He was by birth a Norman, a wise and clever man; and so it behoved him to be, for many murmured against him. The Count of Charolois presented himself before Paris[49], and had a smart skirmish with the Parisians at their very gates, which was much to their disadvantage. In the town there were no men-at-arms, but those under the command of Marshal Joachim, and the squadron of the Lord of Nantouillet[50], who was afterwards grand-master of the household, and who did the king as much service in this war as any subject who ever served King of France in his hour of need. Yet after all he was ill-requited; but it was more the malice of his enemies, than the king’s fault; though, to speak impartially, neither of them was altogether excusable. The common people in the city (as I have since been informed) were in so great a consternation that day that they cried out, “The enemy have entered;” but without any grounds. However, the Lord Haultbourdin (whom I mentioned before, and who had formerly lived in that town, when it was nothing near so strongly fortified as it is now) was entirely for storming it; and the soldiers, despising the citizens, whom they had beaten up to their very gates, were also eager for it. Yet, probably, after all, it was found impracticable, and so the Count of Charolois marched back to St. Denis. The next day, in the morning, a council of war was held, in which it was debated whether or no they should march forward to meet the Dukes of Berry[51] and Bretagne, who were not far off, as the Chancellor of Bretagne affirmed, and produced letters to that effect; but the truth is, he had written them upon his master’s blanks, and knew nothing of them besides. The decision was, that they should pass the River Seine with their army. The greatest part of the officers opposed this; and were of opinion, it was best to return home, since the rest of the princes had not been punctual to their day; saying, it was enough for them to have passed the Somme and the Marne, without endeavouring to pass the Seine too. Some even began to start great difficulties in this undertaking, upon the account of not having any places behind us to retreat to in case of necessity; yet, notwithstanding all this, the Count of Charolois passed the river with his whole army, and posted himself at Pont Saint Cloud, which made the whole army murmur extremely against the Count of St. Paul and the Vice-chancellor of Bretagne. The next day after his arrival, news was brought (from a certain lady of that kingdom, written with her own hand) that the king was come out of the county of Bourbon, and advancing against him with forced marches. But, before I proceed, it will be necessary to say something of the occasion of the king’s march into Bourbonnois.