— 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. 585-604.
CHAPTER XL. — THE DEATH OF JOHN LYON. — THE MEN OF GHENT CHOOSE CAPTAINS TO COMMAND THEM. — SEVERAL TOWNS IN FLANDERS ALLY THEMSELVES WITH GHENT.
JOHN LYON was rejoiced when he found the earl of Flanders in earnest, and so much enraged against Ghent that he would not grant them peace; and that, by his manœuvres, he had pushed matters so forward that the town would be obliged to make war whether it would or not. He said publicly: “You hear, gentlemen, how our lord, the earl of Flanders, is making preparations against you, and will not listen to any terms of peace: I therefore would advise, for greater security, that before we shall be more oppressed, we know what towns of Flanders will give us their support. I will answer for those of Gramont not being against us, but on the contrary they will assist us, as well as those of Courtray, which is in our castlewick, and within our jurisdiction. But as for those of Bruges, they are proud and haughty, and it has been by their means all this mischief had been fomented: it therefore becomes us to march against them, in such force, that through fair or foul means, they unite themselves with us.” All present answered, that his advice was good.
In course of time, every one that was to go on this expedition made himself ready. When they were all duly prepared, in a manner becoming them, they marched from Ghent, in number from nine to ten thousand men, carrying with them a large train of stores and provision. The first day, they halted at Deynse: on the morrow, they advanced within a short league of Bruges, when they drew up in order of battle, in the plain, with their baggage in the rear. John Lyon ordered the deacons of the trades to go into Bruges, and know their intentions. They advanced thither, but found the gates shut and well guarded. When they therefore informed them what their business was, the guards said, they would cheerfully go and tell it to the burgomasters and sheriffs, who had posted them there. They did so, and the burgomasters and jurats told them to return and say, that they would call a council to consider of it. When they came back with this answer, John Lyon cried out: “Advance, advance! let us attack Bruges; for, if we wait until they shall have held their council, we shall find great difficulty to gain an entrance: it is better we attack them before they consult together, and the suddenness of our attack will surprise them.”
This plan was followed; and the men of Ghent advanced to the barriers and ditches of Bruges, John Lyon marching at their head on a black horse. He quickly dismounted, and took an axe in his hand. When the guard, who were not in sufficient strength, saw the men of Ghent were so determined to attack them, they were frightened, and ran away down the streets as far as the market-place, crying out, “Here are the men of Ghent! Quickly to your posts; for they are before your walls, and at your gates.”
Those of Bruges who were assembling for the council were thunderstruck, and had not time to assemble nor give any orders upon the occasion, whilst the majority of the people were desirous that the gates should immediately be thrown open. It behoved them to agree in this with the commonalty; otherwise it would have turned out badly for the rich inhabitants. The burgomaster and sheriffs, with many of the townsmen, came to the gate where the men of Ghent were with a good inclination to attack it. The burgomaster and magistrates of Bruges, who for that day had the government of the town, advanced to open the wicket to parley with John Lyon. By treaty, they opened the barriers and gate, at which they held their conference, and were good friends. All now entered the town. John Lyon rode by the side of the burgomaster, and showed himself a bold and valiant man: his men marched in his rear in bright armour. It was a handsome sight to see them thus enter Bruges until they came to the market-place, where, as they arrived, they formed themselves in array in the square. John Lyon held a white truncheon in his hand.
A formal alliance was then entered into between the townsmen of Ghent and Bruges, which they mutually swore to keep, and to remain for ever as good friends and neighbours: those of Ghent were allowed to summon them, and to lead them with them wherever they pleased. Soon after they had been thus drawn up in the market-place, John Lyon and some of his captains went to the hall, whence they issued a proclamation for all the men of Ghent, to retire peaceably to their quarters, and there to disarm themselves without noise, or any 586 tumult, under pain of death; which was quickly obeyed. They were also forbidden to dislodge any one, or to engage in any quarrels, or to take anything from their hosts without instantly paying for it, under the same penalty.
This proclamation being issued, another was published on the part of the town, for each householder to receive as friends the good men of Ghent, and to afford them all sorts of provision at the market prices; and that no undue advantages should be taken, nor any quarrels nor contentions stirred up, under pain of death. All persons now retired to their houses or quarters; and the inhabitants of the two towns thus remained amicably together for two days, and strengthened their alliance and friendship mutually. Their treaties being draw out and sealed, on the third day the men of Ghent departed, and marched to the town of Damme, which instantly opened its gates, and received them most courteously: they remained there two days. John Lyon, during his short stay, was seized with a sudden sickness that swelled his body exceedingly: the night he was taken ill, he had supped in great revelry with the ladies of the town; for which reason, several said and maintained that he had been poisoned. Of this I know nothing, therefore shall not insist upon it; but I do know that on the morrow he was paced on a litter, for he was taken ill in the night, and carried to Ardenbourg; but death prevented him from going further, to the great sorrow of the men of Ghent, who were thrown into confusion by the event. All his enemies were as much rejoiced thereat as his friends were cast down. His body was conveyed to Ghent; and, on account of his death, the whole army returned thither. When the news of his decease was known in that town, it caused much sorrow; for he was greatly beloved by all, excepting the party of the earl. The clergy went out to meet the body, and conducted it into the town with as much solemnity as if he had been earl of Flanders. He was interred in the church of St. Nicholas, where his obsequies were performed, and where he lies.
Notwithstanding the death of John Lyon, the alliance between Ghent and Bruges was not broken; for they had carried sufficient hostages with them to Ghent, for the due performance of its articles. The earl was exceedingly rejoiced at the death of John Lyon; as were Gilbert Matthew, his brothers, the deacon of the small craft, and all the party of the earl, who sent greater reinforcements than before to all his towns and castles, and ordered a sufficient number of good knights and squires of the castlewicks of Lille and Douay into the town of Ypres, declaring he would make Ghent repent of its conduct.
Soon after the death of John Lyon, those of Ghent considered they could not long remain without leaders. The deacons of the trades and the guards of the gates selected, according to their opinion, four of the most courageous and enterprising for their commanders, whose names were, John Pruniaux, John Boule, Rasse de Harzelle, and Peter du Bois. They swore to pay these commanders the most exact obedience, under pain of death; and these four swore also to preserve and defend the honour and franchises of the town of Ghent. The four commanders excited those of Ghent to march against Ypres and the Franc de Bruges, in order to obtain their union or put them to death. They therefore set off from Ghent, in grand array, to the amount of at least twelve thousand, all clad in bright armour. They took the road to Courtray. The inhabitants of Courtray allowed them to enter their town without fear, for they were within the jurisdiction of Ghent: they there refreshed themselves at their ease for two days. On the third day, they marched towards Ypres, carrying with them two hundred well-armed men from among the cross-bows of Courtray. They followed the road to Thorout, where on their arrival they halted; and the commanders held a council, in which they resolved to send three or four thousand of their men, under the command of the captain of the white hoods, to treat with the inhabitants of Ypres, and the main body to follow to reinforce them, if there should be occasion. These orders were executed, and they came before Ypres.
The commonalty of Ypres and the small handicrafts, hearing of the arrival of the army from Ghent, instantly armed themselves, and drew up in the market-place, to the amount of full five thousand. The rich inhabitants had not any power in the town. The knights placed there in garrison by the earl advanced, in handsome order, to the gate leading to Thorout, where the Ghent men had halted withoutside the barriers, requesting they would allow them to enter. The knights and their men were drawn up before the gate, and showed 587 such an appearance that the men of Ghent could never have gained admittance but by force. However, the ancient trades of the town were resolved they should enter, in spite of the knights: they left, therefore, the market-place, and came to the gate which the knights were guarding, and said: “Open the gate to our good friends and neighbours from Ghent: we will have them enter our town.” The knights replied, “they would do no such thing; for they had been ordered thither by the earl of Flanders to defend the town, which they would do to the utmost of their power; and it was not possible for the force of those of Ghent to enter otherwise than by treason.”
