CHAP. XXV.
THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF GLOCESTER LEAVE CALAIS FOR HAINAULT, TO RECEIVE THE ALLEGIANCE OF THE PRINCIPAL TOWNS OF THAT COUNTRY.—THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY MAKES PREPARATIONS TO AID HIS COUSIN THE DUKE OF BRABANT.
TOWARD the end of November the duke and duchess of Glocester marched their great army from Calais, and taking their route by Hesdin, and passing by Lens in Artois, arrived in Hainault. As they marched through the territories of the duke of Burgundy, no disorders were suffered to be committed, but all provisions were courteously paid for.
They were liberally received at Bouchain and Mons, whither they went first, and many lords and gentlemen of the country came thither to pay obedience and homage to the duke and to his lady. Shortly after, all the principal towns in Hainault, dependant on the lady Jacquiline took oaths of allegiance to the duke of Glocester; for she declared herself his wife, and all the lords and gentlemen did the same excepting the single town of Halx, which held for the duke of Brabant.
In like manner did the count de Conversan lord of Anghien support duke John and sir Angilbert d'Anghien, with Jean de Jumont, and all their garrisons and dependants. The remainder, as well towns as nobles, breaking the oaths they had formerly taken to the duke of Brabant, now openly espoused the cause of the duke of Glocester and the duchess Jacquiline.
Some days after the marriage of the duke of Burgundy, he quitted the duchess and went to Mâcon, where he had a conference with the duke of Savoy, and with ambassadors from the duke of Brittany, the principal of whom was Arthur count de Richemont. While these conferences were holding, Charles de Bourbon count de Clermont, the archbishop of Rheims, the bishop of Puy, and some others, came to Mâcon, by orders of king Charles, who among different matters, treated for a marriage between the count de Clermont and Agnes, sister-german to the duke of Burgundy. Charles de Bourbon promised the said archbishop, on the word of a prince, that he would espouse her at the time that had been fixed. When this, and other great affairs had been discussed and settled, they separated, and each returned to the place he had come from.
Philip duke of Burgundy, hearing of the arrival of Humphrey duke of Glocester in Hainault, was very indignant thereat, and issued his summonses to the men at arms, and others accustomed to serve him in war, throughout his countries of Flanders, Artois and his other dominions, which were proclaimed in the usual places, ordering all nobles, and others of every degree, able to bear arms, to prepare themselves to support the duke of Brabant against the duke of Glocester, under the orders of sir John de Luxembourg, the lords de Croy, de l'Isle-Adam, and such other captains as should be commissioned to command and conduct them.
In consequence of these proclamations, very many men at arms assembled under the aforesaid lords, who marched them to Philip count de St Pol, brother to duke John of Brabant, he having been appointed by the duke commander in chief in this war against the duke of Glocester.
The principal adviser of the count de St Pol was Pierre de Luxembourg count de Conversan, and Braine lord d'Anghien. There were also with him sir Angilbert d'Anghien, le Damoiseau de Vissemale, de Rosbarre, and other great lords and bannerets of the country of Brabant, a multitude of the commonalty, and an infinity of warlike engines.
A bitter war now commenced, with fire and sword, throughout Hainault, to the ruin of the poor people, for the duke of Glocester had strongly garrisoned with English all the towns in that country under his obedience; and in like manner had the count de St Pol done to those on the borders, and what remained in Hainault subject to the duke of Brabant. These garrisons made frequent sallies on their enemy's country, and committed every kind of mischief.