damage, for it was wondrous strong. When the seneschal had remained before it some length of time, finding his attempts to conquer it vain, he dislodged, after he had destroyed the fortifications of the town, and marched back his men to the places they had come from, carrying with them all the plunder they had gained in Crotoy. The English had afterward at Crotoy two boats, called "Gabarres *,” with which they much harassed the town of Abbeville, and especially the fishermen. In consequence, the inhabitants of Abbeville sent by night a party toward Crotoy in a boat, whence some of the crew by swimming fastened grappling-irons to each of these gabarres,-the cords of which being fixed to the Abbeville boat, they towed them to Abbeville, to the vexation of the English. CHAPTER CCVII.-HUMPHRY DUKE OF GLOUCESTER ARRIVES AT CALAIS WITH A LARGE ARMAMENT. HE ENTERS FLANDERS, ARTOIS, AND OTHER TERRITORIES OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, AND DOES MUCH DAMAGE TO THEM. A FEW days after the decampment of the duke of Burgundy and the Flemings, the duke of Gloucester arrived at Calais with about ten thousand fighting men to combat the duke of Burgundy, had he waited for him. Since that it was otherwise, he followed the duke to Gravelines, and thence marched into Flanders, and through several towns and large villages, namely, Poperingues, Bailleul, and others, whose suburbs he burnt and destroyed, for no one opposed him,—but the people fled on all sides, and none of the Flemings dared wait his coming. He drove, therefore, away great numbers of cattle, with little or no loss of men,but they suffered much from want of bread. He passed le Neuf-châtel, and burnt Rimesture and Valon-Chapelle. Having entered Artois, he advanced to Arques † and Blandêquest, where some skirmishing passed,-and he set fire to every town and village that lay in his way. Marching through the jurisdiction of St. Omer, he committed great waste on all sides; and when near to Tournchem, Esprelecques, and Bredenarde §, some skirmishes took place between him and the different governors: Cavart and other companions of de Langle were wounded. Many captains were expelled by force from their castles; and there were more killed and wounded near to Ardres than had been in all Flanders. The duke of Gloucester now retreated toward Guines and Calais, on account of sickness in the army, occasioned from want of bread, of which they had not a sufficiency; and many good women saved their houses by giving bread, and even got in return cattle, of which the army had plenty, and which they were driving from Flanders. They were rather embarrassed with them; for, not finding water to give them, they wandered abroad and were lost, and those who went in search of them were very frequently surprised by the enemy when at a distance from their vanguard. While these things were passing in Artois and Flanders, sir Thomas Kiriel and lord Faulconbridge assembled at Neuf-châtel d'Incourt about a thousand combatants, whom they led across the Somme at Blanchetaque, and quartered at Forest-montier; thence they advanced to Broye, on the river Authie, where they remained four days, and took the castle by storm, which, however, was not very strong, nor of much value,--but it belonged to the vidame of Amiens. Part of the garrison were slain, and from five to six of the English. This capture created great alarm in the country round, for they feared the enemy would keep possession, as at the time there were but few men-at-arms in those parts. The English having found in this and in other towns much wealth, and made many prisoners, they returned by way of Blanchetaque, the same road they had come, to their different garrisons, without any loss worth mentioning; but they committed very great waste on the lands of their enemies. * Gabarre--is a flat-bottomed boat, used in Holland and on canals. † Arques, diocese of St. Omer. Blandêques, diocese of St. Omer. § Bredenarde, diocese of St. Omer. CHAPTER CCVIII.-THE FLEMINGS AGAIN TAKE UP ARMS, AFTER THEIR RETREAT FROM CALAIS TO THEIR TOWNS. Not long after the Flemings were returned home, news was brought them that a large flect of English ships was off the Flemish coast, near to Biervliet, with intent, as was supposed, of invading the country. The principal towns remanded the men who had been disbanded, and instantly marched with a powerful army and artillery toward Biervliet, and encamped near the sea to wait for the English, who were off the coast. This fleet, however, was not stationed there for the purpose of covering an invasion, but merely to alarm the Flemings, and prevent them from opposing the duke of Gloucester, who was with his army in the neighbourhood of Poperingues and Bailleul. It had on board no men-at-arms, but only mariners to manage and defend it, which made them no way anxious to enter any of the enemy's ports; and, after hovering along the coast for a few days, it made sail for Calais. When the fleet was gone, each company of Flemings marched back to its town, excepting those from Ghent, who being discontented at the blame thrown on them, for being the principal cause of the retreat from Calais, would not lay down their arms, and wanted to introduce many reforms, and were in so mutinous a state that it was necessary for their prince to go thither. On the duke of Burgundy's arrival in