was deputy of Calice and had diuers other great offices so that I haue heard his yeerely reuenewes valued at fower score thousand crownes besides his owne inheritance But in the end he fell at variance with the King his master about a yeere as I gesse before the Duke of Burgundies comming before Amiens which breach the said Duke furthered to the vttermost of his power For the Earles great authority in England much discontented him besides that they two were not friends for the Earle had continuall intelligence with the King our master To be short about this present or not long before the Earle of Warwickes force was so great that he seased the King his master into his hands and put to death diuers personages that he highly fauored namely the Lord of Scales the Queenes father 3 and two of his sonnes the third being also in great danger with them diuers other knights He entertained the King his master for a season very honorably and placed new seruants about him supposing that through simplicity he would soone forget the old The Duke of Burgundy being not a little troubled with this aduenture practised secretly how King Edvvard might escape and they two commune togither which enterprise had so good successe that the King escaped indeede and leuied men and defeated certaine of the Earles bands He was a fortunate Prince in the field for he wan at the least nine great battels fighting himselfe on foote in euery one of them The Earle of Warwicke vnable to make resistance aduertised his friends what they should do and embarked at leisure accompanied with the Duke of Clarence who had married his daughter and tooke part with him notwithstanding that he were King Edwards brother They transported with them both wiues and children and a great band of men and sailed straight towards Calais within the which was the Earles lieutenant named the Lord of Vaucler 4 and diuers of the said Earles houshold seruants who in stead of receiuing their Master presented him the canon Further you shall vnderstand that as they lay at anchor before the towne the Duchesse of Clarence daughter to the Earle of Warwicke was deliuered of a sonne and great intreatie was made before Vaucler and the rest of the towne would suffer two flaggons of wine to be brought foorth to hir which was great extremitie of the seruant towards the master For it is to be supposed that the Earle thought himselfe well assured of this place which is they very key of England and the goodliest captainship in mine opinion in the world at the least in Christendome which I dare boldly auow bicause I was there diuers times during these wars and heard also the Maior of the staple report that he would willingly farme yeerely the deputyship of Calais of the King of England for fifteene thousand crownes For the deputie receiueth the profits of all that they haue on this side the sea and of all safe conducts and placeth also the greatest part of the garrison at his pleasure The King of England fauoured highly the Lord of Vaucler for this refusall made to his Captaine and granted him by his letters patents the office of Deputie which the Earle his master before held for he was a wise and an ancient knight and one of the order of the garter The Duke of Burgundie also who then lay at Saint Omer conceiued a maruellous good opinion of him so far foorth that he sent me to him granting him a yeerely pension of a thousand crownes and desiring him to continue a true and faithfull seruant to the King his Master as he had begun which at my comming thither I found him fully determined to do so that he sware in Staple Inne in Calais laying his hand within mine to be faithfull and true to King Edward and to serue him against all men The like oth all the towne and all the garrison sware also Farther I was by the space of two months almost continually resident at Calais at the least posting daiely betweene Calais and Bullen to entertaine the said Vaucler for you shall vnderstand that during these English troubles the Duke of Burgundie came to Bullen where he prepared a great army by sea against the Earle of Warwick who at his departure from Calais tooke many ships of the Dukes subiects which aduanced forward the war betweene the King of Fraunce and vs. For the Earles men sould the bootie in Normandie whereupon the Duke of Burgundie arrested all the French Marchants that came to the Mart at Andwerp Now bicause it is meete to vnderstand as well the cunning and subtill as the iust and vpright dealings of the world not to practise them but to know how to avoide them I will rehearse vnto you a sleight or subtilitie terme it as you list that was cunningly conueighed Farther I would that men should vnderstand the practises as well of our neighbors as our selues to the end it may appeere that in all places are both good and bad When the Earle of Warwick came before Calais thinking to enter into it as his onely refuge the Lord of Vaucler being a very wise gentleman sent him word that if he entred the towne he should cast away himselfe considering that all England the Duke of Burgundie the people of the towne and a great part of the garrison namely the Lord of Duras Marshall there for the King of England and diuers others that had men in the towne were his enimies wherefore his best way should be to retire into Fraunce and as touching the towne of Calais he willed him not to trouble himselfe for he would yeeld him good account thereof when time and occasion should serue He did his Captaine good seruice by giuing him this aduise but shewed himselfe thereby a very Iudas to his Master For vndoubtedly a more traiterous part was neuer plaied considering both that the King of England had made him Deputie of the towne of Calais and the Duke of Burgundy giuen him so large a pension The Notes 1 Philippa daughter to Iohn Duke of Lancaster was married to Iohn King of Portugale and had issue by him Isabell mother to Duke Charles 2 This was Henry Holland Duke of Exceter whose wife was Anne sister to King Edward the fourth and his grandmother was Elizabeth daughter to Iohn Duke of Lancaster by his first wife but he died without issue 3 Our chronicles name the Queenes father Earle of Riuers and so doth afterward also our Author lib. 5. cap. 15. 4 This Vaucler was a Gascoine borne How by King Lewis his aide the Earle of Warwicke chased King Edward out of England to the Duke of Burgundies great greefe who receiued him into his countries Chap. 5. THe Earle of Warwicke followed Vauclers aduise and landed in Normandie where the King honorably receiued him and furnished him largely of mony for his mens expences and appointed also the bastard of Bourbon Admirall of Fraunce being well accompanied to defend the
the King and him he caused it foorthwith to be opened and passed to our side of the riuer where vndoubtedly he was in great danger This his dooing peraduenture himselfe and his familiar friends accounted a woorthy exploit supposing the King to stand in feare of him whom also they reputed a timorous Prince And true it is that he was so at times when there was cause why but not alwaies when the world so iudged of him For you shall vnderstand that the ciuill wars with the Princes of his realme out of the which he had wound himselfe by large gifts and promises had beaten this lesson into his head not to put any thing in aduenture if he could compasse his purposes by any other means which caused a number of men to suppose all his dooings to proceede of feare But diuers that vpon this imagination attempted foolish enterprises against him found themselues much deceiued namely the Earle of Armignack and others whom their fond attempts cost full deere For the King knew when it was time to feare and not to feare Sure this praise I dare boldly giue him which though happily I haue written before yet deserueth againe to be spoken that he was the wisest man in aduersity that euer I knew But to returne to my discourse of the Constable who desired peraduenture to hold the King in feare at the least I suppose so for I will not charge him with it but write this onely for an aduertisement to those that are in Princes seruice and vnderstand not all alike the affaires of this world for mine owne part if I had a friend I would aduise him to endeuor himselfe that his Master might loue him not feare him for I neuer knew man whose authority depended of the feare his Master had of him that sped not euill in the end and that by his Masters consent Examples ynow haue been seene heerof in our time or not long before In this realm of the Lord of Trimouille and others In England of the Earle of Warwick and his faction I could name some also in Spaine and in other countries But those that shal reade this discourse may peraduenture be able to say more therin than my selfe This their presumption oftentimes proceedeth of their good seruice for they thinke their experience so great that they cannot be spared and their deserts such that their Masters ought to beare all things at their hands But Princes on the contrarie side both say and thinke that men are bound to do them seruice and desire nothing more than to be rid of such malapart fellowes Touching the which point I must needes speake somewhat of the King our Master for once he told me in talking of those that do their Prince great seruice naming withall his author from whom he receiued this opinion that good seruice sometime vndooeth men and is recompensed with great ingratitude not alwaies by the Masters forgetfulnes but many times through the seruants owne fault who presuming vpon their good seruice behaue themselues arrogantly either towards their Masters or their fellowes Further as touching those that come to preferment in Court this was his opinion that he is happier that receiueth a benefit of the Prince he serueth without great desert whereby he standeth bound to his Prince than he that hath done so great seruice that his Prince seemeth in debted to him adding that he for his part loued those better that were bound to him than those to whom he was bound Thus you see how hard it is to liue in this world in any estate wherfore greatly are they bound to God whom he hath indued with vnderstanding how to gouerne thēselues in their vocation This enteruiew between the King the Constable was in the yeere 1474. THE FOVRTH BOOKE How the Duke of Burgundy being seazed of the Duchie of Gueldres sought to encroch farther vpon the Almaines and how he laied his siege before Nuz Chap. 1. THe same sommer as I remember that the King and the Constable met the Duke of Burgundy went to conquer the Duchy of Gueldres vpon a title woorthy to be declared to the end we may therby consider the wonderfull iudgements and power of God There was a yoong Duke of Gueldres named Adolph who maried his wife being of the house of Bourbon and sister to Peter Duke of Bourbon 1 now liuing in the Duke of Burgundies court for the which cause he was wel fauored there This Duke Adolph committed an horrible fact for one euening he tooke his father named Duke Arnold prisoner as he was going to bed and led him fiue dutch miles on foote bare legged in a maruellous colde night and laid him in a deepe dungeon the space of six moneths 2 where he sawe no light but through a little hole Wherfore the Duke of Cleues whose sister the old Duke being prisoner had maried made sharpe war vpon this yoong Duke Adolph The Duke of Burgundy sought diuers meanes to agree them but no good could be done Wherefore in the end the Pope and the Emperor began to stir in this matter so far foorth that the D. of Burgundy vnder great curses was commanded to take the old Duke out of prison which he did accordingly for the yoong Duke durst not withstand him both bicause he saw so many good men against him and also bicause of the Dukes great force I haue often seene them both togither in the Duke of Burgundies chamber pleading their cause before a great assembly and once I saw the good old man present the combat to his sonne The Duke of Burgundy was very desirous to agree them and offered the yoong Duke whom he fauored the title of Gouernor 3 of Guelderland with all the reuenues thereof saue of one little towne neere to Brabant called Graue which should remaine to the father with the reuenues of three thousand florens a yeerely pension of as much and the title of Duke as was but reason I with others wiser than my self were appointed to make report of these conditions to the yoong Duke who answered vs that he had rather throw his father headlong into a Well and himselfe after than agree to such an appointment alleaging that his father had been Duke forty fower yeeres and that it was now time for him to gouerne Notwithstanding he said that he would willingly agree to giue him a yeerely pension of three thousand florens with condition that he should depart the countrey as a banished man neuer to return diuers other such like lewd speeches he vsed This hapned at the very same instant that the King wan Amiens from the Duke of Burgundy who was then with these two Dukes at Dourlans whence bicause of the wars he departed in haste to Hedin forgetting this matter This yoong Duke put on French apparell 4 and departed with one onely seruant to repaire home into his countrey But as he ferried ouer a water neere to Namur he paied a gildon for his passage whereupon a
able to succour the castle without these two ships for the enimies lay before it with a great Nauie as well of their owne as of the Venetians and the King of Spaines Three daies I abode with the Duke and one day he sate in counsell with me seeming to be discōtented that I misliked his answer touching the said ships and alleaged that by the treatie of Verceil he had promised to serue the King with two ships but not that they should be manned with French men Whereunto I answered that this seemed to me a verie slender excuse for if he should lend me a good mule to passe the mountaines withall and afterward make me lead hir in my hand and not to ride vpon hir but looke vpon hir onely what pleasure did he me After much debating he and I withdrew our selues into a gallery where I declared vnto him what great paines both I and others had taken to conclude this treatie of Verceil and into how great danger he brought vs by contrariyng thus his promise and causing the King by that meanes to lose these castles and consequently the whole realme whereby he should also ingender perpetuall hatred between the King and him Further I offered him the Princedome of Tarente and the Duchie of Bary the which Duchie he held already Lastly I shewed him the danger he put both himselfe and the whole estate of Italy into by suffering the Venetians to hold these places in Pouille 2 And he confessed I said true especially touching the Venetians but his last resolution was that he could finde no faith nor assurance with the King After this communication I tooke my leaue of him he accompaning me vpon the way about a league But euen at our very departure he deuised yet a cunningerly than all the rest if a man may vse such termes of a Prince for bicause I seemed to depart sad and Melancholick he said vnto me as a man suddenly altered that he would do me a friendly turne to the end the King might haue good cause to welcom me for the next day he would send Master Galeas to Genua more I could not wish when he named him to me to cause the two ships to depart and ioine with our armie by meanes whereof he would saue the King the castle of Naples and consequently the whole realme as he should indeed if he had done as he promised He said further that immediately after their departure he would aduertise me thereof with his owne hand to the end I might be the first man that should bring newes to the King of this great seruice that I had done him adding also that the Courrier should ouertake me with his letters before my arriuall at Lyons In this good hope departed I and tooke my iourney to passe the mountaines thinking euerie Poste that came after me to be the same that should haue brought me these letters Notwithstanding I doubted somewhat thereof knowing the nature of the man so well as I did But to proceed in my voiage I came to Chambery where I found the Duke of Sauoy who honorably entreated me and staied me with him a day Afterward I arriued at Lyons without my Courrier to make report to the King of all that I had done whom I found banketting and iusting and wholy giuen to sport and pastime Those that had misliked this treatie of Verceil were glad that the Duke of Milan had thus deluded vs for their credit increased thereby but me they potted at as in such cases is vsuall in Princes courts greatly to my griefe and discontentment I made report to the King by mouth and shewed him also in writing the Venetians offers aboue rehearsed whereof he made small account and the Cardinall who gouerned all much lesse But that notwithstanding I mooued it to him afterward againe for me thought it better to accept this offer then to lose all Besides that the King had no men about him able to deale in so waightie an enterprise 3 for those that were able and of experience they that had all the credit neuer or very seldome called to counsell in any matter The King would gladly they should oftner haue beene called but he feared to displease those that were of authority about him especially those that gouerned his treasure namely the said Cardinall and his brethren and kinsmen Wherefore let all other Princes learne by the example of this how fit and conuenient it is for themselues to take paines in the gouerning of their owne affaires at the least sometimes how requisite it is to call more than one or two to counsell according to the varietie of the matters that are debated and how necessarie it is to hold their counsellors almost in equall authority for if one of them be so great that the rest feare him as one was both then and euer since about King Charles he is King and Lord in effect and the Prince himselfe is euill serued as this King was by his gouernors who sought onely their owne profit and little regarded his whereby himselfe was the lesse esteemed and the worse thought of The Notes 1 The Venetians hauing sent aide to King Ferrand had won Monopoly and Pulignane Guicciar 2 For King Ferrand since King Charles his departure had in ingaged to the Venetians 6. townes in Pouille vnder certaine conditions which are rehearsed heerafter cap. 14. 3 He meaneth the enterprise of succouring the castle of Naples How the King after his returne into Fraunce forgot those that he left behinde him in the realme of Naples and how the Daulphin died whose death the King and Queen much lamented Chap. 13. I Returned to Lyons the yeere 1495. the twelfe of December where the King was already arriued with his army a yeere and two moneths after his departure out of his realme The castles of Naples held yet for him as before you haue heard and Monseur de Montpensier his lieutenant there was yet at Salerne in the realme of Naples with the Prince of Salerne likewise Monseur de Aubigny was yet in Calabria where he had done great seruice notwithstanding that he had been sicke almost euer since the Kings departure Master Gracien des Guerres was yet also in l' Abruzzo Dom Iulian at Montsaint-Ange and George of Suly at Tarente but they were all so distressed as a man would not beleeue Besides that they could hardly receiue any newes or letters out of Fraunce and those few they did receiue were but lies and faire promises without effect For the K. as you haue heard they dispatched nothing himselfe and if it had beene furnished in time but of the sixte part of the money that was spent afterward they had neuer lost the realme But in the end when all was yeelded they receiued forty thousand ducats onely for part of a yeeres pay already passed and yet if this small summe had come but a moneth sooner the miseries and diuisions they afterward fell into and the dishonor they receiued
that we had therof assured our friends in Italy aboue named all the which had beene at great charges and were in a readines But the Duke of Orleans being present at the debating of this matter himselfe made answer either by the aduise of some one or for that he shunned this enterprise bicause he saw the King euill disposed of his body whose heire he should be if he died that he would neuer take vpon him this voiage for his owne particular quarrell but willingly by the Kings commandement as his lieutenant with the which answere the counsell arose The next day and many daies after the ambassadors of Florence and diuers others pressed the King earnestly to command the Duke to depart Whereunto the King answered that he would neuer force him to the wars against his will Thus was this voiage dashed to the Kings great greefe both bicause of the great charges he had susteined and also bicause he was in good hope if it had proceeded to haue been reuenged of the Duke of Milan considering what intelligences he had already and what other intelligences he might haue had at that time by meanes of Master Iohn Iames of Treuoul lieutenant generall for him and the D. of Orleans in these Italian wars who was a Milanois borne and very well beloued and friended in his countrie where he had good intelligence with many both of his kinsemen and others This enterprise thus failing another succeeded yea two or three at a clap against Genua where the people are euer inclined to diuision one of these enterprises was managed by Master Baptiste de Campefourgouse who was chiefe of one of the factions in the towne but banished and his faction of no authoritie at that time neither yet the house of Orie who are gentlemen and they of Fourgousi none The said D'Ories take part with the Fourgouses but none of them may be Duke bicause they are gentlemen for no gentlemen may be Duke of Genua but this Baptiste had been Duke not long before and lost the gouernment by the trecherie of his vnckle the Cardinall of Genua who of late yeeres put the Seniorie of Genua into the Duke of Milans hands So that at this present the Adornes gouerned Genua who in like maner are not gentlemen but haue often been Dukes by helpe of the Spinoles who are gentlemen so that the gentlemen make the Duke of Genua but cannot be Dukes themselues This Baptista trusted that his faction would arise in his fauor both in the towne and countrey and that the towne being recouered the soueraigntie thereof should remaine to the King but he and his faction gouerne and banish their enimies The other enterprise was this diuers of Sauonne addressed themselues to the Cardinall Saint Peter ad Vincula 3 and promised to yeeld the towne to him hoping thereby to recouer their libertie for they are vnder the Genuois gouernment and pay tribute to them If we had entred into this place Genua should haue been greatly distressed the countrey of Prouence being in subiection to the King and Sauoy wholy at his deuotion Wherefore the King being aduertised of all these enterprises wrote to Master Iohn Iames of Treuoul to aide Master Baptist de Campefourgouse with force to conueigh him to the gates of Genua to see whether his faction would arise in his fauor And on the other side he was so earnestlie pressed by the Cardinal S. Peter ad Vincula that he sent other letters at the selfe same time to the said M. Iohn Iames comanding him to lend the said Cardinal men to conueie him to Sauonne and the like commandement sent he him also by mouth by the Lord of Sernon in Prouence who was great friend to the said Cardinall and a stout talker Besides these two commandements came yet a thirde which was that the said Master Iohn Iames should retire into some place where he might conueniently aide both these parties aboue mentioned yet attempt nothing against the Duke of Milan nor the treatie of peace made the summer before with him which commandement was cleane contrary to the two former Thus you see how great Princes affaires are gouerned when they vnderstand them not themselues but command letters and dispatch men vpon a sudden before they heare matters well debated For as touching the demaunds of Master Baptist de Campeforgouse and the said Cardinal it was impossible to satisfie them both at once for Baptist durst not go to the wals of Genua without great force bicause the towne is very populous and the people well armed and hardy and valiant soldiers wherefore if Master Iohn Iames should at the same time haue lent men also to the Cardinall his armie had been diuided into three companies for part of the force must haue remained with himselfe In the meane time diuers bands arriued at Genua and at Sauonne sent thither by the Duke of Milan and the Venetians who both feared greatly the reuolt of Genua as did also Dom Frederick and the Pope Besides these two enterprises the said Master Iohn Iames had yet a third in his head deuised of his owne braine which was this he would haue broken off both these other enterprises and haue marched with the whole force straight against the Duke of Milan and vndoubtedly if he had not beene countermaunded he would haue done some great exploit His enterprise he was already entred into and had aduertised the King thereof pretending that he could not otherwise aide them that should go to Genua or Sauonne to the enterprises aboue mentioned Wherefore vnder colour thereof he led his armie into the high way betweene Alexandria and Genua which was the onely way the Duke of Milan could send to inuade our bands that should go to Genua and Sauonne and three or fower small townes he tooke which voluntarily receiued him aduertising the King that this notwithstanding he made no war vpon the Duke of Milan seeing he was forced of necessitie for the safetie of those that should go to the other enterprises to do as he did adding that the King could not be said to make war vpon the Duke of Milan for seeking to conquer Genua or Sauonne bicause they were held of him and forfaited to him but this enterprise was dashed by the Kings commandement Further to satisfie the Cardinall the said Master Iohn Iames lent him part of the armie to conuey him to Sauonne but he found the place manned and thereupon gaue ouer his enterprise and returned He lent men also to Master Baptist to conuey him to Genua who assured him that his enterprise should take effect but when he was three or fower leagues vpon the way they that accompanied him began to be ielous of him as well the Almaines as the French wherein notwithstanding that they did him wrong yet sure their companie being but small should haue put themselues in great danger if they had gone to Genua and his faction had not happened to arise Thus all these enterprises
5 and his band with him These his words the King hath often since rehearsed to me for I serued then the Earle of Charolois But to proceede the 27. of Iuly 6 the yeere 1465. the Kings vawarde came to Montl'hery where the Earle of Saint Paul lodged who incontinent aduertised the Earle of Charolois lying two leagues thence namely at Longiumeau the place assigned for the battel of their arriuall desiring him of aide with all speed and alledging that bicause all his men of armes and archers were lighted on foote and inclosed with their cariage he could not possiblie retire to Longiumeau according to the order agreed on without seeming to flie whereby he should both discourage and endanger the whole armie Which message receiued the Earle of Charolois sent foorthwith the bastard of Burgundy called Anthony with a great band of men to ioine with the Earle of S. Paule and debated with himselfe whether he should go thither in person or not and in the end marched forward with the rest and came to the place about seauen of the clocke in the morning but before his arriuall fiue or sixe of the Kings ensignes were displaied along vpon a great ditch side betweene the two armies The Vicechauncellor of Britaine called Rouuille was yet in the Earle of Charolois campe and with him an ancient man of armes named Maderey the selfesame that deliuered Pont S. Maxence to the Burgundians against these two the whole armie murmured bicause the battell being now ready to be giuen the forces they had so much vaunted of were yet vncome Wherefore they were both in great feare and fled before the two armies ioined taking the way to the Britaines campe The Earle of Charolois company set themselues in order of battell as they marched and at their arriuall found the Earle of S. Paul on foot all the archers dismounted ech man hauing a pale pitched before him Farther they beat out the heads of diuers pipes of wine to drink sure for those few battels I haue been in I neuer saw men in my life more desirous to fight which me thought was a good signe and a great comfort Order was giuen at the first that we should all light on foote none excepted but that order was afterward altered For almost all the men of armes mounted againe on horseback saue certaine valiant Knights and Esquiers appointed to fight among the footemen namely Monseur de Cordes and Master Philip of Lalain with diuers others for at that time among the Burgundians the honorablest personages fought on foote among the archers to the end the infanterie might be the better assured and fight the more couragiously which order they learned of the English men with whom Duke Philip being confederate in his youth made war vpon the realme of Fraunce the space of two and thirty yeeres without truce 7 But the burthen of those wars lay vpon the English mens shoulders who were at that time rich and mightie and had a wise goodly and valiant King called Henry accompanied with sage hardy and expert captains namely the Earle of Salisburie Talbot and others whom I passe ouer bicause those wars were before my time notwithstanding I haue seene the reliques of them For when God ment to withdraw his goodnes from the English men this wise King died at Bois de Vincennes and his sonne who prooued but a simple man was crowned King of Fraunce and England at Paris Soone after all was turned topsie turuie in England For ciuill wars arose among them which haue endured almost till this present by reason that the house of Yorke vsurped the crowne or held it by good title I wot not wel whether for the lot of kingdomes is giuen from heauen But to returne to the historie this dismounting and remounting of the Burgundians caused both great delaie of time and losse of men for at this instant that yoong valiant knight master Philip of Lalain being but slenderly armed was slaine 8 The Kings forces marched scatteringly along by the forrest of Torfou being hardly 400. men of armes at our first arriuall so that if we had then charged them in mine opinion we had found no resistance for they that were behinde could not haue aided the former bicause they could not march forward vpon a front but one by one after an other Notwithstanding their number continually increased which this wise knight Monseigneur de Contay perceiuing came and told his master the Earle of Charolois that if he would obteine the victorie it was time to giue the charge confirming his opinion by diuers good reasons and adding that if he had assailed his enimies at his first arriuall they had already been discomfited for then their number was smal but now greatly increased as easie it was to be discerned sure he said true 9 Then was euery mans aduise asked and the former order cleane altered but in the meane time a great hot skirmish was alreadie begun at the very entrie into the village of Montl'hery all of shot on both sides the Kings bands were lead by Poncet of Riuiere being all archers of his ordinary retinue glistering in gilt and very well appointed But the Earles shot was out of order obedient to no man and doing all things of their owne braine Thus began the skirmishes in the which the Lord Philip of Lalain 10 and Iames of Mas a valiant gentleman afterward master of the horse to Duke Charles of Burgundie fought on foote among the archers The Burgundians being the greater number tooke a house and bare two or three doores before them wherewith they couered themselues in steede of targates and after they were entred the streete set fire on a house the winde was with them and blew the flame in their enimies faces who thereupon retired and afterward tooke horse and fled with the which hue and crie the Earle of Charolois began to march leauing the order first deuised For order was first giuen that the bands should rest twise by the way bicause the Earles vawarde and his battle were far asunder 11 The Kings army stood neere to the castle of Montl'hery a great hedge and a ditch being betweene them and vs. The fields beyond them bare that yeere wheate beanes and other graine growne maruellous high and thicke for the soile there is verie good All the Earles shot marched on foote before him in very euill order notwithstanding that in mine opinion in a battel the principall hope of victorie consisteth in the shot I meane if the force of shot be great for small force serueth to small purpose and either euill mounted to the end they be not vnwilling to forsake their horses or not mounted at all Farther the day of a battle those that are ignorant of the wars will do a greater exploit than those that haue been long trained vp therein this is the Englishmens opinion who are best shot in the world order was first giuen as you haue heard that the Earles
their lacke of experience cause them either to conclude some dishonorable treaty or put their master in greater feare at their returne than there is cause why Farther a Prince ought to commit such affaires rather to those that haue receaued benefit at his hands than to such as neuer were benefited by him but especially to wise men for he shall neuer make profit by imploying a foole Besides this such treaties ought to be held rather far from his campe than neere vnto it and when the Commissioners returne the Prince must giue them audience himselfe alone or in presence of verie fewe to the end that if their newes be discomfortable they may be instructed how to answer those that will be inquisitiue for all men will desire to vnderstand newes of them yea and some of their familiars will thinke that they wil hide nothing from them notwithstanding if they be such men as I haue heere described and know their master to be wise they will reueale nothing to any man whosoeuer The Notes 1 Couperoit in the French is vndoubtedly to be read Coupleroit as I haue heere translated it for to read it Couperoit is senselesse for the better vnderstanding of this place peruse Valturius de re militari lib. 11. pag. 313. where you shall se the right description of this bridge 2 This Chastel Guyon Chasteau Guyen and Chasteau Guyon as our author also afterward nameth him was the Prince of Orenges sonne La Marche 3 The old copie saith he was slaine at Morat but De la Marche who was at the battell sayeth at Granson but heere is to be noted that the Chasteau Guyon mentioned by our author lib. 5. cap. 2. and by Annal. Burgund that went into Piemont after the battell of Granson was not this but sonne or brother to this which is prooued by Commines owne vvords for in that place he calleth him Mounseor De Chasteau Guyon qui est de present and vvhether this Chasteau Guyon vvere slaine at Granson or Morat he cold not be aliue in Charles the 8 time vvhen our author writ Thus much I haue said lest Commines should seeme to vary from La Marche or rather from himselfe A discourse vpon certaine vices and vertues of King Lewis the 11. Chap. 10. I Am entred into this discourse bicause I haue seene much falsehood in the world and many seruants deceaue their masters oftentimes through their masters owne fault for this I dare boldly auowe that proud and disdainfull Princes and such as will giue audience but to fewe are oftner abused then those that are curteous and readie to giue eare to euery man wherein sure King Levvis our master surmounted far all the Princes of his time for he was the wisest Prince in winding himselfe out of trouble and aduersitie the humblest in words the plainest in apparell and the greatest traueller to win a man that might do him seruice or harme that euer I knew Neither vsed he to relinquish his sute for the first refusal but labored the party continually by large promises and liberall gifts as well of great sums of money as also of such estates and offices as he knew would content him And as touching those whom he had banished and withdrawne his fauor from in peace and prosperitie he bought them deerely againe when he needed them and imploied them in his seruice cleane forgetting all offences passed He loued naturally men of meane estate and was enimie to all such as needed not to depende vpon him neuer Prince gaue audience to so many men neuer Prince was inquisitiue of so many matters nor desirous to be acquainted with so many strangers as he whereby he knew aswell all that were in authoritie and estimation in England Spaine Portugale Italie and the Seniories of Burgundie and Britaine as his owne subiects And by these vertues preserued he his estate which stood in great danger at his first comming to the crowne bicause of the enimies himselfe had procured to himselfe But his great liberalitie especially serued him to good purpose for as in aduersitie he wisely behaued himselfe so contrariwise in time of peace or truce he lightlie fell out with his seruants by picking trifling quarels to them and such was his disposition that he could hardly away with peace or quietnes In his talke he spared no man neither absent nor present saue such as he feared which were many for naturally he was very fearfull Farther when his talke had either turned him to displeasure or was like so to do he would endeuor himselfe to amend the matter by vsing these or such like words to the partie offended I know well that my toong hath wrought me much displeasure but it hath also oftentimes stood me in great stead notwithstanding reason it is that I should repaire the iniurie done and when he vsed this familiar speech he euer gaue withall some great present to the partie greeued Sure the knowledge of good and euill is a great gift of God to a Prince I meane when the good surmounteth the euill as it did in the King our Master who in mine opinion was much bettered by the trouble he sustained in his youth when he fled from his father and soiourned with Duke Philip of Burgundy the space of sixe yeeres 1 for he was constrained there to frame himselfe to the humor of those whom he stood in neede of which singular vertue aduersitie taught him But after his fathers death when he came first to the state he thought onely vpon reuenge but soone felt the smart thereof and therefore foorthwith changed his minde acknowledged his error repaired the harmes done and sought to recouer by large benefits those whom he had offended as heerafter you shall perceiue And I thinke verily he should neuer haue wound himselfe out of those troubles had not his education been better than noble mens commonly is in this realme who are brought vp altogither in wantonnes and dissolutenes as well in apparell as in talke they are vtterly vnlearned there is not one wise man about them they haue gouernors that dispose of all their affaires but they themselues do nothing yea some noble men there are hardly of fower nobles rent that glorie in saying Speake to my seruants thinking thereby to imitate great Princes But I haue oftentimes seene their seruants so make their profit of them that their folly hath thereby appeered to the whole world And if any of them happen at the length to looke about him and to attend to his owne busines it is so late that it seemeth almost to no purpose for all those that haue been great or done great things began in their tender age which vertue proceedeth either of their bringing vp or of the grace of God The Notes 1 King Lewis departed from his father into Daulphin anno 1447. and there remained till the yeere 1456. at the which time bicause of the force his father sent thither against him he was constrained to flie to
Burgundie and hung his sons image on a gibbet vvith vile reprochfull vvords Reade Annal. Burgund fol. 900. and Meyer fol. 337. pag. 2. but soone after namely 19. Octob. the same yeere the Duke of Burgundy by the conduct of the Earle of Nassau the Seneschall of Hainault the Lords of Grutuse Gasebecque and Rubempre gaue them an ouerthrovv at Montenac vvhere they lost 2200 men vvherefore seeing their forces broken and the Earle of Charolois returned home they desired peace vvhich they obtained 22. Ianuarij anno 1466. as our author in this chapter maketh mention and likevvise Meyer fol. 338. and Annal. Burgund fol. 909. vvhere also reade the conditions of the peace but this peace the same yeere about Iune they brake againe by aiding them of Dinand as in the second booke our author setteth foorth at large How by the deuision that hapned betweene the Dukes of Britaine and Normandie the King recouered the saide Duchie which he had giuen his brother Chap. 15. NOw to returne to the Dukes of Normandie and Britaine who after their departure from Bois-de-Vincennes went togither as you haue heard to take possession of Normandie You shall vnderstand that immediately after their entrey into Roan they fell at variance about partition of the bootie 1 for the knights aboue mentioned were yet with them who being accustomed vnder King Charles the seuenth to liue in great authoritie and enioy goodly offices thought now seeing this enterprise at an end and themselues vnrestored to the Kings fauor to be aduanced by the new Duke of Normandie wherefore they gaped for the best offices in the countrey as due to them On the otherside the Duke of Britaine thought it reason that part of them should be at his disposition bicause the greatest burden of these wars had lien vpon his shoulders To be short the fire so kindled betweene them that the Duke of Britaine for safety of his person was forced to retire to mont S. Katherine neer to Roan where also the Duke of Normandies men with the citizens of Roan were about to besiege him so that in the end he was forced to retire the high way to Britaine Of this deuision the King being aducrtised furthered it I warrant you to the vttermost of his power for he was master in this Arte and in the meane time approched with his army neere to the countrey whereupon those that held the strong places began to yeeld them to him thereby to recouer his fauor I speake of these matters vpon the Kings owne report for I my selfe was not present at them But to proceed the King practised with the Duke of Britaine who held certaine of the strong places in base Normandie 2 vtterly to abandon his brother for conclusion whereof they were togither a certeine space at Caen where they made a treatie by the which the said towne of Caen diuers other places remained in the L. of Lescuts hands with a certaine number of soldiers in pay but this treatie was so confused that I thinke neither party vnderstood it throughly well Thus returned the D. of Britaine into his owne countrey and the King bent his whole force against his brother the Duke of Normandie who seeing himselfe vnable to withstand him and that the King had already taken Pont de l'Arche and diuers other places in the countrey determined to flie into Flaunders The Earle of Charolois was yet at Sainctron 3 a litle towne in the countrey of Liege where he was maruellously busied for his army was all broken and out of order and part thereof notwithstanding the winter in war against the Liegeois This variance betweene the two Dukes aboue mentioned much troubled him for he desired nothing more than to see a Duke of Normandie bicause thereby the King should lose the third foote of his realme wherfore he leuied men in Picardie to put into Dieppe but before they were readie he that held the towne yeelded it by composition to the King who by this meanes recouered al the Dutchie of Normandie saue those places that the Lord of Lescut held by the treatie of Caen. The Notes 1 He meaneth by the bootie the offices in Normandie 2 The places the Duke of Britaine helde vvere Caen Auaranches Licieux c. 3 Some copies haue Saint Oen but the old copie and de la Marche Sainctron some call it Centron and Saint Truden as saith Guicci Hubertus nameth it in latin Centrones Berlandus fanum Trudonis but corruptly saith Hubertus the ancient name in deede is Centrones wherefore it is to be read Centronor Sainctron but not Saint Oen. How the newe Duke of Normandie returned into Britaine in very poore estate and vtterly discouraged bicause he had failed of his enterprise Chap. 16. THe Duke of Normandie was once determined as you haue heard to flie into Flaunders but at that very instant the Duke of Britaine and he reconciled themselues acknowledging both of them their errors and well perceauing all good things by diuision to perish and come to naught And sure in mine opinion it is almost impossible that many Princes of equall estate being togither should long continue in friendship and amitie vnlesse they haue a superior ouer them who also must be wise and well esteemed to the end he may hold them in due obedience I haue my selfe seene many examples heereof and therfore speake not vpon hearesay Besides that common experience prooueth that we are naturally enclined to fall at variance to our owne harme not regarding the inconueniences that ensue thereof which is a generall fault through the whole worlde Wherefore in mine opinion a wise Prince hauing ten thousand men at his commandement and knowing how to gouerne them is more to be feared and esteemed than six Princes confederate togither with each of them ten thousand bicause so many matters fall in question betweene them that all good occasions are lost before they can resolue vpon any thing Thus returned the Duke of Normandie into Britaine in very poore estate and vtterly abandoned of all the Knights aboue mentioned that had serued the King his father for they made their peace with the King and were better entertained by him than euer they had beene in his fathers time These two Dukes were wise after the hurt receiued as the common prouerbe saith of the Brittons and liued togither in Britaine being gouerned by the Lord of Lescut their principall seruant And diuers ambassadors ran betweene the King and them and betweene them and the Earle of Charolois and likewise between the King and the Duke of Burgundy some to learne newes some to corrupt one anothers seruants and subiects and some for diuers other euill purposes and all vnder colour of good faith Some also went with good intent trusting to pacifie these troubles which sure was great simplicitie in them to thinke themselues wise sufficient ynough by their presence to appease Princes so great so subtill so well acquainted with all sorts of fine practises
as these were especially neither party inclining to reason But some there are so blinded with vaine glorie that they thinke themselues able to deale in matters that oftentimes they vnderstand not for their Masters do not alwaies discouer to them the bottom of their thoughts To such it often happeneth that they go but to furnish the feast yea many times to their owne cost for euer one by-fellow or other accompanieth them that hath some secret practise apart at the least thus haue I seene the matter ordered at all times and in all places where I haue been Wherefore as I said before that Princes ought to be circumspect whom they imploy in their affaires so say I now that those that are imploied ought to take heede how they negotiate in Princes businesses And who so can shift off the charge vnlesse he vnderstand it throughly well and perceiue his Master to be well affected thereunto is to be accounted wise for I haue knowen many a good man in a pecke of troubles with such affaires Princes also I haue seene of two contrarie dispositions the one so subtill and suspicious that a man can neuer be acquainted with their humor for they thinke all the world bent to deceiue them the other trust their seruants well ynough but they themselues are so grosse and vnderstand so little of their owne affaires that they know not who doth them good seruice or bad whereby they alter their mindes in a moment from loue to hatred and from hatred to loue And notwithstanding that of either sort few are good and constant yet I for my part had rather liue vnder the wise than the foolish bicause there are more waies to auoid their displeasure and recouer their fauour lost but with the ignorant a man can deuise no shift for no man dealeth with themselues in any matter but altogither with their seruants whom also they change as oft as the winde Notwithstanding in those countries where such Princes raigne all men are of dutie bound to serue and obey them Wherfore all things considered our onely hope ought to be in God for he alone is constant he onely is good but this lesson we learne too late yea neuer before we neede his helpe notwithstanding it is better late than neuer THE SECOND BOOKE Of the wars betweene the Burgundians and Liegeois and how the towne of Dinand was taken sacked and rased Chap. 1. IMmediately after these troubles aboue mentioned ended in France the Duke of Burgundie yeere by yeere had war with the Liegeois against whom when the King sawe him busied he vsually attempted some enterprise against the Britons sending also some small aide to the said Liegeois whereupon the Duke foorthwith either turned his force against the King to succour his confederates or they concluded some treatie or truce Now you shall vnderstand that in the yeere 1466. Dinand was taken by the Duke of Burgundie 1 being a towne in the country of Liege strong and rich for the bignes thereof by reason of their great trade of copper works commonly called Dinandrie being pots pans and such like implements Philip Duke of Burgundie who died in the moneth of Iune in the yeere 1467 in his extreme age was borne thither in a litter so much hated he the said towne bicause of their great crueltie vsed against his subiects in the countie of Namur especially against a little towne called Bouuines situate within a quarter of a league of Dinand and seuered onely with the riuer of Maze For not long before the time I now write of they of Dinand besieged the said towne of Bouuines the riuer running betweene 2 the space of eight moneths committed many cruell murthers in the countrie thereabout and shot all that space continually with two bombards and other great peeces of artillerie into the towne so that the poore people were constrained to saue themselues in their sellers and there to abide It is almost incredible the great hatred that was betweene these two towns notwithstanding that their children vsually married togither bicause there was no other good towne neere them The yeere before the destruction of Dinand being the same sommer the Earle of Charolois came before Paris with the Princes of Fraunce as you before haue hard they made a treatie with the Duke of Burgundie whereby they agreed to giue him a certaine summe of money to abandon their league with the citie of Liege and to gouerne their estate apart a manifest token of imminent destruction when they that ought to continue togither in amitie seuer themselues and forsake each other which I speake as well to great Princes in league togither as to townes and commonalties But bicause I suppose euerie man to haue seene and read a number of examples to this purpose I will lightlie passe ouer this discourse onely noting by the way that King Lewis our Master was the finest and cunningest Prince in dissoluing freindship betweene men that euer I knew for he spared neither money goods nor traueill but labored as well the seruants as the masters Now to returne to the historie they of Dinand soone repented them of the treatie aboue mentioned for they cruelly put to death foure of their best citizens that had beene the chiefe perswaders of them thereunto and began war a newe in the countie of Namur wherefore partlie for these considerations partlie bicause of the earnest sollicitation of the citizens of Bouuines D. Philip laid the siege before the towne but the charge of the whole army was committed to his son Thither came also from his own house the Earle of S. Paul Counstable of France to aide the Duke not by the Kings commandement nor with the men of armes that were vnder his charge but with such force onely as he had leuied in the marches of Picardie Once they of Dinand made a proud sallie and were repulsed to their great losse and the eight day after the towne being maruellouslie beaten with canon was taken by assault 3 so that their freinds had not leisure to bethinke them whether they should aide them or not The towne was burnt and rased and the prisoners being to the number of eight hundred drowned before Bouuines 4 Sure the reuenge was cruell vpon them but I thinke God had so ordeined it bicause of their great wickednes The next day after the towne was taken the Liegeois came thither with great force 5 to succour it contrary to their promise for by the treatie aboue mentioned they and the towne of Dinand had abandoned each other Duke Philip bicause of his old age returned home but his sonne with the whole armie marched against the Liegeois whom we met sooner than we looked for For by chance our vaward missed the way for lacke of guides by meanes wherof our battell met first with them wherin were the principall Captaines of our armie It was almost night when we arriued at the place where they lodged yet notwithstanding we marched against them but
and estimation his subiects are the more obedient they deny him nothing that he demandeth his soldiers also waxe thereby the hardier and the more couragious Notwithstanding oftentimes the Princes themselues after a victory obteined are so puffed vp with pride and vaine glory that commonly their good successe turneth to their harme all the which hapneth by Gods disposition who sendeth alterations according to mens deserts When they within Sainctron saw the battell lost and themselues inclosed on all sides supposing also the discomfiture to be much greater then indeede it was they laid downe their armor yeelded the towne and deliuered such men to the Dukes mercy as he demanded whom he incontinent caused to be beheaded sixe of them being of the hostages that he had dismissed a few daies before vnder such conditions as you haue heard From thence he dislodged and marched to Tongres which abode the siege but bicause the towne was nothing strong they yeelded before the battery vnder the same conditions that their neighbors of Sainctron had accepted and deliuered also ten men to the Duke who were put to death as the former fiue or sixe of them being likewise of the hostages aboue mentioned The Notes 1 The newe copie hath Liny but the old and La Marche name it Huy Guicci Hoey Hubertus Huyum Meyer Hoyum and almost all other good authors 2 The Liegeois armie to succour Sainctron was of 20000. men but understand besides the Kings forces lead by Messir Bare or Barrado as Meyer termeth him who vvas slaine in the battell Meyer 3 The King sent to aide the Liegeois 400. men of armes and 6000. archers Meyer 4 There were slaine at this battell 6000. saith the old copie 3000. Meyer grounding himselfe vpon certeine obscure Annalists one of Flanders the other of Brabant of purpose to contrarie our author as in my epistle is shevved more at large 5 This battell vvas fought vpon Alhallovve Eeuen De la Marche but Meyer saith the 27. of October How some of the citizens of Liege agreeing to yeeld their towne and others refusing so to do the Lord of Hymbercourt found meanes to enter into it for the Duke of Burgundie Chap. 3. FRom Tongres the Duke marched to the citie of Liege where the people were in great diuision for part of them gaue aduise to defend the towne saying that they had force sufficient within it so to do the cheife of the which faction was a knight called Master Raz of Laitre but others seeing all the countrey about burned and destroied would in any wise haue peace were the conditions neuer so vnresonable wherefore when the Duke approched neere to the city diuers ouertures of peace were made by certaine meane persons as prisoners and such like But the principall dealers in the matter were certaine of our hostages who doing cleane contrary to the others aboue mentioned and acknowledging the great fauor the Duke had shewed them brought to his campe with them three hundred of the best citizens in their shirts bare headed bare legged who presented the keies of the city to him and yeelded themselues to his mercy humbly beseching him onely to giue them his word that the towne should neither be fired nor sacked And at the selfe same time that they came in this estate to the Duke the Kings ambassadors being Monseur de Mouy and a secretary called Iohn Preuost were there present who were come to the Duke with the same demandes that the Constable had made a few daies before Farther the verie day of the composition the Duke supposing to enter the citie sent the Lord of Hymbercourt thither before him bicause he was well acquainted in the towne and had beene gouernor thereof vnder Duke Philip during the yeeres they liued in peace notwithstanding entrie was denied him for that day whereupon he retired and lodged in an abbey without one of the towne gates being accompanied with fiftie men of armes the whole number amounting to two hundred souldiers and I my selfe being one of them The Duke of Burgundie sent him word if the place where he laie were strong not to dislodge otherwise to retire backe to him for he could hardlie haue succoured him bicause all that countrey is rock and stone The said Hymbercourt resolued not to mooue for the place was very strong but retained with him fiue or sixe of the citizens that brought the keies to â—he Duke minding to vse their helpe to good purpose as heereafter you shall peceiue At nine of the clock at night we heard a bell ring at the sound whereof the citizens vse to assemble whereupon the said Hymbercourt doubted that this bell called companie togither to issue foorth to assaile vs for he was aduertised that Master Raz of Laitre and other of the citizens would not agree to peace and in deed his surmise was true for that was their determination and they were euen vpon the pointe to sally Then said the Lord of Hymbercourt to vs if we can dalie with them but till midnight we are safe for they will waxe wearie and desirous of sleepe and then those that are our enimies in the towne will flie when they shall see their enterprise frustrate wherefore to bring his purpose to passe he dispatched two of the citizens that he had staied with him and deliuered them certeine freindly articles in writing meaning only to busie the citizens with farther talke to win time for their maner was yet is to assemble togither at the Bishops pallace to debate of their affaires when the bel aboue mentioned is rung These two Burgesses which had been of our hostages when they came to the gate being hardlie two bow shot from the abbey where we lodged found a great number of the citizens there in armes some of the which would needs issue foorth to assaile vs some not Then our two Burgesses tould the Maior of the citie aloude that they brought certeine friendly articles in writing from the Lord of Hymbercourt the Duke of Burgundies lieutenant in those countreis willing him to returne to the pallace to read them whereunto he agreed and incontinent we heard the bell ring againe wherby we vnderstood that they were busied about our articles Our two Burgesses returned not but about an hower after we heard a greater noise at the gate than before and a much greater number came thither in armes crying and rayling vpon vs from the wals whereby the Lord of Hymbercourt perceiued our danger to be now rather increased then diminished wherefore he dispatched the other fower hostages that were yet with him by whom he wrote a letter the contents whereof were that during the time he was gouernor of the citie for the Duke of Burgundie he had vsed them gentlie and louinglie neither would for anie thing consent to their destruction especially seeing not long before he had beene a commoner of one of their companies in the towne namely the Goldsmithes companie 1 wherefore they ought so much the
seeing himselfe shut into this little castell and a number of archers before the gate stood in great doubt of his person the rather bicause he lodged hard by a great tower in the which an Earle of Vermandois had in times past caused a King of Fraunce one of his predecessors to be slaine 2 I was yet in seruice with the Duke and one of his priuie chamber into the which I entred at my pleasure according to the vse of this house of Burgundie The Duke when the towne gates were shut commanded all men to voide his chamber and said to two or three of vs that taried with him that notwithstanding he for his part had neuer any taste in this meeting but agreed to it onely to content the King yet the King on the contrarie side was come thither purposely to abuse him Then rehearsed he all these newes of Liege how the King had ordered the matter by his ambassadors and caused all his men to be slaine and such a rage he was in against the King and so threatened him that I thinke verily if those to whom he spake had pressed forward the matter and counselled him to worke the King some mischiefe he would haue done it at the least haue imprisoned him in the great tower aboue mentioned None were present when these words passed the Duke but my selfe and two groomes of his chamber one of the which was named Charles of Visin borne at Dyion an honest gentleman and in good credit with his master We mitigated this matter and sought to appease the Duke as much as in vs lay notwithstanding soone after he vsed also the like speech to others by meanes whereof it was blowen all ouer the towne and came at length into the Kings chamber who was in maruellous feare as vniuersally all men were bicause of the great euils they saw like to ensue a quarrell begun betweene two so great Princes who sure were both blame woorthie for that they aduertised not their seruants of this meeting who were far from them executing their commandements whereby some great inconuenience was sure to ensue The Notes 1 These were chanons of S. Lambert in Liege the which were not forced to be priests but might come foorth and marrie if they had not soong masse Guicci 2 This Earle of Vermandois was named Hebart or Herbau and the King of Fraunce Charles le Simple whom this Hebart slue in the towre heere mentioned anno 926. or after Annal. Burgund 921. bicause the King had slaine in battell Robert Duke of Aquitaine or after some of Aniou who had married this Hebarts sister But note heere poenam talionis vpon the King for as he was staied heere notwithstanding the Dukes safe conduct so had he himselfe taken and imprisoned by the space of two yeeres Philip Lord of Bresse hauing called him to him vnder his safe conduct Meyer Of the Lord of Bresses imprisonment our author maketh mention in the fift chapter of this booke A discourse wherein is shewed that an enteruiew betweene two great Princes for treatie of their affaires hurteth more than profiteth Chap. 8. IT is great folly for two Princes being in manner of equall force and estate to meete togither vnlesse it be in their youth when their mindes are wholy set vpon pleasures and pastimes but after they are come to mans estate and growen desirous to encroch each vpon other such enteruiewes do but increase their hatred and euill will though happily their persons might be there in safetie which notwithstanding I hold almost for a thing impossible Wherefore it is better to pacifie all controuersies by wise and discreete men as before I haue said for proofe whereof I will reherse certaine examples that haue happened in my tyme some of the which I my selfe haue seene and of the rest haue beene credibly enformed A few yeers after King Lewis his coronation before the war called the WEALE PVBLIQVE began a sollemne meeting was appointed between him and the King of Castile 1 which are the two neerest confederated Princes in Christendome for their league is betweene King and King Realme and Realme and man and man of their subiects which also they are both bound vnder great curses to keepe and obserue inuiolable To this meeting came Henry King of Castile with a goodlie traine to Fontarabia and the King our Master to Saint Iohn de Luz fower leagues distant both of them being vpon the frontires of their dominions I was not present my selfe at this meeting but I haue heard both the King and the Lord of Lau make report thereof and haue beene enformed of it also by certaine Lords of Castille there present with the King their Master who came to this enterview accompanied with the Lord great Master of Saint Iames and the Archbishop of Tolledo which two bare all the swaie in Castile at that time the Earle of Lodesme the King of Castils minion was there also in great brauerie and all the said Kings gard being to the number of three hundred horse all Moores of Granado and some of them Negros But K. Henry himselfe was a man of so small vnderstanding that he gaue away all his inheritance at the least suffered euery man that would to spoile him of it our King was also accompanied with a goodlie traine as you know his vse was but his gard especially was braue in verie good order To this meeting came in like maner the Queene of Arragon about a controuersie betweene hir and the King of Castile for Estell and certaine other places in Nauarre whereof the King was made arbitrator But now for proofe that such enterviews between great Princes are not meet nor conuenient you shall vnderstand that these two Kings had neuer beene at variance there was no quarrell betweene them neither saw they one another past once or twise vpon a riuer side that parteth both their realmes 2 hard by a litle castell called Heurtebise where the King of Castile passed to the hither side of the riuer At their first meeting they had no great liking one of another especially our King who perceiued the King of Castille to be but a simple man doing nothing of himselfe but whollie gouerned by the great Master of Saint Iames and the Archbishop of Tolledo aboue mentioned Wherefore he made no account of their Master but sought their freindship whereupon they came to him to Saint Iohn de Luz where he entred into amitie with them and had great intelligence by their meanes The greatest part of both these Princes traines lay at Bayonne and at the verie first meeting fell togither by the eares notwitstanding their league and no maruell For their maners and languages differed Afterward the Earle of Lodesme came also to visite the King and passed the riuer in a boate the saile whereof was cloth of gold Farther he ware a paire of buskins embrodred thicke with stone for he was a Prince of great wealth and reuenews in Castille and created
him against the King and to shew himselfe a friend to the Duke of Burgundie as he had shewed himselfe to him by the treatie of Peronne The next day the Duke of Burgundie approched neere to a towne vpon the riuer of Somme called Piquigny the seat whereof was meruellous strong There he determined to make a bridge to passe the said riuer but fower or fiue hundred franke archers and certaine gentlemen who by chance lodged at that present in the towne seeing the Duke passe by salied out to the skirmish vpon a long causey and issued foorth so far from the place that thereby they gaue the Dukes men occasion to pursue them who folowed them so speedily that they slue a great number of them before they could retire into the towne and tooke the suburbes into the which the causey lead Then fower or fiue peeces of artilery were bent against the towne notwithstāding that it were impregnable on that side for that the riuer ran between the towne and the Dukes battery But these franke archers fearing bicause they saw the bridge in hand to be besieged also on the other side abandoned the place and fled The castle held two or three daies and than yeelded also by composition and the soldiers departed in their doblets and their hose The good successe of this small exploit so much encouraged the Duke that he led his army before Amiens where he built two or three lodgings saying that he would keepe the field to see if the King durst come to fight with him and in the end approched with his artillerie so neer the towne that it shot at randon ouer and into it in the which estate he laie there at the least six weeks Within the towne was the Constable and al the great officers of the realme namely the Lord great Master Admirall Marshall Seneshals and others accompanied with foureteene hundred men of armes and foure thousand francke archers The King in the meane time lying at Beauuais made a great muster being accompanied with the Duke of Guienne his brother and Nicolas Duke of Calabria sonne and heire to Iohn Duke of Calabria and Lorraine and onely heire of the house of Aniou Farther all the nobles of the realme subiect to the Arriereban were come thither to him who trauelled earnestly as I haue beene since informed to vnderstand the bottome of this enterprise for they saw the troubles so farre from pacification that the King was now more busied with wars then euer They within Amiens determined to assaile the Duke of Burgundie and his army if the King would send his forces being at Beauuais to ioine with them But the King being aduertised of this enterprise sent foorthwith to countermand it for notwithstanding that in all apparance the successe thereof was like to be good yet was it not altogither voide of danger especially for those that should haue salied for considering that they must all haue issued foorthwith on foote and at two gates one of the which was hard by the Dukes campe if happily they had beene repulsed they should haue put both the towne and themselues in great hazard In the meane time the Duke sent one of his Pages to the King called Simon of Quincy afterward Bailife of Troy with a letter of sixe lines written with his owne hand wherein he humbled himselfe to him saying that he was very sorie he had thus inuaded him for other mens pleasures which he supposed he would not haue done if he had beene well informed of their practises The Kings army sent into Burgundy 1 had defeated all the force of the countrie in battell and taken many prisoners The number of the dead was not great but the discomfiture was great in such sort that the Kings forces had already taken some places and besieged other some wherewith the Duke was somwhat abashed notwithstanding he made the contrary to be bruted in his campe saying that his army had obtained the victorie When the King had read the Dukes letter aboue mentioned he reioiced much thereat both bicause of the reason aboue alleaged 2 and also for that he soon waxed wearie of all long enterprises Wherefore he gaue him a speedy answer and directed a commission to certaine in Amiens authorising them thereby to treate of truce Whereupon diuers truces were concluded one after another for fower and fiue daies and in the end one so far as I remember for a yeere to the Constables great discontentation for vndoubtedly whatsoeuer men haue thought or can thinke to the contrarie he was then mortal enimie to the Duke and many hauty words passed betweene them in such sort that after this they neuer were friends as the sequele well declared True it is that they sent afterward one to another but all for practise sake and each to make his profit by the other For all that the Duke did was onely to recouer Saint Quintine which the Constable euer when he stood in feare of the King promised to restore and some of these treaties betweene them I haue knowen so far aduanced that the Dukes men vpon the Constables promise to be receiued haue come within two or three leagues of the towne But when the matter should be executed he euer continued in his accustomed dissimulation and sent a countermaund which his double dealing cost him deere in the end He thought bicause of the seate of the towne the great number of men he had vnder his charge paid out of the Kings cofers and the variance betweene these two Princes which himselfe nourished to hold them both in feare but his enterprise was too too dangerous for they were both too great too strong and too subtile When these armies were dismissed the King returned into the countrie of Touraine the Duke of Guienne into his owne countrie and the Duke of Burgundy into his in the which estate these affaires remained awhile The said Duke of Burgundy assembled all the estates of his dominions 3 and declared vnto them what damage he had receiued by not hauing soldiers in ordinarie pay as the King had alleaging that if there had beene but fiue hundred men in a readines to defend the frontires the King would neuer haue mooued this war but they should haue liued in peace He shewed further what great dangers they were like to fall into if this inconuenience were not speedily redressed and pressed them earnestly for the paiment of eight hundred light horse In the end they agreed to giue him a subsidie of sixe score thousand crowns 4 ouer and aboue all other duties they yeerly paid him in the which subsidie Burgundie was not comprehended But his said subiects for diuers respects feared to put themselues into such subiection and slauerie as they saw the realme of Fraunce in by reason of these men of armes which their feare was not without cause for after the Duke had obtained fiue or sixe hundred men of armes in ordinarie he sought continually to encrease the number and
began to attempt more boldly against his neighbors in such sort that in the end these 120000. crownes grew to 500000. and the number of his men of armes augmented so excessiuely that his subiects were greatly charged for their maintenance To say my fansie of these ordinarie men of armes I thinke vnder a wise Prince they be well imploied but if he be otherwise or happily at his death leaue his children in their minoritie the seruice wherein their gouernors imploy them is not alwaies profitable neither for the King nor for his subiects The hatred betweene the King and the Duke diminished not but still endured Further the Duke of Guienne being returned into his countrie sent often to the Duke of Burgundy following still his sute for his daughters marriage who fed him continually with faire words as he did euery other man that required hir And I thinke verily that he neither was desirous of a sonne 5 neither would haue married his daughter during his life but haue kept hir to intertaine men thereby to obtaine their friendship and aide For he had so many great enterprises in his head that all his life time could not suffice to atchieue them and those aduentures almost impossible to be compassed for halfe Europe would not haue contented him He had courage ynough to attempt any thing his bodie was able to endure as much labour and trauell as was needfull he was furnished both of men and mony but he lacked finenes and cunning sufficient for the managing of his affaires And what Prince soeuer desireth to be great notwithstanding that he be accomplished with all other good parts yet if he lacke an excellent wit all is to no purpose which vndoubtedly proceedeth of the meere grace of God To be short if part of the Dukes vertues and part of the King our masters had been tempered togither they would haue made a perfect Prince for vndoubtedly in wit the King far excelled him as it well appeered in the end The Notes 1 Of this armie he spake somwhat in the Duke of Bourbons aduertisement sent to the Duke of Burgundie mentioned in the first chapter of this booke it was led by the Earle Daulphin d'Auuergne sonne to the Earle of Montpensier Of this discomfiture reade Annal. Burgund pag. 945. 2 The reason was bicause he perceiued the intelligences of the Constable and the rest to be vntrue 3 This assembly was held the 16. of Iune Meyer 4 But this subsidie of 120000. crownes was granted but for three yeeres Meyer pag. 348. and 367. 5 The Duke desired no sonne bicause then his daughters marriage could not haue stood him in such stead as now it did Of the wars among the Princes of England during these troubles betweene King Lewis and Charles Duke of Burgundy Chap. 4. I Must now discourse of Edward King of England bicause Note that from this place til the 7. Chapter all these English affaires fall into the yeeres 1469. 1470. these three great Princes namely our King the King of England and the Duke of Burgundy liued all in one age in the which discourse I will not obserue the Historiographers vsuall order in writing who set downe the certaine yeeres and daies when each thing hapned neither will I vouch examples out of ancient histories for you know them better than my selfe and in so dooing I should but seeme to reason of Diuinitie before a Doctor But I will rudely aduertise you of all that I haue seene knowen or heard of these Princes of whom I write You liue in the selfe same age that all these things hapned wherefore me thinke it needlesse so exactly to note the houres and seasons I haue before rehearsed what occasion mooued the Duke of Burgundy to mary King Edvvards sister and said it was principally to fortifie himselfe against the King otherwise he would neuer haue done it for the great affection he bare to the house of Lancaster whereof he was descended by his mother for she was daughter to the King of Portugall and hir mother daughter to the Duke of Lancaster 1 so that as feruently as he loued the house of Lancaster as extremly hated he the house of Yorke But you shall vnderstand that at the time of this mariage the house of Lancaster was vtterly destroied and the house of Yorke no more spoken of For King Edvvard being both King and Duke of Yorke raigned peaceably During the ciuill wars betweene these two houses were fought in England seauen or eight cruell battels and in them slaine three or fower score Princes and Lords of the blood royall as before is rehearsed in this history The rest that escaped being all yoong Lords whose fathers died in these battels aboue mentioned liued as banished men in the Duke of Burgundies court who receiued them as his kinsmen of the house of Lancaster before his mariage with King Edvvards sister I haue seene them in so great misery before they came to the Dukes knowledge that those that beg from dore to dore were not in poorer estate then they for I once saw a Duke of Excester run on foote bare legged after the Duke of Burgundies traine begging his bread for Gods sake but he vttered not his name He was the neerest of the house of Lancaster and had maried King Edvvards sister 2 but when he was knowne the Duke gaue him a small pension to maintaine his estate They of the house of Somerset and diuers others were there in like maner who died all afterwards in the wars Their fathers and kinsmen had spoiled and destroied the realme of Fraunce and possessed the greatest part thereof many yeeres and afterwards slew one another and those that remained aliue in England and their children haue died as you haue seene Yet men say that God punisheth not now as he did in the children of Israels time but suffereth euill men and euill Princes to liue vnpunished True it is that he threatneth not now by expresse messengers as he was wont for he hath left examples inough to instruct vs. Notwithstanding you may perceiue by these discourses ioining thereto the great knowledge you haue besides that of euill Princes and such as haue authority in this world and abuse it to cruelty or tiranny few or none escape vnpunished though it happen not by and by after the fault committed neither so soone happily as those that are afflicted desire But to returne to King Edvvard the chiefe man in England that maintained the house of Yorke was the Earle of Warwicke And on the other side the greatest champion of the house of Lancaster was the Duke of Sommerset The said Earle of Warwicke might iustly be called King Edwards father as well for the training of him vp as also for the great seruices he did him for the which the King had also highly aduanced him for besides his owne inheritance which was great he held goodly lands of the Kings gift aswel crowne lands as lands forfeited by attaindor Farther he
