king Charles absolves them from all fidelity to him, in case such violation of the treaty shall take place, and that the duke of Burgundy shall do the same in regard to his vassals and subjects.

"Item, all these promises, obligations, and submissions, of king Charles, respecting the due fulfilment of this treaty, shall be made before the lord cardinal of Santa Croce, legate from the holy father the pope, the lord cardinal of Cyprus, and the other ambassadors from the holy council of Basil, in the most ample manner that can be devised, and on pain of excommunications, interdicts, and all the most weighty punishments of the church, to the utmost power which the said lords cardinals may possess from the pope, provided that the duke of Burgundy shall act in a similar manner.

"Item, the king will give to the duke of Burgundy not only his own declaration, sealed with his seal, but the declarations and seals of the princes of his blood and under his obedience, namely, the seals of the duke of Anjou, his brother the lord Charles, the duke of Bourbon, the count of Richemont, the count of Vendôme, the count of Foix, the count of Auvergne, the count of Perdiac, and others,—which declarations of the princes shall be incorporated with that of the king, who shall with them promise faithfully to maintain the contents of the said declarations; and should they be infringed on the part of the king, they do severally promise to aid and assist the said duke of Burgundy and his friends against the king. In like manner shall the duke of Burgundy deliver in his declarations.-Item, the king shall also cause to be given to the duke of Burgundy similar declarations under the seals of such churchmen, nobles, and principal towns of the realm under the king's obedience, as the duke of Burgundy shall name, under penalties both corporal and pecuniary on failure, together with such securities for the due performance of their engagements as the lords, cardinals and prelates commissioned by the pope may think proper and advisable.

"Item, should it happen hereafter that omissions, infractions, or attempts to infringe any of the said articles should arise, notwithstanding the present treaty, they shall remain in full force and vigour, and the peace shall not be considered as broken or annulled; but such omissions, infractions, and attempts, shall be instantly amended and corrected, according to the virtual meaning of what has been before declared,—and the guarantees thereof shall see that it be done.

"Item, as we have been again earnestly exhorted and pressed by the said cardinals, and by the ambassadors from the holy council, to incline our ears and attend to the proposals made to us respecting a peace,-which proposals they think just and reasonable, and such as ought not to be refused by us,-remonstrating also with us, that we should make peace with king Charles of France from our love to God, and according to reason and honour, notwithstanding any alliances, oaths, or engagements entered into with our very beloved and dear lord the king of England lately deceased, the said cardinals and others, ambassadors from the holy council of Basil, urging us to a compliance by many reasons and arguments, — we, therefore, principally through reverence to God, and from the pity and compassion we feel for the poor people of France, who have been such great sufferers in these troubles and divisions within that realm, and in compliance with the admonitions and urgent entreaties of the said cardinals, and the ambassadors from our holy father the pope and the council, which we consider as commands to a Catholic prince and obedient son of the church, have, after calling to our aid and council the highest lords of our blood and lineage, with others of our most faithful vassals and counsellors, made for ourselves and our successors a firm, loyal, and solid peace and re-union with our lord the king and his successors, according to the tenour of the articles above recited, which, on the part of the said king, he and his successors are bounden to fulfil toward us.

"The whole of these articles, so far as they regard us, we approve of and accept; and from this moment consent to and make all the renunciations, promises, submissions, and every other concession demanded from us in the above articles; and we acknowledge our aforesaid lord king Charles of France as our sovereign lord, in as much as regards the lands and lordships we hold in that kingdom, promising for ourself and our heirs on our faith and bodily oath, on the word of a prince, on our honour, and on the loss of our expectations in this world and in that to come, to hold inviolate this treaty of peace, and the

whole of the articles contained in the said treaty, without attempting to invalidate the same either by word or deed, openly or secretly. For, the further maintenance of this peace by ourself, and by all others, we submit ourself and them to whatever regulations and ordinances it may please our holy father the pope, and the holy council now assembled at Basil, to promulgate by the lords cardinals and the ambassadors from the said council now present; and we are willing to suffer any censures from the church, should we fail in the due fulfilment of all the articles contained in the said treaty. We renounce all exemptions, whatever may be alleged to the contrary, more particularly to that rule in law which declares that a general renunciation is not equally valid with an especial one, the whole to be fulfilled without fraud, deceit, or any chicanery whatever.