Ghent, he ordered their remonstrances to be laid before him. Some contained demands why Calais had not been besieged by sea as well as by land, according to a promise made,-and why the English fleet had not been burnt, as had been determined on. To these demands the duke ordered answers to be given, that it was impossible, as every seaman knew, to besiege Calais on the sea-side, by reason of the danger of the vessels being driven on shore and captured by the enemy. Add to this, that the Hollanders had not kept their promise of assisting him in this business with their shipping. With respect to burning the English fleet, the men and vessels ordered on this service at Sluys had been constantly wind-bound in that harbour, during the whole time. In regard to their other demands, namely, to order three governors of Ghent to make a procession through the country, with a sufficient force to re-garrison all their towns with native Flemings, and to put an end to the quarrels between Bruges and Sluys, and several other points insisted on by them, the duke made such satisfactory answers that they were contented with them; and each laid down his arms, and retired to his home, although they had shown great signs of violence at the beginning. They caused the duke's archers to lay aside their staves, saying that they were strong enough to guard him. Sir Roland de Hautekirque, sir Collart de Comines, sir Gilles de la Voustine, Enguerrand Auviel, and John Daudain, were afterward banished Ghent, because they had declined to appear with the other citizens to remonstrate; and the Ghent men wrote to their castlewicks, that whoever would arrest any one of the above persons, and deliver him into their hands, should receive three hundred livres tournois as a reward, besides all reasonable expenses. Many ordinances were published for the more effectual guard and defence of the country; and several governors were appointed, under the chief command of the lord d'Estrenhuse, such as the lord de Comines at Ghent, sir Gerard de Tournay at Oudenarde, and sir Gerard de Guystelles at Courtray. Other nobles and men-at-arms were posted in different towns, according to their rank, as well on the frontier toward Calais as elsewhere, and on board of their fleet. It was also proclaimed that no person should, on account of the war, quit the country, under a heavy penalty, and that every one should provide himself with arms suitable to his rank; that all the principal towns and forts should be repaired, and well supplied with provision and warlike stores; and likewise that the ditches and ramparts should be examined, and, where weak, strengthened and rebuilt at the charge of the country, or of those who were bounden to keep them in proper repair. It was at last necessary, in order to keep the commonalty in good-humour, that the duke should say publicly to them, that he was perfectly satisfied with their departure from before Calais, and that they had returned by his permission and by his orders. They were most anxious to have this disgrace wiped away from them, because they knew full well that all cried shame on them for it. When all things had been restored to order, the duke of Burgundy returned to Lille, whither came to him the lord de Chargny with other noble and valiant men, bringing with them from near Boulogne about four hundred combatants, who were dispersed in the garrisons on that frontier. Shortly after, the lords d'Ansy and de Warembon came thither with three or four hundred men, who did much mischief to the countries of Artois and Cambresis, near to Tournay. The lord de Warembon led them afterwards to garrison Pontoise, where they remained for a considerable time. Throughout all France the poor people and the church were sorely oppressed by this war, for they had no defenders; and notwithstanding the peace concluded at Arras, the French and Burgundians in the countries of Beauvoisis, Vermandois, Santois, Laonnois, Champagne, and in the Rethelois, made frequent wars on each other on the most unreasonable pretences, by which the country was wasted and destroyed, and the inhabitants suffered more than before this peace was made. The poor labourers had no other resource than pitifully to cry out to God, their Creator, for vengeance on their oppressors. But the worst was, when they had obtained letters of favour from any of the captains, they were frequently not attended to by others, even though of the same party. About this time sir John de Hornes, seneschal of Brabant, who had had, with the lord de la Morée, the command of the duke of Burgundy's fleet before Calais, was met near the sea-coast, by a party of Flemings, where he was attending his private affairs, and accompanied by a few servants, who put him to death, to the great sorrow of the duke of Burgundy. When the duke had appeased the disaffected Flemings, as has been told, and when he thought all was harmony among them, the men of Bruges suddenly rose in arms, and marched with a large body to besiege Sluys, near to which place they remained a long time. They began by murdering one of the officers of their prince, called Vaustre d'Estembourg, because he would not join the commonalty in arms before Sluys, where they remained upwards of six weeks. Their leaders were Peter de Bourgrane and Christopher Myncer; and one among them, named George Vauderberques, made the duchess of Burgundy and her son quit their carriage, in order that they might search it,-when they arrested the lady of sir John de Hornes, which much troubled the duchess, although the lady did not suffer anything further. Sir William and sir Simon de Lalain were with these ladies, but by some negotiation between them and the duke, they returned to their homes, and were pardoned for this and other offences, because he thought that he should want their services hereafter. CHAPTER CCIX.