Words multiplied so fast between the gentlemen and the deacons of small handicrafts, that the last shouted out, “Kill them, kill them! they shall not be masters of our town.” They were immediately attacked, and, after a long contest, were roughly driven down the streets, as numbers were against them; and five knights were slain, among whom were sir Robert and sir Thomas de la Hourdrie, which was a great pity. Sir Henry d’Antoing was in imminent danger of his life, and with great difficulty could some of the principal inhabitants save him: at last, they did succeed in it, and many of the others were saved also. The gate was opened, so that the men of Ghent entered the town, and became the masters of it, without doing any damage. When they had remained there for two days, and had taken hostages from the inhabitants, who entered into a similar treaty with those of Bruges, Courtray, Gramont, and Damme, they set out from Ypres in a most courteous manner, and returned to Ghent.
CHAPTER XLI. — THE MEN OF GHENT BESIEGE THE TOWN OF OUDENARDE ON ALL SIDES. — THEY MAKE A GRAND ASSAULT ON THE EARL OF FLANDERS IN DENDREMONDE.
THE earl of Flanders, who resided at Lille, heard how the inhabitants at Ypres had turned against him, and what the small handicrafts had done; he was sorely vexed, as well for the loss of those knights who had there been slain as for other causes. He, however, comforted himself by saying, “Well, if we have this time lost Ypres, we shall another time regain it to their curse; for I will strike off such numbers of heads, all others shall be astonished at it.” The earl intended particularly to provide the town of Oudenarde most amply with all sorts of stores, provision, and men at arms; for he thought that the men of Ghent would soon come to besiege it; and, if they succeeded, the loss would be great to him, for they would then have the whole navigation of the fine river Scheld at their command. He sent thither numbers of knights and squires from Flanders, Hainault, and Artois, who assembled their people in the town whether the inhabitants would or not.
The commanders in Ghent were informed what great preparations the earl had made in Oudenarde: they determined to attack it, declaring they would not return until they had gained it, had slain all within, and razed the walls to the ground. Orders were given in Ghent for every one to provide himself in a manner becoming his rank, and to be ready to march whithersoever he might be led. None dared to disobey this order: tents and pavilions were packed up, with all other stores: having marched out of Ghent, they encamped before Oudenarde, in the beautiful meadows on the banks of the Scheld. Three days after, the men from Bruges arrived, for they had been summoned, and took up their quarters on the side near to their town, bringing with them great quantities of baggage and provisions. Next came those from Ypres in great array: then the men of Poperingue, Messines, and Gramont. The Flemings thus drawn up before Oudenarde were upwards of one hundred thousand: they made bridges of boats and hurdles by which they crossed over the Scheld to each other.
The earl, who resided at Lille, thinking they would attack Dendremonde first, had sent to Germany, Gueldres, and Brabant, to ask the succour of a number of knights. The duke of Mons, his cousin, had come to serve him with a large body of knights, and had entered Dendremonde, where they met the earl of Flanders, who was already arrived there by his frontiers of Hainault and Brabant, and was truly glad of their company. The Flemings maintained the siege of Oudenarde for a long time; during which, there were daily many 588 grand attacks and skirmishes, and several gallant deeds of arms, both before the town and at the barriers, where numbers were killed and wounded, for the Flemings acted madly and foolishly in hazarding their persons in these skirmishes, often to their great loss.
There were full eight hundred lances, knights and squires, in the town of Oudenarde, all valiant men: among whom were several barons, such as the lords de Guistelle, de Villiers, de Hullut, and de Cornais, Flemings: from Hainault were, the lords d’Anghien, d’Antoing, de Bosnel, de Taux, de Gommegines, and his three brothers, sir John, sir Daniel, and sir Joseph, the lords de Stainbourg, de Carue, sir Gerard de Marqueillies, the lord de Cohen, sir Rasse de Montigny, sir Henry de la Hamede, sir John de Gres, and other knights, amounting to about one hundred and five in number. They kept up a regular and numerous guard; for they had not any confidence in the inhabitants, and they made the women and children retire into the monasteries. The citizens and townsmen kept within their houses; and, in order to prevent the bad effects of the cannon and the perpetual fire which the Flemings kept up against the town, they had the houses covered with earth, to hinder them from taking fire.
During the siege of Oudenarde, the commanders of the Flemings were informed that the earl was at Dendremonde, and had with him his cousin the duke de Mons and numbers of other knights. They determined to send six thousand of their army thither, to examine its appearance, and to make an assault upon it. This resolution was executed. The detachment which had been ordered, under the command of Rasse de Harzelle, continued their march until they came to a small village on the river Teure, a short league from Dendremonde, where they took up their quarters. These Flemings had provided themselves with a number of boats, which they had had sent down the river, that they might embark on board of them, and attack the place by land and water. A little after midnight, they arose, armed themselves, and made every preparation to begin the attack the instant they should be arrived there; for they wished to surprise the knights in their beds. They began their march; but some of the country people, who had heard this intention of the Flemings, informed the guards of it, saying, “Be sure to keep a strict and good guard; for a large body of the men of Ghent, who have been benighted, are lying hard by here, and we know what they intend to do.” The guard at the gate related this to their captain, who was a knight from Holland, called sir Thierry de Bredoro: on receiving which intelligence, he strengthened his guard, and sent information of it to all the knights lodged in the castle and in the different houses.
Immediately on the break of day, the Flemings advanced by land and in their boats, well prepared for an instant attack. When those in the castle and town saw them approach, they sounded their trumpets to alarm every one, the greater part of the knights and squires being already armed. The earl of Flanders, who slept in the castle, heard of the march of the Flemings, and that they had commenced the attack; on which he instantly rose, armed himself, and sallied forth from the castle, his banner displayed before him. At this time, there were in the town, sir Gossuin de Wrle great bailiff of Flanders, the lord de Gau, sir Gerard de Rasenghien, sir Philip de Mamines, sir Philip de Rungi, a Burgundian, and others. All these knights advanced to meet the banner of the earl, and then they marched under it to the assault, which was already begun in a severe and horrible manner; for these Flemings had brought in their boats cannons and cross-bows, which shot such large and heavy bolts that when any one was struck by them there was no escape from death. Against these bolts they were strongly shielded; and the earl had with him some excellent cross-bows, who by their shooting gave the Flemings enough to do.
The duke de Mons was in another part with his troops drawn up, his banner before him; and there were in his company the lord de Brederode, sir Joseph and sir Thierry Lavare, sir Vivant de Chuperois, and several more, who each performed well their duty. In another quarter of the town, posted at a gate, were sir Robert Dale, sir John Villain, the lord de Vindescot, and sir Robert Mareschal. The attack here was very sharp, for the Flemings made vigorous assaults by land and water, in which many were killed and wounded on each side; but more on the side of the Flemings than on that of the gentlemen, as the Flemings adventured themselves fool-hardily. This attack lasted, without ceasing, from the break of 589 day until full noon. A knight of the earl’s party was slain, called sir Hugh de Rony, a Burgundian: he was much lamented, for he lost his life by too much boldness, and for want of prudence. Rasse de Harzelle, the commander of the detachment, fought valiantly, and by his words and actions greatly encouraged the men of Ghent.
The assault ceased in the afternoon, for Rasse found he was labouring in vain, and that in Dendremonde there were such brave men that it could not easily be taken: his troops also began to be fatigued. He therefore sounded a retreat, when the men retired in a handsome manner along the river side, bringing off their fleet of boats; and on the morrow they returned to their army before Oudenarde.
CHAPTER XLII. — SEVERAL ASSAULTS ARE MADE ON OUDENARDE. — PEACE CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE FLEMINGS AND THE EARL OF FLANDERS, BY MEANS OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.
