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CHAPTER LV.-THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY SENDS AN ARMY INTO LUXEMBOURG AGAINST SOME

GERMANS, WHO, FROM THIONVILLE*, WERE WASTING THAT COUNTRY.—THE DUKE ENTERS FLANDERS WITH A LARGE FORCE, TO MAKE WAR ON GHENT.

ABOUT Easter, in this year, some Germans, who had possessed themselves of the strong town of Thionville, overran, at different times, the duchy of Luxembourg, which was under obedience to the duke, and all its towns, excepting this town of Thionville. These Germans continuing their incessant inroads, the duke was constrained to send thither the lord de Rubemprét, a Picard, with one hundred men-at-arms and four hundred archers: but he found the enemy in such strength that he was unable to oppose them. The duke, although hard pressed to find men to carry on his war against Ghent, was forced to send reinforcements into Luxembourg. He therefore ordered thither the lord de Croy, his first chamberlain, and governor of Luxembourg, with one hundred lances and eight hundred archers, whose principal captains were the lord of Hames, the lord of Mareuil, the lord of Dommarcq‡, and others. The Ghent men, on the other hand, did not cease from carrying fire and sword into Hainault and the defenceless parts of Flanders. On the 15th day of June, they advanced toward Ath §, to burn that part of the country; but sir John de Croy lord of Chimay, having had early notice of their intentions, defeated them completely, killing three hundred, and taking numbers of prisoners, whom he carried off without molestation.

The duke of Burgundy marched from Lille on the 20th day of June, with a most numerous army to Courtray: he had a large train of artillery, and plenty of pioneers to open the woods and clear the roads, and numbers of carpenters to construct warlike engines. These pioneers and carpenters had been sent thither at the expense of the countries under the duke's obedience. The principal nobles in this army were the count d'Estampes, sir James de St. Pol, brother to the count de St. Pol, who was then employed by the king of France in the Bordelois against the English. The marshal of Burgundy was also with the duke, having with him three hundred men-at-arms, whom he had brought from Burgundy, and many other great lords and esquires from the territories of the duke.

The duke marched his whole army from Oudenarde the 25th day of June, to besiege the castle of Helsebecque, and a strong monastery hard by. The monastery was instantly won by storm, and thirty-two Ghent men taken within it, whom the duke caused to be hanged. The castle surrendered unconditionally the second day afterward, when about one hundred and fifty men, that were made prisoners, suffered a similar fate, by command of the duke.

CHAPTER

LVI.--THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY TAKES THE CASTLE OF POULCRES,-BUT THAT FLOWER OF CHIVALRY SIR JAMES DE LALAIN IS SLAIN BEFORE IT. HE BESIEGES THE

CASTLE OF GAVERE ||, TAKES IT, AND HANGS ALL WITHIN, BEFORE THE GHENT MEN ADVANCE TO OFFER HIM BATTLE,- -THEY ARE DEFEATED.

AFTER the capture of the castle of Helsebecque, the duke advanced to besiege the castle of Poulcres, which the Ghent men obstinately defended. It happened, that during the time the artillery-men were pointing a bombard against the wall, in the presence of sir James de Lalain ¶ and other lords, sir James was hit on the head by a stone from a veuglaire in the

* Thionville,-a strong town of Luxembourg on the Moselle, twelve leagues from Treves.

Authony lord of Rubempré, a great favourite of Philip duke of Burgundy, married Jacqueline de Croy, lady of Bievres, daughter of John lord de Croy, grandbutler of France, by whom he had issue John de Rubempré lord of Bievres, who was strongly attached to duke Charles, and perished by his side at the battle of Nancy.

Dommarcq.-DU CANGE, Dormnast. Q. Dommart? Anthony de Craon, lord of Dommart, son of James lord of Dommart and Jane des Fosseux, was laid under con

fiscation by Louis XI., for his adherence to the duke of Burgundy.

§ Ath-a town in Hainault, ning miles north-west of Mons.

| Gavere,-Gaveren, a town on the Scheldt, seven miles from Ghent.

James lord of Lalain, killed at this siege, was the eldest son of William lord of Lalain before mentioned. He was succeeded in his title and estates by his next brother John, who sold Lalain to Josse, the son of Simon lord of Montigny, younger brother of the lord William.

castle, which carried away part of his skull, and he fell down dead. It was a great loss, for he was renowned as not having his equal in all France,-witness his many deeds of chivalry in Scotland, Spain, and in other parts, where he had displayed his gallantry. He was also the most modest, the most prudent, most courteous, and most liberal of mankind, fearing and serving God above all things. He was but thirty-two years of age when death so unfortunately seized him; and this same shot from the venglaire killed also a man-at-arms and four archers. The duke of Burgundy was very much affected by the death of sir James, for he loved him more than any other of his household for his numberless virtues, and had the place attacked with such violence that the garrison were forced to submit to his will. He had the whole hanged, excepting five or six, one of whom was a leper, and the rest boys. He then had the place raised to the ground, and the body of sir James de Lalain most honourably interred at his church of Lalain*.

