Volume 1

The chronicles of Enguerrand de Monstrelet / containing an account of the cruel civil wars between the houses of Orleans and Burgundy; of the possession of Paris and Normandy by the English; their expulsion thence; and of other memorable events that happened in the kingdom of France, as well as in other countries ... Beginning at the year MCCCC, where that of Sir John Froissart finishes, and ending at the year MCCCCLXVII, and continued by others [J. du Clercq? and P. Desrey] to the year MDXVI. Translated by Thomas Johnes.

  • Enguerrand de Monstrelet
Date:
1849
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The chronicles of Enguerrand de Monstrelet / containing an account of the cruel civil wars between the houses of Orleans and Burgundy; of the possession of Paris and Normandy by the English; their expulsion thence; and of other memorable events that happened in the kingdom of France, as well as in other countries ... Beginning at the year MCCCC, where that of Sir John Froissart finishes, and ending at the year MCCCCLXVII, and continued by others [J. du Clercq? and P. Desrey] to the year MDXVI. Translated by Thomas Johnes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    of the country of Guise, to watch the motions of the enemy, and to be prepared should they attempt any incursions on that side. Poton de Saintrailles, l’Estandart de Mailly, the lord de Yerduisant, with some others expert in arms, made a sally from Guise, near to where the ambuscade had been posted. When they were far enough advanced, sir John, profiting of his advantage, made so vigorous a charge that they were instantly thrown into confusion,—and Poton, the lord de Verduisant, and a few more, were taken prisoners. But l’Estandart de Mailly, on the first shock, pointed his lance against Lyonnel de Vandonne, unhorsed him, and gave him so violent a blow on the shoulder that ever after the said Lyonnel was lame on that side. L’Estandart finding, however, that prowess would avail nothing, and that numbers were against him, wheeled about, and returned as quickly as his horse could carry him to the town of Guise. Sir John de Luxembourg pursued for a long time the others, who fled different ways. On his return he collected his men together, and, rejoicing at his good fortune, carried the prisoners to his castle of Beaurevoir, where he dismissed his captains until further orders. CHAPTER XVII. A LARGE BODY OP ENGLISH ARRIVE AT CALAIS. SIR JOHN DE LUXEM- BOURG BESIEGES THE TOWN OP GUISE OTHER MATTERS BRIEFLY SPOKEN OF. [a.d. 1424.] At the beginning of this year, sixteen hundred combatants or thereabout were landed at Calais from England,—the greater part of whom went to the duke of Bedford at Paris, and the rest to sir John de Luxembourg on the borders of the country of Guise. Sir John consented to treat with Poton de Saintrailles and the other prisoners, on condition that they would, with their men, abandon Guise, and cross the river Loire without harassing the country, and promise never to return unless in company with king Charles. By this treaty, and a considerable sum paid down as ransom, Poton and his companions obtained their liberty, and marched away to the country on the other side of the Loire. In this year, La Hire, Jean Roullet, and some other of king Charles’s captains, assembled a large body of men on the borders of Champagne, whom they led toward the Ardennes and the Rethelois, and besieged Olivier d’Estanevelle in his castle. About this time, sir John de Luxembourg, by orders from the dukes of Bedford and Burgundy, made great preparations, with men and artillery, to lay siege to the town of Guise in Tierache. When all was ready, he marched thither, accompanied by the lord de Picquigny, the vidame of Amiens, the lords d’Antoing, de Saveuses, sir Colart de Mailly, his brother Ferry de Mailly, sir Daviod de Poix, Maufroy de St. Leger, sir Lyonnel de Bournouville, the bastard de St. Pol, and very many more. Sir Thomas Ramstone, and a certain number of English, were also with him. On commencing their attacks, they met with great resistance from the garrison within the town, who, to prevent the enemy from approaching, had set fire to the suburbs, where many handsome houses were burnt. But this availed them nothing : for sir John instantly surrounded the place with his men, and had his engines pointed against the walls and gates on the side next the suburbs. Intelligence of this siege was immediately sent to Rene duke of Bar, to the count de Guise *, and to the duke of Lorraine, his father-in-law, by John lord de Proisy, governor of Guise, who informed them of the urgent necessity there was of instant relief being sent him. This news was very displeasing to the two dukes, who held many councils thereon, and assembled men-at-arms, in compliance with the governor’s request; but, fearful of incurring war with the young king of England and the duke of Burgundy, they abstained from any open hostilities. The siege continued for a considerable time without any material occurrences, excepting that the garrison made frequent sallies to annoy the enemy,—but it would take too much time to enter into the detail of each. About St. John Baptist’s day in this year, the earl of Salisbury, governor of Champagne and Brie, and very renowned in arms, besieged a good little town called Sodune, in the * This ought to be “ Rene, duke of Bar and count of in 1430, in right of his wife Isabel, daughter of duke Guise.” He was both, and became also duke of Lorraine Charles the Bold.