Blanchetteaque by b Fabian p. 222. Sââsân's Map. Saigneville a Place below Abbeville between c D'Avila p. 10â9 St. Valery and Crotoy where the Somme spreading it self more largely in Breadth proves less rapid and more shallow in Depth than elsewhere thô even here it is not passable but at Low Sea. XIV At their first coming thither they found the Flood up wherefore they tarried waiting for the Fall of the Water till Prime in which time Sr. Godmar du Fay came thither from Crotoy and ranged his Men in Order upon the Banks and at the Ascent of the River to defend the Passage against the English But King Edward no way discouraged at this daring Appearance when the Ebbe came commanded his Marshals to enter the Water d Da Serres c. and himself looking back on his Men said aloud They that Love me let them Follow me plunged in after them the whole Army following in good Order Upon this the French Men of Arms on the other side being attended with the Crossbows descended also into the Water and there the Gentlemen of Artois and Picardy behav'd themselves with much Resolution and being back'd by the Genouese Crossbows gave the English no small trouble But King Edwards Archers shot with such Advantage against them that they were forced to retire from the Men of Arms who after an obstinate Dispute were also beaten back by the English Men of Arms and so the English took land and still as they came up began to order themselves in the Field When the Lord Gondemar du Fay saw how strangely his Men gave back and that the Landing of the Enemy could no further be impeached he presently fled away and left the Field with the Chief of his Horsemen some whereof recover'd Abbeville others St. Ricquier But most of the Foot were slain for the Chace endured for above three Miles So that there were slain more than e Holinshead p. 932. Stow p. 242. 2000 f Knighton p. 2587. n. 40. Men of Arms besides Footmen and those that were taken Prisoners Nor did the English escape wholly without Loss for before their Reer could get quite over the g Frois c. 127. Van-Currours of the King of Bohemia and the Lord John of Hainalt came upon them and slew some of them before they could gain the Ford and took some Horses and a few Carriages When now the King of England with his Army had thus escaped the great Danger they were lately in he h Frois ibid. first return'd his Thanks to God and then called Gâbin Agace before him and gave both him and all his Company their liberty and an 100 Nobles and a good Horse to Gobin as he had promised And having so done i Frois ibid. Du Chesne p. 664. he rode forth in his former Order designing to take up his Quarters at a great Town called Noyelle sur la Mer but being informed that it belonged to the Countess of Aumale who was Sister to his late Friend the Lord Robert of Artois for the Sake and in Memory of that Lord he forbore to do the least harm either to the Town or the Lands belonging thereto and so went forward But his Marshals rode up to Crotoy by the Sea-side which after some Opposition they took and burnt having slain above 300 Germans whom they found therein Here in the Haven they found many Ships and other Vessels laden with Wines of Ponthieu which were taken up by the Merchants of Xaintogne and Rochelle but now the Marshals seised thereon and brought the best to the King the rest they disposed of as they thought fitting Then one of the Marshals rode up even to the Gates of Abbeville and thence to St. Ricquier and the other unto the Town of Rue St. Esprit attempting if they could find any of those Places at any Disadvantage All this was done that Morning on which the King passed the Ford at Blanchetteaque and the Marshals return'd to the King early after Noon XV. That same Morning which was a Fryday and the 25 of August the Frence King marched from Airaynes in pursuit of King Edward whom he expected to find enclosed between the River of Somme and his Army But when he heard how the Passage was won and that the Lord Gondemar du Fay was defeated he complain'd aloud k âagum p. 141. that he was betray'd For he thought it impossible that 12000 Men so well posted should not be able to defend so narrow a Passage against all the World if they had done their Duties However he immediatly followed the English by the Banks of the River on the other side whereof King Edward and his Army lay and thô he had in his Company an Army of above an Hundred Thousand Men yet King Edward l Sr. Tho. de la Mâre apud Stow p. 242. offer'd him free Passage over the Ford provided he would come over the next Tide and choose a Place apt for Battle King Philip demanded of his Marshals what Course he should take in this Case they said Sir You cannot pass this River but at the Bridge of Abbeville for now 't is high Tide and if it was not thô your Adversary would let you pass freely over yet he would then have you at Disadvantage your Men being not duely order'd and beside that wet and weary But if your Majesty returning to Abbeville will take the benefit of this following Night for the Refreshment of your Men we shall pass the Bridge time enough to Morrow and fight with our Enemies without any Disadvantage Upon this Advice King Philip returned to Abbeville and King Edward marched up further into Ponthieu about 3 Leagues till he came to the Forest of Cressy near to the Town of Cressy which stands on the River Maye exactly between Abbeville and Hesdin When the King saw here that there was convenient Ground for two Armies to meet conjecturing rightly that now his Adversary of France was resolved to give him Battle he said to his Lords We will now go no further till we have look'd our Enemies in the Face for I have good reason to expect them here all this Land of Ponthieu being the Right Heritage of the Queen my Mother which was given her for her Dowry by her Father Philip thô since it hath been unjustly taken away by mine Adversary Philip of Valois Of whom now I will challenge this Country of Mine and God defend the Right And because he had not the m Frois c. 127. Says not an 8th part Fourth Part of that Number which King Philip brought into the Field he commanded his Marshals to choose out a Plat of Ground something for his Advantage This was all done accordingly and at the same time the King sent out his Van-Currours towards Abbeville to observe if they could see any Tokens of King Philip's Coming forward that Day These Men upon their return brought word to the Contrary and
still they had been so harassed But the next day and part of the day following they rode on still ignorant where the Scots were till at last there came up hastily an Esquire of Yorkshire named m Holinshead hist Scotl. p. 225 Thomas Rokeby riding toward the King who doing his Obeisance said these Words May it please your Majesty I have now brought certain tidings of the Scots your Enemies They are not above n Hector p. 308. Frois ibid. three Miles from hence lodged strongly on a great Hill in Weredale beyond the River Were where they have been these Eight days expecting our coming Dread Sr what I say I 'll maintain for Truth for I ventur'd so near to take the better view of them that falling into their hands I was carried before their Leaders where being question'd I declared how desirous your Majesty has been all along to find them out but when I mention'd the Estate your Majesty had promised beside the Honour of Knighthood as a Reward to him that should first bring tidings of them to your Majesty the Lords that command their Army having made me promise to discover where they were to your Majesty freely quitted me my Ransome and gave me full Liberty For they said they were every whit as desirous to fight with you and if it please your Majesty I shall shew you the Faces of them presently The King having received this exact account immediately assign'd unto the Esquire an hundred pound sterling for him and his heirs in perpetuum and therewith Knighted him with his own Sword before the whole Army And this Sr Thomas Rokeby by his Valiant and Noble carriage in time following shew'd how well he deserved this good Fortune as will appear in the Process of this History After this the King drew out all his Men into a fair Meadow where while their Beasts refreshed themselves the o Frois c. 18. fol. 9. b. King and those that were piously dispos'd went to a Neighbouring Abbey which the Scots had burnt to Confession as expecting without fail to have Battel now This done they all made themselves ready and having taken a little Rest and convenient Repast the Trumpets sounded to Horse and the Marshals Banners follow'd the New-made Knight Sr Thomas Rokeby after whom came every Battail by it self in good close Order because of the nearness of the Enemy thrô Mountains and Valleys with some difficulty yet they made such good speed that about Noon they came so near the Scots that each Host might plainly see the other The Scots beholding their Resolute approach as readily issued out of their Trenches and ranged themselves in three Battails on foot p Hector p. 308. at the descent of the Mountain A little beneath the q Frois c. 18. c. foot of this Hill there ran a great River called Were full of huge flints and other stones like the Tyne so that it was very hazardous to pass over even had there been no Enemy oppos'd to impeach the Passage And yet had the Scots permitted the English to come over quietly they had found no sufficient room to draw themselves up in between the River and this Mountain But they must have been fain to come in Parties and all disorder'd upon a compleat Army well and regularly ranged This made the English lay by all hopes of forcing them from that advantagious Station but yet to try whether they might not be provoked to break their present Order the King commanded all men to alight from their Horses and pull off their Spurs presenting themselves in three Great Battails before the Enemy at which time he made some new Knights and then to give courage to his Soldiers rode leisurely before the r Frois ibid. Battails praying and exhorting them all with much sweetness to be carefull that day of his Crown and Dignity and of the Honour of their Country After which it was commanded on pain of Death that none should go before the Marshals Banners nor by any means break their array without particular Order And now fair and softly they all advance forward till they came so near to the Enemy that the Front of either Host might perfectly view each others Arms and Cognizance Here the English perceived that their Adversaries as secure in their present condition were fully resolv'd no way to alter it either by moving forward to meet them or by retiring back to give them space to approach wherefore here they made an Halt to advise further In the mean time some of the stout Barons and Knights of the Host mounting their great Coursers resolv'd to skirmish with the Scots and to view well the passage of the River as also to behold the Face of the Enemy nearer if by any means they might find a way to join Battel The King having this while been at Council sent Heralds to the Scots to assure them That if they were willing to come and pass the River towards obtaining a Battel he would freely retire back till he had left them sufficient space to range themselves in either then or if they pleased the next day or else let them allow the same to England and the King would without fail come over to them Upon this the Scots took Council and there thô the Lord James Douglas with equal Courage approved of the Proposal and was ready to embrace the offer yet the Prudent Lord Thomas Randulph oversway'd his Heat by good and weighty Reasons and so they sent this ſ Frois c. 18. fol. 10. Answer by the Heralds The Scotch Lords are better advis'd than to follow the Counsel of an Enemy Your King and his Barons are not ignorant where now we are and what we have done in coming hither If they are displeased let them correct us when they can For here we are resolved to maintain our Post as long as we shall think fitting and when we see occasion we may give them Battel to their Cost But as for the Offers we reject them both After the delivery of this Answer it was by Order from the King proclaim'd that all men should there take up their rest for that Night without retiring to the Camp and so there they lay all Night on the hard ground with their armour on having neither stakes to tie their Horses to nor much Forage to give them nor fuel to make any fire But the Scots on the other hand leaving good Watch in the place where they stood ranged before went every one else to their former encampment where they made so many and so great Fires of English wood as if they design'd thereby to provoke their Enemies by wasting so prodigally that suel of which they themselves had so little But from Midnight till Morning they made such a noise with perpetual and universal shoutings and cries and winding of Horns and Clarions as if they design'd not only to daunt their Enemies but to rend Heaven it self Thus were both the
valiant Men and could not be surpris'd because they durst not yet take their rest without very good Watch and a strong Guard as well for doubt of the Common Enemy as for fear of the English Archers whom they had so incens'd as we shew'd before Let any man of Reason consider whether it be possible for such a Company of Horsemen to pass even to the heart of such an Army and repass again with little or no dammage being all the while attended with such Noise and Tumult What no Trenches to hinder their Progress No Troops appointed to secure the Watch and to walk the Rounds None ready to draw a Sword or to let an Arrow slip from a Bow If not one was slain what made Douglas go off with so small an Execution when Leonidas and his three hundred Spartans made shift to kill twenty thousand Persians in one night Or why did he not come with the whole strength of his Army then as Hector saies he might have slain them every Mothers Son But having made this Tryal which succeeded better than he could imagin and finding the Army began to be Roused he sav'd his own Men and went off Why Even the Womanlike Army of e Herodot l. 7. Justin l. 2. Orosius l. 2. c. 9. Xerxes to which an enemy cannot compare the English could make a shift to stop the return of as noble a General as Douglas thô attended with three hundred Spartans and seven hundred Others as brave Fellows no doubt as those Scotchmen who yet fell silently upon the Persians without any noise or warning at all It cannot be that the English should then be either so effeminate or so negligent or so overcome with surfits at that time that they could not with half this Noise be allarm'd so as to rouze up and rally together and intercept these bold Intruders I rather therefore believe that Earl Douglas intended a crafty and more probable and no less honourable Undertaking of destroying the Kings own Person whose Tent he might easily have observed by some Penon or Cognisance and so hoped to put the English Army to the rout upon loss of their General as the Assyrians fled upon the Death of Holofernes That he intended to secure his Retreat by these select and fleet Horses which were sufficient to skirmish with any Troop that should suddenly pursue after him And it is f Knighton p. 2552. said by a diligent Historian of those very Days who had seen and known and g Id. p. 2627. heard King Edward discourse that Douglas came into the Camp by stealth aiming to find out the Kings Pavilion and that being descried by some of the Watch he said always in English as if he had been one of the Rounds No Ward Ha! St. George And so not being question'd he came at last to the Tent Royal where he stew the Kings i Tinemouth Aur. Histor in aedilus Lambeth f. 229. Chamberlain and after that a stout loyal Soul his Chaplain who ran toward the King to wake him but was slain in the endeavour as he also interpos'd his own Body to prevent the blow aim'd at the King. With this rude shock the Valourous Young King awakes and immediatly snatches his good Sword which hung ready-naked at his Beds head and leaps out on the other side the Bed to oppose this bold Adventurer who seeing now his work not likely to be clearly performed and doubting there had been too great noise already retires but just before the Kings Tent was filled with his faithfull Subjects by many of whom he is strait persu'd on all hands But whether by some connivance of Mortimers or that himself had well consider'd all the Avenues of the Camp being a most expert Commander or that his readiness in English made him not perceived or that Fortune loves to be propitious to them that court her gallantly Douglas himself escapes clear off thô very k Tinemouth ibid Knighton p. 2552. n. 10. hardly but many of his Men were left behind Either of these ways in my opinion makes equally for the honour of that valiant Scotch Lord but this latter as it wants not good and ancient Attestors so to me it seems upon many accounts much more probable than the other However the Action of this night taught the English to keep more sure Watch and Ward for the future and some certain Troops held their appointed Posts standing in Harness all night by turns but every day they skirmished each Part dividing their losses and gains almost equally For the Scots never came over to the English otherwise they had been surrounded with good Bands of Men and so all taken or slain but the English ever ventur'd over with Gallantry enough and generally they had the better but when the Scots sent out more numerous Detachments from their Main Body which because they were fewer in number than the English they did not often for they doubted if too much they broke their Array that the whole English Forces would follow the Skirmishers This was the manner of both Armies for about twenty four l Ashmele p. 645 days in all when it chanced a Scotch Knight of some quality was taken prisoner and brought before the King and his Barons where being roughly menaced and strictly examin'd he at last with much ado confessed in what evil Condition the Scots at that time were and being prest yet further he told them how their Generals had ordain'd that the same night every one should be ready arm'd and follow the Banners of the Lord Douglas but what to doe as it was by the Council kept secret so the Knight ingenuously protested that he was wholly ignorant Upon this the King withdrawing to Council it was concluded by all because the Lord Douglas was now the Leader of this Enterprize that they certainly intended to give them a general Onset as that night on each Flank of the Army as expecting to find Success answerable to the late Undertaking their Dispair thrô so long a siege attended with such difficulties making them resolve at one Blow to hazard all For the Knight had confessed a great Famine among them Then three great Battails were ordain'd the One to stand before the Camp toward the Enemy the other Two facing about on each side to receive them both on right and left if occasion should be Great Fires also were appointed to be kindled on all Parts that they might avoid confusion or surprize the better and the Watches were placed at several distances and Scouts sent out to inform the Host of the Enemies motions the Watch-word was given and the Servants and Pages were order'd the while to keep their Masters Lodgings with their Horses ready Sadled in their hands And thus accordingly they stood all Night in Battle Array till the first approach of Morning when two Scotch Trumpeters being taken by the Scout-watch and by them brought to the King and Council spake freely for they were
sudden there t Frois ibid. Du Chesne p. 649. started an Hare near the Frenchmen whereat those that saw her rais'd a Loud shouting so that the Hindermost thought thereby that the Armies were now upon the Point of Engaging Wherefore hastily they clap'd on their Helmets and took their Spears in their Hands and after the Manner to Encourage their Men to the Battle many New Knights were thereupon made especially Fourteen were then Created by the Earl of Hainault who were afterward in Derision called Knights of the Hare And some have made more Abusive Observations thereupon But all this while both the Armies stood still King Edward because he was unequal in Number and had beside a Promise to have Battle presented unto him if he would abide in the open Field and also because he could never imagine that so Glorious an Army with Four Kings their Leaders and such a Number of the Prime Nobility of France should ever refuse an Enemy that expected them took no thought of being the Aggressor and King Philip as yet doubted on the foremention'd Reasons whether he should proceed or no just at which time there were brought in to the Host Letters of Recommendation from Robert King of Sicily and Naples to the French King and his Council which dash'd the whole business Now this u Freis ib. c. 42. Mezeray p. 15. Du Chesne p 649. Asumcle p. 650. P. Amyl p. 275. c. exteri serè cinnes King was look'd upon in those Days to be the most Famous of all Men for his extraordinary Skill in Astrology whereby with the help of a good Genius he could shrewdly to say no more guess at many Notable Events He therefore when he saw the Wars between France and England open and that with all his own Personal Endeavours and Travels with the Pope at Avignion he could no way prevent it set himself to seek out earnestly some foreknowledge of the Event if he might by any means comprehend any thing of the Fortune of these two Princes Whether from consideration of their several Nativities both which are attainable and as for Our King Edward's together with that of his Son the Black-Prince I think to present them to the Reader in the Close of this Work or from what else he took his Opinion I know not but surely he succeeded so well that either he found out or thought he did that if the French King should Fight with King Edward of England in Person he must infallibly expect to be discomfited and that he saw those many ill Consequences which would fall on the Noble Realm of France by so Fatal a Miscarriage Wherefore being a Prince extreamly addicted to the Interest of France as one who had not only adventur'd but lost his Only Son in the Quarrel of that Kingdom as I shew'd in the Battle of Southampton he sent frequent Letters to King Philip his Cosin and to his Council of all whom he was held in great Esteem for his Piety Learning and Knowledge in Judicial Astrology as well as other Curiosities of Nature earnestly desiring that by no means they would adventure to give Battle to the English whenever King Edward should be Personally present especially at this time that he saw many Dreadfull Calamities to be threatned to France I take no notice here of the pitifull Cavils of the Ignorant or Prejudicated Critick but reckon it my Duty to relate Matter of Fact attested so credibly as this is and I am ready to believe that such a thing might proceed from the Infinite Goodness of Almighty God towards Christian People that by these Warnings King Philips fierce Mind might be rendred more susceptible of Offers of Peace and all those Miseries which were else to follow be thereby prevented Yet for all this King Philip was not absolutely perswaded from giving Battle he was too Wise to give an Implicit Faith to things apparently of no great Authority But however as the Morning was wholly spent in the former Debates so upon occasion of these Letters and the Discourses ensuing thereon the Afternoon was also taken up and the Day in a manner quite worn out So that at last leave was given for every Man to withdraw to his former Lodgings in the Camp. When the young Earl of Hainault saw by this Dishonourable delay that now no Battle was like to happen he immediately went off with all his Men in Displeasure and that Night reach'd Quesnoy Now toward the x Knighton p. 2575. n. 10. Evening of this Day three French Spies being brought before King Edward and separately examin'd declared that King Philip Design'd on the Saturday following to Present him Battle and that he was not encamped above a League and an half off On the Saturday therefore King Edward descended into the Field again as before and in the Forenoon there were taken certain of the French Scouts who said that the French were ready ranged in the Field and Resolved to give them Battle At which Report the English were well pleased as desiring above all things to bring the Matter to a full Tryal But in the mean time some of our Scouts were taken and among them a Knight of Almain who confessed in Order the whole Array of the English Army and their Ardent Desire to Fight Hereupon the first Battail of the French was Order'd to Retreat and they began to set up their Tents and to encompass the Camp with a Ditch and to cut down great Trees to lay between them and the Enemy to hinder all sudden approach But the English on the other Hand stood all Day in the Field on Foot always looking for the coming of the French but in vain Wherefore toward the approach of the Evening the Marshals of the Host and others considering that they had waited enough that Day of all Reason and that it was better to encamp by Daylight commanded to Horse and so went off on the Right hand towards Avesnes en Hainault But at the time of their removal King Edward sent to the French King telling him that all the Sunday following he would expect him as before in the same place Which also he did do But he heard no more of him but that on the Saturday when the English took Horse with Design to go into their Night Quarters the French Scouts without consideration believing that they intended to fall on their Army return'd in all haste with such a Report so that the King of France thinking fit to retire to a more secure Place there happen'd in the Reer such a y Walsingh hist p. 128. Knighton ibid. Panick Terror that for pressing over hastily on one another there were lost in a certain Miry Place more than a Thousand Horse Yet when after this the Army was disbanded because being late in the Year little more could now be done when King Philip reflected on the whole Matter he was extreamly displeased with himself that he had thus declin'd fighting But
Hainalts Territories Whereupon the Earl sends him a Defiance V. After that the said Earl Marches in Hostile manner into the French Pale where being satisfied with Revenge for that time he passes over the Sea for England to enter a strict Alliance with King Edward VI. The mean while King Philip orders his Eldest Son John Duke of Normandy to Revenge this severely upon Hainalt and he himself having try'd in vain to draw off the Flemings from England to his side procures the Pope to Interdict Flanders and Commands his Garrisons that Border'd that way to make sharp War upon them which is done accordingly VII Jacob van Arteveld in Revenge resolves to go and lay Siege before Tournay and invites the Earl of Salisbury and the Earl of Suffolks Eldest Son to come to such a Place and joyn him They in their Passage thither are intercepted and taken Prisoners by the Men of Lille and are sent to the French King who is hardly perswaded by the King of Bohemia not to put them to Death in cold blood VIII The Duke of Normandy Invades Hainalt with the various Rencounters thereupon IX He returning to Cambray Mutual Inroads are made into France and Hainalt by the Garrisons of either Party X. The Duke when the season of War was come Marches again from Cambray and goes before the Castle of Thine l'Evesque The Earl of Hainalt coming home Marches with a great Army to raise the Siege I. NOW thô Philip the French King had upon good Reasons as we shew'd before declin'd to venture his whole Stock upon the chance of one Battle yet was he not wanting to shew himself both Active and Provident in offending his Enemy of England where he imagin'd any probability of Success He a Frois c. 46. fol. 26. therefore appointed the Lord Gaston Earl of Laille who was a right Valiant Leader and as then at Paris with the King to undertake an Expedition against the English in Gascoign and to act as his Lieutenant there making war against Bourdeaux and Boââdelois and all the Fortresses that held still of King Edward At that time the worthy Baron b Walsingh hist p. 133. Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 104. Odoric Rainald ad An. 1339. n. 15. Oliver Lord Ingham was Governour of Bourdeaux and the Parts thereabout who not much doubting any great matter from France in this juncture when the King of Englands Forces were in Flanders For King Edward upon his Departure into England had left in Flanders great Part of his Forces under the Command of the Earl of Salisbury and the Lord c Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 48. Robert Hufford le Fitz eldest Son to the Earl of Suffolk was notwithstanding suddenly surprized to behold a compleat Army of Frenchmen approaching the Walls of Bourdeaux to lay Siege thereto He was not ready enough prepared to make good the Place by pure Force nor had he sufficient Power at that time many of his Men being dispersed into Winter Quarters to man the Walls and make good all other Defences Only this was his Comfort that the Inhabitants were all entirely affected to the English Interest Wherefore putting all his own Men which were under 6000 into Arms in the most secret manner he commanded the Citizens to shew no Fear or Distrust but to follow their Occupations as in time of Peace Then immediately he set the City Gates wide open and rear'd upon the Walls both of Town and Castle the French Lillies The Enemy finding the Gates open enter'd peaceably but when they saw the Arms of France every where erected and also upon the Castle it self supposing the English Garrison fled and so secure now both they within and they without for the most part laid by their Arms but all went in without Order to rifle the Houses of the English and to seize the Castle But just then the Valiant and Politick Lord Ingham with his Men all well-arm'd and in good Order rush'd forth upon them flaying them down by Heaps and driving all before them At which instant the Citizens fell in upon them from all Parts with their Weapons in their hands so that it was impossible for them thô never so numerous to rally again and recover any Order Wherefore with great ease the Lord Ingham prevail'd and vanquish'd them utterly so that they were all either slain or taken almost to a Man the Earl of Laille hardly with a few escaping King Edward upon News hereof besides his Gracious Acceptance of Sr. Oliver's Service sent his Royal Letters of Thanks to his Subjects of Bourdeaux wherein he also promised them considerable Aid very speedily They began thus Edward c. You ought O most loving and loyal Subjects of Bourdeaux greatly to rejoyce for that by your Courage and Loyalty you have purchas'd unto your selves a Name that will be crown'd with immortal Honour And we nothing doubt but you will yet further endeavour to exalt your Glory more high by perseverance in those laudable Beginnings But as for this last piece of your Service to Us We shall take care to requite it with such Bounty that by example of your Rewards obtained from Us other of our loving Subjects may be rendred more prompt and willing to hazard in our Service both their Lives and Fortunes c. When the News of this Success was brought to King Edward it was also shew'd unto him that the Lord d Knighton p. 2575. n. 60. De la Brett and other Lords of Gascoign who had lately yielded to the French King had now for want of sufficient Protection from him return'd to the Obedience of the King of England and wasted the Lands of the French King as far as Tholouse About the same time the English e Stow p. 236. Mariners of the Cinque Ports to revenge in part those late Affronts done to England by the French Navy embarqued themselves in Pinnaces and small Boats well appointed and after the Feast of St. Hilary arrived at Boulogne upon the Sea-coast from whence is the shortest Cutt to Dover The weather was so misty cloudy and dark that they were scarce perceived when they were in the Haven So that by the Lower Town they burnt 19 Gallies 4 great Ships and 20 Small Boats with all their Tackling beside those Houses near the Shore among which one was the Block-House at that time full of Oars Sails Weapons all manner of Rigging and other Necessaries sufficient to furnish 19 Gallies and Men for them After all which they slew many of the Townsmen in a skirmish on the f Knighton p. 2573. n. 50. land set fire to the Lower Town hang'd twelve Captains of their Ships whom they had taken and so bad them farewell for that time II. The mean while King g Frois c. 44. c. 50. Astincle p. 651. Philip bestirr'd himself as One who was sensible how near all these matters concern'd his Honour and Estate Royal he mightily enforced and strengthned his Navy then
Fortress At which time the Countess who from the high Tower had seen all this brave Skirmish descended and came forth of the Castle with a glad cheer and in the Street she met and kissed Sr. Walter Manny and his Captains one after another twice or thrice as Froisard says like a valiant Lady VIII This bold and lucky Enterprise of the English Generals took off all hope from the Enemy of Prevailing wherefore the l Frois c. 82. fol. 42. b. next day Don Lewis of Spain called a Council of War and the Vicount of Rouën the Bishop of Leon Sr. Henry du Leon and Sr. Otho du Rue Master of the Genouëse to know their Advice in this Juncture They remembred how long they had lain already to little purpose before the strong Town of Hennebond they saw how mightily the Enemy was reinforced with these Men of Arms and Archers of England so that they were ready even to have bid them Battle at their Gates Their biggest Engine was broke many of their Men slain and wounded their Army weaker the Enemy much stronger So that on all these considerations they thought it but lost time to wait for any good Success there and thereupon concluded to raise their Siege the next day and to draw to the Castle of Auray where still Sr. Charles of Blois lay at Siege with the other half of the Army As they had agreed the next day they began their March for Auray whereat those of the Town made great Outcries and Shoutings after them and some adventur'd to follow them in the Reer but they were soon beat back again nor did they gain the Town without loss When Don Lewis of Spain came to the Lord Charles of Blois he gave his Reasons why he rais'd his Siege from before Hennebond which were allowed But Sr. Charles being of himself strong enough to maintain the Siege before Auray he sent Don Lewis to Dinant a Town not otherwise fortified than by Pales the Water of the River Rance and a Marish Ground The Spanish Leader in his way thither came to a Castle called m Sic corrigo Froisard Conquest Nam inter Auray Dinant nen reperitur Conquest sed immane quantum ab utrisque eccidentem versus distat Vt ex Tab. Geogr. Comper the Captain whereof was a valiant Knight of Normandy named Sr. Anthony Manson who had a pretty considerable Garrison under him This Place Don Lewis resolved to attack and gave them a fierce Assault which held till Midnight for it was begun but in the Evening the Defendants still making their part good The next Morning the Assault was renewed and the Ditches being then found not to be of any great Depth the Assailants approached by Wading and made a great Breach in the Wall whereat they entred by Force and slew all the Garrison but only the Knight their Captain whom they took Prisoner When Don Lewis had set here a new Garrison of 60 chosen Men under a good Captain he went forward and lay down before Dinant IX Now when first Don Lewis had sat down before Comper immediately one was dispatch'd away with News to the Countess of Montford who thereupon said to the Lord Walter Manny That if he could relieve that Place it would be as satisfactory to her as honourable to himself Sr. Walter agreed and the next Morning began his March towards Comper with most of the Forces of Hennebond About Noon he came to the Castle wherein now was a Garrison of Spaniards and French for it had been won the Day before Sr. Walter was vext when he saw that Don Lewis himself was not there for he came with a resolution to give him Battle However he said to his Men Gentlemen I am not in the mind to stirr hence till I know who are in the Castle and how they came there So the Assault was begun and the French and Spaniards within stood stifly to their Defence But the English Archers held them so short that the Ditch being now also gaged with Spears and found passable the Men of Arms came easily to the Walls and presently finding the Breach at which the French had entred before they also entred the Castle the same way and slew all they found there but ten whom they took to Mercy The Lord Manny would not leave any Garrison there for he saw well the Place was not tenable wherefore having set it on fire he returned with his English and Bretons to the Countess to Hennebond for he durst not go too far from that Fortress having almost drained the Garrison X. In the mean time Don Lewis lay at Siege before Dinant wherein was Captain the young Sr. Reynald of Dinant Son to the Lord of Guingand who had so well acquitted himself against Sr. Gerard of Morlaix as we shewed a little before He valued nothing the Threats of Don Lewis but always gave him his hands full of work when he came to assault them But Don n Freis c. 83. fol. 43. Lewis within a little while had got together several Boats and little Barks so that now he could attack the Place both by Land and Water at once Wherefore when the Burgesses of the Town saw their condition they resolved to yield and begun to perswade Sr. Reynald their Captain thereto but he disdaining their Motion protested he would never endure to be so basely disloyal Wherefore these Barbarous Wretches laid hands upon the noble-hearted young Gentleman and most inhumanly murder'd him in the open Market-place When thus Don Lewis had gain'd the Town he released Sr. Gerard of Morlais whom he found there a Prisoner and made both him and his Friend Sr. Pierce Portbeuf Captains thereof with a sufficient Garrison under them From thence Don Lewis marched back again till he came to a great Town on the Sea side between the Vilaine and the Loire called Guerande Where he found several Merchants Ships which had been come laden with Wine from Poictou and Rochel The Wine was all sold off but the Payment was not very good For Don Lewis seised on all the Vessels and what he found therein and having mann'd them assaulted the Town the next day both by Sea and Land. The Besieged could not make good their Defence both these ways at one time wherefore the Place was carried by Force the Town robb'd all the Souls therein both Men Women and Children put to the Sword without Mercy and Five Churches were violated and set on Fire Which last fact so highly displeased Don Lewis that he commanded 24 of those who had done it to be forthwith hanged for their pains In this Place there was found much Treasure and Riches so that every Man was master of more than he could bear away wherefore they were fain to pick and choose the most valuable things and leave the rest against their Wills behind them For it was a Town of great Traffick and Merchandise XI After this cruel Execution done at Guerande Don Lewis enter'd
parts retired fair and softly to their main Battle not ceasing to skirmish all the way The mean while Sr. Emery drew forth his Men along upon the Dike without the Barriers and placed the Archers ready on both sides the way to receive the Enemy The Noise and Cry of Men and Martial Instruments was so great that all the whole Army drew thitherward expecting a full decision by Battle only their Pages and Valets being left in the Camp. At that very time Sr. Walter Manny with his 600 Men sallied out privily at the Postern Gate and fetching a Compass behind the Camp entred the Lodgings of the French Lords where they met with no Resistance for all were at the Skirmish Sr. Walter being directed went straight to the Lord Charles of Blois his Tent where he found the two Knights Prisoners Sr. John Butler and Sr. Matthew Trelauny with their Faces cover'd and their Hands ti'd behind them For all the Servants left about them were run away Sr. Walter unbound them himself and made them leap upon two good Horses brought thither for that purpose gave them each a Sword in their Hands and immediately without doing any harm return'd the same way he came and enter'd Hennebond with all his Company where he was received of the Countess with great joy All this while the Battle waxed hot near the Great Gate till the Valets who fled from before Sr. Walter brought word how the Prisoners were rescued When Don Lewis heard this Report he thought the Lord Charles had put a Trick upon him and ask'd in great fury which way they were gone that made the Rescue they told him toward Hennebond Then he left the Shirmish in great Displeasure and with his Troops retreated to the Camp at which time also Sr. Charles sounded a general Retreat For he found himself cheated and that there was no good to be done As the Frenchmen retired the Lord of Landerneau and the Governour of Guingand pursued after them so eagerly that they were both taken Prisoners and carried to the Lord Charles his Tent where they were so beset with Threats and Promises that they presently acknowledged him Duke of Bretagne and rendred him their Homage and Fealty Thus for the Recovery of two Friends the Countess lost two other but however by this Action she gain'd such a Reputation from her Enemies that they reckon'd her at that time Invincible XVII For three days after this brisk Exploit at a Council of War in the Lord Charles his Tent it was consider'd That Hennebond was not to be forced that by these Wars the Country had been so wasted and robbed by both Parties that there was hardly any Forage or Provision to be got that Winter also was near at hand for it was now t October between the Feast of Remigius and All Saints Wherefore they agreed to raise their Siege for that time only it was advis'd that the Lord Charles should take care to reinforce all his Fortresses which he had won with Provision Soldiers and Captains that so they might the next Year find their Affairs in no worse Posture than now they left them And for the better security of their Men in Winter Quarters it was order'd that if any desired a Truce till Whitsuntide it should not be refused This was the Result of what was agreed in this Council before Hânnâbond in the Moneth of October MCCCXLII Whereupon u Frois c. 88. fol. 47. they brake up the Siege and except only such of the Lords as the Lord Charles of Blois retain'd with him to advise him in his Affairs all the Captains with their Forces went to their several Homes or the Quarters assigned them The Army breaking up at the strong Town of Karhais where some time after the Lord Charles of Blois remained Now during his Stay at Karhais a certain rich Merchant being a wealthy and powerfull Burgess of Jugon a Town standing on the River Arguenon about 7 Leagues from St. Brieu and 5 from Dinant was taken up by the Marshall Sr. Robert Beaumanoir and brought to his Lord Sr. Charles This Merchant by Commission from the Countess of Montford had the chief Rule of the Town of Jugon and was greatly also beloved and respected by the Inhabitants thereof Him Sr. Charles put in fear of his Life and pretended to be unwilling to accept of any Ransom whatsoever So that what thrô Fear and other Arts us'd upon him he began to listen to a Proposal of Betraying the Town At last it was agreed that as he who kept the Keys of the Town he should on such a Night leave open such a certain Gate For the Accomplishment whereof he left his Son in Hostage and Sr. Charles on his Part promised to give him in Requital of that Service five hundred Pounds of yearly Revenue This Agreement was performed on the Alderman's Part and on the Night appointed Sr. Charles enter'd the Town at such a Gate with considerable Forces But the Watchman of the Castle perceiv'd them and gave the Alarm crying out Treason Treason At this the Inhabitants began to run to their Arms but seeing all lost they fled to the Castle for security by Heaps and to set a good Face upon the Matter the Alderman who was author of the Plot fled along with them In the morning Sr. Charles of Blois sent such a number of his Men to search and plunder the Houses and he himself with the rest came before the Castle and thô he saw and knew the great Strength thereof yet considering how thronged it was now with new Comers whereby their Provisions would be mightily wasted he said aloud That he would not stir thence till he had it at his Devotion The mean while Sr. Gerard of Rochfort who was Captain of the Castle perceiving evidently and upon strict Examination finding that this Burgess the Governour of the Town had betrayed all presently took him and hang'd him for an Example over the Walls after which considering that his Provision would not serve above ten Days and that the Lord Charles had made a vow not to depart till he had one way or other reduced the Place he Capitulated to yield on Condition that the Goods and Lives of all within should be saved which was granted The Lord Charles took them all to his Homage and left the Castle to the Government of the same Captain Sr. Gerard of Rochefort whose Loyalty he approved even thô lately contrary to him Thus both Town and Castle of Jugon were put in a good posture of Defence only the Master was changed XVIII But now by the Mediation of many sober Men on both Parties a Truce was at last concluded between the Lord Charles of Blois and the Countess of Montford and consented to by all their Aiders and Assisters to endure to the Fifteenth of May then next ensuing Whereupon the King of England having before sent for the Countess of Montford as soon as this Truce was ratified She together
came with all his Host to Nantes where he was extreamly welcom to the Lord Charles of Blois and Himself with his Lords and chief Captains lodged in the City but their Men were quartered about in the Country for both the City and Suburbs were unable to hold them and besides the Suburbs had been lately burnt by the English While the Duke of Normandy lay thus at Nantes The Earl of Salisbury and the other Lords of England who were still before Rennes made one Day above the rest a fierce and terrible Assault upon the City which endured with all possible Animosity for all that Day and yet thô they had also dives Engines and Instruments to batter and shake the Walls they gain'd no Advantage but lost many Men in the Assault Those that so well defended this Place were besides the Bishop of Rennes the Lord of Ancenis the Lord of Pontrieux Sr. John de Malestroit Sr. Owen Charnells and a young Breton named Bertram de Clequin who afterwards became the most considerable Captain of his Days and was in time Constable of France of whose notable Exploits this Work will not be silent Nor let any Man wonder that these Cities of Vannes Rennes and Nantes should hold out so stifly now against the Forces of King Edward when as we shall find them all to have changed their Lord more than once within the space of two Years For when Bretagne only fought against Bretagne the People were divided some enclining to one side and some to the other and easily altering their Minds again But now they look'd upon the English as a common Enemy and beside the Lord Charles was better provided at this time than formerly However the Earl of Salisbury continued his Siege before Rennes for all this and daily wasted and ravaged the Country round about Now when the Duke of Normandy who had well consider'd of the Business he had in hand was certainly informed how Rennes was in little or no danger but that Vannes was in much hazard of being lost it was so mightily prest by the King of England thither he resolv'd first to bend his Course and either by Battle or otherwise to raise the Siege The two Marshals of the Host the Lord Charles of Monmorency and the Lord of St. Venant led the Van the Duke himself was in the Main Body and the Lord Geoffry Charny with the Earl of Guisnes brought up the Reer In this Order they came before Vannes and lay over against the King of England in a fair Meadow between the Rivers of Claye and Vilaine and made a great and deep Ditch round about their Host but the Marshals and Van-currours of each Army met often and skirmished together XVII King Edward upon the news of their Approach had sent for the Earls of Salisbury and Pembroke to break up their Siege from before Rennes and come strait to the Camp to him which they did for he expected to have Battle with the Frenchmen at this time without fail His Forces both English and Bretons made up but about b Frois c. 98. 2500 Men of Arms and 6000 Archers and about 6000 Others on Foot beside those who were left to keep the Navy and Others in Garrisons and with the Countess at Hennebond But these few were all select Men under good Leaders strongly entrench'd in their Camp So that the French could not without Disadvantage to themselves oblige them to a Battle thô they on the other hand were four times their Number at least together with the Reinforcement of the Lord Charles of Blois from Nantes and all well appointed for the War. Thus these two Armies lay fronting one another for several Days without any Action further than some light Skirmishes For the French as was shew'd could not force the English to a Battle nor durst they attempt them in their Camp and King Edward thought it not Wisdom to leave his Defences and attack the Enemy at such odds to so great a Disadvantage as he knew the Aggressor must needs submit himself unto especially since he must then leave so strong a City at his back to second the Enemy Nor yet did he give any more Assaults to the Place because of keeping his Men fresh and entire against the time a Battle should be offer'd which then he resolv'd to accept Wherefore different Considerations deterring both Armies from Engaging the Winter began to incommode them not a little when it pleased God to incline the Heart of Pope Clement the VI. to labour earnestly for a Peace between them He had now sent thither two Cardinals c Rot. Parl. 17. Ed. 3. n. 8. vid. Claus de ced an p. 1.25 Dersc Victorell p. 892. Oderâc Rainald ad hunc ãâã §. 24. Peter of Palestrina or Praeneste and Annibald of Tusculum who rode daily between both Parties But as yet neither of them would accept of any equal Conditions For the French thought to keep the King there in manner of a Siege till he should even be forced to come forth and give them Battle to his great Disadvantage and the King expected that at last they must adventure to force him considering he was inferiour in Number and more conveniently encamp'd for the Weather than they Yet to say Truth both Armies endur'd their Inconveniences the French found much vexation with Wet and Cold for it rain'd upon them Night and Day whereby many of their Horses died and at last they were obliged to dislodge and remove into the plain Fields their Tents were so full of Water in the Meadow And the English thô they were more dry and warm durst not go a Foraging but in very considerable Bodies for fear of the French who infested the Country and Don Lewis of Spain so narrowly watched the Sea-coasts with his Fleet that little Provision could be brought to the Kings Army but with great Danger These difficulties prepared the Minds of both Princes and rendred them more susceptible of the Cardinals Offers Wherefore they were at last both brought to allow of a Peace for Bretagne and because the Cardinals urged that Point also to appoint a Time for a Treaty of a final Accommodation between England and France But only here the King protested that he would never allow the Pope any Power to determin of his Quarrel but added That unless a Treaty might be had both honourable to Himself and profitable for his Allies he would never consent to have the same brought before the Pope nor then neither but only as before d M. S. p. 48. §. 8 Sr. Rcb. Cotten p. 37. §. 8. Ashmele p. 653. an indifferent Friend and no Judge otherwise he would pursue his Quarrel However at last these Holy Men labour'd so effectually that they obtain'd a Truce between England and France and their Allies to hold for three Years during which time the whole Controversie then depending should be weigh'd and impartially consider'd and some equal Method of Peace
