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CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
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THE
CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
TRANSLATED BY
JOHN BOURCHIER, LORD BERNERS
EDITED AND REDUCED INTO ONE VOLUME
BY
G. C. MACAULAY
FORMERLY FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE
irXiou ijixLcrv Travros
MACMILLAN AND CO., Limited
NEW YORK : THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
1904
A II rights reserved
NOV 1 1948
First Edition 1895. R ej>r inted zZgg, 1904
PREFACE
The present volume is intended to supply what can hardly be said to exist
already, a popular Froissart for English readers. This is an aim which needs
no apology. Every one ought to read Froissart, but nevertheless, considering
the difficulties which stand in the way, it is hardly surprising that a very large
number of educated persons should be in the position of Henry Morton in Old
Mortality^ obliged by sincerity to say ' No,' if the question, ' Did you ever read
Froissart ? ' should be put to them. And yet he is recommended to the reader
on so many grounds besides the rather doubtful one suggested by Claver-
house. Not to mention the charm of the narrative as narrative, we must
admit that there is no school of history like reading the record of chroniclers con-
temporary with the events which they relate, and of all such chroniclers Froissart
is surely the most readable. It has been the fashion with some historians to
depreciate his authority, and it is possible, doubtless, to convict him of num-
berless inaccuracies and of some serious misrepresentations ; but the good
faith of the writer is unquestionable, and if we consider the extent of his
narrative, embracing, as he says, England, France, Spain, Portugal, Scotland,
Flanders, and the adjoining countries, and the difficulty of obtaining news,
which compelled the chronicler himself to travel far and wide and to collect
information from the mouths of those who had taken part in the events, we
shall be rather surprised at the general trustworthiness of the Chronicles than
at their particular errors. Their authority for a student of history in regard to
this or that series of events depends upon a variety of circumstances which it
would not be proper to discuss in this volume. For some parts the chronicler
is dependent on his predecessor, Jean le Bel, for others he is himself a con-
temporary authority; and naturally far greater weight attaches to his narrative
of events in France, Flanders and Hainault, than in England, Spain and the
East. But the real value of the work is as a picture of manners, a drama in
which the personages are living characters and not mere historical names,
and the chronicler himself moves among them, not the least real and living,
Let it be admitted that the narrative of events is full of inaccuracies in detail,
yet how characteristic it is of the times. Take for example the story of the
first campaign against the Scots (due originally to Jean le Bel). What a
chronicle of mismanagement and helplessness : and yet it is told as the most
natural thing in the world, and we cannot doubt that whatever inaccuracies
it may contain are mere mistakes of ' topography,' as Fielding might say, and
that the narrative is thoroughly typical of fourteenth century warfare in a
VI THE CHRONICLES OE EROISSART
difficult country. They go up hills and down dales, not knowing whither they
go nor where the enemy is, and this not in an enemy's country but in their
own. They leave all the baggage and provisions behind them at midnight in
a wood, to be picked up by any one who may chance to find them. When they
at length discover the enemy, they cannot bring him to an engagement, and he
comes and goes as he pleases. Finally he departs unfought with, and they con-
sider the campaign at an end, having suffered terribly for weeks from hunger, wet
and weariness. All this is told in the most graphic manner and without a word
of blame to any one. Or again, as characteristic of that combination of pitiless
cruelty with knightly sport, of which the most chivalrous characters were capable
in that age, take the story told by Froissart of the sack of Limoges. ' It was
great pity to see the men, women and children that kneeled down on their knees
before the prince for mercy, but he was so inflamed with ire that he took no
heed to them, so that none was heard, but a'll put to death as they were met
withal, and such as were nothing culpable : there was no pity taken of the
poor people, who wrought never no manner of treason, yet they bought it
dearer than the great personages, such as had done the evil and trespass ' ;
and then shortly afterwards it is related how the prince passing by in his litter
stayed to see the gallant defence made by three French knights, ' and beheld
them gladly and appeased himself in beholding them,' and granted them their
lives when they surrendered. There is pity expressed by the chronicler for
the poor people who had done nothing and made no resistance, but the prince
is still for him 'the flower of chivalr3^' These examples are types of his
representation of war, and we cannot doubt that they are true types. And it
is the same with every other department of human action. His pages breathe
the spirit of the times to which they belong, and let them contain what inac-
curacies they may, they are a truer picture of the period than any modern
historian with all his researches, or any modern historical novehst with all his
genius and imagination could present to us. In reading Froissart we are
reading the true history of the fourteenth century and breathing the very air of
that age of infinite variety, in which the knight errant appears side by side
with the plundering adventurer, and in which the popular movements in
Flanders, France and England sounded the first notes of alarm to feudal
oppressors, while the schism of the papacy prepared the way for religious
revolution.
The difficulties which stand in the way of the reader of Froissart are, first,
the vast extent of the Chronicles and their rambling and disconnected
character, and secondly, so far as the English reader is concerned, the want
of a satisfactory translation ; for though the language of the original is by no
means difficult, yet it is not every one who is prepared to face the unfamiliar
forms and spelling of fourteenth-century French. The existing English ver-
sions are two in number, one of the early sixteenth and the other of the early
nineteenth century. The first is vigorous and spirited, but full of inaccuracies
of text and translation and of irregularities of style, and also disfigured by
many misprints and by the utter corruption of many proper names ; the other
is respectable and commonplace, with far fewer blunders, though by no means
faultless in this respect, but certainly not in any sense alive with the spirit of
the original. A new translation is evidently desirable ; but on the whole it
seems safer to attempt the task of editing a portion of the older of the exist-
ing versions, which can hardly be said as yet to have been even corrected for
the press.
PREFACE Vil
The translation of Froissart by Lord Berners is established as an English
classic, and many generations of EnglishYnen have made their acquaintance
with the Chronicles through it. At the same time, though it has been re-
printed in the present century, it is only to be obtained at a rather high price
and in a somewhat inconvenient form. An edition of the whole translation
would require far more space than the single volume to which I am limited
would afford, but there is some consolation for the omissions which the plan
of this work renders necessary. Froissart is one of those authors of whom it
may be said in a certain sense that the half is more than the whole. The
student of history indeed would not willingly spare a single page, but the effect
^f the whole narrative will often gain considerably by the omission of the less
important gests of arms, which interfere with the flow of the main current of
the story, and we may perhaps also consent to spare from a popular edition
the history of some of the events that lay remote from the chronicler's own
field of observation, as the chapters relating to the English expedition to
Portugal and Galicia, which are called by a good authority * les plus confus et
les plus inexacts de toute I'ceuvre historique de Froissart,' and the events in
England in the latter years of Richard II., in relating which he is admittedly
very inaccurate. By such omissions* as these the exuberant bulk of the
Chronicles may be reduced, and the more interesting and important parts of
them may be more satisfactorily presented to the reader. In many cases the
omissions are such as to give greater continuity to the story ; but in order
to indicate clearly what has been omitted, as well as to supply any links that
may be required for the understanding of the narrative, summaries have been
inserted of that which is left out, varying in length according to the importance
of the matter dealt with and its more or less direct bearing upon that which is
given in full. Notwithstanding therefore the very considerable extent of the
omissions, the result is not a series of extracts, but a continuous history. The
fact that a larger proportion is omitted of the second volume than of the first
is due to the greater dififuseness of the Chronicles in the later period : the first
volume includes the events of more than fifty years, the second those of
only fifteen.
The portion of Lord Berners' translation which is here edited is given as in
the text originally printed, with the following exceptions : — First, the spell-
ing has been modernised. Secondly, the misprints, errors of punctuation
and such mistakes as seem likely to be mere slips of the pen or oversights
have been corrected, a matter which is naturally made much easier by the
possibility of referring to the original French text that was used by the trans-
lator. Mention has been made of these numerous corrections only where they
are at all doubtful or raise any point of special interest, but where additional
words are inserted they are enclosed in square brackets. Thirdly, proper
names have been brought to an intelligible and tolerably consistent form.
What this means can only be appreciated by those who are familiar with the
mass of corruption and confusion which is exhibited by the manuscripts and
early editions of Froissart in regard to this point, and with the considerable
addition to the chaos for which our translator and his printers are responsible :
but a task which would otherwise have been hopeless has been rendered com-
paratively easy by the labours of modern French editors, and above all by the
invaluable index of proper names appended to Kervyn de Lettenhove's edition.
In many cases proper names have been given in their correct forms, so far
as that can be ascertained, but those which appear in an English dress, such
7' HE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
as Walter Manny or Bertram of Guesclin, have not necessarily been made
French again, and it has been thought well to retain well-known geographical
names such as Bretayne, Burgoyne, Galice, Pruce, Gaunt, etc., rather than
to substitute for them their modern equivalents.
With the exception of the changes above indicated, no alteration has been
made in the text of the translation : the style, with all its strange irregularity
and carelessness, remains unchanged, the mistakes of translation are repro-
duced, to be corrected only in the notes, if they are sufficiently important, and
the division into chapters and headings of chapters are as the translator made
them, reproducing from the early printed editions the divisions made by the
copyists of a certain class of MSS. In the notes, where reference is made to
■ ' the original ' or ' the French text,' what is meant is the text which the trans-
lator had before him, and wherever in the notes a rendering is substituted for
that of the translator without further remark, it is meant as a more exact
rendering of that particular text. In cases where a difference of reading comes
in that fact is carefully stated, and the expressions 'true text' or 'better text '
refer to the readings of modern critical editions based on the best MSS. The
notes are for the most part confined to such points as have been here referred
to, and touch upon the substance of the history only very occasionally and
where points of special interest arise. As regards the French text from which
the translation was made, all that need be reported will be found in the Intro-
duction dealing with Lord Berners and his translation.
The headings of the pages and the dates will sei-ve to facilitate reference,
and the glossary is intended not only to explain such words as need explana-
tion, but also to set forth in a convenient form the chief characteristics of the
translator's diction. Lord Berners' Froissart is an important English prose
text, and extensive as is the use which has been made of it by the editors of the
' New English Dictionary,' it is probable that even they may glean something
from this new edition. In that part of the great lexicon which has already
been published our glossary might have supplied them with the new words
'bidaus,' 'cinquantenier' and 'countersingle,' and with the phrase 'to be beaten'
in the sense of 'to fight,' with new meanings of 'anger' (verb) and 'assister,'
with earlier instances than any which they have quoted of the use of ' carriage '
in the sense of ' vehicle,' and with valuable additional quotations for ' again '
{i.e. in ' comparison with '), ' assised ' and ' closing.'
As regards obligations to other writers, the chief acknowledgment is due
to Kervyn de Lettenhove, whose magnificent edition of Froissart, with its
index (or rather dictionary) of proper names and glossary, I have had con-
stantly by my side. For a large part of the first book I have also used the
unfinished edition of Luce. For the facts connected with the life and descent
of Lord Berners I am indebted chiefly to Dugdale {Baronage of England) ^^ to
the memoir given by the editor of the reprint of 1812, and to the introduction
prefixed to the edition of ' Huon of Bordeaux,' edited for the Early English
Text Society by Mr. S. L. Lee.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Title-page of the lirst volume .
Preface of the translator
Prologue of sir John Froissart
Predecessors of king Edward III
The queen of England in France, 1326
Queen Isabel in Hainault
Expedition to England
Execution of the Spencers
Accession of Edward III.
War with the Scots, 1327
Marriage of Edward III.
Death of Robert Bruce
Philip of Valois crowned, 1328
Battle of Cassel
Homage of Edward III.
" War with the Scots, 1332
Edward's designs on France
Jaques d'Arteveld
> Battle of Cadsand
Edward III. Vicar of the Empire
War with France
Siege of Cambray
Edward III. enters France
The hosts at Buironfosse
The French in Hainault
War on the frontiers, 1339-40
Battle of Sluys
Council of Vilvorde
Siege of Tournay
Edinburgh castle taken, 134 1
Events during the siege of Tournay
Siege of Tournay raised, 1340
War in Brittany, 1341
War with the Scots, 1341
The king and the countess of Salisbury
War in Brittany, 1342 .
*-The order of the Garter founded
The earl of Derby in Gascony, 1 345
Capture of La Reole .
Death of Jaques d'Arteveld
Siege of Aiguillon, 1346
Expedition of Edward III. to France
346
PAGE
xiii
xxvii
xxviii
I
3
5
7
9
10
12
13
25
26
29
29
31
35
39
40
42
45
47
48
51
52
56
58
61
64
65
66
68
70
72
73
82
83
87
88
91
93
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
Edward III. in Normandy
Capture of Caen
The English near Paris
Passage of the Somme
— Battle of Crecy
m- Siege of Calais
Invasion of England by the Scots
Battle of Nevill's Cross
Betrothal of the earl of Flanders
Surrender of Calais, 1347
The chaplet of pearls, 1350
Death of king Philip, 1350
Expeditions of the prince of Wales, 1355-56
7~ Events before the battle of Poitiers
L- Order of the two hosts .
L Mediation attempted .
) - Battle of Poitiers
^ Return of the prince to Bordeaux
— Government by the three estates in France
Disturbances in Paris .
The Jacquerie, 1357
Death of Etienne Marcel
Peace of Bretigny, 1 360
Battle of Brignais, 1361
The Companies, 1361-62
Accession of Charles V.
Battle of Cocherel, 1364
Coronation of Charles V.
Battle of Auray
End of the wars in Brittany, 1364
Don Peter of Castile .
Henry the bastard
Flight of don Peter, 1366
Don Peter at Bordeaux
Council at Bayonne
The companies quit Spain
Preparations for the expedition to Spain
Passage of the mountains, 1367
Preparations of king Henry
The prince at Navaretta
Letter of the prince of Wales .
Battle of Najara
After the battle of Najara
Return of the prince from Spain
Deliverance of Bertrand du Guesclin .
Discontent in Gascony, 1368 .
War renewed in Spain
Battle of Montiel
Capture of don Peter .
The prince of Wales summoned to Paris
Renewal of war, 1369 .
Sir John Chandos and the earl of Pembroke
Death of queen Phihppa
Death of Chandos
Limoges given up to the French, 1370
CONTENTS
XI
PAGE
Sack of Limoges by the English ..... 201
Bertrand du Guesclin constable
203
Death of the prince of Wales, 1376 .
205
Deathof Edward III., 1377 . ...
206
Affairs of the Church, 1377
207
Election of Urban VI., 1378 .
209
War with the king of Navarre
210
Peter de Bournazel at Sluys
213
Affairs of Flanders, 1379
214
Election of Clement VII., 1378
217
The queen of Naples and the pope
219
Sir John Hawkwood .
221
John Lyon at Ghent .
222
The white hoods at Ghent, 1379
225
Burning of the castle of Wondelghem .
231
Alliance of Bruges and Ghent .
232
Death of John Lyon .
233
War in Flanders . .
234
Wreck of Arundel's ships, 1379
235
The earl of Flanders at Ghent .
236
Surprise of Oudenarde .
239
War renewed in Flanders, 1380
241
Expedition of Buckingham to France .
242
Battle near Roulers
243
Siege of Ghent ....
245
Defeat of Arnold de Clerck
247
PhiUp d'Arteveld captain, 1 381
248
Wat Tyler's rising
250
The commons at Blackheath .
253
The commons in London
255
Death of Wat Tyler .
259
Punishment of the rebels
261
Death of Grutere and Bette at Ghent, 1382
263
Famine in Ghent
. 265
Conference at Tournay.
. 267
Speech of Philip d'Arteveld .
. 269
March of the Gauntois towards Bruges
271
Victory of the Gauntois
273
Bruges taken ....
274
Escape of the earl of Flanders .
277
Siege of Oudenarde
279
French intervention
281
The flying hart
282
French expedition to Flanders .
. 284
Before the battle of Rosebeque
284
Battle of Rosbeque, 1382
. 289
After the battle of Rosebeque .
290
The French king's return to Paris
292
English sympathy with the Flemings .
294
Crusade of the bishop of Norwich, 1383
296
The bishop of Norwich in Flanders
. 298
Death of the earl of Flanders .
302
Title-page of the second volume
307
Preface of the translator
308
Froissart's journey, 1388
309
Xll
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
The prince of Wales in Bigorre
P'roissart's journey
The duke of Anjou in Bigorre, 1373
Froissart's journey
Foix and Armagnac
Gaston de Foix
His son's death
Peter of Beam .
The bascot of Mauleon
Household of Gaston de Foix .
War in Portugal, 1385 .
Battle of Aljubarrota .
Story of the lord of Corasse
Affairs of the Church .
Affairs of Portugal
The French fleet at Sluys
Capture of the constable de Clisson
Events of the years 1386-88 .
The Scots invade England 1388
Battle of Otterburn
After the battle of Otterburn .
Affairs of Juliers and Gueldres .
Peace between England and France
Entry of queen Isabel into Paris, 1389
Visit of the king of France to Avignon
The king of France in Languedoc
Wager of the king with the duke of Touraine
Death of Urban VI. .
Affairs of the Church, 1389
Expedition to Africa, 1390
Peter de Craon
Attack on the Constable, 1392
French expedition to Brittany .
Madness of the king of France
Dance of savages
Death of pope Clement
Froissart in England, 1395
Debate in the Privy Council, 1395
Irish affairs
Expedition to Turkey, 1396
Battle of Nicopoli
Mission of Jaques de Helly
Return of the French prisoners
Affairs of the Church .
The pope besieged at Avignon
Conferences about the state of the Church
Death of the duke of Lancaster
The earl of Derby lands in England
Capture of Richard II.
Richard 11. brought to London
Execution of the king's advisers
Abdication of Richard
Coronation of Henry IV.
Death of Richard II., 1400
Glossary
INTRODUCTION
ON LORD BERNERS AND HIS TRANSLATION
The translation of the Chronicles of sir John Froissart ' out of French into our maternal
English tongue,' made by John Bourchier, lord Berners, at the command of king Henry
the eighth, is undoubtedly an English classic. It is not only one of the most extensive
and important texts of English literature during the period of the formation and
development of a native prose style, but it has been also the means by which English-
men have chiefly become acquainted with the former exploits of their countrymen and
the ' noble adventures of feats of arms done and achieved in the wars of P'rance and
England,' as registered in the Chronicles of Froissart. As a translator he was first in
the field and held his ground unchallenged until the present century. His version is
full of faults, and the author of it was neither a sound French scholar nor sufficiently
master of his literary tools to write lucid or grammatical English ; but it has merits
which go far to atone for its defects. It was made by a man who could enter into the
spirit of the original, though often at fault in the letter, a man who had himself taken a
part both in war and in politics, and who, though capable when left to himself of the
worst kind of style, was content when translating to reproduce to the best of his power
the simplicity and vigour of his author, and this at a time when the ideals of the middle
ages had not wholly passed away and before the pure well of fourteenth-century English
had been very seriously defiled. For these reasons his version has been by many
regarded as representing Froissart better than a more accurate translation in the modern
style. As is observed by a French critic, ' la traduction de lord Berners presente, pour
les Anglais, a raison de la naivete de son vieux langage, un charme presqu' egal a celui
du texte original de Froissart.'
I
Before entering upon the criticism of this translation it is proper to state shortly
what is known of its author. John Bourchier, or Bourgchier, lord Berners, or (as it was
often written) Barnes, belonged to a family which was of great distinction and import-
ance. The founder of its fortunes had been Robert Bourchier, Chancellor of England
in the year 1340, and the first layman who held that office. This Robert Bourchier
accompanied Robert d'Artois into Brittany in 1342, was with Edward III. in the cam-
paign of 1346, and was present at the battle of Crecy (vol. i. chs. 91 and 128 of this
translation). His son, John Bourchier, fills a certain place in the Chronicles of Frois-
sart. He is mentioned as distinguishing himself at the siege of Dinan in 1342, he was
present at the battle of Auray (i. 226), he accompanied the prince of Wales to Spain,
he Mas shipwrecked with Arundel (i. 356), and he was in the expedition of Thomas of
Woodstock, then earl of Buckingham, in 1380 (i. 361). Afterwards, when in the year
1384 the burgesses of Ghent requested the king of England to appoint a governor for
them, John Bourchier was sent with the title of 'reward (rewaert) of Flanders,' the
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
same style which had been used by Philip van Arteveld (i. 447 and ii. i, etc.). This
post he held for rather more than a year, and then returned in consequence of the
reconciliation of Ghent with the duke of Burgundy (ii. 18-20). His son Bartholomew
is mentioned by Froissart as made knight before Saint-Omer by the earl of Buckingham
in 1380 (i. 361).
This Bartholomew died without male issue and the barony of Bourchier passed
eventually to the descendants of his younger brother. William Bourchier, son of this
younger brother, married in 1419 Anne, daughter of Thomas of Woodstock, youngest
son of Edward III., and in the same year was created earl of Eu in Normandy. This
William earl of Eu had four sons and a daughter. The sons were — ( l ) Henry earl of Eu,
afterwards viscount Bourchier, and finally earl of Essex ; in 1449 associated with others in
a commission to govern Calais for five years, and in 1454 lord Treasurer of England :
(2) William lord Fitzwarren : (3) Thomas, who became archbishop of Canterbury and a
cardinal, Chancellor of England in i486 : (4) John, who married Margery, widow of
John Ferreby and heiress of sir Richard Berners of West Horsley, Sussex, was sum-
moned to parliament as a baron in 1455 by the designation of John Bourchier de
Berners, chevalier, and was commonly called lord Berners, though before this time there
was perhaps no barony of Berners. This John Bourchier fought for Henry VI. at the
first battle of St. Albans in 1455, but afterwards with the rest of his family he became
attached to the house of York, and was appointed by Edward IV. constable of Windsor
Castle. His eldest son, Humphrey, married Elizabeth Tylney, and was killed fighting
for Edward IV. at the battle of Barnet in 147 1, leaving one son, the subject of this
notice, then a child not more than four years old, and two daughters, Margaret and
Anne. Three years later, on the death of his grandfather, the boy succeeded to th^
title and estates.
John Bourchier, lord Berners, the future translator of Froissart, was born either in
1467 or 1469, and probably grew up under the guardianship of Thomas Howard, after-
wards duke of Norfolk, to whom his mother was married some few years after his
father's death. ^ He was made a knight of the Bath in 1477, being then at most tei
years old, on the occasion of the betrothal of the king's second son, the young duke ol
York (afterwards murdered in the Tower), to Anne, daughter and heiress of John Mow-
bray, duke of Norfolk. He was educated at Oxford, probably at BalHol College, anc"
afterwards travelled abroad, where he may probably have been during the troubles of
the reign of Richard III., which took place while he was still quite young. Whatevei
line he individually might have taken owing to his connexion with the Howards, it
evident that the behaviour of Richard III. had alienated the rest of the Bourchier family
from his cause ; and we find that several members of it gave assistance to the earl oi
Richmond. One, if not two, of lord Berners' uncles had taken part in the insurrection
of Buckingham ; one of them, Thomas Bourchier, fought for Richmond at Bosworth
field ; and finally the ceremony of coronation on the accession of Henry VII. was per-
formed by cardinal Bourchier, then archbishop of Canterbury, the great-uncle of lorct
Berners.
The services thus rendered were requited by the favour of Henry VII., in which
naturally lord Berners shared. He was first summoned to parliament by the style of
'John Bourgchier lord of Berners' in the iith year of Henry VII., having been previ-.
ously employed at the siege of Boulogne in 1492. Some authorities say that he distin-
guished himself in putting down the insurrection of 1497, but this is perhaps a mistake,
arising from confusion between lord Berners and his uncle Thomas Bourchier. On the
accession of Henry VIII. he became a favourite with the king and was employed in vari-
ous military enterprises. In 1513 we find him as captain of the pioneers at the siege
of Terouenne, where he did good service, especially in the recovery of a gun, which had
been left behind on the road by negligence and had nearly fallen into the hands of the
1 Besides the connexion formed by the marriage marriage of John Mowbray, third duke of Norfolk,
of his mother with Thomas Howard, who succeeded with the great-aunt of Lord Beners. He himsell
to the dukedom, there was an eariier kinship by the afterwards married a Howard.
INTRODUCTION XV
French. In 1514, on the occasion of the marriage of the king's sister Mary with Louis
XII. , lord Berners was one of those who gave attendance upon her to Abbeville. Shortly
afterwards he was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer for life.
In 1 5 18 a special embassy was sent to the Spanish court to congratulate Charles V.
on his accession and to endeavour secretly to detach him from the interests of France.
For this important mission the archbishop of Armagh and lord Berners were selected.
Several of the original despatches sent by the ambassadors are extant among the Cotton
MSS. in the British Museum. The first report was favourable, but changes took place
in the views of Wolsey as regards the French alliance, and from some of the despatches
it is evident that he was dissatisfied with the doings of the envoys. In the month of
August lord Berners fell seriously ill, and did not recover his health during his stay in
Spain. For this reason they would have desired to return by land, but they were so
ill supplied with money for their expenses, that they were compelled to come back by
the nearest way. They took leave of the Spanish court in January 15 19 and took ship
at Saint Sebastian.^
Lord Berners with his wife attended the king at the Field of the Cloth of Gold, and
on July 2nd 1520 he was thanked by the Privy Council for an account of that ceremonial
which he had forwarded to them. Towards the end of the year 1520 he was appointed
to the post of deputy of Calais, one of the most important offices of trust under the
crown. Here he seems to have remained for the rest of his life, busying himself partly
in strengthening the fortifications, as we learn from his letters to Wolsey, and here it
was that he chiefly found leisure for literary pursuits, being debarred, it seems, by the
state of his health from active military service. In the latter part of his life he must
have been somewhat embarrassed in money matters, partly perhaps owing to some law-
suits in which he had been involved, and he was a debtor to the crown at the time of
his death to the extent of at least ^^500. Henry VIII. was anxious to secure payment
out of his estate, and when the deputy lay on his death-bed, the king set agents at Calais
to watch over his personal effects. Lord Berners died on the i6th of March 1532-33,
and was buried in the church of Saint Mary at Calais. All his goods were immediately
placed under arrest, and an inventory taken, which exists still in the Record office.
Among his effects were eighty books, chiefly French and Latin, but the titles unfortu-
nately are not given.
He was married to Catherine, daughter of John Howard, duke of Norfolk,
apparently the sister-in-law of his mother, by whom he had two daughters, Mary and
Jane. He left also several illegitimate children.
Besides the translation of Froissart he made several other translations : as * The
Hystorye of the moost noble and valiaunt Knyght Arthur of lytell Brytayne,' translated
from the French. No copy of the early editions of this is known to exist. It was
republished in 1814 by Utterson from a seventeenth-century edition.
'The Castel of Love,' translated from the Spanish at the instance of the lady
Elizabeth Carew. Of this there is a copy in the British Museum supposed to have been
printed about 1540, but probably this was not the first edition.
' The ancient, honorable, famous and delightful Historie of Huon of Bourdeux,
enterlaced with the Love of many Ladies,' translated from the French at the desire of
the earl of Huntingdon. One copy only exists of an early edition and that without
date (being imperfect at the beginning and the end), but supposed to be of the year
1534. It has been edited by Mr. S. L. Lee for the Early English Text Society.
*The Golden boke of Marcus Aurelius,' translated from the French at the desire of
his nephew, sir Francis Bryan. This is a translation from a French version of the well-
known work by Guevara. The first edition bears the date 1534. It became very
1 In one of the despatches the ambassadors good game to teach men to fly. My lord Berners
report that at Saragossa the king joined in the answered that the Frenchmen learnt it well beside
national exercise of casting canes,' that is, hurling Guingate at the journey of Spurs.' These de-
javelins and galloping away in Parthian fashion, .spatches will be found summarised in Brewer's
'whereof the French ambassador said it was a 'Letters and Papers of the reign of Henry VIII.'
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
popular and went through many editions before North published his ' Dial of Princes,'
from the same original slightly expanded, in 1557.
Lord Berners is said also to have composed a treatise ' of the duties of the inhabitants
of Calais,' which has been perhaps rightly identified with ' Ordenances for Watch and
Ward of Calais, ' printed with other documents relating to Calais for the Camden Society in
1846; and a comedy called *Ite in vineam meam,' which was sometimes acted in the
great church at Calais after vespers. This last is not extant.
Some remarks may be here made on this list of works before passing on to the main
subject of this Introduction. The translator's prologue to the romance of ' Arthur of
Little Britain ' closely resembles in some respects the preface to the translation of
Froissart, but it is written in a much simpler style and is more humble in its pretensions.
The writer declares that he cannot render the work into ' fresh, ornate, polished English,'
because of his insufficiency in * the facundious art of rhetoric,' and that he is but a learner
of the language of French. The style of the preface to Froissart is much more formed
and testifies to a terrible progress in the art of rhetoric, as it was then conceived, nor
does the translator any longer speak of himself as ignorant of French. On the whole
we may perhaps assume that * Arthur of Little Britain ' was his first considerable work
in literature.
The Froissart may probably have come next, and then the ' Castle of Love ' and
' Huon of Bordeaux. ' The * Golden Book of Marcus Aurelius ' was the work of his
last years, though he was not apparently occupied upon it, as has been sometimes stated,
during the very last week of his life. The colophon of this book states that it was * ended
at Calais the tenth day of March ^ in the yere of the reigne of our soveraygne lorde
kyng Henry the VIIL the xxiii.,' that is 1531-32, a full year before the translator's death.
I have not seen a copy of the first edition, nor do I know where one is to be found, and
it is possible that it may contain the reading xxiiii. (as stated by Mr. Lee), though
Dibdin reports otherwise; but certainly in the edition of 1535, and in subsequent
editions so far as I know, it is xxiii. In any case, however, the book does not seem
to have been printed in the translator's lifetime, and no doubt it was published by sir
Francis Bryan, himself afterwards a translator of Guevara. At least twelve editions of
this book are recorded between 1534 and 1560, and there can be no doubt that the
credit of making Guevara known in England must be assigned to lord Berners rather
than to North. It has been suggested therefore that the ' Golden Book ' and not the
' Dial of Princes ' was the real father of what is called Euphuism in England : but it is
vain to attempt to trace Euphuism, except in a very restricted sense, to the influence of
any single book, and it will soon be acknowledged that the translators of Guevara
were no more really responsible than Lyly for a style which had developed simultaneously
in all the neighbouring countries. If nothing else could be adduced to shew that the
tendency existed already in English literature, the prefaces to lord Berners' Froissart,
written before he could possibly have read Guevara, would be enough to prove it.
II
In his translation of Froissart's Chronicles, lord Berners no doubt found a truer
satisfaction than in any of his other works. His delight was in history rather than in
fiction : it is history which alone in his judgment 'complecteth all profit,' moving us to
emulate the example of those who have been before us, with the prospect of ourselves
becoming an example to those that shall come after. There is a real enthusiasm,
visible through the artificiality of the rhetoric, in his praise of history, and he evidently
desired that the narratives with which he dealt should have at least the semblance of
truth. In the prologue to ' Arthur of Little Britain ' he naively lets his readers into
the secret that he undertook to translate the book before he had read it, and declares
that as he advanced with his task he had been so staggered by the * unpossibilities ' of
the story, that he had thought to have left and given up his labour. However, he had
1 It is a curious coincidence that the translation of Froissart also was finished on the loth of March.
INTRODUCTION xvii
consoled himself with the reflection that divers other ' noble histories ' in which the
deeds of famous knights of old were related, se,emed to our understanding not less
incredible, and that the first author of the book had probably devised it ' not without
some measure of truth or virtuous intent.' Just so we may conceive that he was enticed
into attempting ' Huon of Bordeaux ' by the specious semblance of history which the
first part of that romance presents, and that ' the instant desires of his nephew, Francis
Bryan, knight,' that he would translate the 'Golden Book of Marcus Aurelius,' may
have been powerfully seconded by the pretence, which the author made and long
maintained, that it was all genuine history.
Be this as it may, the translation of Froissart's Chronicles was uiidertaken, as already
stated, at the command of the king. The first volume was * Imprinted at London, in
Fletestrete, by Richard Pynson, printer to the kynges noble grace, and ended the xxviii. day
of January, the yere of our lorde mdxxiii.' (that is 1523-24) : the second volume was
finished at Calais the loth day of March in the i6th year of the reign of king Henry
VIII. , and printed as before by Richard Pynson, the printing being ended on the last day
of August in the year 1525. Pynson issued at least two editions of the book, but with
the same date and imprint. It was also printed by William Myddylton, ' in Fletestrete,
at the signe of the George,' without date, but the title-page and imprint of this (prob-
ably unauthorised) edition have the words * of the church of England and also of Ire-
lande in earth the supreme heade ' added- to the king's title, proving its date to have
been at least as late as 1533. Of this edition I have seen only one volume, the copy in
the British Museum being made up with the second volume of one of Pynson's, but a
note in the Grenville copy of Pynson's edition states that there exists an issue of the
whole book printed by Myddylton. Myddylton's edition, so far as I know it, is a line
for line reprint of Pynson's, but executed in a very much inferior style. P^inally the
book was republished in 181 2, under the superintendence of E. V. Utterson, in the form
of a tolerably accurate reprint of Pynson's first edition, with a few notes on mistranslated
passages and many emendations of proper names, given on the authority of the lately
published translation by Johnes. Of these last many are not to be relied upon, and it
should be remarked that by an oversight the black-letter title-page printed for the first
volume is that of Myddylton's edition and not Pynson's.^
With the exception of some correction of the punctuation, which remains, however,
exceedingly defective, this last publication reproduces designedly all the errors of the
original edition. These, which are sufficiently numerous to leave the reader often in
doubt about the true 'sentence of the matter,' consist of two classes, those which pro-
ceed from the translator himself or the French text which he used, and those for which
he is indebted to his printers. It is pretty clear that the translator did not take the
trouble to revise his own proofs, indeed such mechanical work would no doubt in that
age be considered as belonging solely to the printer. Many of the errors are obviously
due to misreading of the translator's handwriting, as * Beamon ' for ' Beauieu ' (vol. i. ch.
3), 'creylles' for 'oreylles' (i. 17), ' Issodnii ' for 'Issodun' (i. 21), 'drewe' for * drove'
(i. 44), ' their grefe ' for ' them grace ' (i. 56), ' the kyng harde noyse ' for ' the kyng
harde masse' (i. 124), ' Muquateners ' for ' Cinquanteners ' (i. 349), 'Dunce' for
•Dunoe' (ii. 206), 'mylke' for 'myllet' (ii. 215), and very many more, including a
curious case where, the translator having written no doubt, ' as at that tyme sir Johan
Warnes was capitayne of Calays ' ( Warnes being a corruption in the French text of
d'Ewrues, i.e. d'Evreux), the printer has substituted the name most familiar to himself in
connexion with that office, and we read ' as at that tyme sir Jphan Bernes was capitayne
of Calays,' that is, no other than our translator himself, translated for the occasion into
the fourteenth century (ii. 157). The mistakes of punctuation are still more numerous,
and are often such as to destroy the whole sense of the passage. Of these various
errors very few have as yet received any correction, so that the present may be said
to be the first attempt to give a thoroughly readable text of any considerable portion
of the book.
Lord Berners had certainly some qualifications which might have been expected to
xvill THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
fit him for his task as translator of Froissart. In such families as his, if in any, the
tradition of the age of chivalry was likely to be still alive. The Chronicles which he
translated are full of the deeds of his ancestors, for we must remember that he was
descended not only from the Bourchiers, but also from Edward the third and from his
son Thomas duke of Gloucester, whose grandson was the grandfather of our translator ;
so that it may fairly be said of him, ' les gloires de son pays etaient aussi pour lui des
gloires domestiques ' (Lettenhove, i. 3, 457). He was a man of the world quite as much
as a man of letters : he had travelled in various countries and had been engaged in
important service both of war and of diplomacy. Finally he had found leisure for his
literary task in a post which of all others carried with it most associations of the period
of which the Chronicles give us so living a picture. Calais was the prize won on the
field of Crecy, the gate by which the English entered France, the vital point on which
negotiations for peace so often turned, the town of the world which the English loved
best, ' for as long as they be lords of Calais, they said, they bare the keys of France
under their girdle ' (ii. 1 79). In the position of captain of Calais, a post which had been
also to some extent associated with his family in former times, he could hardly fail to have
a sense of the living reality of the conflicts of which Froissart wrote the chronicle and in
which his ancestors had taken a leading part. Add to this finally that his lifetime began
within seventy years of the latest events chronicled by Froissart, and that the English
language of his day was not yet very much altered from that of the fourteenth century.
Against these considerations must be set several disadvantages, of which some
arise from defects personal to the translator, others belong to the times in which he
lived. The absence of the means for anything like a critical study of Froissart's
Chronicles reduced the translator to a text of his author which in many respects is very
unsatisfactory ; and this corruption of the French text is really responsible for many of
the apparent blunders of translation, as will be sufficiently pointed out in the notes to
this edition. Then again, the undeveloped state of English prose style at the beginning
of the sixteenth century threw unusual difficulties in the way of so extensive a work,
difficulties with which the literary ability of the translator was hardly competent to
grapple successfully. In fact it is evident that he had not a sufficient literary training
for his task, and he shews a certain gentlemanly indifference to accuracy both in his
rendering of the French and in his style of expressing himself in English. It is of these
disadvantages and defects and of the manner in which they appear in the translation that
I propose now to speak, and first of the French text from which the version was made.
At the time when the work of translation was being done there existed at least five
printed editions of the Chronicles — (i) the editio princeps, printed at Paris for Antoine
Verard, without date, probably about 1495 ; (2) another edition published by the same,
probably about 1497; (3) an edition printed by Michel Lenoir, Paris, 1505; (4) an
edition published by G. Eustace and F. Regnault,^ Paris, 1513; {5) an edition by A.
Verard, F. Regnault and J. Petit, Paris, 1518 : all are in 4 volumes, small folio, and
are printed in Gothic letters, and they not only all represent the same text, but the later
editions are printed page by page from the earlier, with only the most trifling alterations
or corrections, so that Denis Sauvage was justified in saying that for critical purposes
they are equivalent to a single edition.^ As regards the first book, where alone the
1 That is, some copies bear the name of Regnault. V^rard's editions have ' Haneskerly,' which is re-
2 It may be of some interest to determine by produced by the translator, while Lenoir has
means of the slight variations that exist, which ' Kanerly ' : and finally for the distinction between
particular one of these editions was used by the the two editions of Verard \ye may quote vol. i. ch.
translator. The evidence chiefly depends upon 125, where all the other editions, including V^rard's
variations in the form of proper names: for ex- first, have 'larsin' or 'larcin,' while V6rard's second
ample, the edition used by the translator had the has 'darsin,' on which the translator has founded
reading 'dongport' for ' ung port' in vol. i. fol. 5 an absurd mistake. Such evidence as this tends
(vol. i. ch. 10 of the translation), a reading ex- to shew that the translator used V^rard's second
hibited only by the early editions of Verard and by edition, but the variations in these early issues are
that of Lenoir : in vol. i. ch. 112 the translator has so trifling that they may be regarded for most pur-
' Mauleon,' which is given by the two early editions poses as the same.
of Verard but not by Lenoir or the rest : in i. 221
INTRODUCTION xix
difference of redactions is of serious importance, the text represented by these editions
belongs to that which is called by Kervyn de Lettenhove the second redaction, that is
the class to which by far the greater number of existing MSS. are referred ; but of this
it is a considerably abridged copy.
The text is of course not a critical one, that is, it was printed apparently from a
single manuscript without comparison with others, and the result is that it contains a
considerable number of corruptions, especially of proper names. That lord Berners
should exercise much criticism upon it was perhaps not reasonably to be expected, but
it is certainly surprising that he should have let pass without Correction so many mis-
takes about the names of places which must have been perfectly familiar to him, and
that he sometimes even introduces corruptions of such names, which were not in his
French text. For example, he has not only acquiesced in the reading ' Poictou,' or as
he calls it * Poyters,' for * Ponthieu ' in the letters patent of vol. i. ch. 24, where he must
surely have known that Ponthieu and Montreuil were the places spoken of, but he has
actually changed * Ponthieu ' into Poictou in some other places, e.g. i. 247, where the
name occurs in connexion with the towns of Abbeville, Saint-Valery and Crotoy, with
the position of which the captain of Calais must certainly have been well acquainted.
The case is much the same with the English names. In a few cases he has made
corrections: he rightly gives *Shene'for 'Renes' (i. 314), *Brendwode' (Brentwood)
for ' Brehoude' (ii. 200), and ' Edenborowe' for * Haindebourg,' and he has sometimes
given the names of well-known English families in a more correct form ; but these cases
are rather the exception. * Mombray ' for * Mowbray ' must surely be a misprint, but
'Pennefort' and *Penbruges' for 'Pembroke,' *Canoll' for *Knolles,' *Caureirfor
* Calverley,' ' Quenfort ' for * Oxford,' ' Volengy ' and ' Bouligney ' for * Buckingham ' (a
bad case, for the person in question is Thomas of Woodstock, the translator's ancestor)
and many others, are forms which an Englishman who had any knowledge of the history
might be expected to correct ; and such names as ' He of Vbyque' for ' Isle of Wight,'
'Brendpest' for *Kent, Essex,' *Aude' for 'Tweed,' 'Germeney' for 'Yarmouth,'
need not have been left unreformed. There are also cases in which the translator has
made matters worse by unfortunate attempts at correction, as where he writes * Hull '
for * Heulle ' (ii. 239), the correction required being * Henley.' His attempts to correct
the text where proper names are not involved are even less successful, as will be
seen in the notes to this edition.
As the copyists of the manuscripts often thought themselves at liberty to abridge the
French text, so the translator still further abridges in his version. As an example of
the extent to which this double process is sometimes carried we may take the description
of the English order before the battle of Poitiers. The full text of the second redaction
as given from the best MSS. in Lettenhove's edition (vol. v. p. 411) is as follows : —
En ces parolles que Ii rois de France disoit et monstroit a ses gens pour yaus enco-
ragier, revinrent Ii iiii chevalier dessus nommet, et fendirent le presse et s'arrest^rent devant
le roy. L^ estoient Ii connestable de France et Ii doi marescal et grant fuison de bonne
chevalerie, tout venu et arrest^ pour savoir comment on se combateroit. Li rois demanda
as dessus dis tout en hault : ' Signeur, queles de vos nouvelles ? ' II respondirent : ' Sire,
bonnes ; si ards hui, se il plaist k Dieu, tme belle joumde sus vos ennemis. ' ' Tele I'espdrons-
nous k avoir par le grasce de Dieu, ' ce respondi Ii rois. ' Or nous dittes le maniere de
leur convenant et comment nous les porons combatre.' Adont respondi messires Eustasses
de Ribeumont, sicom je fui enfomids, poiu- tous ; car il Ten avoient pryet et cargiet, et
dist ensi : ' Sire, nous avons veu et consid6r6 vos ennemis : si poeent estre par estimation
ii"i hommes d'armes, iiii^n arciers et xv^ brigans.' ' Et comment gisent-il?' dist Ii rois.
' Sire, ' respondi messires Eustasses, ' il sont en tres-fort liu, et ne poons veoir, ne imaginer
qu'il n'aient fait que une bataille ; mes trop bellement et trop sagement Font il ordonn^,
et ont pris le lone d'un chemin fortefyet malement de haies et de buissons, et ont vesti
celle haie, d'une part et d'aultre, de leurs arciers, telement que on ne poet entrer, ne
chevaucier en leur chemin, fors que parmi yaus : si convient-il aler celle voie, se on les
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
voet combatre. En celle haie n'a que une seule entree et issue, ou espoir iiii hommes
d'armes, ensi que ou chemin, poroient chevaucier de fronch. Au coron de celle haie, entre
vignes et espines, oil on ne poet aler, ne chevaucier, sont leurs gens d'armes, tout k piet,
et ont mis leurs gens d'armes tout devant yaus, leurs arciers a mani6re d'une herce : dont
c'est trop sagement ouvr^, ce nous samble, car qui vodra ou pora venir par fait d'armes
jusques k yaus, il n'i entera nuUement, fors que parmi ces arciers, qui ne seront mies l^gier
k desconfire.'
The text of the a^ove passage in Verard's edition, from which the translation was
made, is this : —
En ce point revindrent les trois nobles chevaliers dessus nommez, lesquelz fetidirent la
presse et approcherent le roy, qui leur demanda des nouvelles. Messire Eustace de Ribau-
mont si respondit pour tous, car ses compaignons ten avoient prii, et dist : ' Sire, nous
avons regard^ les Anglois, si peuvent bien estre par estimacion deux mille hommes d'armes,
quatre mille archiers et quinze cens brigans. Si sont en ung tres fort lieu, et ne povons
ymaginer quilz ayent fait que une bataille. Mais moult saigement I'ont ordonn^e, et ont
prins le long du chemin fortiffi^ durement de haye et de buyssons, et ont vestue celle haye
d'une partie de leurs archiers tellement qu'on ne pent entrer ne chevaucher en leur chemin
fors que parmy eulx. Si convient-il aller celle voye qui les veult combatre. En celle haye
n'a que une seulle entree ne yssue, ou espoir quatre hommes d'armes ainsi que au chemin
pourroyent chevaucher de front. Au bout de celle haye, entre vignes et espines, ou Ton ne
peut aller ne chevaucher, sont leurs gens d'armes tout k pied, et ont mis tout devant eulx
leurs archiers en maniere d'une herse, qui ne seroit mye legi^re chose a desconfire.'
The words in italics are those which are omitted by the translator. Altogether it
will be seen the passage is reduced to about half its original length, but it must be
noticed that it is only in the first book (that is, vol. i. chs. 1-3 17 in the English version)
that the French text had been abridged to this extent. In the remainder of the
Chronicles the text which the translator followed was one which had been but very
slightly shortened by omissions.
As regards the accuracy of the translation we must not expect a very high standard.
The translator has not, he says, followed his author word by word, and it is not part of
the plan of the present edition to correct the translation like a schoolboy's exercise.
But setting aside the cases where a deviation from the true sense is due to corruption of
the French text,^ there remain a considerable number of downright mistranslations, the
result either of carelessness or blundering. For example, he translates ' despecer les
chaussees ' into ' cut short their kirtles ' (i. 80) ; ' povres gens I'amonterent premiere-
ment, et meschans gens le tuerent en le parfin,' 'poor men first mounteth up, and un-
happy men slayeth them at the end ' (i. 115); 'le roy de France les avoit advancez,'
*the French king followed him' (i. 159) ; 'depuis cent ans,' 'in a hundred year after'
(i. 270) ; 's'il est qui fait, il est qui dit,' ' if it be as he doth, it is as he saith ' (i. 387) ;
'se fist sire et roy du pays dont elle se clamoit dame,' 'was lord and king of the country
called Daure ' (ii. 42) ; ' il la garda d'estre prinse,' ' he kept himself sure enough from
taking' (ii. 167) ; 'qu'on I'oublia en France,' 'that he forgat France' (ii. 174) ; ' pour-
tant qu'il les avoit avancez,' * because he was advanced by their means ' (ii. 229). In
most of these cases, as in others which might be quoted, the blunders arise simply from
ignorance of French : but there are also mistakes which are due to mere carelessness,
as when he renders 'unze fils' 'a son' (i. 307), and repeatedly mistranslates the names
of the days of the week, making 'jeudi' 'Tuesday' and 'mardi' 'Wednesday' {e.g. i.
152, 220, 222). That he had no special knowledge of older French words and forms is
clear from his not understanding such words and expressions as ' esclistre,' 'juper,' 'se
1 Without reference to the translator's French ally suppose that ' the fourth part ' in ch. 382 (where
text it is impossible to say for certain in any single the true reading of the French is 'les quatre
instance whether the mistake is that of the transla- pars ') must be a mistake of the same kind. In
tion or not. "To take a single example : the reader, this instance, however, he would be wrong, for
having found in vol. i. ch. 381 the words 'bien les the translator's French text gave here 'la quarte
trois pars ' translated ' the third part,' would natur- part.'
INTRODUCTION xxi
deviser,' 'jangle,' 'se delivrer de ' (ii. 153), 'se clore' (ii. 197). On the whole it must
be concluded that lord Berners had an insufficient knowledge of the language which he
undertook to translate and was not a sound French scholar even judged by the standard
of his own time, and we have already noticed the humility with which he speaks of his
own attainments. At the same time it may be observed that in several passages he has
given a more correct rendering than his modern competitor. For example in i. 325,
where Johnes says : ' The queen was not very far advanced in pregnancy ; but the
doctors had forbidden her bathing,' etc., Berners more rightly gives : ' The queen being
in childbed was not well at ease, and her physicians had defended her in any wise
that she should not enter into no bain.' Again, in i. 403 Johnes has this : ' But some
imagine the king would not have interfered in the matter, if it had not been for the
intrigues of the duke of Burgundy ; for if nothing had been done, he would have annexed
Flanders to the crown of France by some means or other ; for the earl of Flanders was
not enough in his favour to induce him to exert himself in his aid.' Nothing could be
much worse than this either as regards correctness or style, while Berners is both
accurate and spirited : ' But some thought that if king Charles had lived still till that
time, that he would have done nothing, and if he had, men supposed that he would
thereby [have] annexed the county of Flanders to the crown of France : for the earl of
Flanders was not so well in his grace that he would have done anything for him, without
he had well known why.' Finally: * If the Turks and Tartars have frequently hurt
Christendom, the Genoese felt it not, ' where Berners correctly gives : * The Turks and
Tartars should do much damage to Christendom, if the Genoways were not ' (ii. 40).
A few more passages might be added, but certainly not enough to justify the remark
which has been made, that the older version is the more accurate as well as the more
spirited of the two.
The English style of lord Berners is partly correspondent to the looseness of transla-
tion which has been noticed. It has no claim whatever to purity or accuracy, and the
manner of expression is often intolerably careless. Sentences are begun, broken off,
begun again, and after all never ended ; verbs are left without subjects and relatives
without antecedents : grammatically the style is often hopeless ; it is the style of a man
who has not sufficient command over the language in which he writes to express clearly
that which he means to say, who struggles with a material of which he is not master.
Let us take a few examples out of many of this formlessness of style, to justify that which
has been said, and the sentences quoted may serve also as specimens of the spelling
used in the original edition : —
' And whan these knightes and other men of armes knewe the wyll and answere of king
Dapeter, wherby they reputed hym right orgulus and presumptuous, and made all the hast
they myght to auaunce, to do hym all the hurte they coulde. So they all passed,' etc. (i. 229).
' Ye haue harde right well here before, howe the kyng of Nauer, who hadde to his
wyfe the frenche kynges suster, for the loue of the one and of the other, it was sayd and
purposed, that the herytage of the chyldren of the kyng of Nauer, the whiche was fallen
to them by the ryght of their mother, yt the french kyng their vncle, by the succession of
his suster, ought to haue power therof in name of the chyldren, seyng the chyldren were in
his kepynge, wherby all the lande that the kynge of Naver held in Normandy shulde be in ye
french kynges hand, as long as his nephewes were within age. Of all these maters, ' etc. (i. 327).
' For ye knowe howe the puissaunce of the prince of Wales and of Acquitayne put
kynge don Peter, your cosyn, into possession of all these herytages and land es closed within
Spayne, and afterwarde by a journey of batayle y*^ don Henry had at Nauntuell agaynst don
Peter, who there loste all agayne, and don Henry put in possession as he was before ' (ii. 33).
' It can nat be said but that the knightes of Fraunce, of Bretayne, of Burgoyne and of
Byerne, but that^ right valiantly fought' (ii. 34).
' Ye haue well herde here before how sir Peter of Craon, who was a knyght of great
1 The omission of ' they ' is not an accident or a misprint, but a regular feature of the style, in imita-
tion perhaps of old French.
xxii THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
lygnage ; but he was farre out of the frenche kynges grace and the duke of Thourayns : if
he dyd so moche to cause them to be displeased with him, he dyd yvell. Ye have herde
also howe he was gone into Bretayne,' etc. (ii. i8i).
For these enormities and for many more of the same kind our translator alone is
responsible : the style of the original author is almost always lucid and fluent, and it cer-
tainly gives no excuse for the confusion and obscurity of expression which we have noted.
It is going much too far therefore to speak, as some have done, of this translation as a
model of English prose, written in a style simple and direct, but at the same time
flexible and mobile, with artistic combinations of the Romance and Teutonic elements
of the language. It has many merits, as we shall presently see, but it is not a model
of style. Nor can it be pleaded for the writer that the age had not yet learnt to express
itself clearly in prose. The generation before that of our translator had made a very
great advance ; the style of Mallory's Morte Darthur (this also a translation, or series of
translations, from the French) is excellently adapted to its purpose, and for directness
and lucidity Caxton is a far better writer than Berners.
But enough has been said of the faults of the work that is before us : it remains to
speak of its merits. The writer has the qualities of his defects. If he is not properly
speaking a man of letters, he is on that account the more familiar with courts, embassies
and statecraft. He has seen battles and taken part in the conduct of sieges, and he
knows the language of politics and of diplomacy. This, it cannot be denied, is some
qualification for translating Froissart. Again, having no formed style of his own, he is
more apt to follow the style of the original than to attempt to improve upon it : and
this is in fact his greatest merit. He has not attempted to produce an original work in
the guise of a translation : not only the matter but to a great extent the manner is that of
the original, while at the same time the English is idiomatic enough to avoid the sugges-
tion of a foreign source. It is true that under any exceptional stress his powers of clear
expression break down, as we have seen, but ordinarily he flows along happily enough, and
gives us very often no bad reproduction of the style of Froissart. If we wish to know of
what he was capable in this matter of style when left to his own guidance, we have only to
read the preface of the translator, prefixed to the first volume of the work. It is difficult to
conceive anything more unKke the style of the translation than this stilted performance,
with its regular balance of clauses and its absurd arrangement of synonyms in triplets : e.g.
*for whan we (beynge vnexpert of chaunces) se, beholde and rede the auncyent actes, gestes
and dedes, howe and with what labours, daungers and paryls they were gested and done,
they right greatly admonest, ensigne and teche vs howe we maye lede forthe our lyues :
and farther, he that hathe the perfyte knowledge of others' ioye, welthe and highe pros-
perite, and also trouble, sorowe and great aduersite, hath thexpert doctryne of all
parylles ' : with much more of the same kind, in regard to which he is justly afraid
that if he should write all that he would on the subject, he should ' too sore torment ' his
reader. It is, however, only the sense that he ought to write something impressive in a
good literary style that drives him to his stilts : he comes down from them as soon as he
has something practical to say, either about his reasons for translating Froissart, his
methods of naming persons, countries and cities, or his reckoning of miles and leagues.
All this he expresses in a simple conversational manner, as of one gentleman explain-
ing things to another ; and when his work of translation begins, he resigns himself
willingly to the guidance of his author, whose narrative he reproduces with the spirit of
one to whom it is a living drama and not an unreal pageant. It is this fresh vitality of
the story, combined with the simplicity of the rendering, that constitutes the redeeming
merit of the translation, a merit sufficient to cover a multitude of defects. Add to this
a certain vigorous picturesqueness of phrase, which is certainly not to be found in the
work of his modern rival, and a diction not too far removed from the time of his author,
English enriched with that admixture of French M^hich had been incorporated with it
in the fourteenth century, but not overloaded with new foreign importations, such as an
unskilful translator might be tempted to introduce.
INTRODUCTION
As examples of graphic and forcible expression we may take a few passages here and
there, quoting also the modern translation, not because it is specially bad, but as giving
an average standard for comparison : —
' The horses whan they felt ye sharpe arowes, they wolde in no wyse go forward, but
drewe abacke, and flang and toke on so feersly, that many of them fell on their maisters '
(i. 162).
The modern rendering is : ' The horses smarting under the pain of the wounds made
by their bearded arrows, would not advance, but turned about, and by their unruliness
threw their masters.'
' Gylbert answered and sayde, Holde thy pease, fole, for whan I wyll, with ye erle's
puyssance, all the whyte hattes shall be cast downe ; and suche there be that bereth them
nowe, that here after shall haue no nede of any hatte ' (i. 349).
Johnes has : ' Gilbert replying said : Hold thy tongue, fool ; whenever I please, with
the assistance of my lord, I can put down these white hoods ; and some of them who
now wear them will not in a short time have heads to put them on. '
Again : ' [He] caste about his eyen, and the firste thynge he sawe was a Sowe, the greattest
that euer he sawe, and she semed to be so leane and yuell fauoured, that there was nothyng
on her but the skynne and the bones, with long eares and a longe leane snout. The
lorde of Corasse had marueyle of that leane Sowe, and was wery of y^ sight of her, and
comaunded his men to fetche his houndes, and sayd, Lette the dogges hunt her to dethe
and deuoure her' (ii. 37).
The modern translator says : ' Casting his eyes about, the first thing he observed was
an immensely large sow ; but she was so poor, she seemed only skin and bone, with long
hanging ears all spotted, and a sharp-pointed lean snout. The lord de Corasse was dis-
gusted at such a sight, and calling to his servants said, Let the dogs loose quickly, for I
will have that sow killed and devoured. '
And finally : ' The constable defended hymselfe valyauntly with that wepyn that he had ;
howebeit, his defence hadde vayled hym but lytell, and the great grace of god had nat ben ;
styll he sate on his horse tyll he had a full stroke on y° heed, with whiche stroke he fell fro
his horse ryght agaynst a bakers dore, who was vp and busy to bake breed, and had left
his dore halfe open, whiche was happy for the constable ; for as he fell fro his horse he fell
agaynste the dore, and the dore opened, and he fell in at the dore, and they that were a
horsebacke coulde nat entre after hym, the dore was to lowe and to lytell. . . , Thus syr
Olyuer of Clysson was lefte in this case, as a man halfe deed and more, in the bakers house,
who was sore abasshed whan he knewe it was the constable : as for his men, had lytell
hurte, for syr Peter and his men loked for nothynge but to haue slayne the constable.
Than syr Olyuers men assembled togyther, and entred into the bakers house, and there
founde their mayster, sore hurte on the heed, and the blode rennynge downe by his vysage,
wherwith they were sore abasshed, and good cause why : there they made great com-
playntes ; fyrste they feared he had ben deed. Anone tydinges hereof came to the kynges
lodgynge, and it was sayde to the kynge, as he was goynge to his bedde : Ah, syr, we
canne nat hyde fro you the great myschiefe that is now sodenly fallen in Parys. What
myschefe is that ? quod the kynge. Syr, quod they, your constable syr Olyuer of Clisson
is slayne. Slayne, quod the kynge ; and howe so, and who hath done that deed ? Syr,
quod they, we canne nat tell ; but this myschefe is fallen on hym here by in the streate of
saynt Kateryn. Well, quod the kynge, light vp your torches ; I will go and se hym '
(ii. 181).
' The constable parried the blows tolerably well with his short cutlass ; but his defence
would have been of no avail, if God's providence had not protected him. He kept steady
on horseback some time, until he was villanously struck on the back part of his head,
which knocked him off his horse. In his fall he hit against the hatch of a baker's door,
who was already up to attend to his business and bake his bread. Having heard the
noise of horses on the causeway and high words, the baker had, fortunately for the con-
stable, half opened the hatch ; and sir OUver, falling against it, burst it quite open and
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
rolled into the shop. Those on horseback could not follow him, as the entrance was
neither wide nor high enough, ' and so on.
The version of Johnes is quoted in these passages not because it deserves scorn-
ful treatment, but simply to shew that in all these cases, as in others which might
be found on every page, the older translator has the advantage. The work done
by Johnes was very respectable, and he was the first to call attention to an im-
portant class of manuscripts, with variations and additions which had not before been
publicly noticed, but we cannot doubt about the comparative merits of the two versions,
notwithstanding the superior accuracy of the later one. Let ' them that default find '
do as the translator prays them to do and endeavour to amend where need shall be.
There is no doubt that the book was popular with those to whom it was addressed, and
that it was truly a pleasure to the noble gentlemen of England ' to se, beholde and rede
the highe enterprises, famous actes and glorious dedes done and atchyued by their valyant
aunceytours. ' It has also remained among the monuments of the English language,
and if not exactly a masterpiece, it has seemed nevertheless more successful than any
other version in rendering the charm and simplicity of the original text.
THE FIRST VOLUME
tiolutn of 0ic 31o!jaa jfcoj^^art: of tlje cronpcle^ of (£1x9:'.
lanDe, jfraunce, »)papne, ^Bortpngale, »)Cotlantie, Bretapne,
Jflautier^, anti otljer placet atiiopapnge^ '^Trangflateti out of
jfrenc^e into our maternal enfflp^g^lje tonp bp 3|oljan
Bourcljfer, fenigljt, lorDe Berner^: Sit tlje comauntie=
ment of oure moo0t tjiglje redouted 0ouerapne
lortie fepng: i^enrg tlje WL^ kpno: of
(Englantie anti of jfraunce anU Ijiff^ De=
fender of tl)e cljri^ten faptlje, etc^
THE PREFACE OF JOHN BOURCHIER, KNIGHT,
LORD BERNERS,
TRANSLATOR OF THIS PRESENT CHRONICLE
What condign graces and thanks ought men to give to the writers of histories,
who with their great labours have done so much profit to the human fife.
They shew, open, manifest and declare to the reader by example of old
antiquity, what we should enquire, desire and follow, and also what we should
eschew, avoid and utterly fly ; for when we (being unexpert of chances) see,
behold and read the ancient acts, gests and deeds, how and with what labours,
dangers and perils they were gested and done, they right greatly admonish,
ensign and teach us how we may lead forth our lives : and farther, he that
hath the perfect knowledge of others' joy, wealth and high prosperity, and also
trouble, sorrow and great adversity, hath the expert doctrine of all perils.
And albeit that mortal folk are marvellously separated both by land and water,
and right wondrously situate, yet are they and their acts (done peradventure
by the space of a thousand year) compact together by the histographier, as it
were the deeds of one self city and in one man's life : wherefore I say that
history may well be called a divine providence ; for as the celestial bodies
above complect all and at every time the universal world, the creatures therein
contained and all their deeds, semblably so doth history. Is it not a right
noble thing for us, by the faults and errors of other to amend and erect our
life into better ? We should not seek and acquire that other did ; but what
thing was most best, most laudable and worthily done, we should put before
our eyes to follow. Be not the sage counsels of two or three old fathers in a
city, town or country, whom long age hath made wise, discreet and prudent,
far more praised, lauded and dearly loved than of the young men.'' How
much more then ought histories to be commended, praised and loved, in
whom is included so many sage counsels, great reasons and high wisdoms of
so innumerable persons of sundry nations and of every age, and that in so long
space as four or five hundred year. The most profitable thing in this world
for the institution of the human life is history. Once the continual reading
thereof maketh young men equal in prudence to old men, and to old fathers
stricken in age it ministereth experience of things. More, it yieldeth private
persons worthy of dignity, rule and governance : it compelleth the emperors,
high rulers and governours to do noble deeds, to the end they may obtain
immortal glory : it exciteth, moveth and stirreth the strong, hardy warriors,
for the great laud that they have after they ben dead, promptly to go in hand
with great and hard perils in defence of their country : and it prohibiteth
reprovable persons to do mischievous deeds, for fear of infamy and shame.
PREFACE OF LORD BERNERS XXIX
So thus through the monuments of writing, which is the testimony unto virtue
many men have been moved, some to build cities, some to devise and estab-
blish laws right profitable, necessary and behoveful for the human life, some
other to find new arts, crafts and sciences, very requisite to the use of man-
kind. But above all things, whereby man's wealth riseth, special laud and
cause ought to be given to history : it is the keeper of such things as have
been virtuously done, and the witness of evil deeds, and by the benefit of
history all noble, high and virtuous acts be immortal. What moved the strong
and fierce Hercules to enterprise in his life so many great incomparable
labours and perils ? Certainly nought else but that for his merit immortality
might be given to him of all folk. In semblable wise did his imitator, noble
duke Theseus, and many other innumerable worthy princes and famous men,
whose virtues ben redeemed from oblivion and shine by history. And whereas
other monuments in process of time by variable*, chances are confused and
lost, the virtue of history, diffused and spread through the universal world,
hath to her custos and keeper it (that is to say, time) which consumeth the
other writings. And albeit that those men are right worthy of great laud and
praise, who by their writings shew and lead us the way to virtue, yet never-
theless the poems, laws and other acts that they found, devised and writ ben
mixed with some damage, and sometime for the truth they ensign a man to
lie ; but only history, truly with words representing the acts, gests and deeds
done, complecteth all profit : it moveth, stirreth and compelleth to honesty ;
detesteth, irketh and abhorreth vices ; it extolleth, enhanceth and lifteth up
such as ben noble and virtuous ; depresseth, poistereth and thrusteth down
such as ben wicked, evil and reprovable. What knowledge should we have of
ancient things past, an history were not, which is the testimony thereof, the
light of truth, the mistress of the life human, the president of remembrance
and the messenger of antiquity ? Why moved and stirred Phalerius the king
Ptolemy oft and diligently to read books ? Forsooth for none other cause,
but that those things are found written in books that the friends dare not shew
to the prince. Much more I would fain write of the incomparable profit of
history, but I fear me that I should too sore torment the reader of this my
preface ; and also I doubt not but that the great utility thereof is better known
than I could declare ; wherefore 1 shall briefly come to a point. Thus, when I
advertised and remembered the manifold commodities of history, how bene-
ficial it is to mortal folk, and eke how laudable and meritorious a deed it is
to write histories, fixed my mind to do something therein : and ever when this
imagination came to me, I volved, turned and read many volumes and books
containing famous histories ; and among all other I read diligently the four
volumes or books of sir John Froissart of the country of Hainault, written in
the French tongue, which I judged commodious, necessary and profitable to
be had in English, sith they treat of the famous acts done in our parts, that is
to say, in England, France, Spain, Portugal, Scotland, Bretayne, Flanders and
other places adjoining ; and specially they redound to the honour of English-
men. What pleasure shall it be to the noble gentlemen of England to see,
behold and read the high enterprises, famous acts and glorious deeds done
and achieved by their valiant ancestors ? Forsooth and God, this hath moved
me at the high commandment of my most redoubted sovereign lord king
Henry the VIII., king of England and of France, and high defender of the
Christian faith, etc., under his gracious supportation, to do my devoir to trans-
late out of French into our maternal English tongue the said volumes of sir
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
John Froissart ; which chronicle beginneth at the reign of the most noble and
valiant king Edward the third, the year of our Lord a thousand three hundred
and twenty-six,^ and continueth to the beginning of the reign of king Henry
the fourth, the year of our Lord God a thousand and four hundred ; the space
between is threescore and fourteen years ; requiring all readers and hearers
thereof to take this my rude translation in gre. And in that I have not followed
mine author word by word, yet I trust I have ensued the true report of the
sentence of the matter ; and as for the true naming of all manner of person-
ages, countries, cities, towns, rivers or fields, whereas I could not name them
properly nor aptly in English, I have written them according as I found them
in French ; and though I have not given every lord, knight or squire his true
addition, yet I trust I have not swerved from the true sentence of the matter.
And thereas I have named the distance between places by miles and leagues,
they must be understood according to the custom of the countries whereas
they be named, for in some place they be longer than in some other : in Eng-
land a league or mile is well known ; in France a league is two miles, and in
some places three ; and in other country is more or less : every nation hath
sundry customs. And if any fault be in this my rude translation, I remit the
correction thereof to them that discreetly shall find any reasonable default ;
and in their so doing I shall pray God to send them the bliss of heaven. —
Amen.
\ %\\x<^ Eittiet!) t!)e preface of 0ir go^aii Bourc^ier, fenigljt,
lortje Bertier^, tranislatour of tji^ present cron|?cle: anO
tierafter folotoet^ t^e table,^ toitt) all tlje cljapitergf a0 t^ep
0tantie lit t!)e bofee va ortier, from one to four Ijuntireti, fgftie
ann one, tDl)icIje \st in number <Z^^<^^ anti 1L% cfjapiter^.
1 A correction of ' sixteen.' and instead of it a table is given above of the pages
2 The table of chapters is omitted in this edition, in the present volume.
THE
CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
CHAPTER I
Here beginneth the prologue of sir John
Froissart of the Chronicles of France,
England and other places adjoining.
To the intent that the honourable and
noble adventures of feats of arms, done and
achieved by the wars of France and Eng-
land, should notably be enregistered and
put in perpetual memory, whereby the prewe
and hardy may have ensample to encourage
them in their well-doing, I, sir John Frois-
sart, will treat and record an history of
great louage and praise. But, or I begin,
I require the Saviour of all the world, who
of nothing created all things, that he will
give me such grace and understanding, that
II may continue and persevere in such wise,
that whoso this process readeth or heareth
may take pastance, pleasure and ensample.
It is said of truth that all buildings are
masoned and wrought of divers stones,
and all great rivers are gurged and as-
sembled of divers surges and springs of
water ; in likewise all sciences are extraught
and compiled of divers clerks ; of that one
writeth, another peradventure is ignorant ;
but by the famous writing of ancient authors
all things ben known in one place or other.
Then to attain to the matter that I have
enter prised, I will begin first by the grace
of God and of the blessed Virgin our Lady
Saint Mary, from whom all comfort and
consolation proceedeth, and will take my
foundation out of the true chronicles some-
time compiled by the right reverend,
discreet and sage master John le Bel,
sometime canon in Saint Lambert's of
Liege, who with good heart and due dili-
gence did his true devoir in writing this
noble chronicle, and did continue it all his
life's days, in following the truth as near
as he might, to his great charge and cost
in seeking to have the perfect knowledge
thereof. He was also in his life's days
well beloved and of the secret council with
the lord sir John of Hainault, who is
often remembered, as reason requireth,
hereafter in this book, for of many fair and
noble adventures he was chief causer, and
by whose means the said sir John le Bel
might well know and hear of many divers
noble deeds, the which hereafter shall be_
declared. Truth it is that I, who have
enterprised this book to ordain for pleasure
and pastance, to the which always I have
been inclined, and for that intent I have
followed and frequented the company of
divers noble and great lords, as well in
France, England and Scotland, as in divers
other countries, and have had knowledge/,
by them, and always to my power justly
have enquired for the truth of the deeds of
war and adventures that have fallen, and
especially sith the great battle of Poitiers,
whereas the noble king John of France
was taken prisoner, as before that time I
was but of a young age or understanding.^
1 This extraordinary sentence does not at all re-
present the original, which may be thus translated :
'True it is that I who have enterprised to set in
order this book, have for pleasure, which hath
ever inclined me thereto, frequented the company
of divers noble and great lords, as well in France
as England, Scotland and other countries, and
e
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
Howbeit, I took on me, as soon as I came
from school, to write and recite the Said
book,^ and bare the same compiled into
England, and presented the volume thereof
to my lady Philippa of Hainault, noble
queen of England, who right amiably
received it to my great profit and advance-
ment. And it may be so that the same
book is not as yet examined nor corrected
so justly as such a case requireth ; for feats
of arms dearly bought and achieved, the
honour thereof ought to be given and truly
divided to them that by prowess and hard
travail have deserved it. Therefore to
acquit me in that behalf, and in following
the truth as near as I can, I, John Froissart,
have enterprised this history on the foresaid
ordinance and true foundation, at the
instance and request of a dear lord of mine,
Robert of Namur, knight, lord of Beaufort,
to whom entirely I owe love and obeisance,
and God grant me to do that thing that
may be to his pleasure. Amen.
CHAPTER II
Here speaketh the author of such as were
most valiant knights to be made mention
of in this book.
All noble hearts to encourage and to shew
them ensample and matter of honour, I,
sir John Froissart, begin to speak after
the true report and relation of my master
John le Bel, sometime canon of Saint-
Lambert's of Liege, affirming thus, how
that many noble persons have ofttimes
spoke of the wars of France and of England,
and peradventure knew not justly the truth
thereof, nor the true occasions of the first
movings of such wars, nor how the war at
have had acquaintance with them. So I have
always to my power justly enquired and demanded
of the wars and adventures," etc. The translation
given by Johnes is equally incorrect.
1 The better reading is, 'a rimer et k ditter les
guerres dessus dites.' The translator seems to
think that the book presented to queen Philippa
was a first edition of this history; but Froissart
draws a distinction between that book (which may
probably have been in verse) and the present work,
undertaken at the instance of Robert of Namur.
Lower down, where the translator has, ' it may be
so that the same book is not as yet examined nor
corrected so justly as such a case requireth,' the
author meant to say that perhaps that book was
not so carefully composed as it should have been.
length continued : but now I trust ye shall
hear reported the true foundation of the
cause, and to the intent that I will not
forget, minish or abridge the history in
anything for default of language, but rather
I will multiply and increase it as near as I
can, following the truth from point to point,
in speaking and shewing all the adventures
sith the nativity of the noble king Edward
the III., who reigned king of England ai^d
achieved many perilous adventures, and
divers great battles addressed, and other
feats of arms of ^eat prowess sith the year
of our Lord CJoT-McecitxvL, that this
noble king was crowned in England : for
generally such as were with him in his
battles and happy fortunate adventures,
or with his people in his absence, ought
right well to be taken and reputed for
valiant and worthy of renown ; and though
there were great plenty of sundry person-
ages that ought to be praised and reputed
as sovereigns, yet among other and princi-
pally ought to be renowned the noble
proper person of the foresaid gentle king,
also the prince of Wales his son, the duke
of Lancaster, sir Raynold lord Cobham,
sir Gaultier of Manny ^ of Hainault, knight,
sir John Chandos, sir Franck of Hale and
divers other, of whom is made mention
hereafter in this present book because of
their . va lianj — prowess ; for in all battles
that they were in7n!tJ§t commonly they had
ever the renown, both by land and by sea,
according to the truth. They in all their
deeds were so valiant that they ought to
be reputed as sovereigns in all chivalry ; \
yet for all that, such other as were in their
company ought not to be of the less value
or less set by. Also in France in that time
there were found many good knights,
strong and well expert in feats of arms ; for
the realm of France was not so discomfited
but that always there were people sufficient
to fight withal, and the king Philip of
Valois was a right hardy and a valiant
knight, and also king John his son, Charles
the king of Bohemia,^ the earl of Alen9on,
the earl of Foix, sir Saintre, sir Arnold
1 The form 'Manny' for 'Mauny' is retained
throughout.
2 The king of Bohemia is called Charles by
Froissart, but his name was in fact John. In his
latest redaction (Vat. MS.) Froissart states when
relating the battle of Crecy that he was rebaptized
as Charles.
PREDECESSOJ^S OF EDWARD III.
[d'Audrehem, sir Bouciquaut, sir Guichard]
d' Angle, the lords of Beaujeu, the father
and the son, and divers other, the which
I can not their names, of whom hereafter
right well shall be made mention in time
and place convenient to say the truth and
to maintain the same. All such as in cruel
battles have been seen abiding to the
discomfiture, sufficiently doing their devoir,
may well be reputed for valiant and hardy,
whatsoever was their adventure.
CHAPTER III
Here the matter speaketh of some of the
predecessors of king Edward of England.
First, the better to enter into the matter
of this honourable and pleasant history of
the noble Edward king of England, who
was crowned at London the year of our
Lord God mcccxxvi., on Christmas-
day, living the king his father and the queen
his mother, it is certain that the opinion of
Englishmen most commonly was as then, and
oftentimes it was seen in England after the
time of king Arthur, how that between two
valiant kings of England there was most
commonly one between them of less
. sufficiency both of wit and of prowess : and
this was right well apparent by the same
king Edward the third ; for his grand-
father, called the good king Edward the
first, was right valiant, sage, wise and hardy,
V adventurous and fortunate in all feats of
war, and had much ado against the vScots,
and conquered them three or four times ;
for the Scots could never have victory nor
endure against him : and after his decease
his son of his first wife, who was father to
the said good king Edward the third, was
crowned king and called Edward the second,
who resembled nothing to his father in wit
nor in prowess, but governed and kept his
realm right wildly, and ruled himself by
sinister counsel of certain persons, whereby
at length he had no profit nor land, as ye
shall hear after ; for anon after he was
crowned, Robert Bruce king of Scotland,
who had often liefore given much ado to the
said good king Edward the first, conquered
again all Scotland, and brent and wasted a
great part of the realm of England, a four
or five days' journey within the realm at two
times, and discomfited the king and all the
barons of England at a place in Scotland
called Stirling, by battle arranged the day
of Saint John Baptist, in the seventh year
of the reign of the same king Edward, in
the year of our Lord Mcccxiv. The
chase of this discomfiture endured two days
and two nights, and the king of England
went with a small company to London :
and on mid-lent Sunday in the year of our
Lord Mcccxvi. the Scots won again the
city of Berwick by treason ; but because
this is no part of our matter, I will leave
speaking thereof.
CHAPTER IV
Here mine author maketh mention of the
parent of this good king Edward the
third.
This king Edward the second, father to
the noble king Edward the third, had two
brethren, the one called [the earl] marshal,
who was right wild and diverse of condi-
tions, the other called sir Edmund earl
of Kent, right wise, amiable, gentle and «
well beloved with all people. This king
Edward the second was married to Isabel,
the daughter of Philip le Beau king of
France, who was one of the fairest ladies k
of the world. The king had by her two
sons and two daughters. The first son
was the noble and hardy king Edward the
third, of whom this history is begun. The
second was named John, and died young.
The first of the daughters was called Isabel,
married to the young king David of Scot-
land, son to king Robert de Bruce, married
in her tender yongth by the accord of both
realms of England and Scotland for to
make perfect peace. The other daughter
was married to the earl Raynold, who
after was called duke of Gueldres, and he
had by her two sons, Raynold and Edward,
who after reigned in great puissance.
CHAPTER V
Hereafter beginneth the occasion whereby
the war moved between the kings of
France and England.
NOMT sheweth the history that this Philip
le Beau king of France had three sons and
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
a fair daughter named Isabel, married into
England to king Edward the second ; and
these three sons, the eldest named Louis,
who was king of Navarre in his father's
days and was called king Louis Hutin, the
second had to name Philip the Great or the
Long, and the third was called Charles ;
and all three were kings of France after
their father's decease by right succession
each after other, without having any issue
male of their bodies lawfully begotten.
So that after the death of Charles, last
king of the three, the twelve peers and
all the barons of France would not give
the realm to Isabel the sister, who was
queen of England, because they said and
maintained, and yet do, that the realm of
France is so noble that it ought not to go
to a woman, and so consequently to Isabel,
nor to the king of England her eldest son :
for they determined the son of the woman
to have no right nor succession by his
mother, since they declared the mother
to have no right : so that by these reasons
the twelve peers and barons of France by
their common accord did give the realm of
France to the lord Philip of Valois, nephew
sometime to Philip le Beau king of France,
and so put out the queen of England and
her son, who was as the next heir male, as
son to the sister of Charles, last king of
France. Thus went the realm of France
out of the right lineage, as it seemed to
many folk, whereby great wars hath moved
and fallen, and great destructions of people
and countries in the realm of France and
other places, as ye may hereafter [see].
This is the very right foundation of this
history, to recount the great enterprises
and great feats of arms that have fortuned
and fallen. Sith the time of the good
Charlemagne king of France there never
fell so great adventures.
CHAPTER VI
Of the earl Thomas of Lancaster and
twenty-two other of the great lords and
knights of England, that were beheaded.
The foresaid king Edward the second,
father to the noble king Edward the
third, on whom our matter is founded,
this said king governed right diversely his
realm by the exhortation of sir Hugh
Spencer, who had been nourished with
him sith the beginning of his yongth ; the
which sir Hugh had so enticed the king,
that his father and he were the greatest
masters in all the realm, and by envy
thought to surmount all other barons of
England ; whereby after the great dis-
comfiture that the Scots had made at
Stirling great murmuring there arose in
England between the noble barons and
the king's council, and namely against sir
Hugh Spencer. They put on him that
by his counsel they were discomfited, and
that he was favourable to the king of
Scots. And on this point the barons
had divers times communication together,
to be advised what they might do, whereof
Thomas earl of Lancaster, who was uncle
to the king, was chief. And anon when sir
Hugh Spencer had espied this, he pur-
veyed for remedy, for he was so great
with the king and so near him, that he
was more beloved with the king than all
the world after. So on a day he came to
the king and said, 'Sir, certain lords of
your realm have made alliance together
against you, and without ye take heed
thereto betimes, they purpose to put you
out of your realm ' : and so by his mali-
cious means he caused that the king made
all the said lords to be taken, and their
heads to be stricken off without delay,
and without knowledge or answer to any
cause. First of all sir Thomas earl of
Lancaster, who was a noble and a wise,
holy knight, and hath done sith many
fair miracles in Pom fret, where he was
beheaded, for the which deed the said
sir Hugh Spencer achieved great hate in
all the realm, and specially of the queen
and of the earl of Kent, brother to the
king. And when he perceived the dis-
pleasure of the queen, by his subtle wit
he set great discord between the king and
the queen, so that the king would not see
the queen nor come in her company, the
which discord endured a long space. Then
was it shewed to the queen secretly and to
the earl of Kent, that without they took good
heed to themselves, they were likely to be
destroyed, for sir Hugh Spencer was about
to purchase much trouble to them. Then
the queen secretly did purvey to go into
France, and took her way as on pilgrim-
I
THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND IN FRANCE, 1326
5
age to Saint Thomas of Canterbury, and
so to Winchelsea, and in the night went
into a ship that was ready for her, and her
young son Edward with her, and the earl
of Kent and sir Roger Mortimer, and in
another ship they had put all their purvey-
ance, and had wind at will, and the next
morning they arrived in the haven of
Boulogne.
CHAPTER VII
How the queen of England went and com-
plained her to the king of France her
brother of sir Hugh Spencer.
When queen Isabel was arrived at Bou-
logne, and her son with her and the earl
of Kent, the captains and abbot of the
town came against her and joyously re-
ceived her and her company into the
abbey, and there she abode two days :
then she departed and rode so long by
her journeys that she arrived at Paris.
Then king Charles her brother, who was
informed of her coming, sent to meet her
divers of the greatest lords of his realm,
as the lord sir Robert de Artois, the
lord of Coucy, the lord of Sully, the
lord of Roye and divers other, who
honourably did receive her and brought
her into the city of Paris to the king her
brother. And when the king saw his
sister, whom he had not seen long before,
as she should have entered into his chamber
he met her and took her in his arms and
kissed her, and said, ' Ye be welcome,
fair sister, with my fair nephew your son,'
and took them by the hands and led them
forth. The queen, who had no great joy
at her heart but that she was so near to the
king her brother, she would have kneeled
down two or three times at the feet of the
king, but the king would not suffer her,
but held her still by the right hand, de-
manding right sweetly of her estate and
business. And she answered him right
sagely, and lamentably recounted to him
all the felonies and injuries done to her
by sir Hugh Spencer, and required him
of his aid and comfort. When the noble
king Charles of France had heard his
sister's lamentation, who weepingly had
shewed him all her need and business,
he said to her : ' Fair sister, appease your-
self, for by the faith I owe to God and to
Saint Denis I shall right well purvey for
you some remedy.' The queen then
kneeled down, whether the king would
or not, and said : * My right dear lord
and fair brother, I pray God reward you.'
The king then took her in his arms and
led her into another chamber, the which
was apparelled for her and for the young
Edward her son, and so departed from
her, and caused at his costs and charges
all things to be delivered that was behoveful
for her and for her son. After it was not
long, but that for this occasion Charles
king of France assembled together many
great lords and barons of the realm of
France, to have their counsel and good
advice how they should ordain for the
need and besynes of his sister queen of
England. Then it was counselled to the
king that he should let the queen his sister
to purchase for herself friends, whereas
she would, in the realm of France or in
any other place, and himself to feign and
be not. known thereof; for they said, to
move war with the king of England, and
to bring his own realm into hatred, it were
nothing appertinent nor profitable to him
nor to his realm. But they concluded that
conveniently he might aid her with gold
and silver, for that is the metal whereby \\
love is attained both of gentlemen and of '
poor soldiers. And to this counsel and
advice accorded the king, and caused this
to be shewed to the queen privily by sir
Robert d 'Artois, who as then was one of the
greatest lords of all France,
CHAPTER VIII
How that sir Hugh Spencer purchased that the
queen Isabel was banished out of France.
Now let us speak somewhat of sir Hugh
Spencer. When he saw that he had drawn
the king of England so much to his will,
that he could desire nothing of him but it
was granted, he caused many noblemen
and other to be put to death without
justice or law, because he held them
suspect to be against him ; and by his pride
he did so many marvels, that the barons
that were left alive in the land could not
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
bear nor suffer it any longer, but they
besought and required each other among
themselves to be of a peaceable accord, and
caused it secretly to be known to the
queen their lady, who had been as then at
Paris the space of three year, certifying
her by writing, that if she could find the
means to have any company of men of arms,
if it were but to the number of a thousand,
and to bring her son and heir with her into
England, that then they would all draw to
her and obey her and her son Edward, as
they were bound to do of duty. These letters
thus sent secretly to her out of England,
she shewed them to king Charles her
brother, who answered her and said : ' Fair
sister, God be your aid, your business shall
avail much the better. Take of my men
and subjects to the number that your friends
have written you for, and I consent well to
this voyage. I shall cause to be delivered
unto you gold and silver as much as shall
suffice you. ' And in this matter the queen
had done so much, what with her prayer,
gifts and promises, that many great lords
and young knights were of her accord, as
to bring her with great strength again into
England. Then the queen, as secretly as she
could, she ordained for her voyage and
made her purveyance ; but she could not
do it so secretly but sir Hugh Spencer
had knowledge thereof. Then he thought
to win and withdraw the king of France
from her by great gifts, and so sent secret
messengers into France with great plenty
of gold and silver and rich jewels, and
specially to the king and his privy council,
and did so much that in short space the
king of France and all his privy council
were as cold to help the queen in her voyage
as they had before great desire to do it.
And the king brake all that voyage, and
defended every person in his realm on pain
of banishing the same, that none should be
so hardy to go with the queen to bring her
again into England.
And yet the said sir Hugh Spencer
advised him of more malice, and be-
thought him how he might get again
the queen into England, to be under the
king's danger and his. Then he caused
the king to write to the holy father the
pope affectuously, desiring him that he
would send and write to the king of
France, that he should send the queen his
wife again into England ; for he will acquit
himself to God and the world, and that it was
not his fault that she departed from him,
for he would nothing to her but all love and
good faith, such as he ought to hold in
marriage. Also there were like letters
written to the cardinals, devised by many
subtle ways, the which all may not be
written here. Also he sent gold and silver
great plenty to divers cardinals and prelates,
such as were most nearest and secretest
with the pope, and right sage and able
ambassadors were sent on this message ;
and they led the pope in such wise by their
gifts and subtle ways, that he wrote to the
king of France that on pain of cursing he
should send his sister Isabel into England
to the king her husband.
These letters were brought to the king
of France by the bishop of Saintes, whom
the pope sent in that legation. And when
the king had read the letters, he caused
them to be shewed to the queen his sister,
whom he had not seen of long space before,
commanding her hastily to avoid his realm,
or else he would cause her to avoid with
shame.
CHAPTER IX
How that queen Isabel departed from France
and entered into the Empire.
When the queen heard this tidings, she
knew not what to say nor what advice to
take ; for as then the barons of the realm
of France were withdrawn from her by the
commandment of the king of France, and
so she had no comfort nor succour, but all
only of her dear cousin sir Robert de
Artois ; for he secretly did counsel and
comfort her as much as he might, for other-
wise he durst not, for the king had de-
fended him. But he knew well that the
queen was chased out of England and also
out of France for evil will and by envy, which
grieved him greatly. Thus was sir Robert de
Artois at the queen's commandment ; but
he durst not speak nor be known thereof,
for he had heard the king say and swear that
whosoever spake to him for the queen his
sister should lose his lands and be banished
the realm ; and he knew secretly how the
king was in mind and will to make his
sister to be taken, and Edward her son
QUEEN ISABEL IN HAINAULT
and the earl of Kent and sir Roger Mor-
timer, and to put them all in the hands of
the king and of sir Hugh Spencer. Where-
foie he came on a night and declared all
this to the queen, and advised her of the
peril that she was in. Then the queen was
greatly abashed, and required him all
veeping of his good counsel. Then he
said : ' Madam, I counsel you that ye
depart and go into the Empire, whereas
there be many great lords, who may right
well aid you, and specially the earl Guil-
liam of Hainault and sir John of Hainault
his brother. These two are great lords
and wise men, true, drad and redoubted
of their enemies. ' Then the queen caused
to be made ready all her purveyance, and
paid for everything as secretly as she
might, and so she and her son, the earl of
Kent and all her company departed from
Paris and rode toward Hainault, and so
long she rode that she came to Cambresis ;
and when she knew she was in the Empire,
she was better assured than she was before,
and so passed through Cambresis and
entered into Ostrevant in Hainault, and
lodged at Bugnicourt, in a knight's house
who was called sir d'Aubrecicourt, who
received her right joyously in the best
manner to his power, insomuch that after-
ward the queen of England and her son
had with them into England for ever the
knight and his wife and all his children,
and advanced them in divers manners.
The coming thus of the queen of England
and of her son and heir into the country of
Hainault was anon well known in the
house of the good earl of Hainault, who
as then was at Valenciennes ; and sir John
of Hainault was certified of the time
when the queen arrived at the place of sir
d'Aubrecicourt, the which sir John was
brother to the said earl Guilliam, and as
he that was young and lusty, desiring all
honour, mounted on his horse and departed
with a small company from Valenciennes,
and came the same night to Bugnicourt,
and did to the queen all honour and rever-
ence that he could devise. The queen,
who was right sorrowful, began to declare
(complaining to him right piteously) her
dolours ; whereof the said sir John had
great pity, so that the water dashed in his
eyen, and said, * Certainly, fair lady,
behold me here your own knight, who shall
not fail you to die in the quarrel. I shall
do the best of my power to conduct you
and my lord your son, and help to bring
you into your estates in England, by the
grace of God and with the help of your
friends in that parts : and I and such other
as I can desire shall put our lives and
goods in adventure for your sake, and shall
get men of war sufficient, if God be pleased,
without the danger of the king of France
your brother.' Then the queen would
have kneeled down for great joy that she
had, and for the good-will he offered her,
but this noble knight took her up quickly
in his arms and said : ' By the grace of
God the noble queen of England shall not
kneel to me ; but, madam, recomfort your-
self and all your company, for I shall keep
you faithful promise ; and ye shall go see
the earl my brother and the countess his
wife and all their fair children, who shall
receive you with great joy, for so I heard
them report they would do.' Then the
queen said : * Sir, I find in you more love
and comfort than in all the world, and for
this that ye say and affirm me I thank you
a thousand times ; and if ye will do this ye
have promised in all courtesy and honour,
I and my son shall be to you for ever
bound, and will put all the realm of
England in your abandon ; for it is right
that it so should be.' And after these
words, when they were thus accorded, sir
John of Hainault took leave of the queen
for that night, and went to Denaing and
lay in the abbey ; and in the morning after
mass he leapt on his horse and came again
to the queen, who received him with great
joy. By that time she had dined and was
ready to mount on her horse to depart with
him ; and so the queen departed from the
castle of Bugnicourt, and took leave of the
knight and of the lady, and thanked them for
their good cheer that they had made her,
and said that she trusted once to see the
time that she or her son should well re-
member their courtesy.
Thus departed the queen in the company
of the said sir John lord Beaumont, who
right joyously did conduct her to Valen-
ciennes ; and against her came many of the
burgesses of the town and received her right
humbly. Thus was she brought before the
earl Guilliam of Hainault, who received
her with great joy, and in likewise so did
8
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
the countess his wife, and feasted her right
nobly. And as then this earl had four fair
daughters, Margaret, Philippa, Jane and
Isabel, among whom the young Edward
set most his love and company on Philippa,
and also the young lady in all honour was
more conversant with him than any of her
sisters. Thus the queen Isabel abode at
Valenciennes by the space of eight days
with the good earl and with the countess
Jane de Valois. In the meantime the
queen apparelled for her needs and busi-
ness, and the said sir John wrote letters right
afFectuously unto knights and such com-
panions as he trusted best in all Hainault,
in Brabant and in Bohemia, and prayed
them for all amities that was between them,
that they would go with him in this enter-
prise into England ; and so there were
great plenty, what of one country and other,
that were content to go with him for his
love. But this said sir John of Hainault
was greatly reproved and counselled the
contrary both of the earl his brother and of
the chief of the council of the country, be-
cause it seemed to them that the enterprise
was right high and perilous, seeing the
great discords and great hates that as then
was between the barons of England among
themselves, and also considering that these
Englishmen most commonly have ever great
envy at strangers. Therefore they doubted
that the said sir John of Hainault and his
company should not return again with
honour. But howsoever they blamed or
counselled him, the gentle knight would
never change his purpose, but said he had
but one death to die, the which was in the
will of God ; and also said that all knights
ought to aid to their powers all ladies and
damosels chased out of their own countries,
being without counsel or comfort.
CHAPTER X
How that the queen Isabel arrived in England
with sir John of Hainault in her company.
Thus was sir John of Hainault moved in his
courage and made his assembly, and prayed
the Hainowes to be ready at Hal, and the
Brabances at Breda, and the Hollanders
to be at Dordrecht at a day limited.
Then the queen of England took leave of
the earl of Hainault and of the countess, and
thanked them greatly of their honour, feast
and good cheer that they had made hsr,
kissing them at her departing. Thus this
lady departed and her son and all her
company with sir John of Hainault, who
with great pain gat leave of his brothel,
saying to him : ' My lord and brother, I
am young and think that God hath pur-
veyed for me this enterprise for mine
advancement. I believe and think verily
that wrongfully and sinfully this lady hath
been chased out of England, and also her
son. It is alms and glory to God and to
the world to comfort and help them that be
comfortless, and specially so high and so
noble a lady as this is, who is daughter to
a king and descended of a royal king ; we
be of her blood and she of ours. I had
rather renounce and forsake all that I have
and go serve God over the sea and never
to return into this country, rather than this
good lady should have departed from us
without comfort and help. Therefore, dear
brother, suffer me to go with your good-will,
wherein ye shall do nobly, and I shall
humbly thank you thereof, and the better
thereby I shall accomplish all the voyage.'
And when the good earl of Hainault had
well heard his brother, and perceived the
great desire that he had to his enterprise,
and saw well it might turn him and his
heirs to great honour hereafter, said to
him : ' My fair brother, God forbid that
your good purpose should be broken or let :
therefore in the name of God I give you
leave ' ; and kissed him, straining him by the
hand in sign of great love.
Thus he departed and rode the same
night to Mons in Hainault with the queen
of England. What should I make long
process ? They did so much by their
journeys that they came to Dordrecht in
Holland, whereas their special assembly
was made. And there they purveyed for
ships great and small, such as they could
get, and shipped their horses and harness
and purveyance, and so commended them-
selves into the keeping of God and took
their passage by sea. In that company
there were of knights and lords, first sir
John of Hainault lord Beaumont, sir
Henry d'Antoing, sir Michael de Ligne,
the lord of Gommegnies, sir Perceval
de Semeries, sir Robert de Bailleul, sir
EXPEDiriOISt TO ENGLAND, 1326
Sanses de Boussoit, the lord of Vertaing,
the lord of Potelle, the lord Villers, the
lord of Hennin, the lord of Sars, the
lord of Bousies, the lord of Aubrecicourt,
the lord of Estrumel, and sir Wulfart of
Ghistelles, and divers other knights and
squires, all in great desire to serve their
master. And when they were all departed
from the haven of Dordrecht, it was a fair
fleet as for the quantity, and well ordered,
the season was fair and clear and right
temperate, and at their departing with the
first flood they came before the dikes of
Holland ; and the next day they drew up
their sails and took their way in coasting
Zealand ; and their intents were to have
taken land at Dongport ; ^ but they could
not, for a tempest took them in the sea, that
put them so far out of their course that they
wist not of two days where they were : of
the which God did them great grace, for if
they had taken land at the port whereas
they had thought, they had been all lost,
for they had fallen in the hands of their
enemies, who knew well of their coming,
and abode them there to have put them all
to death. So it was that about the end of
two days the tempest ceased, and the
mariners perceived land in England and
drew to that part right joyously, and there
took land on the sands without any right
haven or port at Harwich, as the English
chronicle saith,^ the 24th day of September,
the year of our Lord Mcccxxvi., and so
abode on the sands three days with little
purveyance of victual, and unshipped their
horses and harness, nor they wist not in
what part of England they were in, other
in the power of their friends or in the
power of their enemies. On the fourth day
they took forth their way in the adventure
of God and of Saint George, as such
people as had suffered great disease of cold
by night and hunger and great fear, whereof
they were not as then clean rid. And so
they rode forth by hills and dales on the
1 This name is a false reading in the text which
the translator followed, a corruption of the words
*ung port.'
2 The statement from the ' English chronicle' that
they landed at Harwich on the 24th of September
1326 is due to the translator. The English chronicle
to which he refers here and also in chaps. 18, 19, 20,
etc., is evidently Fabyan's iVifw Chronicles of Eng-
land and France, or Concordance of Histories,
printed by Pynson in 1516. The reference here is
to p. 429.
one side and on the other, till at the last
they found villages and a great abbey of
black monks, the which is called Saint-
Edmund, whereas they three days refreshed
themselves.
CHAPTER XI
How the queen of England besieged the king
her husband in the town of Bristow.
And then this tiding spread about the
realm so much, that at the last it came to
the knowledge of the lords by whom the
queen was called again into England. And
they apparelled them in all haste to come
to Edward her son, whom they would have
to their sovereign lord. And the first that
came and gave them most comfort was
Henry earl of Lancaster with the wry
neck, called Tort Col, who was brother to
Thomas earl of Lancaster, beheaded as ye
have heard herebefore, who was a good
knight and greatly recommended, as ye
shall hear after in this history. This earl
Henry came to the queen with great com-
pany of men of war, and after him came
from one part and other earls, barons,
knights and squires, with so much people
that they thought them clean out of perils,
and always increased their power as they
went forward. Then they took counsel
among them that they should ride straight
to the town of Bristow, whereas the king
was, and with him the Spencers. The
which was a good town and a strong, and
well closed, standing on a good port of the
sea, and a strong castle, the sea beating
round about it. And therein was the king
and sir Hugh Spencer the elder, who was
about ninety of age, and sir Hugh Spencer
his son, who was chief governour of the
king and counselled him in all his evil
deeds. Also there was the earl of Arundel,
who had wedded the daughter of sir Hugh
Spencer, and divers other knights and
squires repairing about the king's court.
Then the queen and all her company,
lords of Hainault, earls and barons, and
all other Englishmen, took the right way
to the said town of Bristow, and in every
town whereas they entered they were re-
ceived with great feast and honour, and
always their people increased ; and so long
they rode by their journeys that they arrived
THE CHRONICLES OP PI^OISSART
at Bristow, and besieged the town round
about as near as they might : and the king
and sir Hugh Spencer the younger held
them in the castle, and the old sir Hugh
Spencer and the earl of Arundel held
them in the town. And when the people
of the town saw the great power that the
queen was of (for almost all England
was of her accord), and perceived what
peril and danger evidently they were in,
they took counsel among themselves and
determined that they would yield up the
town to the queen, so that their lives and
goods might be saved. And so they sent
to treat with the queen and her council in
this matter ; but the queen nor her council
would not agree thereto without she might
do with sir Hugh Spencer and with the
earl of Arundel what it pleased her.
When the people of the town saw they
could have no peace otherwise, nor save
the town nor their goods nor their lives,
in that distress they accorded to the queen
and opened the gates, so that the queen
and sir John of Hainault, and all her
barons, knights and squires, entered into
the town and took their lodgings within,
as many as might, and the residue without.
Then sir Hugh Spencer and the earl of
Arundel were taken and brought before the
queen, to do her pleasure with them. Then
there was brought to the queen her own
children, John her son and her two
daughters, the which were found there in
the keeping of the said sir Hugh Spencer,
whereof the queen had great joy, for she
had not seen them long before. Then the
king might have great sorrow and sir
Hugh Spencer the younger, who were fast
enclosed in the strong castle, and the most
part of all the realm turned to the queen's
part and to Edward her eldest son.
CHAPTER Xn
How that sir Hugh Spencer the elder and the
earl of Arundel were judged to death.
When the queen and her barons and all
her company were lodged at their ease, then
they besieged the castle as near as they might.
The queen caused sir Hugh Spencer the elder
and the earl of Arundel to be brought forth
before Edward her son and all the barons
that were there present, and said how that
she and her son should take right and law
on them according to their deserts. Then
sir Hugh Spencer said, ' Madam, God be
to you a good judge and give you good
judgment,^ and if we cannot have it in this
world, I pray God we may have it in
another.' Then stept forth sir Thomas
Wake, a good knight and marshal of the
host, and there openly he recounted their
deeds in writing, and then turned him to
another ancient knight to the intent that
he should bring him on that case fauty,^
and to declare what should be done with
such persons, and what judgment they
should have for such causes. Then the
said knight counselled with other barons
and knights, and so reported their opinions,
the which was, how they had well deserved
death for divers horrible deeds, the which
they have commised, for all the trespass
rehearsed before to justify to be of truth ; ^
wherefore they have deserved for the
diversities of their trespasses to have judg-
ment in three divers manners — first, to be
drawn, and after to be headed, and then
to be hanged on the gibbet. This in like-
wise as they were judged so it was done
and executed before the castle of Bristow in
the sight of the king and of sir Hugh Spencer
the younger. This judgment was done in
the year of our Lord Mcccxxvi., on Saint
Denis' day in October
And .after this execution the king and the
young Spencer, seeing themselves thus be-
sieged in this mischief, and knew no comfort
that might come to them, in a morning be-
times they two with a small company entered
into a little vessel behind the castle, thinking
to have fled to the country of Wales. But
they were eleven days in the ship, and en-
forced it to sail as much as they might ; but
whatsoever they did, the wind was every day
so contrary to them by the will of God, that
^ This should be, 'God give us a good judge
and good judgment ' ; but Verard's edition, from
which the translation was made, has 'vous' for
'nous.'
2 This appears to mean, ' To the intent that he
should find him guilty on the charge ' (' fauty ' for
'faulty'); but the original means, 'To the intent
that he should declare upon his fealty (fiiault^)
what should be done with such persons,' etc.
3 Or rather as follows : ' That the accused had
well deserved death for divers horrible deeds which
they had heard in that place rehearsed, and held
them for true and manifest.'
TH& SPENCERS EXECUTED
every day once or twice they were ever
brought again within a quarter of a mile
to the same castle.
At the last it fortuned, sir Henry Beau-
mont, son to the viscount Beaumont in
England, entered into a barge and certain
company with him, and spied this vessel
and rowed after him so long that the ship
wherein the king was could not flee fast
before them, but finally they were over-
taken, and so brought again to the town of
Bristow and delivered to the queen and her
son as prisoners.
Thus it befell of this high and hardy
enterprise of sir John of Hainault and his
company. For when they departed and
entered into their ships at Dordrecht, they
were but three hundred men of arms ; and
thus by their help and the lords in England,^
the queen Isabel conquered again all her
estate and dignity, and put unto execution
all her enemies, whereof all the most part
of the realm were right joyous, without it
were a few persons such as were favourable
to sir Hugh Spencer and of his part.
And when the king and sir Hugh Spencer
were brought to Bristow by the said sir
Henry Beaumont, the king was then sent
by the counsel of all the barons and knights
to the strong castle of Berkeley, and put
under good keeping and honest, and there
were ordained people of estate about him,
such as knew right well what they ought
to do ; but they were straitly commanded
that they should in no wise suffer him to
pass out of the castle. And sir Hugh
Spencer was delivered to sir Thomas Wake,
marshal of the host. And after that the
queen departed and all her host toward
Ixmdon, which was the chief city of
England, and so rid forth on their jour-
neys, and sir Thomas Wake caused sir
Hugh Spencer to be fast bound on the
least and leanest ^ horse of all the host, and
caused him to wear on a tabard such as
traitors and thieves were wont to wear.
1 'And the lords in England,' is added by the
translator.
2 This is a correction of the words 'best and
leviest,' which I take to be a misprint for ' lest and
lenest.' The original is *sur le plus petit et le plus
maigre cheval.' In what follows the translator has
added the explanation, ' such as traitors and thieves
were wont to wear,' which is certainly wrong, for
Froissart says it was a tabard with the arms that
sir Hugh Spencer was wont to bear, put upon him
here in derision.
And thus he was led in scorn after the
queen's route throughout all the towns as
they passed, with trumps and canayrs to
do him the greater despite, till at the last
they came to the city of Hereford,^ whereas
the queen was honourably received with
great solemnity and all her company, and
there she kept the feast of All Saints with
great royalty, for the love of her son and
strangers that were there.
CHAPTER XIII
How sir Hugh Spencer was put to his
judgment.
When this feast was done, then sir Hugh
Spencer, who was nothing beloved, was
brought forth before the queen and all the
lords and knights, and there before him in
writing was rehearsed all his deeds, against
the which he could give no manner of
answer. And so he was then judged by
plain sentence, first to be drawn on an
hurdle with trumps and trumpets through
all the city of Hereford, and after to be
brought into the market-place, whereas all
the people were assembled, and there to be
tied on high upon a ladder that every man
might see him ; and in the same place there
to be made a great fire, and there his privy
members cut from him, because they re-
puted him as an heretic and so deemed, and
so to be brent in the fire before his face ;
and then his heart to be drawn out of his
body and cast into the fire, because he was
a false traitor of heart, and that by his
traitor's counsel and exhortation the king
had shamed his realm and brought it to
great mischief, for he had caused to be
beheaded the greatest lords of his realm,
by whom the realm ought to have been
sustained and defended ; and he had so
induced the king that he would not see the
queen his wife nor Edward his eldest son,
and caused him to chase them out of the
realm for fear of their lives ; and then his
head to be stricken off and sent to London.
