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had been deprived of the duchy of Brittany, as has been elsewhere fully related. A great mortality took place throughout almost all France, as well in large towns as in the country; and there prevailed also great divisions between the nobles and gentlemen against each other, so that neither God, his church, nor justice, were obeyed or feared, and the poor people were grievously oppressed in various ways.

CHAPTER CXLVII.-WILLIAM DE CORAM PUTS TO FLIGHT JOHN BEAURAIN.-SIR

LUXEMBOURG RE-CONQUERS THE ASTLE OF HAPHINCOURT.

JOHN DE

ABOUT this period, William de Coram, an Englishman, in company with Villemer de Hainault, and some others of sir John de Luxembourg's captains, with three or four hundred combatants, overthrew and plundred near to Ivoy, between the Ardennes and Champagne, from five to six hundred men, whom John de Beaurain, and divers captains, had assembled in hopes of conquering them. John de Beaurain, however, and others, saved themselves by the fleetness of their horses.

In the month of September, the castle of Haphincourt, seated on the river Somme, two leagues distant from Peronne, was taken by a partisan of king Charles, called Martin le Lombard, and his accomplices. Within the castle was sir Pierre de Beausault*, a noble and ancient knight, with his lady, the mother to sir Karados de Quesnes.

The whole of the country of Vermandois was much alarmed at this conquest, for the inhabitants feared it would open an easy entrance for the enemy into those parts. They, however, lost no time in sending notice of it to sir John de Luxembourg, who, in a few days, assembled eight hundred Picards, and marched them, in company with his nephew the young count de St. Pol, sir Simon de Lalain, the lord de Saveuses, and other noble captains, to the castle of Haphincourt, and had his artillery instantly pointed against the walls. His attacks were so severe on the garrison that they were forced to surrender at discretion, when some were hanged and others strangled. As for Martin, Jacotin, and Clamas, they obtained their liberty on paying a heavy ransom. The castle was delivered into the hands of Jean de Haphincourt, and the knight and lady sent away. After this exploit, sir John de Luxembourg returned with his nephew, and the other captains, to the places whence they had

come.

CHAPTER CXLVIII.-THE COUNTS DE LIGNY AND DE ST. POL KEEP THE APPOINTED DAY AT VILLIERS LE CARBONEL, AND AFTERWARD DEFEAT THE FRENCH FROM THE GARRISON OF LAON.

On the 15th day of October, the young count de St. Pol, sir John de Luxembourg, count de Ligny, with from four to five thousand combatants, whom they had summoned from Picardy and Hainault, under the command of sir William de Lalain, sir Simon his brother, the lord de Mailly, sir Colart de Mailly his brother, the lord de Saveuses, Valleran de Moruel, Guy de Roye, and others expert in arms, marched to keep the appointment at Villiers le Carbonel, according to the capitulation signed at the castle of Monchas in Normandy. They were also joined by twelve hundred English, under the orders of the lord Willoughby and sir Thomas Kiriel.

Neither sir Regnault de Fontaines, governor of Monchas, nor any others on the part of king Charles, made their appearance at Villiers le Carbonel; and thus their hostages were left in very great danger. The two counts, however, remained all that day in battle array on the plain, and toward evening quartered themselves and their men in the adjoining villages, seeing there was not a probability of an enemy showing himself. On the morrow, they returned, by a short march, to the place whence they had come.

His brother, John de l'Aigle, was restored to Penthièvre soon after, and died 1454. Charles, the third brother, succeeded, whose only daughter and heir, Nicole de Blois, marrying Jean de Brosse, the county of Penthièvre passed into that family.

* Peter de Montmorency, lord of Plessis Cacheleu, son of John II., lord of Beausault, and uncle of Anthony, who was slain at Verneuil, and of John, in whom the direct line of this younger branch ended in 1427.

Within a few days after this, when the two counts were at Guise, news was brought them, that the lord de Penesach, governor of Laon, had made an excursion, with four or five hundred combatants from different garrisons into the country of Marle, and had nearly taken Vervins, the hereditary inheritance of Joan de Bar, sir John's daughter-in-law, and had set fire to the suburbs of Marle. Sir John was much troubled on receiving this intelligence, and instantly mounted his horse, together with the count de St. Pol, sir Simon de Lalain, and those of his household. He sent in haste for reinforcements from all his garrisons that were near, and sir Simon ordered his men, who were quartered in a village hard by, to follow without delay; so that he had very soon upwards of three hundred fighting men, whom he boldly marched to meet the enemy.

