The constable, the count de Perdiac, the bastard of Orleans, sir James de Chabannes, with their men, advanced on the side toward the Gâtinois, and took up their quarters near to the town. After them came the lord de Valogne, sir Anselm de la Tour, bailiff of Vitry, Regnault Guillaume, bailiff of Montargis, who posted themselves on the island, between the two rivers, so that the place was surrounded on all sides by the army of the king of France; and they pointed so many cannons against the walls that they were soon greatly damaged. The commander-in-chief, within the town and castle, for the king of England, was sir Thomas Gerard, having under him Mondo de Montferrant, Mondo de Lausay, and other valiant captains, together with three or four hundred combatants, who made as vigorous a resistance against their enemies as their circumstances would permit. They had great hopes of succour from the English commanders in Normandy, according to their promises.

The king of France now arrived at Montereau from Bray-sur-Seine, grandly accompanied, and was lodged in the blockhouse before mentioned. He had with him six or seven thousand, well tried and well equipped, fighting men. On his arrival, the greatest exertions were made to approach the town, and the cannons, and other engines, were continually in action; the king even did not spare himself in the labours of this siege. At the end of six weeks, or thereabouts, from the commencement of the siege, the town was won by storm, with little loss to the assailants. With regard to the besieged, from twenty to thirty were killed, and as many made prisoners, the greater part of whom were hanged. The king, on making his entry, strictly forbade any mischief being done to the persons of the inhabitants, men, women or children, who had retired within churches or monasteries; but as for their effects they were plundered, as is usual when any place is taken by storm.

Many new knights were made at the storming, namely, the young count de Tancarville, son to sir James de Harcourt, Robert de Bethune lord de Moreul, and others. The king and most of the princes were lodged in the town; and, about fifteen days afterward, those in the castle surrendered to the king, on having their lives and fortunes spared. The bastard of Orleans was then appointed governor, who regarrisoned it with his own men. When this business was settled, the king and dauphin, with great part of the princes, went to Melun. The men at arms separated, in companies, to divers places, but most of them went to Paris.

CHAPTER CCXVI.-THE MEN OF BRUGES MAKE FREQUENT EXCURSIONS FROM THEIR TOWN, AND LAY THE LOW COUNTRIES UNDER CONTRIBUTION.

We must now return to what was going forward at Bruges, the inhabitants of which continued their mad and foolish rebellion against their prince. They made frequent sallies in large bodies to forage the low country, and to destroy the houses of all whom they suspected as enemies. Among others, they took the castle of Koecklare, held by the bastard of Bailleul, and did great damage to it. On the other hand, when they remained within the town, they committed many acts of injustice on such as they knew were of a contrary way of thinking to themselves. In the number of their wicked deeds, they caused the deacon of the handicraft trades to be beheaded, on a charge which they made against him of intending to deliver up the town to the Ghent men. But all the principal and most wealthy citizens had left Bruges, and gone to other places for fear of them.

The commonalty next collected a body of three or four thousand, and marched against Sluys, with every implement of war to lay siege to it, for they had an implacable hatred against it. The duke of Burgundy and sir Simon de Lalain were in that place, with a certain number of combatants; notwithstanding this, the men of Bruges remained before it three-andtwenty days, and made many attacks on the barriers and gates,-in which numbers were killed and wounded on each side, but more especially on that of Bruges. The duke of Burgundy, during this time, was assembling a large force of the nobles and men-at-arms in Picardy, and in his lordships near to St. Omer, with intent to give them battle. But in the interim, the Bruges men, fearful of the consequences, prevailed on those of Ghent to mediate between them and the duke, and returned quietly to Bruges.

CHAPTER CCXVII.-THE ENGLISH RECOVER THE TOWN OF FECAMP IN NORMANDY.

AT this period, the English laid siege to the town of Fecamp in Normandy. They remained before it about three months, when it capitulated, on the garrison and townsmen having their lives and fortunes spared. It was, however, within a few days after, reconquered by the French. A severe warfare was now carrying on throughout Normandy, and frequent skirmishes took place between the parties, one of which deserves notice*.

