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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., Volume II, London: William Smith, 1848. pp. 100-134.

CHAPTER X. — THE COUNT DE FOIX HOLDS SOLEMN FESTIVALS ON THE FEAST OF ST. NICHOLAS AND AT CHRISTMAS; DURING WHICH FROISSART BECOMES ACQUAINTED WITH BASTOT DE MAULEON, WHO RELATES TO HIM, AMONG OTHER THINGS, HOW SEVERAL OF THE CAPTAINS OF THE FREE COMPANIES WERE DEFEATED BEFORE THE TOWN OF SANCERRE, — HOW HE SURPRISED THE TOWN OF THURIE IN THE ALBIGEOIS, AND HOW ONE OF THE NAME OF LIMOUSIN REVENGED AN OUTRAGE COMMITTED AGAINST HIM BY LOUIS RAIMBAUT.

AMONG the solemnities which the count de Foix observes on high festivals, he most magnificently keeps the feast of St. Nicholas, as I learnt from a squire of his household the third day after my arrival at Orthès. He holds his feasts more splendidly than that of Easter, 101 and has a most magnificent court, as I myself noticed, being present on that day. The whole clergy of the town of Orthès, with all its inhabitants, walk in procession to seek the count at the castle, who on foot returned with them to the church of St. Nicholas, where is sung the psalm “Benedictus dominus, Deus meus, qui docet manus meas ad prœlium, et digitos meos ad bellum,” from the Psalter of David, which, when finished, recommences, as is done in the chapels of the pope or king of France, on Christmas or Easter days, for there were plenty of choristers. The bishop of Pamiers sang the mass for the day; and I there heard organs play as melodiously as I have ever heard in any place. To speak briefly and truly, the count de Foix was perfect in person and in mind; and no contemporary price could be compared with him for sense, honour, or liberality. At the feasts of Christmas, which he kept with great solemnity, crowds of knights and squires from Gascony waited on him to all of whom he gave splendid entertainments. I saw there the bourg d’Espaign, of whose surprising strength Sir Espaign du Lyon had told me, which made me more desirous to see him, and the count showed him many civilities. I saw also knights from Arragon and England; which last were of the household of the duke of Lancaster, who at that time resided at Bordeaux, whom the count received very graciously, and presented with handsome gifts.

I made acquaintance with these knights, and by them was informed of several things which had happened in Castille, Navarre, and Portugal, which I shall clearly detail in proper time and place. I saw there also a Gascon squire, called le Bastot de Mauléon, an expert man at arms, and about fifty years old, according to his appearance. He arrived at the hôtel of the Moon, where I lodged with Ernauton du Pin, in grand array, having led horses with him like to a great baron, and he and his attendants were serve on plate of gold and silver. When I heard his name, and saw how much respect the count de Foix and all the others paid him, I asked sir Espaign du Lyon, “Is not this the quire who quitted the castle of Trigalet, when the duke of Anjou lay before Malvoisin?” “Yes,” replied he; “and he is as able a captain and as good a man at arms as any existing.” Upon this I besought his acquaintance, as he was lodged in the same hôtel as myself, with a cousin of his, a Gascon, called Arnauton, 102 governor of Carlat in Auvergne, whom I well knew, and who assisted me in it, as did also the bourg de Copaire*.

One night, as we were sitting round the fire chatting and waiting for midnight, which was the hour the count supped, his cousin began a conversation relative to his former life, and asked him to tell his adventures and success in arms, without concealing loss or profit, as he knew he could well remember them. Upon this he said, “Sir John, have you in your chronicle what I am going to speak of?” “I do not know,” replied I; “but begin your story, which I shall be happy to hear; for I cannot recollect every particular of my history, nor can I have been perfectly informed of every event.” “That is true,” added the squire, and thus began his history in these words:

“The first time I bore arms was under the captal de Buch at the battle of Poitiers: by good luck I made that day three prisoners, a knight and two squires, who paid me, one with the other, four thousand francs. The following year I was in Prussia with the count de Foix and his cousin the captal, under whose command I was. On our return, we found the duchess of Normandy, the duchess of Orleans, and a great number of ladies and damsels, shut up in Meaux in Brie. The peasants had confined them in the market-place of Meaux, and would have violated them, if God had not sent us thither; for they were completely in their power, as they amounted to more than ten thousand, and the ladies were alone. Upwards of six thousand Jacks were killed on the spot, and they never afterwards rebelled.

“At this time there was a truce between the kings of France and England, but the king of Navarre continued the war on his own personal quarrel with the regent of France. The count de Foix returned to his own country, but my master and self remained with the king of Navarre and in his pay. We made, with the help of others, a severe war on France; particularly in Picardy, where we took many towns and castles in the bishoprics of Beauvois and Amiens: we were masters of the country and rivers, and gained very large sums of money. When the truce expired between France and England, the king of Navarre discontinued his war, as peace had been made between him and the regent. The king of England crossed the sea with a large army, and laid siege to Rheims, whither he sent for the captal, who at that time was at Clermont in Beauvoisis, carrying on the war on his own account. We joined the king of England and his children. But,” said the squire, “I fancy you must have written all this, and how the king of England broke up his siege through famine, and how he came before Charters, and how peace was made between the two kings.” “That is true,” replied I: “I have all this, as well as the treaties which were then concluded.” Upon this Bastot de Mauléon thus continued his narration:

“This treaty of peace being concluded, it was necessary for all men at arms and free companies, according to the words of the treaty, to evacuate the fortresses or castles they held. Great numbers collected together, with many poor companions who had learnt the art of war under different commanders, to hold councils as to what quarters they should march, and they said among themselves, that though the kings had made peace with each other, it was necessary for them to live. They marched into Burgundy, where they had captains of all nations, Germans, Scots, and people from every country. I was there also as a captain. Our numbers in Burgundy, above the river Loire, were upwards of twelve thousand, including all sorts; but I must say, that in this number, there were three or four thousand good men at arms, as able and understanding in war as any could be found, whether to plan an engagement, to seize a proper moment to fight, or to surprise and scale towns and castles, and well inured to war; which indeed we showed at the battle of Brignais, where we overpowered the constable of France, the count de Forêts, with full two thousand lances, knights, and squires. The battle was of great advantage to the companions, for they were poor, and they then enriched themselves by taking good prisoners, and by the towns and castle which they too in the archbishopric of Lyons on the river Rhone. They carried on their warfare until they had gained the Pont du St. Esprit: and the pope and cardinals would not have been freed from them until they had destroyed everything, if they had not thought of a good expedient, by sending to Lombardy for the marquis de Montferrat, who was a gallant knight, and at that time at war with the lord of Milan. On his arrival at Avignon, the pope and cardinal 103 had a conference with him: and he negotiated with the English, Gascon, and German troops for their services, for sixty thousand francs, which the pope and cardinals paid to different leaders of these companies; such as sir John Hawkwood, a valiant English knight, sir Robert Bricquet, Carsuelle, Naudon le Bagerant, le bourg Camus, and many more. They marched into Lombardy, having surrendered the Pont du St. Esprit, and carried with them six parts of the companies; but sir Sequin de Batefol, sir John Jewel, sir James Planchin, sir John Amery, le bourg de Perigord, Espiote, Louis Raimbaut, Limousin, James Trittel, and myself, with several others, remained behind. We had possession of Ance, St. Clement, la Barrelle, la Terrare, Brignais, le Pont St. Denis, l’Hôpital d’Ortifart, and upwards of sixty castles in the Maconnois, For&eacirc;ts, Velay [Susan note has Vélay later], and in lower burgundy on the Loire. We ransomed the whole country, and they could only be freed from us by well paying. We took, by a night-attack, le Charité, which we held for a year and a half. Everything was ours from la Charité to Puy in Auvergne (for sir Sequin de Batefol had left Ance, and resided a Brioude in Auvergne, where he made great profit, and gained there and in the adjacent country upwards of one hundred thousand francs), and below Loire as far as Orleans, with the command of the whole river Allier. The archpriest, who was then a good Frenchman, and governor of Nevers, could not remedy this; but, being our old acquaintance, we sometimes complied with his entreaties to spare the country. The archpriest did great good to the Nivernois, by fortifying the city of Nevers, which otherwise would have been ruined several times; for we had in the environs upwards of twenty-six strong places, as well towns as castle, and no knight, squire, nor rich man, dared to quit his home unless he had compounded with us; and this war we carried on under the name and pretext of the king of Navarre. At this time happened the battle of Cocherel†, where the captal de Buch commanded for the king of Navarre, and many knights and squires went from us to assist him: sir James Planchin and sir John Jewel carried with them two hundred lances. I held at this period a castle called le Bec d’Allier, pretty near to la Charité, on the road to the Bourbonnois, and had under me forty lances, where I made great profit from the country near Moulins, and about St. Pourçain‡ and St. Pierre§ le Moustier. When news was brought me that the captal, my master, was in Constantin, collecting men from all parts, having a great desire to see him, I left my castle with twelve lances, with whom I joined sir James Planchin and sir John Jewel, and without accident or adventure we came to the captal. I believe you must have all this in your history, as well as the event of the battle.” “Yes, I have,” said I: “how the captal was made prisoner, and sir James Planchin and sir John Jewel killed.” “that is right,” added he: “I also was made prisoner; but good luck befel Bernard, then under the command of sir Aymemon de Pommiers, ransomed me in the field for a thousand francs, and gave me a passport to return to my fort of Bec d’Alliers. Instantly on my arrival, I counted out to one of my servants a thousand francs, which I charged him to carry to Paris, and to bring me back letters of acquittance for the payment, which he did. At this same season, sir John Aymery, an English knight, and the greatest captain we had, made an excursion down the Loire toward Charité: he fell into an ambuscade of the lords de Rougement and de Vendelay, with the men of the archpriest. They were the strongest, and overpowered him: he was made prisoner, and ransomed for thirty thousand francs, which he instantly paid down. He was, however, so much vexed at being captured, and with his loss, that he swore he would never re-enter his fort until he had had his revenge. He collected, therefore, a large body of companions, and came to la Charité on the Loire, and entreated the captains, such as Lamit, Carsuelle, le bourg de Perigord, and myself (who were come thither for our amusement), to accompany him in an expedition. We asked him, ‘Whither?’ ‘By my faith,’ replied he, ‘we will cross the Loire at Port St. Thibaut, and scale the town and castle of Sancerre¶. I have made a vow, that I will never re-enter my own castle until 104 I shall have seen the boys of Sancerre; and if we could conquer that garrison, with the earl’s children within it, John Louis and Robert, we should be made men, and maters of the whole country. We may easily succeed in our attempt, for they pay no attention to us, and our remaining longer here is not of any advantage.’ ‘That is true,’ we answered, and promised to accompany him, and went away to make ourselves ready.

“It happened,” continued le Bastot de Mauléon, “that our plot was discovered, and known in the town of Sancerre. A valiant squire from the lower parts of Burgundy, called Guichard[Susan note-- has Guichart next and usually, emend?] d’Albigon, was at the time governor of the town, who took great pains to guard it well. The earl’s children, who were all three knights, were with him. This Guichart had a brother a monk in the abbey of St. Thibaut near Sancerre, who was sent by the governor to la Charité with the composition-money that some of the towns in the upper districts owed. They were careless about him, and he discovered, I know not how, our intentions and what our numbers were, as well as the names of the captains of the different forts near la Charité, with the strength of their garrisons, and also at what hour and in what manner we were to cross the river at Port St. Thibaut. Having gained this information, he hastened to disclose it to his brother and the young knights of Sancerre. They made instant preparations for their defence, and sent notice of the intended attack to the knights and squires of Berry and the Bourbonnois, and to the captains of the different garrisons in the neighbourhood, so that they were four hundred good lances. They placed a strong ambuscade, of two hundred spears, in a wood near to the town.

“We set out at sun-set from la Charité, and rode on briskly, in good order, until we came to Prully, where we had collected a number of boats, to pass us and our horses over the river. We crossed the Loire, as we had intended, and were all over about midnight: our horses crossed, also, without accident; but, as day-break was near, we ordered a hundred of our men to remain behind, to guard the horses and boats; and the rest advanced with a good pace, passing by the ambuscade, which took no notice of us. When we had gone about a quarter of a league, they sallied forth upon those at the river side, whom they instantly conquered, for all were slain or made prisoners; the horses were captured, and the passage of the river secured, when, mounting our horses, they stuck spurs into them, and arrived at the town as soon as we did. They shouted on all sides, ‘Our lady for Sancerre!’ for the count himself was in the town with his men, and sir Louis and sir Robert had formed the ambuscade. We were thus completely surrounded, and knew not which way to turn ourselves: the shock of lances was great; for those on horseback instantly dismounted on their arrival, and attacked us fiercely; but what hurt us the most was the impossibility of extending our front, for we were enclosed in a narrow road, with hedges and vineyards on each side, with our enemies before and behind us. They knew well the country, and had posted a body of their men and servants in the vineyards, who cast stones and flints that bruised us much: we could not retreat, and had also great difficulty to approach the town, which is situated on a hill.

“We had very hard work: sir John Aymery was our captain, who had led us thither, was dangerously wounded by Guichart d’Albigon, who, exerting himself to save him, pushed him into a house in the town, and threw him on a bed, telling the master to take great care of his prisoner, and make hast to have his wounds dressed, for his rank was such, that if his life were saved, he would pay twenty thousand francs. On saying this, Guichart left his prisoner and returned to the battle, where he showed himself a good man at arms.

“Among others, the young knights of Sancerre had come to defend the country, with sir Guichard Dauphin, the lords de Marnay, sir Gerard and sir William de Bourbon, the lord de Cousant, de la Pierre, de la Palice, de Neutey, de la Croise, de la Sicete, and many more: I must say it was a very hard-fought murderous battle; we kept our ground as long as we were able, insomuch that several were slain and wounded on both sides. By their actions they seemed more desirous to take us alive than to kill us: at last they made prisoners of Carsuelle, Lamit Naudon le bourg de Perigord, le bourg de l’Esparre, Angerot, Lamontgis, Philip du Roc, Pierre de Corthon, le Pesat de Pamiers, le bourg d’Armesen; in short, all our companions who were in that neighbourhood. We were conducted to the castle of Sancerre in great triumph; and the free companies never suffered such loss in France as 105 they did that day. Guichard d’Albigon, however, lost his prisoner through negligence, for he bled so much that he died: such was the end of John Aymery. By this defeat, which happened under the walls of Sancerre, la Charité sur Loire surrendered to the French, as well as all the garrisons thereabout, by which means we obtained our liberties, and had passports given to us to quit the kingdom of France and go whithersoever we pleased. Fortunately for us, sir Bertrand du Guesclin, the lord de Beaujeu, sir Arnold d’Andreghen, and the count de la Marche, as this moment undertook an expedition into Spain, to assist the bastard Henry against don Pedro. Before that time, I was in Brittany at the battle of Auraye, where I served under sir Hugh Calverley, and recovered my affairs; for the day was ours, and I made such good prisoners, they paid me two thousand francs. I accompanied sir Hugh Calverley with ten lances into Spain, when we drove from thence don Pedro; but when treaties were afterwards made between don Pedro and the prince of Wales, who wished to enter Castille, I was there, in the company of sir Hugh Calverley, and returned to Aquitaine with him.

