A Popular History of France from the Earliest Times, Volume 3Guizot, François
History
A Popular History of France from the Earliest Times, Volume 3
Guizot, François
France -- History
the better man, Jack (Hannotin) of Flanders or Henry of Lancaster.” He
set out for Bray on the 10th of September, 1419, and arrived about two
o’clock before Montereau. Tanneguy Duchatel came and met him there.
“Well,” said the duke, “on your assurance we are come to see my lord the
_dauphin_, supposing that he is quite willing to keep the peace between
himself and us, as we also will keep it, all ready to serve him according
to his wishes.” “My most dread lord,” answered Tanneguy, “have ye no
fear; my lord is well pleased with you, and desires henceforth to govern
himself according to your counsels. You have about him good friends who
serve you well.” It was agreed that the _dauphin_ and the duke should,
each from his own side, go upon the bridge of Montereau, each with ten
men-at-arms, of whom they should previously forward a list. The
_dauphin_’s people had caused to be constructed at the two ends of the
bridge strong barriers closed by a gate; about the centre of the bridge
was a sort of lodge made of planks, the entrance to which was, on either
side, through a pretty narrow passage; within the lodge there was no
barrier in the middle to separate the two parties. Whilst Duke John and
his confidants, in concert with the _dauphin_’s people, were regulating
these material arrangements, a chamber-attendant ran in quite scared,
shouting out, “My lord, look to yourself; without a doubt you will be
betrayed.” The duke turned towards Tanneguy, and said, “We trust
ourselves to your word; in God’s holy name, are you quite sure of what
you have told us? For you would do ill to betray us.” “My most dread
lord,” answered Tanneguy, “I would rather be dead than commit treason
against you or any other: have ye no fear; I certify you that my lord
meaneth you no evil.” “Very well, we will go then, trusting in God and
you,” re-joined the duke; and he set out walking to the bridge. On
arriving at the barrier on the castle side he found there to receive him
Sire de Beauveau and Tanneguy Duchatel. “Come to my lord,” said they;
“he is awaiting you.” “Gentlemen,” said the duke, “you see how I come;”
and he showed them that he and his people had only their swords; then
clapping Tanneguy on the shoulder, he said, “Here is he in whom I trust,”
and advanced towards the _dauphin_, who remained standing, on the town
side, at the end of the lodge constructed in the middle of the bridge.
On arriving at the prince’s presence Duke John took off his velvet cap
and bent his knee to the ground. “My lord,” said he, “after God, my duty
is to obey and serve you; I offer to apply thereto and employ therein my
body, my friends, my allies, and well-wishers. Say I well?” he added,
fixing his eyes on the _dauphin_. “Fair cousin,” answered the prince,
“you say so well that none could say better; rise and be covered.”
Conversation thereupon ensued between the two princes. The _dauphin_
complained of the duke’s delay in coming to see him: “For eighteen days,”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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