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CHAPTER CLXXX. -AMBASSADORS FROM FRANCE ARRIVE AT ARRAS ΤΟ ATTEND THIS CONVENTION.

On the Sunday following, the last day of July, the embassy from king Charles of France arrived at Arras. The ambassadors had come from Rheims, through Laon to St. Quentin in the Vermandois, where they had been joyfully received by the magistrates and townsmen, and to this place the duke of Burgundy had sent the count d'Estampes, attended by many knights and esquires, to meet and to conduct them to Arras. After a few days' stay at St. Quentin, they all departed together for Cambray, and thence they journeyed until they came to the wood of Mouf-laine, within half a league of Arras. The principal persons in this embassy were the duke of Bourbon, the count de Richemont, constable of France, who had each married a sister of the duke of Burgundy, the count de Vendôme, the archbishop and duke of Rheims, chancellor of France, sir Christopher de Harcourt, sir Theolde de Valperge, the lord de la Fayette marshal of France, the lords de St. Pierre and du Châtel*, sir James du Bois, sir John de Châtillon bastard de Dampierre, sir Paillaird du Fièt, the lord de Raillieq, the lord de Rommet, the lord de Courselles, master Adam de Cambray first president of the parliament, the dean of Paris, named master John Tudart, the treasurer of Anjou, the borgne Blesset, master John Chanetier, the lord de Cletel, the lord de la Motte, master Adam le Queux, master John de Taisè, with many other able men, as well noble as not, accompanied by four or five hundred horsemen, including those who had gone before to prepare their lodgings.

The duke of Burgundy, attended by his household, the duke of Gueldres, and the other princes and nobles in Arras, with the exception of the English, went out to meet them. He joined them about a quarter of a league from the town, when great marks of friendship and affection were mutually displayed on both sides; more especially between the duke and his two brothers-in-law, who frequently embraced each other. When the compliments of meeting were over, they all proceeded, in handsome array, at a slow pace, toward Arras, -the three dukes, of Burgundy, Bourbon, and Gueldres, riding abreast at the head of the line. They were preceded by six trumpets and clarions, sounding most melodiously, and by numbers of kings-at-arms, heralds, and pursuivants, dressed in tabards, with the arms of the different princes then at Arras, among whom Montjoye, king-at-arms for king Charles of France, took the lead.

Next to them, but a few paces before the dukes, rode the constable, the counts de Vendôme and d'Estampes, and the damoisel de Cleves, with a few more of the higher nobility: the remainder of the knights, lords, and esquires, followed close behind the dukes; and in this order they advanced in front of the town-house, to the small market-place, multitudes of people shouting and singing carols wherever they passed.

The duke of Burgundy now separated from them, and returned with his household to his lodgings; he would have attended his brothers-in-law to their hôtels, but they insisted he should return, while they made a visit to the two cardinals. Having done this, they went to the lodgings that had been prepared for them, and received many rich presents from

churchmen as well as from seculars.

On the third day afterward the duchess of Burgundy arrived at Arras, and the French and English ambassadors went out to meet her, as did all the nobles, and the attendants of the cardinals, most richly clothed. She was carried in an ornamented litter, dressed in cloth of gold, and a variety of precious stones; behind her rode on palfreys six of her ladies and damsels, elegantly and nobly habited, with robes and hood decorated, and covered with wrought silver and gold. Next came three handsome cars, in which were the countess de Namur and others of the duchess's ladies and damsels, dressed in similar robes and hoods to

* Oliver lord du Châtel, chamberlain of Bretagne; son of Hervé lord du Châtel, killed at Jersey, and brother to the famous Tanneguy.

+ Q. Fai? John Genevois Bouton, lord of Fai, chamberlain of Burgundy, bailiff of Dole, was a commissary

sent by the duke on this occasion. It is not impossible that an error of the press may have converted his office of bailli into the disgraceful appellation of paillard.

John, who succeeded his father Adolph IV. duke of Cleves, in 1445.

the others. Near to the litter were the dukes de Bourbon and de Gueldres, the constable of France, and the count de Vendôme; and the rest of the nobility rode either before or behind the duchess, excepting the English, who had taken their leave of her while in the open country, and were returned to their lodgings in Arras. The duchess, thus attended, went to pay her respects to the cardinals; after which she went to the hôtel of her lord the duke of Burgundy, who received her most joyfully and honourably, and gave a handsome entertainment to the two dukes, and the other nobles who had accompanied her.

