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CHAPTER CCIX.-THE KING OF ENGLAND HAS THE FORTRESSES OF CHASTEAU-GAILLARD AND OF LA ROCHE-GUYON BESIEGED.-THEY ARE CONQUERED.-OTHER MATTERS.

THE king of England, about this time, ordered the castles of Château Gaillard and of La Roche-Guyon to be besieged, which are the two strongest places in Normandy, and were garrisoned by the party of the dauphin. At the end of two months, La Roche-Guyon surrendered, with the consent of the lady who was within it, to king Henry, who immediately gave it to sir Guy Bouteiller, and was desirous of giving him also the lady in marriage; but she would not consent, and marched away from that country with all her men.

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Château-Gaillard held out for the king of France sixteen months, and then surrendered in consequence of the cords being worn out with which they drew up their water. Sir Olivier de Manny was governor, having with him six score gentlemen at the utmost; and the siege was carried on by the earls of Huntingdon and Kyme. While these things were passing, many of the Dauphinois and Burgundians had frequent intercourse with each other since the peace, hoping that it would last for ever, and often assembled in parties to attempt to drive the English, the ancient enemies of France, from their conquests; but dame Fortune provided in such wise that, within a very few days, a more rancorous hatred arose between them than ever, as shall be fully related hereafter.

CHAPTER CCX. THE DAUPHIN COMES TO MONTEREAU-FAUT-YONNE WITH A POWERFUL ARMY, AND SUMMONS THITHER THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, WHO IS CRUELLY MURDERED. WHEN Charles duke of Touraine and dauphin had visited his duchies of Berry and Touraine, he marched to Montereau-faut-Yonne with about twenty thousand combatants, Soon after his arrival, he despatched sir Tanneguy du Châtel, with others of his confidential servants, to Troyes in Champagne, with letters written by himself to the duke of Burgundy. In them he addresses the duke most affectionately on the affairs of the realm, and concludes by desiring that he would come to him at Montereau, where they could more fully discuss what related to public affairs. The duke for some days deferred giving any answer, saying, that the dauphin ought to come to his father the king, and the queen at Troyes, and often remonstrated with Tanneguy how much more proper it would be for him to come thither to discuss all that related to the good of the realm. Sir Tanneguy, upon this, returned to the dauphin with the answer he had received; but in the end, the dauphin and his ministers resolved to remain at Montereau.

Sir Tanneguy returned to Troyes, and at length prevailed on the duke to come as far as Bray-sur-Seine, whither many messages were sent from both sides. The dauphin despatched to the duke the bishop of Valence, brother to the bishop of Langres, who was one of the duke's principal advisers: his name was Charles de Poitiers. The Bishop of Valence, on his arrival at Bray, frequently conversed with the duke, and admonished him to wait on the dauphin, saying, that he need not have any fears or suspicions of mischief happening to him. His brother supported him in these remonstrances, adding, that he might loyally go, and that he would act unwisely if he refused so to do. This bishop, however, was perfectly ignorant of what happened afterward, and gave his advice with the most upright intentions. At length, in consequence of these remonstrances, and the assurances of sir Tanneguy du Châtel, the duke ordered preparations to be made for his departure, and set out from Bray to wait on the dauphin, attended by the bishop of Langres and his council, on Sunday the 10th day of September 1419. He was escorted by about five hundred men-at-arms and two hundred archers, under the command of sir Charles de Lens admiral of France, and James de la Baûme* master of the cross-bows. There were many lords in his company, such as Charles eldest son to the duke of Bourbon, the lord de Nouaille brother to the count de Foix, John son to the count de Fribourg, the lord de St. George, sir Anthony du Vergy †, the lord de Joinville, the lord d'Ancret, the lord de Montagu, sir Guy de Pontailler, and many more. They rode joyously on until they came near to Montereau, about three o'clock in the afternoon, when three of the duke's dependants came thence to meet him, sir Anthony de Toulongeon, Jean d'Ermay and Saubretier. They told him they were come from the town, and had noticed on the bridge, where the conferences were to be held, several new barriers erected much to the advantage of the dauphin's party, and advised him to take care of himself, for if he should enter within them he would be in danger from the dauphin.

The duke, on hearing this, called a council on horseback to know what were best to be done. The opinions were divided, for many suspected what might happen, and the reports they had just heard confirmed them in their fears: others, who imagined no evil, advised the duke to proceed and wait on the dauphin, saying, they could never suppose that a prince, son to the king of France, and successor to his crown, would harbour any thoughts but such as became his rank. The duke, hearing such diversity of opinions, declared aloud, that he would proceed and wait whatever it might please God to ordain, adding, that he would never suffer his courage to be any way doubted, and that the peace and reformation of the kingdom and government might by his failure be delayed; for he well knew that if any quarrel or dissention should arise between them, the fault would be all thrown on him. He continued his march, and dismounted at the gate of the castle of Montereau, which Q. if not Autray? John du Vergy, lord of Autray, was certainly present at this conference.

