CHAP. VIII.
THE DUKE OF BAR ENTERS THE COUNTY OF VAUDEMONT TO CONQUER IT BY FORCE.
I have before mentioned that a serious quarrel[2] had taken place between Réné duke of Bar and Anthony de Lorraine count de Vaudemont. In consequence thereof, the duke of Bar had collected a great body of men at arms, as well from his own duchy as from other parts of Germany, to the amount of six thousand men. The principal leaders were the counts de Salmes, de Salivines and de Linanges, the bishop of Metz, sir Thibaut de Barbey, and other noble men of high rank. The duke had also with him that gallant and renowned knight the lord de Barbasan, by whose advice he ordered his army,—for he had great knowledge and experience in war.
Having provided a sufficiency of artillery, provision and stores, the duke marched his army before Vaudemont[3], the capital of that country, which was naturally strong, and had been repaired with additional fortifications, by the count, who had likewise well victualled and garrisoned it, knowing that it was intended to be attacked by his enemies.
He had appointed, as governors in his absence, Gerard de Passenchault, bailiff of the county, and Henry de Fouquencourt, who made great exertions to put the place in a proper state of defence. They were, however, in spite of their efforts, soon besieged on all sides, by reason of the superior numbers of their enemies.
The besiegers also overran and destroyed by fire and sword most part of the county of Vaudemont, which, although very vexatious to the count, he could no way resist for the present. He garrisoned all his strong places as well as he could, and resolved to wait on duke Philip of Burgundy, whose party he had alway supported, and humbly request aid from him to deliver his country from his enemies.
He found the duke in Flanders, to whom having told his distress, the duke replied, that he would willingly lay the case before his council, and give him a speedy answer, and the best assistance he could afford. A short time before the count's arrival, sir Anthony de Toulongeon, the marshal of Burgundy, and other noble persons from that country, had come to remonstrate with the duke on the state of affairs in that duchy, and on the devastations there done by his enemies the French and Bourbonnois, who were daily committing murders and mischiefs by fire and sword, having already conquered some of his towns and castles, and intending further inroads unless they were checked.
They earnestly solicited that he would, for the salvation of the country, send thither some of his Picard-captains, accompanied by a certain number of men at arms, more particularly archers, of whom, they said, they were in much need.
The duke held several councils on these two demands, and on the means of complying with them. They caused many debates,—and his ministers urged the necessity of non-compliance, saying that the French were on the borders of Picardy, eager to make an inroad on Artois, and the moment they should know that his Picards had left their country, they might do him very great mischief. Notwithstanding all the dangers that might ensue, it was resolved, as a matter of necessity, that a thousand or twelve hundred combatants should be given to the marshal, who should have the chief command, with the Picardy-captains under him; and when they were arrived in Burgundy, they should afford the count de Vaudemont the strongest support they could.
When this had been resolved upon, it was necessary to seek for captains to conduct the expedition; for there were few of any rank willing to undertake it, because it was to a distant country, where the enemy was in great force,—and they did not expect to be well paid, according to the custom in those parts. However, the duke of Burgundy, the count of Vaudemont, and others of weight in Picardy, determined to accept of such as they could find willing to go; and they sounded Matthieu de Humieres, Robinet de Huchechien, the bastard de Fosseux, the bastard de Neufville, Gerard bastard de Brimeu, and some other gentlemen and men at arms of the middle ranks, who had no great properties in their own country, to know if they were inclined to assemble men at arms, and to follow their leader whither he pleased to seek adventures. Some presents and greater promises being added to this proposal, they agreed to accept of the offers.
They collected, therefore, about the beginning of May, as many men at arms as they could, in various parts, to the amount of a thousand or twelve hundred, and had the duke of Burgundy's commands to keep them on foot for a certain time: the most of them were poor soldiers, accustomed to support themselves by living on their neighbours, when they could not find wherewithal in their own countries, but strong, healthy and vigorous, and accustomed to war.
When they were assembled in companies, they marched for the Cambresis, and were mustered in a large village called Solames, belonging to the abbot of St Denis in France. They thence advanced under the command of the marshal, and other burgundian lords, to Rethel, where they received a proportion of their pay, and thence returned through St Menehould to Burgundy, where they remained some little time, waiting until the burgundian forces were ready.
In the mean time, while these preparations were going forward, the duke of Bar was besieging, with his numerous army, the town of Vaudemont. He had remained before it for three complete months, and had greatly damaged the walls by his cannon and other engines. The besieged were in the utmost distress; but, as they had hopes of being speedily relieved by the count, from whom they had secret messages, they bore all with much patience. Their two governors made great exertions to defend the place, that their lord might not reproach them with having any way neglected their duty.