CHAP. LVII.
THE ABBEY OF ST VINCENT NEAR LAON IS DEMOLISHED.—MANY CASTLES ARE CONQUERED BY THE BURGUNDIANS.
The duke of Burgundy now departed from Picardy, on his return to Burgundy, attended by about two thousand fighting men, and sir Simon de Lalain and Robert de Saveuses. He took his march through the Cambresis, and thence to Cressy-sur-Serre, and to Provins.
The French were, at this time, assembled in great force at Laon, with the intent to besiege the abbey of St Vincent, which was garrisoned, as has been before said, by sir John de Luxembourg. Sir John sent messengers to the duke at Vervins to inform him of his situation, and to request that he would march back to Cressy-sur-Serre, and remain there for three or four days, in order that the French in Laon, hearing of his being so near, might give up their intentions of besieging him.
The duke complied with the request, and returned to Cressy; and in the mean time a treaty was commenced between the count de Ligny and the French in Laon, when it was agreed that the garrison should march from St Vincent with their baggage and other effects, but that the place should be demolished.
This being done, the duke continued his march through Champagne to Burgundy; and while there he greatly reinforced himself with troops from Burgundy and Picardy. He thence detached a party to besiege the town and castle of Chaumont in the Charolois, held by the French: the garrison was soon so hardly pressed that it surrendered at discretion to the duke of Burgundy, who had upwards of one hundred of them hanged. Sir John bastard de St Pol commanded the Picards in the duke's absence. Among those who were hanged was the son of Rodrigue da Vilandras. Those in the castle surrendered themselves to the duke, and were treated in like manner as the townsmen.
This detachment afterward besieged Beuam, which also surrendered, but on condition that the garrison should have free liberty to depart with staves in their hands. Thus by laying siege to several castles and smaller forts they reduced a great many to the obedience of the duke of Burgundy.