THE COMMONALTY OF ROUEN PUT TO DEATH THEIR BAILIFF, SIR RAOUL DE GAUCOURT.—THEY SEIZE THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TOWN.—THE ARRIVAL OF THE DAUPHIN AT ROUEN.
IN these days, by the instigation of the partisans of the duke of Burgundy, some wicked persons of the lower ranks in the town of Rouen rose in rebellion. The leader was one Alain Blanchart, who was afterward governor of the town. They first went armed, and with staves, to the house of the king's bailiff, sir Raoul de Gaucourt knight, at whose door they knocked loudly, and said to those within, (although it was about ten o'clock at night), 'We want to speak to my lord the bailiff, to deliver up to him a traitor whom we have just arrested in the town,' the servants bade them detain their prisoner in safe custody until the morrow: however, in consequence of their importunity and violence, the door was opened to them.
The bailiff instantly arose from his bed, and, having wrapped himself up in a large cloak, came to speak to them; but he had no sooner made his appearance, than some of the party, who had disguised their faces, cruelly murdered him.
They then left the house, and went to that of his lieutenant, John Leger, whom they also put to death, and thence to different parts of the town, and killed ten other persons; but many of the municipal officers, such as the viscount and receiver-general, having had information, of what was passing, fled to the castle, into which they were admitted by sir James de Bourbon the governor.
On the morrow-morning, the commonalty again assembled in great numbers, and marched in arms to the castle, with the intent of forcing an entrance, but were prevented by the governor, who had under his command one hundred of the king's troops to defend it. At length, after many parleys, it was agreed that sixteen of the most notable citizens should be admitted, to remonstrate with the governor on some matters that much concerned him.
Upon their admittance, they offered many excuses for the murder of the bailiff, and of the others, declaring that the whole commonalty of the town would be rejoiced if the perpetrators could be discovered and punished. They were greatly alarmed as to the conduct of the king and the dauphin when they should hear of these deaths, and requested the governor would permit them to have the guard of the castle, but it was refused. They then required that the gate which led to the country should be shut up, which was also refused.
Upon this they declared, that should the king and the dauphin attempt to enter their town with an army, admittance should be denied,—at the same time beseeching the governor to apologise for them to the king and the dauphin. The governor replied, that he would make excuses for them in proper time and place, provided they did not refuse to admit them into the town should they come thither.
After this conversation, the citizens returned home; and, a few days after, what they dreaded came to pass,—for the dauphin marched two thousand men out of Paris to Pont de l'Arche, whence he sent the archbishop of Rouen, brother to the count de Harcourt, to that town, to exhort the inhabitants to a due sense of obedience.
On the archbishop's arrival at Rouen, he found several of the canons of the cathedral church under arms, and inter-mixed with the citizens, to whom he displayed the proclamation of the dauphin. They, in answer, said, that it had been unanimously decreed that he should not enter the town with his army; but that if he would come with few attendants, and engage to pay his expenses, they would agree to it, but not otherwise. The archbishop, seeing he could not conclude any thing satisfactory, returned to the dauphin, and related all he had seen and heard.
Upon this the dauphin sent for sir James de Bourbon, and fixed his quarters at St Catharine's on the hill. On the arrival of sir James, he said, 'Cousin, return to your castle, and admit by the gate leading to the country two hundred men at arms, and as many archers, whom we will send thither.'
The townsmen were greatly enraged on hearing of this reinforcement being admitted into the castle; however, within three days, the dauphin, by negotiation, entered Rouen with his whole army; he rode straight to the cathedral to offer up his prayers, and thence to the castle, where he was lodged.
In the course of eight days, a treaty was made with the townsmen, which confirmed them in their obedience,—for all that had passed was pardoned, with the exception of the actual murderers of the bailiff. The dauphin, having paid his expenses, departed for Paris with his army, where he appointed the lord de Gamaches bailiff of Rouen, with orders to inflict exemplary punishment on such of the murderers as should be duly convicted. Some of them were punished; but Alain Blanchart absented himself for some time; and when he returned to the town, he enjoyed great authority and power, as shall hereafter be related.