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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. 479-501.
CHAPTER CCCX. — THE GARRISON OF ST. SEVERE, AFTER A SHARP ASSAULT, SURRENDERS TO SIR BERTRAND DU GUESCLIN. — THE CITY OF POITIERS TURNS TO THE FRENCH PARTY.
INTELLIGENCE was brought to sir Bertrand du Guesclin and the army before St. Severe, that the English, Poitevins, and their allies were fast approaching with a great force, in order to oblige them to raise the siege. When the constable heard this, he was no way alarmed, but ordered every one to arm and to march directly to the assault. No one disobeyed this command, but French and Bretons advanced to the fort armed and well covered by their shields, when they began a vigorous attack, each lord under his own banner and surrounded by his people. It was a handsome sight to look at, for at this assault there were forty-nine banners, and numbers of pennons. The constable and the marshal lord Louis de Sancerre were there at their proper posts, labouring hard to encourage the men to conduct their attack with greater valour. Knights and squires of all nations were eager to gain honour and advancement, and performed many gallant exploits. Several crossed the ditches, which were full of water, with their shields on their heads, and marched up to the walls. In doing this, they never retreated, notwithstanding the things which were thrown down on them, but advanced the nearer to the fort. The dukes of Berry and Bourbon, the count d’Alençon, and the dauphin d’Auvergne, with several other great lords, were on the ditch encouraging their men, who, on account of such spectators, advanced boldly, fearless of death and danger.
Sir William Percy and the two squires of honour, who were governors of the castle, perceiving how briskly the attacks were made, and that they never cooled nor ceased, were sensible, that, if it thus continued, they could not long resist, and, according to their imagination, no aid was coming to them from any part; for, if they had suspected that a reinforcement was within ten leagues, they would have taken courage, and have held out until they should have been relieved: but, being ignorant of this, they opened a treaty with the constable, to avoid further loss. Sir Bertrand, who had had certain intelligence that before evening he should see or hear of the English, eagerly concluded the negotiation, granting them their lives: on which he made great rejoicings. He then ordered the army to march into the plain, and draw up in order of battle, saying to the chief commanders: “Gentlemen, look to yourselves, for the enemy is advancing, and I hope that we may have a battle before night.” Each made ready, upon hearing this, as well for the attack as to defend himself. The English, however, were in no hurry to march further, when they learnt for certain that St. Severe was taken. We will, therefore, speak of what was passing in Poitou.
At this time there were great dissentions in Poitiers, for three parts of the town wished to turn to the French; but John Regnault, the mayor, and a part of the commonalty, wanted to remain with the English. Notwithstanding this, the richest citizens and the churchmen, of whom there were more than plenty, would, whatever might be the consequences, have the constable sent for: indeed they secretly advised him to make haste and take possession of the city, for on his approach they would open to him the gates. The constable was much rejoiced, and told it to the dukes of Berry and of Bourbon, who determined that he should leave the army with three hundred men at arms, mounted on the fleetest coursers they had. They rode that day and the following night, with scarcely any repose, upwards of thirty leagues by another road than that the English had taken, and by day-break arrived at Poitiers. They found the gates ready opened, and their party prepared to receive them. Had they but delayed one half hour, they would have lost the opportunity; for John Regnault and his friends, having learnt the intention of the others, had sent off in great haste to sir John Devereux and lord Thomas Percy, who, with a hundred spears and as many archers, were within one short league of the city.
The barons and knights of Poitou were thunderstruck at the capture of Poitiers, as well as those from Gascony and England, who were collected in Poitou, to the amount of eight hundred lances and four hundred archers. They called a council to consider in what manner they should act, for they saw themselves in great difficulties, and were doubtful in whom 480 they could put confidence. The barons and knights of Poitou therefore, the better to re-assure the English, thus addressed them: “Certainly, gentlemen, it is exceedingly disagreeable for us to see the affairs of this country in such a state that we cannot bring any remedy to them; but depend upon it, that as long as we exist, and there shall remain any house or fort in Poitou to receive us, we will always remain steadily and loyally attached to our natural lord the king of England and to you.” The English knights replied, “We place our entire confidence in you, and you will find in us companions and friends to death.” There were very long debates, when it was at last resolved, that the Poitevins should march off one way, and the English to a different quarter. They parted from each other in the most amicable manner; that is to say, the lord de Partenay, the lords de Thouars and de Rousillon, sir Aimery de la Rochechouart, sir John d’Angle. Sir Louis de Harcourt, sir Percival de Coulonge governor of Thouars, Hugh de Brionne, Reginald de Thouars, William de Crupenac, James de Surgeres, and other knights and squires of Poitou, who took the road to Thouars. The English, such as sir John Devereux, lord Thomas Percy, sir Richard de Pontchardon, the earl of Angus, sir Geoffry d’Argenton, sir Matthew Foulkes, sir Thomas Gournay, sir Walter Hewett, sir John Creswell, and others, took the road to Niort*, which they intended to enter without halting; but, when they arrived there, they found the gates shut and the draw-bridge raised, and were told by the inhabitants they should not have admittance. The English lords immediately called a council, and declared such an insult was not to be suffered: they drew up in good array, and attacked the town with great courage, which was defended by the inhabitants: but there was not any gentleman or knight within it to order or lead them, only mechanics, who knew not what it was to make war: so they were conquered by the English. Could they have held out until vespers, they would have been assisted, for the constable had ordered Thibaut du Pons, with two hundred combatants, to reinforce the garrison. They did not, however, arrive in time, for the town was taken by assault, and pillaged, while men and women were promiscuously put to the sword. The English took up their quarters in Niort, waiting for intelligence.
* “Niort,” — a city in Poitou, fifteen leagues from Poitiers.
DURING the time the English were in Niort, from whence, in truth, they were afraid of departing, Evan of Wales, in company with the Spanish Admiral don Roderigo di Rosas, arrived at La Rochelle with fourteen large ships and eight galleys, laden with men at arms and provision. They anchored before the town, so that nothing could enter or come out without danger of being taken. Upon which the Rochellers, who were wavering, had a secret interview with Evan and the Spanish admiral; and it was agreed mutually not to hurt each other. The Spaniards and French remained at anchor before La Rochelle; but they had spies in the countries of Poitou and Saintonge, to inform them what was going forwards. The governor of La Rochelle was at that time Philip Mansel.
The constable of France still continued in Poitiers, but he sent the lord du Pons, and Thibaut du Pons, with three hundred spears, including every one, to Soubise, a very strong castle situated on the sea-shore, directly to the mouth of the river Charente, where it disembogues itself into the sea. The lady of Soubise was in the castle, but had not many men at arms to garrison it: she therefore directly sent off a squire to John de Grailly, captal de Buch, constable of Aquitaine, to ask for succour, who was at this time in St. Jean d’Angely. He sent orders for sir Henry Haye séneschal of Angoulême, sir William de Marneil, nephew to the lord Raymond de Marneil, lord Thomas Percy, and sir John Creswell, to come immediately to St. Jean d’Angely.
Evan of Wales was informed of all the particulars of this siege, as well as the assembly of St. Jean d’Angely. He therefore picked out four hundred lances of those most to be depended upon from his whole army, and embarking them on board thirteen barges, set sail with sir 481 James de Montmoy and Morellet his brother. He left the Spanish admiral, with the remainder of the armament before La Rochelle, and arrived undiscovered on the opposite shore to the castle of Soubise, where the lord du Pons was, who knew nothing of this embarkation.
The captal was also ignorant of it, as he was collecting his forces in St. Jean d’Angely; for, had he suspected anything of the sort, he would have had a larger body of men: but he sent back a considerable number, having also left many in St. Jean d’Angely. He marched with only two hundred lances at the utmost, and about night arrived near to the French army and to the castle of Soubise. They dismounted on the outside of a small coppice, to tighten their gloves of mail and regirth their horses. Having remounted, they displayed their banners, dashing among the French with their shouts of war. Many were slain and wounded at this onset, for the French were not on their guard. The lord du Pons and Thibaut du Pons, with sixty of their principal men, were made prisoners, and the rest were put to flight.
At this moment, Evan of Wales with his forces advanced, having hastily crossed the Charente, with torches and other lights, for it was exceedingly dark. These four hundred lances, who were determined men and quite fresh, fell upon the English and Gascons, who thought they had accomplished their business. Many were scattered about pillaging, and the knights were attending to their prisoners. They were treated by these new-comers very roughly, and in a short time completely defeated. An able squire of Vermandois, called Peter Danvilliers*, advanced and came so near the captal de Buch that he made him his prisoner by a gallant deed of arms. The captal was, at this period, the knight of Gascony attached to England whom the king of France and the Frenchmen wished most to gain, for he was a hardy and enterprising captain. Lord Thomas Percy was also that day made prisoner by a Welsh priest, called David Howel†. Sir Maubrun de Linieres, sir Henry Haye, and several other knights and squires were taken likewise. Sir Walter Hewett, sir Petiton de Courton, sir William Farrington and Carmille‡ escaped with great difficulty: they made for the town of Soubise, but would have failed of help if the lady had not been on the walls, who had the gate instantly opened. They entered the place with several others.
On the next morning, Evan of Wales ordered all his barges and boats to be drawn up before Soubise, on which he made a brisk attack. The lord du Pons and sir Thibaut du Pons, who had been rescued, assaulted it on the opposite side. The garrison and town defended themselves valiantly: but the lady called a council of the knights and barons, as the place was not strong, and could not hold for any time; for she did not, in the present state of affairs, expect any succour; and sent them to negotiate with the French. A treaty was made on such terms that the knights who were in the town might retire in safety to Niort, Saintes, Lusignan, or whithersoever they pleased; but the lady of Soubise was to place herself under the obedience of the king of France.
The English departed from Soubise, and were safely escorted wherever they chose to go. The French took possession of the town and received the fealty of the lady, who swore allegiance to the king of France for herself and her dependencies. Evan of Wales, sir James de Montmoy, and their men, returned to their boats, carrying with them the captal de Buch, and their other prisoners, to the huge fleet, which was lying before La Rochelle.
