Angillebert de Dolle and Girard de Marescoup commanded in Chavensy, during this siege, for the lord de Commercy, with about two hundred fighting men. During this time, the constable had reduced to obedience the towns of Nampteuil-sur-Aine*, Han-les-Moinest, Bourg, and other castles, on his presenting himself before them.

CHAPTER CC.-THE

DESTROY BOUSSEUVRES, AND

BISHOP OF LIEGE AND THE LIEGEOIS
OTHER FORTS THAT HAD MADE WAR AGAINST THEM.

At the end of the month of April, the bishop of Liege raised a large force to combat and reduce to obedience several forts in the forest of the Ardennes, held by a set of plunderers, who had done much mischief to the inhabitants of his territories. The principal leaders and supporters of these marauders were Jean de Beaurain, Philipot de Sergins, the lord d'Orchimont, and others, who made the castle of Boussenoch, Villers opposite to Mousson, Aubigny, Beaurain, Orchimont, and several other castles in these parts, their retreats. Some of them gave out that they were attached to the king of France, others to the duke of Burgundy, but the greater part to sir John de Luxembourg, count de Ligny; while two of them, John de Beaurain and Philipot de Sergins, made war on their own account, to recover sums due to them for services they had done the Liegeois.

The bishop, through the aid of the nobles of the country, assembled from two to three thousand horse, and from twelve to sixteen thousand infantry, well equipped, and armed each according to his rank: he had also three or four thousand carts laden with provision, military engines, and stores of all kinds. The bishop, on quitting Liege, advanced to Dinant||, and thence across the river Meuse. Having marched through woods for five leagues, his forces halted two days at Rigniues, to wait for the baggage, which travelled slowly on account of the badness of the roads. At this place, the bishop formed his army into four divisions, namely, two of cavalry, and the same number of infantry,-and, riding down their fronts, admonished every one to perform his duty well.

He despatched part of his cavalry to post themselves before the castle of Boussenoch, while he followed with the main body, and on his arrival surrounded it on all sides, placing his bombards and engines against the walls and gates of the castle, in which were about twenty pillagers, greatly surprised to see so large an army before the gates. The Liegeois set instantly to work, and soon drained the ditches by sluices which they cut, while others brought faggots and filled them, so that they began to storm the place with such vigour that the bulwark was instantly won. Those within retreated to a large tower, and defended themselves for a long time; but it was of no avail, for they were overpowered by fire and arrows, and surrendered at discretion to the bishop, who had them all hanged on trees near to the castle, by a priest who acted as their captain,—and he, after hanging his companions, was tied to a tree and burnt, and the castle razed to the ground.

The bishop, after this exploit, marched away toward the upper Châtelet; but many of his army wanted to march to Hirson** and other places of sir John de Luxembourg,-because, they said, he was the supporter of those they were now making war on. But this same day the bastard of Coucy met the bishop, and said that he was sent by sir John de Luxembourg to assure the bishop that sir John was only desirous of living on neighbourly terms with him, and to request that he would not suffer any injuries to be done to his country or vassals; that if anything wrong had been done to the Liegeois by those who gave out that they were dependent on him, he wished to be heard in his defence, and would refer the matter to friends of either side as arbitrators. At the same time, letters were brought from the duke of Burgundy to the bishop, to require that he would not do any injury to sir John de Luxembourg, nor to the lord d'Orchimont, which put an end to their intended plan. The bishop, with a part of his army, then marched to the castle of Aubigny, when, finding

-near Rheins.

Nampteuil,-)

+ Han, near Rheims.

Bourg, near Rheims.

§ Bousseuvre, -is called afterward Boussenoch. Q.

|| Dinant, on the Meuse, sixteen leagues from Liege. Rigniues. Q.

** Hirson,- -or Herisson, a town in Picardy, election

of Guise.

that the garrison had fled through fear of him, he ordered the castle to be burnt. From Aubigny he went to upper Châtelet, wherein a body of his men were, for the garrison had abandoned it,—and it was destroyed as the others had been. The bishop had intended marching to Villiers; but his intention being known to the inhabitants of Mousson and Ivoy, they destroyed the castle of Villiers, fearful of the damages that would be done to the country should the Liegeois once enter it. On hearing this, the bishop took the road to Beaurain, which castle John de Beaurain, its lord, had lately repaired and strengthened with the addition of four towers: one he called Hainault, another Namur, the third Brabant, and the fourth Rethel, because it was from those countries he had gotten the money to build them. However, when he heard of the march of the Liegeois, he was afraid to wait their coming, and fled with his men, but not before he had set the castle on fire. This did not prevent the bishop from completely demolishing it to its foundations; then, without proceeding further, he marched his men back to their own country, and went himself to the city of Liege.

