ページの画像
PDF
ePub

cultivate the fields. They also made but little show of wealth, from expecting daily that a general war would take place in one quarter or another.

The men of Ghent next issued a summons to all the inhabitants of towns and villages throughout their jurisdictions, to appear there immediately in arms, and the same number as when ordered to march to Calais. The sheriffs laid this summons before the commonalty and inhabitants, for them to advise thereon. As this was not willingly attended to, some went to the sheriffs to obtain a delay, or that they might send fewer in number,—but the sheriffs told them they must immediately obey. During this time, the Ghent men had chosen a commander named Rasse Rouven, a citizen of Ghent, of about thirty years old; to assist whom they appointed a council of twelve persons, who had never been in the magistracy of that town. Four of these counsellors were selected from the citizens at large, four from the weavers' company, and four from the artisans; but the person whom they had chosen for commander refused to take the office. Item, on the 9th day of October, it had been proclaimed in the sheriff's court, that all foreign merchants must appear within three days in the town of Ghent sufficiently well armed, under pain of corporal punishment and confiscation of effects. Several did appear within the time prescribed; but others sent excuses that urgent and lawful business prevented them, and entered into a treaty to pay a sum of money to be excused.

Those who had, in obedience to the summons, gone to Ghent, after remaining there three days without being any way employed, returned to their homes. On the 27th day of this same month of October, they were again summoned to appear under pain of losing their citizenship, and paying the forfeiture. On this same day, eight soldiers from Sluys were taken prisoners, who, under pretence of making war on the Bruges men, had pillaged the country. The men of St. Laurence-au-bloc had taken them, under the proclamation that had been made, that all pillagers should be arrested and brought to justice, and that when they could not be taken alive they should be put to death. These they disarmed, and, retaining their armour and clothes, led them to the Ghent army at Marienkirk in their pourpoints, and, the ensuing day, they were beheaded, according to the sentence of the sheriffs. Their bodies, at the request of the head deacon, were given to the Austin-friars, who buried them. Four men were expelled the army of Ghent for having robbed some villages.

The before-mentioned Rasse, who had been elected commander in chief, went to the duke of Burgundy at Arras for his commission, provided his appointment were agreeable to the duke. He left behind him in Ghent three lieutenants: one chosen from the burghers, called Jean l'Estauble,-one from the trades, called Jean Cacialle,-and the third from the company of weavers, called Jean de Sterque. On Monday, the 4th day of November, Rasse returned with his commission, as captain-general of the Ghent men, signed by the duke of Burgundy. He had taken the oaths of allegiance before the lords of the council at Lille, and took similar oaths in the presence of the army in the hands of the bailiff and sheriffs of Ghent, to be true and loyal to the prince, to preserve his rights as well as those of the town, to observe law and justice, and to keep the people in peace and union. The twelve counsellors took the same oaths.

On the 5th of November, the captain-general Rasse, with two deputies from each banner and from the municipality, went from Marienkirk to Ghent, at the request of those who had taken up arms, and arrested several persons who had principally governed that town,― namely, Louis de Holle, who had been first sheriff, Lievin de Jagre, who had often served that office and been treasurer, Gilles le Clerc, advocate, Jean l'Apothicaire, who had been treasurer and sheriff of Ghent, and Jacques la Jaschere, formerly deacon of the trades. These they confined together, as prisoners, in the palace of the prince, calling them traitors, and would have done the same to others, but they had fled.

The commander-in-chief ordered proclamation to be made for all who had served any offices in Ghent for the last ten years to join, without delay, the army at Marienkirk. It was now greatly augmented, for those within their jurisdictions came handsomely equipped and attended, with the exception of those from Courtray,-and their tents and pavilions had, at a distance, the appearance of a large town. The army appeared under arms on the

6th instant, and wanted to go to Ghent and bring back with them the prisoners; but their captain restrained them, saying, that it had been ordered that they should remain in prison until the army were returned home, when ample justice would be done on them according to the evidence that a general investigation of their deeds through Flanders should produce.

