[BACK]          [Blueprint]         [NEXT]

— You may click on the footnote symbol to jump to the note, then click again on that footnote symbol and you will return to the same place in the text. —

————————————————

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. 310-339.

CHAPTER CCXX. — KING CHARLES OF FRANCE MAKES WISE PREPARATIONS AGAINST THE KING OF NAVARRE, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DEATH OF KING JOHN HIS FATHER, AND BEFORE HIS CORONATION.

AT this period, there was a knight of Brittany, who had always borne arms in favour of the French, called sir Bertrand du Guesclin*. His worth and fame were but little known except among the knights of Brittany, who were his neighbours in that country, where he had resided and carried on the war in favour of the lord Charles of Blois. This sir Bertrand was always much esteemed by them as a valiant knight, and well-beloved by his brethren at arms: he was already in the good graces of the duke of Normandy, on account of the great acts of valour that he had heard related of him.

It happened that the duke of Normandy, soon after the death of the king his father, had very strong suspicions of the king of Navarre: he therefore gave orders to the lord of Boucicaut, saying, “Set out from hence as speedily as you can, with as many friends as possible, and ride towards Normandy, where you will meet sir Bertrand du Guesclin: I shall then desire that you both fall on the king of Navarre, and retake Mantes; by which means we shall be masters of the river Seine.” The lord de Boucicaut answered, “Sir, this I will most willingly perform†.”

He then quitted Paris, taking with him a great number of knights and squires. He followed the road towards Normandy, through St. Germain-en-Laye, and gave those to understand who accompanied him that he was going to attack the castle of Roulleboise‡, which was detained by certain persons called free companions, who did every mischief possible. Roulleboise has a very good and strong castle upon the river Seine, about a league distant from Mantes, and was at that time filled and garrisoned by these companies and their men at arms, who carried on the war for their own benefit, and attacked the friends of the 311 Kings of France and of Navarre without distinction. They had a captain of the name of Wautaire Austarde§ a native of Brussels, whom they implicitly obeyed. He paid them according to a certain fixed proportion of wages, and was an expert soldier of great courage. He and his people had pillaged the country all around; so that no one dared travel from Paris to Mantes, nor from Mantes to Rouen or Pontoise, for fear of them; for they attacked both French and Navarrois, pressing especially the people of Mantes very hard.

When the lord de Boucicaut left Paris, though he made it to be understood he was going to that part of the country, nevertheless he missed taking the right road to Roulleboise. He waited therefore for sir Bertrand du Guesclin and his army, who a short time before had made an excursion to Everex¶, and held a parley with the inhabitants of that city; but instead of opening their gates to him, they severely attacked him with stones, &c.: he retreated, and made for the marshal, who had halted for him in a road not far from Roulleboise. Upon mustering their forces, they found they were full five hundred men at arms. These two captains had a long conference together, upon the best means of subsisting themselves, and what would be the surest method of gaining the town of Mantes, their principal object. They determined that the lord de Boucicaut, with one hundred of his knights only, should ride to Mantes, and feign themselves to be much frightened, crying out that the garrison of Roulleboise was in pursuit of them, and begging that they would give them admittance. If they consented, they were to seize the gates, and sir Bertrand would directly 312 follow with the remainder of the army: they would then be masters of the place. Should this plan fail, they did not see by what other means they could gain it. The council being dissolved, the lords kept the secret among themselves. The lord de Boucicaut set out, according to their plan, and took the road to Mantes: sir Bertrand went with the rest of the troops another road, but placed himself and men in ambush not far from the town.

When the lord de Boucicaut was near to Mantes, he and his troops separated, like to people that had been beaten and were pursued. The marshal, attended only by ten others (followed, however, by the rest at a small distance), came to the barricades of the town, and cried out, “Hollo! good people of Mantes, open your gates, I beg of you, and let us come in; for the thieves of Roulleboise have discomfited us, and are now at our heels.” “Who are you?” asked those whom he had addressed. “I am, gentlemen, the lord de Boucicaut, marshal of France, whom the duke of Normandy had sent against Roulleboise: but those rogues there have beaten us, and made us fly, whether willing or not; and they will capture me and my people unless you open your gates to us.” The people of Mantes, thinking he had said nothing but truth, replied: “Sir, we know well that those in Roulleboise are our enemies as well as yours, and that it is indifferent to them on which party they make war: on the other hand, the duke of Normandy hates us, on account of our attachment to the king of Navarre our lord: we are therefore in great doubt, if we shall not be betrayed by you, who are marshal of France.” “By my faith, gentlemen, that shall never be; for I am come into this country solely to destroy the garrison of Roulleboise.” At these words they opened their gates. The lord de Boucicaut entered, with some of his companions; but he was followed so slowly by the remainder, that the people of Mantes had not time to shut their gates upon sir Bertrand’s men, who came in with the last of the lord de Boucicaut’s party: for though the lord de Boucicaut went with his men directly to an hôtel, where they disarmed themselves, in order the better to blind the inhabitants, sir Bertrand and his forces came full gallop into the town, crying, “St. Yves Guesclin! death to the Navarrois.” They entered, pillaged the houses of whatever they found, and made prisoners of whom they pleased: they also murdered several.

Soon after they had possession of Mantes, a detachment of Bretons advanced to Meulan, a league distant, and very cunningly entered it. They said they were men at arms whom sir William de Graville had sent thither, and that as many or more had remained at Mantes. The people of Meulan believed the truth of this the more readily because they came by the road from Mantes, and because they could not have crossed the river but by the bridge of Mantes. Thinking what they had told them must be true, they opened their gates, which were instantly seized by the Bretons, who entered, crying out, “St. Yves Guesclin!” and began to lay about them with their arms. When the inhabitants found themselves thus deceived, and that there were no hopes of redress, they fled and saved themselves as well as they could.

Thus were Mantes and Meulan taken, to the great joy of the duke of Normandy. The king of Navarre was in a furious rage when he was informed of it: he directly reinforced all his towns and castles with troops and well-tried officers: for he was much chagrined at losing Mantes and Meulan, as they were to him convenient entrances into France.

This same week, the captal de Buch arrived at Cherbourg with four hundred men at arms. The king of Navarre was well pleased thereat, and received him most graciously. In his complaints against the duke of Normandy, he was very sore upon his losses of the towns of Mantes and Meulan, which, he said, had been taken from him by stealth. The captal replied: “My lord, if it please God, we will go and meet your enemies, and exert ourselves so effectually that, God willing, you shall speedily have again possession of these, as well as many other towns and castles. It is said that the king of France will very soon go to Rheims, for his coronation: we will therefore at that time begin our attack on his country.” The king of Navarre, being much rejoiced at the arrival of the captal de Buch, said he should send him on an excursion into France. The king sought for men at arms wherever he could get them, or where there was any likelihood of obtaining them.

There was at that time in Normandy, an English knight who formerly had borne arms for the king of Navarre: his name was sir John Jouel; a very able and expert man in his profession. He commanded about two or three hundred lances. The king of Navarre sent to 313 intreat him to serve under him, together with his men; which sir John Jouel¥ consented to, and waited on him to place himself under his orders.

The duke of Normandy was informed that the king of Navarre was collecting large bodies of men at arms, and that the captal de Buch was to be the commander of them. He therefore formed his resolutions, and wrote to sir Bertrand du Guesclin, to order him and his Bretons to make a stand against the Navarrois, and that he would speedily send him sufficient reinforcements to offer battle to the troops of the king of Navarre. At the same time, he ordered the lord de Boucicaut to remain at Mantes and Meulan. Sir Bertrand and his Bretons departed, and took up their quarters near to Vernon. In a few days afterward, the duke of Normandy sent to him some noble men at arms; such as the earl of Auxerre, the viscount de Beaumont, the lord de Beaujeu, the lord Louis de Châlons, the archpriest, the master of the cross-bowmen, and many other knights and squires.

About this time, several knights of Gascony came to serve under the duke of Normandy: among whom were the lord d’Albret, sir Aymon de Pommiers, the souldich de l’Estrade**, sir Petiton de Courton, and several more. The duke of Normandy felt himself much obliged to them for coming to his assistance, and begged of them to go into Normandy to oppose his enemies. The above-named lords willingly obeyed, and, having put their men in proper array, marched towards Normandy, except the lord d’Albret, who remained with the duke; but his troops went on the expedition.

At this period a knight, called Beaumont de Laval, came from the French frontiers of Brittany, and advanced towards Evreux, with about forty lances under him. A young knight, sir Guy de Graville, happened to be in that town at the time, who no sooner heard of the alarm than he hastened to arm himself, ordering all the garrison to do the same: they were soon mounted, and in pursuit after them. But sir Beaumont had already succeeded in his enterprise. However, by the fleetness of his horse, sir Guy de Graville came near enough to cry out, “Beaumont, you must not go off thus: the men of Evreux must speak to you, for they wish to be better acquainted with you.” When sir Beaumont thus heard himself called upon, he turned his horse about, lowered his lance, and made straight for sir Guy. These two knights met each other with such force, that their lances were shivered on their shields; but they were so firm in their seats that neither was unhorsed, as they passed each other. On their return, they drew their swords; and, at the same time, both their companies began to fight so furiously, that in the course of the rencounter many were unhorsed on each side. The Bretons acquitted themselves most loyally; but in the end they could not maintain their ground, for numbers increased upon them every moment, so that they were all killed or made prisoners: none escaped. Sir Beaumont de Laval was taken by sir Guy de Graville, and brought as his prisoner to the castle of Evreux, whither all the other prisoners were conducted. Thus ended this adventure; for which sir Guy was much praised, and beloved by the king of Navarre and the citizens of Evreux.

————————

*  “Bertrand du Guesclin.” For more of him, see his memoirs in the third and fourth volumes of Les Mémoires Historiques, and also in Hist. de la Bretagne, &c.

†  It does not appear from the memoirs of Bertrand du Guesclin, re-published in the third and fourth volumes of Les Mémoires Historiques, that the maréchal de Boucicaut had any thing to do with the taking of Mantes, &c. as his name never once occurs. Nor are the chronicles agreed as to the exact date when this happened. — See Note 19, Mém. Hist.

‡  Roulleboise, — a village in Normandy, on the Seine.

§  “Wautaire Austarde.” Barnes calls him Vantair Austart.

¶  Evreux, — an ancient city of Normandy. Its bishop is suffragan to the archbishop of Rouen.

¥  “Sir John Jouel.” Barnes calls him sir John Jones; but he quotes no authority for this change from all the chronicles and memoirs of the times.

**  “The souldich de l’Estrade.” He was afterwards created a knight of the Garter. See Anstis’s Garter, vol. ii. p. 157. He calls him sir Sandich de Trane.

————————

CHAPTER CCXXI. — THE KING OF CYPRUS RETURNS TO PARIS. — THE FUNERAL OF KING JOHN AT ST. DENIS. — THE CAPTAL DE BUCH MAKES AN ATTACK ON SIR BERTRAND DU GUESCLIN.

THE king of Cyprus, who was now returned from Aquitaine to France, went to meet the king, who had before borne the title of duke of Normandy. His two brothers, the duke of Anjou, and the lord Philip, since duke of Burgundy, were with the duke waiting for the corpse of their father, which was on the road from England. The king of Cyprus very cordially condoled with them on the subject of their loss, and was himself much affected by the death of the king of France, because his expedition would be retarded by it: he clothed himself in black for his mourning*.

When the body of the king of France, which had been embalmed and put into a coffin, approached near to Paris, attended by the lord John d’Artois, the earl of Dampmartin, and the grand prior of France, the duke of Normandy, his brothers, the king of Cyprus, and the greater part of the clergy of Paris, went on foot beyond St. Denis, to meet it. On being brought thither, it was buried with great solemnity; and the archbishop of Sens said mass on the day of interment. After the service was over, and dinner ended, (which was very magnificent), the great lords and prelates returned to Paris. There were then held many councils on the state of the kingdom, which could not any longer do well without a king; and it was determined by the prelates and nobles, that they should immediately go for Rheims. The duke of Normandy (for such was still his title) wrote to his uncle, Winceslaus duke of Brabant† and Luxemburgh, and also to his cousin the earl of Flanders‡, to request their attendance at his coronation, which was fixed for Trinity-day next ensuing§.

Whilst these things were going forward, and the nobles were making preparations for the coronation, the French and Navarrois were advancing towards each other in Normandy: the captal de Buch was already in the city of Evreux, collecting his men at arms and soldiers from every place he could get them. We will speak of him and of sir Bertrand du Guesclin, 315 as well as of a famous battle which was fought the Thursday preceding Trinity Sunday, the day the duke was to be crowned king of France (as indeed he was) in the cathedral of the city of Rheims.

When the lord John de Greilly, known by the appellation of the captal de Buch, had completed his numbers of archers and foot-soldiers in the city of Evreux, he made his final arrangements, and appointed as governor of it a knight called the lord Michael d’Orgery. He sent to Conches¶ the lord Guy de Graville, to defend that place as a sort of frontier. He then marched with all his men at arms and archers; for he had heard that the French were abroad, but was not certain in what quarter.