“The war was now renewed between the king of France and the prince: we had enough to do, for it was vigorously carried on; and great numbers of English and Gascon commanders lost their lives: however, thanks to God, I am still alive. Sir Robert Briquet was slain at a place called Olivet, in the Orleannois, situated between the territories of the duke of Orleans and the country of Blois, where a squire from Hainault, a gallant man at arms, and good captain called Alars de Doustiennes, surnamed de Barbazan, for he was of that family, met him, and conquered both him and his company. This Alars was at that time governor of Blois and its dependencies, for the lords Lewis, John, and Guy de Blois; and it chanced that he met sir Robert Briquet and sir Robert Cheney at Olivet, when both were slain on the spot, and all their men, for none were ransomed. Afterwards, the battle of Niort, Carsuelle was killed by sir Bertrand du Guesclin, and seven hundred English perished that day. Richard Ellis and Richard Heline, two English captains, were also killed at St. Severe: I know but few, except myself who have escaped death. I have guarded the frontiers, and supported the king of England; for my estate is in the Bordelois; and I have at times been so miserably poor that I had not a horse to mount, at other times rich enough, just as good fortune befel me. Raymonet de l’Espee and I were some time companions: we held the castles of Mauvoisin, (Susan note Malvoisin?), Trigalet, and Nantilleux, in the Toulousain, on the borders of Bigorre, which were very profitable to us. When the duke of Anjou came to attack them with his army, Raymonet turned to the French; but I remained steady to the English, and shall do so as long as I live. In truth, when I lost the castle of Trigalet, and was escorted to the castle Cuillet, after the retreat of the duke of Anjou into France, I resolved to do something which should either make me or ruin me. I therefore sent spies to reconnoitre the town and castle of Thurie in the Albigeois, which castle has since been wroth to me, as well by compositions as by good luck, one hundred thousand francs. I will tell you by what means I conquered it. On the outside of the town and castle, there is a beautiful spring of waters, where very morning the women of the town come to fill their pails or other vessels; which having done, they carry them back on their heads. Upon this, I formed my plan; and, taking with me fifty men from the castle of Cuillet, we rode all day over heaths and through woods, and about midnight I placed an ambuscade near Thurie. Myself, with six others, disguised as women, with pails in our hands, entered the meadow very near the town, and hid ourselves in a heap of hay; for it was about St. John’s day, and the meadows were mown and making into hay. When the usual hour of opening the gates arrived, and the women were coming to the fountain, each of us then took his pail, and having filled it placed it on his head, and made for the town, our faces covered with handkerchiefs, so that no one could have known us. The women that met us, said, ‘Holy Mary, how early must you have risen this morning!’ We replied in feigned voices, and passed on to the gate, where we found no other guard but a cobler, who was mending shoes. One of us sounded his horn, as a notice for the ambuscade to advance. The cobler, who had not paid any attention to us, on hearing the horn, cried out, ‘Hola! Who is it that has blown the horn?’ We answered, ‘It is a priest who is going into the country: I know not whether he be the curate or chaplain of the town.’ ‘That is true,’ replied he: ‘it is sir 106 Francis, our priest, who likes to go early to the fields in search of hares.’ Our companions soon joined us, when we entered the town and found no one prepared to defend it. Thus did I gain the town and castle of Thurie, which has been to me of greater profit and more annual revenue than this castle and all its dependents are worth. At this moment, I know not how to act: for I am in treaty with the count d’Armagnac and the dauphin d’Aubergne, who have been expressly commissioned by the king of France to buy all towns and castles from the captains of the free companies, wherever they may be, in Auvergne, Rouergue, Limousin, Agen, Quercy, Perigord, Albigeois, and from all those who have made war under the name of the king of England. Several have sold their forts, and gone away; and I am doubtful whether to sell mine.” — Upon this, the bourg of Copaire said, — “Cousin, what you say is true; for I also have had intelligence since my arrival at Orthès, from Carlet, which I hold in Auvergne, that the lord Louis de Sancerre, marshal of France, will soon be here: he is now incognito at Tarbes, as I have heard from those who have seen him.”

They now called for wine, of which when brought we all drank, and Bastot de Mauléon said to me, “Well, sir John, what do you say? Have I well told you my life? I have had many more adventures, but of which I neither can nor will speak.” “Yes, that you have, by my faith,” said I: and, wishing him to continued his conversation, I asked what was become of a gallant squire, called Louis Raimbaut, whom I had met once at Avignon. “I will tell you,” replied he. “At the time when sir Sequin de Batefol, who had possession of Brioude in Vélay, ten leagues from Puy in Auvergne, after having carried on the war in that country with much success, was returning to Gascony, he gave to Louis Raimbaut and to a companion of his, called Limousin, Brioude and Ance on the Saone. The country at that time was so desolated and harassed, and so full of free companies in every part, that none dared to venture out of their houses. I must inform you, that between Brioude and Ance, the country is mountainous, and the distance from one of those towns to the other twenty-six leagues. However, when Louis Raimbaut was pleased to ride from one of these places to the other, he made nothing of it; for he had several forts in Forêts, and elsewhere, to halt and refresh himself. The gentlemen of Auvergne, Foréts, and Vélay, had been so oppressed by ransoms to regain their liberty, they dreaded to take up arms again; and there were no great lords in France who raised any men. The king of France was young, and had too much to do in various parts of his kingdom; for the free companies had quartered themselves everywhere, and he could not get rid of them. Many of the great lords of France were hostages in England; during which time their property and vassals were pillaged, and there was not any remedy for this mischief, as their men were too dispirited even to defend themselves. Louis Raimbaut and Limousin, who had been brothers in arms, at length quarrelled, and I will tell you why. Louis Raimbaut had at Brioude a very handsome woman for his mistress, of whom he was passionately fond; and, when he made any excursions from Brioude to Ance, he intrusted her to the care of Limousin. Limousin was his brother in arms, and in him did he put his whole confidence; but he took such good care of the fair lady that he obtained every favour from her, and Louis Raimbaut had information of it. This enraged Louis Raimbaut against his companion; and, in order to insult him as much as possible, he ordered him to be seized by his servants and marched naked, all but his drawers, through the town, and then flogged with rods: at every corner of a street, trumpets sounded before him, and his action was proclaimed: he was then, in this state, and with only a plain coat on, thrust out of town, and banished as a traitor. Louis Raimbaut thus insulted Limousin; but he was so much hurt at it, he vowed revenge whenever he should have an opportunity, which he afterwards found.

“Limousin, during the time he was in command at Brioude, had always spared the lands of the lord de la Voulte, situated on the Rhône, in his different excursions to Ance, and in the country of Vélay, for he had been kind to him in his youth. He therefore resolved to go to him, entreat his mercy, and beg he would make his peace with France, for that he would henceforward be a loyal Frenchman. He went therefore to Voulte, being well acquainted with the roads, and entered a house, for he was on foot: after he had inquired what hour it was, he went to the castle to wait on its lord. The porter would not at first 107 allow him to enter the gate; but, after many fair words, he was permitted to come into the gateway, and ordered not to stir further without permission, which he cheerfully promised. The lord de la Voulte, in the afternoon, came into the court to amuse himself, and advanced to the gate: Limousin instantly cast himself on his knees, and said, ‘My lord, do you not know me?’ ‘Not I, by my faith,’ replied the lord, who never imagined it was Limousin; but, having looked at him some time, added: ‘thou resemblest very much Limousin, who was formerly my page.’ ‘On my troth, my lord, Limousin I am, and your servant also.’ He then begged his pardon for what had passed, and told him exactly everything that had happened to him, and how Luis Raimbaut had treated him. The lord de la Voulte said, ‘Limousin, if what thou hast told me be true, and if I may rely on thy assurance that thou wilt become a good Frenchman, I will make thy peace.’ ‘By my faith, my lord. I have never done so much harm to France as I will from henceforward do it service.’ ‘I shall see,’ replied the lord de la Voulte. From that time he retained him in his castle, and did not allow him to depart until he had made his peace everywhere. When Limousin could with honour bear arms, the lord de la Voulte mounted and armed him, and conducted him to the séneschal de Vélay, at Puy, to make them acquainted with each other. He was there examined as to the strength and situation of Brioude, and also respecting Louis Raimbaut; at what times he made excursions, and whither he generally directed them. ‘I know by heart the roads he takes, for with him and without him I have too often traversed them; and, if you will collect a body of men at arms for an expedition, I will forfeit my head if you do not take him within a fortnight.’ The lords agreed to his proposal, and spies were sent abroad to observe when Louis Raimbaut should leave Brioude for Ance in the Lyonois [Susan note check spelling elsewhere]. When Limousin was certain he had left Brioude, he told the lord de la Voulte to assemble his men, for that Raimbaut was at Ance and would soon return, and that he would conduct them to a defile through which he must pass. The lord de la Voulte collected his men, and made him the leader of the expedition, having sent off to the bailiff of Vélay, the lord de Montclare, sir Guerrot de Salieres, and his son, sir Plouserat de Vernet, the lord de Villeneuve, and to all the men at arms thereabout: they were in the whole full three hundred spears; and when assembled at Nonnay, by the advice of Limousin, they formed two ambuscades. The viscount de Polignac and the lord de Chalençon commanded one, the lords de la Voulte, de Montclare, de Salieres, and sir Louis de Tournon, the other. They had equally divided their men; and the viscount de Polignac and his party were posted near St. Rambut in Foréts, at a pass where Louis Raimbaut would be forced to cross the river Loire at the bridge, or higher up at a ford above Puy.

“When Louis Raimbaut had finished his business at Ance, he set out with forty lanes, not expecting to meet with any once, nor suspecting anything from Limousin, as he was the farthest from his thoughts. I must tell you, that he was accustomed never to go and return by the same road: he had come by St. Rambut. On his return, he went over the hills above Lyons, and Vienne, and below the village of Argental¥, and then straight towards le Monastier, three short leagues from Puy; and, after passing between the castles of Menestrol and Montfaucon, he made a circuit towards a village called le Batterie, between Nonnay and St. Julien. There is a pass in the wood there that cannot be avoided by any of those who take this road, unless they go through Nonnay; and there was posted the ambuscade of the lord de la Voulte, with about two hundred spears. Louis Raimbaut, suspecting nothing, was surprised; and the lord de la Voulte and his men, knowing what they were to do, lowered their lances, and, shouting their cry of ‘La Voulte!’ instantly charged him and his companions, who were riding much at their ease. On the first shock, the greater part were unhorsed: and Louis Raimbaut was struck to the ground by a squire of Auvergne, called Amblardon, who, advancing on him, made him his prisoner; the remainder were either killed or taken; not one escaped; and they found in a private trunk the sum of three thousand francs, which he had received at Ance as the composition of the villagers near, which gave much pleasure to the captors, for each had a share.

“When Limousin saw Louis Raimbaut thus caught, he showed himself, and said reproachfully, — ‘Louis, Louis! you should have been better accompanied. Do you remember the insult and shame you made me undergo at Brioude, on account of your 108 mistress? I did not think that for a woman you would have made me suffer what you did; for, if it had happened to me, I should not have been so angry. To two brothers in arms, such as we were then, one woman might have occasionally served.’ The lords laughed at this speech, but Louis had no such inclinations. By the capture of Louis Raimbaut, those of Brioude surrendered to the séneschal of Auvergne; for, after the loss of their leader and the flower of their men, they could not keep it. The garrisons at Ance and in the other forts in Vélay and Foréts did the same, and were glad to escape with their lives.

“Louis Raimbaut was carried to Nonnay and imprisoned: information was sent the king of France of the event, who was much rejoiced thereat; and soon after, as I have heard, orders came for him to be beheaded at Villeneuve, near Avignon. Thus died Louis Raimbaut: may God receive his soul! Now, my fair sir,” said Bastot de Mauléon, “have not I well chatted away the night? and yet all I have said is true.” “Indeed you have,” answered I, “and many thanks for it: I have had great pleasure in listening to you, and it shall not be lost; for, if God permit me to return to my own country, all I have heard you say, and all I shall have seen worthy to be mentioned, in the noble and grand history which the gallant count de Blois has employed me on, shall be chronicled, through God’s grace, that the memory of such events may be perpetuated.”

On saying this, the bourg de Copaire, whose name was Ernauton, began to speak, and=, I could perceive, would willingly have related the life and adventures of himself and his brother, the bourg Anglois; and how they had borne arms in Auvergne and elsewhere, but there was not time; for the watch of the castle had sounded his horn, to assemble those in the town of Orthès, who were engaged to sup with the count de Foix. The two squires then made themselves ready, and, having lighted torches, we left he inn together, taking the road to the castle, as did all the knights and squires who lodged in the town.

Too much praise cannot be given to the state and magnificence of the count de Foix, nor can it be too much recommended; for, during my stay there, I found him such, as far to exceed all that I can say of him, and I saw many things which gave me great pleasure.

On Christmas day were seated at his table four bishops of his own country, two Clementists and two Urbanists. The bishops of Pamiers and Lescar, Clementists, were seated at top, and next to them the bishops of Aire and of Rou, on the borders of the Bordelois and Bayonne, Urbanists: the count de Foix sat next, then the viscount de Roquebertin, a Gascon, the viscount de Bruniquel, the viscount de Gousserant, then an English knight, called sir William Willoughby, whom the duke of Lancaster, at that time residing at Bordeaux, had sent thither. At another table were five abbots and two Arragonian knights, called sir Raymond de Montflorentin and sir Martin de Ruane. At another table were seated knights and squires from Gascony and Bigorre: first, the lord d’Anchin, then sir Gaillard de la Motte, sir Raymond de Châteauneuf, the lord de Chaumont, Gascons, the lords de Copaire, de la Lanne, de Montferrat, sir William Bernard, sir Peter Courton, the lord de Valenchin, and sir Aingale, surnamed le Basele. At other tables were many knights from Béarn. Sir Espaign du Lyon, sir Siquart du Bois Verdun, sir Nouvans de Nouvailles, and sir Peter de Vaux, in Béarn were chief stewards of the hall. The count’s bastard brothers, sir Ernaut Guillaume and sir Peter de Béarn, waited; and his two bastard-sons, sir Evan de l’Eschelle placed the dishes, and sir Gracien served him with wine. There were very many minstrels in the hall, as well those belonging to the count, as to the strangers, who, at their leisure, played away their minstrelsy. This day the count gave to the minstrels and heralds five hundred francs among them; and he clothed the minstrels of the duke de Touraine, who were there, with cloth of gold, trimmed with ermine, which dresses were valued at two hundred francs. The dinner lasted until four o’clock in the afternoon. I willingly like to talk of the handsome establishment of the gallant count de Foix, for I was twelve weeks of his household, and generously treated, in all respects. During my residence at Orthès, it was my own fault if I did not collect information from every country, for the gentle knight, sir Espaign du Lyon, with whom I had entered the country, and to whom I told all my wants, made me acquainted with such knights and squires as were well able to inform me justly of all the things I was desirous of knowing. I there learnt much concerning Portugal and Castille: how their affairs were going on, and the battles which these two kings and their allies had fought, of which I will give a true account.

