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said sir John de Luxembourg, in perpetuity to him and his heirs. For the greater security of the above, the duke freely gave up the castle of Bohain, in the presence of many of his nobles and officers of the county of Guise, whom he had ordered thither for the purpose of witnessing it, as well as several imperial and apostolical notaries.

There were likewise some discussions relative to Joan de Bar, daughter of sir Robert de Bar, count of Marle, and the portion of property she was to have in the duchy of Bar, in right of her said father. There were also some proposals for a marriage between the second son of the count de St. Pol and one of the youngest daughters of the duke of Bar: but these two articles were deferred to the next time of meeting. When this negotiation had lasted some days,.and the duke had been most honourably and grandly feasted by the two brothers in the castle of Bohain, he departed thence, according to appearances highly pleased with them, and returned to his duchy.

CHAPTER CXXXIV. - A WAR TAKES PLACE BETWEEN SIR JOHN AND SIR ANTHONY DU VERGY AND THE LORD DE CHASTEAU-VILAIN.

In this same year a great discord arose between sir John and sir Anthony du Vergy, Burgundian knights, and the lord de Château-Vilain*, which ended in an open war. The lord de Château-Vilain, the more to annoy his enemies, turned to the party of the king of France, together with sir Legier d'Estouteville, Jean de Verpelleurs, and some other gentlemen, who had long been his allies and well wishers. By this conduct they broke their oaths to the duke of Burgundy, their natural lord, with whom the lord de Château-Vilain had been on the most intimate terms. This lord also returned the badge of the duke of Bedford, which he had long worn, which made the duke very indignant; and he blamed him greatly in the presence of the person who had brought the badge, saying that he had thus falsified the oath he had made him.

The duke of Burgundy was likewise very much displeased when it came to his knowledge. and he sent pressing orders to all his captains in Burgundy to exert themselves to the utmost in harassing the lord de Château-Vilain. In obeying these orders, the country of Burgundy suffered much; for the lord de Château- Vilain had many castles in different parts of it, which he garrisoned with his friends. By the forces of the duke, assisted by the lords du Vergy and others of the nobles of Bnrgundy, he was so hardly pushed that the greater part of his castles were conquered and demolished; namely, Graussy, Flongy, Challancy, Villiers le Magnet, Nully, the castle of St. Urban, Blaise, St. Vorge, Esclaron, Varville, Cussay, Romay, Vaudemont, and Lasoncourt.

The siege of Graussy lasted more than three months under the command of Jean du Vergy, the principal in this quarrel, having with him sir William de Baufremont, William de Vienne, sir Charles du Vergy, and twelve hundred combatants. The lord de ChâteauVilain, with the heir of Commercy and Robert de Vaudricourt, and sixteen hundred fighting men, marched to raise the siege, when a grand skirmish took place, but only one man was killed.

The lord de Château-Vilain, however, finding that he could not attempt to raise the siege without very great danger from the strength of his enemies, retreated to the place whence he had come; and shortly after, sir Denis de Sainct-Flour, who commanded within the castle, capitulated to surrender the place, on the garrison being allowed to march away in safety with their lives and baggage. Having concluded this treaty, sir Denis went to the king of France, who had him beheaded for several charges that had been made against him, and also for having put his wife to death.

At this time, some captains of the duke of Burgundy took by storm and by scalado the town of Epernai, belonging to Charles duke of Orleans, a prisoner in England, in which every disorder was committed as in a conquered town.

William, lord of Chateauvilain, held the office of Chambrier de France in 1419, and died in 1439.

CHAPTER CXXXV.-A TREATY OF PEACE IS CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY AND THE LIEGEOIS.

At the end of this year, a peace was concluded between the duke of Burgundy and the Liegeois. Many meetings had been held before the two parties could agree on terms: at last it was settled that the Liegeois should pay the duke one hundred and fifty thousand nobles by way of compensation for the damages they had done to his country of Namur, by demolishing his castles, and other mischiefs. They also consented to raze to the ground the tower of Mont-Orgueil, near to Bovines, which they held, and which indeed had been the chief cause of the war.