THE siege of Oudenarde continued for a long time; and the Flemings before it were masters of the river and of the adjoining country, so that no provision could be introduced without great danger, and on the side towards Hainault. Sometimes victuallers, in hope of gain, ventured, whilst the army was asleep, to come close to the barriers with provision, which by that means were brought into Oudenarde. Among the many attacks made on the town, there was one which was very vigorous: it lasted the whole day. Upon this occasion, some new knights were created from Flanders, Hainault, and Artois, who wished to distinguish themselves. These new knights advanced to the barriers, where several skirmishes took place with the men of Ghent, in which many were killed and wounded; but they paid little attention to this, and being regardless of death, they advanced so boldly that when those in the front were slain or disabled, the rear dragged them out, took their 590 places, and kept a handsome countenance. This attack lasted until the evening, when those of Oudenarde returned into the town, and shut the gates and barriers: they then buried their dead, and took great care of their wounded.
The Flemings thought they should certainly conquer the town by assault or by famine; for they well knew they had so closely surrounded it by land and water that nothing could enter it; and their remaining before it would not be of any detriment to them, for they were in their own country, and near their own homes. They had also every necessary article for their support, with all other things in great abundance and cheaper than they would have had them at Bruges or Ghent. The earl of Flanders, being aware of the great number of men at arms that were in the town, suspected the intentions of the Flemings, that by keeping up the blockade, they would in the end starve them to a surrender: he would therefore willingly have listened to any overture for a negotiation that was honourable for him. To say the truth, this war against his subjects was highly disagreeable to him, and he had undertaken it contrary to his own opinion. His mother, the lady Margaret, countess of Artois, blamed him much, and took great pains to put an end to it.
The countess resided in the city of Arras, whence she wrote to the duke of Burgundy, to whom the heritage of Flanders would fall by his marriage with her grand-daughter, on the death of the earl. The duke, who had before received information of this affair, for news was daily brought to him on the subject, came to Arras, attended by his council, and sir Guy de la Trimouille, sir John de Vienne admiral of France, sir Guy de Pontalliers, and several others. The countess received him with great joy, discussed with much wisdom the subject of this war between her son and his subjects; how unbecoming and very displeasing it was not only to her but to all reasonable persons. She told him, that many valiant men, barons, knights, and squires, were honourably shut up in the town of Oudenarde, and in very imminent danger; and she begged, for God’s sake, he would think of and provide a remedy. The duke replied, that he was bound to do so, and would exert himself to the utmost of his power. Shortly after he left Arras, and went to Tournay, where he was joyfully received; for the inhabitants of Tournay wished much for peace on account of their merchandize, which was shut up on the Scheld.
The duke of Burgundy sent the abbot de St. Martin to the army before Oudenarde to sound the leaders of the men from Ghent, if they would enter into a negotiation. The abbot brought the duke for answer, that out of respect to him, they would enter into a treaty: the duke granted passports, and received the same from the Flemings, for the negotiators to meet at Pont de Rosne, where the first conference lasted from morning until night. The duke himself went thither to parley with the Flemings; and, after the conference, he returned to Tournay in company with the earl, whom he brought back with him. These conferences continued for fifteen days. It was difficult to satisfy the Flemings, as they insisted on having Oudenarde demolished, to which the duke and his ministers would not consent. The Flemings kept up a grand and haughty appearance, making no account of peace; for they maintained, that as those within Oudenarde could not leave it without great danger to themselves, they considered the town as conquered.
The duke of Burgundy, seeing these Flemings so proud and presumptuous, and so indifferent to conclude a treaty, could not conceive their meaning; he therefore requested a passport for his marshal to visit the knights in Oudenarde, which was instantly granted him. The marshal of Burgundy went into the town, and found the knights well provided, excepting some articles of which they were greatly in want; they, however, boldly said to the marshal: “Tell my lord of Burgundy from us, not to enter into any dishonourable treaty on our account; for, through God’s mercy, we are in good health, and care not for our enemies.” This answer pleased the duke much, who at the time was at Pont de Rosne: however, he did not neglect to push forwards his negotiations. To say the truth, those of Ypres and Bruges were tired of the war, as well as those from the Franc, who saw winter approaching: they therefore argued in council, that since the duke of Burgundy, to accommodate the business, had come thither in person, and had engaged to have everything pardoned; since also the earl would return in an amicable manner to Ghent, there to reside, and, let what would happen, would never remember the past; all these considerations ought 591 to be attended to; and they considered themselves bound to acknowledge their lord with respect, and not attempt to tear his inheritance from him.
These words greatly softened the men of Ghent, and they agreed to accept the treaty. The duke gave a most magnificent dinner to the principal persons from Ghent, Bruges, Ypres and Courtray. On that day, it was settled that the siege should be raised, and a solid peace concluded between the earl and his subjects: that the earl should grant a general pardon to all, without any reservation, dissembling or exception whatever: that he should reside at Ghent, and that within a year the citizens of Ghent should rebuild the castle of Andreghien, which report said they had burnt. For the fuller confirmation of all this, John Pruniaux was to accompany the duke of Burgundy to Tournay, were it was to be properly drawn up and sealed. After this, the duke returned to Tournay, and John Pruniaux and John Boule remained with the army. On the morrow, peace was proclaimed between the two parties, the siege was raised, and every man returned to his home. The earl disbanded his soldiers, and greatly thanked the foreigners for the gallant services they had done him: he then went to Lille, to execute the treaties which his son-in-law the duke of Burgundy had concluded for him.
Some of the neighbouring countries said, this was a double-faced peace; that there would be another rebellion; and that the earl had only consented to it, in order to extricate such a number of noble knights and squires from the danger they ran in Oudenarde. John Pruniaux, after the breaking up of the siege, went to Tournay, where the duke of Burgundy entertained him handsomely. The articles of the treaty were there completed, and sealed by the duke and the earl of Flanders. John Pruniaux afterwards returned to Ghent, and showed what he had done. The duke of Burgundy had so well managed the men of Ghent, by kind words, that Oudenarde was saved from destruction; for, when the siege was raised in conformity to the treaty, they would have demolished the gates and walls of the town, that it might remain open and ready for them to retire to. The earl of Flanders having resided some time Lille, after the duke of Burgundy had returned to France, went to Bruges, where he made a long stay: during which, he secretly showed great displeasure to some of the citizens of Bruges, without, however, doing any thing more, nor seeming desirous of otherwise punishing them, for their having so readily deserted his party, and placing themselves under the command of Ghent. These citizens excused themselves by saying, what was indeed true, that it had not been through any fault of theirs, but was solely owing to the small handicrafts of the town, who would ally themselves with those of Ghent when John Lyon came before Bruges. The earl passed over their misconduct with as fair looks as he could, but he did not the less remember it. We will now leave him and the Flemings, and return to the affairs of Brittany.
CHAPTER XLIII. — THE DUKE OF BRITTANY RETURNS FROM ENGLAND, AT THE ENTREATY OF HIS SUBJECTS. — THE ENGLISH ARE DESIROUS OF MARRYING THEIR YOUNG KING. — THE KNIGHTS OF ENGLAND SENT TO THE AID OF THE DUKE OF BRITTANY MEET WITH GREAT TEMPESTS AT SEA.
YOU have before heard that the duke of Brittany resided in England with king Richard and his uncles, who entertained him handsomely, and that his country was in great trouble; for the king of France had ordered thither his constable with a large body of men at arms, who had fixed their quarters at Pontorson, and near St. Michael’s Mount, whence they made war on all the adjacent country. The inhabitants of the cities and principal towns kept themselves well inclosed, and were very anxious for the return of their lord, to whom they had already sent letters and messengers: but he was fearful of trusting to them, until the prelates and barons of Brittany and the great towns began to murmur and say; “We send every week letters of invitation to the duke; but, instead of coming, he only returns us excuses.” “In God’s name,” said some of them, “there must be a reason for this: we send to him in too simple a manner. We ought to send him a knight or two of rank, in whom he may trust, and who will fully explain to him the true state of the country.”