that I now write of the D. of Guienne at the least his seruants and the D. of Britaine desired the Duke of Burgundy in no wise to call the Englishmen to his aide for seeing all that they did was for the good and benefite of the realme they would not bring the ancient enimies of the crowne into the realme adding farther that if he would be in a readines they should be strong ynough of themselues aswell bicause of their great forces as also of the good intelligence they had in the realme with diuers Captaines and others And once it was my chance to be present when the Lord of Vrfé had communication with the Duke to this effect and withall pressed him earnestly with all speede to leauy his army The Duke stoode at a window and called me to him and said Heere is my Lord of Vrfé that presseth me earnestly to leauy the greatest force that possible I may alleaging that it shall be greatly for the benefite of the realme what thinke you of this motion if I enter into the realme with my army shall I do any great good there I answered him merily that I thought no then said he I loue the realme of Fraunce better than my Lord of Vrfé weeneth for where it hath one King I would it had six During the treaty of mariage aboue mentioned Edward King of England who thought verily that the mariage should haue bin accomplished wherein he was deceiued as was also the King traueled earnestly with the Duke of Burgundy to breake it off alleaging that the K. had no issue male wherfore if he hapned to die the crown should descend to his brother whereby if this marriage tooke effect the realme of England shuld stand in great danger so many seigniories being vnited to the crown This matter troubled maruellously though needlesly not onely the King of England but also his whole Councell in such sort that they would giue no credite to the Duke of Burgundy what promise soeuer he made to the contrary The saide Duke notwithstanding the request aboue mentioned made vnto him by the Dukes of Guienne and Britaine for not calling in strangers to his aide was very desirous that the King of England should inuade some part of the realme and himselfe would haue pleaded ignorance therein But the Englishmen would not be woon therunto for they so much feared the annexing of the house of Burgundy by this mariage to the crown of Fraunce that they would at that time rather haue aided the King than inuaded him You see heere all these Princes throughly busied and accompanied with a number of wise men who as the sequele well declared foresawe a far of more by the one halfe than in their life time tooke effect for they all through this continuall toile and trauell in short space one after another ended their liues each man reioicing at others death as of a thing most desired Soone after also followed their masters leauing their successors troubles enow all saue the King our master who left his realme to his sonne quiet both from foraine wars and ciuill dissention so that he did more for him than euer he either would or could do for himselfe for I neuer knew him in peace saue onely a litle before his death The Duke of Guienne at this present lay sicke and in danger of death as som said but others affirmed the contrary his men pressed earnestly the Duke of Burgundy to put himselfe into the field bicause the time of the yeere serued fitly for that purpose and aduertised him that the Kings army was abroad and lay at Saint Iohn d' Angelie or at Xainctes or thereabout To be short they labored the Duke so importunately that he went to Arras and there assembled his forces and marched towards the townes of Peronne Roye and Montdidier his army was maruellous great yea the greatest that euer he had before for in it were twelue hundred Launces of his ordinary retinue euery one of them accompanied with three archers well armed and well mounted farther in euery company of these Launces were ten men of armes for a supply besides the lieutenant and ensine bearer The gentlemen of the Dukes dominions were likewise in very good order for they were very well paid and led by valiant knights and esquires And sure at that time these countries were maruellous rich The Notes 1 This Nicolas is named in other histories Marques du Pount 2 The King made war vpon his brother bicause he had restored the Earle of Armignac to all his possessions in Guienne whom the King before had banished Annal. Aquit How the finall peace treated of betweene the Duke of Burgundie and the King brake off bicause of the Duke of Guiens death and how these two great Princes sought to deceiue each other Chap. 9. WHile the Duke was leuying his armie aboue mentioned the Lord of Cran and the Chauncellor of Fraunce named Master Peter Doriole came to him twise or thrise from the King and secretly treated with him of a final peace which heertofore could neuer be concluded bicause the Duke required the restitution of Amiens and Saint Quintine whereunto the King would neuer condiscend but now partly bicause of the great preparation he saw made against him and partly in hope to compas certaine purposes whereof heerafter you shall heare he agreed to yeeld them The conditions of this peace were that the King should restore to the Duke Amiens and Saint Quintine and whatsoeuer else was in controuersie betweene them That he should abandon the Earles of Neuers and Saint Paule Constable of Fraunce and permit the Duke to do with them and all their possessions at his pleasure and seize them into his own hands if he could That the Duke in like maner should abandon the Dukes of Guienne and Britaine and permit the King to do with them and their seigniories at his pleasure I was present when the Duke of Burgundie sware this treatie and likewise the Lord of Cran and the Chauncellor of Fraunce in the Kings name who also at their departure from the Duke aduised him not to dismisse his armie but to march still forward to the end the King their Master might make the speedier deliuerie of the two places aboue named Further Simon of Quinchy was sent with them to see the King sweare and confirme this treaty which his ambassadors had concluded but the King delaied the confirmation a certaine space and in the meane time happened his brothers death The D. being readie to depart from Arras receiued two seuerall aduertisements one that Nicholas Duke of Calabria and Loraine heire of the house of Aniou and sonne to Iohn Duke of Calabria was comming to him about his daughters marriage whom the Duke honorably receiued and put in great hope of his sute But the next day being the 15. of May 1472. as I remember came letters from Simon of Quinchy the Dukes ambassador to the King wherein he aduertised his Master
breake of day the Dukes battterie was bent against the wals but soone after we saw two hundred men of armes enter the towne and had it not beene for their comming I thinke the citizens would haue treated of a composition which notwithstanding the Duke in this fury would neuer haue granted for he desired to take the towne by assault and if he had so done vndoubtedly he would haue burnt it which had been great pitie sure it was preserued by very miracle After these men of armes were entred the Dukes artillerie shot continually the space of fifteen daies and the place was as well beaten as euer was any in such sort that the breach was saultable but the ditch of the one side of the burned gate stood full of water so that we were forced to build a bridge ouer it but on the other side we might come hard to the wals without any danger saue of one flanker which was so low that our artillerie could not beat it It is great danger and folly to assault a towne so well defended as this was for within it was the Constable 2 as I remember or lay by it I wot not wel whether the Marshall Ioachin the Marshall of Loheac the Lord of Crussoll VVilliam of Valleu Mery of Croy Sallezarde Theuenot of Vignoles being all ancient captaines accompanied with an hundred men of armes of the Kings ordinary retinue besides a great number of footemen and others that were come thither with them Yet the Duke contrary to the opinion of his whole army determined to giue the assault And the night before as he lay on his field bed in his clothes according to his accustomed maner he asked certaine there present whether they thought the town would abide the assault who answered that they thought yea seeing they were force sufficient to defend it at the which answer he scoffed saying that they should not finde a man there the next day In the morning by breake of day the assault was giuen very couragiously and the breach no lesse valiantly defended A great number went thronging on our new made bridge in such sort that an ancient knight of Burgundy called Despiris was smothered there who was the best man that died before the towne On the other side of the gate certaine of our men got vp to the top of the wall but some of them neuer returned They fought hand to hand a great while and the assault continued so long that fresh bands were appointed to succeede the first being wearied but bicause the Duke saw his men to labor in vaine he caused them to retire yet notwithstanding they within salied not for they saw company ynough ready to receiue them At this assault were slaine twelue hundred soldiers 3 and the best man that died there was the aboue named Despiris It was thought at the first that many more had been lost for aboue a thousand were hurt The next night they within salied foorth but bicause their number was small and the most of them on horsebacke and therby encombred with the cords of our tents they did no great exploit but lost two or three gentlemen of their company and hurt one of ours named Master Iames d'Orson a very honest gentleman and master of the Dukes Ordinance who a few daies after died of the said hurt Seauen or eight daies after this assault the Duke would haue diuided his army into two bands and lodged part thereof at the gate towards Paris contrary to all mens aduise and to all reason considering the great number of soldiers within the town This should haue been done at the beginning but now it was too late Wherfore seeing no remedy he raised his campe in very good order 4 hoping that they within would issue forth to the skirmish which notwithstanding they did not From thence he marched into Normandy bicause he had promised the Duke of Britaine to come as far as Roan where the said Duke of Britaine had promised in like maner to meete him But bicause of the Duke of Guiennes death he altered his minde and stirred not out of his country The Duke of Burgundy came before Eu which was yeelded vnto him as was also Saint Valery and he burnt all this quarter euen hard to Diepe He tooke likewise Neuf-chastell and burnt both it and all the country of Caux or the greatest part euen hard to Roan gates further he presented himselfe in person before the said towne of Roan he lost many of his foragers whereby his army was in great distresse of victuals In the end bicause winter approched he departed homeward and his backe was no sooner turned but the French recouered Eu and Saint Valery and tooke prisoners by composition seauen or eight Burgundians that were within them The Notes 1 The French hath Chastellenies which were places where certaine courts of the inferior iurisdiction vvere held to the which the countrey there about was bound to repaire 2 Annal. Franc. report that the Constable lay hard by the tovvne but mooued not to defend it for the vvhich cause it vvas thought he had intelligence vvith the Duke 3 Gaguin saith that there vvere slaine at the assault of Beauuais 1500. men 4 The Duke lay before Beauuais sixe and tvventy daies and leuied his siege the 22. of Iuly Meyer How the King made peace with the Duke of Britaine and truce with the Duke of Burgundy and how the Earle of Saint Paul escaped for that time a conspiracy that these two Princes made against him Chap. 11. ABout this time I came to the Kings seruice in the yeere 1472. who receiued also the selfesame yeere the greatest part of his brother the Duke of Guienne his seruants He lay then at Pont de See making war vpon the Duke of Britaine whither certaine ambassadors came to him out of Britaine and from whence also he sent his ambassadors thither Among the rest that came to him to the said towne of Pont de See were Philip of Essars seruant to the Duke and VVilliam of Sousplenuille seruant to the Lord of Lescute the which Lord of Lescute seeing his Master the Duke of Guienne at the point of death tooke sea at Bordeaux and departed into Britaine fearing to fall into the Kings hands he embarked in time and carried away with him the Duke of Guiennes Confessor 1 and a rider of his stable who were charged with the Dukes death and remained prisoners in Britaine many yeeres after When these runnings to and fro had indured a while the King in the end determined to haue peace with the Duke of Britaine and to deale so liberally with the Lord of Lescute that he would thereby asswage the euil wil he bare him and win him to his seruice For as he knew the Duke of Britaines forces being gouerned by so woorthy a man greatly to be feared so was he assured if he could win the Lord of Lescute to his seruice that the Britons would labor for peace bicause he
Constable gaue the lie very shamefully to the said Hymbercourt who answered thereunto that he would not beare this reproch at his hands were it not in respect of the Kings honor vnder whose safe conduct he was come thither as ambassador and of the Duke his Master whose person he represented and to whom he would make report of this iniurie done vnto him This onely villanie and outrage so soone done cost the Constable both lands and life as heereafter shall be declared more at large Wherefore those that are in authority yea and Princes themselues ought to take great heed how they iniurie any man by word or deed and whom they iniurie for the greater they are the greater greefe and sorrowe is conceiued of their words bicause they that are iniuried thinke that the great authority of the person that iniurieth them will cause them the more to be marked and noted And if he be their Master or Prince they vtterly dispaire of benefite or good turne at his hands and most men serue rather for the good they hope to haue than for that they haue already receiued But to returne to the point the Kings men practised continually with Hymbercourt and likewise with the Chancellor as well bicause the words spoken at Roye touched him in part as also bicause of the neere friendship that was between Hymbercourt and him And the matter was so earnestly pressed that an assembly was held about it at Bouuines a towne neere to Namur whither the King sent the Lord of Courton gouernor of Lymosin and Master Iohn Heberge afterward Bishop of Eureux and the Duke the said Chancellor and Hymbercourt being the yeere 1474. The Constable being informed that they practised at Bouuines to his cost sent with all speede to both the Princes aduertising them he vnderstood of all their doings and so cunningly he wrought that he perswaded the King that the Duke meant nothing but deceit onely to allure the said Constable to his friendship whereupon with all speed the King sent to his ambassadors at Bouuines commanding them to conclude nothing against the Constable for certain reasons he would declare vnto them but to prolong the truce according to their instructions for a yeere or sixe moneths I wot not well whether But when the messenger arriued he found the treatie already concluded and the writings sealed and deliuered the night before Notwithstanding the ambassadors had so good intelligence togither and were so great friends each to other that they deliuered the writtings backe againe the contents whereof were that the Constable for the reasons therein rehearsed was declared enimie and traitor to both the Princes who promised and sware each to other that whether of them could first lay hands on him should either put him to death within eight daies or deliuer him to the other to do with him at his pleasure It was also therein concluded that he should be proclaimed by sound of trumpet enimy to both the Princes and likewise all that should serue helpe aide or fauour him Further the King promised to deliuer to the Duke the towne of Saint Quintin so often before mentioned and to giue him all the Constables treasure and moouables that should be found in the realme of Fraunce with all such seigniories and lordships as were held of the said Duke and among the rest Han and Bohain which are two very strong places Lastly a day was appointed when both the King and the Duke should send their forces to besiege him in Han. Notwithstanding for the reasons aboue rehearsed this conclusion was cleane broken off and a day and place assigned where the Constable should come to commune with the King vnder safe conduct for he stood in doubt of his person bicause of the late treatie held at Bouuines The place assigned was three leagues from Noyon neere to the towne of La Fere vpon a pretie riuer which no man could passe bicause the Constables men had taken vp all the bridges In the said place was a narrow causey ouerthwart the which a strong grate was built whither the Constable came first accompanied with all his men of armes or the greatest part for he had with him aboue three hundred gentlemen all men of armes and he himselfe ware his quirace vnder a short gowne vngirt The King came accompanied with the Earle of Dampmartine Lord great Master of Fraunce the Constables mortall enimie and with sixe hundred men of armes and better and sent me before him to make his excuse to the Constable of his long stay and soone after arriued himselfe and they communed togither at which their communication were present fiue or sixe of the Kings seruants and as many of the Constables who excused his comming thither in armes bicause he stood in feare of the Earle of Dampmartin as he said To be short in the end it was agreed that all offences past should be forgiuen and forgotten and the Constable passed through the grate to our side of the riuer where the Earle of Dampmartin and he were made friends That night he lodged with the King at Noyon and the next morning returned to Saint Quintin throughly reconciled as he said But when the King had well weighed this matter and heard the murmuring of the people he accused himselfe of great folly in going after this sort to commune with his seruant stomaked not a little that he found the grate shut between them considering that all the Constables men of armes were his subiects and paide out of his coffers wherfore if his hatred against the Constable were great before sure this meeting much increased it and as touching the Constable his proud stomack was no whit abated The Notes 1 This Confessor was the Abbot of S. Iohn d'Angely who died prisoner at Nantes in Britaine in the great tower du Buffoy where he confessed maruellous matters and died very strangely Annal. Aquit 2 These places were those that remained in the Lord of Lescuts hands by the treaty of Caen mentioned lib. 1. cap. 15. A discourse very fit for this place of the wisdome of the King and the Constable with good aduertisements to such as are in credit with Princes Chap. 12. IF a man consider well this action of the Kings he cannot but iudge it to proceede of great wisdome for I am of opinion that the Duke of Burgundy to recouer Saint Quintin would easily haue pardoned the Constable all his offences notwithstanding any promise made to the King of the contrary Further as touching the Constable though he were a gentleman of great wisedome and vnderstanding yet did he very vnaduisedly and it appeered that God had vtterly bereft him of all good aduise in that he came thus disguised before the King his Master whose subiects all the men of armes were that accompanied him and to say the truth his very countenance shewed him to be astonished and abashed thereat for when he came in person to the place and found the grate shut betweene
he thought euery hower ten til he were on horsebacke to aduertise the Duke his Master thereof Wherefore he was dispatched with all speede and wrote his instructions himselfe he caried also with him a letter of credit written with the Kings owne hand and so departed The peace with the English men was already concluded as aboue is mentioned and all these practises were abroch in one instant The Kings Commissioners had made report of their negotiation as you haue heard and the King of Englands were also returned to him Further it was concluded and agreed on both sides by the ambassadors that passed betweene them that the two Princes should meete togither and after they had seene one another and sworne the treaty the King of England should returne home into his countrey hauing first receiued the sum aboue mentioned of 720000. crownes and leauing in hostage behinde him till he were passed the seas the Lord Hovvard and the Master of his horse called sir Iohn Cheinie Lastly a pension of 16000. crownes was promised to be diuided among the King of Englands principall seruants of the which sum the Lord Hastings had two thousand The rest had the Lord Howard the Master of the horse Master Chalanger Master Montgomerie and others besides this great sums of money and goodly presents of siluer plate were giuen to King Edvvards seruants The Duke of Burgundy hearing these newes came in great haste from Luxembourg where he lay to the King of England accompanied onely with sixteene horse The King being much astonished at this his so sudden arriuall asked him what winde draue him thither perceiuing by his countenance that he was displeased The Duke answered that he was come to talke with him The King demanded whether he would speake with him priuately or publikely Then said the Duke haue you concluded peace I haue quoth the King made truce for nine yeeres wherein both you and the Duke of Britaine are comprehended and I pray you agree thereunto But the Duke grew maruellous hot and spake in English for he could the language rehearsing what noble acts diuers Kings of England had done in Fraunce and what great trauell they had sustained to purchase honor and renowme Afterward he inueighed vehemently against this truce saying that he had not desired the English men to passe the seas for any neede he had of their helpe but to the end they might recouer their owne right And to the intent they might perceiue that he stood in no need of their comming he protested that he would not make truce with the King till the King of England had been three moneths at home in his realme which talke ended he departed and returned from whence he came The King of England and his Councell tooke these words in euill part but they that misliked the peace commended much the Dukes speech The Notes 1 Meyer saith thus Quinquaginta millia aureorum pro tributo Aquitaniae Septuaginta quinque millia praeterea soluta prae manibus Edwardo à Gallorum Rege Annal. Aquit say 65000. our chronicles and Gaguin 75000. But the truce saith Gaguin vvas concluded but for seuen yeeres Introduction de la Marche saith 60000. crovvnes the yeerely tribut but in the second booke cap. 1. the same author saith but 36000. 2 The King calleth the Constable brother bicause the King and he had married tvvo sisters as our author maketh mention in this booke cap. 4. How the King feasted the English men in Amiens and how there was a place assigned for the enteruiew of the two Kings Chap. 9. THe King of England to the end the peace might be fully concluded came and encamped within halfe a league of Amiens The King was at the gate from whence he might behold the English men a far off as they came To say the truth they seemed but yong soldiers for they rode in very euill order The King sent to the King of England 300. carts laden with the best wines that might be gotten the which carriage seemed a far off almost as great as the King of Englands armie Many English men bicause of the truce repaired to the towne where they behaued themselues very vndiscreetly and without all regard of their Princes honor They came all in armes and in great troupes and if the King our Master would haue dealt falsly with them so great a number might neuer so easily haue beene destroied Notwithstanding he meant nothing lesse but studied to make them good cheere and to conclude a sure peace with them for his time He had caused to be set at the entrie of the towne gate two long tables on each side of the street one furnished with all kindes of delicate meats that prouoke drinke and with the best wines that might be gotten and men to wait vpon them of water there was no mention At each of these tables he had placed fiue or sixe great fat gentlemen of good houses thereby the better to content those that desired to drinke The gentlemens names were these Monseur de Cran de Briqueber de Bresmes de Villiers and others So soone as the English men drew neere the gate they might behold this good cheere Besides this men purposely appointed tooke their horses by the bridles saying that they would breake a staffe with them and so led them to the table where they were feasted according to the varietie of the meats which they tooke in very good part After they were within the towne what house soeuer they entred into they paid nothing Further nine or ten tauerns were well furnished at the Kings charge of all things necessarie whither they went to eate and drinke and called for what they would but the King defraied all and this cheere endured three or fower daies You haue heard how the Duke of Burgundie misliked the peace which howsoeuer it displeased him troubled the Constable much more bicause he saw he had failed of his enterprise and purchased himselfe hatred on all sides wherefore he sent his Confessor to the King of England with a letter of credit desiring him for Gods loue to haue no affiance in the Kings words and promises but to accept the townes of Eu and S. Valerie and there to lodge himselfe part of the winter adding that within two moneths he would finde meanes to lodge him more commodiously Other assurance heerof gaue he him none for his onely meaning was to feede him foorth with these faire words Last of all to the end he should not conclude a dishonorable treatie for greedines of a little money he promised to lend him fiftie thousand crownes with diuers other large offers But the King had already caused the two places aboue mentioned to be burned bicause he knew the King of England had intelligence that the Constable had perswaded him to put them into the English mens hands King Edwards answer was that the truce was alreadie concluded and that he would alter nothing therein but if he had performed his promises he
himselfe the said de Lude at the first meeting asked him what the townes would giue him to commend their cause to the King I thinke verily that this refusall the King made to these knights proceeded also of God for since that time he would haue made good account of them if he could haue drawne them to his seruice But peraduenture God would not accomplish his desire in all points either bicause of the reasons aboue alleaged or for that he would not suffer him to vsurpe this countrey of Hainault which is held of the Empire both bicause he had no title thereunto and also bicause of the ancient league betweene the Emperors and the Kings of Fraunce whereof the King himselfe also seemed afterward to take notice For he held Cambray le Quesnoy and Boissi 1 in Hainault whereof Boissi he yeelded againe and restored Cambray being an Imperiall towne to neutralitie as it was before Athough I my selfe were not present at these actions yet was I informed how they passed for I had good meanes to vnderstand of them bicause I was acquainted and had been brought vp in both these Princes dominions and haue since also communed with diuers that were the principall managers of these affaires on both sides The Notes 1 This Boissi libr. 6. cap. 3. he calleth Bouchain and so out of doubt it should be read heere How Master Oliuer the Kings barber failing to execute his enterprise at Gaunt found meanes to put the Kings forces into Tournay Chap. 14. MAster Oliuer as you haue heard was gone to Gaunt and carried letters of credit to the Ladie of Burgundie Duke Charles his daughter hauing also commission to perswade with hir apart to put hir selfe into the Kings gouernment 1 But this was not his principall charge for he doubted that he should not obtaine leaue to commune with hir apart and though he did yet supposed he that he should not frame hir to his request But his hope was to raise some great tumult in this towne of Gaunt which hath euer been inclined to rebellion and was the easier to be mooued thereunto at this present bicause vnder Duke Philip and Duke Charles they had liued in great awe and lost diuers priuileges by the treatie made with the said Duke Philip after their wars with him ended Duke Charles also had taken one priuilege from them concerning the election of their Senate for an offence made the first day he entred into the towne as Duke whereof bicause I haue made mention before I will heere write no further All these reasons encouraged Master Oliuer the Kings barber to proceede in his enterprise so far foorth that he discouered his purpose to some such of the citizens as he thought would giue eare vnto him offering besides diuers other promises to cause the King to restore them their priuileges that they had lost But notwithstanding that he were not in their Towne-house to speake publikely to their Senate bicause he meant first to assay if he could do any good with this yoong Princesse yet was his enterprise smelt out wherefore after he had soiourned a few daies in Gaunt he was sent for to declare his message whereupon he repaired to the Princes presence being apparrelled much more sumptuously than became one of his calling and deliuered his letters The said Lady sate in hir chaire of estate hauing about hir the Duke of Cleues and the bishop of Liege with diuers other noble men and a great number of hir subiects When she had read hir letter she commanded him to declare his message But he answered that he had nothing to say but to hir selfe alone Whereupon it was told him that this was not the maner of their countrie especially to commune in secret with this yoong Lady being vnmarried But he still continued his former answer that he had nothing to say but to hir selfe apart Whereupon they threatened to make him say somwhat else which words put him in feare And I thinke verily that when he came to deliuer his letter he had not bethought him what to say for this was not his principal charge as you haue heard Thus Master Oliuer departed for this time without further speech Some of the Councell began to scorne him as well bicause of his base estate as of his foolish speech and behauiour but especially they of Gaunt in a little village neere whereunto he was borne scoffed and derided him so far foorth that suddenly he fled thence being aduertised if he staide there any longer that he should be throwen into the riuer which I thinke would haue prooued true The said Master Oliuer named himselfe Earle of Melun a little towne neere to Paris whereof he was captaine From Gaunt he fled to Tournay a towne in that countrie subiect to neither Prince but maruellously affectioned to the King for it is his after a sort and paieth him yeerely sixe thousand franks but in all other respects liueth in libertie and receiueth all sorts of men it is a goodly towne and a strong as all the inhabitants thereabout can testifie The churchmen and citizens haue al their possessions and reuenues in Henault and Flaunders in both the which countries it is situate Wherefore they vsed alwaies during the long wars betweene King Charles the seuenth and Philip Duke of Burgundie to pay yeerely vnto the said Duke ten thousand franks the which summe I haue seene them pay also to Duke Charles but at the time that Master Oliuer came thither they were quit of all paiments and liued in great wealth and quietnes Although Master Oliuers charge aboue mentioned were too waightie for him to deale in yet was not he so much to be blamed as they that committed it to him for notwithstanding that his enterprise had such successe as it was euer like to haue yet shewed he himselfe wise in that he afterward did For perceiuing the said towne of Tournay to be situate vpon the frontiers of both the countries aboue named and very commodious to endammage them both if he could put the Kings forces that lay in those parts into it and knowing further that the townes men would neuer consent thereunto bicause they neuer tooke part with either Prince but shewed themselues friends indifferently to both he sent word secretly to Monseur de Mouy whose sonne was bailife of the town but not resident there that he should bring his companie which he had within S. Quintins and certaine other bands that lay in those quarters to the towne of Tournay who at the hower appointed came to the gate where he found Master Oliuer accompanied with thirtie or fortie persons who partly by fauor and partly by force caused the gate to be opened and receiued the Kings men wherewith the people of the towne were well ynough contented but not the gouernors of whom Master Oliuer sent seuen or eight to Paris whence they departed not during the Kings life After these men of armes entred also diuers other soldiers who did
this house of Burgundy where he receiued a yeerely pension of sixe thousand guildons wherefore besides that he was their kinsman he resorted thither ofttimes as a pensioner to do his dutie The Bishop of Liege and diuers noble men were there also partly to wait vpon this yoong Lady and partly for their owne particular affaires For the said Bishop entertained a sute there to discharge his countrey of a paiment of thirtie thousand guildons or thereabout which they gaue yeerly to Duke Charles by the treatie they made with him when the wars aboue mentioned ended All the which wars began for the said Bishops quarrell so that there was no cause why he should mooue this sute but rather seeke to keepe them still in pouertie for he receiued no benefit there more than of his spirituall iurisdiction and of his demaines which also were but small 2 in respect of the wealth of his countrey and the greatnes of his dioces The said Bishop brother to the Dukes of Bourbon Iohn and Peter now liuing being a man wholie giuen to pleasures and good cheere and little knowing what was profitable or vnprofitable for himselfe receiued into his seruice Master VVilliam de la Marche 3 a goodly valiant knight but cruell and of naughtie conditions who had been enimy of long time both to the said Bishop and also to the house of Burgundie for the Liegeois cause To this de la Marche the Ladie of Burgundie gaue fifteene thousand guildons partly in fauor of the Bishop and partly to haue him hir friend but he soone after reuolted both from hir and from the said Bishop his Master and attempted by force through the Kings fauor to make his owne sonne Bishop Afterward also he discomfited the said Bishop in battell slewe him with his owne hands and threw him into the riuer where his dead corps floted vp and down three daies But the Duke of Cleues was come thither in hope to make a mariage betweene his eldest sonne and the said Lady which seemed to him a verie fit match for diuers respects and sure I thinke it had taken effect if his sonnes conditions had liked the yoong Ladie and his seruants for he was descended of this house of Burgundie and held his Duchie of it and had been brought vp in it but peraduenture it did him harme that his behauior was so well knowen there The Notes 1 This Duke of Cleues vvas called Iohn vvhose father Adolph had married Marie sister to Duke Philip of Burgundie Meyer lib. 17. pag. 257. but Annal. Burgund saie that Adolph was sonne to one of Duke Philips sisters but corruptly as the pedegree in the end of this vvorke vvill declare 2 The Bishop of Liegeois reuenevves are nine thousand pound starling Guicchiar 3 This de la Marche vvas named Aremberg hovv he died after this murther reade Berlandus fol. 77. How they of Gaunt after their ambassadors returne put to death the Chauncellor Hugonet and the Lord of Himbercourt against their Princesses will and how they and other Flemmings were discomfited before Tournay and their generall the Duke of Gueldres slaine Chap. 17. NOw to proceede in the historie After these ambassadors were returned to Gaunt the councel was assembled and the Princesse sate in hir chaire of estate accompanied with all hir noble men to giue them audience Then the ambassadors made rehearsall of the commission she gaue them touching principally that point that serued for their purpose and saying that when they aduertised the King that she was determined to followe in all points the aduise and counsell of the three estates of hir countrey he foorthwith answered that he was sure of the contrarie and bicause they auowed their saying offered to shew the said Ladies letters in that behalfe The Princesse being therewith mooued suddenly answered in the presence of them all that it was not so assuring hirselfe that the King had not shewed hir letter Then he that spake being Recorder of Gaunt or Brucels drew the letter out of his bosome before the whole assemblie and deliuered it hir Wherein he shewed himselfe a lewde fellow and an vnciuill in dishonoring openly after such a sort this yoong Ladie who ought not so rudely to haue been delt with for though she had committed an error yet was it not publikely to be reformed It is no maruell if she were greatly ashamed thereof for she had protested the contrarie to the whole worlde The Dowager of Burgundie the Lord of Rauastain the Chauncellor and the Lord of Himbercourt were all fower there present also The Duke of Cleues and diuers others who had beene put in hope of this yoong Ladies marriage stormed maruellously at this letter then began their factions to breake foorth The said Duke was euer perswaded heeretofore that Hymbercourt would further his sute for his sonne but now perceiuing by this letter his hope to be frustrate he became his mortall foe 1 The Bishop of Liege and his minion Master VVilliam de la Marche who was there with him loued him not for the things done at Liege whereof the said Hymbercourt had beene the chiefe instrument The Earle of Saint Paule sonne to the Constable of Fraunce hated both him and the Chancellor bicause they two deliuered his father at Peronne to the Kings seruants as before you haue heard at large They of Gaunt also hated them both not for any offence made but bicause of the great authoritie they had borne whereof vndoubtedly they were as woorthie as any man that liued in their time either heere or there for they were euer true and faithfull seruants to their Master To be short the same day at night that this letter was shewed the aboue named Chancellor and Hymbercourt through the furtherance as I am perswaded of their enimies aboue named were apprehended by the citizens of Gaunt which danger notwithstanding that they were forewarned of by their friends yet had they not power to auoid as it hath often happened to diuers others With them was also apprehended M. VVilliam of Clugny then Bishop of Therouenne since of Poictiers and all three imprisoned in one place They of Gaunt proceeded against them by colour of processe contrarie to their accustomed maner in their reuenge and appointed certaine of their Senate to heare their cause with whom they ioined in commission one of this house of La Marche deadly enimie to the said Himbercourt First they demaunded of them why they caused Monseur de Cordes to deliuer the citie of Arras to the King but thereupon they stood not long notwithstanding that they had nothing else iustly to charge them with But this was not it that grieued them for neither cared they to see their Prince affeebled by the losse of such a towne neither had they the wit to consider what great damage might ensue thereof to themselues in tract of time Wherefore they rested chiefly vpon two points 2 the first they charged them that they had receiued bribes of the
raigning for notwithstanding that the said King Edward were a most valiant Prince and had woon in England eight or nine battels wherein he fought alwaies himselfe on foote greatly to his renowme yet were these troubles but by fits so that his head was not continually busied in matters of state for immediately after the victorie obtained he returned to his former sports and pleasures till another storme arose For you shall vnderstand that when war beginneth in England in ten daies or lesse the one or the other getteth the garland But our affaires in Fraunce passed not after that sort for besides the war it selfe the K. was forced to haue an eie continually vpon diuers places as well of his owne realme as of his neighbors but especially by all means possible to content the King of England and to entertain him by ambassadors presents and smooth words to the end he should not entermeddle with our affaires For the K. knew well the English men as well Nobles and Commons as the Cleargie to be naturally inclined to make war vpon this realme aswell vnder colour of the title they pretende thereunto as also in hope of gaine For they trust to haue euer such successe heere as their predecessors haue had whom God permitted to obtaine in this realme many great victories and large dominion both in Normandie and in Guienne the which they had possessed by the space of three hundred and fiftie yeeres 2 when King Charles the seuenth first recouered it During the which time they inriched the realme of England with great spoiles and much treasure that they got aswell of the Princes and noble men of Fraunce a great number of whom they tooke prisoners as also of the townes and places which they subdued Notwithstanding they should hardly haue had such successe in the King our Masters time for he would neuer haue indangered his estate in battell as King Charles the sixt did at Agincourt where all the nobility of Fraunce lighted on foote to fight with the English men but would haue proceeded more warily if the matter had come to execution as you may perceiue by the course he held in sending King Edvvard home Wherefore the King well perceiued that he must in any wise keepe the King of England and his principall seruants his friends whom he sawe altogither inclined to quietnes and very greedy of his money for the which cause he paid duly at London the pension of fiftie thousand crownes which they called tribute And further gaue yeerely sixteene thousand crownes to the said Kings principall seruants whose names were these the Lord Chauncellor the Master of the Rols who now is Chauncellor the Lord Hastings Lord great Chamberlaine a man of singular wisdome and vertue and in great authority with his Master and not without cause for he euer serued him faithfully Sir Thomas Montgomery the Lord Hovvard afterward Duke of Norfolke partaker with the wicked King Richard the Master of the Horse called Master Cheiny Master Challenger and the Marques Dorset the Queene of Englands sonne by hir first husband Further he gaue goodly presents to all the ambassadors that came to him were their messages neuer so sharpe and bitter and sent them home with such goodly words Princely rewards that they returned well contented And notwithstanding that some of them vnderstood that he did all this onely to win time the better to atchieue his enterprise in the conquest of the Duke of Burgundies dominions yet winked they at it bicause of the great riches they receiued at his hands To all these aboue named he gaue besides their pensions many goodly presents so largely that the Lord Hovvard ouer and aboue his pension receiued of him in lesse then two yeeres space in money and plate fower and twentie thousand crownes To the Lord Hastings also L. great Chamberlaine of England he gaue at one time a present of plate to the value of ten thousand marks The acquittances of all which great personages are yet to be seene in the chamber of accounts at Paris saue of the Lord Hastings Lord great Chamberlaine of England which is an high office for there is neuer but one alone in it This L. Chamberlaine was long labored before he would become the Kings pensioner my selfe being the onely man that perswaded him thereunto For I wan him first to Charles Duke of Burgundies friendship during the time I serued him who gaue him yeerly a pension of a thousand crownes whereof when I had aduertised the King he would in like maner that I should be a meanes to make him his friend and pensioner for in times past during Duke Charles his life and after his death also in fauor of the Lady of Burgundy he had alwaies beene the Kings extreme enimy and trauelled once to perswade the King of England to aide the said Lady against the King our Master I began this friendship by letters and the King gaue him a pension of two thousand crownes which was double the summe he receiued of the Duke Further the King sent to him one of the stewards of his house called Peter Cleret charging him to bring with him the said Lord Chamberlains acquittance to the end heereafter it might appeere that the great Chamberlaine Chauncellor Admirall and Master of the Horse of England besides diuers others had beene the French Kings pensioners The said Peter Cleret was a wise fellow and communed priuily alone with the Lord Chamberlaine at his lodging in London where after he had declared his message from the King he presented him his two thousand crownes in golde for the King neuer gaue but gold to strangers which money when the Lord Chamberlaine had receiued Peter Cleret humbly besought him for his discharge to giue him an acquittance wherein the said Lord Chamberlaine made difficultie Then Cleret desired him to giue him onely a letter of three lines to the King to testifie the receit of the money least the King being a suspitious Prince should thinke that he had conuerted it to his owne vse Which reasonable demand the Lord Chamberlaine hearing answered thus Sir you require but reason but this gift proceedeth of the King your Masters liberality not of my request if it please you that I shall receiue it put it heere into my sleeue and other letter or testimoniall get you none of me For I will not for my part that any man shall say that the Lord great Chamberlaine of England hath beene pensioner to the French King nor that my acquittances be found in his chamber of accounts Whereunto the said Cleret replied not but departed leauing the money behinde him and at his returne made report thereof to the King who was not a little displeased with him for that he brought no acquittance but as touching the said Chamberlaine he commended and esteemed him more than all the King of Englands other seruants and his pension was euer after paied without acquittance After this sort liued the King with
perswaded that for one pleasant there should be found twenty displeasant He liued about threescore and one yeeres notwithstanding that he had conceiued an imagination that he should neuer passe threescore saying that no King of Fraunce of long time passed that age some saie none since Charles the great Notwithstanding the King our Master when he died was well forward in the threescore and one yeere Duke Charles of Burgundie what rest or quietnes had he more than the King our Master True it is that in his youth he was not much troubled for he attempted nothing til the two twenty yeere of his age but liued till that time in helth and at his ease But then he began to busie himselfe with his fathers officers whom his father maintained against him for the which cause he absented himselfe and went into Holland where he was well receiued and had intelligence with them of Gaunt and sometime also went thither himselfe He had not one peny of his father but this countrey of Holland was maruellous rich and gaue him goodly presents as did also diuers great townes of his other Seniories hoping thereby to winne his fauour in time to come For it is a common thing especially among the vulgare sort to loue better and seeke rather to him whose power is growing than to him who is already so great that he can be no greater 5 For the which cause Duke Philip when men told him that they of Gaunt loued his sonne maruellous wel that he could skill of their humor was woont to answer that their Prince in expectation they euer loued deerly but their Prince in possession they hated euer extremely which saying prooued true For after D. Charles began to reigne ouer them they neuer loued him and that they well declared as before I haue rehearsed he also for his part bare them as little good will notwithstanding they did his posteritie more harme than they could do him But proceed after the time that Duke Charles mooued war for the townes in Picardie which the King our Master had redeemed of Duke Philip his father and ioined himselfe with the Princes of this realme in the war called THE WEALE PVBLIKE he neuer was quiet but in continuall trauell both of bodie and minde For his hart was so inflamed with desire of glorie that he attempted to conquer all that lay about him All sommer he kept the field with great danger of his person and tooke vpon himselfe the charge and care of the whole armie all which trouble seemed yet not sufficient to him He was the first vp and the last downe as if he had beene the poorest soldier in his campe If he rested from wars at any time in winter yet was he busied all day long from sixe of the clocke in the morning either in leuying of money or receiuing ambassadors or giuing them audience In this trauell and miserie ended he his daies and was slaine of the Swissers before Nancy as you haue heard so that a man may iustly say that he neuer had good day from the time that ambition first entred into his minde till the hower of his death And what got he by all this trauell what needed he thus to haue toiled himselfe being so rich a Prince and hauing so many goodly townes and seniories vnder his subiection where he might haue liued in great ioy and prosperitie if it had so pleased him I must now speake of Edward K. of England who was so great mighty a Prince In his youth he sawe the Duke of Yorke his father discomfited and slaine in battell with him the Earle of Warwicks father 6 the which Earle of Warwicke gouerned King Edward in his youth and all his affaires yea to say the truth made him King and was the onely man that defeated his enimie King Henry who had raigned many yeeres in England and was lawfull King both in mine opinion and in the iudgement of the whole world But as touching great realmes and seniories God holdeth them in his hand and disposeth of them at his pleasure for all proceedeth of him The cause that mooued the Earle of Warwick to serue the house of Yorke against King Henry who was of the house of Lancaster was this The Earle of Warwicke and the Duke of Sommerset fell at variance in King Henries court who was a very simple man the Queene his wife being of the house of Aniou daughter to Rene King of Sicilie tooke part with the Duke of Sommerset against the Earle But considering that they had all acknowledged both King Henry and his father and grandfather for their lawfull Princes the said Lady should haue done much better to haue taken vpon hir the office of Iudge or mediator betweene them than to take part with either of them as the sequele well declared For heereupon arose war which continued nine and twenty yeeres during the which space many bloodie battels were fought and in the end all in maner both of the one partie and the other slaine Now to speake a word or two of factions surely they are maruellous dangerous especially among great men who are naturally inclined to nourish and maintaine them But you will say peraduenture that by this meanes the Prince shall haue intelligence of all things that passe and thereby hold both the parties in the greater feare In truth I can well agree that a yoong Prince vse this order among Ladies for by this meanes he shall haue pleasure and sport ynough and vnderstand of all their newes but to nourish factions among men yea among Princes and men of vertue and courage nothing can be more dangerous bicause by that meanes he shall kindle an vnquenchable fire in his house for foorthwith one of the parties will suppose the King to be against them and then to fortifie themselues take intelligence with his enimies The factions of Orleans and Burgundie prooue this point sufficiently for the wars that sprang therof continued threescore and twelue yeeres the English men being parties in them who thought to haue conquered the whole realme But to returne to King Edward he was very yoong when his father was slaine and the beautifullest Prince in the world but after he had vanquished all his enimies he gaue himselfe wholy to pleasures as to dames feasting banketting and hunting in the which delicacies he continued about sixteene yeeres 7 to wit till the Earle of Warwicke and he fell at variance in the which wars notwithstanding that the King were chased out of his realme yet continued he not long in that estate for he soone returned and hauing obtained the victorie more abandoned himselfe to all pleasures than before He feared no man but fed himselfe maruellous fat by meanes whereof in the flower of his age diseases grew vpon him so that he died in a maner suddenly of an Apoplexie and his heires males lost the crowne as before you haue heard In this our age raigned also two valiant and wise
Princes namely Mathias King of Hungarie and Mahomet Ottoman Emperor of Turkie This King Mathias was sonne to a valiant knight called the white knight of Vallachie 8 a gentleman of great wisdome and vertue who gouerned long the realme of Hungarie and obtained many goodly victories against the Turks 9 who border vpon the said realme by reason of the Seniories they haue vsurped in Greece and Slauonie 10 Soone after his death King Lancelot came to mans estate 11 who was right heire not onely of the realme of Hungary but also of Bohemia and Polonia He by the counsell of certaine caused the white knights two sonnes to be apprehended alleaging that their father had vsurped too great rule and authoritie in the realme and that the sonnes being gentlemen of great courage might peraduenture attempt the like Wherefore the said King Launcelot resolued to lay them both in prison and incontinent put the elder to death 12 and sent the said Mathias prisoner to Bude the chiefe towne of Hungary where he remained not long And I suppose that God tooke in good part the great seruices his father had done For soone after King Launcelot was poisoned at Prage in Bohemia 13 by a gentlewoman of a good house whose brother my selfe haue seene of whom he was enamored she likewise of him so far foorth that she being displeased with his mariage with the daughter of Charles the seuenth King of Fraunce now called Princesse of Vienna against his promise made to hir poisoned him in a bathe as she gaue him a peece of apple to eate hauing conueighed the poison into the haft of hir knife Incontinently after King Lancelots death the Barons and Nobles of the realme assembled to choose a new King for the custome of the countrey is when the King dieth without issue that the Nobles may proceed to an election And while they were there in great diuision about their chose the white Knights widow mother to Mathias came into the towne with a goodly traine for bicause she had great treasure left hir by hir husband she was soone able to leuie great forces and further I thinke she had good intelligence both in the towne and also among the Nobilitie bicause of the great sway hir husband had borne in the realme She rode straight to the prison and tooke hir sonne out of it 14 Whereupon part of the Barons and Prelats there assembled for the election fled for feare the rest chose the said Mathias King who raigned in the realme with as great prosperitie as any King these many yeeres and hath been as highly praised and commended yea more in some points than any of his predecessors He was one of the valiantest men that liued in his time and obtained great victories against the Turks without all damage to his owne realme the which he inlarged on all sides aswell towards Bohemia the greatest part whereof he held as also towards Valachie where he was borne and towards Sclauonie In like maner vpon the frontiers of Almaine he wan the greatest part of Austrich from the Emperor Frederic now raigning and possessed it till his death which hapned in the yeere 1491. in Vienna the chiefe towne of Austrich This King gouerned his affaires with great wisdome aswell in peace as war but a little before his death perceiuing himselfe to be feared of his enimies he grew maruellous pompous and sumptuous in his Court and amassed an infinite quantitie of goodly stuffe iewels and plate for the furniture of his house All his affaires were dispatched by himselfe or by his direction Before his death his subiects stood in great feare of him for he waxed cruell and soone after fell into a greeuous and vncurable disease being but yoong to wit eight and twenty yeeres of age 15 or thereabout He died hauing spent his life in much more labor and trauell than pleasure The Turke aboue mentioned 16 was a wise and noble Prince but vsing wiles and subtiltie more than courage and valor True it is that his father left him great for he had been a hardy Prince and wan Adrianople 17 which is as much to say as the citie of Adrian This Turke that I now write of tooke in the three and twentith yeere of his age the citie of Constantinople 18 I haue seene his pourtraiture when he was of those yeeres the lineaments whereof made shew of an excellent wit It was a shame for all Christendome to suffer the towne so to be lost for he tooke it by assault and the Emperor of the East whom we call Emperor of Constantinople was slaine himselfe at the breach 19 with a number of valiant men diuers women of great estate and noble houses rauished to be short no crueltie was omitted This was his first exploit but not his last for he continued till his death in atchieuing great enterprises so that I heard once an ambassador of Venice tell Duke Charles of Burgundy that he had conquered two Empires fower realmes and two hundred cities He meant the Empires of Constantinople Trapezonde 20 the realmes of Bosne 21 Syria Armenia and I thinke Morea 22 was the fowerth in the which the Venetians held two places He conquered also diuers goodly Iles in the sea called Archipell 23 neere to the said Morea with the Iles of Nigrepont 24 and Mitilene he subdued in like maner the greatest part of Albanie and Sclauonie And as his conquests were great against the Christians so were they also against them of his owne law of whom he destroied many a great Prince as the Caraman 25 and diuers others The greatest part of his affaires he gouerned by his owne wisdome as did our King and the King of Hungarie also who were three of the greatest Princes that raigned these hundred yeers But the curtesie and course of life of the King our Master and his good vsage both of his owne seruants and strangers far passed both the others and no maruell for he was the most Christian King As touching worldly pleasures this Turke had his fill for he spent the greatest part of his life in them and had he not been so much addicted to them vndoubtedly he would haue done much more mischiefe There was no fleshly vice that he was free from but in gluttony he passed and according to his diet diseases fell vpon him for euery spring as I haue heard those report that haue seene him his legs swelled as big as a mans body notwithstanding they brake not but the swelling asswaged of it self No surgeon could tell the cause of this disease saue onely that it proceeded of gluttonie and it may be that it was some speciall punishment of God His said disease was the cause he came so seldome abroad and kept himselfe so close in his chariot fearing that the miserable estate he was in would cause his subiects to despise him He died being two and fifty yeeres of age 26 or there about in maner suddenly notwithstanding he made his
said The towne was spoiled by the soldiers bicause Maximilian was behinde with them for certaine moneths paie Saint Omers was also taken at the same time though some refer it to an other time but whensoeuer it was taken this is most certaine that the negligence of the watch was the losse thereof For the enimies being led by George Deberfin made shew at their first comming before the towne as though they would haue scaled it at which time the French soldiers were ready to withstand them vpon the wals being strong and very defensible both by nature and by Arte whereupon the enimies vnder pretence of feare retired into their campe yea and further when the French issued foorth to skirmish with them they euer retired faining the like feare which dissimulation they vsed by the space of eight daies and by this their pollicie caused the French to remit much of their accustomed industry and diligence which when the Burgundians and Almaines perceiued they with great expedition reared ladders against the wals and bulwarks of the town which they easily entered the watch being fast a sleepe and in some place no watch at all Then brake they open the gates slew the French soldiers and the citizens and so became Masters of the towne At the same time was Amiens also attempted by the Burgundians in the night and like to haue been surprised by the like negligence of the watch but Katherine de Liques a woman of a manlike courage awaked the watch out of their dead sleepe by meanes whereof the alarme was sounded and all the towne arose in armes and part went to defend the wals and the rest issued foorth and skirmished and put to flight Maximilians bands who plainly confessed that the diligence and industrie of one woman had wrong the victory out of their hands Of the restitution of the Counties of Roussillon Parpignan to the King of Spaine of the Emperor Fridericks death of the peace between the King of Romaines and the King and of the Duke of Orleans deliuery out of prison Chap. 8. FErdinand King of Arragon desired nothing more than to recouer 1492 out of the Kings hands the counties of Roussillon and Parpignan engaged by him as he said to King Lewis the eleuenth for fiftie thousand crownes But the nobles of Fraunce would not condescend to this restitution bicause the two Counties were a rampier for the realme on that side towards Spaine adding that they were not engaged to King Lewis but absoulutely solde And notwithstanding that the King of Spaine alleaged that King Lewis by his last will and Testament had commanded the said Counties to be restored knowing that they were wrongfully withheld yet his perswasions and allegations little auailed Wherefore he perceiuing that this way no good would be done fell to practise with men of religion hoping by their preaching of conscience to King Charles to win that of him that otherwise he saw no meanes to obtaine Wherefore he corrupted with a great summe of mony Oliuer Maillard or as others write Iohn de Mauleon a frier Franciscane confessor to the Lady of Beauieu the Kings sister who vnder his coule of religion cloking his hypocrisie and couetousnes perswaded hir that except restitution were made of these territories to the King of Spaine the King hir brothers gouerment could not prosper nor please God She being mooued in conscience by this friers perswasions brake this matter to Lewis of Amboise bishop of Alby the Kings schoolmaster who togither with hir so terrified the Kings conscience that he did not onely make restitution of the said territories by the hands of the said bishop whom he sent thither to deliuer them but also freely released to the King of Arragon all the money that King Levvis his father had paid for them with these conditions that the said King of Arragon and his successors should euer after loue and honor the realme of Fraunce that he should make no war against it nor aide with money victuals or councell any of the enimies thereof nor permit them to haue passage through his dominions And thus were these countries restored greatly to the French mens griefe and dammage but in truth the King the rather inclined to restore them bicause hee began already by the perswasion of those that were about him to phansie a voiage into Italie for the recouerie of the realme of Naples which afterward tooke effect though the King both now long after this kept his purpose secret to himselfe and one or two more which voiage I thinke was the principall cause that induced him to restore the foresaid countries thereby to tie the King of Spaine to him that he should not trouble him in his enterprise but he misreckoned himselfe for he was no sooner past the mountaines but the King of Spaine forgot all his kindnes and fell to practise a league with his enimies While these matters passed thus in Fraunce Friderick the Emperor died to The Emperor Frederick died 19. of August 1493. whom his sonne Maximilian succeeded who notwithstanding was neuer crowned neither greatly desired so to be although with a small request he might haue obtaied it The Emperor Maximilian purposing to quiet the state of the Empire troubled by his fathers death seemed more enclined to peace with the King than heertofore he had beene which happened verie fortunately for the Kings affaires for without Maximilian were pacified his voiage into Italie must of force haue staide but both the parties by this meanes inclining to concord the peace was soone concluded the Emperors daughter was restored vnto him and the countie of Artois togither with all the townes he quarrelled And thus the King being in peace with all his neighbours namely with the Emperor and the Kings of England and Spaine and possessing the Duchie of Britaine quietly by his mariage and by that meanes hauing no body to feare began wholie to dispose himselfe to his voiage into Italie whereupon his minde was altogither fixed Further about this verie time the King at the earnest sute and continuall teares of his sister Iane a Ladie of singular pietie and chastitie restored not onely to liberty but also to his fauor and familiaritie Lewis Duke of Orleans husband to the saide Ladie taken prisoner at the battell of Saint Albin in Britaine as before you haue heard whereby as the King deserued great commendations for his clemencie in preseruing his enimie taken in battell and restoring him to his former dignitie and honor so did he also thereby prouide that no discontented subiect at home should trouble his estate in his absence in his voiage to Naples whereunto the historie of Commines now calleth vs which from the death of King Lewis the eleuenth till this present I haue supplied out of other good authors bicause the said Commines being imprisoned or in disgrace almost euer sithence King Lewis his death till the saide voiage of Naples whereat he was present was silent and left nothing
had the wardship of hir children and my selfe haue seen hir there in great authoritie being a widow and gouerned by one Cico a Secretarie and an ancient seruant of that house This Cico had banished all Duke Galeas brethren for the said Ladies safetie and hir childrens and among the rest the Lord Lodouic afterward Duke of Milan whom she reuoked being hir enimie and in war against hir togither with the Lord Robert of Saint Seuerine a valiant captaine whom she had also banished by the said Cicos perswasion To be short at the request of a yoong man that carued before hir called Anthony Thesin being a Ferrarian of very meane parentage she called them all home through great simplicitie supposing they would do the said Cico no harme and the truth is that so they had sworne and promised But the third day after their returne they tooke him notwithstanding their oth and caried him in an emptie caske through the town of Milan he was allied by mariage to one of the Viscomtes 3 and if the said Vicomt had been in the citie at that present some say they durst not haue taken him Moreouer the Lord Lodcuic caused this matter so to be ordered that the said Robert of S. Seuerin comming that way should meete with this Cico as he passed through the towne in this estate bicause he hated him extremely Thus was he led prisoner to the castle of Pauie where he died They vsed this Lady very honorably in hir iudgement seeking to content hir humor in all things but all matters of importance they two dispatched making hir priuie but to what pleased them and no greater pleasure could they do hir than to communicate nothing with hir They permitted hir to giue this Anthony Thesin what she would they lodged him hard by hir chamber he carried hir on horsebacke behinde him in the towne and in hir house was nothing but feasting and dauncing but this iollitie endured but halfe a yeere She gaue many goodly things to this Thesin and the couriers packets were adressed to him which bred great disdaine in many wherein the L. Lodouic vncle to the two children aspiring to the Duchie which afterward also he obteined nourished them as much as in him lay One morning they tooke hir two sonnes from hir and lodged them in a great tower within the castell called the rocke wherunto consented the said Lodouic the Lord Robert of Saint Seuerin one called de Palleuoisin gouernor of the yoong Dukes person and the captaine of the rocke 4 who since Duke Galeas death had neuer departed out of the place neither did many yeeres after this till he was taken prisoner by the Lord Lodouickes subtletie and his masters folly being of his mothers disposition After the aboue named had lodged these children in the rocke they seized vpon the treasure being at that time the richest in Christendome and made hir yeeld account thereof Moreouer they caused three keies therof to be made one of the which she kept but the treasure after that day she neuer touched They made hir also to surrender the wardship of hir children and the said Lodouic was chosen their guardian Further they sent letters into diuers countries especially into Fraunce which my selfe sawe written to hir great dishonor for they charged hir with this Anthonie Thesin whom notwithstanding they sent away vnharmed for the Lord Robert saued both his life and goods These two great men entred not into the rocke at their pleasure for the captaine had his brother in it with a garrison of a hundred and fiftie soldiers or better when they entred the gate was straightly kept neither entred they accompanied at any time with more than a man or two and this endured a long space In the meane time great variance arose between the Lord Lodouic and Robert of S. Seuerin for vsually two great men can not long agree but Lodouic wan the garland the other departed to the Venetians seruice Notwithstanding afterwards two of his sonnes returned to the seruice of the said Lodouic and the state of Milan namely Master Galeas and the Earle of Caiazze some say with their fathers consent others say no but howsoeuer it were the said Lodouic highly fauored them and both hath been and yet is very faithfully serued by them You shall vnderstand that their father the Lord Robert of Saint Seuerin was issued of a base daughter of the house of Saint Seuerin but in Italie they make no difference betweene a bastard and childe legitimate This I write bicause they furthered our enterprise in Italy aswell in fauour of the Prince of Salerne chiefe of the said house of Saint Seuerin as also for diuers other respects whereof heereafter you shall heare The Lord Lodouic declared immediately that he would by all meanes possible maintaine his authoritie for he caused money to be coined on the one side wherof the Dukes image was stamped and on the other his own whereat many murmured This Duke was married to the daughter of Alfonse Duke of Calabria and King of Naples after his father King Ferrandes death His said wife was a Lady of a great courage and would gladly haue increased hir husbands authority if she could but hir husband lacked wit and disclosed all hir actions The captaine also of the rocke of Milan continued long in great authoritie and neuer departed out of the place for many iealousies were now arisen so far foorth that when one of the children went abroad the other abode within To be short a yeere or two before we entred into Italy the Lord Lodouic hauing been abroad with the Duke and purposing some mischiefe waited vpon him at his returne home to the castle according to his accustomed maner The captaine came vpon the drawe bridge with his men about him to kisse the Dukes hand as their maner is The Duke at this time was somewhat without the bridge in such sort that the captain was forced to step foorth a pace or two where these two sonnes of Saint Seuerin and others that were about them laid hold vpon him They within drew vp the bridge but the Lord Lodouic caused an end of a waxe candle to be lighted sware that he would smite off their heads 5 if they yeelded not the place before the candle were burned out whereupon they deliuered it and then he furnished it wel and surely for himselfe but all in the Dukes name Further he endited the captaine of high treason laying to his charge that he would haue put the place into the Emperors hands and staied certaine Almains charging them as practisers with the captaine about this enterprise yet afterward dismissed them without farther harme He beheaded also one of his owne secretaries charging him in like maner as a dealer in the matter and yet one other who he said had been a messenger 6 between them The captaine he kept long in prison yet in the end deliuered him pretending that Duchesse Bonne had once
