ページの画像
PDF
ePub

CHAPTER CCLV.-SOME OF THE GARRISONS OF THE COUNT DE ST. POL ROB THE KING OF FRANCE'S SERVANTS AS THEY WERE CONDUCTING WARLIKE STORES FROM THE CITY OF TOURNAY.-THE REPARATION THE COUNT DE ST. POL MAKES FOR THIS CONDUCT.

DURING the stay the king of France made in Champagne, he had ordered some of his most confidential servants to go to the town of Tournay, and to Flanders, to purchase artillery and warlike stores, which they were to convey to Paris, to be ready in case they should be wanted. Those whom he had intrusted with this commission executed it faithfully; and having laden carts and waggons with the artillery and stores, conducted them without any hindrance through the territories of the duke of Burgundy, from the city of Tournay, until they came to a town called Ribemont*, where they were stopped by the garrison in that place for the count de St. Pol. The chiefs of the garrison were, John lord of Thorante, Guyot de Bethune, Hoste de Neufville, with several others, as well men-at-arms as archers. They robbed these servants of the king of France, carrying into the town of Ribemont the contents of the carts and waggons, which they there divided among themselves and wasted; but the whole of this conduct was without the knowledge or consent of the count de St. Pol, who was much displeased thereat.

When intelligence of this robbery came to the king of France, he was very indignant, and swore that he would have ample amends for it; and that he would wage war on the count de St. Pol, unless he made full restitution for the things stolen, and did homage to him for the lands he held within his realm. During the king's residence in the town of Bar-sur-Aube, gentlemen came daily to offer their services to him; and having staid there some time, he departed, through Châlons and Rheims, to the city of Laon. Wherever he passed, he was received most honourably, and in the manner in which obedient subjects usually show to their sovereign lord. From Laon he despatched the greater part of his captains with their men; namely, La Hire, Anthony de Chabannes, Joachim Rohault,-to make war on the towns and castles dependent on the count de St. Pol. The count had heard of this plan, and consequently had reinforced his different places as strongly as he could, and had retired to the castle of Guise, in Tierrache, to be ready to succour such as might stand most in need of it.

It happened, that those of the garrison of Ribemont, whom I have before named, on hearing of the near approach of the king's army, were so much frightened, from dread of the French, that they suddenly left the town in the utmost disorder, and without waiting for each other, abandoning the command of it and the castle to the common people. This caused great confusion; and they mostly withdrew to Guise and other fortified places of the count, who was much enraged at their cowardice, more especially with those to whom he had intrusted its defence.

On this same day, or on the morrow, the French came before Ribemont, to whom, in the name of king Charles, was the town surrendered, and admittance given them. They found it full of wealth, and helped themselves to it at their pleasure; and Joachim Rohault + entered with the rest, as governor of the place. Shortly after, the French advanced to the town of Marle‡, which they surrounded on all sides with their whole force. The governor in the town for the count de St. Pol was a gentleman diligent and expert in war, called George de Croix, having with him sixty combatants, including those of the town. He was regularly and often summoned to surrender the place to the king of France; but he always replied, that without the knowledge and consent of the count de St. Pol, he would not yield it up.

The besiegers, in consequence, sent on their heavy artillery, and pointed many cannon against the walls and gates, which damaged them so much that they intended very soon to * Ribemont, a town in Picardy, four leagues from St. Quentin.

+ Joachim de Ronault, lord of Boisemenard, Gamaches, &c. marshal of France in 1461. The son of John lord of Gamaches, &c. who was killed at the battle of

Verneuil in 1424, and of Jane du Bellay. He was distinguished in all the great actions of his time, was made constable of Bordeaux, and died in 1478. He was usually styled the marshal de Gamaches.

Marle, a town in Picardy, five leagues from Guise.

storm it. In the mean time, the count de St. Pol, considering that it would be impossible for him to hold out against the power of France, especially as he had been told that he must not look for aid from the duke of Burgundy, began to turn his thoughts to the best means of appeasing the king, particularly as the principal gentlemen about him advised him, by all means, to negotiate a peace and remain in the quiet possession of his estates. The countess-dowager, his mother, first opened the business, with others of his friends, who had a little before gone to wait on the king at Laon. The count went also thither himself, and was graciously received by the king and the dauphin, and by the lords of the court. He shortly after requested and obtained from the king a suspension of arms between the army before Marle and the garrison, until a fixed day, when a treaty should be opened to accommodate the business.