The lord du Pons and the Bretons hastened their march toward St. Jean d’Angely, to join the other men at arms whom the constable had sent thither. There were the viscount de Rohan, the lords de Clisson, de Tournemine, de Beaumanoir, and de Rochefort, sir William des Bourdes, sir Oliver de Mauny, sir Reginald de Limousin, sir Geoffry Ricon, Yvon de Laconnet, Alain de St. Pol, Carseuelle, and several more, who came before the town of St. Jean d’Angely, and made a great show as if they meant to assault it. The inhabitants, seeing the country was lost, and their captain taken, at the same time not expecting succour from any part, surrendered themselves to the French. The Bretons then marched towards Angoulême, which turned to the French, as did Taillebourg. They next advanced to Saintes, where they 482 remained two days and two nights; for the governor, sir William Farrington said he would not surrender so easily, and made preparations for its defense; but the bishop of the town, who was a Frenchman, worked upon the citizens so far as to induce them to seize the governor, and declare they would put him to death if he would not permit them to surrender. Sir William consented, provided when they treated for themselves they did so for him, and that he should be permitted to march out free. This treaty was accepted, and the French took possession of Saintes and its castle. Sir William Farrington marched out, and was escorted to Bordeaux.
Evan of Wales still lay before La Rochelle in company with the Spanish admiral, don Roderigo de Rosas, with forty large ships, thirteen barges, and eight galleys. There were many negotiations between them and the citizens; but these last could not do anything as long as the castle was in the hands of the English. They waited, therefore, dissembling their intentions, until the English should have drawn off the greater part of the garrison, as they were doing by little and little, and until sir John Devereux had left it under the command of Philip Mansel, who had but a hundred companions one with the other. At this time, a citizen called John Candorier§, mayor of the town, assembled a meeting of those that were more inclined to the French than to the English, and addressed them: “Gentle sirs, we see our neighbours taking part with the French on all sides of us, and we shall soon be so inclosed that we shall not know which way to turn ourselves, nor even to go out of our town. It would therefore be expedient, as the moment seems favourable, to consider in what manner we may be able to gain possession of the castle, which has so much annoyed and vexed us, for the garrison is now much weakened. Philip Mansel is not very crafty. I will therefore tell him I have received orders from the king of England, which command me to arm and muster all the inhabitants of the town in a place which I will name, but that I must know the number of the garrison as well as the townsmen, so that I may be enabled to send him an exact account. I will desire him to march out of the castle and make his muster before me, which I am persuaded he will do. We will then have provided an ambuscade among the old ruins, on the outside of the castle, of two hundred companions, who, when the garrison have marched out, shall post themselves between them and the draw-bridge, which will have been let down. We will also have a sufficient force elsewhere, who must advance in their front and make them prisoners; by which we shall take both castle and garrison, if you, gentlemen, approve of my plan.” They all replied in the affirmative, and adopted it, appointing the mayor captain of the enterprise.
The mayor, shortly afterward, sent to invite the governor to a grand entertainment, where he met most of the principal inhabitants that were in the plot. The conversation ran chiefly on the king of England and his affairs: during which a large packet was brought to the mayor, sealed with the great seal of England, the better to impose on Philip Mansel, who could not read, but knew well the seal. The mayor read aloud this letter, putting such words in it as suited his purpose, but which were not written. He then addressed his guest: “Governor, you see and hear what the king our lord’s commands are to you and me. You must make your muster to-morrow, as we will do ours.” The governor, who but too well believed all he had heard, said he would willingly obey, and with this he took his leave. During the course of the night, the mayor chose two hundred men, whom he well armed, and before day placed them in ambush among the old walls on the outside of the castle. After nine o’clock, the mayor ordered the bells to ring and the townsmen to arm themselves. Soon after, Philip Mansel armed his garrison, of sixty able men, and fit to defend the place. They marched out of the castle; but when they had passed the draw-bridge, the men who formed the ambuscade sallied forth, and posted themselves between the English and the gate.
The garrison now saw they were betrayed, and marched towards the ambuscade in hopes of regaining the entrance of the castle; but at this moment the mayor advanced, with upwards of two thousand of the inhabitants, so that the English, being attacked in front and rear, were all made prisoners: they surrendered, on having their lives saved. The castle was not yet taken; for the English had left twelve of their men within, who had 483 strongly closed the gate. The mayor then came up to the governor and his men, and said: "Gentlemen, attend to what I say: if you do not immediately give orders for the castle to surrender, you may be assured we will have you all beheaded at the foot of this bridge.” The English replied, they would willingly do all in their power, and held several parleys with those of the castle. It was agreed on all sides, that those who had been made prisoners and the remainder in the castle should be embarked on board a ship, and conducted by the mayor and burgesses to Bordeaux. Thus did the Rochellers win their castle.
When the dukes of Berry, Burgundy, Bourbon, the marshal de Sancerre, the viscount de Rohan, the lords de Sully, du Pons, de Clisson, de Beaumanoir, and the other barons and knights of France were informed of it, they quitted Berry, Anjou and Limousin, where they had made their quarters, and took the direct road for Poitiers, where the constable resided. In their march, these lords took a town in Poitou called St. Maixant¶, which surrendered as soon as they came before it. The castle was taken by assault, and all in it put to the sword. They afterward took the castle of Merle, the castle of Aunay, and several other forts in their road. When they were arrived at Poitiers, they sent messengers to treat with the Rochellers, but they would not open their gates to them. They told the messengers, that the inhabitants would not surrender themselves in so easy a manner; but that if the duke of Berry and the before-mentioned lords were willing to agree, within six days, to send them passports to come to Poitiers, they would then declare to them their intentions, and fully explain what they meant to do. The messengers returned, and told what the inhabitants had said. Passports were granted, and some of the burgesses came to Poitiers, when they declared to the lords that it was their intention to place themselves under the obedience of the king of France; but that they would not allow of any castle, and the present one must be razed to the ground: that it should be declared, under the king’s seal, that no other should be erected: that the town of La Rochelle, and country dependent on it, should remain for ever as the particular domain, and under the jurisdiction, of the kings of France, and that it should never be severed from it by marriage, peace, or by any other means, whatever fortune may befal the kingdom of France; that the town should be allowed a mint, with liberty to coin florins, and black and white money, with the same alloy and form as those of Paris. The French lords would not agree to these terms until the king had considered them; and they gave the Rochellers passports to wait on him at Paris.
Twelve burgesses went to the king, who granted them every thing they had asked. He entertained them handsomely, and gave them several rich jewels. When they returned to La Rochelle, they displayed their charters, which were sealed with the king’s seal, and had been confirmed in the parliament of the king and his peers. They immediately began to demolish and raze to the ground the large and strong castle of La Rochelle. They then sent to inform the lords who were at Poitiers, that if they would come thither the gates would be open to them. The constable of France went with only two hundred men at arms. They received him with great joy, and did to him their homage and fealty as to the king of France; for he showed them a lawful commission from the king, which constituted him his representative in all those parts of the realm.
* “Danvilliers.” Froissart calls him Pierre Danielles; but I copy from Villaret’s Hist. de. France, tom. v. who says that Charles V. gave the squire twelve hundred livres for the ransom of the captal, and cites le Tresor de Chartres for the receipt.
† “David Howel.” Villaret calls him David Honnel. I suppose it should be David Howel. In those days, it as common for priests to engage in war, notwithstanding their priesthood.
‡ "Carmille.” Q.
§ “Candorier." He was called Chaudron before.
¶ “St. Maixant,” — in the road between Saintes and Poitiers, fifteen leagues from the latter.
CHAPTER CCCXII. — SIR BERTRAND DU GUESCLIN TAKES SEVERAL CASTLES IN THE ROCHELLOIS. — THE KING OF ENGLAND EMBARKS TO COME TO THE ASSISTANCE OF THOUARS, BUT IS PREVENTED BY CONTRARY WINDS: UPON WHICH THOSE OF THOUARS, AND MANY OTHERS IN POITOU, SURRENDER TO THE FRENCH.
WHEN sir Bertrand du Guesclin had resided four days in La Rochelle, and had pointed out to the inhabitants in what manner they should support and demean themselves henceforward, he set out on his return to the lords he had left at Poitiers, whom he instantly marched off to conquer other strong places in Poitou. They were full three thousand 484 lances. On their departure from Poitiers, they laid siege to the castle of Benon* , and declared they would not leave it until it had changed masters. A squire from the county of Foix, named William de Pau, was governor of the place, under the captal de Buch: he had with him a Neapolitan knight, called sir James, but without any surname. Many violent assaults were made, which were well repulsed by the garrison.
Not far distant was the town of Surgeres†, which was garrisoned with English, by orders of the captal, then a prisoner, who said one evening they would beat up the French quarters. They therefore marched out, according to an agreement with those of Marans‡, and mustered in the whole about forty lances: they fell upon the quarters of the constable of France, wounded many, and particularly slew one of his own squires. The army were roused, and the French collected together as fast as they could; but the English, who had performed all they intended, re-entered their fortresses unhurt. The constable was so enraged at this, that he swore he would never quit the spot where he was without conquering the castle of Benon, and putting to death all within it. He gave orders that very morning for every one to be ready for the assault, and had large machines brought, so that for a long time such an attack had not been seen. The men at arms and the Bretons did not spare themselves: they entered the ditches with shields on their heads, and advanced to the foot of the walls with pick-axes and iron crows, with which they worked so effectually that a large breach was made, through which they might easily enter. The castle was taken, and all within put to the sword. The constable had it repaired and new garrisoned. He then advanced towards Marans, the garrison of which surrendered on having their lives and properties saved. He next came to Surgeres, which also put itself under the obedience of the king of France; for the English garrison had gone away, being afraid to wait the arrival of the constable. He marched after this to the castle of Fontenay le Comte§, where the lady of sir John Harpedon resided. He assaulted both town and castle frequently: at last, the garrison left it on capitulation, and retreated to Thouars with the lady, under passports from the constable. The French therefore took possession of the castle and town, and halted there to rest themselves.
