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From Chronicles of England, France and Spain and the Surrounding Countries, by Sir John Froissart, Translated from the French Editions with Variations and Additions from Many Celebrated MSS, by Thomas Johnes, Esq; London: William Smith, 1848. pp. 422-438.
CCLXX. — SIR JOHN CHANDOS DOES GREAT MISCHIEF TO THE PROVINCE OF ANJOU. — HE DESPOILS THE ESTATES OF THE VISCOUNT DE ROCHECHOUART, EXCEPT THE FORTRESSES AND STRONGHOLDS.
DURING the time of this expedition to Tournehem, and in that neighbourhood, some feats of arms were performed in Poitou, which ought not to be forgotten. Sir John Chandos, being séneschal of Poitou, and a hardy and valiant knight, had a great desire to meet the 423 French: he therefore did not remain long idle, but collected, during the time he passed at Poitiers, a body of men at arms, English and Poitevins, and said he would make an incursion with them towards Anjou, and return by Touraine, to look at the French who were assembled in those parts. He sent information of the expedition he meditated to the earl of Pembroke*, who was in garrison at Mortagne-sur-mer† with two hundred lances.
The earl was much pleased with this intelligence, and would willingly have been of the party; but his attendants and some knights of his council prevented him, by saying: “My lord, you are a young and noble knight, formed to excel: if you at this moment unite yourself with sir John Chandos and his army, he will obtain all the glory of the expedition, and you will be only named as his companion. It is therefore more proper for you, who are of such high rank and birth, to act for yourself, and let sir John Chandos do so on his part, who is but a knight-bachelor when compared with you.” These and such like words cooled the ardour of the earl of Pembroke, who, having no longer any wish to go, sent an excuse to sir John Chandos.
Sir John would not, however, give up his enterprise, but ordered his rendezvous at Poitiers; from whence he marched, with three hundred lances, knights, and squires, and two hundred archers. In this number were, lord Thomas Percy, sir Stephen Cossington, sir Richard de Pontchardon, sir Eustace d’Ambreticourt, sir Richard Taunton, lord Thomas Spencer, sir Nêle Loring, the earl of Angus‡, sir Thomas Banaster, sir John Trivet, sir William de Montendre, sir Maubrins de Linieres, sir Geoffry d’Argenton, and several other knights and squires. These men at arms and archers marched boldly forth and in good array, as if going upon some grand enterprise, and, having passed through the province of Poitou, entered that of Anjou. When they were arrived in that country, they fixed their quarters in the flat parts of it, and sent out their light divisions to burn and destroy everything. They did infinite mischief to this rich and fine country, without any one attempting to prevent them; and they remained there upwards of fifteen days, especially in that part of it called the Loudunois. They retreated from Anjou down the river Creuse, which separates Touraine from Poitou; and sir John Chandos, with his army, entered the lands of the viscount de la Rochechouart, where everything, excepting the fortresses, was ruined. They advanced to the town of Rochechouart, and vigorously assaulted it, but without effect; for there were excellent men at arms within it, commanded by Thibault du Pont and Helyons de Talay, who prevented if from being taken or injured.
The English continued their march to Chauvigny§, where sir John Chandos received information that the lord Louis de Sancerre, marshal of France, with a great body of men at arms, were at la Haye¶ in Touraine. He was very desirous to march that way, and sent in great haste to the earl of Pembroke to signify his intentions, and to beg of him to accompany him to la Haye in Touraine, and the he would meet him at Châtelheraut¥. Chandos the herald was the bearer of this message. He found the earl of Pembroke at Mortagne busily employed in mustering his men, and preparing, as it appeared, to make an excursion. He excused himself a second time, by the advice of his council, saying he could not accompany him. The herald, on his return, found his master and the army at Châtelheraut, to whom he delivered his answer. When sir John Chandos heard it, he was very melancholy, knowing that pride and presumption had made the earl refuse to be a party in this expedition, and only replied, “God’s will be done.” He dismissed the greater part of his army, who separated, and he, with his attendants, returned to Poitiers.
* Lord John Hastings, second earl of Pembroke, only son of the earl mentioned in the former part of this history. He was not more than 21 years old at this period, and it seems doubtful whether he had yet succeeded to the title, as the received date of his father Lawrence’s death is 1375, and the events above related took place in 1369. — ED.
† “Mortagne,” — a town in Saintonge, on the Garonne.
‡ David king of Scotland created sir John Stuart of Bonkill earl of Angus. He and his heirs held the estates, but the Umphravilles of England (the earl mentioned in the text) grasped at the title for many generations. — Pinkerton’s Hist. of Scotland, vol. i. p. 7.
§ “Chauvigny,” — a town in Poitou, on the Vienne, six leagues from Poitiers.
¶ “La Haye,” — a town in Touraine, on the Creuse.
¥ “Châtelheraut,” — a town in Poitou, on the Vienne.
CHAPTER CCLXXI. — THE LORD LOUIS DE SANCERRE SURPRISES THE EARL OF PEMBROKE. — SEVERAL OF HIS MEN ARE SLAIN, AND THE EARL IS BESIEGED IN A HOUSE AT PURIENON.
WE will now relate how the earl of Pembroke prospered. As soon as he knew that sir John Chandos had disbanded his army, and was returned to Poitiers, he assembled his own forces, which consisted of three hundred English and Poitevins, and marched from Mortagne. He was joined by some knights and squires of Poitou and Saintonge, as well as by some English knights that had been in sir John Chandos’ army. These men at arms, therefore, advanced under the command of the earl of Pembroke, and took the direct road to where sir John Chandos had been, burning and despoiling all those parts of Anjou, which the first had left, or which had been ransomed. They halted to refresh themselves in the Loudunois, and then took the road for the lands of the viscount de Rochechouart, to which they did great damage.
The French who were in garrison on the frontiers of Touraine, Anjou, and Poitou, consisting of a large body of men at arms, heard the whole truth of these two excursions, and how the earl of Pembroke, who was a young man, would not, through pride, serve under sir John Chandos. They therefore resolved to conquer him if they could; for they thought they should more easily defeat him than sir John Chandos. They made, in consequence, a secret levy of their forces from all the garrisons; and sir Louis de Sancerre, marshal of France, took the command of them. They marched all night to la Roche-posay* in Poitou, which was in the French interest. There were in this expedition, sir Robert de Sancerre, cousin to the marshal, sir John de Vienne, sir John de Bueil, sir William des Bourdes, sir Louis de St. Julien, and Carnet le Breton; in the whole, seven hundred fighting men.
The earl of Pembroke had finished his excursion, and re-entered Poitou, having completed the total destruction of the viscount de Rochechouart’s estate. In his company were, sir Baldwin de Franville, séneschal of Saintonge, lord Thomas Percy, lord Thomas Spenser, the earl of Angus, sir John Orwich†, sir John Harpedon, sir James de Surgeres, sir John Cousins, sir Thomas de St. Alban, sir Robert Twiford, sir Simon Ausagre, sir John de Mortain, sir John Touchet, and several others. The English and Poitevins marched on without any thought or precaution, having heard nothing of these men at arms: they had entered Poitou with all their pillage, and came, one day about noon, to a village called Puirenon, where they halted, after the manner of persons in perfect security. But when the servants were about to put the horses in the stable, and to prepare the supper, the French, who well knew what they were about, entered the village of Puirenon, with their lances in their rests, bawling out their cry, “Our Lady, for Sancerre the marshal‡!” and then overthrew all they met in the streets. The noise became so violent, that the English ran to the head-quarters with great alarm, to inform the earl of Pembroke, lord Thomas Percy, sir Baldwin de Franville, and the others, that the French had suddenly attacked and surprised them. These lords were soon armed, and, sallying out from their hôtels, collected their men together; but they could not all assemble, for the numbers of the French were so considerable that the English and Poitevins were overpowered; and, in this first attack, more than one hundred and twenty were killed or made prisoners. The earl of Pembroke and some knights had no other remedy but to retire, as quickly as they could, into an unembattled house, which belonged to the knights-templars, without a moat, and only enclosed with a stone wall. All who could get there time enough shut themselves in: the greater part of the others were slain or made prisoners, and their arms and horses taken. The earl of Pembroke lost all his plate.
