The chronicles of Enguerrand de Monstrelet, Vol. 12 [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. 12 [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
Pope Julius was at Rome when news of this event was brought him. God
knows how he bore it, for he had been a very great sufferer in that
battle. The instant he heard it, he would have set off without delay,
fearing that the French would follow up their victory, and come to seek
him even in Rome.
After this defeat, the illustrious and gallant duke of Nemours, having
perceived a small body of the enemy that had not dispersed, like a
magnanimous prince, but too unmindful of the signal victory God had
just given him, required of the nobles and captains around him, that
they would be pleased to march with him and drive them away. Some of
them who, from long experience, knew the uncertainty of the chances of
war, remonstrated with him on being too adventurous, and that he should
remain satisfied with the success he had gained. Notwithstanding the
truth of these remonstrances, he persisted in his resolution, and said
aloud, 'Let all who love me, follow me.' Upon this, the lord d'Alegre,
his son, Maugeron, the bastard of Cliete, seeing him thus determined
and already advancing followed him.
The duke of Nemours was the first to attack this body of the enemy,
who were greatly superior in number; and the gallant prince performed
such feats of arms as astonished them, and cleared all around his horse
with such rapid and mortal blows that none dared approach him. It was
a grand sight to view so young a man displaying such extraordinary
courage. The enemy, observing how few the French were, and that no
reinforcements were coming to them, recovered their courage and
surrounded the young hero. They first killed his horse, and then fell
upon him with battle-axes, pikes, and every sort of weapon, that he,
and all his companions, died a glorious death.
This was a most heavy loss to France, for he was a magnanimous prince,
worthy to be placed on a triumphant throne in a temple of brave men.
His liberality and frankness had gained him the love of the army, who
would have followed him any where, even without pay,--and within four
months he had gained three decisive battles.
When this melancholy event was known, the lord de la Palisse and other
captains hastened to revenge his loss, and put to death the whole body
of the enemy that had slain the duke, the lord d'Alegre and the others,
without suffering one to escape. They thence marched to besiege the
city of Ravenna, which they took by storm, killed the greater part of
the inhabitants, and plundered the town: there was much confusion,
for it was almost entirely destroyed. When this was done, the french
returned to the field of the late battle, to raise the bodies of
the duke of Nemours and the other lords, to give them an honourable
interment in sacred ground. The body of that most noble prince and
viceroy of Italy, was carried in mournful triumph to Milan, from the
ground where he had fallen, to be magnificently interred becoming so
great a prince.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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