He took the field, very desirous of finding them; and, having mustered his army, he found he had seven hundred lances, and full three hundred archers, with five hundred other serviceable men. There were among them several good knights and squires; especially a banneret of the kingdom of Navarre, named the lord Saulx; but the greatest and most expert, with the largest company of men at arms and archers in his train, was an English knight, called sir John Jouel. There were also the lord Peter de Saque-ville, the lord William de Gaville, the lord Bertrand du Franc, Basque de Marneil, and many others, who were eager to meet sir Bertrand du Guesclin, to give him battle. They marched towards Passy¥ and Pont de l’Arche, thinking the French would pass the Seine there, if in truth they had not already crossed it.

It chanced that, as on the Whitsun-Wednesday, the captal and his companions were riding through a wood, he met a herald, whose name was Faucon**, and who had that morning left the French army. As soon as the captal saw him, he recognized him, for he was one of the king of England’s heralds, and asked him from whence he came, and if he could give them any intelligence of the French army. “Yes, that I can, in God’s name, my lord,” replied he; “for I only left them this day: they are seeking after you, and are very anxious to meet with you.” “Where are they?” asked the captal, “on this or on the other side of Pont de l’Arche?” “In the Lord’s name,” answered Faucon, “they have passed Pont de l’Arche and Vernon, and are, as I believe, at this moment very near to Passy.” “Tell me, I pray thee,” said the captal, “what sort of people they are, and who are their captains?” “In God’s name,” replied Faucon, “they are full fifteen hundred combatants, and all good men at arms. Sir Bertrand du Guesclin is there, who has the largest company of Bretons: there are the earl of Auxerre, the viscount de Beaumont, the lord Lewis de Châllons, the lord of Beaujeu, the lord Baudoin d’Ennequin, grand master of the cross-bows, the archpriest, the lord Odoart de Renty. Some lords from Gascony, your own countrymen, are likewise among them, with the men at arms of the lord d’Albret; as also the lord Aymon de Pommiers and the lord Souldich de la Trane.”

When the captal heard the names of these Gascons, he was marvelously astonished, and turned red with anger: recovering his speech, he said, “Faucon, Faucon, is it indeed true what thou hast just told me of these Gascon lords being in the French army? and the men attached to the lord d’Albret?” “Yes, in good faith, it is really as I have said,” answered the herald. “And where is the lord d’Albret himself?” asked the captal. “In God’s name,” answered Faucon, “he is at Paris, with the regent-duke of Normandy, who is making 361 preparations for going to Rheims, to be crowned; for it is commonly reported that that ceremony is to take place on Sunday next.” The captal then put his hand to his head, and cried out in anger: “By the head of St. Anthony, Gascons against Gascons will make mischief enough.”

Then Faucon spoke concerning Prie (a herald whom the archpriest had sent thither), and said to the captal, “My lord, there is a herald hard by waiting for me, whom the archpriest has sent to you, and who, as I understand from the herald, would willingly speak to you.” The captal made answer, saying, “Ha, Faucon, Faucon, tell this French herald, that he need not come nearer: and let him say to the archpriest, that I do not wish to have any parley with him.” Sir John Jouel, upon this, stepped forward, and said, “Why, my lord, will you not see the archpriest? perhaps he may give us some information that we may profit by.” The captal replied, “John, John, it will not be so; for the archpriest is so great a deceiver, that if he were to come among us, telling his tales and his nonsense, he would examine and judge of our strength and numbers, which would turn out probably to our disadvantage: therefore I do not wish to hear of any parleys.” Faucon, king at arms, upon this, returned to the herald Prie, who was waiting for him at the end of the hedge, and made such good and sensible excuses for the captal that the herald was perfectly satisfied, went back to the archpriest, and related to him all that Faucon had told him.

By the reports of the two heralds, both armies were acquainted with each other’s situation. They therefore made such dispositions, as would speedily force them to meet. When the captal had heard from Faucon the numbers the French army consisted of, he immediately despatched messengers to the captains who were in the city of Evreux, with orders for them to send him as many recruits and young gallants†† to his assistance as they could possibly collect: they were to meet him at Cocherel‡‡, for, supposing that he should find the French in that neighbourhood, he had determined to fight them wherever he should meet them. When the messengers came to Evreux, the lord Michael d’Orgery had it publicly cried, and strictly ordered all those who were horsemen to join the captal. Upon this, there immediately set out one hundred and twenty young companions from that town.

On the Wednesday the captal de Buch took up his quarters, about two o’clock, on a mountain, and encamped his army. The French, who were wishing to meet them, marched straight forwards until they came to a river, called Yton, in that country, which runs towards Evreux, having its source near Conches, and encamped themselves at their ease, this same Wednesday, in a handsome meadow, through which this river runs. On the morrow, the Navarrois decamped, and sent their scouts out, to examine whether they could learn any news of the French. The French also sent out their scouts on the same errand. Before they had gone two leagues, each brought back to his army such intelligence as could be depended upon.

The Navarrois, conducted by Faucon, marched straight by the way he had come, and, by four o’clock in the morning, found themselves in the plains of Cocherel, with the French in front of them, who were already drawing up their army in battle-array. There were a great many banners and pennons flying; and they seemed to be in number more than half as many again as 371 themselves. The Navarrois directly halted on the outside of a small wood. The captains assembled together, and began to form their men in order of battle.

They first formed three battalions well and handsomely on foot, sending their baggage and attendants into the wood. Sir John Jouel commanded the first battalion of English, which consisted of men at arms and archers. The captal de Buch had the second battalion, which, one with another, was about four hundred combatants. With the captal, there were the lord of Saulx in Navarre, a young knight who had a banner, the lord William de Gaville, and the lord Peter de Saque-ville. The third battalion had three knights; the lord Basque de Marneil§§, the lord Bertrand de Franc and the lord Sauseloppins, and were in the whole about four hundred men under arms.

When they had formed their battalions, they marched them not far distant from each other, taking advantage of the mountain which was on their right, between them and the wood, posting their front upon this mountain facing their enemies, and fixing, by orders of the captal, his banner in the midst of a large thorn bush. He commanded sixty men to remain there, to guard and defend it. They had so placed it to serve as a standard for them to rally round, if by chance of war they should be dispersed or separated; and they strictly ordered, that no one should, on any pretence, descend the mountain; but if their enemies wished to fight, they must come to seek them.

————————

*  And the kyng of Cypre holpe them to complayne the dethe of the kyng, and was marvelously displeased therewith, bycause of the hyndringe of his vyage of the croyse; and so he clothe hymself with the vesture of doloure. — ED.

†  Winceslaus duke of Brabant, son of the emperor Charles IV. — Anderson’s Royal Genealogies.

‡  Earl of Flanders, — Lewis II. the last earl of Flanders. He was stabbed in a quarrel by John, son of the king of France, at Boulogne, 1382. — Anderson.

§  As the account of the funeral of king John is very different in the superb edition of Les Grandes Chroniques de St. Denis, in my possession, I translate it.

“This Tuesday, the 1st day of May, 1364, the body of king John, who had died at London, as has been related, was brought to the abbey of St. Anthony, near Paris. It remained there until the Sunday following, that preparations might be made for the funeral. On that day, the 5th of May, it was transported from thence to the church of Notre-Dame, attended by processions on foot from all the churches of Paris, and by three of the king’s sons, namely, Charles duke of Normandy, Lewis duke of Anjou, and Philip duke of Terouenne: the king of Cyprus was also there.

“The body was carried by the members of his parliament, as had been the usage with other kings, because they represent the person of the king in matters of justice, which is the fairest jewel in his crown, and by which he reigns. On the Monday morning solemn mass was sung in the church of Notre-Dame; and, soon afterward, the body was carried to St Denis in the same manner as it had been brought from the abbey of St. Anthony. The three princes and the king of Cyprus followed on foot, as far as the gate of St. Landri*, where they mounted their horses, and accompanied the body to the town of St. Denis, where, on their arrival, they dismounted, and, as before, followed the body on foot to the church.

“On Tuesday, the 7th day of May, the obsequies of the late king were performed in the church of St. Denis, and the body was interred on the left hand of the high altar.

“Shortly after mass, king Charles, the eldest son of the late king, went into the meadow, and there received the homages of the peers of France and other great barons. He then went to dinner, and remained at St. Denis that and the following day. On the Thursday, king Charles left that town, to prepare for his coronation, which was fixed for the Trinity Sunday following.”

    *  There was formerly a gate called Por’ St. Landri, near to St. Germain-l’Auxerrois. It was built up in the year 1558. — M. Sauval, Antiquités de Paris.

¶  Conches, — a market-town in Normandy, four leagues from Evreux.

¥  Passy, — a town in Normandy, four leagues from Evreux.

**  Faucon was the title, not the name of this herald. Noble, in his History of the College of Arms, says under the title Falcon: “This heraldship was anciently written Faucon. The falcon was a badge of Edward III., who had an officer of that name; but whether king, herald, or pursuivant, authors are not agreed. Richard II. had Falcon king at arms: in the reign of Edward IV. the office was fallen to that of herald.” Both Lord Berners and D. Sauvage call him “king Faucon.” — ED.

Lord Berners’ version is so spirited that we are induced to subjoin it: — “So it happened that the Friday in the whytson weke the captall and his company rode out of a wode, and by auventure they met a haraude of armes called kynge Faucon, and the same mornynge he was departed fro the Frenche hoost. As sone as the captall se hym he knewe hym well, and made him great chere, for he was perteynyng to the kyng of England. Then he demanded of hym fro whens he came, and if he knewe any tidings of the Frenchmen. ‘Sir,’ quoth he, ‘in the name of God, I knowe well where they be; I departed fro them to-day; they seke you as well as ye do them.’ ‘Where be they,’ quoth the captall; ‘beyond the bridge of Tharche, or a this side?’ ‘Sir,’ quoth Faucon, ’they be passed the bridge at Vernon; and, as I beleue, they are now about Passy,’ ‘What nombre be they,’ quoth the captall, ‘and what capitens haue they? I pray you shewe me.’ ‘Sir,’ quoth Faucon, ‘they are well a xvc fighting men, and there is sir Bertrand of Clesquy (Guesclin) who hath the grettest company of Bretons; also there is therle of Aucer, the vycount of Beaumont, the lorde Loys of Chalon, the lorde of Beauieu, the master of the cros-bowes, tharchpreest, the lorde Edward of Remy; and of Gascone, there is the company of the lorde Dalbret, and the lorde Aymon of Punyers, the lorde of Saldyche and of Lestrad;’ and when the captall herd those Gascons named, mareuelyed gretly, and blussed for displeasure, and sayd, ‘Faucon, is this true ye saye, that these lordes of Gascone are there, and the lorde Dalbret’s company?’ ‘Sir,’ quoth the harald, ‘ye without fail.’ ‘And where is the lorde Dalbret himself?’ quoth the captall. ‘Sir,’ quoth Faucon, ‘he is at Parys with the regent-duke of Normandy, who appareleth himself to go to Reynes, for it is sayd that on Sonday next comyng he shulde be crowned kyng.’ Than the captall layd his hand on his own heed and said in great displeasure, ‘By Saint Antones cap Gascon against Gascon.’ ‘Sir,’ quoth Faucon, ‘here by taryeth for me a harald of tharchpreest, sent to speke with you fro hym; and as I understand by the harald, tharchpreest wolde speke with you.’ Than the captall sayd, ‘A Faucon, say to the Frenche harald he nede not to go any farther; let hym shewe to tharchpreest that I wyll not speke with hym.’ Than sir Johan Jouell stept forth and sayd, ‘Sir, why wyll ye nat speke with hym, perauenture, it is for our profyte.’ Than the captall sayd, ‘Nay, I warrant you it is not for our profyte, for tharchpreest is so great a brauler, that if he come to us, he wyll but iangle, and in the meantime ymagen our strengthe, and anewe our nombre, the which, parauenture, shall come more to our preiudice that aduantage — therefore I haue no hast to speke with hym.’ Than Faucon the haraud went to thother haraud and excused the captall so wysely, that he was well content, and than he went to tharchpreest and shewed him all as Faucon had sayd.” — ED.

††  “Young gallants.” In all the originals, it is ‘jeunes armerets,’ which D. Sauvage thinks should be bannerets, but I do not see why. In Du Cange, armeret is a gallant, and thus I have translated it.

‡‡  Cocherel, — a village in Normandy, diocese of Evreux.

§§  “Lord Basque de Marneil.” In the memoirs of Bertrand, he is called Bascon de Manuel, and the baron de Marceuil.

————————

CHAPTER CCXXII. — THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE FRENCH UNDER SIR BERTRAND DU GUESCLIN, AND THE NAVARROIS UNDER THE CAPTAL DE BUCH, AT COCHEREL, IN NORMANDY. — THE CAPTAL IS MADE PRISONER, AND VICTORY DECLARES FOR THE FRENCH.

THUS drawn out and formed were the English and Navarrois, who remained, as I have said, upon the mountain. The French, in the mean time, arranged themselves into three battalions also, and a rear-guard.

