CHAP. XXXV.
THE CONDUCT OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY ON HIS MARCH TO TROYES, AND WHEN THERE.—THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE ENGLISH AMBASSADORS WHO ACCOMPANIED HIM THITHER.
THE CONDUCT OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY ON HIS MARCH TO TROYES, AND WHEN THERE.—THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE ENGLISH AMBASSADORS WHO ACCOMPANIED HIM THITHER.
Afterthe surrender of the town of Crespy in the Laonnois, the duke of Burgundy advanced to Laon, where he was most honourably received by the magistrates and inhabitants. He thence continued his march by Rheims to Châlons in Champagne, always accompanied by the English ambassadors, and his escort of about one thousand combatants. From Châlons he advanced in grand array toward Troyes, and encamped near to Vitry in Pertois, which place and some of the adjacent forts were in possession of the Dauphinois.
Sir John de Luxembourg, who had the command of the van guard, passed through the town, and continued his march toward the plains, in which were many deepand boggy springs. Sir Robinet de Mailly, grand butler of France, riding by his side, fell into one of these bogs; and his horse plunged so deep that, not having any mane for the knight to hold by, the latter could not save himself, but died a miserable death, whilst his horse escaped.
The duke of Burgundy and several other lords, particularly sir Robinet's three brothers, who were with the duke, were sorely grieved at his loss. These last, namely, master John de Mailly, afterward bishop of Noyon, Collard, and Ferry de Mailly, lamented it very bitterly: his body was dragged out of the bog, and buried hard by.
As the duke approached Troyes, very many of the French and burgundian nobility came out to meet him, with several of the principal citizens, and shewed him every honour and respect. In company with them, he made his entry into Troyes, the 21st day of March, and was escorted to his hôtel. Wherever he passed, there were great multitudes of people assembled, who sang carols on his arrival. He shortly after waited on the king and queen of France,and the lady Catherine, who received him kindly, and shewed him all manner of affection.
Some days afterward, several councils were held in the presence of the king, queen and duke of Burgundy, to consider on establishing a final peace, and on the alliance which the king of England was desirous of forming with the king of France, and had sent his ambassadors with full powers to confirm the peace.
At length, after many conferences with these ambassadors, it was concluded, by favour of the duke of Burgundy and his party, that Charles king of France should give to Henry king of England his youngest daughter Catherine in marriage, and, in consequence of this alliance, should make him and his heirs successors to the crown of France after his decease,—thus disinheriting his own son and heir Charles duke of Touraine and dauphin, and annulling that principle of the constitution which had been, with great deliberation, resolved on by former kings and peers of France, namely, that the noble kingdom of France should never be governed or inherited by a female, or by any one descended from the female line.
The king of France also agreed, that should king Henry have no issue by this marriage, he and his heirs were to remain successors to the crown of France, to the prejudice of the branches of the whole royal line of France.
All this was granted by king Charles; but to say the truth, he had not for some time past been in his right senses, and was governed by those about his person as they pleased, and consented to what they advised, whether to his prejudice or not.
When the treaty had been signed, the ambassadors returned with a copy thereof to the king of England, avoiding all the ambuscades of the Dauphinois as well as they could. King Henry was well pleased with their success, as he foresaw he should now gain the greater part of his objects. He arranged his affairs in Normandy speedily, and caused preparations to be made for marching to Troyes, to complete the articles of the treaty. Sir Louis de Robesart had remained, by king Henry's orders, at Troyes, to attend on the lady Catherine of France, who was shortly to become queen of England.