queen of -Sicily (who is his niece), who loudly cry out for his deliverance, as -well as for that of duke Louis of Bavaria, brother to the queen. They -are more hurt at the form and manner in which they were arrested; for, -according to what has been told them, they were seized by those who -were not king's officers, nor had any authority for so doing from -him, but merely by a mob of common people, who forcibly broke down the -doors of the king's and the duke of Acquitaine's apartments, saying to -the latter many rude and impudent things, which, as is reported, have -greatly displeased him; and they are particularly anxious to know why -such disgraceful acts were done, as they are ignorant what could have -caused them. - -'Could any just reasons be alledged, they would not be so much -astonished as they now are. But to continue: it has been told them that -my lord is even deprived of his liberty, and that he cannot leave his -hôtel, or at least that he is not suffered to go out of Paris; and that -no one of his kindred, or of any high rank, are suffered to converse -with him, but only those who guard him, as is done to common prisoners -in many cases. This is matter of as serious grief to him and to my -said lords, thus to be deprived of the conversation and sight of their -sovereign lord on earth, as it would be to be debarred the vision of -God in another life. - -'Item, they complain, that since these events letters have been sent -by the town of Paris to the aforesaid lords, and to others, and also -to the chief towns in the kingdom, to declare that these arrests, -imprisonments and executions, have taken place with the approbation -of the duke of Acquitaine. They therefore lament such letters being -sent, for none but the princes of the blood ought to be made acquainted -with the acts of government, or with such charges as are made against -different lords. There was, beside, no pretence for these letters, -for no one had ever interfered with the government of the duke of -Acquitaine; and it should seem to have been done solely with a view to -inflame and instigate the people to some acts prejudicial to the king, -to my lord of Acquitaine, his whole family, and even against these -lords now present. - -'They also complain, that through the importunity of these same -Parisians, orders have been sent to their barons, knights, esquires -and vassals, not to obey any summons they may receive from them, but -to remain at home until the constable, or some other of the lords -within Paris, shall send for them; and at this grievance they feel very -indignant, for they have never done any thing, or had intentions of so -acting, as to deserve to be deprived of the service of their vassals; -and when the king should have occasion for them, they should have -served in their company, &c. - -'Item, they likewise complain of many expressions, and other orders, by -which several officers take possession of castles and forts, and place -in them new governors, dismissing very able captains, noble and valiant -knights, who have loyally served their whole life without reproach, and -still intend to serve the king. - -'These things are very unusual and extraordinary, and create much -uneasiness, by the bad example they afford as well to the head as the -other members, to the producing of subversion and total ruin. This good -kingdom has long been prosperously governed, chiefly by its regular -police and strict justice, which are founded on three things, and have -caused it to excel all other kingdoms. - -'First, by its great learning, by which the Christian faith has been -defended, and justice and equity maintained. - -'Secondly, by its noble and gallant chivalry, by which not only this -kingdom, but the whole of the faith has been supported and encouraged. - -'Thirdly, by the numbers of loyal subjects, who, by their subordination -and obedience, have given strength to the government. - -'But now these three things, by the present perverse mode of acting, -will be completely overturned; for all seems running to disorder, and -one fills an office suited to another, so that the feet which ought -to support the body, head and arms, now want to take the place of -the head, and thus every thing will fall into confusion, and all the -members quit the situations they were naturally designed for, as the -civil law says, 'Rerum commixtione turbantur officia.' - -'For these reasons, my lords have sent us to supplicate the king, the -queen, and my lord of Acquitaine, and to request of you, our very dear -and redoubted lords, and of you gentlemen of the great council of the -king and the duke of Acquitaine now present, that each of you would, -according to the exigence of the case, apply a sufficient remedy. -It seems to my lords, that, according to the opinion of physicians, -abstinence is the grand preservative of the body natural from sickness: -we therefore pray you, that all such acts as have lately taken place -may be put an end to, and that all extraordinary commissions may -cease, that honour and justice may have due attention paid to them, and -that liberty and the accustomed prerogatives be restored to the king -and the duke of Acquitaine, as to the eyes of justice; and that they -may be preserved from all offence from churchmen, nobility, and people, -as the body, the arms, and the legs are bound to guard and defend the -head,--for this will be the only and secure means of establishing -peace, and as the Psalmist says, 'Quia justicia et pax osculatæ sunt.' - -'St Augustin declares, that every one wishes for Peace in his house; -but Justice, who is her sister, lodges in the house of another; and all -who wish for true Peace must have also her sister Justice. Should any -one say, that abstinence would be dangerous from fear of two different -things, such as war and rigorous justice, we reply, in the name of our -lords, that they will eschew both to the utmost of their power, and -will employ themselves heartily in following this abstinence, and in -the expulsion of all such men at arms as shall injure the country by -every means they can use. - -'In regard to rigorous justice, they intend to follow in this the -manner of all princes, keeping in mind the sentence of Plato, that when -a prince is cruel to the commonwealth, he resembles the guardian who -unwisely chastises his ward, whom he had undertaken to watch over and -defend. They will carefully imitate the conduct of their predecessors -of the most noble house of France, who have been accustomed to show -nothing but good humour and kindness, laying aside all rancour against -the good city of Paris, and all other towns that may have been guilty -of improper acts; and they supplicate the king, the queen, and my lord -of Acquitaine, that an entire oblivion may be passed over what may have -been done on one side as well as on the other. - -'My lords are particularly desirous that the king, the queen, and the -duke of Acquitaine should have full liberty to make their residence at -Rouen, Chartres, Melun, Montargis, or at any other place more suitable -than Paris, for their loyal subjects to have access to them; not -through any malevolence toward this town, or against its inhabitants, -but to avoid any sort of riot that might take place between their -servants and some of the citizens. - -'And I beg the lords now present to consider on the most secure means -for the meeting of my lords with their majesties and the duke of -Acquitaine, and to obviate all pretence of suspicion or alarm, when -my lords shall attend at any proper place to provide for the better -government of the kingdom, and for the establishment of a solid peace. -Let this matter be well weighed, for our lords and ourselves are -perfectly well inclined to attend to the honour and advantage of the -head and of all its members. - -'Should I have said too little, my lords and companions will be eager -to amend it; and should I have said too much, or any thing that may -have angered any of my lords here present, they will be pleased -to attribute it to my simplicity and ignorance, and to the strong -affection I bear to the king, and my earnestness that a firm and -lasting peace may be concluded. I am naturally bound to this by my oath -of fidelity, and also from the anxiety my lord the king of Sicily has -to promote this desirable end. Should I therefore have said more than -was necessary, you will not of course attribute it to any rashness, or -disaffection that I may feel; for such has never entered my thoughts, -or those of my lord of Sicily or his companions.' - -After this, several propositions for peace were made on each side, that -tranquillity might be restored to the kingdom, and an end put to the -present disorders. Some articles were drawn up, of the following tenour. - -'First, there shall be perfect union and love between the princes -of the blood, which they will keep, and swear to observe, like -affectionate relatives and friends, and shall mutually interchange -letters to this purpose; and, for a greater confirmation of the above, -the principal officers and servants of each lord shall do the same. - -'Item, the princes of the blood who have sent ambassadors will cease -from all acts of warfare, and will not summon any more men at arms; and -if any summonses should have been issued, they will instantly annul -them. - -'Item, they will do every thing in their power to recal those who form -the companies of Clugnet, Louis Bourdon, and others their adherents, by -every possible means. Should these companies refuse to comply, these -lords would then unite themselves with the king's forces, and compel -them to obedience, or destroy them, and all others the king's enemies, -who might wage war against him or his kingdom. - -'Item, they will promise that they will not bear any malice or revenge -for whatever things may have been done in the city of Paris, nor do by -themselves or others any mischief to that town, or its inhabitants, -under pretext of justice, or any other cause whatever; and should any -security be required for the observance of this article, they shall -suffer it to be given, and even afford every assistance thereto to the -utmost of their power. - -'Item, these princes will make oath upon the true cross of God, on the -holy evangelists, and on the word of honour of a prince, that they -will strictly observe every article of this treaty, without any fraud -or subterfuge, and will give to the king letters containing the above -oath, signed with their seals. - -'Item, on the accomplishment of the above, the ambassadors from the -aforesaid princes require, that the king would be pleased to annul -and revoke all his summonses for assembling men at arms, and order -all warfare to cease in the realm, except against the above mentioned -companies. - -'Item, he will also revoke all orders lately issued, to take possession -of different castles and forts, and to dismiss from them the governors -appointed by the princes, placing others in their room; and all such -castles and forts shall be delivered up in the same state in which -they were taken possession of; and, after a certain time, all who for -any act by them committed, in opposition to the king's ministers, -may have been imprisoned or banished, shall have their liberties, -and be recalled home; and this shall take place in the course of the -king's ordinary justice, without any commissioners being appointed, or -interfering therein. - -'Item, when all these things shall have been done, the king, the -queen, and my lord of Acquitaine shall, on an appointed day, come out -of Paris to a fixed place of meeting, where the princes of either -party shall meet, to confirm the good union among them, and to advise -on the necessary business for the welfare of the king and his realm; -and should any one suspect that these princes, or any of their party, -have the intention of instigating the king, the queen, or my lord of -Acquitaine, to take vengeance on the town of Paris, or, in revenge to -any of its inhabitants, seize on the government, or to carry off the -king and my lord of Acquitaine, or that this meeting was proposed with -any evil design, they are willing to give whatever security may be -thought advisable.' - -These propositions having been reduced, to writing, and agreed to by -the different lords who had been commissioned for that purpose, each -party returned to the places they had come from. The dukes of Berry and -Burgundy, with their companions, reported to the king the points of -their embassy, as contained in the memorial which had been drawn up for -the good of the kingdom. - -When this matter had been well considered, in a council to which the -members of the university and of the municipality of Paris had been -admitted, it was agreed on by the king and the duke of Acquitaine, -that what had been settled by the commissioners on each side should -be confirmed. In consequence, various ordinances were drawn up, to -be transmitted to the bailiwicks and seneschalships in the realm, in -order to their promulgation at the usual places, of which copies follow -underneath. - -During this melancholy time, Clugnet de Brabant, sir Louis de Bourdon, -and other captains of that party, advanced with sixteen thousand -combatants, wasting and despoiling the country of the Gâtinois, and -giving out that they were on their march to make war on the Parisians. -These latter were much angered thereat, and dispatched sir Elyon de -Jacqueville with sixteen hundred helmets, and a large body of other -combatants, to meet them as far as Montereau-faut-Yonne; but the two -armies did not meet,--and that of the Parisians was disbanded without -fighting. - -At this time, the constable and admiral of France were, with the -bishop of Tournay, sent by the king to Boulogne-sur-mer, to meet -ambassadors from the king of England, namely, the earl of Warwick, the -bishop of St Davids and others, who had arrived at Calais. They met at -Leulinghen, and, after some negotiations, agreed on a truce between the -two kingdoms, to last until the ensuing Easter, which was proclaimed -throughout both realms. - -Here follows a copy of those royal ordinances before mentioned. - -'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, and to each of the inhabitants of that town, greeting.--We make -known to you, that on account of the improper and unjust imprisonment -of our very dear and well beloved cousin and brother in law, the dukes -of Bar and of Bavaria, with other of our officers, as well as of the -households of our dear companion the queen, and of our well beloved -son the duke of Acquitaine, and other ladies and damsels attached -to them; our very dear cousin and nephew, the king of Sicily, the -duke of Bourbon, the counts of Alençon and of Eu, have made heavy -complaints, as well respecting the manner in which these imprisonments -were made, as likewise regarding the disgust which these events, and -others that have taken place in our good town of Paris, have caused to -our very dear son; and on this occasion the disaffected princes have -lately come to the town of Verneuil, whither we sent, on our part, -properly-instructed ambassadors, and also with them our very dear -uncles the dukes of Berry and of Burgundy. - -'Some of the inhabitants of Paris went by our orders to Pontoise; -and our aforesaid cousin and nephews the king of Sicily, the dukes -of Orleans, of Bourbon, and the counts d'Alençon and d'Eu, came to -the town of Vernon, and thence sent their ambassadors to explain and -signify to our aforesaid uncle and cousin the dukes of Berry and of -Burgundy, and to our ambassadors, the cause of their complaints, and to -remonstrate on the perils of the war that would speedily ensue unless -their grievances were redressed. - -'These matters having been fully discussed, proposals of peace and -union between all parties were brought forward to avoid the miseries of -a civil war. Many articles were agreed on: the first was, that a solid -peace should be established between the princes of the blood royal, -which they were solemnly to swear to observe, and mutually to exchange -deeds to this effect; but every one was to have the same liberty as -before of declaring his opinion. - -'The whole of the articles seemed very reasonable to the members of -the university of Paris and of our court of parliament, as well as -to many of the good citizens of our town of Paris, who were ready to -examine them more fully, and report their opinion to us on the Thursday -following. - -'But notwithstanding this approbation, there were some of low degree -and narrow minds, who by their own authority had seized on the -government of the city of Paris, and who have been the cause of the -war continuing so long, in order the better to keep their authority. -These persons excited some of the princes of the blood and others to -war by their false machinations, with the hope that their murders -and robberies would remain unpunished, and that they should escape -the vengeance due to their crimes. In consequence, by persevering -in their wickedness, they practised so effectually that the meeting -which had been appointed for Thursday was put off to Saturday the 5th -of the month, in the expectation that they should before that day be -enabled, by their base intrigues, to prevent peace from being agreed -to,--the truth of which, under the pleasure of God, shall shortly be -made public. But through the grace of God, the university of Paris, -our chambers of parliament and of accounts, the different religious -orders, and the principal inhabitants of Paris assembled,--and having -many fears of the ill-intentioned preventing that peace which they most -earnestly wished for, by every attempt to obstruct so great a blessing -as peace and union throughout the kingdom, came to us at our hôtel -of St Pol in the afternoon, and desired an audience for the purpose -of remonstrating on the happy effects that would ensue from the -establishment of peace. - -'They demonstrated the blessings of peace and the evils of war, and the -necessity there was for proceeding instantly to the completion of the -articles that had been agreed to by the ambassadors on each side,--and -demanded, that the Saturday which had been fixed on should be -anticipated, by naming the ensuing Friday, and that proper regulations -should be made for the security of the city. - -'On the Friday, those who were desirous of peace went to the town-house -in the Greve, thinking to meet their friends, and come with them to us -in our hôtel of St Pol; but they were prevented by those ill inclined -to peace, who, though of low degree, had before come to our said hôtel, -and with them some varlets, all armed under authority of the government -which they had usurped over the city of Paris.--On this account, -therefore, these prudent wellwishers to peace assembled in the square -of St Germain de l'Auxerrois in Paris, and in other places, in great -numbers and with firm courage; and though the others did every thing in -their power to throw obstacles in their way, in all their attempts they -were baffled. - -'This assembly, on breaking up, left St Germain in regular order, as -they had determined on; and on appearing in our presence, as well -as in the presence of our son, our uncle and cousins, the dukes of -Acquitaine, Berry, and Burgundy, with others of our council, a peace -was agreed on, and the articles ordered to be carried into execution. -Punishment was at the same time, to the great joy of the sober -citizens, ordered to be inflicted, according to reason and justice, on -all who had any way attempted to prevent a peace being made. - -'Immediately after this had been done, and our will declared, our son, -our uncle and our cousin aforesaid, mounted their horses, and went to -set at liberty our cousin and brother-in-law the dukes of Bar and of -Bavaria, who had for a long time been confined in the Louvre, and also -many other knights and officers of our own and our son's households, -who had been imprisoned for some time in the dungeons of the palace -and of the Châtelet, by force of the aforesaid evil minded and low -persons, who, now perceiving that good government was likely to be -restored, according to reason and justice, hid themselves like foxes, -or fled,--and since that time, it has not been known where they may be -found or arrested. - -'This inclines us to fear that they may seduce others to follow their -wicked example, by their dangerous and false lies, as they have before -done, and that events more pernicious may ensue than what we have -lately experienced, and which it concerns every one, through the grace -of God, to prevent with all diligence. - -'This peace is considered as so advantageous to all parties that the -king of Sicily, the dukes of Orleans, of Bourbon, and the counts of -Alençon and of Eu, have since sent their ambassadors to Paris, who -daily attend to the due execution of all the articles of it, having -fully approved of it and of every thing that has been done by us; and -the rupture of this peace at this moment would cause the destruction of -us, our kingdom, and of all our faithful and good subjects. - -'For this cause, we expressly enjoin and command you not to give -credence to any thing you may hear to the contrary,--for what we have -assured you above is the real truth,--by any of these evil-minded -persons who are inimical to the peace, nor to show them any manner of -favour,--but, on the contrary, to throw them into prison, and send them -to us, that we may inflict such punishment on them as the heinousness -of the case may require. - -'And you, bailiff, will cause the above to be proclaimed in all the -considerable towns and villages within your jurisdiction; and you will -also require from the clergy of the different churches, collegiate and -others, within your bailiwick, that they do make processions, and offer -up devout prayers to Heaven, for the effecting of the above peace, and -that our Lord, through his grace, would incline to make it perpetual. -You will also personally be careful that there be no failing on your -part in the due execution of this our will and pleasure. - -'Given at Paris the 12th day of August, in the year of Grace 1413, and -of our reign the 33d.' Signed by the king and his council, present the -dukes of Acquitaine, of Berry, and of Burgundy, the marshal Longny. -'Ferron.' - -Another edict was published by the king against men at arms and other -warriors, and to secure the people against their inroads, which was -sent to all the bailiwicks and seneschalships in the kingdom, of the -following tenour. - -'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting. - -'It has come to our knowledge, that within a short time many men at -arms, archers and cross-bowmen, and other warriors, without any licence -from us given, either by written orders or otherwise, have unlawfully -assembled, and continue so to do, in very many places and towns of our -kingdom, with the intent of marching toward our good city of Paris, and -pillaging and murdering our poor subjects, and committing other ruinous -acts and excesses, by which our faithful subjects are sorely oppressed, -in addition to what they had before suffered, as well from the effects -of the late war as from the epidemic disorder and mortality which -ensued in consequence, causing the country to be deserted, whence great -and irreparable evils may fall on us and our kingdom, if not speedily -prevented. - -'We therefore, desirous of guarding and preserving, to the utmost of -our power, our people from such like plunderings and ill treatment, -as we are bounden so to do,--and beside seeing a probability that the -discords which have taken place between several of our blood and -kindred are likely to be put an end to,--shall use (with God's good -pleasure) every means in our power to have it accomplished. - -'We therefore command and strictly enjoin you, that on the receipt of -this letter, you lay aside all other business whatever, and instantly -cause our commands to be publicly proclaimed with a loud voice, and -with sound of trumpet, in such places where proclamations have been -usually made. You will also make this our pleasure known to all -our captains, governors, and men at arms within any fort, castle, -or forming any garrisons within your said bailiwick; and you will -strictly enjoin, that no person shall dare to assemble in arms without -our especial licence first had and obtained, under pain of corporal -punishment and confiscation of goods. And should any such assemblies -have taken place within your bailiwick, they must, on hearing the -proclamation of this our pleasure, instantly disperse, and return to -their homes. - -'Should any bodies of men at arms have taken possession of a town or -fortress within your district, you will command them, in our name, -instantly to surrender it to you, and depart thence; and you will renew -the garrison with such persons as you shall judge expedient, and take -the command of such town or fort yourself, until you shall receive -further orders. Should they refuse to surrender themselves to you, you -will make them your prisoners, and execute such justice upon them as -their case may require; and should it seem necessary, you will employ -force against them to reduce them to obedience, and summon to your aid -all the nobles resident within your bailiwick, taking care to have a -superior force to those you are about to attack, and keeping it up so -long as you shall judge it right for the maintaining tranquillity in -the country. And we order all our nobles, on the fealty they owe to us, -to obey your orders whenever the case shall require it. - -'Should it happen, that during any engagements that may take place -between you and our rebellious subjects, any of them be killed or -wounded, we will not that such murders be prejudicial to any one -employed under your orders, but that they be acquitted and freed -from all pursuits for the same hereafter, as we grant them our full -pardon. We will likewise, that all arms, horses, or baggage that may be -taken from any of our rebellious subjects, shall be converted toward -paying the expenses of those who shall have taken and imprisoned such -disobedient rebels. - -'We therefore give full licence and authority to all our subjects, -should they be constrained to employ force against these rebels, to -seize and hold possession of any parts of their territories without -ever being called to account hereafter for so doing. And we especially -command all our civil officers and subjects to afford you every aid in -their power, and to obey your commands. - -'We also direct, that our well-beloved members of the courts of -justice, all masters of requests, as well of our hôtel as of the -parliament, all bailiffs and sergeants, and every other dependant -on the courts of law, do suspend all processes that may have been -proceeding against any of the nobles employed in executing our orders, -from the day they shall have set out until fifteen days after their -return, without their suffering any thing prejudicial to themselves or -their possessions, or to those who may have been securities for them. -Should any such acts have taken place, you will order every thing to -be replaced on the same ground as before the nobles had set out on the -expedition; for such is our pleasure, according to the tenour of this -present letter,--a copy of which, under our royal seal, we shall send -you, because the original cannot be exhibited in all places where -there may be occasion for it; and to this copy you will give equal -credence as to the original letter. - -'Given at Paris, the 5th day of August, in the year of Grace 1413, and -of our reign the 33d.' It was signed by the king in council,--present -the dukes of Acquitaine, Berry, Burgundy, Bar, the duke Louis of -Bavaria, and others. Countersigned, 'Ferron.' These two edicts were -carried to Amiens, and proclaimed the 20th day of the same month. - - - - -CHAP. XXIII. - -THE DUKE OF ACQUITAINE ORDERS THE PRISONERS TO BE LIBERATED.--THE DUKE -OF BURGUNDY LEAVES PARIS.--SEVERAL PRINCES ARRIVE THERE.--THEIR ACTIONS. - - -On the 4th day of September, the duke of Acquitaine, in consequence -of the king's commands, caused all the prisoners confined within the -palace to be set at liberty; and, shortly after, the whole of the -furniture of John de Troyes, then keeper of the palace, and who had -gone abroad for some private affairs, was carried out of the same, in -pursuance of the orders of the duke of Acquitaine, by those Parisians -who had usually accompanied him. His office of keeper of the palace -was taken away, and restored to him who had before holden it. In like -manner were several offices in Paris restored to their former holders, -namely, to Anthony des Essars, to the two dukes of Bar and of Bavaria; -the former being reinstated in his government of the Louvre, and the -other in that of the bastille. - -When the prisoners had been set at liberty, the duke of Acquitaine -ordered all the bells of the churches to ring together, and two days -and nights were passed in the utmost joy and revelling throughout the -town, for the re-establishment of peace, which was a delightful sight. - -The lord de Viefville and sir Charles de Lens, brother to the châtelain -de Lens, were arrested in the hôtel of the duke of Burgundy; but sir -Robinet de Mailly, for fear of being taken, fled,--and the lord de -Viefville, at the entreaty of the duke of Burgundy and his daughter, -the duchess of Acquitaine, obtained his liberty. Sir Charles was -confined in the prisons of the Châtelet,--and the other, who had fled, -was banished the realm. - -The lord de Jacqueville, during his absence, was deprived of -his government of Paris; and, hearing of this while he was at -Montereau-faut-Yonne with some of his principal supporters among the -butchers, they all fled to Burgundy: at the same time, Jean Caboche, -master Jean de Troyes and his children, with many others of the -Parisians, hastened into Flanders. Master Eustace de Lactre, the new -chancellor of France, fled like the rest from Paris,--and in his place -was appointed master Arnold de Corbie, who had before been chancellor -of France, but, at his own request, on account of his age, had been -deprived of it, when the first president of the parliament of Paris was -nominated in his stead. Master John Jouemel, king's advocate, was made -chancellor of Acquitaine. - -Very many knights, particularly those who had been appointed -commissioners to try the late prisoners, quitted Paris; and the duke -of Burgundy, observing the conduct of his son-in-law the duke of -Acquitaine, began to be apprehensive that he was not well pleased -with his former conduct, and that he would remember the outrages -which had been committed personally against him, as well in his -hôtel as elsewhere, as has been before related, and would have him -arrested. He daily saw the most faithful of his adherents quit Paris -privately, and without taking leave of him: some of them were even made -prisoners,--and he was told that there had been guards placed round his -hôtel of Artois, and that great numbers of those who had been enemies -to the duke of Acquitaine were now reconciled to him. - -To prevent any dangerous consequences, and to avoid the perils that -might ensue, he prevailed on the king to hunt in the forest of -Ville-neuve. The lord de St George accompanied him,--and when he found -the opportunity favourable, he took leave of the king, saying, that -he had received such intelligence from Flanders as would force him to -return thither instantly, on account of the important business which he -would have to transact. On saying this, he set off, and passed the wood -of Bondis in much fear: he continued his road without stopping, and -attended by a small company, to St Maixence, where he lay that night. -On the morrow, very early, the lord de Ront came thither to meet him, -with two hundred men at arms, and thence escorted him in a few days to -Lille in Flanders. - -When his departure was known, the Parisians and others attached to the -Orleans party began loudly to murmur against him, saying that he had -fled for fear of being arrested. Those of his party who had remained in -Paris were in great alarm; for daily some of them were imprisoned, and -summary justice done upon them. Even the two nephews of Jean Caboche -were executed, after having been for some time dragged through the -streets; and the host of the hôtel of the 'huis de fer,' named Jean de -Troyes, cousin-german to master Jean de Troyes, the surgeon, of whom -mention has been made, suffered in like manner. - -In respect to the queen, the dukes of Acquitaine, Berry, Bar and -Bavaria, they were perfectly pleased and happy that the duke of -Burgundy had quitted Paris, as were many of the great lords: in short, -the whole town was now turned against him both in words and deeds. - -It was not long before the dukes of Orleans and of Bourbon, the -counts d'Alençon, de Vertus, d'Eu, de Vaudemont and de Dammartin, the -archbishop of Sens, friar Jacques le Grand, and the borgne Foucault, -came in handsome array to Paris; and the dukes of Berry, Bar and -Bavaria, the bishop of Paris, with many nobles and citizens, went out -on horseback to meet them, and escorted them, with every sign of joy, -to the palace, where the king, the queen, and the duke of Acquitaine -were waiting to receive them. - -Their reception by the royal family was very gracious, and they all -supped at the palace, after which they retired to their different -hôtels in the town. On the morrow, the lord Charles d'Albreth came to -Paris, when the office of constable was instantly restored to him. -On the 8th day of September following, the king, at the instance of -the aforesaid lords, held a grand council in the usual chamber of -parliament, and issued the following edict, which was proclaimed -throughout his realm. - -'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to all to whom these -presents shall come, greeting. - -'Whereas, during the discords and dissensions that took place between -several of our blood and kindred, many damnable falsehoods have been -reported to us; under pretext of which our council have been very much -constrained, and our city of Paris did not enjoy its usual freedom, and -ourself was not advised so loyally as we ought to have been for the -honour and general welfare of the public, as it has since appeared, for -several acts have been done that were partial and irregular. Others of -our subjects were under the greatest alarm (and this happened to some -of tried courage), for they saw that those were in danger of losing -every thing dear to them who should utter the truth. In fact, several -of our prelates, nobles, and members of our council were wrongfully -arrested, robbed of their wealth, and forced to pay ransoms for their -liberty, which caused many of our well wishers to absent themselves -from our council, and even to fly from Paris. - -'Many letters patent were unjustly and damnably obtained in our name, -sealed with our seal, and sent to our sovereign father, the head of -Christian princes, at the holy college of Rome, and to other monarchs, -declaring that these letters were sent with our full knowledge and -approbation. - -'We have lately been well informed from papers that have been -discovered, and laid before us in council, of a fact of which indeed we -had our suspicions, that envy and malice were the grounds on which our -uncle John de Berry, our nephews Charles of Orleans and his brothers, -John de Bourbon, John d'Alençon, Charles d'Albreth, our cousins, and -Bernard d'Armagnac, with their accomplices and supporters, were charged -with the wicked and treasonable design of depriving us and all our -descendants of our royal authority, and expelling us our kingdom, which -God forbid! and also with the design of making a new king of France, -which is an abominable thing to hear of, and must be painful even -in the recital to the hearts of all our loyal subjects. In regard, -therefore, to such charges, those who have made them are guilty of -iniquitously imposing upon us, and are culpable of enormous crimes as -well treasonable as otherwise. - -'Very many defamatory libels have been written and affixed to the doors -of churches, as well as distributed to several persons, and published -in different places, to the great dishonour and contempt of some of -the highest of our blood, such as our very dear and well-beloved son, -our well-beloved nephews and cousins, the dukes of Orleans and of -Bourbon, the counts de Vertus, d'Alençon, d'Armagnac, and d'Albreth, -constable of France, and against other nobles and barons, our -wellwishers, consequently against ourself and our government. - -'We, therefore, for these causes, do by these letters patent give -permission to our said uncle, nephews, cousins, and to their adherents, -to seize on and destroy the lands and property of all who may have been -guilty of the aforesaid acts, declaring them to have forfeited to us -both their bodies and estates. - -'We the more readily consent to their being thus sorely oppressed, -because they, under pretence of an ancient bull which had been issued -against the free companies forty years ago, without any permission and -authority, did raise and assemble companies of men at arms against -us and against our realm. This bull could not any way refer, as the -simple inspection of it would show, to our said son, uncle, nephew, -or cousins, but was applied to them, through wicked counsel, without -any authority from our said sovereign father the pope, without any -deliberations holden on the subject,--nor was any suit instituted, -as was usual in such cases; but without any forms of proceeding that -should have been observed, or any preceding admonitions, they were -illegally, through force and partiality, condemned as excommunicated, -with all their adherents and friends,--which sentence was, in defiance -of truth, publicly proclaimed throughout our kingdom. - -'They were likewise declared traitors and wicked persons, banished -our kingdom, and deprived of all their possessions and offices. On -this occasion, many injurious reports were industriously spread -abroad against them, and they were themselves treated with the utmost -inhumanity. Several of them were put to death without any attention -being paid to their souls, like to outlaws and beasts, without -administration of the sacraments of the holy church, and then thrown -into ditches, or exposed in the fields, like dogs, to be devoured by -the birds. - -'Such acts are damnably wicked and cruel, more especially among -Christians and true Catholics, and have been done at the instigation -of seditious persons, disturbers of the peace, and illwishers to our -said uncle, nephews and cousins, by means of their abominable fictions -in order to gain their false and wicked purposes, as we have since been -more fully and truly informed. - -'We therefore, desirous, as is reasonable, that such false accusations -as have been brought against those of our blood and their adherents, -should not remain in the state they are now in, to their great -disgrace, and earnestly wishing that the real truth should be -published, and reparation made for these illegal proceedings, make -known that we are fully persuaded, from the information we have -received, that our said uncle, son, nephews, cousins, prelates, barons, -nobles, and others their partisans, have ever had loyal intentions -toward our person, and have been good relatives and obedient subjects, -such as they ought to be in regard to us, and that all which has -been done has been treacherously, and wickedly, and surreptitiously -contrived against truth and reason, at the instances and importunities -of these aforesaid seditious disturbers of the peace, by whom all -letters and edicts, that any way tend to tarnish their honour, have -been procured under false pretences. - -'We declare, by these presents, that such edicts and letters patent -have been wrongfully and surreptitiously issued, and are of no weight, -having been procured by those rebellious disturbers of the peace, -authors of the evils that have afflicted our city of Paris, and whom we -also declare guilty of high treason. - -'Being desirous that the truth of these crimes should be made public, -and that all may be acquainted with the real facts, to prevent any -evil consequences that might ensue to us and to our realm, were they -to remain in ignorance, as may happen to any prince who has subjects -to govern, we therefore make known, and assert it for truth, that we -being at our usual residence in Paris, in company with our very dear -and well-beloved consort the queen, our very dear and well beloved -son the duke of Acquitaine, our uncle the duke of Berry, with several -others of our kindred, and such of our servants and councillors as -were accustomed to attend on us,--it happened that on the 27th day of -April last past, sir Elion de Jacqueville, Robinet de Mailly, Charles -de Recourt, called de Lens, knights, William Bareau, at that time a -secretary, a surgeon, named Jean de Troyes, and his children, Thomas -le Goys, and his children, Garnot de Saint Yon, butcher, Symon de -Coutelier, skinner of calf skins, Bau de Bordes, Andrieu Roussel, -Denisot de Chaumont, master Eustace de Lactre, master Pierre Canthon, -master Diusque François, master Nicolle de Saint Hilaire, master Jean -Bon, master Nicolle de Quesnoy, Jean Guerin, Jean Pimorin, Jacques -Laban, Guillaume Gente, Jean Parent, Jacques de Saint Laurent, Jacques -de Rouen, Martin de Neauville, Martin de Coulonniers, master Toussaints -Bangart, master Jean Rapiot, master Hugues de Verdun, master Laurens -Calot, Jean de Rouen, son to a tripe woman of Puys Nôtre Dame, Jean -Maillart, an old clothes-seller, with many others, their accomplices, -of divers ranks and conditions, (who had, before this time, held -frequent assemblies, and secret conspiracies in many places, both in -the day and night-time) appeared in a very large body armed, with -displayed standard, by way of hostility, before our said residence of -Saint Pol, without our having any knowledge of such their disorderly -intent. - -'They proceeded thence to the hôtel of our son the duke of Acquitaine, -which they would forcibly enter, and broke open the gates of it -contrary to the will of our said son, his attendants and servants. -Having done this, they entered his apartment in opposition to his -expostulations and prohibitions; and when there, they seized by force -and violence our cousin-german the duke of Bar, the chancellor of our -said son, with many other nobles our chamberlains and counsellors to -our son, and carried them away whithersoever they pleased: some of them -they confined in close imprisonment, where they detained them so long -as they were able. These excesses raised the anger of our son in so -violent a degree that he was in danger of suffering a serious disorder -from it. - -'The said seditious rebels, persisting in their wicked courses, came -to us in our hôtel of St Pol, when they proposed, or caused to be -proposed, whatever seemed good to them, positively declaring, however, -that they would have certain persons, whose names were written down in -a small roll, which they had with them, which persons were then in our -company.--Among the number were Louis duke of Bavaria, brother to our -consort the queen, and many other nobles, our knights, counsellors, -the master of our household, with numbers of our servants of different -ranks and conditions. These they arrested by force against our will, -and carried them to prison, or wherever else they pleased, as they had -done to the others. - -'After this, they entered the apartments of the queen our consort, and -in her presence, and contrary to her will, they seized many ladies and -damsels, several of whom were of our kindred, and carried them away -to prison, as they had done to the others. This disloyal and indecent -conduct so greatly alarmed our dear consort the queen, that she was in -great danger of losing her life from the illness that ensued. - -'After the imprisonment of these several persons of both sexes, the -insurgents proceeded against them, contrary to all law and justice, by -very severe tortures, and even put to death many of the nobility in the -prisons, afterward publishing that they had killed themselves. Their -bodies they hung on gibbets, or flung them into the Seine. Some they -beheaded privately while in prison. With regard to the ladies whom they -had arrested, they treated them most inhumanly; and although they were -urgently pressed to allow the laws to take their course, in regard to -these prisoners, and that the court of parliament, as was reasonable, -should take cognizance of them, they positively refused every request -of the sort, and had letters drawn up as seemed good to them, and -to which they had the great seal of our chancery set by force, and, -besides, constrained our son to sign all their acts with our seals -manual, as approving of their deeds. - -'That they might have the chancellor the more under their command, -to seal whatever edicts they should please to have proclaimed, they -dismissed from that office our well-beloved Arnold de Corbie, who -had so long and so faithfully served us, and put in his place master -Eustace de Lactre, by whom letters were sealed and issued contrary to -all truth, but conformable to the acts of these wicked men. We were -deceived by them, from want of able counsellors, and from freedom of -speech not being permitted, as has before been noticed. - -'All these letters, therefore, and edicts mandatory that have been -published to the dishonour of our said uncle, nephews, cousins, and -their friends and adherents, we holding a bed of justice in our court -of parliament, in the presence of many of our blood-royal, prelates, -churchmen, as well members of the university of Paris, our daughter, -as from elsewhere, several great barons, and other able persons of our -council, and many principal citizens of Paris, do now annul, condemn -and for ever annihilate. And we forbid all our subjects, under pain of -incurring our highest indignation, to act, by word or deed, any way -hereafter contrary to the strict tenour of this our will and pleasure. -Should any of these disgraceful acts be produced in courts of justice, -we forbid any faith to be placed in them, and order them to be torn and -destroyed wherever they may be found. - -'In consequence whereof, we command our beloved and faithful -counsellors of our parliament, our provost of Paris, and all others -our bailiffs, seneschals, provosts and officers of justice, or their -lieutenants, each and all of them to cause this our present edict to -be publicly proclaimed by sound of trumpet in the usual places where -proclamations are made, that none may plead ignorance of this our will. -And we also command, that it be publicly read by all prelates and -clergymen, or such as have usually preached to the people, that in time -to come they may not again be seduced by similar evil machinations. - -'We also order, that as full obedience be paid to all copies of these -presents, sealed with our seal, as to the original. In testimony of -which, we have set our seal to these presents. Given in our great -chamber of the parliament of Paris, at a bed of justice holden the 12th -day of September, in the year 1413. - -'By the king, holding his bed of justice in his court of parliament.' -Countersigned, 'Baye.'--This ordinance was, consequently, proclaimed in -Amiens[22] on the 15th day of December following. - - - - -CHAP. XXIV. - -THE DUKE OF BRITTANY COMES TO PARIS.--THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY HOLDS A -COUNCIL AT LILLE.--THE ACTIONS OF THE COUNT DE ST POL,--AND OTHER -MATTERS THAT HAPPENED AT THIS TIME. - - -At this period, John duke of Brittany, son in law to the king, came to -Paris, with his brother the count de Richemont. The duke d'Evreux[23] -and the earl of Rutland arrived there also from England, to treat of -the marriage of their king with Catherine daughter to the king of -France, and to prevent the alliance which the duke of Burgundy was -desirous of forming between the king of England and his daughter[24]. -These ambassadors, having explained to the king of France and his -ministers the cause of their coming, returned to England. - -The duke of Burgundy, during this time, was holding a grand council at -Lille, which was attended by deputies from Ghent, Bruges, Ypres, the -Quatre Mestiers, and by many nobles: among the latter was count Waleran -de St Pol, constable of France, who had just concluded the negotiation -with the English at Boulogne and Leulinghen. The envoys from England -were the earl of Warwick and the bishop of St Davids, and others, who -were commissioned to treat of a truce between the two kings, which was -agreed on to last until the feast of St John the Baptist next ensuing. - -The count de St Pol, when on this business, received letters from -the king of France, ordering him to come to Paris and surrender the -constable's sword. Finding that it was intended to deprive him of this -office, he came to ask advice of the duke of Burgundy, who counselled -him not to obey these orders; and in consequence, he went to his castle -of St Pol en Ternois, where his lady resided, and thence to Amiens, and -there tarried four days. - -From Amiens, he sent to Paris, as ambassadors to the king of France, -his nephew the count de Conversen and the vidame of Amiens, attended by -master Robert le Jeusne, advocate at Amiens, to harangue the king on -the subject of their embassy. On their arrival, the advocate opened -his harangue in full council before the king, the chancellor and the -other members of it, saying, that the constable, the count de St Pol, -his lord and master, had never been of any party which had disturbed -the realm; that he had never raised any troops, nor had attacked any of -the king's castles, as several others had done. - -When he had finished his speech, he was required to produce those -who would vouch for what he had said, as had been done in similar -cases; but the ambassadors would not support him, and he was instantly -arrested and confined in the prisons of the Châtelet, where he remained -for two days; and it was with great difficulty that the duke of Bar, -brother in law to the count de St Pol, by his entreaties, obtained his -liberty. - -On Saturday, the day after the feast of St Mor[26], the count de St Pol -left Amiens, and returned dispirited and melancholy to his own county. - -Other royal edicts were now published at Paris and sent to all parts -of the kingdom for proclamation, complaining of the great disorders -that had been committed in the capital by the Parisians, to the great -displeasure of the queen and the duke of Acquitaine.--I shall not -particularise these edicts, for the atrocious acts of the Parisians -have been already sufficiently declared. - -Soon after these proclamations, the duke of Orleans, conformably to the -articles of the peace, demanded of the king restitution of his castles -of Pierrefons and Coucy, which the count de St Pol had refused to -surrender to him. His request was granted, and orders were sent to sir -Gasselins du Bos, bailiff of Sens, to go thither and receive the homage -due to the king,--and thus they were restored to the duke of Orleans. - -On the following Saturday, the count d'Armagnac, and Clugnet de -Brabant, knight, came to Paris with a numerous company of men at arms, -and were received by the king, lords and barons, with great joy. All, -or the greater part of those who had followed the faction of the duke -of Orleans, now came to Paris,--and the affairs of the nation were -governed according to their good pleasure, for the king and the duke -of Acquitaine were at this time under their management. With regard to -the Burgundy-faction, they were kept at a distance, and could scarcely -ever obtain an audience, how high soever their rank might be, insomuch -that such as had remained in the town were forced to hold down their -heads, and to hear many things that were neither pleasant nor agreeable -to them. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 22: The name of the city of Amiens is inserted in this and -in most of the former state-papers merely by way of example. It was -probably the nearest bailiwick to Monstrelet's place of residence, -and the edicts, &c. which he inspected were those directed to this -particular bailiff.] - -[Footnote 23: There was clearly no such person as the duke d'Evreux; -but the earl of Rutland himself was also duke of Aumerle; and, both -being norman titles, Monstrelet might have confounded them. But I -can find no mention of an embassy in which the earl of Rutland was -concerned.] - -[Footnote 24: Monstrelet must have mistaken the names of these -ambassadors; for in the Foedera mention is made of a promise from the -king of England, by his commissioners, the bishop of Durham, the earl -of Warwick and doctor Ware[25], 'De non contrahendo, citra certum diem, -cum aliqua alia muliere, nisi cum Katerina Franciæ, matrimonio.'--Dated -Westminster, 28th January 1414.] - -[Footnote 25: This, however, seems to refer to the second embassy -mentioned after.] - -[Footnote 26: St Mor. Q. St Maur?] - - - - -CHAP. XXV. - -THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY HOLDS MANY COUNCILS TO CONSIDER OF HIS SITUATION, -FEARING THAT HIS ENEMIES WOULD TURN THE KING AGAINST HIM, WHICH THEY -AFTERWARDS DID[27]. - - -The duke of Burgundy, while these things were passing, resided in the -town of Lille, where he had assembled many great lords to consult and -have their advice respecting the situation he was then in. He received -almost daily intelligence from Paris, and learnt how his enemies -governed the king and the duke of Acquitaine, and were labouring to -keep those of his party at a distance from the royal presence, in order -to prevent their receiving any marks of favour or benevolence. - -The duke formed various opinions on this intelligence, and suspected, -what indeed afterward happened, that his adversaries would succeed -in setting the king and the duke of Acquitaine at variance with him, -and in the end making war upon him. He was, however, prepared to meet -whatever events might befal him. - -At this period, the earl of Warwick, the bishop of St Davids, and -others, waited upon him, to treat of a marriage between the king -of England and a daughter of the duke, notwithstanding the embassy -that had been sent to the king of France on a similar subject. These -ambassadors and the duke of Burgundy could not agree on the terms of -alliance, and they consequently returned to England. - -On the 4th day of October, the lords d'Offemont and de Moy came to St -Pol en Ternois, by orders from the king of France, to demand from -the count de St Pol, that he would surrender to them, or send to the -king, his constable's sword. The count replied, that he would never -willingly, nor without the advice of his friends, comply with such -a request, but that he would refer the matter to the counsel of his -friends, and would shortly send such an answer that the king should be -satisfied therewith. These lords, having heard this, returned to Paris, -after having been honourably entertained by the constable, and related -to the king and council what they had done, which was not any way -agreeable to those who had sent them. - -This same day, another royal edict was published against all who should -not strictly keep the peace, forbidding every one to spread abroad any -evil reports that would tend to create discord and commotion, and to -call any one by such sirnames as should engender strife, and renew the -mischiefs that had so lately desolated the kingdom. It was proclaimed -throughout France, and was of the following tenour. - -'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting. - -'It has come to our knowledge, that whereas by great and mature -deliberation of council, and by the aid and diligence of many of our -blood and other discreet men of our realm, we have, by the grace of -God, established a peace between several of our kindred, among whom -disputes and discords had arisen and continued for a considerable -time. We have first shown all the points of the treaties that had been -proposed, after mature council, as well to those of our blood and -great council as to the prelates, barons, and knights of our different -courts of parliament, and to other officers of justice in the court of -the Conciergerie, and also to our well-beloved daughter the university -of Paris, the clergy and citizens of our capital, who have been all -delighted therewith, and have unanimously supplicated us to complete -the peace, which, through the mercy of God, we have done. - -'For the greater security of its observance, our very dear and well -beloved eldest son, nephews, uncle and cousins,--that is to say, Louis -duke of Acquitaine, dauphin of Vienne, the dukes of Berry, Burgundy, -Orleans, Brittany, Bourbon, and of Bar,--the counts d'Alençon, Vertus, -Richemont, d'Eu, Vendosme, and many others of our blood,--have -promised and sworn in our presence, on the word of a son to a king -and a prince, on part of a piece of the true cross, and upon the holy -evangelists of God touched corporally by them, never more in any -respect to misbehave toward us, but to pay a due regard to their own -honour and rank, and henceforward to act toward each other like to kind -relations and friends. - -'This they declare they have done without any fraud, deception, or -mental reservation, and promise most faithfully to observe this union, -and to deposit in our hands their several letters patent. - -'In like manner have the different ranks of our faithful subjects -promised and sworn to the due observance of that affection, loyalty, -and service they owe to us, and that they will most strictly keep this -aforesaid peace concluded between the princes of our blood,--and that -they will, to the utmost of their power, prevent it from being in any -way infringed, as is more fully explained in others of our letters -patent. - -'Nevertheless, there are, as we learn, several within your bailiwick -full of evil intentions, who, believing that no proceedings will take -place against them for any commotions they may excite, and that they -may remain unpunished in body or goods, do daily spread abroad reports -injurious to the said peace, and by wicked murmurings endeavour to -raise discontents against it, and also to make use of such odious -sirnames as have been by this peace strictly forbidden, and by other -acts and speeches urge on the people to dissensions that may produce -fresh warfare; which things are highly, and not without cause, -displeasing to us. - -'We will, that the aforesaid peace be most strictly kept, and such is -our firm intention, that all means of future dissensions may be put -an end to, and that every kind of warfare cease in our kingdom, so -that each person may henceforward live in peace and tranquillity. We -therefore command, that you do instantly cause these presents to be -most solemnly proclaimed by sound of trumpet in every part within your -bailiwick wherever any proclamations have been or are usually made. - -'Our will and purpose is, to preserve this peace most strictly -inviolate, and to observe it in the manner that has been so solemnly -sworn to in our presence, without suffering it to be infringed by any -person whatever. And we expressly command that you do most attentively -regard its preservation, and that you do make very exact inquiries -after all who may in any manner attempt its infringement. We rigorously -forbid any factious sirnames to be used, and all other words and -expressions that have a tendency to revive past dissensions, under pain -of corporal punishment and confiscation of goods. And any such whom -you shall find disobeying these our commands you will punish in such -wise that he or they be examples to deter others from committing the -like,--and see that there be no failure in this through any fault or -neglect of your own. - -'For the due fulfilment of these our commands, we give full powers, -as well to yourself as to your deputies and under officers, -notwithstanding any letters, edicts, prohibitions, oppositions, or -appeals to the contrary. Given at Paris, the 6th day of October, -1413.'----Signed by the king in his great council, in the presence of -the king of Sicily, the dukes of Berry, Orleans, Bourbon, the counts -de la Marche, d'Alençon, d'Eu, Vendosme, Armagnac, the constable, the -count de Tancarville, the grand master of the household, the master -of the cross-bows, the admiral, the chancellors of Acquitaine and -of Orleans, the lords d'Oyrront[28], de Torcy, de Ray de Boyssay, de -Bauquille, l'hermite de la Fayette, and many more.--Countersigned, 'P. -Naucron.' - -This edict was afterwards proclaimed at Amiens, and in that bailiwick, -on the 3d day of November in the same year. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 27: At the head of this chapter, in the edition of Monstrelet -in Lincoln's-inn Library, (which is the black letter of Anthoine -Verard,--I can find no date), is a curious wooden print, representing, -perhaps, the duke of Burgundy and his lords in council; but I do not -understand what the figures of dead bodies in the back ground are meant -for. - -I should suspect that the print is misplaced, and is meant to describe -the bloody entry of the duke into Paris some time after.] - - - - -CHAP. XXVI. - -DUKE LOUIS OF BAVARIA MARRIES AT PARIS.--OF THOSE WHO HAD BEEN -BANISHED ON ACCOUNT OF THE DISCORDS BETWEEN THE DUKES OF ORLEANS AND -BURGUNDY,--AND OF MANY OTHER INCIDENTAL MATTERS. - - -In these days, duke Louis of Bavaria, brother to the queen of France, -espoused, at the hôtel of St Pol, the widow of the lord Peter de -Navarre, formerly count de Mortain. At this wedding, the king and many -others of the princes tilted, for there were very grand feasts on the -occasion. - -On the morrow, sir Robinet de Mailly, sir Elyon de Jacqueville, les -Goys, namely, father and son, master John de Troyes, Denisot de -Chaumont, Caboche, and others who have been before mentioned as having -suits brought against them in parliament, were for ever banished from -Paris. The duke of Burgundy very soon received information of this, as -he was at St Omer, where he had assembled the nobility of Artois, to -deliberate on the subject of taxes, and they had granted him one equal -to what the king annually levied. He was not well pleased with this -intelligence, for the greater part of those who had been banished were -then with him; and they daily urged him to march a powerful army to -Paris, assuring him, that if he would appear before it, the Parisians -would instantly declare for him, and drive his enemies out of the town. -The duke, however, being otherwise advised, would not comply with their -request. - -About this time there was a violent quarrel between the dukes of -Orleans and Brittany, on the subject of precedency, insomuch that it -came to the ears of the king, who decided for the duke of Orleans. On -this, the duke of Brittany left Paris in ill humour; but before he -departed, he had some high words with his brother-in-law the count -d'Alençon, in consequence of his telling him that he had in his heart -a lion as big as a child of one year old, which greatly angered the -duke, and caused a hatred between them. - -At this period, the borgne de la Heuse was, by the king's order, -dismissed from the provostship of Paris, and master Andrieu Marchant, -advocate in the parliament, appointed in his stead. Sir Guichart -Daulphin, grand master of the king's household, the lord de Rambures, -master of the cross-bows of France, and sir Anthony de Craon, were -also dismissed, by order of the duke of Acquitaine, and commanded not -to return to Paris until the king should send for them. In like manner -were three hundred persons, as well men as women, driven out of Paris -because they were attached to the party of the duke of Burgundy. - -The count de Vendosme was made grand master of the cross-bows, and -several were restored to their former offices. - -About this time, sixteen hundred horse, whom the duke had sent for from -Burgundy, marched through Champagne, the Cambresis, and thence into -Artois. The duke was at Lille, and with him the count de St Pol, who -had come thither to consult him whether or not he should surrender the -constable's sword. The duke advised him to retain it, and said that he -would support him to the utmost of his power. In consequence, the count -sent the vidame of Amiens again to Paris, to inform the king and his -council of his intention to keep the constable's sword. - -Another edict, to forbid any persons whatever from bearing arms, was -now published, the tenour of which was as follows. - -'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting. - -'Since, through the Divine Grace, we have succeeded in establishing a -peace between some of our kindred, among whom discords and dissensions -had taken place,--on which we ordered, that all foreign men at arms and -archers should instantly quit our kingdom, and no longer live upon and -harrass our subjects, as they had been accustomed to do, and which was -highly displeasing to us,-- - -'Know ye, that we will that this our order be most strictly obeyed, -and that nothing be done to the contrary, to the oppression of our -said subjects, or to their hindrance in living under us in peace and -tranquillity. For this, and other sufficient reasons which move us, -we expressly command you to cause this our pleasure to be publicly -proclaimed by sound of trumpet, in all places within your bailiwick -where proclamations have been usually made, that no knight or noble -esquire, of whatever rank he may be, shall put on arms or attend to the -commands of any superior lord whatever to begin and carry on a warfare -in any part of our realm, under pain of forfeiture of his goods and -estate, unless he shall have our especial commands for so doing. - -'All such as you shall find acting contrary to this our order you will -punish, so that they may be examples for others; and you will seize on -all their goods and chattels for our use, because they have been guilty -of disobedience and disloyalty towards us their sovereign lord, without -having received our commands. Be careful that this order be obeyed, and -not neglected through any fault of yours. - -'Given at the Bois de Vincennes, the 22d day of October, in the year of -Grace 1413, and of our reign the 33d.' - -It was signed by the king in his great council,--present the lord de -Preaulx[29], the count de Tancarville, the lords de Montenay and de -Cambrillac, Pierre de l'Esclut, and several others. This edict was -proclaimed in Amiens the 12th day of November following. - -On the Monday preceding the feast of All-saints, the duke of Burgundy -gave a grand entertainment at Lille. The Monday and Tuesday, the -knights and esquires tilted, namely, the duke himself, his son the -count de Charolois, the duke of Brabant and the count de Nevers, his -brothers. - -Soon after this feast was over, and the company departed, the lord -de Dampierre, admiral of France, the bishop of Evreux, and others, -came to Lille as ambassadors from the king of France, and commanded -the duke, in the king's name, by virtue of their royal orders, not -to enter into any treaty or agreement with the king of England, for -the marriage of his daughter or otherwise, under pain of having his -estates confiscated. They summoned him to surrender to the king three -castles which were garrisoned by his men, namely, Cherbourg, Caen, -and Crotoy,--and ordered him, on his allegiance, to maintain the -peace he had so solemnly sworn to observe with the duke of Orleans, -his brothers, their friends and adherents. The duke, on hearing these -commands, made no reply whatever to the ambassadors, but called for his -boots, and rode off instantly for Oudenarde. The ambassadors returned -to Rolaincourt le Châtel, which belonged to the admiral, on the eve of -Saint Martin, and thence came to Paris. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 28: D'Oyrront. Q. D'Orgemont?] - -[Footnote 29: James de Bourbon, grand butler of France, son to James I. -count de la Marche, and uncle to the present counts de la Marche and -Vendôme, and lord of Carency.] - - - - -CHAP. XXVII. - -THE KING OF FRANCE, FEARING THE PEACE WOULD BE BROKEN, PUBLISHES OTHER -EDICTS FOR ITS PRESERVATION THROUGHOUT THE REALM, AND ALSO RESPECTING -THE COIN. - - -The king of France, suspecting that the peace lately concluded at -Pontoise would be broken, by several who were endeavouring to excite -fresh disturbances by their seditious speeches, published the following -edict. - -'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to all those to whom -these presents may come, greeting. - -'Since it is a duty appertaining to our royal majesty, as well as -to all princes who have subjects to govern, and consonant to the -establishment and ordinance of God, appointed by the divine, canon, -and civil law, that a good and strict police should be observed and -supported for the well governing and keeping in peace our people, and -to avoid all wars and intestine divisions, which we have always had -most earnestly at heart, and are determined to prevent as much as -shall lie within our power.--It has, however, happened, that quarrels -and dissensions have arisen between some of the princes of our blood, -whence have sprung intestine warfares, to the great detriment of our -subjects residing within towns, as well as of those employed in rural -affairs. - -'We have, through the wholesome advice of many discreet and wise -persons of our blood and council, as well as of our daughter the -university of Paris, and several of its citizens, concluded a peace -between the contending parties, which each has most solemnly sworn, on -the holy relic of the true cross, most faithfully to preserve, and not -invalidate in the smallest trifle. On this occasion, we have overlooked -and pardoned the crimes that have been committed during these divisions -in our good city of Paris. - -'We have also given our letters of pardon, tied with silken cords and -sealed with green wax; and this peace, so sworn, we have had proclaimed -throughout our kingdom, and wherever else we have thought it necessary, -so that no one may plead ignorance of it, and carry on a warfare from -partiality or attachment to either of the late contending parties, or -by murmurs or seditious words endeavour to infringe this peace, and -renew the dissensions that have so much distressed our realm, by any -means, or in any measure whatever. - -'It has, notwithstanding, come to our knowledge, that many -evil-disposed persons, as well within our town of Paris as elsewhere, -and of various ranks and conditions, do privately murmur, and use many -seditious expressions in their secret meetings, in order to overturn -this peace, and attempt to excite the commonalty of Paris to second -their damnable ends and intentions,--to stir up a mortal war to our -evident disadvantage, to the peril of our realm and government,--to -put an end to all legal justice, and to the destruction of all good -and loyal subjects who are desirous of peace. This conduct imperiously -demands an efficient and speedy remedy, to prevent the dangers that -might otherwise ensue. - -'Know ye, that we have held divers councils on the above with the -princes of our blood, and with our wisest and most prudent counsellors, -to provide and to determine on the most effectual means to check -such treasonable practices. We therefore order and enjoin, by these -presents, that whoever may have knowledge of any person or persons, -who, since the signature of the peace at Pontoise, have murmured, or do -murmur, or spread abroad any factious words or expressions, to excite -the populace against the said peace, or shall have knowledge of any -conspiracy or damnable secret meetings, and will denounce them to any -of our officers of justice, so that legal cognizance may be taken of -the same, shall, on the conviction of such persons, receive one third -part of the goods and estates that may, in consequence of the sentence -or sentences passed on them, be adjudged to ourself. And we further -will, that this our edict be published throughout the realm, that all -diligence may be used to discover such traitors as are seditiously -active in disturbing the peace, so that punishment may be inflicted -upon them according to the heinousness of their offences, as violators -of the peace, and to serve for an example to others. We will that full -credit be given to the copies of these presents, the same as if they -were the original. - -'We therefore give it in command to our bailiff of Amiens, or to his -lieutenant, and to all others our officers and subjects within our -realm, each as it may behove him, to see that the above ordinance -be duly and diligently put into execution, and that it be no way -neglected. In witness whereof, we have to these presents affixed our -seal. - -'Given at Paris the last day but one of October, in the year of Grace -1413, and of our reign the 33d.' Signed by the king in his great -council,--present the king of Sicily, the dukes of Berry, of Orleans, -the counts de Vertus, d'Eu, de Richemont, de Vendosme, the constable -of France, the archbishop of Sens, and several others. Countersigned, -'Gontier.' - -This edict was proclaimed in Amiens the 15th day of December, in the -same year. - -The king was at this period busied in making some regulations -respecting the coin, and in consequence issued an edict, which he -ordered to be promulgated throughout the kingdom: the tenour of it was -as follows: - -'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting. - -'Know ye, that in order to provide for the security of the public -welfare of our kingdom, and to obviate the great varieties of coins -that for some time have had currency in our realm, we do ordain, after -mature deliberation with our council, that a coin be struck of the form -of deniers, called Gros, which shall be current for twenty deniers -tournois, and of five sols to five deniers, the fourth part of a denier -of the poids de marc of Paris,--and coins of half a gros and half a -quarter of a gros, twenty sols six deniers tournois being the value of -each,--also small crowns, of the value of fifteen sols tournois each. -Those gros, half gros, quarter gros, which have been formerly coined, -and blancs of ten deniers, and of five deniers, shall have currency -with the new money. - -'We therefore command and enjoin you to make this our will respecting -the regulation of our coin as public as possible, so that no one may -plead ignorance of it,--and you will cause this edict to be proclaimed -in all the usual places of your bailiwick. You will observe its -regulations without favour or affection to any one, and punish such as -may act contrary thereto, that they may be examples to others. - -'Given at Paris the 13th day of November in the year of Grace 1413, and -of our reign the 33d.' It was thus signed by the king on the report of -the council held in the chamber of accounts,--present the archbishop of -Bourges, the bishop of Noyon, the members of the chamber of accounts, -the officers of the treasury, the master and monoyers of the mint, and -countersigned, 'Le Begue.' - -It is true, that the king was fearful beyond measure of the peace -being interrupted; and, anxiously desirous of preventing it from being -infringed, he issued another edict much stronger than the preceding -ones to all the bailiffs and seneschals in his kingdom. - -'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting. - -'Whereas during the time we were last at Auxerre, through the Divine -Providence, and great deliberation of council, we succeeded in the -establishment of peace between some of the princes of our blood, and -between our subjects, which was afterward confirmed in our good town of -Paris. Our princes then faithfully promised to keep this peace without -any way infringing it, or suffering it to be infringed by others. - -'We, considering that peace is advantageous to us, our realm, and our -subjects, and reflecting upon the manifold and numberless evils that -would result should it be broken, are desirous to preserve it with -our whole heart, and to prevent it from being in the smallest degree -infringed. - -'For these and other considerations that move us, we strictly charge -you to have these presents publicly proclaimed with sound of trumpet in -all the accustomed places within your bailiwick; and that you forbid -all persons to obey any summons or proclamations that may have been -issued by any of the princes of our blood, in their own or in our name, -of whatever rank or condition he may be,--or whether any such shall -be issued under pretext of serving us, or on any colour or pretence -whatever. And you will strictly charge all vassals not to obey any such -summons, or to bear arms accordingly, under pain of forfeiture of body -and estate to us, and of suffering such punishment as may be adjudged -for their disobedience to us and to our crown. Should any vassals be -already set out to join their respective lords, or about to do so, you -will command them to return instantly to their homes, and not to depart -thence until they shall receive our letters patent, under our great -seal, to that purpose, signed in our great council subsequent to the -date of these presents. - -'You will also make proclamation, that for this occasion only we do -exempt all our loyal subjects, vassals to any lord, from obeying his -summons; and we will that for this their disobedience they do not -suffer in body or estate, or be pursued in any courts of justice; but -our intention is to guard and preserve them from all oppression by -every legal means, or, should it be necessary, by force of arms. - -'You will hasten to all places within your jurisdiction where you -shall know there are any assemblies of men at arms, and forbid them to -proceed any further, commanding them to return to their homes, under -the penalties aforesaid. Should they refuse to obey you, and become -rebellious to your commands, you will force them to obedience by every -means in your power; by placing within their mansions, and on their -estates, men who shall destroy and waste them, by uncovering their -houses, or by any the most rigorous means, even by force of arms, -should there be occasion, calling to your aid our good and faithful -subjects, so that you may have sufficient power to make yourself -obeyed; and we command all our subjects to pay due respect to your -orders, so that the end proposed may be obtained. Should any who -disobey you be killed or wounded in the conflict, we will that no legal -steps be pursued against you or your supporters; and should any horses, -baggage, or other effects, be taken from these rebellious subjects, we -will that they remain in full possession to the captors, or to those -who shall have assisted you. - -'In regard to such as you shall have had due information of being -disobedient to these our commands, you will arrest them any where -but in places of sanctuary, and have them conveyed, under sufficient -escorts, to our prisons of the Châtelet in Paris. Should you not find -them out of sanctuary, you will leave a process of citation at such of -their houses as may be within your jurisdiction; otherwise you will -summon them with a loud voice, and with sound of trumpet, at the places -in which they usually assemble, to appear before us on a certain day at -our court of parliament in Paris. Should it happen to be the vacation -of parliament, when there are not any pleadings, they must appear at -the next sittings, under pain of confiscation of their goods, their -fiefs and tenements, for having committed treason against us, and of -being proceeded against by our attorney-general in such wise as he in -his judgment shall think fit. - -'You will take possession of all the effects, moveable and immoveable, -of such as you shall have served processes upon, making out a just -inventory of the same, and placing them in such safe hands that, -should it be judged expedient, they may be faithfully restored, -notwithstanding any opposition or appeals to the contrary, until -our faithful counsellors, holding our courts of parliament, shall -have determined on what you have done, according to the report which -you shall deliver to them under your seal. We shall order these our -counsellors, after having heard the parties, not to delay doing strict -justice on such as shall have been disobedient to our commands, and to -use such diligence that you may not suffer; for should there be any -neglect on your part in the execution of these our commands, we shall -have you punished for the same, that you may serve for an example to -others. - -'We have noticed that you have not been active in carrying into effect -different orders which we have sent to you on this subject since the -peace concluded at Auxerre, from which many inconveniences have arisen, -which have given us, and not without cause, much displeasure against -you. We therefore command you to report to us what you shall have -done in the execution of these our orders, the days and places where -you shall have proclaimed them, that we may have due information of -the measures which you shall take; and you will likewise report to -us whether any princes of our blood, or others, are assembling men -at arms, and at what places. Instantly on such intelligence coming -to our knowledge, we will give you further orders, and full powers -to carry them into effect; and we shall command all our officers of -justice, in the most express manner, to obey and assist you therein -to the utmost of their power. They will give you counsel, aid, and -the use of their prisons, should need be, and should you call on them -for assistance,--for such is our pleasure, and thus we order it, -notwithstanding any letters and ordinances surreptitiously obtained to -the contrary. - -'Given at Paris, the 11th day of November, in the year of Grace -1413, and of our reign the 33d.' Signed by the king in his great -council,--present the king of Sicily, the dukes of Berry and Orleans, -the counts d'Alençon, de Vertus, the duke of Bar, Louis of Bavaria, the -counts d'Eu, Vendosme, and de Richemont, the constable, the chancellor -of Acquitaine, and several more. - -This edict was proclaimed in Amiens the 13th day of December, in the -same year. - -Here follows another edict of the king of France, to forbid knights or -esquires to obey the summons of any lord, under certain penalties. - -'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting. - -'It has come to our knowledge, that although the restoration of -peace has put an end to all those assemblies of men at arms, and -obviated the great inconveniences that usually ensued from them; and -that although we have caused it to be proclaimed in our good town of -Paris, and elsewhere throughout the realm, that no persons whatever -should in future hold such assemblies, but that all persons should -retire to their own homes under pain of incurring our displeasure, and -forfeiting life and estate, yet our subjects, whether in Picardy or -in other parts, instead of showing due obedience to this our command, -have assembled in arms without our licence in the aforesaid country, -and elsewhere in the kingdom, as we have had information, disturbing -and infringing the peace, and thus acting expressly contrary to our -positive commands, to the injury of our subjects and kingdom,--and -greater would ensue, were we not provided with a suitable remedy. - -'We therefore, after due deliberation of council, do most strictly -order and enjoin you, by these presents, that you positively forbid, -under pain of corporal punishment and confiscation of goods, all nobles -or others within your bailiwick, of whatever condition or rank they may -be, to arm themselves or to attend any congregations of men at arms, -under pretence of serving us, or in consequence of summons from others, -without our especial order and licence so to do, by letters from -our council of a subsequent date to these presents. Should any such -assemblies have actually taken place, you will order them instantly -to depart in peace, without injuring the country, and return to their -homes. - -'In case any one should prove rebellious, and refuse compliance with -your orders, you will instantly arrest him, and take possession in -our name of all his goods, estates, fiefs, and every article of his -property, making out an exact inventory of all, which you will intrust -to the care of persons sufficiently responsible, so that the whole may -be restored, should we see occasion for the same. You will place in -their fortresses and castles such persons as shall be wealthy enough to -keep them in a proper state, until the matter shall be decided by our -great council. You will arrest, imprison, and punish all who shall act -contrary to these our commands; and that you may have sufficient force -to effect this, you will call to your aid all our loyal subjects and -our faithful allies, as well within as without your jurisdiction, and -in such numbers as you shall judge expedient. - -'We therefore command all our vassals, on their faith and loyalty, and -under pain of corporal punishment and confiscation of effects, that -they do instantly obey your summons, and arm themselves to support you -in the carrying these presents into complete execution. You will be -careful that there be no failure on your part, for we shall call you -severely to account for any neglect. To accomplish this our purpose, -we delegate to you full power and authority, and we command all our -officers of justice, and others our allies and wellwishers, to attend -diligently to your orders, and to afford you every assistance of which -you may be in need. - -'We also enjoin all our well-beloved counsellors of our parliament, -masters of requests in our household, those employed in the courts of -request of our palace in Paris, the provost of Paris, you bailiff, and -you lieutenant, and all other officers of justice within our realm and -their lieutenants, and each of them as the case may happen, that you -do withhold all legal proceedings for quarrels, debts, or other suits -that may any way attach such persons, noble or otherwise, as may be in -your company for the better executing these presents, for the space of -fifteen days after their return home from assisting you, and that you -keep an exact account of the time, without suffering any injury to be -offered to them or their sureties; and should any thing prejudicial to -them be attempted, you will see that all things be replaced precisely -in the state they were in at the time he or they came to your aid, for -such is our pleasure according to the tenour of these presents,--to the -copy of which (for the original cannot be carried every where), under -our royal signet, we will that the same credence be given as if it were -the original. - -'Given at Paris the 14th day of November, in the year of Grace -1413, and of our reign the 33d.' Signed by the king in his great -council,--present the king of Sicily, the dukes of Berry, of Orleans, -and of Bar, the counts d'Alençon, de Vertus, d'Eu, de Vendosme, de -Tancarville, the constable, the chancellor of Acquitaine, with others. -Countersigned, 'P. Naucron,' It was proclaimed in Amiens, the 13th day -of December of the same year. - - - - -CHAP. XXVIII. - -THE KING OF SICILY SENDS BACK THE DAUGHTER OF THE DUKE OF -BURGUNDY.