CHAP. XCVII.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY DETERMINES TO MAKE WAR ON THE ENGLISH.
While affairs were growing worse every day between the English and Burgundians, the duke and some of his most able counsellors thought that it would be more advisable to consider on some private means to prevent the two countries going to war,—for that it would be better for all parties the duke should remain in peace, and neuter as to the war with France. To accomplish this, sir John de Luxembourg count de Ligny, who had not as yet taken the oaths of fidelity to king Charles, was sent for to the duke. At his request, sir John offered to write to his brother the archbishop of Rouen, who was one of the principal advisers of king Henry, and his chancellor for the kingdom of France.
The business was immediately commenced, and the archbishop dispatched to king Henry in England. It was there resolved, that for the welfare of the two countries, they would remain in peace; and the archbishop sent word to his brother, that his request would be complied with,—and that England would give good security not to undertake any enterprise against the territories of the duke of Burgundy, provided the duke would give similar security to king Henry.
Sir John de Luxembourg, on receiving this information in writing, sent it to the duke of Burgundy, and desired to know by the messenger whether he were willing to proceed further in the matter. The duke made answer, by the bishop of Tournay, that he would not; for that the English had of late behaved in a very hostile manner toward him and his subjects, and in various parts had defamed his person and his honour. They had overthrown from four to five hundred of his combatants on the borders of Flanders, and had also attempted to gain the town of Ardres by surprise. This had been confessed by four of the party who had been beheaded for it in that town. They had also done many other acts of hostility, which could not longer be passed over in silence.
When the bishop of Tournay had given this answer to the messengers from the count de Ligny, they requested of the duke to have it in writing, which he complied with, and signed it with his own hand; but before the messengers were departed, the duke was strongly exhorted, by several of his council, to make preparations for a war against the English, in defence of his honour.
In consequence, he shortly after had letters written and sent to king Henry of England, in which he stated the acts done on his part against himself and his subjects since the signing of the peace at Arras, which were so disagreeable and offensive to his honour that they could not longer be borne nor dissembled. He added, that if any thing should have been done inimical by him, no one ought to be surprised; for he had received too many insults and neglects not to warrant him therein, which had been very displeasing to him.
When these papers had been examined by king Henry and his council, they were perfectly convinced that a war with the duke of Burgundy was inevitable, and gave immediate orders for the reinforcement of all the frontiers of the Boulonnois and of Crotoy, and warned those countries to be ready for whatever attempts might be made on them. In like manner did the duke of Burgundy strengthen all his towns on the frontier.
The king of England sent declaratory letters to several parts of France, and the principal towns, to explain the cause of quarrel between him and the duke of Burgundy, which in substance contained excuses for the charges made against him by the duke, of the hostilities carried on against himself and subjects. He also stated the letter sent to Ziric-zee, as an instance of his wish to avoid any quarrel. With regard to the alliance he was desirous of forming with the emperor of Germany, he had a right so to do without being called to an account for it; and as for the summons that had been issued to raise a large army to wage war against the duke, he did not deny but that such summons was issued, though no cause for it was mentioned,—and he had a right to assemble an army, and employ it wheresoever he pleased. He concluded by saying, that the charges made against him by the duke of Burgundy were groundless, as would be apparent to all from the acts done against him and his subjects by the said duke and his allies. This declaration shall, if it please God, be thrown back on him from whom it came.