A treaty was concluded, after the king had holden several councils, and after the count de St. Pol had been heard in his defence. It was agreed, that the count should remain in the good graces of the king, on consideration that he did immediate homage for the lands he held in France, and also for those of the countess of Marle and of Soissons, his lady, in the usual manner in which homage was done by other vassals. He was likewise to place the town of Marle under the king's obedience, and deliver it to such commissioners as should be appointed, sending those now within it away. He was beside to give certain declaratory letters, signed and sealed by him, the contents of which shall be specified farther on. When this matter had been finished, the king sent commissioners to take possession of the town of Marle they carried with them passports for George de Croix and his men, who, on their departure, marched to La Ferté-sur-Oise, by orders from the count de St. Pol. The commissioners on entering Marle received the obedience of the inhabitants; and having executed all they had been commanded, the town was, soon after, restored to the count de St. Pol, with the king's approbation, on the same terms on which he had before held it.

The army now dislodged, and advanced further into the Vermandois, Hainault and Cambresis, greatly oppressing the poor people. The count de St. Pol, after the conclusion of the peace, increased much in favour with the king and the dauphin: he was particularly beloved by the latter, whom he promised to serve faithfully, henceforth, in all his wars with the English. The count remained at Laon a considerable time; and before he quitted it, delivered to the council the declaratory letter before mentioned, the tenor of which was as follows.

"Louis de Luxembourg, count de St. Pol, de Ligny, de Conversan, de Braine and de Guise, lord of Anghien and of Beaurevoir, and Castellan of Lille, to all to whom these presents shall come, greeting. Be it known that I have promised, and by these presents do promise, on my faith and corporal oath, and under penalty of confiscation of all my effects, full and entire obedience to the king our lord, and to all his officers, as well legal as civil, touching his finances, taxes, and other matters respecting his royal domains, and to put an entire end to all bonds of alliance in opposition to him that I may have contracted within these last twenty years. I also promise, by these presents, to make restitution to the king, or to whomsoever he may appoint, of what remains of the artillery, and other stores, that were taken from the king's servants, by the garrison of Ribemont, and what may remain of the king's horses and carts taken by those of Marle. I likewise promise to make answer in the court of parliament to whatever the king's attorney shall maintain and require from me, touching the succession of my late lord, the count de Ligny, my uncle, whose soul may God pardon! as well in regard to the personal effects of my said uncle, on the day of his death, as to the inheritances which have fallen to me as his heir in the countries of Ligny, Guise, and elsewhere; and I hold myself bounden to obey whatever judgment that court shall pronounce. I have, in consequence, fixed on the 15th day of July, at which time I hold myself adjourned to appear before the said court of parliament, to make my reply to the king's attorney, that he may instantly proceed thereon.

"I do promise generally, by these presents, to conduct myself toward the king my sovereign lord, in a manner becoming a loyal subject; and that I will not suffer the smallest damage to be done, by any of my garrisons, to any of the king's vassals, or to his territories.

I also promise faithfully to restore all I may hold that belongs to others on account of the war; and in regard to Montaigu, my full powers shall be exerted for its restoration. All these things I promise most strictly to perform, without the infringement of any one article. In testimony whereof, I have signed these presents with my own hand, and sealed them with the seal of my arms, this 20th day of April, in the year 1441.”

CHAPTER CCLVI.—THE DUCHESS OF BURGUNDY WAITS ON THE KING OF FRANCE AT LAON, TO MAKE SOME REQUESTS TO HIM.-OTHER MATTERS.

IN the month of April, in this year, the duchess of Burgundy, daughter to the king of Portugal, waited on king Charles at Laon, honourably attended by knights, ladies, and damsels. As her health was but indifferent, she was carried in a litter. The constable, who had married a sister of the duke of Burgundy, came out a league from Laon to meet her, and conducted her to the town, and to the king, who, as well as the dauphin and courtiers, received her with every attention. After this ceremony, she retired to the abbey of St. Martin, where she was lodged. She had several interviews with the king, respecting a general peace, and also respecting the duke of Orleans.

At this time the castle of Montaigu was held by Villemet de Hainault, and others that had belonged to the late sir John de Luxembourg, who had boasted that they would not surrender it to the king's commissioners without the consent of the duke of Burgundy. In consequence of this refusal, a large detachment had been ordered thither to reduce it to obedience, and, if necessary, to besiege it. This had, however, been delayed, in the expectation that an accommodation would have been brought about before the duchess should leave Laon,-who indeed had made many requests to the king, but few, if any, were granted her. Nevertheless, she celebrated Easter there, kept great state, and was visited by the nobles and other persons of note in the king's household.

