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From Chronicles of England, France and Spain and the Surrounding Countries, by Sir John Froissart, Translated from the French Editions with Variations and Additions from Many Celebrated MSS, by Thomas Johnes, Esq; London: William Smith, 1848. pp. 708-721.
CHAPTER C. — PHILIP VON ARTAVELD, ON HIS RETURN TO GHENT, LIVES IN GREAT POMP. — THE EARL OF FLANDERS RESIDES IN LILLE.
WHEN Philip heard from the garrison of Oudenarde, that they neither cared for him nor for his menaces, he swore, that whatever it might cost the country of Flanders, he would not attend to any thing until he had taken and razed to the ground the town of Oudenarde. He was greatly enraged, and thought he might easily accomplish his threats; for all Flanders was inclined to serve him. After a residence of six days at Courtray, where he renewed the laws, and received the homage and allegiance of every one, just as if he had been earl of Flanders, he returned to Ghent. There came out a grand procession to meet him, and with such joy that the earl, their lord, was never received so honourably. The people adored him as if he had been their god, because, through his advice, their town enjoyed such power and wealth. It is impossible to tell the vast quantities of valuables which came thither by land and water from Bruges, Damme and Sluys. The bread, which three weeks before was sold for an old groat, was not worth more than four farthings. The wine which was at twenty-four groats, was now sold for two. All things were much cheaper at Ghent than at Tournay or Valenciennes.
Philip von Artaveld, like a great prince, kept a magnificent establishment of horses, and was as grand in his hôtel, as the earl of Flanders was at Lille. He had his officers throughout Flanders, such as bailiffs, governors, receivers and serjeants, who every week brought considerable sums to Ghent, where he kept his state, and was clothed in scarlet robes lined with furs, like the duke of Brabant or earl of Hainault. He had also his exchequer-chamber, where the money was paid, like to the earl; and he gave dinners and suppers to the ladies and damsels of Ghent, as the earl used to do; and, like him, was not more sparing of his 709 money where his pleasures were concerned. When he wrote, he signed himself Philip von Artaveld, regent of Flanders*.
During this time, the earl of Flanders, who resided at Lille, had reason to be thoughtful, seeing that his country was more than ever in rebellion against him, and that from himself alone he had not any hopes of recovering it; for all the towns were so much connected with each other that they could never be separated but by a very superior force. The whole country no more spoke of him, nor acknowledged him for their lord, than if he had never existed. He now remembered his connection with the duke of Burgundy, who had married the lady Margaret his daughter, by whom he had two fine children. He said he was happy king Charles was dead, and that there was a young king in France under the guardianship of his uncle the duke of Burgundy, who would manage and govern him according to his inclinations. “It will be therefore natural for the king of France, as I should suppose, to be enraged against my rebellious subjects; for he has good inclinations, and is desirous of signalising himself in arms. The duke of Burgundy will easily induce him to do so, when he explains to him their insolent pride, and that he is bound to assist his vassals when their subjects rebel.”
But some imagine the king would not have interfered in the matter, if it had not been for the intrigues of the duke of Burgundy; for, if nothing had been done, he would have annexed Flanders to the crown of France by some means or other; for the earl of Flanders was not enough in his favour to induce him to exert himself in his aid. We will, however, drop at present this subject until the proper time comes, and speak of the earl of Flanders’ conduct in Lille.
After his late great discomfiture before Bruges, he learnt that sir Thierri du Ban, sir Fleuriant du Heurlée and sir John Bernage, had entered Oudenarde, and kept possession of it during all the events which had followed the defeat at Bruges. He well knew that these knights were not in sufficient strength to oppose the force of Flanders, if they should lay siege to it, as it was expected they would instantly do. In order to reinforce and victual it, he called to him a knight, named sir Daniel du Haluyn,† and said to him, “Daniel, you will go to the town of Oudenarde: I appoint you its governor, and you shall take with you one hundred and fifty lances, good men at arms, one hundred cross-bows, and two hundred lusty varlets with pikes and shields. You will be careful of the garrison, for I give it loyally into your charge; and hasten to victual it with corn, oats, salted meats, and wines from our good friends and neighbours in the town of Tournay, who I trust will not fail us in this urgent necessity.” “My lord,” replied the knight, “your orders shall be obeyed; and I accept the guard of the town of Oudenarde, since it pleases you to command me. No accident shall happen to it through any fault of mine.” “Daniel,” said the earl, “you comfort me much by what you say.”
Upon this, sir Daniel de Haluyn took leave of the earl and went to Oudenarde, which he reinforce with good men at arms, victualled it again, and made every other necessary preparation.
* “Regent of Flanders.” In the original this stands, “Regard de Flanders,” which D. Sauvage, on the authority of the fragment he distinguishes by the name of Sala, proposes to alter to Regent. Lord Berners’ translation “the overlooker of Flanders” is probably a more correct interpretation of the title, than regent, which is only applicable to a governor acting as a deputy, reigning for another, whereas Von Artaveld now admitted no superior. — ED.
† “Daniel de Haluyn.” This must be the person whom he before calls Damos, and Damaux de Haluin.
PHILIP, who resided in Ghent, hearing that the garrison of Oudenarde had been reinforced with men at arms, said he would provide a remedy, for such things were not to be suffered: it was a disgrace to all Flanders that that town should continue thus disobedient. He declared he would lay siege to it, and never march away until he had destroyed it, and put to death all who should be found within, knights and others. He issued his summons 710 through Flanders, for every one to be ready prepared before Oudenarde on the 9th day of June. None dared disobey this summons: those in the principal towns of Flanders, of the Franconate and of Bruges, made themselves ready, and came before Oudenarde, where they extended themselves in the field, meadows and marshes thereabouts. Philip, by whose orders every thing was done, lived in great state before Oudenarde. During this time, he laid a tax throughout Flanders of four groats on every fire, which were to be paid weekly, by all persons indiscriminately. Philip gained large sums by this tax, for no one was exempted. He had his serjeants in all parts of the country, who made both rich and poor pay it, whether they would or not.
