Articles of a treaty concluded between sir Raoul le Bouteiller, knight, and William Miners, esquire, as deputies for that most excellent prince John duke of Bedford, regent of France, on the one part, and sir James de Harcourt, knight, lieutenant-general of Picardy for king Charles, he the said sir James answering for the clergy, nobles and inhabitants of the town and castle of Crotoy on the other part.

In the first place, my lord regent, or his deputies, shall, on the first day of March next, appear in arms in the plain between Crotoy and Rue, and for three successive days, from sunrise until three o'clock in the afternoon; when if they should not be combated by the said sir James so powerfully that the field of battle shall remain to the said sir James de Harcourt, he, the said sir James, engages loyally to deliver up the town and castle of Crotoy to the said lord regent, or to whomever else he may appoint. This is to be accomplished at three o'clock in the afternoon of the said ensuing third day of March.-Item, the said sir James de Harcourt and all such as may please shall have full liberty to depart from the town and castle of Crotoy, on the day of its surrender, excepting those who may have been implicated in the death of the late duke of Burgundy, should any such be there, who are to remain at the discretion of the lord regent.-Item, sir James shall leave within the castle all the powder, cross-bows and bolts, without any way injuring or damaging them, with the exception of nine veuglaires, two kegs of powder, twenty-three cross-bows, and nine boxes of bolts. His men to be allowed to carry with them their armour, clothes and other effects. -Item, in case any of the men-at-arms, or inhabitants of the said town and castle, shall wish to take the oaths of allegiance to the lord regent, all their effects, moveable and immoveable, shall be preserved to them, and sufficient certificates given them thereof.

Item, the said sir James shall have the use of part of the fleet before Crotoy, namely, the great hulk and the barge, Colin l'Anglois, Plumeterre, Balenier, Jacquese and Martinet, and he shall leave behind all other vessels. The boats of the fishermen shall remain to their owners, on condition that they take the oaths of allegiance.—Item, sir James shall deliver up all the prisoners whom he may have at this moment in the town and castle of Crotʊy, and, in return, sir Raoul le Bouteiller will give up one of his men, whom he has captured. -Item, during the whole intermediate time henceforth to the first day of March, all those within the said town and castle shall abstain from making war either secretly or openly, saving that sir James de Harcourt may carry on the war wheresoever he pleases on the other side of the Seine.

Item, it is strictly forbidden any persons that belong to the lord regent to make any inroads, or to plunder the lands appertaining to the said town and castle, or on the lands of any of their allies, during this said space of time.-Item, from henceforward to the first day of March, the inhabitants of Crotoy may carry on commerce with the towns of Rue, Abbeville, and Saint Valery, provided they obtain leave from the governors of these towns, but not otherwise. They shall also have liberty to traffic by sea, and to bring wines and other provision for sale, but not in sufficient quantities to revictual the town or castle, but solely for their daily supply during the aforesaid term.-Item, all persons attached to the lord regent shall have liberty to enter the town of Crotoy on business, provided they first obtain leave from the governor.

Item, should it happen that, during this intermediate time, any armed vessel, or other having men-at-arms on board, appear before Crotoy, such shall not be admitted into the harbour, nor receive any succour from the vessels then within the port. Sir James de Harcourt shall not, during this aforesaid term, in any way strengthen or demolish the said town and castle.-Item, the lord regent, or his commissioners, shall, at the time of surrender, grant passports to all within the town and castle to go whithersoever they may please to join their party, and carry with them all their effects,-for the moving of which they shall be allowed fifteen days, and passports to continue for fifteen days more.-Item, sir James de Harcourt shall in like manner have passports for himself, his children, and family, to depart by sea or land, as he may please, and whithersoever he shall choose.

Item, for the due performance of these articles, the said sir James shall deliver as hostages the lord Pierre de Hergicourt, knight, Boort de Fiefiez, Jean Sarpe, and Percival Combiet, esquires, Jean d'Estampes, Gilles le Roi, and Jean de Gonne, burghers of the town of

Crotoy. These hostages shall be set at liberty on the surrender of Crotoy; and in case that he who calls himself their king shall, by himself or others, come to their succour, and remain victorious, these said hostages shall have their liberty as before.