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*  i. e. he assisted him.

†  Battle of Cocherel, 1364.

‡  St. Pourçain de Melcheres and St. Pourçain sur Vesbre, villages of Bourbonis, near Moulins.

§  “St. Pierre le Moûtier,” — a town of Nivernois, seven leagues from Moulins.

¶  “Sancerre,” — an ancient town in berry, near the Loire, eight leagues from Bourges.

¥  “Argental,” — a village of Foréts, diocese of Vienne.

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CHAPTER XI. — A SHORT RECAPITULATION OF WHAT HAS BEEN BEFORE SAID, OF THE WAR BETWEEN KING JOHN OF CASTILLE AND JOHN OF PORTUGAL. — THIS SUBJECT CONTINUED.

YO may remember, that I have before related, how don John of Castille had besieged the master of Avis, whom the principal towns had crowned king for his valour, though in truth he was a bastard, in the city of Lisbon. You have also heard how this king had sent special ambassadors to the duke of Lancaster and earl of Cambridge for succour, as they had married his cousins. These ambassadors were two knights, sir John Radinghos and sir John Testa-d’oro, with a professor of law, who was also archdeacon of Lisbon: they continued their voyage with a favourable wind, and arrived at Southampton, where they disembarked, and staid a day to recover themselves: they then hired horses, for they had not brought any with them, and took the great road to London. It was in the month of August, when the king was in Wales hunting and taking his pleasure. The duke of Lancaster and the earls of Cambridge and Buckingham were also at their seats in the country. This gave the ambassadors the more pain; but they went first to the duke of Lancaster, who resided at Hertford, twenty miles from London. The duke graciously received them: he opened their credential letters, and read them over three times, the better to comprehend them, and then said, — “You are welcome to this country; but you could not have come at a more unfortunate season in the whole year to obtain speedy assistance, for the king and my brothers are all scattered abroad in different parts, so that you cannot have any answer before Michaelmas, when the parliament will assemble at London, and the king return to Westminster. But as this business more particularly affects my brother and myself, I will write to him; and we will shortly be in London, and then consider with you how it will be best for us to act in this affair. You will return to London, and I will let you know when my brother and myself are there. The ambassadors from Portugal were well satisfied with this answer, and leaving the duke of Lancaster returned to London, where they lodged themselves and remained at their ease.

The duke of Lancaster was not forgetful of his promise, and instantly wrote private letters to the earl of Cambridge, containing an account of what you have heard. When the earl had perused them attentively, it was not long before he set off for Hertford, near Ware, where the duke of Lancaster resided. After consulting on this business three days together they came to London, according to the duke’s promise to the Portuguese, where on their arrival they dismounted at their houses. These two lords had many and long consultations with the Portuguese ambassadors; for the earl of Cambridge was very ill-pleased with the conduct of don Ferdinand, the late king of Portugal, saying he had carried on the war in too cowardly a manner, and had made peace with the Spaniards contrary to the will of the English. The earl, therefore, very much doubted if, in the ensuing parliament, the king’s council would assent to an expedition to Portugal; for the one that had been sent thither had cost the nation a large sum, not less than one hundred thousand francs, and had nothing done.

The Portuguese ambassadors readily comprehended what the earl said, and replied, “My lord, those times are passed, and it is now otherwise. Our late king, God pardon his soul! was marvellously afraid of the chances of war; but the present king is full of enterprise and valour, for were he to meet his enemies in the field three times more in number than himself, he would combat them, whatever might be the consequence; and we can most loyally assure you, that this is fact. My lords, it is very clear that you are interested in this quarrel; for it is your business to make war on Castille, and conquer it, as by right it belongs to you as the heritage of your wives. Now, to obtain this conquest, you cannot have any entrance into Castille like that through Portugal: for you will have all that country for your friends. Therefore, exert your influence, that one of you may go thither with such a powerful force, that joined to those you will find there, you will be enabled to keep the field!”

The duke of Lancaster replied, “It does not depend on us, but on the king and the nation, and you may be assured we will do everything we possibly can.” Thus ended these 110 conferences. The Portuguese remained in London waiting for the meeting of parliament, and the duke of Lancaster and earl of Cambridge went to their estates in the north of England.

About Michaelmas, when the parliament was to meet at Westminster, the king was on is return towards London, and had arrived at Windsor; from thence he came to Chertsey and to Richmond. He was accompanied wherever he went by the queen, his whole court, and the earl of Suffolk, for his favour was such, nothing was done without his approbation. At the period I am now speaking of, the wars in Flanders were going on between the duke of Burgundy and the Ghentmen. The bishop of Norwich, sir Hugh Calverley, sir William Elmham, sir Thomas Trivet and the others, were just come back to England, whom the king of France had surrounded at Bourbourg, as has already been related in this history.

Truces had been concluded between the Flemings, French, English, and Scots, to lat until Michaelmas 1384: notwithstanding which, the English had so much on their hands that they knew not which way to turn; for, besides the business of Portugal, the council of Ghent was in London, to request a governor, to assist and direct them, one of the king’s brothers, or the earl of Salisbury. There were in this parliament many debates, as well respecting the Flemings as the Portuguese and the Scots; for the war still continued in those parts by the truce not having been proclaimed. The duke of Lancaster, in particular, laboured hard to obtain the command of a large body of men at arms and archers to carry to Portugal, and explained to the prelates, barons, and commoners of the realm, how they were bound to assist him and his brother in the recovery of their inheritance, which they had sworn and engaged to do when their nephew the king was crowned, as was apparent by deeds then sealed. The duke complained bitterly of the wrongs that had been done him and his brother by delaying the matter; and that in truth, when the earl of Cambridge had gone thither on the faith of their promising him everything necessary for such an expedition, they had meanly fulfilled their engagements: he was to have had two thousand lances and as many archers sent to him, but they never were ordered, which had caused the settlement of the dispute for their just rights and inheritances to be so much the longer delayed.

This speech of the duke of Lancaster was attentively heard, and some of the most able of the council declared he was in the right; but, the necessities of the kingdom being more pressing, they must be first attended to. Some were for instantly agreeing to his request, others remonstrated by saying, it would be wrong to weaken the kingdom by sending two thousand men at arms and four thousand archers to such a distance as Portugal. Besides, so long a voyage was dangerous, and the climate of Portugal hot and unhealthy; and, if such a considerable force were sent, the kingdom might suffer an irrecoverable loss. Notwithstanding these arguments and doubts of that might be the consequences, it was settled that the duke of Lancaster should cross the sea in the summer with seven hundred men at arms, and four thousand archers, and that they should all receive pay for one quarter of a year in advance: it was, however, reserved, that should anything in the mean time fall out inimical from France or Scotland, the expedition to Portugal was to be deferred. The duke of Lancaster assented to this, for he could not gain more.

You have before seen in this history, that after the duke of Lancaster had collected his men and stores at Southampton, ready to embark for Portugal, and though the ambassadors had returned thither with information of the speedy arrival of the duke and the number of his forces, which gave the Portuguese much pleasure, an event was found to have happened in England that forced him to retard it for some time. The admiral of France, sir John de Vienne, with a thousand good men at arms, had embarked at Sluys, and landed in Scotland; from whence he had made war on England, which obliged the whole force of that kingdom to march against him, as has been before related. I do not wish, therefore, to mention it twice, but return to the siege of Lisbon and the king of Spain, that I may narrate all I have heard. While the king of Spain was before Lisbon, news was brought him, by some Spanish merchants returned from Flanders and Bruges, of the large armament the duke of Lancaster was collecting to raise the siege of Lisbon. This intelligence was believed; for the Spaniards well know how anxious the duke was to renew the war with Castille, as he claimed a share of it. Notwithstanding this information, the king continued the siege, and sent letters and messengers to France for assistance: he had in particular written to Béarn; so that from the 111 territories of Foix and Béarn there came to him, in less than four days, upwards of three hundred lances, the flower of the chivalry of that country. Sir John du Rue, a Burgundian, and sir Geoffry Ricon, a Breton, with sir Geoffry de Partenay, had already passed through Orthès from France, in their way to Castille, to serve the king; each of whom had his own company.

I will name the principal knights of Béarn who prepared for this expedition: first, a great baron, companion to the count de Foix, the lord de Lingnach, sir Peter Lier, sir John de Lepres, the lord des Bordes, sir Bertrand de Barege, the lord de Marchiage, sir Raymond d’Aussac, sir John de Sallegre, sir Mouvant de Sarment, sir Peter de la Robiere, sir Stephen de Valentin, sir Raymond de Rarasse, sir Peter de Hanefane, sir Ogerot de Domesson, and many others. Sir Espaignolet d’Espaign, eldest son of sir Roger d’Espaign, cousin to the count de Foix, joined this company of Béarn men. These barons and knights fixed their rendezvous at Orthès and in that neighbourhood; and I heard, from those who saw them march away, they were the handsomest and best equipped knights who had for a long time left Béarn.

When the count de Foix found that they really intended to go to Castille, he was greatly vexed and pensive, though at the first he had consented they should received pay from the king of Castille, for he was afraid his country would be too much weakened by their departure. He sent, therefore, to the barons and knights above-mentioned, two knights of his household, sir Espaign du Lyon and the lord de Cabestan, to request they would come to the castle, for he was desirous to give them a dinner, by way of wishing them a good journey. The knights, as was natural, accepted the invitation, and the count de Foix received them most graciously. After mass, he led them into his cabinet, and thus addressed them, — “My fair sirs, are you indeed resolved to leave my country and assist the king of Castille in his wars, whilst I have on hand my dispute with the count d’Armagnac? Your departure makes me very uneasy.” “My lord,” replied they, “it is really so; for we are obliged to it, as we have received pay from the king of Castille; but this war between Spain and Portugal will be soon ended, when we hope, if it please God, to return in good health to you.” “Soon ended!” exclaimed the count: “not so soon, for it is now but beginning. There is a new king of Portugal, and they have sent to England for support. This dispute in which you are about to engage is of a nature to last a long time, and keep you in the field; for you will not be fought withal until the arrival of the duke of Lancaster and his reinforcements, so that your pay will cost you dear enough.” “My lord,” they answered, “since we have gone so far, we must conclude the business.” “God help you,” said the count; “but come, let us go now to dinner, for it is time.”

The count, with his barons and knights, entered the hall where his tables were laid, and dined magnificently and at their leisure, for they were served will all things becoming such a day. The count, after dinner, conducted his knights into his galleries, where he was used to solace himself in the afternoons, and again addressing them, said, — “Indeed, my good gentlemen, I am much vexed that you leave my country; not that I am sorry for your advancement and honour, for on every occasion I would attend to it and exalt it; but I am sorry on your own account, for you are the flower of chivalry of Béarn, and are going into a foreign land. I will advise you, and have before said so, to give up this expedition and leave the kings of Spain and Portugal to fight their own battles, for you are by no means interested about them.” “My lord,” replied they, “under favour of your grace, we cannot thus act, and you know it better than you say: if you would be pleased to consider, that as we have received pay from the king of Castille, we must in consequence do something for it.” “Well,” answered the count, “that is true enough, but I will tell you what will happen to you in this expedition: you will either return so very poor and naked the lice will eat you up and grow between your nails (showing them by his gestures of rubbing the two palms of his hands together what he meant,) or you will be slain or made prisoners.”

The knights burst out into laugher, and said, “My lord, we must indeed try our fortunes.” The count then quitted this subject, and, conversing with them on the manners of the Spaniards, said they were nasty and lousy, and envious of the good fortune of others, advising them to be on their guard. After some other conversation, he called for spices and wine, of 112 which all drank who were present. He then took his leave of them shaking each by the hand, recommended them to the care of God, and entered his closet. The knights mounted their horses at the gate of the castle, as their men and equipages had already set out for Sauvetere(susan note check earlier spelling--> *, where they lodged that night. On the morrow they departed, entering Biscay; and following the road to Pampeluna, they passed every where in safety, for they regularly paid for whatever they had occasion for.

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*  “Sauvetere,” — seven leagues from Pau.

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CHAPTER XII. — THE INHABITANTS OF SANTAREM* REBEL AGAINST SOME OF THE MEN OF ARMS OF CASTILLE. — THE KING OF CASTILLE HAVING RAISED THE SIEGE OF LISBON, MARCHES TOWARDS THAT TOWN, WHEN IT MAKES ITS PEACE.

DURING the time the king of Castille lay before Lisbon (and he had been there about a year), the town of Santarem rebelled against him and closed its gates, declaring, that neither Frenchmen nor Spaniards should enter it, for the great oppressions it had suffered. Some say it was the fault of the party under the command of sir Geoffry Ricon and sir Geoffry de Partenay, composed of Bretons, who took or destroyed everything they could lay hands on, paying no attention to friends or foes. The citizens therefore possessed themselves of the town and the two castles, declaring they would defend them against all who wished to harass them. On the day they rebelled, they killed upward of sixty Bretons, who were pillaging; and would have slain sir Geoffry de Partenay, but he escaped over the wall which joined his house. Upon this the French and Bretons there quartered fought one whole day with those of Santarem, and made a grand attack on the place, but they lost more than they gained, without damaging the town.