It was said there were upwards of a hundred thousand men at this siege of Oudenarde. The Flemings drove into the river Scheld large stakes, so that no vessels could come from Tournay to Oudenarde, whilst they had in their army plenty of every thing necessary. They had halls for cloth, furs, and merceries: every Saturday was the market, to which were brought from the adjacent villages all sorts of groceries, fruits, butter, milk, cheese, poultry, and other things. In their army there were taverns as plenty as at Brussels, where Rhenish wines, and those of France, Galrigaches*, Malmseys and other foreign wines were sold cheap. Every one might go thither, and pass and repass, without peril; that is to say, those of Brabant, Hainault, Germany and of Liege, but not those of France.
When sir Daniel de Haluyn entered Oudenarde, he laid in all his preparations of stores and provision, which were equally divided among the garrison, each according to a fixed ration. All the horses were sent away, and the houses near the walls pulled down, and covered with earth, to guard against the cannon, of which the enemy had abundance. The women and children who remained (for many were sent away) were lodged in the churches and monasteries. No dog was left in the town, but all were killed and thrown into the river. The garrison made many gallant sallies, both mornings and evenings, doing great execution to the army. There were among others two squires from Artois, brothers, called Lambert and Tristan de Lambres, who frequently performed very gallant deeds of arms, bringing back with them provisions from the enemy, whether they would or not, and even prisoners.
Thus they remained the whole summer. It was the intention of Philip and his council to continue until they should starve them out; for it would cost them too many men were they to attempt to carry it by storm. They with much labour placed on the hill of Oudenarde a prodigiously great engine, twenty feet wide and forty long, which they called a Mutton, to cast heavy stones and beams of timber into the town, and crush every thing they should fall on. They had also, the more to alarm the garrison, fired a bombard of a very great size, which was fifty feet in length, and shot stones of an immense weight. When they fired off this bombard, it might be heard five leagues off in the day-time, and ten at night. The report of it was so loud, that it seemed as if all the devils in hell had broken loose.
The Ghent men made likewise another engine, which they pointed against the town, to cast large bars of hot copper. With such machines, as cannons, bombards, sows and muttons, did the Ghent army labour to annoy the garrison of Oudenarde. They, however, comforted each other as well as they could, and defended themselves against these attacks. They made sallies three or four times a week, in which they gained more honour than disgrace, and also more profit than loss.
* “Galrigaches,” — a sort of strong white wine, or liqueur.
CHAPTER CII. — A DETACHMENT OF THE GHENT ARMY FROM BEFORE OUDENARDE, IN OVER-RUNNING THE LANDS OF THEIR LORD, BURN SOME VILLAGES ON THE FRONTIERS OF FRANCE, WHICH CAUSES A WAR BETWEEN THE KING OF FRANCE AND THEM.
WHILST the siege of Oudenarde was going forward, eleven hundred men left the army, with a determination to scour the country, and to ruin and destroy the houses of those knights who, having quitted Flanders, had established themselves, with their wives and 711 families, in Hainault, Brabant, and in Artois. They accomplished their purpose; for this detachment committed great damage throughout Flanders, not leaving any house of a gentleman unburnt, or standing. They then came again to Marle, the house of the earl, and completely destroyed it. They found there the cradle in which he had been nursed, and the bathing tub in which he had been washed, both of which they entirely demolished. They pulled down the chapel, carrying away with them the bell to Bruges, where they met Peter du Bois, and Peter le Nuitre, who entertained them well, and told them they had performed good services. When these men had refreshed themselves, they took the road to the bridge of Warneston, crossed the river Lis, and came before Lille, where they destroyed some windmills and set fire to other villages of Flanders. Upwards of four thousand of the inhabitants of Lille armed themselves, and sallied out on horseback and on foot, after these marauders, whom they soon overtook, slew many and seized others, who had afterwards their heads struck off in Lille; but, had they been well pursued, not one of them would have escaped. Notwithstanding this check, the detachment from the Ghent army entered the country of Tournay, where they did much mischief, and burnt the town of Sechlin, and some of the adjacent villages which belong to the kingdom of France. They then returned with a very considerable booty, to the siege of Oudenarde.
News was carried to the duke of Burgundy, at Bapaume in Artois, how the Ghent men had pillaged and burnt some villages in France. He instantly wrote an account of it to his sovereign, who at that time was at Compiegne, as well as to his brother the duke of Berry, to the duke of Bourbon, and to the king’s council, that they might consider of it. The duke of Burgundy wished not the Flemings to have acted otherwise; for he thought it would be now necessary to call on the king for aid, otherwise his father-in-law, the earl of Flanders, would never regain his inheritance; besides, on every account, this war exasperated him most exceedingly, for he was, in right of his wife, the heir of Flanders.
The earl of Flanders resided at this moment at Hêdin. He then learnt that the Ghent men had destroyed his house at Marle, through spite to him, even the chamber wherein he was born, and had broken the font wherein he had been baptised, with the cradle of his childhood, which was of silver. The bathing tub wherein he had been washed was beaten to pieces and carried away. All this vexed him exceedingly. Whilst at Hêdin he thought of different plans: for he saw his country had turned against him, except Dendremonde and Oudenarde, and no succour to be looked for, but from France. Having weighed well all circumstances, he resolved to visit his son the duke of Burgundy, who lived at Bapaume, and explain to him his situation. He departed from Hêdin and went to Arras, where he reposed himself two days. On the morrow he came to Bapaume, and dismounted at the hôtel of the counts of Artois, which was now his own; for, by the death of his lady-mother, he was count of Artois. The duke of Burgundy took much compassion on him, and comforted him kindly, when he had heard his complaints, saying, “My lord, by the faith I owe to you, and to the king, I will not attend to anything but the recovery of your country. You shall be repossessed, or we will lose the remainder; for it is not to be suffered that such a set of scoundrels as are now in Flanders should govern that country, as in that case all knighthood and gentility may be destroyed and pulled down, and consequently all Christianity.”