592This proposal was agreed to; and two valiant knights, sir Geoffrey de Querimel and sir Eustace de la Houssaye, were entreated to go to England, at the joint solicitation of the prelates, barons, and principal towns in Brittany*. These two knights made preparations for their voyage to England, and, embarking on board a vessel at Cano†, had weather and wind according to their wish. They made sail for Southampton, and there disembarked: continuing their journey to London, they found the duke and duchess of Brittany and sir Robert Knolles, who received them with great joy, and handsomely entertained them.
The knights then related to the duke the state and disposition of his country, and how very ardently his return was wished for; to confirm which, they gave to the duke their credential letters from the prelates, barons and principal towns of Brittany. The duke gave full credence to the knights and their letters, and said he would show them to the king and his uncles, which he did. When the king and his uncles heard all these things, and how the whole of Brittany, the prelates, barons and principal towns, excepting Guesclin, Laval, Clisson, Rohan and Rochefort, had sent to the duke their lord, supplicating him to return to his own country, the king said to him, “You must go over to Brittany, since they send for you, and maintain your rights: we will shortly send to your assistance a sufficient force of men at arms to defend your frontiers; but you will leave the lady-duchess with my mother and her brothers, whilst you carry on this war.”
The duke heard these words with great joy, and made his preparations accordingly: he was not long in having every thing ready at Southampton. When taking leave of the king, the princess of Wales, and of his duchess, he made a strict treaty of alliance with the king of England, and swore on his faith, that if he should speedily be succoured by the English, he would always remain steadily attached to them, and do all in his power to make his country join with him; and that England should always find his ports open, whenever her fleets should come thither. After this, he set out from London, accompanied by sir Robert Knolles and the two knights who were sent to him, with about one hundred men at arms and two hundred archers. There was a short delay at Southampton, waiting for a favourable wind, where they embarked. They landed at Guerrande‡, and rode on to Vannes. The inhabitants of that city received the duke with great demonstrations of joy, as indeed did the whole country when they heard of his arrival. The duke refreshed himself for five days, or thereabouts, in Vannes, and then went to Nantes: there he was waited on by barons, prelates, knights, ladies and damsels, who all offered their services, and put themselves under his obedience. They greatly complained of the French, and of the constable, who had quartered himself in the country near Rennes. The duke said, “My friends, I shall shortly have aid from England; for without the assistance of the English, I shall not be able to defend myself against the French; otherwise they will be too strong for us, seeing that we are not all in this country of one mind. But when the forces which the king of England has promised shall be arrived, if they have done you wrongs, we will return the compliment.” This speech greatly pleased those of the duke’s party who were present.
In this year, about St. Andrew’s day, died the lord Charles, king of Germany and emperor of Rome. King Charles had done so well by money and by his great connections, that the electors of the empire had given it under their oaths and seals, they would elect, after his decease, his son emperor, and exert their whole power to maintain the siege before Aix, and to defend him against all opposers: so that, after the death of Charles, his son, Winceslaus, who before was king of the Romans, signed himself emperor of Rome, king of Germany and Bohemia.
About this same season, there were many councils held in England, by the uncles of the king, the prelates and barons, relative to marrying the young king Richard. The English would have preferred a princess of Hainault, out of love for that good lady queen Philippa, who had been so virtuous, liberal and honourable, and who had come from Hainault; but duke Albert, at that time, had not any daughters marriageable. The duke of Lancaster 593 would willingly have seen the king, his nephew, married to his daughter, whom he had had by the lady Blanch of Lancaster, but the people would not have consented to this for two reasons: that the lady was his cousin-german, and too nearly related: and that they wished the king to choose a queen from beyond sea, in order to gain stronger alliances. The sister of the king of Bohemia and of Germany, daughter of the lately deceased emperor, was then proposed, and the whole council assented to it.
Sir Simon Burley, a sage and valiant knight, who had been the king’s tutor, and much beloved by the prince his father, was nominated to go to Germany, to treat of this marriage, as a wise and able negotiator. Every necessary preparation was ordered, as well for his expenses as otherwise. He set out from England magnificently equipped, and arrived at Calais; from thence he went to Gravelines, and continued his journey until he came to Brussels, where he met the duke Winceslaus of Brabant, the duke Albert, the count de Blois, the count de St. Pol, sir William de Maulny, and number of knights from Brabant, Hainault, and other parts, partaking of a grand feast of tilts and tournaments; and it was on this occasion all these lords were there assembled. The duke and duchess of Brabant, from the love they bore the king of England, received his knight most courteously. They were much rejoiced on hearing the cause of his journey into Germany, and said it would be a good match between the king of England and their niece. They gave to sir Simon Burley, on his departure, special letters to the emperor, to assure him they approved very much of this marriage. The knight set out from Brussels, and took the road through Louvain to Cologne.
About this time, the king of England and his council ordered two hundred men at arms and four hundred archers to Brittany, under the command of sir John Arundel: sir Hugh Calverley, sir Thomas Banaster, sir Thomas Trivet, sir Walter Pole, sir John Bourchier, the lord Ferrers and the lord Basset were appointed to this expedition. These knights made all the preparation they wanted, and went to Southampton, where they embarked on board their vessels. When they had a favourable wind, they set sail. The first day, it was fair; but, towards evening, it veered about, and became quite contrary, which drove them, whether they would or not, on the coasts of Cornwall. The wind was so strong and impetuous, they were afraid to cast anchor. On the morrow, the storm continued as fierce as ever, and forced them into the Irish sea; when it became so violent, three of their ships sunk, on board of which were sir John Arundel, sir Thomas Banaster, and sir Hugh Calverley. Upwards of eighty perished of their complement of men at arms, and in the number the commander-in-chief, sir John Arundel, which was great pity, for he was a valiant and enterprising knight. Sir Thomas Banaster and sir Walter Pole, two brave knights, were drowned, and many others.
Sir Hugh Calverley never before experienced greater peril; for all those who were in his vessel were drowned, except himself and seven sailors; but sir Hugh and the sailors took to the masts and cables to save themselves, and, as the wind was strong, they were blown on the shore: but, having swallowed much sea-water, they were long sick and uncomfortable. Sir Thomas Trivet, sir John Bourchier, the lords Ferrers and Basset escaped this danger, with others; however, they were much driven and tumbled about. When the tempest ceased, they returned as well as they could to Southampton, and waited on the king and his uncles; to whom they related their misfortunes, including sir Hugh Calverley among the drowned: but it was not so, as it afterwards appeared when he came to London.
This expedition was put an end to; and the duke of Brittany did not receive any assistance from the English, which was very much against him; for all that season and the ensuing winter the French carried on a destructive war. The Bretons, that is to say, sir Oliver de Clisson and his men, took the town of Dinant, by means of vessels and boats, which they pillaged, and kept afterwards, for a long time, against the duke and the country. We will now return to the affairs of Flanders.
* The Histoire de la Bretagne mentions three other persons as deputies, and cites the public acts for authority. Geoffrey de Querimel was a favourite of the duke.
† “Cano.” Q. Concarneau.
‡ “Guerrande,” — a town in Brittany, between the rivers Vilaine and Loire, diocese of Nantes.
CHAPTER XLIV. — THE TOWN OF GHENT SENDS AMBASSADORS TO THE EARL OF FLANDERS TO ENTREAT HIM TO COME THITHER.
WHEN peace was concluded between the earl of Flanders and the men of Ghent, by the mediation of the duke of Burgundy, which gained him great popularity throughout the country, the men of Ghent were very desirous that the earl should come and fix his residence in their town. The provost of Haerlabeke had strongly advised the earl to improve the affection between him and Ghent, in which he was seconded by all the earl’s relations. The earl, however, continued to reside at Bruges, and never went near Ghent, which surprised every one; but, in particular the well-intentioned and principal inhabitants, who were anxious for peace. As for the white hoods and pillagers, who only sought disturbances, they dreaded his return: for they suspected, that if he did come, they would be privately corrected for the evils they had done.
