An English Garner: Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (4 of 8)
History
An English Garner: Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (4 of 8)
English literature
Then, he went to talk with the Noblemen; and there, they concluded,
"That the soldiers should march away with bag and baggage: and the
Captains and Officers should remain prisoners:" which I knew would not
be liked: and so desired to be sent to my Lord GREY.
But when I came into the Castle, and the soldiers had gotten word that
they might march away at their will: they came to me, and threatened
me with great words, commanding me, "To make despatch, and yield up
the fort!" For they said, "Since the matter is in talk, and likely to
be brought to a good purpose; they would cut my throat, if I made not,
hastily, an end of the case." And thereupon had they made a great hole
in a wall; and so they thrust me out among the Almains, who rudely
handled me.
But my Lord GREY, at my departure, bade me tell the Duke, that the
Almains were about to break into the Castle, and to set the gate afire:
and my Lord said, "He would shoot off his great ordnance among them; if
the Law of Arms were not better observed!"
But, in the meantime, at another place was entered Monsieur DE TRE
[_D'ESTREES_] Master of the [French] Ordnance; and [Sir ARTHUR] the
Lord GREY that now is, was sent to the Camp, for the pawn [_security_]
of Monsieur D'ESTREES.
But I was come to Monsieur DE GUISE before those things were finished:
and had told him my message. And he, like a noble Prince and faithful
Captain, rode to the gate (causing me to mount behind Master HARRY
DUDLEY); where the Almains were busily occupied about some naughty
practice: and, with a great truncheon, he stroke divers of the
Almains and others, to make them retire; and laying a load [_i.e., of
blows_] about him, he made such way, that the gate was free, and the
capitulation was, at leisure, talked of.
But I was not suffered to enter any more into the Castle; and so stayed
as a prisoner.
Notwithstanding, look what promise Monsieur DE GUISE made, it was so
well kept and observed that our soldiers marched away, with all their
wealth, money, and weapons. And great wealth was borne by them from
Guisnes: insomuch that divers poor soldiers were made thereby, for all
[the] days of their life after. And this is to be noted. There was
great honour in the Duke of GUISE. For the Bands [_originally 1,300
p. 207; but now about 500, having lost 800, see below_] that parted
[_departed_] (either sick or sound, hurt or whole) were honestly
conveyed, and truly dealt withal; even as long as they were in any
danger, albeit they had great sums of money and treasure with them: and
the General with his Captains and Officers were courteously used, so
long as they were in the Duke of GUISE his camp.
And, to say the truth, I think our peace was not so dishonourable, as
some report. For
Succour, had we no hope of.
The next assault had overthrown us.
The whole members [_i.e., the external fortifications_] of the
Castle were cut off from us.
There remained but the bare body of the Castle in our custody.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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