--THE DUKE WRITES LETTERS TO THE KING OF FRANCE, CONTAINING -REMONSTRANCES, AND OTHER MATTERS. - - -On the 20th day of November, in this year, the king of Sicily sent -back to the city of Beauvais, Catherine daughter to John duke of -Burgundy, who had been betrothed to Louis, the king of Sicily's eldest -son, according to treaties that had been entered into between the two -parties, and in consequence of which the duke had caused her to be -most honourably escorted to Angers. But the king afterward sent her -back, attended by the lord de Longny, marshal of France, and others, to -the amount of six score horse, knights, esquires, ladies and damsels, -belonging to the duke of Burgundy, who had sent them for that purpose. -By them she was conducted in great sorrow to Amiens, and thence to her -father at Lille, who was much vexed on the occasion, and conceived -thereat a mortal hatred to the king of Sicily, which lasted all their -lives. - -Shortly after, this lady Catherine of Burgundy, who was, for her tender -years, a very gracious lady, died in Ghent, without ever having been -married. - -In this same month, the duke of Burgundy sent letters to the king of -France at Paris, containing his respectful salutations, his complaints -and his accusations against his enemies, the contents of which were as -follow. - -'John duke of Burgundy, count of Flanders, of Artois, and palatine of -Burgundy: my most-redoubted and dear lord, I recommend myself most -humbly to you, being perpetually desirous, as is right, to hear of the -good estate of your health,--and may God, in his gracious pleasure, -continue it to you in the best possible manner, according to your good -desire and wishes! I most earnestly supplicate you, my most-redoubted -and beloved lord, that I may as often as possible be ascertained of -this from yourself, for God knows how much I wish your prosperity; -and I cannot have greater joy in this world than to hear satisfactory -news of you,--and may God, out of his holy grace, grant that I may -alway hear such as may be agreeable to you, and such as I may wish for -myself! Should it please you, my most redoubted and dear lord, to know -how I am, I was in excellent health on the departure of these letters, -thanks to God,--and may he alway continue you in the same! Most dear -and redoubted lord, I presume that it is in your good remembrance, that -by your proclamation, issued by advice of my most redoubted lord the -duke of Acquitaine, your son, and by my advice also, and by that of -many lords of your blood, and of your grand council, and at the earnest -and humble request of your daughter the university of Paris, and of the -clergy of the said city, of the provost of merchants and the sheriffs, -and in general of other good people of your said city, were notified -certain ordinances, as well of your grand council aforesaid, as of -many other great lords and counsellors, of myself, of the university -aforesaid, and of the clergy of the aforesaid city of Paris, for the -effecting of peace and union among the lords of your blood, as the only -means for the reparation of the miseries the whole kingdom suffered -under, which was in thorough desolation, and must have been destroyed -if God had not inspired you with a desire of peace. By these means, -each loyal subject of your realm may have the hope of sleeping in -peace and tranquillity, as was most notably said and explained in your -presence, and before many of the princes of your blood and others, by a -very able knight, counsellor to my very dear lord and cousin the king -of Sicily. - -'Nevertheless, my most-redoubted lord, although I had sworn to -observe this peace in your presence, with a loyal faith and the most -upright intentions, as several who attended might have noticed; -and notwithstanding, because I did suspect that after my departure -some persons might imagine various strange matters, tending to the -infraction of the peace, I sent to you, as soon as I could, letters, -to assure you of my cordial intentions of maintaining the object of -your ordinance,--and in greater confirmation, I sent to you some of my -confidential servants, principally on this account, as it may please -you to remember; yet notwithstanding this, my most dear lord, and that -I have not committed any act to infringe your ordinance, whatever -accusations have been brought against me by some people, who (saving -the honour and reverence always due to you) have spoken contrary to -truth: many things have, in like manner, been done against the sense of -your ordinance, to the contempt, prejudice, and scandal of myself and -mine, who have been pointed out in the aforesaid ordinance. - -'I am, therefore, the less bound to proceed according to your will -and that of your very dear son, my redoubted lord, and of the princes -of your blood, and members of your grand council; but I am pressed -thereto from the instigations and extraordinary importunities of some -who have for a long time been contentious, and are still the same, in -very strange manner,--whom may God, out of his holy grace, reclaim, and -bring to a proper sense of duty, as there is great need, and which I -most earnestly desire. - -'For a fuller declaration of the above, it is true, my most-redoubted -lord, that at the instigation of some persons, shortly after I had -sworn to the observance of the peace, several skirmishes with armed -men were made in Paris, near to my hôtel, which seemed to have been -conducted and done in contempt of me, to the prejudice of my character -and of the persons of my adherents; for since I quitted Paris, no such -things have taken place, nor have any congregations of armed men been -heard of; but what is worse, if I were to believe what some have told -me, it was intended to lay hands on my person before I departed from -Paris, which is no sign of good peace or union. - -'It is a fact, that before and since I left Paris, several of your -good and faithful servants, and some of mine, have been arrested and -imprisoned without having done any thing to deserve such treatment, and -others have been obliged, by force and treacherous conduct, to quit -Paris. - -'It is also known, that all who had shown any affection or attachment -to me were deprived of their offices, honours and estates, without any -thing being proved to their prejudice, excepting that they were too -good Burgundians, and this is now daily continued. Should they declare, -that such things were done by me during the time I was at Paris in the -service of your majesty, and that I was constantly in the habit of -making such changes, to this a good and true answer may be given; for -supposing this were so, if the terms of your ordinance be considered, -they will appear founded particularly on peace, union, and affection; -and these late changes that have taken place have been caused by a -spirit of revenge, which is the reverse of love and peace, and a strong -mark of division. It would therefore have been more conformable to the -meaning of your ordinance, and more to the advantage of your realm, -if such offices had been filled by persons fairly selected, and not -through any spirit of revenge. - -'By reason of this same spirit, scarcely any of your servants, my most -redoubted lord, or those of my lady the queen, or the princes of your -blood, or the university, could venture to speak with those known to be -attached to my person and honour, for fear of being severely punished. - -'There have also been many assemblies holden, in which harangues have -been made highly prejudicial to my honour and contrary to truth, -(saving the honour and respect due to you,) and in which expressions -have been uttered as having been said by me, but too confusedly for -their meaning to be well understood, and positively contradictory to -the peace made at Chartres as well as at Auxerre, and against the terms -so lately sworn to, which may be of very bad example, and contrary to -the doctrine of Cato, tending to provoke dissensions and warfare, which -may ultimately, which God forbid, prove of the greatest detriment and -destruction to your kingdom. - -'Many letters have been published in various places, as well within as -without your realm, making very light, to all who shall peruse them, of -your honour, my most-redoubted lord, of that of my lord of Acquitaine, -of several princes of your blood, of the university, and of many of the -principal inhabitants of Paris. - -'If it should be advanced by some of the writers of these letters, -that they have been published to clear their own honour, which had -been stained by other letters, they ought at least to have kept to the -truth, and not have laid the blame on those who were well inclined to -keep the terms of your edict. - -'I have likewise been charged, contrary to the truth, with having -entertained men at arms in direct violation of your ordinance, and -with having by such means greatly injured and harrassed your subjects. -The fact is, what I have before told you, and of which I have sent you -information, that by your orders I had a command of a thousand men -at arms with my lord and uncle of Berry and others, to whom you had -given orders to oppose several enterprises that were undertaken by -some of the free companies even at the gates of Paris, to your great -disgrace and scandal. Instantly after the proclamation of your edict, -I countermanded them, nor have I ever since summoned any, or quartered -them on the country. - -'Should any bodies of men at arms throughout the realm say that they -belong to me, they have neither had my summons nor are they under my -command, and I am perfectly ignorant of their intentions; but as there -are yet several free companies that still keep harrassing the country, -they may perhaps have assembled to drive them out of it. - -'It is a well-known fact, my most redoubted lord, that there are some -who have for a long time maintained, and do so still, large bodies of -men at arms, between the rivers Loire, Seine, and Yonne, and elsewhere, -directly contrary to your ordinance, to the utter ruin of your people, -for they make in their pillage no distinction between churchmen and -others; and this also is laid to my charge, as they alledge that they -keep these bodies under arms for fear lest I should raise a large force -and march it against Paris, in direct violation of your ordinance: but -this, saving the reverence due to your majesty, is a falsehood; for I -have not done this, nor ever thought of doing what would be displeasing -to you, in any manner whatever,--nor will I alter this conduct, but, -so long as I shall live, will remain your true and loyal relation and -obedient subject. - -'It is a fact, that several, as I have been informed, have publicly -declared, contrary to truth, that I maintained in Paris murderers and -assassins, ready to put them to death. In answer to this, my most dear -lord, I affirm for truth, that I not only never did so, but that I -never thought of such a thing; but these are not the first aspersions -they have cast upon me. - -'Many have been banished merely from hatred to me, who declare that -they were not deserving such punishment, and are ready to prove it, if -they be assured of personal security, and of having fair justice done -them. I do not say this from any desire to screen from punishment the -wicked or such as may have displeased you, my most-redoubted lord, my -lady the queen, or my lord of Acquitaine, but in behalf of those who -have been so ill treated from contempt to me. - -'I must also complain, that several persons have gone to the houses of -my poor servants in Paris, which are adjoining to my hôtel of Artois, -and have ransacked them from top to bottom, under pretence that letters -had been sent thither by me, to be delivered to different persons near -to the market-place, to excite them to raise a commotion in your city -of Paris, and particularly in the markets,--for which cause many of -the wives of my faithful servants have been very harshly treated, and -examined at the Châtelet on this subject. May it please you to know, -most-redoubted lord, that I never have written myself, nor caused to be -written by others, any thing that was contrary to your ordinance. - -'Those who make such accusations against me act wickedly, for they may -give you and others a bad opinion of me; and those who know Paris are -well aware that neither the inhabitants of that or any other quarter -would, for their lives, act any way that would be to your dishonour. -With regard to me, may God no longer grant me life, when I shall act -contrary to your good pleasure! - -'I now come to the heaviest charge against me. It is reported, but -contrary to truth, saving your reverence, that I have entered into a -treaty of marriage with England, and that, as the marriage-portion of -my daughter, I am to transfer the castles of Cherbourg and Caen, with -other places mentioned in the said treaty, to the great prejudice of -you and your kingdom. Such things I have neither done nor even thought -of; and I wish to God that all within your realm had always been as -loyal in the preservation of your person and progeny, your crown and -dignity, as I have been, and shall ever be, during my life. - -'Other acts, that shall at a proper opportunity and place be declared, -have been done contrary to your edict, prejudicial to my own honour -and to that of my friends,--but those are already touched upon, and -what remain are not only directly against the spirit of your edict, -but tend to throw upon my person the utmost possible dishonour; and -they are the most effectual means of depriving me not only of your good -graces but of those of my lady the queen, and of my lord of Acquitaine, -whose happiness and prosperity I have ever desired and shall anxiously -promote above all earthly blessings. - -'However, my most-redoubted lord, I do not write these things to you, -as meaning in any way to infringe your ordinance, or to violate the -peace of the kingdom, which has of late been so sorely harrassed, in -various ways, that the most perverse mind should feel compassion for it. - -'Should any persons now affirm, that I have intentions of avoiding or -disobeying the true meaning of your ordinance, I positively declare, -that I have never had such thoughts, nor have ever wished to give any -opposition to its being carried into full effect; but on the contrary, -I have supported it as much as any of your kindred or subjects have -done throughout the realm. It is nevertheless very true, that I have -sought for the means of keeping this peace firm and inviolate in your -whole kingdom, foreseeing events that might possibly happen should it -be infringed. I therefore most humbly supplicate you, my most-redoubted -lord, that you would be pleased to redress the above causes of -complaint in such wise that those who have been injured may not have -further reason to grieve, and that your ordinance may be fulfilled -to your own welfare and honour as well as to the good of your realm, -so that every one, as has been before said, may sleep in peace and -tranquillity,--to the accomplishment of which I am ready to offer all -my corporal and worldly effects, together with those of my friends, and -every power that God may have granted to me, according as it shall be -your good pleasure to dispose of them. - -'And, my most dear and redoubted lord, I beseech the blessed Son of God -to have you in his holy keeping, and to bless you with a long and happy -life. Written in our town of Ghent, the 16th day of November.' - -These dispatches were presented, by Flanders king at arms, to the king, -who received them very kindly; but those who governed him were not -well pleased thereat, and would not suffer the king to make any answer -in writing. The chancellor of France told the herald, that the king -had very favourably received what his lord the duke of Burgundy had -written, and would consider of it and send an answer at a proper time -and place. After this, the king at arms left Paris, and returned to his -lord in Flanders. - -Notwithstanding the letters which the duke of Burgundy had written to -the king of France in his justification, those who had the management -of the king did not in the least abate the rigour with which they -were proceeding against the duke. A few days after the departure of -Flanders king at arms, there was a great assembly of theologians holden -at Paris, by the bishop of Paris and the inquisitor of the faith, to -consider on certain propositions maintained before some of the princes -of the royal blood and the duke of Burgundy, and by him supported, -against the late Louis duke of Orleans, through the organ of master -John Petit, and to declare whether such propositions be not heretical -and erroneous. - -Many were much troubled at this meeting, lest the duke of Burgundy -should be displeased with them for attending it, and that in time to -come they might suffer for it. Here follows the form of a schedule that -was delivered to some of the doctors in theology. - -'On the part of the bishop of Paris, the inquisitor and council of -faith duly assembled--reverend doctors, be it known, that we have -sent to you a schedule containing certain propositions, with their -reprobations; and we require from you, under pain of forfeiture, that -you deliver your opinions thereon publicly, in writing or by speech, -whether these assertions, which have brought notorious scandal on the -king's council and on the catholic faith, are erroneous and damnable, -that we may proceed thereon as the canon law requires. - -'On Wednesday, the 20th day of this month of December, will the first -proposition be considered, namely, 'Any tyrant legally may and ought -to be put to death by any vassal or subject, even by lying in wait for -him, by flatteries and adulations, notwithstanding any confederation -entered into between them, and after oaths having mutually passed, -and without waiting for the sentence of any judge whatever.' This -proposition, thus stated generally for a maxim, is, according to the -common acceptance of the word 'tyrant,' an error in our faith, contrary -to the doctrine of good morals, and contrary to the commandments of -God: 'Non occides propria auctoritate;' Thou shalt not kill of thy own -authority; and in the 26th chapter of St Matthew, 'Omnes qui accipiunt -gladium gladio peribunt.' - -'This doctrine tends to the subversion of all public order, and of each -prince and sovereign, and opens a road for all licentiousness and every -consequent evil, such as frauds, violations of oaths, treasons, lies, -and general disobedience between vassals and lords, distrust of each, -and consequently perdurable damnation. - -'Item, he who shall pertinaciously affirm this error, and the others -which follow, is an heretic, and ought to be punished as such, even -after his death. 'Notatur in decretis questione quinta,' the other -proposition.--St Michael, without any orders or command from GOD, or -others, but moved solely by his natural affections, slew Lucifer with -everlasting death, for which he is receiving spiritual riches beyond -measure. - -'This proposition, however, contains many errors of faith,--for St -Michael did not slay Lucifer, but Lucifer slew himself by his sin, -and GOD put him to an everlasting death. Beside, St Michael did -receive orders from GOD to thrust Lucifer out of paradise: 'Quia omnis -potestas est a Deo; et hoc sciebat Michael, quia constitutus erat a Deo -princeps, quem honorem non sibi assumpsit. Nota quomodo Michael non est -ausus inferre auditum blasphemiæ, sed dicit, imperet tibi Dominus: in -epistola Judæ.' - -'God might also have given him more spiritual riches, and the power of -receiving them: therefore he did not obtain such riches through his -natural affection. - -'With regard to the other proposition,--Phineas killed Zimri without -any command from GOD, or from Moses, and Zimri had not committed -idolatry. This proposition is contrary to the book containing this -history, according to the reading of learned doctors, and according -to reason and the nature of things. You will see in the 25th chapter -of the book of Numbers, 'Dicit Moyses ad judices Israel, Occidat unus -quisque proximos suos, qui initiati sunt Beelphegor et ecce unus, &c. -glosa. Josephus dixit, quod Zimri et principes in tribu Symeon duxerant -filias,' &c. Again, Moses, without any orders, slew the Egyptian, so -that this assertion is contrary to the text of the Bible, Actuorum -vii. according to the explanation of learned doctors, and according to -reason. Textus,--'Estimabant, autem intelligere fratres, quoniam Deus -per manum ipsius daret salutem Hierusalem,' &c. - -'Judith did not sin in flattering Holofernes, nor Jehu by falsely -saying that he would worship Baal. This is favourable to the error of -those who have declared that lies may be lawful on some occasions. -St Austin writes thus against such doctrine to St Jerome, 'Si inquit -admissa fuerint vel officiosa mendacia tota scripturæ divinæ vacillabit -auctoritas.' The other case brought forward to support the proposition, -that Joab killed Abner after the death of Absalom, is contrary to the -text expressed in the holy Scriptures, I Regum iii. cap. where it is -said, that long before the death of Absalom Joab slew Abner. - -'The assertion, that it is not perjury to commit such actions, although -oaths of fellowship may have been given on both sides, is false, for it -is gross perjury, and unprofitable to such as may swear to treacherous -alliances: it is fraud, deception, and clear perjury; and to maintain -that such actions are lawful is an error of faith.' - -When these propositions had been fully discussed, they were condemned -as heretical opinions, and errors against the faith. - - - - -CHAP. XXIX. - -THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY GOES TO ANTWERP.--THE ARREST OF SIR JOHN DE -CROY,--AND OTHER REMARKABLE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED ABOUT THIS PERIOD. - - -Nearly about this time, the duke of Burgundy held at Antwerp a very -confidential council, of his most tried friends, on the state of his -affairs, at which were present his brother of Brabant and his two -brothers-in-law, namely, duke William, and John of Brabant bishop -of Liege, the counts de St Pol and de Cleves. He had assembled them -particularly to know whether they would support him in the war which -France was silently meditating against him. They all promised him their -aid against his adversaries, excepting the persons of the king of -France and his children. - -When the council broke up, the duke of Burgundy returned to Artois, -in his country of Flanders, and the other lords to the places whence -they had come. On the feast of the Circumcision, a sergeant at arms -came to St Pol en Ternois, and presented to the count letters from the -king of France, containing positive orders, under pain of his highest -displeasure, not to bear arms nor to assemble any men at arms to -accompany the duke of Burgundy or others into his kingdom without his -especial licence; and that he should give an acknowledgement of the -receipt of this royal command, which the count did. - -While these things were passing, the duke of Acquitaine resided in -the Louvre with his state, and the duchess and her attendants at the -hôtel of St Pol. On Wednesday, the 12th day of January, the queen, -attended by the duchess, went to visit her son. A short time before, -by the advice of the king of Sicily, the dukes of Berry, of Orleans, -and other princes of the blood, she had caused four knights and many -other servants belonging to her son of Acquitaine to be arrested and -carried away from the Louvre, which had so much enraged the duke that -he wanted to sally out to call the populace to his aid, in rescuing -these prisoners. The princes, his relatives, would not permit him to do -this; and the queen his mother appeased his anger in the best manner -she could, and then went to the king in the hôtel de St Pol, leaving -with her son the before mentioned princes, who pacified his anger by -gentle and kind words. - -The four knights who had been arrested were sir John de Croy, the lord -de Broy, sir David de Brimeu, sir Bertrand de Montauban, and some -others, who very soon after, on promising not to return to the duke -of Acquitaine, were set at liberty. Sir John de Croy was detained -prisoner, and carried as such to Montlehery. - -Although that the duke of Acquitaine pretended to be satisfied, he -nevertheless secretly sent one of his servants to the duke of Burgundy -to desire that he would hasten to Paris with all his forces: he -afterward wrote to him several letters with his own hand, and without -the knowledge of the queen or the princes. - -When the duke of Burgundy received this intelligence, he was well -pleased, as he wished for nothing more than such a pretext to march -to Paris, and instantly issued a summons to men at arms from all -countries, appointing a day for them to meet him at Espelry, near St -Quentin in the Vermandois. For his exculpation, and that the cause of -this armament might be known, he wrote letters to all the principal -towns in Picardy, a copy of which is as follows: - -'Very dear and good friends, you must have it in your remembrance how -that last year, in the month of August, my lord the king returning from -his city of Bourges, and tarrying in the town of Auxerre, was desirous -that peace should be established for ever between the princes of his -blood, and commanded that it should not only be sworn to be observed by -them, but likewise by the prelates, nobles, universities and principal -cities in his realm. You likewise know that all present at Auxerre did -most solemnly swear to its observance, as well for themselves as for -those on whose part they were come thither. - -'My lord the king did afterwards issue letters throughout his realm for -the more strictly keeping of this peace, and that it might be sworn to; -and you also know that we ourself, and others of the princes of the -blood, did, by the king's command, take a solemn oath to maintain this -peace, according to the schedule drawn up for this purpose at Auxerre; -in which, among other things, it was ordained that a good and perfect -union should subsist between these lords, and that henceforth they -should live in a manner becoming good relatives and friends. - -'Now although this peace has been much wished for by us, and that we -have never infringed it, or suffered it to be infringed by others in -any degree, nevertheless offensive conduct has been holden toward us -by the detestable injuries which many have attempted to do to our most -redoubted lady and daughter the duchess of Acquitaine, as is notorious -to the whole kingdom, without farther entering into particulars. - -'Very contemptuous conduct has been used toward ourself, and personal -injuries have been done us, in banishing from Paris every person that -was known to be attached to us or to our aforesaid lord of Acquitaine; -in defaming our honour in several public assemblies and in various -places, by sermons and harangues, which, notwithstanding the pain it -has cost us, we have patiently borne, and should have continued to do -so from our love of peace, which is the sovereign good to this kingdom, -and to avert all the miseries and distress that must otherwise ensue, -had not our most redoubted lord and son, the duke of Acquitaine, -made known to us, that, after many injurious excesses which had been -committed towards him, to his infinite mortification, he was confined -in the Louvre like a prisoner, with the drawbridge of the said castle -drawn up, which is an abomination that ought not only to be displeasing -to us but to every good subject and wellwisher to our lord the king. - -'In consequence of this treatment, my most-redoubted lord and son -has several times, by messengers and letters, requested our aid and -succour to free him from the perilous situation in which he is held; -and since we are so intimately connected by blood, marriage, and other -confederations, with our said lord the king, and our beloved lord the -duke of Acquitaine, his son, the loyalty and affection we owe to both -will prevent us from failing to comply with his demand of assistance -and support. We have, therefore, determined to advance to Paris with -as large a body of men at arms as we can muster, for the security of -our person, and that it may please God that we may see in all good -prosperity my aforesaid lord the king, my lady the queen, my much -redoubted lord of Acquitaine, and my well beloved daughter his duchess; -and likewise that we may deliver them from the danger they are in, and -set them, as is but reasonable, at full liberty, without having the -smallest intentions of violating the peace of the kingdom. - -'We signify this to you, very dear and good friends, that you may -be acquainted with our object, and act accordingly, as becometh -wellwishers, and truly obedient subjects, to my said lord the king. -Know, therefore, for a truth, that our intentions and will are such -as we have said, and none other; and we therefore entreat you most -earnestly, from our heart, that in this business, which is of such -consequence to my said lords, and for the tranquillity and peace of -the realm, you will come forward to our assistance as speedily as -possible, that it may be accomplished to our honour and that of my -lords the king and the duke of Acquitaine, and for the common good of -the realm, and that you will so bear yourselves, that your excellent -loyalty may be visible toward my lord the king, the duke of Acquitaine, -to the public welfare, and in like manner to ourself, who are only -desirous of peace. - -'We have a perfect confidence in you, very dear and good friends,--and -may God have you in his holy keeping! - -'Written in our town of Lille the 23d day of January, in the year of -our Lord 1413, on the eve of our departure.' - -The superscription was, 'To my very dear and well beloved the resident -burgesses and inhabitants of the town of Amiens.' - -These letters thus sent by the duke of Burgundy, and also the levy of -men at arms which he was making, were immediately known at Paris; and -to counteract the enterprises of the duke, a reconciliation took place -between the duke of Acquitaine and the king's ministers, in consequence -of which the duke was prevailed on to write letters to different towns -to put an end to the intended expedition of the duke of Burgundy. These -letters were of the following tenour: - -'Louis, eldest son to the king of France, duke of Acquitaine, and -dauphin of Vienne, to the bailiff of Amiens, or to his lieutenant, -greeting. - -'Whereas it has lately come to our knowledge that our very dear and -well beloved father-in-law, the duke of Burgundy, has for a short time -past begun to raise a large body of men at arms, and still continues -to do the same, with the intent, as it is said, of marching them to -us, which may be very prejudicial to my lord the king, his realm and -subjects, and more especially so to the peace which has been so lately -concluded at Auxerre between many princes of our royal blood: we have -therefore very fully explained ourself to our aforesaid father-in-law -by a letter, the contents of which are as under: - -'Louis, eldest son to the king of France, duke of Acquitaine and -dauphin of Vienne, to our very dear and well-beloved father the duke of -Burgundy health and affection. - -'You know how often my lord the king has repeated his commands to you, -both by letter and by able ambassadors, not to raise any bodies of men -at arms that might be hurtful to the welfare and profit of his kingdom. -You know also what oaths you took, as well at Auxerre as at Paris. - -'It has, nevertheless, come to the knowledge of our lord the king, -that, contrary to the terms of the peace concluded between our said -lord and yourself, and sworn to at Auxerre, you have raised, and -continue to raise, bodies of men at arms, with the design, as it is -said, of coming to us; and, as a pretence for the levying these men at -arms, you have published letters as from us, desiring that you would -come to our aid with a large force, which thing we have neither done -nor thought of doing. - -'Because we are truly sensible, that your coming hither at this time -would be very prejudicial to the said peace and welfare of the realm, -our said lord the king sends you a sergeant at arms of the parliament, -with his positive commands not to come hither. - -'We therefore require, and also command you in his name, and on -the loyalty and obedience you owe him, as well as for the love and -affection you bear to him and to us, and for the good of the realm, -which you say you have had alway at heart, that notwithstanding any -letters or messages you may have had from us, you do for the present -lay aside all thoughts of coming to us, otherwise you will incur the -anger of our lord the king, and that you do disband any bodies of men -at arms which are already assembled, and instantly countermand such as -have not yet joined. - -'Should you have any causes of complaint, or should any thing have -happened likely to violate the peace, make them known to my lord, or -to us; for we know for a truth, that my said lord will provide such -remedies for them as shall give you satisfaction. - -'Given at Paris, the 24th day of January, in the year 1413. - -'We also require and command you, the bailiff of Amiens, in the name of -my aforesaid lord, to have these presents publicly proclaimed in all -usual places where proclamations have been made, within your bailiwick, -forbidding, in the king's name, all his vassals and subjects, as has -been before notified to them, to obey the summons of our said father -the duke of Burgundy, either on the pretext stated by him or any other, -without his especial order and licence, as may appear in his letters -patent, subsequent to the date of these presents. - -'Given at Paris the 24th day of January, in the year of Grace 1413.' - -Signed by the duke of Acquitaine, and countersigned 'J. de Cloye.' - -The duke of Burgundy, however, in spite of these commands from the -king and the duke of Acquitaine, would not desist from his enterprise; -and the king then issued a summons for men at arms to oppose him, and -published the following edict: - -'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, health and greeting. - -'It has come to our knowledge, that our cousin the duke of Burgundy, -in opposition to the articles of the peace concluded by us, between -him and others of our blood, and sworn to at Auxerre and at Paris, -has raised, and continues to raise, large bodies of men at arms, -notwithstanding our positive orders to the contrary, as well by -letters as by especial ambassadors sent to him for this purpose; and -has already quitted his country, and is on the march, as he declares, -to come to Paris, by which the said peace will be destroyed, and -would cause numberless evils and irreparable injuries to our realm and -subjects, unless a speedy and effectual remedy be provided against it. - -'Having, therefore, deliberately weighed the consequences, and the -probable means of opposing the enterprises of the duke of Burgundy, we -have determined to exert our whole power against him, and all others -who shall in any way attempt to infringe the said peace, and to call -for the aid and support of all our loyal subjects. - -'We therefore do command and expressly enjoin you, under pain of -incurring our displeasure, to proclaim these presents in a solemn -manner, with a loud voice and with sound of trumpets in all towns and -other accustomed places within your jurisdiction, commanding all our -vassals and liege subjects, on the faith they owe us, to appear in arms -on the 5th day of February next, in our town of Mondidier[30], ready to -follow us to our town of Paris, or wherever else it may please us to -lead them. - -'They will find in the town of Mondidier sufficient persons authorised -by us to receive them, with orders to allow such pay as shall content -them; and at the same time, they will inform them whither they are to -direct their march. - -'You will make this known to all our said vassals and subjects, and -forbid them, under the heaviest penalties of corporal punishment and -confiscation of effects, and of being counted as traitors to our crown, -to comply with any summons, prayers, or entreaties, of the said duke of -Burgundy, or others, whether of our blood or not, under any pretence -or colour of aiding us, to bear or assemble in arms, or in any way to -obey them without our especial leave and licence, in letters patent, of -a later date than these presents. Should any have joined the duke of -Burgundy or others, you will order them instantly to depart home, even -supposing they should be of the kindred or vassals liege of the said -duke or others, and had, in consequence of their fiefs, been summoned -to assemble in arms; for in this instance we do exempt them not only -from obeying such commands, but do promise to guarantee and defend them -from any ill consequences that may ensue from their disobedience. - -'Should it happen, that after the proclamation of these our commands, -any of our vassals within your bailiwick shall set out to join the -duke of Burgundy in arms, or should those who have joined him not -return to their homes, but remain in arms with the said duke, or with -any others who may have summoned them, we most strictly order and -enjoin, that with the least possible delay, and without any excuse or -dissimulation whatever, you do seize, in our name, having had a just -and true inventory made, all their moveables and immoveables, estates, -houses, and all other effects whatever; and that you do put the same -under the management of sufficient persons as may, at a fit time and -place, render a good account of them, proceeding at the same time to -the extremity of the penalties incurred by such for their disobedience. - -'You will also arrest and imprison all persons whom you shall discover -within your bailiwick endeavouring, by lies and false reports, to sow -discord among our loyal subjects, or in any way attempting a breach of -the peace; and for this purpose we delegate to you, by these presents, -full power and authority for the punishing of all whom you shall find -guilty of such disloyal conduct. We likewise command all our other -bailiffs, governors of towns, castles and bridges, and all our officers -of justice, diligently to assist you in obeying these our commands; and -we also enjoin these our aforesaid officers to permit all our loyal -subjects to pass free and unmolested with their horses and baggage when -travelling to join us, on showing only a certificate from you under the -royal seal of your bailiwick, that they are on their march to us, or -elsewhere on our service, notwithstanding we may before have ordered -them not to suffer any men at arms to pass or repass, whatever may have -been their rank or condition, without our especial licence contained in -letters patent of a prior date to these presents. - -'Given at Paris the 26th day of January, in the year 1413.' Signed by -the king, on the report of a grand council held by the queen,--present -the duke of Acquitaine. Countersigned, 'Mauregard.' - -This ordinance was sent to Amiens, and to other towns of France,--and -with it the king inclosed other letters to many towns on the line of -march which the duke of Burgundy would probably take, forbidding him, -or any of his people, to pass the frontiers of the realm, under pain of -incurring his indignation. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 30: Mondidier,--a town in Picardy, nine leagues from Amiens, -twenty-three from Paris.] - - - - -CHAP. XXX. - -THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY MARCHES A LARGE FORCE TOWARD PARIS.--HE FIXES HIS -QUARTERS AT ST DENIS.--THE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED DURING THIS MARCH, AND -IN CONSEQUENCE OF IT. - - -The duke of Burgundy, to accomplish his expedition to Paris, on -leaving Arras, made for Peronne, intending to enter France; but the -inhabitants, who had before received the king's orders not to let him -pass, sent to him the lord de Longueval, their governor, to excuse -them for denying him entrance into their town. Although the duke was -far from being pleased, he, however, pretended indifference to their -conduct, marched his forces beside the town, and crossed the Somme at -Esclusieu[31], and went to Roye in the Vermandois. He thence sent -forward his brother the count de Nevers, who had joined him with a -handsome company, to Compiegne. - -The count treated so successfully with the townsmen of Compiegne that, -notwithstanding the commands of the king, they consented to permit him -to pass. The principal reasons for their assenting were the copies -of the correspondence between the duke of Acquitaine and the duke of -Burgundy, which were shown to them, and which contained the express -wishes of the duke of Acquitaine for the duke of Burgundy to come to -his aid. - -The tenour of the above and of the certificate was as follows. - -'To all who these presents shall see, Jean Clabault, esquire-keeper -for the king of the seal of the bailiwick of Vermandois established at -Roye, greeting. - -'Know ye, that on the 23d day of February, of the present year 1413, -the most puissant and noble prince my lord duke of Burgundy has -exhibited to us, and shown three letters sealed and signed by the most -excellent and puissant prince the duke of Acquitaine, which we have -held, seen, and read, word by word,--the contents of which are as -follow. - -'Very dear and well beloved father, we order, that on the receipt of -this letter, you lay all excuses aside and come to us, well accompanied -for your own proper security; and as you fear our anger, do not -fail coming. Written with our own hand, at Paris, the 4th day of -December[32].' Signed, 'Louis.' - -'The address was, 'To our very dear and well beloved father the duke of -Burgundy.' - -'Another letter was in these terms: - -'Very dear and well beloved father, I wrote to you some time since, to -desire you would come to me very well accompanied. I therefore entreat -and order, that you hasten hither as speedily as may be, but well -accompanied, for good reasons: do not fail, for I will bear you through -the whole matter, as shall be seen. Written with my own hand, in Paris, -the 13th day of December.' Signed by himself, 'Louis.' - -'The superscription was, 'To our very dear and well beloved father the -duke of Burgundy.' - -'The third letter contained,--'Very dear and well beloved father, I -have twice written to you to come hither, and you have not complied: I, -however, write again, to order that you lay all other considerations -aside, and come to me well accompanied for your own security: do not -fail to come to me with all possible speed, notwithstanding any other -letters you may receive from me to the contrary. We trust that you -will instantly obey from the love you bear to us, and from the fear of -our displeasure. We have certain causes to desire your company, which -affect us in the strongest manner possible. Written with my own hand, -this 22d day of December,' and signed by himself, 'Louis.' - -'The superscription was the same as the foregoing. - -'As a testimony that we have seen and read the above letters, we have -affixed the seal of this bailiwick (saving the rights of the king -and others) to this copy, which we have faithfully collated with the -original, in the presence of Jean Billart, esquire-warden for the king -in the provostship of Roye, and of the exempted lands of Charmy, and of -the jurisdiction of Roye; and in the presence of Pierre de la Beane, -comptroller of salt in Roye, of Nicholas d'Ardelchanons, of Roye, Jean -Pellehaste, master Guillaume de la Garde, master Godefroy Baudun, -Brissart, royal notary, on the day and year aforesaid, and thus signed, -Brissart.' - -On the third day, the duke of Burgundy left Roye, and went to -Compiegne, where, having prevailed on the principal inhabitants to -support his party, he took the road for Senlis, whither he had sent -forward the lord de Robaix, to know if the townsmen would admit him. -This they positively refused to do, in consequence of the orders -from the king,--and the duke then took the road by Baron[33] to -Dampmartin[34], whither the lords of Burgundy had advanced with a -powerful force to meet him. - -News was daily carried to Paris, to the duke of Acquitaine and the -other princes of the blood, of the duke of Burgundy's march and -approach to the capital. When the last intelligence came, the duke of -Acquitaine was dining with a canon in the cloisters of Nôtre Dame in -Paris; and the moment it was known, the king of Sicily, the duke of -Orleans, the counts de Vertus, de Richemont, d'Eu, d'Armagnac, with -many other great lords, attended by a numerous body of men at arms, -assembled in the cloisters, where the duke of Acquitaine mounted his -horse. This force was divided into three battalions, the van, center, -and rear,--which done, they advanced to the front of the church of -Nôtre Dame, and thence marched to the town-house, where they halted. -The van was commanded by three counts, namely, those of Vertus, of Eu, -and of Richemont, who rode together in front, followed close by their -attendants, and at a little distance by the battalion. - -In the center division were the king of Sicily and the dukes of -Acquitaine and of Orleans, followed by a very considerable body of men -at arms. The rear battalion was commanded by the count d'Armagnac, -Louis Bourdon and the lord de Gaule, who, like the other commanders, -rode all three in front of their men. The whole was estimated at eleven -thousand horse. On their coming to the town-house, a trumpet was -sounded, when the chancellor of Acquitaine made his appearance, and, -by orders of the duke, told the people of Paris, who were following -them, that he, as eldest son and heir to the king and kingdom of -France, thanked them for their loyalty and affection, which they had -now shown to him, and that he hoped they would exert themselves to the -utmost of their power to oppose the duke of Burgundy in his wicked -projects, who, in defiance of the king's positive commands, and in -violation of the peace, had marched an armed force into the heart of -the realm; that he affirmed and assured them, that he had never sent -for him, nor written to him to come to Paris, notwithstanding he had -declared he had received letters from him to the above purport. - -The chancellor then asked the duke if he would vouch for what he had -said, who replied, that he would vouch for it, as he had spoken nothing -but the truth. After this had been said, they marched away in the same -order as before, to the Place du Croix du Tiroir, where they again -halted, when the chancellor from horseback, in front of the duke of -Acquitaine, repeated to the numerous populace there assembled what he -had before said in the Place de Gréve, which speech was again avowed -by the duke of Acquitaine, after which he retired to the Louvre. The -duke of Orleans went to the priory of St Martin des Champs, the king of -Sicily to the bastille of St Anthony, the count of Armagnac and Louis -Bourdon to the hôtel d'Artois, and the others elsewhere. Shortly after, -the duke of Berry came from his hôtel de Neelle to visit the duke of -Acquitaine in the Louvre, and thence retired to the Temple, where he -and his men had their quarters. The different lords went diligently -about the streets of Paris to check any tumults that might arise,--and -they had all the gates closed excepting those of St Anthony and of St -James. - -Notwithstanding they were so numerous in men at arms, they were very -fearful of the populace rising against them, in favour of the duke of -Burgundy, more especially those who lived in the quartier des Halles. - -The duke of Burgundy advanced from Dampmartin to St Denis, which was -open to him, for the inhabitants had fled. He there quartered his -whole army, and lodged himself at the hôtel of the Sword. His force -might consist of full two thousand helmets, knights and esquires, from -Artois, Picardy, Flanders, Rethel and Burgundy, with from two to -three thousand combatants, archers, cross-bows and armed varlets. He -was accompanied by sir John de Luxembourg, with all the vassals of his -uncle the count Waleran de St Pol. - -On the third day after the duke of Burgundy's arrival at St Denis, he -sent his king at arms, Artois, to Paris, bearing letters to the king, -the queen, the duke of Acquitaine, and the commonalty of the town,--in -which he requested that they would permit him to wait on them, to -explain the cause of his thus coming to St Denis, which, he said, was -only with good intentions, no way to make war, nor to demand redress -from any person, but solely in obedience to the commands of the duke of -Acquitaine, whom he was bound to serve and obey. - -When the king at arms arrived at the gates of Paris, he was led to an -hôtel,--when shortly after, a man came to him, whom he did not know, -and told him to make haste to quit the town, or his person would be -rudely treated. Perceiving that he should not be heard, nor allowed -to deliver his letters, he was mounting his horse, when the count -d'Armagnac advanced and said to him, that should he or any others come -again to Paris from the duke of Burgundy, he would have their heads cut -off. Upon this, he returned to his lord the duke of Burgundy, at St -Denis, and related to him all that had passed, and how rudely he had -been dealt with, which so much displeased the duke that he resolved, by -the advice of his council, to march thither in person with his whole -force. - -On the morrow morning, therefore, the army was drawn up in the fields -in battle-array as if they were about to engage an enemy, and thus -marched to the gate of St Eustache, which was closed; and there they -remained in battle-array for a considerable space, which was a handsome -sight. The duke again sent his king at arms to the gate of St Honoré, -which was also closed, to demand from those stationed over the gate -that four of his most confidential knights, who were near at hand to -the king at arms, might be admitted with him, to explain the causes of -his coming, which tended to nothing but a solid peace. He was answered -by those above the gate, that if he did not speedily withdraw, they -would discharge bolts and arrows at him,--adding, that they would have -nothing to say to the duke of Burgundy nor to his knights. Upon this, -they retired to the army. - -During this time, Enguerrand de Bournouville, with about four hundred -combatants, had dismounted, and, with the standard of the duke, had -advanced to the gate of St Honoré, to see if he could do any thing; for -they had great hopes that the populace would rise in sufficient force -to give them entrance through one of the gates, which, however, did not -happen. - -Enguerrand, nevertheless, said a few words to Bourdon, who was over -the gate, but who made him no reply; and, finding nothing was to be -done, he retreated to the main body. In his retreat, some cross-bows -were discharged at him, and one of his men was wounded, although -neither himself nor any of his companions had shown the least offensive -intentions, by arrows or otherwise, against those of Paris,--for it had -been forbidden them by the duke out of respect to the king and the duke -of Acquitaine. - -The duke, seeing the matter hopeless, marched his army back to St -Denis, and caused letters to be written, which, during the night, some -of his partisans affixed to the doors of the church of Nôtre Dame, -of the palace, and elsewhere in Paris. He sent copies also to the -principal towns in France, the tenour of which was as follows. - -'We John duke of Burgundy, count of Flanders and Artois, palatine of -Burgundy, lord of Salines and Mechlin, make known to all, that by -virtue of several letters written and signed by the duke of Acquitaine -himself, we came toward Paris, to employ ourselves for the welfare of -the king, by command of my lord of Acquitaine, and withal to aid and -deliver him from the servitude in which he is held at this moment; in -which cause we shall cheerfully exert every power and influence which -God may have granted to us in this world; and we signify to all the -wellwishers of the king and of my lord of Acquitaine, that they shall -be set (if we be able) at full liberty to exercise their free will and -pleasure,--and those who have thus confined them shall be banished, -that it may be known to all that we do not come hither on any ambitious -schemes to seize the government of the kingdom, and that we have no -desire to hurt or destroy the good town of Paris, but are ready to -fulfil and maintain every article which we had sworn to observe in the -king's edict. - -'We are also willing to return to any of our territories, provided -others who have sworn to the same ordinance do so likewise,--but they -act contrary to it: and we will, that God and all the world know, -that until we shall be sensible that my lord the king and my lord of -Acquitaine enjoy their full liberty, and that those who now manage -public affairs have retired to their several countries, and my said -lord the king is provided with honest, able, and notable counsellors -and knights, as well as my lord of Acquitaine, we will never desist -from our enterprise, nor quit the kingdom of France; for we had much -rather die than witness my lord the king and my lord of Acquitaine in -such subjection. - -'We cannot help being astonished that the citizens and loyal subjects -of his majesty can be so hard of heart as to suffer him to remain in -this disgraceful slavery; and we are the more surprised that, knowing -how nearly we are related to him, they have refused to receive either -our knights or our herald, or to permit any one from us to present our -letters to my lord the king, my lady the queen, my lord of Acquitaine, -or to the good town of Paris. - -'And although we came before the walls of Paris without committing any -hostile act whatever, by the command aforesaid, in order to treat of -matters touching the peace and welfare of the kingdom, our men have -been killed and wounded, without listening to any proposals which they -might have made. The count d'Armagnac even told our king at arms, that -if he should return again, his head would be struck off,--which is an -insult hard to be borne, when we have come hither with our company, -paying for all our expenses, as the near relation and neighbour of my -lord the king and my lord of Acquitaine, requiring the aid of all good -and loyal subjects against those who have kept in servitude and in -peril my said lord of Acquitaine, signifying to them, at the same time, -that we should, in proper time and place, charge them with treason -against their sovereign. Of this you need not doubt,--for, by the aid -of God and our just cause in this quarrel, we will pursue and maintain -it, with the utmost of our powers, and with the assistance of very many -of the principal towns in the realm, who have attached themselves to -us. - -'Given at St Denis, under our privy seal, in the absence of the grand -council, the 11th day of February, in the year 1413.' - -When these letters were found posted in several of the public places of -Paris, those who were disaffected to the duke of Burgundy had stronger -suspicions of his conduct than before; and they took such precautions -in the guard of the town that no inconvenience happened. - -During the time the duke of Burgundy remained at St Denis, the lord -de Croy, who had accompanied him, sent twenty of his most expert and -determined men at arms, well mounted, to cross the Seine near to -Conflans; thence they rode as secretly as they could, with lance in -hand, to the town of Montlehery, where they lodged themselves in two -inns near to each other, pretending to be of the Orleans party. Sir -John de Croy, son to the lord de Croy, was prisoner, as has been before -said, in the castle of that town, and had received intimation of their -coming by a chaplain who had the care of him. He made a pretence of -going to hear mass in the church that was hard by the castle, when -these men at arms who were ready prepared, and on the watch, mounted -their horses, hastened toward sir John, whom they instantly set on a -led horse, and thence galloped briskly to Pontoise: they afterward took -the road to the ford where they had before crossed the Seine, and made -such good haste that they brought sir John safe to his father in St -Denis. - -This enterprise was highly praised by the duke of Burgundy and the lord -de Croy: the principal leaders of it were Lamont de Launoy, Villemont -de Meneat, Jenninet de Molliens, Jean Roussel,--the whole amounting -to the number aforesaid. They were, however, sharply pursued by the -garrison of Montlehery, but they could not overtake them by reason of -the variety of roads they took. - -The duke of Burgundy again sent Artois, king at arms, to Paris, with -letters to the king of Sicily and to the dukes of Orleans and Berry, -to notify to them the causes of his coming, and to request that they -would suffer him, or at least some of his people, to speak with the -king and the duke of Acquitaine; that he was come with good intentions, -for he was willing punctually to keep all he had promised and sworn -to, provided they on their part would do the same; adding, that they -must allow the king and the duke of Acquitaine to rule and govern the -kingdom, without keeping them in servitude, more especially the duke of -Acquitaine, whom they detained to his great displeasure. But when the -king at arms came to the gate of St Anthony, he was told that he would -not be admitted, nor any letters received from him, and that if he did -not hasten away, they would treat him disrespectfully. On hearing this, -he considered for a few minutes, and then placing the letters at the -top of a cleft stick which he stuck in the ground, made off as fast as -he could to St Denis, when the duke was more discontented than ever. - -Perceiving that he could no way succeed in his object, he deliberated -with his council whether he should return to his own country, and -within a few days retreated to Compiegne by the way he had come. In -this town, and in that of Soissons, he left strong garrisons of men -at arms and archers. He appointed sir Hugh de Launoy governor of -Compiegne, with the lords de Sainct Ligier and de Forez, Hector and -Philippe de Saveuse, Louvelet de Mazaheghen, and other expert men at -arms, to the amount of five hundred combatants or thereabout. - -In Soissons he placed Enguerrand de Bournouville, sir Colart de -Phiennes, Lamon de Launoy, Guoit de Boutilliers Normant, sir Pierre de -Menault, and many more warriors. - -It was resolved by the aforesaid duke and his chivalry, and by the good -towns above mentioned, that until the king and the duke of Acquitaine -should be at full liberty, and until they should regulate their conduct -by the counsel of such good men and true as they themselves should -approve, and until the lords aforesaid, who thus kept them under -restraint, and the troops in their pay should retire each to his own -territory--as he, the duke of Burgundy, and those of his party, offered -to return to their estates and countries--they would never change their -resolution, and would yield no obedience to the command of the king, as -issued by the advice of his present counsellors or their abettors. - -This resolution the duke was to signify to the principal towns, and to -all the well-disposed persons in the kingdom, and even to summon them -in the names of the king and the duke of Acquitaine to unite themselves -to his party for the more effectually accomplishing so desirable -an object; for by so doing each person would acquit himself of his -loyalty, and gain renown for life; and the duke promised to aid and -support them to the utmost of his power, for the security of which he -issued his especial letters. - -After this, he departed from Compiegne, and returned to Arras. He -sent his Burgundians, to the amount of about seven hundred lances, to -quarter themselves in the Cambresis, and in Tierache, in contempt of -the king of Sicily, whom he did not love, any more than sir Robert de -Bar[35], who had refused to assist him in this expedition, although he -was his liege-man. - -He issued orders from Arras for the three estates of Artois to meet -him the 2d day of May, more particularly the nobles, when a great -parliament was holden on the state of his affairs. He there caused to -be displayed by the lord d'Ollehaing the three letters the duke of -Acquitaine had written to him, which being read, he declared on his -faith, in the presence of all the lords, that they were written and -signed by the duke of Acquitaine's own hand. - -When those present had promised to serve him against all but the king -of France and his children, he ordered his ministers to write to many -of the principal towns letters of the following import, which were sent -to Amiens. He then departed from Arras for his county of Flanders, to -do the same. - -'Very dear and good friends, being ever desirous that you and all other -loyal subjects of my lord the king, the wellwishers of the duke of -Acquitaine, dauphin of Vienne, should be advertised of whatever may -affect his honour and estate, that of his realm and the public good, -that efficient remedies may be provided according to the exigency of -the case, we in consequence signify to you the very singular request of -my said lord of Acquitaine, duly made to us by three different letters, -written and signed by his own hand, containing in substance, that on -the pleasure and service we were ever willing to do him, we should -incontinently come to him as well and greatly accompanied as possible. - -'We obeyed these his orders, as in duty bound, knowing the bondage -and danger he was and still is in, from his confinement in the castle -of the Louvre by certain persons, contrary to justice and reason, -and to his sore and bitter displeasure. We marched an armed force -in consequence, not through any ambition or lust of having any part -in the government of the kingdom, nor to break or any way infringe -the peace we have so lately promised and sworn to keep, which we are -above all things desirous of preserving, but solely in obedience to -the good will and pleasure of my lord the king and of my said lord of -Acquitaine, and to obtain for him his just freedom. For this cause did -we peaceably advance to the town of St Denis, without molesting or -despoiling any person, but paying courteously for all that we had need -of; and instantly on our arrival there, we sent by our herald, Artois -king at arms, sealed letters addressed to my lord the king, my lady the -queen, my lord of Acquitaine, and to the good town of Paris,--in which -we notified our coming, not with any intent of warfare, or to infringe -the peace, but by the orders of my lord of Acquitaine, and to obey his -good pleasure (as the saying is), requesting at the same time to have -audiences of my lord the king and of my lord of Acquitaine, to the -performance of our duty, and to the accomplishment of their will and -pleasure, to which we are bound. - -'Notwithstanding this, the presentation of our said letters was most -rigorously prevented by the count d'Armagnac and his adherents, without -any reasonable cause, and through contempt and malice to us and our -friends. The said count even told our herald, that if he did not -instantly depart, or if any of our people should again return on this -errand, he would have their heads cut off. In consequence, we marched -in person from the town of St Denis, grandly accompanied by men at arms -and archers, on the Saturday, the 10th of this month, February, to the -walls of Paris, without doing harm to any person, but with the intent -of amicably explaining the reasons for our thus appearing in arms, and -with the expectation of receiving a more gracious answer than was given -to our herald; but when we had arrived before the town, and had sent -to the gate of St Honoré, which was the nearest to us, our herald, and -after him four of our principal knights, to request an hearing, they -were told, that if they did not immediately retire, the guards would -shoot at them; and without hearing or saving any more, some cross-bows -were discharged, which was, and not without reason, highly displeasing -to us. - -'Although all these disorderly acts were done without the knowledge -or consent of the king, or of the duke of Acquitaine, and although -several of our officers were made prisoners, we most patiently bore the -whole, from our love of peace; and from our affectionate duty to the -king and my lord of Acquitaine, we quietly returned to St Denis, where, -during our stay, we permitted all sorts of provision to pass free to -Paris, the same as before our arrival there. We have nevertheless had -information, that through malicious instigations, contrary to the -honour and interest of my lord the king, my lord of Acquitaine, and the -public welfare, and against their will and intention, very many letters -have been unjustly and wickedly issued, by which the king has, as we -are told, banished from his kingdom us and all who attended us before -the walls of Paris,--notwithstanding that neither we nor they have -at present, or at any other time, neglected our duty to him, nor are -we of those who formerly besieged him in the town of Paris, and who -have, in many parts of his realm, damnably set fire to houses, slain -his subjects, forced women, violated maidens, pillaged and destroyed -churches, castles, towns and mansions, committing at the same time -unheard-of cruelties and mischiefs. - -'The advisers of this measure, proceeding in their wicked projects from -bad to worse, keep my lord the king and my lord of Acquitaine under -their subjection and control. - -'On this account, therefore, my very dear and good friends, and because -such things are contrary to the articles of the peace concluded at -Auxerre, and confirmed at Pontoise, we, who are of so great importance, -cannot longer suffer them, more especially when we consider the -dangerous state in which the king and my lord of Acquitaine are held. -Deputations have been likewise sent from many of the great towns, such -as Paris, Rheims, Rouen, Laon, Beauvais and others, who have solemnly -sworn to support and assist all who shall maintain this peace, and -strenuously to oppose those who shall infringe it. We affirm these -things to you for truth, so that should you hear the contrary you may -not give credit to it, but ever remain faithful and loyal subjects to -my lord the king and my lord of Acquitaine, such as you have ever been, -and aid and assist us in the part we have taken, for we have the utmost -confidence in your zeal. - -'In truth, we expect, through the help of God, and other assistance, -for the relief of my lord the king and my lord of Acquitaine, that we -may obtain for them full and free liberty of government, such as they -ought to possess, and that those who now keep them in bondage may be -dismissed from their presence, to reside in their own countries, as -we are ready to do, for the due observance of the said peace, and the -common good of the kingdom, objects of which we are very desirous. - -'Should there be any things which you may wish to have done, that are -within our power, know for certain that we will, with God's pleasure, -do them with a hearty good will,--and may he have you in his holy -keeping! Written in our town of Arras, and sealed with our privy seal, -the 27th day of February, in the year 1413.' - -There was also written on the margin, 'The duke of Burgundy, count of -Flanders and Artois; and that you, my very dear and good friends, may -be fully assured of the authenticity of the letters from my lord of -Acquitaine, mentioned in this paper, we send you with these presents -true copies of the originals, under an official seal,' and signed -'Vignier.' This letter was drawn up on sealed paper, and had for its -address, 'To our very dear and well beloved, the resident burgesses and -inhabitants of the town of Amiens.' - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 31: Esclusieu,--a village in Picardy, near Peronne.] - -[Footnote 32: _December._ So in the original, but it must be a mistake.] - -[Footnote 33: Baron,--a town in Picardy, diocese of Sens.] - -[Footnote 34: Dampmartin,--a town in the isle of France, nine leagues -from Paris.] - -[Footnote 35: Count of Soissons, mentioned above.] - - - - -CHAP. XXXI. - -ON THE RETREAT OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY FROM SAINT DENIS, THE KING OF -FRANCE ISSUES ORDERS THROUGHOUT HIS KINGDOM TO RAISE FORCES TO MARCH -AGAINST HIM. - - -When it was known to the king of France, the duke of Acquitaine, the -princes of the blood then in Paris, and to the members of the council, -that the duke of Burgundy, on his retreat from St Denis, had left -large garrisons in the towns of Compiegne, Soissons, and other places -belonging to the king, or at least under his government, they were -greatly surprised, thinking he had no just cause for so doing. - -To obviate the consequences of this conduct, certain royal edicts were -instantly dispatched throughout the bailiwicks and seneschalships -in the realm, commanding them to raise forces to resist the future -proceedings of the duke of Burgundy, which edicts, and particularly -that addressed to the bailiff of Amiens, were as follows. - -'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting. - -'To check the many great and numberless evils that have befallen our -kingdom, to the prejudice of ourself and of the public welfare, from -the quarrels and wars that have arisen between some of the princes -of our blood, and that our subjects may live in tranquillity under -our government, and that henceforward they may be ruled with justice, -which cannot take place but in times of peace,--we have, after mature -deliberation, effected an union between these said princes of our -blood, which they have most solemnly promised and sworn in our presence -to keep inviolate. Although it be not lawful for any of our subjects, -whether of our blood or not, and even contrary to our express orders, -to assemble any bodies of men at arms within our realm, yet it has come -to our knowledge that our cousin of Burgundy has complained of certain -acts done, as he says, to his prejudice, and contrary to the articles -of the said peace,--and for this cause he has occupied, or caused to be -occupied, several castles and fortresses belonging to us, and against -our will; that he has received in his country, and admitted to his -presence, several evil doers who have been guilty of treason against -us. In consequence, we sent able ambassadors to our said cousin of -Burgundy, to admonish him to keep the peace, to offer him every legal -means of redress, and to cause such reparation to be made him for any -infringement of the peace, as the case might require. At the same time -we summoned him to surrender the castles to us, as he was bound to do; -and we commanded him not to receive any such evil doers in future, -enjoining him to send those whom he had admitted to us, that they might -undergo such punishments as justice should order. - -'These commands he has not obeyed, nor sent any satisfactory answer. -Having learnt that after this our said cousin of Burgundy was -assembling a large body of