After the surrender of Poulcres, the duke returned to Courtray, and left his army to live on the country, where the men-at-arms did innumerable mischiefs; for he had not money sufficient to pay them until his revenues were paid, and he had borrowed as much as he could from the rich merchants and burghers of his territories, the war having totally exhausted his treasury. He resided at Courtray twelve days, and during that time his finances were recruited, and he paid his army one month in advance; so that, on the 16th day of July, he departed from Courtray to besiege the castle of Gaveren, which was strongly fortified and held by the Ghent men. It is situated between Ghent and Oudenarde.

In marching thither, he formed his army into three battalions. The marshal of Burgundy, as commander-in-chief, sir Anthony the bastard, the lord de Chimay bailiff of Hainault, with a numerous company of men-at-arms and archers, led the van. In the centre was the duke, the most fearless, courageous, and gallant of men: with him were his son the count de Charolois, the count d'Estampes, sir Adolphus of Cleves, and almost all the knights and esquires of Picardy. In the rear division were sir James de St. Pol, the lord de l'Isle-Adam, and the whole chivalry of the Boulonois. This army was in truth very strong; and there was need that it should be so, for the men of Ghent had boasted, that this time, they would fairly meet the duke in battle. When they learnt that the duke intended to besiege Gaveren, they sent thither an Englishman, called John de Voz, a very able man-at-arms, with sixteen others, and swore to him, on his departure, that the duke should not remain four-and-twenty hours unfought with. Nevertheless, the duke's army posted themselves around the place, and the batteries were erected without any molestation.

There was at this time in the place a trumpeter, who had formerly served one of the lords in the duke's army, but had turned to the Ghent men: he mounted the highest rampart, and, having sounded his trumpet as loudly as he could, he abused the duke in the grossest manner, calling him a tyrant, and threatening him that the men of Gnent would soon lower his pride. The duke, when told of this, like a good prince, laughed at it, and turned the trumpeter's folly into ridicule.

Although the place was unfavourably situated for the batteries to have their full effect, they alarmed the garrison so much that they offered to surrender on having their lives spared, seeing also that the Ghent men did not fulfil their promises when they left that town; but the duke refused their offer. When the Englishmen heard this, and found that the men of Ghent had deceived him, it is said that he had a communication with some of the English in the duke's army, and promised to deliver up to them one of the towers of the castle; but this he could not accomplish, for the Ghent men had no confidence in him, nor in any of the English. A vessel happened to be lying in the river, near to the castle, and during the night John de Voz, and fourteen others, embarked on board and went to Ghent. When those in Gaveren saw the next morning that their captain had deserted them, they abandoned all hope of succour, and surrendered themselves to the duke's will before twelve of the clock. His will was that they should be all hanged or strangled, together with two cordelier friars that were in the place, and the trumpeter who had abused the duke.

Philip, the third son of William, was killed at the battle of Montl'hery; and Anthony, the fourth son, lost his life in Switzerland, both under the command of duke Charles the Bold, so that there is no want of foundation for the

honourable testimony given by Comines to the merits of the family.

* Lalain-a village in Flanders, near Bouchain.

John de Voz and his companions, on their arrival in Ghent, remonstrated sharply with the leaders in the town, how greatly they had deceived those in Gaveren, and how weakly they had acted; for they never would again have so favourable an opportunity of combating the duke, since he had not now with him more than four thousand fighting men, the rest having disbanded from want of pay; and he concluded by exhorting them strongly to sally forth and offer the duke battle.

In the meantime, sir John de Hout*, an Englishman, who had surrendered himself to sir Anthony the bastard, as I have mentioned, had a secret communication with the duke on the means of enticing the Ghent men out of their town, for he was extremely anxious to meet their whole force in the field. Soon afterward, John de Hout returned to Ghent, under pretence of repenting of his having left them, and told them that the duke's army was daily wasting away from default of payment. The men of Ghent, however, doubting his fidelity, ordered him to prison, lest he should betray them: he was there confined until John de Voz had pressed them so earnestly to attack the duke, with their whole force, when they released him and made him one of their captains. They commanded all the gates to be kept closed, that no one might carry to the duke information of their intentions, and gave orders that every person capable of bearing arms should provide himself, and appear properly armed and accoutred, under pain of death. It was necessary for all to obey this order, or suffer the consequences; but many did obey very much against their will. They mustered upward of four-and-twenty thousand men under arms, and appointed as leaders the said English and their companions, who amounted to full two hundred on horseback. When they saw their numbers, and that all was ready, they issued out of Ghent to combat their lord. Three days before this event, the good duke expecting daily an attack from Ghent, and desirous that his son the count de Charolois might not be present at the battle, on account of the dangers that are incident to such affairs, gave him to understand that the duchess was dangerously ill at Lille, and that he would do well to go thither and see how she was. The count, like a good son, hastened to Lille, but found the duchess recovered, and in good health. He then knew that the reason why the duke had sent him on this errand was to prevent him from being present at the battle. He told his attendants that it was absolutely necessary he should be present to aid his father, for that he was fighting to preserve his inheritance; and, said he, "I vow to God that I will be there, if possible." When the duchess heard of this vow, she tried all she could to detain him, but in vain, for he instantly set off and joined the duke before Gaveren.