Notwithstanding these doubts of the magistracy and town-council, the rich men were particularly impatient for his arrival, and wished they would send to request it; for they did not look upon the peace as stable until he should have resided in Ghent. Twenty-four deputies were selected to go to Bruges, to declare to the earl the great love the town of Ghent had for him, and their wishes for his residence among them. They set off in a magnificent manner, as those should who wait on their lord; but they were told on leaving the town, “Never think of returning to Ghent, unless you bring back the earl with you; otherwise you will find the gates shut.” Thus did the citizens of Ghent set out, taking the road towards Bruges. When they were between Deynse and Bruges, they learnt that the earl was coming, which gave them great pleasure; and, after they had rode on about a league, they perceived the earl in the plain. On seeing him, they advanced in two divisions, making a lane, through which the earl and his knights passed.
The citizens made low reverences, and showed every mark of respect to the earl and to his attendants: but he scarcely looked at them, only touched a little his hat; and, during the whole time, he never noticed them. Thus they all rode on; the earl on one side, the deputation from Ghent on another, until they came to Deynse, where they stopped, for the earl was to dine there. The deputation took some houses for themselves, and dined also. After dinner, they waited on the earl; and, having knelt down before him (for the earl was seated,) they presented to him the humble affection of the citizens of Ghent, and remonstrated with him, that from their great love to him, and their earnest desire for him to reside among them, they had been deputed, adding; “On our departure, my lord, the townsmen said, that we must not think of returning unless we brought you with us.” The earl, who had well heard these words, was for a time silent; when he said calmly, — “I willingly believe all you say, and that many in Ghent wish me to come thither: but I am surprised they do not recollect, nor seem inclined to remember former times, when I was so desirous of complying with all their requests, and how I expelled from the country such of my gentlemen as they complained of, in compliance with their laws. I have too often opened my prisons, to surrender up mine and their own burgesses, whenever they solicited it. I have loved and esteemed them more than any other of my subjects; and they have behaved to me quite the contrary, slain my bailiff, destroyed the houses of my people, driven away my officers, burnt the house in the world which I loved the most, forced my towns to side with them, murdered my knights in the town of Ypres: in short, they have acted so wickedly towards me and my rights that I am tired of mentioning them, and wish never to remember them; but, whether I will or not, I cannot help doing so.”
“Ah, my lord,” replied the deputies, “do not think more of what has passed: you have pardoned us for all those evil deeds.” “That is true,” answered the earl, “and I do not mean, by what I have just said, that in time to come you shall fare the worse for it. I only point out to you the great cruelties and wickedness which I have suffered from the town of Ghent.” The earl was then softened: rising up, he made them rise also, and, calling to the lord de Ruiseliers who was near him, said, “Let them bring wine.” The deputation drank of it, and then retired to their lodgings, where they remained all night, for the earl staid there. On the morrow, they all rode together towards Ghent.
CHAPTER XLV. — THE EARL OF FLANDERS ENTERS THE TOWN OF GHENT, AND SECRETLY DEPARTS FROM IT. — THE WALLS OF OUDENARDE ARE RAZED BY THE WHITE HOODS, THEIR ALLIES AND ACCOMPLICES.
WHEN the inhabitants of Ghent heard the earl was on the road thither, they were much rejoiced, and went out to meet him on horseback, and on foot: they bowed very lowly when they met him, and showed him all the reverence in their power; but he passed on without saying a word, only just bowed his head to them. He rode to his hôtel, called La Pôterne, where he dined. Great presents were made him by the town, and the magistrates waited on him, who humbled themselves greatly in his presence, as was but right. The earl addressed them, saying, “that when there was a stable peace, everything ought to have a peaceable appearance: I would, therefore, that these white hoods be laid aside, and some amends made for the death of my bailiff, for his family are very importunate with me on the subject.”
“My lord,” replied the magistrates, “that is fully our intention; and we beseech your highness, that you would have the goodness to come to-morrow to the square, and explain to your subjects, in an amicable manner, what your wishes are: they will be so much rejoiced on seeing you again that they will comply with all your desires.” The earl agreed to their request. In the evening, it was known to numbers, that the earl was, on the morrow, to harangue the people at eight o’clock in the morning, in the market-place. Good men were much pleased thereat; but the mad and outrageous thought little of it, and said they had had enough of harangues, and knew well what they were to do. John Pruniaux, John Boule, Rasse de Harzelle, and Peter du Bois, leaders of the white hoods, were fearful that everything would be laid to their charge, and, having discussed together, sent for some of their men, making choice of those that were the worst and most violent of their companions, and said to them, “Be sure you remain all this night and to-morrow armed; and whatever may be said to you, do not put off your white hoods; but be all of you in the market-place to-morrow by eight o’clock, and make not any riot unless it be first begun on you. You will either give these orders to your companies or send them by a safe hand.” They answered they would punctually comply, which they did.
The next morning, at eight o’clock, they all went to the market-place, but not in a body: they separated in different parties, for their leaders were then among them. The earl came on horseback to the market-place, attended by his knights, squires, and magistrates of the town. John de Faucille was with him, and upwards of forty of the richest and most respectable inhabitants. The earl, as he was passing up the market-place, cast his eyes on the white hoods, which made him melancholy: he dismounted, as did his attendants, and went to a window, from whence he leaned out, on a crimson cloth, which had there been spread for him.
The earl began to address the people in a very discreet speech, in which he showed what love and affection he had borne them before they had angered him. He remonstrated, that a prince and sovereign lord ought to be loved, feared, obeyed, and honoured by his subjects, and explained how very contrary they had acted. He also noticed how well he had always defended them against their enemies, and had kept them in peace and prosperity: that he had opened to them communications by sea, which before his joyful accession had been shut against them. He displayed much argument and good sense, which were understood by the wise, and acknowledged for truth. He was well listened to by several, but by others not at all, for they were desirous of confusion. When he had spoken an hour, he concluded by saying, “that after having so fully explained everything, he was willing to continue their good lord, in the same manner as he had formerly been: that he forgave all the injuries and contempt they had shown him; and that he would never more recollect the evil deeds which had passed, but would preserve to them their rights and franchises, as he had done. He entreated therefore, that no novelties might be introduced, and that those white hoods should be laid aside.”
During the first part of the speech, all were silent, as if there had not been any one 596 present; but, the moment he touched on the white hoods, murmurs were heard on all sides, which showed it was on that account. The people were then entreated to retire to their houses in a peaceable manner. The earl left the market-place with his attendants, and the rest went to their homes. But I must say, that the white hoods came the first to the market-place, and were the last to quit it; and, when the earl passed through them, they looked ill-humoured at him, disdaining to pull off their caps, which affected him much; for he said afterwards to his knights, when retired to La Pôterne, “I shall never gain my wish with these white hoods: they are accursed wicked people. My mind tells me, things will not remain long as they now are: if I may judge from appearances, there is much evil intended; and, were I to lose all, I will not suffer such pride and wickedness.”
The earl remained four or five days at Ghent, and then he departed in such a manner as showed he never again intended returning thither. He went to Lille, where he made his preparations for passing the winter. He scarcely took leave of any one when he quitted Ghent, and set out much out of humour, for which several of the town were displeased, and said he would never do them any good again; that they would no more love him than he did them: he had now left them as he had done before: and that Gilbert and his brothers had so advised, seeing that he had so suddenly, and without affection, departed from Ghent. John Pruniaux, Rasse de Harzelle, John Boule and Peter du Bois, with the other wicked captains, were much pleased at all this, and spread rumours over the town, that the earl would return in the summer with sufficient force to break the peace; that it behoved every one to be on his guard, and to lay in good store of corn, oats, meat, salt, and all sorts of provision, for that no dependance could be placed on the earl.