that the p Frois c. 122. Burgesses being terrified thereby to save the Lives of themselves their Wives and Children against the Mind of all the Souldiers yielded up the Town to the English and offer'd for security of their Lives all their Goods to their Discretion When the Souldiers saw the business of the Inhabitants and that against their Wills it was impossible for them to make good the Place they retired to the Castle but within two Days after were obliged to yield thô on better Conditions than the Townsmen for these obtained security for Life and Goods So the Town and Castle of Carentan were taken and all the Inhabitants sent to the Ships as Prisoners but when King q Dase res in Philip de Valois p. 7. Rosse's Continuation of Sr. Walter Raleigh p. 291. Edward understood that the Heads of some of his Friends whom the French King had murther'd were upon the Gates of that Town he commanded them to be taken down and buried Reverently And order'd both the Town and Castle as a Sacrifice to their Ghosts to be burnt and rased to the ground These things were done by the Earl of Warwicks Battalia which went along by the Sea-Coast while on the other r Frois ibid. side the Lord Godfry of Harcourt rode forth on the Kings Left Hand for he knew all the Avenues and Passages of Normandy better than any other He had in his Battalia 500 Men of Arms besides Archers and Footmen and sometimes ranged six or seven Leagues from the Kings Battail as far as the Sea-Coast Westward where Normandy looks on the Isles of Jersey and Garnesey burning and spoiling all before him with no less Hostility and Fury than the English Lords used on the other side They all found the Country very Rich and Plentifull the Granges and Barns full of Corn and Provender the Shops and Houses full of Rich Stuffs and other Goods and Commodities and the whole Country abounding with Chariots Carts Horses Swine Sheep Oxen and Poultry For there had been a long Peace and Security in those Parts The Souldiers now took of all this what they pleas'd and brought it to the King but of what Gold and Silver they found they gave no account either to him or his Officers but kept it to themselves In this manner the Lord Godfry of Harcourt and the Earl of Warwick rode forth by Day but at Night for the most part they both lay in the Kings Field or very near him When thus all things were clear'd behind as to the North-point of Normandy King Edward began to March Eastward and went directly to St. Lo in Coutantine but before he came thither he encamped by the River Vire till his two Battails might come up to him and then he proceeded VII The mean ſ Frois c. 123. while King Philip was not negligent on his Part but enforced his Summons to his Subjects and others who held of him any way and sent for all his Friends and Allies as to the Noble and Valiant Old King of Bohemia John of Luxemburgh Son to Henry the VII once Emperour of Germany and to his Eldest Son the Lord Charles Marquess of Moravia who about this time was called Caesar being advanced in Opposition to Lewis of Bavaria upon whose Death a Year after He was made Emperour King John and his Son Charles came speedily to King Philip's Assistance with a goodly Number of Bohemians Germans and Luxemburghers as did also upon the said Kings Request Ralph Duke of Lorraine King Philip's Nephew and James Son and Heir to Humbert the Old Dauphin of Vienna which two lead 300 Spears Then came the Lord John of Hainalt Lord of Beaumont who as we shew'd was lately brought over from the King of England's Service with a gallant Troop of Valiant Hainalders there was likewise Lewis Earl of Flanders who had but few Men under him and those only of the Gentry and Nobility of Flanders for the Commons of that Country held all for King Edward Thither came also James King of Majorica who being beaten out of his Kingdom by Peter King of Aragon had lately for an t Odoric Rainald ad an 1345. §. 13. 100000 Crowns of Gold sold unto King Philip of France his Right to Monpellier that thereby he might be enabled to give Battle to the King of Aragon But at this time he could not refuse with what Forces he had to Assist King Philip. While thus the French King was making himself strong on all sides he had full Information of the uncontroled Progress of his Adversary of England and sware openly That he should never return again into England without Battle And that all those Spoils Slaughters and Devastations should be dearly Revenged But many of his Auxiliary Friends came from far and so it was long before he had his full Assembly Wherefore the mean while King Edward went on without any considerable Opposition VIII The English Army still kept their first Order marching up toward High Normandy in three Battalions They went on fair and softly in Battle Array as if the Enemy was always before them and they took up their Lodgings every day early so that for the most part the whole Army except the Marshals Fore-runners was encamped betwixt Noon and Three of the Clock The Country was so Plentifull wheresoever they went that they had no need to look out for any other Provision but Wine and yet here and there they also found enough of that Althô the King to prevent the Worst had brought Provisions of all sorts along with him and besides u M.S. Vet. Latin. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantabr cui titulus Acta Edvardi Filii Edvardi Tertii he gave strict Command that none should presume to make any unnecessary waste of Victuals Drink or Forage It was no x Frois ibid. great Wonder if all the Country trembled at the sight of this Royal Army for till then they had seen nothing like War in those Parts nor knew any thing beyond the Ordinary Trainings of their Militia so that generally the People fled before the Face of the English as far as they might hear the sound of their Name leaving behind them their Houses full of Goods their Barns and Granaries full of Corn and their Cattle in the Fields for they knew not whither in that Hurry to bear them away Particularly the y M.S. Vet. Latin. id ibid. 29 Julii City of Bayeux for fear of him sending 15 Chief Citizens as their Deputies unto him and desiring to enter into his Homage and to be taken into his Protection were admitted And in this Manner King Edward rode forth burning wasting and ravaging the Country and leaving long tracks of Fire and Desolation behind him till he came to the Great Town of St. Lo the farthest z D'Avila p. 974. Port of Lower Normandy wherein were no less than Eight or Ninescore Rich Burgesses and exceeding much Drapery When the King came thither he
so the English took their Rest for the remaining part of that Day and the Night following being first All commanded to be ready provided in the Place which the Marshals were Meeting out the next Morning at Sound of Trumpet This same Fryday the French King spent in Abbeville waiting for all his Forces to come up and especially for the Earl of Savoy whom he expected with a 1000 Spears and had paid him for 3 Months by the Men of Troyes in Champagne In the mean time he sent out his two Marshals to ride and view how and where the English were encamped And these coming back at night related that they were lodged in the Field of Cressy Then King Philip made a most Royal and magnificent Supper for all his Chief Lords and Captains and there he effectually exhorted them to lay aside all private Animosities and to be perfect Friends one with another and valiantly to joyn together like true Frenchmen against the Common Enemy About Supper-time there arrived at Abbeville the long-expected Earl of Savoy named Amè or Amadis with a 1000 Men of Arms which encreased the Security the French were already too prone to entertain CHAPTER the THIRD The CONTENTS I. King Edward disposes himself to receive the Enemy with the Order and Number of his Forces and Names of his Chief Commanders He makes 50 New Knights II. King Philip marches out of Abbeville against the English III. Who on sight of the Enemy put themselves into a Posture with the Manner of their being Embattel'd IV. King Philip advances his Auriflambe and King Edward his Burning Dragon V. The Order of the French Army VI. The Battle of Cressy VII The English Captains send to King Edward for Succour with his Answer VIII The Prince of Wales having overcome several Bodies of the French marches forward a-against the Main Force of the Enemy routs the Marquess of Moravia kills his Father the Old King of Bohemia and wins his Banner of the Ostrich Feathers IX King Philip after much Personal Valour being wounded in two places quits the Field and leaves the Victory to the English X. The Number of the Slain on both Sides XI An occasional Inquiry after the Antiquity of the Invention of Guns XII King Philip retires to the Castle of Broye thence to Amiens and a while after to Paris XIII The Behaviour of the English after the Victory Two Parties of the French defeated next Day by the English XIV The Conquerour takes the Spoil of the Field and Care for the Burial of the Dead XV. King Edward marches from Cressy and lies down before Calais I. THUS a Frois c. 128. were the English encamped in the Fields of Cressy in Ponthieâ whre they found plenty of good Wines and all manner of Provision Thâ if it had been otherwise the Army should not have wanted for the King had providently gather'd before-hand a sufficient Store of all things necessary which followed in Carts among the Carriages On the Fryday Night King Edward also made a Supper in his Royal Pavilion for all his Chief Barons Lords and Captains At which he appeared wonderfull Chearfull and Pleasant to the great Encouragement of his People But when they were all dismist to their several Quarters the King himself retired into his Private Oratory and came before the Altar and there prostrated himself to Almighty God and devoutly prayed That of his Infinite Goodness he would vouchsafe to look down on the Justice of his Cause and remember his unfeigned Endeavours for a Reconcilement althô they had all been rendred frustrate by his Enemies That if he should be brought to a Battle the next Day it would please him of his Great Mercy to grant him the Victory as his Trust was only in him and in the Right which he had given him Being thus armed with Faith about Midnight he laid himself upon a Pallet or Mattress to take a little Repose but he rose again betimes and heard Mass with his Son the Young Prince and received Absolution and the Body and Blood of his Redeemer as did the Prince also and most of the Lords and others who were so disposed Immediately after Mass was ended he commanded that all Men should betake themselves to their Arms and march in their appointed Order to the same place in the Field which had been chosen by the Marshals and approved by the King the day before The Place was on the East-side of the Forest of Cressy the Town and the River Maye being on their left Hands and beside this Defence the King now commended a Park to be made by the Wood-side in the Reer of his Army wherein were enclosed all the Carts and Carriages of the Army in the Middle whereof were all the Horses for it was the Kings Resolution to enflame the Courages of his Men by Despair as well as other Arguments to fight that day on Foot. This Park had but one Entrance and that was well defended with Men of Arms and Archers Then the King divided his Host into three Battalia's In the First whereof was his Eldest Son Edward Prince of Wales now but 15 Years two Months and 11 Days Old but yet of Courage and Strength so far beyond his Age that even then he seem'd neither unworthy that Place nor that Father With him were joyned the Lord Thomâ Beauchamp Earl of Warwick the Lord John Vere Earl of Oxford the Lord ãâã Harcourt of Normandy the Lord Ralph Stafford the Lord John de la Ware the Lord Thomas Holland the Lord Reginald Cobham the Lord Bartholomew Burwash the Elder and his Son a valiant Knight of the same Name with the Lord John Mohun Son in Law to the Lord Bartholomew aforesaid the Lord Robert Bourchier the Lord John Chandos the Lord Thomas Clifford and Sr. Robert Neville Second Son to the Lord Ralph Neville of Raby and several Others Knights and Esquires to the Number of 800 Men of Arms 4000 Archers and b Give Villeni l. 12. c. 66. p. 877. 6000 valiant Welchmen But the Earl of Warwick and the Lord John Chandos had a particular Charge from the King to stand firm that day to his Sons Person and direct and defend Him by their Counsel and Valour The second Battalia was Headed by the Lord Richard Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel and the Lord William Bohun Earl of Northampton with whom were the Lord John Willoughby the Elder the Lord William Roos the Lord Ralph Basset of Sapcote the Lord Multon Sr. Lewis Tufton of Toketon from whence the Honourable Nicolas Eâl of Thanet is derived and many others to the Number of 800 Men of Arms 2400 Archers and 4000 strong Bill-Men The third and last Battalia was Headed by the King himself who had in his Company John Lord Moubray Roger Lord Mortimââ Thomas Lord Dagworth Sr. Richard Goldesborough Sr. Richard Damory or Damuer Sr. Nele Loring Sr. Hugh Hastings Sr. John Butterell and Others to the Number of 700 Men of Arms 6000 Archers and 5300
p. 85. n. 4. Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 90. ibid. which was on the Wednesday being St. Catharine's Day or the 25 of November the Lord Chief Justice Sr. William Shareshull declared in the Presence of the King Lords and Commons how it was his Majesties Pleasure that Sr. Walter Manny should make Declaration to the whole Assembly of the Kings Affairs as one that had the most Knowledge therein whereupon the said Lord e William in M.S. Sr. Rob. Cotton malè cùm in Recordo W. tantùm sit scriptum quare corrigendum ex Hist Walter began to declare How the King had treated of a Peace with the French and how for the Accomplishment thereof he had sent the Duke of Lancaster and Others as his Ambassadors to the Court of Rome at Avignon where by means of the Frenchmens Obstinacy Matters could not be brought to any Issue How that during the said Duke 's Abode at f M.S. Sr. R. Cotton Rome malè ex Histoy inscitiâ pro Court of Rome c. Avignon the King of Navarre had complained to the same Duke of sundry Dammages done to him by the French King and by Oath affirmed how he would most willingly enter into a League with the King and for Assurance of the same would with as great a Power as he could enforce himself to meet the King at Jersey How the King upon the return of the said Duke and knowledge had of these Things with a great Navy and Army hastned himself from the River of Thames towards Jersey but being put back by contrary Winds was driven with great hazard to Portsmouth where he abode till News came that the said King of Navarre had made his Peace with the French King. Whereupon the King being advertised that the French King made himself strong toward Calais with a great Army and thinking there to have some present Battle offer'd him addressed himself thither being accompanied with his own Forces and also certain of his Allies whom he found there viz. Sr. Henry of Flanders Sr. Frank van Hall and many other Germans How the King on All-Souls Day last past marched towards his Enemy and proffer'd to give him Battle which his Enemy by all means refused Whereby the King wasting and spoiling the Country and seeing his own Army for Want to languish returned to Calais where he made Honourable Peace and now was returned into the Realm to his Parliament After all which Sr. William Shareshull required the Commons to weigh and consider the Kings unweariedness and Constancy in labouring for their Defence and that he was now ready to repell the Insolence of the Scots who had taken the Town of Barwick as News had been brought to the King And he willeth them also forthwith to advise how he might be the best enabled not only to make a full Victory over that People but also attain to his long-deferred Peace with France to his own Honour and to their quiet and advantage The Friday after which was the 27 of November the Lords and Commons after a short Conference had granted unto his Majesty for Six Years following the Subsidy of Wooll namely g M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 229. §. ult 50 s. of every Sack that should be exported during that time so as all that while no other Aid or Imposition be laid upon the Commons By which sole Grant h Holinsh Engl. Chron. p. 951. Stow p. 255. it was thought how the King might dispend more than a Thousand Marks Sterling per diem for six Years together such Vent of Woolls had the English Merchants in those Days there being then above an 100000 Sacks transported yearly Petitions of the Commons with their Answers That the Great Charter and the Charter of the Forest in all points shall be kept That the Statute that the Staples shall always be kept within the Realm shall be observed The Statute made for yearly removing of Sheriffs shall be observed The Statute made for the Pourveyors shall be kept That whereas the Commons have granted to the King 40 s. of every Knights Fee in Aid to make his Son Knight the Exchequer demandeth the same as well of i i.e. Domini qui Vassallos seu Beneficiarios sub suâ ditione habent sed tamen in superioris Domini sunt Clientelâ V. Cowell Skinneri Etymol Ling. Angl. in Voc. Forens ad hoc verbum Mesne Mesne Lords as of the Tenants in Demesne against Reason Wherefore they pray Remedy The Right use of the Exchequer is to be kept That no Mans Lands being bought in the time of Henry III which was before the Statute of Prerogative may be seised into the Kings hands by Escheators Let this be more particularly declared unto the King. That the Justices of the Peace may determine Weights and Measures The Statute made shall be observed Such Justices shall make no Deputies neither shall the Sheriff Coroner or such like be from henceforth a Justice It is Enacted That no Sheriff Constable of any Castle or Goal be any Commissioner where Men are to be imprison'd That the Points of Confederacy may be declared considering how the Judges judge rashly thereof None shall be punished for Confederacy but where the Statute speaketh expresly upon the point contained in the same statute That the Justices of Goal-Delivery on an Inditement of the Coroner coming before them may award the Exigent The old Law shall stand That such Persons of the Far North-Countries as upon Appeals Joyn-Issue on good or evil may try the same by Nisi Prius considering that the Jury will not appear in the Kings Bench. The Old Law used shall be kept That Remedy may be had against such as to defraud their Creditors before Judgement do convey away their Lands and Goods The Statute therefore made shall be observed That Writs of Attaints may be had of Verdicts given in the Exchequer as of Verdicts given in other Courts The Old Law shall be observed Such as be Indited before the Justices of the Peace shall make Attourneys have the hearing of their Presentments and Answer thereunto Enacted VIII Thus ended this Parliament and about the time of its ending viz. at the going out of November the k Frois c. 155. f. 76. Mezeray 2 Par. 3 Tom. p. 42. Assembly of the Estates of France began to sit at Paris Before whom the Chancellour of France recited in the Parliament-Chamber the State of the Wars desiring them thereupon to take Advice what convenient Aid ought to be given to the King their Lord toward the Maintenance of his Wars and the Defence of his Realms and he added that whereas the King understood how his Subjects were sore aggrieved at the Alteration of Money his Majesty offer'd now to make good and durable Money so that they would grant him sufficient Aid to furnish his Wars To which the Three Estates reply'd with one Consent That is the Clergy by the Mouth of the
handsomly avoid Battle if he would wherefore having reassembled all his Men and set them in close Order he gave Command that none should presume to go before the Marshals Banners And thus he rode without any further adventure the remaining part of that Saturday till he came into the Fields of Beauvoir and Maupertuis within two little Leagues of Poictiers where finding a convenient place he resolved to encamp there that Night and the mean while sent forth the Lord John Greilly Captal de Busch the Lord Edmund of Pamiers the Lord Bartholomew Burwash and Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt with 200 Men of Arms well-mounted to observe the Countenance of the Enemy These Knights rode so far that they view'd the Kings great Battail and saw all the Country cover'd with Men of Arms But yet their Courage was so great that they could not forbear their hands but set on the tail of their Army and overthrew many to the Earth and took divers Prisoners till the whole Host began to move that way For when tidings hereof were brought to King John just as he was entring into the City of Potctiers he immediately faced about commanding all Men to do the same and so he returned into the Field again where it was very late before he could take up his Lodgings The English Detachment return'd safe and Victorious again to the Prince and related to him what they had seen and done and found saying withall That the French Army was exceeding Numerous Well then said the Prince in the Name of God let us consider how we may fight with them at our best Advantage for against Number Policy is requisite And so that Night he chose for his Camp a strong Place among Hedges Vines and Bushes And a good Watch was set as was needfull the Frenchmen on their part doing the like And thus both Armies tested for that Night V. Now u Frois c. 160. fol. 79. b. on the Sunday Morning the French King who was wonderfull desirous to have Battle heard Mass in his Pavilion took the Communion in both kinds for x Ex Literis Clement VI. PPa dât Avin XI Kal. Jalii An o Pontif. III. Extant apud Oder Rainald ad annâm 1344 §. 62. that Privilege had been granted him long since and received Absolution together with his Four Sons After which there came to him his Brother Philip Duke of Orleans the Lord Peter Duke of Bourbon the Lord Walter de Brenne Duke of Athens and Constable of France Charles Earl of Tancarville the Earl of Salebruse the Earl of Dampmartin the Earl of Ventador and divers others as well Barons of France as others who held of that Crown as the Lord John Clermont and the Lord Arnold D'Endreghan Marshals of France the Lord of St. Venant the Lord John of Landas the Lord Eustace Ribemont who had so signalized himself by combatting hand to hand with King Edward at Calais the Lord of Fiennes the Lord Geoffry Charny the Lord of Chastillon the Lord of Suilly the Lord of Nesle Sr. Robert Duras and divers others with all whom the King then held a Council of War in his Royal Pavilion In the end it was universally agreed that all the Army should be drawn out in Battle Array into the Field and every Lord Display his Banner and so set forward against the Enemy in the Name of God and St. Dennis So the Trumpets sounded and every Man mounted his Horse and rode forth into the Field where they saw the Kings Banner standing aloft and waving in the Wind. There you might have beheld a most Beautifull Sight of Fair Harness of shining steel Feathered Crests of glittering Helmets and the Rich Embroidery of silken Surcoats of Arms together with Golden Standards Banners and Penons Gloriously moving in the Air. For there was all the Flower of the Nobility and Gentry of France none daring at that time to stay at home without Invincible Necessity or for the Defence of the Realm unless he would hazard his Reputation for ever This Great Army by Advice of the Constable and Marshals was ranged into Three Battalia's the least whereof contained y Frois Du Chèsne legunt Serâe i. e. 16000 sed ut puto figuris decepti Codicum Fââscripteres cirnalias id Frois dicât tetam armaterâm numerum ultra 20000 non ascendâsse Alâter ad 48000 Arââatorum ââllia prâter pedites ãâã entur ãâã absurdâon 6000 Men of Arms all being Muster'd and past for such besides the Foot The First was led by Monsieur Philip Duke of Orleans King John's Brother thô he was 24 Years younger than the King being born the same Year with Charles the Dauphin who was now but 20 Years of Age. With this young Prince there were 36 Banners and twice as many Penons The Second Battail was under the Duke of Normandy Charles the Dauphin and with him were his two Brethren Lewis Duke of Anjou and John Duke of Berry The King himself brought up the Third having with him his Youngest Son the Lord Philip Duke of Touraine and afterwards of Burgundy with a great Number of his Prime Nobility and others this Third Battail consisted of 40000 Chosen Men whereof 8000 were Men of Arms z Vid. Odor Rânil ad hunc ân §. 7. c. all the whole Host was extraordinary well equipped and every way duly provided And while the Marshals and other Officers were Ordering them the King called unto him the Lord Eustace Ribemont the Lord John of Landas and the Lord Richard de Beaujeu and said unto them Messieurs ride you on before and mark the Countenance of the Englishmen and consider exactly how many they may amount to and by what means we may best deal with them whether on Horseback or on Foot. Now while these Three Lords rode forth King John being Mounted on a large White Courser to be seen of all came up to the Head of his Troops and said aloud with a Couragious and High Voice a Frois c. 160. and True use of Armory in Vita Demini Joh. Chandos p. 47. Messieurs When You are at Paris at Chartres at Orleans or Rouën then You threaten these Englishmen terribly and wish nothing more than to be in Arms against them Now shall your Desire be granted I 'll lead You where You shall be sure to find ' um Let me therefore now see the effects of that Ill-will You bear them and how well You can Revenge all the Displeasures and Damages which they have done unto You For without doubt We shall not part without Blows Such as were within hearing answer'd briskly Sir in Gods Name be it so We desire nothing else but would gladly see our Enemies Within a while after the Three Lords of France return'd to the King who presently demanded what News Whereupon the Lord Eustace Ribemont for himself and his Fellows answer'd thus Sir We have view'd the Englishmen and by our Estimation they are not above 2000 Men of
the next Morning Early the next Day the Frenchmen being drawn out in Battle-array into the former Field came and presented themselves before their Enemies and stood a long while without receiving any offer of Battle They beheld the Navarrois on the heighth of the Hill who seemed resolved not to stirr thence but rather to expect them to attack them there in their Strength which was very displeasing to the Frenchmen because it was apparently disadvantageous to mount the Hill and the Sun was also very hot and the best of them began to grow faint and weary For they were in a manner Fasting having neither taken Wine nor other Victuals that Morning because they imagin'd to have Battle presently but they mistook their Aim and so the Day was nigh half gone before things were brought to a Resolution For when the French Lords perceived the Captals humour they went to Counsel again to learn what was best to be done and whether they should go and fight with their Enemies or no. Some were directly for it and said it would be a great dishonour to do otherwise But the more sober and best advised maintained the Contrary saying If we go and fight them in that advantageous Post which now they hold it will certainly redound to our great Dammage if not utter Loss for upon our Ascent of every Fifteen of us Three are sure to fall if not more And when once Men drop fast in an Army the Terror and Ruine spreads far over all that Side Thrô such hazardous Representations given forth by the most experienced Officers they were withheld back and the Captal in all Probability had succeeded if not for one small Matter which however seem'd well done by him but contributed not a little to his Overthrow The Captal had with him certain Knights and Esquires Normans his Prisoners whom when he saw the French ready to come upon him lest in Battle they might turn against him he let go now upon Parole These Men stole privily into the French Host where being brought before the Lords then in Council they said Gentlemen consider what you do For if you let this Day pass without Fighting your Enemies will be much stronger by to Morrow it being confidently discoursed among them that Prince Lewis of Navarre will joyn them by that time with 400 Men of Armes These Words greatly animated them to set upon the Navarrois forthwith but still the Discreeter sort held them back saying Gentlemen let us but wait a little longer and see what they 'll do first For their Hearts are so bold and presumptuous that they would as gladly fight with us as we with them and since we are so weary and fasting and many of our Men chafed by standing thus long in our Armour surely if after all we attempt the difficult Ascent of that Hill we are no better than lost You see it is now Noon therefore let us withdraw for the present to our Lodgings and there having refreshed our selves we may take other Counsel against to Morrow These Considerations much shook the Resolution of the stoutest Men there for they were loth to defer Fighting till the Enemy might be rendred more strong and yet they durst not attack him in that Place because many of their side were faint and weak and to go up-Hill against an Enemy requires the greatest Vigour that may be At last Sr. Bertram of Clequin their General pitch'd upon the Right Counsel for he said Gentlemen we know well our Enemies are desirous enough to fight with us and yet we see that they intend not to leave their Post unless we draw them thence by the means that I shall shew you Let us make an Offer as if we design'd to retreat and not to give them Battle this Day and to that end we will send our Valets with our few Carriages and Horses over the Bridge and pretend all to march back to our Quarters But still as we go we must all be ready to return upon Occasion And so we shall try what they will do If they are willing to fight us they 'll come down the Hill in pursuit of us And if once we gain that Point we shall readily Face about upon them and deal with them more easily But if they come not our own Men will be more encouraged to see them stand in fear of us and however we shall be the Fresher for to Morrows Service This Counsel being approved by all the Chief Captains they went to their several Ensigns and caused a Retreat to be sounded and commanded all their Valets to repass the River before them and take over their Carriages and these were followed by some Troops of Men of Arms who for the greater blind went over in a careless Manner faintly When Sr. John Jones who was an Experienced Knight thô now he committed a fatal Errour and had always a huge desire to give the Frenchmen Battle saw the manner of their Retreat he said to the Captal Sir let us immediately pursue them Don't you see how they fly they fly by St. George Ah! said the Captal Sr. John Sr. John never believe that For what they now do is by Stratagem only to deceive us to our Ruine Sr. John seem'd content with the Captals Opinion but being come among his Men in the first Battalion he said aloud St. George they that love me let them now follow for I am resolved to go and fight these Frenchmen that are stealing away from us And with that he grasped his Spear in his hand and went forth in the Head of his Men before all the Battails and made such haste that he had got down the Hill with most of his own Troops before the Captal knew any thing of the Matter But when now he understood and saw that Sr. John Jones was gone down the Hill against the Enemy without the Consent of his Chief Captain he thought it proceeded of Presumption and Contempt of Martial Discipline However knowing it not a time to chide as then nor to dishearten his Men by vainly complaining of the Rashness of the Action he said aloud to those that were about him Sr. John Jones shall not fight without me this Day Courage my Friends and Banner advance in the Name of God and St. George And therewithall the other two Battails began to march in good Array down the Hill into the open Field When the Frenchmen saw all their Demeanor and how the Enemy voluntarily quitted their Place of Advantage they were very glad and said one to another Lo now we may see what we have so much desired all this day And with that they all faced about in their appointed Order and returned to meet their Enemies being ranged on Foot except those Thirty Horsemen who had Orders to seise the Captal But as soon as Sr. Arnold of Cervoles the Archpriest saw that a Battle must needs ensue he said to his Standard-Bearer and to all his Officers I charge you all as you
carried out of the Field in a condition almost as hopeless as the Vicount Beaumonts The Lord Baldwin Danekin Master of the Cross-bows of France was slain together with Sr. Lewis of Pequescourt and divers others On the part of the Navarrois Sr. John Jones who began the Fight did that day all that was possible for a good Knight to perform but at last after he had received many grievous Hurts he was taken Prisoner by an Esquire of Breton of Sr. Bertram of Clequins Retinue and by him born out of the Field but he died of his Wounds before next Morning With him was slain the Lord of Salses and most of his Men and as we have shewn the Lord Bascels of Mareville there were taken the Lord William of Granville the Lord Peter of Samville the Lord Geoffry of Roussillon Sr. Bertram de la Franque and many Others and in short few or none of the Navarrois escaped being now ranked either among the Prisoners or the Dead This Battle was fought in Normandy h Mezeray Chr. Abridg. Tâm 3. Part. 2. p. 70. near to a Place named Cocherel and la Croix St. Leoffroy almost exactly between Eureux and Vernon on the Wednesday before Trinity-Sunday being the 15 of May in the Year of our Lord MCCCLXIV XII After this Discomfiture when all the Dead were spoiled and the Wounded dressed and the most part of the French Army had repassed the Bridge to draw to their Quarters to rest and refresh themselves after this hard Service there appeared in the Field another Body of Men marching up against them The Captain of this Company was Sr. Guy of Granville Son to the Lord William of Granville who had that morning left his Garrison of Conches and with fifty Spears rode with all convenient speed to the Captals aid if by any means he might come time enough to the Battle When the Frenchmen saw him they call'd out to their Fellows that had passed the River and sent several over to acquaint the whole Army saying Gentlemen turn hither again for here is a Fresh Body of our Enemies coming hitherward Now Sr. Bertram of Clequin and his Troops were still on this side but every of them extream weary However when Sr. Bertram saw this appearance of more Navarrois he raised his Standard on high upon a Bush that his Men might all draw thitherward and sounded his Trumpets and faced about toward the Enemy setting his Men in order with great Diligence But when Sr. Guy of Granville heard them cry our Lady of Clequin and saw neither the Captal nor any other of his Friends there but many Dead Men lying on the Ground he concluded that his Party had lost the day and so return'd back without doing any thing And surely this Valiant young Gentleman thô he came not time enough to save his Father from being a Prisoner did yet make a shift both to save his Life when he was in Danger of losing his Head and also to redeem him from Prison afterward For Charles the King of France i True Use of Armory in the Life of the Captal of Busche p. 129. who not being of that Honourable Disposition with his Father John was rather enclin'd to subtlety and unprince-like Cruelty shortly after caused the Lord Peter of Samville to lose his Head and had done the like to the Lord William of Granville the same who by stratagem won the strong Castle of Eureux in Normandy thô Prisoners of War and none of his Subjects But Sr. Guy of Granville sent word to the French King that if he put his Dear Father to Death or to any Bodily loss or pain he would serve the Lord De la Val a considerable French Nobleman then his Prisoner in the same manner and also all other Frenchmen that should ever after fall into his Hands By this means the Valiant young Gentleman commendably sav'd his Fathers Life and shortly after he was deliver'd in Exchange for the foresaid Lord of Bretagne The k Frois c. 222. Night ensuing the Battle the Frenchmen lodged in their own Camp on the other side the River and took good Care of their Prisoners and then there was much speaking and enquiring after the Archpriest it being now known that he was not present at the Fight but his Men excused him as he had directed them However they could not presently clear him from all suspicion of Treachery for his Courage no Man there could doubt in the least The next day the Frenchmen dislodged and went to Rouën where they left the greater Part of their Prisoners but the Captal was convey'd from Vernon to Paris XIII This was an auspicious Hansel to King Charles now upon the entrance of his Reign and we shall find him hereafter to have frequently such Successes against his Enemies thô mostly by Fineness and Stratagem and altogether without his Presence as this happen'd On the l Frois c. 223. Labbe Chron. Techn ad hunc ann Mezeray p. 69. Trinity-Sunday following this Success being the 19 of May Charles Duke of Normandy Eldest Son and Heir to John late King of France was Crowned and anointed King of the said Realm in the Cathedral Church of our Lady at Rheims and together with him his Beautifull Consort Queen m Mezer. p. 106 Jane Daughter to Peter Duke of Bourbon and the Lady Isabella de Valois The Ceremony was performed by the hands of the Archbishop of the said Place And it is n Mezeray p. 69 remarkable that the Emperours Son Wenceslaus of Bohemia Duke of Luxemburgh and Brabant John Duke of Lorraine and Robert Duke of Bar notwithstanding they were Strangers and Vassals of the Empire thô indeed related to the King did at that time perform the Office of Peers of France the first representing the Duke of Normandy the Second personating the Earl of Champagne and the Third the Earl of Tholouse The Duke of Burgundy which Philip his Brother was now in Title and Designation and Lewis Earl of Flanders held their usual Places and Lewis Duke of Anjou represented the Duke of Aquitaine Besides these Great Personages there were present at this Solemnity o Frois c. 223. Peter King of Cyprus Waldemar King of Denmark the Earls of Eu and of Dampmartin of Tancarville and of Vaudemont with the Chief Prelates of that Kingdom and many other Lords all who were Feasted for five days together On the Fryday following the New King return'd in great Pomp to Paris where he was received with infinite expressions of Publick Joy and satisfaction And then he put his younger Brother Philip into Possession of the Dutchy of Burgundy p Paradin Annal de Bâurgegne l. 3 p. 3â2 who shortly after rode into those Parts with a great and splendid Retinue and took Livery and Seisin of the Country and received Homage of all the Barons Knights Cities Castles and good Towns of the said Dutchy and having settled all things there return'd to
Swords Daggers and Axes Helmets Habergeons Shields and all manner of Weapons and Armour For they expected to use them very shortly But the Chief Captains especially drew together in Council being thereto called by the Lord John Chandos to whose Conduct all the rest submitted themselves not only on the account of his Quality but also of his known Wisdom and Experience in the Wars besides which he had a secret Commission from the King of England to be the Chief Captain in this action With him was the Lord John Nereford an English Baron William Lord Latimer the Lord John Bourchier Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. Hugh Calverley Sr. Richard Burley Sr. Matthew Gournay Sr. Richard Taunton the Lord Oliver Clisson and the Valiant Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt all who were of the Opinion that the Earl of Monford should rise from the Siege and take the Field early next Morning and so expect his Adversary and if he came forward give him Battle This being resolved on in Council all the Captains of the Army were acquainted therewith who told it to their respective Officers by whom the whole Army was informed that the next Morning they were to be all ready to take the Field to fight the Enemy Before six the next Morning being a Saturday and the Eve of St. Michael the Englishmen and Bretons left their Trenches and marched forth in Battle-Array the Lord John Chandos leading them to a convenient plat of ground behind the Castle of Auray And soon there came toward the same place the Lord Charles of Blois who had left Vannes the Evening before with all his Army which was disposed in the best manner imaginable For 't is said they rode in such good Close Order that if any thing had been cast among them it must have rested on their Spears points so that the f Frois c. 225. fol. 121. Englishmen were extreamly delighted to behold them The Frenchmen being come in sight of their Enemies made an halt as they were in Battle-Array before them choosing their Field among the Bushes and the Marshals gave Command that no man should stir forward without Order Wherefore both Armies stood still confronting each other being ready ranged for Fight which they all eagerly desired IV. The Lord Charles of Blois with the advice of Sr. Bertram of Clequin who was an experienc'd Captain and well belov'd by the Barons of Bretagne made Three Battails and a Rereguard The first was led by Sr. Bertram himself who had with him more than a 1000 Choice Men of Arms Knights and Esquires of Bretagne The Second was headed by the Earls of Auxerre and Joigny and the Lord of Prye with the French Auxiliaries consisting of 1500 Spears and upwards The Third was brought up by the Lord Charles of Blois himself with whom were the Chief Barons of Bretagne that held of his side as the Vicount of Rohan the Lord of Leon the Lord of Avaugeur the Lord of Rieux the Lord of Malestroit and divers others as aforenamed In the Rereguard or Fourth Battail stood John the Bastard of Blois a most Valiant Young Gentleman with Eight or Ten stout Barons of Normandy and many other Knights and Esquires and in every g Frois c. 225. fol. 121. b. Battail there were at least a 1000 Men of Arms besides others And the Lord Charles of Blois rode about to every Battail earnestly desiring them all to do their utmost that day and for their better assurance he took it on his Soul and on his part in Paradise that they were to Fight in a Righteous Quarrel and moreover he promised to reward every Man liberally according to his Performances V. Now on the other part the Lord Chandos who because of his Abilities in the War was the Principal Captain thô the Earl of Monford was head of the Cause began wisely to consider how he might with a lesser Number overthrow a greater in plain Field where no advantage of ground might be had Especially his concern was now encreased because the King of England his Master had given him such a Charge to look most carefully to the Business of his Son in Law for the Earl of Monford had h Speed p. 590. Sandford's Geneal hist p. 179. Ashmole's Garter p. 669. Married the Lady Mary his Daughter Wherefore like a Loyal Gentleman he fully determin'd with his utmost diligence to advance the Affairs of the Earl of Monford and to stick close to him that day He had perfectly noted the exact order and discipline of the Frenchmen upon their approach and hugely applauded to himself the great Conduct and Discretion that appeared among them and therewithall said aloud to his Friends the Lords and Captains about him Gentlemen it is high time for Us to order our Battails For our Enemies are giving Us an example Those who heard him answer'd Sir You are in the Right But this is your Province You are our Chief Master and best Counsellour therefore order Us at Your pleasure for no Soul here shall contradict You since we know the King has committed this Charge to You and surely You have the most experience in these Affairs of any among Us. Thereupon the Lord Chandos began also to form Three Battails and a Rereguard The First he committed to the Care of Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. Walter Hewet and Sr. Richard Burley with whom was the Lord John Nereford the Second was led by the Lord Oliver Clisson who i True Use of Armory in Chandes his Life p. 62. bare Gules a Lion Rampant Argent Crown'd Or with him were the Lord John Bourchier Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt and Sr. Matthew Gournay whose Arms were k Id. p. 67. Or Three Pales Azure The Third was govern'd by the Earl of Monford who himself was governed by the Lord Chandos and here was William Lord Latimer and in each of these Battails were 500 Men of Arms and 400 Archers But when Sr. John came to the ordering the Rereguard he called unto him Sr. Hugh Calverley and said Sr. Hugh You must be Governour of the Rereguard with 500 Men of Arms in your Company But you are to stand on a Wing and by no means to quit your Station for any thing that may happen unless you see an absolute necessity As when any of our Battails are disorder'd or broke by the force of our Enemies if you think there is Danger then come you on with your Battail and entertain the Enemy till our Men are rallied again And when you have done thus much draw off and keep your former Post till such another occasion calls to a like assistance For surely this will be the best piece of Service You can do Us this day When Sr. Hugh Calverley had fully heard the Lord Chandos his Words he was asham'd and displeasâd in his Mând and said My Lord pray commend this Rereguard to some other Man besides me For I have no desire to meddle with it And Sir I admire in my heart what You have
far as Najara with design to gain some knowledge of the Englishmen So that at last the Earl of Sancelloni Brother to Don Henry was certainly informed that there lay an English Garrison at Navaret But before this was known Sr. Thomas Felton one evening rode so far toward the Enemy that they came up almost to King Henries Lodgings and there suddenly began a great Skirmish and wonderfully terrified the whole Army and slew and took many Prisoners particularly that Knight who kept the Watch was taken and carried clear off without Recovery and the English returned without any Loss to Navaret The next day they sent an Herald unto the Prince who was then at Salvatierra to shew him what they had done and seen and where his Enemies lay and how strong they were for they had been fully informed of all by the Prisoners they had taken Prince Edward was glad of this News and that his Knights had succeeded so well resolving thereupon to quicken his March and Don Henrique on the other side was extreamly displeased that the Englishmen who lay at Navaret had made so great Discovery of his Affairs and so resolved to advance and march nearer toward his Enemies When Sr. Thomas Felton and his Company at Navaret heard that King Henry had left St. Domingo and was come as far as St. Miguel towards him then they determin'd to leave Navaret and take the Field as well to avoid being besieged by so great an Army as to make a further discovery of their Enemies and of all this they sent Word to the Prince who had then newly left Salvatierra and how Don Henry came on apace and seem'd very desirous to come to a Battle When the Prince understood all this he was very glad and said aloud to those that were about him By my Faith this Bastard Henry is a Valiant and Couragious Knight for 't is a sign he fears us not since he is coming forward to find us and since he doth thus and We also seek for him 't is highly probable we shall soon meet and look one another in the Face I judge it therefore fit to leave this Place and to march forward and get to Victoria if possible before our Enemies So the next Morning the Army began to march the Prince with his Battail riding foremost at such a Rate that he reached Victoria that Day where he found Sr. Thomas Felton and all his Men as yet he had not lost one of them The Prince was glad to find them all well and enquired of them about many Matters but as they were talking together the next Day the Princes Van-Currours came suddenly and declared how they had met the Enemies Currours whereby they concluded for certain that King Henry and his Host was not far off and thus they gather'd from the Spaniards Demeanour because they dared to stand them thô not to persue them Then the Prince commanded an Alarm to be sounded and at the sound of Trumpet all Men went immediately to their Arms and so drew to their Colours in good Order and Array of Battle ready to fight for they were all fully instructed before they left Salvatierra what to do and how to range themselves at sound of Trumpet And this was done as it were in a moment they were all so practised and expert in War. Surely it was a gallant Sight to behold the Brightness of their Arms to observe the stateliness of their Barbed Horses to view the Rich Banners and Streamers embroidered and beaten with Arms both in Colours and Metal and waveing with a delightfull Terror in the Wind. The Van was order'd with Wonderfull Discretion and there stood John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster King Edwards Fourth Son in the Flower of his Youth being at that time in the 27 Year of his Age of great Strength Conduct and Courage and honourably Emulous of his Brother Prince Edwards Glory With him was the Lord John Chandos High-Constable of Aquitain with a vast Retinue of most select Warriers but we have already set down the Order and Names of this English Army wherefore here it only remains that we add how at this time the Duke of Lancaster made 12 New Knights among whom were Sr. Ralph Camois Sr. Walter Loring Sr. Thomas Damuore and Sr. John Grandesson The Lord Chandos also Knighted several English Esquires as Mr. Cotton Mr. Clifton Mr. Prior William Firmeton Emery de la Rochechoüart a Frenchman Gerard de la Motte and Robert Briquet Prince Edward also Knighted in the Field first of all King Don Pedro then the Lord Thomas Holland Son to his Lady the Princess by her former Husband he being then about 17 Years of Age also Sr. Hugh Courtney Sr. Philip Courtney and Sr. Dennis Courtney n Stow p. 269. Sr. William Molineux Sr. John Covet Sr Nicolas Bond and several other Valiant and Hopefull young Gentlemen and here and in the other Battails by the Prince and other Great Lords as by the Duke of Lancaster Don Pedro the Lord Chandos the King of Majorica and Others were made no less than three hundred New Knights And all the while the whole Army stood in Battle Array ready to receive their Enemies who yet came not forward all that Day but remain'd still in the place where first the Princes Van-Currours had found them For King Henry expected some more Forces to come to him out of Aragon and especially Sr. Bertram of Clequin who was now hasting to him with 4000 Men of Arms and without his Company King Henry design'd not to accept of Battle unless he should be compelled Which Resolution of his was not as then much displeasing to Prince Edward because his Rereward which consisted of 6000 Fighting Men was still behind him above seven Spanish Leagues whereat he was extreamly vexed in his Mind thô that Day his Resolution was to have fought without them if the Spaniards had come forward VII That same Evening the Prince's two Marshals Sr. Guischard Dangle and Sr. Stephen Cossington commanded all Men to repair to their Lodgings and at the Sound of Trumpet next Morning to return to their places in the same Order which they had held the Day before But Sr. Thomas Felton with part of his former Company went forth that Evening by the Prince's Leave and rode two Leagues nearer toward the Enemy to learn their present Behaviour That very Evening the Earl of Sancelloni Brother to the Bastard Henry was with him in his Pavilion where after some Discourse about War and Warlike Adventures he said at last to the King his Brother Sir you know how our Enemies are encamped not far off and yet all this while none of your Servants have view'd them Sir I humbly request of You that you would grant me your Leave to ride forth to morrow morning with a certain Number of Men to learn more exactly the Order Number and Behaviour of the English And Sir I promise you to go so near that I shall be enabled
are contained divers Passages intimating that You would gladly know why We take to our Friend and Lover your Enemy our Cousin the King Don Pedro and by what Title We make War upon You being enter'd with an Army Royal into Castille To this We now answer Know You for a truth that it is to sustain Right and Justice and to uphold Reason and Equity as it appertaineth to all Kings and Princes to do And also to cultivate and cherish the strict Alliances which the King of England our Dearest Father and King Don Pedro have of long time held together However because You are a Renowned and Right Worthy and Valiant Knight We are willing if We may to reconcile him and You together and We shall so perswade our Cousin Don Pedro that he shall yield unto You a considerable part of his Realm of Castille but as for the Crown and Inheritance Royal that You must Renounce for ever In which case Sir You may take Counsel and be advised And as for our entring into Castille We will enter and proceed as We think best at our own pleasure Dated at Groing the 30 of March in the Year of Grace MCCCLXVII X. This Letter being folded up and sealed with the Prince's Seal was deliver'd to the same Herald that brought Don Henry's Letters and had tarried for an answer now about three Weeks So the Herald was dismissed and rode on till he came to Najara where he found King Henry was encamped among the Bushes He went directly to the Kings Tent whither the greater part of the Chiefs of the Army went to hear what News the Herald had brought He for his part kneeled down and deliver'd the Prince's Letters to the King who took them and open'd them and caused them to be read before Sr. Bertram of Clequin and others of his Council Then Sr. Bertram spake to the King Sir said he be assured of this that now You shall have Battle speedily I know the Prince of Wales so well Consider therefore Sir advisedly on the Matter for 't is necessary that You take great Care of your Affairs and order your Battails in such manner as may appear best Sr. Bertram said the King be it so in the Name of God I value not the Power of the Prince For I have besides our Auxiliaries from Bretagne France and Aragon 10000 Barbed Horses which shall make two Wings to our Army and 20000 Men of Arms on lusty Genets the most Chosen that can be found in all Castille Galizia Portugal Corduba and Sevile and 10000 good Crossbows and 60000 others on foot with Pikes Halberds Launces and other Habiliments for the War And all these have sworn not to fail me thô they die for 't Wherefore Sir I trust to have the Victory by the Grace of God in whom is my Confidence and in the Right which I have in the Quarrel And so my Lords I desire You all to be of good Courage Thus King Henry and Sr. Bertram of Clequin talk'd together and no more was said about the Prince's Letters For King Henry who knew no Composition would be able to secure his Life resolv'd to be content with no less than a Kingdom and so prepared for Battle and took care that his Men should be well-order'd And all the while the Earl of Sancelloni and his Brother Sancho were mightily extolled thrô the Spanish Host for the Success they had against the English which added much to the Courage of all the Army On Fryday q Lit. Dom. C. Pasch 18. April the second day of April the Black-Prince began his March from Logronno or Groing upon the River Ebro and went forward in Battle Array to find his Enemies That day he advanced little more than two Leagues for about Three of the Clock in the Afternoon he came before Navaret where he encamped and then sent forth his Currours to aview his Enemies and to know exactly where they lay These rode so far that they saw all the behaviour of their Enemies and how they were lodged before the City of Najara whereof they brought Word to the Prince and He thereupon gave Order to be convey'd secretly thrô the whole Camp that at the First sound of the Trumpet they should all rise at the Second be armed and at the Third Mount their Horses and follow the Marshals Banners with the Ensign of St. George and that on pain of Death none presume to go before the Marshals unless they were commanded so to do XI As the Prince on the Fryday had sent out his Currours so did King Henry the same day on his part to learn where the Prince was encamped and when they had brought him the Certainty as to the Matter he called unto him Sr. Bertram of Clequin the Lord Arnold D'Endreghan and others and fell to advise with them what was next to be done 'T was here concluded that first the Army should be well supp'd and so order'd to take their repose to be the more fresh and lusty the next day at the hour of Midnight to be ready apparel'd and to draw into the Field to be ranged by their Captains in the Order as had been devised For none doubted but to fight the next day So that Night however hard the English fared and therefore the rather desired to come to a quick Decision yet the Spaniards who had plenty of Victuals and all other necessaries took their repast and repose as they themselves desired About Midnight the Trumpets sounded in King Henry's Host and then every man made him ready at the Second Blast they came out of their Lodgings and order'd themselves in Three Battalia's The first was led by Sr. Bertram of Clequin who r True Use of Armory in the life of the Lord John Chandos p. 79. bare for his Arms in a Field Argent the ſ i.e. Spread Eagle Sable Imperial Eagle over all a Dexter Battoon Gules With him was joyn'd the Lord Arnold D'Endreghan Marshal of France whose shield of Gules was charged with a Fez Checquee Argent and Gules between six spur Rowels Argent And in this Battail was the Lord Robert of Rochebreton the Earl of Denia in Valencia and all the Strangers as well of France and Bretagne as of Hainalt Aragon and of other Countries as the Lord of Dantoing and Sr. Alan Lord of Brusnel Sr. Guy Bailleul the Beague of Vilaine the Beague of Villiers Sr. John of Bergues the Almain of St. Venant who was then made Banneret with many Persons more of Note and Valour to the Number of 4000 Knights and Esquires all arm'd after the manner of France and 20000 Footmen The Second Battalia was led by the Earl of Sancelloni and his Brother Sancho with 5000 Genettours and 10000 Foot and these stood a little back on the Left-hand of the First Battail the Third and the greatest of all was govern'd by the King himself and he had with him 7000 Men of Arms and 60000 Foot with the Crossbows besides