men at arms, we sent one of the sergeants -at arms of the parliament with sealed letters to him, to forbid him to -raise any forces whatever. Notwithstanding this, in defiance of the -treaty of peace and of our positive orders, our cousin of Burgundy -continued to assemble men at arms and archers from all parts; and with -this army he has marched from his own country, and, by fraudulent and -traitorous means, has, against our will, gained possession of our towns -of Compiegne and Soissons, which he still holds, and has placed therein -garrisons of men at arms. He also attempted to gain by force our town -of Senlis, and has refused to surrender our castles and fortresses -aforesaid, which he detains contrary to our commands: he admits to his -country and to his presence every person guilty toward us, without ever -sending them to us, as we had commanded him to do. He has likewise -detained by force our sergeant at arms of the parliament and other -messengers from our dearly beloved companion the queen, and from our -very dear and well beloved son the duke of Acquitaine, bearing letters -from them to forbid him to do any acts contrary to the said peace, and -without sending to us or to them any answers whatever. - -'Our said cousin of Burgundy, in defiance and contempt of these our -orders and prohibitions, has marched a numerous, army near to Paris, -accompanied by all or the greater part of those criminals who have been -found guilty of treason against us, and therefore banished our realm. - -'All these said things have been done, committed, and perpetrated by -our said cousin of Burgundy, his adherents and allies, contrary to our -royal will and pleasure, in opposition to the articles of the said -peace, against the tranquillity of our subjects and the public good of -our kingdom. - -'Great inconveniences may therefore arise, unless a speedy remedy be -applied to this disloyal conduct. Wishing to obviate these evils, and -to reduce to obedience those of our subjects who may have joined our -said cousin the duke of Burgundy, whose enterprises we will no longer -tolerate, but are determined to repress them with the aid of those of -our blood, and our other good and faithful subjects, in such wise that -it shall be an example to all others. - -'We therefore command and strictly enjoin, that on receiving these -presents, you do, with a loud voice and with sound of trumpet, in -our name, proclaim the arriere-ban[36]; and that you do repeat this -proclamation throughout your bailiwick, so that no one may plead -ignorance of it, enforcing obedience to the same from all nobles and -others within your jurisdiction who have been used to arms, or in a -state to bear arms, and from all who may hold fiefs or arriere-fiefs of -the value of twenty livres tournois. You will see that prompt attention -be paid to our command by all nobles, citizens and inhabitants of the -towns within your bailiwick, on the faith and homage they owe to us, -and under pain of confiscation of estates and goods, should they not -join us in all diligence with the greatest possible number of men at -arms and archers, without any excuse or denial whatever. - -'You will enjoin the inhabitants of your principal towns to send -instantly to our good city of Paris men at arms and archers, mounted -on horseback and sufficiently accompanied,--and we command them thus -to do for our service in this matter, and wherever else we may employ -them, forbidding them at the same time, under the severest execution of -the penalties aforesaid, to obey, in any manner whatever, the summons, -orders, or requests of our said cousin of Burgundy, or under pretence -of serving us, or under other pretexts, to aid or promote his designs. - -'Should any persons within your jurisdiction have joined him, let them -instantly return, and not give him either support or advice. You will -arrest all whom you shall know to be favourable to him, or who have -joined him, whenever you can lay hands on them. Should you not be able -to do this, summon them, under pain of banishment; and take possession, -in our name, of all their effects, moveable and immoveable, whatever, -which you will administer on our behalf. - -'You will also make public proclamation in our name, for all prelates, -abbots, priors, chaplains and other churchmen, who are bound to supply -us with carts, sumpter horses, and other services from their fiefs, -instantly to perform them and send them to us. You will, in case of -their neglecting the same, seize their temporalities, or use such other -measures as are customary in such like cases. - -'At the same time, you will strictly forbid in our name, under the -aforesaid penalties, all labourers, tradespeople, or others, excepting -those before mentioned, to assemble in arms, or to collect together -in companies, after the manner of the pillagers in former times, but -give orders that they do apply to their labour or trades. Should any be -found to act contrary, you will imprison them, and inflict on them such -punishment as justice may ordain, to serve as examples to others. - -'We likewise command and enjoin you to suffer all men at arms and -archers, whether from our kingdom or elsewhere, that may be on their -march to join us, to pass freely through your bailiwick, without any -let or hindrance whatever, notwithstanding any letters or orders from -us to the contrary, unless of a subsequent date to these presents, and -signed by ourself in council; and you will afford to such person or -persons every aid, encouragement, and advice, should need be, in any -of our towns, castles, bridges or passes, that may tend to obstruct -them on their march. This we order to be done without refusal or -contradiction, for such is our will and pleasure; and you will certify -to our faithful chancellor your proceedings in this business, that -your diligence may be the more apparent; and be careful, under pain of -deprivation of office, and of the aforesaid punishments, that there be -no neglect on your part. - -'We will beside, and command you by these presents, that in regard -to all quarrels, suits, debts, or prosecutions for any matters in -litigation that may have been brought before you within your bailiwick -against those who may have set out to join us in obedience to our -summons, you do defer pronouncing any sentence or sentences thereon, -until fifteen days be expired after the return home of the parties -serving us, and that you do order all provosts, judges, or officers -under you, to do the same; and should any sentences have been passed, -or further proceedings thereon, you will stay the same, and without -delay make every possible reparation. - -'For the carrying our said will into execution, we, by these presents, -do give you full and ample authority; and by them also we command all -officers of justice, and others our subjects, diligently to attend to -and obey your orders, issued for the above purposes, and to afford you -aid and advice, and even the use of their prisons, should it be found -necessary. - -'Given at Paris, the 8th day of February, in the year of Grace 1413, -and of our reign the 33d.' Signed, on the report of the grand council -held by the queen, the duke of Acquitaine and others, 'Jean du Chastel.' - -This edict was sent to Amiens, and there proclaimed. It caused great -distress to all who had joined the party of the duke of Burgundy, as -well within Paris and its neighbourhood as elsewhere, for very many -were arrested and beheaded: others were imprisoned, and their fortunes -confiscated. - -Another edict was soon after issued, after great deliberation in -council, and published throughout France, by which the duke of Burgundy -was deprived of all the favours that had formerly been done him, and he -and all his partisans were banished the kingdom. This was the tenour of -the edict. - -'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to all to whom these -presents shall come, greeting. - -'Whereas, after the very cruel and damnable murder lately perpetrated -by the order and instigation of John our cousin of Burgundy, on the -person of our very dear and well beloved only brother Louis, duke of -Orleans, of good memory, whose soul may God pardon! the said duke of -Burgundy came to our good town of Paris, attended by a numerous body of -men at arms, against our will and in defiance of our commands to the -contrary, and there endeavoured to justify himself from this atrocious -murder, by means notoriously false, and by many arguments scandalous -and offensive to our majesty and to the public weal. - -'We, considering the very many evils that might ensue in consequence of -this murder to our subjects and kingdom, and being desirous to obviate -the same, did order our very dear son and beloved nephew, the present -duke of Orleans, with our very dear and well beloved nephew the count -de Vertus, his brother, children to our late brother, and minors, to -meet us in our town of Chartres, where we formed a pacification between -our said nephews and the duke of Burgundy; and although the terms of -this pacification were extraordinary and harsh to our said nephews, -nevertheless they subscribed to them in obedience to us, and from pity -to the subjects of the realm, who must have suffered greatly from the -intestine wars that would otherwise have taken place. - -'Notwithstanding the duke of Burgundy swore in our hands to the -observance of this treaty, and that he would thenceforward be a loyal -and sincere friend to our said nephews and their adherents, he very -shortly acted contrary to this oath and solemn promise, by revenging -himself on some of our servants, whom he suspected to have advised us -to have justice done on him for the murder of our said brother the duke -of Orleans, and also to continue his wicked designs of gaining the sole -government of our person and kingdom. This was the true reason for his -committing so foul a murder, and for arresting many of our faithful -servants,--some of whom he caused to be put to death, and, by unjust -and iniquitous means, exacted from others exorbitant and immense sums -of money. - -'In consequence, our nephews of Orleans, seeing that the duke of -Burgundy was infringing daily, and in various ways, the treaty which he -had sworn to keep at Chartres, and was regardless of all that he had -promised, most humbly but earnestly supplicated us at different times, -that we would administer justice on the murderers of their father, as -we were bounden to do; but the duke of Burgundy, who had deprived us of -our most loyal servants, and in their room had placed others attached -to him, prevented us from hearing their complaints, and from rendering -the justice it became us to administer. And what was worse, our nephews -perceiving that they could not obtain any redress from us, through the -interference of the duke of Burgundy, resolved to make war personally -upon him, to revenge the murder of their father, as was natural for -them to do. - -'The duke of Burgundy then accused them (and published falsely, -contrary to all resemblance of truth, as we are fully informed and -assured), that they and others of our blood, being in their company, -wished to deprive us of our royal estate and dignity, and make a new -king of France. And under pretence of these lies and charges, contrary -to all truth, he raised our people against them, wishing to cover his -wicked intentions and quarrel with lies, whence, as every one knows, so -many and serious misfortunes have arisen. - -'Under pretext of this warfare, the duke of Burgundy has caused to -be arrested and confined in our prison of the Châtelet at Paris, and -elsewhere, numbers of considerable gentlemen, knights and squires, -because he charged them with being favourable to the wellwishers of the -party of our nephews, or inclined to others of our blood and lineage -in their company: many whom he thus imprisoned he made suffer the -cruellest tortures, and then put them to death without a shadow of -reason or justice. - -'Some he starved to death in prison, denying them confessors or any of -the ecclesiastical sacraments, throwing their bodies into the fields -to be devoured by dogs, birds, or wild beasts, without allowing them -to have Christian burial, or that their new-born children should -be baptised, which is expressly against our religion. In these -transactions, the most horrid and unheard-of cruelties were committed. - -'Under cover of this war, which neither was nor ought to have been -ours, but his own, and personal to himself, this Burgundian caused -excessive and extraordinary taxes to be raised on our people, by -tallies, loans, and other means; such as seizing the treasures of -churches, the deposits in our courts of parliament, Châtelet, and -elsewhere, which had been there placed for the advantage of widows, -and children under age, or for the purpose of completing purchases or -repayment of mortgages. - -'The said Burgundian also made great depreciations in our coin, by -which he gained large sums of money, but to the severe loss of us, our -people, and the public welfare. By these and other equally fraudulent -means has he reaped very considerable profit, and for these two or -three years last past has applied to his own benefit the money of -our people, amounting to ten hundred thousand golden florins at the -least, as has been clearly demonstrated to us by the statement of the -accounts, without any part of it being employed for our service. - -'This has caused a failure and total stoppage of commerce, so necessary -to us and our kingdom, for some time past; consequently the revenues of -our domain and taxes have been shamefully diminished, as is notorious -to all. - -'But not contented with this, and in the design of totally destroying -our nephews aforesaid, our very dear and well beloved uncle the duke -of Berry, and several others of our blood, with the intent of gaining -the sole government of our kingdom to himself, the duke of Burgundy -constrained us and our dearly beloved eldest son the duke of Acquitaine -to oppose with force of arms our said nephews and their adherents, -under colour that the war was ours--whereas it was no such thing--and -obliged us to march from Paris against them, as if they had not alway -been our very loyal and affectionate relatives and subjects. - -'In fact, we laid siege to the city of Bourges, wherein was our uncle -aforesaid; and we were detained before it for upwards of six weeks -against our will, and to our very great displeasure. - -'We and our son were in great personal danger, as well from the -excessive heat of the season as from the attacks made on our army, -insomuch that we thought it right to remove to our town of Auxerre, -where we had assembled our said uncle, nephews, and other princes -of our blood. There, by the grace of God and his holy aid, and by -the commands of ourself and of our eldest son, certain articles of -pacification were drawn up and agreed to by our said uncle, son, and -nephews, with their allies, on the one part, and the duke of Burgundy -and his allies on the other,--which articles both parties solemnly -promised and swore before us to keep, without any way infringing them. - -'Nevertheless, not long after we were returned to our town of Paris, -the said duke of Burgundy, contrary to his promise on oath, came -thither, intending to annul the said peace made by us, and sworn to by -him, as has been before said, and caused to be drawn up certain letters -in our name, which he had attached to our edict concerning the peace, -by which he made us repeal and annul the greater part of what had been -granted by us and our said eldest son, thus infringing the articles of -the peace, namely, the restitution of estates, inheritances, honours -and offices, to such as had adhered to the party of our said uncle -and nephews, and to others of our blood and lineage, their allies -and partisans. He has, moreover, retained, for a long space of time, -against our will, and contrary to the agreements we had entered into, -and his own oath, the castles of Coucy and Pierrefons, belonging to our -said nephew the duke of Orleans, with many other castles, estates, and -houses of several of that party, notwithstanding letters of restitution -granted by us, and verified by our court of parliament. Neither the -duke of Orleans nor any of his adherents could regain the possession -of their lands,--for there was scarcely any one member of our court of -parliament who dared to gainsay the will and enterprises of the duke of -Burgundy or his accomplices, who were solely bent on having the entire -management of us, of our dear companion the queen, our well beloved -eldest son the duke of Acquitaine, and the whole government of the -realm. - -'To keep us in the greater subjection, the said Burgundian raised -persons of low rank and consideration in Paris to places of trust, who, -by his authority and exhortations, and being in his full confidence, -undertook the government of our royal self, that of the queen, the -duke of Acquitaine and the whole kingdom. These persons frequently came -to our councils, and those of our court of parliament, in a violent -and disorderly manner, menacing our faithful and honest counsellors in -such wise that the regular course of justice was stopped; and it was -impossible to prevent whatever they should ordain or desire from being -agreed to, one way or other. - -'In pursuing their wicked courses and damnable designs, it is a fact, -that on Friday the 28th day of April last passed, when the said -Burgundian, his accomplices, adherents, and people of low degree -began to perceive that several of our blood and lineage, and others -our officers, and those of our well beloved son, the members of the -university, wealthy merchants and loyal burgesses of the town of Paris, -were discontented with their mode of government, suspecting also that -they intended even to drive them from their power and authority by -force, and then punish them for their malversations, caused a great -assembly of the populace to be holden, the most part of whom knew not -for what they were thus assembled. - -'Then, without any justifiable reason, they marched with displayed -banners, in a warlike manner, to the hôtel of our said son, whence, -against his commands and will, and to his great displeasure, they -carried away our very dear and well beloved cousin the duke of Bar, -with many others the especial counsellors and servants of our said son, -according to a written list of names which the duke of Burgundy held in -his hand, and who had them first conducted to his hôtel of Artois, and -thence to different prisons. - -'Not long after, on another day, these same people of low degree, by -the practices of the duke of Burgundy again returned to our palace of -St Pol with displayed banners, and with force and violence, contrary -to our will and pleasure, as well as in disobedience to the commands -of our said queen and eldest son, they seized our very dear and well -beloved brother Louis duke of Bavaria, with other officers of our said -son, and also certain ladies and damsels attached to and in the service -of our said companion the queen, whom they arrested in her chamber, she -being present, and carried to different prisons, where they were long -detained in great personal danger. - -'This same populace, through the connivance and encouragement of the -duke of Burgundy, committed a variety of crimes and excesses, such as -seizing day and night, without any judicial authority, many of our -officers and other inhabitants of our said town of Paris, confining -them in prisons, murdering some, and throwing the bodies of others into -the river, by which means they were drowned, ransoming several for -large sums of money, without any one daring to check or punish such -atrocious acts. - -'All this was done through the practices and support of the duke -of Burgundy; by which means he has detained us, our companion the -queen, and our said eldest son, in such subjection and danger that -we had not liberty to do any one thing as we should have pleased; -for after these arrests had taken place, he appointed others to fill -their places, who were firmly attached to him and his measures. Even -persons of the lowest order were raised by him to offices,--and this -conduct was pursued until it pleased the Lord, by means of the activity -and diligence of our very dear and well beloved cousin the king of -Sicily, in conjunction with our dear nephews of Orleans, our well -beloved cousins the duke of Bourbon, the counts d'Alençon, d'Eu, and -others of our royal blood, many prelates, barons, knights, esquires, -and several of our court of parliament and of our dear daughter the -university of Paris, and capital burgesses of that town, to restore us, -our dear companion the queen and son, to that liberty which we should -reasonably enjoy; and the peace that had been agreed to at Auxerre was -again confirmed and sworn to by the said Burgundian, and others of our -blood and lineage. Nevertheless, the duke of Burgundy, prior to the -expedition which our said eldest son made, by means of the populace -of Paris, on the 4th day of August last past, exerted himself to the -utmost to put an end to this peace, by having it published in several -hôtels and other places in Paris, that if the people consented to such -a peace, it would be the ruin of the town, which was notoriously false. - -'Since the peace was thus renewed and confirmed, the duke of Burgundy -has been much discontented; and when some of those disturbers of the -peace, persons of low degree, quitted Paris under pretence of going -to Burgundy, though in fact they went to Flanders, Artois, and other -territories of the duke, he received them graciously, criminals as they -were, with other traitors and murderers of our said brother the duke -of Orleans, notwithstanding we had sent him especial ambassadors, who, -among other things, required and commanded him in our name that those -criminals whom he had received, and who had been convicted of treason -against us, and consequently banished the realm for ever, should be -delivered up that justice might be done on them. They also demanded -restitution of several castles that he kept possession of, by himself -or others, contrary to our pleasure, namely, the castles of Crotoy, -Laon, and Chinon,--but to all these demands he has been disobedient. - -'The worst part of his conduct is, that under colour of the most -abominable falsehoods, he has raised as large a body of men at arms and -archers as was possible, as well from his own countries of Burgundy -and Savoy as from Flanders, Artois and elsewhere, which he has marched -to the walls of our good town of Paris. To gain partisans, and an -undisturbed march, he has sent sealed letters to several of our large -towns to require aid and support, under colour that he was marching -to Paris by the command of our said eldest son, to deliver us from -the bondage in which, as he said, we were detained, and which is a -notorious falsehood,--for we never enjoyed greater liberty than we do -at this moment, and have done ever since his departure from Paris. - -'It is also false that he has had any commands from us on this subject: -on the contrary, we and our dear son have, by our letters patent, -positively forbidden him, under pain of our displeasure, to dare to -come before us with any assemblage of men at arms, which he has not -only disregarded and paid no attention to, but has imprisoned one of -the sergeants at arms of our court of parliament, whom we had sent with -the above letters patent, solemnly to forbid his assembling any bodies -of men at arms, and which he properly executed. - -'Pursuing his evil designs, his conduct from bad becomes worse; and, -contemning the orders of us, who are his sovereign, he marched like a -rebel, in a hostile manner, toward our town or Paris, with the largest -force he could collect, in direct opposition to our express commands, -thus breaking the peace which he had so solemnly sworn to keep, and -rendering himself unworthy of those graces and favours which had been -shown him in former times. He has with him, and under his obedience, -all those false traitors who on conviction of their treasons have been -for ever banished the kingdom, that through their means he may be -enabled to stir up sedition in our good town of Paris and elsewhere. - -'He has gained possession of our town of Compiegne, although we had -sent orders to the inhabitants not to suffer him to enter it with any -body of men at arms, or in an hostile manner, which orders were shown -to him; but he held them in contempt, and what is worse he now occupies -that town, and has placed therein a garrison contrary to our commands. -In like manner has he taken possession of the town of Soissons, -although the inhabitants had received orders similar to those sent to -Compiegne, of which the army of the duke of Burgundy was assured. - -'This Burgundian has even advanced his army to St Denis, which he -has seized and made his head-quarters, contrary to our will and -pleasure, forming of it, as it were, a frontier to our good town -of Paris; and by way of demonstrating his wickedness and infamous -designs, he advanced his army with displayed banners, and in a warlike -manner, to the very walls of Paris, and remained there a long time in -battle-array. He even sent his scouts to the very gates, in the hope of -raising a sedition among the populace, and then entering the town by -force of arms, contrary to our will, and thus acting like an enemy, and -being guilty of the crime of high treason toward us, many complaints of -which have been and are daily made to us on this subject. - -'Know ye, that having considered the above acts, and others connected -with them, and the whole of the duke of Burgundy's conduct since the -death of our said brother to this present time, inasmuch as he has -been ever ready to proceed by force of arms, and has several times -notoriously disobeyed our commands, more especially in this last act, -when we positively enjoined him not to march any armed force to Paris, -and in several others, which he has obeyed or not according to his -pleasure. For these causes he is and must be esteemed ungrateful, and -undeserving of all the favours that have been shown him by us in former -times. - -'Having therefore held a grand council on the above, to which persons -of all ranks were admitted, and having duly considered the same, we -declare that the duke of Burgundy, and all who shall give him any -aid, support or advice, or join his company, contrary to our said -edicts, issued by us to forbid the same, shall be, and are by these -presents, held and reputed rebels to us, and violators of the peace, -consequently enemies to us and to the public welfare of our kingdom. -For these causes we have determined to call out our arriere-ban, and -to muster such forces of those who have been accustomed to bear arms -as may be sufficient to enable us to resist the perverse dispositions -and attempts of the duke of Burgundy, his accomplices and adherents, -to reduce them to that subjection and obedience which they owe to us, -and to punish them for their traitorous misdeeds, so that honour may -redound to us, and they may serve in future as examples to all others. - -'We give it in command by these presents to our well beloved and -faithful counsellors, members of our parliament, to the provost of -Paris, to the bailiff of Amiens, and to all other our officers of -justice, to their deputies, and to each of them to whom it may -appertain, that they do proclaim these presents, or cause them to be -proclaimed, in the most public places within their jurisdictions where -such proclamations have usually been made, so that no one may plead -ignorance of the same. - -'Commanding also, at the same time, that all our officers and subjects -who may have been used to arms do hasten with all possible speed to -join and serve us in such things as we may command, with as many men -at arms as they can collect, under pain of our highest displeasure and -suffering confiscation of effects, or such other punishment as may -be awarded against all who shall in any way disobey these our said -commands. - -'In testimony of which, we have to these presents affixed our -seal.--Given at Paris, the 10th day of February, in the year of Grace -1413, and of our reign the 33d[37].' Thus signed by the king, on -the report of the great council, held by the queen and my lord of -Acquitaine. Countersigned, 'Derion.' - -This edict was proclaimed in Amiens, and afterward in the provostships, -and throughout the bailiwick by commission from the said bailiff. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 36: _Arriere-ban_,--'a proclamation, whereby those that hold -of the king by a mesne tenure are summoned to assemble and serve him -in his wars,--different from _ban_, whereby such are called as hold -immediately of him,--also the whole troop of those mesne tenants or -under vassals so assembled.' - - _Cotgrave's Dict._--See '_Ban_' and '_Arriere-ban_.'] - -[Footnote 37: There is the most extraordinary confusion of dates -throughout these state-papers, which it is, probably, utterly -impossible to rectify by any conjectural emendations: but it seems -right to take some notice of the circumstance, as at first sight it -appears a most culpable oversight. It is not only here but throughout -the book that this confusion prevails, as is very evident from the -challenges of the arragonian esquire in the beginning of the volume.] - -END OF THE THIRD VOLUME. - - - AT THE HAFOD PRESS, - BY JA. HENDERSON. - - -Transcriber's Note: - -Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation are as in the original. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Chronicles of Enguerrand de -Monstrelet (Vol. 3 of 13), by Enguerrand de Monstrelet - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHRONICLES OF ENGUERRAND *** - -***** This file should be named 52911-8.txt or 52911-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/9/1/52911/ - -Produced by Graeme Mackreth and The Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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III., , by Thomas Johnes. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -.small { - font-size: small} - -.medium { - font-size: medium} - -.large { - font-size: large} - -.x-large { - font-size: x-large} - - - h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; - font-weight: normal;} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} -.p4 {margin-top: 4em;} -.p6 {margin-top: 6em;} - -.ph1, .ph2, .ph3, .ph4 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em;} -.ph1 { font-size: xx-large; margin: .67em auto; } -.ph2 { font-size: x-large; margin: .75em auto; } -.ph3 { font-size: large; margin: .83em auto; } -.ph4 { font-size: medium; margin: 1.12em auto; } - -.hang { - text-indent: -2em; - padding-left: 2em} - -p.drop:first-letter { - font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; - font-size: xx-large; - line-height: 70%} - -.uppercase { - font-size: small; - text-transform: uppercase} - - - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - clear: both; -} - -hr.tb {width: 45%;} -hr.chap {width: 65%} -hr.full {width: 95%;} - -hr.r5 {width: 5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} -hr.r65 {width: 65%; margin-top: 3em; margin-bottom: 3em;} - - - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto;} -td { text-indent: -2em; - padding-left: 2.5em; - padding-right: 0.5em} - - .tdl {text-align: left;} - .tdr {text-align: right; - vertical-align: bottom;} - .tdc {text-align: center;} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; -} /* page numbers */ - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.u {text-decoration: underline;} - - - -/* Footnotes */ -.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} - -.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} - -.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} - -.fnanchor { - vertical-align: super; - font-size: .8em; - text-decoration: - none; -} - - - - - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - padding:0.5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - -@media handheld { - .hidehand {display: none; visibility: hidden;} -} - - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Chronicles of Enguerrand de Monstrelet -(Vol. 3 of 13), by Enguerrand de Monstrelet - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Chronicles of Enguerrand de Monstrelet (Vol. 3 of 13) - Containing an account of the cruel civil wars between the - houses of Orleans and Burgundy - -Author: Enguerrand de Monstrelet - -Translator: Thomas Johnes - -Release Date: August 28, 2016 [EBook #52911] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHRONICLES OF ENGUERRAND *** - - - - -Produced by Graeme Mackreth and The Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="hidehand"> -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover" /> -</p> -</div> - - -<h1 style="margin-top: 5em;"> -<span class="medium">THE</span><br /> - -CHRONICLES<br /> - -<span class="medium">OF</span><br /> - -ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET;<br /> - -<span class="small">CONTAINING</span><br /> - -<span class="medium">AN ACCOUNT OF THE CRUEL CIVIL WARS BETWEEN THE HOUSES OF</span><br /> - -<span class="x-large">ORLEANS AND BURGUNDY;</span><br /> - -<span class="small">OF THE POSSESSION OF</span><br /> - -<span class="x-large">PARIS AND NORMANDY BY THE ENGLISH;</span><br /> - -<span class="medium"><i>THEIR EXPULSION THENCE</i>;</span><br /> - -<span class="small">AND OF OTHER</span><br /> - -<span class="large">MEMORABLE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN THE KINGDOM OF FRANCE,</span><br /> - -<span class="medium">AS WELL AS IN OTHER COUNTRIES.</span><br /> - -<span class="large"><i>A HISTORY OF FAIR EXAMPLE, AND OF GREAT PROFIT TO THE</i></span><br /> -<span class="x-large"><i>FRENCH</i>,</span><br /> - -<span class="small"><i>Beginning at the Year</i> <small>MCCCC.</small> <i>where that of Sir JOHN FROISSART finishes, and ending at the Year</i> <small>MCCCCLXVII.</small> <i>and continued by others to the Year</i> <small>MDXVI.</small></span><br /> - -<span class="medium">TRANSLATED</span><br /> - -<span class="x-large">BY THOMAS JOHNES, ESQ.</span><br /> - -<span class="large">IN THIRTEEN VOLUMES.... VOL. III.</span><br /> - -<span class="large">LONDON:</span><br /> - -<span class="medium">PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, PATERNOSTER-ROW; -AND J. WHITE AND CO. FLEET-STREET.<br /> - -1810.</span> -</h1> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>CONTENTS<br /> - -<span class="medium">OF</span><br /> - -<i>THE THIRD VOLUME</i>.</h2> - -<table class="toc" summary="toc" width="70%"> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_I">CHAP. I.</a></th> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="small tdr" colspan="2">PAGE</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">The king of France sends different captains -with troops to harrass the Armagnacs on -the frontiers. The defeat of the count de -la Marche -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">1 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_II">CHAP. II.</a></th> -</tr> -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">The king of France sends ambassadors to -England. The lord de Croy and the duke -of Bourbon's children obtain their liberty. -Of count Waleran de St Pol -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">9 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_III">CHAP. III.</a></th> -</tr> -<tr> - -<td><p class="hang">The dukes of Berry and of Orleans, with -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span>others of their adherents, send an embassy -to the king of England. The consequences -of it -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">13 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_IV">CHAP. IV.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">Duke Louis of Bavaria is driven out of Paris -by the Parisians, and his people robbed. -Of the cardinal de Cambray, and the -prohibition of the king of England -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">24 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_V">CHAP. V.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">The king of Sicily leaves Paris. The siege -of Domfront. The battle of St Remy du -Plain. The siege of Bellesme, and other -events of the year -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">28 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_VI">CHAP. VI.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">Charles king of France, attended by other -princes, marches a large force from Paris -to Bourges. Letters from the king of -England, and other matters -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">39 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_VII">CHAP. VII.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">The town of Vervins is taken by sir Clugnet -de Brabant, and afterward retaken. The -castle of Gersies is won by sir Simon de -Clermont -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">45 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_VIII">CHAP. VIII.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">The king of France receives certain information -that his adversaries had formed an alliance -with the king of England. The constable <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span>marches into the Boulonois -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">49 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_IX">CHAP. IX.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">The king of France lays siege to Fontenay and -to Bourges. The events that happened -while he remained there -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">52 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_X">CHAP. X.</a></th> -</tr> -<tr> - -<td><p class="hang">The king of France decamps, and lays siege -to Bourges on the opposite side. A treaty -is concluded between the two parties -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">65 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XI">CHAP. XI.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">The princes and lords within the city of Bourges -wait on the king and the duke of Acquitaine, -and afterward at Auxerre -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">73 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XII">CHAP. XII.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">The king of France orders his edict respecting -the peace to be sent to his different officers -for proclamation in the usual places, and -other matters -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">85 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XIII">CHAP. XIII.</a></th> -</tr> -<tr> - -<td><p class="hang">The war continues in the Boulonois. The -king returns to Paris. The duke of Orleans -satisfies the English, and other matters -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">91 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XIV">CHAP. XIV.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">The duke of Berry is dangerously ill. He is -visited by his daughter the duchess of -Bourbon, and by the duke of Burgundy. -Notice of other matters<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span> -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">95 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XV">CHAP. XV.</a></th> -</tr> -<tr> - -<td><p class="hang">The king of France holds a grand assembly at -Paris on the reformation of abuses in the -government. Other matters -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">98 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XVI">CHAP. XVI.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">The duke of Acquitaine is displeased with his -chancellor. Jealousies arise among the great -lords, and other matters -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">133 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XVII">CHAP. XVII.</a></th> -</tr> -<tr> - -<td><p class="hang">Henry of Lancaster, king of England, who -had been a valiant knight, dies in this -year. Of the alliance between him and -the french princes -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">137 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XVIII">CHAP. XVIII.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">The king's ministers are greatly alarmed at -the arrest of sir Peter des Essars and of -the duke of Bar. Other proceedings of -the Parisians -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">144 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XIX">CHAP. XIX.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">The Parisians propose whatever measures -they please in the presence of the duke -of Acquitaine and the other princes. -Cruelties committed by them -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">152 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XX">CHAP. XX.</a></th> -</tr> -<tr> - -<td><p class="hang">The count de Vertus and several of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span>nobility leave Paris. Other regulations -and edicts obtained from the king by the -Parisians -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">165 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XXI">CHAP. XXI.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">King Ladislaus of Naples enters Rome with -a powerful army. The death of sir James -de la Riviere. The dismission of the -chancellor, and other matters -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">173 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XXII">CHAP. XXII.</a></th> -</tr> -<tr> - -<td><p class="hang">The ambassadors from the king of France -return with those from the princes to -Paris. They are joined by others, who -negotiate a fourth peace at Pontoise -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">182 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XXIII">CHAP. XXIII.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">The duke of Acquitaine orders the prisoners -to be liberated. The duke of Burgundy -leaves Paris. Several princes arrive there. -Their actions -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">212 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XXIV">CHAP. XXIV.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">The duke of Brittany comes to Paris. The -duke of Burgundy holds a council at -Lille. The actions of the count de Saint -Pol, and other matters that happened at -this time -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">229 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XXV">CHAP. XXV.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">The duke of Burgundy holds many councils -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span>to consider of his situation, fearing that his -enemies would turn the king against him, -which they afterwards did -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">234 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XXVI">CHAP. XXVI.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">Duke Louis of Bavaria marries at Paris. Of -those who had been banished on account of -the discords between the dukes of Orleans -and Burgundy, and of many other incidental -matters -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">241 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XXVII">CHAP. XXVII.</a></th> -</tr> -<tr> - -<td><p class="hang">The king of France, fearing the peace would -be broken, publishes other edicts for its -preservation throughout the realm, and -also respecting the coin -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">247 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XXVIII">CHAP. XXVIII.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">The king of Sicily sends back the daughter of -the duke of Burgundy. The duke writes -letters to the king of France, containing -remonstrances, and other matters -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">264 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XXIX">CHAP. XXIX.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">The duke of Burgundy goes to Antwerp. -The arrest of sir John de Croy, and other -remarkable events that happened about this -period -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">283 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XXX">CHAP. XXX.</a></th> -</tr> -<tr> - -<td><p class="hang">The duke of Burgundy marches a large force -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</a></span>toward Paris. He fixes his quarters at -Saint Denis. The events that happened -during this march, and in consequence -of it -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">299 -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<th class="large" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAP_XXXI">CHAP. XXXI.</a></th> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td><p class="hang">On the retreat of the duke of Burgundy from -St Denis, the king of France issues orders -throughout his kingdom to raise forces to -march against him -</p> -</td> -<td class="tdr">324 -</td> -</tr> -</table> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph1"> -<span class="medium">HERE BEGINNETH</span><br /> -THE THIRD VOLUME<br /> -<span class="medium">OF THE</span><br /> -CHRONICLES<br /> -<span class="medium">OF</span><br /> -<span class="x-large"><i>ENGUERRAND DE MONSTRELET</i>.</span> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h2><a name="CHAP_I" id="CHAP_I">CHAP. I.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE KING OF FRANCE SENDS DIFFERENT CAPTAINS WITH TROOPS TO HARRASS THE -ARMAGNACS ON THE FRONTIERS.—THE DEFEAT OF THE COUNT DE LA MARCHE.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">Many</span> of the nobles and captains were now sent by the king to the -countries of such as were confederates with the duke of Orleans and -his party. In the number, the count de la Marche was ordered into the -Orleanois, to subject it to the king's obedience, in company with the -lord de Hambre.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>Aymé de Vitry, Fierbourd, and others were sent against the duke of -Bourbon, who had done much mischief to the country of Charolois; and -having a large force with them, they despoiled the Bourbonois and -Beaujolois. They advanced with displayed banners before the town of -Villefranche, in which was the duke of Bourbon and his bastard-brother, -sir Hector, a very valiant knight and renowned in war. There was with -them a large company of knights and esquires, vassals to the duke, who, -seeing the enemy thus boldly advancing, drew up in handsome array and -sallied forth to meet them, and the duke himself joined them in their -intent to offer battle. A severe skirmish ensued, in which many gallant -deeds were done on each side. The bastard of Bourbon distinguished -himself much in the command of the light troops, and fought most -chivalrously. He was, however, so far intermixed with the enemy that -the duke was fearful of his being slain or taken, and, sticking spurs -into his horse, cried out to his people, 'Push forward! for my brother -will be made prisoner unless speedily succoured.' Great part of his -battalion followed him on the gallop toward the enemy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> and the battle -was renewed with more energy: many men at arms were unhorsed, wounded -and slain: at length, the van of the Burgundians, under the command -of Aymé de Vitry, was forced to fall back on the main army, which was -at a short distance off. The bastard, who had been struck down, was -remounted, and returned to the duke. Before that day, no one person had -ever heard the duke call him brother.</p> - -<p>About forty were slain on both sides, but very many were wounded.</p> - -<p>When the skirmish was ended, each party retreated without attempting -more,—the duke and his men into Villefranche, and the others toward -the country of Charolois, destroying every thing on their march.</p> - -<p>Other parties were sent to Languedoc, Acquitaine and Poitou, to despoil -the countries of the duke of Berry, the count d'Armagnac, and the lord -d'Albreth. Sir Guichard Daulphin, master of the king's household, -commanded one division; and the two others were under the lord de -Heilly, marshal of Acquitaine, and Enguerrand de Bournouville.</p> - -<p>They did infinite damage to the lands of the aforesaid lords; but -one day, as the lord de<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> Heilly was lodged in a large village called -Linieres, he was attacked at day-break by a party of the duke of Berry, -who defeated and plundered great part of his men of their horses and -baggage: a few were killed and taken,—but he and the majority of his -army saved themselves by retreating within the castle, which held out -for the king.</p> - -<p>I must say something of the count de la Marche and the lord de Hambre, -who, as I have said, were ordered into the Orleanois. It is true, they -might have under their command from five to six thousand combatants, -whom they conducted, destroying all the country on their line of march, -as far as Yeure-la-Ville and Yeure-le-Chastel. The count de la Marche -was quartered in the village of Puchet, and the lord de Hambre in -another town.</p> - -<p>The moment their arrival at Yeure-la-Ville was known in Orleans, where -were considerable numbers of men at arms for the guard of the country, -about six hundred of them were assembled under the command of Barbasan -de Gaucourt, sir Galliet de Gaulles, and a knight from Lombardy, -together with three hundred archers. They marched all night as secretly -as they could to Yeure-la-Ville, to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> amount of about a thousand -men, under the guidance of such as knew the country well, and where the -count was lodged. The count was, however, somehow informed of their -intentions, and, having armed his men, posted the greater part of them -in and about his lodgings: the others he ordered to keep in a body, and -sent to the lord de Hambre to acquaint him with the intelligence he had -received, that he might be prepared to come to his assistance, should -there be any necessity for it. The count and his men were under arms, -waiting for the enemy, the whole of the night; but when day appeared, -and no news or the enemy arrived, he was advised to repose himself, and -to order his men to their quarters.</p> - -<p>Soon after sun-rise, one of the adversary's scouts rode into the -town, and, seeing that no watch was kept, hastened back to inform his -friends, whom he met near the place, of this neglect. They instantly -entered the town, shouting, 'Vive le roi!' but soon after, crying -out 'Vive Orleans!' made a general attack on the houses. The greater -part hastened to the lodgings of the count, who was preparing to hear -mass,—and the tumult became very great, for the count and his people -fought gallantly:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> nevertheless, he was conquered and made prisoner. -The whole quarter was carried, and all taken or slain. After this -defeat, the count and his men were conducted hastily to Orleans.</p> - -<p>In the mean time, as the lord de Hambre was coming to their assistance, -he was misled by a man whom he had chosen for his guide, and, on his -arrival, found the whole town destroyed, and the count with his men -carried off. Notwithstanding his grief for this event, he pursued the -enemy with all speed, and, by his activity, overtook the rear, upon -which he fell manfully, and defeated part of it. He rescued some of -the prisoners,—but the count, with about four score (as it was told -him), were sent forward as fast as horses could carry them, and were -to be confined in the prisons of Orleans. The lord de Hambre was much -troubled that he could not rescue him. There were slain in these two -affairs from three to four hundred men on both sides, but the greater -part were Armagnacs. Among others of the party of the count de Vendôme -that were mortally wounded was Guoit le Gois, eldest son to Thomas le -Gois, a capital citizen of Paris, which caused great sorrow to the -Parisians.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> - - - - - -<p>After this affair, the lord de Hambre assembled, by the king's orders, -a larger force than before, and made a very severe war on the duchy of -Orleans and all attached to that party, which caused the country to -suffer greatly.</p> - -<p>King Louis of Sicily arrived at this time at Paris from Provence, -attended by three hundred men at arms well equipped, and was lodged in -his own hôtel of Anjou. He was grandly received by the king, the duke -of Acquitaine and the other princes, and united himself with the king -and the duke of Burgundy, promising to join their party against the -family of Orleans and their adherents.</p> - -<p>The duchess of Burgundy and her daughter came, nearly at the same time, -from Burgundy to the Bois de Vincennes, where the queen and the duchess -of Acquitaine resided, who received her with much pleasure. Thence they -went to visit the dukes of Acquitaine and Burgundy,—and very gay and -magnificent feasts were made on their arrival. They remained for a long -time with the queen, living at the expense of the king.</p> - -<p>At this period, the king of France sent the lord de Dampierre, admiral -of France,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> with other lords, to Boulogne-sur-mer, to meet the -english ambassadors who were arrived at Calais. They went together to -Leulinghen, where they agreed on a truce between the two crowns for -one year,—after which the admiral and his companions returned to the -king at Paris, where he was holding a grand assembly of prelates and -ecclesiastics for the general reformation of the church. The particular -object of this assembly was to select proper delegates to send to -the holy father the pope, to request that a convenient place might -be appointed for the holding of a general council. But in truth very -little was done, for they could not agree on one single point: another -meeting was therefore fixed upon, when a greater number of churchmen -should be summoned to attend it.</p> - -<p>The Parisians, having loyally served the king and the duke of -Acquitaine in the late wars, obtained, through the means of the duke of -Burgundy, that the power of the shrievalty, with all its franchises, -of which the city of Paris had been deprived by royal authority in the -month of January, in the year 1382, should be restored to it fully -and freely by letters patent from the king. This created very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> great -rejoicings, and much increased the popularity of the duke of Burgundy.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAP_II" id="CHAP_II">CHAP. II.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE KING OF FRANCE SENDS AMBASSADORS TO ENGLAND.—THE LORD DE CROY AND -THE DUKE OF BOURBON'S CHILDREN OBTAIN THEIR LIBERTY.—OF COUNT WALERAN -DE SAINT POL.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">At</span> the beginning of the month of May, the duke of Burgundy, with the -approbation of the king of France, sent ambassadors to England, namely, -the bishop of Arras, the provost of Saint Donas de Bruges, and the -provost of Viefville, to treat of a marriage between one of the duke's -daughters and the prince of Wales, a matter which had been talked of -before<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>. They found the king of England at Rochester, who honourably -entertained them, as did the other princes; but the prince of Wales was -particularly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> attentive, as their mission more immediately concerned -him.</p> - -<p>In the course of a few days, the bishop had fully explained the object -of his coming to the king, his sons, and council; and having received -a favourable answer, with very handsome presents to himself and his -colleagues, they returned by way of Dover to Calais, and shortly after -arrived at Paris.</p> - -<p>The ambassadors related, in the presence of the kings of France and -Sicily, the dukes of Acquitaine, Burgundy and Bar, and other great -lords of the council, a full detail of their proceedings, and that the -king of England and his family were well pleased with their proposals. -Upon this, the duke of Burgundy sent orders to his son the count de -Charolois, then at Ghent, to repair to Paris, to be present at the -festivals of Easter.</p> - -<p>At this time, by the intercession of the duchess of Bourbon, daughter -to the duke of Berry, with the duke of Orleans and others of that -party, the lord de Croy obtained his liberty from the prison in which -he had for a considerable time been confined, and was escorted safely -to Paris. On his departure, he promised by his faith to make such -earnest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> applications to his lord, the duke of Burgundy, that the duke -of Bourbon's children should be delivered.</p> - -<p>On his arrival at Paris, he was received with joy by the dukes of -Acquitaine and Burgundy, especially by the latter; and a few days after -he made the request he had promised, and so successfully that the king -and the other lords gave the duke of Bourbon's children their liberty. -They were sent for to Paris from the castle of Renty, where they -were confined; and they and their attendants were delivered without -any ransom to the care of sir John de Croy, who escorted them to the -territories of the duke of Berry. The son of sir Mansart du Bos, who -had been taken with them, remained prisoner in the castle of Renty.</p> - -<p>The lord de Croy was nominated governor of the county of Boulogne -and captain of the castle of Braye sur Somme, by the king, with the -approbation of the duke of Berry and the aforesaid duchess. He also -obtained, through the recommendation of the duke of Burgundy, the -office of grand butler of France. To sir Peter des Essars, provost of -Paris, was given the office of grand master or waters and forests,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> -which had been held by count Waleran de St Pol, who was contented to -yield it up.</p> - -<p>The count de Saint Pol, now constable of France, ordered a large body -of men at arms to assemble at Vernon sur Seine. In consequence, full -two thousand armed with helmets came thither, with the design of making -war on the inhabitants of Dreux, and on the count d'Alençon and his -people, who had overrun parts of Normandy, near to Rouen, where they -had plundered every thing they could lay their hands on.</p> - -<p>To provide for the payment of this force, as well as for others in -different parts of the country which the king had employed under -various captains, a heavy tax was imposed on the whole kingdom, to -be paid at two instalments,—the first on the Sunday before Easter, -and the second at the end of June following. This affected the poor -people very much; and in addition, the pope had granted to the king -a full tenth to be levied, through France and Dauphiny, on all the -clergy, payable also at two terms,—the one on St John the Baptist's -day, and the other on All-saints following. The clergy were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> greatly -discontented,—but it was not on that account the less rigorously -levied,—and commissioners were appointed to receive it from them.</p> - -<p>The constable set out in the holy week from Paris for Vernon, to take -the command of the men at arms, and to lead them against the king's -enemies.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Their passport is, in the Fœdera, dated January 11. -1412.</p></div></div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="center">[<span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 1412.]</p> - -<h2> <a name="CHAP_III" id="CHAP_III">CHAP. III.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE DUKES OF BERRY AND OF ORLEANS, WITH OTHERS OF THEIR ADHERENTS, SEND -AN EMBASSY TO THE KING OF ENGLAND.—THE CONSEQUENCES OF IT.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">At</span> the commencement of this year, the dukes of Berry, of Orleans, -and of Bourbon, the counts de Vertus, d'Angoulême, d'Alençon and -d'Armagnac, and the lord d'Albreth, calling himself constable of -France, with other great lords, their confederates, sent ambassadors to -the king of England, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> instructions, under their seals, for them to -act according to the occasion with the king of England, his children -and ministers.</p> - -<p>As they were journeying through Maine to go to Brittany, and thence to -England, they were pursued by the bailiff of Caen in Normandy, who, -with the aid of the commonalty, attacked and defeated them, making some -of them prisoners, with their sealed instructions and other articles: -the rest escaped as well as they could.</p> - -<p>After the defeat, the bailiff dispatched an account of it to the king -and council at Paris, and sent the sealed instructions, with the other -articles, in a leathern bag, well secured. The king assembled a great -council at his palace of St Pol, on the Wednesday after Easter, for -the full examination of these papers. He was present, as were the -king of Sicily, the dukes of Acquitaine and Burgundy, the counts de -Charolois, de Nevers, and de Mortaigne, the lord Gilles de Bretagne, -the chancellor of France, namely, master Henry de Marle<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a>, the bishops -of Tournay, of Amiens,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> of Constance, and of Auxerre, the rector of -the university, the provost of Paris, and several others, as well of -the king's council as capital citizens of Paris and students of the -university.</p> - -<p>The chancellor of the duke of Acquitaine, the lord d'Olhaing, lately an -advocate in the parliament, then declared, that there had been given -to his charge, by the king's ministers, a leathern bag, which had been -taken by the bailiff of Caen, together with a knight, chamberlain -to the duke of Brittany, from de Faulcon d'Encre and friar James -Petit, of the order of the Augustins, and other ambassadors from the -lords mentioned in the papers contained in the bag, which had been -transmitted by the said bailiff to the king's council. He added, that -he had found in this bag four blank papers, signed and sealed by four -different persons, namely, Berry, Orleans, Bourbon and Alençon. Each -blank had only the name signed on the margin above the seal. He had -also found many sealed letters from the duke of Berry addressed to -the king of England, to the queen, and to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> their four sons; and in -like manner, from the duke of Brittany to the earl of Richmond and to -other noblemen in England. There were also many letters without any -superscription, being credential ones for the aforesaid Faulcon and -friar James Petit, to the king and queen of England.</p> - -<p>These letters were publicly read, and in them the duke of Berry styled -the king of England, 'My most redoubted lord and nephew;' and the -queen, 'My most redoubted and honoured lady, niece and daughter;' and -they were signed with the duke of Berry's own hand. In the one to the -queen, there were two lines in his own handwriting, desiring her to -place full confidence in the said ambassadors.</p> - -<p>These blanks were publicly displayed,—and the king held them some -time in his hand. There was a small article on a single sheet of paper -containing the instructions for the ambassadors, which was likewise -read aloud, and contained a repetition of the charges made against -the duke of Burgundy, by the duchess of Orleans and her sons, for -the death of the late duke of Orleans. It recited, that they had -frequently demanded justice of the king of France for this murder, but -could never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> obtain it, because the duke of Burgundy had prevented -and evil counselled the king, by persuading him that the duke of -Orleans had been a disloyal traitor to his king and country, which was -false,—adding, that the duke of Burgundy had seduced the commonalty -of France, more especially the populace of Paris, by asserting that -the late duke of Orleans wanted to destroy the king of France and his -family, which was also a falsehood, for it had never even entered his -thoughts.</p> - -<p>These instructions contained, likewise, that the duke of Burgundy had -caused the king to be angry with the duke of Brittany, because he had -obstructed his expedition against Calais, and several other attempts -which the duke of Burgundy had plotted against England; that the duke -of Burgundy had instigated the people of Paris so greatly against -the king and the duke of Acquitaine that every thing was governed to -his will,—and he had now the royal family in such subjection that -they dared hardly to open their mouths; that the Parisians, under -pretext of a bull granted by pope Urban V. against the free companies -that had ravaged France, had caused them and their adherents to be -excommunicated, and had forcibly constrained<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> the official at Paris -to proceed against them in the severest manner, and to denounce them -publicly, as excommunicated, with every aggravation of circumstance.</p> - -<p>These ambassadors were not to discover themselves to any man in -England, unless they were sure of his support; and when they had read -the contents of these papers to the king, they were to demand a private -audience, and declare from the dukes of Berry, of Orleans, of Bourbon, -and from the count d'Alençon, that they were most anxious for his -welfare and honour, and ready to aid and assist him against the duke of -Burgundy, as well as against the Welsh and Irish.</p> - -<p>They were to add, that if they could not succeed against the Scots, -which they would attempt, and in case they could not obtain all they -wished, they would engage to establish a peace between him and the king -of France; and that if there were any lands to which he laid claim, -or pretended any right, on their side the sea, they would manage the -matter to his full satisfaction. They were also to say, that for want -of due justice being administered at home, they were come to claim it -from him, in regard to the death of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> the late duke of Orleans; and as -bearing the name of king, it belonged to him to do justice; and he -would acquire perpetual honour to himself, and great advantages to his -subjects, by granting them his aid and support. It was also worthy -of his interference, considering the high rank of the late duke of -Orleans. They were likewise to say, that the undersigned would serve -him and his family, as well as their descendants, in all times to come, -and which they were enabled to do, even against the most potent in the -realm of France.</p> - -<p>These ambassadors were also to require an immediate aid against the -duke of Burgundy, of three hundred lances and three thousand archers, -who should receive pay in advance for four months.</p> - -<p>The chancellor of Acquitaine next produced a sketch of their intended -government of France, containing many articles, which were read aloud. -Among other schemes, there was to be imposed on every acre a tax called -a land-tax; and as there were deposits of salt in the kingdom, there -were likewise to be granaries of wheat and oats for the profit of the -king: that all lands or houses which were in a ruinous state should be -instantly repaired,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> or otherwise forfeited to the crown: that every -commoner should be forced to work or quit the realm,—and that there -should be but one weight and one measure throughout the country. Item, -that the duchies of Lorraine and Luxembourg should be conquered, as -well as the towns in Provence and Savoy, and annexed to the kingdom of -France. Item, that the university should be removed from Paris, and one -erected and nobly endowed for the reception of numbers of discreet men.</p> - -<p>There were many rolls produced, but not read, as they were of little -consequence. After the chancellor of Acquitaine had concluded, the -provost of the merchants and the sheriffs preferred two requests to the -king, by the mouth of a monk of the order of St Benedict and doctor of -divinity.</p> - -<p>One was, that the king would be pleased to grant to the city of Paris a -third of the taxes collected in that city in the same form and manner -as had been done during the reign of king Charles, whose soul may God -receive! for the reparations of the said town and the improvement of -the river Seine, of which, as the provost of merchants declared, they -were in great need; that it would be for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> advantage of the king -and his good city that certain repairs, very much wanted, should be -undertaken, and the place better fortified against the bitter hatred -which the dukes of Berry, Orleans, Bourbon, and their faction bore to -it. He added, that the town of Tournay was the best fortified, and in -the most complete repair of any in the kingdom, because the inhabitants -allot certain sums for this purpose; and that, if all the king's -enemies were to besiege it, they would never be able to injure it.</p> - -<p>The other was, that orders should be given to the chancellor to seal -without opposition the patent of an office vacant, or becoming so, by -the demission of one of the Armagnacs, which had hitherto been refused.</p> - -<p>They were told, that on the Thursday ensuing, they should have answers -to both of these requests.</p> - -<p>The provost and sheriffs demanded beside, that the chancellor of France -should lay before the king such letters as had come to the knowledge of -the duke of Acquitaine, mentioning that the dukes of Berry, Orleans, -Bourbon, and the count d'Alençon intended making a new king, to the -exclusion of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> present majesty and the duke of Acquitaine. The -chancellor replied, that the subject of their present consideration -was the letters contained in the bag; that it was true, he was in -possession of letters and other papers mentioning this circumstance, -and that he had assured the duke of Acquitaine of their contents.</p> - -<p>The chancellor of Acquitaine then declared publicly to the king, that -the grand master of his household, sir Guichart Daulphin, had written -to inform the duke of Burgundy, that the dukes of Berry, Orleans, -Bourbon, and the count d'Alençon, had again renewed their oaths of -alliance in the city of Bourges; that the leaders of the confederacy -had met in that city, and had there determined to destroy the king of -France, his whole royal family, the kingdom of France, and the good -city of Paris, or perish themselves in the attempt.</p> - -<p>The king was much affected on hearing this, and replied with tears, 'We -now fully see their wickedness, and we entreat of you all that are of -our blood to advise and aid us against them; for the matter not only -regards you personally, but the welfare of the whole kingdom is in -danger; and we shall therefore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> expect the support of all present, and -of every loyal subject.'</p> - -<p>The king of Sicily then rose, and, falling on his knees before the -king, said, 'Sire, I entreat, that in regard to your own honour and -welfare, as well as for that of your realm, you will order the most -efficacious measures to be pursued against these rebels, for there -seems to be instant need of it.'</p> - -<p>In like manner, the dukes of Acquitaine and Burgundy, and all the other -lords, knelt to the king, and proffered him their services to the -utmost of their power. When this was done, the assembly broke up, and -all that had passed was promulgated through Paris: even accounts of it -were sent in writing to different bailiffs in the kingdom, to the great -astonishment of many.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> - - - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Morery, in his list of chancellors, places Arnauld de -Corbie, lord of Joigny, from 1409 to 1413, and makes Henry de Marle, -lord of Versigny, his successor in the <i>latter year</i>.—See <i>post</i>, -where it is said, that sir Reginald (<i>i.e.</i> sir Arnauld) de Corbie was -displaced (1413), and Eustace de Lactre appointed in his place.</p></div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2><a name="CHAP_IV" id="CHAP_IV">CHAP. IV.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">DUKE LOUIS OF BAVARIA IS DRIVEN OUT OF PARIS BY THE PARISIANS, AND HIS -PEOPLE ROBBED.—OF THE CARDINAL DE CAMBRAY, AND THE PROHIBITION OF THE -KING OF ENGLAND.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">About</span> this time, duke Louis of Bavaria, brother to the queen of France, -and residing at Paris, was much suspected by the Parisians of having in -secret spoken favourably to the king and queen of the dukes of Berry -and Orleans; and fearing it might be prejudicial to them, knowing how -much they were hated by these dukes, they assembled one day in great -numbers, and sent to tell duke Louis, that they were much displeased -with him, for that he was of the Orleans-party; and since he was so -well inclined to them, he must go and join them.</p> - -<p>Duke Louis sent for answer, that he was not of any party, but of that -of the king. The matter, therefore, rested in this state for the -present; but as he perceived they were dissatisfied with him, and -apprehending some insult, he went away with very few attendants<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> to the -castle of Marcoussy. Before his departure, he had a waggon laden with -his plate and other most valuable effects, which he sent off under the -escort of three gentlemen of his household,—one of whom was a young -nobleman of about fifteen years old, of high rank in Germany,—and -some servants, to the town of Valenciennes, intending to follow them -speedily.</p> - -<p>They had not proceeded far on their journey when some of the burgundian -party, incited by avarice and cruelty, namely, the bailiff de -Foquesolle, his brother Jacotin, Jacques de Bracquencourt, and others -of their companions, the greater part from Picardy, having learnt the -value of this convoy, by the treachery of sir Morlet de Betencourt, -followed and overtook it between the rivers Seine and Oise. They made -a sudden attack, which was no way resisted, putting to death most of -the attendants, and seizing the waggon, which they carried off, with -the young esquire above mentioned, and lodged themselves at a nunnery -called Premy, near to the city of Cambray.</p> - -<p>When they had tarried there two or three days, they led the young man -out of the nunnery by night, and most inhumanly murdered him,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> and -threw him into a ditch full of water.—When he was dead, they drove a -stake through his body, to fix it at the bottom of the ditch; and in -this state was it found, some days after, by the servants and workmen -of the nunnery.</p> - -<p>He was carried thence and interred in the consecrated ground of the -church, where, afterward, was performed a most solemn service for the -salvation of his soul, at the expense of his friends, who made great -clamours and lamentations when they heard of his fatal end.</p> - -<p>The Burgundians, having well secured their prize, lodged it in the -house of an inhabitant of their acquaintance in Cambray, and set off -from the Cambresis to other parts where they had business. On duke -Louis receiving information of this exploit, he was in the utmost rage -and grief, especially for the death of the young esquire, as well as -for the loss of his other servants, and his effects, and made heavy -complaints of it to the king, the duke of Acquitaine, and particularly -to the duke of Burgundy, whose vassals the perpetrators said they were. -The duke of Burgundy promised him the restitution of his valuables, -and the punishment of the offenders; but, a few days after, duke Louis -set out from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> castle of Marcoussy, and was, by orders of the duke -of Burgundy, escorted by the vidame of Amiens, with a considerable -force, as far as the town of Valenciennes, where he staid a long -time. At the end of six weeks, he learnt that the greater part of his -effects were deposited in the town of Cambray: he therefore wrote to -the magistrates, and caused letters also to be sent to duke William of -Hainault, to whom he was related: in short, he made so much stir that -his effects were restored to him,—that is to say, all that had been -deposited in Cambray.</p> - -<p>The then bishop of Cambray was master Peter d'Ailly, an excellent -doctor of divinity: he was created cardinal by pope John XXIII. and -took the title of Cardinal of Cambray. John de Gaures, son to the lord -de Liquerque, master of arts, who was at that time with the court of -Rome, succeeded to this bishoprick.</p> - -<p>At this period, Henry king of England caused it to be proclaimed by -sound of trumpet in Calais, and in all the places bordering on France, -that none of his subjects, of whatever rank, should any way interfere -between the two factions in France, nor go into France to serve either -of them by arms or otherwise, under pain of death and confiscation of -fortune.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> - - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h2><a name="CHAP_V" id="CHAP_V">CHAP. V.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE KING OF SICILY LEAVES PARIS.—THE SIEGE OF DOMFRONT.—THE BATTLE OF -SAINT REMY DU PLAIN.—THE SIEGE OF BELLESME,—AND OTHER EVENTS OF THE -YEAR.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">On</span> Tuesday the 20th day of April of this year, the king of Sicily, by -order of the king and council, marched his men at arms out of Paris -in handsome array. He was escorted out of the town by the duke of -Burgundy, the provost of Paris, and a very great number of noblemen and -others. He hastened to Angers, and to his possessions in the county of -Maine, to defend them against the counts d'Alençon and de Richemont, -who harrassed them much by an incessant warfare. On his arrival at -Angers, he summoned all his vassals, as well knights and esquires as -those who were accustomed to bear arms, and sent them to garrison all -his towns which were near to those of the enemy.</p> - -<p>Shortly after, sir Anthony de Craon, the borgne de la Heuse, knight, -and other captains<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> were sent by the king to the county of Alençon, -to subject it to his obedience. They gained the town of Domfront, but -failed in taking the castle; for it was very strong in itself, and -well garrisoned and provided with all necessary stores. They remained, -however, before it, annoying the garrison to the utmost of their -ability.