CHAP. XXXVIII.
THE GREATER PART OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY'S ARMY RETURN TO THEIR OWN COUNTRIES.—THE MARSHAL DE L'ISLE-ADAM AND THE LORD DE CROY LEAD AN EXPEDITION TOWARD THE AUXERROIS.
THE GREATER PART OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY'S ARMY RETURN TO THEIR OWN COUNTRIES.—THE MARSHAL DE L'ISLE-ADAM AND THE LORD DE CROY LEAD AN EXPEDITION TOWARD THE AUXERROIS.
Whenthe Picards and the other men at arms were returned to Troyes, from the siege of Alibaudieres, they demanded permission of the duke of Burgundy to return to their homes, which was granted. About three thousand horse departed, and the principal gentlemen were the vidame ofAmiens, the borgne de Fosseux knight, Hector de Saveuses, the lord de Stenhuse high bailiff of Flanders, the lord de Comines and several other captains, as well from Picardy as Flanders, who all rode together from Troyes toward Rethel; and although the Dauphinois were in great numbers on the watch to attack and plunder them, by activity and diligence, they escaped all their ambushes, and arrived safely in their own countries.
After their departure, the duke of Burgundy ordered some of the other captains who had remained with him, such as the marshal de l'Isle-Adam, Anthony lord of Croy, the lord de Longueval, sir Mauroy de St Leger, Baudo de Noyelle, Robert de Saveuses, Robert de Brimeu, the bastard de Thian, with about sixteen hundred combatants, to march to the Auxerrois, and subdue that country, with some of its castles that held out for the party of the dauphin, to the king's obedience.
They proceeded from Troyes by short days' marches to Toussy, a small town attached to the dauphin, and whither the lord de la Trimouille often resorted. Theyhad carried with them scaling ladders, and other implements of war, and came before the town just between day-break and sun-rise, in the hopes of taking it by surprise and plundering it.
On their arrival, they drew up in battle-array; and Anthony lord of Croy, his bastard brother Butor, Baudo de Noyelle, Lyonnet de Bournouville, and some others, were created knights by the hand of the lord de l'Isle-Adam marshal of France. Shortly after this ceremony, they made a joint attack on several parts of the place at once, and fixed their scaling ladders to the walls without meeting with any opposition. However, notwithstanding that the inhabitants were at first greatly alarmed, they recovered courage, and defended themselves so vigorously that the assailants were repulsed, driven from the ditches, and forced to encamp round the town.
They then employed themselves for two days in making new ladders and iron crooks, to renew the attack. On the third, having completed their warlike implements, they assaulted the place more fiercely than before, and again fixed their ladders; butthe besieged made a gallant defence, and killed and wounded several at the onset: among the first were a gentleman of arms named Ogier de St Vandrille and Tabary the captain of robbers, who has been before spoken of, and some others. In the end, the assailants were again repulsed, and driven in confusion to their quarters.
The dead were carried in their armour from the ditches into the town, and, when stripped, were put into coffins and buried in a church.
Intelligence was brought this same night to the marshal de l'Isle-Adam and to the other captains, that the enemy was marching in force to offer them combat; upon which they hastily mounted their horses, and set forward, and rode all the night to meet them. On the morrow, they learnt news of their enemies, that they were quartered in a strong monastery called Estampes St Germain, within two leagues of Auxerre. They then pushed forward to besiege them within this monastery, and sent to Auxerre for provision, assistance, and warlike engines, all of which were granted.
After the two parties had skirmished for the space of eighteen days, the Dauphinois surrendered, on condition that their lives should be spared, and that they should remain prisoners until they should ransom themselves, each according to his rank in life. When this treaty had been concluded, the fortifications of the monastery were destroyed, and the Burgundians returned to the duke their lord in Troyes.