And according to his judgment he was
executed. Then the queen and all her
lords took their way toward London, and
did so much by their journeys that they
1 Froissart evidently thought that Hereford was
on the way from Bristol to London.
li
THE CHkOmCLES Of PROISSART
arrived at the city of London, and they of
the city with great company met them and
did to the queen and to her son great
reverence, and to all their company, as
they thought it best bestowed.
And when they had been thus received and
feasted the space of fifteen days, the knights
strangers, and namely sir John of Hai-
nault, had great desire to return again into
their own countries, for they thought they
had well done their devoir and achieved
great honour, and so took their leave of the
queen and of the lords of the realm : and
the queen and the lords required them to
tarry longer a little space, to see what should
be done with the king, who was in prison ;
but the strangers had so great desire to
return into their own countries that to
pray them the contrary availed not. And
when the queen and her council saw that,
they yet desired sir John of Hainault to
tarry till it was past Christmas, and to
retain with him such of his company as
pleased him best. The gentle knight
would not leave to perform his service,
but courteously granted the queen to tarry
as long as it pleased her, and caused to
tarry such of his company as he could get :
that was but a few, for the remnant would
in no wise tarry, whereof he was displeased.
When the queen and her council saw that
they would not abide for no prayers, then
they made them great cheer and feasts.
And the queen made to be given to them
plenty of gold and silver for their costs and
services, and did give great jewels to each
of them according to their degrees, so as
they all held themselves right well content.
And over that they had silver for their
horses, such as they would leave behind
them, at their own estimation without any
grudging. And thus sir John of Hainault
abode still with a small company among the
Englishmen, who always did him as much
honour as they could imagine, and to all
his company. And in likewise so did the
ladies and damosels of the country ; for
there were great plenty of countesses and
great ladies [and] gentle pucelles, who
were come thither to accompany the queen.
For it seemed well to them that the knight
sir John of Hainault had well deserved the
cheer and feast that they made him.
CHAPTER XIV
The coronation of king Edward the third.
After that the most part of the company
of Hainault were departed and sir John
Hainault lord of Beaumont tarried, the
queen gave leave to her people to depart,
saving a certain noble knights, the which
she kept still about her and her son to
counsel them, and commanded all them
that departed to be at London the next
Christmas, for as then she was determined
to keep open court, and all they promised
her so to do. And when Christmas was
come, she held a gteat court. And thither
came dukes,-'^ earls, barons, knights, and all
the nobles of the realm, with prelates and
burgesses of good towns ; and at this
assembly it was advised that the realm
could not long endure without a head and
a chief lord. Then they put in writing all
the deeds of the king who was in prison,
and all that he had done by evil counsel,
and all his usages and evil behavings, and
how evil he had governed his realm, the
which was read openly in plain audience,
to the intent that the noble sages of the
realm might take thereof good advice, and
to fall at accord how the realm should be
governed from thenceforth. And when all
the cases and deeds that the king had done
and consented to, and all his behaving and
usages were read and well understanded, the
barons and knights and all the counsels ^
of the realm drew them apart to counsel ;
and the most part of them accorded, and
namely the great lords and nobles with the
burgesses of the good towns, according as
they had heard say and knew themselves
the most part of his deeds. Wherefore
they concluded that such a man was not
worthy to be a king, nor to bear a crown
royal, nor to have the name of a king.
But they all accorded that Edward his
eldest son, who was there present and was
rightful heir, should be crowned king instead
of his father, so that he would take good coun-
sel, sage and true, about him, so that the realm
from thenceforth might be better governed
1 Froissart says nothing about dukes here.
2 The French word is ' consul/, ' (or ' consauls '),
which elsewhere in this passage is rightly rendered
' burgesses,' as just below, ' avec les consuiz des
bonnes villes.'
ACCESSION OF EDWARD III.
13
than it was before, and that the old king
his father should be well and honestly kept
as long as he lived, according to his estate.
And thus as it was agreed by all the
nobles, so it was accomplished ; and then
was crowned with a crown royal at the
palace of Westminster beside London the
young king Edward the third, who in his
days after was right fortunate and happy
in arms. This coronation was in the year
of our Lord MCCCXXVi., on Christmas-
day, and as then the young king was about
the age of sixteen ; and they held the feast
till the Conversion of Saint Paul following,
and in the meantime greatly was feasted
sir John of Hainault and all the princes
and nobles of his country, and was given to
him and to his company many rich jewels.
And so he and his company in great feast
and solace both with lords and ladies tarried
till the Twelfth day. ^ And then sir John of
Hainault heard tidings how that the king
of Bohemia and the earl of Hainault his
brother and other great plenty of lords of
France had ordained to be at Conde^ at a
great feast and tourney that was there cried.
Then would sir John of Hainault no longer
abide for no prayer, so great desire he had
to be at the said tourney, and to see the
earl his brother and other lords of his
country, and specially the right noble king
in largess^ the gentle Charles king of
Bohemia. When the young king Edward
and the queen his mother and the barons
saw that he would no longer tarry, and
that their request could not avail, they gave
him leave sore against their wills, and the
king by the counsel of the queen his mother
did give him four hundred marks sterlings
of rent heritable to hold of him in fee, to
be paid every year in the town of Bruges,
and also did give to Philip of Chateaux, his
chief esquire and his sovereign counsellor,
a hundred mark of rent yearly, to be paid
at the said place, and also delivered him
much money to pay therewith the costs of
him and of his company, till he come into his
own country, and caused him to be con-
ducted with many noble knights to Dover,
and there delivered him all his passage free.
And to the ladies that were come into
1 ' Jusques au jour des Roys.*
2 Conde-sur-Escaut.
'•* ' Le plus noble roy en largesse ,' the most
noble and liberal king. '
England with the queen, and namely to the
countess of Garennes, who was sister to
the earl of Bar, and to divers other ladies
and damosels, there were given many fair
and rich jewels at their departing.^ And
when sir John of Hainault was departed
from the young king Edward, and all his
company, and were come to Dover, they
entered incontinent into their ships to pass
the sea, to the intent to come betimes to
the said tourney ; and there went with him
fifteen young lusty knights of England, to
go to this tourney with him and to acquaint
them with the strange lords and knights that
should be there, and they had great honour
of all the company that tourneyed at that
time at Conde.
CHAPTER XV
How that king Robert de Bruce of Scotland
defied king Edward.
After that sir John of Hainault was
departed from king Edward, he and the
queen his mother governed the realm by
the counsel of the earl of Kent, uncle to the
king, and by the counsel of sir Roger
Mortimer, who had great lands in England
to the sum of seven hundred pounds of rent
yearly. And they both were banished and
chased out of England with the queen, as
ye have heard before. Also they used
much after the counsel of sir Thomas
Wake, and by the advice of other who
were reputed for the most sagest of the
realm. Howbeit there were some had
envy thereat, the which never died in
England, and also it reigneth and will
reign in divers other countries. Thus
passed forth the winter and the Lent season
till Easter, and then the king and the queen
and all the realm was in good peace all this
season. Then so it fortuned that king
Robert of Scotland, who had been right
hardy and had suffered much travail against
Englishmen, and oftentimes he had been
chased and discomfited in the time of king
Edward the first, grandfather to this young
1 This should be : ' And the ladles . . .
especially the countess of Warren, who was sister
to the earl of Bar, and divers other ladies, gave
him great abundance of fair and rich jewels at his.
departing.' The countess of Warren was daughter
of Henry earl of Bar and of Eleanor, sister of
Edward I.
14
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
king Edward the third, he was as then
become very old and ancient, and sick (as
it was said) of the great evil and malady,^
When he knew the adventures that was
fallen in England, how that the old king
Edward the second was taken and deposed
down from his regaly and his crown, and
certain of his counsellors beheaded and put
to destruction, as ye have heard herebefore,
then he bethought him that he would defy
the young king Edward the third, because
he was young and that the barons of the
realm were not all of one accord, as it was
said : therefore he [thought] the better to
speed in his purpose to conquer part of
England. And so about Easter in the year
of our Lord Mcccxxvii. he sent his de-
fiance to the young king Edward the third
and to all the realm, sending them word
how that he would enter into the realm of
England and bren before him as he had done
beforetime at such season as the discom-
fiture was at the castle of Stirling, whereas
the Englishmen received great damage.
When the king of England and his
council perceived that they were defied,
they caused it to be known over all the
realm, and commanded that all the nobles
and all other should be ready apparelled
every man after his estate, and that they
should be by Ascension-day next after at
the town of York, standing northward.
The king sent much people before to keep
the frontiers against Scotland, and sent a
great ambassade to sir John of Hainault,
praying him right affectuously that he would
help to succour and to keep company with
him in his voyage against the Scots, and
that he would be with him at the Ascension-
day next after at York, with such company
as he might get of men of war in those
parts. When sir John of Hainault lord
of Beaumont heard the king's desire, he
sent straight his letters and his messengers
in every place whereas he thought to
recover or attain to have any company of
men of war, in Flanders, in Hainault, in
Brabant, and in other places, desiring them
that in their best apparel for the war they
would meet him at Wissant, for to go over
1 ' La grosse maladie,' which is commonly ex-
plained to mean leprosy, but Scheler in the
supplement to his Froissart glossaiy says ' epilepsy,
referring to ^ ' morbus grossus ' in Du Cange.
Another reading here is 'gouttes.'
the sea with him into England. And all
such as he sent unto came to him with a
glad cheer, and divers other that heard
thereof, in trust to attain to as much honour
as they had that were with him in England
before at the other voyage. So that by
that time the said lord Beaumont was
come to Wissant, there was ready ships for
him and his company, brought out of
England. And so they took shipping and
passed over the sea and arrived at Dover,
and so then ceased not to ride till they
came within three days of Pentecost to the
town of York, whereas the king and the
queen his mother and all his lords were
with great host tarrying the coming of sir
John of Hainault, and had sent many before
of their men of arms, archers and common
people of the good towns and villages ;
and as people resorted, they were caused to
be lodged two or three leagues oif, all
about in the country. And on a day thither
came sir John of Hainault and his company,
who were right welcome and well received
both of the king, of the queen his mother,
and of all other barons, and to them was
delivered the suburbs of the city to lodge
in. And to sir John of Hainault was
delivered an abbey of white monks for him
and his household. There came with him
out of Hainault the lord of Enghien, who
was called sir Gaultier, and sir Henry
lord d'Antoing, and the lord of Fagnolle,
and sir Fastres du Roeulx, sir Robert de
Bailleul, and sir Guilliam de Bailleul his
brother, and the lord of Havreth, chatelain
of Mons, sir Allard de Briffeuil, sir Michael
de Ligne, sir John de Montigny the younger
and his brother, sir Sanses de Boussoit, the
lord of Gommegnies, sir Perceval de
S emeries, the lord of Beaurieu and the
lord of Floyon. Also of the country of
Flanders there was sir Hector of Vilain,
sir John de Rhodes, sir Wulfart de
Ghistelles, the lord of Straten, sir Gossuin
de la Moere : and divers came thither of
the country of Brabant, as the lord of Duffel,
sir Thierry of Walcourt, sir Rasse de Gres,
sir John de Kesterbeke, sir John Pyliser,
sir Giles de Coterebbe, the three brethren
de Harlebeke, sir Gaultier de Huldeberg
and divers other : and of Hesbegnons^
1 The translator found ' Behaygnons ' (Bohe-
mians) in his edition and has reproduced it, but it is
clearly wrong. Hesbaing is in the district of Liege.
IVA/^ WITH SCOTLAND, 1327
15
there was sir John le BeP and sir Henry
his brother, sir Godfrey de la Chapelle,
sir Hugh d'Ohey, sir John de Libyne, sir
Lambert d'Oupey, and sir Gilbert de
Herck: and out of Cambresis and Artois
there were come certain knights of their
own good wills to advance their bodies : so
that sir John of Hainault had well in his
company five hundred men of arms, well
apparelled and richly mounted. And after
the feast of Pentecost came thither sir
Guilliam de Juliers, who was after duke of
Juliers after the decease of his father, and
sir Thierry of Heinsberg, who was after
earl of Loos, and with them a right fair
rout, and all to keep company with the
gentle knight sir John of Hainault lord
Beaumont.
CHAPTER XVI
The dissension that was between the archers
of England and them of Hainault.
The gentle king of England, the better
to feast these strange lords and all their
company, held a great court on Trinity
Sunday in the Friars,^ whereas he and the
queen his mother were lodged, keeping
their house each of them apart. At this
feast the king had well five hundred knights,
and fifteen were new made. And the
queen had well in her court sixty ladies and
damosels, who were there ready to make
feast and cheer to sir John of Hainault and
to his company. There might have been
seen great nobless [in serving] plenty of
all manner of strange victuals. There were
ladies and damosels freshly apparelled, ready
to have danced if they might have leave.
But incontinent after dinner there began a
great fray between some of the grooms and
1 This is John le Bel, canon of Saint Lambert's
in Liege, on whose chronicle this early part of
Froissart's history is founded. He was therefore
an eye-witness of the events of this campaign. In
the account which follows of the affray at York
some MSS. have this addition : 'There sir John le
Bel, canon of Liege, upon whose chronicles and on
whose relation of this and of other events I have
founded and ordered this book, was in great peril :
for all unarmed he was among them for a long
time, and arrows were flying on all sides, and he
himself was wounded by them and also divers of
his companions, nigh unto death.'
2 ' En la maison des Freres Mineurs.'
pages of the strangers and of the archers of
England, who were lodged among them in
the said suburbs ; and anon all the archers
assembled them together with their bows,
and drove the strangers home to their
lodging. And the most part of the knights
and masters of them were as then in the king's
court ; but as soon as they heard tidings of
the fray, each of them drew to their own
lodging in great haste, such as might enter.
And such as could not get in were in great
peril, for the archers, who were to the
number of three thousand,^ shot fast their
arrows, not sparing masters nor varlets.
And it was thought and supposed that this
fray was begun by some of the friends of
the Spencers and of the earl of Arundel's,
who were put to death before by the aid
and counsel of sir John of Hainault, as ye
have heard before, [who] as then perad-
venture thought to be somewhat revenged
and to set discord in the host. And so
the Englishmen, that were hosts to these
strangers, shut fast their doors and windows
and would not suffer them to enter into
their lodgings : howbeit some gat in on the
back side and quickly armed them, but
they durst ifot issue out into the street for
fear of the arrows.
Then the strangers brake out on the
back side, and brake down pales and
hedges of gardens, and drew them into a
certain plain place and abode their com-
pany, till at the last they were a hundred and
above of men of arms and as many unhar-
nessed, such as could not get to their
lodgings. And when they were assembled
together, they hasted them to go and suc-
cour their companions, who defended their
lodgings in the great street. And as they
went forth, they passed by the lodging of
the lord d'Enghien, whereas there were
great gates both before and behind, open-
ing into the great street. And the archers
of England shot fiercely at the house, and
there were many of the Hainaulters hurt,
and the good knight Fastres de Roeulx and
sir Perceval de Semeries, and sir Sanses
de Boussoit, these three could not enter in
to their lodgings to arm them, but they did
as valiantly as though they had been
armed. They had great levers in their
hands, the which they found in a car-
penter's yard, with the which they gave
1 A better reading is 'two thousand.'
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
such strokes that men durst not approach
to them. They three beat down that day,
with such few company as they had, more
than sixty ; for they were great and mighty
knights. Finally the archers that were at
the fray were discomfited and put to chase,
and there was dead in the place well to the
number of three hundred. And it was said
they were all of the bishopric of Lincoln.
I trow God did never give more grace and
fortune to any people than he did as then
to this gentle knight sir John of Hainault
and to his company. For these English
archers intended to none other thing but to
murder and to rob them, for all that they
were come to serve the king in his busi-
ness. These strangers were never in so
great peril all the season that they lay, nor
they were never after in surety till they were
again at Wissant in their own country.
For they were fallen in so great hate with
all the archers of the host, that some of the
barons and knights of England shewed
unto the lords of Hainault, giving them
warning that the archers and other of the
common people were allied together to
the number of six thousand to the intent
to bren or to kill them in their lodgings
either by night or by day. And so they
lived at a hard adventure ; but each of
them promised to help and aid other, and
to sell dearly their lives or they were slain.
So they made many fair ordinances among
themselves by good and great advice, where-
by they were fain oftentimes to lie in their
harness by night, and in the day to keep their
lodgings and to have all their harness ready
and their horses saddled. Thus continu-
ally they were fain to make watch by their
constables in the fields and highways about
the court, and to send out scout-watches a
mile off to see ever if any such people were
coming to themward, as they were in-
formed of, to the intent that if their scout-
watch heard any noise or moving of people
drawing to the city-ward, then incontinent
they should give them knowledge, whereby
they might the sooner gather together, each
of them under their own banner in a
certain place, the which they had ad-
vised for the same intent. And in this
tribulation they abode in the said suburbs
by the space of four weeks, and in all that
season they durst not go far from their
harness nor from their lodgings, saving a
certain of the chief lords among them, who
went to the court to see the king and his
council, who made them right good cheer.
For if the said evil adventure had not been,
they had sojourned there in great ease, for
the city and the country about them was
right plentiful. For all the time of six
weeks that the king and the lords of Eng-
land and more than sixty thousand men of
war lay there, the victuals were never the
dearer ; for ever they had a pennyworth
for a penny, as well as other had before
they came there, and there was good wine
of Gascoyne and of Alsace, and of the
Rhine, and plenty thereof, with right good
cheap as well of pullen as of other victuals ;
and there was daily brought before their
lodgings hay, oats and litter, whereof they
were well served for their horses and at a
meetly price.
CHAPTER XVn
Here the history speaketh of the manner of
the Scots and how they can war.
And when they had sojourned three weeks
after this said fray, then they had know-
ledge from the king by the marshals of the
host, that the next week every man should
provide for carts and charettes, tents and .
pavilions, to Ue in the field, and for alii
other necessaries thereto belonging, to thej
intent to draw toward Scotland. And
when every man was ready apparelled, the
king and all his barons went out of the]
city, and the first night they lodged sij
mile forward. And sir John of Hainault]
and his company were lodged always as]
near the king as might be, to do him thej
more honour, and also to the intent that]
the archers should have no advantage ofj
him nor of his company. And there the j
king abode two days and two nights, tarry-
ing for all them that were behind, and to
be well advised that they lacked nothing.
And on the third day they dislodged and
went forward till they came to the city of
Durham, a day's journey within the country
called Northumberland, the which at that
time was a savage and a wild country, full
of deserts and mountains, and a right poor
country of everything saving of beasts,
through the which there runneth a river
IVA/^ WITH THE SCOTS, 1327
17
full of flint and great stones, called the
water of Tyne. And on this river standeth
the town and castle of Carlisle, the which
sometime was king Arthur's, and held his
court there oftentimes. Also on that river
is assised the town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
in the which town was ready the marshal
of England with a great company of men
of arms, to keep the country against the
Scots : and at Carlisle was the lord Here-
ford and the lord Mowbray, who were
govemours there, to defend the Scots the
passage ; for the Scots could not enter into
England, but they must pass this said river
in one place or other. The Englishmen
could hear no tidings of the Scots till they
were come to the entry of the said country.
The Scots were passed this river so privily,
that they of Carlisle nor yet of Newcastle
knew nothing thereof, for between the said
towps it was twenty-four Enghsh mile.^
iThese Scottish men are right hardy and
sore travailing in harness and in wars. For
when they will enter into England, within
a day and a night they will drive their
whole host twenty-four mile, for they are
all a-horseback, without it be the trandals
and laggers of the host, who follow after
afoot. The knights and squires are well
horsed, and the common people and other
on little hackneys and geldings ; and they
carry with them no carts nor chariots, for
the diversities of the mountains that they
must pass through in the country of North-
umberland. They take with them no pur-
veyance of bread nor wine, for their usage
and soberness is such in time of war, that
they will pass in the journey a great long
time with flesh half sodden, without bread,
and drink of the river water without wine,
and they neither care for pots nor pans, for
they seethe beasts in their own skins. They
are ever sure to find plenty of beasts in the
country that they will pass through : there-
fore they carry with them none other pur-
veyance, but on their horse between the
1 In the original, 'twenty-four English leagues.'
The actual distance in a straight line is over fifty
miles. The translator, in spite of what he says in
his preface on the subject, has not taken any pains
to distinguish the leagues or miles of different
countries, and translates the word ' lieue ' by
' mile ' or ' league ' indifferently, not only in Eng-
land, where he seems to think that miles and leagues
are the same, but also in France, where he admits
that they are different.
saddle and the panel they truss a broad
plate of metal, and behind the saddle they
will have a little sack full of oatmeal, to
the intent that when they have eaten of the
sodden flesh, ^ then they lay this plate on
the fire and temper a little of the oatmeal ;
and when the plate is hot, they cast of
the thin paste thereon, and so make a
little cake in manner of a cracknell or
biscuit, and that they eat to comfort withal
their stomachs. Wherefore it is no great
marvel though they make greater journeys
than other people do. And in this manner
were the Scots entered into the said country,
and wasted and brent all about as they
went, and took great number of beasts.
They were to the number of four thousand
men of arms, knights and squires, mounted
on good horses, and other ten thousand
men of war were armed after their guise,
right hardy and fierce, mounted on Little
hackneys, the which were never tied nor
kept at hard meat, but let go to pasture in
the fields and bushes. They had two good
captains, for king Robert of Scotland, who
in his days had been hardy and prudent,
was as then of great age and sore grieved
with the great sickness ; but he had made
one of his captains a gentle prince and a
valiant in arms called the earl of Moray,
bearing in his arms silver, three oreillers
gules;- and the other was the lord William
Douglas,^ who was reputed for the most
hardy knight and greatest adventurer in all
the realm of Scotland, and he bare azure,
a chief silver."* These two lords were
renowned as chief in all deeds of arms and
great prowess in all Scotland.
1 Froissart says, 'When they have eaten so
much of the cooked flesh that their stomachs seem
weak and feeble, they set this upon the fire,' etc.
The original has * une grant piece plate,' which
the translator makes into a plate of metal, but the
better reading is ' plate pierre,' a flat stone.
2 ' Ung escut d'argent a trois oreilles de gueules':
'oreilles' for 'oreillers,' i.e. pillows.
3 Froissart calls him William throughout, but
his name was in fact James, as the chronicler, who
claims personal acquaintance with the Douglas
family and had stayed at Dalkeith castle, ought to
have known.
4 The better text adds ' et trois ^toiles de gueules
dedens I'argent.'
i8
THE CHRONICLES OF PR 01 SS ART
CHAPTER XVIII
How the king of England made his first
journey against the Scots.
I When the king of England and his host
had seen and heard of the fires that the
vScots had made in England, incontinent
was cried alarm, and every man commanded
to dislodge and follow after the marshals'
banners, f^hen every man drew to the
field ready apparelled to fight. There was
ordained three great battles afoot, and to
every battle two wings of five hundred rnen
of arms, knights and squires, and thirty
thousand other, armed and well apparelled,
the one half on little hackneys and the
other were men of the country afoot, sent
out of good towns at their wages ; and
twenty-four thousand archers afoot,^ beside
all the other rascal and followers of the
host. fAnd as these battles were thus
ordered, so they advanced forward, well
ranged and in good order, and followed the
Scots by the sithe of the smoke that they
made with burning ; and thus they followed
all that day till it was near night. Then
the host lodged them in a wood by a little
river side, there to rest and to abide for
their carriage and purveyances.f'And at that
day the Scots had brent and wasted and
pilled the country about within five mile ^ of
the English host ; but the Englishmen
could not overtake them. And the next
day in the morning all the host armed them
and displayed their banners on the field,
every man ready apparelled in his own
battle, and so advanced without disordering
all the day through mountains and valleys ;
but for all that they could never approach
near to the Scots, who went wasting the
country before them. There were such
marishes and savage deserts, mountains and
dales, that it was commanded on pain of
death that none of the host should pass
before the banners of the marshals. J| And
. when it drew toward the night, the people,
1 The meaning of the original is that each of the
three divisions (or battles) had two wings of five
hundred men-at-arms on horseback, and altogether
there were eight thousand fully armed men, knights
and squires, thirty thousand other armed men, some
mounted and some on foot, sent by the good towns,
and twenty-four thousand archers.
2 The translator renders ' lyeue ' by ' mile '
throughout this narrative.
horse and carriage, and namely the men
afoot, were so sore travailed, that they
could not endure to labour any further that
day. And when the lords saw that their
labour in following the Scots was in vain,
and also they perceived well, though the
Scots would abide them, yet they might
take their field in such a place or on such a
hill that they could not fight with them,
without it were to their great damage and
jeopardy, then was it commanded in the
king's name by the marshals that the host
should take their lodging for that night,
and so to take counsel and advice what
should be best to do the next day. So the
host was lodged in a wood by a river side,
and the king was lodged in a little poor
abbey : his men of war, horse and carriage
were marvellously fortravailed. And when
every man had taken his place to lodge
there all night, then the lords drew them
apart to take counsel how they might fight
with the Scots, considering the country that
they were in : for as far as they could
understand, the Scots went ever forwards,
all about burning and wasting the country,
and perceived well how they could not in
any wise fight with them among these
mountains without great peril or danger,
and they saw well also they could not over-
take them : but it was thought that the
Scots must needs pass again the river
Tyne homeward ; therefore it was detei'
mined by great advice and counsel that al
the host should remove at midnight, and tc
make haste in the morning to the intent tc
stop the passage of the river from the Scots
whereby they should be advised ^ by forci
either to fight with them, or else to abidi
still in England to their great danger an<
loss.
And to this conclusion all the host wa
accorded, and so supped and lodged as wel
as they might that night, and every mai
was warned to be ready at the first sounc'
ing of the trumpet, and at the second bk
every man to arm him without delay, aniP
at the third every man quickly to mount on
their horses and to draw under their own
standard and banner ; and every man to
take with him but one loaf of bread, and to
truss it behind him on his horse. It wa
also determined that they should leav^
1 'Advised' here seems to mean 'brought
resolve.'
WAR WITH THE SCOTS, 1327
19
behind them all their loose harness and all
manner of carriages and purveyances, for
they thought surely to fight with the Scots
the next day, whatsoever danger they were
in, thinking to jeopard, either to win or to
lose all. And thus it was ordained and so
it was accomplished : for about midnight
every man was ready apparelled ; few had
slept but little, and yet they had sore
travailed the day before. As great haste as
they made, or they were well ranged in
battle the day began to appear. Then they
advanced forward in all haste through
mountains, valleys and rocks, and through
many evil passages without any plain coun-
try. And on the highest of these hills and
on the plain of these valleys there were
marvellous great marshes and dangerous
passages, that it was great marvel that much
people had not been lost, for they rode ever
still forward and never tarried one for
another ; for whosoever fell in any of these
marshes with much pain could get any aid
to help them out again, so that in divers
places there were many lost, and specially
horse and carriages ; and oftentimes in the
day there was cried alarum, for it was said
ever that the foremost company of their
host were fighting with their enemies, so
that the hindermost weened it had been
true ; wherefore they hasted them over
rocks and stones and mountains with helm
and shield ready apparelled to fight, with
spear and sword ready in hand, without
tarrying for father, brother or companion.
And when they had thus run forth often-
times in the day the space of half a mile
together toward the cry, weening it had
been their enemies, they were deceived ;
for the cry ever arose by the raising of harts,
hinds and other savage beasts that were
seen by them in the forward, after the which
beasts they made such shouting and crying,
that they that came after weened they had
been a-fighting with their enemies.
_ Thus rode forth all that day the young
king of England by mountains and deserts
without finding any highway, town or
village. And when it was against night
they came to the river of Tyne, to the same
place whereas the Scots had passed over
into England, weening to them that they
must needs repass again the same way.
Then the king of England and his host
passed over the same river with such guides
as he had,^ with much pain and travail, for
the passage was full of great stones. And
when they were over, they lodged them that
night by the river side, and by that time
the sun was gone to rest, and there was but
few among them that had either axe or
hook, or any instrument to cut down any
wood to make their lodgings withal ; and
there were many that had lost their own
company and wist not where they were.
Some of the footmen were far behind and
wist not well what way to take ; but such
as knew best the country said plainly they
had ridden the same day twenty -four
English miles, for they rode as fast as they
might without any rest, but at such passages
as they could not choose. All this night
they lay by this river side, still in their
harness, holding their horses by their reins
in their hands, for they wist not whereunto
to tie them. Thus their horses did eat no
meat of all that night nor day before : they
had neither oats for forage for them, nor
the people of the host had no sustenance of
all that day nor night, but every man his
loaf that he had carried behind him, the
which was sore wet with the sweat of the
horses ; nor they drank none other drink
but the water of the river, without it were
some of the lords that had carried bottles
with them ; nor they had no fire nor light,
for they had nothing to make light withal,
without it were some of the lords that had
torches brought with them.
In this great trouble and danger they
passed all that night, their armour still on
their backs, their horses ready saddled.
And when the day began to appear, the
which was greatly desired of all the whole
host, they trusted then to find some redress
for themselves and for their horses, or else
to fight with their enemies, the which they
greatly desired to the intent to be delivered
out of the great travail and pain that they
had endured. And all that day it rained
so fast that the river and passage was
waxen great and risen so high, that or it
were noon there might none pass the
passages again ; wherefore they could not
send to know whereas they were, nor where
to have any forage or litter for their horses,
nor bread nor drink for their own susten-
1 'Passed over the said river by fording.' The
translator mistakes the meaning of the words '^
gu6s,' as he does also elsewhej-e,
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
ances ; but so all that night they were fain
to fast, nor their horses had nothing but
leaves of trees and herbs : they cut down
boughs of trees with their swords to tie
withal their horses and to make themselves
lodges. And about noon some poor folks
of the country were found, and they said
how they were as then fourteen mile from
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and eleven mile from
Carlisle, and that there was no town nearer
to them wherein they might find anything
to do them ease withal. And when this
was shewed to the king and to the lords of
his council, incontinent were sent thither
horses and sumpters to fetch thence some
purveyance ; and there was a cry in the
king's name made in the town of Newcastle,
that whosoever would bring bread or wine
or any other victual should be paid there-
fore incontinent at a good price, and that
they should be conducted to the host in
safe-guard ; for it was published openly
that the king nor his host would not depart
from the place that they were in, till they
had some tidings where their enemies were
become. And the next day by noon such
as had been sent for victual returned again
to the host with such purveyances as they
could get, and that was not over much, and
with them came other folks of the country
with little nags charged with bread evil
baken in panniers, and small poor wine in
barrels, and other victual to sell in the host,
whereby great part of the host were well
refreshed and eased.
And thus they continued day by day the
space of eight days, abiding every day the
returning again of the Scots, who knew no
more where the English host lay than they
knew where they were ; so each of them
were ignorant of other. Thus three days
and three nights they were in manner with-
out bread, wine, candle or light, fodder or
forage, or any manner of purveyance, either
for horse or man : and after the space of
four days a loaf of bread was sold for six-
pence the which was worth but a penny,
and a gallon of wine for six groats that was
worth but sixpence. And yet for all that,
there was such rage of famine that each
took victuals out of other's hands, whereby
there rose divers battles and strifes between
sundry companions ; and yet beside all
these mischiefs it never ceased to rain all
the whole week, whereby their saddles,
Id
I
panels and countersingles were all rottei
and broken, and most part of their hors^
hurt on their backs : nor they had m
wherewith to shoe them that were unsh(
nor they had nothing to cover themselv^
withal from the rain and cold but gree:
bushes and their armour, nor they
nothing to make fire withal but green
boughs, the which would not burn because
of the rain. In this great mischief they
M^ere all the week without hearing of any
word of the Scots, upon trust they should
repass again into their own countries thej
same way or near thereabout ; whereb;
great noise and murmur began to rise in th
host, for some said and laid it to others'
charge that by their counsel the king an(
all they were brought into that danger,
and that they had done it to betray the
king and all his host. Wherefore it was
ordained by the king and by his council
that the next morning they should remove
the host and repass again the river about
seven mile thence, whereas they might pas;
more at their ease. Then it was crie<
throughout the host that every man shouh
be ready apparelled to remove the next da;
betimes : also there was a cry made tha
whosoever could bring to the king certaii
knowledge where the Scots were, he tha
brought first tidings thereof should have fc
his labour a hundred pounds [of] land t<
him and to his heirs for ever, and to b
made a knight of the king's hand.
When this cry was made in the host
divers English knights and squires to th
number of fifteen or sixteen, for covetisi
of winning of this promise, they passec
the river in great peril and rode fort"
through the mountains, and departed eacl
one from other, taking their adventure
The next morning the host dislodged an<
rode fair and easily all the day, for the^
were but evil apparelled, and did so mucl
that they repassed again the river with
much pain and travail, for the water was
deep because of the rain that had fallen,
wherefore many did swim and some were
drowned. And when they were all over,
then they lodged the host ; and there
they found some forage, meadows and fields
about a little village, the which the Scots
had brent when they passed that way.
And the next day they departed from
thence and passed over hills and dales all
Vy'A/? WITH THE SCOTS, 1327
day till it was noon, and then they found
some villages brent by the Scots, and there-
about was some champaign country with
corn and meadows, and so that night the
host lodged there. Again the third day
they rode forth, so that the most part of
the host wist not which way, for they knew
not the country nor they could hear no
tidings of the Scots. And again the fourth
day they rode forth in like manner, till it
was about the hour of three, ^ and there
came a squire fast riding toward the king
and said : ' An it like your grace, I have
brought you perfect tidings of the Scots
your enemies. Surely they be within three
mile of you, lodged on a great mountain,
abiding there for you ; and there they have
been all this eight days, nor they knew no
more tidings of you than ye did of them.
Sir, this that I shew you is of truth, for I ap-
proached so near to them that I was taken
prisoner and brought before the lords of
their host ; and there I shewed them tidings
of you, and how that ye seek for them to the
intent to have battle. And the lords did
quit me my ransom and prison, when I had
shewed them how your grace had promised
a hundred pounds sterling of rent to him
that brought first tidings of them to you ;
and they made me to promise that I should
not rest till I had shewed you this tidings,
for they said they had as great desire to
fight with you as ye had with them : and
there shall ye find them without fault.'
And as soon as the king had heard this
tidings, he assembled all his host in a fair
meadow to pasture their horses ; and be-
side there was a little abbey, the which was
all brent, called in the days of king Arthur
le Blanche Lande.^ There the king con-
fessed him, and every man made him ready.
The king caused many masses to be sung
to housel all such as had devotion thereto ;
and incontinent he assigned a hundred
pounds sterling of rent to the squire that
had brought him tidings of the Scots, ac-
cording to his promise, and made him
knight [with] his own hands before all the
host. And when they had well rested
them and taken repast, then the trumpet
sounded to horse, and every man mounted,
1 'Jusque a heure de tierce,' which of course
would be nine o'clock in the morning, not three
o'clock, as the translator has it. They arrived within
sight of the Scots * about mid-day ' on the same day,
2 The abbey of Blanckland, south of Hexham.
and the banners and standards followed
this new-made knight, every battle by
itself in good order, through mountains and
dales, ranged as well as they might, ever
ready apparelled to fight ; and they rode
and made such haste that about noon they
were so near the Scots that each of them
might clearly see other.
And as soon as the Scots saw them, they
issued out of their lodges afoot, and or-
dained three great battles in the availing
of the hill, and at the foot of this moun-
tain there ran a great river full of great
rocks and stones, so that none might pass
over without great danger or jeopardy ;
and though the Englishmen had passed
over the river, yet was there no place nor
room between the hill and the river to set
the battle in good order. The 'Scots had
stablished their two first battles at the two
corners of the mountain, joining to the
rocks, so that none might well mount upon
the hill to assail them, but the Scots were
ever ready to beat with stones the assail-
ants, if they passed the river. And when
the lords of England saw the behaving and
the manner of the Scots, they made all
their people to'alight afoot and to put off their
spurs, and arranged three great battles, as
they had done before, and there were made
many new knights. And when their
battles were set in good order, then some
of the lords of England brought their
young king a -horseback before all the
battles of the host, to the intent to give
thereby the more courage to all his people,
the which king in full goodly manner
prayed and required them right graciously
that every man would pain them to do
their best to save his honour and common
weal of his realm. And it was commanded
upon pain of death that none should go
before the marshals' banners, nor break
their array without they were commanded.
And then the king commanded that they
should advance toward their enemies fair
and easily ; and so they did, and every
battle went forth in good array and order
a great space of ground, to the descending
of the mountain whereas the Scots were.
And this the English host did to the intent
to see if their enemies would break their
field or not, and to see what they would
do ; but they could not perceive that they
were about to remove in any wise : they
22
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
were so near together that they might
know each other's arms. Then the host
stood still to take other counsel. And
some of the host mounted on good horses
and rode forth to skirmish with them and
to behold the passage of the river and to
see the countenance of their enemies more
nearer. And there were heralds of arms
sent to the Scots, giving them knowledge,
if that they would come and pass the river
to fight with them in the plain field, they
would draw back from the river and give
them sufficient place to arrange their
battles either the same day or else the
next, as they would choose themselves, or
else to let them do likewise and they would
come over to them. And when the Scots
heard this, they took counsel among them-
selves, and anon they answered the heralds,
how they would do neither the one nor the
other, and said, ' Sirs, your king and his
lords see well how we be here in this realm
and have brent and wasted the country as
we have passed through, and if they be
displeased therewith, let them amend it
when they will, for here we will abide as
long as it shall please us.'
And as soon as the king of England
heard that answer, it was incontinent cried
that all the host should lodge there that
night without reculing back. And so the
host lodged there that night with much
pain on the hard ground and stones, always
still armed. They had no stakes nor rods
to tie withal their horses, nor forage, nor
bush to make withal any fire. And when
they were thus lodged, then the Scots
caused some of their people to keep still
the field, whereas they had ordained their
battles ; and the remnant went to their
lodgings, and they made such fires that it
was marvel to behold. And between the
day and the night they made a marvellous
great bruit, with blowing of horns all at
once, that it seemed properly that all the
devils of hell had been there. Thus these
two hosts were lodged that night, the
which was Saint Peter's night in the begin-
ning of August^ the year of our Ix)rd
MCCCXXVII.
And the next morning the lords of Eng-
land heard mass and ranged again their
battles as they had done the day before ;
and the Scots in like wise ordered their
1 St. Peter in Vinculis, ist August.
battles. Thus both the hosts stood still in
battle till it was noon. The Scots made
never semblant to come to the English
host to fight with them, nor in like wise
the Englishmen to them ; for they could not
approach together without great damage.
There were divers companions a-horsebackj
that passed the river, and some afoot, to
scrimmish with the Scots, and in likewise!
some of the Scots brake out and scrim-
mished with them ; so that there were
divers on both parties slain, wounded and^
taken prisoners. And after that noon wa
past, the lords of England commandec
every man to draw to their lodging, for
they saw well the Scots would not fight^
with them.
And in like manner thus they did three
days together, and the Scots in like case
kept still their mountains. Howbeit there
was scrimmishing on both parties, and
divers slain and prisoners taken. And
every night the Scots made great fires an(i
great bruit with shouting and blowing oi
horns. The intention of the Englishmen was
to hold the Scots therein manner as besiegec
(for they could not fight with them there-
as they were), thinking to have famished
them. And the Englishmen knew well bj
such prisoners as they had taken that the
Scots had neither bread, wine nor salt, noi
other purveyance, save of beasts they hac
great plenty, the which they had taken ii
the country and might eat at their pleasure
without bread, which was an evil diet, foi
they lacked oaten meal to make cak(
withal, as is said before ; ^ the which diel
some of the Englishmen used when the]
had need, specially borderers when the]
make roads into Scotland.
And in the morning the fourth da]
the Englishmen looked on the mountair
whereas the Scots were, and they coulc
see no creature, for the Scots were departec
at midnight. Then was there sent mera
a-horseback and afoot over the river to^
know where they were become ; and about
noon they found them lodged on another
mountain, more stronger than the other
was, by the same river side, and where
there was a great wood on the one side,
to go and come secretly when they list.
Then incontinent the English host dis-
1 Froissart says only that they did not object to
this diet provided they had oatmeal.
IVA/^ WITH THE SCOTS, 1327
23
Icdged, and drew to that part, embattled
in good order, and lodged them on another
hill against the Scots, and ranged their
battles and made semblant to have come
to them. Then the Scots issued out of
their lodges and set their battles along the
river side against them ; but they would
never come toward the English host, and
the Englishmen could not go to them,
without they would have been slain or
taken at advantage. Thus they lodged
each against other the space of eighteen
days ; and oftentimes the king of England
sent to them his heralds of arms, offering
them that if they would come and fight
with him, he would give them place suffi-
cient on the plain ground to pitch their
field ; or else let them give him room and
place, and he assured them that he would
come over the river and fight with them :
but the Scots would never agree thereto.
Thus both the hosts suffered much pain
and travail the space that they lay so near
together : and the first night that the
English host was thus lodged on the second
mountain the lord William Douglas took
with him about two hundred men of arms
and passed the river far off from the host,
so that he ^Yas not perceived, and suddenly
he brake into the English host about mid-
night crying, 'Douglas ! Douglas ! Ye shall
all die, thieves ^ of England ! ' and he slew,
or he ceased, three hundred men, some in
their beds and some scant ready ; and he
strake his horse with the spurs and came
to the king's own tent, always crying
• Douglas ! ' and strake asunder two or
three cords of the king's tent and so
departed, and in that retreat he lost some
of his men. Then he returned again to
the Scots, so that there was no more done :
but every night the English host made
good and sure watch, for they doubted
making of skryes ; and ever the most
part of the host lay in their harness ; and
every day there were scrimmishes made, and
men slain on both parties : and in conclu-
sion, the last day of twenty-four, there was
a Scottish knight taken, who against his
will shewed to the lords of England what
state and condition the Scots were in : he
1 The translator found ' larron ' in his text, but
a better reading is ' baron ' : ' Ye shall all die, ye
English barons ' ; or with ' Engles ' alone, ' Ye
shall all die, ye English.'
was so sore examined that for fear of his
life he shewed how the lords of Scotland
were accorded among themselves that the
same night every man should be ready
armed, and to follow the banners of the
lord William Douglas, and every man
to keep him secret. But the knight could
not shew them what they intended to do.
Then the lords of England drew them to
council, and there it was thought among
them that the Scots might in the night
time come and assail their host on both
sides, to adventure themselves either to
live or die, for they could endure no longer
the famine that was among them. Then
the English lords ordained three great
battles, and so stood in three parties with-
out their lodgings, and made great fires,
thereby to see the better, and caused all
their pages to keep their lodgings and
horses.
Thus they stood still all that night
armed, every man under his own standard
and banner ; and in the breaking of the
day two trumpets of Scotland met with
the English scout -watch, who took the
trumpets and brought them before the king
of England and his council, and then they
said openly, * Sirs, what do ye watch
here ? Ye lose but your time, for on the
jeopardy of our heads the Scots are gone
and departed before midnight, and they
are at the least by this time three or four
mile on their way ; and they left us two
behind to the intent that we should shew
this to you.' Then the English lords said
that it were but a folly to follow the Scots,
for they saw well they could not overtake
them : yet for doubt of deceiving they
kept still the two trumpets privily, and
caused their battles to stand still arranged
till it was near prime. And when they
saw for truth that the Scots were departed,
then every man had leave to retray to
their lodging, and the lords took counsel
to determine what should be best to do.
And in the meantime divers of the English
host mounted on their horses and passed
over the river, and came to the mountain
whereas the Scots had been ; and there
they found more than five hundred great
beasts ready slain, because the Scots could
not drive them before their host and because
that the Englishmen should have but small
profit of them. Also there they found
24
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
three hundred cauldrons made of beasts'
skins with the hair still on them, strained
on stakes over the fire, full of water and
full of flesh to be sodden, and more than a
thousand spits full of flesh to be roasted,
and more than ten thousand old shoes
made of raw leather with the hair still
on them, the which the Scots had left
behind them ; also there they found five
poor Englishmen prisoners, bound fast to
certain trees, and some of their legs broken.^
Then they were loosed and let go : and
then they returned again, and by that time
all the host was dislodged : and it was
ordained by the king and by the advice of
his council that the whole host should
follow the marshals' banners and draw
homeward into England. And so they did,
and at the last came into a fair meadow,
whereas they found forage sufficient for
their horses and carriages,^ whereof they
had great need, for they were nigh so
feeble that it should have been great pain
for them to have gone any further. The
English chronicle saith that the Scots had
been fought withal, an sir Roger Mortimer,
a lord of England, had not betrayed the
king ; for he took meed and money of
the Scots, to the intent they might depart
privily by night unfought withal, as it
may be seen more plainly in the English
chronicle, and divers other matters, the
which I pass over at this time and follow
mine author.^
And so then the next day the host dis-
lodged again and went forth, and about
noon they came to a great abbey two mile
from the city of Durham ; and there the
king lodged, and the host there about in
the fields, whereas they found forage suffi-
cient for themselves and for their horses.
And the next day the host lay there still,
and the king went to the city of Durham
to see the church, and there he offered.^
And in this city every man found their
own carriages,^ the which they had left
1 Or (according to a better text) 'and two {or
two others) who had their legs broken.'
2 Froissart says simply ' horses.'
3 This statement about Roger Mortimer is an
addition by the translator from Fabyan's Chronicles.
^ In the original we have : ' Then the kin^ did
fealty to the church of Durham and to the bishop
{or bishopric), and also to the burgesses, for he had
not done it as yet.'
5 Throughout this passage 'carriages' is a
translation of ' charois,' ' charettes,' or some similar
thirty-two days before in a wood at mid-
night, when they followed the Scots first,
as it hath been shewed before ; for the
burgesses and people of Durham had found
and brought them into their town at their
own costs and charges. And all these
carriages were set in void granges and
barns in safe-guard, and on every man's
carriage his own cognisance or arms, where-
by every man might know his own. And
the lords and gentlemen were glad when
they had thus found their carriages.
Thus they abode two days in the city of
Durham, and the host round about, for
they could not all lodge within the city ;
and there their horses, were new shod.
And then they took their way to the city
of York, and so within three days they
came thither ; and there the king found
the queen his mother, who received him
with great joy, and so did all other ladies,
damosels, burgesses and commons of the
city.
The king gave licence to all manner of
people, every man to draw homeward to
their own countries. And the king thanked
greatly the earls, barons and knights of
their good counsel and aid that they had
done to him in his journey ; and he retained
still with him sir John of Hainault and all
his company, who were greatly feasted by
the queen and all other ladies. Then the
knights and other strangers of his company
made a bill of their horses and such other
stuff as they had lost in that journey, and
delivered it to the king's council, every
man by itself; and in trust of the king's
promise, sir John of Hainault lord Beau-
mont bound himself to all his company that
they should be content for everything com-
prised in their own bills within a short
space : for the king nor his council could
not so soon recover gold or silver to con-
tent their desires ; but he delivered them -
sufficient by reason to pay all their small
charges and to bring them home withal
into their own countries ; and anon after
within the same year they were paid for
everything they could desire. Then they
of Hainault bought little nags to ride at
their ease, [and sent back] their lackeys and
pages and all their harness and baggages
by water in two ships that was delivered to
word, and means carts for the baggage and not the
baggage itself.
MARRIAGE OF EDWARD III., 1328
25
them, the which ships with their stuff
arrived at Sluys in Flanders. And sir
John of Hainault and his company took
their leave of the king, of the old queen,
of the earl of Kent, of the earl of Lancaster
and of all the other barons, who greatly
did honour them. And the king caused
twelve knights and two hundred men of
arms to company them, for doubt of the
archers of England, of whom they were not
well assured, for they must needs pass
through the bishopric of Lincoln.
Thus departed sir John of Hainault and
his rout in the conduct of these knights,
and rode so long in their journey that they
came to Dover, and there entered into the
sea in ships and vessels that they found
ready there apparelled for them. Then the
English knights departed from thence, and
returned to their own houses ; and the
Hainowes arrived at Wissant, and there
they sojourned two days in making ready
their horses and harness. And in the
meantime sir John of Hainault and some
of his company rode a pilgrimage to our
Lady of Boulogne ; and after they returned
into Hainault, and departed each from
other to their own houses and countries.
Sir John of Hainault rode to the earl his
brother, who was at Valenciennes, who
received him joyously, for greatly he loved
him, to whom he recounted all his tidings,
that ye have heard herebefore.
CHAPTER XIX
How king Edward was married to my lady
Philippa of Hainault.
It was not long after but that the king and
the queen his mother, the earl of Kent his
uncle, the earl of Lancaster, sir Roger
Mortimer and all the barons of England,
and by the advice of the king's council,
they sent a bishop ^ and two knights ban-
nerets, with two notable clerks, to sir John
of Hainault, praying him to be a mean that
their lord the young king of England might
have in marriage one of the earl's daughters
1 This should be: 'And the other barons of
England who had continued to be of the council of
the king sent a bishop,' etc. Or according to a
better text, ' took advice to marry him. So they sent
a bishop,' etc.
of Hainault, his brother, named Philippa ;
for the king and all the nobles of the realm
had rather have her than any other lady,
for the love of him. Sir John of Hainault
lord Beaumont feasted and honoured
greatly these ambassadors, and brought
them to Valenciennes to the earl his brother,
who honourably received them and made
them such cheer, that it were over long
here to rehearse. And when they had
shewed the content of their message, the
earl said, ' Sirs, I thank greatly the king
your prince and the queen his mother
and all other lords of England, sith they
have sent such sufficient personages as ye
be to do me such honour as to treat for the
marriage ; to the which request I am well
agreed, if our holy father the pope will
consent thereto ' : with the which answer
these ambassadors were right well content.
Then they sent two knights and two
clerks incontinent to the pope, to Avignon,
to purchase a dispensation for this marriage
to be had ; for without the pope's licence
they might not marry, for [by] the lineage
of France they were so near of kin as at
the third degree, for the two mothers were
cousin - germans issued of two brethren. ^
And when these ambassadors were come to
the pope, and their requests and considera-
tions well heard, our holy father the pope
with all the whole college consented to this
marriage, and so feasted them. And then
they departed and came again to Valen-
ciennes with their bulls.
Then this marriage was concluded and
affirmed on both parties. Then was there
devised and purveyed for their apparel and
for all things honourable that belonged to
such a lady, who should be queen of
England : and there this princess was
married by a sufficient procuration brought
from the king of England ; and after all
feasts and triumphs done, then this young
queen entered into the sea at Wissant, and
arrived with all her company at Dover.
And sir John of Hainault lord Beaumont,
her uncle, did conduct her to the city of
London, where there was made great feast,
and many nobles of England, and the
1 "Hie meaning is that the kinship came by the
relationship of both to the house of France. The
mother of Edward was daughter of Philip the Fair
and the mother of Philippa was daughter of Charles
I of Valois.
26
THE CHROmCLES OF FROISSART
queen was crowned. And there was also
great jousts, tourneys, dancing, carolling
and great feasts every day, the which en-
dured the space of three weeks. The
English chronicle saith this marriage and
coronation of the queen was done at York
with much honour, the Sunday in the even
of the Conversion of Saint Paul, in the year
of our Lord mcccxxvji. In the which
chronicle is shewed many other things of
the ruling of the realm, and of the death of
king Edward of Caernarvon, and divers
other debates that were within the realm,
as in the same chronicle more plainly it
appeareth : the which the author of this
book speaketh no word of, because per-
adventure he knew it not ; for it was hard
for a stranger to know all things.-^ "But
according to his writing this young queen
Philippa abode still in England with a
small company of any persons of her own
country, saving one who was named Watelet
of Manny, who abode still with the queen
and was her carver, and after did so many
great prowesses in divers places, that it were
hard to make mention of them all.
CHAPTER XX
How king Robert of Scotland died.
And when that the Scots were departed by
night from the mountain, whereas the
king of England had besieged them, as ye
have heard herebefore, they went twenty-
two mile through that savage country with-
out resting, and passed the river of Tyne
right near to Carlisle; and the next day
they went into their own land, and so de-
1 The reference is to Fabyan, p. 439. It maybe
noted that the inaccuracy here was corrected in
Froissart's final revision, where he says that the
young queen after landing came to Canterbury and
thence by Rochester and Dartford to Eltham,
where she was met by the bishop of Durham, who
had espoused her by procuration, and many lords
and ladies. Here sir John of Hainault parted from
her and returned, and she passed on to London, and
without making any stay there proceeded north-
wards to York. Here she was received by the
young king and his mother, and the marriage was
celebrated by the archbishop of York in the
cathedral on the day of the Conversion of Saint Paul,
1327 (1328). The king was then seventeen years
old, and the young queen not quite fourteen. At
Easter they came to London and Windsor, where
great festivals and jousts were held.— Vat. MS.
parted every man to his own mansion.
And within a space after there was a peace
purchased between the kings of England
and Scotland ; and as the English chronicle
saith, ^ it was done by the special counsel of
the old queen and sir Roger Mortimer ; for
by their means there was a parliament
holden at Northampton, at the v/hich the
king being within age granted to the Scots
to release all the fealties and homages that
they ought to have done to the crown of
England, by his charter ensealed, and also
there was delivered to the Scots an indent-
ure, the which was called the Ragman,
wherein was contained all the homages and
fealties that the king of Scots and all the
prelates, earls and barons of Scotland ought
to have done to the crown of England,
sealed with all their seals, with all other
rights that sundry barons and knights ought
to have had in the realm of Scotland. And
also they delivered to them again the black
cross of Scotland, the which the good
king Edward conquered and brought it
out of the abbey of Scone, the which was
a precious relic ; and all rights and interests
that every baron had in Scotland was then
clean forgiven. And many other things were
done at that parliament to the great hurt
and prejudice of the realm of England,
and in manner against the wills of all the
nobles of the realm, save only of Isabel the
old queen and the bishop of Ely and the
lord Mortimer : they ruled the realm in
such wise, that every man was miscontent.
So that the earl Henry of Lancaster and sir
Thomas Brotherton, earl marshal, and sir
Edmund of Woodstock, the king's uncle,
and divers other lords and commons were
agreed together to amend these faults, if
they might. And in that meantime the
queen Isabel and sir Roger Mortimer
caused another parliament to be holden at
Salisbury, at the which parliament sir Roger
Mortimer was made earl of March against all
the barons' wills of England, in prejudice
of king and his realm, and sir John of
Eltham the king's brother was made earl
of Cornwall. To the which parliament
the earl Henry of Lancaster would not
come, wherefore the king was brought in
belief that he would have destroyed his
1 The whole of this which follows down to the
words ' follow mine author ' is inserted by the
translator from Fabyan.
DEATH OF ROBERT BRUCE, 1329
27
person ; for the which they assembled a
great host and went toward Bedford,
whereas the earl Henry was with his com-
pany. Then the earl marshal and the earl
of Kent, the king's uncle, made a peace
between the king and the earl of Lancaster,
on whose part was sir Henry lord Beau-
mont, sir Fulke Fitz-Warin, sir Thomas
Rocelin, sir William Trussel, sir Thomas
"Wither and about a hundred knights, who
were all expelled out of England by the
counsel of queen Isabel and the earl
Mortimer : for he was so covetous, that he
thought to have the most part of all their
lands into his own hands, as it is more
plainly shewed in the English chronicle, the
which I pass over and follow mine author.
The foresaid peace, which was purchased
between England and Scotland, was to
endure three year ; and in the meantime
it fortuned that king Robert of Scotland
was right sore aged and feeble : for he was
greatly charged with the great sickness, so
that there was no way with him but death.
And when he felt that his end drew near,
he sent for such barons and lords of his
realm as he trusted best, and shewed them
how there was no remedy with him, but he
must needs leave this transitory life, com-
manding them on the faith and truth that
they owed him, truly to keep the realm and
aid the young prince David his son, and
that when he were of age they should obey
him and crown him king, and to marry him
in such a place as was convenient for his
estate. Then he called to him the gentle
knight sir William Douglas, and said before
all the lords, * Sir William, my dear friend,
ye know well that I have had much ado
in my days to uphold and sustain the right
of this realm ; and when I had most ado, I
made a solemn vow, the which as yet I
have not accomplished, whereof I am right
sorry : the which was, if I might achieve
and make an end of all my wars, so that I
might once have brought this realm in rest |
and peace, then I promised in my mind to
have gone and warred on Christ's enemies, ad-
versaries to our holy Christian faith. To this
purpose mine heart hath ever intended, but
our Lord would not consent thereto ; for I
have had so much ado in my days, and now
in my last enterprise I have taken such a
malady that I cannot escape. And sith it
is so, that my body cannot go nor achieve
that my heart desireth, I will send the
heart instead of the body to accomplish
mine avow. And because I know not in all
my realm no knight more valiant than ye
be, nor of body so well furnished to accom-
plish mine avow instead of myself, therefore
I require you, mine own dear especial
friend, that ye will take on you this voyage,
for the love of me, and to acquit my soul
against my Lord God. For I trust so
much in your nobleness and truth, that an
ye will take on you, I doubt not but that
ye shall achieve it, and declare then shall I
die in more ease and quiet, so that it be
done in such manner as I shall declare unto
you. I will that as soon as I am trespassed
out of this world, that ye take my heart out
of my body and embalm it, and take of my
treasure, as ye shall think sufficient for that
enterprise, both for yourself and such com-
pany as ye will take with you, and present
my heart to the Holy Sepulchre, whereas
our Lord lay, seeing my body cannot come
there : and take with you such company
and purveyance as shall be appertaining to
your estate. And wheresoever ye come,
let it be known how ye carry with you the
heart of king Robert of Scotland at his
instance and desire, to be presented to the
Holy Sepulchre.'
Then all the lords that heard these words
wept for pity : and when this knight sir
William Douglas might speak for weeping,
he said: 'Ah, gentle and noble king, a
hundred times I thank your grace of the
great honour that ye do to me, sith of so
noble and great treasure ye give me in
charge ; and, sir, I shall do with a glad
heart all that ye have commanded me, to
the best of my true power, howbeit I am
not worthy nor sufficient to achieve such a
noble enterprise.' Then the king said,
*Ah, gentle knight, I thank you, so that
ye will promise to do it.' 'Sir,' said the
knight, * I shall do it undoubtedly by the
faith that I owe to God and to the order of
knighthood.' 'Then I thank you,' said
the king, ' for now shall I die in more ease
of my mind, sith that I know that the most
worthy and sufficient knight of my realm
shall achieve for me that which I could
never attain unto.' And thus soon after
this noble Robert de Bruce king of Scot-
land trespassed out of this uncertain world,
and his heart taken out of his body and
28
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
embalmed, and honourably he was interred
in the abbey of Dunfermline in the year of
our Lord God Mcccxxvii., the seventh day
of the month of November.^
And when the springing- time began,
then sir William Douglas purveyed him of
that which appertained for his enterprise
and took his ship at the port of Montrose
in Scotland, and sailed into Flanders, to
Sluys, to hear tidings and to know if there
were any nobleman in that country that
would go to Jerusalem, to the intent to
have more company. And he lay still at
Sluys the space of twelve days or he de-
parted, but he would never come a-land,
but kept still his ship, and kept always his
port and behaviour with great triumph,
with trumpets and clarions, as though he
had been king of Scots himself; and in
his company there was a knight banneret
and seven other knights of the realm of
Scotland, and twenty-six young squires and
gentlemen to serve him ; and all his vessel
was of gold and silver — pots, basins, ewers,
dishes, flagons, barrels, cups and all other
things ; and all such as would come and
see him, they were well served with two
manner of wines and divers manner of
spices, all manner of people according to
their degrees.
And when he had thus tarried there the
space of twelve days, he heard reported
that Alphonso king of Spain made war
against a Saracen king of Granade. Then
he thought to draw to that part, thinking
surely he could not bestow his time more
nobly than to war against God's enemies :
and that enterprise done, then he thought
to 'go forth to Jerusalem and to achieve
that he was charged with. And so he
departed and took the sea toward Spain,
and arrived at the port of Valence the
great. 2 Then he went straight to the king
of Spain, who held his host against the
king of Granade Saracen, and they were
near together, on the frontiers of his land.
1 This date should be 7th June 1329. Froissart
adds that the earl of Moray died almost immedi-
ately after, but the corruption of the text made the
statement unintelligible to the translator, who there-
fore omitted it. It is in fact inaccurate. Note
that the William Douglas of this story is really
James Douglas.
2 Valenza in Aragon, called ' Valence le grant '
to distinguish it from Valence in Dauphine and
from Valencia in Portugal.
And within a while after that this knight
sir William Douglas was come to the king
of Spain, on a day the king issued out into
the field to approach near to his enemies.
And the king of Granade issued out in
like wise on his part, so that each king
might see other with all their banners
displayed. Then they arranged their battles
each against other. Then sir William
Douglas drew out on the one side with all
his company, to the intent to shew his
prowess the better. And when he saw
these battles thus ranged on both parties,
and saw that the battle of the king of
Spain began somewhat to advance toward
their enemies, he thought then verily that
they should soon assemble together to fight
at hand strokes ; and then he thought
rather to be with the foremost than with
the hindermost, and strake his horse with
the spurs, and all his company also, and
dashed into the battle of the king of
Granade, crying, ' Douglas ! Douglas ! '
weening to him the king of Spain and his
host had followed, but they did not ; where-
fore he was deceived, for the Spanish host
stood still. And so this gentle knight was
enclosed, and all his company, with the
Saracens, whereas he did marvels in arms,
but finally he could not endure, so that he
and all his company were slain. The
which was great damage, that the Spaniards
would not rescue them.
Also in this season there were certain
lords that treated for peace between Eng-
land and Scotland. So that at the last
there was a marriage made and solemnised
between the young king of Scotland and
dame Joan of the Tower, sister to king
Edward of England, at Berwick, as the
Enghsh chronicle saith,i on Mary Maudlin
day, the year of our Lord Mcccxxviii.,
against the assent of many of the nobles
of the realm. But queen Isabel the king's
mother and the earl Mortimer made that
marriage ; at the which, as mine author
saith, there was great feast made on both
parties.
1 The addition from the 'English chronicle' is
from the words ' on Mary Maudlin day ' to ' that
marriage.' — Fabyan, p. 439.
PHILIP OF V A LOIS CROWNED, 1328
29
CHAPTER XXI
How Philip of Valois was crowned king of
France.
King Charles of France, son to the fair
king Philip, was three times married, and
yet died without issue male. The first of
his wives was one of the most fairest ladies
in all the world, and she was daughter to
the earl of Artois. Howbeit she kept but
evil the sacrament of matrimony, but brake
her wedlock ; wherefore she was kept a
long space in prison in the castle Gaillard,
before that her husband was made king.
And when the realm of France was fallen
to him, he was crowned by the assent of the
twelve douze-peers^ of France, and then
l^ecause they would not that the realm of
France should be long without an heir
male, they advised by their counsel that
the king should be remarried again ; and
so he was, to the daughter of the emperor
Henry of Luxembourg, sister to the gentle
king of Bohemia ; w^hereby the first
marriage of the king was fordone, between
him and his wife that was in prison, by the
licence and declaration of the pope that
was then. And by his second wife, who
was right humble, and a noble wise lady,
the king had a son, who died in his young
age, and the queen also at Issoudun in
Berry. And they both died suspiciously,
wherefore divers persons were put to blame
after privily. And after this, the same
king Charles was married again the third
time to the daughter of his uncle, the lord
Louis earl of Evreux, and she was sister
to the king of Navarre, and was named
queen Joan. And so in time and space
this lady was with child, and in the mean-
time the king Charles her husband fell
sick and lay down on his death-bed. And
when he saw there was no way with him
but death, he devised that if it fortuned
the queen to be delivered of a son, then he
would that the lord Philip of Valois should
be his governour, and regent of all his
realm, till his son come to such age as he
might be crowned king ; and if it fortuned
the queen to have a daughter, then he
would that all the twelve peers of France
should take advice and counsel for the
further ordering of the realm, and that
1 Froissart says simply ' les douze pers.'
they should give the realm and regaly to
him that had most right thereto. And so
within a while after the king Charles died,
about Easter in the year of our Lord
Mcccxxviii., and within a short space
after the queen was delivered of a daughter.
Then all the peers of France assembled
a council together at Paris, as shortly as
they might conveniently, and there they
gave the realm by common accord to sir
Philip of Valois, and put clean out the
queen Isabel of England and king Edward
her son. P'or she was sister-german to
king Charles last dead, but the opinion of
the nobles of France was, and said and
maintained that the realm of France was
of so great nobless, that it ought not by
succession to fall into a woman's hand.
And so thus they crowned king of France
Philip Valois at Rheims on Trinity Sunday
next after.
And anon after he summoned all his
barons and men of war, and went with all
his power to the town of Cassel and laid
siege thereto, in making war against the
Flemings, who rebelled against their own
lord, and namely they of Bruges, of Ypres,
and of [the] Franc ; for they would not
obey the earl of Flanders, but they had
chased him out of his own country, so that
he might not abide in no part thereof, but
only in Gaunt, and scantly there. These
Flemings were a sixteen thousand, and had
a captain called Colin Dannequin,^ a hardy
man and a courageous. And they had
made their garrison at Cassel, at the wages
of divers towns in Flanders, to the intent
to keep the frontiers there about ; but ye
shall hear how the Flemings were discom-
fited, and all by their own outrage.
CHAPTER XXII
Of the battle of Cassel in Flanders.
And on a day they of the garrison of
Cassel departed out to the intent to have
discomfited the king and all his host. And
they came privily without any noise in
three battles well ordered, whereof the first
battle took the way to the king's tents,
and it was a fair grace that the king had
not been taken, for he was at supper, and
I Nicholas (or Clais) Zannequin.
30
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
all his company, and thought nothing of
them. And the other battle took the
straight way to the tents of the king of
Bohemia, and in manner they found him
in like case. And the third battle went to
the tents of the earl of Hainault, and in
like wise had near taken him. These hosts
came so peaceably to the tents, that with
much pain they of the host could arm them,
whereby all the lords and their people had
been slain, an the more grace of God had
not been : but in manner by miracle of
God these lords discomfited all three
battles, each battle by itself, all in one
hour, in such wise that of sixteen thousand
Flemings there escaped never a person,^
captains and all were slain. And the king
and lords of France knew not one of
another, nor what they had done, till all
was finished and achieved ; for they lay in
three sundry parties one from another : but
as for the Flemings, there was not one left
alive, but all lay dead on heaps, one upon
another in the said three sundry places.
And this was done on Saint Bartholomew's
day the year of our Lord Mcccxxviil.
Then the Frenchmen entered into the
town of Cassel and set up the banners of
France. And the town yielded them' to
the king, and also the town [of] Poperinghe
and of Ypres, and all they of the chatelainy
of Bergues, and then they received the earl
Louis their lord, and sware to him faith
and loyalty for ever. Then after the king
and his people departed and went to Paris,
and he was much honoured and praised
for this enterprise and aid that he had done
to his cousin Louis earl of Flanders.
And thus the king was in great prosperity
and every day increased his royal estate ;
for, as it was said, there was never king in
France 'that held like estate as did this
king Philip of Valois.
CHAPTER XXIII
How the earl of Kent and the earl Mortimer
in England were put to death.
This young king Edward of England was
1 Another text of Frolssart says, ' Of all these
sixteen thousand Flemings there escaped but one
thousand,' In any case the exaggeration is very
great. The loss on the Flemish side was probably
less than four thousand.
governed a great space, as ye have heard
before, by the counsel of the queen his
mother and of Edmund of Woodstock
earl of Kent, his uncle, and by sir Roger
Mortimer earl of March. And at the last
envy began to grow between the earl of
Kent and the earl Mortimer, insomuch
that this earl Mortimer informed so the
young king by the consenting of the old
queen Isabel his mother, bearing the king
in hand, that the earl of Kent would have
empoisoned him, to the intent to be king
himself, as he that was next heir-apparent
to the crown; for the king's younger
brother, who was called John of Eltham,^
was newly dead. And then the king, who
gave light credence to them, caused his
uncle the earl of Kent to be taken and
openly to be beheaded, without any manner
of excuse to be heard ; wherewith many of
the nobles of the realm were sore troubled
and bare a grudge in their hearts toward
the earl Mortimer : and according to the
English chronicle ^ the earl suffered death
at Winchester, the tenth day of October,
the third year of the king's reign, and lieth
buried at the Friars in Winchester. But,
as mine author saith, within a while after,
as it was reported, queen Isabel the king's
mother was with child, and that by the
earl Mortimer, whereof the king was in-
formed, and how the said Mortimer had
caused him to put to death the earl of Kent
his uncle without good reason or cause, for
all the realm reputed him for a noble man.
Then by the king's commandment this earl
Mortimer was taken and brought to Lon-
don ; and there before the great lords and
nobles of the realm was recited by open
declaration all the deeds of the said Mor-
timer. Then the king demanded of his
council what should be done with him; and
all the lords by common assent gave judg-
ment and said, ' Sir, he hath deserved to die
the same death that sir Hugh Spencer died.'
And after this judgment there was no dila-
tion of sufferance nor mercy, but incon-
tinent he was drawn throughout London
and then set on a scaffold and his members
cut from him and cast into a fire, and his
heart also, because he had imagined trea-
son, and then quartered, and his quarters
1 A correction for 'John a Gaunt.'
2 The references are to Fabyan, p. 441 and
thereabout.
HOMAGE OF EDWARD III.
31
sent to four of the best cities of the realm,
and his head remained still in London.
And within a little space after, the king
commanded, by the advice of his council,
that the queen his mother should be kept
close in a castle, and so it was done ; and she
had with her ladies and damosels, knights
and squires, to serve her according to her
estate, and certain ladies assigned to her to
maintain therewith her noble estate all
days of her life ; but in no wise she should
not depart out of the castle, without it
were to see such sports as was sometime
shewed before the castle gate for her re-
creation. Thus this lady led forth her life
there meekly, and once or twice a year the
king her son would come and see her.
The English chronicle sheweth divers other
considerations why the earl Mortimer
suffered death, the which was on Saint
Andrew's even in the year of our Lord a
thousand three hundred and twenty-nine,
the which I pass over and follow mine
author.
CHAPTER XXIV
Of the homage that king Edward of Eng-
land did to the king of France for the
duchy of Guyenne.
And after that the king had done these
two executions, he took new councillors of
the most noblest and sagest persons of his
realm. And so it was, about a year after
that Philip of Valois was crowned king of
France, and that all the barons and nobles
of the realm had made their homage and
fealty to him, except the young king of
England, who had not done his homage
for the duchy of Guyenne, nor also he
was not summoned thereto, then the king
of France by the advice of all his council
sent over into England the lord d'Aubigny,
the lord Beausault, and two notable clerks,
masters of the parliament of Paris, named
master Simon of Orleans and master Peter
of Maisieres. These four departed from
Paris and did so much by their journeys
that they came to Wissant, and there they
took sea and arrived at Dover, and there
tarried a day to abide the unshipping of their
horses and baggages ; and then they rode
forth so long that they came to Windsor,
whereas the king and the young queen of
England lay : and then these four caused
to be known to the king the occasion of
their coming. The king of England for
the honour of the French king his cousin
caused them to come to his presence and
received them honourably ; and then they
published their message. And the king
answered them how that the nobles of his
realm nor his council was not as then about
him, but desired them to draw to London,
and there they should be answered in such
wise, that of reason they should be con-
tent. And so they dined in the king's
chamber, and after departed and lay the
same night at Colebrook, and the next day
at London.
It was not long after but that the king
came to his palace of Westminster, and all
his council was commanded to be there at
a certain day limited. And when they
were all assembled, then the French ambas-
sadors were sent for, and there they declared
the occasion of their coming and delivered
letters from their master. Then the king
went apart with his council to take advice
what was best for him to do. Then was it
advised by his council that they should be
answered by the ordinance and style of his
predecessors, by the bishop of London.
And so the Frenchmen were called into
the council-chamber. Then the bishop of
London said, * Lords that be here assem-
bled for the king of France, the king's
grace my sovereign lord hath heard your
words and read the tenour of your letters.
Sirs, we say unto you that we will counsel
the king our sovereign lord here present,
that he go into France to see the king your
master, his dear cousin, who right amiably
hath sent for him : and as touching his
faith and homage, he shall do his devoir in
everything that he ought to do of right.
And, sirs, ye may shew the king your
master that within short space the king of
England our master shall arrive in France
and do all that reason shall require. '
Then these messengers were feasted, and
the king rewarded them with many great gifts
and jewels ; and they took their leave and
did so much that at last they came to Paris,
where they found king Philip, to whom
they recounted all their news, whereof the
king was right joyous, and specially to see
32
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
the king of England his cousin, for he had
never seen him before.
And when these tidings were spread
abroad in the realm of France, then dukes,
earls and other lords apparelled them in
their best manner ; and the king of France
wrote his letters to king Charles of
Bohemia his cousin and to the king of
Navarrfe, certifying them the day and time
when the king of England should be with
him, desiring them to be with him at the
same day : and so they came thither with
great array. Then was it counselled the
king of France that he should receive the
king of England at the city of Amiens.
And there to make provision for his coming
there was chambers, halls, hostelries and
lodgings made ready and apparelled to
receive them all and their company, and
also for the duke of Burgoyne, the duke
of Bourbon, the duke of Lorraine and sir
John of Artois. There was purveyance for
a thousand horse, and for six hundred
horse that should come with the king of
England.
The young king of England forgat not
the voyage that he had to do into France ;
and so he apparelled for him and his com-
pany well and sufficiently: and there de-
parted out of England in his company two
bishops, beside the bishop of London, and
four earls, the lord Henry earl of Derby,
his cousin-german, son to sir Thomas earl
of Lancaster with the wry neck, the earl
of Salisbury, the earl of Warwick and the
earl of Hereford, and six barons, the lord
Raynold Cobham, the lord Thomas Wake,
marshal of England, the lord Percy, the
lord Manne^ and the lord Mowbray, and
more than forty other knights ; so that the
king and his company were about a thou-
sand horse : and the king was two days in
passing between Dover and Wissant. Then
the king and his company rode to Bou-
logne, and there tarried one day. This
was about the mid of August the year of
our Lord God a thousand three hundred and
twenty-nine.
And anon the tidings came to king
Philip of France how the king of England
was at Boulogne. Then the king of
France sent his constable with great plenty
of knights to the king of England, who
1 This name, which the translator writes
'Manny,' perhaps stands for ' Mohun.'
as then'was at Montreuil by the sea-side,^
and there was great tokens of love and
good cheer made on both parties. Then
the king of England rode forth with all
his rout, and in his company the constable
of France ; and he rode so long that they
came to the city of Amiens, whereas king
Philip, and the king of Bohemia, the king
of Mallorca and the king of Navarre were
ready apparelled to receive the king of
England, with many other dukes, earls
and great barons; for there was all the
twelve peers of France ready to feast and
make cheer to the king of England, and
to be there peaceably to bear witness of
the king of England's homage. There
was the king of England nobly received,
and thus these kings and other princes
tarried at Amiens the space of fifteen
days.
And in the mean time there were many
words and ordinances devised ; but as far as
I could know, king Edward of England
made his homage to the king of France all
only by word, and not putting his hands
between the king of France hands, nor
none other prince nor prelate limited for
him : nor the king of England would not
proceed any further in doing any more con-
cerning his homage, but rather he was de-
termined to return again into England. And
there was read openly the privileges of
ancient time granted, [in] the which was de-
clared in what manner the king should do
his homage, and how and in what wise he
should do service to the king of France.
Then the king of France said, ' Cousin,
we will not deceive you : this that ye have
done pleaseth us right well as for this pre-
sent time, till such time as ye be returned
again into your realm, and that ye have
seen under the seals of your predecessors
how and in what wise ye should do.'
And so thus the king of England took
his leave and departed from the king of
France right amiably, and of all other
princes that was there, and returned again
into England, and laboured so long that he
came to Windsor, where his queen received
him right joyously, and demanded tidings
of king Philip her uncle and of her lineage
of France. The king shewed her all that
he knew, and of the great cheer and honour
that he had there, and said, in his mind
1 Montreuil-sur-Mer.
HOMAGE OF EDWARD III., 1329
33
there was no realm could be compared to
the realm of France.
And then within a space after the king
of France sent into England of his special
council the bishop of Chartres and the
bishop of Beauvais, the lord Louis of
Clermont, the duke of Bourbon, the earl
of Harcourt and the earl of Tancarville,
with divers other knights and clerks, to the
council of England, the which was then
holden at I^ondon, for the performance of
the king of England's homage, as ye have
heard before. And also the king of Eng-
land and his council had well overseen the
manner and form, how his ancient prede-
cessors had done their homage for the
duchy of Acquitaine. There were many as-
then in England that murmured and said
how the king their lord was nearer by true
succession of heritage to the crown of
France than Philip of Valois, who was as
then king of France. Howbeit, the king
and his council would not know it nor
speak thereof as at that time. Thus was
there great assembly, and much ado how
this homage should be performed. These
ambassadors tarried still in England all that
winter, till it was the month of May follow-
ing, or they had answer definitive. How-
beit, finally the king of England by the
advice of his council and on the sight of his
privileges, whereunto they gave great faith,
was determined to write letters in the
manner of patents sealed with his great
seal, knowledging therein the homage that
he ought to do to the king of France, the
tenor and report of the which letters patents
followeth : —
* Edward, by the grace of God king
of England, lord of Ireland, and duke of
Acquitaine, to them that these present letters
shall see or hear send greeting. We would
it be known that as we made homage at
Amiens to the right excellent prince, our
right dear cousin, Philip king of France,
and there it was required by him that we
should knowledge the said homage, and to
make it to him expressly, promising to bear
him faith and troth, the which we did not
as then, because we were not informed of
the truth ; we made him homage by general
words, in saying how we entered into his
homage in like manner as our predecessors,
dukes of Guyenne, in times past had entered
into the homage of the king of France for
that time being ; and sith that time we have
been well informed of the truth : therefore
we knowledge by these presents that such
homage as we have made in the city of
Amiens to the king of France in general
words was and ought to be understanded
this word, liege man ; and that to him we
owe to bear faith and troth as duke of
Acquitaine and peer of France, earl of
Ponthieu and of Montreuil.^ And to the
intent in time coming that there should
never be discord, for this cause we promise
for us and our successors, dukes of Acqui-
taine, that this homage be made in this
manner following. The king of England,
duke of Acquitaine, holdeth his hands
between the hands of the king of France,
and he that shall address the words to the
king of England, duke of Acquitaine, shall
speak for the king of France in this
manner : Ye shall become liege man to the
king, my lord here present, as duke of
Guyenne and peer of France, and to him
promise to bear faith and troth : say "Yea."
And the king of England, duke of Guyenne,
and his successors, saith ' ' Yea. " And then
the king of France receiveth the king of
England, duke of Guyenne, to this said
homage as liege man, with faith and troth
spoken by mouth, ^ saving his right and all
other. And furthermore when the said
king entereth in homage to the king of
France for the earldom of Ponthieu and
1 The translator has made sad work here. It
should be : ' We make it known hereby that when
we did homage at Amiens to the excellent prince
our dear lord and cousin Philip king of France,
it was said and required of us on his part that we
should acknowledge the said homage to be liege
homage, and that in doing the said homage we
should promise expressly to bear faith and loyalty
to him ; the which thing we did not as then, because
we were not informed of the truth. And we did
homage then to the king of France in general
words, saying that we entered into his homage as
our predecessors, dukes of Guyenne, had formerly
entered into the homage of the kings of France
that then were. And after being well informed ol
the truth, we acknowledge bj^ these presents that
the said homage . . . was, is and ought to be
understanded for liege homage, and that we owe to
bear faith and loyalty to him, as duke of Acquitaine
and peer of France, and earl of Ponthieu and
Montreuil. And we promise henceforth to bear
faith and loyalty to him.' It is surprising that lord
Berners, familiar as he must have been with the
true names, should have allowed ' Ponthieu ' to be
printed as ' Poyters ' throughout this document.
2 ' A la foi et a la bouce,' that is, ' homage de foi
et de bouche,' according to the usual forms.
34
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
of Montreuil, he shall put his hands between
the hands of the king of France for the
said earldom. And he that shall speak for
the king of France shall address his words
to the king and earl and say thus : Ye
shall become liege man to the king of
France, my lord here present, as earl of
Ponthieu and Montreuil, and to him pro-
mise to bear faith and troth: say "Yea."
And the king, earl of Ponthieu, saith
'* Yea." Then the king of France receiveth
the king and earl to this said homage, by
his faith and by his mouth, saving his right
and all other. And after this manner it
shall be done and renewed as often as
homage should be done. And of that we
shall deliver, and our successors, dukes of
Guyenne, after these said homages made,
letters patents sealed with our great seal, if
the king of France require it : and beside
that we promise in good faith to hold and
to keep effectuously the peace and concord
made between the kings of France and
the kings of England, dukes of Guyenne,'
etc.
These letters the lords of France brought
to the king their lord, and the king caused
them to be kept in his chancery.
CHAPTER XXV
How the lord sir Robert of Artois was chased
out of the realm of France.
The man in the world that most aided
king Philip to attain to the crown of
France was sir Robert earl of Artois, who
was one of the most sagest and greatest
lords in France, and of high lineage ex-
traught, from the blood royal, and had to
his wife [the] sister - german to the said
king Philip, and always was his chief and
special companion and lover in all his
estates. And the space of three year all
that was done in the realm of France was
done by his advice, and without him no-
thing was done. And after it fortuned that
this king Philip took a marvellous great
displeasure and hatred against this noble-
man sir Robert of Artois, for a plea that
was moved before him whereof the earl of
Artois was cause. ^ For he would have won
1 This should be : ' Whereof the earldom of
Artois was cause, the which the said sir Robert
his intent by the virtue of a letter that he
laid forth the which was not true, as it was
said : wherefore the king was in such dis-
pleasure, that if he had taken him in his
ire, surely it had cost him his life without
remedy. So this sir Robert was fain to
void the realm of France and went to
Namur, to the earl John his nephew.
Then the king took the earl's wife and her
two sons, who were his own nephews, John
and Charles, and did put them in prison,
and were kept straitly, and the king sware
that they should never come out of prison
as long as they lived : the king's mind
would not be turned by no manner of
means.
Then the king in his fury sent hastily to
the bishop RaouP of Liege, and desired
him at his instance that he would defy and
make war against the earl of Namur, with-
out he would put out of his country sir
Robert earl of Artois. And this bishop,
who greatly loved the king of France and
but little loved his neighbours, did as the
king desired him. Then the earl of
Namur sore against his will caused the
earl of Artois to avoid his land.
Then this earl sir Robert went to the
duke of Brabant, his cousin, who right
joyously received him and did him great
comfort : and as soon as the king of
France knew that, he sent word to the
duke that if he would sustain, maintain or
suffer the earl of Artois in his country, he
should have no greater enemy than he
would be to him, and that he would make
war against him and all his to the best of
his power with all the realm of France.
Then the duke sent the earl of Artois
privily to Argenteul, to the intent to see
what the king would do further in the case :
and anon the king knew it, for he had spies
in every corner.
The king had great despite that the duke
should so deal with him ; and within a
brief space after the king purchased so by
reason of his gold and silver, that the king
of Bohemia, who was cousin-german to the
duke of Brabant, and the bishop of Liege,
the archbishop of Cologne, the duke of
Gueldres, the marquis of Juliers, the earl
would have won by,' etc. The translator mistook
* la comte' for 'le comte,' as he has several times
done elsewhere.
1 Aoul (or Adolf) de la Marck,
PVA/^ WITH THE SCOTS, 1332
35
of Bar, the lord of Loos, the lord Fau-
queniont and divers other lords were
allied together all against the duke of
Brabant, and defied him and entered with
a great host into his country by Hesbaing,
and so came to Hanut, and brent twice
over the country whereas it pleased them.
And the king of France sent with them the
earl of Eu his constable, with a great host
of men of arms.
Then the earl William of Hainault sent
his wife, sister to the king, and his brother
sir John of Hainault lord Beaumont into
France to treat for a peace and sufferance
of war between the king and the duke of
Brabant. And at last the king of France
with much work consented thereto, upon
condition that the duke should put himself
utterly to abide the ordinance of the king
of France and of his council in every matter
that the king and all such as had defied
him had against him ; and also within a
certain day limited to avoid out of his
:;ountry theearlof Artois : and to make short,
all this the duke did sore against his will.
CHAPTER XXVI
How king Edward of England took the town
of Berwick against the Scots.
Ye have heard herebefore recited of the
truce between England and Scotland for
the space of three year. And so the space
of one year they kept well the peace, so
that in three hundred year before there was
not so good peace kept. Howbeit king
Edward of England was informed that the
young king David of Scotland, who had
wedded his sister, was seized of the town of
Berwick, the which ought to appertain to
the realm of England : for king Edward
the first, his grandfather, had it in his
possession peaceably. Also the king was
informed that the realm of Scotland should
hold in chief of the crown of England, and
how the young king of Scots had not done
as then his homage. Wherefore the king
of England sent his ambassade to the king
of Scots, desiring him to leave his hands
off the town of Berwick, for it pertaioed to
his heritage ; for kings of England his
predecessors have been in possession there-
of: and also they summoned the king of
Scots to come to the king of England, to
do his homage for the realm of Scotland.
Then the king of Scots took counsel how
to answer this matter ; and finally the king
answered the English ambassadors and said,
' Sirs, both I and all the nobles of my realm
marvel greatly of that ye have required us
to do : for we find not anciently that the
realm of Scotland should anything be
bound or be subject to the realm of England,
neither by homage or any other ways : nor
the king of noble memory our father would
never do homage to the kings of England,
for any war that was made unto him by any
of them : no more in like wise I am in will
to do. And also king Robert our father
conquered the town of Berwick by force of
arms against king Edward, father to the
king your master that now is ; and so my
father held it all the days of his life as his
good heritage : and so in like manner we
think to do to the best of our power, How-
beit, lords, we require you to be means to
the king your master, whose sister we have
married, that he will suffer us peaceably to
enjoy our franchises and rights, as his an-
cestors have done herebefore, and to let us
enjoy that our father hath won and kept it
peaceably all his life days : and desire the
king your master that he would not believe
any evil counsel given him to the contrary.
For if there were any other prince that
would do us wrong, he should aid, succour
and defend us for the love of his sister,
whom we have married.' Then these am-
bassadors answered and said, * Sir, we have
well understanded your answer. We shall
shew it to the king our lord in like manner
as ye have said. ' And so took their leave
and returned into England to the king, with
the which answer the king of England was
nothing content. Then he summoned a
parliament to be holden at Westminster,
whereas all the nobles and wise men of the
realm were assembled, to determine what
should be best to be done in this matter.
And in this meantime sir Robert earl of
Artois came into England, disguised like a
merchant, and the king received him right
joyously and retained him as one of his
council, and to him assigned the earldom
of Richmond.
And when the day of the parliament ap-
proached, and that all the nobles of the
land were assembled about Eondon, then
36
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
the king caused to be shewed the message,
and how he had written to the king of
Scots, and of the answer of the same king.
Wherefore the king desired all the nobles of
his realm, that they would give him such
counsel as should appertain to the saving
of his honour and right. And when they
were all assembled in council, they thought
that the king might no longer bear by his
honour the injuries and wrongs that the
king of Scots did him daily : and so they
reported their advice to the king, exhorting
him to provide for his force and strength of
men of war, to attain thereby the town of
Berwick, and to enter into the realm of
Scotland in such wise, that he should con-
strain the king of the Scots to be joyful to
come and do his homage to him. And so
all the nobles and commons of the realm of
England said they would gladly and will-
ingly go with him in that journey. And of
their good wills the king thanked them
greatly, and desired them to be ready ap-
parelled at a day assigned, and to assemble
together at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. And
then every man went home and prepared
for that journey.
Then the king sent again other ambassa-
dors to the king of Scots his brother-in-
law, sufficiently to summon him ; and if he
would not be otherwise advised, then the
king gave them full authority to defy him.
And so the day of the assembly of the king's
host approached, at the which day the king
of England and all his host arrived at New-
castle-upon-Tyne, and there tarried three
days for the residue of his host that was
coming after. And on the fourth day he
departed with all his host toward Scotland,
and passed through the lands of the lord
Percy and of the lord Neville, who were
two great lords in Northumberland, and
marched on the Scots. And in like wise so
did the lord Ros and the lord Lucy and
the lord Mowbray. Then the king and all
his host drew toward the city of Berwick,
for the king of Scotland made no other
answer to these second messengers, but as
he did to the first ; wherefore he was openly
defied and summoned.
And so the king of England and his host
entered into Scotland ; for he was counselled
that he should not tarry at siege at Berwick,
but to ride forth and to burn the country,
as his grandfather did. And so he did j in
which journey he wasted and destroyed all
the plain country of Scotland, and exiled
divers towns that were closed with dikes
and with pales, and took the strong castle
of Edinburgh and set therein a garrison ;
and so passed the second river in Scotland,
under Stirling, and ran over all the country
thereabout to Scone, and destroyed the good
town of Dunfermline ; but they did no evil
to the abbey, for the king of England com-
manded that no hurt should be done thereto :
and so the king conquered all the country
to Dundee and to Dumbarton, a strong castle
standing on the marches against the wild
Scots, whereas the king of Scots and the
queen his wife were withdrawn unto for
surety. For there were no Scots that would
appear afore the Englishmen ; for they were
all drawn into the forests of Gedworth, the
which were inhabitable, and specially for
them that knew not the country ; wherein
all the Scots were, and all their goods, and
so they set but a little by all the remnant.
And it was no marvel though they were thus
driven, for the king their lord was but fifteen
year of age, and the earl of Moray was but
young, ^ and the nephew of William Douglas
that was slain in Spain was also of the same
age ; so as at that time the realm of Scot-
land was dispurveyed of good captains.
And when the king of England had run
over all the plain country of Scotland and
tarried there the space of six months, and
saw that none would come against him,
then he garnished divers castles that he had
won, and thought by them to make war to
all the other. Then he withdrew fair and
easily toward Berwick, and in his returning
he won the castle of Dalkeith, pertaining to
the heritage of the earl Douglas. It was a
five leagues from Edinburgh, and therein
the king set good captains and then rode
small journeys till he came to Berwick, the
which is at the entry of Scotland. And
there the king laid round about his siege,
and said he would never depart thence till
he had won it, or else the king of Scots to
come and to raise his siege perforce.
And within the town there were good
men of war, set there by the king of Scots.
Before this city there were many assaults
and sore scrimmishes nigh every day ; for
they of the city would not yield them up
simply, for always they thought to be res-
1 ' Plus jeune,' says Froissart.
CAPTURE OF BERWICK, 1333
37
cued : howbeit there was no succour ap-
peared. The Scots on mornings and nights
made rnany skryes to trouble the host, but
little hurt they did ; for the English host
was so well kept that the Scots could not
enter but to their damage, and oftentimes
lost of their men.
And when they of Berwick saw that no
comfort nor aid came to them from any part,
and that their victuals began to fail, and
how they were enclosed both by water and
by land, then they began to fall in a treaty
with the king of England, and desired a
truce to endure a month : and if within the
month king David their lord, or some
other for him, come not by force to raise
the siege, then they to render up the city,
their lives and goods saved, and that the
soldiers within might safely go into their
country without any damage.
This treaty was not lightly granted ; for
the king of England would have had them
yielded simply, to have had his pleasure of
some of them, because they had held so
long against him : but finally he was con-
tent by the counsel of his lords. And also
sir Robert of Artois did put thereto his
pain, who had been all that journey with
the king, and had shewed him always how
he was next inheritor to the crown of France.
He would gladly that the king should have
made war into France, and aleft the wars
of Scotland. So his words and others in-
clined greatly the king to condescend to
the treaty of Berwick ; so this truce and
treaty was granted. Then they within the
city sent word to their king in what case
they stood ; but for all that they could find
no remedy to raise the siege ; so the city
was delivered up at the end of the month,
and also the castle ; and the marshals of the
host took possession for the king of Eng-
land, and the burgesses of the city came and
did their fealty and homage to the king,
and sware to hold of him. Then after the
king entered with great solemnity and tarried
there twelve days, and made a captain there
called sir Edward Balliol : and when the
king departed, he left with the said knight
certain young knights and squires, to help
to keep the lands that he had conquered of
the Scots and the frontiers thereof.
Then the king and his people returned
to London, and every man into their own
countries ; and the king went to Windsor,
and sir Robert of Artois with him, who
never ceased day nor night in shewing the
king what right he had to the crown of
France : and the king hearkened gladly to
his words.
Thus in this season the king of England
won the most part of the realm of Scotland,
who had many expert knights about him :
among other was sir William Montague
and sir Walter of Manny ; they were hardy
knights and did many deeds of arms against
the Scots. And the better to have their
entry into Scotland, they fortified the
bastide of Roxburgh and made it a strong
castle, and sir William Montague did so
well in all his enterprises that the king
made him earl of Salisbury and married
him nobly. And also the lord of Manny
was made of the king's privy council and
well advanced in the court.
True it was that some of the knights
of Scotland did ever the annoyance they
could to the Englishmen, and kept them
in the wild country among marishes and
great forests, so that no man could follow
them. Some season the Englishmen fol-
lowed them so near, that all day they
scrimmished together ; and in a scrimmish
this said lord William Montague lost one
of his eyen. In the said forest the old king
Robert of Scotland did keep himself, when
king Edward the first conquered nigh all
Scotland, for he was so often chased that
none durst lodge him in castle nor fortress
for fear of the said king. And ever when
the king was returned into England, then he
would gather together again his people, and
conquer towns, castles and fortresses, just
to Berwick, some by battle and some by
fair speech and love. And when the said
king Edward heard thereof, then would
he assemble his power and win the realm
of Scotland again. Thus the chance went
between these two foresaid kings. It was
shewed me how that this king Robert
won and lost his realm five times. So this
continued till the said king Edward died
at Berwick. And when he saw that he
should die, he called before him his eldest
son, who was king after him, and there
before all the barons he caused him to
swear that as soon as he were dead, that
he should take his body and boil it in a
cauldron, till the flesh departed clean from
the bones ; and then to bury the flesh and
38
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
keep still the bones ; and that as often as the
Scots should rebel against him, he should
assemble his people against them, and
carry with him the bones of his father : for
he believed verily that if they had his bones
with them, that the Scots should never
attain any victory against them. The which
thing was not accomplished ; for when the
king was dead, his son carried him to
London, and there he was buried.^
CHAPTER XXVII
How king Philip of France and divers other
kings made a croisey to the Holy Land.
Now let us return to our first purpose.
When king Philip returned from Paris,
after that the king of England had been
there, ^ he went to visit his realm ; and in
his company the king of Bohemia and the
king of Navarre, with many dukes, earls
and lords, for he held great estate and
noble. So he rode through Burgoyne
till he came to Avignon, where he was
honourably received of pope Benedict and
of all the college, and did him as much
honour as they could : and he tarried a
long space there, and was lodged at Ville-
neuve without Avignon. In the same season
the king of Aragon came to the court of
Rome, and there was great cheer and feast
made at their meeting, and there they were
all the Lent season. And in that season
tidings came to the court of Rome, that the
enemies of God were greatly strong, and
had nigh conquered all the realm of Rasse,
and taken the king there, who was before
become Christian, and made him to die by
a great martyrdom ; and also these infidels
sore did menace Christendom. And on
the Good Friday the pope himself preached
of the passion of God before these kings,
exhorting them to take on them the cross
against the Saracens ; so that the French
king moved with pity took on him the
cross, and desired the pope to agree thereto.
The pope accorded and confirmed it with
his absolution de pena et culpa, clean con-
fessed and repentant.^ So thus the king
1 Froissart adds : * Wherefore mischief befel him
after, as ye have heard.'
2 The original does not imply that the king of
England had visited Paris.
3 * Then the pope granted and confirmed it, with
took on him this voyage, and with him the
king Charles of Bohemia, the king of
Navarre, and king Peter of Aragon, with
many dukes, earls, barons, knights and
squires, and also the cardinal of Naples,
the cardinal of Perigord, the cardinal
Blanc, and the cardinal of Ostia. And
anon after, this croisey was preached and
published abroad in the world, the which
tidings was great pleasure to many lords,
and specially to such as were in mind to
dispend their season in deeds of arms.
When the French king and these said
lords had been a certain space with the
pope and had devised and confirmed their
enterprise, then they departed from the
court and took their leave ; and the king of
Aragon went into his country, and the
French king in his company, till they
came to Montpellier, and there tarried a
certain space. And there king Philip of
France made a peace between the king of
Aragon and the king of Mallorca, and
then returned into France by small journeys
at great dispense, and visited his towns and
castles, and passed through Auvergne,
Berry, Beauce and Gatinois, and so came
to Paris, whereas he was received with
great feast and glory. At that time France
was rich, in great puissance and in good
rest and peace : there was no war spoken of.
This croisey thus taken by the French
king, whereof he was as chief, there were
divers lords in sundry countries by great
devotion took on them the same. The
French king made the greatest apparel for
his voyage that ever was seen, either in
Godfrey de Boulogne's days or any other,
and had prepared in certain ports, as at
Marseille, Aigues-Mortes, at Nar bonne,
and about Montpellier such a number of
vessels, ships, carracks and galleys, suffi-
cient to pass over sixty thousand men of
arms with all their purveyances, well pro-
vided of biscuit, wine, fresh water, salt
flesh, and all other things necessary for
men of war, to endure three years, if need
were.
And the French king sent certain mes-
sengers to the king of Hungary, desiring
him to be ready and to open the passages
condition that he would absolve from pain and
fault those who should truly confess themselves and
repent, the king of France first and also all those
who shouli go with him on this holy voyage.'
EDWARD'S DESIGNS ON FRANCE, 1337
39
of his country to receive the pilgrims of
God. The king of Hungary was glad
thereof, and said how he was all ready.
In like wise the French king sent to the
king of Cyprus and also to the king of
Sicily and to the Venetians. In like
manner they answered that they were
ready to obey, and the Genoways and all
they on the river of Genes. ^ And also the
king sent the great prior of France to the
isle of Rhodes to prepare all things necessary
in those quarters, and they of the Rhodes
accorded with the Venetians to provide
things necessary in the isle of Crete, the
which was under their seignory. Briefly,
every country was ready prepared to receive
the pilgrims of God. There were more
than three hundred thousand persons that
took on them the cross to go in this noble
voyage over the sea.
CHAPTER XXVIII
How king Edward was counselled to make
war against the French king.
In this season, when this croisey was in
great forwardness, for there was no speak-
ing but thereof, sir Robert of Artois was
as then in England, banished out of
France, and was ever about king Edward :
and always he counselled him to defy the
French king, who kept his heritages from
him wrongfully : of the which matter the
king oftentimes counselled with them of
his secret council, for gladly he would
have had his right, an if he wist how ; and
also he thought that if he should demand
his right and it refused, what he might do
then to amend it ; for if he should then sit
still and do not his devoir to recover his
right, he should be more blamed than
before. Yet he thought it were better to
speak not thereof, for he saw well that by
the puissance of his realm it would be hard
for him to subdue the great realm of
France, without help of some other great
lords either of the Empire or in other places
for his money.
The king oftentimes desired counsel of
his chief and special friends and councillors.
Finally, his councillors answered him and
1 That is, the Riviera of Genoa.
said, ' Sir, the matter is so weighty and of
so high an enterprise, that we dare not
speak therein, nor give you any counsel.
But, sir, this we would counsel you to do :
send sufficient messengers, well informed
of your intention, to the earl of Hainault,
whose daughter ye have married, and to
sir John of Hainault his brother, who hath
valiantly served you at all times ; and desire
them by way of love that they would coun-
sel you in this matter : for they know better
what pertaineth to such a matter than we
do. And, sir, if they agree to your intent,
then will they counsel you what friends ye
may best make.' The king was content
with this answer, and desired the bishop of
Lincoln to take on him this message, and
with him two bannerets and two doctors.
They made them ready and took shipping
and arrived at Dunkirk, and rode through
Flanders till they came to Valenciennes,
where they found the earl lying in his bed
sick of the gout, and with him sir John
his brother. They were greatly feasted,
and declared the cause of their coming,
and shewed all the reasons and doubts that
the king their master had made. Then
the earl said, ' As help me God, if the
king's mind might be brought to pass, I
would be right glad thereof : for I had
rather the wealth of him that hath married
my daughter than of him that never did
nothing for me, though I have married his
sister ; and also he did let the marriage of
the young duke of Brabant, who should
have married one of my daughters : where-
fore I shall not fail to aid my dear and well-
beloved son the king of England. I shall
give him counsel and aid to the best of my
power, and so shall do John my brother,
who hath served him or this. Howbeit he
must have more help than ours ; for Hai-
nault is but a small country as to the regard
of the realm of France, and England is far
off to aid us.' Then the bishop said, ' Sir,
we thank you in our master's behalf of the
comfort that ye give us : sir, we desire you
to give our master counsel, what friends he
were best to labour unto to aid him.'
' Surely,' said the earl, ' I cannot devise a
more puissant prince to aid him than the
duke of Brabant, who is his cousin-german,
and also the bishop of Liege, the duke of
Gueldres, who hath his sister to his wife,
the archbishop of Cologne, the marquis
40
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
of Juliers, sir Arnold de Baquehem and
the lord of Fauquemont. These lords be
they that may make most men of war in
short space of any that I know : they are
good men of war, they may well make ten
thousand men of war, so they have wages
thereafter : they are people that would
gladly win advantage. If it were so that
the king my son, your master, might get
these lords to be on his part, and so to
come into these parts, he might well go
over the water of Oise and seek out king
Philip to fight with him.' With this answer
these ambassadors returned into England to
the king and reported all that they had
done, whereof the king had great joy and
was well comforted.
These tidings came into France and
multiplied little and little, so that king
Philip's enterprise of the said croisey began
to assuage and wear cold, and he counter-
manded his officers to cease of making of
any further provision, till he knew more
what king Edward would do. Then king
Edward ordained ten bannerets and forty
other knights and sent them over the sea
to Valenciennes, and the bishop of Lincoln
with them, to the intent to treat with the
lords of the Empire, such as the earl of
Hainault had named. When they were
come to Valenciennes, each of them kept a
great estate and port, and spared nothing,
no more than if the king of England had
been there in proper person, whereby they
did get great renown and praise. They
had with them young bachelors, who had
each of them one of their eyen closed with
a piece of silk : it was said how they had
made a vow among the ladies of their
country, that they would not see but with
one eye, till they had done some deeds of
arms in P>ance : howbeit they would not
be known thereof.
And when they had been well feasted at
Valenciennes, then the bishop of Lincoln
and part of his company went to the duke
of Brabant, who feasted them greatly and
agreed and promised to sustain the king of
England and all his company in his country,
so that he might go and come armed and
unarmed, at his pleasure, and to give him
the best counsel he could. And also, if
the king of England would defy the French
king, that he would do the same, and enter
into the country of France with men of war,
so that their wages might be borne, to the
number of a thousand men of arms.
Thus then the lords returned again
to Valenciennes, and did so much by
messengers and by promise of gold and
silver, that the duke of Gueldres, who was
the king's brother-in-law, and the marquis
of Juliers, the archbishop of Cologne and
Waleran his brother, and the lord of
Fauquemont came to Valenciennes to speak
with these lords of England before the earl
of Hainault and the lord John his brother.
And by the means of a great sum of florins,
that each of them should have for them-
selves and for their men, they made promise
to defy the French king and to go with the
king of England when it pleased him, with
a certain men of war ; promising also to
get other lords to take their part for wages,
such as be beyond the river of Rhine and
be able to bring good numbers of men of
war. Then the lords of Almaine took
their leave and returned into their own
countries, and the Englishmen tarried still
with the earl of Hainault, and sent certain
messengers to the bishop of Liege and
would gladly have had him on their party ;
but he would never be against the French
king, for he was become his man and
entered into his fealty. King Charles of
B(5hemia was not desired, for they knew
well he was so firmly joined with the
French king by reason of the marriage of
John duke of Normandy, who had to wife
the king's daughter, whereby they knew well
he would do nothing against the French
king.
CHAPTER XXIX
How that Jaques d'Arteveld governed all
Flanders.
In this season there was great discord
between the earl of Flanders and the
Flemings : for they would not obey him,
nor he durst not abide in Flanders but in
great peril. And in the town of Gaunt
there was a man, a maker of honey, ^ called
1 ' Qui avolt este brasseur de miel,' ' who had
been a brewer of mead.' It seems probable that
Jaques d'Arteveld, who belonged to the craft of
weavers and exercised like his father the dis-
tinguished trade of a cloth-merchant, inscribed him-
self as ' brasseur ' only in order to conciliate the
support of the 'petits metiers.'
JAQUES D'ARTEVELD
41
Jaques d'Arteveld ; he was entered into
such fortune and grace of the people, that
all thing was done that he devised : he
might command what he would through all
Flanders, for there was none, though he
were never so great, that durst disobey his
commandment. He had always going with
him up and down in Gaunt sixty or four-
score varlets armed, and among them there
were three or four that knew the secretness
of his mind, so that if he met a person that
he hated or had him in suspicion, in-
continent he was slain : for he had com-
manded his secret varlets, that whensoever
he met any person and made such a sign to
them, that incontinent they should slay him,
whatsoever he were, without any words or
reasoning ; and by that means he made
many to be slain, whereby he was so doubted,
that none durst speak against anything
that he would have done, so that every man
was glad to make him good cheer. And
these varlets, when they had brought him
home to his house, then they should go to
dinner where they list, and after dinner
return again into the street before his
lodging, and there abide till he come out,
and to wait on him till supper-time. These
soldiers had each of them four groats
Flemish by the day, and were truly paid
weekly. Thus he had in every town
soldiers and servants at his wages, ready
to do his commandment and to espy if
there were any person that would rebel
against his mind, and to inform him thereof:
and as soon as he knew any such, he would
never cease till they were banished or slain
without respite. All such great men, as
knights, squires or burgesses of good towns,
as he thought favourable to the earl in any
manner, he banished them out of Flandei-s,
and would levy the moiety of their lands to
his own use and the other half to their
wives and children. Such as were banished,
of whom there were a great number, abode
at Saint-Omer's.-^
To speak properly, there was never in
Flanders nor in none other country, prince,
duke nor other that ruled a country so
peaceably so long as this Jaques d'Arteveld
did rule Flanders. He levied the rents,
winages and rights that pertained to the
1 The original says ' abode at Saint-Omer for the
most part and were called les avoUes or les outre-
avolUs.''
earl throughout all Flanders, and spended
all at his pleasure without any account
making. And when he would say that he
lacked money, they believed him, and so
it behoved them to do, for none durst say
against him : when he would borrow any-
thing of any burgess, there was none durst
say him nay.
