CHAP. XXXIV.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY DEPARTS FROM ARRAS, AND MARCHES A LARGE ARMY TO LAY SIEGE TO THE TOWN OF CRESPY IN THE LAONNOIS, AND THENCE TO WAIT ON THE KING OF FRANCE AT TROYES IN CHAMPAGNE.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY DEPARTS FROM ARRAS, AND MARCHES A LARGE ARMY TO LAY SIEGE TO THE TOWN OF CRESPY IN THE LAONNOIS, AND THENCE TO WAIT ON THE KING OF FRANCE AT TROYES IN CHAMPAGNE.
Whenthe duke of Burgundy had celebrated the feast of the Purification in Arras, he departed, leaving his duchess there,for his castle of Bapaumes, and thence he went to Oisy in the Cambresis, to visit his aunt the countess of Hainault, with whom he had a conference, and proceeded to Peronne. Thither many of his captains and vassals came, and with them he marched to St Quentin, where he tarried some time, to wait the arrival of the whole of his forces.
Ambassadors from king Henry there joined him, having with them about five hundred combatants, under the command of the earls of Warwick and Kyme, the lord Roos, marshal of England, and sir Louis de Robesart, a native of Hainault, who accompanied the duke to Troyes.
There also came to him while at St Quentin a deputation from the town of Laon, who, with the inhabitants of St Quentin, earnestly besought the duke of Burgundy that he would besiege the town of Crespy, which held for the dauphin, as that garrison had done very great injuries to the whole country. The duke, in compliance with their remonstrances, consented, and advanced to Cressy sur Serre, where he was lodged: he thence sent forward sirJohn de Luxembourg, with Hector and Philip de Saveuses, and other captains, to quarter themselves in a village near to Crespy, by way of vanguard.
Shortly after, the duke, with his whole army, invested Crespy, in which place might be about five hundred Dauphinois men at arms, under the command of La Hire, Poton de Saintrailles, Dandonet, and other adventurers, who with great courage defended the town against the besiegers, notwithstanding they had approached very near, and had pointed their artillery against the walls and gates.
There were with the duke many captains who had served under duke John his father, namely, sir John de Luxembourg, the lords de l'Isle-Adam and de Chastellus, both marshals of France, sir Robinet de Mailly great butler of France, le veau de Bar bailiff of Auxois, the vidame of Amiens, Anthony lord de Croy, sir Philip de Fosseux and his brother John, the lord de Longueval, Hector and Philip de Saveuses, the lord de Humieres, who commanded the men at arms of the lord d'Antoing, the lord de Humbercourt, sir Mauroy de StLeger, the lord de Stenhuse sovereign bailiff of Flanders, the lords de Comines, de Haluin, the bastard of Harcourt, and all the vassals of his uncle sir James de Harcourt, with numbers of other notable knights and esquires from the different parts of the duke's dominions.
His most confidential advisers were sir Actis de Brimeu, knight, the lord de Robais, and the bishop of Tournay, his chancellor. The duke made vast preparations for this siege; but at the end of fifteen days a treaty was concluded for the surrender of the town, on condition, that the garrison should depart in safety with their baggage; but because this was his first campaign, a few were excepted, and sent prisoners to some of the towns under the king's obedience.
On the ratification of this treaty, the garrison marched away, under passports from the duke; but notwithstanding this, many were plundered, to the great indignation of the duke and his ministers, who caused restitution to be made to all who came to complain.
The Dauphinois marched to Soissons,a town belonging to their party, and Crespy was despoiled of every thing that was portable. At the request of the inhabitants of Laon, the fortifications were demolished,—that is to say, its gates and walls, to the great sorrow of the townsmen, and not without cause, for before the war it was abundantly filled with all sorts of merchandize as in a place of safety.
It must not be forgotten, that there was in the company of the duke, during this campaign, the valiant captain Tabary, and his band of robbers, of whom mention has been made in another place,—but who only partook of half of the expedition, and continued his former pursuits, as shall be hereafter noticed.