THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY SENDS THE COUNT D'ESTAMPES, WITH A LARGE BODY OF MEN AT ARMS, INTO THE DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG.
AT this period, the duchess of Luxembourg, widow to duke Anthony of Brabant and to John of Bavaria (both of them uncles to the duke of Burgundy, one by the father's the other by the mother's side), made heavy complaints to the duke of Burgundy that the greater part of her subjects and vassals in the duchy of Luxembourg had refused to obey her, or pay her the rents that were her due. The inhabitants of Luxembourg and Thionville were particularly rebellious, with those of other places in their neighbourhood, by driving out of their towns her officers. She most humbly requested of him, from his love to God, and in honour to his two uncles, whom she had married, and to whom she had always behaved most honourably, that he would take compassion on her case, and afford her such succour as should replace her with honour in her duchy, otherwise she should be reduced to live in great poverty and misery.
The duke made her a very kind answer, saying that he would heartily assist her against her rebellious subjects with every means in his power,—for which she gratefully thanked him. In consequence, he lost no time to assemble his council, for them to deliberate on the matter and determine on the most efficacious method of performing his engagement.—It was resolved at this council, that the duke of Burgundy should send a solemn message to the inhabitants of Luxembourg, to require of them to perform their duties to the duchess and to her officers, as they were bounden to do,—and that, should they refuse, he, the duke, would support her with all his power, to restore to her her rights.
The inhabitants refused to attend to this summons, although several requests were made to them for the purpose, and instantly introduced into their towns a body of troops from duke William of Saxony, who laid claim to the duchy as next heir. He sent thither eight hundred combatants from the borders of Germany, under the command of a relative called the count de Clicque, who garrisoned the town of Luxembourg, Thionville, and others of their party.
The duke of Burgundy, perceiving they persevered in their rebellion, determined to make war upon them, and wrote letters to the count de Vernembourg, the heir of Sarrebrusse, Henry de la Tour, and to other nobles of the duchy of Luxembourg, the greater part of whom supported the duchess, to request that they would join him in his war against her rebellious subjects. He added that he would shortly send thither an army, and command it in person, to conquer that duchy, and drive out those who at present occupied it. They returned for answer, that they were very agreeable to join him; and, after they had sent to the different towns in rebellion their challenges, made open war upon them. In the mean time, the duke of Burgundy ordered the count d'Estampes into Picardy, to assemble a large force, and march with it to meet him in Burgundy.
When his army was ready, he commanded it to advance toward Saint Quentin, whither he himself went, accompanied by Waleran de Moreul, Guy de Roye, the lord de Humieres, the lord de Saveuses, sir Simon de Lalain, the lord de Neufville, Gauvain Quieret, sir Anthony de Wissoch, Jean de Haplaincourt, and many noble knights and esquires, to the number of twelve or thirteen hundred combatants.
From St Quentin, the army marched toward Laon, to pass through the county of Rethel; but when near to Montagut[118], intelligence was brought that Dimenche le Court, le Roucin, and others of the king of France's captains, were posted in Montagut and Sissonne[119], whence they had lately laid waste the whole country of the Rethelois. The count d'Estampes was very indignant on hearing this; for a short time before, Dimenche le Court had been defeated in Burgundy, and had then promised never more to invade the territories of the duke of Burgundy, nor of his allies. The count sent to order them to decamp, for that he intended to lodge in Montagut; but as they refused to obey, a dispute ensued between the two parties, and the count instantly attacked them, when the French were defeated, with the loss of their horses and baggage, taken by the Picards. Few were killed, but many wounded,—and such as had been made prisoners were afterwards set at liberty. Some had even their baggage restored,—in particular, that of de Court,—and they made a retreat as speedily as they could.
Neither the king nor dauphin were pleased that their men should have been attacked and defeated on the territories of France, more especially as these troops in obedience to a summons from the dauphin, were on their march to the relief of Dieppe, of which ample mention shall be made: the mischief, however, was done,—which caused, hereafter, great remorse.
The count d'Estampes marched his army toward Burgundy, and encamped in the plains near to Langres and Montfaucon: during which, the count and principal nobles waited on the duke of Burgundy at Dijon, where they were joyfully received and feasted. They remained there some time, while the duke was finishing his preparations to march with his army into Luxembourg.