At this season, the town of Gamaches in Vimeu, which had long been held by the English, surrendered to the lord d'Aussi* and to sir Florimont de Brimeu, seneschal of Ponthieu, by means of certain friends they had in the town. The seneschal regarrisoned it with men-atarms for the duke of Burgundy. In like manner, the English were driven out of Aumarle, which surrendered to a gentleman called David de Reume, attached to king Charles. About the same time, the constable laid siege to Creil, in the possession of the English, and erected a block-house at the end of the bridge on the road to the Beauvoisis, wherein he remained for a long time, but at length marched away in disgrace, which grieved him much,-for he had lost many men, together with very large quantities of military stores and artillery.

CHAPTER CCI.-THE TOWN AND CASTLE OF ORCHIMONT ARE DESTROYED BY EVERARD DE LA MARCHET.

BERNARD DE BOURSET kept quiet possession of the town of Orchimont and its castle,— but one day, having as usual sent out a detachment of about fifty to lay waste and plunder the country of Liege, they were observed and pursued by the Liegeois, under the command of the provost of Rebogne. Their passage being cut off on the way they meant to have returned, they fled for Dinant, and entered Bouvines, thinking they should be safe there, but were mistaken, inasmuch as they were detained prisoners. Although the officers of justice from Liege made frequent applications to those of Bouvines to have them punished according to their deserts, they were set at liberty, for these two towns did not much love each other. While this matter was passing, Everard de la Marche, who was in alliance with the bishop of Liege, and had also many subjects of complaint against these pillagers, assembled in haste as many men as he could, and, being joined by some forces from Dinant and the surrounding country, advanced to Orchimont, and took the town by storm. Bernard had at this moment but few men with him, and therefore retreated to the castle, whither he was gallantly pursued by the Liegeois. They pressed him so hardly that, at the end of four days, he surrendered, on capitulation, to Everard de la Marche. The castle and town were after this razed to the ground, to the great joy of all the neighbouring country,-for they had been inhabited by a set of wicked vagabonds, who had annoyed all within their reach.

CHAPTER CCII.-THE ENGLISH MAKE EXCURSIONS FROM CALAIS TOWARD BOULOGNE AND GRAVELINES.-LA HIRE CONQUERS GISORS, AND LOSES IT SOON AFTERWARDS. WHILE the war was on the point of breaking out between the English and Burgundians, for each party was now watching the other, the English suddenly came before Boulogne, thinking to win it by surprise,-but it was too well defended. They burnt part of the

* John IV., son of David sire et ber d'Auxi, killed at Azincourt, and of Margaret de la Tremouille. He was lord of Fontaines sur Somme, seneschal of Ponthieu,

knight of the Golden Fleece, and finally master of the
cross-bows of France.
† See before, page 30.

shipping in the harbour, and then retreated to Calais with all they could collect, without loss. Shortly after, they again assembled a force of five or six hundred combatants, and set out on a foraging party toward Gravelines. The Flemings in that quarter collected, and attacked the English, contrary to the will and advice of the gentlemen who commanded them, namely, Georges des Ubes and Chery Hazebrouch. The consequence was, that they were conquered,—from three to four hundred killed, and full six-score prisoners, whom the English carried with them and their forage to Calais, and to other places under their obedience. The remainder saved themselves by flight as speedily as they could.

At this time, La Hire was posted at Beauvais and Gerberoy,—and, by means of intelligence which he had kept up in the town of Gisors, he gained admittance, with the forces under his command, and won the place. Part of the garrison retired into the castle, and hastily sent off messengers to Rouen, and to other towns, to state their situation and demand succours. On the third day, so strong a reinforcement came, the town was reconquered,→ and La Hire and his companions marched off at a quicker step than a pace, with the exception of twenty or thirty who had remained behind. These were put to death or detained prisoners by the English, together with a great number of the inhabitants, because they had afforded assistance to their enemies.

CHAPTER CCIII.-THE MEN OF GHENT, AND THE FLEMINGS, MAKE GREAT PREPARATIONS FOR THE SIEGE OF CALAIS.