Their commander would have been glad that his army had been diminished, saying, that he would establish peace and justice everywhere, with but a fourth part of the present numbers. The troops, however, would not be separated, but declared they would remain together in brotherly love. They wanted to march and post themselves between Bruges and Sluys, and take possession of the Franc according to the judgment of their prince, and subject the inhabitants, for their outrages and misdeeds, to the obedience of the duke and the other three members of the states of Flanders, saving their lives and privileges. The burghers of Bruges, they said, must submit themselves and supplicate their prince to receive them in mercy, and likewise put an end to all disputes between them and Sluys, so that passengers and merchants might travel the country unmolested. Should those of Bruges refuse compliance, they would exert themselves to force them to obedience. This was told to the forty-two deputies sent by Bruges from the different trades, to treat with the Ghent army at Marienkirk. After some debating, these deputies agreed to the terms proposed, and on the 12th day of November drew up, and presented to the captain-general, the following articles of agreement :-

"We, the burgomasters, sheriffs, principal burghers, deacons, corporators, and commonalty of the town of Bruges, make known to all to whom these presents shall come, that we, from respect to our redoubted lord and prince, the duke of Burgundy, earl of Flanders, &c., and at the entreaty of the three departments of the town of Ghent, and of all the free towns within its jurisdictions, have consented, and by these presents do consent, for ourselves and successors, to keep firm and stable the judgment given by our said lord and his council, in his town of Ghent, the 11th day of February in the year 1436, constituting those of the Franc a fourth department of Ghent, without fraud, and according to the literal meaning of the said judgment. In testimony whereof, we have sealed these presents with the obligatory seal of our said town of Bruges."

When the deputies were returned to Bruges with this treaty, the magistrates assembled the commonalty before the sheriff's court, and demanded if they were willing to ratify this treaty. There were present upwards of twenty thousand persons, who, after a moment's silence, unanimously replied, "Yes." Then stepped forth one called Coppin de Mesinacre, who had been lately banished Ghent for his misdeeds, and said, "All goes wrong; how are ye such cowards as to fear the Ghent men? You certainly ought to suffer for your folly and want of firmness." In consequence of this speech the deacon of the artisans, a tailor, and some others, began to murmur, and to oppose the confirmation of the treaty, more especially to putting their assent on paper; and at last, by their tumultuous behaviour, the treaty was destroyed. Some time afterwards, by a legal sentence, the said Coppin, the deacon of the artisans, the tailor, and one other, were beheaded for this conduct: seventeen of their accomplices were also banished.

The negotiations for peace between Bruges and Ghent were put an end to, although seventeen hostages had been left with the army by the deputies from Bruges. The Ghent men afterward set them at liberty without ransom, because they had assured them that they had done all in their power to get it ratified. In this treaty it had been agreed, that the inhabitants of the Franc might take up their rights of burghership at Ghent or Bruges at their pleasure. The towns of Ghent and Ypres were to send ambassadors to the duke of Burgundy, to request that he would withdraw all foreign soldiers from Sluys, and order the stakes to be removed from the bed of the river Lieve, that vessels might freely pass and repass with merchandise, or permit them them to take away these obstructions.

The army of Ghent now marched to fix its quarters at Ardembourg; and because Bruges persisted in refusing to ratify the treaty to which their deputies had agreed, and would not yield up their claims on the Franc, the duke's ordinance of last year, forbidding all kinds of provision to be carried to Bruges, was again proclaimed in Ghent, and throughout its jurisdictions; and also, that all debts and effects belonging to those of Bruges should be delivered

up to the magistrates. It was afterward proclaimed, that should the men of Bruges attempt to make any inroads on the territories of Ghent, all the church and other alarm bells should be instantly rung to collect a force sufficient to oppose them. After this, Clarus Boye, a native of the town of Axel, William le Boquelaire, a patten-maker, from the country of Waast, and a man of Courtray, were beheaded, for having gone to Courtray at the instigation of the artisans and petty traders of Ghent, and for having said that the Ghent men were very desirous that those of Bruges would join them in arms for the common good and union of the country of Flanders, and to punish the inhabitants of Sluys.

