of which an elderly gentleman of much note, called Lordennois d'Ostern, was slain. They capitulated with the bailiff to depart, on leaving all they had received behind, and to pay a sum of money down for liberty to march away in safety Many of them were killed that had not taken shelter in the castle. On their march toward Laon they were met near the bridge of Nouvion by a party of the count de St. Pol's men, who robbed them of all they had, and slew the greater part of them beside.

CHAPTER CCLVII.-THE DUCHESS OF BURGUNDY LEAVES KING CHARLES AT LAON, AND RETURNS TO THE DUKE HER LORD AT QUENOY. [A. D. 1441.]

KING CHARLES, having celebrated the festival of Easter at the bishop's palace at Laon, held several councils on the requests which the duchess of Burgundy had made, at the conclusion of which (as I have before said) few if any were granted. She was much displeased at this, and saw clearly, as well as those who had accompanied her, that the king's ministers were not well inclined toward the duke of Burgundy or his concerns. Perceiving that her stay was no longer profitable, she took leave of the king, and thanked him for the honourable reception he had given her, but added, "My lord, of all the requests I have made you, and which seemed so very reasonable, you have not granted me one." The king courteously replied, "Fair sister, this has weighed on my mind more than you conceive, and I am much hurt that it cannot be otherwise; for, having laid the whole of them before my council, where they have been fully discussed, they have determined that it would be very much to my prejudice were I to accede to them."

After this conversation, she took her leave of the king and the dauphin, and went to St. Quentin with her attendants. She was escorted by the constable and others a considerable

way. From St. Quentin she departed on the morrow to dine at the castle of Cambresis. While she was there, some of the king's men had entered Hainault on a foraging party, and were carrying away great numbers of cattle, sheep, horses, and other effects; but they were sharply pursued by the duchess's men, who killed three or four on the spot: the rest saved themselves by flight, except two, who were overtaken, made prisoners, and carried to Quênoy, where they suffered death.

The duchess pushed forward to Quênoy, where the duke was, to whom she related all that had passed between her and the king and his ministers. In truth, the greater number of the nobles who had accompanied her were not so much attached to the French interest on their return as they were when they had set out, on account of what they had seen and heard while at Laon. The duke weighed well these matters in his own breast, and considered with his council on the best means of securing his dominions, which seemed likely, on the first fair opportunity, to be attacked. He had, however, about him many prudent and valiant men, who exerted themselves to the utmost to preserve peace and union,—and, in particular, on the part of the French, the archbishop of Rheims, lord chancellor of France, was very active to preserve the peace from being infringed. And although the duchess of Burgundy had left the king in an ill humour, there were daily communications between well-intentioned men on both sides, to bring to an amicable conclusion what differences might exist between the king of France and the duke of Burgundy.

CHAPTER CCLVIII.—THE FORTRESS OF MONTAIGU *, BELONGING TO THE LORD OF COMMERCY,

IS DESTROYED AND RAZED TO THE GROUND BY ORDERS FROM THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.

SIR Robert de Sallebruche, lord of Commercy, pressed the king of France and his council for the restoration of his castle of Montaigu; but this lord de Commercy was not in the good graces of the duke of Burgundy, whose indignation he had incurred by injuries done to his country and subjects. He would not, therefore, consent that this castle should be

• Montaigu, a town in Picardy, near Laon.

restored in its present state, and insisted on its being demolished. The towns of Laon, Rheims, St. Quentin, and others, joined in this request, because the garrison had made very oppressive inroads on all the country round. It was, therefore, concluded, with the king's approbation, that those within it should give security to the king for its due surrender in the beginning of June, in such state, entire or demolished, as it might please the duke of Burgundy.

The duke instantly sent a numerous train of workmen to destroy the castle; but, while this was doing, the lord de Commercy practised secretly to get possession of it from those to whose care it was intrusted, by means of bribes. It was discovered,—and those suspected of being concerned were arrested, four of whom were beheaded: one of them was the of the town of Montaigu. In revenge for this attempt, the fortress was razed to the ground. It was seated very strongly on a high mountain, and the adjacent countries had suffered greatly from it.

governor

CHAPTER CCLIX.-THE KING OF FRANCE LAYS SIEGE TO AND CONQUERS THE TOWN OF CREIL*.

WHEN the king of France had resided about a month in Laon, he departed thence, an I went, through Soissons and Noyon, to Compiégne, where he tarried some time to wait for his army that he was raising to march to Creil.

