Several embassies, as you have seen, took place between the kings of France and of England, and the duke of Burgundy, to endeavour to bring about a general peace, and also to obtain the deliverance of the duke of Orleans from his confinement in England. They had, however, been attended with little success for the English held out no hopes of peace, but to the prejudice and loss of the king of France and his realm.

They would not condescend to treat in earnest but on condition that all the conquests they had made in France should remain freely to them, with any dependance whatever on the crown of France, and they particularly insisted on holding the duchies of Guienne and Normandy on these terms. This had prevented the conclusion of a general peace, for neither the king of France nor his council would submit to them.

In regard to the duke of Orleans, the English (as I heard from one who pretended to be acquainted with the secrets of their government) were not desirous that he should gain his liberty; for many persons about the court received very large sums to defray his expenses, and this was the cause why he had been so long detained prisoner. In truth had the king of France, or those who had the management of the duke of Orleans' estates, refused to send over any more money, it is to be supposed that his deliverance would have been sooner effected. Nevertheless, I believe that every thing was done honourably, and with good intentions.

While these negotiations were pending, and afterward, the duke of Burgundy had a great desire to aid the duke of Orleans in his deliverance, as well from their near connexion by blood, as that, on his return to France, they might remain good friends, forgetting all former feuds that had existed between their houses.

In consequence, he caused frequent overtures to be made to the duke of Orleans, and to those who governed him, to learn in what manner he could best assist him for the accomplishment of this purpose; and at the same time, he caused him to be sounded, whether he would be willing to marry his niece, a daughter of the duchess of Cleves his sister, then with him; and also, in case of his deliverance, if he would agree to ally himself with the duke of Burgundy, without taking any measures in times to come against him or his family, in consequence of the former quarrels between their fathers, against their mutual enemies, the king of France and the dauphin alway excepted. The duke of Orleans, considering the long imprisonment he had suffered and might still undergo, readily assented to these propositions.

He gave his promise, on the word of a prince, that if the duke of Burgundy should obtain his liberty, he would instantly espouse his niece, the lady of Cleves, and satisfy the duke completely as to his other proposals. In consequence of this engagement, measures were taken in earnest, for the ransom of the duke of Orleans, with the king of England and his council; when after many delays, it was agreed to by the king of England, on condition that the duke of Burgundy would give security, under his seal, for the due payment of his ransom.

By the conclusion of this treaty, the duke of Orleans obtained his full liberty; and after he had solemnly promised to employ himself earnestly to bring about a general peace, and taken his leave of the king of England and some of the nobility, he set out from London, and arrived at Calais, furnished with ample passports, and thence was conducted to Gravelines, escorted by the lord de Cornewall[78] and sir Robert de Roix[79], and other gentlemen.

The duchess of Burgundy, attended by many great lords and gentlemen, came out of Gravelines to meet him; and both expressed much pleasure on the occasion,—the duke of Orleans for his liberty, and the duchess for his arrival. Within a few days, the duke of Burgundy came thither to see him, when, as before, great joy was testified on each side, and many and frequent embracings took place: indeed their pleasure was so great, on this meeting, that neither could for some time utter a word.

The duke of Orleans broke silence first, and said, 'On my faith, fair brother and cousin, I ought to love you more than all the princes on earth, and my fair cousin the duchess also; for had it not been for you and her, I should have remained for ever in the power of my adversaries,—and I have never found a better friend than you.'

The duke of Burgundy replied, that the not having done it sooner had weighed much on his mind,—for that he had for a considerable time, been desirous of exerting himself for his deliverance. Such was the conversation, often renewed, between these two princes, which rejoiced all that heard it; and every one was glad of the return of the duke of Orleans who had been a prisoner in England since the Friday before All-saints-day in the year of grace 1415, until the month of November in the year 1440.

The ambassadors from the king of France were present at this meeting; the principal of whom were the archbishop of Rheims, lord chancellor of France, the archbishop of Narbonne, the count de Dunois, bastard of Orleans, and some others,—to each of whom, in his turn, the duke of Orleans gave a most gracious reception, but particularly to his brother.