</p> - -<p>The garrison sent to the count d'Alençon to require instant succours: -he was much grieved at the loss of the town of Domfront, but answered -by one of his heralds, that he would very shortly come and give the -enemy battle, if they would wait for him there. Sir Anthony de Craon -and the other captains, hearing this, dispatched messengers to the -king of France for reinforcements. The king sent instant orders to -the constable and marshal of France, who were at Vernon with a great -armament, to advance to Domfront. This they obeyed,—and the king of -Sicily also sent thither large reinforcements. But on the day fixed -for the battle, the count d'Alençon neither came himself nor sent any -forces.</p> - -<p>The constable and the other commanders having waited under arms the -whole of that day, seeing no signs of their adversaries coming,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> -erected a strong bulwark against the castle, in which they left a -numerous garrison, to keep it in check, and oppose any attempts to -relieve it, and then departed.</p> - -<p>The constable marched to besiege the town of St Remy du Plain, and -sent sir Anthony de Craon, with a large force to Vernon, to escort -the cannons, bombards, and other military engines, to St Remy. There -were in company with the constable, his nephew John of Luxembourg, sir -Philip de Harcourt and his brother sir James, the lord de Beausault, -the vidame of Amiens, the lord d'Offemont<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>, the lord de Canny, the -borgne de la Heuse, Roux de Neele, Raoul son to the vidame of Amiens, -the lord de Lovroy, le Galois de Renty<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a>, sir Bort Queret, the lord de -Herbainnes, the lord de Saine, and many noble knights and esquires, to -the number of twelve hundred helmets, and a large body of archers.</p> - -<p>They quartered themselves within the town of St Remy, and around the -castle, which was tolerably strong and well garrisoned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> with men at -arms, and summoned it to surrender to the king's obedience; but on -a refusal, some engines were pointed against the walls, which did -them much damage. During this time, the lord de Gaucourt, sir John -de Dreues, sir Jean de Guarenchieres, Guillaume Batillier, the lord -d'Argiellieres, John de Falloise, with other captains of the Orleans -and Alençon party, assembled a considerable body of combatants, with -the intent of making an unexpected attack on the constable and taking -him by surprise.</p> - -<p>In consequence, they marched on the 10th day of May from their place of -rendezvous, and, riding all night, came towards the end of it very near -their adversaries. The latter were, however, day and night on their -guard, and had spies and scouts dispersed over the country. Morlet -de Mons, Galien bastard of Auxi, and others, were on guard when the -Armagnacs approached. They made Morlet de Mons and Galien prisoners; -but the rest escaped, and, galloping as fast as their horses could -carry them to the main army, shouted out, 'To arms, to arms!' adding, -that the Armagnacs were advancing in battle-array toward the camp, and -had already made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> prisoners of Morlet and Galien, with some others.</p> - -<p>The constable, hearing the noise, ordered his men to arm without -delay, and dispatched the lord de St Legier and the lord de Drucat, -two well experienced knights, to examine and report the truth of this -alarm. They had not gone far before they saw the enemy advancing, as -had been said, on which they returned to inform the constable of it. -He immediately caused his banner to be displayed, and his trumpets -sounded, and, sallying out of his tent with a part of his men, drew -them up in battle-array to receive the enemy, and urged the remainder -of his men to make haste to join him. When he had mounted his horse, he -rode along the line, to post his army most advantageously, and exhorted -the whole, in the kindest manner, to combat boldly the enemies of the -king and crown of France.</p> - -<p>By the advice of the most experienced, his carts and baggage were -disposed of in the rear of his army, with varlets to guard them. On -each wing of the men at arms were posted the archers and cross-bows, -as far as they could be extended. When every arrangement was made, and -the enemy was in sight, several<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> new knights were created, as well by -the constable as by others present, namely, John of Luxembourg, John -de Beausault, Raoul son to the vidame of Amiens, Alard de Herbainnes, -le Brun de Saine, Roux de Neele, Raillers de Fransseurs, Regnault -d'Azincourt, and many more. This done, the constable dismounted and -posted himself under his banner,—when instantly after the Armagnacs -entered the town, full gallop, thinking to surprise their adversaries.</p> - -<p>On perceiving they were prepared for them, they charged the division -of archers and cross-bows with great shoutings, and at the first shock -killed about twelve: the rest posted themselves very advantageously -on the other side of a ditch, whence they made such good use of their -bows and cross-bows that they routed the horses, which were unable to -withstand the sharpness of their arrows, and flung down many of their -riders.</p> - -<p>The constable then advanced his main battalion, and cried out to them, -'Here, you scoundrels! here I am whom you are seeking for: come to me!' -but their ranks were so broken, chiefly by the bowmen, that they could -not rally, and, consequently, betook<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> themselves to flight. The army -of the constable, noticing this, fell on them lustily, shouting their -cries, and killed numbers: the archers, being lightly armed, pursued -them vigorously, and put many to a cruel death.</p> - -<p>There was near the field of battle a fish pond, into which many horses -ran with their riders, and both were drowned.</p> - -<p>A valiant man of arms from Brittany attacked these archers with great -gallantry, expecting to be supported by his companions, but he was soon -pulled from his horse and slain. The constable, seeing the defeat of -his enemies, mounted several on the fleetest horses, that they might -attack them in their flight, and very many were indeed slain and taken: -the remnant fled for refuge to Alençon and other towns belonging to -their party.</p> - -<p>More than four score prisoners were brought to the constable, who was -with his knights, rejoicing on the victory they had gained; and in the -number were the lord d'Anieres, knight, and sir Jaunet de Guarochieres, -son to the lord de Croisy, who was with the constable. When he thus -perceived his son led prisoner, he was so exasperated against him that -he would have killed him had he not been withheld.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> - - - - - -<p>Those who had made this attack on the constable had brought with them -a multitude of peasants, in the expectation of destroying him and his -army,—but the reverse happened, for upwards of four hundred of them -were killed in the field, and from six to eight score made prisoners. -Shortly after, the constable returned into the town of St Remy du -Plain, whence he had dislodged in the morning; and this battle, ever -since, has borne the name of St Remy. He then made preparations to -storm the castle; but the garrison, seeing no chance of further relief, -surrendered it, and were, by the constable, received to the obedience -of the king.</p> - -<p>The king of Sicily had about eight hundred chosen men at arms in -the county of Alençon,—and when he heard that the Armagnacs had -collected a large force to march to raise the siege of St Remy, he -sent four score of his men to reinforce the constable, who arrived -at St Remy four hours after the action was over. They were overjoyed -at the victory, and the surrender of the castle, both of which they -were ignorant of; and having thanked God for this good fortune, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> -congratulated the constable thereon, they returned to the king of -Sicily.</p> - -<p>The constable advanced to Bellême with his army, accompanied by the -marshal of France and sir Anthony de Craon; and on their arrival, they -were soon joined by the king of Sicily, with archers, cross-bows, -and other implements of war. They instantly formed the siege of the -castle,—the king of Sicily investing it on one side, and the constable -and marshal on the other. Their attacks were so severe and incessant -that the garrison could not withstand them, but surrendered on terms. -Having placed a new garrison there in the king's name, the constable -marched away toward Paris; the marshal returned to Dreux; and the king -of Sicily and his men went for Mans, to guard his territories of Anjou.</p> - -<p>On the constable's arrival at Paris, he was magnificently feasted by -the king, and the dukes of Acquitaine and Burgundy, as well for the -victory he had gained at St Remy as for other matters, which, during -his expedition, he had brought to an honourable conclusion; and a sum -of money was instantly ordered him, for the payment of his men at arms. -Splendid<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> presents were also made him by the king and the duke of -Burgundy.</p> - -<p>While things were thus carried on successfully against the count -d'Alençon, Aymé de Vitry and the bastard of Savoy<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> kept up a -continued warfare with the duke of Bourbon in the Beaujolois; and about -the middle of April, an engagement took place near to Villefranche, -when two of the duke's captains, Vignier de Reffort and Bernardon de -Seres, were defeated, and with them eight score men at arms, knights -and esquires: few escaped death or being made prisoners.</p> - -<p>In another part of the kingdom, the lord de Heilly and Enguerrand de -Bournouville were equally successful, and had subjected to the king's -authority the greater part of Poitou. They had very lately gained a -victory over two hundred of the duke of Berry's men, near to Montfaucon.</p> - -<p>The grand master of the king's household, sir Guichard Daulphin, and -the master of the cross-bows of France, and sir John de Châlon<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> -were sent by the king's orders, with ten thousand horse, to lay siege -to St Fargeau in the Nivernois, which belonged to John son to the duke -of Bar. While there, they were in daily expectation of a battle, but in -vain: however, when they had remained ten or twelve days, with the loss -of many men in killed and wounded, the town surrendered, and was by -them regarrisoned in the king's name.</p> - -<p>With similar success did the lord de St George and the nobles of -Burgundy make war on the count d'Armagnac, in Gascony. Sir Elyon de -Jacques-Ville was stationed at Estampes, and made daily conquests from -the Orleans-party, who at this period were very unfortunate, for war -was carried on against them on all sides.</p> - -<p>To provide a remedy, and to enable themselves to make head against -their adversaries, they sent a solemn embassy to Henry king of -England, and to his children, to solicit succours of men and money. -The ambassadors, by means of their credential letters and other papers -which they brought from these lords of France, treated with king Henry -so that he consented to send to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> dukes of Berry, Orleans, and their -party, eight thousand combatants, under the command of his second son, -the duke of Clarence.</p> - -<p>For the confirmation of this, he granted to the ambassadors letters -under his great seal, which they carried back to the dukes of Berry, -Orleans, Bourbon, and the count d'Alençon and others, whom they found -at Bourges waiting their return. They were much rejoiced on seeing the -great seal of the king of England; for they expected to have immediate -need of his assistance, as they had information that the duke of -Burgundy was intending to lead the king in person to subdue and conquer -them.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Guy de Nesle, vol. ii. p. 228.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Renty was the name of a considerable family in Artois. I -can find nothing about any of the others.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Humbert, natural son of Amadeus VII. and brother of -Amadeus VIII. counts of Savoy.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> John de Châlon, second son to Louis I. count of Auxerre, -and brother to Louis II.</p></div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2><a name="CHAP_VI" id="CHAP_VI">CHAP. VI.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">CHARLES KING OF FRANCE, ATTENDED BY OTHER PRINCES, MARCHES A LARGE -FORCE FROM PARIS TO BOURGES.—LETTERS FROM THE KING OF ENGLAND,—AND -OTHER MATTERS.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">The</span> council of state now determined that the king should march in -person against his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> rebellious subjects, to reduce them to obedience. -Summonses were sent throughout the kingdom for men at arms and archers -to assemble between Paris and Melun; and at the same time, great -numbers of carriages were ordered to meet there for the baggage. In -like manner, the dukes of Acquitaine and Burgundy issued their special -summonses.</p> - -<p>When all was ready, and the king on the point of leaving Paris on this -expedition, a large body of the Parisians and members of the university -waited on him, and earnestly required, in the presence of his council, -that he would not enter into any treaty with his enemies without their -being included and personally named therein. They remonstrated with him -on the necessity for this, as they were hated by his enemies, because -they had loyally served him against them.</p> - -<p>The king and council granted their request.—The king then left Paris -in noble array, on Thursday the 5th day of May, and lay the first night -at Vincennes, where the queen resided: he thence went through Corbeil -to Melun, where he remained some days waiting for his men at arms. On -the ensuing Sunday, the dukes of Acquitaine and Burgundy set out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> from -Paris to join the king at Melun, to which place large bodies of men at -arms and archers repaired from all parts of the kingdom.</p> - -<p>On Saturday, the 14th of May, the king marched his army from Melun, -accompanied by the dukes of Acquitaine, Burgundy and Bar, the counts -de Mortain and de Nevers, with many other great barons, knights and -gentlemen. It had been resolved in council, that the king should not -return to Paris until he had reduced the dukes of Berry, Orleans and -Bourbon, with their adherents, to obedience.</p> - -<p>He then advanced to Moret, in the Gatinois, and to -Montereau-Faut-Yonne. At this last place, he was wounded in the leg -by a kick from a horse, but continued his march to Sens, where he -was confined by this accident six days. The queen and the duchess of -Burgundy had hitherto attended him, but they were now sent back by -their lords to reside at Vincennes. The count de Charolois was ordered -by his father to return to Ghent; and, shortly after, the queen went to -Melun, where she held her court.</p> - -<p>During this time the English, on the frontiers of the Boulonois, -took by storm the fortress of Banelinghen, situated between Ardres -and Calais, and the inheritance of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> the lord de Dixcunde<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a>, -notwithstanding there were sealed truces between the kings of -France and England. It was commonly said that the governor, John -d'Estienbecque, had sold it to the English for a sum of money. The -French were much troubled when they heard of this capture, but they -could not any way amend it, and were forced to be contented. The -governor and his wife resided quietly with the English, which convinced -every one that the place had been sold, and also some of his soldiers, -who had been made prisoners, were ransomed. This conduct of king Henry -surprised many; for he had appeared earnest in his desire to marry his -eldest son with the daughter of the duke of Burgundy,—but he had been -turned from it by the offers and negotiations of the ambassadors before -mentioned, and had now united himself with them.</p> - -<p>The king of England wrote the following letter to the towns of Ghent, -Bruges, Ypres and the Franc, which he sent by one of his heralds.</p> - -<p>'Henry, by the grace of God, king of England and France, and lord of -Ireland, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> our honoured and wise lords the citizens, sheriffs and -magistrates, of the towns of Ghent, Bruges, Ypres, and of the territory -du Franc, our very dear and especial friends, we send health and -greeting. Very dear and respected lords, it has come to our knowledge, -through a very creditable channel, that under the shadow of our -adversary the king of France, the duke of Burgundy, count of Flanders, -is making, or about to make, a speedy march into our country of -Acquitaine, to wage war upon and destroy our subjects, particularly on -our very dear and well beloved cousins the dukes of Berry, Orleans and -Bourbon, and the counts of Alençon, of Armagnac, and the lord d'Albreth.</p> - -<p>'Since, therefore, your lord perseveres in his malicious intentions, -you will have the goodness to assure us, on the return of our -messenger, by your letters so soon as possible, whether the Flemings be -willing to conform to the truces lately concluded between us, without -any way assisting their lord in his wicked purposes toward us.</p> - -<p>'Understanding, honoured lords, and very dear friends, that if your -town, and the other towns in Flanders, be desirous of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> continuing the -terms of the truces, to the advantage of Flanders, we are very willing, -on our part, to do the same. Very dear friends, may the Holy Spirit -have you alway in his keeping!—Given under our privy seal, at our -palace of Westminster, the 16th day of May, in the 13th year of our -reign<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a>.'</p> - -<p>The Flemings sent for answer to this letter by the bearer, that they -would no way infringe the truces between the two countries; but that -they should serve and assist the king of France their sovereign lord, -and their count the duke of Burgundy, as heretofore, to the utmost of -their power. This letter and answer were sent to the duke of Burgundy, -who was attending the king in the town of Sens in Burgundy.</p> - -<p>At this same time, the duke of Berry, by the advice of the count -d'Armagnac, coined money with the same arms and superscription as that -of the king of France, in the town of Bourges, to pay his troops, which -greatly exasperated the king and his council when they heard thereof. -The coins consisted of golden crowns and others, perfectly similar to -those of the king.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p> - - - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Q. Dixmuyde?</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> See this letter, and the treaty with the duke of Berry, -&c. in Rymer, A.D. 1412.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h2><a name="CHAP_VII" id="CHAP_VII">CHAP. VII.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE TOWN OF VERVINS IS TAKEN BY SIR CLUGNET DE BRABANT, AND AFTERWARD -RETAKEN.—THE CASTLE OF GERSIES IS WON BY SIR SIMON DE CLERMONT.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">About</span> this same time, the town of Vervins, which was very strong and -rich, was taken by treachery, by sir Clugnet de Brabant and Thomas de -Lorsies, lord of Boquiaux, and some other gentlemen, to the amount of -six hundred men, from different countries, of the party of the duke of -Orleans. This was said to have been effected by a butcher who had been -for ill conduct banished the town, and in revenge had joined the army -of sir Clugnet de Brabant.</p> - -<p>The butcher's wife and family had remained in the town; and one -day, when it was dusk, they hid themselves near the gate, and about -sun-rise, when the guard had quitted the ramparts, and the gate -was opened and the drawbridge let down, they made a signal to the -enemy, who was in ambuscade. Sir Clugnet instantly entered the place, -sounding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> trumpets, and shouting out, 'The duke of Orleans for ever!' -to the great surprise of the inhabitants, who were far from expecting -such a morning salute.</p> - -<p>Very few were made prisoners, but all were robbed; and for three days -the money and plate of the lord de Vervins, who was with the king, -or on his road to join him, as well as every thing of value in the -different houses, were collected, and sent off by sir Clugnet, to -the amount of thousands of florins, to the town of Ardennes<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a>, that -those of his countrymen who had joined his party, and those who had -accompanied him on this expedition, might be paid.</p> - -<p>The neighbouring towns were astonished when they heard of this event, -and collected a large force to enable them to besiege the enemy in -Vervins, and retake the town. The bailiff of the Vermandois, sir -le Brun de Bairins, the lord de Chin, with many other knights and -citizens, hastened thither, to the number of four hundred helmets and -from six to eight thousand infantry very well armed.</p> - -<p>The lord de Vervins, who was of high rank and a very expert knight, -no sooner<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> heard of his loss than he hastened to join the besiegers, -and led many brisk attacks on the town. Those who had captured it made -an excellent defence from the walls with bows and cross-bows, so that -the besiegers were twenty-three days before it. On the 26th of June, -the lord de Boquiaux, Thomas de Lorsies, son to the lord de Selebes, -knights, the bastard d'Esne, and those who were with them, considering -that their enemies were daily increasing, and that they had done -much damage to the walls and houses, were afraid of being killed or -taken, and held a council on the best means to escape. They defended -themselves with greater vigour than before, the better to conceal -their intentions; and when the besiegers were at their dinner in their -tents and pavilions, and they had seen their guard posted at one of -the gates, they mounted their horses fully armed,—and, having had the -gates thrown open, all except three, who were asleep or too negligent, -sallied out full gallop, sticking spurs into their horses, and made -with all speed for the forest near the town.</p> - -<p>The besiegers were astonished on seeing this, and, pushing aside their -tables, mounted instantly to pursue them, and followed with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> such haste -that they took about forty of them,—and the rest saved themselves by -dint of speed. The royalists returned to the town with their prisoners, -and found there the three negligent Armagnacs and some other wretches -of their party, who, by the command of the bailiff of the Vermandois, -were sent to prison; and when he had heard their confession, they were -by him sentenced to be beheaded. The bailiff then set out for Laon, -whither he carried the other prisoners, well bound, there to suffer a -similar punishment.</p> - -<p>The lord de Vervins remained in his town to put it into repair, and the -lord de Chin and the rest went to their homes.</p> - -<p>A few days after, the castle of Gersies, which was very strong, was -taken by some of the army of sir Clugnet de Brabant, namely, by sir -Simon de Clermont, a captain called Millet d'Autre, and others, who -won it one morning by storm. But shortly after, the bailiff of the -Vermandois, with some of the aforesaid lords and a large body of the -commonalty, regained it by assault. Sir Simon and Millet d'Autre, -with their companions, were all made prisoners, carried to Laon, and -beheaded. The castle was new garrisoned for the king.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> - - - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> Q. Ardres?</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h2><a name="CHAP_VIII" id="CHAP_VIII">CHAP. VIII.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE KING OF FRANCE RECEIVES CERTAIN INFORMATION THAT HIS ADVERSARIES -HAD FORMED AN ALLIANCE WITH THE KING OF ENGLAND.—THE CONSTABLE MARCHES -INTO THE BOULONOIS.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">During</span> the residence of the king of France at Sens in Burgundy, he -received positive intelligence, that the dukes of Berry, Orleans, -Bourbon, and their confederates, had formed an alliance with the king -of England, who had engaged to send a large army to their assistance, -to lay waste his kingdom,—and that part of it had already marched from -Calais and the other castles on the frontiers of the Boulonois, and -commenced the war.</p> - -<p>They had carried away much plunder, and had set fire to the town of -Merck on the sea-shore, thus infringing the truces which subsisted -between them.</p> - -<p>In consequence of this inroad, the king of France ordered his -constable, the count de St Pol, to march thither, to assemble all the -nobles of Picardy, and to garrison and victual<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> the frontier towns, and -to use every diligence in opposing the further progress of the English; -for the duke of Burgundy had carried with him all the youth, and the -most warlike men, from the countries of the Boulonois, Ponthieu, and -Artois, leaving behind only the superannuated and such as were unable -to bear arms.</p> - -<p>The constable, hearing of the mischiefs the English were doing, more of -his own free will than in obedience to the king's, hastened to Paris, -laying all other matters aside, with the borgne de la Heuse and some -other knights whom he left there, at the earnest entreaties of the -Parisians, to carry on the war against Dreux. He went then to Picardy -and to St Pol, to visit his lady; thence he went to St Omer and to -Boulogne, inspecting the whole frontier, and providing necessaries -where wanted. The whole country was now alarmed and in motion, insomuch -that the English retired worsted; but they very soon recommenced their -warfare.</p> - -<p>When the constable saw this, and that they did not abstain, he held a -council of his principal officers, such as the lord d'Offemont, the -lord de Canny, the lord de Lovroy, sir Philip de Harcourt and others. -At the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> conclusion of it, he assembled a body of men at arms, to the -amount of fifteen hundred, whom he put under the command of the lord -de Lovroy and one called Alin Quentin, and ordered them to march -toward the town and castle of Guines. As they approached the place on -foot, the constable sent off, by another road, forty helmets under sir -John de Renty, who was well acquainted with all the avenues to the -town, to make a pretence of attacking it on that side, which was only -inclosed with a palisade and ditch, and garrisoned with Dutchmen and -other soldiers who resided there.—The constable, with six hundred -combatants, advanced between the town and Calais, to guard that road, -and to prevent the English, should they hear of the attack, from -sending any considerable reinforcements. Thus did he remain between -his two battalions so long as the engagement lasted. The infantry, at -day-break, began the storm with courage, and continued it a long time, -until they had succeeded in setting the town on fire, so that upward -of sixty houses were burnt.—Those in the castle defended themselves -valiantly, and much annoyed the assailants with stones and arrows shot -from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> their cross-bows. Perceiving the distress of the townsmen, they -opened a gate of the castle to receive them,—and thus they escaped -death. By the advice of the said marshal de Renty, his division made a -retreat to where they had commenced the attack, but not without many -being severely wounded: few, however, were killed. The constable, -when informed of their retreat, made it known to the whole army, and -returned to Boulogne, but leaving garrisons along the whole frontier, -who daily had some skirmishes with the English.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAP_IX" id="CHAP_IX">CHAP. IX.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE KING OF FRANCE LAYS SIEGE TO FONTENAY AND TO BOURGES.—THE EVENTS -THAT HAPPENED WHILE HE REMAINED THERE.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">The</span> king of France having remained some days at Sens, and having held -many councils on the state of his realm, marched thence to Auxerre, -and to la Charité on the Loire,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> where he staid five days. He then -advanced toward a strong castle called Fontenay, in the possession of -the Armagnacs, who, on seeing the great force of the king, instantly -surrendered it, on condition of having their lives and fortunes saved. -Several captains, who had commanded on the frontiers against the -Armagnacs, entered it,—and the army of the king was greatly increased -by troops daily arriving from all quarters. In the number of those that -came were the lord de Heilly, Enguerrand de Bournouville, the lord de -Vitry and others.</p> - -<p>The king marched from Fontenay to the town of Dun-le-Roi in Berry, -where he encamped, and had it besieged by his army on all sides, -and well battered by his engines. During this siege, Hector, -bastard-brother to the duke of Bourbon, with only three hundred men, -made an attack on a body of the king's army when foraging, and killed -and took many. After this exploit, he hastened back to Bourges, and -told the dukes of Berry and Bourbon of his success.</p> - -<p>Dun-le-Roi was so much harrassed by the cannon and engines of the -besiegers that, on the ninth day, the garrison offered to surrender, -on condition of their lives and fortunes being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> spared, and that sir -Louis de Corail, lately made seneschal of the Boulonois, should return -with his men in safety to the duke of Berry. These terms were accepted, -and the town was delivered up to the king. He remained there for three -days, and then departed with his army, leaving sir Gautier de Rubes, -a burgundy knight, governor of the town. The king and his army were -quartered, on Friday the 10th day of June, three leagues distant from -Dun-le-Roi, at a town near a wood. On the morrow he continued his -march, and came before the city of Bourges, which was strong, very -populous, and full of every sort of provision and wealth. This city -was, in ancient times, the capital of the kingdom of Acquitaine, and -is situated on the river Yeure. Through the town, a small rivulet runs -from Dun-le-Roi.</p> - -<p>The lords within this town, namely, the dukes of Berry and Bourbon, the -lord d'Albreth, the count d'Auxerre<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a>, John brother to the duke of -Bar, with the inhabitants, showed every appearance of making a strong -resistance. There were also in Bourges many who had fled their country, -such as the archbishops of Sens<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> and of Bourges, the bishops of Paris -and of Chartres, the lord de Gaucourt, Barbasan, Aubreticourt, le -borgne Foucault, and fifteen hundred helmets, or thereabout, and four -hundred archers and cross-bowmen.</p> - -<p>When the king's army approached, which was estimated and commonly -believed to consist of upward of one hundred thousand horse, some few -sallied out of the town well armed, shouting, 'Long live the king, and -the dukes of Berry and Bourbon!' at the same time falling desperately -on the light troops of the van, so that very many were killed and -wounded on each side; but the main army, advancing, soon forced them to -retreat.</p> - -<p>When they had re-entered the town, they set the gates wide open, and -gallantly made preparations for defence. The van of the king's army was -commanded by the grand master of the household, sir Guichard Daulphin, -and the lords de Croy and de Heilly, knights, Aymé de Vitry and -Enguerrand de Bournouville, esquires. The lords de Croy and de Heilly, -in the absence of the marshals of France, Boucicaut and de Longny, were -ordered by the king to exercise the functions of marshals.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>The rear division was commanded by the lords d'Arlay, sir John de -Châlon, the lord de Vergy, marshal of Burgundy, the lords de Ront and -de Raisse.</p> - -<p>In the king's battalion were the dukes of Acquitaine, Burgundy, and -Bar, the counts de Mortain and de Nevers, the lord Gilles de Bretagne, -and a numerous body of chivalry. When the army arrived on the plain -in front of the city, they were from three to four hours in arranging -their places of encampment, and in dividing the army under the -different commanders. Then, near to a gibbet, were created more than -five hundred knights, who, with many others, had never before displayed -their banners. After this ceremony, the army was advanced nearer to -the town, and encamped on the marshes on the side of the small river -before mentioned, and other flat grounds.—Some tents and pavilions -were pitched among vineyards, and by the ruins of the houses belonging -to the priory of St Martin des Champs, of the order of Cluny, and -others near to part of the suburbs which had been destroyed by the -inhabitants prior to the arrival of the king's army, and among the -large walnut-trees adjoining.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>It is true, that some from thirst drank water from wells without the -town; but whoever did so died suddenly, so that the wickedness and -treachery of the besieged were discovered. It was proclaimed by sound -of trumpet, that no one should in future drink any well-water, but -alway make use of spring or running water, for that the wells had been -poisoned. The besieged afterward confessed, Isatis that an herb called -[Greek: Isatis] by the Greeks, and by the Latins <i>Glastum</i>, had been -thrown into the wells, to cause the deaths of all who should drink out -of them.</p> - -<p>Though the townsmen could not now pass the marches and cross the fords -as usual from fear of the besiegers, they had, by another road, free -communication with the country, so that all manner of provision could -be brought into the town, to the great vexation of the lords in the -king's army.</p> - -<p>The besiegers had now approached pretty near to the town, and had -brought their artillery to bear on it, so that, from the continued -cannonading and shooting from cross-bows, they slew many of their -adversaries.</p> - -<p>The townsmen frequently insulted them by their abuse, calling them -false burgundian<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> traitors, who had brought the king thither confined -in his tent, as if he was not sound in mind. They called the duke of -Burgundy a treacherous murderer; adding, that they would instantly have -opened their gates to the king if he had not been there.</p> - -<p>The Burgundians were not behind hand in their replies, retorting on -the Armagnacs by calling them false and rebellious traitors to their -king, and using various other invectives on each side; but the duke of -Burgundy, who heard all their abuse, made no reply whatever, but only -thought how he might distress them the more.</p> - -<p>On Wednesday the 13th of June, a truce was agreed on between the two -parties, at the solicitation of the duke of Berry; but during this -time, some of the king's household, incited by treason, sent to the -besieged,—'Sally forth: now is the time!' well knowing what they would -do. When precisely between one and two o'clock in the afternoon, while -the king was in his tent, and the dukes of Acquitaine and Burgundy -were reposing, and the greater part of the army disarmed, as not -suspecting any thing, about five hundred chosen men at arms sallied out -of two gates of the town, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> marched on as secretly as they could -through vineyards and by-paths to avoid being seen, with the intent of -surprising and taking the king and the duke of Acquitaine, in their -tents, and putting the duke of Burgundy to death.</p> - -<p>What they were afraid of happened; for two pages of the lord de Croy, -riding their coursers to exercise and to water, perceived this body -of five hundred marching toward the army, and instantly galloped back -again, bawling out, 'To arms! here are the enemies advancing, who have -sallied out of their town.' On hearing this, every one hastened to -his tent, and armed. The vanguard drew up in array, and soon met the -enemy. The engagement immediately commenced; but the Armagnacs were -overpowered by their adversaries, who increased every moment, so that -they could not withstand them. Six score were soon killed, and about -forty made prisoners: the rest took disgracefully to flight, making all -haste back to Bourges, led on by the lord de Gaucourt.</p> - -<p>Among the slain were Guillaume Batiller, who had been taken at the -battle of St Cloud, and set at liberty, and Guillaume de Chailus, -knight, whose bodies, when stripped, were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> thrown into the wells said -to have been poisoned, to serve them for a grave. In the number of -prisoners were the grand master of the household of the duke of Berry, -an esquire of the lord d'Albreth, and also his principal cook, called -Gastard, who declared in the presence of several, that he would name -those who had urged them to make this attempt.</p> - -<p>In consequence, on the morrow were arrested master Geoffry de Bouillon, -secretary to the duke of Acquitaine, and the family of the lord de -Boissay, first maistre d'hôtel to the king,—and afterward one called -Gilles de Toisy, esquire, a native of Beauvais, his servant, and -Enguerrand de Seure, esquire, a Norman, who were all on this account -beheaded before the king's tent; but as the lord de Boissay was only -suspected, and no proof brought to convict him, he was imprisoned, and -made to witness the punishment of the others.</p> - -<p>There were a body of English and French in the king's army, consisting -of about three hundred, under the command of Aymé de Vitry, two hundred -of whom one day deserted; but, as they were making for the town, they -were so closely pursued that numbers of them were slain by lances, -swords and arrows,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> before they could enter the gates. One half of the -garrison of Gien-sur-Loire, consisting of about four hundred helmets, -attempted, on the 19th of June, to enter the city; but, before they -could accomplish it, having been observed by the besiegers, they were -so vigorously attacked that from one hundred to six score were killed.</p> - -<p>During the time the king was at this siege of Bourges, the foragers -were almost daily cut off by the ambuscades of the enemy, they -themselves and their horses being slain or taken; and as they were -obliged to seek forage at the distance of six or eight leagues, the -army suffered much from famine. Moreover, the waggons that brought -provision from Burgundy and other parts, were way-laid by the soldiers -of Sancerre, and other places in rebellion against the king, and -plundered: this caused great distress to the besiegers, and very many -were disheartened from want of bread. However it lasted not long, for -by the vigilance of sir Guichard Daulphin, he met the garrison of -Sancerre convoying provision to the town of Bourges, when he attacked -them, and forced them to surrender the town and castle of Sancerre, -which had been more active than<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> any others in preventing forage being -brought to the camp; and thus all dread of famine was removed.</p> - -<p>Toward the end of June, about sun-set, four hundred men at arms made -a sally from the town, induced thereto by the information of some of -their prisoners, that the provost of Paris, the admiral of France, and -the vidame d'Amiens, were coming to the camp with a large sum of money -from Paris to the king, to enable him to pay his troops. In the hope of -defeating and plundering the above, they rode on and posted themselves -in a wood, the more readily to surprise them. Intelligence of this -was however carried to the lord de Ront, by some of his spies who had -observed them march out of the town; and he instantly made the duke of -Lorraine and the lord de Heilly acquainted therewith. They collected -about five hundred men at arms, under pretence of a foraging party, -and, leaving the camp, crossed the river by an old bridge which they -repaired as well as they could, and took up their quarters in a small -vineyard, whence, during the night, they sent off scouts to observe -the situation of the enemy. They were found in ambuscade, thinking to -take the king's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> treasure, but were themselves taken,—for no sooner -were these lords informed where they were than they instantly attacked -them, and killed and took many: among the latter was a gentleman named -Guistardon de Seure: the rest saved themselves by flight.</p> - -<p>The duke of Lorraine and the lords de Ront and de Heilly returned to -the camp with their prisoners, much rejoiced at their victory. The -duke of Berry, and those with him in Bourges, were much grieved at -this defeat, and others of a similar nature; for he saw with pain his -country ruined, and daily witnessed the deaths of his most valiant -knights and esquires. He nevertheless did not slacken in his endeavours -to defend himself against all who wished to hurt him,—and it -frequently happened that his men retaliated severely on the besiegers.</p> - -<p>While these things were passing, sir Philip de Lignac, grand master of -Rhodes, who had attended the king, exerted himself at various times to -bring about a peace between the two parties. The count de Savoye had -also sent his marshal, and some of his principal knights, to the king -and to the duke of Berry, to attempt the same thing. They, therefore, -united in their endeavours, and, by permission<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> of the king and of the -duke of Acquitaine, who acted as his lieutenant, they had interviews -with each party. By their diligence, a conference was appointed to be -holden; and there were added to them as commissioners, the master of -the cross-bows, the seneschal of Hainault and some others.</p> - -<p>The commissioners on the part of the Armagnacs were the archbishop of -Bourges, the lord de Gaucourt, the lord de Tignonville, the lord de -Barbasan, the lord d'Aubreticourt and others, who diligently exerted -themselves on each side to bring a treaty to a conclusion. They had -frequent consultations on the subject with the different princes of -each party; but in fact it was not a matter speedily to be finished, -for each of the parties was too much interested and suspicious. It was -strongly remonstrated that the besieged had, during a truce, made a -treacherous attack on the army; and many arguments were urged by both -sides, which greatly retarded the conclusion of a peace.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> - - - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Louis II. de Châlon, count of Auxerre, son of Louis I. -and Mary of Parthenay.</p></div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2><a name="CHAP_X" id="CHAP_X">CHAP. X.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE KING OF FRANCE DECAMPS, AND LAYS SIEGE TO BOURGES ON THE OPPOSITE -SIDE.—A TREATY IS CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">When</span> the king of France had remained with his army for sixteen months -before the city of Bourges, on the side toward la Charité sur Loire, -without any hope of taking it, and had perceived the town was well -supplied with provision on the side opposite to his camp, he broke up -the siege, and ordered fire to be set to all his quarters. He marched -away, and again encamped on the right of the city, about four leagues -distant, on the river, and near to Yeure-le-Châtel.</p> - -<p>The besieged, seeing their adversaries thus suddenly decamp, thought -it was done from fear of the English, who had promised them their aid, -and that they were marching back to France. They were consequently much -rejoiced, and some of them sallied forth, with a multitude of peasants, -in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> expectation of making prisoners,—but it happened otherwise -than they looked for.</p> - -<p>Enguerrand de Bournouville had, with some other captains, remained -behind, with about three hundred men at arms in ambuscade, and, -when they saw it was time, issued forth, killed many, and made more -prisoners, and returned to the king's army.</p> - -<p>On the morrow, the king and his whole army crossed the river. One -division advanced toward Bourges, and another to Orleans, to despoil -and waste the country in the same manner as they had done on the -opposite side. The townsmen of Bourges, observing the army to cross the -river, hastily set fire to the suburbs on that side, which were very -extensive, to prevent the enemy from occupying them, and some churches -were also burnt: the more the pity.</p> - -<p>The king encamped his army round the city on that side, and had his -cannons and engines pointed in such wise as effectually to annoy the -place. The besieged were not idle in providing for their defence, and -the means of preventing the city from being taken, but were very much -grieved and cast down at the great damage which had been done to it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>The duke of Acquitaine, son and lieutenant to the king, saw with regret -the destruction of so noble a city, the capital of Auvergne and Berry, -and to which he was heir, and, fearing its total ruin, forbade the -cannoneers, and those who had the direction of the other engines, to -fire any balls, or to cast more stones into it, under pain of death. -The duke of Burgundy, on hearing these orders, which counteracted his -wish to push matters to extremity, was much displeased and surprised, -and suspected the duke of Acquitaine had changed his opinion, or was -moved with compassion toward his enemies: however, in the conversation -that passed between them on the subject, the duke of Acquitaine -declared positively, that he would put an end to the war. The duke of -Burgundy most earnestly begged of him, that if he were determined upon -it, he would conclude it according to the terms that had been agreed -to by the king's ministers at Paris, namely, that if their adversaries -should present themselves with all humility before the king, and submit -themselves to his mercy, he would receive them, but entreated that any -terms he should make might not be to his dishonour.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>The duke of Acquitaine replied, that in truth the war had lasted too -long; that it was prejudicial to the king and kingdom, and that he in -the end might suffer from it,—for those against whom the war was made -were his uncles, cousins-german, and others of his kindred, by whom he -should be greatly assisted in any cases of need,—but he was desirous -that they should submit themselves in the manner proposed in council -before he had left Paris.</p> - -<p>The duke of Burgundy, in consequence of this and other conversations, -humbled himself much toward the duke of Acquitaine; for he had -discovered that the business had been discussed with some other great -lords, of whom he was very suspicious, and particularly of the duke -of Bar, who had, for some time past, clearly shown he was displeased -with him. He, however, told the duke of Acquitaine publicly, that he -was satisfied that the negotiations for a peace should be continued -according to the good pleasure and honour of the king and himself.</p> - -<p>The commissioners were, therefore, ordered to renew the conferences, -which they willingly obeyed. When they had reduced to writing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> the -demands and answers of the two parties, they requested of the princes -on each side, that the dukes of Berry and Burgundy might meet and -conclude the treaty; and this was agreed to by the king and the duke of -Acquitaine, and the leaders of the opposite party.</p> - -<p>An elevated place was fixed and well secured for the meeting of the -uncle and nephew, for neither of them had much confidence in the other. -It was for this reason that barriers were erected on a platform, on -which the dukes entered at separate ends, having bars between them, -and their council behind, whom they occasionally consulted as to the -demands and answers.</p> - -<p>For greater security, a body of their men at arms was stationed near to -each, but not so near as to hear any conversation that passed.—They -were both completely and handsomely armed. The duke of Berry, -notwithstanding he was seventy years of age, wore a sword, dagger, -and battle-axe: he had on a steel scull-cap, and a rich clasp on his -breast,—over his armour a purple jacket, the cross belt of which was -bespangled with pearls. After they had been two hours together, they -separated, to outward appearance, in good humour; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> the duke of -Berry said peevishly to the duke of Burgundy, 'Fair nephew and fair -godson, when your father, my dear brother, was living, there was no -need of any barriers between us: we were alway on the most affectionate -terms.' The duke of Burgundy replied, 'My lord, it has not been my -fault.' The duke of Berry then mounted his horse, and returned, with -his attendants, to Bourges,—and the duke of Burgundy, in like manner, -to the camp.</p> - -<p>The knights of the duke of Burgundy, on their return, said, that -those of the duke of Berry, in their common conversations, declared -themselves no way rebellious nor disaffected to the king; that their -lord had been for some time very unwell, and unable to command them; -that had he been otherwise, he would not so long have left the death of -his nephew unpunished; that in regard to their having burnt, taken, and -destroyed several towns and castles, in different parts of the kingdom, -such as St Denis and Roye, which they had plundered, they replied, that -as their lords were of the blood-royal, they had a right to lead their -men at arms through any towns in the realm, on their personal wars, for -that they had very just cause for attacking the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> duke of Burgundy, and -that in so doing they committed no offence against the king; but, in -regard to having refused to open the gates of the city of Bourges when -the king came in person before it, they confessed themselves guilty of -contempt, for which they humbly asked his pardon, as was stated in the -treaty, and offered him the keys of the town.</p> - -<p>On the Wednesday following, the two dukes again met, with their -counsellors, at the barriers in front of the city-gate, and renewed -their conference. When it was concluded, they drank wine together, and -separated very joyfully. On the next day, all the nobles and knights -of the army assembled before the tent of the duke of Acquitaine, who -appeared in state as the representative of the king. He was attended by -the dukes of Bar and Lorraine, and many others of high rank.</p> - -<p>The chancellor of Acquitaine, sir John de Neelle, knight and licentiate -of law, and of great eloquence, then recited most notably all the -different acts of rebellion committed by John de Berry, Charles -d'Orleans, John de Bourbon, John d'Alençon, Bernard d'Armagnac and -Charles d'Albreth, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> their adherents, declaring their alliance -with the king of England, the king's adversary, and detailing all -the destruction they had brought on the kingdom,—concluding a long -speech by demanding, by orders of the king and of his son the duke of -Acquitaine, that every person should now promptly deliver his opinion, -whether there should be peace or war.</p> - -<p>Many replied, that it were better peace should be made with the above -lords, and that they should be reinstated in the king's favour, than -otherwise, provided the peace were a solid one; but others were of -a contrary opinion,—and thus ended this meeting, which caused much -murmuring. It is true, that at this time the heat of the weather was -excessive, and great sickness prevailed in the army, insomuch that very -many, hearing daily of the deaths of their companions, departed without -taking leave. There was a great mortality among the horses, and the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span>stench of their carcases much infected the camp.</p> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="CHAP_XI" id="CHAP_XI">CHAP. XI.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE PRINCES AND LORDS WITHIN THE CITY OF BOURGES WAIT ON THE KING AND -THE DUKE OF ACQUITAINE, AND AFTERWARD AT AUXERRE.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">On</span> Friday the 15th day of July, when all things had been settled, the -dukes of Berry and of Bourbon, the lord d'Albreth, the count d'Eu<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a>, -the lord John de Bar, brother to the duke of Bar, accompanied by many -knights and esquires bearing their banners, came forth of the city -toward the king's army, and entered the tent of the duke of Acquitaine, -who was surrounded by many nobles, such as the dukes of Burgundy and -Bar, and other knights and esquires, the king being afflicted with his -usual disorder.</p> - -<p>After the treaty had been read and agreed to, each kissed the other; -but when the duke<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> of Berry kissed his nephew the duke of Acquitaine, -tears ran down his cheeks. This treaty contained, among other articles, -that the treaty which had been concluded at Chartres by the king -and his council, between Charles duke of Orleans and his brothers, -respecting the death of their late father, Louis duke of Orleans, on -the one part, and John duke of Burgundy on the other, for being an -accomplice in the aforesaid death, should be kept inviolable for ever; -and that the marriage formerly proposed between one of the brothers of -the Orleans family and a daughter of the duke of Burgundy should take -effect.</p> - -<p>The other articles declared, that the duke of Berry and the lords of -his party should surrender to the obedience of the king all such towns -and castles as the king might demand; and the duke entreated, that the -king would excuse and pardon him for not having before submitted to his -obedience the city of Bourges.</p> - -<p>And also, that the aforesaid lords would renounce all confederations -which had been made between them, as well as all foreign alliances -against the duke of Burgundy, who in like manner was to renounce the -alliances he might have formed against them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>That the king would restore to them, fully and completely, all their -towns, castles and forts which he might have taken, excepting such as -had been demolished or razed, which were to remain in their present -state. The articles also declared, that the officers of the aforesaid -lords who had been deprived of their places should be reinstated.</p> - -<p>When they had dined, the duke of Berry presented the keys of the -city of Bourges to the duke of Acquitaine, as the representative of -the king, and then returned thither with his companions. The duke of -Acquitaine caused the peace to be proclaimed throughout the army and -country in the king's name, acting as his lieutenant. By the same -proclamation, it was most strictly ordered, that henceforth no one of -either party should personally abuse another, either corporally or in -his fortune, nor use any opprobrious language, nor call any one by the -names of Armagnac or Burgundian.</p> - -<p>On Saturday, the 16th day of the same month, king Louis of Sicily came -from his possessions in Anjou and Maine, escorted by three thousand -two hundred men at arms, knights and esquires, and accompanied by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> -count de Penthievre with his Bretons, to assist the king in his siege -of Bourges. The king of Sicily was very much rejoiced when he was -informed of the peace that had been concluded with the princes; and on -the morrow, attended by the duke of Bar and a number of other knights, -he went into the city, and was there magnificently entertained at -dinner by the duke and duchess of Berry.</p> - -<p>The other lords dined in the duke's palace, and were grandly and -plentifully served: after dinner, they all returned to the camp. On the -ensuing Wednesday, the king of France decamped from before the town, -having remained there, at this second siege, forty days, at an immense -expense, and with his whole army marched back, the way they had come, -to la Charité sur Loire, where he was lodged. Thither came the dukes of -Berry and of Bourbon, and the lord d'Albreth, with the commissioners -from the duke of Orleans and his brothers, who, in the tent of the duke -of Acquitaine, and in his presence and in that of the principal lords, -made oath on the holy evangelists punctually and faithfully to observe -the peace that had been concluded at Bourges. They promised to swear -the same in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> presence of the king; and as the duke of Orleans and -his brothers were absent, they solemnly engaged that they would meet -the king, to take this oath personally before him, on any appointed -day, at Auxerre: when this was done, they returned home. The peace was -again proclaimed by the king's orders; and all persons were strictly -enjoined, whatever might be their rank, not to molest each other in -body or estate, and not to use any defamatory language, or call any one -by the name of Armagnac.</p> - -<p>After this, the king of Sicily, the dukes of Acquitaine, Burgundy, and -Bar, and all the princes, counts, barons and chivalry, departed. The -king retained with him a great body of the captains of his army, and -their men at arms, and gave permission for all the rest to return to -their homes. He went thence to Auxerre, and was lodged in the episcopal -palace: the king of Sicily and the duke of Acquitaine were quartered in -the town, and their men in the adjacent villages. The lord Gilles de -Bretagne, on his arrival at Auxerre, died of a dysentery.</p> - -<p>In like manner, the count de Mortain, brother to the king of Navarre, -lost his life<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> either at Auxerre or at Sancerre from the same disorder. -His body was carried to Paris, and interred in the church of the -Carthusians. Aymé de Vitry, sir John de Guistelle, John d'Jequennie, -and several others, died on their road home; and this disorder was so -fatal that from one thousand to twelve hundred knights and esquires, -not including varlets, died of it, as it was reported to the lords in -Auxerre.</p> - -<p>When the marshal de Boucicaut, the count de Foix and the lord de St -George, who were carrying on the war against the count d'Armagnac, -heard that peace was concluded between the king and his enemies, they -disbanded their army, and gave permission for all to return home.</p> - -<p>During the time the king was at Auxerre, he had summoned the greater -part of his nobles and prelates thither, as well as the chief citizens -of the great towns, to witness the solemn swearing to the observance -of the peace. But before they could arrive, other intelligence was -brought, which was far from being agreeable, namely, that the English -were at anchor, with their whole navy, before the town of la Hogue de -St Vas, in the country of Coutantin; that they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> had made a descent, and -spread themselves over the adjacent countries, destroying or plundering -every thing they could find, and that their numbers amounted to about -eight thousand, of whom two thousand were men at arms, and the rest -archers or infantry, and that they were under the command of the duke -of Clarence, second son to the king of England.</p> - -<p>These English had landed in consequence of the treaty between the dukes -of Berry and Orleans and their allies, and the king of England, and -were on their march to assist in raising the siege of Bourges. The -counts of Alençon and of Richemont went to meet them, and received them -most joyfully, although they had come too late to do them any effectual -service; but, notwithstanding this, they exerted themselves to the -utmost to supply them with horses and provision.</p> - -<p>This force was much increased by the junction of six hundred gascon -helmets that had likewise been subsidized by the confederates at -Bourges. When these forces were united, they overran the country, and -committed great destruction.</p> - -<p>The prisoners confined at Lille, as before mentioned, consisted of the -lord de Hangest,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> formerly master of the cross-bows of France, sir -Louis de Bourdon, sir Charles de Gerammes, Enguerrand des Fontaines, -and some others. They were all set at liberty by the count de la -Marche, on each paying a large ransom to the person who had made him -prisoner; and in like manner were all others delivered, by exchange or -by ransom.</p> - -<p>About the feast of the Assumption of our Lady, those who had been -summoned by the king of France arrived at Auxerre. In their number, -the Parisians came in great pomp; and the dukes of Berry and Bourbon, -and the lord d'Albreth, also attended. The lord d'Albreth, soon after -his arrival, wished to resume the office of constable; but the count -Waleran de St Pol would not suffer him, and exercised it himself. Many -high words passed between them; and the lord d'Albreth, having taken -the oaths of peace, retired much displeased and indignant.</p> - -<p>On the ensuing Monday, the duke of Orleans and his brother, the count -de Vertus, came to Auxerre, escorted by about two thousand combatants. -When all the lords were arrived, they assembled on an extensive plain -without the city, near to a convent of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> nuns, where had been erected -a handsome scaffolding, richly adorned, on which was the duke of -Acquitaine, as representative of his father, the king of Sicily, the -dukes of Burgundy, of Bar, and others.</p> - -<p>The duke of Burgundy and his party repeated the oaths they had before -taken, as also did the duke of Orleans and his friends; and the same -proposal of marriage as had been made at Chartres was again solemnly -agreed to take place, between the count de Vertus and a daughter of the -duke of Burgundy, on the terms before mentioned.</p> - -<p>The aforesaid lords then publicly renounced all confederations and -alliances which they had formed with Henry king of England, with his -sons, or with any others of the english nation, enemies to France, the -duke of Burgundy having before declared that he had no connexion with -them,—and they agreed to write such letters to the king of England as -the king and his council should advise.</p> - -<p>They also promised and swore to renew their oaths respecting the -observance of this peace in the king's presence, so soon as he should -have recovered his health,—for at that time he had had a relapse,—and -to sign such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> papers as he would please, that they would never again -form any confederations or alliances against each other; and that -if either of them should attempt to infringe the articles of this -peace, the others would unite against him or them to enforce their due -observance, and oblige them to listen to reason.</p> - -<p>At this ceremony, by orders of the king, were some of the members of -the parliament, of the chamber of accounts, and of the university of -Paris, the provosts of Paris and of the merchants, the sheriffs and -some of the principal citizens, to many of whom this treaty was not -very agreeable.</p> - -<p>There were also present, in consequence of the king's summons, very -many from Rouen, Caen, Amiens, Tournay, Laon, Rheims, Troyes, Langres, -Tours, and from the chief towns in the kingdom.</p> - -<p>When this solemnity was over, all the great lords went to dine with the -duke of Acquitaine at his lodgings. At this entertainment, which was -most splendid and abundant, the duke of Burgundy served, and the counts -de Nevers and de St Pol, assisted by other noble knights, carried the -dishes. After they had dined, the company amused themselves by playing -at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> divers games. These being ended, towards dusk all retired to their -lodgings. On the morrow, and for several days following, they continued -feasting together, and, according to all outward appearances, were in -great harmony with each other. Even the dukes of Orleans and Burgundy -rode out together, both on the same horse, in company with other lords, -and showed such mutual affection as is becoming brothers and near -relations. Nevertheless, some wicked tongues were not sparing of them -behind their backs, but loudly spoke their minds.</p> - -<p>With regard to the people, they were in such crowds that it need not be -asked if they were pleased,—for they continually shouted out, 'Gloria -in excelsis Deo,' as if they wished to praise the gloriousness of the -heavens. It indeed seemed to them a kind of miracle that such bitter -hatred as had existed between these great lords should be so speedily -appeased.</p> - -<p>When every thing was concluded, and because this epidemic disorder -raged at Auxerre, the king and princes departed, and went by Sens -to Melun, where great feasts and entertainments, with justings and -dancings, were held by the queen and her court, for joy of the happy -reconciliation that had taken place between<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> the princes of the -blood royal. In truth, while the king resided at Melun, he recovered -his health, and then, at the entreaties of the queen, his daughter, -the dukes of Acquitaine and Burgundy, and of the king of Sicily, he -approved of and ratified the treaty of peace that had been made. In -consequence, he delivered up all the castles, towns and lands, which -he had seized on account of the rebellion of his nephews and other -lords, as well secular as ecclesiastic, and restored them to their free -possession. Thus they re-entered their towns and castles, but without -any restitution for the damages which had been done to them: several of -them had been nearly destroyed; and the vineyards, forests and other -lands, had suffered greatly, with various mischiefs that had been done -to the farms. That this peace might be publicly known, and that no one -might plead ignorance, but that it should remain for ever inviolate, -the king issued the following edict.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> - - - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> Charles d'Artois, count of Eu, son to the constable d'Eu -(who died in Turkey 1397) and to Mary daughter of the duke of Berry. He -married twice, but had no issue, and in him ended the royal branch of -Artois, commencing in Robert the good count d'Artois, who was killed in -Egypt in the year 1250, when accompanying his brother St Louis.</p></div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2><a name="CHAP_XII" id="CHAP_XII">CHAP. XII.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE KING OF FRANCE ORDERS HIS EDICT RESPECTING THE PEACE TO BE SENT TO -HIS DIFFERENT OFFICERS FOR PROCLAMATION IN THE USUAL PLACES,—AND OTHER -MATTERS.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">'Charles</span>, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting.—Among the heavy and continued -anxieties which we always feel for the preservation of our crown and -kingdom, the warmest wish we have is to nourish love and affection -among our subjects, and to guard them from all oppressions and other -inconveniences which are consequent on civil commotions, that they -may live under us in perfect tranquillity. Whereas many very serious -discords and divisions have arisen within our realm between several -of the princes of our royal blood, their adherents and allies, which -have caused great mischiefs to ensue, to the detriment of our faithful -subjects; and others still more disastrous might have followed, had we -not provided<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> a sufficient remedy. These discords have occasioned to us -the utmost grief of heart; and for this reason we make known to thee, -that, through the grace of the sovereign King of kings, our Creator and -Saviour, and the Giver of all peace; and through the diligent exertions -of our very dear and well-beloved son the duke of Acquitaine, dauphin -of Vienne, and others who have laboured with him, we have concluded -a sound peace with the aforesaid princes, our kindred, and their -confederates, in the manner and form expressed In the treaty drawn up -for this purpose.</p> - -<p>'By this treaty all rancour and malevolence between one party and -another are extinguished, and the princes aforesaid have solemnly -sworn on the holy evangelists, in the presence of our very dear son, -many prelates and other persons, that they will strictly observe every -article of it, and no way infringe it, according to the oaths which -they had before taken on a similar occasion.</p> - -<p>'For this reason, we therefore enjoin, and most strictly command, thee -to proclaim this peace in all the squares and public places of Amiens, -by sound of trumpet, and then to make proclamation of the same in all -the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> villages and other places within thy bailiwick, particularly -ordering all our subjects most faithfully to keep this peace, under -pain of our highest displeasure, and of being criminally guilty towards -our royal person, forbidding any person, whatever may be their rank, in -our name, in any wise to offend against any of its articles, on pain of -being corporally punished, with confiscation of property.</p> - -<p>'We, moreover, enjoin thee, that thou do punish most severely and -publicly, according to the exigency of the case, any who shall be found -violating this peace in any degree whatever, either by word or deed, -who may be regularly accused before thee, so that it may serve as an -example to all others.</p> - -<p>'Given at Melun, in the year of Grace 1412, and in the 32d of our -reign.'—Signed by the king from the report made to him by the council -held by my lords the dukes of Acquitaine, Berry, Burgundy, Orleans and -Bourbon, the counts of Vertus and Alençon, and John de Bar, with others -present at it. Countersigned, 'Emau, inspector.'</p> - -<p>The English, during this time, had advanced, from the Coutantin, into -the countries of Maine and Touraine, despoiling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> the districts they -marched through with fire and sword. A grand council was held on this -subject at Melun, presided by the duke of Acquitaine as the king's -<i>locum tenens</i>, and at which were present the king of Sicily, the dukes -of Berry, Burgundy, Orleans and Bourbon, the count de Vertus, the -chancellors of France, Acquitaine, and of Orleans, the lords de Torsy, -d'Offemont, with others, the provost of the merchants, the sheriffs -and council of Paris,—when it was ordered, that all persons capable -of bearing arms, noble or not, should assemble, properly equipped at -Chartres, on the 8th day of October ensuing; at which time and place, -they should receive pay for the defence of the realm, and to drive the -ancient enemies of France out of the kingdom. This edict was copied, -and sent to the principal seneschalships and bailiwicks of France -sealed with the royal seal, by the aforesaid princes, that a sufficient -force might be provided against the 8th day of October.</p> - -<p>The Parisians, as being more nearly affected, hastened to raise their -levies of men at arms and archers at Paris or at Melun,—and others in -the adjacent countries. Every one, on the receipt of the king's edict, -assembled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> his quota. Had the duke of Berry and those of his party -kept the engagements they had made with the English, and paid them the -large sum of two hundred thousand crowns, according to their promises, -they were ready to return to England, either through Acquitaine or -Bourdeaux; but from the melancholy state of the country, they were -unable to raise this sum by any means they could offer,—and thus -their terms not being fulfilled, the English thought they might pay -themselves.</p> - -<p>The king of Sicily returned, however, to Anjou, to raise men for the -defence of his territories, whither the English were fast advancing.</p> - -<p>In these days, the duke of Acquitaine reinstated the eldest son of the -late grand master Montagu in his office of chamberlain, and obtained, -through his entreaties with the king, that all his estates should be -restored, which ought to have descended to him by right of inheritance, -so that, with the exception of some trifling confiscations, he regained -all the patrimony he would have inherited from his father and mother.</p> - -<p>He obtained likewise the head of his father; and one evening, about -vespers, the provost of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> Paris, with his executioner, attended by -twelve guards, or thereabout, holding lighted torches and carrying -a ladder, followed by a priest dressed in his robes, came to the -market-place, when the executioner mounted the ladder to where the -head of the late grand master had been fixed to the end of a lance, -and, taking it off, delivered it to the priest, who received it in a -handsome napkin. Thus wrapped up, he placed it on his shoulder, and -carried it, attended by these lighted torches, to the hôtel of the late -Montagu, grand master of the king's household.</p> - -<p>The body was in like manner taken down from the gibbet at Montfaucon, -in the presence of the provost, by his hangman, and brought to Paris. -It was there joined to the head, placed in a handsome coffin, and -carried in great state, attended by his children, and a numerous party -of friends, with priests chaunting, and a vast number of lighted -torches, to the church of the Celestins at Marcoussy, which he had -founded and endowed in his lifetime and made a convent of monks, and -there honourably interred. Among other gifts which he had made when -alive was the great bell, called St Catherine, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> the church of Nôtre -Dame at Paris, as appears from his arms and crest that are upon it.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAP_XIII" id="CHAP_XIII">CHAP. XIII.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE WAR CONTINUES IN THE BOULONOIS.—THE KING RETURNS TO PARIS.—THE -DUKE OF ORLEANS SATISFIES THE ENGLISH,—AND OTHER MATTERS.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">During</span> this time, king Henry of England sent the earls of Warwick and -Kyme, with two thousand combatants, to Calais, whence, with other -garrisons, they invaded the Boulonois, and did much mischief. They -burnt the town of Saumer-au-Bois, took by storm the fort of Ruissault, -pillaging, robbing, and setting fire to every place they came to.</p> - -<p>To oppose them, the king ordered to St Omer count Waleran his -constable, the lord de Rambures, master of the cross-bows, and the lord -de Heilly, with a large body of men at arms, who were posted in the -various garrisons,—and thus was the country harrassed on all sides.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>At this period, the king of France returned to Paris, and was lodged -in his hôtel of Saint Pol, to the great joy of the Parisians, who -sang carols in all the streets, lighted bonfires, and had great -illuminations, shouting out all night, 'God save the king!' There were, -likewise, very magnificent feasts and other entertainments. The king -was attended, on his entry into Paris, by the dukes of Acquitaine, -Burgundy, Bourbon, and the count de Vertus. The queen, with the dukes -of Berry and Orleans, had remained at the castle of Vincennes, and -thence, on the Sunday following, made her entry into Paris, and was -lodged with the king at the hôtel de St Pol. The duke of Orleans had -accompanied her part of the way; but, when he approached Paris, he -separated from her, and took the road for his county of Beaumont. The -duke of Berry staid at Vincennes.</p> - -<p>Although the town of Chauny had been surrendered to the king in -perpetuity, he restored it to the duke of Orleans, and, at the same -time, granted him permission to raise from his vassals the sum of sixty -thousand florins of gold, by way of tax, for his own private use. But -he could never succeed in the attempts which he made to regain his two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> -castles of Coucy and Pierrefons. When he had been at Beaumont a few -days, he departed, and went to meet the English under the command of -the duke of Clarence, who had landed, as has been said, at his request, -and satisfied him fully, as to the pay of his men, so far as was in -his power; but as he could not then advance the whole that was due for -their pay, the duke of Orleans gave, as a pledge for the due fulfilment -of his engagement, his youngest brother, the count of Angoulême, with -many other gentlemen, namely, sir Marcel le Borgne, Jean de Saveuses, -Archambault de Villiers, Guillaume le Boutillier, Jean David, and -others of his dependants. They were all carried away by the duke of -Clarence, who retired with his English to Guienne.</p> - -<p>The count of Angoulême was pledged for the sum of two hundred and nine -thousand francs french money. When the duke of Orleans had concluded -this, he returned to Blois; but these bondsmen remained in England a -long time, as shall be told hereafter. The duke of Orleans sent some -of his most able knights to prevail on the king to restore to him his -castles of Coucy and Pierrefons, which were held by the constable; but -although the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> king granted his letters for the surrender of them, the -constable refused to obey, giving for answer, that until he should be -repaid the money he had advanced to his men at arms for the conquest -of them, he would retain them,—adding, that the king had made him a -promise of them, and had nominated sir Gerard de Herbannes governor -of Coucy, and of Pierrefons sir Collard de Fiennes. The castle of -Pierrefons, which was a very strong and handsome edifice, was one night -burnt to the ground, to the great displeasure of the duke,—but as he -could not obtain any redress, he was forced to endure it.