successe this voiage was like to haue had if God alone had not guided the enterprise The King abode at Ast a certaine space 2 That yeere all the wines of Italie were sower which our men much misliked neither could they away with the great heate of the aire To Ast came the Lord Lodouic and his wife with a goodly traine to visite the King where they abode two daies and then the said Lodouic departed to a castell of the Duchie of Milan a league from Ast called Nom whither the Kings Councell repaired daily to him King Alphonse had two armies abrode in the countrie the one in Romaine 3 towards Ferrara vnder the leading of his sonne accompanied with the Lord Virgill Vrsin the Earle of Petilhane and the Lord Iohn Iames of Trenoul who is now become French Against these the King sent the Lord d'Aubigny 4 a valiant and wise Knight with two hundred men of armes French and fiue hundred men of armes Italians being in the Kings seruice vnder the leading of the Earle of Caiazze so often before mentioned who was there as the Lord Lodouics lieutenant and feared greatly the discomfiture of these forces which if it had happened we had repaired homewards incontinent and he should haue had his enimies vpon his necke whose intelligence was great in the Duchie of Milan The other armie was vpon the sea vnder the leading of Dom Frederike King Alphonses brother and lay at Ligorne and at Pise for the Florentines tooke part as yet with the house of Arragon and furnished them of certaine gallies Moreouer with the said Dom Frederike was Breto de Flisco and certaine other Genuois by whose intelligence he hoped to cause Genua to reuolt 5 And sure they had almost obtained their purpose at Specie and Rapalo neere to Genua where they landed a thousand of their faction by meanes whereof they had vndoubtedly atchieued their enterprise if they had not been very speedily assailed But the selfesame day or the next day Lewis Duke of Orleance arriued there with certaine ships and a good number of gallies and one great galliasse being mine the patrone whereof was one Master Albert Mely and it caried the said Duke and the principall of the armie and manie goodly peeces of artillerie for it was very strong and approched so neere the shore that the very artillery almost discomfited the enimies who before had neuer seene the like for artillerie was at that time strange and new to the Italian nation The soldiers landed also that were in the other ships and from Genua where the whole armie laie came a band of Swissers by land led by the Bailife of Digeon who had ioined with him certaine of the Duke of Milans forces vnder the leading of Master Iohn Lewis de Flisco brother to the forenamed Breto and of Master Iohn Adorne the which notwithstanding that they were not at the skirmish shewed themselues valiant soldiers in defending a straight against the enimies To be short bicause our men came to hand-strokes with the enimies they were discomfited and put to flight and a hundred or sixscore slaine and eight or ten taken prisoners among the which was one Fourgousin sonne to the Cardinall of Genua Those prisoners that were dismissed were all stripped to their shirts by the Duke of Milans bands and other harme had they none for such is the law of armes in Italie I saw all the letters that were sent both to the King and to the Duke of Milan making report of this skirmish Thus was the enimies Nauie repulsed which afterward approched no more so neer At our mens returne the Genuois thought to haue raised a tumult and slew certaine Almaines in the towne certaine also of them were slaine but the matter was soone pacified I must heere speake a word or two of the Florentines who had sent twise to the King before his departure out of Fraunce meaning onely to dissemble with him with their first ambassadors being the Bishop of Arese 6 and one named Peter Sonderin the King commanded me the Seneschall and the Generall to negotiate Our demands were onely these First to giue the King passage through their countrie and secondarily to serue him with a hundred men of armes paying them after the Italian intertainment which was but ten thousand ducats the yeere 7 These ambassadors depended wholie vpon Peter of Medicis a yoong man of small wisedome sonne to Laurence of Medicis who was dead and had beene one of the wisest men in his time and had gouerned this citie almost as prince as did also at this present his sonne for their house had continued thus already two mens ages namely Laurence the father of this Peter and Cosme of Medicis the first roote and founder of this house a man woorthie among the woorthiest And sure of their trade being merchandise I thinke it hath beene the greatest house that euer was in the world for their seruants and factors haue had so great credit vnder their name that it is woonderfull I my selfe haue seene the proofe thereof both in Flaunders and England For I knew one called Gerard Quanuese by whose onely helpe in a maner King Edward the fowerth kept the crowne on his head when ciuill wars were in the realme of England for he lent him at times more then sixscore thousand crownes little for his Masters profite notwithstanding he recouered his principall in the end Another also I knew named Thomas Portunay who was pledge at one time betweene the said King Edward and Duke Charles of Burgundie for fiftie thousand crownes and at an other time in another place for forwerscore thousand I commend not the wisedome of merchants in thus doing but I commend Princes that vse merchants well and keepe daie with them for they know not when they shall need their helpe and sometime a little money doth great seruice It seemeth that this house of the Medicis fel to ruine as mighty houses do in realms and Empires for the great authoritie of this Peter of Medicis predecessors did him harme notwithstanding the gouernment of Cosme the first of this house was milde and gentle such as was agreeable with a free state But Lavvrence this Peters father whom we now presently write of bicause of the great variance before mentioned in this historie that was betweene him and them of Pisa and others diuers of the Lib. 6. cap. 5. which at that time were hanged tooke a garde of 20. men for the defence of his person by the commandement and leaue of the Seniory who commanded nothing but at his pleasure notwithstanding he behaued himselfe in this great authoritie very discreetly and soberly for as I before said he was one of the wisest men in his time But this Peter who succeeded his father supposing the like authority to be due to him of right became terrible by meanes of this guard and vsed great violence in the night beating men as they went in the streetes and abusing their common treasure
many cities which he had wrongfully vsurped 7 and seeing the image of him and his horse being of fine marble stood higher than the altar and yet his body lay vnder his horse feete He answered me softly Sir in this countrey we call all those Saints that haue done vs any good and he built this goodly charterhouse church which in very deed is the fairest that euer I saw for it is all of fine marble But to proceede the said Master Galeas sought to make himselfe great and so I thinke did the Duke of Milan also bicause he had married his base daughter for he manifestly declared that he would aduance him as his owne sonne bicause at that time his owne children were all very yoong The said Pisans were I confesse cruelly handled by the Florentines for they vsed them like slaues They had subdued them about a hundred yeeres before euen in the selfe same yeere that the Venetians conquered Padua which was the first victory that they obtained vpon the firme land And the fortune of these two cities was almost alike for they had been ancient enimies to those whom now they serued many yeeres before they were conquered and almost of equall force with them These Pisans consulted togither about this motion and seeing themselues counselled by so great a personage and being also of themselues desirous of libertie a great number of them both men and women came crying to the King as he went to masse Libertie libertie desiring him with weeping eies to graunt it them One of the Masters of the requests who was a counsellor of the parliament in Daulphine named Robot going before the King or executing his office said vnto him were it bicause he had promised the Pisans so to do or bicause he vnderstood not what they demanded that it was a lamemtable case and that of right he ought to graunt them their petition adding that neuer men were so cruelly handled The King not vnderstanding well what this word meant but bewailing in his minde the miserable estate of the Italian nation and the cruelty that both Princes commonalties vse towards their subiects notwithstanding that in reason he could not graunt them their liberty seeing the towne was none of his but lent him vpon friendship at his great need answered that he was contented to grant their request so the counsellor aboue named declared vnto them wherupon the people incontinent began to proclaim holiday in token of ioy and went to their bridge which is a very goodly one built ouer the riuer of Arne threw down to the ground afterward into the riuer a great lion standing vpon a strong pillar of marble called maior representing the Seniorie of Florence vpon the which pillar they caused to be erected the image of a K. of Fraunce holding a naked sword in his hand treading the maior or lion vnder his horse feet But after when the K. of Romains entred the town they did with the Kings image as now with the lion for such is the nature of the Italian nation to turne euer with the strongest Notwithstanding these Pisans were then yet are so cruelly handled that they are to be holden for excused The Notes 1 It was Fodormi in the French but corruptly 2 He meaneth that the Duke of Milan found delaies to cause the King to stay all the winter in the Florentines territories hoping that their townes would yeeld vnto him as indeede they did and that then he might obtaine of the King such as he would 3 The factions of the Guelphes and Gibellines began in Italie vnder the Emperor Frederike the second anno 1240. The Gibellines held for the Emperor the Guelphes for the Pope 4 This composition he speaketh of afterward in this chapter 5 It was sold to this Iohn Galeas and he sold it ouer to the Florentines 6 This parke was made by the said Iohn Galeas after he had conquered Pauia it was twenty miles in circuit walled round about and stored with all kinde of beasts but now by meanes of the wars it is destroied by this parke he built also the castell In this parke was Francis the French King taken prisoner 7 This Duke conquered in Italy 29. cities among the which were Pauie Bolonia Verona Senes Perouse Luques Verceil c. How the King departed from Pisa to Florence and of the flight and ruine of Peter de Medices Chap. 8. AFter the King had soiourned at Pisa certaine daies he departed to Florence where they declared vnto him the great wrong he had done their estate by restoring the Pisans to libertie against his promise Those that were appointed to make answer heereunto excused the fact saying that the King had not well vnderstood with what conditions Pisa was deliuered vnto him neither vnderstood he another treatie he made with the Florentines 1 whereof you shall heare after I haue spoken somewhat of Peter de Medicis ruine and shewed how the King entered into Florence leauing a garrison in Pisa and the other places lent him The said Peter after he had yeelded to the King the places aboue mentioned with the consent of certaine of the towne returned to the citie supposing that the King would not hold them still but restore them at his departute from Pisa where he would but repose himselfe three or fower daies Yet am I of opinion that if it had pleased him to winter there they would willingly haue agreed thereunto notwithstanding that Pisa be of greater importance to them than Florence it selfe saue that their persons and goods be resident in Florence 2 At the said Peters returne to Florence euery man frowned vpon him and not without cause for he had dispossessed them of their whole force and of all that they had conquered in a hundred yeeres so that their mindes seemed already to foretell them the euils that afterward fell vpon them Wherefore partly for this cause which I suppose to be the principall though they neuer vttered it partly for the great hatred before rehearsed which they bare him and partly also to recouer their libertie wherof they thought themselues bereaued by him they determined to banish him the towne forgetting all the benefits of Cosmus and Laurence de Medicis his ancestors The said Peter hauing no certaine intelligence of this their determination yet doubting it went to the palace with his ordinarie garde to aduertise them of the Kings comming who was about three miles from the towne but when he came to the palace gate and knocked one of the house of Nerly being the father and many sonnes whom my selfe knew well all of great wealth refused to let him in saying that if he would enter alone he should otherwise not and he that made him this refusall was armed The said Peter returned incontinent to his house and armed both himselfe and his seruants determining to make resistance against his enimies in the towne Whereof he also aduertised one Paule Vrsin who was in pay
bicause he was neere about him I asked his aduise whether I should presse forward the matter whereunto he earnestly perswaded me for al men desired to repaire home The King was in a garden and when I came to him I began to perswade with him as the daie before in presence of the Cardinall who answered me that it appertained to him being a church man to be the first moouer of the King to peace whereunto I replied that if he would not I would For I perceiued well that both the King and those that were neerest about him desired to returne home Then I tooke my leaue and at my departure told the Prince of Orenge who had the principall charge of the army that if I entred into any communication of peace I would addresse my selfe wholy to him This being done I tooke my iourney towards Casall where I was well receiued by the whole kinred of this house of Montferrat and found the greatest part of them inclined to the Lord Constantine whose gouernment was thought by them all most conuenient for the childrens safetie bicause he could pretend no title to the succession as the Marques of Saluce did I assembled by the space of certaine daies both the Nobles of the countrey the Spirituall men and the Burgesses of the good townes and at the request of them at the least the greatest part of them declared the Kings pleasure to be that the Lord Constantine should remaine gouernor For I was sure they would not withstande the Kings commandement both bicause of the force he had then on that side the mountaines and also bicause of the good affection the whole countrey beareth to the house of Fraunce About three daies after my arriuall at Casal the Marquesse of Mantua the Venetians Generall sent the steward of his house thither to condole the late deceased Marchionesse death for the said Marquesse was of kin to this house of Montferrat The same Steward and I entered into communication how we might agree these two armies without battell for both the parties disposed themselues to fight and the King lay in campe neere to Verceil but to say the truth he did but passe the riuer onely 2 and lodge his campe which was vtterly vnprouided of tents and pauilions for our men had brought foorth but few with them and those few also were lost Moreouer the ground was wet both bicause winter approched and bicause the countrey lieth low The King lodged in his campe but one night and the next day returned to the towne but the Prince of Orenge abode still with the army so did also the Earle of Foix and the Earle of Vendosme who fell into a fluxe there whereof he died which sure was great pitie for he was a goodly gentleman yoong and wise and was come thither in poste bicause the brute ran that there we should fight For you shall vnderstand that he had not beene with the King in this voiage into Italy Besides these the Marshall of Gie abode also in the campe and diuers other captaines but the greatest force were the Almaines that had beene with the King in this voiage for the French men would by no meanes lodge abrode the towne being so neere besides that diuers of them were sicke and many returned home some with leaue some without leaue Nouarre was distant from our campe ten great Italian miles containing six French leagues at the lest the way is cumbersome for the ground is tough and soft as in Flaunders bicause of ditches that are on both sides of the way much deeper than the ditches of Flaunders In winter the waies there are very foule and in sommer maruellous dustie Moreouer betweene our campe and Nouarre there was a little place which we held called Bourg about a league from vs and another that they held about a league from their campe called Camarian But the waters were risen so high that a man could hardly passe between vs and them The Marquesse of Mantuas steward aboue mentioned that was come to Casall and I continued still our communication of peace and diuers reasons I alleaged to him to perswade his Master to shun the battell First I put him in minde of the great danger he had beene in at Fornoue secondarily I told him that he fought for them that neuer had aduaunced him notwithstanding the great seruices he had done them wherefore his best way should be to incline to peace which I for my part promised to further on our side as much as in me lay He answered that his Master desired nothing more than peace but that we must make the first motion thereof as word had been sent me heertofore considering that their league that is to say the Pope the Kings of Romanes and Spaine the Venetians and the Duke of Milan were more woorthie than the King alone I answered that to make such a ceremonie about so small a trifle was meere follie notwithstanding if any ceremonie were to be obserued that the King ought to haue the preheminence and honor thereof considering that himselfe was there in person and the others had but their lieutenants there But to auoid all such fond cauillation I offered that he and I iointly as mediators if he so thought good would breake the yce so that I were sure his Master the Marquesse of Mantua would agree therunto and proceeded accordingly Whereupon we concluded that the next day I should send a trumpeter to their campe by whom I should write to Master Lucas Pisan and Master Melchior Treuisan the two Venetian Prouisors the which are officers appointed to consult with their captains and to prouide things necessarie for their armie According to the which resolution the next morning I writ vnto them the effect of that I had said before to the steward for I had good colour to continue still a mediator bicause I had promised so to do at my departure from Venice Besides that I was sure the King desired peace and me thought that also our affaires required it Lastly there are euer men ynow to breake off a good appointmēt but few that haue skil wil withal to trauel for the pacifying of so great a controuersie nor that will endure so many hard speeches as are vsed of them that deale in such affaires for in great armies all are not of one humor The said Prouisors were glad of these newes and promised that I should shortly haue answer of my letter whereof foorthwith they sent word to Venice in post and receiued answere with great expedition from the Seniorie and not long after sent an Earle that serued the Duke of Ferrara to our campe The said Duke had men in their armie for his eldest sonne was in pay with the Duke of Milan 3 but another of his sonnes with the King our Master This Earles name was Albertin and he pretended openly that the occasion of his arriuall was to visite Master Iohn Iames of Treuoul with whom he had a sonne
THE HISTORIE OF PHILIP DE Commines Knight Lord of Argenton Jmprinted at London by Ar. Hatfield for I. Norton 1596 TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE MY VERY GOOD LORD THE LORD Burghley Lord Treasurer of England Knight of the honorable order of the garter and Master of hir Maiesties Court of Wardes and Liueries IT is now R. Honorable thirty yeeres since I presented to your L. and the late Earle of Leicester my Lord and Master the historie of COMMINES rudely translated into our vulgar toong the which of later times at the request of the late Lord Chauncellor sir Christopher Hatton I perused anew and enlarged with such notes pedegrees as seemed necessarie as well for explanation as in some few places for correction of the historie Since his death certaine gentlemen to whose hands the booke happened to come tooke so great pleasure and delight therein that they determined to put it to the presse supposing it a great dishonor to our nation that so woorthy an historie being extant in all languages almost in Christendome should be suppressed in ours Notwithstanding their resolution they forbare of curtesie to put in execution till their purpose should be made knowen to me And albeit that I alleaged many reasons why in my conceit bookes of this nature treating of Princes secrets were vnfit to be published to the vulgare sort the rather bicause the Author in some places seemeth to be of that opinion himselfe yet none of my reasons could preuaile but they continued in their former determination adding thereunto that others besides my selfe had taken paines in this historie and though I of peeuishnes would suppresse my labors yet they would not suppresse theirs So that would I nould I to the presse the booke must go being already warranted by publike authoritie thereunto I seeing the matter aduaunced thus far thought it no time to draw backe any longer but in the end tooke the burthen vpon my selfe doubting if I had done otherwise both the blemishing of the historie wherein I may boldly say that I haue more trauelled than any man that hath entermedled therewith and also that the worke should be presented to some patrone that had no interest therein Wherefore hauing againe examined it and freed it from some faults that me thought fit to be reformed I haue presumed to publish it vnder the protection of your Lorships honorable name to whom of right it appertaineth in many respects First bicause the author thereof was a noble man one of your owne cote the wisest and the best acquainted with all matters of state of any man in his time Whereunto I adde that he continued a Counsellor successiuely to so many French Kings that he was reputed one of the ancientest Counsellors in Christendome at his death wherein your Lordships fortune is not onely correspondent but hath also surmounted his Secondarily your Lordship hath the aisne title to it and lastly the right of suruiuor casteth it vpon you by course of common lawe Wherefore all these circumstances well considered my particular duties also notforgotten I thought it a kinde of sacrilege to suffer your Lordship to be robbed of your right May it therefore please you to receiue this historic into your honorable protection as your owne as well in regard of the Author being a man of such condition as aboue is rehearsed as also of the worke treating of that subiect wherewith your Lordship at this day is better acquainted than any man liuing and lastly in respect of your owne title thereunto Which no whit doubting but that your Lordship will most willingly vouchsafe to do beseeching the Almightie long to preserue you to the great stay of this flourishing estate most humbly I take my leaue this first of Nouember 1596. Your L. most humble and obedient to commaund Thomas Danett The life of Philip de Commines knight Lord of Argenton gathered out of diuers good authors togither with a briefe answer on his behalfe to certaine accusations wherewith IACOBVS MEYERVS a Flemming in his Annales of Flaunders chargeth verie vniustlie both Commines history and his life PHILIP DE COMMINES author of this present history was borne at Commines a towne in Flaunders being a gentleman of a very ancient house and ioined by blood and alliance to the best of that nation His surname was Clytus his father vncle had been both of them vnder D. Philip of Burgundy chiefe gouernours of Flaunders called by Meyer Summi pretores Flandriae and to them he giueth this title Domini Ruscurii Buscurii VVatenenses whereby appeereth of how great Nobilitie and goodly reuenewes Commines was not onely in Flaunders but also in Haynault In his youth namely from the nineteenth yeere of his age and the yeere of our Lord 1464. till the 27. of his age and the yeere 1472. he serued Charles Duke of Burgundie and afterward Lewis the eleuenth of that name King of Fraunce who emploied him in his weightiest and secretest affaires He was of tall stature faire complexion and goodly personage The French toong he spake perfectly and eloquently the Italian Duche and Spanish reasonably well He had read ouer verie diligently all histories written in French especially of the Romaines and bare them all in memorie He much acquainted himselfe with strangers thereby to increase his knowledge He had great regard to the spending of his time and abhorred all idlenes He was of an excellent yea an incredible memorie for he often indited at one time to fower Secretaries seuerall letters of waightie affaires appertaining to the state with as great facilitie and readines as if he had had but one matter in hand A vertue so rare that I haue not read the like of any but of Iulius Caesar and him Nothing more greeued him than that in his youth he was not trained vp in the Latin toong which his misfortune he often bewailed After he was entered into the seruice of King Lewis he was highly in his fauour and during his raigne bare great sway in the realme The said King also greatly aduanced him for he made him first one of his priuy chamber then of his priuy Counsell Seneschall of Poictu and Lord of Argenton He married being of good yeeres a gentlewoman of the house of Montsoreau vpon the borders of Aniou named Helena But after King Lewis his death he fell into great troubles for bicause he was a stranger many enuied his prosperitie so far foorth that at the length his enimies caused him to be imprisoned in the castle of Loches in the Duchie of Berry a place appointed onely for those that are attached of high treason where he was verie extremely handled as himselfe in his historie reporteth Notwithstanding his wife by earnest and continuall sute in the end obtained so much fauour that he was remooued thence and brought to Paris where when he had remained a certaine space he was led to the parlament house to be arraigned He had many enimies those mightie and of so
great authoritie at that time in Fraunce that for feare of them no Counsellor durst plead his cause wherefore necessitie enforcing him to defend him selfe he pleaded there by the space of two howers being very attentiuely heard by the whole audience and in the end so acquite himselfe that by the Iudges sentence he was discharged Among other things he rehearsed at the bar how sundrie troublesome and daungerous voiages he had sustained for the King and the common wealth How highly King Lewis both had fauoured him and for his faithfull seruice rewarded him for his owne part he said that he neuer had done any thing couetouslie ambitiouslie nor cruelly and further that if he had sought onely to aduance and inrich himselfe he might haue had as goodly possessions as any man in France He was prisoner in almost three yeeres The next yeere after his deliuerie he had a daughter borne named Iane which married with Rene Earle of Pantabria descended of the Dukes of Britaine by whom among diuers other children she had issue Iohn late Duke of Estampes Lieutenant of Britain Knight of the French Kings order and Lord of diuers goodly Seniories But to returne to Commines in prosperity he gaue for his posie this sentence He that will not labour let him not eate but in aduersitie this I sailed into the deepe of the sea and a sudden tempest ouerwhelmed me He died the threescore and fourth yeere of his age the yeere of our Lord 1509. the 17. day of October in his owne house of Argenton in the countrey of Poictu from whence his body was conueighed to Paris and there lieth buried in the Augustine Friers I was heere purposed to haue staied my pen and further not to haue spoken either of Commines historie or his life had I not called to minde diuers accusations of Iacobus Meyerus who in sundrie places of his Annales of Flanders inueigheth verie bitterly as well against Commines life as his historie whose accusations I am forced to laie open to the iudgement of the world to the end it may appeere whether they be grounded vpon iust proofe Notwithstanding before I enter into the examination of them thus much in the commendation of Commines historie I cannot passe ouer in silence that two of the greatest and woorthiest Princes that raigned in Europe these hundred yeeres namely the Emperour Charles the fift and Francis the first King of Fraunce made so great account of this historie that the Emperor caried it continually about with him as Alexander did the workes of Homer no lesse esteeming it than he did them and the King was as much displeased with the printing and publishing thereof as was the same Alexander in times past for the setting foorth of Aristotles workes called Acroamatica as rehearseth Gellius so desirous was he to haue reserued to himselfe and a few of his owne subiects the great treasures of wisedome hidden in this small volume But let vs now heare what Meyer obiecteth against this historie In the 17. booke of his Annales of Flaunders writing of the battell fought at Saintron betweene Charles Duke of Burgundie and the Liegeois he hath these words Pugna commissa caeduntur magno numero profligantur ad nouem millia cecidisse tradit qui interfuit Philippus Cominius Sed Brabantiae scriptor quidam scriptor Flandriae quibus plus habeo fidei tria tantum millia occubuisse memorant For answere heereunto if this place be indifferently weighed it shall appeere to be wholie grounded vpon malice and no colour of reason much lesse iust proofe First bicause Meyer preferreth the credit of these obscure Annalistes that write but vpon report before the credit of him that was an eie witnesse and that no way could aduantage himselfe by reporting a lye Secondarily sir Oliuer de la Marche who liued also in that time and was Steward of the Duke of Burgundies house writeth that a great number of these Liegeois were slaine at this battell and also at the siege of Saintron but that their friends and kinsfolkes trussed vp their dead bodies in vessels full of lime partly to the end the discomfiture might appeere the lesse and partlie that they might be buried among their auncestors in the which feate saith he the Liegeois shewed a woonderfull audacitie and courage whereby it shoulde seeme a great number to haue been thus trussed vp by meanes whereof the dead appeered the fewer and were reported accordingly which deceiued diuers and happilie these Annalists of Brabant and Flaunders The like practise we reade of in diuers authors of the like writeth Meyer also himselfe Lastly the Annales of Burgundy agree with Commines and report the number as he doth so that this answer I hope shall suffice for this point Againe in the same booke fol. 364. Meyer writeth thus Loquitur Cominius de nobili quadam foemina attrebatensis ditionis proditrice patriae cuius aedere non vult nomen falsus in hoc vt in caeteris historicus Sure if it were an vndoubted truth that a Ladie of Artois could not send the King such aduertisement as Commines reporteth that she did or if Meyer were Pythagoras that ipse dixit might passe for proofe the credit of Commines should happilie hang in ballance but if you reade the place in his historie the very circumstances will induce any indifferent man to thinke that which is there written of this Ladie to be no lie Againe fol. 366. Meyer hath these words Hic est Cominius ille transfuga gente Flandrus qui multa de Carolo Lodouico prouinciali lingua bene scripsit sed quaedam etiam scripsit plane mendaciter multaque dicenda infideliter reticuit This is so generall and vncertaine a charge that answer in truth it deserueth none notwithstanding I refer to the iudgement of those that shall reade this historie whether Commines conceale his Masters faults therein or not for that is Meyers meaning in this place True it is that he vttereth them not in such railing barbarous termes as Meyer very vnseemely vseth of so great a Prince as King Lewis was and is offended with Commines for not dooing the like a thing which becommeth Meyer himselfe very ill and would haue become Commines much woorse But our author as he concealeth not his masters faults but laieth them open enough to the vnderstanding of the wise and attentiue Reader so deliuereth he them so sparingly and vnder such termes as truth being vttered the Kings honor be no further impeached than verie necessitie doth enforce a matter verie commendable in a gentleman writing of a Prince a seruant of his Master and a subiect of his Soueraigne Lastly Meyer fol. 365. hath these words refert Cominius exercitum Caroliadeo fuisse extenuatum vt exhibere illum Anglis non auderet sed hoc falsum est But you must beleeue Meyer vpon his word other disproofe of Commines report he can bring none neither grounded vpon any circumstance nor produced out of any good
staied deliuered to the king and after put to death page 147 Chap. 13 A discourse of the fault the Duke of Burgundie committed in deliuering the Constable to the king contrary to his safe conduct and what ensued thereof page 150 The fift Booke Chap. 1 How the Duke of Burgundy making war vpon the Swissers was ouerthrowen at the straights of the mountaines neere to Granson page 153 Chap. 2 How after the ouerthrow of Granson the Duke of Milan king Rene of Sicilie the Duchesse of Sauoy and others departed from their league with the Duke of Burgundy page 156 Chap. 3 How the Swissers vanquished the D. of Burgundy in battell neere to the towne of Morat page 159 Chap. 4 How after the battell of Morat the Duke of Burgundy tooke the Duchesse of Sauoy how she was deliuered and sent home into hir countrey by the kings meanes page 161 Chap. 5 How the D. of Burgundy liued as it were solitary the space of certaine weekes during the which time the D. of Lorraine recouered his towne of Nancy page 163 Chap. 6 Of the Earle of Campobaches great treasons and how he kept the D. of Burgundy from hearing a gentleman that would haue reuealed them to him before he was put to death and how the said D. made no account of the aduertisements the king gaue him page 166 Chap. 7 How the Duke of Lorraine being accompanied with good force of Almains came to the towne of Saint Nicholas during the siege of Nancy and how the king of Portugale who was in Fraunce came to see the Duke of Burgundy during the said siege page 169 Chap. 8 How the D. of Burgundy refusing the good counsell of diuers of his men was discomfited slaine in the battell fought betweene him and the D. of Lorraine neere to Nancy page 171 Chap. 9 A discourse vpon certaine vertues of the D. of Burgundie and of the time his house florished in prosperitie page 173 Chap. 10 How the king was aduertised of the Duke of Burgundies last ouerthrow and how he gouerned his affaires after the said Dukes death page 175 Chap. 11 How the king after the Duke of Burgundies death seazed into his hands the towne of Abbeuille and of the answere they of Arras gaue him page 177 Chap. 12 A discourse not appertaining to the principall matters of the great ioy the king was in to see himselfe deliuered of so many enimies and of the error he committed touching the reducing of these countries of Burgundy to his obedience page 178 Chap. 13 How Han Bohain Saint Quintin and Perronne were yeelded to the king and how he sent Master Oliuer his barber to practise with them of Gaunt page 179 Chap. 14 How Master Oliuer the kings barber failing to execute his enterprise at Gaunt found meanes to put the kings forces into Tournay page 182 Chap. 15 Of the ambassadors the Lady of Burgundy daughter to the late Duke Charles sent to the king and how by meanes of Monseur de Cordes the city of Arras the townes of Hedin and Bollein and the towne of Arras it selfe were yeelded to the king page 184 Chap. 16 How the citizens of Gaunt hauing vsurped authority ouer their Princesse after hir fathers death came in ambassage to the king as from the three estates of their countrey page 187 Chap. 17 How they of Gaunt after their ambassadors returne put to death the Chauncellor Hugonet the Lord of Himbercourt against their Princesses will and how they and other Flemmings were discomfited before Tournay and their generall the Duke of Gueldres slaine page 190 Chap. 18 A discourse vpon this point that wars and diuisions are permitted of God for the chastisement â—â— Princes and euill people with diuers good reasons and examples for the instruction of Princes wâ—â—â—â— happened in the Authors time 〈◊〉 The sixt Booke Chap. 1 How the Duchie of Burgundie was yeelded to the King page 205 Chap. 2 How the king entertained the English men after the death of Charles Duke of Burgundy to the end they should not hinder his conquest of the said Dukes dominions page 206 Chap. 3 How the marriage betweene the Lady of Burgundie and Maximilian Duke of Austrich afterward Emperor was concluded and accomplished page 209 Chap. 4 How king Lewis by the conduct of Charles of Amboise his lieutenant recouered diuers townes in Burgundy which the Prince of Orenge had caused to reuolt from him page 214 Chap. 5 How Monseur d'Argenton during these wars of the conquest of Burgundie was sent to Florence and how he receiued homage of the Duke of Milan in the kings name for the Duchy of Genua page 217 Chap. 6 Of Monseur d'Argentons returne out of Italie into Fraunce and of the battell of Guinegate page 219 Chap. 7 How king Lewis being visited with sicknes lost his wits and lay speechlesse sometime recouering and eft soones falling into his disease againe and how he behaued himselfe in the castell of Plessis les Tours page 222 Chap. 8 How the king caused the holy man of Calabria to come to Tours thinking that he could heale him and what strange things the said king did to maintaine his authoritie during his sicknes page 226 Chap. 9 How the marriage betweene the Daulphine and the Lady Margaret of Flaunders was concluded and how she was brought into Fraunce whereupon Edward king of England died for sorrow page 228 Chap. 10 How the king behaued himselfe towards his neighbors and subiects during the time of his sicknes and how diuers things were sent him from diuers places for the recouerie of his health page 231 Chap. 11 How king Lewis the 11. caused Charles the Daulphin his sonne to come to him a little before his death and of the commandements and precepts he gaue both him and certaine others page 232 Chap. 12 A comparison betweene the sorrowes and troubles that king Lewis suffered and those he caused diuers others to suffer with a rehearsal of all that he did al that was done to him til his death page 234 Chap. 13 A discourse vpon the miserie of mans life by the examples of those Princes that liued in the authors time and first of king Lewis page 238 The conclusion of the Author page 243 A supplie of the historie of Philip de Commines from the death of king Lewis the eleuenth till the beginning of the wars of Naples to wit from 1483. till 1493. of all the which time Commines writeth nothing page 247 Chap. 1 Of king Charles his comming to the crowne of the death of Oliuer king Lewis his Barber and others and of the reuoking of king Lewis his superfluous gifts ibid. Chap. 2 Of the assembly of the states held at Tours of the Duke of Orleans pursute for the regencie of the madwar raised by him and of his departure into Britaine page 248 Chap. 3 Of the troubles that hapned in Britaine betweene the Duke and his nobles and of Peter Landois death page 250 Chap.
to Venice with certaine conditions of peace which they refused and of the D. of Milans false dealings page 353 Chap. 13 How the king after his returne into Fraunce forgot those that he left behind him in the realme of Naples and how the Daulphin died whose death the king and Queene much lamented page 356 Chap. 14 How the king was aduertised of the losse of the castell of Naples and how the Florentines places were sold to diuers men of the treatie of Atelle in Pouille to the great dammage of the French and of the death of king Ferrand of Naples page 358 Chap. 15 How certaine practises-entertained by diuers noble men of Italy on the kings behalfe as well for the conquest of Naples as of the Duchie of Milan failed for lacke of sending thither and how an other enterprise against Genua sped euill also page 362 Chap. 16 Of certaine controuersies betweene king Charles and Ferrand king of Castile and of the ambassadors that were sent too and fro to pacifie them page 366 Chap. 17 A discourse of the misfortunes that hapned to the house of Castile in the Lord of Argentons time page 370 Chap. 18 Of the sumptuous buildings K. Charles began a little before his death of the great desire he had to reforme the church himselfe to diminish his reuenues to redresse the processes of the law and how he died suddenly in this good minde in his castell of Amboise page 373 Chap. 19 How the holy man frier Hierom was burned at Florence by the procurement of the pope and of diuers Florentines and Venetians his enimies page 375 Chap. 20 Of the obsequies and funerals of king Charles the 8. and of the coronation of king Lewis the 12. his successor with the genealogies of the kings of Fraunce continuing to the saide Lewis page 377 The pedegree of Charles D. of Burgundy page 379 How Elizabeth wife to king Edward the fourth was neece to the Constable of Fraunce page 380 How Brabant Lambourg Luxembourg Namurs c. came to Charles D. of Burgundy 381. page 382 How Margaret of Flaunders was heire of Flaunders c. page 383 How Arthois and the county of Burgundy descended to the said Lady Margaret c. page 384 How the King of Portugale was cosin germaue to the D. of Burgundy page 385 How the D. of Cleues was the Lady of Burgundies neerest kinsman by his mother page 386 How King Henry the 7. was right heire of the house of Lancaster page 387 The title the D. of Lorraine had to the realme of Sicilie c. page 388 Why the Venetians had no right to the realme of Naples page 390 The house of Medices page 391 How Lewis D. of Orleans pretended title to the Duchie of Milan page 392 The pedegree of Hercules D. of Ferrara page 394 The pedegree of Francis Marques of Mantua page 395 How Ferdinand King of Arragon had more right to the realme of Naples than the Kings of the house of Arragon that possessed it page 396 FINIS THE PREFACE OF THE AVTHOR TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF VIENNA in Fraunce TO satisfie your request so often mooued vnto me right reuerend father in God I send you heere a memoriall as agreeable to truth as I can possibly call to minde of all the acts and doings that I haue been priuy vnto of king Levvis the eleuenth our master and benefactor and a prince woorthy of perpetuall memory Of his youth I can say nothing but by his owne report But from the time I entred into his seruice till the hower of his death whereat I was present I was more continually resident with him than any man of my estate that serued him being euer either of his priuy chamber or employed in his weightie affaires I found in him as in all other princes that I haue knowne or serued both good and bad For men they are as we be perfection is proper to God onely But sure that prince whose vertues and good parts surmount his vices deserueth great commendation the rather bicause commonly noble personages are more prone to al kind of wantonnes than other men partly for that in their childhood they are brought vp without due chastisement correction partly bicause when they are grown to mans estate ech man seeketh to seed their humors sooth them in all they say or do But for mine own part bicause I loue not to flatter nor misreport the truth somwhat may happily be found in this historie not tending altogither to the kings praise but I trust the readers will weigh the reasons aboue alledged Sure thus much I dare boldly say in his commendation that in mine opinion he was the prince in his age all things considered least subiect to vice Yet haue I knowne and been conuersant with as many great princes both spirituall and temporall as any man in Fraunce of my time as well the princes of this realme as those also that haue liued in Britaine Flaunders Almayne Englande Spayne Portugall and Italy Diuers others also whom I haue not seene yet haue I knowne partly by conference with their ambassadors and partly by their letters and instructions which are meanes sufficient to enforme men of their natures and inclinations Notwithstanding I minde not by setting foorth his commendation in this worke to detract from the honor and good renowne of others but send you penned in haste all that I could call to minde trusting that you haue required it of me to turne it into some worke that you purpose to publish in Latine to the perfection of which toong you haue atteined whereby may appeere both the woorthines of the prince I now write of and also the excellencie of your owne wit Farther sir if I happen to faile in any point you haue my L. of Bouchage and others who are better able to enforme you of these affaires than my selfe and to couch their words in much eloquenter language Although to say the truth considering how honorablie the king entertained me how great familiaritie it pleased him to vse towards me and how liberally he bestowed vpon me neuer intermitting one of the three till the houre of his death no man hath iuster cause to remember those times then my selfe whereunto I also adde the losses I haue susteined and dangers I haue been in sithence his decease which are sufficient I thinke to put me in minde of the great benefits I receiued at his hands during his life Notwithstanding that I know it to be a matter of course that after the death of great and mightie princes great alterations ensue to the losse of some and gain of others for riches and honors folow not alwaies their expectation that hunt after them To conclude sir the better to enforme you of the time sithence I entred into the kings familiarity which is your desire I am forced first to rehearse what hapned before I came to his seruice and so orderly to proceede from the time I
after the abouenamed Ambassadors departure Iohn Duke of Bourbon that last died arriued at the town of Lisle pretending that he came to visit his vncle Duke Philip of Burgundie who aboue all houses loued especially this house of Bourbon and no maruell for this Duke of Bourbons mother was Duke Philips sister She had liued a widow many yeeres and soiourned there at that time with hir brother both hir selfe and diuers of hir children to wit three daughters and one sonne notwithstanding this was not indeed the cause of the Duke of Bourbons arriuall but his comming was to perswade the Duke of Burgundie to suffer an armie to be leuied in his dominions assuring him that all the Princes of Fraunce would do the like meaning thereby to giue the King to vnderstand how euill and vniust gouernment he vsed in his realme purposing to make themselues so strong that they might constraine him by force to redresse this inconuenience if praiers could not preuaile This war was afterward called THE WEALE PVBLIQVE bicause the authors thereof vsed the common wealth for colour of their enterprise The said good Duke Philip for so is he surnamed since his death agreed that an armie should be leuied in his dominions but the bottom of the enterprise was neuer discouered to him for he thought not that the matter shoulde haue come to hand strokes as after it did Immediately began the musters through all the Dukes dominions and the Earle of Saint Paule afterward Constable of Fraunce accompanied with the Marshall of Burgundie being of the house of Neuf-chastell repaired to Cambray where D. Philip then lay to the Earle of Charolois who immediatly after their arriuall assembled his fathers Councill and a great number of his subiects in the Bishops palace at Cambray where he proclaimed all the house of Croy traitors to his father and him And notwithstanding that the Earle of S. Paule alleaged that by this proclamation he should be greatly indamaged bicause long before this he had giuen his daughter in mariage 1 to the L. of Croies sonne yet was the said house of Croy al that notwithstanding forced to abandon the Dukes dominions 2 where they lost great riches With the which dooing Duke Philip was much discontented especially bicause his chiefe chamberlaine afterward Lord of Chimay a yoong man well disposed and nephew to the Lord of Croy was forced for feare of his life to depart without leaue taken of his master being aduertised that if he did otherwise he should either be slaine or apprehended but the Dukes old age caused him to beare this matter more patiently than otherwise he would All this trouble hapned in his house bicause of the restitution of the territories aboue mentioned situate vpon the riuer of Somme which the Duke had restored to King Lewis for the sum of 400000. crownes by the perswasion of this house of Croy as the Earle of Charolois laide to their charge The said Earle after he had pacified his father and reconciled himselfe to him the best that mought be put his whole force incontinent into the field being accompanied with the Earle of S. Paule the principall gouernor of his affaires and he that had the greatest charge in his armie for he had vnder him by the Earle of Charolois commandement 300. men of armes and 4000. archers besides a number of valiant knights and esquires of Artois Haynalt and Flaunders Like bands and as great were also vnder the leading of the L. of Rauastin the D. of Cleues brother and the L. Anthony bastard of Burgundie other captaines for breuitie I passe ouer but aboue all the rest two knights there were especially in great credit with the Earle of Charolois the one named the L. of Hault-bordin an ancient knight bastard brother to the Earle of S. Paule the other the L. of Contay They had both been trained vp in the long wars betweene Fraunce and England at the same time that Henry the 5. of that name King of England raigned in Fraunce being confederate with this Duke Philip of Burgundie They were two valiant and wise knights and had the principall charge of the whole armie of yoong gentlemen there were a number but one especially very famous called master Philip of Lalain issued of a race that hath euer been so valiant and couragious that they haue in maner all died in the wars in their princes seruice The Earles force was great for his men of armes were to the number of 1400. but euill armed and vntrained bicause of the long peace these Princes of Burgundie had liued in For since the treatie of Arras by the space of 36. yeeres and more they neuer had war that indured nor almost taste of war saue a few broyles against the citie of Gaunt which were soone pacified Notwithstanding his men of armes were well mounted and well accompanied for few or none should you haue seene without fiue or sixe great horses of his retinue 3 The archers 4 were eight or nine thousand and when they mustred they were more vnwilling to depart then to giue their names but the ablest were chosen and the rest dismissed 5 The subiects of this house of Burgundie liued then in great prosperitie partly bicause of their long peace and partly bicause of their Princes goodnes who leuied but few subsidies vpon them so that these Seniors seemed comparable to the land of promise in those daies for they flowed in wealth and had continued in great quietnes the space of 23. yeeres to wit till the beginning of these wars now mentioned which till this day endure vnended their expenses in apparell both of men and women were great and superfluous 6 their feasts and banquets more sumptuous and prodigall than in any countrey that euer I sawe their bathes and other pastimes with women wanton and dissolute yea somwhat too shameles I meame of women of low estate To be short the subiects of this house thought at that time no Prince able to withstand them at the least none too mightie for them but at this present I know no countrey in the world in so great miserie and desolation as theirs and I doubt me the sins they committed in their prosperitie cause them now to suffer this aduersitie bicause they acknowledged not all these gifts and benefits to proceede from God who disposeth and bestoweth them as to his heauenly wisdome seemeth best The Earles armie thus furnished euen in a moment of all things necessarie marched forward 7 the whole force being on horseback saue those that conueied the artillerie which was mighty and strong for that time and the straglers appointed for the cariage the which was so great that the Earles owne cariage inclosed the greatest part of his campe he marched first towards Noyon and besieged a little castell called Nesle which was soone taken notwithstanding the resistance made by the garrison that was within it The Marshall Ioachin one of the fower Marshals of Fraunce issuing out of Peronne
coasted continually along by the Earles campe but could not endamage him for his force was so small that when the Earle drew neare to Paris he retired thither All the way as the Earle passed he made no war but what his men took they paid for wherfore the towns vpon the riuer of Somme all other townes that he passed by receiued his men in small troupes and sold them for their money whatsoeuer they would buy as men resting in suspence whether the king or the princes should haue the vpper hand 8 So far marched the Earle that he came to S. Dennis neare to Paris where all the Lords of the realme had promised to meete him but none came notwithstanding that the Vicechauncellor of Britaine the D. and Ambassadorresident in the Earles campe forged newes of their comming from time to time at his owne pleasure vpon certaine blanks that he had signed with his masters hand he was a Norman borne and a very wise and sufficient man and so it behooued him to be for the whole campe murmured against him The Earle of Charolois shewed himselfe before Paris 9 where was a hot skirmish hard at the towne gates but to the Citizens disaduantage Men of war within the towne were none saue onely the Marshall Ioachin with his companie and the Lord of Nantoillet afterward Lord great Master who did the King as good seruice in these wars as euer did subiect King of Fraunce at his neede and yet in the ende was euill recompensed rather by his enimies malice than the Kings fault though neither of both are cleerely to be excused The poore people of the citie were in so great feare the day of the skirmish that they cried often as I was afterwards credibly enformed that we were entred the towne but without cause Notwithstanding the L. of Hault-bourdin aboue mentioned who had been brought vp in the towne when it was nothing so strong as now it is gaue aduise to assault it and the soldiers desired nothing more contemning the townes men bicause the skirmishes were hard at their gates yet the contrary opinion tooke place whereupon the Earle retired to S. Denis The next day in the morning he debated with his Councill whether he should go to meet with the Dukes of Berry and Britaine or not who were at hand as the Vicechauncellor of Britaine said shewing also their letters testifying the same but he had forged them vpon his blanks and other newes knew he none In the end the Earle resolued to passe the riuer of Seine notwithstanding that the most part of his Councill gaue aduise to returne home seeing the rest of the confederates had broken day alledging it to be sufficient to haue passed the riuers of Somme and Marne and more than needed to passe this riuer of Seine Some also put foorth great doubts bicause we had no places on our backe to retire into if we should be distressed But all this notwithstanding the Earle passed the riuer and encamped at Pont S. Clou 10 wherefore the whole army murmured much against the Earle of S. Paule and this Vicechauncellor who were the principall perswaders of him thereunto The next day after his arriuall there he receiued letters from a Lady of this land written with hir owne hand wherein she aduertised him that the King was departed out of Bourbonnois and came downe with all speede to fight with him I must heere declare the occasion of the Kings voyage into Bourbonnois which was this So soone as he vnderstood that all the princes of his realme had conspired against him at the least against his gouernment he determined to preuent them and before they were assembled to inuade the D. of Bourbon who was the first that openly discouered himselfe to be of the confederacie 11 and bicause his countrey was weake he hoped soone to subdue it as in deede diuers places he tooke and would easily haue taken all had not succours come thither out of Burgundie vnder the leading of the L. Coulches the Marquesse of Rottelin the L. of Montague and others with whom Master VVilliam of Rochefort Chauncellor of Fraunce a man at this day of great estimation was also in armes This force was leuied in Burgundie by the sollicitation of the Earle of Beauieu and the Gardinall of Bourbon 12 brethren to D. Iohn of Bourbon and by them receiued into Molines Aide came also of another side to the D. of Bourbon vnder the leading of the D. of Nemours the Earle of Armignac and the L. of Albert being accompanied with a great band of soldiers some of the which were good men of armes of their countries who lately had forsaken the Kings pay and put themselus into their seruice But the greatest part of their men were vtterly vnfurnished of all things and forced for lacke of pay to liue vpon the poore people The King notwithstanding these their great forces gaue themynough to do wherefore in the end they fell to treate of peace especially the D. of Nemours who solemnly promised and sware to take part with him and yet did afterwards the contrary whereupon the King conceiued so great displeasure against him that afterward he could neuer brooke him as eftsoones he hath told me To be short the King perceiuing that he could not atchieue his enterprise in Bourbonnois so speedily as at the first he hoped and fearing if the Earle of Charolois forces which approched neare to Paris and the forces of the Duke of Berry his owne brother and of the D. of Britaine which were comming out of Britaine should ioine togither that the Parisians would receiue them into their towne bicause they all pretended the common wealth for colour of their enterprise knowing also that as the towne of Paris did so all the other townes in his realme would follow for these causes I say he resolued with all speed possible to put himselfe into Paris meaning to keepe these two great armies asunder but his purpose was not to fight as he hath himselfe diuers times told me in communing of these affaires The Notes 1. The Earle of S. Paul had betrothed his daughter to the L. of Croys sonne but seeing the Earle of Charalois hatred against the said Croy he would haue broken off the mariage againe but Croy in whose house the said daughter remained contrarie to hir fathers wil made vp the match for the which cause the Earle of S. Paul hated the said Croy to the death Annal. Burgund 2. The Earle of Charolois besides this matter heere alleaged charged Iohn L. of Croy that he had called him great diuell threatned him and sought to poison him Meyer 3. Euery French man of armes is allowed three men to accompanie him in the wars one to beare his headpeece called in Latin Ferentarius and two archers La Marche but the Burgundians had heere some 5. some 6. 4 These archers were bow-men mounted on horsebacke as harquebusiers on horsebacke are now 5 He that maketh such offer of
sommer his attempts and enterprises were so high and difficult that onely God by his absolute power could haue atchiued them for they passed far mans reach The Notes 1 De la Marche calleth him that deliuered the Earle Robert Couterel or Coutereau a horseman of Bruxels his Phisitions sonne whom for that fact immediately he made knight and feudarie of Brabant Gaghin writeth that the Earle was twice in danger once in the hands of Geffery De S. Bealin and againe in the hands of Gilbert Grassaie 2 For the two places heere named be aboue three hundred English miles asunder 3 There were slaine at the battell of Montl'hery 2000. Annal. Burgund Meyer saith 3000. Gaguin 3600. How the Duke of Berry the Kings brother and the Duke of Britaine ioined with the Earle of Charolois against the King Chap. 5. THe next day being the third after the battell we remooued our campe and lodged at Montl'hery out of the which the people fled part into the Church steeple and part into the Castell but the Earle caused them to returne to their houses neither lost they the value of one penie for euery man paid his shot as truly as if he had been in Flaunders The castell helde for the King and was not assaulted by vs. The third day being passed the Earle of Charalois by the Lord of Contais aduise departed to Estampes a good and commodious lodging and a fruitfull soile meaning to preuent the Britains who came that way and before their ariuall to lodge his men that were sicke and hurt in the towne and the rest abroad in the fields This good lodging and the Earles long abode there saued many a mans life At the said town of Estampes arriued the Lord Charles of Fraunce then Duke of Berry and the Kings onely brother accompanied with the Duke of Britaine the Earle of Dunois the Lord of Dampmartin the Lord of Loheac the L. of Beueil the Lord of Chaumount and master Charles of Amboise his sonne who since hath caried great credit in this realme all the which the King at his first comming to the crown had displaced and put out of office notwithstanding the great seruices they had done the King his father and the realme both in the conquest of Normandie and in diuers other wars The Earle of Charolois and all the noble men that were with him went foorth to receiue them and lodged their persons in the towne where their lodgings were already made but their forces lay abroad in the fields They had with them eight hundred men of armes very well appointed a great number of the which were Britons who lately had forsaken the Kings pay and these made a gallant shew in their campe of archers and other soldiers armed with good Brigandines they had great force so that I suppose they were six thousand men on horsebacke all in very good order and sure this army shewed the Duke of Britaine to be a great Prince for they were all paid out of his coffer 1 The King being retired to Corbeil as you haue heard was not idle neither forgat what he had to do but went straight into Normandy partly to leuy men and partly bicause he feared rebellion in the countrey but a great part of his forces he left about Paris in those places that had most need of defence The first euening that all these Princes met at Estamps they told newes each to other the Britons had taken prisoners certaine of the Kings part that fled and if they had been but a litle neerer the place of the battell they had either taken or discomfited the third part of his army They had first giuen order to sende foorth certaine bands before them to vnderstand how neere the Kings army and the Earles were togither but they altered their mindes Notwithstanding master Charles of Amboise and certiane with him scoured the countrey before their army to see if they could meete any of their enimies and certaine prisoners as you haue heard they tooke and part also of the Kings artillerie These prisoners made report vnto them that vndoubtedly the King was slaine for so they supposed bicause they fled at the very beginning of the battell which newes the abouenamed master Charles of Amboise and they that were with him brought to the Britaines campe who reioiced maruellously thereat supposing it had been true and hoping for great rewards if the Lord Charles were King Further they debated in councell as a man of credit there present afterward aduertised me how they might rid the countrey of the Burgundians and send them home in the diuels name and were in maner all agreed to cut their throtes if they could but this their ioy soone ended wherby you may perceaue what sodaine alterations are in a realme in such troubles But to returne to the campe lying at Estampes when euery man had supped and a great number being walking in the streetes The Lord Charles of Fraunce and the Earle of Charolois withdrew themselues to a window where they entred into very earnest communication Now you shall vnderstand that there was among the Britaines one that tooke great pleasure in throwing squibs into the aire which when they fall to the ground run flaming among men his name was master Iohn Boutefeu or master Iohn de Serpens I wot not well whether This mery companion being secretly hidden in a house threw two or three squibs into the aire from a high place where he stood one of the which by chance strake against the bar of the window where these two Princes communed togither wherewithall both of them started sodainly vp being astonished at this accident and each beholding other suspecting this to be purposely done to hurt them then came the Lord of Contay to his master the Earle of Charolois and after he had told him a word or two in his eare went downe and caused all the men of armes of the Earles house and all the archers of his garde and a number of other to arme themselues Incontinent also the Earle of Charolois mooued the Duke of Berry to command the archers of his garde to do the like whereupon immediatly two or three hundred men of armes stood on foote in harneis before the gate with a great number of archers the which sought round about from whence this fire might come in the end the poore fellow that had done the deed fell downe vpon his knees before them confessing the fact and threw three or foure other squibs into the aire whereby he put diuers out of suspicion each of other thus the matter turned to a iest and euery man vnarmed himselfe and went to bed The next day in the morning they sat in councell to debate what was to be done all the Princes with their principall seruants being there present and as they were of diuers parts and not obedient to one head so were they also of diuers opinions as in such assemblies it cannot be otherwise chosen But among
the rest of their talke certaine words that passed the Duke of Berry who was yoong and vnacquainted with such exploits were especially marked for he seemed already to be weary of this enterprise alledging the great number of the Earle of Charolois men that he had seene in the towne hurt and maimed of whom to shew that he had pitie and compassion he brake foorth into this speech and said that he had rather the matter had neuer been begun than that so much mischiefe should arise by his occasion and for his cause which words displeased greatly the Earle of Charolois and his men as heerafter you shall heare Notwithstanding they concluded in this assembly to go before Paris to prooue whether the towne would enter into league with them for the benefit of the common wealth which they al pretended to be the onely cause of their assembly being fully perswaded that all the townes in the realm would follow the example thereof The words aboue mentioned vttered by the D. of Berry in this assembly put the Earle of Charolois and his men into such a dumpe that they said thus one to another heard you this man speake he is discouraged for seuen or eight hundred hurt persons that he seeth in the towne who are none of his but meer strangers to him he would be otherwise troubled than if the matter should touch himselfe in any point and easely be won to agree with his brother and leaue vs in the mire and bicause of the long wars that haue been in times past betweene King Charles his father and the D. of Burgundie my father both the parties would soone consent to turne their forces against vs wherefore it is good to prouide vs of friends in time And vpon this suspicion onely VVilliam of Cluny Prenotarie who died Bishop of Poictiers was sent to England to King Edward the 4. then raigning to whom the Earle of Charolois had euer before been mortall enimie supporting the house of Lancaster against him of the which he was issued by his mother 2 And the said Clunies instructions were to treat with King Edward of a mariage betweene the Kings sister called Margaret and the Earle of Charolois not to conculde the matter but onely to put the King in hope thereof for the Earle knowing how greatly the King desired this mariage supposed by this meanes to win him to take his part if he needed his helpe at the least to staie him from attempting ought against him And notwithstanding that he ment nothing lesse then the accomplishment thereof bicause as feruently as he loued the house of Lancaster as extreemly hated he the house of Yorke yet was the matter so labored that many yeeres after the mariage was accomplished 3 and the Earle receaued also the order of the Garter and ware it till his dying day Many a such deed is often done vpon suspicion onely especially among great Princes who are much more suspicious then other men bicause of the doubts and reports that are daily brought vnto them oftentimes by flatterers vpon no occasion The Notes 1 The Britaines army was of 10600. men Anna. Aqui. and the archers here mentioned were all mounted one horsebacke otherwise the men of armes could not arise to sixe thousand 2 Charles D. of Burgundie was of the house of Lancaster after this sort Iohn of Gaunt D. of Lancaster had issue by Blaunche his first wife daughter and heire to Henry D. of Darby and Lancaster Philip which married with Iohn King of Portugall bastard of Ferraude by whom she had issue Isabell married to Philip D. of Burgundie by whom she had issue this D. Charles 3 Margaret king Edwards sister arriued in the Lowe countries 25. Iunij Ann. 1468. Meyer How the Earle of Charolois and his confederates with their whole army passed the riuer of Seine vpon a bridge made of botes how Iohn D. of Calabria ioined with them and how they all encamped before Paris Chap. 6. ALl these Princes according to their determination departed from Estampes hauing soiourned there certaine daies and marched to Saint Maturin of Larchant and Moret in Gastinois in the which two little townes the Lord Charles of Fraunce and the Britaine 's lodged but the Earle of Charolois encamped in a great medow vpon the riuer of Seine and made proclamation that euery man should bring a hooke with him to fasten his horse therewith he caried also with him seauen or eight small boates in cartes and great store of pipeboorde meaning therewith to make a bridge ouer the riuer of Seine bicause these Princes had no passage there The Earle of Dunois accompanied him riding in a litter for bicause of the goute he could not sit on horsebacke notwithstanding his ensigne was borne with him When they came to the riuer they launched foorth the boates they brought with them and tooke an Iland in the midst of the streame where certaine of our archers landed and skirmished with a companie of horsemen that defended the passage on the other side vnder the leading of the Marshall Ioachin and Sallezard The place was much to their disaduantage bicause it was high and in a goodly vine country besides that the Burgundians had great store of artillerie vnder the charge of a notable gunner named Master Girald whom they tooke prisoner at the battell of Montl'hery being then in the Kings seruice To be short the aboue mentioned horsemen were forced to abandon the passage and retire to Paris The selfesame night the bridge was made from the side of the riuer where we lay to the Iland where incontinent the Earle of Charolois caused his pauilion to be pitched and lodged there all night with fiftie men of armes of his house by day breake a great number of Coopers were set on work to make casks of the pipe boord we brought with vs who so bestirred themselues that before noon the bridge was made from the Iland to the other side of the riuer Incontinent passed the Earle of Charolois and caused his tents whereof he was well furnished to be pitched ouer the same bridge passed also his whole armie and artillerie and lodged vpon the side of a hill hanging towards the riuer by means whereof his campe made a goodly shew to those that came after It was that whole daies worke to conuey ouer the Earles owne forces but the next morning by day breake passed also the Dukes of Berry and Britaine with their whole armie commending this bridge to be very commodiously and speedily made and marched when they were passed a little beyond the Earle and encamped also vpon the hill When it was darke night we discouered a great number of fires as far from vs as we could well discerne which diuers supposed to be the Kings forces but bofore midnight we were aduertised that it was Iohn Duke of Calabria 1 onely sonne to King Rene of Sicilie 2 with nine hundred men of armes of the Duchie and Countie of Burgundie The said Duke had
with him few footmen but was well accompanied with horsemen and those in so good order that for their number I neuer sawe a goodlier company nor a more warlike for he had with him six score men of armes barded all Italians or trained vp in the Italian wars among whom were Iames Galiot the Earle of Campobache the L. of Baudricourt now gouernor of Burgundie and diuers others his men of armes were very expert soldiers and to say the truth the flower of our armie I meane number for number With him were also fower hundred crossebow men that the Palsgraue had lent him all very well mounted and very good soldiers Besides whom he had also in pay fiue hundred Switzers footemen which were the first that euer came into this realme and these so valiantly behaued themselues in all places where they came that they purchased great renowme to their whole nation which their countreymen that haue serned heere since haue well maintained This companie the next morning approached neer to vs and passed that day ouer our bridge which a man may boldly say conuaied ouer all the power of Fraunce saue onely the Kings armie And I assure you the force was so great of valiant men well appointed and in very good order that I wish all the friends and welwillers of the realme had seen it and likewise the enimies for by that meanes the former would haue esteemed of the realme as it deserueth and the later euer after the more haue feared it The Burgundians that accompanied the Duke of Calabria were led by the L. of Neuf-chastell Marshall of Burgundie who had with him his brother the L. of Montagu the Marquesse of Rotelin and a great number of knights and esquiers some of the which had been in Bourbonnois as I haue made mention in the beginning of this historie 3 but they all ioined for their more safetie with the Duke of Calabria who shewed himselfe to be as noble a Prince and as good a soldier as any in the companie whereupon great loue and amitie grew betweene him and the Earle of Charolois After this whole force being as I suppose to the number of an hundred thousand horse good bad was passed the riuer the Princes determined to shew themselues before Paris wherfore they put all their vawards togither The Burgundians vaward was led by the Earle of S. Paule and the vaward of the Dukes of Berry and Britaine by Oudet of Rie 4 afterward Earle of Comminges and the Marshall Loheac as I remember and in this order marched they but all the Princes remained in the battell The Earle of Charolois and the Duke of Calabria were very diligent in commanding and giuing good order in the armie and rode very well armed and shewed that they meant to do their dutie but the Dukes of Berry and Britaine were mounted vpon small ambling nags and armed with slight brigandines light and thin yea and some said they were not plated but studded onely with a few gilt nailes vpon the sattin for the lesse waight but I will not affirme it for a truth Thus marched this armie to Pont de Charenton two little leagues from Paris which was taken incontinent notwithstanding the resistance of certaine franke archers 5 that were within it ouer the said bridge of Charenton passed the whole force The Earle of Charolois lodged in his owne house called Conflans situate vpon the riuer not far from thence and inclosed a great peece of ground with his cariage and artillerie and lodged his campe within it and with him lay the Duke of Calabria but the Dukes of Berry and Britaine with part of their forces lodged at S. Mor-des-fosses and the rest they sent to S. Denis being also two leagues from Paris in the which places this whole companie lay eleuen weekes during the which space these things happened that now I will rehearse The next day in the morning began the skirmishes hard at Paris gates within the towne was the Lord of Nantoillet L. great Master of Fraunce who did the King good seruice there as before I haue said and the Marshal Ioachin The poore people of the towne were in great feare but of the better sort some wished the Burgundians and the other Princes within the towne bicause this enterprise seemed vnto them good and profitable for the realme others there were borne in the said Princes dominions wherefore they furthered their affaires hoping by their meanes to obtaine some good offices in the towne which are more hunted after there than in any other place and no maruell for those that are in office make of their offices what they can not what they ought which is the cause that some offices in the towne of no fee at all are sold for eight hundred crownes and other some of very small fee for more than the fee will amount to in fifteene yeeres Seldome is any man put out of office for the Court of parlament alloweth these sales of offices as lawfull the reason whereof is bicause it is a generall case Among the Councillors are alwaies a number both of vertuous and woorthy personages and also of lewd and euill conditioned persons as are also in all other estates The Notes 1 It is requisite that I should here set downe the particular quarrell that euery one of these princes had to the King some are mentioned by our author and others in other authors The D. of Berries quarell was for a larger partage The Earle of Charaloys demanded the restitution of the territories vpon the riuer of Somme The D. of Britaine had cause to be offended and afearde because the King had picked a quarell to him by demanding of him three things neuer before demanded of any D. of Britaine The first that he should no more write in his stile Dei gratia Britanniae Dux The second that he should pay to the King a yeerly tribute The third that all the spirituall liuings in Britaine should be left to the Kings disposing For these causes the D. of Britaine ioyned with the princes the D. of Calabria had cause of offence because being entred into Italy to recouer the Realme of Naples and the King hauing promised him aide after the said D. of Calabria was ouerthrowne at Troia in Apulia the King refused to send him the aide promised so that he was forced vtterly to abandon his enterprise The D. of Bourbon had maried the Kings sister and could not get hir mariage monie the Duke of Nemours Earles of Dunois Dalebret and the rest of the noble men and gentlemen were against the King some bicause they were put out of pension and office many bicause the King sought to depriue them of the roialties they had in their seniories touching Hunting and Hawking and sought to draw all to himselfe but all in generall were offended because he contemned his nobility and entertained none but men of base estate about him Thus much I have set downe bicause it might otherwise seeme