The French, who closely pursued them, finding those who could get together had shut 425 themselves up in this house, were much rejoiced, saying among themselves: “They must be our prisoners, for they cannot escape; and we will make them deeply repay the damages they have done in Anjou and Touraine.” On which, they advanced to this house in regular order, and with a good will to assault it: when they were come thither, it was evening: after they had examined it narrowly on all sides, to see if it might be easily taken, they began the attack, in which were performed many gallant deeds of arms, for the French were in great numbers, and were all well tried men. They made different attempts on this house, which was very strong, and gave the earl of Pembroke and his men enough to do; for the English being so few, laboured hard to defend themselves, as it was to them of the greatest consequence. Scaling ladders were brought, and fixed against the walls, which some bold adventurers mounted, with their shields over their heads to shelter themselves from stones and arrows; but when they were got to the top they had done nothing, for they found there, ready to receive them, knights, squires, men at arms, with lances and swords, with which they handsomely fought hand to hand, and made them descend much quicker than they had mounted. Add to this, that there were English archers intermixed with these men at arms, at two feet distance on the walls, who shot so well that the French beneath suffered much.
The English continued under constant alarm, repelling these attacks until night, when the French, tired with fighting and fatigue, sounded their trumpets for the retreat, saying they had done enough for one day, but that they would return to the attack on the morrow; adding, that, as they could not escape from them, they would starve them to surrender. They returned to their quarters in high spirits, and made merry, having placed a strong guard in front of the house to be more secure of their enemies. It will readily be believed that the earl of Pembroke and those who were thus blockaded were not much at their ease: they were aware that this house was not of sufficient strength to hold out long against so many men at arms. It was as badly provided with artillery, to their great sorrow, as with provision; but this last was not of much consequence, for they could well fast a day and night, if necessary, in defending themselves.
When it was dark, they entreated a squire, an expert soldier, and in whom they placed great confidence, to set out directly by a postern, and ride as fast as he could to Poitiers, to inform sir John Chandos and his friends how awkwardly they were situated, and to beg they would come to their assistance; in the hopes of which they would hold out until noon; and, if he made haste, he might easily make this journey by early morning. The squire, who perceived the extreme danger in which all the lords were, very cheerfully undertook it, but boasted a little too much of his knowledge of the roads. He set out about midnight by a postern-gate, and took the straight road, as he thought, for Poitiers; but it so fell out, that during the whole night he wandered about, until it was broad day, before he hit upon the right road.
At day-break, the French, who were besieging the English at Puirenon as you have before heard, sounded their trumpets to arm, saying it would be better to make their attacks in the cool of the morning than in the heat of the day. The earl of Pembroke and the knights shut up with him, instead of sleeping, had fortified themselves with whatever they could find, making use even of benches and stones, which they had carried to the top of the walls. They found the French were preparing to renew the attack, and comforted each other upon it. Some time before sun-rise, the French were ready, when they marched by companies, and with great vigour, to the assault of the hôtel. They acquitted themselves too well, and having brought scaling ladders, placed them against the walls, mounting them with the utmost eagerness, covered by their shields, otherwise they would not have ventured: it was held highly honourable to those who mounted the first, as in truth it was a very brave act. The English were not idle nor faint-hearted in their own defence, but fought marvellously well, and flung down upon the shields of the assailants stones and great beams of wood, with which they beat them so severely, that they killed or wounded several. They did their duty excellently well, and so small a fort was never seen to hold out so long against such a force. This assault continued from early dawn until six o’clock.
* “La Roche-posay,” — a town in Touraine, on the Creuse.
† “Sir John Orwich.” Q. Barnes calls him sir Nêle Loring. Why not Norwich?
‡ And cried their cryes, “Our lady of Sanxerre for the marshal of Fraunce.” — Lord Berners.
BETWEEN six and nine o’clock, after the heat of the attack, the French, indignant that the English had made so long a defence, sent orders to all the villages thereabouts to bring pick-axes and mattocks to undermine the walls, which was what the English were most afraid of. The earl of Pembroke called one of his own squires and said to him, “My friend, mount a horse, and sally out from the back gate, where they will make way for you *, and ride as fast as possible to Poitiers to sir John Chandos, to tell him our situation and the imminent danger we are in: recommend me to him by this token.” He then took off his finger a rich ring of gold, adding, “Give him this from me: he will know it well again.” The squire, who thought himself much honoured by this commission, took the ring, mounted the best courser he could find, and set off by the back gate during the attack, for they opened it for him. He took the road to Poitiers; and, whilst he was making all the haste he could, the assault was carried on warmly by the French, and as vigorously opposed by the English: indeed, it behoved them so to do.
We will now say something of the first squire, who had left Puirenon at midnight, and who, having lost his road, had wandered about all the night. When it was broad day, he knew his road, and made straight for Poitiers; but his horse being tired, he did not arrive there until about nine o’clock, when he dismounted in the square before the hôtel of sir John Chandos, and immediately entered it, having learnt that he was at mass: he approached him, and, falling on his knees, delivered his message. Sir John Chandos, who had not yet recovered his vexation at the earl of Pembroke’s refusal to join him in his expeditions, was not very eager to give him assistance: he coldly said, “It will be almost impossible for us to get there in time and hear the whole mass.” Soon after mass the tables were spread, and dinner set out. His servants asked sir John, if he would dine: “Yes,” said he, “since it is ready,” and then entered the hall, where his knights and squires had preceded him with water to wash his hands. As he was thus employed, and before he had sat down to table, the second squire from the earl of Pembroke entered the hall, and, having knelt down, drew the ring from his purse, saying, “Dear sir, my lord the earl of Pembroke recommends himself to you by this token, and entreats you most earnestly to come to his assistance, and rescue him from the imminent danger he is now in at Puirenon.” Sir John Chandos took the ring, and, having examined it, knew it well. He then replied, “It will not be possible for us to arrive there in time, if they be in the situation you describe.” He added, “Come let us dine.”