Among the numerous ambassadors that came from divers parts, were those from the city of Paris, namely, the abbot of Mont St. Catherine de Rouen, master William Breton, master John le Monstardier, master Thomas de Courselles, master Robert Poitevin. There were likewise others from the kings of Sicily, Spain, Navarre, Poland, Asia, Romania, and from the principal towns of Holland, Zealand, Flanders, Brabant, Hainault, Namur, Burgundy, whose names it would be tedious to relate: each of them were handsomely lodged by the purveyors of the duke, who, with others, had been especially ordered for this purpose. They were all abundantly supplied with any sort of provision they inclined to buy during the three months they stayed in Arras. No accident happened during this time; but there was much alarm that mischief would have happened, from the heat with which disputes were carried on while the matter of peace was debating. Commissaries were appointed to patrole the town night and day, to see that no disorders arose, and that no extortions were practised in the markets.

The duke had ordered about one hundred gentlemen and two hundred archers to be always armed, under the command of some of the lords of his household, such as the lord de Croy, sir John de Horne, the lord de Crevecœur, the lord de Chargny, John de Brimeu, and others, as well for his own personal security as to be ready, should occasion require it, to put an end to any affrays. The duke was always attended by fifty archers.

CHAPTER CLXXXI.—SIR JOHN DE MELLO, A KNIGHT OF SPAIN, AND THE LORD DE CHARGNY, COMBAT EACH OTHER IN THE PRESENCE OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY AT ARRAS.

On the 11th day of August in this year, a combat at arms took place at Arras, in the presence of the duke of Burgundy, as judge of the lists. A handsome scaffold was erected for him in the great market-place, on which were seated behind him the dukes of Bourbon and of Gueldres, the counts de Richemont, constable, de Vendôme, d'Estampes, and many other great lords. The combat was between sir John de Mello, a very renowned knight banneret of Spain, appellant, without any defamatory quarrel, but solely to acquire honour, against Pierre de Bauffremont, lord of Chargny, knight banneret also, a native of Burgundy, and knight of the Golden Fleece. The terms were, to break three lances only. When the lord de Chargny had acceded to this request, he in his turn demanded from the Spanish knight a combat on foot with battle-axes, swords and daggers, until one of them should lose his arms, or place his hands on his knees, or on the ground,-subject, however, in all cases, to the decisions of the judge of the field.

These proposals having been for some time agreed to by the two knights, on Thursday morning, about ten o'clock, the Spanish knight appeared in the lists, attended by four others, whom the duke of Burgundy had ordered to accompany him,—namely, the lord de l'Or, governor of the Rethelois, the lord de Ligny, the lord de Saveuses, and the lord de Sainzelles, with four or five of his attendants, one of whom bore on the end of a lance a small banner emblazoned with his arms. The other knights carried his lances; and thus, without more pomp, he made his obeisance to the duke of Burgundy, and retired from the lists by the way he had come on the left hand of the duke. He waited a considerable time for his adversary, who at length appeared grandly accompanied by the counts d'Estampes, de St. Pol, and de Ligny, together with the earl of Suffolk, all bearing his lances. Behind him were four coursers, richly caparisoned with his arms and devices, with pages covered with robes of wrought silver; and the procession was closed by the greater part of the

knights and esquires of the duke of Burgundy's household. Having made his bow to the duke, as the Spanish knight had done, he withdrew to the right of the lists.

When they were ready, they ran some tilts with lances, without any injury on either side. Then the Spaniard mounted a courser which the duke of Bourbon had lent him, for his own shied at a lance. They broke their lances with great courage against each other, until the number agreed on had been performed. Neither were wounded, although the helmet of don Mello was a little broken. They then quitted the lists, with the assent of the duke of Burgundy, and returned to their lodgings accompanied as before.

The Spaniard wore over his armour a vermilion-coloured mantle, with a white cross on it, like to the badge of the French, which created a disgust in some of the Burgundian lords, as it seemed to mark a partiality for their enemies. When he was informed of this, he excused himself by saying, that in consequence of the strict alliance which had so long continued between the kingdoms of France and Spain, he could not with propriety wear any other badge.

On the morrow, which was a Friday, the duke of Burgundy proceeded to the lists, between eight and nine o'clock in the morning, grandly attended by his chivalry, and with him came the princes who had accompanied him the preceding day. Shortly after, the lord de Chargny, the appellant, appeared with the same persons as on the first day, who carried the weapons he was to combat with. He was mounted on a courser covered with housings of his arms, and followed by four pages mounted in like manner, and by the greater part of the knights and esquires of the duke of Burgundy's household, with some other nobles.