These English ambassadors kept an
honourable estate at the town of Valen-
ciennes : they thought it should be a great
comfort to the king their lord, if they might
get the Flemings to take their part. Then
they took counsel of the earl in that matter,
and he answered that truly it should be one
of the greatest aids that they could have ;
but, he said, he thought their labour in that
behalf could not prevail without they get
first the good -will of Jaques d'Arteveld.
Then they said they would assay what they
could do ; and so thereupon they departed
from Valenciennes and went into Flanders,
and departed into three or four companies ;
some went to Bruges, some to Ypres, and
some to Gaunt : and they all kept such port
and made so large dispense, that it seemed
that silver and gold fell out of their hands ;
and made many great promises and offers
to them that they spake to for that matter.
And the bishop with a certain with him
went to Gaunt, and he did so much, what
with fair words and otherwise, that he gat
the accord of Jaques d'Arteveld and did
get great grace in the town, and specially
of an old knight that dwelt in Gaunt, who
was there right well beloved, called the
lord Courtrisien,^ a knight banneret, and
was reputed for a hardy knight and had
always served truly his lords. This knight
did much honour to the Englishmen, as a
valiant knight ought to do to all strangers.
Of this he was accused to the French king,
who incontinent sent a strait command-
ment to the earl of Flanders, that he
should send for this said knight, and as
soon as he had him, to strike off his head.
The earl, who durst not break the king's
commandment, did so much that this
knight came to him at his sending, as he
that thought none evil : and incontinent he
was taken, and his head stricken off ; where-
of many folks were sorry and were sore
displeased with the earl, for he was well
beloved with the lords of the country.
1 Sohier de Courtray.
42
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
These English lords did so much that
Jaques d'Arteveld divers times had together
the counsels of the good towns ^ to speak
of the besynes that these lords of England
desired, and of the franchises and amities
that they offered them in the king of
England's behalf. So often they spake of
this matter, that finally they agreed thatthe
king of England might come and go into
Flanders at his pleasure. Howbeit they
said they were so sore bound to the French
king, that they might not enter into the
realm of France to make any war, without
they should forfeit a great sum of florins :
and so they desired that they would be
content with this answer as at that time.
The English lords returned again to Valen-
ciennes with great joy. Oftentimes they
sent word to the king of England how they
sped, and ever he sent them gold and silver
to bear their charges and to give to the lords
of Almaine, who desired nothing else.
In this season the noble earl of Hainault
died, the sixth day of June the year of our
Lord Mcccxxxvri., and was buried at
the Friars in Valenciennes. The bishop of
Cambray sang the mass : there were many
dukes, earls and barons, for he was well
beloved and honoured of all people in his
life days. After his decease the lord
William his son entered into the counties of
Hainault, Holland and Zealand, who had
to wife the daughter of duke John of
Brabant, and had to name Jahane. She
was endowed with the land of Binche, the
which was a right fair heritage and a pro-
fitable ; and the lady Jahane her mother
went to Fontenelles on I'Escault, and there
used the residue of her life in great devotion
in the abbey there, and did many good
deeds.
CHAPTER XXX
How certain nobles of Flanders kept the isle
of Cadsand against the Englishmen.
Of all these ordinances and comforts that
the king of England had got on that side
of the sea, king Philip of France was well
informed of all the matter, and would
gladly have had the Flemings on his part.
1 'Consulz des bonnes villes,' i.e. deputies repre-
senting them. It is the word used for the burgesses
in the EngHsh parliament, see chap. 14.
But Jaques d'Arteveld had so surmounted
all manner of people in Flanders, that none
durst say against his opinion ; nor the earl
himself durst not well abide in the country,
for he had sent the countess his wife and
Louis his son into France for doubt of the
Flemings.
In this season there were in the isle of
Cadsand certain knights and squires of
Flanders in garrison, as sir Ducre^ of
Halewyn, sir John de Rhodes and the sons
of Le Trief ; they kept that passage against
the Englishmen and made covert war,
whereof the English lords being in Hainault
were well informed, and how that if they went
that way homeward into England, they should
be met withal to their displeasure : where-
fore they were not well assured. Howbeit
they rode and went about the country at their
pleasure ; all was by the comfort of Jaques
d'Arteveld, for he supported and honoured
them as much as he might. And after
these lords went to Dordrecht in Holland,
and there they took shipping to eschew the
passage of Cadsand, whereas the garrison
was laid for them by the commandment of
the French king. So these English lords
came again into England, as privily as they
could, and come to the king, who was right
joyous of their coming ; and when he
heard of the garrison of Cadsand, he said
he would provide for them shortly ; and
anon after he ordained the earl of Derby,
sir Walter Manny and divers other knights
and squires, with five hundred men of arms
and two thousand archers, and they took
shipping at London in the river of Thames.
The first tide they went to Gravesend, the
next day to Margate, and at the third tide
they took the sea and sailed into Flanders.
So they apparelled themselves and came
near to Cadsand.
CHAPTER XXXI
Of the battle of Cadsand between the
Englishmen and the Frenchmen.
When the Englishmen saw the town of
Cadsand before them, they made them
ready and had wind and tide to serve them.
And so in the name of God and Saint
1 'Ducre' .seems to be a title. The person in
question is called by Froissart ' Messires Jehans
dit Ducres de Halluin.'
BATTLE OF CADS AND, 1337
43
George they approached, and blew up their
trumpets and set their archers before them
and sailed toward the town. They of
Cadsand saw well this great ship ^ approach :
they knew well that they were Englishmen,
and arranged them on the dikes and on the
sands with their banners before them, and
they made sixteen new knights. They
were a five thousand men of war, good
knights and squires : there was sir Guy of
Flanders, a good and a sure knight, but he
was a bastard, and he desired all his com-
pany to do well their devoir ; and also
there was sir Ducre de Halewyn, sir John
de Rhodes, sir Giles Le Trief, sir Simon
and sir John of Brugdam, who were
there made knights, and Peter of Ingel-
munster, with many other knights and
squires, expert men of arms.
The Englishmen were desirous to assail
and the Flemings to defend. The English
archers began to shout and cried their
cries, so that such as kept the passage were
fain perforce to recule back. At this first
assault there were divers sore hurt, and the
Englishmen took land and came and
fought hand to hand. The Flemings fought
valiantly to defend the passage, and the
Englishmen assaulted chivalrously. The
earl of Derby was that day a good knight,
and at the first assault he was so forward
that he was stricken to the earth ; and then
the lord of Manny did him great comfort,
for by pure feat of arms he relieved him up
again and brought him out of peril, and
cried, * Lancaster for the earl of Derby ! '
Then they approached on every part ; and
many were hurt, but more of the Flemings
than of the Englishmen, for the archers shot
so wholly together,^ that they did to the
Flemings much damage.
Thus in the haven of Cadsand there was
a sore battle : for the Flemings were good
men of war, chosen out by the earl of
Flanders to defend that passage against the
1 * Ceste grosse navire. ' Froissart uses 'navire'
in its older meaning, i.e. * fleet.'
2 ' Qui continuelment traioient,' 'who shot with-
out ceasing.' It was the rapidity of the shooting
that made the long-bow so fatal a weapon, as com-
pared for example with the cross-bow. The author
in his last revision says : ' The cross-bowmen shot as
best they might, but the English set nothing by it,
for archers are much more rapid in shooting than
cross-bowmen.' Villani, speaking of the English
archers, says that they shot three arrows for one
of the cross-bows.
Englishmen ; and of England there was the
earl of Derby, son to the earl Henry of
Lancaster with the wry neck, the earl of
Suffolk, sir Raynold Cobham, sir Louis
Beauchamp, sir William Fitz-Warin, the
lord Berkeley, sir Walter Manny and
divers other. There was a sore battle and
well foughten hdnd to hand : but finally the
Flemings were put to the chase, and were
slain more than three thousand, what in the
haven, streets and houses. Sir Guy the
bastard of Flanders was taken ; and sir
Ducre de Halewyn and sir John de
Rhodes were slain, and the two brethren of
Brugdam, and sir Giles de Le Trief and
more than twenty-six knights and squires ;
and the town taken and pilled, and all the
goods and prisoners put into the ships, and
the town brent. And so thus the English-
men returned into England without any
damage. The king caused sir Guy bastard
of Flanders to swear and to bind himself
prisoner, and in the same year he became
English, and did faith and homage to the
king of England.
CHAPTER XXXII
How king Edward of England made great
alliances in the Empire.
After this discomfiture at Cadsand tidings
thereof spread abroad in the country, and
they of Flanders said that without reason
and against their wills the earl of Flanders
had laid there that garrison ; and Jaques
d'Arteveld would not it had been otherwise :
and incontinent he sent messengers to
king Edward, recommending him to his
grace with all his heart, counselling him to
come thither and to pass the sea, certifying
him how the Flemings greatly desired to
see him.
Thus the king of England made great
purveyances : and when the winter was
past, he took the sea, well accompanied
with dukes,^ earls and barons, and divers
other knights, and arrived at the town of
Antwerp, as then pertaining to the duke
of Brabant. Thither came people from all
parts to see him and the great estate that
he kept. Then he sent to his cousin the
duke of Brabant, and to the duke of
1 The original has no ' dukes. '
44
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
Gueldres, to the marquis of Juliers, to the
lord John of Ilainault, and to all such as
he trusted to have any comfort of, saying
how he would gladly speak with them.
They came all to Antwerp between Whit-
suntide and the feast of Saint John. And
when the king had well feasted them, he
desired to know their min'ds, when they
would begin that they had promised, re-
quiring them to despatch the matter briefly.
For that intent, he said, he was come
thither and had all his men ready, and how
it should be a great damage to him to defer
the matter long. These lords had long
counsel among them, and finally they said,
* Sir, our coming hither as now was more
to see you than for anything else. We be
not as now purveyed to give you a full
answer : by your licence we shall return to
our people and come again to you at your
pleasure, and then give you so plain an
answer that the matter shall not rest in us.*^
Then they took day to come again a
three weeks after the feast of Saint John.
The king shewed them what charges he was
at with so long abiding, thinking when
he came thither that they had been full
purveyed to have made him a plain answer,
saying how that he would not return into
England till he had a full answer. So
thus these lords departed, and the king
tarried in the abbey of Saint Bernard ; and
some of the English lords tarried still at
Antwerp to keep the king company, and
some of the other rode about the country in
great dispense. The duke of Brabant
went to Louvain, and there tarried a long
time, and oftentimes he sent to the French
king, desiring him to have no suspicions to
him, and not to believe any evil information
made of him ; for by his will, he said, he
would make none alliance nor covenant
against him; sayingalso that the king of Eng-
land was his cousin-german, wherefore he
might not deny him to come into his country.
The day came that the king of England
looked to have an answer of these lords :
and they excused them, and said how they
were ready and their men, so that the duke
of Brabant would be ready for his part,
saying that he was nearer than they, and
that as soon as they might know that he
were ready, they would not be behind, but
at the beginning of the matter as soon as
he. Then the king did so much that he
spake again with the duke, and shewed him
the answer of the other lords, desiring him
by amity and lineage that no fault were
found in him, saying how he perceived well
that he was but cold in the matter, and
that without he were quicker and did other-
wise, he doubted he should lose thereby the
aid of all the other lords of Almaine through
his default. Then the duke said he would
take counsel in the matter ; and when he
had long debated the matter, he said how he
should be as ready as any other, but first
he said he would speak again with the
other lords : and he did send for them,
desiring them to come to him whereas they
pleased best. Then the day was appointed
about the mid of August, and this coun-
cil to be at Hal, because of the young earl
of Hainault, who should also be there, and
with him sir John of Hainault his uncle.
When these lords were all come to this
parliament at Hal, they had long counsel
together. Finally they said to the king of
England : ' Sir, we see no cause why we
should make defiance to the French king,
all things considered, without ye can get
the agreement of the emperor, and that he
would command us to do so in his name.
The emperor may well thus do, for of long
time past there was a covenant sworn and
sealed, that no king of France ought to
take anything pertaining to the Empire ;
and this king Philip hath taken the castle
of Crevecoeur in Cambresis and the castle
of Arleux in Palluel, and the city of
Cambray ; ^ wherefore the emperor hath
good cause to defy him by us. Therefore,
sir, if ye can get his accord, our honour
shall be the more. ' And the king said he
would follow their counsel.
Then it was ordained that the marquis
of Juliers should go to the emperor, and
certain knights and clerks of the king's,
and some of the council of the duke of
Gueldres ; but the duke of Brabant would
send none from him, but he lent the castle
of Louvain to the king of England to lie
in. And the marquis and his company
found the emperor at Nuremburg and
shewed him the cause of their coming.
And the lady Margaret of Hainault did all
her pain to further forth the matter, whom
1 A better reading is, ' and divers other heritages
in the said county of Cambresis,' without any
mention of the city of Cambray.
EDWARD III. VICAR OF THE EMPIRE, 1338
45
sir Louis of Bavaria, then emperor, had
wedded. And there the marquis of Juliers
was made an earl,^ and the duke of
Gueldres, who before was an earl, was
then made a duke. And the emperor gave
commission to four knights and to two
doctors of his council to make king Edward
of England his vicar-general throughout all
the Empire, and thereof these said lords
had ^struments public, confirmed and sealed
sufficiently by the emperor.
CHAPTER XXXIII
How king David of Scotland made alliance
with king Philip of France.
In this season the young king David of
Scotland, who had lost the best part of his
land and could not recover it out of the
hold of the Englishmen, departed privily
with a small company and the queen his
wife with him, and took shipping and
arrived at Boulogne, and so rode to Paris
to king Philip, who greatly did feast him,
and offered him of his castles to abide in
and of his goods to dispend,. on the
condition that he should make no peace
with the king of England without his
counsel and agreement ; for king Philip
knew well how the king of England
apparelled greatly to make him war. So
thus the king there retained king David
and the queen a long season, and they had
all that they needed at his cost and charge ;
for out'of Scotland came but little substance
to maintain withal their estates. And the
French king sent certain messengers into
Scotland to the lords there, such as kept
war against the Englishmen, offering them
great aid and comfort, so that they would
take no peace nor truce with the king of
England, without it were by his agreement
or by the accord of their own king, who
had in like wise promised and sworn.
Then the lords of Scotland counselled
together, and joyously they accorded to his
request, and so sealed and sware with the
king their lord. Thus this alliance was
made between Scotland and France, the
1 The translator follows an inferior reading.
It should be : * And then the marquis of Juliers
was made marquis of Juliers, who before was earl
of Juliers.'
which endured a long season after : and
the French king sent men of war into
Scotland, to keep war against the English-
men, as sir Arnold d'Audrehem, who was
after marshal of France, and the Lord of
Garencieres, and divers other knights and
squires. The French king thought that
the Scots should give so much ado to the
realm of England, that the Englishmen
should not come over the sea to annoy him.
CHAPTER XXXIV
How king Edward of England was made
vicar-general of the Empire of Almaine,
When the king of England and the other
lords to him allied were departed from the
parliament of Hal, the king went to
Louvain and made ready the castle for his
abiding, and sent for the queen to come
thither, if it pleased her ; for he sent her
word he would not come thence of an whole
year, and sent home certain of his knights
to keep his land from the Scots. And the
other lords and knights that were there still
with the king rode about the realm of
Flanders and Hainault, making great dis-
pense, giving great rewards and jewels to
the lords, ladies and damosels of the
country, to get their good-wills. They
did so much that they were greatly praised,
and specially of the common people, because
of the port and state that they kept.
And then about the feast of All Saints
the marquis of Juliers and his company
sent word to the king how they had sped ;
and the king sent to him that he should be
with him about the feast of Saint Martin; and
also he sent to the duke of Brabant, to know
his mind where he would the parliament
should be holden; and he answered at Herck
in the county of Loos, near to his country.
And then the king sent to all other of his
allies that they should be there. And so
the hall of the town was apparelled and
hanged as though it had been the king's
chamber ; and there the king sate crowned
with gold, five foot higher than any other,
and there openly was read the letters of the
emperor, by the which the king was made
vicar-general and lieutenant for the emperor,
and had power given him to make laws and
to minister justice to every person in the
46
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
emperor's name, and to make money of
gold and silver. The emperor also there
commanded by his letters that all persons
of his Empire and all other his subjects
should obey to the king of England his
vicar, as to himself, and to do him homage.
And incontinent there was claim and answer
made between parties, as before the emperor,
and right and judgment given. Also there
was renewed a judgment, and a statute
affirmed, that had been made before in the
emperor's court ; and that was this, that
whosoever would any hurt to other should
make his defiance three days before his
deed, and he that did otherwise should be
reputed as an evil-doer and for a villain's
deed. And when all this was done, the
lords departed and took day that they should
all appear before Cambray three weeks after
the feast of Saint John ; the which town
was become French.
Thus they all departed and every man
went to his own. And king Edward, as
vicar of the Empire, went then to Louvain
to the queen, who was newly come thither
out of England with great nobleness and
well accompanied with ladies and damosels
of England. So there the king and the
queen kept their house right honourably all
that winter, and caused money, gold and
silver, to be made at Antwerp, great plenty.
Yet for all this the duke of Brabant left
not, but with great diligence sent often
messengers to king Philip, as the lord
Leon of Crainhem, his chief counsellor,
with divers other, ever to excuse him ; for
the which cause this knight was oftentimes
sent, and at the last abode still in the French
court with the king, to the intent always to
excuse him against all informations that
might be made of him : the which knight
did all his devoir in that behalf.
CHAPTER XXXV
How king Edward and all his allies did defy
the French king.
Thus the winter passed and summer came,
and the feast of Saint John Baptist ap-
proached ; and the lords of England and
of Almaine apparelled themselves to ac-
complish their enterprise : and the French
king wrought as much as he could to the
contrary, for he knew much of their intents.
King Edward made all his provision in
England, and all his men of war, to be
ready to pass the sea incontinent after the
feast of Saint John ; and so they did. Then
the king went to Vilvorde, and there made
his company to be lodged, as many as
might in the town and the other without
along on the river side in tents and pavilions:
and there he tarried from Maudlin-ticfe till
our Lady day in September,^ abiding weekly
for the lords of the Empire, and specially
for the duke of Brabant, on whose coming
all the other abode. And when the king
of England saw how they came not, he
sent great messengers to each of them,
summoning them to come as they had
promised, and to meet with him at Mechlin
on Saint Giles' day, and then to show him
why they had tarried so long.
Thus king Edward lay at Vilvorde and
kept daily at his cost and charge well to
the number of sixteen hundred men of
arms, all come from the other side of the
sea, and ten thousand archers, beside all
other provisions ; the which was a marvel-
lous great charge, beside the great rewards
that he had given to the lords, and beside
the great armies that he had on the sea.
The French king on his part had set
Genoways, Normans, Bretons, Picards and
Spaniards to be ready on the sea to enter
into England as soon as the war were opened.
These lords of Almaine at the king of
England's summons came to Mechlin and
with much business. Finally they accorded
that the king of England might well set
forward within fifteen days after ; and to
the intent that their war should be the
more laudable, they agreed to send their
defiances to the French king — first the
king of England, the duke of Gueldres,
the marquis of Juliers, sir Robert d'Artois,
sir John of Hainault, the marquis of
Meissen, the marquis of Brandebourg, the
lord of Fauquemont, sir Arnold of
Baquehem, the archbishop of Cologne, sir
Waleran his brother, and all other lords
of the Empire. These defiances were
written and sealed by all the lords except
the duke of Brabant, who said he would do
his deed by himself at time convenient. To
bear these defiances into France was charged
the bishop of Lincoln, who bare them to
1 i.e. from 22nd July to 8th September.
JVAJH WITH FRANCE
47
Paris and did his message in such manner
that he could not be reproached nor
blamed : and so he had a safe-conduct to
return again to his king, who was as then
at Mechlin.
CHAPTER XXXVI
How sir Walter of Manny after the defiances
declared made the first journey into
France.
In the first week that the French king was
thus defied, sir Walter Manny, as soon as
he knew it, he gat to him a forty spears
and -rode through Brabant night and day,
till he came into Hainault and entered into
the wood of Blaton, as then not knowing
what he should do. But he had shewed
to some of them that were most priviest
about him, how he had promised before
ladies and damosels or he came out of
England, that he would be the first that
should enter into France, and to get either
town or castle, and to do some deeds of
arms. And then his intent was to ride to
Mortagne and to get it if he might, the
which pertained then to the realm of
France : and so rode and passed the wood
of Blaton, and came in a morning before
the sun-rising to Mortagne, and by adven-
ture he found the wicket of the gate open.
Then he alighted with his company and
entered in, and did set certain of his com-
pany to keep the gate, and so went into
the high street with his pennon before him
and came to the great tower, but the gate
and wicket was fast closed. And when the
watch of the castle heard the brunt and saw
them, he blew his horn and cried, 'Treason !
treason ! ' Then every man awoke and
made them ready, and kept themselves still
within the castle. Then sir Walter of
Manny went back again and did set fire in
the street joining to the castle, so that there
were a threescore houses brent and the
people sore afraid, for they weened all to
have been taken. Then sir Walter and
his company rode back straight to Conde
and there passed the river of Hayne. Then
they rode the way to Valenciennes and
coasted on the right hand and came to
Denain, and so went to the abbey, and so
passed forth toward Bouchain, and did so
much that the captain did let them pass
through by the river.
Then they came to a strong castle per-
taining to the bishop of Cambray, called
the castle of Thun, the which suddenly
they took, and the captain and his wife
within. And the lord Manny made a
good garrison and set therein a brother of
his called sir Giles Manny, who afterward
did much trouble to the city of Cambray,
for the castle was within a league of the
town. Then sir Walter Manny returned
into Brabant to the king his sovereign
lord, whom he found at Mechlin, and there
shewed him all that he had done.
CHAPTER XXXVII
How that after the said defiances made the
Frenchmen entered into England.
As soon as king Philip knew that he was
defied of the king of England and of his
allies, he retained men of war on every side,
and sent the lord Galois de la Baume, a
good knight of Savoy, into the city of
Cambray, and made him captain there, and
with him sir Thibalt de Moreuil and the
lord of Roye, so that they were, what of
Savoy and of France, a two hundred spears.
And king Philip sent and seized into his
hands the county of Ponthieu, the which
the king of England had before by reason
of his mother : and also he sent to divers
lords of the Empire, as to the earl of Hai-
nault his nephew, to the duke of Lorraine,
the earl of Bar, the bishop of Metz, the
bishop of Liege, desiring them that they
would make no evil purchase against him
or his realm. The most part of these lords
answered how they would do nothing that
should be against him ; and the earl of
Hainault wrote unto him right courteously
how that he would be ready always to aid
him and his realm against all men, but
seeing the king of England maketh his war
as vicar and lieutenant of the Empire, where-
fore, he said, he might not refuse to him
his country nor his comfort, because he
held part of his country of the emperor.
And as soon as sir Hugh Quieret, sir
Peter Behuchet^ and Barbevaire, who lay
1 The true name is Nicholas Behuchet : Froissart
has probably confused him with his brother.
48
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
and kept the straits between England and
France with a great navy, knew that the
war was open, they came on' a Sunday in
the forenoon to the haven of Hampton,
while the people were at mass : and the
Normans, Picards and Spaniards entered
into the town and robbed and pilled the
town, and slew divers, and defoiled maidens
and enforced wives, and charged their
vessels with the pillage, and so entered
again into their ships. And when the tide
came, they disanchored and sailed to Nor-
mandy and came to Dieppe ; and there de-
parted and divided their booty and pillages.
CHAPTER XXXVni
How king Edward besieged the city of
Cambray.
The king of England departed from
Mechlin and went to Brussels, and all his
people passed on by the town. Then
came to the king a twenty thousand
Almains, and the king sent and demanded
of the duke of Brabant what was his
intention, to go to Cambray or else to leave
it. The duke answered and said that as
soon as he knew that he had besieged
Cambray, he would come thither with
twelve hundred spears, of good men of war.
Then the king went to Nivelle and there
lay one night, and the next day to Mons in
Hainault ; and there he found the young
earl of Hainault, who received him joy-
ously. And ever sir Robert of Artois was
about the king, as one of his privy council,
and a sixteen or twenty other great lords
and knights of England, the which were
ever about the king for his honour and
estate, and to counsel him in all his deeds.
Also with him was the bishop of Lincoln,
who was greatly renowned in this journey
both in wisdom and in prowess. Thus the
Englishmen passed forth and lodged abroad
in the country, and found provision enough
before them for their money ; howbeit some
paid truly and some not.
And when the king had tarried two days
at Mons in Hainault, then he went to
Valenciennes ; and he and twelve with him
entered into the town, and no more persons.
And thither was come the earl of Hai-
nault and sir John his uncle, and the lord
of Fagnolle, the lord of Werchin, the lord
of Havreth and divers other, who were
about the earl their lord. And the king
and the earl went hand in hand to the great
hall, which was ready apparelled to receive
them ; and as they went up the stairs
of the hall, the bishop of Lincoln, who
was there present, spake out aloud and
said : * William bishop of Cambray, I
admonish you as procurer to the king of
England, vicar of the Empire of Rome, that
ye open the gates of the city of Cambray ;
and if ye do not, ye shall forfeit your lands
and we will enter by force.' There was
none that answered to that matter, for the
bishop was not there present. Then the
bishop of Lincoln said again : ' Earl of
Hainault, we admonish you in the name of
the emperor, that ye come and serve the
king of England his vicar before the city
of Cambray with such number as ye ought
to do.' The earl, who was there present,
said, 'With a right good will I am ready.'
So thus they entered into the hall, and the
earl led the king into his chamber, and
anon the supper was ready.
And the next day the king departed and
went to Haspres, and there tarried two
days and suffered all his men to pass forth ;
and so then went to Cambray and lodged
at Iwuy, and besieged the city of Cambray
round about, and daily his power increased.
Thither came the young earl of Hainault
in great array, and sir John his uncle, and
they lodged near to the king, and the duke
of Gueldres and his company, the marquis
of Meissen, the earl of Mons, the earl of
Salm, the lord of Fauquemont, sir Arnold
of Bakehem, with all the other lords of the
Empire, such as were allied with the king
of England.
And the sixth day after the siege laid
thither came the duke of Brabant with a
nine hundred spears, beside other, and he
lodged toward Ostrevant on the river of
I'Escault, and made a bridge over the water
to the intent to go from the one host to the
other. And as soon as he was come, he
sent to defy the French king, who was at''
Compiegne, whereof Leon of Crainhem,
who had always before excused the duke,
was so confused, that he would no more
return again into Brabant, but died for
sorrow in France.
This siege during there were many
SIEGE OF CAMBRAY, 1339
49
skirmishes ; and sir John of Hainault and
the lord of P'auquemont rode ever lightly
together, and brent and wasted sore the
country of Cambresis. And on a day these
lords, with the number of five hundred
spears and a thousand of other men of war,
came to the castle of Oisy in Cambresis,
pertaining to the lord of Coucy, and made
there a great assault : but they within did
defend them so valiantly, that they had no
damage ; and so the said lords returned to
their lodgings.
The earl of Hainault and his company
on a Saturday came to the gate toward
Saint -Quentin's, and made there a great
assault. There was John Chandos, who
was then but a squire, of whose prowess
this book speaketh much, he cast himself
between the barriers and the gate, and
fought valiantly with a squire of Verman-
dois called John of Saint-Disier : there was
goodly feats of arms done between them.
And so the Hainowes conquered by force
the bails, and there was entered the earl
of Hainault and his marshals, sir Gerard of
Werchin, sir Henry d'Antoing and other,
who adventured them valiantly to advance
their honour. And at another gate, called
the gate Robert, was the lord Beaumont
and the lord of Fauquemont, the lord
d'Enghien, sir Walter of Manny, and their
companies, made there a sore and a hard
assault. But they of Cambray and the
soldiers set there by the French king
defended themselves and the city so
valiantly, that the assaulters won nothing,
but so returned right weary and well beaten
to their lodgings. The young earl of
Namur came thither to serve the young
earl of Hainault by desire, and he said he
would be on their part as long as they
were in the Empire, but as soon as they
entered into the realm of France, he said,
he would forsake them and go and serve
the French king, who had retained him.
And in likewise so was the intent of the
earl of Hainault, for he had commanded
all his men on pain of death, that none of
them should do anything within the realm
of France.
In this season, while the king of Eng-
land lay at siege before Cambray with forty
thousand men of arms, and greatly con-
strained them by assaults, king Philip
made his summons at Peronne in Verman-
dois. And the king of England counselled
with sir Robert d'Artois, in whom he had
great affiance, demanding of him whether
it were better for him to enter into the
realm of France and to encounter his ad-
versary, or else to abide still before Cam-
bray, till he had won it by force. The
lords of England and such other of his
council saw well how the city was strong
and well furnished of men of war and
victuals and artillery, and that it should
be long to abide there till they had won
the city, whereof they were in no cer-
tainty ; and also they saw well how that
winter approached near, and as yet had
done no manner of enterprise, but lay at
great expense. Theri they counselled the
king to set forward into the realm, whereas
they might find more plenty of forage.
This counsel was taken, and all the lords
ordained to dislodge, and trussed tents and
pavilions and all manner of harness, and so
departed and rode toward Mount Saint-
Martin, the which was at the entry of
France. Thus they rode in good order,
every lord among his own men ; marshals
of the English host were the earl of
Northampton and Gloucester and the earl
of Suffolk, and constable of England was
the earl of Warwick. And so they passed
there the river of I'Escault at their ease.
And when the earl of Hainault had ac-
companied the king unto the departing out
of the Empire, and that he should pass the
river and enter into the realm of France,
then he took leave of the king and said
how he would ride no further with him at
that time, for king Philip his uncle had sent
for him, and he would not have his evil
will, but that he would go and serve him in
France, as he had served the king of Eng-
land in the Empire. So thus the earl of
Hainault and the earl of Namur and their
companies rode back to Quesnoy. And
the earl of Hainault gave the most part of
his company leave to depart, desiring them
to be ready when he [should] send for
them, for he said that shortly after he
would go to king Philip his uncle.
so
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
CHAPTER XXXIX
How king Edward made sir Henry of
Flanders knight.
As soon as king Edward had passed the
river of I'Escault and was entered into the
realm of France, he called to him sir Henry
of Flanders, who was as then a young
squire, and there he made him knight, and
gave him yearly two hundred pounds ster-
ling, sufficiently assigned him in England.
Then the king went and lodged in the
abbey of Mount Saint -Martin, and there
tarried two days, and his people abroad in
the country ; and the duke of Brabant was
lodged in the abbey of Vaucelles.
When the French king at Compiegne
heard these tidings, then he enforced his
summons, and sent the earl of Eu and of
Guines his constable to Saint-Quentin's, to
keep the town and frontiers there against
his enemies, and sent the lord of Coucy
into his own country, and the lord of Ham
to his, and sent many men of arms to
Guise and to Ribemont, to Bohain, and the
fortresses joining to the entry of the realm ;
and so went himself toward Peronne.
In the mean season that king Edward
lay at the abbey of Mount Saint- Martin,
his men ran abroad in the country to Ba-
paume and near to Peronne and to Saint-
Quentin's. They found the country
plentiful, for there had been no war of a
long season ; and so it fortuned that sir
Henry of Flanders, to advance his body
and to increase his honour, [went] on a
day with other knights, whereof sir John
of Hainault was chief, and with him the
lord of Fauquemont, the lord of Berg,
the lord of Bautersem, the lord of Cuyk
and divers other to the number of five
hundred : and they avised a town there-
by, called Honnecourt, wherein much
people were gathered on trust of the for-
tresses, and therein they had conveyed all
their goods ; and there had been sir
Arnold of Baquehem and sir William of
Duvenvoorde and their company, but they
attained nothing there.
There was at this Honnecourt an abbot
of great wisdom and hardiness ; and he
caused to be made without the town a
barrier overthwart the street, like a grate,
not past half a foot wide every grate, and
he made great provisions of stones and
quicklime, and men ready to defend the
place. And these lords, when they came
thither, they lighted afoot and entered to
the barrier with their glaives in their hands,
and there began a sore assault, and they
within valiantly defended themselves.
There was the abbot himself, who received
and gave many great strokes : there was
a fierce assault : they within cast down
stones, pieces of timber, pots full of chalk, ^
and did much hurt to the assailers : and
sir Henry of Flanders, who held his glaive
in his hands, and gave therewith great
strokes. At the last the abbot took the
glaive in his hands and drew it so to
him, that at last he set hands on sir
Henry's arm, and drew it so sore that he
pulled out his arm at the barrier to the
shoulder and held him at a great advan-
tage, for an the barrier had been wide
enough, he had drawn him through ; but
sir Henry would not let his weapon go for
saving of his honour. Then the other
knights strake at the abbot to rescue their
fellow : so this wrastling endured a long
space, but finally the knight was rescued,
but his glaive abode with the abbot. And
on a day, when I wrote this book, as I
passed by I was shewed the glaive by the
monks there, that kept it for a treasure.^
So this said day Honnecourt was sore
assailed, the which endured till it was
night, and divers were slain and sore hurt.
Sir John of Hainault lost there a knight of
Holland called sir Herman. When the
Flemings, Hainowes, Englishmen and Al-
mains saw the fierce wills of them within,
and saw how they could get nothing there,
withdrew themselves against night. And
the next day on the morning the king de-
parted from Mount Saint - Martin, com-
manding that no person should do any hurt
to the abbey, the which commandment
was kept. And so then they entered into
Vermandois, and took that day their
1 'Chaulx,' i.e. 'quicklime.'
2 The fuller text has it as follows : ' But his
glaive abode with the abbot by reason of his great
prowess, who kept it many years after ; and it is
still, as I believe, in the hall of Honnecourt. It
was there assuredly at the time when I wrote
this book, and it was shewed to me on a day when
I passed that way, and I had relation made to me
of the truth of the matter and of the manner how
the assault was made ; and the monks kept it still
as a great ornament."
EDWARD III. ENTERS FRANCE
51
lodging betimes on the mount Saint-
Quentin in good order of battle : and they
of Saint -Quentin's might well see them,
howbeit they had no desire to issue out of
their town. The foreriders came running
to the barriers skirmishing, and the host
tarried still on the mount till the next day.
Then the lords took counsel what way
they should draw, and by the advice of the
duke of Brabant they took the way to
Thierache, for that way their provision
came daily to them, and were determined
that if king Philip did follow them, as
they supposed he would do, that theii
they would abide him in the plain field
and give him battle.
Thus they went forth in three great
battles : the marshals and the Almains had
the first, the king of England in the
middleward, and the duke of Brabant in
the rearward. Thus they rode forth,
brenning and pilling the country, a three
or four leagues a day, and ever took their
lodging betimes. And a company of
Englishmen and Almains passed the river
of Somme by the abbey of Vermand, and
wasted the country all about : another com-
pany, whereof sir John of Hainault, the lord
of P'auquemont and sir Arnold of Baquehem
were chief, rode to Origny-Saint-Benoiste,
a good town, but it was but easily closed :
incontinent it was taken by assault and
robbed, and an abbey of ladies violated,
and the town brent. Then they departed
and rode toward Guise and Ribemont, and
the king of England lodged at Boheries,
and there tarried a day, and his men ran
abroad and destroyed the country.
Then the king took the way to theFlamen-
gerie,^ to come to Leschelle in Thierache ;
and the marshals and the bishop of Lincoln
with a five hundred spears passed the
river of Oise and entered into Laonnois,
toward the land of the lord of Coucy, and
brent Saint-Gobain and the town of Marie,
and on a night lodged in the valley beside
Laon : and the next day they drew again
to their host, for they knew by some of
Iheir prisoners that the French king was
come to Saint- Quentin's with a hundred
thousand men, and there to pass the river
of Somme. So these lords in their return-
ing brent a good town called Crecy and
1 La Flamengerie, dep. Aisne.
divers other towns and hamlets there-
about.
Now let us speak of sir John of Hainault
and his company, who were a five hundred
spears. He came to Guise and brent all
the town and beat down the mills : and
within the fortress was the lady Jane, his
own daughter, wife to the earl of Blois
called Louis : she desired her father to
spare the heritage of the earl his son-in-
law, but for all that sir John of Hainault
would not spare his enterprise. And so
then he returned again to the king, who
was lodged in the abbey of Fervaques,
and ever his people ran over the country.
And the lord of Fauquemont with a
hundred spears came to Nouvion in Thie-
rache, a great town ; and the men of the
town were fled into a great wood and had
all their goods with them, and had fortified
the wood with felling of timber about
them. The Almains rode thither, and there
met with them sir Arnold of Baquehem
and his company, and so there they assailed
them in the wood, who defended them as
well as they might ; but finally they were
conquered and put to flight ; and there
were slain and sore hurt more than forty,
and lost all that they had. Thus the
country was over-ridden, for they did what
they list.
CHAPTER XL
How the king of England and the French king
took day of journey to fight together.
The king of England departed from
Fervaques and went to Montreuil, and
there lodged a night, and the next day
he went to the Flamengerie and made
all his men to lodge near about him,
whereof he had more than forty thousand :
and there he was counselled to abide king
Philip and to fight with him.
The French king departed from Saint-
Quentin's, and daily men came to him
from all parts, and so came to Buironfosse.
There the king tarried, and said how he
would not go thence till he had fought
with the king of England and with his
allies, seeing they were within two leagues
together. And when the earl of Hainault,
who was at Quesnoy ready purveyed of
52
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
men of war, knew that the French king
was at Buironfosse thinking there to give
battle to the Englishmen, he rode forth
till he came to the French host with five
hundred spears, and presented himself to
the king his uncle, who made him but
small cheer, because he had been with his
adversary before Cambray. Howbeit the
earl excused himself so sagely, that the
king and his council were well content.
And it was ordained by the marshals, that
is to say by the marshal Bertrand and by
the marshal of Trie,^ that the earl should
be lodged next the English host.
Thus these two kings were lodged be-
tween Buironfosse and Flamengerie, in
the plain fields without any advantage. I
think there was never seen before so goodly
an assembly of noblemen together as was
there. 2 When the king of England, being
in the Chapel of Thierache,^ knew how
that king Philip was within two leagues,
then he called the lords of his host together
and demanded of them what he should do,
his honour saved, for he said that his inten-
tion was to give battle. Then the lords
beheld each other, and they desired the
duke of Brabant to shew first his intent.
The duke said that he was of the accord
that they should give battle, for otherwise,
he said, they could not depart, saving their
honours : wherefore he counselled that they
should send heralds to the French king to
demand a day of battle. Then an herald
of the duke of Gueldres, who could well
the language of French, was informed
what he should say, and so he rode till
he came into the French host. And then
he drew him to king Philip and to his
council and said, ' Sir, the king of Eng-
land is in the field and desireth to have
battle, power against power.' The which
thing king Philip granted, and took the
day, the Friday next after, and as then
it was Wednesday. And so the herald
returned, well rewarded with good furred
gowns given him by the French king and
other lords because of the tidings that he
brought. So thus the journey was agreed,
1 The marshals of the French host were Robert
Bertrand and Matthieu de Trie.
2 In the fuller text it is observed that there were
in the French army four kings, France, Bohemia,
Navarre and Scotland.
3 La Capelle-en-Thi^rache, a village in the de-
partment of Aisne.
and knowledge was made thereof to all the
lords of both the hosts, and so every man
made him ready to the matter.
The Thursday in the morning there were
two knights of the earl of Hainault's, the
lord Fagnolle and the lord of Tupigny,
they mounted on their horses and they two
all only departed from the French host and
rode to aview the English host. So they
rode coasting the host, and it fortuned that
the lord of FagnoUe's horse took the bridle
in the teeth in such wise, that his master
could not rule him ; and so, whether he
would or not, the horse brought him into
the English host, and there he fell into the
hands of the Almains, who perceived well
that he was none of their company and set
on him and took him and his horse. And
so he was prisoner to a five or six gentle-
men of Almaine, and anon they set him to
his ransom. And when they understood
that he was a Hainowe, they demanded of
him if he knew sir John of Hainault, and he
answered, 'Yes,' and desired them for the
love of God to bring him to his presence,
for he knew well that he would quit him
his ransom. Thereof were the Almains
joyous, and so brought him to the lord
Beaumont, who incontinent did pledge him
out from his master's hands ; and the
lord of Fagnolle returned again to the
earl of Hainault, and he had his horse
again delivered him at the request of the
lord Beaumont. Thus passed that day,
and none other thing done that ought to
be remembered.
CHAPTER XLI
How these kings ordained their battles at
Buironfosse.
When the Friday came in the morning,
both hosts apparelled themselves ready,
and every lord heard mass among their
own companies and divers were shriven.
First we will speak of the order of the
Englishmen, who drew them forward into
the field and made three battles afoot, and
did put all their horses and baggages into a
little wood behind them, and fortified it.
The first battle led ^ the duke of Gueldres,
1 Perhaps a misprint for 'had.' The original
is 'eut.'
THE HOSTS AT BUIRONFOSSE
53
the marquis of Meissen, the marquis of
Brandebourg, sir John of Hainault, the
earl of Mons, the earl of Salm, the lord of
Fauquemont, sir William of Duvenvoorde,
sir Arnold of Baquehem and the Almains ;
and among them was twenty-two banners
and sixty pennons in the whole, and eight
thousand men. The second battle had the
duke of Brabant and the lords and knights
of his country — first the lord of Cuyk, the
lord Berg, the lord of Breda, the lord
of Rotselaer, the lord of Vorsselaer, the
lord of Borgneval, the lord of Schoonvorst,
the lord of W itham, the lord of Aerschot,
the lord of Gaesbeck, the lord of Duffel,
sir Thierry of Walcourt, sir Rasse of Gres,
sir John of Kesterbeke, sir John Pyliser,
sir Giles of Coterebbe, sir Walter of
Huldeberg, the three brethren of Harle-
beke, sir Henry of Flanders, and divers
other barons and knights of Flanders, who
were all under the duke of Brabant's
banner, as the lord of Halewyn, the lord
of Gruthuse, sir Hector Vilain, sir John
of Rhodes, sir Wulfart of Ghistelles, sir
William of Straten, sir Gossuin de la
Moere, and many other : the duke of
Brabant had a twenty-four banners and
eighty pennons, and in all a seven thousand
men. The third battle and the greatest
had the king of England and with him his
cousin the earl of Derby, the bishop of
Lincoln, the bishop of Durham, the earl
of Salisbury, the earl of Northampton, and
of Gloucester, the earl of Suffolk, sir
Robert d'Artois, as then called earl of
Richmond, the lord Raynold Cobham, the
lord Percy, the lord Ros, the lord Mow-
bray, sir Lewis and sir John Beauchamp,
the lord Delaware, the lord of Langton, the
lord Basset, the lord Fitzwalter, sir Walter
Manny, sir Hugh Hastings, sir John Lisle,
and divers other that I cannot name : among
other was sir John Chandos, of whom much
honour is spoken in this book.^ The king
had with him twenty -eight banners and
ninety pennons, and in his battle a six
thousand men of arms and six thousand
^ In the later revision the writer says : ' I,
Froissart, writer of these chronicles, more than
once heard the gentle knight sir John Chandos say
that he was made knight by the hand of the king
Edward of England on this Friday that the assembly
was at Buironfosse ; and since that he was more
valiant than any other who took arms on the side
of the English, I make mention of this here.'
archers ; and he had set another battle as in
aTwing, whereof the earl of Warwick, the
earl of Pembroke, the lord Berkeley, the
lord Multon and divers other were as chief,
and they were on horseback.^ Thus when
every lord was under his banner, as it was
commanded by the marshals, the king of
England mounted on a palfrey, accompanied
all only with sir Robert d'Artois, sir Raynold
Cobham and sir Walter of Manny, and
rode along before all his battles, and right
sweetly desired all his lords and other that
they would that day aid to defend his
honour. And they all promised him so
to do. Then he returned to his own battle
and set everything in good order and com-
manded that none should go before the
marshals' banners.
Now let us speak of the lords of France,
what they did. They were eleven score
banners, four kings, six dukes, twenty-six
earls, and more than four thousand knights,
and of the commons of France more than
sixty thousand. The kings that were there
with king Philip of Valois was the king of
Bohemia, the king of Navarre, and king
David of Scotland : the duke of Normandy,
the duke of Bretayne, the duke of Bourbon,
the duke of Lorraine and the duke of
Athens: 2 of earls, the earl of Alengon
brother to the king, the earl of P'landers,
the earl of Hainault, the earl of Blois, the
earl of Bar, the earl of Forez, the earl of
Foix, the earl of Armagnac, the earl
Dolphin of Auvergne, the earl of Joinville,
the earl of Etampes, the earl of Vendome,
the earl of Harcourt, the earl of Saint-Pol,
the earl of Guines, the earl of Boulogne,
the earl of Roucy, the earl of Dammartin,
the earl of Valentinois, the earl of Auxerre,
the earl of Sancerre, the earl of Geneva,
the earl of Dreux ; and of Gascoyne and of
Languedoc so many earls and viscounts,
that it were long to rehearse. It was a
great beauty to behold the banners and
standards waving in the wind, and horses
barded, and knights and squires richly
armed. The Frenchmen ordained three
great battles, in each of them fifteen
thousand men of arms and twenty thousand
men afoot.
1 The original says : ' So these remained on
horseback to support those battles which should
waver, and were as a rear-guard.'
2 The name of the duke of Burgundy is omitted.
54
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
CHAPTER XLII
How these two kings departed from
Buironfosse without battle.
It might well be marvelled how so goodly
a sight of men of war so near together
should depart without battle. But the
Frenchmen were not all of one accord :
they were of divers opinions : some said it
were a great shame an they fought not, see-
ing their enemies so near them in their own
country, ranged in the field, and also had
promised to fight with them : ^ and some
other said it should be a great folly to fight,
for it was hard to know every man's mind,
and jeopardy of treason ; ^ for, they said,
if fortune were contrary to their king, as to
lose the field, he then should put all his
whole realm in a jeopardy to be lost ; and
though he did discomfit his enemies, yet
for all that he should be never the nearer
of the realm of England, nor of such lands
pertaining to any of those lords that be
with him allied.
Thus in striving of divers opinions the
day passed till it was past noon ; and then
suddenly there started an hare among the
Frenchmen, and such as saw her cried and
made great bruit, whereby such as were
behind thought they before had been fight-
ing, and so put on their helms and took
their spears in their hands ; and so there
were made divers new knights, and specially
the earl of Hainault made fourteen, who
were ever after called knights of the hare.
Thus that battle stood still all that Friday ;
and beside this strife between the council-
lors of France there was brought in letters
to the host of recommendation to the French
king and to his council from king Robert
of Sicily, the which king, as it was said,
was a great astronomer and full of great
science. He had oftentimes sought his
books on the estate of the kings of England
and of France, and he found by his astrology
and by the influence of the heavens, that if
the French king ever fought with king
Edward of England, he should be discom-
fited : wherefore he, like a king of great
1 Or rather, ' and also having followed them to
the intent that they should fight with them '
2 ' For he {i.e. the king) knew not each man s
mind, nor whether there were any treason.'
wisdom and as he that doubted the peril of
the French king his cousin, sent oftentimes
letters to king Philip and to his council,
that in no wise he should make any battle
against the Englishmen, whereas king
Edward was personally present. So that,
what for doubt, and for such writing from
the king of Sicily, divers of the great lords
of France were sore abashed ; and also
king Philip was informed thereof. How-
beit, yet he had great will to give battle ;
but he was so counselled to the contrary,
that the day passed without battle, and
every man withdrew to their lodgings.
And when the earl of Hainault saw that
they should not fight, he departed with all
his whole company and went back the same
night to Quesnoy. And the king of Eng-
land, the duke of Brabant and all the other
lords returned and trussed all their baggages,
and went the same night to Avesnes in
Hainault. And the next day they took
leave each of other ; and the Almains and
Brabances departed, and the king went
into Brabant with the duke his cousin.
The same Friday that the battle should
have been, the French king, when he came to
his lodging, he was sore displeased because
he departed without battle. But they of his
council said how right nobly he had borne
himself, for he had valiantly pursued his
enemies and had done so much that he had
put them out of his realm, and how that the
king of England should make many such
viages or he conquered the realm of France.
The next day king Philip gave licence to
all manner of men to depart, and he thanked
right courteously the great lords of their aid
and succour. Thus ended this great journey,
and every man went to their own. The
French king went to Saint-Omer's, and sent
men of war to his garrisons, and specially
to Tournay, to Lille, and to Douay, and to
the other towns marching on the Empire.
He sent to Tournay sir Godemar du Fay
and made him captain there and regent of
that country thereabout, and he sent sir
Edward of Beaujeu to Mortagne ; _ and
when he had ordered part of his business
then he drew toward Paris.
I
EDWARD TAKES THE ARMS OF FRANCE
55
CHAPTER XLIII
How king Edward took on him to bear the
arms of France and the name, to be called
king thereof.
When that king Edward was departed
from the Flamengerie and came into Bra-
bant and went straight to Brussels, the
duke of Gueldres, the marquis of Juliers,
the marquis of Brandebourg, the earl of
Mons, sir John of Hainault, the lord of
Fauquemont, and all the lords of the
Empire, such as had been at that journey,
brought him thither to take advice and
counsel what should be done more in the
matter that they had begun. And to have
expedition in the cause they ordained a
parliament to be holden at the town of
Brussels, and thither to come was desired
Jaques d'Arteveld of Gaunt, who came
thither with a great company, and all the
counsels of the good towns of Flanders.
There the king of England was sore desired
of all his allies of the Empire that he should
require them of Flanders to aid and to
maintain his war, and to defy the French
king and to go with him whereas he would
have them ; and in their so doing he to
promise them to recover Lille, Douay and
Bethune.
This request was well heard of the
Flemings, and thereupon they desired to
take counsel among themselves : and so
they took counsel at good leisure, and then
they said to the king : ' Sir, or this time ye
have made to us request in this behalf : sir,
if we might well do this, saving your honour
and to save ourselves, we would gladly do
this ; but, sir, we be bound by faith and
oath and on the sum of two millions of
florins in the pope's chamber, that we may
make nor move no war against the king of
France, whosoever it be, on pain to lose
the said sum and beside that to run in the
sentence of cursing. But, sir, if ye will
take on you the arms of France and quarter
them with the arms of England and call
yourself king of France, as ye ought to be
of right, then we will take you for rightful
king of France and demand of you quit-
tance of our bonds, and so ye to give us
pardon thereof as king of France : by this
means we shall be assured and dispensed
withal, and so then we will go with you
whithersoever ye will have us.'
Then the king took counsel, for he
thought it was a sore matter to take on
him the arms of France and the name, and
as then had conquered nothing thereof, nor
could not tell what should fall thereof, nor
whether he should conquer it or not ; and
on the other side, loth he was to refuse the
comfort and aid of the Flemings, who
might do him more aid than any other.
So the king took counsel of the lords of the
Empire and of the lord Robert d'Artois
and with other of his special friends ; so
that finally, the good and the evil weighed,
he answered to the Flemings that if they
would swear and seal to this accord, and to
promise to maintain his war, how he would
do all this with a good will, and promised
to get them again Lille, Douay and
Bethune : and all they answered how they
were content.
Then there was a day assigned to meet
at Gaunt, at which day the king was there,
and the most part of the said lords, and all
the counsels generally in Flanders. And
so then all these said matters were re-
hearsed, sworn and sealed ; and the king
quartered the arms of France with England,
and from thenceforth took on him the name
of the king of France, and so continued
till he left it again by composition, as ye
shall hear after in this book. And so at
this council they determined that the next
summer after they would make great war
into France, promising to besiege the city
of Tournay ; whereof the Flemings were
joyful, for they thought to be strong enough
to get it, and that once gotten, they believed
shortly after to win again Lille, Douay and
Bethune, with the appurtenances pertaining
or holden of the earl of Flanders.
Thus every man departed and went home :
the king of England went to Antwerp, and
the queen abode still at Gaunt and was
oftentimes visited by Jaques d'Arteveld
and by other lords, ladies and damosels of
Gaunt. The king left in Flanders the earl
of Salisbury and the earl of Suffolk : ^ they
went to Ypres and there kept a great
garrison and made sore war against them
of Lille and thereabout. And when the
1 Not really the earl of Suffolk but his eldest
son : he is called earl of Suffolk also in the account
of his capture at Lille, chap. 46.
56
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
king's ships were ready, he took the sea
and so sailed into England and came to
London about the feast of Saint Andrew,
where he was honourably received. And
there he had complaints made hii^ of the
destruction of Hampton, and he said that
he trusted or a year longer that it should be
well revenged.
CHAPTER XLIV
How the Frenchmen brent in the lands of
sir John of Hainault.
Now let us speak of king Philip, who
greatly fortified his navy that he had on
the sea, whereof sir Quieret, Behuchet and
Barbevaire ^ were captains ; and they had
under them a great retinue of Genoways,
Normans, Bretons and Picards. They did
that winter great damage to the realm of
England : sometime they came to Dover,
Sandwich, Winchelsea, Hastings and Rye,
and did much sorrow to the Englishmen,
for they were a great number, as a forty
thousand men. There was none that could
issue out of England, but they were robbed,
taken or slain ; so they won great pillage,
and specially they won a great ship called
the Christofer, laden with wools, as she was
going into Flanders, the which ship had
cost the king of England much money,
and all they that were taken within the ship
were slain and drowned ; of the which
conquest the Frenchmen were right joyous.
The French king then sent and wrote to
the lord of Bosmont, the lord of Vervins,^
to the vidame of Chalons, the lord John
de la Bove, the lord John and Gerard of
Lor, that they should make an army and
to ride into the lands of sir John of Hainault,
and to burn and destroy there as much as
they might. They obeyed, and gathered
together to the number of five hundred
spears ; and so in a morning they came
before the town of Chimay and gathered
together there a great prey ; for they of
the country thought that the Frenchmen
would not have come so far, nor to have
passed the wood of Thierache. So the
1 Hugh Quieret, Nicholas Behuchet and Pietro
Barbavara.
2 'To the lord of Bosmont and Vervlns': his name
was Jean de Coucy.
Frenchmen burnt the suburbs of Chimay
and divers other villages thereabout, nigh
all the land of Chimay except the for-
tresses : then they went to Aubenton in
Thierache and there divided their booty.
In the same season the soldiers of Cam-
bray came to a little strong house without
Cambray, called Relenghes, pertaining to
sir John of Hainault ; and a bastard son of
his kept the house with a fifteen soldiers
with him : so they were assailed a whole
day together, and the dikes were so frozen,
that a man might well come to the walls ;
and so they within trussed all that they
had and about midnight departed, and set
fire themselves on the house. The next
day, when they of Cambray came thither
again and saw how it was brent, they did
beat down all that stood. And the captain
of the house and his company went to
Valenciennes.
Ye have well heard before how sir
Gaultier of Manny took the castle of Thun
and set therein a brother of his called
Giles of Manny : he made many skirmishes
with them of Cambray, and did them much
trouble. And so it happened on a day that
he went from his garrison with a sixscore
men of arms and came to the barriers of
Cambray. And the brunt was so great, that
many armed them within the city and came
to the gate whereas the skirmish was,
whereas sir Giles had put back them of
Cambray. Then they issued out, and
among the Cambreses there was a young
squire, a Gascon, called William Marchand, .
who went out into the field well horsed,
his shield about his neck and his spear in
his hand. And when sir Giles of Manny
saw him, he rode fiercely to him ; and
there sir Giles was stricken through all his
harness to the heart, so that the spear went
clean through his body, and so he fell to the
earth. Then there was a fierce skirmish,
and many stricken down on both parts ;
but finally they of Cambray obtained the
place and drove away their enemies, and
took with them sir Giles of Manny, hurt
as he was, and so brought him to Cambray
with great joy. Then incontinent they dis-
armed him and did get surgeons to dress
his wound, for they would gladly that he
might [have] escaped ; but he died the next
day after. Then they determined to send
his body to his two brethren John and
THE FRENCH IN HAINAULT
57
Thierry, who were in the garrison at Bou-
chain in Ostrevant ; for though that the
country of Hainault at that time was in no
war, yet all the frontiers toward France
were ever in good await. So then they
ordained a horse litter right honourably
and put his body therein, and caused two
friars to convey it to his brethren, who
received him with great sorrow. And they
bare him to the Friars at Valenciennes, and
there he was buried ; and after that the two
brethren of Manny came to the castle of
Thun and made sore war against them of
Cambray in counteravenging the death of
their brother.
In this season captain of Tournay and
Tournesiswas sir Godemar du Fay, and of
the fortresses thereabout ; and the lord of
Beaujeu was within Mortagne on the river
of I'Escault, and the steward of Carcas-
sonne was in the town of Saint-Amand,
sir Aymar of Poitiers in Douay, the lord
Galois de la Baume and the lord of
Villars, the marshal of Mirepoix and the
lord of Moreuil in the city of Cambray.
And these knights, squires and soldiers of
France desired none other thing, but that
theymightenterintoHainaultand toroband
pill the country. Also the bishop of Cam-
bray, who was at Paris with the king, com-
plained how the Hainowes had done him
damage, brent and overrun his country,
more than any other men. And then the
king gave licence to the soldiers of Cam-
bresis to make a road into Hainault. Then
they of the garrisons made a journey and
were to the number of six hundred men of
arms. And on a Saturday in the morning
they departed from Cambray, and also they
of la Malmaison rode forth the same day,
and met together and went to the town of
Haspres, the which was a good town and a
great, without walls. The people there
were in no doubt, for they knew of no war
towards them. So the Frenchmen entered
and found men and women in their houses,
and took them, and robbed the town at
their pleasure, and then set fire in the town
and brent it so clean, that nothing re-
mained but the walls. Within the town
there was a priory of black monks, with
great buildings beside the church, which
held of Saint-Vaast of Arras. ^ The French-
1 The latest revision has here : ' In the church of
Haspres they honour Saint Agaire, who is a very
men also robbed the place and brent it to
the earth, and with all their pillage they
returned to Cambray.
These tidings anon came to the know-
ledge of the earl of Hainault, who was
abed and asleep in his lodging, called the
Salle ; and suddenly he rose and armed
him, and called up all such knights as were
about him : but they were lodged so abroad
that they were not so soon ready as the earl
was ; who without tarrying for any person
came into the market-place of Valenciennes
and caused the bells to be sowned alarum.
Then every man arose and armed them,
and followed the earl their lord, who was
ridden out of the town in great haste and
took the way toward Haspres : and by
that time he had ridden a league, tidings
came to him how the Frenchmen were de-
parted. Then he rode to the abbey of
Fontenelles, whereas the lady his mother
was, and she had much ado to rappease
him of his displeasure, for he said plainly
that the destruction of Haspres should
dearly be revenged in the realm of France.
The good lady his mother did as much as
she could to assuage his ire, and to excuse
the king of that deed.
So when the earl had been there a certain
space, he took leave of her and returned
to Valenciennes, and incontinent wrote
letters to the prelates and knights of his
country to have their advice and counsel in
that behalf. And when sir John of
Hainault knew hereof, he took his horse
and came to the earl his nephew ; and as
soon as the earl saw him, he said, *Ah,
fair uncle, your absence hath set the French-
men in a pride.' ' Ah, sir,' quoth he, * with
your trouble and annoyance I am sore dis-
pleased : howbeit in a manner I am glad
thereof. Now ye be well rewarded for the
service and love that ye have borne to the
Frenchmen. ' Now it behoveth you to make
a journey into France against the French-
men. 'Ah, uncle,' quoth the earl, 'look
into what quarter ye thhik best and it
shall be shortly done. ' So thus the day of
parliament assigned at Mons came, and
cruel saint and much to be feared, and they have
the remains of the saint within the church, which is
a provostry ruled by the monks of Saint-Vaast of
Arras. The provost had taken such care, that the
shrine of Saint Agaire and the reliquary and the
richest ornaments of the church he had caused to be
brought with him to Valenciennes.'
58
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
thither resorted all the counsel of the
country, and also of Holland and Zealand,
There were divers opinions : some would
that certain sufficient persons should be
sent to the French king, to know if he
were consenting to the hurt done in
Hainault, or by what title he should make
war into the earl's land without any de-
fiance : and some other would that the earl
should be revenged in like manner as the
Frenchmen had begun. Howbeit finally,
all reasons debated, it was thought that the
earl could do no otherwise, but to make
war into France. And it was ordained
that the earl should make his defiance to
the French king, and then to enter by
force into the realm of France ; and to
bear these defiances was ordained the abbot
Thibalt of Crespin.^ So then the letters of
defiance were written and sealed by the
earl and by all the nobles of the country.
Then the earl thanked all his lords and
other of their good comfort and of their
promise to aid to revenge him against the
Frenchmen.
The abbot of Crespin came into France
and brought these defiances to king Philip,
who made light thereof and said how his
nephew was but an outrageous fool, and
how that he was a merchant to have his
country brent. ^ The abbot returned to the
earl and to his council and shewed how he
had sped ; and then the earl prepared for
men of war in his country and in Brabant
and in Flanders, so that he had a great
number together : and so set forward
toward the land of Chimay ; for the earl's
intent was to go and bren the lands of the
lord of Vervins and also Aubenton in
Thierache.
CHAPTER XLV
How the earl of Hainault took and destroyed
Aubenton in Thierache.
They of Aubenton doubted greatly the
earl of Hainault and sir John his uncle ;
and so they sent for some aid to the great
bailly of Vermandois, and he sent to them
1 Not 'Saint Crispin' as given by the trans-
lator.
2 'Qu'il marchandoit bien de faire ardoir son
pays.
I
the vidame of Chalons, the lord Bosmont,
the lord de la Bove, the lord of Lor, and
divers other to the number of three hun-
dred men of arms, and so they repaired the
town in certain places, and determined to
abide the Hainowes and to defend the
town, the which was a great town and full
of drapery. ^ The Hainowes came on a
Friday, and lodged near to Aubenton, and
advised the town to see on what quarter it
were most best to be taken ; and in the
morning they approached in three wards,
their banners before them right ordinately.
and also their cross-bows. The earl of
Hainault led the first battle, and with him
great number of the knights and squires of
his country : his uncle sir John of Hai-
nault had the second battle, whereas he had
plenty of men of war : the third had the
lord Fauquemont with a good number of
Almains. And so thus every lord was
under his own banner, and there began a
sore assault, and the bows began to shoot
both within and without, whereby divers
were sore hurt. The earl and his company
came to the gate : there was a great assault
and a sore skirmish: there the vidame of
Chalons did marvels, and he made at the
gate three of his sons knights. But finally
the earl and his company conquered the
bails, and by force made their enemies to
withdraw into the gate. And also at the gate
toward Chimay was sir John la Bove and
sir John Bosmont : there was also a cruel
assault ; they within were fain to withdraw
in at their gates and to leave the barrier,
and the Hainowes won it and the bridge
also. There was a sore assault, for such
as were fled and entered within went up
on the gate and cast down bars of iron,
stones, pots full of quicklime, whereby
many were sore hurt. A squire of Hai-
nault received such a stroke with a stone on
his targe, that it was cloven clean asunder
with the stroke and his arm broken, so
that it was long after or he was whole.
The Saturday in the morning there was
a great assault, and they within did their
devoir to defend themselves ; but finally
the town was won by force and their pales
and defences broken. And first entered
into the town sir John of Hainault with
his banner with great crying and shouting ;
then the vidame of Chalons withdrew him
1 i.e. a town in which much cloth was made.
H^J/^ ON THE FRONTIERS, 1339-40
59
and his company into the place before
the minster, and there made semblant to
defend himself as long as he might endure.
But the lord of Vervins departed without
order, for he knew well that sir John of
Hainault was sore displeased with him, so
that he thought, if he had been taken, that
no ransom should have saved his life. And
when sir John of Hainault knew that he
was departed, that had done so much dis-
pleasure in his land of Chimay, he pur-
sued after him; but the lord of Vervins
fled fast and found the gate of his town
open, and so entered in : and sir John of
Hainault pursued him just to the gate with
his sword in his hand ; but when he saw
that he was escaped, he returned again to
Aubenton : and his men met certain of the
lord Vervin's men, as they followed their
master, and there they were slain without
mercy. The earl and his company fought
sore with them that were by the minster;
and there the vidame of Chalons did
marvels in arms, and so did two of his
sons; but finally they were all slain, there
escaped none but such as fled with the
lord of Vervins, but all were slain or
taken, and a two thousand ^ men of the
town, and all the town robbed and pilled,
and all the goods sent to Chimay, and the
town brent.
And after the burning of Aubenton the
Hainowes went to Maubert- Fontaine, and
incontinent they won it, and robbed and
brent the town, and also the town of
Aubigny, and Signy the great, and Signy
the little, ^ and all the hamlets thereabout,
the which were more than forty. Then
the earl went to Mons, and gave leave to
his men of war to depart, and thanked
them in such wise, that they were all well
content. Then anon after the earl went to
make a sure alliance with the king of Eng-
land, to be the more stronger in his war
against the Frenchmen. But first he made
his uncle sir John of Hainault chief master
and governour of Holland and Zealand :
and sir John lay still at Mons atid provided
for the country, and sent to Valenciennes,
to comfort and aid them, the lord Antoing,
the lord of Wargny, the lord of Gorn-
megnies and sir Henry of Houffalize ; and
1 A better reading is * two hundred.'
- Signy-l'Abbaye and Signy-le-Petit.
the steward of Hainault with a hundred
spears to the town of Landrecies;^ and to
Bouchain three brethren, Almains, called
Conrad ; and to Escaudeuvres sir Gerard
Sassegnies ; and into the town of Avesnes
the lord of Fauquemont. And thus he
did into every fortress on the frontiers of
France.
CHAPTER XLVI
How they of Tournay made a journey into
Flanders.
When the French king knew how the
Hainowes had brent the country of Thie-
rache, taken and slain his knights, and
destroyed the good town of Aubenton, then
he commanded the duke of Normandy his
son that he should make a journ^ into
Hainault, and bring the country into that
case that it should never be recovered
again. Also the king ordained the earl of
risle, Gascon, who was as then with the
king at Paris, that he should make a
voyage into Gascony as his lieutenant, and
to make war to Bordeaux and to Bordelois,
and to all the fortresses that held of the
king of England. And also the French
king enforced his great navy that he had
on the sea, and commanded them to keep
the bounds of Flanders and not to suffer
the king of England to pass over the sea
into Flanders, on pain of their lives.
And when the French king understood
that the Flemings had made homage to
the king of England, he sent unto them a
prelate under the colour of the pope, shew-
ing them that if they would return and
knowledge themselves to hold of him and
of the crown of France, and to forsake the
king of England, who had enchanted them,
then he said he would pardon them of all
their trespasses, and would quit them of
the great sum of money that they were
bound unto him by obligation of old time,
and also to give them many fair franchises.
And the Flemings answered how they
thought themselves right well assoiled and
quitted in anything that they were bound
1 The fuller text says that the seneschal of
Hainault was sent to Maubeuge, the marshal of
Hainault to Quesnoy, and the lord of Potelles to
Landrecles.
6o
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
to the king of France. Then the French
king complained to pope Clement the
sixth, ^ whereupon the pope did cast such
a sentence of cursing, that no priest durst
sing or say there any divine service ;
whereof the Flemings sent a great com-
plaint unto the king of England, who to
appease them sent them word, that when
he came over the sea, he would bring
priests out of his country to sing masses,
whether the pope would or not, for he
said he had privilege so to do : and so by
that means the Flemings were somewhat
appeased.
And when the French king saw that he
could not turn the Flemings from their
opinion, then he commanded them of the
garrisons of Tournay, Lille, and Douay and
other to make war on the Flemings and
to overrun the country. And so sir John
de Roye and sir Matthew de Trie, marshal
of France, and sir Godemar du P^ay, and
divers other lords made an army of a thou-
sand men of arms and three hundred cross-
bows, what of Tournay, Lille and Douay.
And so in an evening they departed from
Tournay, and by that it was day in the
morning, they were before Courtray. By
that time the sun was up, they had gathered
together all the cattle thereabout ; and some
of them ran to the gates, and slew and hurt
divers that they found without. And then
they returned without any damage and
drove before them all their preys, so that
when they came to Tournay, they had
more than ten thousand sheep and as many
swine, beeves and kine, whereof the Flem-
ings were sore troubled.
Then Jaques d'Arteveld sware that it
should be dearly revenged ; and incontinent
he commanded the good towns of Flanders,
that their men of war should be wdth him
before Tournay at a day assigned : and he
wrote to the earl of Salisbury and to the
earl of Suffolk, who were at Ypres, that
they should be there at the same. And so
against the day limited he went out of
Gaunt and came to a place between Oude-
narde and Tournay called the Pont de Fer,
and there he lodged and tarried for the
earls of England and for them of the Franc
of Bruges. The said two earls thought for
1 The pope at this time was in fact Benedict
XII. : Clement VI. became pope in 1342.
their honour the enterprise should not be
delayed by them, and so sent to Jaques
d'Arteveld promising him not to fail to be
at the day appointed. And so on a day
they departed from Ypres with a fifty spears
and a forty cross-bows, and went toward
the place whereas Jaques d'Arteveld abode
for them. And as they passed by the town
of Lille, they were perceived ; and they of
the town issued out with a fifteen hundred
men afoot and a-horseback, and M'ent in
three parts, to the intent that the earls
should not scape them.^ So these two earls
rode forth by the guiding of sir Waflard de
la Croix, who had kept long war against
them of Lille, and he knew all the ways of
the country and as then was at Ypres ; and
so he came forth with these earls to be
their guide and he had well guided them.
And they of Lille had newly made a great
dike, whereas there was never none before :
and when sir Waflard had brought them
thither and saw how the way was newly
stopped, he said to the earls of England,
' Sirs, I see well we cannot pass without
the danger of them of Lille : wherefore
I counsel, let us turn again and take
some other way.' Then the lords said,
*Nay, sir Waflard, it shall never be said
that we will go out of our way for fear of
them of Lille; therefore ride on before : we
have promised Jaques d'Arteveld to be with
him this day.' And so the Englishmen
rode forth without fear. Then sir Waflard
said, * Sirs, ye have taken me in this viage
to be your guide, and I have been with
you all this winter in Ypres, whereof I am
much bound to you. But if they of Lille'
issue out upon us, have no trust that I will
abide them, for I will save myself as soon
as I can ; for if I were taken, it should cost
me my life, the which I love better than
your company.' Then the lords did laugh
at him and said, * Well, an if it be so, we
hold you well excused.* And as he im-
agined, so it befell ; for or they were ware,
they were in danger of the French bush-
ment, who cried, 'Stop, sirs, for ye shall
not pass this way without our licence,' and
1 In the original : 'As they rode and were con-
strained to pass by the town of Lille, their coming
was known in the town. Then they of the town
armed themselves secretly and set forth from their
town to the number of fifteen hundred afoot and
a-horseback, and they set themselves in three bush-
ments, so that they might not escape them.'
BATTLE OF SLUYS, 1340
61
so began to shoot and to run on the Eng-
lishmen. And as soon as sir Waflard saw
the manner, he had no list to ride any
further, but returned as soon as he might
and gat himself out of the press ; and the
two earls fell in the hands of their enemies
like fishes in a net, for they were closed
round about in a narrow strait passage
among hedges, bushes and dikes, so that
they could scape no manner of way for-
ward nor backward. So when they saw
that they were so hardly bestad, they
alighted afoot and defended themselves as
well as they might, and did hurt divers of
them of Lille : but finally their defence
could not avail them, for ever new fresh
men of war came on them. So there they
were taken by force, and with them a
young squire of Limousin, nephew to pope
Clement, called Raymond, who after that he
was yielded prisoner was slain for covetise
of his fair harness and fresh apparel.
These two earls were set in prison in the
hall of Lille and after sent to the French
king, who promised to them of Lille a great
reward for the good service that they had
done him. And when Jaques d'Arteveld,
who was at Pont de Fer, knew those tidings,
he was sore displeased, and so ceased his
enterprise for that time and returned again
to Gaunt.
CHAPTERS XLVII-XLIX
SUMMARY.— The duke of Normandy
invaded Hamault at Easier, 1340. He
burnt many villages, but failed to take any
fortresses except the castle of Escatideuvres,
which was surre?tdered to him with great
suspicion of treason.
The cotcnty of Hainault suffered much
from the garrisons of Lille ami Douay.
Meamvhilethe eai-l was gone to England and
thefi to the e?fiperor Louis of Bavaria. Sir
Johti of Hainault asked for aid from the earl
of Bj-abatit atid from Jaques dArteveld.
The duke of Normandy laid siege to
Thun-t Evesque. The earl of Hainault
came to relieve it, and the duke of
Normandy sent word to king Philip at
Peronne. Ph Hip sent twelve h undred spears,
serving himself with them ' as a soldier,'
that is, taking no command, because he had
taken oath not to levy war on the Empire.
The earl of Hainault received an addition
of sixty thousand Flemings to his army, and
offered battle, which the French refused.
CHAPTER L
Of the battle on the sea before Sluys in
Flanders between the king of England
and the Frenchmen.
Now let us leave somewhat to speak of
the earl of Hainault and of the duke
of Normandy, and speak of the king of
England, who was on the sea to the intent
to arrive in Flanders, and so into Hainault,
to make war against the Frenchmen. This
was on Midsummer-even in the year of our
Lord MCCCXL., all the English fleet was
departed out of the river of Thames and
took the way to Sluys. And the same
time between Blankenberghe and Sluys on
the sea was sir Hugh Quieret, sir Peter
Behuchet and Barbevaire, and more than
sixscore great vessels, beside other ; and
they were of Normans, bidaus, Genoways
and Picards about the number of forty
thousand : there they were laid by the
French king to defend the king of England's
passage. The king of England and his
came sailing till he came before Sluys : and
when he saw so great a number of ships
that their masts seemed to be like a great
wood, he demanded of the master of his
ship what people he thought they were.
He answered and said, * Sir, I think they
be Normans laid here by the French king,
and hath done great displeasure in England,
brent your town of Hampton and taken
your great ship the Christofcr.* *Ah,'
quoth the king, ' I have long desired to
fight with the Frenchmen, and now shall I
fight with some of them by the grace of
God and Saint George ; for truly they have
done me so many displeasures, that I shall be
revenged, an I may.' Then the king set
all his ships in order, the greatest before,
well furnished with archers, and ever
between two ships of archers he had one
ship with men of arms ; and then he made
another battle to lie aloof, with archers, to
comfort ever them that were most weary, if
need were. And there were a great number
of countesses, ladies, knights' wives and
other damosels, that were going to see the
62
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
queen at Gaunt : these ladies the king
caused to be well kept with three hundred
men of arms and five hundred archers.
When the king and his marshals had ordered
his battles, he drew up the sails and came
with a quarter wind to have the vantage
of the sun, and so at last they turned a little
to get the wind at will.^ And when the
Normans saw them recule back, they had
marvel why they did so, and some said,
* They think themselves not meet to meddle
with us, wherefore they will go back.'
They saw well how the king of England
was there personally, by reason of his
banners. Then they did apparel their fleet
in order, for they were sage and good men
of war on the sea, and did set the Christofer,
the which they had won the year before, to
be foremost, with many trumpets and instru-
ments, ^ and so set on their enemies.
There began a sore battle on both parts :
archers and cross-bows began to shoot, and
men of arms approached and fought hand
to hand : and the better to come together
they had great hooks and grappers of iron,
to cast out of one ship into another, and so
tied them fast together. There were many
deeds of arms done, taking and rescuing
again, and at last the great Christofer was
first won by the Englishmen, and all that
were within it taken or slain. Then there
was great noise and cry, and the English-
men approached and fortified the Christofer
with archers, and made him to pass on
before to fight with the Genoways. This
battle was right fierce and terrible ; for the
battles on the sea are more dangerous and
1 The original text says : ' They came with the
wind on their quarter to have the advantage of the
sun, which as they came was in their faces. They
bethought them that this might damage them much,
and therefore they turned a little out of their course
till they had the wind at will.' But the true reading is,
' till they had it {i.e. the sun) at their will.' It must
be supposed that they were coming over before a
west wind, for which they would probably have
waited. On this course they would have the sun
directly in their faces at prime, when the battle
began ; and perceiving this they avoided the dis-
advantage by changing their course, so as to have
the wind on their right quarter and so come in from
the nprth-west instead of directly from the west. To
do this they would have to sail first some little way to
ihe northward, and it was this movement that caused
the Normans to think that they were retiring.
2 In the better text the Christofer is said to be
filled with cross-bowmen and Genoese, and the
'trumpets and instruments' are mentioned only in
general as sounded upon the advance of the fleet.
fiercer than the battles by land : for on the
sea there is no reculing nor fleeing ; there is
no remedy but to fight and to abide fortune,
and every man to shew his prowess. Of a
truth sir Hugh Quieret, and sir Behuchet and
Barbevaire were right good and expert men
of war. This battle endured from the morn-
ing till it was noon, and the Englishmen
endured much pain, for their enemies were
four against one, and all good men on the sea.
There the kingof England was a noble knight
of his own hand ; he was in the flower of
his yongth : in like wise so was the earl of
Derby, Pembroke, Hereford, Huntingdon,
Northampton and Gloucester, sir Raynold
Cobham, sir Richard Stafibrd, the lord
Percy, sir Walter of Manny, sir Henry of
Flanders, sir John Beauchamp, the lord
Felton, the lord Bradestan, sir [John]
Chandos, the lord Delaware, the lord of
Multon, sir Robert d'Artois called earl
of Richmond, and divers other lords and
knights, who bare themselves so valiantly
with some succours that they had of Bruges
and of the country thereabout, that they
obtained the victory ; so that the French-
men, Normans and other were discomfited,
slain and drowned ; there was not one that
scaped, but all were slain.
When this victory was achieved, the king
all that night abode in his ship before
Sluys, with great noise of trumpets and
other instruments. Thither came to see
the king divers of Flanders, such as had
heard of the king's coming. And then the
king demanded of the burgesses of Bruges
how Jaques d'Arteveld did : they answered
that he was gone to the earl of Hainault
against the duke of Normandy with sixty
thousand Flemings. And on the next day,
the which was Midsummer day, the king
and all his took land, and the king on foot
went a pilgrimage to our Lady of Ardem-
bourg, and there heard mass and dined ;
and then took his horse and rode to Gaunt,
where the queen received him with great
joy ; and all his carriage came after, little
and little. Then the king wrote to the
earl of Hainault and to them within the
castle of Thun, certifying them of his
arrival ; and when the earl knew thereof,
and that he had discomfited the army on
the sea, he dislodged and gave leave to all
the soldiers to depart, and took with him
to Valenciennes all the great lords, and
COUNCIL OF VILVORDE
63
there feasted them honourably, and specially
the duke of Brabant and Jaques d'Arteveld.
And there Jaques d'Arteveld openly in the
market-place, in the presence of all the lords
and of all such as would hear him, declared
what right the king of England had to the
crown of France, and also what puissance
the three countries were of, Flanders, Hai-
nault and Brabant, surely joined in one
alliance. And he did so by his great wisdom
and pleasant words, that all people that
heard him praised him much, and said how
he had nobly spoken and by great experience.
And thus he was greatly praised, and it was
said that he was well worthy to govern the
county of Flanders.
Then the lords departed, and promised
to meet again within eight days at Gaunt,
to see the king of England ; and so they
did. And the king feasted them honour-
ably, and so did the queen, who was as
then newly purified of a son called John,
who was after duke of Lancaster by his
wife, daughter to duke Henry of Lancaster.
Then there was a council set to be at
Vilvorde, and a day limited.
CHAPTER LI
How king Robert of Sicily did all that he
might to pacify the kings of France and
England.
When the French king heard how his
army on the sea was discomfited, he dis-
lodged and drew to Arras, and gave leave
to his men to depart till he heard other tid-
ings ; and sent sir Godemar du Fay to
Tournay to see that there lacked nothing.
He feared more the Flemings than any
other, and sent the lord of Beaujeu to Mor-
tagne to keep the frontiers against Hainault:
and he sent many men of war to Saint-
Omer's, to Aire and to Saint-Venant, and
purveyed sufficiently for all the fortresses
fronting on Flanders.
In this season there reigned a king in
Sicily called Robert, who was reputed to be
a great astronomer, and always he warned
the French king and his council, that in no
wise he should fight against the king of
England ; for he said it was given the king
of England to be right fortunate in all his
deeds. This king Robert would gladly
have seen these two kings at a good accord ;
for he loved so much the crown of France,
that he was right sorry to see the desola-
tion thereof. This king of Sicily was at
Avignon with pope Clement and with the
college there, and declared to them the
perils that were likely to fall in the realm
of France by the war between the said two
kings, desiring them that they would help
to find some means to appease them : where-
unto the pope and the cardinals answered
how they would gladly intend thereto, so
that the two kings would hear them.
CHAPTER LII
Of the council that the king of England and
his allies held at Vilvorde.
At this council holden at Vilvorde were
these lords as followeth : the king of Eng-
land, the duke of Brabant, the earl of
Hainault, sir John his uncle, the duke of
Gueldres, the earl of Juliers, the marquis
of Brandebourg, the marquis of Meissen,
the earl of Mons, sir Robert d'Artois, the
lord of Fauquemont, sir William ofDuven-
voorde, the earl of Namur, Jaques d'Arte-
veld, and many other great lords, and of
every good town of Flanders a three or
four personages in manner of a counsel.
There was agreement made between the
three countries, Flanders, Brabant and
Hainault, that from thenceforth each of
them should aid and comfort other in all
cases. And there they made assurance
each to other, that if any of them had to do
with any country, the other two should give
aid, and hereafter if any of them should be
at discord one with another, the third should
set agreement between them : and if he were
not able so to do, then the matter should be
put unto the king of England, in whose
hands this matter was sworn and promised,
and he to agree them. And in confirmation
of love and amity they ordained a law to
run throughout those three countries, the
which was called the law of the companions
or allies.^ And there it was determined
1 This should be : ' They ordained that coins
should be struck to run in all the three countries,
which be called companions or allies.' The trans-
lator has been misled by the expression ' faire une
loys ' (' loys' meaning ' standard of coinage '). In
chap. 29 we are told that Jaques d'Arteveld's attend-
ants had each day * quatre compagnons ou gros de
Flandres' for their wages.
64
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
that the king of England should remove
about Maudlin-tide after, and lay siege to
Tournay ; and there to meet all the said
lords and theirs, with the powers of all the
good towns : and then every man departed
to their own houses, to apparel them in
that behal£
CHAPTER LIII
How the king of England besieged the city
of Tournay with great puissance.
The French king after the departure of
these lords from the council of Vilvorde
he knew the most part of their determina-
tion. Then he sent to Tournay the chief
men of war of all France, as the earl of Eu,
constable of France, the young earl of
Guines his son, the earl of Foix and his
brethren, the earl Aimery of Narbonne,
sir Aymar of Poitiers, sir Geoffrey of Charny,
sir Gerard of Montfaucon, the two mar-
shals, sir Robert Bertrand and sir Matthew
de Trie, the lord of Cayeu, the seneschal
of Poitou, the lord of Chatillon, and sir
John of Landas, and these had with them
valiant knights and squires. They came to
Tournay and found there sir Godemar du
Fay, who was there before. Then they
took regard to the provision of the town,
as well to the victuals as to the artillery and
fortification ; and they caused to be brought
out of the country thereabout wheat, oats
and other provision.
Now let us return to the king of England.
When the time approached that he and his
allies should meet before Tournay, and that
the corn began to ripe, he departed from
Gaunt with seven earls of his country, eight
prelates, twenty-eight bannerets, two hun-
dred knights, four thousand men of arms,
and nine thousand archers, beside footmen.
All his host passed through the town of
Oudenarde, and so passed the river of I'Es-
cault and lodged before Tournay at the gate
called Saint-Martin, the way toward Lille
and Douay. Then anon after came the
duke of Brabant with more than twenty
thousand men, knights, squires and
commons ; and he lodged at the bridge of
Rieux by the river of I'Escault between
the abbey of Saint Nicholas and the gate
Valenciennois. ■■■ Next to him came the earl
1 That IS, the gate leading towards Valenciennes.
of Hainault with a goodly company of his
country, with many of Holland and Zealand ;
and he was lodged between the king and
the duke of Brabant. Then came Jaques
d'Arteveld with more than sixty thousand
Flemings, beside them of Ypres, Pope-
ringhe, Cassel, Bergues ; and they were set
on the other side, as ye shall hear after.
Jaques d'Arteveld lodged at the gate Sainte-
Fontaine : the duke of Gueldres, the earl
of Juliers, the marquis of Brandebourg, the
marquis of Meissen, the earl of Mons, the
earl of Salm, the lord of Fauquemont, sir
Arnold of Baquehem and all the Almains
were lodged on the other side, toward Hai-
nault. Thus the city of Tournay was en-
vironed round about, and every host might
resort each to other, so that none could
issue out without spying.
CHAPTER LIV
SUMMARY.— During the siege of Tour-
nay the earl of Hainault rode into France
and burnt some villages. The Flemings
made assaults on Tournay frotti the river,
but won nothing.
CHAPTER LV
How the Scots won again great part of Scot-
land while the siege was before Tournay.
Now it is to be remembered how sir William
Douglas, son of William Douglas' brother,
who died in Spain, and the earl Patrick,
the earl of Sutherland, sir Robert of Versy,^
sir Simon Eraser and Alexander Ramsay,
they were captains in such part of Scot-
land as was left unwon by the Englishmen.
And they had continued in the forest of
Gedeours the space of seven year, winter
and summer, and as they might they made
war against the Englishmen being there in
garrison. Some time they had good ad-
venture and some time evil : and while the
king of England was at siege before Tour-
nay, the French king sent men of war into
Scotland, and they arrived at Saint John's
1 Kervyn de Lettenhove makes it probable that
this name, which frequently occurs among those of
the leading barons of Scotland, is Froissarl's cor-
ruption of Erskine.
EDINBURGH CASTLE TAKEN, 1341
65
town. And they desired the Scots in the
French king's name, that they would set on
and make such war in the realm of England,
that the king might be fain to return home
to rescue his own realm, and to leave up
the siege at Tournay : and the French king
promised them men and money to aid them
so to do. And so the Scots departed out
of the forest of Gedeours and passed through
Scotland, and won again divers fortresses,
and so passed the town of Berwick and the
river of Tyne, and entered into the country
of Northumberland, the which sometime
was a realm. There they found great plenty
of beasts, and wasted and brent all the
country to Durham : then they returned by
another way, destroying the country. In
this voyage they destroyed more than three
days' journey into the realm of England, and
then returned into Scotland and conquered
again all the fortresses that were holden by
the Englishmen, except the city of Berwick
and three other castles, the which did them
great trouble. They were so strong, that
it would have been hard to have found any
such in any country : the one was Stirling,
another Roxburgh, and the third the chief
of all Scotland, Edinburgh, the which castle
standeth on a high rock, that a man must
rest once or twice or he come to the highest
of the hill ; and captain there was sir
Walter [of Limoges, brother to sir Richard]
Limousin, who had before so valiantly kept
the castle of Thun against the Frenchmen.
So it was that sir William Douglas de-
vised a feat, and discovered his intention
to his companions, to the earl Patrick, to
sir Simon Fraser and to Alexander Ram-
say, and all they agreed together. Then
they took a two hundred of the wild Scots
and entered into the sea, and made pro-
vision of oats, meal, coals and wood ; ^ and
so peaceably they arrived at a port near to
the castle of Edinburgh. And in the night
they armed them and took a ten or twelve
of their company, such as they did trust
best, and did disguise them in poor torn
coats and hats, like poor men of the
country, and charged a twelve small horses
with sacks, some with oats, some with
wheat-meal and some with coals ; and they
did set all their company in a bushment in
1 'De charbon et de feuvre,' but the true reading
is 'de charbon de feuvre,' i.e. charcoal for smiths'
forges {faber).
F
an old destroyed abbey thereby, near to
the foot of the hill. And when the day
began to appear, covertly armed as they
were, they went up the hill with their
merchandise. And when they were in the
mid way, sir William Douglas and sir
Simon Fraser, disguised as they were, went
a little before and came to the porter and
said : ' Sir, in great fear we have brought
hither oats and wheat-meal ; and if ye
have any need thereof, we will sell it to you
good cheap.' ' Marry,' said the porter, * and
we have need thereof; but it is so early,
that I dare not awake the captain nor his
steward. But let them come in and I shall
open the outer gate.' And so they all en-
tered into the gate of the bails : sir William
Douglas saw well how the porter had the
keys in his hands of the great gate of the
castle. Then when the first gate was
opened, as ye have heard, their horses with
carriages entered in ; and the two that
came last, laden with coals, they made
them to fall down on the ground-sill of the
gate, to the intent that the gate should not
be closed again. And then they took the
porter and slew him so peaceably, that he
never spake word. Then they took the
great keys and opened the castle gate :
then sir William Douglas blew a horn and
did cast away their torn coats and laid all
the other sacks overthwart the gate, to the
intent that it should not be shut again.
And when they of the bushment heard the
horn, in all haste they might they mounted
the hill. Then the watchman of the castle
with noise of the horn awoke, and saw
how the people were coming all armed to
the castle-ward. Then he blew his horn
and cried, ' Treason ! treason ! Sirs, arise
and arm you shortly, for yonder be men of
arms approaching to your fortress.' Then
every man arose and armed them and came
to the gate ; but sir William Douglas and
his twelve companions defended so the
gate, that they could not close it : and so
by great valiantness they kept the entry
open, till their bushment came. They
within defended the castle as well as they
might, and hurt divers of them without ;
but sir William and the Scots did so much,
that they conquered the fortress, and "all the
Englishmen within slain, except the captain
and six other squires. So the Scots tarried
there all that day, and made a knight of
66
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
the country captain there, called Shuon
Wisbey, and with him divers other of the
country. These tidings came to the king
of England before Tournay.
CHAPTER LVI
Of the great host that the French king
assembled to raise the siege before Tournay.
Ye have heard before how the king of
England had besieged the city of Tournay
with more than six score thousand men of
arms,- with the Flemings. And because
the victuals within the city began to minish,
the French lords within caused to avoid
out of the town all manner of poor people,
such as were not furnished to abide the
adventure of the siege. They were put
out in the open day, and they passed
through the duke of Brabant's host, who
shewed them grace, for he caused them to
be safely brought to the French host at
Arras, whereas the king lay. And there
he made a great assembly of men of his
own country and part out of the Empire.^
Thither came to him the king of Bohemia,
the duke of Lorraine, the earl of Bar, the
bishop of Metz and of Verdun, the earl of
Montbeliard, sir John of Chalons, the earl
of Geneva, the earl of Savoy and the lord
Louis of Savoy his brother. All these
lords came to serve the French king with
all their powers. Also thither came the
duke of Bretayne, the duke of Burgoyne,
the duke of Bourbon, the earl of Alen^on,
the earl of Flanders, the earl Forez, the
earl Arniagnac, the earl of Blois, sir
Charles of Blois, the earl of Harcourt,
the earl Dammartin, the lord Coucy, and
divers other lords and knights. And after
came the king of Navarre with a goodly
number of men of war out of the country
in France that he held of the French king,
and thereby he came to serve him : also
there was the king of Scots with a certain
number appointed to him.
CHAPTERS LVII, LVIH
SUMMARY. — The king of France with
his army moved up from Arras towards
1 The person spoken of is of course king Philip,
Taut the translator has made the passage obscure by
omissions.
Tournay. Two German knights of the
garrison of Bouchain riding abroad with
five - and - twenty spears routed and ^ dis-
trussed' certain French soldiers of Mortagne,
who were returning with booty.
Sir William de Bailleul and sir Wa-
flard de la Croix with a body of Hainaulters
crossed the Pont-h- Tressin and attacked the
French encampment. They were routed^
chiefly by sir Robert de Bailleul, brother of
sir William ; and sir Waflard de la Croix
being taken prisoner "Jvas put to death by the
men of Lille.
CHAPTER LIX
How the earl of Hainault assailed the for-
tress of Mortagne in Picardy by divers
manners.
Of this deed that sir Robert Bailleul had
done the French king was right joyous.
And within a season after the earl of
Hainault, sir John his uncle, and the
seneschal of Hainault with a six hundred
spears, Hainowes and Almains, departed
from the siege of Tournay. And the earl
sent to them of Valenciennes, that they
should come and meet with him before
Mortagne, and to come between le Scarpe
and I'Escault to assail Mortagne. And
they came thither in great array, and
brought with them great engines. The
lord of Beaujeu, who was captain within
Mortagne, greatly doubted assaulting, be-
cause the fortress stood near to the river
and near to Hainault, as on all parts :
therefore he caused twelve hundred piles to
be driven in the river, to the intent that
no passage should be that way. Howbeit
for all that, the earl of Hainault and the
Hainowes came thither on the one side,
and they of Valenciennes on the other part,
and incontinent they made an assault and
approached the barriers ; but there were
such deep trenches, that they could not
come near. Then some advised to pass
the river of le Scarpe, and so to come on the
side toward Saint-Amand, and to make an
assault at the gate toward Maulde ; and as
they devised, a four hundred passed the river.
So then Mortagne was closed in three
parts ; the weakest side was toward Maulde ;
howbeit there was strength enough. To
EVENTS DURING THE SIEGE OF TOUR NAY
67
that part came the lord Beaujeu himself to
defend it, for he feared none of the other
sides. He had in his hand a great glaive,
sharp and well steeled, and above the blade
there was a sharp hook of steel, that when
he gave his stroke, the hook should take
hold ; and look, on whom that it fastened,
he came to him or else fell in the water : by
that means the same day he cast into the
water more than twelve, at that gate the
assault was fiercest. The earl of Hainault,
who was on the other side, knew nothing
of that assault : he was arranged along the
river side of I'Escault and devised how
they might get out of the river the piles by
force or by subtilty ; for then they might
come just to the walls. They ordained to
make a ship and a great engine to draw out
the piles, each one after other : their car-
penters were set awork and the engine
made in a ship ; and the same day they of
Valenciennes raised on their side a great
engine and did cast in stones, so that it sore
troubled them within. Thus the first day
passed and the night in assailing and de-
vising how they might grieve them in the
fortress ; the next day they went to assault
on all parts ; and the third day the ship
was ready and the engine to draw out the
piles, and then did set awork to draw them
out ; but there were so many and such
labour in the doing, or they could draw
out one, that they were weary of that craft,
and the lords would they had never begun
it, and so commanded to cease their work.
On the other part within Mortagne there
was a cunning master in making of engines,
who saw well how the engine of Valen-
ciennes did greatly grieve them. He raised
an engine in the castle, the which was not
very great, but he trimmed it to a point ; ^
and he cast therewith but three times ; the
first stone fell a twelve foot from the
engine without, the second fell nearer, and
the third stone hit so even that it brake
clean asunder the shaft of the engine with-
out. Then the soldiers of Mortagne made
a great shout. So thus the Hainowes could
get nothing there. Then the earl said how
he would withdraw and go again to the
siege of Tournay : and so they did, and
they of Valenciennes returned to their
town.
1 ' L'attempra bien et a point ' : that is, he ad-
justed it to a nicety.
CHAPTERS LX, LXI
SUMMARY.— The earl of Hainault ap-
pointed the men of Valenciennes to meet him
before Saint- Amand. When they arrived^
they attacked the fortress without success and
were mocked by those within, who said,
* Go away and drink your good ale ! ' ^
They departed a7id next day the earl came
from Tourftay and took the town by batter-
ing down part of the abbey walls.
Another day the earl entered France and
burnt the abbey of Marchiennes.
Meanwhile the siege of Tournay continued,
and some said the duke of Brabant allowed
victuals to pass into the town.
In an attack on the French camp by
certain knights of Almaine and Hainault
the lord Charles of Montmorency was taken
prisoner.
CHAPTER LXn
How the Flemings were before Saint-Omer's
during the siege.
Now let us shew of an adventure that fell
to the Flemings, of the which company
there were captains sir Robert d'Artois
and sir Henry of Flanders. They were in
number a forty thousand, what of the towns
of Ypres, Poperinghe, Messines, Cassel
and of the chatelainy of Bergues ; all these
Flemings lay in the vale of Cassel in tents
and pavilions, to counter - garrison the
French garrisons, that the French king had
laid at Saint-Omer's, at Aire, at Saint-
Venant and in other towns and fortresses
thereabout. And in Saint-Omer's there
was the earl Dolphin of Auvergne, the
lord of Chalen9on, the lord of Montaigu,
the lord of Rochfort, the viscount of
Thouars, and divers other knights of
Auvergne and Limousin. And in Aire
and Saint -Venant there were also many
soldiers, and oftentimes they issued out and
skirmished with the Flemings.
On a day four thousand ^ went to the
suburbs of Saint-Omer's and brake down
1 ' Allez boire vostre god-ale, allez ! ' a scoffing
allusion to their alliance with the English.
2 That is, of the Flemings ; but the better reading
is 'environ troi mille.'
68
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
divers houses and robbed them. The fray
anon was known in the town, and the lords
within armed them and their company and
issued out at another gate. They were a
six banners and a two hundred men of arms
and a six hundred footmen, and they came
by a secret way on the Flemings, who were
busy to rob and pill the town of Arques
near to Saint -Omer's. There they were
spread abroad without captain or good
order : then the Frenchmen came on them
in good order of battle, their banners dis-
played, crying, ' Clermont ! the Dolphin
of Auvergne ! ' wherewith the Flemings
were abashed and beaten down by heaps ;
and the chase of them endured two leagues,
and there were slain a four thousand and
eight hundred,^ and a four hundred taken
prisoners and led to Saint -Omer's. And
such as fled and scaped returned to the
host and shewed their companions their
adventure : and at last tidings thereof came
to their captains, sir Robert d'Artois and
sir Henry of Flanders, who said it was
well employed, for they went forth without
commandment or captain.
And the same night, or it was midnight,
the Flemings lying in their tents asleep,
suddenly generally among them all there
fell such a fear in their hearts, that they
rose in great haste and with such pain, that
they thought not to be dislodged time
enough. They beat down their own tents
and pavilions and trussed all their carriages,
and so fled away, not abiding one for
another, without keeping of any right way.
When these tidings came to their two
captains, they rose hastily and made great
fires, and took torches and mounted on
their horses, and so came to these Flemings
and said : * Sirs, what aileth you ? Do you
want anything? Why do you thus fly
away ? Be you not well assured ? Return
in the name of God ! Ye be to blame thus
to fly, and no man chase you.' But for all
their words every man fled the next way to
their own houses. And when these lords
saw none other remedy, they trussed all
their harness in waggons and returned to
the host before Tournay, and there shewed
the adventure of the Flemings, whereof
every man had marvel : some said they M^ere
overcome with fantasies.
1 The better reading is, ' of the three thousand
there were slain eighteen hundred.'
CHAPTER LXIH
How the siege before Tournay was broken
up by reason of a truce.
This siege endured a long season, the space
of eleven weeks three days less ; and all
that season the lady Jane of Valois, sister
to the French king and mother to the earl
of Hainault, travailed greatly, what on the
one part and on the other, to have a respite
and a peace between the parties, so that
they might depart without battle. And
divers times she kneeled at the feet of the
French king in that behalf, and also made
great labour to the lords of the Empire, and
specially to the duke of Brabant and to the
duke of Juliers, who had her daughter in
marriage, and also to sir John of Hainault.
So much the good lady procured with the
aid and counsel of Louis d'Agimont, who
was well beloved with both parties, that it
was granted that each party should send
four sufficient persons to treat on some good
way to accord the parties, and a truce for
three days : these appointers should meet
in a little chapel standing in the fields called
Esplechin. At the day appointed these
persons met, and the good lady with them :
of the French party there was Charles king
of Bohemia, Charles earl d'Alen9on, brother
to the French king, and the bishop of
Liege, the earl of Flanders and the earl
of Armagnac. Of the English party there
was tlie duke of Brabant, the bishop of
Lincoln, the duke of Gueldres, the duke
of Juliers and sir John of Hainault. And
when they were all met, they made each to
other great salutations and good cheer, and
then entered into their treaty. And all
that day they communed on divers ways of
accord, and always the good lady of Valois-
was among them, desiring affectuously all'j
the parties, that they would do their labour,
to make a peace. Howbeit the first day]
passed without anything doing, and so theyj
returned and promised to meet again the]
next day ; the which day they came together
again in the same place and so fell again
into their treaty, and so fell unto certain
points agreeable ; but it was as then so
late, that they could not put it in writing as
that day ; and to make an end and to make
perfect the matter if they might, the third
THE SIEGE OF TOURNAY RAISED, 1340
69
day they met again, and so finally accorded
on a truce to endure for a year between all
parties and all their men, and also between
them that were in Scotland, and all such as
made war in Gascoyne, Poitou and in
Saintonge ; and this truce to begin the
fortieth day next ensuing, and within that
space every party to give knowledge to his
men without mal-engine ; and if such com-
panies will not keep the peace, let them be
at their choice : but as for France, Picardy,
Burgoyne, Bretayne and Normandy, to be
bound to this peace without any exception :
and this peace to begin incontinent between
the hosts of the two kings. Also it was
determined that both parties in each of their
names should send four or five personages
as their ambassadors and to meet at Arras,
and the pope in like wise to send thither
four, and there to make a full confirmation
without any mean.^ Also by this truce
every party to enjoy and possess all and
everything that they were as then in posses-
sion of.
This truce incontinent was cried in both
hosts, whereof the Brabances were right
glad, for they were sore weary with so long
lying at the siege : so that the next day, as
soon as it was daylight, ye should have seen
tents taken down, chariots charged and
people remove so thick, that a man would
have thought to have seen a new world.
Thus the good town of Tournay was safe
without any great damage : howbeit they
within endured great pain ; their victuals
began to fail, for, as it was said, they had
as then scant to serve them a three or four
days at the most. The Brabances departed
quickly, for they had great desire thereto :
the king of England departed sore against
his mind, if he might have done otherwise ;
but in manner he was fain to follow the
wills of the other lords and to believe their
counsels. And the French king could
abide no longer thereas he lay, for the evil
air and the weather hot : so the Frenchmen
had the honour of that journey,- because
they had rescued Tournay and caused their
enemies to depart. The king of England
and the lords on his party said how they
had the honour, by reason that they had
1 ' And that which these parties should ordain,
the two kings should hold and confirm without any
exception taken.'
■^ 'And so the Frenchmen thought on their part
that they had the honour,' etc.
tarried so long within the realm, and
besieged one of the good towns thereof,
and also had wasted and burnt in the
French country, and that the French king
had not rescued it in time and hour, as he
ought to have done, by giving of battle,
and finally agreed to a truce, their enemies
being still at the siege and brenning his
country.
Thus these lords departed from the siege
of Tournay, and every man drew to his own.
The king of England came to Gaunt to the
queen his wife, and shortly after passed the
sea, and all his, except such as should be at
the parliament at Arras. The earl of Hai-
nault returned to his country and held a
noble feast at Mons in liainault, and a
great joust, in the which Gerard of
Werchin, seneschal of Hainault, did joust,
and was so sore hurt, that he died of the
stroke : he had a son called John, who was
after a good knight and a hardy, but he
was but a while in good health. The
French king gave leave to every man to
depart, and went himself to Lille, and
thither came they of Tournay, and the
king received them joyously and did shew
them great grace : he gave them freely their
franchise, the which they had lost long
before, wherewith they were joyous ; for
sir Godemar du Fay and divers other knights
had been long governours there : then they
made new provost and j urates according to
their ancient usages. Then the king de-
parted from Lille to go to Paris.
Now then came the season that the
council should be at Arras : and for pope
Clement thither came in legation the
cardinal of Naples and the cardinal of
Clermont, who came to Paris, whereas the
king made them mucli honour, and so
came to Arras : for the French king there
was the earl of Alen9on, the duke of
Bourbon, the earl of Flanders, the earl
of Blois, the archbishop of Sens, the bishop
of Beauvais and the bishop of Auxerre :
and for the king of England there was the
bishop of Lincoln, the bishop of Durham,
the earl of Warwick, sir Robert d'Artois,
sir John of Hainault and sir Henry of
Flanders. At the which treaty there were
many matters put forth, and so continued
a fifteen days and agreed of no point of
effect. For the Enghshmen demanded,
and the Frenchmen would nothing give,
70
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
but all only to render the county of Pon-
thieu, the which was given with queen
Isabel in marriage with the king of
England. So this parliament brake up
and nothing done, but the truce to be
relonged two years longer : that was all
that the cardinals could get. Then every
man departed, and the two cardinals went
through Hainault at the desire of the earl,
who feasted them nobly.
CHAPTER LXIV
Now speaketh the history of the wars of
Bretayne. and how the duke died without
heir, whereby the dissension fell.
When that this said truce was agreed and
sealed before the city of Tournay, every
lord and all manner of people dislodged,
and every man drew into his own country.