Sir John seated himself with his knights at table, and ate of the first course: as the second was served, and indeed begun on, sir John Chandos, who had much thought on this business, raised his head, and, looking at his companions, spoke as follows, which gave much pleasure to those around him: — “The earl of Pembroke (a lord of such high birth and rank that he has even married a daughter of my natural lord the king of England, and is brother in arms as in everything else with my lord of Cambridge,) — entreats me so courteously, that it behoves me to comply with his request to succour and rescue him, if it be possible to arrive in time.” He then pushed the table from him, and, rising, said to his knights and squires, “Gentlemen, I am determined to go to Puirenon.” This was heard with joy, and they were soon ready to attend him. The trumpets sounded, and every man at arms in Poitiers was mounted in the best way he could; for it had been speedily told abroad, that sir John Chandos was marching to Puirenon, to the assistance of the earl of Pembroke and his army, who were there besieged by the French. When these knights and squires took the field, they amounted to upwards of two hundred lances, and increased every moment. They marched with all haste: news of this was brought to the French, who had constantly been engaged at this assault from day-break until noon, by their spies, who said: “Dear lords, look well to yourselves; for sir John Chandos has marched from Poitiers with upwards of two hundred lances, and is advancing with great haste and a greater desire to meet with you.”
When sir Louis de Sancerre, sir John de Vienne, sir John de Beuil, and the others who 427 were present, heard this, the best informed among them said, “Our men are tired and worn down by their assaults upon the English, yesterday and today: it will be much wiser for us to make a handsome retreat with all we have gained, and our prisoners, than to wait the arrival of sir John Chandos and his company, who are quite fresh; for we may lose more than we can gain.” This plan was immediately followed, for there was not a moment to lose: the trumpets were ordered to sound a retreat: their men assembled in a body, and, having sent off their baggage, they themselves took the road to la Roche-Posay.
The earl of Pembroke and those with him, imagining the French must have had some intelligence, said among themselves: “Chandos must certainly be on his march, for the French are retreating, not daring to wait his coming: come, come, let us immediately quit this place and take the road towards Poitiers and we shall meet him.” Those who had horses mounted them: and others went on foot, and several rode double. They thus left Puirenon, following the road to Poitiers: they had scarcely advanced a league before they met sir John Chandos and his army in the condition I have before told: some on horseback, some on foot, and some riding double. Much joy was shown on both sides at this meeting; but sir John said, he was sorely vexed that he had not been in time to have met the French. They rode together conversing for about three leagues, when they took leave of each other and separated. Sir John Chandos returned to Poitiers; the earl of Pembroke to Mortagne, the place he had marched from; and the marshal of France and his army to la Roche-Posay, where they refreshed themselves and divided their booty; they then retired to their garrisons, carrying with them their prisoners, whom they courteously admitted to ransom, as the French and English have always been accustomed to act towards each other.
We will now return to the armies in Tournehem; and speak of the death of the most courteous, noble, and liberal queen that ever reigned in her time, the lady Philippa of Hainault, queen of England and of Ireland†.
* And we shall make you way, says lord Berners, which is more likely than that the French would willingly permit a messenger to depart. — ED.
† The moost gentyll quene, moost lyberall, and moost courtesse that ever was quene in her dayes, the whiche was the fayre lady Philipp of Heynault, quene of England and Irelande. — Lord Berners.
CHAPTER CCLXXIII. — THE DEATH OF QUEEN PHILIPPA OF ENGLAND: SHE MAKES THREE REQUESTS TO THE KING ON HER DEATH-BED. — SOME FRENCHMEN, HAVING ATTACKED THE ENGLISH CAMP AT TOURNEHEM, ARE REPULSED BY SIR ROBERT DE NAMUR.
DURING the time that such numbers of noblemen of the kingdom of France were assembled at Tournehem under the command of the duke of Burgundy, and the duke of Lancaster was encamped with his army in the valley opposite to them, a circumstance happened in England, which, though so very common, was not the less unfortunate for the king, his children, and the whole kingdom. That excellent lady the queen of England (who had done so much good, and during her whole life had assisted all knights, ladies, and damsels who had applied to her*, who had had such boundless charity for all mankind, and who had naturally such an affection for the Hainault nation, being the country from which she was sprung,) lay at this time dangerously ill at Windsor castle, and her disorder daily increased.
When the good lady perceived her end approaching, she called to the king, and, extending her right hand from under the bed-clothes, put it into the right hand of the king, who was 428 very sorrowful at heart, and thus spoke: “We have enjoyed our union in happiness, peace, and prosperity: I entreat, therefore, of you, that on our separation, you will grant me three requests.” The king, with sighs and tears, replied, “Lady, ask: whatever you request shall be granted.” “My lord, I beg you will acquit me of whatever engagements I may have entered into formerly with merchants for their wares, as well on this as on the other side of the sea. I beseech you also to fulfil whatever gifts or legacies I may have made, or left to churches, here or on the continent, wherein I have paid my devotions, as well as what I may have left to those of both sexes who have been in my service. Thirdly, I entreat that, when it shall please God to call you hence, you will not choose any other sepulchre than mine, and that you will lie by my side in the cloisters of Westminster.” The king, in tears, replied, “Lady, I grant them.”
Soon after, the good lady made the sign of the cross on her breast, and, having recommended to God the king and her youngest son, Thomas, who was present, gave up her spirit, which, I firmly believe, was caught by the holy angels and carried to the glory of Heaven; for she had never done anything, by thought or deed, that could endanger her losing it. Thus died this queen of England, in the year of grace 1369, the vigil of the assumption of the Virgin, the 15th of August.
Information of this loss was carried to the English army at Tournehem, which greatly afflicted every one, but particularly her son the duke of Lancaster. However, as there is no death but what must be passed over and forgotten, the English did not neglect to keep up very strict discipline in their camp, where they remained a long time facing the French. It happened that some of the French knights and squires, seeing the enemy every day before 429 their eyes, held a conversation, and, after discussing the matter, agreed to meet on the morrow, at day-break, to skirmish with them, and beat up the guard. There were upwards of three hundred knights and squires, the greater part of them from the Vermandois, Artois, and Corbiois, who had entered into this agreement, and, without mentioning it to their marshals, had each informed the other of their intentions. When the morning came for this expedition, they were all ready armed, mounted, and assembled. They rode forth in this array, nothing doubting of success, and began to make a circuit round the hill of Tournehem, in order to gain an advantageous position, and to fall upon one of the wings of the English army.
This wing was allotted to sir Robert de Namur and his people. Sir Robert had been on guard that night, but towards day-break had entered his tent, and was then sitting at supper, quite armed, except his helmet, and the lord Despontin† with him. The French at this moment arrived at the quarters of sir Robert, which were also those of some other German and English lords; but the guard very fortunately had not disarmed themselves: they immediately opposed the Frenchmen who came up spurring and galloping, and checked their career. News soon reached sir Robert that his men were fighting, having been attacked by the French. In an instant, he pushed the table from him where he had been seated, and said to the lord Despontin, “Come, come to the assistance of our men.” Instantly he fixed his helmet on his head, and ordered his banner, which was placed before his tent, to be displayed. Some one said, “My lord, send to the duke of Lancaster, and do not engage without him.” He bluntly replied, “Not I: I shall go the shortest way I can to help my men. Those may send to my lord of Lancaster who will; but let all who love me follow me.”
He then advanced, sword in hand, to meet the enemy: the lord Despontin and sir Henry de Sancelle were with him, as well as his other knights, who directly engaged in the battle, having found their men fighting with the French, in great numbers, and who, to speak truth, ought to have done much this day: but no sooner did they perceive sir Robert de Namur marching with his banner than they wheeled about and gave up their plan, for they thought the whole army was ready to fall on them: indeed it was so in different parts of the camp, for the sun was now risen. A Vermandois knight was slain under the banner of sir Robert de Namur, called sir Robert de Coulogne, who was much regretted; for he was rich, amiable, and courteous, and an honourable knight in every station. Thus ended the affair. The French retreated without doing anything more, for they were afraid of greater loss than gain. Sir Robert did not pursue them farther than was wise, but brought back his men when he found the enemy was quite gone, and returned to his quarters.
