CHAP. LXIV.
KING CHARLES OF FRANCE TAKES THE FIELD WITH A NUMEROUS BODY OF CHIVALRY AND MEN AT ARMS.—MANY TOWNS AND CASTLES SUBMIT TO HIM ON HIS MARCH.
WHILE these things were passing, Charles king of France assembled at Bourges in Berry a very great force of men at arms and archers, among whom were the duke d'Alençon, Charles de Bourbon count of Clermont, Arthur count of Richemont constable of France, Charles of Anjou, brother-in-law to the king, and son to Réné king of Sicily, the bastard of Orleans, the cadet of Armagnac, Charles lord d'Albreth, and many other nobles and powerful barons from the countries of Acquitaine, Gascony, Poitou, Berry and different parts, whom he marched to Gien on the Loire. He was alway accompanied by the Maid and a preaching friar of the order of St Augustin, called Richard, who had lately been driven out of Paris, and from other places under subjection to the English, for having in his sermons shown himself too favourable to the french party.
From Gien the king marched toward Auxerre; but the constable went with a large detachment to Normandy and Evreux, to prevent the garrisons in that country joining the duke of Bedford. On the other hand, the cadet d'Armagnac was dispatched into the Bourdelois to guard Acquitaine and those parts.
The king on his march reduced two towns to his obedience, Gergeau and St Florentin, the inhabitants of which promised henceforward to be faithful to him, and to conduct themselves as loyal subjects should do to their lord: and they obtained the king's promise that he would rule them justly, and according to their ancient customs.
He thence marched to Auxerre, and sent to summon the inhabitants to surrender to their natural and legal lord. At first, the townsmen were not inclined to listen to any terms, but commissioners being appointed on each side, a treaty was concluded, in which they engaged to render similar obedience to what the towns of Troyes, Châlons and Rheims, should assent to. They supplied the king's army with provision for money, and remained peaceable, for the king held them excused this time.
The king marched next to Troyes, and encamped his men around it. He was three days there before the inhabitants would admit him as their lord: however, in consideration of certain promises made them, they opened the gates and permitted him and his army to enter their town, where he heard mass. When the usual oaths had been received and given on each side, the king returned to his camp, and caused it to be proclaimed several times throughout the camp and town, that no one, under pain of death should molest the inhabitants of Troyes, or those of the other towns which had submitted to his obedience.
On this expedition, the two marshals, namely, Boussac and the lord de Raix, commanded the van division, and with them were la Hire, Poton de Saintrailles and other captains. Very many great towns and castles submitted to king Charles on his march, the particulars of which I shall pass over for the sake of brevity.