The duke of Bretayne, who had been there
with the French king, as well furnished as
any other prince that was there, departed
homeward ; and in his way a sickness took
him, so that he died : at which time he had
no child, nor had never none, by the
duchess, nor had no trust to have. He
had a brother by the father's side called
earl of Montfort, who was as then living,
and he had to his wife [the] sister to the
earl Louis of Flanders. This said duke
had another brother, both by father and
mother, who was as then dead ; and he
had a daughter alive, and the duke her
uncle had married her to the lord Charles
of Blois, eldest son of the earl Guy of
Blois, that the same earl had by the sister
of king Philip of France, who as then
reigned, and had promised with her in
marriage the duchy of Bretayne after his
decease. For he doubted that the earl
Montfort would claim the inheritance as
next of blood, and yet he was not his
proper brother - german, and the duke
thought that the daughter of his brother-
german ought by reason to be more near
to the inheritance after his decease than
the earl Montfort his brother. And be-
cause he feared that after his decease the
earl of Montfort would take away the
right from his young niece, therefor
married her with the said sir C'
Blois, to the intent that king Phj^IiOl^cle
to her husband, should aid to keep her
right against the earl Montfort, if he
meddle anything in the matter.
As soon as the earl Montfort knew
that the duke his brother was dead, he
went incontinent to Nantes, the sovereign
city of all Bretayne ; and he did so much
to the burgesses and to the people of the
country thereabout, that he was received
as their chief lord, as most next of blood to
his brother deceased, and so did to him
homage and fealty. Then he and his wife,
who had both the hearts of a lion, deter-
mined with their counsel to call a court
and to keep a solemn feast at Nantes at a
day limited, against the which day they
sent for all the nobles and counsels of the
good towns of Bretayne, to be there to do
their homage and fealty to him as to their
sovereign lord.
In the mean season, or this feast began,
the earl Montfort with a great number of
men of war departed from Nantes and
went to Limoges ; ^ for he was informed
that the treasure that his father ^ had
gathered many a day before was there kept
secret. When he came there he entered
into the city with great triumph, and did
him much honour, and was nobly received
of the burgesses, of the clergy and of the
commons, and they all did him fealty as to
their sovereign lord ; and by such means
as he found, that great treasure was
delivered to him : and when he had tarried
there at his pleasure, he departed with all
his treasure and came to Nantes to the
countess his wife. And so there they
tarried in great joy till the day came of the
feast, and made great provisions against the
same. And when the day came and no
man appeared for no commandment except
one knight, called sir Herve de Leon, a noble
and a puissant man ; so they kept the feast a
three days as well as they might with such
as were there. Then it was determined to
retain soldiers a-horseback and afoot, and so
to dispend his great treasure to attain to his
purpose of the duchy and to constrain all
rebels to come to mercy. So soldiers were
retained on all sides and largely paid, so that
they had a great number afoot and a-horse-
back, nobles and other of divers countries.
?he late duke of Brittany had been viscount of
by right of his first wife,
true reading is ' frere.'
WA/? IN BRITTANY, 1341
71
CHAPTER LXV
How the earl of Montfort took the town and
castle of Brest.
CHAPTER LXVI
How the earl of Montfort took the city of
Rennes.
CHAPTER LXVn
How the earl Montfort took the town and
castle of Hennebont.
SUMMAR V. — TAe earl of Montfort re-
ceived the surrender of Hennebont, Vannes,
Auray and other places, several being gained
by the influence of Hervi de Leon,
CHAPTER LXVni
How the earl Montfort did homage to the king
of England for the duchy of Bretayne.
SUMMAR Y. — The earl of Montfort passed
over to England a7id catne to Windsor, where
he was well received by the king and
queen. He offered to do homage for the
duchy of Brittany, fearing that the French
king would support Charles of Blois. The
king of England thought that he might more
profitably enter France from Brittany than
from Flanders, and accepted the homage,
promising to defend hi?n against every man,
the French king or other. The earl then
returned to Brittany.
CHAPTER LXIX
How the earl Montfort was summoned to
be at the parliament of Paris at the request
of the lord Charles of Blois.
SUMMARY.— Sir Charles of Blois, con-
ceiving himself to be the rightful inheritor
of Brittany by reason of his wife, came to
Paris and complained to king Philip against
the earl of Montfort. Philip summoned the
earl to Paris, and he came with some four
hundred horse. He appeared before the
king and the peers of France, and denied
having done homage to Edward III. for the
duchy of Brittany, but maintained his pre-
tensions, submitting at the same time to the
judgment of the king. He was ordered not
to quit Paris for fifteen days and promised
to obey, but when he returned to his lodging
he * sat and imagined many doubts,^ and
finally left Paris secretly and returned to
Brittany.
CHAPTER LXX
How the duchy of Bretayne was judged to
sir Charles of Blois.
SUMMARY. — The French king was dis-
pleased when he knew that the earl of
Montfort was so departed. When the day
came for judgment to be given, the peers and
great barons decided that the duchy of Brit-
tany belonged clearly to the wife of Charles
de Blois. Sir Charles of Blois desired his
cousin the duke of Normandy, his uncle the
earl of Alenfon, with the duke of Burgundy,
the duke of Bourbon and other lords present,
to go with him into Brittany, and they
departed to make them ready.
CHAPTER LXXI
The lords of France that entered into
Bretayne with sir Charles of Blois,
SUMMARY — The lords who have been
mentioned assembled at Angers and pro-
ceeded to Ancenis, and so entered Brittany
and took Champtoceaux. They then went
towards Nantes, where the earl of Montfort
was, and laid siege to it.
Skirmishes occurred divers times at the
barriers, and on one occasion the men of the
city commanded by Herve de Leon suffered
heavy loss. Herve de Leon was blamed by
the earl and was much displeased thereby.
72
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
CHAPTER LXXII
How the earl Montfort was taken at Nantes,
and how he died.
As I heard reported, there were certain
burgesses of the city saw how their goods
went to waste both without and within,
and had of their children and friends in
prison, and doubted that worse should
come to them after ; then they advised and
spake together secretly, so that finally they
concluded to treat with the lords of France,
so that they might come to have peace and
to have their children and friends clearly
delivered out of prison. They made this
treaty so secretly, that at last it was agreed
that they should have all the prisoners
delivered and they to set open one of the
gates, that the French lords might enter to
take the earl of Montfort in the castle,
without doing of any manner of hurt to the
city or to the inhabitants or goods therein.
Some said this was purchased by the means
and agreement of sir Herve de Leon, who
had been before one of the earl's chief
counsellors. Thus as it was devised, so it
was done : in a morning the French lords
entered and went straight to the castle and
brake open the gates, and there took the
earl of Montfort prisoner and led him clean
out of the city into their field, without doing
of any more hurt in the city. This was the
year of our Lord God MCCCXLI., about the
feast of All Saints.
Then the lords of France entered into
the city with great joy ; and all the bur-
gesses and other did fealty and homage to
the lord Charles of Blois as to their right
sovereign lord ; and there they tarried a three
days in great feast. Then sir Charles of
Blois was counselled to abide there about
the city of Nantes till the next summer ;
and so he did, and set captains in such
garrisons as he had won. Then the other
lords went to Paris to the king and de-
livered him the earl of Montfort as prisoner.
The king set him in the castle of Louvre,
whereas he was long, and at last, as I
heard reported, there he died.
Now let us speak of the countess his
wife, who had the courage of a man and
the heart of a lion. She was in the city of
Rennes when her lord was taken, and how-
beit that she had great sorrow at her heart,
yet she valiantly recomforted her friends
and soldiers, and shewed them a little son
that she had, called John, and said : ' Ah !
sirs, be not too sore abashed of the earl my
lord, whom we have lost : he was but a man.
See here my little child, who shall be by the
grace of God his restorer, and he shall do
for you all ; and, I have riches enough ; ye
shall not lack ; and I trust I shall purchase
for such a captain, that ye shall be all re-
comforted. ' When she had thus comforted
her friends and soldiers in Rennes, then
she went to all her other fortresses and
good towns, and led ever with her John her
young son, and did to them as she did at
Rennes, and fortified all her garrisons of
everything that they wanted, and paid
largely and gave freely, whereas she
thought it well employed. Then she
went to Hennebont, and there she and her
son tarried all that winter. Oftentimes
she sent to visit her garrisons, and paid every
mqn full well and truly their wages.
CHAPTER LXXni
How the king of England the third time
made war on the Scots.
SUMMARY.— The Scots had taken again
divers fortresses from the English, and
had laid siege to Stirling. So soon as
Edward returned, he rode towards Scotland
and assembled his army at York. The
Scots assaulted Stirling with more urgency
and compelled the garrison to surrender.
Edxvard moved on to A^ewcastle-upon-Tyne,
where he ivas much in want of provisions,
because his ships we7'e scattered by tempest
and now winter was at hand. The Scots,
being but fezu and without a head, sent to
make a truce with Edwa7'd ; and it ivas
agreed that they should send messengers to
king David, and if he came not to defend
his realm within the month of May follow-
ing, they should yield them to the king of
England. The king of England returned
and disbanded his host.
Meajtwhile, without knowing of these
messengers, king David -set sail from
France and landed in Scotland.
WAJi WITH THE SCOTS, 1341
73
CHAPTER LXXIV
How king David of Scotland came with a
great host to Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
SUMMARY.— King David was received
with great joy and gathered a great host.
They marched into England, leaving Rox-
burgh and Berwick aside, and came to
Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Here an attack was
made upon them from the town and the earl
of Moray was taken prisoner. The Scots
assaulted the toivn to no purpose.
CHAPTER LXXV
How king David of Scotland destroyed the
city of Durham.
SUMMARY.— The Scots left Newcastle
and came to Durham, mad at having lost
the earl of Moray. Sir John Nevill, cap-
tain at Newcastle, rode within five days
from thence to Chertsey, where the king lay,
and brought a report of the Scots. The
king ordered a general levy to defend the
realm, and himself hastened northward.
Meanwhile the Scots took Durham by
assault and destroyed it utterly, with the
churches, putting to death men, women and
children, and not sparing monks, prelates or
canons.
CHAPTER LXXVI
How the Scots besieged a castle of the earl
of Salisbury's.
SUMMARY. — King David drew toxvard
Carlisle and passed by a castle of the
earl of Salisbtiry's,^ whereof sir William
Montague, nephew to the earl of Salisbury,
was captain. This sir William Montague
attacked the rear -guard of the Scots and
carried off some of their phmder, wherefore
an assault was made on the castle. There
was within the noble cotintess of Salisbury,
who was reptited for the sage st and fairest
lady of all England. Her husband, as %ve
have heard, had been taken prisoner before
1 Probably Wark castle, but the whole of this
narrative is very unhistorical.
Lille in France. This lady comforted
them greatly within, 'for by the regard of
such a lady and by her szveet comforting a
?iian ought to be worth two men at need.^
After the first day it was proposed to send
for aid to king Edward, who lay at York,
atui sir William Montague himself offered
to ride thither, and passed through the host
of the Scots by night. After several days of
fruitless assaults the king of Scots was ad-
vised to depart, for fear lest the king of Eng-
land should come thither, and the Scots
retired to the forest of Jedworth.
CHAPTER LXXVH
How the king of England was in amours
with the countess of Salisbury.
The same day that the Scots departed
from the said castle, king Edward came
thither with all his host about noon, and
came to the same place whereas the Scots
had lodged, and was sore displeased that
he found not the Scots there, for he came
thither in such haste, that his horse and
men were sore travailed. Then he com-
manded to lodge there that night, and said
how he would go see the castle and the
noble lady therein, for he had not seen her
sith she was married before : then every
man took his lodging as he list. And as
soon as the king was unarmed, he took a
ten or twelve knights with him and went
to the castle, to salute the countess of
Salisbury and to see the manner of the
assaults of the Scots and the defence that
was made against them.
As soon as the lady knew of the
king's coming, she set open the gates and
came out so richly beseen, that every man
marvelled of her beauty and could not cease
to regard her nobleness, with her great
beauty and the gracious words and coun-
tenance that she made. When she came
to the king, she kneeled down to the earth,
thanking him of his succours, and so led
him into the castle to make him cheer and
honour, as she that could right well do it.
Every man regarded her marvellously : the
king himself could not withhold his regard-
ing of her ; for he thought that he never
saw before so noble nor so fair a lady.
He was stricken therewith to the heart
74
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
with a sparkle of fine love that endured
long after : he thought no lady in the world
so worthy to be beloved as she. Thus they
entered into the castle hand in hand : the
lady led him first into the hall and after
into the chamber, nobly apparelled. The
king regarded so the lady, that she was
abashed : at last he went to a window to
rest him, and so fell in a great study.
The lady went about to make cheer to
the lords and knights that were there, and
commanded to dress the hall for dinner.
When she had all devised and commanded,
then she came to the king with a merry
cheer, who was in a great study, and she
said : * Dear sir, why do ye study so for ?
Your grace not displeased, it appertaineth
not to you so to do. Rather ye should
make good cheer and be joyful, seeing ye
have chased away your enemies, who durst
not abide you. Let other men study for
the remnant. ' Then the king said : ' Ah !
dear lady, know for truth that sith I entered
into the castle, there is a study come to
my mind, so that I cannot choose but to
muse ; nor I cannot tell what shall fall
thereof: put it out of my heart I cannot.'
' Ah, sir,' quoth the lady, ' ye ought always
to make good cheer to comfort therewith
your people. God hath aided you so in
your business, and hath given you so great
graces, that ye be the most doubted and
honoured prince in all Christendom ; and
if the king of Scots have done you any
despite or damage, ye may well amend it
when it shall please you, as ye have done
divers times or this. Sir, leave your musing
and come into the hall, if it please you :
your dinner is all ready.' ' Ah ! fair lady,'
quoth the king, * other things lieth at my
heart, that ye know not of : but surely the
sweet behaving, the perfect wisdom, the
good grace, nobleness and excellent beauty,
that I see in you, hath so sore surprised
my heart, that I cannot but love you, and
without your love I am but dead.' Then
the lady said : ' Ah, right noble prince, for
God's sake mock nor tempt me not. I
cannot believe that it is true that ye say,
nor that so noble a prince as ye be would
think to dishonour me and my lord my
husband, who is so valiant a knight and
hath done your grace so good service, and
as yet lieth in prison for your quarrel.
Certainly, sir, ye should in this case have
but a small praise, and nothing the better
thereby. I had never as yet such a
thought in my heart, nor I trust in God
never shall have, for no man living. If
I had any such intention, your grace ought
not all only to blame me, but also to punish
my body, yea and by true justice to be
dismembered. ' ^
Therewith the lady departed from the
king and went into the hall to haste the
dinner. Then she returned again to the
king and brought some of his knights with
her, and said : ' Sir, if it please you to
come into the hall, your knights abideth
for you to wash : ye have been too long
fasting.' Then the king went into the
hall and washed, and sat down among
his lords, and the lady also. The king
ate but little ; he sat still musing, and as
he durst he cast his eyen upon the lady.
Of his sadness his knights had marvel, for
he was not accustomed so to be. Some
thought it was because the Scots were
scaped from him.^
All that day the king tarried there and
wist not what to do. Sometime he imagined
that honour and truth defended him to set
his heart in such a case, to dishonour such
a lady and so true a knight as her husband
was, who had always well and truly served
him. On the other part love so constrained
him, that the power thereof surmounted
honour and truth. Thus the king debated
in himself all that day and all that night.
In the morning he arose and dislodged all
his host and drew after the Scots, to chase
them out of his realm. Then he took
leave of the lady, saying, * My dear lady,
to God I commend you till I return again,
requiring you to advise you otherwise than
you have said to me. ' ' Noble prince, ' quoth
the lady, ' God the Father glorious be
your conduct, and put you out of all villain
thoughts. Sir, I am and ever shall be
ready to do your grace service to your
honour and to mine.' Therewith the king
departed all abashed ; and so followed the
Scots till he came to the city of Berwick,
and went and lodged within four leagues
of the forest of Gedeours, whereas king
1 ' Mon corps punlr, justlcier et desmembrer.'
2 The celebrated game of chess, in which the
king purposely loses a valuable ring to the countess,
which she sends back to him on his departure, is
only found in the (so-called) first redaction.
tVAR IN BRITTANY, 1342
75
David and all his company were entered,
in trust of the great wilderness. The king
of England tarried there a three days, to
see if the Scots would issue out to fight
with him. In these three days there were
divers skirmishes on both parties, and
divers slain, taken and sore hurt among
the Scots. Sir William Douglas was he
that did most trouble to the Englishmen :
he bare azure, a comble silver, three stars
gules.
CHAPTER LXXVIII
How the earl of Salisbury and the earl
Moray were delivered out of prison by
exchange.
In these said three days there were noble-
men on both parties that treated for a peace
to be had between these two kings ; and
their treaty took such effect, that a truce
was agreed, to endure two year, so that
the French king would thereto agree ; for
the king of Scots was so sore allied to the
French king, that he might take no peace
without his consent. And if so be the
French king would not agree to the peace,
then the truce to endure to the first day of
May following. And it was agreed that
the earl of Moray should be quit for his
prisonment, if the king of Scots could
do so much, to purchase with the French
king that the earl of Salisbury might in
like manner be quit out of prison ; the
which thing should be done before the
feast of Saint John Baptist next after.
The king of England agreed the sooner
to this truce, because he had war in France,
in Gascoyne, in Poitou, in Saintonge, in
Bretayne ; and in every place he had men
of war at his wages. Then the king of
Scots sent great messengers to the French
king, to agree to this truce. The French
king was content, seeing it was the desire
of the king of Scots. Then the earl of
Salisbury was sent into England, and the
king of England sent incontinent the earl
Moray into Scotland.
CHAPTER LXXIX
How sir Charles de Blois with divers lords
of France took the city of Rennes in
Bretayne.
SUMMARY.— Sir Charles of Blois re-
mained at Nantes for the winter, and then
laid siege to Rennes. The countess of Mont -
fort, who was at Hennebont, sent to get help
from the king of England, who sent sir
Walter of Manny with a body of men of
arms and three thousand archers, but they
were detained for sixty days on their passage
by contrary winds. Meanwhile the burgesses
of Rennes yielded up their town in the
beginning of May MCCCXLII.
CHAPTER LXXX
How sir Charles de Blois besieged the
countess of Montfort in Hennebont,
When the city of Rennes was given up,
the burgesses made their homage and fealty
to the lord Charles of Blois. Then he was
counselled to go and lay siege to Henne-
bont, whereas the countess was, saying that
the earl being in prison, if they might get
the countess and her son, it should make an
end of all their war. Then they went all
to Hennebont and laid siege thereto, and
to the castle also, as far as they might by
land. With the countess in Hennebont
there was the bishop of Leon in Bretayne,
also there was sir Ives of Tresiguidy, the
lord of Landemau, sir WiUiam of Cadoudal,
and the chatelain of Guingamp, the two
brethren of Quirich, sir Henry and sir Oliver
of Spinefort, and divers other. When the
countess and her company understood that
the Frenchmen were coming to lay siege to
the town of Hennebont, then it was com-
manded to sound the watch-bell alarm, and
every man to be armed and draw to their
defence.
When sir Charles and the Frenchmen
came near to the town, they commanded to
lodge there that night. Some of the young
lusty companions came skirmishing to the
barriers, and some of them within issued out
to them, so that there was a great affray 5
but the Genoways and Frenchmen lost more
76
THE CHRONICLES OF FRO IBS ART
than they won. When night came on,
every man drew to their lodging. The next
day the lords took counsel to assail the
barriers, to see the manner of them within ;
and so the third day they made a great
assault to the barriers from morning till it
was noon. Then the assailants drew aback
sore beaten and divers slain. When the
lords of France saw their men draw aback,
they were sore displeased, and caused the
assault to begin again more fiercer than it
was before, and they within defended them-
selves valiantly. The countess herself ware
harness on her body and rode on a great
courser from street to street, desiring her
people to make good defence, and she
caused damosels and other women to cut
short their kirtles and to carry stones ^ and
pots full of chalk to the walls, to be cast
down to their enemies.
This lady did there an hardy enterprise.
She mounted up to the height of a tower,
to see how the Frenchmen were ordered
without : she saw how that all the lords and
all other people of the host were all gone
out of their field to the assault : then she
took again her courser, armed as she was,
and caused three hundred men a-horseback
to be ready, and she went with them to
another gate, whereas there was none
assault. She issued out and her com-
pany, and dashed into the French lodgings,
and cut down tents and set fire in their
lodgings : she found no defence there, but
a certain of varlets and boys, who ran away.
When the lords of France looked behind
them and saw their lodgings afire and heard
the cry and noise there, they returned to
the field ci'ying, ' Treason ! treason ! ' so
that all the assault was left.
When the countess saw that, she drew
together her company, and when she saw
she could not enter again into the town
without great damage, she took another
way and went to the castle of Brest, the
which was not far thence. When sir Louis
of Spain, who was marshal of the host, was
1 A curious mistranslation. Froissart says : ' She
made the women of the town, ladies and other,
take up the pavement of the streets (despecer les
chaussees) and carry stones to the battlements to
cast upon their enemies.' The translator has
confused ' chaussees' and ' chausses,' and so got the
idea of cutting short the kirtles. In the next clause
'chalk' is his translation of ' chaulx vive,' 'quick-
lime. '
come to the field, and saw their lodgings
brenning and saw the countess and her
company going away, he followed after her
with a great number. He chased her so
near, that he slew and hurt divers of them
that were behind, evil horsed, but the
countess and the most part of her company
rode so well that they came to Brest, and
there they were received with great joy.
The next day the lords of France, who
had lost their tents and their provisions, then
took counsel to lodge in bowers of trees
more nearer to the town ; and they had
great marvel when they knew that the
countess herself had done that enterprise.
They of the town wist not where the
countess was become, whereof they were in
great trouble, for it was five days or they
heard any tidings. The countess did so
much at Brest that she gat together a five
hundred spears, and then about midnight
she departed from Brest, and by the sun-
rising she came along by the one side of the
host, and came to one of the gates of
Hennebont, the which was opened for her,
and therein she entered and all her company
with great noise of trumpets and canayrs ;
whereof the French host had great marvel,
and armed them and ran to the town to
assault it, and they within ready to defend.
There began a fierce assault and endured
till noon, but the Frenchmen lost more than
they within. At noon the assault ceased :
then they took counsel that sir Charles de
Blois should go from that siege and give
assault to the castle of Auray, the which
king Arthur made, and with him should go
the duke of Bourbon, the earl of Blois, the
marshal of France sir Robert Bertrand, and
that sir Herve de Leon, and part of the
Genoways, and the lord Louis of Spain and
the viscount of Rohan, with all the
Spaniards, should abide still before Henne-
bont : for they saw well they could have no
profit to assail Hennebont any more ; but
they sent for twelve great engines to Rennes,
to the intent to cast into the town and castle
day and night. So they divided their host,
the one still before Hennebont, the other
with sir Charles of Blois before Auray.
They within Auray were well fortified and
were a two hundred companions, able for to
maintain the war ; and sir Henry of Spine-
fort and sir Oliver his brother were chief
captains there. A four leagues from that
fVA/^ IN BRITTANY, 1342
77
castle was the good town of Vannes,
pertaining to the countess, and captain
there was sir Geoffrey of Malestroit. Not
far thence also was the good town of Dinan ;
the chatelain of Guingamp was captain
there : he was at Hennebont with the
countess, and had left in the town of Dinan
his wife and his children, and had left there
captain in his stead Raynold his son.
Between these two towns stood a strong
castle pertaining to sir Charles de Blois, and
was well kept with soldiers, Burgoynians :
captain there was sir Gerard of Malain,^
and with him another knight called Pierre
Porteboeuf. They wasted all the country
about them and constrained sore the said two
towns, for there could neither merchandise
nor provision enter into any of them but in
great danger. On a day they would ride
toward Vannes, and another day toward
Dinan ; and on a day sir Raynold of
Guingamp laid a bushment, and the same
day sir Gerard of Malain rode forth and
had taken a fifteen merchants and all their
goods, and was driving of them towards
their castle, called Roche- Piriou, and so
fell in the bushment. And there sir
Raynold of Guingamp took sir Gerard
prisoner and a twenty-five of his company,
and rescued the merchants and led forth
theirprisoners to Dinan, whereof sir Raynold
was much praised and well worthy.
Now let us speak of the countess of
Montfort, who was besieged in Hennebont
by sir Louis of Spain, who kept the siege
there ; and he had so broken and bruised
the walls of the town with his engines, so
that they within began to be abashed. And
on a day the bishop of Leon spake with sir
Herve of Leon his nephew, by whom, as it
was said, that the earl Montfort was taken.
So long they spake together, that they agreed
that the bishop should do what he could to
cause the company within to agree to yield
up the town and castle to sir Charles de
Blois, and sir Herve de Leon on the other
side should purchase peace for them all of
sir Charles de Blois, and to lose nothing of
their goods. Thus the bishop entered again
into the town : the countess incontinent
doubted of some evil purchase. Then she
desired the lords and knights that were
there, that for the love of God they should
be in no doubt ; for she said she was in
1 The author calls him 'uns bons escuiers.'
surety that they should have succours with-
in three days. Howbeit the bishop spake
so much and shewed so many reasons to
the lords, that they were in a gi-eat trouble
all that night. The next morning they
drew to council again, so that they were
near of accord to have given up the town,
and sir Herve was come near to the town
to have taken possession thereof. Then
the countess looked down along the sea,
out at a window in the castle, and began
to smile forgreat joy that she had to see
the succours coming, the which she had so
long desired. Then she cried out aloud
and said twice : ' I see the succours of
England coming.' Then they of the town
ran to the walls and saw a great number of
ships great and small, freshly decked,^
coming toward Hennebont. They thought
well it was the succours of England, who
had been on the sea sixty days by reason of
contrary winds.
CHAPTER LXXXI
How sir Walter of Manny brought the
Englishmen into Bretayne.
When the seneschal of Guingamp, sir Ives
of Tresiguidy, sir Galeran of Landernau, and
the other knights saw these succours coming,
then they said to the bishop : * Sir, ye may
well leave your treaty,' for they said they
were not content as then to follow his
counsel. Then the bishop said : ' Sirs, then
our company shall depart, for I will go to
him that hath most right, as me seemeth.'
Then he departed from Hennebont and de-
fied the countess and all her aiders, and so
went to sir Herve de Leon and shewed him
how the matter went. Then sir Herve was
sore displeased, and caused incontinent to
rear up the greatest engines that they had
near to the castle, and commanded that they
should not cease to cast day and night.
Then he departed thence and brought the
bishop to sir Louis of Spain, who received
him with great joy, and so did sir Charles
of Blois.
Then the countess dressed up halls and
chambers to lodge the lords of England that
were coming, and did send against them
1 ' Bien bastillies,' well provided with battlements
or bulwarks.
78
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
right nobly. And when they were aland,
she came to them with great reverence
and feasted them the best she might, and
thanked them right humbly, and caused
all the knights and other to lodge at their
ease in the castle and in the town, and the
next day she made them a great feast at
dinner. All night and the next day also
the engines never ceased to cast ; and after
dinner sir Gaultier of Manny, who was
chief of that company, demanded of the
state of the town and of the host without,
and said : ' I have a great desire to issue
out and to break down this great engine
that standeth so near us, if any will follow
me.' Then sir Ives of Tresiguidy said
how he would not fail him at this his first
beginning, and so said the lord of Lander-
nau. Then they armed them, and so they
issued out privily at a certain gate, and
with them a three hundred archers, who
shot so wholly together that they that kept
the engine fled away ; and the men of arms
came after the archers and slew divers of
them that fled, and beat down the great
engine and brake it all to pieces. Then
they ran in among the tents and lodgings
and set fire in divers places and slew and
hurt divers, till the host began to stir : then
they withdrew fair and easily, and they of
the host ran after them like mad - men.
Then sir Gaultier said : ' Let me never be
beloved with my lady, without I have a
course with one of these followers ' ; and
therewith turned his spear in the rest, and
in likewise so did the two brethren of
Levedale and the Hase of Brabant, sir
Ives of Tresiguidy, sir Galeran of Lander-
nau and divers other companions. They
ran at the first comers : there might well
a been legs seen turned upward. There
began a sore meddling, for they of the host
always increased, wherefore it behoved the
Englishmen to withdraw toward their for-
tress. There might well a been seen on
both parties many noble deeds, taking and
rescuing. The Englishmen drew sagely to
the dikes and there made a stall, till all
their men were in safeguard ; and all the
residue of the town issued out to rescue
their company, and caused them of the
host to recule back. So when they of the
host saw how they could do no good, they
drew to their lodgings, and they of the
fortress in like wise to their lodgings.
Then the countess descended down from
the castle with a glad cheer and came and
kissed sir Gaultier of Manny and his com-
panions one after another two or three
times, like a valiant lady.
CHAPTERS LXXXII-LXXXVI
SUMMARY.— The French abandoned the
siege of Hennebont and retired to Auray.
The castle of Conquest was taken by the
French and retaken the next day by sir
Walter de Majtny.
The French took Dinan, Guerande,
Auray and Vannes. Sir Walter de
Manny defeated sir Louis of Spain at
Quiniperle. Carhaix was surrendered to
sir Charles of Blois, who then returned
to the siege of Hennebont. There he was
joined by sir Louis of Spain, who was
much angered by the defeat at QuimperlL
CHAPTER LXXXVII
How sir John Butler and sir Hubert of
Frenay were rescued from death before
Hennebont.
On a day sir Louis of Spain came to the
tent of sir Charles de Blois and desired of
him a gift for all the service that ever he
had done, in the presence of divers lords
of France. And sir Charles granted him,
because he knew himself so much bound
to him. ' Sir,' quoth he, ' I require you
cause the two knights that be in prison in
Faouet to be brought hither, that is to say
sir John Butler and sir Hubert Frenay,
and to give them to me, to do with them
at my pleasure. Sir, this is the gift that I
desire of you : they have chased, discomfited
and hurt me, and slain my nephew Alphonso.
I cannot tell how otherwise to be revenged
of them, but I shall strike off their heads
before the town in the sight of their com-
panions. ' Of these words sir Charles was
abashed and said : * Certainly with right a
good will I will give you the prisoners,
sith ye have desired them ; but surely it
should be a shameful deed to put so to
death such two valiant knights as they be,
and it shall be an occasion to our enemies
to deal in like wise with any of ours, if they
IVA/^ IN BRITTANY, 1342
79
fall in like case ; and we know not what
shall daily fall ; the chances of war be
divers : wherefore, dear cousin, I require
you to be better advised.' Then sir Louis
said : * Sir, if ye keep not promise with me,
know ye for truth that I shall depart out of
your company and shall never serve nor love
you again, while I live.'
When sir Charles saw none other boot,
he sent to Faouet for the two knights, and
in a morning they were brought to sir
Charles of Blois' tent : but for all that he
could desire, he could not turn sir Louis of
Spain from his purpose, but said plainly that
they should be beheaded anon after dinner,
he was so sore displeased with them.
All these words that was between sir
Charles and sir Louis for the occasion of
these two knights, anon was come to the
knowledge of sir Walter of Manny by cer-
tain spies, that shewed the mischief that
these two knights were in. Then he called
his company and took counsel what was best
to do. Some thought one thing, some
thought another, but they wist not what
remedy to find. Then sir Gaultier of
Manny said : * Sirs, it should be great
honour for us, if we might deliver out of
danger yonder two knights : and if we put
it in adventure, though we fail thereof, yet
king Edward our master will can us much
thank therefor, and so will all other noble
men that hereafter shall hear of the case.
At least it shall be said how we did our
devoir. Sirs, this is mine advice, if ye will
follow it, for me thinketh a man should well
adventure his body to save the lives of two
such valiant knights : mine advice is that
we divide ourselves into two parts, the one
part incontinent to issue out at this gate and
to arrange themselves on the dikes, to stir
the host and to skirmish : I think that all
the whole host will come running thither.
And, sir Aymery, ye shall be captain of that
company, and take with you a six thousand
good archers and three hundred men of
arms. And I shall take with me a hundred
men of arms and five hundred archers, and
I will issue out at the postern covertly and
shall dash into the host among the lodgings
behind, the which I think we shall find as
good as void. I shall have such with me
as shall well bring me to the tent of sir
Charles de Blois, whereas I think we shall
find the two knights prisoners ; and I en-
sure you we shall do our devoir to deliver
them, ' This device pleased them all, and
incontinent they armed them, and about
the hour of dinner sir Aymery of Clisson
issued out with his company and set open
the chief gate towards the host, and some
of them dashed suddenly into the host,
and cut down tents, and slew and hurt
divers. The host was in a sudden fray,
and in haste armed them and drew towards
the Englishmen and Bretons, who fair and
easily reculed back. There was a sore
skirmish, and many a man overthrown on
both parties. Then sir Aymery drew his
people along on the dikes within the bar-
riers, and the archers ready on both sides
the way to receive their enemies : the noise
and cry was so great, that all the whole
host drew thither, and left their tents void,
saving a certain varlets.
In the mean season sir Gaultier of Manny
and his company issued out at a postern
privily and came behind the host, and en-
tered into the lodgings of the French lords ;
for there were none to resist them, all were
at the skirmish. Then sir Gaultier went
straight to sir Charles of Blois' tent, and
found there the two knights prisoners, sir
Hubert of Frenay and sir John Butler, and
made them incontinent to leap upon two
good horses that they brought thither for
the same intent, and returned incontinent
and entered again into Hennebont the same
way they issued out. The countess re-
ceived them with great joy.
All this season they fought still at the
gate. Then tidings came to the lords of
France how the two knights prisoners were
rescued. When sir Louis of Spain knew
thereof, he thought himself deceived, and
he demanded which way they were gone
that made that rescue ; and it was shewed
him how they were entered into Hennebont.
Then sir Louis departed from the assault
and went to his lodging right sore dis-
pleased : then all other left the assault. In
the retreat there were two knights that ad-
ventured themselves so forward, that they
were taken by the Frenchmen, the lord
Landernau and the chatelain of Guingamp,
whereof sir Charles of Blois had great joy,
and they were brought to his tent, and there
they were so preached to, that they turned
to sir Charles' party and did homage and
fealty to him.
8o
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
The third day after all the lords assembled
in the lord Charles' tent to take counsel,
for they saw well that Hennebont was so
strong and so well fortified with men of war,
that they thought they should win but
little there ; and also the country was so
wasted, that they wist not whither to go
to forage ; and also winter was at hand :
wherefore they all agreed to depart. Then
they counselled sir Charles of Blois that he
should send new provisions to all cities,
towns and fortresses, such as he had won,
and noble captains with good soldiers to
defend their places from their enemies ; and
also if any man would treat for a truce to
Whitsuntide, that it should not be refused.
CHAPTERS LXXXVIII-XC
SUMMARY. — The town of Jugon was
betrayed to sir Charles of Blois by a rich
burgess.
A truce was ?nade, and the countess of
Montfort passed over into England.
A feast and jousts xvere held in London
in honour of the countess of Salisbury.
The king of England sent Robert of
Artois with a force of men of ar?ns and
archers to aid the countess of Montfort.
The lord Louis of Spain and the Ge7ioese
waited for him on the sea about Guernsey.
CHAPTER XCI
Of the battle of Guernsey between sir Robert
d' Artois and sir Louis of Spain on the sea.
Sir Robert d'Artois earl of Richmond,
and with him the earl of Pembroke, the earl
of Salisbury, the earl of Suffolk, the earl
of Oxford, the baron of Stafford, the lord
Spenser, the lord Bourchier, and divers
other knights of England and their com-
panies were with the countess of Montfort
on the sea, and at last came before the isle
of Guernsey. Then they perceived the
great fleet of the Genoways, whereof sir
Louis of Spain was chief captain. Then
their mariners said : ' Sirs, arm you quickly,
for yonder be Genoways and Spaniards that
will set on you.' Then the Englishmen
sowned their trumpets and reared up their
banners and standards with their arms and
devices, with the banner of Saint George,
and set their ships in order with their
archers before : and as the wind served
them, they sailed forth. They were a
forty-six vessels, great and small ; but sir
Louis of Spain had nine greater than any
of the other and three galleys. And in the
three galleys were the three chief captains,
as sir Louis of Spain, sir Charles and sir
Ayton,^ and when they approached near
together, the Genoways began to shoot
with their cross-bows, and the archers of
England against them : there was sore
shooting between them and many hurt on
both parties. And when the lords, knights
and squires came near together, there was
a sore battle : the countess that day was
worth a man ; she had the heart of a lion,
and had in her hand a sharp glaive, where-
with she fought fiercely.
The Spaniards and Genoways that were
in the great vessels they cast down great
bars of iron and pieces of timber, the which
troubled sore the English archers. This
battle began about the time of evensong,
and the night departed them, for it was very
dark, so that one could scant know another.
Then they withdrew each from other and
cast anchors and abode still in their harness,
for they thought to fight again in the morn-
ing. But about midnight there rose such
a tempest, so horrible, as though all the
world should have ended. There was
none so hardy but would gladly have been
aland : the ships dashed so together, that
they weened all would have riven in pieces.
The lords of England demanded counsel of
their mariners, what was best to do : they
answered, to take land as soon as they
might ; for the tempest was so great, that
if they took the sea, they were in danger of
drowning. Then they drew up their
anchors, and bare but a quarter sail, and
drew from that place. The Genoways on
the other side drew up their anchors and
took the deep of the sea ; for their vessels
were greater than the English ships, they
might better abide the brunt of the sea ; for
if the great vessels had come near the land,
they were likely to have been broken. And
as they departed, they took four English ships
laded with victual and tailed them to their
1 Louis de la Cerda, called d'Espagtie, Charles
Grimaldi and Ayton (Antonio) Doria.
IFAI? IN BRITTANY, 1342
8r
ships. The storm was so hideous, that in
less than a day they were driven a hundred
leagues from the place where they were
before. And the English ships took a
little haven not far from the city of Vannes,
whereof they were right glad.
CHAPTERS XCII-XCIV
SUMMARY.— The English laid siege to
Vannes and took it by assault.
The countess of Montfort zvent with sir
Walter de Manny to Hennehont : the earls
of Salisbury and Pembroke laid siege to
Rennes ; and sir Robert d'Artois remained
at Vannes.
Sir Herve de Leon and the lord Clisson
recovered Vannes, and sir Robert d'Artois
7vas wounded in the defence. After staying
for a time at Hennebont, he set sail for
England and there died. The king of
England, to avenge his death, landed with
an arjtiy tiear Vannes, and laid siege to the
tozvn.
Charles of Blois sent for aid to the French
king. The king of England left a force
before Vannes and went on to Nantes.
There also he left a part of his army and
returning laid siege to Dinan.
CHAPTER XCV
How sir Hervd of Leon and the lord Clisson
were taken prisoners before Vannes.
While the king of England was thus in
Bretayne, wasting and destroying the
country, such as he had lying at siege
before Vannes gave divers assaults, and
specially at one of the gates. And on a
day there was a great assault and many
feats of arms done on both parties. They
within set open the gate and came to the
barriers, because they saw the earl of
"Warwick's banner and the earl of Arundel's,
the lord Stafford's and sir Walter of
Manny's, adventuring themselves jeopard-
ously, as they thought : wherefore the lord
Clisson, sir Herve of Leon and other
adventured themselves courageously. There
was a sore skirmish : finally the Englishmen
were put back : then the knights of Bretayne
G
opened the barriers and adventured them-
selves, and left six knights with a good
number to keep the town, and they issued
out after the Englishmen. And the Eng-
lishmen reculed wisely, and ever fought as
they saw their advantage. The Englishmen
multiplied in such wise that at last the
P'renchmen and Bretons were fain to recule
back again to their town, not in so good
order as they came forth. Then the
Englishmen followed them again, and
many were slain and hurt. They of the
town saw their men recule again and
chased : then they closed their barriers in
so evil a time, that the lord Clisson and sir
Herve of Leon were closed without, and
there they were both taken prisoners. And
on the other side the lord Stafford was gone
in so far, that he was closed in between the
gate and the barriers, and there he was
taken prisoner, and divers that were with
him taken and slain. Thus the Englishmen
drew to their lodgings, and the Bretons into
the city of Vannes.
CHAPTERS XCVI-XCIX
SUMMARY. — The king of England
took Dinan by assault.^ In the meantime
sir Louis of Spain kept the sea and did much
damage to the English ships.
The duke of Normandy, the earl of Alen-
(on, the duke of Bourbon and many other
lords came to Nantes to help Charles of
Blois. The king of England sent for his
force which lay before Nantes to come to
Vannes.
The duke of Normandy came up from
Nantes and lay over against the king of
England at Vannes. The kivgof Etigland
sent for them that lay at siege before Rennes.
The two hosts lay one against the other till
it 7vas well onward in winter. Then by
means of two cardinals sent by the pope
Clement VI. a truce was agreed to for three
years.
The lord Clisson was exchanged for the
lord Stafford, but on suspicion of treason he
was shortly after piit to death by the French
1 From Froissart's last redaction, with which
lord Berners was not acquainted, we know that
the captain of the town was n\ade prisoner by the
young knight John Bourchier, ancestor of our
translator.
82
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
king, and so also were some other lords of
Brittany and Normandy. The lord Clisson
had a son called Oliver, who went to the
countess of Montfort and her son, who was
of his age.
CHAPTER C
Of the order of Saint George, that king
Edward stablished in the castle of
Windsor.
In this season the king of England took
pleasure to new re-edify the castle of Wind-
sor, the which was begun by king Arthur,
and there first began the Table Round,
whereby sprang the fame of so many noble
knights throughout all the world. Then
king Edward determined to make an order
and a brotherhood of a certain number of
knights, and to be called knights of the Blue
Garter, and a feast to be kept yearly at Wind-
sor on Saint George's day. And to begin
this order the king assembled together earls,
lords and knights of his realm, and shewed
them his intention : and they all joyously
agreed to his pleasure, because they saw it
was a thing much honourable and whereby
great amity and love should grow and in-
crease. Then was there chosen out a certain
number of the most valiantest men of the
realm, and they sware and sealed to main-
tain the ordinances, such as were devised ;
and the king made a chapel in the castle of
Windsor, of Saint George, and stablished
certain canons there to serve God, and
endowed them with fair rent. Then the
king sent to publish this feast by his heralds
into France, Scotland, Burgoyne, Hainault,
Flanders, Brabant, and into the Empire of
Almaine, giving to every knight and squire
that would come to the said feast fifteen
(lays of safe-conduct before the feast and
after : the which feast to begin at Windsor
on Saint George day next after in the year
of our Lord mcccxliv., and the queen to
be there accompanied with three hundred
ladies and damosels, all of noble lineage
and apparelled accordingly.
CHAPTER CI
How the king of England delivered out of
prison sir Herv6 of Leon.
While the king made this preparation at
Windsor for this said feast, tidings came to
him how the lord Clisson and divers other
lords had lost their heads in France, where-
with the king was sore displeased, inso-
much that he was in purpose to have served
sir Herv6 of Leon in like case, whom he
had in prison ; but his cousin the earl of
Derby shewed to him before his council such
reasons to assuage his ire and to refrain
his courage, saying, ' Sir, though that king
Philip in his haste hath done so foul a deed
as to put to death such valiant knights, yet,
sir, for all that blemish not your nobleness :
and, sir, to say the truth, your prisoner
ought to bear no blame for this deed ; but,
sir, put him to a reasonable ransom.'
Then the king sent for the knight
prisoner to come to his presence, and then
said to him : ' Ah, sir Herve, sir Herve,
mine adversary Philip of Valois hath shewed
his felony right cruel, to put to death such
knights, wherewith I am sore displeased :
and it is thought to us ^ that he hath done it
in despite of us ; and if I would regard his
malice, I should serve you in like manner,
for ye have done me more displeasure, and
to mine in Bretayne, than any other person.
But I will suffer it and let him do his worst,
for to my power I will keep mine honour ;
and I am content ye shall come to a light
ransom, for the love of my cousin of Derby,
who hath desired me for you, so that ye
will do that I shall shew you.' The
knight answered and said : ' Sir, I shall do
all that ye shall command me.' Then
said the king : ' I know well ye be one of
the richest knights in Bretayne, and if I
would sore press you, ye should pay me
thirty or forty thousand scutes. But ye
shall go to mine adversary Philip of Valois,
and shew him on my behalf that, sith he
hath so shamefully put to death so valiant
knights in the despite of me, I say and will
make it good he hath broken the truce
taken between me and him ; wherefore also
I renounce it on my part and defy him from
this day forward. And so that ye will do
1 * It seems to some of our party.'
THE EARL OF DERBY IN GASCONY, 1345
83
this message, your ransom shall be but ten
thousand scutes, the which ye shall pay and
send to Bruges within fifteen days after ye
be past the sea : and moreover ye shall say
to all knights and squires of those parts,
that for all this they leave not to come to
our feast at Windsor, for we would gladly
see them, and they shall have sure and safe
conduct to return fifteen days after the
feast.' ' Sir,' said the knight, *to the best
of my power I shall accomplish your
message, and God reward your grace for
the courtesy ye shew me, and also I humbly
thank my lord of Derby of his good-will.'
And so sir Herve of Leon departed from
the king and went to Hampton, and there
took the sea, to the intent to arrive at
Harfleur ; but a storm took him on the sea,
which endured fifteen days, and lost his
horse, which were cast into the sea, and sir
Herve of Leon was so sore troubled that he
had never health after. Howbeit at last he
took land at Crotoy, and so he and all his
company went afoot to Abbeville, and there
they got horses : but sir Herve was so sick
that he was fain to go in a litter, and so
came to Paris to king Philip and did his
message from point to point : and he lived
not long after, but died as he went into his
country in the city of Angers : God assoil
his soul.
CHAPTERS CII-CVI
SUMMARY.— On the day of Saint George
the king held his feast at Windsor^ to which
cavie knights of divers countries^ but none
from France.
The king sent the earl of Derby to go into
rascony, and with him the earls of Pefnbroke
md Oxford, sir Walter de Manny and
others. The king sent sir Thomas Dag-
worth into Brittany and the earl of Salis-
bury itito Ireland.
The earl of Dej-by came to Bordeaux ;
and meanwhile the lord de Visle gathered
the lords of the French party together and
they resolved to hold the passage of the river
at Bergerac.^
The earl of Derby rode to Bergerac and
took the town, the French lords departing
to la Reole. Leaving Bergerac the earl of
1 Froissart calls the river the Garonne, but it is
the Dordogne,
Derby conquered many fortresses in upper
Gascony, and then returned to Bordeaux.
The earl de Visle laid siege to Auberoche,
which had been captttred by the earl of
Derby. The garrison endeavoured to send
a messenger to Bordeaux, but he was inter-
cepted and shot back into the town from an
engine.
CHAPTER CVn
How the earl of Derby took before Auberoche
the earl of I'lsleand divers other earls and
viscounts to the number of nine.
All the matter of taking of this messenger
with the letter and necessity of them within
Auberoche was shewed to the earl of Derby
by a spy that had been in the French host.
Then the earl of Derby sent to the earl of
Pembroke, being at Bergerac, to meet with
him at a certain place : also he sent for the
lord Stafford and to sir Stephen Tombey,
being at Libourne, and the earl himself,
with sir Gaultier of Manny and his com-
pany, rode towards Auberoche, and rode
so secretly with such guides as knew the
country, that the earl came to Libourne
and there tarried a day abiding the earl of
Pembroke. And when he saw that he
came not, he went forth, for the great
desire that he had to aid them in Auberoche.
Thus the earl of Derby, the earl of Oxford,
sir Gaultier of Manny, sir Richard Hastings,
sir Stephen Tombey, the lord Ferrers and
the other issued out of Libourne and rode
all the night, and in the morning they were
within two little leagues of Auberoche.
They entered into a M'ood and lighted from
their horses and tied their horses to pasture,
abiding for the earl of Pembroke, and there
tarried till it was noon. They wist not
well then what to do, because they were
but three hundred spears and six hundred
archers, and the Frenchmen before Aube-
roche were a ten or twelve thousand men ;
yet they thought it a great shame to lose
their companions in Auberoche. Finally
sir Gaultier of Manny said : * Sirs, let us
leap on our horses and let us coast under
the covert of this wood, till we be on the
same side that joineth to their host, and
when we be near, put the spurs to the
horses and cry our cries. We shall enter
84
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
while they be at supper and unware of us :
ye shall see them be so discomfited, that
they shall keep none array,'
AH the lords and knights agreed to his
saying : then every man took his horse and
ordained all their pages and baggage to
abide still thereas they were. So they rode
still along by the wood, and came to a little
river in a vale near to the French host.
Then they displayed their banners and
pennons and dashed their spurs to their
horses, and came in a front into the French
host among the Gascons, who were nothing
ware of that bushment. They were going
to supper, and some ready set at their meat :
the Englishmen cried, * A Derby, a Derby ! '^
and overthrew tents and pavilions, and
slew and hurt many. The Frenchmen
wist not what to do, they were so hasted :
when they came into the field and assembled
together, they found the English archers
there ready to receive them, who shot so
fiercely, that they slew man and horse and
hurt many. The earl of I'lsle was taken
prisoner in his own tent and sore hurt, and
the earl of Perigord and sir Roger his uncle
in their tents : and there was slain the lord
of Duras [and] sir Aymar of Poitiers, and
the earl of Valentinois his brother was
taken : every man fled that might best, but
the earl of Comminges, the viscount of
Caraman and of Villemur and of Bruniquel,
and the lord de la Bard and of Terride, and
other that were lodged on the other side of
the castle, drew back and went into the
fields with their banners. The Englishmen,
who had overcome all the other, dashed in
fiercely among them : there was many a
proper feat of arms done, many taken and
rescued again. When they within the castle
heard that noise without and saw the
English banners and pennons, incontinent
they armed them and issued out, and rushed
into the thickest of the press : they greatly
refreshed the Englishmen that had fought
there before. Whereto should I make long
process ? All those of the earl of ITsle's
party were nigh all taken or slain : if the
night had not come on, there had but few
scaped. There were taken that day, what
earls and viscounts to the number of nine,
and of lords, knights and squires taken so
that there was no English man of arms but
that had two or three prisoners. This
1 The French is ' Derbi, Derbi, au comte ! '
battle was on Saint Lawrence night, the
year of our Lord mcccxliv. ^ The English-
men dealt like good companions with their
prisoners and suffered many to depart on
their oath and promise to return again at a
certain day to Bergerac or to Bordeaux.
Then the Englishmen entered into Aube-
roche, and there the earl of Derby gave a
supper to the most part of the earls and
viscounts prisoners, and to many of the
knights and squires. The Englishmen gave
laud to God, in that that a thousand of
them had overcome ten thousand of their
enemies and had rescued the town of Aube-
roche and saved their companions that were
within, who by all likelihood should have
been taken within two days after.
The next day anon upon sun-rising thither
came the earl of Pembroke with his com-
pany, a three hundred spears and a four
thousand archers. Then he said to the earl
of Derby : ' Certainly, cousin, ye have done
me great uncourtesy to fight with our
enemies without me : seeing that ye sent
for me, ye might have been sure I would
not fail to come.' * Fair cousin,' quoth the
earl of Derby, ' we desired greatly to have
had you with us : we tarried all day till it
was far past noon, and when we saw that
ye came not, we durst not abide no longer ;
for if our enemies had known of our coming,
they had been in a great advantage over us ;
and now we have the advantage of them.
I pray you, be content, and help to guide
us to Bordeaux.' So they tarried all that
day and the next night in Auberoche ; and
the next day betimes they departed, and
left captain in Auberoche a knight of
Gascony called Alexander of Chaumont.
Thus they rode to Bordeaux and led with
them the most part of their prisoners.
CHAPTER CVIII
Of the towns that the earl of Derby won in
Gascoyne, going toward the Reole.
SUMMARY. — The earl of Derby win-
tered at Bordeaux and in May 1345 ^joined
1 The date is wrong : it was in 1345, as also
this whole campaign, and probably on the 21st of
October. St. Lawrence is loth August.
2 The earl of Derby did not winter at Bordeaux
but continued his operations. La Reole was taken
towards the end of 1345.
THE EARL OF DERBY IN GAS CO NY, 1345
85
the earl of Pembroke at Be^-gerac and so on
towards la Reole. Sainte-Bazeille submitted
and la Roche Meilhan was taken by assault:
Mons^gur was besieged for Jifteen days and
tJun a truce was agreed to with the captain
there, to see if the king of France would
send aid tuithin a month. Aiguillon
surrendered, for which the captain of it
was charged with treason and hanged at
Toulouse. Castelsagrat was taken by assault.
CHAPTER CIX
How the earl of Derby laid siege to the
Reole, and how that the town was yielded
to him.
Thus the earl of Derby came before the
Reole and laid siege thereto on all sides,
and made bastides in the fields and on the
ways, so that no provision could entei" into
the town, and nigh every day there was
assault. The siege endured a long space.
And when the month was expired that
they of Segur should give up their town,
the earl sent thither, and they of the town
gave up and became under the obeisance of
the king of England : the captain, sir Hugh
Badefol, became servant to the earl, with
other that were within, upon certain wages
that they had. The Englishmen, that had
lien long before the Reole, more than nine
weeks, had made in the mean space two
belfries of great timber with three stages,
every belfry on four great wheels, and the
sides towards the town were covered with
cure boly to defend them from fire and from
shot, and into every stage there were
pointed an hundred archers. By strength
of men these two belfries were brought
to the walls of the town, for they had so
filled the dikes that they might well be
brought just to the walls. The archers in
these stages shot so wholly together, that
none durst appear at their defence without
they were well pavised ; and between these
two belfries there were a two hundred men
with pick -axes to mine the walls, and so
they brake through the walls. Then the
burgesses of the town came to one of the
gates to speak with some lord of the host.
When the earl of Derby knew thereof, he
sent to them sir Gaultier of Manny and the
baron of Stafford ; and when they came
there, they found that they of the town
would yield them, their lives and goods
saved.
[When] sir Agot des Baux, who was
captain within, knew that the people of the
town would yield up, he went into the
castle with his company of soldiers ; and
while they of the town were entreating, he
conveyed out of the town great quantity of
wine and other provision, and then closed
the castle gates and said how he would not
yield up so soon. The foresaid two lords
returned to the earl of Derby shewing him
how they of the town would yield them-
selves and the town, their lives and goods
saved. Then the earl sent to know how
the captain would do with the castle, and
it was brought word again to him how he
would not yield. Then the earl studied a
little and said : * Well, go take them of the
town to mercy, for by the town we shall
have the castle.' Then these lords went
again to them of the town and received
them to mercy, so that they should go out
into the field and deliver the earl of Derby
the keys of the town, saying, ' Sir, from
henceforth we knowledge ourselves subjects
and obeisant to the king of England ' : and
so they did, and sware that they should
give no comfort to them of the castle, but
to grieve them to the best of their powers.
Then the earl commanded that no man
should do any hurt to the town of Reole
nor to none of them within.
Then the earl entered into the town and
laid siege round about the castle, as near as
he might, and reared up all his engines, the
which cast night and day against the walls,
but they did little hurt, the walls were so
strong of hard stone : it was said that of
old time it had been wrought by the hands
of the Saracens, who made their works so
strongly that there is none such nowadays.
When the earl saw that he could do no
good with his engines, he caused them to
cease : then he called to him his miners, to
the intent that they should make a mine,
under all the walls, the which was not soon
made.
86
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
CHAPTER CX
How sir Walter of Manny found in the town
of the Reole the sepulchre of his father.
While this siege endured and that the
miners were a-work, the lord Gaultier of
Manny remembered how that his father was
slain going a pilgrimage to Saint James,
and how he heard in his youth how he
should be buried in the Reole or thereabout.
Then he made it to be enquired in the town,
if there were any man could shew him his
father's tomb, he should have a hundred
crowns for his labour : and there was an
aged man came to sir Gaultier and said :
' Sir, I think I can bring you near to the
place where your father was buried. ' Then
the lord of Manny said : ' If your words be
true, I shall keep covenant and more.'
Now ye shall hear the manner how the
lord Gaultier's father was slain. It was
true that sometime there was a bishop in
Cambresis, a Gascon born of the house of
Mirepoix : and so it fortuned that in 'his
days there was at a time a great tourneying
before Cambray, whereas there were five
hundred knights on both parties. And
there was a knight Gascon tourneyed
with the lord of Manny, father to sir
Gaultier, and this knight of Gascoyne was
so sore hurt and beaten, that he had never
health after, but died. This knight was of
kin to the said bishop ; wherefore the lord
of Manny was in his indignation and of all
his lineage. A two or three year after
certain good men laboured to make peace
between them, and so they did : and for
amends the lord of Manny was bound to
go a pilgrimage to Saint James. And so
he went thitherward ; and as he came forby
the town of Reole, the same season the earl
Charles of Valois, brother to king Philip,
lay at siege before the Reole, the which as
then was English, and divers other towns
and cities, then pertaining to the king of
England, father to the king that laid siege
to Tournay : so that the lord of Manny,
after the returning of his pilgrimage, he
came to see the earl of Valois, Avho was
there as king. And as the lord of Manny
went at night to his lodging, he was watched
by the way by certain of them of the lineage
of him that the lord of Manny had made
his pilgrimage for, and so without the earl's
lodging he was slain and murdered, and no
man knew who did it. Howbeit they of !
that lineage were held suspect in the matter, I
but they were so strong and made such ;
excuses, that the matter passed, for there
was none that would pursue the lord of
Manny's quarrel. Then the earl of Valois
caused him to be buried in a little chapel in |
the field, the which as then was without the (
town of Reole ; and when the earl of
Valois had won the town, then the walls
were made more larger, so that the chapel
was within the town.
Thus was sir Gaultier of Manny's father
slain ; and this old man remembered all this
matter, for he was present when he was
buried. Then sir Gaultier of Manny went
with this good aged man to the place
whereas his father was buried, and there
they found a little tomb of marble over him,
the which his servants laid on him after he
was buried. Then the old man said : ' Sir,
surely under this tomb lieth your father.'
Then the lord of Manny read the scripture
on the tomb, the which was in Latin, ^ and
there he found that the old man had said
truth, and gave him his reward. And
within two days after he made the tomb to
be raised and the bones of his father to be
taken up and put in a coffer, and after did
send them to Valenciennes in the county of
Hainault, and in the Friars there made
them to be buried again honourably, and
did there his obsequy right goodly, the
which is yet kept yearly.
CHAPTER CXI
How the earl of Derby won the castle of the
Reole.
Now let us return to the siege about the
castle of the Reole, the which had endured
eleven weeks. So long wrought the miners
that at last they came under the base court,
but under the donjon they could not get, for
it stood on a hard rock.^ Then sir Agot
1 ' Then sir "Walter of Manny caused the inscrip-
tion, which was in Latin, to be read by a clerk of
his.'
2 ' So long wrought the miners . . . that they
came beneath the castle and so far forth that they
cast down a low court (^-^rt^ tower) in the outer cir-
cuit of the castle, but to tbe_ main tower of the
donjon they could do no ill, for it was masoned upon
rock, of which no bottom could be found.'
CAPTURE OF LA R^OLE, 1345
87
des Baux their captain said to his company :
* Sirs, we be undermined, so that we are in
great danger.' Then they were all sore
afraid, and said : Sir, ye are in a great
danger, and we also, without ye find some
remedy : ye are our chief and we will obey
you truly. We have kept this house right
honourably a long season, and though we
now make a composition, we cannot be
blamed. Assay if ye can get grant of the
earl of Derby to let us depart, our lives and
goods saved, and we to deliver to him this
castle.'
Then sir Agot descended down from the
high tower and did put out his head at a
little window and made a token to speak
with some of the host. Then he was de-
manded what he would have : he said he
would fain speak with the earl of Derby or
with the lord of Manny. When the earl
knew thereof, he said to the lord of Manny
and the lord Stafford : ' Let us go to the for-
tress and know what the captain will say.'
Then they rode together, and when sir Agot
saw them, he took off his cap and sainted
them, each after other, and said : * Lords,
it is of truth that the French king sent me
to this town to defend and to keep it, and
the castle, to my power ; and ye know right
well how I have acquit myself in that be-
half, and yet would if I might : but always
a man may not abide in one place. Sir,
if it will please you, I and all my com-
pany would depart, our lives and goods
saved, and we shall yield unto you the
fortress. '
Then the earl of Derby said : ' Sir Agot,
ye shall not go so away : we know right
well we have so sore oppressed you, that we
may have you when we list ; for your fortress
standeth but upon stays. Yield you simply,
and we will receive you. * Sir Agot said :
* Sir, if we did so, I think in you so much
honour and gentleness, that ye would deal
but courteously with us, as ye would the
French king should deal with any of your
knights. For God's sake, sir, blemish not
your nobleness for a poor sort of soldiers
that be here within, who hath won with
much pain and peril their poor living, whom
I have brought hither out of Provence, of
Savoy, and out of Dauphiny. Sir, know for
truth that if the least of us should not come
to mercy, as well as the best, we will rather
sell our lives in such wise that all the world
should speak of us. Sir, we desire you to
bear us some company of arms, and we
shall pray for you.'
Then the earl and the other two lords
went apart and spake together. They spake
long together of divers things : finally they
regarded the truth of sir Agot, and con-
sidered how he was a stranger, and also they
saw that they could not undermine the
donjon, [and so] they agreed to receive them
to mercy. Then the earl said to sir Agot :
* Sir, we \/ould gladly to all strangers bear
good company of arms. I am content that ye
and all your company depart with your lives
saved, so that you bear away nothing but
your armour. ' ' So be it, ' quoth sir Agot.
Then he went to his company and shewed
them how he had sped. Then they did on
their harness and took their horses, whereof
they had no more but six. Some bought
horses of the Englishmen, the which they
paid for truly. Thus sir Agot des Baux
departed from the Reole and yielded up the
castle to the Englishmen, and sir Agot and
his company went to Toulouse.
CHAPTERS CXII, CXIII
SUMMARY. — The earl of Derby took
Monpezat by assault^ and Castelnioron by
strategy. Thence he departed and took Ville-
franche and other toxvns and castles^ and
received the submission of Angoulime.^
Finally he retired to Bordeaux for the
winter.
CHAPTER CXIV
How sir Godfrey Harcourt was banished out
of France.
In this season sir Godfrey of Harcourt
fell in the indignation of the French king,
who was a great baron in Normandy and
brother to the earl of Harcourt, lord of
Saint-Saviour the Viscount and divers other
towns in Normandy : and it was said all
was but for envy, for a little before he was
as great with the king and with the duke
of Normandy as he would desire ; but he
was as then openly banished the realm of
1 The capture of Angouleme is omitted in Frois-
sart's last revision, and seems in fact to be imaginary.
88
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
France, and if the king could have got him
in his ire, he would have served him as he
did sir Oliver of Clisson, who was be-
headed the year before at Paris. This sir
Godfrey had some friends, who gave him
warning secretly how the king was dis-
pleased with him. Then he avoided the
realm as soon as he might, and went into
Brabant to the duke there, who was his
cousin, who received him joyfully. And
there he tarried a long space and lived of
such revenues as he had in Brabant ; for
out of France he could get nothing : the
king had seized all his lands there of
Cotentin, and took the profit thereof him-
self. The duke of Brabant could in no wise
get again this knight into the king's favour,
for nothing that he could do. This displea-
sure cost greatly the realm of France after,
and specially the country of Normandy ; for
the tokens thereof remained a hundred
year after, as ye shall hear in this history.
CHAPTER CXV
Of the death of Jaques d' Arteveld of Gaunt.
In this season reigned in Flanders in great
prosperity and puissance Jaques d'Arteveld
of Gaunt, who was as great with the king
of England as he would desire : and he
had promised the king to make him lord
and heritor of Flanders, and to endow his
son the prince of Wales therewith, and to
make the county of Flanders a dukedom.
For the which cause about the feast of
Saint John Baptist, the year of our Lord
God MCCCXLV., the king of England was
come to Sluys with many lords and knights,
and had brought thither with him the
young prince his son, on the trust of the
promise of Jaques d'Arteveld. The king
with all his navy lay in the haven of Sluys,
and there he kept his house, and thither
came to visit him his friends of Flanders.
There were great councils between the
king and Jaques d'Arteveld on the one
party and the counsels of the good towns
of Flanders on the other party ; so that
they of the country were not of the agree-
ment with the king nor with Jaques d'Arte-
veld, who preached to them that they
should disherit the earl Louis their own
natural lord, and also his young son Louis,
and to enherit the son of the king of Eng-
land ; the which thing they said surely they
would never agree unto. And so the last
day of their council, the which was kept in
the haven of Sluys in the king's great ship,
called the Katherine, there they gave a
final answer by common accord, and said :
' Sir, ye have desired us to a thing that is .
great and weighty, the which hereafter I
may sore touch the country of Flanders |
and our heirs. Truly we know not at this
day no person in the world that we love
the preferment of so much as we do yours ;
but, sir, this thing we cannot do alone,
without that all the commonalty of Flanders
accord to the same. Sir, we shall go home,
and every man speak with his company
generally in every town, and as the most
part agree, we shall be content : and within
a month we shall be here with you again
and then give you a full answer, so that
ye shall be content.' The king nor Jaques
d'Arteveld could as then have none other
answer : they would fain have had a short
day, but it would not be. So thus departed
that council, and every man went home to
their own towns.
Jaques d'Arteveld tarried a little season
with the king, and still he promised the
king to bring them to his intent ; but he
was deceived, for as soon as he came to
Gaunt, he went no more out again. For
such of Gaunt as had been at Sluys at the
council there, when they were returned
to Gaunt, or Jaques d'Arteveld was come
into the town,' great and small they as-
sembled in the market-place; and there
it was openly shewed what request the
king of England had made to them by
the setting on of Jaques d'Arteveld. Then
every man began to murmur against Jaques,
for that request pleased them nothing, and
said that by the grace of God there should
no such untruth be found in them, as
willingly to disherit their natural lord and
his issue, to enherit a stranger : and so
they all departed from the market-place,
not content with Jaques d'Arteveld.
Now behold and see what fortune fell.
If he had been as welcome to Gaunt as he
was to Bruges and Ipres, they would [have]
agreed to his opinion, as they did ; but he
trusted so much in his prosperity and
greatness, that he thought soon to reduce
them to his pleasure.
DEATH OF JAQUES D'AKTEVELD, 1345
89
When he returned, he came into Gaunt
about noon. They of the town knew of
his coming, and many were assembled
together in the street whereas he should
pass. And when they saw him, they
began to murmur, and began to run together
three heads in one hood and said : ' Behold
yonder great master, who will order all
Flanders after his pleasure, the which is
not to be suffered.' Also there were words
sown through all the town, how Jaques
d'Arteveld had nine year assembled all
the revenues of Flanders without any count
given, and thereby hath kept his estate,
and also sent great riches out of the country
into England secretly. These words set
them of Gaunt on fire, and as he rode
through the street, he perceived that there
was some new matter against him, for he
saw such as were wont to make reverence
to him as he came by, he saw them turn
their backs toward him and enter into
their houses. Then he began to doubt ;
and as soon as he was alighted in his lodg-
ing, he closed fast his gates, doors and
windows. This was scant done but all
the street was full of men, and specially of
them of the small crafts : there they assailed
his house both behind and before, and the
house broken up. He and his within the
house defended themselves a long space,
and slew and hurt many without ; but
finally he could not endure, for three parts
of the men of the town were at that assault.
When Jaques saw that he was so sore
oppressed, he came to a window with great
humility bare-headed, and said with fair
language : ' Good people, what aileth you ?
Why be you so sore troubled against me ?
In what manner have I displeased you ?
Shew me, and I shall make you amends at
your pleasures.' Then such as heard him
answered all with one voice : * We will
have account made of the great treasure of
Flanders, that ye have sent out of the way
without any title of reason.' Then Jaques
answered meekly and said : * Certainly,
sirs, of the treasure of Flanders I never
took nothing : withdraw yourselves patiently
into your houses and come again to-morrow
in the morning, and I shall make you so
good account, that of reason ye shall be
content.' Then all they answered and
said : ' Nay, we will have account made
incontinent ; ye shall not scape us so : we
know for truth that ye have sent great
riches into England without our knowledge :
wherefore ye shall die.' When he heard
that word, he joined his hands together,
and sore weeping said : ' Sirs, such as I
am ye have made me, and ye have sworn
to me or this to defend me against all
persons, and now ye would slay me without
reason. Ye may do it an ye will, for I
am but one man among you all. For
God's sake take better advice, and remember
the time past, and consider the great graces
and courtesies that I have done to you : ye
would now render to me a small reward
for the great goodness that I have done to
you and to your town in time past. Ye
know right well, merchandise was nigh
lost in all this country, and by my means
it is recovered : also I have governed you
in great peace and rest, for in the time of
my governing ye have had all things as ye
would wish, corn, riches, and all other
merchandise.' Then they all cried with
one voice : * Come down to us, and preach
not so high, and give us account of the
great treasure of Flanders that ye have
governed, so long without any account
making, the which pertaineth not to an
officer to do, as to receive the goods of
his lord or of a country without account.'
When Jaques saw that he could not
appease them, he drew in his head and
closed his window, and so thought to
steal out on the back side into a church
that joined to his house : but his house
was so broken, that four hundred persons
were entered into his house ; and finally
there he was taken and slain without mercy,
and one Thomas Denis gave him his death-
stroke. Thus Jaques d'Arteveld ended his
days, who had been a great master in
Flanders. Poor men first mounteth up
and unhappy men slayeth them at the
end.^ These tidings anon spread abroad
the country : some were sorry thereof and
some were glad.
In this season the earl Louis of Flanders
was at Termonde, and he was right joyous
when he heard of the death of Jaques
d'Arteveld his old enemy : howbeit yet
he durst not trust them of Flanders, nor
go to Gaunt. When the king of England,
who lay all this season at Sluys abiding
1 'Poor men first raised him up and evil men
slew him at the end.'
90
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
the answer of the Flemings, heard how
they of Gaunt had slain Jaques d'Arteveld
his great friend, he was sore displeased.
Incontinent he departed from Sluys and
entered into the sea, sore threatening the
Flemings and the country of Flanders, and
said how his death should be well revenged.
Then the counsels of the good towns of
Flanders imagined well how the king of
England would be sore displeased with
this deed : then they determined to go and
excuse themselves, specially they of Bruges,
Ypres, Courtray, Oudenarde and of [the]
Franc. They sent into England to the
king for a safe -conduct, that they might
come to their excuse : the king, who was
as then somewhat assuaged of his dis-
pleasure, granted their desire. Then there
came into England men of estate out of
the good towns of Flanders, except of
Gaunt. This was about the feast of Saint
Michael, and the king being at Westminster
beside London. There they so meekly
excused them of the death of Jaques
d'Arteveld, and sware solemnly that they
knew nothing thereof till it was done ; if
they had, he was the man they would have
defended to the best of their powers ; and
said how they were right sorry of his death,
for he had governed the country right
wisely ; and also they said that though they
of Gaunt had done that deed, they should
make a sufficient amends, also saying to
the king and his council that, though he
be dead, yet the king was never the farther
off from the love and favour of them of
Planders in all things except the inherit-
ance of Flanders, the which in no wise
they of Flanders will put away from the
right heirs ; saying also to the king : * Sir,
ye have fair issue, both sons and daughters.
As for the prince of Wales your eldest son,
he cannot fail but to be a great prince
without the inheritance of Flanders. Sir,
ye have a young daughter, and we have a
young lord, who is heritor of Flanders ;
we have him in our keeping : may it please
you to make a marriage between them
two, so ever after the county of Planders
shall be in the issue of your child. ' These
words and such other appeased the king,
and finally was content with the Flemings
and they with him ; and so little and
little the death of Jaques d'Arteveld was
forgotten.
CHAPTER CXVI
Of the death of William earl of Hainault,
who died in Frise, and many with him.
In the same season the earl William of
Hainault, being at siege before the town of
Utrecht, and there had lien a long season,
he constrained them so sore, what by
assaults and otherwise, that finally he had
his pleasure of them. And anon after in
the same season, about the feast of Saint
Remy, the same earl made a great assembly
of men of arms, knights and squires of
Hainault, Flanders, Brabant, Holland,
Gueldres and Juliers ; the earl and his
company departed from Dordrecht in Hol-
land with a great navy of ships, and so
sailed towards Frise ; for the earl of Hai-
nault claimed to be lord there : and if the
Frisons had been men to have brought
to reason, the earl indeed had there great
right ; but there he was slain, and a great
number of knights and squires with him.^
Sir John of Hainault arrived not there
with his nephew, for he arrived at another
place ; and when he heard of the death of
his nephew, like a man out of his mind he
would have fought with the Frisons, but
his servants, and especially sir Robert of
Glennes, who as then was his squire, did
put him into his ship again against his will.
And so he returned again with a small com-
pany and came to Mount Saint Gertrude*
in Holland, where the lady his niece was,
wife to the said earl, named Joan, eldest
daughter to the duke of Brabant : and then
she went to the land of Binche, the which
was her endowry. Thus the county of
Hainault was void a certain space, and sir
John of Hainault did govern it unto the
time that Margaret of Hainault, mother to
the duke Albert, came thither and took
possession of that heritage, and all lords
and other did to her fealty and homage.
This lady Margaret was married to the lord
Louis of Bavier, emperor of Almaine and
king of [the] Romans.
1 This defeat was at Staveren in September
1345-
2 Gertruydenberg.
SIEGE OF AIGUILLON; 1346
91
CHAPTER CXVII
How sir John of Hainault became French.
Anon after, the French king entreated and
caused the earl of Blois to entreat this lord
John of Hainault to become French, pro-
mising to give him more revenues in France
than he had in England, to be assigned
where he would himself devise. To this
request he did not lightly agree, for he had
spent all the flower of his youth in the
service of the king of England, and was
ever well beloved with the king. When
the earl Louis of Blois, who had married
his daughter and had by her three sons,
Louis, John and Guy, saw that he could
not win him by that means, he thought
he would assay another way, as to win
the lord of Fagnolle, who was chief com-
panion and greatest of counsel with the lord
John of Hainault; and so they between
them devised to make him believe that they
of England would not pay him his pension,
wherewith sir John of Hainault was sore
displeased, so that he renounced his service
and good-will that he bare to the king of
England. And when the French king
knew thereof, incontinent he sent sufficient
messengers to him, and so retained him of
his council with certain wages, and recom-
pensed him in France with as much or
more than he had in England.
CHAPTER CXVIII
Of the great host that the duke of Normandy
brought into Gascoyne against the earl of
Derby.
SUMMAR V. —Near the end of the year
1345 the duke of Normandy gathered a
great host at Totilotise^ and after Christmas
they rode forth. They took Miremont and
Villefranche^ and laid siege to Angouleme.
CHAPTER CXIX
How John Norwich scaped from Angou-
leme, when the town was yielded to the
Frenchmen.
SUMMARY.— John of Norwich, who was
captain at Angouleme^ seeing that he could
not hold out, asked for a truce to last
for the day of the Purification, and this
being granted he and his company rode
openly away through the French host, and
came to Aiguillon. Angoulhne surren-
dered, and the duke of Normandy went to
Aiguillon.
CHAPTER CXX
How the duke of Normandy laid siege to
Aiguillon with a hundred thousand men.
The duke of Normandy and these lords of
France did so much that they came to the
castle of Aiguillon. There they laid their
siege about the fair meadows along by the
river able to bear ships, every lord among
his own company and every constable by
himself, as it was ordained by the marshals.
This siege endured till the feast of Saint
Remy : there were well a hundred thousand
men of war, a-horseback and afoot : ^ they
made lightly every day two or three assaults,
and most commonly from the morning till
it was near night without ceasing, for ever
there came new assaulters that would not
suffer them within to rest. The lords of
France saw well they could not well come
to the fortress without they passed the
river, the which was large and deep. Then
the duke commanded that a bridge should
be made, whatsoever it cost, to pass the
river: there were set awork more than
three hundred workmen, who did work
day and night. When the knights within
saw this bridge more than half made over
the river, they decked ^ three ships, and
entered into them a certain, and so came
on the workmen and chased them away
with their defenders ; and there they brake
all to pieces, that had been long a-making.
When the French lords saw that, then they
apparelled other ships, to resist against
their ships, and then the workmen began
again to work on the bridge, on trust of their
defenders. And when they had worked
half a day and more, sir Gaultier of Manny
1 The number is reduced to 60,000 in the latest
revision of the first book, where the siege of Aiguil-
lon is called * le plus biau siege qui oncques les
guerres durant de France et d'Engleterre euist este
fait ne tenu ens ou roiaulme de France.' It lasted
in fact only till 20th August.
- 'Fisent apparillier.'
92
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
\
and his company entered into a ship, and
came on the workmen and made them to
leave work and to recule back, and brake
again all that they had made. This busi-
ness was nigh every day; but at last the
Frenchmen kept so well their workmen,
that the bridge was made perforce: and
then the lords and all their army passed
over in manner of battle, and they assaulted
the castle a whole day together without
ceasing, but nothing they won ; and at
night they returned to their lodgings : and
they within amended all that was broken,
for they had with them workmen enough.
The next day the Frenchmen divided
their assaulters into four parts, the first to
begin in the morning and to continue till
nine, the second till noon, the third to even-
song time, and the fourth till night. After
that manner they assailed the castle six days
together : howbeit they within were not so
sore travailed, but always they defended
themselves so valiantly, that they without
won nothing, but only the bridge without
the castle. Then the Frenchmen took
other counsel: they sent to Toulouse for
eight great engines, and they made there
four greater, and they made all twelve to
cast day and night against the castle ; but
they within were so well pavised, that
never a stone of their engines did them any
hurt : it brake somewhat the covering of
some houses. They within had also great
engines, the which brake down all the
engines without, for in a short space they
brake all to pieces six of the greatest of
them without.
During this siege oftentimes sir Walter
of Manny issued out with a hundred or six
score companions, and went on that side
the river a-foraging, and returned again
with great preys in the sight of them with-
out. On a day the lord Charles of Mont-
morency, marshal of the host, rode forth
with a five hundred with him, and when
he returned, he drave before him a great
number of beasts that he had got together
in the country to refresh the host with
victual : and by adventure he encountered
with sir Gaultier of Manny. There was
between them a great fight and many over-
thrown, hurt and slain : the Frenchmen
were five against one. Tidings thereof
came unto Aiguillon : then every man that
might issued out, the earl of Pembroke first
of all and his company; and when he
came, he found sir Gaultier of Manny
afoot enclosed with his enemies, and did
marvels in arms. Incontinent he was
rescued and remounted again, and in the
mean season some of the Frenchmen
chased their beasts quickly into the host,
or else they had lost them, for they that
issued out of Aiguillon set so fiercely on
the Frenchmen, that they put them to the
flight and delivered their company that
were taken and took many Frenchmen
prisoners, and sir Charles of Montmorency
had much work to scape. Then the
Englishmen returned into Aiguillon.
Thus every day almost there were such
rencounters beside the assaults. On a day
all the whole host armed them, and the
duke commanded that they of Toulouse, of
Carcassonne, of Beaucaire should make
assault from the morning till noon, and
they of Rouergue, Cahors and Agenois from
noon till night ; and the duke promised,
whosoever could win the bridge of the gate
should have in reward a hundred crowns.
Also the duke, the better to maintain this
assault, he caused to come on the river
divers ships and barges : some entered into
them to pass the river, and some went by
the bridge : at the last some of them took
a little vessel and went under the bridge,
and did cast great hooks of iron to the
drawbridge, and then drew it to them so
sore, that they brake the chains of iron that
held the bridge, and so pulled down the
bridge perforce. Then the Frenchmen
leapt on the bridge so hastily, that one
overthrew another, for every man desired
to win the hundred crowns. They within
cast down bars of iron, pieces of timber,
pots of lime, and hot water, so that many
were overthrown from the bridge into the
water and into the dikes, and many slain
and sore hurt. Howbeit the bridge was
won perforce, but it cost more than it was
worth, for they could not for all that win
the gate. Then they drew aback to their
lodgings, for it was late : then they within
issued out, and new made again their draw-
bridge, stronger than ever it was before.
The next day there came to the duke two
cunning men, masters in carpentry, and
said : ' Sir, if ye will let us have timber
and workmen, we shall make four scaffolds
as high or higher than the walls.* The
EXPEDITION OF EDWARD II L, 1346
93
duke commanded that it should be done,
and to get carpenters in the country and
to give them good wages : so these four
scaffolds were made in four ships, but it
was long first, and cost much or they were
finished. Then such as should assail the
castle in them were appointed and entered ;
and when they were passed half the river,
they within the castle let go four martinets,
that they had newly made to resist against
these scaffolds. These four martinets did
cast out so great stones, and so often fell on
the scaffolds, that in a short space they
were all to broken, so that they that were
within them could not be pavised by them,
so that they were fain to draw back again,
and or they were again at land one of the
scaffolds drowned in the water, and the most
part of them that were within it ; the which
was great damage, for therein were good
knights, desiring their bodies to advance.
When the duke saw that he could not
come to his intent by that means, he caused
the other three scaffolds to rest. Then he
could see no way how he might get the
castle, and he had promised not to depart
thence till he had it at his will, without
the king his father did send for him. Then
he sent the constable of France and the
earl of Tancarville to Paris to the king,
and there they shewed him the state of the
siege of Aiguillon. The king's mind was
that the duke should lie there still, till he
had won them by famine, sith he could not
have them by assault.
CHAPTER CXXI
How the king of England came over the sea
again, to rescue them in Aiguillon.
The king of England, who had heard how
his men were sore constrained in the castle
of Aiguillon, then he thought to go over
the sea into Gascoyne with a great army.
There he made his provision and sent for
men all about his realm and in other places,
where he thought to speed for his money.
In the same season the lord Godfrey of
Harcourt came into England, who was
banished out of France : he was well
received with the king and retained to be
about him, and had fair lands assigned him
in England to maintain his degree. Then
the king caused a great navy of ships to be
ready in the haven of Hampton, and caused
all manner of men of war to draw thither.
About the feast of Saint John Baptist the
year of our Lord God mcccxlvi., the king
departed from the queen and left her in the
guiding of the earl of Kent his cousin ; and
he stablished the lord Percy and the lord
Nevill to be wardens of his realm with [the
archbishop of Canterbury,] the archbishop
of York, the bishop of Lincoln and the
bishop of Durham ; for he never voided his
realm but that he left ever enough at home
to keep and defend the realm, if need were.
Then the king rode to Hampton and there
tarried for wind : then he entered into his
ship and the prince of Wales with him, and
the lord Godfrey of Harcourt, and all other
lords, earls, barons and knights, with all
their companies. They were in number a
four thousand men of arms and ten thousand
archers, beside Irishmen and Welshmen
that followed the host afoot.
Now I shall name you certain of the lords
that went over with king Edward in that
journey. First, Edward his eldest son,
prince of Wales, who as then was of the age
of thirteen years or thereabout,^ the earls of
Hereford, Northampton, Arundel, Corn-
wall, Warwick, Huntingdon, Suffolk, and
Oxford ; and of barons the lord Mortimer,
who was after earl of March, the lords John,
Louis and Roger of Beauchamp, and the
lord Raynold Cobham ; of lords the lord of
Mowbray, Ros, Lucy, Felton, Bradestan,
Multon, Delaware, Manne,- Basset, Berke-
ley, and Willoughby, with divers other
lords ; and of bachelors there was John
Chandos, Fitz-Warin, Peter and James
Audley, Roger of Wetenhale, Bartholomew
of Burghersh, and Richard of Pembridge,
with divers other that I cannot name, P'ew
there were of strangers : there was the earl
Hainault,^ sir W^ulfart of Ghistelles, and
five or six other knights of Almaine, and
many other that I cannot name.
Thus they sailed forth that day in the name
of God. They were well onward on their
way toward Gascoyne, but on the third day
there rose a contrary wind and drave them
1 He was in fact sixteen ; bom 15th June 1330,
2 Probably 'Mohun.'
3 The usual confusion between 'comt^' and
'comte,' It means, *of the county of Hainault
there was sir Wulfart of Ghistelles," etc.
94
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
on the marches of Cornwall, and there they
lay at anchor six days. In that space the
king had other counsel by the means of sir
Godfrey Harcourt : he counselled the king
not to go into Gascoyne, but rather to set
aland in Normandy, and said to the king :
* Sir, the country of Normandy is one of
the plenteous countries of the world : sir,
on jeopardy of my head, if ye will land
there, there is none that shall resist you ;
the people of Normandy have not been used
to the war, and all the knights and squires
of the country are now at the siege before
Aiguillon with the duke. And, sir, there
ye shall find great towns that be not
walled, whereby your men shall have such
winning, that they shall be the better
thereby twenty year after ; and, sir, ye may
follow with your army till ye come to Caen
in Normandy : sir, I require you to believe
me in this voyage.'
The king, who was as then but in the
flower of his youth, desiring nothing so
much as to have deeds of arms, inclined
greatly to the saying of the lord Harcourt,
whom he called cousin. Then he com-
manded the mariners to set their course to
Normandy, and he took into his ship the
token of the admiral the earl of Warwick,
and said how he would be admiral for that
viage, and so sailed on before as governour
of that navy, and they had wind at will.
Then the king arrived in the isle of Coten-
tin, at a port called Hogue Saint-Vaast.^
Tidings anon spread abroad how the
Englishmen were aland : the towns of
Cotentin sent word thereof to Paris to king
Philip. He had well heard before how the
king of England was on the sea with a
great army, but he wist not what way he
would draw, other into Normandy, Bretayne
or Gascoyne. As soon as he knew that the
king of England was aland in Normandy,
he sent his constable the earl of Guines,
and the earl of Tancarville, who were but
newly come to him from his son from the
siege at Aiguillon, to the town of Caen,
commanding them to keep that town against
the Englishmen. They said they would do
their best : they departed from Paris with
a good number of men of war, and daily
there came more to them by the way, and
so came to the town of Caen, where they
were received with great joy of men of the
1 Saint-Vaast-de la Hogue.
town and of the country thereabout, that
were drawn thither for surety. These lords
took heed for the provision of the town, the
which as then was not walled. The king
thus was arrived at the port Hogue Saint-
Vaast near to Saint-Saviour the Viscount ^
the right heritage to the lord Godfrey of Har-
court, who as then was there with the king
of England.
CHAPTER CXXn
How the king of England rode in three
battles through Normandy.
When the king of England arrived in
the Hogue Saint -Vaast, the king issued
out of his ship, and the first foot that he
set on the ground, he fell so rudely, that
the blood brast out of his nose. The
knights that were about him took him up
and said : ' Sir, for God's sake enter again
into your ship, and come not aland this
day, for this is but an evil sign for us.*
Then the king answered quickly and said :
' Wherefore ? This is a good token for me,
for the land desireth to have me.' Of the
which answer all his men were right joyful.
So that day and night the king lodged on
the sands, and in the meantime discharged
the ships of their horses and other baggages :
there the king made two marshals of his
host, the one the lord Godfrey of Harcourt
and the other the earl of Warwick, and the
earl of Arundel constable. And he or-
dained that the earl of Huntingdon should
keep the fleet of ships with a hundred men
of arms and four hundred archers : and also
he ordained three battles, one to go on his
right hand, closing to the sea-side, and the
other on his left hand, and the king himself
in the midst, and every night to lodge all in
one field.
Thus they set forth as they were ordained,
and they that went by the sea took all the
ships that they found in their ways : and so
long they went forth, what by sea and what
by land, that they came to a good port and
to a good town called Barfleur, the which
incontinent was won, for they within gave
up for fear of death. Howbeit, for all that,
the town was robbed, and much gold and
silver there found, and rich jewels : there
1 Saint-Saqveur-le-Vicomtc.
EDWARD III. IN NORMANDY
95
was found so much riches, that the boys and
villains of the host set nothing by good
furred gowns : they made all the men of the
town to issue out and to go into the ships,
because they would not suffer them to be
behind them for fear of rebelling again.
After the town of Barfleur was thus taken
and robbed without brenning, then they
spread abroad in the country and did what
they list, for there was not to resist them.
At last they came to a great and a rich
town called Cherbourg : the town they won
and robbed it, and brent part thereof, but
into the castle they could not come, it was
so strong and well furnished with men of
war. Then they passed forth and came to
Montebourg, and took it and robbed and
brent it clean. In this manner they brent
many other towns in that country and won
so much riches, that it was marvel to reckon
it. Then they came to a great town well
closed called Carentan, where there was
also a strong castle and many soldiers
within to keep it. Then the lords came
out of their ships and fiercely made assault :
the burgesses of the town were in great fear
of their lives, wives and children : they
suffered the Englishmen to enter into the
town against the will of all the soldiers that
were there ; they put all their goods to the
Englishmen's pleasures, they thought that
most advantage. When the soldiers within
saw that, they went into the castle : the
Englishmen went into the town, and two
days together they made sore assaults, so
that when they within saw no succour, they
yielded up, their lives and goods saved, and
so departed. The Englishmen had their
pleasure of that good town and castle, and
when they saw they might not maintain to
keep it, they set fire therein and brent it,
and made the burgesses of the town to
enter into their ships, as they had done with
them of Barfleur, Cherbourg and Monte-
bourg, and of other towns that they had
won on the sea-side. All this was done by
the battle that went by the sea-side, and by
them on the sea together.^
Now let us speak of the king's battle.
When he had sent his first battle along by
1 Froissart is mistaken in supposing that a divi-
sion of the land army went to these towns : Barfleur
and Cherbourg were visited only by the fleet. Ac-
cording to Michael of Northburgh, who accom-
panied the expedition, Edward disembarked 12th
the sea-side, as ye have heard, whereof one
of his marshals, the earl of Warwick, was
captain, and the lord Cobham with him,
then he made his other marshal to lead his
host on his left hand, for he knew the issues
and entries of Normandy better than any
other did there. The lord Godfrey as mar-
shal rode forth with five hundred men of
arms, and rode off from the king's battle as
six or seven leagues, in brenning and exil-
ing the country, the which was plentiful of
everything — the granges full of corn, the
houses full of all riches, rich burgesses, carts
and chariots, horse, swine, muttons and
other beasts : they took what them list and
brought into the king's host ; but the sol-
diers made no count to the king nor to none
of his officers of the gold and silver that they
did get ; they kept that to themselves.
Thus sir Godfrey of Harcourt rode every
day off from the king's host, and for
most part every night resorted to the king's
field. The king took his way to Saint-Lo
in Cotentin, but or he came there he lodged
by a river, abiding for his men that rode
along by the sea-side ; and when they were
come, they set forth their carriage, and the
earl of Warwick, the earl of Suffolk, sir
Thomas Holland and sir Raynold Cobham,
and their company rode out on the one side
and wasted and exiled the country, as the
lord Harcourt had done ; and the king ever
rode between these battles, and every night
they lodged together.
CHAPTER CXXni
Of the great assembly that the French king
made to resist the king of England.
Thus by the Englishmen was brent, ex-
iled, robbed, wasted and pilled the good,
plentiful country of Normandy. Then the
French king sent for the lord John of Hai-
nault, who came to him with a great number :
also the king sent for other men of arms,
dukes, earls, barons, knights and squires,
and assembled together the greatest number
of people that had been seen in France a
hundred year before. He sent for men
into so far countries, that it was long or
July and remained at Saint-Vaast till the i8th, and
meanwhile the fleet went to Barfleur and Cherbourg.
The army arrived at Caen on the 26th.
96
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
they came together, wherefore the king of
England did what him Hst in the mean
season. The French king heard well what
he did, and sware and said how they should
never return again unfought withal, and
that such hurts and damages as they had
done should be dearly revenged ; wherefore
he had sent letters to his friends in the
Empire, to such as were farthest off, and
also to the gentle king of Bohemia and to
the lord Charles his son, who from thence-
forth was called king of Almaine ; he was
made king by the aid of his father and the
French king, and had taken on him the
arms of the Empire : the French king de-
sired them to come to him with all their
powers, to the intent to fight with the king
of England, who brent and wasted his
country. These princes and lords made
them ready with great number of men of
arms, of Almains, Bohemians and Luxem-
burgers, and so came to the French king.
Also king Philip sent to the duke of Lor-
raine, who came to serve him with three
hundred spears : also there came the earl
[of] Salm in Saumois, the earl of Sarrebruck,
the earl of Flanders, the earl William of
Namur, every man with a fair company.
Ye have heard herebefore of the order of
the Englishmen, how they went in three
battles, the marshals on the right hand and
on the left, the king and the prince of Wales
his son in the midst. They rode but small
journeys and every day took their lodgings
between noon and three of the clock, and
found the country so fruitful, that they
needed not to make no provision for their
host, but all only for wine ; and yet they
found reasonably sufficient thereof.^ It was
no marvel though they of the country were
afraid, for before that time they had never
seen men of war, nor they wist not what
war or battle meant. They fled away as
far as they might hear speaking of the Eng-
lishmen,^ and left their houses well stuffed,
and granges full of corn, they wist not how
to save and keep it. The king of England
and the prince had in their battle a three
thousand men of arms and six thousand
archers and a ten thousand men afoot, be-
side them that rode with the marshals.
1 Or rather, 'thus they found reasonably suffi-
cient provisions.'
2 That is, they fled as soon as they heard their
coming spoken of.
Thus as ye have heard, the king rode
forth, wasting andbrenning the country with-
out breaking of his order. He left the city
of Coutances^ and wentto agreat town called
Saint-Lo, a rich town of drapery and many
rich burgesses. In that town there were
dwelling an eight or nine score burgesses,
crafty men. When the king came there, he
took his lodging without, for he would never
lodge in the town for fear of fire : but he
sent his men before and anon the town was
taken and clean robbed. It was hard to
think the great riches that there was won,
in clothes specially ; cloth would there have
been sold good cheap, if there had been
any buyers.
Then the king went toward Caen, the
which was a greater town and full of drapery
and other merchandise, and rich burgesses,
noble ladies and damosels, and fair churches,
and specially two great and rich abbeys, one
of the Trinity, another of Saint Stephen ;
and on the one side of the town one of the
fairest castles of all Normandy, and captain
therein was Robert of Wargny, with three
hundred Genoways, and in the town was
the earl of Eu and of Guines, constable of
France, and the earl of Tancarville, with a
good number of men of war. The king of
England rode that day in good order and
lodged all his battles together that night, a
two leagues from Caen, in a town with a
little haven called Austrehem, and thither
came also all his navy of ships with the earl
of Huntingdon, who was governour of them.
The constable and other lords of France
that night watched well the town of Caen,
and in the morning armed them with all
them of the town : then the constable
ordained that none should issue out, but
keep their defences on the walls, gate,
bridge and river, and left the suburbs void,
because they were not closed ; for they
thought they should have enough to do to
defend the town, because it was not closed
but with the river. They of the town said
how they would issue out, for they were "
1 That is, he did not turn aside to go to it.
Froissart says, ' He did not turn aside to the city
of Coutances, but went on toward the great town
of Saint-Lo in Cotentin, which at that time was very
rich and of great merchandise and three times as
great as the city of Coutances.' Michael of North-
burgh says that Barfleur was about equal in import-
ance to Sandwich and Carentan to Leicester, Saint-
Lo greater than Lincoln, and Caen greater than any
city in England except London.
CAPTURE OF CAEN {July 26)
97
strong enough to fight with the king of
England, When the constable saw their
good wills, he said : * In the name of God
be it, ye shall not fight without me. ' Then
they issued out in good order and made
good face to fight and to defend them and
to put their lives in adventure.
CHAPTER CXXIV
Of the battle of Caen, and how the
Englishmen took the town.
The same day the Englishmen rose early
and apparelled them ready to go to Caen.^
The king heard mass before the sun-rising
and then took his horse, and the prince
his son, with sir Godfrey of Harcourt
marshal and leader of the host, whose
counsel the king much followed. Then
they drew toward Caen with their battles in
good array, and so approached the good
town of Caen. When they of the town,
who were ready in the field, saw these three
battles coming in good order, with their
banners and standards waving in the wind,
and the archers, the which they had not
been accustomed to see, they were sore
afraid and fled away toward the town with-
out any order or good array, for all that the
constable could do : then the Englishmen
pursued them eagerly. When the constable
and the earl Tancarville saw that, they took
a gate at the entry and saved themselves ^
and certain with them, for the Englishmen
were entered into the town. Some of the
knights and squires of France, such as knew
the way to the castle, went thither, and the
captain there received them all, for the
castle was large. The Englishmen in the
chase slew many, for they took none to
mercy.
Then the constable and the earl of Tan-
carville, being in the little tower at the
bridge foot, looked along the street and saw
their men slain v/ithout mercy : they doubted
to fall in their hands. At last they saw an
English knight with one eye called sir
^ This was 26th July. Edward arrived at Poissy
on i2th August : Philip of Valois left Paris on the
14th : the English crossed the Seine at Poissy on
the i6th, and the Somme at Blanche-taque on the
24th.
2 ' Set themselves for safety in a gate at the entry
of the bridge.'
H
Thomas Holland, and a five or six other
knights with him : they knew them, for
they had seen them before in Pruce, in
Granade, and in other viages. Then they
called to sir Thomas and said how they
would yield themselves prisoners. Then
sir Thomas came thither with his company
and mounted up into the gate, and there
found the said lords with twenty- five knights
with them, who yielded them to sir Thomas,
and he took them for his prisoners and left
company to keep them, and then mounted
again on his horse and rode into the streets,
and saved many lives of ladies, damosels,
and cloisterers from defoiling, for the
soldiers were without mercy. It fell so
well the same season for the Englishmen,
that the river, which was able to bear ships,
at that time was so low, that men went in
and out beside the bridge. They of the
town were entered into their houses, and
cast down into the street stones, timber
and iron, and slew and hurt more than five
hundred Englishmen, wherewith the king
was sore displeased. At night when he
heard thereof, he commanded that the next
day all should be put to the sword and the
town brent ; but then sir Godfrey of Har-
court said : 'Dear sir, for God's sake
assuage somewhat your courage, and let it
suffice you that ye have done. Ye have
yet a great voyage to do or ye come before
Calais, whither ye purpose to go ; and, sir,
in this town there is much people who will
defend their houses, and it will cost many
of your men their lives, or ye have all at
your will ; whereby peradventure ye shall
not keep your purpose to Calais, the which
should redound to your rack. Sir, save
your people, for ye shall have need of them
or this month pass ; for I think verily your
adversary king Philip will meet with you to
fight, and ye shall find many strait passages
and rencounters ; wherefore your men, an
ye had more, shall stand you in good stead :
and, sir, without any further slaying ye shall
be lord of this town ; men and women will
put all that they have to your pleasure.'
Then the king said : ' Sir Godfrey, you are
our marshal, ordain everything as ye will.'
Then sir Godfrey with his banner rode
from street to street, and commanded in
the king's name none to be so hardy to put
fire in any house, to slay any person, nor to
violate any woman. When they of the
98
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
town heard that cry, they received the
Englishmen into their houses and made
them good cheer, and some opened their
coffers and bade them take what them Hst,
so they might be assured of their Hves ;
howbeit there were done in the town many
evil deeds, murders and robberies Thus
the Englishmen were lords of the town
three days and won great riches, the which
they sent by barks and barges to Saint-
Saviour by the river of Austrehem,^ a two
leagues thence, whereas all their navy lay.
Then the king sent the earl of Huntingdon
with two hundred men of arms and four
hundred archers, with his navy and prisoners
and riches that they had got, back again
into England. And the king bought of sir
Thomas Holland the constable of France
and the earl of Tancarville, and paid for
them twenty thousand nobles.
CHAPTER CXXV
How sir Godfrey of Harcourt fought
them of Amiens before Paris.
with
Thus the king of England ordered his
business, being in the town of Caen, and
sent into England his navy of ships charged
^yith clothes, jewels, vessels of gold and
silver, and of other riches, and of prisoners
more than sixty knights and three hundred
burgesses. Then he departed from the
town of Caen and rode in the same order
as he did before, brenning and exiling the
country, and took the way to Evreux and
so passed by it ; and from thence they rode
to a great town called Louviers : it was the
chief town of all Normandy of drapery,
riches, and full of merchandise. The
Englishmen soon entered therein, for as
then it was not closed ; it was overrun,
spoiled and robbed without mercy : there
was won great riches. Then they entered
into the country of Evreux and brent and
pilled all the country except the good towns
closed and castles, to the which the king
made nofie assault, because of the sparing
of his people and his artillery.
On the river of Seine near to Rouen there
1 Frolssart says that they sent their booty in
barges and boats ' on the river as far as Austrehem,
a two leagues from thence, where their great navy
lay.' He pakes no mention of Saint-Sauveur here.
The river in question is the Orne, at the mouth of
which Austrehem is situated.
was the earl of Harcourt, brother to sir
Godfrey of Harcourt, but he was on the
French party, and the earl of Dreux with
him, with a good number of men of war :
but the Englishmen left Rouen and went
to Gisors, where was a strong castle : they
brent the town and then they brent Vernon
and all the country about Rouen and Pont-
de-l'Arche and came to Mantes and to
Meulan, and wasted all the country about,
and passed by the strong castle of Rolle-
boise ; and in every place along the river
of Seine they found the bridges broken.
At last they came to Poissy, and found the
bridge broken, but the arches and joists lay
in the river : the king lay there a five
days : in the mean • season the bridge was
made, to pass the host without peril. The
English marshals ran abroad just to Paris,
and brent Saint - Germain in Laye and
Montjoie, and Saint - Cloud, and petty
Boulogne by Paris, and the Queen's Bourg •?■
they of Paris were not well assured of them-
selves, for it was not as then closed.
Then king Philip removed to Saint-Denis,
and or he went caused all the pentices in
Paris to be pulled down ; and at Saint-
Denis were ready come the king of Bohemia,
the lord John of Hainault, the duke of
Lorraine, the earl of Flanders, the earl of
Blois, and many other great lords and
knights, ready to serve the French king.
When the people of Paris saw their. king
depart, they came to him and kneeled down
and said : ' Ah, sir and noble king, what
will ye do? leave thus this noble city of,
Paris ? ' The king said : * My good people,
doubt ye not : the Englishmen will approach]
you no nearer than they be.' 'Why so,]
sir ? ' quoth they ; ' they be within these two]
leagues, and as soon as they know of your]
departing, they will come and assail us ;]
and we not able to defend them : sir, tarry]
here still and help to defend your good city j
of Paris. ' ' Speak no more, ' quoth the king,
' for I will go to Saint-Denis to my men of
war : for I will encounter the Englishmen and
fight against them, whatsoever fall thereof.'
The king of England was at Poissy, and
lay in the nunnery there, and kept there
the feast of our Lady in August and sat in
his robes of scarlet furred with ermines ;
and after that feast he went forth in order
as they were before. The lord Godfrey of
1 Bourg-la-Reine.
THE ENGLISH NEAR PARIS, 1346
99
Harcourt rode out on the one side with five
hundred men of arms and thirteen ^ hundred
archers ; and by adventure he encountered
a great number of burgesses of Amiens a-
horseback, who were riding by the king's
commandment to Paris. They were
quickly assailed and they defended them-
selves valiantly, for they were a great number
and well armed : there were four knights of
Amiens their captains. This skirmish
dured long : at the first meeting many were
overthrown on both parts ; but finally the
burgesses were taken and nigh all slain, and
the Englishmen took all their carriages and
harness. They were well stuffed, for they
were going to the French king well ap-
pointed, because they had not seen him a
great season before. There were slain in
the field a twelve hundred.
Then the king of England entered into
the country of Beauvoisis, brenning and exil-
ing the plain country, and lodged at a fair
abbey and a rich called Saint-Messien * near
to Beauvais : there the king tarried a night
and in the morning departed. And when
he was on his way he looked behind him
and saw the abbey a-fire : he caused incon-
tinent twenty of them to be hanged that
set the fire there, for he had commanded
before on pain of death none to violate any
church nor to bren any abbey. Then the
king passed by the city of Beauvais without
any assault giving, for because he would
not trouble his people nor waste his artil-
lery. And so that day he took his lodging
betime in a little town called Milly. The
two marshals came so near to Beauvais,
that they made assault and skirmish at the
barriers in three places, the which assault
endured a long space ; but the town within
was so well defended by the means of the
bishop, who was there within, that finally
the Englishmen departed, and brent clean
hard to the gates all the suburbs, and
then at night they came into the king's
field.
The next day the king departed, bren-
ning and wasting all before him, and at
night lodged in a good village called Grand-
villiers. The next day the king passed by
Dargies : there was none to defend the
1 A better reading is ' twelve.*
2 Commonly called Saint - Lucien, but Saint-
Maximianus (Messien) is also associated with the
place.
castle, wherefore it was soon taken and
brent. Then they went forth destroying
the country all about, and so came to the
castle of Poix, where there was a good
town and two castles. There was nobody
in them but two fair damosels, daughters to
the lord of Poix ; they were soon taken,
and had been violated, an two English
knights had not been, sir John Chandos
and sir Basset ; they defended them and
brought them to the king, who for his
honour made them good cheer and de-
manded of them whither they would
fainest go. They said, 'To Corbie,' and
the king caused them to be brought thither
without peril. That night the king lodged
in the town of Poix. They of the town
and of the castles spake that night with
the marshals of the host, to save them and
their town from brenning, and they to pay
a certain sum of florins the next day as
soon as the host was departed. This was
granted them, and in the morning the
king departed with all his host except a
certain that were left there to receive the
money that they of the town had promised
to pay. When they of the town saw the
host depart and but a few left behind, then
they said they would pay never a penny,
and so ran out and set on the Englishmen,
who defended themselves as well as they
might and sent after the host for succour.
When sir Raynold Cobham and sir Thomas
Holland, who had the rule of the rear-
guard, heard thereof, they returned and
cried, ' Treason, treason ! ' and so came
again to Poix-ward and found their com-
panions still fighting with them of the town.
