[A.D. 1428.]
CHAP. XLVIII.
SIR JOHN DE LUXEMBOURG BESIEGES BEAUMONT IN ARGONNE.
SIR John de Luxembourg, in the beginning of this year, had besieged Beaumont in Argonne. He was attended by many of the nobles from Picardy, and frequent skirmishes took place between the besieged and besiegers. In one of them, a vigorous and subtle man at arms, named Enguerrand de Brigonval, was made prisoner, which much troubled sir John de Luxembourg, who feared he was wounded or killed,—for William de Flavy had wickedly caused a coffin to be buried with great ceremony, meaning to have it understood that Enguerrand was dead. He had also a solemn funeral service performed, intending at the same time to send Enguerrand secretly out of the town to some safer place, knowing him to be a rich man and able to pay a heavy ransom.
Notwithstanding the obstinate defence of the besieged, they were soon so closely blockaded that no one could go out of the town without danger of his life. William de Flavy, therefore, losing all hope of succour, and foreseeing that he must in the end yield, entered into a treaty with sir John de Luxembourg to surrender the place toward the latter end of May, on condition that he and his men should march away in safety with their baggage and effects.
By this means sir John gained possession of Beaumont, in which he placed his own garrison, and appointed as governor Valeran de Bournouville. Enguerrand de Brigonval was likewise given up to him, safe and well. While this siege was carrying on, a truce was agreed to between sir John de Luxembourg and the townsmen of Mouzon, until the feast of St Remy ensuing; and in the interval the burghers were to go to king Charles, to learn if they might depend on succours from him, or whether they were to surrender to sir John.
When these matters had been concluded, sir John dismissed his troops, and returned to his castle of Beaurevoire. William de Flavy, in like manner, disbanded those who had served under him and went with a few attendants, under passports, to the mansion of his lord and father; for during the time he was besieged in Beaumont, the duke of Bar had caused one of his fortresses, called Neufville sur Meuse, to be destroyed, which was held by a garrison of his, and wherein he had placed all his treasures.