CHAP. XI.
KING CHARLES OF FRANCE HAS THE TOWN OF CREVANT BESIEGED BY THE CONSTABLE OF SCOTLAND AND THE COUNT DE VENTADOUR.
IN the beginning of the month of July, king Charles ordered a large body of forces to cross the Loire and besiege the town of Crevant, which was of the burgundian party. The chief of this expedition was the constable of Scotland who had under him many great lords and expert captains: and they vigorously assaulted the town by their engines of war.
As neither the English nor Burgundians seemed to attend to this siege, the duchess-dowager of Burgundy sent in haste to the nobles of that country, to require, in the name of her son the duke, that they would assemble their men, and march to the relief of Crevant. The lord de Toulongeon, marshal of Burgundy, in consequence, assembled his men, and, with the united forces of the other lords, advanced to Auxerre to join the earl of Salisbury, the earl of Suffolk, the lord Willoughby, and other English lords, whom the duke of Bedford had sent thither to the amount of four thousand combatants, all picked men and tried in arms. To do these English honour, the count de Joigny, the borgne de Toulongeon, the lord du Vergy, sir John and sir William de Vienne, sir Regnier Pot, the lord de Rochefort, and many more notable lords, went out of Auxerre, to meet them on their march.
On their meeting, very great and mutual respects were shewn on both sides; and they rode together in handsome array into the town, where the earl of Salisbury was lodged in the bishop's palace. When they had somewhat refreshed themselves with meat and drink, the English and Burgundians assembled in the cathedral, and there entered into such resolutions as you shall hear.
This united force began their march toward Crevant; and when within a long quarter of a league from the town they dismounted. It was at the time very sultry; and they suffered much thus marching on foot, by the weight of their armour and from the extreme heat of the sun. This day were knighted William de Vienne, son to the lord de St George, John lord of Auxi, Philip lord de Trenont and Coppin de la Viefville.
The regulations that had been made by the chiefs of the English and Burgundians, when in the cathedral of Auxerre, were as follow:
First, that on the morrow, Friday, they would march away at ten o'clock in the morning, to fix their quarters near to Crevant.
Secondly, two marshals were to be appointed to overlook and inspect the army, namely, the lord du Vergy for the Burgundians, and sir Gilbert de Hallesal for the English.
Thirdly, it was to be proclaimed that the Burgundians and English should live in good harmony with each other, without quarrels or strife, on pain of being severely punished by their commanders.
Fourthly, that the whole should form one army; and that there should be six score men at arms, namely sixty English and sixty Burgundians, with as many archers, sent forward as scouts to gain intelligence.
Fifthly, it was ordered that when the army should arrive near any spot where a battle was likely to take place, proclamation should be instantly made for every one to dismount,—and those who refused should be put to death: the horses were to be led half a league in the rear; and all that should be found nearer the army should be seized and confiscated.
It was also ordered, that every archer should provide himself with a stake with two sharp points, to plant before him should it be found necessary.
Item, that no person, whatever might be his rank, should dare attempt making any prisoners on the day of battle until the field should be fairly won. Should any such be made, the prisoner was to be instantly put to death, and with him the person who had taken him, should he refuse to obey.
Item, that every man should provide himself with provision for two days; and that the town of Auxerre should send after the army as much provision as could possibly be collected, for which they were to be well and truly paid.
Item, it was then also ordered that no one should precede or remain behind their captains, but that every man should keep the station that had been assigned him, under pain of corporal punishment.
All these regulations and orders were proclaimed by sound of trumpet throughout Auxerre; and on the ensuing day, after having heard mass with great devotion, and drank a cup, they departed from Auxerre in much brother-like affection, and fixed their quarters within a short league of their enemies.
On the following Saturday, they decamped at ten o'clock in the morning, and advanced in handsome array toward the French, whom they saw posted on a mountain in front of the town of Crevant, and where they had remained the preceding night waiting the arrival of more men.
Upon the English and Burgundians crossing to the other side of the river Yonne, near to Coulogne les Vimeus or Vigneuses, the French descended the mountain, and marched toward the enemy with great appearance of courage; and each party formed their order of battle, in which they remained without doing any thing more for three hours, as the river Yonne was between them. The English and Burgundians, however, made an advance, and gained possession of a bridge, whence they annoyed the French greatly, those in Crevant, at the same time, making a sally, and attacking them briskly in their rear. The battle now began in earnest on both sides, and, finally, the English and Burgundians won the day and the field; the greater part of the Scots, amounting to three thousand, who were in the front ranks, were either killed or taken.
The constable of Scotland surrendered himself prisoner to the lord de Châtellux, but with the loss of an eye. In like manner, the lord de Ventadour surrendered to the lord de Gamaches,—and he also had lost an eye. Stephen and John de Farimeres[1], scots, knights, with several gentlemen of note, to the number of four hundred were made prisoners.
The nephew of the earl of Buchan was slain, as were sir Thomas Secron[2], sir William Hambon[3] and his son, all three knights of Scotland, John Pillot[4], a scots captain and bastard to the king, with many others, to the amount of twelve hundred or thereabout.
The english and burgundian captains assembled together in great harmony and joy after the victory, and entered the town of Crevant rendering thanks to the Creator for their success. They were received with every demonstration of joy, and their men lodged within and near to it.
Perrinet, however, and some others followed the runaways, and took and slew several in the pursuit. On the Monday following, when all their men were returned, the army separated: the Burgundians went home, and the earls of Salisbury and Suffolk returned to the siege of Mont-Aquilon, whence they had come, having left a sufficient force to blockade the place.
Soon after the battle of Crevant, the earl of Suffolk laid siege to the town of Coussy, which was yielded up to him within a few days. He thence marched into the Maconnois, where he subdued many castles held by the French. He ordered one of his captains, called Claidas, to besiege the strong castle of la Roche, which in the end surrendered to him.