CHAP. LVIII.
THE LORD TALBOT RETURNS TO FRANCE, AND CONQUERS MANY TOWNS AND CASTLES.
In this same year, the lord Talbot returned from England to France, bringing with him eight hundred combatants, whom he landed at Rouen. Marching thence toward Paris, he reconquered the fort of Jouy, situated between Beauvais and Gisors, and hanged all the French found within it. He continued his march to Paris, where it was determined, by king Henry's council, that he should, in company with the lord de l'Isle-Adam, marshal of France, sir Galois d'Aunay lord of Arville, and the bishop of Therouenne, chancellor of France for king Henry, march with all their troops to lay siege to the castle of Beaumont-sur-Oise, which had been much strengthened by Amadour de Vignolles, brother to La Hire.
These three knights marched from Paris with full sixteen hundred well tried combatants; but when they came before the castle of Beaumont they found it deserted; for Amadour de Vignolles, having heard of their intentions, had abandoned it, and retreated with his men and baggage to the town of Creil.
The English, having destroyed the fortifications of Beaumont, hastened to follow them; and having surrounded Creil on all sides, many severe skirmishes took place, in which the besieged made a gallant defence: but in one of them, Amadour was mortally wounded by an arrow, which greatly disheartened his men, for they held him to be a courageous and expert man at arms.
During this siege, the bishop of Therouenne joined the besiegers; and at the end of six weeks, the garrison surrendered, on condition of being allowed to depart with their baggage and effects. After the English had re-garrisoned the town and castle of Creil, they advanced to lay siege to the Pont de St Maixence, held by Guillon de Ferrieres, nephew to St Trailles, who surrendered it on conditions similar to those granted at Creil.
The English thence marched to Neufville en Esmoy and to La Rouge Maison, and then to Crespy in Valois, which was taken by storm. There were full thirty French within it, under the command of Pothon le Bourguignon. They then returned to Clermont in the Beauvoisis, held by the bourg de Vignolles, who submitted to them, and thence to Beauvais; but perceiving they could not gain any thing further, they retreated to Paris and to the other garrisons whence they had come.