Sir Bertrand du Guesclin commanded the first battalion, which was composed of all his Bretons, and they were fronted opposite to the battalion of the captal. The earl of Auxerre had the second battalion. There were with him, as his advisers, the viscount de Beaumont, and the lord Baudoin d’Ennequin, grand master of the cross-bows. There were also in that battalion French, Picards, and Normans, and sir Odoart de Renty, sir Enguerrant de Hêdin, sir Louis de Havenquerque, with several other good knights ands squires. The third battalion consisted of Burgundians, commanded by the archpriest: with him were the lord de Châlons, the lord de Beaujeu, the lord John de Vienne, the lord Guy de Felay, the lord Hugh de Vienne, and many more. This battalion was to oppose Basque de Marneil and his company. The other battalion, which was to serve as a rear-guard, was entirely composed of Gascons; and they were commanded by the lord Edmund de Pommiers, the lord Souldich de la Trane, the lord Perdiccas d’Albret, and the lord Petiton de Courton.

These captains had a grand consultation. They considered the arrangement of the captal, and that his people had fixed his banner in a bush, with part of his men guarding it, as if it were to serve as a standard: they therefore said, “It is absolutely necessary, when the combat shall begin, that we march directly for this banner of the captal, and that we exert ourselves as much as possible to gain it; for, if we be successful, our enemies will be much disheartened, and incur great danger of being conquered.” These Gascons thought also of another plan which was of great service to them, and was the cause of their gaining the day. As soon as the French had formed their, line, the principal Gascon chiefs withdrew together, and consulted for a long time how they could best act; for they saw that their enemies, from their position, had greatly the advantage over them. One of them made a proposal, which was cheerfully listened to: “My lords, we well know that the captal is as hardy a knight as can be found upon earth; and, as long as he shall be able to keep with his men and fight, he will be too much for us. I therefore think that if we order thirty of our boldest and most expert cavaliers to do nothing but to follow and attack the captal, 318 whilst we are making for his banner, his men will be thrown into some confusion: and then our thirty, by their own strength and that of their horses, will be able to push through the crowd, and advance so near the captal, that they may seize him and carry him off between them to some place of safety, where they will remain until the end of the battle; for, if he can be taken by such means as this, the day will be ours, as his army will be panic-struck*.”

The Gascon knights immediately assented to this plan, saying it was well thought of, and should be followed. They chose from their battalion thirty of the most enterprising men at arms, and mounted them upon the strongest and most active horses they had with them. They then marched into the plain, well instructed what they were to do. The army remained where it was, on foot, in order of battle.

When the French has thus drawn up their forces, and each knew what he was to do, the chiefs held a consultation, and long debated what war-cry they should use, and whose banner or pennon they should fix on as a rallying point. They for a long time determined to cry, “Notre Dame Auxerre!” and to make the earl of Auxerre their commander for that day. But the earl would not by any means accept of it, excusing himself by saying; “My lords, I return you many thanks for the good opinion you have of me, and for the honour you offer me; but at this moment I cannot accept of such an office, for I am too young to undertake so honourable a charge. This is the first pitched battle I was ever at: for which reason I must beg of you to make another choice. We have here many very able and enterprising knights, such as my lord Bertrand du Guesclin, my lord the archpriest, my lord the grand master of the cross-bows, my lord Lewis de Châlons, my lord Edmund de Pommiers, and sir Odoart de Renty, who have been in many hard engagements, and know much better that I do what in such cases is proper to be done. I must, therefore, intreat you to excuse me from accepting your honourable offer.”

The chiefs, after looking at each other, said, “Earl of Auxerre, you are the highest by birth, and of the largest property and estates of any of us: you have therefore the right of being our chief.” “Certainly, my lords,” replied the earl of Auxerre, “what you say is very pleasing to me; but this day I will only rank as one of your companions; and, whether I live or die, I will hazard the adventure among you; but, as to the command, I am determined not to accept it.” They again looked at each other, in order to see whom they should fix on for their chief. Sir Bertrand du Guesclin was unanimously thought on, and considered as the best knight of the whole company, one who had been engaged in the greatest number of battles, and who was the best informed in military affairs. It was therefore resolved they should cry, “Notre Dame Guesclin!” and that the whole arrangement of that day should be as sir Bertrand would order it. Every thing, therefore, being settled, each lord retired to his banner or pennon. They found that their enemies were still upon the hill, and had not quitted their strong situation (not having a desire or thought of so doing), which very much vexed the French, seeing that they had greatly the advantage where they were, and that the sun was beginning to be high, which was the more to their disadvantage, for it was at that season very hot. This delay was what the most able and expert knights dreaded; for they were as yet fasting, and had not brought with them any wine or victuals worth mentioning, except some of the lords, who had small flagons of wine that were soon emptied, and none had been procured or thought of in the morning, as they imagined the engagement would begin on their arrival: but this, as it appeared, was not the case. The English and Navarrois deceived them thus by subtlety, and it was a late hour before they engaged.

When the French lords perceived their situation, they assembled in council, to know what would be the best for them to do, and whether they should march to attach them or not. In this council, all were not of the same opinion. Some wished to fight, whatever might be the consequences; for, they said, it would be shameful for them to make any difficulties about it. But others, better advised, said, that if they should begin the combat, situated as they were so much to their disadvantage, they would be in the greatest danger, and out 319 of five men they should certainly lose three. In short, they could not agree to fight in their present position.

During this time the Navarrois saw them very plainly, and how they were formed: they said to each other, “Look at them: they will very soon come to us, for they have a good will so to do.” There were among them some knight and squires of Normandy, that had been made prisoners by the English and Navarrois, who had been allowed perfect liberty to go and ride about wherever they pleased, upon the faith of their word of honour, provided they did not bear arms in favour of the French. They rode towards the French army, and in conversation, said to the French lords: “My lords, consider what you are about; for, should this day pass without an engagement, your enemies will to-morrow receive a very large reinforcement; as it is reported among them, that the lord Louis de Navarre is on his road to join them with at least four hundred lances.”

This intelligence much inclined the French to attack the Navarrois at all events: they were made ready for it two or three different times: but the wiser advice got the better. Those lords said, “Let us wait a little longer, and see what they will do; for they are so proud and presumptuous that they are as eager to fight us as we are to meet them.” Many of them were very ill and faint, from the great heat, as it was now about noon; they had fasted all the morning, and had been under arms: they were therefore much heated by the sun, which affected them doubly through their armour. They said, therefore, “If we attempt to fight them by ascending the hill in our present state, we shall most certainly be beaten; but if we retreat to our quarters, through the necessity of the case, by to-morrow morning we shall form a better plan.” Thus had they different opinions on what was to be done.

When the knights of France (to whose honour the command of this army was intrusted) saw the English and Navarrois were not inclined to quit their stronghold, and that it was now mid-day; having heard the information which the French prisoners who had visited their army had given, and having considered that the greater part of their men were exceedingly hurt and faint, through the heat; they met together, by the advice of sir Bertrand du Guesclin, whose orders they obeyed, and held another council. “My lords,” said he, “we perceive that our enemies are very eager to fight us, and have a great wish for it; but, however violent they may be, they will not descend from their strong position, unless by a plan which I shall propose to you. We will make dispositions, as if for a retreat, not intending to fight this day, (our men, indeed, are severely afflicted by the great heat); and order our servants, baggage, horses, &c. to cross the bridge and river, and retire to our quarters: we will, at the same time, keep close to them, watching attentively the enemy’s motions. If they really wish to fight us, they will descend the hill, and follow us into the plain. As soon as we shall perceive their motions, if they act as I think they will, we shall be ready armed to wheel about, and thus shall have them more to our advantage.” This proposal was approved of by all, and considered as the best that could have been offered. Each lord, therefore, returned to his people, under his banner or pennon. The trumpets sounded as for a retreat, and every knight and squire ordered his servants to cross the river with their baggage. This the greater part did, and afterward the men at arms followed, but very slowly. When sir John Jouel (who was an expert and valiant knight, and eager to engage with the French) saw the manner of their retreat, he said to the captal, “My lord, my lord, let us now descend boldly: do you not see how the French are running away?” — “Ha,” replied the captal, “they are only doing so out of malice, and to draw us down.”

Sir John Jouel upon this advanced forward (for he was very desirous of fighting), crying out, “St. George!” and said to his battalion, “March: those that love me let them follow me, for I am going to engage.” He then drew his sword, and, with it in his hand, marched at the head of his battalion. He and his company were almost down the hill before the captal moved: but when he found this to be so, and that sir John Jouel meant to fight without him, he considered it as a great presumption, and said to those around them, “Come, let us descend the hill speedily, for sir John Jouel shall not fight without me.” The company of the captal advanced forwards, with him at their head, his sword in his hand. 320 When the French, who had been watching them all the time, saw them descend and enter the plain, they were mightily rejoiced, and said, “See now, what we have been waiting for all this day has come to pass!” They then faced about, with a thorough good will to meet their enemies, crying out, “Notre Dame Guesclin!” They dressed their banners in front of the Navarrois, and began to form under them from all parts and on foot. On the side of the Navarrois, sir John Jouel advanced, sword in hand, most valiantly, and drew up his battalion opposite to that of the Bretons, which was commanded by sir Bertrand du Guesclin, and performed many gallant deeds of arms; for he was a bold knight; but he found there one that was too able a match for him. The knights and squires then spread themselves over the plain and began to fight with all sorts of weapons, just as they could lay hands upon them; and each party met the other with great courage.

The English and Navarrois shouted out, “St. George!” the French, “Notre Dame Guesclin!” In this battle, there were many good knights on the side of the French: sir Bertrand du Guesclin, the young earl of Auxerre, the viscount de Beaumont, sir Baudoin d’Ennequin, grand master of the cross-bows, the lord Louis de Châlons, lord Anthony the young lord de Beaujeu, who raised his banner for the first time, the lord Anthony de Kanerley, sir Odoart de Renty, sir Enguerrand de Hêdin. In like manner, in the battalion of Gascons, who were drawn up by themselves, there combated most valiantly, sir Aymon de Pommiers, sir Perdiccas d’Albret, the souldich de la Trane, sir Petiton de Courton, and several others of the same sort. This battalion was formed opposite to that of the captal, which consisted of Gascons also, and they were very desirous of meeting. There were many hard blows given, and many valorous deeds of arms performed on each side; for no one should wilfully lie†.

It may be asked, “What became of the archpriest, who was an excellent knight, and had the command of a battalion, that I have not hitherto made any mention of him?” I will tell the truth. As soon as the archpriest saw the enemies drawn up, and that the battle was going to begin in earnest, he quitted his company, but said to his people, and particularly to his banner-bearer; “I order and command you, under pain of my greatest displeasure that you remain where you are, and wait the event of the battle. I set out directly from hence, not meaning to return; for I can neither bear arms nor fight against some of the knights that are with the enemy. If any one should inquire after me, this is the answer that you will give him.” He then set out, accompanied by a single squire, re-crossed the river, and left the others to make the best of it. They did not notice his absence, as they saw his banner, and thought he was among them, until the business was over. I will now speak of this battle, and how it was stiffly maintained. At the commencement of the conflict, when sir John Jouel had descended the hill, he was followed by all as closely as they could, and even by the captal and his company, who thought they should have gained the day; but it turned out otherwise. When they perceived that the French had wheeled about in good order, they immediately found they had been deceived. However, like determined men, they were not panic-struck at the discovery, but were resolved to recover it by their gallantry in the combat.

They retreated a little, then assembled together, and after that they opened the ranks to give room to their archers, who were in their rear, to make use of their bows. When the archers were advanced in front, they extended themselves, and began to exert themselves handsomely in shooting; but the French were so strongly armed and shielded against their arrows, they were but little hurt by them, if at all, and for this did not fight the less valiantly, but intermixed themselves with the English and Navarrois, as did the English with them, equally eager in the combat. There was much hacking and cutting of each other, with lances and battle-axes, seizing each other by main strength and wrestling. They took and ransomed prisoners from each alternately, and were so much intermixed together, that they engaged man to man, and behaved with a degree of valour scarcely to be credited 321 but by eye-witnesses. You may easily imagine that, in such a crowd and so situated, numbers were thrown down, wounded and killed: for neither side spared the other. The French had need not to sleep on their bridles; for they had opposed to them men of ability and determined enterprise. Each, therefore, loyally agreed, not only to defend himself and his post vigorously, but to take every advantage that should offer: if they had not done so, they must have been defeated. In truth, I must say, that the Bretons and Gascons were good men, and performed many gallant feats of arms.

I wish now to speak of the thirty who had been selected to attack the captal. They had been excellently mounted, on the best horses of the army, and attentive to nothing but their orders (as, being so charged, they were bound to do): they advanced in a close body towards the captal, who was using his battle-axe manfully, and gave such deadly strokes with it that none dared approach him. They pushed through the crowd by the strength of their horses, as well as by the help of some Gascons who had accompanied them.

These thirty men, who, as you have seen, were so well mounted, and who knew well what they were to do, neither looking to the risk nor danger, made up directly to the captal and surrounded him. They all fell upon him, and carried him off by dint of force, quitting the spot directly. This created great confusion, and all the battalions drew thitherward; for the captal’s men were like to madmen, shouting out, “Rescue, rescue the captal!” All this, nevertheless, was of no service or help to them; for, in fact, the captal was carried off in the manner I have related, and placed in safety. However, at the moment this happened, it was not truly known which side had the best of the battle. In this grand bustle and confusion, whilst the Navarrois and English, like madmen, were following the captal, who had been captured before their eyes, sir Aymon de Pommiers, sir Petiton de Courton, the souldich de la Trane, and the company of the lord d’Albret, determined unanimously to make for the banner of the captal, which was fixed in a bush, and which served as a standard for the Navarrois.