The townsmen, therefore, laid in very great stores of all things necessary for them: when it was told the earl, he was mightily surprised, and could not guess why they were so very suspicious. To say the truth, when all which I have related is duly considered, one cannot but wonder how the men of Ghent dissembled, and had done so from the beginning. The rich and principal men of the town could not excuse themselves for their conduct at the commencement of these commotions; for certainly if they had been willing, when John Lyon first introduced the wearing of white hoods, they could easily have prevented it: they might have sent against the canal-diggers of Bruges other men who would have done as well as the white hoods: but they permitted them, because they did not choose to have it thought they were against the franchises of the town. They therefore consented to every thing, for which the richest and most discreet men paid very dearly afterwards. They were no longer masters in the town, and dared neither speak nor act but as the white hoods pleased. They said, that neither for John Lyon nor for Gilbert Matthew, nor for their wars and hatreds would they take part; but they were united in one point, the preserving and defending the franchises of the citizens of Ghent, which they afterwards demonstrated, for they made a war which lasted for seven years; and, during that time, there were no quarrels in the town, which was their great cause of defence both at home and abroad. They were so much united together that there were not any distractions among them, but each subscribed his money and jewels to the general fund; and those among them who had the greatest abundance gave it to this stock, as you shall hear related.
Not long after the earl of Flanders’ departure from Ghent, and fixing his residence at Lille, Oliver d’Auterme, cousin-german to Roger d’Auterme, whom the men of Ghent murdered, sent his defiance to that town, in revenge for his death. Sir Philip de Mamines did the same, as well as several others. After these challenges had been delivered, they met about fifty boats, with their crews, descending the Scheld, laden with corn for Ghent, on whom they retaliated for the death of their cousin: having seized the mariners, they put out their eyes, and in this maimed and miserable state they sent them to Ghent. The citizens of Ghent looked on this act as a personal injury done to them: when complaints of it were brought before the magistrates, they were much enraged, and knew not what to say. There were great murmurings throughout the town; and the majority of the inhabitants said the earl of Flanders had done it, so that scarcely any one that was a respectable character could offer any thing in his defence.
The instant John Pruniaux, who was at the time the principal leader and master of the 597 white hoods, heard this news, without saying a word to the magistrates to the town, (I know not if he mentioned his plan to the other captains, his companions, but I should suppose he did,) assembled the greater part of the white hoods, and others equally inclined to do evil, and marched out of Ghent, taking the road to Oudenarde. When he came thither there was not any guard nor sentinel, for they suspected nothing: he seized the gate, and entered the town with his men, who amounted to more than five thousand. When morning came, he set labourers to work, with carpenters and masons whom he had brought with him; and they never ceased working until they had destroyed the two gates, the towers and the walls, which they flung into the ditch on the side towards Ghent. Now, how could those excuse themselves who had consented to this wicked deed? for they remained in Oudenarde upwards of a month, destroying the gates and walls. If they had remanded their people as soon as it was known what they were doing, one might have excused them; but they did no such thing: on the contrary, they winked at it, and suffered them to proceed, until news was carried to the earl, who resided at Lille, how John Pruniaux had stolen into Oudenarde, and was destroying two of the gates and walls of it, as well as the towers.
The earl was in great choler on hearing this; indeed, he had good cause for it; and said, “Ha, these accursed people! the devil possesses them: I shall never have peace so long as these Ghent men have such power.” He then sent some of his council to the magistrates of Ghent, to remonstrate with them on the violent outrage they had committed, and to declare they were people with whom no terms could be kept, since the peach which the duke of Burgundy had with great difficulty procured for them, had been already broken and infringed. The mayor and jurats of the town of Ghent excused themselves by saying, “that they never thought of breaking the peace, nor had they any such wish or inclination; and that, if John Pruniaux had of himself committed any outrage, the town would not avow it.” They excused themselves loyally and fully; but they added, “that the earl had permitted great excesses to be committed against them, by those of his household, who had wounded and slain some of their fellow-citizens; and this was much felt by the whole town. What say you, my lords, to this?”
The commissaries from the earl replied, “they had well revenged themselves.” “Oh no,” answered the magistrates: “we do not say that what John Pruniaux has done at Oudenarde was by way of revenge; for we can clearly proved by the treaty of peace, if we choose, and we appeal to the testimony of the duke of Burgundy, that Oudenarde was to have been dismantled by us, or put in the state it is now in: but, at the entreaty of the duke, we did not, then insist upon it.” The commissaries replied; “It appears then, by what you have said, that you ordered it to be done, and you cannot now excuse yourselves from this charge: since you knew that John Pruniaux was gone to Oudenarde, (whither he had marched with a large army, and had surprise it under shadow of the peace,) and that he was destroying the fortifications and throwing the walls into the ditch, you ought to have gone thither and forbidden him to commit such outrages, until you should have laid your complaints before the earl. Of the wounding and assaulting your citizens, you should have addressed yourselves to the duke of Burgundy, who had made the peace, and remonstrated with him on the business. By this means, your quarrels would have been made up; but you have not done so. My lord of Flanders therefore informs you, that since you have thus contemptuously behaved yourselves towards him, and then petition him with swords in your hands, he will one day take such cruel revenge on you that all the world shall ever afterwards speak of it.” They then left the mayor and jurats of Ghent, and, after they had dined, set out on their return through Courtray to Lille; when they related to the earl what they had done, and what excuses the town of Ghent had made.
CHAPTER XLVI. — THE MEN OF GHENT SURRENDER OUDENARDE. — THEY DESTROY THE HOUSES OF THE NOBLES. — A CRUEL AND PITILESS WAR RENEWED BETWEEN THE MEN OF GHENT AND THE NOBILITY.
ONE may well be surprised to hear the matter of this treaty so diversely spoken of, and such astonishing accounts told of it, which every one who reads may understand. Some said, the men of Ghent were in the right to make this war, which was so cruel and of such long continuance in Flanders, adding, they had a just cause for so doing; but it does not so appear to me from what I have seen, nor can I learn or understand but that the earl always preferred peace to war, excepting where his honour and dignity were concerned. Did he not give up the citizen who was confined in his prison at Erclo? Yes, he did; and they murdered his bailiff. In order to preserve peace, he again pardoned them this outrage; when they in one day caused an insurrection throughout all Flanders against him, and slew, even in the town of Ypres, five of his knights. They afterwards attacked Oudenarde, and besieged it; doing every thing in their power to take and destroy it. After this, peace was concluded; but they refused to make any atonement for the death of Roger d’Auterme, though his family had frequently demanded it; for which that family had revenged themselves on some mariners, by whom all these disturbances were originally created: and was this a sufficient reason for the total destruction of Oudenarde? I think not; and this opinion is confirmed by many others agreeing in it. They said in reply, that the earl had other things to settle with Ghent; and insisted on having reparation made for what had been done to the mariners, before they would surrender Oudenarde.
599The earl was exceedingly enraged, as well as his council, that the Ghent men should keep possession of Oudenarde. He knew not how to expel them from it, which made him surely repent, that notwithstanding the peace he had entered into with Ghent, he had not more strongly guarded it. He frequently wrote and sent to them to surrender it to him; otherwise he would wage so severe a war that they should for ever remember it. The citizens of Ghent were unwilling to avow this act; for, if they had, the peace would have been broken. At last, some of the principal inhabitants, who wished for peace and tranquillity, such as John de Faucille, Guisebert de Guise, sir Simon Bete and many others, undertook the business; and, after twelve days negotiating, those from Ghent who were in Oudenarde returned home, and the town surrendered to the earl’s men. In order further to appease the earl, John Pruniaux was banned from Ghent and from Flanders for ever: his sentence stated it as the reason, that he had gone and taken possession of Oudenarde without the knowledge of the magistrates of Ghent. Sir Philip de Mamines, sir Oliver d’Auterme, le Galois de Mannes, le bastard de Widringues, and all those who had been actors or abettors in the maiming the mariners of Ghent, were also banished the country. These banishments appeased both parties.
Pruniaux quitted Flanders, and went to Ath in Brabant. Sir Philip de Mamines went to Valenciennes in Hainault; but, when those of Ghent heard it, they worked upon the provost and jurats of Valenciennes, so that the provost, John Paris, prevailed on the knight quietly to leave the town: he departed of his own free will, and resided at Warlain, near Douay, until he heard better news. The other knights and squires went from Flanders to Brabant, where they remained until more agreeable intelligence made them quit it. As soon as the earl of Flanders had regained possession of Oudenarde, he sent thither numbers of workmen to repair the gates, towers and walls, which he made stronger than before: the ditches also were deepened.
