CHAP. XCI.
THE CARDINALS, AND THE AMBASSADORS FROM THE COUNCIL, LEAVE ARRAS.—THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY APPOINTS DIFFERENT OFFICERS TO THE TOWNS AND FORTRESSES THAT HAD BEEN CONCEDED TO HIM BY THE PEACE.
Soon after peace had been proclaimed in Arras, the cardinals, and those who had accompanied them, departed thence, after having been most honourably entertained by duke Philip. In like manner did all those who had come thither as ambassadors from the holy council and from king Charles.
The duke now, while in Arras, appointed many new officers to the towns and castles on the river Somme and to those within Picardy, which had long appertained to the crown of France, but had been yielded to him by king Charles, according to the articles of the treaty lately concluded. Prior to this peace, Arras was in the hands of king Henry; but now the duke appointed other officers, displacing those of king Henry at his pleasure, laying hands on all the public money, nominating new receivers, and causing the inhabitants to swear allegiance to him.
The english officers were much surprised at these proceedings of the duke, for it was through his means that king Henry had obtained possession of the town, and he had lately acknowledged him for his legal and sovereign lord. Seeing that they could no way prevent it, they suffered patiently all that was done.
Among others, master Robert le Jeune, who had for a long time been bailiff of Amiens, and had ruled with a high hand all Picardy in favour of the English, and had even been their council at the convention of Arras, and their chief adviser, finding that the tide was now turning against them (through means procured by money) managed so well that he continued in favour with the duke of Burgundy, who made him governor of Arras in the room of sir David de Brimeu, who had held that appointment.
Thus in a few days was a total change made in the public affairs of France and England, and just contrary to what had before been.