that Avranches would have now but a small garrison, they pressed forward to the attack, thinking to conquer it. They did, indeed, make a sharp assault; but the townsmen defended themselves so courageously, that many were slain and wounded, and left in the ditches. The French, having heard that the duke of Bedford was on his march to combat them, departed with all speed for the duchy of Touraine, but not without being closely pursued by the English.

On the third day of October, in this year, the town of Hamme-sur-Somme was taken by escalade by a party of king Charles's men, under the command of Poton de Saintrailles, through neglect of the night-guard. Sir John de Luxembourg was so much vexed at this event, (as that town belonged to him,) that he instantly collected a body of men-at-arms. and on the third day after the capture advanced thither. He had it suddenly attacked, and with great courage; and ordered a detachment to cross the river with his banner, which was valiantly borne on that day by a man-at-arms called Jacotin de Cambray. In short, sir John speedily reconquered the town, and cruelly put to death the greater part of his enemies. Poton de Saintrailles escaped as quickly as he could, and fled to Tierache, but was pursued by the Burgundians, and many of his men were taken. In this attack on Hamme, two men-at-arms were grievously wounded, namely, sir John de Fontenelle and Valerien de St. Germain; but this last was almost immediately beheaded, by orders from sir John de Luxembourg.

About this time, king Charles's queen was brought to bed of a son, who was christened Louis*, dauphin of Vienne. This birth caused great rejoicings throughout all parts under his dominion, more especially in Tours, where bonfires were made in all the streets, carols sung, and every sign of joy manifested.

The French gained also the castle of Beaumont-sur-Oise, which was, however, soon after besieged by orders from the duke of Bedford, reconquered and demolished. The commonalty of Tournay again rose in rebellion, with displayed banners, because they were suspicious of the lords de Moy and de Conflans, who, having great weight in the town, would introduce a garrison sufficiently strong to keep them in awe. This rebellion was soon appeased without coming to blows; but the two above-mentioned lords quitted the town for fear of the populace, and the lord de Moy fixed his residence at Liége.

About this time the town of Compiègne was won by escalade by a party of king Charles's men, through neglect of the watch; they amounted to nearly three hundred combatants, under the command of Yvon du Puis, Angerot de Laux, and Broussart, who, instantly on winning the town, imprisoned all the English and Burgundians, with those attached to them, and seized their effects. Shortly after, the lord de l'Isle-Adam, Lyonnel de Bornouville, the lord de Thian, with others, appeared before it, to reconquer it; but they did little or nothing, although the country round suffered great oppressions from them.

In these same days the town of la Charité-sur-Loire was retaken from king Charles, by an adventurer attached to the duke of Burgundy, called Perrinet Crasset, who had a long time before carried on a successful war in the country of Berry, and in that neighbourhood. The French were much grieved and vexed at this loss; for they were prevented crossing the Loire, which would have been of great utility to them.

In this year, Arthur count of Richemont, notwithstanding his marriage with Margaret of Burgundy, and the oaths and alliances he had made with the late king Henry and his successors, joined king Charles, owing, as it was said, to a quarrel between him and the duke of Bedford+. King Charles received him with the utmost joy, and instantly made him constable of France; but very many wondered at this change, considering how lately he had connected himself with the duke of Burgundy.

In the month of January of this year, the dukes of Bedford and of Burgundy, the count de Conversan, the bishop of Tournay his brother, sir John de Luxembourg, with a number of other notable persons, the ministers of each prince, and commissioners from the dukes of

Afterwards Louis XI.

There seems in this place to be an anachronism. It is true, according to other historians, that at this time the count of Richemont was disgusted with the English, because he fail d ni obtaining the command of the army from

the duke of Bedford. But he did not immediately join the party of king Charles, who, after the battle of Verneuil, bribed him by the offer of the constable's staff, only then vacant by the death of the earl of Buchan.

Gloucester and Brabant, assembled in the town of Amiens. Although the matter of dispute between these two last had been frequently discussed, nothing amicable could be concluded. The meeting was therefore broken up, and the commissioners ordered to meet them again on Trinity-day following.

CHAPTER XIV.-THE TOWN OF COMPIEGNE IS DELIVERED UP TO THE ENGLISH.-THE TOWN AND CASTLE OF CROTOY ARE SURRENDERED TO THE DUKE OF BEDFORD.