"That this treaty may have every due formality, and be perfectly stable, we have caused our signet to be affixed to these presents. Given at our town of Arras the 21st day of September, in the year 1435." It was also signed by the duke of Burgundy, in the presence of his council.

When the two parties had finally concluded a peace with each other, and when every formality of signing and sealing was finished, the peace was proclaimed with great solemnity through the town of Arras. We need not inquire if this caused the utmost joy, and spread happiness among the people. In general, the clergy, nobles, citizens, and a multitude of peasants who had entered the town, were not content with one day's rejoicing, but made many, shouting and singing carols through the streets.

the period.

From illuminations of

Very grand entertainments were given at the palace of the duke of Burgundy to the knights, esquires, the ladies and damsels of both parties, as well in eating and drinking as in dancings and other amusements. In the apartment where this business had been concluded,

VOL. II.

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them

the cardinal of Santa Croce, having placed the holy sacrament on an altar and a cross of gold
on a cushion, made the duke of Burgundy swear thereon, that he would never more call to
his remembrance the death of his late father, and that he would evermore maintain peace
with king Charles of France, his sovereign lord, and his allies. After which, the duke of
gave
Bourbon and the constable of France, touching the cross with their hands, begged pardon,
in the king's name, of the duke of Burgundy for the death of his said father, who
his pardon for the love of God. Then the two cardinals, having laid their hands on the
duke, absolved him from the oath he had made to the English. In like manner were
absolved many great lords of his party, who, with others of the duke's alliance, swore to be
on friendship with king Charles and with his allies. In the number was the lord de Launoy,
who said aloud, "Here I am who have heretofore taken oaths for the preservation of peace
five times during this war, not one of which has been observed,--but I now make promise
to God, that this shall be kept on my part, and that I will not in any degree infringe it."

CHAPTER CLXXXVIII.—THE ENGLISH LAY SIEGE TO THE TOWN OF ST. DENIS, WHICH IN THE END SURRENDERS TO THEM BY CAPITULATION.

DURING the time the English and their allies were in the Isle de France, they besieged the town of St. Denis with a very powerful force. The principal commanders of this enterprise were the marshal de l'Isle-Adam, the lords Talbot, Willoughby, and Scales. George de Richammes, Waleran de Moreul, sir John bastard of St. Pol, his brother Louis de Luxembourg, sir Ferry de Mailly, Robert de Neufville, the bastard de Thian a French knight, the Arragonian, with other notable and expert men-at-arms of France and England, having under them about six hundred combatants. They carried on their attacks with great diligence, and pointed many cannons against the walls and gates to batter them down. They were frequently visited by Louis de Luxembourg, bishop of Therouenne, chancellor of France for king Henry, and governor of Paris and the surrounding country, who was their chief adviser, and urged them on to the completion of the business.

Within the town, on the part of the king of France, were the marshal de Rieux, sir John Foucault, sir Louis de Vaucourt, sir Regnault de Saint Jean, Artus de la Tour, and many more valiant men-at-arms, together with six hundred combatants. On the approach of their enemies, they made every preparation for resistance; and the greater part lodged themselves on the walls, where they remained day and night, to be always ready for their defence. The walls and gates, however, were greatly damaged by the cannon of the English in so many places that their captains resolved to make several attacks on the town at the same time, with the hope of gaining it by storm. In consequence, having armed their men, they formed several divisions, and marched, with scaling ladders and other warlike instruments, to the ditches, which were filled with water. These the men-at-arms crossed, though the water was up to their necks, and, carrying their ladders with them, placed them against the walls, which they ascended without sign of fear. The besieged seeing this, and considering that if the place were taken by storm, they should not only lose the town but their lives also, began to prepare for a vigorous defence.