within Ten Leagues on these Considerations they made signs for a Parley intending to treat with the Constable while yet they might do it on tolerable Terms Now Sr. Bertram of Clequin had received notice before this that he should hear of the English Succours that very Night Whereupon he more readily enclin'd to this Treaty and agreed to receive them to Mercy and so took the Castle and let the Garrison go with their Lives and Armour only This done he forthwith drew out all his Army into the open Field and set them in Battle Array ready to fight if need should be saying to his Men Messieures Consider well your business For our Enemies are coming towards Vs apace and I think yet before Night We shall have Battle Stand therefore all to your Guard and be ready to play the Men for the Honour of France Thus was Sr. Bertram dispos'd But the English made no great Haste to the Battle when they knew that St. Severe was lost beyond Recovery Besides other Matters came upon them which filled both their Hands and Heads with business enough For it is to be understood that the Frenchmen in Poictiers had all along many unsteady Minds among them who only sought an opportunity to revolt from the English So that now in the absence of Sr. Thomas Percy their Seneschal there arose an high Dissention in the City For three Parts of the Town were for letting in the French but Sr. John Reinolds the Mayor and Part of the Communalty resolved to remain true to the English Yet the Chief of the Richest Burgesses and of the Clergy whereof there was a great Number would by all means have the Constable sent for to come and take Possession of the City for they promised to open the Gates unto him Of which News the Constable was glad and communicated the matter to the Dukes of Berry and Bourbon Then it was agreed that the Constable should go from the Army with 300 Spears the best mounted in all the Host and so he went and rode the remainder of that Day and the Night following taking little rest more than 30 Leagues by another way than that which he knew the English kept The next Morning he came to Poictiers where he found the Gates open and his Friends ready to receive him Yet if he had tarried but an Hour longer or so he had come too late For Sr. John Reinolds the Mayor of Poictiers and those of his Party sent in all haste to the Captal and Sr. Thomas Percy who sent them immediatly an 100 Spears and as many Archers on Horseback and these were then come within a league of the City when Sr. Bertram enter'd XIV Upon News of the Loss of this Considerable Garrison of Poictiers all the Lords Knights and Esquires of Gascogne Poictou and England were mightily cast down especially those who were then assembled together in Poictou to the number of 800 Spears and 400 Archers on Horseback For two Hundred of their former Number were now gone to save the Place thô as we shew'd they came too late Then they called a Council of War to advise how to proceed among so many Dangers and Uncertainties For they saw well they were in the midst of their Enemies and yet knew not whom to trust to as their Friends But the Loyal Barons and Knights of Poictou when they saw the English Captains so suspitious and jealous as they might well be in those Circumstances to raise up their Minds and assure them the more said Certainly Gentlemen our Friends and Companions in Arms We are very sorry to see how ill Matters go in these Parts and that it is not in our power to help it But surely Gentlemen You may be Confident of this that while We can hold our Swords in our Hands and there is but one Castle or Fortress left in Poictou for us to retire to we shall never desert you but remain True and Faithfull to our Natural Lord the King of England and to You. The English Captains that were there reply'd Gentlemen next unto God Almighty our chief Confidence is in You And thô it be to die in the Quarrel You shall find us True Companions Thus there was a long Debate held in the Field but at last it was concluded that the Poictevins should march separately one way and the Englishmen another And so the former viz. the Lord of Partenay the Lord of Thoüars the Lord of Roussillon the Lord Lewis of Harcourt Sr. Emery of Rochechoüart Sr. John Dangle Sr. Percival of Cologne Captain of Thoüars Sr. Reginald de Theüars Sr. William de Campenac Sr. James of Surgeres Sr. Hugh Monberon all these with their Retinues went to the strong City of Thoüars But the English Lords and Captains as the Lord Thomas Percy Sr. Richard of Ponchardon Sr. Thomas Fowkes Sr. Matthew Gournay Sr. Geoffry Argentine Sr. Walter Hewett Sr. John Vbrues Sr. Dangouses John Creswell David Holcroft and others took the way to Niort where they thought to have found a ready Entrance But when they came thither they found the Gates shut against them and the Bridge drawn up and upon Demand the Townsmen answerd That they must not expect any Admittance there This Affront the English could not endure but upon Advice resolved to assault the Place and to make the Inhabitants an Example to all others Now thô the Men of Niort had Inconstancy enough to imitate the Defection of others yet they had not so much Wit as to consider that they were not able to defend themselves against this Power of the English For as yet they had no sufficient Captain among them to direct them in case of Necessity nor any that understood perfectly the Art of War. Wherefore after a short Defence wherein they shew'd more Animosity than Skill the Place was carried by Force the Inhabitants for the most part put to the Sword and the Town spoil'd and rob'd by the English Though if they could but have held out till Night in all likelihood they had escaped For the Constable of France had sent thither Sr. Tibauld du Pont with 200 Chosen Men to reinforce them but this Succour as well as that which the English sent to save Poictiers came too late And so at Niort the English made a strong Garrison intending to lie still till they heard more News XV. While the English i Frois c. 304. thus lay at Niort and durst not divide themselves for doubt of their Inconstant Friends and for fear of their prevailing Enemies Owen the Titular Prince of Wales had succeeded so well with Don Henry King of Spain that he came now before Rochell with a strong Fleet of Fourty tall Ships Thirteen Barges and Eight Galeons full of good Souldiers under the Command of Don Rodrigo di Roses Admiral of Spain and therewith so block'd up the Haven that none could pass out or in without much Danger The Rochellers seeing themselves in no good Condition and indeed being
was marching Wherefore he desir'd that for the present he might be let alone on Condition that neither He nor His should make any War unless some Violence was offer'd on the French part But that if the Heritors and Lords of Gascogne should be reduced by him then he also would yield up unto him and in all things do as they should do To this the Duke agreed receiving of the Abbot Hostages for his true performance which Pledges he sent to Perigueux and so drew toward the Town of Lourde in Bigorre to which he laid his Siege and then summon'd the Garrison to yield The Townsmen would willingly have agreed to the motion but the Knight that govern'd the Place said stoutly That since the Earl of Foix had deliver'd it to his Care he was resolv'd by no means to resign it up into the hands of any other Person living With which answer the Constable and the Duke of Anjou were so nettled that they commanded a general Assault to be made So that at last the Place was carried by force and the Captain and most of his Men slain with all the Inhabitants Men Women and Children and the Town rased and given up to the Plunder Nevertheless they left a Garrison in the Castle at their Departure Thence they Marched into the Lands belonging to Chastel Bon ravaging all about as far as Chastelneuf which they took and thence Marching toward Bearn they enter'd the Land of the Lord of Lescar whence they rode till they came before a good strong Town and Castle named Sailles which held of the County of Foix thô all the Lands and Arrierefiefs lay in Gascogne The Black-Prince before his Expedition into Spain had intended to call the Earl of Foix to an Account because he paid not his Duties unto him for this Place And now also the Duke of Anjou who had by this time reduced in a manner all Aquitain and look'd upon himself as Master thereof resolv'd by any means to have this Place also So he laid his Siege unto Sailles which was not at all easie to be won and beside there was within a Valiant and Expert Captain named Sr. William de Pons When the Earl of Foix heard how the Frenchmen conquer'd in his Lands and Arrierefiess which in reason he ought to hold either of the French King or of the King of England he sent for the Vicount of Chastel Bon for the Lords of Mont Marsan of Chastelneuve and Lescar with the Abbot of St. Sever who being all come to him he purchas'd a safe-Conduct and so went before Sailles to the Duke of Anjou with the foresaid Lords in his Company There at last he agreed with the Duke That both He and they with all their Lands should remain in perfect Peace till the midst of August or the Feast of the Assumption of the blessed Virgin Mary At which time there should appear before the Town of Moissac on the Tarne in the Province of Quercy an Army of the French Kings or of the King of England's part And if the English Army could keep the Field then they would hold their Lands of the King of England and if the French Army could keep the Field that day either by Battle or Non-appearance of the Enemy then they would hold their Lands of the King of France for ever Which Covenant faithfully to perform both the Earl of Foix and the other Lords gave sufficient security and so the Duke of Anjou brake up his Siege and went back to Perigueux with his whole Army For he would not let a Man be disbanded IV. But however Pope Gregory XI did now so double his Diligence in plying the Christian Work of Peacemaking by his Legates that at last a Treaty began between the Duke of Lancaster and the Duke of Anjou assurances being given to the latter at Perigueux for the Former held himself as Chief being Regent as he said for the King of England his Father So at last a firm Truce was agreed on to be held faithfully and without Fraud between Them and all their Friends Vassals and Assistants untill the last day of August the Two Dukes engaging to be present in the Marches of Picardy about the beginning of September in Order to prolong the said Truce the Duke of Lancaster at Calais and the Duke of Anjou at St. Omers Which Truce being thus taken the said Duke of Lancaster with the Duke of Bretagne the Earls of Warwick Suffolk and Stafford the Lord Edward Spencer the Lord Henry Percy the Lord Chanon Robsart the Lord Willoughby and other Lords and Knights both of England and Gascogne went on board at Bourdeaux on the Eighth of July and set sail for England Upon f Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 115. Walsing hist p. 183. n. 40. which Return of the Duke of Lancaster the People of those Parts almost totally revolted nothing being left in Aquitaine but Bourdeaux and Bayonne In Bretagne also the Captains of Becherel as Sr. John Cornwall and Sr. John Appleyard who had now kept that Fortress a full Year against the French that besieged them when they heard how the Duke of Bretagne was gone back into England and that now they had no hopes of any timely Succour especially since their Victuals was almost spent upon Mature Advice resolved to treat with their Enemies and to come to some agreeable Composition The Lords of Bretagne and Normandy that lay there at Siege as the Lord of Hambie Stoneville Blanville and Granville were by this time very weary and would willingly enter into any kind of Treaty but they thought best to know the French Kings Mind first and when they found that he agreed to allow their Treaty they determin'd the Matter thus That if the Duke of Bretagne or some other from the King of England did not come personally between that time and the Feast of All-Saints then next coming strong enough to raise the Siege then they within were to yield up the Place their Lives and Goods saved Which was done accordingly None appearing at the time appointed in their behalf and Sr. John Cornwall and Sr. John Appleyard with their Men and Goods took the Sea and return'd for England V. When g Frois c. 312. the Middle of August drew near which was the time limited for the Decision of High Gascogne to be made before Moissac the Duke of Anjou drew thitherward with an huge Army and kept the Field before the Place six days together All which time no body appeared for King Edward For the English all thought that because of the Truce lately taken between the Dukes of Anjou and Lancaster which was to hold to the last of August the Design about Moissac was to be given over But the Duke of Anjou and his Council were it seems of another Mind and resolved to take all Advantages they could without troubling their Heads with unprofitable Scruples of Honour Faith and Justice So when the Duke of Anjou saw once the Feast
Southerland As for the former King John Baliol he liv'd at this time a retired life in France having only two Sons the Lord Edward and Henry who as yet had no Issue and therefore their Father had on certain considerations resigned and quitted and given over to King Robert his Right and Title to the Crown of Scotland so that Robert was now quit of all fear on that part and otherwise very strong in the affections of his People who were then a great and flourishing Nation And this was the state of Scotland when King Edward the Third of England came to the Crown wherefore encouraged with their former success and despising King Edwards Youth r Rich. Sâuthwell on the very night of that day whereon King Edward was Crowned the Scots had intended to take the Castle of Norham Å¿ Grafton p. 173. between the Marches of England and Scotland by surprize and so well they managed their design that about t Holinshead Hist Sect. p. 225 sixteen of them had already mounted the Walls but the Captain Sr Robert Manners being warned of the Matter before-hand by one of his Garrison who was a Scotchman had so well provided to receive them that of those who had mounted he took five or six and put the rest to the sword their Companions below upon this disappointment retiring This seem'd a good Omen of King Edward's future Victories over the Scots by occasion of the Lord Edward Baliol who was himself a Scotchman Presently after King Robert Bruce supposing it now a very fit season to take some advantage against his old Enemies the English during this their Kings Minority sends about u Frois c. 15. Grafton p. 218. Easter a short and brisk Defiance to King Edward and all his Realm telling them that he would shortly with his Power invade the Realm of England with Fire and Sword and there do as he had done before in his Fathers Reign at the Battle of Bannocksborn near Striveling or Sterling where the English received that mighty Overthrow we spake of by reason of those x Sr Tho. de la More Ed. 2. p. 2. Holingshead hist Scotl. p. 217. Hector and Buchan Pits into which the Scots had intrapt them unawares I must not omit that the Scotch Writers attribute the occasion of this Defiance to some fraud or other wherewith the English had lately endeavour'd to ensnare them by foul Collusion of their Ambassadours but neither can it be imagin'd what necessity the King of England should have either by fraud or force to attempt to injure the King of Scots with whom he stood on no ill Terms before his own Affairs were in any posture of Settlement nor do any of their own Historians assign what this fraud or injury was nor indeed was ever the English Nation noted so much for fineness or subtlety as for down-right Honesty and blunt valour Nor is the consideration of King Robert's Age and sickness sufficient to conclude that of necessity there must be some great Cause given that could provoke so decrepit a Man to begin a War toward the End of his Life since thô his Person was weak his Mind was strong and vigorous and Scotland was never in better case than at that time and the Generals he intended to employ were Barons of great Fidelity Conduct and Resolution and he might reasonably hope to have at least as much advantage over this Young King as he had over his Father in his Full Age when attended with a most flourishing Army Nor is any great Captain thô never so satiate with Lawrels so unambitious after all but that in his weakest condition he would lay hold on any occasion of so probable success against a professed Enemy 'T is sweet to an old Warrior to end his days among Triumphs and Victories This is certain King Edward the Third neither did nor could send any Ambassadors to him before his Coronation yet even then we shew'd before that the Scots began to break the Peace by attempting to surprize a Castle thô no less than y Hâlinshead hist Scot. p. 224. Ashmole p. 645. ex Claus 1. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 2. Dârs Nine years were to come of the last Thirteen years Truce struck up between this Kings Father and King Robert of Scotland four years before And besidââ we find that there had been since the Coronation of this Young King an Agreement for a further Treaty of Peace to be held in the Marches on the Sunday next before Ascension Day then ensuing But as I said before King Robert imagining to make an easie prey of the young Monarch neither much valued the old Truce not yet ended nor the new Agreement not yet perfected but resolves upon War. Hereupon soon after he invades the North Borders with an z Hector p. 307 b. n. 60. Army of Twenty five thousand Men a Bachan p. 273 all Horse that they might do mischief more speedily and retire with more expedition if by any necessity they should be so obliged VI. The mean while King Edward conceives an high indignation at this unprovoked Defiance and to secure himself for the future from the like Contempt immediately with all his Power addresses himself to defend his Reputation And first he b Frois c. 17. sends his Uncle Thomas of Brotherton Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England with a choice number of Soldiers to Newcastle upon Tine who there made his Musters as he was appointed on the c Ashmole p. 645. Monday next before the Ascension in like manner the Lord Robert Hufford and the Lord John Moubray were commanded away to the Reinforcement of the Lord Anthony Lucy of Cockermouth then d Dugd. Baron 1 Vol. 565. a. Governour of the Castle and Town of Carlile At the same time the King issued out his General summons to his own People and moreover by kind letters invited his noble Friend John Lord of Beaumont in Heinalt and brother to William Earl of Heinalt by whose aid chiefly the Queen had deposed her Husband and who was but newly return'd home again to come over to his assistance about the time of the Ascension Sr John Lord Beaumont hereupon came over to the King to the City of York the place appointed for the general Rendezvous thô Newcastle also was pitch'd upon for the assembly of other Forces a week before within three days of Whitsuntide accompanied with more than fourty Lords and Knights of Heinalt Flanders and Bohemia with other Knights from Cambray and Artois to the number of Five hundred Men of Arms all well Arm'd and gallantly Mounted Soon after Whitsuntide follow'd for the sake of this John of Heinalt the Lord William Son to the Duke of Juliers or Gulick and Sr Henry Thyrry afterwards Earl of Lewis and with them another goodly Company all expecting to purchase much honour under this hopefull Young King and no less profit as well from his Royal bounty as from the
Spoil of the Field which they accounted their own The whole number of the Strangers was about e H. Knighton p. 2551. two Thousand Men of Arms besides the great Numbers of English that came in as Voluntiers above the appointed Musters such hopes had they conceived of their Prince's Conduct and Fortune The King f Frois c. 16. Grafton p. 219. assigned the Strangers convenient lodgings in the Suburbs of York but to Sr John himself and his Servants he allotted an Abby of White Monks in the said City He himself and the Queen his Mother being lodged in the stately Building called the Fryers where each of them kept house apart This g Frois ibid. S John of Heinalt was one of the most Gallant Knights in the World and he had first undertaken to defend the Queen and her Son against the Persecutions of the two Spencers even when her own Brother the King of France had deserted her quarrel so that he was very dear to the young King and his Mother and they resolv'd to entertain him in most Royal Manner Wherefore the King held all along a Great Court to do these Strangers Honour and there was every where much Plenty of Provision Good and Cheap for the City and Country were Rich and flourish'd with abundance For full six weeks did the King lie there with more than 60000 men yet all that while the price of Provision was nothing enhanced but every thing was sold as reasonable as before the Army came thither There was plenty of Rhenish Gascoign and Anjovan Wines with Pullen and other Provision at very ordinary Rates and Hay Oats and other necessaries for Horses were daily brought to the Strangers lodgings so that they were all extreamly satisfied with their entertainment But yet even this their Prosperity had like to have proved more fatal unto them then a Rout in Battel might have done For h Knighton p. 2551. presuming much hereby on the King's favour they carried themselves too Magisterially toward his Subjects whence arose such Contention as brought forth many sad effects and was not at last stinted without much bloodshed on both sides On Trinity i Frois c. 16. M.S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C. C. C. Cantabr c. 213. Sunday the King for the sake of these Lords Strangers held a Solemn and Magnificent Feast at the Fryers aforesaid himself being attended with 500 of his Knights to which he then added 15 more and the Queen his Mother having more than threescore Fair Ladies of the greatest Nobility and Beauty in England about her Person to pleasure the young Lord of Beaumont and his Company There was that day a most Splendid Entertainment and a truly Royal shew of whatsoever was choice and excellent And now the Ladies themselves with many Noble Virgins were meditating the various Measures their skilfull Feet were to make the pleasant Aires their sweet Voices should warble and those soft Divisions their tender Fingers should strike on the yielding strings when suddenly as soon as ever the Feast was ended a strange and hideous noise confounded the Minds of the whole Court. For the Servants and Pages of these Foreign Auxiliaries had by their k Knighton p. 2551. insolence so exasperated the minds of some English Archers who lodged among them in the Suburbs that immediately a great Fray began among them which continually rose higher new abettors successively flowing in on each side till near 3000 of the Archers being gather'd together many of the poor Heinalders were slain and the rest betaking themselves to flight were fain to enter their lodgings and there to fortifie them in the best manner they could against the Fury of their enemies Most part of the Knights their Commanders were then at Court but on the first noise of the Fray they hasted to their lodgings to defend themselves and their People Some part of the City of York in the Hurlyburly was fired many of the Heinalders slain and more hurt nor less on the English side than l Stow p. 228. M.S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C. C. C. ibid. 80 Archers most of them Lincolnshire men fell that day who were all buried in St Clement's Churchyard in Fosegate But at last by the Authority of the King with the earnest endeavours of the Queen Mother who loved the Heinalders dearly and by the ready assistance of the Great Men who charitably took the Strangers parts the Archers thirst of blood was slaked and the quarrel ceased for that time But that Night the Strangers who had suffer'd most not so m Knighton p. 2551. much thinking of sleep as revenge being now headed by Commanders rose privately and joyning all together set suddenly upon the Archers of Lincolnshire and Northampton for the Men of each County were Marshall'd and lodged together by themselves where they slew about 300 of them Nor in the Morning had they paid cheaply for that desperate action for more than n Frois c. 16. fol. 7 8. 6000 Archers had combined together to burn or kill them every man in their lodgings or without by Night or by Day when ever they should obtain an Opportunity But that the King to secure the Strangers from their Fury had set strong Guards about them displacing the Archers from their former Quarters they themselves hardly ever daring to sleep without good Watch their Horses ready saddled and their Arms always near at hand or upon their Backs so well they knew it behoved them to look to themselves after such a Provocation of the Common Soldiers of England Now had King o Frois c. 16 17. Edward lain at York with all this Great Army in and about the City for the space of three Weeks and when in about three Weeks more after this sedition no final agreement could be made between the King's Council and the Scotch Ambassadors p Caxton who came thither after Trinity Sunday to treat of a Peace the Marshals of the Host by the King's Command Proclaimed thrô all the Army that by the next Week every Man should be ready to March against the Enemy and that such to whom the Care was left should provide Carts and Wagons for Carriages and Tents and Pavilions to lie in the field with all other matters necessary for the King's journey toward Scotland All things therefore being by the said time provided accordingly the King and all his Barons began their March from the City of York in good Order and gallantly armed with Trumpets sounding and Banners waving in the wind In this Expedition besides those at Newcastle and Carlile already sent thither to defend the Frontiers we have made shift to recover the Names of these Worthies q Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p. 93. Edmund of Woodstock Earl of Kent the King's Uncle John r Id. 1 Vol. p. 184. Bohune Earl of Hereford and Essex and Constable of England Roger ſ Id. ibid. p. 145. Mortimer Lord of Wigmore William
t Id. p. 633. Lord Montagu Robert u Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 26. Lord Morley John x Id. 1 Vol. p. 81. quem vid. ad singula haec nomina Lord Warren Earl of Surrey John Lord Ros younger Brother to William Lord Ros of Hamlake in Yorkshire with his other Brother Thomas Ros the Lord William Clinton afterwards Earl of Huntington the Lord Roger le Strange and Sr Ebulo le Strange his Kinsman the Lord Hugh Audeley junior and Sr James Audeley his younger Brother Thomas Lord Braose the Lord Fulk Fitz-Warine the Lord John St Philibert the Lord Peter de Malolacu or Mauley the Lord Ralph Stafford the Lord Ralph Basset of Drayton the Lord Thomas Hastang the Lord Robert Pierpoint the Lord Thomas Furnival the Lord Robert Fitz-Walter Sr Walter Beauchamp of Alcester in Warwickshire with his Brother William Beauchamp Sr Nicolas Cantilupe and many other Barons of England Sr y Frois c. 17. John of Heinalt and all the Lords Strangers with their troops both in their March and when they took up their Lodgings were always placed immediately next the King 's own Guards as well to secure them from the Archers who still breathed after Revenge as for their greater Honour and to let the whole Army know thaâ whoever sought their damage would at the same time highly trespass upon the King himself The first Night the Host reached sixteen mile onward of their way and there the King tarried two Days and three Nights partly to expect till the whole Army was come up but chiefly to examine by himself and his Officers whether any thing necessary for such an Expedition was wanting before they should be brought to a Pinch Early on the fourth day they began their March toward Durham which was distant in all from York about fourty eight or fifty Miles but from Topcliffe whereabout they had lodged little more than Thirty The second Night after they reach'd the City of Durham encamping thereabout till further notice of the Enemy of whom they had heard no News as yet The King had before this as we remembred to hinder their Progress in the Borders sent the Earl of Norfolk Marshal of England to Newcastle and the Lords Hufford and Mowbray to Carlile with considerable Forces They for their part slack'd nothing of their Duty for they were Persons of great Worth and Honour But the subtle Scot e're the King could reach Newcastle which was but about z Ferrar. in Orthea twelve or fourteen Miles beyond Durham had pass'd the River of Tiââ so privately that they were neither perciev'd by the Garrisons of New-castle nor Carlile and so for a while they wasted and robb'd the Country wherever they came and yet could never be overtaken or found by those who sought to encounter them but only a Holinshead Hist Scotl. p. 225 once at Darlington where being met by a disorder'd number of the Country Militia who came to oppose them they soon overcame them putting many to the sword and the rest to flight Their King Robert himself was not there at that time thô he was the most Valiant and most Successfull Prince that had reign'd in Scotland of many years For being now oppressed with age and sickness he was forced to send in his stead two the most Famous and Expert of his Captains the Lord Thomas Randulph Earl of Murray and the Lord James Douglas the latter greatly in those days Renowned for Hardiness above all the Scotchmen as the former was for Wisdom and Conduct Their Forces were b Hector Bachan twenty or twenty five thousand Men all nimble and expedite for suddain Invasion or quick Retreat for they were all mounted c Frois c. 17 f. 8. the Better Sort on good strong Coursers and the Common Soldiers on little but approved Hackneys and Geldings They brought with them no Carts nor Wagons because of the inequality of the Mountainous Countries thrô which they should pass nor had they with them much purveyance of Bread or Wine for in those days the Scots were so abstemious and patient in time of War that for a good while they could endure with flesh half-boiled and drink out of the Rivers Nor yet had they any Pans or Cauldrons to dress their meat in for what Beasts they found as they always did good store in those Northern parts they would seeth them in their own skins stretch'd out bellying on stakes in the manner of Cauldrons And having thus sod their meat they would take a little Plate of Metal which they us'd to truss somewhere in or under their saddles and laying it on the fire take forth some Oatmeal which they carried in little bags behind them for that purpose and having kneaded and temper'd it with water spread that thereon This being thus baked they us'd for Bread to comfort and strengthen their stomachs a little when they eat flesh That such hard Farers should prove good Souldiers is no wonder and that sometimes they should be able to baffle a great Army more encombred than themselves may very lightly be granted And now had the English been several days in those Parts before they had any knowledge where their Enemies were thô they dayly saw the effects of their cruelty and met with many of the Borderers who fled before them to avoid it But at last they saw great smokes and fires about the Country which plainly enough declared where they were and what was their Employment Immediately hereupon d Frois c. 18. fol. 8. the Alarum is given and a March sounded every Man being commanded to dislodge and in the Order before appointed to follow the Marshals Battail There were three great Battalions on Foot and to each Battail two Wings of 500 Men of Arms Knights and Esquires and 20000 others well-arm'd and provided the one half on little Hackneys and the other ranged on Foot who fought for Wages to be paid by those Towns Cities and Corporations that sent them to the Kings Service The Scotch Writers make the whole number of the English Forces to be more than an Hundred Thousand Men effective and Froisard himself besides those three Battails mention'd speaks of 24000 Archers if the figures are not mistaken and Grafton and Speed reckon up 30000 Archers in All Thô I believe if there were such a Number they were distributed proportionably among the foresaid Battalions according to the Usual Method of the Captains of those days and that there was no such great Battail of Archers distinct from all the rest And this Opinion agrees better with our Historians and Froisard's own Account of the Number in another place where he reckons the Whole but to something more than e Frois c. 16 fol 7. b. 60000 Men of War Thô f R. Burtons Engl. Mânarchs p. 104. others whose Authority I shall not here examin make them no more than 54000 Men which were thus disposed in the Main Battail with the King were two and
twenty Thousand that is 10000 Foot 4000 Men of Arms and 8000 Archers and Dragoons on Horseback in the other two Battails were to each 10000 Foot 1000 Men of Arms 500 on each Wing and 3000 others on Horseback and the Marshals Battail consisting of 4000 Horse Men of Arms and Others well mounted rod on before the Army In this Order they marched after the g Frois c. 18. fol. 8. Scots as the smoak directed them all that day till almost night when by good Advice they took up their lodging in a Wood by the side of a little River as well to refresh themselves as to give time for their Carriages to come up which drove after them more heavily By this time had the Scots wasted and burnt and plundered all before them within five Miles of the English Army but as yet they could by no means be overtaken The next morning they marched again with Banner displai'd every one in his Order as before thrô mountains and Valleys all day long without any Disorder and yet they overtook not the Enemy who sped on before leaving nothing but ruine and desolation behind The Country was so full of Marishes and wild Deserts Mountains and Dales that the English could by no means equal the Pace of the Scots who were better us'd to that kind of making War and were not so encumbred with Carriages and had beside a great start before them Moreover the King and his Council considering the subtlety of the Enemy and that the Country favour'd any design of Ambuscade commanded on pain of death that none should ride before the Marshals Banners For otherwise many would have follow'd upon the spur to detain the Scots by light Skirmishes till the Main Body of the Army might reach them Toward the declining of the day therefore the Men of Arms with their Horses and all the horses of Carriage but especially the Foot grew so weary the Men with the weight of their Armour and all in general with the length of their March that they could by no means endure any further Travail the remainder of that day The King and his Lords well consider'd the Fatigues of the Army for they themselves were almost tir'd out of all patience at this unaccustomed way of Chasing They plainly saw their labour in pursuit was all in vain and they assur'd themselves that if the Enemy did stay for them it would be in a place which should make to their own advantage Hereupon at the Kings Command the Marshals of the Host proclaim'd that there they should rest for that night where now they were which was in a Wood also and by a river side The King was lodged in a little poor Abby hard by whither the chief of his Council came to him to advize what was best to be done in this exigence Their Considerations were these That 't was not possible while things continued thus to overtake the Enemy that if they could 't was too hazardous to engage them thereabouts since they were by the use of their own Country rendred more expert and accustomed to such mountainous and hilly Places That they could not go far into the Land without dangerous opposition and that they had no way of returning but over the river Tyne The Result therefore was That it was best to March directly that way either to oblige the Scots to come after them if they desired to preserve their own Country or at least to make full Amends by putting Scotland to the same sufferance of Fire and Sword. It was also here ordain'd That all their less necessary Carriages should be left behind them there in the wood with all their loose Harness and most of their Provision but what was absolutely necessary for a few Days for they expected within a day or two to have Battle whatever might happen and they resolved to have it if they might despair and vexation making them desirous to win or loose all at once This Resolution was published to the Army before supper every Man being warned to rise from sleep at the first sound of the Trumpet at the second to Arm without delay and at the third to take horse in his due place under his Colours About midnight they arose and by break of day they were all ready ranged in Battail so vigorous in their Resolution that with a nimble pace thô not without a world of difficulty they travail'd that Day twenty four or as h Buchan p. 275 One saies twenty eight Miles many being forced to lag behind thrô weariness others falling among the Marishes and dangerous places thrô which the Army was forced to go were held there till they could get out of themselves or else they were like to be lost For all that could hasted forward with all speed not caring for Father Brother or Friend because hearing great noise of Shouting from the main Host they imagin'd the Armies were joyning and so clapping on their Helmets rode forth with Spear and Shield as fast as they might toward the First Battail so great was their desire to fight but when with much labour they were come they found themselves deceived for all the Noise was made only at the raising of Stags Harts and Hinds that were first seen by those in the Front. Thus the King rode that day till toward the evening he came to the same part of the river Tyne where the Scots had passed upon their Invasion and where it was thought they must needs repass upon their Return And on that side the i Buchan p. 274. Tyne they found it more commodious to give or receive Battle upon occasion as being more plain and open Ground and so fitter for a Champaign Wherefore to be beforehand with the Enemy or at least by entring Scotland to draw them back out of England King Edward now resolv'd to pass the Tine But here all the Troubles of the English were not ended For that River is full of great round and slippery Stones which much offended the Horse in their passage over However thô with much ado they had all got over by Sun set but the Foot could not pass that Night nor were they all there in any good time many not appearing till the Morning and some few never after seen As for those that had passed with the King and the Lords 't was but here and there that any of them had a Hatchet to cut down Wood so that they could neither make Stakes to fasten their Horses too nor Arbours to shrowd themselves withall their Tents bring left behind among the Carriages nor had they or their horses any great matter to eat either the day past or the night now coming on except that every Man brought a loaf or so behind him which yet was almost spoil'd with dust and the sweat of their Horses Drink they had little or none but what the River afforded them and that not so clear as it should be having been disturbed with the passage
z Pelyd Virg. l. 19. p. 360. n. 10. Others add to this that a little before their flight the King resolving to send two considerable Detachments from his Army to intercept the passage of the Scots on each Flank himself intending to pass over against them by that time the rest might be up with the Enemy certain from the Lord Mortimer be like gave them a sign of their Danger which might have been privately agreed on before whereupon they escaped as we have declared However King Edward had such good Advice and such Success even in this unhappy Journey as to be able to rid the Land of its Enemy without any considerable Loss but what no humane Industry or Wisdom could foresee or prevent I confess to use the words of Mr a p. 645. Ashmole that the first Actions of Princes are Generally look'd upon by all Eyes and not seldom by many Critical Observators taken as the Radix whence to calculate their future either Successes or Miscarriages Now as he goes on if a full age entitle them to the sole management of Affairs we are enclin'd to think that a judicious Eye may partly discern the strength of their Fortune from such their beginnings But while they remain under Tutorage and their Designs are carried on by the Conduct of others the Event of things will manifest a dependency upon the strength or weakness of the genius of those Persons who are the Chief Managers of their Concerns And this was fully made out in this Prince whose Martial undertakings succeeded little or nothing while the Government of the Kigndom remain'd in other Hands and sometimes after also when he was tyed up and hamper'd by his Allies in Flanders but He no sooner arrived at full Age and had the Dispose of publique Affairs in his own Hands but all things shew'd themselves as disposed by his own Happy Genius And the first remarkable Experiment hereof was verified even upon the Scots themselves from whom before He had received some affronts and indignities as we shall see hereafter Thus this Expedition ended as it was the b Frois c. 18. fol. 10. next day the English Army return'd homeward and about noon they came to a great Abby within two miles of Durham where the King lodged with all his Host about him in the Field Here they found good forage for their Horses and refreshment for Themselves Next day the King leaving the Gross of the Army there still went to Durham to visit the famous Church of St. Cuthbert and to offer at his Shrine In this City were found all the Carriages which were left by the Army about a Month ago in the Wood one Morning when they marched towards the Tyne to intercept the Scots as we c p. 9. shew'd before For the Mayor and Burgesses of Durham having found them order'd them for their better security to be brought into the City at their own costs and charges where they were placed safe in empty Barnes and Granges the Name or Arms or other Cognisance of each Owner being before left on every Man's Carriage that the several Proprietors might be known It extreamly satisfied the Lords and Gentlemen when thus unexpectedly they had recover'd what they lately looked on as no better than lost Here and about the City the whole Army refreshed themselves well for two days all the Horses were new shod and what was amiss corrected The third day they marched towards the City of York which they easily reached in three days after and there the King found his Lady-Mother who received him with great joy with all her Ladies and the whole City Here after great thanks given to all the Barons and Knights that had attended the King for their prompt Advice and loyal Assistance in this Expedition he dismist the greater part of the Army but Sr. John of Heinalt with his Company was still retained because they had not as yet their promised Wages After some time spent in Jollity and Feasting for the Queen and her Ladies made them very good Cheer the Lords and Captains of Sr. Johns Retinue drew up Bills of what was due unto them reckoning in also the Horses and other Stuff they had lost or spoiled in this Journey and deliver'd them in to the Kings Council But then the noble John Lord Beaumont out of the Trust he reposed in the Kings Promise bound himself freely to all his Followers undertaking to content them as to all their particulars within a certain time for all their Losses and Charges contained in the said Bills besides their promised Wages For he well saw that the King could not possibly at that time spare so much Mony Thô with much ado he made shift to allow them for their present Charges and what might be sufficient to carry them handsomly into their own several Countries Yet before the Year was quite ended they were all satisfied in full Then they provided little Naggs for their Lacquies and Pages to ride on and two Ships were lent them by the King to convey their Servants and Stuff to Sluce in Flanders After which the Lord John of Heinalt and his Warlike Company took their leave of the King and the Queen his Mother of the Earls of Norfolk and of Kent the Kings Uncles and of the Earl of Lancaster his Cozen with the Lord Mortimer and the rest of the Barons all whom he found very courteous and honourable to Him and his Followers especially the Queen and her Confident Roger Lord Mortimer for these besides their open Gratuities privately heaped upon Sr. John and his Retinue d Knighton p. 2552. n. 40. such and so many rich Presents as proved much to the detriment of the King and the impoverishing of his Kingdom But upon their parting for fear of the English Archers whom they had in this War so highly incensed the King appointed the e Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 530. Lord William Clinton and eleven other Knights with two f Frois c. 18. fol. 11. hundred Men of Arms to bear them company thrô Lincolnshire Thus at last they all came safe to Dover where they found Vessels ready provided for them and theirs whereby they were carried with a prosperous wind to the place they were bound for VII But now 't is time to look nearer home and enquire what becomes of the Old King whom we left deposed and imprison'd with the promise of an honourable Pension during life He was not so unhappy in the want of his Subjects affections as some imagine and indeed almost all Writers seem to averr For in very truth he was rather depos'd by the deep contrivances of a few subtle Enemies and the despair to which their trayterous Demeanour had already reduc'd them together with his own oversight than thrô any Ill-will that the Generality of his People had to his Person or Government And therefore his Queen and her partakers to gain Popularity upon their first coming into England g Speed ex
was slain with 7000 Christians the Pagans obtaining but a bloody Victory with the loss of no less than 58000 Men This Battle was struck on the Feast of St. Catherine being the 25 of November The Other was between the Castilians of Spain and the Moors of Granada of which because it bears some reference to the succeeding Affairs I shall take leave to speak something more particularly It may be remembred that when I spake of the Dishonourable Peace made with Scotland at Northampton I took occasion to mention a Voyage which the Lord James Douglas the famous Warriour of Scotland had undertaken to the Holy Land there to offer up his dead Master King Robert's Heart at the Sepulchre of our Blessed Saviour Now as soon as he had well provided for so long and important a Journey he took the Noble Heart of his Lord King Robert g Hector Bâet l. 15. fol. 311. b. n. 70. embalmed and enshrin'd in a Golden Box and with a Gallant company of choice Knights and valiant Gentlemen of whom the Lord William Sinclare and Sr. Robert Logan were chief he set forth for the Holy Land. And here Hector according to his usual way makes no more adoe but boldly affirms that he came to Jerusalem offer'd up the Heart stay'd a while fought many Glorious Battels wan much Renown brought the Saracens to a Peace on conditions very advantageous to the Christians richly rewarded the Priests and Holy Men there and away came he again safe and sound as could be till he touch'd the Spanish Coast about Andaluzia or the Boetic Province where finally he lost his Life But Buchanan in this place more modest h Buchan l. 8. p. 279. acknowledges that his Death happen'd not in his Return but in his Passage to Jerusalem and therein agrees with i Frois c. 20. fol. 11. Froisard a most credible Historian in the main who thus reports the whole matter Earl Douglas being well purvey'd of all things sets sail immediately from a Port of Murray in Scotland directing his course for Sluce in Flanders where he design'd to enquire if there were any Knights or Noblemen who to advance the honour of Christ and purchase unto themselves true Renown would adventure to accompany him in this his Expedition to the Holy Land. Having therefore accordingly sent into the Country thereabout to publish his Intention he lay on Board before Sluce the space of twelve Days himself not once offering to touch the Land so firmly was he set on the performance of his Royal Master's Injunctions And all the while that he might the better allure Companions in Arms to partake with him in this hazardous Enterprise he kept a stately and magnificent Port making on Board triumphant Noises with Trumpets Clarions and other Instruments of War as if he had been King of Scotland himself He had with him in his own Ship two Knights Bannerets and six other Knights with 26 lusty Esquires and other young Gentlemen to attend his person and all the Vessels he was served in were of Gold or silver And whoever came on Board to visit him were nobly entertain'd with Banquets Wine and spices every one after his Quality While thus he lay to the great pleasure and satisfaction of the Country at the end of twelve days he had certain News that Alphonso the XI King of Castille and Leon held war with the Moors and Saracens of Granada Upon this report he thought it every whit as meritorious to fight against Infidels in Spain as in the Holy Land and that it could no way thwart with his dead Masters Command if he should endeavour to exalt the Cross of Christ against Mahometanisme to which cause himself had both living and dying devoted his own Royal Heart Desirous also to leave some Token of the Scottish Valour in the furthermost Parts of Spain and concluding after all to perform at his leisure the Voyage to Jerusalem he at last resolves to be a partaker in these honourable Wars Whereupon hoising sail directly for Spain he arrived happily at the Port of Valencia where he landed with all his Company but such as were appointed to look to the Fleet. Thus this Gallant Scot having well refreshed himself and his Troops rode bravely forward toward the King of Spain whom he found with his Army facing the Enemy on the Frontiers of his Kingdom toward the Realm of Granada To make short his service was well accepted and thereupon the King of Spain resolv'd to give his Enemies Battle The King of Granada seeing the Christians advance set forward also to meet them with innumerable Forces And now both Armies wanted but little of joyning when the Generous Earl Douglas fearing to come too late to so glorious a Banquet with all his Company strake spurs to his Horses sides and couching his Spear rushed fiercely among the thickest of his Enemies all the way crying out a Douglas a Douglas as he that nothing doubted but to be well back'd by King Alphonso The Enemy thô vastly Numerous was strangely amaz'd at this vigorous and resolute Onset and either out of Dismay or Policy open'd their Ranks to receive them giving also back a little to abate the Fury of the first shock Certainly had the Castillians immediately seconded this Noble Knight with but half that Bravery the Moors had either wholly been overthrown or at most gain'd but a Bloody Victory But whether 't was Fatal oversight or Discretion not to Engage with such vast Numbers in confidence of a few seeming-rash Strangers or whether 't was a certain stupor and excess of Admiration or a desire to stay a while beholding the Effects of such Gallantry or foolish Envy or base Cowardise or that they could not come up timely enough King Alphonso however Brave and Victorious at other times stood now still and joyned not the Battle Whereat the Moors encouraged immediately surrounded the Deserted Scots with their Numerous Forces and there the Gallantest Captain in the World being abandon'd to Infinite Multitudes of Barbarians was miserably at last hewen in pieces with all his Martial Company Thô they left such Marks of their exceeding Valour behind that the Infidels who felt and saw their Fury thought them Invincible till they beheld them slain before their Eyes Thus by occasion of a superstitious Vow of the Late King Robert was Scotland unfortunately depriv'd of a Noble Captain and many other Brave Souls at a time when most she needed their Assistance at Home This Lord Douglas bare for his Arms k Frois c. 17. fol. 8. Azure a Chevron Argent but his Posterity in Memory of this his Enterprise and Death do l Hâlinshead hist Sâctl p. 227. bear the Bloody Heart for their Arms to this day And indeed he was one of the first Builders of his Name and Family in Scotland being a great Champion to his Native Country and as great a Terror to all the English Borderers For m Knighton p. 2559. n. 50.