Sir Bertrand and the lords of France marched to besiege Thouars, whither the greater part of the knights of Poitou had retired, namely, the viscount de Thouars, the lords de Partenay, de Pousanges, de Cors, de Crupignac, sir Louis de Harcourt, sir Geoffry d’Argenton, sir James de Surgeres, sir Percival de Coulogne. They had caused to be made at Poitiers and at la Rochelle large machines and cannons, with which they much harassed these lords of Poitou in Thouars; who, having mutually considered their situation, proposed a treaty, the terms of which were, that there should be a truce for them and all that belonged to them until Michaelmas ensuing 1372: during which time, they should let the king of England, their lord, know the state of the town and country: and if, within that period, they were not succoured by the king of England or some of his children, they were, for themselves and their territories, to swear obedience to the king of France. When the treaty was agreed to, some of the knights returned to Paris. The captal de Buch was conducted thither, and imprisoned, under a good guard, in one of the towers of the Temple. The king was so much pleased with this prize, that he gave to the squire that had taken him twelve hundred francs.
The messengers from the lords of Poitou arrived in England, to acquaint the king, the prince of Wales (who at that time had pretty well recovered his health) and the council with the situation of Poitou and Saintonge. The king, learning that he was thus losing all the territories which had cost him so much to conquer, remained pensive and silent: at last he said, that in a very short time he would go to that country with such a powerful force as would enable him to wait for the army of the king of France, and never return to England before he had regained all that had been conquered from him, or lose what remained.
At this period, the army under the command of the duke of Lancaster was completed. 485 It was very numerous, and had been ordered to Calais; but the king and council changed its destination, having determined it should go to Poitou, Saintonge and La Rochelle, as being the places where the business was the most pressing. The king of England issued a special summons throughout the realm, ordering all persons capable of bearing arms to come properly equipped to Southampton and its neighbourhood by a certain day, when they were to embark. None either wished or dared to disobey the command, so that numbers of men at arms and archers of all sorts marched towards the sea-coast, where there were about four hundred vessels of different sizes ready to receive them. The principal nobility waited on the king and his family, who resided at Westminster. It had been settled between the king and prince, that if either of them should die in this expedition, the son of the prince, named Richard, born at Bordeaux, should succeed to the crown. When therefore all the nobles were assembled about the king before his departure, the prince caused them to acknowledge, that in case he should die before his father, his son should succeed as king of England after the decease of his grandfather. The earls, barons, knights and commonalty of the country were so much attached to the prince for his gallantry at home and abroad, that they cheerfully assented to his request; the king first, then his children, and afterward the lords of England. The prince put them upon their oath, and made them sign and seal to observe this arrangement before they separated.
Matters being thus settled, the king, the prince, the duke of Lancaster, the earls of Cambridge, Salisbury, Warwick, Arundel, Suffolk and Stafford, the lord Despencer (who was but lately returned from Lombardy), the lords Percy, Neville, Roos, de la Warre, and all the principal barons of England, with about three thousand lances and ten thousand archers¶, arrived at Southampton, when they embarked on board the fleet, which was the largest that ever a king of England sailed with on any expedition whatever. They steered for La Rochelle, coasting Normandy and Brittany, and had various winds. The king of France, in the meantime, was collecting a great army in Poitou, to maintain his pretensions to Thouars: so that the whole country was full of soldiers. The Gascons, on the other hand, were as actively employed in raising men under the command of the lord Archibald de Grailly, uncle to the captal de Buch, who had come forward at the entreaties of sir Thomas Felton, séneschal of Bordeaux: they amounted to full three hundred spears. In this number were the lords de Duras, de Courton, de Mucident, de Rosen, de Langoren, and de Landuras, sir Peter de Landuras, sir Peter de Courton, and sir William Farrington, an Englishman.
This body of men left Bordeaux, and advanced to Niort, where they found sir Walter Hewett, sir John Devereux, sir Thomas Gournay, sir John Creswell, and several others. When they were all assembled, they amounted to about twelve hundred combatants. Sir Richard de Pontchardon arrived there also, and brought with him twelve hundred more. The king of England and his children, with his large army, were beaten about on the sea, and could not land at La Rochelle, nor any where near it, for wind and weather were against them. They remained in this situation for nine weeks; and Michaelmas was so near at hand that he found it was not possible for him to keep his engagement with the Poitevin lords in Thouars. He was severely disappointed at this, and disbanded his troops to go whither they wished. The king, on his return, said of the king of France, “that there never was a king who had armed himself so little, nor one who had given him so much embarrassment.” Thus did this large fleet steer to England, when it had as favourable a gale as could be wished. After they were disbanded, there arrived at Bordeaux upwards of two hundred merchant ships for wine.
When Michaelmas was nearly arrived, the barons of England and Gascony, who had advanced to Niort in order to attend the king of England at Thouars, were very much surprised that they heard not any tidings of him. In order, therefore, to acquit themselves, they sent messengers to the Poitevin lords in Thouars, who said to them: “Very dear lords, we are sent hither by the lords of Gascony in the dependence of the king of England, and by those English lords now in company with them, who have desired us to inform you, that they have collected all their forces, which may amount to about twelve hundred fighting men¥, ready and willing to serve you. They entreat you to inform them, if, in the absence 486 of the king of England and his children, they can assist you, and if the relief may now be accepted; for they are eager to adventure their lives and fortunes in your company.” The barons of Poitou replied: “We will call a council on what you have said; and we return our kind thanks to the barons of Gascony and England for sending to us, and for being so well prepared and willing to assist us.”
The knights of Poitou assembled; but at the first meeting they could not agree on any determination, for the lord de Partenay, who was one of the principal barons, was desirous they should defend themselves, as if the king of England had been present: but others maintained, that they had given under their seals a declaration, that if neither the king of England nor any of his children were present, they would surrender themselves to the obedience of the king of France. The lord de Partenay returned to his hôtel in a very ill humour; but he was afterwards so much talked to that he consented to agree with the others. They therefore sent word, that according to their treaty, it was absolutely necessary for the king of England or one of his sons to be present. The English and Gascons at Niort were much vexed on hearing this, but they could not prevent it.
The dukes of Berry, Burgundy, Bourbon, the constable of France, the lord de Clisson, the viscount de Rohan, the dauphin of Auvergne, the lord Louis de Sancerre, the lord de Sully, and the barons of France: in all, about ten thousand lances, without reckoning the others, advanced from Poitiers, and drew up in battle-array before Thouars the eve of Michaelmas-day, and also on the feast-day until evening, when they retired to their quarters. On the morrow, the two brothers of the king of France and the constable sent to the knights of Poitou in Thouars, to remind them of what they had sworn and sealed. They returned for answer, that they should very soon retire to Poitiers, when they would put themselves and their dependencies under the obedience of the king of France. The lords of France, satisfied with this answer, departed from before Thouars; and the dukes disbanded the greater part of their men.
On this separation, the lord de Clisson, with a large body of men at arms, of whom the constable had given him the command, came before Mortaigne-sur-mer, which at that time was attached to the English. An English squire, called James Clerk, was governor of that place, and might have had with him about sixty companions. When the lord de Clisson came before Mortaigne, he assaulted it very vigorously: but, though he did not spare himself on the occasion, he gained nothing: upon which he retreated to his quarters. The governor, who found he should be hard pushed, sent off secretly to those knights of Gascony and England who were at Niort, to desire they would come that night to Mortaigne; that he would lodge them in his hôtel; and that they might easily pass through the quarters of the French forces, who were about two hundred fighting men. These lords set out from Niort, with five hundred lances, and rode all night to arrive at Mortaigne, for they had a great desire to catch the lord de Clisson. But a spy, who had left Niort with them, having overheard some part of their intentions, made as much haste as possible to the lord de Clisson, whom he found sitting at his supper. He informed him that the enemy had marched from Niort with five hundred combatants, and were advancing fast towards him. Upon hearing this, the lord de Clisson pushed the table from before him and hastily armed himself. He mounted his steed, and set off suddenly, with all his men, leaving the greater part of what belonged to them on the field. He never stopped until he arrived at Poitiers. The English were much vexed at their disappointment. They returned to Niort, where they left in garrison sir John Devereux, the earl of Angus and Creswell. Sir Walter Hewett went to England. All the others went back to Bordeaux, burning in their way the whole of the territories of the lord de Partenay.
Thus was all Poitou conquered, except the fortresses of Niort, Eliseth, Mortemer, Mortaigne, Lusignan, Chastel-Accart**, La Roche-sur-Yon, Gauzar, La Tour de l’Arbre, Merxis and others. These castles however, held out, and made frequent inroads and attacks on their neighbours; sometimes invading, at other times chased back again.
* “Benon,” — a small town in Aunis, diocese of La Rochelle.
† “Surgeres,” — a town in Aunis, six leagues from La Rochelle.
‡ “Marans,” — a town in Aunis, six leagues from La Rochelle.
§ “Fontenay le Comte,” — a city in La Vendée, bishopric of La Rochelle.
¶ My MS. says, “four thousand men at arms and twenty thousand archers.”
¥ All the printed copies and MSS. except the one I have lately quoted, have 1200. In the preceding page, Froissart says 1200 men came to Niort with sir John Devereux, &c. and that sir Richard de Pontchardon brought 1200 more. They ought, therefore, to have been 2400. My MS. nearly reconciles this by saying, that, “the herald Chandos, who carried the message to the knights in Thouars, informed them his lords were assembled in Niort with 1200 lances, English and Gascons, and about 2000 archers and lusty varlets.”
** Châtel l’Archer, — a village in Poitou.
CHAPTER CCCXIII. — THE DUKE OF BRITTANY DARES NOT OPENLY DECLARE FOR THE KING OF ENGLAND. — SIR BERTRAND DU GUESCLIN LAYS SIEGE TO CIVRAY*. — THE ENGLISH ARE DEFEATED, AND THE WHOLE OF THE COUNTRIES OF POITOU, SAINTONGE, AND LA ROCHELLE, ARE GIVEN UP TO THE FRENCH.
THE duke of Brittany, who remained peaceably in his duchy, was much hurt at the losses of the English; for he said, such as he was the king of England and his power had made him, as he never should have been anything of himself: that he owed all to the English king, who had made war in his behalf, had lent him large sums of money, and had given to him his daughter in marriage, he would therefore have been happy to have added Brittany as an ally of England: but all the barons, knights, and squires of that country were too much attached to the French, particularly the lords de Clisson, de Laval, and the viscount de Rohan, who at that time were the greatest lords in Brittany. They addressed the duke in these words: “Dear lord, as soon as we shall clearly perceive that you take any part with the king of England against the king of France, our sovereign lord, we will all quit you and the country of Brittany.” The duke could but ill disguise his anger: however, he only said, “they did great wrong to the king of England.” He now began to open himself more, and to discover his sentiments to others of the lords of Brittany.
