CHAP. C.
ARTHUR COUNT DE RICHEMONT, CONSTABLE OF FRANCE, MAKES WAR ON THE HEIR OF COMMERCY.
In this year, the count de Richemont, constable of France, advanced into Champagne with a large body of troops to make war on the heir of Commercy and others, who were disobedient to king Charles, and had greatly annoyed that and the surrounding countries.
On his arrival, he took Laon, some leagues from Rheims, and thence marched to Braine[26], belonging to the lord of Commercy; but as it was too strong and well garrisoned, and refused to submit, he passed on to Saint Menehoud, in the possession of Henry de la Tour, who gave it up on capitulation.
The constable was here joined by the youth Everard de la Marche, who made an agreement with him for his men to lay siege to Chavensy[27]. The constable gave him several of his captains and their men: with these he commenced the siege of Chavensy about eight days after Easter, by erecting a strong block-house, wherein he quartered about four hundred of his troops and a number of common people, who came thither at times from the low countries.
Everard had with him the constable's lieutenant named Jean de Malatrait, sir John Geoffry de Conurant, and the provost of the marshals, Tristan de l'Hermite, and also Pierre d'Orgy, Yvon du Puys, the Arragonian, Estienne Diest, le grand Pierre, and others, men of renown, who remained full four months carrying on a severe war against this garrison, which, nevertheless defended themselves with prudence and ability.
While this was going forward, a party of the besieging army kept the open country, with the intent of harrassing in other places the heir of Commercy, who was always on his guard, and well attended by men at arms. He learnt from his spies, that his adversaries were quartered at the village of Romaigne[28], in Champagne; and before they could be prepared to resist him, he made a sudden attack on them at eight of the clock in the morning, and totally defeated them. About sixty were slain, among whom were Alain Geron bailiff of Senlis, Geoffry de Morillon, Pierre d'Orgy, Alain de la Roche, Olivier de la Jouste, the bastard of Villebranche, and many other gentlemen. Six score were made prisoners,—and in the number was one Blanchelaine.
The heir of Commercy retreated after this defeat,—and when news of it was carried to the besiegers of Chavensy, they were greatly surprised. Everard de la Marche was not cast down by this misfortune, but gained to his party the count de Vernembourg, who in person, attended by his two sons, and accompanied by four or five hundred combatants, went to this siege. He carried with him, likewise, sir Hugh Tauxte and sir Herault de Gourgines, governors of Ainville[29], the children of Brousset, and many more great lords, who remained at this siege until the night of St John's day,—when the besieged made a grand sally, and set fire to the quarters of the besiegers. They were successful in throwing the enemy into confusion, and slew from two to three hundred, among whom were Estienne Diest and the Arragonian. Another skirmish took place, when one of the sons of the count de Vernembourg was killed, and the great block-house set on fire by means of rockets. The besiegers, having suffered severely in these sallies, decamped, when their quarters were burnt.
Angillebert de Dolle and Girard de Marescoup commanded in Chavensey, during this siege, for the Lord de Commercy, with about two hundred fighting men.
During this time, the constable had reduced to obedience the towns of Nampteuil-sur-Aine[30], Han-les-Moines[31], Bourg[32], and other castles, on his presenting himself before them.