He overtook them on their retreat at Disy, not far from Laon; and although they were very superior in numbers, he no sooner saw them, than without waiting for the whole of his men to come up, he most gallantly charged them, and did wonders by his personal courage. The French took to flight even under the eyes of their commander, excepting a few, who were defeated, and the most part put to death, to the number of eight score. The principals were, Gaillart de Lille, Anthony de Bellegarde, de Mony, le borgne de Vy, Henry Quenof from Brabant, and others, to the number aforestated. From sixty to eighty were made prisoners, the greater part of whom were on the morrow hanged; among them was one named Rousselet, provost of Laon. A gentleman of arms, called L'Archenciel, was taken in the engagement, but given up to sir Simon de Lalain, whose life he had formerly saved at St. Vincent, as has been related.

In return, sir Simon was desirous of saving his; but he could not succeed, for sir John de Luxembourg caused him to be put to death, which angered greatly sir Simon; but he could not remedy himself. The French were pursued as far as Laon, and many killed and taken. On this day the young count de St. Pol was entered a warrior,-for his uncle made him slay several, in which he took much delight. After the defeat, they all returned to Guise in high spirits on account of their happy success.

CHAPTER CXLIX.

LA HIRE AND OTHER FRENCH CAPTAINS OVERRUN ARTOIS AND

CAMBRESIS.

IN the month of September of this year, La Hire, with others of king Charles's captains, such as Anthony de Chabannes, Blanchefort, Charles de Flavy, Regnault de Longueval, and full fifteen hundred combatants, whom they had assembled in Beauvais, crossed the Somme at Cappy into Artois, and made a number of peasants prisoners, who were unsuspicious of such an inroad, and returned with them and their plunder to Beauvais, where they were all quartered. They also made great seizures of men and cattle in the Cambresis, by whose ransoms they acquired large sums of money.

They again took the field, but after some little time they divided; and Anthony de Chabannes, with Blanchefort and their men, went toward Cambray, and, passing by it, they took the straight road to Haspres, as a free fair had been held the preceding day at the town of Ivoy; and because the townsmen would not compound according to their pleasure, they burnt most part of the town and the church. They then advanced to Haspres, which was full of people and merchandise, and entered it by surprise. They made many prisoners; but several retired with some monks into a strong tower, which was long attacked in vain by the French. In revenge for not being able to gain it, they plundered all they could lay hands on in the town, and then set it on fire, by which several houses were destroyed, with the church and abbey of St. Akaire. They also committed other enormous mischiefs.

Having packed up their plunder, they departed, and, traversing the Cambresis, took many prisoners, and burnt numbers of houses, and went to lodge at Mont St. Martin*, where La Hire was waiting for them. On this same day, La Hire had set fire to the town of Beaurevoir, the mill, and a very handsome country-seat called La Mothe, situated near to

Mont St. Martin. Q. If not Thun-St.-Martin?

the town, and belonging to the countess de Ligny. Many detachments scoured the country, committing numberless mischiefs without opposition; for sir John de Luxembourg was absent with his nephew the young count de St. Pol, on business relative to matters that had happened in consequence of the death of sir Peter de Luxembourg, his father.

the cause why the French met with no resistance on this expedition, wherever they went. From Mont St. Martin they took the road toward Laon, carrying with them multitudes of prisoners, and great herds of cattle. They halted at Cressy-sur-Serre, and thence, without any loss, returned to Laon, where they divided their spoils, and went to the different garrisons whence they had come.

About this period the lords de Croy and de Humieres returned, with about two thousand horse, from Burgundy, where they had been for a considerable time under duke Philip, assisting him in his various conquests from the French.

The duchess of Burgundy was delivered of a son at Dijon, who was knighted at the font: his godfathers were Charles count de Nevers, who gave him his own name, and the lord de Croy. He was also made a knight of the order of the Golden Fleece, and in addition the duke his father gave him the county of Charolois.

CHAPTER CL.-THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY HOLDS THE ANNIVERSARY FEAST OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE IN THE CITY OF DIJON. HE ATTENDS THE MARRIAGE OF THE DUKE OF SAVOY'S SON.