THE men of Ghent were not idle all this time. They issued a summons throughout their castlewicks and dependencies, for all burghers, whatever their rank might be, (reserving, however, the vassals of their prince,) to appear within three days before the sheriffs of Ghent, and have their names and surnames enrolled, under pain of losing their franchises. They were also ordered to provide themselves with arms and all necessary habiliments for war. They likewise caused it to be proclaimed, that those who had for their misdeeds been condemned to perform certain pilgrimages, would be excused from doing them until their return from the war, and fourteen days after; and also that those who had quarrels should be placed under the safeguard of the law, and all who dared to infringe it should be punished according to the custom of the town of Ghent. It was also forbidden for any one of that country, whatever his rank, to carry, or have carried away, any armour, or habiliments for war, under pain of banishment for ten years.

When these proclamations were issued, there was much bustle in Ghent and its dependances in preparations for the war,-and every town and village knew exactly how many men they were to provide to make up the quota of seventeen thousand, which the city of Ghent had promised to deliver to their prince in the course of the present year; and each family knew also the exact amount of the taxes it was to pay for the support of the war. Summonses were next issued through their castlewicks, that a third more carts and waggons were to be provided than had been necessary for the late expedition to Hamme on the Somme; and these demands were proclaimed in all the usual places by officers sent from Ghent. But as these matters did not seem to the men of Ghent to be pushed forward with the expedition they expected, they sent another proclamation to their officers, declaring, that if within three days from the date thereof there were not sent to their commissary in Ghent the number of carriages required, they would order the deacon of the black-hoods and his attendants to the different towns and villages to seize on all the best carts and carriages without exception, and at the expense of those who should neglect to send them to Ghent by the time specified. This second proclamation caused such an alarm among the farmers and peasants, lest the black-hoods should be sent, that they made such despatch in forwarding their carriages to the appointed place that the townsmen of Ghent were well satisfied with them. The regulations for their arms were as follow: each was to provide himself with a short mallet of lead or iron, having points on its head, and a lance; that two mallets would be reckoned as equal to one lance; that without such arms they would not pass muster,—and those who should be found defective would be punished.

VOL. II.

D

The inhabitants of Bruges, and the other towns, made likewise very grand preparations to join the army; and for two months the majority of such as had been ordered on this service had not done a single day's work at their trades. Thus the greater part of their time was occupied in spending their money in large companies at taverns and ale-houses, which very frequently caused quarrels, when several were killed or wounded. The duke of Burgundy, in the meanwhile, was busily employed in preparing for his attack on Calais.

During this time, there lived one Hannequin Lyon, a native of Dunkirk, but who for his demerits had been banished from Ghent, and becoming a fugitive turned pirate, and by his good fortune and activity increased in wealth, so that he now possessed eight or ten vessels, well armed and victualled, under his command. He made war indiscriminately on the flags of all nations, and was much feared on the coasts of Holland and Flanders. He called himself The Friend of God and the Enemy of all Mankind. At length, he met with the fate that people of his way of life generally experience,-for, when he was at the highest pinnacle of his fortune, he lost his life and his wealth in a tempest at sea.

CHAPTER CCIV.-SIR JOHN DE CROY, BAILIFF OF HAINAULT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER CAPTAINS, ATTACK THE ENGLISH AND ARE DISCOMFITED BY THEM.

At this time, sir John de Croy, bailiff of Hainault, assembled, on the borders of Picardy and the Boulonnois, about fifteen hundred combatants, the principal leaders of whom were, the lord de Waurin, sir Baudo de Noyelle, sir Louis de Thiembrune, Robert de Saveuses, Richard de Thiembrune, the lord Deulez, the bastard of Roucy, with several more, well experienced in war. They intended to march them against Calais and other places dependent on the English, and for this reason had their rendezvous at a village called le Wast, two leagues from St. Omer. They marched thence one night to forage the country of the enemy,but this same night the English had formed an expedition to do the like in the Boulonnois, to the amount of about two thousand men. Neither of them knew of the other's intent, nor did they take roads likely to meet; but on sir John de Croy's approaching the English border, he despatched some expert men-at-arms, well acquainted with the country, to gain intelligence. They fell in with the rear of the English detachment near the bridge of Milay, about daybreak, and, on reconnoitring them, found that they were very numerous. When returned to sir John, they made him acquainted with what they had seen, and that the English were advancing toward the Boulonnois. A council of the captains was called to determine how they should act, when it was resolved to pursue and attack them during the time they would be engaged in plundering the villages, if they could overtake them in time, otherwise to combat them wherever they should meet.