ABOUT this period, the duke of Bedford went to the town of Mondidier, where he staid five or six days; he thence gave orders for his captains, as well Burgundian as English, to lay siege to Compiègne, and appointed the lord de Saveuses chief of the expedition. The principal captains were, the bailiff of Rouen, the governor of Gisors, called Malberry, the lord de l'Isle-Adam, sir Lyonnel de Bournouville, the bastard de Thian, the lord de Crevecœur, and Robert de Saveuses. In obedience to these orders, they assembled their men with all speed at the bridge of St. Maixence, and thence marched in good array toward Compiègne. The lord de Saveuses advanced with the English on the side toward Mondidier, and fixed his quarters in a meadow near to a town called Venvette, while the lord de l'Isle-Adam, Lyonnel de Bournouville, and other captains, advanced on the opposite side of the river to the abbey of Royaulieu, and then besieged the town on both sides of the river for about three weeks.

During this time many considerable skirmishes took place; but at length the French, not having any hope of succour, entered into a treaty with the English to surrender the town within three weeks from that time, if they were not delivered by their king, and on condition they should depart in safety with all their effects. They gave hostages for the due performance of the above, and were likewise to deliver up the lord de Soral, who had been made prisoner by the besieged. On the conclusion of this treaty, every one returned to his home. On the appointed day no succours arrived, and the place was put into the hands of the English by command of the duke of Bedford, who styled himself regent of France. The lord de Montferrant, who had received the surrender of Compiègne, nominated the lord de l'Isle-Adam governor thereof.

About the end of February the duke of Bedford went to Abbeville with a large army, to keep the appointment that had been made for him to meet the French before Crotoy; but as the duke had received certain assurances that the French would not appear, he sent sir Raoul le Bouteiller to command in his stead, while he remained at Abbeville. Sir Raoul kept the field on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of March; when, about twelve o'clock on that day, sir Cloquart de Cambronne surrendered the castle and town of Crotoy into the hands of sir Raoul, who returned him the hostages, and gave him passports for himself and his men to join their king, or to go whithersoever they pleased on the other side of the Seine. When sir Raoul le Bouteiller had made his entry, he received the oaths of allegiance from the inhabitants of Crotoy, and from such as had remained within the town and castle. He was appointed by the regent governor general of that place and its dependancies; but this surrender was not very agreeable to many of the neighbouring lords and commonalty, for they suspected that the connexion between the English and the duke of Burgundy would not be of long duration, and that by means of this place they would be totally ruined, notwithstanding that many of them had been already great sufferers.

In this year died Pietro della Luna, who called himself Pope Benedict. He had been, ever since the council of Constance, rebellious and contumacious to the Roman church, being resolved to die Pope. The cardinals of his party attempted to elect another on his decease; but they soon returned to a proper obedience to the church, and to the holy father pope Martin, and thus perfect union was restored to the whole Christian church.

CHAPTER XV.-TWO MASTERS OF ARTS ARE SENT TO TOURNAY TO ADMONISH THE PEOPLE, AND TO KEEP ALIVE THEIR AFFECTION TO KING CHARLES.

In this year, two masters of arts were sent to Tournay by king Charles, to admonish the burghers and commonalty, and to press them to continue in the loyalty they had for some time borne to him, promising, on the word of a king, that should he, through the grace of God, succeed in regaining his kingdom, he would most handsomely reward them. These ambassadors were received by the nobles and commonalty with every honour and respect; rich presents were made them, and their expenses were most liberally paid by the municipality. When they had staid some time in Tournay, one of them departed for Berry; but the other remained behind, and made many harangues to induce the inhabitants to keep steady to the interests of king Charles,-but at length his establishment was lessened, and those in Tournay were cooled in their attachment to him, and began to repent having made him such large presents on his first arrival.

In the month of April following, sir John de Luxembourg assembled his men-at-arms, and in company with sir Thomas Ramstone, an English knight, went to lay siege to Oysi in Tierache. Within a few days, le Cadet, the governor, treated conditionally to surrender the place on the 5th of May next, if he were not relieved before that day. Thus the siege was broken up, and the surrender took effect. Nearly at the same time, sir John de Luxembourg besieged the church of Broissi, which some pillagers of king Charles's party had fortified, and committed great ravages over the country. He also besieged the tower of le Borgne; and at the capture of both places about fourscore of these marauders were taken, with one of their captains called le Gros Breton; and they were all hung on trees near to Sery les Maizieres.

In this year, a mischievous fire burnt about six hundred houses in the town of St. Amand, with the gates of the lower court of the abbey, and the apartments of two monks of that place only two small houses were saved within the gates of the town; and the poor inhabitants were in the utmost distress and affliction.

