CHAP. XIX.
THE LORD DE LONGUEVAL AND MANY OTHER FRENCH LORDS TURN TO THE PARTY OF KING CHARLES.
IN this year the lord de Longueval, his brother Reginald, John Blondel, the lord de Saint-Simon, John de Mailly, the lord de Maucourt, and several other knights and gentlemen of the Vermandois, who had always been attached to the Burgundy-party, assembled at Roye to consider on the most effectual means of opposing the bodies of men at arms who frequently despoiled their towns, and who had likewise very improperly taken possession of their lands on their return from the expeditions of sir John de Luxembourg to conquer the county of Guise.
On their meeting at Roye, many of them formed an alliance to resist these intruders; but others, fearing sir John de Luxembourg, excused themselves, and advised that the meeting should be adjourned to another day. In the mean time, a conciliatory message was sent to sir John de Luxembourg, to know his opinion, and whether it were with his consent that such depredations had been committed on their lands, and if he would order his men away.
Nevertheless some among them did not intend that matters should be carried to the lengths they were, and quietly forbore their attendance at similar meetings. However, the lord de Longueval, his brother sir Reginald, John Blondel, the lord de Maucourt, Pierre de Recourt, and several more, continued the business, and in the end determined to turn to the party of king Charles. They placed strong garrisons in many places under their command; but as their intentions were soon made known, they were forced to hide themselves with the utmost care,—for all their towns, castles, and estates were put into the hands of the king of England, and themselves publicly banished.
In consequence, they openly espoused the cause of king Charles, carrying on a warfare night and day against king Henry and the duke of Burgundy, which surprised very many,—for the lord de Longueval and others of the aforesaid had long served the duke of Burgundy, and followed his interests. They excused themselves by saying, that they thus acted to revenge the insults they had received, and were daily receiving, from the men of sir John de Luxembourg; and that it was better to risk the loss of every thing than be reduced to such subjection, which they had borne as long as they were able. Some of them, for their conduct, were executed, as will be seen hereafter.