Intelligence was brought to the king of Castille, that Santarem had turned to the Portuguese, and was ready to surrender its town and castles, which the citizens had gotten possession of, to the king of Portugal. The king, on hearing this, was very melancholy, and, calling his marshal, sir Reginald de Limousin, said, — “Take one or two hundred spears, and see what they are doing at Santarem: why the inhabitants of that town have rebelled; and what could have caused them to act as they have done.” Sir Reginald replied, “he would punctually obey.” He took under his command two hundred lances, and, following the road to Santarem, arrived there, but sent before him a herald, to announce his coming, who parleyed with the inhabitants at the barriers, and delivered his message. They answered, — “We know well sir Reginald de Limousin for a gentleman and a valiant knight, and that he is marshal to the king: he is perfectly welcome hither, and may enter the town, but unarmed.” This was the answer the herald brought back to sir Reginald, who said, “he was not come thither to do them any harm, but solely to know what their intentions were. It is indifferent to me whether I enter armed or disarmed, provided I speak with them and learn their will.” He quitted the place where he then was, and rode on unarmed, with five others only, and dismounted at the barriers, leaving his men behind. When those on guard saw the manner in which he had arrived, they opened the barriers, and received him handsomely. The inhabitants were assembled in a square of the town, when he thus addressed them, — “Ye men of Santarem, listen to what I am about to say: I am sent hither with orders to demand from you the reasons why you have rebelled, have shut your gates, and slain the king’s allies who were coming to assist him. Know that the king is violently enraged against you; for he has been informed you have taken possession of the two castles of the town, which are his inheritance, and are willing to surrender them to his enemies of Portugal.” “May it please your grace, sir Reginald, we wish not to surrender them, nor deliver them up into any other hands than those of the king of Castille, from whom we hold them, but let him govern us in peace and with justice. What we have done has been caused by these pillaging Bretons who were quartered in the town, and from their outrages; for, had we been Saracens, or worse people, they could not have been more wickedly behaved, in 113 forcing our wives and daughters, breaking open our coffers, destroying our casks of wine, and ill-treating and wounding us whenever we complained of their conduct. You ought not, therefore to be surprised, when we suffered such outrages ourselves, and witnessed the same on those whom we were bound to defend, that we were much enraged, for smaller things will cause that. You may, therefore, if you please, tell the king this, and that we have unanimously resolved, whatever may be the event, never to acknowledge nor receive any Frenchman nor Breton, nor any other than the king’s person himself, or such as he may depute hither to treat us kindly.”

When sir Reginald heard these words, he was well satisfied, and did not think they had been so much to blame in driving their enemies out of the town. He thus replied: “My good people, I have now heard what you had to say; and you shall remain quiet, for I will return to the king and tell it to him, and in good truth I will do every thing I can to serve you.” “We thank you, my lord, most heartily; and we trust, that whatever wrong information concerning us may have been given the king, you will rectify it.” On this sir Reginald mounted his horse and departed to his men, who were waiting for him in the plain, and then rode for Lisbon. After dismounting at his quarters, he waited on the king, and told him all he had seen and heard at Santarem. The king, on learning the truth of what had passed, said, — “By my faith, they have acted like wise men, since they could not trust these pillagers.” Sir Geoffry Ricon, sir Geoffry de Partenay, and their companions, finding they could have no redress from Santarem, and that the king was dissembling with them, were much angered, and said among themselves, — “We are well used for having left France to come to this country, to serve the king of Spain, when we are thus debased before a set of low fellows, against whom we cannot obtain justice. There will come shortly a large body of knights from Gascony: we will not notice this until their arrival, when we will inform them of what has passed, and they will help us to revenge ourselves for those companions who have been killed.” Information was carried to the king and his council, that the Bretons threatened much those of Santarem, boasting that, when the Gascons should arrive, they would make them pay dearly for what they had done. The king was advised to break up the siege of Lisbon, and march to Santarem, to recruit himself and put every thing on a proper footing, and wait there for the Gascons, who were on their march, to the amount of about four hundred spears, good men at arms. He did not wish they should find the kingdom in confusion, when such numbers were to be provided for.

Orders were given by the king to break up the siege and march to Santarem, which were instantly obeyed. When the town of Santarem learnt the king was coming thither, they deputed twelve of the principal inhabitants on horseback, to meet the king and to know his pleasure. They rode on until they met the army about two leagues from Santarem, and learnt that the king was dismounted and had retired from the great heat under the shade of some olive-trees. Sir Reginald de Limousin, marshal of the army, was with the king and had had information of their arrival, who, when they were come near, cast themselves on their knees and said, — “Most renowned lord and noble king of Castille, we are deputed hither by the poor commonalty of your unhappy town and castlewicks of Santarem, who have been given to understand that you are much angered with them; and should this be true, most renowned lord, the fault has not been in them, but in the injuries and possessions they have suffered from the Bretons when they were in your and our town. Now, as all their evil deeds could not be known, we do not blame their knights, squires and captains, but only such as have committed them; and it would be incredible, were all the infamous acts of these Breton pillagers told. They kept for a long time the town and castlewicks of Santarem under their subjection, of which many complaints were made to us; but, in spite of this, they broke open our coffers with hatchets, took our money, and violated our wives and daughters before our eyes; which when we complained of, we were beaten, wounded, and some murdered. In this miserable condition were we for upwards of two months; for which reason, most redoubted lord and noble king, we supplicate, that if we have angered you for this or any other cause, you would be pleased to do us justice, and take such loyal information concerning us, that we may be judged legally, as you promised and swore to us when you first entered Santarem as king, and the possession of it and its dependencies devolved and 114 rested on you. You will do an act of charity; and, since you are coming thither, we have that confidence in you and in your council, that you will find the gates open. Your poor people, who are crying for redress for the injuries they have sustained, beg your royal majesty will grant them mercy and remission of all offences.”

The king remained for a while silent, when sir Reginald de Limousin, kneeling before the king, said, — “Most dear lord, you have heard the complaints of your subjects of Santarem, who have laid before you all they have suffered; condescend to give them an answer.” “Reginald,” said the king, “we see they have had just cause for what they did: go, and tell them to rise, and return to Santarem to make ready every thing proper for us, as we shall sleep there this night, and let them know they shall be carefully defended in their rights.” Sir Reginald de Limousin arose and went to the deputies from Santarem, bidding them arise: “The king, our lord, has favourably heard all you have said; and, understanding you only desire justice, he will see that it be done to you. Now go, and make ready the town for his reception; and let it be so well done that he may be pleased, for every thing will turn out as you wish, by the good assistance of the friends you have.” “My lord,” replied they, “we give you our best thanks.” They then took leave, returned to Santarem, and related all that had passed with the king, and the answer sir Reginald had made them from their sovereign. They were exceedingly rejoiced at this intelligence, and richly decorated their town against the king’s arrival, strewing the streets with fresh herbs. The king made his entry at Vespers: he was lodged in the castle called the Lion, and his men in the town; that is to say, as many as could, but the greater part were quartered in the fields and in the adjacent villages.

The king remained there a month; and things were in that state those who expected to gain by confusion, were greatly disappointed.

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*  “Santarem,” a handsome town on the Tagus, thirty-four leagues from Lisbon.

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CHAPTER XIII. — THE SPANIARDS ARE JEALOUS OF THE FRENCH AND BEARNOIS. — FIVE HUNDRED ENGLISH ARRIVE TO SERVE THE KING OF PORTUGAL.

DURING the residence of the king of Spain at Santarem, there arrived a handsome company of men at arms from Béarn. Sir Reginald de Limousin rode out to meet them, and received them very politely, as he knew how to do, and conducted them to the king, who was much pleased at their coming, and commanded sir Reginald to see that they were well lodged, and at their ease, for such were his wishes. Sir Reginald acted in a manner to satisfy them. The state of the king’s affairs continued the same during the time he remained at Santarem, and while his army was in and near to that town, which consisted of four thousand men at arms and thirty thousand others. He called the barons of France to his council, to consider of the best means to carry on the war; for he had lain a long time, and with great expenses, before Lisbon, and had done nothing. It was imagined, if the Gascons had not by their arrival encouraged the king to proceed, he would have retreated from Santarem to Burgos, or into Galicia, for his men were weary with being so long in the field.

When the knights of France and Béarn were admitted to the council, the king thus addressed them: “My fair sirs, you are intelligent and active in war: I therefore wish to have your advice how I may most advantageously continue my war against the Portuguese and Lisboners: they have maintained their ground against me upwards of a year, and I have done nothing. I was in hopes to have drawn them out of Lisbon, and have fought them, but they would not accept my challenge. My friends have advised me to dismiss my army, and permit every man to return to his home. I therefore wish to know what your opinions may be on this subject.” The knights from France and Béarn, being just arrived at the army, were eager for battle; for, though they had as yet been idle, they were desirous of deserving the pay they had received; and replied, “Sir, you are a great and powerful prince, and it little matters to you to pay the expenses of your army, especially when it is in its own country. We will not say, but that, if it had been in a foreign land and deprived of provision, the advice which has been given you would have been good: we see, however, that it is as comfortably situated here as if every man were at his own home. We therefore say (not indeed as a 115 resolution of council, for your wisdom and prudence will enable you to choose the best opinion) you ought to keep the field, which may easily be done until Michaelmas, when perhaps your enemies will march out to meet you when you the least expect them, and thus they may be combated. We are very anxious for conquest, for our equipment has cost us very considerably, and we have had many difficulties before we could come hither; we therefore never shall be of the opinion of your counsellors, for we wish to see the enemy.” “By my head,” said the king, “you speak well and loyally, and in this and on other occasions I will henceforward take your advice, for my late lord and father as well as myself have always found your opinions fair and honourable. May God have pity on the soul of sir Bertrand du Guesclin! he was a good and loyal knight, and through his means we gained many important victories.”

This conversation between the king of Castille and the foreign knights, as well as the advice they had given, was soon known to the Spanish barons; they were much vexed for two reasons; one, because they imagined the king had greater confidences in these strangers than in his own liege subjects who had crowned him; and because the French knights had advised the king to keep his ground, whilst they were tired of the war. They therefore privately caballed together, and said, “The king knows not how to carry on a war but by the French, as his father did before him.” They now conceived a hatred to the French, which their servants and foragers soon made manifest. They had quartered all the French together, but when they sent out parties to forage, the Spaniards being more numerous, took their forage from them, and beat and wounded several, insomuch that complaints were made to the king. The king much blamed sir Reginald de Limousin, his marshal, for not having prevented this. The marshal excused himself, by saying, — “As God might help him, he knew nothing bout it; but that he would instantly provided a remedy, by ordering men at arms into the field, to attend carefully that the French collected their forage in security.” He also issued a proclamation for all who had provision, or other necessaries, to bring them to the army at Santarem, when a reasonable price would be given for them. The foreigners were amply supplied, for, by the king’s orders, they were to be served before any others, which increased the hatred of the Spaniards.

It happened, that the same week the king of Castille broke up the siege of Lisbon, three large ships, having on board English men at arms and archers, entered the port: they might amount, in the whole, to about five hundred; but three parts of them were adventurers, under no command and without pay, from Calais, Cherbourg, Brest, and Mortaigne in Poitou, who, hearing of the war between Castille and Portugal, had assembled at Bordeaux, and said, — “Let us go seek adventures in Portugal: we shall find some one there to receive and employ us.” Sir John Harpedane, who at that time was séneschal of Bordeaux, had strongly advised them so to do; for he was not willing they should remain in arms in the Bordelois, as they might do more harm than good, being adventurers who had nothing to lose.

Of all who thus arrived at Lisbon I heard of no knights, only three English squires who were their leaders: one was called Northberry, the other Morberry, and the third Huguelin de Hartsel; and not one of them was more than fifty years old, good men at arms, and well accustomed to war. The Lisboners and the king of Portugal were much rejoiced at the arrival of the English. As he wished to see them, they were conducted to the palace, and received handsomely by the king, who asked if the duke of Lancaster had sent them. “By my faith, sir,” replied Northberry, “it is a long time since he has known any thing of us, or we of him: we are people from different countries, who come to seek the chance of arms and adventures: there are some of us who have even come from the town of Calais to serve you.” “On my troth,” said the king, “You and they are very welcome: your arrival gives us much joy; and know, that we shall very shortly employ you. We have been, for a time, shut up here, which has tired us much; but we will take the advantage of the field, as the Spaniards have done.” “We desire nothing better,” answered the captains; “and entreat we may speedily see our enemies.”

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CHAPTER XIV. — THE KING OF PORTUGAL ISSUES HIS ORDERS FOR HIS ARMY TO MARCH TOWARDS SANTAREM. — THE KING OF CASTILLE QUITS THAT PLACE TO MEET HIM.

THE king of Portugal had these new-comers to dine in the palace of Lisbon, and ordered them to be well lodged in the city, and their pay to be advanced them for three months. The king made his secretaries draw up letters, which he sent throughout the realm, commanding all persons, capable of bearing arms, to come instantly to Lisbon, under pain of his displeasure. Few paid any obedience to these letters, and too many remained at home; for three parts of the kingdom were on bad terms with the Lisboners, because they had crowned a bastard for king, and abused them much behind their backs. The king of Castille and his council, knowing of this difference of opinion in Portugal, had thus advanced, with the intent of conquering it; for they said it would be the affair of only one battle, when, if the Lisboners were conquered, the rest of the country would be rejoiced, and the grand master of Avis would be overpowered and slain, so that the kingdom would fall to Spain, for the queen was the right heiress to it. King John of Castille, however, would willingly have avoided this war; but his subjects would not permit it, as they said he had just cause for it, and thus emboldened him.

When the king of Portugal found his summons was so little attended to, and disobeyed by those on whose services he had counted, he was very pensive. He assembled the principal persons of Lisbon, and the knights of his household who had been most active in crowning him, and who had served under king Ferdinand; such as sir John Radighos, sir John Testa-d’Oro(no dash this time), the lord de la Figuire, sir Gomme de Tarbeston, Ambrose Condrich, Peter Condrich his brother, sir Monges de Navaret, a knight of Castille whom, having been banished from thence by the king, the king of Portugal had made captain of his knights. At this council the king explained several things, and said, — “My fair sirs who are here assembled, I know I may depend on your friendships, for you have made me king; but you must perceive that great numbers of my subjects refuse me their assistance in this time of need, and will not take the field. I must own I should have been truly happy to have seen them as well disposed as myself to meet our enemies; but alas! it is otherwise, for they draw back and dissemble. I solicit your advice on this business, how I had best act, and beg of you to give me your opinions.” Sir Gomme de Tarbeston, a Portuguese knight, then spoke: “Sir, I advise, for your own honour, that you instantly take the field, with as many men as you can collect, and hazard the event: we will assist you until death, for we hold you king and lord of this town; and if there be any rebels or discontented persons in Portugal, it is, I say (and in this I am joined by many of the town), because you have never yet attacked nor showed yourself to your enemies. You have had hitherto the renown of being a valiant man at arms, but on this occasion you have not acted like one. This has encouraged your enemies, and checked the ardour of your subjects; for, when once you show courage and resolution, they will fear you, as well as your enemies.” “By my head,” said the king, “sir Gomme you speak well: and now order our men to be made ready, and every other preparation to hasten our march, for we will meet our enemies, and gain all or lose all.”