</p> - -<p>The duke of Burgundy, who resided at Paris, to be near the king, about -this time caused sir Bourdin de Salligny to be arrested, and carried -prisoner to Flanders, where he was confined some time, and then set at -liberty. Sir Bourdin had been the particular and confidential friend -of the duke; and it was reported, that he was inclined to change sides -and turn to that of Orleans, and had even betrayed some of the duke's -secrets.</p> - -<p>In these days also, some very sharp words passed between the bastard -of Bourbon and a butcher of Paris, called Denisot de Chaumont,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> when -the bastard said to him, 'Peace! hold thy tongue: I shall find thee -again another time.' Shortly after, Denisot, who had great weight among -his brethren of the trade, collected a large body, and, with other -Parisians, they barricaded the streets with chains,—but they were at -length appeased by the duke of Burgundy.</p> - -<p>John duke of Bourbon, the count d'Armagnac and the lord d'Albreth -were ordered by the king and council into Languedoc, to oppose the -enterprises of the duke of Clarence and the English, who had fixed -their quarters in Acquitaine, and sorely oppressed all who defended the -french interest on the frontiers.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAP_XIV" id="CHAP_XIV">CHAP. XIV.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE DUKE OF BERRY IS DANGEROUSLY ILL.—HE IS VISITED BY HIS DAUGHTER -THE DUCHESS OF BOURBON, AND BY THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.—NOTICE OF OTHER -MATTERS.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">The</span> duke of Berry, who had come to Paris to attend the king his nephew, -and a grand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> council about to be holden, was taken dangerously ill at -his hôtel of Neele; but by the care and affection of his daughter the -duchess of Bourbon, who, on hearing of his illness, had come to see -him, and by her nursing, he was soon restored to health. He was also -very frequently visited by his nephew the duke of Burgundy.</p> - -<p>While the duchess of Bourbon was at Paris, she obtained from the king, -and from the dukes of Acquitaine and Burgundy, that the body of Binet -d'Espineuse, formerly the knight of her lord the duke of Bourbon, -should be taken down from the gibbet of Montfaucon, and his head from -the market-house, where it had been placed some time since by the -king's officers of justice. She had it escorted by many of his friends -to the town of Espineuse, in the county of Clermont, where it was -honourably interred.</p> - -<p>The duke of Burgundy at this time had the sole government of the -kingdom, for nothing was done but by his advice or that of his friends.</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding it had been promised at the peace of Auxerre, by the -king and the princes of the blood, that every one, of whatever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> party -he might have been, should be reinstated in his property in such -offices as had been held by them, very many could not profit of this -royal favour; for with all their diligence in suing for reinstatement, -they met with nothing but delays, more especially those who had been -attached to the Orleans-party. This caused much silent bitterness and -discontent; and both sides were busily employed underhand on the means -of securing the support of the king and the duke of Acquitaine,—one -party making secret attempts to gain the former, the other the latter. -Thus, therefore, there was not any sincere love between them; and the -war was daily expected to recommence with greater fury than before, as -shall be more fully explained.</p> - -<p>I shall hereafter, towards the end of this year 1412, lay before you -all the letters and treaties that passed between king Henry of England -and his children, and other princes, on the one part, and the dukes of -Berry, Orleans, Bourbon, the counts d'Alençon, d'Armagnac, the lord -d'Albreth, and their adherents, on the other part, and their mutual -engagements to each other.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAP_XV" id="CHAP_XV">CHAP. XV.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE KING OF FRANCE HOLDS A GRAND ASSEMBLY AT PARIS ON THE REFORMATION -OF ABUSES IN THE GOVERNMENT.—OTHER MATTERS.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">The</span> king of France, by the advice of the duke of Burgundy, summoned -the greater part of the princes, prelates, heads of universities, -and principal citizens of the great towns, to Paris, to consider on -several matters of great importance to the kingdom in general, and more -especially respecting the reformation of his ministers, who had for a -long time very ill governed the realm.</p> - -<p>When this assembly had held many consultations on the subjects laid -before it, its members determined that the university of Paris should -make their report in the name of all,—which report was delivered to -the king, at his hôtel of St Pol, in manner following.</p> - -<p>'To our most high and most excellent prince, our sovereign lord and -father. Your most humble and devoted daughter the university of -Paris, your very submissive and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> obedient subjects the provost of the -merchants, the sheriffs and citizens of your good town of Paris, lay -before you their opinions and advice, as required by you, for the -welfare and happiness of yourself and kingdom.</p> - -<p>'In the first place, respecting the peace that has been lately -concluded between certain princes of your royal blood, according to -the terms your majesty has been pleased to lay before us, we say, that -all who have sworn solemnly to keep this peace, and have hitherto -observed it, ought to continue this same conduct, in pursuance of their -intentions sworn to before God: but we think that you should summon -certain others of the lords of your blood, and of their principal -servants, to swear personally before you to keep the peace; and that -for many reasons,—first, because they never yet have taken the said -oaths,—secondly, because many among them do not keep the peace.</p> - -<p>'It is a notorious fact, that although the English are in your kingdom, -and in conjunction with other companies, as well natives as foreigners, -daily commit waste on the country, scarcely any attempts have been made -to oppose their further progress, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> petitions and clamours arise -throughout the realm.</p> - -<p>'Item, the count d'Armagnac, who is your subject, pays no regard to the -peace; and, so far from observing it, is constantly making war on your -more faithful subjects.</p> - -<p>'Item, for the better observance of this peace, we recommend that -your majesty should cause letters to be drawn up, in which all the -articles of the treaty shall be incorporated, and sent to the different -officers, or to whomsoever else you may please, with orders to make -known all transgressors of them, that they may be punished accordingly.</p> - -<p>'With regard to the second point on which you, our sovereign lord, -demand our advice, having fully considered all that concerns your own -honour and welfare, with every thing that may tend to the prosperity -of the kingdom, we feel ourselves obliged to make known to you what we -perceive to be defects in your government. We must begin by the bad -administration of the public finances, to which you, as king, ought -to have caused more faithful attention to be paid. We recommend, in -the first place, that the revenues of the royal demesne be divided<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> -into four parts: one to be distributed in alms, another to defray the -expenses of your majesty, those of the queen, the duke of Acquitaine, -and your household; another to pay the salaries of your officers and -servants; another to be applied to the repairs of bridges, roads, -mills, castles, causeways, or other public works,—and the overplus to -be paid into the king's treasury, as was formerly done.</p> - -<p>'Item, it clearly appears, that the finances are not at this present -time so regulated, which, is the fault of your treasurers, who have the -administration of them. The religious of both sexes, as well belonging -to convents as to hospitals, are frequently forced to expend their own -money on the repairs of their churches, without deriving any assistance -from the royal treasury, to their great detriment, to the loss of their -personal comforts, the ruin of the churches, and the failure of divine -service, to the prejudice of the souls of your predecessors, and to the -oppression of your own conscience.</p> - -<p>'In regard to alms, it is well known that scarcely any thing is -paid; and as to the expenses of yourself, the queen, and the duke of -Acquitaine, which are regulated by sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> Pierre de Fontenay, and paid -by Raymond Ragnier and Jean Pie, clerks of the exchequer, they are -found to amount to four hundred and fifty thousand francs, as well -received from the royal demesnes as from other sources; whereas in -former times only ninety-two thousand francs were received for this -purpose, and your predecessors kept up a royal state, and the tradesmen -were regularly paid, notwithstanding the smallness of the sum: but at -present this is far from being the case, for the tradesmen are not -only unpaid, but your household and those of the queen and the duke of -Acquitaine are frequently broken up.</p> - -<p>'Even so lately as Thursday last, this disgrace happened to the -household of the queen,—whence it appears, that these sums are not -employed for your expenses, but wasted at the will of your ministers, -and among their favourites, as we shall more fully explain at a proper -time and place.</p> - -<p>'In former days, the sum raised for the expenses of the queen's -household was but thirty-six thousand francs; but at present, one -hundred and forty thousand are raised on this account, from taxes -independant of the revenues of her demesnes. This difference<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> proceeds -from the fault of the administrators of this department, the principal -of whom is Raymond Ragnier, the treasurer; and he has so managed -this money destined for the use of the queen that he has purchased -large estates, and built fine houses, as may be seen both in town and -country. The management of this part of the finances should be examined -into; for beside the regular receipt, other sums are demanded by way of -extraordinaries.</p> - -<p>'Item, there are also great abuses in the offices of the master of -your wardrobe, and of the treasury; for those who have the direction -receive very large sums of money, and dispose of them otherwise than in -the payment of your debts or to your advantage: the salaries of your -officers and servants are consequently in arrear, and those who have -supplied your table with provision and wine cannot get their money. -Of course, these sums must be applied to their own use, as is very -apparent from the great state they live in, from the number of their -horses and other luxuries,—as in the instance of Raymond Ragnier, who, -in purchasing and building, has expended, as it is said, upward of -thirty thousand francs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'Charlot Poupart, master of the wardrobe, and master William Budé, -storekeeper, have also made great acquisitions of property, and live -at an immense expense, which cannot be done from the salaries of their -office, nor from their estates before they had these offices given to -them.</p> - -<p>'There are likewise great defects in the management of your stables, -which is an office of very great receipt, and the prodigious sums that -are there expended are not for your honour nor profit.</p> - -<p>'Item, in regard to the salaries of the officers of your household, -they are very ill paid at the treasury; nor are their payments any way -regular, so that they suffer very great poverty, and are unable to -appear before you so decently dressed as they would wish. There are, -however, some favourites among them that are very well paid.</p> - -<p>'With respect to the repairs of your castles, mills and other public -works, they are all going to ruin; and as for the overplus that should -remain to be paid into your private treasury, there is not at this -moment one penny,—although in the days of king Philip, king John, and -king Charles, when the receipt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> was not any thing like what it is now, -there were savings, but the treasury was then far better managed.</p> - -<p>'We must likewise observe, that this kind of management of the finances -has been continued for nearly thirty years,—and that those who have -had the administration of them have no way attended to your honour or -profit, or to the good of the kingdom, but solely to their own private -emolument.</p> - -<p>'It therefore befits your said daughter the university of Paris to -lay before you the following facts, that a better administration -of your finances may be adopted. In the first place, you have too -many treasurers, who have increased since the time before mentioned, -from the additional business in the office; and several have forced -themselves into it, who before the expiration of the year have been -removed to make way for others of more popularity in the country. God -knows, they would not be so eager to be admitted into this office, were -it not for the plundering daily going on there; and if a treasurer do -not yearly gain from four to five thousand francs, he thinks he is -badly off. Where formerly there were but two treasurers, there are now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> -five or six from the great increase of business, and at times there are -six or seven. Thus, it is clear as the day, that you lose every year -from sixteen to twenty thousand francs, from the bad conduct of your -treasurers. When they are admitted to their office, they pay not any -attention to the discharge of the necessary disbursements, nor to the -oaths they took on admission, but solely to the enormous grants that -have been surreptitiously obtained, which are paid from their general -receipt.</p> - -<p>'In regard to the other offices where the net receipt is paid, it -passes through so many hands that immense fortunes are made from the -exorbitant fees claimed by the treasurers: these are Andrieu Guiffart, -Burel Dampmartin, Regnier de Bouligney, Jean Guerin, and the director -Nicolle Bonet, who was clerk to his predecessor in office, Jean Chayf, -and the clerk master Guy Bouchier, who are all of them useless and -guilty of mismanagement, except Jean Guerin, who has but lately come -into the office, and has not as yet misbehaved himself.</p> - -<p>'Andrieu Guiffart is particularly culpable for having wasted all the -patrimony he had received from his father. He was appointed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> through -the influence of the provost of Paris, (who is his cousin by the -mother's side) to one of the treasurerships, where he has amassed such -sums of money that he wears nothing but sapphires, rubies, and other -precious diamonds, with the most costly dresses, and rides the best of -horses. He lives in the utmost state with his side-boards covered with -plate of every description for ornament and use.</p> - -<p>'Item, formerly it was not necessary to have a treasurer for the -criminal prosecutions, but only an occasional counsellor; but now there -are four counsellors, who receive very large sums to your prejudice.</p> - -<p>'In regard to the administration of those taxes called Aides, there -are officers appointed for that purpose called Generals, through whose -hands pass all that is ordered for the carrying on the wars, amounting, -one year with another, to twelve thousand francs. The aforesaid -treasurers, by the connivance of these generals, manage the finances -very badly; for they commonly obtain their places through the influence -of friends, to whom the generals make great gifts, to your loss. The -salaries of these generals amount to from two to four thousand francs -yearly each; and if a general remain in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> office for two years, he will -acquire from nine to ten thousand francs, or some such great sum, by -private gifts, and which are sometimes levied on the properties of -great lords without their knowledge: particulars of such conduct, and -false certificates, were discovered during the late inquiries for the -reformation of abuses.</p> - -<p>'There is also another office, wrongfully called the Treasury of -Savings, under the government of Anthony des Essars, for which the -sum of about one hundred and twenty thousand francs is taken from the -taxes. In former times, this chest for savings was kept under two -locks, of which you had one key, to take from it any sum that should -be wanting for yourself or your kingdom. Those, however, who now have -the management of it have so acted that there is not one penny in -the chest, nor is it known who in the world has been bettered by it, -excepting the administrators, with the consent of those they found -in the office, by drawing out false statements of expenses, to your -prejudice.</p> - -<p>'Item, this aforesaid Anthony has the keeping of your wardrobe and -jewels, and is so negligent that whatever may be wanting for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> your -dress is bought from day to day, of which he alone is culpable.</p> - -<p>'Item, after this comes another office, called the Cofferers, held by -Maurice de Rully, who, in general, receives daily ten golden crowns, -which he ought to deliver into your hands to spend according to your -pleasure; but the coffers are empty, for he has dissipated their -contents,—and under shadow of this office, immense sums have been -wasted, as shall be spoken of in proper time and place.</p> - -<p>'The manner in which you, the queen and the duke of Acquitaine, are -pillaged, is easily shown; for when you have need of a speedy sum of -money for the war, or for any other urgent necessity, application -must be made to certain money-lenders, who, for usury, make a traffic -of money, and supply your wants on having your plate and jewels in -pawn, and at an exorbitant loss in the interest paid for these loans, -insomuch that what may be worth ten thousand francs costs you fifteen -or sixteen; and thus your losses are annually very great from these -usurious practices and pretended exchanges. You may readily suppose -that your officers must be accomplices in this traffic, and that this -alone will occasion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> such an empty treasury. Your inferior servants are -much distressed and ill treated; and in this manner are not only your -own affairs but those of the princes of your blood managed, without any -exception.</p> - -<p>'Item, it is proper that you should be made acquainted with the tricks -and deceit of those officers called Generals, in the receipt of your -finances. When any receiver shall have lent you a sum amounting to five -or six thousand crowns over and above his receipt, he is dismissed from -his office, to prevent him from reimbursing himself, and another put in -his place, who will receive the whole of the taxes in that department. -When, therefore, there shall be little or nothing to receive, he that -was dismissed will be replaced in his office, provided he has made -sufficient presents to his superior officers. By this means, the -aforesaid receiver can neither be paid nor pay what he owes; and thus -they ride one on another, to the ruin of your finances,—and you drink -your wine sour.</p> - -<p>'Item, when there is an ambassador to be sent, or even a simple canon -to be dispatched to a foreign country, money for their expenses must be -borrowed from usurers; and it frequently<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> happens that the aforesaid -ambassador cannot depart for want of money, which renders the embassy -useless, and the kingdom suffers greatly from it.</p> - -<p>'Item, it is also necessary that you should know what is become of all -the money that for these last two years has been raised, as well from -the domains of the crown as from the very numerous and heavy taxes and -impositions of all sorts, of which the provost of Paris has, as is -notorious, taken on himself the management, and styled himself Director -and General Superintendant of the Finances.</p> - -<p>'Item, it should likewise be remembered, that other great officers, -as well as the provost, have held many offices of importance, which -they have sold, and pocketed the amount, to your great disadvantage -and contrary to your royal edicts, and also to the prejudice of the -kingdom,—for, by this system, ignorant and improper persons are put -into the said offices.</p> - -<p>'Item, the provost of Paris, who had held for some time the office of -grand master of waters and forests, has now resigned it to the lord de -Jury, for which six thousand francs have been levied. But beside the -provostship of Paris, he holds the government of the town<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> of Cherbourg -and its dependancies, which brings him an annual rent of six thousand -francs, with the government of Nemours, amounting to two thousand -more. Your income is also ruined by another mode, namely, by the -immense number of receivers, treasurers, clerks, comptrollers and other -officers, who swallow enormous sums by way of fees, over and above -the regular fees of office, of which the provost and his dependants -have the greater share, and which they regard as their own personal -property, to your great loss, and to the delay of payments to many of -your faithful servants, knights, and counsellors of state. It is daily -witnessed, that when a young man has been appointed to any of the above -offices, however poor his situation may have been before, or how little -versed he may be in the management of public affairs, he soon becomes -rich, keeps a grand establishment, and purchases large estates and -manors, all at your expense.</p> - -<p>'There are great frauds committed by your treasurers of the war -department, who are accustomed to take from your knights and esquires -blank receipts sealed by them, of which they make a very bad use, -as they know to their cost: but they can more fully inform you on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> -this head than we can. It is melancholy to hear their complaints of -the delays in the payment of their salaries, which are always much -curtailed, at least to the greater part of them. It is consequently now -become a rule among your men at arms, when their salary is in arrear, -to pay themselves from the countries they are quartered in, saying, -that, since they cannot obtain their pay, they must live by their -service.</p> - -<p>'Item, whenever these directors or superintendants of your finances are -called upon, they make answer, that they are ready to produce their -accounts, as if that were sufficient, and even go so far as to desire -commissioners may be appointed to inspect and examine them; but, under -correction, this answer is futile,—and if the real culprits are to be -discovered, let their original state, and what substance they possessed -before they entered into office, be inquired into,—what the amount -of their salaries and fees, how much their reasonable expenditure, -and then what is their present income, what estates they possess, and -what buildings they have erected. It is notorious, that the superior -officers are rich and magnificent, but that they were indigent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> before -their appointments to office, and that some of them have purchased -houses of great value, namely, master Jean Chastegnier, Guillaume -Luce, and Nicaise Bouses. To say the truth, every loyal subject must -be astonished and grieved at heart when he witnesses such management, -that you, their lawful prince and sovereign, should be thus robbed, and -that all your finances should be lodged in such beggarly purses, by the -aforesaid, whose purses are swollen out, and by those who have preceded -them, without any regard to your own wants, or to those of the state.</p> - -<p>'Item, since mention has been made of the grand state in which many -live, it seems to your daughter, that such a style of living is too -generally adopted throughout your kingdom; and she fears, from the -evils that daily result from it, lest God may be angered against his -people.</p> - -<p>'Item, in regard to the great councils, they are not held in the -manner they ought to be; for generally almost every one is admitted, -whereas none but wise and discreet men, such as knights and clerks, -should be suffered to enter, to a competent number receiving pay and -salaries from you, and from none other,—<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>and these should always -have an attentive eye to your personal profit and honour, and to -the strengthening of your crown and kingdom. It frequently happens, -from the numbers admitted, that business of every sort is neglected -or delayed, and that when any good resolution has been made, as now -and then will be the case, it remains unexecuted, However nearly it -may affect your interests.—Foreign ambassadors should have their -negotiations terminated, and our own should be dispatched; and whenever -any thing conclusive has, by mature deliberation, been settled, it -ought not to be broken off by a few persons afterward, as has often -happened.</p> - -<p>'Item, it is very distressing to hear such loud complaints of the -debility of your government in protracting business. We even see the -lord de Mouberon, the viscount de Murat, and those of la Rochelle, -complaining of the delays of your council, although they are employed -for the service of your kingdom, and declaring, that if more energy is -not exerted, they must necessarily make peace with your enemies,—and -thus you may lose many of your faithful vassals.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'In regard to the administration of justice in the realm, your court of -parliament, which is the most eminent, is not governed as it is wont -to have been. Formerly it was composed of excellent lawyers, as well -secular as ecclesiastical, of a mature age and learned in the laws; and -from its great fame for learning and justice, without partiality to any -one, was resorted to, not only by Christians of all nations, but even -by Saracens, who have applied to it for judgment.</p> - -<p>'For some short time past, through favour of friends, relations, or -other means, many young men have been admitted who are ignorant of -the laws and unworthy of such honour, by which the authority and fair -reputation of this court is greatly lessened. There are also other -inconveniences attending these indiscriminate admissions: for instance, -there are in this court many sons, brothers, nephews and relations -sitting together, and many others who are lineally connected, as -is the case with the family of the first president,—and from this -circumstance great injustice may ensue in the decisions of the court.</p> - -<p>'Item, there are now before the parliament several causes between poor -persons, that are,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> as it were, dead; for the members do not use such -expedition in deciding upon them as they in reason should.</p> - -<p>'Item, respecting the chamber of accounts, nothing is done, for all -causes are there buried; for although some new members have been -lately admitted, no progress seems to be made. Among the new ones is -Alexander Boursier, who has several times been receiver-general of -taxes, and whose accounts are said not yet to have been closed. You -may, consequently, be a great loser in this business; for he who ought -to be narrowly examined himself, is appointed to examine and reduce the -accounts of others.</p> - -<p>'Item, the better to effectuate his own business, this Alexander has -so well practised that he has got Jean Vautier, who was his clerk, -appointed to succeed him in the office of receiver-general; and -notwithstanding the royal ordinances, and the oaths which receivers, -and other officers in the receipt of taxes, take on entering their -offices, to make the proper payments in regard to alms, they avoid, as -it is said, by dissimulation and fraud, these distributions of alms, -and frequently infringe the aforesaid ordinances.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'Item, respecting the administering of justice on those guilty of -crimes against the revenue laws, it appears to us that the great -multiplicity of officers is useless in this general dissipation of the -substance of the kingdom, as well as the numbers of inferior officers, -who, from their salaries and the presents they receive, devour the -wealth of the country; for the greater part of these aforesaid officers -are intruded on this court by the influence of friends.</p> - -<p>'We must also notice the many presidents of the criminal court. -During the reign of king Charles, there was but one, or two at the -utmost,—whereas at present there are seven, who receive each annually -one hundred livres, not including the notaries. Were we to enter -into any detail respecting the masters of requests of the king's -household, God knows how far it would lead us. In former times, -ancient men, experienced in the laws and customs of the realm, were -appointed to such places, who replied to all the petitions presented -to them, and signed such as they judged expedient, so that the matter -was speedily decided in chancery; but now raw and inexperienced -youths are appointed, who expedite nothing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> but by orders from the -chancellor,—and this occasions supernumerary officers to be named, to -supply their defects, whose pay is very great, and of course to your -loss.</p> - -<p>'Item, in respect to your chancery, it is well known, that your -chancellor of France undergoes great labour, and is very deserving -of a large salary, but without prejudice to your realm. Although his -salary should not amount to more than two thousand livres parisis, he -has nevertheless, for these last twenty years, taken, besides these two -thousand livres and the gift of two thousand livres for the profits -of the great seal, fines on remissions and registerings, of twenty -sols parisis, which in the course of a year amount to a very large -sum of money. He has also received other two thousand francs from the -taxes levied for the support of the war. Item, he receives annually -for his robes two hundred francs; and also from the treasury, for the -use of his chancery, five or six hundred livres parisis. He receives -likewise, in addition to the above gifts, to a very large amount, on -the different taxes and impositions. He has likewise signed and sealed -with too great facility letters patent for large sums, without making -any opposition: the particulars of them may<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> be found in the accounts -of Michel de Sabulon and Alexander Boursier, and in the accounts of -several others, who have not failed to make advantage of them. To speak -more plainly in regard to this article, there will be found in the -above accounts grants, to the amount of six thousand francs, to private -persons, sealed by the chancellor, although he well knew that this -money was appropriated for carrying on the war.—These grants bring -considerable emolument to the chancery, whose finances are managed by -master Henry Machalie and master Buder, comptroller of the seal of -chancery. They charge double fees on the king's dues, namely, those of -notary and secretary, and receive exorbitant salaries and presents; and -in such wise is your chancery governed that no great profit comes to -you, although the emoluments of it are immense. In regard to the fees -of notaries, as they connect themselves with whomever they please, we -shall enter more fully into their detail when occasion offers.</p> - -<p>'Item, there are several offices in the kingdom which are incompatible, -and yet are held by the same persons, who serve them by proxy, and thus -in different ways pillage your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> subjects of their money. The debasement -of your coin must not be forgotten,—and its weight and value have been -lately so much diminished that a crown is now of less worth than two -sols were formerly. The penny and twopenny pieces are scarcely worth as -many farthings, which is very prejudicial to your people; and thus the -good money is carried off,—for the Lombards in their exchanges collect -all the good, and make payment in the new coin.</p> - -<p>'You ought to know by whose advice this debasement of the value of -your coin has been made, for it is commonly said to have been thus -lowered in value by the provost of Paris, the provost of the merchants, -and Michel Lallier, who have taken upon themselves the management of -your mint; and although they may have allowed you some profit on this -diminution of the coin, the loss that you and the queen will ultimately -suffer is incomparably greater, as you may learn from those who are -competent to give you information.</p> - -<p>'Although your daughter and others of your subjects have now briefly -laid before you the guilt of the aforesaid, this is not enough, nor -will several days suffice, to enter into a full detail of all the -wickedness and disgraceful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> conduct of your ministers and their -adherents. Very many others, beside those we have named, are equally -guilty, but we now pass them over, in the expectation of more amply -speaking of them hereafter, for the welfare of yourself and of your -kingdom.</p> - -<p>'In regard to the aid, advice and support, most sovereign lord, which -you demand from your aforesaid daughter, and other loyal subjects, -whom you have summoned for the purpose, they pray to God that he would -be pleased, out of his grace, to comfort and advise you, for we are -willing to expose our lives and fortunes in your service and support: -indeed, we are bounden so to do by the solemn resolutions entered into -at our last congregation, feeling ourselves greatly obliged to your -royal majesty for the innumerable acts of kindness shown to us.</p> - -<p>'The first advice we shall give regards your finances, that they -may be put under a better administration as speedily as may be. We -therefore recommend it as expedient for you to shut the hands of all -your treasurers, directors and receivers, without any exception, and to -dismiss them from their offices, taking, at the same time, possession -of all their fortunes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> moveable and immoveable, and having their -persons secured, until they shall have rendered you a just account of -their administration.</p> - -<p>'Item, we think it necessary that you should annul all assignments -of grants and extraordinary pensions. We advise, that you instantly -command, under pain of death and confiscation of goods, all receivers, -treasurers, and other officers in the country, as well of your domain -as of other taxes, to bring you the whole sums they may have in their -hands, and that they make no payment whatever, by way of assignation, -to any one, however great his rank, excepting to such as yourself shall -then order; that, at the same time, they bring you their books, and all -papers concerning their receipt, and that, on their arrival, they have -no communication whatever with the aforesaid directors, under pain of -the above punishments.</p> - -<p>'Item, in order the more effectually to establish order in your -finances, seeing the great waste and misapplication of the large sums -that have been raised for your personal defence, and in support of the -war, you will order the whole of the receipt of taxes to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> produced -before you, as is your right, that henceforth they may be applied -according to the true intent of raising them, and as the urgency -of events may require. When the great need of such an ordinance is -considered, no one ought to be dissatisfied; and on this subject have -the goodness to keep in remembrance the prudent conduct of your father -king Charles, whose soul may God receive! who nobly employed his taxes -in driving the English out of his kingdom, and by this means made -himself master of fortresses that were not before under his subjection: -his officers and army were, at the same time, well paid; and there -remained to him an overplus, which served him to purchase many precious -jewels.</p> - -<p>'Item, should these means not be sufficient for your immediate wants, -it seems to us that as you have treasuries in different parts, you may -justly take from them, for they are alike your own. There are also a -number of very rich persons, to the number of sixteen hundred, who -can at any time be named to you: these ought to assist in the support -of the poor,—for one third of them do not pay, one with another, one -hundred francs, which certainly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> cannot oppress them; but repayments -may be made them when the treasury shall be better filled, according to -the most advised plan.</p> - -<p>'Item, we recommend that you nominate for receivers of your finances, -as well from your demesne, as from the taxes, prudent persons, fearing -God, without avarice, and who were never employed in any such offices, -with reasonable salaries, but without any extraordinary presents, by -whom your finances will be distributed according to the wants of the -state, and the overplus paid into your private treasury. When such are -appointed, all deputy-receivers, and tax-collectors, should be ordered -to produce their papers and books to them.</p> - -<p>'Item, we recommend that all the schedules of the common expenses of -yourself, the queen and the duke of Acquitaine, be carefully examined, -so that the annual amount may be exactly known, which we believe does -not exceed two hundred thousand francs; for the treasurers do not -receive more than that sum from the demesne or taxes.</p> - -<p>'Item, in regard to the court of parliament, it is necessary that -all inefficient members be dismissed, and replaced by others better<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> -informed, who shall adhere to ancient usages. The presidents of -finances, of the civil and criminal courts, with the greffiers, -treasurers and clerks, must be handsomely provided for, but reduced to -a competent number.</p> - -<p>'Item, the chamber of accounts must undergo similar regulations; and -the members of it should consist of men of a prudent age, who may -inform you of any mismanagement in the finance-department.</p> - -<p>'Item, in regard to the minor officers, and deputy-receivers of -finance, we think that if the whole of this business was put under the -management of the presidents, you would gain considerably, whereas -these minor officers swallow up great sums in salaries and fees.</p> - -<p>'Item, it appears to us that you ought to select certain wise men, that -they may be solely your council, in conjunction with the princes of -your blood, and that they may loyally advise you for the real good of -yourself and state, having their attention directed to nothing else, -and that, when so doing, they should be strenuously supported by you in -such wise that whatever they may propose for the welfare of the state -may be instantly put into execution, without any opposition whatever. -They should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> take such oaths as are usually taken, or any more solemn -ones, such as you shall think proper.</p> - -<p>'Item, we recommend that the defence of the frontiers of Picardy, -of Acquitaine, and of other parts, be sufficiently provided for, -by allotting adequate sums of money for the payment of men at arms -and repairs of castles, so that all danger of invasion, and other -inconveniences, may be prevented.</p> - -<p>'Item, to check as much as possible the daily oppression of the lower -orders, by provosts and other inferior officers, it will be necessary -to nominate honest and discreet persons, with moderate salaries, to -overlook their conduct, and see that these men do not surcharge the -poor by exorbitant fines.</p> - -<p>'Item, there are several other oppressive grievances that have lasted -for a considerable time, and which cannot be immediately remedied. Your -daughter and aforesaid dutiful subjects promise to apply themselves -diligently concerning them; and they most humbly and earnestly -supplicate you to reform the abuses they have stated to you, and -more especially those that relate to your treasury, which has been -exceedingly wasted, and that without any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> cause. They also beg of -you to appoint a commission of the princes of your blood, with other -well-informed persons, no way connected or related to those who have -had the management of your finances, that they may reform and punish -all who have been culpable, let their rank be what it may.</p> - -<p>'Item, we also entreat that you would order the prelates and chief -citizens in the different provinces, to impeach those who in their -districts have been guilty of any peculations in your finances. All -these things, most redoubted lord, have your aforesaid daughter and -dutiful subjects laid before you, as being anxiously interested in your -honour and welfare, and in the preservation of your crown and kingdom. -Your aforesaid daughter has not done this through any expectation of -worldly profit, but simply as her duty; for it is well known she has -not been accustomed to hold offices, nor to seek for such profits, but -solely to attend to her studies, and to remonstrate with you on what -touches your honour and welfare whenever the case may require it.</p> - -<p>'But although she has several times presented herself before you, to -remonstrate on some of the before-mentioned grievances,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> no remedy has -been hitherto applied, by which your kingdom is in the utmost possible -danger. Your faithful and loyal subjects again acquit themselves of -their duty; and, that the reformation may now be entered upon in -earnest, your aforesaid daughter requires the aid of your eldest son -the duke of Acquitaine, and of the duke of Burgundy, by whom a reform -was some time since begun, with heart and hand, without sparing any -one, with whom your daughter joined, considering such reformation was -so much wanted.</p> - -<p>'However, from the great opposition made by those who were interested -in checking it, no great progress was made, for they were afraid the -consequences would have been fatal to them. They urged every objection -to it, as well as those now in power. We demand also the assistance of -our much-honoured lords of Nevers, of Vertus, of Charolois, of Bar, -and of Lorraine, of the constable and marshal of France, of the grand -master of Rhodes, of the admiral, of the master of the cross-bows, -and in general of all the chivalry and esquiredom in the realm, whose -peculiar duty is to watch for the preservation of your crown, and also -of your counsellors and all other your subjects,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> who, according to -their several situations, may wish to acquit themselves toward your -majesty.</p> - -<p>'It has been publicly said by some, that your aforesaid daughter has -made this exposition to your majesty, through hatred to particular -persons, and from the reports of five or six. May it please you to -know, that she has never been accustomed to gain information by such -means, but has learnt the existence of the before-stated grievances -from their public notoriety; and there is no man so ignorant as -not to be fully sensible of the truths we have asserted, and of -the culpability of those we have impeached. She has also received -informations from many who are attached to your person, who have not -indeed been gainers by it; but in further regard to them, she will be -silent, unless you shall order otherwise in a private audience.</p> - -<p>'Your daughter, therefore, concludes by begging your majesty to pursue -diligently, and without delay, an examination and reform of the -above grievances, in which she will join without the least personal -disrespect to your royal person, otherwise your daughter would not -acquit herself properly in regard to your royal majesty.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>After this conclusion, the university demanded of the princes, -prelates, and lords, then present, that they would avow that what they -had declared would be for the honour of the king and the welfare of -the kingdom, which they complied with; adding, that they were ready to -assist in carrying the aforesaid reforms into execution to the utmost -of their power.</p> - -<p>The king's ministers, more especially those of the finances, were -thunderstruck, and fearful of an immediate arrest. Among them, master -Henry de Marle, chancellor of France, seeing that he was accused with -the others, found means of admission to the king, and by his fair -promises, and by engaging to pay a very large sum of ready money within -a few days, he contrived to gain his favour.</p> - -<p>On the following Saturday, the 2d day of March, Andrew Guiffart, one -of the treasurers, was arrested and confined in the Châtelet: his -associate, John Guerin, took refuge in a church,—and thither also fled -sir Peter des Essars, provost of Paris, who lately had great command in -the expedition to Bourges. The duke of Burgundy had hitherto supported -him, but his affection was cooled, for the provost<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> had lately shown -himself more attached to the party of Orleans.</p> - -<p>Having formed the resolution of quitting Paris, sir Peter des Essars -sent Thomelin de Brie with five other men at arms to gain possession -of the bridge at Charenton, that his passage over it might be secured; -but they were made prisoners by the inhabitants of Charenton, who had -received information of their coming, and carried back to the tower of -the Louvre, wherein they were confined. The provost, learning this, -took another road, and escaped to Cherbourg, of which place he was -the governor, and remained there for some time. Shortly afterward, -Baudrin de la Heuse was appointed provost of Paris, for the king -had now relapsed into his former disorder. The duke of Acquitaine, -however, took the whole government of the kingdom into his own hands; -and many of the king's ministers, particularly those in the treasury, -were ordered to be put under arrest, until they should have rendered a -faithful account of all their receipts.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAP_XVI" id="CHAP_XVI">CHAP. XVI.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE DUKE OF ACQUITAINE IS DISPLEASED WITH HIS CHANCELLOR.—JEALOUSIES -ARISE AMONG THE GREAT LORDS,—AND OTHER MATTERS.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">In</span> these days, at a full council, of which the duke of Acquitaine was -president, high words passed between the chancellor of France and the -lord d'Ollehaing<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> chancellor of Acquitaine, insomuch that the latter -told the chancellor his words were not gospel; and the other madly -replied, that he lied in his throat.—Several other abusive expressions -were used by him, and so often that the chancellor of France said, -'You abuse me, who am chancellor of France, and have often done so: -nevertheless, I have always borne it patiently, from respect to my lord -of Acquitaine, who is now present, and shall even still suffer it.'</p> - -<p>But the duke of Acquitaine, hearing these words, arose in a -passion, and, taking his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> chancellor by the shoulders, thrust him -out of the council-chamber, saying, 'You are a wicked and proud -vagabond, for having thus abused the chancellor of my lord the king -in my presence,—and I have no further need of your services.' In -consequence, the lord d'Ollehaing resigned the seals, which were given -to master John de Vailly, advocate in the parliament, who was appointed -chancellor of Acquitaine in his stead.</p> - -<p>The queen attempted, but in vain, to appease her son, as did the duke -of Burgundy, who had recommended the late chancellor to him; for he now -took the whole government into his hands, and insisted that every thing -should be done according to his pleasure. Some of his confidential -servants encouraged him in this conduct, as the welfare of the kingdom -concerned him more than any one else; and since, as he was now of a -proper age to govern, it was absolutely necessary for him to take the -reins, considering the melancholy state of the king his father.</p> - -<p>Among those who thus encouraged him were the duke of Bar, duke Louis of -Bavaria, the count de Vertus, and others of that faction then at Paris, -who visited him often, and desired<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> nothing more than that he would -take the government of the kingdom upon himself.</p> - -<p>The duke of Burgundy was duly informed of all these intrigues, and saw -clearly that their object was to drive him from the administration, -which very much displeased him. He formed different plans, and -remembered that the duke of Acquitaine had told him, when before -Bourges, that he would put an end to the war, and was sensible that the -treaty of peace then concluded was contrary to the engagements sworn to -be observed at the royal council held at Paris previous to their march -from the capital. Nevertheless, he did not openly show that he was hurt -by what was passing.</p> - -<p>At this time, the county of Poitou was given to John de Touraine<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a>, -at the instance of duke William of Hainault, whose daughter he had -married. The Poitevins made all the opposition they could, as they -preferred being vassals to the king; but it was taken possession of -in the name of the duke of Touraine, by the lords d'Andregines and de -Mouchas, members of duke William's household, who brought with them the -king's grant of this county, which was proclaimed in the usual manner.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p> - -<p>At the same period, namely, about Mid Lent, some of the inhabitants -of Soissons rose suddenly in rebellion, and, advancing to the castle, -broke down all the out-walls as well as those which surrounded their -city, to open a free entrance on all sides. They also demolished the -bridge over the river that gave access to the castle, so that none -could gain admittance but by means of boats, which might formerly -have been done without their leave. This castle belonged to the duke -of Orleans, who was much exasperated by their conduct, although at -the moment he could not obtain any reparation, notwithstanding he had -remonstrated with the king's ministers on the subject.</p> - -<p>At the request of the duke of Acquitaine, the head and body of sir -Mansart du Bos, who had been beheaded at Paris, were restored to his -widow and children. At ten o'clock at night, his head was taken down -from the market-place, and his body from Montfaucon: they were united -together in a coffin, and carried to the town of Rainsseval, in the -diocese of Amiens, where his remains were honourably interred near the -bodies of his father and ancestors.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> - - - - - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> <i>Sir John de Neele</i> in the original, and so before. Was -sir J. de Neele lord of Ollehaing? It appears so from p. 156.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Second son of the king.</p></div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2><a name="CHAP_XVII" id="CHAP_XVII">CHAP. XVII.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">HENRY OF LANCASTER, KING OF ENGLAND, WHO HAD BEEN A VALIANT KNIGHT, -DIES IN THIS YEAR.—OF THE ALLIANCE BETWEEN HIM AND THE FRENCH PRINCES.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">Toward</span> the end of this year, died, Henry of Lancaster, king of England. -He had in his time been a valiant knight, eager and subtile against -his enemies, as is recorded in history, which also has enregistered -the strange and disgraceful manner of his obtaining the crown of -England, by dethroning his cousin-german Richard, after he had reigned -peacefully for twenty-two years. He was before his death sorely -oppressed with leprosy, which pitifully put an end to him, and he was -royally and honourably interred among his ancestors in Westminster -Abbey.</p> - -<p>This king left behind him four sons,—namely, Henry prince of Wales, -who succeeded to the throne, Thomas duke of Clarence, John duke of -Bedford, and Humphry duke of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> Glocester,—and a daughter married to -Philip Barbatus, duke of Bavaria<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a>.</p> - -<p>All the four sons were handsome, well made, and versed in the different -sciences,—and in process of time each had great commands, of which -mention shall be hereafter made. But we must not omit reporting a -conversation that passed between the king and his eldest son at his -last moments. He was so sorely oppressed at the latter end of his -sickness that those who attended him, not perceiving him breathe, -concluded he was dead, and covered his face with a cloth. It was the -custom in that country, whenever the king was ill, to place the royal -crown on a cushion beside his bed, and for his successor to take it -on his death. The prince of Wales, being informed by the attendants -that his father was dead, had carried away the crown; but, shortly -after, the king uttered a groan, and his face was uncovered,—<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span>when, on -looking for the crown, he asked what was become of it? His attendants -replied, that 'my lord the prince had taken it away.' He bade them -send for the prince; and on his entrance, the king asked him why he -had carried away the crown? 'My lord,' answered the prince, 'your -attendants, here present, affirmed to me that you were dead; and as -your crown and kingdom belong to me as your eldest son, after your -decease, I had taken it away.'</p> - -<p>The king gave a deep sigh, and said, 'My fair son, what right have you -to it? for you well know I had none.' 'My lord,' replied the prince, -'as you have held it by right of your sword, it is my intent to hold -and defend it the same during my life.' The king answered, 'Well, act -as you see best; I leave all things to God, and pray that he would have -mercy on me!' Shortly after, without uttering another word, he departed -this life.</p> - -<p>After the king's interment, the prince of Wales was most honourably -crowned king, in the presence of the nobles and prelates of England, no -one appearing to contest his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> right.—When the duke of Clarence and the -English in the duchy of Acquitaine, heard of king Henry's death, they -returned as speedily as they could to England, for at that moment there -was a truce between the two countries. But, notwithstanding this truce, -the English on the frontiers of Calais continued to make inroads on, -and to harrass, the Boulonois, insomuch that the constable was obliged -to reinforce the garrisons of Ardres, Gravelines, and other places in -the french interest.</p> - -<p>Here follows a copy of the treaty concluded by king Henry IV. and his -children, on the one part, and the dukes of Berry, of Orleans, of -Bourbon, the counts d'Alençon, d'Armagnac, and the lord d'Albreth on -the other, on the 8th day of May, in the year 1412.</p> - -<p>It was first agreed to by the above lords, or by their commissioners, -that they would expose their lives and fortunes in the service of the -king of England, his heirs and successors, whenever they should be -required so to do, in all their just quarrels,—in which they include -the king of England's warfare in Guienne as a just quarrel, and -maintain that the duchy of Guienne and its dependencies belong to him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> -by right of succession, and that by such declaration and assistance -they shall no way act contrary to their loyalty.</p> - -<p>'Item, the aforesaid lords make offer, by themselves or their delegates -sufficiently authorised, of their sons, daughters, nephews, nieces, -relations, in short, of all their subjects, to contract such marriages -as shall be agreeable to the aforesaid king of England.</p> - -<p>'Item, they likewise make offer of all their towns, castles, treasures, -and in general all belonging to them for the assistance of the said -king and his heirs in all their lawful quarrels, saving their loyalty, -which they have more fully explained in other acts passed between them.</p> - -<p>'Item, they also make offer of all their friends and adherents, to -support the said king in the recovery of his duchy of Guienne.</p> - -<p>'Item, the aforesaid lords are willing, without any fraud or deceit, to -acknowledge at the altar, or in any sacred place, the said king's right -to the duchy of Guienne, in as full a manner as any of his predecessors -ever possessed it.</p> - -<p>'Item, the aforesaid lords acknowledge, by themselves or their -delegates, that all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> towns, castles, and possessions they may have -in Guienne, they hold under the king of England, as the true duke of -Guienne, promising every service due from their homage, to be performed -in the best possible manner by them.</p> - -<p>'Item, they also engage to deliver up to the king of England, as far as -lies in their power, all towns and castles, said to have belonged to -the king of England, to the number of twenty, as well castles as towns, -which are fully detailed in the treaty<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a>.</p> - -<p>'In regard to the other towns and fortresses that are not under their -obedience, they will gain them, or assist the king of England or his -heirs to gain them, at their expense and with a sufficient number of -men.</p> - -<p>'Item, as is more fully detailed in the treaty, that it shall be -agreeable to the king of England that the duke of Berry, his loyal -uncle, subject and vassal, that the duke of Orleans, his subject and -vassal, and in like manner the count d'Armagnac, do hold under him the -following lands by fealty and homage. The duke of Berry shall possess<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> -the county of Poitou during his life: the duke of Orleans shall hold -the county of Angoulême for his life, and the county of Perigord in -perpetuity: the count d'Armagnac shall hold four castles specified in -the treaty, upon the terms and conditions therein declared.</p> - -<p>'Item, among the engagements entered into by the king of England as -duke of Guienne, he was to guarantee them safe possession of the above -places, and to defend them against all enemies whatever, and afford -them the assistance due from their true and superior lord,—and he -was also to aid them in bringing the duke of Burgundy to exemplary -punishment.</p> - -<p>'And the said king was not to make or enter into any treaties with the -duke of Burgundy, his children, brother, or with any of his adherents, -without the previous consent of the aforesaid princes.</p> - -<p>'Item, the king of England promises to assist the aforesaid lords as -his loyal vassals in all their just wars, and to enforce recompense to -them by the duke of Burgundy for all the damages he may have done to -them.</p> - -<p>'Item, the king of England will instantly send them eight thousand -combatants to their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> aid against the duke of Burgundy, who has excited -the king of France to march against them with the whole force of his -realm.'</p> - -<p>This treaty of alliance was signed and sealed by the parties on the 8th -day of May, in this year 1412. The aforesaid princes, however, agreed -to pay the men at arms, whom the king of England should send to them, -and gave sufficient securities for so doing.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> Monstrelet has forgotten Philippa of Lancaster, Henry's -younger daughter, married to Eric king of Denmark, and died without -issue. His elder daughter outliving the duke of Bavaria, and her second -husband the king of Arragon, was married to the duke of Bar, but had no -issue by any of them.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> See the original treaty in the Fœdera. It is dated the -18th of May, and not the 8th as in Monstrelet.</p></div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="center">[<span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 1413.]</p> - -<h2><a name="CHAP_XVIII" id="CHAP_XVIII">CHAP. XVIII.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE KING'S MINISTERS ARE GREATLY ALARMED AT THE ARREST OF SIR PETER DES -ESSARS AND OF THE DUKE OF BAR.—OTHER PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARISIANS.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">At</span> the beginning of this year, the king's ministers, that is to say, -those who had had the management of the finances under their care for -twenty years past, were much pressed to give in their accounts. Several -public and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> private accusations were made against them, which caused -the greater part to fear that they should not escape with honour. -Many had been arrested, and others had fled, whose fortunes had been -sequestrated by the king.</p> - -<p>They sought, therefore, by divers means, to obtain the protection of -those princes who governed the king; and sir Peter des Essars, who had -fled to Cherbourg, through the interest of the duke of Acquitaine, was -remanded to Paris. He secretly entered the bastille with his brother -sir Anthony, but not so privately as to prevent its being known to some -of the Parisians, who disliked him, and who instantly acquainted the -duke of Burgundy and his people with it, by whom he was equally hated. -A party of the commonalty was soon collected; and headed by sir Elion -de Jacqueville, then governor of Paris, and some others of the duke of -Burgundy's friends, they marched to the bastille, and made prisoners of -sir Peter des Essars and his brother, whom they first led to the castle -of the Louvre and then to the prison of the palace. When this was done, -they again assembled, to the amount of six thousand, under the standard -of the aforesaid Jacqueville, who was joined by sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> Robert de Mailly, -sir Charles de Lens, and several other men at arms of the household of -the duke of Burgundy,—and about ten o'clock in the morning they drew -up before the hôtel of the duke of Acquitaine.</p> - -<p>The principal instigators of this insurrection of the commonalty were, -Jeannot Caboche, a skinner of the slaughter-house of Saint James, -master John de Troyes, a surgeon at Paris, and Denisot de Chaumont, -who, having forcibly entered the apartment of the duke, addressed him -as follows: 'Our most redoubted lord, here are the Parisians, but not -all in arms, who on behalf of your good town of Paris, and for the -welfare of your father and yourself, require that you cause to be -delivered up to them certain traitors who are now in your hôtel.'</p> - -<p>The duke, in a fury, replied, that such affairs did not belong to -them, and that there were no traitors in his hôtel. They answered, -that if he were willing to give them up, well and good,—otherwise -they would take them before his face, and punish them according to -their deserts. During this conversation, the dukes of Burgundy and of -Lorraine arrived; and several of the Parisians at the same time entered -the hôtel, and instantly seized master<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> Jean de Vailly, the duke's new -chancellor, Edward duke of Bar, cousin-german to the king, sir James de -la Riviere, the two sons of the lord de Boissay, Michel de Vitry and -his brother, the two sons of sir Reginald de Guiennes, the two brothers -de Maisnel, the two de Geremmes, and Peter de Naisson.</p> - -<p>The duke of Acquitaine, witnessing this outrage committed -before his eyes, turned to the duke of Burgundy, and angrily -said,—'Father-in-law, this insurrection has been caused by your -advice: you cannot deny it, for those of your household are the leaders -of it. Know, therefore, that you shall one day repent of this; and the -state shall not alway be governed according to your will and pleasure.'</p> - -<p>The duke of Burgundy replied, by way of excusing himself, 'My lord, -you will inform yourself better, when your passion shall be somewhat -cooled.' But, notwithstanding this, those who had been seized were -carried off, and confined in different prisons.</p> - -<p>They afterward made search for master Raoul Bridoul, the king's -secretary, who, as they were carrying him away, was struck by one that -hated him with a battle-axe on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> head, and thrown dead into the -Seine. They also murdered a very rich upholsterer, who was an eloquent -man, called Martin d'Aue, and a cannon-founder, an excellent workman, -but who had been of the Orleans-party, whose bodies they left naked two -whole days in the square of St Catherine.</p> - -<p>They compelled the duke of Acquitaine to reside with the king his -father, in the hôtel de St Pol, and carefully guarded the gates that -he might not quit Paris. Some said this was done for his amendment, as -he was very young, and impatient of contradiction, but others assigned -different reasons: among them was one, that he had intended to have -tilted on May-day in the forest of Vincennes, and that he had ordered -sir Peter des Essars to meet him there with six hundred helmets, and to -pay them for one month, and that this order had been executed. It was -added, that the duke of Orleans and those of his party were collecting -large bodies of men at arms to join the duke of Acquitaine in the -forest of Vincennes, which had greatly displeased the duke of Burgundy -and the Parisians.</p> - -<p>It was melancholy to behold this reign of the mob, and the manner in -which they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> conducted themselves in Paris, as well toward the king as -toward the other lords. They also wrote letters to the different towns -to inform them that what they had done was for the welfare of the king -and kingdom, and required of them to give them all aid and advice -should there be any necessity for it, and to remain obedient in their -fidelity to the king and his eldest son.</p> - -<p>Afterward, that no assembly of men at arms might be made by any lord, -the king, at the request of these same Parisians, published an edict, -addressed to all the seneschals and bailiffs in the realm, of the -following tenour.</p> - -<p>'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting.</p> - -<p>'Whereas, in the divisions and disputes that so lately harrassed our -kingdom, we, and our very dear eldest son the duke of Acquitaine, -dauphin of Viennois, have so successfully laboured, that, through -God's grace, we have established a solid peace in our realm, for the -observance of which the greater part of our liege subjects have given -security, and have promised, on their oaths, to keep and preserve<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> it, -and not to issue any summons, or to raise any men, without our express -permission.</p> - -<p>'Notwithstanding this, we have heard that some of our blood, and -others, are making preparation to raise men, by way of companies, in -different parts of our kingdom, which may not only be very expensive to -the country, but cause other great inconveniences, unless an immediate -remedy be provided.</p> - -<p>'These, therefore, are to enjoin you to cause this our prohibition to -be most publicly proclaimed in the usual places within your bailiwick, -and to forbid any person, under penalty of death and confiscation of -goods, whether baron, knight or others, to obey any summons from their -superior lord, unless so ordered by us, our son, or our well-beloved -cousin the count de St Pol, constable of France, or others so -commissioned by us. That no doubts may arise in regard to these our -intentions, we send you this sealed with our great seal. You will -likewise inform all our vassals, that whenever and wherever we, or our -son, may send for them, they must obey.</p> - -<p>'And because our very dear uncle and cousin the dukes of Berry and of -Lorraine are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> continually in our service, our intention is not that -their vassals or subjects should be prevented going to them whenever -they are sent for, or whenever they may employ them in our service; and -should any in your bailiwick act contrary to the premises, we will and -order that you constrain them to do their duty, by arrest and seizure -of goods.</p> - -<p>'Given at Paris the 9th day of May in the year 1413, and of our reign -the 33d.' It was thus signed by the king, on the report made to him of -the council held by the dukes of Acquitaine, Berry and Lorraine, and -others, by J. Millet. It was then sent off, and proclaimed throughout -the kingdom in the usual places.</p> - -<p>The Parisians in those days wore an uniform dress with white hoods, -to distinguish all who were of their party. They even made many of -the nobles and prelates wear it; and what was more, the king himself -afterward put it on, which seemed to many discreet persons very -ridiculous, considering the abominable and detestable manner of the -Parisians, and their cruelties, which were almost beyond bearing; -but they were so powerful, and obstinate in their wickedness, that -the princes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> knew not well how to provide a remedy. They were also -strengthened in it from the belief that they should be supported by the -duke of Burgundy and his party, should there be occasion for it.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAP_XIX" id="CHAP_XIX">CHAP. XIX.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE PARISIANS PROPOSE WHATEVER MEASURES THEY PLEASE, IN THE PRESENCE OF -THE DUKE OF ACQUITAINE AND THE OTHER PRINCES.—CRUELTIES COMMITTED BY -THEM.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">On</span> Thursday the 11th of May, the Parisians held a great assembly, and -made various propositions, in the presence of the dukes of Acquitaine, -Berry, Burgundy and Lorraine, the counts of Nevers, Charolois, and -many nobles and prelates, with others, wearing white hoods by way of -uniform, who were said to exceed twelve thousand in number. Toward the -conclusion, they presented a roll to the duke of Acquitaine, which he -would have refused to accept; but they constrained him not only to take -it, but to read its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> contents publicly. Sixty persons, as well absent -as present, were charged in this roll as traitors: twenty of whom were -instantly arrested, and confined in prison. In this number were the -lord de Boissay, master of the household to the king, Michel Lallier, -and others to the number above mentioned. The absent that had been thus -accused were summoned by sound of trumpet, in all the squares of Paris, -to appear within a few days, under penalty, in case of disobedience, of -having their properties confiscated to the king's use.</p> - -<p>On the 18th day of this same month, the king recovered his health, and -went from his hôtel of St Pol to the church of Nôtre Dame, wearing a -white hood like the other princes. When he had finished his prayers, he -returned home accompanied by a vast multitude of people. On the Monday -following, the Parisians had their city surrounded by numbers of men at -arms, so that no person might leave it without permission: the gates -were closely shut, and the bridges drawn up and watched by a numerous -guard at each, armed with all sorts of weapons. They also appointed -armed divisions of tens in all the streets; and when this was done, the -provost of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> merchants, the sheriffs, and other leaders marched a -large body of armed men to the hôtel of St Pol, which they surrounded -with a line three deep; and having given their orders how they were -to act, they waited on the king, the queen, and the dauphin, who were -perfectly ignorant of their proceedings.</p> - -<p>There was at this time a grand assembly of nobles in Paris, namely, -the dukes of Berry, Burgundy, Lorraine, and duke Louis of Bavaria, -brother to the queen, who was on the morrow to marry, at the hôtel de -St Pol, the sister of the count d'Alençon, the widow of the lord Peter -de Navarre, count de Mortain. The counts de Nevers, de Charolois, de -St Pol, constable of France, and many more great barons and prelates, -were likewise present. They there ordered a carmelite friar, called -friar Eustache, to harangue the king, who, having taken for his text -'Nisi Dominus custodierit civitatem suam, frustra vigilat qui custodit -eam,' discoursed well and long upon it, and made some mention of the -prisoners, of the bad state of the government of the kingdom, and of -the crimes that were committed.</p> - -<p>When he had ended his speech, the chancellor of France bade him say who -were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> his protectors, when instantly the provost of merchants and the -sheriffs acknowledged him. But as there were but few people present, -and as they did not speak loud enough, according to the will of the -chancellor, some of them descended to the court to call those of the -greatest birth and weight that had remained armed below.</p> - -<p>The principal leaders returned with them to the king's apartment, -and with bended knees avowed that what father Eustache had said was -conformable to their sentiments; that they had the sincerest love for -him and for his family, and that their sole wish was to serve his royal -majesty with clean and pure hearts; that every thing they had done had -been for the welfare of himself and his kingdom, as well as for the -preservation of his person and family.</p> - -<p>While this was passing, the duke of Burgundy, noticing the line of -armed men that were drawn up three deep, and surrounding the king's -hôtel, went down and earnestly entreated of them to retire, demanding -of them what they wanted, and why they were thus come armed; for that -it was neither decent nor expedient that the king, who was so lately -recovered from his illness, should thus see them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> drawn up, as it -were, in battle-array. They replied, they were not assembled with -an ill intent, but for the good of the king and his kingdom: they -concluded by giving him a roll, and said, they were on no account to -depart thence until those whose names were therein inscribed should be -delivered up to them, namely, Louis of Bavaria, brother to the queen, -and the following knights: Charles de Villers, Courard Bayer, Jean de -Neelle lord d'Ollehaing, the archbishop of Bourges, master William -Boisratier, confessor to the queen, Jean Vincent, Colin de Pieul, -Jeannet de Cousteville, Mainfroy, treasurer to the duke of Acquitaine, -and a courier of the duke of Orleans, who happened accidentally to be -in Paris, having brought letters from his master to the king; the lady -Bona d'Armagnac, lady of Montauban<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a>, la dame du Quesnoy, la dame -d'Avelays, la dame de Noyon, la dame du Chastel, and four other damsels.</p> - -<p>When the duke of Burgundy found that every thing he could say was -vain, he went to the queen, and showed her the list they had given to -him, telling her what they required.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> She was much troubled thereat, -and, calling her son the dauphin, bade him return with the duke of -Burgundy, and entreat them most affectionately in her name to desist -for only eight days from their present demands, and that on the eighth -day she would without fail deliver up her brother, or suffer them to -arrest him, and carry him a prisoner to the Louvre, to the palace, or -whithersoever they should please.</p> - -<p>The duke of Acquitaine, hearing these words from his mother, retired -to a private chamber and wept bitterly,—but was followed by the duke -of Burgundy, who exhorted him not to weep, which he complied with, and -wiped away his tears. They descended to the Parisians, and the duke of -Burgundy explained in a few words the request of the queen; but they -positively refused to grant it, and declared they would go up to the -queen's apartment,—and should those contained in the list be refused -to be given up, they would take them by force, even in the king's -presence, and carry them away prisoners.</p> - -<p>The two dukes, hearing this answer, went back to the queen, whom they -found in conversation with her brother and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> king. They reported -their reception from the Parisians,—when the duke of Bavaria, seeing -he could not escape, full of bitterness and distress, descended down to -them, and desired that he alone might be taken into custody; that if he -were found guilty, he might be punished without mercy,—otherwise that -he might instantly have his liberty, and go to Bavaria, never more to -return to France.</p> - -<p>The others also, with the ladies and damsels, were forced to surrender -themselves, but it was not without great lamentations and effusion of -tears. They were directly put two and two on horseback, each horse -escorted by four men at arms, and carried, some prisoners to the -Louvre, and others to the palace, followed by a large body of the -Parisians under arms. When this was done, the king went to his dinner, -and the queen with her son retired in great grief to their apartments.</p> - -<p>Within a short time, the courier was set at liberty,—and so was the -lord d'Ollehaing, who was reinstated in the office of chancellor of -Acquitaine, from which he had been dismissed.</p> - -<p>The duke of Burgundy had under his guard his cousin-german the duke -of Bar,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> sir Peter and sir Anthony des Essars, with other prisoners -confined in the Louvre, whom he caused to be attended by his servants, -and for whose security he had pledged himself. But he acted quite -contrary, and returned them to the Parisians, who imprisoned them -closely, and caused twelve knights to be nominated by the king as -commissaries, and six examiners, to inquire into their offences, and to -condemn and punish them according to the heinousness of their crimes -and the exigence of the case.