out of Order by reason of their security and contempt of us Nor will they ever be able to recover for the terrour we shall bring among them And then manfully shall we beat them down before us so that thrô the Grace of Almighty God all the World shall speak of our valour and Chivalry To this Resolution of the Bailiols all the English gladly consented and having o Hector l. 15. f. 313. n. 10. for a mark of Distinction in the dark night tyed every Man a piece of White linnen about his arm they boldly pass'd over the Water at a place called Duplin p Knâghton p. 2560. n. 60. Sââed p. â68 by Ernemouth being directed by Sr. Alexander Moubray who was best of all acquainted with the Passage Thus all in great silence and good Order at last got safe over except only Sr. Roger Swinnerton who by ill accident was drowned as some say But it is evident by the q Dagd Bar. 2. Vol. 112. Records that he lived at least till six years after Now the Scots were in r Hector Bachan two Camps almost five miles distant one from the other intending by acting separately to distract the Bailiol for they despised his Numbers But soon after midnight the English Army except the 44 Almaine Captains who with the rest of the Strangers stood aloof as well to observe those who should break forth of the Scotch Camp as to pursue those that fled was hotly engaged with the Scots in their First Camp At the first Alarm the Scots were in an horrid Confusion and they Å¿ M.S. prâfat c. 223. said among themselves What is now befallen unto us that so small a Company as the Bailiol hath doth us such mischief and sorrow Now surely it seems that he works by Grace for he is wondrous Fortunate in his Cause But certainly we will all die rather than yield unto him since his Father esteem'd so little of us But the English now prevail'd mightily and all the Captains were fierce and haughty against their Enemies wherefore the Scots by reason of the suddain surprise and the straightness of the Place which allow'd them no more room than they had time to Order their Battails in were by Day-break utterly broken and defeated For the Throng was so great among the Scots that many were crowded and trampled to Death so that while every Man thrust forward to come to the Battle he but holp to encrease the Disorder of those that were fighting insomuch that the Crowding prov'd as fatal as the Sword. When this Victory was thus gain'd the Englishmen who thought they had overcome the whole Power of Scotland drew together in the morning and began to repose and refresh themselves But the mean while the Noble Baron of Vesci and the Noble Baron of Stafford and the valiant Lord t M.S. id ibid. Roger Swinnerton falsly reported by some to have been drown'd the night before pricked their Horses up and down by the Hills to observe the Straights of the Country And as they pricked thus up and down they saw from the Hills a great Host in good Array ranged in Three Battails with Helmes and Shields shining marching towards them At this they return'd full speed to the Bailiol's Men among whom they said aloud Now for the love of Almighty God be of good comfort for you shall have another Victory presently and so they shew'd how another Army was coming against them Then stept forth Sr. Fulk Fitz-Warine a Baron of great Renown for Deeds of Arms and said in the Head of the English Now my Lords understand you what I shall say since I have in my time seen many and different Armies as well among Saracens and Jews in Spain as among Frenchmen and Scots and yet saw I never the Fourth part of any of those fight Wherefore if we will abide our Enemies We are enough to fight against them But if we be not of good Courage and Resolution 't is to no purpose to fight with them for surely We are too few to match so Great a Company And therefore for the Love of God let us take Heart and grow Bold neither thinking on our Wives not Children but only how to win the day and through the help of our Lord God. We shall overcome our Enemies And with that came the Scotch Host towards them Furiously in three Battails well arrayed But upon their approach when Donald Earl of Marr who had secretly combin'd with the Bailiol saw all this and how few the English were fearing they would be all lost he said to Robert Bruce Earl of Carrick and Bastard-son to the Late King Robert of Scotland Sr. Robert quoth he full sorry am I at my heart to think that all this People whom the Bailiol hath brought with him must die by dint of Scotchmens swords since they are Christians as well as we wherefore I think it would be great Charity to send unto them to yield themselves to our Mercy and Grace and so to ransom them at an High Rate forasmuch as they have invaded our Land and done so much mischief Now surely reply'd Sr. Robert I have well perceived that thou art an Enemy and Traytor unto Scotland since thou art willing to consent to save our deadly Enemies who have done us much sorrow and shame And now it plainly appears that You are of their Faction Surely Robert said Sr. Donald Ye lie falsly I am not of their Company and that soon shall you see For I will fight with them rather than the proudest Man here And certainly said Sr. Robert maugre your Head I shall assail them before you re And with that they both spurred their Horses on the Moor and their Battailions follow'd them in their Order and so they came and met the Bailiol at an hanging Gap of the Moor in a strait Passage and they came so precipitantly upon the Englishmen that hundreds fell to the ground each upon other on an heap both Horse and Man. Then the Bailiol and his men with a great shout flew fiercely upon them and kill'd the Scots upon the ground before they could Recover and stood upon them and foyned with their Swords and Spears till they were even weary with slaughter and all the while the English Archers shot thick among those that were farther off to the great destruction both of Men and Horses so that this Army being presently brought to Confusion became a Prey to the Conquerour the rest of the Scots quitting the field as fast as they could But Sr. Edward Bailiol and his Men follow'd the Chace beating them down till night In these two Battles of the Scots there fell more than u Walsing hist p. 113. Knighton p. 2561. n. 2â 20000 Men among whom were Robert the Bastard Earl of Carrick Donald Earl of Marr the Lord Nigel Bruce and Sr. Alexander Bruce the Earls of Menteith and Athole for David Strabolgi who had the Right to that Earldom
before their coming having Intelligence of their Design upon her Castle had Requested King Edward's Aid which was one occasion more of this his Expedition But now the Fame of him did what was desired from his Sword for the Scots upon Report of his coming brake up their Siege and departed The mean while n Ashmele p. 646. Buchan p. 296. King Edward passed with his Army by Dunkelden thrô Athol and Murray as far as Elgin and Innernes where Scotland is bounded that way in pursuit of the Enemy if by any means he might come to a Battle But for all the Assistance from France they durst not at that time look him in the Face but o Adam Murimouth kept themselves in Forests and other Fastnesses only in the night times they would make false Alarms to terrifie the English but they knew them so well and kept such Watch that they easily prevented all their Attempts that way In the King 's Return on the left hand through Buquhan p Ashmole ibid. he took Aberdeen and burnt divers Towns and destroyed the Country but still the Scots kept aloof for they durst not hazard their only standing Forces against a Royal Army nor in common prudence could they Wherefore King Edward not relishing this dilatory Way and being perpetually both advised by his Friends and provoked by his Enemies to the French War leaving King Bailiol at Sâ Johnston settled in the Goverment of that Kingdom with sufficient Forces to deal with the Scots returns himself for England resolved now either by fair Means or Force to keep the French quiet at home III. For besides q Knighton p. 2568 n. 30. p. 2569. n. 10. the Assistance King Philip had lately sent to the Bruceans in confidence of these Diversions in Scotland he began to take so much upon him that thinking those Forces sufficient to hold play with England he rashly and unjustly flies upon King Edward's Lands in France conquering surprizing and plundering Towns and Castles in Gascoigne and slaying his Subjects without any other reason but that he vow'd as he said to take revenge for his Friends the Scots Besides all these Provocations while King Edward was in Scotland he sent abroad no less than twenty six Gallies well mann'd with other Ships of War to cruise about the English Coasts for some Advantage or to make for Scotland to the Assistance of the Bruceans whereupon we find that the King who was not yet returned from St. Johnston sent forth his Commission to the Lord Geoffry Say then constituted his Admiral of the Southern and Western Sea and to the Lord John Norwich his Admiral of the Northern Sea a Copy whereof for that it proves the King of Englands Power over the English Seas I have thought fit to insert in this place translated from the r Vid. Selden's Mare Clausum l. 2. c. 23. p. 376 Ret. Secc 10 Ed. 3. Memb. 16. 27. Original The King to his Beloved and Trusty Geoffry de Say Admiral of his Fleet of Ships from the Mouth of the River Thames toward the Western Parts Greeting Whereas we have of late commanded you by our Letters that together with certain Ships out of the Cinque Ports which we have order'd to be furnished and made ready for War according to our Command you should set forth to Sea to oppose and resist certain Gallies provided and enforced with Men of War in divers Foreign Parts which as we are informed were set out toward the Parts of our Dominion to molest Us and our People or else to make toward the Coasts of Scotland for the succour and relief of our Enemies there and in regard that it hath been related by some that Gallies of that kind to the number of twenty six are newly come to the Coasts of Bretagne and Normandy and there still abide waiting as it is suppos'd to do what Mischief they can against Us and Ours or to succour our said Enemies as aforesaid We therefore calling to mind that our Progenitors the Kings of England have before these times been LORDS OF THE ENGLISH SEA on every side yea the Defenders thereof against the Encroachments of Enemies and seeing it would very much grieve us if in this kind of Defence our Royal Honour should which God forbid be lost or any way diminished in our time and desiring with the Help of God to prevent all Dangers of this Nature to provide for the Safeguard and Defence of our Realm and Subjects and to restrain the malice of our Enemies do strictly require and charge you by the Duty and Allegiance wherein you stand bound unto Us according to the special Trust reposed in you that immediately upon sight of these Presents and without any further Delay you set forth to Sea with the Ships of the Ports aforesaid and other Ships which are now ready and that in obedience to our Command you arrest those other Ships which we lately required you to arrest for our Service but so as they may be ready and provided to set forth according to our foresaid Command seeing we caused the Masters and Mariners of the said Ships to be prepared and gathered together whether they were within your Liberties or without and to cause them being well furnished with Soldiers and other Provisions to launch out to Sea with the aforesaid Ships and that with all diligence you make search after the foresaid Gallies and other Ships of War abroad against Us and stoutly and manfully set upon them if they shall presume to bend their Course for the end aforesaid either toward the Parts of our Dominion or the Coasts of Scotland And if they steal away from you so that you cannot meet with them then you are with the foresaid Ships of our Fleet without any delay to follow after the said Gallies and Ships of War set out against Us if they shall make toward our Kingdom or the Coasts of Scotland and them couragiously to destroy for the Conservation of our Royal Honour But yet we will not that you occasion any hurt or hindrance to Merchants or Others passing by Sea who have no intention either to offend Us and our Subjects or to succour our Enemies c. After all which there follows in the Commission a Power from the King to press Sea-men and some other matters of that kind the like Commission also was issued to the Lord John Norwich Admiral of the Northern Parts both bearing this Date Witness the King at the Town of St. Johnston the 16 day of August By the King himself IV. Presently after King Edward came Å¿ Knighton p. 2568. n. 40. Walsing hist p. 119. n. 10. back to Nottingham where he found his Parliament sitting as he had left them who had provided him towards the maintenance of his Wars in Scotland France and Gascoigne a Grant of one Twentieth or as others of one Fifteenth of their Temporalities of a Tenth or as some a Sixth of the
Battle The Men of War and others in St. Quintins might easily discern their Banners but they had no great desire to disturb them They thought it sufficient if they might preserve themselves So that thô the Van-currours of the English Host came riding up to the Barriers to skirmish none yet came out against them The next day the Lords of the Kings Council debated which way they should proceed and by advice of the Duke of Brabant they resolv'd for la Tierasche because that way their Provision came in most plentifully And if King Philip followed them as they thought he would most certainly do then they were determin'd to expect him in the plain Fields and there to give him Battle Thus they marched forward in three Great Battalia's the English Marshals and the Germans made up the First the King of England led the Main and the Duke of Brabant brought up the Reer In this Order they rode forth burning and wasting the Country for three or four Leagues a day but always they took up their Lodgings betimes One Brigade of English and Germans passed the River of Somme by the Abby of Vermand and wasted and overran the Country all above Another under the Lord John of Hainault the Lord of Faulquemont and Sr. Arnold of Baquehen rode to Origny St Bennet a good Town and a rich but it was not greatly fortified so that it was presently taken by Assault and Plunder'd an Abby of Nuns being violated and the Town it self fired Then the Army proceeded toward Guise and Ribemont but the King lodged at Vehortes and staid there one day while his Men overran and destroy'd the Country all about The next Day the King took the way to la Flemenguere to go to Lesche in Tierasche and the Marshals and the Bishop of Lincoln with 500 Spears passed the River of Oyse and entred into Laonnois toward the Lands of the Lord William of Coucy where they destroy'd St. Gawen and the Town of Marle with Fire At night they lodged in the Valley beside Laon and the next Day they drew again to the main Host For they had found by examination of their Prisoners that the French King was come to St. Quintins with an Hundred Thousand Men and intended there to pass the Somme and follow King Edward to fight him But in the return to the Army they fired a great Town called Cressy sur Serre with many other Towns and Hamlets thereabout As for the Lord John of Hainault and his Company who were 500 Spears they went to Guise where they burnt the Town and beat down the Mills And thô Sr. John found within the Fortress his own Daughter the Lady Jane Wife to Lewis Earl of Blois who begg'd of him to spare the Inheritance of his Son-in-Law the Earl her Husband yet for all that he proceeded in what he had begun and utterly destroy'd all but the Fortress and then returned to the King whom he found at the Abby of Sarnaques and still his Men rode about to fetch in Prey for the Army and to spoil the Enemies Country Among others the Lord of Falquemont with an hundred Spears went to Plommion a considerable Town in Tierasche which he found empty for the Inhabitants were fled into a great Wood having carried all their Goods with them and had fortified themselves in the Wood by felling of Trees round about them The Almains having first set fire to the Town rode thither and beheld their manner of Defence but here they met with Sr. Arnold Baquehen and his Company who joyning together assayled them there in the Wood The Townsmen defended themselves to their power but these were Men of War and by removing the Timber on one hand and offering to set it on fire on the other presently drove them to flight having in the Medly slain and grievously wounded little more than 40 or 50 of them but all that ever they had was left behind a prey to the Conquerour Thus on all hands was the Country overran for they did what they pleased and as yet found no manner of impeachment g Walsingh hist p. 128. n. 30. thô they had burnt near a 1000 Towns and Villages When this Havock began to be made in France on h Knighton p. 2574. Stow p. 235. St. Matthew's Festival at night the Lord Geoffry Scroop Lord Chief Justice of England led the Cardinal Bernard de Monte Faventio who had so boldly insulted to King Edward of the strength of France up into an high Tower shewing him the Frontiers of that Kingdom where for about 14 or 15 leagues together it seem'd as if all the Country was on a light fire Whereupon Sr. Geoffry said to the Cardinal My Lord what thinketh your Eminence now Doth not this Silken Line wherewith you say France is encompassed seem to you in great danger of being crack'd if not broken The Cardinal was so amaz'd that he answer'd nothing but fell down as Dead for sorrow and fear About this time there was i Odoric Rainal ad hunc an § 10 ex Tom. 5. Epist secr 417. brought to King Edward in his Camp a Letter from the Pope bearing Date from Avignon the iv of the Ides of Octob. Anno Pontificatus v to the Substance whereof was to let him know the great Propensity of the Roman See to his Person and Welfare the Edicts and Sentences set forth against Lewis of Bavaria and how assiduously he had sought to reduce him to the Bosom of the Church and advising him not any longer to cleave or adhere unto Him or his Interest till he should be reconciled to the Church because of those heavy Penalties which were denounced against Him and his Adherents into which himself was thereby plunged That Lewis was not really Emperour nor any of his Actions valid or done by Imperial Authority that he moved War unjustly against the Bishop and People of Cambray to which he then laid Siege that therefore he must not suffer these things in silence but unless he would reform himself and forbear those Courses he should be obliged thô unwilling to proceed against him according to the extent of his Apostolick Power By that time this Letter was received King Edward had as we shew'd rais'd his Siege from before Cambray and was now enter'd into the French Pale with Fire and Sword. VIII In this manner King Edward passed through France for about the space of 5 Weeks and he so scoured the Country with his Armies that in a manner all the Lands of k Stow ibid. Cambresis Vermandois Tierasche and Laonnois and other Parts of Picardy and Artois were wholly wasted except those Cities which were sworn to him with Churches and Monasteries which he spared for Devotion or Castles which were too strongly fortified The Inhabitants of the Country fled on all hands nor was there any that offer'd to resist him Thô the French King had gather'd several great Armies some being dispersed about in Walled Towns and
all in one instant set Spurs to their Horses and dashed in with great Fury among the sleepy Frenchmen crying out Valkenberg and cutting down Tents and Pavilions and slaying and wounding whomsoever they met with The Alarm waken'd the whole Host so that they began to Rise and Arm apace and so flock'd to their Banners moving as they were ranged to that Part whence the noise came Of the French there were already slain the Lord of Picquegny and the Lord Anthony Condom desperately wounded the Viscount of Quesnes and the Bourge of Rouvres were taken Prisoners besides the Mischief done among the Common sort But now when the Lord of Faulquemont which is Valkenburg saw by the Lights in the Host and the Banners approaching that it was time for him to be gone he went off in an instant with all his Company and repassed the River of Selle without any Damage in the World for he was not followed because the French were unskill'd in the Country and feared an Ambush By Sunrise that Morning he got to Quesnoy where he was let in by the Captain Sr. Thierry of Valcourt who knew him for a Friend About the same time also the Duke of Normandy went over the River after him his Vanguard being enforced with 200 Spears more under the Lord of Norsiers besides the Footmen arm'd with Brigandines all who appear'd before Quesnoy and made a shew as if the Army was coming up to besiege the Place or at least attempt it by Assault But the Town was so well provided with Ammunition and Valiant Souldiers that they would but have lost their Labour which also the Enemy partly knew but however they were resolv'd not to leave them unsaluted and so came to the Barriers to skirmish Thô they came on fast enough they were soon obliged to withdraw much faster for they were entertain'd by the Town with many pieces of Artillery from whence were discharged huge quarrels of Stone and mighty Weights of Lead and Iron which kill'd whereever they fell but especially made the Frenchmen unwilling to approach for fear their Horses should be slain now they were in a strange Country Wherefore they turn'd off thence and in their way set on fire Verchin the Great and the Less Fresne Samners Artes Semeriens Sariten Turgyes Estines Aulnoy and so many Towns and Villages that way that the smoak was seen at Valenciennes After this the Frenchmen order'd their Battails on the Mountain Casteres near Valenciennes to see if by any means they could entice the Enemy to come forth against them The mean while a Detachment of 200 Spears under the Leading of the Lord Craon the Lord Mauliverer the Lord of Mathelor and the Lord of Dunoy rode towards Montigny and went and Assaulted a great Tower belonging to Sr. John Vernier of Valenciennes which afterwards came to Sr. John Nevill The Assault was fierce and continued long even well-nigh an whole day so that several of the French were slain and wounded before they left off But they within behav'd themselves so well that they receiv'd no loss at all About the same time another Party of Frenchmen went to Tryche thinking at their Pleasure to pass the Bridge and so to approach the Town But the Townsmen had already broke down the Bridge and stood there to Defend the Passage So that they could not hope for any Advantage that way However having Guides among them and such as knew the Country they made shift to Convey over at Denain two Hundred Men on Foot who came suddenly upon the Men of Tryche They therefore being but few in number and not very Expert in Military Affairs could not endure against the French in plain fight and so they fled to the Town as fast as they could leaving several of their Friends behind both dead and wounded Upon this Success of the French another Body both Horse and Foot passed over who joyning with the others set themselves all together to Assault the Town That day the Seneschal of Hainault went secretly from Valenciennes with an Hundred Men of Arms to succour the Men of Tryche and in the way a little beyond St. Waast he met with 25 Forerunners of the French Army whose Captains were the Lord Bouciquaut afterwards Marshal of France the Lord Surgieres and Sr. William Blandeau who had passed the Bridge by Valenciennes called de la Rouelle When the Seneschal of Hainault espied these Men he rode forth like a Valiant Captain in the Head of his Troop against them and at the first shock bore down to the Earth with his Spear the Lord Bouciquaut whom he took Prisoner and sent to Valenciennes as one who was ordain'd to a Nobler Destiny The Lord of Surgieres escaped away by the Goodness of his Horse but Sr. William Blandeau was also taken alive by Sr. Henry de Hofalize and the rest either all taken or slain Then the Seneschal proceeded on toward Tryche but he had almost come too late for the French had just taken the Town before he came and were now beating down the Mills and a little Castle that was hard by When upon the Seneschals approach being suddenly taken they had hardly the leisure to mount their Horses so they were easily discomfited and put to flight and pursued so narrowly that many leapt into the River of Skell and some were drown'd especially the Footmen of whom very few escaped Thus was Tryche sav'd out of the fire and most of the spoils recover'd again After which the Seneschal repassed the River at Denain and rode to his Castle of Verchin to defend it if need should be All this while the Duke of Normandy was upon the Mount of Casteres near upon all day expecting that the Men of Valenciennes would have issued out to have fought with him And so they would gladly have done but that Sr. Henry Dantoing their Governour and the Provost of the Town according to the Seneschals Order stood at the Gate which looks towards Cambray and by fair Words and good Arguments us'd all their endeavour to stop them from sallying out For it was too Great Populous and rich a City to be hazarded at one cast of Fortune But while the Men of War remain'd within both they and the Town were safe being a mutual security to one another When therefore the Duke of Normandy saw plainly that they would not come forth against him he sent the Duke of Athens and the Marshals of his Host the Earl of Auxerre and the Lord of Chastillon with 300 Spears to go and skirmish with them at the Barriers All these rode forth accordingly in good Order and came to the Barriers on the side de la Rouelle but they durst not tarry there long for fear of the shot from the Walls which slew their Horses the Lord of Chastillon notwithstanding rode so near that his Horse fell dead under him so that he was fain to leap upon another in great Danger of his Own Person Then they return'd by the
who lay on the other side of the River with a goodly Army saw how these Lords his Enemies were thus lodged between Sars and Ausne he sent Word to the King his Father letting him know how great the Earl of Hainalts Forces were and how they still encreased daily King Philip being then at Perone sent presently 1200 Spears to the Reinforcement of his Son and he himself soon after went to the Army but Incognito and like a private Souldier for he was under an Obligation made by Oath to the Emperour never to come against any Lords of the Empire or those that held thereof without the Imputation of flat Perjury Which by this pittifull Salvo he thought now to avoid Wherefore the Duke of Normandy his Son was still look'd upon and named the Chief General of the whole Army thô all the while he did nothing but by the Advice and at the Command of the King his Father When those who were besieged in Thine saw the Earl of Hainalt come to their Aid with such a Mighty Power they were well refreshed as well with the Conscience of having held out so gallantly as with sure Hopes of an easie Deliverance But all their Friends were not come yet for on the fourth Day after the Earls Arrival there came to him a fresh Accession of considerable Forces from Valenciennes under the Conduct of Sr. John de Bossu Provost of the City Upon this Reinforcement the Earl of Hainalt began to skirmish with the Frenchmen couragiously But neither were they wanting to do their Devoir so that with Arrows Quarrels and Engines many were slain and hurt on both sides but the Armies could not as yet joyn Battle because the River Sambre ran between them l Fabian p. 269. Only the Skirmishers fought daily together by means of four Bridges that lay over the River which yet were well kept on both sides that neither could pass over to the other without apparent Disadvantage While thus the two Armies lay by the River Sambre the French toward France and the Hainalders towards their own-Country the Foragers on both sides rode forth daily to fetch in Provision for the Army but they never encountred one another because the River parted them Only a strong Detachment of the French went forth and burnt in the Country of Ostervandt where it had not been wasted before as part of the Town m Fabian ibid. of Quesnoy and other Villages thereabout which the Hainalders requited by burning in like manner in the Country of Cambresis While n Frois c. 49. fol. 29. both Armies stood thus confronting each other there came to the Earl of Hainalts Aid at the Perswasion and under the Conduct of Jacob van Arteveld 60000 Flemings well-arm'd and in good Array Wherefore now that the Earl found himself above an 100000 strong he sent by his Heralds to the Duke of Normandy demanding Battle of him for he said it could not but prove a shame to that Party of the two who should now decline the fight when both Armies were so equally great and alike provided The Duke said he would ask Counsel of his Lords but they were so long in Debate that the Heralds were fain to come back for that time without any Answer at all The third Day after therefore the Earl having all this while received no Return to his Message sent again to the Duke to know his final Resolution The Duke repli'd That he was not sufficiently convinced that it was necessary to give his Enemies Battle at their pleasure but at his own rather That the Earl was too hot and hasty but might perhaps be cooled some time or other The Earl hearing this took it but for meer Tergiversation and Delay and so declared to his Chief Lords and Captains the Summ of his two Messages with the Answer and that he was resolv'd to fling a Bridge over and go and give them Battle in spight of their Teeth demanding their Opinions thereupon At this they all began to look on each other every Man being unwilling to speak First but by and by the Duke of Brabant spake thus for all To make a Bridge and so to go over and fight the French whatever I should think in other Circumstances is not my Opinion at this time For I am most certainly assured that the King of England will very shortly come over the Sea and lay his Siege before Tournay and you know we have all sworn to aid and succour him to the utmost of our Power If we should now fight the French and have so ill success as to lose the Field King Edward would miss of his Purpose and be wholly disappointed of the help he expecteth of us And if we should obtain the Victory he will have but small reason to thank us since we shall seem to have prefer'd the Gratification of our own Revenge to the care of his Welfare So that my Opinion is that by no means while it is in our choice not to be compell'd we engage our selves with the whole Power of France without the Presence of him who is chiefly concern'd in this War. But when we shall lie before Tournay with King Edward on our side and the French King in Person against us I think it will be next to impossible that we should then miss of a Battle Wherefore for this time my Advice is that we break up and depart when we have secur'd the Lives of this Garrison here since our Lying in this place is so excessive chargeable and expensive For I am certain within these ten Days at farthest we shall hear that the King of England is come The Major Part of the Lords present approved of this Counsel as most reasonable all things considerd and especially the Brabanders Citizens of Brussels and Louvain when they heard of this Advice of their Lord applauded it extreamly as being desirous to return home as soon as might be But the Earl of Hainalt prevail'd with much ado with the Leaders to tarry a little longer In which time since he had never before seen himself in the Head of so considerable an Army as he was very Couragious he thought to force the Lords his Allies to an Engagement before their Departure as Themistocles did the Grecian Confederates at Salamis Wherefore privately he brake his Mind to the Lord John of Hainalt saying Dear Uncle I desire you would please to ride down by the River side and to call over the River to speak with some Body of the French Army And then desire him to shew unto the French King and his Son from me that if they will give me three Days Respit and Truce I will make a Bridge over the Water and so go over and give him Battle Or else let him do the like and we will by no means hinder the Workmen from making the Bridge The Lord of Beaumont according to his Nephews Desire rode presently down along the River side with Thirteen Knights in his Company
and rode to the Town of Orchies which was taken and burnt for it was not greatly fortifi'd many other petty Towns they burnt also and overran the whole Country after which they return'd to the Army before Tournay with much Pillage and Booty The Flemmings that lay at the Siege were ever the most Obstinate of all others in molesting the Besieged as well thrô the Encouragement of their Leader Jacob van Arteveld as because the hope of Gaining their Cautionary Towns of Lille Bethun and Doway depended chiefly upon the Success against Tournay at this time One Assault among the rest endured with great Pertinacy on both sides for one whole day without any Intermission during which space many notable Adventures happen'd for the Chief of the Captains and Men of Arms in Tournay came to that part the Fury of the Besiegers flaming there most terribly For they came by Water in Ships and other Vessels brought thither for that purpose intending to break down the Barriers and the Postern of the great Arch. But it was so resolutely defended that the Flemmings wan nothing for all their Labour but after all having lost a Vessel with sixscore Men in her which were every Man drown'd they were forced to give over the Assault being all Weary and soundly Beaten Many Adventures happen'd in the time of this Siege all which cannot be here enumerated but some Particulars must not be omitted in so general and full an History as this is On Land they had high Stages and Belfroys of Timber in manner of Batteries from whence the Archers would shoot upon the Defendants while others fought at the Walls and Barriers But Tournay was sufficiently provided and that King Edward knew well and therefore resolv'd to reduce them by Famine When the Captains within saw his Design they thrust out of the Town all manner of poor People Men Women and Children that were not fit for War to make their Provision hold out the longer being to serve fewer Mouths They were put forth thus inhumanely in the open day expos'd to the Enemies Discretion which was a most pitifull Object to behold But the Noble Duke of Brabant gave them all leave to pass thrô his Host allowing them moreover a safe Conduct to carry them to Arras where at that time the French King lay It was thought that secretly the Duke of Brabant favour'd the French either for fear of what might follow or out of Natural Inclination which surmounted his Private Quarrel against King Philip or t Villani Mezeray 2 Par. 3 Tem. p. 17. thrô Bribes or out of Envy to King Edwards Good Fortune or out of meer Inconstancy But however this Action he did not at this time without the Consent of the King of England V. u Frois c. 56. Du Chesne p. 652. B. King Philip had now in Order to Raise this Siege amassed together a Mighty Army the Chief Leaders whereof were John King of Bohemia and Earl of Luxemburgh the Duke of Lorrain the Earl of Bar the Bishop of Metz the Bishop of Liege and the Bishop of Verdun upon the Meuse the Earl of Monbiliard the Lord John of Chalons the Earl of Geneva the Earl of Savoy and the Lord Lewis his Brother All these came to serve the French King with their several Troops Thither also came John de Dreux Duke of Bretagne the Dukes of Burbon and Athens the Earls of Alenson Forestes and Armagnac Lewis de Cressy Earl of Elanders Guy Castillion Earl of Blois with his Eldest Son the Lord Charles who is to make a considerable Figure in this History the Earl of Harcourt the Earl of Dampmartin the Lord of Coucy and many others of the Highest Quality Thither also came x Mezeray p. 2â Philip the King of Navarre with a goodly Number of Men of War raised in those Countries which he held of the French King and for which he was obliged to serve him with such and such a Quota Lastly there was King David de Bruce of Scotland who led a handsome Number of Gallant Scotch Gentlemen and other Troops which he had hired with Money deliver'd unto him by King Philip to maintain his Estate withall during his Exile from Scotland While the French King lay with this great Army at Arras in Artois the poor People that had been excluded out of Tournay came thither and by their heavy Complaints mov'd the hearts of all Men to pity giving also y Du Chesne p. 652. b. advise to King Philip of the great Necessity of the Besieged In whose name they desired speedy Succour for else they were in danger to be lost the English assailed them so mightily and their stock of Provision was so extreamly wasted Hereupon King Philip sent thither the Duke of Athens the Viscount of Thoüars the Viscount of Andelot and other Lords to the number of 15 with a Detachment of 12000 z Fabian p. 21. â Men of War. These marched directly to Mount Cassel but they found it already taken up by a Body of Flemings So that being disappointed of that Convenient Post and knowing themselves unable to make their way by Force upon Consultation had they wheel'd off from Cassel and having done what harm they could in the Enemies Land return'd to the French King who was still at Arras They found him then in Consultation whether he had best in Person attempt to raise the Siege from before Tournay or go into Flanders and there make War upon the Towns that held with the King of England But it was resolved by a Council of War that it would be most for his Honour for him to endeavour Personally to raise the Siege and this being fully concluded on King Philip immediatly began his March toward Tournay with a mighty Power of his Allies and Men of War drain'd from several a Mezeray p. 17 Garrisons the like whereof for Number had b Walsingâ hist p. 135. n. 1â never been seen in those Days among whom were c Fabian ibid. Four Kings Four Dukes and Fourteen Earls besides Viscounts Lords Knights and Esquires With this Army he went from Arras till he came to a d Frois c. 57. little River below Lille about 3 leagues from Tournay Where he found the Water so deep and the Ground so uncertain great Marishes lying all about that there was no way to pass but one which could admit of not more than two or three Horsemen on a Breast Wherefore not knowing how soon an Enemy might appear King Philip durst not adventure to pass the River but lay that night at a place called Pont a e Fabian p. 215. Bouvines The next Day the Army lay still in the same place as yet uncertain what course to take and while certain Horsemen were sent out to seek for a more convenient Passage Others advised to fling several Bridges over the River but that was found impracticable Those who had been sent out to search return'd to the King
vatumque in Sede sedere Optatásque diu lauros titulúmque Poetae Te precor oblatum tranquillo pectore munus Hospitio dignare tuo c. Petrarch Africae l. 1. whose Hand Sicania's Scepter sways Hesperia's Pride and th' Glory of our Days By whose Award I hold a Poets Name And wish'd-for Bayes and Bayes-attending Fame Don't Mighty Prince I humbly pray refuse To ' accept this candid Offering of a Muse c. But as to the Kings Gracious Proffer to Crown him there at Naples he modestly declared that it was his Resolution not to accept the Laurel but in the Imperial City of Rome Whereupon that Noble Prince gave him his Letters Testimonial to the Senate of that City wherein he largely set forth the Merits of the Man and from his own Experience declared that he was well worthy to be publiquely in the most honourable manner presented with a Crown of Laurel These Letters being produced in the Senate by Vrsus Earl of Anguillara and Jordanus his Colleague one of the Sons of Vrsus Knight Senators of Rome Petrarch was called in and there openly challenged the Laurel His Claim was allowed and the Day of his solemn Inauguration appointed which was Easter-day k G. Lit. Dom. Pasch 8 April or the VI of the Ides of April in the Year MCCCXLI And on the same day l Victorellus p. 886. ad hunc ann in Vitt. Pentif Squarzafic by the General Consent of the whole City of Rome he received this Honour in the Capitol by the Hands of Earl Vrsus in the Name of King Robert and of the City and Senate of Rome with the loud Acclamations of a frequent Multitude at which time Earl Vrsus declared him a Great Poet Historian and Philosopher and Master in each Faculty After which being carried with a Pompous Attendance to St. Peter's Church he there consecrated his Laurel Wreath hanging it up on the Top of the Temple as a Memorial to Posterity Certainly whatever that Man may seem in the Opinion of our more polite and refined Age whoever considers him in relation to those dark Times must readily acknowledge this Honour was no way beyond his Merits and also that the Ignorance of those Days may be in some measure excused when we consider how ready they were to honour Learning where they found it In our Age a Skill in Letters is not so highly regarded either because it is more common or because Princes are less bountifull or the Learned themselves take not the best way to please them or Envy precludes them a fair Access to the notice of the Government XV. But to return to our Discourse of the Scottish Affairs When the Feast of St. John Baptist drew near which was the Time limited for the expiration of the Truce between England and Scotland Sr. William Douglas secretly gather'd together his Troops as well of Scots as of the French Auxiliaries and the very Day after the Truce was expired lay down with a competent Army before Striveling And because he well knew that King Edward being now at home it was not probable he could lie long there without some powerfull Diversion he used the more Vigour and Fury in all his Attacks and made his Approaches more resolutely hoping thereby to carry the Place before any succour should come King Edward about the beginning of September being alarm'd at the news of these Motions of Scotland came to York having before issued out his Commands to his Lords and Captains to meet him with their several Retinues by such a time at Barwick And the Commissioners of Array for the North did so well bestir themselves that shortly after the King was provided with sufficient Forces both Horse and Foot and his Army encreased daily The Lord Douglas knew well to what all these Preparations tended and therefore being one of the most daring Captains in the World and also considering that now was the best time to stir when so many Frenchmen his Friends were by to help him and the Enemy as yet was far off and unprovided renewed his Assault ten times more fiercely than before So that dividing his Army into Four Parts and keeping one of those four Divisions by turns perpetually upon the Assault he allowed the Besieged not one moment to rest whereby they were at last compell'd to Capitulate and because Douglas would allow them no better to yield on these Conditions to go away at their Liberty with Life and Limb one Suit of Apparel and their Swords only The Captain of the Castle was that valiant worthy Sr. Richard Limesi who the Year before had so well defended the Castle of Thine l'Evesque against the Duke of Normandy but now the incredible Fury of the Scots and the great Engines of battery which Douglas brought thither enforced him to accept of these necessary Conditions King Edward was at m Frois c. 73. Du Chesne p. 654. Barwick when the News of this Loss came to him whereupon he immediately rode back to Newcastle upon Tine where he lodged and was fain to tarry more than a Month still expecting the Provision for his Army which was to come by Sea. But his Fleet had been so shatter'd with a furious and lasting Tempest that a very small Part of it was able to come thither in any time and that not till November the rest being dispersed abroad some into Holland others upon the Coasts of Friseland and not a few quite lost Whereby the English Army suffer'd great want of Victuals and all things became excessive Dear and Winter was pretty well enter'd It was no doubt impossible for any time to hold together so great Forces which consisted of 40000 Foot and six thousand Horse in those Parts especially since the Scots had put as well all their Corn and Forage as their other Moveables into strong Holds And yet however King Edward was not wholly left by his good Fortune For Prince Robert Stuart Sr. William Douglas and the other Scotch Lords after the taking of Striveling had retired into the Forest of Gedeours not at all ignorant of King Edwards Forces and intent but wholly unwitting of his Misfortune for lack of Provision Wherefore they took counsel how to avoid so dreadfull a storm of War as they saw now ready to fall upon them Not at all presuming with their small Forces to meet with a Royal Army of so fam'd a Conquerour and being satisfied in themselves that they had already performed the Duty of good Subjects to their King and Country in having for more than seven Years without a King to lead or protect them not only maintained what was left but recover'd most of what was lost which yet they must expect to lose again as oft as King Edward should come thus strongly against them Wherefore they were ready to mutiny against their Lord King David who for all this kept private in France as if he either thought them not worth his Care or thô now of Age durst
all the French Lords who had the Year before assisted the Lord Charles of Blois returned unto him to the City of Nantes with a great Power of Armed Men. Among them it was in a Council of War agreed that the City of Rennes upon the River of Vilaine should be first attempted as being a place of great Importance and the Seat of Parliament for the whole Province The Countess of Montford who foresaw no less had already well provided for that City having made a most loyal and couragious Gentleman of Bretagne named Sr. William Cadudal Captain thereof However the Lords of France laid their Siege to Rennes but were so well received by the Captain that they lost much more than they could win Yet still they continued there resolving one way or other to be Masters of the Place II. Upon the first News of their Return into Bretagne the Countess of Montford sent the Lord Emery Clysson into England to desire Succour of King Edward proffering her only Son and Heir in Marriage with one of the Kings Daughters who thereupon should be Dutchess of Bretagne King Edward upon this Lords Arrival was at London holding a great Feast for it was Easter whereupon most of his Chief Barons and Knights were about him When the Lord Clysson had punctually related his whole Errand the King granted his Request in contemplation of the Alliance already made and to be made between England and Bretagne Whereupon he commanded the Noble Lord Walter Manny to take with him as many Men of War as Sr. Emery thought necessary besides 5000 Select Archers at least and with all speed to cross the Seas for Bretagne in order to aid the Countess Sr. Walter Manny prepared with all Expedition and when all things were ready took the Sea with these Lords of England and of Bretagne in his company the Lords of Bretagne were Sr. Emery of Clysson the two Brethren of Lyndale Sr. Lewis and Sr. John Sr. Alan Sirefond Sr. John Hayes of Brabant and of England the Lord John b Didg 1 Vol. p. 682. Bardolph the Lord Miles Stapleton the Lord John Darcy senior Sr. John Butler and Sr. Matthew Trelauny being in all c Knighton p. 1581. n. 10. 620 Men of Arms and 6000 Archers with others For we find d Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 751. that Hugh Audley Earl of Glocester was also there as a Volunteer under the Lord Manny with a Troop of an 100 Men of Arms himself accounted for one whereof there were befides one Banneret twenty Knights and seventy eight Esquires and these were joyned with another Troop of an 100 Archers on Horseback Here was also the Lord William Bohun Earl of Northampton who e Id. ibid. p. 185. had Commission to receive Fealty and Homage from the Bretons on the behalf of King Edward as King of France But thô these Succours took the Sea early enough it was almost too late before they came to the Countess for they were detained at Sea more than fourty Days by Tempests and bad Weather III. The mean while the Lord Charles of Blois who had layn some while before Rennes gave such Trouble to them within that the Citizens would gladly have Articled but Sr. William Cadudal their Captain would by no means hear of any Agreement The Besieged however when they saw that all this while there came no Succour from England nor from the Countess as they had been promised and that they had already endured much Trouble urged the Captain again more importunately to think of yielding while there was time of Mercy but he absolutely refused saying he was strong enough to hold out but if not had rather die than turn Traytor When they saw his Resolution they kept their own counsel secret and being resolved to save themselves thô without doing him any harm for they lov'd his Person for his valour Bounty and Loyalty they once by a wile train'd him from his Attendants and seising his Person cast him into Prison Then they presently agreed with Sr. Charles of Blois to yield up the Town the next Day on condition that the Captain and all those who would still hold on the Countesses side might have free leave with their Horse and Arms to depart whither they would and the rest should make Homage unto him Accordingly in the beginning of May the City was yielded up and the Lord Charles received there as Duke of Bretagne to whom all the Burgesses made their Homage and sware Fealty But Sr. William Cadudal could not be wrought upon to own him or his cause wherefore according to the Articles he had leave to depart which he did with all those of his Mind and went straight to the strong Town of Hennebond where he found the Countess who as yet had heard no News of Sr. Emery Clisson and his Fellows IV. Rennes being thus taken the Lord Charles of Blois was ſ Frois c. 80. fol. 41. l. advised to go and lay his Siege to Hennebond where the Head of the War the Countess and her Son were For said the Lords his Friends now the Earl himself your Adversary is in Prison if We might get the Countess and her Son into Our Hands the whole War would be at an end This Advice if it had been taken before they went to Rennes had in all likelihood succeeded as they wish'd For even now We shall find the Place to be almost reduc'd by that time the slow Succours came from England When the Countess understood that the French were come to Besiege her she immediately commanded an Alarum to be given with the Watch-Bell for all Men to go to their Defences And she had now with her in the Town a Competent Garrison well furnish'd with Provision Ammunition and Good Captains as the Bishop of Leon Uncle to the Lord Henry du Leon who was Revolted Sr. Pierce of Triguier the Lord of Landernear Sr. William Cadndal Sr. Henry Pennefort and Sr. Oliver his Brother the Governour of Guingand and many other Valiant Gentlemen When Sr. Charles came thither with his Army he encamped within a quarter of a Mile of the Town But some of his lusty young Knights and Esquires would not rest till they had try'd what Defence their Enemies could make So to the Barriers to skirmish they went and others as bold went forth to meet them The Dispute was continued very hot between them for a while but at last the Frenchmen and Genouese being overpower'd were forced to retire with considerable loss The next day Sr. Charles perfected his Siege round both the Town and Castle except where the Castle opens to the Sea for he had no Navy and then took Advice to give a fierce Assault at the Barriers which continued till Noon At which time the Assailants were compelled to draw back themselves all weary and having lost many of their Men. When the Lords of France saw their people retire thus they were no less ashamed than displeased insomuch that they all
Person till they themselves required a Peace in the most submissive manner yet his Lords perswaded him rather at this time to send unto them in order to Treat for a Truce between the two Realms for two or three Years For they said how it was great Wisdom in a Prince that hath War in several places at One time to make a Truce with One to pacifie the Other by mild Words and on the Third to employ his Power By these and the like Perswasions he was content to send d Dugd. 2. Vol. p. 143. a. Frois ibid. Richard Bury Lord Bishop of Durham Ralph Lord Nevill of Raby the Lord John Striveling and others to Treat about the Premises But King David either because He thought this Offer was extorted by some great Necessity or for that he was really so obliged to King Philip return'd answer that he neither could nor would strike up a Peace with England without the Consent of the King of France That this was one of the Articles in the last Truce and must be for ever that nothing of Agreement could be lasting between England and Scotland without the Allowance of the King of France King Edward was so nettled at so brisk a Reply from a Prince whom he had drove out of his Kingdom that in great Indignation he vow'd openly That now therefore he would for a while intend to no other business but the War with Scotland only till he had reduced that Kingdom to such Destruction as should be remembred while the World endur'd And immediately he gave out his Commands for all his Men of War to meet him at Barwick by Easter except such only who were appointed for the Wars in Bretagne II Nor did this Heroick Prince trust alone in the Arm of Flesh but truly considering that God Almighty was the sole Disposer of the Success of all Mans endeavours he now issues forth his pious Commands to all the Clergy of England that with one Voice they would incessantly storm Heaven and by their importunate Prayers extort a Blessing upon his Arms. Behold a Copy of his Letters EDWARD e e Walsingh hist p. 147. n. 10. Speed p. 574. §. 68. by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland to the Reverend his Archbishops and Bishops c. Greeting in the Lord. The King of Heaven is Terrible in his Judgements and in Wisdom inscrutable Who justly correcteth the Sons whom He loveth and often shews unto his People that offend hard things by humbling Sinners for their Iniquities that so returning unto him they may seek his Holy Name with fear We therefore duly considering with what hazards of War and Adversities both We and the People under Us either for our sins or for theirs or rather both for ours and theirs have been of a long while and still are exceedingly molested and very much damnifi'd and exhausted thereby of our Treasure and further weighing the Dangerous inconveniences that still in all likelihood hang over the heads of Us and of our People unless Divine Providence shall more graciously respect Us from on High In the midst of such Difficulties and Troubles while We behold our own Weakness in all our Actions We have our recourse to the Divine Omnipotence trusting that the Just Judge the True God will kindly respect the Truth and Justice of our Cause and will humble our Adversary And so in confidence of his Heavenly Compassion attempting an Arduous Affair We have ordained our Passage towards the parts of France with a strong and well-armed Power and another Army We have order'd to be conducted toward the parts of Scotland that so by the Grace of God We may prevent the Dangers threatned unto Us and prepare unto our Liege Subjects after those Storms of Trouble they have suffer'd the Halcyon-days of Peace and Quiet Seeing therefore You are constituted of God on the behalf of Men to offer up Gifts and Sacrifices for sin attend We pray You to the foresaid Dangers not of Us only but of our People pouring forth to the most High Prayers for our happy Success supplying the place of Moses that by the lifting up of your Hands We and Our Armies may prevail against the Enemy And that by the Multitude of Intercessors an Augmentation of Grace may be afforded Us do You cause thrô all our Cities and Towns in your respective Dioceses Prayers and Processions to be made and other parts of Pious Attonement to be meekly performed that the God of Mercies would vouchsafe to extend the Hand of his Benediction over Us and our Armies and so direct our Actions according to his Good Pleasure that they may redound to his Praise to our own Comfort and to the Quiet and Advantage of Our Liege-Subjects Dated c. In the Year of Our Reign of England the f f Apud Walsingh dat Angl. 16. Fran 3. hoc est sub fine praecedentis anni 17 and of France the 4. III. And having thus begun with Heaven King Edward as he had appointed with his Men of War kept his g Frois c. 90. fol. 46. Easter at Barwick and for three Weeks held a great Court there for all the Chief Lords and Knights of the Land were then about him But the Divine Goodness was yet willing to defer the further punishment of Scotland For in the mean time there were found certain Pious Men who labour'd so earnestly on both sides that at last a Truce was agreed on to endure for two Years to which also the French King for the sake of the Common good of that harassed Kingdom consented Thus were these two Tempests of War for that time scattered without breaking upon one another saving that during the time of the Treaty some few skirmishes passed between the two Armies and we find h Dudg 1 Vol. p. 294. that in one of them which happen'd at Barwick the Lord Ralph Nevill of Raby was taken Prisoner and carried to Dunbar whence soon after he was redeemed Only we must not omit that before King Edwards Arrival at Barwick the Scots willing to be beforehand with him had laid Siege to the strong i Walsing hist p. 150. Castle of Loughmaban which King Edward had committed to the Custody of William Bohun Earl of Northampton but he upon his late going into Bretagne had left it to the Defence and Care of Sr. Walter Selby a Valiant Knight The King hearing of this Siege sent thither presently the Earl of Darby the Earls of k Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 751. Gloucester and Northampton who both return'd out of Bretagne with the Countess and the Earl of Warwick and the Lord Robert Hufford Junior Eldest Son to the Earl of Suffolk with a considerable Body to relieve the Castle But the Valour of the aforesaid Sr. Walter Selby with the Assistance of John Kirkeby Bishop of Carlile and Thomas Son and Heir to the Lord Anthony Lucy had raised the Siege and beat away the