The company thence went by water to St Omer, and were lodged in the abbey of St Bertin, where grand preparations had been made for the reception of the duke of Orleans, who was accompanied by the english lords. He was there received most honourably by the duke of Burgundy and the lords of his household. Great presents were made him by the municipality; and he was daily visited by persons from France and Picardy,—but more from his own territories than elsewhere, who were very much rejoiced at his return.

After some days, the duke of Orleans was requested, on the part of the duke of Burgundy, that he would be pleased to swear to the observance of the treaty of Arras, and take to wife the lady of Cleves, niece to the duke of Burgundy, as had been before treated of and the duke replied, that he was perfectly ready and willing to confirm all that he had promised when a prisoner.

This business being settled, the two dukes entered the choir of the church of St Bertin, with their attendants, whither the treaty of Arras was brought, written in Latin and in French. It was read aloud, first in Latin, then in French, by master James TranÇon, archdeacon of Brussels, in the presence of the two dukes the archbishops, bishops, and a great number of knights, esquires, burghers, and officers of each party.

When the reading of it was ended, the duke of Orleans promised and swore on the book of the holy Evangelists, which the said archdeacon held in his hand, faithfully to observe all the articles of the treaty in general, excepting those articles that related to the death of the late duke of Burgundy,—saying, that he was not bounden to exculpate himself from this death, as his mind was no way consenting thereto; that he was perfectly ignorant of the attempt, and had been very much displeased and vexed when he heard of it, as this event had thrown the kingdom of France into greater danger than it had ever experienced.

After this, the count de Dunois was called upon to take a similar oath, who, delaying some little to comply, was instantly commanded by the duke of Orleans to take it, which he then did. The duke then renewed his promise to espouse the lady of Cleves,—and they were immediately betrothed to each other by the archbishop of Narbonne.

Great feastings and every sort of amusement and entertainment now took place; and the duke of Burgundy's purveyors were dispatched to distant countries, to supply provision for the wedding-feast,—and also for that of St Andrew, which the duke had not for some time kept. The duke of Burgundy defrayed the whole of the expenses of the duke of Orleans and of his train.

On the Saturday before St Andrew's day, the duke of Orleans was married to the lady of Cleves; and on the ensuing day, the feast was celebrated, when great crowds of the nobility came thither to view the procession of the lords and ladies to the church. The duke of Burgundy led his niece by her left hand: on the right, behind him, were sir John bastard of St Pol and the lord de Hautbourdin, who held up the sleeve of her robe. A lady supported her train, which was very rich. A little behind came the duke of Orleans leading the duchess of Burgundy, attended by the counts d'Eu, de Nevers, d'Estampes, de Saint Pol, de Dunois, while others of the high nobility and ladies of rank, knights, esquires, and damsels, followed the archbishop of Narbonne, who on what day chaunted mass.

The archbishop was attended by a numerous body of clergy, who made processions round the choir; and there were numbers of kings at arms, heralds and pursuivants, as well as trumpeters, minstrels, and others playing on a variety of musical instruments. All these heralds were dressed in their tabards emblazoned with the arms of their respective lords, and in the number was Garter king at arms from England.

The lord Fanhope and sir Robert Roos, with their attendants, were present at all these ceremonies, to whom the highest honours were paid, and the handsomest reception given: the duke of Burgundy showed particular attention to lord Fanhope, and they went all over the town without hindrance.

When mass was finished the company went to dinner, where the duchess of Orleans was seated at the middle of the table in the great hall: on her right was the archbishop who had celebrated mass, and on her left the duchess of Burgundy. There were also the countesses d'Estampes and de Namur. At other tables were seated ladies and damsels, each according to her rank and degree.

With regard to the two dukes, the english lords, the counts before named, and other chivalry, they all dined together like a troop, and were well and abundantly served from various rich and curious dishes. From dinner they proceeded to view the justs in the market-place, where all the windows round were filled with ladies splendidly dressed. The lord de Vaurin won the prize this day. After supper, justs were again held in the great hall of the abbey of St Bertin, on small horses, when many lances were broken, and it was a fine sight to view.