The 16th day of November, the army resolved to send deputies to Ghent, and to the towns within its jurisdictions, to know how they would wish them to proceed,—and to inform them, that if they advised marching against Bruges, it would be necessary to send them reinforcements equal to the present state of the army. The council at Ghent thought, that as provisions were now so dear, and winter at hand, it would be of more advantage not then to send any supplies, but disband the army; for the greater number were of the same opinion, and sought to diminish it. The army, therefore, marched from Ardembourg to Ekeloo. While there, one of the private men of that castlewick, having on his shoulders some stakes which he had taken from a hedge to dress his victuals, some Ghent men would take them from him by force, when he defended himself, and shouted out for aid to his countrymen, and the Ghent men shouted "Ghent !" Both parties assembled with arms, and a grand battle would have taken place, had not Pierre Simon, sheriff of Ghent, by gentle words, and with much courage, put an end to the affray. He suffered a good deal by thus interfering, but was not seriously hurt, from the goodness of his armour. Many were much wounded, which caused loud murmurings among the Ghent men,-for one of them, a strong active boatman of Ghent, died of his wounds. Two, who had first struck the sheriff, were banished Ghent.

On the eve of St. Andrew's day, the Ghent army returned home: they had taken up arms inconsiderately, and were come back with little satisfaction. Those within their jurisdictions, who had marched against their inclinations, returned cheerfully home. Shortly after, their captain-general, Rasse Rouven, was deposed, and the six persons set at liberty, on promise made to the magistracy that they would answer any interrogations, and obey any sentences that might be passed on them, within three days after they should be summoned to appear. In the month of December, proclamations were made throughout Flanders, by order of the prince, forbidding all persons to obey Rasse Rouven, for that he had recalled his commission of captain-general.

On the eve of Christmas-day, it was ordered by the magistracy of Ghent in full assembly, that sir Roland de Hautekerque, sir Colart de Comines, Jean de la Damme, Gilles de la Voustine, Girard de Mal-digen, Jean de Papegen, Pierre Gougebur, Pierre Bris, Josse de Beys, Martin de Sinimes, and Jean de Crique, who had been banished Ghent and Flanders, might return thither. It was also agreed, that one Coppin Coppon, who had for five years past absented himself from Ghent, and had robbed so many passengers on the high roads in Flanders that travellers were afraid of him, might return. Coppin, thinking that everything was pardoned, did come back; but he was arrested and condemned to be beheaded, with two others who had committed robberies on two persons near to the town of Dendermonde.

CHAPTER CCXXV.- PEACE CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY AND THE TOWN OF BRUGES.

WHILE these things were going on, the men of Bruges, perceiving that a longer resistance to their lord would be the ruin of themselves and their town, sought every means of concluding a treaty with him. At length they succeeded, and submitted themselves to the duke and his council, on terms concluded at Arras the 4th day of March, in the presence of their lord and his council, and numbers of other people, the principal articles of which were as follows:-It was, in the first place, ordered, that when the duke of Burgundy should first

VOL. II.

F

visit Bruges, twenty of the chief burghers and magistracy should come out of the town one league to meet him, bare-headed, bare-legged, and bare-footed. On their approach to him, they were to fall on their knees and beg his pardon, and entreat that he would be pleased to enter their town.

[graphic][merged small][merged small]

Item, that the gate of the Bouverie* should be converted into a chapel, wherein the seven masses should be daily celebrated.-Item, that henceforward, whenever the said lord and his successors, earls, and countesses of Flanders, should come to Bruges, the burghers should meet them without the gates with the keys of the town, in perpetual remembrance of their obedience.-Item, every year, on the day of their misconduct toward their prince, there shall be celebrated a solemn mass in the church of St. Donast by the dean and sub-dean, attended by twenty-four of the principal burghers, each holding in his hand a burning wax taper of the weight of one pound, and of the value of four groats.-Item, all property of bastards shall no longer be free, but confiscated to the duke on their deaths. Item, a handsome cross shall be erected to commemorate their rebellion.

Item, the burghers shall buy up and discharge all fee-farm rents from their said lord, due from the said demesnes.-Item, the burghers of Bruges shall have no further communication with those of Sluys; that is to say, those of Bruges shall not make Sluys their principal quarters, nor join them in their disputes, nor in arms, nor have any connexions with Sluys but in respect to their commerce.-Item, in regard to the trades carried on at Sluys, which has been a matter of long quarrel between the towns of Ghent and Sluys, Bruges must no longer interfere.-Item, the inhabitants of Bruges shall not be permitted to raise an army, on pain of forfeiting their lives and fortunes.-Item, whoever shall stop the workmen from continuing their trades, when a riot may happen, shall incur similar penalties as in the foregoing article.-Item, the persons of some of the burghers are to be reserved for the will of the duke of Burgundy, as well as those who may have become burghers during these dissentions.

