THE KING OF FRANCE LAYS SIEGE TO, AND CONQUERS, THE TOWN OF CREIL[88].
WHEN the king of France had resided about a month in Laon, he departed thence, and went, through Soissons and Noyon, to Compiégne, where he tarried some time to wait for his army that he was raising to march to Creil.
Although William de Flavy, governor of the town of Compiégne, had obtained his pardon from the king for the death of the lord de Rieux, marshal of France who had died in his prisons, he would not appear before the king,—and, from fear of the marshal's friends, went off with the lord d'Offemont, for the greater security of his person.
The king was joined at Compiégne, by numbers from all parts of France, in obedience to his summons; and a few days after he quitted Compiégne, and went to Senlis, where he made a short stay, and thence marched his army before Creil, then held by the English. He fixed his quarters near the town, on the side toward Paris,—and the constable and other captains posted themselves on the opposite side, in front of the bridge.
Many skirmishes took place on their arrival; but soon after, when the king's artillery, that had been pointed against the walls and gates, opened their batteries, the fortifications were so much damaged that the garrison began to fear the event of a storm,—so that, at the end of twelve days, they desired to capitulate, which was granted to them.
They agreed to surrender the town and castle to the king, on condition of being allowed to march away in safety with all their money, and as many of their effects as they could carry on their backs. Having received passports, they marched out on foot through the gate leading to the bridge, taking the road toward Beauvais. Their commander was sir William Chamberlain.
On the departure of the English, the king entered the castle,—and the other captains were lodged in different parts of the town. Yvon du Puys was appointed captain of the garrison.