The truces were now broken, that had subsisted for thirteen years, between the sultan of Babylon and the king of Cyprus,-owing to falsities told the sultan by renegado Christians, that the king of Cyprus put to death the sultan's subjects whenever he could lay hands on them. On this report, the sultan, without any declaration of war, sent six galleys full of Saracens to invade Cyprus and destroy the country with fire and sword. They first burnt and demolished the town of Lymessa, and many other parts. When the king of Cyprus was informed of this, he sent one of his knights, sir Philip Prevost, with a large body of men, to oppose them; but at the first skirmish he was sorely wounded by an arrow in the face, and fell from his horse,-when the Saracens, advancing, cut off his head, and seizing his golden spurs, carried both with them to their galleys, and made sail for Syria.

CHAPTER XVI.-SIR JOHN DE LUXEMBOURG BESIEGES THE CASTLE OF WIEGE.-HE LAYS AN AMBUSH, IN WHICH POTON DE SAINTRAILLES AND HIS COMPANIONS ARE MADE PRISONERS.

SIR JOHN DE LUXEMBOURG now besieged the castle of Wiege with a numerous army. The siege lasted for three weeks, during which he continually battered the walls and gates with his engines. At length, the besieged, losing all hope of relief, made a treaty with sir John to surrender the place, on condition they should depart in safety with their effects, promising not to bear arms again on that side of the Loire, except when in company with king Charles. On the signing of the treaty they went away for Guise, and the castle was demolished. One or two days after this, sir John decamped with some of the most trusty of his men, and formed a plan for taking Poton de Saintrailles, as you shall hear. Sir John, on the departure of the garrison, placed an ambuscade behind a small church, on the borders

of the country of Guise, to watch the motions of the enemy, and to be prepared should they attempt any incursions on that side.

Poton de Saintrailles, l'Estandart de Mailly, the lord de Verduisant, with some others expert in arms, made a sally from Guise, near to where the ambuscade had been posted. When they were far enough advanced, sir John, profiting of his advantage, made so vigorous a charge that they were instantly thrown into confusion,-and Poton, the lord de Verduisant, and a few more, were taken prisoners. But l'Estandart de Mailly, on the first shock, pointed his lance against Lyonnel de Vandonne, unhorsed him, and gave him so violent a blow on the shoulder that ever after the said Lyonnel was lame on that side. L'Estandart finding, however, that prowess would avail nothing, and that numbers were against him, wheeled about, and returned as quickly as his horse could carry him to the town of Guise.

Sir John de Luxembourg pursued for a long time the others, who fled different ways. On his return he collected his men together, and, rejoicing at his good fortune, carried the prisoners to his castle of Beaurevoir, where he dismissed his captains until further orders.

CHAPTER XVII.-A LARGE BODY OF ENGLISH ARRIVE AT CALAIS.-SIR JOHN DE LUXEMBOURG BESIEGES THE TOWN OF GUISE.-OTHER MATTERS BRIEFLY SPOKEN OF.

[A.D. 1424.]

AT the beginning of this year, sixteen hundred combatants or thereabout were landed at Calais from England,—the greater part of whom went to the duke of Bedford at Paris, and the rest to sir John de Luxembourg on the borders of the country of Guise. Sir John consented to treat with Poton de Saintrailles and the other prisoners, on condition that they would, with their men, abandon Guise, and cross the river Loire without harassing the country, and promise never to return unless in company with king Charles. By this treaty, and a considerable sum paid down as ransom, Poton and his companions obtained their liberty, and marched away to the country on the other side of the Loire.

In this year, La Hire, Jean Roullet, and some other of king Charles's captains, assembled a large body of men on the borders of Champagne, whom they led toward the Ardennes and the Rethelois, and besieged Olivier d'Estanevelle in his castle.

About this time, sir John de Luxembourg, by orders from the dukes of Bedford and Burgundy, made great preparations, with men and artillery, to lay siege to the town of Guise in Tierache. When all was ready, he marched thither, accompanied by the lord de Picquigny, the vidame of Amiens, the lords d'Antoing, de Saveuses, sir Colart de Mailly, his brother Ferry de Mailly, sir Daviod de Poix, Maufroy de St. Leger, sir Lyonnel de Bournouville, the bastard de St. Pol, and very many more. Sir Thomas Ramstone, and a certain number of English, were also with him. On commencing their attacks, they met with great resistance from the garrison within the town, who, to prevent the enemy from approaching, had set fire to the suburbs, where many handsome houses were burnt.