All this was known at Ghent; but they took no notice of it, lest they should be reprimanded for having infringed the peace. The discontented, however, said among themselves; “Let them work as long as they please in repairing Oudenarde, for, were it now of steel, it could not resist us, whenever we may choose to take it.”
Although there was peace in Flanders, the earl had constant suspicions of Ghent; for every day some tales were brought him respecting it: and similar ones were told of him to the townsmen of Ghent. John de Faucille went to reside at Nazareth, a very handsome and strong house of his a good league distant from Ghent. He dissembled there as long as he was able, and would not be of the town-council, in order to avoid being marked by the earl. He also absented himself very much from his attendance on the earl, to preserve his popularity in Ghent, and thus, as it were, swimming between two streams, kept himself as much neuter as he could.
During the time the earl was repairing Oudenarde, and had just finished it, he was earnest, by letters and messages to his cousin the duke of Brabant, to get possession of John Pruniaux, who resided at Ath. He managed the matter so well that he was delivered up, and brought to Lille, where he was beheaded, and his body placed on a wheel as a traitor. Such was the end of John Pruniaux. At this same time, the earl came to Ypres, and held there several courts of justice, by whose judgments many wicked people were beheaded; such as fullers and weavers, who had opened the gates to the men of Ghent, and slain the earl’s knights, that others might from them take warning. All this was told in Ghent, which made them more suspicious than before, especially the leaders of the expeditions to Oudenarde. They said among themselves; “Certainly the earl will, if he can, destroy all of us. He loves us so well, he only wants our lives. Has he not put to death John Pruniaux? In truth, we must own that we acted very wrong in regard to John Pruniaux, when we offered him to be banished; we are guilty of his death; and, if they can catch us, such an end as his awaits us. Let us be on our guard.”
Peter du Bois added; “If you will be advised by me, there shall not a gentleman’s house of any strength remain in the country about Ghent; for by such houses we may all be destroyed, if we do not take care and provide a remedy.” The others answered, “You say well; come quick, let us down with them all.” Upon this, the captains, Peter du Bois, 600 John Boule, Rasse de Harzelle, John de Launoy, and several others, made preparations for setting out from Ghent, which they did, and burnt and destroyed all the houses of the gentlemen: whatever they found therein, they divided among themselves as fair booty. After this, they returned to Ghent; and none were bold enough to say to them, You have done ill.
The gentlemen, knights and squires, who resided at Lille with the earl, on hearing this, were much enraged, and with reason: they told the earl, that this outrage ought to be punished, and the pride of the Ghent men humbled. The earl gave to these knights and squires permission to make war on Ghent, and revenge themselves for the injuries they had suffered. They made alliances with many knights and squires of Flanders, and entreated their friends in Hainault to assist them, and chose for their commander le Hasle de Flandres, the eldest bastard son of the earl, a right valiant knight.
This Hasle de Flandres and his companions sometimes fixed their quarters in Oudenarde, at others at Gavres, Alost or Dendremonde, and had frequent skirmishes with the Ghent men. They advanced up to the barriers of the town, and destroyed almost all the windmills which were around it, committing other injuries on Ghent. They had with them a young knight from Hainault, well inclined to serve them, whose name was sir James de Verchin, séneschal of Hainault. He performed many gallant deeds, and adventured himself sometimes too rashly, in tilting close to the barriers, and twice or thrice won from them their helmets and cross-bows. This sir James de Verchin was very fond of arms, and would have greatly excelled if he had lived longer; but he died young, and in his bed, at the castle of Ombre, near Mortaigne, which was a great loss.
THE men of Ghent had been very free in their jokes and mockeries of the noblemen and gentry of Flanders, but were afterwards sorry for it, and had once intentions of sending to duke Albert of Hainault, to request he would recall his knights who were making war against them; but, on reconsidering the business, they thought it would only be lost labour, for the duke would not interfere in it. They were unwilling also to anger him more, for they should fare ill without his country; and if Hainault, Holland and Zealand were shut against them, they might consider themselves as ruined. They therefore gave up this, and followed other council, which was to send to those knights and squires of Hainault who held possessions within Ghent or its dependency, to come and serve them under pain of losing their estates: they, however, paid no attention to their summons. To this effect, they sent to sir Hervé, lord d’Antoing, who had an estate in Ghent, and was also constable of the castle, to assist them, or he would lose the rights of his castlewick; and, because he would not obey their summons, they razed his house of Vienne to the ground.
The lord d’Antoing sent them word, he would cheerfully serve them at their expense, and to their ruin; that they were not to place any dependance on him, for he would always be their enemy, and oppose them in every instance; that he would not hold any thing of them, but from his lord the earl of Flanders, to whom he owed service and obedience. This lord kept well the promise he made them; for he waged a mortal war against Ghent, and did them many injuries. He reinforced the castle with men and stores, by which means those in Ghent were much annoyed. On the other hand, the lord d’Anghien, whose name was Walter, though a young squire, but well inclined, did them much mischief. The war was thus sharply carried on during the whole season. The Ghent men dared not venture out of their town but in large troops; for whenever they met their enemies, if in superior numbers, they were all slain without mercy.
Thus was the war embittered between the earl of Flanders and Ghent, which afterwards cost a hundred thousand lives twice told; and with great difficulty could any end be put to it and peace re-established, for the leaders in Ghent knew they had done such evil deeds against the earl of Flanders and the duke of Burgundy that they were persuaded no treaty could be made or sworn to, whatever the outward appearance of it might be, but that their 601 lives would be sacrificed. This made them firm in their resolutions, and resolved to keep up the division and war against the earl and gentlemen of Flanders: it also gave hem the courage to fight desperately, which, however, sometimes ill befel them in their enterprizes, as you will hear related.
The earl of Flanders, who had fixed his residence at Lille, received daily information of the ill deeds of the men of Ghent, how they were destroying and burning the houses of his nobles: he was sore vexed, and said he would take so great a revenge on Ghent, that he would put it to fire and flames, with all inhabitants within it. In order to be more powerful, the earl summoned all the barons of Flanders and gave up to them the whole country, the better to resist the white hoods. He appointed two leaders, Galois de Mamines and Peter d’Estrevilles. These two, with their company, bore the banner of the earl, and remained about three weeks between Oudenarde and Courtray, upon the Lys, where they did much damage. When Rasse de Harzelle was informed of this, he marched out of Ghent with the white hoods to Deynse, where he thought to meet the army of the earl: but, when they knew that the Ghent men were on their march, they retreated to Tournay, and strengthened the town. They continued there, and in the neighbourhood of Damme, Orchies and Vorlam a considerable time, so that the merchants dared not go from Tournay to Douay for fear of them. It was reported, the Ghent men intended besieging Lille and Ypres. They had gained over Gramont and Courtray; but those of Bruges and Ypres were irresolute. They had disagreed with the handicraft trades, declaring it would be a great folly to go so far to lay siege to Lille; for the earl, their lord, might form an alliance with the king of France, as he had formerly done, and receive from him much assistance.
These doubts kept the principal towns of Flanders at this time from entering into the war, so that no siege was formed. To prevent the earl from entering into any treaty with his son-in-law the duke of Burgundy, they sent ambassadors, with most amicable letters, to the king of France, to supplicate him, for the love of God, not to take any part to their disadvantage; for their only wish was love, peace, obedience and service; and that their lord had very wrongfully and wickedly oppressed and harassed them: that what they were now doing was only for the preservation of their franchises, which their lord wanted to destroy. The king was somewhat inclined in their favour, though he showed not any appearance of it in public. The duke of Anjou, his brother, did the same; for, although the earl of Flanders was their cousin, he was not in their good graces, on account of having entertained the duke of Brittany for a long time much against their wills. They therefore troubled not themselves about his affairs: neither did pope Clement, who said, that God had sent him this rod because he was his enemy and would not acknowledge him as pope.