Having thus entered the lists, he went to dismount at his pavilion, and thence on foot to make his obeisance to the duke; after which he retired to a seat, where he waited a full hour for his adversary. When he arrived, he was accompanied as on the preceding day,and the knights and esquires whom the duke of Burgundy had appointed to attend him bore his weapons for the combat. Behind him were his servants, one of them carrying a small banner at the end of a lance. On his entering the lists he saluted the duke, and withdrew to his pavilion. While he remained there, he was frequently admonished by the knights that attended him, who gave him the best advice in their power for the success of his combat, but he paid not any attention to what they said, nor would discover to them his plans, telling them not to be any way concerned about him, for that, with God's good pleasure, he would do his duty.

Everything being ready, the king-at-arms, called Golden Fleece, proclaimed, in three different parts of the lists, that all who had not been otherwise ordered should quit the lists, and that no one should give any hindrance to the two champions under pain of being punished by the duke of Burgundy with death. Eight gentlemen armed were appointed to stop or raise up either of the champions, as the judge of the field should direct. When the proclamation was made, the lord de Chargny issued out of his pavilion, holding his battle-axe by the middle in his right hand, the iron part toward his adversary, and thus advanced a little forward.

The Spanish knight advanced at the same time from his pavilion, having a kerchief thrown over his helmet that covered his visor, which was half raised,-but this kerchief was taken away, when he was advancing, by his servants. They made for each other vrith vigorous strides, brandishing their lances; but the Spaniard all this time had his visor raised. The lord de Chargny, without waiting for his adversary, threw his lance at him as he approached, while the Spaniard advanced to throw his, and hit him on the side, where he was wounded, as well as in the arm, for the lance hung in the vanbraces of his armour, whence the lord de Chargny soon shook it off on the ground. The two champions now approached with great courage, and handled their weapons very nobly; but the lord de Chargny was much displeased that his adversary did not close his visor.

While they were thus combating, the duke of Burgundy gave his signal for the battle to cease, and ordered the champions to be brought before him, who seemed very much vexed that an end had been put so soon to their combat,-more especially the Spaniard, who twice declared aloud that he was far from being pleased that so little had been done; for that he had come at a great expense, and with much fatigue, by sea and land, from a far country,

to acquire honour and renown. The duke told him, that he had most honourably done his duty and accomplished his challenge. After this, they were escorted back to their lodgings in the same manner as before. The Spanish knight was much noticed by very many of the nobles present, who greatly praised him for his courage, in thus having fought with his visor raised, for the like had not been before seen.

When this combat was over, the duke of Burgundy paid great respect and attention to the Spanish knight, by feasting him at his hôtel on the Sunday and following days,-presenting him at the same time with many rich presents, to reimburse him for all the expenses he had been at. The knight soon afterward took leave of the duke and his company, and departed from Arras on his return to his own country.

CHAPTER CLXXXII.--THE FRENCH AND BURGUNDIANS ARE ON VERY AMICABLE TERMS IN ARRAS.

ON the Monday, which was the feast of our Lady of the middle of August, the dukes of Burgundy, of Bourbon, and of Gueldres, the counts d'Estampes, de Richemont, de Vendôme, de St. Pol, de Ligny, de Meurs, and de Nassau, with the greater part of their attendant knights and esquires, went on horseback in great concord from the hôtel of the duke of Burgundy, to hear the mass of our Lady in the city, richly dressed in most splendid habiliments. The poor people, who were there in crowds, were very much rejoiced to see this, as they hoped it would be the forerunner of a general peace, that was so much wanted and wished for. After the mass, most part of them returned to the apartments of the duke of Burgundy and dined, and were sumptuously served with an abundance and variety of dishes. The English ambassadors were not well pleased at these entertainments; and from the frequent intercourse that took place between the French and the duke, they suspected some treaties were in agitation that would not be for the advantage of their country.

CHAPTER CLXXXIII.-THE CARDINAL OF WINCHESTER COMES TO ARRAS TO ATTEND THE

CONVENTION.

THE cardinal of Winchester arrived at Arras on the 19th day of August, to be present at the convention, attended by the earl of Huntingdon, and other noble knights and esquires, from England, to the amount of three hundred horsemen. The dukes of Burgundy and of Gueldres, with the counts de St. Pol, de Ligny, de Meurs, and the greater part of the duke

of Burgundy's nobles, went out of Arras to meet him. The duke and cardinal mutually paid each other the greatest respect, as did the other lords; and they returned together to the gate of Arras, where they separated, and the cardinal and his attendants went to lodge at the palace of the bishop.