The attack and defence were equally sharp and vigorous; for it was guarded by good men: particularly by sir Bascon de Marneil and sir Geoffry de Roussillon: many were wounded, killed, unhorsed, and rescued. The Navarrois, at last, who were near this bush and about the banner, were broken in upon and forced to retreat. Sir Bascon de Marneil with several others were slain. Sir Geoffry de Roussillon was made prisoner by sir Aymon de Pommiers. The banner of the captal was immediately seized: and those who defended it were either killed, taken, or had retreated so far that there was no news of them. Whilst the banner of the captal was thus conquered, torn and dragged upon the ground by the Gascons, the Bretons, the French, the Picards, the Normans and Burgundians were most valiantly fighting in another part of the field; and well it behoved them so to do, for the Navarrois had made them retreat. Among the French, there was already killed the viscount de Beaumont; the more the pity, for he was a young knight well formed to do great things. His people, to their great sorrow, had carried him out of the battle, and guarded him, as I have heard related, by those of both sides. No one had ever seen a battle, with the like number of combatants, so well fought as this was; for they were all on foot, and combated hand to hand, intermixing with each other, and striving for victory with the arms they used, and, in particular, with those battle-axes which gave such astonishingly fatal blows.

Sir Petiton de Courton and the souldich de la Trane were sorely wounded, insomuch that they could do no service during the remainder of the day. Sir John Jouel, by whom the combat began, and who had most courageously attacked and fought the French, performed, that day, many very gallant feats of arms, and never deigned once to retreat. He had been engaged so far in the battle that he was grievously wounded in several parts of the head and body, and at last made prisoner by a squire of Brittany under sir Bertrand du Guesclin: he was then carried out of the crowd. At length, the French gained the field; but on their side there were killed the grand master of the cross-bows, sir Louis de Havenquerque, and many others. On the side of the Navarrois, the lord de Saulx and numbers of his people were slain. Sir John Jouel died in the course of the day. There were made prisoners, sir William de Graville, sir Peter de Sequainville, sir Geoffry de Roussillon, sir Bertrand du 322 Franc, and several more. Few of the Navarrois escaped being slain or taken. This battle was fought in Normandy, pretty near to Cocherel, on a Thursday, the 24th day of May, 1364‡.

After this defeat, when all the dead were stripped, and those who had made prisoners had put them aside and attended to the wounded; when the greater part of the French, having repassed the bridge, were retiring bruised and weary, to their quarters; sir Guy de Graville, son of sir William de Graville, who had been made a prisoner, having in haste left Conches (a garrison town of the Navarrois), with fifty lancemen§, intending to join the captal, came on full speed to the field where the battle had been fought. Upon which, the French in the rear cried out, “Let us turn back, for here are more enemies.” On hearing this, sir Aymon and his company, who had remained on the field, seeing these Navarrois advancing, fixed his pennon aloft in a bush, as a rallying-post for the French. When sir Guy saw this, and heard the shout of “Notre Dame Guesclin!” and that none of his party appeared, but plenty of dead bodies were lying around, he soon found that the Navarrois had been discomfited; he therefore quickly faced about, and returned the way he came. In the evening, the French examined those prisoners whom they had in their tents. The archpriest was much inquired about and spoken of, when it was found that he had not been in the engagement: his people made the best excuses for him they could. You must know that the thirty cavaliers who had carried off the captal, as you have heard, never halted until they had brought him safe to Vernon, and lodged him in the castle. On the morrow, the French decamped, and marched to the city of Rouen, where they left a part of their prisoners.

————————

*  The Editors of the Mémoires Historiques doubt very much this fact, in a note to the Mémoires de Guesclin, and think Froissart must have heard it from a Gascon.

†  These words “for no one should wilfully lie,” in their present position, do not seem at all necessary. It appears probable that they originally belonged to the next paragraph, when they are natural and proper. The word “for” does not occur in D. Sauvage, the sentence being quite unconnected with the preceding; but as his arrangement, with this exception, is the same as Mr. Johnes’s, we have not ventured to alter the text. — ED.

‡  “It is singular enough, that the date of so memorable a battle should not have been more certainly known. Historians place it the 23rd May, 1364. Du Châteltelet reports ancient acts, which prove it to have been the 16th May.

“Froissart, in relating this battle, differs from our memoirs in several details,” &c. — Mémoires Historiques, vol. iv.

§  Lord Berners and D. Sauvage say fifty spears; when individuals are meant, the word combattans, fighting-men, is generally to be made use of by Froissart. Mr. Johnes’s reason for translating “lances” lancemen in this instance is not apparent. — ED.

————————

CHAPTER CCXXIII. — CHARLES V. SURNAMED THE WISE, IS CROWNED KING OF FRANCE. — HIS BROTHER PHILIP IS INVESTED WITH THE DUCHY OF BURGUNDY, AND SENT AGAINST THE FREE COMPANIES OF PILLAGERS.

ON Trinity-day, 1364, king Charles, eldest son of the late king John of France, was crowned and consecrated king, in the great church of our Lady at Rheims, by the archbishop of that city; and with him his queen, the daughter of duke Peter of Bourbon. The king of Cyprus, the dukes of Anjou and Burgundy, the lord Winceslaus of Bohemia, duke of Luxembourg and Brabant, the earls of Eu, of Dampmartin, of Tancarville, of Vaudemont, and great numbers of other lords and prelates, were present at this ceremony. There were great entertainments and feasts at Rheims, during the time the king remained, which was five days: he then departed for Paris. It would take me a long time were I to relate all the fine shows and feasts the Parisians made for him at his entry. The lords after this, that is to say, the strangers who had come to his coronation, returned to their own countries. When the king of France was come back to Paris, he gave the investiture of the duchy of Burgundy to his youngest brother, who left Paris with a noble company, in order to take possession and receive the homage of the barons, knights, cities, castles and large towns in that duchy. After he had visited the whole country, he returned to Paris.

He brought with him the archpriest, who appeased the anger of the king, which he had incurred by not fighting at the battle of Cocherel, by the fair reasons he gave for not bearing arms against the captal*. The captal had been brought a prisoner to Paris, and, through the intercession of the lord d’Albret, obtained his liberty on his parole. He also assisted the archpriest to excuse himself towards the king, as well as towards the French knights who 323 had talked very scurvily of him, notwithstanding he had overthrown lately, in a part of Burgundy, beyond Dijon, four hundred pillagers; over whom Guillot du Pin, Taillebert, Taillebourdon and John de Chaufour were captains.

About this time, the king of France ordered sir Peter de Sequainville to be beheaded in the city of Rouen, for having taken the part of the Navarrois. Sir William de Graville would have undergone the same punishment, if his son, sir Guy, had not signified to the king of France, that whatever treatment his father suffered, he would do the like to sir Beaumont de Laval, a great lord of Brittany, whom he kept as his prisoner. Upon this, the family of sir Beaumont interceded with the king, and exerted themselves so effectually that they obtained the exchange of sir Beaumont for sir William de Graville†. Sir Bertrand du Guesclin, at this time, gained the castle of Roulleboise, by presenting the governor of it, sir Vautaire Austard, with six thousand francs, who retired to Brabant, whence he had come. Many large companies of pillagers still kept possession of different forts in the countries of Caux, Normandy, Beauce, and Perche, whence they greatly harassed the kingdom of France: some under pretence of serving the king of Navarre; others, for themselves, robbed and destroyed the country without any claims of right or of reason.

The king of France sent his brother, the duke of Burgundy, against these pillagers, who appointed his rendezvous in the city of Chartres. He then took the field, accompanied by sir Bertrand du Guesclin, the lord de Boucicaut, the earl of Auxerre, the lord Louis de Châlons, the lord de Beaujeu, sir Aymon de Pommiers, the lord Raineval, Pierre de Villaines, surnamed le Bègue, the lord Nicholas de Ligne, grand master of the cross-bows, sir Odoart de Renty, sir Enguerrand de Hêdin, and full five thousand combatants. When 324 they found they mustered so strong, they divided themselves into three bodies; from which sir Bertrand took, at the most, one thousand fighting men, and marched for the country of Coutantin, towards the neighbourhood of Cherbourg, to guard the frontiers, and to prevent the Navarrois from doing any mischief to Normandy. The lord of Sancerre, the earl of Joigny, the lord Arnold d’Andreghen, and a crowd of knights and squires from Brittany and Normandy, accompanied sir Bertrand. Another division was under the command of the lord John de la Riviere; and with him were many knights and squires of France and Picardy, whom he sent towards Evreux. The duke had the largest division. He went and laid siege to the castle of Marcheville‡, which was a very strong fortress, in possession of the Navarrois. He ordered many machines to be brought from Chartres, by which he flung into it stones and other things day and night, that much annoyed the garrison.

————————

*  The archpriest, according to the life of Charles V. by the abbé de Choisy, had oftentimes changed sides: sometimes for the king of France, but oftener for the king of Navarre, because there was more licence allowed the soldiers of his army. After the peace, he pillaged various provinces of France. In his retreat from the emperor Charles IV. near Macon in Burgundy, he was assassinated by his own men. His death gave great joy to the people, whom he had robbed for ten years successively. — Histoire de Charles V., p. 88.

†  In the Mémoires Historiques, note 31, of Bertrand du Guesclin, it is said, that sir William de Graville was ransomed from sir Guy de Bayeux, who had taken him, for one thousand florins, and that the king was so much angered by it, against Bayeux and his children, they were forced to leave the kingdom: the king afterwards pardoned them. In the continuations, however, of this note, it is related nearly the same as Froissart tells us.

‡  Marcheville, — a town in Beauce, diocese of Chartres.

————————

CHAPTER CCXXIV. — THE LORD LEWIS OF NAVARRE MAKES INCURSIONS INTO FRANCE. — THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY PLANS SEVERAL EXPEDITIONS AGAINST HIM, BUT IS FORCED TO GO INTO BURGUNDY, TO DEFEND IT AGAINST THE EARL DE MONTBELLIARD.

WHILST these men at arms were harassing the Navarrois and enemies of the realm, in Beauce and in Normandy, the lord Lewis of Navarre (the lord Philip being dead) had taken upon himself the management of the war for his brother the king of Navarre, and had sent a challenge to the king of France, because the object of this war was personal to their family, being for a right of inheritance. He had therefore assembled men at arms ever since the battle of Cocherel, and was collecting them from every part he could get them. He had been so active himself, and by means of the captains of companies, of which great numbers still remained in France, that he had assembled upwards of twelve hundred lances. With him were sir Robert Knolles*, sir Robert Ceny†, and sir Robert Briquet de Carsnelle‡. The men at arms, who were every day increasing, were quartered between the rivers Loire and Allier§, and had overrun a part of the Bourbonnois and Auvergne, between Moulins¶, St. Pierre le Moustier¥, and St. Poursaint**. From this body, whom the lord Lewis de Navarre commanded, a company of about three thousand were detached under the orders of Bertrand de la Salle and Ortingo. They crossed the Loire above Marcilly les Nonnains††, and pushed forward with so much haste, that by day-break, they came before La Charit采, a large and well inclosed town upon the Loire.

This they immediately scaled without any opposition; and, having entered the town, took possession of that part of it; but as they were fearful lest the townspeople might have laid an ambuscade for them, they dared not advance further until it should be broad day.

During this delay, the inhabitants of the town embarked all their most valuable things in boats which were on the river Loire, and having also placed their wives and children in them, sailed off in safety towards the city of Nevers, which was five leagues distant. The English, Navarrois and Gascons, who had entered the town, upon day appearing, marched forwards, but found all the houses empty. Upon this, they called a council, to consider if they should keep possession of the town, and fortify it; for it would be very convenient for them, as a place of strength, to attack each side of the Loire. They sent to inform the lord Lewis de Navarre of their situation, who was at that time in Auvergne, and who immediately despatched to them sir Robert Briquet, with three hundred armed men. They 325 crossed the country without molestation, and entered the town of La Charité, by the bridge over the Loire. When they were thus assembled together, they were in such force, they began to make grievous war upon the kingdom of France.

We will return to the duke of Burgundy, whom we left besieging Marcheville. He had done so much by his machines and by his assaults, that the garrison surrendered upon having their lives and fortunes spared. The duke sent the lord de Boucicaut, and the lord John de Vienne, marshal of Burgundy, to take possession of it. He gave the castle to a squire of Beauce, called William de Chartres, and forty men to guard it. The duke then led his army to the Castle of Camerolles, which he surrounded, for it is situated in the flat country.