The king of France, who had gained over to him all the principal persons in that country except sir Robert Knolles, had besought them to inform him whenever they found the duke acting contrary to their wishes, assuring them he would provide a remedy. The duke saw that he was not only suspected, but narrowly watched; which alarmed him lest they should seize his person, and send him to Paris. He therefore signified to the king of England his situation, and entreated him to send men at arms to assist him if there should be any occasion. The king ordered thither four hundred men at arms and as many archers, under the command of lord Neville, who arrived at St. Mathieu Fin de Terre†, where they remained all the winter, without doing any damage to the country, paying for everything they had; for the duke, on account of the suspicions of his nobles, did not choose to put them into any of his castles. When the knights of Brittany saw the English thus come to the assistance of the duke, they were very indignant, and shut up their own castles, showing much ill will against the duke. Things remained in this doubtful manner all the winter.
As soon as the season permitted, sir Bertrand du Guesclin marched from Poitiers with full fourteen hundred combatants, and laid siege to the town and castle of Civray. There were with him, of Breton knights, sir Alain de Beaumanoir, John de Beaumanoir, Arnoul Limousin, Geoffry Ricon, Yvon de Laconet, Geoffry de Kerimel, with many other knights and squires. They fixed their quarters before Civray, and surrounded them with palisades to prevent being surprised in the night. Frequently the most expert of them advanced to make trials of skill with those of the castle, who defended themselves valiantly. During the siege, sir Robert Micon, and Nicotin l’Escot‡, the governors of Civray, sent intelligence of their situation to sir John Devereux and the earl of Angus, who were in garrison at Niort. They instantly ordered the garrisons from Lusignan and Gouzar to march to Niort, when they amounted all together to six or seven hundred good men at arms, well equipped, without counting the pillagers. They advanced until they came near to Civray, which is but four leagues from Niort; when they halted some time to arrange themselves, but it had been better for them had they proceeded to the quarters of the constable.§
News was brought to him of the arrival of the English, whilst they were forming themselves in the plain. He was not any way alarmed at it, but ordered his men to arm without making any delay, and to march out in a body. When he saw them all assembled, he said 488 to them; “My good gentlemen, what hearts have you for a battle? I fancy we must engage our enemies.” They replied: “My lord, we are very willing to do so, thanks to God.” The constable then ordered an ambuscade to be formed, of two hundred combatants, near to the castle; for he judged the garrison would of course make a sally. He then commanded the greater part of the palisadoes to be levelled to the ground, that there might not be any hindrance when he should march out, and drew up his forces in two battalions. Sir Alain de Beaumont commanded one, and sir Geoffry de Marneil¶ the other. It was strictly forbidden for any one to advance before his banner until ordered, and he was to remain till then quietly in his rank.
We will now return to sir Robert Miton and sir Martin Scott, who, from the heights of the castle, saw the English, in the plain drawn up in battle-array. They said, “Let us make ready to quit the castle, for we can easily pass through these Bretons; and when our friends shall see we are engaged, they will come to our help, and we may do much mischief before they will be prepared to defend themselves or suspect our intent.” About sixty combatants that were to make this sally armed themselves, who, when ready, sallied forth on horseback to skirmish with the enemy; but they were attacked by the ambuscade which had been laid for them. Hard indeed was the fight, but the English were so surrounded that they could neither advance nor retreat: they were all slain or made prisoners, not one escaping: the two governors were also taken.
The English remained in battle-array in the plain, and the constable of France in his quarters; for he imagined the English had placed a large ambuscade in a coppice on his rear. The English had brought with them a rout of pillaging Poitevins and Bretons, amounting to about two hundred, whom they sent forward to skirmish with the French. As soon as these pillagers came opposite to the battalion of the lord constable, they declared themselves loyal Frenchmen, and, if he pleased, would serve under him. The constable immediately assented, commanding them to wheel on one side, when he learnt from them the arrangement of the English force, and that there was not any ambuscade. On hearing this, the constable was more easy than before; and having ordered his men to form, he advanced with his banner, marching on the wing of the two battalions. They had dismounted, and pushed towards the palisadoes, which they had allowed to remain standing, every one shouting, “Notre Dame Guesclin!”
The English on seeing them issued out of their fort, drew up also on foot, and advanced with great alacrity. Their first onset was against the battalion of the constable, which was fierce and desperate. The English drove quite through this battalion, and overthrew many. But the Bretons had wisely drawn up their army: there were two battalions on the wing, who, being quite fresh, followed the constable, and, falling upon the English who were tired, beat them most dreadfully. They, however, like men of courage, turned about, without shrinking from their ill fortune, and combated most valiantly with the arms they had, such as battle-axes and swords of Bordeaux, with which they dealt many hard blows. Several excellent knights of each side adventured boldly, to exalt their renown. This battle was as well fought, as many gallant deeds performed, and as many captures and rescues took place as had been seen for a long time in all that country; for both armies were on foot, on a plain, without advantage to either. Each laboured to perform his duty well, and many were slain outright or desperately wounded. In short, all the English who had marched thither were so completely discomfited that not one escaped death or captivity. Two good squires were there slain, Richard Neville and William Worsley; James Willoughby was very badly wounded. Sir John Devereux, sir Aimery de Rochechouart, David Holgrave, Richard Oliver, John Creswell, and many others from England and Poitou, were made prisoners. This battle of Civray happened on the 20th day of March, 1373.
The constable and his army returned to their quarters, where they cleaned and refreshed themselves, and attended to the wounded and prisoners, of whom they had great numbers. 489 The constable then sent sir Alain de Beaumont to hold a parley with the garrison, who told them, that if they suffered themselves to be taken by assault, they would all be put to the sword without mercy. Upon this, the garrison surrendered to the constable, who allowed them to leave the place and march to Bordeaux, with a passport from him. The French gained this castle and territory, which submitted to the obedience of the king of France. The Bretons advanced eagerly towards Niort, which is a handsome town in Poitou, and had always supported the interest of the English, who kept there a very large garrison. As soon as the inhabitants of Niort heard the constable was marching thither, they went out to meet him, and, presenting him the keys of the town, conducted him and all his men into it with great rejoicings¥. The Bretons remained there four days to recover themselves, when they departed in great array, with about fourteen hundred lances, for Lusignan**, which surrendered upon condition the garrison should march out unhurt, carrying away all they were able, and with a passport for the constable to conduct them to Bordeaux. The French gained this castle, which was very grand and handsome, and all the lordship dependent on it, whose vassals became liege men to the king of France.
After this, the Bretons marched to Châtel l’Archer, when the constable sent immediately to the lady de Plainmartin, who was the wife of sir Guiscard d’Angle, and resided in it. She entreated he would grant her an escort, that she might speak with the duke of Berry at Poitiers. The constable complied with her request, and ordered one of his knights to conduct her. When she came before the duke, she prostrated herself to the ground. The duke caused her to rise, and demanded what she wished to say: “My lord,” replied she, “I am summoned by the constable to put myself and my lands under the obedience of the king of France. You know well, my lord, that my husband is now lying a prisoner of Spain: his lands, therefore, are under my direction. I am but a weak woman, and cannot dispose of my husband’s property as I please; for, if by accident I should do any thing contrary to what he would have wished, he will be angered and blame me for it. However, to satisfy you, and to keep my lands in peace, I offer you a composition for me and mine, on these terms: that no war shall be made on us, nor will we engage in any offensive or defensive war. When my lord shall have gained his liberty and be returned to England, whatever answer he shall send to me, the same I will forward to you.” “Lady,” answered the duke, “I grant it on condition that neither for yourself, nor castles, nor fortresses, you lay in a greater store of provision, artillery, or men at arms than are now within them.” The lady returned to Châtel l’Archer, when the siege was raised; for she showed the agreement made with the duke of Berry.
This army of Bretons, of which the constable was the leader, departed, and came before Mortemer. The lady de Mortemer surrendered herself and lands to the obedience of the king of France. She gave up also the castle of Didonne††, which belonged to her. Thus was all Poitou, Saintonge, and La Rochelle freed and delivered from the English. When the constable had placed sufficient garrisons everywhere, and found nothing rebellious, as far as the river Gironde, he returned to Paris. The dukes of Berry, Burgundy, and Bourbon, with the greater part of the barons of France who had been concerned in these conquests, had already arrived there. The king had entertained them most handsomely on their return; but this was nothing to the honours that were shown sir Bertrand du Guesclin when he came to Paris: the king did not thing he could sufficiently testify his regard and esteem for him, and detained him constantly about this person at Paris and elsewhere.
* “Civray,” — a town in Poitou, on the Charente, ten leagues from Poitiers.
† St. Mathieu Fin de Terre, or St. Mahé, is a village in Brittany, diocese of St. Pol de Leon. Froissart calls it St. Mathieu de Fine Pôterne.
‡ “Sir Robert Micon and Nicotin l’Escot.” My MSS. have sir Robert Miton and sir Martin Scott.
§ The historian of Brittany, says, they there intoxicated themselves.
¶ “Marneil.” The different editions have a variety of names for this person. I have followed the oldest MS. I have, which, from its writing, seems to be of the same age with Froissart: but I should rather suppose it ought to be sir Geoffry de Kerimel, as he is particularly mentioned before.
¥ Niort is said to have been gained by a stratagem. After the defeat at Civray, the constable ordered his knights to dress themselves in the emblazoned surcoats of his prisoners, which caused the garrison at Niort to open their gates, believing them the English knights returning victorious from Civray. — Hist. de Bretagne.
** “Lusignan,” — a town in Poitou, twelve leagues from Niort.
†† “Didonne,” — or St. Georges de Diodonne, — a small town in Saintonge.
I believe it was a dependency of the sandich de Trane. — See Ashmole.
