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and from twelve to sixteen others, mostly gentlemen. Hautecloque, and a few more, were killed.

Thevenin de Thenequestes, Jean de

While the affray was going on, John de Brimeu and his companions recovered their courage, and began to assemble in different parts where they heard their war-cries; and having introduced a valiant man-at-arms, called Guillaume de Beauval, he collected a body of men and attacked the enemy, who were more intent on pillaging than on keeping good order, and drove them out of the town, with the loss of eight or ten of their men. The lord de Saveuses, then in Paris, hearing of this attack, assembled in haste as many men as he could, and galloped off to succour his friends at St. Denis: but before his arrival the French were gone, and had retreated toward Senlis and others of their garrisons, carrying with them many horses from those in St. Denis.

At this same time, the English besieged the lord de Rambays in his castle of Estrepaigny, the inheritance of the count de Tancarville,―and remained so long battering it with their engines that the lord de Rambays, hopeless of succour, treated with the English for its surrender, on condition that he and his men should depart in safety with their baggage.

CHAPTER LXXVI.—THE ENGLISH MAKE MANY CONQUESTS.

In this year the duke of Bedford had the castle of Torcy besieged, which was the best built and strongest in all that part of the country. The command of the besieging army was given to the bastard of Clarence, who by his cannon and other engines, which he kept continually playing against it, greatly damaged the walls. At the end of six months, the besieged seeing no hope of relief, and finding that their provision began to fail, entered into a treaty with the bastard of Clarence for their surrender, on condition that some of the principal inhabitants might depart whither they pleased with their effects; and that from ten to twelve others, who had formerly been of the English party, but who had even aided the French to win the castle, should remain at their pleasure. These were very cruelly put to death, and the castle was then demolished and razed to the ground.

In the month of January of this year, sir Thomas Kiriel, an Englishman, with four hundred combatants, most part of whom were his countrymen, marched from Gournay in Normandy, where they had been in garrison, passing by Beauvais toward Beauvoisis and the county of Clermont. He committed much mischief in those parts, seized many cattle, especially horses, and made several prisoners. He advanced even to the suburbs of Clermont, and then set out on his return to his garrison. The count de Clermont was then at Beauvais, and hearing of this enterprise of sir Thomas, quickly collected from all the neighbouring garrisons attached to king Charles eight hundred or more combatants. To these were added a multitude of peasants, as well from Beauvais as from the adjacent parts,—and all of them hastened to meet and fight the English. Sir Thomas had heard from his scouts of their

coming, and had drawn up his men in battle-array, about a league off Beauvais, to wait for them. They were on foot, having a wood on their rear, and sharp stakes in front to prevent the horse from charging without great danger to themselves. The French, nevertheless, began the attack, and very severe it was on both sides, but, as they were on horseback, were soon repulsed by the arrows of the archers, and thrown into confusion: the English then, seizing their opportunity, rushed on them with such courage that the enemy were defeated, very many being slain, and upwards of a hundred of these peasants made prisoners. They gained the field of battle,-for the horsemen had retreated, very melancholy at their loss, to Beauvais. Sir Thomas, rejoiced at his victory, carried his prisoners and plunder safe to his garrison of Gournay.

The earl of Suffolk, about this time, laid siege to the castle of Aumale, of which the lord de Rambures was governor, having under him six-score combatants. The castle was surrounded on all sides; and at the end of twenty-four days it was constrained to surrender, on condition that the lord de Rambures and his men should have their lives spared, with the exception of about thirty who were hanged, because they had formerly taken oaths of

fidelity to the English, and had been of their party. Soon afterward the lord de Rambures was carried to England, where he remained prisoner five or six years before he could obtain his liberty. The castle was revictualled and regarrisoned. Thus did the English regain, this year, many strong places which the French had won, with scarcely any loss of men.

CHAPTER LXXVII.—THE Duke of BurGUNDY MARRIES, FOR THE THIRD TIME, THE LADY ISABELLA, DAUGHTER TO THE KING OF PORTUGAL.

