CHAP. LXXV.
THE FRENCH AND BURGUNDIANS ATTACK EACH OTHER, NOTWITHSTANDING THE TRUCE.
ALTHOUGH a truce had been concluded between king Charles and the duke of Burgundy, it was very little respected on either side, for they frequently attacked each other. To cover their proceedings, some of the Burgundians joined the English, with whom no truce had been made, and thus carried on open war against the French.
The French acted in the same way, by making war on the Burgundians, under pretence of mistaking them for English, so that the truce afforded no manner of security. Among others, a gallant act was done by a valiant man at arms from England, called Foulkes, with whom some of the Burgundians had united themselves; and they were quartered in a handsome castle at Neuville le Roi, which they had repaired.
They formed a plan to surprise the town of Creil and plunder it, and placed an ambuscade near that place, that if the enemy should pursue them, they might fall into it. What they had supposed did happen; for sir James de Chambannes, the governor, hearing a disturbance, instantly armed, and, mounting his horse, galloped into the plain, to attack the English. At the first onset, Georges de Croix was made prisoner, and several unhorsed.
A grand skirmish ensued; but, in the end, by the valour and perseverance of the said Foulkes, sir James and two other knights were made prisoners, together with some of their ablest men. In this action, however, Foulkes was struck on the uncovered part of his neck with the sharp point of a spear, so that he instantly died, though the wound was very small.
All those of his party who knew him greatly lamented his death, and were sorry at heart, for they looked on him as one of the most valiant and expert men at arms in England.
The remaining English now collected together, under their leaders, Bohart de Boyentin and Robinet Eguetin, and returned with the prisoners to their castle. Within a few days they concluded a treaty with sir James de Chabannes, giving him his liberty on his paying a certain sum of money, and delivering up Georges de Croix.
The duke of Bedford perceiving that Château Gaillard, from its situation and strength, greatly annoyed the adjacent countries in Normandy, resolved to have it besieged before the enemy could revictual it, or reinforce it. The siege lasted from six to seven months, and it was then surrendered from want of provisions,—and the garrison were allowed to march away with their baggage and effects.