Gascogners who were nothing aware of this sudden Attack from behind for they were then going to Supper and some ready set at their meat The English cryed a Darby a Darby and overthrew Tents and Pavilions and slew and hurt great Numbers bearing down all before them For the Frenchmen knew not which way to turn they were so surprised and had so short a time and so various Resolutions to take Those that went out into the Field to range themselves in some Order were warmly received by the Archers on Horseback who rode about scouring the Field and whereever they espied any extraordinary Concourse of Men gathering together thither they rode up and dissolved them by their thick flights of Arrows The mean while the Men of Arms easily beat down those whom they found unranged and disorder'd in the Camp. The Earl of Laille himself being first grievously wounded was taken Prisoner in his own Tent and the Earl of Perigord and Sr. Roger his Uncle in theirs The Lord Duras was slain Sr. Charles of Poictiers and the Earl of Valentinois his Brother were taken with many more of their Captains and thus this Camp was broken and discomfited every Man flying where he best could to avoid being taken or slain But for all this the one half of the Frenchmen remain'd as yet entire and undisturbed for now the Earl of Cominges the Vicount of Carmain the Viscount of Villemur the Lord of Bouquentine the Lord de la Bard the Lord of Tarbe and others who were encamped with a Moiety of the Army on the other side the Town and had timely notice of the Enemies approach were risen and drawn out into the Fields in good Order of Battle with their Banners displayed The k Frois c. 107. English who by this time had fully vanquished all the rest spur'd on now with generous Indignation to see so Glorious a Victory ready to be snatch'd out of their hands being rallied and in good Order with a Division of Archers on each Wing strack in furiously among them thô they were still more than treble their Numbers the Trumpets loudly sounding a Charge on both sides This Battle was well fought indeed and here a Victory was not to be obtained by the English without great Courage and Industry Many Noble Feats of Arms were done on both sides in taking and rescuing again the English Lords were ever in the heat of the Battle Matters being now brought to the utmost push encouraging their Men by their Words and Actions At which instant the Besieged also being Alarum'd by this unusual Noise and the sound of the Trumpets blowing a Charge observing also thô it was almost Dark Night and the New-Moon was not above a Day old some English Banners from their High Tower Armed themselves immediately and with all their Forces sallied out and came upon the Backs of the French making a terrible Noise and Clamour These Men rushing among the thickest of the Enemies brought good and timely Comfort to their Friends who had been fighting all this while and to be brief turned the hitherto doubtfull Scales of Victory wholly to their own side For the New-Comers being extreamly irritated with their late sufferings handled them that fell into their hands with more Cruelty and fought with a full Resolution either then to end the Siege or their Lives Above 7000 of the enemy in all were slain and many taken Prisoners among the latter whereof were Nine Earls and Viscounts of Lords and Knights 200 and of Esquires and other Souldiers so many that every Englishman had two or three Prisoners The Rest were saved by the Nights approach This Battle was thus struck on St. Laurence Eve or the Ninth of August being a Monday in the Year of our Lord MCCCXLIV The English dealt very kindly with their Prisoners and let many of them go upon their Oath and Promise to return with Money for their Ransomes or to render up their Bodies by such a Day at Bergerac or Bourdeaux The Fight ended they all entred into Auberoche and there the Earl of Darby gave a Supper to the most part of the Earls and Viscounts Prisoners and to many of the Knights and Esquires part whereof without doubt was of their own Provisions now taken in their Camp. At the same time the Pious Leader gave Order that Publique and Private l Frois c. 107. Thanksgiving should be return'd to God because by his Good Hand of Providence m Frois Mezeray p. 23. a Thousand of them had overcome twelve Thousand of the Enemy and had seasonably relieved the Town of Auberoche and saved their Friends within who in all likelyhood would have been lost within two or three Days more The next Day by Sun-rise there came thither the long-expected Earl of Pembroke with 300 Men of Arms and 4000 Archers in his Company who when he saw that all was done already to his hand said with some Displeasure to the Earl of Darby Surely Cousin You have not dealt kindly with me to fight the Enemy before my coming For since You sent for me You might have been sure I would not fail to come to You Dear Cousin said the Courteous Commander We desired with all our hearts that You should have shared with Us in the Action of last Night But You was not only too slow for our Expectation and the Urgency of Affairs the other Night when We waited for Your coming at Liburne but yesterday also when We tarried for You in the Wood till it was far gone in the Afternoon Wherefore despairing of Your coming in any time We were obliged to put our Lives in our hands and venture to attack the Enemy For if We had stayed there longer We justly feared some French spies would have discovered Us And then they would have had as much Advantage over Us as now We by the Grace of God have had over them Wherefore pray Cousin be satisfied and help to guard Us back to Bourdeaux for of our selves We are not strong enough to ride openly thrô the Country After this the Earl of Darby set Sr. Alexander Chaumont a Valiant and Loyal Knight of Gascogne over the Town with a good Garrison and having tarried all that Day and the next Night in Auberoche in which time the Enemies Engines were brought into the Town and their Camp spoiled He departed betimes the next Morning with the Earl of Pembroke S. Frank van Hall and his own Forces for Bourdeaux The Inhabitants of this City knew not how to express their Joy nor with what Acclamations to receive and welcome the Earl of Darby and the Lord Walter Manny and more than n Ita lego apud Frois ne altàs sibi non censentiat qui suprà dicit omnes Anglos armates ultra duos ant tres Captivos habuisse c. twelve Hundred Prisoners Lords Knights and Esquires with him As for the Earl of Darby when he saw the Chief Force of the Enemy in those Parts to
displeas'd that he seised his Temporalities for a while And We find him the Year following a Ano. 1334. obliged to make use of all his Cunning and Sophistry b Vid. Apologiam Adae Orleton c. apud Hister Angl. Scriptâr Antig. p. 2763. Edit London Ano. 1652. to Answer an Appellation that then came out against him thô not in the King's Name and proved him Guilty of Felony c. Consisting of these Articles 1. That he Commanded and caused most Sacrilegiously Violent Hands to be laid on the King's Chancellour Robert Baldock Bishop of Norwich c. Item that in the City of Oxford in the Moneth of November he falsly and maliciously Preached and Taught and more than once Asserted that the Lord Edward of Famous Memory was a Tyrant c. Item that by his false and subtil Insinuations and Assertions he struck such a fear into the Lady the Queen Mother then at Wallingford that she durst not go to her Husband the foresaid King by occasion whereof the use of Matrimony both as to the Procreation of Children and as to the Faith and Sacrament thereof was render'd ineffectual All which with more he Answer'd for that time very plausibly suppressing the most Dangerous Articles and eluding and evading the Rest and at last concludes his appellant guilty of Perjury in offering to swear to the Truth of what he falsly laid to his Charge By these Means and by the Aid of the Clergy who c Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 874. ad ân 1324. once before took him with their Pastoral Crosiers in their Hands from the King's Tribunal when he was to be try'd for Treason he escaped Punishment in this World except that for d Walsing hist p. 155. n. 50. Godw. Gatal Bps p. 233. many Years before his Death he was stricken stark blind thô We can hardly think that without an unfeigned and thorough Repentance of which this his Apology gives Us little hope he could avoid those Torments which are prepared in the other World for Murderers and Traytors Nay e Sr. Winston Churchill's Drvi Britan. p. 239. some say that Horrour of Mind at his Death gave him as great Torture as if the burning-Iron which sear'd his Conscience had been thrust into his Bowels Which expression is no doubt allusive to the manner whereby King Edward the Seconds Death was effected thrô his Means and Contrivance However here now we fix him as an Example to deter Men of such Principles from the Consideration of the Evil Memory they are like to leave behind them He was succeeded by Dr. William Edingdon who was very Dear to King Edward and the Knights of the Garter being created in his time became the first Prelate of that most Noble Order The End of the First Book THE HISTORY OF King Edward IIId. AN. DOM. 1346. An. Regni Angliae XX. Franciae vii BOOK THE SECOND CHAPTER the FIRST The CONTENTS I. King Philip sends his Son John Duke of Normandy with a mighty Army against the Earl of Darby now since his Father's Death called Earl of Lancaster II. Duke John having retaken Miramont and Ville-Franche in Agenois goes and sits down before Angoulesme III. The Earl of Lancaster hearing the Enemy had left Ville-Franche void sends thither a new Garrison as also a Reinforcement to the strong Castle of Aiguillon IV. The Seneschal of Beaucaire with a Detachment from the French Host wins Ancenis and returns with a great Booty to the Camp. V. Sr. John Norwich the English Captain of Angoulesme by a neat Device escapes away thrô the French Army in the Day-time with Bag and Baggage and goes to Aiguillon After whose Departure the Duke takes the City to Mercy as also the Fortress of Damasan by Force and Tonneins by Composition VI. The Duke of Normandy takes Port St. Mary by Force and goes before the strong Castle of Aiguillon VII The Particulars of the Famous Siege of Aiguillon counted the most Notable of that Age. VIII The French Kings Seneschal of Guienne beaten and taken Prisoner by a Detachment from the Earl of Lancaster Which Earl hovering near the Duke cuts him short I. ALL this while we may wonder that between two such Potent Monarchs as Philip of France and Edward of England althô no less than a Kingdom was the Prize there seem'd rather a certain-Tendency and Disposition to War than any deadly and irreconcileable Rupture But this we should attribute to the Goodness of God who is always slow when he intends to strike home and partly also as well to the pious Assistance of the Pope King Robert of Sicily the Lady Jane of Valois and other Peace makers as in a manner to the Humanity of these Princes themselves and also to the weight of the Affair which required much Advice and vast Preparations But now at last all things being sufficiently ripened we shall presently see the Bloody Flag of War hung out in good earnest and the two Kings hastily opening the Way to their own several Destinies King a Frois c. 118. Philip of France was quickly alarum'd at those notable Conquests which the Earl of Darby whom henceforward we shall call the Earl of Lancaster had made in Gascogne the preceding Year and resolv'd with all Expedition to provide a wholsom Remedy against so devouring a Gangrene While therefore himself was busie in raising a Mighty Power for the Defence of his Kingdom he dispatched away his Eldest Son John Duke of Normandy with considerable Forces to stop the English Earls Career But when he began to approach he heard such Reports of the strength of the English the Terror of their Conquests belike encreasing their Numbers that for that time b Gaguin l. p. 140. Fabian p. 220. itâ Villani l. 12. c. 46. p. 856. Messer Giovanni di Francia no venne al sâccerso ne tenne campo ma si ternò addietro he return'd back to his Father again without once looking the Fail of Lancaster in the Face And this was towards the Declining of the preceding Year King Philip was extreamly incensed at this Action of his Sons Wherefore to avoid his Fathers Displeasure he immediatly resolves to address himself with all his vigour to the War and rather to venture any thing than to hazard the loss of his Fathers Love and his own Reputation King c Frois c. 118. Philip also desiring to Reinforce him in the best manner sent forth his General Summons That all Nobles and Others on that side the Loire of such and such Qualifications and able for the War should laying aside all Excuse repair to Orleans and Bourges and the Parts thereabout by such a Day Whereupon there came to the King being at Paris Eudes Duke of Burgundy and his only Son Philip Earl of Artois and Boulogne with a 1000 Lances There came also the Duke of Bourbon and his Brother the Earl of Ponthieu Ralph Earl of Eu and Guisnes and Constable of France the
out 60 of their best Horses rode about the Town by the directions of the Spie conceal'd in by-ways till at last he came into the Fair Meadows where the Cattle were Immediatly they began to drive all the Herd before them by another way than that they came which yet carried them directly to the Valley where their Companions were ready for the first Opportunity The English who kept Watch on the Walls and in the Castle saw all this and presently gave the Alarm Whereupon the Garrison began to rise and arm and some were fain to be awaked out of their Beds for it was early in the Morning and then they drew together and took Horse Sallying out after their Enemies who were not yet got very far because of the Cattle's slow Pace but yet by that they were overtaken they were almost at the Valley The English were so eager to recover their Prey that they all followed in the Chace leaving none but a few Servants and common Souldiers in the Town When they were near they spurred on upon the French crying out Sirs you must not think to steal Cattle and be free Then the French faced about upon them and the Ambush came on with great Shouts and in terrible Array So that the English were presently surrounded overcome and slain every Man except the Captain Sr. Stephen Lacy and three or four more of his Officers This done the Frenchmen hasted to the Town which they easily won by Assault for there were too few Hands to defend it First the Duke of Bourbon's Men entred and having slain all they found and set new Captains of their own there with a sufficient Garrison they went back with their Prey and Prisoners and return'd the next day to the Army before Angoulesme Here they were all gladly received and though there had been greater Lords in that Exploit than the Seneschal of Beancaire yet he got the highest Praise because all was done at his Motion and under his Conduct V. Thus the greater part of January they h Frois c. 119. fol. ââ held Siege before Angoulesme and overran all those parts thrô Santogne and Poictou and to the Confines of Bretagne with their several Detachments and brought daily to the Army many Prisoners and much Prey But in all these Adventures the two Brethren of Bourbon to their great Honour would ever be present among the Foremost When Sr. John Norwich saw how the Duke was resolv'd not to stir till he had the Town at his Pleasure and that already his Victuals began to fail and that the Earl of Lancaster was not able to give the Enemy Battle or to raise the Siege but chiefly because he knew the Men of the Town were more enclin'd to France than England so that he was sure they would have open'd their Gates to the Duke before now if he had not Commanded the Castle Upon these and the like Considerations he thought it high time to contrive how to bring himself and his Men off with most Honour and least Disadvantage Hereupon as he was a Man of a good reach without letting any One know what he intended on the first of February being the Eve of the Purification of the Virgin Mary he went all alone upon the Walls of the City where he made a sign with his Hat towards the Army Some of those who saw him wave his Hat came to him demanding what he meant thereby He said he had a great mind to speak with the Duke of Normandy or at least with one of his Marshals The Duke being acquainted with this News went straight to the Walls with certain of the Chief Lords in his Company When the English Captain saw the Duke near he pull'd off his Hat and saluted him to whom the Duke having return'd the like said Sr. John and how is it with you now Will you at last deliver up this City to Me or no Sir reply'd he as yet I have not fully resolv'd upon that point But my Lord Duke for the present I would desire of You that for the Honour of the Virgin Mary whose Day is now approaching You would grant us a short Truce only to endure for to Morrow so that for that time neither You any way to molest Us nor we You but both sides to remain in full and perfect Peace and Amity all that Day Said the Duke Sr. John as to that I am well content and upon my Word You may rest assured and having said so he rode back to his Tent and the Captain went into the Town Now early the next Morning which was i 2 Febr. Candlemas Day the Lord John Norwich Arm'd himself and all his Men and having trussed up their Bag and Baggage and being every Man furnished with a good Horse from the Town the Chief Gate being set open they began in peaceable Manner to take their March thrô the French Host At first sight of them the Frenchmen ran to their Arms but the English Captain rode up before his Men and spake to them saying Sirs beware that You offer no Violence to Us as neither shall We to You for We have a Truce granted Us for this Day by your General the Duke himself If You know it not go and enquire of him For by Vertue of this Truce We may ride whither We please Upon this the Duke being consulted answer'd Let them go whither they will for thô they have overreach'd me I will by no means break my Promise This was that Noble Dukes Character to be always firm to his Word whatever Loss he might incurr thereby and this Temper he kept to his dying Day so that being King he is said to be the k Mezeray p. 67. ad an 1364. Author of this Golden Sentence That if Faith and Truth were Banished from all Mankind yet they ought to be found in the Mouth of Kings and Princes And 't was the knowledge of this Veracity of the Duke's that made the English Captain venture upon this Device without any further security Wherefore now with all his Men and his Goods he passed freely thrô the heart of the French Army without any Damage or Impeachment and went straight to the strong Castle of Aiguillon where the English Lords received him gladly and having heard the Manner of his Escape said he had handsomly and honestly outwitted his Enemies The next Day the Citizens of Angoulesme took Counsel and resolved to yield up the Town to the Duke of Normandy wherefore immediately they dispatch'd unto him certain Deputies who at last by their submission prevail'd so far that the Duke took them to Mercy and pardon'd them all their Miscarriages and so entred and took Possession of the Town and Castle in his Fathers Name and having left Sr. Anthony Villiers Captain of the Place with a sufficient Garrison he departed thence and went backward and laid Siege to the Castle of Damasan which after having endured his Assaults for 15 Days together was at last
Army with Provision By Chance he was met by the Lord Manny who neither well could nor much car'd to avoid him There happen'd between these two Lords a most fierce Rencounter and many were unhorsed hurt slain and taken on both sides For the p Frois c. 120. French were Five to One. While this Medley lasted News thereof was carried to Aiguillon Whereupon the English Lords prepared hastily to relieve their Fellows and first the Earl of Pembroke with his Men rode forth and being come to the Skirmish he there found his Noble Friend Sr. Walter Manny q Frois ibid. on Foot surrounded by his Enemies but doing wonderfull Deeds of Arms. To him the Earl presented a lusty fresh Horse and it was well in the mean time some Frenchmen drove the Cattle away toward their Camp For else they had lost both them and themselves too For the English that made this Sally set upon the French with so much Fury that they presently put them to the Rout and deliver'd all their Friends and took many of their Enemies Prisoners So that the Lord Charles of Monmorency himself had much ado to make an Escape And such Rencounters happen'd frequently almost r Frois ibid. every Day beside the Assaults made upon the Castle One day above the rest the whole Host was armed and the Duke of Normandy gave Order that the Men of Tholouse Carcassone and Beaucaire should make an Assault from Morning till Noon and those of Rodes Cahors and Agen from Noon till Night and he himself promised that whoever could win the Bridge of the Gate should have for his Reward an hundred French Å¿ Fr. Crown 6 s. 8 d. Crowns of Gold. And the better to render this Days work effectual he mann'd several Ships and Barges on the River some whereof ply'd by the Bridge and others passed the River to divert the Defendants At last certain of the Frenchmen came in a Boat under the Bridge where they cast up great Hooks of Iron to catch hold on the Draw-Bridge and having so done never left pulling till they had broke in sunder the Chains that held it and so laid down the Bridge by Force Then Others that were ready for that purpose leap'd thereon so hastily that one overthrew another they were all so greedy of the 100 Crowns The mean while the Defendants when they saw the Bridge as throng'd as ever it could be threw down plentifully among them vast Bars of iron massy pieces of Timber Pots of quick Lime with burning Pitch Tarr and scalding Oyl so that many were brained and scalded to Death grievously wounded and overthrown Dead and half-dead into the River and into the Ditch However the Bridge remained for that time in the Possession of the French but it signified little for they could not win the Gate for all that So at last when it was late the Retreat was sounded to the French and they being retired to the Camp the Defendants open'd their Gates and raised up the Bridge again and made it stronger than ever it was and bound it fast to great Rings in the Wall with thicker Chains of Iron The next Day there came to the Duke two Cunning Carpenters well skill'd in Mathematicks who said Sir if your Highness will allow us Timber and Workmen to follow our Directions we will make you Four strong Scaffolds as high or higher than the Walls of this Castle whereby your Men may come hand to hand with the Defendants The Duke commanded they should do so and empower'd them to press Carpenters about in the Country at his Pay and promised them liberal Rewards So at last after a long Time excessive Labour and vast Expence these four Scaffolds were ready being built on the Decks of four Great Ships and such as were appointed for that Work were disposed in them But having passed scarce half way in the River to give the Assault the Defendants who having observed all these Preparations had by this time provided a Remedy set up against them four tight Engines which they had newly made to resist the Scaffolds These four Engines cast such huge Flints and Stones with such a force and hit the Scaffolds so luckily that presently they were all so uncover'd and broken that they could yield no Defence to those that were within Wherefore they were all commanded back again but before they reach'd the Land one of the Scaffolds Ship and all sunk in the River and the greater Part of those within it were drown'd Which was a great Loss for none were there but good and valiant Knights and Gentlemen who only courted Honour by this Hazardous Enterprise When the Duke saw that whatever way he went was thus rendred unsuccessfull he let the other three Scaffolds lie still and repented much that ever he came thither For now he saw no likelihood of Winning the Castle and yet at his first coming thither he had t Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 46. p. 856. swore a solemn Oath that he would never rise thence till he had the Place at his Devotion Then he sent the Constable of France and the Earl of Tancarville to Paris to the King his Father to let him know the State of the Siege before Aiguillon and it was the Kings Pleasure that the Duke should lie there still till he had won them by Famine since he could not by Assault But this latter Device signified as little as any of the former for this Garrison was so far from allowing themselves to be pent up within Walls that having heard of two u Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 46. p. 856. Great Ships which were coming from Tholouse to the Army laden with Provision of Victuals and Armour they adventur'd forth both by Land and by Water those beating up the Enemies Quarters in their Camp and these fetching away the Ships which they brought into the Castle to their great Comfort and the infinite Loss and Vexation of the Duke of Normandy This Action happen'd on the 16 of June VIII During this famous Siege before Aiguillon x Giov. Villani l 12. c. 60. p. 870. Holinshead Engl. Chr. p. 928. the Seneschal of Guienne under the French King departed from the Duke of Normandy with a Detachment of 800 Horse and 4000 Foot designing to take in a Castle belonging to a Nephew of the Cardinal de la Motte which was about 12 Leagues distant from Aiguillon The Archdeacon of Vnfort who was Lord of the Castle and held for England understanding of the Frenchmens Approach to his Fortress went out privily and rode Post to la Reole where the Earl of Lancaster and Darby lay at that time with his little Army waiting for some Advantage against the Duke of Normandy Upon the Information and Request of this Man the Earl appointed a certain Number of Horsemen and Archers to ride along with him With whom the Archdeacon going back came on the 31 of July early in the Morning before his
6000 Crossbows of Genona with other Italians under the Command of Sr. Carolo Grimaldi and Sr. Antonio Doria in all about 20000 Men. But afterwards it was encreased when John the King of Bohemia advised a Da Serres c. that all those Genouese Crossbows who were under the Leading of Amè Earl of Genoua should be joyned to the rest of their Countrymen in the Front as a Match for the English Archers and so they were in all 15000 Crossbows and 29000 Men were contained in this First Battail The Second Battail was headed by King Philip himself having with him thô some deny it James b M.S. Biblioth Vatican sign n. 2040. in Clem. VI. Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 66. p. 879. Oder Rain ad hunc an §. 41 Aeneas Sylvius Hest Bâhem l. 32 Knighton Walsingham Stew Sâeed Joh. Aventin Annal. Boiorum l. 7. p. 629. Vnà omnes testantur Regem Balearicarum in Creâacâ hâc Pugnâ eccubuisie King of the Baleares now call'd Majorica and Minorica but I agree not with those who say that the Kings of Scotland and Navarre were here also for 't is evident that King David was now in his own Country and Charles King of Navarre was at home being a Minor and under his Mothers Tuition as Mezeray well observes But there were in this Battalia with King Philip Prince Albert Elector Palatine of the Empire Otho Duke of Austria the Bishop of Liege John Lord Beaumont of Hainalt and others to the Number of six Thousand Men of Arms and fourty Thousand Foot And hither was the King of Bohemia removed afterwards at King Philips desire The Third and Last Battail was Lead by Amè Earl of Savoy a Valiant and Noble Lord sirnamed le Vert who c Fivine le Parisien Theatre of Honer l. 8. c. c. p 310. Ferne's Blazen of Gentry p. 124. afterwards became the Soveraign of a Knightly Order called the Snares of Love which in time was changed to that of the Annuntiada with him were joyn'd the Bishop of Noyon the Earl of St. Paul the Earl of Sancerre and other Noble Gentlemen to the Number of about 5000 Lances and 20000 Foot. VI. And now when this Numerous Army was with much ado order'd in the best manner that might be by that time they stood in the open field ready embattel'd against the Enemies it was about Three in the Afternoon King Philip when first in the Head of his Squadrons he beheld the Face of the English his d Frois c. 130. fol. 64. a. Blood changed and he said aloud to his Marshals Make the Genouëse there go on before and let them begin the Battle in the Name of God and St. Dennis Now it is to be remembred as we said before that in all there were 15000 Crossbows of Genoua rightly fitted for the War But they were so weary with going on foot that day 3 long Leagues armed and with their Bows that they said to their Constable how they were not able to do any great Service at that time for they had then more need of a little Rest than of fresh Labour But yet they followed their Commanders and so were removed to the Front of all the Battails the mean while their words being told to the Earl of Alencon he said A Man has wonderfull advantage in hiring such a Company of Rascals who then begin to faint and flinch when there is most need At that ver Instant e Villani p. 876. Knighton p. 2587. Mezeray p. 27. Frois Speed Holinsh and Walsingh hist p. 157. Seres c. before the Armies engaged there fell suddainly a smart Shower of Rain accompanied with loud Thunders and a short Eclipse of the Sun before which Storm there flew over the Host an infinite Number of Ravens and other Birds of Prey crying and cawing which the Old King of Bohemia hearing of said to those about him How that was indeed a Prodigy and an evil Token for it signified many Carcasses would fall But immediately the Air began to clear again and the burning Sun appearing out of a Cloud at the Englishmen's Backs darted his Rays full in the French-men's Faces and made a spacious f Da Serres c. Rainbow At that very time the Genouëse g Frois ib. d. c. 130. c. began to approach giving after their Manner a great Leap and Shouting horribly to amaze their Enemies who yet stood still with their Bows ready and their Arrows nock'd Then the Genouëse took a second Leap and shouted as before but still the English stirred not lastly the Genouëse after a third Leap accompanied with the like Noise being now within Shot sent forth all together their Quarrels against the English But they all fell short because their Strings had received Wet in the late Rain Then at last the English Archers whose Bows were kept cover'd in their Cases during the Shower stept forward one Pace and altogether let fly their home-drawn Arrows among the Genouëse which fell as thick as Hail upon them wherefore when they felt these stinging Scorpions and saw them piercing the Heads Arms and Bodies of their Fellows and that the English were ready to send an other deadly Flight among them many of them cast down their Bows and others cut their Strings and turned their Backs in much Disorder King Philip seeing them fly thus cry'd out aloud saying Slay these Rascals for they will hinder us all by their Cowardise And then the Lord Charles of Alencon no less fierce than his Brother cry'd out like a Desperate Man h Da Serres c. Come on my Friends come on and let us boldly Charge the English making our Way over the bellies of these Genouëse who do but hinder us These Words were followed with Actions agreeable thereto so that there arose a wonderfull Confusion between the Horse contending to go forward and the Foot who sought to retire the English Archers at the same time sending their thick Flights of Arrows where the Confusion was greatest Then the Cry of the Genouëse and others arose unto the Stars being overrun and trodden down by their own Horse as well as stung in their backs by the English Archers who liberally bestow'd whole Clouds of Shot upon them So that many of the Men of Arms also fell down Horse and Man among the Genouëse where they were so far from being able to rise again that they were an occasion to Others of falling over them And immediately certain i Frois ibid. Rough Fellows that belonged to the English Army ran in among them and with Long Knives cut the Throats of those that lay thus entangled on the ground whether Earls Lords Knights or Esquires for none that Day were taken to Mercy The mean while the Earl of Alencon and the Earl of Flanders the Earl of Blois the Duke of Lorrain and James Dauphin of Vienna having at last got clear of the poor Genouëse coasted wide about with their Troops
River make any Resistance for the Defence of his Country and People And so our King proceeding forward came to Poissy where the French King had likewise broken down the Bridge and keeping on the other side would rest in no certain Place Dat. apud Pusiacum Festo Assumptionis B. Mariae Virginis c. The other Letter of the said Michael Northborough begins where this ends and proceeds even to the Siege of Calais in this manner n Rob. Avesbury Fox Acts and Mân p. 504. Hâliashead Eng. Chron. p. 930. Salutations premised we give you to understand that our Sovereign Lord the King came to the Town of Poissy on the Vigil of the Assumption of our Lady where was a certain Bridge over the Water of Seyne broken down by the Enemy But the King tarried there so long till the Bridge was made again And whilst the Bridge was in Repairing there came thither a great Number of Men of Arms and other Souldiers to hinder the same But the Earl of Northampton went out against them and slew of them more than a Thousand the rest fled away Thanks be to God. And at another time our Men passed the Water althô with much Difficulty and slew a great Number of the Common Souldiers of France about the City of Paris and Country adjoyning being part of the French Kings Army well and throughly appointed So that our People had soon made other good Bridges in spight of our Enemies God be thanked without any great Loss or Dammage on our Part. On the Morrow after the Assumption of our Lady the King passed the Water of Seyne and marched toward Pont-Oyse which is a Town of great Defence and strongly immured being also furnished with a marvellous strong Castle which our Enemies kept And when our Van-guard was passed the Town the Reer made an Assault thereto and took the same where more than 300 Men of Arms on the Enemies Part were slain And the next Day following the Earl of Suffolk and Sr. Hugh Spencer marched forth against the Commons of the Country who were assembled together and well-armed and in fine slew of them more than o o 1200 hîc lego non ut Fox c. 200 ex Frois Ashmole Martin aliis ita corrigendâ vid. l. 2. c. 2. §. 10. p 348. 1200 and besides others took 60 Gentlemen Prisoners After that the King marched toward Grandvillers and while he was there encamped his Van-guard was descried by the King of Bohemia's Men of Arms Whereupon certain of our Men issued forth in great haste and began to joyn Battle with them but were enforced to retire notwithstanding thanks be to God the Earl of Northampton issued out and rescued the Horsemen with other Souldiers so that few or none of them were either taken or slain saving only Thomas Talbot but had again the Enemy in Chace till within two Leagues of Amiens of whom we took 8 and slew 12 of their best Men of Arms the rest being well horsed got to the Town of Amiens After this the King of England marched towards Ponthieu upon the p p A. Lit. Dom. 24 Aug. Thurs Feast of St. Bartholomew and came unto the Water of Somme where the French had posted 500 Men of Arms and 3000 Footmen with design to keep and defend that Passage against us but Thanks be to God the next Morning the King of England and his Host entred the same Water of Somme where never Man passed before without the loss of any of our Men And after that encounter'd with the Enemy and slew of them more than 2000 the rest fled toward Abbeville but in the Chace many Knights Esquires and Men of Arms were taken The same Day Sr. Hugh Spencer took the Town of Crotoy where He and his Men slew 400 Men of Arms and kept the Town wherein they found good store of Provision That same Night the King of England encamped in the Forest of Cressy bordering upon the same Water For that the French Kings Host came on the other side of the Town near unto our Passage but declining to take the Water of us he marched back to Abbeville And upon the Saturday the King being still encamped in the said Forest our Van-currours descried the French King who marched toward us in Four Great Battails And having by this means as it pleased God understanding of our Enemies a little before Even-song We set our Battails in Array and presently the Fight began which was sore and cruel and endured long For our Enemies behaved themselves right Nobly But Thanks be to God the Victory fell on our Side and the King our Adversary was discomfited with all his Host and put to Flight Where also was slain the King of Bohemia the Duke of Lorrain the Earl of Alenson the Earl of Flanders the Earl of Blois the Earl of Harcourt with his two Sons the Earl of Aumale the Earl of Nevers and his Brother the Lord of Thonon the Archbishop of Nismes the Archbishop of Sennes the Grand Prior of France the Lord of Marle the Lord of Guise the Lord of St. Venant the Lord of Rosemburgh with six Earls of Almain and divers other Earls Barons Knights and Esquires whose Names are unknown But Philip of Valois himself with another Marquess who was called Lord Elector of the Romans escaped from the Battle The Number of the Men of Arms which were found dead in the Field besides the Common Souldiers and Footmen came to 1542 And all that Night the King with his Host abode armed in the Field where the Battle was fought On the next Morning before the Sun-rise there marched towards us another huge Host of Frenchmen mighty and strong But the Earl of Northampton and the Earl of q q Ita lego pro illorum Norfolk nam nullus his diebus erat Comes Norfolââ Suffolk went out against them in three Battalions and after a long and terrible Fight discomfited them likewise by Gods great Help and Grace for otherwise it could not have been done where they took of Knights and Esquires a good Number and slew above 2000 following the Chace three Leagues from the place where the Battle was fought The same Night also the King encamped still in the Forest of Cressy and on the Morrow marched towards Boulogne and by the way took the Town of Estaples and from thence he marched toward Calais where he intendeth to plant his Siege and lay Battery to the same Wherefore our Sovereign Lord the King willeth and commandeth you in all that ever you may to send unto the said Siege Victuals convenient For from the time of our departing from Caen we have travelled thrô the Country in great peril and hazard of our People but yet always had Plenty of Victuals Thanks be to God for it But now as the Case stands we partly stand in need of your Help to be refreshed with Victuals Thus fare you well Dated at the Siege before the Town of Calais
14 day of September VI. And now for a while we shall leave King Edward at the Siege of Calais and look what became of the Siege of Aiguillon in Agenois the News whereof had lately incited the King of England to make this Expedition All this while r Prâis c. 134. the Duke of Normandy lay before the strong Castle of Aiguillon not now so much in hopes to win the Place for not only the English held out still with their usual Bravery but he also himself was held short by the Earl of Darby as because he had rashly made a solemn Vow never to depart thence till he had the Fortress at his Devotion Now a few Days before the Battle of Cressy was fought Duke John hearing that King Edward was marching through France resolved to give one more general Assault if by any means he might by Carrying the Place both save his Oath and also be at liberty to go and assist his Father It was then about the middle of August and the Frenchmen being irritated with their long stay here became more resolved to do their Utmost in order to end so tedious a Siege with Honour Nor were encouragements wanting from the Duke nor provocations from the Enemy But for all that althô in a manner the whole Army was engaged in a general Assault carried on with the utmost vigour for the space of an whole Day yet all was in vain and their Losses were doubled but their Advantages no whit better'd Among many others there fell that day the young Lord Philip of Burgundy Eldest Son to Eudo the IV. Duke of Burgundy who was Earl of Artois and Boulogne and Cousin-German to the Duke of Normandy This Gallant Gentleman was in the Flower of his Youth and but newly come thither But being desirous at this time to signalize himself when the Skirmish was begun he set Spurs to his Courser and came onward to the Assault But the mettlesome Horse taking the Curb between his Teeth ran away with his Master and chanced to stumble in a Ditch where they fell both Horse and Man The young Lord being so rudely handled that he died within a few days after leaving behind him Å¿ Favine le Parisien l. 4. c. 3. p. 7. one Infant Son and a Daughter VII Now King Philip was returned to Paris where he busied himself in Thoughts nothing unworthy the Grandeur of such a Monarch nor did all this Adversity abate his Courage or extort one Low thought from him He resolves to try all means to uphold his Sinking Honour and take a severe Vengeance of his Enemies for the Loss he had received First therefore he sends a peremptory Command to his Son John who lay still before Aiguillon with a very considerable Army immediately to rise up and all Excuses laid aside to come away to aid his Country nearer Home against the Enemy who had already drank deep draughts of her best Blood and now lay gnawing at her very Bowels At the same time he seriously bestirs himself to raise another Mighty Army wherewith he design'd to go and drive away King Edward from before Calais Which he intended to succour in Person very early the next Campagne And besides this in hopes to divert the War from his own Doors into England or at least to repay the Losses of France with the like in England he presently after the Battle of Cressy sent his special Messengers to his Old Friend and Ally David Bruce King of Scotland Not only desiring him earnestly to remember former Obligations and their late strict Alliance but encouraging him at such a time t Knightân p. 2589. n 40. when all the strength of England was drain'd out in the parts of Gascogne Bretagne and before Calais to invade the Northern Borders of his and their Inveterate Enemys the English and to revenge the manifold Injuries they had Both received earnestly requesting him not so much to stand upon a slight Truce which King Edward had only made for his own Advantage as to value and respect those sacred Tyes of mutual Amity and Entercourses that have been not only for many Generations inviolably maintain'd between both their Ancestors but also in especial manner had been cultivated and confirmed between them two And besides all these Arguments he sent him a good round Summ of Mony and 15000 Crossbows of Genoua to his Assistance thô not as some say under the Command of Antonio Doria and Carolo Grimaldi for they were both slain in Cressy-Field as we have shewn from the Testimony of Giovanni Villani who was himself an Italian And truly it might be wondred that any of the Genouese should now care to serve King Philip any more after that great Affront at Cressy but that it is to be remembred how these People were in those Days Mercenaries to the Crown of France as of late the Swissers have been and so might well be now appeased with gracious Words especially attended with Gold which always bears a Great Sway not only among Souldiers of Fortune but also with the major Part of Mankind The Effects of this Message we shall shew by and by when we have first related how the Siege was broken up from before Aiguillon VIII And as for John Duke of Normandy when he had received his Fathers peremtory Command he became infinitely displeas'd as well at the unhappy News of King Edwards Victorious Progress as because he saw his own Honour so apparently touched in that he had received such Opposition before so inconsiderable a Fortress Indeed he had met with many Checks and Rebuffs during this Siege not only from the Besieged themselves who maintain'd the Place with invincible Courage as we have particularly shew'd but also from the most Noble Earl of Darby who held him so short with his flying Troops that scoured about the Country for that purpose having certain strong Garrisons for their Retreat that he could never get in Provisions fast enough to supply the wants of his Army and what he got was not many times without great Labour thô fetch'd in by Considerable Bodies Wherefore that he suffer'd some Difficulty is very easily granted but that he was thereby obliged secretly to forsake his Army and escape away by stealth I cannot by any means allow thô u Knighton p. 2589. n. 30. c. some of our Writers have too heedlesly ventur'd to say as much And that his Headless Army thereupon flying away after him in much Confusion they were between the People of the Country and the Earl of Darby almost all reduced to nothing I have all along professed to have a zeal for Truth and must not therefore here allow of those improbable Relations of some of our Countrymen For it is certain that Prince John was a Man of truly Royal Courage and Magnanimity and the Army he lead very formidable for the Fame of its Captains and Officers as well as its own Numbers And we are sure not only that the
and the Flower of the Nobility of Scotland Thô Buchanan by I know not what Authority contradicts his Friend Hector here and gives the first Battail to the Earls of Murray and Douglas the Middle to the King and the last to Prince Robert Stuart and Dumbar In the same manner also the Scotch Historians divide the English Army contrary to what we shall manifest forthwith V. Now were the English come from York within about three Miles of Durham being in Number 1200 Men of Arms 3000 Archers and 7000 Footmen besides a Choice Band of Expert Souldiers newly come from before Calais the whole amounting to k Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 75. p. 887. 16000 compleat Then they were Order'd into Four Bodies Three to engage with the Enemy and the Fourth to stand behind as a Reserve on Horseback For since the Scots exceeded them in Number it seem'd best to the English thus to dispose their Men because if one of their Battails should be broken by this fresh Reserve it might be again Repaired And their Fronts being little less large than the Scots their Paucity was not so well observed nor were they unlikely to make good their Part with the Enemy because thô the Scots Numbers were greater while things should be doubtfull no more Hands among them could be employ'd than among the English who well-nigh equall'd them in Front and if the English should prevail their Enemies Numbers would rather encrease the Confusion than give them any Advantage Of these a great Part were Clergymen Priests Chaplains Fryers and the like but as my l Aiscue's hist Scotl. p. 179. Author says good tall Trenchermen such as were not afraid of a Crack'd Crown thô they had no hair to hide the Wound But m Knighton p. 2590. n. 10. Piety and a Love to their Country laid the Foundation of this Courage for seeing what havock King David had made of Holy Places and Persons they armed themselves with Faith in him who sets himself in Array against those who defie Religion and reared up the Banner of their Saviour as if now they fought against Infidels The First Brigade was govern'd by the Lord Henry Piercy who was General of all the Army thô not Earl of Northumberland as Hector foolishly calls him since it appears n Mili's Catal. Honor. p. 718. Dudg 1 Vol. p. 276. that his Grandson was the first Earl of that Title With him was Thomas Hatfield Lord Bishop of Durham Gilbert Vmphravile Earl of Angos the Lord Thomas Musgrave and the Lord Henry Scroop of Masham In the Second Battalia was William Zouch Archbishop of York and Lord Warden of the North and John Kirkeby Bishop of Carlile with whom were the Lord Ralph Nevil of Raby and his Son Sr. John Nevil and o Monast Angl. Vol. 2. p. 918. a. n. 30. Ralph Lord Hastings and Others Althô I must not dissemble that p Joh. Tinemouth Aur. Hist M.S. in Bibl. Bodleââ l. 21. c. 26. Tinemouth places the Lord Nevil in the Van. The Third Battail was lead by Thomas Beck Lord Bishop of Lincoln a Man of great Fame and Merit being assisted with the Lord John Moubray the Lord John Leyburn and Sr. Thomas Rokeby High-Sheriff of Yorkshire of whose first Advancement from an Esquire we have spoken in the first Year of this History The Fourth and Last Battalia was govern'd by Edward Bailiol David's Competitor for the Crown of Scotland with whom were John Stratford Archbishop of Canterbury William Lord Ross of Hamlake and q Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 545. Robert Lord Bertram High-Sheriff of Northumberland and Governour of Newcastle on the Tine Besides all which William Lord Deincourt and Robert Lord Ogle Sr. r Dugd. Warâ p. 19. Nicolas Charnells and Sr. Henry Bellasis of Durham were appointed with a strong Guard to attend the Queens Person who by the best Authors is affirmed to have kept the Field all the time of the Battle Each of these Four Battalia's consisted of 4000 Choice Men among and besides whom were as we said many Clergymen who came thither now of their own Accord with wonderfull Zeal to fight against the Scots who had so profan'd and violated the Honour of God in his Members the Clergy that with great Devotion and Faith these Holy Men had already marked them forth for Ruine Some whereof refused not to fight against these Enemies of Religion and Others carried their Crosses as Banners before the Men of War singing at the joyning of the Battle Miserere to the great Encouragement of the Sword-men who thought themselves unconquerable since they fought now as well with the Sword of the Spirit as with an Arm of Flesh VI. When thus on both Sides the Armies were order'd the Amazon Queen Philippa t Frois c. 138. rode before the Battles on a white Courser being attended with her Guard and passing from Rank to Rank she sweetly desired them all to use their utmost endeavour to defend the Honour of her Dear Lord the King of England and wished them every Man in the Name of God to take Heart and be of good Courage graciously promising that to her Power she would remember and consider the Well-deserving no less than if her Lord the King was there personally to bear witness of all their Actions And so she recommended the whole Army and her Self to God and St. George This was done early in the Morning Now before the Armies began to move Earl Douglas by the Kings Command rode forth with a good Brigade of Horse to discover the Face of the Enemy and as Occasion was offer'd to skirmish with them But he coming suddenly e'r he was aware into their Danger was received so sharply and upon his flight pursued so warmly that having lost u Buchan l. 9. p. 302. Aiscue's Hist Scâtl p. 180. 500 of his best Men he very narrowly escaped himself to the Main Body Where as soon as he had recover'd himself the whole English Army appeared in Three Battalia's for the Fourth was not yet discover'd marching forward very couragiously Whereupon Sr. David Graham x Hector l. 15. fol. 324. n. 50. Aiscue's Hist Scotl. p. 180 c. a valiant Baron of Scotland with a Wing of 500 Horse well appointed gave a full Charge upon the left Flank of the English Archers hoping to disorder and overrun them But he was mistaken for they received him with such a Showre of Arrows that after two or three Attempts in vain having lost many of his Men he also was fain to fly back to the Main Battle upon the Spurr in great danger of being taken by his Pursuers VII These inauspicious Beginnings did nothing at all startle the Courage of the Scotch King Who was both Young and Valiant and because he had never yet in Person maintain'd a just Fight greedy of War hoping to be no less Victorious than his Father Robert Bruce had been before him Wherefore he presently commanded to sound a Charge
Prince Lionel holds another in King Edwards Name at Westminster III. The Pope writes to the King of England to perswade him to Peace King Edward's Answer and Odoricus Rainaldus refuted IV. King Philip attempts to gain the Flemings but in vain The Earl of Flanders returning home is imprison'd by his Subjects because he will not match with a Daughter of England V. King Edward reinforces the Siege of Calais VI. The Earl of Flanders by pretending a Compliance gets his liberty and escapes into France VII Two Frenchmen for favouring King Edwards Right put to Death at Paris VIII John Duke of Normandy receives a Foil before Cassel in Flanders IX The French make several Efforts to relieve Calais but fail The Losses and Difficulties of the English Camp. X. Sr. Robert of Namur tenders his Service to King Edward before Calais XI A short Account of the Scotch Affairs since the Battle of Durham XII An Account of the Affairs of Bretagne The Battle of Roche d' Arien where Sr. Charles of Blois is taken Prisoner by Sr. Thomas Dagworth XIII Roche d' Arien retaken by the French and the English Garrison put to the Sword by the Men of the Country XIV The French Navy intended to Victual Calais defeated The Calisians thrust 500 Poor out of the Town XV. And send a Letter of their Case to King Philip c. XVI The Earl of Lancaster leading a Detachment towards Amiens upon News of King Philips Approach returns to the English Camp The French Kings Strength he desires Leave of the Flemings to pass thrô their Country but is refused The Flemings besiege the Town of Aire but upon Philips Approach rise XVII King Philip comes to Sangate near Calais and demands Battle of King Edward with the Answer XVIII Two Cardinals obtain a Treaty which comes to nothing King Philip goes off in Despair XIX The Manner how Carais was yielded XX. Calais settled by King Edward XXI A Truce betwen the two Kings King Edward returns for England XXII A Brush between the English and Scots of the Borders XXIII Lewis the Emperour dies King Edward chosen Emperour refuses Charles King of Bohemia succeeds The Death of William Occam and Walter Hemingford A Law-Case I. THE mean while King Philip of France AN. DOM. 1347. An. Regni Angliae XXI Franciae VIII having now about him his Son the Duke of Normandy with his Forces thô he had by this heard also of the great Loss that his Friend the King of Scots had suffer'd for his Sake was not able as yet to attempt any thing against his Enemy of England because of the Winter Season further than that he provided a Frois c. 140. Du Serres for the Cities of Picardy that lay nearest unto Danger and set Men of War in every Fortress in the Marches of Guisnes Artois Boulogne and about Calais But however being desirous to employ that Unactive time of the Year to the best Advantage that he might as well further the next Campagne as also seek the Advice of his Peers Lords and Commons of France he b Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 85. p. 893 calls a Parliament of the Estates to meet together at Paris on the Palm-Sunday following which fell that Year c Lit. Dom. G. Pasch Kâl Apr. on the 25 of March or the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin and so became a double Holy-day Requiring all the Barons Prelates and Commons of his Realm to assist him in Leavying a mighty Army against the King of England who lay as then before Calais For he said how he had sworn not to make a Peace or so much as a Truce with his Enemies untill he had taken full Revenge for the Loss he had received at Cressy and of the high Indignities which the King of England had put upon the Crown of France as well by Invading his Realm in Hostile Manner as now by holding a Siege before Calais Which Oath tho it could not be punctually observed yet prov'd a strong Enforcement to assemble together all his Barons Prelates Chief Burgesses and Citizens to his Parliament Here several Ways were in this Great Council devised to raise Mony for the maintenance of his Wars and leavying of two Formidable Armies For King Philip had long since in his Secret Council resolved to carry on the War against England with an High hand this next Campagne Himself intending in Person to go at the Head of one Army against King Edward to raise the Siege of Calais and at the same time to send his Son the Duke of Normandy with another mighty Army into England to attempt the Conquest thereof And upon this latter Point there had been an Ordinance drawn up and contrived called the Ordinance of Normandy of which we shall speak when we come to the English Parliament held at Westminster in the beginning of this Year Now for the Procuring of a sufficient stock of Money for the Kings Service d Du Serres p. 12. it was in this Assembly agreed first of all to call the old Treasures and other Great Officers and Ministers of State to an exact Account for Abusing their Places and embezling or converting to their own Use the Taxes and other the Kings Monies they had been entrusted with and to leavy and raise of all such Offenders Fines and Mulcts proportionable to their Offences And for the future to refer the Government of the Treasury to the most eminent Persons of the Clergy and Nobility thereby to free the People from suspecting that their Contributions were any more like to be ill employed Of this Affair the Abbots of Marmoutier and Corbie are chosen Superintendants to whom Four Bishops and Four Temporal Lords were joyned Assistants Monsieur Peter of Essars Treasurer of France is flung into Prison and condemned in a vast Fine to the King and together with him many other great Officers being condemned whether justly or unjustly yield up that at once for a satisfaction which they had been so long in heaping together the Golden Spunge of Oppression being now squeez'd by the Iron Hand of the Law. Then the Banquers Lombards and other Usurers are call'd to a strict Account for all their unjust Exactions upon the poor Subjects of France The interest is proved to exceed the Principall wherefore the Principal is adjudged forfeit to the King and the Interest to be remitted if not paid or if paid to be refunded to the Debtor who had borrowed the Mony upon such Interest and all the Bonds and Obligations therefore to be cancell'd and made void And yet after e Fabian p. 274. this Wipe the Usurers themselves were not released out of Prison without large Fines to the King. But the chief Honour of this Assembly was that the whole Body tenderly sympathizing with the Head was unanimous to serve the King with their Lives and Fortunes in Defence of his Crown and Dignity Wherefore at that time they leavied vast Contributions among themselves according to