-LA HIRE CONQUERS THE TOWN AND CASTLE OF SOISSONS. OTHER MATTERS. LA HIRE about this period won the town and castle of Soissons by storm, from the governor, Guy de Roye, on the part of sir John de Luxembourg, who, not having taken the oaths to king Charles as the other Burgundian captains had done, conformable to the peace at Arras, was considered by the French as an enemy. The king, however, had granted him a delay for a certain time, to consider of it, and had during that period forbidden his captains to make war on sir John, provided he and his party should abstain from war also. When news of this event reached sir John de Luxembourg, he was much angered,—for the greater part of Soissons and its dependencies appertained by legal descent to his daughter-in-law, Jane de Bar, countess of St. Pol. He reinforced all his other castles with men and stores, to prevent any similar accident from befalling them. On the other hand, Guy de Roye, who held the castle of Maicampre, between Chargny and Noyon, placed a strong garrison within it, and carried on a severe warfare against La Hire, in the Soissonnois, Laonnois, and other parts attached to king Charles. Similar reprisals were made by La Hire and the king's friends on those of sir John de Luxembourg,-and thus was the country oppressed and ruined, as well by one party as by the other. After the duke of York had gained the town of Fécamp, by the surrender of John d'Estouteville, it was reconquered by the French from the English,-and nearly at the same time the duke of York gained, after a long siege, St. Germain-sur-Cailly*, when about twelve of the French were hanged. In like manner were the towns of Fontaines-surPreaux, Bourg, Blainville§, Préaux, Lillebonne T, Tancarville**, and other strong places reconquered, and the greater part destroyed by the English. After this, they continued to waste all the corn countries round Harfleur, with the intent of laying siege to it as speedily and as completely as they could. CHAPTER CCX.-THE DUCHESS OF BEDFORD, SISTER TO THE COUNT DE ST. POL, RE-MARRIES OF HER OWN FREE WILL. THE KING OF SICILY NEGOTIATES WITH THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY FOR HIS LIBERTY. THE ENGLISH RECOVER THE TOWN OF PONTOISE. IN this year, the duchess of Bedford, sister to the count de St. Pol, married, from inclination, an English knight called sir Richard Woodville, a young man, very handsome and well made, but, in regard to birth, inferior to her first husband, the regent, and to herself. Louis de Luxembourg, archbishop of Rouen, and her other relations, were very angry at this match, but they could not prevent it tt. About the end of the following November, Jacqueline of Bavaria, who had married Franche de Borselline++, died, after a long and lingering illness. She was succeeded by the duke of Burgundy in all her possessions. - The king of Sicily duke of Anjou§§, the duke of Bourbon, the constable of France, the chancellor, and many other noble princes and great lords, visited the duke of Burgundy, about St. Andrew's day, at Lille, where he held his court. He received them most honourably. During their stay, a treaty was proposed for the liberty of the king of Sicily, for he was still a prisoner to the duke of Burgundy, as has been before mentioned, — and some of his children were hostages for him in Burgundy. This treaty was concluded, on condition that the king of Sicily would engage to pay a certain sum of money for his ransom, for the security of which he was to pledge four of his towns and castles in his duchies of Lorraine and Bar, namely, Neuf-châtel in Lorraine, Clermont in Argonne, Princhy || and Louye¶¶, which were to be given up to the duke when demanded. The duke of Burgundy, shortly after, placed his own garrisons and captains in these towns and castles. Thus did the king of Sicily recover his liberty and his children; but he had only the two eldest sent to him at first, with a promise that the two others should follow, provided there was not any default of payment. In order that no delays might arise, sir Colard de Saussy and John de Chambly bound themselves, with the king of Sicily, for the due performance of all the articles of the treaty. When this business was over, the constable of France treated with sir John de Luxembourg, who was then at Lille, that all matters in dispute between him and La Hire, on the subject of the capture of Soissons, should be referred to arbitrators, and that an end should be put to the warfare now raging between them. The term for taking the oaths of allegiance to the king of France, or for declaring for one or other of the parties, was prolonged for sir John de Luxembourg until St. John Baptist's day ensuing, on his promising to abstain from all hostilities during that time. During these feasts, William de Flavy, who had been driven out of Compiègne by the constable of France, found means to re-enter it, with a large body of men-at-arms, and kept possession a long time; in which at length he was confirmed by king Charles, in spite of all the attempts of the constable to reconquer it. At this period also, the English regained by storm the town of Pontoise. The attack commenced at day-break, when great * St. Germain-sur-Cailly,-in Normandy, diocese of He was afterwards created earl of Rivers, and was father Rouen. to the lady Elizabeth, queen to king Edward IV.