CHAP. XCVI.
THE PRINCE OF ORANGE IS CONQUERED BY THE FRENCH.
ON Trinity-day in this year, the prince of Orange, having assembled about twelve hundred fighting men marched them into Languedoc, where he gained many castles from the partisans of king Charles. He did the same in Dauphiny, which displeased the king and his council so much that they resolved to oppose him, and that the lord de Gaucour, governor of Dauphiny, sir Ymbert de Grolée, seneschal of Lyons, and Roderick de Villandres, should collect their forces, and with the loyal nobles and gentlemen defend the country against these Burgundians. On mustering their forces, they amounted to about sixteen hundred combatants, whom they marched to lay siege to a castle called Colomier, which in a short time submitted to them.
In the mean time, the prince of Orange had retreated, knowing that his enemies, with a superior force, had taken the field and moreover had won a castle garrisoned by his men. He lost no time in sending messengers with letters to the nobles and gentry in Burgundy, and to his friends and allies, to request aid. He was so diligent that, within few days, he collected very many of the nobles, whom he led to those parts where he knew the enemy was, in hopes of regaining the castle of Colomier.
The French having been apprised by their spies of the coming of the Burgundians, had made preparations for receiving them, and in handsome array advanced to meet them, which they did between Colomier and Autane. The Burgundians, having a wood to pass through, could not immediately form in battle-array, nor instantly resist the vigorous charge of the French. The combat was however, severe, and the victory long disputed. Among those who were dismounted on the part of the Burgundians was a valiant knight called sir Louis de la Chapelle: he was soon slain, and the French remained masters of the field by the defeat of the enemy.
Two or three hundred were left dead of the Burgundians and six score, or more made prisoners. The principal among the last were the lord de Bussy, son to the lord de St Georges, the lord de Varembon, whose nose was cut off by a stroke of a sword, sir John Louis son to the lord de Conches, the lord de la Frete, Thibault de Rougemont, the lord de Ruppes, the lord d'Escabonne, sir John de Vienne, the lord de Raix, John de Baudè, sir Duc de Sicon, Gerard de Beauvoir and others, to the number before stated.
On the day of battle, many of the Burgundians, to the amount of sixteen or eighteen hundred combatants, fled in great disorder, the principal were the prince of Orange, (who was pursued as far as Autane, wherein with difficulty he saved himself) the count de Fribourg, the lord de Montagu, by name sir John de Neuf-Chastel, who bore the order of the Golden Fleece, but of which he was afterward deprived, the lord de Pesmes, and many more notable gentlemen, who fled different ways.
This engagement, in which Roderick de Villandras, who commanded the van of the French behaved most gallantly, took place about eight o'clock in the morning. When the business was over, the French assembled together in great joy, and returned thanks and praises to the Creator for the happy issue of the day. In consequence of this victory, they won many towns and castles from the Burgundians: one was Aubrune, belonging to the prince of Orange, which after its capture was demolished.