nevertheless he ceased not to afflict them with huge e Knighten p. 2588. Frois c. 140. f. 69. Engines that cast continually Massie stones into the Town and against their Walls and Towers and some have said that at this Siege Canons were first used But of that Opinion we have already discover'd the small Probability And a very good f St. Th. de la Mâre apud Stâa p. 244. Author who was also an Eye-witness and present at the Siege says that neither could any Engines be used to much Purpose because the Ground was not firm enough to sustain them Besides if the Walls could have been quite beaten down yet were the Ditches so deep whereinto at their pleasure they could let in the Sea that with little strength of Men provided their Ammunition and Provision fail'd not they were able to withstand the whole World. One time the Admiral of France came up toward the Haven designing to engage the English Fleet to divert them while many small Boats laden with Provision should get into the Town but against him the Noble Earl of Northampton went forth with a good Squadron of Archers and Men of Arms and to his great Loss put him to flight Most of the Boats being intercepted and taken And on that side of the Town on which the Boulogners were used to victual Calais namely Westward along by the Sea-side in little Boats and Bylanders stealing down by the shore in the Night-times or in misty Weather the said Earl of Northampton made a strong Rampire wherewith he destroy'd or kept back or chased away such Boats the Rampire being perpetually guarded with Archers and Slingers of Stones who watched the Victual-boats night and day However a little g Knighten p. 2592. n. 30 c. after Easter no less than Thirty Norman Ships and Gallies all nimble Sailers adventur'd boldly one Morning early and without any impediment from the English Fleet carried in fresh Provisions and victual'd the Town and got off again by good fortune with little or no Dammage But from that time the King caused the MOuth of the Haven to be quite block'd up and the Earl of Warwick with eighty tall Ships scoured the Channel between Calais and Dover Now King h Oder Rainalad hââc ann §. 24. Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 94. p. 899 c. Philip that he might some way answer the Loyalty and Courage of these poor Calisians who could not be overcome but by Famine had again equipped a Fleet of 12 Gallies of Genua and 70 Sail of stout Ships all laden with Provision and Ammunition with Orders to Relieve Calais But as soon as ever this Fleet was seen from Dover and the Earl of Warwick had notice thereof he set upon the Frenchmen with such Fury that they all were dispersed taken or slain The Admiral of Genua flying first and leaving the Frenchmen to the mercy of the Enemy Here was taken a vast quantity of Victuals Harness and other Provision to the great Comfort of King Edward and his Host who hoped now to be soon Masters of the Place but the Besieged in Calais were in great grief and distress and almost reduced to despair Nor is it yet to be thought that King Edward's Men were without their Difficulties any more than the Besieged thô indeed they wanted no manner of Provision For the French King i Froisae 140. had Men of War in every Fortress of the Marches in the Earldom of Guisnes Boulonois Artois and about Calais besides a great Number of Genouese Normans French and others on the Sea Who at several times took no less than k Stow p. 244. fifteen of King Edwards best Ships of War some whereof they kept for their own Use and the rest they made useless by fire Among others Sr. Thomas Hackluit and Sr. William Burton as they were failing for England were suddainly encountred by certain French Pirates and taken Prisoners with the two Ships which they commanded Nor did the l Frois ibid. French Men of War belonging to the Garrisons about the Marches lye idle all this while for when any of the English either Horse or Foot went a Foraging for the most part they met with many difficult Adventures Nor were the Lords and Captains of the Town idle or faint hearted but many times they made vigorous and bold Sallies nor always to their own Loss Particularly one time the Lord Arnold D'Andreghan came out with a Choice Band of select Warriers very early in a Morning and came almost to the Kings Tent so that the King himself being well-nigh surprised caused his Trumpets to sound and with his Guard the mean while fought fiercely at the Entry of the Trench crying out with indignation Ha St. Edward Ha St. George But by this time the Captains of the Army began to move and the English making an offer to intercept the Enemy and so to cut off their Retreat they drew back much faster than they came forth and leaving 200 of their Fellows behind they had been all lost if the Captain of the Town Sr. John de Vienne had not adventur'd forth with the Flower of the Garrison to make good the Retreat which he did with much ado but was himself wounded with a spear thrô the Thigh by the Lord Thomas Holland But however now the Besieged were held so close that nothing could come to their Relief but with great difficulty and by stealth and that but little at a time And what was thus done was effected by the means of two famous Seamen one called Marant and the other Mestreil Inhabitants of Abbeville who often comforted and refreshed the Calisians by bringing in to them a nights Provisions in light Boats whereby they exposed themselves to much danger being often chaced but they alway escaped nor only so but caused many Englishmen to be drowned for in dark Nights they would come silently in their small Boats to the skirts of the Fleet and bore Holes thrô their big Vessels something below the surface of the Water Whereby not a few Men were drowned the Ships being full of Water before they could find a Leak Besides all these Inconveniences and the dayly Chances of War what with the unwholsom Air by reason of the unstable Ground and the nearness of the Sea and what with the m Walsingh hist p. 157. stink of Cattle that died in and about the Camp as well as the Garbage of Beasts slain and other Refuse of the Army but chiefly by the rage of the Bloody Flux no small Numbers of Englishmen perished Thô I believe Giovanni Villant n Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 95. p. 902. is something too lavish in this Point who says that together with all the Rencounters from the beginning to the end of this Expedition and with extraordinary and common Diseases Maladies and Mischances King Edward lost in the whole no less than 50000 Men. Among others there died this Year on o
and for the most part taken or slain but Sr. John Hartwell made shift to escape with a small Number along by the River-side and so returned to the General Sr. Thomas Dagworth to whom he declared their ill Adventure Whereupon the whole Army thought for that time to leave off all hopes of further succeeding and to return back again to the Countess at Hennebond But then Sr. Thomas Dagworth spake to all the Captains and those were about him saying Nay Gentlemen let not such a strong Body of Men as We are think of going back again till We have recover'd the Reputation We have so lately lost Rather let Us now leap all on our Horses like Men of Courage and for them that have none let them follow on a Foot in Gods Name For now is the best time in the World to look upon our Enemies when their late Success has lull'd them asleep in the Arms of security I 'll warrant You We shall easily discomfit them and You shall soon see an happy turn of Affairs As he spake thus and his Men yet doubted whether to obey him or no there came up to them a Knight of good Conduct and Valour called Garnier who was Lord of Cadudal with an 100 Men of Arms sent to joyn Sr. Thomas Dagworth from the Countess of Montfort This fresh recruit wholly confirmed the wavering Courages of the English and so Sr. Thomas having order'd his Troops put himself in the Head of the Men of Arms and the Archers on Horseback and the Foot followed him with a good Courage So that about Sun-rise they dashed into the Lord Charles of Blois his Host where they found all was buried in sleep and security For they were proud of their Success and weary with obtaining it and verily thought there was no more Enemy remaining after their last Nights Victory Wherefore the Englishmen and Bretons with an horrible outcry invaded them like sheep in a fold and beat down Tents and Pavilions and slew people on all hands At which time the Captain of the Town making also a vigorous Sally with all his strength the whole Army of Charles of Blois which consisted of 30000 Men was entirely defeated and broken The Lord Charles himself taken Prisoner together with his two l Du Chesne p. 667. vid. Knighton Faliân H. linstead Villari c. ut ante Sons John and Guy the Lord of Rochefort the Lord of Beaumanoire the Lord of Lodeac Sr. Guy de la Valle and 36 Knights more Among the slain were found the Vicount of Rouen the Lord De la Valle whose Son Guy was taken alive the Lord of Chasteau Briant the Lord of Derual and his Son the Lord of Rouge the Lord of Quintin with Sr. William his Son the Lord of Malestroit the Lord Ralph de Montfort and others to the Number of 500 Men of Arms besides Footmen After this entire Defeat Sr. Thomas Dagworth set the Prisoners in safe Custody especially the Lord Charles of Blois who being wounded was committed to the Care of skillfull Chirurgeons and then all Sr. Charles his Engines of battery and other Spoils sound in the Field were brought into the Town and Castle of Roche D'Arien But as for the Villagers and Men of the Country thereabout because contrary to their Oath and Duty they had favour'd the Earl of Blois in this Siege Sr. Thomas punished their Towns and the Chief Men thereof with severe Fines and held them much shorter than ever before and having executed several of the most Guilty kept many of the Rest in a kind of slavery to be Labourers and Drudges for his Men of War. Then he set himself to repair the Breaches in the Walls and elsewhere and having sufficiently reinforced the Garrison with Men Ammunition and other Provision departed with his Prisoners for Hennebond Where he tarried till the Lord Charles was recover'd of his Wounds and then convey'd him and his Sons and the rest of the Prisoners into England and there they were all bestow'd about in places of sure Custody in the Tower and elsewhere about London This great Victory was thus obtain'd before the Fortress of Rochedarien on the Wednesday m Ita Aenales Britannix apud Du Chesne p. 667. Knighton p. 2593. n. 44. Lit. Dom. G. Labâe's Chren Techad hunc an before the Feast of St. John Baptist being the 12 of the Calends of July or the 20 Day of June Ano. Dom. MCCCXLVII I have ventur'd to differ something in the Relation of the Fact from Froisard in that Matter where he makes Sr. Thomas Dagworth to be grievously Wounded in the first Onset and Garnier Lord of Cadudal to be the Author of that Counsel of falling upon the French a second Time not only because our n Ret. Franc. 21. âd 3. p. 2. m. 2. p. 1. m. 11. Records attribute the Conduct of this Affair to Sr. Thomas Dagworth but also his own Letter is extant in Robert Avesbury wherein he shews forth the Matter as We have related it And in consideration thereof the King o Claus de ced Ano. in Derso created him before the End of this Year a Baron of the Realm As also two p M. S. in Bibl. Bodl. K. 84. p. 117. b. others of his Valiant Associates Sr. Alan Zouch and Sr. John Lisâe besides whom he made 50 Knights And upon the first News of this Happy Success the same King according to his Pious Custom caused Publique Thanks to be given to God Almighty both in the Camp before Calais and also throughout England XIII And truly this was a very Important Success especially considering the taking of Charles of Blois and his two Sons althô his Lady q Du Chesne p. 667. D. Fabian p. 276 c. continued the War as resolutely as ever For she requested King Philip so earnestly to enable her to Revenge this Loss that soon after when Sr. Thomas Dagworth was now in England he sent thither the Lord of Craon with a strong Army to whom also great Multitudes of the Bretons resorted And thus altogether they came before Rochedarien and Assaulted the Town for two days continually but the English Defended themselves vigorously and threw forth upon their Enemies hot boyling Oyls Fire Coals hot Ashes and other Offensive Matter wherewith they did much mischief to the Besiegers The Third Day the English being opprest offer'd to yield the Place on Condition they might have security to depart with Life and Goods But this the French and Bretons would not now condescend to So the Assault began anew and the Lord Craon to encourage his Men had hung up fifty Scutes of Gold in a Purse upon a Spears point and Proclaim'd aloud that he that first enter'd the Town should have the said Purse of Gold for his pains When the Genouëse Souldiers heard the Promise of their Captain some of them went under the protection of their Fellows Shot with long and sharp Pick-axes and Mattocks and so stoutly
bestirred themselves that in less than five Hours they had so mined the Wall that as the French Chronicles witness there fell a Pain of 50 foot in length at which Breach first the Genouese entred and after the whole Host Here without any compassion they slew Men Women and Children all that came in their way not sparing Babes that sucked at their Mothers breasts and spoiled and robbed the Town every Man getting what he could to his advantage And when thus the French had put all the English and also Bretons and other Inhabitants of the Town to the Sword then they went and assaulted the Castle to which about 240 Englishmen were fled for safeguard After several Assaults the Garrison at last offer'd to yield the Castle so that their Lives and Goods might be saved unto them but this not being accepted in the end they agreed with their Lives onely saved to be safely conveyed ten Miles on their way to Quintin and this was allowed and sworn unto them In confidence whereof they came forth two Brittish Knights Sr. Silvester de la Fevillée and Sr. William de Stratton being appointed to convey them safe onely in their Jackets and thô the Knights did their best according to their Duty yet could they hardly repress the insolence of the Conquerour nor bear them off without loss For Their Enemies of the Host cast Stones at them and so beat them with their Staves as they passed on thrô them that several of them died and fell down by the way the rest with much ado being brought in safety within a League or two of the Castle of Quintin then in the English Hands But the Commons of the Towns thereabouts being informed of the coming of such Englishmen under safe Conduct as had before slain the Lord of Quintin in the Battle of Rochedarien where Sr. Charles of Blois was taken gather'd together with their Weapons and came out into the Fields against them and the English being all unarmed and the Knights their Guides not being able to resist their cruel Determination they slew every Man of them except the Captain whom one of the Knights saved by lending him his own Horse whereby he escaped And when these savage People had thus shamefully slain the Englishmen they gathered their Carcasses together in an heap and there let them lie for Beasts and Fowl to devour XIV While Matters passed thus in Bretagne King Edward constrained the Town of Calais sore blocking them up both by Land and by Sea so that nothing could come in unto them Wherefore John Duke of Normandy having recover'd his Losses in Flanders came forward about the beginning r Knighton p. 2592. n. 60. of June and hover'd near Calais with a considerable Body of Men till the King his Father should come up and joyn him with all his Forces But King Edward sent out against him Henry Earl of Lancaster and Darby with a Detachment of 800 Men of Arms and 1600 Archers whom at that time Duke John would not expect but retreated hastily out of his Reach About the same ſ Knighton p. 2593. n. 10. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 160. time John Vere Earl of Oxford Ralph Baron Stafford the Lord Walter Manny and Sr. Hugh Fitz-Simond of the Lord Stafford's Retinue passing forth of England with a Navy of 200 Sail to enforce the King at Calais met with a Fleet of France which was going to victual Calais Of these Ships they took twenty Sail and many Gallies with all the Purveyance therein which they brought to the Camp before Calais Which last Hope also failing the Calisians who resolved to endure as much hardship as Flesh and Blood could bear thô they saw themselves in so sad a Condition and found their stock of Provision almost wholly spent began now only to lessen their former Allowance of Food and Drink and besides that thrust out t Knighton p. 2593. n. 30. 500 more of the poorer Sort Men and Women who were by age or sickness useless for the War and perhaps not much unwilling to be turned out as who might hope to taste of the same Gracious Usage which those who were thrust out at the beginning of the Siege had found at King Edwards Hands But alas they were widely mistaken for the King who in all this while had found this People so inveterately obstinate that they would never listen to any Summons nor admit of any Conditions thô never so safe and honourable but had put him almost beyond all Patience to such infinite trouble expence and hazard of his Men look'd upon these Creatures with an other kind of Countenance and commanded them sternly to return back again into their Town But now their own Fellows and Countrymen refused to readmit them wherefore being forced to lie between the Army and the Town most of them died with Famine Weakness and the Night-colds but a very few being able to bear their misery till either their Enemies or their Friends at that time little better than Enemies took pity of them and relieved them XV. Much about u Knighton p. 2593. n. 10. this time it was that a certain Messenger was by the English taken on the Sea bearing Letters in a Fly-boat to Philip the French King from the Captain of Calais in these words Sachez tresdoute Seignieur que vous Gentz in Caleys ont mangez leurs Chevals Chiens Ratz nest remit rien pour leur vivre sinon chescun mange aultre Par quey treshoneurable Seignieur si nous ne eymes hastife Succoure la ville est perdue nous sommes toutz accordes si nous ne eymes eyde de ysser mourir sur nous ennemis au Honneur plus tost que dedens mourir pur defaulte Et Dieu vous deigne de rendre al nous noz Heirez nostre Travaile c. Which is thus in English Know Dread Sir. that your People in Calais have eaten their Horses Dogs and Rats and nothing remains for them to live upon unless they eat one another Wherefore most Honourable Sir if we have not speedy Succour the Town is lost And we are all resolved if we are not relieved to sally forth and die upon our Enemies with Honour rather than to die within the Walls by Famine And God grant you Grace to render to us or our Heirs according to our Travail in your Majesties Service c. This is the Summ of those Letters which when King Edward had perused as they were written more at large he x Knighton ib. n. 20. caused them to be closed up again with his own Seal and so sent them to the French King requiring him to make haste and succour his good People in Calais that were in such misery for his Sake Philip for his part not only from these Letters but many other ways knew well enough what hardships and difficulties his Loyal Subjects of Calais had all along undergone and was all this while endeavouring their Rescue But as
his Preparations were great so they took up much time however in answer to the foresaid Letters he sent word to King Edward that he would shortly come and look upon his Siege and to the Calisians that now he would by no means fail to bring them a speedy and powerfull Succour All this while John Duke of Normandy had made several Offers to draw near Calais with a great Power and sometimes he came within two Leagues and sometimes within three but the English had so drain'd the Countrey that for lack of Victuals he could not subsist thereabout for any time and thereupon as y Knighton ibid. n. 40. some will have it he made that Expedition into Flanders where he had such Success as we have shewn before XVI On the z Knighton p. 2593. n. 60. 18 of July being a Wednesday Henry the Thrice-noble Earl of Lancaster and Darby went from the Siege of Calais about ten Leagues into the Realm of France with a strong Detachment of 800 Men of Arms and 20000 Archers His Design was to go to the General Fair that was held for Cattle of all Sorts near Amiens on the Day of Sr. Margaret the Virgin and Martyr which is kept on the 20 of the said Month of July But when he had rode one Day and a Night intending to have been at the Fair the next Day he received upon the way certain Information that the French King was marching toward Calais with a mighty Army of about 200000 Men. For the Inhabitants of Picardy and Artois had lately sent to King Philip telling him That if he did not make haste to succour Calais and drive the Enemy away they were not able any longer to endure such a Neighbour but must of necessity yield up all their Towns to the King of England Wherefore King Philip made haste and began his March thitherward upon News whereof the Earl of Lancaster hasted back immediately for Calais but however he had in this short Expedition so well ransackt the Country that he brought back with him no less than 2060 Oxen and Kine and more than 5000 Sheep which was a great Refreshment to the Army We shew'd before how the French King had made his Summons commanding all his Lords and Others who held of him to be with him at the General Rendezvous at Amiens by the Feast of a 20 May. Pentecost with their respective Troops There came thither by the time appointed the King of France himself attended with a great number of Nobles and Men of War where the held a solemn and magnificent Feast b Frois c. 144. Du Câejne p. 667. Helââshead p. 941. Soon after there followed Duke Eudes or Otho of Burgundy as also John Duke of Normandy the Kings Eldest Son and Philip then Earl of Valois afterwards Duke of Orleans his Youngest Son the Duke of Bourbon Gaston Phaebus Earl of Foix Amadis Earl of Savoy John Lord Beaumont of Hainalt the Earl of Armagnac the Earl of Forestes the Earl of Valentinois and divers other Great Princes Earls Barons and Knights Here King Philip held a Council of War to consider which was his best way to March in order to raise the Siege of Calais more successfully or at least to relieve the Town with Men and Provisions He chiefly desired to have the Passages of Flanders open for so he thought to put some Troops into Graveling and thence to recruit the Town of Calais while he gave a Diversion to King Edward another way To this end he sent Messengers into Flanders to treat upon the matter but they were too fast Friends to the English to comply so far with the French Wherefore King Philip resolved to take the way on the left hand towards Boulogne and so Order was given for all Men to provide forthwith against this Expedition for as yet the whole Number of the French Forces was not compleated Now the Flemings c Frois c. 144. were not only content to have sent this Denial to King Philip but to give King Edward a further Proof of their Good-will they sent an Army of near an 100000 Men and laid Siege to the strong City of Aire on the River le Lys in Artois and wasted and burnt the Country all about as Merville or Mergen Le Gorgue Eyterre Leventis and a March called Loos by the River Deulle and on the other hand up to Teroüenne and even to the Gates of St. Omers Upon News hereof King Philip was obliged to remove from Amiens to Arras that so he might be nearer at hand to watch the Motions of the Flemings and upon occasion to give them Battle and all the Garrisons of Artois he reinforced with fresh Men of War but especially he sent the Lord Charles de la Cerda commonly called Don Carlos of Spain who was Son to Don Lewis of Spain Prince of the Fortunate Islands now lately deceased and Son in Law to Guy late Earl of Blois and now in the Absence of the Earl of Eu and Guisnes who was then Prisoner in England Constable of France this Man he sent with a strong Reinforcement to St. Omers for its greater Security But notwithstanding the Flemings had done excessive Mischief about in the Country and had slain many Frenchmen and won much Booty before King Philip removed to Arras but upon the News of his Arrival doubting lest he should come upon them with all his Forces they raised their Siege and returned into Flanders XVII When King Philip understood that by his drawing so near them he had obliged them to quit the Siege of Aire and that their Army was now disbanded being tid of that Fear he began to march with all his Forces from Arras to go the way he had before resolved on toward Calais The first Day he went to Hesdin on the River Canche where he tarried one Day for his Carriages the next day he removed forward to Blangys en Ternois where he also tarried the remainder of that Day to advise further what Course to take now Here it was agreed to take the direct way thrô Boulonois and that way accordingly King Philip took the next Day with a mighty Army of about d Ita Frois sed Mezeray 150000 tantùm 200000 Men one with another so that his Host together with his Carriages took up in length above three Leagues of the Country For there was now with King Philip besides the Lords and others aforemention'd and their several Retinues the Lord e Stow p. 244. Charles King of Bohemia Marquess of Moravia and Elect Emperour thô as yet Lewis of Bavaria was not dead who brought with him a great Army of Bobemians Luxemburghers and other Germans and sware to King Philip that he would either by Force or Treaty raise the Siege or at least victual the Town for another Winter But how well he kept his Word we shall see hereafter The Army passed on leaving on the Right hand the County of Fauquenbergh and so proceeded
Motto wrought upon his Surcoat and Shield Hay hay the White Swan By Gods Soul I am thy Man. The same Liberty which was granted to the n Stow ibid. King of Scots was also allowed to Ralph Earl of Eu and Guisnes and Constable of France with the Earl of Tancarville the Lord Charles of o Valois apud Stow male Blois and many other both French and Scotch Captives to whom the Courteous King not only permitted the use of Arms upon this and other the like occasions but impartially awarded them the Prizes they deserved Particularly the Earl of Eu bare himself at this time with so much Honour that King Edward adjudged unto him that days Prize and soon after gave him p Knighten p. 2606. n. 64. leave upon Paroll to return into France in order to gather up 20000 Scutes for his own Ransom and to negotiate about the Redemption of others his Country-men that were then also Prisoners here But this Favour of King Edwards thus graciously bestowed on this Worthy Personage proved accidentally an occasion of such a Mortal Jealousie to the French King that thereby he found or made a Pretence to bereave him of his Life as in the next Year we shall shew more plainly The mean while the Fame of these frequent and notable Tourneaments held by so Warlike a Prince invited hither many Gallant Knights from Foreign Parts but especially the Young Noblemen of Gascoign came hither as to the Chiefest School of War to practise themselves in Feats of Arms And during the Summer-season both these and others the Prisoners of both Nations were allow'd to q Stow p. 246. follow the Court and pass their time with the King and his Nobles in hunting in Claringdon-Park near Salisbury in Wiltshire and in several other the Kings Forests both in those parts and elsewhere V. On the r Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 112. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 786. b. ex Claus 23. Ed. 3. par 2. m. 5. ex Chart. 23. Ed. 3. n. 4. 20 of August King Edward being desirous to do further Honour to his Heroick Cousin Henry Plantagenet who already bore the Title of Earl of Lancaster Darby and Leicester and Steward of England added further the Title and Dignity of Earl of Lincoln granting him therewith the Annual Fee of 20 pounds to be paid by the Sheriff of that County in lieu of the Tertium denarium as Thomas his Uncle late Earl of Lincoln had before him And hereupon Å¿ Ret. Vasc 23. Ed. 3. m. 3. he was constituted the Kings Lieutenant and Captain General in the parts of Poictou with Power to Treat of Peace and Amity as also for a strict observation of the Truce already taken with the French And upon his journey thither he obtain'd t Pat. 23. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 6. Licence to grant a 1000 l. per annum Lands and Rents unto certain Persons to dispose of according to his own direction for the term of 12 Years then to come VI. Now it is to be premised that the occasion of this Valiant Earls Expedition into Gascoign at this time was because by the Treachery of some wicked Men the Truce was highly violated there And u Stow p. 247. â John Duke of Normandy King Philips Eldest Son had made a great disturbance in that Dutchy challenging and taking of Places that belonged not unto him nor were King Edwards Captains there present able to impeach him And in Bretagne likewise about this time that Noble and Valiant Baron Sr. Thomas Dagworth who about 2 Years before had taken the Lord Charles of Blois before Roche D'Arien was basely and barbarously murder'd in time of Truce Froisard x Frois c. 153. says he was fairly fought withall by Sr. Ralph de Cahors who had sixscore Men of Arms in his Company before his Castle of Auray where together with him were slain an hundred Men of Arms English and Bretons Fabian y Fabian p. 228. says indeed the same French Knight slew him but that it was by chance-medley However the greater part of our z Knighton p. 2602. n. 42. Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 148. Stow p. 246 ex Sr Tho. de la More c Historians agree 't was done by fraud and not plain Valour and one relates the Matter thus that the Sons of Sabater with a few others having first laid a strong Ambush in the Wood adjoyning passed openly that way as designing to forage thereabouts Of these Prollers Sr. Thomas Dagworth who was the King of Englands Lieutenant in those parts and at that time lay in the Castle of Auray having notice with only 16 Armed Men in his Company pursued these Robbers who fled purposely toward their Ambush and enter'd the Wood after them where being surpris'd by the Ambush thô he slew no less than 300 of them yet at last having received five Wounds upon his Face and Body and lost all his Men who died faithfully by his side he himself was finally thrust thrô the Body with a Spear and ended his Life as formerly he had maintain'd it Valiantly and with Honour Froisard and from him Du Chesne and from them as it happens many of our old Writers call him Dangorne and Dagorne but this proceeding from the obscurity of old M. SS or the variation of the name thrô foreign Languages must be corrected and read Dagworth as is well known besides other undeniable Authorities from the Records themselves Wherefore neither is it material to observe the difference among Authors concerning the time of his Death some fixing it a Year more forward others two Years backward Since the a Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 148. ex Ret. Fra c. 23. Ed. 3. m. 5. Records are the surest Guide which in this place also I have followed However thus this Valiant Worthy fell thrô the Treason of the French and Bretons that held of their part for it was a notorious violation of the Truce leaving behind him by his Lady Eleanor Nicolas his Son and Heir then very young who in time came to be a notable Imitator of his Fathers Vertues and Revenger of his Death VII Such Provocations as these being given by the French both in Bretagne and in Gascogne King Edward easily provided for the former having already sufficient Captains in those Parts But as for the latter he constituted as we said before Henry Earl of Lancaster and Derby his Lieutenant and Captain General and b Stow p. 247. about the Feast of All-Saints sent him well provided into Gascogne Where presently he began to take the Field with an Army c Dugd. 1 Vol. 786. Hen. Knighton p. 2601. n. 60. p. 2602. of 30000 Men and marched forth to seek his Enemies for above ten Days in which time he took more than fourty Towns and Castles and with Fire and Sword made great Spoil for above 40 French Miles Southward At last he came to Tholouse a great and strong City on the
Mills Catal. Hener p. 324. Good Duke of Lancaster out of his devout Respect to the Canons of his Collegiate Church at Leicester permitted u Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 787. Knighton p. 2606. them this Year to enclose their Woods and stored them with Deer out of his own Parks and likewise interceded personally with the Pope for Appropriating the Churches of Humberston and Hungerton to the said Abbey About which time x Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 787. he received special Command from the King to keep a strict Guard upon the Sea-coasts of Lancashire and to arm all those 40 Lanciers which were then raised in his Territories of Monmouth Grosmont Whitcastle Kedeây Karwathelan and Iskennin for the publick Service For there came into y Ashmâle p. 682. c. England a prevailing Rumour that the French King had provided an Army and Navy to invade the Land wherefore now besides the Maritime Parts of Lancashire aforemention'd the King committed all the Sea-Coasts of Dorset Somersetshire Wilishire and Hantshire unto this powerfull Duke to secure and to resist the Enemy At the same time among others Thomas z Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 232. Beauchamp Earl of Warwick was one of the Commissioners assign'd by the King for the Arraying all sorts of Men able for the War as well Knights and Esquires as Others within the Counties of Warwick Leicester and Worcester As also a Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 153. Thomas Lord Musgrave and Thomas Lord Lucy were Commissioners for the like purpose in the County of Westmorland Sr. John b Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 168. Kirketon of Kirketon in Holland in Lincolnshire and Sr. John c Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 83. Willoughby of Eresby two noble Barons of the Realm being constituted Commissioners of Array in the said County as others were in other places for the Defence of the Realm against the French then threatning an Invasion Though this Threat like a great many more of theirs came to nothing The Earl of Warwick d Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 232. aforesaid recover'd about this time the Dominion of Gowerland in Wales from John Lord Moubray whose Title thereto accrued by the Lady Aliva his Mother Daughter and Heiress to William Lord Braose Which Lordship King John in the Fourth Year of his Reign had wrongfully given to William de Braose whilst Henry Son of Waleran Newburgh Earl of Warwick Ancestor to this Thomas Beauchamp now Earl was in his Minority But till now it could not be recover'd for the Right Owner thô e Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 69. Roger Predecessor to the said Waleran who lived in the Days of King Stephen was reputed to have been the Conquerour of Gowerland On which Account his Posterity had enjoyed it untill the said Fourth Year of King John. XIV This Year f Odor Rainal ad ann 1352. §. 24 25. c. Knighton p. 2605. n. 30. Walsing Hist p. 161. Frois c. 153 c. Pope Clement VI after he had sat in the Pontifical Chair ten Years and seven Months wanting a Day departed this Life in his Palace at Avignon on the 6th of December being as was thought poisoned In whose stead upon the 18 of the said Month was chosen Stephen Albert a Limousin by Birth Priest-Cardinal Titulo SS Joannis Pauli and then Bishop of Ostia he took upon him the Name of Innocent being the VI of that Name and was Crowned with the Papal Mitre on the 30 Day of the same Month the day after which he wrote his Letters Encyclical bearing Date 11 Kal. Januarii An o Pontif. I. But of his partiality towards his own Nation of France our Historians do not unjustly complain This very Month there departed out of this World the Hopefull Young Prince John Plantagenet Earl of Kent Son to Edmund of Woodstock King Edwards Uncle who had lately taken to Wise the young Lady Elizabeth Daughter to the Marquess of Juliers but died now without Issue as we have said So that his Sister Joan commonly called the Fair Maid of Kent being at that time g Dugd. 2 Vol. p 94. Sandford p. 215. ex Inquisitione câpta 13 Febr. 27 Ed. 3. 24 Years old and the Wife of the Lord Thomas Holland was found his next Heir and in her Right the said Sr. Thomas became Earl of Kent It is remembred h Stew's Survey of London p. 279. that two Fishmongers were this Year beheaded at the Standard in Cheap-Side London thô their Offence is not recorded Wherefore I only mention it to shew how more mild and humane thô withall seldome the Executions were under this Prince's Government in comparison of those Butcherly Dismembrings used during the Reign of King Philip of Valois his Adversary CHAPTER the TVVELFTH AN. DOM. 1353. An. Regni Angliae XXVII Franciae XIV The CONTENTS I. A hard Winter Storms Drought and Dearth II. A Riot in Chester The Black-Prince's Munisicence III. King Edward founds a College at Westminster IV. A Treaty with Scotland V. A Treaty and Truce with France VI. A Parliament with the Names of the Lords summon'd thereto c. VII Another Parliament wherein Roger Mortimer and Richard Fitz-Alan were fully restored VIII A Treaty at Avignon which begets a short Truce IX The Foundation of Trinity Hall in Cambridge X. A Quarrel between the Town and Vniversity of Oxford XI Two Fryers burnt at Avignon A Third recants at Paris I. THIS Year a Knighton p. 2607. n. 10. Walsingh Hist p. 161. M.S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 224. began with a terrible long hard and cold Winter which endured with extream Rigour from the 6 of December till the 12 of March and was succeeded by a furious Hurricane or Tempest of Wind the like whereof had not been seen in England For it tore up the Coverings and Leads of Churches overthrew Mills and Walls and Trees to the ground and did exceeding much Mischief in sundry places Besides which there happen'd an unusual Drought b M.S. id ibid. so that from March to July little or no Moisture fell upon the Earth Wherefore all manner of Seeds being corrupted there ensued a great Dearth of Corn and other Grain and Fruits Insomuch that England which was always before sufficient for it self was now fain to seek Assistance from other Countries Which thing being known to William of Bavaria Earl of Hainalt Holland and Zealand and Son in Law to Henry Duke of Lancaster out of his hearty Love to the English Nation he sent several Ships laden with fine Wheat to London to the great refreshment of the People And soon c Stow p. 254. after were brought great Quantities of Corn from Ireland which being distributed to several Port-Towns and Mercate-places of the Land was a timely Asswagement of the Dearth and a kind Relief to the poor People especially And then also by some means or other d Walsing ibid. there was a general Scarcity of Minerals as Iron Lead Brass
that when the Scots within the Town heard how King Edward himself was coming to its Relief they dismantled the Walls set fire on the Town and so fled away with all the Spoil they had gotten However King d Holinsh Engl. Chron. p. 955. Edward being now repossessed of the Place leaves behind him sufficient Hands both for the Defence thereof and to repair what was wanting in the Fortifications and himself in e Knighton p. 2611. three Great Battails marches forth into Scotland resolving f Buchan l. 9. p. 304. now to bring that Realm to terms of Agreement or to reduce them so low that He should never after stand in doubt of their Rebellion While he was at Roxborough Edward Bailiol King of Scotland considering g M. S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantabr c 230. how God Almighty wrought graciously and miraculously for King Edward and being also wearied with so long contending for little more than the Empty name of a King which of himself he was not able to maintain reflecting likewise that himself was now well gone in Years and had no Child to leave the Kingdom to upon these thoughts he concluded it wholly vain to labour any longer and therefore coming unto Roxborough by his Charter of Resignation he submitted the Crown of Scotland and all the Right Title and Interest that ever he had or might have thereto unto King Edward of England and his Heirs for ever only out of this Grant h Speed p. 581. he reserved to himself an annual Pension of 2050 pounds to be paid unto him during his Natural Life And he earnestly beg'd that he would now pursue his own quarrel to the utmost and i Buchan l 9. p. 304. not forget those manifold Injuries which the Scots had done unto them both This Solemn k Hâlââsh Engl. Chron. p. 955. Resignation King Bailiol confirmed by his Letters Patents made and given under his Hand and Seal and bearing Date 25 Januarii Ano. Domini 1356 which he deliver'd with his own hands to King Edward of England in sight of all the Lords both of England and Scotland there present Thô King Edward bearing a particular Love for his Third Son born but Second living Prince Lionel l Knighton p. 2611. n. 22. according to some accepted the Kingdom for him he to hold it by Homage now of Him and hereafter of his Elder Brother the BLACK-PRINCE and his Heirs For so says Knighton that King Bailiol resign'd all the Right which He claim'd to the Crown of Scotland to the Lord Lionel Son to the King of England Thô others say that King Edward not only received the Realm of Scotland to his own behoof but also soon after took upon him the Royalties thereof being at Scone in Presence of all the Prelates Lords and other great Men of both Nations m M. S. Vât Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 230. Crowned King of Scotland But We dare not averr so much our selves because We never find him to use the Title or any other way to signifie such a Matter II. However while King Edward and the Bailiol tarried at Roxborough Earl Douglas and many n Knighton p. 2611. n. 27. ad n. 50. of the Chief Nobles of Scotland came to him and treated with him as if they design'd to submit to his Peace and a Day was appointed for a full and final Agreement In order to which the King allow'd them 8 days Respite But the mean while these perfidious People convey'd the best of their Moveables beyond the Scottish Sea and then William Douglas sent word to the King That he would never submit himself to his Peace while he lived King Edward being thus again deluded marched forth with his Army divided into three Great Battails burning and destroying the Country on each side round about him as he passed till he came to Haddington But the Scots had removed out of the way all sorts of Provision so that for 15 days together the English could get no Drink but fresh Water wherefore they were obliged to return But the Scots were always ready both on their flank and Reer to cut off whosoever went forth from the main Host to forage While King Edward tarried at Haddington waiting for his Navy wherein the Provisions for his Army were his Men of War were not idle but ravaged about in the Country at their Pleasure doing much mischief to the Enemy but little good to themselves For there was neither Spoil to be met with of any Worth nor Victuals in any Quantity and Drink as We said before none but Water All that was good for any thing being carried away or consumed by the Scots The mean while the Northern Navy under the Command of the Lord o Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 26. Robert Morley their Admiral suffer'd great Damage at Sea for whether it was because they had spoil'd a Church of our Lady near Haddington called White-Kirk p Hector l. 15. fol. 326. n 6. Buchan l. 9. p. 304. Holinsh Engl. Chron. p. 955. as was said or for any other cause or by chance there arose such a Tempest and Vehement North-wind that many of their Vessels rushing together and beating rudely against the Banks and Sands were cast away with most of the Men and Provisions within them and the whole Fleet received much Damage being scatter'd so that hardly three Ships came into one Haven together For Displeasure whereof say the Scotch Writers King Edward fell to ravaging again and abundantly powred out his Anger upon Edinburgh Haddington and other Towns of Louthian Nor will I dissemble that he is here also said to have made terrible havock of Holy Places sparing it seems neither Church Abbey nor any other Religious House as if says Hector he was minded to make War against God and all his Saints But for this I must beg Hector's pardon if I do not so readily believe it partly because his Credit is not very great as We have frequently seen and partly because Buchanan says no such thing as also because that humour was contrary to King Edwards disposition who as Hector says thô falsly in one point slew his own Brother John of Eltham for the same sacrilegious humour and we have instanced more than once in this our History that he hath hanged several of his own Men for setting fire to Churches or Monasteries and lastly not to take Notice of Hector's superstitious humour I believe it not because of that notable Success which followed his Arms this Year in France and elsewhere as we shall shew presently However this is certain the King of England left at this time such Marks of his Resentments in those parts that because this Desolution happen'd about the Feast of the Purification of our Lady and so many Towns and Villages were fired by the English The Scots ever after q Hector ibid. sed ibi bruit malè pro brunt brunt pro burnt called it
with certain Knights and Esquires of Gascogne and of England in his Company intending from thence to repair to King Edwards Camp before Rheims These Men the young Lord of Gomegines being inflam'd with a desire to advance his Reputation in War encreased to the Number of 300 Men of Arms and then set forth in the Head of them from Maubeuge and went to Avesnes in Hainalt whence he proceeded to Terlon Now the Lord of Roye who lay in Garrison at Roye in Picardy with a sufficient Number of Knights and Esquires heard of these Preparations of the Lord of Gomegines and that he was going to serve King Edward in the Siege before Rheims and must of necessity as he also knew pass through Tierasche and being exactly inform'd at what time he was to set forward sent word thereof to certain Captains his Friends of the French party But especially to the Lord Canon Robsart an Experienced and Valiant Gentleman who then menaged the young Earl of Coucy's Lands and lay at the Castle of Marle in Tierasche The Lord Robsart at the time appointed joyn'd the Earl of Roye with 40 Spears But the Earl was Commander in Chief of the whole Enterprise not only in consideration of his Quality but because he had been the first Deviser thereof So he led forth in all 300 Men of Arms and went and laid an Ambush where he knew the Lord of Gomegines musts needs pass who suspecting nothing of this Matter was already enter'd Tierasche taking his way toward Rheims where King Edward lay On a morning he came to a certain Village called Hercigny where he thought to refresh his Men a while and so to proceed But as his Men were setting up their Horses he himself being young lusty and desirous of Honourable hazards said that for his part he would ride a little way out of Town to see if he could meet with any forage and thereupon selecting out 50 Men he marched out of the Village a Valiant Esquire of England named Christopher Moor bearing his Banner before him Now the Frenchmen who knew all their Motions were not far off from the said Village in a close Ambush thinking because the other equall'd them in Number not to stir till Night and then by surprising the Town make their Advantage For they were fully informed of their being there But it seems the Lord of Gomegines thrust himself now into their hands before they had hoped for such fortune themselves When the Frenchmen saw him at first with so small a Company they wonder'd who it should be and sent out a couple of light Horse to view them who returning brought word that they were a party of those they had expected At this they all brake out of their Ambush crying Roye in the Name of the Lord of Roye who rode foremost with his Banner displayed before him and the Lord Flamone of Roye his Cousin was with him together with Sr. Lewis of Robsart and the Lord Canon Robsart his Brother Sr. Tristram of Bonroy and others When the Lord of Gomegines saw what a case he was in like a resolute Gentleman he stood still to receive them and scorn'd to flinch a Foot. But at the very first brunt he was overthrown Horse and Man and finally there taken Prisoner and with him two Esquires of Gascogne who had fought with singular Valour as did also Christopher Moor Esquire who bare the Standard but at last together with that fell into the Frenchmens hands To be brief all on that side were either slain or taken except the Valets who escaped by running away the Enemy slighting to pursue them especially seeing they took not the way to the Town where the rest of their Men lay to discover unto them what had been done But the Field being f Frois c. 209. c. now clear'd the Conquerours took their Horses and rode into the Village upon the spur crying Roye in the Name of the Lord Roye whereat those in the Town were extreamly surprized to see their Enemies so near them they not knowing what was become of their Captain and beside most of them were unarmed and scatter'd abroad in the Town Wherefore being out of hope to make any tolerable Defence they began to yield themselves and the Frenchmen bestow'd them about in their Lodgings The Lord Canon Robsart had a great many Prisoners because he was best known to the English and Gascogners by his Banner with which they had been acquainted But some fled into a little House of Defence at the end of the Town which was moated about and might perhaps have proved a Refuge at that time had they been all of one mind but some said it was best to make good the place because it was strong enough to secure them till they might send word to the Army before Rheims from whence they should doubtless have a speedy Succour Others said 't was difficult to send now the Enemy was there and impossible to defend it till the return of an answer While thus they were concerting of Reasons the Lord of Roye with one decisive peremptory threat commanded them to yield up immediately For if they put him to the trouble of taking them by force they were all no better than dead Men. At these Words the stoutest of them all began to misdoubt the Event and so they presently agreed to yield only on security of their Lives After this all the Prisoners were sent to the Castle of Coucy and other French Garrisons to be kept till their Ransoms should be paid But when King Edward heard of the Matter he was greatly displeased but was obliged to digest it as well as he could For the only cure for irreparable Afflictions is Patience And this Adventure happen'd in the latter end of December in the Year of our Lord MCCCLIX the Siege then enduring before Rheims VIII On the 20 g Frois c. 209. Knighton p. 2622. Lord Montagne's Essays c. 5. l. 1. p. 11. of the said Month the Lord Bartholomew Burwash Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter went with a Detachment from before Rheims and laid Siege to the Town and Castle of Cormicy which was near unto his Quarters for all the Great Lords were disposed about in strong Bodies abroad in the Country as well for Conveniency of Quarters as to stop up all the Avenues that no Provision should enter the City This Fortress belonged to the Archbishop of Rheims and was now by him so well furnish'd that it seem'd far enough out of all Danger For therein was a square stone Tower with Walls of a Wonderfull thickness and at all Points sufficiently provided for a Siege and moreover the Town it self was fenced with a Double Ditch and High Walls But against this Place came the Lord Burwash together with the Lord John Botetourt and other Knights as well of his own Retinue as belonging to the Prince of Wales to the Duke of Lancaster and the Earl of Richmond These Men