Then anon they of the town were nigh all
slain, and the town brent, and the two
castles beaten down. Then they returned
to the king's host, who was as then at
Airaines and there lodged, and had com-
manded all manner of men on pain of
death to do no hurt to no town of Arsyn,^
for there the king was minded to lie a day
or two to take advice how he might pass
the river of Somme ; for it was necessary
for him to pass the river, as ye shall hear
after.
1 A mistranslation. The original is ' [il avoit]
defFendu sus le hart que nuls ne fourfesist rien a le
ville d'arsin ne d'autre cose,' ' he had commanded
all on pain of hanging to do no hurt to the town by
burning or otherwise.' The translator has taken
' arsin ' for a proper name.
100
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
CHAPTER CXXVI
How the French king followed the king of
England in Beauvoisinois.
Now let us speak of king Philip, who was
at Saint- Denis and his people about him,
and daily increased. Then on a day he
departed and rode so long that he came to
Coppegueule, a three leagues from Amiens,
and there he tarried. The king of England
being at Airaines wist not where for to pass
the river of Somme, the which was large
and deep, and all bridges were broken and
the passages well kept. Then at the king's
commandment his two marshals with a
thousand men of arms and two thousand
archers went along the river to find some
passage, and passed by Longpre, and came
to the bridge of Remy,^ the which was well
kept with a great number of knights and
squires and men of the country. The Eng-
lishmen alighted afoot and assailed the
Frenchmen from the morning till it was
noon ; but the bridge was so well fortified
and defended, that the Englishmen de-
parted without winning of anything. Then
they went to a great town called Fountains
on the river of Somme, the which was clean
robbed and brent, for it was not closed.
Then they went to another town called
Long-en- Ponthieu ; they could not win the
bridge, it was so well kept and defended.
Then they departed and went to Picquigny,
and found the town, the bridge, and the
castle so well fortified, that it was not likely
to pass there : the French king had so well
defended the passages, to the intent that
the king of England should not pass the
river of Somme, to fight with him at his
advantage or else to famish him there.
When these two marshals had assayed in
all places to find passage and could find
none, they returned again to the king, and
shewed how they could find no passage in
no place. The same night the French
king came to Amiens with more than a
hundred thousand men.. The king of Eng-
land was right pensive, and the next morn-
ing heard mass before the sun-rising and
then dislodged ; and every man followed
1 Pont-a-Remy, corrupted here into 'bridge of
Athyne.'
the marshals' banners, and so rode in the
country of Vimeu approaching to the good
town of Abbeville, and found a town there-
by, whereunto was come much people of
the country in trust of a little defence that
was there ; but the Englishmen anon won
it, and all they that were within slain, and
many taken of the town and of the country.
The king took his lodging in a great
hospital ^ that was there. The same day
the French king departed from Amiens and
came to Airaines about noon ; and the]
Englishmen were departed thence in the
morning. The Frenchmen found there
great provision that the Englishmen hac
left behind them, because they departed ii
haste. There they found flesh ready or
the broaches, bread and pasties in the
ovens, wine in tuns and barrels, and the
tables ready laid. There the French king,
lodged and tarried for his lords.
That night the king of England was lodged
at Oisemont. At night when the two mar-
shals were returned, who had that day over-
run the country to the gates of Abbeville and
to Saint-Valery and made a great skirmish
there, then the king assembled together hi?
council and made to be brought before him
certain prisoners of the country of Ponthiei
and of Vimeu. The king right courteously
demanded of them, if there were any amonj
them that knew any passage beneath Abbe-
ville, that he and his host might pass ovei
the river of Somme : if he would shew hii
thereof, he should be quit of his ransom^
and twenty of his company for his love.
There was a varlet called Gobin Agac<
who stepped forth and said to the king;
' Sir, I promise you on the jeopardy of mj
head I shall bring you to such a place,
whereas ye and all your host shall pass the
river of Somme without peril. There be
certain places in the passage that ye shall
pass twelve men afront two times betweei
day and night : ye shall not go in the wate:
to the knees. But when the flood cometh,
the river then waxeth so great, that no mat
can pass ; but when the flood is gone, th<
which is two times between day and nighty
then the river is so low, that it may b<
passed without danger both a-horsebaci
and afoot. The passage is hard in the
bottom with white stones, so that all youi
carriage may go surely ; therefore th<
1 That is, a house of the knights of Saint John.
PASSAGE OF THE SOMME {Aug. 24)
lOI
passage is called Blanche-taque. An ye
make ready to depart betimes, ye may be
there by the sun-rising. ' The king said :
« If this be true that ye say, I quit thee thy
ransom and all thy company, and moreover
shall give thee a hundred nobles.' Then
the king commanded every man to be ready
at the sound of the trumpet to depart.
CHAPTER CXXVII
Of the battle of Blanche-taque between the
I king of England and sir Godemar du Fay.
The king of England slept not much that
night, for at midnight he arose and sowned
his trumpet : then incontinent they made
ready carriages and all things, and at the
breaking of the day they departed from the
town of Oisemont and rode after the guiding
of Gobin Agace, so that they came by the
sun-rising to Blanche-taque ; but as then the
flood was up, so that they might not pass :
so the king tarried there till it was prime ;
then the ebb came.
The French king had his currours in the
country, who brought him word of the
demeanour of the Englishmen. Then he
thought to close the king of England
between Abbeville and the river of Somme,
and so to fight with him at his pleasure.
And when he was at Amiens he had
ordained a great baron of Normandy, called
sir Godemar du Fay, to go and keep the
passage of Blanche-taque, where the English-
men must pass or else in none other place.
He had with him a thousand men of arms
and six thousand afoot, with the Genoways :
so they went by Saint-Riquier in Ponthieu
and from thence to Crotoy, whereas the
passage lay ; and also he had with him a
great number of men of the country, and
also a great number of them of Montreuil,
so that they were a twelve thousand men
one and other.
When the English host was come thither,
sir Godemar du Fay arranged all his company
to defend the passage. The king of England
let not for all that ; but when the flood was
gone, he commanded his marshals to enter
into the water in the name of God and Saint
George. Then they that were hardy and
courageous entered on both parties, and
many a man reversed. There were some of
the Frenchmen of Artois and Picardy that
were as glad to joust in the water as on the
dry land.
The Frenchmen defended so well the
passage at the issuing out of the water, that
they had much to do. The Genoways did
them great trouble with their cross-bows :
on the other side the archers of England
shot so wholly together, that the French-
men were fain to give place to the English-
men. There was a sore battle, and many
a noble feat of arms done on both sides.
Finally the Englishmen passed over and
assembled together in the field. The king
and the prince passed, and all the lords ;
then the Frenchmen kept none array, but
departed, he that might best. When sir
Godemar saw that discomfiture, he fled and
saved himself : some fled to Abbeville and
some to Saint- Riquiers. They that were
there afoot could not flee, so that there were
slain a great number of them of Abbeville,
Montreuil, Rue and of Saint-Riquiers : the
chase endured more than a great league.
And as yet all the Englishmen were not
passed the river, and certain currours of the
king of Bohemia and of sir John of Plainault
came on them that were behind and took
certain horses and carriages and slew divers,
or they could take the passage.
The French king the same morning was
departed from Airaines, trusting to have
found the Englishmen between him and
the river of Somme : but when he heard
how that sir Godemar du Fay and his
company were discomfited, he tarried in
the field and demanded of his marshals
what was best to do. They said, 'Sir, ye
cannot pass the river but at the bridge of
Abbeville, for the flood is come in at
Blanche-taque ' : then he returned and
lodged at Abbeville.
The king of England when he was past
the river, he thanked God and so rode forth
in like manner as he did before. Then he
called Gobin Agace and did quit him his
ransom and all his company, and gave him
a hundred nobles and a good horse. And
so the king rode forth fair and easily, and
thought to have lodged in a great town
called Noyelles ; but when he knew that
the town pertained to the countess d'Aumale,
sister to the lord Robert of Artois,^ the
1 She was in fact his daughter.
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
king assured the town and country as much
as pertained to her, and so went forth ; and
his marshals rode to Crotoy on the sea-side
and brent the town, and found in the haven
many ships and barks charged with wines
of Poitou, pertaining to the merchants of
Saintonge and of Rochelle : they brought
the best thereof to the king's host. Then
one of the marshals rode to the gates of
Abbeville and from thence to Saint- Riquiers,
and after to the town of Rue-Saint-Esprit.
This was on a Friday, and both battles of
the marshals returned to the king's host
about noon and so lodged all together near
to Cressy in Ponthieu.
The king of England was well informed
how the French king followed after him to
fight. Then he said to his company ; * Let
us take here some plot of ground, for we
will go no farther till we have seen our
enemies. I have good cause here to abide
them, for I am on the right heritage of the
queen my mother, the which land was given
at her marriage : I will challenge it of mine
adversary Philip of Valois.' And because
that he had not the eighth part in number of
men as the French king had, therefore he
commanded his marshals to chose a plot of
ground somewhat for his advantage : and so
they did, and thither the king and his host
went. Then he sent his currours to
Abbeville, to see if the French king drew
that day into the field or not. They went
forth and returned again, and said how they
could see none appearance of his coming :
then every man took their lodging for that
day, and to be ready in the morning at the
sound of the trumpet in the same place.
This Friday the French king tarried still in
Abbeville abiding for his company, and sent
his two marshals to ride out to see the
dealing of the Englishmen, and at night
they returned, and said how the English-
men were lodged in the fields. That night
the French king made a supper to all the
chief lords that were there with him, and
after supper the king desired them to be
friends each to other. The king looked for
the earl of Savoy, who should come to him
with a thousand spears, for he had received
wages for a three months of them at Troyes
in Champagne.
CHAPTER CXXVIII
Of the order of the Englishmen at Cressy,
and how they made three battles afoot. \
On the Friday, as I said before, the king of
England lay in the fields, for the country
was plentiful of wines and other victual,
and if need had been, they had provision
following in carts and other carriages.
That night the king made a supper to all
his chief lords of his host and made them
good cheer ; and when they were all de-
parted to take their rest, then the king
entered into his oratory and kneeled down
before the altar, praying God devoutly, that
if he fought the next day, that he might
achieve the journey to his honour : then
about midnight he laid him down to rest,
and in the morning he rose betimes and
heard mass, and the prince his son with
him, and the most part of his company were
confessed and houselled ; and after the mass
said, he commanded every man to be armed
and to draw to the field to the same place^
before appointed. Then the king caused
park to be made by the wood side behim
his host, and there was set all carts an<
carriages, and within the park were all thei
horses, for every man was afoot ; and int(
this park there was but one entry. TheJ
he ordained three battles : in the first wa
the young prince of Wales, with him th<
earl of Warwick and Oxford, the lor<
Godfrey of Harcourt, sir Raynold Cobham^
sir Thomas Holland, the lord Stafford, th<
lord of Mohun, the lord Delaware, sir Johi
Chandos, sir Bartholomew de Burghersh
sir Robert Nevill, the lord Thomas Clifford
the lord Bourchier, the lord de Latimer, an<
divers other knights and squires that I can
not name : they were an eight hundred mei
of arms and two thousand archers, and i
thousand of -other with the Welshmen
every lord drew to the field appointee
under his own banner and pennon. In th<
second battle was the earl of Northamptoi^
the earl of Arundel, the lord Ros, the lore
Lucy, the lord Willoughby, the lord Bassetj
the lord of Saint-Aubin, sir Louis TuftoHj
the lord of Multon, the lord Lascelles anc
divers other, about an eight hundred me^
of arms and twelve hundred archers. The
third battle had the king: he had seven
BATTLE OF CRACY {.Aug. 26)
103
hundred men of arms and two thousand
archers. Then the king leapt on a hobby,^
with a white rod in his hand, one of his
marshals on the one hand and the other on
the other hand : he rode from rank to rank
desiring every man to take heed that day
to his right and honour. He spake it so
sweetly and with so good countenance and
merry cheer, that all such as were dis-
comfited took courage in the seeing and
hearing of him. And when he had thus
visited all his battles, it was then nine of
the day : then he caused every man to eat
and drink a little, and so they did at their
leisure. And afterward they ordered again
their battles : then every man lay down on
the earth and by him his salet and bow, to
be the more fresher when their enemies
should come.
CHAPTER CXXIX
The order of the Frenchmen at Cressy, and
how they beheld the demeanour of the
Englishmen.
This Saturday the French king rose be-
times and heard mass in Abbeville in his
lodging in the abbey of Saint Peter, and
he departed after the sun-rising. "When he
was out of the town two leagues, approach-
ing toward his enemies, some of his lords
said to him : ' Sir, it were good that ye
ordered your battles, and let all your foot-
men pass somewhat on before, that they be
not troubled with the horsemen.' Then
the king sent four knights, the Moine [of]
IJazeilles, the lord of Noyers, the lord of
Beaujeu and the lord d'Aubigny to ride to
aview the English host ; and so they rode
so near that they might well see part of
their dealing. The Englishmen saw them
well and knew well how they were come
thither to aview them : they let them alone
and made no countenance toward them,
and let them return as they came. And
when the French king saw these four
knights return again, he tarried till they
came to him and said : ' Sirs, what tidings?'
These four knights each of them looked on
other, for there was none would speak
before his companion ; finally the king
said to [the] Moine, who pertained to the
1 ' Un petit palefroi. '
king of Bohemia and had done in his days
so much, that he was reputed for one of
the valiantest knights of the world : ' Sir,
speak you.' Then he said: 'Sir, I shall
speak, sith it pleaseth you, under the
correction of my fellows. Sir, we have
ridden and seen the behaving of your
enemies : know ye for truth they are rested
in three battles abiding for you. Sir, I
will counsel you as for my part, saving
your displeasure, that you and all your
company rest here and lodge for this night :
for or they that be behind of your company
be come hither, and or your battles be set
in good order, it will be very late, and
your people be weary and out of array,
and ye shall find your enemies fresh and
ready to receive you. Early in the morning
ye may order your battles at more leisure
and advise your enemies at more delibera-
tion, and to regard well what way ye will
assail them ; for, sir, surely they will abide
you.'
Then the king commanded that it should
be so done. Then his two marshals one
rode before, another behind, saying to
every banner : * Tarry and abide here in
the name of God and Saint Denis.' They
that were foremost tarried, but they that
were behind would not tarry, but rode
forth, and said how they would in no wise
abide till they were as far forward as the
foremost : and when they before saw them
come on behind, then they rode forward
again, so that the king nor his marshals
could not rule them. So they rode without
order or good array, till they came in sight
of their enemies : and as soon as the fore-
most saw them, they reculed then aback
without good array, whereof they behind
had marvel and were abashed, and thought
that the foremost company had been fight-
ing. Then they might have had leisure
and room to have gone forward, if they
had list : some went forth and some abode
still. The commons, of whom all the ways
between Abbeville and Cressy were full,
when they saw that they were near to their
enemies, they took their swords and cried :
'Down with them ! let us slay them all."
There is i>o man, though he were present
at the journey, that could imagine or shew
the truth of the evil order that was among
the French party, and yet they were a
marvellous great number. That I write
I04
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
in this book I learned it specially of the
Englishmen, who well beheld their dealing ;
and also certain knights of sir John of
Hainault's, who was always about king
Philip, shewed me as they knew.
CHAPTER CXXX
Of the battle of Cressy between the king of
England and the French king.
The Englishmen, who were in three battles
lying on the ground to rest them, as soon
as they saw the Frenchmen approach, they
rose upon their feet fair and easily without
any haste and arranged their battles. The
first, which was the prince's battle, the
f archers there stood in manner of a herse
and the men of arms in the bottom of the
battle. The earl of Northampton and the
earl of Arundel with the second battle
were on a wing in good order, ready to
comfort the prince's battle, if need were.
The lords and knights of France came
not to the assembly together in good order,
for some came before and some came after
in such haste and evil order, that one of
them did trouble another. When the
French king saw the Englishmen, his blood
changed, and said to his marshals : ' Make
the Genoways go on before and begin the
battle in the name of God and Saint Denis.'
There were of the Genoways cross-bows
about a fifteen thousand,^ but they were so
weary of going afoot that day a six leagues
armed with their cross-bows, that they said
to their constables : ' We be not well
ordered to fight this day, for we be not in
the case to do any great deed of arms : we
have more need of rest.' These words
came to the earl of Alen9on, who said :
' A man is well at ease to be charged with
such a sort of rascals, to -be faint and fail
now at most need.' Also the same season
there fell a great rain and a clipse ^ with a
terrible thunder, and before the rain there
came flying over both battles a great number
of crows for fear of the tempest coming.
Then anon the air began to wax clear, and
the sun to shine fair and bright, the which
1 Villani, a very good authority on the subject,
says 6000, brought from the ships at Harfleur.
^ A mistranslation of 'une esdistre,' 'a flash of
lightning.'
was right in the Frenchmen's eyen and on
the Englishmen's backs. When the Geno-
ways were assembled together and began
to approach, they made a great leap ^ and
cry to abash the Englishmen, but they
stood still and stirred not for all that : then
the Genoways again the second time made
another leap and a fell cry, and stept for-
ward a little, and the Englishmen removed
not one foot : thirdly, again they leapt and
cried, and went forth till they came within
shot ; then they shot fiercely with their
cross-bows. Then the English archers
stept forth one pace and let fly their arrows
so wholly [together] and so thick, that it
seemed snow. When the Genoways felt
the arrows piercing through heads, arms
and breasts, many of them cast down
their cross-bows and did cut their strings
and returned discomfited. When the
French king saw them fly away, he said :
' Slay these rascals, for they shall let and
trouble us without reason.' Then ye
should have seen the men of arms dash
in among them and killed a great number
of them : and ever still the Englishmen
shot whereas they saw thickest press ; the
sharp arrows ran into the men of arms and
into their horses, and many fell, horse and
men, among the Genoways, and when they
were down, they could not relieve ^ again,
the press was so thick that one overthrew
another. And also among the Englishmen
there were certain rascals that went afoot
with great knives, and they went in among
the men of arms, and slew and murdered
many as they lay on the ground, both earls,
barons, knights and squires, whereof the
king of England was after displeased, for
he had rather they had been taken prisoners.
The valiant king of Bohemia called
Charles of Luxembourg, son to the noble
emperor Henry of Luxembourg, for all
that he was nigh blind, when he understood
the order of the battle, he said to them
about him : ' Where is the lord Charles
1 These ' leaps ' of the Genoese are invented by
the translator, and have passed from him into several
respectable English text-books, sometimes incom-
pany with the eclipse above mentioned. Froissart
says : ' II commencierent a juper moult epouvant-
ablement' ; that is, 'to utter cries.' Another text
makes mention of the English cannons at this
point : ' The English remained still and let off some
cannons that they had, to frighten the Genoese.'
2 The translator's word ' relieve ' (relyuue) repre-
I sents ' relever,' for ' se relever.'
BATTLE OF CRECY
105
my son ? ' His men said : ' Sir, we cannot
tell ; we think he be fighting.' Then he
said : ' Sirs, ye are my men, my com-
panions and friends in this journey : I
require you bring me so far forward, that
I may strike one stroke with my sword.'
They said they would do his commandment,
and to the intent that they should not lose
him in the press, they tied all their reins
of their bridles each to other and set the
king before to accomplish his desire, and
so they went on their enemies. The lord
Charles of Bohemia his son, who wrote
himself king of Almaine and bare the arms,
he came in good order to the battle ; but
when he saw that the matter went awry on
their party, he departed, I cannot tell you
which way. The king his father was so
far forward that he strake a stroke with his
sword, yea and more than four, and fought
valiantly and so did his company ; and
they adventured themselves so forward,
that they were there all slain, and the next
day they were found in the place about
the king, and all their horses tied each
to other.
The earl of Alen9on came to the battle
right ordinately and fought with the Eng-
lishmen, and the earl of Flanders also on his
part. These two lords with their companies
coasted the English archers and came to the
prince's battle, and there fought valiantly
long. The French king would fain have
come thither, when he saw their banners,
but there was a great hedge of archers
before him. The same day the French
king had given a great black courser to sir
John of Hainault, and he made the lord
Thierry of Senzeille to ride on him and to
bear his banner. The same horse took the
bridle in the teeth and brought him through
all the currours of the Englishmen, and as
he would have returned again, he fell in a
great dike and was sore hurt, and had
been there dead, an his page had not been,
who followed him through all the battles
and saw where his master lay in the dike,
and had none other let but for his horse,
for the Englishmen would not issue out
of their battle for taking of any prisoner.
Then the page alighted and relieved his
master : then he went not back again the
same way that they came, there was too
many in his way.
This battle between Broye and Cressy
this Saturday was right cruel and fell, and
many a feat of arms done that came not
to my knowledge. In the night -^ divers
knights and squires lost their masters, and
sometime came on the Englishmen, who
received them in such wise that they were
ever nigh slain ; for there was none taken
to mercy nor to ransom, for so the English-
men were determined.
In the morning^ the day of the battle
certain Frenchmen and Almains perforce
opened the archers of the prince's battle
and came and fought with the men of
arms hand to hand. Then the second
battle of the Englishmen came to succour
the prince's battle, the which was time, for
they had as then much ado ; and they with
the prince sent a messenger to the king,
who was on a little windmill hill. Then
the knight said to the king : * Sir, the earl
of Warwick and the earl of Oxford, sir
Raynold Cobham and other, such as be
about the prince your son, are fiercely
fought withal and are sore handled ; where-
fore they desire you that you and your
battle will come and aid them; for if the
Frenchmen increase, as they doubt they
will, your son and they shall have much
ado.' Then the king said: 'Is my son
dead or hurt or on the earth felled?' 'No,
sir,' quoth the knight, 'but he is hardly
matched ; wherefore he hath need of your
aid.' 'Well,' said the king, 'return to
him and to them that sent you hither, and
say to them that they send no more to me
for any adventure that falleth, as long as
my son is alive : and also say to them that
they suffer him this day to win his spurs ;^
for if God be pleased, I will this journey
be his and the honour thereof, and to them
that be about him. ' Then the knight re-
turned again to them and shewed the
king's words, the which greatly encouraged
them, and repoined^ in that they had sent
to the king as they did.
Sir Godfrey of Harcourt would gladly
that the earl of Harcourt his brother might
1 'Sus le nuit,' 'towards nightfall.' _
2 The text has suffered by omissions. What
Froissart says is that if the battle had begun in the
morning, it might have gone better for the French,
and then he instances the exploits of those who
broke through the archers. The battle did not
begin till four o'clock in the afternoon.
3 ' Que il laissent a I'enfant gaegnier ses esperons.'
4 i^e. * they repoined ' : Fr. ' se reprisent. '
io6
TH£ CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
have been saved; for he heard say by
them that saw his banner how that he was
there in the field on the French party : but
sir Godfrey could not come to him be-
times, for he was slain or he could come
at him, and so was also the earl of Aumale
his nephew. In another place the earl of
Alen5on and the earl of Flanders fought
valiantly, every lord under his own banner ;
but finally they could not resist against the
puissance of the Englishmen, and so there
they were also slain, and divers other
knights and squires. Also the earl Louis of
Blois, nephew to the French king, and the
duke of Lorraine fought under their
banners, but at last they were closed in
among a company of Englishmen and
Welshmen, and there were slain for all
their prowess. Also there was slain the
earl of Auxerre, the earl of Saint- Pol and
many other.
In the evening the French king, who
had left about him no more than a three-
score persons, one and other, whereof sir
John of Hainault was one, who had re-
mounted once the king, for his horse was
slain with an arrow, then he said to the
king : ' Sir, depart hence, for it is time ;
lose not yourself wilfully : if ye have loss at
this time, ye shall recover it again another
season. ' And so he took the king's horse
by the bridle and led him away in a
manner perforce. Then the king rode till
he came to the castle of Broye. The gate
was closed, because it was by that time
dark : then the king called the captain,
who came to the walls and said : * Who
is that calleth there this time of night ? '
Then the king said : ' Open your gate
quickly, for this is the fortune of France.'^
The captain knew then it was the king,
and opened the gate and let down the
bridge. Then the king entered, and he
had with him but five barons, sir John of
Hainault, sir Charles of Montmorency, the
lord of Beaujeu, the lord d'Aubigny and
the lord of Montsault. The king would not
tarry there, but drank and departed thence
about midnight, and so rode by such guides
as knew the country till he came in the
morning to Amiens, and there he rested.
This Saturday the Englishmen never de-
parted from their battles for chasing of any
1 ' C'est la fortune de France ' : but the better
MSS. have ' c'est li infortunes rois de France.*
man, but kept still their field, and ever
defended themselves against all such as
came to assail them. This battle ended
about evensong time.
CHAPTER CXXXI
How the next day after the battle the English-
men discomfited divers Frenchmen.
On this Saturday, when the night was
come and that the Englishmen heard no
more noise of the Frenchmen, then they
reputed themselves to have the victory,
and the Frenchmen to be discomfited,
slain and fled away. Then they made
great fires and lighted up torches and
candles, because it was very dark. Then
the king avaled down froni the little hill
whereas, he stood; and of all that day till
then his helm came never on his head.
Then he went with all his battle to his son
the prince and embraced him in his arms
and kissed him, and said : ' Fair son, God
give you good perseverance ; ye are my
good son, thus ye have acquitted you
nobly: ye are worthy to keep a realm.'
The prince inclined himself to the earth,
honouring the king his father.
This night they thanked God for their
good adventure and made no boast thereof,
for the king would that no man should
be proud or make boast, but every man
humbly to thank God. On the Sunday in
the morning there was such a mist, that a
man might not see the breadth of an acre
of land from him. Then there departed
from the host by the commandment of the
king and marshals five hundred spears and
two thousand archers, to see if they might
see any Frenchmen gathered again to-
gether in any place. The same morning
out of Abbeville and Saint -Riquiers in
Ponthieu the commons of Rouen and of
Beauvais issued out of their towns,- not
knowing of the discomfiture the day before.
They met with the Englishmen weening
they had been Frenchmen, and when the
Englishmen saw them, they set on them
freshly, and there was a sore battle ; but at
last the Frenchmen fled and kept none
array. There were slain in the ways and
in hedges and bushes more than seven
thousand, and if the day had been clear
SIEGE OF CALAIS, 1346 {Sept. 3)
io7
there had never a one scaped. Anon after,
another company of Frenchmen were met
by the Englishmen, the archbishop of
Rouen and the great prior of France, who
also knew nothing of the discomfiture the
day before ; for they heard that the French
king should have fought the same Sunday,
and they were going thitherward. "When
they met with the Englishmen, there was
a great battle, for they were a great
number, but they could not endure against
the Englishmen ; for they were nigh all
slain, few scaped ; the two lords were slain.
This morning the Englishmen met with
divers Frenchmen that had lost their way
on the Saturday and had lain all night
in the fields, and wist not where the king
was nor the captains. They were all
slain, as many as were met with ; and it
was shewed me that of the commons and
men afoot of the cities and good towns of
France there was slain four times as many
as were slain the Saturday in the great
battle.
CHAPTER CXXXII
How the next day after the battle of Cressy
they that were dead were numbered by the
Englishmen.
The same Sunday, as the king of England
came from mass, such as had been sent forth
returned and shewed the king what they
had seen and done, and said : ' Sir, we
think surely there is now no more appear-
ance of any of our enemies.' Then
the king sent to search how many were
slain and what they were. Sir Raynold
Cobham and sir Richard Stafford with three
heralds went to search the field and country :
they visited all them that were slain and
rode all day in the fields, and returned
again to the host as the king was going to
supper. They made just report of that
they had seen, and said how there were
eleven great princes dead, fourscore ban-
ners, twelve hundred knights, and more
than thirty thousanc^ther.^ The English-
1 Another text makes the loss of persons below the
rank of knight 15,000 or 16,000, including the men
of the towns. Both estimates must be greatly, ex-
aggerated. Michael of Northburgh says that 1542
were killed in the battle and about 2000 on the next
men kept still their field all that night : on
the Monday in the morning the king pre-
pared to depart : the king caused the dead
bodies of the great lords to be taken up and
conveyed to Montreuil, and there buried in
holy ground, and made a cry in the country
to grant truce for three days, to the intent
that they of the country might search the
field of Cressy to bury the dead bodies.
Then the king went forth and came before
the town of Montreuil-by-the-sea, and his
marshals ran toward Hesdin and brent
Waben and Serain, but they did nothing to
the castle, it was so strong and so well kept.
They lodged that night on the river of
Hesdin towards Blangy. The next day
they rode toward Boulogne and came to the
town of Wissant : there the king and the
prince lodged, and tarried there a day to
refresh his men, and on the Wednesday the
king came before the strong town of Calais.
CHAPTER CXXXHI
How the king of England laid siege to Calais,
and how all the poor people were put out
of the town.
In the town of Calais there was captain a
knight of Burgoyne called sir John de
Vienne, and with him was sir Arnold
d'Audrehem, sir John de Surie, sir Baldwin
de Bellebrune, sir Geoffrey de la Motte, sir
Pepin de Wierre and divers other knights
and squires. When the king of England
was come before Calais, he laid his siege
and ordained bastides between the town and
the river : he made carpenters to make
houses and lodgings of great timber, and set
the houses like streets and covered them
with reed and broom, so that it was like a
little town ; and there was everything to
sell, and a market-place to be kept every
Tuesday and Saturday for flesh and fish,
mercery ware, houses for cloth, for bread,
wine and all other things necessary, such
as came out of England or out of Flanders ;
there they might buy what they list. The
Englishmen ran oftentimes into the country
day. The great princes killed were the king of
Bohemia, the duke of Lorraine, the earls of Alengon,
Flanders, Blois, Auxerre, Harcourt, Saint-Pol,
Aumale, the grand prior of France and the arch-
bishop of Rouen.
io8
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
of Guines, and into Ternois, and to the
gates of Saint -Omer's, and sometime to
Boulogne ; they brought into their host
great preys. The king would not assail the
town of Calais, for he thought it but a lost
labour : he spared his people and his artil-
lery, and said how he would famish them in
the town with long siege, without the French
king come and raise his siege perforce.
When the captain of Calais saw the man-
ner and the order of the Englishmen, then
he constrained all poor and mean people to
issue out of the town, and on a Wednesday
there issued out of men, women and chil-
dren more than seventeen hundred ; and as
they passed through the host, they were de-
manded why they departed, and they an-
swered and said, because they had nothing
to live on : then the king did them that
grace that he suffered them to pass through
his host without danger, and gave them
meat and drink to dinner, and every person
two pence sterling in alms, for the which
divers many of them prayed for the king's
prosperity.
CHAPTER CXXXIV
How the duke of Normandy brake up his
siege before Aiguillon.
SUMMARY. — The French king sent
for the duke of Normandy to return and
defend France, so the French departed from
that siege. As they departed, those within
made a sally and took several prisoners,
from whofn sir Walter Manny heard of the
king of England's campaign in France.
The king of France was displeased with
sir Godemar du Fay, because he had not well
kept the passage of Blanche-taque, and he
would have lost his life, but sir John of
Hainault excused him.
CHAPTER CXXXV
How sir Gaultier of Manny rode through all
France by safe-conduct to Calais.
It was not long after, but that sir Gaultier
of Manny fell in communication with a
knight of Normandy, who was his prisoner,
and demanded of him what money he would
pay for his ransom. The knight answered
and said he would gladly pay three thousand
crowns. 'Well,' quoth the lord Gaultier,
' I know well ye be kin to the duke of
Normandy and well beloved with him, [so]
that I am sure, an if I would sore oppress
you, I am sure ye would gladly pay ten
thousand crowns ; but I shall deal otherwise
with you. I will trust you on your faith
and promise : ye shall go to the duke
your lord, and by your means get a safe-
conduct for me and twenty other of my
company to ride through France to Calais,
paying courteously for all our expenses.
And if ye can get this of the duke or of the
king, I shall clearly quit you your ransom
with much thank, for I greatly desire to see
the king my master ; nor I will lie but one
night in a place till I come there. And if
ye cannot do this, return again hither within
a month, and yield yourself still as my
prisoner.' The knight was content and so
went to Paris to the duke his lord, and he
obtained this passport for sir Gaultier of
Manny and twenty horse with him all only.
This knight returned to Aiguillon and
brought it to sir Gaultier, and there he
quitted the knight Norman of his ransom.
Then anon after, sir Gaultier took his way
and twenty horse with him, and so rode
through Auvergne; and when he tarried in
any place, he shewed his letter and so was
let pass : but when he came to Orleans, for
all his letter he was arrested and brought
to Paris and there put in prison in the
Chatelet.
When the duke of Normandy knew
thereof, he went to the king his father and
shewed him how sir Gaultier of Manny had
his safe-conduct, wherefore he required the
king as much as he might to deliver him,
or else it should be said how he had be-
trayed him. The king answered and
said how he should be put to death, for he
reputed him for his great enemy. Then
said the duke ; ' Sir, if ye do so, surely I
shall never bear armour against the king of
England, nor all such as I may let.' And
at his departing he said that he would never
enter again into the king's host. Thus the
matter stood a certain time.
There was a knight of Hainault called
sir Mansart d'Esne : he purchased all that
he might to help sir Walter of Manny, and
went often in and out to the duke of Nor-
INVASION OF ENGLAND BY THE SCOTS
109
mandy. Finally the king was so counselled,
that he was delivered out of prison and all
his costs paid ; and the king sent for him to
his lodging of Nesle in Paris, and there he
dined with the king, and the king presented
him great gifts and jewels to the value of a
thousand florins. Sir Gaultier of Manny
received them on a condition, that when he
came to Calais, that if the king of England
his master were pleased that he should take
them, then he was content to keep them,
or else to send them again to the French
king, who said he spake like a noble man.
Then he took his leave and departed, and
rode so long by his journeys that he came
into Hainault, arid tarried at Valenciennes
three days ; and so from thence he went to
Calais and was welcome to the king. But
when the king heard that sir Gaultier of
Manny had received gifts of the French
king, he said to him : * Sir Gaultier, ye
have hitherto truly served us, and shall do,
as we trust. Send again to king Philip the
gifts that he gave you ; ye have no cause
to keep them. We thank God we have
enough for us and for you : we be in good
purpose to do much good for you according
to the good service that ye have done.'
Then sir Gaultier took all those jewels and
delivered them to a cousin of his called
Mansart,^ and said : ' Ride into France to
the king there and recommend me unto him,
and say how I thank him a thousand times
for the gift that he gave me ; but shew him
how it is not the pleasure of the king my
master that I should keep them ; therefore
I send them again to him.' This knight
rode to Paris and shewed all this to the
king, who would not receive again the
jewels, but did give them to the same
knight sir Mansart, who thanked the king
and was not in will to say nay.
CHAPTER CXXXVI
How the earl of Derby the same season took
in Poitou divers towns and castles, and
also the city of Poitiers.
1 This is the same sir Mansart d'Esne who has
been mentioned above, but the translator, finding
the name here written ' Mansac,' introduces him as
a new person.
CHAPTER CXXXVH
How the king of Scots during the siege before
Calais came into England with a great host.
It is long now sith we spake of king David
of Scotland : howbeit till now there was
none occasion why, for the truce that was
taken was well and truly kept : so that
when the king of England had besieged
Calais and lay there, then the Scots deter-
mined to make war into England and to be
revenged of such hurts as they had taken
before. For they said then how that the
realm of England was void of men of war ;
for they were, as they said, with the king of
England before Calais, and some in Bretayne,
Poitou and Gascoyne. The French king
did what he could to stir the Scots to that
war, to the intent that the king of England
should break up his siege and return to
defend his own realm.
The king of Scots made his summons to
be at Saint-John's town on the river of Tay
in Scotland : thither came earls, barons
and prelates of Scotland, and there agreed
that in all haste possible they should enter
into England. To come in that journey
was desired John of the out Isles, who
governed the wild Scots, for to him they
obeyed and to no man else. He came with
a three thousand of the most outrageoust
people in all the country. When all the
Scots were assembled, they were of one and
other a fifty thousand fighting men. They
could not make their assembly so secret
but that the queen of England, who was as
then in the marches of the North about
York, knew all their dealing. Then she
sent all about for men and lay herself at
York : then all men of war and archers
came to Newcastle with the queen. In the
mean season the king of Scots departed
firom Saint-John's town and went to Dun-
fermline the first day. The next day they
passed a little arm of the sea and so came
to Stirling, and then to Edinburgh. Then
they numbered their company, and they
were a three thousand men of arms, knights
and squires, and a thirty thousand of other
on hackneys. Then they came to Roxburgh,
the first fortress English on that part :
captain there was sir William Montague.
The Scots passed by without any assault
no
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
making, and so went forth brenning and
destroying the country of Northumberland ;
and their currours ran to York and brent as
much as was without the walls, and returned
again to their host within a day's journey of
Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
CHAPTER CXXXVIII
Of the battle of Newcastle - upon - Tyne
between the queen of England and the
king of Scots.
The queen of England, who desired to
defend her country, came to Newcastle-
upon-Tyne and there tarried for her men,
who came daily from all parts. When the
Scots knew that the Englishmen assembled
at Newcastle, they drew thitherward and
their currours came running before the
town ; and at their returning they brent
certain small hamlets thereabout, so that
the smoke thereof came into the town of
Newcastle. Some of the Englishmen would
a issued out to have fought with them that
made the fires, but the captains would not
suffer them to issue out.
The next day the king of Scots with a
forty thousand men one and other came
and lodged within three little English mile
of Newcastle in the land of the lord Nevill ;
and the king sent to them within the town,
that if they would issue out into the field,
he would fight with them gladly. The
lords and prelates of England said they were
content to adventure their lives with the
right and heritage of the king of England
their master. Then they all issued out of
the town, and were in number a twelve
hundred men of arms, three thousand
archers, and seven thousand of other with
the Welshmen. Then the Scots came and
lodged against them near together : then
every man was set in order of battle : then
the queen came among her men ^ and there
was ordained four battles, one to aid
another. The first had in governance the
bishop of Durham and the lord Percy ; the
second the archbishop of York and the lord
Nevill ; the third the bishop of Lincoln
and the lord Mowbray ; the fourth the
lord Edward de Balliol, captain of Berwick,
1 The queen was not present at Nevill's Cross,
but had already passed over to the Continent
(Kervyn de Lettenhove, v. 487).
the archbishop of Canterbury and the lord
Ros : every battle had like number after
their quantity. The queen went from
battle to battle desiring them to do their
devoir to defend the honour of her lord the
king of England, and in the name of God
every man to be of good heart and courage,
promising them that to her power she would
remember them as well or better as though
her lord the king were there personally.
Then the queen departed from them, recom-
mending them to God and to Saint George.
Then anon after, the battles of the Scots
began to set forward, and in like wise so did
the Englishmen. Then the archers began
to shoot on both parties, I3ut the shot of the
Scots endured but a short space, but the
archers of England shot so fiercely, so that
when the battles approached, there was a
hard battle. They began at nine and
endured till noon : the Scots had great
axes sharp and hard, and gave with them
many great strokes. Howbeit finally the
Englishmen obtained the place and victory,
but they lost many of their men. There
were slain of the Scots the earl of Fife, the
earl of Buchan, the earl Patrick, the earl
of Sutherland, the earl of Strathern, the
earl of Mar, the earl John Douglas, and
the lord Alexander Ramsay, who bare the
king's banner, and divers other knights and
squires. And there the king was taken,
who fought valiantly and was sore hurt.
A squire of Northumberland took him,
called John Copeland ; and as soon as he
had taken the king, he went with him out
of the field with eight of his servants with
him, and so rode all that day, till he was a
fifteen leagues from the place of the battle,
and at night he came to a castle called
Orgulus ; ^ and then he said he would not
deliver the king of Scots to no man nor
woman living, but all only to the king of
England his lord. The same day there was
also taken in the field the earl Moray, the
earl of March, the lord William Douglas,
the lord Robert Versy; the bishop of Aber-
deen, the bishop of Saint Andrews, and
divers other knights and barons. And
there were slain of one and other a fifteen
thousand, and the other saved themselves
as well as they might. This battle was
1 Froissart's Chateau-Orgueilleux is the castle of
Ogle in Northumberland (Kervyn de Lettenhove,
V. 493).
BATTLE OF NEVILUS CROSS, 1346 {.Oct. 17)
III
I
beside Newcastle, the year of our Lord
MCCCXLVi., the Saturday next after Saint
Michael.
CHAPTER CXXXIX
How John Copeland had the king of Scots
prisoner, and what profit he got thereby.
When the queen of England being at New-
castle understood how the journey was for
her and her men, she then rode to the place
where the battle had been. Then it was
shewed her how the king of Scots was
taken by a squire called John Copeland,
and he had carried away the king no man
knew whither. Then the queen wrote to
the squire commanding him to bring his
prisoner the king of Scots, and how he had
not well done to depart with him without
leave. All that day the Englishmen tarried
still in the same place and the queen with
them, and the next day they returned to
Newcastle. When the queen's letter was
brought to John Copeland, he answered
and said, that as for the king of Scots his
prisoner, he would not deliver him to no
man nor woman living, but all only to the
king of England his sovereign lord : as for
the king of Scots, he said he should be safely
kept, so that he would give account for him.
Then the queen sent letters to the king
to Calais, whereby the king was informed
of the state of his realm : then the king
sent incontinent to John Copeland, that he
should come over the sea to him to the
siege before Calais. Then the same John
did put his prisoner in safe keeping in a
strong castle, and so rode through England
till he came to Dover, and there took the
sea and arrived before Calais. When the
king of England saw the squire, he took
him by the hand and said : * Ah ! welcome,
my squire, that by your valiantness hath
taken mine adversary the king of Scots.'
The squire kneeled down and said : ' Sir,
if God by his grace have suffered me to
take the king of Scots by true conquest of
arms, sir, I think no man ought to have any
envy thereat ; for as well God may send by
his grace such a fortune to fall to a poor
squire as to a great lord : and, sir, I require
your grace, be not miscontent with me,
though I did not deliver the king of Scots
at the commandment of the queen. Sir,
I hold of you, as mine oath is to you, and
not to her but in all good manner. ' The
king said : 'John, the good service that ye
have done and your valiantness is so much
worth, that it must countervail your trespass
and be taken for your excuse, and shame
have they that bear you any evil will there-
for. Ye shall return again horne to your
house, and then my pleasure is that ye
deliver your prisoner to the queen my wife ;
and in a reward I assign you near to your
house, whereas ye think best yourself, five
hundred pound sterling of yearly rent to you
and to your heirs for ever, and here I
make you squire for my body. ' Then the
third day he departed and returned again
into England ; and when he came home to
his own house, he assembled together his
friends and kin, and so they took the king
of Scots and rode with him to the city of
York, and there from the king his lord he
presented the king of Scots to the queen,
and excused him so largely, that the queen
and her council were content.
Then the queen made good provision for
the city of York, the castle of Roxburgh,
the city of Durham, the town of Newcastle-
upon-Tyne, and in all other garrisons on the
marches of Scotland, and left in those
marches the lord Percy and the lord Nevill
as governour there : then the queen de-
parted from York toward London. Then
she set the king of Scots in the strong
tower of London, and the earl Moray and
all other prisoners, and set good keeping
over them. Then she went to Dover and
there took the sea, and had so good wind,
that in a short space she arrived before
Calais, three days before the feast of All
Saints ; for whose coming the king made a
great feast and dinner to all the lords and
ladies that were there. The queen brought
many ladies and damosels with her, as well
to accompany her as to see their husbands,
fathers, brethren and other friends, that lay
at siege there before Calais and had done a
long space.
CHAPTER CXL
How the young earl of Flanders ensured the
king's daughter of England.
The siege before Calais endured long, and
many things fell in the mean season, the
112
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
which I cannot write the fourth part. The
French king had set men of war in every
fortress in those marches, in the county of
Guines, of Artois, of Boulogne, and about
Calais, and had a great number of Geno-
ways, Normans and other on the sea, so
that when any of the Englishmen would go
a-foraging, other afoot or horseback, they
found many times hard adventures, and
often there was skirmishing about the gates
and dikes of the town, and oftentimes
some slain and hurt on both parties ; some
day the one part lost and some day the
other. The king of England caused engines
to be made to oppress them within the
town, but they within made other again to
resist them, so that they took little hurt by
them ; but nothing could come into the
town but by stealth, and that was by the
means of two mariners, one called Marant
and the other Mestriel, and they dwelt in
Abbeville. By them two they of Calais
were oftentimes recomforted and freshed
by stealth ; and oftentimes they were in
great peril, chased and near taken, but
always they scaped, and made many
Englishmen to be drowned.
All that winter the king lay still at the
siege, and thought and imagined ever to
keep the commonty of Flanders in friend-
ship ; for he thought by their means the
sooner to come to his intent. He sent
oftentimes to them with fair promises, say-
ing that if he might get Calais, he would
help them to recover Lille and Douay with
all their appurtenances ; so by occasion of
such promises, while the king was in Nor-
mandy towards Cressy and Calais, they
went and laid siege to Bethune, and their
captain was sir Oudart de Renty, who was
banished out of France. They held a
great siege before that town and sore con-
strained them by assault ; but within were
four knights captains set there by the
French king to keep the town, that is to
say, sir Geoffrey of Charny, sir Eustace of
Ribemont, sir Baudwin d'Annequin and
sir John of Landas: they defended the
town in such wise, that the Flemings won
nothing there, but so departed and re-
turned again into Flanders. But while
the king of England lay at siege before
Calais, he sent still messengers to them of
Flanders, and made them great promises
to keep their amity with him and to oppress
the drift of the French king, who did all
that he could to draw them to his opinion.
The king of England would gladly that
the earl Louis of Flanders, who was as
then but fifteen year of age, should have
in marriage his daughter Isabel. So much
did the king that the Flemings agreed
thereto ; whereof the king was glad, for he
thought by that marriage the Flemings
would the gladlier help him ; and the
Flemings thought, by having of the king
of England on their party, they might well
resist the Frenchmen ; they thought it
more necessary and profitable for them,
the love of the king of England, rather
than the French king. But the young earl,
who had been ever nourished among the
noblemen of France, would not agree, and
said plainly, he would not have to his wife
the daughter of him that slew his father :
also duke John of Brabant purchased
greatly that the earl of Flanders should
have his daughter in marriage, promising
him that if he would take her to his wife,
that he would cause him to enjoy the whole
earldom of Flanders, other by fair means
or otherwise : also the duke said to the
French king, * Sir, if the earl of Flanders
will take my daughter, I shall find the
means that all the Flemings shall take your
part and forsake the king of England ' : by
the which promise the French king agreed
to that marriage. When the duke of Bra-
bant had the king's good-will, then he sent
certain messengers into Flanders to the
burgesses of the good towns, and shewed
them so fair reasons, that the counsels of
the good towns sent to the earl their
natural lord, certifying him that if he
would come into Flanders and use their
counsel, they would be to him true and
good friends and deliver to him all the
rights and jurisdictions of Flanders, as
much as ever any earl had. The earl took
counsel and went into Flanders, where he
was received with great joy and given to
him many great presents.
As soon as the king of England heard
of this, he sent into Flanders the earl of
Northampton, the earl of Arundel and the
lord Cobham. They did so much with the
officers and commons of Flanders, that
they had rather that their lord the earl
should take to his wife the king of Eng-
land's daughter than the daughter of the
BETROTHAL OF THE EARL OF FLANDERS
113
duke of Brabant; and so to do they affectu-
ously desired their lord, and shewed him
many fair reasons to draw him to that way,
so that the burgesses that were on the duke
of Brabant's party durst not say the con-
trary. But then the earl in no wise would
consent thereto, but ever he said he would
not wed her, whose father had slain his,
though he might have half of the whole
realm of England. When the Flemings
saw that, they said how their lord was too
much French and evil counselled, and also
said how they would do no good to him,
sith he would not believe their counsels.
Then they took and put him in courteous
prison, and said how he should never de-
part without he would follow and believe
their counsels. Also they said that the
earl his father believed and loved too
much the Frenchmen ; for if he would a
believed them, he should have been the
greatest lord in all Christendom, and re-
covered again Lille, Douay and Bethune,
and yet alive. Thus the matter abode a
certain space : the king of England lay still
at the siege before Calais and kept a great
court that Christmas ; and about the be-
ginning of Lent after, came thither out of
Gascoyne the earl of Derby, the earl of
Pembroke, the earl of Oxford and divers
other knights and squires, that had passed
the sea with the earl.
Thus the earl of Flanders was long in
danger among the Flemings in courteous
prison, and it greatly annoyed him. Then
at last he said he would believe their
counsel ; for he knew well, he said, that
he should have more profit there than in
any other country. These words rejoiced
greatly the Flemings: then they took him
out of prison and suffered him to go a-hawk-
ing to the river, the which sport the earl
loved well ; but ever there was good watch
laid on him, that he should not steal away
from them, and they were charged on
their lives to take good heed to him, and
also they were such as were favourable to
the king of England. They watched him
so near, that he could do nothing without
their knowledge. This endured so long
that at last the earl said that he would
gladly have to his wife the king of Eng-
land's daughter. Then the Flemings sent
word thereof to the king and to the queen,
and pointed a day that they should come
I
to Bergues, in the abbey, and to bring
their daughter with them, and they would
bring thither their lord the earl of Flan-
ders; and there to conclude up the mar-
riage. The king and the queen were glad
thereof, and said that the Flemings were
good men : so to Bergues between Newport
and Gravelines came the most saddest men
of the good towns in Flanders, and
brought with them the earl their lord in
great estate. The king of England and the
queen were there ready: the earl courte-
ously inclined to the king and to the queen :
the king took the earl by the right hand right
sweetly, and led him forth, saying: 'As for
the death of the earl your father, as God
help me, the day of the battle of Cressy
nor the next day after I never heard word
of him that he should be there.' The
young earl by semblant made as though he
had been content with the king's excuse.
Then they fell in communication of the
marriage : there were certain articles agreed
unto by the king of England and the
earl Louis of Flanders, and great amities
there was sworn between them to be
holden ; and there the earl fianced Isabel
the king of England's daughter, and pro-
mised to wed her. So that journey brake
off, and a new day to be appointed at more
leisure : the Flemings returned into Flanders
with their lord, and the king of England
with the queen went again to the siege of
Calais.
Thus the matter stood a certain time,
and the king and the queen prepared
greatly again the marriage for jewels and
other things to give away, according to
their behaviours. The earl of Inlanders
daily passed the time at the river, and
made semblant that this marriage pleased
him greatly ; so the Flemings thought that
they were then sure enough of him, so that
there was not so great watch made on him
as was before. But they knew not well
the condition of their lord, for whatsoever
countenance he made outward, his inward
courage was all French. So on a day he
went forth with his hawks, the same week
that the marriage should have been
finished : his falconer cast off a falcon to
an heron and the earl cast off another. So
these two falcons chased the heron, and
the earl rode after, as to follow his falcon.
And when he was a good way off and had
H
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
the advantage of the fields, he dashed
his spurs to his horse and galloped forth
in such wise, that his keepers lost him.
Still he galloped forthright, till he came
into Artois, and there he was in surety ;
and so then he rode into France to king
Philip and shewed him all his adventure.
The king and the Frenchmen said how he
had dealt wisely ; the Englishmen on the
'other side said how he had betrayed and
deceived them : but for all that, the king
left not to keep the Flemings in amity, for he
knew well the earl had done this deed not by
their counsel, for they were sore displeased
therewith ; and the excuse that they made
the king soon believed it in that behalf.
CHAPTER CXLI
How sir Robert of Namur did homage to the
king of England before Calais.
CHAPTERS CXLH, CXLIH
SUMMARY. — The war began again in
Brittany. The English took Rochedarien,
and Charles of Blois laid siege to it. An
ar?ny sent by the countess of Montfort to
raise the siege surprised the French, who
were defeated, and Charles of Blois was
taken prisotier.
CHAPTERS CXLIV, CXLV
SUMMA RY. — The French king raised an
army to relieve Calais, but the passages
wei-e so well kept, that he could not approach.
Negotiatiotis for peace were without effect.
CHAPTER CXLVI
How the town of Calais was given up to the
king of England.
After that the French king was thus de-
parted from Sangate, they within Calais saw
well how their succour failed them, for the
which they were in great sorrow. Then
they desired so much their captain, sir John
of Vienne, that he went to the walls of the
town and made a sign to speak with some
person of the host. When the king heard
thereof, he sent thither sir Gaultier of
Manny and sir Basset. Then sir John of
Vienne said to them : ' Sirs, ye be right
valiant knights in deeds of arms, and ye
know well how the king my master hath
sent me and other to this town and com-
manded us to keep it to his behoof in such
wise that we take no blame, nor to him no
damage ; and we have done all that lieth
in our power. Now our succours hath
failed us, and we be so sore strained, that
we have not to live withal, but that we
must all die or else enrage for famine,
without the noble and gentle king of yours
will take mercy on us : the which to do
we require you to desire him, to have pity
on us and to let us go and depart as we
be, and let him take the town and castle
and all the goods that be therein, the
which is great abundance.' Then sir
Gaultier of Manny said : * Sir, we know
somewhat of the intention of the king our
master, for he hath shewed it unto us :
surely know for truth it is not his mind
that ye nor they within the town should
depart so, for it is his will that ye all
should put yourselves into his pure will, to
ransom all such as pleaseth him and to
put to death such as he list ; for they of
Calais hath done him such contraries and
despites, and hath caused him to dispend
so much good, and lost many of his men,
that he is sore grieved against them.'
Then the captain said : ' Sir, this is too
hard a matter to us. We are here within,
a small sort of knights and squires, who
hath truly served the king our master as
well as ye serve yours in like case. And
we have endured much pain and unease ;
but we shall yet endure as much pain as
ever knights did, rather than to consent that
the worst lad in the town should have any
more evil than the greatest of us all :
therefore, sir, we pray you that of your
humility, yet that ye will go and speak to
the king of England and desire him to
have pity of us ; for we trust in him so
much gentleness, that by the grace of God
his purpose shall change. '
Sir Gaultier of Manny and sir Basset
returned to the king and declared to him
all that had been said. The king said
he would none otherwise but that they
SURRENDER OF CALAIS, 1347 {Aug. 4)
"5
should yield them up shnply to his plea-
sure. Then sir Gaultier said : ' Sir, saving
your displeasure, in this ye may be in the
wrong, for ye shall give by this an evil
ensample : if ye send any of us your ser-
vants into any fortress, we will not be very
glad to go, if ye put any of them in the
town to death after they be yielded ; for
in like wise they will deal with us, if the
case fell like.' The which words divers
other lords that were there present sus-
tained and maintained. Then the king
said : ' Sirs, I will not be alone against
you all ; therefore, sir Gaultier of Manny,
ye shall go and say to the captain that all
the grace that he shall find now in me is
that they let six of the chief burgesses of
the town come out bare-headed, bare-
footed, and bare-legged, and in their shirts,
with halters about their necks, with the keys
of the town and castle in their hands, and
let them six yield themselves purely to my
will, and the residue I will take to mercy. '
Then sir Gaultier returned and found
sir John of Vienne still on the wall, abid-
ing for an answer. Then sir Gaultier
shewed him all the grace that he could get
of the king. 'Well,' quoth sir John, 'sir,
I require you tarry here a certain space,
till I go into the town and shew this to
the commons of the town, who sent me
hither. Then sir John went unto the
market-place and sowned the common
bell : then incontinent men and women
assembled there : then the captain made
report of all that he had done, and said,
* Sirs, it will be none otherwise ; therefore
now take advice and make a short answer.'
Then all the people began to weep and
to make such sorrow, that there was not
so hard a heart, if they had seen them,
but that would have had great pity of
them : the captain himself wept piteously.
At last the most rich burgess of all the
town, called Eustace of Saint- Pierre, rose
up and said openly : * Sirs, great and
small, great mischief it should be to suffer
to die such people as be in this town,
other by famine or otherwise, when there
is a mean to save them. I think he or
they should have great merit of our Lord
God that might keep them from such mis-
chief. As for my part, I have so good
trust in our Lord God, that if I die in the
quarrel to save the residue, that God would
pardon me : wherefore to save them I will
be the first to put my life in jeopardy.'
When he had thus said, every man wor-
shipped him and divers kneeled down at
his feet with sore weeping and sore sighs.
Then another honest burgess rose and
said : * I will keep company with my
gossip Eustace.' He was called John
d'Aire. Then rose up Jaques of Wissant,
who was rich in goods and heritage ; he
said also that he would hold company with
his two cousins. In like wise so did
Peter of Wissant his brother : and then
rose two other ;^ they said they would do
the same. Then they went ancl apparelled
them as the king desired.
Then the captain went with them to the
gate : there was great lamentation made of
men, women and children at their depart-
ing : then the gate was opened and he
issued out with the six burgesses and closed
the gate again, so that they were between
the gate and the barriers. Then he said
to sir Gaultier of Manny : * Sir, I deliver
here to you as captain of Calais by the
whole consent of all the people of the town
these six burgesses, and I swear to you
truly that they be and were to-day most
honourable, rich and most notable burgesses
of all the town of Calais. Wherefore,
gentle knight, I require you pray the king
to have mercy on them, that they die not.'
Quoth sir Gaultier : ' I cannot say what
the king will do, but I shall do for them
the best I can.' Then the barriers were
opened, the six burgesses went towards
the king, and the captain entered again
into the town.
When sir Gaultier presented these
burgesses to the king, they kneeled down
and held up their hands and said : * Gentle
king, behold here we six, who were
burgesses of Calais and great merchants ;
we have brought to you the keys of the
town and of the castle and we submit
ourselves clearly into your will and pleasure,
to save the residue of the people of Calais,
who have suffered great pain. Sir, we
beseech your grace to have mercy and pity
on us through your high nobless.' Then
all the earls and barons and other that
were there wept for pity. The king looked
felly on them, for greatly he hated the
I In Froissart's last revision the names are given,
Jean de Fiennes and Andrieu d'Andre.
i6
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
people of Calais for the great damages
and displeasures they had done him on
the sea before. Then he commanded their
heads to be stricken off: then every man
required the king for mercy, but he would
hear no man in that behalf: then sir Gaultier
of Manny said : 'Ah, noble king, for God's
sake refrain your courage : ye have the
name of sovereign nobless ; therefore now
do not a thing that should blemish your
renown, nor to give cause to some to speak
of you villainy. Every man will say it is a
great cruelty to put to death such honest
persons, who by their own wills put them-
selves into your grace to save their company. '
Then the king wryed away from him ^ and
commanded to send for the hangman, and
said : ' They of Calais have caused many
of my men to be slain, wherefore these
shall die in like wise.' Then the queen,
being great with child, kneeled down and
sore weeping said : ' Ah, gentle sir, sith I
passed the sea in great peril, I have desired
nothing of you ; therefore now I humbly
require you in the honour of the Son of the
Virgin Mary and for the love of me that ye
will take mercy of these six burgesses.'
The king beheld the queen and stood still
in a study a space, and then said : ' Ah,
dame, I would ye had been as now in
some other place ; ye make such request
to me that I cannot deny you. Wherefore
I give them to you, to do your pleasure
with them.' Then the queen caused them
to be brought into her chamber, and made
the halters to be taken from their necks,
and caused them to be new clothed, and
gave them their dinner at their leisure :
and then she gave each of them six nobles
and made them to be brought out of the
host in safe-guard and set at their liberty.
CHAPTER CXLVII
How the king of England repeopled the
town of Calais with Englishmen.
Thus the strong town of Calais was given
up ^ to king Edward of England the year
1 The original is 'se guigna,' either 'made a
sign ' or * scowled.' The true reading is perhaps
* se grigna,' or ' grigna les dens.'
2 The original says : ' Thus was the strong town
of Calais besieged by king Edward of England in
the year mcccxlvi. in the month of August ' ; and
of our Lord God mcccxlvi. in the month
of August. The king of England called
to him sir Gaultier of Manny and his two
marshals, the earl of Warwick and the earl
of Stafford, and said to them : ' Sirs, take
here the keys of the town and castle of
Calais : go and take possession there and
put in prison all the knights that be there ;
and all other soldiers that came thither
simply to win their living cause them to
avoid the town, and also all other men,
women and children, for I would repeople
again the town with pure Englishmen. So
these three lords with a hundred with them
went and took possession of Calais, and did
put in prison sir John de Vienne, sir John of
Surie, sir Baldwin of Bellebrune and other.
Then they made all the soldiers to bring
all their harness into a place appointed
and laid it all on a Keap in the hall of
Calais.^ Then they made all manner of
people to void, and kept there no more
persons but a priest and two other ancient
personages, such as knew the customs,
laws and ordinances of the town, and to
sign out the heritages how they were divided.
Then they prepared the castle to lodge the
king and queen, and prepared other houses
for the king's company. Then the king
mounted on his horse and entered into the
town with trumpets, tabours, nacaires and
hormyes, and there the king lay till the
queen was brought a-bed of a fair lady
named Margaret.
The king gave to sir Gaultier of Manny
divers fair houses within the town, and to
the earl Stafford, to the lord of Cobham,
to sir Bartholomew of Burghersh and to
other lords, to repeople again the town.
The king's mind was, when he came into
England to send out of London a thirty-six
good burgesses to Calais to dwell there,
and to do so much that the town might be
peopled with pure Englishmen ; the which'
intent the king fulfilled. Then the new
town and bastide that was made without the
town was pulled down, and the castle that
stood on the haven rashed down, and the
great timber and stones brought into the
town. Then the king ordained men to
keep the gates, walls and barriers, and
amended all things within the town ; and
the fuller text adds, ' and conquered in the year of
grace mcccxlvii. in the same month."
1 'AlahalledeCalais,'
THE CHAPLET OF PEARLS, 1350
17
sir John de Vienna and his company were
sent into England and were half a year at
London, then they were put to ransom.
Methink it was great pity of the burgesses
and other men of the town of Calais, and
women and children, when they were fain
to forsake their houses, heritages and goods,
and to bear away nothing, and they had no
restorement of the French king, for whose
sake they lost all. The most part of them
went to Saint-Omer's.
The cardinal Guy de Boulogne, who was
come into France in legation and was with
the French king his cousin in the city of
Amiens, he purchased so much that a truce
was taken between the kings of England
and of France, their countries and heritages,-^
to endure two years. To this truce all
parties were agreed, but Bretayne was
clearly except, for the two ladies made
still war one against the other. Then the
king of England and the queen returned
into England, and the king made captain
of Calais sir Amery of Pavy, a Lombard
born, whom the king had greatly advanced.
Then the king sent from London thirty-six
burgesses to Calais, who were rich and
sage, and their wives and children, and
daily increased the number,^ for the king
granted there such liberties and franchises,
that men were glad to go and dwell there.
The same time was brought to London sir
Charles de Blois, who called himself duke
of Bretayne : he was put in courteous
prison in the Tower of London with the
king of Scots and the earl of Moray ; but
he had not been there long but at the
request of the queen of England sir Charles
her cousin -german was received^ on his
faith and troth, and rode all about London
at his pleasure, but he might not lie past
one night out of London, without it were
with the king or with the queen. Also
the same time there was prisoner in Eng-
land the earl of Eu and Guines, a right
gentle knight ; and his dealing was such,
that he was welcome wheresoever he came,
and with the king and queen, lords, ladies
and damosels.^
1 'Adherens' ; that is, 'followers,' or 'allies.'
2 i.e. ' the number daily increased.'
3 'At the request of the queen of England, his
cousin-german, he was received,' etc.
* The events of the years between 1347 and 1355
are very summarily related by Froissart, and the
text followed by this translator does not include
CHAPTERS CXLVIII, CXLIX
SUMMARY. — The trtice was broken in
various parts by brigands, who won and
plundered towns and castles for their own
profit ; and especially one named Bacon in
Langiiedoc and another named Croquart
in Brittany.
CHAPTERS CL, CLI
SUMMAR Y.— The king of England, hav-
ing discovered a secret treaty between sir
Amery of Pavia and the French party,
whereby Calais should have been given up
to them, passed over privately to Calais, and
fighting under sir Walter de Manny's
banner defeated those who came to receive
the surrender. The king himself fought
long with sir Eustace de Ribemont and
took him prisoner.
CHAPTER CLI I
Of a chaplet of pearls that the king of
England gave to sir Eustace of Ribemont.
When this battle was done, the king
returned again to the castle of Calais and
caused all the prisoners to be brought
thither. Then the Frenchmen knew well that
the king had been there personally himself
under the banner of sir Gaultier of Manny.
The king said he would give them all that
night a supper in the castle of Calais : the
hour of supper came and tables covered,
and the king and his knights were there
ready, every man in new apparel, and the
Frenchmen also were there and made good
cheer, though they were prisoners. The
king sat down, and the lords and knights
about him right honourably : the prince,
lords and knights of England served the
king at the first mess, and at the second
they sat down at another table : they were
all well served and at great leisure. Then
when supper was done and the tables taken
away, the king tarried still in the hall with
even the short notices which were given in later
revisions, of the Black Death, the Flagellants, and
the persecution of the Jews, or the narrative of the
combat of the thirties.
ii8
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
his knights and with the P'renchmen, and
he was bare-headed saving a chaplet of fine
pearls that he ware on his head. Then
the king went from one to another of the
Frenchmen, and when he came to sir
Geoffrey of Charny, a little he changed
his countenance and looked on him and
said : ' Sir Geoffrey, by reason I should
love you but a little, when ye would steal
by night from me that thing which I have
so dearly bought and hath cost me so
much good. I am right joyous and glad
that I have taken you with the proof. ^
Ye would have a better market than I
have had, when ye thought to have Calais
for twenty thousand crowns ; but God hath
holpen me and ye have failed of your
purpose.' And therewith the king went
from him, and he gave never a word to
answer. Then the king came to sir Eustace
of Ribemont, and joyously to him he
said : ' Sir Eustace, ye are the knight in
the world that I have seen most valiant
assail his enemies and defend himself; nor
I never found knight that ever gave me so
much ado, body to body, as ye have done
this day : wherefore I give you the prize
above all the knights of my court by right
sentence.' Then the king took the chaplet
that was upon his head, being both fair,
goodly and rich, and said : ' Sir Eustace, I
give you this chaplet for the best doer in
arms in this journey past of either party,
and I desire you to bear it this year for
the love of me. I know well ye be fresh
and amorous, and oftentimes be among
ladies and damosels. Say wheresoever ye
come that I did give it you, and I quit you
your prison and ransom and ye shall depart
to-morrow, if it please you. ' ^
The same year a thousand three hundred
XLix, king Philip of France wedded his
second wife, the Wednesday the twenty-
ninth day of Januaiy, dame Blanche,
daughter to king Philip of Navarre, who
died in Spain : she was of the age of eighteen
year or thereabout. Also the nineteenth
day of February next after, in the beginning
of Lent,^ the duke of Normandy the king's
eldest son wedded his second wife at Saint-
■ 1 ' A I'epreuve,'
2 The printed text followed by the translator is
here incomplete. The reply of Eustace de Ribe-
mont and other matters are omitted,
3 'Qui fut le jour de Karesme prenant,' i.e.
Ash-Wednesday.
Genevieve near to Saint- Germain in Laye,
Jane countess of Boulogne, sometime wife
to the lord Philip, son to the duke Eudes
of Burgoyne, the which lord Philip died
before Aiguillon a three year before that :
she was daughter of the earl William of
Boulogne and of the daughter of Louis earl
of Evreux. This lady held in her hands
the duchy of Burgoyne and the counties of
Artois, Boulogne, Auvergne and divers
other lands.
CHAPTER CLIII
Of the death of king Philip of France, and
of the coronation of his son John. -;
SUMMARY.— King Philip died 2.2nd \
August 1350, and his son John was crowned
26th September. The earl of Eu and Guines
was beheaded, and Charles of Spain ?nade
constable of France. In the next year was
founded the fraternity of the Star, ajid there
was also a great dearth throughout all
France. ^
CHAPTER CLIV
How the king of Navarre made sir Charles of
Spain, constable of France, to be slain.
SUMMARY. —In the year 1352 the duke
of Lancaster should have fought with the
duke of Brunswick at Paris on the ^h of
September, but the king of France made peace
between them in the lists. Pope Clement
VI. died 6th December and was succeeded
by Stepheii Aubert, called Innocent VI. In
the year 1353 the king Charles of Navarre,
earl of Evreux, caused to be slain at Aigle
in Normandy the lord Charles of Spain,
constable of France. For this deed he ex-
cused himself to the king of France, and at
length they were reconciled.
CHAPTER CLV
Of an imposition and gabelle ordained in
France by the three estates for the feats of
the wars.
SUMMAR Y.—In the year 1355, the prince
of Wales made an expedition to Carcassonne
EVENTS BEFORE THE BATTLE OF POITIERS
19
and Narbonne, none opposing him. The
same year the three estates assembled at Paris
i^ave the king thirty thmisand men for one
year at their charges, and ordered to be levied
Sd. on every pound value of estates through-
out the reah?i, and that the gabelle of salt
should run through the realm. Then, this
not being suffi,cient, they ordered a graduated
tax upon incomes.
CHAPTER CLVI
How the French king took the king of
Navarre and beheaded the earl of Harcourt
and other at Rouen.
SUMMAR Y.—In the year 1356 the French
king came to Rouen and caused to be taken
the king gf Navarre, the earl of Harcourt
and others. The earl of Harcourt and
others werd beheaded, and the king of
Navarre put in prison in the Louvre. The
king of France made war in Normandy to
win the castles there belonging to the king of
Navarre, and the duke of Lancaster came
over to help the king of Navarre" s men.
CHAPTER CLVn
Of the assembly that the French king made
to fight with the prince of Wales, who
rode in Berry.
SUMMARY.— The prince of Wales rode
in Auvergne, Berry, Touraine, etc., with
two thousand men of arrtis and six thousand
archers. The king of France made a great
assembly to fight with him, and meamvhile
a body of Frenchmen, zvho had laid an a/n-
bush, were defeated by the English and fled
to Romorantin.
CHAPTER CLVni
How the prince of Wales took the castle of
Romorantin.
SUMMARY. — The town of Romorantin
being taken, the prince came and assailed the
castle, which at length was c apt tired by
means of Greek fire.
CHAPTER CLIX
Of the great host that the French king brought
to the battle of Poitiers.
After the taking of the castle of Romo-
rantin and of them that were therein, the
prince then and his company rode as they
did before, destroying the country, ap-
proaching to Anjou and to Touraine. The
French king, who was at Cliartres, de-
parted and came to Blois and there tarried
two days, and then to Amboise and the
next day to Loches : and then he heard
how that the prince was at Touraine"^ and
how that he was returning by Poitou : ever
the Englishmen were coasted by certain
expert knights of France, who alway made
report to the king what the Englishmen did.
Then the king came to the Haye in Touraine
and his men had passed the river of Loire,
some at the bridge of Orleans and some at
Meung, at Saumur, at Blois, and at Tours
and whereas they might : they were in
number a twenty thousand men of arms
beside other ; there were a twenty-six dukes
and earls and more than sixscore banners,
and the four sons of the king, who were but
young, the duke Charles of Normandy, the
lord Louis, that was from thenceforth duke
of Anjou, and the lord John duke of Berry,
and the lord Philip, who was after duke of
Burgoyne. The same season, pope Inno-
cent the sixth sent the lord Bertrand, cardinal
of Perigord, and the lord Nicholas, cardinal
of Urgel, into France, to treat for a peace
between the French king and all his enemies,
first between him and the king of Navarre,
who was in prison : and these cardinals
oftentimes spake to the king for his deliver-
ance during the siege at Bretuel, but they
could do nothing in that behalf. Then the
cardinal of Perigord went to Tours, and
there he heard how the French king hasted
sore to find the Englishmen : then he rode
to Poitiers, for he heard how both the hosts
drew thitherward.
The French king heard how the prince
hasted greatly to return, and the king feared
that he should scape him and so departed
from Haye in Touraine, and all his com-
pany, and rode to Chauvigny, where he
tarried that Thursday in the town and with-
1 ' En Touraine
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
out along by the river of Creuse, and the
next day the king passed the river at the
bridge there, weening that the EngHshmen
had been before him, but they were not.
Howbeit they pursued after and passed the
bridge that day more than threescore
thousand horses, and divers other passed
at Chatelleraut, and ever as they passed
they took the way to Poitiers.
On the other side the prince wist not
truly where the Frenchmen were ; but they
supposed that they were not far off, for they
could not find no more forage, whereby
they had great fault in their host of victual,
and some of them repented that they had
destroyed so much as they had done before
when they were in Berry, Anjou and Tou-
raine, and in that they had made no better
provision. The same Friday three great
lords of France, the lord of Craon, the lord
Raoul of Coucy and the earl of Joigny,
tarried all day in the town of Chauvigny,
and part of their companies. The Saturday
they passed the bridge and followed the
king, who was then a three leagues before,
and took the way among bushes without a
wood side to go to Poitiers.
The same Saturday the prince and his
company dislodged from a little village
thereby, and sent before him certain currours
to see if they might find any adventure and
to hear where the Frenchmen were. They
were in number a threescore men of arms
well horsed, and with them was the lord
Eustace d'Aubrecicourt and the lord John
of Ghistelles, and by adventure the Eng-
lishmen and Frenchmen met together by
the foresaid wood side. The Frenchmen
knew anon how they were their enemies ;
then in haste they did on their helmets and
displayed their banners and came a great
pace towards the Englishmen : they were
in number a two hundred men of arms.
When the Englishmen saw them, and that
they were so great a number, then they de-
termined to fly and let the Frenchmen
chase them, for they knew well the prince
with his host was not far behind. Then
they turned their horses and took the corner
Of the wood, and the Frenchmen after them
crying their cries and made great noise.
And as they chased, they came on the
prince's battle or they were ware thereof
themselves ; the prince tarried there to have
word again from them that he sent forth.
The lord Raoul de Coucy with his banner
went so far forward that he was under the
prince's banner : there was a sore battle
and the knight fought valiantly ; howbeit
he was there taken, and the earl of Joigny,
the viscount of Brosse, the lord of Chau-
vigny and all the other taken or slain, but
a few that scaped. And by the prisoners
the prince knew how the French king fol-
lowed him in such wise that he could not
eschew the battle : ^ then he assembled to-
gether all his men and commanded that no
man should go before the marshals' banners.
Thus the prince rode that Saturday from
the morning till it was against night, so that
he came within two little leagues of Poitiers.
Then the captal de Buch, sir Aymenion
of Pommiers, the lord Bartholomew of
Burghersh and the lord Eustace d'Aubreci-
court, all these the prince sent forth to see if
they might know what the Frenchmen did.
These knights departed with two hundred
men of arms well horsed : they rode so far
that they saw the great battle of the king's,
they saw all the fields covered with men of
arms. These Englishmen could not forbear,
but set on the tail of the French host and
cast down many to the earth and took
divers prisoners, so that the host began to
stir, and tidings thereof came to the French
king as he was entering into the city of
Poitiers. Then he returned again and
made all his host do the same, so that Satur-
day it was very late or he was lodged in the
field. The English currours returned again
to the prince and shewed him all that they
saw and knew, and said how the French
host was a great number of people. ' Well,'
said the prince, ' in the name of God let us
now study how we shall fight with them at
our advantage. ' That night the Englishmen
lodged in a strong place among hedges,
vines and bushes, and their host well
watched, and so was the French host.
CHAPTER CLX
Of the order of the Frenchmen before the
battle of Poitiers.
On the Sunday in the morning the French
king, who had great desire to fight with the
1 Or rather, ' that the French king had gone In
front of them (les avoit advancez) and that he could
in no way depart without being fought with.'
ORDER OF THE TWO HOSTS
121
Englishmen, heard his mass in his pavilion
and was houselled, and his four sons with
him. After mass there came to him the
duke o^ Orleans, the duke of Bourbon, the
earl of Ponthieu, the lord Jaques of Bour-
bon,^ the duke of Athens, constable of
France, the earl of Tancarville, the earl of
Sarrebruck, the earl of Dammartin, the earl
of Ventadour, and divers other great barons
of France and of other neighbours holding
of France, as the lord Clermont, the lord
Arnold d'Audrehem, marshal of France, the
lord of Saint -Venant, the lord John of
Landas, the lord Eustace Ribemont, the
lord Fiennes, the lord Geoffrey of Charny,
the lord Chatillon, the lord of Sully, the
lord of Nesle, sir Robert Duras and divers
other ; all these with the king went to coun-
sel. Then finally it was ordained that all
manner of men should draw into the field, and
every lord to display his banner and to set
forth in the name of God and Saint Denis :
then trumpets blew up through the host and
every man mounted on horseback and went
into the field, where they saw the king's
banner wave with the wind. There might
a been seen great nobless of fair harness
and rich armoury of banners and pennons ;
for there was all the flower of France,
there was none durst abide at home with-
out he would be shamed for ever. Then
it was ordained by the advice of the con-
stable and marshals to be made three battles,
and in each ward sixteen thousand men of
arms all mustered and passed for men of
arms. The first battle the duke of Orleans
to govern, with thirty-six banners and twice
as many pennons, the second the duke of
Normandy and his two brethren the lord
Louis and the lord John, the third the king
himself : and while that these battles were
setting in array, the king called to him the
lord Eustace Ribemont, the lord John of
Landas and the lord Richard of Beaujeu,
and said to them : * Sirs, ride on before to
see the dealing of the Englishmen and ad-
vise well what number they be and by what
means we may fight with them, other afoot
or a-horseback. ' These three knights rode
forth and the king was on a white courser
and said a-high to his men : ' Sirs, among
you, when ye be at Paris, at Chartres, at
Rouen or at Orleans, then ye do threat the
1 That is, Jaques de Bourbon, earl of la Marche
and Ponthieu.
Englishmen and desire to be in arms out
against them. Now ye be come thereto :
I shall now shew you them : now shew forth
your evil will that ye bear them and revenge
your displeasures and damages that they
have done you, for without doubt we shall
fight with them.' Such as heard him said :
' Sir, in God's name so be it ; that would
we see ^ gladly. '
Therewith the three knights returned
again to the king, who demanded of them
tidings. Then sir Eustace of Ribemont
answered for all and said : ' Sir, we have
seen the Englishmen : by estimation they
be two thousand men of arms and four
thousand archers and a fifteen hundred of
other. Howbeit they be in a strong place,
and as far as we can imagine they are in one
battle ; howbeit they be wisely ordered, and
along the way they have fortified strongly the
hedges and bushes : one part of their archers
are along by the hedge, so that none can
go nor ride that way, but must pass by
them, and that way must ye go an ye pur-
pose to fight with them. In this hedge
there is but one entry and one issue by
likelihood that four horsemen may ride a-
front. At the end of this hedge, whereas
no man can go nor ride, there be men of
arms afoot and archers afore them in
manner of a herse, so that they will not be
lightly discomfited.'^ 'Well,' said the king,
' what will ye then counsel us to do ? ' Sir
Eustace said : ' Sir, let us all be afoot, except
three hundred men of arms, well horsed,
of the best in your host and most hardiest,
to the intent they somewhat to break and
to open the archers, and then your battles
to follow on quickly afoot and so to fight
with their men of arms hand to hand. This
1 'Verrons': but a better reading is 'ferons,'
' that will we do gladly.'
2 The translation of this passage is unsatisfac-
tory. It should be : ' Howbeit they have ordered
it wisely, and have taken post along the road,
which is fortified strongly with hedges and thickets,
and they have beset this hedge on one side <^or
according to anothe?' text, on one side and on the
other) with their archers, so that one cannot enter
noc ride along their road except by them, and that
way must he go who purposes to fight with them.
In this hedge there is but one entry and one issue,
where by likelihood four men of arms, as on the road,
might ride a-front. At the end of this hedge among
vines and thorn-bushes, where no man can go nor
ride, are their men of arms all afoot, and they have
set in front of them their archers in manner of a
harrow, whom it would not be easy to discomfit.'
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
is "the best advice that I can give you : if
any other think any other way better, let
him speak.'
The king said : ' Thus shall it be done ' :
then the two marshals rode from battle to
battle and chose out a three hundred knights
and squires of the most expert men of arms
of all the host, every man well armed and
horsed. Also it was ordained that the
battles of Almains should abide still on
horseback to comfort the marshals, if need
were, whereof the earl of Sarrebruck, the
earl of Nidau anjd the earl of Nassau were
captains. King John of France was there
armed, and twenty other in his apparel ;
and he did put the guiding of his eldest son
to the lord of Saint-Venant, the lord of
Landas and the lord Thibault of Vaudenay ;
and the lord Arnold of Cervolles, called
the archpriest,^ was armed in the armour of
the young earl of Alen^on.
CHAPTER CLXI
How the cardinal of Perigord treated to make
agreement between the French king and
the prince before the battle of Poitiers.
When the French king's battles was or-
dered and every lord under his banner among
their own men, then it was commanded
that every man should cut their spears to
a five foot long and every man to put off
their spurs. Thus as they were ready
to approach, the cardinal of Perigord ^
came in great haste to the king. He came
the same morning from Poitiers ; he kneeled
down to the king and held up his hands
and desired him for God's sake a little to
abstain setting forward till he had spoken
with him : then he said : ' Sir, ye have here
all the flower of your realm against a handful
of Englishmen as to regard your company,^
and, sir, if ye may have them accorded to
you without battle, it shall be more profitable
and honourable to have them by that manner
rather than to adventure so noble chivalry
as ye have here present. Sir, I require you
1 Arnaud de Cervolles, one of the most cele-
bratedadventurers of the 14th century, called the
archpriest because though a layman he possessed
the ecclesiastical fief of Vdines.
2 Talleyrand de Perigord.
3 The meaning is, ' Ye have here all the flower
of your realm against a handful of people, for so the
Englishmen are as compared with your company.'
in the name of God and humiUty that I may
ride to the prince and shew him what
danger ye have him in.' The king said : 'It
pleaseth me well, but return again shortly.'
The cardinal departed and diligently he
rode to the prince, who was among his men
afoot : then the cardinal alighted and came
to the prince, who received him courteously.
Then the cardinal after his salutation made
he said : ' Certainly, fair son, if you and
your council advise justly the puissance of
the French king, ye will suffer me to treat
to make a peace between you, an I may.'
The prince, who was young and lusty, said :
' Sir, the honour of me and of my people
saved, I would gladly fall to any reasonable
way. ' Then the cardinal said : ' Sir, ye say
well, and I shall accord you, an I can ; for
it should be great pity if so many noble-
men and other as be here on both parties
should come together by battle.' Then the
cardinal rode again to the king and said :
' Sir, ye need not to make any great haste
to fight with your enemies, for they cannot
fly fi-om you though they would, they be in
such a ground: wherefore, sir, I require you
forbear for this day till to-morrow the sun-
rising. ' The king was loath to agree thereto,
for some of his council would not consent to
it ; but finally the cardinal shewed such
reasons, that the king accorded that respite :
and in the same place there was pight up a
pavilion of red silk fresh and rich, and gave
leave for that day every man to draw to
their lodgings except the constable's and
marshals" battles.
That Sunday all the day the cardinal
travailed in riding from the one host to the
other gladly to agree them : but the French
king would not agree without he might
have four of the principallest of the English-
men at his pleasure, and the prince and all
the other to yield themselves simply : how-
beit there were many great offers made.
The prince offered to render into the king's
hands all that ever he had won in that
voyage, towns and castles, and to quit all
prisoners that he or any of his men had
taken in that season, and also to swear not
to be armed against the French king in
seven year after ; but the king and his
council would none thereof: the uttermost
that he would do was, that the prince and
a hundred of his knights should yield them-
selves into the king's prison ; otherwise he
MEDIATION ATTEMPTED
123
would not : the which the prince would in
no wise agree unto.
In the mean season that the cardinal rode
thus between the hosts in trust to do some
good, certain knights of France and of
England both rode forth the same Sunday,
because it was truce for that day, to coast
the hosts and to behold the dealing of their
enemies. So it fortuned that the lord John
Chandos rode the same day coasting the
French host, and in like manner the lord
of Clermont, one of the French marshals,
had ridden forth and aviewed the state of
the English host ; and as these two knights
returned towards their hosts, they met
together : each of them bare one manner of
device, a blue lady embroidered in a sun-
beam above on their apparel. Then the
lord Clermont said : ' Chandos, how long
have ye taken on you to bear my device ? '
' Nay, ye bear mine, ' said Chandos, * for it is
as well mine as yours.' ' I deny that,' said
Clermont, * but an it were not for the truce
this day between us, I should make it good
on you incontinent that ye have no right to
bear my device.' * Ah, sir,' said Chandos,
* ye shall find me to-morrow ready to defend
you and to prove by feat of arms that it is
as well mine as yours. ' Then Clermont said :
* Chandos, these be well the words of you
Englishmen, for ye can devise nothing of
new, but all that ye see is good and fair.'
So they departed without any more doing,
and each of them returned to their host.
The cardinal of Perigord could in no wise
that Sunday make any agreement between
the parties, and when it was near night he
returned to Poitiers. That night the
Frenchmen took their ease ; they had pro-
vision enough, and the Englishmen had
great default ; they could get no forage,
nor they could not depart thence without
danger of their enemies. That Sunday the
Englishmen made great dikes and hedges
about their archers, to be the more stronger ;
and on the Monday in the morning the
prince and his company were ready ap-
parelled as they were before, and about the
sun-rising in like manner were the French-
men. The same morning betimes the
cardinal came again to the French host and
thought by his preaching to pacify the
parties ; but then the Frenchmen said to
him : ' Return whither ye will : bring
hither no more words of treaty nor peace :
an ye love yourself depart shortly. ' When
the cardinal saw that he travailed in vain,
he took leave of the king and then he went
to the prince and said : ' Sir, do what ye
can : there is no remedy but to abide the
battle, for I can find none accord in the
French king.' Then the prince said : 'The
same is our intent and all our people : God
help the right ! ' So the cardinal returned
to Poitiers. In his company there were
certain knights and squires, men of arms,
who were more favourable to the French
king than to the prince : and when they
saw that the parties should fight, they stale
from their masters and went to the French
host ; and they made their captain the
chatelain of Amposte,^ who was as then
there with the cardinal, who knew nothing
thereof till he was come to Poitiers.
The certainty of the order of the English-
men was shewed to the French king, except
they had ordained three hundred men a-
horseback and as many archers a-horseback
to coast under covert of the mountain and
to strike into the battle of the duke of
Normandy, who was under the mountain
afoot. This ordinance they had made of
new, that the Frenchmen knew not of.
The prince was with his battle down among
the vines and had closed in the weakest
part with their carriages.
Now will I name some of the principal
lords and knights that were there with the
prince : the earl of Warwick, the earl of
Suffolk, the earl of Salisbury, the earl of
Oxford, the lord Raynold Cob ham, the lord
Spencer, the lord James Audley, the lord
Peter his brother, the lord Berkeley, the lord
Basset, the lord Warin, the lord Delaware,
the lord Manne, the lord Willoughby, the
lord Bartholomew de Burghersh, the lord of
Felton, the lord Richard of Pembroke, the
lord Stephen of Cosington, the lord Brade-
tane and other Englishmen ; and of Gas-
con there was the lord of Pommiers, the
lord of Languiran, the captal of Buch, the
lordjohnof Caumont, the lord de Lesparre,
the lord of Rauzan, the lord of Condon, the
lord of Montferrand, the lord of Landiras,
the lord soudic of Latrau and other that I
cannot name ; and of Hainowes the lord
Eustace d'Aubrecicourt, the lord John of
Ghistelles, and two other strangers, the
lord Daniel Pasele and the lord Denis of
1 Amposta, a fortress in Catalonia.
124
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
Morbeke : all the prince's company passed
not an eight thousand men one and other,
and the Frenchmen were a sixty thousand
fighting men, whereof there were more than
three thousand knights.
CHAPTER CLXII
Of the battle of Poitiers between the prince of
Wales and the French king.
When the prince saw that he should have
battle and that the cardinal was gone with-
out any peace or truce making, and saw
that the French king did set but little store
_by him, he said then to his men : ' Now,
sirs, though we be but a small company as
in regard to the puissance of our enemies,
let us not be abashed therefor ; for the
victory lieth not in the multitude of people,
but whereas God will send it. If it fortune
that the journey be ours, we shall be the
most honoured people of all the world ; and
if we die in our right quarrel, I have the
king my father and brethren, and also ye
have good friends and kinsmen ; these shall
revenge us. Therefore, sirs, for God's
sake I require you do your devoirs this day ;
for if God be pleased and Saint George,
this day ye shall see me a good knight.'
These words and such other that the prince
spake comforted all his people. The lord
sir John Chandos that day never went from
the prince, nor also the lord James Audley
of a great season ; but when he saw that
they should needs fight, he said to the
prince : ' Sir, I have served always truly my
lord your father and you also, and shall do
as long as I live. I say this because I made
once a vow that the first battle that other
the king your father or any of his children
should be at, how that I would be one of
the first setters on,^ or else to die in the
pain : therefore I require your grace, as in
reward for any service that ever I did to
the king your father or to you, that you will
give me licence to depart from you and to
set myself thereas I may accomplish my
vow.' The prince accorded to his desire
and said, ' Sir James, God give you this
day that grace to be the best knight of all
other,' and so took him by the hand. Then
the knight departed from the prince and
went to the foremost front of all the battles,
1 'The first setter-on and the best combatant.'
all only accompanied with four squires, who
promised not to fail him. This lord James
was a right sage and a valiant knight, and by
him was much of the host ordained and
governed the day before. Thus sir James
was in the front of the battle ready to fight
with the battle of the marshals of France.
In like wise the lord Eustace d'Aubrecicourt
did his pain to be one of the foremost to
set on. When sir James Audley began to
set forward to his enemies, it fortuned to
sir Eustace d'Aubrecicourt as ye shall hear
after. Ye have heard before how the
Almains in the French host were appointed
to be still a-horseback. Sir Eustace being
a-horseback laid his spear in the rest and
ran into the French battle, and then a
knight of Almaine, called the lord Louis of
Recombes, who bare a shield silver, five
roses gules, and sir Eustace bare ermines,
two hamedes of gules, -^ — when this Almain
saw the lord Eustace come from his com-
pany, he rode against him and they met so
rudely, that both knights fell to the earth.
The Almain was hurt in the shoulder,
therefore he rose not so quickly as did sir
Eustace, who when he was up and had
taken his breath, he came to the other
knight as he lay on the ground ; but then
five other knights of Almaine came on him
all at once and bare him to the earth, and
so perforce there he was taken prisoner and
brought to the earl of Nassau, who as then
took no heed of him ; and I cannot say
whether they sware him prisoner or no, but
they tied him to a chare and there let him
stand. ^
Then the battle began on all parts, and
the battles of the marshals of France ap-
proached, and they set forth that were
appointed to break the array of the archers.
They entered a-horseback into the way where
the great hedges were on both sides set full of
archers. As soon as the men of arms entered,
the archers began to shoot on both sides
and did slay and hurt horses and knights,
so that the horses when they felt the sharp
arrows they would in no wise go forward,
but drew aback and flang and took on so
fiercely, that many of them fell on their
masters, so that for press they could not
rise again ; insomuch that the marshals'
battle could never come at the prince.
1 That is, two hamedes gules on a field ermine.
2 ' They tied him on to a cart with their harness.'
I
BATTLE OF POITIERS, 1356 {Sept. 19)
125
Certain knights and squires that were well
horsed passed through the archers and
thought to approach to the prince, but they
could not. The lord James Audley with
his four squires was in the front of that
battle and there did marvels in arms, and
by great prowess he came and fought with
sir Arnold d'Audrehem under his own
banner, and there they fought long together
and sir Arnold was there sore handled.
The battle of the marshals began to disorder
by reason of the shot of the archers with the
aid of the men of arms, who came in among
them and slew of them and did what they
list, and there was the lord Arnold
d'Audrehem taken prisoner by other men
than by sir James Audley or by his four
squires ; for that day he never took prisoner,
but always fought and went on his enemies.
Also on the French party the lord John
Clermont fought under his own banner as
long as he could endure : but there he was
beaten down and could not be relieved nor
ransomed, but was slain without mercy :
some said it was because of the words that
he had the day before to sir John Chandos.
So within a short space the marshals' battles
were discomfited, for they fell one upon
another and could not go forth ; ^ and the
Frenchmen that were behind and could not
get forward reculed back and came on the
battle of the duke of Normandy, the which
was great and thick and were afoot, but
anon they began to open behind ; ^ for
when they knew that the marshals' battle
was discomfited, they took their horses and
departed, he that might best. Also they
saw a rout of Englishmen coming down a
little mountain a -horseback, and many
archers with them, who brake in on the
side of the duke's battle. True to say, the
archers did their company that day great
advantage ; for they shot so thick that the
Frenchmen wist not on what side to take
heed, and little and little the Englishmen
won ground on them.
And when the men of arms of England
saw that the marshals' battle was dis-
comfited and that the duke's battle began
to disorder and open, they leapt then
on their horses, the which they had ready
by them : then they assembled together
1 ' Ne pooient aler avant.'
2 ' Which was great and thick in front (par-
devant), but anon it becanve open and thin behind.'
and cried, * Saint George ! Guyenne ! ' and
the lord Chandos said to the prince :
' Sir, take your horse and ride forth ; this
journey is yours : God is this day in your
hands : get us to the French king's battle,
for their lieth all the sore of the matter. I
think verily by his valiantness he will not
fly : I trust we shall have him by the grace
of God and Saint George, so he be well
fought withal : and, sir, I heard you say
that this day I should see you a good
knight.' The prince said, ' Let us go forth ;
ye shall not see me this day return back,'
and said, 'Advance, banner, in the name
of God and of Saint George.' The knight
that bare it did his commandment : there
was then a sore battle and a perilous, and
many a man overthrown, and he that was
once down could not Idc relieved again
without great succour and aid. As the
prince rode and entered in among his
enemies, he saw on his right hand in a
little bush lying dead the lord Robert of
Duras and his banner by him,^ and a ten or
twelve of his men about him. Then the
prince said to two of his squires and to
three archers : * Sirs, take the body of this
knight on a targe and bear him to Poitiers,
and present him from me to the cardinal of
Perigord, and say how I salute him by that
token.' And this was done. The prince
was informed that the cardinal's men were
on the field against him, the which was not
pertaining to the right order of arms, for
men of the church that cometh and goeth
for treaty of peace ought not by reason to
bear harness nor to fight for neither of the
parties ; they ought to be indifferent : and
because these men had done so, the prince
was displeased with the cardinal, and there-
fore he sent unto him his nephew the lord
Robert of Duras dead : and the chatelain of
Amposte was taken, and the prince would
have had his head stricken off, because he
was pertaining to the cardinal, but then the
lord Chandos said : ' Sir, suffer for a season :
intend to a greater matter : and peradventure
the cardinal will make such excuse that ye
shall be content.'
Then the prince and his company dressed
them on the battle of the duke of Athens,
constable of France. There was many a
man slain and cast to the earth. As the
1 The original adds, 'qui estoit de France au
sentoir (sautoir) de gueulles.'
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THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
Frenchmen fought in companies, they cried,
* Mountjoy ! Saint Denis ! ' and the English-
men, ' Saint George ! Guyenne ! ' Anon
the prince with his company met with the
battle of Almains, whereof the earl of
Sarrebruck, the earl Nassau and the earl
Nidau were captains, but in a short space
they were put to flight : the archers shot so
wholly together that none durst come in
their dangers : they slew many a man that
could not come to no ransom : these three
earls was there slain, and divers other
knights and squires of their company, and
there was the lord d'Aubrecicourt rescued
by his own men and set on horseback, and
after he did that day many feats of arms and
took good prisoners. When the duke of
Normandy's battle saw the prince approach,
they thought to save themselves, and so the
duke and the king's children, the earl of
Poitiers and the earl of Touraine, who
were right young, believed their governours
and so departed from the field, and with
them more than eight hundred spears, that
strake no stroke that day. Howbeit the
lord Guichard d'Angle and the lord John of
Saintre, who were with the earl of Poitiers,
would not fly, but entered into the thickest
press of the battle. The king's three sons
took the way to Chauvigny, and the lord
John of Landas and the lord Thibauld of
Vaudenay, who were set to await on the
duke of Normandy, when they had brought
the duke a long league from the battle, then
they took leave of the duke and desired the
lord of Saint-Venant that he should not
leave the duke, but to bring him in safe-
guard, whereby he should win more thank
of the king than to abide still in the field.
Then they met also the duke of Orleans and
a great company with him, who were also
departed from the field with clear hands :
there were many good knights and squires,
though that their masters departed from the
field, yet they had rather a died than to
have had any reproach.
Then the king's battle came on the
Englishmen : there was a sore fight and
many a great stroke given and received.
The king and his youngest son met with the
battle of the English marshals, the earl of
Warwick and the earl of Suflblk, and with
them of Gascons the captal of Buch, the
lord of Pommiers, the lord Amery of Tastes,
the lord of Mussidan, the lord of Languiran
and the lord de Latrau. To the French
party there came time enough the lord John
of Landas and the lord of Vaudenay ; they
alighted afoot and went into the king's
battle, and a little beside fought the duke
of Athens, constable of France, and a little
above him the duke of Bourbon and many
good knights of Bourbonnais and of Picardy
with him, and a little on the one side there
were the Poitevins, the lord de Pons, the
lord of Partenay, the lord of Dammartin,
the lord of Tannay-Bouton, the lord of
Surgieres, the lord John Saintre, the lord
Guichard d'Angle, the lord Argenton, the
lord of Linieres, the lord of Montendre and
divers other, also the viscount of Roche-
chouart and the earl of Aunay ; ^ and of Bur-
goyne the lord James of Beaujeu, the lord de
Chateau -Vilain and other : in another part
there was the earl of Ventadour and of
Montpensier, the lord James of Bourbon,
the lord John d'Artois and also the lord
James his brother, the lord Arnold of
Cervolles, called the archpriest, armed for
the young earl of Alen9on ; and of Auvergne
there was the lord of Mercoeur, the lord de
la Tour, the lord of Chalen9on, the lord of
Montaigu, the lord of Rochfort, the lord
d'Acier, the lord d'Acon ; and of Limousin
there was the lord de Melval, the lord of
Mareuil, the lord of Pierrebuffiere ; and of
Picardy there was the lord William of
Nesle, the lord Arnold of Rayneval, the
lord Geoffrey of Saint-Dizier, the lord of
Chauny, the lord of Helly, the lord of
Montsault, the lord of Hangest and divers
other : and also in the king's battle there
was the earl Douglas of Scotland, who
fought a season right valiantly, but when
he saw the discomfiture, he departed and
saved himself ; for in no wise he would be
taken of the Englishmen, he had rather
been there slain. On the English part the
lord James Audley with the aid of his four
squires fought always in the chief of the
battle : he was sore hurt in the body and
in the visage : as long as his breath served
him he fought ; at last at the end of the
battle his four squires took and brought
him out of the field and laid him under a
hedge side for to refresh him ; and they
unarmed him and bound up his wounds as
well as they could. On the French party
king John was that day a full right good
1 * Le conte d'Aulnoy,' but it should be * visconte.
BATTLE OF POITIERS
[27
knight : if the fourth part of his men had
done their devoirs as well as he did, the
journey had been his by all likelihood.
Howbeit they were all slain and taken that
were there, except a few that saved them-
selves, that were with the king.^ There
was slain the duke Peter of Bourbon, the
lord Guichard of Beaujeu, the lord of
Landas, and the duke of Athens, constable
of France, the bishop of Chalons in Cham-
pagne, the lord William of Nesle, the lord
Eustace of Ribemont, the lord de la Tour,
the lord William of Montaigu, sir Grismouton
of Chambly, sir Baudrin de la Heuse, and
many other, as they fought by companies ;
and there were taken prisoners the lord of
Vaudenay, the lord of Pompadour, and the
archpriest, sore hurt, the earl of Vaudimont,
the earl of Mons, the earl of Joinville, the
earl of Vendome, sir Louis of Melval, the
lord Pierrebuffiere and the lord of Serignac :
there were at that brunt slain and taken
more than two hundred knights.^
CHAPTER CLXIII
Of two Frenchmen that fled from the battle of
Poitiers, and two Englishmen that followed
them.
Among the battles, recounterings, chases
and pursuits that were made that day in
the field, it fortuned so to sir Oudart of
Renty that when he departed from the field
because he saw the field was lost without
recovery, he thought not to abide the
danger of the Englishmen ; wherefore he
fled all alone and was gone out of the field
1 ' Howbeit they that stayed acquitted them as
well as they might, so that they were all slain or
taken. Few escaped of those that set themselves
with the king ' : or according to the fuller text :
' Few escaped of those that alighted down on the
sand by the side of the king their lord.'
2 The translator has chosen to rearrange the
above list of killed, wounded or taken, which the
French text gives in order as they fought, saying
that in one part there fell the duke of Bourbon, sir
Guichard of Beaujeu and sir John of Landas, and
there were severely wounded or taken the arch-
priest, sir Thibaud of Vodenay and sir Baudouin
d'Annequin ; in another there were slain the duke
of Athens and the bishop of Chalons, and taken the
earl of Vaudemont and Joinville and the earl of
Vendome : a little above this there were slain sir
William de Nesle, sir Eustace de Ribemont and
others, and taken sir Louis de Melval, the lord of
Pierrebufiere and the lord of Seregnach.
a league, and an English knight pursued
him and ever cried to him and said,
' Return again, sir knight, it is a shame to
fly away thus.' Then the knight turned,
and the English knight thought to have
stricken him with his spear in the targe,
but he failed, for sir Oudart swerved aside
from the stroke, but he failed not the
English knight, for he strake him such a
stroke on the helm with his sword, that he
was astonied and fell from his horse to the
earth and lay still. Then sir Oudart
alighted and came to him or he could rise,
and said, ' Yield you, rescue or no rescue,
or else I shall slay you.' The Englishman
yielded and went with him, and afterward
was ransomed. Also it fortuned that another
squireofPicardy called John de Hellenes was
fled from the battle and met with his page,
who delivered him a new fresh horse,
whereon he rode away alone. The same
season there was in the field the lord
Berkeley of England, a young lusty knight,
who the same day had reared his banner,
and he all alone pursued the said John of
Hellenes. And when he had followed the
space of a league, the said John turned
again and laid his sword in the rest instead
of a spear, and so came running toward the
lord Berkeley, who lift up his sword to have
stricken the squire ; but when he saw the
stroke come, he turned from it, so that the
Englishman lost his stroke and John strake
him as he passed on the arm, that the lord
Berkeley's sword fell into the field. When
he saw his sword down, he lighted suddenly
off his horse and came to the place where
his sword lay, and as he stooped down to
take up his sword, the French squire did
pike his sword at him, and by hap strake
him through both the thighs, so that the
knight fell to the earth and could not help
himself. And John alighted off his horse
and took the knight's sword that lay on the
ground, and came to him and demanded if
he would yield him or not. The knight
then demanded his name. *Sir,' said he,
' I hight John of Hellenes ; but what is
your name ? ' * Certainly,' said the knight,
' my name is Thomas and am lord of
Berkeley, a fair castle on the river of Severn
in the marches of Wales.' 'Well, sir,'
quoth the squire, 'then ye shall be my
prisoner, and I shall bring you in safe-guard
and I shall see that you shall be healed of
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THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
your hurt.' 'Well,' said the knight, 'I
am content to be your prisoner, for ye have
by law of arms won me.' There he sware
to be his prisoner, rescue or no rescue.
Then the squire drew forth the sword out
of the knight's thighs and the wound was
open : then he wrapped and bound the
wound and set him on his horse and so
brought him fair and easily to Chatelleraut,
and there tarried more than fifteen days for
his sake and did get him remedy for his hurt :
and when he was somewhat amended, then
he gat him a litter and so brought him at
his ease to his house in Picardy. There he
was more than a year till he was perfectly
whole ; and when he departed he paid for
his ransom six thousand nobles, and so this
squire was made a knight by reason of the
profit that he had of the lord Berkeley.
CHAPTER CLXIV
How king John was taken prisoner at the
battle of Poitiers.
Oftentimes the adventures of amours
and of war are more fortunate and marvel-
lous than any man can think or wish.
Truly this battle, the which was near to
Poitiers in the fields of Beauvoir and
Maupertuis, was right great and perilous,
and many deeds of arms there was done
the which all came not to knowledge.
The fighters on both sides endured much
pain : king John with his own hands did that
day marvels in arms : he had an axe in his
hands wherewith he defended himself and
fought in the breaking of the press. Near
to the king there was taken the earl of
Tancarville, sir Jaques of Bourbon earl of
Ponthieu, and the lord John of Artois earl
of Eu, and a little above that under the
banner of the captal of Buch was taken sir
Charles of Artois and divers other knights
and squires. The chase endured to the
gates of Poitiers : there were many slain
and beaten down, horse and man, for they
of Poitiers closed their gates and would
suffer none to enter ; wherefore in the street
before the gate was horrible murder, men
hurt and beaten down. The Frenchmen
yielded themselves as far off as they might
know an Englishman : there were divers
English archers that had four, five or six
prisoners : the lord of Pons, a great baron
of Poitou, was there slain, and many other
knights and squires ; and there was taken
the earl of Rochechouart, the lord of Dam-
martin, the lord of Partenay, and of Sain-
tonge the lord of Montendre and the lord
John of Saintre, but he was so sore hurt
that he had never health after : he was
reputed for one of the best knights in
France. And there was left for dead
among other dead men the lord Guichard
d'Angle, who fought that day by the king
right valiantly, and so did the lord of
Charny, on whom was great press, because
he bare the sovereign banner of the king's :
his own banner was also in the field, the
which was of gules, three scutcheons silver.
So many Englishmen and Gascons came to
that part, that perforce they opened the
king's battle, so that the Frenchmen were
so mingled among their enemies that some-
time there was five men upon one gentleman.