They completely fulfilled all the articles of the treaty; and the pledges for their future good conduct were John de Hingsbergh their bishop, Jacques de Fosseux, and other nobles of the country of Liege. For the more effectual security of this treaty, reciprocal engagements were interchanged between the parties; and thus the Liegeois, who had been in very great alarms and fear, were much rejoiced to have peace firmly established throughout their

territories.

CHAPTER CXXXVI.—THE DUKE OF BEDFORD, WHO STYLED HIMSELF REGENT OF FRANCE, MARRIES THE DAUGHTER OF THE COUNT DE SAINT POL.

[A. D. 1433.]

Ar the commencement of this year, John duke of Bedford espoused, in the town of Therouenne, Jacquelina, eldest daughter to Pierre de Luxembourg count de St. Pol, and niece to Louis de Luxembourg bishop of Therouenne, chancellor of France for king Henry, and also to sir John de Luxembourg. This marriage had been long negotiated by the bishop, who was very eager to bring it about, and he was at that time the principal minister and adviser of the said duke. The duke of Burgundy was not in that country when it was solemnized,—but hearing of it on his return, he was displeased with the count de St. Pol for having thus, without his knowledge or advice, disposed of his daughter.

The wedding-feasts were celebrated in the episcopal palace of Therouenne; and for the joy and happiness the duke felt in this match (for the damsel was handsome, well made and lively,) and that it might be long had in remembrance, he presented to the church of Therouenne two magnificent bells of great value, which he had sent thither from England at his own cost. Some days after the feasts were over, he departed from Therouenne.

CHAPTER CXXXVII.—THE TOWN OF ST. VALERY, IN PONTHIEU, IS WON BY THE FRENCH. AT this time, sir Louis de Vaucourt and sir Regnault de Versailles, attached to king Charles, accompanied by about three hundred combatants, surprised, about day-break, and took by scalado the town of St. Valery in Ponthieu. The town was governed for the duke of Burgundy by Jean de Brimeu, and great mischiefs were done there by the French according to their custom of dealing with conquered towns. The capture of this place alarmed the whole country round, and not without cause; for within a few days they greatly reinforced themselves with men-at-arms, and commenced a severe war on all attached to the English or Burgundians. The most part of those in the neighbourhood entered into an agreement for security with them, for which they paid heavy sums of money.

At this time also, by means of Perrinet Crasset, governor of la Charité on the Loire for king Henry, was that town and castle given up. It was strongly situated, and had not been conquered during the whole of the war.

CHAPTER CXXXVIII.-THE DUKES OF BEDFORD AND OF BURGUNDY GO TO SAINT OMER.

TOWARD the end of May in this year, the dukes of Bedford and of Burgundy went to St. Omer to confer together on several public matters, and to consider on certain angry expressions that had been used and reported on both sides. The cardinal of England was with the duke of Bedford, and very desirous to bring these two dukes to a right understanding with each other. However, though these two noble princes were come to Saint Omer for this purpose, and though it had been settled that they were to meet at an appointed time without either being found to wait on the other; nevertheless, the duke of Bedford expected that the duke of Burgundy should come to him at his lodgings, which he would not do. Many of their lords went from the one to the other to endeavour to settle this matter of ceremony, but in vain.

At length the cardinal waited on the duke of Burgundy, and, drawing him aside, said in an amicable manner, "How is this, fair nephew, that you refuse to compliment a prince who is son and brother to a king, by calling on him, when he has taken so much trouble to meet you in one of your own towns, and that you will neither visit nor speak to him?" The duke replied, that he was ready to meet him at the place appointed. After a few more words, the cardinal returned to the duke of Bedford; and within a short time, the two dukes departed from St. Omer without anything further being done, but more discontented with each other than before.