My lord,” replied the knight, “it shall be done: if God send you good success, and the day be ours, you will reign king of Portugal, and be prized and honoured in all countries wherever you shall be known. You can only have the complete government of this kingdom by a battle; and I give you as an example king don Henry, your cousin, the father of don John of Castille. He gained all his inheritances by the sword, and would never otherwise have succeeded; for you know how the power of the prince of Wales replace don Pedro on the throne, when afterwards by the event of the battle before Montiel he forfeited his life, and don Henry regained possession of the kingdom. He in that day risked his own person as well as that of his friends; and you must do the same if you wish to live with honour.” “By my head,” said the king, “you say well; and I will not ask other advice, but follow this, which is much to my advantage.” The council now broke up; and orders were given for the army to march in three days’ time, to choose a proper position to wait for the enemy. The gates of Lisbon were kept so closely shut that no person whatever 117 was allowed to quit the town; for the king and the inhabitants would not that the Spaniards should know their intention nor their numbers.

The English were much pleased when they learnt they were to march towards Santarem, where the king and his army lay. Every one now prepared his arms; the archers their bows and arrows each according to his rank. On a Thursday, in the afternoon, the king with his army marched out of Lisbon, and encamped that day on the banks of a small river two leagues from the town, with their front towards Santarem: they said they would never return before they had seen their enemies, and that it was much better they should offer battle than for the enemy to come to them. They had remarked the difference between those who sought and those who waited for a battle, and that inferior numbers has frequently gained the day: for in almost all the victories the English had obtained over the French, they had been the first to offer battle; and they observed, that an attacking army is naturally more courageous than one on the defence. This was the opinion of the inhabitants of Lisbon when they marched out of the town, and they thus continued their conversation: “Some of us were with the men of Ghent when they marched to Bruges and offered battle to the count of Flanders and his army in that town; and we well know, that Philip von Artaveld, Peter du Bois, John Cliqueriel, François Atremen and Peter le Nuitre, the leaders of the Ghent-men, had not under them more than seven thousand men; but they fought the battle, and defeated eleven thousand. This is a known fact, for there was not any treachery; fortune was favourable to Ghent on the day of battle, which was fought on a Saturday, a long league distant from Bruges, as we were informed on the morrow when they had conquered that city.” They comforted themselves that there was as good a chance to win as to lose, and that, if they wished to succeed in arms they must act boldly. Such were the conversations of the Lisboners among themselves on the Thursday, as they continued their march. When the king heard how resolutely they discoursed, he was much pleased.

When the trumpets of the king’s army sounded on the Friday morning, all made themselves ready, and marched on the right, following the river and the flat country, on account of the baggage and provision which followed them, and advanced four leagues. News was brought, on this Friday, to the king of Castille at Santarem, that the Portuguese, under the command of the master of Avis, whom the Lisboners had crowned king, were advancing to meet him. This intelligence was soon spread through the army; and it gave the Spaniards, French, and Gascons much joy: they said, “These Lisboners are valiant fellows, thus to come and fight with us: let us hasten to take the field, and surround them if we can, that we may prevent their return: for, if we can help it, not one of them shall see Lisbon again.” It was proclaimed through the army, by sound of trumpet, for ever one to be ready, both horse and foot, on Saturday morning, as on that day the king would march to combat his enemies. Every one was prepared and showed great joy at the orders, and at the event likely to happen.

On the Saturday morning, all the trumpets in the Castille army sounded. The king heard mass in the castle, then drank a cup, as did his attendants, and mounting their horses, they marched into the plain in handsome order: sir Reginald de Limousin, marshal of the army, led the van. Scouts were ordered to examine the appearance of the enemy, where they were, and what might be their numbers. Two squires were ordered on this duty by the French; one a Burgundian, and the other a Gascon. The Burgundian was called William de Montigny, and of the company of sir John de Rue: the Gascon came from Béarn, and his name was Bertrand de Barege. They were both on that day made knights, and with them a lord of Castille, an able man at arms, called sir Pedro Fernando de Medina; he was mounted on a light genet that had wonderful speed. While these three knights were exploring the country on all sides, in search of the Portuguese, their main army, which consisted of full two thousand lances, knights and squires, Gascons, Burgundians, French, Picards and Bretons, as well equipped and mounted as men at arms could be, and twenty thousand Spaniards, all on horseback, marched at a foot’s pace, and had not advanced the distance of a bow-shot when they halted. The king of Portugal had also sent three scouts to observe and countenance and order of the Spaniards, two of whom were English squires and expert men at arms, whose names were James d’Hartleberry and Philip Bradeston, and with them a Portuguese called Fernando de la Gresse. They were all well mounted, and 118 rode so far that from an eminence where they were hid by the leaves of the trees they examined carefully the whole Spanish army. They then returned to the king of Portugal and his army, which they found drawn up in the plain, and related what they had seen. “Sire, we have advanced so far as to have fully reconnoitred your enemies: they are very numerous, thirty thousand horse at least: therefore consider well the business.” The king asked, “Do they march in one body?” “No, sir: they are in two battalions.” The king turned about, and said aloud, “Now all of you attend to what I say, for here must be no cowardice: we shall soon engage our enemies, who are on their march and eager to meet us: this they will do, for we can neither fly nor return to Lisbon. We have left that town: therefore act well and sell your lives dearly. You have made me your king: this day I shall see whether the crown is to be peaceably mine; for be assured I will never fly, but abide the event.” They replied, “God assist us! we will all stand by you.”

Northberry and Hartsel were then called, with others the most experienced in arms, and men who had seen the greatest number of battles, when they were asked their opinions, as to the best mode of acting, to wait the event of battle; for they were likely to be forced to fight, as the enemy was advancing fast, and in such numbers that they were at least four to one. The Englishmen said, “Since we must have a battle, and they are superior to us in numbers, it is an unequal chance, and we cannot conquer them but by taking advantage of the hedges and bushes: let us therefore fortify ourselves in such manner, and you will see they will not so easily break us as if we were in the plain.” The king replied, “You speak wisely, and it shall be done as you recommend.”

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CHAPTER XV. — THE PORTUGUESE FORTIFY THEMSELVES, NEAR THE CHURCH OF ALJUBAROTA*, BY THE ADVICE OF THE ENGLISH. — KING JOHN OF CASTILLE, THROUGH THE COUNSEL OF THE FRENCH AND BEARNOIS, RESOLVES TO FIGHT THEM. — THE HATRED AND JEALOUSIES OF THE CASTILLIANS STILL CONTINUE AGAINST THE FOREIGNERS.

THE Portuguese and Lisboners approved of the advice of the English, and gave their opinion whither they should march. They were then near Aljubarota, a large village, to which place they had sent their stores, sumpter-horses and baggage, as the situation in which they had intended lodging that night, battle or not. About a quarter of a league without the village is a considerable monastery, whither the inhabitants go to hear mass. The church is on a small eminence, a little beside the road, surrounded by large trees, hedges, and bushes, which, with some little assistance, might be made a strong post. This was then told the king and his council: but he would have the English called, for, though they were very few in number, he wished to follow their advice. They said: “Sire, we know not any spot near, more favourable than the monastery of Aljubarota, situated as it is among trees: it is now a strong position, but may be much strengthened by art.” Those who knew the country agreeing to the truth of this, the king said, “— “Let us march thither, and form ourselves in such a manner as good men at arms should do; so that our enemies, when they advance, may not find us unprepared.” This was instantly done: they marched slowly to Aljubarota, and came to the square before the church, when the English and sir Monges de Navarét{Susan note- no circ earlier}, with other valiant Portuguese and Lisboners, attentively examined the place and the environs. The English said, “This spot can be made sufficiently strong, and we may securely wait here the event.” They cut down the trees fronting the plain, and laid them across, so that the cavalry could not pass them, leaving one entry not too wide, on the wings of which they posted all their archers and cross-bows. The men at arms were on foot drawn up beside the church, where the king was: and they had already displayed the king’s standard and banners.

When they saw themselves thus drawn up they were much contented, saying, if it pleased God, they were in a situation to hold out for a long time and to gain the advantage by it. The king addressed them: “My fair gentlemen, show your valour this day, and think not 119 Of flight; for that will be of no avail, as you are too distant from Lisbon; and besides, there is no safety in flight, for three good men will overpower and slay twelve run-aways. Prove that you are men of courage and offer yourselves vigorously to your opponents: consider, should the day be ours, which it will be, if it please God, how much we shall be honoured and praised in the different countries where news of it shall be carried; for the victors are always exalted, and the conquered abased. Consider also, you have made me your king, which should strengthen your courage; for be assured, that as long as this battle-axe in my hand shall hold, I will continue the fight: and should it break or fail me, I will get another, and show I am determined to guard and defend the crown of Portugal for myself, and for the right I have to the succession of my lord and brother, in which, on my soul, I declare and say they oppose me wrongfully, and that the quarrel is personal.”

Those of his countrymen who had heard him, replied, — “My lord and king, you have graciously admonished and greatly advised us to be men of valour, and to support you in defending what we have given to you, and at the same time acknowledge to be your own. Know, then, that we will all remain with you steadily, and never leave the field alive, until we gain the battle, or be carried away. Have it proclaimed to your men, for they have not all heard you, that no one dare, on his life, think of flying; and if there should be any whose courage fails, so that he fear to await the battle, let him come forwards, and he shall have leave to depart (for one faint heart discourages a dozen of good men at arms), or have his head struck off as an example to others.” The king said it should be done, and two knights were ordered by him to examine the army and admonish it, and see if any symptoms appeared among them of fear. The knights, on their return, reported to the king, that wherever they had visited, and they had examined all the different companies, they had found every one resolute and determined to await the event of the battle. “So much the better, “said the king. He issued orders to the army, if any persons were desirous of knighthood, to come forward, and he would confer on them the order of knighthood in the name of God and St. George. From the information I had, it seems that sixty new knights were created, which pleased the king much; and placing them in front of the army, he said, — “My fair sirs, the order of chivalry is more exalted and noble than imagination can suppose; and no knight ought to suffer himself to be debased by cowardice, or any villanous or dirty action; but when his helmet is on his head he should be bold and fierce as a lion when he sees his prey; and because I wish you to show your courage this day, where it will be needful, I order you to the front of the battalion, where you must exert yourselves, that we may both obtain honour, otherwise your spurs will not become you.” Each new knight answered in his turn, as he marched by, — “Sire, we will, with God’s grace, do so, that we shall gain your love and approbation.” In this manner were the Portuguese drawn up, and fortified near the church of Aljubarota. None of the English were desirous to be knighted this day: they were requested by the king to be so, but excused themselves for that time.

We shall now return to the king of Castille, and to the knights, squires and men at arms from France and Gascony with him, and speak of the appearance of the Spaniards, and how they were drawn up. The knights they had sent out to reconnoitre, had returned and said, — “Sir king, and you barons and knights present, we have leisurely examined our enemies: we do not believe that their whole amount is more than ten thousand men: they have marched to the abbey of Aljubarota, where they had halted, and are drawn up in order of battle; and there they may be found by whoever chooses to seek for them.” Upon this the king summoned a council, to which, in particular, the barons and knights of France were invited: they were asked, what was best to be done, when they instantly replied, — “Sir, it is proper they should be fought with: we see nothing else to be done; for, from the report of our scouts, they are alarmed for the event, as they find themselves distant from any fortresses whither they may retreat, and Lisbon is six leagues off; they cannot, therefore, easily run thither, even if they should take advantage of the night, without being overtaken on the road. We therefore, sir, advise, since we know where they are, that we be drawn up in battle array, and march to combat them, while your men are in a good disposition to behave well.”

The king then asked his companions their opinions, such as Don Gonzales Nunez de 120 Gusman, don Diego de Mendoza, Peter Gonzales de Mendoza, Peter Lopez d’Ayala, and the grand master of Calatrava who replied, — “My lord, we have well heard the French knights advise you to march instantly against your enemies; but we wish you and them to know, that before we can arrive thither it will be night, for the sun is now on the decline, and we have not yet arranged our order of battle. It would be better to wait until morning, and approach them so near that we may discover by our scouts, whom we can spread over the plain, in what manner they have posted themselves; and if they should incline to march away during the night, we might also decamp, when they cannot escape, for the country is quite open, and there is not any strong place except Lisbon, so that they must fall an easy prey to us. This is the advice we give.”

The king, on hearing this, was silent, and looked first on the ground and then on the foreigners; when sir Reginald de Limousin, marshal of the army, thus spoke (in order to please the French) in Spanish, that he might be heard and understood by all, for he spoke that language fluently, so long had he resided among them, addressing himself to the Spaniards who were near the king, and who had given him the last advice: — “How can you, my lords, (calling each of them by their name, for he was well acquainted with them all) pretend to have more knowledge of battles or more experience in way than the valiant knights and squires here present? For their whole life has been employed in travelling from one kingdom to another, in search of adventures. How can you dare offer any other opinion, or thus detract from what they have so nobly said, in the defence of the honour of the king and country; in which were are more interested than they are, for you have therein your properties as well as your persons, whilst they have only their persons. They have offered a proof of their attachment by requesting of the king to be posted in front of the battalions, which his majesty has disapproved. Consider how disinterested they must be, when they made this offer. It would appear to some persons as if you were envious, and wished not that any honour or profit might accrue to them, or that the king should gain the victory over his enemies. Honourable men at arms, who seek perfection, should be above low jealousies and such base passions, and always be of one and the same way of thinking. Besides, through your advice, has the king been thus long and expensively kept at the siege of Lisbon, without having any opportunity of battle, until now when the master of Avis (who signs himself king of Portugal, though he can have no such right, being a bastard) has taken the field. He is at Aljubarota at this moment with all the force he can muster, but it is not any way great; if it should therefore happen that he make his escape from us, and avoid a battle, you will run the risk of the people rising and slaying you; or the king, considering you as traitors, will have you beheaded, and your estates confiscated. I therefore see no better means for you than being silent, and agreeing with those who have been actors in more matters of this ort than you ever have been engaged in, or ever will be.”