The earl of Flanders was much consoled by the duke engaging to assist him. He took leave of him, and went to the city of Arras. At this time, he held in prison upwards of two hundred persons from the chief towns of Flanders, who had only bread and water for food; and every day they were threatened to lose their heads. When the earl returned to Arras, he gave them all their liberties in honour of GOD and the Virgin; for he found, from what had passed in Flanders after their imprisonment, that they were not any way to blame. He made them all swear to be true and loyal to him, and then gave them money to carry them to Lille or Douay, or wherever else they pleased, The earl gained much popularity by this measure. He then left Arras, and returned to Hêdin.
CHAPTER CIII. — THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY INSTIGATES HIS NEPHEW KING CHARLES TO MAKE WAR ON GHENT AND ITS ALLIES, AS WELL IN REVENGE FOR THE BURNT VILLAGES, AS TO ASSIST IN THE RECOVERY OF FLANDERS FOR THE EARL, WHO WAS HIS VASSAL .
THE duke of Burgundy was not forgetful of the engagements he had entered into with his lord and father the earl of Flanders. He set out from Bapaume attended by sir Guy de la Trimouille and sir John de Vienne, admiral of France, who were desirous the earl should be assisted. These two were the principal persons of his council. They continued their journey until they arrived at Senlis, where the king was with his two uncles of Berry and Bourbon. He was received with joy, and then was asked what was the news in Flanders, and how the siege of Oudenarde was going on. The duke of Burgundy made very prudent replies to these first questions of the king and his uncles; but when he found an opportunity, he drew his brother the duke of Berry aside, and explained to him how the Ghent men, in the insolence of their pride, were endeavouring to be masters everywhere, and to destroy all gentlemen; that they had already burnt and pillaged part of the kingdom of France, which was much to the prejudice and dishonour of the realm, and ought not to be patiently borne.
“Fair brother,” said the duke of Berry, “we will talk to the king on this subject: you and I are the principal of his council. The king being made a party, no one will attempt to thwart our inclinations in fomenting a war between France and Flanders, which have hitherto been at peace with each other: it will be proper we give some good reasons for it, and that the barons of France be of our opinion; otherwise we may be blamed and the fault thrown on us; for the king is very young, and every one knows that he will do whatever we shall tell him or advise him. If it turn out successful, it will be passed over; but, should it be otherwise, we shall be charged with it, and much more blamed, and with reason, than any of the other counsellors. Every one will say, ‘See how badly the king’s uncles, the dukes of Berry and Burgundy, have advised the king; they have engaged the nation in a war in which it had nothing to do.’ I therefore say, my fair lord, that we must assemble the greater part of the prelates and nobles of the kingdom of France, and lay before them, in the presence of the king, who is personally interested in this business, all the events which bear any relation to the inheritance of Flanders: we shall then soon see what is the general wish of France.”
The duke of Burgundy replied, “You say well, my fair brother, and what you have advised shall be done.” At these words, the king entered the apartments where his uncles were, with a falcon on his wrist: he was struck with the duke’s last words, and said with much good humour, “What were you speaking of, my fair uncles, at this moment with so much earnestness? I should like to hear it, if it be proper for me to know.” “Yes, my lord,” answered the duke of Berry; “for what we were discussing personally concerns you. Your uncle, my brother of Burgundy, has just been complaining to me of the Flemings: those villains of Flanders have driven the earl their lord out of his country, and all the gentlemen. They are now, to the amount of a hundred thousand men, besieging Oudenarde, under a captain called Philip von Artaveld, an Englishman for courage, who has sworn he will never break up the siege until he has had his will on those of the town, unless you shall force him to it. This reservation he has made. Now, what do you say to this? will you assist your cousin of Flanders to regain his inheritance, of which peasants, in their pride and cruelty, have deprived him?” “By my faith, my dear uncles,” replied the king, “I have a very great inclination so to do, and in God’s name let us march thither. I wish for nothing more than to try my strength in arms, for never hitherto have I had armour on. It is necessary, therefore, if I wish to reign with honour and glory, that I learn the art of war.”
The two dukes, looking at each other, were much delighted with what the king had said; and the duke of Berry added, — “My lord, you have very properly spoken, and you are bound to do what you say; for the country of Flanders is a dependance on the domain of France; and you have sworn, and we also for you, that you will support in their rights your 713 vassals and liege men: the earl is also your cousin, you therefore owe him affection. Now, since you are in such good inclinations, do not change them, but say the same to all who shall speak to you on this subject; for we will assemble in haste the prelates and barons of your realm, and in your presence lay before them this business. Do you speak your mind then, as clearly and as loudly as you have done to us, and they all will say we have an enterprising and well-intentioned king.” “On my faith, my fair uncle, I wish every thing were ready for us to march thither to-morrow; for from henceforward the greatest pleasure I shall have will be to abase the pride of these Flemings.” The two dukes were well pleased at hearing the king thus speak out. The duke of Bourbon now came, having bent sent for by them; and they related to him all you have heard, and how eager the king was to march to Flanders, with which he was much pleased.