as the Duke of Sommerset did with the house of Lancaster To be short these wars indured so long that all they of the houses of Warwick and Sommerset were either slaine or beheaded in them King Edward caused afterward his owne brother the Duke of Clarence to be drowned in a Butt of malmesey charging him that he ment to make himselfe King but after King Edwards death his other brother the Duke of Glocester murthered the said Kings two sonnes proclaimed his daughters bastards and vsurped the crowne Immediately after the which cruell deed the Earle of Richmond now King who had been prisoner many yeeres in Britaine passed into England and discomfited and slew in battell this bloody King Richard late murtherer of his two nephewes Thus haue there died in England in these ciuill wars since my remembrance aboue fowerscore persons of the blood Royall part of the which I my selfe knew part vnderstood of by the English men resident with the Duke of Burgundie at the same time that I serued him Wherfore you see it is not at Paris onely nor in Fraunce alone that men fall at variance for worldly goods and honors But sure all Kings and great Princes ought to take heed that they suffer not factions to arise in their courts for thereof kindleth the fire that consumeth their whole countrey in the end Notwithstanding such alterations happen not in mine opinion but by Gods disposition for when Princes and realmes haue long florished in great wealth and prosperitie and forget from whence all these benefits proceede God raiseth vp an enimie against them whom they neuer feared nor stood in doubt of as appeereth by the Kings mentioned in the Bible and by that also which hath hapned and daily doth happen not onely in England and in these countries of Burgundie but in diuers other places also The Notes 1 The last of Iuly arriued the French Kings ambassadors at the treaty of Arras Annal. Burg. so that the treaty began in the beginning of August and the English men departed discontented the 6. of December Annal. Bur. and the treatie ended the 21. of September but De la Marche saith the 10. of December Meyer 11. Calen. Octob. which agreeth with Annal. Burg. 2 At the treatie vvas present Philip D. of Burgundie himselfe La Marche Meyer 3 Our Chronicles report that the Duke of Yorke vvith diuers others slaine in the battell and the Earle of Salisbury father to the Earle of VVarvvick vvho vvas taken prisoner in the battell vvere behedded and their heds sent to Yorke in derision but I remember not that the Earle of VVarvvick vvas behedded after he vvas slaine and I suppose the vnskilfull corrector hath here omitted a vvord or tvvo and that vve must read in place of Luy le Comte de Warwic Luy le pere du Comte de Warwic 4 The Earles of Marche and VVarvvick vvent to Calice before the Duke of Yorke vvas slaine or ouerthrowen in battell for they fled from Ludlovv lying in campe there against the kings force bicause they found themselues too vveake and their counsels betrayed by Andrew Trowlop vvho fled from them to the King How King Lewis entred into Paris while the Princes of Fraunce practised with the citizens Chap. 8. I Haue been long in this discourse and it is now time to returne to the historie After the Princes were come before Paris they began to practise with the citizens promising offices and great rewards to diuers and omitting nothing that might further their purpose At three daies end the citizens assembled togither in the towne hall where when they had long debated these matters and heard the Princes requests demands made openly to them for the benefit of the whole realme as they pretended they determined to send ambassadors to them to treate of peace according to the which determination a great number of the best citizens came to Saint Mor where the Princes lay and Master VVilliam Chartier then Bishop of Paris a notable prelate declared the citizens embassage and for the Princes the Earle of Dunois was appointed to be mouth The Duke of Berry the Kings brother was president of this Councill sitting in a chaire and all the other Princes standing about him On the one side stood the Dukes of Britaine and Calabria and on the other the Earle of Charolois armed at all peeces saue the head peece and vantbrases and wearing vpon his quirage a short cloke maruellous rich for he came from Conflans and Bois-de-Vincennes being well manned was held for the King wherefore it stood him vpon to come armed and well accompanied The Princes request was to enter into Paris to confer with the citizens about the reformation of the state which they said was euill gouerned charging the King with diuers disorders The citizens gaue them very lowly and humble language desiring respite before they could make any resolute answer yet notwithstanding this delay the King was afterward discontented both with the Bishop and the rest that accompanied him Thus returned these ambassadors into the towne continuing still their former practise for euery one of the Princes talked with them apart and I am of opinion that some of them had agreed secretly to suffer the Princes in their owne persons to enter the towne and their men also if they so thought good by small troupes which practise if it had taken effect had not onely been the winning of the towne but the atchieuing of the whole enterprise For the citizens would easily haue been brought for diuers considerations to reuolt to them and so consequently all the other townes in the realme But God put wise counsell into the Kings head which also he executed accordingly being alreadie aduertised of all these practises Before the ambassadors that were returned from the Princes had made their report the King in person entred the towne of Paris accompanied like a prince that commeth to relieue his people for he brought with him into the towne two thousand men of armes all the nobles of Normandie a great number of franke archers and all his owne seruants pensioners and others that vse to accompanie the King in such affaires Thus this practise was broken off and all the people altered their mindes neither durst any of them that had been with vs make farther mention of the Princes demaunds Some of them also sped but euill for that they had alreadie done notwithstanding the King vsed no extremitie towards them 1 but some lost their offices and others were sent to dwell in other places for the which easie reuenge the King vndoubtedly deserued great commendation considering that if this practise begun had taken effect the best that could haue happened to him had been to forsake his realme which also was his resolution For as himselfe hath often told me if he could not haue entred into Paris but had found the towne reuolted he would haue retired to the Switzers or to Francis Duke of Milan whom he accounted
Bombards and the other great peeces which shot not the rest also they planted in other places where they might do best seruice and by this meanes the Princes had much more artillerie on their side than the King on his The trench that the French had made was of great length and they wrought continually vpon it aduancing it towards Paris and casting the earth towards vs thereby to saue themselues from our shot for they lay all in their trench neither durst one of them peepe out bicause the medow where they lodged was as plaine as a mans hand To conclude I neuer heard in so short space such a number of Canon shot for we on our side ment to remooue them thence by force of artillerie but vnto them ordinance came daily from Paris and they plied the matter diligently and spared no powder A great number in our army digged pits in the ground before their lodging many also were made to their hands for it was a place where men wrought for stone Thus euery man shifted for himselfe the best he could and three or fower daies we passed in this estate but the feare was greater on both sides than the losse for not one man of name was slaine But when the Princes sawe that their enimies dislodged not they accounted it a thing tending greatly to their dishonor and also very dangerous for the Parisians were thereby so greatly encouraged that one day of truce it seemed all the towne was come foorth to the trenches Wherefore the Princes concluded as they sate in councel to make a large bridge of great botes the noses whereof were coupled 1 togither and the rest couered with planks and the last couple nearest to the shore fastened to the ground with great anchors besides these a number of other great botes vpon the riuer of Seine were brought thither wherein they meant to passe ouer certaine bands to assaile the Kings forces The charge of this worke was committed to Master Giralde the Master gunner who said that our bands that passed the riuer should haue great aduantage ouer their enimies bicause their trenches would be far vnderneath vs considering that they had throwen the earth on the side toward vs alleaging farther that they durst not issue foorth of their trenches for feare of our shot which reasons much encouraged our men and made them the willinger to passe ouer Thus the bridge being finished all saue the last couple of botes which also were vpon the point to be fastened to the rest and all the other botes appointed for conueiance ouer of our men being likewise in a readines suddenly one of the Kings heralds arriued there who said to Monseur de Bonillet and others there present that we had broken the truce For bicause that day and the day before were daies of truce euery man that listed came to see what we did but that night the truce ended our bridge was so large that three men of armes with their staues readie to charge might haue passed ouer it vpon a front Farther there were fiue or sixe great boates euery one of the which would haue conueied ouer a thousand men at a time besides a number of lesse boates to passe ouer the artilerie that should serue in this enterprise The bands were also named and their names enroled that should go and the Earle of S. Paul and the Lord of Haultbourdin ordained to leade them After midnight they that were appointed to this enterprise began to arme themselues and before day were al in a readines Some also went heard masse and did as good Christians ought to do in such a case The same night I was my selfe in a great tent in the middest of the armie where the watch stood being also one of the watch for no man was excused The captaine of the watch was Monseur de Chastell Guyon 2 slaine afterward at the battell of Granson 3 And as we stood there waiting when this pastime should begin suddenly we heard the French as they lodged in their trenches cry alowd Farewell neighbors farewell immediately whereupon they set fire on their lodgings and retired their artillerie The day began to breake and they that were appointed to this enterprise were alreadie vpon the riuer at the least part of them when they saw the enimies afar off retiring to Paris whereupon they returned all and vnarmed themselues reioicing much bicause of their departure But you shall vnderstand that the King sent them thither onely to beate our campe with artillerie not to fight for he would put nothing in aduenture as before I haue said notwithstanding that his force were sufficient to haue encountred with all these Princes ioined togither but his onely desire was as he well declared to treate of peace and to seuer this company without hazarding his estate and the state of this large and noble realme of Fraunce in battell than the which nothing can be more vncertaine nor dangerous Euery day they practised on both sides to with draw men ech from other diuers daies of truce were made during the which Commissioners sat on both sides to treat of peace at La Grange aux Merciers hard by our campe For the King the Earle of Maine with diuers others came thither and for the Princes the Earle of S. Paul accompanied with diuers others in like maner These Commissioners met often but no good was done notwithstanding all that time the truce endured and a number of both the armies met and communed togither at a great ditch in the midway the one on the one side and the others on the other for neither partie might passe the ditch Notwitstanding the truce no day escaped by reason of this meeting and communication but that ten or twelue and somtime more came and yeelded to the Princes and another day as many went from vs to the King wherefore this place was afterward called the market place bicause such marchandise was bought and sold there Now to shew you mine opinion in this case me thinketh that such meeting and communing togither at such times and in such sort is very dangerous especially for him that is likest to take the foile for naturally most men desire to aduance themselues at the least to saue themselues wherefore they will easilie be wonne to turne to the strongest Some there are I confesse so faithfull and constant that none of these respects can alter them but few such are to be found Farther this danger is then specially to be feared when we deale with a Prince that will endeuor him selfe to winne men which sure is a great grace of God in any Prince that can frame him selfe thereunto for it is a token that he is not infected with the foule vice and sinne of pride which all men detest and abhor But to conclude this discourse when a Prince mindeth to treat of peace he ought to employ therein the faithfullest and trustiest seruants he hath being men of ripe yeeres lest
the Duke of Burgundy where he remained till the yeere of his coronation which was in the yeere 1461. Annal. Burgund De la Marche Meyer How the Burgundians lying neere to Paris and looking for the battell supposed great thistles to haue been launces held vpright Chap. 11. I Haue been long in this discourse but it serueth to so good purpose that sooner I could not end it Now to returne to the wars you haue heard how these archers that lay in the trench along vpon the riuer of Seine dislodged at the very instant that we should haue assailed them The truce neuer endured past a day or two and when it ended sharpe war began againe and the skirmishes continued from morning till night but no great force issued foorth of the towne notwithstanding they beat backe our scoutes oftentimes whom we euer releeued with new supplies There passed no day without some skirmish great or small and I thinke the King would haue had them greater had it not been bicause he was ielous of diuers though needlesly I haue heard him say that one night he found the posterne of Saint Anthonies bastile towards the fields wide open which put him in suspicion of Master Charles of Melun whose father kept the place yet sure a faithfuller seruant than the said Charles that yeere the King had none One day they within Paris determined to issue foorth to fight with vs of the which enterprise I suppose the King vnderstood nothing but it was onely his captaines resolution they meant to assaile vs three seuerall waies their greatest band should haue come from Paris another from Pont de Charenton which two could not greatly haue endamaged vs and the third appointed to be two hundred men of armes from Bois-de-Vincennes Of this resolution we were aduertised about midnight by a Page that told vs this newes as lowd as he could crie from the other side of the riuer by the commandement of the Princes friends within the towne some of the which also he named and so departed By breake of day issued foorth Master Poncet of Riuiere before Pont de Charenton and the Lord of Lauon the other side from Bois-de-Vincennes euen hard to our artillerie where they slue one of our gunners The alarme was great in our campe for we supposed this to be the enterprise whereof the Page aduertised vs ouer night The Earle of Charolois was soone armed yet not so soone as Iohn Duke of Calabria for at all alarmes he was the first man armed and that at all points and his horse euer barded Moreouer he ware such a garment as the famous men of war vse in Italy and shewed himselfe both a noble Prince and a woorthy Captaine he rode straight to the barriars of our campe to staie our men fom issuing foorth where he was as well obeyed as the Earle of Charolois him selfe yea the whole armie obeied him more willingly than any man in the companie of the which honor vndoubtedly he was woorthie Incontinent our whole force was in armes stood in order of battell within our cariage all saue two hundred horse that kept our watch abroad To be short this day we looked assuredly for the battell but neuer before nor neuer after Soone after the Earle of Charolois and the Duke of Calabria arriued the Dukes of Berry and Britaine whom I neuer saw armed but this day onely The Duke of Berry was armed at all points notwithstanding they were but weakely accompanied in the which estate they passed through the campe and rode foorth to the Lords of Charolois and Calabria where they communed togither Our scoutes being renforced rode as neere Paris as they could and discouered a great number of our enimies scouts comming to learne what noise this was in our army Our artillerie shot terriblie when Monseur De Lau approched so neere vs the King also had good peeces vpon Paris wals that shot into our campe which was strange for we lay two leagues from the town but I thinke the peeces were mounted to the most aduantage This thundering of the artillerie caused both the parties to thinke some great enterprise to be towards The day was very darke and cloudy and our scouts approching neer to Paris discouered many enimies abroad in the field and a good way beyond them a number of launces held vpright as they supposed which they iudged to be the Kings whole force and all the people of Paris issued foorth of the towne in order of battel which imagination the darknes of the heauens put into their head They returned foorthwith to the Princes being yet without our campe aduertised them of this news assuring them of the battell The scoutes that were issued foorth of Paris approched still neerer and neerer to our campe bicause they saw ours retire which thing so much the more increased in our scoutes their former imagination Then came the Duke of Calabria to the place where a great number of the Earle of Charolois houshold seruants stood to accompanie his standard and his banner readie to be displaied and the guidon of his armes according to the custome of the house of Burgundy and there the said Duke of Calabria spake thus to vs all We haue now our desire for the King is issued foorth with his whole force and marcheth forward as our scouts tell vs. Wherefore let vs determine to play the men So soone as they be out of the towne we will enter and measure with the long ell 1 and with such like words rode he about encouraging the companie our scouts at the length perceiuing the enimies to be but weake recouered their spirits rode againe towards Paris where they discouered these battels in the selfe-same place they left them whereupon they entred into a new cogitation what they might be but when they approched neere to them the day being broken vp and cleere they perceiued them to be high thistles whereupon they rode hard to the towne gates and found not a man abroad whereof incontinent they aduertised the Princes who vpon this newes went to masse and afterward to dinner but our scoutes were ashamed of their first aduertisement notwithstanding the darknes of the day togither with the message of the Page brought vnto vs ouernight somwhat excused them The Notes 1 By the long ell he meaneth the pike wherewith souldiers at the sacke of a towne vse to measure veluets silks and cloths How the King and the Earle of Charolois met togither to treat of peace Chap. 12. THe treatie of peace continued still betweene the King and the Earle of Charolois especially bicause the principall force of both the armies was theirs The Princes demands were great namely the Duke of Berries who required all Normandy for his partage which the King would by no means condescend vnto The Earle of Charolois demanded the townes situate vpon the riuer of Somme namely Abbeuille Amiens Saint Quintin Peronne and the rest that King Charles the 7. had engaged
by the treatie of Arras to D. Philip of Burgundy of whom King Lewis had redeemed them for the summe of fower hundred thousand crownes not past three moneths before but the Earle of Charolois alleaged that during his life the King could not redeeme them 1 putting him alwaies in remembrance how much he was beholding to the house of Burgundie which receiued him when he fled from King Charles his father furnished him of money to maintaine his estate the space of sixe yeeres 2 and accompanied him at his coronation to Reimes and Paris 3 wherefore the Earle of Charolois tooke the redeeming of these townes in very euill part This treatie of peace was so followed that one morning the King came by water directly ouer against our campe leauing his horsemen that accompanied him vpon the riuer side and hauing in the barge with him besides the water men that rowed onely fower or fiue persons namely Monseur Du Lau Monseur De Montauban then admirall of Fraunce and Monseur De Nantouillet with one or two more The Earles of Charolois and Saint Paul stood on the other side of the riuer to receiue the King who said thus to the Earle of Charolois Brother do you assure me in the word of a Prince for the Earles first wife was the Kings sister 4 whereunto the Earle answered Yea sir as one brother should assure another Then the King his company landed the two Earles receiuing him honorablie according to his estate and he hauing words at will began thus said Brother I know you to be a gentleman of the house of Fraunce why sir quoth the Earle bicause said the K. when I sent of late mine Ambassadors to mine vncle your father you to Lisle where my foolish chancellor Moruillier so much misbehaued himselfe toward you you sent me word by the Archbishop of Narbonne who is a gentleman as his behauiour there well declared that before a yeere expired I should repent me of the proud language the said Moruillier there vsed You haue kept promise indeed and that long before your daie which words the King spake with a merrie cheerefull countenance knowing his nature with whom he talked to be such that they would please him wel as vndoubtedly they did Then the King proceeded further saying I loue to deale with men that keepe promise Afterward he disauowed Moruilliers words saying that he had spoken beyond his commission To be short the King walked a long time between these two Earles a great number of the Earle of Charolois souldiers in armes standing by and marking diligently their behauiour At this meeting the Earles required the Duchie of Normandie and the townes situate vpon the riuer of Somme with diuers other particular demands for themselues and certaine ouertures lately treated of for the common wealth of the realme but vpon those they stood lest for the weale publique was now turned into wealth priuate As touching Normandie the King would hardly heare thereof but he granted the Earle of Charolois demaunds and for his sake offered the Earle of Saint Paule the office of Constable which communication ended the King tooke barge and returned to Paris and the Earles to Conflans departing each from other in very courteous and louing manner Thus passed we the time somtime in peace and somtime in war but notwithstanding that the treatie of peace at la Grange aux Merciers where the Commissioners vsed to sit were cleane broken off on both sides yet continued still the communication aboue mentioned betweene the King and the Earle of Charolois and messengers went betweene them notwithstanding the war for the Earle sent to the King VVilliam of Bische and Guillot Diusie being both his owne seruants but yet beholding to the King for when Duke Philip had banished them the King at the Earle of Charolois request entertained them Many misliked these sendings to and fro so far foorth that the Princes began now to mistrust and abandon each other in such sort that had not one thing happened soone after 5 they had all departed with great dishonor Twise I sawe them hold three seuerall assemblies in one chamber where they were togither wherewith the Earle of Charolois was maruellously offended for he thought seeing the greatest force of this armie was his that they did him wrong to sit in counsell in his chamber he being present without calling him to it wherefore he debated this matter with the Lord of Contay a very wise gentleman who aduised him to take it patiently bicause if he should alienate their mindes from him they could better make their peace than he adding that as he was the strongest so ought he to be the wisest and farther counselling him to do his endeuor by all meanes possible for their continuance togither in friendship and in no wise to fall at variance with them but to digest and winke at all these disorders Lastly he told him that all men woondered yea his owne seruants that so meane personages as the two aboue named were imploied in so weighty affaires alleaging great danger to be therein considering how liberall a Prince he was whom he had to deale with True it is that this Contay hated VVilliam of Bische notwithstanding heerin he spake but as others did and I thinke verily not vpon malice but as the case required The Earle of Charolois followed his aduise and began to sport pastime with the Princes otherwise than he had been accustomed to shew them a cheerfull countenance to commune oftener both with them their seruants and sure so was it requisite for they stood euen vpon the point to seuer themselues A wise man doth good seruice in such a companie if he may be credited neither can he be valued too deere but I neuer knew Prince in my life that could finde the difference betweene man and man till he stood in need of men and if any happily do yet make they no account of a wise man but place in authoritie about them those whom they fauor better either bicause they are of equall yeeres with them or seeke in all things to feede their humors wherein they are often nuzled by the furtherers of their wanton pleasures But wise Princes will soone reforme themselues when neede requireth such as were the King our master the Earle of Charolois at that time King Edward of England and diuers others but these three especially I haue seene at so lowe an ebbe that they haue stood in great neede of those whom before they despised Notwithstanding as touching the Earle of Charolois after he was Duke of Burgundie and highlier aduaunced by fortunes fauor than euer was any of his predecessors and growen so great that he feared no Prince of his estate God ouerthrew him in all his glorie and so bereaued him of his wits that he contemned all mens counsell but his owne wherby he miserably ended his life with a great number of his seruants and subiects leauing his house desolate
for he liued not long after Notwithstanding before his death he did his Master good seruice in the battell against the Liegeois wherof you shall now heare I haue made mention before how the Duke departing from Louuain laide his siege before Sainctron and bent his artillerie against it Within the towne were three thousand Liegeois vnder the charge of a valiant knight the selfe same that was their chiefe commissioner for peace when we met them in order of battell the yeere before But the third day after the Dukes arriuall before the towne the Liegeois with great force came to leuie his siege about ten of the clocke in the morning they were thirtie thousand men 2 and aboue good and bad all footmen saue fine hundred They were well furnished of artillerie and encamped within halfe a league of vs in a strong village called Breton part whereof was enuironed with a marish Farther Francois Royet Baillif of Lions and the Kings ambassador at that time to the saide Liegeois was with them in their armie 3 Our fourragers were the first that aduertised vs of their arriuall for we had no scoutes abroade which was a foule ouersight I neuer was in place with the Duke of Burgundie where I saw him giue good order of him selfe but this daie onely Incontinent he raunged all his battels in the fielde saue certeine bands appointed to lie still at the siege among the which were fiue or sixe hundred English men Farther he beset both the sides of the village with twelue hundred men of armes and placed him selfe with eight hundred men of armes directlie ouer against the village somewhat farther off then the rest he caused also a great companie of gentlemen and men of armes to light on foote with the archers then the L. of Rauastain with the vaward being all on foote as wel men of armes as archers marched forward with certeine peeces of artillerie euen hard to the Liegeois trenches which were broad deepe full of water yet notwithstanding with force of arrowes and cannot shot the enimies were repulsed and their trenches wonne and their artillerie also but when our shot failed vs the Liegeois recouered their spirits and with their long pikes gaue a charge vpon our archers and their Captaines of whom they slew in a moment foure or fiue hundred in such sort that all our ensignes begane to wauer as men halfe discomfited At which instant the Duke commanded the archers of his battell to march being led by Philip of Creuecoeur Lord of Cordes a wise gentleman and diuers other valiantmen who so couragiously assailed the enimies that with the turning of a hand they were put to flight But neither the horsemen aboue mentioned that stood on both sides of the village neither the Duke himselfe could follow the chase bicause of the marish for they were placed there onely to this end that if the Liegeois had broken the D. vawarde and issued foorth of their trenches into the plaine they might then haue giuen a charge vpon them The Liegeois fled along through the marish being pursued onely by our footmen notwithstanding the Duke sent part of the horsemen that accompanied himselfe to follow the chase but they were forced to ride two leagues about before they could finde any passage by meanes whereof they were benighted which saued many a Liegeois life The rest of his horsemen the Duke sent to his campe bicause they heard a great noise there and doubted the enimies sally and indeede they had issued foorth thrise but were alwaies repulsed especially through the valiantns of the English men that the Duke left there behind him a few of the Liegeois after they were put to flight relied themselues togither at their cariage but staied not long there In this battell were slaine 9000. men 4 which number I am sure shal seeme great to all that loue truth but I haue beene in my time in manie battels where for one that was slaine men made report of a hundred thinking thereby to please their Masters whom often they abuse with such vntruths Sure had we not beene benighted there had beene slaine aboue fifteene thousand the battell being ended 5 the Duke when it was darke night returned with the whole armie into his campe saue a thousand or twelue hundred horse that were gone two leagues about to follow the chase for otherwise they could not come neere their enimies bicause of a litle riuer that was to passe They did no great exploit bicause of the night notwithstanding some of their enimies they slew and some they tooke but the greatest part escaped into the citie The Lord of Contay did good seruice this day in giuing order in the battell died shortlie after in the town of Huz and made a good end he was a wise a valiant knight but liued not long after his cruel sentence pronounced against the hostages aboue mentioned The D. immediatlie after he was vnarmed called one of his secretaries and wrote a letter to the Constable and the other ambassadors departed from him at Louuain not aboue foure daies before wherein he aduertised them of his victorie and desired them to attempt nothing against the Bretons Within two daies after the battell the pride of this foolish people was cleane abated though their losse were not great whereby appeereth how dangerous a thing it is for any Prince to hazard his estate in battell if he may by anie other means make a good end for a smal losse in a battel changeth altereth the minds of his subiects that receiueth the ouerthrow more than any man would thinke causing them not only to stand in great feare of their enimies but also to despise contemn their Prince and those that are in authority about him yea to murmur and practise against him They demand boldlier than they were accustomed and storme if ought be denied them so that the Prince mought haue done more with one crowne before the battell than with three after it Wherefore if he that hath receaued the ouerthrowe be wise he will not aduenture a second battell in this estate with those that haue fled but onely defend his owne and seeke some small enterprise easie to be atchiued to the end thereby his subiects may recouer their former courage and remooue all feare To conclude the losse of a battell traineth with it a number of inconueniences to him that is vanquished Notwithstanding great conquerors haue iust cause to desire the battell to abridge their labours as haue also the Englishmen and Switzers both bicause they are better footemen then their neighbors as appeareth by the great victories they haue obteined which notwithstanding I write not to the dispraise of other nations and also bicause their men can not keepe the fields long without dooing some exploit as Frenchmen and Italians can who also are more full of practise and easier to be gouerned than they Now on the otherside he that obtaineth the victory increaseth his honor
fol. 314. and others 3 Yet the citizens of Gaunt anno 1338. constrained Lodouicus Niuernensis Earle of Flanders to flie for the safety of his life into a castell in Gaunt called Petra Comitis where they also besieged him Againe anno 1346. they constrained Lodouicus Maleanus perforce to go with them to Bergen and against his will to giue his faith to Isabell daughter to King Edward the third they set a gard also about his person but he escaped and fled into Fraunce Meyer How the King seeing what had happened to the Liegeois made war in Britaine vpon the Duke of Burgundies confederates and how they two met and communed togither at Peronne Chap. 5. THese troubles being thus ended the Duke went to Gaunt where he was receiued with great pompe and triumph for he entred in armes and the citizens made a posterne into the fields by the which he putmen in and out at his pleasure manie messengers ran betweene him and the King and likewise betweene the Duke of Britaine and him and thus passed this winter The King traueilled continually with the Duke of Burgundie to suffer him to inuade Britaine at his pleasure making him diuers offers in consideration thereof whereunto the Duke would not condescend for the which cause partly and partly for the ouerthrow giuen to the Liegeois his confederates the Kings displeasure was so kindled that longer he could not forbeare but in the very beginning of sommer entred into Britaine at the least his forces for him and tooke two small castels the one called Chantosse the other Anseny whereof the Duke of Burgundy was incontinent aduertised and earnestly pressed by the Dukes of Normandy and Britaine with all speede to leuie his armie for their aide whereupon he wrote to the King humbly beseeching him to relinquish his enterprise seeing these two Dukes were comprehended in the truce as his confederates but receiuing such answer as liked him not he encamped with great force neere to Peronne The Kings army was still in Britaine but the Court lay at Compiegne from whence the King sent Cardinall Balue to the Duke within three daies after his arriuall at Peronne who staied not long with him but made certaine ouertures of peace aduertising him also that they in Britaine could make their composition welll ynough without him for the Kings drift was to seuer them The Cardinall was honorably receiued well feasted and soone dispatched and returned with this answere that the Duke was not come forth into the field to endammage the King in any respect but onely to succour his confederates so the messages that passed betweene them were very courteous on both sides Immediately after the Cardinals departure a heralt called Bretaigne arriued at the Duke of Burgundies campe with letters from the Dukes of Normandie and Britain wherin they aduertised him that they had made peace with the King and renounced all leagues and confederacies and namely their league with him and farther that the Duke of Normandie had surrendred Normandie lately giuen him for his partage to the King and should receiue in recompence thereof and of all other partages the yeerely reuenues of three score thousand franks which conditions though neuer so vnreasonable necessitie forced the Lord Charles of Fraunce to accept The Duke of Burgundie was woonderfully abashed at these newes for he had put himselfe into the field onely to aide the said Dukes And sure the heralt was in great danger for bicause he passed by the Court the Duke suspected that the King had forged these letters notwithstanding he receiued immediately after the like aduertisement from other places The King thought now his enterprise halfe woon and that he should easily perswade the Duke of Burgundie to forsake these two Dukes as they had him whereupon secret messengers ran betweene them and the King gaue the Duke sixe score thousand crownes whereof he paid the one halfe presently the better to content the said Duke who had consumed great summes in leuying this armie Farther the Duke sent to the King a groome of his chamber very neere about him named Iohn Vobrisset whereupon the King conceiued great hope of his enterprise and seemed desirous to commune with the Duke in person trusting to obtaine of him all that he required both bicause of the two foresaid Dukes ingratitude towards him and also bicause of the great summe of monie he had giuen him Wherefore he aduertised the Duke of certaine matters by the said Vobrisset and sent backe with him Cardinall Balue and Master Tanneguy du Chastell gouernor of Roussillon who gaue the Duke to vnderstand by their words that the King desired greatly that they two might commune togither in person They found the Duke at Peronne who seemed to haue no great deuotion to this meeting bicause the Liegeois made shew as though they would rebell anew being sollicited thereunto by two ambassadors sent thither by the King for that purpose before the truce was made which he and the Duke concluded for certaine daies betweene them and their confederates But Cardinall Balue and the other ambassadors put this doubt out of his head alleaging that the Liegeois durst attempt no such thing considering he had vanquished them rased but their wals the yeer before and farther if they had any such desire yet when they should see this amitie betweene him and the King they would soone alter their mindes Thus in the end it was concluded that the King should come to Peronne seeing it pleased him so to do and the Duke sent him a letter written with his owne hand containing sufficient suretie to come and go at his pleasure And thus departed the ambassadors and returned to the King being then at Noyon But the Duke minding to make all sure in the countrie of Liege sent thither their Bishop for whose quarrell all the wars aboue mentioned first began and in his company the Lord of Hymbercourt the Dukes lieutenant in those parts with certaine bands of men You haue heard how it was concluded that the King should come to Peronne according to the which determination thither he came without his garde for his pleasure was wholy to put himselfe vnder the garde and suretie of the Duke and that Monseur de Cordes who then serued the Duke should conuay him thither with the said Dukes archers which was done accordingly The Kings traine was very small notwithstanding he came accompanied with diuers noble personages namely the Duke of Bourbon the Cardinall his brother and the Earle of Saint Paule Constable of Fraunce who had not busied himselfe about this meeting but much misliked it For he was now waxed proud and high minded and behaued not himselfe to the Duke of Burgundie with such lowlines and humilitie as he was accustomed wherefore there was no good will betweene them twaine Thither came also Cardinall Balue the gouernor of Roussillon and diuers others And when the King drew neere to Peronne the Duke with a goodly traine issued foorth
to receiue him and brought him into the towne and lodged him in a goodly house neere to the castell being the receiuers for the castell was a little old thing naught woorth War betweene two great Princes is easily begun but hardly ended bicause of the number of accidents depending thereupon for each partie dispatcheth messengers to and fro to hurt his enimie which suddenly cannot be staied nor reuoked as appeered by these two Princes who concluded this meeting vpon a sudden not aduertising their seruants thereof who were far from them executing the charge their Masters had giuen them For you shall vnderstand that the Duke had sent for his armie into Burgundie being furnished at that time with a number of gentlemen namely the Lord of Bresse of the house of Sauoy his two brethren the Bishop of Geneua and the Earle of Remont for the Sauoyans and Burgundians haue euer borne great loue one to another In this armie were also certaine Almaines borderers vpon Sauoy and the county of Burgundy Now you shall vnderstand that the King in times past had held the Lord of Bresse in prison bicause of two Knights he commanded to be slaine in Sauoy wherefore there was no good will betweene them two In this armie were also the Lord of Vrfé Master of the horse afterward to King Charles Master Poncet of Riuiere and the Lord of Lau whom the King after speciall good liking of him had also held long in prison but he escaped and fled into Burgundy All this company aboue mentioned arriued neere to Peronne euen at the very instant that the King came thither and the Lord of Bresse with the three aboue mentioned euery one of them wearing the Saint Andrewes crosse entred the towne supposing they had come time ynough to accompanie the Duke when he should go to receiue the King but bicause they came too late they went straight to the Dukes chamber to do their dutie to him where the Lord of Bresse humbly besought him that the three aboue named notwithstanding the Kings comming might be there vnder his safegard and protection as he had promised them in Burgundie at their first arriuall into his dominions adding that they were ready to serue him against all men none excepted which request the Duke granted with his owne mouth and for their good wil thanked them The rest of this army led by the Marshal of Burgundy lodged without the towne as they were appointed The said Marshall hated the King no lesse than the others aboue named bicause of Pinall a towne in Lorraine which the King had once giuen him and afterward taken from him to bestow vpon Iohn Duke of Calabria so often mentioned in this historie The King being foorthwith aduertised of these noble mens arriuall and the apparell they ware 1 fell suddenly into great feare and sent to the Duke desiring him that he might lodge in the castell bicause all these aboue named were his enimies The Duke reioiced to see him in such feare and caused his lodging to be made there willing him to be of good cheere and doubt nothing The Notes 1 He meaneth by apparell the Saint Andrewes crosse A discourse wherein is declared how greatly learning especially in histories profiteth Princes and noble men Chap. 6. IT is greatfolly for one Prince to put him selfe vnder the power of another especially when they are in war togither as those Princes well know that haue studied histories in their youth wherein they finde diuers examples of great falshood and treason vsed in times past at such enteruiewes and of diuers that haue staied as prisoners and slaine those that haue come to them vnder their surety 1 I say not that all haue vsed so to do but the example of one is sufficient to teach a number wit how to looke to themselues I my selfe for my part haue seene some experience in the world hauing been by the space of eighteene yeeres and better emploied continually in Princes seruices and priuy all that while to the waightiest and secretest affaires that haue passed in this realme or the countries bordering vpon it and sure in mine opinion the best way to learne wisedome is to read ancient histories which will teach vs by example of our auncesters wisely to behaue our selues safely to defende our selues and aduisedly to attempt any enteprise For our life is so short that experience cannot sufficiently instruct vs considerlng withal that our yeers are abridged and neither our liues so long nor our bodies so strong as were our ancesters in ages past which way as we are weakned so is our faith also each to other much diminished 2 in such sort that I know not how one man may assure himselfe of another especially great Princes who are commonly inclined to all wilfulnes without any regarde of reason and which is woorst of all haue for the most part such men about them as study onely to flatter them and sooth them in al their dooings be they good or bad and if some one endeuor himselfe to redresse this inconuenience all the rest will straight be vpon his top Farther I must needes blame ignorant and vnlearned Princes in this respect also they haue all commonly about them great clarkes and lawyers as it is requisite they should if they be good but if they be otherwise they are the dangerousest people in the world to be about a Prince for they haue euer a law or an history at their fingers ends which be it neuer so good they writhe and wrest in such sort that they wil make blacke white and white blacke But those Princes that be wise and haue read as well as they will not suffer themselues to be abused by them neither dare they be so hardy as to report vntruths to such Princes Farther thinke you that God hath established the office of a King or Prince to be executed by such beasts as glory in saying I am no scholer I trust my Councell well enough and refer all matters to them and so without farther answer depart to their sports and pastimes No no if they had been well trained vp in their youth they would vse other language and seeke to be esteemed for their owne vertues and woorthines I say not that all Princes are serued by euill conditioned persons but sure the most part of those that I haue seene haue not alwaies had their courts vnfurnished of such although some I confesse I haue knowne that in time of necessitie could make choise of their men and vse the seruice of the best and wisest Wherein sure the King our master far passed all the Princes of his time for neuer Prince aduanced so highly nor made so great account of wise and woorthy men as he did He was himselfe reasonably well learned 3 he was very inquisitiue and desirous to vnderstand of all matters and had an excellent wit which passeth all learning attained to by studie for as reading profiteth two maner of waies the one by
acquainting vs with ages past and the other by teaching vs more in a booke in three monthes than twenty men liuing successiuely can learne by experience so if a man lack wit to put that which he readeth in practise his reading serueth to no purpose Wherfore to end this discourse me think the greatest plague that God can lay vpon a realme is to giue them an vnwise Prince the roote and fountaine of all mischiefe for first diuision and ciuill wars arise thereof among his subiects bicause he giueth his authority to others which especially aboue all things he ought to reserue to himselfe After diuision ensueth famine and mortality and all other euils that accompany the wars wherefore heereby we may consider how much a Princes subiects ought to lament when they see his children wantonly brought vp and gouerned by euill conditioned persons The Notes 1 Of treasons in treaty we haue numbers of examples First of Iugurtha taken by his father in law Boccus and deliuered to the Romaines Sertorius slaine at a banquet by Perpenna In England we haue the treason of Hengist to Vortiger In Scotland we reade of William Earle of Douglasse slaine by Iames King of Scots in treaty In Germanie Albert Earle of Franconia betraied in treaty by Ottho Bishop of Mentz Iohn of Angieu slaine by Albertus Bauarus Earle of Henault and Flanders notwithstanding his safe conduct In Fraunce Iohn Duke of Burgundie slaine by Charles the 7. William Duke of Normandie by Arnulph Earle of Flanders Lewis King of Fraunce taken prisoner by the Normans and Danes at Roan Iohn Duke of Britaine taken at a banquet and imprisoned by Margaret Countisse of Pontibera Guido Earle of Flanders twice taken prisoner vnder safeconduct by Philip le Bell King of Fraunce Charles the simple slaine by the Earle of Vermandoys VVhat should I speake of the tresons of Ferrande and Alfonse Kings of Naples or of Christiern King of Denmarke with numbers of others recorded in histories as our author heere very truly reporteth 2 Others be of a contrarie opinion that our life is as long as in Dauids time appeereth by the 90. Psalme where he sheweth the vsuall age of man in his time to haue beene 70. and sometime 80. yeers which men reche to at this day also and if mans life be as long now as then it is a good consequent that his body is as strong as is to be prooued by manie reasons too long to reherse Now that our faith is as good as theirs appeereth also by the ancient histories for if this be a true saying Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis And the Princes in times past were so euill as none could be worse as who so list to reade without partiality shal be forced to confesse I see no reason that the world should be worse now then in times past although it seeme so to many bicause we see the worst of our owne age yea and feele too many times but commonly the histories deliuer to vs but the best of times past and burie the worst and though they did yet the euill seene with our eie is more liuely imprinted in minde then the euill we conceiue by our eare which is the cause men euer thinke better of the times past then the present estate 3 Imaruell if King Lewis were learned he would haue his sonne to learne onely this lesson Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare How and for what cause the King was staied and held prisoner in the castell of Peronne by the Duke of Burgundies commandement Chap. 7. YOu haue heard how the King and this army of Burgundie arriued at Peronne both in one istant for the Duke could not countermand them in time bicause they were well forward vpon the way when the Kings comming was first communed of Their arriuall troubled the feast bicause of diuers doubts that sprang thereof Notwithstanding these two Princes appointed certeine of their seruants to negotiate togither about their affaires in most louing and freindly sort But after three or foure daies communication these strange newes came from Liege which I will now reherse The K. comming to Peronne had cleane forgotten the two ambassadors sent to Liege to sollicite them to rebell against the Duke who so diligently executed their charge that before the Kings arriuall at Peronne the Liegeois had leuied great force and were gone to surprise the towne of Tongres where the Bishop of Liege and the Lord of Hymbercourt lodged accompanied with two thousand men and better and the said Bishop and Hymbercourt they tooke with certein other of the Bishops familiar friends but few they slew neither was the number of the prisoners great the rest fled as men discomfited leauing bag and bagage behinde them This done the Liegeois returned towards their citie not far distant from Tongres and vpon the way thitherward the Lord of Hymbercourt compounded for his ransome with a knight called Master VVilliam de Ville named by the French Le Sauuage who fearing lest this furious people should kill him suffered him to depart vpon his word which notwithstanding he neuer chalenged for soon after himselfe was slaine the people reioiced much for the taking of their Bishop Farther you shall vnderstand that they hated extremely certaine chanons of the Church taken prisoners that day of whom for the first repast they slew fiue or sixe one of the which was named Master Robert the Bishops speciall friend whom I my selfe haue often seene armed at all peeces waiting vpon his Master for such is the maner of the Alemaigne Prelates 1 The said Master Robert they slew in the Bishops presence and hewed him into a number of small gobbets which they threw one at another in dirision To be short before their returne to Liege which was but eight leagues from Tongres they slew sixteen chanons and others all in maner the Bishops seruants This done they receiued aduertisement that the treatie betweene the King and the Duke was alreadie begun wherefore they dismissed certaine Burgundians supposing to excuse their fault by seeming to haue attempted nothing against the Duke but only against their Bishop whom they led prisoner into the citie Those that escaped put all the countrie in an vprore as they went by means whereof this newes came soone to the Duke some said all were slaine others the contrarie for such aduertisements are neuer reported after one sort At the length certaine arriued that saw these chanons slaine who supposing the Bishop and Hymbercourt to be of the number auowed constantly that all were murthered and farther that they saw the Kings ambassadors in the companie whom also they named All this was told the Duke who foorthwith beleeued it and fell into an extreme furie saying that the King was come thither to abuse him and gaue commandement to shut the gates of the castell and the towne spreading a fond rumor that he did it bicause of a budget with iewels and monie that was lost The King
there in person against them and offering in maner the selfe same conditions of peace on their behalfe that were demanded The Duke alowed not of this opinion which was a happie turne for him for if he had he had marred all but his suspition of the King caused him to take the wisest course sure his Captaines opinion in thinking themselues too strong proceeded either of great pride or of great follie Notwithstanding I haue often heard diuers Captaines giue the like aduise some bicause they thinke thereby to win an opinion of hardnesse and some for that they vnderstand not the matters debated but wise Princes weigh not such fond opinions As touching this point the King our Master had learned his lesson for as he was slow and fearfull in attempting any thing so when he tooke once an enterprise in hand he so throughlie furnished him selfe of euery thing thereunto appertaining that he could not but obtaine his purpose Order was then giuen that the Marshall of Burgundie with his band should go before and lodge in the citie and if the citizens made difficulty to receiue him as it was thought they would not bicause diuers of them were already come to the Duke to treate of peace that then he should attempt to enter by force The saide Marshall and his company went to Namur and the next day departed thence and the King and the D. arriued there But when the Marshall approched neer the city this foolish people salied foorth to the skirmish and were easilie repulsed and a great number slaine the rest retired into the towne and at that verie instant escaped their Bishop and came to vs. Within the towne was a legate sent thither by the Pope to vnderstand of the variance betweene the Bishop and the people and to pacifie the matter For the sentence of excommunication pronounced against them was yet vnreuoked bicause of their offences aboue rehersed This legate passing the bands of his commission fauored altogither the people in hope to obtaine the Bishoprick for him selfe and commanded them to take armes for their defence and encouraged them to diuers other folies Notwithstanding now seeing the city in this danger he issued foorth with intent to flie but was taken and all his traine being to the number of fiue and twentie very well mounted The Duke hearing these newes seemed notwithstanding to take no notice thereof but sent word to those that tooke him that they should leade him into some secret place and make their profit of him as of some merchant and in no wise to aduertise him of this accident alleaging that if he came openly into his campe he could not suffer them to keepe him but must of force deliuer him for honor of the sea apostolike Notwithstanding they could not do as they were commanded but fell at variance for him in such sort that openly at diner time certaine that claimed part in the bootie came and complained to the Duke wherefore he sent immediately and tooke him from them and restored him all that he lost and entertained him very honorably This vaward led by the Marshall of Burgundie and the Lord of Hymbercourt marched straight to the citie supposing to enter without resistance and through couetousnes hoping to haue the spoile thereof to themselues refused the composition that was offered neither thought it needfull to tarrie for the King and the Duke being seuen or eight leagues behinde them but marched with such speede that they arriued at the towne by twilight and entred into a certaine suburbs leading straight to a gate that the citizens had somewhat repaired There the Liegeois and they parled togither but could not agree In the meane time they were benighted their lodgings were vnmade neither was the place large ynough for the seate of their camp beside that they were in great disorder some walked vp and downe some called their masters their companions and their captains which folly and disorder Master Iohn de Villette and other captains of the Liegeois perceiuing tooke hart and determined to issue foorth and their misfortune I meane the ruine of their wals serued them to good purpose in this enterprise for they salied foorth where liked them best by the breaches thereof and came in order of battell to the foremost ranks of the Burgundians Farther among the vines and little hils they assailed the pages and straglers that walked their Masters horses without the suburbs by the which our men entred A great number of good soldiers were there slaine but a greater number fled for the night couereth all shame To be short the Liegeois so couragiously executed their enterprise that they slue at the least eight hundred one hundred of them being men of armes But the hardie and valiant soldiers of this vaward being in maner all men of armes and gentlemen of good houses ioined themselues togither and marched with ensigne displaied straight to the gate fearing the citizens salie there The waies were maruellous deepe bicause of continuall raine in such sort that the men of armes being all on foote stood in mire aboue the ankles Once all the citizens thought to salie foorth at the said gate with great torches and lights but our men had mounted fower good peeces of artillerie in the very mouth thereof the which shot twise or thrise along the high streete and slew a great number whereupon they all retired out of the suburbes and shut their gates But during this skirmish in the suburbes the others that had salied forth to assaile the pages aboue mentioned tooke certaine carts neer to the towne in the which they lodged themselues very vncommodiously and taried without the citie from two of the clocke after midnight till six in the morning but so soone as the day brake that one might descry another they were repulsed and in their retract master Iohn de Villette and one or two more of their captaines hurt who died all within two daies after How the King arriued in person with the Duke of Burgundy before the citie of Liege Chap. 11. NOtwithstanding that salies out of a towne be somtimes necessary yet are they very dangerous for those that defend the place for the losse of ten men is more to them than of an hundred to those that besiege them first bicause their number is not equall secondarily bicause they cannot put men into the towne at pleasure and lastly bicause haply they may loose one of their cheefe captaines which mishap causeth oftentimes the losse also of the place These discomfortable newes were foorthwith brought to the Duke lying fower or fiue leagues from the towne and the first report was that his whole vaward was discomfited yet that notwithstanding he and the whole army mounted on horsebacke commanding that no word should be made to the King of this misfortune And when he drew neere the citie on the contrary side to that where his vaward lay he was aduertised that all was well and the losse nothing so
and the Duke of Burgundies onely daughter and heire for sonne he had none which matter they had often mooued to the Duke who in words shewed himselfe not vnwilling thereunto yet notwithstanding would neuer conclude it but entertained others also in hope thereof Now marke how these men sought to atchieue their enterprise by constraining the Duke of Burgundy to this marriage Immediately after these two towns were taken and the Duke gon to Arras to leuy forces with al speed the Duke of Guienne sent a secret messenger to him who brought him three lines written with the said Dukes owne hand foulded vp in a small lumpe of waxe and conteining these words Endeuor your selfe to appease your subiects and you shall not faile of friends Farther the Duke of Burgundy being at the first in exceeding great feare sent to the Cōstable desiring him to shew himself fauorable not to presse forward this war begun without any defiance made At the which message the Constable greatly reioiced supposing that he now held the Duke in such feare as he desired which to increase he sent him a speedy discomfortable answere the effect wherof was that his state stoode in maruellous danger so far foorth that he saw no way for him to winde himselfe out of these troubles but one Namely by giuing his daughter in mariage to the D. of Guienne which if he would do he should than be succoured with great forces for both the Duke of Guienne and diuers others Lords would declare themselues for him against the King and he also would restore him Saint Quintine and take his part otherwise he said he durst do nothing considering how strong the K. was hauing both his army very wel appointed also great intelligence in the Dukes dominions This was the answer he sent with diuers other fearefull messages But I neuer knew man in my life come to good end that sought to put in feare and hold in subiection his master or any other great Prince with whom he had to do as in the end the Constables example shall well declare For notwithstanding that the King were then his master and that the greatest part of his reuenues lay and all his children were resident in the Duke of Burgundies dominions yet continued he these practises against both these Princes with intent to hold them both in feare each by other which cost him deere in the end and no maruel For notwithstanding that euery man desire to liue out of subiection and feare and that all men naturally hate these that hold them in awe yet none so extremely as Princes For I neuer knew Prince that hated not mortally all those that sought to put him feare After the D. of Burgundy had receaued the Constables answer he perceaued wel no friendship to be in him farther that he was the only author of this war Wherupon he conceaued so extreme hatred against him that after this he could neuer brooke him especially bicause by these fearfull messages he fought to constraine him to mary his daughter at his pleasure a vaine attempt For before the returne of the Constables answer the Duke had recouered his spirits and had a great army with him You may easely perceaue both by the message sent by the Duke of Guienne first and the Constables answer afterwarn that this was a compact matter between them and the rather for that the like message or a more dreadfull came soone after from the Duke of Britaine who sent also to the Kings seruice a hundred Britons all men of armes vnder the leading of the Lord of Lescut Wherefore we may boldly say that this war was mooued onely to constraine the Duke of Burgundy to conclude this mariage and that they did but abuse the King in perswading him to begin war for they were all in maner lies that they told him of their intelligences in the Dukes dominions Notwithstanding in this voiage the Constable did the King great seruice and shewed extreme malice against the Duke of Burgundy knowing that the Duke had conceaued mortal hatred against him The Duke of Guienne also serued the King in these wars very well accompanied so that the Duke of Burgundy stood vpon hard tearmes But if at the first he would haue assured his daughter to the Duke of Guienne both the said Duke of Guienne the Constable and diuers other noble men with all their adherents would haue reuolted to him against the King and done their endeuor to haue pulled him vpon his knees But whatsoeuer man purposeth in such cases God disposeth afterward of them at his pleasure How the Duke of Burgundie tooke Piquigny and afterward found meanes to make truce with the King for a yeere to the Constables great griefe Chap. 3. YOu haue heard at large the cause of this war at the beginning whereof both the Princes were blinded inuading each other and neither of them knowing the cause why which was a maruellous cunning of the contriuers of this enterprise For a man might haue pronounced the old Prouerbe of these two Princes that the one part of the world was not acquainted with the others maners nor actions All these affaires aboue rehersed since the beginning of these wars chanced in very short space for within lesse then fifteene daies after the taking of Amiens the Duke put himselfe into the field neere to Arras for farther he retired not and from thence marched toward the riuer of Somme and so straight to Piquigny but vpon the waie thither he met with a messenger of the Duke of Britaine on foote who aduertised him from the Duke his Master that the King had giuen his said Master to vnderstand of diuers secrets and among others of intelligences he had in many great towns of his dominions namely Andwerp Bruges and Bruxelles adding also that the King was determined to come and besiege him into what towne soeuer he should retire were it euen into Gaunt All the which aduertisements I suppose the Duke of Britain sent in fauour of the Duke of Guienne hoping thereby to further much the marriage aboue mentioned But the Duke of Burgundie tooke this message in euill part and foorthwith dispatched the messenger willing him to tell his master that he was misinformed by some euill seruants about him who put these feares and doubts into his head to the end he should not aide him as he was bound by their league And farther that he knew not what townes Gaunt and the other cities were in the which he said the King would come to besiege him for they were too great to be besieged He bad him farther to informe his Master in what sort he found him accompanied and to aduertise him that the world went otherwise with him then he supposed for he was determined to passe the riuer of Somme and to fight with the King if he would come to stop him vpon the way Laste of all he willed him to desire his Master on his behalfe to ioine with
a strong village at the least a strong house into the which no man could enter but by a draw bridge which was a happy chance for him the rest of his armie lay in other villages round about But as he sat at dinner suddenly one came running in and brought newes that the Marques of Montague the Earles brother and certaine other were mounted on horsebacke and had caused all their men to crie God saue King Henry Which message the King at the first beleeued not but in all haste sent other messengers foorth and armed himselfe and set men also at the barriers of his lodging to defend it He was accompanied with the Lord Hastings Lord Chamberlain of England a wise Knight and of the greatest authoritie about him who was maried to the Earle of Warwicks sister yet notwithstanding was true and faithfull to his Master and had three hundred horse vnder his charge in the Kings armie as himselfe told me With the King was also the Lord of Scales the Queene of Englands brother and diuers other valiant Knights and Esquires who all perceiued that this busines went not well for the messengers brought word that the report was true and that the enimies assembled to assault the King But God so prouided for the King that he lodged hard by the sea side neer a place where a little ship laden with victuals that followed his armie and two hulks of Holland fraughted with merchandise lay at anchor he had no other shift but to run to saue himselfe in one of them 1 The Lord Chamberlaine staied awhile behinde him and talked with the lieutenant of his band and diuers other particular men in the Kings armie willing them to go to the enimies but to beare true and faithfull harts to the King and him which talke ended he went aboord to the rest being ready to depart Now you shall vnderstand that the custome in England is after the victorie obtained neither to kill nor raunsome any man especially of the vulgar sort knowing all men then to be ready to obey them bicause of their good successe Wherfore these soldiers after the Kings departure receiued no harme Notwithstanding K. Edward himself told me that in albattels that he wan so soon as he had obtained victory he vsed to mount on horsebacke and cry too Saue the people and kil the nobles for of them few or none escaped Thus fled King Edward the yeere 1470. with two hulks and a little bote of his owne countrie accompanied with seuen or eight hundred persons hauing none other apparell than they ware in the wars vtterly vnfurnished of mony and hardly knowing whither they went Strange it was to see this poore King for so might he now well be called to flie after this sort pursued by his owne seruants and the rather for that he had by the space of twelue or thirteene yeeres liued in greater pleasures and delicacies than any Prince in his time for he had wholy giuen himselfe to dames hunting hawking and banketting in such sort that he vsed when he went a hunting in the sommer season to cause many pauilions to be pitched to solace himselfe there with the Ladies And to say the truth his personage serued aswel to make court as any mans that euer I knew for he was yong as goodly a gentleman as liued in our age I meane in this time of his aduersitie for afterward he grew maruellous grosse But behold now how he fel into the trobles aduersities of the world He sailed straight towards Holland and at that time the Easterlings were enimies both to the English men and the French and had many ships of war vpon the sea wherefore they were much feared of the English men and not without cause for they were very good soldiers and had done them great harme that yeere and taken many prises These Easterlings discried afar off the ships wherin the King fled and seuen or eight of them began to make saile after him but in vaine for he was far before them and fell vpon the coast of Holland or somwhat lower for he arriued in Freezland by a little towne called Alquemare 2 as neere the which as was possible his mariners cast anchor for bicause it was ebbing water they could not enter the hauen The Easterlings came in like maner and anchored hard by them minding to boord them the next tide Thus we see that one mischiefe neuer commeth without company King Edwards good successe was now cleane altered and his thoughts quite changed for not past fifteene daies before this misfortune he would little haue beleeued him that had told him that the Earle of Warwicke should chase him out of England and subdue the whole country in eleuen daies for in that smal space he brought it to due obedience Further he mocked the Duke of Burgundie for spending his treasure in defending the sea and wished that the Earle were already landed in England But what excuse could he make now for himselfe receiuing so great losse through his owne fault saue this that such a mishap was not to be doubted of which excuse a Prince growen to mans estate ought to be ashamed for it will not serue Wherefore let King Edwards example teach all Princes that thinke it shame to feare their enimies to be wise in time for notwithstanding that the greatest part of their seruants through flatterie vphold their sayings and that themselues also by such words suppose to purchase an opinion of great courage yet sure whatsoeuer is said to their face wise men account such language but meere folly for it is great honor to feare that which is to be feared and to prouide for it accordingly Further a wise man in a Princes companie is a great treasure and iewell if he may be beleeued and haue leaue to speake the truth By chance the Lord of Gruteuse the Duke of Burgundies lieutenant in Holland was at that present in the place where King Edward arriued who being aduertised by certaine that the King sent to land both of his arriuall and of the danger he was in of the Easterlings gaue commandement foorthwith to the said Easterlings not to touch him and went also himselfe into the Kings ship to welcome him And thus he landed 3 being accompanied with his brother the Duke of Glocester who afterward named himselfe King Richard and a traine of fifteen hundred persons The King had not one peny about him but gaue the Master of the ship for his passage a goodly gowne furred with martins promising one day to do him a good turne and as touching his traine neuer so poore a company was seen But the Lord of Gruteuse dealt very honorably with them for he gaue much apparel among them defraied the King to La Hay in Holland whither he himselfe also waited vpon him Afterward he aduertised the Duke of Burgundie of this aduenture who was maruellously abashed at the newes and had much rather haue heard of the
of the Duke of Guiennes death and that the K. had alreadie recouered a great part of his countrie The like aduertisements receiued he also incontinent from others but reporting diuersly of the said Dukes death Soone after returned Simon of Quinchy from the King with a cold answer for he refused to sweare the treatie which the Duke tooke very disdainfully as a matter tending to his contempt and dishonor His men also in time of war as well for this as other causes spake very villanous and opprobrious words of the King and I warrant you the French requited them with the like The Duke of Burgundie being almost out of his wits bicause of these newes by the perswasion of certaine no lesse sorie for this accident than himselfe writ letters to diuers townes of the realme charging the King with his brothers death but little it auailed for no man stirred 1 Notwithstanding if the Duke of Guienne had liued vndoubtedly the King should haue had ynough to do for the Britons were in a readines to inuade him hauing greater intelligences in the realme than euer before all the which failed by the Dukes death The Duke of Burgundy in this fury put himselfe into the field and marched towards Nesle in Vermandois making foule and cruell war contrary to his accustomed maner for he spoiled and burned all the countrey as he passed His vaward marched before him and besieged the said towne of Nesle being of no force but the Duke himselfe lodged three leagues from it Within the towne were certaine franke archers that slew a herald of the Dukes comming to summon them Further their captaine came foorth to parle vnder surety thinking to bring the matter to composition but could not and as he returned into the towne the truce yet continuing bicause of his saly they within the towne notwithstanding that themselues stood open vpon the wall no man seeking to hurt them slew yet two other of the Dukes men wherfore the truce was disauowed word sent to the Lady of Nesle being within the towne to come foorth with all hir household stuffe which she did accordingly and immediately after the place was assaulted and taken and the greatest part of them that were within it slaine all that were taken aliue were hanged saue a few whom the soldiers for very pity let go a number also had their hands cut off It lotheth me to make mention of this cruelty but bicause I was present somewhat I am forced to write therof And sure either the Duke was maruellously passioned in that he committed so cruell an act or some great caused mooued him thereunto He alleaged two the one the Duke of Guiennes death wherof he spake very strangely vpon other mens report the other the griefe he had conceiued for the losse of Amiens and Saint Quintin aboue rehearsed Some that shall read this that foloweth will thinke happily that there was small faith in these two Princes or that I misreport them I would be loth to misreport either of them And to the King our Master how much I am bound all the world knoweth But to continue my history right reuerend father in God in such sort as you haue required I am forced to vtter that I know howsoeuer it passed And I doubt not but these two being compared with other Princes shall seeme noble woorthy and honorable and the King our Master wise aboue all the rest who left his realme enlarged and in peace with all his enimies Wherefore let vs now consider whether of these two Princes sought to deceiue the other to the end that if heereafter this history happen to fall into the hands of some yoong Prince that hath to negotiate in such like affaires he may by reading thereof be the better instructed how to looke to himselfe For notwithstanding that neither Princes nor enimies be alwaies alike nor deale alike in like affaires yet is it good to know the histories of times past To speake therefore vprightly I thinke both these Princes were fully bent each to deceiue other and tended both to one end as you shall heare Both of them had their armies abroad in a readines The King had already taken diuers places and during the treaty made sharpe war vpon his brother whom the Lords of Courton Patris Foucart and diuers others had already relinquished were receiued into the Kings seruice Further his army lay about Rochell hauing great intelligence in the towne for the citizens practised continually as well bicause of the rumor of this treaty as also bicause of the Dukes sicknes And I thinke the Kings resolution was if he could atchieue his enterprise there or his brother hapned to die not to sweare the treaty but if he found great resistance to sweare it and performe his promise thereby to auoid all danger And sure he lost no time but vsed great diligence delaying also very cunningly Simon of Quingy the space of eight daies during the which delay his brother died further he knew well the Duke of Burgundy so greatly to desire the restitution of these two townes aboue named that he durst not flatly fall out with him Wherefore he meant to delay him and feed him foorth with faire words fifteen or twenty daies as he did accordingly to see in the meane time what would happen Now that I haue spoken of the King and shewed how he was purposed to deale with the Duke it is fit I should also declare how the Duke was minded towards him and thought to delude him had not the Duke of Guiennes death happened Simon of Quinchy by the Kings request had a commission from the Duke his Master commanding him immediately after the treatie sworne and writings deliuered for the confirmation thereof to go into Britaine to informe the Duke of Britaine of the conditions of the peace and in like maner the Duke of Guiennes ambassadors resident in Britaine to the end they might aduertise their Master thereof at Bordeaux whereby the King meant to put the Britons into the greater feare when they should see themselues abandoned of him that was their chiefe anchor hold Now you shall vnderstand that Simon of Quinchy had in his company a rider of the Dukes Escuirie called Henry a Parisian borne a wise fellow and of good experience who had a letter of credit to the said Simon written with the Dukes owne hand but his commission was not to deliuer it till the said Simons departure from the King and his arriuall to the Duke of Britaine at Nantes where his charge was to deliuer him the letter and this message withall That he should will the Duke of Britaine not to thinke that his Master would abandon the Duke of Guienne and him for he would succour them both with body and goods and that he had concluded this treatie to none other end but to auoid war and recouer the townes of Saint Quintine and Amiens which the King in time of peace contrary to his promise