THE good constable of France, sir Bertrand du Guesclin, had remained in Auvergne with many able men at arms. He had laid siege to Château-neuf de Randon*, three leagues from the city of Mende†, and four from the town of Puy in Auvergne, in the castle of which he had shut up several English and Gascons, who had come from the country of Limousin, where there were plenty of fortresses. The constable made many severe attacks on the castle during the siege, and swore that he would never depart until he was the master of it. When there, he was seized with so great a sickness that he kept his bed: this, however, did not prevent the siege from being continued: indeed, it was carried on by his army with greater eagerness. Sir Bertrand’s malady was so deadly that he fell a victim to it, which was a severe loss to his friends and to the kingdom of France. His body was carried to the church of the Cordeliers of Puy in Auvergne, where it remained one night; and on the morrow it was embalmed, conveyed to St. Denis in France, and buried in a tomb very near that of king Charles of France, which the king had caused to be made in his lifetime. By his order, the body of sir 602 Bertrand, his constable, was placed at his feet; and his obsequies were performed with the same honours as if he had been his own son: the king’s brothers, as well as great numbers of the nobility, attended.
By the death of sir Bertrand, the office of constable became vacant; on which many councils were held to nominate a successor. Several great barons of France were thought of: in particular, the lords de Clisson and de Coucy. The king of France appointed the lord de Coucy governor of all Picardy, and also gave him the domain of Mortaigne, which is a handsome heritage, situated between Tournay and Valenciennes. Sir James de Verchin, the young séneschal of Hainault, was turned out of it: he held it in succession from his father, who had been lord of it for a long time. I say, therefore, the lord de Coucy was greatly in favour with the king of France, who was desirous to nominate him constable: but the gallant knight excused himself with many reasons, and refused to undertake so weighty a charge as that of constable, adding that sir Oliver de Clisson was the fittest person of any, for he was a valiant, enterprising, and prudent knight, well known to and beloved by the Bretons.
Things remained thus for some time, when the men at arms of sir Bertrand returned to France; for the castle had surrendered the same day the constable had died, and the garrison of it had gone to that of Ventadour. When the king of France saw the men at arms of the constable he turned aside for grief at the loss of him whom he had so much loved: he gave to each of them a handsome present suitably to their ranks. We will now leave this subject, and relate how the earl of Buckingham, youngest son of Edward III. of England, having assembled a large army of men at arms and archers, crossed the sea, and marched his army through France to Brittany.
* “Château-neuf de Randon,” — a village in Lower Languedoc.
† “Mende,” — an ancient city in Lower Languedoc, twenty-eight leagues from Alby.
CHAPTER XLIX. — THE DUKE OF BRITTANY REQUESTS SUCCOUR FROM THE KNG OF ENGLAND. — THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM, YOUNGEST SON TO THE LATE KING, IS APPOINTED COMMANDER OF THE EXPEDITION.
YOU have before heard, that when the duke of Brittany left England, king Richard and his uncles promised him aid of men at arms and archers, which they performed with ill success; for this was the expedition under the command of sir John Arundel, who with two hundred men at arms were shipwrecked, he himself drowned, with fourscore men at arms and as many archers, and from which sir Hugh Calverley and sir Thomas Trivet most narrowly escaped. This unfortunate event put an end to the expedition, which not being known to the duke of Brittany, he and his council were exceedingly surprised, and could not conceive what was become of the English; for they were very anxious to profit by their assistance, in the sharp war which was carrying on against the duke by sir Oliver de Clisson, sir Guy de Laval, sir Oliver du Guesclin, the count de Longueville, the lord de Rochefort, and the French on the frontiers of his duchy.
The duke was advised to send some able men to England, to know why the reinforcements were not sent according to promise, and to hasten them over, for they were in great need of them. The lord de Beaumanoir and sir Eustace de la Houssaye were entreated by the duke and his nobility to make this journey to England: they answered, they would willingly comply. Letters were given to them by the duke and the nobles of the country; when having departed, they embarked at Vannes, with a favourable wind, and arrived at Southampton. They there disembarked, and, having mounted their horses, went to London. It was about Whitsuntide, in the year of grace 1380.
The arrival of these two lords was soon notified to the king and to his three uncles. The Whitsun feast being arrived, the king went to Windsor to celebrate it, attended by his uncles and great numbers of the barons and knights of England. The two ambassadors went thither also, and were graciously received by the king and the barons, when they presented their letters to his majesty and his uncles. After they had perused them, they knew the great need the duke of Brittany had for assistance, from the earnest entreaties he and the country made for it.
603The ambassadors then first heard of the death of sir John Arundel and his companions, who had perished at sea on their voyage to Brittany. The duke of Lancaster made excuses, saying, it was not owing to any fault of the king or his ministers, but ill fortune at sea, against which none can make head when God wills it so. The ambassadors, therefore, fully acquitted the king, and greatly lamented the deaths of those knights and squires who had perished. When the feasts of Whitsuntide were over, a parliament was holden at Westminster, to which were summoned all the members of the council.
While these things were passing, sir Guiscard d’Angle, earl of Huntingdon, departed this life in the city of London. He was buried in the church of the Austin-friars*. The king ordered his obsequies to be most honourably performed, and they were attended by a great number of the prelates and barons of England: the bishop of London sung mass. Soon after the parliament was opened, the lord Thomas, youngest son of the late king of England, and many barons, knights, and squires of the realm, were ordered to cross the sea to Calais; and, if God should permit, they were to march through France, with three thousand men at arms and as many archers, so that the lord Thomas might arrive in Brittany, attended by earls, barons, and knights, suitably to the dignity of a king’s son. He undertook a bold task to pass through the kingdom of France, which is so extensive and noble, and which has such gallant chivalry and valiant men at arms.
When everything relative to this expedition had been discussed and finally arranged, the king of England and his uncles wrote letters to the duke of Brittany and to the nobles of the country, informing them in part of their will, what had been determined on by the parliament, and that for a certainty the earl of Buckingham would this season cross the sea to march to their aid. The king of England showed the ambassadors many honours, and gave them very rich presents, as also did his uncles, when they set out on their departure for Brittany. They presented their letters to the duke, who, having opened and read them, 604 showed them to the states of his country, who were satisfied with their contents. The king of England and his uncles did not delay this expedition, but sent summons to all those who had been selected to attend the earl of Buckingham; the barons to assemble in one place, and the knights in another. They had their wages paid them at Dover for three months, which were to commence as soon as they should land at Calais, as well for the men at arms as the archers, and their passage over was given to them. They crossed in small parties to Calais, and were upwards of fifteen days before the whole had there landed.
Those of Boulogne having noticed such large bodies of men at arms continually crossing from Dover to Calais, gave notice of it to all the country and the different garrisons, that they might not be surprised. When this intelligence was known in the Boulonnois, the Terouennois, and in the county of Guines, all the knights and squires of those countries placed their wealth in different strong towns, to avoid losing it. The governors of Boulogne, Ardres, de la Montoire, d’Esperleck, de Tourneham, de Nordt, de Liques, and of other castles on the frontiers, exerted themselves greatly in strengthening and victualling their garrisons; for they knew, that since the English had crossed over with so large a fleet they would be attacked.
News of this armament was carried to the king of France, who resided at Paris. He sent immediate orders to the lord de Coucy, who at that time was at St. Quentin, to provide himself with men at arms, and to march to Picardy, to reinforce all the towns, cities, and castles in that province. The lord de Coucy duly obeyed the king’s orders, and issued his summons at Peronne in the Vermandois, for the instant assembling all knights and squires of Artois, Vermandois, and Picardy. The lord de Saimpi was at that time governor of Ardres, and sir John de Bouillé of Boulogne.
The earl of Buckingham arrived at Calais with his army three days before Madgalen-day, in the month of July 1380.
* “Austin-friars.” See Gough’s Sepulchral Monuments.
————————