CHAPTER CXXXIX. -THE DEATH OF JOHN DE TOISY BISHOP OF TOURNAY.-GREAT DISSENTIONS RESPECTING THE PROMOTION TO THE VACANT BISHOPRIC.

In this year died, in the town of Lille, at a very advanced age, master John de Toisy bishop of Tournay, and president of the duke of Burgundy's council. John de Harcourt, bishop of Amiens, was nominated by the holy father the pope to succeed him, which much displeased the duke of Burgundy, for he was desirous to have promoted to it one of his counsellors, called master John Chevrot, archdeacon of the Vexin under the church of Rouen. The duke had spoken on this subject to the bishop of Amiens, that when it should become vacant he might not apply for it; and it was reported, that de Harcourt had promised not to accept thereof. However, when he had been translated to Tournay, the duke ordered all his subjects, in Flanders and elsewhere, not to pay him any obedience; and, in addition, the whole, or greater part of the revenues of the bishopric were transferred to the duke, to the great sorrow of the bishop. Hoping, nevertheless, to devise some means for a reconcilement, he resided a long time in Tournay as a private person, where he was obeyed, and much beloved by the burghers and inhabitants.

During this interval, the archbishopric of Narbonne became vacant, and, through the solicitations of the duke of Burgundy, it was given to John de Harcourt by the pope, and the bishopric of Tournay to the before-mentioned Jean de Chevrot. This translation was made by the holy father to please all parties, more especially the duke of Burgundy; but it was very unsatisfactory to Jean de Harcourt, who refused to be translated, saying, that the pope had only done it to deprive him of his bishopric of Tournay.

The duke, seeing that he would not comply, was more angered against him and the townsmen of Tournay than before, and in consequence forbade his subjects to carry any provisions to Tournay, under pain of confiscation and corporal punishment. He had it also proclaimed, that all persons should give to his officers information where any property lay belonging to the burghers of that town, that it might be confiscated.

Very many mischiefs were done for the space of four or five years, on account of this discord. During which time, the count d'Estampes was sent into Tournay with a large company of knights and esquires, to take possession of the bishopric for Jean de Chevrot, although John de Harcourt was in the town. It happened, therefore, that when the count d'Estampes had ordered master Stephen Vivien to take possession of the cathedral, the greater part of the townsmen, to show their discontent at the proceeding, rose in rebellion,

and advanced to the cathedral, where Vivien, seated on the episcopal throne, was going through all the ceremonies and acts that he had been ordered to do in the name of Jean Chevrot, in taking possession of the bishopric. The populace no sooner witnessed what he was about than they rudely pushed him from the throne, and tore his surplice and other parts of his dress. Many, in their rage, would have put him to death if the officers of justice had not laid hands on him and carried him off as their prisoner, giving the crowd to understand that he should be judicially punished to their satisfaction.

[graphic]

INSURRECTION OF TOURNAY-VIEW LOOKING TOWARDS THE CATHEDRAL. From an original drawing.

John de Harcourt, on whose account this riot had been raised, restrained them as much as he could by gentle remonstrances, and begging of them to return to their houses, for that all would end well, and he would legally keep possession of his bishopric; after some little time the commonalty retired, and the magistrates and principal inhabitants made the best excuses they could to the count d'Estampes for this riot,-for they were afraid they should fare the worse for it in times to come. The count d'Estampes, finding nothing effectual could be done, departed, and returned to the duke of Burgundy at Arras, and told him all that had passed in Tournay. He was much vexed thereat, and issued stricter orders than before to distress the town, so that from this quarrel respecting the two bishops very many persons suffered great tribulations. Even after the peace was concluded between king Charles and the duke of Burgundy, the king was much displeased at the conduct of the duke respecting Tournay, and was desirous of supporting the claim of John de Harcourt. John de Harcourt perceiving that the duke was obstinately bent on having Jean de Chevrot bishop of Tournay, and that he should not be allowed to enjoy peaceably the revenues of the bishopric, and that withal his lands in Hainault had been seized on and confiscated by the duke, departed from Tournay, and went with a few attendants to the

king, who gave him a most gracious reception, and he then continued his journey to his archbishopric of Narbonne. Thus did Jean de Chevrot gain the bishopric of Tournay, who sent thither, to take possession, a canon of Cambray named master Robert d'Auclair. He was at this time very courteously received there, and obeyed as his procurator.