It is time to say something of the lord John de la Riviere, who was besieging Acquigni, near to Passy, in the county of Evreux. He had under him two thousand good combatants; for he was so great a favourite with the king that he managed the finances according to his pleasure. This castle of Acquigni was garrisoned by English, Normans, French, and Navarrois, who had fled thither after the battle of Cocherel. They defended themselves well, and were amply provided with artillery and provision. Notwithstanding this, matters were so well managed, that they surrendered upon having their lives and fortunes spared, and carried their property with them to Cherbourg, whither they retired. The lord John placed a new garrison in the castle, and marched towards the city of Evreux. Under his command, were sir Hugh de Châtillon, the lord of Sanny, the lord Louis de Sancerre, sir Matthew de Roye, the lord of Monfang, the lord of Eloy, the lord of Crequi, the lord of Campy, sir Odoart de Renty, sir Enguerrand de Hêdin, and many other knights and squires of France.

In the meantime, the duke of Burgundy pressed so hard upon the garrison of Camerolles, that they were forced to surrender at discretion. All the foreign soldiers were pardoned; but some French pillagers, who had taken refuge there, were put to death. Some of the principal burgesses of Chartres came to the duke’s camp, to entreat of him to give them the castle of Camerolles, as a recompense for the use of their machines; for it had done them much harm in former times. The duke consented to their request; and immediately they sent workmen, who leveled the castle with the ground.

The duke marched next to a castle called Drue, which is situated in the plains of Beauce, and was in the possession of pillagers. He took it by storm, and killed all that were found in it. He then halted before a castle called Preux, and surrounded it on all sides. He made many an assault, in hopes of carrying it; but at last the garrison surrendered on having their lives spared: they carried nothing with them; but all the French remained prisoners at the duke’s will. The duke ordered the castle to be taken possession of by his marshals, and made a present of it to a knight of Beauce, called sir Peter du Bois, in order that he might sufficiently guard and repair it. The duke, and the greater part of his army, went after this to Chartres, to refresh themselves.

When he had been there five or six days, he set out to besiege the castle of Connie§§, which had done so much mischief to all the country round, and pointed against it six large machines. During the time these sieges, assaults, and conquests were going forward in Beauce and Normandy, the lord Lewis de Navarre was overrunning Auvergne. He kept the field, and impoverished the whole country; for no one went forth against him. Those also who were at La Charité upon the Loire did in those parts just what they pleased.

On the other hand, the earl of Montbelliard, with some allies from Germany, had entered the duchy of Burgundy, near Besançon, and was despoiling it. On which account, the king of France ordered the duke of Burgundy to raise the siege of Connie, and come to Paris; for it was necessary that he should go into Burgundy.

The duke, on receiving this news, was very pensive; for he had publicly declared, that he would never depart from Connie until he had subjected it to his will. But those of his council made him understand, that since the king, who had sent him thither, ordered him to return, he might very well leave the place without disgrace. Those in Connie had no information whatever respecting this: they were, therefore, summoned by the marshals to surrender unconditionally, which they refused. They said, they were willing to surrender, on having their lives and fortunes spared. These terms were agreed upon. The duke 326 gave the castle to a squire of Beauce, whose name was Philip d’Arcieres, who repaired and garrisoned it with good and trusty men.

The duke went to Chartres, and then gave up the command of the greater division of his army to the earl of Auxerre, Boucicaut, and the lord Louis de Sancerre. He set out for Paris, taking with him the lord Louis d’Alençon, the lord of Beaujeu, and the lord of Vienne. He ordered the Burgundians to march towards Burgundy as speedily as possible. But the duke himself went to meet the king, who was at that time at Vaux-la Comtesse in Brie. He remained but one day there, and then set out for Troyes in Champagne; whence he took the road to Langres, sending everywhere for men at arms. The Burgundians were already collected, and drawn out as a frontier to their enemies: the archpriest, the lord of Château-Vilain, the lord of Vergey, the lord of Grancy, the lord of Soubournon, the lord of Rougemont, and a very rich man called John of Boulogne, the lord of Prises, sir Hugh de Vienne, the lord du Châtel, the bishop of Langres, and several more, who were all mightily rejoiced on the arrival of the lord duke. They immediately marched against their enemies, who were full fifteen hundred lances; but they retreated across the Rhine. Upon which, the Burgundians entered the county of Montbelliard, and burnt the greater part of it.

————————

*  Sir Robert Knolles was a great captain, and the maker of his own fortune.   There is a doubt if he were or were not a knight of the Garter (No. 74). See M. Anstis. Having considered the different very great employments he held, &c., I am inclined to believe he was of the Garter.

†  “Sir Robert Ceny,” — sir Robert Cheny. See his pedigree in M. Gough’s Sepulchral Monuments. His descendants were called to the house of Peers, 3rd Henry VII.

‡  “Sir Robert Briquet de Carsnelle.” I can find nothing about him.

§  Allier, — a river in Languedoc, which rises in the Gevaudan, near the village of Coudray, whence, flowing northwards, it traverses Auvergne and the Bourbonnois, and then, entering the Nivernois, falls into the Loire, about a league above Nevers.

¶  Moulins, — capital of the Bourbonnois, on the Allier.

¥  St. Pierre le Moustier, — a town of the Nivernois.

**  St. Poursaint, — a town of Auvergne.

††  Marcilly les Nonnains, — a village in Berry, election of La Charité.

‡‡  La Charité, — a town in the Nivernois.

§§  Connie, — a village in Beauce, election of Châteaudon.

————————

CHAPTER CCXXV. — KING CHARLES ORDERS THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY TO BESIEGE LA CHARITE. — HE WANTS IT TO SURRENDER UNCONDITIONALLY, THAT HE MAY SEND ASSISTANCE TO LORD CHARLES DE BLOIS, WHO IS CONTESTING THE DUCHY OF BRITTANY WITH THE EARL OF MONTFORT.

IN the interim, the king of France sent his constable, the lord Moreau de Finnes, and two marshals, the lord de Boucicaut and John de Mauquerchi, lord of Blainville, accompanied by many knights and squires, to besiege La Charité upon the Loire. On their arrival, they attacked it on one side, and every day had skirmishes with the garrison of the place.

When the duke of Burgundy and the greater part of his troops, who had accompanied him into the county of Montbelliard, were returned to Paris, the king sent him, with upwards of a thousand lances, to La Charité. There were then at that siege three thousand knights and squires, of whom many went every day to skirmish with the garrison; when several were killed and wounded on both sides. At a sally which the garrison made, the lord Robert of Alençon, son of the earl of Alençon, who was killed at Crecy, and the lord Louis d’Auxerre, who was son of the earl of Auxerre, and brother to the earl of Auxerre, then present, were knighted, and displayed their banners. The inhabitants of La Charité were very hard pressed, and would willingly have surrendered upon terms; but the duke was resolved to have them unconditionally, and for that reason had guarded the river so that no provision could enter the town.

During this time, the lord Lewis de Navarre, who was destroying everything before him in the country of Auvergne, exerted himself much, and assembled a sufficient body of men to enable him to raise the siege of La Charité: he had collected two thousand combatants at the least, and had also sent into Brittany to request that sir Robert Knolles, sir Walter Huet, sir Matthew Cournay, and several other knights and squires, would hasten to his assistance. They would have complied cheerfully; but at the time they were engaged with the earl of Montfort, besieging the castle of Auray*, who had sworn he would not depart until it had submitted to his pleasure.

When the lord Lewis found he could not have their aid, he retreated, by the orders of his brother, towards Cherbourg. Upon which, the king of France, that the lord Charles de Blois might have more men at arms, commanded the duke of Burgundy to treat with the garrison for their surrendering the town and fort, on condition of not bearing arms for the king of Navarre during three years. The garrison complied with these terms, surrendered La Charité, took nothing with them, and marched out on foot: they passed through the kingdom of France under passports of the duke of Burgundy. The old inhabitants of La 327 Charité now returned back to it, having been forced to reside in other places. The duke went to Paris.

After this, the king of France granted permission for his cousin, the lord Charles de Blois, to raise in his kingdom a thousand lances. He again wrote to sir Bertrand du Guesclin, who at the time was in Normandy, to march to the assistance of the lord Charles, against the earl of Montfort. These orders gave sir Bertrand great pleasure, for he had always considered the lord Charles as his natural lord. He set out, therefore, from Normandy, with all the troops that were under him, and marched through Tours, in his way to Brittany. The lord de Boucicaut went to guard Normandy in his place. Sir Bertrand continued his march until he came to Nantes, where he met the lord Charles de Blois and his lady. They received him very kindly, and thanked him much for coming to their assistance. They had then a long conference, upon what was to be done; for they were in the best parts of Brittany, which were much attached to the lord Charles de Blois, as their duke and lord, and willing to support him. They conferred also on the means of raising the siege of Auray, and fighting with the lord John de Montfort. Within a very short time, many barons and knights came thither from France and Normandy: among whom were the earl of Auxerre, the earl of Joigny, the lord de Franville, the lord de Prie, le Bègue de Villaines, and many other knights and squires, all of the right sort, and good men at arms.

News was brought to the lord John de Montfort, at that time besieging Auray, that the lord Charles de Blois was assembling large bodies of men; that a number of the lords of France had come to him, and were daily arriving, to assist him, in conjunction with those barons, knights, and squires of Brittany, who had remained steady to his interest. As soon as lord John heard this, he made it known in the duchy of Aquitaine to the knights and squires of England who were there, and in particular to sir John Chandos, earnestly intreating them to come to his aid in the difficulties he was about to encounter: adding, that he expected Brittany would afford such a field of honour, that all nights and squires who were desirous of advancing their name ought most cheerfully to come thither.

When sir John Chandos saw himself thus affectionately intreated by the earl of Montfort, he spoke of it to the prince of Wales, to know how he should act. The prince said, he might go there without any blame, since the French had already taken part against the earl, in support of the lord Charles; and he advised him to accept the invitation. Sir John Chandos was much rejoiced at this, and made accordingly grand preparations. He asked several knights and squires of Aquitaine to accompany him; but few went except the English. However, he conducted full two hundred lances, and as many archers, and marching through Poitou and Saintonge, entered Brittany. He went straight to the siege of Auray, where he found the earl of Montfort, who was very happy at his arrival; as were sir Olivier de Clisson, sir Robert Knolles, and the other companions. It seemed to them, that now no evil could befal them, since sir John Chandos was in their company.

Many knights and squires crossed the sea in haste from England, eager to advance their fortunes, and to fight with the French. They came to the aid of the earl of Montfort, before Auray, who received them all with great joy. They were therefore in all, as well Bretons as English, when mustered, sixteen hundred men at arms, and from eight to nine hundred archers.

We will now return to the lord Charles of Blois, who remained in the good city of Nantes, and made there his muster of nights and squires from all parts; for he had been informed that the earl of Montfort had been strongly reinforced by the English. He therefore intreated those barons, knights and squires whose homage he had received, to assist him in guarding his inheritance, and in defending him against his enemies.

Among the barons of Brittany who came to serve him, in obedience to his summons, were the viscount de Rohan, the lords de Léon, Charles de Dinan, de Rieux, de Tournemine, d’Ancenis, de Malestroit, de Quentin, d’Avaugour, de Lohéac, du Pont, and many others whom I cannot name. These lords and their companies were quartered in the city of Nantes, and in the villages around it. When they were mustered, they were estimated at two thousand five hundred lances, including those who had come from France. These lords did not wish to make any long stay, but advised the lord Charles to march against his enemies.

When the lord Charles was about to set out, and was taking leave of the lady his wife, she said to him, in the presence of sir Bertrand du Guesclin and some of the barons of Brittany: “My lord, you are going to defend your inheritance and mine (for that which is mine is yours†), which the lord John de Montfort had seized, and has kept for a long time most wrongfully, without any right, as God knows. The barons of Brittany, who are here present, know well that I am the rightful heiress of it. I therefore most earnestly beg and intreat of you, that you will not listen to any treaty, or composition, which may be offered, so that the whole body of the duchy may be ours.” The lord Charles promised to comply with her request.

All the lords, knights, and barons, who were at Nantes departed, each having bid adieu to his lady, whom he considered as his duchess, they began their march, and took, the road to Rennes‡, where, on their arrival, they were quartered, and in its environs. They halted there to repose and refresh themselves, as well as to learn the numbers and countenance of their enemies, and to consider of the best place to offer battle, in case they should not be able to find a situation which might give them an advantage. Many fine speeches and harangues were made by the knights and squires of France and of Brittany, who had come to the succour of the lord Charles de Blois. Lord Charles was very courteous and polite, and perhaps would willingly have listened to terms of peace, and been contented with a part of Brittany, without much wrangling: but he was, in God’s name, so hard pressed by the last words of the lady his wife, and the knights of his party, that he could neither draw back nor dissemble.

————————

*  Auray, — a sea-port in Brittany, diocese of Vannes. One of my MSS. says, it was founded by Arthur.

†  Johanna, countess of Penthièvre, born 1319, was made heiress of Brittany by her uncle, John III., who, to strengthen her title, gave her in marriage to Charles de Blois, lord of Guyse and Mayenne, nephew of Philip IV. king of France.

“When the earl of Montfort gained the dukedom and held it from the crown of France, he engaged to give Johanna lands that should yield her 20,000 francs yearly, besides Penthièvre and Limoges.” — Anderson.

‡  “Rennes.” I believe, with Denys Sauvage, it should be Vannes, consistently with what follows; but it is Rennes, in all my printed editions and MSS. and also in the Histoire de Brétagne.

