CHAP. XCV.
SIR JOHN DE LUXEMBOURG TAKES THE COMMAND OF THE SIEGE OF COMPIÈGNE.—THE ORDERS HE GIVES,—AND OTHER EVENTS.
SOON after the departure of the duke of Burgundy from the siege of Compiègne. Sir John de Luxembourg and his men arrived, and he took the chief command of the siege, according to the commands of the duke. He lost no time in strengthening the fort in front of the bridge, and erected two smaller ones on the river toward Noyon: the command of one he gave to Guy de Roye and Aubert de Folleville,—and that of the other to a common man from the Boulonois, named Branart, who had under him some genoese and portuguese cross-bows, and other foreigners.
Having done this, sir John crossed the river by the bridge at la Venette, and went to lodge at the abbey of Royaulieu. He was followed by sir James de Brimeu marshal of the army, sir Hugh de Launoy, the lord de Crequi, the lords de Saveuses, de Humieres, sir Daviod de Poix, Ferry de Mailly, sir Florimont de Brimeu and several other noble men, who were lodged as well in the abbey as in the village, which was much deserted, and among, the vineyards and gardens in that neighbourhood.
The earl of Huntingdon remained in his quarters at la Venette. During this time the besieged made many sallies on foot and on horseback, when some were killed and wounded on both sides, but in no great number. This caused the besiegers to erect another great fort a bow-shot and a half distant from the town, near to the gate of Pierrefons, the guard of which was given to the marshal, the lord de Crequi, sir Florimont de Brimeu, having under them three hundred combatants: they lodged themselves within it before it was quite finished, and remained there a long time.
The besieged now suffered severely from famine, and no provisions were to be had in the town for money, since, for the space of four months, none had been publicly sold in the markets. Several messengers were in consequence sent to the marshal de Bousac, to the count de Vendôme, and to other captains of king Charles, to inform them of their distress, and to require instant aid if they wished to save the town and its inhabitants.
While this misery was suffered, the marshal de Bousac, Poton de Saintrailes, Theolde de Valperghue, and other french leaders, laid siege to Proissy sur Oise, in which was the bastard de Chevereuse, with about forty combatants. They were soon forced to submit, and the most part were put to death by the guisarmes of the marshal, and the castle totally demolished. In like manner were subjected the strong monastery of Cathu le Chastel, and some other places, and those found within them were generally put to death. The marshal and his companions, however, did not make any attempt on the besieging army of Compiègne, as is usual in similar cases, until the last, when the siege was raised, as shall be hereafter told.
At this period, the duke of Norfolk, commanded a powerful army in the countries bordering on Paris, and subjected many towns to the obedience of king Henry, such as Dammartin and others. On the other hand, the earl of Stafford took by storm the town of Bray-comte-Robert: the castle, which was exceedingly strong, immediately surrendered. The earl then crossed the Seine, and foraged the whole country so far as Sens in Burgundy, and returned with a great booty to the place whence he had set out, without meeting with the least opposition, or even seeing the enemy. He took, soon after, Le Quene en Brie, Grand Puys and Rappelton: he had four score handed of those whom he found in Le Quene.
He also took the strong tower of Bus, which, with the other places, were dismantled. Sir James de Milly and sir John de la Have were in Bray-comte-Robert, when it was taken, and made prisoners, but afterward obtained their liberty by paying a large ransom.