ABOUT this time, the lords de Clisson, de Laval, d’Avaugour, de Tournemine, de Rieux, de Rochefort, the viscount de Rohan, sir Charles de Dinan, banneret of Brittany, the marshal de Blainville, the lords de Bambie, de Ruille, de Fonteville, de Granville, de Farmille, de Denneval, and de Cleres, bannerets of Normandy, with many others from Normandy and Brittany, laid siege to the strong castle of Becherel, and pressed it hard by their assaults. There were in this castle two able captains from England, sir John Appleyard and sir John Cornewall, who, with their companions, bravely defended themselves: and at this time there were various gallant deeds, sallies, skirmishes, and rescues, performed before Becherel. Not far distant was the town of St. Sauveur le Vicomte; in which were, sir Thomas Trivet, sir Aleyne Boxhull, sir Philip Pechard, and the three brothers Maulevrier; so that, before the siege of Becherel, these two garrisons over-ran all Lower Normandy, and nothing could escape, but what was inclosed in forts, from being taken and carried to one or other of these towns. They ransomed the bishoprics of Bayeux and Evreux, in which the king of Navarre had connived, and reinforced them with men and provisions from the garrisons he held in the county of Evreux.
He was not in good humour with the king of France; inasmuch as the garrisons of Cherbourg, Cocherel, Conches, Breteuil, Evreux, and several others dependent on the king of Navarre, had much impoverished and ruined the country of Normandy. However, about this period, the differences were accommodated between the two kings, and treaties entered 491 into, through the mediations of the count de Saltzbourg, who had made many visits to each party, and the bishop of Evreux. The two kings met in an amicable manner in the castle of Vernon, when they swore, in the presence of several of the great lords of France, peace, love, amity, and alliance henceforward for ever. The king of Navarre accompanied the king of France to Paris, who showed him and his companions all manner of respect. The king of Navarre put his territories in Normandy under the government of his brother-in-law the king of France, and left his two sons, Charles and Peter, with the king their uncle. He then affectionately took his leave, and returned to Navarre.
This peace continued for four years; but then great dissensions arose between them, as you will hear in the course of this history, if I should live to finish it: I do not think, however, that it will be concluded in this book.
The 7th of May, 1373, king David of Scotland departed this life in the city of Edinburgh, and was buried in the abbey of Dunfermline, beside Robert the Bruce his father. He left behind him neither male nor female offspring, and was succeeded by his own nephew, Robert the Stewart of Scotland, who was a fine knight, and had eleven sons.†
* Becherel, — a town in Brittany, two leagues from St. Malo.
† Lord Hailes, in his Annals, says: “David II. died 22nd February, 1370-1, in the castle of Edinburgh, in the 47th year of his age and the 42nd of his reign. He was buried in the church of the abbey of Holyrood, before the great altar.”
CCCXV. — THE EARL OF SALISBURY, SIR WILLIAM NEVILLE, SIR PHILIP COURTENAY, WITH MANY OTHER MEN AT ARMS, LAND IN BRITTANY. — THE CONSTABLE OF FRANCE MARCHES THITHER; ON WHICH THE DUKE OF BRITTANY GOES TO ENGLAND.
ORDERS were given in England for the earl of Salisbury, sir William Neville, and sir Philip Courtenay, to put to sea with a large body of men at arms, to guard the coasts; for it was reported that the Spaniards and Evan of Wales were on the seas, with six thousand men, to invade and burn the country. These lords had under their command forty large ships, without counting sloops, and two thousand men at arms, not including archers. They set sail from Cornwall, where they had embarked for the coasts of Brittany, and, arriving at St. Malo, burnt in the harbour seven large Spanish ships that were lying there. The country was much surprised at this, and said the duke had sent them orders to come thither: they began to suspect his intentions more than ever, and strengthened all their towns, castles, and cities.
The duke had placed his confidence in some of the knights of Brittany, who had betrayed his secret, so that the king of France ordered his constable to invade Brittany with a large body of men at arms, and to take possession for him of all cities, towns, castles, and fortresses, as well as such persons whom he should find in rebellion, and confiscate their property. The constable marched from Paris to Angers, and from thence issued his summons. He was there joined by the duke de Bourbon, the count d’Alençon, the count du Perche, the count de Porcien, the dauphin d’Auvergne, the viscounts de Meaux, and d’Ausnay, sir Raoul de Coucy, Robert de St. Pol, Raoual de Raineval, Louis de Sancerre marshal of France, with numbers of barons and knights from the countries of Vermandois, Artois, and Picardy, without counting those from Anjou, Poitou, and Touraine.
The earl of Salisbury, who was at St. Malo with his army, was informed of this assembly of men at arms, and also that the whole of Brittany was in opposition to the duke. He set sail with his fleet, and bore away until he came to Brest, which has one of the strongest castles in the world. When the duke of Brittany heard of the march of the constable, he was afraid of trusting himself to the inhabitants of Vannes or Dinan, or indeed to any of his principal towns: he thought if he should shut himself up in any one of them, he would run great risks. He went, therefore, to the castle of Auray, which is situated between Vannes and Rennes, and was attached to him; for he had given the command of it to an English knight, called sir John Austin. The duke left his lady under the care of this knight, entreating him to guard her well, which he promised to do. After this, he rode to St. Mahé; but they shut 492 the gates against him. From thence he went to Concarneau*, where he embarked for England.
The constable of France entered Brittany, attended by those barons and knights of the country who had been at the siege of Becherel, they having left the continuance of it to the knights and lords of Normandy. On the arrival of the constable before Rennes, the inhabitants knew that his visit was to take possession of the whole country; for the king and his council had published a declaration that the duke had forfeited it, because he had surrendered to the English different towns, castles, and forts, and had even wished to take part with the king of England against the crown of France, from which he held his duchy by faith and homage. They were unwilling to incur the horrors of war, and received the constable in a peaceful manner, acknowledging the king of France for their lord. After the constable had gained possession of Rennes, he hastened to Dinan, which surrendered to the obedience of the king of France. He next advanced to Vannes, which did the same. Luzumont†, however, held out for the duke; it was roughly assaulted and taken by storm, so that all within were put to death. The constable marched to Jugon, which accepted the terms of the king of France; as did the castle of Guy la Forêt; la Roche-derrien, the towns of Guingamp, St. Mahé, and St. Malo. In like manner, did Quimpercorentin, Quimperlé, Credo, Galande, as well as several other fortresses in the neighbourhood, turn to the French. The constable marched first through lower Brittany, because it was more attached to duke John de Montfort than the upper parts.
When the duke of Brittany embarked for England, he nominated sir Robert Knolles governor of the duchy, but very few lords obeyed him. He, however, sufficiently reinforced his castle of Derval with men, and, having provided it with every necessary, gave the command of it to his cousin Hugh Brock. Sir Robert shut himself up in Brest.
The constable came before Hennebon: the governor was an English squire, called Thomelin Ubich‡, nominated by the duke. There was also with him in the castle a knight named sir Thomas Prior, who had been sent thither by sir Robert Knolles; and their garrison might consist of about fourscore men, without counting the inhabitants of the town. The French, on their arrival, began to make a violent attack on the castle: they always carried with them many large engines and cannons, by means of which they had taken several towns, castles, and forts in Brittany: in particular, they stormed the town of Quimperlé, of which James Ross, a valiant squire of England, was governor. He could obtain no quarter, for he fell into the hands of sir Oliver de Clisson, who slew him and several others with his own hand: he had no mercy or pity on any Englishman.
Let us return to the siege of Hennebon. The constable of France, after he had pointed his engines and cannon against the walls of the town and castle, which the lord Charles de Blois could never conquer, ordered all the men at arms to make a brisk assault, for he had resolved to sup in the place that evening. They made a most fierce attack, without sparing themselves; and the inhabitants, assisted by the English, made as gallant a defence. Upon this, the constable called out to them, saying: “Attend to me, you men of Hennebon: it is quite certain we must conquer you, and that we will sup in your town this evening: if, therefore, any of you be bold enough to throw a stone, arrow, or by any means hurt the smallest of our boys so that he be wounded, I vow to God I will have you all put to death.” These words so much frightened the inhabitants that they retired to their houses, leaving the English to defend the place as well as they could: but the town was too large for them to guard every part of it, so that the army of the constable entered, and put all the English to death except the two captains, whom they made prisoners. Because the townsmen had obeyed the orders of the constable, he commanded that no one, when they stormed the place, should dare any way to injure them. When sir Bertrand du Guesclin had thus won the town and strong castle of Hennebon in Brittany, he remained there for fifteen days, and then marched towards Concarneau.
493In the mean while, the earl of Salisbury, sir William Neville, sir Brian Stapleton, and sir William Lucy, having reinforced and re-victualled the fort of Brest with men at arms, archers, and provisions, had embarked on board their ships in order the better to defend it against the French, whom the English knew to be in Brittany, but were uncertain to what quarter the constable would lead them. The constable on coming before Concarneau, which is a sea-port, took it by storm, and slew all the English, except their captain, sir John Langley, who received quarter. The French repaired the town, and strengthened it with men at arms and all sorts of provision. They then advanced to Brest, in which were sir William Neville and sir Robert Knolles, with two hundred men at arms and as many archers.
The lords of France and of Brittany laid siege to Brest: they had with them about six thousand combatants. Shortly after they had commenced this siege, the duke of Anjou sent for sir Oliver de Clisson, who had under his command some of his men, to come and lay siege to la Roche-sur-Yon, which the English still held. Sir Oliver surrounded the place, and pointed against it large engines, which he had brought from Angers and Poitou. In company with these Bretons came several nobles and gentlemen of Poitou and Anjou: they kept up a sharp attack, and pressed hard the garrison of la Roche-sur-Yon, saying they would never leave the place before they had conquered it. The duke of Anjou returned to his own country, but frequently sent provision and other articles to those who were carrying on the siege. The constable, the duke of Bourbon, the counts d’Alençon and de Perigord, the dauphin d’Auvergne, and the great barons of France still maintained the siege of Brest; but too little did they gain, for it is one of the strongest castles in the world. As sir Robert Knolles was the governor, the lords of France resolved to send a body of men to invest his castle of Derval. Many noblemen of Brittany and of Touraine went on this expedition: they were, in the whole, about four hundred fighting men.