On the morrow, which was Monday, were divers joyous entertainments and justings, in which the count de St Pol won the ladies' prize.

During these days, many presents were made by the princes to the officers at arms, for which they cried out several times, with a loud voice, 'Largesse!' naming such as had given them a present.

On Tuesday, which was the vigil of St Andrew's day, the duke of Burgundy commenced his feast of the Golden Fleece, by hearing vespers in the choir of the church of St Bertin, accompanied by his brother knights clothed in their mantles, hoods, and in the full dress of the order. Above each of the knights' seats in the choir was an emblazoned tablet of his arms; but there were many knights, not present,—and six had died since the last celebration of this feast.

On the morrow, St Andrew's day, the knights, in handsome array, went to church in procession; and it was wonderous to see the very rich ornaments of the altar, as well as of the choir, so that both English and French marvelled at the great state and splendour of the duke of Burgundy.

After the church service, the duke seated himself at table in the midst of his knights, who were placed in the usual order on one side, and were abundantly well served. In the procession to and from church the oldest knight went last, according to the date of his knighthood.

On Thursday a chapter was held, for the filling up the vacant stalls, of those who were dead, which lasted a considerable time. It was there agreed on unanimously to offer a collar to the duke of Orleans,—and the bishop of Tournay and master Nicholas Raoullin, chancellor of Burgundy, were sent to him, to know if it would be agreeable to him to accept of it. When they had declared the wish to the duke of Burgundy and of his knights companions, the duke of Orleans replied, that he would willingly wear the order, in honour of his fair cousin the duke of Burgundy, and soon after entered the great hall,—whither came the duke of Burgundy with the knights-companions preceded by their officers at arms.

Golden Fleece, king at arms, bore on his arm a mantle and hood of the order, and, on approaching the duke of Orleans sir Hugh de Launoy (who had been deputed for this purpose) addressed him saying,—My most excellent, most puissant and most redoubted lord, my lord duke of Orleans, you see here in your presence my most redoubted lord my lord duke of Burgundy, and my lords his companions of the order of the Golden Fleece who have unanimously resolved, in full chapter, to present to you a collar of the said order, as a testimony of your high renown, prudence and valour, which they humbly entreat you will be pleased to accept of and wear, to promote that fraternal love and friendship which at present exists between you, and that it may be strengthened and preserved.'

The duke of Orleans having replied that he would willingly wear it, the duke of Burgundy advanced with one of the collars in his hand, which he presented to him, and placed round his neck, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and then kissed his cheek. The duke of Orleans then requested the duke would be pleased to wear his order, to which he assented,—and the duke of Orleans then drew a collar of his order from his sleeve, and put it round the duke of Burgundy's neck.

When the duke of Orleans had been dressed in the mantle and hood of the order, he was led to the chapter-house to take the accustomed oaths, and to assist in the election of four other knights; but they were not immediately named, and none but themselves knew to whom the vacant collars were to be given. The greater part of the nobles were much gratified by this exchange of orders, and that so much unanimity and concord existed between these two princes.

Some days afterward, the chapter was renewed, and it was determined to present the dukes of Brittany and of AlenÇon each with a collar; and Golden Fleece, king at arms was ordered to carry to them letters from the duke of Burgundy and the knights-companions, to inform them of their election. The king at arms performed his message punctually; and the two lords received the collars with pleasure, giving him for his trouble such rich presents as satisfied him.

When all these feasts were over, the lord Fanhope departed, with his attendants, from St Omer, and, by way of Calais, returned to England; but sir Robert Roos remained with the duke of Orleans, with the intent of accompanying him to the king of France, having been commissioned on an embassy to him by the king of England.

During these times, some of the principal inhabitants of Bruges came to St Omer, as they were very anxious for their lord the duke of Burgundy, in whose good graces they were not thoroughly established, to come to their town; for although a reconciliation had indeed taken place, he had declared that he would never enter their town again unless he were conducted thither by a greater lord than himself. The bruges men therefore, humbly solicited the duke of Orleans that he would out of his grace, request the duke of Burgundy to go thither, and that he would be pleased to conduct him.