La Hire, Poton de Saintrailles, the lord de Fontaines, L'Avagan, and other captains, had one day collected about six hundred fighting men, and advanced toward Rouen, in the expectation of gaining some advantage over their adversaries the English. Having failed, they returned toward Beauvais; but as they and their horses were much fatigued, they halted at a village called Ris, to refresh and repose themselves.

During this time, sir Thomas Kiriel, with a body of English, surprised the village, and defeated them completely, with little loss, before they could arm and collect together. The lord de Fontaines, Alardin de Moussay, with numbers of others, were made prisoners; La Hire, with difficulty, escaped by the goodness of his horse,-but he was severely wounded in many places. Poton de Saintrailles, and others, escaped also,-but they lost the greater part of their horses and arms. The English, after this victory, returned to Rouen: joyful at their success, however, they soon after lost the town of Fecamp, as has been related.

CHAPTER CCXVIII.—THE

LORD D'OFFEMONT MAKES LA HIRE HIS PRISONER WHILE HE
WAS PLAYING AT BALL AT BEAUVAIS.

WHILE these matters were passing, the lord d'Offemont, who had not forgotten the ill treatment he had suffered from La Hire, when he was made prisoner and ransomed at Clermont in the Beauvoisis, as has been mentioned, assembled a body of about six score combatants, under his brother-in-law the lord de Moy, the bastard de Chauny, and other captains. By means of the lord de Moy he led them to the city of Beauvais, of which La Hire was governor, and was at this moment playing at ball in the court of an inn having the sign of St. Martin. The lord d'Offemont hastened thither with his men, for he had learned where La Hire was, from his spies; but La Hire hearing of his approach, had hidden himself in a stable under the manger, where he was found and taken, after some search, by the lord d'Offemont's men, together with one called Perret de Salle-noire. They were instantly mounted behind two men-at-arms, and told, that if they made the slightest noise, or cry to be rescued, they would that moment be put to death. Without further delay, they were carried through the gates of the town; but several of his men, and the common people, assembled to pursue them and attempt their deliverance, when some skirmishing took place with arrows. They were first carried to the castle of Moy, and thence to Meulan, where they were detained a considerable time. They were afterwards removed to the castle of Ancret, belonging to the lord d'Offemont, and kept prisoners.

The king of France and many of his officers were very angry at this capture, for it had taken place on the territories of France; but the nobles who had accompanied the lord d'Offemont excused themselves by saying, that they had done this service to the lord d'Offemont from their near relationship in blood to him. The king wrote very pressing letters to the duke of Burgundy in favour of la Hire, that he might be set at liberty, and that no personal harm might be done to him. In short, the matter was so strongly urged that the duke of Burgundy found means, partly by threats, that the whole of their quarrel should be submitted to his decision, after it had been discussed before his council. The discussion lasted for several days, in the presence of the duke at Douay, when, as well perhaps to please the king (who had very strongly written to him,) as because he did not think the mode of *This expedition and failure have been before related Ancre, or Albert, a small town in Picardy, diocese of Amiens, four leagues from Peroane.

in chapter ccxii, with very little variation : in the first, it was to gain Rouen by surprise and treachery.

making La Hire prisoner fair or honourable, but just the contrary, the duke made up the quarrel, and the lord d'Offemont had his castle of Clermont restored to him, and a sum of money paid, but not so much as he had been forced to give for his ransom. Perret de Sallenoire was ordered to pay one thousand crowns for his liberty. Thus were all differences settled between them, and they were made friends.

At the same time, peace was made between La Hire and sir John de Luxembourg, who had hated him mortally, as well for his having taken Soissons as for other damages he had done to different parts of his territories; and they remained to all appearance good friends ever after. La Hire soon returned to the king of France, and related all the kindness and favour the duke of Burgundy had shown him, from his regard to his majesty. This was very agreeable to the king, who entertained La Hire very splendidly, and gave him, at the same time, wherewithal to discharge the greater part of his ransom, and the other expenses he had incurred.