CHAPTER LVII.--THE BATTLE OF GAVEREN, WHERE THE GHENT MEN ARE COMPLETELY DEFEATED, WITH THE LOSS OF UPWARD OF TWENTY THOUSAND MEN SLAIN AND DROWNED.

On the same day the castle of Gaveren was yielded up, and when all the garrison were not yet hanged, news was brought to the duke, while sitting at dinner, that the Ghent men were in full march to offer him battle. The duke ordered the trumpets to sound to horse, and the army was drawn up in three battalions as before. When it was done, the duke rode from one battalion to another to show himself, and to encourage his men, telling them, that if it pleased God, they should all that day be made rich. The army now moved, the three battalions near to each other, when sir James de St. Pol, and many others from Burgundy, Picardy, and other territories of the duke, were knighted, and several that day displayed their banners for the first time. This mortal battle took place on the 22nd day of July, in the year 1453.

The duke had scarcely advanced before the van perceived the Ghent men drawn up in battle-array, with their culverins and other artillery placed in their front. This manœuvre alarmed the marshal of Burgundy, who commanded the van, lest too many of his men should suffer at the onset; and he ordered his division to retire a little, which the Ghent men mistaking for an intention to fly, hastened forward, leaving their artillery in the rear. John de Voz and John de Hout, with their English companions, led them on, but soon, sticking

* Q. Sir John Holt ?

spurs into their horses, galloped to surrender themselves to the duke, saying, "My lord, here are the Ghent men, whom we have brought to you, and we leave them to your mercy." The archers now shot fiercely on the Ghent men, who defended themselves for a time very valiantly; but no sooner did the three battalions of the duke make a uniform charge than their ranks were broken, and they instantly fled for Ghent.

The duke's army pursued them closely, and it was marvellous the numbers they slew. It chanced that a division of the Ghent men, to the number of fourteen or fifteen hundred, bad retreated into a meadow under cover of a coppice, where they regained courage and put themselves on their defence. This meadow was surrounded with ditches, so that neither the duke nor his men-at-arms could enter it by reason of their depth. Among those with the duke was a man-at-arms from Bruges, who thrice leaped the ditch to skirmish with those in the field; but at the third leap, his horse fell dead under him, from the severe blows received from the enemy's pikes. The duke had not any archers with him, for they had all dismounted, and could not easily overtake the runaways on horseback, to put them to death; for the duke hated them mortally, and was more vexed than can be imagined to see those who had leaped the ditches forced back again by the resistance they met with. Then this valiant prince, seizing his lance from the page who bore it by his side, raging like a lion, made his horse leap the ditch, and charged the thickest of the Ghent men. He was followed by many men-at-arms, and in the number was Bertrandon de la Brocquiere, who bore his pennon. The duke's horse was so badly wounded in several places that he was obliged to leap back again over the ditch, and wait the return of the archers. On their arrival, he again crossed the ditch, followed by his son the count of Charolois, and numbers of others, who charged the Ghent men so courageously that they were defeated, and all found in the meadow were slain. It was difficult for them to escape, as it was surrounded by ditches on three sides, and by the Scheldt on the other: many leaped into the river, and were drowned, but a few of the most active and lighter armed made such good use of their legs that they saved themselves in Ghent. It is certain that, had the duke marched thither instantly, he must have entered without opposition, so much were those in the town frightened and cast down, but his guides were unacquainted with the roads.

When the battle was over, some few escaped into Ghent ; and the duke, having recalled his men, lay that night on the field of battle in his tent,-where, casting himself on his knees, he offered his thanksgivings to God for the great and decisive victory he had that day given him over his bitterest enemies.

Upward of twenty thousand of the Ghent men lost their lives this day, by the sword or by drowning. The bastard de Blanc-Estain, however, saved himself by swimming across the Scheldt. On the side of the duke, not more than sixteen men were killed from the commencement of the battle!

