THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, ON THE KING'S DEPARTURE FROM BEFORE ARRAS, MARCHES A FORCE INTO BURGUNDY.—OTHER EVENTS THAT HAPPENED AT THAT PERIOD.
WHEN the king of France had marched his army from before Arras, the duke of Burgundy had his Burgundians quartered in the country of the Cambresis, and in Tierrache, and went himself to the city of Cambray. Thither his brother, the duke of Brabant, came to meet him, when, after holding a conference with him on the state of his affairs, and giving proper orders concerning them, he took the road toward Burgundy, having with him sir Robinet de Mailly, master Eustace de Lactre, the late chancellor of France, John Legois, master John de Troyes surgeon, Denisot de Chaumont, and several others who had been formerly banished, with their wives and children, from France.
He collected all his Burgundians, who, with some Picards and others, amounted to about twenty thousand horse, to march them into Burgundy, following the road through Tierrache, where he halted. He thence went to Mezieres on the Meuse, in the county of Rethel, with his whole army. At this place he remained a short time with his brother Philippe, and thence made for Châlons where he intended to lodge; but the townsmen shut their gates against him, in consequence of orders from the king not to admit him or his people into their town. This was displeasing to the duke of Burgundy, for he had made his dispositions to cross the Marne at that city. He then marched to Vitry, where he was again disappointed, in consequence of the same orders that had been sent to Châlons.
He was forced to continue his march to St Dizier, where he crossed the river; and on the vigil of All-saints, he arrived at Dijon, and was received with the utmost joy by all his subjects as their lord and sovereign.
During this time, the epidemical flux continued in Picardy, which carried off great numbers of persons, nobles and others. The duke of Burgundy before he left Picardy disbanded the army of his captains of that country, such as sir John de Luxembourg, the lords de Croy, de Beau, Vergier, de Fosseux, de Jumont, de Ront, de Beaufort, de Noyelle, de Hymbercourt, Hector and Philippe de Saveuses, Louis de Warigines, and other leaders; but these lords remained as guards to the country. He appointed on his departure, his only son, Philippe count de Charolois, sole governor of Flanders until his return.
On his arrival in Burgundy, he had attacked and taken the castle of Tonnerre, which was pillaged and destroyed by his people. The count de Tonnerre had fled from the castle with his men at arms, not daring to wait the arrival of the duke's forces, who were commanded by sir Elion de Jacqueville, Fierebourg, and some others.
Shortly after, the duke of Burgundy sent letters to the king of France, to inform him of the route he had taken from Flanders to Burgundy, at what places he had paid his expenses, and where not, with his reasons for not paying. At the same time, he made him acquainted with the destruction of the castle of Tonnerre, and that he had destroyed it, because the count, his vassal, had frequently rebelled against him, had defied him, and had made enterprises on his territories, whence he had carried away much booty. This he had explained, lest it might be thought he was breaking the peace lately made before Arras, which he was firmly resolved to keep.
The duke had besieged also Château-Belin, in the county of Burgundy, which likewise belonged to the count de Tonnerre; and although it was very strong, it was won by the great length of the siege. This castle he gave to his son, the count de Charolois, who during the lifetime of his father, styled himself count de Charolois and lord of Château-Belin.
A council was now held at Constance, by many cardinals, patriarchs, bishops, archbishops, prelates and ambassadors from different kings and princes. There was a great schism in the church from the refusal of Pietro della Luna, entitled Pope Benedict to resign this dignity, although, for many reasons, the greater part of Christendom had withdrawn itself from his obedience. He had no power but in Spain and Arragon, in which last kingdom he resided, in a strong town on the sea-shore.
In this year, the emperor of Germany caused the cardinal of Bologna, called pope John, to be arrested, and confined in prison in the duchy of Bavaria, for various crimes alledged against him. To restore peace to the church, the emperor had caused this council to be holden in Constance: it continued for the space of two years, before any persons came to attend it from Spain or Arragon. In the month of August, in the year 1416, a noble company of prelates and knights being assembled, the election of a true pope was proceeded upon. In the year 1417, the choice fell on the cardinal de Colonna, a Roman, who assumed the name of Pope Martin.