Things remained in this state. The king and his uncles wrote letter to all the lords of the council, ordering them to come to Compiegne on a certain day, when there would be a council held on the affairs of the realm. Every one obeyed, as was right; but the king was so much rejoiced at what he had heard, and so much occupied was his mind with this subject, that nothing could put it out of his head. He frequently said, “The council would be too tedious to accomplish the business well;” adding, that “when any one wishes to perform an enterprise successfully, deliberations should not be too long; for at last, the enemy gains information of it.” He also said, when they laid before him the dangers that might happen, “Yes, yes; nothing venture, nothing gain.” In this manner did the young king of France converse with the knights and squires of his chamber. I will now relate to you a dream which he had at this time at Senlis; and from which he took a flying hart for his emblem, as I was then informed.
CHAPTER CIV. — CHARLES THE SIXTH, KING OF FRANCE, FROM A DREAM, CHOOSES A FLYING HART FOR HIS DEVICE.
IT happened that during the residence of the young king Charles at Senlis, as he was sleeping in his bed a vision appeared to him. He thought he was in the city of Arras, where, until then, he had never been, attended by all the flower of knighthood of his kingdom, that the earl of Flanders came there to him, and placed on his wrist a most beautiful and elegant pilgrim-falcon, saying, “My lord, in God’s name, I give this falcon to you, for the best that was ever seen, the most indefatigable hunger, and the most excellent striker of birds.” The king was much pleased with the present, and said, “Fair cousin, I give you my thanks.” He then thought he turned to the constable of France who was near him, and said, “Sir Oliver, let you and I go to the plains, and try this elegant falcon which my cousin of Flanders has given me.” When the constable answered, “Well, let us go.” Then each mounted their horses, and went into the fields, taking the falcon with them, where they found plenty of herons to fly him at. The king said, “Constable, cast off the falcon, and we shall see how he will hunt.” The constable let him fly, and the falcon mounted so high in the air, they could scarcely see him: he took the direction towards Flanders. “Let us ride after my bird,” said the king to his constable: “for I will not lose him.” The constable assented, and they rode on, as it appeared to the king, through a large marsh, when they came to a wood, on which the king cried, out, “Dismount, dismount: we cannot pass this wood on horseback.” They then dismounted, when some servants came and took their horses. The king and the constable entered the wood with much difficulty, and walked on until they came to an extensive heath, where they saw the falcon chasing herons, and striking them down; but they resisted, and there was a battle between them. It seemed to the king that his falcon performed gallantly, and drove the birds before him so far, that he lost sight of him. This much vexed the king, as well as the impossibility of following him; and he said to the constable, “I shall lose my falcon, which I shall very much regret; for I have neither lure, nor any thing else to call him back.” Whilst the king was in this anxiety, he thought a beautiful hart, with two wings, appeared to issue out of the wood, and come to this heath and bend himself down before the king, who said to the 714 constable, as he regarded this wonder with delight, “Constable, do you remain here, and I will mount this hart that offers himself to me, and follow my bird.” The constable agreed to it, and the young king joyfully mounted the hart, and went seeking the falcon. The hart, like one well tutored to obey the king’s pleasure, carried him over the tops of the highest trees, when he saw his falcon striking down such numbers of birds, that he marvelled how he could do it. It seemed to the king that when the falcon had sufficiently flown, and struck down enough of the herons, he called him back, and instantly, as if well taught, he perched on the king’s wrist, when it seemed to him, that after he had taken the falcon by its lure, and given him his reward, the hart flew back again over the wood, and replaced the king on the same heath whence he had carried him, and where the constable was waiting, who was much rejoiced at his return. On his arrival he dismounted: the hart returned to the wood, and was no more seen. The king then, as he imagined, related to the constable how well the hart had carried him: that he had never rode so easy before in his life; and also the goodness of his falcon, who had struck down such numbers of birds: to all of which the constable willingly listened. The servants then seemed to come after them with their horses, which, having mounted, they followed a magnificent road that brought them back to Arras. The king at this part awakened, much astonished at the vision he had seen, which was so imprinted on his memory, that he told it to some of his attendants who were waiting in his chamber. The figure of this hart was so agreeable to him that he could not put it out of his imagination; and this was the cause why, on this expedition to Flanders against the Flemings, he took a flying hart for his device.
CHAPTER CV. — THE SIEGE OF OUDENARDE, THE REBELS ENTREAT KING CHARLES TO MAKE PEACE BETWEEN THEM AND THE EARL OF FLANDERS. — THE KING ANSWERS THEM WITH CONTEMPT. — THEY THEN ENDEAVOUR TO DRAW THE ENGLISH INTO AN ALLIANCE WITH THEM.
PHILIP VON ARTAVELD, although he had been very successful at the battle of Bruges, and though fortune had smiled on him at his defeat of the earl and the citizens of Bruges, possessed not any abilities for war or sieges. When young he had not been educated for it, but in fishing with a rod in the rivers Scheld and Lis; and he clearly proved his incapacity during the siege of Oudenarde. He knew not how to take the town, and, through pride and presumption, thought it must be his, and that the inhabitants ought to come and surrender it to him. They had no such inclination; but behaved themselves like valorous men, skirmishing frequently with these Flemings at the barriers, in which they slew many and wounded more, and then retired without loss into their town. In these sallies, Lambert de Lambres, Tristan his brother, and the lord de Lunelhein, gained great renown.
The Flemings observing that the ditches of Oudenarde were wide and full of water, and that they could not approach the place but with great peril, resolved in counsel to collect quantities of faggots and straw to fill them up to enable them to come near the walls and engage hand to hand. As it had been ordered, so it was executed; but the garrison held what they were about cheap, and said, that if there were no treason between them and the townspeople, they were not alarmed for the event of the siege. However, sir Daniel de Haluyn, the governor, to prevent any misconduct, had kept the citizens so much under command, that they had not any power whatever: and he had strictly ordered, that none of the inhabitants should dare to ascend the walls, by day or night, without being accompanied by some of the men at arms, otherwise, if found, they would risk the loss of their lives. In this manner was the siege continued. The Flemings had plenty of provision in their army, which was brought to them by sea and land, as well as down the rivers, for they were lords of the whole of Flanders. They were also near the countries of Holland, Zealand, Brabant, and a part of Hainault, the inhabitants of which, through avarice of gain, privately brought their army provision in quantities.