was their onely man of wisdome and experience in the countrey besides that generally the Britaines desire nothing more than peace with Fraunce bicause continually a great number of them haue good entertainment and be in good estimation in this realme not vnwoorthily for sure in times past they haue done great seruice heere Wherefore me thinke the King did very wisely in concluding this treaty notwithstanding that some not considering so deepely thereof as himselfe did thought otherwise of it He had a very good opinion of the Lord of Lescute knew there was no danger in putting those offices and places of charge that he did into his hands bicause he was a man of honor would neuer during these diuisions haue any intelligence with the English men nor consent that the townes in Normandie 2 should be yeelded to them but had beene the onely stay thereof which was the cause of all his preferment When the King had well debated this matter he commanded Sousplenuille to put in writing all that his Master required as well for the Duke as himselfe which done the King granted him all his demands being these A pension of 80000. franks for the Duke for his master the Lord of Lescute a pension of 6000. franks the gouernment of Guienne the two Seneschalships of Launes and Bordelois the captainship of one of the castels of Bordeaux the captainship of Blaye and of the two castels of Bayonne of Dax and of Saint Seuer 24000. crownes in ready mony the Kings order and the Earldome of Comminges All the which the King granted and agreed vnto saue that the Dukes pension was diminished by the one halfe and continued but two yeeres Further the King gaue the said Sousplenuille 6000. crownes which with the other 24. thousand giuen to his Master were to be paid in fower yeeres a pension of 1200. franks the Mayraltie of Bayonne the Bailywick of Montargis and certaine other small offices in Guienne All the which aboue rehearsed estates his Master and he enioied till the Kings death Philip d'Essars likewise was made Bailife of Meaux and lieutenant of the waters and forrests throughout the realme of Fraunce and had also a pension granted him of 1200. franks and 4000. crownes in ready money all the which offices and estates from that day till the King our Master his death they quietly enioied and the Lord of Comminges continued during his life his trustie and faithfull seruant The King hauing pacified all matters in Britaine marched straight toward Picardie for he and the Duke of Burgundie vsed alwaies when winter approched to make truce for sixe moneths or a yeere and some time more After the which their woonted maner they made truce at this present which the Chancellor of Burgundie with certaine others came to the King to conclude There the Kings Commissioners read the finall peace made with the Duke of Britaine whereby the said Duke renounced the league he was entred into with the English men and the D. of Burgundie wherfore the King required the Duke of Burgundies ambassadors not to comprehend the Duke of Britaine in the truce as their confederate whereunto they would not condiscend but agreed that the Duke of Britaine should be at his choise to declare himselfe within the time accustomed either the Kings confederate or theirs alleaging that heertofore also the said Duke had abandoned them by writing yet had not departed from their friendship Further adding that though he were a Prince wholy led and gouerned by others and doing little of himselfe yet in the end he euer yeelded to that which was best and most necessary for his estate All this was done in the yeere 1473. During this treatie they murmured on both sides against the Earle of Saint Paule Constable of Fraunce for the King and those that were neerest about him had conceiued maruellous hatred against him And the Duke of Burgundy hated him woorse than they as he had iust cause to do for I know the reasons that mooued them both to beare him ill will The Duke had not yet forgotten that he was the onely occasion of the losse of Amiens and Saint Quintin and perceiued well that he nourished this war betweene the King and him For in time of truce he spake him as faire as was possible but so soone as the war opened he shewed himselfe his mortall foe Further the Earle had sought to constraine him by force to marrie his daughter to the Duke of Guienne as before 〈◊〉 â—â—ue heard Besides all this there was yet another grudge for while the Duke lay before Amiens the Constable made a road into Henault and among other cruell exploits burned the castell of Seure belonging to a Knight named Master Baudouin of Launay before the which time they vsed on neither side to fire any place But in reuenge thereof the Duke this last sommer burned the countrie all the way his armie passed as before you haue heard Thus they began to practise the Constables destruction for the accomplishment whereof diuers of the Kings men conferred with such of the Dukes seruants as they knew to be his mortall enimies for the French had him in as great iealousie as the Duke of Burgundie had and accused him as the onely occasion of the war wherefore all his treaties and practises with both parties were ripped vp and discouered and they both sought his death Some man may peraduenture aske heerafter if the King alone were not of power sufficient to put him to death whereunto I answer that he was not For his lands lay iust in the middest betweene the King and the Duke further he held Saint Quintin a great and strong towne in Vermandois and of his owne Han Bohain and other very strong places neere to the said Saint Quintin the which he might man at all times with any nation at his owne pleasure He had charge vnder the King of fower hundred men of armes well paied of the which companie himselfe was controller and tooke the muster which was no small profit to him for his companies were not complete Besides all this he had a yeerely pension of 45000. franks and of euerie tunne of wine that passed through his countrie into Flaunders or Henault he receiued a crowne for impost He had also goodly seigniories and possessions of his owne inheritance and great intelligence as well in Fraunce as in the Dukes dominions where he had many kinsfolks and allies The truce betweene the King and the Duke continued a whole yeere all the which space this practise endured and the Kings men addressed themselues wholie to the Lord of Hymbercourt so often before named who of long time had beene the Constables enimy besides that their hatred was lately increased For in an assembly held at Roye where the Constable and others were commissioners for the King and the Chancellor of Burgundy and the Lord of Hymbercourt with diuers others for the Duke as they conferred togither of their affaires the
from the Duke of Burgundie the castell of Tronquoy the townes of Montdidier Roye and Corbie and how he sought to perswade the Emperor Frederick to seiz vpon all that the said Duke held of the Empire Chap. 3. ABout this time the truce ended between the King and the Duke to the Kings great griefe who gladly would haue prolonged it but seeing no remedie he went and besieged a little castel called Tronquoy in the yeere 1475. in the very beginning of sommer the pleasantest time of the yeere The castell in short space was taken by assault The next day the K. sent me to parle with them that were within Montdidier who yeelded the place departed with bag baggage Thence I went the third day being accompanied with the Admiral of Fraunce bastard of Bourbon to parle with them that were within Roye who in like maner yeelded the piece bicause they were vtterly in despaire of succors which sure if the Duke had been in the countrie they would not haue done Notwithstanding both these townes were burned contrarie to our promise Thence the King departed and laid his campe before Corbie which abode the siege Goodly approches were made to the towne and the Kings artillerie bet it three daies within it was the Lord of Contay 1 and diuers others who yeelded the place and departed with bag and baggage two daies after this poore town was also sacked and burned as the two former Then the King thought to repaire home with his armie trusting to perswade the Duke of Burgundie to make truce considering the distresse he was in But a certaine Lady whom I know well yet will not name bicause she is still liuing writ him a letter willing him to leade his armie to Arras and into those parts whereunto the King agreed for she was a woman of honor I commend hir not in thus doing for she was in no respect bound to the King The King sent thither the Lord Admirall bastard of Bourbon with a great band of men which burned many townes in those quarters and spoiled all the countrie betweene Abbeuille and Arras whereupon the citizens of Arras who were puffed vp with pride bicause of their long prosperity compelled the garrison of the towne to issue foorth But being too weake to encounter with the Kings forces they were put to flight and pursued so speedily that many of them were slaine and taken togither with all their captaines namely Master Iames of Saint Paule 2 the Constables brother the Lord of Contay the Lord of Carency and diuers others some of the which were neere kinsmen to the Lady hir selfe that caused this enterprise so that she receiued great dammage by the ouerthrow but the King for hir sake repaired all in time The King sent to the Emperor as you haue heard Iohn Tiercelin Lord of Brosse partly to sollicite him not to make peace with the Duke of Burgundy and partly to make his excuse for not sending his forces according to his promise and further to assure him that he would shortly send them and would also continue to spoile and endamage the Dukes dominions as well in the marches of Burgundy 3 as also in Picardy Lastly he made him a new ouuerture which was that they should sweare each to other not to make peace the one without the other and that the Emperor should seaze into his hands all the seigniories that the Duke held and ought to hold of the Empire and proclaime them forfaited to him and he would do the like with all those that were held of the crowne of Fraunce namely Flaunders Artois Burgundy and the rest The Emperor though all his life time he had made small shew of any valor yet was he wise and of great experience bicause of his ancient yeeres Further these practises between vs and him had continued so long that he waxed weary of the wars notwithstanding that they cost him neuer a grote For all the Princes of Almaine lay there vpon their owne charge as their maner is when the war concerneth the state of the empire The Emperor answered the Kings ambassadors after this sort There was somtime neere to a certaine city in Germany a great Beare that much endamaged the countrie three good fellowes of the which city being tauerne haunters came to a tauerne where they were indebted desiring their host yet once more to giue them credit promising him within two daies paiment of the whole debt for they would take this Beare that did so much harme in the countrey whose skin was woorth a great sum of money besides the presents that good folkes would giue them whereunto their host agreed and when they had dined foorth they went toward this beasts caue neere to the which when they approched they met with the Beare vnlooked for and being stricken with sudden feare fled one got vp into a tree the other fled towards the towne but the third the Beare tooke and ouerthrew and foiled vnder hir feete holding hir mussell hard to his eare The poore soule lay flat vpon the ground as though he had been dead Now you shall vnderstand that the nature of a Beare is such that whatsoeuer she holdeth in hir clawes man or beast so soon as she seeth it leaue stirring she foorthwith forsaketh it supposing it to be dead as also this Beare left this poore fellow not doing him any great harme and returned to hir den Then he seeing the danger past arose and went towards the towne But his fellow that stood in the tree hauing beheld all this pageant came downe and ran crying after him to stay and when he had ouertaken him desired him to tell him faithfully what counsell the Beare gaue him in his eare whereto she held hir mussell so long whereunto his fellow answered that she bad him neuer to sell the Beares skin till the Beare were slaine And with this fable paid the Emperor our King not giuing his ambassadors any further answer as though he should haue said come hither according to your promise and let vs take this Duke if we can and then make partition of his goods The Notes 1 This Contay is successor to him mentioned in the wars against the Liegeois 2 This Iames is named in other histories Lord of Richebourg 3 For in the marches of Burgundy the Duke of Bourbon had giuen the Burgundians a great ouerthrow as our author in the next chapter maketh mention How the Constable began to be had in suspicion againe as well of the King as of the Duke of Burgundy Chap. 4. YOu haue heard how Master Iames of Saint Paule and others were taken prisoners before Arras Their captiuity was to the Constables great greefe for the said Master Iames was a louing and naturall brother to him But this was not the onely misfortune that fell vpon him for at this very instant was also taken the Earle of Roussy his sonne gouernor of Burgundy for the Duke 1 and likewise his wife died which was a
vertous Lady and sister to the Queene of Fraunce so that for hir sake he had found great friendship and fauor in our court The practise begun against him still continued which as you haue heard was almost concluded at the assembly held thereabout at Bouuines after the which the Constable neuer thought himselfe in assurance but mistrusted both the Princes especially the King who seemed to repent the reuoking of his letters there sealed Further the Earle of Dampmartin others whom the Constable feared as his enimies lay with their men of armes neere to Saint Quintins wherefore he held himselfe within the towne and put into it three hundred footemen of his owne tenants hauing but small affiance in his men of armes He liued in great trouble for the King had often sent to him to sollicite him to come foorth to do him seruice in the marches of Henault and to besiege Auennes at the same time that the Admirall with his band went to burne the countrey of Artois as you haue heard which commandement he obeied but with great feare for after he had lien a certaine space before the said towne of Auennes with a continual garde about his person he retired into his owne places and sent the King word by one of his seruants who did his message to me by the Kings commandement that he had raised his siege bicause he was certainly enformed that there were two in the army purposely hired by the King to kill him whereof also he told so many apparant tokens that he seemed indeed to haue some notice thereof so far foorth that one of them was suspected to haue disclosed somwhat to him that he ought to haue kept secret but I will name no man neither speake further heerof The Constable sent often to the Duke of Burgundies campe I suppose to perswade him to relinquish his foolish enterprise aduertising the King also vsually at his mens returne of some such newes as he thought would like him well and withall what was the cause of his sending thither hoping by this means to entertaine him with faire words Somtime also he gaue him to vnderstand that the Dukes affaires had good proceeding thereby to put him in feare Further doubting greatly that the King would inuade him he desired the Duke to send vnto him his brother Master Iames of Saint Paul being at Nuz before he was taken prisoner and the Lord of Fiennes with certaine others of his kinsmen promising to put them and their bands into Saint Quintins but without the Saint Andrews crosse 2 and to keepe the towne for the Duke and restore it him shortly after for performance also wherof he offered to giue him his faith in writing The Duke did as he required and when the said Master Iames the Lord of Fiennes and the rest of the Constables kinsmen were twise come within a league or two of the towne ready to enter the Constable thinking the storme past altered his minde and sent a countermaunde This did he thrise so desirous was he still to liue in dissimulation and swim as it were between two streams fearing maruellously both these Princes Of this matter I haue been enformed by diuers but especially by Master Iames of Saint Paul himselfe who thus reported the circumstance thereof to the King when he was brought prisoner before him where no man was present but my selfe alone The said Master Iames answered frankly and without dissimulation to all the Kings demands whereby he wan greatly his fauor First the King asked him how many men he had with him to enter the towne whereunto he answered that the last time he had three thousand Then the King inquired further if he had entred and had been Master of the towne whether he would haue held it for the King or the Constable Whereunto he likewise answered that the two first times he came but to comfort his brother but the last seeing his dissimulation to his Master and him if he had entred and had been Master of the towne he would haue held it for his Master not offring his brother any outrage nor doing any thing to his preiudice saue onely that he would not haue departed the town at his commandement Soone after the King deliuered the said Iames of Saint Paul out of prison and gaue him charge of a goodly company of men of armes and vsed his seruice till his death of which his preferment his wise answers were the onely cause The Notes 1 This ouerthrow the Duke of Bourbon gaue the Burgundians neere to a place called Grey or Gy not far from Chausteauguion and in the battell was slain the Lord of Conches others say but taken and there were taken prisoners the Earle of Roussy being gouernor of Burgundy the Marshall of Burgundie the Earle of Ioigny the Earle of Saint Martins sonne Monseur de L'Isle Monseur de Longey or Longny the bailife of Ampois and the bailife of Auxerre This battell was fought on tuesday the 20. of Iune 1475. and in it two hundred men of armes Lombards were slaine Meyer About this time also the Prince of Orenge was taken prisoner and by meanes thereof reuolted from the Duke to the King Annal. Burgund 2 The Saint Andrewes crosse is the Burgundians cognisance and if they had entred with this crosse vpon their cotes the Constable could haue no longer temporised with the King of Fraunce but should foorthwith haue been proclaimed traitor How the Duke of Burgundy leuied his siege before Nuz by composition and how the King of England his confederate sent to defie King Lewis Chap. 5. I Haue discoursed of diuers affaires since I began with the siege of Nuz bicause they all hapned in that time for the siege indured a whole yeere There were two causes especially that mooued the Duke to leuy his siege one the war the King made in Picardy where he had burned two proper townes and destoied a goodly champaine countrey in Artois and Ponthieu The other the mighty army the King of England leuied at his sute and sollicitation whom till now he could neuer perswade to passe into Fraunce notwithstanding that he had labored him thereunto al the daies of his life The said King of England and all his nobles were maruellously discontented with the Dukes delaies and besides intreaties vsed threatnings and not without cause considering the great charges they had sustained and all to no purpose the sommer being now almost spent The Duke gloried much that this Dutch army being so great that the like hath not been seene in our age nor many yeeres before and in the which were so many Princes Prelates and free cities ioined togither was not able to raise his siege 1 But this glory cost him full deere for he that hath the profit of the war reapeth also the honor thereof Notwithstanding the Legate aboue mentioned who rode continually betweene the two camps made peace in the end betweene the Emperor and the Duke 2 and the towne of Nuz
was put into the said Legats hands to do therewith according to the determination of the Sea Apostolike Now consider in how great distresse the Duke of Burgundy was being on the one side vexed with war by the King and threatned on the other by the King of England his friend so that notwithstanding he knew the towne of Nuz to be brought to such extremitie that within lesse than fifteen daies famine would haue constrained them to yeeld to his mercie yea within ten daies as one of the captaines within the towne who afterward serued the King aduertised me yet for the reasons aboue alleaged he was forced to leuie his siege 3 in the yeere 1475. Let vs now returne to the K. of England who led his armie to Douer there to embarke to crosse the seas to Calice The force that passed with him at this present was the greatest that euer came into France all of them being on horseback in very good order and well armed All the nobles of the realme were there a fewe excepted they were 1500. men of armes very well mounted and the most of them barded and richly trapped after the maner of our wars and well accompanied with horsemen of their retinue They were at the least 15000. archers all mounted and a great number of footemen and others aswell to pitch their tents wherefore they were well furnished as also to attende vpon their artillerie and inclose their campe and in all their army they had not one Page besides these there were three thousand English men appointed to land in Britaine This I haue written before but rehearse it heere againe to the end you may perceiue that God was purposed to trouble the Duke of Burgundies wits and preserue this realme which he hath euer more fauored than any other otherwise it is to be thought that the Duke would so obstinately haue lien before Nuz a place so strong so well defended seeing all his life time till now he could neuer finde the English men disposed to inuade the realme of Fraunce and knew them to be vtterly vnacquainted with our French wars till they be trained therein for if he would haue done any good with them he should neuer haue left them the first sommer but helped them and taught them to order and leade their battels after the maner of our wars for there is no nation so ignorant and rude as the English men at their first landing in Fraunce but in very short space they becom excellent good soldiers hardie and wise But the Duke did cleane contrarie for besides these other his ouersights he made them lose the sommer and as touching him selfe his armie was so broken so poore and in so euill order that he durst not present it before them for he lost before Nuz fower thousand soldiers taking pay some of the which were the best men he had 4 Thus you see how God disposed him in all points to do contrarie both to that his affaires required and also to the arte of war wherein himselfe had been exercised by the space of ten yeeres more than any man liuing When King Edward came to Douer the Duke of Burgundy to further his passage sent fiue hundred botes of Holland and Zealand called Scuts which are flat and low built very commodiously for transporting of horses But notwithstanding all this helpe they had from the Duke and all the King of England could command himselfe he was aboue three weekes in passing betweene Callice and Douer yet are they but seuen leagues distant whereby you may perceiue with how great difficultie a King of England inuadeth Fraunce And if the King our Master had been as well acquainted with the wars by sea as by land King Edward had neuer passed ouer at the least not that sommer But the King vnderstood them not and those that had charge of them much lesse The King of England as I haue said was three weekes in passing one ship of Eu tooke two or three of his small passengers Before King Edward embarked he sent from Douer to the King one herault alone called Garter a Norman borne 5 who brought a letter of defiance from the King of England in verie good language and so excellently well penned that I am verilie perswaded it was neuer of English mans dooing The contents of the letter were that the King should yeelde vnto him the realme of Fraunce being his inheritance to the end he might restore the cleargie and nobilitie to their ancient libertie ease them of the great charges they sustained and deliuer them from the miseries they liued in which if he refused to do he protested what great mischeefes should insue thereof in maner and forme as in such cases is accustomed The King read the letter softly to himselfe and afterward all alone withdrew himselfe into a wardrob and commanded the herault to be brought to his presence to whom he made this answer First that he knew well the King of England was not passed the seas of his owne motion but by the perswasion of the Duke of Burgundie and the commonaltie of England secondarily that the sommer was now almost spent and that the Duke of Burgundie returned from Nuz as a man discomfited and vtterly vnfurnished of all things thirdly as touching the Constable he knew well he said that he had intelligence with the King of England bicause he had married his neece 6 but would deceiue the King his master as he had deceiued him notwithstanding all the great benefites he had receiued of him which he there rehearsed adding thereunto that the said Constable meant to liue in continuall dissimulation and entertaine euery man to make his profite of him last of all he alleaged to the herault diuers other reasons to perswade the King his Master to peace and gaue him with his owne hands three hundred crownes promising him a thousand more if peace were concluded further openly he gaue him for a present a goodly peece of crimosin veluet of thirty ells The herault answered that he would trauell the best he could for peace and thought the King his Master would easily be woon thereunto but that no mention must be made thereof till he were on this side the sea and then he willed the King our Master to send a herault to the English campe to demand a safe conduct for certaine ambassadors that he would send to the King of England and to addresse his letters to the Lord Hovvard or the Lord Stanley and to himselfe also to helpe to conuay his herault A great number there were without in the hall while the King talked with the herault very desirous to heare the Kings answer and to see his countenance at his comming foorth When he had made an end he called me to him bidding me continually to entertaine the herault till some were appointed to beare him companie to the end no man might commune with him and further to giue him a peece of crimosin veluet of thirtie ells
which I did accordingly Then the King began to talke with diuers rehearsing vnto them the contents of these letters of defiance and seuen or eight he called apart causing the said letters to be read and shewing a good and assured countenance void of al feare for he was glad of the comfort the herault had put him in The Notes 1 Melancthon writeth that the Emperor vvould not hazard a battell neither vvith Matthias King of Hungarie nor Duke Charles Quia sibi sciebat Martem in genesi infoeliciter positum esse But Berlandus saith that the Duke fought vvith the Emperor Meyer saith that in a skirmish the Duke ouerthrevv the Marquesse Albert of Brandenbourg and slue 120. of his men and tooke diuers prisoners and another time ouerthrevv the Bishop of Munster slue fiftie tooke sixteene and chased the Bishop hard to the Emperors campe and likevvise another time the Bishops of Mentz Treues Munster and Marquesse Albert and slue a great number of their men And last of all bicause the Emperor and the Duke contended vvhether of them should first depart from before Nuz their footmen ioined and the Duke slue 1500. 2 Peace vvas concluded betvveene the Emperor and the Duke 31. Maij. 1475. 3 The Emperor departed from Nuz 29. Iunij leauing the Duke there vvho vvould not leuie his siege before the Emperors departure bicause of his honor but soone after departed also the Duke Meyer 4 The Duke lost before Nuz 15000. men Annal. Burgund vvherefore Meyer hath small reason to reprooue our author for saying that the Dukes armie vvas in so poore estate that he durst not let the English men see it 5 Hall in his Chronicle reproueth our author for reporting this Garter to be a Norman saying that neuer Norman was King of heraults which notwithstandyng I Know not why we should beleeue for he him selfe confesseth that King Edward the fourth made a Gascoine namely Vaucler Deputie of Calice a much higher and more dangerous office to be in a strangers hand than this 6 How the Queene of England was the Constables neece the pedegree in the ende of this booke will declare Of the trouble the Constable was in and how he sent letters of credit to the King of England and the Duke of Burgundy which after were in part cause of his death Chap. 6. I Must yet speake a word or two more heer of the Constable who was not a little troubled as well for the lewd touch he had plaid the Duke of Burgundy about the restitution of Saint Quintins as also bicause he saw himselfe vtterly disfauored of the King so far foorth that his cheefe seruants namely the Lords of Genly and Mouy had alreadie relinquished him and were in the Kings seruice notwithstanding the said de Mouy resorted still to him sometime Further the King pressed the Constable earnestly to come to him offering to make him such recompence for the countie of Guise as he required and the King had often promised him The Constable was willing to go so that the K. would sweare by the crosse of S. Lou of Angiers to do him no harme nor consent that any other should alleaging that he might as wel sweare therby now as in times past he did to the Lord of Lescute whereunto the King answered that he would neuer giue that oth to any man 1 but any other he would not refuse to sweare You may easily gesse how much both the King and the Constable were troubled for that no day escaped for a certaine space but one or other passed betweene them about this oth Wherefore if we well weigh our estate mans life is very miserie for we toile and trauell our selues to shorten our owne daies saying and writing a number of things cleane contrarie to our thought To conclude if these two were troubled on the one side I warrant you the King of England and the Duke of Burgundie were no lesse troubled on the other At one time in a maner both the King of England landed at Callice 2 and the Duke of Burgundie departed from before Nuz who in great haste rode straight to Callice to the said King with a very small traine for he had sent his armie in such poore estate as you haue heard to spoile the countrie of Barrois and Lorraine to the end they might there make merrie and refresh themselues which he did bicause the Duke of Lorraine had begun war vpon him and defied him before Nuz But this sending of his forces into Lorraine among diuers other his ouersights in his actions with the English men was not the lest for they thought at their landing to haue found him with 2500. men of armes well appointed and great force of other horsemen and footemen for so he had promised thereby to allure them to passe the seas and further that he would haue made war in Fraunce three moneths before their arriuall to the end they might finde the King the wearier and the weaker but God as you haue heard disposed otherwise of this matter The King of England departed from Callice in companie of the Duke of Burgundie and passed through Bolaine and from thence to Peronne where the Duke gaue the English men but cold entertainment for he caused the gates to be straightly garded and would suffer but few to enter so that the greatest part of them lodged in the fields as they might well do for they were well prouided of all things necessarie for that purpose After they were come to Peronne the Constable sent to the Duke of Burgundy one of his seruants called Levvis of Creuille by whom he excused himselfe for the withholding of Saint Quintins alleaging that if he had restored it he could haue stood him in no stead in the realme of Fraunce for he should vtterly haue lost his credit and intelligence there but now seeing the King of England was come ouer in person he promised to do heerafter all that the Duke should command him whereof the better to assure him he sent him a letter of credit directed to the King of England but referring the matter of credit to the declaration of the Duke Further he gaue the Duke his faith in writing to serue and succour him his friends and confederates as well the King of England as others against all men none excepted The Duke deliuered the King of England his letter and withall the matter of credit adding somwhat thereto of his own deuise for he assured the King that the Constable would deliuer into his hands both Saint Quintins and all his other places which the King easily beleeued partly bicause he had maried the Constables neece and partly bicause he saw him in so great feare of the King our Master that he thought he durst not faile of his promise made to the Duke and him and the Duke beleeued it also But the Constable meant nothing lesse for the fear he stood in of the King our Master was not so great that it could force
him so far But he vsed still his woonted dissimulation hoping by these faire messages to content them and shew them so apparant reasons of his dooings that they would not as yet constraine him to declare himselfe Now you shall vnderstand that King Edvvard and his men were nothing acquainted with our affaires but went bluntly to worke so that they could not as yet smell out the cunning vsed heere on this side the sea for naturally the English men that neuer trauelled abroad are very colerick as are also al people of cold coūtries 3 The realme of Fraunce as you see is situate betweene both for it is inuironed with Italy Spaine and Catalonia towards the east 4 and with England Flaunders and Holland towards the west 5 and all along the countrey of Champaigne Almaine bordereth vpon it so that our countrey taketh part both of heate and cold wherfore the French are of two complexions but in mine opinion I neuer saw countrey in my life better seated than the realme of Fraunce The King of England who reioiced maruellously at this message sent by the Constable although happily he had receiued some such promise before but not so large departed from Peronne with the Duke of Burgundy who had no force there for his army was in Barrois and Lorraine towards Saint Quintins whereunto when they approched a great band of Englishmen ran before thinking as I heard it reported a few daies after that the bels should haue rung at their comming that the citizens would haue receiued them with crosse and holy water But when they drew neere the town the artillery shot and the soldiers issued foorth to the skirmish both on horsebacke and foote so that two or three English men were slaine and some taken Further it rained terribly and in this estate returned they in great rage to their campe murmuring against the Constable and calling him traitor The next morning the Duke of Burgundy would haue taken his leaue of the King of England to depart to his army into Barrois promising to do maruels in his fauor But the English men who naturally are suspicious and were strangers in these countries maruelled much at his so sudden departure seeing they had passed the seas at his request and were greatly discontented therwith neither would they beleeue that his army was in a readines Besides that the Duke could by no meanes repaire the Constables former credit with them notwithstanding that he affirmed all his dooings to be to a good end The winter also which drew neere dismaied them so that they seemed by their words desirous rather of peace than war The Notes 1 The King vvould not svveare by the crosse of Saint Lou of Angiers bicause vvho so touched that crosse and for svvare himselfe died miserably within a yeere after 2 The King of England landed at Calais the 4. of Iuly Meyer 3 The reason is Propter crassos humores quibus abundant eorum corpora qui vehementiores excitant affectus innatam caloris vim quae etiam augetur per antiperistasin 4 By the east he meaneth all seas to the great Ocean 5 By the vvest he meaneth all vvest and north seas How the King clothed a poore seruant in a cote armor with a scutchin and sent him to speake with the King of England in his Campe where he receiued a very good answere Chap. 7. IN the meane time euen at the very instant that the D. of Burgundy was taking his leaue the English men tooke prisoner a gentlemans seruant of the Kings house named Iames of Grasse whom foorthwith they led to the King of England and the Duke being togither and from them into a tent where when they had examined him the Duke tooke his leaue to go into Brabant and from thence to Maizieres where part of his army lay The King of England commanded the said seruant to be dismissed bicause he was their first prisoner And at his departure the Lord Hovvard and the Lord Stanley gaue him a noble saying Do our humble commendations to the K. your Master if you can come to his presence The fellow came in great haste to the King being at Compiegne with these newes who foorthwith began to suspect him as a spie bicause Gilbert of Grasse his Masters brother was then very well entertained in the Duke of Britaines court wherefore he was committed to warde and straightly kept that night Notwithstanding the King commanded diuers to commune with him by whose report his tale seemed voide of all suspicion and feare Wherefore they desired the King to vouchsafe to heare him and according to their request the next morning he himselfe spake with him and when he had heard him his irons were knocked off but he remained still in warde Then the King went to diner debating with himselfe whether he should send to the English men or not And before he sat downe talked three or fower words thereof with me For you know my Lord of Vienna that oftentimes he communed very familiarly with those that were neere about him as I was then and others after loued to talke in a mans eare he called then to minde the herault of Englands aduise which was that he should not faile to send to the King of England so soone as he was landed to demaund a safe conduct for certaine ambassadors that he would send to him and further to adresse his herault to the aboue named Lord Hovvard and the Lord Stanley After the King was set to diner and had mused a while as you know his maner was which seemed strange to those that knew him not for vnlesse a man had beenwel acquainted with his behauior he would haue iudged him of no great wisdome notwithstanding that his dooings sufficiently declared the contrary he bad me in mine eare to arise and dine in my chamber and send for a certaine seruant of the Lord of Halles son to Merichon of Rochell and to commune with him to know whether he durst aduenture to go to the K. of Englands campe in a heraults cote which his commandement I executed foorthwith maruelling much when I saw the said seruant for he seemed to me neither of personage nor behauior fit for such an enterprise notwithstanding he had a good wit and a very pleasant toong as I afterward perceiued the King had neuer spoken with him before but once The said seruant was maruellously astonished with my message fell downe before me on his knees as one accounting himselfe a dead man but I comforted confirmed him the best I could promising him an office in the I le of Ré a summe of money to cheere him the better tolde him that this proceeded of the English men themselues Then I made him dine with me none being present but we two and one of my seruants and by little and little perswaded him to do as he was required After I had been at diner a while the King sent for me and I told
haue the Duchy of Guienne for hir maintenance or 50000. crownes yeerely to be paied in the Tower of London by the space of nine yeeres which terme expired the King that now is and his wife should peaceably enioy the reuenues of the whole Duchie of Guienne and then the King our Master to be cleerely discharged of all paiments to the King of England Diuers other trifling articles there were touching matter of trafike which I ouerpasse Lastlie this truce was to endure nine yeeres betweene the two realmes all the confederates of both parties being comprehended therin and namely on the King of Englands behalfe the Dukes of Burgundie and Britaine if they themselues would Further the King of England made a maruellous strange offer which was to name in writing certaine noble men who he said were traitors to the King and his crowne The King reioiced maruellously at the report that his Commissioners made at their returne sat in counsell about these ouertures of peace where among others I my selfe was present Some supposed all this treatie to be meere deceit and cunning of the English men but the King was of a contrarie opinion for he alleaged first the time of the yeere saying that winter now approched and that they had not one place to lodge in secondarily he declared the euill turns the Duke of Burgundie had done them who was also departed from them And as touching the Constable he did in maner assure himselfe that he would put no places into their hands bicause he sent howerly to him to entertaine him to asswage his malice and to keepe him from doing harme lastly he alleaged the King of Englands disposition whom he knew well to be a Prince wholy giuen to his pleasures delights Wherfore he seemed to discourse wiselier than any man of the companie and better to vnderstand than any other the matters there debated He concluded therefore with all speed to pay this summe of mony and deuised order how to leuie it and in the end commanded that euery man should lend a portion the sooner to furnish it for the King cared not what he did to rid the King of England out of his realme saue onely that he would in no wise consent to put any places into the English mens hands for rather than he would suffer that he was fully determined to hazard all The Constable who began to smel these practises was stricken with sudden feare bicause he had offended all the three Princes Further he doubted much the treatie almost concluded against him at Bouuines Wherefore he sent often to the King and euen at this present arriued at the Court one of his gentlemen named Levvis of Creuille with one of his Secretaries called Iohn Richer who are both yet liuing They deliuered their message to the Lord of Bouchage and me before they spake with the King as his pleasure was they should The newes they brought liked the King well bicause he meant to vse them to good purpose as you shall heare The Lord of Contay seruant to the Duke of Burgundie lately taken prisoner before Arras as you haue heard went to and fro vpon his word betweene the Duke and the King and the King had promised to release him his raunsome and to giue him a great summe of money if he could perswade his Master to peace By chance he returned to the King the selfesame day that these two seruants of the Constables arriued Wherefore the King made him and me to stand in a great old presse in his chamber to the end he might heare and make report to his Master of the language the Constable and his seruants vsed of him We being there placed the King sate downe on a forme hard by the presse to the end we might the better heare Lewis of Creuilles and his companions message Who began thus that of late being by their Masters commandement with the Duke of Burgundie to perswade him to depart from the English mens friendship they found him in such a rage against the King of England that they had almost woon him not onely to abandon the English men but also to helpe to spoile and destroy them in their returne home And in vttering these words the better to please the King the said Lewis of Creuille counterfetting the Duke of Burgundies gesture by stamping vpon the ground and swearing Saint George rehearsed many reprochfull speeches that as they said the Duke vsed of the King of England To be short they vttered as many scofs and mocks of the D. as was possible The King made great sport with this matter bad the said Lewis of Creuille to speake alowd faining himselfe to be growen somwhat deafe and to tel him this tale againe which the other making no bones thereat did with a good will The said Contay who stood with me in the presse was maruellously astonished at this talke neither would haue beleeued it vnlesse himselfe had heard it The Constables mens conclusion was this They counselled the King for auoiding of all these great dangers he sawe hang ouer his head to conclude a truce for the which the said Constable offered to trauell to the vttermost of his power and to put into the English mens hands the better to content them some small towne or two to lodge them in this winter saying that were they neuer so bad yet the English men would holde themselues contented with them And it seemed by their talke though they named no place that they ment Eu and Saint Valery By this meanes the Constable trusted to recouer the King of Englands fauor which he had lost bicause of the refusall made him of his places But the King who thought it sufficient to haue plaied his part by bringing the Lord of Contay to heare what language the Constable and his men vsed of the Duke his Master gaue them no euill answer but said that he would send to his brother 2 to aduertise him of such newes as he knew and so licensed them to depart Notwithstanding one of them before his departure sware to reueale vnto him whatsoeuer he could learne touching him or his estate The King had much adoo to dissemble any longer when he heard them counsell him to put townes into the English mens hands Notwithstanding he gaue them no such answer whereby they might gather their counsell to be taken in euill part bicause he feared that would the more increase the Constables malice but sent one backe with them to their Master it was not far betweene him and vs for a man might go and come in very short space When the others were departed the L. of Contay I came out of the presse the K. laughed maruellously and was very mery with this pageant But the said Contay was so far out of patience to heare such petit companions thus flout and scoffe his Master especially the Constable pretending so great friendship to his Master and treating with him of so many matters that
earnestly the other the hope he had to reserue to himselfe a great part of the subsidie leuied in England for this voiage for as before I haue said the Kings of England receiue onely the bare reuenues of their lands saue when they leuie money to make war in Fraunce Further K. Edward had deuised this subtiltie to appease his subiects he had brought with him ten or 12. great fat paunches as well of the citie of London as of other townes in England who were the wealthiestmen of the commonaltie and had been the chiefest instruments both in perswading the King to passe into Fraunce and also in leuying this mightie army The King caused them to be lodged in good tents but that was not the life they were accustomed to lead wherefore they soone waxed wearie of it At their first arriuall they looked for the battell within three daies after their landing But the King of England alleaged many doubts vnto them and endeuored to put them in feare of the battell and to perswade them to allow of the peace to the ende they might aide him at their returne into England to pacifie the murmuring and grudging of the people that happily might arise bicause of his returne for neuer King of England since King Arthur passed at one time with so great force and so many noble personages into Fraunce But after the peace was concluded the King of England repaired homeward with speed reseruing to himselfe a great summe of monie leuied in England for the paiment of his soldiers so that he obtained in effect all his purposes His bodie could not away with such labor as a King of England must endure that mindeth to atchieue any great enterprise in Fraunce Further the King our Master had made great preparation for resistance though to say the truth he could not well haue prouided defence sufficient against all his enimies for he had too manie Lastly the King of England had a maruellous great desire to accomplish the marriage of his daughter with King Charles the 8. now raigning which caused him to winke at a number of inconueniences that turned after to the King our Masters great profit After all the English men were returned home sauing the hostages the King tooke his iourney towards Laon and lodged in a little towne vpon the maâ—â—â—es of Henault called Veruins and to Auennes in Henault came the Chauncelloâ— oâ— Burgundie with the Lord of Contay and other ambassadors from the Duke The King was very desirous at this time to conclude a finall peace for this mightie English armie had put him in feare and no maruell for he had seene in his time of their doings in this realme and would in no wise their returne The said Chauncellor writ to the King desiring that it would please him to send his Commissioners for the peace to a certaine bridge in the midway betweene Auennes and Veruins saying that he and his colleagues would meet them there The King sent him answer that he would come thither himselfe and notwithstanding that diuers whose aduise he asked in this matter perswaded him to the contrarie yet thither he went leading also with him the English hostages who were present when he receiued the Dukes ambassadors the which came very well accompanied with archers and men of war At this first meeting they did but salute the King then went to dinner One of the English men began to repent him that the treatie was concluded and said to me at a window that if they had seene many such men with the Duke of Burgundie peraduenture they would not haue made peace Which words the Vicount of Narbonne 1 now Lord of Fouez hearing said Were you so simple to thinke that the Duke of Burgundie had not great force of such men he had sent them onely to refresh themselues but you were so desirous to returne home that sixe hundred pipes of wine and a pension the King giueth you blew you quickly backe into England The English man in a great furie answered I perceiue now their sayings to prooue true that told vs you would deride vs for making peace Call you the money the King giueth vs a pension it is tribute and by Saint George you may babble so much that you may soone make vs to returne But I brake off their talke and turned it to a iest notwithstanding the Englishman was discontented and cast out a word thereof to the King who was maruellously offended with the Lord of Narbonne for his speech The King communed not long at this first meeting with the Chancellor and the other ambassadors for it was agreed that they should go with him to Veruines where when they arriued he coÌ„manded M. Tanneguy du Chastell and M. Peter Doriole Chancellor of Fraunce and others to negotiate with them much ado there was betweene them many reasons alleaged and many demands made on each side The Kings Commissioners made report to him that the Burgundians vsed fierce and stout language but that they had paid them with the like and withall tolde him what their answers were Which he much misliked saying that the like answers had been made diuers times before and that they treated not of a finall peace but onely of truce wherefore he would haue no more such language vsed but would himselfe commune with them and thereupon caused the said Chauncellor and the 〈◊〉 â—â—bassadors to come into his chamber out of the which all men were commanded to auoid saue the late L. Admirall called the bastard of Burbon Monseur de Bouchage and my selfe There the King concluded truce for nine yeeres wherein it was agreed that euery man shuld be restored to his former estate But the ambassadors besought the King that the truce might not yet be proclaimed to saue the D. their Masters oth who had sworne not to make truce before the King of England had been a certaine space in his realme least he should thinke their Master had accepted his truce But the King of England who thought great scorne that the Duke would not be comprehended in his truce being aduertised that he treated with the King of an other sent ouer into Fraunce a knight neere about him called Sir Thomas Montgomery who came to Veruins at the very same instant that the King treated with the Duke of Burgundies ambassadors of this truce aboue mentioned The said Sir Thomas required the King in the King his Masters name to make no other truce with the Duke of Burgundy than that which was already concluded betweene them two Further desiring him not to deliuer Saint Quintins into the Dukes hands offering that if he would continue war with the Duke his Master would be content the next sommer to passe the seas againe for him and in his aide with these conditions First that the King should recompence the losse the King of England should sustaine by the wooll custome of Calice amounting yeerely to 50000. crownes which if the war opened with
the reasons aboue alleaged and diuers others heere vnrehearsed that God had vtterly forsaken him and giuen him ouer And if it were lawfull for man to iudge as I know it is not especially for me I would say that in mine opinion all this misery fell vpon him bicause he trauelled continually to the vttermost of his power to nourish the war betweene the King and the Duke of Burgundy knowing his great authority and estate to depend therupon although to say the truth the matter needed no great labor for there was a naturall antipathy between them Who is so rude or ignorant to thinke that Fortune or any other like chance was able to cast so wise a man into the disgrace of both these Princes at once who in their liues neuer agreed in any thing saue onely this especially into the King of Englands disgrace who had maried his neece and loued entirely all his wiues kinsmen especially those of this house of Saint Paul It is like therefore yea it is most certaine that God had withdrawne his grace from him in that he had purchased himselfe such hatred of all these three Princes and had not one friend in the world that durst giue him a nights lodging Neither was it fained Fortune that strake this stroke but God alone The like whereof hath hapned and shall happen to diuers others who after great and long prosperity fall into great aduersity and trouble After the Constable was arrested in Hainault by the Duke of Burgundies commandement the King sent word to the Duke either to deliuer him into his hands or execute him according to the tenure of the writings aboue mentioned The Duke answered that he would so do and commanded the Constable to be led to Peronne and there straightly kept Further you shall vnderstand that the Duke had already taken diuers places in Lorraine and Barrois and at this present helde the siege before Nancy which was valiantly defended The King had great force of men of armes in Champaigne which held the Duke in feare for the King was not bound by the truce to suffer him to destroy the Duke of Lorraine who was retired into Fraunce The Lord of Bouchage and diuers other ambassadors sent by the King pressed the Duke earnestly to performe his promise oth and he answered euer that he would so do but yet delaid it more than a moneth ouer and aboue the eight daies wherin he should either haue deliuered the Constable or put him to death Notwithstanding in the end seeing the matter so earnestly pressed and fearing that the King would hinder his enterprise in Lorraine which he so much desired to atchieue to the end he might haue the passage open from Luxembourg into Burgundy and ioine all these Seniories togither for this little Duchy of Lorraine being his he might come vpon his owne dominions from Holland almost as far as Lions 2 For these considerations I say he wrote to his Chancellor and the Lord of Himbercourt so often already mentioned which two had absolute authority in his absence and were both of them the Constables enimies and euill willers to go to Peronne and deliuer the Constable at a day by him prefixed to those that the King should there appoint to receiue him sending word withall to the Lord Desmeriez to deliuer him to the said Chancellor and Himbercourt The Duke of Burgundy in the meane time beat continually the towne of Nancy but there were good soldiers within it which valiantly defended it Further one of the Dukes owne Captaines called the Earle of Campobache a Neapolitane born but banished thence for the house of Anious faction was lately entred into intelligence with the Duke of Lorraine heire apparant of the house of Aniou after the death of King Rene his mothers father This Earle of Campobache promised to prolong the siege and finde meanes that such things should be lacking as were necessary for the taking of the towne 3 Which his promise he was very well able to performe being then the greatest man in the Dukes army but a false traitor to his Master as heerafter you shall heare more at large This was a preparatiue as it were of all those euils and miseries that fell afterward vpon the Duke of Burgundy The said Duke meant as I suppose if he had taken the towne before the day appointed for the Constables deliuery not to deliuer him at all And on the otherside I thinke if the King had had him he would haue done more in the Duke of Lorraines fauor than he did for he was aduertised of the Earle of Campobaches traiterous practises but medled not with them yet was he not bound to let the Duke of Burgundy do what him listed in Lorraine notwithstanding for diuers respects he thought it best so to do besides this he had great forces vpon the frontiers of the said countrey of Lorraine The Duke could not take Nancy before the day appointed for the Constables deliuery 4 which being come the two aboue mentioned executed willingly their Masters commandement 5 and deliuered him at the gate of Peronne to the bastard of Bourbon Admirall of Fraunce and to Monseur de Saint Pierre who led him to Paris Diuers haue told me that within three howers after his departure messengers came in poste from the Duke with a countermaund to wit that he should not be deliuered before Nancy were taken but it was too late At Paris the Constables proces was made and the Duke deliuered all his letters that were in his hands and all such euidence as serued for the proces The King pressed the Court earnestly and Iustices were appointed for the hearing of his cause who seeing the euidence that both the King of England and the Duke gaue against him condemned him to die 6 and confiscated all his goods The Notes 1 Vnderstand this as wel of the moouables he had in the Kings dominions as vnder the Duke 2 The Duke desired Lorraine not onely for the cause heere alleaged by our author but also to proclaime himselfe vnder that colour King of Sicile and Hierusalem 3 This Campobache as some report wrought this treason for that the Duke had once in his rage giuen him a blow Meyer 4 He tooke Nancy about the 19. of Nouember but la Marche saith in the ende of Nouember Meyer 28. Nouemb. 1475. and the Constable was deliuered the 30. of Nouember 5 The Chancellor and Hymbercourt deliuered him with such speede through euill will whereas they ought to haue staide till the second message had come from the Duke for as saith Meyer Ferebat consuetudo exiure militari ciuilique desumpta vt in talibus grauibus rebus secundam semper praetores ministrique expectarent iussionem at hoc isti duo odio grauissimo deflagrantes in comitem stabuli gratúmque volentes facere regi mirum in modum sanguinem illius sitienti non obseruauerunt Si obseruassent vt debeant fortassis virum ipsum ducem Dominum
suum seque ipsos planè seruassent Siquidem statim post Caroli interitum ambo apud Gandauum accepêre talionem 6 The Constable died the 19. of December 1475. Annal. Franc. Gaguin Meyer in whom read the causes of his death fol. 368. A discourse of the fault the Duke of Burgundie committed in deliuering the Constable to the King contrarie to his safe conduct and what ensued thereof Chap. 13. THis deliuerie of the Constable was maruellous strange notwithstanding I speake it not to excuse his faults neither to accuse the Duke for sure he had iust cause to seeke his death But me thinke that he being so great a Prince and of so noble and honorable an house should not haue giuen him a safe conduct and then arrest him And vndoubtedly it was great crueltie to deliuer him where he was sure to die especially for couetousnes But soone after he had thus dishonored himselfe by this deede he receiued great losses and began to fall to ruine So that if we well consider the workes that God hath done in these our daies and daily doth we shal easily perceiue that he will leaue no fault vnpunished and that these strange punishments are inflicted onely by him bicause they surmount far the works of nature For his punishments are sudden especially vpon those that vse violence and cruelty who can not be meane persons but mighty men either in seniories or authority This house of Burgundy had long florished for by the space of a hundred yeeres or thereabout during the which time raigned fower of this house it was more esteemed than any other house in Christendome For all those that were mightier then it had suffered great afflictions and aduersities but it liued continually in perpetual felicity honor The first great Prince of this house was Philip surnamed the Hardy brother to Charles the fift King of Fraunce who maried the daughter and heire of the Earle of Flaunders being Countesse not onely of that countrey but also of Artois Burgundy 1 Neuers and Rethell The second was Iohn the third was the good Duke Philip who ioined to his house the Duchies of Brabant Luxembourg Lambourg and the Counties of Holland Zeland Hainault and Namur The fourth was this Duke Charles who after his fathers death was one of the richest and most redoubted Princes of Christendome and had in moueables namely iewels plate tapestry bookes and naprie more than three of the greatest Princes in Christendome Of treasure in coine I haue seene greater abundance in other Princes Courts for Duke Philip by the space of many yeeres leuied neither subsidies nor taskes yet notwithstanding at his death he left his sonne aboue three hundred thousand crowns in ready money and in peace with all his neighbors which long indured not notwithstanding I will not impute the whole occasion of the wars to him for others were as busie as he His subiects immediately after his fathers death vpon a small request graunted him very willingly a subsidie euerie countrey apart for the terme of ten yeeres amounting yeerly to the summe of 350000. crownes Burgundy not being comprehended therein Yea and at the time he deliuered the Constable he leuied yeerely ouer and aboue the former summe more then 300000. crownes and had aboue 300000. crownes in coine and all the Constables goods that came to his hands amounted hardly to the value of 80000. crownes for he had but 76000. in coine So that the Duke committed this foule fault for small gaine yet was the punishment thereof great for God raised vp an enimie against him of small force of yoong yeeres and of little experience in all things and caused his seruant whom he then most trusted to become false and traiterous He made also the Duke himselfe to mistrust his owne subiects faithfull seruants Are not these such manifest tokens and preparatiues as God vsed in the old Testament against those whose good fortune and prosperitie he meant to chang into misery and aduersitie Yet he neuer humbled himselfe before God but euen till the hower of death attributed all his good successe to his owne wisedome and prowesse before his death he was mightier than any of his predecessors and more esteemed through the whole world Before the Constables deliuerie he was fallen into a maruellous mistrust or great disdaine of his owne subiects for he had sent into Italie for a thousand men of armes Italians Before Nuz also he had great forces of Italians in his campe for the Earle of Campobache had vnder his charge fower hundred men of armes and better This Earle had no possessions for his maintenance for bicause of the wars the house of Aniou had made in the realme of Naples which house he serued he was banished his countrey and lost all his landes and serued euer since his departure out of Italie in Prouence or Lorraine vnder King Rene of Sicile or Duke Nicholas sonne to Duke Iohn of Calabria After whose death the Duke of Burgundie gaue entertainment to most of his seruants especially all his Italians namely this Earle of Campobache Iames Galeot a valiant honorable and faithfull gentleman and diuers others The said Earle of Campobache when he went into Italie to leuie his men receiued of the Duke of Burgundie 40000. duckets in prest for his companie But as he passed through Lions he fell in acquaintance with a Phisition named Master Simon of Pauy by whom he aduertised the King that if he would grant him certaine demands he would promise him at his returne to deliuer the Duke of Burgundy into his hands the like offer made he also to Monseur de Saint Pray then ambassador in Premont for the King Againe at his returne hauing his men of armes lying in the County of Marle he offered the King that so soone as he should be in campe with his Master he would not faile either to kill him or take him prisoner shewing withall the maner how he would do it which was this The Duke rode often about his campe to viewe it mounted vpon a little nagge and very slenderly accompanied at some such time this Earle said he would assault him and execute his enterprise He made yet also another offer to the King namely if the King and the Duke met togither in battell to turne with his men of armes on the Kings side vnder condition that the King would grant him certaine demands The King detested much the treason of this man and of a noble courage aduertised the Duke of his practises by the Lord of Contay aboue mentioned Notwithstanding the Duke would not credit the message supposing that the King sent him this aduertisement to some other end but loued the Earle all the better Wherefore you may see how God had troubled his wits in that he would giue no credit to those manifest demonstrations the King shewed him Well this Earle of Campobache was not so false and traiterous but Iames Galeot was as true and trusty who liued many
yeers and died with great honor and renowme The Notes 1 Vnderstand this of the County of Burgundy not of the Duchy THE FIFT BOOKE How the Duke of Burgundie making war vpon the Swissers was ouerthrowen at the straights of the mountaines neere to Granson Chap. 1. THe Duke of Burgundie hauing conquered the Duchie of Lorraine and receiued Saint Quintins Han and Bohain with all the Constables goods of the King treated with him of a finall peace for accomplishment whereof they two resolued to meete vpon a bridge built ouer a riuer like to that made at Piquigny at the enteruiew of the Kings of England and Fraunce About the which meeting messengers passed to and fro so far foorth that the Duke was once purposed to dismisse the greatest part of his armie to the end his men being in very euill order as well bicause of the siege of Nuz as also of this small war in Lorraine might refresh themselues and the rest to put in garrison into certaine of the Earle of Romonts places neere to the townes of Berne and Fribourg vpon the which he was fully resolued to make war bicause they had inuaded his dominions while he was before Nuz had holpen to take the countie of Ferrette from him as you haue heard and had also conquered from the Earle of Romont part of his countrie The King earnestly pressed him to come to the meeting appointed to leaue these poore Swissers in peace and to refresh his armie The Swissers also seeing him approch so neere them sent their ambassadors to him offering to restore all that they had taken from the Earle of Romont who on the other side pressed him earnestly to succour him in person whereupon the Duke altered his minde and determined to march against them leauing that course which in all mens opinions seemed best considering both the time of the yeere and the state of his armie Further it was agreed betweene the King and him that for the Duchie of Lorraine they should not fall at variance The Duke departed out of Lorraine with this poore wearie and defeated armie and entred into Burgundie where the ambassadors of these ancient confederates of Almaine commonly called Swissers repaired againe to him making larger offers than before for besides the restitution of the Earle of Romonts places they offered to depart from all leagues that he should not allow of especially their league with the King and to enter into confederacie with him and to serue him against the King with sixe thousand men well armed and that for very smal pay as often as he should require which offers he refused for God was fully purposed to bring him to destruction In those countries are certaine townes called the new confederates namely Basill Strasbourg and diuers other imperial cities 1 situate neer the riuer of Rhene which in times past had beene enimies to the Swissers in fauour of Sigismond Duke of Austrich whose confederates they were during the wars betweene the said Swissers and him But now all these townes ioined with the Swissers and a league was made betweene them for ten yeeres and peace also betweene Duke Sigismond and them which league as before you haue heard was concluded by the Kings procurement earnest sute and great expences at the same time that the countie of Ferrette was taken from the Duke of Burgundie and his lieutenant there called Peter Archambault beheaded at Basill The onely cause of which inconuenience proceeded of this Archambault himself which sure was a shrewd check to the Duke of Burgundy being the very fountaine of all his other miseries Wherefore a Prince that hath lately ioined a strange countrie to his dominions ought to be circumspect what gouernors he placeth there For whereas subiects newly conquered ought to be curteously intreated to haue Iustice truly administred and to be better vsed than vnder their former gouernment this Archambault did the cleane contrary for he vsed great violence and extortion whereupon ensued vtter destruction to himselfe his Master and many a good man besides This league aboue mentioned made by the Kings onely procurement turned afterward to his great benefit yea greater than the world weeneth so far foorth that for my part I account it one of the wisest deeds that euer he did and most to the domage of his enimies For the Duke of Burgundy once destroied the King of Fraunce neuer found man afterward of his owne subiects that durst lift vp his finger against him for they sailed all with his winde Wherefore it was a woorthy exploit to ioine Duke Sigismunde of Austrich and these newe confederates in league with the Swissers whose ancient enimies they had beene and I warrant you it was neuer brought to passe without great expenses and many voiages After the Duke of Burgundy had put the Swissers from all hope of peace they returned to aduertise their confederates therof and to make preparations for defence The Duke led his army into the countrey of Vaulx in Sauoye which the Swissers as you haue heard had taken from the Lord of Romont There he wan three or fower places belonging to Monseur de Chasteauguion which the Swissers held and negligently defended From thence he remooued and laid his siege before a towne called Granson 2 belonging also to the said Lord of Chasteauguion within the which were eight or nine hundred Swissers 3 choice men for bicause the place was neere their countrey they had manned it well The Dukes force was reasonable great for diuers bands came daily to him out of Lombardy and the subiects also of this house of Sauoy were in pay with him He loued strangers better than his owne subiects notwithstanding that he might haue leuied in his owne dominions great force of good soldiers but the Constables death togither with certaine other conceits he had in his head caused him to mistrust his owne people His artillery was maruellous strong and he lay in great pompe and triumph in his campe to shew his magnificence to the ambassadors that came to him out of Italy and Almaine for the which purpose also he had brought with him all his best iewels and plate and great aboundance of all kinde of furniture Moreouer he had many phansies in his head touching the Duchy of Milan where he trusted shortly to haue great intelligence After he had besieged this towne of Granson and battered it with the canon certaine daies they yeelded to his mercy 4 and he put them all cruelly to death The Swissers were assembled but in small number as diuers of them haue told me for they are not able to leuy so great force in their countrey as the world supposeth and at that time much lesse than now bicause sithence most part of them haue forsaken their husbandry and giuen themselues to armes Further of their confederates fewe were with them bicause they were forced to succor the place in haste but so soone as they were abroad in campe they heard of their companions death
few daies he arriued at the Almaines campe with small force three or fower howers before the battell began which voiage as before I haue said turned to his great honor and profit for if his successe had beene bad I thinke he should haue found but cold entertainment in any place At the very instant that he arriued the battel 's marched on both sides For the confederates had lien in campe three daies or more in a strong place hard by the Duke of Burgundie who was at the very first discomfited and put to flight 4 neither had he so good lucke heere as in the former battell wherein he lost but seuen men of armes which happened bicause the Swissers had then no horsemen but at this battell neere to Morat whereof I now speake they had fower thousand horsemen well mounted the which pursued fiercely the Burgundians that fled Further their battell of footemen ioined also with the Dukes battell which was mightie and strong for besides great force of his own subiects and certaine English men that serued him diuers bands were newly come to him out of Piemont and the Duchie of Milan So that the Prince of Tarente at his being heere with the King told me that he neuer saw in his life so goodly an armie for he himselfe and diuers others by his commandement numbring the force as it passed ouer a bridge had told to the number of 23000. soldiers taking pay besides those that followed the armie and were appointed to serue at the artillerie which force me thinke was great notwithstanding that many talke of millions and report they wot not what making armies fiue times greater than they are The Lord of Contay who came to the King immediately after the battell confessed in my hearing that the Duke his Master lost there 8000. soldiers taking pay besides the straglers so that the wholenūber of the dead for ought I could euer learne to the contrarie amounted to 18000. 5 which is not incredible cōsidering both the great force of horsemen that diuers Princes of Almaine had there and also the great number of men that were slaine in the Dukes campe lying still at the siege before Morat 6 The Duke fled into Burgundie vtterly discomforted and not without cause and held himselfe close in a towne called La Riuiere where he assembled all the forces he could The Swissers followed the chase but that night and then retired without further pursute of their enimies The Notes 1 The Duke after the battell of Granson retired first to Ioingne from thence to Noseret and then to Losanna La Marche 2 This prooueth both Vitia animi scatere ad corpus animam sequi temperaturam corporis which proceedeth of the great sympathie between the minde and bodie Liuie lib. 1. decad 1. writeth thus Longinquus morbus Tulli mores prorsus immutauit 3 The Duke laid his siege before Morat called in Dutch Murten the 9. of Iune 1476. with 40000. men Annal. Burgund and so had the Swissers also Idem Meyer saith the Duke had but 24000. and the Swissers 30000. 4 This battell was fought 22. day of Iune 1476. Annal. Burgund Meyer 5 Others write 17000. others 22700. others 26000. and of the Swissers but 50. Meyer saith the Duke lost 14000. 6 For better vnderstanding of this place we must know that after the Dukes vaward was ouerthrowen they within Morat issued foorth and ioined with the Duke of Lorraine and entred perforce the Duke of Burgundies campe lying before the said towne of Morat where they made a great slaughter as our author heere maketh mention How after the battell of Morat the Duke of Burgundie tooke the Duchesse of Sauoy and how she was deliuered and sent home into hir countrie by the Kings meanes Chap. 4. THis misfortune draue the Duke into vtter despaire for he well perceiued by the sequele of the first battell at Granson between the which and this second there was but three weekes space 1 that all his friends would abandon him Wherefore by the aduise of those that were about him he made the Duchesse of Sauoy and one of hir children now Duke of Sauoy to be led by force into Burgundie but hir eldest sonne was conueied away by certaine of hir seruants for those that committed this outrage did it in great feare and vpon a sudden The cause that mooued the Duke heerunto was partly feare least the Duchesse should retire to the King hir brother and partly bicause all these misfortunes were happened to him as he said for succouring this house of Sauoy Thus was the Duchesse led to the castell of Rouure neere to Dyion where a small garde was appointed ouer hir Notwithstanding euery body that would went to visite hir and among others the Lord of Chasteauguion and the Marquesse of Rotelin that now are betweene the which two and two of the Duchesses daughters the Duke of Burgundie endeuored to make two marriages which afterward were accomplished Hir eldest sonne called Philibert then Duke of Sauoy was led by those that stole him away to Chambery where the Bishop of Geneua lay who was also of the house of Sauoy This Bishop was altogither giuen to sloth and wantonnes and gouerned wholy by a Knight of the Rhodes 2 but the King so practised with him and the Knight his gouernor that they put into his hands the said Duke of Sauoy and a little brother of his called Le Prothonostaire togither with the castels of Chambery and Montmelian and held also to the Kings vse another castell where all the Duchesses iewels lay When the Duchesse was come to Rouure accompanied with all hir women and a great number of hir seruants she perceiuing the Duke of Burgundie to be busied in leuying men and those that garded hir not to stand in such feare of their Master as they were accustomed determined to send to the King hir brother to reconcile hir selfe to him and to desire him to deliuer hir out of this thraldome For notwithstanding that she feared much to fall into his hands bicause of the great and long hatred that had been betweene them yet the miserie wherein she was forced hir in the end thereunto Wherefore she sent to him a gentleman of Piemont called Riuerol being steward of hir house who was directed to me When I had heard his message and aduertised the King thereof he commanded him to come to his presence and after he had giuen him audience answered that he would not forsake his sister in this extremitie notwithstanding their former variance and that if she would enter into league with him he would send for hir by the gouernor of Champaigne called Master Charles of Amboise Lord of Chaumont The said Riuerol tooke his leaue of the King and returned with speede to his Mistres who reioiced much at this newes Notwithstanding she sent yet againe to the King vpon the returne of the first message to desire a safe conduct and assurance therein that she should depart out of