But this availed them nothing: for sir John instantly surrounded the place with his men, and had his engines pointed against the walls and gates on the side next the suburbs. Intelligence of this siege was immediately sent to Réné duke of Bar, to the count de Guise*, and to the duke of Lorraine, his father-in-law, by John lord de Proisy, governor of Guise, who informed them of the urgent necessity there was of instant relief being sent him. This news was very displeasing to the two dukes, who held many councils thereon, and assembled men-at-arms, in compliance with the governor's request; but, fearful of incurring war with the young king of England and the duke of Burgundy, they abstained from any open hostilities. The siege continued for a considerable time without any material occurrences, excepting that the garrison made frequent sallies to annoy the enemy,-but it would take too much time to enter into the detail of each.

About St. John Baptist's day in this year, the earl of Salisbury, governor of Champagne and Brie, and very renowned in arms, besieged a good little town called Sodune, in the *This ought to be "Réné, duke of Bar and count of in 1430, in right of his wife Isabel, daughter of duke Guise." He was both, and became also duke of Lorraine Charles the Bold.

county of Vertus, which was taken by storm, by means of a mine, and the greater part of those within were cruelly put to death, to the amount of two hundred at least, and the rest made prisoners. Their effects were pillaged, their women ravished, and the place demolished. The lord de Châtillon was with the earl of Salisbury, and created a knight by the hand of the earl within the mine. The governor of the town was a valiant man-atarms called William Marin, who was slain with the others at the storming.

While this was passing, the duke of Bedford caused the castle of Gaillon, a very strong place belonging to the archbishop of Rouen, to be besieged, as it was held by the partisans of king Charles. It was battered so effectually, that the garrison surrendered on having their lives spared, and the place was utterly destroyed.

In the month of June, the duke of Bedford ordered the town and castle of Ivry to be besieged. The first was soon won; but the castle, being strong and well garrisoned, held out for about a month, when the garrison capitulated to deliver up the fort to the English on the night of the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin, in case king Charles should not appear before that day with a sufficient force to combat them with success. When the treaty had been signed, and proper hostages given for its performance, the siege was broken up.

The English and Burgundians at this time besieged many places on the borders of Normandy. Neelle in Tardenois submitted to king Henry; and Alardin de Monsay treated with the duke of Bedford for the castle of La Fere, and stipulated that he would not make further war against him if he should be suffered to keep it, unless king Charles should muster forces enough to cross the Seine, and advance to Champagne. The French were at this time much the weakest.

CHAPTER XVIII.-THE LORD DE LONGUEVAL AND MANY OTHER FRENCH LORDS TURN TO THE PARTY OF KING CHARLES.

In this year the lord de Longueval, his brother Reginald, John Blondel, the lord de Saint-Simon, John de Mailly, the lord de Maucourt, and several other knights and gentlemen of the Vermandois, who had always been attached to the Burgundy party, assembled at Roye to consider on the most effectual means of opposing the bodies of men-at-arms who frequently despoiled their towns, and who had likewise very improperly taken possession of their lands on their return from the expeditions of sir John de Luxembourg to conquer the county of Guise.

On their meeting at Roye, many of them formed an alliance to resist these intruders; but others, fearing sir John de Luxembourg, excused themselves, and advised that the meeting should be adjourned to another day. In the mean time, a conciliatory message was sent to sir John de Luxembourg, to know his opinion, and whether it were with his consent that such depredations had been committed on their lands, and if he would order his men away. Nevertheless some among them did not intend that matters should be carried to the lengths they were, and quietly forbore their attendance at similar meetings. However, the lord de Longueval, his brother sir Reginald, John Blondel, the lord de Maucourt, Pierre de Rocourt, and several more, continued the business, and in the end determined to turn to the party of king Charles. They placed strong garrisons in many places under their command; but as their intentions were soon made known, they were forced to hide themselves with the utmost care, for all their towns, castles, and estates were put into the hands of the king of England, and themselves publicly banished.

In consequence, they openly espoused the cause of king Charles, carrying on a warfare night and day against king Henry and the duke of Burgundy, which surprised very many; for the lord de Longueval and others of the aforesaid had long served the duke of Burgundy, and followed his interests. They excused themselves by saying, that they thus acted to revenge the insults they had received, and were daily receiving, from the men of sir John de Luxembourg; and that it was better to risk the loss of everything than be reduced to such subjection, which they had borne as long as they were able. Some of them, for their conduct, were executed, as will be seen hereafter