CHAPTER CXL.-THE FRENCH MAKE MANY CONQUESTS ON THE CONFINES OF BURGUNDY.

ABOUT this time, ambassadors were sent from the three estates of the duchy and county of Burgundy to the duke, to remonstrate with him on the great damages the partisans of king Charles were doing to his country by fire and sword, more especially his brother-in-law the duke of Bourbon. They told him, that they had already taken by force many towns and castles, and were daily making further inroads into the country, which must be totally destroyed unless a speedy remedy was applied. They concluded by requesting most humbly that he would, out of his grace, raise a sufficient body of men, and that he would personally

march to their assistance.

The duke, having heard their harangue, assembled his council, and then determined to collect men-at-arms from all his dependencies in Brabant, Flanders, Artois, Hainault, and other parts. Clerks were instantly employed to write letters to the different lords, knights, and esquires, who had usually served him in his wars, to assemble as many men-at-arms and archers as they could raise, and be ready to march with him at the beginning of the month of May, whither he might be pleased to lead them. The captains, on receiving these orders from their prince, made every diligence to obey them; and several soon brought their men into the field, which harassed much the countries of Picardy, Ponthieu, Artois, Tournesis, Ostrevant, Cambresis, Vermandois, and the adjoining parts, for the duke had not been equally diligent in completing his preparations, so that these men remained wasting the countries aforesaid for upwards of a month.

At the end of May, the duke having assembled, from divers parts, a great quantity of carriages, stores, and artillery, set out from the town of Arras on the 20th day of June, attended by many of his captains. He was also accompanied by his duchess, who had a numerous attendance of ladies and damsels, to the amount of more than forty; and they were lodged in Cambray, where sir John de Luxembourg met him, and requested that he would come to his castle of Bohain, to which the duke assented. On the morrow, when the duke and duchess had heard mass in the church of our Lady at Cambray, and afterward taken some refreshment, they set out for the castle of Bohain, where they were joyfully and honourably received by sir John de Luxembourg, count de Ligny, and the countess his lady. They and their attendants were plentifully and nobly served with all sorts of provisions that were in season: and they remained there for two days, taking their pleasures in the chase and other amusements.

many

In the mean time, the captains and men-at-arms advanced into the Rethelois. The duke and duchess, on leaving Bohain, went to Peronne, and thence through Champagne, passing near to Rheims. There were with him full six thousand combatants, as well men-at-armis as archers, the principal leaders of whom were the lord de Croy, sir John de Croy, his brother, sir John de Hornes, seneschal of Brabant, the lord de Crequi and his brother, sir John bastard de St. Pol, his brother Louis, the lord de Humieres, sir Baudo de Noyelle, the lord de Crevecœur, Robert de Neufville, Lancelot de Dours, Harpin de Richammes, and other nobles, as well knights as esquires. When the duke marched through Champagne, he formed his troops into a van-guard, a main body, and a rear-guard. Sir John de Croy commanded the first under his brother, and he had with him Harpin de Richammes. During the march, all the baggage was placed between the van and main body; and the duchess, then far gone with child, was there also, with her women, and near to the duke. The army marched in this array before the town of Troyes, that was held by the French, and advanced to Cappes on the line to Burgundy. Many of the Burgundian lords now joined him, to whom he gave a gracious reception,-and having called a council of war, resolved on their future proceedings. It was settled that the duchess should fix her residence

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