Item, the town of Bruges shall pay to their said lord two hundred thousand golden riddes.† Bouverie,-ox-stables. It was here, probably, where † Ridde, a Flemish coin, worth about five shillings the principal engagement took place between the duke's sterling.

men and the burghers of Bruges.

-Item, the magistracy of Bruges, and others hereafter to be named, shall, within eight days, go out of the town to meet some deputies sent thither by the said duke of Burgundy, and shall receive them with due obedience.-Item, no foreigner shall be admitted henceforth a burgher of Bruges, unless he shall have remained therein the space of one hundred and twenty days.

Item, it was ordered, that the son of the lord de l'Isle-Adam should receive for the death of his father ten thousand crowns, with other honourable recompenses. In like manner shall the wife and children of the blacksmith, who had given the hanımers to open the gate, receive a fine for his death, he having been put to death for so doing.

There were many other fines and reparations contained in this treaty, but, for the sake of brevity, I pass them over.

This treaty was read at the hotel of their prince at Arras, in the presence of the four-andtwenty deputies from Bruges, on their knees, who suffered much from the length of it, so that the duke, taking pity on them, caused them to be seated, to be more at their ease. When all had been completed, the deputies returned to their town, carrying a copy of the treaty, which they read to the inhabitants assembled ; and, from their anxiety to have peace with their lord, the terms were agreeable to the greater part of them.

Some persons of low estate, who had ruled the town during these dissentions, were displeased, and would willingly, by seditious speeches, and other means, have made the commonalty rise against those of the upper ranks,-but their attempts were vain. They were afraid, should peace be effected, that they would be punished for their demerits; and their fears were realized-for, within a few days after, ten or twelve of the principal ringleaders of the rebellion were arrested and beheaded: several were banished, and some fled of their own accord. These acts of justice were done on the arrival of the heir of Cleves, nephew to the duke of Burgundy, who had been sent thither by the duke, accompanied by some of his council, to receive the fines, and see that all the articles of the treaty at Arras were fulfilled. A little before this, the town of Bruges had sent back to the duke at Arras sixty-three of his men, who had been made prisoners when he was driven out of that town, each of them clothed in a green robe at the expense of the town of Bruges.

CHAPTER CCXXVI.-WAR RECOMMENCES

BETWEEN THE DUCHY OF BAR AND THE COUNTY OF VAUDEMONT.

In this year a violent war again took place between the duchy of Bar and the county of Vaudemont, principally caused by sir John de Hossonville, hereditary seneschal of Lorraine, attempting to take the town of Vaudemont*, for some complaints he pretended to have against it; and failing in his attempt, he had since made open war on that country, and had set several villages on fire. This intelligence coming to the count de Vaudemont, who was at Genouillé, he hastily mounted his horse, accompanied by Forte-Espice and about a hundred combatants, and pursued his enemies with such speed that he overtook them on the borders of his county. He attacked them so courageously that, although they were full three hundred, he put them to the rout. Forty were slain, and as many made prisoners; the rest saved themselves by flight. Their standard was won, and carried to the church of Veselize +.

Open war was now carried on by both parties, and the men-at-arms of the count made inroads on the lands of the enemy. In one of them, they were met by sir Gerard du Chastellier, and defeated and carried prisoners to Mirecour, a good town belonging to the duke of Lorraine. The count de Vaudemont, some little time after, gained this town of Mirecour by the aid of Floquet and Forte-Espice, when he recovered his men that had been made prisoners, and appointed Floquet governor of it: but he soon after restored it to the Lorrainers, and also turned against the count de Vaudemont at the solicitations of La Hire.

On the other hand, Blanchefort, Anthony de Chabannes, Chappelle, Gautier le Breton, * Vaudemont,-six leagues from Toul, seven from + Veselize,-five leagues S. E. from Toul, two N. Nancy, three from Mirecour. from Vaudemont.

« 前へ次へ »