</p> - -<p>In consequence of this, a statement was drawn up by directions of the -duke of Berry, uncle to the duke of Bar, the countess de St Pol, and -others his friends, and given to the Parisians, who sent it to the -university of Paris for their advice and approbation of what they had -done. The university replied, that they would no way intermeddle nor -advise in the business; and they moreover declared, in full council -before the king, that so far from having advised the arrest of the duke -of Bar and the other prisoners, they were much displeased that it had -taken place.</p> - -<p>The Parisians, therefore, seeing that the university was disunited -from them, and fearing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> that their conduct would, in after times, be -examined into, obtained from the king and his council a royal edict, as -an indemnity and excuse for their actions, the tenour of which was as -follows.</p> - -<p>'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to all to whom -these presents shall come, greeting, on the part of our dear and -well-beloved, the provost, sheriffs, citizens and inhabitants of this -good town of Paris.</p> - -<p>'We make known, that for our urgent profit and welfare, and also for -that of our very dear son the duke of Acquitaine, dauphin of Viennois, -and for the public welfare, for the security of our good town of -Paris, and to obviate inconveniences that might have arisen from the -malversation of some of our ministers, as well those of justice as -others, and in order to prevent such malversations from increasing, -certain arrests have lately taken place on divers men and women, as -well of our blood and household as of those of our very well beloved -consort the queen, of our son, and our very dear daughter the duchess -of Acquitaine, and countess of Charolois, for the effecting of which -arrests a large assemblage of men at arms was thought expedient, -considering the rank and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> power of those to be arrested, who are now -confined in our prisons of the Louvre, of our palace, and in different -prisons in our good town of Paris.</p> - -<p>'The crimes alledged against them are for treasonable practices -committed against us, our said son, the welfare of the kingdom and that -of our good city of Paris, and also concerning the government of our -person, of our son, and of the police of our said town and kingdom, for -all of which sufficient judges have been appointed, who will examine -into their various delinquencies, and punish in such wise as the public -good may require, so that our good city of Paris, which is the head of -our realm, may not again suffer any alarms through their fault, or that -of their accomplices, who, fearing the consequences, have escaped out -of the city.</p> - -<p>'For these causes, and from the great love and loyalty they bear to -us, who are their sovereign and natural lord, as well as to our said -eldest son, the aforesaid provost, sheriffs, and citizens of Paris, -have requested these presents, in order that good government may be -restored, the security and welfare of our person and state be provided -for, and that such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> arrests and imprisonments may be considered as -solely done out of the purity of their loyal intentions towards us, our -family, and the public good of the realm.</p> - -<p>'We will, therefore, that such arrests and imprisonments be so -considered, and that they be regarded as done for the true honour and -profit of us and of our crown; and that all who have been abettors or -aiding in the above arrests and imprisonments, noble or not noble, -shall be deemed praiseworthy; and by the advice of some of our kindred, -as well as by that of our great council, we do approve of and avow such -acts.</p> - -<p>'By the tenour of these presents we acknowledge and hold them for -agreeable, and forbid that for these causes, or for any others that may -be connected with them, those who have thus acted be any way harrassed -or molested in body or estate, or any suit be preferred against them in -our courts of justice, by any means or pretext whatever, but that they -shall be held acquitted in perpetuity.</p> - -<p>'We give this, therefore, in command to all our beloved and faithful -counsellors, who now hold or shall hereafter hold our courts of -parliament at Paris, all masters of requests in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> our household, and -those holding similar situations in our royal palace, all officers -in our exchequer, and all commissaries named to inspect our finance -and domain, as well as those lately appointed to examine into the -charges brought against the prisoners in our castle of the Louvre, and -elsewhere in our prisons in Paris, to the provost of Paris, to all our -seneschals, bailiffs, provosts, judges and other officers of justice -at present and in times to come, and to each as in duty bound, that -they do proclaim these presents in the accustomed public places, and -that they do see that the commands herein contained be not infringed -or disobeyed, so that the engagements we have entered into with the -parties demanding these presents may be punctually observed.</p> - -<p>'And as the parties may wish hereafter to renew the publicity of these -presents, we will that there be exact copies made of them under the -seal of the Châtelet, or other royal seals, to make them as authentic -as the original, and that they may be of equal efficacy. Given at Paris -the 24th day of May, in the year of Grace 1413, and of our reign the -33d.'</p> - -<p>It was thus signed by the king in council; at which were present the -dukes of Berry<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> and Burgundy, the constable of France, the archbishop -of Bourges, the bishop of Evreux, the bishop of Tournay, the grand -master of the household, the lord de la Trimouille governor to the -dauphin, sir Anthony de Craon, sir Philippe de Poitiers, the chancellor -of Burgundy, the abbot of St Jean, master Eustace de la Chere, the -lords de Viefville, de Mont-Beron<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a>, de la Rochefoucault<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a>, the -provost of Paris, sir Charles de Savoisy, the hermit de Faye, Jean de -Courcelles, the lord d'Allegrez<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a>, master Mille d'Orgemont, Raoul le -Saige, Mille d'Angeul, Jean de Longneux, and many others. 'P. Naucron.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> Bona, eldest daughter of the constable d'Armagnac, -afterwards married to Charles duke of Orleans.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> Called before 'Mouberon;' but Montberon is right. James, -son of Imbert lord of Montberon in Angoumois, was made mareschal of -France in 1422, in the place of John de Villiers de l'Isle-Adam.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> Guy VIII. lord of la Rochefoucault, was one of the first -lords of Guienne who did homage to the crown of France after the peace -of Bretigny. Froissart mentions a duel which took place in 1380 between -this nobleman and William lord of Montferrand, at which he was attended -by two hundred gentlemen of his own family. He married Margaret de -Craon, lady of Marsillac and Montbazon, by whom he had two sons, -Foulcault III. lord of la Rochefoucault, mentioned hereafter, and Aymar -lord of Montbazon and Sainte Maure.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Called 'Allaigre' in the original. Alegre is the name of -a noble and ancient family of Auvergue.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h2><a name="CHAP_XX" id="CHAP_XX">CHAP. XX.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE COUNT DE VERTUS AND SEVERAL OF THE NOBILITY LEAVE PARIS.—OTHER -REGULATIONS AND EDICTS OBTAINED FROM THE KING BY THE PARISIANS.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">During</span> these melancholy times, the count de Vertus, indignant at the -arrest of the duke of Bar and other nobles, secretly left Paris, -attended by two persons only, without the knowledge of the king or the -duke of Burgundy, and hastened to his brother the duke of Orleans, at -Blois, to whom he related all the extraordinary events that had passed -in Paris, as well in the hôtel of the king as in that of the dauphin, -and elsewhere, to the great displeasure of the duke of Orleans.</p> - -<p>The duke of Burgundy was much vexed at the departure of the count de -Vertus, for he had hopes to accomplish the marriage that had been for -some time agreed on between him and his daughter. Many other noblemen -quitted Paris from fear of the changes that were taking place, namely, -sir James de<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> Chastillon, eldest son to the lord de Dampierre, the -lords de Croy and de Roubaix, Coppin de la Viefville, master Raoul, -head provost of St Donas at Bruges, Pierre Genstiere, who had lately -been provost of merchants, and many more. Several were particularly -remanded by the duke of Burgundy, who returned in great alarm, and not -without cause; for of those who had been imprisoned, many were daily, -without regard to sex, drowned in the Seine, or miserably put to death, -without any form of law or justice.</p> - -<p>On the 26th day of May, the king went to the parliament, and, at the -instance of the duke of Burgundy and the Parisians, held a royal -sitting, and caused several edicts to be published respecting the -reformation of abuses. These, and other regulations for the government -of the kingdom, were sent to the different bailiwicks, and other usual -places, for proclamation. One of them was directed against sir Clugnet -de Brabant, who in company with other captains had assembled in great -force on the river Loire, to be ready to march to Paris,—the tenour of -which was as follows.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting.—Whereas it has come to our -knowledge, that notwithstanding the very great oppressions which -our subjects have suffered in various parts of our realm from the -assembling of large bodies of men at arms, which the princes of our -blood, and other barons, have thought proper, at different periods, to -raise on their own authority,—there are still several who now continue -such practices, to the great grievance of our faithful subjects. We -have caused to be published and proclaimed throughout our realm, as -well by messages as by sealed letters, our strict prohibition of such -acts, under very heavy penalties; and we have ordered, that none, of -whatever rank he may be, subject or foreigner, shall have the boldness -to raise any men in future on their own sole authority, whether by way -of companies or otherwise, without our special orders, or in obedience -to our summons to come to serve us.</p> - -<p>'Several of our kindred, however, contrary to these our orders, and in -opposition to the treaty of peace lately concluded at Auxerre by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> us, -to put an end to dissentions which had arisen in our family, and which -they solemnly swore to observe, are now preparing to assemble large -bodies of men at arms without any authority or licence from us, and to -unite them with a numerous army of English and foreigners, to carry -into effect their damnable purposes, which they have plotted against us -and our government, according to the information we have received.</p> - -<p>'We have been repeatedly assured that they are favoured and supported -by many in an underhand manner; and to force others to join them, they -harrass and despoil all who have served us, more especially those who -assisted us in our late expedition to Bourges, when we considered -them as enemies of the state, and marched thither with the intent of -correcting them sufficiently for their outrageous conduct.</p> - -<p>'They at this moment, as we have had sufficient information, commit -every sort of violence, by killing our subjects, violating damsels, -setting fire to houses and villages, and despoiling churches, and many -other atrocious crimes, such as the bitterest enemies<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> of the country -would commit, and which are such bad examples that they must not longer -be suffered.</p> - -<p>'In consequence, therefore, of the lamentations and heavy complaints -that have been made to us, we are resolved to remedy these grievances, -which are so highly displeasing to us, in the most effectual manner: -we therefore most expressly enjoin and command you, by these presents, -that you instantly make public proclamation, by sound of trumpet, of -this our prohibition, for any knight, esquire, or others accustomed -to bear arms, of whatever rank they may be,—and we order them, on -pain of our severest anger, and on the loyalty they owe us, not to -arm themselves, nor to join any bodies that may have assembled in -arms within our kingdom without our especial authority, nor to obey -the summons of any one related to our person or not, on any occasion -whatever, unless they be particularly ordered by us to join them for -the good of our service.</p> - -<p>'All whom you shall hear of having such intentions, you will command, -in our name, to desist, and peaceably to return to their dwellings, or -whither else they may please, without doing any harm to our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> subjects. -Should they refuse to obey your orders, and persist in their wicked -intentions, you will instantly take possession, in our name, of all -their castles, dwellings and possessions, causing an exact inventory to -be made out, of the real and annual value, which you will place in the -hands of safe persons to administer such estates, to render us an exact -account of their amount, and to relinquish them whenever we may see -good. You will also proceed against them as rebels; for we abandon them -to you to imprison and punish according as you shall judge expedient.</p> - -<p>'You will likewise, should they have quitted their dwellings, pursue -them by every means in your power, shutting them out from all towns, -and depriving them of provisions, and harrassing them in every way -deserving of their disobedience, and to serve as an example to others.</p> - -<p>'It is not, however, our intention that such of the princes of -our blood as are now near our person, and in our service, should -be prevented from ordering their vassals to come to them, or from -employing them for our welfare, as they shall specify in their summons; -but they must not, on their march, live on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> country, or despoil -the inhabitants. Should any of them do the contrary, we command you to -proceed against them as against the aforesaid; and you will inflict on -them such punishments as their demerits require, without paying regard -to any letters of protection they may show to you.</p> - -<p>'To enable you to execute these our orders, we give you full authority -to call upon and assemble all our vassals and subjects to your aid, and -as many as you shall think necessary for the occasion, and to lead them -to any parts of your bailiwick where you shall hear of any robberies -or other rebellious acts being done. And we strictly enjoin, by these -presents, all our vassals and subjects, on the faith and loyalty they -owe us, and under pain of corporal punishment and confiscation of -goods, to obey your orders, and to assist you heartily to accomplish -the above commands.</p> - -<p>'That no one may pretend ignorance of them, you will cause these -presents to be proclaimed in all the different parts of your -bailiwick, or wherever else you shall judge proper. We also command -all our officers of justice, and others having authority under us, -and we entreat all our friends and wellwishers,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> to aid and support -you on this service, and diligently to keep up a good understanding -with you thereon, and to show you every favour, even allowing their -dwellings to be turned into prisons, should the exigency of any case -require it,—for we delegate to you full and complete authority, -notwithstanding any opposition or appeal made to the contrary. Given at -Paris the 6th day of June, in the year of Grace 1413, and of our reign -the 33d.'</p> - -<p>Then signed by the king, on the report of his council,—at which were -present my lords of Berry, Burgundy, the constable, the chancellor of -Burgundy, Charles de Savoisy, Anthony de Craon, the lords de Viefville, -de Montberon, Cambrilach, d'Allegrez, and many others.—'P. Naucron.'</p> - -<p>This edict was sent to the different bailiwicks and seneschalships in -the kingdom of France, and proclaimed in the usual places.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAP_XXI" id="CHAP_XXI">CHAP. XXI.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">KING LADISLAUS OF NAPLES ENTERS ROME WITH A POWERFUL ARMY.—THE DEATH -OF SIR JAMES DE LA RIVIERE.—THE DISMISSION OF THE CHANCELLOR,—AND -OTHER MATTERS.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">This</span> year, Ladislaus king of Naples and Sicily, at the instigation of -some false and disloyal traitors, marched a very large army to Rome, -which he entered without resistance, and began to pillage the whole -of it,—at the same time making prisoners the most powerful and rich -citizens, who were forced to ransom themselves by paying heavy sums of -money.</p> - -<p>Pope John and his cardinals, witnessing these transactions, took flight -in the utmost fear, and escaped from castle to castle, until they at -length reached Bologna, where the pope fixed his court. The greater -part of their estates were despoiled by this army of Ladislaus, who -for a long time reigned in Rome; and when, in consequence of certain -accommodations, he departed, he carried<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> away many precious jewels from -the churches and palaces.</p> - -<p>Sir James de la Riviere, brother to the count de Dampmartin, was taken -prisoner with the duke of Bar, in the hôtel of the duke of Acquitaine, -and carried to the palace-prison, where it was reported, that from -indignation at this treatment, he had struck himself so roughly with a -pewter-pot on the head as to beat his brains out. His body was thence -carried in a cart to the market-place of Paris, and beheaded.</p> - -<p>But the truth was otherwise; for sir Elion de Jacqueville, knight to -the duke of Burgundy, visiting him in prison, high words passed between -them, and he called him a false traitor. Sir James replied, that he -lied, for that he was none such,—when Jacqueville, enraged, struck him -so severe a blow on the head with a light battle-axe which he had in -his hand that he killed him. He then spread abroad this rumour of his -having put an end to his life himself by means of a pewter pot, which -was propagated by others through the town, and believed by very many.</p> - -<p>Shortly after this event, Mesnil Berry, carver to the duke of -Acquitaine, and a native<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> of Normandy, was led to the market-place, -and there beheaded. His head and that of sir James de la Riviere were -affixed to two lances, and their bodies hung by the shoulders on the -gibbet of Montfaucon.</p> - -<p>On the Thursday in Whitsun-week, Thomelin de Brie, who had been page to -the king, was, with two others, taken from the prison of the Châtelet -to the market-place, and beheaded: their heads were fixed on three -spears, and their bodies hung at Montfaucon by the shoulders. These -executions took place at the request of the Parisians.</p> - -<p>And because sir Reginald<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> de Corbie, a native of Beauvais, though an -old and discreet man, was not agreeable to them, he was dismissed from -his office of chancellor of France, and sir Eustache de Lactre<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a>, at -the solicitation of the duke of Burgundy, appointed to succeed him.</p> - -<p>On Tuesday, the 20th of June, Philip count de Nevers espoused, at the -castle of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> Beaumont, the sister of the count d'Eu, in the presence of -the duchess of Bourbon, her mother, and the damsel of Dreux, who had -been principally instrumental in forming this marriage.</p> - -<p>After the festivities of the wedding, the new-married couple were -conducted by the duchess of Bourbon and the damsel of Dreux to -Maizieres, on the Meuse, which belonged to the count de Nevers. The -count d'Eu, who had been of the party, soon after returned to his -county, where he collected a large body of men at arms, to the amount -of two thousand combatants, under the pretext of making war on the lord -de Croy, in revenge for an attack made upon him some time since, as has -been mentioned, by his eldest son sir John de Croy; but it was not so, -for he marched his army across the Seine at Pont-de-l'Arche, and thence -to Verneuil in Perche, where were assembled king Louis of Sicily, the -dukes of Orleans, Brittany, and Bourbon, the counts de Vertus and -d'Alençon, with many other great barons, lords, and knights, not only -on account of the imprisonment of the dukes of Bar and of Bavaria, -or of the other prisoners, but for the deliverance of the duke of -Acquitaine,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> who had informed them by letters, which had been confirmed -by the count de Vertus, that he himself, the king, and the queen were -kept as prisoners under the control of the Parisians, and that they -were not allowed any liberty, which was highly displeasing to them, and -disgraceful to royalty.</p> - -<p>This had caused so large an assembly of these great lords, who, after -mature consideration, wrote letters to the king, to his great council, -and to the Parisians, desiring them to allow the duke of Acquitaine to -go whithersoever he pleased, and to set at liberty the dukes of Bar and -of Bavaria, and all other prisoners. Should they refuse to comply, they -declared war against the town of Paris, which they would destroy to the -utmost of their power, and all within it, except the king and such of -his royal blood as may have therein remained. With regard to those that -had been murdered, they said nothing of them; for as they were dead, -they could not have them back.</p> - -<p>These letters were laid before the king in council, where it was -determined to send ambassadors to these lords to negotiate a peace, who -were kindly received by them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>On Saturday, the 1st day of July, after his trial had been concluded, -sir Peter des Essars, lately provost of Paris, and son to the late -Philippe des Essars, a citizen of that town, was beheaded in the -market-place, his head fixed on the market-house, and his body hung -at Montfaucon in the usual manner. His brother, sir Anthony, was in -great danger of being also executed; but through the activity of some -friends, a delay of his trial was procured, and he afterward obtained -his full liberty.</p> - -<p>In these days, as the king was in good health, he went to the cathedral -of Paris to say his prayers and hear mass. When it was over, he visited -the holy relics: he departed and returned to his hôtel, accompanied -by the duke of Burgundy and the constable of France, and followed by -crowds of people who had assembled to see him.</p> - -<p>On the morrow, the 6th of July, it was ordered in the king's council, -presided by the duke of Acquitaine, that John de Moreul, knight to -the duke of Burgundy, should be the bearer of letters and royal -summons to the two bailiwicks of Amiens and of Vermandois, and to all -the provostships within them. He was commanded to assemble all the -prelates,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> counsellors and magistrates of these districts, and then, in -full meeting, to read aloud these letters from the king, sealed with -his great seal, and dated this 6th day of July. Countersigned, 'John -Millet,' according to the resolution of council, at which had been -present the duke of Burgundy, the constable of France, the chancellor -of Acquitaine, the chancellor of Burgundy, and several others.</p> - -<p>These letters contained, in substance, an exhortation that they would -remain steady and loyal in their duty to the king, and be ready to -serve him or the dauphin whenever and wherever they should be summoned -to march against the enemies of the kingdom and the public weal; that -they should place confidence in his knight, counsellor and chamberlain, -sir John de Moreul, according to the instructions given him under the -king's privy seal, which he was to show and give them to read.</p> - -<p>When he had visited many towns and provostships in these bailiwicks, -he came on Monday, the 16th day of July, from Dourlens to Amiens, -and there, in the presence of the nobles, prelates, and principal -inhabitants of the great towns within the district, he read his letters -and instructions with a clear and loud<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> voice, for he was a man of -great eloquence. He explained how much the peace and union of the -kingdom had been and was troubled; how the trials of those who had been -beheaded at Paris were carried on before a sufficient number of able -and honest men, as well knights as advocates of the parliament, and -other lords and discreet men, who had been nominated for this purpose -by the king; and how sir James de la Riviere, in despair, had killed -himself with a pewter pot in which he had had wine, as well as the -manner in which he had done it.</p> - -<p>The charges which were brought against those who had been beheaded -occupied each sixty sheets of paper,—and he assured them, that good -and impartial justice had been administered to all who had been -executed, without favour or hatred having any concern in their just -sentences. He asserted, that the duke of Acquitaine had never written -such letters to the princes of the Orleans-party as they had published; -and he concluded,—'Know then, all ye present, that what I have just -been saying are notorious truths.'</p> - -<p>After this, he asked whether they were loyal and obedient to the king, -and desired<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> they would tell him their intentions. The nobles and -prelates, and the rest of the assembly, instantly replied, that they -had always been obedient to the king, and were ready to serve him, -believing that he had told them the truth. In confirmation of this, he -required letters from the provost, with which he returned to Paris.</p> - -<p>In like manner were other knights sent, in the king's name, with -similar letters and instructions to the different bailiwicks and -seneschalships within the realm, who, being equally successful, -returned with letters of the same import.</p> - -<p>While these things were passing, the English appeared off the coast -of Normandy with a large fleet of ships, and landed at the town of -Treport, where having plundered all they could find, and made some -prisoners, they set fire to it, and burnt the town and monastery, and -also some of the adjoining villages. When they had remained about -twenty-two hours on shore, they re-embarked and made sail for England -with their booty.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> - - - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> Called 'Ernault' a little after, which agrees with -Moreri's Arnold.—See <i>ante</i>, p. 14, note.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> In Moreri's list, Henry de Marle succeeds Arnauld de -Corbie in 1413, and is succeeded by Eustache de <i>Laitre</i> in 1418.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h2><a name="CHAP_XXII" id="CHAP_XXII">CHAP. XXII.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE AMBASSADORS FROM THE KING OF FRANCE RETURN WITH THOSE FROM THE -PRINCES TO PARIS.—THEY ARE JOINED BY OTHERS, WHO NEGOTIATE A FOURTH -PEACE AT PONTOISE.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">On</span> Wednesday, the 12th day of July, the ambassadors whom the king -and the dukes of Acquitaine, Berry, and Burgundy, had sent to the -princes of the blood, namely, the bishop of Tournay, the grand master -of Rhodes, the lords d'Offemont and de la Viefville, master Peter de -Marigny, and some others, returned from their embassy. The answer -they had brought having been soon after considered in council, the -king ordered the dukes of Berry and Burgundy to go with the aforesaid -ambassadors to Pontoise, when the king of Sicily, the dukes of Orleans -and of Bourbon, the counts d'Alençon and d'Eu came to Vernon, and -thence sent their ambassadors to Pontoise, to explain to the dukes of -Berry and Burgundy, and the other ambassadors, the causes of their -griefs, and the great miseries<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> that must ensue should the war take -place that was on the point of breaking out.</p> - -<p>One of their ambassadors harangued well in clear and good French on -the above subjects: the substance of what he said was as follows. 'To -explain what has been intrusted to us by our lords, namely, the king -of Sicily, the dukes of Orleans and of Bourbon, the counts d'Alençon -and d'Eu, to you, my very redoubted lords of Berry and Burgundy, and -to the gentlemen of the great council of the king and of my lord of -Acquitaine, now in their company, since it becomes me to speak the -words of peace, trusting in Him who is the sole Author of peace, and -in the good will of my hearers, I shall take my text from the 33d -Psalm, 'Oculi mei semper ad Dominum;' that is to say, My eyes are -always turned to the Lord; and continue my discourse from what the wise -Plato says, among other notable things, that all princes or others -intrusted with the affairs of government should obey the commands of -their sovereign in all they shall do for the public welfare, laying -aside every private consideration for their own advantage, and regard -themselves as part of a whole, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> smallest member of which being -wounded, the effect is felt by the head or chief lord.</p> - -<p>'I consider, therefore, the kingdom of France as a body, of which our -sovereign lord the king is the head, and his subjects the members. -But in what degree shall I place my lords the princes who have sent -us hither, or you, my lords, who hear me? for we know of no other -head but our sovereign lord.—I can neither liken you to the head nor -to the aforementioned members, on account of your rank; but I think -I may compare you to the members nearest to the head, for among them -may be counted the eyes, which are of the greatest use to it. I shall -consequently compare you to the eyes, and for three singularly good -reasons.</p> - -<p>'First, the eyes ought to be well placed and formed alike; for should -one be placed differently from the other, half closed or awry, the -whole person is disgraced and acquires the name of Blind or Squinter. -Now, it seems to me, that as my lords who have sent us, and you, my -lords, who hear me, have persons handsomely made, you ought to be of -one mind, and tending towards good; for you have eyes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> of a clear -understanding, and of real affection, 'Oculi sapientis in capite ejus.'</p> - -<p>'Secondly, the eyes are the most striking parts of the human body, and -have a full view over every part of it, as the prophet Ezekiel says, in -his 33d chapter, 'Speculatorem dedi te domui Israel.' Just so are our -princes of the blood, for from their singular and strong affection to -their sovereign lord and his kingdom, they constantly watch over and -guard him.</p> - -<p>'Thirdly, from the nobleness of the eye, which is of a circular form, -and of such sensibility that when any other member of the body is hurt, -or struck with grief, it weeps, as the prophet Jeremiah says in the -19th chapter, 'Plorans, plorabit, et educet oculus meus lachrimam quia -captus est grex Domini.' In like manner Valerius Maximus relates, in -his 8th book, that when Marcellus the tyrant saw his city despoiled -by the enemy, who had taken it by storm, he could not refrain from -weeping, which was becoming a real eye. Certainly it ought to bewail -the pain of its members, as Codrus, duke of Athens, did, who caused -himself to be slain to gain a victory over his enemies, as is related -by Julius Frontinus, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> this same Valerius Maximus in his 8th book. -And because all our lords are and ought to be of the same stamp, I have -compared them thereto by saying, 'Oculi mei semper ad Dominum.'</p> - -<p>'As for me, being the spokesman of those who have been charged to come -hither by our lords, we do not think of comparing ourselves to eyes, -but solely to the very humble servants of the eye, being no greater -parts of the members than the nail on the little finger, ready at the -calls of our superiors; and from their commands have we been led to -speak of such high concerns, which was matter of great grievance to us; -but it is for the sake of peace, and in obedience to the eye, 'Oculi -mei semper ad Dominum;' for in all times, every one should obey his -lord, more especially when he is in adversity,—as Tully says in his -treatise on Friendship,—Come to thy friend in prosperity, when he -calls thee; but when he shall be in adversity, wait not to be called. -I apply this to all landholders who are not the immediate ministers of -a king, or of the Lord, according to the apostle St Peter, who says in -his second chapter, 'Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for -the Lord's sake, whether it be to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> the king as supreme,' &c. And again, -'Be obedient in the fear of our Lord, not only to the good and just but -to the ignorant.' Thus may every one repeat the text I have chosen, -'Oculi mei semper ad Dominum.'</p> - -<p>'Notwithstanding my lords who have sent us hither having the eyes of -clear understanding, and affected with a true love to their sovereign -as the head of the whole body of this Christian kingdom, are fearful -that what Isaiah says in his 8th chapter may be applied to them; -'Speculatores ejus cæci omnes;' and that they may be said to resemble -the hog who devours the fruit that falls from the tree, without ever -looking up to the tree whence it falls. Nevertheless, they having -considered the events that have lately taken place in Paris, are full -of grief lest the whole body of the kingdom should consequently suffer -such destruction as, from its continuation, may be mortal to it, which -God, out of his gracious mercy, avert!</p> - -<p>'In the first place, they have heard of the arrests and executions of -the servants of the king, queen and duke of Acquitaine, to whom alone -belongs the cognizance of any offences committed by them, and to none -others.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> They have also been informed that the same conduct has been -followed in regard to the ladies and damsels of the queen and the -duchess of Acquitaine, which things, from honour to the queen their -mistress, as well as for the respect due to the female sex and to -modesty, ought not to have been done.</p> - -<p>'The laws declare and command, under heavy penalties, that modest women -shall not be publicly handled; and the honour of their families would -seem to assure them of not being so treated, for which they make loud -lamentations.</p> - -<p>'Notwithstanding that the cognizance of any crime committed by a prince -of the royal blood belongs solely to the king, the duke of Bar has been -imprisoned, who is cousin-german to the king our lord, which causes -much sorrow to our lords, more particularly to the king and queen of -Sicily (who is his niece), who loudly cry out for his deliverance, as -well as for that of duke Louis of Bavaria, brother to the queen. They -are more hurt at the form and manner in which they were arrested; for, -according to what has been told them, they were seized by those who -were not king's officers, nor had any authority for so doing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> from -him, but merely by a mob of common people, who forcibly broke down the -doors of the king's and the duke of Acquitaine's apartments, saying to -the latter many rude and impudent things, which, as is reported, have -greatly displeased him; and they are particularly anxious to know why -such disgraceful acts were done, as they are ignorant what could have -caused them.</p> - -<p>'Could any just reasons be alledged, they would not be so much -astonished as they now are. But to continue: it has been told them that -my lord is even deprived of his liberty, and that he cannot leave his -hôtel, or at least that he is not suffered to go out of Paris; and that -no one of his kindred, or of any high rank, are suffered to converse -with him, but only those who guard him, as is done to common prisoners -in many cases. This is matter of as serious grief to him and to my -said lords, thus to be deprived of the conversation and sight of their -sovereign lord on earth, as it would be to be debarred the vision of -God in another life.</p> - -<p>'Item, they complain, that since these events letters have been sent -by the town of Paris to the aforesaid lords, and to others,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> and also -to the chief towns in the kingdom, to declare that these arrests, -imprisonments and executions, have taken place with the approbation -of the duke of Acquitaine. They therefore lament such letters being -sent, for none but the princes of the blood ought to be made acquainted -with the acts of government, or with such charges as are made against -different lords. There was, beside, no pretence for these letters, -for no one had ever interfered with the government of the duke of -Acquitaine; and it should seem to have been done solely with a view to -inflame and instigate the people to some acts prejudicial to the king, -to my lord of Acquitaine, his whole family, and even against these -lords now present.</p> - -<p>'They also complain, that through the importunity of these same -Parisians, orders have been sent to their barons, knights, esquires -and vassals, not to obey any summons they may receive from them, but -to remain at home until the constable, or some other of the lords -within Paris, shall send for them; and at this grievance they feel very -indignant, for they have never done any thing, or had intentions of so -acting, as to deserve to be deprived of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> service of their vassals; -and when the king should have occasion for them, they should have -served in their company, &c.</p> - -<p>'Item, they likewise complain of many expressions, and other orders, by -which several officers take possession of castles and forts, and place -in them new governors, dismissing very able captains, noble and valiant -knights, who have loyally served their whole life without reproach, and -still intend to serve the king.</p> - -<p>'These things are very unusual and extraordinary, and create much -uneasiness, by the bad example they afford as well to the head as the -other members, to the producing of subversion and total ruin. This good -kingdom has long been prosperously governed, chiefly by its regular -police and strict justice, which are founded on three things, and have -caused it to excel all other kingdoms.</p> - -<p>'First, by its great learning, by which the Christian faith has been -defended, and justice and equity maintained.</p> - -<p>'Secondly, by its noble and gallant chivalry, by which not only this -kingdom, but the whole of the faith has been supported and encouraged.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'Thirdly, by the numbers of loyal subjects, who, by their subordination -and obedience, have given strength to the government.</p> - -<p>'But now these three things, by the present perverse mode of acting, -will be completely overturned; for all seems running to disorder, and -one fills an office suited to another, so that the feet which ought -to support the body, head and arms, now want to take the place of -the head, and thus every thing will fall into confusion, and all the -members quit the situations they were naturally designed for, as the -civil law says, 'Rerum commixtione turbantur officia.'</p> - -<p>'For these reasons, my lords have sent us to supplicate the king, the -queen, and my lord of Acquitaine, and to request of you, our very dear -and redoubted lords, and of you gentlemen of the great council of the -king and the duke of Acquitaine now present, that each of you would, -according to the exigence of the case, apply a sufficient remedy. -It seems to my lords, that, according to the opinion of physicians, -abstinence is the grand preservative of the body natural from sickness: -we therefore pray you, that all such acts as have lately taken place -may be put an end to, and that all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> extraordinary commissions may -cease, that honour and justice may have due attention paid to them, and -that liberty and the accustomed prerogatives be restored to the king -and the duke of Acquitaine, as to the eyes of justice; and that they -may be preserved from all offence from churchmen, nobility, and people, -as the body, the arms, and the legs are bound to guard and defend the -head,—for this will be the only and secure means of establishing -peace, and as the Psalmist says, 'Quia justicia et pax osculatæ sunt.'</p> - -<p>'St Augustin declares, that every one wishes for Peace in his house; -but Justice, who is her sister, lodges in the house of another; and all -who wish for true Peace must have also her sister Justice. Should any -one say, that abstinence would be dangerous from fear of two different -things, such as war and rigorous justice, we reply, in the name of our -lords, that they will eschew both to the utmost of their power, and -will employ themselves heartily in following this abstinence, and in -the expulsion of all such men at arms as shall injure the country by -every means they can use.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'In regard to rigorous justice, they intend to follow in this the -manner of all princes, keeping in mind the sentence of Plato, that when -a prince is cruel to the commonwealth, he resembles the guardian who -unwisely chastises his ward, whom he had undertaken to watch over and -defend. They will carefully imitate the conduct of their predecessors -of the most noble house of France, who have been accustomed to show -nothing but good humour and kindness, laying aside all rancour against -the good city of Paris, and all other towns that may have been guilty -of improper acts; and they supplicate the king, the queen, and my lord -of Acquitaine, that an entire oblivion may be passed over what may have -been done on one side as well as on the other.</p> - -<p>'My lords are particularly desirous that the king, the queen, and the -duke of Acquitaine should have full liberty to make their residence at -Rouen, Chartres, Melun, Montargis, or at any other place more suitable -than Paris, for their loyal subjects to have access to them; not -through any malevolence toward this town, or against its inhabitants, -but to avoid any sort of riot that might take place between their -servants and some of the citizens.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'And I beg the lords now present to consider on the most secure means -for the meeting of my lords with their majesties and the duke of -Acquitaine, and to obviate all pretence of suspicion or alarm, when -my lords shall attend at any proper place to provide for the better -government of the kingdom, and for the establishment of a solid peace. -Let this matter be well weighed, for our lords and ourselves are -perfectly well inclined to attend to the honour and advantage of the -head and of all its members.</p> - -<p>'Should I have said too little, my lords and companions will be eager -to amend it; and should I have said too much, or any thing that may -have angered any of my lords here present, they will be pleased -to attribute it to my simplicity and ignorance, and to the strong -affection I bear to the king, and my earnestness that a firm and -lasting peace may be concluded. I am naturally bound to this by my oath -of fidelity, and also from the anxiety my lord the king of Sicily has -to promote this desirable end. Should I therefore have said more than -was necessary, you will not of course attribute it to any rashness, or -disaffection that I may feel; for such has never entered my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> thoughts, -or those of my lord of Sicily or his companions.'</p> - -<p>After this, several propositions for peace were made on each side, that -tranquillity might be restored to the kingdom, and an end put to the -present disorders. Some articles were drawn up, of the following tenour.</p> - -<p>'First, there shall be perfect union and love between the princes -of the blood, which they will keep, and swear to observe, like -affectionate relatives and friends, and shall mutually interchange -letters to this purpose; and, for a greater confirmation of the above, -the principal officers and servants of each lord shall do the same.</p> - -<p>'Item, the princes of the blood who have sent ambassadors will cease -from all acts of warfare, and will not summon any more men at arms; and -if any summonses should have been issued, they will instantly annul -them.</p> - -<p>'Item, they will do every thing in their power to recal those who form -the companies of Clugnet, Louis Bourdon, and others their adherents, by -every possible means. Should these companies refuse to comply, these -lords would then unite themselves with the king's forces, and compel -them to obedience, or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> destroy them, and all others the king's enemies, -who might wage war against him or his kingdom.</p> - -<p>'Item, they will promise that they will not bear any malice or revenge -for whatever things may have been done in the city of Paris, nor do by -themselves or others any mischief to that town, or its inhabitants, -under pretext of justice, or any other cause whatever; and should any -security be required for the observance of this article, they shall -suffer it to be given, and even afford every assistance thereto to the -utmost of their power.</p> - -<p>'Item, these princes will make oath upon the true cross of God, on the -holy evangelists, and on the word of honour of a prince, that they -will strictly observe every article of this treaty, without any fraud -or subterfuge, and will give to the king letters containing the above -oath, signed with their seals.</p> - -<p>'Item, on the accomplishment of the above, the ambassadors from the -aforesaid princes require, that the king would be pleased to annul -and revoke all his summonses for assembling men at arms, and order -all warfare to cease in the realm, except against the above mentioned -companies.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'Item, he will also revoke all orders lately issued, to take possession -of different castles and forts, and to dismiss from them the governors -appointed by the princes, placing others in their room; and all such -castles and forts shall be delivered up in the same state in which -they were taken possession of; and, after a certain time, all who for -any act by them committed, in opposition to the king's ministers, -may have been imprisoned or banished, shall have their liberties, -and be recalled home; and this shall take place in the course of the -king's ordinary justice, without any commissioners being appointed, or -interfering therein.</p> - -<p>'Item, when all these things shall have been done, the king, the -queen, and my lord of Acquitaine shall, on an appointed day, come out -of Paris to a fixed place of meeting, where the princes of either -party shall meet, to confirm the good union among them, and to advise -on the necessary business for the welfare of the king and his realm; -and should any one suspect that these princes, or any of their party, -have the intention of instigating the king, the queen, or my lord of -Acquitaine, to take vengeance on the town of Paris, or, in revenge to -any of its inhabitants, seize on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> government, or to carry off the -king and my lord of Acquitaine, or that this meeting was proposed with -any evil design, they are willing to give whatever security may be -thought advisable.'</p> - -<p>These propositions having been reduced, to writing, and agreed to by -the different lords who had been commissioned for that purpose, each -party returned to the places they had come from. The dukes of Berry and -Burgundy, with their companions, reported to the king the points of -their embassy, as contained in the memorial which had been drawn up for -the good of the kingdom.</p> - -<p>When this matter had been well considered, in a council to which the -members of the university and of the municipality of Paris had been -admitted, it was agreed on by the king and the duke of Acquitaine, -that what had been settled by the commissioners on each side should -be confirmed. In consequence, various ordinances were drawn up, to -be transmitted to the bailiwicks and seneschalships in the realm, in -order to their promulgation at the usual places, of which copies follow -underneath.</p> - -<p>During this melancholy time, Clugnet de Brabant, sir Louis de Bourdon, -and other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> captains of that party, advanced with sixteen thousand -combatants, wasting and despoiling the country of the Gâtinois, and -giving out that they were on their march to make war on the Parisians. -These latter were much angered thereat, and dispatched sir Elyon de -Jacqueville with sixteen hundred helmets, and a large body of other -combatants, to meet them as far as Montereau-faut-Yonne; but the two -armies did not meet,—and that of the Parisians was disbanded without -fighting.</p> - -<p>At this time, the constable and admiral of France were, with the -bishop of Tournay, sent by the king to Boulogne-sur-mer, to meet -ambassadors from the king of England, namely, the earl of Warwick, the -bishop of St Davids and others, who had arrived at Calais. They met at -Leulinghen, and, after some negotiations, agreed on a truce between the -two kingdoms, to last until the ensuing Easter, which was proclaimed -throughout both realms.</p> - -<p>Here follows a copy of those royal ordinances before mentioned.</p> - -<p>'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, and to each of the inhabitants of that town, greeting.—We make -known to you, that on account of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> improper and unjust imprisonment -of our very dear and well beloved cousin and brother in law, the dukes -of Bar and of Bavaria, with other of our officers, as well as of the -households of our dear companion the queen, and of our well beloved -son the duke of Acquitaine, and other ladies and damsels attached -to them; our very dear cousin and nephew, the king of Sicily, the -duke of Bourbon, the counts of Alençon and of Eu, have made heavy -complaints, as well respecting the manner in which these imprisonments -were made, as likewise regarding the disgust which these events, and -others that have taken place in our good town of Paris, have caused to -our very dear son; and on this occasion the disaffected princes have -lately come to the town of Verneuil, whither we sent, on our part, -properly-instructed ambassadors, and also with them our very dear -uncles the dukes of Berry and of Burgundy.</p> - -<p>'Some of the inhabitants of Paris went by our orders to Pontoise; -and our aforesaid cousin and nephews the king of Sicily, the dukes -of Orleans, of Bourbon, and the counts d'Alençon and d'Eu, came to -the town of Vernon, and thence sent their ambassadors to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> explain and -signify to our aforesaid uncle and cousin the dukes of Berry and of -Burgundy, and to our ambassadors, the cause of their complaints, and to -remonstrate on the perils of the war that would speedily ensue unless -their grievances were redressed.</p> - -<p>'These matters having been fully discussed, proposals of peace and -union between all parties were brought forward to avoid the miseries of -a civil war. Many articles were agreed on: the first was, that a solid -peace should be established between the princes of the blood royal, -which they were solemnly to swear to observe, and mutually to exchange -deeds to this effect; but every one was to have the same liberty as -before of declaring his opinion.</p> - -<p>'The whole of the articles seemed very reasonable to the members of -the university of Paris and of our court of parliament, as well as -to many of the good citizens of our town of Paris, who were ready to -examine them more fully, and report their opinion to us on the Thursday -following.</p> - -<p>'But notwithstanding this approbation, there were some of low degree -and narrow minds, who by their own authority had seized on the -government of the city of Paris, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> who have been the cause of the -war continuing so long, in order the better to keep their authority. -These persons excited some of the princes of the blood and others to -war by their false machinations, with the hope that their murders -and robberies would remain unpunished, and that they should escape -the vengeance due to their crimes. In consequence, by persevering -in their wickedness, they practised so effectually that the meeting -which had been appointed for Thursday was put off to Saturday the 5th -of the month, in the expectation that they should before that day be -enabled, by their base intrigues, to prevent peace from being agreed -to,—the truth of which, under the pleasure of God, shall shortly be -made public. But through the grace of God, the university of Paris, -our chambers of parliament and of accounts, the different religious -orders, and the principal inhabitants of Paris assembled,—and having -many fears of the ill-intentioned preventing that peace which they most -earnestly wished for, by every attempt to obstruct so great a blessing -as peace and union throughout the kingdom, came to us at our hôtel -of St Pol in the afternoon, and desired an audience for the purpose -of remonstrating on the happy effects<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> that would ensue from the -establishment of peace.</p> - -<p>'They demonstrated the blessings of peace and the evils of war, and the -necessity there was for proceeding instantly to the completion of the -articles that had been agreed to by the ambassadors on each side,—and -demanded, that the Saturday which had been fixed on should be -anticipated, by naming the ensuing Friday, and that proper regulations -should be made for the security of the city.</p> - -<p>'On the Friday, those who were desirous of peace went to the town-house -in the Greve, thinking to meet their friends, and come with them to us -in our hôtel of St Pol; but they were prevented by those ill inclined -to peace, who, though of low degree, had before come to our said hôtel, -and with them some varlets, all armed under authority of the government -which they had usurped over the city of Paris.—On this account, -therefore, these prudent wellwishers to peace assembled in the square -of St Germain de l'Auxerrois in Paris, and in other places, in great -numbers and with firm courage; and though the others did every thing in -their power to throw obstacles in their way, in all their attempts they -were baffled.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'This assembly, on breaking up, left St Germain in regular order, as -they had determined on; and on appearing in our presence, as well -as in the presence of our son, our uncle and cousins, the dukes of -Acquitaine, Berry, and Burgundy, with others of our council, a peace -was agreed on, and the articles ordered to be carried into execution. -Punishment was at the same time, to the great joy of the sober -citizens, ordered to be inflicted, according to reason and justice, on -all who had any way attempted to prevent a peace being made.</p> - -<p>'Immediately after this had been done, and our will declared, our son, -our uncle and our cousin aforesaid, mounted their horses, and went to -set at liberty our cousin and brother-in-law the dukes of Bar and of -Bavaria, who had for a long time been confined in the Louvre, and also -many other knights and officers of our own and our son's households, -who had been imprisoned for some time in the dungeons of the palace -and of the Châtelet, by force of the aforesaid evil minded and low -persons, who, now perceiving that good government was likely to be -restored, according to reason and justice, hid themselves<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> like foxes, -or fled,—and since that time, it has not been known where they may be -found or arrested.</p> - -<p>'This inclines us to fear that they may seduce others to follow their -wicked example, by their dangerous and false lies, as they have before -done, and that events more pernicious may ensue than what we have -lately experienced, and which it concerns every one, through the grace -of God, to prevent with all diligence.</p> - -<p>'This peace is considered as so advantageous to all parties that the -king of Sicily, the dukes of Orleans, of Bourbon, and the counts of -Alençon and of Eu, have since sent their ambassadors to Paris, who -daily attend to the due execution of all the articles of it, having -fully approved of it and of every thing that has been done by us; and -the rupture of this peace at this moment would cause the destruction of -us, our kingdom, and of all our faithful and good subjects.</p> - -<p>'For this cause, we expressly enjoin and command you not to give -credence to any thing you may hear to the contrary,—for what we have -assured you above is the real truth,—by any of these evil-minded -persons who are inimical to the peace, nor to show them any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> manner of -favour,—but, on the contrary, to throw them into prison, and send them -to us, that we may inflict such punishment on them as the heinousness -of the case may require.</p> - -<p>'And you, bailiff, will cause the above to be proclaimed in all the -considerable towns and villages within your jurisdiction; and you will -also require from the clergy of the different churches, collegiate and -others, within your bailiwick, that they do make processions, and offer -up devout prayers to Heaven, for the effecting of the above peace, and -that our Lord, through his grace, would incline to make it perpetual. -You will also personally be careful that there be no failing on your -part in the due execution of this our will and pleasure.</p> - -<p>'Given at Paris the 12th day of August, in the year of Grace 1413, and -of our reign the 33d.' Signed by the king and his council, present the -dukes of Acquitaine, of Berry, and of Burgundy, the marshal Longny. -'Ferron.'</p> - -<p>Another edict was published by the king against men at arms and other -warriors, and to secure the people against their inroads, which was -sent to all the bailiwicks and seneschalships in the kingdom, of the -following tenour.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting.</p> - -<p>'It has come to our knowledge, that within a short time many men at -arms, archers and cross-bowmen, and other warriors, without any licence -from us given, either by written orders or otherwise, have unlawfully -assembled, and continue so to do, in very many places and towns of our -kingdom, with the intent of marching toward our good city of Paris, and -pillaging and murdering our poor subjects, and committing other ruinous -acts and excesses, by which our faithful subjects are sorely oppressed, -in addition to what they had before suffered, as well from the effects -of the late war as from the epidemic disorder and mortality which -ensued in consequence, causing the country to be deserted, whence great -and irreparable evils may fall on us and our kingdom, if not speedily -prevented.</p> - -<p>'We therefore, desirous of guarding and preserving, to the utmost of -our power, our people from such like plunderings and ill treatment, -as we are bounden so to do,—and beside seeing a probability that the -discords which have taken place between several of our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> blood and -kindred are likely to be put an end to,—shall use (with God's good -pleasure) every means in our power to have it accomplished.</p> - -<p>'We therefore command and strictly enjoin you, that on the receipt of -this letter, you lay aside all other business whatever, and instantly -cause our commands to be publicly proclaimed with a loud voice, and -with sound of trumpet, in such places where proclamations have been -usually made. You will also make this our pleasure known to all -our captains, governors, and men at arms within any fort, castle, -or forming any garrisons within your said bailiwick; and you will -strictly enjoin, that no person shall dare to assemble in arms without -our especial licence first had and obtained, under pain of corporal -punishment and confiscation of goods. And should any such assemblies -have taken place within your bailiwick, they must, on hearing the -proclamation of this our pleasure, instantly disperse, and return to -their homes.</p> - -<p>'Should any bodies of men at arms have taken possession of a town or -fortress within your district, you will command them, in our name, -instantly to surrender it to you, and depart thence; and you will renew -the garrison with such persons as you shall judge expedient,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> and take -the command of such town or fort yourself, until you shall receive -further orders. Should they refuse to surrender themselves to you, you -will make them your prisoners, and execute such justice upon them as -their case may require; and should it seem necessary, you will employ -force against them to reduce them to obedience, and summon to your aid -all the nobles resident within your bailiwick, taking care to have a -superior force to those you are about to attack, and keeping it up so -long as you shall judge it right for the maintaining tranquillity in -the country. And we order all our nobles, on the fealty they owe to us, -to obey your orders whenever the case shall require it.</p> - -<p>'Should it happen, that during any engagements that may take place -between you and our rebellious subjects, any of them be killed or -wounded, we will not that such murders be prejudicial to any one -employed under your orders, but that they be acquitted and freed -from all pursuits for the same hereafter, as we grant them our full -pardon. We will likewise, that all arms, horses, or baggage that may be -taken from any of our rebellious subjects, shall be converted toward -paying the expenses of those who shall have taken and imprisoned such -disobedient rebels.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'We therefore give full licence and authority to all our subjects, -should they be constrained to employ force against these rebels, to -seize and hold possession of any parts of their territories without -ever being called to account hereafter for so doing. And we especially -command all our civil officers and subjects to afford you every aid in -their power, and to obey your commands.</p> - -<p>'We also direct, that our well-beloved members of the courts of -justice, all masters of requests, as well of our hôtel as of the -parliament, all bailiffs and sergeants, and every other dependant -on the courts of law, do suspend all processes that may have been -proceeding against any of the nobles employed in executing our orders, -from the day they shall have set out until fifteen days after their -return, without their suffering any thing prejudicial to themselves or -their possessions, or to those who may have been securities for them. -Should any such acts have taken place, you will order every thing to -be replaced on the same ground as before the nobles had set out on the -expedition; for such is our pleasure, according to the tenour of this -present letter,—a copy of which, under our royal seal, we shall send -you, because the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> original cannot be exhibited in all places where -there may be occasion for it; and to this copy you will give equal -credence as to the original letter.</p> - -<p>'Given at Paris, the 5th day of August, in the year of Grace 1413, and -of our reign the 33d.' It was signed by the king in council,—present -the dukes of Acquitaine, Berry, Burgundy, Bar, the duke Louis of -Bavaria, and others. Countersigned, 'Ferron.' These two edicts were -carried to Amiens, and proclaimed the 20th day of the same month.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAP_XXIII" id="CHAP_XXIII">CHAP. XXIII.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE DUKE OF ACQUITAINE ORDERS THE PRISONERS TO BE LIBERATED.—THE DUKE -OF BURGUNDY LEAVES PARIS.—SEVERAL PRINCES ARRIVE THERE.—THEIR ACTIONS.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">On</span> the 4th day of September, the duke of Acquitaine, in consequence -of the king's commands, caused all the prisoners confined within the -palace to be set at liberty; and, shortly after, the whole of the -furniture of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> John de Troyes, then keeper of the palace, and who had -gone abroad for some private affairs, was carried out of the same, in -pursuance of the orders of the duke of Acquitaine, by those Parisians -who had usually accompanied him. His office of keeper of the palace -was taken away, and restored to him who had before holden it. In like -manner were several offices in Paris restored to their former holders, -namely, to Anthony des Essars, to the two dukes of Bar and of Bavaria; -the former being reinstated in his government of the Louvre, and the -other in that of the bastille.</p> - -<p>When the prisoners had been set at liberty, the duke of Acquitaine -ordered all the bells of the churches to ring together, and two days -and nights were passed in the utmost joy and revelling throughout the -town, for the re-establishment of peace, which was a delightful sight.</p> - -<p>The lord de Viefville and sir Charles de Lens, brother to the châtelain -de Lens, were arrested in the hôtel of the duke of Burgundy; but sir -Robinet de Mailly, for fear of being taken, fled,—and the lord de -Viefville, at the entreaty of the duke of Burgundy and his daughter, -the duchess of Acquitaine, obtained<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> his liberty. Sir Charles was -confined in the prisons of the Châtelet,—and the other, who had fled, -was banished the realm.</p> - -<p>The lord de Jacqueville, during his absence, was deprived of -his government of Paris; and, hearing of this while he was at -Montereau-faut-Yonne with some of his principal supporters among the -butchers, they all fled to Burgundy: at the same time, Jean Caboche, -master Jean de Troyes and his children, with many others of the -Parisians, hastened into Flanders. Master Eustace de Lactre, the new -chancellor of France, fled like the rest from Paris,—and in his place -was appointed master Arnold de Corbie, who had before been chancellor -of France, but, at his own request, on account of his age, had been -deprived of it, when the first president of the parliament of Paris was -nominated in his stead. Master John Jouemel, king's advocate, was made -chancellor of Acquitaine.</p> - -<p>Very many knights, particularly those who had been appointed -commissioners to try the late prisoners, quitted Paris; and the duke -of Burgundy, observing the conduct of his son-in-law the duke of -Acquitaine, began to be apprehensive that he was not well pleased<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> -with his former conduct, and that he would remember the outrages -which had been committed personally against him, as well in his -hôtel as elsewhere, as has been before related, and would have him -arrested. He daily saw the most faithful of his adherents quit Paris -privately, and without taking leave of him: some of them were even made -prisoners,—and he was told that there had been guards placed round his -hôtel of Artois, and that great numbers of those who had been enemies -to the duke of Acquitaine were now reconciled to him.</p> - -<p>To prevent any dangerous consequences, and to avoid the perils that -might ensue, he prevailed on the king to hunt in the forest of -Ville-neuve. The lord de St George accompanied him,—and when he found -the opportunity favourable, he took leave of the king, saying, that -he had received such intelligence from Flanders as would force him to -return thither instantly, on account of the important business which he -would have to transact. On saying this, he set off, and passed the wood -of Bondis in much fear: he continued his road without stopping, and -attended by a small company, to St Maixence,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> where he lay that night. -On the morrow, very early, the lord de Ront came thither to meet him, -with two hundred men at arms, and thence escorted him in a few days to -Lille in Flanders.</p> - -<p>When his departure was known, the Parisians and others attached to the -Orleans party began loudly to murmur against him, saying that he had -fled for fear of being arrested. Those of his party who had remained in -Paris were in great alarm; for daily some of them were imprisoned, and -summary justice done upon them. Even the two nephews of Jean Caboche -were executed, after having been for some time dragged through the -streets; and the host of the hôtel of the 'huis de fer,' named Jean de -Troyes, cousin-german to master Jean de Troyes, the surgeon, of whom -mention has been made, suffered in like manner.</p> - -<p>In respect to the queen, the dukes of Acquitaine, Berry, Bar and -Bavaria, they were perfectly pleased and happy that the duke of -Burgundy had quitted Paris, as were many of the great lords: in short, -the whole town was now turned against him both in words and deeds.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>It was not long before the dukes of Orleans and of Bourbon, the -counts d'Alençon, de Vertus, d'Eu, de Vaudemont and de Dammartin, the -archbishop of Sens, friar Jacques le Grand, and the borgne Foucault, -came in handsome array to Paris; and the dukes of Berry, Bar and -Bavaria, the bishop of Paris, with many nobles and citizens, went out -on horseback to meet them, and escorted them, with every sign of joy, -to the palace, where the king, the queen, and the duke of Acquitaine -were waiting to receive them.</p> - -<p>Their reception by the royal family was very gracious, and they all -supped at the palace, after which they retired to their different -hôtels in the town. On the morrow, the lord Charles d'Albreth came to -Paris, when the office of constable was instantly restored to him. -On the 8th day of September following, the king, at the instance of -the aforesaid lords, held a grand council in the usual chamber of -parliament, and issued the following edict, which was proclaimed -throughout his realm.</p> - -<p>'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to all to whom these -presents shall come, greeting.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'Whereas, during the discords and dissensions that took place between -several of our blood and kindred, many damnable falsehoods have been -reported to us; under pretext of which our council have been very much -constrained, and our city of Paris did not enjoy its usual freedom, and -ourself was not advised so loyally as we ought to have been for the -honour and general welfare of the public, as it has since appeared, for -several acts have been done that were partial and irregular. Others of -our subjects were under the greatest alarm (and this happened to some -of tried courage), for they saw that those were in danger of losing -every thing dear to them who should utter the truth. In fact, several -of our prelates, nobles, and members of our council were wrongfully -arrested, robbed of their wealth, and forced to pay ransoms for their -liberty, which caused many of our well wishers to absent themselves -from our council, and even to fly from Paris.</p> - -<p>'Many letters patent were unjustly and damnably obtained in our name, -sealed with our seal, and sent to our sovereign father, the head of -Christian princes, at the holy college of Rome, and to other monarchs, -declaring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> that these letters were sent with our full knowledge and -approbation.</p> - -<p>'We have lately been well informed from papers that have been -discovered, and laid before us in council, of a fact of which indeed we -had our suspicions, that envy and malice were the grounds on which our -uncle John de Berry, our nephews Charles of Orleans and his brothers, -John de Bourbon, John d'Alençon, Charles d'Albreth, our cousins, and -Bernard d'Armagnac, with their accomplices and supporters, were charged -with the wicked and treasonable design of depriving us and all our -descendants of our royal authority, and expelling us our kingdom, which -God forbid! and also with the design of making a new king of France, -which is an abominable thing to hear of, and must be painful even -in the recital to the hearts of all our loyal subjects. In regard, -therefore, to such charges, those who have made them are guilty of -iniquitously imposing upon us, and are culpable of enormous crimes as -well treasonable as otherwise.</p> - -<p>'Very many defamatory libels have been written and affixed to the doors -of churches, as well as distributed to several persons, and published -in different places, to the great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> dishonour and contempt of some of -the highest of our blood, such as our very dear and well-beloved son, -our well-beloved nephews and cousins, the dukes of Orleans and of -Bourbon, the counts de Vertus, d'Alençon, d'Armagnac, and d'Albreth, -constable of France, and against other nobles and barons, our -wellwishers, consequently against ourself and our government.</p> - -<p>'We, therefore, for these causes, do by these letters patent give -permission to our said uncle, nephews, cousins, and to their adherents, -to seize on and destroy the lands and property of all who may have been -guilty of the aforesaid acts, declaring them to have forfeited to us -both their bodies and estates.</p> - -<p>'We the more readily consent to their being thus sorely oppressed, -because they, under pretence of an ancient bull which had been issued -against the free companies forty years ago, without any permission and -authority, did raise and assemble companies of men at arms against -us and against our realm. This bull could not any way refer, as the -simple inspection of it would show, to our said son, uncle, nephew, -or cousins, but was applied to them, through wicked counsel, without -any authority from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> our said sovereign father the pope, without any -deliberations holden on the subject,—nor was any suit instituted, -as was usual in such cases; but without any forms of proceeding that -should have been observed, or any preceding admonitions, they were -illegally, through force and partiality, condemned as excommunicated, -with all their adherents and friends,—which sentence was, in defiance -of truth, publicly proclaimed throughout our kingdom.</p> - -<p>'They were likewise declared traitors and wicked persons, banished -our kingdom, and deprived of all their possessions and offices. On -this occasion, many injurious reports were industriously spread -abroad against them, and they were themselves treated with the utmost -inhumanity. Several of them were put to death without any attention -being paid to their souls, like to outlaws and beasts, without -administration of the sacraments of the holy church, and then thrown -into ditches, or exposed in the fields, like dogs, to be devoured by -the birds.</p> - -<p>'Such acts are damnably wicked and cruel, more especially among -Christians and true Catholics, and have been done at the instigation -of seditious persons, disturbers of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> the peace, and illwishers to our -said uncle, nephews and cousins, by means of their abominable fictions -in order to gain their false and wicked purposes, as we have since been -more fully and truly informed.</p> - -<p>'We therefore, desirous, as is reasonable, that such false accusations -as have been brought against those of our blood and their adherents, -should not remain in the state they are now in, to their great -disgrace, and earnestly wishing that the real truth should be -published, and reparation made for these illegal proceedings, make -known that we are fully persuaded, from the information we have -received, that our said uncle, son, nephews, cousins, prelates, barons, -nobles, and others their partisans, have ever had loyal intentions -toward our person, and have been good relatives and obedient subjects, -such as they ought to be in regard to us, and that all which has -been done has been treacherously, and wickedly, and surreptitiously -contrived against truth and reason, at the instances and importunities -of these aforesaid seditious disturbers of the peace, by whom all -letters and edicts, that any way tend to tarnish their honour, have -been procured under false pretences.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'We declare, by these presents, that such edicts and letters patent -have been wrongfully and surreptitiously issued, and are of no weight, -having been procured by those rebellious disturbers of the peace, -authors of the evils that have afflicted our city of Paris, and whom we -also declare guilty of high treason.</p> - -<p>'Being desirous that the truth of these crimes should be made public, -and that all may be acquainted with the real facts, to prevent any -evil consequences that might ensue to us and to our realm, were they -to remain in ignorance, as may happen to any prince who has subjects -to govern, we therefore make known, and assert it for truth, that we -being at our usual residence in Paris, in company with our very dear -and well-beloved consort the queen, our very dear and well beloved -son the duke of Acquitaine, our uncle the duke of Berry, with several -others of our kindred, and such of our servants and councillors as -were accustomed to attend on us,—it happened that on the 27th day of -April last past, sir Elion de Jacqueville, Robinet de Mailly, Charles -de Recourt, called de Lens, knights, William Bareau, at that time a -secretary, a surgeon, named Jean de Troyes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> and his children, Thomas -le Goys, and his children, Garnot de Saint Yon, butcher, Symon de -Coutelier, skinner of calf skins, Bau de Bordes, Andrieu Roussel, -Denisot de Chaumont, master Eustace de Lactre, master Pierre Canthon, -master Diusque François, master Nicolle de Saint Hilaire, master Jean -Bon, master Nicolle de Quesnoy, Jean Guerin, Jean Pimorin, Jacques -Laban, Guillaume Gente, Jean Parent, Jacques de Saint Laurent, Jacques -de Rouen, Martin de Neauville, Martin de Coulonniers, master Toussaints -Bangart, master Jean Rapiot, master Hugues de Verdun, master Laurens -Calot, Jean de Rouen, son to a tripe woman of Puys Nôtre Dame, Jean -Maillart, an old clothes-seller, with many others, their accomplices, -of divers ranks and conditions, (who had, before this time, held -frequent assemblies, and secret conspiracies in many places, both in -the day and night-time) appeared in a very large body armed, with -displayed standard, by way of hostility, before our said residence of -Saint Pol, without our having any knowledge of such their disorderly -intent.