This Philip von Artaveld had a courage more like English than French. He would have been glad if they had adhered more to the former, and made an alliance with England; for, 715 should the king of France, or duke of burgundy, march an army against them to recover the country, they would have been assisted. Philip had already in his army two hundred English archers, who had been stolen away from their garrison at Calais, and were paid every week.
Philip, to put a better colour on his actions, and to know what they said of him in France, resolved to send letters from himself and from the country of Flanders, to the king of France, humbly entreating the king to take the trouble of bringing about a sound reconciliation between them and the earl their lord. He had no sooner mentioned this idea than it was executed: he wrote amicable letters to the king of France and to this council, which he ordered a messenger to carry to France and deliver to the king. The messenger said he would willingly obey, and rode on with the letters until he came to Senlis, where the king was, to whom and to his uncles he gave the letters. The king, took them, and had them read in the presence of his uncles and council. After they had been read and comprehended, the auditors burst out into laughter. The messenger, because he had come into the king’s presence without a passport, was ordered to be arrested, and put into prison, where he remained for upwards of three weeks.
When Philip heard of this, he was very indignant, and, having summoned the captains of the army to him, he said, “You see what honour the king of France pays to us, after we have so amicably written to him, for which he detains our messenger. We certainly make too many difficulties in connecting ourselves with the English, and may suffer for it. The duke of Burgundy is now in France and governs the king just as he pleases, for he is but a child. Do you think that he will leave things in their present situation? Certainly not. Take for example our messenger; whom he has detained. It will therefore be prudent in us to send to England, as well for the general good of Flanders as to secure ourselves and alarm our enemies. I am desirous,” said Philip, “that we send thither ten or twelve of our principal men, that the knowledge of it may be carried to France, and that the king and his council may think we intend to unite ourselves with his adversary the king of England. But I do not wish such alliances to be made in a hurry, nor at all if we were not thus circumstanced; but I would that our ambassadors should demand privately of the king of England and his council the sum of two hundred thousand old crowns, which we have a just right to, and which Jacob von Artaveld, my father, and the states of Flanders, lent to the king of England when before Tournay, to pay his troops. Let then also tell the king of England, his uncles and his counsellors, that the states of Flanders in general, and the chief towns who made this loan, demand the repayment of it; and that when this shall have been done, which the king of England is obliged to perform, he and his subjects shall have free entry into Flanders for the time to come. It is much better,” added Philip, “that we make use of what is our own, than that foreigners should do so; and we never can have a better opportunity than now to get it back again, for the king and realm of England will not hesitate to gain the entry, love, and alliance of such a country as Flanders now is: besides, the English have not in the whole coast from Bordeaux to Sluys any port, except Calais, Cherbourg, and Brest, to gain entrance into France. Flanders, therefore, will open her ports to them very opportunely; for Brittany, excepting Brest, is quite shut against them, and the duke of Brittany has sworn to be a true Frenchman, which, if he were not, he would so become, through love to his german-cousin the earl of Flanders.”
All who heard him answered, that he had well and wisely spoken, and what he had proposed should be followed; and that whoever was of the contrary opinion was not a wellwisher to the prosperity of Flanders. Philip did not delay executing it; he wrote on this subject to Peter du Bois and Peter le Nuitre, governors of Bruges, and also to those of Ypres and Courtray, who agreed to his proposal. One or two citizens were chosen from the principal towns, but from Ghent six. Among the first were Francis Atremen, Rasse de la Verdelle, Louis de Vaux, sir John Stotelare, Martin Blondel-Vatre, Jacob Bernare, and a clerk who had been nominated bishop of Ghent by pope Urban. Master John d’Albret, who had been dean of the church of our Lady at Tournay, had proposed to make a bishopric of the town of Ghent, which should enjoy the profits the bishop of Tournay ought to have.
When the twelve citizens had received their full instructions as to what they were to say 716 and do, they took leave of their friends, departed from the siege of Oudenarde, and continued their journey until they arrived at Calais. Sir John d’Albrenes*, the governor, received them very politely, when he understood they wanted to go to England, and provided them with ships and passage-boats. They remained there only three days, when they embarked, landed at Dover, and pursued their road to London.
At the time this embassy from Flanders arrived at London, the king of England with his council, sir John Montagu, sir John Burley, and sir William Beauchamp, were at Westminster, occupied in the investing sir Perducas d’Albreth1, with the whole barony of Chaumont in Gascony, which had reverted to the king, for him to do with it as he pleased; and I will tell you how this happened. King Edward, in former times, had given it to sir John Chandos, who had held it as long as he lived: after his death, he had given it to sir Thomas Felton. Now sir Thomas was lately dead, and the barony had reverted to the king of England. It was improper it should long remain without a lord who would reside on the spot; for it joined the lands of the lord d’Albreth, who at that period was a loyal Frenchman. The king’s council considered that sir Perducas d’Albreth, having faithfully served the kings of England, Edward, Richard, and the prince, as well as the country of the Bourdelois for upwards of thirty years, was well deserving to have this estate, which he would defend against any one.
Sir Perducas d’Albreth, on receiving the inheritance of the lands of Chaumont from the hands of the king, in the presence of the nobles of England, thus addressed his majesty: “Sire, I take and receive this inheritance for myself and for my heirs, on condition that I and my heir faithfully serve you against all mankind, except against the house of Albreth; for against that whence I am sprung, I will never make war as long as my inheritance is left in peace.” The king and his council replied, “In God’s name be it so;” and on these terms he was invested.