* Froissart does not intimate that she waited to be applied to, and indeed his own case shows that she needed no instigation but her own “liberal and most courteous” nature to prompt her bounty. The passage is one of the gems of Lord Berners, and is worthy to be given entire. “There fell in Englande a heuy case and a comon, howbeit it was right pyteouse for the kyng, his chyldren, and all his realme. For the good quene of Englande, that so many good dedes had done in her tyme, and so many knights socoured, and ladyes and damosels comforted, and had so largely departed of her goodes to her people, and naturally loued always the nacyon of Heynaulte, the countrey where she was borne. She fell sicke in the castell of Wyndsore, the which sickenesse contynewed on her so long, that there was no remedye but dethe. And the good lady, whanne she knewe and parceyued that there was with her no remedy but dethe, she desyred to speke with the kynge her husbande. And whan he was before her she put out of her bedde her right hande and toke the kynge by his right hande, who was right sorowfull at his hert. Than she sayd, ‘Sir, we haue in peace, ioye, and great prosperyte used all our tyme toguyer. Sir, nowe, I pray you, at our departyng, that ye will graunt me thre desyres.’ The kynge, ryght sorowfully wepynge, sayd, ‘Madame, desyre what ye wyll, I graunt it.’ ‘Sir,’ sayd she, ‘I requyre you, firste of all, that all maner of people, suche as I haue dault withall in their marchaundyse, on this syde the see or beyond, that it may please you to pay euery thynge that I owe to theym, or to any other. And, secondly, sir, all such ordynaunce and promyses as I haue made to the churches as well of this countrey as beyond the see, whereas I haue hadde my deuocyon that it maye please you to accomplysshe and fulfyll the same. Thirdely, sir, I requyre you that it may please you to take none other sepulture, whansoeuer it shall please God to call you out of this transytorie lyfe but besyde me in Westmynster.’ The kynge, all wepynge, sayde, ‘Madame, I graunt all your desyre.’ Than the good lady and quene made on her the signe of the crosse, and commaunded the kynge her husbande to God, and her youngest son, Thomas, who was there besyde her. And anone, after, she yelded up the spiryte, the whiche I beleue surely the holy angels receyued with great ioy up to heuen, for in all her lyfe she dyd neyther in thought nor dede thyng whereby to lese her soul, as ferr as any creature coulde knowe. Thus the good quene of Englande dyed in the yere of our lorde MCCCLXIX. in the vigyll of our lady in the myddes of August.” — ED.
† Lord Despontin. Q. Barnes calls him lord of Ponthieu.
SINCE this last affair, nothing happened worth relating. It was very displeasing to many on both sides that they thus remained so long without a battle: every day it was said, “We shall engage to-morrow;” but that morrow never came; for, as I have said before, the duke of Burgundy would not act contrary to the orders of the king. The orders he received were very strict; for there were continually messengers going from the king to the duke, and from the duke to the king on this subject. At last the duke of Burgundy, as I was then informed, having considered, that he was encamped at a very heavy expense, and could not remain so much longer with any honour; for he had upwards of four thousand knights, while the enemy was but a handful in comparison, with whom, however, he had not fought, nor had had any intentions of so doing: the duke, I say, sent some of his knights to lay his situation before the king, and to explain to him his wishes. The king thought the duke judged rightly, and ordered him, on the receipt of his letters, to break up his camp, to dismiss his army, and come to Paris, where he himself was going.
When the duke received these orders, he sent for the principal lords of his army, and told them secretly their contents: saying, “We must break up our camp, for the king sends us back.” When it was midnight, those to whom he had given this information, having 430 packed up every thing, were mounted, and had set fire to their quarters. At this hour, sir Henry de Sancelle was returning to his tent, having been on guard with sir Robert de Namur’s men, to whom he was attached; and seeing first one, then two, and then three fires in the enemy’s camp, he said to himself, “These French think, perhaps, to surprise us: they have the appearance of intending it. Let us go,” said he to those near him, “to sir Robert’s tent, and awaken him, that, should it be so, he may be prepared in time.” Sir Henry went thither, and, calling his chamberlains, told them, they must instantly awaken sir Robert. They went to his bed-side and sir Henry de Sancelle with them, who awakened him, and told him all that he had seen. Sir Robert made answer, “We shall soon hear other news: let our men be instantly armed and made ready.” He himself was soon armed. When his men were drawn up, he had his banner displayed, and marched to the tent of the duke of Lancaster, who was arming also, for he had received similar information. It was not long before the different lords came thither, one after another: as they arrived, they were drawn up and remained quiet without any light.
The duke of Lancaster ordered his marshals to march the archers to where he hoped the French would make their attack, if they came; for he certainly expected a battle. When they had remained at their posts for two hours, and saw no one advancing to them, they were more surprised than before. The duke called to him his lords, and asked them what he had best now to do. Some replied one thing, and some another, and each defended his opinion. The duke, perceiving that valiant knight sir Walter Manny, said, “And you, sir Walter, what do you advise?” “I do not know,” replied sir Walter, “but, if you will follow my advice, I would draw up my men at arms and archers in order of battle, and would advance slowly; for, as it will soon be day, we shall then see clearly before us.” The Duke assented to this proposal: but others were of a contrary opinion, and advised him not to march from where he was. This discussion continued until orders were given for some of the troops of sir Robert de Namur and sir Waleran de Bourne* to mount their horses, because they were lightly accoutred and rode well. Thirty horsemen were chosen from the best mounted, and sent off towards the French camp.
Whilst they were gone on this expedition, sir Walter Manny, addressing the duke, said, “My lord, never believe me again, if these French be not fled: mount your horse, and order the others to do the same, that you may pursue them, and I will engage you will have a fine day of it.” The Duke replied, “Sir Walter, I have hitherto always followed the advice of my council, and intend now doing so; for I can never believe that so many brave men at arms and noble knights would thus run away. Perhaps the fires we see may have been lighted to entrap us. Our scouts will soon return, and then we shall know the truth.” As they were thus conversing, the scouts returned, and confirmed all that sir Walter Manny had thought: they said they had found none but some poor victuallers, who followed the army. Sir Walter Manny gained great credit. The duke went to his tent to disarm: he would that day have dined in the French camp, but the fire was too great: he and his men at arms, however, supped there, and took up their quarters on the mountain for the night, and made themselves comfortable with what they found there. On the morrow they decamped, and returned to Calais.
The duke of Burgundy, when he marched off, made his quarters at St. Omer, where he and all his army remained until they were disbanded, and every man returned to his home. There was afterwards much trouble to re-assemble them again.
* Sir Waleran de Bourne. Q. Barnes calls him Van Bornico.
CHAPTER CCLXXV. — THE EARL OF PEMBROKE, DESIROUS OF AVENGING HMSELF FOR THE DEFEAT HE RECEIVED AT PUIRENON, MAKES AN INCURSION TO ANJOU. — THE ABBEY OF ST. SALVIN IN POITOU IS BETRAYED TO THE FRENCH, AND FORTIFIED.
