[A.D. 1436.]
THE CITY OF PARIS IS REDUCED TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHARLES KING OF FRANCE.
At the beginning of this year, the count de Richemont, constable of France, the bastard of Orleans, the lords de la Roche, de l'Isle-Adam, de Ternant, sir Simon de Lalain, his brother Sausse, with other french and burgundian captains, collected a force of about six thousand combatants, and marched from Pontoise toward Paris, in the hope of gaining admittance through the intrigues of the lord de l'Isle-Adam with the partisans of the burgundian faction within that city.
Having remained there from four to five hours, seeing they could not succeed, they quartered themselves at Aubervilliers, Montmartre, and other places around. On the morrow, they attacked the town of St Denis, wherein were from four to five hundred English, and won it by storm.—About two hundred English were slain,—and the rest fled to the abbey, where they were besieged, but soon surrendered on having their lives spared, with the reservation of some of the natives, who were to remain at the discretion of the conquerors.
The next day, which was a Thursday, sir Thomas Beaumont, lately arrived at Paris with six hundred fighting men from Normandy, marched from Paris to St Denis, to inquire into the state of the French. When they perceived him, they made a sally with a large force, and almost immediately defeated him. Three hundred and eighty were killed or made prisoners, and among the last was sir Thomas: the rest escaped by flying to Paris, pursued to the very gates.
The Parisians most inclined to the duke of Burgundy, namely, those in the quarter of the market-place, and some few of the university, with Michael Lallier and others of the principal citizens, seeing the great loss the English had suffered, and so large a force of French and Burgundians under their walls, assembled in parties, and resolved to drive out the English and admit the others into their town. This they made known to the lord de l'Isle-Adam, that he might inform the other captains of their intentions. He sent notice thereof to the constable and the nobles, who, eager to gain Paris, marched from St Denis in handsome array, very early on the Friday morning.
In the mean time, Louis de Luxembourg, bishop of Therouenne, the bishops of Lisieux and of Meaux, the lord Willoughby, and others of the english party, suspecting that the commonalty were about to turn against them, posted their men in the street of St Antony, near to the bastille, which they filled with provision and warlike stores. They kept their men armed, and on their guard, to retreat thither should there be occasion.
When the French and Burgundians were come before Paris, to the gate of St James, on the other side of the Seine toward Montlehery, they sent the lord de l'Isle-Adam to hold a parley with the inhabitants on the ramparts. He displayed to them a general amnesty from king Charles for all that was passed, sealed with his great seal,—admonishing them, at the same time, to surrender instantly to their lawful king and lord, at the request of the duke of Burgundy, as they were now reconciled, for that they had been ever steadily attached to the duke, and under his government they would still remain. The Parisians, hearing these soft speeches from the lord de l'Isle-Adam and his confederates, were so much pleased, that they agreed, shortly after, to admit them into the city.
Ladders were now hastily placed against the walls, by which the lord de l'Isle-Adam mounted and entered the town. He was followed by the bastard of Orleans and numbers of their men. A large body of the Burgundy-faction and of the commonalty met them, shouting, 'Peace! Long live king Charles, and the duke of Burgundy!'
Soon after, the gates were thrown open, and the constable entered, with the other lords and their men at arms. They advanced toward the bastille, whither the bishops, and those of the english party, had retreated, with a show of making some resistance; but it was vain, for their enemies were too numerous. They were, therefore, repulsed at the first onset, and a few killed and made prisoners. Barriers were now erected before the gate of the bastille with large timber, and men at arms posted in the Tournelles and adjoining parts, to prevent the English from making any sallies. All their effects were now seized and plundered,—and those who had been their principal supporters were imprisoned, and their property confiscated. New officers were also appointed, in the name of king Charles, for the government of the town.
The bishop of Therouenne, lord Willoughby, and the others in the bastille, held a parley with the French; and, by means of the lord de Ternant and sir Simon de Lalain, it was concluded that, on the surrender of the bastille, those within should be allowed to depart in safety, with all their effects. They had a passport from the constable, under which they went by land and water to Rouen.
The Parisians, at their departure, set up a grand shouting at them, crying out 'à la queue[25]!' Thus was the city of Paris reduced to the obedience of king Charles. The English, after passing the gate leading to the country, went round to embark at the back of the Louvre. The bishop of Therouenne lost all the rich ornaments of his chapel; and the greater part of his jewels and valuable rings fell to the lot of the constable. However, he was much favoured by the lord de Ternant and sir Simon de Lalain; and they restored to him some of his wealth, which was dispersed in different parts of the town.
The standard of the duke of Burgundy was displayed at all the gates, as an inducement for the Parisians to turn to his party. Some new knights were created on this occasion by the constable, from the country of Picardy, namely, Sausse de Lalain and Robert de Neufville, with others of the French.
The constable remained for a long time in Paris after this conquest,—and with him the lord de Ternant, who was made provost. The aforesaid sir Sausse de Lalain, the bastard of Orleans, and others of the French and Picards, now returned to the places they had come from.