It was ordered that sir John de Croy, accompanied by a body of the most able men-atarms, should advance with the greater part of the archers, and that the main body should follow near, under the banner of sir Louis de Thiembrune. Scouts were again sent forward, who rode long before they saw the fires which the enemy had made by burning different villages and small towns. Some prisoners whom they had taken had given information to the English of their being abroad, who in consequence had collected their men on a small eminence between Gravelines and Campagne *. It might be at this time about ten o'clock, but the greater part of the English were assembled lower down, and could not well be seen. The main body of the Burgundians, on perceiving the enemy, were very eager for the combat, because the advanced party had already begun the engagement, and from sixty to eighty of the English on the hill were slain, and the others put to flight; but when, on advancing, they perceived so large a body on the other side of the declivity rallying the runaways, they were surprised and fearful of the event, and halted for the arrival of the main body. In the mean time, the English recovered courage on seeing the enemy afraid to follow up their victory, and made a well-ordered and firm charge upon them. The Burgundians could not withstand the shock, were thrown into confusion, and instantly wheeling round, fled in haste for the castles under their obedience.

* Campagne-les-Boulonnois, a village of Artois, near St. Omer.

The English, who had been half conquered at the first onset, pursued them, full gallop, as far as the town of Ardres, and even within the barriers. Upwards of a hundred were slain or made prisoners: among the first was Robert de Bournonville, surnamed the Red. In the last were, Jean d'Estreves, Bournonville, Galiot du Champ, Maide, Houttefort, Barnamont, and many others, men of note. The English pursued their enemies with such eagerness that five or six were killed close to the ditches of the town,-and among them was one of very high rank. The lord de Waurin, sir Baudo de Noyelle, sir Louis de Thiembrune, Robert de Saveuses, who had that day been knighted, and several more, saved themselves in Ardres. Sir John de Croy had been wounded by an arrow at the first onset, and his horse killed. He and the lord Deulez retired to the abbey of Lille, much troubled and hurt at his defeat. The others escaped to divers forts and castles in the neighbourhood.

When the English had ceased pursuing, they collected together, and returned with their prisoners to Calais, and to other places under their government. The count de Mortaigne came out of Calais to meet them, and gave them a most joyful reception, blaming greatly, at the same time, those who, by flying, had put them in such imminent danger.

CHAPTER CCV.-THE FLEMINGS MARCH TO THE SIEGE OF CALAIS-AND MARCH BACK AGAIN.

At the beginning of the month of June, duke Philip of Burgundy, having completed his preparations for the siege of Calais, as well in men as in warlike stores, went without state to Ghent and other places in Flanders, that he might hasten the march of the troops from that country. On the Saturday after Corpus-Christi-day, a general muster was made in Ghent, before the duke, of all who were to join his army from that town and its dependencies, namely, from the towns of Alost, Grammont, Dendermonde, and Mene*, (with those of the five members of the county of Alost, containing seventy-two country towns and lordships,) of Boulers, Sotengien, Tournay, Gaures, and Rides, with those from Regnaits, and the regalles of Flanders, situated between Grammont and Tournay. These troops remained in the market-place, where they had been mustered, from eight o'clock in the morning unti! noon, when they marched out of the town, taking the road to Calais. The duke accompanied them as far as the open country, where he took leave of them, and went to Bruges, to hasten their contingent of men.

The weather was so exceedingly oppressive that two of the Ghent captains died of the heat. They were named Jean des Degrez, deacon of the watermen, and Gautier de WaseReman, captain of Westmonstre, with several others of low degree. The commander-inchief of this division of the Flemish army was the lord de Comines; of that of Bruges, the lord de Fienhuse; of those from Courtray, sir Girard de Guistelles; of those from the Franc, the lord de Merque; of those from Ypres, Jean de Comines. The first night, they halted at Deijnse and Peteghem, which are not far distant from Ghent, and remained there on the morrow to wait for their baggage and stores. On the ensuing Monday they departed, and continued their march until they came to the town of Armentieres, when they quartered themselves in the meadows without the town, with those from Courtray and Oudenarde, who were within the castlewick of Ghent, and had joined them on the march. The lord d'Antcing was their leader and commander-in-chief, as being hereditary viscount of all Flanders.

When they remained at Armentieres, twenty-one of their men were arrested, and hung on trees in front of head-quarters, for having robbed some peasants. The Ghent division then advanced to Hazebrouch, in the country of Alleu, where they destroyed the mill of d'Hazebourch, because he had, as they said, led on the Flemings ungallantly when they were lately defeated by the English near to Gravelines; but he excused himself by declaring, they would not attend to his advice, nor obey his orders. Thence they advanced to Drinchaut +, where they were met by their prince, the duke of Burgundy, and the count de Richemont, constable of France, who had come thither to wait on the duke. Both of them † Drinchaut,—a village near Dunkirk,

Mene. Q. Mechlin, or Menin ?