CHAP. XCVIII.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, BY THE ADVICE OF HIS PRIVY COUNSELLORS, RESOLVES TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO CONQUER CALAIS.
Soon after the duke of Burgundy had sent his dispatches to England, charging king Henry and his subjects with the many hostile acts they had done against him, he knew that a war must take place, and held many councils to consider on the best means of conducting it.
The council were much divided in their opinions: some were for the duke beginning the war, and assembling the whole of his forces, not only to oppose the English but to make an attempt to conquer Calais, which was his own inheritance. Others were of a different opinion, for they thought again and again on the commencement, and what might be the end of the war,—saying, that the English were so near many parts of their country that they could invade it with advantage whenever they pleased; and they knew not what dependance and aid could be expected from king Charles, his sovereign, and the princes he was now connected with, in case any misfortunes should befal him.
This matter having been debated for many days, it was at length determined that the duke should commence hostilities, and require the assistance of his countries of Flanders, Holland, and the rest, to aid him in the conquest of Calais and the county of Guines. The principal advisers of this measure were master Jean Chevrot bishop of Tournay, the lord de Croy, master Jean de Croy his brother, sir Jean de Hornes, seneschal of Brabant, the lord de Chargny, the lord de Crevecoeur, Jean de Brimeu, bailiff of Amiens, and many others.
Several great lords, who had constantly served the duke of Burgundy in his wars, were not called to this council,—such as sir John de Luxembourg, the lord d'Antoing, the vidame of Amiens, the bastard of St Pol, the lord de Saveuses, Hugh de Launoy, the lord de Mailly, and several others of high rank and power, as well in Picardy as in the other territories of the duke, who thought that, since they had been thus neglected, they were not bound to serve with their vassals in the ensuing war with that alacrity they would have done had they been summoned.
When war had been resolved on, the duke went to Ghent, and assembled in the banqueting hall the sheriffs and deacons of the trades. He caused them to be harangued by master Goussenin le Sauvage, one of his counsellors at the castle of Ghent, how the town of Calais had belonged to his predecessors, and that it was his lawful inheritance, as part of his county of Artois, although the English had long held it by force, and against his right: of this they might be truly informed, by examining the report formerly made by Collart de Comines, high bailiff of Flanders, or by others of his counsellors: that the English, since the peace of Arras, had done many hostile acts against him and his subjects, which had much vexed him; and that they had, in various proclamations, defamed his person and honour, which he could not longer, without disgrace, suffer from them. For this reason he had visited them, to request that they would afford him aid in men and money to conquer the town of Calais, which, as master Goussenin added, was very prejudicial to all Flanders; for that the Flemings who went thither to purchase wool, tin, lead or cheese, were forced to pay in money according to what alloy the English pleased to put on it, or in ingots of refined gold and silver, which was not done in other countries, and this the deacons of the trades vouched to be true.
When this harangue, which was very long, was concluded, the majority of the sheriffs and deacons, without deliberation, or fixing a day to consult with the other members of their body, consented to support the war, and would not listen to some wise and ancient lords, who were of a contrary opinion. But what is more, when news of this was spread through the other towns of Flanders, the whole country was eager for war; and it seemed to many to proceed too slowly,—for they were impatient to display how well provided they were with arms and warlike habiliments. They proceeded thus arrogantly and pompously,—for in truth it seemed to them that Calais could not be able to withstand their arms.
The duke of Burgundy made similar applications to the other towns and castlewicks in Flanders for their aid in the war, and all liberally supported him. He also went to Holland, to solicit from the Hollanders shipping against Calais, who complied with the greater part of his demands. He thence returned home to make great preparations for his war against the English, and to conquer Calais.
While these matters were going forward, several enterprises had been undertaken by the English and Burgundians against each other. The duke of Burgundy on his return to Picardy sent thence six hundred combatants, under the lord de Ternant, sir Simon de Lalain and other captains, to reinforce the lord de l'Isle-Adam at Pontoise, and to guard the frontier against the English, who were making a sharp attack on that town, although it was but lately won from them by the lord de l'Isle-Adam. A party of French joined these Picards, and made frequent attempts to gain the city of Paris.
During this time, king Charles's queen was brought to bed of a son, to whom the king gave the baptismal name of Philip after the duke of Burgundy. The sponsors for the duke were Charles duke of Bourbon and Charles d'Anjou, brother to the queen. When the christening was over, the king sent a pursuivant with letters to the duke of Burgundy, to inform him of what he had done, and to express a wish that it might be agreeable to him. The duke was much pleased with the news, and made the pursuivant presents becoming a prince.
The duke, in the mean time, continued to make requests throughout his dominions for succours of men and money, to carry on with effect his war against the English.