On the signing this treaty, and the delivery of the hostages, the siege was broken up. Sir James de Harcourt had all his stores of provision in Abbeville and elsewhere sold, and ordered his children from Hainault to the castle of Hamesche, whence, on their arrival, he sent them to Monstreul-Bellay. After sir James had disposed of his stores, he embarked with a part of his people and his immense wealth, leaving sir Choquart de Cambronne his lieutenant in the castle of Crotoy. He sailed for Mont St. Michel, where he was received honourably, and thence to visit his children at Monstreul-Bellay, where he deposited the greater part of his wealth.

Some days after he waited on king Charles, who received him very kindly, and made him kingly presents. He thence took his way to visit the lord de Parthenay, uncle to his lady*, who was attached to the Burgundy interest. When the lord de Parthenay had shown him much honour and liberal entertainment, sir James required his uncle to give up his castle to his guard, and that he would quit the duke of Burgundy, whose quarrels he had hitherto espoused, and he (sir James) would make his peace with king Charles, so that he should keep up his usual state. The lord de Parthenay replied, that it was his intention to remain lord of his own castle and lands; and that those to whom they would belong after his decease, might then do with them as they listed. Upon this, sir James, having formed his plan so that it could not fail, laid hands on the lord de Parthenay, and made him prisoner in the name of king Charles. Sir James's people raised the drawbridge of the castle, but in doing so they made a noise which alarmed the townsmen, who hastened in crowds to inquire what was the matter,—and as the bridge was neither fastened by bolt nor latch, they pulled it down again, and entered the castle so suddenly, that they put to death sir James, Jean de Huselames, Jean de Frousieres, Philip de Neufville, and others of his men. Thus did sir James de Harcourt find a sudden and cruel death through somewhat too much covetousness, -although this has been related in various other manners.

CHAPTER XIII.-SEVERAL EVENTS BRIEFLY TOUCHED UPON.

IN these days, the county of Hainault was in great alarm and tribulation for fear of a war between the dukes of Gloucester and of Brabant, which now seemed very probable, for both of them had espoused the heiress of these territories, and each styled himself lord of the country as a matter of right. The lords of these parts were also divided, some declaring for the duke of Brabant, and others for the duke of Gloucester, notwithstanding they had all sworn fidelity to the duke of Brabant, and had, for a long time, acknowledged him for their legal lord.

The dukes of Bedford and of Burgundy met at Amiens, having with them many of their council, to adjust the differences between these two dukes; but not being able to do so, they adjourned the business for final determination at Paris, and fixed a day for meeting there.

About this time the regent caused the castle of Ivry to be strongly besieged by his English, in conjunction with the lord of Isle-Adam and the bastard de Thian. The count d'Aumarle, the bastard d'Alençon, and other captains, assembled a large force to raise this siege. On their march for this purpose they met the governor of Avranches, brother to the earl of Suffolk, who, returning from an excursion, had dismissed a part of his men. The French instantly charged and defeated his remaining force, and made him prisoner; and supposing

*Parthenay was an ancient house descended from that of Lusignan. Jane, daughter of William l'Archevesque, lord of Parthenay, married William de Melun, count of Tancarville, and the only issue of that marriage was Margaret de Melun, who married sir James de Harcourt, and brought into that family all the possessions of her house.

Michael de la Pole, earl of Suffolk, died 12 Rich. II.,

leaving Michael, his son and heir, who succeeded him, and died of the flux at Harfleur, 3 Hen. V. His sons were, 1. Michael, earl of Suffolk, killed at Azincourt; 2. William, earl, and afterwards duke, of Suffolk, the same here mentioned; and 3. John de la Pole, captain of Avranches, also here mentioned.

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 Ticrache, 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 failed 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