As sir Reginald ended this speech, the king raised his eyes from the ground, and seemed highly pleased with what he had heard: the Spaniards on the contrary, were thunderstruck, and thought, at the moment, they had done worse than they really had; for, notwithstanding the marshal had thus opposed and reproved them, they had wisely and prudently advised the king, for he could not have had better counsel; but his valour and frankness made him speak as follows in compliance with the French and the strangers present, who were eager for battle. Every one was silent, when the king said, — “In the name of God and my lord St. James, I will that we combat our enemies, and that those who desire knighthood, may advance, and receive the order of chivalry in honour of God and St. George.” Many squires of France and Béarn came forwards, and were knighted by the king’s hand; such as sir Roger d’Espaign, and his son Edmund: from the county of Foix, sir Bertrand de Barege, sir Peter de Salbiere, sir Peter de Valentin, sir William de Quer, sir Angiers de Sollenaire, sir Peter de Vaud, sir William de Mondigy, with many more; in all, one hundred and forty, who willingly accepted the order of knighthood. Some barons of Béarn first displayed their banners with several of Castille and Sir John de Rue.

You might have seen these young knights full of vigour and gallantry, carrying themselves so handsomely that it was a pleasant spectacle to see; and they were, as I have said, a large 121 battalion of themselves. The lord de Lingnach then approached the king, accompanied by all those who had come from different countries, and whom the Castillians called indiscriminately Frenchmen, completely armed, except their helmets, and said — “My lord king, we are come from distant countries with the best dispositions to serve you: grant us, we beg of you, that we may form the van battalion.” “I grant it,” replied the king, “In the name of God, St. James, and my lord St. George, and may they be with you!” Upon this the Spaniards whispered one to another, — “See, for God’s sake! See how our king confides wholly in these foreigners: he has not any trust in others. They have obtained the honour of the van, and hold us so cheap they will not invite us to make a part. They are now drawing themselves up separately. Well, we will do the same on our part, and, by God, let them combat and fight by themselves. Have they not already boasted they are sufficient to vanquish the Portuguese? Be it so, then: we are contented; but it will be right we ask the king if he choose to remain with us, or go with the Frenchmen.” They were murmuring a long times, whether they should put such a question to the king or not, for they were much afraid of the reprimands of sir Reginald de Limousin. Having fully considered, they thought there would not be any harm in asking the question. Six therefore of the principal nobles, employed about this person, advanced, and, with many obeisances. Thus spoke: “Most noble king, we perceive plainly that this day there will be an engagement with your enemies. God grant you may have the victory and honour! as we sincerely wish it; but we are anxious to know your pleasure, whether you will remain with us or march with the Frenchmen?” “By no means,” replied the king: “my fair sirs, if I have determined on battle, in consequence of the advice of the knights and squires from France who have come to serve me, and who are men of great valour and abilities, I do not renounce you, but will remain with you, and you will therefore help in defending me.” The Castillians were delighted with this answer; and said, “That, my lord, will we do, and never fail you as long as we live; for we have sworn to do so, and pledged our faith on the day you were crowned: we had besides so great an affection for the good king your father, that nothing shall ever make us desert you.” The king of Castille remained with his Castillians, who amounted to full twenty thousand horse all covered with armour. Sir Reginald de Limousin was in the first battalion, that post being his right as marshal.

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*  “Aljubarota,” ૼ a village of Estremadoura in Portugal, four leagues from the town of Lisbon.

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CHAPTER XVI. — THE BATTLE OF ALJUBAROTA, IN WHICH THE FRENCH AND BEARNOIS, IN THE INTEREST OF CASTILLE, ARE DEFEATED AND SLAIN BY THE PORTUGUESE, FROM NOT BEING PROPERLY SUPPORTED BY THE CASTILLIANS, WHO WERE JEALOUS OF THEM. — THEY AFTERWARDS MEET THE SAME FATE.

THIS Saturday had been a fine clear day, but the sun was now declining, and it was about the hour of vespers, when the first battalion of the Castillian army came before Aljubarota, where the king of Portugal and his men were drawn up in battle array. The French knights amounted to two thousand, as gallant lances as could be seen. The moment they perceived the enemy they formed in close order, like men of resolution who knew their business, and advanced within bow-shot. This attack was very sharp; for those who were eager after glory, and to perform feats of arms, assaulted the place which the English had fortified. The entrance having been made narrow caused of great pressure of the assailants against each other, and much mischief was done by the English archers, who shot so vigorously and quick that the horses were larded, as it were, with arrows, and fell one on the other. The few English men at arms and the Lisboners now came forward, shouting their cry of “Our Lady for Lisbon!” They were armed with well steeled Bordeaux lances, with which they pierced through every thing, and wounded knights and squires. The lord de Lingnach of Béarn was unhorsed, his banner taken, and himself made prisoner, and numbers of his men slain or taken. On the other hand, sir John de Rue, sir Geoffry Ricon, sir Geoffry de Partenay, with difficulty, had entered the fort with their men; but their horses were so wounded by the archers, they fell down under them. The men at arms on their side were in great danger, for one could not assist the other, nor could they gain room to exert themselves, 122 while the Portuguese, seeing the ill success which had attended the first assailants, were as fresh and active as ever for the combat. The king of Portugal was mounted on a tall courser decorated all over with the arms of Portugal, and his banner set up before him: he was much pleased at seeing the defeat of his enemies, and to encourage his men, and for his own pleasure he laughed aloud, crying out, — “Go on, my good fellows: defend yourselves well, for, if there be no more than what I see, we shall not make much of them; and if I have any knowledge of war, these men must remain with us.”

Thus did the king of Portugal encourage his men, who fought valiantly, and, having inclosed the first comers within their fort, they were putting numbers of them to death. True it is, that this first battalion of which I am speaking, under the command of knights from France and Béarn, expected to have been more quickly and better supported by the Castillians than they were; for if the king of Castille with the main army, which consisted at least of twenty thousand men, had advanced to check the Portuguese in another quarter, the day must have been theirs; but they did nothing, for which they suffered much loss and blame. It is also true, that the battle began too soon; but they did so to acquire great honour, and to make their words good which they had said in the presence of the king. On the other hand, as I have heard, the Castillians made no great haste to advance, for the French were not in good favour with them, and they had said, — “Let them begin the fight, and tire themselves: they will find enough to do. These Frenchmen are too great boasters, and too vainglorious, and our king has not any perfect confidence but in them. Sine he wishes that they should have the honour of the day, it shall be so; for we will have it our own way, or not at all.” Conformably to this resolution, the Spaniards kept in a large body, twenty thousand at least, in the plain, and would not advance, which vexed the king much; but he could not help it, for they said, — “My lord, it is all over. (though none had returned from the battle): these French knights have defeated your enemies: the honour and victory of the day are theirs.” “God grant it may be so!” replied the king; “but let us advance a little.” They advanced about a bow-shot, and halted again. It was truly a fine sight to view their appearance, so well and handsomely were they armed and mounted. During all this time the French were fighting; and those knights and squires who had been able to dismount performed many gallant deeds, for, when their lances were broken, they used their battle-axes, and with them gave such desperate blows on the helmets of all who opposed them, that wounds, if not death, were the consequences. Whoever is engaged in such-like combats as this at Aljubarota must abide the event, if safety be not sought in flight: but in flight there is more danger than in the heat of battle, for, when any one flies a pursuit is made, and, if overtaken, he is slain: when in battle, if the chance turn unfortunate, he surrenders and is well taken care of as a captive.

It cannot be denied but that the knights and squires from France, Brittany, Burgundy and Béarn, fought valiantly: they were overpowered at the first onset, from the advice the English had given to fortify the place: besides, in the attack, the Portuguese were superior in numbers. They therefore were at their mercy, and all were slain or taken, for few escaped. At this beginning they made a thousand knights and squires prisoners, which gave them much joy. They did not expect any further battle that day, and entertained their prisoners handsomely, saying to them, — “Do not be cast down: you have valiantly fought and have been conquered fairly: we will behave to you as generously as we should with to be dealt with ourselves, were we in your situation. You must come and recruit yourselves in the good city of Lisbon, where you shall have every comfort.” Those to whom such speeches were made, replied by returning thanks. Some were ransomed on the spot, and others said they would wait the event, for they did not imagine things would remain as they then were, but that the king of Spain would come with the main army and deliver them.

As the king of Castille and his people were drawing near to Aljubarota, news of what had happened speedily came to them from the runaways (for unfortunate indeed is the battle whence no one escapes), who cried aloud and with much fear, — “Sir king, advance; for you whole van battalion are either slain or made prisoners, and there is no hope of deliverance but from you.” When the king heard this he was much enraged, and with reason, for it too nearly concerned him: he instantly gave orders to march, saying, “March, banners, in the 123 name of God and St. George: let us hasten to the rescue of our friends who have been captured, for they have need of us.” The Castillians began to quicken their march in close order: it was now past vespers, and the sun was setting, when some of them said, it would be better to wait for the morning, as it would soon be night, when they would be unable to perform any good deeds of arms. But the king was determined to advance, and was in the right; for he said, — “How can we think of thus deserting our friends, who are fatigued and in distress? whoever gives such advice neither loves me nor regards my honour.” They continued therefore to advance, with trumpets sounding and drums beating, and making a great noise to frighten their enemies.

I will now relate how the king of Portugal and his army employed themselves. As soon as they had defeated the van division and taken care of their prisoners, as had been before said, they did not confide in this first victory, though they saw not any appearance of reinforcements, but ordered six men at arms, the best mounted, to reconnoitre, and bring them intelligence, if they were to expect another battle. Those who had been sent on this expedition, saw and heard the army of the king of Castille, which was at least twenty thousand men on horseback, and approaching very near to Aljubarota: they returned full gallop to their friends, and said aloud, — “My lords, take care of yourselves, for hitherto we have done nothing: the king of Castille is advancing with his whole army, of twenty thousand horse, for not one has remained behind.” On hearing this they held a short council, as the necessity of the case obliged them, and came to a pitiless resolution; for it was commanded, under pain of death, that whoever had taken a prisoner should instantly kill him, and that neither noble, nor rich, nor simple, should be exempted. Those barons, knights and squires, who had been captured, were in a melancholy situation, for entreaties would have been of no avail. They were scattered about disarmed in different parts, considering themselves in safety, for their lives at least; but it was not so, which was a great pity. Each man killed his prisoner, and those who refused, had him slain before their eyes: for the Portuguese and English, who had given this advice, said, — “it was batter to kill than to be killed; and if we do not put them to death they will liberate themselves while we are fighting and then slay us, for no one ought to put confidence in his prisoner.” By this order there were killed the lord de Lingnach, sir Peter de Salbiere, the lords de Lespre, de Béarn, des Bordes, sir Bertrand de Barege, the lord de Moriane, sir Raymond Donzack, sir John Afolege, sir Manaut de Saremen, sir Peter de Salibieres [Susan note has Salbiere 2 x and must be different person cuz both in this sentence], sir Stephen de Valentin, sir Raymond de Courasse, sir Peter de Hausane, with full three hundred squires from Béarn. Of Frenchmen, there were sir John de Rue, sir Geoffry Ricon, sir Geoffry de Partenay and many more. This was a very unfortunate event to the prisoners, as well as to the Portuguese; for they put to death, this Saturday, as many good prisoners as would have been worth to them, taking one with another, four hundred thousand francs. When they had thus cleared the place, by putting every one to death, (for none escaped but those who had been carried to the village of Aljubarota, where the baggage and stores were) they again formed themselves in the same position and place as when the van battalion commenced their attack.

The sun was now setting, when the king of Castille advanced in puissant array, with banners displayed, and on barded horses, shouting out “Castille!” and entered the fortified pass. They were received with lances and battle-axes, and the first flight of arrows grievously wounded their horses, threw them into confusion, and many were wounded or slain. The king of Castille, ignorant of the unfortunate fate of the van, imagining they were only prisoners, was anxious to deliver them, as you have heard. The battle raged with violence: many were thrown to the ground, and the Portuguese had not the advantage: they were forced to fight most valiantly, or they would have been overpowered: they owed their safety to the impossibility of being attacked but in one place. The king of Portugal dismounted, and, taking his battle-axe, placed himself at the pass, where he performed wonders, knocking down three or four of the stoutest of the enemy, insomuch that none dared to approach him. I must not omit to notice the manner in which the Spaniards generally act in war. It is true they make a handsome figure on horseback, spur off to advantage, and fight well at the first onset; but as soon as they have thrown two or three darts, and given a stroke 124 with their spears, without disconcerting the enemy, they take alarm, turn their horses’ heads, and save themselves by flight as well as they can: this game they played at Aljubarota; for they found their enemies obstinate, and as fresh as if they had not had an engagement, which astonished them much; and their surprise was increased by not hearing anything of the van battalion.

The Spaniards had a hard afternoon’s work, and the fortune of war was greatly against them: all who through courage, or a wish to distinguish themselves, had entered the fort of the Lisboners, were cut to pieces; for they would not ransom any, whether poor or noble, (such had been their orders) nor encumber themselves with prisoners. Very many of the nobles of Castille were there slain: among the greatest barons who suffered were sir Dangommes Neudrich, sir Diego Parsament, don Pedro de Rourmont, sir Marc de Versaux, the grand master of Calatrava, and his brother, who was that day created a knight, and called sir Diego Moro, sir Peter Goussart de Modesque, don Pedro Goussart de Seville, don John Rodrigo de la Rousselle, with upwards of sixty barons and knights of Spain. There were not even at the battle of Najara, when the prince of Wales defeated the king, don Henry, so many nobles of Castille killed, as at this battle of Aljubarota, which was on a Saturday, the feast of our lady, in August, 1385.

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CHAPTER XVII. — THE KING OF CASTILLE, AFTER HIS DEFEAT AT ALJUBAROTA, RETREATS TO SANTAREM. — THE KING OF PORTUGAL RETURNS TO LISBON. — A TRUCE IS CONCLUDED BETWEEN THEM.

WHEN king Henry perceived that his army was defeated, the van battalion having been totally destroyed, that sir Reginald de Limousin, his marshal, was slain, and that flower of his own chivalry, as well as that of France, which had come so willingly to serve him, were dead or disabled, he was mightily cast down, and knew not how to act. He saw his men flying in all directions, and heard them crying to him, — “My lord, march away: it is time for you: the battle is over: you alone cannot conquer your enemies, nor repair your losses: your men are running away on all sides, for every one now looks to himself: you know, also, it will be prudent, at this moment, to follow their example, and if fortune is now against you, another time she may be more favourable.” The king of Castille followed this advice: he changed his horse, and mounted a fresh one that had not been rode that day, and which had great speed. The king stuck spurs into him, turned his back to his enemies, and made for Santarem, whither all the runaways, who wished to save themselves, followed.