with him it might haue turned them to displeasure During this sixe weekes space or thereabout that he soiorned at La Riuiere with small force which was no maruell hauing lost two so great battels many new enimies arose against him his friends fell from him his subiects being defeated and discomfited began to murmur and despise him which is a thing vsuall as before I haue said in such aduersities Further many places in Lorraine were either razed or woon from him namely Vaudemont Espinall and diuers others and on euery side enimies prepared to inuade him and the miserablest slaues were the hardiest In this hurliburly the Duke of Lorraine assembled a small force came before Nancy of the little townes thereabout he held the greatest part notwithstanding the Burgundians kept still Pont-Ã -mousson being fower leagues distant from Nancy Among those that were besieged within the said towne of Nancy was a worshipfull knight called Monseur de Beures of the house of Croy who had vnder him certaine harquebusiers within the towne was also an English captaine though but of meane parentage yet very valiant called Colpin 2 whom I my selfe preferred with certaine others of the garrison of Guisnes to the Dukes seruice This Colpin had within the towne vnder his charge a band of three hundred English men the which grew wearie of the siege though they were troubled neither with batterie nor approches bicause the Duke made no more haste to succour them And to say the truth he committed a foule ouersight in that he approched no neere to Lorraine but lay thus in a place far off where he could do no seruice sith it stood him more vpon to defend that he had already gotten than to inuade the Swissers in hope to reuenge his losses But his obstinacie turned him to great inconuenience in that he would aske no mans aduise but trusted wholy to his owne braine for notwithstanding that they that were besieged continually and earnestly sollicited him to succour the place yet lay he still vpon no necessitie at the said towne of Riuiere sixe weekes or thereabout whereas if he had done otherwise he might easily haue releeued the towne For the Duke of Lorraine had no force before it and by defending the countrie of Lorraine the passage from his other seniories into Burgundy should euer haue been open through Luxembourg and Lorraine Wherefore if his wits had been such then as before time I had knowen them he would sure haue vsed greater diligence During the time that they within Nancy looked daily for succours Colpin aboue mentioned Captaine of the English band within the towne was slaine with a canon shot greatly to the Duke of Burgundies losse For the presence of one man alone endued with vertue and wisedome though but of base race and parentage oftentimes deliuereth his Master from great incoueniences As touching the which point I commend aboue all others the wisedome of the King our Master for neuer Prince feared so much the Losse of his men as he did Colpin being thus slaine the English men within the towne began to mutine and despaire of succours for neither knew they of how small power the Duke of Lorraine was nor what goodly meanes the Duke of Burgundie had to leuie new forces Further bicause of long time the English men had made no wars out of their owne realme they vnderstood not what the siege of a towne meant Wherefore they resolued in the end to parlament and told Monseur de Beures captaine of the towne that if he would not fall to composition with the Duke of Lorraine they would compound without him He notwithstanding that he were a trustie Knight lacked courage and fell to intreaties and perswasions whereas in mine opinion stouter language would better haue preuailed but God had already disposed heerof If the towne had been held but three daies longer it had been releeued To conclude the said de Beures agreed to the English men and yeelded the place to the Duke of Lorraine 3 and so departed he and all that were within it with bag and baggage The next day or at the furthest within two daies after the towne was yeelded the Duke of Burgundie arriued there well accompanied considering his estate for certaine bands were come to him from Luxembourg which had beene leuied in his other seniories Before Nancy the Duke of Lorraine and he met but no great exploit was done bicause the Duke of Lorrains force was small The said Duke of Burgundie continuing still his former enterprise determined to lay his siege againe before Nancy wherefore better it had beene for him not to haue delaide so long vpon selfewill the succouring of the towne But God giueth such extraordinarie mindes to Princes when he is purposed to alter their good successe If the Duke would haue followed good aduise and manned well the small places about the towne he might easily in short space haue recouered it for it was vnfurnished of victuals and he had men ynow yea too many to haue held it in greater distresse In the meane time he might commodiously haue refreshed and repaired his army but he tooke the contrary course The Notes 1 Cardanus giueth three natural remedies or purgations of sorrow fasting weeping sighing 2 This Colpin the new copy calleth throughout Cohin but the old Colpin and La Marche Iehannin Collepin wherefore I haue been bould to amend it according to the old copie 3 Nancy vvas yeelded the 6. of October Meyer Of the Earle of Campobaches great treasons and how he kept the Duke of Burgundy from hearing a gentleman that would haue reuealed them to him before he was put to death and how the said Duke made no account of the aduertisement the King sent him Chap. 6. DVring the time the Duke of Burgundy held before Nancy this siege vnfortunate to himselfe to all his subiects and to many others whom this quarrell in no wise concerned diuers of his men began to practise his destruction For as you haue heard many enimies were now risen against him on all sides and among others Nicholas Earle of Campobache in the realm of Naples whence he was banished for the house of Anious faction This Earle after the death of Nicholas Duke of Calabria whom he serued hauing as I said before neither lands nor liuing was receiued with diuers others of the said Duke of Calabrias seruants into the Duke of Burgundies house who at his first comming deliuered him 40000. ducats in prest to go into Italy to leuy therewith fower hundred launces that were vnder the said Earles charge and paied by himselfe From the which day forward euen till this present he euer sought his Masters destruction and now seeing him in this aduersitie began to practise a fresh against him both with the Duke of Lorraine and also with certaine of the Kings captaines and seruants that lay in Champaigne neere to the Dukes campe To the Duke of Lorraine he promised so to order the
matter that this siege should take no effect For he would finde meanes that such things as were necessary both for the siege and battery should be lacking which promise he was well able to performe for the principall charge thereof was committed to him neither had any man so great authority in the army vnder the Duke of Burgundy as he But his practises with the Kings captaines touched the quick neerer for he continually promised them either to kill his Master or take him prisoner demaunding for recompence thereof the charge of these fower hundred launces twenty thousand crowns to be deliuered him in ready money and some good Earledome in Fraunce While this Earle was practising these treasons certaine of the Duke of Lorraines gentlemen attempted to enter the towne of Nancy Some of the which entred and some were taken among whom was one Cifron a gentleman born in Prouence who was the onely man that entertained these practises betweene the Earle of Campobache and the said Duke of Lorraine The D. of Burgundy presently commanded this Cifron to be hanged alleaging that by the law of armes after a Prince hath laid his siege before a place and made his battery if any man attempt to enter to comfort those that are besieged he ought to die Yet is this law not practised in our wars which are much crueller then the wars of Italy or Spaine where it is put in vse But law or no law the D. would that in any wise this gentleman should die who seeing no remedy sent word to the D. that if it would please him to giue him audience he would reueale a secret to him that touched his life whereof certaine gentlemen to whom he vttered this speech went to aduertise the Duke with whom at their arriuall they found the Earle of Campobache come thither either by chance or of purpose to be alwais at hand fearing least Cifron whom he knew to be taken should reueale all his conspiracies for he was priuy to them all and that was indeed the secret he would haue discouered The Duke made answer to these gentlemen that brought him this message that he vsed this delay onely to saue his life commanding him to open the matter to them vpon the which word the Earle of Campobache laid hold perswading the Duke that so it should be best For you shall vnderstand that none of the Dukes counsell neither any other persons were present with him at the debating of this matter but this Earle onely who had charge of the whole army and a Secretary that was writing The prisoner answered that he would vtter it to no man but to the Duke onely whereupon the Duke commanded him againe to be led to execution and so he was But vpon the way thitherward he desired diuers gentlemen to intreat the Duke their Master for him affirming this to be such a secret as the Duke would not for a Duchy but know Many that were acquainted with him pitied him went to desire the Duke to vouchsafe him the hearing But this traiterous Earle who kept the Dukes chamber being of timber so straightly that no man might enter in refused the doore to these gentlemen saying that the Duke had commanded him to be hanged with speed and further sent diuers messengers to the Prouost to hasten the execution Thus was this Cifron hanged to the Duke of Burgundies great preiudice and better had it been for him to haue vsed lesse cruelty and gently to haue heard this gentleman which if he had done peraduenture he had been yet liuing his house florishing his dominions in safety yea and much inlarged considering the broiles that haue hapned since in this realme But it is to be thought that God had otherwise disposed heereof bicause of the dishonorable part the Duke had plaide the Earle of Saint Paule Constable of Fraunce not long before For you haue already heard in this historie how notwithstanding his safe conduct he took him prisoner deliuered him to the King to put him to death and sent also all the letters and writings he had of the said Constables seruing for his processe And although the Duke had iust cause to hate him euen to the death and to procure his death for diuers considerations too long to rehearse so that he might haue done it without stayning his honor yet all the reasons that may be alleaged on his behalfe cannot excuse his fault in that contrarie to his promise honor hauing giuen him a sufficient safe conduct he tooke him and sold him for couetousnes partly to recouer the towne of S. Quintin with other the said Constables places lands and goods and partlie to stay the King from hindering his enterprise at Nancy when he first besieged it For lying at that siege after many delaies he deliuered the Constable fearing least the Kings army being in Champaigne would haue hindered his said enterprise if he had done otherwise For the King threatened him by his ambassadors bicause it was agreed betweene them that whether of them could first lay hands vpon him should deliuer him to the other within eight daies or put him to death But the Duke had passed the terme of the Constables deliuerie many daies as you haue heard so that the onely feare of losing Nancy and the greedie desire of hauing it caused the Duke to deliuer him to the King But euen as in this place of Nancy he committed this foule fault and afterward also in the same place at the second siege put Cifron to death refusing to heare him speake as one hauing his eares stopped and wits troubled euen so in the selfesame place was he himselfe deceiued and betraied by him whom he most trusted and peraduenture iustly punished for his false dealing with the Constable in deliuering him for couetousnes to haue the said towne But the iudgement heerof appertaineth to God alone neither speake I it to any other end but to declare this matter at large and to shew how much a good Prince ought to eschew such false and faithlesse dealing what counsell soeuer be giuen him thereunto For oftentimes those that giue a Prince such aduise do it either to flatter him or bicause they dare not gainsay him and yet when the fault is committed they are sorrie for it knowing the punishment both of God and man that is like to ensue But such councellors are better far from a Prince than neere about him You haue heard how God appointed this Earle of Campobache his deputie in this world to take reuenge of the Constables death committed by the Duke of Burgundie in the selfesame place and after the same manner or rather a crueller For euen as the Duke contrarie to his safe conduct and the trust the Constable had reposed in him deliuered him to death euen so was himselfe betraied by the trustiest man in his armie I meane by him whom he most trusted and whom he had receiued into his seruice being old poore and destitute of liuing and
whom he yeerely entertained with an hundred thousand ducats wherewith this Earle himselfe paied his men of armes besides diuers other great benefits that he had receiued at the Dukes hands And when he first began to conspire his death he was going into Italie with 40000. ducats which as you haue heard he had receiued in prest of the Duke to leuie therewith his men of armes Moreouer the better to execute his traiterous enterprise he practised in two places first with a physition dwelling in Lyons called Master Simon of Pauia afterward with the Kings ambassador in Sauoy as before I haue rehearsed Againe at his returne out of Italie his men of armes lying in certaine small towns in the countie of Marle which is in Lannois he began anew to practise against his Master offering either to deliuer into the Kings hands all the places he held or when the King should be in battell against his Master a priuie token to be between them vpon the sight whereof he would turne with all his companie to the King against the Duke his Master But this last ouerture pleased not the King He offered yet further so soone as his Master should be abrode with his armie either to take him prisoner or to kill him as he went to view the seate of his campe which last enterprise vndoubtedly he would haue executed For the Dukes manner was when he alighted from his horse at the place where he encamped to disarme himselfe all sauing his quirace and to mount vpon a little nagge accompanied onely with eight or ten archers on foote or somtime two or three gentlemen of his chamber in the which estate he vsed to ride about his campe to see if it were well inclosed so that the said Earle might with ten horses easily haue executed his enterprise But the King detesting the continuall treasons of this man against his Master especially this last being attempted in time of truce and further not knowing throughly to what purpose he made these offers determined of a noble courage to discouer them to the Duke of Burgundie and accordingly aduertised him at large of them all by the Lord of Contay so often before named I my selfe being present when he declared them to the said Contay who I am sure like a faithfull seruant reuealed them to his Master But the Duke taking all in euill part said that if it were so the King would neuer haue aduertised him thereof This was long afore he laid his siege before Nancy yet think I that he neuer spake word thereof to the said Earle for he loued him euer after rather better than woorse How the Duke of Lorraine being accompanied with good force of Almains came to the towne of Saint Nicholas during the siege of Nancy and how the King of Portugale who was in Fraunce came to see the D. of Burgundie during the said siege Chap. 7. LEt vs now returne to our principall matter I meane the siege the Duke held before Nancy which he began in the middest of winter with small force euill armed euill paide and the most part sicke The mightiest in his campe practised against him as you haue heard and generally they murmured all and despised all his dooings as in aduersitie commonly it happeneth but none attempted ought against his person or estate saue this Earle of Campobache onely for in his subiects no disloialtie was found While he lay there in this poore estate the Duke of Lorraine treated with the confederated townes before named to leuie men in their territories to fight with the Duke of Burgundie lying before Nancy whereunto all the townes easily agreed but the Duke of Lorraine lacked monie wherefore the King sent ambassadors to the Swissers in his fauor and lent him also 40000. franks towards the paiment of his Almains Further the Lord of Cran who was then the Kings lieutenant in Champaigne lay in Barrois with seuen or eight hundred launces and certaine franke archers led by very expert captaines The Duke of Lorraine by meanes of the Kings fauor and monie drew vnto his seruice great force of Almains as well horsemen as footemen besides the which the townes also furnished a great number of their owne charge Moreouer with the said Duke were many gentlemen of this realme and the Kings armie as I said before lay in Barrois which made no war but waited to see to whether part the victorie would incline The Duke of Lorraine being accompanied with these Almaines aboue mentioned came and lodged at Saint Nicholas two leagues from Nancy The King of Portugale had beene in this realme at that present the space of nine moneths for the King our Master was entred into league with him against the King of Spaine that now is Whereupon the said King of Portugale came into Fraunce hoping that the King would lend him a great armie to inuade Castile by the frontires of Biscay or Nauarre For the said King of Portugale held certaine places in Castile bordering vpon Portugale and certaine also vpon the confines of Fraunce namely the castell of Bourgues and diuers others so that if the King had aided him as once he was purposed it is like his enterprise had taken effect but the King altered his minde and foded him foorth with faire words the space of a yeer or more During the which time his affaires in Castile daily impaired for at his comming into France all the nobles in maner of the realme of Castile tooke part with him but bicause of his long absence by little and little they altered their minds and made peace with King Ferrande and Queene Isabell now raigning The King our Master excused his not aiding him according to his promise by the wars in Lorraine alleaging that he feared that the Duke of Burgundie if he recouered his losses would foorthwith inuade him This poore King of Portugale being a good and a iust Prince 1 resolued to go to the Duke of Burgundie his cosin german 2 to treate of peace betweene the King and him to the end that then the King might aide him for he was ashamed to returne into Castile or Portugale in this estate hauing done no good heere in Fraunce and the rather bicause he had taken this iourney vpon him verie rashly and contrarie to the aduise of the most of his counsell Wherefore he put himselfe vpon the way in the middest of winter to go to the Duke of Burgundy his cosin lying before Nancy where at his arriuall he began to treat with him according to the Kings instructions But perceiuing it an impossibilitie to agree them bicause their demands were contrarie in all points after he had remained there two daies he tooke his leaue of the Duke of Burgundie his cosin and returned to Paris from whence he came The Duke desired him to staie a while and to go to Pont-Ã -musson fower leagues from Nancy to defend that passage for the Duke was already aduertised that the Almains army lay at Saint
Nicholas But the King of Portugale excused himselfe saying that he was neither armed nor accompanied for such an enterprise and so returned to Paris where he remained a long time till in the ende he entered into ielousie that the King meant to take him prisoner and deliuer him to his enimie the King of Castile Wherupon he and two of his seruants disguised themselues purposing to go to Rome there to enter into religion But as he iourneied in this disguised attire he was taken by a Norman called Robinet le Beuf Of this his departure the King our Master was both sorie and ashamed and thereupon armed diuers ships vpon the coast of Normandie to conuey him into Portugale of the which fleete George Leger was appointed Admirall The occasion of his war vpon the King of Castile was for his sisters daughter For you shall vnderstand that his sister had been wife to Don Henry King of Castile that last died and had issue a goodly daughter which liueth yet in Portugale vnmaried This daughter Queene Isabell sister to the said King Henry 3 held from the crowne of Castile saying that she was illegitimate of the which opinion were also many others alleaging that King Henry was impotent to generation for a certaine impediment that I ouerpasse But whether it were so or no notwithstanding that the said daughter were borne vnder the vaile of mariage yet remained the crowne of Castile to Queene Isabell and hir husband the King of Arragon and Sicilie 4 now raigning This King of Portugale aboue mentioned labored to make a mariage betweene the said daughter his neece and King Charles the eight now raigning which was the cause of this his voiage into Fraunce that turned so greatly to his damage and greefe For soone after his returne into Portugale he died Wherefore as I said in the beginning of this history a Prince ought to beware what ambassadors he sendeth into a strange countrey For if they had been wise that came from the King of Portugale into Fraunce to conclude the league aboue mentioned whereat I my selfe was present as one in commission for the King they would haue informed themselues better of our affaires in these parts before they had counselled their Master to enter into this voiage which turned so much to his losse and damage The Notes 1 He meaneth a simple Prince of wit 2 How the King of Portugale and the Duke of Burgundy were cosin germans the Pedegree in the end of the worke will declare 3 The Pedegree in the end of the worke will make this plaine 4 Before he calleth Rene King of Sicilie but King Rene had but the title not the possession How the Duke of Burgundy refusing the good counsell of diuers of his men was discomfited and slaine in the battell fought betweene him and the Duke of Lorraine neere to Nancy Chap. 8. I Would haue passed ouer this discourse of the King of Portugale had it not been to shew that a Prince ought to beware how he put himselfe into another Princes hands or go in person to demaund aide But now to returne to the principall matter Within a day after the King of Portugales departure from the Duke of Burgundy the Duke of Lorraine and the Almains that serued him dislodged from Saint Nicholas and marched to fight with the said Duke and the selfe same day the Earle of Campobache to accomplish his enterprise departed from the Dukes campe 1 and reuolted to his enimies with eight score men of armes sorowing onely that he could do his Master no more harme They within Nancy had intelligence of this Earles practises which incouraged them to endure the siege Further one that leaped downe the ditches entered the towne and assured them of succors otherwise they were vpon the point to haue yeelded it And to say the truth had it not been for the said Earles treasons they could neuer haue held it so long but God was fully determined to bring the Duke to his end The Duke of Burgundy being aduertised of the Duke of Lorrains arriuall assembled his counsell contrary to his accustomed maner for he was neuer woont to aske any mans aduise but in all matters to follow his own sense Most of them counselled him to retire to Pont-à -musson being but fower leagues thence to man the places well which he held about Nancy alleaging that the Almains would depart so soone as they had victualed the towne and the Duke of Lorrains mony faile him so that he should not be able in long time to assemble the like force They said further that his enimies could not victuall the towne so well but that before winter were halfe expired it should be in as great distresse as at that present and in the meane time he might leuy men for I haue been informed by those that perfectly vnderstood it that he had not in all his army aboue fower thousand soldiers of the which hardly twelue hundred were able to fight Money he lacked not for in the castell of Luxembourg being not far thence were at the least 450000. crownes and men ynough he might haue recouered But God would not giue him grace to follow this wise aduise nor perceiue how many enimies lodged round about him on euery side so that he tooke the woorst course and by the aduise of certaine harebrained fooles determined to hazard the battell with these few terrified and hartlesse men notwithstanding all the reasons alleaged to him both of the great force of Almains the Duke of Lorraine had and also of the Kings army that lay hard by his campe When the Earle of Campobache was come to the Duke of Lorraine the Almains commanded him to depart saying that they would haue no traitor among them Wherefore he retired to Condé a castell and passage neere at hand 2 which he fortified with carts and other prouisions the best he could trusting that when the Duke of Burgundy and his men fled some of them would fall into his hands as indeed a great many did But this practise with the Duke of Lorraine was not his greatest treason for a little before his departure he conspired with diuers in the Dukes army resoluing with them bicause he sawe no hope of killing or taking his Master prisoner to reuolt to the enimies at the very instant that the two battels should ioine but sooner not to depart to the end their sudden reuolt might the more astonish and terrify the Dukes whole army Further he promised assuredly if the Duke fled that he should neuer escape aliue for he would leaue thirteene or fowerteene trusty fellows behinde him some to begin to flie at the very instant that the Almains should march and other some to haue an eie on the Duke to kill him if he fled which enterprise he made full account to execute and two or three I knew afterwards my selfe of those that were left behinde for that purpose After he had conspired these abhominable treasons he returned
all good counsell and sought all meanes to hurt themselues In the which vale of misery they are still like to continue or if happily they wade out of it for a season like they are to fall into it againe Wherefore I am of a certaine wise mans opinion of my acquaintance that God giueth to subiects Princes according as he will punish or chastise them and likewise towards the Prince disposeth the subiects harts according as he will aduaunce or abase him and euen so dealt he with the subiects of this house of Burgundie For after three great good and sage Princes who gouerned them the space of 120. yeers or more with great wisedome and vertue he gaue them in the end this D. Charles who held them in continuall wars trauell and charges almost as much in winter as sommer so that a great number of rich wealthy men were either slaine in these wars or starued in prison Their great miseries began before Nuz and continued with the losse of three or fower battels till the hower of the Dukes death who in this last battell wasted and consumed the whole force of his countrie and lost all his seruants that could or would haue defended the estate and honor of his house It seemeth therefore as before I said that this aduersity hath counteruailed all the time of their felicitie For as I say that I haue seene him a great mighty and honorable Prince so may I say also of his subiects for I haue trauelled the best part of Europe in mine opinion yet saw I neuer countrey in my life of the like greatnes no nor far greater abound with such wealth riches sumptuous buildings large expences feasts bankets and all kinde of prodigality as these countries of Burgundy did during the time that I was there And if those that knew them not during the time that I speake of thinke my report too large I am sure others that knew them then as well as my selfe will thinke it too little But God with one blowe hath laid flat on the ground this sumptuous building I meane this mighty house that bred and maintained so many woorthy men that was so greatly esteemed both far and neere and obtained greater victories and liued in greater honor during the time it florished than any other which great felicity and grace of God towards them continued the space of a hundred and twenty yeeres During the which time all their neighbors suffered great afflictions namely Fraunce England and Spaine so far foorth that all these at one time or other haue come to craue helpe and succor of this house of Burgundy as you haue seene by experience of the King our Master who in his youth while his father King Charles the seuenth raigned liued in Burgundy the space of sixe yeeres with good Duke Philip who louingly receiued him As touching the Princes of England I haue seene in the Duke of Burgundies court King Edvvards two brethren the Dukes of Clarence and Glocester who afterward named himselfe King Richard the third and on the contrary side of the house of Lancaster that tooke part with King Henry I haue seene in maner all the noble men suing to this house of Burgundy for aide To be short as I haue knowen this house honored of all men so haue I also seene it at one instant fall downe topsie turuy and become the most desolate and miserable house in the world both in respect of the Prince and also of the subiects Such like works hath God brought to passe before we were borne and wil also when we are dead For this we ought certainly to beleeue that the good or euill successe of Princes dependeth wholy vpon his diuine ordinance The Notes 1 Of the deuise of the Fuzill read the chronicles of Flanders pag. 345. Claude Paradin in his deuises heroiques pag. 46. and Annal. Burgund lib. 3. pag. 711. who saith that he gaue the striking iron bicause it is made in the forme of B. which is the first letter of Burgundie Further he giueth the said iron striking against a stone with infinite sparkles flying from them to signifie that the cruell wars betweene the Duke of Burgundie and the realme of Fraunce had set all their neighbours on fire 2 His meaning is that bicause he bestowed vpon euerie man he could not bestow much vpon any one whereby his liberalitie was the lesse apparant 3 He meaneth in hearing their sutes for as touching matters of counsell he hath said before in diuers places that he would neuer vse any mans aduise How the King was aduertised of the Duke of Burgundies last ouerthrow and how he gouerned his affaires after the said Dukes death Chap. 10. BVt to proceede in our historie the King who had now laid posts in his realme for before were neuer any looked howerly for the certaine newes of this battell of Nancy bicause of the occurrents he had alreadie receiued of the Almains arriuall and of all the other circumstances aboue rehearsed and was foorthwith aduertised of the Dukes ouerthrowe Diuers there were that waited diligently to beare him the first newes heerof for alwaies he gaue somwhat to him that first brought him tidings of any good newes withall not forgetting the messengers Further his delight was to talke of them before they came and to promise rewarde to him that could bring him some good newes Monseur de Bouchage and my selfe being togither receiued the first word of the battell of Morat whereof both of vs iointly aduertised the King who gaue to each of vs two hundred marks of siluer Monseur de Lude who lodged without Plessis was the first man that knew of the Courriers arriuall with the letters of this battell of Nancy and commanded the said Courrier to deliuer him his packet who durst not denie it him bicause of the Kings great fauour towards him The next morning by breake of day the said de Lude came rapping at the doore next to the Kings chamber which foorthwith was opened to him and in he went and deliuered these letters sent from the Lord of Cran and diuers others notwithstanding none of them writ any certaintie of the Dukes death but some reported that he was seene flie and was escaped This newes at the first so rauished the King with ioy that he wist not what countenance to shew notwithstanding two doubts there were that troubled him the one least the Almaines if the Duke were taken for greedines of monie whereof the Duke had plentie would not onely raunsome him but also conclude some treatie with him and of his foes become his friends The other if the Duke were escaped thus thrise discomfited whether he should seaze into his hands his seniories of Burgundy or no knowing them easie to be taken bicause in manner all the force of the countrie was slaine in these three battels Touching the which point his resolution whereunto few I thinke but my selfe were priuy was if the Duke were escaped aliue to
command his army that lay in Champaigne and Barrois to enter incontinent into Burgundie during this great feare and astonishment of the people and hauing seazed all the countrie into his hands he meant to aduertise the Duke that he did it onely to saue it for him and defend it from the Almaines For bicause the said Duchie was held of the crowne he would for no good that it should be a pray for them but whatsoeuer he had taken he would faithfully restore as vndoubtedly he would though many happily will not credite it And no maruell for they know not the reasons that would haue mooued him thereunto but he altered this determination when he vnderstood of the Dukes death Immediately after the King being at Tours had receiued the letters aboue mentioned which reported nothing of the Dukes death he sent into the towne for all his captaines and diuers noble men to whom he read these letters whereat they seemed in apparance greatly to reioice but those that looked narrowlier into their behauiour perceiued that a great many of them forced their mirth and wished with all their harts notwithstanding their outward shew that the world had gone otherwise with the Duke The reason wherof peraduenture was bicause the K. heretofore had liued in great feare but now they doubted seeing him deliuered of so many enimies that he would alter many things especially offices and pensions For there were a great number in the companie that had borne armes against him both in the war called THE WEALE PVELIKE whereof you haue heard in the beginning of this historie and in diuers other broiles betweene him and the Duke of Guienne his brother After he had communed a while with these noble men and captaines he went to masse which being ended he caused the table to be couered in his chamber and made them all dine with him the Lord Chauncellor and certaine others of his counsell being also present All dinner-while he talked of these affaires but I and diuers others marked with what appetite those that sate at the table dined And vndoubtedly there was not one of them I wot not whether for ioy or sorrow that ate halfe a meales meate yet were they not ashamed to eate in the Kings presence for euery one of them had often before dined at his table When the King was risen from dinner he withdrew himselfe and gaue to diuers certaine of the Duke of Burgundies lands if he were dead and soone after dispatched the Admirall of Fraunce called the bastard of Bourbon and my selfe giuing vs commission to receiue into his allegeance as many as would become his subiects and further commanding vs to depart incontinent and to open all courriers packets that we should meet with to the end we might be certainly informed whether the Duke were dead or aliue We departed in great haste though in the extreamest colde weather that euer I felt and when we had ridden about halfe a daies iourney we met with a Poste whom we commanded to deliuer vs his letters the contents whereof were that the Duke was found among the dead bodies 1 and knowne by an Italian Page that serued him and by his Phisition called Master Louppe a Portugale borne who sent word to Monseur de Cran of the Duke his Masters death who incontinent aduertised the King thereof The Notes 1 By what markes the Dukes body was knuwne read Annal. Burgund How the King after the Duke of Burgundies death seazed into his hands the towne of Abbeuille and of the answer they of Arras gaue him Chap. 11. WHen we vnderstood these newes we rid foorthwith to the subburbs of Abbeuille and were the first that brought word of the Dukes death into those parts At our arriual we foūd the towns men in treaty with Monseur de Torcy whom they had loued of long time But the soldiers and those that had been the Dukes officers treated with vs about the deliuery of the towne by a messenger whom we sent thither before vs so far foorth that vpon our promises they caused fower hundred launces to depart the towne which the townes men seeing immediately opened the gates to Monseur de Torcy greatly to the hinderance of the captaines and the other officers of the towne to seauen or eight of the which we had promised both money and pensions for we had commission from the Kïng so to do wherof nothing was performed bicause the towne was not yeelded by their meanes This towne of Abbeuille was parcell of those lands that King Charles the seauenth engaged to Duke Philip of Burgundy at the treaty of Arras vnder this condition that for default of heire male they should returne to the crowne Wherefore it is not to be maruelled if so lightly they opened to vs their gates From Abbeuille we rid to Dourlans and sent to sommon Arras the chiefe towne of Artois the ancient inheritance of the Earles of Flaunders which hath alwaies descended as wel to the heires females as males Monseur de Rauastain and Monseur de Cordes who were within the towne condescended to come treat with vs at an abbey neere the towne called Mont Saint Eloy bringing with them certaine of the towne To the which treaty we agreed that I should go and certain with me for bicause we supposed they would not yeeld to our requests it was thought good that the Admirall should not go Immediately after my arriuall at the place assigned the Lords of Rauastaine and Cordes being accompanied with diuers gentlemen and certaine also of the towne repaired thither Among those that came to negotiate with vs for the towne was their Recorder called Master Iohn de la Vaquerie since that time chiefe president in the court Parlament at Paris We required them at this meeting to open vs the gates and to receiue vs into the towne for the King saying that he claimed both towne and countrey as his by way of confiscation adding that if they refused so to do they were like to be forced thereunto seeing both their Prince was slaine and their countrey vtterly vnfurnished of men of war bicause of these three battels they had lost The Lords aboue named made vs answer by the said Master Iohn de la Vaquerie that this countie of Artois appertained of right to the Lady of Burgundie daughter and heire to Duke Charles and descended to hir by inheritance from the Lady Margaret somtime Countesse of Flaunders Artois Burgundie Neuers and Retell the which married with Philip the first Duke of Burgundie sonne to King Iohn of Fraunce 1 and yoongest brother to King Charles the fift wherefore they humbly besought the King to keepe the truce concluded betweene him and the late Duke Charles Our communication was but short for we supposed before our meeting that this should be our answer But the chiefe cause of my going into those parts was to commune with certaine of mine acquaintance there and to draw them to the Kings seruice with
some of the which I spake who soone after became his faithfull seruants accordingly These countries were in marruellous feare and astonishment and not without cause for I thinke that in eight daies they could not haue leuied eight men of armes Further in all those quarters were not aboue 1500. soldiers horsemen and footmen which lay towards Namur in Henault were of those that escaped out of the battel where the Duke was slain Their woonted termes and maner of speech were now cleane altered for they spake lowly and humbly which I write not to accuse them as though in times past their words had been more arrogant than became them but the truth is when I was there they thought so well of themselues that they vsed not such reuerent language neither to the King nor of the King as they haue done sithence Wherefore if men were wise they would vse such faire speech in time of prosperitie that in aduersitie they should not neede to change their termes I returned to the Admirall to make report of my negotiation immediately whereupon we were aduertised that the King was at hand for he set foorth soone after vs and commanded letters to be written both in his owne name and diuers of his seruants names to cause certaine to repaire to him by whose meanes he trusted to bring all these seniories vnder his obedience The Notes 1 The pedegree in the end of this worke will shew how all these titles descended to this Lady Margaret A discourse not appertaining to the principall matters of the greatioie the King was in to see himselfe deliuered of so many enimies and of the error he committed touching the reducing of these countries of Burgundy to his obedience Chap. 12. THe King reioiced not a little to see himselfe thus deliuered of all those whom he hated and were his principall enimies of some of the which he had taken the reuenge himselfe namely the Constable of Fraunce the Duke of Nemours and diuers others his brother the Duke of Guyenne was dead whose inheritance was fallen to him In like maner all they of the house of Aniou were dead namely King Rene of Sicilie the Dukes of Calabria Iohn and Nicholas and their cosin the Earle of Maine and afterward of Prouence the Earle of Armignac was slaine at Lestore and all their lands and goods fallen to the King But bicause this house of Burgundie was greater and mightier than the rest and had made sharpe war with the English mens aide vpon his father K. Charles the seuenth thirtie two yeers without truce and had their dominions bordring vpon his and their subiects alwaies desirous to make war vpon him and his realme therefore he reioiced more at their Princes death than at the death of all the rest Further he now fully perswaded himselfe that during his life no man neither within his realme nor in the countries bordering vpon it would once lift vp his finger against him For he was in peace as you haue heard with the English men the which he trauelled to the vttermost of his power to continue But although he were thus void of all feare yet did not God permit him to take the wisest course for the atchieuing of this his enterprise being of so great importance And sure it appeereth both by that God shewed then and hath shewed since that he meant sharply to punish this house of Burgundy as wel in the person of the Prince as of the subiects and of those that liued amongst them For if the King our Master had taken the best course the wars that haue consumed them since had neuer hapned For if he had done as he ought to haue done he should haue sought to ioine to the crowne all those great Seniories whereunto he could pretend no title either by mariage or by courteous dealing with the subiects which thing he might then easily haue accomplished seeing the great feare miserie and distresse these countries were in at that time And if he had thus done he should both haue rid them of many troubles inlarged and enriched his owne realme through long peace which by this meanes had beene easily obtained He might also heereby haue eased his realme diuers waies especially of the charge of men of armes who continually rode vp and down from one corner of the realme to another oftentimes vpon small occasion While the Duke of Burgundy yet liued he eftsoones debated with me what were best to be done if the said Duke hapned to die And then he discoursed maruellous wisely thereof saying that he would trauell to make a mariage betweene the King his sonne now raigning and the Dukes daughter afterward Duches of Austrich which if she refused bicause of the Daulphin his sons yoong age then he would attempt to win hir to mary some yoong Lord of this realme to obtaine thereby hir friendship and hir subiects and recouer without blowes that he claimed to be his in the which minde he continued till eight daies before he vnderstood of the Dukes death But this wise deliberation he began somwhat to alter the selfe same day he receiued newes therof and the very instant that he dispatched the Admirall and me Notwithstanding he discouered not his purpose therein but made promise to diuers of lands and lordships that had been in the Dukes possession How Han Bohain Saint Quintin and Peronne were yeelded to the King and how he sent Master Oliuer his barber to practise with them of Gaunt Chap. 13. THe King being on the way comming after vs receiued good newes from all parts for the castels of Han and Bohain were yeelded vnto him and the citizens of Saint Quintins of their own accord receiued Monseur de Mouy their neighbor into the towne for him Further he assured himselfe of Peronne which VVilliam of Bische held and was put in hope both by vs and others that Monseur de Cordes would reuolt to him Further he had sent his barber called Master Oliuer to Gaunt in a village neere to the which he was borne and had dispatched diuers others into other places being in great hope of them all but the most part of them serued him rather with words then deedes When he drew neer to Peronne I went to meet him and found him in a village whither M. VVilliam of Bische and certain others came presented him the keies of the town wherof he was right glad The King abode there that day and I dined with him after mine accustomed maner for his pleasure was that seuen or eight at the least somtimes more should ordinarily sit at his owne table But after dinner he withdrew himselfe and seemed to be discontented with the small exploit the Admirall and I had done saying that he had sent Master Oliuer his barber to Gaunt to bring that towne to his obedience and Robinet Dodenfort to Saint Omers who was well friended there and those he commended as fit men to receiue the keies of a towne
and put his forces into it Diuers others also he named whom he had sent to other great townes and this matter he made Monseur de Lude and two or three others to debate with me It became not me to reason against him nor gainsay his pleasure but I told him that I feared Master Oliuer and the others whom he named would not so easily take these great townes as they supposed The King vsed this communication with me bicause he had altered his minde and hoped by reason of his good successe in the beginning that all the countrie would yeeld vnto him Moreouer he was counselled by diuers and was also of himselfe inclined thereunto vtterly to destroy this house of Burgundie and to disperse the seniories therof among diuers men some of the which he named vpon whom he was purposed to bestow the Earldoms namely Henault and Namur that border vpon Fraunce with the greater seniories as Brabant Holland and the rest he meant to win certaine Princes of Almaine to his friendship to the end they might aide him in the atchieuing of his enterprise All the which matters it pleased him to acquaint me with bicause I had counselled him before to take the other course aboue rehearsed wherefore he would that I should vnderstand the reasons why he followed not mine aduise Further he alleaged that this course should be most beneficiall for his realme the which had sustained infinite troubles bicause of the greatnes of this house of Burgundie and the mightie seniories that it possessed And sure as touching the world his reasons carried great shew though in conscience me thought otherwise notwithstanding such was his wisedome that neither I nor any of his seruants could see so far into his affaires as himselfe did for vndoubtedly he was one of the wisest and subtilest Princes that liued in his time But in such waightie affaires God disposeth the harts of Kings and great Princes which he holdeth in his hands and directeth them into those waies that best serue for the executing of his determinations for vndoubtedly if it had pleased him that the King should still haue continued in that course which he of himselfe had deuised before the Dukes death the wars that haue been since and yet are had neuer happened But we were vnwoorthie on both sides to enioy that quiet peace that was then offered vs which sure was the onely cause of the Kings error not want of wit for as you haue heard in wit no man excelled him I write of these affaires at large to shew that when a man attempteth any great enterprise he ought at the first thoroughly to debate it to the end he may choose the wisest way but especially to submit himselfe to God and humbly to beseech him to direct him into the best course which is the principall point as appeereth both by the scriptures and by experience I minde not heere to blame the King nor say that he erred in this behalfe for peraduenture diuers which knew and vnderstood more than my selfe were then and yet are of his opinion notwithstanding the matter was not debated there nor elsewhere Further those that write Chronicles frame their stile commonly to their commendation of whom they speake omitting diuers points somtimes bicause they know not the truth of them But as touching my selfe I minde to write nothing but that is true and which I my selfe either haue seen or learned of such parties as are woorthie of credite not regarding any mans commendation For no Prince is to be thought so wise but that he erreth somtime yea oftentimes if he liue long as should well appeere by their actions if they were alwaies truly reported The greatest Senates and Consuls that be or euer haue beene haue erred and do erre as we may reade and daily see When the King had reposed himselfe one day in this village neere to Peronne he determined the next morning to make his entry into the towne for it was yeelded him as you haue heard And at his departure he drew me aside and commanded me to go into the countrey of Poictou and the frontiers of Britaine telling me in mine eare that if neither Master Oliuers enterprise tooke effect nor Monseur de Cordes reuolted to him he would cause all the countrey of Artois called La Leuée lying vpon the riuer of Lis to be burned and that done returne againe into Touraine I desired him to be good to certaine who by my means were become his seruants and to whom I had promised in his name pensions and great rewards whereupon he tooke their names of me in writing and performed all that I had promised Thus I tooke my leaue of him for that time But euen as I was taking horse Monseur de Lude came to me whom the King for certaine considerations fauored greatly He was a man much giuen to his owne priuate gaine and as he cared not to deceiue and abuse any man so was he also very light of beliefe and often beguiled himselfe He had been brought vp with the King from his childhood knew which way to feed his humor and had a very pleasant head He came and said thus to me wisely after a iesting maner what depart you now when you should be made or neuer seeing the great things that fall daily into the Kings hands wherewith he may enrich those that he loueth For my part I looke to be gouernor of Flaunders and to make my selfe all of golde in vttering the which words he brake foorth into great laughter but I had no lust to laugh bicause I feared that this proceeded of the King Mine answer was that I would be right glad if his fortune might be such and that I trusted the King would not forget me A certaine knight of Hainault was come to me not past halfe an hower before my departure who brought me newes of diuers with whom I had peswaded by letters to put themselues into the Kings seruice The said knight and I are kinsemen and he is yet liuing wherfore neither wil I name him nor those of whom he brought me this aduertisement His offer in few words was to yeeld vnto the King the chiefe places and townes in Hainault Whereof I aduertised the King euen as I was taking my leaue who after he had talked with the said knight told me that neither he nor those others whom I named were such as he had need of He misliked one for this point and another for that and their offer seemed vnto him nothing for he thought to obtaine all that he desired without them Againe after my departure the King made Monseur de Lude to commune with the same knight who was much discontented with the said de Ludes words and departed incontinent without entring into farther treaty bicause the said de Lude and he would neuer haue agreed in any point For whereas this knight was come out of Hainault to get somwhat at the Kings hands whereby to inrich
great harme afterward in the two countries aboue named for they spoiled and burned many goodly villages and faire farms more to the dammage of the inhabitants of Tournay than of any other for the reasons aboue alleaged To be short so long they spoiled that the Flemmings arose and tooke out of prison the Duke of Guelderland whom Duke Charles had held prisoner and made him their captaine and in this estate came before the towne of Tournay where they lay not long but fled in great disorder and lost many of their men and among the rest the Duke of Gueldres who had put himselfe behinde to maintaine the skirmish being euill followed was there slaine as afterward you shall heare more at large Wherefore this honor and good successe that happened to the King and the great losse his enimies receiued proceeded of the said Master Oliuers wisedome and iudgement so that peraduenture a wiser man and a greater personage than he might haue failed to atchieue the like enterprise I haue spoken ynough of the great charge this sage Prince committed to this meane person vnfit to manage so waightie a cause onely adding that it seemed that God had troubled the Kings wits in this behalfe For as I said before if he had not thought this enterprise far easier than indeede it was but had appeased his wrath and laid downe his greedy desire of reuenge vpon this house of Burgundy vndoubtedly he had held at this day all those Seniories vnder his subiection The Notes 1 The King claimed this Lady as his vvarde bicause diuers of hir dominions namely Flaunders Artois c. were held of the crowne of Fraunce besides that he was hir godfather which vvas the cause vvhy he commanded this Oliuer to mooue this request Of the ambassadors the Lady of Burgundy daughter to the late Duke Charles sent to the King and how by meanes of Monseur de Cordes the citie of Arras the townes of Hedin and Bollein and the towne of Arras itselfe were yeelded to the King Chap. 15. YOu haue heard how Master VVilliam Bische yeelded Peronne to the King The said Bische was a man of base parentage borne at Molins-Engibers in Niuernois but inriched and greatly aduanced by Duke Charles of Burgundy who made him captaine of Peronne bicause his house called Clery being a strong and goodly castell that the said Bische had purchased was neere vnto it But to proceede after the King had made his entry into the towne certaine ambassadors came to him from the Lady of Burgundy being all the greatest and noblest personages that were able to do hir any seruice which was vnaduisedly done to send so many togither but such was their desolation and feare that they wist not well what to say or do The aboue named ambassadors were these the Chauncellor of Burgundy called Master VVilliam Hugonet a notable wise man who had been in great credit with Duke Charles and was highly adaunced by him The Lord of Himbercourt so often before mentioned in this history was there also who was as wise a gentleman and as able to manage a waighty cause as euer I knew any togither with the Lord of la Vere a great Lord in Zeland and the Lord of Grutuse and diuers others as well noble men as church men and burgesses of good townes The King before he gaue them audience trauelled both generally with them all and apart with euery one of them to draw them to his seruice They all gaue him humble and lowly words as men in great feare Notwithstanding those that had their possessions far from his dominions in such countries as they thought to be out of his reach would not binde themselues to him in any respect vnlesse the mariage betweene his sonne the Daulphin and the said Lady their Mistres tooke effect But the Chauncellor and the Lord of Himbercourt who had liued long in great authority wherein they still desired to continue and had their lands lying neere to the Kings dominions the one in the Duchy of Burgundy the other in Picardy neere to Amiens gaue eare to his offers and promised both to serue him in furthering this mariage and also wholy to become his the mariage being accomplished which course he liked not though it were simply the best but was displeased with them for that they would not then absolutely enter into his seruice Notwithstanding he shewed them no countenance of displeasure bicause he would vse their helpe as he might Moreouer the King hauing now good intelligence with Monseur de Cordes captaine and gouernor of Arras by his counsel and aduise required these ambassadors to cause the said de Cordes to receiue his men into the city of Arras 1 for at that time there were wals and trenches betweene the towne and the city but the towne was then fortified against the city 2 and now contrariwise the citie is fortified against the towne After diuers perswasions vsed to the said ambassadors that this should be the best and readiest way to obtaine peace in shewing such obedience to the King they agreed to his demaund especially the Chauncellor and Himbercourt and sent a letter of discharge to the said de Cordes wherein they aduertised him of their consent to the deliuerie of the citie of Arras Into the which so soone as the King was entred he raised bulworks of earth against the gates of the towne and in diuers other places neere to the towne Further bicause of this discharge Monseur de Cordes and the men of war that were with him departed out of the towne 3 and went whither them listed and serued where them best liked And as touching the said de Cordes he now accounting himselfe discharged of his Mistres seruice by the ambassadors letters aboue mentioned determined to do homage to the King and to enter into his seruice both bicause his house name and armes were on this side the riuer of Somme for he was called Master Philip of Creuecoeur second brother to the Lord of Creuecoeur and also bicause the territories so often aboue mentioned which the house of Burgundie had possessed vpon the said riuer of Somme during the liues of Duke Philip and Duke Charles returned now without all controuersie to the crowne For by the conditions of the treatie of Arras they were giuen to Duke Philip and his heires males onely Wherefore seeing Duke Charles left no issue but his daughter the said Master Philip of Creuecoeur became without all doubt the Kings subiect so that he could commit no fault by entering into the Kings seruice and restoring to him that which he held of him vnlesse he had done homage anew to the Lady of Burgundie Notwithstanding men haue reported and will report diuersly of him for this fact wherefore I leaue the matter to other mens iudgements True it is that he had beene brought vp enriched and aduaunced to great honor by Duke Charles and that his mother for a certaine space was gouernesse of the Lady
of Burgundie in hir childhood and further when the Duke of Burgundie died he was gouernor of Picardie Seneschall of Ponthieu Captaine of Contray gouernor of Peronne Montdidier and Roye and Captaine of Bolloin and Hedin All the which offices he holdeth yet at this present of the King in such maner and forme as after the Dukes death the King our Master confirmed them vnto him After the King had fortified the citie of Arras as you haue heard he departed thence to besiege Hedin leading thither with him the said de Cordes who had beene captaine of the place not past three daies before and his men were yet within it and made shew as though they would defend it for the Lady of Burgundie saying that they had sworne to be true vnto hir but after the artillerie had beaten it two or three daies they fell to parlament with the said de Cordes their late captaine and yeelded the towne to the King But this was indeede a compact matter betweene the King and them From thence the King went before Bolloin where the like was also done but they held as I remember a day longer than the others This was a very dangerous enterprise if there had been soldiers in the countrie and that the King knew well ynough as he afterward told me for diuers in Bolloin perceiuing this to be a meere collusion between the soldiers and him trauelled to put men into the towne if they could haue leuied them in time and to haue defended it in good earnest During the space of fiue or sixe daies that the King lay before Bolloin they of Arras perceiuing how they had beene abused and considering in what danger they stood being enuironed on euery side with a great number of soldiers and great force of artillery trauelled to leuy men to put into their town and write thereabout to their neighbors of Lisle and Douay At the said towne of Douay was Monseur de Vergy and diuers others whose names I remember not with a fewe horsemen escaped out of the battell of Nancy These determined to enter the towne of Arras and leuied all the force they could being to the number of two or three hundred horse good and bad and fiue or sixe hundred footemen But they of Douay whose pecockes feathers were not yet all pulled constrained them spite of their teeths to depart the towne at noone day which was great folly and so came of it For the countrey beyond Arras is as plaine as a mans hand and betweene Douay and Arras are about siue leagues If they had taried till night as they would if they might haue been suffered they had sure accomplished their enterprise But when they were vpon the way they whom the King left in the city of Arras namely Monseur de Lude Iohn de Fou and the Marshall of Loheacs companie being aduertised of their comming determined with all speed to issue foorth and encounter them and to put all in hazard rather then to suffer them to enter the towne for they well perceiued that if they entered the towne the city could not be defended Their enterprise was verie dangerous yet they executed it valiantly and put to flight this band issued out of Douay the which also they so speedily pursued that they were all in a maner either slaine or taken and amongst the prisoners was Monseur de Vergy himselfe The next day the King arriued there in person reioicing much because of this discomfiture and caused all the prisoners to be brought before him and of the footemen commanded a great number to be slaine to put thereby those few men of war yet remaining in those quarters into the greater feare Moreouer Monseur de Vergy he kept long in prison bicause he would by no meanes be brought to do him homage notwithstanding that he lay in close prison in irons But in the end hauing been prisoner a yeere and more by his mothers perswasion he yeelded to the Kings pleasure wherein he did wisely For the King restored him to all his lands and al those he was in sute for He gaue him farther ten thousand franks of yeerely reuenewes and diuers other goodly offices They which escaped out of this discomfiture being verie fewe in number entred the towne before the which the King brought his artillerie and laide his batterie The artillery was goodly and great and the batterie terrible but the towne wall and the ditch nothing strong wherefore they within were in great feare the rather bicause the town was vtterly vnfurnished of soldiers Furher Monseur de Cordes had intelligence within it to say the truth the citie being in the Kings hands the towne could not be defended wherefore they fell to parlament and yeelded it by composition which notwithstanding was euil obserued wherof Monseur de Lude was partly to blame For diuers burgesses and honest men were slaine in the presence of him and Master VVilliam de Cerisay who maruellously inriched themselues there for the said de Lude told me that he got during the time of his being there twenty thousand crownes and two timbers of Marterns Moreouer they of the towne lent the King 60000. crownes which summe was much too great for their abilitie but I thinke it was repaied them for they of Cambray lent 40000. which I am sure were restored as I thinke were these also The Notes 1 This request the King made as Tutor and Godfather to the yoong Ladie in which respect also the said ambassadors did as he required 2 Arras was cut in two to wit into the towne and the citie the towne vnder the Dukes of Burgundie was fortified and the dravve bridge was drawen into the towne but the King beat downe the fortification of the towne and fortified the citie and altered also the drawe bridge and drew it vp into the ccitie whereas before it was drawen vp into the towne 3 If the King had demanded the towne of Arras the ambassadors would neuer haue granted it bicause it was the whole strength of the countrey but by obtaining the citie at that time not greatly accompted of bicause it was vtterly vnfortified he got the said de Cordes discharge who soone after procured him both the towne of Arras and the greatest part of the countrey of Artois 4 For they vvere vvilling to yeeld it but bicause they vvould depart like souldiers and vvithout suspicion of treason they desired to haue the cannon brought before it How the citizens of Gaunt hauing vsurped authority ouer their Princesse after hir fathers death came in ambassage to the King as from the three estates of their countrey Chap. 16. THe same time the siege lay before Arras the Ladie of Burgundie was at Gaunt in the hands of hir mutinous subiects greatly to hir losse but to the Kings profit for alwaies ones losse is an others gaine These citizens of Gaunt so soone as they vnderstood of Duke Charles his death thinking themselues thereby cleerely deliuered out
the English men Notwithstanding the King of England was oftentimes earnestly pressed by this yoong Princes for aide and therefore sent ambassadors often to negotiate with the King our Master about these affaires desiring him to grant hir either peace or truce Now you shall vnderstand that those that were at the debating of these matters in England especially in their parlament which is an assembly of the three estates where diuers wise men were present that smelt our dissimulation a far off and receiued no pension of the King as the others did were verie desirous and yet the commons of the realme more desirous that the King of England should send aide without further delay to the saide Ladie saying that we heere did but abuse them and that the marriage should neuer be accomplished alleaging that at the treatie made at Picquigny betweene the two Kings we had faithfully sworne and promised that the King of Englands daughter whom they had already called the Ladie Daulphinesse should be sent for into Fraunce within a yeere which terme was now long expired But what reasons soeuer the subiects made the King would giue no eare thereunto but alleaged diuers excuses to the contrarie And to say the truth he was a verie corpulent man and much giuen to pleasures neither could his body endure the toile of the wars Further he had wound himselfe out of great troubles and was loth to enter into them againe The couetousnes also of the 50000. crownes yeerly paid him in the tower of London qualified his minde Besides all this his ambassadors that came hither were so courteously entertained and so well rewarded that they departed euer well contented but they neuer receiued any resolute answere for the King sought onely to protract the time euer saying that ere it were long he would send to the King their Master certain noble men with such assurance of those matters he stood in doubt of as he knew well would content him According to the which promise within three weekes or a moneth after these ambassadors departure sometime more sometime lesse which was no small delaie in such a case he vsed to send ambassadors to the K. of England but at euery voiage sundrie men to the end that if the former had made any ouerture not performed the latter might plaid ignorance therin They also that were sent perswaded so well the King of England that we meant nothing but good faith that he lay still and neuer stirred for both he and the Queen his wife so much desired this marriage that partly for this cause and partly for the other reasons aboue alleaged he was content to winke at this war which some of his Counsell tould him plainely to be verie preiudiciall to his realme But he feared the breach of this marriage bicause men began alreadie to scoffe at it in England especially such as desired rebellion and ciuill war Now to discourse a little vpon this point You shall vnderstand that the King our Master neuer meant to accomplish this mariage bicause there was no equalitie betweene the age of the two parties for King Edwards daughter at this present Queene of England was much elder than the Daulphin now raigning But by these dissimulations a moneth or two was gayned in running to and fro by which meanes the King foded foorth his enimie one whole sommer wherein he might haue done him harme For vndoubtedly if the King of England had not hoped vpon this marriage he would neuer haue suffered the King to take the places bordering so neere vpon the English dominions but haue sought to defend them and if at the beginning he had declared himselfe for the Ladie of Burgundie the King who was by nature timorous and would put nothing in aduenture had neuer weakened this house of Burgundie as he hath Thus much I write chiefly to shew how these affaires passed and secondarily to the end that if heerafter those that haue to manage great affaires happen to reade this historie they may thereby learne how to helpe themselues in the like case for be their wisedome neuer so great yet a small aduertisement doth good many times True it is that if this Lady of Burgundy would haue consented to marrie the Lord Riuers the Queene of Englands brother she should haue beene aided with great force but this had been an vnequall match for he was but a poore Earle and she one of the greatest inheritors in hir time Many practises were entertained betweene the Kings of Fraunce and England and amongst others the King offered him that if he would ioine with him and passe ouer in person into the Lady of Burgundies countries he would be contented that the King of England should hold the countrie of Flaunders without homage and also the Duchie of Brabant offering further to conquer for him at his proper costs and charges fower of the greatest townes in Brabant and to put them into the King of Englands hands to wage him 10000. English men for fower moneths to the end he might the better sustaine the charge of the wars and to lend him great store of artillerie and men and carriage to conuey it and attend vpon it with this condition that the King of England should conquer the countrie of Flaunders during the time the King our Master inuaded on the other side Whereunto the King of England made answer that the townes of Flaunders were strong and great and both that countrey and also the countrey of Brabant hard to be kept if they were conquered adding further that this war liked not the English men bicause of their entercourse with those countries But seeing it pleased the King to make him partaker of his conquest if he would giue him certaine townes he had alreadie conquered in Picardie as Bolloin and diuers other which he named he would then be contented to declare himselfe for him and send men to serue him if he would pay them which was a verie wise answer The Notes 1 The King could not take Saint Omer for the Lord of Chanteraine valiantly defended it Reade De la Marche lib. 2. cap. 9. pag. 410. 2 Others write but 295. others 296. and others 299. How the marriage betweene the Ladie of Burgundie and Maximilian Duke of Austrich afterwards Emperor was concluded and accomplished Chap. 3. DIuers practises were entertained as before you haue heard betweene these two Kings to delay time but in the meane while the Ladie of Burgundies force still diminished for of those few men that remained aliue after hir fathers death diuers reuolted from hir to the King especially after Monseur de Cordes was entred into his seruice for he led away a great troupe with him Others necessitie forced to shrinke from hir bicause they dwelt either within the townes the King had already conquered or neere vnto them Some also put themselues into his seruice to be enriched for no Prince dealt so liberally with his men as the King our Master did Moreouer