The duke of Orleans granted their request,—and the duke of Burgundy having assented, they both made preparations for their journey to Bruges, where they were most joyfully received. The town of Bruges made such rich and grand preparations for the reception of the two dukes and duchesses that it exceeded all that had ever been done by them, and deserves a brief description.

When the inhabitants of Bruges learnt that the two dukes were approaching the town, all the magistrates with their officers and servants, together with the deacons, constables, and others to the amount agreed on, issued out of the gates, and advanced to an inn beyond the boundaries of the town called The Three Kings. They might be upward of fourteen hundred in the whole, and were drawn up on an open spot to wait the coming of their lord.

On seeing the duke of Burgundy advance by the side of the duke of Orleans they approached in good array with bare feet unhooded and ungirdled,—and throwing themselves on their knees, with uplifted hands, most humbly supplicated him in the presence of the two duchesses and the whole company, to forgive them their past offences, according to the tenour of the peace.

The duke delayed some little to answer,—but, at the prayer of the duke of Orleans, he granted their request. This done, the magistrates presented him with the keys of all their gates, and then, rising up, retired aside to dress themselves. At this moment, processions from the different churches, as well as of the four mendicant orders of friars, monks, nuns and beguines, made their appearance, bearing their relics and dressed in their best copes. They were in great numbers, and, on hearing that their lord was now satisfied with them, chaunted forth lustily 'Te Deum laudamus,' &c. The greater part of them attended him to his hÔtel.

All the merchants from different nations then resident in Bruges came out on horseback, most handsomely arrayed to meet the duke. On the other hand stages were erected at various parts where he passed, on which were represented divers pageants. The streets, on each side, were hung with tapestries and rich cloths; and in respect to trumpets of silver, clarions, and other musical instruments, there were so many that the whole town resounded with them. There were also several pageants with figures of animals that spouted out wine and other liquors, for all who pleased to regale themselves. In short it is not in the memory of man that ever the inhabitants of Bruges made so magnificent a display, on the reception of their lord, as they now did.

When the duke had dismounted at his hÔtel, he was waited on by the magistrates to give him welcome: having received them kindly, he ordered the governor of Flanders to return them the keys of their town which they had presented to him, saying that he had now the fullest confidence in them. This speech rejoiced them very much, and they all huzzaed. Carols had been sung through all the streets on his arrival,—and when night came, the houses were so well illuminated that the town seemed one blaze of light.

On the morrow, justs were held in the market-place: the lord de Vaurin won one prize, and the heir of Cleves the other. This last was supplied with lances by his uncle the duke of Burgundy. At the end of the justs, supper was served, and then dancings took place, to which all the damsels of Bruges were invited. On the ensuing Tuesday, other justs were held in the market place,—and the company supped at the house of the sheriffs, where they were splendidly entertained at the expence of the town.

On the Saturday, the count and countess of Charolois, daughter to the king of France, arrived from Charolois,—when the duke of Orleans, many nobles, the municipality of the town and several of the principal burghers, went out to meet them, and conducted them to the court-yard of the hÔtel of the duke of Burgundy.

On Sunday, a variety of diversions took place; but it would be tedious to relate them all: suffice it to say, that the inhabitants exerted themselves in every manner they could imagine from love to their lord and prince, and in honour to the duke of Orleans and those that were with them; they even made him handsome presents, that pleased him much.

On the following day, the duke and duchess of Orleans left Bruges, with their attendants, which caused many tears from the ladies and damsels of the household of the duke of Burgundy on taking their leave of her. They went to Ghent, whither they were accompanied by the duke of Burgundy,—and were there received with every mark of honour. After a few days stay, they departed thence, and were escorted out of the town by the duke of Burgundy. On taking their leave, they mutually promised henceforth to do every thing possible for each other.