The king of Castille had that day ordered a knight of his household, called sir Peter Harem, to bear his helmet. This helmet was encircled with gold, and might be worth twenty thousand francs. The king intended wearing it at the battle, and had so ordered it the morning he marched from Santarem, but did not do so; for, when the army was forming, there was so great a crowd round the king, the knight could not come near, and, not hearing himself called, he ceased to attempt it. Shortly afterwards, he heard that the Portuguese had gained the day, and saw his own army flying in all directions: fearful of losing so rich a jewel as the king’s helmet, that was valued so highly, he put it on his own head, not to lose it nor have it stolen from him by meeting the enemy, and fled: he did not follow the road to Santarem, but took another, which led to the town of Ville Arpent. Thus did they disperse, some one way, some another, like to people thunderstruck and discomfited; but the greater part made for Santarem, where the king arrived in the evening, confounded and cast down.

After the defeat of the Spaniards at Aljubarota, the Portuguese and Lisboners kept the field of battle: the slaughter was great, and would have been more if they had pursued the enemy; for the English seeing the enemy turn their backs, called aloud to the king of Portugal, — “Sir king, let us mount our horses, and set out on the pursuit, and all these runaways shall be dead men.” — “I will not,” replied the king: “what we have done ought to satisfy us. Our men are fatigued, and have fought hard this evening: it is now so dark 125 we shall not know whither we are going, nor how many are flying. Their army was very numerous, and perhaps this may be a stratagem to draw us out of our fort and the more easily conquer us. We will this day guard the dead, and to-morrow call a council and consider how we shall next act.” “By my faith,” replied Hartsel, an Englishmen, “the dead are easily guarded: they will do us no harm, nor shall we have any profit from them, for we have slain our rich prisoners. We are strangers, come from a distance to serve you, and would willingly gain something from these calves that are flying without wings, and who drive their banners before them.” “Fair brother, said the king, “all covet, all lose: it is much better that we remain on our guard, since the honour and victory are ours, through God’s grace, than run any risk when there is no necessity for it. Thanks to God, we have enough to make you all rich.” Nothing more was said on the subject. Thus, as I have related, happened the battle of Aljubarota, which the king of Portugal completely gained. There were slain about five hundred knights, and full as many, if not more, squires, which was a great pity, and six or seven thousand other men: God have mercy on their poor souls!

The king of Portugal and his men remained all night under arms, at their post without stirring, until about six o’clock on Sunday morning. They ate a morsel standing or sitting, and quaffed a cup or so of wine, which was brought to them from the village of Aljubarota. At sun-rise, the king of Portugal ordered twelve knights to mount their horses, and scour the country, to see if there were any bodies of men assembled together. When they had rode far and near, on their return, they said they had seen nothing but dead men. “Of them we have no fear,” said the king, who gave orders for the army to march to the village of Aljubarota, where they were to halt the rest of the day and that night until Monday morning. Upon this they decamped, leaving the church of Aljubarota, and quartered themselves in the village the whole of Sunday and the following night.

On the Monday morning, it was ordered in council that they should return to Lisbon, and the trumpets sounded to decamp. They then formed themselves in handsome array, and took the road to Lisbon. On the Tuesday, the king entered the city, amid an immense concourse of people, with great glory and triumph, and was conducted by a numerous company of minstrels, and a long procession of churchmen, who had come out to meet him as far as the palace. As he rode through the streets, all the people, and even children, paid him the greatest respect and reverence, shouting out, “Long live the noble king of Portugal! to whom God has been gracious in giving victory over the potent king of Castille, the gain of the field and the discomfiture of his enemies.” By this fortunate victory which the king of Portugal had over don John of Castille, as I have just related, he won so much the affections of all Portugal, that those, who before this battle had dissembled their sentiments, now came to Lisbon, took the oaths, and paid their homage to him, saying he was worthy to live, and God must love him when he gave him the victory over a king more powerful than himself, and that he deserved to wear a crown. Thus did the king acquire the love of his subjects, more especially of the whole commonalty of the kingdom.

We will now say something of the king of Castille, who, after his defeat, retreated to Santarem, regretting and bewailing the loss of his men, and cursing the hard fate he had had, when such numbers of the noble knights of his kingdom, as well as those from France, lay dead on the field. At the time he entered the town of Santarem, he knew not the greatness of his loss, but was made acquainted with it on the Sunday, when he sent his heralds to examine the field of battle, having imagined the greater part of those barons and knights whom they had found lying dead had been prisoners to the Portuguese. He was so much enraged when the heralds returned on learning the names of those who had fallen and the certainty of their deaths, that he could not be appeased or comforted. He declared with an oath, he should never again taste joy, for the loss of so many noble knights, who had perished through his fault.

At the end of the three days the king had passed at Santarem, his knight, sir Martin Harene*, came into the town, bringing with him his majesty’s helmet, which was estimated at twenty thousand francs, on account of the rich jewels with which it was ornamented. 126 Much had been said on this subject in the king’s household, and some had declared he had fraudulently carried it off, and would never more return. When the knight came before the king, he cast himself on his knees, and made such fair excuses that the king and his council held him blameless. Things remained in this state, and the king of Castille returned to Burgos the twenty-fifth day after his arrival at Santarem, having dismissed his whole army. Negociations were now entered on between the kings of Castille and Portugal, and a truce was made between them and their allies, as well on land as at sea, from Michaelmas until the first day of May. The bodies of the barons and knights who had been slain at Aljubarota, were buried in that and in the neighbouring churches: the bones of many were carried by their servants to their own countries.

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*  His name is not mentioned in the printed copies until now, but he is called in my MSS. Peter Harem.

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CHAPTER XVIII. — THE COUNT DE FOIX IS RAPIDLY, AND IN A SECRET MANNER, INFORMED OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED AT ALJUBAROTA. — FROISSART, IN CONSEQUENCE OF THIS, RELATES A STORY WHICH HAD BEEN TOLD HIM OF A FAMILIAR SPIRIT, CALLED ORTHON, WHO SERVED THE LORD DE CORASSE IN THE LIKE MANNER.

A FACT I am about to relate will astonish my readers, if they consider and pay attention to it. It was told me in the hôtel of the count de Foix at Orthès, and by the same person who had informed me of the battle of Aljubarota, and the event of that day. I will therefore narrate it; for, ever since the squire related it to me, I have much thought on it, and shall do so as long as I live. It is a fact, as the squire assured me, that the count de Foix was informed, the day after the battle of Aljubarota, of everything that had there happened, the same as I have related it, which surprised me exceedingly how this could possibly have been.

The whole days of Sunday, Monday, and the following Tuesday, he was in his castle, at Orthès, and made such poor and melancholy meals that not one word could be drawn from him; nor would he, during that time, quite his chamber, nor speak to knight or squire, however nearly they were related by blood, unless he had sent for him; and it also happened, that he even sent for some, to whom he never opened his lips during these three days. On the Tuesday, in the evening, he called his brother Arnold William, and said to him in a low voice, — “Our people have had a desperate battle, which has vexed me very much, for it has happened to them just as I had foretold at their departure.” Arnold William, who was a wise man and a prudent knight, well acquainted with the temper of his brother, was silent. The count, anxious to cheer up his courage, for he had too long nurtured in his breast this sad news, added, “By God, sir Arnold, it is just as I have told you; and very soon we shall have news of it. Never has the country of Béarn suffered so severely for these hundred years past, as it has now at this battle of Portugal.” Many knights and squires who were present, and heard the words of the count, were afraid to speak, but commented within themselves on them.

Within ten days, the truth was known from those who had been in the battle, and they first told the count, and all who wished to hear them, everything relative to their disputes with the Castillians, and the event of the battle of Aljubarota. This renewed the grief of the count, and of those persons belonging to the country who had lost brothers, relatives, children, or friends. “Holy Mary!” said I to the squire, “how was it possible for the count to know, or even to guess at it, on the morrow after it had happened?” “By my faith,” replied he, “he knew it well enough, as it appeared afterwards.” “Is he a wizard, then,” said I, “or has he messengers who ride on the winds? for he must have some secret art.“ Upon this, the squire began to laugh, and said, “In truth, he must have known it by means of necromancy. We indeed are ignorant in this country how he manages, but we have our suspicions.” Upon this, I said to the squire, “Now do have the goodness to tell me what your suspicions are, and I shall be very much obliged to you. If it be necessary to keep it secret, I will be silent, and never open my mouth on the subject as long as I live or remain in this country.” “I must entreat that of you,” replied the squire, “for I would not have it known that I had told it to you; for we only speak of it secretly when among our friends.” Upon this, he drew me aside to a corner of the vault of the chapel of Orthès, and thus began his tale:

“About twenty years ago, there lived a baron in this country, called Raymond, lord of Corasse. You must understand, that Corasse is a town seven leagues distant from Orthès. This lord of Corasse had a suit at Avignon, before the pope, for the tythes of his church, against a priest of Catalonia: this priest was very learned who claimed these tythes, which were worth a hundred florins a year. He proved his right so clearly that pope Urban V. in full consistory, gave a definitive judgment in favour of the priest, condemned the knight to the costs of the suit. The priest obtained a copy of this sentence, and hastened to Béarn, where showing it, and his bulls from the pope, he obtained possession of the tythes. The lord de Corasse, being doubtful of the priest and of his designs, went to him and said, — ‘Master Peter, or master Martin, (according as he was called) do you think I will lose my inheritance through the papers you have brought hither? I do not believe you will be bold enough to collect anything belonging to me; for it you do, your life shall pay for it. Go elsewhere and seek for benefices, for you shall not have anything from my estates; and, once for all, I forbid you to take any tythes.’ The clerk was fearful of the knight, as he knew him to be a cruel man, and dared not persevere, but resolved to return to Avignon, which he did. Before he set out, he came again to the lord de Corasse, and said to him, — ‘By force, and not by justice, you deprive me of the rights of my church, for which, in conscience, you behave exceedingly ill. I am not so powerful in this country as you are; but know, that as soon as I possibly can, I will send you a champion that you will be more afraid of than you have hitherto been of me.’ The lord de Corasse, not alarmed at his menaces, replied, — ‘Go, in God’s name go: do what thou canst: I fear thee neither dead nor alive; and for thy speeches I will not lose my property.’ The clerk then departed, and went I know not whether to Catalonia or to Avignon, but did not forget what he had told the lord de Corasse on leaving him; for, about three months after, when the knight least thought of it, and was sleeping in his bed with his lady, in his castle of Corasse, there came invisible messengers, who made such a noise, knocking about everything they met with in the castle, as if they were determined to destroy all within it; and they gave such loud raps at the door of the chamber of the knight, that the lady was exceedingly frightened. The knight heard it all, but did not say a word, as he would not have it appear that he was alarmed, for he was a man of sufficient courage for any adventure. These noises and tumults continued, in different parts of the castle, for a considerable time, and then ceased. On the morrow, all the servants of the household assembled, and went to their lord, and said, — ‘My lord, did you not hear what we all heard this night?’ The lord de Corasse dissembled, and replied, ‘What is it you have heard?’ They then related to him all the noises and rioting they had heard, and that the plates in the kitchen had been broken. He began to laugh, and said, ‘it was nothing: that they had dreamt it, or that it had been the wine.’ ‘In the name of God,’ added the lady, ‘I well heard it.’

“On the following night, the noises and rioting were renewed, but much louder than before; and thee were such blows struck against the door and windows of the chamber of the knight, that it seemed they would break them down. The knight could no longer desist from leaping out of his bed, and calling out, ‘Who is it that at this hour thus knocks at my chamber door?’ He was instantly answered, ‘It is I.’ And who sends thee hither?’ asked the knight. ‘The clerk of Catalonia, whom thou hast much wronged: for thou hast deprived him of the rights of his benefice: I will, therefore, never leave thee quiet, until thou hast rendered him a just account, with which he shall be contented.’ ‘What art thou called,’ said the knight, ’who art so good a messenger?’ ’My name is Orthon.’ ’Orthon,’ said the knight, ‘serving a clerk will not be of much advantage to thee; for, if thou believest him, he will give thee great trouble: I beg thou wilt therefore leave him and serve me, and I shall think myself obliged to thee.’ Orthon was ready with his answer, for he had taken a liking to the knight, and said, ‘do you wish it?’ ‘Yes,” replied the knight; ‘but no harm must be done to any one within these walls.’ ‘Oh no,” answered Orthon: ‘I have no power to do ill to any one, only to awaken thee and disturb they rest, or that of other persons.’ ‘Do what I tell thee,’ added the knight: ‘we shall well agree; and leave this wicked priest, for he is a worthless fellow, and serve me.’ ‘Well,’ replied Orthon, ‘since thou wilt have it so, I consent.’

:Orthon took such an affection to the lord de Corasse that he came often to see him in the night-time; and, when he found him sleeping, he pulled his pillow from under his head, or made great noises at the door or windows; so that, when the knight was awakened, he said, ‘Orthon, let me sleep.’ ‘I will not,’ replied he, ‘until I have told thee some news.’ The knight’s lady was so much frightened, the hairs of her head stood on end, and she hid herself under the bedclothes. ‘Well,’ said the knight, ‘and what news hast thou brought me?’ Orthon replied, ‘I am come from England, Hungary, or some other place, which I left yesterday, and such and such things have happened.’ Thus did the lord de Corasse know by means of Orthon all things that were passing in different parts of the world; and this connexion continued for five years; but he could not keep it to himself, and discovered it to the count de Foix, in the manner I will tell you. The first year, the lord de Corasse came to the count de Foix at Orthès, or elsewhere, and told him, ;My lord, such an event has happened in England, in Scotland, Germany, or some other country; and the count de Fox, who found all this intelligence proved true, marvelled greatly how he could have acquired such early information, and entreated him so earnestly, that the lord de Corasse told him the means by which he had acquired his intelligence, and the manner of its communication. When the count de Foix heard this, he was much pleased, and said, ‘Lord de Corasse, nourish the love of your intelligencer: I wish I had such a messenger: he costs you nothing, and you are truly informed of everything that passes in the world.’ ‘My lord,’ replied, the knight, ‘I will do so.’ The lord de Corasse was served by Orthon for a long time. I am ignorant if Orthon had more than one master; but two or three times every week he visited the knight, and told him all the news of the countries he had frequented, which he wrote immediately to the count de Foix, who was much delighted therewith, as there is not a lord in the world more eager after news from foreign parts than he is. Once, when the lord de Corasse was in conversation on this subject with the count de Foix, the count said, ‘Lord de Corasse, have you never yet seen your messenger?’ ‘No, by my faith, never; nor have I ever pressed him on this matter.’ ‘I wonder at that,’ replied the count; ‘for had he been so much attached to me, I should have begged of him to have shown himself in his own proper form; and I intreat you will do so, that you may tell how he is made, and what he is like. You have said, that he speaks Gascon as well as you or I do.’ ‘By my faith,’ said the lord de Corasse, ‘he converses just as well and as properly; and, as you request it, I will do all I can to see him.’