There was taken the lord of Pompadour
and ^ the lord Bartholomew de Burghersh,
and there was slain sir Geoffrey of Charny
with the king's banner in his hands : also
the lord Raynold Cobham slew the earl
of Dammartin. Then there was a great
press to take the king, and such as knew
him cried, ' Sir, yield you, or else ye are
but dead.' There was a knight of Saint-
Omer's, retained in wages with the king ot
England, called sir Denis Morbeke, who
had served the Englishmen five year before,
because in his youth he had forfeited the
realm of France for a murder that he did
at Saint-Omer's. It happened so well for
him, that he was next to the king when
they were about to take him : he stept
forth into the press, and by strength of
his body and arms he came to the French
king and said in good F'rench, ' Sir, yield
you.' The king beheld the knight and
said : ' To whom shall I yield me ? Where
is my cousin the prince of Wales ? If I might
see him, I would speak with him.' Denis
answered and said : ' Sir, he is not here ;
but yield you to me and I shall bring you
to him. ' ' Who be you ? ' quoth the king.
' Sir,' quoth he, ' I am Denis of Morbeke,
a knight of Artois ; but I serve the king of
England because I am banished the realm
1 This 'and' should be 'by,' but the French
text is responsible for the mistake.
BATTLE OF POITIERS
129
of France and I have forfeited all that I
had there.' Then the king gave him his
right gauntlet, saying, ' I yield me to
you.' There was a great press about the
king, for every man enforced him to
say,^ ' I have taken him,' so that the king
could not go forward with his young son
the lord Philip with him because of the
press.
The prince of Wales, who was courageous
and cruel as a lion, took that day great
pleasure to fight and to chase his enemies.
The lord John Chandos, who was with
him, of all that day never left him nor
never took heed of taking of any prisoner :
then at the end of the battle he said to the
prince : ' Sir, it were good that you rested
here and set your banner a-high in this
bush, that your people may draw hither,
for they be sore spread abroad, nor I can
see no more banners nor pennons of the
French party ; wherefore, sir, rest and
refresh you, for ye be sore chafed.' Then
the prince's banner was set up a-high on a
bush, and trumpets and clarions began to
sown. Then the prince did off his bassenet,
and the knights for his body and they of his
chamber were ready about him, and a red
paviHon pight up, and then drink was
brought forth to the prince and for such
lords as were about him, the which still in-
creased as they came from the chase : there
they tarried and their prisoners with them.
And when the two marshals were come to
the prince, he demanded of them if they
knew any tidings of the French king. They
answered and said : 'Sir, we hear none of
certainty, but we think verily he is other
dead or taken, for he is not gone out of
the battles.' Then the prince said to the
earl of Warwick and to sir Raynold Cob-
ham : ' Sirs, I require you go forth and see
what ye can know, that at your return ye
may shew me the truth.' These two lords
took their horses and departed from the
prince and rode up a little hill to look
about them : then they perceived a flock
of men of arms coming together right
wearily : ^ there was the French king afoot
in great peril, for Englishmen and Gascons
were his masters ; they had taken him from
sir Denis Morbeke perforce, and such as
were most of force said, ' I have taken
him ' ; * Nay,' quoth another, * I have taken
1 'S'eflForgoit de dire.' 2 ' Lentement.'
K
him ' : so they strave which should have
him. Then the French king, to eschew
that peril, said : ' Sirs, strive not : lead
me courteously, and my son, to my cousin
the prince, and strive not for my taking,
for I am so great a lord to make you all
rich.' The king's words somewhat appeased
them ; howbeit ever as they went they
made riot and brawled for the taking of
the king. When the two foresaid lords
saw and heard that noise and strife among
them, they came to them and said : ' Sirs,
what is the matter that ye strive for?'
'Sirs,' said one of them, ' it is for the French
king, who is here taken prisoner, and
there be more than ten knights and squires
that challengeth the taking of him and of his
son. ' Then the two lords entered into the
press and caused every man to draw aback,
and commanded them in the prince's name
on pain of their heads to make no more
noise nor to approach the king no nearer,
without they were commanded. Then
every man gave room to the lords, and
they alighted and did their reverence to
the king, and so brought him and his son
in peace and rest to the prince of Wales.
CHAPTER CLXV
Of the gift that the prince gave to the lord
Audley after the battle of Poitiers.
As soon as the earl of Warwick and the
lord Cobham were departed from the prince,
as ye have heard before, then the prince
demanded of the knights that were about
him for the lord Audley, if any knew any-
thing of him. Some knights that were
there answered and said : ' Sir, he is sore
hurt and lieth in a litter here beside.'
' By my faith,' said the prince, ' of his hurts
I am right sorry : go and know if he may
be brought hither, or else I will go and see
him thereas he is. ' Then two knights came
to the lord Audley and said : 'Sir, the
prince desireth greatly to see you, other
ye must go to him or else he will come to
you.' 'Ah, sir,' said the knight, 'I thank
the prince when he thinketh on so poor
a knight as I am.' Then he called eight
of his servants and caused them to bear
him in his litter to the place whereas the
prince was. Then the prince took him in
I30
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
his arms and kissed him and made him
great cheer and said : ' Sir James, I ought
greatly to honour you, for by your vaUance
ye have this day achieved the grace and
renown of us all, and ye are reputed for
the most valiant of all other.' 'Ah, sir,'
said the knight, 'ye say as it pleaseth
you : I would it were so : and if I have
this day anything advanced myself to serve
you and to accomplish the vow that I
made, it ought not to be reputed to me
any prowess. ' ' Sir James,' said the prince,
* I and all ours take you in this journey for
the best doer in arms, and to the intent to
furnish you the better to pursue the wars,
I retain you for ever to be my knight with
five hundred marks of yearly revenues, the
which I shall assign you on mine heritage
in England.' ' Sir,' said the knight, ' God
grant me to deserve the great goodness
that ye shew me ' : and so he took his
leave of the prince, for he was right feeble,
and so his servants brought him to his
lodging. And as soon as he was gone,
the earl of Warwick and the lord Cobham
returned to the prince and presented to
him the French king. The prince made
lowly reverence to the king and caused
wine and spices to be brought forth, and
himself served the king in sign of great
love.
CHAPTER CLXVI
How the Englishmen won greatly at the
battle of Poitiers.
Thus this battle was discomfited, as ye
have heard, the which was in the fields of
Maupertuis a two leagues from Poitiers the
twenty-second day of September the year
of our Lord MCCCLVI. It begun in the
morning i and ended at noon, but as then
all the Englishmen were not returned from
the chase ; therefore the prince's banner
stood on a bush to draw all his men to-
gether, but it was nigh night or all came
from the chase. And as it was reported,
there was slain all the flower of France,
and there was taken with the king and the
lord Philip his son a seventeen earls, beside
barons, knights and squires, and slain a
five or six thousand of one and other.
1 ' Environ heure de prime.'
When every man was come from the chase,
they had twice as many prisoners as they
were in number in all. Then it was coun-
selled among them because of the great
charge and doubt to keep so many, that
they should put many of them to ransom
incontinent in the field, and so they did :
and the prisoners found the Englishmen
and Gascons right courteous ; there were
many that day put to ransom and let go
all only on their promise of faith and truth
to return again between that and Christmas
to Bordeaux with their ransoms. Then
that night they lay in the field beside
whereas the battle had been : some un-
armed them, but not all, and unarmed all
their prisoners, and every man made good
cheer to his prisoner ; for that day whoso-
ever took any prisoner, he was clear his
and might quit or ransom him at his
pleasure. All such as were there with the
prince were all made rich with honour and
goods, as well by ransoming of prisoners as
by winning of gold, silver, plate, jewels,
that was there found : there was no man
that did set anything by rich harness,
whereof there was great plenty, for the
Frenchmen came thither richly beseen,
weening to have had the journey for them.
CHAPTER CLXVn
How the lord James Audley gave to his four
squires the five hundred marks of revenues
that the prince had given him.
When sir James Audley was brought to
his lodging, then he sent for sir Peter
Audley his brother and for the lord Bar-
tholomew of Burghersh, the lord Stephen
of Cosington, the lord of Willoughby and
the lord Ralph Ferrers, all these were of
his lineage, and then he called before him
his four squires, that had served him that
day well and truly. Then he said to the
said lords : ' Sirs, it hath pleased my lord
the prince to give me five hundred marks
of revenues by year in heritage, for the
which gift I have done him but small
service with my body. Sirs, behold here
these four squires, who hath always served
me truly and specially this day : that
honour that I have is by their valiantness.
Wherefore I will reward them : I give and
BATTLE OF POITIERS
131
resign into their hands the gift that my
lord the prince hath given me of five
hundred marks of yearly revenues, to them
and to their heirs for ever, in like manner
as it was given me. I clearly disherit me
thereof and inherit them without any
repeal ^ or condition.' The lords and other
that were there, every man beheld other
and said among themselves : ' It cometh
of a great nobleness to give this gift.'
They answered him with one voice : ' Sir,
be it as God will ; we shall bear witness in
this behalf wheresoever we be come. ' Then
they departed from him, and some of them
went to the prince, who the same night
would make a supper to the French king
and to the other prisoners, for they had
then enough to do withal, of that the
Frenchmen brought with them,^ for the
Englishmen wanted victual before, for some
in three days had no bread before.
CHAPTER CLXVIII
How the prince made a supper to the French
king the same day of the battle.
The same day of the battle at night the
prince made a supper in his lodging to the
French king and to the most part of the
great lords that were prisoners. The prince
made the king and his son, the lord James
of Bourbon, the lord John d'Artois, the
earl of Tancarville, the earl of Estampes,
the earl Dammartin, the earl of Joinville
and the lord of Partenay to sit all at one
board, and other lords, knights and squires
at other tables ; and always the prince
served before the king as humbly as he
could, and would not sit at the king's board
for any desire that the king could make,
but he said he was not sufficient to sit at
the table with so great a prince as the king
was. But then he said to the king : * Sir,
for God's sake make none evil nor heavy
cheer, though God this day did not consent
to follow your will ; for, sir, surely the king
my father shall bear you as much honour
and amity as he may do, and shall accord
1 'Rappel,' i.e. power of recalling the gift. The
word ' repeal ' is a correction of ' rebell.'
2 ' Who was to give the king of France a supper
of his own provisions ; for the French had brought
great abundance with them, and provisions had
failed among the English,' etc.
with you so reasonably that ye shall ever
be friends together after. And, sir, methink
ye ought to rejoice, though the journey be
not as ye would have had it, for this day
ye have won the high renown of prowess
and have passed this day in valiantness all
other of your party. Sir, I say not this to
mock you, for all that be on our party, that
saw every man's deeds, are plainly accorded
by true sentence to give you the prize
and chaplet.' Therewith the Frenchmen
began to murmur and said among them-
selves how the prince had spoken nobly,
and that by all estimation he should prove
a noble man, if God send him life and to
persevere in such good fortune.
CHAPTER CLXIX
How the prince returned to Bordeaux
after the battle of Poitiers,
When supper was done, every man went
to his lodging with their prisoners. The
same night they put many to ransom and
believed them on their faiths and troths,
and ransomed them but easily, for they said
they would set no knight's ransom so high,
but that he might pay at his ease and main-
tain still his degree. The next day, when
they had heard mass and taken some repast
and that everything was trussed and ready,
then they took their horses and rode towards
Poitiers. The same night there was come
to Poitiers the lord of Roye with a hundred
spears : he was not at the battle, but he met
the duke of Normandy near to Chauvigny,
and the duke sent him to Poitiers to keep
the town till they heard other tidings.
When the lord of Roye knew that the English-
men were so near coming to the city, he
caused every man to be armed and every
man to go to his defence to the walls,
towers and gates ; and the Englishmen
passed by without any approaching, for
they were so laded with gold, silver and
prisoners, that in their returning they
assaulted no fortress ; they thought it a
great deed if they might bring the French
king, with their other prisoners and riches
that they had won, in safeguard to Bordeaux.
They rode but small journeys because of
their prisoners and great carriages that they
had : they rode in a day no more but four
132
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
or five leagues and lodged ever betimes,
and rode close together in good array saving
the marshals' battles, w^ho rode ever before
with five hundred men of arms to open the
passages as the prince should pass ; but they
found no encounterers, for all the country
was so frayed that every man drew to the
fortresses.
As the prince rode, it was shewed him
how the lord Audley had given to his four
squires the gift of the five hundred marks
that he had given unto him : then the
prince sent for him and he was brought in
his litter to the prince, who received him
courteously and said : ' Sir James, we have
knowledge that the revenues that we gave
you, as soon as ye came to your lodging,
you gave the same to four squires : we
would know why ye did so, and whether
the gift was agreeable to you or not.' ' Sir,'
said the knight, * it is of truth I have given
it to them, and I shall shew you why I did
so. These four squires that be here present
have a long season served me well and truly
in many great businesses, and, sir, in this
last battle they served me in such wise that
an they had never done nothing else, I was
bound to reward them, and before the same
day they had never nothing of me in reward.
Sir, I am but a man alone ; but by the aid
and comfort of them I took on me to ac-
complish my vow long before made. I had
been dead in the battle an they had not
been : wherefore, sir, when I considered
the love that they bare unto me, I had not
been courteous if I would not a rewarded
them. I thank God I have had and shall
have enough as long as I live : I will never
be abashed for lack of good. Sir, if I have
done this without your pleasure, I require
you to pardon me, for, sir, both I and my
squires shall serve you as well as ever we
did. ' Then the prince said : ' Sir James,
for anything that ye have done I cannot
blame you, but can you good thank there-
for ; and for the valiantness of these
squires, whom ye praise so much, I accord
to them your gift, and I will render again
to you six hundred marks in like manner
as ye had the other.'
Thus the prince and his company did so
much that they passed through Poitou and
Saintonge without damage and came to
Blaye, and there passed the river of Gironde
and arrived in the good city of Bordeaux.
It cannot be recorded the great feast and
cheer that they of the city with the clergy
made to the prince, and how honourably
they were there received. The prince
brought the French king into the abbey of
Saint Andrew's, and there they lodged both,
the king in one part and the prince in the
other. The prince bought of the lords,
knights and squires of Gascoyne the most
part of the earls of the realm of France,
such as were prisoners, and paid ready
money for them. There was divers
questions and challenges made between the
knights and squires of Gascoyne for taking
of the French king ; howbeit Denis Mor-
beke by right of arms and by true tokens
that he shewed challenged him for his
prisoner. Another squire of Gascoyne
called Bernard of Truttes said how he had
right to him : there was much ado and
many words before the prince and other
lords that were there, and because these
two challenged each other to fight in that
quarrel, the prince caused the matter to
rest till they came in England and that no
declaration should be made but afore the
king of England his father ; but because
the French king himself aided to sustain
the challenge of Denis Morbeke, for he
inclined more to him than to any other,
the prince therefore privily caused to be
delivered to the said sir Denis two thousand
nobles to maintain withal his estate.
Anon after the prince came to Bordeaux, the
cardinal of Perigord came thither, who was
sent from the pope in legation, as it was said.
He was there more than fifteen days or the
prince would speak with him because of the
chatelain of Amposte and his men, who
were against him in the battle of Poitiers.
The prince believed that the cardinal sent
them thither, but the cardinal did so much by
the means of the lord of Caumont, the lord of
Montferrand and the captal of Buch, who
were his cousins, they shewed so good
reasons to the prince, that he was content
to hear him speak. And when he was
before the prince, he excused himself so
sagely that the prince and his council held
him excused, and so he fell again into the
prince's love and redeemed out his men by
reasonable ransoms ; and the chatelain was
set to his ransom of ten thousand franks,
the which he paid after. Then the cardinal
began to treat on the deliverance of the
GOVERNMENT BY THE THREE ESTATES
133
French king, but I pass it briefly because
nothing was done. Thus the prince, the
Gascons and EngHshmen tarried still at
Bordeaux till it was Lent in great mirth
and revel, and spent foolishly the gold and
silver that they had won. In England also
there was great joy when they heard tidings
of the battle of Poitiers, of the discomfiting
of the Frenchmen and taking of the king :
great solemnities were made in all churches
and great fires and wakes throughout all
England. The knights and squires, such
as were come home from that journey,
were much made of and praised more than
other.
CHAPTER CLXX
How the three estates of France assembled
together at Paris after the battle of Poitiers.
The same season that the battle of Poitiers
was, the duke of Lancaster was in the
county of Evreux and on the marches of
Cotentin, and with him the lord Philip of
Navarre and the lord Godfrey of Harcourt.
They made war in Normandy and had done
all that season in the title of the king of
Navarre, whom the French king held in
prison. These lords did all that they might
to have been at the journey of Poitiers with
the prince, but they could not, for all the
passages on the river of Loire were so well
kept that they might not pass : but when
they heard how the prince had taken the
French king at the battle of Poitiers, they
were glad and brake up their journey,
because the duke of Lancaster and sir
Philip of Navarre would go into England,
and so they did ; and they sent sir Godfrey
of Harcourt to Saint-Saviour's-le-Viconte
to keep there frontier war. ^
Now let us speak of the French king's
three sons, Charles, Louis and John, who
were returned from the besynes at Poitiers.
They were right young of age and of
counsel ; in them was but small recovery,
nor there was none of them that would take
on him the governance of the realm of
1 ' Tenir frontiere.' The word * frontiere ' means
' line of battle ' or ' fortress \ (in the face of the
enemy), and hence the meaning 'boundary.' The
expressions ' faire frontiere ' or ' tenir frontiere ' are
used of opposing or making war against an enemy.
France. Also the lords, knights and squires,
such as fled from the battle, were so hated
and blamed of the commons of the realm,
that scant they durst abide in any good
town. Then all the prelates of holy Church
being in France, bishops, abbots, and all
other noble lords and knights, and the
provost of the merchants, the burgesses of
Paris, and the counsels of other good towns,
they all assembled at Paris, and there they
would ordain how the realm should be
governed till the king were delivered out of
prison. Also they would know furthermore
what was become of the great treasure that
had been levied in the realm by dimes,
maltotes, subsidies, forging of moneys, and
in all other extortions, whereby the people
hath been overlaid and troubled, and the
soldiers evil paid, and the realm evil kept
and defended : but of all this there were none
that could give account. Then they agreed
that the prelates should choose out twelve
persons among them, who should have
power by them and by all the clergy to
ordain and to advise all things convenable
to be done ; and the lords and knights to
choose other twelve among them of their
most sagest and discreet persons, to de-
termine all causes ; and the burgesses to
choose other twelve for the commons : the
which six and thirty persons should often-
times meet at Paris and there to commune
and ordain for all causes of the realm, and
every matter to be brought to them : and
to these three estates all other prelates,
lords and commons should obey.
So these persons were chosen out, but
in the beginning there were divers in
this election that the duke of Normandy
was not content withal, nor his council.
First these three estates defended evermore
forging of money : also they required the
duke of Normandy that he would arrest the
chancellor of the king his father, the lord
Robert of Lorris, and the lord Simon of
Bucy, and divers other masters of the counts
and other councillors of the king's, to the
intent that they might make a true account
of that they had taken and levied in the
realm and by their counsels. When these
masters and councillors heard of this matter,
they departed out of the realm into other
countries, to abide there till they heard
other tidings.
134
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
CHAPTERS CLXXI, CLXXII
SUMMARY.— The three estates received
all taxes and coined new gold money called
* moutons, ' They desired the duke of Nor-
mandy to set free the king of Navarre, hut
he would not. Then, seeing that Godfrey de
Harcourt made war in Normandy, they sent
a body of men to Coutances, where he was
defeated and slain.
CHAPTER CLXXni
How the prince conveyed the French king
from Bordeaux into England.
After the death of this knight sir Godfrey
of Harcourt, the Frenchmen returned to
Coutances with their prisoners and pillage,
and anon after they went into France to
the duke of Normandy, who as then was
called regent of France, and to the three
estates, who received them right honour-
ably. So from thenceforth Saint- Saviour-
le-Viconte was English and all the lands
pertaining to sir Godfrey of Harcourt, for
he had sold it to the king of England after
his decease and disherited the lord Louis
of Harcourt his nephew, because he would
not take his part. As soon as the king of
England heard tidings of the death of the
lord Godfrey of Harcourt, he was sorry
thereof: then he sent incontinent men of
arms, knights, squires and archers more
than three hundred by sea to go and take
possession for him of Saint - Saviour - le -
Viconte, the which was worth thirty
thousand franks by year, and made captain
of those lands the lord John Lisle. The
three estates all that season studied on the
ordinance of the realm of France, and it
was all governed by them.
The same winter the prince of Wales
and such of England as were with him at
Bordeaux ordained for ships to convey the
French king and his son and all other
prisoners into England. And when the
time of his departure approached, then he
commanded tJie lord d'Albret, the lord of
Mussidan, the lord de Lesparre, the lord of
Pommiers and the lord of Rauzan to keep
the country there till his return again.
Then he took the sea, and certain lords of
Gascoyne with him. The French king was
in a vessel by himself, to be the more at his
ease, accompanied with two hundred men
of arms and two thousand archers ; for it
was shewed the prince that the three estates
by whom the realm of France was governed
had laid in Normandy and Crotoy two
great armies, to the intent to meet with him
and to get the French king out of his hands,
if they might ; but there were no such that
appeared, and yet they were on the sea
eleven days, and on the twelfth day they
arrived at Sandwich. Then they issued out
of their ship and lay there all that night
and tarried there two days to refresh them,
and on the third day they rode to Canter-
bury. When the king of England knew of
their coming, he commanded them of
London to prepare them and their city to
receive such a man as the French king was.
Then they of London arrayed themselves
by companies and the chief mesters [with]
clothing different [each] from the other.
At Saint Thomas of Canterbury the French
king and the prince made their offerings
and there tarried a day, and then rode to
Rochester and tarried there that day, and
the next day to Dartford and the fourth
day to London, where they were honour-
ably received, and so they were in every
good town as they passed. The French
king rode through London on a white
courser well apparelled, and the prince on
a little black hobby by him. Thus he was
conveyed along the city, till he came to. the
Savoy, the which house pertained to the
heritage of the duke of Lancaster. There
the French king kept his house a long
season, and thither came to see him the
king and the queen oftentimes and made
him great feast and cheer. Anon after by
the commandment of pope Innocent the
sixth there came into England the lord
Talleyrand, cardinal of Perigord, and the lord
Nicholas, cardinal of Urgel : they treated for
a peace between the two kings, but they
could bring nothing to effect, but at last by
good means they procured a truce between
the two kings and all their assisters, to
endure till the feast of Saint John the
Baptist in the year of our Lord God
MCCCLix. ; and out of this truce was
excepted the lord Philip of Navarre and his
allies, the countess of Montfort and the
duchy of Bretayne. Anon after the French
DISTURBANCES IN PARIS, 1357
135
king was removed from the Savoy to the
castle of Windsor, and all his household,
and went a-hunting and a-hawking there-
about at his pleasure, and the lord Philip
his son with him : and all the other prisoners
abode still at London and went to see the
king at their pleasure and were received all
only on their faiths.
CHAPTERS CLXXIV-CLXXVIII
SUMMARY.— The king of Scotland, who
had been a prisoner in England more than
nine years, was delivered by treaty.
The duke of Lancaster raised an army to
aid the conntess of Montfort in May 1357,
and laid siege to Rennes. During this
siege a young bachelor named Bertrand du
Guesclin fought with sir Nicholas Dag-
xvorth an Englishman.
Sir William de Gauville won back the
castle of Evreux for the king of Navan-e.
At this time there was a company of
armed men in Provence led by A retold de
Cervolles, called the archpriest, with whom
the pope and cardinals fell in treaty for
fear that Avignon should be plundered ;
another between the Loire and Seine had
one Ruffi,n {Griffith) for their captain ; and
in A^ormandy there was a company of Eng-
lish and Navarrois under sir Robert
Knolles.
CHAPTER CLXXIX
How the provost of the merchants of Paris
slew three knights in the regent's chamber.
In this season that the three estates thus
ruled, there rose in divers countries certain
manner of people calling themselves com-
panions, and they made war to every man.
The noblemen of the realm of France and
the prelates of holy Church began to wax
weary of the rule and ordinance of the
three estates, and so gave up their rule and
suffered the provost of the merchants to
meddle with some of the burgesses of Paris,
because they meddled farther than they
were pleased withal.^ So on a day the
^ ' So they suffered the provost of the merchants
and some of the burgesses of Paris to deal as they
would, because they (the three estates) meddled
with affairs farther than they were pleased.'
regent of France was in the palace of Paris
with many noblemen and prelates with
him. The provost then assembled a great
number of the commons of Paris, such as
were of his opinion, and all they ware hats
of one colour, to the intent to be known.
The provost came to the palace with his
men about him and entered into the duke's
chamber, and there eagerly he desired him
that he would take on him the meddling of
the business of the realm of France, that
the realm, the which pertained to him by
inheritance, might be better kept, and that
such companions as goeth about the realm
wasting, robbing and pilling the same
might be subdued. The duke answered
how he would gladly intend thereto, if he
had wherewith, and said they that receive
the profit and the rights pertaining to the
realm ought to do it, if it be done or not I
report me.^ So they multiplied such words
between them that three of the greatest of
the duke's council were there slain so near
him, that his clothes were all bloody with
their blood and he himself in great peril :
but there was set one of their hats on his head
and he was fain there to pardon the death
of his three knights, two of arms and the
third of the law, the one called the lord
Robert of Clermont, a right noble man,
another the lord of Conflans, and the
knight of the law the lord Simon of Bucy.
CHAPTER CLXXX
How the king of Navarre came out of prison.
After this foresaid adventure certain
knights, as the lord John of Picquigny and
other, under the comfort of the provost of
Paris and of other councillors of the good
towns, came to the strong castle of Arleux
in Palluel, in Picardy, where the king of
Navarre was in prison under the keeping of
1 ' Mais celui qui faisoit lever les profits et les
droitures appartenans au royaulme le devoit faire,
s'il le fist, je ne S9ay pourquoi ne comment ce fut,
mais les paroles moultiplyerent tant,' etc. The
punctuation and reading are doubtful, but probably
it should be, 'he that levied the profits and rights
belonging to the realm ought to do it ; so let
him do it.' The translator's expression, 'If it
be done or not, I report me,' is quite unintelligible.
We may observe, however, that the same expres-
sion occurs again (ii. 91) : 'I report me if I have not
good cause to say,' where it is a translation of
' Regardez et imaginez,' etc.
36
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
the lord Tristram du Bos. They brought to
them that kept the castle such tokens that
they had the king of Navarre delivered into
their hands, for the captain was not as then
there ; and they brought him with great joy
into the city of Amiens, where he was well
received, and lighted at a canon's house,
who loved him entirely, called Guy Quieret :
and the king tarried there a fifteen days
till he had so provided for himself that he
was assured of the duke of Normandy, then
regent of France : for the provost of the
merchants of Paris had gotten him his
peace of the duke and of them of Paris.
And then the king of Navarre was brought
to Paris by the lord John of Picquigny and
by other burgesses of Amiens, whereas
every man was glad to see him and the
duke made him great feast and cheer ; for
it behoved him so to do, for the provost
and his sect exhorted him thereto : there-
fore the duke dissembled for the pleasure
of the provost and other of Paris.
CHAPTER CLXXXI
How the king of Navarre preached solemnly
in Paris.
When the king of Navarre had been a
certain time in Paris, on a day he assembled
together prelates, knights and clerks of the
university and there he shewed openly
among them in Latin in the presence of the
duke of Normandy his complaint and griefs,
and violence done to him wrongfully with-
out right or reason, and said how there was
none that ought to doubt in him, but that
he would live and die in the defence of the
realm of France and the crown thereof, as
he was bound to do : for he was extraught
of father and mother of the right line of
France, and said, if he would challenge the
realm and crown of France, he could shew
by right how he was more nearer thereto
than the king of England. His sermon
and language was so pleasant that he was
greatly praised, and so little and little he
entered into the favour of them of Paris, so
that he was better beloved there than the
regent the duke of Normandy, and also
with divers other cities in the realm of
France. But whatsoever semblant the
provost and they of Paris made to the king
of Navarre, for all that the lord Philip of
Navarre would never trust them, nor would
not come to Paris, for he always said that in
a commonalty there was never no certainty,
but finally shame, rebuke and dishonour.
CHAPTER CLXXXII ^
Of the beginning of the rising of
the commons called Jaquery, in Beauvoisin.
Anon after the deliverance of the king of
Navarre there began a marvellous tribula-
tion in the realm of France, as in Beau-
voisin, in Brie, on the river of Marne,
in Laonnois, and about Soissons. For
certain people of the common villages,
without any head or ruler, assembled to-
gether in Beauvoisin. In the beginning
they passed not a hundred in number :
they said how the noblemen of the realm
of France, knights and squires, shamed the
realm, and that it should be a great wealth
to destroy them all ; and each of them said
it was true, and said all with one voice :
' Shame have he that doth not his power to
destroy all the gentlemen of the realm ! '
Thus they gathered together without any
other counsel, and without any armour
saving with staves and knives, and so went to
the house of a knight dwelling thereby, and
brake up his house and slew the knight and
the lady and all his children great and
small and brent his house. And then they
went to another castle, and took the knight
thereof and bound him fast to a stake, and
then violated his wife and his daughter before
his face and then slew the lady and his
daughter and all his other children, and
then slew the knight by great torment and
brent and beat down the castle. And so
they did to divers other castles and good
houses ; and they multiplied so that they
were a six thousand, and ever as they went
forward they increased, for such like as
they were fell ever to them, so that every
gentleman fled from them and took their
wives and children with them, and fled ten
or twenty leagues off" to be in surety, and
left their houses void and their goods
therein.
These mischievous people thus assembled
without captain or armour robbed, brent
and slew all gentlemen that they could lay
THE JACQUERIE, 1357
137
hands on, and forced and ravished ladies
and damosels, and did such shameful deeds
that no human creature ought to think on
any such, and he that did most mischief
was most praised with them and greatest
master. I dare not write the horrible
deeds that they did to ladies and damosels :
among other they slew a knight and after
did put him on a broach and roasted him at
the fire in the sight of the lady his wife and
his children ; and after the lady had been
enforced and ravished with a ten or twelve,
they made her perforce to eat of her husband
and after made her to die an evil death and
all her children. They made among them
a king, one of Clermont in Beauvoisin :
they chose him that was the most un-
graciousest of all other and they called him
king Jaques Goodman, and so thereby they
were called companions of the Jaquery.
They destroyed and brent in the country of
Beauvoisin about Corbie, Amiens and Mont-
didier more than threescore good houses
and strong castles. In like manner these
unhappy people were in Brie and Artois,
so that all the ladies, knights and squires of
that country were fain to fly away to Meaux
in Brie, as well the duchess of Normandy
and the duchess of Orleans as divers other
ladies and damosels, or else they had been
violated and after murdered. Also there
were a certain of the same ungracious people
between Paris and Noyon and between Paris
and Soissons, and all about in the land of
Coucy, in the county of Valois, in the
bishopric of Laon,^ Noyon and Soissons.
There were brent and destroyed more than
a hundred castles and good houses of
knights and squires in that country.
CHAPTER CLXXXIII
How the provost of the merchants of Paris
caused walls to be made about the city of
Paris.
When the gentlemen of Beauvoisin, of
Corbiois, of Vermandois and of other lands,
whereas these mischievous people were
conversant, saw the woodness among them,
they sent for succours to their friends into
1 The translator, partly following a corrupt text,
says, ' bytwene Brieche and Loan.' The true
reading is ' en I'dveschiet de Laon.'
Flanders, to Brabant, to Hainault and to
Hesbaye. vSo there came from all parts ;
and so all these gentlemen strangers with
them of the country assembled together and
did set on these people where they might
find them, and slew and hanged them upon
trees by heaps. The king of Navarre on a
day slew of them more than three thousand
beside Clermont in Beauvoisin. It was
time to take them up, for an they had been
all together assembled, they were more than
a hundred thousand ; and when they were
demanded why they did so evil deeds, they
would answer and say they could not tell,
but that they did as they saw other do,
thinking thereby to have destroyed all the
nobles and gentlemen of the world.
In the same season the duke of Normandy
departed from Paris and was in doubt of the
king of Navarre and of the provost of the
merchants and of his sect, for they were
all of one accord. He rode to the bridge
of Charenton on the river of Marne, and
there he made a great summons of gentle-
men and then defied the provost of the
merchants . and all his aiders. Then the
provost was in doubt of him, that he would
in the night-time come and overrun the
city of Paris, the which as then was not
closed. Then he set workmen a- work as
many as he could get, and made great dikes
all about Paris and began walls and gates :
he had the space of one whole year a three
hundred workmen continually working.
It was a great deed to furnish an arm and
to close with defence such a city as Paris :
surely it was the best deed that ever any
provost did there, for else it had been after
divers times overrun and robbed by divers
occasions.
CHAPTER CLXXXIV
Of the battle at Meaux in Brie, where the
companions of the Jaquery were discom-
fited by the earl of Foix and the captal of
Buch.
In the season while these ungracious people
reigned, there came out of Pruce the earl
of Foix and the captal of Buch his cousin,
and in their way they heard, as they should
have entered into France, of the great mis-
chief that fell among the noblemen by these
138
THE CHRONICLES OF FRO I SS ART
unhappy people ; and in the city of Meaux
was the duchess of Normandy and the
duchess of Orleans and a three hundred
other ladies and damosels and the duke of
Orleans also. Then the two said knights
agreed to go and see these ladies and to
comfort them to their powers : howbeit the
captal was English, but as then it was
truce between the two kings : they had in
their company a threescore spears. And
when they were come to Meaux in Brie,
they were welcome to the ladies and
damosels there : and when those of the
Jaquery understood that there was at
Meaux such a number of ladies, young
damosels and noble children, then they
assembled together and with them they of
Valois, and so came to Meaux. And also
certain of Paris that heard thereof went to
them, so that they were in all a nine thou-
sand and daily more resorted to them : so
they came to the gates of the town of
Meaux and the people of the town opened
the gates and suffered them to enter, so
that all the streets were full of them to the
market-place, whereas these noble ladies
were lodged in a strong place closed about
with the river of Marne : there came such
a number against them that the ladies were
sore affrayed. Then these two knights and
their company came to the gate of the
market-place and issued out and set on
those villains, who were but evil armed,
the earl of Foix's banner and the duke of
Orleans', and the captal's pennon. And
when these villains saw these men of war
well apparelled issued out to defend the
place, the foremost of them began to recule
back, and the gentlemen pursued them
with their spears and swords : and when
they felt the great strokes, they reculed all
at once and fell for haste each on other.
Then all the noblemen issued out of the
barriers and anon won the place, and
entered in among their enemies and beat
them down by heaps and slew them like
beasts and chased them all out of the town,
and slew so many that they were weary,
and made many of them by heaps to fly
into the river. Briefly, that day they
slew of them more than seven thousand,
and none had scaped, if they would a
followed the chase any farther. And when
these men of arms returned again to the
town, they set fire thereon and brent it
clean and all the villains of the town that
they could close therein, because they took
part with the Jaquery. After this dis-
comfiture thus done at Meaux they never
assembled again together after ; for the
young Enguerrand lord of Coucy had
about him certain men of war, and they
ever slew them as they might meet with
them without any mercy.
CHAPTERS CLXXXV, CLXXXVI
SUMMARY.— Paris, which held to the
party of the king of Navarre, was besieged
by the duke of Normandy, who made a
private treaty with the king of Navarre by
which Etienne Marcel, provost of the
merchants, ajid twelve other burgesses should
be given up to the duke of Normandy. A
body of citizens was surprised and defeated
by a company of English and Navarrois,
and the provost and his party were much
blamed for it.
CHAPTER CLXXXVn
Of the death of the provost of the merchants
of Paris.
The provost and his sect had among them-
selves divers counsels secretly, to know
how they should maintain themselves ; for
they could find by no means any mercy in
the duke of Normandy, for he sent word
generally to all the commons of Paris that
he would keep with them no longer peace,
without he had delivered into his hands
twelve of Paris, such as he would choose,
to do with them his pleasure : the which
thing greatly abashed the provost and his
company. Finally, they saw well that it
were better for them to save their lives,
goods and friends, rather than to be
destroyed, and that it were better for them
to slay than to be slain. Then secretly
they treated with the Englishmen, such as
made war against Paris ; and they agreed
between them that the provost and his sect
should be at the gate Saint-Honore and at
the gate Saint-Antoine at the hour of mid-
night and to let in the Englishmen and
Navarrois provided ready to overrua the
city and to destroy and rob it clean, except
such houses as had certain signs limited
I
DEATH OF ^TIENNE MARCEL, 1357
139
among them, and in all other houses with-
out such tokens to slay men, women and
children. The same night that this should
have been done God inspired certain
burgesses of the city, such as always were
of the duke's party, as John Maillart and
Simon his brother and divers other, who
by divine inspiration, as it ought to be
supposed, were informed that Paris should
be that night destroyed. They incontinent
armed them and shewed the matter in
other places to have more aid, and a little
before midnight they came to the gate
Saint - Antoine and there they found the
provost of the merchants with the keys of
the gates in his hands. Then John
Maillart said to the provost, calling him
by his name : ' Stephen, what do you here
at this hour ? ' The provost answered and
said: 'John, what would ye? I am here
to take heed to the town, whereof I have
the governing.' ' By God,' said John, *ye
shall not go so : ye are not here at this
hour for any good, and that may be seen
by the keys of the gates that ye have in
your hands. I think it be to betray the
town.' Quoth the provost: 'John, ye lie
falsely.' 'Nay,' said John, 'Stephen,
thou liest falsely like a traitor ' : and there-
with strake at him and said to his com-
pany : * Slay the traitors ! ' Then , every
man strake at them. The provost would
a fled, but John Maillart gave him with an
axe on the head, that he fell down to
the earth, and yet he was his gossip, and
left not till he was slain and six of them
that were there with him, and the other
taken and put in prison. Then people
began to stir in the streets, and John
Maillart and they of his accord went to the
gate Saint- Honore and there they found
certain of the provost's sect, and there they
laid treason to them, but ^ their excuses
availed nothing. There were divers taken
and sent into divers places to prison, and
such as would not be taken were slain
without mercy. The same night they
went and took divers in their beds, such as
were culpable of the treason by the con-
fession of such as were taken. The next
day John Maillart assembled the most part
of the commons in the market hall, and
there he mounted on a stage and shewed
generally the cause why he had slain the
1 Or rather, ' and.'
provost of the merchants ; and there by the
counsel of all the wise men all such as were
of the sect of the provost were judged to
the death, and so they were executed by
divers torments of death.
Thus done, John Maillart, who was then
greatly in the grace of the commons of
Paris, and other of his adherents sent
Simon Maillart and two masters of the
parliament, sir Stephen Alphonse and
master John Pastourel, to the duke of
Normandy being at Charenton, They
shewed the duke all the matter and desired
him to come to Paris to aid and to counsel
them of the city from thenceforth, saying
that all his adversaries were dead. The
duke said : ' With right a good will ' ; and
so he came to Paris, and with him sir
Arnold d'Audrehem, the lord of Roye and
other knights, and he lodged at Louvre.^
CHAPTERS CLXXXVIII-CXCVII
SUMMARY.— The king of Navarre de-
clared war on the realm of France and the
Navarrois won 7nany towns on the Seine,
Marne and Oise, and defeated the French
host at Mauconseil, iSth August 1 358.
Amiens zuould have been delivered up to
the Navarrois, hut for the constable de
Fiennes and the earl of Saint- Pol, who
came in haste from Corbie and then laid
siege to Saint- Valhy, which was at length
surrendered. The French pursued the lord
Philip of Navarre, who with difficulty
recrossed the Somme and escaped. Mean-
while there was a great dearth in France,
and the realm was full of Navarrois, who
under the captal de Btuh and others took
many strong places.
Sir Peter Audley with some Navarrois
made an attempt on Chdlons, which failed.
At length a peace was made between the
duke of Normandy and the king of Navarre,
which, however, the lord Philip did not
accept.
CHAPTERS CXCVni-CCIV
SUMMARY.— For all this peace, there
was as much war as before, because the
truce betzveen France and England had
1 ' Au Louvre.'
140
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
expired. War was carried on in Cham-
pagne by sir Eustace d' Aubrecicourt for the
English, who was defeated and taken
prisoner, 2-^rd June, at Nogent-siir-Seine.
He -was afterwards ransomed by the English
garrisons of Champagne and became their
captain.
The brigands that held fortresses i7t France
began marvellously to decline.
A treaty of peace agreed to in London by
the kings of France and England was
rejected by the duke of Normandy and the
estates. The king of England prepared to
invade France.
Sir Robert Knolles rode through Berry
and Auvergne towards Avignon, pursued
by the earl of Forez zvith a large force, but
he escaped them and went into Limousin.
CHAPTERS CCV-CCXIV
SUMMARY. —Certain knights of the
Empire came to join the king of England
at Calais and rode into France zuith the
duke of Lancaster, who came before the
king. At All Saints they returned and
met the English host marching in Jitie
array, with the king and the prince of
Wales. The king rode through Artois and
Picardy, and so to Rheims, where he laid a
siege. The king of Navarre quarrelled
with the duke of Normandy and made ivar
upoit him. At length the king of England
left the siege of Rheims, and going into
Burgundy lay at Guillon till after mid-
Lent. He then made a composition with
the duke of Burgundy and retired towards
Paris, encamping at Bourg-la-Reine.
The duke of Normandy refused battle,
and the king I'e tired towards Chartres.
On the way negotiations were carried on for
peace, and at length terms were arranged
at Bretigny near Chartres.^ On payment
of 600,000 frajtks and delivery of hostages the
French king was released, and then went on
foot in pilgrimage from Calais to Boulogne
in co77ipany zvith the prince of Wales and
his tzvo brothers, Liojiel and Edmund. De-
livery tvas made of the ceded provinces and
the king of England orde7'ed his garrisons
to leave their holds. These garrisons
1 The documents connected with the peace of
Bretigny are given very incompletely and con-
fusedly in the text which the translator followed.
formed companies to plunder the country
and the lord Jacques of Bourbon was sent
against them. The cofupanies drezv to-
gether and marched towards Lyons.
CHAPTER CCXV
How the lord James of Bourbon and his
company were discomfited by the com-
panions, and how the pope made to be
cried a croisey, after these companions had
taken the Bridge Saint-Esprit, and of the
answer that they made.
The men of war thus assembled with the
lord of Bourbon being at Lyons under-
stood that the rout of the companions
approached fast towards them, and had
won the town and castle of Brignais and
divers other holds, and how they sore
wasted and exiled the country. These
tidings greatly displeased the lord of Bour-
bon, because he had the governing of the
earl of Forez' land and of his son's his
nephew's.-^ Then they went into the field
and saw well how they were a great
number of men of arms, knights and
squires, and so they sent out their currours
to know what their enemies did and. where
they were and where they should be found.
Now shall I shew you the great malice of
these- companions, who were lodged on a
mountain, and there they had such a place
that they could not be descried nor
aviewed, and specially the chief of them,
who were best harnessed, for the residue,
who were worst harnessed, arranged along
on the hill-side and suffered the French
currours to approach near to them and to
return again without any damage to the
lord James of Bourbon, the earl d'Uzes,
sir Raynold of Forez and to the other
French company, to whom they reported
as they had seen and said : * Sirs, we have
seen yonder company your enemies and to
our powers well advised them, and all
things seen and considered, to our estima-
tion they pass not a five or six thousand
persons and marvellously evil harnessed.
And when the lord of Bourbon heard that
report, he said to the archpriest : ' Sir, ye
have told me or this that they were to the
1 Froissart says, 'because he had the governance
of the county of Forez, his nephews' land.'
BATTLE OF BRIGNAIS, 1361
[41
number of sixteen thousand fighting men,
and now ye hear all contrary.' * Sir,'
quoth he, * I thought them never under
the said sum, and if they be not, God be
thanked ; it is the better for us. There-
fore now take heed what ye will do. ' ' In
the name of God,' quoth the lord of Bour-
bon, ' we will go and fight with them ' : and
there he ordered his battles and set them
in good array ready to fight, for he might
see his enemies before him ; and there he
made certain new knights, first his own
eldest son Peter, and he raised his banner,
and also his nephew the young earl of
Forez, the lord of Tournon, the lord of
Montelimar and the lord Groslee of
Dauphine ; and there were also the lord
Louis [and] sir Robert of Beaujeu, sir
Louis of Chalon, sir Hugh of Vienne, the
earl d'Uzes and divers other good knights
and squires, all desiring to advance their
honours and to overthrow these com-
panions that thus pilled the country with-
out any title of reason : and there it was
ordained that the archpriest, sir Arnold of
Cervolles, should govern the first battle, for
he was a good and expert knight, and he
had in that battle sixteen hundred fighting
men. These routs of companions that were
on the mountain saw right well the order-
ing of the Frenchmen, but they could not
so well see them nor their guiding, . nor
approach well to them but to their great
danger or damage ; for these companions
had in this mountain a thousand cartload
of great stones, which was greatly to their
advantage and profit. These Frenchmen
that so sore desired to fight with their
enemies, howsoever they did, they could
not come to them the next way ; therefore
they were driven of necessity to coast
about the mountain, where their enemies
were : and when they came on that side,
then they, who had great provision of stones,
began to cast so sore down the hill on them
that did approach, that they beat down,
hurt and maimed a great number, in such
wise that they might nor durst not pass nor
approach any nearer to them : and so that
first battle was so sore beaten and defoiled,
that of all day after they did but little aid.
Then to their succour approached the
other battles with sir James of Bourbon,
his son and his nephews, with their banners
and a great number of good men of war.
and all went to be lost ; the which was
great damage and pity, that they had not
wrought by better advice and counsel than
they did. The archpriest and divers other
knights that were there had said before
that it had been best to have suffered their
enemies to have dislodged out of the hold
that they were in, and then to have fought
with them at more ease ; but they could
not be heard.
Thus, as the lord James of Bourbon and
the other lords with their banners and
pennons before them approached and
coasted the said mountain, the worst
armed of the companions cast still con-
tinually stones at them in such wise that
the hardiest of them was driven aback ;
and thus, as they held them in that estate
a great space, the great fresh battle of
these companions found a way and came
about the mountain well ranged and had
cut their spears of six foot of length, and
so came crying with one voice and brake
in among the Frenchmen. So at the first
meeting they overthrew many to the earth :
there were sore strokes on both parts, and
these companions fought so ardently that
it was marvel, and caused the Frenchmen
to recule back : and there the archpriest
like a good knight fought valiantly, but he
was taken prisoner by force of arms and
sore hurt, and divers other knights and
squires of his company. Whereto should
I make longer rehearsal of this matter?
In effect the Frenchmen had the worse ;
and the lord James of Bourbon was sore
hurt, and sir Peter his son, and there was
slain the young earl of Forez, and taken
sir Raynold of Forez his uncle, the earl
d'Uzes, sir Robert of Beaujeu, sir Louis of
Chalon, and more than a hundred knights,
and with much pain the lord of Bourbon
and his son Peter were borne into the city
of Lyons. This battle was about the year
of our Lord God a thousand three hundred
threescore and one, the Friday after Easter-
day.
Greatly were they of the country
abashed, when they heard that their
people were discomfited, and there was
none so hardy, nor so strong a castle, but
trembled for fear ; for the wise and dis-
creet men supposed and imagined that
great mischief should multiply thereby,
without God put to some remedy. And
142
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
they of Lyons were greatly abashed when
they knew that the companions had the
victory ; howbeit they received sweetly all
them that returned and scaped from the
battle, and were sore displeased for the
hurts of the lord of Bourbon and of sir
Peter his son, and they of the town, ladies
and damosels, right goodly did visit him ;
but this lord James of Bourbon died a
three days after the field and sir Peter his
son lived not long after, and they were
sore bewailed of every creature; and for
the death of this lord of Bourbon the
French king was right sore displeased, but
he could not amend it, so it behoved him
to pass over his sorrow as well as he might.
Now let us speak of these companions,
who persevered still in their evil deeds as
people rejoiced and comforted of their
deeds, as well for winning of that journey
as for the ransoming of many good
prisoners : so thus these companions led
their time at their pleasure in that country,
for there were none that came against
them ; for incontinent after the discom-
fiture of Brignais they entered and spread
abroad in the county of Forez and pilled
and wasted all the country except the fort-
resses, and because they were so great a
company, almost nothing held against
them : and so they divided them into two
parts, and sir Seguin of Badefol had the
less part ; howbeit he had in his company
a three thousand fighting men, and he
went and lay at Anse, a mile from Lyons,^
and fortified the place marvellously, and
so his company were thereabout in the
marches, the which was one of the plentiful
countries of the world, the which they
overran, and ransomed the people at their
pleasure, that is to say, all the countries on
this side and beyond the river of Saone,
the county of Macon, the archbishopric of
Lyons and the land of the lord of Beaujeu
and all the country to Marcigny-les-
Nonnains and to the county of Nevers.
The other part of the same company, as
Naudan de Bageran, Espiote, Creswey,^
Robert Briquet, Ortingo [and] Bernardet
de la Salle, I'Amit, the bourg Camus, the
bourg of Breteuil, the bourg of Lesparre,
and divers other of one sort and affinity,
1 ' A une lieue de Lyon,' but the distance is really
about six leagues.
2 The Englishman John Creswey (or Creswell).
drew them toward Avignon, and said how
they would see the pope and cardinals and
to have some of their money, or else to
harry and to pill the country, and so they
tarried here and there abiding for the
ransom of such prisoners as they had
taken, and also to see if the truce held
between France and England ; and as
they went toward Avignon, they took by
the way towns and fortresses, so that none
held against them, for all the country was
afraid ; and also in that country they had used
no war, so that such as were in these small
holds wist not how to defend themselves
from such men of war. And these com-
panions heard how there was at the Bridge
Saint-Esprit,^ a seven leagues from Avig-
non, great treasure and riches of the
country assembled there together on trust
of the strong fortress ; and so the com-
panions advised among them that if they
might win that hold, it should be greatly
to their advantage and profit, for then they
thought to be masters of Rhone and of
them in Avignon. And on this purpose
they studied, till at last they had cast their
advice, as I have heard reported, in this
manner. Guyot du Pin and the little
Meschin rode with their company in one
night a fifteen leagues, and in the morning
at the breaking of the day they came to
the town of the Bridge Saint -Spirit and
suddenly took it and all that were within,
the which was great pity, for there they
slew many an honest person and defoiled
many a damosels and won such riches that
it could not be numbered and great pur-
veyances to live thereby a whole year : and
so by that means they might run at their
ease without danger, one season into the
realm of France and another time into the
Empire. So there assembled together all
the companions and every day ran to the
gates of Avignon, whereby the pope and
cardinals were in great affray and dread.
And so those companions made there a
sovereign captain among them, who was
ever most commonly enemy to God and to
the world.^
Beside these there were in France great
1 Pont-Saint-Esprit, a town on the right bank of
the Rhone.
2 Froissart says, ' who caused himself to be
commonly called : Friend to God and enemy to all
the world.'
THE COMPANIES, 1361, 1362
M3
number of pillers and robbers, what of
Englishmen, Gascons and Almains, who
said they must needs live ; and they held
still certain garrisons and fortresses, for
all that the king of England's deputies had
commanded them to avoid and depart ;
howbeit they would not all obey, where-
with the French king was sore displeased,
and all his council. But when these com-
panions in divers places heard how these
other companions had overthrown the lord
of Bourbon and a two thousand knights
and squires, and taken many a good
prisQner, and also had taken in the town
Saint - Esprit so great riches that it was
a thing incomparable, and thinking how
they were likely to win Avignon or else
to put to mercy the pope and cardinals
and all the country of Provence, then they
thought all to depart and go thither for
covetise to win more and to do more evil
deeds ; so that was the cause that divers of
them left up their fortresses and went to their
companions, in hope to get more pillage.
And when that pope Innocent the sixth
and the college of Rome saw how they
were vexed by these cursed people, they
were greatly abashed and then ordained a
croisey against these evil Christian people,
who did their pain to destroy Christen-
dom, as other bands had done before,^
without title of any reason : for they
wasted all the country without any cause,
and robbed without sparing all that ever
they could get, and violated and defoiled
women, old and young, without pity, and
slew men, women and children without
mercy, doing to them no trespass ; ^ and
such as did most shamefullest deeds were
reputed with them most valiant. So then
the pope and the cardinals preached
openly this croisey and assoiled a pena et
culpa all those that would take on them
this croisey and that would abandon their
bodies willingly to destroy these evil
people and their companions; and there
was chosen among the cardinals sir Peter of
Moustier, cardinal of Arras, called Ostia,'
to be chief captain of the croisey, and
incontinent he departed out of Avignon,
and went and tarried at Carpentras, a
seven mile from Avignon, and there he
retained all manner of soldiers, such as
1 ' Ensi comme les Wandeles fisent jadis.'
2 'Who had done them no ill." 3 ' Dit d'Ostie.'
would save their souls in attaining to these
said pardons, but they should have none
other wages; wherefore that journey brake,
for every man departed, some into Lom-
bardy, some to their own countries, and
some went to the said evil company, so that
daily they increased. So thus they har-
ried the pope, the cardinals and the mer-
chants about Avignon and did much evil,
till it was far into the summer season in
the year of our Lord God a thousand three
hundred threescore and one.
Then the pope and the cardinals advised
them of a noble gentle knight and a good
warrior, the marquis of Montferrat, who
kept war and had done a long space
against the lords of Milan. The pope sent
for him, and so he came to Avignon and
was honourably received of the pope and
cardinals, and so a treaty was made with
him by reason of a sum of money that he
should have, to the intent that he should
get out of that country the said evil com-
panions, and to retain them with him in
his wars of Lombardy. So then the
marquis treated with the captains of the
companions, and by reason of threescore
thousand florins that they should have
among them and great wages that the
marquis should give them, they agreed to
depart and go with him into Lombardy,
so they might be assoiled a pena et culpa.
All this was agreed, accomplished, and the
florins paid : and then they rendered up
the town Saint -Esprit and left the march
of Avignon and passed forth with the
marquis, whereof king John of France and
all the realm were right joyous, when they
saw how they were delivered of these evil
people. Howbeit there were many that
returned to Burgoyne, and sir Seguin of
Badefol departed not out of the garrison
of Anse, for he would not leave it for no
manner of entreaty nor promise ; but the
realm of France was in far better rest and
peace than it was before. So when the
most part of the companions were thus
passed forth with the marquis into the land
of Piedmont, there the marquis did well
his devoir against the lords of Milan and
conquered divers towns, castles, fortresses
and countries against them, and had divers
encounterings and skirmishes with them
to his honour and profit, so that within a
year by the help of these companions he
144
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
had the better hand, and in part had all
his intent against the two lords of Milan,
of sir Galeas and sir Bernabo, who after
reigned in great prosperity.
So it fortuned that sir Seguin of Badefol,
who was all that season in the garrison
of Anse on the river of Saone, took by
scaling a good city in Auvergne called
Brioude, and therein he tarried more than
a year and fortified it in such wise that
he doubted nothing, and overran the
country to Clermont, to Chilhac, to Puy,
to Chaise-Dieu, to Montferrant, to Riom,
to Nonnette, to Issoire, and to Vodables
and the land of the count Dolphin,^ the
lord whereof was the same time in hostage
in England, and in these countries he and
his company did much evil ; and when he
had sore impoverished the country there-
about, then by treaty he departed and
took with him great pillage and treasure
and so went to Gascoyne, from whence
he came first. Of this sir Seguin I can
write no more, but that, as I heard re-
counted, he died marvellously : God for-
give him all his trespasses. Amen.
CHAPTERS CCXVI-CCXIX
SUMMARY. — Henry duke of Lancaster
died, and the lord John, son of the king of
England, became duke in right of his wife.
The pope Innocent VI. died and was suc-
ceeded by Urban V. The prince of Wales
took the government of Acquitaine. The
king of Cyprus went through the Empire
and then to England to get help for a crusade
against the infidels. lie returtied through
France and so to Acquitaine.
King John of France came to London,
where he fell sick and died.
The duke of Nor?nandy sent the marshal
Bouciquaut to join sir Bertrand du Guesclin
against the king of Navarre. They took
Nantes and Meulan by stratagem. The
captal of Buck became commander of the
Navarrois.
1 The comte dauphin d'Auvergne.
CHAPTER CCXX
Here beginneth the feats of war done in the
time of king Charles the V. , whereof the
beginning speaketh of the obsequy of king
John and how the young king Charles was
honourably crowned at Rheims, and of the
great expenses that was done there ; and
of the beginning of the battle of Cocherel.
Thus, as ye have heard before, the king of
Cypre returned into France and came to
Paris to the duke of Normandy, and there
was the duke's brethren, the duke of Anjou
and the lord Philip, who was after duke of
Burgoyne, and all they tarried for the body
of the king their father, the which was
coming out of England ; and the king of
Cypre holp them to complain the death of
the king and was marvellously displeased
therewith, because of the hindering of his
viage of the croisey, and so he clothed him-
self with the vesture of dolour.
So the day came that the body of the
French king approached to Paris, the which
body was brought thither by the earl of
Artois, the earl Dammartin and the great
prior of France. The duke of Normandy
and his brethren, the king of Cypre, and
the most part of all the clergy of Paris went
afoot and met with the body beyond Saint-
Denis in France, and there he was solemnly
buried and the archbishop of Sens sang the
mass : and after the service done and the
dinner, the which was right noble, the lords
and prelates returned to Paris and there
they held a parliament and general council
to determine how the realm should be
ordered, for the realm might not long be
without a king : and then it was counselled
by the advice of the prelates and nobles of
the realm that they should draw to the city
of Rheims and there to crown the duke of
Normandy, who as yet was called none
otherwise ; and he wrote to his uncle
Wenceslas duke of Brabant and of Luxem-
bourg and also to the earl of Flanders,
desiring them to be at his coronation on
Trinity Sunday next coming.
In the same season, while the lords made
their purveyance for the king's coronation,
the Frenchmen and Navarrois approached
near together in Normandy ; for into the
city of Evreux was come the captal of Buch,
BATTLE OF COCHEREL, 1364
145
who made there his assembly of men of
war and of companions such as he could
get. Now let us speak of him and of sir
Bertram of Guesclin^ and of a journey of
battle between them the Tuesday before
Trinity Sunday, that the duke of Normandy
should be crowned king, as he was in the
cathedral church of Rheims. When the
captal of Buch had made his assembly in
the city of Evreux of archers and brigands,
and left in the city a captain called sir
Leger d'Orgessin, and sent to Conches the
lord Guy of Gauville to keep frontier war,^
then he departed from Evreux with all his
men of arms and archers ; for he heard say
how the Frenchmen were abroad, but he
wist not where they were. Then he took
the fields and had great desire to find them,
and numbered his company and found that
he was to the sum of seven hundred spears,
three hundred archers and five hundred of
other men of war, and with him were
divers good knights and squires, and
specially a banneret of the realm of Navarre
called the lord of Sault, an expert man of
arms ; but he that held the greatest sum of
men of arms and archers in all the company
was a knight of England called sir John
Jouel : there was also the lord Peter of
Saquainville, sir "William of Gauville, the
lord Bertrand du Franc, the bascle of
Mareuil and divers other, all in will to
encounter sir Bertram of Guesclin and to
fight with him. Then they drew to Passy
and to the Bridge of the Arch,^ for they
thought that the Frenchmen should pass
the river of Seine there, if they were not
passed already.
So it happened that the Friday in the
Whitsun week the captal and his company
rode out of a wood and by aventure they
met a herald of arms called king Faucon,
and the same morning he was departed from
the French host. As soon as the captal
saw him, he knew him well and made him
great cheer, for he was pertaining to the
king of England : then he demanded of
1 This name, which in the last chapter is written
by the translator ' Guesclyn,' appears here and
generally elsewhere as ' Clesquy.' The form in the
French text is usually Clesquin. Froissart, who
reports a conversation on the form of the name,
probably wrote ' Claiequin.'
2 ' Pour faire frontiere sus le pays,* ' to hold the
country against the enemy.'
3 Pont-de-l'Arche.
L
him from whence he came and if he knew
any tidings of the Frenchmen. ' Sir,* quoth
he, * in the name of God I know well where
they be : I departed from them to-day :
they seek you as well as ye do them.'
' Where be they, ' quoth the captal,
' beyond the Bridge of the Arch or a this
side?' ' Sir,' quoth Faucon, ' they be passed
the bridge at Vernon, and, as I believe,
they are now about Passy. ' * What number
be they,' quoth the capital, * and what
captains have they ? I pray you shew me. '
' Sir,' quoth Faucon, * they are well a fifteen
hundred fighting men, and there is sir,
Bertram of Guesclin, who hath the greatest
company of Bretons, also there is the earl
of Auxerre, the viscount of Beaumont, the
lord Louis of Chalon, the lord of Beaujeu,
the master of the cross-bows,^ the archpriest,
the lord Oudart of Renty ; and of Gascoyne
there is the company of the lord d'Albret,
and the lord Aymenion of Pommiers, the
lord soudic of Latrau.''^ And when the
captal heard those Gascons named, he
marvelled greatly and blushed for dis-
pleasure, and said : ' Faucon, is this true ye
say, that these lords of Gascoyne are there,
and the lord d'Albret's company?' * Sir,'
quoth the herald, ' yea, without fail.' ' And
where is the lord d'Albret himself?' quoth
the captal. 'Sir,' quoth Faucon, *he is
at Paris with the regent duke of Normandy,
who apparelleth himself to go to Rheims,
for it is said that on Sunday next com-
ing he should be crowned king.' Then
the captal laid his hand on his own head
and said in great displeasure, ' By Saint
Antony's cap,^ Gascon against Gascon.'
'Sir,' quoth Faucon, 'hereby tarrieth for
me a herald of the archpriest sent to speak
with you from him ; and as I understand by
the herald, the archpriest would speak with
you.' Then the captal said : ' Ah, Faucon,
say to the French herald he need not to go
any farther : let him shew to the archpriest
that I will not speak with him.' Then sir
John Jouel stept forth and said : ' Sir, why
will ye not speak with him ? Peradventure
it is for our profit.' Then the captal said :
1 The master of the cross-bows was sir Baudouin
d'Annequin.
2 The soudic (or soudan) de Latrau was lord of
Prechac and of Didonne. ' Latrau ' is a correction
of ' Lestrade.'
3 ' Par le cap saint Antoine,' ' by the head of
Saint Antony.'
146
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
* Nay, I warrant you it is not for our profit,
for the archpriest is so great a brawler that
if he come to us he will but jangle, and in
the mean time imagine our strength and
aview our number,^ the which peradventure
shall turn more to our prejudice than ad-
vantage : therefore I have no haste to speak
with him.' Then Faucon the herald went
to the other herald, whereas he tarried under
a hedge, and excused the captal so wisely
that he was well content, and then he went
to the archpriest and shewed him all, as
Faucon had said.
Thus the Frenchmen and Nav'arrois had
'knowledge each of other by the report of
the two heralds, and apparelled themselves
each to meet other. And when the captal
had heard by Faucon what number the
Frenchmen were, then incontinent he sent
certain messengers to the city of Evreux to
the captain there, desiring him to send out
of the city all manner of companions and
other that were able for the war, and that
they should meet with him about Cocherel,
for there he thought to find the Frenchmen,
for surely, he said, wheresoever they met
he would fight with them. And when
these tidings came to the captain of Evreux,
named sir Leger d'Orgessin, then he com-
manded every man that was able to ride a
horse should go out of the city and draw to
the captal ; and so there departed out of
the town more than sixscore, all young
men of the nation of the town. So that
Wednesday the captal lodged by noon on a
mountain and his company about him ; and
the Frenchmen rode forward to find them,
till they came to a river called in that
country Iton, the which ran toward Evreux,
and it springeth near to Conches, and there
they lodged that Wednesday in a fair
meadow along by the river -side; and so
the next morning both parties sent out their
Gurrours to see if they could hear any tidings
each of other, and so each of them made
report that they were within two leagues
together. Then the Navarrois rode as
Faucon led them, the same way he came
from them, and so about noon they came
1 This is a mistranslation. The original is :
' Mais I'archeprestre est si grant barateur, que s'il
venoit jusques a nous, [en nous] comptant jangles
et hordes il adviseroit,' etc., ' but the archpriest is so
great a deceiver, that if he came to us, while telling
us jests and pleasantries he would observe our
strength,' etc.
into the way to Cocherel, and there they
saw the Frenchmen before them in ordering
of their battles ; and there was great num-
ber of banners and pennons, so that they
seemed to be double the number that they
were indeed. Then the Navarrois rested
them without a little wood that was there :
then the captains drew together and ordered
their battles. First they made three battles
well and properly all afoot and sent all their
carriages and pages into the little wood,
and they set sir John Jouel in the first battle
with all the men of arms and archers of
England ; the second battle led the captal of
Buch, and in his battle were a four hundred
fighting men one and other, and with him
was the lord of Sault of Navarre, a young
lusty knight, the lord William of Gauville
and sir Peter of Saquainville ; the third
battle was led by three knights, that is to
say, the lord bascle of Mareuil, the lord
Bertram of [the] Franc and the lord Sanse
Lopins, they were a four hundred : and
when they had ordered their battles, then
they took the vantage of a little hill there
beside on their right hand, between them
and the wood, and so on the front of that
hill they arranged themselves before their
enemies ; and they set the captal's banner
on a bush of thorns and set a sixty men of
arms about it to defend it from their
enemies, and that they did to the intent
that, if they were sparkled abroad, they
should draw to the standard, and so deter-
mined not to descend down from the moun-
tain for no manner of cause, but to let
their enemies come to them, if they would
fight with them.
CHAPTER CCXXI
I
How by the policy and counsel of sir Bertram
of Guesclin the Navarrois descended down
from the mountain to fight with the French-
men, and how the captal was taken.
Thus, as ye have heard, the Navarrois and
Englishmen were arranged on the mountain
while the Frenchmen ordered their battles,
whereof they made three and a rear-gimrd.
The first had sir Bertram of Guesclin with
all his Bretons, and he was ordained to ren-
counter the captal's battle : the second had
the earl of Auxerre, and with him there
BATTLE OF COCHEREL
H7
was the viscount Beaumont and the lord
Baudwyn d'Annequin, master of the cross-
bows, and with them were Frenchmen,
Picards and Normans, as sir Oudart of
Renty, sir Enguerrand of Eudin, sir Louis
of Haveskerke and divers other good knights
and squires : the third battle had the arch-
priest and the Burgoynians, and with him
the lord of Chalon, the lord Beaujeu, the
lord John of Vienne and divers other, and
this battle was assigned to assemble against
the bascle of Mareuil and his rout : and the
battle which was the rear-guard were all
Gascons, whereof sir Aymenion of Pom-
miers, the lord soudic of Latrau, the lord
Perducas d'Albret and the lord Petiton of
Curton were sovereign captains. Then
these Gascon knights advised well the be-
having of the captal and how his standard
was set on a bush and kept with a certain
number : then they said that it behoved
them, when their battles were assembled
together, that they should endeavour them-
selves to conquer the captal's standard,
saying how if they might get it their enemies
should be soon discomfited. Also these
Gascons avised them on another ordinance,
the which was to them that day right pro-
fitable. The lords of France were a long
space together in council how they should
maintain themselves, for they saw well that
their enemies had a great advantage : then
the Gascons spake a word, the which was
well hoard ; they said : * Sirs, we know well
that the captal is as worthy a knight as can
be found in any land, for as long as he is
able to fight, he shall do us great damage.
Let us ordain thirty a-horseback of the best
men of arms that be in our company, and
let the thirty take heed to nothing but to
address themselves to the captal, while we
intend to conquer his standard, and by the
might of their horses let them break the
press, so that they may come to the captal,
and then take him and carry him out of the
field, for without that be done we shall
have no end of our battle : ^ for if he may
be taken by this means, the journey shall
be ours, his people will be so sore abashed
of his taking.' Then the knights of France
and of Bretayne accorded lightly to that
device, and said it was good counsel and so
they would do. Then among them they
1 Or rather, ' carry him out of the field and not
wait for the end of the battle,'
chose out thirty of the best men of arms
among them, and mounted on thirty of the
best horses in all the company, and they
drew them aside in the field well determined
of that they should do, and all the residue
tarried in the field afoot in good array.
When they of France had well ordered
their battles and that every man knew what
he should do, then there was a communing
among them what should be their cry that
day and to what banner they should draw
to ; and so they were determined to cry
' Our Lady of Auxerre ! ' and to make their
captain that day the earl of Auxerre. But
the earl would in no wise agree thereto,
to take that charge on him, but excused
himself right graciously, saying, ' Lords, I
thank you of the honour that ye would put
me to, but surely as for me I will not
thereof, for I am over young to have
such a charge or honour, for this is the first
journey that ever I was at, therefore ye
shall take another. Here be many good
knights, as sir Bertram of Guesclin, the
archpriest, the master of the cross-bows, the
lord Louis of Chalon, the lojd Aymenion of
Pommiers and sir Oudart of Renty ; these
have been in many great journeys and they
know how to order such a matter better
than I can, therefore I pray you hold me
excused.' Then the knights regarded each
other and said to him : ' Ah, noble earl of
Auxerre, ye are the greatest among us both
of land and lineage, therefore of right ye
ought to be our head.' 'Certainly, sirs,'
quoth he, 'ye say as it pleaseth you,^ but
this day I shall be as one of your com-
panions, and shall live and die and bide
mine aventure with you, but as for the
sovereignty, surely I will none thereof.'
Then they beheld each other and advised
whom they might make chief captain. Then
they were avised that the best knight in all
their company and he that had been best
proved was sir Bertrain of Guesclin : then
it was ordained by their common accord
that their cry should be that day, * Our
Lady, Guesclin ! ' and that they should all
obey that day to sir Bertram.
All things ordained and stablished and
every lord and knight under his own stan-
dard or pennon, then they regarded their
enemies, who were a-high on the hill and
would not depart from their strength,
1 ' Ye say it of your courtesy.*^
148
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
for they thought it not ; ^ the which greatly
annoyed the Frenchmen, because it was
evil mounting of that hill and also the sun
was very hot : the biggest of them were
faint,^ for they were fasting, and they had
neither wine nor victual with them that did
them any good, without it were certain lords
that had little flagons of wine, the which
were anon empty ; nor they made that
morning no provision for victual, for they
had thought to have fought with their
enemies the same morning, but they did
not ; but they escried as near as they might
the Navarrois and Englishmen,^ and so the
day was far gone or they could be assembled
together. And when the lords of France
saw the behaving of the Navarrois, then
they drew them together in manner of
council, to determine whether they should
go and fight with their enemies or not : so
they were of divers opinions : some would
go fight with them, saying it should be
great blame to them to do otherwise, some
that were sad and well avised argued to the
contrary and said : ' If we go and fight with
them whereas they be in the avantage, it shall
be to our great peril, for of five of us they
will have three.' So finally they would not
agree to go to them, for dangers that might
fall. And the Navarrois advised well their
manner and said among themselves : * Be-
hold yonder our enemies : they will come
anon to fight with us, by seeming they make
them ready thereto.' There were certain
knights and squires, Normans, prisoners
with the Navarrois, and they were let go on
their faiths, and they went privily into the
French host and said to the lords there:
'Sirs, avise you well, for an ye let this day
pass without ])attle, your enemies will be to-
morrow greatly recomforted, for it is said
among them that the lord Louis of Navarre
should come to them with a four hundred
spears.' So these words inclined them greatly
to fight with their enemies, howsoever they
did ; and so made them ready to have set
forward : and at that point they were a
three or four times, but ever the wise men
held them back and said : * Sirs, let us
abide a little space and see what they will
1 ' For they had no design or will to do so.'
2 ' Therefore the strongest of them feared it '
(le ressongnoient).
3 ' For the N. and E. put it off as lor^g as they
could,'
do, for their hearts are so great and pre-
sumptuous that they would as gladly fight
with us as we with them.' There were
many overcome with heat of the sun, for it
was then about noon and they had fasted all
the day and were armed and sore chafed,
and said among them, ' If we go up this
hill to fight with them, we are all likely to
be lost ; therefore let us draw as for this
day to our lodging, and to-morrow let us
take other counsel.' Thus they were in
divers opinions.
When the lords and knights of France
saw the governing of the Englishmen and
of the Navarrois, and how that they would
not depart out of the hold that they were in
and that it was high noon of the day,
and also had heard the words that the
prisoners that came from them had said,
and also saw the most part of their people
sore travailed with the heat of the sun, the
which was to them right displeasant, then
by the advice of sir Bertram of Guesclin
they took other counsel : for he said : ' Sirs,
we see well that our enemies desireth sore
to fight with us ; howbeit they will not
descend out of their hold, without it be by
the means that I shall shew you. Let us
make semblant to withdraw back and not to
fight as this day, and also our people are
sore travailed with heat, and let us send our
varlets, our carriage and our spare horses
over the bridge and water, and let us with-
draw back to our lodging, and in our going
back let us be ready to turn again, if need
be, and let us see what they will do. If
they be willing to fight with us, they will
descend down the hill to chase us, and if
we see that they do so, then let us be ready
to turn again on them, and then we shall
deal with them the more easily.' This coun-
sel was accepted of all the company : then
every lord drew him under his own standard,
and then they caused their trumpets to
sound the retreat and commanded all
knights, squires and varlets to pass the
bridge and to carry over all their carriages.^
So thus they passed over, and some men of
arms passed after feintly.^
When sir John Jouel, who was an expert
knight and had great desire to fight with
the Frenchmen, saw the manner of them,
how they drew back, then he said to the
1 ' Leur harnois.'
' Faintement,' ' by way of a feint.'
I
BATTLE OF COCHEREL
149
captal : * Sir, let us go quickly after them :
see you not how they do fly away ? ' * Ah, '
said the captal, * trust not thereto : they do
it but for an evil intent and to beguile us. '
Then sir John Jouel avanced himself, for
he had great desire to fight with his enemies,
saying to his company, * Saint George !
whosoever loveth me let them follow, for I
will go and fight with our enemies ' : and
so took his spear in his hand and went
forth before all the battles and descended
down the hill, and some of his company, or
the captal knew thereof. But when he saw
that sir John Jouel was gone to fight without
him, he took it of great presumption and
said to them about him : ' vSirs, let us go
down the hill quickly, for sir John Jouel shall
not fight without me.' Then the captal
and his company advanced them down the
hill, and when the Frenchmen saw them
descend from the hill and come into the
plain fields, they were right joyous, and
said, ' Lo, now we may see that we have
desired all this day ' ; and so suddenly
turned and cried * Our Lady, Guesclin ! ' and
dressed their banners against the Navarrois,
and so assembled together all ^foot ; and
sir John Jouel, who courageously assembled
his banners against the battle of the Bretons,
of whom sir Bertram was chief captain, did
many a feat of arms, for he was a hardy
knight. Thus the knights and squires
sparkled abroad in the plain and fought
together with such weapons as they had,
and each of them entered into other's battle
and so fought with great courage and will ;
the Englishmen and Navarrois cried ' Saint
George ! ' and the Frenchmen ' Our Lady,
Guesclin ! ' There were many good knights
on the French part, as sir Bertram of
Guesclin, the young earl of Auxerre, the vis-
count Beaumont, sir Baudwyn d'Annequin,
sir Louis of Chalon, the young lord of
Beaujeu, sir Antony, who that day reared
his banner, sir Louis of Haveskerke, sir
Oudart of Renty, sir Enguerrand of Eudin ;
and also of Gascons, first sir Aymenion of
Pommiers, sir Perducas d'Albret, sir soudic
de Latrau, sir Petiton of Curton, and divers
other of that sort : and the Gascons dressed
them against the captal and his company,
and they against them ; they had great
desire to meet each other : there was a sore
battle and many a noble feat of arms done
and achieved. A man ought not to lie
willingly : ^ it might be demanded where
was the archpriest all this season, who was
a great captain and had a great company
under his rule, because I make no mention
of him. I shall shew you the truth. As
soon as the archpriest saw the battle begin,
he gat himself out of the press, but he said
to his company and to him that bare his
standard : ' I charge you all, as ye love me
or fear my displeasure, that ye abide the
end of the battle and do your devoirs as
well as ye can ; but as for me, I will depart
and not return again, for I may not as this
day fight nor be armed against some knight
that is in the field against us. And if any
demand for me, answer them as I have
shewed you before.' So thus he departed,
and but one squire all only with him, and
so he repassed the river and let the remnant
deal ; and so the residue of the field missed
him not, for they saw his banner and com-
pany to the end of the battle, wherefore
they believed surely that he had been there
personally. Now shall I shew you of the
battle and how it was ended.
At the beginning of the battle, when sir
John Jouel was come down the hill and his
company with him, and the captal also and
his company, trusting to have had the
victory (howbeit the case turned other-
wise), and saw that the Frenchmen turned
them in good array and order, then they
perceived well how they had been too
hasty to come from their advantage. How-
beit, like valiant knights, they bashed
nothing, but thought to win the victory
with their hands in plain field. And so a
little they reculed back and assembled
together all their people, and then they
made way for their archers to come
forth on before, who as then were behind
them. And when the archers were forward,
then they shot fiercely together, but the
Frenchmen were so well armed and so
strongly pavised that they took but little
hurt, nor letted not for all that to fight,
and so entered in among the Englishmen
and Navarrois, and they in like wise among
them, so that there was between them a
cruel battle : they took by strength of
arms and wrestling spears, axes and other
1 * On ne doit point mentir a son pouvoir.' This
refers to what follows, as is clear in the fuller text :
' In matters of arms the truth should be spoken,
therefore it must be confessed that,' etc.
ISO
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
1
:le of ^I
weapons, each from other, and took
prisoners on both parts. Thus they fought
hand to hand so valiantly that it was marvel
to behold ; so ye may well believe that in
this great press and peril there were many
overthrown and slain, for there were none
that spared other. I say to you plainly,
the Frenchmen had no need as then to
sleep, for they had in hand people hardy
and full of courage, wherefore it behoved
every man to acquit themselves valiantly
and to defend their bodies and keep their
country and to take their advantage when
it came at the point, or else they had been
all discomfited : surely the Bretons and
Gascons did acquit themselves right well
that day and did many a noble feat of arms.
Now shall I shew you of the thirty that
were appointed to set on the captal, who
were right well horsed. They took heed
to nothing else but to the executing of their
enterprise that they had in charge, so all
together came on the captal, whereas he
was fighting with a great axe in his hand
and gave therewith so great strokes that
none durst approach near him, but these
thirty by force of their horses brake the
press and came on the captal and by clean
force they took him. Then began the
battles sore in every place, for the captal's
men cried to the rescue ; howbeit all their
pain availed them nothing, for the captal
was carried out of the field ; at which time
it was hard to tell who had the better.
CHAPTER CCXXII
How the Englishmen and Navarrois were
discomfited at the battle of Cocherel, and
how the young king of France made his
brother duke of Burgoyne, and of the castles
and fortresses that were after won.
In this great battle, where that the English-
men and Navarrois intended to follow to
rescue the captal, whom they saw carried
away before them, and of the French part
sir Aymenion of Pommiers, sir Petiton of
Curton, sir soudic de Latrau and the lord
d'Albret's company, they intended with a
courageous will to dress them toward the
captal's standard that stood on a bush,
there was then a sore battle ; for the
standard was well defended with good men
of war, and specially with sir bascle of
Mareuil and sir Geoffrey of Roussillon :
there was many rescues, and many one
hurt and cast to the earth : howbeit the
Navarrois that were about the standard
were overthrown, and the bascle of Mareuil
slain, and sir Geoffrey of Roussillon taken
prisoner, and sir Aymenion of Pommiers
no man could tell what became of him,
whether he were slain or taken. ^ And
when the captal's standard was taken and
torn all to pieces, in the mean season the
Bretons, Frenchmen, Picards, Normans
and the Burgoynians fought valiantly, the
which stood them well in hand to do, for
the Navarrois had caused them somewhat to
recule, and there was dead of the French
party the viscount Beaumont, the which was
great damage, for he was a lusty young
knight and was likely to have proved a
noble man ; and his company with great
pain carried him out of the field, as I heard
recounted of them of both parties. It had
not been seen afore in such a battle with such
a number to be so well fought as this battle
was, for they were all afoot hand to hand
and were meddled together each party with
other and fought with such weapons as they
had, and there was many a great stroke
given with axes of steel, and there was sore
hurt sir Petiton of Curton and sir soudic de
Latrau in such wise that they could do no
more good that day. Sir John Jouel, by
whom the battle began, did that day many
a feat of arms and was hurt in divers places
of his body, and finally he was taken
prisoner by a squire of Bretayne of the
company of sir Bertram of Guesclin, and
was carried out of the press. But there
was slain of the French party the master of
the cross-bows, and sir Louis of Haveskerke
and divers other, and of the Navarrois the
lord of Sault and many of his men, and the
same day died prisoner sir John Jouel ; and
there was taken sir William of Gauville,
sir Peter of Saquainville, sir Geoffrey of
Roussillon, sir Bertram of [the] Franc
and divers other ; but a few of the Navarrois
saved, they were near all taken or slain in
1 This should be : ' Sir Geoffrey of Roussillon was
taken prisoner by sir Aymenion of Pommiers, and
all the others who were there either slain or driven
on so far that none could tell what became of them.'
However, the French text which the translator had
before him is made unintelligible by the omission of
the words ' et tout li aultre. '
I
CORONATION OF CHARLES V., 1364
51
the place. This battle was in Normandy
near to Cocherel on a Tuesday^ the twenty-
fourth day of May2 the year of our Lord
MCCCLXIV.
After this discomfiture and that all the
dead were despoiled, and every man taking
heed to his prisoners and dressing of them
that were hurt, and that the most part of
the Frenchmen were repassed the bridge
and drawing to their lodging right sore
travailed and weary, the same season sir
Guy of Gauville, son to sir William of
Gauville, was departed the same morning
from the garrison of Conches with a fifty
spears, to the intent to have come to the
captal or the battle began, wherefore they
made great haste and came to the place
whereas the battle had been. Then the
Frenchmen that were behind cried to their
company saying, ' Turn again, sirs, behold
here cometh more of our enemies ' : and sir
Aymenion and his company were there
ready, and when he saw the Navarrois, he
set his standard a-high on a bush to cause
the Frenchmen to draw thither. And when
sir Guy heard them cry, ' Our Lady,
Guesclin ! ' and saw not the captal nor
none of his company, but saw much people
lie dead on the ground, then he perceived
well that the Navarrois had been dis-
comfited, and then he returned the same
way he came. And that evening the
Frenchmen took heed to their prisoners.
Then there was much speaking and en-
quiring for the archpriest, when it was
known that he was not at the battle, and
his men excused him as well as they could.
And the thirty that took the captal never
ceased till they had brought him to the
castle of Vernon. And the next day the
Frenchmen dislodged and went to Rouen
and there left part of their prisoners.
CHAPTER CCXXIII
Of the coronation of king Charles the fifth.
On Trinity Sunday the year of our Lord a
MCCCLXIV. king Charles, son and heir to
king John, was crowned and sacred king
1 The original has ' jeudy.' The translator more
than once gives us 'Tuesday' for 'jeudi' and ' Wed-
nesday' for ' mardi,' as in i. 189.
- A better text gives xvi. here for xxiiii.
in the great church of our Lady in Rheims,
and also the queen his wife, daughter to
duke Peter of Bourbon, by the archbishop
of the same place. And there was present
king Peter of Cypre, the duke of Anjou,
the duke of Burgoyne, sir Wenceslas of
Bohemia, duke of Luxembourg and of
Brabant, the earls of Eu and of Dammartin,
of Tancarville and of Vaudemont, with
many prelates and other lords, and in the
city was great feasts and solemnities five
days : then the king departed and went to
Paris. It cannot be recounted in a whole
day the solemnities and great feasts that
they of Paris made them. The lords re-
turned into their own countries, such as
had been there at the king's coronation.
At the king's coming to Paris his youngest
brother was put in possession of the duchy
of Burgoyne, and so departed from Paris
with a great number of men and went and
took livery, seisin and homage of the
barons, knights, cities, castles and good
towns of the duchy of Burgoyne : and
when he had visited his country, he re-
turned to Paris. And the same season the
archpriest appeased the king's displeasure
by such excusations as he laid for himself,
in that he was not at the journey of
Cocherel, shewing how he might not be
armed against the captal ; the which
captal at the request of the lord d'Albret
was let out of prison on his faith and troth,
the which captal aided greatly to excuse
the archpriest to the king and to other
knights of France, such as spake evil of
him : also he had as then newly overthrown
in Burgoyne beside Dijon a four hundred
companions and pillers of the country,
whereof Guyot du Pin, Tallebart, Talle-
bardon and John of Chauffour were captains.
The same season the king caused to be
beheaded sir Peter Saquainville in the city
of Rouen, because he was become Navarrois,
and sir Gauville had been in the same case,
an sir Guy his son had not been, who sent
word to the king, that if he put to death
his father, he would in like wise serve sir
Braimon de Laval, a great lord of Bretayne,
whom he had as prisoner ; wherefore his
lineage and kindred did so much by their
suit to the king, that there was an exchange
made between sir Braimon and sir Gauville,
and each delivered for other. In this
season sir Bertram of Guesclin gat again
152
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
The \
the castle of Rolleboise for six thousand
franks that he paid to the captain thereof,
named Wauter, who returned again to
Brabant from whence he came. Yet there
were divers companions that held still
sundry fortresses in Caux, Normandy,
Perche, Beauce and in other places, the
which did much hurt and trouble in the
realm of France, some in the title of the
king of Navarre and some in their own
quarrel, to rob the country without reason
or true title. The French king sent his
brother the duke of Burgundy against these
pillers, and so the duke made his summons
in the city of Chartres. Then he drew
into the field, and with him sir Bertram
of Guesclin, sir Bouciquaut, the earl of
Auxerre, sir Louis of Chalon, the lord of
Beaujeu, sir Aymenion of Pommiers, sir
Rayneval, the Begue of Villaines, sir
Nicholas of Ligne, master of the cross-bows,
sir Oudart of Renty, sir Enguerrand of
Eudin, and to the number of five thousand
fighting men. And when they saw they
were so great a number, they divided in
three parts, whereof sir Bertram of Guesclin
with a thousand went toward Cotentin
through the marches of Cherbourg to keep
the frontiers there, that the Navarrois
should do no hurt nor damage to the
country of Normandy ; and with him was
the lord of Auxerre, the earl of Joigny, sir
Arnold d'Audrehem, and many knights
and squires of Bretayne and of Normandy.
The second battle had the lord de la Riviere,
and in his company divers knights and
squires of France and of Picardy, and they
were sent into the earldom of Evreux ; and
the duke himself with the greatest company
went and laid siege to Marchelainville, a
strong castle Navarrois, and brought thither
many engines from the city of Chartres,
the which did cast day and night and did
them within much trouble.
CHAPTER CCXXIV
Of the journey that the duke of Burgoyne
made against the garrisons Navarrois,
and of the succour that the French king
sent to sir Charles of Blois.
SUMMAR Y. — The lord Louis of Navarre
had overrun the Bourbonnais and Auvergne
and taken La Charite on the Loire. The
duke of Burgundy and those with him took
many towns and castles in Normandy, and
at length besieged and took La Charite.
In the mean time the earl of Montfort lay
at siege before Auray in Brittany, and the
king of France sent Bertrand du Guesclin
and others to aid sir Charles of Blois
against him. Also to the earl of Montfort
came sir John Chandos and other knights
and sqtiires of England.
CHAPTER CCXXV
How sir Charles of Blois came against the
earl Montfort in ordinance of battle, and
how sir John Chandos came against him,
and how many were in each battle.
SUMMARY.— Sir Charles of Blois came
to Auray with sir Bertrand du Gtiesclin
and many others. Sir John Chandos was
commander of the earl of Montforfs army,
and by his means all attempts to make peace
were frustrated. The battle was fought in
a plain near to Auray on a Sunday morn-
ing {2gth September 1364).
CHAPTER CCXXVI
How sir John Chandos discomfited the battle
of the earl of Auxerre, and how sir Bertram
of Guesclin was discomfited and taken, and
the lord Charles of Blois slain in the battle,
and of the pitiful complaint that the earl
Montfort made for his death.
SUMMARY — The battle of Auray was
won by the party of the earl of Montfort
tinder sir John Chandos, and sir Charles
of Blois was slain.
I
CHAPTER CCXXVH
Of the truce that was given to bury the dead
after the battle of Auray, and how divers
castles yielded up to the earl Montfort, and
how he besieged Quimper-Corentin.
SUMMARY.— The French party were
greatly discouraged by this defeat, and th^
king of England was rejoiced, and so like-
I
END OF THE WARS IN BRITTANY, 1364
153
7vise was the earl of Flanders^ who was at
that time with him at Dover.
CHAPTER CCXXVIII
Now let us speak of the earl Montfort, how
he did in Bretayne.
SUMMARY.— The earl of Montfort took
Auray,Jugon and Dinant, and laid siege
to Quimper- Corentin.
CHAPTER CCXXIX
How the peace was made that the earl of
Montfort should abide duke of Bretayne,
and how the French king rendered to
Clisson his land, and of the marriage of
the duke of Normandy, and how the
captal of Buch became liege man to the
French king and afterward renounced
him again.
SUMMAR K — A treaty was made by which
the earl of Alontfort should remain duke of
Brittany, doittg homage for the duchy to the
king of France. Also peace was made between
the king of France and the king of Navarre,
chiefly by the means of the captal de Buch,
The chapter then continues thus : —
In this season yet was there still in
France great number of the companions,
the which as then wist not what to do,
seeing the wars of Bretayne were ended.
These companions pursued ever after deeds
of arms and taking of pillages at their
advantages, from the which they could not
nor would abstain, and all their chief re-
course was in France, for they called the
realm of P^rance their chamber. They
durst do no hurt in Acquitaine, for the
land would not suffer them, and also, to
say truth, most part of the captains were
Gascons and Englishmen under the obei-
sance of the king of England and of the
prince ; some there were of Bretayne, but
not many : wherefore divers of the realm
of France murmured against the king of
England and the prince, and said covertly
how that they acquitted not themselves
well against the French king, seeing they
do not their good wills to put out of the
realm those evil-disposed people. So the
wise and sage men of France considered
that, without they did put some remedy to
drive them out of the realm either by battle
or by means of some money, else at length
they were likely to destroy the noble realm
of France and holy Christendom.
The same season there was in Hungary
a king that would gladly have had them
with him; for he had great war against
the Turk, who did him great damage.
Then he wrote to pope Urban the fifth,
who was as then at Avignon, certifying
him how he would gladly that the realm of
France were delivered of the number of
companions and that they were all with
him in his wars against the Turk : and in
like wise he wrote letters to the French
king and to the prince of Wales. And so
they entreated the said companions and
offered them gold and silver and passage ;
but they answered that they would not that
way, saying they would not go so far to
make war ; for it was shewed among them-
selves by some of their own company that
had been before in Hungary, how that
there were such straits, that if they were
fought with there, they could never escape,
but to die shamefully ; the which so affrayed
them that they had no lust to go thither.
And when the pope and the French king
saw that they would not agree according
to their desires, and also that they would
not avoid out of the realm of France, but
daily multiplied, then they bethought them
of another way and means to cause them
to avoid.
The same season there was a king in
Castile called don Peter, ^ who was full of
marvellous opinions, and .he was rude and
rebel against the commandments of holy
Church, and in mind to subdue all his
Christian neighbours, kings and princes,
and specially the king of Aragon called
Peter, who was a good true Christian
prince, and had as then taken from him
part of his realm, thinking to have all the
remnant. 'Also this king don Peter of
Castile had three bastard brethren, the
which king Alphonso his father had by
a lady called the Riche Done : ^ the eldest
was called Henry, the second don Tello,
1 ' Dame Pietre,' which is written by the trans-
lator either ' Dame Peter' or ' Dampeter.'
2 Eleanor de Guzman, called ' la Richa Dona.'
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
and the third Sancho. This king don
Peter hated them so, that he would not
suffer them to come in his sight, and
oftentimes, if he might have gotten them,
he would have stricken off their heads :
howbeit they were well beloved with the
king their father, and in his life he gave to
Henry the eldest the county of Asturge,
but this king don Peter his brother had
taken it from him, and therefore they kept
daily war together. This bastard Henry
was a right hardy and a valiant knight,
and had been long in France and pursued
the war there and served the French king,
who loved him right entirely. King don
Peter, as the common bruit ran, had put
to death the mother of the children, where-
with they were right sore displeased, and
good cause why. Also beside that, he
had put to death and exiled divers great
lords of the realm of Castile : he was so
cruel and so without shame that all his
men feared, doubted and hated him as far
as they durst. Also he caused to die a
right good and holy lady, the which he had
to wife, called the lady Blanche, daughter
to duke Peter of Bourbon, sister-german to
the French queen and to the countess of
Savoy, whose death was right displeasant
to all her lineage, the which was one of the
noblest lineages of the world. And beside
all this there ran a bruit of him among his
own men how that he was amiably allied
with the king of Granade and with the king
of Bellemarine and the king of Tremesen,^
who were all God's enemies and infidels :
wherefore some of his own men feared that
he would do some hurt to his own country,
as in violating of God's churches, for he
began already to take from them their
rents and revenues and held some of the
prelates in prison and constrained them by
tyranny, whereof great complaints came
daily to our holy father the pope, requiring
him to find some remedy : to whose com-
plaints the pope condescended, and sent
incontinent messengers into Castile to the
king don Peter, commanding him that
incontinent without any delay personally
to come to the court of Rome, to wash,
cleanse and purge him of such villain deeds
as he was guilty in. Howbeit this king
don Peter, full of pride and presumptuous-
ness, would not obey nor come there, but
1 Tlemcen.
dealt shamefully with the pope's messenger^
whereby he ran greatly in the indignation
of the Church and specially of the head of
the Church, as of our holy father the pope.
Thus this evil king don Peter persevered
still in his obstinate sin.
Then advice and counsel was taken by
the pope and by the college, what way they
might correct him, and there it was deter-
mined that he was not worthy to bear the
name of a king, nor to hold any realm, and
there in plain consistory in Avignon, in the
chamber of excommunication, he was openly
declared to be reputed as an infidel. Then
it was thought that he should be constrained
and corrected by help of the companions
that were as then in the realm of France.
Then the king of Aragon, who hated the
king of Castile, was sent for, and also
Henry the bastard of Spain, to come to
Avignon to the pope ; and when they were
come, the pope made FTenry the bastard
legitive and lawful to obtain the realm of
Castile, and don Peter cursed and con-
demned by sentence of the pope, and there
the king of Aragon said how he would open
the passage through his country and pro-
vide victuals and purveyances for all
manner of people and men of war that
would pursue to go into Castile to confound
king don Peter and to put him out of his
realm. Of this ordinance was the French
king right joyous, and did his pain to help
to get out of prison sir Bertram of Guesclin,
who was prisoner with sir John Chandos,
and paid for his ransom a hundred thousand
franks, part thereof paid the French king
and the pope, and Henry the bastard paid
the residue ; and after his deliverance they
fell in treaty with the companions and
promised them great profit, if they would
go into the realm of Castile ; whereto they
lightly agreed for a certain sum of money
that they had to depart among them : and
so this journey was shewed to the prince of
Wales and to the knights and squires about
him, and specially to sir John Chandos,
who was desired to be one of the chief
captains with sir Bertram of Guesclin ;
howbeit he excused him and said he might
not go thither. Yet the journey was not
let for all that, and divers knights of
the prince's went thither, as sir Eustace
d'Aubrecicourt, sir Hugh Calverley, sir
Gaultier Hewet, sir Matthew Gournay, sir
DON PETER OF CASTILE
:55
Perducas d'Albiet and divers other ; and
the chief captain of this enterprise was
made the lord John of Bourbon earl of
Marche, to countervenge ^ the death of his
cousin the queen of Spain, and was in all
things ruled and counselled by the advice
of sir Bertram of Guesclin, for the earl of
Marche was as then a jolly young lusty
knight ; and also the lord Antony of Beaujeu
went forth in that viage, and divers other
good knights, as sir Arnold d'Audrehem,
marshal of France, the Begue of Villaines,
the lord d'Antoing in Hainault, the lord of
Briffeuil, sir John Neuville, sir Gauvain of
Bailleul, sir Johnof Berguettes, the Allemant
of Saint-Venant and divers other, the which
I cannot name. And so all these lords and
other advanced forth in the viage and made
their assembly in Languedoc and at Mont-
pellier and thereabout, and so passed all to
Narbonne, to go toward Perpignan and so
to enter on that side into the realm of
Aragon. These men of war were to the
number of thirty thousand, and there were
the chief captains of the companions, as sir
Robert Briquet, sir John Creswey, Naudan
of Bageran, I'Amit, the little Meschin, the
bourg Camus, the bourg de Lesparre,
Batillier, Espiote, Aymenion d'Artigue,
Perrot of Savoy and divers other, all of
accord and of one alliance, having great
desire to put king don Peter out of the
realm of Castile and to make king the earl
of Asturge, his brother Henry the bastard.
And when these men of arms should
enter into the realm of Aragon, to do their
enterprise the more privily they sent to
king don Peter to blind him by their
message : but he was already well informed
of their intents and how they were coming
on him into the realm of Castile ; but he
set nothing thereby, but assembled his
people to resist against them and to fight
with them at the entry of his realm. Their
message was desiring him to open the straits
of his country and to give free passage to
the pilgrims of God, who had enterprised
by great devotion to go into the realm of
Granade, to revenge the death and passion
of our Lord Jesu Christ and to destroy the
infidels and to exalt the Christian faith.
The king don Peter at these tidings did
nothing but laugh, and said he would do
nothing at their desire, nor obey in any
1 A correction of counterwyne.'
point to such a rascal company. And
when these knights and other men of arms
knew the will and answer of king don Peter,
whereby they reputed him right orgulous
and presumptuous, and made all the haste
they might to advance, to do him all the
hurt they could. So they all passed through
the realm of Aragon, where they found the
passages ready open for them, and victual
and everything ready apparelled and at a
meetly price ; for the king of Aragon had
great joy of their coming, trusting then by
their means to conquer again from the king
of Castile all his lands, that king don Peter
had before taken from him by force : and
then these men of war passed the great
river that departeth Castile and Aragon,
and so they entered into the realm of
Spain : and when they had conquered
towns, cities and castles, straits, ports and
passages, the which the king don Peter had
taken from the king of Aragon, then sir
Bertram and his company delivered them to
the king of Aragon on the condition that
always from thenceforth he should aid and
comfort Henry the bastard against don
Peter.
Tidings came to the king of Castile how
that the Frenchmen, Bretons, Englishmen,
Normans, Picards and Burgoynians were
entered into his realm and were as then
passed the great river departing Castile and
Aragon, and how they had won again all
on that side the river, the which cost him
much pain and trouble or he won it first.
Then he was right sore displeased and
said : * Well, all shall not go so as they
ween it shall.' Then he made a special
commandment throughout all his realm, in
giving knowledge to them that his letters
and messengers were sent unto, that they
should without delay come to him, to the
intent to fight with the men of war that
were entered into his realm of Castile.
There were but a few that obeyed his
commandment, and when he had thought
to have had a great assembly of men of
war, he was deceived, for few or none came
to him ; for his lords and knights of Spain
forsook and refused him and turned to his
brother the bastard : wherefore he was fain
to fly, or else he had been taken, he was so
sore behated with his enemies and also with
his own men, so that none abode about
him except one true knight called Ferrant
156
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
I
of Castro ; ^ he would never forsake him
for none adventure. And so then don
Peter went to Seville, the best city of
Spain, and when he was come thither, he
was in no great surety ; wherefore he
trussed and put into coffers his treasure, and
took a ship with his wife and children, and
so departed from Seville, and Ferrant of
Castro his knight with him, and he arrived
like a knight discomfited in Galice [at a
port] called the Corogne,^ where there was
a strong castle, and therein he, his wife
and children entered, that is to say, two
young daughters, Constance and Isabel,
and of all his men and council he had none
but Ferrant of Castro.
CHAPTER CCXXX
Now let us shew of Henry the bastard, how
he persevered in his enterprise.
Thus, as I have shewed before, this king
don Peter was sore behated with his own
men throughout all the realm of Castile
because of the marvellous cruel justice that
he had done and by the occasion of the
destruction of the noblemen of his realm,
the which he had put to death and slain
with his hands. Wherefore as soon as they
saw his bastard brother enter into the realm
with so great puissance, then they drew all
to him and received him to their lord, and
so rode forth with him ; and they caused
cities, towns, boroughs and castles to be
opened to him and every man to do him
homage : and so the Spaniards all with one
voice cried, ' Live Henry, and die don
Peter, who hath been to us so cruel and so
evil.' Thus the lords led forth Henry
throughout all the realm of Castile, as the
lord Gomez Carillo, the great master of
Calatrava,^ and the master of Saint James.
So thus all manner of people obeyed to him
and crowned him king in the city of
Asturge ; and all prelates, earls, barons and
knights made him reverence as to their
king, and sware always to maintain him as
their king, or else, if need required, to die
in the quarrel. So thus this king rode
from city to city and from town to town,
1 Fernando Perez de Castro. 2 Corunna.
3 ' The grand master of the order of Calatrava.'
and always and in every place he had
reverence done to him like a king : and
then he gave to the knights strangers, such
as came with him into the realm of Castile,
great gifts and rich jewels so largely, that
every man reputed him for a liberal and
an honourable lord. And commonly the
Normans, Frenchmen and Bretons said that
in him was all liberality, and how he was
well worthy to live and to reign over a
great realm ; and so he did a season right
puissantly and in great prosperity. Thus
the bastard of Spain came to the seignory of
the realm of Castile, and he made his two
brethren, don Tello and Sancho, each of
them an earl with great revenues and profit.
Thus this Henry was king of Castile, of
Galice, of Seville, of Toledo and of Lisbon,
unto such season as the puissance of Wales
and Acquitaine put him out thereof and set
again king don Peter into the possession
and seignory of the foresaid realms, as ye
shall hear after in this history.
When that this king Henry saw himself
in this estate and that every man obeyed
him and reputed him for their king and
lord, and saw nothing likely to the contrary
of his desire, then he imagined and cast his
advice to exalt his name and to employ the
number of such companions as were come
to serve him out of the realm of France, to
make a voyage on the king of Granade ;
whereof he spake to divers knights, who
were well agreed thereto. And always this
king Henry held still about him the prince's
knights, as sir Eustace d'Aubrecicourt, sir
Hugh Calverley and other, and shewed
them great token and sign of love in trust
that they should aid and serve him in his
voyage to Granade, whither he hoped to go.
And anon after his coronation there de-
parted from him the most part of the
knights of France, and he gave them great
gifts at their departing ; and so then re-
turned the earl of Marche, sir Arnold
d'Audrehem, the lord Beaujeu and divers
other, but sir Bertram of Guesclin tarried
still in Castile with the king, and sir Oliver
of Manny and the Bretons with certain
number of the companions : and so then
sir Bertram of Guesclin was made constable
of all the realm of Castile by the accord of
king Henry and all the lords of the country.
Now let us speak of king don Peter, how
he maintained himself.
FLIGHT OF DON PETFR, 1366
tS7
CHAPTER CCXXXI
How king don Peter required the prince of
Wales to aid him against his brother.
Ye have well heard how king don Peter
was driven into the castle of Corogne' on
the sea, and with him his wife, his two
daughters, and don Ferrant of Castro with
him all only, so that in the mean season
that his brother the bastard, by puissance
of the men of war that he had got out of
France, conquered Castile, and that all the
country yielded them to him, as ye have
heard before. He was right sore afraid,
and not well assured in the castle of Corogne,
for he doubted greatly his brother the
bastard, for he knew well that if he had
knowledge of his being there, he would
come with puissance and besiege him.
"Wherefore he thought he would not abide
that peril ; therefore he departed in a night
and took a ship, and his wife, his two
daughters and don Ferrant of Castro, and
all the gold, silver, and jewels that they
had : but the wind was to him so contrary
that he could not draw from the coast, and
so was fain again to enter into the fortress
of Corogne. Then the king don Peter de-
manded of don Ferrant his knight how he
should maintain himself, complaining of
fortune, that was to him so contrary. ' Sir,'
quoth the knight, ' or ye depart from hence,
it were good that ye did send to your cousin
the prince of Wales, to know if he would
receive you or not, and for pity somewhat
to tender your need and necessity ; for
divers ways he is bound thereto by reason
of the great alliances that the king his father
and yours had together. The prince of
Wales is so noble and so gentle of blood
and of courage, that when he knoweth your
tribulation, I think verily he will take
thereof great compassion. And if he will
aid to set you again in your realm, there is
none that can do it so well in all the world,
he is so feared, redoubted and beloved with
all men of war. And, sir, ye are here in a
good strong fortress, to keep a season till
yehearother tidings out of Acquitaine.' To
this counsel accorded lightly the king don
Peter. Then he wrote letters right piteous
and amiable, and a knight with two squires
were desired to do this message ; and so
they took on them that journey and entered
into the sea, and sailed so long that they
arrived at Bayonne, the which city held of
the king of England. Then they demanded
tidings of the prince, and it was shewed
them how that he was at Bordeaux. Then
they took their horses and rode so long that
they came to Bordeaux, and there took
their lodging, and anon after they went to
the abbey of Saint Andrew's, where the
prince was. And there these messengers
shewed how they were come out of Castile
and were Spaniards and messengers from
king don Peter of Castile : and when the
prince knew thereof, he said he would see
them and know what they would have.