On the 9th day of January, in this year, was solemnised in the city of Bruges, in a house that had been expressly prepared for that purpose, the marriage of Philip duke of Burgundy with the lady Isabella, daughter to the king of Portugal. The feast was very grand and magnificent; all the principal streets of the town were hung with rich cloths and the finest tapestry; and there were present at it his two sisters, the duchess of Bedford and duchess of Cleves, the countess of Namur, the countess of Lielse, the countess of Conversan, sir John de Luxembourg, the lady of Beaurevoir, the bishop of Liege, and many other great lords and ladies. These personages displayed the richest dresses; themselves, their attendants, and horses, being each day clothed in different liveries, more especially the bishop of Liege, John bastard de St. Pol, sir John d'Hornes, and others. When the duchess landed (for she had been brought by sea by one of her brothers, together with the ambassadors from the duke of Burgundy, the principal of whom were, the lord de Roubais and master Gilles d'Escornay provost of Harlebecque,) near to Bruges, the burghers in great pomp went out to meet her. They had with them one hundred and sixty-four trumpets, which sounded very melodiously.

With regard to the various entertainments, which were continued for about eight days, it would take too much time to detail them. Suffice it to say, that there was the greatest profusion of meats and wines, and representations of unicorns and other beasts, from which flowed rose-water, wines, and different liquors, for the entertainment of the guests at this feast. The duke had never made such a display of magnificence at any of his former marriages,— and this was the third. There were tiltings, and various amusements, for many days, between knights and esquires of name and renown; and this feast must have cost the duke immense sums of money.

CHAPTER LXXVIII.—ESTIENNE DE VIGNOLLES, SURNAMED LA HIRE, SURPRISES AND TAKES THE TOWN OF LOUVIERS, IN NORMANDY.

IN these days Estienne de Vignolles, surnamed La Hire, took the town of Louviers, in Normandy, by surprise, having entered it with scaling-ladders. He had with him from five to six hundred men, who found therein such plenty that they were greatly enriched. On their entrance about thirty townsmen, English, and others, were killed. After the capture the majority of the inhabitants took the oaths of allegiance, to whom La Hire restored their houses and the greater part of their effects; the rest saved themselves as well as they could, leaving their wealth behind them. La Hire and his companions soon made a severe warfare on the dirtricts around, and at times even advanced as far as Rouen. The poor people were much harassed by them, to the great vexation of the English, for at the time they could not assist them by reason of the more weighty matters they had on hand.

CHAPTER LXXIX.-THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY INSTITUTES, THIS YEAR, THE ORDER OF THI GOLDEN FLEECE.

In this year the duke of Burgundy established, in honour of God and St. Andrew, whose cross he bore in his arms, an order or fraternity of twenty-four knights without reproach, and gentlemen from four generations, to each of whom he gave a collar of gold handsomely

wrought with his device, namely, "Du Fusil,"-to each of which, collars were suspended in front, like as great ladies wear crosses, clasps, or diamonds,-and in the centre thereof was a golden fleece, similar to what Jason conquered in old times, as is written in the history of Troy, and which no Christian prince had ever before made use of. The duke, therefore, called this order, "The Order of the Golden Fleece."

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He, in conjunction with his council, selected twenty-four knights to be of this order: the names of some of them follow-First, the duke, the founder, then William de Vienne lord de St. George, sir Regnier Pot lord de la Roche, the lord de Roubaise, the lord de Montagu, sir Roland de Huquerque, sir Anthony du Vergy count de Dammartin, sir David de Brimeu lord de Ligny, sir Hugh de Launoy lord de Santes, sir John lord de Commines, sir Anthony de Toulongeon marshal of Burgundy, sir Petro de Luxembourg count de Conversan, sir John de la Trimouille lord de Jonvelles, sir John de Luxembourg lord de Beaurevoir, sir Gillebert de Launoy lord de Villerval, sir John de Villiers lord de l'Isle-Adam, sir Anthony lord de Croy and de Renty, sir Florimont de Brimeu lord de Massincourt, sir Robert lord de Mamines, sir James de Brimeu lord de Grigny, sir Baudouin de Launoy lord de Moulembais, sir Peter de Bauffremont lord de Chargny, sir Philip lord de Ternant, sir John de Crequi, sir John de Croy lord de Tours sur Marne.