* “Concarneau,” — a sea-port in Brittany, about four leagues from Quimper.
† Probably Sucinio, — a castle near Vannes, which was taken by assault, and the garrison slain. — Hist. de Bretagne.
‡ “Thomelin Ubich.” Q. Wich, or Holbeck. Barnes calls him Thomas Wich.
CHAPTER CCCXVI. — THE FRENCH BESIEGE FOUR DIFFERENT PLACES. — LA ROCHE-SUR-YON SURRENDERS TO THE FRENCH. — THE SIEGE OF BREST IS RAISED BY A CAPITULATION, WHICH IS NOT KEPT.
THE lords of France were at this time besieging four towns at once; namely, Becherel, Brest, la Roche-sur-Yon, and the one just formed before Derval. The besiegers had many an assault to make, and many gallant feats of arms to perform, in order to obtain success
The inhabitants of la Roche-sur-Yon, being the farthest off from any assistance, and surrounded on all sides, entered into a capitulation, that if they were not succoured within one month, the garrison would march out, and deliver up the castle to the king of France. The lord de Clisson and the other lords returned at the appointed day; and, when no reinforcements appeared to raise the siege, the castle surrendered, and the English, under the passports of the lord de Pons, marched away for Bordeaux*.
After this, sir Oliver de Clisson and the others who had been at this conquest, marched to Derval, whither they had caused large machines and engines to be brought. To this siege of Derval came the constable of France, the duke of Bourbon, the counts d’Alençon and du Perche, with numbers of the knights and barons of France, for they found they were only losing their time before Brest. Two thousand, however, remained behind, who built a block-house in such a situation that no one could enter Brest to reinforce or re-victual it. Sir Hugh Brock and the garrison in Derval, seeing themselves attacked by such a force, were alarmed lest they should be taken by storm, and proposed a treaty for a truce of two months; and if within that time they were not relieved by the duke of Brittany, or others in sufficient force to keep the field, to raise the siege, and to combat the French, they would surrender themselves and the castle to the duke of Anjou or to the constable: but if a body of men at arms should arrive, and offer battle to the French, the garrison should remain in peace. This treaty was concluded, and information sent to the duke of Anjou, who was on 494 the borders: he approved of it, on condition that the garrison of Derval should not during the truce receive any one into the castle. Sir Hugh Brock sent several knights and squires as his hostages for the execution of the treaty.
After this capitulation, the constable of France made an excursion to the city of Nantes. The citizens shut their gates, because he had with him a large army, and went forth to know his intentions. The constable told them he had been nominated and sent by the king of France, their lord, to take seisin and possession of the duchy of Brittany, which sir John de Montfort, who called himself duke, had forfeited. The citizens requested time to hold a council, to deliberate on what he had said before they gave an answer. After a long time debating the business, they returned and said to the constable: “Dear lord, it seems quite marvellous to us how the king of France can thus seize the inheritance of our lord the duke; for the king, not long since, commanded us to receive him as our duke. We have therefore sworn fealty and homage to him; and he has in return promised and sworn to govern us as subjects, which he has hitherto punctually done. We have never had any grounds for suspecting him of fraud or guile. If you enter this town by virtue of the procuration you say you have, we will allow you so to do; but on condition, that if it should happen that the duke of Brittany return to this country, and be desirous of becoming a good Frenchman, so that all prelates, barons, gentlemen, and good towns in Brittany, shall acknowledge him for their lord, we shall be acquitted without loss for what we now do, or may have before done; and that you will not consent to any violence being offered to us, nor will you receive the rents or revenues of Brittany, but they shall remain as a deposit with us until we have other information, or hear news more agreeable to us than what you have brought.” The constable swore to keep everything as procurator for the king of France in this case. He and all those who were with him then entered the city of Nantes, which is the principal town in Brittany.
When sir Robert Knolles heard that his cousin, sir Hugh Brock, had concluded a capitulation for the castle of Derval with the French, and found that unless he also entered into a negotiation he could not by any means leave his post to succour it, sir Robert made offers of treating with the French and Bretons, who had remained before Brest: they replied, that they could do nothing without the constable. An English knight and two squires, having had passports, came to a mansion near Nantes, where the constable resided, on the banks of the Loire, with other knights from France and Brittany. A treaty was entered into, on these terms; that the garrison of Brest should have a truce for forty days, during which time, unless there should arrive a sufficient force to fight with the constable, the fort was to be surrendered. The garrison was to remain on the same footing it then was, without receiving any reinforcements of men or provision. The negotiators returned to sir Robert Knolles, who sent, as pledges to the constable, able and sufficient knights and squires. These hostages, on their arrival, were ordered to the prison of the constable; and all those who had been at the siege of Brest departed. The constable gave also leave for several others to go away, whom the king of France sent to garrison his cities, castles, towns, and forts in Picardy, for the duke of Lancaster had landed at Calais with a large army.
When the earl of Salisbury (who had all that season cruised on the coasts of Brittany and Normandy, having for that purpose been reinforced by the king of England, so that he might have on board with him a thousand men at arms and two thousand archers,) heard of the capitulation of Brest, he said, that if it pleased God, he would offer combat to the French. He made sail, and arrived at Brest, which is situated on the sea-shore, when he disembarked, and drew up his men in order of battle before Brest: at night, they all retreated to their vessels. This he daily performed, in order to be ready to fight the enemy should they advance to that quarter.
The constable had dismissed the greater part of his men: he had also on his hands, the sieges of Becherel and Derval, and did not imagine the earl of Salisbury would have arrived on the coast so soon. He set out from near Nantes when the day approached for the surrender of Brest, but did not march quite so far; for he had had intelligence that the English were in sufficient force to fight with him. On hearing this, he halted where he was, and remained there quiet for about seven days, being desirous of having the advice of a full 495 council of war which he had summoned. The earl of Salisbury had posted himself very advantageously before Brest; and, finding that the constable and Bretons did not advance, he sent a herald to sir Bertrand du Guesclin, who, on his arrival, respectfully saluted him, and said: “My lord, the earl of Salisbury and the lords of England signify by me, who am a herald at arms and their servant, that as you had for a long time besieged the town and castle of Brest, and certain treaties and capitulations had been entered into for its surrender unless it should be succoured before a certain day, which is not far distant, they wish to inform you that they have encamped themselves before Brest to fulfil this engagement and to defend the castle: they beg and entreat of you, therefore, to advance, when you shall be fought with without fail; and supposing you refuse your consent to this, that you will send back the hostages.” The constable replied: “Herald, you bring us agreeable news, and you are welcome. You will tell your masters, that we are more desirous to combat them than they are to meet us; but that they must march to the place where the treaty was first entered into and agreed upon. You will inform them, that if they will advance to that place, they shall infallibly have a battle.”
The herald returned to his masters before Brest, and delivered his message: they sent him back to the constable, to whom he said: “My lord, I come again from my lords and masters, to whom I repeated the words you charged me with: they say, that as they are only attached to the sea-service they have not brought any horses with them, and are not accustomed to march on foot; for which reason they inform you, that if you will send them your horses, they will come without delay to any place you shall please to appoint, and fight with you.” “My good friend,” answered the constable, “we will not, please God, give such advantage to our enemies as we should do were we to send them our horses. It would also be considered an insult; and, should we think of such a thing, it would be right we should have good and sufficient security for our horses.” "In truth,” replied the herald, “they have not charged me to add anything on this head; only, that if you do not accept their proposition, they say you have not any cause to detain their hostages, and that in returning them you will act but justly.” The constable said, he was not of that opinion.
Thus did the business remain; and the herald returned to the earl of Salisbury and the knights before Brest, who, when they found they could not gain anything, and that the hostages were not sent back, were exceedingly vexed; they, however remained steadily before the place, without moving, until the appointed day was passed, and then perceiving the constable would not advance to fight with them, they entered Brest, which they greatly reinforced and re-victualled. The constable, finding the English were not likely to come to offer him battle, marched off, carrying with him the English hostages as prisoners, and said, the English had not kept what they had bound themselves to perform.† After the relief of Brest, the earl of Salisbury put to sea to guard the coasts, according to the orders he had received. Sir Robert Knolles set out also from Brest, and arrived at his castle of Derval. As soon as this was known, information of it was sent to the duke of Anjou, who was with the constable near Nantes. They guessed what would be the consequence of this; for sir Robert broke all the treaties which his cousin had entered into, and sent to tell the duke of Anjou and the constable, that he should not keep one article of them, as his people had not the power to enter into any treaty without his knowledge and consent. The duke, on hearing this, came in person to the siege of Derval.
*My MSS. mentions sir Robert Grenacres as governor of La Roche-sur-Yon.
†My MS. has the following additions:
“The herald, on receiving his last message, returned to his lords before Brest, who held a council on it.
“Shortly after this, the constable, the duke of Bourbon, the count d’Alençon, the lords de Clisson and de Laval, with the other barons and knights, amounting to four thousand lances and twenty thousand other men, marched to within one day’s journey of Brest, where, having strongly encamped themselves, they sent to let the English know they were now on the spot where the treaty had been concluded, and if they would march thither they would be combated; otherwise they should lose their hostages. The earl of Salisbury, on learning this, found the French were trickish and had not any real intention of fighting, so that he returned for answer by his own herald, who accompanied the French herald, that if the constable would advance two thirds of the way, they would on foot perform the other third; or, if the French would not do this, the English would advance half of the way on foot, if the French would there meet them on foot: or, if the French would not accept either of these propositions, they were bound in justice to return the hostages, for the English had cheerfully and honourably performed their engagement.”
CHAPTER CCCXVII. — THE DUKE OF LANCASTER LANDS AT CALAIS, AND INVADES PICARDY. — A PART OF HIS ARMY DEFEATED BY THE LORD DE BOURSIERS* BEFORE RIBEMONT†. — ANOTHER PART OF HIS ARMY IS DEFEATED NEAR SOISSONS BY AN AMBUSCADE OF BURGUNDIANS AND FRENCH.