THE same week that the armies quitted Tournehem, the earl of Pembroke (who was in Poitou, and had been much mortified at the defeat he had suffered from sir Louis de Sancerre, sir John de Vienne, sir John de Bueil and the others at Puirenon, as has been 431 related) resolved to have his revenge, if possible; and for this end he marched from Mortagne with his army, which consisted of about two hundred lances, and came to Angoulême, where the prince received him most courteously. The earl entreated of him permission to lead another expedition, and to lend him some of his men, as he was very anxious to avenge himself of the affronts he had suffered from the French. The prince, who had much affection for him, immediately granted his request. Sir Hugh Calverley was just returned from his excursion into the county of Armagnac, with five hundred fighting men; and the prince gave him leave to accompany the earl of Pembroke in his intended expedition. He also requested the company of sir Louis de Harcourt, sir Guiscard d’Angle, sir Perceval de Coulogne, the lords de Pons, de Partenay and de Pinane, lord Thomas Percy, sir Richard de Pontchardon, and several knights of the prince’s household, who willingly accepted the invitation, for they were ready for any excursion: so that, when they were assembled, they amounted to five hundred lances, three hundred archers, and fifteen hundred foot soldiers, armed with pikes and shields, who followed the army on foot. This army marched, under the command of the earl of Pembroke as their leader, and took the road towards Anjou: where they no sooner arrived than they began to destroy, and to do every damage to the country they passed through, by razing castles and forts, burning such towns as could not hold out against them, and levying contributions on all the flat country as far as Saumur* on the Loire. They gained possession of the suburbs, and began an assault on the town; but they could not take it, for sir Robert de Sancerre was in it with a large body of men at arms, who defended it from suffering any damage: all the country round about it, however, was pillaged, burnt, and ruined.
Sir Hugh Calverley and his division advanced to a bridge on the Loire, called le Pont de Cé†; when he defeated those who guarded it, took the bridge, and placed such a garrison of his own men there, after he had fortified it well, that they kept possession of it for a long time. The English, in this expedition, took a large abbey called St. Maur‡, on the Loire, which they repaired and fortified, and placed therein a considerable garrison, which, during the ensuing winter and summer, did great mischief to the adjacent country.
At this time, there was in Poitou an abbey which still exists, called St. Salvin§, situated seven leagues from Poitiers; and in this abbey there was a monk who hated the abbot, as he afterwards showed. It was on account of this hatred which he bore him that he betrayed the abbot and the whole convent, and delivered up the abbey and the town to sir Louis de St. Julien and to Carnet le Breton, who took possession of it, repaired it, and made it a strong garrison. Sir John Chandos was much vexed at St. Salvin being thus surprised, and not being able to retake it; for, as he was séneschal of Poitou, he was angry that such a house should have been taken in his government, and declared, that if he should live long enough, he would have it again by some means or other, and make them pay dearly for the insult they had put upon him. We will now quit Poitou, and return to the duke of Lancaster.
* Saumur, — on the Loire, diocese of Angers.
† Port de Cé. — Pont de Sé, — two leagues from Angers.
‡ St. Maur, on the Loire, election of Saumur.
§ St. Salvin, — St. Savin, — a village in Poitou, election of Poitiers.
WHEN the duke of Lancaster had retreated to Calais after the decampment of Tournehem, as has been before related, and had refreshed himself and men for three days, he resolved, by advice of his council, to draw out his troops, and make an excursion into France. His marshals, the earl of Warwick and sir Roger Beauchamp, were ordered to muster the army, which orders they very readily obeyed, for they were desirous of making an inroad on France. The men at arms and archers marched from Calais in excellent array: every man was apprised what he was to do, and where he was going. The first day’s march was only five leagues from Calais. On the morrow, they came before St. Omer, where there were many skirmishes at the gates; but the English did not make any long halt: they continued 432 their march, and that night encamped on the heights of Hersault*. On the third day, they arrived at the city of Terouenne†, where was the count de St. Pol with a large company of men at arms. The English did not halt, but continued their march, taking the road to Hesdin‡, and fixed their quarters at night on a small river.
When the count de St. Pol found that the English were taking the road to his country, he knew they were going thither for his good, for they hated him too much: he set out, therefore, in the night, and gave the government of the city to the lord de St. Py and sir John de Roye§; and riding hard, he arrived at his town of St. Pol¶. The English came before the place very early on the morrow morning, and several severe skirmishes happened; but the arrival of the count was fortunate for himself and for the town, as he, with the assistance of those who had accompanied him, prevented the place from being taken. The duke of Lancaster, therefore, and his army refreshed themselves at their ease in the county of St. Pol, which they overran, and did great damage to all the flat country. They advanced to the castle of Pernes¥, where the countess dowager resided. They examined well the fort, and the duke sounded the depth of the ditches with a lance: notwithstanding this, they made no attack, though they showed every appearance of it. They made no long stay, but continued their march, and went towards Lucheux**, a handsome town, which belonged to the count. They burnt the town, and, without touching the castle, continued their road for St. Riquier††. The English did not march more than three or four leagues a-day, so that they burnt and destroyed all the countries they passed through. They crossed the river Somme at Blanchetaque below Abbeville, and then entered the country of Vimeu‡‡, with the intention of pushing forward to Harfleur on the Seine, in order to burn the navy of the king of France.
The count de St. Pol, and sir Moreau de Fiennes, constable of France, with a large body of men at arms, pursued and hovered about the English army, so that they could not disperse nor quit the straight road, but were obliged to keep in a compact body, to be ready to combat the French should they be so inclined. In this manner they marched through Vimeu and the county of Eu: entering the archbishopric of Rouen, they passed Dieppe, and continued their march until they came before Harfleur, where they fixed their quarters. The count de St. Pol had out-marched them, and had entered the town with two hundred lances, at the utmost. The English remained three days before Harfleur, but did nothing: on the fourth, they decamped, and returned through the lands of the lord d’Estoville, whom they did not love much, and burnt and destroyed the whole or greater part. They then passed through Vexin Normand in their way to Oisemont§§, to recross the Somme at Blanchetaque.
Sir Hugh de Chastillon, master of the cross-bows in France, was at this time captain and governor of Abbeville. When he heard that the duke of Lancaster was returning that way, he armed himself, and ordered twelve of his people to do the same. On mounting their horses, he said he was going to view the guard of the gate of Rouvray, that it might not be wanting in defence, and that the English should not find it too weakly guarded. It was early in the morning, and there was a thick fog. Sir Nicholas Louvaine, who had been séneschal of Ponthieu, and whom, this very year, sir Hugh de Chastillon had taken and ransomed for ten thousand francs, remembered this so sorely that, having a great desire to recover his losses, he set out on the point of day from the duke’s army, accompanied by only twenty men. As he was well acquainted with all the roads and passes of that country, having resided there for upwards of three years, he intended lying in ambuscade between Abbeville and the castle of Rouvray, in the hope of taking some prize: he had crossed a small rivulet which ran through a marsh, and hid himself and men in some old uninhabited houses.
