CHAP. II.
INFORMATION OF THE DEATH OF KING CHARLES THE WELL-BELOVED IS CARRIED TO HIS ONLY SON CHARLES THE DAUPHIN.—OTHER MATTERS.
NEWS of the death of king Charles the well-beloved was soon carried to his only son the dauphin, then residing at a small castle called Espally, near to Puy in Auvergne, and belonging to the bishop of that place. The dauphin was very much grieved on receiving this intelligence, and wept abundantly.
By the advice of his ministers, he instantly dressed himself in mourning, and on the morrow, when he heard mass, was clothed in a vermilion coloured robe, attended by several officers at arms, in their emblazoned coats. The banner of France was then displayed in the chapel, and all present shouted 'Vive le Roi!' After this, the service of the church was performed without any other ceremony; but henceforth all that were attached to the party of the dauphin styled him King of France.
When the duke of Burgundy was returned to Artois, after the death of the king of England, he held a council of his captains in Arras, when it was determined, that sir John de Luxembourg should assemble a body of men at arms to subdue the Dauphinois in the county of Guise and in the adjacent parts,—for they were harassing greatly the Cambresis and the Vermandois. Sir John therefore fixed his place of rendezvous for his men at and about Peronne.
At this time, the lord de l'Isle-Adam obtained his liberty, through the solicitations of the duke of Burgundy. He had been for a long time prisoner in the bastille of St Anthony, by orders of the late king of England. He was restored to his possessions, and, in part, to the offices he had held.
Many knights and esquires of Picardy were now sent to St Valery to summon sir James de Harcourt to surrender the place according to his promise. The gates of the town were thrown open to their summons,—and sir John de Blondel was made governor thereof.
On Martinmas-night, by means that had been practised before, the town of Rue was given up to sir James de Harcourt, and the inhabitants swore allegiance to the dauphin, thus violating the peace that had been made. Sir James appointed the lord de Verduisant governor; and, as his force was inadequate for its defence, he sent for a reinforcement from the county of Guise, which, on its arrival, oppressed the country much.
About this same time, the lord de Bosqueaux, who had long been most active to serve the Dauphin and Orleans-party, was made prisoner in the castle of Thoisy-sur-Oise and carried to Paris, where he was beheaded and quartered, for having, some time past, maliciously murdered sir Guy de Harcourt, bailiff of the Vermandois.