Jacques de la Baûme Montreval was grand-master of the cross-bows from 1418 to 1421.

† Anthony du Vergy, lord of Dammartin.

leads to the open fields; for this castle had been, by orders of the dauphin's ministers, appointed for the lodgings of himself and his men, that he might not have any suspicions of mischief being intended. All the principal lords dismounted with him; and two hundred men-at-arms and one hundred archers were selected as his guard. The lady of Giac* accompanied him, who, as has been said before, had made some journeys to the dauphin on matters between the duke and him: she had chiefly persuaded the duke to come to Montereau, remonstrating that there could not be any fear of treasonable practices against him. The duke was very much attached to this lady, and put full confidence in all she said. He gave her in charge, with part of his jewels, to Philip Josquin, as to the most faithful of his servants.

As soon as he was within the castle, he ordered Jacques de la Baûme to post all his menat-arms at the entrance of the gate leading to the town, for the better security of his person, and also to preserve the articles of the convention. In the mean time sir Tanneguy du Châtel came to him to say that the dauphin was ready and waiting for him. He replied, that he was going to him; and then calling to those who were to attend him, forbade all others to follow excepting such as had been so ordered. The duke was accompanied by ten persons, namely, Charles de Bourbon, the lord de Nouaille, John de Fribourg, the lord de St. George, the lord de Montagu, sir Anthony du Vergy, the lord d'Ancre, sir Guy de Pontailler, sir Charles de Lens, sir Peter de Giac, and a secretary, named Pierre Seguinat. In company with the above, he advanced to the front of the first barrier on the bridge, when many of the dauphin's people came to meet him, and again renewed the promises and oaths that had been taken before: they said, "Come to my lord: he is waiting for you on the bridge ;" and then they returned toward the dauphin.

The duke demanded from his companions if they thought he might in safety advance to the dauphin, on the securities offered him. They, having upright intentions, answered, that certainly he might proceed with safety, considering the promises and assurances given by so many noble persons on each side, adding, that they were willing to run the same risk as he should. On this answer, he advanced, ordering some of his attendants to keep close behind him, and entered the first barrier, where he found others of the dauphin's men, who again said, "Hasten to my lord, for he is waiting for you." He replied, "I am going to him," and entered the second barrier, which was instantly closed and locked by those appointed to do it, so soon as he and his company were within it. As he advanced, he met sir Tanneguy du Châtel, and, from affection, slapped him on the shoulder, saying to the lord de St. George, "This is he in whom I trust." He then passed on until he approached the dauphin, who was completely armed and girt with his sword, and leaning on one of the barriers when near, to pay him greater honour, the duke dropped on one knee, and most respectfully saluted him. The dauphin, however, made no return, nor showed him the least sign of affection, but reproached him for not having kept his promise of discontinuing the war, and for not disbanding his forces from different garrisons, according to his engagements. At the same time, sir Robert de Loire, taking him by the right arm, said, "Rise, for you are too great a man thus to bend." The duke, as has been said, was on his knee; and his sword having turned too much behind him as he knelt down, he put his hand to replace it properly, when sir Robert cried out, "What! do you put your hand on your sword in the presence of my lord the dauphin!!!"

During these words, sir Tanneguy du Châtel approached him on the opposite side, and making a signal, saying, "It is now time," struck the duke with a small battle-axe he had in his hand so roughly on the face that he felled him on his knees, and cut off part of his chin. The duke, on this, put his hand to his sword to draw it, and attempted to rise to defend himself; but at the instant, Tanneguy with others repeated their blows, and laid him dead. While he was on the ground, Olivier Layet, assisted by Pierre Frotier, thrust a sword under the haubergeon into his belly. The lord de Nouaille, seeing this, drew his sword half out, to defend the duke; but the viscount de Narbonne held a dagger in his

This lady of Giac was the favourite mistress of the duke of Burgundy; and her treason, which Monstrelet hints is expressly charged by the historians of Burgundy,

who give her the name of Dalilah. At the siege of Montereau she was punished by the loss of all her property, and reduced to the extreme of poverty.

hand ready to strike him. The lord de Nouaille now turned toward him, and vigorously wrested the dagger out of his hand : however, while he was thus engaged he received a blow from a battle-axe on the back part of his head, which put an end to the scuffle and his life.

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BRIDGE OF MONTEREAU, WITH THE MURDER OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.-From an original drawing.