“It fell out, when the lord de Corasse, as usual, was in bed with his lady (who was now accustomed to hear Orthon without being frightened), Orthon arrived, and shook the pillow of the knight, who was asleep. On waking, he asked who was there: Orthon replied, ‘It is I.’ ‘and where dost thou come from?’ ‘I come from Prague in Bohemia.’ ‘How far is it hence?’ ‘Sixty days’ journey,’ replied Orthon. ‘And hast thou returned thence in so short a time?’ ‘Yes, as may God help me: I travel as fast as the wind, or faster.’ ‘What, hast thou got wings?’ ‘Oh, no.’ ‘How, then canst thou fly so fast?’ ‘That is no business of yours.’ ‘No!’ said the knight. ‘I should like exceedingly to see what form thou hast, and how thou art made.’ ‘That does not concern you to know,’ replied Orthon; ‘be satisfied that you hear me, and that I bring you intelligence you may depend on.’ ‘By God,’ said the lord de Corasse, ‘I should love thee better if I had seen thee.’ ‘Well,’ replied Orthon, ‘since you have such a desire, the first thing you shall see to-morrow morning, in quitting hour bed, shall be myself.’ ‘I am satisfied,’ said the knight; ‘you may now depart: I give thee thy liberty for this night.’

“When morning came, the knight arose, but his lady was so much frightened she pretended to be sick, and said she would not leave her bed the whole day. The lord de Corasse willed it otherwise. ‘Sir,’ said she, ‘if I do get up, I shall see Orthon; and, if it please God, I would neither see nor meet him.’ ‘Well,’ replied the knight, ‘I am determined to see him;’ and, leaping out of his bed, he seated himself on the bedstead, thinking he should see Orthon in his own shape; but he saw nothing that could induce him to say he had seen him. When the ensuing night arrived, and the lord de Corasse was in bed, Orthon came and began to talk in his usual manner. ‘Go,’ said the knight; ‘thou art a liar: thou oughtest to have shown thyself to me this morning, and hast not done so.’ ‘No!’ replied 129 Orthon; ‘but I have.’ ‘I say, no.’ ‘And did you see nothing at all when you leaped out of bed?’ The lord de Corasse was silent, and, having considered awhile, said, ‘Yes; when sitting on my bedside, and thinking of thee, I saw two straws which were turning and playing together on the floor.’ ‘That was myself,’ replied Orthon, ‘for I had taken that form.’ The lord de Corasse said, ‘That will not satisfy me; I beg of thee to assume some other shape, so that I may see thee and know thee.’ Orthon answered, ‘You ask so much that you will ruin me and force me away from you, for your requests are too great.’ ‘You shall not quit me,’ said the lord de Corasse; ‘If I had once seen thee, I should not again wish it,’ ‘Well,’ replied Orthon, ‘you shall see me to-morrow, if you pay attention to the first thing you observe when you leave your chamber.’ ‘I am contented,’ said the knight; ‘now go thy ways, for I want to sleep.’ Orthon departed. On the morrow, about the hour of eight, the knight had risen and was dressed; on leaving his apartment, he went to a window which looked into the court of the castle. Casting his eyes about, the first thing he observed was an immensely large sow; but she was so poor, she seemed only skin and bone, with long hanging ears all spotted, and a sharp-pointed lean snout. The lord de Corasse was disgusted at such a sight, and, calling to his servants, said, ‘Let the dogs loose quickly, for I will have that sow killed and devoured.’ The servants hastened to open the kennel, and to set the hounds on the sow, who uttered a loud cry and looked up at the lord de Corasse, leaning on the balcony of his window, and was never seen afterwards; for she vanished, and no one ever knew what became of her.

“The knight returned quite pensive to his chamber, for he then recollected what Orthon had told him, and said, ‘I believe I have seen my messenger Orthon, and repent having set my hounds on him, for perhaps I may never see him more: he frequently told me, that if I ever angered him, I should lose him.’ He kept his word, for never did he return to the hôtel de Corasse, and the knight died the following year. Thus have I related to you the history of Orthon, and how for a time he supplied the lord de Corasse with intelligence.” “That is true,” said I to the squire; “but with what intent have you told it? Does the count de Foix make use of such a messenger?” “In good truth, that is the real opinion of several of the inhabitants of Béarn; for there is nothing done in this country or elsewhere but what he instantly knows, when he sets his heart on it, even when it is the least suspected. Thus it was respecting the intelligence he told us of our good knights and squires, who had fallen in Portugal. The reputation and belief of his possessing this knowledge is of great service to him, for there would not be lost a gold or silver spoon, or anything of less value, in this country, without his instantly knowing of it.” I then took my leave of the squire, and joined other company, with whom I chatted and amused myself. However, I kept in my memory every particular of the tale he had told me, as is now apparent. I will leave for a while the affairs of Spain and Portugal, and speak of those of Brittany, Languedoc, and France.

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CHAPTER XIX. — SIEGE IS LAID TO BREAST. — ST. FORGET AND SEVERAL OTHER ENGLISH GARRISONS IN THE ENVIRONS OF TOULOUSE ARE RECOVERED BY THE FRENCH.

DURING the time these matters were passing in Castille and in distant countries, sir Oliver de Clisson, constable of France, ordered a block-house to be built before the castle of Brest in Brittany, which the English held, and had done so for a considerable time, and would not quit it, neither for the king of France nor for the duke of Brittany, to whom it belonged. The dukes of Berry and Burgundy, and the king’s council, had frequently written on this subject to the duke of Brittany; for at that time, as you know, the young king of France was under the government of his uncles. They had entreated the duke of Brittany to exert himself to conquer the castle of Brest, which being held by the English was much to his discredit. The duke, in compliance with their entreaties, as well as knowing himself to be the lord of Brest, had once besieged it, but had not pushed it forward: when he marched away, he said nothing could be done: at which several knights and squires of Brittany murmured behind his back, saying that he feigned and dissembled, as those who held it 130 were his great friends, and that he would not on any account with it even in his own possession, nor in that of the king of France; for, if the French had it, he would not be the master, but be much weakened by it; and, as long as the English held it, the French would not dare to anger him.

The constable of France, having considered the whole business, thought that, if the duke of Brittany were indifferent as to the recovering the town and castle of Brest from the hands of the enemies of France, it would be dishonourable to him and to the nobles of Brittany. He therefore ordered it to be besieged, and sent thither great numbers of knights and squires, under the command of the lord de Malestroit, the viscount de la Belliere, Morfonace, and the lord de Rochederrien. These four valiant men laid their siege as near to Brest as was possible, and erected a large and fair blockhouse of wood, surrounding also the place with palisadoes and walls, so that the garrison was shut up from all communication but by sea: on that side it was not possible for them to surround them. There were frequent skirmishes before Brest; for those companions who were fond of arms advanced gaily to the barriers, where they called out the garrison and fought with them until some were killed or wounded, and then they retired: scarcely a day passed without some warlike deeds being done.

At this period there was in the Toulousain a valiant knight from France, called sir Walter de Passac: he was an expert captain and excellent man at arms, and born in Berry, on the borders of Limousin. Before his arrival, sir Hugh de Froideville, séneschal of Toulouse, and sir Roger d’Espaign, séneschal of Carcassonne, had written to the king and council of the state of Toulouse and Rabastens*; that several gallant companions from the garrisons of Lourde and châtel Cuillet had made war successfully for the English; and having possession of Saint Forget, la Bassere† le Mesnil, Pomperon, Convalle, Rochefort, Jullians‡, Navarêt, and some other forts, they had surrounded the good city of Toulouse, so that the inhabitants could not quit it, nor the farmers labour their vineyards or gardens but with great risk, for there was neither truce nor any composition entered into between them. They were commanded by an able man from Biscay, called Espaignolet, who performed wonders and took by scalado the castle of Ermaille, whilst its master, sir Raymond, was absent at ‘Toulouse, and kept possession for upwards of one year. During this time, he dug a mine that, after passing under the apartments, opened to the fields, which, when finished, was so well covered, that no one would imagine there was a subterraneous passage under the castle. When about this, the lord of Ermaille was treating with Espaignolet respecting the sum for which he would surrender to him the castle; and, on the mine being completed, he yielded the castle to sir Raymond for two thousand francs, who, having again possession, had it repaired and strengthened. Not fifteen days passed before Espaignolet advanced with his men to the mouth of this mine, which they entered about midnight, gained the castle, and took the knight in his bed, whom he again ransomed for two thousand francs, and then allowed him to depart; but Espaignolet kept possession of the castle, which he strongly garrisoned, and much harassed the country from thence with others of his companions.

For these and such like causes was sir Walter de Passac sent into Languedoc, with full powers over all the troops in that district, and to free the country from these pillagers and robbers. Having sent letters to sir Roger d’Espaign and sir Hugh de Froideville, and other leaders, they came to serve under him with all their men. Sir Roger brought sixty lances and one hundred men with shields; and the séneschal of Rouergue, with sir Hugh de Froideville, joined him with as many, if not more. When they were all assembled, they amounted to four hundred spears, and upwards of one thousand armed with shields, including lusty varlets. The son of the lord d’Esterach was there, with a handsome company; and also the lord de Barbasan, sir Benedict de Faignolles, and William Conderon, a Breton, with his rout. They marched from Toulouse straight to St. Forget, where they halted. It was then commanded by a Béarnois, called le bourg de Taillesac, a grand marauder. When these lords had drawn up their troops, the attack commenced, and the cross-bowmen shot so briskly, scarcely any of the garrison dared show themselves in its defence for fear of the arrows; but the French did not gain it at this first assault. In the evening they 131 retired to repose and refresh themselves, as they had brought plenty of everything with them.

On the morrow, the trumpets sounded for a renewal of the attack, when the lords, with their men, gallantly marched to the foot of the ditches. Whoever had seen them thus advancing, their heads covered with shields, with their lances measuring the depth of the water in the ditches, would have had much pleasure. When the first ranks had passed through, the others did not delay following, or they would have been greatly blamed for remaining behind. This second party carried pick-axes and iron crows to batter the walls; and, in so doing they fastened their shields on their heads to ward off the stones and other things that were thrown at them from the battlements: but they suffered little from this, as the cross-bows posted on the banks by their alertness in shooting prevented many from appearing. They shot so well, as hardly ever to miss what they aimed at; and several on the walls were mortally struck on their heads by the small bolts, which caused man in the garrison to dread their blows. The attack was so long and successfully continued that a breach was made in the wall. This alarmed those within, who offered to surrender on having their lives spared; but they were not listened to, and fell into such good hands that every one was put to death, for sir Walter had ordered no quarter to be given. Thus did the barons and knights of France regain the castle of St. Forget, which sir Walter gave up to its proper owner, who had lost it last year from neglect of well guarding it, as several other castles in France had been formerly lost in like manner. When the knight was repossessed of his castle, he had it repaired where wanted; for the French had done much damage by their attack.

The French then marched to the castle of la Bassere, of which Ernauton de Batefol was captain. He had strongly fortified it, in expectation of the visit the French intended him. On their arrival, they reconnoitred it on all sides, to see where they could the better make their attack, and with the least loss to their men: having carefully examined it, they posted themselves opposite to the weakest part. The cross-bowmen were ordered to advance before those intended for the assault, and they did their duty so well that few dared to appear on the battlements. Ernauton de Batefol was at the gate where the attack was the sharpest, performing such wonders in arms that the French knights cried out, — “here is a squire of great valour, who becomes his arms well, and makes excellent use of them; it would not be amiss to treat with him to surrender the castle, and seek his fortune elsewhere: let him be informed, that if sir Walter de Passac conquer it by storm, no power on earth can save him; for he has sworn to be put to death, or have hanged, all whom he may find in any castle or fort.” The séneschal de Toulouse then charged a squire from Gascony, named William Aliedel, who was well acquainted with Ernauton, they having formerly borne arms together, to talk with him on the subject. He willingly undertook it; for he would have been very sorry if Ernauton had suffered loss of honour or death, as other things could be remedied.

William stepped forward, and made signs to Ernauton that he wanted to speak to him on what nearly concerned him, to which his friend assented; and the assault was at that place discontinued, thought not elsewhere. “Ernauton,” said William, “you are risking too much: our leaders have compassion on you, and send me to tell you, that should you be taken, sir Walter de Passac has strictly ordered you to be instantly put to death, as he has done to those who were in St. Forget. It is, therefore, much better for you to surrender the place, as I would advise, than to wait the event; for I can assure you, we shall not depart before we be masters of it.” “I know very well,” replied Ernauton, “that, although you now bear arms against me, you would never advise anything disgraceful to my honour; but if I do surrender, all who are with me must be saved likewise; and we must carry away with us as much as we can, excepting the provisions, and be conducted in safety to the castle of Lourde.” “I am not commissioned,” answered William, “to go so far, but I will cheerfully mention it to my commanders.” On this, he returned to the séneschal of Toulouse, and related what you have heard. Sir Hugh de Froideville said, “Let us go and speak with sir Walter; for I know not what his intentions may be, although I have advanced so far in the treaty; but I fancy we shall make him agree to it.”

When they came to sir Walter, they found him engaged in assaulting another part of the castle; the séneschal addressed him, — “Sir Walter, I have opened a treaty with the captain of the castle, who is willing to surrender the place as it is, on condition that himself and garrison be spared and escorted to Lourde, and that they carry away everything but the provision: now, what do you say to this? We should lose more, if any of our knights and squires were killed by arrows or stones: and you have more sorrow than profit, even should you win it and put all to death; but that is not yet done; it will cost us many lives; for it will not be so easily conquered as St. Forget.” “That is true,” added the séneschal of Carcassonne, who was present: “it is impossible but in such attacks there must be many killed and wounded.” Sir Walter de Passac then said, — “I am willing to consent: order the attacks to cease. We have still farther to march; and, by little and little, we shall gain all these castles from the pillagers; if they escape from us cheaply at this moment, they will fall into our hands again some time hence, when they shall pay for all. Ill deeds bring the doers to an ill end. I have hanged and drowned in my time more than five hundred such scoundrels, and these will at last come to the same fate.”

William Aliedel and others then returned to the gate, where Ernauton was waiting for them, to conclude the treaty. “By my troth, Ernauton,” said William, “you and your companions ought to give many thanks to God and to sir Hugh de Froideville, for he has obtained for you your own terms of surrender. You and your garrison may depart hence, taking with you all you are able to carry, and will be escorted to Lourde.” “I am satisfied,” replied Ernauton, “since it cannot be otherwise; but know, William, that I am very sorry to quit my castle, wshich has been of infinite service to me since my capture at the bridge of Tourna, below Mauvoisin