UPWARDS of three thousand men at arms and ten thousand English archers had landed at Calais. Three years before, this expedition had been planned and provided for: of course, it was well furnished with all things. The following knights passed over with the dukes of Lancaster and Brittany: the earls of Warwick, Stafford, and Suffolk, Edward lord Despencer, first baron of the realm, and at that time constable of the army, the lords Willoughby, de la Pole, Basset, Roos, Latimer, lord Henry Percy, lord Lewis Clifford, lord William Beauchamp, the canon de Robesart, sir Walter Hewett, sir Hugh Calverley, sir Stephen Cossington, sir Richard de Pontchardon, and many other knights and squires from England; but I cannot name them all.
The king of France, who knew well that the English would cross the sea, had reinforced his cities, towns, castles, and forts in Picardy, Artois, and also in Vermandois, and had everywhere posted men at arms in sufficient numbers; such as Bretons, Burgundians, Picards, Normans, and many whom he had subsidized from the Empire. The English left Calais as soon as they had mounted and arranged their carriages, of which they had great numbers. They marched in three battalions, and in such good order as it was not easy to improve: that of the marshals marched first, of which the earls of Warwick and Suffolk were the leaders; then the dukes of Lancaster and Brittany, who had many gallant knights to accompany them: the constable, the lord Despencer, brought up the rear. They marched in close order, without any one being suffered to quit his rank; and the van was always armed ready for combat. They were quartered together at night, keeping a strong and strict guard to prevent a surprise. They advanced three leagues a-day, and no one dared to march before the banners of the marshal, unless he had been ordered forward as a scout.
They passed by Montreuil, of which the lord Handebourg‡ was governor, St. Omer, and afterwards Terouenne, but without attacking them. The light troops burnt all the lands of the count de St. Pol, and the army advanced very near to Arras, when the two dukes took up their quarters in the monastery of St. Eloy, and remained there two days. They then marched off by the walls of Arras, but made no assault, for they knew it would be lost time. They came to Bray-sur-Somme§, where the two marshals had a sharp engagement before the gates; for there was a good garrison within of able knights and squires of Picardy, under the command of the viscount de Meaux and sir Raoul de Rayneval. The canon de Robesart struck down three with his spear before the gate, and the skirmish was severe; but the French so well defended the gates, that they lost nothing. The English continued their march, following the course of the river Somme, which they thought to cross between Ham, in Vermandois, and St. Quentin. Thus did this army advance under the command of the duke of Lancaster, according to orders from the king his father.
The lord de Boursiers was at this time returning from Hainault into France and arrived so opportunely at Ham that the inhabitants most earnestly entreated of him to remain there to assist them in defending their town against the English. He complied with their request, staying with them two days, during the time the English passed by, following the course of the river Somme, to enter the Vermandois and to cross the river at the narrowest part. When the lord de Boursiers heard that the English had almost all passed, and that they were advancing towards St. Quentin, and Ribemont, where the lord du Chin, whose daughter he had married, possessed a large estate, and where he also had lands in right of his wife, he took leave of the citizens of Ham, who thanked him much for his services, as he knew the castle of Ribemont was quite unprovided with men at arms. He was attended by as many 497 companions as he could muster, but they were few in number, and rode on until he came to St. Quentin, where he did not arrive without great danger, for the whole country was overspread with English. He got into the town just in time, for the English light troops came to the gates as he entered them. The lord de Boursiers found there sir William des Bourdes, who was governor of it for the king: he was received by him joyfully, and much pressed to stay there, to help him in the defence of the town.
The lord de Boursiers excused himself by saying, that he had undertaken to go to Ribemont, to defend that town and castle, which was without any garrison; and he entreated sir William so much for assistance that he gave him twelve cross-bows. He had not advanced far before he saw a company of English; but, as he knew the country well, he took a more circuitous road to avoid them: the English never quitted their line of march. He was this whole day in much peril on his road towards Ribemont. He met a knight from Burgundy, called sir John de Bueil, who was going to St. Quentin; but, after some conversation with the lord de Boursiers, he returned with him towards Ribemont. His force might now consist of about forty spears and thirty cross-bows. As they were approaching Ribemont, having sent forward one of their scouts to inform the inhabitants that they were coming to their aid, they perceived a body of English advancing, who appeared to consist of at least fourscore men on horseback. The French said, “Here are our enemies returning from pillage: let us meet them.” Upon which they stuck spears into their horses, and galloped off as fast as they could, crying out, “Notre Dame Ribemont:” they fell upon the English, whom they defeated and slew. Happy were they who could escape.
When the French had thus conquered these English, they came to Ribemont, where they found the lord du Chin, who a little before had entered the town with forty spears and twenty cross-bows. Whilst these three noble knights were on the square of the town before he castle, and many of their men had gone to their quarters to disarm themselves, they heard the sentinel on the castle wall cry out, “Here are men at arms advancing to the town.” On which they went nearer the castle, and asked how many he thought there might be: he answered “About fourscore.” Upon which, the lord de Boursiers said, “It behoves us to go and fight with them, for otherwise we shall have much blame in having suffered them thus to come up to our very walls unnoticed.” The lord du Chin replied, “Fair son, you say well: order out our horses, and display my banner.” Sir John de Bueil rejoined, “Gentlemen, you shall not go without my company: but I would advise you to act more deliberately in this business; for peradventure they may be men at arms lightly mounted, whom the marshals or constable may have sent hither to draw us out of our fortress, and our sally may turn out to our loss.”
The lord de Boursiers said: “If you will adopt my plan, we will go and fight them, and that as speedily as may be; for whatever may happen, I am determined to do so.” On saying this, he fixed on his helmet and tightened his armour, and then sallied forth with about one hundred and twenty combatants. The English were about fourscore, part of the troop of sir Hugh Calverley, though sir Hugh himself had remained with the duke of Lancaster: there were as many as six knights and other squires, who had advanced to revenge the deaths of their companions. On the French coming out at the gate, they met the English, who, lowering their spears, vigorously attacked them: they opened their ranks, when the English galloped quite through: this caused so great a dust that they could scarcely distinguish each other. The French soon formed again, and shouted their cry of “Notre Dame Ribemont!” Many a man was unhorsed on both sides. The lord du Chin fought with a leaden mace, with which he smashed every helmet that came within reach of it; for he was a strong and lusty knight, well made in all his limbs: but he himself received such a blow on his casque that he reeled, and would have fallen to the ground had he not been supported by his squire. He suffered from this blow as long as he lived.
Several knights and squires of the English were greatly surprised that the arms on the lord du Chin’s banners were perfectly the same as those of the lord de Coucy, and said, “How is this? has the lord de Coucy sent any of his men hither? he ought to be one of our friends.” The battle was very mortal; for in the end almost all the English were killed or made prisoners, few escaping. The lord de Boursiers took two brothers of the name of Pembroke; 498 one a knight, the other a squire. Sir John de Bueil took two others, with whom they retreated into Ribemont. The English army marched by, but made no assault; for they thought it would be losing time. Orders were given to do no damage, by burning or otherwise to the lands of the lord de Coucy, who was at the time in Lombardy, and interfered not with the wars in France.
The English fixed their quarters in the valleys below Laon and lower down than Bruyeres¶ and Crecy¥, whence they did much mischief to the Laonnois. But before this, the king of France had ordered everything valuable to be carried into the towns and strong places, which were so well garrisoned that the English could not gain anything by attacking them, nor indeed had they any thought of so doing, but were only anxious that the French would meet them in battle in the plain. The king, however, had forbidden this very strictly in his daily orders. He had them followed by the rest of his cavalry so close on their rear, as to intimidate them from quitting the main army. The French took up their quarters every evening in fortified towns, and in the day-time pursued the English, who kept themselves in a compact body.
It happened that one morning a party of English, to the number of six score lances, who were over-running the country beyond Soissons, fell into an ambuscade of Burgundians and French. It was commanded by sir John de Vienne, sir John de Bueil, sir William des Bourdes, sir Hugh de Porcien, sir John de Coucy, the viscount de Meaux, the lords de Rayneval and de la Boue, with several more knights and squires, amounting in the whole to full three hundred lances. They had followed the English, and this night they had encamped in the fields of the Soissonnois, where they had placed an ambuscade in a small coppice. The English came in the morning to plunder a village behind which their army was quartered. When they had passed the ambush, the French sallied forth with banners and pennons displayed. The English, seeing such a large body so near them, halted, and would have sent to their army, which was a good league off; but sir Walter Huet, a great English captain, and near the spot where this surprise happened, mounting his horse in great haste, his lance in its rest, but without helmet or vizor, and only his coat of mail on, galloped forward without further thought or consideration: his men followed him as well as they could. In the confusion, he had his neck quite pierced through with a spear, and fell dead on the field.
The English fought very valiantly, but at last were almost all taken or slain. The French made prisoners of the following knights: sir Matthew Redmayne, sir Thomas Fowkes, sir Hugh Brudenel, sir Thomas Spencer, sir Thomas Emerton, sir Nicholas Gascoign, sir John Chandler, sir Philip Cambray, sir John Harpedon, sir Matthew Gournay, sir Robert Twyford, sir Geoffry Say, sir John Bourchier, sir Geoffry Worsley, sir Lionel Daultry; and, of esquires, William Daultry, John Gaillard, Thomas Bradley, Henry Montford, Guy Hewett, John Meynil, William Gostwick, John Flamstead, Thomas Sollerant, William Quentin, Robert Boteler, Robert Audley, Ralph Stanley, and Thomas Archer.**
News was carried to the main body that their men were engaged: upon which, the marshals, with the whole army, hastened thither: though they could not make such speed, but that the business was finished, and the Burgundians and French had left the field. The English knew not where to seek the French. Thus passed this action, according to the information I have received, near to Soucy in the Soissonnois, the 20th September, 1373.
After these two encounters at Ribemont and Soucy, nothing further befel the duke of Lancaster and his army that is worth mentioning. They marched through various narrow passes and defiles, but kept in close and good order. The council of the king of France therefore said to him: “Let them go; by their smoke alone they cannot deprive you of your kingdom: they will be tired soon, and their force will dissolve away, for as storms and tempests appear sometimes in tremendous forms over a whole country, yet they dissipate of themselves, and no essential harm happens, thus it will befal these English.”
* Denys Sauvage calls him the lord de Soubise, but gives no reason for it. My MSS. have Boursiers.
† Ribemont is a town in Picardy, four leagues from St. Quentin.