Although William de Flavy, governor of the town of Compiégne, had obtained his pardon from the king for the death of the lord de Rieux+, marshal of France, who had died in his prisons, he would not appear before the king,—and, from fear of the marshal's friends, went off with the lord d'Offemont for the greater security of his person. The king was joined at Compiégne by numbers from all parts of France, in obedience to his summons; and a few days after he quitted Compiegne and went to Senlis, where he made a short stay, and thence marched his army before Creil, then held by the English. He fixed his quarters near the town, on the side toward Paris,—and the constable and other captains posted themselves on the opposite side, in front of the bridge.

Many skirmishes took place on their arrival; but soon after, when the king's artillery, that had been pointed against the walls and gates, opened their batteries, the fortifications were so much damaged that the garrison began to fear the event of a storm; so that, at the end of twelve days, they desired to capitulate, which was granted to them. They agreed to surrender the town and castle to the king, on condition of being allowed to march away in safety with all their money, and as many of their effects as they could carry on their backs. Having received passports, they marched out on foot through the gate leading to the bridge, taking the road toward Beauvais. Their commander was sir William Chamberlain.

Yvon du Puys was appointed captain of the

On the departure of the English, the king entered the castle; and the other captains were lodged in different parts of the town. garrison.

* Creil, a town on the Oise, and on the road from Amiens to Paris.

† Peter de Rieux, lord of Rochefort, third son of John II. marshal de Rieux, succeeded to his father's military dignities in 1417. The ensuing year he was deprived by the duke of Burgundy, and thereupon threw himself into the arms of the dauphin, whom he served with fidelity and great success for many years after. He was made prisoner (with some circumstances of treachery) by William de Flavy lord of Assy, at his town of Compiègne, and died of want and misery in a dungeon when only forty-eight years old, leaving no issue. This William de Flavy had

been also principally instrumental to the capture of the Pucelle d'Orléans; and not long after the death of the marshal de Rieux, suffered, in common, says Matthieu de Coucy, with all those who had any concern in Joan's captivity or death, a violent and untimely end. His throat was cut in the night-time, at his castle of Nesle, by the bastard d'Orbendas, at the instigation (it is added) of his own wife, A.D. 1448. The punishment of his cruelty to the marshal de Rieux, in 1509 compelled the daughter of William de Flavy with her husband to pay 10,000 livres parisis for saying masses for the soul of his unfortunate ancestor.

CHAPTER CCLX.-THE KING OF FRANCE MARCHES TO BESIEGE THE TOWN AND CASTLE OF PONTOISE.

WHEN the king of France had resided some days at Creil, he marched his whole army to Pontoise and arrived there about the middle of May. He was lodged in the abbey of Maubuisson, a noble convent having many fine edifices. His household was quartered there with him, and also the constable and marshals of France, namely the lord de Solignes* and de Lohiac: the other commanders were lodged in divers parts. The artillery was soon brought to bear on a large bulwark at the end of the bridge, opposite to Maubuisson†, which so much damaged it that it was taken by storm. From fourteen to sixteen were killed on the king's side, and many wounded: the English suffered nearly an equal loss. The king had this bulwark repaired and strengthened, and gave the guard of it to sir Denis de Chailly, and Michael Durant, with their men. In another quarter, a bridge was thrown over the river Oise, opposite to the abbey of St. Martin, which was surrounded by a low wall, and fortified like a blockhouse. The lord Charles d'Anjou and the lord de Cotivy, admiral of France, took possession of it with three or four thousand combatants. A strong blockhouse was also erected at the end of this new bridge, for its defence. The French could now pass over the river at their pleasure, without fear of danger from the enemy.

While these approaches were carrying forward, the king was joined by great numbers of nobles and gentlemen, and likewise by the burghers from the chief towns, in obedience to his summons. In the number were six score combatants from the city of Tournay, all picked men, and excellently appointed. These were chiefly cross-bowmen, and under the command of three persons of note in Tournay, namely Symon de St. Genoix, Robert le Boucher, and John de Cour, who were most graciously received by the king. Numbers came from Paris handsomely equipped, and from all the other great towns; and, as they arrived, they were received by the king's officers, and suitably lodged.