I will now relate what befel this sir Perducas d’Albreth. When he was returning to Gascony to take possession of his estate, and the séneschal of Bordeaux had given him seisin of the barony, the lord d’Albreth was much rejoiced; for he knew his cousin would not make war upon him, and that the lands of Albreth and of Chaumont would remain in quiet. The lord d’Albreth showed much affection to his cousin, for he expected that after his decease he would be put in possession of such of his castles as were in the barony of Chaumont. But Perducas had not any such intentions. It chanced that he fell sick; and, when he was lying on his death-bed and saw there were no hopes of recovery, he summoned all his vassals, and calling to him a young squire and good man at arms, named Perduch†, said to him, “I transfer to thee, in the presence of my vassals, my whole estate of Chaumont. Be therefore a true Englishman, and loyal to the king of England. But I will not, that against the house of Albreth, whence we are sprung, thou shouldest ever make war, unless they commit outrages against thee.” The squire cheerfully answered, “Sir, I willingly accept it on these terms.” Thus was Perduch d’Albreth lord of Chaumont in Gascony. Sir Perducas died soon after, which is all I know about it.
* “Sir John d’Albrenes.” Q.
‡ Sala calls him “Verduret de la Breth his nephew.”
1 The text has Albreth, on this page, and a few others, instead of Albret, but this is not how it is spelled in the most of this book. Lord Berners’ text has dalbreth, but Denys Sauvage has Albret, as do many French texts.
CHAPTER CVI. — THE AMBASSADORS FROM GHENT FAIL IN FORMING AN ALLIANCE WITH ENGLAND.
WHEN these Ghent men were come to London, their arrival was soon known, and information of it was carried to the king and his council, who sent to them to know what they wanted. They came in a body to the palace of Westminster, where they were met first by the duke of Lancaster, the earl of Buckingham, the earl of Salisbury, and the greater part of the council; but the king was not present at this first interview. These ambassadors having made their obeisances to the English lords, the bishop elect of Ghent spoke for them all, saying, “My lords, we are come hither by orders from the town of Ghent, and from all Flanders, to request counsel, comfort, and assistance from the king of England, on account of certain articles, and for reason of ancient alliances which subsisted between England and 717 Flanders. We wish to renew them, as the country of Flanders now stands in need of assistance, being at this moment without a lord. The principal towns and the country have chosen a regent*, named Philip von Artaveld, who recommends himself particularly to the king, and to you all who are of his council. He entreats you to receive this commendation in good part; for if the king shall wish to come into Flanders he will find all its ports open, and the country well disposed towards him, where he may repose and refresh himself and people as long a time as he shall please; and he may call upon Flanders for one hundred thousand men, all armed. We are also ordered to request from you the two hundred thousand old crowns† which Jacob von Artaveld, and the chief towns of Flanders, formerly lent to king Edward, of good memory, at the sieges of Tournay and of Calais, and which they now desire may be paid back. It is the intention of the principal towns in Flanders, that before anything further be done in a treaty of alliance, this sum be paid down, by which means the king of England, and all his subjects, may say they are friends to the Flemings; and they shall have free entrance, at their pleasure, into Flanders.”
When the lords had heard this speech and demand, they looked at each other, and some began to smile. The duke of Lancaster, addressing them, said, “My fair lords of Flanders, what you have said requires counsel. Go and return to London, and the king will consider your requests, and send you such answers as you shall be contented with.” The Ghent men replied, “God will it be so.” They then quitted the council chamber, leaving the lords of the council behind, who began to laugh among themselves, and say, “Did you notice there Flemings, and hear the request they made? They ask assistance, saying, they are in very great ant of it, and, besides, demand our money. It is by no means reasonable that we should pay, and assist them into the bargain.” They looked on the Flemings as proud and presumptuous, in thus demanding a debt of two hundred thousand old crowns of so very ancient a date as forty years.
Nothing could have happened more opportunely for the king of France, who was eager to invade Flanders; for if the Flemings had been silent respecting those crowns, and had only requested assistance from the king of England, he would have gone in person to Flanders, or would have sent thither such a powerful force, that the Flemings who were in the field might have resisted the greatest power on the earth. But it fell out otherwise, as you will hear related in this history.
* “Regard.” See p. 709.
† “Old crowns,” — each worth seven shillings and twopence. — Cotgrave.
CHAPTER CVII. — THE MESSENGER WHICH THE GHENT MEN HAD SENT TO KING CHARLES OF FRANCE IS DELIVERED FROM PRISON. — SOME PRISONERS FROM TOURNAY AND COURTRAY ARE EXCHANGED FOR EACH OTHER.
INTELLIGENCE was carried to the king’s council in France, that Philip von Artaveld, and the country of Flanders, had sent ambassadors to England to form an alliance. And it was commonly reported, that the king of England, with a large army, was about to come this season to Flanders, and that he would fix his quarters at Ghent. This news was very probable, for it was to be supposed the Flemings would strengthen themselves by some means or other. It was then thought proper to liberate the messenger of Philip. Indeed, to say the truth, they had not any right to imprison him. He was therefore set at liberty, and sent to Oudenarde, where the army lay.
At this time the citizens of Bruges had seized and imprisoned some from Tournay. The Flemings showed by this that they were indifferent as to war or peace with the French. Those of Tournay, in return, captured some citizens of Courtray, whom they carried away prisoners to their town. Thus was the hatred increased between the men of Tournay and the Flemings. The lords of Tournay, however, who wished not to make war on the Flemings, their neighbours, on their own account, without receiving orders from the king of France, resolved to send two of their citizens to Philip von Artaveld to make up matters between them, so that they might recover their townsmen who were prisoners, and render back, in 718 exchange those whom they had taken. John Bon Enfant and John Picard were chosen to go on this business. They went to the siege before Oudenarde, and spoke with Philip, who, in honour of the city of Tournay, and not out of any respect to the king of France, as he told them, received them very amicably: for the king had not used him nor the country of Flanders well, when he had imprisoned a messenger whom he had sent to him on friendly terms.