While these things were passing, the dauphin leaned on the barrier, looking on, but soon drew back, as one much frightened, when he was immediately conducted to his lodgings by Jean Louvet, president of Provence, and others his counsellors. On the other hand, Jean de Fribourg drew his sword, but was soon forced to drop it by dint of blows. In short, the whole of the ten, with the secretary who had accompanied the duke of Burgundy, were without delay made prisoners, excepting the lord de Nouaille, who was killed, and the lord de Montagu, who escaped over the barriers to the castle. The lord de St. George was wounded in the side by the point of a battle-axe, and the lord d'Ancre by a cut on the hand. The lord de Montagu, when clear of the barriers, loudly cried out, "To arms!" upon which sir Anthony de Toulongeon, sir Symon Othelimer, Saubertier, and John Demay, with some others, hastened to the barriers, and began to skirmish with their lances with those within them. In this conflict sir Symon was wounded in the head; for their opponents, and the rest within the town, began to shoot lustily at them with cross-bows: finding, therefore, they could not gain entrance to the barriers, they retreated to the castle.

Thus was the duke of Burgundy cruelly murdered, trusting to the promises and securities of the duke de Touraine, dauphin of Vienne, and his ministers. The act and the manner of perpetrating it were most horrible; and the hearts of noble and worthy men, natives of France, must suffer the greatest shame and grief thus to witness the noble blood of the flower de luces, and princes so nearly allied destroy each other; and the kingdom, by these and other acts done prior to this, put to the infinite risk of changing its sovereign, and all things thrown into confusion and peril. The principal actors in this conspiracy against the duke of Burgundy were Jean Louvet, president of Provence, the viscount de Narbonne, sir

Guillaume Batiller, sir Tanneguy du Châtel, sir François de Grimaulx, sir Robert de Loire, Pierre Frotier, Olivier Layet, sir Ponchon de Namac, seneschal of Auvergne, and several more. They had for a considerable time before confederated, and sworn to bring the matter to the conclusion they had just accomplished; and, as I have been informed, they intended to have put their plan in execution at the moment of the meeting of these two princes at Pouilly le Fort, when peace was made between them, but were then forced to abandon it because the duke was too powerful in arms, and because the armies of each were drawn up so near that great mischiefs must have ensued.

The lord de Joinville and the others in the castle of Montereau, to whom the duke had confided the guard, were greatly alarmed, and not without cause, when they noticed the conduct that was observed toward their lord, whose real situation they were as yet ignorant of, and those who had accompanied him. They were likewise very uneasy as to themselves, for they were unprovided with any stores of provision or of ammunition excepting what they had brought with them, which were not in any great quantities; and before their arrival, the castle had been dismantled of artillery, and every other store carried away. They held many consultations whether they should depart or not, but at length determined to remain where they were until they should receive more certain intelligence respecting their lord than they had hitherto had. Notwithstanding the lords de Joinville and de Montagu most earnestly and often begged of the duke's men to stay with them in the castle, they would not listen to their words, but set off in haste, and in a most disorderly manner gallopped away for Bray-sur-Seine, whence they had come that morning. However, a large body of the dauphin's army pursued them, and killed and wounded great numbers without any resistance. The lords de Joinville and de Montagu remained, as I have said, in the castle, and with them sir Robert de Marigny, sir Philip de Servoiles, sir John de Murat, the lord de Rosmat, John d'Ermay, John de Caumaisnil, Sabertier, Philip de Montant, Regnault de Chevilly, Regnault de Rethel, Guillaume de Biere, the lady of Giac and her woman, Philip Josquin, with about twenty varlets and pages of the household of the late duke of Burgundy.

CHAPTER CCXI.-THE CONDUCT OF THE DAUPHIN, AND OF THOSE WITH HIM, AFTER THE DEATH OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.-HE SENDS LETTERS TO DIFFERENT TOWNS.

WHEN the duke of Burgundy had been thus cruelly murdered, the dauphin's people stripped him of his tabard, his coat of mail, his rings, and of everything except his doublet and drawers; and in this state he remained on the ground until midnight, when he was carried on a table to a mill near the bridge, and, on the morrow morning, was interred in front of the altar of St. Louis, in the church of Our Lady at Montereau, in his doublet and drawers, with his bonnet drawn over his face, and twelve masses were hastily said for him. At this moment there were several noble persons with the dauphin, who had been kept in ignorance of the plot against the duke, many of whom were highly displeased at what had happened, considering the great evils that would probably result from it, as well to the kingdom in general as to the person of their lord the dauphin. In this number were John de Harcourt, count d'Aumale, and the lord de Barbasan. The last loudly reproached those who had contrived this murder, saying, that they had ruined their master in honour and reputation; and that he had rather have been dead than present at that day, although perfectly ignorant of what was intended to be done. The dauphin, however, on his return to his lodgings after the murder, ordered, by the advice of his ministers, two hundred menat-arms to march to the castle and demand its surrender. On their arrival, admittance was denied them, for those within had posted a party over the drawbridge, and another party in the tower facing the suburbs of the town, where they remained the whole of the night. The detachment from the dauphin walled up the gate leading to the town, and continued inactive until the ensuing morning, when they opened a battery of cannons against one of the gates, and, shortly after, some four or five knights went from the dauphin to signify that the castle must be surrendered, otherwise they would win it by storm, and those that should then be found therein would have their heads cut off.

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