CHAP. XIV.
SEVERAL EVENTS BRIEFLY TOUCHED UPON.
IN these days, the county of Hainault was in great alarm and tribulation for fear of a war between the dukes of Glocester and of Brabant, which now seemed very probable, for both of them had espoused the heiress of these territories; and each styled himself lord of the country as a matter of right.
The lords of these parts were also divided, some declaring for the duke of Brabant, and others for the duke of Glocester, notwithstanding they had all sworn fidelity to the duke of Brabant, and had, for a long time acknowledged him for their legal lord.
The dukes of Bedford and of Burgundy met at Amiens, having with them many of their council, to adjust the differences between these two dukes; but not being able to do so, they adjourned the business for final determination at Paris, and fixed a day for meeting there.
About this time, the regent caused the castle of Ivry to be strongly besieged by his English, in conjunction with the lord of Isle-Adam and the bastard de Thyan. The count d'Aumarle, the bastard d'Alençon and other captains, assembled a large force to raise this siege. On their march for this purpose they met the governor of Avranches, brother to the earl of Suffolk, who, returning from an excursion, had dismissed a part of his men. The French instantly charged and defeated his remaining force, and made him prisoner; and supposing that Avranches would have now but a small garrison, they pressed forward to the attack, thinking to conquer it. They did indeed make a sharp assault; but the townsmen defended themselves so courageously, that many were slain and wounded, and left in the ditches. The French, having heard that the duke of Bedford was on his march to combat them, departed with all speed for the duchy of Touraine, but not without being closely pursued by the English.
On the third day of October, in this year, the town of Hamme sur Somme was taken by scalado by a party of king Charles's men, under the command of Poton de Saintrailles, through neglect of the night-guard. Sir John de Luxembourg was so much vexed at this event, (as that town belonged to him) that he instantly collected a body of men at arms, and on the third day after the capture advanced thither. He had it suddenly attacked, and with great courage; and ordered a detachment to cross the river with his banner, which was valiantly borne on that day by a man at arms called Jacotin de Cambray. In short, sir John speedily reconquered the town, and cruelly put to death the greater part of his enemies. Poton de Saintrailles escaped as quickly as he could, and lied to Tierrache, but was pursued by the burgundians,—and many of his men were taken. In this attack on Hamme, two men at arms were grievously wounded, namely, sir John de Fontenelle and Valerien de St Germain; but this last was almost immediately beheaded, by orders from sir John de Luxembourg.
About this time, king Charles's queen was brought to bed of a son, who was christened Louis, dauphin of Vienne. This birth caused great rejoicings throughout all parts under his dominion, more especially in Tours, where bonefires were made in all the streets, carols sung, and every sign of joy manifested.
The French gained also the castle of Beaumont sur Oise, which was, however, soon after besieged by orders from the duke of Bedford, reconquered and demolished.
The commonalty of Tournay again rose in rebellion, with displayed banners, because they were suspicious of the lords de Moy and de Conflans, who, having great weight in the town, would introduce a garrison sufficiently strong to keep them in awe. This rebellion was soon appeased without coming to blows; but the two above-mentioned lords quitted the town for fear of the populace,—and the lord de Moy fixed his residence at Liége.
About this time, the town of Compiègne was won by scalado by a party of king Charles's men, through neglect of the watch, they amounted to nearly three hundred combatants, under the command of Yvon du Puis, Angerot de Laux, and Broussart, who, instantly on winning the town, imprisoned all the English and Burgundians, with those attached to them and seized their effects.
Shortly after, the lord de l'Isle-Adam, Lyonnel de Bornouville, the lord de Thyan, with others, appeared before it, to reconquer it; but they did little or nothing, although the country round suffered great oppressions from them.
In these same days, the town of la Charite sur Loire was retaken from king Charles, by an adventurer attached to the duke of Burgundy, called Perrinet Crasset, who had a long time before carried on a successful war in the country of Berry and in that neighbourhood. The French were much grieved and vexed at this loss; for they were prevented crossing the Loire, which would have been of great utility to them.
In this year, Arthur count of Richemont, notwithstanding his marriage with Margaret of Burgundy, and the oaths and alliances he had made with the late king Henry and his successors, joined king Charles, owing, as it was said, to a quarrel between him and the duke of Bedford. King Charles received him with the utmost joy, and instantly made him constable of France: but very many wondered at this change, considering how lately he had connected himself with the duke of Burgundy.
In the month of January of this year, the dukes of Bedford and of Burgundy, the count de Conversan, the bishop of Tournay his brother, sir John de Luxembourg, with a number of other notable persons, the ministers of each prince, and commissioners from the dukes of Glocester and Brabant, assembled in the town of Amiens. Although the matter of dispute between these two last had been frequently discussed, nothing amicable could be concluded. The meeting was therefore broken up, and the commissioners ordered to meet them again on Trinity-day following.