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
When the matter had been fully discussed in the king's presence, it was
resolved by thirty of the said counsellors, that the king of England
should be combated. The minority of five gave substantial reasons
against fighting the english army at the time they had fixed on; but
the opinion of the majority prevailed. The king of France instantly
sent his commands to the constable, and to his other captains, to
collect incontinently as large a force as they could, and give battle
to the king of England. Orders were likewise dispatched through every
part of the realm for all noblemen accustomed to bear arms to hasten
day and night to the constable's army wherever it might be.
The duke of Acquitaine had a great desire to join the constable,
although his father had forbidden him; but, by the persuasions of the
king of Sicily and the duke of Berry, he was prevailed on to give it up.
The different lords now hastened with all speed to unite their men to
the army of the constable, who, on his approach toward Artois, sent the
lord de Montgaugier to announce to the count de Charolois, only son
of the duke of Burgundy, the positive orders he had received to give
battle to the English, and to entreat him most affectionately, in the
king's and constable's name, to make one of the party.
The lord de Montgaugier met the count de Charolois at Arras, and was
well received by him and his courtiers. When he had explained the cause
of his coming to the count in presence of his council, the lords des
Robais and de la Viefville, his principal ministers, replied, that the
count would make sufficient haste to be present at the ensuing battle,
and on this they parted. Now although the count de Charolois most
anxiously desired to combat the English, and though his said ministers
gave him to understand that he should be present, they had received
from the duke of Burgundy express orders to the contrary, and they were
commanded, under pain of his highest displeasure, not to suffer him
to go on any account. In consequence, to draw him farther off, they
carried him from Arras to Aire. To this place the constable sent again
to request his support; and Montjoy, king at arms, was dispatched to
him with a similar request from the king of France. However, matters
were managed otherwise by his ministers: and they even contrived to
keep him secretly in the castle of Aire, that he might not know when
the day of the battle was fixed. Notwithstanding this, the greater part
of the officers of his household, well knowing that a battle must be
near at hand, set out unknown to him, to join the French in the ensuing
combat with the English. The count de Charolois therefore remained with
the young lord d'Antoing and his ministers, who at last, to appease
him, were forced to avow the positive orders they had received, not to
permit him to be present at the battle. This angered him very much;
and, as I have been told, he withdrew to his chamber in tears.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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