CHAP. XV.
A LARGE ARMY IS COLLECTED TO RAISE THE SIEGE OF ROUEN.—THE BESIEGED SEND ANOTHER EMBASSY.—THE EXCURSION OF SIR JAMES DE HARCOURT.
A LARGE ARMY IS COLLECTED TO RAISE THE SIEGE OF ROUEN.—THE BESIEGED SEND ANOTHER EMBASSY.—THE EXCURSION OF SIR JAMES DE HARCOURT.
Wemust now return to the situation of the king of France, and of the duke of Burgundy's government. It is true that large bodies of men at arms had been summoned in the king's name for the relief of the town of Rouen, from different parts of the kingdom, and ordered to rendezvous at and near Beauvais. A great many of the lords from Picardy, with a numerous body of their men accustomed to bear arms, came thither; and the country suffered much from them wherever they passed.
The king, queen and duke of Burgundy,with their households, came from Pontoise to Beauvais, to have provisions in greater plenty, and held there many private councils on the best means to relieve the town of Rouen. They could not devise any mode that would be successful, on account of the quarrel between the dauphin and the duke of Burgundy, and because the king of England had too powerful an army. Notwithstanding this, they daily summoned more men at arms and cross-bows from the towns under their obedience.
While the court resided at Beauvais, four gentlemen, and four citizens of Rouen, were sent to lay before the king and council their miserable state: they told them, that thousands of persons were already dead of hunger within their town; and that, from the beginning of October, they had been forced to live on horses, dogs, cats, mice and rats, and other things unfit for human creatures. They had nevertheless, driven full twelve thousand poor people, men women and children, out of the place, the greater part of whom had perished wretchedly in the ditches of the town.That it had been frequently necessary to draw up in baskets new born children from mothers who had been brought to bed in these ditches to have them baptised, and they were afterward returned to their mothers: many however, had perished without christening,—all which things were grievous and pitiful to be related. They then added, 'To you our lord and king, and to you noble duke of Burgundy, the loyal inhabitants of Rouen have before made known their distress: they now again inform you how much they are suffering for you, to which you have not yet provided any remedy according to your promises. We are sent to you for the last time, to announce to you on the part of the besieged, that if within a few days they are not relieved, they shall surrender themselves and their town to the English king, and thenceforward renounce all allegiance, faith and service, which they have sworn to you.'
The king, duke and council, courteously replied, that the king's forces were not as yet adequate to raise the siege, which they were exceedingly sorry for; but, with God's pleasure, they should very soon be relieved.
The deputies asked, by what time: the duke answered, before the fourth day after Christmas. They then returned to their town with difficulty, from the great danger of being taken by the besiegers and related all that had passed.
The besieged now suffered the greatest distress; and it is impossible to recount the miseries of the common people from famine: it was afterward known, that upwards of fifty thousand had perished of hunger. Some, when they saw meat carried through the street, in despair, ran to seize it, and, so doing, allowed themselves to be severely beaten, and even wounded. During the space of three months, no provisions were seen in the markets, but every thing was sold secretly: and what before the siege was worth a farthing was sold for twenty, thirty, or even forty; but these prices were too high for the common people, and hence the great mortality I have mentioned.
December was about half over when these last ambassadors returned to Rouen; and during this tempestuous season, sir James de Harcourt and the lord de Moreulassembled about two thousand combatants, whom they led to within two leagues of the English quarters, with the hope of plunder. They posted their men in two ambuscades near to each other, to fall on the enemy, should he pass that way,—and then ordered about six score of their men at arms to attack a village near the town, in which were a party of English. These were either taken or killed, except a few, who by having good horses, escaped to their main army, crying out that they had seen the French in great force.
The English were instantly in motion, and under arms; and the king of England ordered sir John de Cornwall to mount his horse, and take six hundred men to see what truth was in this report. Sir John de Cornwall, without delay, marched off his men, taking with him some of those who had seen the French, and soon came up with the enemy; but the French, seeing the English were too numerous, hastily returned to their ambuscades, to whom they told that the enemy were coming.
Sir John de Cornwall followed them in good array, and so closely that he couldplainly distinguish their numbers,—when the French that were in one ambush advanced in order of battle to combat them, but the greater part of the others turned their backs and fled. The English, noticing this, made a vigorous charge, and put the whole to the rout, with a very trifling loss on their side,—and to the great confusion of the French, for on this day were twelve score men at arms killed or made prisoners: among the last was the lord de Moreul, Butor bastard de Croy, and many noble gentlemen of high rank. Sir James de Harcourt and others saved themselves by the fleetness of their horses. Sir John de Cornwall returned with his prisoners to the camp, very much rejoiced at his victory.