And so they came and kneeled down and
saluted him according to their usage, and
recommended the king their master to him
and delivered their letters. The prince took
up the messengers and received their letters,
and opened and read them at good leisure,
wherein he found how piteously king don
Peter wrote,'signifying to him all his poverty
and mischief, and how that his brother the
bastard, by puissance and by the great
amities that he had purchased, first of the
pope, of the French king and of the king
of Aragon, and by the help of the com-
panions, had put him out from the heritage
of the realm of Castile : wherefore he de-
sired the prince for God's sake and by the
way of pity that he would intend to provide
for him some counsel and remedy, wherein
he should achieve grace of God and of all
the world ; for it is not the right way of a
true Christian king to disinherit a rightful
heir and to enherit by puissance of tyranny
a bastard. And the prince, who was a
valiant knight and a sage, closed the letters
in his hands and said to the messengers :
' Sirs, ye be right welcome to me from my
cousin the king of Castile : ye shall tarry a
space here with us, and ere ye depart, ye
shall have an answer,'
Then the prince's knights, who knew
right well what they had to do, led to their
lodgings the Spanish knight and the two
squires ; and the prince, who tarried still in
his chamber, mused greatly on those tidings,
and then sent for sir John Chandos and for
sir Thomas Felton, two of the chief of his
council, for the one was the seneschal of
Acquitaine and the other constable. And
when they were come to him, then he said
[58
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
to them all smiling : * Sirs, ye shall hear
new tidings out of Spain. The king don
Peter our cousin complaineth him greatly of
the bastard Henry his brother, who hath
taken from him his inheritance and hath put
him out of his realm, as ye have heard re-
ported by them that hath come from thence :
and he requireth us instantly of our comfort
and aid, as it appeareth here l)y his letters. '
And so then the prince read the letters
word by word a two times, and these two
knights heard well all the matter. And
when he had read the letters, then he said
to them : ' Sirs, ye two, sir John and sir
Thomas, ye are the most special of my
council, and in whom I 'have most trust and
affiance. Wherefore I desire you counsel
me what ye think were best to do. ' Then
these two knights beheld each other without
any word speaking. Then the prince again
said, ' Sirs, speak hardily what ye think in
this matter ' : and there the prince was
counselled by those two knights, as I was
informed, that he should send to the king
don Peter men of war to Corogne, where
he was according to the tenour of the letters
and also by the report of the messengers,
and that the men of war should bring him
to the city of Bordeaux, and there more
plainly to know what he would say, and
then, according as they should hear his
words, to take advice and to give him such
counsel as of reason should suffice him.
This answer pleased right well the prince.
Then he desired to go to Corogne in that
viage, to bring in safe -guard to him the
king don Peter, first sir Thomas Felton as
sovereign and chief of that army, sir Richard
of Pontchardon, sir Niel Loring, sir Simon
de Burley, sir William Trussell ; and in
that army there should be twelve ships fur-
nished with archers and men of war. So
these knights made their provision to go
into Galice ; and then the messengers de-
parted from Bordeaux and rode with them
to Bayonne and there tarried a three or
four days, abiding for wind and weather.
And the fifth day, as they were departing,
the king don Peter of Castile arrived at
Bayonne himself, for he was departed from
Corogne in great haste and doubt, for he
durst not abide there any longer, and
brought but a few of his men with him and
such treasure as he had. So the tidings of
his coming was great joy to the Englishmen.
Then sir Thomas Felton and his company
came to him and received him right sweetly,
and shewed him how they were there ready
by the commandment of the prince their
lord to have come to him to Corogne and
to any other place, to have brought him to
the prince ; of the which tidings the king
don Peter was right joyous, and thanked
greatly the prince and the knights that were
there.
The coming of the king don Peter thus
to Bayonne sir Thomas Felton and the
other knights certified the prince thereof, of
the which he was right joyous : and within
a short space after these knights brought
the king don Peter to that city of Bordeaux.
And the prince, who greatly desired to see
his cousin the king don Peter and to do him
the more honour and feast, issued out of
Bordeaux accompanied with divers knights
and squires, and went and met the king
and did to him great reverence both in word
and deed ; the which he could do right well,
for there was no prince in his time that
could sheAv more honour than he. And
when the prince had well feasted him, then
they rode to Bordeaux, and the prince took
the king above him, in no wise he would do
otherwise : and as they rode together the
king don Peter shewed to the prince how
his bastard brother had chased him out of
his realm of Castile, and also he piteously
complained him of the untruth of his men,
shewing how they had all forsaken him ex-
cept one knight, the which was there with
him, called don Ferrant of Castro. The
prince right courteously and sagely recom-
forted him, desiring him not to be abashed
nor discomforted, for though he had as then
lost all, he trusted it should be in the puis-
sance of God to restore him again all his
loss, and moreover to take vengeance of all
his enemies. Thus as they talked together,
they rode so long that they came to Bor-
deaux, and alighted at the abbey of Saint
Andrew's, whereas the prince and princess
kept their house ; and then the king was
brought to a fair chamber ready apparelled
for him, and when he was changed, he
went to the princess and to the ladies, who
received him right courteously, as they
could right well do. I might over long
make report to you of this matter, what of
their cheer, feasts and sports ; wherefore I
pass it over briefly and shall shew you how
DON PETER OF CASTILE AT BORDEAUX
159
king don Peter sped with the prince his
cousin, whom he found right amiable and
courteous, and well condescended to his de-
sires : howbeit, there were some of his
council said unto him as ye shall hear after.
Or that don Peter came to Bordeaux,
some wise and sage imaginative lords, as
well of Gascoyne as of England, who were
of the prince's council and had ever truly
served him and given him good counsel and
so thought ever to do, they said to the
prince : ' Sir, ye have heard say divers
times, he that too much embraceth holdeth
the weaklier. It is for a truth that ye are
one of the princes of the world most praised,
honoured and redoubted, and holdeth on
this side the sea great lands and seignories,
thanked be God, in good rest and peace.
There is no king, near nor far off, as at this
present time, that dare displease you, ye
are so renowned of good chivalry, grace and
good fortune : ye ought therefore by reason
to be content with that ye have and seek
not to get you any enemies. Sir, we say
not this for none evil : we know well the
king don Peter of Castile, who is now driven
out of his realm, is a man of high mind,
right cruel and full of evil conditions ; for
by him hath been done many evil deeds in
the realm of Castile, and hath caused many
a valiant man to lose his head and brought
cruelly to an end without any manner of
reason : and so by his villain deeds and
consent he is now deceived ^ and put out of
his realm, and also beside all this he is
enemy to the Church and cursed by our
holy father the pope. He is reputed, and
hath been a great season, like a tyrant, and
without title of reason hath always grieved
and made war with his neighl)Ours, the
king of Aragon and the king of Navarre,
and would have disherited them by puis-
sance ; and also, as the bruit runneth
throughout his realm and by his own men,
how he caused to die his wife your cousin,
daughter to the duke of Bourbon. Where-
fore, sir, ye ought to think and consider
that all this that he now suffereth are rods
and strokes of God sent to chastise him and
to give ensample to all other Christian kings
and princes to beware that they do not as
he hath done.' With such words or
1 The French is 'deceu' (for 'decheu'), 'fallen,'
which the translator has confused with ' deceii ' from
*decevoir.'
semblable the prince was counselled, or
king don Peter arrived at Bayonne ; but
to these words the prince answered thus,
saying : ' Lords, I think and believe
certainly that ye counsel me truly to the
best of your powers. I know well and am
well informed of the life and state of this
king don Peter, and know well that without
number he hath done many evil deeds,
whereby now he is deceived.^ But the
cause present that moveth and giveth us
courage to be willing to aid him,*is as I
shall shew you. It is not convenable that
a bastard should hold a realm in heritage,
and put out of his own realm his brother,
rightful inheritor to the land ; the which
thing all kings and kings' sons should in no
wise suffer nor consent to, for it is a great
prejudice against the state royal : and also
beside that, the king my father and this king
don Peter hath a great season been allied
together by great confederations, wherefore
we are bound to aid him in cause that he
require and desire us so to do.' Thus the
prince was moved in his courage to aid and
comfort this king don Peter in his trouble
and besynes. Thus he answered to his
council, and they could not remove him
out of that purpose, for his mind was ever
more and more firmly set on that matter.
And when king don Peter of Castile was
come to the prince, to the city of Bordeaux,
he humbled himself right sweetly to the
prince, and offered to him great gifts and
profit, in saying that he would make
Edward his eldest son king of Galice, and
that he would depart to him and to his men
great good and riches, the which he had
left behind him in the realm of Castile,
because he durst not bring it with him ; but
this riches was in so sure keeping that none
knew where it was but himself: to the
which words the knights gave good intent,
for Englishmen and Gascons naturally are
covetous. Then the prince was counselled
to assemble all the barons of the duchy of
Acquitaine, and his special council : and
so there was at Bordeaux a great council,
and there the king don Peter shewed openly
how he would maintain himself and how he
would satisfy every man, if the prince would
take on him to bring him again into his
country. Then there were letters written
and messengers sent forth, and lords and
knights sent for all about, as the ear/
i6o
THE CHRONICLES OF FRO I SS ART
of Armagnac, the earl of Comminges, the
lord d'Albret, the earl of Caraman/ the
captal of Buch, the lord of Terride, the
viscount of Castelbon, the lord of Lescun,
the lord of Rauzan, the lord of Lesparre,
the lord of Caumont, the lord of Mussidan,
the lord of Curton, the lord of Puycornet
and all the other barons and knights of
Gascoyne and of Beam ; and also the earl
of Foix was desired to come thither, but he
would not, but excused himself because he
had a disease in his leg and might not ride,
but he sent thither his counsel.
To this parliament thus holden in the
city of Bordeaux came all the earls, vis-
counts, barons and wise men of Acquitaine,
of Saintonge, Poitou, Quercy, Limousin
and of Gascoyne : and when they were all
come, they went to council three days on
the state and ordinance for this king don
Peter of Spain, who was always there
present in the council with the prince his
cousin, reasoning always to fortify his
quarrel and business. Finally the prince
was counselled that he should send sufficient
messengers to the king his father into Eng-
land, to know his counsel what he should
do in that case ; and his pleasure and
answer once known, then all the lords said
they would take counsel together, and so
make the prince such an answer that of
reason he should be well content. Then
there were chosen and named four knights
of the prince's, that should go into England
to the king, that is to say, sir Delaware,
sir Niel Loring, sir John and sir Elie of
Pommiers.
Thus then departed and brake up this
council, and every man went home to their
own houses ; and king don Peter tarried
still at Bordeaux with the prince and
princess, who did him much honour and
made him great feast and cheer. And then
the foresaid four knights departed, who
were appointed to go into England, and
they took shipping and sped so well in
their journey by the help of God and the
wind, that they arrived at Hampton, and
there rested one day to refresh them and to
unship their horses and carriages, and the
second day took their horses and rode so
long that they came to the city of London.
And there they demanded where the king
1 This the viscount of Caraman, and so he is called
in chap. 234.
was, and it was shewed them how he was"
at Windsor : and thither they went, and
were right welcome and well received both
with the king and with the queen, as well
because they were pertaining to the prince
their son, as also because they were lords
and knights of great recommendation.
Then they delivered their letters to the
king, and the king opened and read them ;
and when he had a little studied, then he
said : * Sirs, ye shall go to your lodgings,
and I shall send to you certain lords and
wise men of my council, and they shall
answer you with short expedition.' This
answer pleased well these knights, and the
next day they returned to London, and
within a short space after the king came to
Westminster, and with him the most greatest
of his council, as his son the duke of
Lancaster, the earl of Arundel, the earl of
Salisbury, the earl of Manny,^ sir Raynold
Cobham, the earl Percy, the lord Nevill
and divers other ; and prelates there were
the bishop of Winchester, of Lincoln and
of London. And so they kept a great
council and a long upon the prince's letters,
and on his request that he had made to the
king his father. Finally it seemed to the
king and his council a thing due and
reasonable for the prince to take on him, to
bring again the king of Spain into his own
heritage, and to this they all openly agreed.
And thereupon they wrote notable letters
directed from the king and from the council
of England to the prince and to all the
barons of Acquitaine, and so with these
letters the said messengers departed again
to the city of Bordeaux, whereas they found
the prince and the king don Peter, to whom
they delivered letters from the king of
England.
Then was there a new day of council se
to be had in the city of Bordeaux, a
thither came all such as were sent fo:
Then there was read openly in the council
the king of England's letters, the which
devised plainly how he would that the
prince his son in the name of God and
Saint George should take on him to set
again king don Peter into his heritage,
the which his bastard brother wrongfully
had taken from him without reason, and
falsely, as it appeareth, hath put him
out thereof. Also the king's letters made
1 ' Le sire de Mauny.'
1
COUNCIL AT BAYONNE, 1366
161
mention how he was much bound thereto
because of certain alliances of old time
made between him and the king of Castile
his cousin, as to aid him, if case required,
if he were thereto desired. "Wherefore
he desired by his letters all his friends
and subjects that the prince his son might
be aided and counselled by them as well
as though he were there present himself.
And when the barons of Acquitaine heard
read these letters and commandments of
the king, and perceived the king's plea-
sure and the prince's their lord, then they
joyously answered and said : ' Sir, we shall
gladly obey the king our sovereign lord's
commandment : it is reason that we obey
you and him, and so we will do and serve
you in this viage, and king don Peter
in like wise. But, sir, we would know
who should pay us our wages, for it will
be hard to get out men of war into a
strange country?'^ Then the prince be-
held king don Peter and said : ' Sir king,
ye hear what our people say : answer you
them, for it behoveth you to answer, seeing
the matters be yours.' Then the king
don Peter answered the prince and said :
* Right dear cousin, as far as the gold,
silver and treasure that I have brought
hither, which is not the thirtieth part so
much as I have left behind me, as long as
that will endure, I shall give and part
therewith to your people.' Then the prince
said : * Sir, ye say well ; and as for the
remnant, I shall become debtor to them
and pay them as the case requireth, the
which I shall lend you, and all that we
need till we come into Castile.' 'Sir,'
quoth the king don Peter, * ye do me great
courtesy and grace.'
And in this council there were divers
sage men, as the earl of Armagnac, the
lord of Pommiers, sir John Chandos, the
captal of Buch and divers other, who con-
sidered that the prince could not well
make this viage without the accord and
consent of the king of Navarre : for they
could not enter into Spain but through his
country and through the straits of Ronces-
vaulx, the which passage they were not in
1 The original gives it thus, but the sense is
spoilt by the omission of the words ' sans estre
payez,' which are found in the true text: 'for it will
be hard to take men of war into a strange country
without they be paid.'
M
surety to have, because the king of
Navarre and Henry the bastard had newly
made alliance together. So thus there was
much communing how they might do to
achieve their purpose : then was it deter-
mined that there should be another day
assigned of a council to be kept at the city
of Bayonne, and that the prince should send
sufficient ambassadors to the king of Na-
varre, desiring him to be at that council in
Bayonne. And so on this determination
every man departed, fully concluded to be
at Bayonne the day limited and prefixed.
In the mean season the prince sent sir
John Chandos and sir Thomas Felton to
the king of Navarre, who was as then in
the city of Pampelone. These two sage
and well - languaged knights did so much
that they came to the king of Navarre,
who made faithful covenant by word and
by writing sealed to be at the said parlia-
ment at Bayonne, and thereon the messen-
gers returned again to the prince and
shewed him these tidings.
The day assigned of this parliament there
came to the city of Bayonne the king of
Spain don Peter, the prince, the earl of
Armagnac, the lord d'Albret, and all the
barons of Gascoyne, Poitou, Quercy, Rouer-
gue, Saintonge and Limousin. And thither
came personally the king of Navarre,
and the prince and king don Peter did
him great honour, because they thought
the better to speed with him. So thus in
the city of Bayonne there was a great
council, the which endured five days, and
the prince and his council had much to do
or they could bring the king of Navarre to
their desire ; for he was a man not easy to
be won, if he saw that men had any need
of him. Howbeit, the great power of the
prince brought him into that case, that
finally he sware, promised and sealed to
king cion Peter peace, love and firm alli-
ance and confederation. And in like
manner king don Peter did to him upon
certain compositions that were there or-
dained ; of the which the prince of Wales
was a mean between them and chief de-
viser thereof : the which was, that the king
don Peter, as king of all Castile, gave,
sealed and accorded to the king of Navarre
and to his heirs for ever all the land of
Logrono, as it lieth on both sides the
river, and also all the land and country of
l62
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
Sauveterre,^ with the town, castle and all
the appurtenances, also the town of Saint
John de Pied -de -Port and the marches
thereabout, the which lands, towns, castles
and seignories he had taken from him by
force ; and also that the king of Navarre
should have twenty thousand franks for the
opening of his country, and to suffer pass
peaceably all manner of men of war, and
to minister to them victuals and purvey-
ances for their money, of the which sum of
florins the king don Peter became debtor
to the king of Navarre. And when the
barons of Acquitaine knew that this treaty
was made and confirmed, then they de-
sired to know who should pay them their
wages ; and the prince, who had great affec-
tion toward this viage, became debtor
to them for their wages, and the king
don Peter became debtor to the prince.
And when all these things were ordained
and fully confirmed, and that every man
knew what he ought to do and what he
should have, and that they had sojourned
there the space of twelve days, then the
king of Navarre departed home into his
own country, and all other lords departed
every man to his own, and the prince went
to Bordeaux and the king don Peter tarried
still at Bayonne.
Then the prince sent his heralds into
Spain to certain knights and captains,
Englishmen and Gascons, favourable and
obeisant to him, signifying them how that
it was his pleasure that they should take
their leaves of Henry the bastard and come
to him, saying how he had need of them
and was of the intent to employ and occupy
them otherwise. And when these heralds
had brought these letters into Castile to
these knights from the prince, and that
they perceived the prince's pleasure, then
they took their leave of king Henry as
soon as they could in courteous manner
without discovering of the prince's inten-
tion. Then this bastard king Henry, who
was right liberal, courteous and honour-
able, gave them licence with many great
gifts, and thanked them greatly of their
service. So then departed from Spain sir
Eustace d'Aubrecicourt, sir Hugh Cal-
verley, sir Walter Hewet, sir Matthew
Gournay, sir John Devereux and their com-
pany, and divers other knights and squires,
1 Salvatierra,
the which I cannot all name, of the prince's
house, and they departed as shortly as they
might. The same season the companions
were spread abroad in the country and
knew nothing what these said knights did :
howbeit, when they knew it, they gathered
together, as sir Robert Briquet, John
Creswey, sir Robert Cheyne, sir Perducas
d'Albret, sir Garsis du Chastel, Naudan of
Bageran, the bourg of Lesparre, the bourg
Camus and the bourg Breteuil. And this
bastard king Henry knew not that the
prince was in a mind to bring again his
brother don Peter into Castile, so soon as
these knights did : for if he had known it,
they should not have departed so soon as
they did ; for he might well have letted
them, if he had known it. So these
knights departed, and as soon as king
Henry knew thereof, he made no great
semblant of it, but said to sir Bertram of
GuescHn, who was still about him : * Sir
Bertram, behold the prince of Wales ; it is
shewed us that he will make us war and
bring again that Jew who calleth himself
king of Spain by force into this our realm.
Sir, what say you thereto?' Sir Bertram
answered and said : ' Sir, he is so valiant
a knight, that if he take on him the enter-
prise, he will do his power to achieve it, if
he may. Therefore, sir, I say to you,
cause your passages and straits on all sides
to be well kept, so that none may pass nor
enter into your realm but by your licence :
and, sir, keep your people in love : I know
certainly ye shall have in France many
knights and great aid, the which gladly will
serve you. Sir, by your licence I will return
thither ; and in the mean time keep your
people in love, and I know well I shall
find in France many friends, and, sir, I
shall get you as many as I can. ' ' By my
faith,' quoth king Henry, *ye say well,
and I shall order all the remnant according
to your will.' And so within a little space
after sir Bertram departed and went into
Aragon, where the king received him joy-
ously ; and there he tarried a fifteen days
and then departed and went to Mont-
pellier, and there found the duke of Anjou,
who also received him joyously, as he
whom he loved right entirely: and when
he had been there a season, he departed
and went into France to the king, who
received him with great joy.
THE COMPANIES QUIT SPAIN
163
CHAPTER CCXXXII
How that king Henry allied him to the king
of Aragon, and of the men that the prince
sent for, and how the prince was coun-
selled to pursue his war, and of the lord
dAlbret, who discomfited the seneschal of
Toulouse.
SUMMARY. — The men of the companies,
who wished to leave Castile and come into
Acquitaine, zvere barred from the passes by
the king of Aragon. Finally sir John
Chandos obtained them a passage from the
earl of Foix. The prince of Wales collected
great sums of money frojn England and
elsewhere to maintain men of tvar, and the
lord d'Albret promised to serve him with a
thousand spears. Meanwhile one division
of the companies passed by Toulouse to
Montauban, and the seneschal of Toulouse
xvith the earl of Narbonne endeavoured to
stop them. A battle was fought at Mont-
auban, in which finally the French were
defeated, and the seneschal of Toulouse, the
earl of Narbonne, the seneschal of Carcas-
sonne and many other knights were taken
prisoners.
CHAPTER CCXXXni
How these companions let their prisoners
depart on their faiths, but the pope de-
fended them to pay any ransom ; and of
the words that the king of Mallorca had
to the prince, and of the departing of the
prince to go into Spain.
After the discomfiture and taking of
the said prisoners, the said sir Perducas
d'Albret, sir Robert Cheyne, sir John Trivet,
the bourg of Breteuil, Naudan of Bageran
and their company parted their booty and
all their winning, whereof they had great
plenty, and all such as had any prisoners
kept them still to their own profit, other to
ransom or to quit them at their pleasure.
And they ransomed their prisoners right
courteously, every man after his degree,
the more courteously because this adven-
ture came to them so fortunately by valiant-
ness of deeds of arms ; and such as were
let go on their faith and promise had days
limited to them to bring their ransoms to
Bordeaux or to other places, whereas they
were appointed. So the prisoners departed
and went home into their own countries,
and these companions went to the prince,
who received them right joyously and sent
them to lodge and to abide in the marches
of Basque among the mountains.
I shall shew you what befell of this
matter and of the earl of Narbonne, the
seneschal of Toulouse and other, who were
put to ransom and had promised on their
faiths to pay it. In the same season there
was at Rome pope Urban the fifth, who
entirely hated these manner of people of
companions and had long time before
cursed them because of the villain deeds
that they had done. So that when he was
informed of this said journey, and how the
earl of Narbonne and other were over-
thrown, he was sore displeased therewith,
and suffered till he heard how they were
put to their ransom and come home into
their own countries and out of their
enemies' hands. Then he sent to each of
them and by express words defended them
in any wise to pay any ransom, and assoiled
them of their promise. Thus these knightis
and lords were quitted of their ransom,
such as had been taken at Montauban, for
they durst not trespass the pope's com-
mandment : the which happed well for these
lords, knights and squires, but it fortuned
evil for the companions, who abode and
looked ever for their money, trusting to
have had it to [have] arrayed and apr
parelled them like men of war, and so they
made great preparation on trust thereof,
whereof they were deceived. So this
ordinance of the pope was right contagious
to them, and they complained oftentimes
thereof to sir John Chandos, who was con-
stable of Acquitaine and had the oversight
by right of arms in such matters : howbeit,
he dissimuled with them as well as he
might, because he knew well the pope
had cursed them and how that all their
deeds turned to pilling and robbery ; and
as far as ever I could hear, they had never
other remedy in that matter.
Now let us speak of the prince of Wales
and approach to his viage and shew how he
persevered. First, as it hath been shewed
here before, he did so much that he had
all the companions of his accord, who were
164
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
to the number of twelve thousand fighting
men, and greatly it was to his cost to
retain them. And after he had them, he
sustained and bare their charges, or they
departed out of the principality, from the
beginning of Augus't to the beginning of
February ; and beside that the prince re-
ceived and retained all manner of men of
war, wheresoever he could get them. And
also the foresaid king Henry retained men
of war in every part out of the realm of
France and other places, and they came to
serve him because of the alliances that
were between the French king and him ;
and also he had with him retained some
of the companions Bretons, such as were
favourable to sir Bertram of Guesclin, as
sir Silvester Bude, Alain of Saint-Pol, Wil-
liam of Breuil, and Alain of Laconet, all
these were captains of those companions.
And the prince might have had also with him
many strangers men of war, as Flemings,
Almains and Brabances, if he had list ;
but he sent home again many of them,
for he had rather have had of his own
subjects of the principality than strangers.
Also there came to him a great aid out of
England ; for when the king of England
his father knew that this viage went for-
ward, then he gave licence to one of his
sons, duke John of Lancaster, to go to the
prince of Wales his brother with a great
number of men of war, as four hundred
men of arms and four hundred archers.
And when the prince knew of his brother's
coming, he was thereof right joyous.
In the same season came to the prince to
Bordeaux James king of Mallorca, so he
called himself, but he had in possession
nothing of the realm, for the king of Aragon
kept it from him by force and had slain in
prison the king of Mallorca in a city called
Barcelone. Therefore this young king
James, to revenge the death of his father
and to recover his heritage, was fled out of
his own realm to the prince ; and he had
married the queen of Naples. The prince
made him great cheer and greatly comforted
him ; and when the king had shewed the
prince all the reasons and occasions of his
coming, and perceived the wrong that the
king of Aragon had done to him, as in
keeping from him his inheritance, and also
slain his father, then the prince said : ' Sir
king, I promise you faithfully that after my
return out of Spain I shall intend to set
you again into your heritage other by
treaty or, by force.' This promise pleased
greatly the king, and so he tarried still with
the prince in Bordeaux abiding his depart-
ing as other did. And the prince, to do
him more honour, caused to be delivered to
him all that was for him necessary, because
he was a stranger and of a far country, and
had not there of his own after his appetite.
And daily there came great complaints to
the prince of the companions, how they
did nmch hurt to men and women of the
country where they lay, so that the people
of that marches would gladly that the prince
should advance forth in his viage, to the
which the prince was right desirous. How-
beit, he was counselled that he should suffer
the feast of Christmas first to pass, to the
intent that they might have winter at their
backs ; to the which counsel the prince
inclined, and somewhat because the princess
his wife was great with child, who took much
thought for his departing ; wherefore the
prince would gladly see her delivered or he
departed, and she on her part was gladder
to have him abide.
All this mean season there was great
provision made for this viage, because they
should enter into a realm where they should
find but small provision ; and while they
thus sojourned at Bordeaux, and that all the
country was full of men of war, the prince
kept oftentimes great council 4 and among
other things, as I was informed, the lord
d'Albret was countermanded with his thou-
sand spears, and a letter was sent to him
from the prince containing thus : ' Sir
d'Albret, sith it is so that we have taken
on us by our voluntary will this viage, the
which we intend shortly to proceed, con-
sidering our great business, charges and
diseases that we have, as well by strangers,
such as entered into our service, as by great
number of the companions, the which
number is so great that we will not leave
them behind us for perils that may ensue,
and also to see how the land may be kept
in mine absence, for all may not go nor yet
all abide behind ; therefore it is ordained
by us and by our council that in this viage
ye shall serve us but with two hundred
spears, and discharge you of the residue
and let them do what them list : and thus
God keep you. From Bordeaux the seventh
PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXPEDITION
165
day of December.' These letters, sealed
with the prince's great seal, were sent to
the lord d'Albret, who was in his own
country right busy to prepare him toward
this viage, for it was said that the prince
should depart shortly. When he saw the
prince's letters, he opened them and read
them two times over, the better to under-
stand them, for he had great marvel of that
he had found written in them, and was in
his mind marvellously displeased, and said :
* How is it that my lord the prince japeth
and mockeththus with me, sith he would that
I should give leave to depart eight hundred
spears, knights and squires, whom by his
commandment I have retained and have let
them of their profit divers other ways.'
And incontinent in that displeasure he
called for his clerk and caused him to write
a letter to the prince in this manner : 'Dear
sir, I am greatly marvelled of the letters ye
have sent me ; and, sir, I cannot well find
nor take counsel how I ought or can answer
you in that behalf, for it turneth to my great
prejudice and blame, and to all my company,
whom I have by your own ordinance and
commandment retained, and they are all
ready apparelled to do you service, and I
have letted them of taking their profit
in other places, whereas they might have
had it ; for some of them were determined
to have gone over the sea into Pruce, to
Constantine, and to Jerusalem, as all knights
and squires doth, to advance themselves.
Sir, they have great marvel and are sore
displeased that they should thus be put out,
and in like wise I have great marvel thereof
and in what manner I have deserved it.
Dear sir, please it you to know, I cannot
assure you of any of them divided from
their company. I am the least and worst
of them all : if any depart, I am in surety
they will all depart. God keep you in his
safe-guard. Written, ' etc. When the prince
heard this answer, he took it of great
presumption, and so did divers knights of
England that were there of his council.
Then the prince shook his head and said
in English, as I was informed, for I was
then in Bordeaux : ' Ah,' said the prince,
* the lord d'Albret is a great master in my
country, when he will break the ordinance
that is devised by my council. By God it
shall not go as he weeneth. Let him abide,
an he will, for without his thousand spears
I trust to God I shall furnish my viage.'
Then certain knights of England that were
there said : * Sir, ye know full little the
minds of these Gascons, nor how proud
they be, nor they love us but little nor never
did. Sir, remember ye not how highly and
greatly they bare themselves against you in
the city of Bordeaux, when that king John
of France was first brought thither ? They
said then and maintained plainly that by
them all only ye attained to achieve that
viage in taking of the king. And that
right well appeared ; for ye were in great
treaty with them the space of four months,
or they would consent that the French king
should be carried into England. First it
behoved you to satisfy their minds, to keep
them in love.' And at those words the
prince held his peace, howbeit his thought
was never the less. This was the first
occasion of the hatred that was after be-
tween the prince and the lord d'Albret.
Thus the lord d'Albret was in great peril ;
for the prince was high and of great courage
and cruel in his heart, for he would other
by right or wrong that every lord under his
commandment should hold of him. But
the earl of Armagnac, uncle to the said lord
d'Albret, when he heard of this displeasure
between the prince and the lord d'Albret
his nephew, then he came to Bordeaux to
the prince, and sir John Chandos and sir
Thomas Felton with him, by whose counsel
the prince was much ordered : and so by
their good means the prince's displeasure
was appeased, so that the lord d'Albret
should bring no more but two hundred
spears ; with the which he was nothing
joyous, nor yet his people, nor never after
he loved so entirely the prince as he did
before. Howbeit there was no remedy but
to bear and pass over his trouble as well as
he might.
Thus, while the prince was making of his
provision and abiding the coming of his
brother the duke of Lancaster, the princess
travailed, and through the grace of God she
was delivered of a fair son on the day of
the three kings of Cologne, the which was,
as that year went, on a Wednesday, at the
hour of three or thereabout. Whereof the
prince and all his people were right joyous ;
and the Friday after he was christened at
noon in the church of Saint Andrew in the
city of Bordeaux. The archbishop of the
i66
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
same place christened him, and the bishop
of Agen in Agenois and the king of
Mallorca were his godfathers. And this
child had to name Richard, who was after-
ward king of England, as ye shall hear in
this history.
The Sunday after, the hour of prime,
departed from Bordeaux the prince with
great triumph, and all other men of war.
Howbeit the most part of his host were
passed on before and lay about the city of
Ast in Gascoyne, and the prince the same
Sunday at night came to the same city and
there tarried a three days ; for then it was
shewed him that the duke of Lancaster his
brother was coming and had passed the sea
a five days before and was arrived in
Bretayne at Saint Matthew's of Fine-Pos-
terne,^ and so was come to Nantes, where
the duke of Bretayne greatly feasted him.
Then the duke of Lancaster passed through
Poitou and Saintonge and came to Blaye,
and there passed the river of Gironde and
so came to Bordeaux and went to the abbey
of Saint Andrew, where the princess lay,
who joyously received him, and so did all
other ladies and damosels that were there.
Then the duke thought to tarry there no
longer, but took his leave of his sister the
princess and departed with all his company,
and rode so long that he came to the city
of Ast, where he found the prince his
brother. They made great joy each of
other, for they loved together entirely :
there was great tokens of love shewed
between them and their company. And
anon after the duke of Lancaster's coming
thither came the earl of Foix and made
great reverence and cheer to the prince and
to his brother, and offered himself in all
points to be at their commandment. The
prince, who could well honour all lords
according to their estates, honoured him
greatly and thanked him of his coming
thither ; and after the prince gave him the
charge of his country in his absence, de-
siring him to keep it well till his return.
The earl joyously accorded to his desire,
and then took leave and departed home into
his country ; and the prince and the duke
1 Saint -Matthieu -de- Fine -terre, a Benedictine
abbey at the extremity of Brittany. From the
Latin name, Sanctus Matthceus de Fine postremo,
Froissart has made ' Saint-Mathieu-de-Fine-Pos-
terne.'
of Lancaster his brother sported them in the
city of Ast, and all their people spread
abroad in the country about the entry of
the passages of Navarre ; for as then they
were not in certain if they should pass that
way or not, yet the king of Navarre had
promised to open his passages : for words
ran through the host that newly he was
agreed with the king Henry, whereof the
prince and his council had great marvel and
the king don Peter was right sore displeased.
And in this mean season, while these
words thus ran, sir Hugh Calverley and his
people approached to Navarre and took the
city of Miranda and the town of the Queen's
Bridge,^ whereof all the country was sore
affrayed, the which tidings came to the king
of Navarre. And when he perceived that
these companions would enter into his land
by force, he was sore displeased and wrote
word thereof to the prince : and the prince
let the matter pass briefly, because the king
of Navarre, as he thought, kept not true
promise with king don Peter. Then the
prince wrote to him that he should excuse
himself of the words that was laid on him ;
for it was there openly said that he was
clean turned to king Henry. And when
the king of Navarre understood that treason
was laid on him, then he was more angry
than he was before. Then he sent a knight
to the prince, called sir Martin Carra ; he
came to the city of Ast to excuse the king
of Navarre, and he demeaned himself so
wisely that the prince was appeased of his
displeasure, so that the same knight should
return into Navarre to the king his master,
causing him to come to Saint -John's de
Pied-de-Port,2 and the prince to take coun-
sel if he should go and speak with him, or
else to send sufficient messengers to him.
Thus this sir Martin Carra departed from
the prince and returned into Navarre to the
king, and shewed him how he had sped
and in what condition he had found the
prince and his council, and also on what
condition he was departed from them.
This knight did so much that he brought
the king of Navarre to Saint-John's, and
then he went to the city of Ast to the
prince. And when the prince knew that
the king of Navarre was at Saint-John's de
Pied-de-Port, then he determined to send
1 Puente-la-reyna.
2 Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
I
THE PASSAGE OF THE MOUNTAINS, 1367
167
to him the duke of Lancaster his brother
and sir John Chandos ; and so these two
lords with a small company rode to the town
of Saint-John's with this said knight, and
there the king of Navarre received them
right joyously, and there had long counsel
together. Finally it was accorded that the
king of Navarre should approach nearer to
the prince to a certain place called Peyre-
horade, and thither the prince and king don
Peter should come to speak with him and
there to renew all their covenants and there
each of them to know what they should
have. All that the king of Navarre did
before was to the intent to be the better
assured of their promises than he thought
himself he was : for he doubted that if the
companions were entered into his country,
and this treaty and accord between them
not sealed, then he feared he should not
have that he desired, when he would.
On this treaty returned the duke of
Lancaster and sir John Chandos, and re-
counted to the prince and to king don
Peter how they had sped ; the which pleased
them right well, and so kept their day and
came to the place assigned, and also the
king of Navarre and the most special of his
council. And there were these three lords,
the king don Peter, the prince of Wales and
the duke of Lancaster on the one party, and
the king of Navarre on the other party,
long communing together ; and there it was
devised and accorded what every man should
have, and there was renewed the treaty among
them. And there the king of Navarre
knew the certainty what he should have of
the realm of Castile, and king don Peter
and he sware good love, peace and con-
federation between them and departed
amiably asunder ; and then their host
might pass when it pleased them, for the
passages and straits were opened and
victuals apparelled through all the realm of
Navarre for their money.
Then the king of Navarre went to the
city of Pampelone, and the prince and his
brother and king don Peter went to the city
of Ast. And as then there were divers
knights and lords of Poitou, of Bretayne
and of Gascoyne not come to the prince's
host, but tarried behind ; for as it hath been
said before it was not fully known whether
the prince should have passage or not, till
the end of this treaty was concluded ; and
specially in France it was supposed that he
should not pass that way, but rather that
the king of Navarre should have broken
his viage, the which fell contrary. And
when these knights and squires knew the
certainty thereof and perceived that the
passages were opened, then they advanced
themselves as fast as they might, for they
knew well that the prince would pass shortly
and not return again without battle.
Thither came the lord Clisson with a fair
company of men of arms, and at last came
with an evil will the lord d'Albret with two
hundred spears, and all that viage he kept
company with the captal of Buch. And all
this matter and confederations knowledge
thereof was had in France, for always there
were messengers coming and going, report-
ing alway that they knew or heard. And
when sir Bertram of Guesclin, who was
with the duke of Anjou, knew how the
prince was passed and how the passages of
Navarre were opened to them, then he en-
forced his summons and thought surely the
matter should not be ended without battle.
Then he took his way toward Aragon to
come to king Henry as fast as he might,
and all manner of people followed him,
such as were commanded, and divers other
of the realm of France and other places,
such as thought to advance themselves to
get honour.
CHAPTER CCXXXIV
Of the passage of the prince, and how he
passed, and all his company.
Between Saint-John's de Pied-de-Port and
the city of Pampelone under the mountains
there are straits and perilous passages, for
there is a hundred places on the same pas-
sages that a hundred men may keep a
passage against all the world. Also it was
at the same season very cold, for it was
about the month of February when they
passed. But or they passed, they took
wise counsel how and by what means they
should pass ; for it was shewed them plainly
that they could not pass all at once, and
therefore they ordained that they should
pass in three battles three sundry days, as
the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday ; the
Monday the vaward, whereof was captain
the duke of Lancaster, and in his company
1 68
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
the constable of Acquitaine sir John Chan-
dos, who had twelve hundred pennons of
his arms, the field silver, a sharp pile gules,
and with him was the two marshals of
Acquitaine, as sir Guichard d'Angle and sir
Stephen Cosington, and with them was the
pennon of Saint George. There was also sir
William Beauchamp, son to the earl of
Warwick, sir Hugh Hastings, and the lord
Nevill, who served sir John Chandos with
thirty spears in that viage at his own charge
because of the taking of the battle of
Auray ; ^ and also there was the lord
d'Aubeterre, sir Garsis of the Castle, sir
Richard of Tanton, sir Robert Cheyne, sir
Robert Briquet, John Creswey, Amery of
the Rochechouart, Gaillard of la Motte,
William of Clifton, Willekos the Butler and
Penneriel. All these were there with their
pennons under sir John Chandos' rule :
they were to the number of ten thousand
horses, and all these passed the Monday,
as is before said.
The Tuesday passed the prince of Wales
and king don Peter, and also the king of
Navarre, who was come again to the prince
to bear him company and to ensign him the
ready passage. And with the prince there
was sir Louis of Harcourt, the viscount of
Chatelleraut, the viscount of Rochechouart,
the lord of Partenay, the lord of Poyane,
the lord of Tannay - Bouton, and all the
Poitevins, sir Thomas Felton, great seneschal
of Acquitaine, sir William his brother, sir
Eustace d'Aubrecicourt, the seneschal of
Saintonge, the seneschal of Rochelle, the
seneschal of Quercy, the seneschal of
Limousin, the seneschal of Agenois, the
seneschal of Bigorre, sir Richard of Pont-
chardon, sir Niel Loring, sir d'Aghorisses,
sir Thomas Banaster, sir Louis of Melval,
sir Raymond of Mareuil, the lord of Pierre-
bufifiere, and to the number of four thousand
men of arms, and they were a ten thousand
horses. The same Tuesday they had evil
passage because of wind and snow : how-
beit they passed forth and lodged in the
county of Pampelone, and the king of
Navarre brought the prince and the king
don Peter into the city of Pampelone to
supper and made them great cheer.
1 That is, in quittance of his ransom, because
made prisoner at Auray ; but it was not the lord de
Neufville of whom this should be said, but the lord
de Retz, whose name has dropped out.
The Wednesday passed the king James ^^
of Mallorca and the earl of Armagnac, the^f
earl d'Albret his nephew, sir Bernard^H
d'Albret, lord of Geronde, the earl of '
Perigord, the viscount of Caraman, the
earl of Comminges, the captal of Buch, the
lord of Clisson, the three brethren of
Pommiers, sir John, sir Elie and sir
Aymenion, the lord of Caumont, the lord
of Mussidan, sir Robert Knolles, the lord
Lesparre, the lord of Condom, the lord of
Rauzan, sir Petiton of Curton, sir Aymery
of Tastes, the lord de la Barthe, sir Bertram
of Tastes, the lord of Puycornet, sir Thomas
of Winstanley, sir Perducas d'Albret, the
bourg of Breteuil, Naudan of Bageran,
Bernard de la Salle, Ortingo, I'Amit and
all the other of the companions, and they
were a ten thousand horse. They had more
easy passage than those that passed the
day before ; and so all the whole host
lodged in the county of Pampelone, abiding
each other, refreshing them and their
horses.
They lay still thus about Pampelone the
space of three days, because they found the
country plentiful both in flesh, bread, wine
and all other purveyances for them and for
their horses. Howbeit these companions
paid not for everything, as was demanded
of them, nor they could not abstain from
robbing and pilling that they could get ; so
that about Pampelone and in the way they
did much trouble and hurt, wherewith the
king of Navarre was right sore displeased,
but he could not as then amend it : but he
repented him oftentimes that he had opened
his passages to the prince and to his com-
pany, for he perceived well how he had
thereby more hurt than profit. Howbeit the
season was not then for him to say all that
he thought, for he saw well and considered
that he was not as then master of his own
country. So he had daily great complaints
made to him of one and other of his country,
wherewith his heart was sore constrained
for displeasure, but he could not remedy
it. Howbeit he caused some of his council,
such as knew well these companions and
had been in their company in France, in
Normandy and in divers other places, to
desire them to abstain themselves from
robbing and pilling the country as they did ;
to whom they promised so to do.
I
PREPARATIONS OF KING HENRY
169
I
CHAPTER CCXXXV
Of the great summons that king Henry
made, and how he sent to the prince to
summon him to fight, and how sir Oliver
of Manny took the king of Navarre
prisoner.
King Henry of Spain was well informed
of the prince's passage, for he had his
messengers and spies daily coming and
going : therefore he provided for men of
arms and commons of the realm of Castile
to the intent to resist the prince and his
brother don Peter, and daily he tarried for
the coming of sir Bertram of Guesclin with
great succours out of France. And he had
sent a special commandment throughout
all his realm to all his subjects on pain of
their lives, goods and lands, that every
man according to his estate other afoot or
a-horseback to come to him to aid and
defend his realm ; and this king Henry
was well beloved, and also they of Castile
had before much pain and trouble to aid
to make him king, therefore they obeyed
to him the rather ; and so daily they resorted
to him to Saint Dominic ^ to the number of
threescore thousand men afoot and a-horse-
back, all ready to do his commandment
and pleasure, and to live and die with him,
if need require.
And when this king Henry heard certain
word how the prince with all his host was
in the realm of Navarre and had passed
the straits of Roncesvaulx, then he knew
well there was remedy but to fight with
the prince, of the which he made semblant
to be right joyous, and said openly on high :
' Ah, the prince of Wales is a valiant knight,
and because he shall know that this is my
right and that I abide and look to fight
with him, I will write to him part of mine
intent. ' Then he sent for a clerk and he
wrote a letter thus : ' To the right puissant
and honourable lord prince of Wales and
Acquitaine. It is given us to knowledge
that you and your people are passed the
ports and are drawing hitherward, and how
that ye have made accord and alliance
with our enemy, and that your intent is to
make war against us. We have thereof
great marvel, for we never forfeited to you,
1 San Domingo de la Calzada.
nor would not do. Wherefore then are ye
come with such a great army thus on us,
to take from us so little an heritage as God
hath given us? Ye have the grace and
fortune in arms more than any prince
now living ; wherefore we think ye glorify
yourself in your puissance : and because
we knew the certainty that ye seek to give
us battle, we will that ye know that where-
soever ye enter into Castile ye shall find us
before you to keep and defend this our
seignory. Written,' etc. And when this
letter was sealed, he called to him an herald
and said : ' Go thy way as fast as thou
mayst to the prince of Wales, and bear
him this letter from me.' So the herald
departed and took the way through Navan-e
till he found the prince. Then he kneeled
down and delivered him the letter from
king Henry. The prince read the letter
a two times, the better to understand it,
and then he sent for certain of his council
and made the herald to depart a little
aside. Then the prince read the letter to
his council, demanding them advice in that
matter ; and in the mean season the prince
said to his council : ' Ah, I see well this
bastard is a stout knight and full of great
prowess, and sheweth great hardiness thus
to write to us.' Thus the prince and his
council were long together ; howbeit finally
they agreed not to write again by the herald.
Then it was shewed to him how he must
abide a season, for the prince at his pleasure
would write again by him and by none
other : therefore he was commanded to
tarry till he had his answer. Thus the
herald tarried there still at his ease and
pleasure.
The same day that the herald brought
these letters, sir Thomas Felton advanced
himself forth and demanded of the prince a
gift. Then the prince enquired of him
what it was that he would desire. ' Sir,'
quoth he, * I require you to give me licence
to depart out of your host and to ride on
before. There be divers knights and squires
of my company desiring to advance them-
selves ; and, sir, I promise you we shall
ride so forward, that we shall know the
behaving of our enemies and what way
they draw and where they lodge.' The
prince granted him with right a good will
his request, whereof he thanked the prince
and so departed out of the host as chief
[70
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
captain of that enterprise ; and in his com-
pany was sir William Felton his brother,
sir Thomas du Fort, sir Robert KnoUes,
sir Gaillard Vigier, sir Ralph Hastings, sir
d'Aghorisses and divers other knights and
squires ; and they were a seven score, and
three hundred archers, all well horsed and
good men of arms. And also there was sir
Hugh Stafford, sir Richard Tanton and sir
Simon Burley, who ought not to be for-
gotten. These men of arms rode through
Navarre by such guides as they had and
came to the river of Ebro, the which is
rude and deep ; and so they passed and
lodged in a village called Navaret : there
they held themselves, the better to know
and hear where king Henry was.
In the mean season, while these knights
thus lodged at Navaret and the prince in
the marches of Pampelone, the same time
the king of Navarre was taken prisoner, as
he rode from one town to another, by
the French party by sir Oliver of Mauny,
whereof the prince and all his part had
great marvel. And some in the prince's
host supposed it was done by a cautel by
his own means, because he would convey
the prince no further nor go in his company,
because he knew not how the matter should
go between king Henry and king don
Peter. Howbeit, the queen his wife was
thereof sore dismayed and discomforted,
and came and kneeled on her knees before
the prince and said : ' Dear sir, for God's
sake have mercy and intend on the deliver-
ance of the king my husband, who is taken
fraudulently and as yet cannot be known
how. Therefore, sir, we desire you for
the love of God that we may have him
again. ' Then the prince answered : ' Cer-
tainly, fair lady and cousin, his taking to
us is right displeasant, and we trust to
provide remedy for him shortly. Where-
fore we desire you to comfort yourself; for
this our viage once achieved, we shall
intend to no other thing but for his deliver-
ance.' Then the queen of Navarre re-
turned. And there was a noble knight,
sir Martin Carra, who undertook to guide
the prince through the realm of Navarre,
and did get him guides for his people : for
otherwise they could not have kept the
right way through the straits and perilous
passage. So thus the prince departed from
thence, thereas he was lodged, and he and
his company passed through a place named
Sarris,^ the which was right perilous to
pass, for it was narrow and an evil way.
There were many sore troubled for lack of
victual, for they found but little in that
passage till they came to Sauveterre.
Sauveterre is a good town and is in a
good country and a plentiful, as to the
marches thereabout. ^ This town is at the
utter bounds of Navarre and on the entering
into Spain, This town held with king
Henry. So then the prince's host spread
abroad that country, and the companions
advanced themselves to assail the town of
Sauveterre and to take it by force and to
rob and pill it, whereunto they had great
desire because of the great riches that they
knew was within the town, the which they
of the country had brought thither on trust
of the strength of the town. But they of
the town thought not to abide that peril,
for they knew well they could not long
endure nor resist against so great an host.
Therefore they came out and rendered
themselves to king don Peter, and cried
him mercy and presented to him the keys
of the town. The king don Peter by
counsel of the prince took them to mercy ;
or else he would not have done it, for by
his will he would have destroyed them all :
howbeit, they were all received to mercy,
and the prince, king don Peter and the
king of Mallorca with the duke of Lan-
caster entered into the town, and the earl of
Armagnac and all other lodged thereabout
in villages. Now let us leave the prince
there, and somewhat speak of his men that
were at the town of Navaret.
The foresaid knights that were there
greatly desired to advance their bodies ;
for they were a five days' journey from
their own host, whereas they departed
from them first. And oftentimes they,
issued out of Navaret and rode to th
marches of their enemies, to learn what
their enemies intended. And this kini
Henry was lodged in the field, and at
his host, desiring greatly to hear tidings
of the prince, marvelling greatly that his
herald returned not. And oftentimes his
men rode near to Navaret to learn and to
hear some tidings of the Englishmen, and
d .,
i
1 Echarri.
2 ' Selonch les marces voisines,' ' in comparison
with the neighbouring regions.'
\
THE PRINCE OF WALES AT NAVARETTA
171
the earl don Tello brother to the king don
Henry was certainly informed that there
were men of war in garrison in the town
of Navaret, wherefore he thought to go
and see them more nearer. But first on
a day the knights of England rode out of
Navaret in an evening so far forth, that
they came to king Henry's lodging and
made there a great skirmish and marvel-
lously awoke the host and slew and took
divers, and specially the knight that kept
the watch was taken without recovery, and
so returned again to Navaret without any
damage. And the next day they sent to
the prince an herald, who was as then at
Sauveterre, signifying him what they had
done and seen, and what puissance his
enemies were of, and where they were
lodged ; for they knew all this well by the
information of such prisoners as they had
taken. Of these tidings the prince was
right joyous, in that his knights had so
well borne themselves on the frontier of
his enemies.
King Henry, who was right sore dis-
pleased that the Englishmen that lay at
Navaret had thus escried his host, said
how he would approach nearer to his
enemies, and so advanced forward. And
when sir Thomas Felton and his company
at Navaret knew that king Henry was
passed the water and drew forward to find
the prince, then they determined to depart
from Navaret and to take the fields and to
know more certainty of the Spaniards.
And so they did, and sent word to the
prince how that king Henry approached
fast, and by seeming desiring greatly to
find him and his men. And the prince, who
was as then at Sauveterre, when he under-
stood that king Henry was passed the
water and took his way to come to fight
with him, he was right joyous, and said
a-high that every man heard him : ' By
my faith this bastard Henry is a valiant
knight and a hardy, for it is sign of great
prowess that he seeketh thus for us ;
and sith he doth so and we in like wise
him, by all reason we ought to meet and
fight together. Therefore it were good
that we departed from hence, and go for-
ward, and to get Vittoria, or our enemies
come there.' And so the next morning
they departed from Sauveterre, first the
prince and all his battle, and he did so
much that he came before Vittoria, and
there he found sir Thomas Felton and the
foresaid knights, to whom he made great
cheer and demanded them of divers things.
And as they were devising together, their
currours came and reported that they had
seen the currours of their enemies, wherefore
they knew for certain that king Henry and
his host was not far off by reason of the
demeaning that they had seen among the
Spaniards. "When the prince understood
these tidings, he caused his trumpets to
sown and cried alarum throughout all the
host. And when every man heard that,
then they drew to their order and array
and ranged them in battle ready to fight ;
for every man knew, or he departed from
Sauveterre, what he should do and what
order to take, the which they did incon-
tinent.
There might have been seen great noble-
ness, and banners and pennons beaten with
arms waving in the wind. What should
I say more? It was great nobleness to
behold. The vaward was so well ranged
that it was marvel to behold, whereof the
duke of Lancaster was chief and with him
sir John Chandos constable of Acquitaine
with a great company, and in those battles
there were made divers new knights. The
duke of Lancaster in the vaward made
new knights, as sir Ralph Camoys, sir
Walter Urswick, sir Thomas Dammery,
sir John Grandison and other to the
number of twelve ; and sir John Chandos
made divers English squires knights, as
Gorton, Glinton, Prior, William of Faring-
don, Amery of Rochechouart, Gaillard de
la Motte and Robert Briquet. The prince
made first knight don Peter king of Spain,
sir Thomas Holland, son to his wife the
princess, sir Hugh, sir Philip and sir Peter
Courtenay, sir John Trivet and Nicholas
Bond and divers other : and in like wise
so did divers other lords in their battles.
There were made that day three hundred
new knights or more, and all that day they
were still ready ranged in the battle to
abide for their enemies, but they came no
farther forward that day but thereas the
currours had seen them ; for king Henry
tarried for succours that should come to
him out of Aragon, and specially for sir
Bertram of Guesclin, who was coming to
him with a four thousand fighting men, for
172
THE CHRONICLES OE FROISSART
without them he thought he would not
fight ; whereof the prince was right joyous,
for his arearguard, wherein were six thousand
men, was behind him a seven leagues of
that country, whereof the prince was sore
displeased in his heart that they tarried so
long. Howbeit, if his enemies had come
on forward the same day, he was fully
determined to have received and fought
with them.
And in the same evening the two
marshals, sir d'Angle and sir Stephen
Cosington, commanded every man to draw
to their lodging, and in the next morning
to be ready at sowning of the trumpets,
every man in the same order as they had
been all that day : and so every man obeyed
saving sir Thomas Felton and such com-
pany as he had before. The same evening
they departed from the prince and rode
forward a two leagues nearer to their
enemies, to know what they did. And
that evening the earl don Tello, brother to
king Henry, was with him in his lodging
and talked together of divers deeds of arms
and adventures : and at last he said to his
brother : ' Sir, ye know well our enemies
are lodged not far from us, and yet there
is none that hath aviewed them. Sir, I
require you give me leave that in the
morning I may ride toward them with a
certain number, such as hath great desire
so to do ; and, sir, I promise you I shall
ride so near them that we will bring you
certain knowledge what they do.' And
this king Henry, when he saw the desire
of his brother, agreed thereto lightly. The
same proper hour sir Bertram of Guesclin
came to their host with a three thousand
fighting men of France and of Aragon ;
whereof the king and all his company were
right joyous, and honourably received him
and his company. The earl don Tello
forgat not his purpose, but desired such to
go as pleased him, and would gladly have
desired sir Bertram of Guesclin and sir
Arnold d'Audrehem, the Begue of Villaines
and the viscount of Roquebertin of Aragon,
but because they were so lately come to
the host, he let them alone, and also the
king Henry charged him in no wise to
speak thereof. So the earl don Tello let
it pass and took with him other of France
and of Aragon, so that he was to the
number of six thousand horses well appar-
elled, and with him his brother Sancho in
his company.
CHAPTER CCXXXVI
How certain of the company of the duke of
Lancaster's were discomfited, and of the
counsel that king Henry would not believe ;
and of the letters that the prince wrote to
king Henry, and of the counsel that sir
Bertram of Guesclin gave to the answer of
the same letters.
SUMMARY. — In the eticounters of ad-
vanced parties king Henry had the better
and sir Thomas Felton and his company
were all slain or taken. The English host set
themselves in array on a certain hill. Sir
Arnold d'Audrehem counselled king Henry
to stop the passes and starve his enemies,
but he would not take that counsel, being
desirous to fight.
The chapter thus continues : —
The prince of Wales and the duke of
Lancaster were all the said day on the
mountain, and at night they were informed
of their men that were thus taken and
slain, wherewith they were sore displeased,
but they could not amend it. Then they
drew to their lodging, and the next morning
the prince took counsel and determined to
depart from thence, and so he did and
went and lodged before Vittoria, and there
stood in battle ready to fight, for it was
informed the prince how that king Henry
and his brother and their company were
not far thence ; but they came not forward.
The prince and his company had great lack
of victuals and provision for themselves and
for their horses, for they were lodged but
in an evil country and a hard, and king
Henry and his company lay in a good
fruitful country. In the prince's host a loaf
of bread was sold for a florin, every man
glad so to give, and more an they could
have got it ; also the time was foul and
troublous of wind, rain and snow ; and in
this danger and disease they w^ere six days.
And when the prince saw that the Spaniards
came not forward to fight, and that they
were there in great distress, then they
determined to go and seek for passage at
some other place. Then they dislodged
LETTER OF THE PRINCE OF WALES
173
and took the way to Navaret, and passed
through a country called the country of the
Gard,^ and when they were passed, then
they came to a town called Viane. There
the prince and the duke of Lancaster re-
freshed them, and the earl of Armagnac
and the other lords, a two days. Then they
went and passed the river that departeth
Castile and Navarre at the bridge of Log-
rono among the gardens under the olives,
and there they found a better country than
they were in before ; howbeit, they had
great default of victual. And when that
king Henry knew that the prince and his
people were passed the river at Logrono,
then he departed from Saint- Vincent, where
he had long lain, and went and lodged
before Nazres ^ on the same river. When
the prince heard that king Henry was
approached, he was right joyous and said
openly : ' By Saint George this bastard
seemeth to be a valiant knight, sith he
desireth so sore to find us. I trust we shall
find each other shortly.' Then the prince
called to him the duke of Lancaster his
brother and divers other of his council, and
then he wrote an answer to king Henry of
the letter that he had sent him before, the
tenour whereof followeth : ' Edward, by the
grace of God prince of Wales and Acqui-
taine, to the right honourable and renowned
Henry earl of Trastemar, who at this
present time calleth himself king of Castile.
Sith it is so that ye have sent to us your
letters by your herald, wherein were con-
tained divers articles, making mention how
ye would gladly know why we take to our
friend and lover your enemy our cousin the
king don Peter, and by what title we make
you war and are entered with an army royal
into Castile, we answer thereto : know ye
for truth it is to sustain the right and to
maintain reason, as it appertaineth to all
kings and princes so to do, and also to
entertain the great alliances that the king
of England my dear father and king don
1 La Guardia.
2 Najara. The French text followed by the
translator gives ' Navaret ' indiscriminately for
Navaretta and Najara, which last is in the better
MSS. given as Nazres. This causes great confusion
in the narrative, for which of course the translator
is not responsible. Where a distinction of some
kind is necessary, as in the passage which says
that the battle was fought between Najara and
Navaretta, the text says ' between Navarre and
Navaret.'
Peter have had long together. And be-
cause ye are renowned a right valiant
knight, we would gladly, an we could,
accord you and him together ; and we
shall do so much to our cousin don Peter
that ye shall have a great part of the realm
of Castile, but as for the crown and heritage,
ye must renounce. Sir, take counsel in
this case ; and as for our entering into
Castile we will enter thereas we think best
at our own pleasure. Written at Logrono
the thirtieth day of March.'
When this letter was written, it was
closed and sealed, and delivered to the
same herald that brought the other and had
tarried for an answer more than three
weeks. Then he departed from the
presence of the prince, and rode so long
that he came to Nazres, among the bushes^
where king Henry was lodged, and drew to
the king's lodging. And the most part of
the great lords of the host came thither to
hear what tidings their herald had brought.
Then the herald kneeled down and delivered
the king the letter from the prince. The
king took and opened it and called to him
sir Bertram of Guesclin and divers other
knights of his council. There the letter
was read and well considered. Then sir
Bertram said to the king, ' Sir, know for
truth ye shall have battle shortly ; I know
so well the prince. Therefore, sir, look
well on the matter : it is necessary that ye
take good heed to all your business, and
order your people and your battles. ' ' Sir
Bertram,' quoth the king, 'be it in the
name of <}od. The puissance of the prince
I doubt nothing, for I have three thousand
barded horses, the which shall be two
wings to our battle, and I have also seven
thousand genetours, and well twenty
thousand men of arms of the best that can
be found in all Castile, Galice, Portugal,
Cordowan and Seville, and ten thousand
good cross-bows, and threescore thousand of
other men afoot with darts, spears, lances
and other habiliments for the war : and all
these have sworn not to fail me to die in
the pain. Therefore, sir Bertram, I trust
to have victory by the grace of God, on
whom is my trust, and my right that I have
in the quarrel. Therefore, lords, I desire
you all to be of good courage.'
1 Or, ' upon the heath- *
174
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
CHAPTER CCXXXVII
How the prince commanded his people to be
ready to fight, and how king Henry
ordained his battles ; and how they fought
fiercely together, and of the comfort that
king Henry did to his people.
Thus, as ye have heard, king Henry and
sir Bertram of Guesclin devised together of
divers matters and left talking of the prince's
letter : for it was king Henry's intention to
have battle, and so intended to order his
field and people. The earl don Tello and
his brother sir Sancho were greatly re-
nowned in their host for the journey that
they had made before, as ye have heard.
The prince the Friday the second day of
April dislodged from Logrono and ad-
vanced forward arranged in battle ready to
fight, for he knew well that king Henry
was not far thence. And so that day he
advanced two leagues, and at three of the
day he came before Navaret and there took
his lodging. Then the prince sent forth
his currours to aview his enemies and to
know where they were lodged, and then
they departed from the host and rode so
forward that they saw all their enemies'
host, who were lodged before Nazres.^ So
they brought report thereof to the prince,
and in the evening the prince caused secretly
to be shewed through all the host that at
the first sowning of the trumpets every man
to apparel himself, and at the second to be
armed, and at the third to leap a-horseback
and to follow the marshals' banners with
the pennon of Saint George, and that none
on pain of death advance before them with-
out he be commanded so to do.
In like manner as the prince had done
the same Friday in sending out his currours,
so did king Henry on his part, to know
where the prince was lodged. And when
he had true report thereof, then the king
called sir Bertram of Guesclin and took
counsel and advice how to persevere. Then
they caused their people to sup and after to
go to rest, to be the more fresher, and at
the hour of midnight to be ready apparelled
and to draw to the field and to ordain their
1 The translator says, 'who were also lodged
before Navaret,' but this is part of the same con-
fusion as was noted before.
battles, for he knew well the next day he
should have battle. So that night the
Spaniards took their ease and rest, for they
had well wherewith so to do, as plenty of
victuals and other things ; and the English-
men had great default, therefore they had
great desire to fight, other to win or to
lose all.
After midnight the trumpets sounded in
king Henry's host. Then every man made
him ready. At the second blast they drew
out of their lodgings and ordered three
battles. The first had sir Bertram of
Guesclin, lord Robert of Roquebertin and
the earl Dune of Aragon ; and there were
all the strangers, as well of France as of
other countries, and there were two barons
of Hainault, the lord d'Antoing and sir
Alard lord of Briffeuil : there was also the
Begue of Villaines, the Begue of Villiers,
sir John of Berguettes, sir Gawain of Bail-
leul, the Alemant of Saint-Venant, who
was there made knight, and divers other of
France, Aragon and Provence and of the
marches thereabout. There was well in
that battle four thousand knights and
squires well armed and dressed after the
usage of France. The second battle had
the earl don Tello and his brother the earl
Sancho, and in that battle with the gene-
tours there were fifteen thousand afoot and
a-horseback, and they drew them a little
aback on the left hand of the first, battle.
The third battle and the greatest of all
governed king Henry himself; and in his
company there were a seven thousand
horsemen and threescore thousand afoot,
with the cross-bows : so in all three battles
he was a fourscore and six thousand a-horse-
back and afoot. Then king Henry leapt
on a strong mule after the usage of the
country and rode from battle to battle,
right sweetly praying every man that day
to employ himself to defend and keep their
honour, and so he shewed himself so cheer-
fully that every man was joyful to behold
him. Then he went again to his own
battle, and by that time it was daylight,
and then about the sun -rising he ad-
vanced forth toward Navaret to find his
enemies, in good order of battle ready to
fight.
The prince of Wales at the breaking of
the day was ready in the field arranged in
battle, and advanced forward in good order,
I
I
I
BATTLE OF N AJAR A, 1367 {Aprils)
175
for he knew well he should encounter his
enemies. So there were none that went
before the marshals' battles but such
currours as were appointed : so thus the
lords of both hosts knew by the report of
their currours that they should shortly meet.
So they went forward an hosting pace each
toward other, and when the sun was rising
up, it was a great beauty to behold the
battles and the armours shining against the
sun. So thus they went forward till they
approached near together : then the prince
and his company went over a little hill, and
in the descending thereof they perceived
clearly their enemies coming toward them.
And when they were all descended down
this mountain, then every man drew to
their battles and kept them still and so
rested them, and every man dressed and
apparelled himself ready to fight. Then
sir John Chandos brought his banner rolled
up together to the prince, and said : * Sir,
behold here is my banner : I require you
display it abroad and give me leave this
day to raise it ; for, sir, I thank God and
you, I have land and heritage sufficient to
maintain it withal.' Then the prince and
king don Peter took the banner between
their hands and spread it abroad, the which
was of silver, a sharp pile gules, and de-
livered it to him and said : * Sir John,
behold here your banner. God send you
joy and honour thereof.' Then sir John
Chandos bare his banner to his own com-
pany and said : ' Sirs, behold here my
banner and yours : keep it as your own.'
And they took it and were right joyful
thereof, and said that by the pleasure of
God and Saint George they would keep
and defend it to the best of their powers ;
and so the banner abode in the hands of a
good English squire called William Alery,
who bare it that day and acquitted himself
right nobly. Then anon after, the English-
men and Gascons alighted off their horses
and every man drew under their own
banner and standard in array of battle
ready to fight. It was great joy to see and
consider the banners and pennons and the
noble armoury ^ that was there.
Then the battles began a little to
advance, and then the prince of Wales
opened his eyen and regarded toward
heaven, and joined his hands together and
1 i.e. Display of arms on banners and pennons.
said : ' Very God, Jesu Christ,^ who hath
formed and created me, consent by your
benign grace that I may have this day
victory of mine enemies, as that I do is in
a rightful quarrel, to sustain and to aid this
king chased out of his own heritage, the
which giveth me courage to advance my-
self to re-establish him again into his realm.'
And then he laid his right hand on king
don Peter, who was by him, and said :
' Sir king, ye shall know this day if ever
ye shall have any part of the realm of
Castile or not. Therefore advance banners,
in the name of God and Saint George.'
With those words the duke of Lancaster
and sir John Chandos approached, and the
duke said to sir William Beauchamp : ' Sir
William, behold yonder our enemies. This
day ye shall see me a good knight, or else
to die in the quarrel.' And therewith they
approached their enemies.
And first the duke of Lancaster and sir
John Chandos' battle assembled with the
battle of sir Bertram of Guesclin and of the
marshal sir Arnold d'Audrehem, who were
a four thousand men of arms. So at the
first brunt there was a sore encounter with
spears and shields, and they were a certain
space or any of them could get within
other. There was many a deed of arms
done and many a man reversed and cast to
the earth, that never after was relieved.
And when these two first battles were thus
assembled, the other battles would not
long tarry behind, but approached and
assembled together quickly. And so the
prince and his battle came on the earl
Sancho's battle, and with the prince was
king don Peter of Castile and sir Martin
de la Carra, who represented the king of
Navarre. And at the first meeting that
the prince met with the earl Sancho's
battle, the earl and his brother fled away
without order or good array, and wist not
why, and a two thousand spears with him.
So this second battle was opened and anon
discomfited, for the captal of Buch and the
lord Clisson and their company came on
them afoot and slew and hurt many of
them. Then the prince's battle with king
don Peter came and joined with the battle
of king Henry, whereas there were three-
score thousand men afoot and a-horseback.
1 'Vray dieu, pere Jesu Christ,' 'Very God,
father of Jesu Christ.'
L
176
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
There the battle began to be fierce and
cruel on all parts, for the Spaniards and
Castilians had slings, wherewith they cast
stones in such wise, that therewith they
clave and brake many a bassenet and helm
and hurt many a man and overthrew them
to the earth ; and the archers of England
shot fiercely and hurt [the] Spaniards
grievously and brought them to great mis-
chief. The one part cried, ' Castile for
king Henry ! ' and the other part, ' Saint
George, Guyenne ! ' And the first battle,
as the duke of Lancaster and sir John
Chandos and the two marshals sir Guichard
d'Angle and sir Stephen Cosington, fought
with sir Bertram of Guesclin and with the
other knights of France and of Aragon.
There was done many a deed of arms, so
it was hard for any of them to open other's
battle. Divers of them held their spears
in both their hands, foining and pressing
each at other, and some fought with short
swords and daggers. Thus at the begin-
ning the Frenchmen and they of Aragon
fought valiantly, so that the good knights
of England endured much pain. That day
sir John Chandos was a good knight and
did under his banner many a noble feat of
arms. He adventured himself so far, that
he was closed in among his enemies and so
sore overpressed that he was felled down
to the earth ; and on him there fell a great
and big man of Castile called Martin Fer-
rant, who was greatly renowned of hardi-
ness among the Spaniards, and he did his
intent to have slain sir John Chandos, who
lay under him in great danger. Then sir
John Chandos remembered of a knife that
he had in his bosom and drew it out and
strake this Martin so in the back and in
the sides that he wounded him to death,
as he lay on him. Then sir John Chandos
turned him over and rose quickly on his
feet, and his men were there about him,
who had with much pain broken the press
to come to him, whereas they saw him
felled.
The Saturday in the morning between
Nazres and Navaret was the battle right
fell and cruel, and many a man brought to
great mischief. There was done many a
noble deed of arms by the prince and by
the duke of Lancaster his brother and by
sirjohn Chandos, sir Guichard d'Angle, the
captal of Buch, the lord of Clisson, the
lord of Retz, sir Hugh Calverley, sir
Matthew Gournay, sir Louis Harcourt, the
lord of Pons, the lord of Partenay ; and of
Gascons fought valiantly the earl of Armag-
nac, the lord d'Albret, the lord of Pommiers
and his brethren, the lord of Mussidan, the
lord of Rauzan, the earl of Perigord, the
earl of Comminges, the earl of Caraman,
the lord of Condom, the lord Lesparre, the
lord of Caumont, sir Bertram of Terride,
the lord of Puy cornet, sir Bernard d'Albret,
the lord of Geronde, sir Aymery of Tastes,
the soudic of Latrau, sir Petiton of Curton,
and divers other knights and squires ac-
quitted themselves right nobly in arms to
their powers : and under the pennon of
Saint George and the banner of sir John
Chandos were all the companions, to the
number of twelve hundred pensels,^ and
they were right hardy and valiant knights,
as sir Robert Cheyne, sir Perducas d'Albret,
Robert Briquet, sir Garsis of the Castle, sir
Gaillard Vigier, sir John Creswey, Naudan
of Bageran, Aymenion d'Artigue, Perrot of
Savoy, the bourg Camus, the bourg Les-
parre, the bourg Breteuil, Espiote and
divers other. On the Prench party sir
Bertram of Guesclin, sir Arnold d'Audre-
hem, Sancho, sir Gomez Carillo and other
knights of France and of Aragon fought
right nobly to their powers. Howbeit
they had none advantage, for these com
panions were hardy and strong knights and
well used and expert in arms, and
there were great plenty of knights an
squires of England under the banner of tb
duke of Lancaster and of sir John Chandos.
There was the lord William Beauchamp,
son to the earl of Warwick, sir Ralph
Camoys, sir Walter Urswick, sir Thomas
Dammery, sir John Grandison, sir John
d'Ypres,^ sir Amery of Rochechouart, sir
Gaillard de la Motte, and more than two
hundred knights, the which I cannot name.
And to speak truly, the said sir Bertram
du Guesclin and the marshal d'Audrehem,
the Begue of Villaines, the lord d'Antoing,
the lord of Brififeuil, sir Gawain of Bailleul,
sir JohnofBerguettes, the Begue of Villiers,
the Alemant of Saint-Venant, and the good
knights and squires of France that were
1 Pennonchiaus.
2 The translator, following his text, says, 'sir John
Dyper, sir Johan du Pre,' but this is two attempts
at the same name, ' messire Jehans d'Yppre "
d
i
I
r
BATTLE OF N AJAR A, 1367
177
there acquitted themselves nobly : for of
truth, if the Spaniards had done their part
as well as the Frenchmen did, the English-
men and Gascons should have had much
more to do and have suffered more pain
than they did. The fault was not in king
Henry that they did no better, for he had
well admonished and desired them to have
done their devoir valiantly, and so they had
promised him to have done. The king bare
himself right valiantly, and did marvels in
arms, and with good courage comforted his
people, as, when they were flying and
opening, he came in among them and said :
' Lords, I am your king : ye have made
me king of Castile, and have sworn and
promised that to die ye will not fail me.
For God's sake keep your promise that ye
have sworn, and acquit you against me,
and I shall acquit me against you ; for I
shall not fly one foot as long as I may see
you do your devoir.' By these words and
such other full of comfort king Henry
brought his men together again three times
the same day, and with his own hands he
fought valiantly, so that he ought greatly
to be honoured and renowned.
This was a marvellous dangerous battle,
and many a man slain and sore hurt. The
commons of Spain according to the usage
of their country with their slings they did
cast stones with great violence and did
much hurt, the which at the beginning
troubled greatly the Englishmen : but
when their cast was past and that they felt
the sharp arrows hght among them, they
could no longer keep their array. With
king Henry in his battle were many noble
men of arms, as well of Spain as of Lisbon,
of Aragon and of Portugal, who acquitted
them right nobly and gave it not up so
lightly, for valiantly they fought with
spears, javelins, archegayes and swords ;
and on the wing of king Henry's battle
there were certain well mounted, who
always kept the battle in good order, for if
the battle opened or brake array in any
side, then they were ever ready to help to
bring them again into good order. So
these Englishmen and Gascons, or they
had the advantage, they bought it dearly,
and won it by noble chivalry and great
prowess of arms : and for to say truth,
the prince himself was the chief flower of
chivalry of all the world, and had with him
N
as then right noble and valiant knights
and squires : and a little beside the
prince's battle was the king of Mallorca
and his company, fighting and acquitting
themselves right valiantly, and also there
was the lord Martin de la Carra represent-
ing the king of Navarre, who did right
well his devoir. I cannot speak of all
them that did that day right nobly ; but
about the prince in his battle there were
divers good knights, as well of England as
of Gascoyne, as sir Richard Pontchardon,
sir Thomas Spenser, sir Thomas Holland,
sir Niel Loring, sir Hugh and sir Philip
Courtenay, sir John Trivet, sir Nicholas
Bond, sir Thomas Trivet, and divers other,
as the seneschal of Saintonge, sir Baldwin
of Freville, the seneschal of Bordeaux, of
Rochelle, of Poitou, of Angouleme, of
Rouergue, of Limousin and of Perigord,
and sir Louis Melval, sir Raimond Mareuil
and divers other. There was none that
fained to fight valiantly, and also they had
good cause why ; for there were of Spaniards
and of Castile more than a hundred thou-
sand men in harness, so that by reason of
their great number it was long or they could
be overcome. King don Peter was greatly
chafed, and much desired to meet with the
bastard his brother, and said : ' Where is
that whoreson that calleth himself king of
Castile?' And the same king Henry
fought right valiantly whereas he was, and
held his people together right marvellously,
and said : * Ah ! ye good people, ye have
crowned me king, therefore help and aid
me to keep the heritage that you have
given me.' So that by these words and
such other as he spake that day he caused
many to be right hardy and valiant, where-
by they abode on the field, so that because
of their honour they would not fly from the
place.
CHAPTER CCXXXVHI
How sir Bertram of Guesclin was discomfited,
he taken and king Henry saved himself,
and of the Spaniards that fled, and of the
number of the dead, and of the cities that
yielded them up to king don Peter, and of
the answer that he made to the prince.
The battle that was best fought and
longest held together was the company of
sir Bertram of Guesclin, for there were
178
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
many noble men of arms who fought and
held together to their powers, and there
was done many a noble feat of arms.
And on the English part specially there
was sir John Chandos, who that day did
like a noble knight and governed and
counselled that day the duke of Lancaster
in like manner as he did before the prince
at the battle of Poitiers, wherein he was
greatly renowned and praised, the which
was good reason ; for a valiant man and a
good knight, acquitting himself nobly among
lords and princes, ought greatly to be re-
commended : for that day he took no heed
for taking of any prisoner with his own
hands, but always fought and went forward ;
but there was taken by his company under
his banner divers good knights and squires
of Aragon and of France, and specially sir
Bertram of Guesclin, sir Arnold d'Audre-
hem, sir Begue of Villaines and more
than threescore prisoners. So thus finally
the battle of sir Bertram of Guesclin was
discomfited, and all that were therein taken
and slain, as well they of France as of
Aragon. There was slain the Begue of
Villiers, and taken the lord Antoing of
Hainault, the lord Briff'euil, sir Gawain of
Bailleul, sir John of Berguettes, sir Ale-
mant of Saint -Venant and divers other.
Then drew together these banners, the
banner of the duke of Lancaster, of sir
John Chandos and of the two marshals,
and the pennon of Saint George, and went
all together on the battle of king Henry
and cried with a high voice, * St. George,
Guyenne ! ' Then the Spaniards and their
company were sore put aback. The captal
of Buch and the lord Clisson fought vali-
antly, and also sir Eustace d'Aubrecicourt,
sir Hugh Calverley, sir soudic, sir John
Devereux and other acquitted themselves
that day right nobly. The prince shewed
himself like a noble knight and fought
valiantly with his enemies. On the other
side king Henry acquitted himself right
valiantly, and recovered and turned again
his people that day three times. For after
that the earl don Tello and a three thou-
sand horsemen with him were departed
from the field, the other began then greatly
to be discomfited and were ever ready to
fly after their company ; but then ever
king Henry was before them and said,
'Fair lords, what do you? Wherefore will
ye thus forsake and betray me? Sith ye
have made me king and set the crown on
my head and put the heritage of Castile
into my hands, return and help to keep
and defend me, and abide with me ; for by
the grace of God, or it be night, all shall
be ours ' : so that these words or such-like
encouraged his people in such wise, that it
made them to abide longer in the field, for
they durst not fly for shame when they saw
their king and their lord so valiantly fight
and speak so amiably : so that there died
more than a thousand and five hundred
persons, that might well have saved them-
selves and have taken the time to their
advantage, an the love that they had to
their lord and king had not been.
When the battle of the marshals were
passed through their enemies and had dis-
comfited the greatest number of them,^ so
that the Spaniards could not sustain nor
defend them any longer, but began to fly
away in great fear without any good array
or order toward the city of Nazres, and so
passed by the great river,^ so that for any
words that king Henry could say they
would not return, and when the king saw
the mischief and discomfiture of his people
and that he saw no recovery, then he
called for his horse and mounted thereon
and put himself among them that fled ; bm
he took not the way to Nazres, for fe
of enclosing, but then took another
eschewing all perils, for he knew well tba'
if he were taken, he should die without
mercy. Then the Englishmen and GaS'
cons leapt a-horseback and began to ch
the Spaniards, who fled away sore discom
fited to the great river. And at the entr
of the bridge of Nazres there was a hideous
shedding of blood, and many a man slain
and drowned ; for divers leapt into the
water, the which was deep and hideous ;
they thought they had as lief to be drowned
as slain. And in this chase among other
there were two valiant knights of Spain
bearing on them the habit of religion, the
1 The original is : 'When the battle of the mar-
shals was brought to extremity (oultr^e) and dis-
comfited, and all the great battles had been joined
together, the Spaniards could not,' etc. The pas-
sage is made obscure by omissions : according to
the full text it is : ' When the battle of the marshals
of France was brought to extremity, etc., and the
three great battles of the English had been joined
together, the Spaniards could not,' etc.
2 The ' grosse riviere ' in question is the Najarilla.,
BATTLE OF N AJAR A, 1367
179
one called the great prior of Saint James
and the other the great master of Cala-
trava ; they and their company to save
themselves entered into Nazres, and they
were so near chased at their back by Eng-
lishmen and Gascons, that they ^ won the
bridge, so that there was a great slaughter ;
and the Englishmen entered into the city
after their enemies, who were entered into
a strong house of stone. Howbeit, incon-
tinent it was won by force, and the knights
taken and many of their men slain and all
the city overrun and pilled, the which was
greatly to the Englishmen's profit. Also
they won king Henry's lodging, wherein
they found great riches of vessel and jewels
of gold and silver ; for the king was come
thither with great nobleness, so that when
they were discomfited, they had no leisure
for to return thither again to save that
they had left there. So this was a hideous
and a terrible discomfiture, and specially
on the river side there was many a man
slain ; and it was said, as I heard after re-
ported of some of them that were there
present, that one might have seen the
water that ran by Nazres to be of the
colour of red with the blood of men and
horse that were there slain. This battle
was between Nazres and Navaret in Spain
the year of the incarnation of our Lord
Jesu Christ a thousand three hundred
threescore and six, the third day of April,
the which was on a Saturday.
After the discomfiture of the battle of
Nazres, which was done by noon, the
prince caused his banner to be raised up a-
high upon a bush on a little hill, to the
intent to draw his people thither. And so
thither drew all those that came from the
chase ; thither came the duke of Lan-
caster, sir John Chandos, the lord Clisson,
the captal of Buch, the earl of Armagnac,
the lord d'Albret and divers other barons,
and had raised up on high their banners to
draw their people thither ; and ever as
they came, they ranged them in the field.
Also there was James king of Mallorca,
his banner before him, whereunto his com-
pany drew ; and a little there beside was
sir Martin de la Carra with the banner of
his lord the king of Navarre, with divers
other earls and barons ; the which was a
goodly thing to regard and behold. Then
1 That is, the Englishmen and Gascons.
came thither king don Peter right sore
chafed, coming from the chase on a great
black courser, his banner beaten with the
arms of Castile before him ; and as soon as
he saw the prince's banner, he alighted and
went thither, and when the prince saw him
coming, he went and met him and did
him great honour. There the king don
Peter would have kneeled down to have
thanked the prince, but the prince made
great haste to take him by the hand, and
would not suffer him to kneel. Then the
king said : * Dear and fair cousin, I ought
to give you many thanks and praises for
this fair journey that I have attained this
day by your means.' Then the prince
said : * Sir, yield thanks to God and give
him all the praise, for the victory hath
come by him all only and not by me.*
Then the lords of the prince's council drew
together and communed of divers matters,
and so long the prince was still there, till
all his people were returned from the
chase. Then he ordained four knights and
four heralds to go search the fields to know
what people were taken and the number
of them that were slain, and also to know
the truth of king Henry, whom they called
bastard, whether he were alive or dead.
And then the prince and his lords went to
the lodging of king Henry and of the
Spaniards, where they were well and
easily lodged, for it was great and large
and well replenished of all things neces-
sary. So then they supped that night
in great joy, and after supper the knights
and heralds that went to visit the field re-
turned, and there they reported that there
were slain of their enemies, of men of arms
a five hundred and threescore, and of com-
mons about a seven thousand and five
hundred, beside them that were drowned,
whereof the number was unknown ; and of
their own company there was no more
slain but four knights, whereof two were
Gascons, the third an Almain and the
fourth an Englishman, and of other com-
mons not past a forty : but they shewed how
they could not find king Henry, whereof king
don Peter was right sorry. So this Satur-
day at night they rested themselves and made
good cheer, for they had well wherewith ;
for there they found plenty of wine and
other victuals, and so refreshed them there
all the Sunday, the which was Palm Sunday.
[8o
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
The Sunday in the morning, when the
prince was up and ready apparelled, then
he issued out of his pavilion and then came
to him the duke of Lancaster his brother,
the earl of Armagnac, the lord d'Albret, sir
John Chandos, the captal of Buch, the lord
of Pommiers, sir Guichard d'Angle, the
king of Mallorca and a great number of other
knights and squires ; and then anon after
came to the prince the king don Peter, to
whom the prince made great honour and
reverence. Then the king don Peter said :
' Dear and fair cousin, I pray and require
you that ye will deliver to me the false
traitors of this country, as my bastard brother
Sancho and such other, and I shall cause
them to lose their heads, for they have well
deserved it.'
Then the prince advised him well and
said : * Sir king, I require you in the name
of love and lineage that ye will grant me a
gift and a request.' The king, who in no
wise would deny his request, said : ' Good
cousin, all that I have is yours : therefore
I am content, whatsoever ye desire, to
grant it.' Then the prince said: 'Sir, I
require you to give pardon to all your
people in your realm, such as hath rebelled
against you, by the which courtesy ye shall
abide in the better rest and peace in your
realm, except Gomez Carillo, for of him I
am content ye take your pleasure.' The
king don Peter accorded to his desire,
though it were against his will ; but he
durst not deny the prince, he was so much
bounden to him, and said : ' Fair cousin, I
grant your request with a good heart.'
Then the prisoners were sent for and the
prince accorded them with the king their
lord and caused him to forgive all his evil
will to his brother the earl Sancho and to
all other, so that they should make covenant
and swear fealty, homage and service, to
hold of him truly for ever and to become
his men and to knowledge him for their
lord and king for ever. This courtesy with
divers other did the prince to the king, the
which after was but smally rewarded, as ye
shall hear after in this history. And also
the prince shewed great courtesy to the
barons of Spain, suchas were prisoners ; for
if king don Peter had "taken them in his dis-
pleasure, they had all died without mercy.
And then sir Gomez Carillo was delivered to
the king, whom he hated so sore, that he
would take no ransom for him but made his
head to be stricken off before his lodging.
Then king don Peter mounted on his
horse, and the earl Sancho his brother
and all those that were become his men,
and his marshals sir Guichard d'Angle
and sir Stephen Cosington ■ and a five
hundred men of arms, and they departed
from the prince's host and rode to Burgos
and so came thither the Monday in
the morning. And they of Burgos, who
were well informed how the journey of
Nazres was achieved and how that king
Henry was discomfited, they thought not
to keep the town against don Peter, but
divers of the richest of the town and of the
most notablest issued out of the town and
presented the keys of the city to him and
received him to their lord, and so brought
him and all his men into the city of Burgos
with great joy and solemnity. And all the
Sunday the prince abode still in the lodgings
that they had won, and on the Monday
after evensong he dislodged and went and
lodged at Barbesque,^ and there tarried till
it was Wednesday, and then they went all
to the city of Burgos. And there the prince
entered into the town with great reverence^
and with him the duke of Lancaster, the
earl of Armagnac and divers other great
lords, and their people made their lodgings
without the town, for they could not all
have been lodged within at their ease.
And when the prince was at his lodging
there, he gave and rendered judgments of
arms and of all things thereto appertaining,
and there kept field and wage of battle \
wherefore it might well be said that al*
Spain was come that day in his hands an(
under his obeisance.
The prince of Wales and king don Pet
held their Easter in the town of Burgos an
there tarried a three weeks and more : and
on Easter-day they of Asturge, of Toledo,
of Lisbon, of Cordowan, of Galice, of
Seville and of all the other marches and
limitations of the realm of Castile came
thither and made homage to king don Peter,
and were glad to see the prince and don
Ferrant of Castro, and so there was great
cheer made between them. And when
king don Peter had tarried there the term
that I have shewed you and more, and
saw that there were no more that rebelled
1 Bribiesca.
&»
e : '
J
AFTER THE BATTLE OF N AJAR A
i8i
against him, but every man to him obeisant,
then the prince said to him : ' Sir king, ye
are now, thanked be God, peaceably king of
this your own realm without any rebellion
or let : and, sir, I and my company tarry
here at a great charge and expense. There-
fore we require you to provide for money to
pay the wages to them that hath holpen to
bring you again into your realm and in ful-
filling of your promise, whereunto ye have
sworn and sealed. And, sir, the shortlier
that ye do it, the greater thank we shall
give you and the more shall be your profit ;
for ye know well men of war must be paid
to live withal, or else they will take it
whereas they may get it. ' Then the king
answered and said : * Cousin, we will hold,
keep and accomplish to our power that we
have sworn and sealed unto. But, sir, as
for this present time we have no money ;
wherefore we will draw us to the marches
of Seville, and there we will so procure for
money that we will satisfy every party.
And, sir, ye shall abide still here in the
Vale of Olives,^ the which is a plentiful
country ; and, sir, we shall return again to
you in as short time as we conveniently can
or may, and at the farthest by Whitsuntide.'
This answer was right pleasant to the
prince and to his council ; and shortly after
the king don Peter departed from the prince
and rode toward Seville to the intent to
get money to pay his men of war, as he had
promised. And the prince went and lodged
in the Vale of Olives, and all his lords and
people spread abroad in the country, to get
victuals more plentiful for them and for their
horses. There thus they sojourned to a small
profit to the country, for the companions
could not abstain themselves from robbing
and pilling of the country.
CHAPTER CCXXXIX
Of the honour that was given to the prince
for the victory of Spain, and how king
Henry came into France to make war on
the prince's land, and of the answer that
king don Peter sent to the prince, and how
the prince departed out of Spain and came
into France.
Tidings spread abroad through France,
England, Almaine and other countries how
c 1 Valladolid, which Froissart calls Val-d'Olif.
the prince of Wales and his puissance had
in battle discomfited king Henry, and taken,
slain and drowned of his men the day of the
battle more than a hundred thousand men,
whereby the prince was greatly renowned
and his chivalry and high enterprise much
praised in all places that heard thereof, and
specially in the Empire of Almaine and in
the realm of England ; for the Almains,
Flemings and Englishmen said that the
prince of Wales- was chief flower of all
chivalry, and how that such a prince was
well worthy to govern all the world, sith by
his prowess he had achieved such three high
enterprises as he had done ; first, the battle
of Crecy in Ponthieu, the second ten year
after at Poitiers, and the third now in Spain
before Nazres : so in England in the city of
London the burgesses there made great
solemnity and triumph for that victory, as
they anciently were wont to do for kings,
when they had overcome their enemies.
And in the realm of France there were
made lamentable sorrows for the loss of the
good knights of the realm of France, the
which were slain at that journey, and specially
there was made sorrow for sir Bertram of
Guesclin and for sir Arnold d'Audrehem,
who were taken prisoners, and divers other,
who were kept right courteously, and some
of them put to finance and ransom, but not
sir Bertram of Guesclin so soon ; for sir
John Chandos, who had the rule of him,
would not deliver him, and also sir Bertram
made no great suit therefor.
Now let us somewhat speak of king
Henry, what he did when he departed from
the battle ; and then let us return again
to the prince and to king don Peter of
Castile.
King Henry, as it is said hereafter, saved
himself as well as he might and withdrew
from his enemies, and led his wife and his
children as soon as he might into the city
of Valence in Aragon, whereas the king of
Aragon was, who was his godfather and
friend, and to him recounted all his adven-
ture. And anon after, the said king Henry
was counselled to pass further and to go to
the duke of Anjou, who as then was at
Montpellier, and to shew unto him all his
adventure. This advice was pleasant to
the king of Aragon, and consented well
that he should go thither, because he was
enemy to the prince, who was his near
[82
THE CHRONICLES OF FRO IS S ART
ould ^1
neighbour. So thus king Henry departed
from the king of Aragon, and left in the
city of Valence his wife and his children,
and rode so long that he passed Narbonne,
the which was the first city of the realm of
France on that side, and after that Beziers
and all that country, and so came to Mont-
pellier and there found the duke of Anjou,
who loved him entirely and greatly hated
the Englishmen, though he made them as
then no war. And the duke, when he was
well informed of king Henry's business,
received him right joyously and recomforted
him as well as he might. And so the king
tarried there with him a certain space, and
then went to Avignon to see pope Urban,
who was as then departing to go to Rome.
And then king Henry returned again to
Montpellier to the duke of Anjou, and had
long treaty together. And it was shewed
me by them that thought themselves to
know many things, and after it was right
well seen apparent, how that this king
Henry did get of the duke of Anjou a castle
near to Toulouse on the marches of the
principality, called Roquemaure, and there
he assembled together companions and men
of war, as Bretons and such other as were
not passed over into Spain with the prince,
so that in the beginning there was a three
hundred men of war. These tidings were
anon brought to my lady princess, who as
then was at Bordeaux, how that king Henry
purchased him aid and succour on all sides
to the intent to make war to the principality
and to the duchy of Guyenne, wherewith she
was greatly abashed. And because that he
held himself in the realm of France, she
wrote letters and sent messengers to the
French king desiring him not to consent
that the bastard of Spain should make her
any manner of war, saying that her resort
was to the court of France, certifying him
that much evil might ensue and many
inconvenients fall thereby. Then the king
condescended lightly to the princess' request
and hastily sent messengers to the bastard
Henry, who was in the castle of Roque-
maure on the frontiers of Montauban and
was beginning to make war to the country
of Acquitaine and to the prince's land,
commanding him incontinent to avoid out
of his realm and to make no war in the
land of his dear nephew the prince of Wales
and of Acquitaine ; and by cause to give
ensample to his subjects that they should
not be so hardy to take any part with the
bastard Henry, he caused the young earl of
Auxerre to be put in prison in the castle of
Louvre in Paris, because he was too great
and conversant with this king Henry the
bastard, and, as it was said, he had pro-
mised him to aid him with a great number
of men of arms : but thus the French king
caused him to break his voyage and purpose.
So thus at the commandment of the French
king king Henry obeyed, the which was
good reason, but for all that yet he left not his
enterprise, but so he departed from Roque-
maure with a four hundred Bretons. And
to him was allied such Breton knights and
squires as folio weth : first, sir Arnold of
Limousin, sir Geoffrey Richon, sir Yon of
Laconet, Silvester Bude, Alyot de Tallay,
Alain de Saint- Pol : and these men of arms
and Bretons rode over the mountains and
entered into Bigorre in the principality
and there took by scaling a town called
Bagneres, and then they fortified and re-
paired it well and strongly, and then over-
rode the prince's land and did great hurt
and damage therein. Then the princess
did send for sir James Audley, who was
abiding behind the prince in Acquitaine
as chief sovereign governour to keep the
country. Howbeit, this said king Henry
the bastard and the Bretons did great hurt
and damage in the country, for daily their
power increased more and more.
Now let us return to the prince of Wales
and to his company who was in the Vale of
Olives thereabout abiding the coming of
king don Peter of Castile.
Thus when the prince had sojourned in the
Vale of the Olives until the feast of Saint
John the Baptist in summer, abiding for
the coming of king don Peter, who came
not, nor could not hear no certain tidings
of him, wherewith the prince was right
sore troubled and called all his council
together to know what was best to do in
that behalf ; then the prince was counselled
to send two or three knights to the king,
to demand of him why he kept not his
day, as he had assigned. And on this
message was sent sir Niel Loring, sir
Richard of Pontchardon and sir Thomas
Banaster ; and they rode so long by their
journeys that they came to the city of
Seville, whereas they found king don Peter,
I
RETURN OF THE PRINCE FROM SPAIN, 1367
183
and by semblant he right joyously received
them. These knights did their message as
they had in charge by their lord the prince.
Then the king answered them in excusing
of himself and said : ' Sirs, certainly it
greatly displeaseth us that we cannot keep
the promise that we have made with our
cousin the prince, the which we have often-
times shewed unto our people here in these
parts ; but our people excuseth themselves
and saith how they can make no sum of
money as long as the companions be in the
country, for they have three or four times
robbed our treasurers, who were coming to
our cousin the prince with our money.
Therefore we require you to shew our cousin
from us, that we require him that he will
withdraw and put out of this our realm
these evil people of the companions, and
that he do leave there some of his own
knights, to whom in the name of him we
will pay and deliver such sums of money
as he desireth of us and as we are bound
to pay him.'
This was all the answer that these knights
could have of him at that time, and so they
departed and went again to the prince their
lord, and then recounted to him and to his
council all that they had heard and seen ;
with the which answer the prince was
much more displeased than he was before,
for he saw well how that king don Peter
failed of his promise and varied from reason.
The same season that the prince thus
abode in the Vale of Olives, whereas he
had been more than the space of four
months, nigh all the summer, the king of
Mallorca fell sick sore diseased and lay sick
in his bed. Then there was put to ransom
sir Arnold d'Audrehem, the Begue of
Villaines, and divers other knights and
squires of France and of Bretayne, who
were taken at Nazres and exchanged for
sir Thomas Felton and for sir Richard
Tanton and for sir Hugh Hastings and
divers other. But sir Bertram of Guesclin
abode still as prisoner with the prince, for
the Englishmen counselled the prince and
said that if he delivered sir Bertram of
Guesclin, he would make him greater war
than ever he had done before with the
helping of the bastard Henry, who as
then was in Bigorre and had taken the
town of Bagneres, and made great war
in that quarter. Therefore sir Bertram
of Guesclin was not delivered at that
time.
When that the prince of Wales heard
the excusations of king don Peter, then he
was much more displeased than he was
before, and demanded counsel in that behalf
of his people, who desired to return home,
for they bare with full great trouble the
heat and the infective air of the country of
Spain, and also the prince himself was not
very well at ease, and therefore his people
counselled him to return again, saying how
king don Peter had greatly failed him to
his blame and great dishonour. Then it
was shewed openly that every man should
return. And when the prince should re-
move, he sent to the king of Mallorca sir
Hugh Courtenay and sir John Chandos,
shewing him how the prince would depart
out of Spain, desiring him to take advice
if he would depart or not, for the prince
would be loath to leave him behind. Then
the king of Mallorca said : * Sirs, I thank
greatly the prince, but at this present time
I cannot ride nor remove till it please God.'
Then the knights said : ' Sir, will you that
my lord the prince shall leave with you a
certain number of men, to wait and con-
duct you when ye be able to ride ? ' ' Nay
surely, sir,' quoth the king, 'it shall not
need, for I know not how long it will be
or I be able to ride. ' And so they departed
and returned to the prince, shewing him
what they had done. *Well,' said the
prince, * as it please God and him, so be it.'
Then the prince departed and all his
company, and went to a city called Madri-
gal, and there he rested in the vale called
Soria between Aragon and Spain. And
there he tarried a month, for there were
certain passages closed against him in the
marches of Aragon. And it was said in
the host that the king of Navarre, who was
newly returned out of prison, was agreed
with the bastard of Spain and with the
king of Aragon to let the prince's passage ;
but yet he did nothing, as it appeared
after. Howbeit the prince was in doubt
of him, because he was in his own country
and came not to him. In this mean season
there were sent to a certain place between
Aragon and Spain certain persons of both
parties and so had great communing to-
gether divers days. Finally they so agreed ^
that the king of Aragon should open his
1 84
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
country and suffer the prince's people to
return and pass peaceably without any let
of any of the country, paying courteously
for that they took.
Then came to the prince the king of
Navarre and sir Martin de la Carra, when
they saw the matter go in such wise be-
tween the king of Aragon and the prince ;
and they made to the prince all the honour
that they could devise and offered passage
for him and for his dear brother the duke
of Lancaster and for divers other knights
of England and of Gascoyne ; but in any
wise he would that the companions should
take their way by some other passage and
not through Navarre. Then the prince
and his lords, when they saw that the way
through Navarre was more meet and neces-
sary for them than through Aragon, thought
not to refuse the king of Navarre's offer,
but so thanked him greatly. Thus the
prince passed through the realm of Navarre,
and the king and sir Martin de la Carra
conveyed him till they came to the passage
of Roncesvaulx, and so from thence they
passed by their journeys till they came to
the city of Bayonne, where he was received
with great joy. And there the prince
refreshed him four days, and then departed
and rode to Bordeaux, where he was also
received with great solemnity ; and my
lady the princess met him with her young
son Edward, who as then was of the age of
three years. Then departed the lords and
men of war one from another, and the lords
of Gascoyne went home to their own houses,
and the companions came also into the
principality, abiding for their wages. The
prince was much bound to them and pro-
mised to pay them to his power, as soon as
he had money : though king don Peter
kept not his promise with him, yet he said
tliey should not bear the loss thereof, sith
they had so well served him. And king
Henry the bastard, who was in the garrison
of Bagneres in Bigorre, then he departed
thence with such men of war as he had and
went into Aragon to the king there, who
loved him entirely and joyously received
Kim, and there tarried all the winter and
there made a new alliance between him
and the king of Aragon and promised to
iliake war against king don Peter. And
the Bretons that were in their company, as
sir Arnold Limousin, sir Geoffrey Richon
and sir Yon de Laconet, rode to the passages
of Spain and made war for king Henry.
Now let us speak of the deliverance of
sir Bertram of Guesclin.
After that the prince of Wales was re-
turned into Acquitaine and his brother the
duke of Lancaster into England and every
lord into his own, sir Bertram of Guesclin
was still prisoner with the prince and with
sir John Chandos and could not come to
his ransom nor finance, the which was sore
displeasant to king Henry, if he might
have mended it : and so it fortuned after,
as I was informed, that on a day the prince
called to him sir Bertram of Guesclin and
demanded of him how he did. He answered
and said : ' Sir, it was never better with me.
It is reason that it should so be, for I am
in prison with the most renowned knight
of the world. ' ' With whom is that ? ' said
the prince. ' Sir,' quoth he, 'that is with
sir John Chandos ; and, sir, it is said in
the realm of France and in other places
that ye fear me so much, that ye dare not
let me out of prison ; the which to me is
full great honour. ' The prince, who under-
stood well the words of sir Bertram of
Guesclin and perceived well how his own
council would in no wise that he should
deliver him unto the time that king don
Peter had paid him all such sums as he
was bound to do, then he said to sir
Bertram : ' Sir, then ye think that we keep
you for fear of your chivalry. Nay, think
it not, for I swear by Saint George it is
not so. Therefore pay for your ransom a .
hundred thousand franks and ye shall be
delivered.' Sir Bertram, who desired
greatly to be delivered and heard on what
point he might depart, took the prince
with that word and said : ' Sir, in the
name of God so be it : I will pay no less.'
And when the prince heard him say so, he
would then gladly have repented himself,
and also some of his council came to him
and said, ' Sir, ye have not done well, so
lightly to put him to his ransom ' : and so
they would gladly have caused the prince
to have revoked that covenant. But the
prince, who was a true and a noble knight,
said : ' Sith that we have agreed thereto,
we will not break our promise. It should
be to us a great rebuke, shame and re-
proach, if we should not put him to ransom,
seeing that he is content to pay such a great
\
DISCONTENT IN GASCON Y, 1368
185'
sum as a hundred thousand franks.' So
after this accord sir Bertram of Guesclm
was right busy, and studied daily how to
get this sum for his ransom ; and did so
much with the aid of the French king and
of his friends and of the duke of Anjou,
who loved him entirely, that he paid in
less than a month a hundred thousand
franks. And so he departed and went to
serve the duke of Anjou with two thousand
fighting men in Provence, whereas the duke
lay at siege before the town of Tarascon,
the which held of the king of Naples.
In the same season there was a marriage
concluded between the lord Lyon duke of
Clarence and earl of Ulster, son to the
king of England, and the daughter to the
lord Galeas lord of Milan, the which young
lady was niece to the earl of Savoy and
daughter to the lady Blanche his sister.
And thus the duke of Clarence accompanied
with noble knights and squires of England
came into France, whereas the king, the
duke of Burgoyne, the duke of Bourbon
and the lord of Coucy received him with
great joy in Paris. And so he passed
through the realm of France and came
into Savoy, whereas the gentle earl received
him right honourably at Chambery, and
there he was three days, greatly feasted
with ladies and damosels : and then he
departed, and the earl of Savoy brought
him to Milan. And there the duke wedded
his niece, daughter to the lord of Milan,
the Monday next after the feast of the Holy
Trinity, the year of our Lord a thousand
CCCLXVIII.
CHAPTER CCXL
Now let us return to the business of France.
SUMMARY. — The companies being dis-
missed from Acquitaine went into France,
and did much evil. A marriage was made
between the lady Isabel of Bourbon and the
lord dAlbret, which greatly displeased the
prince of Wales.
CHAPTER CCXLI
How the barons of Gascoyne complained to
the French king of the prince of Wales ;
and how king Henry returned into Spain,
and of the alliances that king don Peter
made, and of the counsel that sir Bertram
of Guesclin gave to king Henry, and how
king don Peter was discomfited.
In the same season that these companions
tormented thus the realm of France, the
prince was counselled by some of his
council to raise a fouage throughout all
Acquitaine, and specially the bishop of
Bade ; for the- state of the prince and
princess was so great, that in all Christen-
dom was none like. So to this council
for raising of this fouage were called all
the noble barons of Gascoyne, of Poitou,
of Saintonge and of divers other cities and
good towns in Acquitaine ; and at Niort,
where this parliament was holden, there it
was shewed specially and generally by the
bishop of Bade, chancellor of Acquitaine,
in the presence of the prince, how and in
what manner this fouage should be raised,
declaring how the prince was not in mind
that it should endure any longer than five
years, to run throughout his country, and
that the raising thereof was for the intent
to pay such money as he ought by reason
of his journey into Spain. To the which
ordinance were well agreed the Poitous and
they of Saintonge, Limousin, Rouergue and
of Rochelle, on the condition that the
prince would keep the course of his coin
stable seven year ; but divers of other '
marches of Gascoyne refused this purpose,
as the earl of Armagnac, the lord d'Albret
his nephew, the earl of Comminges, the
viscount of Caraman, the lord de la Barthe,
the lord of Terride, the lord of Puycornet
and divers other great barons, saying how
that in time past, when they obeyed to the
French king, they were not then grieved
nor oppressed with any subsidies or im-
positions, and no more they said they
would as then, as long as they could
defend it, saying how their lands and
seignories were free and except from all
debts, and that the prince had sworn so to
keep and maintain them. Howbeit, to
depart peaceably from this parliament, they
answered that they would take better advice
and so return again, both prelates, bishops,
abbots, barons and knights : and the prince
nor his council could have as then none
other answer. Thus they departed from
the town of Niort, but it was commanded
i86
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
them by the prince that they should return
again thither at a day assigned.
