A.D. 1418. they took the tower of Vendeul, and set it on fire; and after wasting the country by fire and sword, they returned to their garrisons, with immense booty, and a great number of prisoners. On the other hand, Sir Philip Lys, above named, who stayed at Eu, made frequent raids to Abbeville, Pont Remy, and throughout Vimeu, the lands of which were greatly oppressed. These incursions and invasions were often vigorously checked by Sir Jacques de Harcourt, who stayed at Crotoy, and Hector de Saveuse, with the garrison of Pont Remy; and similarly by Sir Louis de Thienbronne and those who were with him in the town of Gamaches. How Chastel-Gaillart and La Roche-Guyon were given up to the King of England; and of the sad and treacherous death of Duke John of Burgundy. CHAPTER XXIX. IN those days the King of England greatly desiring, as who had with him within more than six score gentlemen; A.D. 1418. and the siege was kept up by the Earls of Huntingdon and Kent. During these things, some of the Dauphin's party and the Burgundians had many communications and confidences with each other, consequent on the treaty of peace above mentioned, hoping that it would be lasting; and they often met with one accord to fight the English, as the ancient enemies of the kingdom of France. But dame fortune managed in such wise that within a short time they were in greater trouble and hatred towards each other than ever they had been before, as shall be briefly set forth in our present work. You have heard before how the dauphin, only son of the King of France, made and swore peace with Duke John of Burgundy; after this had been published in those parts of the kingdom that were concerned in it, the said dauphin set out from the place where it had been sworn, and went towards the country of Berry and Touraine with those of his council to visit and strengthen the countries which had formerly been desolated. After this visitation had been made, some of the most intimate friends of the said dauphin incited and advised him to put to death his cousin Duke John of Burgundy, and get rid of him; the execution of which thing was decided on to take place at the conference; but they durst not then attack him, all 1 He had paid his visit to the said countries and had been warned by his people and those who governed him to find means whereby he might deceive and cause the death of his cousin the Duke of Burgundy (which thing he would willingly have done after the negotiation of the said peace which was made at H. A.D. 1418. things being considered, because he was as powerful as his ill-wishers or more so. The dauphin thus cruelly advised, as you have heard, came with full twenty thousand fighting men to Monterau, at the affluence of the Yonne; and sent Sir Taneguy Du Chastel, with some others of his people, to Troyes, in Champaigne, with letters signed with his hand to the Duke of Burgundy, in which he prayed him most affectionately to come to him at the said place of Monterau, in order to consider and resolve on the restoration of the kingdom, and to counsel him on some of his own important affairs. The Duke of Burgundy delayed several days carrying out the request of the said letters, that is to say, going to the dauphin, arguing that the dauphin might quite as well come himself to Troyes, to the king his father and the queen his mother; and he repeatedly set forth to the said Taneguy that it would be more becoming and expedient for him to come there than otherwise, so that they could hold their council all together. So the said Taneguy returned to deliver to the dauphin the answer he had received; but finally the dauphin and those of his council determined to remain all together at Monterau and nowhere else. And the said Taneguy returned again to Troyes to Duke John, with whom he so negotiated that he repaired to Bray-surSeine, and thence were sent several messengers from the one party to the other, among whom the dauphin sent at last the Bishop of Valence, brother to the Archbishop of Langres, who was then with the Duke of Burgundy, and was one of his principal counsellors, and named Sir Charles de Poitiers. When the Bishop of Valence came to Bray, he spoke several times to the Duke of Burgundy, and advised him very earnestly that he should go to the dauphin, saying that he should have no doubt or suspicion of foul play; and in like manner he spoke privately to his brother, assuring him faithfully that he could go A.D. 1419. in safety, and that to refuse would do harm. The bishop, however, acted in good faith, and knew nothing of the secret council or of that which happened afterwards. Finally as well through the admonitions which he gave to the duke, as through the words of Sir Taneguy Du Chastel, Duke John determined and prepared to go to the dauphin; and set out from Bray in company with the said bishop, on the 10th of September 1419. And he had in his company five hundred men-at-arms and two hundred archers, of whom the commanders were Sir Charles de Lens, Admiral of France, and Jacques de la Bamme, master of the cross-bowmen; and there were many other lords, namely, Charles, eldest son of the Duke of Bourbon; the Lord of Nouaille, brother of the Count de Foix; John, son of the Count de Febourg; the Lord of St. George; Sir Anthony de Vergy; the Lord of Jonuelle; the Lord of Montagu; Sir Guy de Pontaillier; and many others, with whom he rode happily enough to near Monterau; and it was about three o'clock in the afternoon. And there came to meet him there three of his people, of whom one was John Dormay, who told him that they had come from the town and the very spot where the meeting was to be, and where strong barriers very advantageous for the dauphin's party had been newly erected; saying that he should while there was time think well of his act before placing himself inside, for he would be in danger from the dauphin and those in his company. On this report Duke John, still on horseback, gathered his council to inquire, as was right, what it would be well to do; and there were different opinions, for some greatly feared this day's business, considering the tidings and reports they were receiving from hour 1 Two of his people, John Dormay and Saubertier, H. A.D. 1419. to hour; others who thought not but that all was well advised it was better to go to the dauphin than not; saying they durst not think that such a prince, the son of the king, and successor to the crown of France, would do anything otherwise than in good faith. The duke then, seeing and hearing these different opinions of his council, said in a loud, distinct manner in the hearing of all, that he would go with the intention of awaiting whatever fortune it might please God to send him; adding that it should never be imputed to him that the well being and restoration of the noble kingdom of France was any way hindered on account of danger to his person; for it was very certain that if he failed to go,, and by any means war or destruction should come of it, the blame and dishonour would fall upon him. After these words, the noble duke rode on, and approaching his fate entered by the field gate within the castle of Monterau, which castle had been given up to him for lodging by the resolution of the wicked counsellors of the said dauphin, in order that he should have the less suspicion of the evil designs which they cherished towards him. So he made all the great lords that had journeyed with him dismount here, to bear him company, also two hundred men-at-arms and a hundred archers. Also he had with him the Lady of Gyac, who, as has been already said, had been a means of the peace made between him and the dauphin, and who had greatly persuaded the duke to come to this place, advising him not to fear any treachery. The duke greatly loved this lady, and trusted her in many things; so he had given her, with his most precious jewels, in charge to Philip Josequin as the most faithful of all his counsellors or servants. Soon after Duke John of Burgundy had alighted he |