“Sir,” replied the two citizens, “you have received back your messenger.” “That is true,” said Philip; “but it was more through fear than otherwise.” “Now tell me,” added Philip, “what business has brought you hither?” “Sir,” answered the citizens, “it is to have back our townsmen who are imprisoned at Bruges.” “Ha,” replied Philip, “if they are detained, you have also imprisoned some from Courtray. You must not lose anything for this journey, so do you return our men, and you shall have yours.” The men from Tournay answered, “You say well, and we will cheerfully consent to it.” The agreement was instantly made, and Philip von Artaveld wrote to Peter du Bois and to Peter le Nuitre, who resided in Bruges, to deliver up the citizens of Tournay whom they had thrown into prison; and that they would have in exchange those who had been detained from Courtray; for he declared the city of Tournay had written to request it.”
When they took their leave, Philip thus spoke to them. “Gentlemen, mind my words: I do not wish to betray you; you are from the town of Tournay, which is a dependance on the king of France, with whom we will not enter into any treaty, until Dendremonde and Oudenarde shall be surrendered to us. Do not therefore come hither again, for those who do will be detained. Advise your countrymen and merchants not to pass through Flanders; for we well know, that the king of France, your lord, will make war on us, for which we are prepared.”
These citizens of Tournay, after having heard this speech, returned to Tournay to relate all that had passed. A proclamation was made, that no one should have any intercourse or dealings with the Flemings, without incurring the indignation of the king. The citizens of Tournay, who had been imprisoned at Bruges, returned; and those from Courtray were sent back. They dared not deal openly with the Flemings; but, when they wanted any merchandise from Flanders, they applied to Valenciennes; for those of Brabant, Holland, Hainault, Zealand, and Liege, might travel and carry on their commerce through all Flanders with perfect security.
The siege of Oudenarde still went on in the same manner. Philip and his Ghent men were encamped on the hill of Oudenarde, on the side of Hainault, where they had planted bombards, cannons, and large machines, which made such a noise when they fired that they could be heard upwards of six leagues. Near them, but below, on the banks of the Scheld, were encamped those from Bruges, as you ascend the river by the gate of Bruges. Those of Poperingue, Ypres, Cassel, and the Franconate, were quartered near them, so that they surrounded the town completely.
Oudenarde being thus surrounded, the Flemings thought they should starve them within it; but the garrison made frequent sallies, in which sometimes they gained the advantage, and at others lost it, as in such cases must happen. However, there were not any attempts made to storm it. Philip would not rashly risk the lives of his men, and said he would have it otherwise than by storm; and that it could not hold out much longer, since there was not a possibility of its being reinforced. A bird could scarcely fly into Oudenarde without being seen by the besieging army, so completely was it invested on all sides.
CHAPTER CVIII. KING CHARLES ORDERS COMMISSIONERS TO ENTER INTO CERTAIN TREATIES WITH THE FLEMINGS. — THEIR MESSENGERS ARE IMPRISONED AT THE MOMENT THEY DEMANDED PASSPORTS.
WE will now return to the king of France. His uncles and council thought it prudent to send to Tournay some knights and prelates of the realm to treat with the Flemings, and to learn more clearly their intentions. They therefore ordered sir Milles de Dormans bishop of Beauvais, the bishop of Auxerre, the bishop of Laon, sir Guy de Harcourt, and sir Tristan de Bois, to Tournay as commissioners from the king of France, were they found John Bon 719 Enfant and John Picard, just returned from the siege of Oudenarde. They told these commissioners that Philip von Artaveld had declared to them, on taking leave, that the Flemings would never enter into any treaty until Oudenarde and Dendremonde were in their power. “Well,” replied the commissioners, “Philip, with all his pride and presumption, of which he has enough, is not master of all the great towns of Flanders. We will therefore write to Ghent, Bruges, and Ypres, and send to each town letters by a messenger. We must enter on this business by some means or others.”
The commissioners wrote letters to the three principal towns in Flanders, and directed them to Philip von Artaveld as the chief leader. These letters contained as follows: “To Philip von Artaveld and his companions, and to the good people of the three towns of Flanders and the Franconate of Bruges. May it please you to know, that the king of France has sent us hither with the good intentions of establishing a peace, as lord paramount, between the noble lord of Flanders, his cousin, and the commonalty of Flanders. Public report says, that you seek to form an alliance with the king of England and the English; which will be unreasonable and prejudicial to the kingdom of France, and which the king declares he will not suffer. We therefore entreat you, in the king’s name, to send us passports, that we may endeavour to bring this peace to a good and solid conclusion, for which the king will thank you. You will write us word what are your intentions, and may the Lord keep you. Written at Tournay the sixteenth day of the month of October” (1382.)
When these three letters, which contained the same words, were written and sealed, they gave them to three men, to carry to Ghent, to Bruges, and to Ypres, and to bring back the answers. They replied, they would bring back an answer, if they could get one; and then departed, each following the road to the town he was sent to.
By accident, Philip happened to be at Ghent the day the messenger arrived with his letter; for otherwise those of Ghent would not have opened it in his absence. When he had read it, he did nothing but laugh, and set out soon after from Ghent, on his return to Oudenarde, carrying the letter with him; but the messenger remained in prison in Ghent. When arrived at Oudenarde, he called to him the lord de Harzelles and others of his companions: having read to them the letter from the commissioners, he said, “I think these French people wish to make a mockery of me and the country of Flanders. I told the citizens of Tournay when they were here the day before yesterday, that I would not listen to any proposals from France, nor enter into any treaty which they might offer, until Oudenarde and Dendremonde were surrendered to us.” At these words, news came from the governors of Bruges and Ypres, that they had also received letters, and that the messengers who had brought those letters were detained and lodged in the town prisons. “This is well done,” continued Philip. He then examined the letters for a while, and said he would write himself to the French commissioners. He did so, in consequence, and addressed them, “To the very noble and discreet lords the commissioners from France.”