The marshal de Rieux had posted on different parts of the ramparts detachments under captains, with orders not to quit their posts whatever they might see or hear,—and he had a body of men-at-arms ready to succour such places as should be distressed. The attack was very fierce and, bloody, and lasted for two hours, when many gallant acts were done on both sides. The new knights created on this occasion were Louis de Luxembourg, bastard of St. Pol, who behaved excellently well, Jean de Humieres, Robert de Neufville, and some others. When the assailants had had about four score men, or more, slain in the ditches and under the walls, they perceived they could not carry their point without too serious a loss, and their captains sounded a retreat, carrying off their dead and wounded. The besieged suffered also greatly, and were much alarmed lest the enemy, by continuing the attack, They nevertheless, in hopes of succour from the constable of should constrain them more. France, who was attending the convention at Arras, with many of his officers, repaired the

walls and gates, that had been broken, and prepared to defend themselves as well as circumstances would permit.

The constable, on the conclusion of the peace at Arras, departed thence, accompanied by numbers of the nobility, and went to Senlis. He was anxious to collect a sufficient force to raise the siege of St. Denis; but when he examined his powers, he found that he was unable to do so. The marshal de Rieux, therefore, knowing that the constable was unable to afford him relief, entered into negotiations with the English that he and his captains would surrender the place, on having their lives and fortunes spared, and would also give up the prisoners they had made, among whom was the new knight sir Jean de Humieres. This offer was acceded to,-and the French marched off, escorted by about sixteen hundred cavalry. The English army likewise broke up, and returned to different towns under their obedience, leaving behind such of their captains and men as had been killed in St. Denis. Among the first were sir Louis de Vaucourt, sir Regnault de St. Jean, Artus de la Tour, one called Josselin, and others, whose deaths caused great grief. The town of St. Denis was now under the government of king Henry.

Shortly after this event, the Picards, who had been informed of the peace concluded between the duke of Burgundy and king Charles, took leave of the English captains as soon as they could, and returned without loss to their own country. At the same time, the French took by storm the bridge of Meulan, and put to death about twenty English who guarded it. This success much vexed the Parisians, because it cut off the communication with Normandy, and would prevent them from receiving hence any provisions.

CHAPTER CLXXXIX.—ISABELLA, QUEEN OF FRANCE, DIES IN THE CITY OF PARIS.

In the month of September of this year, Isabella, queen of France, and mother to king Charles, then on the throne, was taken grievously ill at her apartments in the king's hôtel of St. Pol. She had for some time lived in great poverty, owing to the distresses and troubles of the war,-and her disorder increased so much that it caused her death. She was buried in the church of St. Denis, but not with the solemnity and state usual at the funerals of queens of France. When the duke of Burgundy heard of her decease, he had a grand and solemn service performed for her in the church of St. Waast, at Arras, which he personally attended, dressed in mourning. The duke was supported by the count d'Estampes, the count de Vendôme, the heir of Cleves, and many other ecclesiastical and secular lords in mourning. The service was performed by the bishop of Arras.

CHAPTER CXC.

LEAVE

THE CARDINALS AND THE AMBASSADORS FROM THE COUNCIL,
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY APPOINTS DIFFERENT OFFICERS TO THE TOWNS
AND FORTRESSES THAT HAD BEEN CONCEDED TO HIM BY THE PEACE.

ARRAS.

SOON after peace had been proclaimed in Arras, the cardinals, and those who had accompanied them, departed thence, after having been most honourably entertained by duke Philip. In like manner did all those who had come thither as ambassadors from the holy council and from king Charles. The duke now, while in Arras, appointed many new officers to the towns and castles on the river Somme, and to those within Picardy which had long appertained to the crown of France, but had been yielded to him by king Charles, according to the articles of the treaty lately concluded. Prior to this peace, Arras was in the hands of king Henry; but now the duke appointed other officers, displacing those of king Henry at his pleasure, laying hands on all the public money, nominating new receivers, and causing the inhabitants to swear allegiance to him.

