The chronicles of Enguerrand de Monstrelet, Vol. 04 [of 13] : $b containing an account of the cruel civil wars between the houses of Orleans and Burgundy, of the possession of Paris and Normandy by the English, their expulsion thence, and of other memorable events that happened in the kingdom of France, as well as in other countriesMonstrelet, Enguerrand de
History
The chronicles of Enguerrand de Monstrelet, Vol. 04 [of 13] : $b containing an account of the cruel civil wars between the houses of Orleans and Burgundy, of the possession of Paris and Normandy by the English, their expulsion thence, and of other memorable events that happened in the kingdom of France, as well as in other countries
Monstrelet, Enguerrand de
Europe -- History -- 476-1492 -- Sources; France -- History -- House of Valois, 1328-1589; Hundred Years' War, 1339-1453
'Item in regard to the polite and gracious manner in which sir Aubert
de Canny is ordered to make these remonstrances, and to declare the
king's prohibitions to him and to his company, &c.--
'The duke replies, that not having any consciousness that such commands
and prohibitions were proper to be made him, knowing for a certainty
that they are not the real sentiments of the king, who on the contrary
loves him affectionately, and is very earnest to see him, having
often demanded his presence, he is aware that these false and wicked
traitors have drawn up these instructions in an underhand manner, and
that at this moment, when the enemy have landed in the kingdom, it is
not a time to obey such orders and prohibitions; but this force, as
well as the aid of all loyal subjects, ought now to be exerted in the
defence of the country. Even supposing the enemies had not effected
their invasion, the duke of Burgundy would not have suffered such false
traitors to hold the government of the kingdom.
'Item, respecting what is said of the duke of Burgundy and of others
in his company, that supposing those who have the management of the
king should have done acts displeasing to them, and added insults to
insults, these were not sufficient reasons to authorise the duke to
endeavour to destroy the kingdom, or to afford aid and advice to the
English,--the duke replies, that in addition to what he has before
said, and other innumerable instances too long to relate, it is
notorious that the present ministers namely, sir Henry de Marle the
bishop of Paris, sir Tanneguy du Châtel, sir Burel de Dammartin, master
Stephen de Mauregard, master Philip de Corbie, with several others,
have been the principal promoters, and leaders in those iniquitous
measures, disturbers of the peace of the realm, and guilty of many
other excesses and great crimes, as shall be detailed more at large
hereafter.
'The duke of Burgundy, therefore, has not assembled his forces to
destroy the kingdom, or to favour the English, but to drive the
present ministers from power, and from about the person of the king;
and he will never desist from this praise-worthy intention so long
as life may be granted him,--for they are not such persons as should
have authority, not being worthy by birth, knowledge, experience, or
loyalty; and it is become a subject of contempt and laughter that
persons of such low estate, and of so small a share of knowledge or
experience, should have intrusted to them the expulsion of the English.
'The barons and principal persons of the realm should weigh this matter
well, and not suffer themselves to be thus supplanted by persons of no
understanding or birth; for they have shewn themselves of weak capacity
in daily committing acts of the utmost cruelty on the liege subjects of
the king, under pretence of maintaining justice and order.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account