Ar this time the duke of Burgundy held the feast of the Golden Fleece in the city of Dijon; and shortly after messengers arrived from the duke of Savoy, to request that he would come to the wedding of his son the count of Geneva, about to marry the daughter of the king of Cyprus, which wedding was to be celebrated in the town of Chambery in Savoy. The duke of Burgundy complied with the request; and having arranged all his affairs about Candlemas, he left the duchess at Châlons in Burgundy, with his army in that neighbourhood, and departed for Savoy, attended by about two hundred knights and esquires.

After some days' travelling he arrived at Chambery, and was met by the duke of Savoy and the count de Geneva, who received him with every respect. On the day after his arrival, the wedding was celebrated, and the feast was most plentifully served. On the right of the great table were seated the cardinal of Cyprus, uncle to the bride, the queen of Sicily, consort to king Lewis, and daughter to the duke of Savoy, and the duke of Burgundy; in the centre was the bride, and then the duke of Bar, the count de Neverst, and the heir of Cleves. At the second table were placed the duke of Savoy, the count de Fribourg, the marquis de Fribourg, the prince of Orange, the chancellor of Savoy, with several noble men and ladies. At other tables were many knights, esquires, ladies and damsels, from various countries, all most richly dressed; and every table was abundantly and properly served according to the rank of the guests.

This feast lasted for several days, in which the company amused themselves with dancings, and in divers sports and pastimes. The duke of Burgundy, after staying three days, presented the bride with a magnificent clasp of the value of three thousand francs,—on which occasion he was heartily thanked by the duke of Savoy and his son,-and, taking leave of the company, returned to Burgundy.

* Lewis, count of Geneva, eldest son of Amadeus, duke of Savoy, married Charlotte, only daughter of John, king of Cyprus, and Helen of Montferrat.

+Charles, count of Nevers, eldest son of Philip, count

of Nevers, killed at Azincourt, was born in the year pre-
ceding his father's death, and died in 1464.
His mother
was Bona d'Artois, daughter of Philip, count of Eu.

CHAPTER CLI.-A GENERAL COUNCIL IS HELD AT BASIL.

In the course of this year, a general council was held at Basil with great pomp. The emperor of Germany, and many great lords, as well secular as ecclesiastic, from different countries, were present at the opening thereof. Their first object was to send ambassadors to endeavour to appease the quarrels between the king of France on the one hand, and the king of England and the duke of Burgundy on the other. During the sitting of this council the very agreeable intelligence was brought thither, that the men of Prague had been defeated, and from eight to ten thousand killed, by the nobles of Bohemia, assisted by six hundred men-at-arms, whom the members of the council had sent to their support.

Shortly after, two priests, the leaders of the Hussite heretics, were slain; one named Protestus du Tabouret, and the other Lupus, together with six thousand of their sect.* The rich city of Prague was conquered, and purged of heretics, as well as the greater part of the country. The Bohemians sent an embassy to the council to receive absolution, and a confirmation in the Catholic faith. The council laid a tax on the clergy of one-tenth.

Ambassadors arrived at Basil in great state, from the king of Castille and the Spaniards: these were attended by full four hundred persons, and two hundred mules. The cardinals de Santa Croce and de San Pietro were sent by the council to Philip Maria, duke of Milan, to recover the lands of the church which he had seized, but their labour was in vain.

CHAPTER CLII.-THE TOWN AND CASTLE OF PROVINS, IN BRIE, ARE WON BY THE ENGLISH AND BURGUNDIANS. THE FRENCH RECONQUER THE TOWN AND CASTLE OF SAINT VALERY.

ABOUT this time, the town and castle of Provins, in Brie, was won by scalado, from the French, by the English and Burgundians. Their principal captains on this expedition were, sir John Raillart, Mando de Lussach, Thomas Girard, governor of Montereau-faut-Yonne, Richard Huçon, and others, with about four hundred combatants. The leader of the scalers was one called Grosse-tête. The castle was gained at five o'clock in the morning, although the governor, de Gueraines, with five hundred fighting men, defended themselves most valiantly for the space of eight hours, to the great loss of the assailants, who had six-score or more killed; and in the number was a gallant English man-at-arms, called Henry de Hungerford. The town and castle were, however, conquered and pillaged, and the greater part of the French put to death. The governor, perceiving all hopes of success were vain, escaped with some others. The command of the place was afterward given to the lord de la Grange +.