The duke and duchess of Orleans went by slow days journeys to Tournay, where they had a very flattering reception. From the time the duke had returned from England to his quitting the duke of Burgundy, many lords, and others, had come from France, and elsewhere, to welcome his return home, and to offer him their services, some of whom he retained in his service. Several even from the states of the duke of Burgundy had offered themselves, and were so pressing that many, as well gentlemen as damsels, were retained of his household, and in divers situations. Some knights and esquires had presented from eight to ten of their sons to him, for his pages, and about twenty-four companions from the Boulonnois, well mounted and equipped, were retained for his archers and body guards: in short, his retinue was increasing so fast, that when he arrived at Tournay he was followed by about three hundred horse.

In regard to his order, it was granted to such numbers of knights and esquires, and others of low degree, who solicited it,—and so few were refused, that it was quite common throughout Picardy. Many were desirous of attaching themselves to him in the expectation and hope that when he should have seen the king he would have the principal government of France, and that they might then be advanced by various means: he himself also indulged this expectation. Some, however, more wise, thought otherwise,—and it happened as they had foreseen; for they said in secret, that it would have been more advisable in the duke to have made greater haste to wait on the king and with a smaller train of followers,—and they thought that those who governed the king, and had done so during all the troubles, would not suffer any but themselves to rule the realm, although the duke of Orleans was the next heir to the crown of France after the dauphin, and had suffered much for it; but, notwithstanding this, it has been long seen that violent quarrels and dissentions can exist between such great lords.

The duke of Orleans, on leaving Tournay, went to Valenciennes, and thence to QuÊnoy le Comte, to visit his fair cousin the countess Margaret, dowager of Hainault, who received him with joy. After she had made him some gifts, he went to the city of Cambray, where he received many presents, and the town also gave him five hundred golden French crowns. The duke had intended going to St Quentin, on quitting Cambray; but some of his people gave him to understand, that he would incur a great risk to himself and his attendants by so doing,—that he would be obliged to pass through some defiles commanded by the castles of sir John de Luxembourg, who had not yet sworn to observe the treaty of Arras.

This was the cause that made him change his route; and he summoned some gentlemen from the Cambresis to aid him in the escort of his baggage. But had the duke been better informed of the state of parties, he needed not have feared sir John de Luxembourg for two reasons: first, because sir John was perfectly reconciled with the duke of Burgundy, and had even been at Bruges, where he had held many conferences with the duke of Orleans on his affairs, as well touching the lordship of Courcy as other matters of concern to both. Sir John had then left Bruges well inclined to the duke, and had offered to serve him, and do every thing for his interest that he should think would be agreeable to him; whence it may naturally be supposed, that he would never have permitted any injuries to be done him on his road.

Secondly, because at the time the duke was at Cambray sir John was lying on his death-bed at his hÔtel in Guise, and news of his decease was carried to the duke while in Cambray, which made him stay there two days longer than he had intended. He even requested the magistrates of that town to choose him for their governor, in the room of the late sir John de Luxembourg, and he would obtain the usual and necessary confirmation of it from the king of France. The magistrates excused themselves from compliance as well as they could, saying, they dared not to do it without the consent of their bishop.

The duke of Orleans, went from Cambray to St Quentin,—thence to Noyon, CompiÉgne, Senlis, and to Paris, where he remained some days. In all the towns he passed through, or stopped at, he was received with as many honours as if he had been the king of France or the dauphin. Every body was full of hopes and confidence that great consolation would befal the kingdom of France on his return from imprisonment. The people more especially were rejoiced to see him again at liberty, for they had long wished for it.

It was the intention of the duke to hasten to the king as speedily as he now could; but he received such intelligence as made him delay it a considerable time; for a year or more. The cause of this delay was, that the king had been informed of the whole conduct the duke had held since his return from England,—of his oaths and alliance with the duke of Burgundy,—of having received his order,—how grandly he was accompanied—of his having admitted into his household numbers of Burgundians, who had formerly waged war against him and his crown. The king was also told, that these connexions had been formed in opposition to him and his ministers,—and that many great lords, such as the dukes of Brittany and AlenÇon, had joined the two dukes, with the view of forming a new administration,—and that henceforward his kingdom would be ruled by them, or such others as they might please to appoint, and that he would be only allowed a decent establishment to maintain his state, without a power of interfering in the government but as it might be agreeable to them, and with their consent.