These knights and their successors were, on receiving the order, to enter into and sign solemn statutes and engagements for its preservation, and the maintaining it in due splendour, which shall be hereafter more fully detailed when the order shall have had its full number of knights,-for, after the first institution of it, many others were added to those above named. The heirs of any knight were bounden, on his decease, to deliver up the collar of the order to the duke of Burgundy, for him to give it to another knight.

CHAPTER LXXX.-THE LORD DE CREVECOEUR AND SIR ROBERT DE SAVEUSES ARE ATTACKED BY THE FRENCH ON THEIR MARCH TO CLERMONT IN THE BEAUVOISIS.

In the month of February of this year, the lord de Crevecoeur, governor of Clermont in Beauvoisis, set out from Amiens to go thither, accompanied by sir Robert de Saveuses and about eight score combatants, as an escort to carts and cars laden with provision for Lent. and other matters. Having passed St. Just, near to St. Remy en l'Aire, they were watched

by the French, who knew of their coming, and instantly attacked. The leaders of the French were sir Theolde Valperghue, sir Regnault de Fontaines, sir Louis de Vaucourt, and others, having a much superior force to the enemy. Notwithstanding this, the lords de Crevecoeur and Saveuses dismounted with their men, the greater part of whom were archers, and defended themselves valiantly for the space of four hours or more, during which many men and horses were killed and severely wounded on both sides. At length, the French, seeing their loss, and that they could not conquer the enemy, returned to their garrisons, and the lord de Crevecoeur and sir Robert de Saveuses continued their march to Clermont, where they remained until the ensuing year, waiting for the coming of the duke of Burgundy.

CHAPTER LXXXI.—FIVE FRENCHMEN COMBAT FIVE BURGUNDIANS AT ARRAS,—AND OTHER

MATTERS.

On the 20th of February, in this same year, a combat took place in the great marketplace at Arras, in the presence of the duke of Burgundy, as judge of the field, between five Frenchmen, of the party of king Charles, and five Burgundians, who had challenged each other to break a certain number of lances. The French knights were sir Theolde de Valperghue, Poton de Saintrailles, sir Philip d'Abrecy, sir William de Bes, and l'Estandart de Nully: the Burgundians were sir Simon de Lalain, the lord de Chargny, sir John de Vaulde, sir Nicolle de Menton, and Philibert de Menton.

This tournament lasted five days; and a large spot was enclosed for the purpose, covered with sand, and the lists constructed with wood, with a division so that the horses of the two knights could not run against each other. The first day, sir Simon de Lalain and sir Theolde de Valperghue performed gallantly against each other; but toward the end sir Theolde and his horse were struck to the ground. In like manner were the ensuing days employed, and very many lances were broken. The lord de Chargny, however, at the thirteenth course against sir Philibert d'Abrecy, struck off the vizor of his helmet, and drove the lance into his face, so that he was instantly carried to his lodgings in the utmost danger. On the last day, sir l'Estandart de Nully was hit exactly in the same manner, by the same Philibert de Menton, and, like the other, was conducted to his lodgings in such great pain, that he could with difficulty sit his horse: he had behaved with much gallantry, and had broken several lances against his adversary.

The French were served with lances by an expert and active man-at-arms called Alardin de Mousay, and most of the Burgundians by sir John de Luxembourg. Each day the duke came to the seat prepared for him, grandly attended by his chivalry, and nobly dressed. When this tournament was over, and the French had been well entertained, and presented with handsome gifts by the duke, they departed from the town of Arras for Compiègne, very disconsolate that they had been so unsuccessful. They left the two wounded knights behind, to be attended by the duke's surgeons, who in the end cured them.