his conditions As touching suspicious all great Princes are suspicious especially those that be wise and haue had many enimies and haue offended many as the King our Master had Further he knew himselfe not to be beloued of the nobilitie of his realme nor of a great number of the commonalty Besides this he had more charged his people than euer had any of his predecessors notwithstanding he was desirous now in his latter daies as before I said to haue eased them but he should haue begun sooner King Charles the seuenth by the perswasion of diuers wise and valiant Knights that had serued him in the conquest of Normandie and Guyenne which the Englishmen held was the first that began to leuy subsidies at his pleasure without the consent of the States of his realme and to say the truth cause there was then so to do for the charges were maruellous great as well for the manning of the countries newly conquered as also for the defeating of the companies of robbers which went about spoiling the realme For the which cause the nobility of Fraunce consented to the King and had certaine pensions promised them in consideration of the summes of money that should be leuied vpon their lands If this King had alwaies liued and those of his councel that were about him he would sure greatly haue enlarged his realme But considering what hapned after his death is like further to happen he charged maruellously his soule and the soules of his successors by this fact for he gaue his realme a cruell wound which will bleed this many a yeere by entertaining in continuall pay a terrible band of men of armes after the maner of the Italian Princes The said King Charles leuied in his realme at the hower of his death but 1800000. franks all maner of waies and had in ordinary about seuenteene hundred men of armes the which he kept in good order and so placed in diuers prouinces for the defence of his realme that many yeeres before his death they rid not spoiling vp and downe the countrey to the great quietnes comfort of his people But the King our Master leuied at his death 4700000. franks he had in pay fower or fiue thousand men of armes and of footemen for the campe and in garrison aboue fiue and twenty thousand wherefore it is not to be maruelled if he had many phansies and imaginations in his head and thought himselfe not welbeloued But sure as these matters caused him greatly to feare some so had he a sure confidence in many of those whom he had brought vp and highly aduanced of the which I thinke there were a number whom death it selfe could neuer haue withdrawen from dooing their duty There came into Plessis du Parc which was the place where he lay very few besides his household seruants and the archers of his guarde being fower hundred of whom a great number all the day long kept watch and warde at the gate walking vp and downe the place No noble man or great personage lodged within the castell neither might be suffered to enter in saue onely the Lord of Beauieu Duke of Bourbon his sonne in law The said stell of Plessis he had made to be enuironed with a grate of great iron bars at the entrie into the ditches thereof had caused sharpe speares of iron euery one of them hauing many heads to be masoned into the wall He caused also fower strong watch houses of iron to be built and a place to be made in them where men might stande and shoote at ease which was a sumptuous thing to behold and cost aboue 20000. franks In the end he put into these houses fortie crossebowe men which were day and night in the ditches had commission to shoote at euery man that approched neere the castell after the shutting of the gates til they opened in the morning Further he had an imagination that his subiects would be very ready to take the gouernment into their owne hands when they should see conuenient time And sure some there were that consulted to enter into Plessis and dispatch the affaires at their pleasure bicause nothing was dispatched but they durst not attempt it wherein they did wisely for the K. had giuen good order for that matter He changed often both the groomes of his chamber and al his other seruants saying that nature delighteth in varietie and he had with him to beare him company one or two very meane men and of euill report who might well haue thought if they had been wise that immediately after his death they should at the least be put out of office and spoiled of all they had as also it hapned These informed him of no message that was sent him not of any matter that was written to him were it neuer so important vnlesse it touched the preseruation of the State or the defence of his realme for that was his onely care to be in truce and peace with all men He gaue to his Phisition ordinarily euery moneth ten thousand crownes and in fiue moneths he receiued of him 54000. He gaue also goodly lands to churches but this gift was made voide and not without cause for the clergie men had too much The Notes 1 It was fortie daies but bicause the old copie hath 15. daies and that himselfe also afterward in this very chapter saith thus This sicknes held him about fifteene daies I haue been bold to amend it 2 King Lewis was suspected to haue poisoned his father by Adam Fumée his fathers physition who was imprisoned by King Charles but soone after aduaunced to honor by King Lewis who so maruellously reioiced at the first newes of his fathers death being the selfe same day that his father died which was strange King Lewis being then at Genappe in Brabant that in the selfe same place he built a chappell to our Lady 3 It was 15000. but the olde copie had 1500000. and so vndoubtedly it is to be read for for 15000. franks will hardly maintaine 100. soldiers a yeere How the King caused the holy man of Calabria to come to Tours thinking that he could heale him and what strange things the said King did to maintaine his authoritie during his sicknes Chap. 8. AMong men famous for deuotion he sent into Calabria for one Frier Robert whom he called the holy man bicause of his holy life and in whose honor the King that now is caused a Church to be built at Plessis du Parc in place of the chappell neere to Plessis at the bridge foote This heremite being twelue yeeres of age entred into a rocke where he remained till he was fortie three yeeres old or there about to wit euen till this present that the King sent for him by one of the stewards of his house whom the Prince of Tarente the King of Naples sonne accompanied thither For the said heremite would not depart thence without permission both of the Pope and of his Prince which
and the Queene his wife had so greatly desired that they would neuer credit any man that aduertised them to the contrarie were he English man or stranger For the Councell of England had debated this matter with him at the same time that the King conquered that part of Picardie that ioineth to Calice alleaging that after he had subdued that he might easily attempt to take Calice and Guisnes The like was also told him by the ambassadors resident in England for the Duke and Duchesse of Austriche and by the Britons and diuers others but he beleeued no whit of all this which incredulitie turned much to his losse Notwithstanding I suppose it proceeded rather of couetousnes than ignorance for he feared the losse of the fiftie thousand crownes the King paid him besides that he was loth to leaue his ease and pleasures whereunto he was maruellously addicted About the conclusion of this marriage an assembly was held at Halots in Flaunders whereat the Duke of Austriche now King of Romans was present togither with certaine deputies for the three estates of Flaunders Brabant and the other countries belonging to the saide Duke and his children The citizens of Gaunt did many things there contrarie to the Dukes minde for some they banished and some they remooued from about his sonne in the end they told him how great desire they had to see this marriage accomplished therby to obtaine peace forced him to consent therunto The Duke was very yoong and accompanied with few noble men for all the subiects of this house of Burgundie very few excepted I meane of great personages that could haue giuen him counsell or aide in these affaires were as you haue heard either dead or reuolted to the King As touching himselfe he was come thither very slenderly accompanied and now hauing lost his wife being Lady of the countrie he durst not giue them so stout language as before he was accustomed To be short the King being aduertised of all these actions by Monseur de Cordes reioiced much thereat and a day was appointed when this Lady should be brought to Hedin Not long before the conclusion of this marriage to wit in the yeere 1481. the towne of Ayre was yeelded for a summe of monie to Monseur de Cordes by the Lord of Croy of the countrie of Artois who held it for the Duke of Austriche and the Lord of Beures his captaine The towne is very strong situate in the countrie of Artois and the deliuerie thereof increased the Flemmings desire to further this marriage bicause it standeth vpon the very entrance into Flaunders For notwithstanding that they wished the weakening of their Prince yet were they not willing to haue the King so neere a neighbor to their frontiers After these matters aboue mentioned were fully concluded ambassadors came to the King out of Flaunders and Brabant but all depended vpon them of Gaunt both bicause of their force bicause the children were in their hands and for that they were alwaies the ringleaders of all tumults There came also from the King of Romanes for the pacifying of his dominions certaine Knights yoong men like himselfe and of small experience whose names were Master Iohn de Bergues and Master Baudouin de Launoy and certaine Secretaries The King was brought maruellous low with sicknes so that hardly he suffered himselfe to be seene and made great difficultie to sweare the treatie bicause he was loth to come abrode in sight notwithstanding in the end he sware it It was very auantageous for him for in all assemblies that had beene held heeretofore about this marriage he neuer required but the countie of Artois or Burgundie one of the two but now the Lords of Gaunt as he termed them caused them both to be yeelded vnto him togither with the counties of Masconnois Charolois and Auxerrois yea and if it had lien in them to haue put into his hands Hainault and Namur and all the seniories of this house of Burgundie being of the French language they would willingly haue done it thereby to affeeble their Prince The King our Master being a wise Prince vnderstood well that no account was to be made of Flaunders nor the Earle thereof without he had the countrie of Artois which lying betweene the King of Fraunce and the Flemmings is as it were a bridle to them For in the countrie of Artois are leuied very good soldiers to scourge the Flemmings when they play the fooles Wherefore by taking away from the Earle of Flaunders the countrie of Artois he left him the poorest Prince in the world and without all obedience of his subiects saue onely at the pleasure of them of Gaunt After this ambassage was returned home the said Lady was led to Hedin and deliuered into the hands of Monseur de Cordes in the yeere 1483. She was conueied thither by the Lady of Rauastain bastard daughter to Duke Philip of Burgundie and was receiued there by the Duke and Duchesse of Bourbon that now are and by the Lord of Albret and diuers others sent thither by the King who led hir to Amboise where the Daulphin lay If the Duke of Austriche could haue rescued hir before she was passed out of his dominions from them that conueied hir he would willingly haue done it but they of Gaunt had sent hir well accompanied And as touching the said Duke all his subiects began to disobey him so far foorth that a great number tooke part with them of Gaunt bicause they had his sonne in their hands and remooued from him and placed about him such as pleased them and among the rest that were resident at Gaunt was the Lord of Rauastain brother to the Duke of Cleues principall gouernor of the said yoong infant called Duke Philip who is yet liuing and like to be a great Prince if God spare him life Whosoeuer reioiced at this marriage the King of England was highly displeased therewith for he accounted it great reproch and dishonor to be thus deluded and feared both the losse of the pension the King paid him which the English men called Tribute and also that the contempt heereof would stir his subiects to rebellion against him bicause he would giue no eare to good aduice Further he saw the King with great force neere to his dominions for the which causes he conceiued such inward griefe when he heard these newes that soone after he ended his life some say of a catarrhe But whatsoeuer his disease were the report goeth that the sorrow conceiued of this marriage caused the disease whereof he died soone after in the moneth of Aprill anno 1483. It is a foule fault in a Prince to trust more to his owne braine than to the aduice of a great number for it causeth oftentimes both great sorrow and also losse irrecouerable Immediately after King Edvvards death the King our Master was aduertised therof and seemed nothing ioifull of the newes but soone after receiued letters from the D. of
Glocester who had vsurped the crowne of England signing his letters by the name of Richard cruelly murthered the King his brothers two children This King Richard sought the Kings friendship was desirous as I suppose to haue this pension paid also vnto him But the K. would make no answer to his letters neither giue his messenger audience but esteemed him a wicked cruell tyrant For after K. Edvvards death the said Duke of Glocester had done homage to his nephew as to his soueraigne Lord and King and yet immediately thereupon committed this murther and caused in open parlament the said King Edvvards two daughters to be degraded proclaimed bastards vnder colour of a certaine matter which he prooued by the testimonie of a bishop of Bathe who somtime had been in great credit with King Edvvard but afterward fell into his disgrace and was laid in prison and made to fine for his deliuerance This Bishop affirmed that King Edvvard being in loue with a certaine gentlewoman in England whom he named promised hir marriage to haue his pleasure of hir which promise he said was made in his presence and thereupon the King lay with hir minding onely to abuse hir Such pastimes are very dangerous especially when such poofe may be brought foorth But I haue knowne many a courtier that would not haue lost a good aduenture that liked him in such a case for want of promise This wicked Bishop buried reuenge in his hart the space of twenty yeeres But God plagued him for his wickednes for he had a sonne whom he loued entirely and whom King Richard so much fauored that he meant to giue him to wife one of these two daughters degraded from their dignitie at this present Queene of England and mother of two goodly children The said sonne being in a ship of war by King Richard his Masters commandement was taken vpon the coast of Normandie and bicause of the contention that fell betweene those that tooke him led to the court parlament of Paris and there put in prison in the petit Chastellet where in the end he starued for hunger and pouertie As touching King Richard he liued not long vnpunished for God raised vp an enimy against him euen at This error you are admonished of before that very instant being poore hauing no right to the crowne of England as I suppose and of no estimation saue that as touching his owne person he was well conditioned and had endured many troubles For the greatest part of his life he had been prisoner in Britaine to Duke Francis who entertained him well for a prisoner from the eighteenth yeere of his age This Earle of Richmond being furnished by the King with a small summe of money and three thousand men leuied in Normandie of the vnthriftiest persons in the countrey passed ouer into Wales where his father in lawe the Lord Stanley met him with sixe and twenty thousand men at the least And within three or fower daies after he encountred this cruell King Richard who was slaine in the field and the Earle crowned King and raigneth yet at this day in England Of this matter I haue made mention before but it was not amisse to rehearse it heere againe to shew thereby how God hath plagued in our time such crueltie almost immediately after the fault committed Diuers other such like punishments hath he shewed also in this our age if a man would stand to rehearse them all How the King behaued himselfe towards his neighbors and subiects during the time of his sicknes and how diuers things were sent him from diuers places for the recouerie of his health Chap. 10. THis mariage of Flaunders so much desired by the King was thus accomplished as you haue heard by meanes wherof he had the Flemmings at his commandement Britaine which he so much hated was in peace with him but liued in continuall ielousie bicause of the great number of soldiers he had in garrison vpon their frontiers Spaine was quiet and the King and Queene thereof desired nothing more then his amity and friendship for he kept them in feare and continuall charge bicause of the countrey of Roussillon which he held from the house of Arragon being engaged to him by Iohn King of Arragon father to the King of Castile now raigning vnder certaine conditions yet vnperformed As touching the Princes Seniories of Italy they desired to haue him their friend and were in league with him and sent often their ambassadors to him In Almaine he had the Swissers as obedient to him as his owne subiects The King of Scotland and Portugale were his confederates part of the realme of Nauarre was wholie at his deuotion his subiects trembled before him and his commandements were executed incontinent without delay or excuse As touching those things that were thought necessarie for his health they were sent him out of all parts of the world Pope Sixtus that last died being informed that the King of deuotion desired to haue the corporall vpon the which Saint Peter song masse sent it him incontinent with diuers other relickes which were conueied backe againe to Rome The holie viole which is at Reims and neuer had been remooued thence was brought into his chamber to Plessis and stood vpon his cupboord at the hower of his death he was determined to be annointed therwith as at his coronation But many supposed that he wold haue anointed all his body with it which is vnlikely for the said holy viole is very small and containeth not much oile I saw it both at the time I now speake of and also when the King was buried at Nostre-dame-de-Clery The Turke that now raigneth sent an ambassador to him who came as far as Rhiue in Prouence 1 but the King would not heare his message neither permit him to passe any further The said ambassador brought him a great role of relickes remaining yet at Constantinople in the Turks hands all the which he offered him togither with a great summe of money if he would keepe in safe custodie the said Turks brother who was then in this realme in the hands of the knights of the Rhodes and is now at Rome in the Popes keeping By all this aboue rehearsed a man may perceiue how great the King our Masters wisdome and authority was how he was esteemed through the whole world and how all things 2 as well spirituall of deuotion and religion as also temporall were imploied for the prolonging of his life But all would not helpe there was no remedy needes he must go the way his predecessors went before him one great grace God shewed him that as he created him wiser liberaller and more vertuous in all things than the Princes that raigned in his time being his enimies and neighbors and as he surmounted them in all good things so did he also passe them in long life though not much For Duke Charles of Burgundy the Duchesse his daughter King Edvvard Duke Galeas of
Milan King Iohn of Arragon were all dead a fewe yeeres before him but betweene the death of the said Duches of Austrich of King Edvvard and of him there was no space to speake of In all these Princes there was both good and euill for they were all men but to speake vprightly there were in him many mo vertues ornaments appertaining to the office of a King than in any of the rest I haue seene them in maner all and knew what was in them and therefore I speake not at randon The Notes 1 It was Reims in the French but that vndoubtedly was false the old copie hath Rhine or Rhine others Rins the Italian Ries 2 King Lewis dranke childrens blood to recouer his health Gaguin How King Lewis the 11. caused Charles the Daulphin his sonne to come to him a little before his death and of the commandements and precepts he gaue both him and certaine others Chap. 11. IN this yeere 1483. the King desired to see the Daulphine his sonne whom he had not seene of long time for he kept him close and permitted no man to come to him both bicause of the childes health and also for feare least he should be taken from the place where he remained and vnder colour of him some rebellion arise in the realme For so had certaine noble men in times past by meanes of himselfe made an assembly against King Charles the seuenth his father he being then but eleuen yeeres of age 1 which war was called la Praguerie but it soone ended for it was rather a broile of court than a warre Aboue all things he recommended vnto his said sonne the Daulphine certaine of his seruants and commanded him expressely not to change certaine officers rehearsing to him how after King Charles his fathers death he comming to the State put out of office all the valiant and woorthie knights of this realme that had serued his father in the conquest of Normandy and Guienne in chasing the English men out of Fraunce and restoring the realme to peace and quietnes for himselfe found it both quiet and rich which his hard dealing with the said knights turned greatly to his preiudice for thereof sprang the war called THE WEALE PVBLIKE in this storie aboue mentioned which had almost set him besides his crowne Soone after his communication with the Daulphine his sonne and the accomplishment of this marriage aboue mentioned he fell vpon a monday into the disease whereof he died his sicknes endured til the saturday after being the 30. of August in the yeer 1483. And bicause I was present at his death I minde to speake somwhat thereof When this disease tooke him he lost his speech as before which being recouered he felt his body weaker than euer it was notwithstanding that he were so lowe brought before that he could hardly lift his hand to his mouth and looked so poorely and miserably that it pitied euery mans hart that sawe him he accounted himselfe now as dead Wherefore he sent incontinent for the Lord of Beauieu now Duke of Bourbon his sonne in law commanding him to go to Amboise to the King his son for so he termed him he recommended also vnto him diuers of his seruants and gaue him the whole charge and gouernment of the yoong King and commanded expressely that certaine whom he named should not come neere his sonne alleaging diuers good reasons on that behalfe And if the said Lord of Beauieu had obserued his commandements at the least part of them for some were vnreasonable and not to be obserued I thinke he should thereby haue benefited both the realme and himselfe considering what hath hapned since in Fraunce Soone after he sent also the Chauncellor and all the officers of the law to the said King his sonne and in like maner part of the archers of his guarde and his Captaines and all his haukes and hounds with all that appertained thereunto Further as many as came to visit him he commanded to go to Amboise to the King for so he termed him desiring them to serue him faithfully and by euery one of them he sent him some message or other but especially by Steuen de Vers who brought vp the said yoong King and was the first groome of his chamber and already aduanced to the bailiwicke of Meaux by the King our Master His speech neuer failed him after he recouered it neither were his wits so fresh at any time as then for he purged continually by meanes whereof all fumes voided that troubled his head In all the time of his sicknesse he neuer complained as other men do when they feele paine at the least I my selfe am of that nature and so haue I knowne diuers others and men say that complaining asswageth greefe The Notes 1 Others write that he was 16. yeeres olde this was was anno 1439. and King Lewis was borne anno 1423. so that he was 16. yeeres old when the Praguerie began and so vndoubtedly it should be read heere A comparison betweene the sorrowes and troubles that King Lewis suffered and those he caused diuers others to suffer with a rehearsall of all that he did and all that was done to him till his death Chap. 12. HE discoursed continually of some matter or other and that very grauely and his disease endured from monday till saturday night Wherefore I will now make comparison betweene the troubles and sorrowes he caused others to suffer and those he suffered himselfe before his death bicause I trust they haue caried him into paradise and been part of his purgatorie For notwithstanding that they were not so grieuous neither endured so long as those which he caused diuers others to suffer yet bicause his vocation in this world was higher then theirs by meanes whereof he had neuer beene contraried but so well obeied that he seemed a Prince able to haue gouerned all Europe this little trouble that he endured contrarie to his accostomed nature was to him a great torment He hoped euer in this good heremite that was at Plessis whom he had caused to come to him out of Calabria and continually sent to him saying that if it pleased him he could prolong his life For notwithstanding all these commandements giuen to those whom he sent to the Daulphine his sonne yet came his spirits againe to him in such sort that he was in hope to recouer and if it had so happened he would easily haue disparckled the assembly sent to this new King But bicause of the vaine hope he had in this heremite a Doctor of diuinitie and certaine others thought good to aduertise him that his onely hope must be in the mercie of God and they deuised that Master Iames Cothier his Phisition in whom he had reposed his whole confidence and to whom he gaue monethly ten thousand crownes in hope he would prolong his life should be present when this speech should be vsed to him This was Master Oliuer his barbars deuise to the end he might
wholie thinke vpon his conscience and leaue all his other imaginations conceiued of this holie man and of the said Master Iames his Phisition But euen like as he had aduanced the said Master Oliuer and others too suddenly without any desert to a higher estate than was fit for them euen so they tooke vpon them boldlie to do such a message to so great a Prince otherwise than became them not vsing that reuerence and humilitie that was to be vsed in such a case and such as they would haue vsed whom he had brought vp of long time and lately commanded out of his presence for the suspicions conceiued of them And againe like as vnto two great personages whom he had put to death in his time to wit the Duke of Nemours and the Earle of Saint Paule for one of the which he repented him at his death and for the other not he had sent a sharpe message of death by Commissioners appointed thereunto the which briefly pronounced their sentence vnto them and foorthwith gaue them confessors and but a verie short space to dispose of their consciences euen so the aboue named signified his death vnto him rudely and in fewe words saying Sir it is reason we do our duties hope no more in this holie man nor any other thing for sure you are but dead therefore thinke vpon your conscience for your hower is come and euery one of them said somwhat briefly to him to that effect But he answered I trust God will helpe me and peraduenture I am not so sicke as you suppose What a sharpe corosife was it to him to heare these newes and this cruell sentence for neuer man feared death more than he nor sought so many waies to auoide it as he did Moreouer in all his life time he had giuen commandement to all his seruants as well my selfe as others that when we should see him in danger of death we should onely mooue him to confesse himselfe dispose of his conscience not sounding in his eares this dreadfull word Death knowing that he should not be able patiently to heare that cruel sentence notwithstanding he endured both that and diuers other punishments till the verie hower of death more patiently than euer I sawe any man To his sonne whom he called King he sent many messages and confessed himselfe verie deuoutly and said diuers praiers answerable to the Sacraments he receiued which also he himselfe demanded He spake as hartily as if he had not beene sicke and talked of all matters touching the King his sonnes estate and among other things gaue commandement that the Lord of Cordes should not depart from his sonne by the space of halfe a yeere after his death and further that he should be entreated to attempt nothing against Calice nor elsewhere saying that notwithstanding he had deuised these enterprises for the Kings profit and the benefit of the realme yet were they verie dangerous especially that of Calice for feare of moouing the English men thereby to war Further he willed especially that after his death the realme should rest in peace the space of fiue or sixe yeeres a matter which he would neuer yeeld vnto during his life though verie needfull for notwithstanding that it were great and large yet was it in poore miserable estate especially bicause of the passing to and fro of the men of armes who continually remooued from one countrey to an other He gaue order also that no quarrell should be picked in Britaine but that Duke Francis should be suffered to liue in quiet and not be put in any doubt or feare of warre neither yet any other neighbour bordering vpon the realme to the end the King and the realme might rest in peace till the King were of yeeres to dispose thereof at his owne pleasure Thus you see how vndiscreetly his death was signified to him which I haue rehearsed bicause I began to make a comparison betweene those euils which he had caused diuers of his subiects to suffer and those he himselfe suffered before his death to the end you may perceiue that notwithstanding they were not so greeuous nor so long as I haue said yet were they greeuous to him considering his nature which demanded obedience had been better obeied than any Prince in his time so that one halfe word contrarying his minde was to him a greeuous punishment Fiue or sixe daies before his death he had al men in suspition especially all that were woorthie of credit and authoritie yea he grew iealous of his owne sonne and caused him to be straightly guarded neither did any man see him or speake with him but by his commandement at the length he began to stand in doubt also of his daughter and of his sonne in law now Duke of Bourbon and would needs know what men entred into Plessis with them and in the end brake off an assembly that the Duke of Bourbon his sonne in law held there by his commandement Moreouer at the same time that his said sonne in law and the Earle of Dunois returning from the conuoie of the ambassage that came to Amboise to the marriage of the King his sonne and the Queene entred into the castle of Plessis with a great bande of men the King who caused the gates to be straightly kept being in the gallerie that looketh into the court of the said castle caused one of the captaines of his guard to come to him whom he commanded to feele as he talked with the said noble mens seruants whether they wore any brigandines vnder their cloakes not making shewe as though he came purposely for that intent Heereby you may perceiue if he caused diuers others to liue in feare and suspicion vnder him whether he were paid now with the like himselfe for of whom could he be assured mistrusting his sonne his daughter and his sonne in lawe Wherefore thus much I will say not onely of him but of all other Princes that desire to be feared that they neuer feele the reuenge thereof till their age and then their penance is to feare all men What great greefe thinke you was it to this poore King to be troubled with these passions He had a Phisition called Master Iames Cothier to whom he gaue in fiue moneths 54000. crownes after the rate of 10000. the moneth and 4000. ouer besides the Bishopricke of Amiens for his nephew and other offices and lands for him and his friends The said Phisition vsed him so roughly that a man would not giue his seruant so sharpe language as he gaue the King and yet the King so much feared him that he durst not command him out of his presence for notwithstanding that he complained to diuers of him yet durst he not change him as he did all his other seruants bicause this Phisition once said thus boldly vnto him I know that one day you will commaund me away as you do all your other seruants but you shall not liue eight daies after binding
on no day but saturday and that our Lady in whom he had euer put his confidence and alwaies deuoutly serued had purchased him this grace and sure so it happened for he ended his life vpon saturday the 30. of August in the yeere 1483. at eight of the clocke at night in the said castell of Plessis where he fell sicke the monday before His soule I trust is with God and resteth in his blessed realme of paradise A discourse vpon the miserie of mans life by the examples of those Princes that liued in the authors time and first of King Lewis Chap. 13. SMall hope may meane and poore men haue in worldly honors seeing this mightie King after so long trouble and trauell about them forsooke them al could not prolong his life one hower for all that he could do I knew him serued him in the flower of his age in his great prosperitie yet neuer saw I himfree from toile of body and trouble of minde Aboue al pastimes he loued hunting hauking in their seasons hunting especially As touching women he was free from that vice all the time that I serued him for a little before my comming to him he lost one of his sonnes whose death he much lamented and soone after made a solemne vow to God in my presence neuer to accompanie with any woman but the Queene his wife Whereunto notwithstanding that he were bound by the lawes of marriage yet was it much that he had such stay of himselfe especially the Queene being none of those in whose beautie a man could take great delight but otherwise a very vertuous Lady In this pastime of hunting he tooke almost as much paine as pleasure for the toile was great bicause he ran the Hart to death by force Besides that he arose very early in the morning and oftentimes went far neither could any weather make him leaue his sport Somtime also he returned very wearie and in maner euer displeased with one or other for this game is not alwaies made as they wish that haue the ordering thereof notwithstanding in all mens opinions he for his part vnderstood it better than any man in his time In this pastime he exercised himselfe continually lodging about in the villages till wars began For almost euery sommer there was somewhat to do betweene Duke Charles of Burgundie and him but when winter approched they vsed to make truce He had great wars also for the countie of Roussillion with King Iohn of Arragon the King of Spaines father that now liueth For notwithstanding that they were very poore and in war with their subiects namely them of Barselonne and others and that the sonne were of no force for he expected the inheritance of King Friderike 1 of Castile his wiues brother which afterward fell to him yet bicause they had the harts of the subiects of the saide countrie of Roussillion they made great resistance against him which cost the King and his realme full deere for many a good man died and was slaine there and infinite treasure was consumed in those wars for they endured long Thus you see that the pleasure the King had was but one small time in the yeere and that ioined with great toile and trauell of his person when his body was at rest his minde was occupied for he had to do in many places and busied himselfe as much with his neighbors affaires as with his own seeking to place men in their houses 2 and to bestow the offices therin at his pleasure When he was in war he desired peace or truce which notwithstanding when he had obtained he could not long away with He medled with many trifling matters in his realme which he might well haue passed ouer but such was his disposition and life And to say the truth his memory was so excellent that he forgat nothing but knew all the world all countries and all men of estimation round about him so that he seemed a Prince woorthier to gouern the whole world than one realm alone Of his youth I am able to say nothing for I was not with him at that time notwithstanding what I haue heard that I will report Being but eleuen yeeres of age he was busied by certaine Princes and others of the realme in a war against K. Charles his father called la Praguerie which endured not long And when he was growen to mans estate he married the King of Scotlands daughter 3 and during hir life neuer ioied with hir 4 after hir death bicause of the factions and troubles that were in the King his fathers court he retired into his owne countrey of Daulphine whither a great number of gentlemen accompanied him yea many mo than he was able to maintaine While he was in Daulphine he married the Duke of Sauoies daughter and soone after fel at variance with his father in law so that sharpe war arose betweene them King Charles seeing his sonne so well accompanied with gentlemen and men of armes determined to go against him in person with great force and to chase him out of the countrey by strong hand wherefore he put himselfe vpon the way and endeuored to withdraw his sonnes men from him commanding them as his subiects vnder paine of his displeasure to repaire vnto him Whereunto diuers obeied to the King our Masters great griefe who seeing his fathers indignation against him determined notwithstanding that his force were great to depart thence and leaue the countrey to his fathers disposing And in this estate trauelled he through Burgundy with a small traine to Duke Philip who receiued him very honorably furnished him with money to maintaine his estate and gaue yeerely pensions to his principall seruants namely to the Earle of Cominges the Lord of Montauban others and bestowed also during his being there diuers large gifts vpon his other seruants Notwithstanding bicause he entertained such a number his mony failed often to his great griefe so that he was forced to borow som where or other otherwise his men would haue forsaken him which vndoubtedly is a great trouble to a Prince vnaccustomed thereunto Thus you see that he was not without vexation and anguish of minde during his abode in this house of Burgundy for he was forced to faune both vpon the Duke and his principall seruants least they should waxe weary of him for he was there a long time to wit the space of sixe yeeres Besides that his father sent ambassadors continually to the Duke requiring him either to put him foorth of his dominions or send him backe to him Wherefore it is to be thought that he was not idle nor without great vexation of minde All these things considered when may a man say that he liued in ioy and pleasure Sure in mine opinion from his childhood till his death he was in continuall toile and trouble so that if all his pleasant and ioyfull daies were numbred I thinke they should be found but fewe yea I am fully
noble houses came out of Persia vvith their captaines and armies the Otthomans Assembecs Scandelors or Candelors and the Caramans All these fovver houses subdued euery one of them some region the Otthomans vvan Bithynia Phrygia Galatia The Assembecs Syria Armenia Cappadocia Paphlagonia The Scandelors held the greatest part of Pontus and the Caramans Cilicia Lycia Lycaonia Pamphylia But the house of Otthoman in the end deuoured all the other three The Assembecs vvere vanquished by this Mahomet ann 1459. For you shall vnderstand that Vsumcassanes King of the Assembecs fought three great battels vvith this Mahomet In the tvvo first he ouerthrevv him but in the third he vvas vtterly ouerthrovven by reason that Mahomet had great artillerie in his campe vvhich noueltie vnknovven before to the easterly nations discomfited Vsumcassanes armie vvho in this battell lost also his sonne Zeinalde After this battell Mahomet vvan all Cappadocia Paphlagonia and tooke Trapezonde the seate of the Assembecs empire vvith the greatest part of Armenia and Syria as mention is heere made Further after this battell Mahomet tooke from Pyramitus Prince of the Caramans the greatest part of Cilicia and after this Mahomets death Baiazet his sonne slue in battell Abraham the last Prince of the Caramans and vtterly destroied that house As touching the Scandelors after the Assembecs and Caramans vvere destroied the Prince of the Scandelors yeelded his countrie to Baiazet and in exchange thereof had certaine reuenues giuen him in Natolia And thus vvere all the three houses subdued by the house of Otthoman vvhich discourse for the better vnderstanding of this place I haue been forced to vvrite somvvhat at large 26 Others vvrite 58. and others 56. but sure our author reporteth his age truliâ—â—â— for he vvas borne ann 1430. the 24. of March and died of the collicke 1481. the thirde of May so that he vvas entred into his tvvo and fiftith yeere A SVPPLY OF THE HISTORIE OF PHILIP DE COMMINES FROM THE death of King LEWIS the II. till the beginning of the wars of Naples to wit from 1483. till 1493. of all the vvhich time Commines vvriteth nothing Of King Charles his comming to the crowne of the death of Oliuer King Lewis his Barber and others and of the reuoking of King Lewis his superfluous gifts Chap. 1. AFter the death of Lewis the eleuenth Charles the 8. his onely sonne being 13. yeeres of age and two moneths succeeded to the crowne notwithstanding his coronation was deferred till the moneth of Iune in the next yeere to the end he might be full fowerteen when he should be crowned The King his father had brought him vp at Amboise in such solitarines that none besides his ordinarie seruants could haue accesse vnto him neither permitted he him to learne any more Latine than this one sentence He that cannot dissemble cannot raigne which he did not for that he hated learning but bicause he feared that studie would hurt the tender and delicate complexion of the childe Notwithstanding King Charles after he was come to the crowne grew verie studious of learning aod gaue himseife to the reading of stories and bookes of humanitie written in the French toong and attempted to vnderstand Latine Before the Kings coronation the Princes of the blood and the nobles of the realme who so often had beene iniuried in the late King Levvis his time by Oliuer le Dain his barber by Daniell a Flemming the said Oliuers seruant and by Iohn D'oyac which three had wholie gouerned the said King Levvis caused informations secretly to be exhibited against them for diuers murthers rapines and other heinous crimes that they had committed in King Levvis his time yea and some of them by his commandement the which informations being seene by the court Parlament they were foorthwith apprehended their processe made and in the end all three condemned and the next yeere being 1484. the said Oliuer and Daniell his man were hanged at Paris and D'oyac had his eares cut off and his toong bored through with a hot iron One of the crimes committed by Oliuer and Daniell for the which they were executed was this A gentleman was committed to prison by King Levvis his commandement whose wife being yoong and beutifull was contented to abandon hir selfe to the lust of this Oliuer vpon promise that he should deliuer hir husband out of prison to hir but the next day he caused Daniell his man to put him into a sacke and to throwe him into the riuer where he was miserably drowned This Oliuer was a Flemming borne and had been barber to King Levvis and of greater credit with him than any man in all Fraunce which his credit grew by vile and slauish offices that he did about the King so far foorth that he ordinarily sucked the Kings hemorrhoides wherewith he was often troubled which base seruice he did not for good will that he bare the King but onely for couetousnes and to maintaine his credit which ended soone after the King his Masters death as you haue heard notwithstanding the great charge that the King vpon his death-bed had giuen his sonne to loue the said Oliuer and not to suffer him to be spoiled of that which he had bestowed vpon him bicause his seruice had long preserued his life But howsoeuer Princes maintaine such lewd ministers in their liues and how ready soeuer such seruants be to execute their Masters vnlawfull and wilfull commandements supposing that they shall neuer be called to account therefore yet in the end they finde that credit in Court is no inheritance and that God who leaueth nothing vnpunished findeth a time to reward them according to their deserts Further soone after King Lewis his death consultation was had of the superfluous superstitious gifts made by him in his life all the which were reuoked and all that was giuen reunited to the crowne Of the assemblie of the States held at Touars of the Duke of Orleance pursute for the regencie of the mad war raised by him and of his departure into Britaine Chap. 2. THe King in the moneth of Iuly after his coronation being the yeere 1484. held a generall and free assembly of the States of 1484 his realme at Touars far otherwise than had beene vsed in his fathers daies for none came to these generall assemblies in his time but such as were of his owne denomination neither durst any man speake his minde freely but was forced in all matters to yeeld to the Kings will which was for the most part vnreasonable and violent But at this assemblie the presence was great the voices free the complaints lamentable the Nobilitie Commons and Clergie euery one of them presented their griefes complaining of the burdens that the late King contrary to the lawes of the realme and customes of their ancestors had laid vpon them In this assembly it was enacted that there should be no Regent in Fraunce but that Anne Lady of Beauieu the Kings eldest sister should haue the
in writing to the posteritie of all those yeeres THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF PHILIP DE COMMINES TREATING OF THE PRINCIPALL ACTES OF KING CHARLES THE EIGHT SONNE TO LEWIS THE ELEVENTH THE PROLOGVE OF THE AVTHOR containing that which he mindeth to treate of in this historie following TO continue the Historie written by me Philip de Commines of the reigne of King Lewis the eleuenth whom God assoile I wil now declare the occasion that mooued King Charles the eight his sonne to make his voiage into Italie wherat my selfe was present The said King departed from Vienna in Daulphine the 23. of August the yeere 1494. and returned into his realme about October the yeere 1495. Before the enterprise was fully resolued on the matter was often debated whether he should go or not for the voiage seemed very dangerous to all men of wisdome and experience neither did any allow therof but the King himselfe and one Stephen de Vers borne in Languedoc a man of meane parentage and vtterly vnacquainted with the wars and all things thereunto appertaining One other also being of the receit was a furtherer thereof till his hart failed him namely the generall Brissonnet who afterward by occasion of this voiage was preferred to many goodly dignities and spirituall promotions and created a Cardinall The former had already gotten goodly possessions for he was Seneschall of Beaucaire and president of the Comptes at Paris he had serued the King in his youth very faithfully being a groome of his chamber and by his meanes the generall was woon to fauor this voiage so that they two were the onely authors thereof for the which fewe commended but many blamed them for all things necessarie for so great an enterprise were wanting The King was yoong a weake body wedded to his owne will slenderly accompanied with wise men or good captaines and so vtterly vnfurnished of money that before his departure he borrowed of the banke of Soly at Genua a hundred thousand franks vpon great enterest from Mart to Marte 1 In diuers other places also he borrowed money as heereafter you shall heare His army was vnprouided of tents and pauillions and winter was begun when he entred into Lombardy One onely good thing he had to wit a couragious company of yoong gentlemen yet not in such obedience as was requisite Wherefore we must of necessitie conclude that this voiage was gouerned by God alone both at our going foorth and our returne home for the wisdome of the authors thereof aboue mentioned serued to no great purpose notwithstanding they might iustly vaunt themselues to be the occasion of the great honor and renowme their Master wan thereby The Notes 1 The interest of this money as he saith in the end of the fourth Chapter amounted in fovver moneths to fovverteene thousand franks Further there are at Genua certaine Marts in the yeere from the one of the vvhich to the other they let out their money it is betvveene euery Marte fovver moneths How René Duke of Lorrain came into Fraunce to demaund the Duchie of Bar and the Earledome of Prouence which King Charles held and how he failed to enter into the realme of Naples whereunto he pretended title as the King did and what right both of them had thereunto Chap. 1. THe yeere of the Kings coronation 1 being the 14. or 15. of his age the Duke of Lorraine came into Fraunce to demaund the Duchy of Bar which King Levvis the eleuenth had withholden from him and likewise the Earledome of Prouence left to the said King Levvis by the last will and Testament of King Charles of Aniou his cosen germaine 2 who died without issue The Duke of Lorraine pretended title to it as sonne and heire to the daughter of Rene King of Sicilie Duke of Aniou and Earle of Prouence alleaging that the said King Rene had done him wrong 3 in preferring King Charles of Aniou being but his brother the Earle of Maines sonne before him being his daughters sonne 4 The other answered that by their ancestors testaments Prouence could not descend to the female In the end Bar was yeelded to him for the which the King demanded onely a summe of money Further bicause the said Duke of Lorrain was highly fauored and friended by diuers of great authoritie in Fraunce especially by Iohn Duke of Bourbon who was old and desirous to marrie his sister it was agreed that during the space of fower yeeres in the which his title to the Earledome of Prouence should be examined his estate should be wholy defraied by the King and that he should haue charge of an hundred launces togither with a yeerely pension of sixe and thirtie thousand franks during the said fower yeeres I my selfe was present at the debating and ending of all these controuersies being one of the commissioners purposely chosen for the determination thereof both by the Kings neerest kinsmen and by the three estates of his realme so was also Stephen de Vers aboue mentioned who bicause he had gotten certaine possessions in Prouence caused the King as yoong as he was in the presence of his sister the Duchesse of Bourbon to say to Monseur de Comminges and to Monseur de Lau who were both also in the commission and to my selfe that we should do our endeuor that he might not lose the Earledome of Prouence which words he vttered before the agreement aboue mentioned was made Before the fower yeeres expired certaine Lawyeres of Prouence brought foorth the testaments of King Charles the first brother to Saint Levvis and of other Kings of Sicilie 5 of the house of Fraunce These Lawyeres among other proofes alleaged that not onely the Earledome of Prouence but also the realme of Sicilie with all the house of Anious other possessions appertained of right to the King and that the Duke of Lorrain had no right thereto notwithstanding others maintained the contrary All these Lawyers depended wholy vpon Stephen de Vers who nourished his Master in this language that King Charles Earle of Prouence last deceased sonne to Charles of Aniou Earle of Maine and nephew 6 to King Rene left Prouence to King Lewis by his last will and Testament and that King Rene before his death made the said Charles his heire preferring him before the Duke of Lorraine his daughters sonne bicause of the testaments of King Charles the first and his wife Countesse of Prouence wherein they had willed that the realme 7 and the countie of Prouence should not be seuered nor descend to the heire female so long as there was issue male remaining The like Testaments they alleaged also to haue beene made by their next successors in the said realme namely by Charles the second During these fower yeeres space those that gouerned the King that is to saie the Duke and Dutchesse of Bourbon and certaine of the Kings chamber namely Monseur de Grauille 8 and others who at that time bare great sway in Fraunce called to the
the Duke of Milans hands and held by Master Baptist de Campefourgouse but at this present the Lord Lodouic had recouered it and gaue to certaine of the Kings chamber eight thousand ducats for the inuesture thereof who by receiuing the monie greatly preiudiced the King For before the graunt of the said inuesture they might haue seized Genua to the Kings owne vse if they had would 9 but seeing they meant to take monie for it they ought to haue demanded more for Duke Galeas paide at one time for it to King Lewis my Master fiftie thousand ducats whereof the King whose soule God pardon gaue me thirtie thousand crownes in reward Notwithstanding they said they receiued these eight thousand ducats with the Kings consent and Stephan de Vers Seneschall of Beaucaire was one of those that tooke the monie happily to entertaine the better the Lord Lodouic for this enterprise which he so much both fauored and furthered After audience giuen openly at Paris to the ambassadors aboue mentioned the Earle of Caiazze had secret communication with the King The said Earle was in great credit at Milan but his brother Master Galeas of Saint Seuerin in greater especially in martiall affaires His Master could now dispose of the estate of Milan as of his owne for the which cause he offered the King great seruices and aide as well of men as mony affirming the enterprise to be of no difficultie This done he and Master Galeas Viscount tooke their leaue and departed leauing behinde them the Earle Charles of Belleioyeuse to entertaine the sute who incontinent put himselfe into French apparell and trauelled so earnestly in this busines that many began to like of the enterprise The King sent into Italie to Pope Innocentius to the Venetians and to the Florentines one named Peron of Basche who had been brought vp in the house of Aniou vnder Duke Iohn of Calabria and was maruellously affectioned to this voiage These practises and runnings to and fro continued the space of seuen or eight moneths and those that vnderstood of this enterprise communed among themselues diuersly of it but none thought that the King would go in person into Italie The Notes 1 Antonel of Saint Seuerin Prince of Salerne and Bernardin Prince of Besignan were brethren Guicciar 2 He meaneth by Kings of Fraunce those Kings of the house of Fraunce that had held the realme of Naples to wit the Dukes of Aniou 3 Viscomte in both these places and diuers others is a proper name not a name of honor and signifieth as much as Biscomte that is tvvise Earle bicause the Viscomti were Lords of Angiera and Milan 4 This captaine meant no treason to the children as the others did but consented to this deede bicause he thought the children in more safetie vvith him than vvith their foolish mother 5 The sense in mine opinion were better to read it qu'il luy feroit then qu'il leur feroit that is that he vvould smite off the captaines head if the place vvere not yeelded for they vvithin vvere out of Lodouics povver 6 The French had it in this sense And another vvho said that he had been a messenger betvveene them but vndoubtedly the place is corrupted and to be read as I haue amended it 7 The Duke of Ferrara had married King Ferrandes daughter named Elenor. 8 Duke Galeas ought to haue come into Fraunce to haue done homage to the King in person but bicause Lodouic vvould not let him depart out of his custodie he found means that it should be done to one sent thither by the King as his deputie for that purpose 9 Genua vvas forfeited and vnder colour thereof the Lord Lodouic had recouered it but bicause it vvas held of the King for the Genuois had giuen themselues to Charles the sixt anno 1394. vvho sent thither for gouernor Iohn de Maingre and aftervvard to Charles the seuenth anno 1446. it could be forfeited to none but to the King but by giuing avvay this inuesture he gaue avvay his right How King Charles the eight made peace with the King of Romanes and the Archduke of Austrich restoring to them the Lady Margaret of Flaunders before he made his voiage to Naples Chap. 3. DVring this delaie aboue mentioned peace was treated of at Senlis betweene the King and the Archduke of Austriche heire of the house of Burgundie for notwithstanding that they were in truce yet a breach happened betweene them bicause the King refused the King of Romaines daughter sister to the said Archduke being verie yoong and married the daughter of Frauncis Duke of Britaine to enioie peaceablie thereby the Duchie of Britaine all the which at the time of this treatie he held saue the towne of Renes and the said daughter being within in it the which was gouerned by the Prince of Orenge hir vncle who had made a marriage betweene hir and the King of Romaines 1 and openly solemnised it in the church by a Practor All the which happened in the yeere 1492. To this treatie aboue mentioned came a great ambassage in fauoure of the Duke of Austriche from the Emperor Frederick who offered to be a mediator for the peace the King of Romains sent thither also 2 and so did the Palzgraue and the Swissers to pacifie this controuersie being all of opinion that it would kindle a great fire for the King of Romains seemed aboue all measure to be iniuried hauing at one time hir taken from him whom he accounted his wife and his daughter sent backe to him which many yeeres had beene Queene of Fraunce but in the end the matter was quietly shut vp and peace concluded For all parties were wearie of war especially Duke Philips subiects who had sustained so many troubles partly bicause of wars with this realme and partly through their owne priuate diuisions that they could no more The peace was concluded but for fower yeeres whereunto the King of Romaines agreed to the end he might repose his subiects and receiue againe his daughter whom some that were about the King and the said daughter made difficultie to restore At this treatie I was present my selfe with the rest of the Kings Commissioners being these Peter Duke of Bourbon the Prince of Orenge the Lord of Cordes and diuers other noble personages and promise was there made to restore to the said Duke Philip all that the King held in Artois for so was it agreed when this mariage was treated of in the yeere 1482. that if it were not accomplished all the landes that were giuen with this Ladie in maraige should returne againe with hir or be restored to Duke Philip. But the said Archdukes men had alreadie surprised Arras and Saint Omer so that onely Hedin Aire and Betune remained to be restored the possession and seniorie whereof were presently deliuered them and they put officers into them but the King held still the castels and might place garrisons in them till the fower yeeres were expired which ended at
and ran himselfe and that very well for he was a yoong and a gallant knight The King entertained him very honorably feasted him sumptuously and gaue him his order This done he returned into Italy But the Earle of Belleioyeuse remained still with the King to hasten the voiage At Genua they began to arme a great nauie whither the King sent the Lord of Vrfé Master of his horse with diuers others In the end he remooued to Vienna in Daulphine about the beginning of August in the same yeere whither the nobles of Genua resorted daily to him wherefore to Genua he sent Lewis Duke of Orleans now King of this realme a yoong gentleman of goodly personage but much giuen to his pleasures of whom in this history ample mention shal be made It was then thought that the said Duke of Orleans should haue led this armie by sea to land in the realme of Naples by the conduct and direction of the aboue named banished Princes of Salerne Bisignan The whole nauie was fowerteene ships of Genua besides a great number of gallies and galleons and the King was as well obeied there in this case as he should haue been at Paris for Genua was vnder the state of Milan where the Lord Lodouic gouerned all hauing none to gainsay him saue onely the Duchesse his nephewes wife daughter to King Alphonse for about this present his father King Ferrande died But the said Lady preuailed little or nothing both bicause men sawe the King in a readines either to passe into Italy himselfe or to send his forces and also bicause hir husband was a very simple man and disclosed all hir dooings to the Lord Lodouic his vncle who had already caused a messenger to be drowned sent by hir to hir father This nauie did no seruice notwithstanding that the charges thereof amounted to three hūdred thousand franks for all the treasure that the K. could leuy was imploied that way by means whereof he was vnfurnished as before I said both of good counsell of money and of al things necessary for such an enterprise yet God of his meere grace as manifestly he declared gaue it good successe I meane not that the King was not wise of his age but he was but two and twenty yeeres old newly crept out of the shell The two aboue named that gouerned him in all this voiage to wit Stephen de Vers Seneschall of Beaucaire and the generall Brissonnet now Cardinall of Saint Malo were men of meane estate and of no experience whereby so much the more appeered the woonderfull worke of God our enimies on the other side were accounted wise of great experience in the wars rich accompanied with wise men and good captaines and in possession of the realme I meane King Alphonse lately crowned by Pope Alexander a Spaniard borne in the realme of Arragon who had the Florentines ioined with him and great intelligence with the Turke He had also a son bearing armes called Dom Ferrande a courteous yoong gentleman of the age of two or three and twenty yeeres who was welbeloued in the realme and a brother also named Dom Frederic who succeeded the said Ferrande in this our age and was a very wise man and led their army vpon the sea He had been long trained vp on this side the mountaines and of him you had often assured me my Lord of Vienna by your knowledge in Astrologie that he should be King so that he once promised me fower thousand franks of yeerely reuenewes in the said realme when that came to passe which promise was made twenty yeeres before the prophesie tooke effect Now to proceede the King altered his minde 5 through the Duke of Milans earnest sollicitation made both by letters by the Earle Charles of Belleioyeuse his ambassador and by the two aboue named Notwithstanding the Generall in the end began to draw backe seeing all men of wisedome and vnderstanding to mislike this voiage for many respects and especially bicause the Kings forces lay abrode in camp in August vnfurnished of monie and all other things necessarie but the Seneschall alone carried the credit from them all so far foorth that the King shewed a countenance of displeasure to the Generall three or fower daies but he soone recouered his fauour againe At this present died one of the Seneschals seruants of the plague as men said for the which cause he durst not repaire to the Kings presence to his great griefe for no man sollicited the voiage but on the contrarie side the D. Duchesse of Bourbon were there laboring all that in them lay to ouerthrow it whereunto also the said Generall encouraged them by means whereof one day the voiage was dashed and another reuiued In the end the King resolued to go and I my selfe mounted on horsebacke with the foremost hoping to passe the mountains the more commodiously with small companie but I receiued a countermand whereby I was aduertised that all was altered againe The selfesame day were borrowed fiftie thousand ducats of a merchant of Milan but the Lord Lodouic deliuered the money vpon assurance made to the said merchant for the repaiment my selfe stood bound for six thousand and others for the rest but this monie was lent without interest The King had borrowed before of the banke of Soly at Genua a hundred thousand franks the interest wherof amounted in fower moneths to 14. thousand franks 6 But some said that the two aboue named had part both in the principall and also in the interest The Notes 1 This Turke was Baiazet the second 2 Scodra in Latin a towne in that part of Dalmatia now called Albania 3 This is rainewater he meaneth 4 VVhy they had no title appeereth by the Pedegree in the end of the worke 5 For he was not minded at the first to haue gone in person 6 That is after the rate of starling money 14. pound in the hundred for fower moneths How King Charles departed from Vienna in Daulphin to conquer the realme of Naples in person and what his nauie vpon the sea did vnder the leading of the Duke of Orleans Chap. 5. TO be short the King departed from Vienna the 23. of August in the yeere 1494. and marched straight towards Ast 1 At Suze Master Galeas of S. Seuerin came to him in poste from whence the King remooued to Thurin where he borrowed all the Duchesse of Sauoyes iewels who was daughter to the late Lorde VVilliam Marques of Montferrat and Duke Charles of Sauoyes widowe the which he engaged for twelue thousand ducats A few daies after he went to Casall to the Marques of Montferrats widow being a wise yoong Lady daughter to the King of Seruia The Turke had conquered hir countrie and the Emperor whose kinswoman she was hauing as I suppose taken hir into his protection had bestowed hir in this house of Montferrat She lent also hir iewels the which were in like maner engaged for twelue thousand ducats Heereby you may perceiue what
To be short their behauiour was such on both sides that their amitie could not long endure but we babbled much more than they not the King himselfe but certaine of his neerest kinsmen 3 In this castell of Pauie was Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan and his wife daughter to King Alphonse in very pitious estate for hir husband being sicke was held in this castell as vnder garde and hir sonne who is yet liuing with a daughter or two The childe was then about fiue yeeres old and him euery man might see but no man might see the Duke for my selfe passed that way three daies before the King and could by no meanes be suffered to come to him Euery body said he was extreme sicke notwithstanding the King spake with him for he was his cosin germane 4 and he hath told me that their communication was onely generall talke bicause he would in no wise offend the Lord Lodouic notwithstanding that he were very desirous to haue aduertised his said cosin of diuers matters At the same time the Duchesse fell vpon hir knees before the said Lodouic desiring him to haue pitie vpon hir father and brother He answered that it could not be But to say the truth she might better haue intreated for hir husband and hir selfe being at that time a goodly yoong Lady From thence the King remooued to Plaisance where the said Lodouic receiued letters that his nephewe the Duke Milan lay at the point of death wherefore he tooke his leaue of the King to go to him The King desired him to returne and so he promised to do Before he came to Pauie the Duke died whereupon he rid incontinent as it were in poste to Milan Al these newes I vnderstood by a letter that the Venetian ambassador resident with the said Lodouic sent to Venice wherein also he aduertised the Seniorie that he meant to make himselfe Duke whichboth the Duke of Venice and the Seniorie vtterly misliked so far foorth that they asked me whether the King would not defend the childe which though reason required that he should yet I made the matter doubtfull considering how necessary an instrument the said Lord Lodouic was at that time for the Kings affaires To be short he made himselfe to be receiued at Milan as Duke which was the onely end as some said why he had caused vs to passe the mountaines Manie also charged him with his nephewes death whose kinsfolkes and friends in Italy were in armes to haue taken the gouernment from him which they would easily haue done had not the Kings comming stopped them For they were already in Romaine as you haue heard But the Earle of Caiazze and the Lord of Aubigny made them to retire For the said Lord of Aubigny had with him a company of a hundred fifty or two hundred men of armes French and a good band of Swissers Dom Ferrande and his forces retired towards their friends dislodging euer halfe a daies iourney before our men and marched towards Furly 5 which belonged to a Lady being a bastard of Milan and widow of the Earle Hieronime nephew to Pope Sixtus 6 This Lady fauored them as the report went notwithstanding after our men had taken by assault a little towne of hirs being first beaten halfe a day with the canon she reuolted to vs being indeed well affected to vs before Further the people of Italy began in all places to take hart and to desire change and alteration for they sawe that which before they had neuer seene I meane the feate of artillerie which they were vnacquainted with which in Fraunce was neuer more practised than at that time The said Dom Ferrande approched still neerer and neerer to his realme and went to Sesenne a faire citie of the Popes in the Marque of Anconne but the people spoiled his carriage stuffe whensoeuer they tooke his men at aduantage And through all Italy they would haue rebelled if the wars had been ordered on our side without spoile but all was done cleane contrary to my great griefe bicause of the honor and renowme the French nation might haue obtained by this voiage For at our first arriuall the people honored vs as saints supposing all faith and vertue to be in vs but their opinion endured not long partly bicause of the disorder and spoile our men vsed and partly bicause of the slanderous reports our enimies made of vs in all places charging vs that we forced women and robbed and carried away money and whatsoeuer we could lay hands on of heinouser crimes they could not haue accused vs in Italy for no nation is so ielous and couetous as the Italian As touching women they belied vs but the rest was not altogither vntrue The Notes 1 He meaneth bicause he vvas a man of no vertue as before is said 2 VVhat right the Duke of Orleans had to it the petegree in the end of the booke will declare 3 He meaneth the Earle of Ligny the King and vvho vvere sisters children 4 King Charles his mother vvas Charlotte and this Dukes mother Bonne both daughters to the Duke of Sauoy 5 It vvas corruptly in the French Sorly for Furly vvhich the old Romaines called Forum liuii 6 Octauian sonne to Hieronime of Riare vvas Lord of Furly and Imola vvith title of Vicar of the Church but he vvas vnder the gouernment of Katherin Sforce his mother heere mentioned Guicciar How Peter of Medices yeelded fower of the Florentines strongest places to the King and how the King restored Pisa being one of them to their ancient liberty Chap. 7. THe King as before you haue heard was at Plaisance where he caused a solemne funerall to be made for his cosin germaine the Duke of Milan for other thing wist he not what to do the new Duke of Milan being departed from him They that best vnderstood the course of these affaires haue told me that the whole cōpany desired to returne home aswel for that they were vnprouided of all things necessarie as also bicause of diuers doubts that were arisen for certaine that at the first seemed to haue great good liking of this voiage began now vtterly to disallow thereof namely the Lord of Vrfé Master of the horse who was not with the King but lay sicke at Genua whence he wrote him a letter giuing him therein to vnderstand of diuers doubts and iealousies whereof he was aduertised But as before I haue said in diuers places God manifestly declared that he himselfe gouerned this enterprise For suddenly in the necke of this letter newes came to the King that the Duke of Milan would shortly return and that the Florentines began to fauor vs in hatred of Peter de Medicis who gouerned them as if he had been their Prince to the great discontentation both of many of his owne neere kinsmen and of diuers also the best citizens namely the Capons the Sonderini 1 the Nerly and in maner the whole citie Wherefore the King departed from
Plaisance and marched towards the Florentines territories meaning either to cause them to declare themselues for him or to take their townes being vnfortified and lodge his men in them all the winter which was already begun Diuers small places yeelded vnto him so did also the citie of Luques enimie to the Florentines shewing him all pleasure and seruice that in them lay Now you shall vnderstand that the Duke of Milan had two purposes in his head first he sought by all meanes possible to staie the King from passing further that sommer 2 Secondarily he hoped to obtaine of him Pisa a great and a faire citie togither with Serzane and Petresancte which two places had been subiect to the Geneuois not long before and were woon from them by the Florentines in Laurence de Medicis time The King passed through Pontreme one of the D. of Milans townes and went to besiege Serzane the strongest and the best castle the Florentines had but vnfurnished bicause of their great diuision To say the truth the Florentines neuer beare armes willingly against the house of Fraunce for they haue euer faithfully serued it taken part with it both bicause of their great traficke in Fraunce also bicause they haue euer been of the Guelphes faction 3 If this place had been well furnished the King must of necessitie haue broken his armie for the countrie is verie barren ful of hils victuals there were none to be gotten besides that the snow lay maruellous deepe vpon the ground After the Kings siege had lien before it three daies the Duke of Milan came thither no composition being yet made betweene the Florentines and the King 4 and passed through Pontreme where the townesmen and the soldiers of the garrison fell at such variance with our Almaines led by one Buser that certaine of the saide Almaines were staine of the which braule sprang a great inconuenience as heereafter you shall heare For although I were not my selfe present at the doing of these things yet vnderstood I of them both by the King the Duke and diuers others The Florentines began now to practise and appointed fifteene or sixteene to go to the King saying that they would no longer continue in this great danger nor sustaine the displeasure of the King and the Duke of Milan who had continually an ambassador resident at Florence And Peter of Medices consented to the sending of this ambassage for to say the truth he could not remedie it considering vpon what termes they stood for if they had done otherwise they had been vndone being vnprouided of all things and vtterly vnacquainted with the wars When these ambassadors came to the Kings presence they offered to receiue him into Florence and their other places neither cared the greater part of them how the world went so that we would come to Florence to chase away Peter of Medices which matter they earnestly pressed bicause they had good intelligence with the aboue named that gouerned then the Kings affaires On the other side Peter of Medices practised by a seruant of his owne named Laurence Spinelly who was his factor at Lyons and an honest man in his vocation and had liued long in Fraunce but of the state of our Court he could vnderstand nothing no hardly they that had beene Courtiers all their liues bicause of the often changes and alterations This Spinelly negotiated with those that heeretofore had borne all the sway namely the Lord of Bresse afterward Duke of Sauoye and the Lord of Miolans chamberlaine to the King Soone after the aboue named ambassadors were returned to Florence Peter of Medices accompanied with certaine of the citie came himselfe to the King to make answer to our requests for they within the citie sawe vtter destruction before their eies vnlesse they yeelded to all the Kings demaunds whose fauour they hoped to obtaine by offering him some greater seruice than any of the other townes that had already receiued him At his arriuall Monseur de Piennes a Flemming borne and Chamberlaine to the King and the generall Brissonnet were sent to treate with him who required him to yeeld vnto the King the castell of Serzane which presently he did They required him further to lend the King Pisa Ligorne Petresanct and Librefacto whereunto he also agreed incontinent neuer communicating the matter with his collegues who supposed that the King should onely haue lodged in Pisa and these other places to refresh himselfe but not haue held them still well by this meanes they yeelded their whole estate and force into our hands Those that negotiated with the said Peter haue told both me and others since scoffing and iesting at him that they woondred to see him so lightly condescend to so waightie a matter granting more than they looked for To conclude the King entred into Pisa and the aboue named ambassadors returned to Florence where the said Peter caused the Kings lodging to be made in his owne house which was the goodliest of a citizens or merchants house that euer I saw and better furnished than any mans house in the world of his estate I must heere speake a word or two of the Duke of Milan who now wished the King with all his hart out of Italy notwithstanding that both already he had made his profit by him and sought also still so to do for he was in hope to obtaine of him the places yeelded by the Florentines and pressed him earnestly for Serzane and Petresancte which he said appertained to the Genuois he lent him also at that present 30. thousand ducats and he hath since told both me and others that these places were promised him But when he sawe that he could not obtaine them he departed in great displeasure from the King pretending that earnest busines called him home which was the last time the King saw him notwithstanding he left Master Galeas of Saint Seuerin behind him whom he ioined in commission in all matters with the Earle Charles of Belleioyeuse The said Master Galeas while the King lay in Pisa sent by his Masters aduise for the chiefe citizens of the towne to his lodging where he perswaded them to rebell against the Florentines and to desire the King to restore them to their ancient liberty trusting by this meanes that Pisa would fall into the Duke of Milans clawes vnder whose obedience it had been 5 in the time of Iohn Galeas the first Duke of Milan of that name a great and wicked tyrant though very honorable whose body lieth buried in the charterhouse of Pauia by the parke 6 so high aboue the high altar that men go vp to it by a ladder certain of the monkes shewed me it at the least his bones which smelt as naturally they should Further one of the said monkes who was borne at Bourges called him Saint as he talked with me and I asked him in his eare why he called him Saint considering he might behold painted round about him the armes of