CHAPTER LVIII.—THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, MOVED BY PITY, SENDS HIS HERALD TO GHENT TO KNOW IF THE TOWNSMEN WOULD SUBMIT TO HIS WILL, AND HE WOULD HAVE COMPASSION ON THEM. THE MEN OF GHENT SEND HIM A DEPUTATION TO BEG HIS MERCY.

On the morrow after the defeat of the Ghent men, the noble duke, moved by compassion, and his own virtuous nature, for his poor subjects, who through pride and insolence had rebelled against him, sent his herald, clad in his coat of arms, with letters to Ghent, signifying, that notwithstanding the victory which God had given him the preceding day, he would show them mercy if they would submit to his will, and had transmitted them passports for a deputation to come to him, should they be so inclined, to arrange articles for a general peace. The Ghent men were very sensible of the duke's kindness in thus graciously recalling them to his affection, and of the mildness of the expressions in his letter. They handsomely feasted the herald; and, on the letter being publicly read, the whole town were unanimous for begging pardon of their lord, and, without further delay, sent a deputation back with the herald.

On their appearing before the duke, they, with the utmost humility, requested pardon for their offences, and besought him that he would have the goodness to restore them to his favour; offering, at the same time, to submit themselves and their town to his will. They also requested that he would retire to Gaveren, and dismiss his men-at-arms, and they would there wait on him to hear and do his will. The good duke granted their requests; but, on returning to Gaveren, over the field of the late battle, he was so shocked at the multitudes of dead bodies that he wept bitterly, as it was said. As he saw several women searching for the bodies of their friends, to bury them, he caused proclamation to be made, that no one should molest them, whatever might be his rank, under pain of death.

On the 25th day of July, the abbot of St. Bavon, in Ghent, the prior of the Carthusians, and many persons of note, waited on the duke at Gaveren, and, falling on their knees, begged mercy for the inhabitants of Ghent, who offered to surrender everything up to him, saving their lives. The duke replied, that, from love to God, he pardoned all their misdeeds, provided they would agree to the preliminaries proposed at Seclin, and concluded at Lille by the three estates of Flanders and the burghers of Bruges. They promised, in the name of their townsmen, to abide wholly by this treaty, and most humbly thanked the duke for his great benignity and kindness.

CHAPTER LIX.

HERE FOLLOW THE ARTICLES OF THE TREATY BETWEEN PHILIP THE
GOOD, AND THE TOWN OF GHENT.

THE treaty of Ghent consisted of the following articles. In the first place, the inhabitants of Ghent, to the number of two thousand men, shall come out, to the distance of one league from that town, to wherever their prince may appoint, barefooted and bareheaded, to beg his mercy. They were to be headed by all the counsellors, sheriffs and hoguemans of the town, naked, excepting their shirts and small clothes. They were to fall on their knees before the duke, his son, or any other person whom the duke should please to send thither as his representative, saying,-that they had wickedly and traitorously rebelled against him in arms,--that they had insolently contemned him, and begged his pardon for all their evil deeds. Item, on every Thursday throughout the year, the gate leading to Oudenarde shall be closed, because it was through that gate they marched to besiege Oudenarde, and that it may remind them thereof.-Item, the gate leading towards Rupelmonde shall be closed for ever, in remembrance of their having issued out of it to offer battle to their lord at Rupelmonde.--Item, they shall pay to the duke, for the losses he may have sustained by this war, two hundred thousand riddes of gold, seventy to the marc.-Item, they shall pay for the restoration of the countries which have been burned, whatever sums the three estates of Flanders shall determine on; but if the three estates shall decline this arbitration the sum shall be fixed at one hundred thousand riddes. —Item, for the reparation of churches destroyed, they shall pay fifty thousand riddes.—Item, in recompense for the revenue of the prince's domain in Flanders, which has been unpaid by reason of the war, such an imposition shall be laid as the three estates of Flanders shall determine.

Item, there shall be a complete reformation of the laws of Ghent, in the form and manner that has been lately proposed by the ambassadors from king Charles of France, namely, that the commonalty shall elect four magistrates, and the duke, or his officers, four others,— and these shall elect twenty-six sheriffs before they quit the chamber in which they have been assembled for this purpose.—Item, in regard to the burghers, they will act toward them according to their privileges, without paying attention to the customs or usages of former times.—Item, no one in future shall be banished Ghent without an appeal first had to the bailiff, nor without the cause of his banishment being declared.—Item, they shall no longer issue ordinances or edicts without the knowledge and consent of their lord,—and such as may have been thus issued shall be declared null and void.-Item, the officers of the prince shall no longer acknowledge any obedience to the magistrates in respect to their official capacities.Item, they shall no longer, in their writings or proclamations, sign themselves lords of Ghent, but give them such title as the magistrates of other towns use.-Item, they

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