In these days the French on the borders of Beauvoisis, on the river Oise, made daily excursions against those of the Burgundy party, who returned the compliment, although a truce had been sworn to last until the ensuing Easter; and these continual excursions caused the villages and country to be nearly deserted. Duke Philip of Burgundy summoned a large body of men-at-arms to meet him at Peronne, where he and his duchess solemnised the feast of Easter. This done, he marched them to Mondidier, where he remained some days. During these tribulations, the town and castle of Melun surrendered to king Charles. It had been given in charge to the lord de Humieres, who had appointed some of his brothers to defend it, with a certain number of men-at-arms; but the inhabitants rose against them, and drove them out of the town. King Charles and his party were much rejoiced at this event, because they could, by means of its bridge, cross the Seine when they pleased; and it was, beside, the strongest place in all that part of the country.

CHAPTER LXXXII.-THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY QUARTERS HIS ARMY AT GOURNAY-SUR-ARONDE. [A. D. 1430.]

AT the commencement of this year, the duke of Burgundy marched his army from Mondidier, and fixed his quarters at Gournay-sur-Aronde, in front of the castle, which belonged to Charles de Bourbon count de Clermont, his brother-in-law. He summoned Tristan de Maguillers, the governor, to surrender, or he would storm it. Tristan, seeing he could no way hold out against the duke's forces, concluded a treaty, by which he engaged to yield it up on the first day of next August, if he was not before relieved by king Charles or his party he also promised, that neither he himself nor his garrison would, during that time, make war on any of the duke's partisans,—and by this means Tristan remained in peace. This compromise had been hastily concluded, because the duke and sir John de Luxembourg had received intelligence to be depended upon, that the damoiseau de Commercy, Yvon du Puys, and other captains, with a very large force, had besieged the castle of Montagu. Commercy, to whom this castle belonged, had marched thither secretly a great number of combatants, with bombards, veuglaires, and other warlike engines, intending, by an unexpected and sharp assault, to recover the place; but it was well defended by those whom sir John de Luxembourg had placed therein. The principal leaders of the garrison were two notable men-at-arms, one of whom was an Englishman, and the other Georges de la Croix. They were frequently summoned to surrender, but would not listen to the summons, for they had not a doubt but that they should be very shortly succoured. At length the besiegers, having learnt that the duke of Burgundy was marching against them, and that they must stand the chance of a battle, were panic-struck, and so great was their fear, that they marched away about midnight for their own garrisons, leaving their cannon, bombards, and all their stores behind. Information of this was instantly dispatched to the duke and sir John de Luxembourg, who made all diligence to attack them, and the duke marched his whole army to Noyon.

In these days sir John de Luxumbourg advanced against Beauvais, and on the countries of the enemy, particularly against sir Louis de Vaucourt and his men, who had remained there for a considerable time during the winter, and set fire to a castle which they had repaired. The enemy retired within the town of Beauvais ; and sir John encamped before the castle of Prouveulieu, which some Englishmen had refortified, and, by their excursions from thence, frequently oppressed the town of Mondidier, and the territories of the duke of Burgundy. They were soon forced to submit to sir John, who had the greater part executed and the rest sent to different prisons: having done this, he returned to the duke of Burgundy at Noyon.

CHAPTER LXXXIII.-THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY LAYS. SIEGE TO THE CASTLE OF
CHOISY, WHICH HE CONQUERS IN A FEW DAYS.

WHEN the duke of Burgundy had remained for about eight days in Noyon, he departed, to lay siege to the castle of Choisy sur Oise, in which was Louis de Flavy, holding it for sir William de Flavy. The duke's engines did so much mischief to the walls of the castle that the garrison capitulated, on being allowed to march away with their baggage in safety. soon as they had quitted the castle, it was demolished and razed to the ground. The duke built a bridge over the Oise, to enable himself and his army to cross toward Compiègne on the side of Mondidier. During this time the lord de Saveuses and John de Brimeu had been appointed to guard the suburbs of Noyon, with their men, and those of the lord Montgomery and of other English captains quartered at Pont l'Evêque, to prevent the garrison of Compiègne from cutting off the supplies from the duke's army.

It happened on a certain day, that those in Compiègne, namely, Joan the Maid, sir James de Chabannes, sir Theolde de Valperghue, sir Regnault de Fontaines, Poton de Saintrailles, and others of the French captains, accompanied by about two thousand combatants, came to Pont l'Evêque between day-break and sun-rise, and attacked the quarters of the English

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