Sir Hugh never dreamed that the English would form an ambuscade so near the town. 433 Sir Nicholas and his men kept themselves very quiet: they perceived sir Hugh de Chastillon riding down the road which leads to Rouvray, with only twelve others, armed at all points, except his helmet, which one of his pages bore on a courser behind him. He crossed the little rivulet, and made for the gate of Rouvray to see what the guard of cross-bowmen were about, and to enquire if they had heard or seen the English. When sir Nicholas Louvaine, who was on the watch, saw him, he recognized him directly, and was more rejoiced than if any one had given him twenty thousand francs. He sallied out from his ambush, saying, “Follow me: here is what I wished for: it is the master of the cross-bows, and I ask for nothing better.” Then sticking spurs into his horse, and pointing his lance, he came upon sir Hugh, crying, “Surrender, Chastillon, or thou art a dead man.” Sir Hugh, who was much puzzled to conjecture whence these men could come, had neither time to put on his helmet nor to mount his courser: finding himself in such a strait, he asked, “To whom am I to surrender?” Sir Nicholas replied, “To Louvaine, to Louvaine.” In order, therefore, to avoid the danger he could not escape from, he said, “I surrender.” He was then taken, and told, “Ride on quickly, for the army of the duke of Lancaster marches on before us.” On this occasion was slain, a very valiant citizen of Abbeville, called Lawrence Dancons¶¶, who was much regretted. Thus was taken and entrapped sir Hugh de Chastillon, at that time master of the cross-bows in France and governor of Abbeville, through the good fortune of sir Nicholas Louvaine: with which capture the duke of Lancaster and the English were much rejoiced. On the other hand, the inhabitants of Abbeville were exceedingly vexed at it; but for the present they could not better themselves.
The English marched on, crossed the Somme at Blanchetaque, and then passed through the towns of Rue-sur-mer and Montreuil-sur-mer, until they at last arrived at Calais. The duke of Lancaster there dismissed all the foreigners, when sir Waleran de Bourne and the Germans departed. The duke returned to England, and the Germans to their own country, Martinmas was passed: but the duke informed them, that in the approaching spring, he should cross the sea with a greater force than he had hitherto done, and should entreat his cousins the dukes of Gueldres and Juliers to accompany him into France. We shall now be silent as to the affairs of Picardy, for indeed nothing of great moment happened since this time, and return to Poitou, where warlike deeds were oftener performed.
* Hersault. Q. if not Herissart; but that seems to be too great a distance.
† Terouenne — is now in ruins. It was taken by Henry VIII. by a stratagem of pointing wooden guns painted, which were thought to be real ones, and threatening to batter down the town, if not surrendered.
‡ Hesdin, — a strong town in Artois, on the Canche.
§ Two of my MSS. have different names, the lord de Sampy, sir Guy de Roye. One has sir John de Roye.
¶ St. Pol, — a town in Artois, five leagues from Hesdin.
¥ Castle of Pernes, — a town in Artois, three leagues from St. Pol.
** Lucheux, — a town of Picardy, near Doulens.
†† St. Riquier, — an ancient town in Picardy, two leagues and a half from Abbeville.
‡‡ Vimeu, — in Picardy, St. Valery is its capital.
§§ Oisemont, — a market-town in Picardy, five leagues from Abbeville.
¶¶ Dancons. My two MSS. have Dentels.
[Chapters Misnumbered in Text and Chapter 277 is missing]
SIR John Chandos, being séneschal of Poitou was seriously afflicted with the loss of St. Salvin: he was continually devising means to retake it, whether by assault or by escalade was perfectly indifferent to him, so that he could gain it. He made many nightly ambuscades, but none succeeded; for sir Louis, who commanded in it, was very watchful, as he knew the capture of it had highly angered sir John Chandos. It happened that, on the night preceding the eve of the new year (1370), sir John Chandos, who resided in the city of Poitiers, had sent out his summons to the barons and knights of Poitou to come to him as secretly as they could, for he was going on an expedition. The Poitevins would not refuse him any thing, being much beloved by them: they obeyed his summons, and came to Poitiers. Sir Guiscard d’Angle, sir Louis de Harcourt, the lords de Pons, de Partenay, de Pinane, de Tannaybouton, sir Geoffry d’Argenton, sir Maubrun de Linieres, lord Thomas Percy, sir Baldwin de Franville, sir Richard de Pontchardon, came thither, with many others. When they were all assembled, they were full three hundred lances.
They left Poitiers in the night, and no one, except the principal lords, knew whither they were going. The English, however, had scaling-ladders and every thing they might have occasion for with them. They marched to St. Salvin; and, when there arrived, were told what was intended; upon which they all dismounted, and, giving the horses to their valets, the English descended into the ditch. It was then about midnight. They were in this 434 situation, and would very shortly have succeeded in their expedition, when they heard the guard of the fort wind his horn. The reason was this. That very night Carnet le Breton had come from la Roche-Posay, with forty lances, to St. Salvin, to request sir Louis de St. Julien to accompany him in an expedition to Poitou: he therefore awakened the guard and those within the fort.
The English, who were on the opposite side, ignorant of the intentions of this body of Frenchmen wanting to enter the fort, thought they had been seen by the guard, or that spies had given information of their arrival to the garrison. They immediately left the ditch, and said, “Let us away; for this night we have been disappointed in our scheme.” They mounted their horses, and advanced in a body to Chauvigny on the river Creuse, two short leagues distant. When all were arrived there, the Poitevins asked sir John Chandos if he wished them to remain with them: he answered, “No: you may return in God’s name: I will to-day stay in this town.” The Poitevins departed, and with them some English knights: in all, about two hundred lances.
Sir John Chandos entered an hôtel, and ordered a fire to be lighted. Lord Thomas Percy, séneschal of la Rochelle, and his men, remained with him. Lord Thomas asked sir John Chandos if he intended staying there that day: “Yes,” replied sir John; “why do you ask?” “Because, sir, if you be determined not to go further, I shall beg of you to give me leave to make an excursion, to see if I shall meet with any adventure.” “In the name of God, go then,” replied sir John. At these words, lord Thomas Percy set out, attended by about thirty lances. Sir John Chandos remained with his own people. Lord Thomas crossed the bridge of Chauvigny, taking the longest road to Poitiers, having left sir John Chandos quite low-spirited for having failed in his intended attack on St. Salvin. He continued in the kitchen of the hôtel, warming himself at a straw fire which his herald was making for him, conversing at the same time with his people, who very readily passed their jokes in hopes of curing him of his melancholy. After he had remained some time, and was preparing to take a little rest, and while he was asking if it were yet day, a man entered the hôtel, and came before him, saying, “My lord, I bring you news.” “What is it?” asked sir John. “My lord, the French have taken the field.” “How dost thou know this?” “My lord, I set out from St. Salvin with them.” “And what road have they taken?” “My lord, that I cannot say for a certainty; but it seemed to me they followed the road to Poitiers.” “And who are these French?” “My lord, they are sir Louis de St. Julien and Carnet le Breton, with their companies.” “Well, it is indifferent to me,” replied sir John: “I have not any inclination to exert myself this day: they may be met with without my interference.” He remained a considerable time very thoughtful; after having well considered, he added: “Notwithstanding what I have just said, I think I shall do right to mount my horse; for at all events I must return to Poitiers, and it will be soon day.” “It is well judged,” replied the knights who were with him. Sir John ordered everything to be got ready, and his knights having done the same, they mounted and set off, taking the road to Poitiers, following the course of the river. The French might be about a good league before them on this same road, intending to cross the river at the bridge of Lussac*. The English suspected this from perceiving the tracks of the horses, and said among themselves, “Either the French or lord Thomas Percy are just before us.” Shortly after this conversation, day appeared; for in the early part of January the mornings begin to be soon light. The French might be about a league from the bridge of Lussac, when they perceived lord Thomas Percy and his men on the other side of the river. Lord Thomas had before seen them, and had set off full gallop to gain the bridge. They said, “There are the French: they are more in number than we are; let us hasten to take advantage of the bridge.” When sir Louis and Carnet saw the English on the opposite side of the river, they also made haste to gain the bridge: however the English arrived first, and were masters of it. They all dismounted, and drew themselves up to defend and guard it. The French likewise dismounted on their arrival, and giving their horses for the servants to lead them to the rear, took their lances, and advanced in good order, to attack the English and win the bridge. The English stood firm, although they were so few in comparison with the enemy.