‡ “Handebourg.” Q.
§ “Bray-sur-Somme,” — a village of Picardy, election of Peronne.
¶ “Bruyeres,” — a town in Picardy, diocese of Laon.
¥ “Crecy-sur-Serre,” — a town in Picardy, three leagues from Laon.
** I have copied these names from Barnes.
Online addition: From Readings in English History Drawn from the Original Sources, by Edward P. Cheyney, Boston: Ginn and Company; 1922; p. 257-258.
“After the renewal of the war in France in 1369, it went so badly [for the English] that the English might traverse all the country and yet reap nothing but suffering and loss, as described in the following extract from the chronicler Walsingham.
“In the year 1373 John, duke of Lancaster, the king’s son, and brother of the prince of Wales, crossed over to France with a great army to try his fortune there a second time. So he marched by way of Paris to Burgundy, and indeed through the length of France, meeting none willing or daring to offer resistance. But in this expedition he inflicted practically no loss upon the French, except that he set some towns and places to ransom; but otherwise he hurt none of the enemy. At last he retired with his army from France — where there were abundant provisions and sumptuous meals to be had every day — and advanced into the uninhabited Auvergne, where there could be found neither provisions for the men nor fodder for the horses; accordingly considerable numbers of his army perished there from hunger and pestilence, while the horses were nearly all lost. At last, sick at heart from his misfortune, he entered Aquitaine, and so arrived at Bordeaux. For, whereas, when he entered France at Calais he had had more than thirty thousand lances with him, now he brought very few alive with him into Bordeaux; and there might be seen a sorry sight — soldiers of name and birth, once dainty and rich in English lands, now with their men and baggage lost, begging their bread; and there was no man to give them. For, indeed, the land had been ravaged before their arrival by the French, adn so had remained untilled till then.”
CHAPTER CCCXVIII. — THE HOSTAGES SENT FROM DERVAL ARE BEHEADED. — SIR ROBERT KNOLLES RETALIATES ON THOSE PRISONERS WHOM HE HAD TAKEN. — THE DUKE OF LANCASTER FINISHES HIS EXPEDITION.
SIR ROBERT KNOLLES, as I have before related, was returned to his castle of Derval, which he considered as his own inheritance, and had determined to break the treaty which had been entered into by his cousin and the duke of Anjou; on which account, the duke himself was come to the siege of Derval, attended by numbers from Brittany, Poitou, and the lower countries. The king of France was desirous that his constable, who was there, and the lord de Clisson, with several more, should return to France, to assist his brother the duke of Burgundy in the pursuit of the English. He frequently renewed these orders to the different lords, who were anxious to obey them, and also to gain possession of this castle of Derval.
When the day was passed on which the castle was to have been surrendered, the besiegers wondered what the garrison was thinking on: they imagined that sir Robert Knolles had thrown himself into it with reinforcements. The duke and constable sent to sir Robert, and to sir Hugh Brock who had made the treaty. The herald, on arriving in the square of the castle, said to the gentlemen present: “My lords send me here to enquire from you the reasons, which they would willingly learn, why you do not ransom your hostages by surrendering the castle according to the terms of the treaty to which you, sir Hugh, have sworn.” Sir Robert Knolles then addressed the herald, saying, “Herald, you will tell your masters, that my cousin had no authority to enter into any capitulation or treaty without my consent first had; and you will now return with this answer from me.”
The herald went back to his lords, and related to them the message sir Robert Knolles had charged him with: they sent him again to tell the garrison, that from the tenor of the treaty, they ought not to have received any one into the fort, and that they had received sir Robert Knolles, which they should not have done; and likewise to inform them for a truth, that if the castle was not surrendered, the hostages would be beheaded. Sir Robert replied, “By God, herald, I will not lose my castle for fear of the menaces of your lords; and if it should happen that the duke of Anjou, through arrogance, puts my friends to death, I will retaliate; for I have here in prison several knights and squires of France, and if I were offered one hundred thousand francs I would not show mercy to any one of them.” When the herald had delivered this answer, the duke of Anjou sent for the headsman, and ordered the hostages, who were two knights and a squire, to be brought forth, and had them beheaded before the castle, so that those within might see and know them.
Sir Robert Knolles instantly ordered a table to be fixed withoutside of the windows of the castle, and had led there four of his prisoners, three knights and a squire, for whom he might have had a great ransom, but he had them beheaded and flung down into the ditch, the heads on one side and the bodies on the other. The siege was raised after this, and all the men at arms returned to France; even the duke of Anjou went to Paris to visit the king his brother: the constable, with the lord de Clisson and others, marched to the city of Troyes, for the English were already in that part of the country: they had crossed the river Marne, and were taking the road towards Auxerre.
At this time, pope Gregory XI. had sent the archbishop of Rouen and the bishop of Carpentras in legation to France, to endeavour, if possible, to make peace between the kings of France and England: these two prelates had many difficulties in travelling towards the king of France and his brothers, and afterwards to the duke of Lancaster: the English, however, kept advancing through the country of Fôrets, having passed Auvergne, Limousin, and the rivers Loire, Allier, Dordonne, and Lot. Neither the English nor French were much at their ease in this expedition: three knights of Hainault, sir Fateres de Berlammont, sir Bridol de Montagin, and le bègue de Warlan, as well as some on the side of the English, died on their march. The dukes of Lancaster and Brittany continued their route with the army until they were arrived at Bergerac, four leagues from Bordeaux, continually pursued by the French. The duke of Anjou and the constable of France were in the upper countries near Rouergue, 500 Rodais, and Toulouse, and had advanced as far as Perigueux, where they had fixed their quarters.
The two before-mentioned prelates journeyed from each party, preaching to them several reasons why they should come to an agreement. But each held so obstinately to his own opinion that they would not make any concessions, without having considerable advantages given them. The duke of Lancaster came to Bordeaux about Christmas; and the two dukes remained there the whole winter and the following Lent. Several knights went away, on the expedition being finished: the lord Basset and his company returned to England, for which king Edward reprimanded him.
SOON after Easter, in the year 1374, the duke of Anjou, who resided at Perigord, made a great muster of his forces; at which the constable of France and the greater part of the barons and knights of Brittany, Poitou, Anjou, Touraine, were present. There were also, from Gascony, sir John d’Armagnac, the lords d’Albret and de Perigord, the counts de Comminges and de Narbonne, the viscounts de Caraman, de Villemure, and de Thalar, the count dauphin d’Auvergne: most of the lords of Auvergne and Limousin: the viscount de Mindeon, the lords de la Barde and de Pincornet, and sir Bertrand de Charde. They amounted to fifteen thousand men on foot, and a large body of Genoese and cross-bows. They began their march towards upper Gascony, and came before St. Silvier†, of which an abbot was lord. Notwithstanding it was talked of as a strong town, the abbot was afraid of losing it by force; so that he began to treat with the duke of Anjou, telling him that neither himself nor his territories wished to wage war against him, or in any way incur his indignation, and that the strength of his town and all he could bring to defend it were as nothing in comparison with the towns and castles of upper Gascony, whither, it was supposed, he intended to march. He therefore entreated that he might remain in peace, upon the terms that he should observe an exact neutrality; and that, whatever those lords of Gascony who possessed mesne fiefs should do, he would do the same. His request was granted, on his giving hostages, who were sent to prison in Perigueux.
The whole army, of which the duke of Anjou was commander, marched away towards Montmarsen‡, and the town of Lourde§ in Upper Gascony, of which sir Arnold de Vire was governor. The French besieged and surrounded it on all sides, having first demanded if they were willing to surrender themselves to the duke of Anjou. The inhabitants of Lourde soon agreed to it; but the knight said, that the count de Foix had appointed him to that post, and he would not surrender it to any man except to him.
When the constable of France heard this, he ordered the army to advance and briskly assault it, which they did with so much vigour that the town was taken and the governor slain, as well as several men and women: the town was pillaged and ruined, and left in that state; however, on their departure they placed therein some of their men. The French entered the lands¶ of Châtel-bon, which they despoiled; they then passed through the territories of Châtel-neuf [Q. Chateauneuf], which they attacked, and continued their march upwards towards Bierne, and came to the entrance of the lands of the lord de l’Escut: they advanced until they came to a good town and strong castle, called Sault¥, which was dependent on the county of Foix.
The prince of Wales had frequently intended, before his expedition to Spain, to make war on the count de Foix for all these mesne fiefs, which he had in Gascony, because the count would not acknowledge that he held them from him: the affair had remained in this situation in consequence of the Spanish expedition. Now, however, the duke of Anjou, who was 501 conquering all Aquitaine, seemed willing to take possession of it, and had thus besieged Sault in Gascony, which was not a trifle nor easy to gain: the governor of it was sir William de Pau. When the count heard they were conquering his lands and the mesne fiefs, for which it was but just he should pay homage either to the kings of France or England, he sent for the viscount de Châtel-bon, the lords de Marsen and de l’Escut, and the abbot de St. Silvier. He then demanded a passport from the duke of Anjou, who was occupied with the siege of Sault, that they might wait upon him in safety: the duke granted it. They therefore went and held a conference with him and his council, when it was agreed that the aforesaid lords and their territories should remain in peace until the middle of August, on condition that those who should then be the strongest before the town of Monsac** on the part of the kings of France or of England, and there keep the field, should have the enjoyment of these rights, and to that party these lords of mesne fiefs should ever after belong. The count de Foix and the other lords gave hostages for their due performance of this agreement. The duke of Anjou returned to Perigueux with his army, but did not dismiss any one.
* For a more chronological account of this campaign, see the Hist. de Languedoc, vol. iv. p. 580.
† “St. Silvier.” Probably St. Sever de Rustan, in Bigorre.
‡ “Montmarsen,” — a town in Gascony.
§ “Lourde,” — a town in Gascony, — the capital of the valley of Lavedan, diocese of Tarbes.
¶ These lands are beyond the Pyrenees: therefore, it more probably alludes to the town of Mauvoisin and the other lands the viscount held under the king of England. — See Hist. de Languedoc, vol. iv. p. 583.
¥ “Sault de Navaille,” — a small town in Gascony, near Orthez.
** A town in Perigord, near Bergerac.
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