they saw themselves so considerable they began to ordain among them Captains and Leaders whom they promised to obey in all things For even wicked Societies cannot hold together without Order And the Chief of their Captains were these Sr. Seguin de Batefoil a Knight of Gascogne who had no less than 2000 Fighting Men Taillebert of Talleboton Guyot du Pyn the little Mechin Battailler the Wicked Hanekin Francois the Burgrave de Lesparre Nandon de Bergerac the Burgrave de Boure the Burgrave of Bretuel Nucharg Aberdenny a Scot Bourdonnel a German Bernard de la Salle an Hainalder Lortingo de la Salle his Kinsman Robert Briquet Edmund of Ortigo Sr. Garses du Chastel Gironet de la Baulx Carnelle and Others Who being thus gather'd together about Midlent resolved to go to Avignon to give the Pope and Cardinals a Visit more for the love of Prey than Devotion for whatever Treasure the Church might then have in Heaven they laid up some Treasures also on Earth as well as Men of the World. Wherefore these Late-Comers went thitherward thrô the Land of Masconnois intending for the Earldom of Foretz or Forestes that plentifull Country and towards Lyon on the River Rhosne VI. When King John heard of all this and how these Robbers daily encreased and ravaged his Realm he was infinitely displeased for his Council told him that without a speedy remedy these Evil Companions might encrease so strangely as to be able to do more Mischief than ever was done by the Englishmen themselves in time of War Wherefore they advised him to send against them a well form'd Army without any more delay Then the King wrote his Special Letters to his Cousin the Lord James of Bourbon k Mezeray Earl of la Marche who was at that time in the Town of Mompellier in Languedoc having newly put the Lord John Chandos in Possession of divers Lands Cities Towns Castles Forts and other Places thereabout belonging to the King of England by Vertue of the Peace as we said before The King in his Letters desired his Cousin of Bourbon to be his Chief General to muster Souldiers to a sufficient Number till he should find himself able to keep the Field and then go forth and fight against these Companions and root them out The Lord of Bourbon immediately on receipt of these Letters went Post to the City of Agen in Agennois whence he issued out his Letters and sent Messengers into all Parts desiring and commanding in the Kings Name all Knights and Esquires to come to him ready appointed for the War which was done accordingly For this Lord James of Bourbon was generally beloved over all France so that every one obey'd him readily and drew to the Place of General Rendezvous towards Lyon on the River Rhosne from Auvergne and Limosin from Provence and Savoy and from the Dauphiné de Vienne and moreover many Valiant Knights and Esquires were sent from Burgundy by the Young Duke who was not yet dead With all these Forces the Lord James of Bourbon marched forth from Lyon and the Parts of Masconnois and Beaujolois and entred the Earldom of Forestes where his Sister was Lady in Right of her Children for the Earl of Forestes her Husband was then newly dead Wherefore she govern'd the Country by the Hands of Sr. Reginald of Forestes her Husbands Brother who received the Lord James of Bourbon and his Company with great joy and feasted him to his Power as did also his two Nephews who presented their Service to their Uncle the Earl of la Marche to ride with him in Defence of their Country against the Companions who were by this time about Charolle and Tornus drawing thitherward For when they understood how the Frenchmen were gathering together to suppress them their Captains presently went to Council to advise how to maintain themselves At this time they found their Number to be no less than 16000 Fighting Men wherefore they said among themselves Let us then go boldly against these Frenchmen who are so desirous to find us out and let us fight them at some Advantage if we can or else without for we are enough If Fortune favour us at this time we shall be rich for ever as well by the Prisoners we shall take as by the Booty of the Field and also we shall gain such Reputation to our Arms that none hereafter will dare to withstand us and if we lose we have no more to care for Being thus agreed they dislodged and went up the Mountains designing to pass into the Land of Forestes and to come to the River of Loire but in their way they found a Good Town called Charlieu in the Bailywick of Mascon where they made a fierce Assault which lasted an whole Day yet the Place was so well desended by the Gentlemen of the Country that they could win nothing there Then they marched forward sending abroad several Detachments to scour the Country of Beaujolois where having done considerable Dammage they entred the Bishoprick of Lyon. In their March they would be sure to take some small Hold or other every Day where they lodged usually for the Night following making sad Havock of all things whereever they came One day particularly they took a Castle called Brignais about three Leagues from Lyon with the Lord thereof and his Lady in the Place and there they lodged and refreshed themselves and here they were certainly informed how the Lords of France were drawn into the Fields and stood ready to receive them The Lord James l Frois c. 215. fol. 110. of Bourbon was now again return'd to Lyon when he understood that the Companions drew near him apace having won the Castle of Brignais and many other Holds and brought the Country into great Desolation At this News he was extreamly displeased because he was Guardian to his Nephews the Earl of Forestes Sons and had the Care of their Lands Wherefore he drew into the Field and muster'd his Men and found them to be an Army sufficient to cope with the Enemy but first he sent out his Currours to view the Face of the Enemy and to consider well their Number and their Order and where he should surely find them In the mean time these subtle Companions had taken a Mountain at Brignais near Lyon where they so order'd themselves that they could not be perfectly view'd and so the best Armed Troops were conceal'd behind and the Residue who were worse armed and a far smaller Number stood ready ranged along in Order of Battle on the Hill side These Men only were seen by the Lord of Bourbons Currours whom they permitted leisurely to view them thereby to feed them with an Errour that might prove their Bane Being come back to the Earl of la Marche these Men told him what they had discover'd saying to him and the Lords about him Sirs we have seen yonder Company your Enemies and have viewed them well to our Power and all things
Princes his Relations and Allies XI But while these things were in Agitation the Frenchmen and Navarrois were drawing near each other toward the obtaining of a Battle to which they came about two oâ three Days before the Coronation Now c Frois c. 220. f. 116. vid. in Veta Captal de Bââche apud Libâdict True Use of Armoây in ãâã Câion the Captal of Busche had made his Rendezvous in and about the City of Eureux in Normandy and being fully provided and having left Sr. Michael Dorgery Captain of the Place instead of Sr. Guy of Granville whom he had sent to Conches to keep Frontier War there he began his Murch from Eureax with an Army of 700 Spears 300 English Archers on Horseback and 500 other Chosen Men of War Archers and Footmen For he was sully informed how the Frenchmen were abroad near those Parts thô at that time he knew not exactly where they were but resolved to find them out In this small but well compacted Body of Men were several Valiant Knights and Esquires particularly a Banneret of the Realm of Navarre called the Lord of Salses an expert Man at Arms also the Lord Peter of Samville the Lord William of Granville the Lord Bertram de la Franque Sr. Bascels of Mareville Sr. Geoffry of Roussillon and many Others But Sr. John Jones an English Knight lead the greatest Number of Archers and Men of Arms of any Gentleman there and all of them were very desirous to meet Sr. Bertram de Clequin and to give him Battle On Monday in Whitsun-week the Captal began his March from Eureux towards Passy and Pont de l'Arche for he thought the Frenchmen would pass the River of Seyne either at Vernon or Pont de l'Arche if they had not passed already But on the Tuesday as he rode forth of a Wood he accidentally met with an English Herald called Faulcon who but that same Morning had passed by and seen the French Army The Captal knew him at the first sight both by his Face and Ensigns of his Office and began to make much of him for the King of England his Masters Sake He demanded whence he came he said from Paris then the Captal asked him if he could tell any News of the Frenchmen who were abroad Sir said he in the Name of God I should know pretty well where they be for I came from them but this Morning and they seem as desirous to find you as you are to find them Where are they said the Captal beyond Pont de l'Arche or on this side They passed the River replied Faulcon at Vernon and I believe by this time they are got as far as Passy What Number do you judge them to be said the Captal and who are their Prime Leaders Pray Sir let me know that Sir said Faulcon I judge them to be at least 1500 Fighting Men and their Chief Captains are Sr. Bertram de Clequin who commands the greatest Number his Troops consisting mostly of Bretons Then there is the Earl of Auxerre the Vicount de Beaumont the Lord Lewis de Châlons the Lord of Beaujeu the Master of the Crossbows the Lord Edward de Renty and of your Gascogners there is Arnold de Cervoles the Arch-Priest the Lord Edmund de Pamiers the Lord Soldiche de l'Estarrac and the Lord Albrets Men were there When the Captal heard these Gascogners named he was much surprised and blushing for Displeasure said Faulcon is this true that you say Are these Lords of Gascogne there and the Lord of Albrets Men Yes Sir answered the Herald most certainly And where then is the Lord of Albret himself said the Captal Sir replied Faulcon I left him at Paris with the New King there who is now preparing to go to Rheims for they say that on Sunday next he is to be Crown'd there Then said the Captal laying his hand on his own Head in great displeasure By St. Anthonies Cap Gascogne against Gascogne Sir said Faulcon Hard by there tarries for me an Herald sent from the Arch-Priest who earnestly desires to speak with You. Say ye so said the Captal you may e'n tell the French Herald that he need not trouble himself any further but let him return and tell the Arch-Priest since he appears in the Field against me I 'll have nothing to do with him At this Sr. John Jones stept forth saying Sir why will you not vouchsafe to speak with him Perhaps he may have some Proposal or secret Advice for our Advantage Nay said the Captal ' Ill warrant you there is little Good intended for us for the Arch-Priest is so contentious a Person that if he comes hither hee 'l do nothing but brawl and brangle and all the while observe our Strength Order and Number which may prove of ill Consequence to us And for that reason I desire not to speak with him now And with that the Herald Faulcon was dismissed back to the French Herald who tarried for an Answer under an Hedge hard by and excused the Captal unto him so discreetly that he went away satisfied and told the Arch-Priest what he had heard from Faulcon Thus Both Parties were informed of each other but the Captal having understood the Number of his Enemies and doubting by the Greatness of their Leaders that they were yet far more than Report made them dispatch'd away immediately a Light Horseman to the Captain of Eureux desiring him presently to send unto him all manner of Companions or Souldiers of Fortune and Others whom he could spare well armed and mounted and who should all find him at la Croix St. Leoffroy for thereabout he thought to meet the French and he said he would most surely fight them where're he found them Sr. Michael Dorgery the Captain of Eureux sent him accordingly above Sixscore lusty young Men Natives of the Town besides Others So all that Tuesday the Captal lodged on a Mountain and the Frenchmen the mean while marched forward to find him till they came to a River which led toward Eureux but had its Rise near Conches and there they took up their Quarters near to Aquigny for the remainder of that Tuesday in a fair Meadow along by the Rivers side The next Morning both Parties sent out their Currours to see if they could bring any fresh Tidings of each other and then it appeared that they were not above two Leagues asunder At that time the Captal rode by the Guidance of Faulcon towards the French that same way by which he had travelled from them and about Noon he came into the way to la Croix St. Leoffroy and passed the River Eure when they might plainly see the French before them ordering their Battails but there were with them so many Ensigns and Streamers that they seem'd to be double the Number they really were Wherefore the Captal rested his Men a while near a little Wood that was there and the mean while called his Captains together and gave Directions how
love me or fear my displeasure to keep the Field and to do your Devoirs till the Business of the Day shall be decided But as for me I must withdraw and not come among you again during this Fight For I am under an Oath never to fight nor bear Arms in Person against one certain Knight who is now in the Field on the other side And so I would have you say to those who shall chance to ask for me This Oath the Archpriest had made to the Captal of Busche and therefore before the Battle endeavour'd to accommodate Affairs by speaking with him or at least to have warned him of the Frenchmens stratagem against his Person But the g True Use of Armory p. 122 in Vitâ Captal de Busche id p. 128. Captal seeing him now armed in the Field against him contrary to his Oath was so displeased as not to vouchsafe him a Conference whereby he lost himself However the Arch-priest being now mindfull of his Obligation left the Field with one only Esquire to wait on him and repassed the River leaving his Troops not withstanding behind him Whereupon the rest of the Army never mist him because they saw his Banner there all the while and so verily believed him to be Personally present In the beginning of the Battle when Sr. John Jones saw the Frenchmen returning in such good Order upon him he perceived his Error and knew well he had too unadvisedly left his former Post but however like a Man not used to fear when he found the Captal and the rest of the Army would not forsake him he marched toward his Enemies with great Resolution hoping to extort a Victory by pure Valour He chanced to be matched with Sr. Bertram of Clequin and his Bretons all expert and chosen Men of War who notwithstanding found no Childrens Play from Sr. John and his English Troops He for his part before he joyned made an Halt to review and encourage his Men and then he brought his Archers forward who before were in the Reer and so the Archers began the Battle shooting fiercely against the Frenchmen But they were so well armed that they received but little harm thereby wherefore soon they came to Handy-stroaks on all sides and the Men of Arms fell on one another with Spears Swords and Axes so that the Fight was bloody and furious The Gascogners especially who were on the French Part came against the Captal and his Gascogners with such fury and animosity as is usually seen between Countrymen when they come against one another in a civil War or otherwise Thus were the French and Navarrois hotly engaged on all Hands and by wrestling and strength of Arms they wan Spears Axes and other Weapons from one another and took Prisoners and slew and wounded on both Sides with such Courage and Bravery that it was wonderfull to behold And truly the Frenchmen had need at that time not to sleep or stand idle for they dealt with Men of approved Valour and Conduct wherefore it behoved them all to play the Men and to defend their Bodies to the utmost of their power and to take all manner of Advantages or else most certainly they had lost the Day And surely the Bretons and Gascogners on the French side behav'd themselves like good Souldiers and did many Wonders in Arms as also did the Navarrois English and Gascogners on their Part. But now while the Battle waxed thus hot and Victory was gallantly courted on both Sides but seem'd as yet inclinable to neither the Thirty chosen Men of Arms who were appointed to set upon the Captal and stood hitherto aloof on Horseback caring for nothing but the execution of their Design came all together upon the Captal of a sudden as he was fighting with a massy Ax in his Hand wherewith he gave such Mortal stroaks that hitherto none durst abide him But these Thirty Men breaking the Preass by force of their Barbed Horses fell all together upon him at once and so seised his Person and took him Prisoner At that instant the fury of the Battle waxed much hotter than before the Frenchmen being animated with so notable a Success and the Captals Men crying out To the Rescue But all their Endeavours for his Rescue prevailed little all their Horses being removed far out of the way and beside the Captal was immediatly convey'd out of the Field by those Horsemen that had taken him who never rested till they had convey'd him as far as Vernon upon the Seyne Before the Captals taking it was hard to judge to whom the Victory enclin'd but now the Matter was presently decided For at that instant while the Englishmen and the other Navarrois were labouring to rescue their General the Gascogners on the French Part as namely the Troops of the Lord of Albret and the Lord Edward Pamiers the Lord Soldiche of Estarrac and Sr Petiton of Courton with their Retinues divided themselves into two Bodies the one whereof kept the Field where they fought before and the other addressed themselves couragiously toward the Captals Standard which stood high on a bush of Thorn with sixty Chosen Men of Arms for its Defence They came on with a mighty Shout but were bravely received for those who guarded the Standard were Chosen Men of War especially Sr. Bascells of Mareville and Sr. Geoffry of Roussillon their chief Captains Wherefore many were taken and rescued on both Sides and many wounded reversed and slain before the matter was determin'd But at last the Navarrois that kept the Standard being far outnumbred were overcome and the Lord Bascels of Mareville slain and the Lord Geoffry of Roussillon taken Prisoner and the Captals Standard was pulled down and torn all to pieces The mean while the Bretons Frenchmen Picards and Burgundians acquitted themselves to their great Commendation which they had need enough to do for the Navarrois had once made them give back at which time they slew the Vicount of Beaumont which alone was a great Loss on the French Side for he was a young Valiant Knight and of fair hopes whose Body yet his Friends made shift to bear out of the Field And at that time the Navarrois stood so fair for the winning Cast that 't is thought they had notwithstanding obtain'd the Victory if just then as they were upon the very point of Prevailing the other Battle who had won the Captals Standard had not come upon them and the Rereward also was brought by Sr. Bertrams order who together wholly turned the Scales on the other Side However 't is said by Authors of those Days how it was hardly ever seen that two such little Armies should so long maintain themselves with such obstinate Valour all on Foot fighing hand to hand as they were intermingled together with Swords Spears and Axes of Steel contending for the Day On the French Part Sr. Petiton of Courton and the Lord Soldiche of Estarrac received so many Wounds that they were
he sent word thereof into the Principality of Aquitain to the English Knights and Esquires of the Princes Court but especially to the Noble Lord John Chandos desiring him and them heartily now at this great and last Pinch to send him a Competent Assistance not doubting but that in Bretagne they should find many a fair and honourable Adventure for which all men of Honour ought especially to seek toward the Advancement of their Names When the Lord John Chandos who greatly desired the Prosperity of this Noble Earl saw how earnestly he wrote unto him he went immediately and asked leave of the Black-Prince his Lord and Master who told him He was well content that he should go to the Assistance of his Dear Brother-in-Law because said he this is no Breach of the Peace between England and France For the Frenchmen in like manner take Part with Sr. Charles of Bloic against the Earl of Monford and have a Licence so to do from the French King himself And thus much was expresly agreed on in the c Vid. l. 3. c. 6. §. 10. Art. 22. p. 588. XXII Article of the Peace of Bretigny that if the two Parties cannot be reconciled the Friends of either of them shall aid either Party as they please without any impeachment from the said two Kings or without incurring or bearing any dammage blame or reproach for the cause aforesaid With this answer Sr. John Chandos was extreamly satisfied and provided accordingly desiring several Knights and Esquires both of England and Aquitain to bear him Company in this his Attempt Thô but a few Gascogners I know not upon what Grounds for 't is evident they lov'd him well went with him but several English Knights that were there except such whom the Prince's Service detain'd embraced the Invitation heartily So having collected 200 Spears and as many Archers Voluntiers for the Prince would not appear in the Matter he lead them thrô Sainctogne and Poictou till passing the Loire he entred into Bretagne and came safely to the Siege before Auray Here he found the young Earl of Monford who received him with great joy as who divin'd himself a Victory from his Coming and so did Sr. Oliver Clisson Sr. Hugh Calverley Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. Walter Hewet Sr. Matthew Gournay and others both English and Bretons who all generally concluded there could no ill Success fall unto them now that they had the Lord Chandos in their Company Upon the account of whose Reputation in Arms sundry Knights and Esquires of England passed the Sea being desirous to advance their Honour in Fighting against the Frenchmen all who came in good time before Auray where they were heartily welcome to the Earl of Monford and some of them brought d True Use of Armory in Bib. Cotton Lord Chandâs his Liâe p. 62. Letters from the King of England directed to the Lord Chandos wherein he was required to take particular care of his most Dear Son Monford and in time of Battle constantly to attend his Person And now the whole Number of English and Bretons amounted to about 2000 Men of Arms and about 900 Archers on Horseback besides Footmen II. All this while Sr. Charles of Blois was in the City of Nantes where he made his Musters and gather'd together Men of War from all Parts where he could procure them for Love or Money For he had perfect Intelligence of all the Earl of Monfords Preparations But especially he required all those Lords Knights and Esquires of Bretagne who had already own'd his Cause and Title and rendred Homage unto him as to their Lord to come now and help him to defend his Inheritance against his Enemies Upon these Summons there came unto him the Vicount of Rohan the Lord of Rochefort the Lord of Leon the Lord of Raix and the Lord of Rieux the Lord of Malestroit the Lord of Quintin the Lord of Avaugeur the Lord of Lodeac the Lord of Ancenis the Lord of Lomine the Lord of Ponto and Sr. Charles of Dinant with divers others whose Names we cannot at such a Distance recover All these together with their several Retinues were quarter'd in the City of Nantes and in the Villages thereabout and together with the Aid from France consisted of 4500 Men of Arms besides Crossbows and Footmen These Lords in a Council of War advised the Lord Charles now that he was so strong not to waste any more time there but presently to march forth against his Enemy and give him Battle This Counsel the Lord Charles resolved to pursue and being now ready to march the sprightly and Masculine Lady his Wife the Lady Jane Daughter of Guy Earl of Pentebria who was Elder Brother to John of Monford stept forth and said these Words unto him in presence of Sr. Bertram of Clequin and many other Lords and Knights of France and Bretagne Sir You are now going to fight for mine Inheritance and your own for what is mine is yours also which the Earl of Monford claims wrongfully and without cause God Almighty knows And all the Lords of Bretagne here present know very well that I am indubitate Heiress thereto Therefore my Dear Lord and Husband I heartily require of You not to make or accept any Composition Agreement or Treaty of Peace with Earl Monford unless the whole Body of the Dutchy shall be yielded to remain entire with Us and our Heirs for ever This her Husband promised to do and then saluted and took leave of his Dutchess as they call'd her and so directed his march toward Vannes At which place he made an Halt as well to refresh his Army as to inform himself of his Enemies behaviour and to advise how to get some advantage in ordering his Men. Here there was much altercation and debate among his Council for certain of the graver sort who were wholly sway'd by Christian Principles of Charity made such friendly Overtures that the Lord Charles of Blois who was of a sweet and Candid Disposition had perhaps been perswaded to accept of a Peace and to Divide the Dukedom had he not been so adjured by the last Words of his Lady and also now set on by the encouragement of the Hotter sort of his Captains that he absolutely declared he neither could nor would propose or admit of any such kind of Treaty III. Now between Vannes and Auray where the Earl of Monford held Siege it was about the space of Three Leagues so that News was presently brought to the Earl that the Lord Charles of Blois was coming with the goodliest Company of Men armed at all Points that ever was seen in France At these tidings the Englishmen rejoyced greatly the better sort for the opportunity of gaining Honour and the Companions for the occasion of reaping benefit For being almost bankrupt with the long Peace they desired nothing more than War in hopes of Spoil and Riches Then they all made ready their Harness with great exactness new furbished their Spears
your Father as being a part of the Remainder of King John's Ransome And Sir at this time collect by your Interest among your Friends all the Money you can possibly for you will find need enough without Taxing or Assessing your Subjects for while you keep their Hearts you cannot be poor This and several other prudent Directions were readily followed by the Prince who soon after caused Two parts in Three of all his Plate to be melted down and coined into Money to be bestowed liberally among his Men of War and he sent also into England to the King his Father for the foresaid 100000 Franks King Edward who well knew what an important matter his Son was going about and how Expensive his Design must needs be granted him the said Summ at the first word and presently directed his Letters to the French King willing him to pay the Money to the Princes Use And accordingly the 100000 Franks were paid upon sight of King Edwards Letters and so brought to the Prince who distributed all among his Souldiers One day as Prince Edward was in his Chamber in the City of Angoulesme together with certain Lords and Knights of England Poictou and Gascogne after many pleasant Discourses and Raileries and other Diversions they fell again to touch upon the Expedition then in hand and this was in that while that the Lord Chandos was gone to treat with the Earl of Foix and the Companions of which we spake but now At last the Prince turned his head toward the Lord of Albret and said My Lord of Albret with what number of Men of Arms can you furnish Vs in this Expedition Why Sir replied he if I desire my Friends I shall easily find you a Thousand Spears and yet leave enough at home to defend my Land. Well said the Prince that 's nobly spoken and so turning himself towards the Lord Thomas Felton and other Knights of England he continued in English By my Faith a Man ought to set a Value upon that Land where there are such Barons as can serve their Lord with a 1000 Spears apiece and so turning again to the Lord of Albret he said in Gascogne Sir I retain them all to do me service in this Expeditiou Sir said Albret in the Name of God I am well content and shall not fail It was necessary not to have omitted this seeming small Matter because even hence there afterward arose an occasion of great Mischief as we shall see anon XVII It may not here seem amiss to say something about those Companions who were either Friends to the Prince of Wales or retained for his Service These Men met with many Difficulties before they came into the Principality and at last were fain to part into three Companies The greatest of the Three went coasting Foix and Bearn the Second from Catalunna thrô Navarre and so toward Armagnac all with the Consent and by the Favour of the King of Navarre the Earl of Albret the Earl of Foix and the Earl of Armagnac In the third Company which consisted chiefly of Gascogners were about 3000 who for convenience of Forage were fain to divide themselves in lesser Numbers 300 or 400 in a Body and so having with much adoe passed thrô Aragon into Languedoc they continued their March toward the Bishoprick of Thoulouse till at last a part of them came to Montauban At that time the Seneschal of Tholouse was a French Knight named Sr. Guy Dazay who hearing that the Companions were making that way that they rode divided into small Companies and that in all they were not above 3000 and yet were very weary with Travel but ill armed indifferently horsed and worse ordered then he said how he would never suffer any such Fellows to come into the Parts of Tholouse nor into the Realm of France but rather God willing he would meet them by the way and fight them So he sent word of his Resolution to the Lord Amorry Earl of Narbonne to the Seneschals of Carcassone and of Beaucair and to all Knights Esquires and Officers thereabouts requiring their Aid to defend the Frontiers against these Villanous Companions Those to whom he sent made haste to shew their Compliance by coming as soon as might be to Tholouse so that in all they made up 500 Spears Knights and Esquires besides 4000 Others all who took the Field about Montauban which was seven Leagues from Tholouse and when they were all met under the Conduct of the Earl of Narbonne they encamped near the said City of Montauban which at that time was under the Prince of Aquitain and he had set there a Valiant English Captain named Sr. John Combes The French Lords presently upon their coming sent their Van-Currors to ride before Montauban hoping so to entice out the Companions a Party whereof he knew to be then within the Fortress but they had particular notice of the Numbers of the French and so this Plot was in vain Sr John Combes for his part wonder'd greatly when he saw the Frenchmen come thus with an Army into the Princes Lands and so demanded by an Herald if he might be permitted to speak freely with the Frenchmen who allowing thereof he asked them who sent them thither and for what reason they took upon them to invade the Lands of the Prince who was a good Friend and Neighbour to them and to the Realm of France Sir said they we have no Commission to return you any Answer But to satisfie you of our Reasons if you will either go or send to our chief Leaders they no doubt will know what to say to your Demand Well Gentlemen said the Captain then I desire you to procure me a safe Conduct whereby I may have assurance of going unto them and returning again without Impeachment or else let them send me word plainly by what Title they will make War against me for if I knew the Certainty I would send word thereof to my Lord the Prince who I question not will quickly apply a due Remedy The Marshals of the French Host promised to do thus much for the English Captain and so they returned and told all his Words to their General who presently granted a safe Conduct for Sr. John Combes and Six Eight or Ten to come along with him and sent it to Montauban Having got the Safe Conduct Sr. John left the City with Five more in his Company and went to the French Camp where he found the French Lords who expected him and had well consider'd what to say unto him After Salutation past on both sides Sr. John demanded of them for what Cause they had sent their Van-Currours up to his Fortress and came with such an Army before Montauban which they knew belonged to Prince Edward They told him how they intended not to invade any Person or to begin a War but that they were resolved to pursue their Enemies to destruction whereever they heard they should be Sirs said the Knight who are these
Your Self in your Puissance But since We know for certain that You intend to give Us Battle We also hereby give You to know as certainly that wherever You enter into Castille You shall surely find Us before You ready to keep and defend this our Seigniory Dated at Saint Domingo de la Calzada c. Having sealed this Letter he called unto him an Herald and said Go your way as fast as may be to the Prince of WALES and bear him this Letter from me The Herald obey'd and rode toward Navarre and came to Pampelona where he found the Prince before whom He kneeled down and deliver'd the Letters of Don Henry his Master The Prince read the Letters twice over deliberately and having dismissed the Herald to another time presently sent for certain of his Council and demanded their Advice adding these Words Ha! said He I well perceive this Bastard is a Valiant Knight and sheweth a good Courage thus to write unto us After a short debate it was resolved in Council Not to write again as yet but that the Herald should be detained till it should appear seasonable to return an answer For the Prince intended at his own pleasure to return his mind by no other but this Herald wherefore he was commanded to tarry still and expect an answer V. That same day on which the Herald brought these Letters the Lord Thomas Felton stept forth before the Prince and required of him one Favour the Prince demanding what it was that he desired Sir said He I desire You would please to grant me your licence to leave the Army and to ride on before For there are several Knights and Esquires of my Retinue who are ambitious by some adventurous Exploit to advance their Honours And Sir I 'll engage to ride so forward as to make some discovery of our Enemies Behaviour and which way they move and where they are encamped The Prince readily granted his Request for which having return'd his thanks he began to ride forth before the Army as Chief Captain of that Enterprise with Sr. William Felton his Brother Sr. Hugh Stafford Sr. Thomas Hufford Sr. Simon Burly Sr. Richard Causton Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. Hugh Hastings Sr. Dangouses and several other Knights and Esquires in his Company the whole Number consisting of an 140 Men of Arms and 300 Select Archers all well Mounted These rode thrô Navarre by the help of Guides till they came to the River Ebro which is rapid and deep but they found a place to pass and so went and lodged in a Village called Navaret which they found void of Inhabitants for fear of the War and here they held themselves close the better to learn and hear where King Henry was While this Detachment lay thus at Navaret and the Prince remain'd in the Marches of Pampelona the King of Navarre as he was one day riding about from Town to Town with a few Attendants was seised on in his own Country by a Breton on the French side and the Bastards named Sr. Oliver Manny and made a Prisoner to the great Astonishment of all Men especially of the Prince of Wales and his Council and many Englishmen thought it was but a trick of his and that it could not have been done without his own Consent that so he might be excused from Conveying the Prince any further as not knowing how things might go between Don Henry and Don Pedro. And yet his Queen seem'd extreamly afflicted at the News of his being taken and came her self to the Prince and fell down on her knees before him and said Ah! Dear Sir for Gods sake have pity on my Condition and take some Care about the Deliverance of the King my Husband who is surprised fraudulently and taken away from Us and as yet the Manner cannot be known nor where he is But We desire of you for the love of God that he may be restored again unto Us. The Prince answer'd Certainly Fair Lady and Cousin the taking of the King your Husband is not a little displeasing unto Us but We hope shortly to provide a Remedy for him and you wherefore We desire you to comfort your self For this our Expedition once ended We shall mind no other thing but how to work his Deliverance With this the Queen of Navarre took her leave and went home but she sent to the Prince a Noble Knight called Sr. Martin Carre who undertook to Guide him thorough that Country and to furnish him with Guides for all his Troops otherwise they could never have kept the Right way thrô the straights and dangerous Passages Then the Prince marched from his former Quarters and passed by Escharriaranas which was another new trouble for the way thereabout was very narrow and mighty bad And here for some while many were kept short of Victuals for they found little or no subsistance till they came to Salvatierra This is a good Town and scituate in a fair and plentifull Country near the bounds of Navarre at the very entrance into Spain and at that time it held for the Bastard Henry Wherefore while the Prince's Army spread about in the Country to refresh themselves the Companions advanced with design to storm the Town of Salvatierra expecting if they took it by force to have the spoil thereof which they long'd for extreamly and they knew there was much wealth in the Town which had been brought thither from all Parts adjoyning out of Confidence of the Places strength But the Inhabitants thought not good to hazard all by Resistance for they consider'd that they could not possibly hold out long against so great an Army Wherefore they came forth and submitted themselves to Don Pedro presenting him with the Keys of the Town and begging his Grace and Pardon King Pedro at the Prince's Perswasion received them to Mercy thô otherwise he was minded to have put them all to the Sword for a terror to the rest But the Prince qualify'd this his Bloody Resolution by telling him that to refuse pardon to those who submitted was to arm all his Subjects with Despair against him Hereupon the Prince King Don Pedro the King of Majorica and the Duke of Lancaster enter'd and took Possession of the Town and the Earl of Armagnac and other Lords quarter'd in other Villages about the Town VI. All this while Sr. Thomas Felton and his Company lay at Navaret about five days Journey from the place where they left the Main Body of the English Army at first being mightily desirous to advance their Bodies and to purchase Honour by some well-menag'd Boldness They frequently sallied forth of Navaret and rode up to the very Skirts of the Enemies Camp to make what discovery they could of their Number and Behaviour As for King Henry he was lodged in the open Field much surprised that he heard no News of his Herald by whom he thought to have some account of the Prince before this Yet sundry times some Troops of his would ride as
that other 15000 Gennettours were disposed about as Wings in the First and Last Battails So that in all Don Henry had this day on his side no less than an 121000 Men one with another When all was rightly order'd He leap'd on a Strong Mule after the usage of that Country and rode about from Battail to Battail and from Squadron to Squadron with gracious and sweet Words praying and desiring every Man that day to do his utmost to defend and maintain his and their Right and Honour that they should remember how they were better Men and more numerous than their Enemies and that their Cause also was more just and as he spake he appeared so wonderfull Cheerfull and Magnanimous that every Man was glad to see him look so well and gather'd Matter of Courage to himself from so good a sign When Don Henry had thus encouraged his Men he return'd to his own Battail at which time the Sun began to rise and then he order'd his Banners to advance forward for he thought it more for his Honour to meet his Enemies than to expect them Rev. de Johanni Balderston S.I.P. Tutori suo sumÌe Colendo Coll EmÌanuelis apud Cantabr Magistro Socijsq ejusdem Coll Tabulam Hanc EDVARDI Principis Nigri Cognomi âmati Gratitudinis â Honeris ergo DDD Iosua Barnes Thô born unto and Meriting a Crown Unequal Fate allotted me a Grave Yet by my âârmes Don Pedro gain'd his Thââ To make a King than to bee Ones more strâââ XII As thus the two Armies approached near together the Prince went over a little Hill in the descending whereof he saw plainly his Enemies marching toward him Wherefore when the whole Army was come over this Mountain he commanded that there they should make an Halt and so fit themselves for Fight At that instant the Lord t Frois c. 237. fol. 133. Vid. Favine l. 7. c. 12. p. 270. Ashmole p. 42. Selden's Tit. Hon. p. 790. 791. c. John Chandos brought his Ensign folded up and offer'd it to the Prince saying Sir here is my Guidon I request your Highness to display it abroad and to give me leave to raise it this day as my Banner For I thank God and your Highness I have Lands and Possessions sufficient to maintain it withall Then the Prince took the Penon and having cut off the Tail made it a Square Banner and this done both He and King Don Pedro for the greater Honour holding it between their Hands display'd it abroad it being u Vid. l. 4. c. 2. §. 3. p. 698. Or a Sharpe Pile Gules as we have shew'd before and then the Prince deliver'd it unto the Lord Chandos again saying Sr. John behold here is your Banner God send you much Joy and Honour with it And thus being made a Knight Banneret the Lord Chandos return'd to the Head of his Men and said Here Gentlemen behold my Banner and yours take it and keep to your Honour and Mine And so they took it with a Shout and said that by the Grace of God and St. George they would defend it to the best of their Powers but the Banner remain'd in the hands of a gallant English Esquire named William Allestry who bore it all that Day and acquitted himself in the service right Honourably And now all the English and Gascogners quitted their Horses and ranged themselves on Foot in their former Order and so both Armies began a little to advance at which time the Prince of Wales having his Visor up x Frois ibid. lifted up his Eyes to Heaven and joyned his Hands together and said O Very God Jesu Christ who hast formed and created me grant by your Benign Grace that I may obtain this Day Victory of mine Enemies as what I do is in a Righteous Quarrel to sustain and aid this King whom they have Excluded from his Inheritance Which gives me the Courage to advance my Self against them thereby to re-establish Him in his Realm And therewithall being full of Faith and Courage he laid his Right Hand upon King Don Pedro who was next by him and said Sir King You shall know this Day whether ever you shall have any thing of the Kingdom of Castille or not Therefore advance Banners in the Name of God and St. George And just then the Duke of Lancaster and the Lord John Chandos approached their Enemies at which time the Duke said to Sr. William Beauchamp Lord of Bergavenny and Fourth Son to the Earl of Warwick Sr. William behold yonder our Enemies This Day you shall see me a good Knight or else to die in the Quarrel And with that Word he began to joyn Battle with Sr. Bertram of Clequin and the other Frenchmen and Aragonians and Strangers of divers Countries At the first Encounter there was a terrible Medley with Spear and Shield and for a certain while neither could open the others Ranks or prevail in the least so that many a noble Feat of Arms was performed and many a Man of Arms reversed and cast to the Earth who never after could be relieved Now while these two Battails of English and French were thus contending for the better the other were resolved not to stand long aloof but came on apace and joyned together with great Fury And first the Prince of Wales Himself with whom were Don Pedro King of Castille and the Lord Martin Carre who represented the King of Navarre's Person brought up his Main Battail and came against the Earl of Sancelloni and his Brother Don Sancho the Bastards Brethren But it seems he brought such Terror along with him that at the very first Shock the Earl and his Brother were so strangely surprised with Fear y Frois ibid. that they fled away suddenly they knew not why without either Order or Array with no less than 3000 Spears in their Company So that immediately that Battail was open'd and discomfited for the King of Majorica the Captal of Busche the Lord Oliver Clisson and their Battail follow'd on after the Prince and slew and hurt them at a prodigious Rate while the Prince who aim'd at a greater Matter marched directly forward and joyned freshly with the Third and Last Battail of the Spaniards where King Henry himself was with above 60000 Men Horse and Foot. Here the Fight began to be fierce and cruel indeed for the Spaniards and Castillians had Slings wherewith they whirled stones at such a rate that they clove and brake many an Helmet therewith and hurt and overthrew many a Man to the Ground The mean while the Archers of England shot fiercely from their Long Bows and slew many and did much Mischief both to Horse and Man. The one Party cried Castille for King Henry and the other St. George Guienne for the Prince of Aquitaine All this while the first Battail of England fought stifly being well match'd by the Frenchmen and here the Duke of Lancaster the Lord John Chandos the two Marshals Sr.
first very loth to part with him but Sr. Eustace shew'd him so many Reasons that he was forced to give him his leave So Sr. Eustace went on Board with all his own Troops and arrived safely at St. Malo whence he rode to Nantes there to pass the River of Loire all which was done not without the Consent of the Duke of Bretagne who yet otherwise stood neuter in the Case Thence he rode into Poictou and thence to Angoulesme to the Prince who received him gladly for he was one of the Best Captains of the Age. He had not been long there but the Prince sent him away to reinforce the Lord Chandos and the Captal of Busche who lay then at Montauban keeping the Frontiers against the French And to them Sr. Eustace was heartily welcome IV. The mean while the Knights of Picardy held their Rendezvous with design to go and assault the strong Town of Ardres which was about three French leagues from Calais about five from Graveling and from St. Omers four leagues Northward The Captains of these Forces by the French Kings Command was the Lord Moreau de Fiennes Constable of France and Sr. John Werchin Constable of Hainalt who made up no less than a 1000 Spears all Knights and Esquires besides Common Souldiers Being thus strong they went and lay down before the Fortress of Ardres which at that time was sufficiently provided with Englishmen and all things necessary wherefore the Garrison valued not the Siege a straw but were ready at their Defences as Occasion required and were at all Points well assured althô the Frenchmen had promised not to leave them till they should be Masters of the Place After two or three Days the Frenchmen Picards and Hainalders drew out into the Field ready armed for the Assault in fresh and terrible Array and so they set upon the Town in several places together with great Fury but nothing at all to their Advantage For many of them were slain and more wounded but no Man could tell of any Winnings they either then had or were like to have Wherefore on the fifth Day after their first coming thither they left Ardres little weaker in its Garrison but much stronger in the Resolution which the Enemies Despair of Prevailing had left behind And so that Expedition fell to nothing for all the Souldiers had leave to depart for that time to their several Homes V. A fairer Success crown'd the Arms of those Frenchmen who lay before Realville in Quercy for together with the Companions of their side they amounted to no less than 12000 Fighting Men besides 3000 of the Duke of Berry's Men lead by Sr. John of Armagnac Sr. John de Villemur the Lord of Beaujeu and other Knights of Auvergne and Burgundy who lay at least within two Days journey of them being ready to reinforce the Siege if need should be Now the Lord John Chandos and the Captal of Busche Sr Guischard Dangle Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt and other English Captains that kept the Frontiers at Montauban were well informed of all the Particulars of this Siege of Realville and of the great Number of Enemies with whom of themselves they were no ways able to cope and at the same time not hazard the loss of their own Garrison And yet they could not by any means perswade the two young Earls of Cambridge and Pembroke to break up for the present their fruitless Siege which they held still before Bourdeilles and to come and joyn them to save their Friends Which certainly had been more for their Honour and Advantage too for then having a pious and an honourable Work they might have returned to the Siege laden with Glory and a Civic as well as Triumphal Crown So the Frenchmen before Realville not only cast with their Engines night and day but set their Pioneers at work also who at last causing an huge Pane of the Wall to fall down the Town was enter'd and all the English within put to the Sword which was a great Pitty for among them were many Valiant Esquires But as for the Townsmen who were French-born they were taken to Mercy on Condition to be thenceforth True and Faithfull Subjects to the Crown of France And so the French Lords and Captains having set there New Officers with a good Garrison to defend the Place went away and took up their Quarters about in the Country of Quercy and Rouvergue to refresh themselves more at ease But the Companions of that part went to Cahors and thereabouts from whence they overran and infested all the Country as much as own'd the English the Names of their Captains were Edmund of Ortingo Perot of Savoy Ralph Braye the little Mechlin Arnold of Pons and others aforemention'd But the Earl of Perigort the Earl of Lisle the Vicount of Carmain the Earl of Cominges and other Gascogne Lords were fain to return into their several Countries For in Perigort lay the two Earls of Cambridge and Pembroke and on the other side Sr. Hugh Calverley Sr. Robert Briquet Sr. John Freville Nandon of Bergerac Sr. Ralph Camois the Bourg of Bartuel the Bourg de l'Esparre and all the Companions on the English side made sharp War and ravaged with Fire and Sword in and about the Lands of the Earl of Armagnac and of the Lord of Albret VI. All this while Sr. Thomas Wake that Valiant Seneschal of Rouvergue gallantly maintain'd for his Master the Black-Prince the City and Castle of Millaud which is about a Days journey from Mompellier and thô all the Country about him was soon after turn'd French yet still he held the Place maugre all his Enemies for about a Year and an Half afterward besides another good Fortress hard by In all which time he made many Excursions upon his Enemies to his Honour till Sr. Bertram of Clequin put him out of all as we shall see hereafter Because by reason of the Prince's sickness and the several small Armies of the Enemy the War was thus carried on by Parcels in many Places at once we hope the Judicious will pardon us for thus handling Matters as indeed they were acted by Piece-meal which yet we shall endeavour to do as exactly as the Nature of the thing will allow While the e Frois c. 255. f. 154. Earls of Cambridge and Pembroke lay thus before Bourdeilles there were in the Marches of Poictou Sr. John Bull Sr. William Bourde Sr. Lewis of St. Julian and Carlonet the Breton with more than 1200 Fighting Men who imagin'd and studied day and night how to get Towns and Fortresses in Poictou by Surprise Assault or Scalado One time above others they gat by surprise and Scalado the Castle and Fortress of la Roche de Pozay on the River of Creuse at the Entrance of Poictou about 2 leagues from la Haye en Touraine and near Chastelleraut on the Vienne At this loss all the Country of Poictou was in a Consternation for here the Frenchmen put a good Garrison having
at their own Costs and Charges to follow the Army for fifteen days together for their supply They to buy the Victuals at a certain Rate agreed upon And on these Conditions Roquemadour obtain'd to be left at Liberty Thence the Army turn'd off towards Ville-Franche de Perigort about Eight Leagues from Cahors wasting and ravaging the Country all along as they Marched putting the poor People to great loss and trouble and winning of Towns and Castles which had lately turn'd French some by Force and some by Composition At last they came before Ville-Franche which was well provided with all manner of Victuals and Necessaries for Defence For all the plain Country was drawn thither with their Goods as to a Sanctuary After Four Days spent in Assaulting the Besieged who saw no likelihood to hold out much longer and that no other Succours were to be expected agreed to admit of the English Yoke on Condition they might be free Here the Lord Chandos left a Valiant Commander named Sr. John Roos and so proceeded together with the other Lords and Knights of England and Gascogne in Hostile Manner the whole Country trembling before him The Loss of Ville-Franche was very much resented by the Duke of Anjou who seeing he could not Remedy it studied daily to Revenge it X. While this Army raged thus in and about Quercy and on the Borders of Perigort Agenois Auvergne and Rovergue the Siege m Frois c. 259. was still carried on before Bourdeilles by the Earls of Cambridge and Pembroke even for the space of Eleven Weeks in all During which time there were many notable Exploits performed and Assaults Skirmishes and other Feats of Arms done almost every day For most commonly the Besieged would adventure with the Flower of their Garrison to the very Barriers of their Town without the Gate and there skirmish with all that came against them and indeed they bare themselves with such Bravery and Resolution that they justly obtain'd Praise of their very Enemies And in this Manner for Eleven Weeks they behav'd themselves well and might have done much longer had not Presumption which is usually begotten by Success but most commonly it self begets Loss and Misfortune betray'd them to their own Ruine They made up Hands enough to Defend the Place and they were all Valiant Gentlemen and of approved Courage and sufficiently provided with Victuals and Artillery Wherefore the Besiegers began now to grow weary seeing they had layn there so long without any considerable Success Hereupon they held a Council of War wherein there was a long Debate whether they should rise or no and how they should proceed if they staid The Result of all was this To go away but however to make one Tryal before they went which should be after this Manner Early the next Morning they should be all ready armed but however keep close a while in the Camp and only send certain Select Men to skirmish at the Barriers as before For they nothing doubted but their Enemies would come thither after their Custom These Skirmishers when they should have fought a while were order'd to retire in some seeming Confusion as if they were beaten and so to pretend a flight thereby to tempt the Enemy to a Pursuit Which if they should offer to do there were appointed in a secret place on one side a certain Choice number of Horsemen to fall in between them and the Town so to cut off their Retreat This was their Device and they all concluded that if they succeeded not this way they could not expect to do it any other The next Morning the whole Host was armed and 200 Men sent to skirmish at the Barriers and all the rest of the Plot laid as it had been resolved in Council When the Captains of Bourdeilles Arnold and Bernard of Batefoile saw them coming they were exceeding glad thereat and armed themselves and all their Men even sevenscore Young and Lusty Men and so set open their Gate and came freshly to the Barriers and there began fiercely to encounter the English Men. At last the English retired disorderly for the nonce and began to scatter and to fly not altogether but faintly and confusedly like Men that were really in fear Which when these Young Warriers saw they Issued forth at the Barriers with their Standards before them saying Let Us advance after them For surely they are Ours every Man of them So they follow'd furiously while the English fled so faintly that they were presently overtaken and some fell off their Horses and so came into the Hands of their Enemies others yielded voluntarily to nourish more Presumption in them And now had they gone back all had been well but because they would have all they lost what they had and themselves too So true is that Proverb All Covet Nothing have Thus these Companions in hopes of getting more Prisoners pursued so far that when they would they could not return again For now Sr John Montague who being n Mills Catal. Hon. p. 1042. p. 1045. Nephew to the Earl of Salisbury and afterwards his Heir and Successor govern'd the Ambush with 500 Fighting Men and was that very day Knighted by the Earl of Cambridge came in suddenly at their Backs between the Town and them and so utterly intercepted them and began to fall upon them in the Reer When the Men of Bourdeilles saw how the Game was plaid they perceived too late to what their Folly had betray'd them But however like Valiant Men they drew together in a close square Battail and so held themselves undiscomfited for the space of near two Hours still Fighting with their Enemies and performing such Gallant Exploits as extorted much Commendation from the English who took delight to behold their Bravery and Resolution On the English side Sr. John Montague proved that Day a most hopefull Young Warrier being always in the Hottest Medley and doing Wonders in Arms as did all his Company So that at last all the Men of Bourdeilles were entirely discomfited every Man of them being slain or taken and the English Prisoners released again The two Captains Arnold and Bernard of Batefoile were taken alive and carried away toward the Camp the mean while the Earls of Cambridge and Pembroke were advanced to the Barriers which they easily wan the former Defendants being absent and the Gate also open the Earl of Cambridge first entring the Town with his Banner before him Thus the strong Town of Bourdeilles was at last won rather by the Rashness of its Friends than the Force of its Enemies And so all the Townsmen sware to keep the Place ever after at the Prince's Devotion the Lord of Mucidan a Loyal Gascogner being made their Captain with his own Troops and Fourty English Archers to make good the Garrison After this the two Earls brake up and return'd to Angoulesme to the Prince to know his further pleasure XI The mean o Frois c. 260. while the Herald