Whilst the French and Bretons were considering the most advantageous manner to begin 435 the onset, sir John Chandos arrives with his company, his banner displayed and flying in the wind. This was borne by a valiant man at arms, called James Allen, and was a pile gules on a field argent. They might be about forty lances, who eagerly hastened to meet the French. As the English arrived at a small hillock, about three furlongs from the bridge, the French servants, who were between this hillock and the bridge, saw them, and, being much frightened, said, “Come away: let us save ourselves and our horses.” They therefore ran off, leaving their masters to shift as well as they could. When sir John Chandos, with displayed banner, was come up to the French, whom he thought very lightly of, he began from horseback to rail at them, saying: “Do you hear, Frenchmen! you are mischievous men at arms: you make incursions night and day at your pleasure: you take towns and castles in Poitou, of which I am séneschal. You ransom poor people without my leave, as if the country were your own; but, by God, if is not. Sir Louis, sir Louis, you and Carnet are too much the masters. It is upwards of a year and a half that I have been endeavouring to meet you. Now, thanks to God, I do so, and will tell you my mind. We will now try which of us is the strongest in this country. It has been often told me, that you were very desirous of seeing me: you have now that pleasure. I am John Chandos: look at me well; and, if God please, we will now put to the proof your great deeds of arms which are so renowned.” With such words as these did sir John Chandos greet them: he would not have wished to have been anywhere else, so eager was he to fight with them.
Sir Louis and Carnet kept themselves in a close body, as if they were willing to engage. Lord Thomas Percy and the English on the other side of the bridge knew nothing of what had passed, for the bridge was very high in the middle, which prevented them from seeing over it. During this scoffing of sir John Chandos, a Breton drew his sword, and could not resist from beginning the battle: he struck an English squire, named Simkin Dodenhale, and beat him so much about the breast with his sword that he knocked him off his horse on the ground. Sir John Chandos, who heard the noise behind him, turned round, and saw his squire on the ground and persons beating him. This enraged him more than before: he said to his men, “Sirs, what are you about? how suffer you this man to be slain? Dismount, dismount:” and at the instant he was on foot, as were all his company. Simkin was rescued, and the battle began.
Sir John Chandos, who was a strong and bold knight, and cool in all his undertakings, had his banner advanced before him, surrounded by his men, with the scutcheon above his arms. He himself was dressed in a large robe which fell to the ground, blazoned with his arms on white sarcenet, argent, a pile gules; one on his breast, and the other on his back; so that he appeared resolved on some adventurous undertaking; and in this state, with sword in hand, he advanced on foot towards the enemy.
This morning there had been a hoar-frost, which had made the ground slippery; so that as he marched he entangled his legs with his robe, which was of the longest, and made a stumble: during which time a squire, called James de St. Martin (a strong expert man), made a thrust at him with his lance, which hit him in the face, below the eye, between the nose and forehead. Sir John Chandos did not see the aim of the stroke, for he had lost the eye on that side five years ago, on the heaths of Bordeaux, at the chase of a stag: what added to this misfortune, sir John had not put down his vizor, so that in stumbling he bore upon the lance, and helped it to enter into him. The lance, which had been struck from a strong arm, hit him so severely that it entered as far as the brain, and then the squire drew it back to him again.
The great pain was too much for sir John, so he fell to the ground, and turned twice over in great agony, like one who had received his death-wound. Indeed, since the blow, he never uttered a word. His people, on seeing this mishap, were like madmen. His uncle, sir Edward Clifford, hastily advanced, and striding over the body, (for the French were endeavouring to get possession of it,) defended it most valiantly, and gave such well-directed blows with his sword that none dared to approach him. Two other knights, namely sir John Chambo and sir Bertrand de Cassilies†, were like men distracted at seeing their master lie thus on the ground.
The Bretons, who were more numerous than the English, were much rejoiced when they 436 saw their chief thus prostrate, and greatly hoped he was mortally wounded. They therefore advanced, crying out, “By God, my lords of England, you will all stay with us, for you cannot now escape.” The English performed wonderful feats of arms, as well to extricate themselves from the danger they were in as to revenge their commander, sir John Chandos, whom they saw in so piteous a state. A squire attached to sir John marked out this James de St. Martin, who had given the blow; he fell upon him in such a rage, and struck him with his lance as he was flying, that he ran him through both his thighs, and then withdrew his lance: however, in spite of this, James de St. Martin continued the fight. Now if lord Thomas Percy, who had first arrived at the bridge, had imagined anything of what was going forwards, sir John Chandos’ men would have been considerably reinforced; but it was otherwise decreed: for not hearing anything of the Bretons since he had seen them advancing in a large body towards the bridge, he thought they might have retreated; so that lord Thomas and his men continued their march, keeping the road to Poitiers, ignorant of what was passing.
Though the English fought so bravely at the bridge of Lussac, in the end they could not withstand the force of the Bretons and French, but were defeated, and the greater part made prisoners. Sir Edward Clifford stood firm, and would not quit the body of his nephew. If the French had had their horses, they would have gone off with honour, and have carried with them good prisoners; but, as I have before said, their servants had gone away with them. Those of the English also had retreated, and quitted the scene of battle. They remained therefore in bad plight, which sorely vexed them, and said among themselves, “This is a bad piece of business: the field is our own, and yet we cannot return through the fault of our servants. It is not proper for us who are armed and fatigued to march through this country on foot, which is quite against us; and we are upwards of six leagues from the nearest of any of our fortresses. We have, besides, our wounded and slain, whom we cannot leave behind.” As they were in this situation, not knowing what to do, and had sent off two or three of the Bretons, disarmed, to hunt after and endeavour to 437 find their servants, they perceived advancing towards them, sir Guiscard d’Angle, sir Louis de Harcourt, the lords de Partenay, de Tannaybouton, d’Argenton, de Pinane, sir James de Surgeres, and several others. They were full two hundred lances, and were seeking for the French; for they had received information that they were out on an excursion, and were then following the traces of their horses. They came forwards, therefore, with displayed banners fluttering in the wind, and marching in a disorderly manner.
The moment the Bretons and French saw them they knew them for their enemies, the barons and knights of Poitou. They therefore said to the English: ‘You see that body of men coming to your assistance: we know we cannot withstand them; therefore,” calling each by his name, “you are our prisoners; but we give you your liberty, on condition that you take care to keep us company; and we surrender ourselves to you, for we have it more at heart to give ourselves up to you than to those who are coming.” They answered, “God’s will be done.” The English thus obtained their liberty. The Poitevins soon arrived, with their lances in their rests, shouting their war-cries; but the Bretons and French, retreating on one side, said, “Holla! stop my lords: we are prisoners already.” The English testified to the truth of this by adding, “It is so: they belong to us.” Carnet was prisoner to sir Bertrand de Cassilies, and sir Louis de St. Julien to sir John Chambo: there was not one who had not his master.
