CHAP. XXXVIII.
THE LORD FITZWALTER ARRIVES IN HOLLAND TO THE AID OF THE DUCHESS JACQUELINE.
WHILE the duke of Burgundy was carrying on a deadly warfare in Holland against his cousin the duchess Jacquiline, about five hundred English, all picked men, arrived at Zuricksee in Zealand, under the command of the lord Fitzwalter, calling himself lieutenant for the duke of Glocester in the countries of Holland and Zealand. This body of men advanced toward the duchess to aid her to support the war.
The duke of Burgundy was at Leyden when he heard of the landing of this reinforcement; he departed thence with about four thousand combatants, whom he had assembled from his different territories, and marched to Rotterdam, where he embarked with the intent to meet the English and offer them battle. In the mean time, a party of Burgundians, falling in with them, were defeated, slain or made prisoners by the English.
The duke having had intelligence that his enemies, Dutch, Zealanders, and English, amounted from two to three thousand combatants, and were at the port of Branvers[7] en une aduene, he marched thither, and made so successful an attack on them that they were soon discomfited. From seven to eight hundred of his enemies lay dead on the field: the rest fled in great confusion toward the sea-shore, and great part saved themselves on board their vessels. Among those who escaped were the lord Fitzwalter and the lord de Hentredée.
On the part of the duke of Burgundy, the only man of note that was killed, was sir Andrew de Valines: Robert de Brimeu was carried away so badly wounded that he died thereof. After this victory, the duke collected his men around him, and most humbly returned thanks to his Creator for the fortunate issue of the day. Having strengthened the garrisons of those towns under his obedience, he returned to Flanders to collect reinforcements to carry on his war in Holland against the duchess with greater vigour.
On the duke of Burgundy's leaving Holland, the duchess Jacquiline assembled a large force, and led it before Harlem, which she closely blockaded. The captains for the duke within the town were the damoiseau Ysambergue and sir Roland de Hultquerre knight, with a sufficient garrison. During the siege, sir John de Hultquerre, son to sir Roland, assembled in haste a body of men, from seven to eight hundred, of nobles and common people, from Flanders, whom he conducted into Holland by forced marches to succour his father; but his intentions were known to the duchess, who detached a force to meet him,—and he was found near the sea with his men in great disorder, so that, when attacked, he was speedily routed: the greater part were made prisoners: the others escaped with sir John de Hultquerre.
The duchess was delighted with her victory, but cruelly caused the prisoners to be put to death: and after this, from fear of the arrival of the duke of Burgundy, who was raising an immense army in Flanders and Artois, she raised the siege of Harlem.
In this year, the earl of Salisbury besieged the castle of Moyennes in Champagne, which was beyond measure strong and well garrisoned with men at arms. During the siege, there were many severe skirmishes on each side. In one of them, Valerien de Bournouville, brother to sir Lyonnel de Bournouville, was slain by a lance passing through his body. However, notwithstanding the obstinate resistance of the garrison, from the length of the siege, they were forced to capitulate, with liberty to depart with their baggage and effects. The castle was afterward razed to the ground.
When the duke of Burgundy was in Flanders, he had many conferences with his cousin the duke of Brabant and his council, respecting the affairs of Holland. Many great lords there joined him, and a noble chivalry from Burgundy under the command of the prince of Orange. With these and a large body of Picards and Flemings, the duke returned to Holland about Mid-Lent, and renewed his war more earnestly than before against the duchess Jacquiline and her adherents.
Although several of the principal towns soon surrendered to him, the duchess collected about four thousand combatants, and led them to the town of Horn, on the borders of Frizeland to conquer it by surprise. Within the place was the lord de l'Isle-Adam, the bastard de St Pol, and about five hundred combatants, who with great gallantry sallied out against the enemy, and fought them with such determined courage that they conquered and put them to flight.
Four hundred were left dead on the field, and the numbers of the wounded were very great indeed. On the part of the duke of Burgundy were slain the bastard de la Viefville and about ten archers; and in consequence of this defeat, the greater part of Holland submitted to him. There were very many severe rencounters between the two parties in Holland, but it would be too tedious to relate them in detail: suffice it to say, that in general the success of them was against the duchess Jacquiline,—for the duke's men had been long experienced in arms, and were expert in war; add to this, he had plenty of archers, to whose mode of fighting the Hollanders had not been accustomed.