CHAPTER CIX. — THE ANSWER OF PHILIP VON ARTAVELD TO THE FRENCH COMMISSIONERS WHICH HE SENT BY A PRISONER OF WAR FROM OUDENARDE.
“VERY dear and potent lords, may it please you, in your noble discretion, to know that we have received very amicably the letters sent to us by the most excellent lord Charles, king of France, informing us that your very noble lordships are come by his orders into these parts, to negotiate a peace between us and the most noble prince my lord of Flanders and the country of Flanders, and that the king aforesaid and his council have authority to bring it to a conclusion, as the citizens of Tournay, our dear and good friends, testify to us by letters patent which we have seen. Now, since the king writes to us that he is much displeased that these discords have so long continued and still exist, we are much surprised that he should treat them so lightly, as in former times, when the town of Ghent had besieged that of Oudenarde, we, by the unanimous consent of the great towns of Flanders, wrote to him, as to our sovereign lord, to request that he would make peace with us; but at that time he did not seem so willing to do what at this moment he is so desirous of.
720“We have also received letters patent to say, that twice you have written to us, and that you have come twice hither commissioned by the king aforesaid, as is declared in these three letters patent. But it seems to us, that in our answers, which we have sent, we have clearly explained our intention respecting a treaty, which is, that we are resolved no treaty shall be entered into by us and the country of Flanders, until those towns and fortresses which are shut against the towns and country of Flanders, and particularly and expressly against the good town of Ghent, of which we are regent, shall be thrown open to the will of us the regent and the good town of Ghent; and, if this be not done as a preliminary, we shall not treat in the manner you request. For it seems to us, that the king, according to you, means to assemble a large army to assist his cousin our lord. We know and feel that there are double dealings going forwards at this time, as was the case formerly. Our intention therefore is, to be on sure ground and prepared for our defence; for, if it should fall out as we expect, he will find our army ready to defend us against our enemies; and we hope, through God’s assistance, to be as fortunate as formerly in gaining a victory.
“With regard to what you say of public rumour, that we, or some of our countrymen, have sought an alliance with the king of England, and that we are to be aided from thence; it is a truth that we are subjects of the crown of France, and that the king is our lord paramount, to whom we are bounden in allegiance. This we ever have performed. And even in these last days we sent him our letters, as to our sovereign lord, to entreat he would conclude a peace, to which he not only made no reply, but detained and imprisoned our messenger. This seems to us a blameable conduct in such a lord, and still greater in him, for we wrote to him as to our lord paramount, and he never condescended to send us any answer. Since therefore he has thus acted, we thought ourselves justified in seeking advantage for the country of Flanders from whatever persons we pleased, which has been the cause of the embassy to England, but nothing hitherto has been concluded. The king may not therefore be too late, provided all the strong places shall be laid open to us. Notwithstanding, we had forbidden those of Tournay, the last time they came to our army, in future to dare to carry any letters or verbal message, without proper passports; yet letters and messages have been carried to Bruges and Ghent; for which reason we have imprisoned the messengers, and we will teach them not to carry such letters, that others may take warning from their example. We know well that you are seeking to sow dissentions among us, and especially against me, Philip von Artaveld, (whom God guard and preserve) and that you wish to stir up treason where at this moment there is peace. We therefore warn you not to continue such practices, until the before mentioned towns be opened unto us, which, with God’s help, they shall shortly be, and to whose protection we commend you.
“Written before Oudenarde the 20th day of October, in the year 1382, Philip von Artaveld regent of Flanders.”
When Philip had written the above, in the presence of his council, they thought it could not be amended, and sealed it. They then considered to whom they should give it to carry. Philip asked, “Have we no prisoners from Oudenarde?” “Yes,” they replied, “we have a varlet who was taken yesterday in a skirmish, who is from Artois.” “Send for him hither.” On his coming, Philip said, “Thou art my prisoner, and I may, if I choose, put thee instantly to death, but thou hast had a narrow escape; for since thou art here thou shalt have thy liberty, on condition that thou pledge thy troth to carry these letters to Tournay, and deliver them into the hands of the king’s counsellors whom thou wilt find there.” The varlet was never so happy in his life as when he was promised his liberty, for he considered his death as certain, and replied, “I swear my lord, on my troth, that I will carry them whithersoever you please, were it to hell.” Philip, bursting out into laughter, said, “Thou hast well spoken.” He ordered two crowns to be given to him, and had him escorted out of the camp, and put in the road to Tournay.
When he had arrived at Tournay they showed him the hôtel of the bishop of Laon, whither he went, and falling on his knees, punctually delivered his message to the bishop. They asked him news of Oudenarde and of the besieging army, when he told them all he knew. He was invited to dinner, and was, during dinner-time, closely questioned by the attendants of the bishop. The bishop of Laon went away, being unwilling to open the letters without his 721 companions. When the three bishops and the knights were assembled they opened the letters, read them attentively, and considered them maturely. They then delivered their sentiments, saying, “This Philip von Artaveld seemeth full of pride and presumption, and little loves the royal majesty of France.” Having consulted together, they added, “The provosts, jurats and council of Tournay know that we have sent to Philip and the towns of Flanders: it is just they should learn the answer Philip has sent us.” They sent for the provost, had the town-hall opened, and sounded the bell which called the council together. When they were all assembled, they read to them the letters they had received. The wisest were astonished at the presumptuous expressions they contained. It was resolved that copies of these letters should remain at Tournay. The council then broke up, and every man returned to his home.
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