These barons and knights of Poitou were struck with grief, when they saw their séneschal, sir John Chandos, lying in so doleful a way, and not able to speak. They began to grievously to lament his loss, saying, “Flower of knighthood! oh, sir John Chandos! cursed be the forging of that lance which wounded thee, and which has thus endangered thy life.” Those who were around the body most tenderly bewailed him, which he heard, and answered with groans, but could not articulate a word. They wrung their hands, and tore their hair, uttering cries and complaints, most especially those who belonged to his household.
Sir John Chandos was disarmed very gently by his own servants, laid upon shields and targets, and carried at a foot’s pace to Mortemer, the nearest fort to the place where they were. The other barons and knights returned to Poitiers, carrying with them their prisoners. I heard that James Martin, he who had wounded sir John Chandos, suffered so much from his wounds that he died at Poitiers. That gallant knight only survived one day and night. God have mercy on his soul! for never since a hundred years did there exist among the English one more courteous, nor fuller of every virtue and good quality than him.
When the prince, princess, earls of Cambridge and Pembroke, and the other English knights in Guienne heard of this event, they were completely disconcerted, and said, they had now lost every thing on both sides of the sea. Sir John was sincerely regretted by his friends of each sex: and some lords of France bewailed his loss. Thus it happens through life. The English loved him for all the excellent qualities he was possessed of. The French hated him because they were afraid of him. Not but that I have heard him at the time regretted by renowned knights in France; for they said it was a great pity he was slain, and that, if he could have been taken prisoner, he was so wise and full of devices, he would have found some means of establishing a peace between France and England; and was so much beloved by the king of England and his court, that they would have believed what he should have said in preference to all others. Thus were the French and English great losers by his death, for never have I heard otherwise; but the English the most, for by his valour and prudence Guienne might have been totally recovered ‡ 438
Lord Thomas Percy was appointed séneschal of Poitou after the death of sir John Chandos. His estates of St. Sauveur le Vicomte fell to the king of England, who gave them to one of his own knights, by name sir Aleyne Boxhull§, an uncommonly able man. The prince of Wales succeeded as heir to the other riches of sir John Chandos, as he was never married, and therefore had no children, to the amount of four hundred thousand francs¶. Shortly afterwards, those captains who had been made prisoners at the bridge of Lussac were ransomed, and received their freedom on paying down the sums agreed on, in which the king of France assisted them. Sir Louis de St. Julien, sir William des Bourdes, and Carnet le Breton returned to their garrisons.
* “Lussac,” — a town in Poitou, diocese of Poitiers.
† “Sir John Chambo, — sir John Cassilies.” Q. Barnes calls the last Case.
‡ Sir John Chandos was buried at Mortemer. Underneath is his epitaph, from les Annales d’Aquitained par Bouchet.
Je Jehan Chandault, des anglois capitaine.
Fort chevalier, de Poictou séneschal
Après avoir fait guerre tres lointaine
Au rois françois, tant à pied qu’à cheval.
Et pris Bertrand de Guesclin en un val,
Les Poitevins prés Lussac, me diffirent,
A Mortemer, mon corps enterrer firent,
En un cercueil elevé tout de neuf,
L’an mil trois cens avec soixante neuf.
[For the satisfaction of the English reader, we have endeavoured to imitate these rhymes as closely as a metrical version will permit. The reader must pardon their being as rude as the original.
I John Chandos, an English knight,
Séneschal of all Poictou,
Against the French king oft did fight
On foot and horseback; many slew:
Betrand du Guesclin prisoner too
By me was taken in a vale.
At Lussac did the foe prevail;
My body then at Mortmer
In a new tomb my friends inter,
In the year of grace divine,
Thirteen hundred sixty-nine. — ED.
He founded and endowed the Carmelite convent at Poitiers. “He was never married. Elizabeth and Eleanor, two of his sisters, (the latter being the wife of sir Roger Collins) and Isabella, daughter to Margaret the third sister, at that time married to sir John Annesley, were found to be his next heirs.” — Barnes.
§ Sir Aleyne Boxhull was the 52nd knight of the Garter, constable of the Tower of London, custos of the parks of Clarendon, &c. He lies buried near St. Erkenwalde’s shrine in St. Paul’s church, about the year 1380.
Sir Aleyne Boxhull had a commission to restrain the excesses of Charles de Navarre in Normandy, and to put the castle in good repair, dated the 24th November, 1370. — Rymer.
¶ I should imagine Froissart must mean that the prince inherited all he possessed in Aquitaine, &c. but his sister’s children were his heirs in England.
CHAPTER CCLXXIX. — THE LORD DE COUCY AND THE LORD DE POMMIERS ARE UNWILLING TO TAKE PART WITH EITHER SIDE IN THIS WAR. — THE LORDS DE MALEVAL AND DE MARNEIL TURN TO THE FRENCH.
AT this time, there were knights in France greatly hurt at seeing this war between two kings carried on with increasing vigour; and in particular, the lord de Coucy, who was much interested in it, as indeed he ought to be, for he held a very large estate in England, as well in his own right as in that of his wife, who was daughter of the king of England; which estate it would be necessary for him to renounce, if he wished to serve the king of France, whose kinsman and countryman he was: he therefore thought it most profitable to dissemble between the two kings, and to travel to foreign parts. He very wisely took all his measures; and, having obtained leave of the king of France, he set out with few attendants, and went to Savoy, where he was honourably received by the earl, barons and knights of that country. When he had remained there as long as he judged proper, he departed, and, continuing his road, entered Lombardy, visited the lords of Milan, the lords Galeas and lord Barnabo Visconti, when at first he was made heartily welcome by them. In like manner did sir Aimemon de Pommiers, who was one of the prince’s knights, quit the duchy of Aquitaine. He declared, that during this war, he would not bear arms for one side nor the other. This knight crossed the sea to Cyprus. He visited the holy sepulchre, and travelled to several other places. At this period, sir John de Bourbon* came to Paris. He held some lands of the prince; and the king of France would have gladly seen him return the homage to the prince, but the count de la Marche would not listen to it. The lord de Pierre Buffiere, a Limousin knight at that time at Paris, followed his example. But two other barons and great lords in Limousin unfortunately acted otherwise: sir Louis de Maleval and sir Raymond de Marneil his nephew, who being at Paris turned Frenchmen, and from their fortresses afterwards made a disastrous war on the prince.
The king of England and his council were much vexed at this; for it appeared that the barons and knights of Guienne thus changed their sides without any constraint, and of their own free will. The king therefore, by the advice of his council, ordered letters to be written and sealed with his seal, which he ordered to be sent by two or three of his knights, into Poitou and Aquitaine, to publish them in all the cities, castles and principal towns.
At this time, sir Caponnel de Caponnal was delivered from his prison at Agen, in exchange for one of the prince’s knights, by name sir Thomas Banaster, who had been taken in a skirmish before Perigord. But the counsellor of state who had been sent with him remained prisoner in Agen, and sir Caponnel returned to France. We will report the letter which the king of England sent into Aquitaine.
* “Sir John de Bourbon.” He was son of sir James de Bourbon who combated the free companies, chapter ccxxvii., and was count de la Marche. — Denys Sauvage — Annot. 120.
This is not the correct chapter number reference for his father or for him, neither is mentioned in chapter 227. — Elf.Ed.
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