</p> - -<p>'They proceeded thence to the hôtel of our son the duke of Acquitaine, -which they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> would forcibly enter, and broke open the gates of it -contrary to the will of our said son, his attendants and servants. -Having done this, they entered his apartment in opposition to his -expostulations and prohibitions; and when there, they seized by force -and violence our cousin-german the duke of Bar, the chancellor of our -said son, with many other nobles our chamberlains and counsellors to -our son, and carried them away whithersoever they pleased: some of them -they confined in close imprisonment, where they detained them so long -as they were able. These excesses raised the anger of our son in so -violent a degree that he was in danger of suffering a serious disorder -from it.</p> - -<p>'The said seditious rebels, persisting in their wicked courses, came -to us in our hôtel of St Pol, when they proposed, or caused to be -proposed, whatever seemed good to them, positively declaring, however, -that they would have certain persons, whose names were written down in -a small roll, which they had with them, which persons were then in our -company.—Among the number were Louis duke of Bavaria, brother to our -consort the queen, and many other nobles, our knights, counsellors,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> -the master of our household, with numbers of our servants of different -ranks and conditions. These they arrested by force against our will, -and carried them to prison, or wherever else they pleased, as they had -done to the others.</p> - -<p>'After this, they entered the apartments of the queen our consort, and -in her presence, and contrary to her will, they seized many ladies and -damsels, several of whom were of our kindred, and carried them away -to prison, as they had done to the others. This disloyal and indecent -conduct so greatly alarmed our dear consort the queen, that she was in -great danger of losing her life from the illness that ensued.</p> - -<p>'After the imprisonment of these several persons of both sexes, the -insurgents proceeded against them, contrary to all law and justice, by -very severe tortures, and even put to death many of the nobility in the -prisons, afterward publishing that they had killed themselves. Their -bodies they hung on gibbets, or flung them into the Seine. Some they -beheaded privately while in prison. With regard to the ladies whom they -had arrested, they treated them most inhumanly; and although they were -urgently pressed to allow the laws to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> take their course, in regard to -these prisoners, and that the court of parliament, as was reasonable, -should take cognizance of them, they positively refused every request -of the sort, and had letters drawn up as seemed good to them, and -to which they had the great seal of our chancery set by force, and, -besides, constrained our son to sign all their acts with our seals -manual, as approving of their deeds.</p> - -<p>'That they might have the chancellor the more under their command, -to seal whatever edicts they should please to have proclaimed, they -dismissed from that office our well-beloved Arnold de Corbie, who -had so long and so faithfully served us, and put in his place master -Eustace de Lactre, by whom letters were sealed and issued contrary to -all truth, but conformable to the acts of these wicked men. We were -deceived by them, from want of able counsellors, and from freedom of -speech not being permitted, as has before been noticed.</p> - -<p>'All these letters, therefore, and edicts mandatory that have been -published to the dishonour of our said uncle, nephews, cousins, and -their friends and adherents, we holding a bed of justice in our court -of parliament, in the presence of many of our blood-royal,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> prelates, -churchmen, as well members of the university of Paris, our daughter, -as from elsewhere, several great barons, and other able persons of our -council, and many principal citizens of Paris, do now annul, condemn -and for ever annihilate. And we forbid all our subjects, under pain of -incurring our highest indignation, to act, by word or deed, any way -hereafter contrary to the strict tenour of this our will and pleasure. -Should any of these disgraceful acts be produced in courts of justice, -we forbid any faith to be placed in them, and order them to be torn and -destroyed wherever they may be found.</p> - -<p>'In consequence whereof, we command our beloved and faithful -counsellors of our parliament, our provost of Paris, and all others -our bailiffs, seneschals, provosts and officers of justice, or their -lieutenants, each and all of them to cause this our present edict to -be publicly proclaimed by sound of trumpet in the usual places where -proclamations are made, that none may plead ignorance of this our will. -And we also command, that it be publicly read by all prelates and -clergymen, or such as have usually preached to the people, that in time -to come they may not again be seduced by similar evil machinations.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span></p> - - - - - -<p>'We also order, that as full obedience be paid to all copies of these -presents, sealed with our seal, as to the original. In testimony of -which, we have set our seal to these presents. Given in our great -chamber of the parliament of Paris, at a bed of justice holden the 12th -day of September, in the year 1413.</p> - -<p>'By the king, holding his bed of justice in his court of parliament.' -Countersigned, 'Baye.'—This ordinance was, consequently, proclaimed in -Amiens<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> on the 15th day of December following.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h2><a name="CHAP_XXIV" id="CHAP_XXIV">CHAP. XXIV.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE DUKE OF BRITTANY COMES TO PARIS.—THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY HOLDS A -COUNCIL AT LILLE.—THE ACTIONS OF THE COUNT DE ST POL,—AND OTHER -MATTERS THAT HAPPENED AT THIS TIME.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">At</span> this period, John duke of Brittany, son in law to the king, came to -Paris, with his brother<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> the count de Richemont. The duke d'Evreux<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> -and the earl of Rutland arrived there also from England, to treat of -the marriage of their king with Catherine daughter to the king of -France, and to prevent the alliance which the duke of Burgundy was -desirous of forming between the king of England and his daughter<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a>. -These ambassadors, having explained to the king of France and his -ministers the cause of their coming, returned to England.</p> - -<p>The duke of Burgundy, during this time, was holding a grand council at -Lille, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> was attended by deputies from Ghent, Bruges, Ypres, the -Quatre Mestiers, and by many nobles: among the latter was count Waleran -de St Pol, constable of France, who had just concluded the negotiation -with the English at Boulogne and Leulinghen. The envoys from England -were the earl of Warwick and the bishop of St Davids, and others, who -were commissioned to treat of a truce between the two kings, which was -agreed on to last until the feast of St John the Baptist next ensuing.</p> - -<p>The count de St Pol, when on this business, received letters from -the king of France, ordering him to come to Paris and surrender the -constable's sword. Finding that it was intended to deprive him of this -office, he came to ask advice of the duke of Burgundy, who counselled -him not to obey these orders; and in consequence, he went to his castle -of St Pol en Ternois, where his lady resided, and thence to Amiens, and -there tarried four days.</p> - -<p>From Amiens, he sent to Paris, as ambassadors to the king of France, -his nephew the count de Conversen and the vidame of Amiens, attended by -master Robert le Jeusne, advocate at Amiens, to harangue the king on -the subject of their embassy. On their arrival,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> the advocate opened -his harangue in full council before the king, the chancellor and the -other members of it, saying, that the constable, the count de St Pol, -his lord and master, had never been of any party which had disturbed -the realm; that he had never raised any troops, nor had attacked any of -the king's castles, as several others had done.</p> - -<p>When he had finished his speech, he was required to produce those -who would vouch for what he had said, as had been done in similar -cases; but the ambassadors would not support him, and he was instantly -arrested and confined in the prisons of the Châtelet, where he remained -for two days; and it was with great difficulty that the duke of Bar, -brother in law to the count de St Pol, by his entreaties, obtained his -liberty.</p> - -<p>On Saturday, the day after the feast of St Mor<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a>, the count de St Pol -left Amiens, and returned dispirited and melancholy to his own county.</p> - -<p>Other royal edicts were now published at Paris and sent to all parts -of the kingdom for proclamation, complaining of the great disorders -that had been committed in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> capital by the Parisians, to the great -displeasure of the queen and the duke of Acquitaine.—I shall not -particularise these edicts, for the atrocious acts of the Parisians -have been already sufficiently declared.</p> - -<p>Soon after these proclamations, the duke of Orleans, conformably to the -articles of the peace, demanded of the king restitution of his castles -of Pierrefons and Coucy, which the count de St Pol had refused to -surrender to him. His request was granted, and orders were sent to sir -Gasselins du Bos, bailiff of Sens, to go thither and receive the homage -due to the king,—and thus they were restored to the duke of Orleans.</p> - -<p>On the following Saturday, the count d'Armagnac, and Clugnet de -Brabant, knight, came to Paris with a numerous company of men at arms, -and were received by the king, lords and barons, with great joy. All, -or the greater part of those who had followed the faction of the duke -of Orleans, now came to Paris,—and the affairs of the nation were -governed according to their good pleasure, for the king and the duke -of Acquitaine were at this time under their management. With regard to -the Burgundy-faction, they were kept at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> a distance, and could scarcely -ever obtain an audience, how high soever their rank might be, insomuch -that such as had remained in the town were forced to hold down their -heads, and to hear many things that were neither pleasant nor agreeable -to them.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> The name of the city of Amiens is inserted in this and -in most of the former state-papers merely by way of example. It was -probably the nearest bailiwick to Monstrelet's place of residence, -and the edicts, &c. which he inspected were those directed to this -particular bailiff.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> There was clearly no such person as the duke d'Evreux; -but the earl of Rutland himself was also duke of Aumerle; and, both -being norman titles, Monstrelet might have confounded them. But I -can find no mention of an embassy in which the earl of Rutland was -concerned.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> Monstrelet must have mistaken the names of these -ambassadors; for in the Fœdera mention is made of a promise from the -king of England, by his commissioners, the bishop of Durham, the earl -of Warwick and doctor Ware<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a>, 'De non contrahendo, citra certum diem, -cum aliqua alia muliere, nisi cum Katerina Franciæ, matrimonio.'—Dated -Westminster, 28th January 1414.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> This, however, seems to refer to the second embassy -mentioned after.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> St Mor. Q. St Maur?</p></div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2><a name="CHAP_XXV" id="CHAP_XXV">CHAP. XXV.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY HOLDS MANY COUNCILS TO CONSIDER OF HIS SITUATION, -FEARING THAT HIS ENEMIES WOULD TURN THE KING AGAINST HIM, WHICH THEY -AFTERWARDS DID<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a>.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">The</span> duke of Burgundy, while these things were passing, resided in the -town of Lille,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> where he had assembled many great lords to consult and -have their advice respecting the situation he was then in. He received -almost daily intelligence from Paris, and learnt how his enemies -governed the king and the duke of Acquitaine, and were labouring to -keep those of his party at a distance from the royal presence, in order -to prevent their receiving any marks of favour or benevolence.</p> - -<p>The duke formed various opinions on this intelligence, and suspected, -what indeed afterward happened, that his adversaries would succeed -in setting the king and the duke of Acquitaine at variance with him, -and in the end making war upon him. He was, however, prepared to meet -whatever events might befal him.</p> - -<p>At this period, the earl of Warwick, the bishop of St Davids, and -others, waited upon him, to treat of a marriage between the king -of England and a daughter of the duke, notwithstanding the embassy -that had been sent to the king of France on a similar subject. These -ambassadors and the duke of Burgundy could not agree on the terms of -alliance, and they consequently returned to England.</p> - -<p>On the 4th day of October, the lords d'Offemont and de Moy came to St -Pol en<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> Ternois, by orders from the king of France, to demand from -the count de St Pol, that he would surrender to them, or send to the -king, his constable's sword. The count replied, that he would never -willingly, nor without the advice of his friends, comply with such -a request, but that he would refer the matter to the counsel of his -friends, and would shortly send such an answer that the king should be -satisfied therewith. These lords, having heard this, returned to Paris, -after having been honourably entertained by the constable, and related -to the king and council what they had done, which was not any way -agreeable to those who had sent them.</p> - -<p>This same day, another royal edict was published against all who should -not strictly keep the peace, forbidding every one to spread abroad any -evil reports that would tend to create discord and commotion, and to -call any one by such sirnames as should engender strife, and renew the -mischiefs that had so lately desolated the kingdom. It was proclaimed -throughout France, and was of the following tenour.</p> - -<p>'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> - - - - - -<p>'It has come to our knowledge, that whereas by great and mature -deliberation of council, and by the aid and diligence of many of our -blood and other discreet men of our realm, we have, by the grace of -God, established a peace between several of our kindred, among whom -disputes and discords had arisen and continued for a considerable -time. We have first shown all the points of the treaties that had been -proposed, after mature council, as well to those of our blood and -great council as to the prelates, barons, and knights of our different -courts of parliament, and to other officers of justice in the court of -the Conciergerie, and also to our well-beloved daughter the university -of Paris, the clergy and citizens of our capital, who have been all -delighted therewith, and have unanimously supplicated us to complete -the peace, which, through the mercy of God, we have done.</p> - -<p>'For the greater security of its observance, our very dear and well -beloved eldest son, nephews, uncle and cousins,—that is to say, Louis -duke of Acquitaine, dauphin of Vienne, the dukes of Berry, Burgundy, -Orleans, Brittany, Bourbon, and of Bar,—the counts d'Alençon, Vertus, -Richemont, d'Eu, Vendosme, and many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> others of our blood,—have -promised and sworn in our presence, on the word of a son to a king -and a prince, on part of a piece of the true cross, and upon the holy -evangelists of God touched corporally by them, never more in any -respect to misbehave toward us, but to pay a due regard to their own -honour and rank, and henceforward to act toward each other like to kind -relations and friends.</p> - -<p>'This they declare they have done without any fraud, deception, or -mental reservation, and promise most faithfully to observe this union, -and to deposit in our hands their several letters patent.</p> - -<p>'In like manner have the different ranks of our faithful subjects -promised and sworn to the due observance of that affection, loyalty, -and service they owe to us, and that they will most strictly keep this -aforesaid peace concluded between the princes of our blood,—and that -they will, to the utmost of their power, prevent it from being in any -way infringed, as is more fully explained in others of our letters -patent.</p> - -<p>'Nevertheless, there are, as we learn, several within your bailiwick -full of evil intentions, who, believing that no proceedings will take -place against them for any commotions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> they may excite, and that they -may remain unpunished in body or goods, do daily spread abroad reports -injurious to the said peace, and by wicked murmurings endeavour to -raise discontents against it, and also to make use of such odious -sirnames as have been by this peace strictly forbidden, and by other -acts and speeches urge on the people to dissensions that may produce -fresh warfare; which things are highly, and not without cause, -displeasing to us.</p> - -<p>'We will, that the aforesaid peace be most strictly kept, and such is -our firm intention, that all means of future dissensions may be put -an end to, and that every kind of warfare cease in our kingdom, so -that each person may henceforward live in peace and tranquillity. We -therefore command, that you do instantly cause these presents to be -most solemnly proclaimed by sound of trumpet in every part within your -bailiwick wherever any proclamations have been or are usually made.</p> - -<p>'Our will and purpose is, to preserve this peace most strictly -inviolate, and to observe it in the manner that has been so solemnly -sworn to in our presence, without suffering it to be infringed by any -person whatever. And we expressly command that you do most attentively<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> -regard its preservation, and that you do make very exact inquiries -after all who may in any manner attempt its infringement. We rigorously -forbid any factious sirnames to be used, and all other words and -expressions that have a tendency to revive past dissensions, under pain -of corporal punishment and confiscation of goods. And any such whom -you shall find disobeying these our commands you will punish in such -wise that he or they be examples to deter others from committing the -like,—and see that there be no failure in this through any fault or -neglect of your own.</p> - -<p>'For the due fulfilment of these our commands, we give full powers, -as well to yourself as to your deputies and under officers, -notwithstanding any letters, edicts, prohibitions, oppositions, or -appeals to the contrary. Given at Paris, the 6th day of October, -1413.'——Signed by the king in his great council, in the presence of -the king of Sicily, the dukes of Berry, Orleans, Bourbon, the counts -de la Marche, d'Alençon, d'Eu, Vendosme, Armagnac, the constable, the -count de Tancarville, the grand master of the household, the master -of the cross-bows, the admiral, the chancellors of Acquitaine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> and -of Orleans, the lords d'Oyrront<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a>, de Torcy, de Ray de Boyssay, de -Bauquille, l'hermite de la Fayette, and many more.—Countersigned, 'P. -Naucron.'</p> - -<p>This edict was afterwards proclaimed at Amiens, and in that bailiwick, -on the 3d day of November in the same year.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> At the head of this chapter, in the edition of Monstrelet -in Lincoln's-inn Library, (which is the black letter of Anthoine -Verard,—I can find no date), is a curious wooden print, representing, -perhaps, the duke of Burgundy and his lords in council; but I do not -understand what the figures of dead bodies in the back ground are meant -for. -</p> -<p> -I should suspect that the print is misplaced, and is meant to describe -the bloody entry of the duke into Paris some time after.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h2><a name="CHAP_XXVI" id="CHAP_XXVI">CHAP. XXVI.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">DUKE LOUIS OF BAVARIA MARRIES AT PARIS.—OF THOSE WHO HAD BEEN -BANISHED ON ACCOUNT OF THE DISCORDS BETWEEN THE DUKES OF ORLEANS AND -BURGUNDY,—AND OF MANY OTHER INCIDENTAL MATTERS.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">In</span> these days, duke Louis of Bavaria, brother to the queen of France, -espoused, at the hôtel of St Pol, the widow of the lord Peter de -Navarre, formerly count de Mortain. At this wedding, the king and many -others of the princes tilted, for there were very grand feasts on the -occasion.</p> - -<p>On the morrow, sir Robinet de Mailly, sir Elyon de Jacqueville, les -Goys, namely,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> father and son, master John de Troyes, Denisot de -Chaumont, Caboche, and others who have been before mentioned as having -suits brought against them in parliament, were for ever banished from -Paris. The duke of Burgundy very soon received information of this, as -he was at St Omer, where he had assembled the nobility of Artois, to -deliberate on the subject of taxes, and they had granted him one equal -to what the king annually levied. He was not well pleased with this -intelligence, for the greater part of those who had been banished were -then with him; and they daily urged him to march a powerful army to -Paris, assuring him, that if he would appear before it, the Parisians -would instantly declare for him, and drive his enemies out of the town. -The duke, however, being otherwise advised, would not comply with their -request.</p> - -<p>About this time there was a violent quarrel between the dukes of -Orleans and Brittany, on the subject of precedency, insomuch that it -came to the ears of the king, who decided for the duke of Orleans. On -this, the duke of Brittany left Paris in ill humour; but before he -departed, he had some high words with his brother-in-law the count -d'Alençon, in consequence of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> telling him that he had in his heart -a lion as big as a child of one year old, which greatly angered the -duke, and caused a hatred between them.</p> - -<p>At this period, the borgne de la Heuse was, by the king's order, -dismissed from the provostship of Paris, and master Andrieu Marchant, -advocate in the parliament, appointed in his stead. Sir Guichart -Daulphin, grand master of the king's household, the lord de Rambures, -master of the cross-bows of France, and sir Anthony de Craon, were -also dismissed, by order of the duke of Acquitaine, and commanded not -to return to Paris until the king should send for them. In like manner -were three hundred persons, as well men as women, driven out of Paris -because they were attached to the party of the duke of Burgundy.</p> - -<p>The count de Vendosme was made grand master of the cross-bows, and -several were restored to their former offices.</p> - -<p>About this time, sixteen hundred horse, whom the duke had sent for from -Burgundy, marched through Champagne, the Cambresis, and thence into -Artois. The duke was at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> Lille, and with him the count de St Pol, who -had come thither to consult him whether or not he should surrender the -constable's sword. The duke advised him to retain it, and said that he -would support him to the utmost of his power. In consequence, the count -sent the vidame of Amiens again to Paris, to inform the king and his -council of his intention to keep the constable's sword.</p> - -<p>Another edict, to forbid any persons whatever from bearing arms, was -now published, the tenour of which was as follows.</p> - -<p>'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting.</p> - -<p>'Since, through the Divine Grace, we have succeeded in establishing a -peace between some of our kindred, among whom discords and dissensions -had taken place,—on which we ordered, that all foreign men at arms and -archers should instantly quit our kingdom, and no longer live upon and -harrass our subjects, as they had been accustomed to do, and which was -highly displeasing to us,—</p> - -<p>'Know ye, that we will that this our order be most strictly obeyed, -and that nothing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> be done to the contrary, to the oppression of our -said subjects, or to their hindrance in living under us in peace and -tranquillity. For this, and other sufficient reasons which move us, -we expressly command you to cause this our pleasure to be publicly -proclaimed by sound of trumpet, in all places within your bailiwick -where proclamations have been usually made, that no knight or noble -esquire, of whatever rank he may be, shall put on arms or attend to the -commands of any superior lord whatever to begin and carry on a warfare -in any part of our realm, under pain of forfeiture of his goods and -estate, unless he shall have our especial commands for so doing.</p> - -<p>'All such as you shall find acting contrary to this our order you will -punish, so that they may be examples for others; and you will seize on -all their goods and chattels for our use, because they have been guilty -of disobedience and disloyalty towards us their sovereign lord, without -having received our commands. Be careful that this order be obeyed, and -not neglected through any fault of yours.</p> - -<p>'Given at the Bois de Vincennes, the 22d day of October, in the year of -Grace 1413, and of our reign the 33d.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p> - - - - - -<p>It was signed by the king in his great council,—present the lord de -Preaulx<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a>, the count de Tancarville, the lords de Montenay and de -Cambrillac, Pierre de l'Esclut, and several others. This edict was -proclaimed in Amiens the 12th day of November following.</p> - -<p>On the Monday preceding the feast of All-saints, the duke of Burgundy -gave a grand entertainment at Lille. The Monday and Tuesday, the -knights and esquires tilted, namely, the duke himself, his son the -count de Charolois, the duke of Brabant and the count de Nevers, his -brothers.</p> - -<p>Soon after this feast was over, and the company departed, the lord -de Dampierre, admiral of France, the bishop of Evreux, and others, -came to Lille as ambassadors from the king of France, and commanded -the duke, in the king's name, by virtue of their royal orders, not -to enter into any treaty or agreement with the king of England, for -the marriage of his daughter or otherwise, under pain of having his -estates confiscated. They summoned him to surrender to the king<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> three -castles which were garrisoned by his men, namely, Cherbourg, Caen, -and Crotoy,—and ordered him, on his allegiance, to maintain the -peace he had so solemnly sworn to observe with the duke of Orleans, -his brothers, their friends and adherents. The duke, on hearing these -commands, made no reply whatever to the ambassadors, but called for his -boots, and rode off instantly for Oudenarde. The ambassadors returned -to Rolaincourt le Châtel, which belonged to the admiral, on the eve of -Saint Martin, and thence came to Paris.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> D'Oyrront. Q. D'Orgemont?</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> James de Bourbon, grand butler of France, son to James I. -count de la Marche, and uncle to the present counts de la Marche and -Vendôme, and lord of Carency.</p></div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2><a name="CHAP_XXVII" id="CHAP_XXVII">CHAP. XXVII.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE KING OF FRANCE, FEARING THE PEACE WOULD BE BROKEN, PUBLISHES OTHER -EDICTS FOR ITS PRESERVATION THROUGHOUT THE REALM, AND ALSO RESPECTING -THE COIN.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">The</span> king of France, suspecting that the peace lately concluded at -Pontoise would be broken, by several who were endeavouring to excite -fresh disturbances by their seditious speeches, published the following -edict.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to all those to whom -these presents may come, greeting.</p> - -<p>'Since it is a duty appertaining to our royal majesty, as well as -to all princes who have subjects to govern, and consonant to the -establishment and ordinance of God, appointed by the divine, canon, -and civil law, that a good and strict police should be observed and -supported for the well governing and keeping in peace our people, and -to avoid all wars and intestine divisions, which we have always had -most earnestly at heart, and are determined to prevent as much as -shall lie within our power.—It has, however, happened, that quarrels -and dissensions have arisen between some of the princes of our blood, -whence have sprung intestine warfares, to the great detriment of our -subjects residing within towns, as well as of those employed in rural -affairs.</p> - -<p>'We have, through the wholesome advice of many discreet and wise -persons of our blood and council, as well as of our daughter the -university of Paris, and several of its citizens, concluded a peace -between the contending parties, which each has most solemnly sworn, on -the holy relic of the true cross, most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> faithfully to preserve, and not -invalidate in the smallest trifle. On this occasion, we have overlooked -and pardoned the crimes that have been committed during these divisions -in our good city of Paris.</p> - -<p>'We have also given our letters of pardon, tied with silken cords and -sealed with green wax; and this peace, so sworn, we have had proclaimed -throughout our kingdom, and wherever else we have thought it necessary, -so that no one may plead ignorance of it, and carry on a warfare from -partiality or attachment to either of the late contending parties, or -by murmurs or seditious words endeavour to infringe this peace, and -renew the dissensions that have so much distressed our realm, by any -means, or in any measure whatever.</p> - -<p>'It has, notwithstanding, come to our knowledge, that many -evil-disposed persons, as well within our town of Paris as elsewhere, -and of various ranks and conditions, do privately murmur, and use many -seditious expressions in their secret meetings, in order to overturn -this peace, and attempt to excite the commonalty of Paris to second -their damnable ends and intentions,—to stir up a mortal war to our -evident disadvantage, to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> peril of our realm and government,—to -put an end to all legal justice, and to the destruction of all good -and loyal subjects who are desirous of peace. This conduct imperiously -demands an efficient and speedy remedy, to prevent the dangers that -might otherwise ensue.</p> - -<p>'Know ye, that we have held divers councils on the above with the -princes of our blood, and with our wisest and most prudent counsellors, -to provide and to determine on the most effectual means to check -such treasonable practices. We therefore order and enjoin, by these -presents, that whoever may have knowledge of any person or persons, -who, since the signature of the peace at Pontoise, have murmured, or do -murmur, or spread abroad any factious words or expressions, to excite -the populace against the said peace, or shall have knowledge of any -conspiracy or damnable secret meetings, and will denounce them to any -of our officers of justice, so that legal cognizance may be taken of -the same, shall, on the conviction of such persons, receive one third -part of the goods and estates that may, in consequence of the sentence -or sentences passed on them, be adjudged to ourself. And we further -will, that this our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> edict be published throughout the realm, that all -diligence may be used to discover such traitors as are seditiously -active in disturbing the peace, so that punishment may be inflicted -upon them according to the heinousness of their offences, as violators -of the peace, and to serve for an example to others. We will that full -credit be given to the copies of these presents, the same as if they -were the original.</p> - -<p>'We therefore give it in command to our bailiff of Amiens, or to his -lieutenant, and to all others our officers and subjects within our -realm, each as it may behove him, to see that the above ordinance -be duly and diligently put into execution, and that it be no way -neglected. In witness whereof, we have to these presents affixed our -seal.</p> - -<p>'Given at Paris the last day but one of October, in the year of Grace -1413, and of our reign the 33d.' Signed by the king in his great -council,—present the king of Sicily, the dukes of Berry, of Orleans, -the counts de Vertus, d'Eu, de Richemont, de Vendosme, the constable -of France, the archbishop of Sens, and several others. Countersigned, -'Gontier.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>This edict was proclaimed in Amiens the 15th day of December, in the -same year.</p> - -<p>The king was at this period busied in making some regulations -respecting the coin, and in consequence issued an edict, which he -ordered to be promulgated throughout the kingdom: the tenour of it was -as follows:</p> - -<p>'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting.</p> - -<p>'Know ye, that in order to provide for the security of the public -welfare of our kingdom, and to obviate the great varieties of coins -that for some time have had currency in our realm, we do ordain, after -mature deliberation with our council, that a coin be struck of the form -of deniers, called Gros, which shall be current for twenty deniers -tournois, and of five sols to five deniers, the fourth part of a denier -of the poids de marc of Paris,—and coins of half a gros and half a -quarter of a gros, twenty sols six deniers tournois being the value of -each,—also small crowns, of the value of fifteen sols tournois each. -Those gros, half gros, quarter gros, which have been formerly coined, -and blancs<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> of ten deniers, and of five deniers, shall have currency -with the new money.</p> - -<p>'We therefore command and enjoin you to make this our will respecting -the regulation of our coin as public as possible, so that no one may -plead ignorance of it,—and you will cause this edict to be proclaimed -in all the usual places of your bailiwick. You will observe its -regulations without favour or affection to any one, and punish such as -may act contrary thereto, that they may be examples to others.</p> - -<p>'Given at Paris the 13th day of November in the year of Grace 1413, and -of our reign the 33d.' It was thus signed by the king on the report of -the council held in the chamber of accounts,—present the archbishop of -Bourges, the bishop of Noyon, the members of the chamber of accounts, -the officers of the treasury, the master and monoyers of the mint, and -countersigned, 'Le Begue.'</p> - -<p>It is true, that the king was fearful beyond measure of the peace -being interrupted; and, anxiously desirous of preventing it from being -infringed, he issued another edict much stronger than the preceding -ones to all the bailiffs and seneschals in his kingdom.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting.</p> - -<p>'Whereas during the time we were last at Auxerre, through the Divine -Providence, and great deliberation of council, we succeeded in the -establishment of peace between some of the princes of our blood, and -between our subjects, which was afterward confirmed in our good town of -Paris. Our princes then faithfully promised to keep this peace without -any way infringing it, or suffering it to be infringed by others.</p> - -<p>'We, considering that peace is advantageous to us, our realm, and our -subjects, and reflecting upon the manifold and numberless evils that -would result should it be broken, are desirous to preserve it with -our whole heart, and to prevent it from being in the smallest degree -infringed.</p> - -<p>'For these and other considerations that move us, we strictly charge -you to have these presents publicly proclaimed with sound of trumpet in -all the accustomed places within your bailiwick; and that you forbid -all persons to obey any summons or proclamations that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> may have been -issued by any of the princes of our blood, in their own or in our name, -of whatever rank or condition he may be,—or whether any such shall -be issued under pretext of serving us, or on any colour or pretence -whatever. And you will strictly charge all vassals not to obey any such -summons, or to bear arms accordingly, under pain of forfeiture of body -and estate to us, and of suffering such punishment as may be adjudged -for their disobedience to us and to our crown. Should any vassals be -already set out to join their respective lords, or about to do so, you -will command them to return instantly to their homes, and not to depart -thence until they shall receive our letters patent, under our great -seal, to that purpose, signed in our great council subsequent to the -date of these presents.</p> - -<p>'You will also make proclamation, that for this occasion only we do -exempt all our loyal subjects, vassals to any lord, from obeying his -summons; and we will that for this their disobedience they do not -suffer in body or estate, or be pursued in any courts of justice; but -our intention is to guard and preserve them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> from all oppression by -every legal means, or, should it be necessary, by force of arms.</p> - -<p>'You will hasten to all places within your jurisdiction where you -shall know there are any assemblies of men at arms, and forbid them to -proceed any further, commanding them to return to their homes, under -the penalties aforesaid. Should they refuse to obey you, and become -rebellious to your commands, you will force them to obedience by every -means in your power; by placing within their mansions, and on their -estates, men who shall destroy and waste them, by uncovering their -houses, or by any the most rigorous means, even by force of arms, -should there be occasion, calling to your aid our good and faithful -subjects, so that you may have sufficient power to make yourself -obeyed; and we command all our subjects to pay due respect to your -orders, so that the end proposed may be obtained. Should any who -disobey you be killed or wounded in the conflict, we will that no legal -steps be pursued against you or your supporters; and should any horses, -baggage, or other effects, be taken from these rebellious subjects, we -will that they remain in full<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> possession to the captors, or to those -who shall have assisted you.</p> - -<p>'In regard to such as you shall have had due information of being -disobedient to these our commands, you will arrest them any where -but in places of sanctuary, and have them conveyed, under sufficient -escorts, to our prisons of the Châtelet in Paris. Should you not find -them out of sanctuary, you will leave a process of citation at such of -their houses as may be within your jurisdiction; otherwise you will -summon them with a loud voice, and with sound of trumpet, at the places -in which they usually assemble, to appear before us on a certain day at -our court of parliament in Paris. Should it happen to be the vacation -of parliament, when there are not any pleadings, they must appear at -the next sittings, under pain of confiscation of their goods, their -fiefs and tenements, for having committed treason against us, and of -being proceeded against by our attorney-general in such wise as he in -his judgment shall think fit.</p> - -<p>'You will take possession of all the effects, moveable and immoveable, -of such as you shall have served processes upon, making out a just -inventory of the same, and placing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> them in such safe hands that, -should it be judged expedient, they may be faithfully restored, -notwithstanding any opposition or appeals to the contrary, until -our faithful counsellors, holding our courts of parliament, shall -have determined on what you have done, according to the report which -you shall deliver to them under your seal. We shall order these our -counsellors, after having heard the parties, not to delay doing strict -justice on such as shall have been disobedient to our commands, and to -use such diligence that you may not suffer; for should there be any -neglect on your part in the execution of these our commands, we shall -have you punished for the same, that you may serve for an example to -others.</p> - -<p>'We have noticed that you have not been active in carrying into effect -different orders which we have sent to you on this subject since the -peace concluded at Auxerre, from which many inconveniences have arisen, -which have given us, and not without cause, much displeasure against -you. We therefore command you to report to us what you shall have -done in the execution of these our orders, the days and places where -you shall have proclaimed them, that we may have due<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> information of -the measures which you shall take; and you will likewise report to -us whether any princes of our blood, or others, are assembling men -at arms, and at what places. Instantly on such intelligence coming -to our knowledge, we will give you further orders, and full powers -to carry them into effect; and we shall command all our officers of -justice, in the most express manner, to obey and assist you therein -to the utmost of their power. They will give you counsel, aid, and -the use of their prisons, should need be, and should you call on them -for assistance,—for such is our pleasure, and thus we order it, -notwithstanding any letters and ordinances surreptitiously obtained to -the contrary.</p> - -<p>'Given at Paris, the 11th day of November, in the year of Grace -1413, and of our reign the 33d.' Signed by the king in his great -council,—present the king of Sicily, the dukes of Berry and Orleans, -the counts d'Alençon, de Vertus, the duke of Bar, Louis of Bavaria, the -counts d'Eu, Vendosme, and de Richemont, the constable, the chancellor -of Acquitaine, and several more.</p> - -<p>This edict was proclaimed in Amiens the 13th day of December, in the -same year.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>Here follows another edict of the king of France, to forbid knights or -esquires to obey the summons of any lord, under certain penalties.</p> - -<p>'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting.</p> - -<p>'It has come to our knowledge, that although the restoration of -peace has put an end to all those assemblies of men at arms, and -obviated the great inconveniences that usually ensued from them; and -that although we have caused it to be proclaimed in our good town of -Paris, and elsewhere throughout the realm, that no persons whatever -should in future hold such assemblies, but that all persons should -retire to their own homes under pain of incurring our displeasure, and -forfeiting life and estate, yet our subjects, whether in Picardy or -in other parts, instead of showing due obedience to this our command, -have assembled in arms without our licence in the aforesaid country, -and elsewhere in the kingdom, as we have had information, disturbing -and infringing the peace, and thus acting expressly contrary to our -positive commands, to the injury of our subjects and kingdom,—and -greater would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> ensue, were we not provided with a suitable remedy.</p> - -<p>'We therefore, after due deliberation of council, do most strictly -order and enjoin you, by these presents, that you positively forbid, -under pain of corporal punishment and confiscation of goods, all nobles -or others within your bailiwick, of whatever condition or rank they may -be, to arm themselves or to attend any congregations of men at arms, -under pretence of serving us, or in consequence of summons from others, -without our especial order and licence so to do, by letters from -our council of a subsequent date to these presents. Should any such -assemblies have actually taken place, you will order them instantly -to depart in peace, without injuring the country, and return to their -homes.</p> - -<p>'In case any one should prove rebellious, and refuse compliance with -your orders, you will instantly arrest him, and take possession in -our name of all his goods, estates, fiefs, and every article of his -property, making out an exact inventory of all, which you will intrust -to the care of persons sufficiently responsible, so that the whole may -be restored, should we see occasion for the same. You will place in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> -their fortresses and castles such persons as shall be wealthy enough to -keep them in a proper state, until the matter shall be decided by our -great council. You will arrest, imprison, and punish all who shall act -contrary to these our commands; and that you may have sufficient force -to effect this, you will call to your aid all our loyal subjects and -our faithful allies, as well within as without your jurisdiction, and -in such numbers as you shall judge expedient.</p> - -<p>'We therefore command all our vassals, on their faith and loyalty, and -under pain of corporal punishment and confiscation of effects, that -they do instantly obey your summons, and arm themselves to support you -in the carrying these presents into complete execution. You will be -careful that there be no failure on your part, for we shall call you -severely to account for any neglect. To accomplish this our purpose, -we delegate to you full power and authority, and we command all our -officers of justice, and others our allies and wellwishers, to attend -diligently to your orders, and to afford you every assistance of which -you may be in need.</p> - -<p>'We also enjoin all our well-beloved counsellors of our parliament, -masters of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> requests in our household, those employed in the courts of -request of our palace in Paris, the provost of Paris, you bailiff, and -you lieutenant, and all other officers of justice within our realm and -their lieutenants, and each of them as the case may happen, that you -do withhold all legal proceedings for quarrels, debts, or other suits -that may any way attach such persons, noble or otherwise, as may be in -your company for the better executing these presents, for the space of -fifteen days after their return home from assisting you, and that you -keep an exact account of the time, without suffering any injury to be -offered to them or their sureties; and should any thing prejudicial to -them be attempted, you will see that all things be replaced precisely -in the state they were in at the time he or they came to your aid, for -such is our pleasure according to the tenour of these presents,—to the -copy of which (for the original cannot be carried every where), under -our royal signet, we will that the same credence be given as if it were -the original.</p> - -<p>'Given at Paris the 14th day of November, in the year of Grace -1413, and of our reign the 33d.' Signed by the king in his great -council,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span>—present the king of Sicily, the dukes of Berry, of Orleans, -and of Bar, the counts d'Alençon, de Vertus, d'Eu, de Vendosme, de -Tancarville, the constable, the chancellor of Acquitaine, with others. -Countersigned, 'P. Naucron,' It was proclaimed in Amiens, the 13th day -of December of the same year.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAP_XXVIII" id="CHAP_XXVIII">CHAP. XXVIII.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE KING OF SICILY SENDS BACK THE DAUGHTER OF THE DUKE OF -BURGUNDY.—THE DUKE WRITES LETTERS TO THE KING OF FRANCE, CONTAINING -REMONSTRANCES, AND OTHER MATTERS.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">On</span> the 20th day of November, in this year, the king of Sicily sent -back to the city of Beauvais, Catherine daughter to John duke of -Burgundy, who had been betrothed to Louis, the king of Sicily's eldest -son, according to treaties that had been entered into between the two -parties, and in consequence of which the duke had caused her to be -most honourably escorted to Angers. But the king afterward<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> sent her -back, attended by the lord de Longny, marshal of France, and others, to -the amount of six score horse, knights, esquires, ladies and damsels, -belonging to the duke of Burgundy, who had sent them for that purpose. -By them she was conducted in great sorrow to Amiens, and thence to her -father at Lille, who was much vexed on the occasion, and conceived -thereat a mortal hatred to the king of Sicily, which lasted all their -lives.</p> - -<p>Shortly after, this lady Catherine of Burgundy, who was, for her tender -years, a very gracious lady, died in Ghent, without ever having been -married.</p> - -<p>In this same month, the duke of Burgundy sent letters to the king of -France at Paris, containing his respectful salutations, his complaints -and his accusations against his enemies, the contents of which were as -follow.</p> - -<p>'John duke of Burgundy, count of Flanders, of Artois, and palatine of -Burgundy: my most-redoubted and dear lord, I recommend myself most -humbly to you, being perpetually desirous, as is right, to hear of the -good estate of your health,—and may God, in his gracious pleasure, -continue it to you in the best possible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> manner, according to your good -desire and wishes! I most earnestly supplicate you, my most-redoubted -and beloved lord, that I may as often as possible be ascertained of -this from yourself, for God knows how much I wish your prosperity; -and I cannot have greater joy in this world than to hear satisfactory -news of you,—and may God, out of his holy grace, grant that I may -alway hear such as may be agreeable to you, and such as I may wish for -myself! Should it please you, my most redoubted and dear lord, to know -how I am, I was in excellent health on the departure of these letters, -thanks to God,—and may he alway continue you in the same! Most dear -and redoubted lord, I presume that it is in your good remembrance, that -by your proclamation, issued by advice of my most redoubted lord the -duke of Acquitaine, your son, and by my advice also, and by that of -many lords of your blood, and of your grand council, and at the earnest -and humble request of your daughter the university of Paris, and of the -clergy of the said city, of the provost of merchants and the sheriffs, -and in general of other good people of your said city, were notified -certain ordinances, as well of your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> grand council aforesaid, as of -many other great lords and counsellors, of myself, of the university -aforesaid, and of the clergy of the aforesaid city of Paris, for the -effecting of peace and union among the lords of your blood, as the only -means for the reparation of the miseries the whole kingdom suffered -under, which was in thorough desolation, and must have been destroyed -if God had not inspired you with a desire of peace. By these means, -each loyal subject of your realm may have the hope of sleeping in -peace and tranquillity, as was most notably said and explained in your -presence, and before many of the princes of your blood and others, by a -very able knight, counsellor to my very dear lord and cousin the king -of Sicily.</p> - -<p>'Nevertheless, my most-redoubted lord, although I had sworn to -observe this peace in your presence, with a loyal faith and the most -upright intentions, as several who attended might have noticed; -and notwithstanding, because I did suspect that after my departure -some persons might imagine various strange matters, tending to the -infraction of the peace, I sent to you, as soon as I could, letters, -to assure you of my cordial intentions of maintaining<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> the object of -your ordinance,—and in greater confirmation, I sent to you some of my -confidential servants, principally on this account, as it may please -you to remember; yet notwithstanding this, my most dear lord, and that -I have not committed any act to infringe your ordinance, whatever -accusations have been brought against me by some people, who (saving -the honour and reverence always due to you) have spoken contrary to -truth: many things have, in like manner, been done against the sense of -your ordinance, to the contempt, prejudice, and scandal of myself and -mine, who have been pointed out in the aforesaid ordinance.</p> - -<p>'I am, therefore, the less bound to proceed according to your will -and that of your very dear son, my redoubted lord, and of the princes -of your blood, and members of your grand council; but I am pressed -thereto from the instigations and extraordinary importunities of some -who have for a long time been contentious, and are still the same, in -very strange manner,—whom may God, out of his holy grace, reclaim, and -bring to a proper sense of duty, as there is great need, and which I -most earnestly desire.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'For a fuller declaration of the above, it is true, my most-redoubted -lord, that at the instigation of some persons, shortly after I had -sworn to the observance of the peace, several skirmishes with armed -men were made in Paris, near to my hôtel, which seemed to have been -conducted and done in contempt of me, to the prejudice of my character -and of the persons of my adherents; for since I quitted Paris, no such -things have taken place, nor have any congregations of armed men been -heard of; but what is worse, if I were to believe what some have told -me, it was intended to lay hands on my person before I departed from -Paris, which is no sign of good peace or union.</p> - -<p>'It is a fact, that before and since I left Paris, several of your -good and faithful servants, and some of mine, have been arrested and -imprisoned without having done any thing to deserve such treatment, and -others have been obliged, by force and treacherous conduct, to quit -Paris.</p> - -<p>'It is also known, that all who had shown any affection or attachment -to me were deprived of their offices, honours and estates, without any -thing being proved to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> their prejudice, excepting that they were too -good Burgundians, and this is now daily continued. Should they declare, -that such things were done by me during the time I was at Paris in the -service of your majesty, and that I was constantly in the habit of -making such changes, to this a good and true answer may be given; for -supposing this were so, if the terms of your ordinance be considered, -they will appear founded particularly on peace, union, and affection; -and these late changes that have taken place have been caused by a -spirit of revenge, which is the reverse of love and peace, and a strong -mark of division. It would therefore have been more conformable to the -meaning of your ordinance, and more to the advantage of your realm, -if such offices had been filled by persons fairly selected, and not -through any spirit of revenge.</p> - -<p>'By reason of this same spirit, scarcely any of your servants, my most -redoubted lord, or those of my lady the queen, or the princes of your -blood, or the university, could venture to speak with those known to be -attached to my person and honour, for fear of being severely punished.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'There have also been many assemblies holden, in which harangues have -been made highly prejudicial to my honour and contrary to truth, -(saving the honour and respect due to you,) and in which expressions -have been uttered as having been said by me, but too confusedly for -their meaning to be well understood, and positively contradictory to -the peace made at Chartres as well as at Auxerre, and against the terms -so lately sworn to, which may be of very bad example, and contrary to -the doctrine of Cato, tending to provoke dissensions and warfare, which -may ultimately, which God forbid, prove of the greatest detriment and -destruction to your kingdom.</p> - -<p>'Many letters have been published in various places, as well within as -without your realm, making very light, to all who shall peruse them, of -your honour, my most-redoubted lord, of that of my lord of Acquitaine, -of several princes of your blood, of the university, and of many of the -principal inhabitants of Paris.</p> - -<p>'If it should be advanced by some of the writers of these letters, -that they have been published to clear their own honour, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> had -been stained by other letters, they ought at least to have kept to the -truth, and not have laid the blame on those who were well inclined to -keep the terms of your edict.</p> - -<p>'I have likewise been charged, contrary to the truth, with having -entertained men at arms in direct violation of your ordinance, and -with having by such means greatly injured and harrassed your subjects. -The fact is, what I have before told you, and of which I have sent you -information, that by your orders I had a command of a thousand men -at arms with my lord and uncle of Berry and others, to whom you had -given orders to oppose several enterprises that were undertaken by -some of the free companies even at the gates of Paris, to your great -disgrace and scandal. Instantly after the proclamation of your edict, -I countermanded them, nor have I ever since summoned any, or quartered -them on the country.</p> - -<p>'Should any bodies of men at arms throughout the realm say that they -belong to me, they have neither had my summons nor are they under my -command, and I am perfectly ignorant of their intentions; but as there -are yet several free companies that still<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> keep harrassing the country, -they may perhaps have assembled to drive them out of it.</p> - -<p>'It is a well-known fact, my most redoubted lord, that there are some -who have for a long time maintained, and do so still, large bodies of -men at arms, between the rivers Loire, Seine, and Yonne, and elsewhere, -directly contrary to your ordinance, to the utter ruin of your people, -for they make in their pillage no distinction between churchmen and -others; and this also is laid to my charge, as they alledge that they -keep these bodies under arms for fear lest I should raise a large force -and march it against Paris, in direct violation of your ordinance: but -this, saving the reverence due to your majesty, is a falsehood; for I -have not done this, nor ever thought of doing what would be displeasing -to you, in any manner whatever,—nor will I alter this conduct, but, -so long as I shall live, will remain your true and loyal relation and -obedient subject.</p> - -<p>'It is a fact, that several, as I have been informed, have publicly -declared, contrary to truth, that I maintained in Paris murderers and -assassins, ready to put them to death. In answer to this, my most dear -lord, I affirm for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> truth, that I not only never did so, but that I -never thought of such a thing; but these are not the first aspersions -they have cast upon me.</p> - -<p>'Many have been banished merely from hatred to me, who declare that -they were not deserving such punishment, and are ready to prove it, if -they be assured of personal security, and of having fair justice done -them. I do not say this from any desire to screen from punishment the -wicked or such as may have displeased you, my most-redoubted lord, my -lady the queen, or my lord of Acquitaine, but in behalf of those who -have been so ill treated from contempt to me.</p> - -<p>'I must also complain, that several persons have gone to the houses of -my poor servants in Paris, which are adjoining to my hôtel of Artois, -and have ransacked them from top to bottom, under pretence that letters -had been sent thither by me, to be delivered to different persons near -to the market-place, to excite them to raise a commotion in your city -of Paris, and particularly in the markets,—for which cause many of -the wives of my faithful servants have been very harshly treated, and -examined at the Châtelet on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> this subject. May it please you to know, -most-redoubted lord, that I never have written myself, nor caused to be -written by others, any thing that was contrary to your ordinance.</p> - -<p>'Those who make such accusations against me act wickedly, for they may -give you and others a bad opinion of me; and those who know Paris are -well aware that neither the inhabitants of that or any other quarter -would, for their lives, act any way that would be to your dishonour. -With regard to me, may God no longer grant me life, when I shall act -contrary to your good pleasure!</p> - -<p>'I now come to the heaviest charge against me. It is reported, but -contrary to truth, saving your reverence, that I have entered into a -treaty of marriage with England, and that, as the marriage-portion of -my daughter, I am to transfer the castles of Cherbourg and Caen, with -other places mentioned in the said treaty, to the great prejudice of -you and your kingdom. Such things I have neither done nor even thought -of; and I wish to God that all within your realm had always been as -loyal in the preservation of your person and progeny, your crown and -dignity, as I have been, and shall ever be, during my life.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'Other acts, that shall at a proper opportunity and place be declared, -have been done contrary to your edict, prejudicial to my own honour -and to that of my friends,—but those are already touched upon, and -what remain are not only directly against the spirit of your edict, -but tend to throw upon my person the utmost possible dishonour; and -they are the most effectual means of depriving me not only of your good -graces but of those of my lady the queen, and of my lord of Acquitaine, -whose happiness and prosperity I have ever desired and shall anxiously -promote above all earthly blessings.</p> - -<p>'However, my most-redoubted lord, I do not write these things to you, -as meaning in any way to infringe your ordinance, or to violate the -peace of the kingdom, which has of late been so sorely harrassed, in -various ways, that the most perverse mind should feel compassion for it.</p> - -<p>'Should any persons now affirm, that I have intentions of avoiding or -disobeying the true meaning of your ordinance, I positively declare, -that I have never had such thoughts, nor have ever wished to give any -opposition to its being carried into full effect; but on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> contrary, -I have supported it as much as any of your kindred or subjects have -done throughout the realm. It is nevertheless very true, that I have -sought for the means of keeping this peace firm and inviolate in your -whole kingdom, foreseeing events that might possibly happen should it -be infringed. I therefore most humbly supplicate you, my most-redoubted -lord, that you would be pleased to redress the above causes of -complaint in such wise that those who have been injured may not have -further reason to grieve, and that your ordinance may be fulfilled -to your own welfare and honour as well as to the good of your realm, -so that every one, as has been before said, may sleep in peace and -tranquillity,—to the accomplishment of which I am ready to offer all -my corporal and worldly effects, together with those of my friends, and -every power that God may have granted to me, according as it shall be -your good pleasure to dispose of them.</p> - -<p>'And, my most dear and redoubted lord, I beseech the blessed Son of God -to have you in his holy keeping, and to bless you with a long and happy -life. Written in our town of Ghent, the 16th day of November.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>These dispatches were presented, by Flanders king at arms, to the king, -who received them very kindly; but those who governed him were not -well pleased thereat, and would not suffer the king to make any answer -in writing. The chancellor of France told the herald, that the king -had very favourably received what his lord the duke of Burgundy had -written, and would consider of it and send an answer at a proper time -and place. After this, the king at arms left Paris, and returned to his -lord in Flanders.</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding the letters which the duke of Burgundy had written to -the king of France in his justification, those who had the management -of the king did not in the least abate the rigour with which they -were proceeding against the duke. A few days after the departure of -Flanders king at arms, there was a great assembly of theologians holden -at Paris, by the bishop of Paris and the inquisitor of the faith, to -consider on certain propositions maintained before some of the princes -of the royal blood and the duke of Burgundy, and by him supported, -against the late Louis duke of Orleans, through the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> organ of master -John Petit, and to declare whether such propositions be not heretical -and erroneous.</p> - -<p>Many were much troubled at this meeting, lest the duke of Burgundy -should be displeased with them for attending it, and that in time to -come they might suffer for it. Here follows the form of a schedule that -was delivered to some of the doctors in theology.</p> - -<p>'On the part of the bishop of Paris, the inquisitor and council of -faith duly assembled—reverend doctors, be it known, that we have -sent to you a schedule containing certain propositions, with their -reprobations; and we require from you, under pain of forfeiture, that -you deliver your opinions thereon publicly, in writing or by speech, -whether these assertions, which have brought notorious scandal on the -king's council and on the catholic faith, are erroneous and damnable, -that we may proceed thereon as the canon law requires.</p> - -<p>'On Wednesday, the 20th day of this month of December, will the first -proposition be considered, namely, 'Any tyrant legally may and ought -to be put to death by any vassal or subject, even by lying in wait for -him, by flatteries and adulations, notwithstanding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> any confederation -entered into between them, and after oaths having mutually passed, -and without waiting for the sentence of any judge whatever.' This -proposition, thus stated generally for a maxim, is, according to the -common acceptance of the word 'tyrant,' an error in our faith, contrary -to the doctrine of good morals, and contrary to the commandments of -God: 'Non occides propria auctoritate;' Thou shalt not kill of thy own -authority; and in the 26th chapter of St Matthew, 'Omnes qui accipiunt -gladium gladio peribunt.'</p> - -<p>'This doctrine tends to the subversion of all public order, and of each -prince and sovereign, and opens a road for all licentiousness and every -consequent evil, such as frauds, violations of oaths, treasons, lies, -and general disobedience between vassals and lords, distrust of each, -and consequently perdurable damnation.</p> - -<p>'Item, he who shall pertinaciously affirm this error, and the others -which follow, is an heretic, and ought to be punished as such, -even after his death. 'Notatur in decretis questione quinta,' the -other proposition.—St Michael, without any orders or command<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> from -<span class="smcap">God</span>, or others, but moved solely by his natural affections, -slew Lucifer with everlasting death, for which he is receiving -spiritual riches beyond measure.</p> - -<p>'This proposition, however, contains many errors of faith,—for -St Michael did not slay Lucifer, but Lucifer slew himself by his -sin, and <span class="smcap">God</span> put him to an everlasting death. Beside, St -Michael did receive orders from <span class="smcap">God</span> to thrust Lucifer out of -paradise: 'Quia omnis potestas est a Deo; et hoc sciebat Michael, quia -constitutus erat a Deo princeps, quem honorem non sibi assumpsit. Nota -quomodo Michael non est ausus inferre auditum blasphemiæ, sed dicit, -imperet tibi Dominus: in epistola Judæ.'</p> - -<p>'God might also have given him more spiritual riches, and the power of -receiving them: therefore he did not obtain such riches through his -natural affection.</p> - -<p>'With regard to the other proposition,—Phineas killed Zimri without -any command from GOD, or from Moses, and Zimri had not committed -idolatry. This proposition is contrary to the book containing this -history, according to the reading of learned doctors, and according -to reason and the nature of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> things. You will see in the 25th chapter -of the book of Numbers, 'Dicit Moyses ad judices Israel, Occidat unus -quisque proximos suos, qui initiati sunt Beelphegor et ecce unus, &c. -glosa. Josephus dixit, quod Zimri et principes in tribu Symeon duxerant -filias,' &c. Again, Moses, without any orders, slew the Egyptian, so -that this assertion is contrary to the text of the Bible, Actuorum -vii. according to the explanation of learned doctors, and according to -reason. Textus,—'Estimabant, autem intelligere fratres, quoniam Deus -per manum ipsius daret salutem Hierusalem,' &c.</p> - -<p>'Judith did not sin in flattering Holofernes, nor Jehu by falsely -saying that he would worship Baal. This is favourable to the error of -those who have declared that lies may be lawful on some occasions. -St Austin writes thus against such doctrine to St Jerome, 'Si inquit -admissa fuerint vel officiosa mendacia tota scripturæ divinæ vacillabit -auctoritas.' The other case brought forward to support the proposition, -that Joab killed Abner after the death of Absalom, is contrary to the -text expressed in the holy Scriptures, I Regum iii. cap. where it is -said, that long before the death of Absalom Joab slew Abner.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'The assertion, that it is not perjury to commit such actions, although -oaths of fellowship may have been given on both sides, is false, for it -is gross perjury, and unprofitable to such as may swear to treacherous -alliances: it is fraud, deception, and clear perjury; and to maintain -that such actions are lawful is an error of faith.'</p> - -<p>When these propositions had been fully discussed, they were condemned -as heretical opinions, and errors against the faith.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAP_XXIX" id="CHAP_XXIX">CHAP. XXIX.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY GOES TO ANTWERP.—THE ARREST OF SIR JOHN DE -CROY,—AND OTHER REMARKABLE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED ABOUT THIS PERIOD.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">Nearly</span> about this time, the duke of Burgundy held at Antwerp a very -confidential council, of his most tried friends, on the state of his -affairs, at which were present his brother of Brabant and his two -brothers-in-law, namely, duke William, and John of Brabant bishop -of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> Liege, the counts de St Pol and de Cleves. He had assembled them -particularly to know whether they would support him in the war which -France was silently meditating against him. They all promised him their -aid against his adversaries, excepting the persons of the king of -France and his children.</p> - -<p>When the council broke up, the duke of Burgundy returned to Artois, -in his country of Flanders, and the other lords to the places whence -they had come. On the feast of the Circumcision, a sergeant at arms -came to St Pol en Ternois, and presented to the count letters from the -king of France, containing positive orders, under pain of his highest -displeasure, not to bear arms nor to assemble any men at arms to -accompany the duke of Burgundy or others into his kingdom without his -especial licence; and that he should give an acknowledgement of the -receipt of this royal command, which the count did.</p> - -<p>While these things were passing, the duke of Acquitaine resided in -the Louvre with his state, and the duchess and her attendants at the -hôtel of St Pol. On Wednesday, the 12th day of January, the queen, -attended by the duchess, went to visit her son. A short time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> before, -by the advice of the king of Sicily, the dukes of Berry, of Orleans, -and other princes of the blood, she had caused four knights and many -other servants belonging to her son of Acquitaine to be arrested and -carried away from the Louvre, which had so much enraged the duke that -he wanted to sally out to call the populace to his aid, in rescuing -these prisoners. The princes, his relatives, would not permit him to do -this; and the queen his mother appeased his anger in the best manner -she could, and then went to the king in the hôtel de St Pol, leaving -with her son the before mentioned princes, who pacified his anger by -gentle and kind words.</p> - -<p>The four knights who had been arrested were sir John de Croy, the lord -de Broy, sir David de Brimeu, sir Bertrand de Montauban, and some -others, who very soon after, on promising not to return to the duke -of Acquitaine, were set at liberty. Sir John de Croy was detained -prisoner, and carried as such to Montlehery.</p> - -<p>Although that the duke of Acquitaine pretended to be satisfied, he -nevertheless secretly sent one of his servants to the duke of Burgundy -to desire that he would hasten to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> Paris with all his forces: he -afterward wrote to him several letters with his own hand, and without -the knowledge of the queen or the princes.</p> - -<p>When the duke of Burgundy received this intelligence, he was well -pleased, as he wished for nothing more than such a pretext to march -to Paris, and instantly issued a summons to men at arms from all -countries, appointing a day for them to meet him at Espelry, near St -Quentin in the Vermandois. For his exculpation, and that the cause of -this armament might be known, he wrote letters to all the principal -towns in Picardy, a copy of which is as follows:</p> - -<p>'Very dear and good friends, you must have it in your remembrance how -that last year, in the month of August, my lord the king returning from -his city of Bourges, and tarrying in the town of Auxerre, was desirous -that peace should be established for ever between the princes of his -blood, and commanded that it should not only be sworn to be observed by -them, but likewise by the prelates, nobles, universities and principal -cities in his realm. You likewise know that all present at Auxerre did -most solemnly swear to its observance, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> well for themselves as for -those on whose part they were come thither.</p> - -<p>'My lord the king did afterwards issue letters throughout his realm for -the more strictly keeping of this peace, and that it might be sworn to; -and you also know that we ourself, and others of the princes of the -blood, did, by the king's command, take a solemn oath to maintain this -peace, according to the schedule drawn up for this purpose at Auxerre; -in which, among other things, it was ordained that a good and perfect -union should subsist between these lords, and that henceforth they -should live in a manner becoming good relatives and friends.</p> - -<p>'Now although this peace has been much wished for by us, and that we -have never infringed it, or suffered it to be infringed by others in -any degree, nevertheless offensive conduct has been holden toward us -by the detestable injuries which many have attempted to do to our most -redoubted lady and daughter the duchess of Acquitaine, as is notorious -to the whole kingdom, without farther entering into particulars.</p> - -<p>'Very contemptuous conduct has been used toward ourself, and personal -injuries have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> been done us, in banishing from Paris every person that -was known to be attached to us or to our aforesaid lord of Acquitaine; -in defaming our honour in several public assemblies and in various -places, by sermons and harangues, which, notwithstanding the pain it -has cost us, we have patiently borne, and should have continued to do -so from our love of peace, which is the sovereign good to this kingdom, -and to avert all the miseries and distress that must otherwise ensue, -had not our most redoubted lord and son, the duke of Acquitaine, -made known to us, that, after many injurious excesses which had been -committed towards him, to his infinite mortification, he was confined -in the Louvre like a prisoner, with the drawbridge of the said castle -drawn up, which is an abomination that ought not only to be displeasing -to us but to every good subject and wellwisher to our lord the king.