About this period also, the inhabitants of Rouen, who were very favourable to the duke of Burgundy, sent secretly for some of the captains of his party, whom, with a body of men at arms, they admitted into their town; namely, sir Guy le Bouteiller, Lagnon bastard d'Arly; and instantly joining them, they made a sharp attack on the castle, which the king's men held out against the town, and continued it so long that the garrison surrendered on condition that they might retreat with safety. Sir Guy le Bouteiller was nominated governor. Lagnon d'Arly behaved so gallantly at this attack, that he acquired great renown, and the good will of all the inhabitants of Rouen. The king of France and his ministers were very much displeased at this event; but, to say the truth, the greater part of France was torn to pieces by intestine wars and divisions: the churches and poor people were ruined, and justice was no where obeyed. [A.D. 1418.] CHAP. LXIX. THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY VISITS THE EMPEROR SIGISMUND.--THE COUNT DE CHAROLOIS TAKES THE OATHS OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE QUEEN AND HIS FATHER THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.--THE SIEGE OF SENLIS IS RAISED BY THE PICARDS. At the beginning of this year, John duke of Burgundy arranged the establishment of the queen of France in Troyes; and having ordered some of his captains, such as Charlot de Dueilly, John du Clau, John d'Aubigny, and others, with two thousand men at arms, to march to Senlis, and combat the army of the king and the constable, he took leave of the queen, and set out from Troyes to Dijon to visit his duchess and daughters. Having resided there some time, he departed for Montmeliart, to meet Sigismund emperor of Germany, with whom he had a conference. This being finished, they separated with many tokens of respect for each other, and the duke returned to Burgundy. During this time, Philip count de Charolois came to Arras; and by commands from the queen and his father, he convoked all the barons, knights, esquires and clergy of Picardy and other parts under his obedience, to meet him on a certain day in Arras. On their being assembled, they were required by master Philip de Morvillers to swear allegiance to the queen and the duke of Burgundy against all persons whatever, excepting the king of France: which oath they all took, namely, sir John de Luxembourg, sir James de Harcourt, the vidame of Amiens, the lords d'Antoing and de Fosseux, the lord d'Auxois, sir Emond de Lombers, and many more, who declared they would serve him with their lives and fortunes so long as they should breathe.