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the great Grief of the King and of all that knew her Rare Vertues and Endowments She was buried according to her dying Request in the Abbey of St. Peter at Westminster in the Chappel of the Kings where soon after the King her Husband began a Sumptuous and Noble Monument which stands entire to this Day l Vid. Keep 's Monumenta Westmonast Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 172. Lib. Latmè conferiptum de Mon. Westm being a Fair Tomb of Black Touchstone with the Garnishing and her Pourtraiture thereon of Alabaster about which Monument were placed the Figures and now the Shields of Arms remain carved and painted of these Persons following At the Head Edward Prince of Wales her Eldest Son Lewis the Emperour her Brother-in-Law King Edward the III her Husband John King of France her Cousin and William Earl of Hainalt her Father On the South-side Joan Countess of Hainalt her Mother William Earl of Hainalt her Brother Margaret Empress of Germany her Sister m Lat. Marcus. Reginald Duke of Gueldre Eleanor Dutchess of Gueldre John of Hainalt the Queens Uncle Mary Dutchess of Bretagne her Daughter Lewis Duke of Bavaria her Nephew Margaret Countess of Pembroke her Daughter Charles of Valois Son to King John of France and John Duke of Brabant On the North-side Joan Queen of Scots John of Eltham Earl of Cornwall Joan Princess of Wales Lionel Duke of Clarence Isabel Countess of Bedford John Duke of Lancaster Elizabeth Dutchess of Clarence Edmund Earl of Cambridge and Thomas of Woodstock And lastly at the Foot of this Glorious Monument stood the Images of the King of Navarre of the King of Bohemia of the King of Scotland of the King of Sicily and of the King of Spain We shall only take leave to record her n Extat etiam apud Du Chesne p. 703. Weevers Fan. Mon. p. 469 Sandford p. 172 Stows Survey of London p. 505. Libel Latin. de Mon. Westmon Keep 's Men. Westmon Epitaph which was then made upon Her and is still to be seen both in English and Latine the Latine running round the Verge of her Monument and the English on a Tablet hanging by her Tomb. Gulielmi Hannonis Soboles postrema Philippa Hic roseo quondam Pulchra decore jacet Tertius Edvardus Rex istâ Conjuge laetus Materno suasu Nobiliúmque fuit Frater Johannes o Itâ restitui contra ipsius tuanuli omnium Auth. rumfidem non ob quantitatem solam sed etiam sensu ità postulante Nam Johannes hic Comes nunquam crat sed Frater Comitis c. Comitis Mavortius Heros Huic illam voluit consociare Viro Haec junxit Flandros Conjunctio Sanguinis Anglis In Francos venit hinc Gallica dira lues Dotibus haec raris viguit Regina Philippa Formâ praestanti Relligione Fide. Foecundae nata est Proles numerosa Parenti Insignes peperit Magnanimósque Duces Oxonii posuit studiosis Optima Nutrix Regineas p In Regineas quantit is desideratur Aedes Palladiámque Scholam Conjux Edvardi jacet hìc Regina Philippa DISCE VIVERE The News of the Queen of England's Death was brought into the English Camp at Turnehan whereat the Duke of Lancaster and all others were extreamly troubled for indeed she had the Reputation of being the most Sweet-Natur'd Liberal and Courteous Queen that ever reigned But for all this the Englishmen brake not their Order but still continued to face the Frenchmen as before XXIV Now it happen'd that certain Knights and Esquires of France who were in the Army and saw daily their Enemies before them without any likelihood of a Battle were much displeased in themselves and so concluded together to go as on such a Morning to the English Camp and beat up their Quarters Of this mind there were above 300 Knights and Esquires of Vermandois Artois and Corbois in Picardy who made their Appointment private without so much as giving any knowledge of their Design to either of their Marshals On the appointed Morning at Peep of Day they were ready altogether armed and mounted and so they rode forth without making the least Noise coasting about the Hill of Turnehan to seek their Advantage and if possible to come in at one of the Corners of the English Camp. At that Corner to which they came was quarter'd the Lord Robert of Namur and his Troops and that Night he had kept the Watch and was but just now in the Morning retired to his Tent having almost at that instant seated himself at Table to take some Refreshment after his long Service He was armed at all Points except his Helmet and so was the Lord of Ponthieu who had been that Night his Companion and now sat down with him At which time the Frenchmen dashed in at that Part where they were but as good hap was those who had assisted in keeping the Watch were not yet unarmed nor unprovided which proved well for them for otherwise they had all been slain or taken But now being ready to repell their Enemies they began boldly to encounter with them and at the first Brunt brake their Array a little Presently News came to Sr. Robert of Namur how his Men were engaged with the French whereupon he thrust away the Table from him and said Let us go and help our Men. And so he clapt on his Helmet and commanded one to take his Banner and display it which was q Vid. Ashmoles Garter Plate 85 Or a Lion Rampant Sable Crown'd Gules Then one said unto him Sir methinks it were best to send to the Duke of Lancaster and not fight without him To which he reply'd briefly Send who will send for I 'll go the nearest way I can to help my Men. And with that he went forth with his Naked Sword in his Hands toward his Enemies the Lord of Ponthieu Sr. Henry of Flanders and several other Valiant Knights attending him There he found his Men hotly engaged with the French who were a great Number and in all likelihood had done no small Mischief had not this seasonable Succour came as it did But when they saw the Banner of the Lord Robert of Namur they began to retire as well as they could for they feared that the whole Host had received the Alarm and so for the most part it had There the Frenchmen lost under Sr. Robert's Banner a Gallant Knight of Vermandois named Sr. Robert of Colen which was a Considerable Loss for he was very Discreet Courteous and Valiant And with that the French retreated without any further Attempt for they doubted to lose more than lately they had hoped to win And Sr. Robert was not in the mind to chace them indiscreetly but rallied his Men together and when he saw they were quite gone off return'd to his Pavilion having not lost one Man. There were few or no Adventures after this worthy the Relation XXV It displeased r
obtain an Honourable Day Sir said the Duke hitherto I have always follow'd the Advice of my Council and ever will do But I can never believe that so many Valiant Knights and Men of Arms as are here on the French party would offer to fly away thus shamefully Perhaps rather they have made these Fires to entice Vs toward them and so to deceive Vs But however our Scouts will be here presently and they 'll bring Vs a true account how Matters stand While they were debating thus their Scouts came in and said in effect as Sr. Walter Manny had conjectur'd and shew'd all what they had seen and found saying how there was no Body in the Camp but certain poor Victuallers who us'd to follow the Host and they all affirmed that the Duke of Burgundy was fled Then Sr. Walter was highly applauded for his true Judgement Upon this the Duke of Lancaster return'd to his Lodgings and unarm'd himself intending to go and Dine that Day in the French Camp which he had done but for the Fire and Smoak however at Night he went and Supp'd and lodged there and his Men refreshed themselves with what they had The next Morning he dislodged and went back to Calais for two or three Days so to ease his Men the mean while the Duke of Burgundy marched to St. Omers where he dismiss'd the greater part of his Army for that time But he could not gather together such an Army again without great trouble XXVII That same Week the Earl of Pembroke who was in Poicton very desirous to Revenge that Loss which he had received at Puirenon from Sr. Lewis of Sancerre went from Mortagne with 200 Spears in his Company and came to Angoulesme to the Prince of Wales who received them with large Demonstrations of Princely Kindness The Earl desired him to supply him with a certain Number of Men and to give him leave to undertake another Expedition saying that he had a great Desire to repay some of the Injuries lately done unto him by the French and the Prince who loved him entirely condescended to his Request Now it seems Sr. Hugh Calverley was lately return'd with more than 500 Men of War of the Companions out of the Lands of the Earl of Armagnac where he had left many Bloody Characters of his Resentment Him the Prince commanded to accompany the Earl of Pembroke in that his Expedition and besides the Earl himself desired the Lord Lewis of Harcourt Sr. Guischard Dangle Sr. Percival Collins Sr. Richard of Pontchardon Sr. Thomas Piercy the Lord of Pons the Lord of Pinant the Lord of Partenay and several other Knights of the Prince's who were content to go along with him And so in all his Forces amounted to 500 Men of Arms 300 Archers on Horseback and 1500 stout Brigandines with Launces and Shields on foot With this Small but Chosen Army the Earl of Pembroke rode forth till he came into Anjou where he began to ravage about and to put all to Fire and Sword and in that Manner he passed thrô on one side the Loire burning and winning of Towns and small Fortresses and Ransoming Prisoners all over the plain Country as far as Saumur on the Loire where he lodged in the Suburbs and attempted the Town but could not take it because it was so well defended by Sr. Robert of Sancerre who was there in Person however he destroy'd all the Country about While the Earl was here Sr. Hugh Calverley and his Troops went to a Town on the Loire called Pont de Cé about a League from Angiers the Defendants were soon discomfited and the Town and Bridge won and straight fortified to the use of the English so well that they held Garrison there a great while after In this Expedition they also wan an Abbey called St Maure which they fortified for their own use so strongly that it prov'd a considerable Garrison and did much harm to the Country adjoyning all that Winter and the Summer following XXVIII The Armies of England and France being broke up at Tournehan in that Manner as We have related u Frois c. 269. after that the Duke of Lancaster had refreshed himself and his Men for three days at Calais then the said Duke thought to take another Progress into France and so his two Marshals Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and the Lord Roger Beauchamp of Bletsho gave Command for all Men to be ready to take the Field whereat the whole Army was glad desiring nothing more than to make an Inroad into the Enemies Country So they began their March from Calais in good Order all Men being well acquainted with what they were to do The first day they went five Leagues and the next Morning early came to St. Omers where they had a Skirmish at the Gates but here they made no stay but passed on and went and lodged on the Morass of Helfaut and on the Third Day they came before Teroüenne wherein was Guy Earl of St. Paul with a strong Garrison of Men of War. This place they passed by too taking the way toward Hesdin but for the remainder of that Day and the Night following they encamped by the little River of Lys. Now when the Earl of St. Paul saw the English make toward his Lands he easily believed they went not thither for his Good for he knew they hated him extreamly and that he had given them no small occasion so to do Wherefore having left Teroüenne to the Custody of the Lord of le Puy and Sr. John Roye he rode thence in the Dark Night taking with him some Chosen Men of Arms till he came to the Town of St. Pol in Artois The next Morning the English came thither and Assaulted the Place and had certainly been Masters of it had it not been for this opportune Prevention of the Earls in coming to the Towns Relief However the Duke did what he pleas'd in the Earldom of St. Pol burning and ravaging all the plain Country He shew'd himself before Pas where the Lady of Dourlens was at that time and offer'd as if he intended to besiege the Place for he gaged the Depth of the Ditch with his Spear but he passed on without medling and so came to a Fair Town and Castle called Luchen the Town they burnt but the Castle they could not force Thence they Marched to St. Riquier for ordinarily they rode not above three or four Leagues a Day but they always burnt up the Country as they went and so they passed the River of Soame at Blanchetteaque beneath Abbeville for that City was now turned French and entred the Country of Vimeux with intent to go to Harfleur on the Seyne there to burn the French Kings Navy But the Earl of St. Paul and the Lord Moreau de Fiennes Constable of France followed them at some distance with a considerable Body of Men of Arms coasting them all along to observe their Motions and to wait for some Advantage But the
Southhampton with 400 Men of Arms and 4000 Archers and arrived shortly at Bourdeaux with the Lord Thomas Ros of Hamlake William Beauchamp Lord of Bergavenny Sr. Robert Ros Sr. Michael de la Pole Sr. John de St. Lô and many other Valiant Worthies in his Company The mean while the Duke of Anjou proceeded in his March from Tholouse with a very great Army wherein were no less than 2000 Spears Knights and Esquires with 6000 on Foot arm'd with Pikes Swords and Shields besides others Sr. Bertram of Clequin commanded those 6000 Brigantines in Chief the other Principal Commanders being the Earl of of Armagnac the Lord of Albret the Earl of Perigort the Earl of Cominges the Vicount of Carmaine the Earl of Lisle the Vicount of Bruniquel the Vicount of Narbonne the Vicount of Talart the Lord de la Barde the Lord of Pincornet the Lord Bertram of Cande the Seneschals of Tholouse Carcasson and Beaucaire with many more In their March towards Agenois they found by the way above a 1000 Companions in the Fields who having quarter'd in and about Quercy were then riding towards Agen but now they fell in and joyn'd with the French Army All the Country trembled before this Dreadfull Host and very few Places had the Courage to hold out against them But especially Moisac a strong Town of Quercy yielded assoon as ever they appear'd before it Then they marched towards g Du Chesne p. 705. Monpesat and Aiguillon both which yielded unto them thô the latter held out four Days at which time it was deliver'd up by the Captain thereof to the Admiration of all Men especially of the Lord Thomas Felton and the Captal of Busche who lay then at Bergerac with an 100 Spears English and Gascogners But I dare not here follow Froisard in whom I know not by what Mistake Sr. Walter Manny is said to be Captain of Aiguillon at this time For thô we find him in France the last Year with the Duke of Lancaster yet he was then a very Old Man and at this time past Action Nor is this Relation any thing agreeable to the Fame that constantly he obtain'd in War nor to the Courage he had formerly shewn as well in a thousand other Cafes as particularly in maintaining the very same Castle agaist John Duke of Normandy and an Army of an Hundred Thousand Men of which we spake in the Twentieth Year of King Edward's Reign However Aiguillon and Monpesat being now yielded to the French they design'd to go before Tonneins on the River Garonne in Agenois So they rode on by easie journeys following the Course of the River till they came to Port St. Mary which forthwith yielded also as did afterwards both the Town and Castle of Tonneins into which they put a new Garrison and set there a Captain with Twenty Knights and Esquires in his Company Now as the Duke of Anjou went thus on with his Army invading the Prince's Lands by the way of Tholousaine and Agenois so on the other Hand the Duke of Berry made an Incursion into Limosin with an Army of 1200 Spears on Horseback and 3000 on Foot besides others who for a while proceeded without Opposition in conquering of Towns and Castles and burning and ravaging about the Country The Names of the Chief Captains with the Duke of Berry were Lewis Duke of Bourbon the Earl of Alenson and Sr. Robert of Alenson Earl of Perche the Lord Guy of Blois the Lord John of Armagnac Sr. Hugh Dauphin Sr. John de Villemur the Lord of Beaujeu the Lord of Villers the Lord of Senac Sr. Geoffry de Montagu Sr. John of Boulogne and Sr. Godfry of Boulogne his Uncle the Lord Lewis of Maleval the Lord Raimond of Marvejols the Vicount of Vzés the Lord of Sully the Lord of Talascon with many more Valiant Barons Knights and Esquires This Army as we have said made an Impression into Limosin where they did much Mischief and at last came and laid Siege to the City of Limoges which had been made very strong by the Black-Prince thô except the French Garrison there were but a few Englishmen at that time in the City which Sr. Hugh Calverley had lately sent thither for he was as then Seneschal of that Country XII The Prince of Wales being then in the City of Angoulesme had News brought him of these Two Great Armies who had invaded his Principality on both sides and as he heard design'd to come and besiege him jointly in his City of Angoulesme Then he spake aloud and said How his Enemies should never find him immur'd up either in Town or Castle but that he would meet them in the plain Field and by the Grace of God give them Battle So he sent forth his Letters of Summons to all his Loyal Friends and Subjects in Poictou Sainctogne Rochellois Rouvergue Quercy Bigorre and Agenois desiring and commanding them to come to him in all haste with Horse and Armour and their several Retinues and meet him at the General Rendezvous at Cognac Presently after this he took his leave of his Lady the Princess and carried along with him his Youngest Son Richard of Bourdeaux and set up his Standard of War at Cognac to which his Men flockt dayly from all Parts XIII While thus the Prince was preparing to receive his Enemies the Duke of Anjou rode on as yet uncontrolled and so at last came to a Good Town called la Linde standing on the River of Dordonne about a league from Bergerac the Captain whereof was Sr. Thomas Batefoile a Knight of Gascogne who was set there with a sufficient Garrison to defend the Place Before this Fortress came the Duke of Anjou and laid his Siege to it saying That he would never stir from the Place till he had it at his Devotion The Town was strong enough and sufficiently furnish'd with Artillery and all things necessary For Sr. Thomas Felton and the Captal of Busche had been there about a Fortnight before and so well refreshed the Town that they verily believed it was able to hold out against all the Power of the French if they wanted not either Loyalty or Resolution Especially because they were so near to Bergerac from whom they might receive Assistance upon Occasion But the Townsmen were all French in their Hearts and desired mightily to accept of the Conditions offered them by the Duke of Anjou So that at last they prevailed with their Captain Sr. Thomas Batefoile to be of their Mind also And he in Consideration of a present Summ of Money and a certain Annual Pension from the Duke of Anjou undertook as on such a Morning to deliver the Town unto them and ever after to embrace the French Interest But this false Device was not so secretly convey'd but that it was known at Bergerac the Night before the Place was to be deliver'd at which time the Earl of Cambridge was newly come thither to reinforce that Garrison with 200 Spears and was present
King after his Departure So that the Knights and Lords of Poictou were engag'd in a kind of Civil War the Weaker being alway made a Prey to the Stronger and Castles and Fortresses being so intermingled one with another here an English and there a French Garrison that there was nothing but mutual Losses and Reprisals every Day all things were in Confusion neither Law Right nor Reason being of any moment in those Parts VI. Now the Loyal Barons and Knights of Poicton who still adher'd to England consider'd that the Castle of Moncontour i Frois ibid. molested them more than any other Garrison wherefore they agreed to go thither and lay Siege thereto So the Lord Thomas Percy who was Seneschal of Poictou made his Summons for that Purpose within the City of Poictiers where upon the Muster he found his Forces to amount to 500 Spears and 2000 Footmen well armed besides Archers The Chief Captains whereof next Sr. Thomas himself were the Lord Baldwin Frevile Sr. Dangouses Sr. Matthew Gournay Sr. Walter Hewett Sr. Percival Collins Sr. Geoffry Argentine Sr. Richard Pontchardon English Men and these Knights of Poictou Sr. Guischard Dangle Sr. Lewis Harcourt the Lord of Partenay the Lord of Pinant the Lord of Taniboton the Lord of Crupenac Sr. Hugh de Vinoye Sr. James of Surgieres Sr. Moubron of Linieres and others all who marched forth of Poictiers in good Order under the Conduct of the Lord Thomas Percy and came and sat down before Moncontour This Castle and Town of Moncontour stands on the Marches of Poictou and Anjou being little more than six Leagues from Saumur in Anjou and about as many from Poictiers but hardly four from Thoüars The Castle was exceeding strong and fair and had a good Garrison commanded as we said before by Sr. Peter de Guerfille and Sr. Jordan de Coulonges But the English had brought with them from Poictiers several Great Engines of Battery and had others also sent to the Camp from Thoüars all which they reared up against the Fortress and plaid therewith Night and Day Besides this there were Skirmishes held at the Barriers constantly and especially by the Companions who were then in the English Army being commanded by Sr. Walter Hewett John Cresswell and David Holcraft For they were continually upon Duty being all Valiant Men and desirous by any means to carry the Place because Sr. Thomas Percy had promised to bestow it on those who should win it The Garrison wanted neither Courage nor Provision nor any other thing necessary but Repose and Quiet for they had no rest allow'd them Night nor Day but were constantly alarum'd in several Places without any intermission Especially on the Tenth Day of the Siege the Assault was General and more vigorous than ordinary so that at last the Place was carried by fine Force and every Man within put to the Sword except the two Captains and about five or six Men of Arms who were taken to Mercy Upon this Success the Lord Thomas Percy by Advice and with Consent of all the Barons and Knights present granted the Castle to the Custody of Sr. Walter Hewett John Cresswell and David Holcraft who undertook with their Troops amounting to 500 able Men Companions to make good the Place and to hold Frontier War with those of Anjou and Touraine And this English Garrison subsisted thus a great while to the no small Detriment of the Frenchmen their Neighbours but the Lord Percy having succeeded here discharged his Troops for the present and sent them to their several Quarters VII Now Sr. Bertram of Clequin Constable of France having after his Victory over the English at Pont Vallin designed to Winter at Paris was informed how the English had again taken the Field in Poictou and Guienne Wherefore he resolved after Candlemas in the beginning of the Year to raise an Army and to ride forth against the Enemies of France who ranged about at their pleasure especially from their Garrisons in Poictou Limosin Quercy Auvergne and Rouvergue For in most of these Parts the English had behav'd themselves with much Honour and had sustain'd their Interest with Commendable Bravery ever since the War began Particularly the Lord John Devereux was just then return'd into Limosin whereof he was Seneschal having lately pass'd in Hostile Manner thrô Auvergne and Givaudan till he came into Vivarais where he took the Castle with the City and base Town and all But Sr. Bertram thought not to leave such Matters uncontroverted So having the King's leave he left Paris with a considerable Number of Men of Arms among whom were these Captains of Name the Dukes of Berry and Bourbon the Earl of Alenson and his Brother the Earl of Perche the Earl of St. Paul the Dauphin of Auvergne the Earl of Vendosme the Earl of Porcien the Lord of Suilly the Lord of Montagre Sr. Hugh Dauphin the Lord of Beaujeu the Lord of Rochefort the Lord of Talascon and many more Barons Knights and Esquires of the Marches of France All these went into Vivarais and sat down before the City of Vzes where having layn fifteen days to no purpose the Place being Valiantly Defended by the English they raised their Siege and marched thence toward the Parts of Rouvergue the Constable thinking fit to go and make Experiment of his Enemies there also But at his rising from before Vzes several of the Chief Lords with him took their leaves of him for a while and struck off to Avignon to pay a Visit to Pope Gregory and to the Duke of Anjou who was then with him having k Frois ibid. lately been very instrumental in advancing him to that See. But having received his Holinesses Blessing and confer'd a little with the Duke of Anjou they return'd from Avignon and follow'd the Constable toward Rouvergue where they joyn'd him and proceeded with him in winning Towns and Castles from the English Among others they came before the strong Town of Milland and laid Siege thereto the Captain therein for the English being Sr. Thomas Wake who had kept the Place about a Year and an half together with another Fortress not far off called la Roche Vauclere But now on certain Reasons the said Sr. Thomas was fain to deliver up Millaud upon Composition to depart with Bag and Baggage and flying Colours whose Example was soon after followed by many other Fortresses on the Frontiers Sr. Bertram stay'd a while hereabouts to refresh his Men and so went back again toward the City of Vzes resolving to renew his Siege and that he might do it the more effectually he sent for Great Engines from Riom and Clermont and reared them up against the Walls and made ready all other Instruments of War in order to make one grand and general Assault When the English within saw the Constable's Design l Frois c. 291. being informed that such a Man as Sr. Thomas Wake himself had yielded up Millaud and quitted all Rouvergue and considering also that
out our Lady of Ribemont return'd again upon them and then there began a fierce Medley many being overthrown on both sides The Lord of Chinon had in his hand an heavy Plummet of lead wherewith he batter'd Helmets and fell'd to the Earth such as he could light on For he was a big and strong Knight and well-form'd of his Limbs But at last he himself receiv'd such a stroke on the Helmet that he had fallen to the ground had he not been held up by an Esquire next unto him But the Blow grieved him while he liv'd which was not long after Several English Men wondred to see the Lord of Chinon's Banner For it was t True Use of Armory in the Life of the Captal of Buschâ p. 151. Vid. Ashmole's Garter Plate 39. Mill's Catal. Honâr p. 440. of six Barrs Varry and Gules so that it seem'd the same with the Lord of Coucy's Earl of Bedford for he bare Barry of Viverry and Gules which made the English say to one another How is this that the Lord of Coucy hath sent Men hither against us since he ought to be our Friend This was an hard Rencounter and fiercely fought on both sides but at last the English had the worst most of them being taken or slain but a few escaped back again The Lord of Bossut took two Brethren a Knight and an Esquire named Pennenorts Prisoners and Sr. John Bull had two more with whom they returned Presently after the whole English Army marched by Ribemont without any Assault or Skirmish And by the Duke of Lancaster's Order they forbare to commit any Hostility in the Lands of the Lord of Coucy because he was then in Lombardy fighting for the Church against Duke Bernabo of Milain and concern'd himself nothing with the Wars of France Thence the English Army went and encamped in the Valleys of Laon and thereabouts between Bruyeres and Crespy having done much harm in the Lands of Laonnois Thô indeed the French King had beforehand caused all the Moveables and Provision in the Plain Country to be withdrawn into strong Fortresses most whereof were so well defended that the English could expect but little Advantage in Assaulting them Nor did the Duke of Lancaster much care to busie himself and lose his time in Attacking of Paltry Towns which would revolt as soon as ever they were won He rather desired that the French King would send out an Army against him that so the Fate of the two Kingdoms might be fairly decided in open Field But that Politick Prince ne'r intended any such matter but gave strict Command to the Constable and all his other great Captains that they should not upon any account adventure to engage with the whole Power of the English but only follow them close at the Heels and to keep them as short as might be And thus it was done the Frenchmen lying in strong Fortresses at nights and ever in the Day-time following the English Army aloof but they knowing how narrowly they were watched on all Hands rode close together the Constable of the Host with a good Number of Chosen Men securing the Reer One Morning the English Army having pass'd Soissons a City between Picardy and Champaigne there were sixscore English Spears forerunners of the Army that in ravaging about the Country fell suddenly within the Danger of an Ambush of Burgundians and Frenchmen the Captains whereof were Sr. John de Vien the Younger Sr. John Bull Sr. William Bourdes Sr. Hugh Porcien Sr. John of Coucy the Vicount of Meaulx the Lords of Ravenal and Bonne and others who with 300 Spears had all along coasted the English watching to find some Advantage against them And that Night they lay in the Field where they made an Ambush in a little Wood hard by Soissons near which the sixscore Englishmen aforesaid pass'd early next Morning to seek for Prey and Plunder the Main Army being lodged a little behind them As soon as they were pass'd this Wood the Frenchmen came forth of their Ambush and display'd their Banners and Penons preparing to engage them When the English saw so considerable a Body of the Enemy so near unto them they faced about and stood still to consider what course to take but first of all they sent Advice to the Army which was not far behind Now there was a very considerable Captain among the English whose Name in Froisard is corruptly written Sr. Walter Manny whereas by n Vid. Lib. 4. c. 9. §. 1. p. 827. c. his own Confession that Noble Lord died at London the Year before This Gentleman whatever his true Name was being not far thence as soon as he heard of the Matter leap'd suddenly on his Horse with Spear in Hand but thrô haste without either Helmet or Visor and so rode thither rashly and without consideration his Men following as fast as they could but there in the heat of the Fray this Knight was stricken thrô the Neck and fell down Dead the other English fought Valiantly but they were overpower'd and all taken or slain except a few that very hardly escaped These English Knights were there taken Prisoners Sr. Matthew Redmayne Sr. Thomas Fowkes Sr. Hugh Brudnel Sr. Thomas Spencer Sr. Thomas Emerton Sr. Nicolas Gascogne Sr. John Chandler Sr. Philip Cambray Sr. John Harpedon Sr. Matthew Gournay Sr. Robert Twyford Sr. Geoffry Say Sr. John Bourchier Sr. Geoffry Werkesley Sr. Lionel Dautrey and of Esquires William Dautrey John Galliard Thomas Bradley Henry Monford Guy Hewet John Meinil William Gostwick John Flamstead Thomas Solerant William Quintin Robert Boteler Robert Audeley Ralph Stanley and Thomas Archer When News came to the English Host how their Forerunners were engaged the Marshals made haste to send them a Reinforcement they themselves moving after with a strong Battalion But all was too late the Matter by this time was wholly over and the French and Burgundians had quitted the Field with all their Prisoners so that the English knew not where to find them This was the Issue of that Rencountre which happen'd near to Ouchy le Chasteau not far from Soissons on the 20 day of x Ità substituo pro Froisârdi Feurier quia Dux Lancastrâae hanc expeditionem Julio mense aggressus finâêrat eandem ante Natalem Domini Cuare corruptâ sit necesse est October in the Year of our Lord MCCCLXXIII After these two Losses at Ribemont and Ouchy le Chasteau there fell no other adventure to the Duke of Lancaster worth the mention For thô still the Army was fain to go thrô many a straight and hazardous passage yet ever afterwards they rode all together or at least in stronger Parties when they went to Forage The Duke of Burgundy and other Lords of France watching all Opportunities to cut them off And still as the French King shew'd any Discontent when he heard of the Havock they made about in the Country his Council would say unto him Sir suffer a
Falvesle the Lord John Willoughby the Lord John Burwash the Lord John Mohun and the Canon Robsart all who were notoriously in this Expedition And indeed our g M. S. vet Ang. in Bâll C.C.C. Cantab. c. 236. old M. S. so often quoted makes this Expedition into Flanders and that which We have treated of to be the same in these Words Soon after the Duke of Lancaster with a great Host went into Flanders and passed by Paris thorough Burgundy and thorough all France till he came to Bourdeaux without any manner of withstanding of the Frenchmen c. XVII But now it is time to look a little at Home where Matters concerning the Government were concerted and from whence indeed all Publick Actions had their first springs and Motion King Edward had h M.S. Rot. Par. p. 112. Sr. Rob. Cotton's Abridgment p. 115. 116. Lit. Dom. B. summon'd his High Court of Parliament to meet Him this Year at Westminster on the next Day after St. Edmund the King that is on the 20 of November which fell then on a Sunday To which Parliament as Dr. William de Lynne alià s Lulimere Bishop of Worcester i Godw. Catal. Bish p. 444. was taking Horse to ride he was suddenly seized with an Apoplexy whereof he died soon after viz. on the 18 of November two days before the Parliament was to sit On the Sunday k M.S. Rot. Par. Sr. Rob. Cotton ibid. Morning Proclamation was made in Westminster Hall that all those who had been summon'd to the Parliament might for the present depart but so as to be ready the next Morning in the Painted Chamber to hear the Causes why the King had call'd them together Accordingly the next Day Sr. John Knivet Lord Chancellor of England before the King Prince Lords and Commons declared How because the Peace was broken by the French the King to resist his Adversaries and to obtain his own Right had sent over several considerable Armies and now lastly his Son the King of Castille and l Aragon in M.S. Sr. Rob. Cotton malé Leon and Duke of Lancaster who had atchieved many great Exploits to the Overthrow of his Enemies and had acquitted himself right Nobly How further his Majesty had set forth a Royal Navy of Ships towards all which thô the Subject had for his Part given a liberal Supply yet the Prince was at infinite more Charges than that amounted to He put them also in Mind that such Nobles and others who hazarded their Lives for the Defence of the whole Realm ought speedily to be reinforced with new Supplies and Assistance and the rather because the Enemy never made himself more strong by Sea and by Land than at that time Wherefore the King willed them throughly to weigh those Matters considering that because the Winter Season began to wear away their Resolves ought therefore to be the more speedy as to the next Campain Upon this they were all licensed to adjourn till the next Day Then certain of the House of Commons coming unto the House of Lords requested that certain of the Lords whose Names are in the Records of this Parliament would vouchsafe to confer with the Commons To which the said Lords condescending went presently into the Chamberlain's Chamber there to treat with the House of Commons On the Thursday in the Week before the Feast of St. Andrew being the 24 of November the Lords and Commons after Consultation had agreed upon a Grant to the King for aid of his Wars as is contained at large in a Schedule Indented thô without any Seals thereunto annexed the Effect whereof followeth viz. The Lords and Commons grant unto the Kings Majesty two Fifteens to be paid in two Years of every Twenty Shillings of Merchandise coming into the Realm or going out Sixpence for two Years except of Wooll-Skins and Wooll-Fells also the Subsidie of Wooll for two Years on Condition that if the Wars do cease within two Years then the latter Payment of all their Grants to cease And they humbly pray that these Grants may be employ'd upon the Wars and they pray that every Ship may have their Commissions without any thing paying also they pray further that none of the House of Commons may be appointed to be a Collector of any of these Grants This Schedule being deliver'd to the King was read before him after which the Commons requested an Answer of their Petitions which was promised the chief whereof were these That the Great Charter and Charters of the Forest be kept It pleaseth the King. That the City of London and all other Cities and Towns may enjoy their Liberties any Statute notwithstanding Let any shew the breaches in particular and they shall be answer'd That the Staple be kept in Calais and no Patent or Grant be made to the contrary The King will appoint the Staple as to him and his Council shall seem best Certain Counties there named do pray that for their more easie Carriage of Woolls a Staple may be at Lynne The King granteth thereto so that still the Staple at Yarmouth shall continue That as for the Tythe of Wood above Twenty Years Growth it may be Enacted that no Tythe shall be due and that in all such Cases a Prohibition may be granted Such Prohibition shall be granted as hath heretofore been used That Remedy may be had against the Chirographer because he will not engross any Fine within the Terme untill the Foot of the Fine be fretted unless he may have Three Shillings and Four Pence or n Ita M.S. sed 40 s. Sr. Rob. Cotton Four Shillings more than his due Fee of n Ita M.S. sed 40 s. Sr. Rob. Cotton Four Shillings Let the Aggrieved come to the Common-Pleas and he shall have Right That the Statute of Labourers may be executed four times in the Year and that the Justices may be removed for not doing their Duty The King granteth thereto That Villenage may be only tried where it is laid and no where else The King meaneth not to alter the Law as to this point That Masters of Ships shall be paid their Wages for them and their Mariners from the Day of their being appointed to serve the King. The taking up of Ships shall not be but upon Necessity and the Payment shall be reasonable as heretofore The said Masters of Ships request that they may have Allowance for the Tackling of their Ships worn out in the King's Service Such Allowance hath not been made heretofore The Commons request Remedy against the Provisions of the Pope whereby he reaps the First-Fruits of Ecclesiastical Dignities the Treasure of the Realm being thereby convey'd away which they cannot bear The King hath already Honourable Ambassadors at the Court of Rome touching these Grievances before whose Return he cannot well answer as to that point And it is to be understood n Walsing hist p. 183. n. 20. M.S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab.
a certain Priest began to question them about the Reason of this their unusual rage and concourse He was answer'd by some of them that they sought for the Duke and the Lord Marshal to get them to deliver Sr. Peter de la Mare whom they wrongfully detained in Prison To this the Priest answer'd again more boldly than wisely That Sr. Peter said he is a false Traytor to the King and worthy to have been hanged long since At these words the Rabble cry'd out upon him with a terrible shout saying that he was a Traytor and so falling upon him wounded him to Death VIII Nor in all likelihood had the Tumult thus ceased had not the Bishop of London leaving his Dinner at the first News of this Disturbance come to them at the Savoy and putting them in mind of the solemn season of Lent with much ado perswaded them to go home and be quiet However as they were returning to the City seeing they could do no harm to the Dukes person who was now out of their Reach they began to wreak their Anger on all that they could find belonging unto him and taking his Arms in the most shamefull manner they hung them up Reversed in divers parts of the City as if he had been a Traytor Nay when One of the Dukes Gentlemen came riding thrô the City with a Plate of the Dukes Arms about his Neck these Men not enduring such a sight flang him from his Horse tore away his Cognisance from him and had certainly served him as they had served the Priest but that the Mayor came opportunely to his Rescue and sent him home safe to the Duke his Master So hatefull at that time was the Duke of Lancaster to the Londoners IX When the Princess understood how ill-affected the Londoners stood unto the Duke she sent unto them Three of her Knights Sr. Aubrey de Vere Sr. Simon Burley and Sr. Lewis Clifford to entreat them to be reconciled unto the Duke They for their parts answer'd how for the Honour of the Princess they would obey and with all Reverence be ready to do whatever she should please to require But however this they said and charged the Messengers to tell the Duke as much by word of Mouth that they were resolved that the Bishop of Winchester and Sr. Peter de la Mare should be brought to their Answer and judged by their Peers So that either they might be acquitted If they were Guiltless or if culpable receive their due according to the Laws of the Realm At the same time the Mayor and Common-Council of London sent certain u Daniel's hist p. 359 c. of their Chief Citizens to the Old King to make their Excuse concerning this Tumult protesting that they themselves were no way privy thereto but upon the first Knowledge sought by all means to suppress the same Which they could not do because the whole Commonalty was in a Commotion upon an Information that their Liberties should be taken from them by Parliament The King told them that it never enter'd into his heart to infringe their Liberties it was rather his Desire to enlarge them And therefore he willed them to banish all needless fear occasion'd by too easie Credulity and to return and endeavour to keep the City in Quiet which they did being well satisfied with this Answer We shall not here dwell on the minuter parts of this Story nor shew what Indignation and Grief the Duke conceived hereat nor what means and suit the Londoners were fain to make to the King his Father for their Liberties nor what Rhymes and Ballads were made upon the Duke in London nor how the Bishops at the Duke's instance were obliged to excommunicate all his Defamers nor how at last he was revenged of these contumelious injuries having caused the Mayor and Aldermen to appear before the King where they were sharply rebuked for their Misdemeanor by the Grave Oration of Sr. Robert Ashton the Kings Chamberlain in presence of the King Archbishops Bishops the Kings Children and the Chief Nobility of the Realm nor how they were then and there enjoyned at the Publique Charges of the City to make a Great Taper of Wax which with the Dukes Arms set upon it should be brought in solemn Procession to the Church of St. Paul there to burn continually before the Image of our Lady Nor how at last in the beginning of the next Kings Reign the Duke and the Londoners were fully reconciled together with the Kiss of Peace and the said Reconciliation published in the Churches of St. Paul and Westminster to the great joy of the whole City Nor shall I speak any farther of John Wicklisse x Odor Rainal ad hunc an §. 4. Walsingh hist p. 201 c. how the Pope wrote to the Archbishop of Canterbury and to the Bishop of London to convene him once more and how the Princess of Wales deliver'd him nor how lastly he was fain to retire into Bohemia where he spread his Doctrine For these Matters do neither in their own Nature nor Time agree with our present Design X. All these things I pass over as Matters either foreign or of small Moment so likewise I leave in silence the y Vid. M. S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 238. Riot made between the Earl of Warwicks Men and the Abbot and Monks of Evesham as also z Fox Acts Men. p. 394. the hurlyburly made at Laneham in Suffolk against Henry Spencer the Warlike Bishop of Norwich and other trivial Matters And haste now to an end of King Edward's Life and our Labour About this time Sr. John Menstreworth that false Knight of whose abominable Treason We a Vid. Hujus hist l. 4. c. 7. §. 23. 24. p. 809 c. spake in the Fourty Fourth Year of this King was suddenly b M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 239. Walsingh hist p. 189. Fabian p. 262. Holinsh p. 998. surprised by certain Englishmen in Pampelone a City of Navarre and being presently sent over into England was now tryed before the Mayor and other the Kings Justices in the Guild-hall at London where these things were proved home upon him namely That being entrusted by his Sovereign Lord the King and having received considerable Sums of Money to pay the Kings Souldiers therewith he had falsly and like a Traytor kept the Money to his own use also that he had maliciously occasion'd a Dissention and Discord in the Kings Army and thereby gave the Enemy advantage against them Whereof being accused unto the King and fearing the Punishment due unto him therefore like a false and forsworn Traytor he fled into France unto the Kings Enemies and there was sworn unto the French King and conspired against his Natural Lord and Master undertaking to direct the Spanish Navy and bring them into England to the Confusion and Destruction of his Native Country Of all which he was fully convicted and
The Fourth day after the Siege began Don Lewis of Spain came again unto him after he had been detain'd in the City of Rennes six Weeks together by the Wounds he received in the Fields of Quimperlay which not till now were perfectly healed He was extreamly welcome to Sr. Charles of Blois for he was a Prince of great Courage and Conduct and very considerable among the Men of War. Besides the Accession of so notable a Person the French Army that lay before the Town encreased daily at a wonderfull rate For many Lords and Knights of France who had designed to go into Spain to assist King Alphonso and the Christians against the King of Granada as in their Passage thrô Poictou they heard of these Wars in Bretagne stop'd in their intended Journey and drew thither to the Part of the Lord Charles of Blois And now had the French reared against the Town fifteen or sixteen vast Engines of Battery But the Besieged valued them not for they had before by means of soft Woolpacks and the like Inventions provided against them sometimes the Townsmen would in contempt mock the Frenchmen from the Walls crying out in Derision Go go Messieurs and gather together your valiant Troops that lie idle in the fields of Quimperlay This Sarcasme was a Corrosive and a Stab to the Soul of Don Lewis of Spain who lost that Battle and his Nephew Alphonso therein and hardly escap'd away wounded himself Wherefore one day r Frois c. 87. he came to the Tent of the Lord Charles of Blois and by way of Friendship and in lieu of all the Service he ever had or should do for him desired only one Boon in the presence of several great Lords of France Sr. Charles besides the Respect he bore to his Quality had ever found him a constant and usefull Friend and so frankly promised to grant him whatever he should demand Sir said Don Lewis then I require that you would instantly send Order for the two English Knights who are Prisoners in Favoet that is to say Sr. John Butler and Sr. Matthew Trelauny to be brought hither and to be given to me to do with them as I shall think good This Sir is the only Boon that I desire of You They have chaced discomfited and hurt me and slain my Nephew Alphonso with many Hundreds of my Men. I know no better way to be revenged of these Englishmen who have done me all this Mischief than if I strike off the Heads of these two Knights before the Town in the sight of their Company The Lord Charles who was a most accomplish'd Gentleman was amaz'd at this ungenerous Procedure and made this Answer Certainly ſ Frois c. 87. fol. 46. 47. my Lord Lewis the Prisoners I yield unto you with a very good will since you have desired them of me But doubtless it would be a dishonourable Action to put to Death two such valiant Knights as these in cold Blood and it will give Occasion to our Enemies to deal in the same manner with us if we shall fall into their Hands Which since War is so uncertain we know not when we may If they have affronted you provoked you wounded you slain your Nephew they were your Enemies they did it in open Field you could expect no otherwise nay youl 'd have done the same to them Now revenge all this in Gods Name I allow it but do it in an honourable way let not two Innocent Men whose hands are ti'd be a Sacrifice to the Anger of the Noble Don Lewis Dear Cosin I desire you of all love to be better advis'd and ask of me any other thing that I may not be asham'd to grant you Don Lewis who was nothing at all mov'd with these Words repli'd sullenly Sir if you will not keep your Word with me be assured that I shall forsake both your Company and Cause and never after either serve or love You again while I live When Sr. Charles saw him so peremptory and that nothing could perswade him to alter his Mind he sent to Favoet for the two English Knights who were brought the next Morning early to his Tent. Then the Lord Charles renew'd his Requests in their behalf to the angry Don Lewis but for all that could be said he was inexorable and sware by God and St. Jago they should both loose their Heads after dinner in sight of the Town XVI But it pleased God that all this Discourse and the Resolution taken about these poor Gentlemen was presently brought to the Lord Walter Manny with the exact time when they were to suffer Sr. Walter being mightily concern'd calls a Council of War to consider of the matter Some said one thing and some another but none could see any Remedy in the case For the Lord Charles his Forces were not to be fought with in plain Field by those of the Town At last the Gallant Lord Manny stood up and said Gentlemen it would certainly redound much to our Honour if we could deliver yonder two Knights from Destruction And if we should but endeavour to save them thô we fell short of our Purpose yet King Edward our Master would give us many Thanks and so would all Persons of Honour that should afterwards hear of the Case For they will say that however we did our Devoir to save the Lives of our Companions in Arms. Methinks therefore a Man that dare look Death in the face should not scruple to venture his life for the Safety of two such valiant Captains his Friends and Countrymen Now this is my Advice that we divide our whole Power into two Parts the one to pass out at the Great Gate immediately and to range themselves along on the Dike thereby to provoke the Army as I believe every Man of them will to draw that way The other Party in the mean time to try another Experiment You my Lord Emery Clisson shall be Captain of the First Company and shall take with you Six thousand good tall Archers and Three hundred Men of Arms and I the mean while with an hundred Men of Arms and 500 Archers on Horseback will sally privily out at the Postern and taking a Course will dash into their Camp among the Lodgings behind which I verily think to find as good as unguarded Here I have such Men with me as will shew me the Tent of Charles of Blois where I am sure to find the two Knights Prisoners and then let me alone to bring them off This Project took immediately and so they prepared to put it in Execution About Dinner-time the Lord Emery Clysson set open the chief Gate which look'd toward the Enemy and marched out with all his Company some whereof struck suddenly in upon the Skirts of the Host and slew and hurt divers The whole Army was alarm'd at this unexpected boldness of the Besieged and made all the haste possible to chace them back again into the Town They for their
he would have them order their Men. All the Carriages and Pages he sent into the Wood for their Security and so ranged his Troops into three Battalions all on Foot in most decent Order In the Front stood Sr. John Jones with his 300 Men of Arms and Archers of England and his Friend d Trââ Use of Armory p. 120 Sr. James Planchine with 200 more both Archers and Men of Arms and these were all Chosen and Resolute Men. The Second Battail he led himself with 600 Fighting Men and with him was the Lord of Salses a lusty young Knight of Navarre the Lord William of Granville and the Lord Peter of Samville The Third he committed to the Lord Geoffry of Roussillon the Lord Bertram de la Franque and Sr. Bascels of Mareville and that Battail also consisted of 600 Men. Being thus order'd he took the Advantage of a little Hill hard by on the Right hand between the place where he order'd his Men and the Wood. And on the Brow of the Hill he stood in Battle Array directly before his Enemies with his Banner raised high on a Bush of Thorn about which stood sixty Chosen Men of Arms for its safeguard To the intent that if his Men should be scatter'd they might repair thither and rally again and so he determin'd not to descend from the Mountain for any Cause whatsoever but to let his Enemies come to him if they intended to fight him The Captals Banner war Or Five Escalopes Argent on a Cross Sable which Arms were richly depicted on his Shield and on the Crest of his Helmet was a dreadfull e True Use of Armory p. 110 p. 147. uââ tamen maââ legitur Midas Head Vid. Ashmoles Garter Plate 5. Medusa's Head Sable the Snakes Argent By this time were the Frenchmen also orderly ranged in three Battalia's besides a Rereguard or strong Body for a Reserve The f Frois c. 221. f. 117. First was lead by Sr. Bertram of Clequin and all his Bretons and he was design'd to oppose the Captal The Second was govern'd by the Earl of Auxerre with whom were the Vicount Beaumont and the Lord Baldwin Danequin Master of the Crossbows and several other Knights of France Picardy and Normandy as Sr. Edward of Renty Sr. Ingelram of Hesdin Sr. Lewis of Pequescourt and Others The Third was commanded by the Lord Arnold of Cervoles commonly called the Archpriest with whom were the Lord of Châlons the Lord of Beaujeu the Lord John de Vienne and Others and in the Rereward were all the other Gascogners as the Lord of Pamiers the Lord Soldiche of Estarrac Sr. Perdiccas of Albret with the Lord of Albrets Troops but he himself was not there together with the Lord Petition of Courton and several Others These Gascogners observed particularly the Behaviour of the Captal and how his Standard was raised high on a Bush and the Guard that was set to defend it Whereupon they agreed that when the Armies were hotly joyn'd in Battle they should themselves endeavour to conquer the Captals Banner believing if they might gain that Point to be soon Masters of the Field And besides they had another Device which proved that Day very serviceable to the Lords of France For while in a Council of War they held a long Debate how to behave themselves so as morally to secure the Victory a certain Gascogner Lord let fall a Word which was very seasonable and well accepted Gentlemen says he We all know well that the Captal is as Worthy a Knight as can be found in any Land and that as long as he is able to endure he will be very terrible to Us both by reason of his extraordinary Valour and Conduct Let us therefore set apart Thirty Chosen Men of Arms on Horseback and let these Thirty mind nothing else this Day but to set upon the Captal at the same time that our Rereguard attempts to win his Standard and so by the strength of their Horses to break the stress till they can get to him to take him immediately upon which to bear him out of the Field For otherwise I cannot bode any good end of this Battle the Person of the Captal is that whereon all his Men do wholly depend If he is safe they win all if we win him the Victory comes to us of Course The Knights of France and Bretagne approved hugely of this Project and resolved to put it in Execution so they selected accordingly Thirty of the most Valiant Men of Arms and mounted them on Thirty of the best Horses in all the Company and drew them out on one side of the Field well informed before-hand what to do and all the rest of the Army remained on Foot in Battle Array as they had been ranged Now as yet there was no one that pretended to have the Chief Command over all in the French Army because there were several Persons of far higher Quality than Sr. Bertram of Clequin Wherefore in this Council of War they consulted what should be their Word that Day and to whose Banner they should all repair At last they all agreed to cry our Lady of Auxerre and to make the noble young Earl of Auxerre their Captain But he began with great Modesty to excuse himself saying Gentlemen I most heartily thank you all for the great Honour you are pleased to confer upon me but certainly as for my Part I shall by no means at this time accept thereof No I am too Young and Unexpert to sustain so great a Charge for this is the First Expedition that ever I was concern'd in Here are many good Captains as Sr. Bertram of Clequin Sr. Arnold of Gervoles the Master of the Crossbows the Lord Lewis of Chalons the Lord Edmund of Pamiers Sr. Edward of Renty and the like These have all been in many great Hazards and also have held considerable Employs in the Wars and I am sure understand Military Conduct far better than as yet I do Wherefore Lords I desire your Pardon at this time Then the Lords and Captains began to look on one another and at last said O Noble Earl of Auxerre you are the most Eminent among us all and therefore it is all the Reason in the World You should now be our Head For Nobility reconciles Authority to a Captain Certainly Gentlemen replied the Earl You say after your Pleasure But this Day I am resolved to be but as one of your Companions and till I shall be able to rule will learn to obey Come Life come Death I promise to share with you in this Adventure but as to the Chief Rule You shall never perswade me to that Then again the Captains beheld each other and at last unanimously agreed that since Sr. Bertram of Clequin was the most practised in War among them all they would for that Day obey him and the Word should be our Lady of Clequin And thus the Tuesday was spent and both Armies prepared to fight