In like manner was the king visited, while at Laon, by Jeanne de Bethune *, countess of Ligny and viscountess of Meaux, who did him homage for her lands. The king was well pleased at her coming, and received her most kindly. She concluded a treaty, through her commissioners, respecting the personal effects which her late husband had left her, which it was said were confiscated because he had died while an enemy to the king, and paid down for their release a sum of money: by this means she remained unmolested, and received letters patent confirming the agreement. During the time she staid at Laon, she was strongly urged to remarry with the count d'Eu,- but she excused herself from compliance. Soon after she had finished her business she departed for her castle of Beaurevoir, and thence to Cambray.

During this time, persons came daily to do homage to the king, and to offer him their services, whom he retained, promising to be very liberal toward them; for he was then occupied with a plan of raising a very large army to combat his ancient enemies the English. In this year, one of the esquires of the stables, named Dunot, was charged before the duke of Orleans with an attempt to poison him, at the instigation, as it was said, of some of the great lords of the king of France's household. He was closely examined and severely tortured, and afterward drowned by night in the river Loire Little, however, was made public of the reality of the charges against those who had been suspected.

About this period, eight-score pillagers from the household of king Charles went to a town. in Hainault called Haussy †, which had a fair castle, wherein they quartered themselves for three days. Many of the adjacent towns and villages, as well in Hainault as in the Cambresis, paid them protection-money to a large amount. While this was passing, sir John de Croy, bailiff of Hainault, assembled some men-at-arms in Quênoy, and advanced to attack them. Part of them instantly retired within the castle, which was directly stormed,-in the doing bourg count de Ligny, of whom such frequent mention has been made.

Daughter and heir of Robert I. (viscount of Meaux in right of his mother Jane, heiress of the great house of Coucy); she married, first, Robert de Bar, count of Soissons, formerly mentioned, and secondly, John de Luxem

Haussy,-near Quênoy.

of which an elderly gentleman of much note, called Lordennois d'Ostern, was slain. They capitulated with the bailiff to depart, on leaving all they had received behind, and to pay a sum of money down for liberty to march away in safety. Many of them were killed that had not taken shelter in the castle. On their march toward Laon they were met near the bridge of Nouvion by a party of the count de St. Pol's men, who robbed them of all they had, and slew the greater part of them beside.

CHAPTER CCLVII.-THE DUCHESS OF BURGUNDY LEAVES KING CHARLES AT LAON, AND RETURNS TO THE DUKE HER LORD AT QUENOY. [A. D. 1441.]

KING CHARLES, having celebrated the festival of Easter at the bishop's palace at Laon, held several councils on the requests which the duchess of Burgundy had made, at the conclusion of which (as I have before said) few if any were granted. She was much displeased at this, and saw clearly, as well as those who had accompanied her, that the king's ministers were not well inclined toward the duke of Burgundy or his concerns. Perceiving that her stay was no longer profitable, she took leave of the king, and thanked him for the honourable reception he had given her, but added, "My lord, of all the requests I have made you, and which seemed so very reasonable, you have not granted me one." The king courteously replied, "Fair sister, this has weighed on my mind more than you conceive, and I am much hurt that it cannot be otherwise; for, having laid the whole of them before my council, where they have been fully discussed, they have determined that it would be very much to my prejudice were I to accede to them."

After this conversation, she took her leave of the king and the dauphin, and went to St. Quentin with her attendants. She was escorted by the constable and others a considerable way. From St. Quentin she departed on the morrow to dine at the castle of Cambresis. While she was there, some of the king's men had entered Hainault on a foraging party, and were carrying away great numbers of cattle, sheep, horses, and other effects; but they were sharply pursued by the duchess's men, who killed three or four on the spot: the rest saved themselves by flight, except two, who were overtaken, made prisoners, and carried to Quênoy, where they suffered death.

The duchess pushed forward to Quênoy, where the duke was, to whom she related all that had passed between her and the king and his ministers. In truth, the greater number of the nobles who had accompanied her were not so much attached to the French interest on their return as they were when they had set out, on account of what they had seen and heard while at Laon. The duke weighed well these matters in his own breast, and considered with his council on the best means of securing his dominions, which seemed likely, on the first fair opportunity, to be attacked. He had, however, about him many prudent and valiant men, who exerted themselves to the utmost to preserve peace and union,—and, in particular, on the part of the French, the archbishop of Rheims, lord chancellor of France, was very active to preserve the peace from being infringed. And although the duchess of Burgundy had left the king in an ill humour, there were daily communications between well-intentioned men on both sides, to bring to an amicable conclusion what differences might exist between the king of France and the duke of Burgundy.