————————

CHAPTER CCXXVI. — THE LORD CHARLES OF BLOIS ADVANCES AGAINST THE EARL OF MONTFORT IN ORDER OF BATTLE. SIR JOHN CHANDOS, AFTER HAVING DRAWN UP THE BATTALIONS OF THE EARL OF MONTFORT, PREVENTS THE TREATY FROM TAKING PLACE WHICH THE LORD DE BEAUMANOIR WAS NEGOTIATING BETWEEN THE TWO PRETENDERS TO THE DUCHY OF BRITTANY.

BETWEEN Vannes and Auray, where the earl of Montfort was encamped, there are eight country leagues; so that news was soon brought to him that the lord Charles was advancing, with the finest body of men at arms, the handsomest equipped and the best ordered that had ever left France. This intelligence gave great joy to the English who were there; for they were eager for the fight. These companions, therefore, immediately set about putting their armour in good repair, and re-furbishing their lances, daggers, battle-axes, coats of mail, helmets, skull-caps, visors, swords, and all sorts of weapons, as they well imagined they should soon have use for them.

The commanders of the army then waited on the earl of Montfort; first sir John Chandos (whose advice he meant in particular to follow,) sir Eustace d’Ambreticourt, sir Robert Knolles, sir Hugh Calverly, sir Matthew Gournay*. These knights and barons, having deliberated on their present situation, resolved that it would be most advantageous to quit their quarters early in the morning, and take the field. They might then consider on the best mode of action against the enemy, when they should have had more exact information concerning them. Orders were therefore given, that the whole army should, on the following morning, be ready armed and in battle-array, as if they were immediately to begin the engagement.

This night passed quietly. On the morrow, which was a Saturday, the English and 329 Bretons issued forth from their quarters, marching gaily in order of battle, to the rear of the castle of Auray, where they halted, and, having chosen a situation, declared they would wait the coming of their enemies. Almost immediately after day-break, the lord Charles and his army appeared. They had marched on the Friday after dinner from Vannes, and had rested that night three small leagues distant from Auray. The troops of the lord Charles were in the best and handsomest order, and drawn up in the most brilliant manner that could be seen or imagined. They marched in such close order that one could not throw a tennis-ball among them, but it must have struck upon the points of some of their lances, so stiffly did they carry them. The English took great pleasure in looking at them.

The French halted in this order in front of their enemies, and took their ground on an extensive heath. Their marshals gave strict charge that no one should quit his ranks without orders, and that there should be no tilting, jousts, or assaults. The men at arms, having halted, formed their line of battle, and made preparations for an immediate combat, as they expected nothing less, and were very desirous of it. The lord Charles de Blois, by the advice of sir Bertrand du Guesclin, (who was a great captain, and much praised and confided in by the Bretons,) formed his army again. He divided it into three battalions and a rear-guard. It seems to me, that sir Bertrand had the command of the first; and with him were numbers of knights and squires of Brittany. The earl of Auxerre had the second, with the earl of Joigny and many knights and squires from France. The third battalion was commanded by the lord Charles himself: under him were the principal lords of Brittany; among whom were the viscount de Rohan, the lords de Léon, d’Avaugour, Charles de Dinan, d’Ancenis, de Malestroit, and several others. In the rear-guard were, the lords de Raix, de Rieux, de Tournemine, du Pont, and many good knights and squires. Each of these battalions was composed of a thousand men. The lord Charles de Blois entreated every one in the fairest manner, that they would loyally and discreetly assist him. He swore, upon his soul, and his hopes of Paradise, that it was for a just and right cause they were going to engage. He assured each, that, if they acquitted themselves well, he should feel himself ever obliged to them.

We must now speak of the dispositions of the English and Bretons, and in what manner they drew up their army. You first must understand that, though the earl of Montfort was the commander in chief, yet it was under the sole direction of sir John Chandos: for the king of England had thus settled it with the earl of Montfort. He had also ordered sir John Chandos to have especial regard to whatever concerned the interests of his son-in-law; for the earl of Montfort had received one of the king’s daughters† in marriage. In obedience to such orders, sir John Chandos advanced before the knights and squires of Brittany who were about the person of the earl of Montfort, and having well considered the dispositions of the French in his own mind, thought so highly of them, he could not remain silent, but said: “As God is my help, it appears to me that all the flower and honour of chivalry is there, most wisely and expertly drawn up.” He then added aloud to those knights who were within hearing: “Gentlemen, it is time that we form our line of battle; for the enemy have set us the example.” Those who heard him replied: “Sir, you say truly; and, as you are our commander, you will form us according to your wish; for there is none higher than yourself to look to, and you know much better than any one how to order such things.”

Sir John Chandos formed three battalions and a rear-guard. He placed over the first, sir Robert Knolles, sir Walter Huet, and sir Richard Burley‡. The second battalion was under the command of sir Olivier de Clisson§, sir Eustace d’Ambreticourt, and sir Matthew Gournay. The earl of Montfort had the third, which was to remain near his person. There were in each battalion five hundred men at arms, and four hundred archers. When he came to the rear-guard, he called sir Hugh Calverly to him, and said: “Sir Hugh, you will take 330 the command of the rear-guard of five hundred men, and keep on our wing, without moving one step, whatever may happen, unless you shall see an absolute necessity for it; such as our battalions giving way, or being by accident broken: in that case, you will hasten to succour those who are giving way, or who may be in disorder: and assure yourself, you cannot this day do a more meritorious service.”

When sir Hugh heard sir John Chandos give him these orders, he was much hurt and angry with him, and said: “Sir John, sir John, give the command of this rear-guard to some other; for I do not wish to be troubled with it;” and then added, “Sir knight, for what manner of reason have you thus provided for me? and why am not I as fit and proper to take my post in the front-rank as others?”

Sir John discreetly answered: “Sir Hugh, I did not place you with the rear-guard because you were not as good a knight as any of us; for, in truth, I know that you are equally valiant with the best: but I ordered you to that post, because I now you are both bold and prudent, and that it is absolutely necessary for you or me to take that command, I therefore most earnestly entreat it of you; for, if you will do so, we shall all be the better for it; and you yourself will acquire great honour: in addition, I promise to comply with the first request you may make me.” Notwithstanding this handsome speech of sir John Chandos, sir Hugh refused to comply, considering it as a great affront offered him, and entreated, through the love of God, with uplifted hands, that he would order some other to that command; for, in fact, he was anxious to enter the battle with the first. This conduct nearly brought tears to the eyes of sir John. He again addressed him, gently saying: “Sir Hugh, it is absolutely necessary that either you or I take this command: now, consider which can be most spared.” Sir Hugh, having considered this last speech, was much confused, and replied: “Certainly, sir, I know full well that you would ask nothing from me which could turn out to my dishonour; and, since it is so, I will very cheerfully undertake it.” Sir Hugh Calverly then took the command of the battalion called the rear-guard, entered the field in the rear, on the wing of the others, and formed his line.

It was on Saturday the 8th day of October, 1364, that these battalions were drawn up facing each other, in a handsome plain, near to Auray in Brittany. I must say, it was a fine thing to see and reflect on; for there were banners and pennons flying, with the richest armour on each side: the French were so handsomely and grandly drawn up, it was great pleasure to look at them.

Whilst either party was forming or dividing its battalions, the lord of Beaumanoir, a very great and rich baron of Brittany, was going to and from each army, with propositions for peace. Very willingly would he have laboured, if he had been able to ward off the perils that were on the point of happening. He was earnest in the business: and the English and Bretons on the side of Montfort, allowed him to pass and repass, to parley with sir John Chandos, and the earl of Montfort, because he had pledged his honour, as a prisoner, and therefore could not bear arms against them. This same Saturday, he brought many proposals, in hopes to make a peace; of which, however, none succeeded: he was occupied with one party or the other until noon. He nevertheless obtained, through his good sense, a truce between the two armies for this day and the following night, until the morrow at sun-rise. Each army retreated to their quarters, and refreshed themselves with what they had.

During the time the truce lasted, the governor of the castle of Auray came out of it, on Saturday night, and went peaceably to the army of the lord Charles de Blois, who graciously received him. The name of the governor was Henry de Hauternelle, a very expert warrior, who brought with him forty lances, good companions, will armed and well mounted, who had aided him in guarding that fortress. When the lord Charles saw the governor, he asked him, laughingly, the state of the castle. “In God’s name,” replied the squire, “and praise be to him, we are still sufficiently provided with everything for two or three months, should there be occasion.” “Henry, Henry,” answered lord Charles, “to-morrow by day-break, you shall be made free in every respect, either by a treaty of peace or by a battle.” “My lord,” replied the squire, “God grant us his assistance.” “By my faith, Henry,” said the lord Charles, “I have under my command two thousand men at arms, of as good stuff, 331 and as much inclined to acquit themselves well, as there are in the kingdom of France.” “My lord,” answered the squire, “this is a great advantage: you should therefore praise God, and thank him most gratefully: likewise sir Bertrand du Guesclin, and the barons of France and Brittany, who have come so courteously to your assistance.” Thus the lord Charles amused himself in conversation with sir Henry, and with one or another, and passed the night much at his ease.

In the course of this evening, some English knights and squires earnestly begged of sir John Chandos that he would not listen to any overtures of peace between the earl of Montfort and lord Charles de Blois; for they had expended their whole fortune, and were so poor, that they hoped by means of a battle, either to lose their all or to set themselves up again. The knight assented to the request.

When Sunday morning came, each army made itself ready, and armed. Many masses were said in that of lord Charles, and the sacrament was administered to all who wished it. The same was done in the army of the earl of Montfort: and a little before sun-rise, each person posted himself in the same battle array as on the preceding day.

Shortly after, the lord de Beaumanoir, who had prepared different proposals of peace, and who would willingly have brought them to some agreement, had he been able, returned to the charge, and came galloping towards sir John Chandos, who left his battalion and the earl of Montfort, at the time with him, as soon as he perceived his intentions, and advanced into the plain to meet him. When the lord de Beaumanoir came up, he saluted him very humbly, and said: “I entreat of you, sir John Chandos, in the name of God, that we may bring these two lords to some agreement; for it is a great pity that so many good persons who are here should slaughter each other in support of their opinions.” Sir John Chandos gave him a very different answer than he expected from what had passed on the preceding evening: “Lord de Beaumanoir, I would advise you not to make any more attempts at peace to-day; for our men declare that, it they can enclose you within their ranks, they will kill you. You will say to lord Charles de Blois, that happen what may, the lord John de Montfort is determined to risk the event of a combat. Have done, therefore, with all ideas of peace or agreements; for he will this day be duke of Brittany, or die in the field.”

When the lord de Beaumanoir had received this answer from Chandos, he was mightily enraged, and replied: “Chandos, Chandos, that is not less the intention of my lord, who has as good a will to fight as the lord John de Montfort: his army are also of the same mind.” At these words, he set off without saying anything more, and went to lord Charles and the barons of Brittany, who were waiting for him.

Sir John Chandos returned to the earl of Montfort, who asked, “How goes on the treaty? What does our adversary say?” “What does he say?” replied Chandos: “why, he sends word by the lord de Beaumanoir, who has this instant left me, that he will fight with you at all events, and remain duke of Brittany, or die in the field.” This answer was made by sir John, in order to excite the courage of the earl of Montfort; and he continued saying, “Now consider what you will determine to do, whether to engage or not.” “By St. George,” answered the earl of Montfort, “engage I will, and God assist the right cause: order our banners to advance immediately.”

With regard to the lord de Beaumanoir, he said to lord Charles de Blois: “My lord, my lord, by St. Ives I have heard the proudest speech from John Chandos that my ears have listened to for a long time: he has just assured me, that the earl of Montfort shall remain duke of Brittany, and will clearly show to you that you have not any right to it.” These words brought the colour into lord Charles’ cheeks; when he answered, “Let God settle the right, for he knows to whom it belongs;” and thus said all the barons of Brittany. He then ordered his banners and men at arms to march, in the name of God and St. Ives.

————————

*  Sir Matthew de Gournay. See more of him in the second volume of Gough’s Sepulchral Monuments, page 20. He died at the age of 96.

†  The princess Mary.

‡  Sir Richard Burley, — was nephew of sir Simon Burley, knight of the Garter, who was beheaded early in Richard II.’s reign. — Gough’s Sep. Mon. vol. i., p. 150.

§  “Sir Olivier de Clisson.” Dom Morice, in his Histoire de la Brétagne, says that this Olivier de Clisson was not the nephew of Walter de Clisson, who was killed, 1341, at the siege of Châteauceau, but seems to have been the “véritable seigneur de Clisson.” — vol. I. p. 148.

————————

CHAPTER CCXXVII. — THE BATLE OF AURAY, IN WHICH SIR BERTRAND DU GUESCLIN IS MADE PRISONER. — CHARLES DE BLOIS IS SLAIN; AND JOHN DE MONTFORT IS VICTORIOUS.

A LITTLE before eight in the morning, the two armies advanced near to each other. It was a very fine sight, as I have heard those relate who saw it; for the French were in such close order that one could scarcely throw an apple among them, without its falling on a helmet or lance. Each man at arms carried his spear right before him, cut down to the length of five feet; a battle-axe, sharp, strong and well steeled, with a short handle, was at his side, or hung from his neck. They advanced thus handsomely a foot’s pace, each lord in array and among his people, with his banner or pennon before him, well knowing what they were to do. On the other hand, the English were drawn up in the handsomest order.

