CHAP. LV.
JOHN DE NEVERS IS ORDERED TO LAY SIEGE TO MOREUIL.—HE HAS THE COUNTY OF ESTAMPES GIVEN TO HIM.
When the duke of Burgundy was returned to Picardy with John, son to the count de Nevers, the duke gave him the county of Estampes, which title he bore for a long time after, and was likewise appointed governor of Picardy, to take on him the charge of guarding the frontiers.
He assembled men at arms to lay siege to the castle of Moreuil[11], in possession of the French, and was joined by the lord d'Antoing, sir John de Croy, the vidame of Amiens, Valeran de Moreuil, the lord de Humieres, the lord de Saveuses, the lord de Neufville, sir Baudo de Noyelle governor of Peronne, and the governors of Mondidier and Roye. His force consisted of one thousand combatants, whom the count d'Estampes led to the castle of Moreuil, and quartered them before it. Not more than one hundred fighting men were in the castle, who were, within eight days, so hardly pressed that they were forced to surrender the place on having their lives spared, leaving their baggage and effects at the disposal of the count d'Estampes and his commissaries.
On the treaty being signed, the French marched away under passports from the count, and the command of the place was given to Valeran de Moreuil. The count d'Estampes conducted his army then to the castle of Mortemer, near Ressons-sur-mer, which was soon surrendered, and completely demolished. After which the count marched back with his men to the places whence they had come.