*
"

CHAPTER CCLVIII.—THE FORTRESS OF MONTAIGU BELONGING TO THE LORD OF COMMERCY, IS DESTROYED AND RAZED TO THE GROUND BY ORDERS FROM THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.

SIR Robert de Sallebruche, lord of Commercy, pressed the king of France and his council for the restoration of his castle of Montaigu; but this lord de Commercy was not in the good graces of the duke of Burgundy, whose indignation he had incurred by injuries done to his country and subjects. He would not, therefore, consent that this castle should be

Montaigu, a town in Picardy, near Laon.

restored in its present state, and insisted on its being demolished. The towns of Laon, Rheims, St. Quentin, and others, joined in this request, because the garrison had made very oppressive inroads on all the country round. It was, therefore, concluded, with the king's approbation, that those within it should give security to the king for its due surrender in the beginning of June, in such state, entire or demolished, as it might please the duke of Burgundy.

The duke instantly sent a numerous train of workmen to destroy the castle; but, while this was doing, the lord de Commercy practised secretly to get possession of it from those to whose care it was intrusted, by means of bribes. It was discovered, and those suspected of being concerned were arrested, four of whom were beheaded: one of them was the governor of the town of Montaigu. In revenge for this attempt, the fortress was razed to the ground. It was seated very strongly on a high mountain, and the adjacent countries had suffered greatly from it.

CHAPTER CCLIX.-THE KING OF FRANCE LAYS SIEGE TO AND CONQUERS THE TOWN OF CREIL*.

WHEN the king of France had resided about a month in Laon, he departed thence, and went, through Soissons and Noyon, to Compiégne, where he tarried some time to wait for his army that he was raising to march to Creil.

Although William de Flavy, governor of the town of Compiégne, had obtained his pardon from the king for the death of the lord de Rieux†, marshal of France, who had died in his prisons, he would not appear before the king,—and, from fear of the marshal's friends, went off with the lord d'Offemont for the greater security of his person. The king was joined at Compiegne by numbers from all parts of France, in obedience to his summons; and a few days after he quitted Compiègne and went to Senlis, where he made a short stay, and thence marched his army before Creil, then held by the English. He fixed his quarters near the town, on the side toward Paris,-and the constable and other captains posted themselves on the opposite side, in front of the bridge.

Many skirmishes took place on their arrival; but soon after, when the king's artillery, that had been pointed against the walls and gates, opened their batteries, the fortifications were so much damaged that the garrison began to fear the event of a storm; so that, at the end of twelve days, they desired to capitulate, which was granted to them. They agreed to surrender the town and castle to the king, on condition of being allowed to march away in safety with all their money, and as many of their effects as they could carry on their backs. Having received passports, they marched out on foot through the gate leading to the bridge, taking the road toward Beauvais. Their commander was sir William Chamberlain.

On the departure of the English, the king entered the castle; and the other captains were lodged in different parts of the town. garrison.

Creil, a town on the Oise, and on the road from Amiens to Paris.

† Peter de Rieux, lord of Rochefort, third son of John II. marshal de Rieux, succeeded to his father's military dignities in 1417. The ensuing year he was deprived by the duke of Burgundy, and thereupon threw himself into the arms of the dauphin, whom he served with fidelity and great success for many years after. He was made prisoner (with some circumstances of treachery) by William de Flavy lord of Assy, at his town of Compiègne, and died of want and misery in a dungeon when only forty-eight years old, leaving no issue. This William de Flavy had

Yvon du Puys was appointed captain of the

been also principally instrumental to the capture of the Pucelle d'Orléans; and not long after the death of the marshal de Rieux, suffered, in common, says Matthieu de Coucy, with all those who had any concern in Joan's captivity or death, a violent and untimely end. His throat was cut in the night-time, at his castle of Nesle, by the bastard d'Orbendas, at the instigation (it is added) of his own wife, A.D. 1448. The punishment of his cruelty to the marshal de Rieux, in 1509 compelled the daughter of William de Flavy with her husband to pay 10,000 livres parisis for saying masses for the soul of his unfortunate

ancestor.

« 前へ次へ »