The Bretons, under the command of sir Bertrand du Guesclin, posted themselves with the banner opposite to the battalion of sir Robert Knolles and sir Walter Huet. The Bretons of either party placed the banners of their two lords, who was each called duke, opposite to the other.

In this first onset, there were hard blows between the lancemen, and a sharp scuffle. True it is, that the English archers shot well at the commencement; but their arrows hurt not, as the French were too well armed and shielded from them. Upon this, they flung away their bows; and, being light and able men, they mixed with the men at arms of their party, and attacked those of the French who had battle-axes. Being men of address and courage, they immediately seized several of these axes, with which they afterwards fought valiantly and successfully. There were many gallant feats of arms performed; many a struggle, many a capture, and many a rescue. You must know, that whoever had the misfortune to fall, found great difficulty to rise again unless he was speedily succoured.

The battalion of lord Charles marched straight to that of lord John de Montfort, which was very strong and deep. In his company were, the viscount de Rohan, the lords de Léon, Charles de Dinan, de Quintin, d’Ancenis, and de Rochfort, each with his banner displayed before him. The engagement between these two battalions was very severe and desperate, and well fought on both sides. That of the earl of Montfort was at first thrown into confusion; but sir Hugh Calverly, who was upon its wing with a good battalion of gallant men, perceiving them giving way and opening their ranks, drove the enemy back, and replaced everything by force of arms. This action was certainly of great use to them.

In another part of the plain, sir Olivier de Clisson, sir Eustace d’Ambreticourt, sir Matthew Gournay, and several other valiant knight and squires, fought valorously with the battalion of the earls of Auxerre and Joigny, which was very numerous and deep, and crowded with several able men at arms. Many bold actions were performed on both sides: prisoners and rescues were frequent. The French and Bretons fought in earnest with their battle-axes. The lord Charles showed himself a marvellously good knight, eagerly seeking for and engaging with his enemies. His adversary, the earl of Montfort, fought with equal gallantry: and each person spoke of them according to their deserts.

Sir John Chandos proved himself more able than his opponents: for he was at the same time bold and hardy, redoubted by his adversaries in battle, as well as wise and discreet in council, giving the clearest orders. He advised the earl in everything, and, in order to animate him and his people, said to them, “Do so and so: march to this side or to that.” The young earl of Montfort believed all he said, and followed his advice.

In another part, sir Bertrand du Guesclin, the lords du Pont, de Tournemine, d’Avaugour, de Raix, de Lohéac, de Malestroit, de Prie, and many other able knights and squires of Brittany and Normandy, who were there on the side of the lord Charles, fought very determinedly, and did many handsome deeds of arms. The battle was so warmly contested that all the battalions were engaged, except the rear-guard of the English, which sir Hugh Calverly commanded. This battalion kept always on one wing, and never engaged with any, but was solely occupied in recovering and bringing back to their ranks those who were thrown into confusion.

Among other knights, sir Olivier de Clisson played his part handsomely, and did marvels 333 with his battle-axe, by which he opened and cut through the ranks, so that none dared to approach him. Once, indeed, his eagerness brought him into great peril; for he advanced so forward that he had the battalion of the earls of Auxerre and Joigny upon him, and had hard work to extricate himself. He received in this affair a stroke of a battle-axe, which struck off the visor of his helmet; and its point entered his eye, which he afterwards lost. He was not, however, for this, a less gallant knight during the whole of the day.

Battalions and banners rushed against each other, and sometimes were overthrown, and then up again. Among the knights, sir John Chandos shewed his ability, valorously fighting with his battle-axe: he gave such desperate blows, that all avoided him; for he was of great stature and strength, well made in all his limbs. He advanced to attack the battalion of the earl of Auxerre and the French. Many bold actions were performed; and, through the courage of himself and people, he drove this battalion before him, and threw it into such disorder that, in brief, it was discomfited. All their banners and pennons were thrown on the ground, torn and broken: their lords and captains were in the greatest danger; for they were not succoured by any, their people being fully engaged in fighting and defending themselves. To speak truly, when once an army is discomfited, those who are defeated are so much frightened, that if one fall, three follow his example, and to these three ten, and to ten thirty; and also, should ten run away, they will be followed by a hundred. Thus it was at the battle of Auray.

These lords shouted again and again their cries of war, as well as their banner-bearers, which some who heard them answered; but others were too much in the rear, and from the from the greatness of the crowd could not advance, so that the earl of Auxerre was desperately wounded, and taken, under the pennon of Sir John Chandos: he gave his pledge as a prisoner, as well as the earl of Joigny and the lord de Prie, a great banneret in Normandy. The other battalions fought very valiantly, and the Bretons made a good appearance still. It must however, to speak loyally of this battle, be allowed, that they did not keep their line nor array (as it seemed) like the English and Bretons on the side of Montfort. The wing commanded by sir Hugh Calverly was to them, in this battle, of the greatest advantage. When the English and Bretons of the Montfort party perceived the French to be in confusion, they were much rejoiced. Some of the French had their horses got ready, which they mounted, and began to fly as fast as they could.

Sir John Chandos then advanced with a part of his company, and made for the battalion of sir Bertrand du Guesclin, where many courageous deeds were doing; but it had been already broken, and several good knights and squires slain. Many a hard blow was given by the battle-axes, and many a helmet opened, so that several were wounded and killed. To say the truth, neither sir Bertrand nor his people were able to withstand the strength of their adversaries. Sir Bertrand was made prisoner by an English squire, under the pennon of sir John Chandos. In this conflict, sir John received the pledge as prisoner, from a baron of Brittany, called the lord of Raix, a wonderfully hardy knight. After this, the Bretons and their battalion being broken, were as good as defeated: the others being in disorder, took to flight, each in the best way he could to save himself, except some good knights and squires of Brittany, who would not quit their sovereign, the lord Charles de Blois, preferring death to reproach. They collected themselves together, and rallied round him, fighting valiantly. The lord Charles and his companions kept their ground a long time, by their valour in defending themselves: at last, however, it was of no avail, for they were defeated and put to the rout by numbers; for the whole strength of the English was drawing towards them. The banner of the lord Charles was conquered, cast to the ground, and the bearer of it slain: he himself was also killed facing his enemies, as well as a bastard of his called the lord John de Blois, with many other knights and squires of Brittany.

It appears to me, that orders had been given to the English army, that if they should gain the battle, and the lord Charles were found or made prisoner, no ransom should be taken for him, but that they should kill him. In a similar case, the French and Bretons had given the like orders respecting the lord John de Montfort; for in this day each party wished, by battle, to put an end to the war.

When a pursuit took place, great slaughter and many mischiefs happened, and several 334 good men were killed or made prisoners. The whole flower of chivalry, who had that day taken the side of lord Charles de Blois, were either prisoners or slain, particularly the bannerets of Brittany. Among the dead, lay the lord Charles de Dinan, the lords de Léon, d’Ancenis, d’Avaugour, de Lohéac, de Gargolle, de Malestroit, du Pont, and many whose names I cannot remember. There were made prisoners, the viscount de Rohan, sir Guy de Léon, the lord de Rochfort, de Raix, de Rieux, de Tournemine, sir Henry de Malestroit, sir Olivier de Mauny, the lords de Riville, de Franville, de Raineval, with several from Normandy, and many good knights and squires from France, with the earls of Auxerre and Joigny. In a word the defeat and loss were immense: numbers were slain in the field, as well as in the pursuit, which continued for eight good leagues, even as far as Vannes. A variety of accidents happened this day which had never come to my knowledge, and many a man was killed or made prisoner. Some fell into good hands, where they met with kind and civil masters.

This battle was fought near to Auray, in the year of our Lord 1364.

————————

CHAPTER CCXXVIII. — THE CHIEFS ATTACHED TO THE EARL OF MONTFORT RETIRE AFTER THE VICTORY AT AURAY. — THE EARL’S CONDUCT, ON SEEING CHARLES DE BLOIS DEAD. — TRUCES GRANTED FOR BURYING THE SLAIN. — IN WHAT MANNER THE KING OF ENGLAND WAS INFORMED OF THE EVENT OF THIS BATTLE OF AURAY.

AFTER the total defeat of lord Charles’s army, when the field of battle was free, and the principal leaders, English and Bretons, were returned from the pursuit, sir John Chandos, sir Robert Knolles, sir Eustace d’Ambreticourt, sir Matthew Gournay, sir John Boursier*, sir Walter Huet, sir Hugh Calverly, sir Richard Burley, Sir Richard Tancon†, and several others, drawing near to the earl of Montfort, came to a hedge, where they began to disarm themselves, knowing the day was theirs. Some of them placed their banners and pennons in this hedge, with the arms of Brittany high above all, in a bush, as a rallying post for their army.

Sir John Chandos, sir Robert Knolles, sir Hugh Calverly and others, then approached to the earl of Montfort, and said to him, smiling; “My lord, praise God, and make good cheer, for this day you have conquered the inheritance of Brittany.” He bowed to them very respectfully, and then said, loud enough to be heard by all around him; “Sir John Chandos, it is to your valour and prudence that I am indebted for the good fortune of this day: this I know for a truth, as well as all those who are with me: I beg you will, therefore, refresh yourself out of my cup.” He then extended to him a flagon full of wine, and his cup, out of which he himself had just drunk, adding, “After God, I owe more thanks to you than to all the rest of the world.” As he finished these words, the lord de Clisson returned, out of breath and very hot. He had pursued the enemy a long way, and had just left them, bringing back his men, with a number of prisoners. He advanced directly to the earl of Montfort and the knights who were about him, leaped off his courser, and refreshed himself with them. Whilst they were thus together, two knights and two heralds returned, who had been sent to examine the dead bodies in the field, to know what was become of the lord Charles de Blois: for they were uncertain if he had been slain or not. They cried with a loud voice, “My lord, be of good cheer, for we have seen your adversary lord Charles de Blois among the dead.” Upon this, the earl of Montfort rose up and said, he wished to see him himself, for that, “he should have as much pleasure in seeing him dead as alive.” All the knights then present accompanied him to the spot where he was lying apart from the others, covered by a shield, which he ordered to be taken away, and looked at him very sorrowfully. After having paused a while, he exclaimed; “Ha, my lord Charles, sweet cousin, how much mischief has happened to Brittany from your having supported by arms your pretensions! God help me, I am truly unhappy at finding you in this situation, but at present this cannot be amended.” Upon which he burst into tears. Sir John Chandos, perceiving this, pulled him by the skirt, and said: “My lord, my lord, let us go away, and 335 return thanks to God for the success of the day: for without the death of this person, you never would have gained your inheritance of Brittany.”

The earl then ordered that lord Charles’s body should be carried to Guingamp‡, which was immediately done with great respect, and he was most honourably interred. This was but his due, as he was a good, loyal, and valiant knight. His body was afterwards sanctified by the grace of God, and venerated as Saint Charles. Pope Urban V. who was the reigning pontiff, approved of it, by canonizing it; for it performed then, as it does to this day, many miracles§.

After these orders, when the dead were stripped, and the victors returned from the pursuit, they all retired to the quarters which they had left that morning. They disarmed themselves; and having taken some refreshment, of which they had an ample provision, they attended to their prisoners. Those that were wounded, were moved and dressed: even the servants who had suffered were well taken care of.

On the Monday morning, the earl of Montfort sent information to the city of Vannes, and to the neighbouring towns, that he should grant a truce for three days, in order that those slain in the battle might be buried in consecrated ground. This conduct was very pleasing to all.

The earl of Montfort sat down before the castle of Auray, declaring he would not depart thence until he had possession of it. News was spread abroad with great celerity, and in different places, that the earl of Montfort, by the help and assistance of the English, had gained the victory; that the lord Charles was defeated and slain; and that all the knights of Brittany, who had sided with the lord Charles, were either taken prisoners or dead. Sir John Chandos had the whole honour of this battle; for all the knights, lords, and squires who had been engaged in it, declared that it was solely owing to his prudence and prowess they had gained the day.

The friends and allies of lord Charles were much afflicted at this news, as was natural for them to be; but the king of France was the most hurt; for this defeat affected him greatly, considering that many of the knights of his realm had been made prisoners and killed. Among the first, sir Bertrand du Guesclin, whom he much loved; the earls of Auxerre, of Joigny, and all the barons of Brittany without exception. The king of France, therefore, sent his brother, the duke of Anjou, to the borders of Brittany, to the assistance of the country, which was much distressed by the loss of their lord, Charles de Blois; and to comfort and condole with the duchess of Brittany, his widow, who was in the deepest affliction. This it was the duty of the duke to do; but he was the more earnestly engaged in this melancholy task, having married her daughter. He therefore most willingly gave his promise of advice, assistance, and succour to the large cities, towns, castles, and to all the country of Brittany in which the duchess, whom he called his mother, and the whole country, had for a long time great confidence, until the king of France, to avoid all difficulties, made other arrangements, as you shall hereafter be informed of.