their towne reared vp againe the armes of Arragon and Dom Frederick being at Brandis sent a garrison thither To be short fortune began now to frowne vpon vs which but two moneths before so highly had fauored vs in such sort that through the whole realme they began to reuolt as well bicause of the league as also of the Kings departure and the small forces he left behinde him which was nothing in respect of the number of soldiers though diuers of the captaines were of great valor He appointed for his lieutenant generall in the said realme the Lord of Montpensier of the house of Bourbon a valiant and a hardy knight but of no great sense and so careles that he kept his bed euery day til noone In Calabria he left the Lord of Aubigny a Scottish man borne a vertuous wise honorable a valiant knight him he created high Constable of the realme and gaue him as before you haue heard the Earldome of Acri and the Marquisat of Squillazzo He had made Lord great Chamberlaine of the realme at his first comming thither the Seneschall of Beaucaire called Stephan de Vers who was also captaine of Caietta Duke of Nola and Lord of diuers other seniories Further all the treasure of the realme passed through his hands so that his charge was much too waightie for him but sure he was well affected to the defence of the realme He created the Lord Don Iulian Lorrain a Duke and left him in the towne of Saint Angelo where he behaued himselfe passing well He left in Manfredonia Master Gabriell of Montfaulcon a man of whom he made great account and to all these he gaue goodly possessions but this Gabriell behaued himselfe very childishly for at fower daies end he yeelded the towne for lacke of victuals notwithstanding that at his entrie into it he found it very well furnished besides that it was seated in a countrie abounding with all kinde of graine Diuers sold all the prouision they found in the castels and the report went that this Gabriell fled himselfe and left VVilliam of Vilneufue for defence of the towne whom his owne seruants sold to Dom Frederick who put him into the gallies where he remained a long time At Tarente the King left George of Suilly who carried himselfe there very gallantly and died of the plague and this citie held for the King till famine forced it to yeeld In Aquila he left the bailife of Vitry where he did great seruice and in Abruzzo master Gracian des guerres who likewise made good proofe of his valor there They were all left vnfurnished of monie for order was giuen that they should receiue their pay there of the reuenues of the crowne but all was too little Notwithstanding the K. left the Princes of Salerne and Bisignan very well appointed who did him good seruice as long as they were able He delt also very bountifully with the Coulonnois for he granted them al their demaunds put aboue thirty places into their hands their friends which if they would haue defended for him as both by dutie oth they were bound they had don him great seruice and purchased to themselues both honor and profit For I thinke they were not so highly aduanced these hundred yeeres as by the King at that time yet notwithstanding before his departure they began to practise with his enimies True it is that they serued him in fauour onely of the Duke of Milan bicause they haue euer been of the faction Gibilin but they ought not in respect thereof to haue dealt faithlesly with him who so highly had aduanced and pleasured them not only this way but diuers others For in their fauor he had prisoners with him vnder garde the Lord Virgill Vrsin and the Earle of Petillane 3 with diuers others of the Vrsines their enimies yea and that against all right and reason for notwithstanding that they were taken prisoners yet knew the King right well that they had a safe conduct the benefit also whereof he meant they should enioy as himselfe well declared for he was determined to leade them no further than Ast and there to release them All this did he at the Coulonnois request and yet before his returne to Ast they shrunke from him yea they were the very first that reuolted though they could alleage no cause that mooued them thereunto The Notes 1 Guicciar saith the King left behinde him halfe his Swissers part of his French footmen 800. French launces and 500. Italian men of armes 2 These are certaine ships hauing both saile and ore the which are very much vsed in the meridionall seas 3 Virginio Vrsin and the Earle of Petillane followed the King onely vpon their word not to depart without leaue How the King departed from Naples and passed againe through Rome whereupon the Pope fled to Oruiette of the communication the King had with Monseur D'Argenton at his returne from Venice how he tooke aduise whether he should restore the Florentines places to them or not and of the Sermons woorthie of memorie of Frier Ierom of Florence Chap. 2. THe King hauing giuen order for his affaires as he thought good put himselfe vpon the way homeward with the rest of his forces 1 being as I suppose nine hundred men of armes at the least comprehending therein the ordinarie retinue of his house two thousand and fiue hundred Swissers so that I thinke the whole armie contained seuen thousand men taking paie besides the traine of the Court being to the number of fifteen hundred able to do seruice 2 The Earle of Petillane who tooke the iust muster of them told me after the battell whereof you shall heare that the whole force was nine thousand men The King marched straight to Rome where the Pope would not tarie his comming but was first determined to haue gone to Padua into the Venetians dominions so far foorth that his lodging was made there But afterward he altered his minde for both the Venetians and the Duke of Milan sent him certaine bands of men to Rome where though they arriued in time yet durst he not abide notwithstanding that the King meant him no harme but would haue done him all honor and seruice and had also sent an ambassador thither purposely to desire him to staie But he retired to Oruiette and thence to Perouse leauing the Cardinals at Rome to receiue the King who staide not there 3 neither harmed any man The K. wrote vnto me that I should meet him at Sene whither I repaired accordingly he receiued me of his goodnes verie graciously and asked me somewhat merily whether the Venetians would send to stop him vpon the waie for his army consisted altogither of yoong men who thought none in the world comparable to them I answered that the seniorie told me at my departure in the presence of one of his secretaries named Lourdin that they and the Duke of Milan would put forty thousand men into the field not
that the King writ to the Duke of Orleans this enterprise of Nouarre which is but ten leagues from Milan liked him so wel that he was contented to giue eare thereunto and was receiued into the citie in great triumph both of the Guelphes and Gibelines which his exploit the Marchionesse of Monferrat greatly furthered The castle held two or three daies and then yeelded also But if in the meane time the Duke had gone or sent to Milan where he had good intelligence he had been receiued into the towne with greater ioy than euer he was into his castle of Blois as diuers of the noblest men of the countrey haue enformed me And the three first daies he might haue gone thither in safetie for when Nouarre was taken the Duke of Milans whole force lay yet at Nom neere to Ast and returned not to Milan till the fourth day after But I suppose the Duke beleeued not all the intelligence he receiued thence The Notes 1 The French corrector supposeth it should be Motron but the author himselfe aftervvard chap. 14. calleth it againe Mortron Guicciar hath it Mutron 2 The Duke of Orleans immediately after the skirmish vpon the sea at Rapalo fell sicke of an ague and returned to Ast and passed no further vvith the King tvvo gentlemen called Opizins brought the Duke of Orleans into Nouarre Guicci How King Charles passed diuers dangerous straights in the mountains between Pisa and Serzane how the towne of Pontreme was burned by his Almaines and how the Duke of Orleans behaued himselfe in the meane time at Nouarre Chap. 4. YOu haue heard already of the Kings departure from Sene to Pisa and of al that he did at Pisa Thence he remoued to Luques where the citizens honorably receiued him and there he abode two daies Afterward he marched to Petrosancte which Entragues held making no account of his enimies neither himselfe nor those that carried all the credit with him He passed maruellous straights in the mountaines betweene Luques and Petrosancte which a handfull of footemen might easily haue defended against him but our enimies were not yet assembled Neere to the said Petrosancte is the straight of Seire on the one side and the straight of Roctaille on the other being great deepe salt marshes where we were forced to passe ouer a narrow way like to a causey in a standing poole and this was the straight that betweene Pisa and Pontreme I most feared and which was reported to be most dangerous for one cart set ouerthwart the way with two good peeces of artillerie and but a handfull of men might haue stopped our passage had our force beene neuer so great From Petrosancte the King remooued to Serzane where the Cardinall Saint Peter ad vincula offered to make Genua reuolt and desired to haue some part of the Kings forces sent thither The matter was debated by the Kings Councell my selfe being present at it in the companie of a great many wise men and good captaines all the which concluded that no eare should be giuen to this enterprise bicause if the King obtained the victorie Genua would yeeld of it selfe and if he were ouerthrowen it could do him no seruice and this was the first time that I perceiued any of them to doubt the battell Report was made to the King of our resolution yet notwithstanding thither he sent the Lord of Bresse afterward Duke of Sauoy the Lord of Beaumont the Lord of Polignac my brother in lawe and the Lord of Ambeiou of the house of Amboise with sixe score men of armes and fiue hundred crossebowe men newly come out of Fraunce by sea But I woondred that so yoong a Prince had no trustie seruants about him that durst boldly tell him into how great danger he put himselfe by diminishing his force after this sort for as touching me me thought he beleeued not all that I said We had a small armie vpon the sea returning from Naples vnder the leading of the Lord of Myolens gouernor of Daulphin and one Stephan de Neues of Montpellier They were in all about eight gallies and sailed to Specie and Repalo where at this present they were all defeated and led prisoners to Genua in the selfesame place where we had vanquished King Alphonses forces at the beginning of this voiage and by the selfesame men that tooke part with vs at that battell namely Master Iohn Lewis de Flisco and Master Iohn Adorne but if the matter had been well ordred they should haue been with the King and all little ynough The Lord of Bresse and the Cardinall aboue mentioned went and lodged in the suburbes of Genua thinking that their faction within the towne would haue risen in their fauor But the Duke of Milan and the Adornes that gouerned the towne and Master Iohn Lewis de Flisco a wise knight had giuen so good order to preuent this mischiefe that our men were in great danger to be defeated heere also as the others were before vpon the sea for their number was small and had it not been bicause the faction that ruled at Genua durst not issue foorth of the towne for feare least the Fourgouses should rebell and shut the gates vpon them vndoubtedly they had all been slaine for this notwithstanding they were in great distresse vpon the way as they retired to Ast besides that they were not at the battel with the King where their seruice might haue stood him in good stead From Serzane the King marched to Pontreme through the which he was forced to passe bicause it is the very entrie into the mountaines The towne and castell were well fortified and the seate of them maruellous strong but within them were not past three or fower hundred footemen for if they had beene well manned they had beene impregnable Wherefore Frier Ieroms prophesie prooued true which was that God would leade the King by the hand till he were out of danger for it seemed that his enimies were blinded and bereft of their wits in that they defended not this straight To the said place of Pontreme the King sent his vaward led by the Marshall Gie accompanied with Master Iohn Iames of Treuoul whom the King had receiued into his seruice at Naples after King Ferrandes departure thence with whom he was them in pay he was a gentleman of Milan of a good house a good captaine a very valiant man and a great enimie to the Duke of Milan for he was banished by him when King Ferrande receiued him into his seruice By the said Master Iohn Iames his meanes the place yeelded immediately without batterie and the garrison that was within it departed But a great inconuenience happened there for as before is mentioned when the Duke of Milan passed last that way they of the towne and certaine of our Swissers fell at variance of whom about forty at that time were slaine for reuenge whereof the said Swissers at this present notwithstanding the composition slue all the men they found
in the towne spoiled it and burnt both victuals and all that was within it and aboue ten also of themselues being drunke neither could the Marshall Gie by any meanes make them to retire They besieged the castel also meaning to haue done the like to those that were within it being the said Master Iohn Iames of Treuoules seruants whom he had put into it when the garrison of the enimies yeelded it neither would the said Almaines depart thence till the King himselfe sent to them It was great pitie that the towne was thus destroied both bicause of the dishonor we receiued thereby and also bicause there was great plentie of victuals within it whereof we were already in great distresse 1 notwithstanding that the people were no where against vs saue onely the people of the countrie neere to Pontreme bicause of the harmes we did there Now to proceede if the King would haue followed the said Master Iohn Iames his aduise diuers places of the Duchie of Milan would haue yeelded and diuers gentlemen of the countrie haue reuolted to him for he gaue him counsell to reare vp in euery place the yoong Dukes armes whom the Lord Lodouic held in his hands being sonne to Iohn Galeas the Duke that last died at Pauia as before you haue heard But the King refused so to do for the fauor he bare to the Duke of Orleans who pretended and doth yet pretend title to the said Duchie Thus marched the King beyond Pontreme and lodged in a little valley neere to a village that had not ten houses in it the name whereof I know not There he abode fiue daies vpon no occasion his armie being almost famished and his battell lying thirty miles behinde his vaward in the middest of huge and sharpe mountaines ouer the which such great cannons and culuerins passed then as neuer had passed before For Duke Galeas in his time conueied ouer but fower faulcons waying not past fiue hundred pound a peece which was a great woonder in those daies I must now returne to the Duke of Orleans who after he had taken the castell of Nouarre staid there a few daies to no purpose and then went to Vigesue neere to the which were two little townes that sent vnto him offering to receiue him but by wise aduise he refused their offer They of Pauia sent also twise to him to the same end and them he should not haue refused Moreouer he marched in order of battell before the said towne of Vigesne where the Duke of Milans whole force lay being led by the two brethren of Saint Seuerin so often aboue named The town is hardly so good as Saint Martin-de-Candé which is not woorth sixe pence I my selfe arriued there not long after at which time the Duke of Milan being there with certaine of his captaines shewed me the place where both the armies had stood in order of battell hard by the towne and within the towne And if the Duke of Orleans had marched but an hundred paces further they had retired beyond the riuer of Thesin for they stood hard by the riuer side and had built a great bridge of boates ouer it Moreouer I saw them at my being there beat downe a great bulwark of earth which they had made on the other side of the riuer to defend the passage whereby it appeered that they were fully minded if the Duke had marched forward to abandon both the towne and castle which had been much to their disaduantage This is the place where the Duke of Milan vseth most to be resident and sure it is scituate in the pleasantest countrey for all kinde of pastimes especially hauking and hunting that euer I sawe But peraduenture the Duke of Orleans thought the place strong where his enimies lodged and himselfe to haue passed far ynough wherefore he retired to Trecas the Lord whereof who had charge vnder the Duke of Milan and my selfe communed togither of these affaires a fewe daies after To the said towne of Trecas certaine of the principal of Milan sent to the Duke of Orleans promising to receiue him into the towne and offering for performance thereof to deliuer their children in hostage Which their enterprise they might easily haue executed as diuers of great authority being then within the towne and acquainted with all their practises haue aduertised me saying that the Duke of Milan could not haue found men ynow to haue defended the castell of Milan for him bicause both nobles people desired the destruction of this house of Sforce The Duke of Orleans also and his men haue enformed me of these practises aboue mentioned but they had no great affiance in those that negotiated with them and they lacked a man that vnderstood these affaires better than themselues whereunto I also adde that the said Dukes captaines were not all of one opinion as touching this enterprise With the Duke of Milans forces ioined two thousand Almains whom the King of Romanes sent thither and a thousand Dutch horsemen vnder the leading of master Frederic Capelare borne in the countie of Ferrette Their arriuall so much encouraged Master Galeas and his companie that they went before Trecas to present the battell to the Duke of Orleans who refused it notwithstanding that his force were greater then theirs bicause his captaines as I suppose would not hazard the battell fearing least the losse therof should be the Kings destruction of whom they could heare no newes bicause the passages were all stopped wherefore they retired to Nouarre giuing no order for their prouision of victuals no not for the preseruation of the store they had within the towne already much lesse for any new supplie whereof notwithstanding they might plentifully haue been furnished at that time in the countrey about without money whereas afterward they were greatly distressed through their owne follie To conclude their enimies came and lodged within halfe a league of them The Notes 1 The cause of their lacke vvas the barrennes of the countrey How the Kings great artillerie passed the mounts Appenines by the Almains helpe of the danger the Marshall of Gie was in with his vaward and how the King arriued at Fornoue Chap. 5. YOu haue heard how the King vpon no occasion laie in a valley on this side Pontreme fiue daies togither in great distresse of victuals Our Almains did there one great peece of seruice for those that committed this foule fault at Pontreme fearing that they had thereby procured themselues the Kings indignation for euer came and offered to passe the artillerie ouer these monstrous waies in the mountaines for so may I well terme them bicause they were so high and steepe that there lay no beaten way ouer them I haue seene all the highest mountaines both of Italy and Spaine which vndoubtedly are not comparable to these The Almains made this offer vpon condition that the K would pardon their fault which he promised to do We had fowerteene great and massy peeces of artillery
somtime had led certaine bands and ought of right to haue led the vaward 2 as all men said I answered the King that I would do his commandement but that I neuer saw two so great forces so neere togither depart without battell Our whole armie marched foorth vpon the plaine in good order the one battell neere to the other as the day before but as touching the force it seemed but a handfull to that I had seene with Duke Charles of Burgundie and King Lewis this Kings father Vpon the said plaine the Cardinall and I withdrew our selues aside and endited a letter to the two Prouisors aboue named the which was written by one Master Robertet a Secretarie of the Kings and in good credit The contents of our letter were that it appertained to the estate and office of the Cardinall to procure peace and vnto me also hauing so lately been ambassador at Venice for the which cause I might as yet take vpon me the office of mediator betweene the King and them We signified further to them on the Kings behalfe that he would but passe foorth his way without doing harme to any man wherefore if they minded to parlament according to the order taken the day before we for our parts were willing thereunto and would imploy our selues to do all the good we could The skirmishes were already begun round about vs and after our armie had marched awhile softly passing along before them the riuer running betweene them and vs as you haue heard we approched so neer to them that we came within a quarter of a league of their camp within the which they stood all in martiall aray for their maner is to make their campe so large that they may all stand in order of battell within it They sent foorth incontinent part of their Estradiots and crossebowe men on horsebacke and certaine men of armes the which came along vpon the way almost vnder couert towards the village of Fornoue out of the which we were departed meaning there to passe this little riuer and to assaile our carriage which was so great that I thinke it laded aboue 6000. mules horses and asses They had set their battels in such order many daies before they fought that better they could not be ordered for they were so placed that their great number halfe assured them of the victory bicause they assailed the K. his army on euery side in such sort that not one of vs could haue escaped if we had been broken considering the straight we were in Those aboue mentioned came and assailed our carriage and on the left hand came the Marquesse of Mantua the Lord Rodolph his vncle and the Earle Bernardin of Dalmouton with all the flower of their armie being to the number of sixe hundred men of armes as they themselues afterward confessed all the which entred into the plaine directly behinde vs. Their men of armes were all barded and furnished with braue plumes and goodly bourdonasses 3 and well accompanied with crossebowe men on horsebacke Estradiots and footemen Against the Marshall of Gie and our vaward marched the Earle of Caiazze with fower hundred men of armes accompanied as the others aboue mentioned and with a great band of footemen with him also was another companie of two hundred men of armes led by Master Iohn de Bentiuoille of Bolonia his sonne a yoong man who before had neuer seen the wars for they were as slenderly prouided of good captaines as we This yoong Bentiuoille was placed there to giue a new charge vpon our vaward immediately after the Earle of Caiazze With the Marquesse of Mantua was also a like companie of men of armes for the same purpose vnder the leading of Master Anthony of Vrbin bastard to the late Duke of Vrbin Besides these there remained yet in their campe two great troupes of men of armes as I vnderstood the next day by themselues when they and I communed togither and I saw them also with mine eies And this they did bicause the Venâ—tians would not hazard all at once nor vnfurnish their campe Notwithwanding in mine opinion it had beene better for them to haue aduentured their whole force seeing they meant to fight I will now tell you what became of the letter the Cardinall and I sent to their campe by a trumpeter The Prouisors receiued it and immediately after they had read it brast foorth the first peece of our artillerie then shot theirs which was not so good as ours The said Prouisors incontinent sent backe our trumpeter accompanied with a trumpeter of the Marquesses who brought word that they were content to parlament if we would cause our artillerie to cease saying that they on their side would do the like I was then a great way from the King who rid about heere and there and sent backe these two trumpeters with answere that he would make the artillerie to cease and gaue commandement to the Master of the ordinance to stay the shot and so all ceased awhile on both sides But soone after vpon a sudden they discharged one of their peeces and then shot ours againe freshlier than before and we approched three of our peeces neerer to them After the two trumpeters were arriued at their campe they tooke ours and sent him to the Marquesses pauilion resoluing to fight For the Earle of Caiazze as those that were present haue informed me said that it was now no time to parlament seeing that we were halfe vanquished already and one of their Prouisors was of his opinion and agreed to fight as I haue heard himselfe report but the other would not consent thereunto The Marquesse in like maner desired the battell but his vncle who was a vertuous and a wise gentleman and loued vs well and bare armes against vs with an euill will withstood it to the vttermost of his power but in the end they agreed all to fight Now you shal vnderstand that the King had put his whole force into his vaward in the which were three hundred and fiftie men of armes and three thousand Swissers the onely hope of our army with whom he commanded three hundred archers of his garde to ioine themselues on foote and likewise certaine crossebowe men on horsebacke of the two hundreth that were also of his garde which was a great diminishing of the safety of his person In our army were but few footemen besides these for all that we had were placed in the vaward On foote with our Almaines were the Lord Engelbert brother to the Duke of Cleues Lornay and the bailife of Digeon the said Almains captain and before them marched our artillerie Heere they whom we left in the Florentines places and those that were sent to Genua would haue don good seruice contrary to the opinion of all men Our vaward had now marched almost as far as their campe so that all men thought they should haue begun the battell but our two other battels were not so neere it
nor so well placed to haue succoured it as the day before Further bicause the Marques of Mantua who was entred into the plaine and past the riuer was directly vpon our backe about a quarter of a league behinde our rereward marching with his force softly and close togither which was a maruellous pleasant sight to behold the King was forced to turne his backe to his vawarde and his face towards his enimies and so to approch neerer to his rereward and retire from his vaward I was then with the Cardinall attending an answer of our letter but I told him I perceiued it was no time to staie any longer there wherfore I departed being hard by the Swissers and went to the King But before I could come to him I lost a page who was my cosin germaine and a groome of my chamber and a lackey which followed a prety way behinde me so that I saw not when they were slaine I had not riden aboue a hundred paces when suddenly a cry began to arise in the selfe same place from whence I was departed or but little beyond For you shall vnderstand that their Estradiots at this very instant came to our carriage anâ— entred into the Kings lodging where were three or fower houses in the which they slew or hurt fower or fiue soldiers but the rest escaped they slew also about an hundred of our straglers and put our carriage in great disorder When I came to the King I found him dubbing of knights but bicause the enimies were at hand we caused him to cease and then I hard the bastard of Bourbon named Mathew who was in good credit with the King and one Philip de Moulin a poore gentleman but very valiant call the King saying passe foorth sir passe foorth whereupon he went into the forefront of his battell and placed himselfe before his standard so that the bastard of Bourbon excepted I sawe none neerer the enimies then himselfe Our enimies marched lustely forward in such sort that within lesse than a quarter of an hower after my arriuall they were come within a hundred paces of the King who was as euill garded as euil waited on as euer was Prince or noble maÌ„ but mauger the deuil he is wel defended whom God defends And sure the prophesie of the reuerend father frier Hierom prooued true who told me as before you haue heard that God led him by the hand His rereward stood vpon his right hand being recoiled somwhat from him the neerest companie to him on that side was the D. of Orleans companie being to the number of 80. launces led by Robinet of Frainezelles and Monseur de la Trimoilles company being about forty launces and the hundred Scottish archers of his garde who thrust themselues into the presse as men of armes I my selfe stood vpon the left hand with the gentlemen pensioners and seruants of the Kings house This rereward was led by the Earle of Foix but as touching the names of the other captaines I passe them ouer for breuitie Within a quarter of an hower after my arriuall the enimies being so neere the King as you haue heard charged their staues and began a soft gallop They were diuided into two troupes one of the which charged the two companies of our horsemen and the Scottish archers standing on the Kings right hand and the other the King himselfe so that both they and the King were charged almost at one instant we that stood vpon the left hand charged them vpon the flanke greatly to our aduantage and vndoubtedly it is impossible for men to meete roughlier than we met But the Estradiots that accompanied them seeing our mules and carriage flie towards our vaward and their companions 4 get all the bootie turned their horses that way and forsooke their men of armes who by meanes thereof were vnfollowed whereby it manifestly appeered that God meant to preserue vs for if these fifteene hundred light horsemen had broken in amongst vs with their Cimeterres which are terrible swords like to the Turks vndoubtedly we had beene defeated our number being so small The Italian men of armes immediately after they had broken their staues fled and their footemen or the greatest part shrunke aside and fled also At the selfesame time that they charged vs the Earle of Caiazze gaue a charge also vpon our vaward but they met not so roughly as we for at the very instant that they should haue couched their staues they began to faint and disordered themselues in such sort that fifteene or twenty of them being scattered amongst our bands were taken and slaine by our Almaines the rest were but easily pursued for the Marshall of Gie endeuored to keepe his forces togither bicause he saw yet a great troupe of enimies not far from him Notwithstanding part of his men followed the chase and part of the Earle of Caiazzes men that fled passed ouer the place where the Marques we had fought with their swords in their hands for they had throwne awaie their staues But they that assailed the King fled immediately after they had charged and were maruellous swiftly pursued for we all followed the chase part of them tooke â—way to the village from whence we were departed the rest fled the next way to their campe we all pursuing them saue the King who staid behinde with a few men and put himselfe in great danger bicause he followed not after them with vs. One of the first that was slaine of their side was the Lord Rodolph of Mantua vnckle to the Marques who should haue sent word to the aboue named Master Anthonie of Vrbin when he should march for they thought that this battell would haue endured as their battels in Italie do which their error serued the said Master Anthonie for a good excuse but to say the truth I thinke he saw ynough to stay him from marching We had a great number of straglers and seruants following vs all the which flocked about the Italian men of armes being ouerthrowen and slue the most of them For the greatest part of the said straglers had their hatchets in their hands wherewith they vsed to cut wood to make our lodgings with the which hatchets they brake the visards of their head peeces and then claue their heads for otherwise they could hardly haue beene slaine they were so surely armed so that there were euer three or fower about one of them Moreouer the long swords that our archers and seruants had did that day a great execution The King tarried vpon the place where the charge was giuen accompanied with seuen or eight yoong gentlemen whom he had appointed to attend vpon him for neither would he follow the chase neither retire to his vaward bicause it was somwhat farre off He escaped wel at the first encounter coÌ„sidering that he was one of the foremost for the bastard of Bourbon was taken within lesse then twenty paces of him 5 and led prisoner to the
hower before day a trumpeter sounded Bon guet but at our dislodging nothing was sounded neither needed it for euery man was in a readines Notwithstanding this was sufficient to haue put the whole army in feare at the least those that were acquainted with the wars for besides this we turned our backes to our enimies seeking wholie our owne saftety which is a dangerous matter in an armie Further the waies at our departure from our lodging were very cumbersome in such sort that we were forced to march ouer mountaines and through woods and by-waies for we had no guides to lead vs my selfe heard the soldiers aske the ensigne bearers and him that executed the office of Master of the horse where the guides were who answered that there were none To say the truth we needed none for as God alone had guided the armie at our going foorth euen so according to Frier Hieromes prophesie meant he to do at our returne otherwise it is not to be thought that such a prince would haue ridden in the night without a guide in a place where ynow might haue been had But God shewed yet a manifester token that he meant to preserue vs for our enimies vnderstood nothing of our departure till the afternoone but waited for this parlamenting I had begun besides that the riuer was risen so high that it was fower of the clocke at after noone before any man durst aduenture ouer to follow vs and then passed the Earle of Caiazze with two hundred Italian light horse in such danger bicause of the force of the water that one or two of his men were drowned as himselfe afterward confessed We trauelled ouer hils and through woods and were constrained by the space of sixe miles to marche one by one after another in the narrow waies and then came we to a goodly large plain where our vaward artillerie and carriage lay which seemed so great a band a far off that at the first we stood in feare of them bicause Master Iohn Iames of Trenoules ensigne was square and white like to the Marques of Mantuas the day of the battel The said vaward was in like maner afeard of our rereward which they saw a farre off forsake the high way to come the next way to them whereupon both they and we set our selues in order of battell but this feare soone ended for the scoutes issued foorth on both sides and discried one an other incontinent From thence we went to refresh vs at Bourg Saint Denis where we our selues made an alarme of purpose to retire our Almains out of the towne least they should haue spoiled it Thence we remooued and lodged all night at Florensole the second night we encamped neere to Plaisance and passed the riuer of Trebia leauing on the other side of the riuer two hundred launces all our Swissers and all the artillerie except sixe peeces which the King passed ouer with him For he had giuen this order to the end he might be the better and more commodiously lodged thinking to command them to passe at his pleasure bicause the riuer is commonly very shallow especially at that time of the yeere notwithstanding about ten of the clocke at night it arose so high that no man could passe ouer it neither on horsebacke nor on foote neither could the one company haue succoured the other which was a great danger considering how neer our enimies were to vs. Al that night both they and we sought to remedy this mischiefe but no helpe could be found till the water fell of it selfe which was about fiue of the clocke in the morning and then we stretched coardes from the one side to the other to helpe ouer the footemen who waded in the water vp to their necks immediately after them passed also our horsemen and our artillerie This was a sudden and dangerous aduenture considering the place where we were for our enimies lay hard by vs I meane the garrison of Plaisance the Earle of Caiazze who was entred in thither bicause certaine of the citizens practised to put the town into the Kings hands vnder the title of the yoong Duke sonne to Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan that last died as before you haue heard And vndoubtedly if the King would haue giuen eare to this practise a great number of townes and noble men would haue reuolted by Master Iohn Iames of Treuoules meanes but he refused so to do bicause of the fauour he bare the D. of Orleans his cosin who was already entred into Nouarre although to say the truth on the other side he desired not greatly to see his said cosin so mightie wherefore he was well content to let this matter passe as it came The third daie after our departure from the place of the battell the K. dined at the castle S. Iohn lodged all night in a wood The fourth day he dined at Voghera laie that night at Pontcuron The fift day he lodged neere to Tortone and passed the riuer of Scriuia which Fracasse defended with the garrison of Tortone being vnder his charge for the D. of Milan But when he vnderstood by those that made the K. lodging that he would onely passe without doing harme to any man he retired again into the town and sent vs word that we should haue as great plenty of victuals as we would which promise he also performed for all our armie passed hard by the gate of Tortone where the said Fracasse came forth to welcom the King being armed but accompanied onely with two men he excused himselfe very humbly to the King that he lodged him not in the towne sent out great store of victuals which refreshed well our army at night came also himselfe to the Kings lodging For you shal vnderstand that he was of the house of S. Seuerin brother to the Earle of Caiazze and Master Galeas and had not long before been in the Kings seruice in Romania as you haue heard From thence the King remooued to Nice de la Paille in the Marquisat of Montferrat whereof we were right glad bicause we were then in safetie and in our friends countrie For these light horsemen that the Earle of Caiazze led were continually at our backe and traueiled vs maruellously the three or fower first daies bicause our horsemen would not put themselues behinde to make resistance for the neerer we approched to the place of safetie the more vnwilling were our men to fight and some say such is the nature of vs French men Wherefore the Italians write in their histories that the French men at their arriuall are better than men but at their returne woorse than women The first point vndoubtedly is true for they are the roughest men to encounter with in the world I meane the horsemen but all men at their returne from an enterprise are lesse couragious than at their departure from their houses Now to proceede our backs were defended by three hundred Almaines hauing among
in seruice 4 He addressed himselfe to the Prince of Orenge according to the stewards agreement and mine at our departure from Casal and aduertised him that he had a commission from the Marquesse of Mantua the Prouisors and the other captaines of their armie to demaund a safe conduct for the said Marquesse and others to the number of fiftie horses to come and treate with such as it should please the King to appoint for they acknowledged that it was reason they should first come to the King and his Commissioners and declared also that they would do him that honor Afterward the said Earle desired to commune with the King apart which his request being granted he then counselled him not to make peace reporting our enimies armie to be in so great feare that shortly they would raise their siege depart by which words he seemed rather desirous to break off the treatie than to further it notwithstanding that his commission openly were such as you haue heard At this communication M. Iohn Iames of Treuoul was present who bicause he was great enimie to the Duke of Milan would also gladly haue broken off the treatie But aboue all others the Duke of Ferrara the said Earle Albertins Master being newly arriued at the Duke of Milans campe who had married his daughter desired war for he was great enimie to the Venetians bicause they withheld from him diuers countries namely the Polesan and others After the King had communed with this Earle he sent for me and debated with his Counsell whether he should grant this safe conduct or not Those that would gladly haue broken off the treatie as Master Iohn Iames and others who spake in fauor of the Duke of Orleans as they pretended desired the battell saying that they were sure the enimies would shortly dislodge bicause they starued for hunger but the greatest part of those that gaue this aduise were clergie men who would not haue been at the battell themselues Diuers others and my selfe among the rest were of the contrarie opinion saying that we should sooner starue for hunger than they being in their owne countrie And as touching their dislodging we answered that their force was too great to flie for feare of vs by that means to cast themselues away Wherfore these words we said proceeded of men that would haue vs fight hazard our liues for their particular quarrels To be short the safe conduct was granted and sent and promise made that the next day by two of the clocke at after noone the Prince of Orenge the Marshall of Gie the Lord of Piennes and my selfe should meete the said Marquesse and his collegues betweene Bourg and Camarian neere to a towne where they kept their watch to the end we might there commune togither According to the which appointment the next day thither we went accompanied with a good band of soldiers and there the said Marquesse of Mantua and a Venetian that had the charge of their Estradiots met vs 5 and gaue vs very courteous language saying that for their parts they desired peace Further we there concluded that to the end we might the more conueniently commune togither they should send certaine Commissioners to our campe and afterward the King certaine of his to them whereunto they agreed and sent vnto vs the next day on the Duke of Milans behalfe Master Francisco Bernardin Viscomte and with him one of the Marquesse of Mantuas Secretaries with whom we aboue named and the Cardinall of S. Malo began to negotiate They demanded Nouarre where the Duke of Orleans was besieged and we Genua saying that it was held of the King by homage and that the Duke of Milan had taken it by confiscation 6 Then they made their excuses saying that they had attempted nothing against the King but onely in their owne defence that the Duke of Orleans had taken the said citie of Nouarre with the Kings forces and had first mooued this war and further that they thought their Masters would neuer agree to such conditions but willingly do any other thing to content the King They were with vs two daies and afterward returned againe to their campe whither the Marshall of Gie Monseur de Piennes and I were sent after them to demand the said citie of Genua and as touching Nouarre we offered to deliuer it to the King of Romans men that were in their campe vnder the leading of Master George de Pietreplane and Master Frederick Capelare and one named Master Haunce For we could not succour it but by battell and that we desired not wherefore this offer we made to discharge our selues of it with honor for the Duchie of Milan is held by homage of the Emperor Diuers messengers ran to and fro betweene our campe and theirs but nothing was concluded Notwithstanding I lodged euery night in their campe for the Kings pleasure was that I should so do bicause he would breake off no ouerture In the end all we aboue named returned againe to them being accompanied with the President of Gannay and Moruillier Bailife of Amiens which two went with vs to pen the articles in Latin for hitherto I had negotiated with them in such bad Italian as I had Our order of proceeding was this When we arriued at the Dukes lodging he and the Duchesse came foorth to receiue vs at the end of a gallerie and then we entred all before him into his chamber where we found two long ranks of chaires set neere togither the one before the other in the one of the which they sate downe and we in the other They sate in this order first one for the King of Romanes then the ambassador of Spaine then the Marquesse of Mantua and the two Prouisors of Venice and an ambassador of Venice then the Duke of Milan and his wife and last of all the ambassador of Ferrara of their side none spake but the Duke alone and of our side but one But our maner is not to proceede so calmly nor so orderly as they for we spake somtimes two or three togither but then the Duke vsed to reclaime vs saying ho one to one When we came to pen our articles all that was agreed vpon was written by one of our Secretaries and likewise by one of theirs which also at our departure the two Secretaries read the one in Italian and the other in French and likewise at our next meeting as wel to the end that nothing should be altered as also for the more expedition and sure it is a good maner of proceeding in great and waightie affaires This treatie endured about fifteen daies or more but it was agreed the first day that the Duke of Orleans might depart out of the towne and the selfesame day we made truce which continued from day to day till the peace was concluded Moreouer the Marquesse of Mantua put himselfe in hostage into the Earle of Foix his hands rather for his owne pleasure than for any doubt we
had of the Duke of Orleans person But they made vs first sweare that we would proceed in the treatie of peace vprightly and sincerely without dissimulation onely to deliuer the said Duke The Notes 1 All the Italians name him Georgio di Pietrapiana The author himselfe also afterward nameth him Petreplane which variance ariseth bicause the one is his surname the other the name of his seniorie 2 This riuer is called Seruo Guicciar nameth it Stesie 3 His eldest sonnes name was Alfonse Guicciar 4 He vsed this colour openly bicause the Venetians would not seeme first to seeke peace 5 This Venetians name was Bernarde Contaren Guicciar 6 Seeing it was forfeited it ought of right to haue been forfeited into the Kings hands of whom it was held but not to the Duke of Milan 7 The Marquesse of Mantua put himselfe in hostage bicause the Duke of Orleans was to passe through the Italians campe Guicciar How the Duke of Orleans and his company were deliuered by composition out of their great miserie in Nouarre where they were besieged and of the Swissers arriuall that came to succour the King and the said Duke of Orleans Chap. 10. THe Marshall of Gie accompanied with certaine of the Duke of Milans seruants went to Nouarre and caused the Duke of Orleans with a small traine to come foorth of the towne whereof he was right glad They within the towne were so miserably persecuted with famine and sicknes that the said Marshall was forced to leaue his nephew called Monseur de Romefort in hostage with them promising that within three daies they should all come foorth You haue heard already how the Bailife of Digeon was sent into Swisserland to leauy fiue thousand men among their Cantons the which were not yet arriued when the D. of Orleans came forth of Nouarre for if they had vndoubtedly in mine opinion we had fought But notwithstanding that we were certainly aduertised that there came a much greater number than we sent for yet could we not tarie their comming bicause of our mens great distresse in Nouarre where there died at the least two thousand of famine and sicknes the rest also being so poore and miserable that they seemed rather dead carcasses than liuing creatures And I thinke verily setting the siege of Hierusalem aside that neuer men sustained such hunger as they did But if at their first entrie into the towne they had made good prouision of Corne whereof the might haue recouered plentie in the villages there about they should neuer haue beene brought to such extremitie but on the other side their enimies haue been forced to depart with great dishonor Three or fower daies after the Duke of Orleans departure out of Nouarre it was agreed by both the parties that all the souldiers should likewise be permitted to come foorth and the Marques of Mantua and Master Galeas of Saint Seuerin Captaines the one of the Venetians the other of the Duke of Milans forces were appointed to conueigh them in safetie and so they did Further as touching the towne of Nouarre it was put into the citizens hands who were sworne to receiue into it neither French nor Italian before the treatie of peace were fully concluded Moreouer thirtie of our men remained still in the castell whom the Duke of Milan permitted to haue victuals for their money from day to day Vndoubtedly a man would neuer beleeue the great miserie they were in that came foorth of the towne vnlesse he had seene them Horses they brought foorth but fewe for they were in maner all eaten and there were hardly sixe hundred men among them able to do seruice notwithstanding that there came foorth 5500. A great number lay by the waies whom the enimies themselues releeued I for my part for the value of a crowne saued fiftie of them as they lay succourlesse in a garden neere to a little castle that the enimies held called Camarian where I caused porrige to be giuen them which so well refreshed them that in the said garden there died but one and afterward vpon the way about fower for it was ten miles from Nouarre to Verceil whither when they arriued the King bestowed his charity vpon them and commanded eight hundred francks to be deuided among them and paide them also their wages as well the dead as the liuing and the Swissers in like maner of whom about fower hundred died in Nouarre but notwithstanding all this their good cheerishing three hundred of them died at Verceil after their returne some by feeding too greedily after their long famine and some by sicknes so that a great number lay dead vpon the dunghils of the towne About this present after all our men were come foorth of the towne except thirty that remained in the castle some of the which also daily sallied foorth arriued the Swissers eight or ten thousand of the which came and lodged with vs in our campe where were already two thousand that had beene with the King in this voiage of Naples the rest of their company being to the number of ten thousand encamped neere to Verceil The King was aduised not to suffer these two bands to ioine togither in the which were to the number of twentie and two thousand men so that I thinke so many soldiers of their countrey were neuer togither before For the opinion of all those that knew their countrey was that they left but few able men behinde them sure the greatest part of these came whether we would or not in such sort that their wiues and children would haue come with them had not the straights at the entrie into Piemont been defended to stop them A man may doubt whether this their comming proceeded of good affection or no bicause the late King Lewis had bestowed great benefits vpon them and was the cause of the great honor and renowne they haue won in the world True it is that there were some old men among them that had borne great good will to King Lewis for there came a number of Captaines aboue seauentie two yeeres of age the which had serued against Duke Charles of Burgundy but the chiefe cause of their comming was couuetousnes and pouertie To say the truth all the able men that they could leuie came and such a number of tall fellowes they were and so goodly a bande that me thought it impossible to discomfite them otherwise than by famine or cold or some such distresse Let vs now returne to the principall matter to wit the treatie The Duke of Orleans after he had well refreshed himselfe eight or ten daies being accompanied with men of all sorts supposing his honor to be stained bicause such a number of men as were with him in Nouarre had suffered themselues through meere folly to be brought to so great extremitie began to wish that we might fight and talked verie stoutly of the battell and one or two more of his followers Further Monseur de Ligny and the Archbishop
ended so that none sought to endammage other but each partie to defend their own They sent to King Charles a gentleman accompanied with certaine Monks of Montferrat for all their affaires they gouerned by such men either to saue charges thereby or to dissemble by such instruments with the lesse suspition as for example they did by Iohn de Mauleon the Frier Franciscan aboue named who perswaded the King to restore vnto them the countrey of Roussillon These ambassadors at their first audience besought the King to forget the great wrong the King and the Queene had done him I name alwaies the Queene bicause the crowne of Castile mooued by hir and bicause hir authority was greater there than hir husbands and vndoubtedly this was a very honorable mariage betweene the King hir husband and hir Then these ambassadors began to treat of truce desiring to haue all their league comprehended therein The ouuertures they made were these that the King should keepe the possession of Caietta and the other places he yet held in the realme of Naples and that during the truce he might victuall them at his pleasure Further that there should be a place assigned whither all the Princes of the league should send their ambassadors at the least as many as would to treat of peace the which being concluded the said King and Queene meant to continue their conquest or enterprise against the Moores and to passe the sea out of Granado into Africk there to inuade the King of Fessa who was their next neighbour on that side Notwithstanding some were of opinion that they meant rather to hold themselues contented with that they had already conquered I meane the realme of Granado which vndoubtedly was the greatest and honorablest conquest that hath been obteined in our time 8 yea such as their predecessors were neuer able to atchieue And I wish with all my hart for the honor I beare them that they had neuer mooued other war than this but had faithfully performed their promise to the King The King sent the Lord of Clerieux in Daulphine backe into Castile with their ambassadors and sought to conclude a peace or truce wherein their confederates should not be comprehended notwithstanding if he had accepted their offer made by these their ambassadors he had saued Caietta which had been sufficient for the recouerie of the whole realme of Naples considering the great fauour he had there The said de Clerieux at his returne brought a new ouuerture for Caietta was lost before he entred into Castile which was that the King and they should renew their former ancient league and attempt betweene them at equall charges the conquest of all Italie wherat the two Kings should be togither in person but they said they would first conclude a generall truce wherein all their league should be comprehended and then assigne a diet at some place in Piemont whither euery of their confederates should send their ambassadors to the end they might honorably depart from their said league All this ouuerture as we suspected then and vnderstood perfectly afterward was but meere dissimulation to win time to the end King Ferrand while he liued and afterward Dom Frederic newly crowned King might repose themselues notwithstanding I thinke they wished with all their harts the said realme of Naples to be their owne and sure they had better title to it than they that possessed it9. But vndoubtedly the house of Anious right which the King had was the best although to say the truth considering both the seate of the countrey and the disposition of the people that inhabite it me thinke he hath best right to it that can get it for they desire nothing but alteration The King afterward sent the aboue named de Clericux back againe into Castile one Michaell of Grammont with him with certaine other ouertures This de Clerieux bare some affection to these Princes of Arragon and hoped to obtaine of them the Marquisat of Cotron in Calabria which the King of Spaine conquered in the last voiage that his men made thither The said de Clerieux pretended title to it and he is a good plaine dealing man and one that will easily giue credit especially to such personages as these were At his second returne he brought with him an ambassador from the King and Queene and made his report to the King which was that they would hold themselues contented with that part of the realme of Naples that lies next to Sicilie to wit Calabria for the right that they pretended to the said realme and that the King should hold the rest and farther that the said King of Castile would be in person at this conquest and beare equall charges in all things with the King and indeed he held then and yet holdeth fower or fiue strong places in Calabria whereof Cotron is one which is a good and a well fortified citie I was present at this report which seemed vnto most of vs but meere abuse and dissimulation Wherefore it was determined that some wise man should be sent to them to sound the bottom of this ouuerture and thereupon the Lord of Bouchage was ioined in commission with the former ambassadors he was a man of deepe iudgement and one that had been in great credit with King Levvis and so is he also at this present with King Charles his sonne The Spanish ambassador that came with de Clerieux would neuer auow his report but answered that he thought the said de Clerieux would not make the report if the King his Master and the Queene had not willed him so to do which answer caused vs so much the more to suspect their dissimulation besides that no man would beleeue that the King of Castile would go in person into Italy or that he either would or could beare equall charges with the King After the said Lords of Bouchage Clerieux and Michaell of Grammont with the rest of their collegues were come to the K. and Queene of Castiles court they lodged them in a place where no man could com to commune with them for the which purpose also certaine were appointed to watch their lodgings But they themselues spake thrise with them when the said du Bouchage aduertised them of the report aboue mentioned made to the King by de Clerieux and Michaell of Grammont they answered that they would willingly endeuor themselues to conclude a peace for the Kings honor and profit And as touching the said report they confessed that indeed such speech had passed them by way of communication but not otherwise with the which answer de Clerieux being discontented and not without cause aduowed his report to be true before them both in the presence of the said Lord of Bouchage who with the rest of his companions concluded a truce the King hauing two moneths respit to accept it or refuse it wherin their confederates were not comprehended but their sonnes in lawe and the fathers of their sonnes in lawe namely the
the Prince of Wales at the battell of Poictiers paied for his raunsome three millions of franks and yeelded to the English men all Aquitaine at the least all that he held in his hands with a number of other cities townes and places yea in a maner the thirde foote of his realme whereby he brought his realme into such pouertie that manie yeeres after they vsed leather monie with a little stud or naile of siluer in the middest thereof And all this gaue he and his sonne King Charles surnamed the VVise for his raunsome And if they would haue giuen nothing yet would not the English men haue put him to death but his greatest paine had beene imprisonment But admit they had put him to death yet had not that pain been so great by the hundred thousandth part as the least paine in hell Why gaue he then all this great raunsome aboue rehearsed destroying his children and subiects but onely bicause he beleeued that which he saw and perceiued well that he could not otherwise be deliuered But peraduenture when he committed the fault for the which this punishment fell vpon him his children and subiects he beleeued not firmely that the offence he made against God and his commandements should be punished Now to conclude there is no Prince or very few that will restore one towne they withhold from their neighbor for the loue of God or to eschew the paines of hell and yet King Iohn gaue all this to deliuer his bodie out of prison I asked a question before who will search out great mens faults who will informe the Iustice of them and who will be the Iustice to punish them Whereunto I now answer that the information shall be the lamentable crie and plaint of their subiects whom they tyrannize and oppresse so many waies without any compassion the sorrowfull lamentation of widowes and orphans whose husbands and fathers they haue wrongfully put to death by meanes whereof their wiues and children haue euer after liued in affliction and miserie and generally the complaints of all those whom they haue persecuted either in their persons or goods These I say shall giue information against them by their great mourning wailing and pitious teares and shall accuse them before the Lord God who will be the iust iudge thereof and peraduenture will not delay the punishment till the world to come but will also punish them in this world which punishment proceedeth of lacke of faith bicause they had not a firme and stedfast beleefe in Gods commandements We must therefore of necessitie confesse that God is forced to shew such tokens and examples to the end both Princes themselues and all the world may beleeue that these punishments fall vpon them for their misbeleefe and sinnes and that God sheweth his mightie power and iustice vpon them bicause none other in this world but he hath power ouer them At the first happily they amend not their liues for Gods scourges be they neuer so great and long But no misfortune falleth vpon a Prince vpon those that gouerne his affaires or vpon those that rule great commonalties but the issue is hurtfull and dangerous to the subiects When I say misfortunes I meane none but such as cause the subiects to smart for to fall from a horse to breake a leg to be punished with a sharpe ague are no misfortunes to a Prince bicause he may be cured of them and peraduenture they may do him good and teach him wit but I call these misfortunes when God is so displeased with a Prince that he will no longer suffer him to raigne but shew his power and iustice vpon him For then first he weakeneth his wits which is a shrewd blowe for all those that haue to do with him he troubleth his house and suffereth it to fall into diuision and disquietnes and the Prince himselfe is so far in Gods disgrace that he flieth the counsell and companie of the wise and aduaunceth none but yoong fooles voide of wit oppressors flatterers and such as soothe him in all his sayings If he take one penie they bid him take two if he threaten a man they bid hang him and after that sort in all other actions Further they giue him counsell in any wise to cause himselfe to be feared and they also behaue themselues cruelly and proudly trusting by this meanes to hold men in awe of them as though authoritie were their inheritance Those whom such Princes by the aduise of these new Counsellors haue banished and displaced hauing serued many yeeres and being well acquainted and friended in their countrie will storme at this vsage and for their sakes their friends and well willers also and peraduenture such iniurie shall be offered them that they shall be forced either to defend themselues or to flie to some Prince their neighbor who perchance is enimy to him that banisheth and chaseth them and so by inward diuision stangers shall enter into the land Is any plague or miserie so great as wars betwixt friends and acquaintance Is any malice so ranke and deadly As touching forren enimies when the subiects are linked togither they may easily make resistance bicause their enimies haue no intelligence nor acquaintance in the realme Thinke you that an vnwise Prince being accompanied with fooles can smell a far off how great a mischiefe diuision among his subiects is or beleeue that it can hurt him or proceedeth of God he eateth and sleepeth no whit the woorse for it he hath neither fewer horses in his stable nor fewerrobes in his wardrobe but many mo companions For he allureth men vnto him by promises and by parting among them the spoiles and offices of those whom he hath banished he giueth also of his owne to win thereby fame and renowme but when he shall least thinke of it God will raise vp an enimie against him whom peraduenture he neuer mistrusted Then will he waxe pensiue and suspect those whom he hath iniuried yea he will feare such as indeede owe him no euill will yet notwithstanding he will not haue his refuge to God in this extremitie but seeke to redresse this inconuenience by force Haue we not seene in our daies examples heerof euen among our next neighbors Haue we not seene the late King of England Edward the fourth of that name heire of the house of Yorke vtterly destroy the house of Lancaster vnder the which both his father and he had liued many yeeres Further the said King Edward hauing done homage to King Henry the 6. being of the house of Lancaster did he not afterward hold him prisoner many yeeres in the tower of London the chiefe citie of the realme where in the end he was put to death Haue we not also seene the Earle of Warwicke principall gouernor of all the said King Edwards affaires after he had put to death all his enimies especially the Duke of Sommerset in the end become deadly enimy to his Master giue his daughter in mariage to the
Prince of Wales sonne to King Henry attempt to set vp againe the house of Lancaster passe with the said Prince into England discomfited in the field and slaine both he his brethren and kinsfolks and diuers other noble men of England who in times past had done the like to their enimies After all this the children of these when the world turned reuenged themselues and caused in like maner the others to die which plagues we may be assured hapned not but by the wrath of God But as before I said the realme of England hath this speciall grace aboue all other realmes and dominions that in ciuill wars the people is not destroied the towns be not burned nor razed but the lot of fortune falleth vpon the soldiers especially the gentlemen whom the people enuy to too beyond reason for nothing is perfect in this world After King Edvvard was quiet in his realme and receiued yeerely out of Fraunce fifty thousand crownes paid him in the tower of London and was growen so rich that richer he could not be he died suddenly as it were of melancholy bicause of our Kings mariage that now raigneth with the Lady Margaret the Duke of Austriches daughter For so soone as he was aduertised thereof he fell sicke and began then to perceiue how he had been abused touching the mariage of his daughter whom he made to be named the Lady Daulphinesse Then also was the pension which he receiued out of Fraunce taken from him which he called tribute although indeed it were neither the one nor the other as before I haue declared 10 K. Edward left by his wife two goodly sonnes one Prince of Wales the other D. of Yorke and two daughters The D. of Glocester his brother tooke vpon him the gouernment of his nephew the Prince of Wales being about ten yeeres of age and did homage to him as to his soueraigne Lord and lead him to London pretending that he would there crowne him King hoping by that meanes to get the other brother out of the Sanctuary at London where he was with his mother who began already to be iealous of his proceedings To be short by meanes of the Bishop of Bathe who hauing been somtime of K. Edwards Councell fell afterward into his disgrace and was put in prison and made to fine for his deliuerance the D. of Glocester executed this exploit which you shall now heare This Bishop aduertised the Duke that K. Edvvard being in loue with a certaine Lady promised hir mariage vpon condition that he might lie with hir wherunto she consented so far foorth that the said Bishop maried them togither none being present but they two and he himselfe Which matter this Bishop being a iolly courtier neuer disclosed during K. Edvvards life but caused also the said Lady to conceale it so that it was kept secret After this the said King falling againe in loue maried the daughter of an English knight called the Lord Riuers being a widow and mother of two sonnes But after K. Edvvards death this Bishop of Bathe reuealed this matter to the D. of Glocester whereby he egged him forward not a little to the executing of his mischieuous pretended enterprise For the said D. murthered his two nephewes crowned himselfe King by the name of Richard the third proclaimed his brothers two daughters bastards in open parlament tooke from them their armes and put to death all the faithull seruants of the late King his brother at the least as many as he could lay hands on But this cruelty remained not long vnpunished for when the said King Richard thought himselfe safest and liued in greater pride than any King of England did these hundred yeeres hauing put to death the Duke of Buckingham and hauing a great army in a readines God raised vp an enimy against him of no force I meane the Earle of Richmond then prisoner in Britaine but now King of England of the house of Lancaster though not This error of Commines touching K. Henry the 7. you shall finde controuled by the peâ—egree in the end of this booke the neerest to the crowne 11 whatsoeuer men say at the least so far as I can learne The said Earle told me a little before his departure out of this realme that from the fift yeere of his age he had liued continually like a prisoner a banished man And indeed he had been fifteene yeeres or therabout prisoner in Britaine to Duke Frances that last died into whose hands he fell by tempest of the sea as he fled into Fraunce accompanied with the Earle of Pembroke his vncle I my selfe saw them when they arriued for I was come of a message to the D. at the same time The Duke entreated them gently for prisoners after King Edwards death lent the said Earle great force of men a great nauie with the which he sent him hauing intelligence with the Duke of Buckingham who for this cause was afterward put to death to lande in England but the winde was against him and the seas so rough that he was forced to returne to Diepe and from thence by land into Britaine From whence soone after he departed with his band into Fraunce without taking leaue of the Duke partly bicause he feared to ouercharge the Duke for he had with him fiue hundred English men and partly bicause he doubted lest the Duke would agree with King Richard to his preiudice for he knew that King Richard practised with him to that ende Soone after the King that now is appointed three or fower thousand men to waft him ouer onely and deliuered those that accompanied him a good summe of money and certaine peeces of artillerie and thus passed he ouer in a ship of Normandie to land in Wales where he was borne King Richard foorthwith marched against him but a kinght of England called the Lord Stanley who was married to the Earles mother ioined himselfe with the Earle and brought vnto him at the least 26000. men 12 The battell was giuen King Richard slaine and the Earle crowned King in the field with the said Richards crowne Will you saie that this was fortune No no it was the iudgement of God and for further proofe thereof marke this also Immediately after the King had murthered his two nephews he lost his wife whom some say he murthered also Further he had but one onely sonne who died in like maner incontinent after this murther This example would haue serued better heereafter when I shall speake of King Edwards death for he was yet liuing at the time my former Chapter treateth of but I haue rehearsed it heere to continue my discourse which I am fallen into In like maner we haue seene of late the crowne of Spaine altered after the death of Dom Henry that last died For the said Dom Henry had to wife the King of Portugales sister last deceased by whom he had issue a goodly daughter which notwithstanding succeeded not hir father but was
sped euill and the Duke of Milan who had been greatly distressed if Master Iohn Iames had beene suffered to inuade him with the whole force was now strong for the Venetians had sent diuers bands to his aide Whereupon our armie retired our footemen were dismissed and these little townes that were taken abandoned and thus ended these wars finally to the Kings profit who consumed infinite treasure in them The Notes 1 Vnderstand against the Venetians by the which meanes he might haue recouered the Polesan and the rest that they withheld from him 2 For you must vnderstand that these practises began before their places were sold 3 This Cardinall was borne at Sauonne Of certaine controuersies betweene King Charles and Ferrande King of Castile and of the ambassadors that were sent to and fro to pacifie them Chap. 16. WHat happened from the Kings returne out of Italie which was about 3. or 4. moneths before the end of the yeer 1495. till the beginning of the yeere 1498. I haue already rehearsed for all that space I was resident in the Court and present at the dispatch of most part of those affaires The King rode about from Lyons to Moulins and from Moulins to Tours holding tourneies and iusts in all places and minding nothing else Those that were of the greatest authoritie about him were so diuided that more they could not be for some of them would that the conquest of Naples should still continue bicause their profit and credit depended thereupon namely the Cardinall 1 and the Seneschall 2 who gouerned all the Kings affaires on the otherside the Admirall who before this voiage had borne all the sway with the yoong King would in any wise that these Italian enterprises should cease and trauelled to ouerthrowe them knowing that the quailing of them would turne greatly to his profite and be a meanes whereby he might recouer his former credit and authoritie and the others fall into disgrace Thus passed the Kings affaires about a yeere and a halfe during the which space he sent ambassadors to the King and Queene of Castile who were in war with him and whose friendship he greatly desired bicause they were mightie both by sea and land And notwithstanding that they did no great exploit vpon the land yet had they sent great aide by sea to King Ferrande and King Frederick of Naples for the yle of Sicilie is distant from Reges in Calabria but a league and a halfe so that some hold opinion it was once firme land with Italie 3 and that the sea breaking in made this straight 4 now named the Far 5 of Messine The said yle of Sicilie was then and yet is in subiection to the King and Queene of Castile who sent from thence great aide to Naples as well of great ships called Carauels that came out of Spaine as also of men Moreouer in the yle of Sicilie itselfe a companie of men of armes was leuied the which passed into Calabria with a certaine number of genetarios 6 and made war vpon the Kings forces there Besides this their ships were continually with the confederates nauie by means whereof when all their forces were togither the King was much too weake for his enimies vpon the sea but otherwise the King of Castile endammaged him not much True it is that once a great companie of horsemen entred into Languedock and spoiled the countrie and lodged in it three or fower daies but other exploit did they none Then the Lord of Saint André in Bourbonnois who defended those frontiers for the Duke of Bourbon the Kings lieutenant in Languedock attempted to take Sausses a little towne in the countrie of Roussillon bicause on that side they had inuaded the Kings dominions about two yeeres before For you shall vnderstand that the King had restored vnto them the said countrie of Roussillon 7 whereof the territorie of Parpignan is parcell in the which this little towne of Sausses is situate His enterprise was great and dangerous for the towne was well manned though it were but small and a great number of gentlemen of the King of Castiles house were within it besides that their armie being stronger than ours lay abrode in the fields encamped within a league of the place yet notwithstanding the said Lord of Saint André so wisely and closely guided his enterprise that within ten howers he tooke the towne by assault as my selfe can witnes and at the breach were slaine thirtie or fortie Spanish gentlemen of marke among whom was the Archbishop of Saint Iames his sonne besides three or fower hundred common soldiers They thought not that the towne could haue been taken so suddenly for they vnderstood not the feate of our artillerie which vndoubtedly is the best in the world This is all the exploit that was done between these two Princes whereof though the effects were but small yet great was the shame and dishonor the King of Castile receiued thereby his armie being so strong as it was but where God is disposed to punish commonly such small scoruges run before For the said King and Queen of Castile were shortly after otherwise punished and so were we also But sure as touching them they much stained their honor in violating their othe giuen to the King who had dealt so bountifully with them by restoring them the countrey of Rousillon the fortification and defence whereof had beene so chargeable to his father who had it in pawne for three hundred thousand crownes which summe also the King forgaue them all to the end they should not impeach nor hinder his voiage to Naples Moreouer they renued the ancient league betweene Fraunce and Castile which is between King and King realme and realme and man and man of their subiects and promised not to hinder his said conquest nor marie any of their daughters into Naples England or Flanders which straight offer of mariage proceeded of themselues for a Frier Franciscan called Frier Iohn de Mauleon made this ounerture on the Queene of Castiles behalfe Yet all this notwithstanding so soone as they saw the war begun and heard that the King was at Rome they sent ambassadors round about to enter into league against him and namely to Venice I being there present where the league aboue mentioned was concluded betweene the Pope the King of Romans them the Seniore of Venice and the Duke of Milan immediately whereupon they inuaded the Kings dominions alleaging that such a promise was not to be performed meaning the marriage of their children being fower daughters and one sonne into the houses aboue mentioned which ouuerture notwithstanding proceeded of themselues as before you haue heard But to returne to the matter After these wars in Italy were ended and all lost in the realm of Naples saue Caietta which the K. yet held when these treaties of peace began betweene him and the King and Queene of Castile but soone after lost also and the wars in the countrey of Roussillon being in like maner