The king, who was ever inclined to suspicion, and to listen to such information, from the many plots that had been formed against him during his reign, readily believed what was now told him; but when he heard that the dukes of Brittany and AlenÇon had accepted of the order of the Golden Fleece, whatever doubts he might have had were strengthened. Those about his person repeated daily the same tales, assuring him that they were true, so that his suspicions were completely confirmed.

Notwithstanding that the king had ordered the duke of Orleans to come to him, telling the duke's messengers who had brought him the intelligence of his return from England, that he was very anxious to see him, he would not permit him to come (in consequence of the tales he had been told) but with a small retinue, leaving behind all the Burgundians he had retained in his service.

The duke of Orleans, knowing the state of the court, and what had been told of him, went from Paris to Orleans, and thence to Blois, and to his other territories, where he was received with the utmost joy by his vassals and subjects, and many grand presents were made to him from these his possessions.

We must speak a little of sir John de Luxembourg count de Ligny, who as I have related, departed this life in the castle of Guise. His body was placed on a car, and carried, with every honour and a numerous attendance, to the church of our lady at Cambray, and placed on tressels within the choir. On the first night, vigils and funeral orisons were made, and he was watched until the morrow, when a grand funeral service was performed, and the coffin surrounded by a number of lighted torches held by his vassals. When this service was ended, he was interred without the choir, near to one of his ancestors called sir Waleran de Luxembourg, lord of Ligny and of Beaurevoir, as has been already told.

Sir John de Luxembourg had died without ever having taken the oaths of allegiance to king Charles, or to his commissioners, although often pressed to do it. Since the year 1435, when the peace of Arras was concluded, until the eve of Twelfth-day in the year 1440, when he died, he had kept such good garrisons in all his towns and castles that none of the three parties, France, England and Burgundy, had done his lands any damage worth mentioning. With regard to the English, they were very desirous of pleasing him, for he had not yet broken with them nor returned his bonds of alliance,—and they had great hopes of being supported by him, should there be occasion. In like manner, he considered them as sure allies against all who should attempt to injure him.

As to the Burgundians, there were few but were inclined to serve him; and although the duke of Burgundy was for a time very indignant against him, from reports often brought to him, yet matters were not pushed to open hostilities, and he had recovered the good graces of the duke.

The French, and particularly the captains of these marauding parties, feared him greatly,—for they knew how personally valiant he was, and that he had always a sufficiency of men at arms ready to resist all who meant to harrass his lands.

They also knew that if he could meet them unawares, on any part of his territories, he would destroy them without mercy. For these reasons, therefore, whenever they approached any of his possessions they were glad to give assurances, under their seals, not to commit any damage to his vassals or country. This they had frequently done,—and he was contented to leave them unmolested.

A short time, however, before his death, king Charles had determined in council to give him no farther respite from taking the oaths, and to raise a large army to conquer him, or at least to force him to take the oaths prescribed at the peace of Arras; but God, the creator of all things, provided a remedy, before it could be known what would have been the event of such proceedings.

Thus ended the life of sir John de Luxembourg, who was a valiant and enterprising knight, and much feared in all places where he was personally known; and he might be about fifty years of age when he died.

Shortly after his decease, one called Leurin de Moucy, to whom he had given in guard the castle of Coucy, surrendered it to the duke of Orleans, in consideration of a certain sum of money which he received and refused to put it into the hands of the count de St Pol, nephew and heir to sir John de Luxembourg.

The townsmen of Neel and Beaulieu, in the Vermandois, expelled their governor, Lionel de Wandonne and all the friends of sir John de Luxembourg, and admitted the vassals of the lord de Mongaignier[80]. But the rest of the towns and castles were placed under the obedience of the count de St Pol, by those who had the government of them.