THE KING OF FRANCE MARCHES TO BESIEGE THE TOWN AND CASTLE OF PONTOISE.
WHEN the king of France had resided some days at Creil, he marched his whole army to Pontoise and arrived there about the middle of May. He was lodged in the abbey of Maubuisson, a noble convent having many fine edifices. His household was quartered there with him, and also the constable and marshals of France, namely the lord de Solignes[89] and de Lohiac: the other commanders were lodged in divers parts.
The artillery was soon brought to bear on a large bulwark at the end of the bridge, opposite to Maubuisson[90], which so much damaged it that it was taken by storm. From fourteen to sixteen were killed on the kings side, and many wounded: the English suffered nearly an equal loss. The king had this bulwark repaired and strengthened, and gave the guard of it to sir Denis de Chailly, and Michael Durant, with their men.
In another quarter, a bridge was thrown over the river Oise, opposite to the abbey of St Martin, which was surrounded by a low wall, and fortified like a blockhouse. The lord Charles d'Anjou and the lord de Cotivy[91], admiral of France, took possession of it with three or four thousand combatants. A strong blockhouse was also erected at the end of this new bridge, for its defence. The French could now pass over the river at their pleasure, without fear of danger from the enemy.
While these approaches were carrying forward, the king was joined by great numbers of nobles and gentlemen, and likewise by the burghers from the chief towns, in obedience to his summons. In the number were six score combatants from the city of Tournay, all picked men, and excellently appointed. These were chiefly cross-bow men, and under the command of three persons of note in Tournay, namely Symon de St Genoix, Robert le Boucher, and John de Cour, who were most graciously received by the king. Numbers came from Paris handsomely equipped, and from all the other great towns; and, as they arrived, they were received by the king's officers, and suitably lodged.
Louis de Luxembourg, count de St Pol and de Ligny, who had been some time assembling his men, arrived before Pontoise about a week after Midsummer-day, with six hundred men well appointed and arrayed. As the weather was very hot, he drew up his men in order of battle near to the king's quarters, who, with several of the princes and others, came to see him and were greatly rejoiced at his arrival. The king feasted him much, and was profuse his thanks to him for having come thither with so handsome a company.
There came with the count de St Pol the lord de Vervins, sir Colart de Mailly, Louis d'Anghien, sir Ferry de Mailly, John de Hangest, sir Daviod de Poix, Jacotin de Bethune and his brothers, George de Croix, and many more gentlemen, who suffered much this day from the excessive heat; insomuch that one gentleman, called Robert de Frisomen, died of it.
After the king had reviewed them they went to lodge at a village hard by, and shortly after encamped with the besieging army. The count de Vaudemont came also thither with one hundred or six score combatants, with whose arrival the king was well pleased. In truth, there were at this siege most of the great lords of France,—such as the dauphin, the count de Richemont constable of France, the two marshals and the admiral, before named, the lord Charles d'Anjou, the counts d'Eu de la Marche, de St Pol de Vaudemont, d'Albreth, de Tancarville de Joigny, the vidame de Chartres, the lord de Châtillion, the lord de Moreul in Brie, Poton de Saintrailles, the lord de Bueil, La Hire, the lord de Ham, sir Heincelin de la Tour, the lord de Mouy, Claude de Hangest, Regnault de Longueval, the lord de Moyencourt, the lord de la Suze, sir Theolde de Valberg, Anthony de Chabannes, Charles de Flavy, sir Giles de St Simon, Hugh de Mailly, Olivier de Cointiny, the lord de Pennesach, Blanchefort, Floquet, Broussach, Joachim Rohault, Pierre Regnault, the lord de Graville, sir John de Gapondes, Geoffry de la Hire, the bastard de Harcourt, and many others of great weight and authority,—so that, according to an estimate made by persons well informed, it was thought that the king's army amounted to from ten to twelve thousand combatants, the flower of his chivalry, each of whom was personally anxious to conquer the town and castle of Pontoise.
While the French were thus employed, the duke of York, the lord Talbot, and others of the english commanders then at Rouen, took council together how they could best relieve their companions in Pontoise. It was resolved that the lord Talbot should first attempt to revictual it, and reconnoitre the position and appearance of the French. In consequence lord Talbot marched away with about four thousand fighting men, as well horse as foot, and had with him a long train of carts and cattle for the supply of the garrison.
After some days march, he took up his quarters at a town called Cheurin[92], not far distant from Pontoise, where he lay two nights,—and, during that time, threw his supplies into Pontoise without hinderance from the French; for the king had determined in council to avoid combating the English, unless he could do so highly to his advantage.
Having accomplished this business, lord Talbot retreated to Mantes[93], and quartered his men without the town: thence he returned to Normandy.
In the mean time, the artillery of the king of France, as well in the blockhouse of St Martin as elsewhere, played continually on the walls and gates of Pontoise, and damaged them greatly; but the besieged repaired them in the night, as well as they could, with beams of wood and old barrels: they also made frequent sallies, in which several were killed and wounded on both sides. The king was desirous of inclosing the town all round,—but could not well do it from the danger of an attack from the english army, and of his troops being cut off from succouring each other when thus separated; for he knew how near the enemy were, and in great force, preparing to make him raise the siege. It was from this cause that the French delayed surrounding the town closely on all sides. A huge blockhouse was ordered to be instantly built in the forest of Compiégne, and floated down the Seine to Pontoise, where they would fix it as they should judge expedient,—and William de Flavy was commanded to see that this was immediately done.
Some time after, the lord Talbot came a second time and revictualed the town, and supplied it with all sorts of stores in abundance. Each time, he took away those who had been wounded, leaving reinforcements, from his own men, and, as before, met with no interruption or opposition in his return.
The king, observing those measures of his adversaries, became very melancholy; for he saw no end to a siege when the town was so continually and uninterruptedly reinforced. Nevertheless, he was personally active in strengthening his leaguers, and in providing them with all necessary stores, in case the enemy should advance to attack them.