Ambassadors daily arrived from various nations. The place of meeting for this convention was fixed at the abbey of St. Vaast, where there were apartments sufficiently spacious and numerous for the purpose, and there the three parties assembled, in the presence of the two cardinals who had first come thither. The cardinal de Santa Croce harangued them most eloquently on the great inconveniences all Christendom had laboured under from the severity and long continuance of the war,-admonishing them, at the same time, with much feeling, that, from their love to God, they would not separate without concluding a peace, and that they would not insist on any terms but such as each might mutually concede to the other. After this harangue, the convention met on several different days, and many proposals for a treaty were brought forward, so contradictory that it was difficult to reconcile them. Among others, king Charles's ministers required that king Henry of England should desist from styling himself king of France, on condition of having the sovereignties of Guyenne and Normandy given up to him, but to this the English ministers would not agree.

CHAPTER CLXXXIV.-DURING THE MEETING OF THE CONVENTION AT ARRAS, LA HIRE AND POTON OVERRUN AND FORAGE THE COUNTRY OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.

ON the 20th day of this month of August, while the convention was sitting at Arras, La Hire and Poton de Saintrailles, with six hundred combatants, six score being lancemen, whom they had assembled on the frontiers of Beauvais, rode during the night for the river Somme, which they crossed at Cappy; thence they retreated, and fell back on Dourlens and Beauquesne, to forage the country. They divided into smaller bodies, and collected a great booty of peasants, cattle, horses, sheep, and other things, with which they marched back the way they had come to recross the Somme.

Intelligence was brought of this, by the lord de Saveuses, to the duke of Burgundy, who was much troubled thereat, as he feared the matters that were then under discussion in the convention would be greatly retarded. To provide a remedy, he ordered the counts d'Estampes, de St. Pol, de Ligny, with the greater part of his chivalry, to mount their horses, and repel the French. With them went some of the English lords, to the amount of about three hundred horsemen,—so that they were in the whole full sixteen hundred, but most of them were without armour. They hastened toward Mailly and Attinghen, having sent forward the lord de Saveuses, with some scouts, to collect intelligence of the enemy. They soon learnt the line of march the French were following with their plunder to cross the water, and pressed forward with so much diligence that they overtook them near to Corbie, at a town called Boumay, on the water of Helly.

The French, hearing of this pursuit, detached a party of their men-at-arms, to guard the passage of this river, and marched to draw up in battle-array on a hill between Corbie and Helly. In the mean time, sir John de Croy was despatched, with a certain number of men-at-arms, to gain this passage,—but he was defeated and made prisoner: ten or twelve of the French were slain, but the rest retreated to their main body on the hill. The Burgundians and English, having crossed the river, advanced and drew up in order of battle at the foot of the hill, where they remained for a good half-hour, without any intention of combating the French, for they were too slightly armed.

While this was passing, the duke of Bourbon, and the constable of France; sent from Arras messengers to the French, to order them to retreat, and restore the plunder they had taken; go that when the two parties had been for some time drawn up in battle against each other, they separated without coming to action, and returned the way they had come; for the French, in obedience to the orders they had received from their ambassadors at the convention, restored the greater part of their prisoners, and the pillage they had collected,— but it was sorely against their will. They lost about twenty men in killed and prisoners.

CHAPTER CLXXXV.-THE KINGS OF ARRAGON AND NAVARRE ARE DEFEATED, AND MADE

PRISONERS, BEFORE GAIETA, BY THE ARMY OF THE DUKE OF MILAN.

On the 16th day of August, in this year, the kings of Arragon and of Navarre, the grand master of the order of St. James, their brother, the duke of Sessia, and his son, the count de Fondi, the prince of Tarentum, his son sir Christopher Garganeymè *, surnamed the Eagle, the viceroy of Sicily, and four hundred knights and esquires, were made prisoners before the town of Gaieta, and their army, of four thousand soldiers, defeated. They had been employed in besieging the town of Gaieta by sea and land, to the great displeasure of Philip Maria Visconti, duke of Milan+, who had prepared an army and stores, in Genoa, to raise the

* Garganeymè. Q.

The death of Joan, queen of Naples, followed closely upon that of Louis of Anjou, king of Sicily, in 1434. The following year, Alphonso passed over from Arragon and commenced the siege of Gaieta; and during that siege the battle was fought of which this account is given. The personages here mentioned to have been taken prisoners, are the king

Alphonso, his brothers John king of Navarre, and don
Henry, grand master of St. James; the prince of Tarento,
John Anthony do Marzan, duke of Sessa, Christopher
Gaetano, count of Fondi, &c. The name of Garganeyme,
I conjecture to be a blunder for Gaetano; but it is a gross
mistake to call him son to the prince of Tarento.

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