Louis de Luxembourg, count de St. Pol and de Ligny, who had been some time assembling his men, arrived before Pontoise about a week after Midsummer-day, with six hundred men well appointed and arrayed. As the weather was very hot, he drew up his men in order of battle near to the king's quarters, who, with several of the princes and others, came to see him and were greatly rejoiced at his arrival. The king feasted him much, and was profuse in his thanks to him for having come thither with so handsome a company. There came with the count de St. Pol the lord de Vervins, sir Colart de Mailly, Louis d'Anghien, sir Ferry de Mailly, John de Hangest, sir Daviod de Poix, Jacotin de Bethune and his brothers, George de Croix, and many more gentlemen, who suffered much this day from the excessive heat; insomuch that one gentleman, called Robert de Frisomen, died of it.

After the king had reviewed them they went to lodge at a village hard by, and shortly after encamped with the besieging army. The count de Vaudemont came also thither with one hundred or six score combatants, with whose arrival the king was well pleased. In truth, there were at this siege most of the great lords of France, such as the dauphin, the count de Richemont constable of France, the two marshals and the admiral, before-named, the lord Charles d'Anjou, the counts d'Eu, de la Marche, de St. Pol, de Vaudemont, d'Albreth, de Tancarville, de Joigny, the vidame de Chartres, the lord de Châtillion, the lord de Moreul in Brie, Poton de Saintrailles, the lord de Bueil, La Hire, the lord de Ham, sir Heincelin de la Tour, the lord de Mouy, Claude de Hangest, Regnault de Longueval, the lord de Moyencourt, the lord de la Suze §, sir Theolde de Valberg, Anthony de Chabannes, Charles de Flavy, sir Giles de St. Simon, Hugh de Mailly, Olivier de Cointiny ||, the lord de Pennesach,

* Solignes.-Jaloignes.-DU CANGE.

+ Maubuisson, a convent in the diocese of Beauvais. Cotivy,-Coitiny.-Du CANGE.

§ René de Laval, lord de la Suze, younger brother to the infamous marshal de Retz, whose execution is mentioned at page 96, vol. ii.

Should this be Coetivy? This Oliver, fourth son of
VOL. II.

Alan III. lord of Coetivy, and brother of the admiral, was lord of Taillebourg and seneschal of Guienne, &c. He married Mary, one of the natural daughters of Charles VII. in 1458, with a portion of 12,000 crowns of gold. His descendants were counts of Taillebourg, and princes of Mortagne and Gironde.

I

Blanchefort, Floquet, Broussach, Joachim Rohault, Pierre Regnault, the lord de Graville*, sir John de Gapondes, Geoffry de la Hire, the bastard de Harcourt, and many others of great weight and authority; so that, according to an estimate made by persons well informed, it was thought that the king's army amounted to from ten to twelve thousand combatants, the flower of his chivalry, each of whom was personally anxious to conquer the town and castle of Pontoise.

While the French were thus employed, the duke of York, the lord Talbot, and others of the English commanders then at Rouen, took counsel together how they could best relieve their companions in Pontoise. It was resolved that the lord Talbot should first attempt to revictual it, and reconnoitre the position and appearance of the French. In consequence lord Talbot marched away with about four thousand fighting men, as well horse as foot, and had with him a long train of carts and cattle for the supply of the garrison. After some days' march, he took up his quarters at a town called Cheurint, not far distant from Pontoise, where he lay two nights; and, during that time, threw his supplies into Pontoise without hindrance from the French; for the king had determined in council to avoid combating the English, unless he could do so highly to his advantage. Having accomplished this business, lord Talbot retreated to Mantes ‡, and quartered his men without the town: thence he returned to Normandy.

In the mean time, the artillery of the king of France, as well in the blockhouse of St. Martin as elsewhere, played continually on the walls and gates of Pontoise, and damaged them greatly; but the besieged repaired them in the night, as well as they could, with beams of wood and old barrels: they also made frequent sallies, in which several were killed and wounded on both sides. The king was desirous of inclosing the town all round; but could not well do it from the danger of an attack from the English army, and of his troops being cut off from succouring each other when thus separated; for he knew how near the enemy were, and in great force, preparing to make him raise the siege. It was from this cause that the French delayed surrounding the town closely on all sides. A large blockhouse was ordered to be instantly built in the forest of Compiegne, and floated down the Seine to Pontoise, where they would fix it as they should judge expedient; and William de Flavy was commanded to see that this was immediately done.

Some time after, the lord Talbot came a second time and revictualled the town, and supplied it with all sorts of stores in abundance. Each time, he took away those who had been wounded, leaving reinforcements, from his own men, and, as before, met with no interruption or opposition in his return. The king, observing those measures of his adversaries, became very melancholy; for he saw no end to a siege when the town was so continually and uninterruptedly reinforced. Nevertheless, he was personally active in strengthening his leaguers, and in providing them with all necessary stores, in case the enemy should advance, to attack them.

