The chronicles of Enguerrand de Monstrelet, Vol. 09 [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. 09 [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
It is certain, that in the memory of man, never was king seen with such
a handsome body of chivalry, so finely dressed, nor so great a number
of men at arms as the king of France had with him on his regaining
his good city of Rouen. At the entrance of the gates, a youth, aged
about twelve or thirteen years, and son to the lord de Presseigny, was
knighted by the seneschal of Poitou. At the gate of the bulwark were
four of the most distinguished of the citizens with an exceedingly rich
canopy, which they held over the head of the king until he came to the
church of our Lady in Rouen. All round this gate, and on the bulwark,
were immense crowds of people, who, on the king's entrance in the midst
of his men at arms, sang carols for joy at the happy event. In all the
squares were different pageants: in one was a fountain ornamented with
the arms of the town, namely, a lamb, who spouted out liquors from his
horns. Elsewhere was a tyger with its young ones, who were admiring
themselves in looking glasses; and near to the church of our Lady was
a flying stag, sumptuously made, having on his neck a crown,--and he
kneeled down, by way of reverence to the king as he passed on his way
to the church.
At this place were the count de Dunois with lord Talbot and the english
hostages at a window to see the pageant: the last were very pensive,
and hurt at heart, on witnessing a sight so disagreeable to their
interests. The king dismounted on his arrival before the church, where
he was received by the archbishop and his clergy, richly dressed in
their copes. Having entered the church, he continued some time in
prayer, and thence went to the palace of the archbishop, where he was
lodged.
Every one now returned to their homes,--and the populace made great
bonfires in all the streets, to testify their joy on the occasion.
The archbishop, on the morrow, led several solemn processions,--and
the day was kept sacred from all labour and work, the same as if it
had been Sunday. On the Wednesday and Thursday, the rejoicings were
continued, and tables were spread in the street, covered with meats and
wines for all comers, at the expense of the inhabitants. They also made
rich presents to the king, his officers, his heralds and pursuivants,
then present. While the king remained at the archbishop's palace, the
churchmen, citizens and inhabitants, required an audience of him,
touching certain requests they had to make. On its being granted,
they entered the great hall, where the king was seated on his throne
richly adorned, and himself dressed in cloth of gold, surrounded by his
ministers. They proposed various measures to him, and, in the number,
most humbly supplicated that he would be graciously pleased to pursue
his ancient enemies the English; for by means of the towns they yet
possessed in Normandy they were still enabled to do great mischiefs to
the country. To assist him in this measure, they offered their lives
and fortunes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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