Thus the barons and lords of Gascoyne
returned into their countries and agreed
firmly together that they would not return
again to the prince, nor suffer the fouage
to run in the lands : then they made war
against the prince therefor. Thus the
country began to rebel against the prince,
and the lord of Armagnac, the lord d' Albret,
the lord of Comminges, the earl of Puy-
cornet, and divers other prelates, barons,
knights and squires of Gascoyne went into
France and made great complaints in the
French king's chamber, the king and his
peers being present, of the griefs that the
prince of Wales would do to them, saying
how their resort ought to be to the French
king and to draw to him as to their sove-
reign lord. And the king, who would not
break the peace between him and the king
of England, began to dissemble and said :
' Sirs, surely the jurisdiction of our heritage
and of the crown of France we will always
keep and augment ; but we have sworn to
divers articles in the peace, of the which I
remember not all. Therefore we shall
visit and behold the tenour of the letters,
and inasmuch as we may do we shall aid
you, and shall be glad to agree you with
the prince our dear nephew : for perad-
venture he is not well counselled to put you
or your subjects from their freedoms and
franchises.' So with the answer that the
king made them at that time they were
content, and so abode still at Paris with
the king, in purpose not to return again
into their own countries, with the which
the prince was nothing well content, but
always he still persevered in the purpose of
raising of this fouage. Sir John Chandos,
who was one of the greatest of his council,
was contrary to this opinion and would
gladly that the prince would have left it :
but when he saw that the prince would not
leave his purpose, to the intent that he
would bear no blame nor reproach in the
matter, he took his leave of the prince and
made his excuse to go into Normandy to
visit the land of Saint-Saviour the Viscount,
whereof he was lord, for he had not been
there in three years before. The prince
gave him leave, and so he departed out of
Poitou and went to Cotentin, and tarried in
the town of Saint - Saviour more than half
a year. And always the prince proceeded
on the raising of this fouage, the which if
he had brought about should have been well
worth every year a twelve hundred thou-
sand franks, every fire to have paid yearly a
frank, the rich to have borne out the poor.
Now let us return to king Henry, who
was all this season in the realm of Aragon,
and let us shew how he persevered after.
The most part of the state of the prince
and of his business was well known with
the kings thereabout, as with king Peter of
Aragon and with king Henry, for they laid
great wait to know it. They understood well
how the barons of Gascoyne were gone to
Paris to the French king and in a manner
began to rebel against the prince, with the
which they were nothing displeased, and
specially king Henry, for then he thought
to attain again to conquer the realm of
Castile, the which he had lost by the means
of the prince. And so then king Henry
took leave of the king of Aragon and de-
parted from the town of Valence the great ;
and out of Aragon with him there went the
viscount of Roquebertin and the viscount of
Roda, and they were three thousand horse-
men and six thousand afoot, with a certain
Genoways that they had in wages. And
so they rode toward Spain till they came
to the city of Burgos, the which incontinent
was opened and rendered up to king
Henry, and they received him as their
lord ; and from thence he went to the Valej
Olive, for king Henry understood that the
king of Mallorca was still there. Anc
when they of the town of Vale Olive under-
stood that they of Burgos had yielded uj
their town to king Henry, then thej
thought not to keep their town againstl
him, and so yielded them to him and re-
ceived him as their lord. As soon as the
king was entered into the town, he de-
manded where the king of Mallorca was,
the which was shewed him. Then theai
king entered into the chamber where hejl
lay, not fully whole of his disease. Then"
the king went to him and said : * Sir king
of Mallorca, ye have been our enemy, and
with a great army ye have invaded this our
realm of Castile. Wherefore we set our
hands on you ; therefore yield yourself as
our prisoner, or else ye are but dead.'
And when the king of Mallorca saw him-
self in that case and that no defence
r
H^AR RENEWED IN SPAIN
187
would help him, he said : * Sir king,
truly I am but dead, if that it please you ;
and, sir, gladly I yield me unto you, but to
none other. Therefore, sir, if your mind
be to put me into any other man's hands,
shew it me ; for I had rather die than to
be put into the hands of my bitter enemy
the king of Aragon.' * Sir,' said the king,
' fear you not I will do you but right. If
I did otherwise, I were to blame. Ye
shall be my prisoner, other to acquit you
or to ransom you at my pleasure.' Thus
was the king of Mallorca taken by king
Henry, and caused him to be well kept
there ; and then he rode further to the city
of Leon in Spain, the which incontinent
was opened against him.
When the town and city of Leon in
Spain was thus rendered to king Henry, all
the country and marches of Galice turned
and yielded them to king Henry, and to him
came many great lords and barons, who
before had done homage to king don Peter ;
for whatsoever semblant they had made to
him before the prince, yet they loved him
not, because of old time he had been to
them so cruel and they were ever in fear
that he would turn to his cruelty again, and
king Henry was ever amiable and meek to
them, promising to do much for them,
therefore they all drew to him. Sir
Bertram of Guesclin was not as then in his
company, but he was coming with a two
thousand fighting men, and was departed
from the duke of Anjou, who had achieved
his war in Provence and broken up his
siege before Tarascon by composition, I
cannot shew how. And with sir Bertram
of Guesclin there were divers knights and
squires of France, desiring to exercise the
feat of arms ; and so they came towards
king Henry, who as then had laid siege
before Toledo.
Tidings came to king don Peter how the
country turned to his bastard brother,
thereas he lay in the marches of Seville
and Portugal, where he was but smally
beloved. And when he heard thereof, he
was sore displeased against his brother and
against them of Castile, because they for-
sook him, and sware a great oath that he
would take on them so cruel a vengeance,
that it should be ensample to all other.
Then he sent out his commandment to such
as he trusted would aid and serve him, but
he sent to some such as came not to him,
but turned to king Henry and sent their
homages to him. And when this king don
Peter saw that his men began to fail him,
then he began to doubt, and took counsel
of don Ferrant of Castro, who never failed
him ; and he gave him counsel that he
should get as much people together as he
might, as well out of Granade as out of
other places, and so in all haste to ride
against his brother the bastard, or he did
conquer any further in the countr}'. Then
king don Peter sent incontinent to the king
of Portugal, who was his cousin-german :
also he sent to the king of Granade and of
Bellemarine and to the king of Tremesen
and made alliances with them three, and
they sent him more than twenty thousand
Saracens to help him in his war. So thus
king don Peter did so much that, what of
christen men and of Saracens, he had to
the number of forty thousand men in the
marches of Seville. And in the mean
season, while that king Henry lay at siege,
sir Bertram of Guesclin came to him with
two thousand fighting men and he was
received with great joy, for all the host was
greatly rejoiced of his coming.
King don Peter, who had made his
assembly in the marches of Seville and
thereabout, desiring greatly to fight with the
bastard his brother, departed from Seville
and took his journey towards Toledo to
raise the siege there, the which was from
him a seven days' journey. Tidings came
to king Henry how that his brother don
Peter approached, and in his company
more than forty thousand men of one and
other. - And thereupon he took counsel, to
the which council was called the knights of
France and of Aragon, and specially sir
Bertram of Guesclin, by whopi the king
was most ruled ; and his counsel was that
king Henry should advance forth to en-
counter his brother don Peter, and in what
condition soever that he found him in, in-
continent to set on and fight with him,
saying to the king : * Sir, I hear say he
Cometh with a great puissance, and, sir, if
he have great leisure in his coming, it may
turn you and us all to great displeasure ;
and therefore, sir, if we go hastily on him,
or he be ware, peradventure we shall find
him and his company in that case and so
dispurveyed, that we shall have him at
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
advantage, and so we shall discomfit him,
I doubt not.' The counsel of sir Bertram
of Guesclin was well heard and taken, and
so king Henry in an evening departed from
the host with a certain of the best knights
and fighting men that he could choose out
in all his host, and left the residue of his
company in the keeping and governing of
his brother the earl don Tello, and so rode
forth. And he had seven spies ever coming
and going, who ever brought him word
what his brother don Peter did and all his
host. And king don Peter knew nothing
how his brother came so hastily toward him,
wherefore he and his company rode the
more at large without any good order ; and
so in a morning king Henry and his people
met and encountered his brother king don
Peter, who had lien that night in a castle
thereby called Montiel, and was there well
received and had good cheer, and was
departed thence the same morning, weening
full little to have been fought withal as that
day. And so suddenly on him with banners
displayed there came his brother king Henry
and his brother Sancho and sir Bertram of
Guesclin, by whom the king and all his
host was greatly ruled. And also with
them there was the Begue of Villaines, the
lord of Roquebertin, the viscount of Roda
and their companies. They were a six
thousand fighting men and they rode all
close together and so ran and encountered
their enemies crying, ' Castile for king
Henry ! ' and ' Our Lady of Guesclin ! ' and
so they discomfited and put aback the first
brunt. There were many slain and cast to
the earth, there were none taken to ransom,
the which was appointed so to be by sir
Bertram of Guesclin because of the great
number of Saracens that was there. And
when king don Peter, who was in the midst
of the press among his own people, heard
how his men were assailed and put aback
by his brother the bastard Henry and by
the Frenchmen, he had great marvel there-
of and saw well how he was betrayed and
deceived, and in adventure to lose all, for
his men were sore sparkled abroad. How-
beit, like a good hardy knight and of good
comfort, rested on the field and caused his
banner to be unrolled to draw together his
people, and sent word to them that were
behind to haste them forward, because he
was fighting with his enemies ; whereby
every man advanced forward to the banner.
So there was a marvellous great and a fierce
battle, and many a man slain of king don
Peter's part ; for king Henry and sir
Bertram of Guesclin sought their enemies
with so courageous and fierce will, that
none could endure against them. Howbeit,
that was not lightly done, for king don
Peter and his company were six against
one, but they Were taken so suddenly, that
they were discomfited in such wise that it
was marvel to behold.
This battle of the Spaniards one against
another, and of these two kings a,nd their
allies, was near to Montiel, the which was that
day right fierce and cruel. There were many
good knights of king Henry's part, as sir
Bertram of Guesclin, sir Geoffrey Richon,
sir Arnold Limousin, sir Gawain of Bailleul,
the Begue of Villaines, Alain of Saint-Pol,
Alyot of Tallay and divers other ; and
also of the realm of Aragon there was the
viscount of Roquebertin, the viscount of
Roda, and divers other good knights and
squires, whom I cannot all name. And
there they did many noble deeds of arms,
the which was needful to them so to do,
for they found fierce and strong people
against them, as Saracens, Jews and
Portugals. The Jews fled and turned their
backs and fought no stroke, but they of
Granade and of Bellemarine fought fiercely
with their bows and archegays and did that
day many a noble deed of arms. And king
don Peter was a hardy knight and fought
valiantly with a great axe and gave there-
with many a great stroke, so that none
durst approach near to him ; and the
banner of king Henry his brother met and
rencountered against his, each of them crying
their cries. Then the battle of king don
Peter began to open : then don Ferrant of
Castro, who was chief counsellor about
king don Peter, saw and perceived well
how his people began to lose and to be
discomfited, said to the king : ' Sir, save
yourself and withdraw you into the castle of
Montiel. Sir, if ye be there, ye be in safe-
guard ; for if ye be taken with your
enemies, ye are but dead without mercy.'
The king don Peter believed his counsel
and departed as soon as he might and went
toward Montiel, and so came thither in
such time that he found the gates open, and
so he entered all only with twelve persons ;
CAPTURE OF DON PETER, 1369
and in the mean season the other of his
company fought still in the fields, as they
were sparkled abroad here and there. The
Saracens defended themselves as well as
they might, for they knew not the country,
therefore to fly they thought was for them
none avail. Then tidings came to king
Henry and to sir Bertram of Guesclin how
that king don Peter was fled and withdrawn
into the castle of Montiel, and how that
the Begue of Villaines had pursued him
thither ; and into this castle there was but
one passage, before which passage the
Begue of Villaines had pight his standard.
Of the which tidings king Henry and sir
Bertram of Guesclin was right joyous, and
so drew to that part in slaying and beating
down their enemies like beasts, so that they
were weary of killing. This chase endured
more than three hours, so that day there
was more than fourteen thousand slain and
sore hurt : there were but few that were
saved, except such as knew the passages of
the country. This battle was beside
Montiel in Spain the thirteenth day of the
month of August the year of our Lord God
a thousand three hundred threescore and
eight.
CHAPTER CCXLH
How king don Peter was taken and put to
death, and so king Henry was again king
of Castile : and of the tenour of certain
letters touching the French king and the
king of England, and of the counsel that
was given to king Charles of France to
make war to the king of England.
After this discomfiture and that king
Henry had obtained the victory, then they
laid siege round about the castle of Montiel,
wherein was king don Peter. Then king
Henry sent for the residue of his company
to Toledo, whereas they lay at siege, of the
which tidings the earl don Tello and the
earl Sancho were right joyful. This castle
of Montiel was right strong and able to
have held against them all a long space, if
it had been purveyed of victual and other
things necessary ; but there was not in the
castle scant to serve four days, whereof
king don Peter and his company were sore
abashed, for they were so straitly watched
day and night, that a bird could not come
out of the castle without spying. Then
king don Peter, seeing himself thus beset
round about with his enemies, and knew
no way of peace or concord, was in great
imagination. So all perils considered and
for default of victual, he was counselled to
depart privily at the hour of midnight and
twelve persons with him, and so to ad-
venture on the grace of God, and guides
were appointed to bring him in safe-guard.
And so about the time of midnight next
after the king don Peter and don Ferrant of
Castro and twelve other persons with them
departed out of the castle. The night was
very dark and the Begue of Villaines kept
watch without the same night, and a three
hundred with him. And as king don Peter
and his company issued out of the castle,
and went down a high way as privily as they
could devise, the Begue of Villaines, who
was ever in doubt lest they should scape, the
which caused him to make the surer watch,
he thought he heard men pass down the
high way, and said to them that were about
him : ' Sirs, keep you still all privy, for
methink I hear folks come in the way. We
will go know what they be, and what they
seek here at this time of night : peradventure
there be some that are coming to revictual
the castle.' Then the Begue stept forth
with his dagger in his hand and came to a
man that was near to king don Peter and
said, 'What art thou ?' and he rushed forth
with his horse from him and passed by
them. The Begue stept to king don Peter,
who was next, and said, * What art thou ?
Shew me thy name, or thou art but dead ' ;
and took him by the bridle, for he thought
he should not pass from him as the other
did. And when king don Peter saw such
a rout of men of war before him and that
he could not scape, said : ' Sir Begue of
Villaines, I am king don Peter of Castile.
I yield me to you as a prisoner and put me
and my company, the which are but twelve
persons, into your hands and pleasure :
and, sir, I require you by the way of
gentleness to bring me into some safe-guard,
and I shall pay to you such ransom as ye
will desire, for I thank God I have enough
wherewith, so that I may scape from the
hands of the bastard my brother.' Then
the Begue, as I was informed, answered
and said : ' Sir, I shall bring you and your
company into safe-guard, and your brother
I90
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
shall know nothing of you by me. ' So thus
king don Peter was brought to the Begue's
lodging, into the proper lodging of sir Yon
of Laconet ; and he had not been there
the space of an hour, when that king Henry
and the earl of Roquebertin and a certain
with them came to the same lodging. And
as soon as king Henry was entered into the
chamber, he said : ' Where is that whoreson
and Jew that calleth himself king of Castile?'
Then king don Peter, who was a right
hardy and a cruel knight, advanced himself
and said : * Nay, thou art a whoreson and
I am son to king Alphonso.' And there-
with he took king Henry his brother in his
arms and wrestled so with him that he
overthrew him on a bench, and set his
hand on his knife and had slain him with-
out remedy, an the viscount of Roquebertin
had not been. He took king don Peter by
the leg and turned him up-se-down, so that
king Henry was then above, who drew out
a long knife and strake king don Peter into
the body. Therewith his men came in to
help him, and there was slain also by him a
knight of England called sir Ralph Helme,
who was sometime called the green squire,
and another squire called James Rolland,
because they made defence ; but as for don
Ferrant of Castro and the other, had none
evil, but remained prisoners to the Begue
of Villaines and to sir Yon of Laconet.
Thus ended king don Peter of Castile,
who sometime reigned in great prosperity.
And after he was slain, he was left three
days above the earth,^ the which methink
was great pity. Then the next day the
lord of Montiel yielded him to king Henry,
and he took him to mercy and all those that
would turn to him. Then tidings ran over
all Castile how king don Peter was slain,
whereof his friends were sorry and his
enemies joyful. But when the king of
Portugal heard how his cousin king don
Peter was dead, he was right sorrowful,
and sware and said that his death should
be revenged. And so he sent incontinent
his defiance to king Henry and made him
war and kept the marches of Seville against
him a certain season ; but for all that king
Henry left not his purpose in pursuing of
his enterprise, but returned to Toledo, the
which yielded up straight to him and all
the country thereabout. And at last the
1 That is, ' on the ground ' where he was slain.
king of Portugal thought not to keep any
longer war against king Henry, so there
was a peace made between them by the
means of the prelates and lords of Spain.
Thus king Henry abode in peace king of
Castile, and with him sir Bertram of
Guesclin, sir Oliver of Mauny and other
knights and squires of France and of
Bretayne. And king Henry did much for
them, as he was bound to do, for without
their help he had not obtained his purpose :
and so he made sir Bertram constable of
Spain and gave him the land of Soria, the
which was yearly worth twenty thousand
franks, and to sir Oliver his nephew he
gave the land of Ecrette,^ the which was
yearly worth ten thousand franks, and also
he gave fair lands to divers other knights
and squires. Then the king went and lay
at Burgos with his wife and children. Of
his prosperity and good adventure greatly
rejoiced the French king, the duke of Jl
Anjou, and also the king of Aragon. f |
About the same time died sir Lyon of
England duke of Clarence, who had passed
the sea, as ye have heard before, and had
married the daughter of Galeas lord of
Milan. But because he died strangely, the
lord Edward Spenser his companion kept
war against him a certain space, but finally
he was informed of the truth. Now let us
return to the adventures of the duchy of
Acquitaine.
SUMMARY.— The lords of Gascony per-
severed in their appeal to the French king,
although it was shewn them that they had
no right of appeal but to the king of Eng-
land. The French king was unwilling to
make war tvith the English, but on examina-
tion of the treaty of Bretigny he was
counselled that he had just cause.
CHAPTER CCXLHI
How the French king sent to summon the
prince of Wales by appeal to appear
personally in the chamber of the peers of
France at Paris, to answer there against
the barons of Gascoyne.
So much the French king was exhorted by
them of his council, and so oft required by
them of Gascoyne, that there was appeal
1 Agreda.
I
I
I
THE PRINCE OF WALES SUMMONED TO PARIS
191
made and formed to be sent into Acquitaine
to appeal the prince of Wales to the parlia-
ment of Paris, and it was devised by the
earl of Armagnac, the lord d'Albret, the
earl of Perigord, the earl of Comminges,
the viscount of Caraman, the lord de la
Barthe, the lord of Puycornet and divers
other, who were chief causers of this matter.
And this appeal contained how for the great
griefs that these Gascons complained that
the prince of Wales and Acquitaine would
do to them and to their people, therefore
they made their resort to the French king,
requiring that the prince might be appealed
sith they had made the French king their
judge. And when this appeal was made
and duly corrected by all the wise council
of France, then it was concluded by the
said council that it should be signified to
the prince and that he should be appealed,
to appear in proper person at Paris in the
chamber of the peers of France, to answer
to the complaints made there against him.
And to bear this appeal was commanded a
clerk well languaged to do such a business,
and a knight with him called Chaponnet of
Chaponval ; and so they and their company
departed from Paris and took their way
toward Poitou, nnd so passed through
Berry, Touraine, Poitou and Saintonge and
came to Blaye, and there passed the river
and so came to Bordeaux, whereas the
prince and princess was : and always in
every place they said how they were mes-
sengers from the French king, wherefore
they were the better welcome into every
place. Then they took up their lodging
and tarried there all that night, and in the
next morning at a convenient hour they
went to the abbey of Saint Andrew's where
the prince was lodged, and there they were
well received. And when the prince knew
of their coming, he caused them to come
before him ; and when they came into his
presence, they kneeled down and made
their reverence and delivered the prince
letters of credence. The prince took and
read them and said : * Sirs, ye be welcome :
declare your message that ye have in
charge to shew us.' Then the clerk said :
' Right dear sir, here is a letter that was
delivered to us at Paris by our lord the
French king, the which letter we promised
by our faiths to publish openly in your
presence ; for, sir, they touch you. ' The
prince then began to change colour and
had great marvel what it might be, and so
had other knights that were about him ;
howbeit, he refrained himself and said :
' Say on, sirs, what ye will : good tidings
we will be glad to hear.' Then the clerk
took the writing and read it word by
word, the tenour of the which hereafter
followeth : —
' Charles, by the grace of God French
king, to our nephew the prince of Wales
and Acquitaine send greeting. So it is
that divers prelates, barons, knights, uni-
versities, commonalties and colleges of the
marches and limitations of the country of
Gascoyne, and the dwellers and habitants
in the bounds of our realm, ^ beside divers
other of the duchy of Acquitaine, are
drawn and are come to our court to have
right of certain griefs and troubles un-
lawful, that you by feeble counsel and
simple information have been in purpose
to do to them, of the which we have
marvel. Therefore to withstand and to
remedy the same matters we are so con-
joined to them, that by our royal majesty
and seignory we command you to come
into our city of Paris in proper person,
and there you to shew and present [your-
self] before us in our chamber of our peers
and there to do right on the foresaid com-
plaints and griefs, moved by you to do on
your people, who claimeth to have their
resort into our court, and that this be not
failed in as hasty wise as ye can after the
sight or hearing of these letters. In
witness whereof to these presents we have
set our seal. Given at Paris the twenty-
fifth ^ day of January. '
When the prince of Wales had read this
letter, he had great marvel and shook his
head and beheld fiercely the Frenchmen.
And when he had a little studied, he
answered in this manner : ' Sirs, we will
gladly go to Paris to our uncle, sith he hath
sent thus for us : but I assure you that
shall be with bassenet on our head and
sixty thousand men in our company.'
Then the two Frenchmen kneeled down
and said : * Dear sir, for God's sake take
patience, and take not this appeal in so
great despite nor be not displeased with us.
1 ' Dwelling and inhabiting within the bounds of
our realm.'
2 The better reading is xv.
192
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
%
Sir, we be messengers sent by our lord the
French king, to whom we must needs
obey, as your subjects ought to obey you :
wherefore, sir, it behoveth us to do his
commandment ; and, sir, whatsoever ye
will give us in charge to say, we shall shew
it to the king our prince and lord.' * Nay,'
quoth the prince, ' sirs, I am not displeased
with you, but with them that sent you
hither ; and the king your master is not
well counselled to compoin himself with
our subjects, or to make himself judge
where he hath nothing to do nor no manner
of right. For it shall be well shewed that
at the rendering and putting in possession
of the king my father into the duchy of
Acquitaine, he quitted all manner of resorts :
for all they that hath caused this appeal to
be had against me hath none other resort of
right but into the court of England, before
the king my dear father ; and or it shall
be otherwise, I ensure you it shall cost a
hundred thousand men's lives.'
And therewith the prince departed and
went to another chamber and left them
still there. Then knights of England came
to them and said : ' Sirs, ye may depart
when ye list to your lodging ; ye have right
well accomplished your message, but look
for none other answer than ye have had.'
Then the knight and the clerk departed
and went to their lodging and so dined ;
and after dinner they trussed and mounted
a-horseback and departed from Bordeaux
and took the way to Toulouse-ward, to the
intent to shew the duke of Anjou how they
had sped. The prince was sore displeased
with this appeal and so were all the knights
about him, and they counselled the prince
that the two French messengers should have
been slain for their labour ; but the prince
charged them the contrary : howbeit, he had
against them many a sore imagination, and
when it was shewed him how they were de-
parted without any other licence and that
they were ridden toward Toulouse, then he
called to him sir Thomas Felton and the
seneschal of Rouergue, sir Richard of
Pontchardon, sir Thomas Percy and his
chancellor the bishop of Bade : then the
prince demanded of them if the French
messengers had any safe-conduct of him or
not, and they answered they knew of none
that they had. ' No,' said the prince and
shook his head and said, 'It is not con-
venient that they should thus lightly depart
out of our country and to make their
j anglings to the duke of Anjou, who loveth
us but a little. He will be glad that they
have thus summoned us in our own house.
I trow, all things considered, they be rather
messengers of mine own subjects, as the
earl of Armagnac, the lord d'Albret, the
earl of Perigord and the earls of Comminges
and Caraman, than of the French king's.
Therefore because of the great despite that
they have done to us, we would they were
overtaken and put in prison. ' Of the which
all the prince's council was right joyous and
said : ' Sir, we fear ye have tarried too
long from this purpose.' Incontinent the
seneschal of Agenois was commanded to
take with him sir William the monk,^ a
right good knight of England, and that they
should ride after to stop the messengers.
And so they departed, and followed so long
after them, that at last they overtook them in
the land of Agenois, and they arrested them
and made another occasion than the prince's
commandment ; for in their arresting they
spake no word of the prince, but said how
their host, whereas they lay last, complained
on them for a horse that he said they had
changed. The knight and the clerk had
great marvel of that tidings and excused
themselves, but their excuse could not avail,
but so they were brought into the city of
Agen and put in prison. And they let some^
of their pages depart, and they went by th(
city of Toulouse and recorded to the dukej
of Anjou all the whole matter, whereof h<
was nothing displeased, for he thought well|
that thereby should begin war and hatred,
and so he prepared covertly therefor. These
tidings came to the French king, for the^
pages went and recounted all the whole
matter to him, as they had heard and seen :
of the which the king was sore displeased
and took it in great despite and took counsel
and advice thereon, and specially of the«|
words it was shewed him that the prince ■I
should say, when he said that he would come ™
personally to his uncle to answer to the
appeal made against him, with his bassenet
on his head and sixty thousand men of war
in his company. Against the which the
French king made provision right subtly
and wisely ; for he thought well it was a
1 ' The seneschal of Agenois, who was named sir
William le Moine, was charged with the business.'
of
i
.111
i
RENEWAL OF WAR, 1369
193
weighty matter to make war against the
king of England and his puissance, seeing
how they had put his predecessors in time
past to so much labour and travail : where-
fore he thought it a hard matter to begin
war, but he was so sore required of the great
lords of Gascoyne and Guyenne, and also it
was shewed him what great extortions and
damages the Englishmen did daily and
were likely to do in time to come : he
granted to the war with an evil will, con-
sidering the destruction of the poor people
that he thought should ensue thereby.
CHAPTERS CCXLIV-CCXLVII
SUMMARY.— Several of the French host-
ages in England procured their liberation,
and among others the duke of Berry a?td the
duke of Bourbon. This last ^obtained his
acquittance by procuring the bishopric of
Winchester for William of Wick ham, the
kijtg's chaplain.
The prince of Wales had taken a sickness
in Spain, of which daily he grew xvorse.
The earl of Perigord and others attacked
and routed Thomas Walkefare, seneschal of
Rouergue, in revenge for the capture of
the envoys. The prince of Wales sent for
sir John Chandos.
The Fi-ench king sent envoys to England,
and meanwhile made secret preparations for
seizing Abbeville and the county of Potithieu.
When all was ready, the envoys returned,
and letters of defiance were sent to the king
of England by a Breton varlet. The king
was ifulignant at receiving them from stick
a person, and at once prepared to defend
PontJiieu ; but before his force could arrive,
it ivas lost.
Sir Guichard d"* Angle, returning from
Rome, passed through France and joined
the prince of Wales.
CHAPTERS CCXLVHI-CCLHI
SUMMARY.— The king of England sent
men of war to the frontiers of Scotland, and
also prepared to defend the coast of England.
The dukes of Anjou and Berry made their
summons to go against the prince of Wales.
The king of England sent the ea*-ls of
Cambridge and Pembroke to the prince of
o
Wales, and they passed by Brittany to An-
gotdime, where the prince was.
War was carried on with various success
in Perigord, Quercy and Languedoc.
Several towns, including Cahors, turned
French.
The dukes of Gueldres and Juliers sent
defiance to the French king.
The duke of Burgundy was married to
the datighter of the earl of Flanders.
CHAPTERS CCLIV-CCLXV
SUMMARY. — War continued in Quercy,
Poitou and elsewhere, and sir Robert
Knolles, who came from Brittany, was
sent into the Agenois and then laid siege
to Duravel, whither also came sir John
Chandos, the captal de Buch and others, but
they could not take either that town or
Domme. They took Grafnat, Rocamadour
arui Villefranche and so returned.
Meanwhile the earls of Cambridge and
Pembroke took Bourdeilles in Perigord. An
English company took Belleperche in Bour-
bonnais, and in it the mother of the duke of
Bourbon and of the queen of France.
The English captured la Roche-sur- Yon;
and sir John Chandos laid 7vaste the lands
of Anjou, ami then returned to Poitiers.
At this time the duke of Lancaster had
been sent to Calais, and the duke of Bur-
gundy lay opposite to him at Tornehem.
The earl of Pembroke, who had disdained
to go with sir John Chandos, rode into
Anjou. When returning he was surprised
at the village of Purnon by sir Louis de
Sancerre, and being besieged there in a
building belonging to the Templars, he sent
for help to sir John Chandos.
CHAPTER CCLXVI
How sir John Chandos came to the succour
of the earl of Pembroke.
Between the morning and nine of the day,
when the assault was most fiercest and that
the Frenchmen were sore displeased that
the Englishmen endured so long, wherefore
they sent to he villages thereabout for
pikes and mattocks to break down and
undermine the wall, which thing the
194
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
Englishmen doubted most, then the earl of
Pembroke called a squire to him and said :
* Friend, take my courser and issue out at
the back postern and we shall make you way,
and ride straight to Poitiers and shew sir
John Ghandos the state and danger that we
be in, and recommend me to him by this
token,' and took a ring from his finger and
delivered to him and said, ' Take sir John
Chandos this ring ; he knoweth it right well.'
The squire who took that enterprise thought
it should be a great honour to him, if he
might achieve to scape and speak with him ;
took the ring, and mounted incontinent on
his courser and departed by a privy way,
while the assault endured, and took the
way to Poitiers. In the mean season the
assault was terrible and fierce by the French-
men, and the Englishmen defended them-
selves right valiantly with good courage, as
it stood them well in hand so to do.
Now let us speak of the first squire, that
departed from Puirenon at the hour of
midnight and all the night he rode out of
his way, and when it was morning and fair
day, then he knew his way and so rode
toward Poitiers, and by that time his horse
was weary. Howbeit, he came thither by
nine of the clock and there alighted before
sir John Chandos' lodging and entered and
found him at mass, and so came and kneeled
down before him and did his message as he
was commanded. And^sir John Chandos,
who was not content for the other day
before, in that the earl of Pembroke would
not ride with him, as ye have heard before,
wherefore he was not lightly inclined to
make any great haste, but said : * It will be
hard for us to come thither time enough and
to hear out this mass.' And anon after
mass the tables were covered ready to
dinner, and the servants demanded of him if
he would go to dinner, and he said, ' Yes,
sith it is ready.' Then he went into his
hall, and knights and squires brought him
water, and as he was a washing, there came
into the hall the second squire from the
earl of Pembroke and kneeled down and
took the ring out of his purse and said :
* Right dear sir, the earl of Pembroke re-
commendeth him to you by this token and
desireth you heartily to come and comfort
him and bring him out of the danger that
he and his be in at Puirenon.' Then sir
John Chandos took the ring and knew it
well and said : ' To come thither betimes
it were hard, if they be in that case as ye
shew me. Let us go to dinner ' : and so
sat down, and all his company, and ate the
first course. And as he was served of the
second course and was eating thereof,
suddenly sir John Chandos, who greatly had
imagined of that matter, and at last cast up
his head and said to his company : ' Sirs,
the earl of Pembroke is a noble man and of
great lineage : he is son to my natural lord
the king of England, for he hath wedded his
daughter, and in everything he is companion
to the earl of Cambridge. He hath required
me to come to him in his business, and I
ought to consent to his desire and to succour
and comfort him, if we may come betimes.'
Therewith he put the table from him and
said : ' Sirs, I will ride toward Puirenon ' :
whereof his people had great joy and in-
continent apparelled, and the trumpets
sowned and every man mounted on their
horses they that best might, as soon as they
heard that sir John Chandos would ride to
Puirenon to comfort the earl of Pembroke
and his company, who were besieged there.
Then every knight, squire and man of arms
went out into the field, so they were more
than two hundred spears and alway they in-
creased. Thus as they rode forth together,
tidings came to the Frenchmen, who had
continually assaulted the fortress from the
morning till it was high noon, by their
spies, who said to them : * Sirs, advise you
well, for sir John Chandos is departed from_^
Poitiers with more than two hundred speai
and is coming hitherward in great haste, an<i
hath great desire to find you here.' And
when sir Louis of Sancerre and sir John
Vienne, sir John of Bueil and the other
captains heard those tidings, the wisest
among them said : ' Sirs, our people are
sore weary and travailed with assaulting of
the Englishmen both yesterday and this
day : therefore I think it were better thatJJj
fair and easily we returned in safeguard withll
such winnings and prisoners as we have got,"'
rather than to abide the adventure of the
coming of sir John Chandos and his com-
pany, who are all fresh and lusty, for I
fear we may lose more than we shall win.'
The which counsel was well believed, for
it behoved not them long to tarry. Then
their trumpets sowned the retreat : then all
their company drew from the assault and
i
SIR JOHN CHANDOS AND THE EARL OF PEMBROKE 195
assembled together and trussed up their har-
ness and carriage, and so returned and took
the way to Posay.^ The earl of Pembroke
and his company knew anon thereby how
the Frenchmen had knowledge of the
coming of sir John Chandos. Then the
earl said : ' Sirs, let us all issue out and ride
toward Poitiers to meet with my dear friend
sir John Chandos. ' Then they leapt a-horse-
back, such as had any horses, and some
afoot and two and two on a horse, and so
they issued out of the castle and rode
toward Poitiers. And they had not ridden
a league, but that they encountered sir John
Chandos and his company, arid there was
a joyful meeting ; and sir John Chandos
said that he was sore displeased that he
came not or the Frenchmen were departed :
and so they rode together talking the space
of three leagues, and then they took leave
each of other. Sir John Chandos returned
to Poitiers and the earl of Pembroke to
Mortagne, from whence he first departed.
And the marshals of France and their com-
pany returned to Posay and there departed
their booty ; and then every man went to
their own garrison and led with them their
prisoners, and ransomed them courteously
in like manner as was accustomed between
the Englishmen and Frenchmen.
Now let us return to the assembly before
Tornehem, and speak of the death of the
most gentle queen, most liberal and most
courteous that ever was queen in her days,
the which was the fair lady Philippa of
Hainault, queen of England and Ireland.
CHAPTERS CCLXVII-CCLXIX
SUMMAR Y.— Queen Philippa of England
died, 14M August 1369.
The duke of Bitr gundy departed from the
duke of Lancaster ivithout battle, and the
duke of Lancaster returned to Calais.
The earl of Pembroke rode again into
Anjou. The abbey of Saint- Savin in
Poitou was delivered up to the French,
who put a garrison there.
The duke of Lancaster rode through
Picardy and Normandy as far as Harfleur
and then returned. Sir Hugh de Chatillon,
captain of Abbeville, was taken prisoner by
the English.
1 La Roche- Posay.
CHAPTER CCLXX
How sir John Chandos was slain in a battle,
and how finally the Frenchmen were dis-
comfited and taken in the same battle.
Greatly it grieved sir John Chandos the
taking of Saint - Salvin, because it was
under his rule, for he was seneschal of
Poitou. He set all his mind how he might
recover it again, other by force or by
stealth he cared not, so he might have it,
and for that intent divers nights he made
sundry bushments, but it availed not ; for
sir Louis, who kept it, took ever so good
heed thereto, that he defended it from all
dangers, for he knew well the taking thereof
grieved sore sir John Chandos at the heart.
So it fell that the night before the first day
of January sir John Chandos being in
Poitiers sent to assemble together divers
barons, knights and squires of Poitou,
desiring them to come to him as privily as
they could, for he certained them how he
would ride forth : and they refused not his
desire, for they loved him entirely, but
shortly assembled together in the city of
Poitiers.
Thither came sir Guichard d'Angle, sir
Louis Harcourt, the lord of Pons, the lord
of Partenay, the lord of Poyanne, the lord
Tannay-Bouton, sir Geoffrey d'Argenton,
sir Mauburny of Linieres, sir Thomas Percy,
sir Baudwin of Freville, sir Richard of
Pontchardon and divers other. And when
they were all together assembled, they were
three hundred spears, and departed by
night from Poitiers. None knew whither
they should go except certain of the lords,
and they had ready with them scaling
ladders and so came to Saint -Salvin and
there alighted and delivered their horses to
their varlets, which was about midnight,
and so entered into the dike. Yet they
had not their intent so shortly ; for suddenly
they heard the watch-horn blow : I shall
tell you wherefore it blew. The same
night Charuel ^ was departed from the
Roche of Posay with a forty spears with
him and was come the same time to Saint-
Salvin to speak with the captain, sir Louis
of Saint-Julian, to the intent to have ridden
1 Jean Charuel, a Breton captain in garrison at
la Roche-Posay,
196
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
together to Poitou, to see if they could get
any prey : and so he called up the watch-
man, the which made him to sound his
horn. And so the Englishmen, who were
on the other side of the fortress, hearing
the watch blow and great noise in the
place, feared lest they had been spied by
some spies, for they knew nothing that the
said Frenchmen were on the other side to
have entered into the place. Therefore
they withdrew back again out of the dikes
and said : ' Let us go hence for this night,
for we have failed of our purpose.' And
so they remounted on their horses and
returned whole together to Chauvigny on
the river of Creuse, a two leagues thence.
Then the Poitevins demanded of sir John
Chandos if he would command them any
further service. He answered and said :
' Sirs, return home again when it please
you in the name of God, and as for this
day I will abide still here in this town.'
So there departed the knights of Poitou
and some of England to the number of two
hundred spears.
Then sir John Chandos went into a
house and caused to be made a good fire :
and there was still with him sir Thomas
Percy and his company, seneschal of
Rochelle, who said to sir John Chandos :
' Sir, is it your intent to tarry here all this
day?' 'Yea truly, sir,' quoth he; 'why
demand you ? ' ' Sir, the cause I desire you
is, sith ye will not stir this day, to give me
leave and I will ride some way with my
company, to see if I can find any adventure.'
'Go your way, sir, in the name of God,'
quoth sir John Chandos. And so departed
sir Thomas Percy with a thirty spears in
his company, and so passed the bridge at
Chauvigny and took the long way that
led to Poitiers : and sir John Chandos
abode still behind, full of displeasure in
that he had failed of his purpose ; and so
stood in a kitchen warming him by the fire,
and his servants jangled with him to the
intent to bring him out of his melancholy.
His servants had prepared for him a place to
rest him : then he demanded if it were near
day, and therewith there came a man into
the house and came before him and said :
' Sir, I have brought you tidings. ' ' What
be they ? tell me.' ' Sir, surely thfe French-
men be riding abroad. ' * How knowest
thou that ? ' ' Sir, ' said he, * I departed
from Saint -Salvin with them.' 'What
way be they ridden ? ' ' Sir, I cannot tell
you the certainty, but surely they took the
highway to Poitiers.' 'What Frenchmen
be they, canst thou tell me ? ' ' Sir, it is
sir Louis of Saint-Julian and Charuel the
Breton.' 'Well,' quoth sir John Chandos,
' I care not. I have no list this night to
ride forth. They may hap to be encoun-
tered, though I be not there. ' And so he
tarried there still a certain space in a great
study ; and at last, when he had well
advised himself, he said : ' Whatsoever I
have said hereliefore, I trow it be good
that I ride forth. I must return to Poitiers,
and anon it will be day,' 'That is true,
sir,' quoth the knights about him. Then
he said : ' Make ready, for I will ride
forth ' : and so they did, and mounted on
their horses and departed and took the
right way to Poitiers coasting the river,
and the Frenchmen the same time were
not past a league before him in the same
way, thinking to pass the river at the
bridge of Lussac. There the Englishmen
had knowledge how they were in the track
of the Frenchmen, for the Frenchmen's
horses cried and brayed because of the
English horses that were before them with
sir Thomas Percy. ^ And anon it was fair
light day, for in the beginning of January hi
the mornings be soon light, and when the fl
Frenchmen and Bretons were within a ■'
league of the bridge, they perceived on the
other side of the bridge sir Thomas Percy
and his company, and he likewise per-
ceived the Frenchmen and rode as fast as
he might to get the advantage of the bridge,
and said : * Behold yonder Frenchmen be
a great number against us : therefore let us
take the advantage of the bridge.' And
when sir Louis and Charuel saw the Eng-
lishmen make such haste to get the bridge,
they did in like wise ; howbeit, the Eng-
1 This is quite wrong, but the French text is
largely responsible for the errors. According to
the true reading it should be : 'And the English-
men had knowledge of it by their horses, which
followed the course of the Frenchmen's horses and
entered into the track of the Frenchmen's horses :
so they said: "Either sir Thomas Percy or the
Frenchmen are riding before us."' The trans-
lator's text had ' fray ' for * froais ' (track), which he
did not understand, and was quite corrupt in the
latter part, omitting 'si disent ' and giving, 'ou
messire Thomas de Persy chevauchoit devant eulx
He found it unintelligible and altered it to make
some sense.
I
DEATH OF SIR JOHN CHAN DOS, 1369
197
lishmen gat it first, and lighted all afoot
and so ranged themselves in good order to
defend the bridge. The Frenchmen like-
wise lighted afoot and delivered their horses
to their pages, commanding them to draw
aback, and so did put themselves in good
order to go and assail the Englishmen,
who kept themselves close together and
were nothing affrayed, though they were but
a handful of men as to the regard of the
Frenchmen. And thus, as the Frenchmen
and Bretons studied and imagined how and
by what means to their advantage they
might assail the Englishmen, therewith
there came behind them sir John Chandos,
his banner displayed, bearing therein silver,
a sharp pile gules, and Jakes of Alery, a
valiant man of arms, did bear it, and he
had with him a forty spears. He approached
fiercely the Frenchmen, and when he was
a three furlongs from the bridge, the French
pages who saw them coming were affrayed,
and' so ran away with the horses and left
their masters there afoot. And when sir
John Chandos was come near to them, he
said : ' Hark ye, Frenchmen, ye are but
evil men of war : ye ride at your pleasure
and ease day and night : ye take and win
towns and fortresses in Poitou, whereof I
am seneschal : ye ransom poor folk without
my leave : ye ride all about clean armed.
It should seem the country is all yours, but
I ensure you it is not so. Ye, sir Louis
and Charuel, ye are too great masters. It
is more than a year and a half that I have
set all mine intent to find or encounter
with you, and now, I thank God, I see
you and speak to you. Now shall it be
seen who is stronger, other you or I.
It hath been shewed me oftentimes that ye
have greatly desired to find me : now ye
may see me here : I am John Chandos,
advise me well. Your great feats of arms
wherewith ye be renowned, by God's leave
now shall we prove it.' While such lan-
guage was spoken, sir John Chandos' com-
pany drew together, and sir Louis and
Charuel kept themselves close together,
making semblant to be glad to be fought
withal ; and of all this matter sir Thomas
Percy, who was on the other side of the
bridge, knew nothing, for the bridge was
high in the midst, so that none could see
other.
While sir John Chandos reasoned thus
with the Frenchmen, there was a Breton
look his glaive and could forbear no longer,
but came to an English squire called Sim-
kin Dodale, and strake him so in the breast,
that he cast him down from his horse. Sir
John Chandos, when he heard that noise
beside him, he turned that way and saw
his squire lie on the earth and the French-
men laying on him.^ Then he was more
chafed than he was before, and said to his
company : ' Sirs, how suffer you this squire
thus to be slain ? Afoot, afoot ! ' and so
he leapt afoot and all his company, and so
Simkin was rescued and the battle begun.
Sir John Chandos, who was a right hardy
and a courageous knight, with his banner
before him and his company about him,
with his coat of arms on him great and
large, beaten with his arms of white sarcenet
with two piles gules one before and another
behind, so that he seemed to be a sufficient
knight to do a great feat of arms, and as
one of the foremost with his glaive in his
hand marched to his enemies. The same
morning there had fallen a great dew, so
that the ground was somewhat moist, and
so in his going forward he slode and fell
down at the joining with his enemies ; and
as he was arising there lit a stroke on him
given by a squire called Jaques of Saint-
Martin with his glaive, the which stroke
entered into the flesh under his eye between
the nose and the forehead. Sir John
Chandos saw not the stroke coming on
that side, for he was blind on the one eye.
He lost the sight thereof a five year before,
as he hunted after an hart in the launds of
Bordeaux, and also he had on no visor.
The stroke was rude and entered into
his brain, the which stroke grieved him so
sore, that he overthrew to the earth and
turned for pain two times up-se-down, as
he that was wounded to death ; for after
the stroke he never spake word. And
when his men saw that misfortune, they
were right dolorous : then his uncle Edward
Clifford stept and bestrode him, for the
Frenchmen would fain have had him, and
defended him so valiantly and gave round
about him such strokes, that none durst
approach near to him : also sir John Clan-
vowe and sir Bertram of Casselis seemed
like men out of their minds, when they saw
their master lie on the earth. The Bretons
1 i.e. * striking him. '
t98
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
and Frenchmen were greatly comforted,
when they saw the captain of their enemies
on the earth, thinking verily that he had
his death's wound. Then they advanced
themselves and said : * Ye Englishmen,
yield you, for ye are all ours, ye cannot
scape us.' There the Englishmen did
marvels in arms, as well to defend them-
selves as to revenge their master sir John
Chandos, whom they saw lie in a hard case.
And a squire of sir John Chandos spied
Jaques of Saint-Martin, who had given his
master his mortal stroke, and ran to him
fiercely and struck him with such violence,
that his glaive pierced through both his
thighs. Howbeit, for all that stroke, he
left not still to fight.
If sir Thomas Percy and his company
had known of this adventure, who were on
the other side of the bridge, they should
well have succoured him ; but because they
knew nothing thereof, nor heard no more
of the Frenchmen, weening to them they
had been gone back, therefore he and his
company departed and took the way to
Poitiers, as they that knew nothing of that
business. Thus the Englishmen fought still
before the bridge of Lussac, and there was
done many a feat of arms. Briefly, the
Englishmen could endure no longer against
the Frenchmen, so that the most part of
them were discomfited and taken, but
always Edward Clifford would not depart
from his nephew, thereas he lay. So thus,
if the Frenchmen had been so happy as to
have had their horses there ready, as they
had not, for their pages were run away from
them before, or else they might have de-
parted with much honour and profit with
many a good prisoner, and for lack of them
they lost all : wherefore they were sore dis-
pleased and said among themselves : ' Ah,
this is an evil order ; for the journey is ours,
and yet through fault of our pages we can-
not depart, seeing we be heavy armed and
sore travailed, so that we cannot go afoot
through this country, the which is full of
our enemies and contrary to us, and we are
a six leagues from the next fortress that we
have, and also divers of our company be
sore hurt and we may not leave them be-
hind us.' Thus as they were in this case
and wist not what to do, and had sent two
Bretons unarmed into the fields to see if
they might find any of their pages with their
horses, there came on them sir Guichard
d'Angle, sir Louis Harcourt, the lord
Partenay, the lord Tannay-Bouton, the
lord d'Argenton, the lord of Poyanne, sir
Jaques of vSurgeres, and divers other
Englishmen to the number of two hundred
spears, who rode about to seek for the
Frenchmen, for it was shewed them how
they were abroad : and so they fell in the
track of the horses and came in great haste
with banners and pennons waving in the
wind. And as soon as the Bretons and
Frenchmen saw them coming, they knew
well they were their enemies : then they
said to the Englishmen whom they had
taken as prisoners before : ' Sirs, behold
yonder cometh a band of your company
to succour you, and we perceive well that
we cannot endure against them, and ye be
our prisoners. We will quit you, so that
ye will keep us, and will become your
prisoners ; for we had rather yield us to
you than to them that cometh yonder.'
And they answered : ' As ye will, so are
we content.' Thus the Englishmen were
loosed out of their prisons. Then the
Poitevins, Gascons and Englishmen came
on them, their spears in their rests, crying
their cries. Then the Frenchmen and
Bretons drew aside and said to them : ' Sirs,
leave : do us no hurt : we be all prisoners hi
already.'^ The Englishmen affirmed theBj
same and said : ' They be our prisoners. ' ■ >
Charuel was prisoner with sir Bertram of
Cassehs and sir Louis of Saint-Julian with
sir John Clanvowe, so that there was none
but that he had a master.
The barons and knights of Poitou were
sore discomforted, when they saw their
seneschal sir John Chandos lie on the earth
and could not speak. Then they lament-
ably complained and said, * Ah, sir John
Chandos, the flower of all chivalry, un- Jj
happily was that glaive forged that thusW
hath wounded you and brought you in
peril of death.' They wept piteously that
were about him, and he heard and under-
stood them well, but he could speak no
word. They wrung their hands and tare
their hairs and made many a pitiful com-
plaint, and specially such as were of his
own house. Then his servants unarmed
him and laid him on pavises and so bare
1 ' Ho, seigneurs, cessez, cessez : nous sommes
prisonniers.'
LIMOGES WON BY THE FRENCH, 1370
199
him softly to Mortimer, the next fortress to
them. And the other barons and knights
returned to Poitiers and led with them
their prisoners : and as I understood, the
same Jaques Martin that thus hurt sir John
Chandos was so little taken heed to of his
hurts, that he died at Poitiers. And this
noble knight sir John Chandos lived not
after his hurt past a day and a night, but
so died. God have mercy on his soul : for
in a hundred year after there was not^ a
more courteous nor more fuller of noble
virtues and good conditions among the
Englishmen than he was. And when the
prince and princess, the earl of Cambridge,
the earl of Pembroke and other barons
and knights of England, such as were in
Guyenne, heard of his death, they were all
discomforted, and said they had lost all
on that side of the sea. For his death his
friends and also some of his enemies were
right sorrowful. The Englishmen loved him,
because all nobleness was found in him :
the Frenchmen hated him because they
doubted him : yet I heard his death greatly
complained among right noble and valiant
knights of France, saying that it was a
great damage of his death, for they said :
' Better it had been that he had been taken
alive ; for if he had been taken alive,' they
said, *he was so sage and so imaginative,
that he would have found some manner of
good means whereby the peace might have
ensued between the realms of England and
France : for he was so well beloved with
the king of England, that the king would
believe him rather than any other in the
world.' Thus both French and English
spake of his death, and specially the Eng-
lishmen, for by him Guyenne was kept and
recovered.
CHAPTERS CCLXXI-CCLXXIX
SUMMAR V. — The lord of Coney, being
son-in-law to the king of England, would
take no part in the war and went into
Lombard}'.
The king of England sent letters into
Acqtiitaine giving up the fouage, but this
had little effect.
The duke of Bourbon laid siege to Belle-
1 ' Oncques depuis cent ans ne fut,' etc. ; that is,
' for a hundred year past there had not been,' etc.
perche, but the earls of Cambridge and
Pembroke marched thither with a large
force and removed thence the lady of Bour-
bon and the garrison.
It was purposed that in the following
summer the duke of Anjou should enter
Acquitaine by Bergerac and the duke of
Berry by Limoges and Quercy, and so meet
before Angouleme. It was resolved also to
send for Bertrand du Guesclin from Spain.
The French king made a treaty ivith the
king of Navarre.
Bertrand du Guesclin came to the duke
of Anjou at Toulouse.
The duke of Anjou took Moisac ^and
Montpezat, while the duke of Berry lay at
siege before Lifuoges. The prince of Wales
sunnnoned his host to meet at Cognac.
Peace was made between England and
Scotland for nine years and sir Robert
Knolles came over to Calais with a hundred
spears of Scotland in his company. With
fifteen hundred spears and four thousand
archers he laid waste the lands of Picardy
and Vermandois.
The duke of Anjou dismissed his army
and went to Cahors.
Bertrand du Guesclin came to the siege of
Limoges, which zvas on the point of sur-
rendering.
CHAPTER CCLXXX
How they of Limoges yielded them to the
duke of Berry, and how the same duke
brake up his army.
When sir Bertram was come again to the
siege,^ the Frenchmen were greatly rejoiced
of his coming. Then anon they pursued
the treaty that was begun between the
bishop of Limoges and them of the city
and the duke of Berry. And so finally the
bishop and they of the city turned them
and became French, and the duke of Berry
and the duke of Bourbon entered into the
city, and sir Guy of Blois and other lords
of France, with great joy, and took faith
and homage of them of the city, and so
refreshed and rested them there a three
days : and so determined there in council
1 The translator by misunderstanding of a former
passage has been led to suppose that du Guesclin
had been at the siege of Limoges once before this,
and therefore he inserts the word 'again.'
200
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
to break up their army for that time, as the
duke of Anjou had done, and to return into
their own countries to keep and defend
their towns and fortresses because of sir
Robert Knolles, who was still abroad in the
field in France ; also they said how they
had right well sped in winning of such
a city as Limoges. So this counsel and
advice was not broken, but thus these lords
departed each from other, and sir Bertram
abode still in the parts of Limousin with
two hundred spears and kept the castles of
the lord of Melval, the which were turned
French. When the duke of Berry departed
from Limoges, he ordained and set in the
same city at the request of the bishop sir
John of Villemur, sir Hugh de la Roche
and Roger Beaufort, with a hundred men
of arms, and then he went into Berry and
the duke of Bourbon into Bourbonnois, and
other lords of farther marches went home
into their own countries. Now let us
speak of the prince, how he sped.
When tidings was come to the prince
that the city of Limoges was turned French,
and how that the bishop, who was his
gossip and in whom he had before great
trust and confidence, was chief aider to
yield up the city and to become French,
with the which the prince was sore dis-
pleased and set less force in ^ the men of
the Church, in whom before he had great
trust. Then he sware by his father's soul,
whereby he was never forsworn, that he
would get it again and that he would make
the traitors dearly abye their falseness.
When the most part of his people were
come, they were numbered to twelve hun-
dred spears, knights and squires, a thou-
sand archers and a thousand ^ men afoot ;
and so he departed from the town of
Cognac, and with him his two brethren, the
duke of Lancaster and the earl of Cam-
bridge. Sir Thomas Felton and the captal
of Buch abode still at Bergerac, to keep the
frontier against the Frenchmen and com-
panions that were in the country. And
with the prince also was sir Guichard
d'Angle, sir Louis Harcourt, the lord of
Pons, the lord of Partenay, the lord of
Poyanne, the lord of Tannay-Bouton, sir
Perceval of Couloyne, sir Godfrey d'Argen-
ton, Poitevins ; and Gascons, the lord of
1 ' Esteemed less.'
2 'Three thousand,' according to the true text.
Montferrant, the lord of Caumont, the lord
Langoiran, sir Aymery of Tastes, the lord
of Pommiers, the lord of Mussidan, the lord
of Lesparre, the lord of Geronde and
divers other ; Englishmen, as sir Thomas
Percy, the lord Ros, the lord William
Beauchamp, sir Michael de la Pole, the
lord Stephen Cosington, sir Richard of
Pontchardon, sir Baudwin of Freville, sir
Simon Burley, sir d'Aghorisses, sir John
Devereux, sir William of Nevill and divers
other, the which I cannot all name ; and of
Hainowes there was sir Eustace d'Aubreci-
court ; and of the companions sir Perducas
d'Albret, Naudan of Bageran, and thither
came le bourg de Lesparre, le bourg de
Breteuil, Espiote, Bernard de Wist and
divers other. So all these men of war
went forth in good ordinance and took the
fields, and all the country trembled before
them. The prince was so diseased that
he could not ride, but so was carried in
a horse litter ; and he took the way of
Limousin to the intent to come to Limoges,
and at last thither they came, and so lodged
round about the city ; and there the prince
sware that he would never depart thence
till he had the city at his pleasure.
The bishop within and the burgesses
considered well how they had greatly tres-
passed the prince, whereof then they repented
them, but then they could not remedy it,
for they were not as then lords nor masters
of their own city. Sir John Villemur, sir
Hugh de la Roche and Roger Beaufort,
who were captains within the city, com-
forted greatly their people and said : ' Sirs,
be not afraid, we are strong enough to
resist against the prince's power ; for by
assault he cannot hurt nor grieve us, we
are all well furnished with artillery.'
When the prince and his marshals had
well imagined and considered the puissance
and strength of the city and had knowledge
of the number of men of war within, then
they said how by assault they could never
win it. Then the prince thought to assay
another way. He had always in his com-
pany a great number of miners, and so he
set them a -work to undermine. The
knights within perceived well how they
were undermined and began to make dikes
and to countermine, to the intent to break
their mine.
II
II
I
SACK OF LIMOGES, 1370 {Sept. 19)
201
CHAPTERS CCLXXXI, CCLXXXII
SUMMARY.— Sir Rohej-t Knolles devas-
tated France as far as the gates of Paris.
Bertrand du Guesclin made war in
Limousin and took Saint- Yrieix.
CHAPTER CCLXXXHI
How the prince took the city of Limoges,
and how four companions did marvels in
About the space of a month or more was
the prince of Wales before the city of
Limoges, and there was neither assault nor
scrimmish, but daily they mined. And they
within knew well how they were mined,
and made a countermine thereagainst to
have destroyed the English miners ; but
they failed of their mine. And when the
prince's miners saw how the countermine
against them failed, they said to the prince :
* Sir, whensoever it shall please you we
shall cause a part of the wall to fall into
the dikes, whereby ye shall enter into the
city at your ease without any danger.'
Which words pleased greatly the prince,
and said : * I will that to-morrow betimes
ye shew forth and execute your work.'
Then the miners set Hre into their mine,
and so the next morning, as the prince had
ordained, there fell down a great pane of
the wall and filled the dikes, whereof the
Englishmen were glad and were ready
armed in the field to enter into the town.
The foot-men might well enter at their
ease, and so they did and ran to the gate
and beat down the fortifying and barriers,
for there was no defence against them : it
was done so suddenly that they of the town
were not ware thereof.
Then the prince, the duke of Lancaster,
the earl of Cambridge, the earl of Pem-
broke, sir Guichard d'Angle and all the
other with their companies entered into the
city, and all other foot -men, ready ap-
parelled to do evil, and to pill and rob the
for so it was commanded them to do. It
was great pity to see the men, women and
children that kneeled down on their knees
before the prince for mercy ; but he was so
inflamed with ire, that he took no heed to
them, so that none was heard, but all put to
death, as they were met withal, and such
as were nothing culpable. There was no
pity taken of the poor people, who wrought
never no manner of treason, yet they
bought it dearer than the great personages,
such as had done the evil and trespass.
There was not so hard a heart within the
city of Limoges, an if he had any remem-
brance of God, but that wept piteously for
the great mischief that they saw before
their eyen : for more than three thousand
men, women and children were slain and
beheaded that day. God have mercy on
their souls, for I trow they were martyrs^
And thus entering into the city a certain
company of Englishmen entered into the
bishop's palace and there they found the
bishop : and so they brought him to the
prince's presence, who beheld him right
fiercely and felly, and the best word that
he could have of him was, how he would
have his head stricken off, and so he was
had out of his sight.
Now let us speak of the knights that
were within the city, as sir John of Ville-
mur, sir Hugh de la Roche, Roger Beau-
fort, son to the earl of Beaufort, captains
of the city. When they saw the tribula-
tion and pestilence that ran over them and
their company, they said one to another :
* We are all dead, without we defend our-
selves : therefore let us sell our lives dearly,
as good knights ought to do.' Then sir
John of Villemur said to Roger Beaufort :
' Roger, it behoveth that ye be made a
knight.' Then Roger answered and said :
' Sir, I am not as yet worthy to be a knight :
I thank you, sir, "of your good-will.' So
there was no more said : they had not the
leisure to speak long together. Howbeit,
they assembled them together in a place
against an old wall and there displayed
their banners. So they were to the number
of eighty persons. Thither came the duke
of Lancaster, the earl of Cambridge and
their companies and so lighted afoot, so
that the Frenchmen could not long endure
against the Englishmen, for anon they were
city, and to slay men, women and childreri^_slain and taken. Howbeit, the duke of
Lancaster himself fought long hand to hand
against sir John Villemur, who was a strong
knight and a hardy, and the earl of Cam-
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
bridge fought against sir Hugh de la Roche,
and the earl of Pembroke against Roger
Beaufort, who was as then but a squire.
These three Frenchmen did many feats of
arms : their men were occupied otherwise.
The prince in his chariot came by them
and beheld them gladly and appeased him-
self in beholding of them. So long they
fought together that the three Frenchmen,
by one accord beholding ^ their swords,
said : * Sirs, we be yours, ye have con-
quered us : do with us according to right
of arms.' 'Sir,' quoth the duke of Lan-
caster, ' we look for nothing else : therefore
we receive you as our prisoners.' And thus
the foresaid three Frenchmen were taken,
as it was informed me.
CHAPTER CCLXXXIV
How the city of Limoges was brent and
destroyed, and the bishop delivered from
death ; and how sir Bertram of Guesclin
was chosen constable.
Thus the city of Limoges was pilled,
robbed and clean brent and brought to
destruction. Then the Englishmen de-
parted with their conquest and prisoners
and drew to Cognac, where my lady the
princess was. Then the prince gave leave
to all his men of war to depart and did no
more that season ; for he felt himself not
well at ease, for always his sickness in-
creased, whereof his brethren and people
were sore dismayed.
Now shall I shew you of the bishop of
Limoges, who was in great peril of losing
of his head. The duke of Lancaster desired
of the prince to give him the bishop, to do
with him at his pleasure. The prince was
content and caused him to be delivered to
the duke. The bishop had friends, and
they had newly informed the pope, who
was as then at Avignon, of the bishop's tak-
ing, the which fortuned well for the bishop,
for else he had been dead. Then the pope
by sweet words entreated the duke of Lan-
caster to deliver to him the said bishop. The
duke would not deny the pope, but granted
1 ' En regardant ' in the French text, but the true
reading: is ' en rendant,' ' rendering.' The mistake
arose by a repetition of ' regardant ' just above.
him and sent him to Avignon, whereof the
pope was right glad.
Now let us speak of the adventures ot
France.
The French king was informed of the
destruction and conquest of the city of
Limoges, and how it was left clean void as
a town of desert, wherewith he was sore
displeased and took it in great passion, the
damage and annoy of the inhabitants of the
same. Then was it advised in France by
counsel of the nobles, prelates and commons
of all the realm, that it was of necessity
that the Frenchmen should have a chief
and a governour called the constable ; for
sir Moreau of Fiennes would leave and
give up his office, who was a right valiant
man of his hands and a great enterpriser of
deeds of arms. So that, all things con-
sidered and imagined, by a common accord
they chose sir Bertram of Guesclin, so that
he would take it on him, as the most
valiant knight, most virtuous and most able
to execute that office and most fortunate
that they knew as then, that bare arms for
the crown of France. Then the king wrote
and sent certain messengers to him, that he
should come and speak with him at Paris.
The messengers found him in the county of
Limoges, whereas he took fortresses and
castles and made them to yield to the lady
of Bretayne, wife to sir Charles of Blois,
and as then he had newly taken a town
called Brantome and was riding towards
another. And when the king's messengers
were come to him, he received them joy-
ously and right sagely, as he that could do
it right well. Then the messengers de-
livered to him the king's letter and did his
message, and when sir Bertram saw the
commandment of the king, he would make
none excuse, but concluded to go and know -
the king's pleasure ; and so departed, as ^1
soon as he might, and sent the most part of fll
his men into garrisons such as he had con-
quered, and he made sovereign and keeper
of them sir Olivier of Mauny his nephew.
Then he rode forth so long by his journeys
that he came to Paris, where he found the
king and great number of lords of his coun-
cil, who received him right joyously and
did him great reverence ; and there the
king shewed him how he and his council
had chosen him to be constable of France.
Then he excused himself right sagely and
1
BERTRAND DU GUESCLIN CONSTABLE
203
said : ' Sir, I am not worthy : I am but
a poor knight as in regard of your other
great lords and valiant men in France,
though it be so that fortune hath a little
advanced me.' Then the king said : ' Sir,
it is for nothing that ye excuse you ; it
behoveth you to take it ; for it is so or-
dained and determined by all the council
of France, the which in no wise I will
break.' Then sir Bertram excused himself
again by another way and said : ' Right
dear sir and noble king, I may not nor
dare not withsay your noble pleasure : how-
beit, sir, it is of truth that I am but a poor
man and too low of blood to come to the
office of constable of France, the which is
so great and so noble an office. For it is
convenient that he that will exercise and
acquit himself well in that office must com-
mand as well and rather the great men
than the small personages. And, sir, be-
hold here my lords your brethren, your
nephews and your cousins, who hath charge
of many men of war in your host and jour-
neys. Sir, how durst I then be so bold as
to command them ? Certainly, sir, envy
is so great that I ought to fear it. There-
fore, sir, I require your grace, pardon me,
and give this office to some other that
would gladlier have it than I, and that may
better execute the office.' Then the king
answered and said : * Sir Bertram, excuse
you not by that way, for I have neither
brother, cousin nor nephew, earl nor baron
in my realm, but that shall obey you.
And if any do the contrary, I shall so anger
him that he shall perceive well my displea-
sure. Therefore, sir, take joyously the
office I require you.' Sir Bertram saw
well that any excusations that he could
make should not avail : then finally he
accorded to the opinion of the king right
sore against his will. So then with great
joy sir Bertram of Guesclin was made con-
stable of P>ance, and farther to his advance-
ment the king caused him to sit at his table
and shewed all the tokens of love that he
could devise, and gave him with the office
divers gifts and great lands and heritage to
him and to his heirs for ever. To this
promotion did help greatly the duke of
Anjou.
CHAPTERS CCLXXXV-CCXCIII
SUMMARY.— Berirand du Guesclin de-
feated some of sir Robert Knolles' company
at Pont - Vallain and sir Robert Knolles
withdrew to BHttany.
Urban V. died^ and Gregory XL became
pope.
The eldest son of the prince of Wales died^
and the prince himself by the advice of his
physicians returned into England. He left
the duke of Lancaster to govern the duchy
of Acquitaijie.
The duke of Lancaster took Mont- Paon.
Bertrand du Guesclin took several places
in Rouergue and elsewhere.
The earl of Hereford defeated the Flem-
ings by sea at la Bale in Brittany, and
the king of England made war by sea on
the Flemings ; but they of Bruges, Ypres
and Gaunt sent into England to treat for a
peace, which was made on certain con-
ditions.
CHAPTERS CCXCIV-CCCI
SUMMARY. — The king of Mallorca was
set free and mcule war on the king of
Aragon.
The duke of Lancaster married the eldest
daughter of the king don Pedro of Castile,
and king Henry of Castile made alliance
with the king of France.
The duke of I^ancaster returned to Eng-
land, leaving govemours in Acquitaine.
After the winter the king of England sent
the earl of Pembroke into Poitou. The
king of France ordained a fleet of Spaniards
to lie in wait for him at La Rochelle. The
English were totally defeated in a sea fight
{June 2"^, 1372) and the earl of Pemb?-oke and
sir Guichard d^ Angle were made prisoners.
In the same season Owen of Wales landed
in Guernsey and defeated the English there.
The earl of Pembroke and the other
prisoners were brought to king Henry in
Spain.
CHAPTERS CCCn-CCCVI
S UMMAR Y. —Bertrand du Guesclin took
Montcontour and Sainte - Severe : I^oitiers
204
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
m
and La Rochelh turned French, and the
whole of I^oitou, Saintonge and Rochelle
was conquered from the English.
CHAPTERS CCCVII-CCCXIII
SUMMAR Y. — War was carried on against
the English in Brittany, atid siege was laid
to Becherel.
King David of Scotland died and 7vas
succeeded by Robert Stuart his nephew.
The constable du Guesclin came to j^rit-
tany, and the duke of Brittany reti^-ed to
England. Nea7'ly all Brittany was con-
quered by the French in spite of the efforts
of the English to strengthen their forces.
The duke of Anjoti conquered towns in
upper Gascony.
Negotiations for a peace were carried on
at Bruges, and a truce was made, to last for
one year.
CHAPTER CCCXIV
Of the journey that the lord of Coucy made
in Austrich, and of the death of the prince
of Wales, and how there could be found
no manner of treaty of peace between the
two kings : and also of the death of the
king of England, Edward the third.
The same season there was come into
France the lord of Coucy, who had been
long in Lombardy with the earl of Vertus,
son to sir Galeas, making war against sir
Bernabo and his allies, because of pope
Gregory the eleventh, and for the holy
college of Rome. The lord of Coucy by
succession of his mother, who was sister to
the duke of Austrich last deceased, where-
by he ought to be inheritor to the duchy,
for the duke was dead without issue by way
of marriage : and they of Austrich had
given the duchy and lands to another
farther off by lineage than the lord Coucy,
whereof the lord Coucy had oftentimes
complained to the emperor, the lord Charles
of Bohemia. The emperor knew well that
the lord Coucy had right thereto : howbeit,
he might not with his ease constrain them
of Austrich, for they were strong in his
country and many good men of war. The
lord of Coucy had made war there before by
the comfort of his aunt, sister to the duke,
but little it availed him. And when he
was thus come into France, the king made
him great cheer. Then he advised and saw
well how there was in France as then many
men of war sat as idle : wherefore he
thought they could not be better occupied
than to help him to his right during the
truce between France and England. Then
the lord of Coucy desired the king to let
him have of the Bretons such as overran the
realm, to make war with him in Austrich.
The king, who would gladly that the com-
panions were out of his realm, accorded to
his desire : so the king lent or gave him, I
cannot tell whether, a sixty thousand franks
to depart among the said companions. So
they rode forth toward Austrich about the
feast of Saint Michael : they did much evil
all the ways as they went : also there were
divers barons, knights and squires of France,
of Artois, of Vermandois, of Hainault and
of Picardy, as the viscounts of Meaux and
d'Aunay, sir Ralph of Coucy, the baron of
Roye, Peter of Bar and divers other, desir-
ing to advance their bodies to get them ^^
honour. fli
When the feast of All Saints began to f
approach, then there came again to Bruges
to entreat for peace from the French king,
the duke of Burgoyne, the earl of Sarre-
bruck, the bishop of Amiens and the duke
of Anjou, but he lay still at Saint-Omer's ;
and from the king of England thither came
the duke of Lancaster, the duke of Bre-
tayne, the earl of Salisbury, the bishop of
London. The town of Bruges was well
garnished with divers estates, and specially
the duke of Burgoyne kept there a noble
estate ; and with the duke of Lancaster
there was sir Robert of Namur and kept
him good company as long as the duke
was in Flanders ; and there were the am-
bassadors, the archbishop of Rouen and
the bishop of Carpentras, who went still
and laboured between both parties and laid
forth many good reasons, but none came to
any effect. These lords were far asunder
in their treaties ; for the French king de-
manded to have again fourteen hundred
thousand franks, the which were paid for
the redemption of king John, and to have
Calais rased and beaten down, to the which
the king of England would never consent :
so the truce was continued to the feast of
I
DEATH OF THE PRINCE OF WALES, 1376
205
Saint John Baptist next after, the year
of our Lord a thousand three hundred and
seventy -six. And so these lords tarried
still at Bruges all that winter, and in sum-
mer they returned every part to their own
countries, except the duke of Bretayne,
who tarried still in Flanders with the earl
Louis his cousin, who made him good
cheer.
The same season on Trinity Sunday
there passed out of this world the flower of
chivalry of England, Edward prince of
Wales and of Acquitaine, at the king's
palace of Westminster beside London.
And so he was embalmed and put in lead
and kept till the feast of Saint Michael next
after, to be interred with the greater
solemnity when the parliament should be
there. King Charles of France because of
lineage did his obsequy reverently in the
Holy Chapel of the palace in Paris, and
there were many of the prelates and nobles
of the realm of France : and so then the
truce was prolonged to the first day of
April next after.
Now let us somewhat speak of the lord
Coucy and of the Almains. When they of
Austrich and the Almains understood that
the lord of Coucy was come with such a
strength to make war, they caused to be brent
and destroyed three days' journey into the
country alongby the river, and then they went
into the mountains and places inhabitable.
And so when the lord of Coucy had weened
to have found victual for his host, he could
get none ; whereby he suffered that winter
much trouble and disease, for they wist
not whither to go to forage nor to get
victual for them nor their horses, so that
some died for hunger, cold and sickness :
and therefore when the springing time
began, they returned again into France,
and went into divers places to refresh them-
selves. And the French king sent the
most part of the companions into Bretayne
and into base Normandy to abide and rest
there, for he thought well he should have
somewhat to do in short time after. And
at the returning of the lord Coucy into
France, he began to be good French, be-
cause he found the king so amiable to con-
descend to his desire, and also his council
said he need not to avoid out of his heritage
under the shadow of the king of England's
war, for they said he was French of name.
of blood, of arms and extraction. He sent
his wife into England and kept still with
him his eldest daughter, and left the
younger still in England, whereas she had
been brought up and nourished. Then the
French king sent the lord Coucy to Bruges
to them that were there to entreat for the
peace. Howbeit, as then the great lords
were not there, but all only the duke of
Bretayne, who was still with his cousin the
earl of Flanders ; but he busied himself
but little in the treaty for the peace.
And after the feast of Saint Michael,
when the obsequy of the prince was done
and finished, then the king of England
made to be known to his sons, the duke of
Lancaster, the earl of Cambridge, and to
the lord Thomas the youngest, and to all
the barons, earls, prelates and knights of
England, how that the young Richard
should be king after his decease, and so
caused them all to swear solemnly to main-
tain him. And on Christmas day the king
made him to sit at his table above all his
own children in great estate, representing
that he should be king after his decease.
And there was sent to Bruges for the king
of England's part John lord Cobham, the
bishop of Hereford and the dean of London;
and for the French part thither came the
earl of Sarrebruck, the lord of Chatillon
and master Philbert I'Espinasse ; and the
two bishops ambassadors always went be-
tween the parties treating for peace and
spake of a marriage to be had between the
young prince of England and my lady Mary,
daughter to the French king. And so they
departed, as well they of France as of Eng-
land, and so made report to both kings.
And then about Lent there was a secret
treaty devised to be between the two kings
at Montreuil-by-the-sea, and so were sent
by the king of England to Calais sir
Guichard d'Angle, Richard Stury, Geoffrey
Chaucer, and from the French king was
sent the lord of Coucy and of Riviere, sir
Nicholas Braque and Nicholas Mercier.
And they a long season treated on the said
marriage, and the Frenchmen offered, as I
was informed, divers things, and they
would have again other things such as
they named, or else nothing. Then these
entreators went and made report to their
lords, and so the truce was again relonged
to the first day of May. And so came
206
THE CHRONICLES OF FROTSSART
again to Calais the earl of Salisbury, the
bishop of Saint David's, chancellor of Eng-
land, and the bishop of Hereford : and for
the French king at Montreuil there was the
lord of Coucy, sir Willam of Dormans,
chancellor of France. But they durst
never trust to meet together in any place
between Montreuil and Calais, nor be-
tween Montreuil and Boulogne, nor in the
frontiers, for anything that the two bishops
ambassadors could do or shew. Thus these
entreators abode in this estate, till the truce
was expired.
And when the war was open, then sir
Hugh Calverley was sent to be keeper of
Calais. When pope Gregory being at
Avignon understood that no peace could be
had between France and England, he was
right sorrowful and ordered his business
shortly and went to Rome. And when the
duke of Bretayne, who had been more than
a year with the earl of Flanders his cousin,
saw that the war was open, he took leave
of the earl and went to Gravelines, and
thither he came to the earl of Salisbury and
sir Guichard d'Angle, and so went with
them to Calais and there tarried the space
of a month, and so went into England and
came to Sheen, a four leagues from London
along by the Thames side, where the king
of England lay sore sick and passed out of
this world the vigil of Saint John Baptist
the year of our Lord a thousand three
hundred and seventy-seven.
Then was there great sorrow made in
England, and incontinent all the passages
of the realm were stopped, that none should
issue out of the realm ; for they would not
that the death of the king should be so
soon known in France, till they had set the
realm in some order. The same time there
came into England the earl of Salisbury
and sir Guichard d'Angle. So the body
of king Edward the third with great pro-
cessions, weepings and lamentations, his
sons behind him with all the nobles and
prelates of England, was brought along the
city of London with open visage to West-
minster, and there he was buried beside the
queen his wife. And anon after, the young
king Richard was crowned at the palace of
Westminster with great solenmity, and by
him stood the dukes of Lancaster and of
Bretayne, the eleventh year of his age, in
the month of July : the which day there
was made four earls and nine knights ; first
the lord Thomas his uncle was made earl
of Buckingham, the lord Percy earl of
Northumberland, sir Guichard d'Angle
earl of Huntingdon, the lord Mowbray
earl of Nottingham : and the young king
was put unto the rule of the gentle knight
sir Guichard d'Angle by the accord of all
the land, to be instructed in noble virtues,
and the realm of England to be governed
by the duke of Lancaster. And as soon
as the French king knew of the death of
king Edward, he said how right nobly and
valiantly he had reigned, and well he ought
to be put newly in remembrance among
the number of the worthies. Then he
assembled a great number of the nobles
and prelates of his realm and did his ob-
sequy in the Holy Chapel in his palace at
Paris. And anon after died the eldest
daughter of the French king, who was en-
sured to have been married to William of
Hainault, eldest son of duke Aubert.
CHAPTERS CCCXV-CCCXVH
SUMMARY. — The French king sent a
great navy to sea and ravaged the coasts of
Eftgland.
The captalde Buch^ after being a prisoner
in France for five years ^ died in the Temple
at Paris.
The duke of Burgundy took Ardres and
other fortresses near Calais.
War was renewed between the French
king and the king of Navarre, and the
king of Navarre lost the county of Evreux,
except Cherbourg, which was fruitlessly be-
sieged by the French.
The French gained Auray and other
towns in Brittany, and laid a garrison
against Cherbourg under sir William- des
Bordes, who was defeated and made prisoner
by the English on Saint Martin s day in
July 1379.1
1 Here ends the first book of the Chronicles,
which coincides with the first vokime of the trans-
lator's French text. Some of the events which
have been shortly mentioned before this are related
with more detail in the second book. Each book
was originally a separate work, and that edition
of the first book which was dedicated to Robert
of Namur contained a summary of the events
down to 1379, a part of which the author omitted
afterwards when putting together the first and
second books. The copyists, however, usually com-
bined the second redaction of the first book with
1
AFFAIRS OF THE CHURCH, 1377
207
CHAPTERS CCCXVIII-CCCXXV
SUMMARY. — The duke of Anjou and
the constable of France made a great
assembly and laid siege to Bergerac. A
body of English were surprised and defeated
at Eytnet : sir Thomas Felton, seneschal of
Bordeaux, and several Gasco?i lords were
taken prisoners. Bergerac was surrendered
to the French, afid the duke of Anjou took
other towns and castles in Gascony.
The Scots by stealth took the castle of
Berwick, which was won again by the earl
of Northumberland, who then invaded
Scotland. Sir Thomas Musgrave was de-
feated by the Scots in the field of Saint Giles
and the English retired from Scotland.
The author thus continues : —
Now let us leave to speak of Scotland for
this present time and let us speak of other
incidents that fell in France.
The same time, in the month of February,
the French queen died, and, as the physi-
cians said, through her own fault. For she
lay in childbed of a fair lady named
Katherine, who was after duchess of Berry :
the queen being in childbed was not well at
ease, and her physicians had defended her
in any wise that she should not enter into
no bain ; for they said it was contrary to her
disease and right perilous for her. All that
notwithstanding, she would needs be bained,
and so she was, and so fell sicker and died :
and so king Charles of France was a
widower, for he never married after.
CHAPTER CCCXXVI
How the war began again between the
Navarrois and the Frenchmen ; and of the
beginning of the schism of holy Church.
After the death of the French queen died
also the queen of Navarre, sister-german
the first of the second book. It is important to
notice that the text of each separate book is an in-
dependent one, and that what has been said in the
introduction about abridgment and omission in the
French text hardly applies except to that of the first
book, in which also the variations of the different
redactions are far more important than in the other
books : indeed a large part of the first book was
completely rewritten twice after its first production.
to the French king, and after the death of
this queen of Navarre great murmuring
rose between the sage men and customiers
of the county of Evreux, which is in
Normandy, the which by right succession
of their mother should fall to the king of
Navarre's children, who were as then with-
in age and under the rule and keeping of
their uncle king Charles of France. And
king Charles of Navarre was had in such
suspect beforetime, in that he had made
and consented and raised so many evils and
inconveniences in the realm of France, that
he was not worthy to hold any heritage in
the realm of France under the shadow of
his children. The same season there came
out of Acquitaine the constable of France,
who had been all that season with the duke
of Anjou, and brought with him in his
company the lord Mussidan of Gascoyne
to see the king and to be acquainted with
him, and so he did. Between the king
and the constable there was many secret
counsels of the state of the realm of
France and of Navarre, which was not
suddenly known. We shall shortly speak
of that matter : but justly to chronicle all
matters that fell in the same season in
the world, I shall shew you of the be-
ginning of the pestilence and inconvenience
that began in the Church of God, whereby
all Christendom was in great trouble and
variance, and thereby many great mischiefs
grew and followed.
Ye have heard herebefore how pope
Gregory, the eleventh of that name, was in
the city of Avignon. And when he saw
that he could find no manner of peace to
be had between the kings of England and
France, wherewith he was in great dis-
pleasure, for he had greatly travailed there-
about and had made his cardinals to do the
same, then he advised himself and had a
devotion to go and revisit Rome and the
see apostolic, the which Saint Peter and
Saint Paul had edified. He had made
before promise that, if ever he came to the
degree to be pope, he would never keep
his see but thereas Saint Peter kept his and
ordained it. This pope was a man of
feeble complexion and sickly, and endured
much pain more than any other. And he
thus being in Avignon was so sore let with
the businesses of France and so sore tra-
vailed with the king and his brethren, that
208
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
with much pain he had any leisure to take
heed anything to himself or to his Church.
Then he said to himself he would go farther
off from them to be more at rest ; and so he
caused provision to be made on the river of
Genes ^ and all the ways as he should pass,
as it appertained to such an high estate as he
was ; and then he said to his cardinals :
' Sirs, make you ready, for I will to Rome. '
Of that motion his cardinals were sore
abashed and displeased, for they loved not
the Romans, and so they would fain have
turned his purpose, but they could not.
And when the French king knew thereof,
he was sore displeased, for he thought he
had the pope nearer at hand there than in
any other place. Then the king wrote
incontinent to his brother the duke of
Anjou, who was at Toulouse, signifying
him that after the sight of his letters he
should go to Avignon to the pope and
break his voyage to Rome, if it were possible.
The duke did as the king commanded him,
and so came to Avignon, where the
cardinals received him with great joy, and
so was lodged in the pope's palace, the
ofter thereby to speak with the pope. Ye
may well know he spake with the pope
and shewed him divers reasons to have
broken his purpose : but the pope would
in no wise consent thereto nor take any heed
of any businesses on this side the moun-
tains ; but the pope gave the duke full
puissance to do what he might, reserving
certain cases papal, the which he might not
give to no man, nor put them out of his
own hands. When the duke saw he could
not come to his intent for no reason nor
fair words that he could shew, he took
leave of the pope and said at his departing :
' Holy father, ye go into a good country
among such people whereas ye be but little
beloved, and ye will leave the fountain of
faith and the realm whereas holy Church
hath most faith and excellence of all the
world. And, sir, by your deed the Church
may fall in great tribulation ; for if ye die
there, the which is right likely, and so say
the physicians, then the Romans, who be
malicious and traitors, shall be lords and
masters of all the cardinals and shall make
a pope at their own will.' Howbeit, for
all these words and many other, the pope
never rested till he was on his way, and so
1 That is, the Riviera of Genoa.
came to Marseille, whereas the galleys of
Genes were ready to receive him, and the
duke returned again to Toulouse. Pope
Gregory entered into the sea at Marseille
with a great company, and had good wind
and so took land at Genes, and there new
refreshed his galleys and so took the sea
again and sailed till he came to Rome.
The Romans were right joyful of his
coming, and all the chief of Rome mounted
on their horses and so brought him into
Rome with great triumph, and lodged in
Saint Peter's palace. And oftentimes he
visited a church called our Lady the
Great ^ within Rome, wherein he had
great pleasure and did make therein many
costly works. And within a while after
his coming to Rome he died, and was
buried in the said church, and there
his obsequy was made, as to a pope
appertained.
Anon after the death of the pope Gregory,
the cardinals drew them into the conclave
in the palace of Saint Peter. Anon after,
as they were entered to choose a pope,
according to their usage, such one as should
be good and profitable for holy Church,
the Romans assembled them together in a
great number and came into the bourage of
Saint Peter. 2 They were to the number of
thirty thousand, what one and other, in the
intent to do evil, if the matter went not
according to their appetites. And they
came oftentimes before the conclave and
said : ' Hark ye, sir cardinals, deliver you
at once and make a pope : ye tarry too
long. If ye make a Roman, we will not
change him ; but if ye make any other, the
Roman people and counsels will not take
him for pope, and ye put yourselves all in
adventure to be slain.' The cardinals, who
were as then in the danger of the Romans
and heard well those words, they were not at
their ease nor assured of their lives, and so
appeased them of their ire as well as they
might with fair words ; but so much rose
the felony of the Romans, that such as were
next to the conclave, to the intent to make
the cardinals afraid and to cause them to
condescend the rather to their opinions,
brake up the door of the conclave, whereas
the cardinals were. Then the cardinals
1 Sta. Maria Maf^^giore, on the Esquiline.
2 That is, the buurg of Saint Peter, the Leonine
city.
I
ELECTION OF URBAN VI., 1378
209
weened surely to have been slain and so
fled away to save their lives, some one way
and some another : but the Romans were
not so content, but took them and put them
together again, whether they would or not.
The cardinals then, seeing themselves in the
danger of the Romans and in great peril of
their lives, agreed among themselves, more
for to please the people than for any devo-
tion : howbeit, by good election they chose
an holy man, a cardinal of the Roman
nation, whom pope Urban the fifth had
I made cardinal, and he was called before
! the cardinal of Saint Peter. ^ This election
pleased greatly the Romans, and so this
good man had all the rights that belonged
to the papality ; howbeit, he lived not
but three days after, and I shall shew
you why. The Romans, who desired to
have a pope of their own nation, were so
joyful of this new pope, that they took
him, who was a hundred year of age,
and set him on a white mule, and so led
him up and down through the city of
Rome, exalting him and shewing how they
had vanquished the cardinals, seeing they
had a pope Roman according to their
own intents, insomuch that the good holy
man was so sore travailed that he fell
sick, and so died the third day, and was
buried in the church of Saint Peter, and
there he lieth.
CHAPTER CCCXXVII
Of the orgulous words that the Romans said
at the election of the new pope again :
and how the war renewed between the
French king and the king of Navarre.
Of the death of this pope the cardinals
were right sorrowful, for they saw well
how the matter should not go well to pass.
For they had thought, if that pope had
lived, to have dissimuled among the Romans
for two or three years and at the last to have
brought the see apostolic into some other
place than at Rome, at Naples or at Genes,
out of the danger of the Romans ; but the
death of the pope brake their purpose.
1 The cardinal de Saint-Pierre was not actuallj'^
elected, but it was thought for a time that he was
so (Kervyn de Lettenhove, ix. 501).
' P
Then the cardinals went again into the
conclave in greater danger than they were
in before, for the Romans assembled them
together again before the conclave and
made semblant to break it up and to slay
them all, if they did not choose a pope
according to their minds, and cried to the
cardinals and said : ' Sirs, advise you well.
If ye deliver us a pope Roman, we be con-
tent ; or else we will make your heads
redder than your hats be.' Such words
and menaces abashed greatly the cardinals,
for they had rather a died confessors
than martyrs. Then to bring themselves
out of that danger and peril, they made a
pope ; but he was none of the college of
cardinals, he was archbishop of Bari, a
great clerk who greatly had travailed for
the wealth of holy Church. With his pro-
motion of papality the Romans were ap-
peased, for the cardinal of Genes put out his
head out at a window of the conclave and
said on high to the people of Rome : * Sirs,
appease you, for you have a pope Roman,
and that is Bartholomew des Aigles, arch-
bishop of Bari. ' The people answered all
with one voice: 'Then we be content.'
The same archbishop was not as then at
Rome ; I think he was in Naples. Then
he was incontinent sent for, of the which
tidings he was right glad, and so came to
Rome, and at his coming there was great
feast made to him, and so he had all the
rights that pertained to the papality and
was called Urban, the sixth of that name.
The Romans had great joy : his creation
was signified to all the churches of Chris-
tenty and also to emperors, kings, dukes
and earls, and the cardinals sent word to
all their friends that he was chosen by
good and true election : howbeit, some of
them repented them after, that they had
spoken so largely in the matter. This
pope renounced all graces given before,
and so divers departed from their coun-
tries and places and went to Rome to have
grace.
Now let us leave somewhat to speak
of this matter, and let us return to our
principal history of the businesses of
France.
Ye have heard right well herebefore how
the king of Navarre, who had to his wife
the French king's sister, for the love of the
one and of the other it was said and pur-
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
posed ^ thai the heritage of the children of
the king of Navarre, the which was fallen
to them by the right of their mother, that
the French king their uncle by the succes-
sion of his sister ought to have power thereof
in name of the children, seeing the children
were in his keeping ; whereby all the land
that the king of Navarre held in Normandy
should be in the French king's hand, as
long as his nephews were within age. Of
all these matters the king of Navarre
doubted greatly, for he knew well the usage
and custom of France. Then he advised
him of two things : the one was to send the
bishop of Pampelone and sir Martin Carra
into France to the king, desiring him
heartily that for good love and favour to
send him his two sons Charles and Peter,
and if it pleased him not to send him both
two, then at least to send him his son
Charles, because he was towards a treaty for
a marriage for him with the daughter of the
king of Castile. The second thing was,
notwithstanding that he sent thus into
France, yet secretly he sent also into Nor-
mandy, to visit and to refresh the castles
there pertaining to him, to the intent that
the Frenchmen should not take them into
their hands : for he feared, if they had
them once in their possessions, he should
not have them again when he would. And
so he sent two valiant men of arms Navar-
rois, in whom he had great trust, the one
called Peter Basele and the other Ferrando,
into Normandy for the said intent. The
first messengers went into France, as the
bishop of Pampelone and sir Martin Carra,
who spake with the king at great leisure,
right humbly recommending the king of
Navarre to him, desiring in his name that
he would send to him his two sons. The
king answered and said, he would take
advice and counsel in the matter : and so
after they were answered in the king's
name, the king being present and the two
children also his nephews, how that the
1 The true text runs thus : ' Ye have heard
right well before how the l<ing of Navarre was left
a widower, who had had to wife the sister of the
king of France, and how the wise men of the
realm of France, taking advice one with another,
said and proposed,' etc. The translator gives us a
pretty literal rendering of his text, which was hope-
less. The words ' was left a widower ' and ' realm
of France ' were there omitted, and 'par I'avis I'un
de I'autre ' was corrupted into ' par I'amour I'un de
I'autre,'
king loved them right entirely, wherefore
they could not be better in no place, and
that the king of Navarre ought to be con-
tent rather to suffer them to be in France
with the king their uncle than in any other
place ; and also the king will in no wise
depart from them, but keep them about
him in their estate as the children of a
king and like his nephews. Other answer
the messengers could not have. And in
the mean season that these messengers were
in France, Peter of Basele and Ferrando
arrived at Cherbourg with great provision,
the which they put in divers places, in
towns and castles of the king of Navarre's
in Normandy, and so they visited in the
king of Navarre's name all the county of
Evreux, and made new officers and set in
people at their pleasures. And so returned
again into Navarre the bishop of Pampelone
and sir Martin Carra and shewed the king
how they had sped in France. The king
of Navarre was not very glad of that
tidings, when he could not have his own
sons, and so began a great hatred in his
heart toward the French king, the which
he would gladly have shewed, if he had
might, but the puissance of himself was not
so great to grieve the realm of France with-
out help and aid of some other realm : so
he suffered all these matters, till he had.
better cause to speak and more displeasure
done to him than he had as then.
The French king and his council were^
well informed that the king of Navarre had '
new revictualled his castles and towns in
Normandy, but they knew not for what
intent. The same season the Englishmen
made a secret army on the sea of two
thousand men of arms, but they had no
horse with them, of the which army the^J
duke of Lancaster and the earl of Cam-BJ
bridge were chief captains. This the Nor-
mans reported surely to the French king ;
and this army came on the coasts of Nor-
mandy, but they could not tell . to what
part they would draw unto. Some in
France thought that the king of Navarre i
had caused them to come into Normandy,
to deliver to them such castles as he had '
there : wherefore it was said to the king :
' Sir, go hastily and be lord of those castles
before, for ye may hap to tarry too long :
for if the Englishmen have them, they may
do much hurt to the realm of France, forj
id
t
in ^
IVAJ? WITH THE KING OF NAVARRE
211
it shall be one of the best entries that they
can have, if they were lords in Normandy,
of the cities, towns and castles belonging
to the king of Navarre.' The same season
there was taken in France two secretaries
of the king of Navarre, a clerk and a
squire ; the clerk was called Peter of Tertre
and the squire James of Rue, and they were
brought to Paris to be examined ; and so
much it was known by them of the secrets
of the realm of Navarre, how they were
determined to have done damage to the
king, or else to have poisoned him : so
they were condemned to die, and execution
was done at Paris, beheaded and quartered.
These tidings multiplied so on the king of
Navarre, that the French king sware that
he would never attend to none other thing,
till he had rid Normandy, and taken into
his possession for the behoof of his nephews
all the towns and castles that the king of
Navarre held there. So daily there came
sore informations to the French king
against the king of Navarre : also it was
said openly that the duke of Lancaster
should give his daughter Katherine to the
king of Navarre, and so by that means the
king should give to the duke of Lancaster
all the whole county of Evreux. These
words were lightly believed in France, for
the king of Navarre was but little trusted
among them. So then the same time the
French king came to Rouen, and there
assembled a great army of men of war,
whereof the lord Coucy and the lord de la
Riviere were chief captains, and they all
met together before a town called Evreux,
a city in Normandy pertaining to the king
of Navarre. And these two lords had the
two sons of the king of Navarre, Charles
and Peter, to shew to them of the country
that the war that they made was in the
name of the two children for their heritage,
that was fallen to them by the right of their
mother, and how that the king of Navarre
had no right to keep them. But the most
part of the men of arms were so joined in
love with the king of Navarre, that they
could not depart out of his service, and
also the Navarrois that were there as-
sembled, such as the king of Navarre had
sent thither, caused his war to be the more
easier and fair.
CHAPS. CCCXXVIII-CCCXXXVII
SUMMARY. — The French king seized
the county of Montpeliier, which belonged
to the king of Navarre, and the lords de
Coucy and de la Rivihre laid siege to
Evreux.
The king of Navarre sent for help to
England and then went thither himself to
make an alliance. It was agreed that the
Eyiglish should set garrisons in the king of
A^avarre's toivns and castles in Normandy
and send a force to help him against the
king of Castile. The French took Caren-
tan, MoulineauXf Conches and Pacy, so
that the king of Navarre held nothing in
Normandy but Evreux and Cherbourg.
Meanwhile the English with the duke of
Lancaster laid siege to Saint-Malo.
Evan of Wales was killed by his own
squire before Mortagne.
Evreux surrendered to the French,
The English sent a large fleet to Bor-
deaux to help the king of Navarre, and the
siege of Mortagne was raised. The Etig-
lish recovered some castles about Bordeaux.
The English failed in their assaults on
Saint-Malo and so returned to England :
at Cherbourg sir Oliver du Gttesclin was
made prisoner.
CHAPTERS CCCXXXVin-CCCXLII
SUMMARY. — The king of Navarre
asked for help from the English at Bor-
deaux, who entered Navarre, compelling
the Spaniards to raise the siege of Pam-
plona, and invaded Castile. Peace was
made between the kings of Navarre and of
Castile. King Henry died and was suc-
ceeded by John his son.
CHAPTER CCCXLin
How the French king's messenger was let of
his viage into Scotland, and of the debate
that began between the French king and
the earl of Flanders.
In the same season returned into England
sir Thomas Trivet and sir William Helman,
with divers other knights and squires, such
212
THE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
as had been in Spain to aid the king of
Navarre's war : and so they came to the
king of England, who as then was at
Chertsey with his two uncles the duke of
Lancaster and the earl of Cambridge with
him ; and these knights were joyfully re-
ceived of the king and these lords, and
there they were desired to shew some tid-
ings from those parts. And so they shewed
all that they knew both of Spain and of
Navarre and of the peace made between
the two kings of Spain and Navarre, and
how the king of Navarre had married
Charles his eldest son to king Henry's
daughter, and so from point to point as the
treaty was between them. The duke of
Lancaster and the earl of Cambridge were
right pensive of these words, for they
thought and named themselves to be heirs
of Spain by right of their wives. Then
they demanded how long it was sith king
Henry the bastard died, and whether the
Spaniards had crowned John his son or no.
The knights answered and said : * Sirs, at
the death of king Henry nor at the corona-
tion of John his son we were not present,
for by that time we were come back into
Navarre. But, sir, here is an herald was
there present : ye may know everything by
him, an it please you.'
Then the herald was called forth and de-
manded by the duke of Lancaster how the
matter was. He answered and said : * Sir,
at your request I shall shew you. In the
mean season, while these noblemen were at
Pampelone, abiding the accomplishment of
the treaty, the which was made by their
good wills and leaves, I tarried behind still
with the king of Navarre, whereas I had
good cheer both of him and of his men :
and so I went with him from Pampelone
to Saint Dominic's, against whose coming
king Henry issued out of the town with a
goodly company and met us with great sign
of love and peace. And there the king of
Navarre was greatly honoured by him and
all his, and gave him the same night an
honest supper. And after supper tidings
was brought to them how that a great wild
boar was lodged in the launds thereby, and
so it was ordained that the next morning
they should go and hunt the same boar :
and so they did, at which hunting there was
both kings and a great company, and the
boar taken, and against night they returned I
again with great love to Saint Dominic's.
And the next day king Henry departed and
went to Belorade for a day that he had
there against his men, and there he fell
sick and so died. And the king of Navarre
was coming toward him to see him there,
and by the way he heard word of his death,
whereof he was right sorry, and so returned
again ; and then I took leave of him and
went into Castile to know some tidings
there. This king Henry died on Whitsun-
day, and anon after, the twenty-fifth day of
July, the day of Saint James and Saint
Christopher, John of Castile his eldest son
was crowned king in the cathedral church
in the city of Burgos, at the which corona-
tion were all the barons and prelates of
Spain, of Galice, of Cordowan and of
Seville, and all they sware there on the
holy Evangelists to take and maintain him
for their king, and there was made the
same day two hundred and ten new knights
and many a great gift given. The next
morning with a great company of noble-
men he went to an abbey of ladies without
Burgos called Horghes,^ and there he heard
mass and dined. And after dinner there
was great jousting, and the viscount of
Roquebertin of Aragon had the prize ; and
then he returned again to Burgos : and this
feast endured fifteen days.'
Then the duke of Lancaster enquired if
the king of Portugal was desired to be there
or not. 'Sir,' quoth the herald, 'he was
desired ; but for all that he was not there,
nor would not come thither. And, as it
was said, he answered the messenger that
came to him, how he would not go to the
coronation of the son of a bastard.* ' By
my faith,' quoth the duke of Lancaster, 'he
was right well counselled to say these words :
I can him great thank therefor. I trust
the matter shall not long abide in that case,
for my brother and I will demand that
heritage, whereof he calleth himself king as
now. ' And so they left talking and called
for drink.
Now let us leave to speak of this matter
and return to the business of France.
King Charles of France, who as then
reigned, was right sage and subtle, and that
was well shewed as long as he lived. For
though that he kept himself privy in his
chamber taking his pleasure and sport, yet
1 Huelgas.
PETER DE BOURN AZEL AT SLUYS
213
he conquered again that his predecessors had
lost in the field armed with their swords in
their hands ; wherefore he was greatly to be
commended. And because he knew well
that king Robert of Scotland and all the
realm there had made war and had mortal
hate to the Englishmen, for those two
realms could never love together, therefore
to the intent to nourish more love between
France and Scotland, the French king
thought to send a knight and a secretary of
his council to king Robert of Scotland and
to the Scots, to speak with them and to
advise the country and to know if he might
make any good war to England by Scot-
land. For Evan of Wales in his lifetime
had informed him that Scotland was the
place in the world whereby England might
be most annoyed. And of this purpose the
French king had many imaginations, so
that at last he ordained a knight, a sage
man called sir Peter lord of Bournazel, and
said to him : ' Sir, ye shall go and do this
message into Scotland and recommend me
to the king there and to his barons, and
shew him how that we and our realm are
ready to do them pleasure and to have a
treaty with them as our friends, so that
thereby in the season to come we may send
people thither, whereby we may have entry
into England that way in like manner as
our predecessors have had in time past ;
and in your going thither and coming home-
ward I will ye keep such estate as a mes-
senger and commissary of a king should
do, on our cost and charge.' 'Sir,' quoth
the knight, ' all shall be as it pleaseth you.'
And so he tarried not long after, but
when he was ready, departed from Paris
and did so much by his journeys that he
came to Sluys in Flanders, and there tar-
ried and abode for wind and passage a
fifteen days, for the wind was contrary for
him. And in the mean season he held a
great estate, and well stuffed with vessel of
gold and silver throughout his hall as
largely as though he had been a little duke
or better. His minstrels played before his
service daily, and bare a sword ^ garnished
with gold and silver, and his men paid well
for everything. Of the great estate that
this knight kept in his house and in the
streets divers of the town had great marvel.
The baily of the town beheld it well, who
1 * [II] faisoit porter devant luy une esp^e,' etc.
was officer there under the earl of Flanders,
and could keep it no longer secret, wherein
he did evil ; for he sent word thereof to
the earl, who lay at Bruges, and the duke
of Bretayne his cousin with him. And
when the earl of Flanders had studied a
little on the matter and by the help of the
duke of Bretayne, ordained that the knight
should be brought to him. The baily re-
turned again to Sluys and came uncour-
teously to the French knight, for he set his
hand on him and rested him in the earl of
Flanders' name, whereof the knight had
great marvel and said to the baily : ' What
meaneth this ? I am a messenger and com-
missary of the French king.' ' Sir,' quoth
the baily, * I believe well. Howbeit ye
must needs go and speak with the earl of
Flanders, for he hath commanded me to
bring you to him.' So the knight could
make no scuse, but that he and his com-
pany were brought to Bruges to the earl.
And when he was in the earl's chamber,
the earl and the duke stood together lean-
ing out of a window into the garden- ward.
Then the knight kneeled down and said :
' Sir, behold here is your prisoner ' : of the
which word the earl was sore displeased,
and said in despite and ire : * What sayest
thou, ribbald ? that thou art my prisoner,
because I have sent to speak with thee?
Thy master's servants may right well come
and speak with me : but thou hast not well
acquitted thyself, sith thou hast been so
long at Sluys and knowing me here so
near to thee, and yet not come once to see
or to speak with me. Thou haddest dis-
dain so to do.' * Sir,' quoth the knight,
' saving your displeasure ' — then the duke
of Bretayne took the words and said :
* Among you bourders and janglers in the
palace of Paris and in the king's chamber
ye set by the realm as ye list and play with
the king at your pleasure, and do well or
evil as ye will yourselves : for there is no
prince of the blood royal, if ye among you
have once brought him into any hate or
displeasure with the king, that can be heard
after. But once I trust there will be so
many of such people taken, that the gibbets
will be full of them.'
The knight, who sat still on his knees,
was right sore abashed of those words, for
the hearing of such words was right hard
to him. Howbeit, he saw well it was
214
TE CHRONICLES OF FROISSART
better for him to keep his tongue than to
speak, and so gave no answer to those
words : and when he saw his time, he
took his leave of the earl and of the lords
and departed out of their presence, and
some noblemen that were about the earl
made him way and made him to drink, and
then he returned again to Sluys to his
lodging. And I shall shew you what fell
after. Though all his purveyance were
ready appax*elled and that he had wind at
will to have sailed into Scotland, yet he
durst not put himself into the dangers of
the sea : for it was shewed him how he was
spied by the Englishmen that he lay at
Sluys, and how that if he kept on his
voyage he was likely to be taken and
carried into England ; and because of those
doubts he brake his viage and returned to
Paris to the king.
Ye may well know that the lord of
Bournazel told no less to the French king
than was done to him by the earl of
Flanders, and also it was needful for him
to tell all for his excuse, for the king had
marvel of his returning. The same season
there were divers knights in the king's
chamber, and specially sir John of Ghis-
telles of Hainault, cousin to the earl of
Flanders, who had great displeasure at the
words of this knight that he had of the earl
of Flanders, so that finally he could keep
his tongue no longer, but said : * I cannot
suffer these words thus to be spoken of my
dear lord ; and, sir knight, if ye will say
that he did as ye say, to let you of your
viage, in that quarrel I appeal you to the
field and here is my gage, ' The lord of
Bournazel was nothing abashed to answer,
but said : ' Sir John, I say thus, how I was
thus tak 
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