In the beginning of the month of January, the partisans of king Charles regained the town and castle of St. Valery, under the command of Charlot du Marests, governor of Rambures, through the negligence of the guards. It had been intrusted to the care of Robert de Saveuses, but he was then absent; and there was such a mortality in the town, that few ventured to reside therein: the bastard de Fiennes, his lieutenant, with others, were made prisoners; and the whole country of Ponthieu was in great alarm at this event. Philip de la Tour was also a principal commander on this expedition with Charlot du Marests.

Here is a vast confusion of names, as usual, in the affairs of distant countries. Tabouret is evidently an invention of Monstrelet's, derived from Taborite, the general name by which the religions insurgents were then distinguished, from Tabor, a town in Bohemia, founded by their leader, John Zisca. Protestus, may, very probably, be a mistake for Procopius, surnamed " of the shaven crown,"

a celebrated leader and bishop among these Taborites during the reign of Sigismund, who was slain in a bloody battle near Prague. Of Lupus, I can say nothing.

John de la Grange, ancestor of the lords of Vesvre and Montigni, and of the marquises of Arquion. Marshal de Montigni, celebrated under Henry III, was fifth in descent from him.

VOL. I.

SS

CHAPTER CLIII.-THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY RETURNS FROM BURGUNDY TO FLANDERS AND ARTOIS, HAVING WITH HIM JOHN, SON TO THE COUNT DE NEVERS. OTHER MATTERS. [A. D. 1434.]

In the beginning of this year, Philip duke of Burgundy returned from Burgundy to his territories of Flanders, Artois, and other parts, escorted by about six hundred combatants. He left his duchess and young son behind him in Burgundy, and all his castles well garrisoned with men-at-arms. He carried with him John, son to the count de Nevers, his cousingerman, on his visits to the principal towns, where he sought for succours in men and money to take back with him to Burgundy.

During this time, sir John de Luxembourg, who had posted himself on the frontiers of the Laonnois, conquered the strong abbey of St. Vincent-lez-Laon from king Charles's garrison, and made prisoner a notable gentleman, called Anthony de Cramailles, whom sir John caused to be beheaded and his body quartered at Ripelmonde. At this attack on the abbey of St. Vincent, Jarnet de Pennesach and Eustache Vaude lost their lives. Sir John re-garrisoned this place, which caused great fears in the town of Laon; and to be enabled to resist any attacks from thence, they had strong reinforcements quartered among them of well tried men-at-arms. In consequence, daily skirmishes took place between them, when many of each party were killed or wounded; and on the side of sir John de Luxembourg, a valiant knight, called Colart de Forges, was slain by a shot from a bow, which passed through his leg.

CHAPTER CLIV.-JOHN DE NEVERS IS ORDERED TO LAY SIEGE TO MOREUIL. HE HAS THE COUNTY OF ESTAMPES GIVEN TO HIM.

WHEN the duke of Burgundy was returned to Picardy with John *, son to the count de Nevers, the duke gave him the county of Estampes, which title he bore for a long time after, and was likewise appointed governor of Picardy, to take on him the charge of guarding the frontiers.

He assembled men-at-arms to lay siege to the castle of Moreuil +, in possession of the French; and was joined by the lord d'Antoing, sir John de Croy, the vidame of Amiens ‡, Valeran de Moreuil, the lord de Humieres, the lord de Saveuses, the lord de Neufville, sir Baudo de Noyelle, governor of Peronne, and the governors of Mondidier and Roye. His force consisted of one thousand combatants, whom the count d'Estampes led to the castle of Moreuil, and quartered them before it. Not more than one hundred fighting men were in the castle, who were, within eight days, so hardly pressed, that they were forced to surrender the place on having their lives spared, leaving their baggage and effects at the disposal of the count d'Estampes and his commissaries. On the treaty being signed, the French marched away under passports from the count, and the command of the place was given to Valeran de Moreuil. The count d'Estampes conducted his army then to the castle of Mortemer, near Ressons-sur-mer, which was soon surrendered, and completely demolished. After which the count marched back with his men to the places whence they had come.

* John of Burgundy, a posthumous son of Philip, and brother to Charles, count of Nevers. He succeeded to the estates of his brother in 1464, assumed the title of Duke of Brabant, and died in 1491. Elizabeth, his daughter, married the duke of Cleves, and brought the earldom of Nevers into that family. His first wife was daughter of the

Vidame of Amiens, who is mentioned immediately afterwards.

† Moreuil, a town in Picardy, situated between Corbie and Mondidier.

Raoul d'Ailly, sieur de Pequigny, and Vidame of Amiens.

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