-Parl. Hist. + Fontaines-sur-Préaux,-diocese of Rouen. Bourg Baudorion,-diocese of Rouen. § Blainville, diocese of Rouen. Préaux, diocese of Rouen. ¶ Lillebonne,-diocese of Rouen. Tancarville, near Lillebonne. + Sir Richard Woodville paid a fine of £1000 to the king for marrying the duchess of Bedford without a license. Francis, or Frank de Borselle. §§ René duke of Bar, who had been made prisoner as related in vol. i. page 595, soon afterwards succeeded to the duchy of Anjou and to the claims of this house on Sicily and Naples, by the death of his brother, Louis III. Princhy, Princy, in the Gatinois, near Montargis. ¶¶ Louye,-in Maine, diocese of Mans. part of the garrison, consisting of about four hundred combatants of the lord de l'Isle-Adam and de Warembon's men, saved themselves by flight, leaving their baggage and effects behind them which conquest was very hurtful to the country of the Isle de France and the adjoining parts, for the English placed a very strong garrison in Pontoise, whence detachments made excursions, and frequently to the very gates of Paris. : CHAPTER CCXI.-JAMES I. KING OF SCOTLAND IS MURDERED IN HIS BED-CHAMBER DURING THE NIGHT BY HIS UNCLE THE EARL OF ATHOL.-OTHER MATTERS. ABOUT this time a very cruel and surprising event took place in Scotland. While the king resided at Perth in the middle of his realm, and held his court at an abbey of Jacobins, situated on the river Tay, a conspiracy was formed against his life by some who hated him. The leader was his own uncle the earl of Athol*. The earl came to Perth the second Wednesday in Lent, which was one of the ember weeks, accompanied by about thirty men, and an hour after midnight made for the king's bedchamber, who was unsuspicious of what was intended. They instantly broke open the door, and having gained an entrance, most barbarously assassinated him with upward of thirty wounds, some of which went through his heart. During this transaction, his queen, sister to the earl of Somerset, endeavoured to save him, but was villanously wounded in two places by some of the murderers. When the deed was done, they hurried away, to save themselves by flight. The cries of the queen, and of her attendants, soon made the matter publicly known throughout the palace and town, when crowds hastened to the king's bed-chamber, where they found him mangled and dead, and the queen wounded. Great sorrow and lamentations were shown on the occasion,—and on the morrow the king was interred at the Carthusians'. Shortly after, the nobles and great lords of Scotland were summoned, and agreed with the queen that the murderers should be immediately pursued, which was instantly executed,— and the assassins were arrested, and put to death in various ways, and with divers torments. The earl of Athol, as principal, although uncle to the king, had his belly cut open, his bowels taken out and burnt before his face: his body was then quartered, and the four parts sent to four of the greatest towns of the realm. Sir Robert Stuart, having been very active in the business, was hung on a gibbet and then quartered. Sir Robert Graham was put into a cart, having a gallows erected within it, to which was fastened one of his hands, namely, that with which he had assassinated the king, and thus led through the streets. He was surrounded by three executioners, who kept pinching his thighs, and other parts of his body, with red-hot pincers, and was afterwards quartered. All the rest were horribly tormented before they were executed; and this act of justice was done within forty days of the king's murder. The reason of the earl of Athol's committing this atrocious deed was, that on the king's return from his imprisonment in England, where he had been for a long time detained, as mentioned in my first book of this history, he had put to death many great lords, (as well those related to him by blood as others,) who had been members of the regency during his absence, for not having exerted themselves more expeditiously for his ransom. In this number were some very near relatives to the earl of Athol, who, though before this act he kept up the appearance of loyalty, had for a considerable time been plotting this assassination, which he put in practice as you have seen. King James left a son about twelve years old, who was crowned king of Scotland, with the unanimous assent and approbation of the three estates of the realm. He was placed under the governance of a knight of great renown, called sir William Crichtont, who had "Walter carl of Athol had innumerable favours and honours conferred upon him by the king and royal family, yet he was the chief actor in that horrid murder of his nephew king James I. for which he was most justly condemned and executed, and all his estates and honours were forfeited to the crown. The title of Athol was suspended till king † Lord chancellor of Scotland. |