The English officers were much surprised at these proceedings of the duke; for it was through his means that king Henry had obtained possession of the town, and he had lately acknowledged him for his legal and sovereign lord. Seeing that they could no way prevent it, they suffered patiently all that was done. Among others, master Robert le Jeune, who

had for a long time been bailiff of Amiens, and had ruled with a high hand all Picardy in favour of the English, and had even been their counsel at the convention of Arras, and their chief adviser, finding that the tide was now turning against them (through means procured by money) managed so well that he continued in favour with the duke of Burgundy, who made him governor of Arras in the room of sir David de Brimeu, who had held that appointment. Thus in a few days was a total change made in the public affairs of France and England, and just contrary to what had before been.

CHAPTER CXCI. IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE PEACE OF ARRAS, THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY SENDS SOME OF HIS COUNCIL AND HERALDS TO THE KING OF ENGLAND, TO REMONSTRATE AND EXPLAIN THE CAUSES OF THE PEACE HE HAD CONCLUDED WITH THE KING OF FRANCE.

On the conclusion of the peace at Arras, the duke of Burgundy sent his king-at-arms of the order of the Golden Fleece, with another of his heralds, called Franchecomté, to England with letters from the duke to king Henry. These letters contained strong remonstrances to induce the king and his council to conclude a peace with the king of France,—and were also explanatory of the causes which had induced the duke, by the exhortations of the legates from the holy see and from the council of Basil, in conjunction with the three estates of his dominions, to make a peace with king Charles his sovereign lord, and to renounce the alliance he had formerly concluded with the late king Henry of England. They were accompanied by a mendicant friar, a doctor of divinity, who had been charged by the two cardinal-legates to remonstrate publicly with the king of England and his council on the infinite cruelty of prolonging so bloody a war, which laid waste Christendom, and to harangue on the blessings that would ensue, if a lasting peace could be concluded between the two kings.

They all three travelled together as far as Calais, and crossed the sea to Dover; but there they received orders from king Henry, forbidding them to proceed further. Their letters were demanded, given up, and carried to the king at London,-and soon after they were conducted thither. They were met on the road by a herald and a secretary to the lord treasurer, who escorted them to their lodgings in London, at the house of a shoemaker, where they remained, and only went to hear mass, under the care of some heralds and pursuivants-at-arms, who visited them often; for they were forbidden to stir out of their lodgings without a licence or permission. They were, therefore, very much alarmed lest they might personally suffer for the disagreeable news they had brought.

Notwithstanding the mendicant friar and the two heralds had made many requests to those who attended on them, that they might be permitted to address the king and council on the subjects they had been charged with by the two cardinals and their lord, they never could obtain an audience. The lord treasurer of England, however, to whom the letters from the duke of Burgundy had been given, assembled, in the presence of the king, the cardinal of Winchester, the duke of Gloucester, with many other princes and prelates, members of the council, so that the meeting was numerously attended, and laid before them the letters which the duke of Burgundy had written to the king and his council,—but their address and superscription were not in the style he was wont to use. In this he simply styled him king of England-high and mighty prince-his very dear lord and cousin; but forbore to acknowledge him as his sovereign lord, as he heretofore always had done in the numerous letters he had sent him.

All persons were very much surprised on hearing them read; and even the young king Henry was so much hurt at their contents, that his eyes were filled with tears, which ran down his cheeks. He said to some of the privy counsellors nearest to him, that he plainly perceived since the duke of Burgundy had acted thus disloyally toward him, and was reconciled to his enemy king Charles, that his dominions in France would fare the worse for it. The cardinal of Winchester and the duke of Gloucester abruptly left the council much confused and vexed, as did several others, without coming to any determination. They collected