News of this victory was brought to the king of England; for the earl of Montfort had written to him on the fifth day after the battle of Auray, and sent the intelligence, with credential letters, by a pursuivant at arms, who had been in the engagement, to the town of Dover. The king of England nominated him his herald, and gave him the name of Windsor ‡, with a handsome present of money. Through this herald, and from some knights of both parties, I have been informed of the whole. With regard to the cause why the king of England was then at Dover, you shall immediately learn. It is a well-known fact, that proposals for a marriage between the lord Edmund earl of Cambridge, son of the king of England, and the daughter of earl Lewis of Flanders, had been treated of, and different 363 negotiations entered upon three years before ¥: to which marriage the earl of Flanders had but lately given his consent, provided a dispensation could be obtained from pope Urban V., as they were very nearly allied.

The duke of Lancaster, and the lord Edmund his brother, attended by many knights, had been to visit the earl of Flanders, who received them with every mark of distinction; and, to show greater affection and love, he had accompanied them to Calais, and crossed the sea to Dover, where the king and part of his council had remained. When the before-mentioned pursuivant brought to this place the news of the affair at Auray, as it has been told, the king and his barons were much rejoiced at the event; as was also the earl of Flanders, on account of the advancement of his cousin-german the earl of Montfort.

The king of England, the earl of Flanders, and the other barons, staid at Dover three days, which were spent in feasts and entertainments. When they indulged in these sufficiently, and had finished the affairs on which they had met, the earl of Flanders took his leave of the king and departed.

It seems to me, that the duke of Lancaster and the lord Edmund crossed the channel with the earl, and attended him until he arrived at Bruges. We will not speak longer of this matter, but return to the earl of Montfort, and mention how he conducted himself in Brittany.

————————

*  Sir John Bourchier. — Barnes.

†  Sir Richard Taunton. — Barnes.

‡  Guingamp. — a town of Brittany, diocese of Treguier.

§  This is a mistake of Froissart. There was some such intention in the pope’s mind, as there are extant letters from him to John duke of Brittany on this subject; but, when he understood the manner of his death, he was not looked upon as a martyr. He was very angry with those who had given him such honours, without the approbation of the apostolic see, and, by his letters to the bishops of Brittany, enjoined them to prohibit such things being done in future. — Barnes’ Hist. Edw. III., p. 660.

¶  This was the first institution of a Windsor herald, an office which has continued to the present time. — ED.

¥  The first mention I find in Rymer is dated 7th February, 1362 — the second, 20th July, 1364, — the third, the articles of marriage, dated 19th October, at Dover, 1364, — the fourth, to postpone the day of marriage, Windsor, 18th December, 1364.

————————

CHAPTER CCXXIX. — THE EARL OF MONTFORT CONQUERS AURAY AND SEVERAL OTHER PLACES FROM THE WIDOW OF LORD CHARLES DE BLOIS. — KING CHARLES INTERPOSES BETWEEN THEM, AND MAKES PEACE. — A PEACE IS ALSO MADE BETWEEN THE KINGS OF FRANCE AND NAVARRE, THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF THE CAPTAL DE BUCH.

THE earl of Montfort, as it has been before related, laid siege to Auray, and declared that he would not leave it until he had conquered it; at which those of the castle were not very well pleased. They had lost their captain, Henri de Hauternelle, who had fallen in the battle with the flower of the garrison; so that they were very few to defend it, and without hope of assistance. They took counsel together, whether it would not be advisable to surrender, on having their lives and fortunes saved, and on these terms entered into a negotiation with the earl. The earl, who had many other places to look to, and was not certain how the country would act after this victory, accepted their terms, allowing those who would not remain with him to depart according to their inclinations. He then took possession of the castle, new garrisoned it, and marched forward with his whole army, which increased daily; for men at arms and archers came to him in crowds, and many knights and squires turned to his party, especially those from Lower Brittany.

He came before the good town of Jugon*, which shut its gates against him. He remained there three days, and ordered it to be assaulted twice, which occasioned many both within and without the walls to be badly wounded. Those in Jugon, seeing themselves thus hardly pressed, and no hopes of aid, did not wish to be further harassed: they acknowledged, therefore, the earl of Montfort for their lord, opened the gates, and swore homage and fealty to him, which they faithfully promised to keep. The earl changed all the municipal officers, appointing new ones in their stead.

He then advanced towards the city of Dinan† and laid siege to it, which continued during the winter; for that town was well furnished with men at arms and provision: besides, the duke of Anjou had exhorted them to behave themselves as good men should do (for he had assisted them): this made them hold out, and suffer many a sharp assault. When they found their provision growing low, and that no relief was coming to them, they entered into a treaty of peace with the earl, who willingly listened to it; for he was desirous of nothing but that 337 they should acknowledge him as their lord, which they did. He made a solemn entry into the town of Dinan, where all the inhabitants swore homage and fealty to him.

After this, the earl marched with his army to the city of Quimper Corentin‡. He laid close siege to it, and ordered large machines to be brought from Vannes and Dinan, saying, he would have it before he left it. I must now inform you, that the English and the Bretons of Montfort’s party, such as sir John Chandos and others, who had made prisoners at the battle of Auray, would not accept of ransoms for them, nor allow them to go and seek for money; because they were unwilling they should again assemble in a body and offer them battle: they sent them into Poitou, Saintonge, Bordeaux, and la Rochelle, to remain there as prisoners. During this time, the English and Bretons conquered all Brittany, from one end to the other. Whilst the earl of Montfort was besieging the city of Quimper Corentin, to which he did much damage by his machines that played night and day, as well by his assaults, his men overran the country, leaving nothing unpillaged.

The king of France was duly informed of all that was going on: many councils were held to consider how he could turn these affairs of Brittany to his own interest; for they were in a desperate situation, unless promptly remedied, and he would be forced to call upon his subjects to support him in a new war against England on account of Brittany. This his council advised him not to think of; but, after many deliberations, they said to him: “Our most dear lord, you have supported your cousin, the lord Charles de Blois, in Brittany, as did the king your father, and your grandfather Philip, who gave to him the heiress of the last duke of Brittany in marriage; by which means much evil has befallen Brittany and the neighbouring countries. Since the lord Charles de Blois, your cousin, was slain in defending that country, there is no one now of his party in a situation to resume the war; for at this moment those to whom it belongs, and whom it touches so nearly, are prisoners in England: we mean the lord John and lord Guy de Blois, his two sons. We hear every day of the earl of Montfort conquering towns and castles, which he possesses as his lawful inheritance: by this means you will lose your rights, as well as the homage of Brittany, which is certainly a great honour and a noble appendage to your crown. This you ought to endeavour to keep; for, if the earl of Montfort should acknowledge for his lord the king of England, ,as his father did, you will not be able to recover it without great wars with England, with whom we are now at peace, and which we would advise you not to break. Everything, therefore, fully considered, we recommend to you, our dear lord, to send ambassadors and wise negotiators to the earl of Montfort, to find out what his intentions are, an to enter upon a treaty of peace with him, as well as with the country, and the lady of it, who bears the title of duchess. You will derive from these negotiators positive information as to what are his intentions. At the worst, it will be much better he should remain duke of Brittany (provided that he will acknowledge you for his lord, and pay you all your rights, as a loyal man should do) than that this business should continue longer in peril.”

The king of France willingly assented to this proposal. The lord John de Craon, archbishop of Rheims, the lord de Craon his cousin, and the lord de Boucicaut, were ordered to set out for Quimper Corentin, to treat with the earl of Montfort and his council, as it has been above related. These three lords departed, after having received full instructions how they were to act, and rode on until they came to the siege which the English and Bretons were laying to Quimper Corentin, where they announced themselves as ambassadors from France. The earl of Montfort, sir John Chandos, and the members of the council, received them with pleasure. These lords explained the cause of their coming. To this first opening, the earl of Montfort replied, “We will consider of it,” and fixed a day for his answer: during this interval, these lords retired to Rennes, where they resided.

The earl of Montfort despatched lord Latimer§ to the king of England to inform him of the proposals for a peace he had received, and to have his advice on the subject. The king of England, having considered them, advised the earl to make a peace, on condition the duchy should be his, and also to make handsome reparation to the lady who was called duchess, by assigning her a fixed annuity, or rent-charge, on certain lands where she might collect it without danger.

Lord Latimer brought back the opinion of the king of England to the earl of Montfort, who was still before Quimper Corentin. Upon the arrival of these letters, the earl and his council sent to the ambassadors from France, who had remained at Rennes: they came immediately to the army, and had a very courteous and civil answer given to them. They were told that the earl of Montfort would never give up his claims to the duchy of Brittany, happen what might, but would keep and maintain the title and rights of duke of Brittany, which he was now possessed of: that, nevertheless, wherever the king of France should cause any cities, towns, or castles to surrender peaceably upon the same terms of homage, fealty, and rights, as they were held from the preceding duke of Brittany, he would willingly acknowledge him for his liege lord, and would do him homage and service in the presence of the peers of France. Moreover, on account of the affinity between him and his cousin, the widow of the lord Charles de Blois, he was willing to do everything to assist her; and would also use his endeavours to obtain the liberty of his cousins, the lords John and Guy de Blois, who were detained prisoners in England.

This answer was very agreeable to the French lords who had been sent thither: a day was appointed for them to declare their acceptance of these terms or not: they instantly sent information of what had passed to the duke of Anjou, who had retired to Angers, to whom the king had referred the acceptance of the terms, according to his pleasure. When the duke of Anjou had considered the proposals for some time, he gave his assent. The two knights who had been sent to him returned with his answer sealed. The ambassadors of France again left Rennes, and went to Quimper Corentin, when a peace with the lord of Montfort was finally agreed to and sealed.

He was to remain duke of Brittany; but, in case he should have no legal heirs by marriage, the duchy should revert, after his decease, to the children of lord Charles de Blois. The lady who had been the wife of lord Charles was created countess of Penthièvre, with the lands attached to it; which lands were supposed worth about twenty thousand francs a-year, or it not, that sum was to be made up to her. The earl of Montfort engaged to go to France, whenever he should be summoned, to do homage to the king of France, and acknowledge that he held the duchy of him. Charters and publicly sealed instruments were drawn up of all these articles. Thus had the earl of Montfort possession of Brittany: he remained duke of it for a time, until new wars began, as you shall hear in the following history. Among these articles, it was stipulated, that the lord de Clisson should re-possess those lands which king Philip had formerly taken from his family. this lord de Clisson gained the confidence of the king of France, who did whatever he wished, and without him nothing was done. The whole country of Brittany was full of joy upon the conclusion of a peace. The duke received homages from cities, towns, castles, prelates, and gentlemen.

Soon afterwards, the duke married¶ the daughter of her royal highness the princess of Wales, which she had borne to her former husband, the lord Thomas Holland. The nuptials were celebrated with great pomp and magnificence in the good city of Nantes.

It also happened this winter, that queen Jane, aunt to the king of Navarre, and queen Blanche, his sister, laboured so earnestly for peace that it was concluded between the kings of France and Navarre, assisted much by the advice and prudence of the captal de Buch, who took great pains in the business. He also obtained his liberty by it. The king of France showed him great marks of esteem, and, as a proof of it, gave him the handsome castle of Nemours, with all its rights, appurtenances, and jurisdictions, which were worth three thousand francs of revenue. The captal became, by this means, liege man to the king of France. The king was well pleased at receiving him a homager; for he loved much the service of a knight such as the captal; but he was not so long, for, when he was returned into the principality to the prince, who had been informed of what had passed, he was much blamed, and told that he could not acquit himself loyally in his service to two lords: that he was over covetous, when he accepted of lands in France, where he was neither honoured nor beloved. When he found himself in this situation, and so treated and taunted by the prince of Wales, his own natural lord, he was quite ashamed of himself, and made 339 excuses, saying, “that he was not by any means too much connected with the king of France, and that he could very easily undo all that had been done.” He sent, therefore, by his own squire, his homage back to the king of France, renounced all that had been given him, and remained attached to the prince.

Among the articles of the treaty between the kings of France and Navarre, the towns of Mantes and Meulan were to be given the king of France, who restored to the king of Navarre other castles in Normandy.

About this time, the lord Louis de Navarre set out from France, and passed through Lombardy, to espouse the queen of Naples¥. At his departure, he borrowed of the king of France sixty thousand francs, upon the security of some castles which belonged to him in Normandy. He survived his marriage with that queen but a short time. May God forgive him his faults! for he was a good and courteous knight.

————————

*  Jugon, — a town in Brittany, diocese of St. Pol.

†  Dinan, — a considerable town in Brittany, diocese of St. Malo.

‡  Quimper Corentin, — a town in Brittany, generality of Nantes.

§  Lord Latimer. — See Dugdale’s Baronage.

¶  Johanna of Holland, daughter of Thomas earl of Kent, — married 1366 — died, without issue, 1386. — Anderson.

¥  “The queen of Naples.” This must have been the too celebrated Jane, but I cannot find the marriage mentioned in any other book. [Queen Joan of Naples married James of Arragon, called the infant of Majorca, in 1362; he died in 1375. It is probably to this marriage that Froissart alludes, but he is mistaken in naming Louis as the husband. — ED.]

————————

[BACK]          [Blueprint]         [NEXT]