CHAPTER CCLXI. THE DUKE OF YORK, GOVERNOR OF NORMANDY FOR THE KING OF ENGLAND, MARCHES AN ARMY TO PONTOISE, TO FORCE THE KING OF FRANCE TO RAISE THE SIEGE.

THE duke of York, commander-in-chief and lieutenant-general for king Henry in the marches of France and Normandy, had assembled from six to seven thousand combatants; among whom were the lord Scales, the lord Talbot, sir Richard Woodville, who had married the duchess of Bedford, sister to Louis de Luxembourg count of St. Pol, and many other captains, then at Rouen, but whose names I have not been told. There were likewise collected a large train of carts and horses, laden with artillery and provision, together with a great number of live cattle.

The duke of York began his march about the middle of July, and in a few days came near

John Malet V. lord de Graville, grand pannetier of France.

Cheurin. Q. Ennery?

Mantes, capital of the Mantois, on the Seine, nineteen leagues from Rouen.

to Pontoise, the lord Talbot commanding the vanguard of three thousand men. The duke fixed his quarters at Cheuery*, half a league from Pontoise; and the van were lodged at Hetonville+ where they remained for three days and reinforced and revictualled Pontoise most abundantly.

When this was done, the duke sent to tell the king, that he was come to offer him and his army combat, if he would give him an opportunity. But the king was not inclined to comply; for his council had repeated the advice they had given on other occasions, that he would act imprudently to risk his army and person against men of such low degree; adding, that the battles that had formerly taken place with the English during his reign had cost him too dearly, and that it was more advisable to let them for this time run their career and guard the fords of the river, for that the English could not long remain where they were without danger from want of provisions for so large a force. This resolution was adopted; and many captains, with their men, were detached along the river Oise, even farther than Beaumont and the king and the rest of his army remained in their quarters.

The English, finding they would not hazard a battle, resolved, if possible, to cross the Oise and advance into the Isle of France, and even attack the king's quarters. They decamped therefore on the fourth day from their arrival, and marched in a body to Chanville-hautVergier §; but as they heard that all the passes on the river were guarded, they determined to execute their plan by night, and they had with them on carts small boats of leather and wood, with cords and other necessaries. They ordered a large detachment to advance to Beaumont, under pretence of their crossing the river and to make a prodigious noise, that the guards at the other passes might be drawn off to resist their attempt at Beaumont, while the remainder of the army should proceed silently along the river to find out a proper place to cross.

A place was found according to their wish, opposite to the abbey of Beaumont, whence the guards had gone; for all the soldiers near were attracted by the noise at Beaumont, as it had been planned by the English, who, when they saw numbers had been collected, pretended to make an attempt to force a passage, which was quite impracticable should any tolerable defence be made. The other party of English now launched a boat into the river, and with difficulty three or four passed over, when, having fastened two strong cords to each bank with staves of wood between them, from forty to fifty crossed by this means, and instantly fortified themselves with sharpened palisades, as was their usual custom.

Now, consider the extreme danger the first party that crossed would have been in had only ten Frenchmen staid to guard this pass, who would easily have defended it against the whole power of the duke of York; and this may serve for an example to those who are intrusted with similar commands, never to place any guards but such as they know may be depended on, and such as will have a proper regard to their own honour,-for by neglect the greatest misfortunes may happen.

Shortly after, the men of Floquet, who had had this part of the river in charge, returning from Beaumont, whither they had gone on hearing the shoutings of the English, noticed them crossing the river, and instantly gave the alarm, along the banks, as far as Beaumont, where the greater part of their captains were quartered. They lost no time in mounting their horses, and hastened to where the English were, intending to combat them; but it was lost labour, for they were too numerous, although some skirmishing passed between them. In these skirmishes, a very valiant man was slain, called William du Châtel, nephew to sir Tanneguy du Châtel, and with him two or three more.

On this bridge of cords the English conveyed over their baggage, carts, and stores; and when the French saw that they could not prevent them, they retreated to Pontoise, to inform the king of what had passed, who was greatly displeased at the intelligence. Some of his council, being fearful of the event turning out more disastrous and to their greater shame, had all the artillery and stores moved into the large blockhouse of St. Martin, and made every preparation for immediately decamping with the whole army, should it become

Cheuery. Q. Ennery?

Hetonville. Herouville, near Pontoise.

Beaumont,-a seigniory in the Isle of France, near

to Melun.

§ Chanville-haut-Vergier. Q. Chambly?