CHAP. CV.
SIR JOHN DE CROY, BAILIFF OF HAINAULT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER CAPTAINS, ATTACK THE ENGLISH AND ARE DISCOMFITED BY THEM.
At this time, sir John de Croy, bailiff of Hainault, assembled, on the borders of Picardy and the Boulonnois, about fifteen hundred combatants, the principal leaders of whom were the lord de Waurin, sir Baudo de Noyelle, sir Louis de Thieubronne, Robert de Saveuses, Richard de Thieubronne, the lord Deulez, the bastard of Roucy, with several more, well experienced in war. They intended to march them against Calais and other places dependant on the English, and for this reason had their rendezvous at a village called le Wast, two leagues from St Omer.
They marched thence one night to forage the country of the enemy,—but this same night the English had formed an expedition to do the like in the Boulonnois, to the amount of about two thousand men. Neither of them knew of the other's intent, nor did they take roads likely to meet; but on sir John de Croy's approaching the English border, he dispatched some expert men at arms, well acquainted with the country, to gain intelligence. They fell in with the rear of the English detachment near the bridge of Milay, about day-break, and, on reconnoitring them, found that they were very numerous. When returned to sir John, they made him acquainted with what they had seen, and that the English were advancing toward the Boulonnois. A council of the captains was called to determine how they should act, when it was resolved to pursue and attack them during the time they would be engaged in plundering the villages, if they could overtake them in time—otherwise to combat them wherever they should meet.
It was ordered that sir John de Croy, accompanied by a body of the most able men at arms, should advance with the greater part of the archers, and that the main body should follow near, under the banner of sir Louis de Thieubronne.
Scouts were again sent forward, who rode long before they saw the fires which the enemy had made by burning different villages and small towns. Some prisoners whom they had taken had given information to the English of their being abroad, who in consequence had collected their men on a small eminence between Gravelines and Campagne[37]. It might be at this time about ten o'clock, but the greater part of the English were assembled lower down, and could not well be seen.
The main body of the Burgundians, on perceiving the enemy, were very eager for the combat, because the advanced party had already begun the engagement, and from sixty to eighty of the English on the hill were slain and the others put to flight; but when, on advancing, they perceived so large a body on the other side of the declivity rallying the runaways, they were surprised and fearful of the event, and halted for the arrival of the main body.
In the mean time, the English recovered courage on seeing the enemy afraid to follow up their victory, and made a well ordered and firm charge upon them. The Burgundians could not withstand the shock, were thrown into confusion, and, instantly wheeling round, fled in haste for the castles under their obedience.
The English, who had been half conquered at the first onset, pursued them, full gallop, as far as the town of Ardres, and even within the barriers. Upwards of a hundred were slain or made prisoners: among the first was Robert de Bournonville, surnamed the Red. In the last were Jean d'Estreves, Bournonville, Galiot du Champ, Maide, Houttefort, Barnamont, and many others, men of note. The English pursued their enemies with such eagerness that five or six were killed close to the ditches of the town,—and among them was one of very high rank.
The lord de Waurin, sir Baudo de Noyelle, sir Louis de Thieubronne, Robert de Saveuses, who had that day been knighted, and several more, saved themselves in Ardres. Sir John de Croy had been wounded by an arrow at the first onset, and his horse killed. He and the lord Deulez retired to the abbey of Lille, much troubled and hurt at his defeat. The others escaped to divers forts and castles in the neighbourhood.
When the English had ceased pursuing, they collected together, and returned with their prisoners to Calais, and to other places under their government. The count de Mortaigne came out of Calais to meet them, and gave them a most joyful reception, blaming greatly, at the same time, those who by flying had put them in such imminent danger.