</p> - -<p>'In consequence of this treatment, my most-redoubted lord and son -has several times, by messengers and letters, requested our aid and -succour to free him from the perilous situation in which he is held; -and since we are so intimately connected by blood, marriage, and other -confederations, with our said lord the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> king, and our beloved lord the -duke of Acquitaine, his son, the loyalty and affection we owe to both -will prevent us from failing to comply with his demand of assistance -and support. We have, therefore, determined to advance to Paris with -as large a body of men at arms as we can muster, for the security of -our person, and that it may please God that we may see in all good -prosperity my aforesaid lord the king, my lady the queen, my much -redoubted lord of Acquitaine, and my well beloved daughter his duchess; -and likewise that we may deliver them from the danger they are in, and -set them, as is but reasonable, at full liberty, without having the -smallest intentions of violating the peace of the kingdom.</p> - -<p>'We signify this to you, very dear and good friends, that you may -be acquainted with our object, and act accordingly, as becometh -wellwishers, and truly obedient subjects, to my said lord the king. -Know, therefore, for a truth, that our intentions and will are such -as we have said, and none other; and we therefore entreat you most -earnestly, from our heart, that in this business, which is of such -consequence to my said lords, and for the tranquillity and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> peace of -the realm, you will come forward to our assistance as speedily as -possible, that it may be accomplished to our honour and that of my -lords the king and the duke of Acquitaine, and for the common good of -the realm, and that you will so bear yourselves, that your excellent -loyalty may be visible toward my lord the king, the duke of Acquitaine, -to the public welfare, and in like manner to ourself, who are only -desirous of peace.</p> - -<p>'We have a perfect confidence in you, very dear and good friends,—and -may God have you in his holy keeping!</p> - -<p>'Written in our town of Lille the 23d day of January, in the year of -our Lord 1413, on the eve of our departure.'</p> - -<p>The superscription was, 'To my very dear and well beloved the resident -burgesses and inhabitants of the town of Amiens.'</p> - -<p>These letters thus sent by the duke of Burgundy, and also the levy of -men at arms which he was making, were immediately known at Paris; and -to counteract the enterprises of the duke, a reconciliation took place -between the duke of Acquitaine and the king's ministers, in consequence -of which the duke was prevailed on to write letters to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> different towns -to put an end to the intended expedition of the duke of Burgundy. These -letters were of the following tenour:</p> - -<p>'Louis, eldest son to the king of France, duke of Acquitaine, and -dauphin of Vienne, to the bailiff of Amiens, or to his lieutenant, -greeting.</p> - -<p>'Whereas it has lately come to our knowledge that our very dear and -well beloved father-in-law, the duke of Burgundy, has for a short time -past begun to raise a large body of men at arms, and still continues -to do the same, with the intent, as it is said, of marching them to -us, which may be very prejudicial to my lord the king, his realm and -subjects, and more especially so to the peace which has been so lately -concluded at Auxerre between many princes of our royal blood: we have -therefore very fully explained ourself to our aforesaid father-in-law -by a letter, the contents of which are as under:</p> - -<p>'Louis, eldest son to the king of France, duke of Acquitaine and -dauphin of Vienne, to our very dear and well-beloved father the duke of -Burgundy health and affection.</p> - -<p>'You know how often my lord the king has repeated his commands to you, -both by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> letter and by able ambassadors, not to raise any bodies of men -at arms that might be hurtful to the welfare and profit of his kingdom. -You know also what oaths you took, as well at Auxerre as at Paris.</p> - -<p>'It has, nevertheless, come to the knowledge of our lord the king, -that, contrary to the terms of the peace concluded between our said -lord and yourself, and sworn to at Auxerre, you have raised, and -continue to raise, bodies of men at arms, with the design, as it is -said, of coming to us; and, as a pretence for the levying these men at -arms, you have published letters as from us, desiring that you would -come to our aid with a large force, which thing we have neither done -nor thought of doing.</p> - -<p>'Because we are truly sensible, that your coming hither at this time -would be very prejudicial to the said peace and welfare of the realm, -our said lord the king sends you a sergeant at arms of the parliament, -with his positive commands not to come hither.</p> - -<p>'We therefore require, and also command you in his name, and on -the loyalty and obedience you owe him, as well as for the love and -affection you bear to him and to us, and for the good of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> the realm, -which you say you have had alway at heart, that notwithstanding any -letters or messages you may have had from us, you do for the present -lay aside all thoughts of coming to us, otherwise you will incur the -anger of our lord the king, and that you do disband any bodies of men -at arms which are already assembled, and instantly countermand such as -have not yet joined.</p> - -<p>'Should you have any causes of complaint, or should any thing have -happened likely to violate the peace, make them known to my lord, or -to us; for we know for a truth, that my said lord will provide such -remedies for them as shall give you satisfaction.</p> - -<p>'Given at Paris, the 24th day of January, in the year 1413.</p> - -<p>'We also require and command you, the bailiff of Amiens, in the name of -my aforesaid lord, to have these presents publicly proclaimed in all -usual places where proclamations have been made, within your bailiwick, -forbidding, in the king's name, all his vassals and subjects, as has -been before notified to them, to obey the summons of our said father -the duke of Burgundy, either on the pretext stated by him or any other, -without his especial order and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> licence, as may appear in his letters -patent, subsequent to the date of these presents.</p> - -<p>'Given at Paris the 24th day of January, in the year of Grace 1413.'</p> - -<p>Signed by the duke of Acquitaine, and countersigned 'J. de Cloye.'</p> - -<p>The duke of Burgundy, however, in spite of these commands from the -king and the duke of Acquitaine, would not desist from his enterprise; -and the king then issued a summons for men at arms to oppose him, and -published the following edict:</p> - -<p>'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, health and greeting.</p> - -<p>'It has come to our knowledge, that our cousin the duke of Burgundy, -in opposition to the articles of the peace concluded by us, between -him and others of our blood, and sworn to at Auxerre and at Paris, -has raised, and continues to raise, large bodies of men at arms, -notwithstanding our positive orders to the contrary, as well by -letters as by especial ambassadors sent to him for this purpose; and -has already quitted his country, and is on the march, as he declares, -to come to Paris, by which the said peace will be destroyed, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> -would cause numberless evils and irreparable injuries to our realm and -subjects, unless a speedy and effectual remedy be provided against it.</p> - -<p>'Having, therefore, deliberately weighed the consequences, and the -probable means of opposing the enterprises of the duke of Burgundy, we -have determined to exert our whole power against him, and all others -who shall in any way attempt to infringe the said peace, and to call -for the aid and support of all our loyal subjects.</p> - -<p>'We therefore do command and expressly enjoin you, under pain of -incurring our displeasure, to proclaim these presents in a solemn -manner, with a loud voice and with sound of trumpets in all towns and -other accustomed places within your jurisdiction, commanding all our -vassals and liege subjects, on the faith they owe us, to appear in arms -on the 5th day of February next, in our town of Mondidier<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a>, ready to -follow us to our town of Paris, or wherever else it may please us to -lead them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span></p> - - - - - -<p>'They will find in the town of Mondidier sufficient persons authorised -by us to receive them, with orders to allow such pay as shall content -them; and at the same time, they will inform them whither they are to -direct their march.</p> - -<p>'You will make this known to all our said vassals and subjects, and -forbid them, under the heaviest penalties of corporal punishment and -confiscation of effects, and of being counted as traitors to our crown, -to comply with any summons, prayers, or entreaties, of the said duke of -Burgundy, or others, whether of our blood or not, under any pretence -or colour of aiding us, to bear or assemble in arms, or in any way to -obey them without our especial leave and licence, in letters patent, of -a later date than these presents. Should any have joined the duke of -Burgundy or others, you will order them instantly to depart home, even -supposing they should be of the kindred or vassals liege of the said -duke or others, and had, in consequence of their fiefs, been summoned -to assemble in arms; for in this instance we do exempt them not only -from obeying such commands, but do promise to guarantee and defend them -from any ill<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> consequences that may ensue from their disobedience.</p> - -<p>'Should it happen, that after the proclamation of these our commands, -any of our vassals within your bailiwick shall set out to join the -duke of Burgundy in arms, or should those who have joined him not -return to their homes, but remain in arms with the said duke, or with -any others who may have summoned them, we most strictly order and -enjoin, that with the least possible delay, and without any excuse or -dissimulation whatever, you do seize, in our name, having had a just -and true inventory made, all their moveables and immoveables, estates, -houses, and all other effects whatever; and that you do put the same -under the management of sufficient persons as may, at a fit time and -place, render a good account of them, proceeding at the same time to -the extremity of the penalties incurred by such for their disobedience.</p> - -<p>'You will also arrest and imprison all persons whom you shall discover -within your bailiwick endeavouring, by lies and false reports, to sow -discord among our loyal subjects, or in any way attempting a breach of -the peace; and for this purpose we delegate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> to you, by these presents, -full power and authority for the punishing of all whom you shall find -guilty of such disloyal conduct. We likewise command all our other -bailiffs, governors of towns, castles and bridges, and all our officers -of justice, diligently to assist you in obeying these our commands; and -we also enjoin these our aforesaid officers to permit all our loyal -subjects to pass free and unmolested with their horses and baggage when -travelling to join us, on showing only a certificate from you under the -royal seal of your bailiwick, that they are on their march to us, or -elsewhere on our service, notwithstanding we may before have ordered -them not to suffer any men at arms to pass or repass, whatever may have -been their rank or condition, without our especial licence contained in -letters patent of a prior date to these presents.</p> - -<p>'Given at Paris the 26th day of January, in the year 1413.' Signed by -the king, on the report of a grand council held by the queen,—present -the duke of Acquitaine. Countersigned, 'Mauregard.'</p> - -<p>This ordinance was sent to Amiens, and to other towns of France,—and -with it the king inclosed other letters to many towns on the line<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> of -march which the duke of Burgundy would probably take, forbidding him, -or any of his people, to pass the frontiers of the realm, under pain of -incurring his indignation.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> Mondidier,—a town in Picardy, nine leagues from Amiens, -twenty-three from Paris.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h2><a name="CHAP_XXX" id="CHAP_XXX">CHAP. XXX.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY MARCHES A LARGE FORCE TOWARD PARIS.—HE FIXES HIS -QUARTERS AT ST DENIS.—THE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED DURING THIS MARCH, AND -IN CONSEQUENCE OF IT.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">The</span> duke of Burgundy, to accomplish his expedition to Paris, on -leaving Arras, made for Peronne, intending to enter France; but the -inhabitants, who had before received the king's orders not to let him -pass, sent to him the lord de Longueval, their governor, to excuse -them for denying him entrance into their town. Although the duke was -far from being pleased, he, however, pretended indifference to their -conduct, marched his forces beside the town, and crossed the Somme at -Esclusieu<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a>, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> went to Roye in the Vermandois. He thence sent -forward his brother the count de Nevers, who had joined him with a -handsome company, to Compiegne.</p> - -<p>The count treated so successfully with the townsmen of Compiegne that, -notwithstanding the commands of the king, they consented to permit him -to pass. The principal reasons for their assenting were the copies -of the correspondence between the duke of Acquitaine and the duke of -Burgundy, which were shown to them, and which contained the express -wishes of the duke of Acquitaine for the duke of Burgundy to come to -his aid.</p> - -<p>The tenour of the above and of the certificate was as follows.</p> - -<p>'To all who these presents shall see, Jean Clabault, esquire-keeper -for the king of the seal of the bailiwick of Vermandois established at -Roye, greeting.</p> - -<p>'Know ye, that on the 23d day of February, of the present year 1413, -the most puissant and noble prince my lord duke of Burgundy has -exhibited to us, and shown three letters sealed and signed by the most -excellent and puissant prince the duke of Acquitaine,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> which we have -held, seen, and read, word by word,—the contents of which are as -follow.</p> - -<p>'Very dear and well beloved father, we order, that on the receipt of -this letter, you lay all excuses aside and come to us, well accompanied -for your own proper security; and as you fear our anger, do not -fail coming. Written with our own hand, at Paris, the 4th day of -December<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a>.' Signed, 'Louis.'</p> - -<p>'The address was, 'To our very dear and well beloved father the duke of -Burgundy.'</p> - -<p>'Another letter was in these terms:</p> - -<p>'Very dear and well beloved father, I wrote to you some time since, to -desire you would come to me very well accompanied. I therefore entreat -and order, that you hasten hither as speedily as may be, but well -accompanied, for good reasons: do not fail, for I will bear you through -the whole matter, as shall be seen. Written with my own hand, in Paris, -the 13th day of December.' Signed by himself, 'Louis.'</p> - -<p>'The superscription was, 'To our very dear and well beloved father the -duke of Burgundy.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'The third letter contained,—'Very dear and well beloved father, I -have twice written to you to come hither, and you have not complied: I, -however, write again, to order that you lay all other considerations -aside, and come to me well accompanied for your own security: do not -fail to come to me with all possible speed, notwithstanding any other -letters you may receive from me to the contrary. We trust that you -will instantly obey from the love you bear to us, and from the fear of -our displeasure. We have certain causes to desire your company, which -affect us in the strongest manner possible. Written with my own hand, -this 22d day of December,' and signed by himself, 'Louis.'</p> - -<p>'The superscription was the same as the foregoing.</p> - -<p>'As a testimony that we have seen and read the above letters, we have -affixed the seal of this bailiwick (saving the rights of the king -and others) to this copy, which we have faithfully collated with the -original, in the presence of Jean Billart, esquire-warden for the king -in the provostship of Roye, and of the exempted lands of Charmy, and of -the jurisdiction of Roye; and in the presence of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> Pierre de la Beane, -comptroller of salt in Roye, of Nicholas d'Ardelchanons, of Roye, Jean -Pellehaste, master Guillaume de la Garde, master Godefroy Baudun, -Brissart, royal notary, on the day and year aforesaid, and thus signed, -Brissart.'</p> - -<p>On the third day, the duke of Burgundy left Roye, and went to -Compiegne, where, having prevailed on the principal inhabitants to -support his party, he took the road for Senlis, whither he had sent -forward the lord de Robaix, to know if the townsmen would admit him. -This they positively refused to do, in consequence of the orders -from the king,—and the duke then took the road by Baron<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> to -Dampmartin<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a>, whither the lords of Burgundy had advanced with a -powerful force to meet him.</p> - -<p>News was daily carried to Paris, to the duke of Acquitaine and the -other princes of the blood, of the duke of Burgundy's march and -approach to the capital. When the last intelligence came, the duke of -Acquitaine was dining with a canon in the cloisters of Nôtre<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> Dame in -Paris; and the moment it was known, the king of Sicily, the duke of -Orleans, the counts de Vertus, de Richemont, d'Eu, d'Armagnac, with -many other great lords, attended by a numerous body of men at arms, -assembled in the cloisters, where the duke of Acquitaine mounted his -horse. This force was divided into three battalions, the van, center, -and rear,—which done, they advanced to the front of the church of -Nôtre Dame, and thence marched to the town-house, where they halted. -The van was commanded by three counts, namely, those of Vertus, of Eu, -and of Richemont, who rode together in front, followed close by their -attendants, and at a little distance by the battalion.</p> - -<p>In the center division were the king of Sicily and the dukes of -Acquitaine and of Orleans, followed by a very considerable body of men -at arms. The rear battalion was commanded by the count d'Armagnac, -Louis Bourdon and the lord de Gaule, who, like the other commanders, -rode all three in front of their men. The whole was estimated at eleven -thousand horse. On their coming to the town-house, a trumpet was -sounded, when the chancellor of Acquitaine made his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> appearance, and, -by orders of the duke, told the people of Paris, who were following -them, that he, as eldest son and heir to the king and kingdom of -France, thanked them for their loyalty and affection, which they had -now shown to him, and that he hoped they would exert themselves to the -utmost of their power to oppose the duke of Burgundy in his wicked -projects, who, in defiance of the king's positive commands, and in -violation of the peace, had marched an armed force into the heart of -the realm; that he affirmed and assured them, that he had never sent -for him, nor written to him to come to Paris, notwithstanding he had -declared he had received letters from him to the above purport.</p> - -<p>The chancellor then asked the duke if he would vouch for what he had -said, who replied, that he would vouch for it, as he had spoken nothing -but the truth. After this had been said, they marched away in the same -order as before, to the Place du Croix du Tiroir, where they again -halted, when the chancellor from horseback, in front of the duke of -Acquitaine, repeated to the numerous populace there assembled what he -had before said in the Place de Gréve, which speech was again<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> avowed -by the duke of Acquitaine, after which he retired to the Louvre. The -duke of Orleans went to the priory of St Martin des Champs, the king of -Sicily to the bastille of St Anthony, the count of Armagnac and Louis -Bourdon to the hôtel d'Artois, and the others elsewhere. Shortly after, -the duke of Berry came from his hôtel de Neelle to visit the duke of -Acquitaine in the Louvre, and thence retired to the Temple, where he -and his men had their quarters. The different lords went diligently -about the streets of Paris to check any tumults that might arise,—and -they had all the gates closed excepting those of St Anthony and of St -James.</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding they were so numerous in men at arms, they were very -fearful of the populace rising against them, in favour of the duke of -Burgundy, more especially those who lived in the quartier des Halles.</p> - -<p>The duke of Burgundy advanced from Dampmartin to St Denis, which was -open to him, for the inhabitants had fled. He there quartered his -whole army, and lodged himself at the hôtel of the Sword. His force -might consist of full two thousand helmets, knights and esquires, from -Artois, Picardy, Flanders,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> Rethel and Burgundy, with from two to -three thousand combatants, archers, cross-bows and armed varlets. He -was accompanied by sir John de Luxembourg, with all the vassals of his -uncle the count Waleran de St Pol.</p> - -<p>On the third day after the duke of Burgundy's arrival at St Denis, he -sent his king at arms, Artois, to Paris, bearing letters to the king, -the queen, the duke of Acquitaine, and the commonalty of the town,—in -which he requested that they would permit him to wait on them, to -explain the cause of his thus coming to St Denis, which, he said, was -only with good intentions, no way to make war, nor to demand redress -from any person, but solely in obedience to the commands of the duke of -Acquitaine, whom he was bound to serve and obey.</p> - -<p>When the king at arms arrived at the gates of Paris, he was led to an -hôtel,—when shortly after, a man came to him, whom he did not know, -and told him to make haste to quit the town, or his person would be -rudely treated. Perceiving that he should not be heard, nor allowed -to deliver his letters, he was mounting his horse, when the count -d'Armagnac advanced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> and said to him, that should he or any others come -again to Paris from the duke of Burgundy, he would have their heads cut -off. Upon this, he returned to his lord the duke of Burgundy, at St -Denis, and related to him all that had passed, and how rudely he had -been dealt with, which so much displeased the duke that he resolved, by -the advice of his council, to march thither in person with his whole -force.</p> - -<p>On the morrow morning, therefore, the army was drawn up in the fields -in battle-array as if they were about to engage an enemy, and thus -marched to the gate of St Eustache, which was closed; and there they -remained in battle-array for a considerable space, which was a handsome -sight. The duke again sent his king at arms to the gate of St Honoré, -which was also closed, to demand from those stationed over the gate -that four of his most confidential knights, who were near at hand to -the king at arms, might be admitted with him, to explain the causes of -his coming, which tended to nothing but a solid peace. He was answered -by those above the gate, that if he did not speedily withdraw, they -would discharge bolts and arrows at him,—adding, that they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> would have -nothing to say to the duke of Burgundy nor to his knights. Upon this, -they retired to the army.</p> - -<p>During this time, Enguerrand de Bournouville, with about four hundred -combatants, had dismounted, and, with the standard of the duke, had -advanced to the gate of St Honoré, to see if he could do any thing; for -they had great hopes that the populace would rise in sufficient force -to give them entrance through one of the gates, which, however, did not -happen.</p> - -<p>Enguerrand, nevertheless, said a few words to Bourdon, who was over -the gate, but who made him no reply; and, finding nothing was to be -done, he retreated to the main body. In his retreat, some cross-bows -were discharged at him, and one of his men was wounded, although -neither himself nor any of his companions had shown the least offensive -intentions, by arrows or otherwise, against those of Paris,—for it had -been forbidden them by the duke out of respect to the king and the duke -of Acquitaine.</p> - -<p>The duke, seeing the matter hopeless, marched his army back to St -Denis, and caused letters to be written, which, during<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> the night, some -of his partisans affixed to the doors of the church of Nôtre Dame, -of the palace, and elsewhere in Paris. He sent copies also to the -principal towns in France, the tenour of which was as follows.</p> - -<p>'We John duke of Burgundy, count of Flanders and Artois, palatine of -Burgundy, lord of Salines and Mechlin, make known to all, that by -virtue of several letters written and signed by the duke of Acquitaine -himself, we came toward Paris, to employ ourselves for the welfare of -the king, by command of my lord of Acquitaine, and withal to aid and -deliver him from the servitude in which he is held at this moment; in -which cause we shall cheerfully exert every power and influence which -God may have granted to us in this world; and we signify to all the -wellwishers of the king and of my lord of Acquitaine, that they shall -be set (if we be able) at full liberty to exercise their free will and -pleasure,—and those who have thus confined them shall be banished, -that it may be known to all that we do not come hither on any ambitious -schemes to seize the government of the kingdom, and that we have no -desire to hurt or destroy the good town of Paris, but are ready to -fulfil and maintain every article<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> which we had sworn to observe in the -king's edict.</p> - -<p>'We are also willing to return to any of our territories, provided -others who have sworn to the same ordinance do so likewise,—but they -act contrary to it: and we will, that God and all the world know, -that until we shall be sensible that my lord the king and my lord of -Acquitaine enjoy their full liberty, and that those who now manage -public affairs have retired to their several countries, and my said -lord the king is provided with honest, able, and notable counsellors -and knights, as well as my lord of Acquitaine, we will never desist -from our enterprise, nor quit the kingdom of France; for we had much -rather die than witness my lord the king and my lord of Acquitaine in -such subjection.</p> - -<p>'We cannot help being astonished that the citizens and loyal subjects -of his majesty can be so hard of heart as to suffer him to remain in -this disgraceful slavery; and we are the more surprised that, knowing -how nearly we are related to him, they have refused to receive either -our knights or our herald, or to permit any one from us to present our -letters to my lord the king, my lady the queen, my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> lord of Acquitaine, -or to the good town of Paris.</p> - -<p>'And although we came before the walls of Paris without committing any -hostile act whatever, by the command aforesaid, in order to treat of -matters touching the peace and welfare of the kingdom, our men have -been killed and wounded, without listening to any proposals which they -might have made. The count d'Armagnac even told our king at arms, that -if he should return again, his head would be struck off,—which is an -insult hard to be borne, when we have come hither with our company, -paying for all our expenses, as the near relation and neighbour of my -lord the king and my lord of Acquitaine, requiring the aid of all good -and loyal subjects against those who have kept in servitude and in -peril my said lord of Acquitaine, signifying to them, at the same time, -that we should, in proper time and place, charge them with treason -against their sovereign. Of this you need not doubt,—for, by the aid -of God and our just cause in this quarrel, we will pursue and maintain -it, with the utmost of our powers, and with the assistance of very many -of the principal towns in the realm, who have attached themselves to -us.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'Given at St Denis, under our privy seal, in the absence of the grand -council, the 11th day of February, in the year 1413.'</p> - -<p>When these letters were found posted in several of the public places of -Paris, those who were disaffected to the duke of Burgundy had stronger -suspicions of his conduct than before; and they took such precautions -in the guard of the town that no inconvenience happened.</p> - -<p>During the time the duke of Burgundy remained at St Denis, the lord -de Croy, who had accompanied him, sent twenty of his most expert and -determined men at arms, well mounted, to cross the Seine near to -Conflans; thence they rode as secretly as they could, with lance in -hand, to the town of Montlehery, where they lodged themselves in two -inns near to each other, pretending to be of the Orleans party. Sir -John de Croy, son to the lord de Croy, was prisoner, as has been before -said, in the castle of that town, and had received intimation of their -coming by a chaplain who had the care of him. He made a pretence of -going to hear mass in the church that was hard by the castle, when -these men at arms who were ready prepared, and on the watch, mounted -their horses, hastened toward sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> John, whom they instantly set on a -led horse, and thence galloped briskly to Pontoise: they afterward took -the road to the ford where they had before crossed the Seine, and made -such good haste that they brought sir John safe to his father in St -Denis.</p> - -<p>This enterprise was highly praised by the duke of Burgundy and the lord -de Croy: the principal leaders of it were Lamont de Launoy, Villemont -de Meneat, Jenninet de Molliens, Jean Roussel,—the whole amounting -to the number aforesaid. They were, however, sharply pursued by the -garrison of Montlehery, but they could not overtake them by reason of -the variety of roads they took.</p> - -<p>The duke of Burgundy again sent Artois, king at arms, to Paris, with -letters to the king of Sicily and to the dukes of Orleans and Berry, -to notify to them the causes of his coming, and to request that they -would suffer him, or at least some of his people, to speak with the -king and the duke of Acquitaine; that he was come with good intentions, -for he was willing punctually to keep all he had promised and sworn -to, provided they on their part would do the same; adding, that they -must allow the king and the duke of Acquitaine to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> rule and govern the -kingdom, without keeping them in servitude, more especially the duke of -Acquitaine, whom they detained to his great displeasure. But when the -king at arms came to the gate of St Anthony, he was told that he would -not be admitted, nor any letters received from him, and that if he did -not hasten away, they would treat him disrespectfully. On hearing this, -he considered for a few minutes, and then placing the letters at the -top of a cleft stick which he stuck in the ground, made off as fast as -he could to St Denis, when the duke was more discontented than ever.</p> - -<p>Perceiving that he could no way succeed in his object, he deliberated -with his council whether he should return to his own country, and -within a few days retreated to Compiegne by the way he had come. In -this town, and in that of Soissons, he left strong garrisons of men -at arms and archers. He appointed sir Hugh de Launoy governor of -Compiegne, with the lords de Sainct Ligier and de Forez, Hector and -Philippe de Saveuse, Louvelet de Mazaheghen, and other expert men at -arms, to the amount of five hundred combatants or thereabout.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>In Soissons he placed Enguerrand de Bournouville, sir Colart de -Phiennes, Lamon de Launoy, Guoit de Boutilliers Normant, sir Pierre de -Menault, and many more warriors.</p> - -<p>It was resolved by the aforesaid duke and his chivalry, and by the good -towns above mentioned, that until the king and the duke of Acquitaine -should be at full liberty, and until they should regulate their conduct -by the counsel of such good men and true as they themselves should -approve, and until the lords aforesaid, who thus kept them under -restraint, and the troops in their pay should retire each to his own -territory—as he, the duke of Burgundy, and those of his party, offered -to return to their estates and countries—they would never change their -resolution, and would yield no obedience to the command of the king, as -issued by the advice of his present counsellors or their abettors.</p> - -<p>This resolution the duke was to signify to the principal towns, and to -all the well-disposed persons in the kingdom, and even to summon them -in the names of the king and the duke of Acquitaine to unite themselves -to his party for the more effectually accomplishing so desirable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> -an object; for by so doing each person would acquit himself of his -loyalty, and gain renown for life; and the duke promised to aid and -support them to the utmost of his power, for the security of which he -issued his especial letters.</p> - -<p>After this, he departed from Compiegne, and returned to Arras. He -sent his Burgundians, to the amount of about seven hundred lances, to -quarter themselves in the Cambresis, and in Tierache, in contempt of -the king of Sicily, whom he did not love, any more than sir Robert de -Bar<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a>, who had refused to assist him in this expedition, although he -was his liege-man.</p> - -<p>He issued orders from Arras for the three estates of Artois to meet -him the 2d day of May, more particularly the nobles, when a great -parliament was holden on the state of his affairs. He there caused to -be displayed by the lord d'Ollehaing the three letters the duke of -Acquitaine had written to him, which being read, he declared on his -faith, in the presence of all the lords, that they were written and -signed by the duke of Acquitaine's own hand.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span></p> - - - - - -<p>When those present had promised to serve him against all but the king -of France and his children, he ordered his ministers to write to many -of the principal towns letters of the following import, which were sent -to Amiens. He then departed from Arras for his county of Flanders, to -do the same.</p> - -<p>'Very dear and good friends, being ever desirous that you and all other -loyal subjects of my lord the king, the wellwishers of the duke of -Acquitaine, dauphin of Vienne, should be advertised of whatever may -affect his honour and estate, that of his realm and the public good, -that efficient remedies may be provided according to the exigency of -the case, we in consequence signify to you the very singular request of -my said lord of Acquitaine, duly made to us by three different letters, -written and signed by his own hand, containing in substance, that on -the pleasure and service we were ever willing to do him, we should -incontinently come to him as well and greatly accompanied as possible.</p> - -<p>'We obeyed these his orders, as in duty bound, knowing the bondage -and danger he was and still is in, from his confinement in the castle -of the Louvre by certain persons, contrary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> to justice and reason, -and to his sore and bitter displeasure. We marched an armed force -in consequence, not through any ambition or lust of having any part -in the government of the kingdom, nor to break or any way infringe -the peace we have so lately promised and sworn to keep, which we are -above all things desirous of preserving, but solely in obedience to -the good will and pleasure of my lord the king and of my said lord of -Acquitaine, and to obtain for him his just freedom. For this cause did -we peaceably advance to the town of St Denis, without molesting or -despoiling any person, but paying courteously for all that we had need -of; and instantly on our arrival there, we sent by our herald, Artois -king at arms, sealed letters addressed to my lord the king, my lady the -queen, my lord of Acquitaine, and to the good town of Paris,—in which -we notified our coming, not with any intent of warfare, or to infringe -the peace, but by the orders of my lord of Acquitaine, and to obey his -good pleasure (as the saying is), requesting at the same time to have -audiences of my lord the king and of my lord of Acquitaine, to the -performance of our duty, and to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> accomplishment of their will and -pleasure, to which we are bound.</p> - -<p>'Notwithstanding this, the presentation of our said letters was most -rigorously prevented by the count d'Armagnac and his adherents, without -any reasonable cause, and through contempt and malice to us and our -friends. The said count even told our herald, that if he did not -instantly depart, or if any of our people should again return on this -errand, he would have their heads cut off. In consequence, we marched -in person from the town of St Denis, grandly accompanied by men at arms -and archers, on the Saturday, the 10th of this month, February, to the -walls of Paris, without doing harm to any person, but with the intent -of amicably explaining the reasons for our thus appearing in arms, and -with the expectation of receiving a more gracious answer than was given -to our herald; but when we had arrived before the town, and had sent -to the gate of St Honoré, which was the nearest to us, our herald, and -after him four of our principal knights, to request an hearing, they -were told, that if they did not immediately retire, the guards would -shoot at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> them; and without hearing or saving any more, some cross-bows -were discharged, which was, and not without reason, highly displeasing -to us.</p> - -<p>'Although all these disorderly acts were done without the knowledge -or consent of the king, or of the duke of Acquitaine, and although -several of our officers were made prisoners, we most patiently bore the -whole, from our love of peace; and from our affectionate duty to the -king and my lord of Acquitaine, we quietly returned to St Denis, where, -during our stay, we permitted all sorts of provision to pass free to -Paris, the same as before our arrival there. We have nevertheless had -information, that through malicious instigations, contrary to the -honour and interest of my lord the king, my lord of Acquitaine, and the -public welfare, and against their will and intention, very many letters -have been unjustly and wickedly issued, by which the king has, as we -are told, banished from his kingdom us and all who attended us before -the walls of Paris,—notwithstanding that neither we nor they have -at present, or at any other time, neglected our duty to him, nor are -we of those who formerly besieged him in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> town of Paris, and who -have, in many parts of his realm, damnably set fire to houses, slain -his subjects, forced women, violated maidens, pillaged and destroyed -churches, castles, towns and mansions, committing at the same time -unheard-of cruelties and mischiefs.</p> - -<p>'The advisers of this measure, proceeding in their wicked projects from -bad to worse, keep my lord the king and my lord of Acquitaine under -their subjection and control.</p> - -<p>'On this account, therefore, my very dear and good friends, and because -such things are contrary to the articles of the peace concluded at -Auxerre, and confirmed at Pontoise, we, who are of so great importance, -cannot longer suffer them, more especially when we consider the -dangerous state in which the king and my lord of Acquitaine are held. -Deputations have been likewise sent from many of the great towns, such -as Paris, Rheims, Rouen, Laon, Beauvais and others, who have solemnly -sworn to support and assist all who shall maintain this peace, and -strenuously to oppose those who shall infringe it. We affirm these -things to you for truth, so that should you hear the contrary you may -not give credit to it, but ever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> remain faithful and loyal subjects to -my lord the king and my lord of Acquitaine, such as you have ever been, -and aid and assist us in the part we have taken, for we have the utmost -confidence in your zeal.</p> - -<p>'In truth, we expect, through the help of God, and other assistance, -for the relief of my lord the king and my lord of Acquitaine, that we -may obtain for them full and free liberty of government, such as they -ought to possess, and that those who now keep them in bondage may be -dismissed from their presence, to reside in their own countries, as -we are ready to do, for the due observance of the said peace, and the -common good of the kingdom, objects of which we are very desirous.</p> - -<p>'Should there be any things which you may wish to have done, that are -within our power, know for certain that we will, with God's pleasure, -do them with a hearty good will,—and may he have you in his holy -keeping! Written in our town of Arras, and sealed with our privy seal, -the 27th day of February, in the year 1413.'</p> - -<p>There was also written on the margin, 'The duke of Burgundy, count of -Flanders and Artois; and that you, my very dear and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> good friends, may -be fully assured of the authenticity of the letters from my lord of -Acquitaine, mentioned in this paper, we send you with these presents -true copies of the originals, under an official seal,' and signed -'Vignier.' This letter was drawn up on sealed paper, and had for its -address, 'To our very dear and well beloved, the resident burgesses and -inhabitants of the town of Amiens.'</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> Esclusieu,—a village in Picardy, near Peronne.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> <i>December.</i> So in the original, but it must be a mistake.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> Baron,—a town in Picardy, diocese of Sens.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> Dampmartin,—a town in the isle of France, nine leagues -from Paris.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> Count of Soissons, mentioned above.</p></div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2><a name="CHAP_XXXI" id="CHAP_XXXI">CHAP. XXXI.</a></h2> - -<p class="hang">ON THE RETREAT OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY FROM SAINT DENIS, THE KING OF -FRANCE ISSUES ORDERS THROUGHOUT HIS KINGDOM TO RAISE FORCES TO MARCH -AGAINST HIM.</p> - - -<p class="drop"><span class="uppercase">When</span> it was known to the king of France, the duke of Acquitaine, the -princes of the blood then in Paris, and to the members of the council, -that the duke of Burgundy, on his retreat from St Denis, had left -large garrisons in the towns of Compiegne, Soissons, and other places -belonging to the king, or at least under his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> government, they were -greatly surprised, thinking he had no just cause for so doing.</p> - -<p>To obviate the consequences of this conduct, certain royal edicts were -instantly dispatched throughout the bailiwicks and seneschalships -in the realm, commanding them to raise forces to resist the future -proceedings of the duke of Burgundy, which edicts, and particularly -that addressed to the bailiff of Amiens, were as follows.</p> - -<p>'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to the bailiff of -Amiens, or to his lieutenant, greeting.</p> - -<p>'To check the many great and numberless evils that have befallen our -kingdom, to the prejudice of ourself and of the public welfare, from -the quarrels and wars that have arisen between some of the princes -of our blood, and that our subjects may live in tranquillity under -our government, and that henceforward they may be ruled with justice, -which cannot take place but in times of peace,—we have, after mature -deliberation, effected an union between these said princes of our -blood, which they have most solemnly promised and sworn in our presence -to keep inviolate. Although it be not lawful for any of our subjects, -whether of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> our blood or not, and even contrary to our express orders, -to assemble any bodies of men at arms within our realm, yet it has come -to our knowledge that our cousin of Burgundy has complained of certain -acts done, as he says, to his prejudice, and contrary to the articles -of the said peace,—and for this cause he has occupied, or caused to be -occupied, several castles and fortresses belonging to us, and against -our will; that he has received in his country, and admitted to his -presence, several evil doers who have been guilty of treason against -us. In consequence, we sent able ambassadors to our said cousin of -Burgundy, to admonish him to keep the peace, to offer him every legal -means of redress, and to cause such reparation to be made him for any -infringement of the peace, as the case might require. At the same time -we summoned him to surrender the castles to us, as he was bound to do; -and we commanded him not to receive any such evil doers in future, -enjoining him to send those whom he had admitted to us, that they might -undergo such punishments as justice should order.</p> - -<p>'These commands he has not obeyed, nor sent any satisfactory answer. -Having learnt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> that after this our said cousin of Burgundy was -assembling a large body of men at arms, we sent one of the sergeants -at arms of the parliament with sealed letters to him, to forbid him to -raise any forces whatever. Notwithstanding this, in defiance of the -treaty of peace and of our positive orders, our cousin of Burgundy -continued to assemble men at arms and archers from all parts; and with -this army he has marched from his own country, and, by fraudulent and -traitorous means, has, against our will, gained possession of our towns -of Compiegne and Soissons, which he still holds, and has placed therein -garrisons of men at arms. He also attempted to gain by force our town -of Senlis, and has refused to surrender our castles and fortresses -aforesaid, which he detains contrary to our commands: he admits to his -country and to his presence every person guilty toward us, without ever -sending them to us, as we had commanded him to do. He has likewise -detained by force our sergeant at arms of the parliament and other -messengers from our dearly beloved companion the queen, and from our -very dear and well beloved son the duke of Acquitaine, bearing letters -from them to forbid him to do any acts contrary to the said peace,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> and -without sending to us or to them any answers whatever.</p> - -<p>'Our said cousin of Burgundy, in defiance and contempt of these our -orders and prohibitions, has marched a numerous, army near to Paris, -accompanied by all or the greater part of those criminals who have been -found guilty of treason against us, and therefore banished our realm.</p> - -<p>'All these said things have been done, committed, and perpetrated by -our said cousin of Burgundy, his adherents and allies, contrary to our -royal will and pleasure, in opposition to the articles of the said -peace, against the tranquillity of our subjects and the public good of -our kingdom.</p> - -<p>'Great inconveniences may therefore arise, unless a speedy remedy be -applied to this disloyal conduct. Wishing to obviate these evils, and -to reduce to obedience those of our subjects who may have joined our -said cousin the duke of Burgundy, whose enterprises we will no longer -tolerate, but are determined to repress them with the aid of those of -our blood, and our other good and faithful subjects, in such wise that -it shall be an example to all others.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'We therefore command and strictly enjoin, that on receiving these -presents, you do, with a loud voice and with sound of trumpet, in -our name, proclaim the arriere-ban<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a>; and that you do repeat this -proclamation throughout your bailiwick, so that no one may plead -ignorance of it, enforcing obedience to the same from all nobles and -others within your jurisdiction who have been used to arms, or in a -state to bear arms, and from all who may hold fiefs or arriere-fiefs of -the value of twenty livres tournois. You will see that prompt attention -be paid to our command by all nobles, citizens and inhabitants of the -towns within your bailiwick, on the faith and homage they owe to us, -and under pain of confiscation of estates and goods, should they not -join us in all diligence with the greatest possible number of men at -arms and archers, without any excuse or denial whatever.</p> - -<p>'You will enjoin the inhabitants of your principal towns to send -instantly to our good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> city of Paris men at arms and archers, mounted -on horseback and sufficiently accompanied,—and we command them thus -to do for our service in this matter, and wherever else we may employ -them, forbidding them at the same time, under the severest execution of -the penalties aforesaid, to obey, in any manner whatever, the summons, -orders, or requests of our said cousin of Burgundy, or under pretence -of serving us, or under other pretexts, to aid or promote his designs.</p> - -<p>'Should any persons within your jurisdiction have joined him, let them -instantly return, and not give him either support or advice. You will -arrest all whom you shall know to be favourable to him, or who have -joined him, whenever you can lay hands on them. Should you not be able -to do this, summon them, under pain of banishment; and take possession, -in our name, of all their effects, moveable and immoveable, whatever, -which you will administer on our behalf.</p> - -<p>'You will also make public proclamation in our name, for all prelates, -abbots, priors, chaplains and other churchmen, who are bound to supply -us with carts, sumpter horses, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span> other services from their fiefs, -instantly to perform them and send them to us. You will, in case of -their neglecting the same, seize their temporalities, or use such other -measures as are customary in such like cases.</p> - -<p>'At the same time, you will strictly forbid in our name, under the -aforesaid penalties, all labourers, tradespeople, or others, excepting -those before mentioned, to assemble in arms, or to collect together -in companies, after the manner of the pillagers in former times, but -give orders that they do apply to their labour or trades. Should any be -found to act contrary, you will imprison them, and inflict on them such -punishment as justice may ordain, to serve as examples to others.</p> - -<p>'We likewise command and enjoin you to suffer all men at arms and -archers, whether from our kingdom or elsewhere, that may be on their -march to join us, to pass freely through your bailiwick, without any -let or hindrance whatever, notwithstanding any letters or orders from -us to the contrary, unless of a subsequent date to these presents, and -signed by ourself in council; and you will afford to such person or -persons every aid, encouragement, and advice, should need be, in any -of our towns, castles,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> bridges or passes, that may tend to obstruct -them on their march. This we order to be done without refusal or -contradiction, for such is our will and pleasure; and you will certify -to our faithful chancellor your proceedings in this business, that -your diligence may be the more apparent; and be careful, under pain of -deprivation of office, and of the aforesaid punishments, that there be -no neglect on your part.</p> - -<p>'We will beside, and command you by these presents, that in regard -to all quarrels, suits, debts, or prosecutions for any matters in -litigation that may have been brought before you within your bailiwick -against those who may have set out to join us in obedience to our -summons, you do defer pronouncing any sentence or sentences thereon, -until fifteen days be expired after the return home of the parties -serving us, and that you do order all provosts, judges, or officers -under you, to do the same; and should any sentences have been passed, -or further proceedings thereon, you will stay the same, and without -delay make every possible reparation.</p> - -<p>'For the carrying our said will into execution, we, by these presents, -do give you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> full and ample authority; and by them also we command all -officers of justice, and others our subjects, diligently to attend to -and obey your orders, issued for the above purposes, and to afford you -aid and advice, and even the use of their prisons, should it be found -necessary.</p> - -<p>'Given at Paris, the 8th day of February, in the year of Grace 1413, -and of our reign the 33d.' Signed, on the report of the grand council -held by the queen, the duke of Acquitaine and others, 'Jean du Chastel.'</p> - -<p>This edict was sent to Amiens, and there proclaimed. It caused great -distress to all who had joined the party of the duke of Burgundy, as -well within Paris and its neighbourhood as elsewhere, for very many -were arrested and beheaded: others were imprisoned, and their fortunes -confiscated.</p> - -<p>Another edict was soon after issued, after great deliberation in -council, and published throughout France, by which the duke of Burgundy -was deprived of all the favours that had formerly been done him, and he -and all his partisans were banished the kingdom. This was the tenour of -the edict.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'Charles, by the grace of God, king of France, to all to whom these -presents shall come, greeting.</p> - -<p>'Whereas, after the very cruel and damnable murder lately perpetrated -by the order and instigation of John our cousin of Burgundy, on the -person of our very dear and well beloved only brother Louis, duke of -Orleans, of good memory, whose soul may God pardon! the said duke of -Burgundy came to our good town of Paris, attended by a numerous body of -men at arms, against our will and in defiance of our commands to the -contrary, and there endeavoured to justify himself from this atrocious -murder, by means notoriously false, and by many arguments scandalous -and offensive to our majesty and to the public weal.</p> - -<p>'We, considering the very many evils that might ensue in consequence of -this murder to our subjects and kingdom, and being desirous to obviate -the same, did order our very dear son and beloved nephew, the present -duke of Orleans, with our very dear and well beloved nephew the count -de Vertus, his brother, children to our late brother, and minors, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span> -meet us in our town of Chartres, where we formed a pacification between -our said nephews and the duke of Burgundy; and although the terms of -this pacification were extraordinary and harsh to our said nephews, -nevertheless they subscribed to them in obedience to us, and from pity -to the subjects of the realm, who must have suffered greatly from the -intestine wars that would otherwise have taken place.</p> - -<p>'Notwithstanding the duke of Burgundy swore in our hands to the -observance of this treaty, and that he would thenceforward be a loyal -and sincere friend to our said nephews and their adherents, he very -shortly acted contrary to this oath and solemn promise, by revenging -himself on some of our servants, whom he suspected to have advised us -to have justice done on him for the murder of our said brother the duke -of Orleans, and also to continue his wicked designs of gaining the sole -government of our person and kingdom. This was the true reason for his -committing so foul a murder, and for arresting many of our faithful -servants,—some of whom he caused to be put to death, and, by unjust<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> -and iniquitous means, exacted from others exorbitant and immense sums -of money.</p> - -<p>'In consequence, our nephews of Orleans, seeing that the duke of -Burgundy was infringing daily, and in various ways, the treaty which he -had sworn to keep at Chartres, and was regardless of all that he had -promised, most humbly but earnestly supplicated us at different times, -that we would administer justice on the murderers of their father, as -we were bounden to do; but the duke of Burgundy, who had deprived us of -our most loyal servants, and in their room had placed others attached -to him, prevented us from hearing their complaints, and from rendering -the justice it became us to administer. And what was worse, our nephews -perceiving that they could not obtain any redress from us, through the -interference of the duke of Burgundy, resolved to make war personally -upon him, to revenge the murder of their father, as was natural for -them to do.</p> - -<p>'The duke of Burgundy then accused them (and published falsely, -contrary to all resemblance of truth, as we are fully informed and -assured), that they and others of our blood, being in their company, -wished to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> deprive us of our royal estate and dignity, and make a new -king of France. And under pretence of these lies and charges, contrary -to all truth, he raised our people against them, wishing to cover his -wicked intentions and quarrel with lies, whence, as every one knows, so -many and serious misfortunes have arisen.</p> - -<p>'Under pretext of this warfare, the duke of Burgundy has caused to -be arrested and confined in our prison of the Châtelet at Paris, and -elsewhere, numbers of considerable gentlemen, knights and squires, -because he charged them with being favourable to the wellwishers of the -party of our nephews, or inclined to others of our blood and lineage -in their company: many whom he thus imprisoned he made suffer the -cruellest tortures, and then put them to death without a shadow of -reason or justice.</p> - -<p>'Some he starved to death in prison, denying them confessors or any of -the ecclesiastical sacraments, throwing their bodies into the fields -to be devoured by dogs, birds, or wild beasts, without allowing them -to have Christian burial, or that their new-born children should -be baptised, which is expressly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> against our religion. In these -transactions, the most horrid and unheard-of cruelties were committed.</p> - -<p>'Under cover of this war, which neither was nor ought to have been -ours, but his own, and personal to himself, this Burgundian caused -excessive and extraordinary taxes to be raised on our people, by -tallies, loans, and other means; such as seizing the treasures of -churches, the deposits in our courts of parliament, Châtelet, and -elsewhere, which had been there placed for the advantage of widows, -and children under age, or for the purpose of completing purchases or -repayment of mortgages.</p> - -<p>'The said Burgundian also made great depreciations in our coin, by -which he gained large sums of money, but to the severe loss of us, our -people, and the public welfare. By these and other equally fraudulent -means has he reaped very considerable profit, and for these two or -three years last past has applied to his own benefit the money of -our people, amounting to ten hundred thousand golden florins at the -least, as has been clearly demonstrated to us by the statement of the -accounts, without any part of it being employed for our service.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'This has caused a failure and total stoppage of commerce, so necessary -to us and our kingdom, for some time past; consequently the revenues of -our domain and taxes have been shamefully diminished, as is notorious -to all.</p> - -<p>'But not contented with this, and in the design of totally destroying -our nephews aforesaid, our very dear and well beloved uncle the duke -of Berry, and several others of our blood, with the intent of gaining -the sole government of our kingdom to himself, the duke of Burgundy -constrained us and our dearly beloved eldest son the duke of Acquitaine -to oppose with force of arms our said nephews and their adherents, -under colour that the war was ours—whereas it was no such thing—and -obliged us to march from Paris against them, as if they had not alway -been our very loyal and affectionate relatives and subjects.</p> - -<p>'In fact, we laid siege to the city of Bourges, wherein was our uncle -aforesaid; and we were detained before it for upwards of six weeks -against our will, and to our very great displeasure.</p> - -<p>'We and our son were in great personal danger, as well from the -excessive heat of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> season as from the attacks made on our army, -insomuch that we thought it right to remove to our town of Auxerre, -where we had assembled our said uncle, nephews, and other princes -of our blood. There, by the grace of God and his holy aid, and by -the commands of ourself and of our eldest son, certain articles of -pacification were drawn up and agreed to by our said uncle, son, and -nephews, with their allies, on the one part, and the duke of Burgundy -and his allies on the other,—which articles both parties solemnly -promised and swore before us to keep, without any way infringing them.</p> - -<p>'Nevertheless, not long after we were returned to our town of Paris, -the said duke of Burgundy, contrary to his promise on oath, came -thither, intending to annul the said peace made by us, and sworn to by -him, as has been before said, and caused to be drawn up certain letters -in our name, which he had attached to our edict concerning the peace, -by which he made us repeal and annul the greater part of what had been -granted by us and our said eldest son, thus infringing the articles of -the peace, namely, the restitution of estates, inheritances, honours -and offices, to such as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span> had adhered to the party of our said uncle -and nephews, and to others of our blood and lineage, their allies -and partisans. He has, moreover, retained, for a long space of time, -against our will, and contrary to the agreements we had entered into, -and his own oath, the castles of Coucy and Pierrefons, belonging to our -said nephew the duke of Orleans, with many other castles, estates, and -houses of several of that party, notwithstanding letters of restitution -granted by us, and verified by our court of parliament. Neither the -duke of Orleans nor any of his adherents could regain the possession -of their lands,—for there was scarcely any one member of our court of -parliament who dared to gainsay the will and enterprises of the duke of -Burgundy or his accomplices, who were solely bent on having the entire -management of us, of our dear companion the queen, our well beloved -eldest son the duke of Acquitaine, and the whole government of the -realm.</p> - -<p>'To keep us in the greater subjection, the said Burgundian raised -persons of low rank and consideration in Paris to places of trust, who, -by his authority and exhortations, and being in his full confidence, -undertook the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> government of our royal self, that of the queen, the -duke of Acquitaine and the whole kingdom. These persons frequently came -to our councils, and those of our court of parliament, in a violent -and disorderly manner, menacing our faithful and honest counsellors in -such wise that the regular course of justice was stopped; and it was -impossible to prevent whatever they should ordain or desire from being -agreed to, one way or other.</p> - -<p>'In pursuing their wicked courses and damnable designs, it is a fact, -that on Friday the 28th day of April last passed, when the said -Burgundian, his accomplices, adherents, and people of low degree -began to perceive that several of our blood and lineage, and others -our officers, and those of our well beloved son, the members of the -university, wealthy merchants and loyal burgesses of the town of Paris, -were discontented with their mode of government, suspecting also that -they intended even to drive them from their power and authority by -force, and then punish them for their malversations, caused a great -assembly of the populace to be holden, the most part of whom knew not -for what they were thus assembled.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'Then, without any justifiable reason, they marched with displayed -banners, in a warlike manner, to the hôtel of our said son, whence, -against his commands and will, and to his great displeasure, they -carried away our very dear and well beloved cousin the duke of Bar, -with many others the especial counsellors and servants of our said son, -according to a written list of names which the duke of Burgundy held in -his hand, and who had them first conducted to his hôtel of Artois, and -thence to different prisons.</p> - -<p>'Not long after, on another day, these same people of low degree, by -the practices of the duke of Burgundy again returned to our palace of -St Pol with displayed banners, and with force and violence, contrary -to our will and pleasure, as well as in disobedience to the commands -of our said queen and eldest son, they seized our very dear and well -beloved brother Louis duke of Bavaria, with other officers of our said -son, and also certain ladies and damsels attached to and in the service -of our said companion the queen, whom they arrested in her chamber, she -being present, and carried to different prisons, where they were long -detained in great personal danger.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'This same populace, through the connivance and encouragement of the -duke of Burgundy, committed a variety of crimes and excesses, such as -seizing day and night, without any judicial authority, many of our -officers and other inhabitants of our said town of Paris, confining -them in prisons, murdering some, and throwing the bodies of others into -the river, by which means they were drowned, ransoming several for -large sums of money, without any one daring to check or punish such -atrocious acts.</p> - -<p>'All this was done through the practices and support of the duke -of Burgundy; by which means he has detained us, our companion the -queen, and our said eldest son, in such subjection and danger that -we had not liberty to do any one thing as we should have pleased; -for after these arrests had taken place, he appointed others to fill -their places, who were firmly attached to him and his measures. Even -persons of the lowest order were raised by him to offices,—and this -conduct was pursued until it pleased the Lord, by means of the activity -and diligence of our very dear and well beloved cousin the king of -Sicily, in conjunction with our dear nephews of Orleans,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span> our well -beloved cousins the duke of Bourbon, the counts d'Alençon, d'Eu, and -others of our royal blood, many prelates, barons, knights, esquires, -and several of our court of parliament and of our dear daughter the -university of Paris, and capital burgesses of that town, to restore us, -our dear companion the queen and son, to that liberty which we should -reasonably enjoy; and the peace that had been agreed to at Auxerre was -again confirmed and sworn to by the said Burgundian, and others of our -blood and lineage. Nevertheless, the duke of Burgundy, prior to the -expedition which our said eldest son made, by means of the populace -of Paris, on the 4th day of August last past, exerted himself to the -utmost to put an end to this peace, by having it published in several -hôtels and other places in Paris, that if the people consented to such -a peace, it would be the ruin of the town, which was notoriously false.</p> - -<p>'Since the peace was thus renewed and confirmed, the duke of Burgundy -has been much discontented; and when some of those disturbers of the -peace, persons of low degree, quitted Paris under pretence of going -to Burgundy, though in fact they went to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> Flanders, Artois, and other -territories of the duke, he received them graciously, criminals as they -were, with other traitors and murderers of our said brother the duke -of Orleans, notwithstanding we had sent him especial ambassadors, who, -among other things, required and commanded him in our name that those -criminals whom he had received, and who had been convicted of treason -against us, and consequently banished the realm for ever, should be -delivered up that justice might be done on them. They also demanded -restitution of several castles that he kept possession of, by himself -or others, contrary to our pleasure, namely, the castles of Crotoy, -Laon, and Chinon,—but to all these demands he has been disobedient.</p> - -<p>'The worst part of his conduct is, that under colour of the most -abominable falsehoods, he has raised as large a body of men at arms and -archers as was possible, as well from his own countries of Burgundy -and Savoy as from Flanders, Artois and elsewhere, which he has marched -to the walls of our good town of Paris. To gain partisans, and an -undisturbed march, he has sent sealed letters to several of our large -towns to require aid and support,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span> under colour that he was marching -to Paris by the command of our said eldest son, to deliver us from -the bondage in which, as he said, we were detained, and which is a -notorious falsehood,—for we never enjoyed greater liberty than we do -at this moment, and have done ever since his departure from Paris.</p> - -<p>'It is also false that he has had any commands from us on this subject: -on the contrary, we and our dear son have, by our letters patent, -positively forbidden him, under pain of our displeasure, to dare to -come before us with any assemblage of men at arms, which he has not -only disregarded and paid no attention to, but has imprisoned one of -the sergeants at arms of our court of parliament, whom we had sent with -the above letters patent, solemnly to forbid his assembling any bodies -of men at arms, and which he properly executed.</p> - -<p>'Pursuing his evil designs, his conduct from bad becomes worse; and, -contemning the orders of us, who are his sovereign, he marched like a -rebel, in a hostile manner, toward our town or Paris, with the largest -force he could collect, in direct opposition to our express commands, -thus breaking the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> peace which he had so solemnly sworn to keep, and -rendering himself unworthy of those graces and favours which had been -shown him in former times. He has with him, and under his obedience, -all those false traitors who on conviction of their treasons have been -for ever banished the kingdom, that through their means he may be -enabled to stir up sedition in our good town of Paris and elsewhere.</p> - -<p>'He has gained possession of our town of Compiegne, although we had -sent orders to the inhabitants not to suffer him to enter it with any -body of men at arms, or in an hostile manner, which orders were shown -to him; but he held them in contempt, and what is worse he now occupies -that town, and has placed therein a garrison contrary to our commands. -In like manner has he taken possession of the town of Soissons, -although the inhabitants had received orders similar to those sent to -Compiegne, of which the army of the duke of Burgundy was assured.</p> - -<p>'This Burgundian has even advanced his army to St Denis, which he -has seized and made his head-quarters, contrary to our will and -pleasure, forming of it, as it were, a frontier to our good town -of Paris; and by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> way of demonstrating his wickedness and infamous -designs, he advanced his army with displayed banners, and in a warlike -manner, to the very walls of Paris, and remained there a long time in -battle-array. He even sent his scouts to the very gates, in the hope of -raising a sedition among the populace, and then entering the town by -force of arms, contrary to our will, and thus acting like an enemy, and -being guilty of the crime of high treason toward us, many complaints of -which have been and are daily made to us on this subject.</p> - -<p>'Know ye, that having considered the above acts, and others connected -with them, and the whole of the duke of Burgundy's conduct since the -death of our said brother to this present time, inasmuch as he has -been ever ready to proceed by force of arms, and has several times -notoriously disobeyed our commands, more especially in this last act, -when we positively enjoined him not to march any armed force to Paris, -and in several others, which he has obeyed or not according to his -pleasure. For these causes he is and must be esteemed ungrateful, and -undeserving of all the favours that have been shown him by us in former -times.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span></p> - - - -<p>'Having therefore held a grand council on the above, to which persons -of all ranks were admitted, and having duly considered the same, we -declare that the duke of Burgundy, and all who shall give him any -aid, support or advice, or join his company, contrary to our said -edicts, issued by us to forbid the same, shall be, and are by these -presents, held and reputed rebels to us, and violators of the peace, -consequently enemies to us and to the public welfare of our kingdom. -For these causes we have determined to call out our arriere-ban, and -to muster such forces of those who have been accustomed to bear arms -as may be sufficient to enable us to resist the perverse dispositions -and attempts of the duke of Burgundy, his accomplices and adherents, -to reduce them to that subjection and obedience which they owe to us, -and to punish them for their traitorous misdeeds, so that honour may -redound to us, and they may serve in future as examples to all others.</p> - -<p>'We give it in command by these presents to our well beloved and -faithful counsellors, members of our parliament, to the provost of -Paris, to the bailiff of Amiens, and to all other our officers of -justice, to their deputies, and to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span> each of them to whom it may -appertain, that they do proclaim these presents, or cause them to be -proclaimed, in the most public places within their jurisdictions where -such proclamations have usually been made, so that no one may plead -ignorance of the same.</p> - -<p>'Commanding also, at the same time, that all our officers and subjects -who may have been used to arms do hasten with all possible speed to -join and serve us in such things as we may command, with as many men -at arms as they can collect, under pain of our highest displeasure and -suffering confiscation of effects, or such other punishment as may -be awarded against all who shall in any way disobey these our said -commands.</p> - -<p>'In testimony of which, we have to these presents affixed our -seal.—Given at Paris, the 10th day of February, in the year of Grace -1413, and of our reign the 33d<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a>.' Thus<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span> signed by the king, on -the report of the great council, held by the queen and my lord of -Acquitaine. Countersigned, 'Derion.'</p> - -<p>This edict was proclaimed in Amiens, and afterward in the provostships, -and throughout the bailiwick by commission from the said bailiff.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> <i>Arriere-ban</i>,—'a proclamation, whereby those that hold -of the king by a mesne tenure are summoned to assemble and serve him -in his wars,—different from <i>ban</i>, whereby such are called as hold -immediately of him,—also the whole troop of those mesne tenants or -under vassals so assembled.' -</p> -<p> - -<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Cotgrave's Dict.</i>—See '<i>Ban</i>' and '<i>Arriere-ban</i>.'</span><br /> -</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> There is the most extraordinary confusion of dates -throughout these state-papers, which it is, probably, utterly -impossible to rectify by any conjectural emendations: but it seems -right to take some notice of the circumstance, as at first sight it -appears a most culpable oversight. It is not only here but throughout -the book that this confusion prevails, as is very evident from the -challenges of the arragonian esquire in the beginning of the volume.</p></div></div> - -<p class="center">END OF THE THIRD VOLUME.</p> - - -<p class="center" style="margin-top:5em;"><small> -AT THE HAFOD PRESS,<br /> -BY JA. HENDERSON.</small> -</p> - -<div class="transnote"> -<p class="ph4">Transcriber's Note:</p> - -<p>Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation are as in the original.</p> -</div> - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Chronicles of Enguerrand de -Monstrelet (Vol. 3 of 13), by Enguerrand de Monstrelet - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHRONICLES OF ENGUERRAND *** - -***** This file should be named 52911-h.htm or 52911-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/9/1/52911/ - -Produced by Graeme Mackreth and The Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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