When La Hire's men heard that they were to quit the castle of Clermont, they set about repairing an old fortress called Thoys, belonging to the lord de Crevecoeur, wherein they placed themselves, and again began to harass all the country near to Amiens and Pecquigny, more especially the lordships of those who had been assisting in the capture of La Hire, their captain. The principal leader, both in the reparation of the castle and in their oppressions of the country, was one who called himself Philip de La Tour.

CHAPTER CCXIX.-CHARLES KING OF FRANCE MAKES HIS FIRST ENTRY INTO PARIS AFTER ITS REDUCTION, THE PREPARATIONS FOR IT.

ON Tuesday the 12th of November, in this year, king Charles of France was lodged in the town of St. Denis. He was accompanied by his son the dauphin of Vienne, the constable of France, the lord Charles d'Anjou, the counts de Perdiac, de Vendôme, and the young count de Tancarville, sir Christopher de Harcourt, the bastard of Orleans, and a very great number of nobles, great lords, knights, and esquires. La Hire was also there, in very grand state.

The provost of merchants and the sheriffs of Paris came out as far as La Chapelle to meet him, attended by the citizens, cross-bows, and archers of the town, dressed in robes similar to those of the peers. When they met the king, the provost presented him with the keys of Paris, which the king delivered to the care of the constable. The provost and sheriff's then expanded a blue canopy, studded with flowers-de-luce of gold, over the king's head, and thus supported it as he proceeded. He was next met by the governor of Paris, attended by his common sergeants, having each of them a hood half green and half crimson. After the sergeants came the notaries, attorneys, advocates, and commissaries of the Châtelet. Then came persons representing the Seven Virtues and the Seven Deadly Sins, dressed in character, and on horseback: they were followed by the judges of the parliament, of the court of requests, the presidents, and by crowds of people.

Thus nobly accompanied, did the king make his entry into the city of Paris by the gate of St. Denis. Three angels supported a shield bearing the arms of France over the gate, above which were placed angels singing, and underneath was written in large characters,

"Most excellent and noble king,

The burghers of this loyal town
To you their grateful offering bring,
And bow before your royal crown."

At the Little Bridge was a fountain, over which was a pot having a flower-de-luce, whence spouted good hippocras, wine, and water: two dolphins were playing in the fountain,-and above the whole was a terrace, vaulted with flowers-de-luce, which exhibited a representation of St. John Baptist pointing to the Agnus Dei, surrounded with angels singing melodiously. In front of Trinity Church was a pageant of the passion of our Lord, and how Judas hanged himself. Those who exhibited this did not speak, but acted as in a pantomime. The acting was good, and very affecting.

At the second gate were the figures of St. Thomas, St. Denis, St. Maurice, St. Louis of France, and Ste. Genevieve in the middle. There was likewise a representation of the holy sepulchre, of the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST, and of his meeting Mary Magdalen. Item, at St. Catherine's, in the street of St. Denis, was a representation of the descent of the Holy

Ghost on the Apostles. Before the Châtelet was the annunciation of the angel to the shepherds, singing, "Glory be to God on high," &c. Suspended below the gate were represented the attributes of justice, with divine law, the law of nature, and the law of man. On the opposite side, against the slaughter-houses, were exhibited the last judgment, paradise, and hell in the centre was St. Michael weighing souls in a balance. Item, at the foot of the Great Bridge, behind the Châtelet, was represented the baptism of our Lord, and St. Margaret issuing out of the mouth of a dragon.

When the king came to the front of the church of Notre Dame, he dismounted, and was shortly harangued by the members of the university. The following prelates were waiting for his arrival before the great door: the archbishop of Toulouse and of Sens, the bishops of Paris, of Clermont, of St. Mangon, near Montpellier, the abbots and superior clergy of St. Denis, of St. Maur, of St. Germain near Paris, of Sainte Magloire, and of Sainte Genevieve. The king made the usual oaths in the hands of the bishop of Paris, and then entered the church, where had been erected three arches, like to those at Amiens the last day of the year, covered with tapers and wax lights.

