THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY CONTINUES HIS MARCH TOWARD PARIS.—SEVERAL TOWNS AND FORTS SURRENDER TO HIM, IN WHICH HE PLACES CAPTAINS AND GOVERNORS.
AFTER the duke of Burgundy had remained some days in Amiens, and had delegated the government of his dominions in Picardy to his eldest son the count de Charolois, with an able council to assist him, he departed thence and returned to Corbie, and continued his march to Mondidier.
During this time, the lady of the castle of Mouy promised that she would no longer permit her people to make inroads on the territories of the duke. He was accompanied to Mondidier by the young count de St Pol, sir John de Luxembourg, and many other great barons, such as the lord de Fosseux and his three brothers, sir Philip, sir James, and sir John, sir Jennet de Poix, Hector, Philippe, and le bon de Saveuses, the lord de Rambures, sir Burnel, and Louis de Varigines, and others. He went from Mondidier to Beauvais,—in which place he was received on certain assurances in the name of the duke of Burgundy, in like manner as had been done at Amiens.
To this town the lord de Fosseux had previously marched, and caused the mayor, sheriffs, and commonalty to be harangued by master Robert le jeune, advocate and councellor to the duke of Burgundy, on the sincere and loyal affection the duke bore to the king and realm, as well as to the whole royal family. He explained the object of the duke's enterprise as being to reform the abuses in the goverment of the kingdom, which had been caused by those persons of low degree and weak understandings, that had usurped the management of the king and his council.
The townsmen of Beauvais were well satisfied with this harangue, and finally consented to admit the duke, and as large a force as he should please, into their town. The duke, in consequence, marched thither from Mondidier, and was most joyfully received, carols being sung in all the streets through which he passed. He was lodged at the bishop's palace, and tarried there eight whole days,—while his army was quartered in the adjacent country, which suffered severely therefrom, although it was abundantly supplied with every necessary.
During his stay at Beauvais, some of the inhabitants from Gournay in Normandy were deputed thither by the governor and commonalty, to submit themselves to his obedience, and to offer attachment to his party. The duke received them kindly, and made them swear obedience and loyalty to the king and himself, which they instantly complied with.
He acquitted them of gabelles, subsidies, and all taxes, as he had done to those of others of the king's towns that had submitted themselves to him.
In the mean time, Hector and Philip de Saveuses, sir Elyon de Jacqueville, and some other captains made an excursion to Beaumont sur Oise, in the hope of gaining that pass; but it was well defended by the constable's men within the place, and they were forced to return by the town of Chambly le Haubergier, where they pillaged from churches and other places, and brought a very considerable booty to the duke their lord at Beauvais, who, a few days after, sent great part of his army to quarter themselves at Chambly and in the neighbouring villages.
Shortly after, the duke departed from Beauvais with the remainder of his army,—the whole of which was so considerable that it was estimated, by those who ought to know, at sixty thousand horse.
By the intrigues and solicitations of a gentleman called Charles de Mouy, the lord of Isle-Adam joined the party of the duke of Burgundy, and delivered up his town and pass to John de Fosseux, Hector and Philip de Saveuses, who placed therein, as a garrison, a sufficient number of their men at arms. When the duke was informed of this, he was very much rejoiced that the lord de l'Isle Adam had joined him, and delivered up the passage through his town.
On the other hand, John de Luxembourg crossed the river Oise, with a number of men at arms which he had at Presy, in small boats, making their horses swim the river; and he quartered them at a village hard by. The morrow, he led the greater part of them to Senlis, of which town sir Robert d'Esne was bailiff for the king, having under him about sixty combatants. He made a sally with his men on foot against those of John of Luxembourg, and a grand skirmish took place.
However, the majority of the commonalty of the town were not well pleased that sir Robert should thus wage war on the friends of the duke of Burgundy: and on the ensuing night, when John of Luxembourg had retreated, the townsmen rose, seized sir Robert d'Esne and all his men, after eight or ten had been killed, and carried him to prison; but through the interference of some of the principal inhabitants, he was permitted to leave the town, with his men and baggage,—and he went thence to Mont-Epiloy.
The next day those of Senlis sent very early for John of Luxembourg, before whom they swore obedience to the duke of Burgundy. He received their oaths in the names of the king and duke, promising loyalty and good behaviour, and appointed Troullart de Moncruel bailiff of Senlis, with other officers according to his pleasure. When this was done, John of Luxembourg returned to the duke of Burgundy.