When the king had offered up his prayers, he went to the palace, where he lay that night. He was escorted on his entrance by about eight hundred archers, well equipped and in handsome array, under the command of the count of Angoulême. The king and the dauphin were dressed in plain armour, all but their heads on that of the king was a tourmole* Tourmole. Q. Not in any of my dictionaries.

:

covered with silversmith's-work.

His horse's housing was of dark blue velvet, richly embroidered with large flowers-de-luce in gold, which reached to the ground. The headpiece was of polished steel, bearing a handsome plume of feathers. He was preceded a few paces by Poton de Saintrailles, carrying the royal helmet on a staff supported by his thigh, having a rich crown on the top, and in the centre was a double flower-de-luce. His horse was led by a gentleman on foot, named Jean d'Olon,-and the canopy was all the while borne over his head. The king was followed by his pages, very richly dressed, and ornamented with silversmith's-work, as well as their horses.

A little before Poton rode the constable of France, the counts de Vendôme and de Tancarville, and others of the high nobility, handsomely mounted and richly dressed. At a short distance behind the king was the dauphin, his armour covered over with silversmith's-work, as well as his horse, and his pages and their horses also. He was accompanied by his uncle the lord Charles d'Anjou, the counts de Perdiac and de la Marche, and followed by the bastard of Orleans in plain armour,—but his horse's accoutrements were highly ornamented. He had on a rich scarf of gold, which fell down on the back of his horse. He commanded the king's battalion consisting of about a thousand lances, the flower of the men-at-arms, most handsomely dressed out, themselves and horses.

With regard to the other knights, esquires, and gentlemen present at this ceremony, they were very numerous, and richly equipped at all points, and their horses loaded with silversmith's work. Among these, but after the princes, sir James de Chabannes and the lord de Restelant had the reputation of being most handsomely dressed, themselves, their attendants, and horses. The crowd of common people was so great that it was difficult to walk the streets; and they sang carols in all the squares, and other places, as loud as they could, for the welcome return of their natural lord and king, with his son the dauphin. Many even wept for joy at this happy event.

The king and the dauphin, as I have said, when the ceremonies were over, went to the Palace, where they were lodged, and the lords, knights, and others in different houses in Paris as well as they could. It was proclaimed in the king's name, by sound of trumpet, that no one, whatever his rank, should ill treat the Parisians in body or effects, on pain of instant death.

On the morrow, the king displayed to the populace, in the Holy Chapel, the relics of the true cross of our Saviour, and the lance which had pierced his side while on the cross: after which he mounted his horse, and went to lodge at the New Hotel, near the Bastilie,—and the dauphin did the same at the Tournelles. They remained for a considerable time in Paris, during which, many new regulations were made for the better government of the realm : and several new offices were created at Paris, as well in the court of parliament as elsewhere.

Some days after the king's entry into Paris, the counts de la Marche and de Perdiac (sons to Bernard count d'Armagnac, formerly constable of France, who had been basely murdered. by the Parisians) went to the spot where their father had been buried, attended by many lords, as well spiritual as temporal, and had the body taken up, put into a leaden coffin, and carried to the church of St. Martin-des-Champs, where a solemn service, attended by the members of the greater part of the colleges and university of Paris, was performed for his soul. On the morrow, the coffin was placed on a car covered with black, and conveyed out of the town with much solemnity, and thence conducted by his two said sons, and a numerous company of friends and attendants, to the county of Armagnac.

CHAPTER CCXX.-THE COMMONALTY OF BRUGES BECOME MORE MODERATE IN THEIR PROCEEDINGS, AND SEND AMBASSADORS TO THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY TO SUE FOR PEACE.

THE men of Bruges now began to feel that they had greatly offended their prince the duke of Burgundy, and were much alarmed; for, as none of the great towns in Flanders would afford them support or assistance, they could not long withstand the duke. They knew also, that they were not in great favour with the Ghent men; and each day brought