THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY ASSEMBLES A LARGE
BODY OF MEN AT ARMS TO SUCCOUR JOHN
OF BAVARIA AGAINST THE LIEGEOIS, AND
COMBATS THEM.
About this time, John duke of Burgundy
was busily employed in collecting a body of
men at arms to aid his brother-in-law, the
bishop of Liege, whom, as has been said, the
Liegeois had driven out of their country, and
besieged in the town of Maestricht. He sent
for succour among his friends and allies,
namely, to Burgundy, Flanders, Artois, and
the borders of Picardy, whence came very
many, and several from Savoy.
The earl of Mar, also, a Scotsman, then
at Bruges, with about four score combatants,
ready to embark for Scotland, advanced into
the Tournesis, whither the duke came, and
had a conference with their principal captains
in the town of Tournay.
On the eleventh day of September, he
marched thence with a numerous body of men
at arms, and a great train of artillery and
baggage-waggons to Enghien, where he was
gladly received by the lord of the place. On
the morrow, he advanced to Nivelle in Brabant,
within a league of Salmes. He marched next
to Flourines, where he met sir Richard2
Daulphin, sir William de Tignonville, lately
provost of Paris, and master William Bouratier,
one of the king’s secretaries, ambassadors to
him from the king of France. Having
obtained an audience, they said they had been
sent to him from the king and the great council
on two objects; first, to know whether the
Liegeois and their bishop were willing to
submit their differences to the king and the
great council; secondly, to inform him of the
suit urged against him by the duchess-dowager
of Orleans and her children, for the death of
the late duke of Orleans, his brother, of the
replies they had made to the charges he had
brought against the late duke, and that they
demanded instant justice on him the duke of
Burgundy, and that neither law nor reason
ought to prevent sentence being passed by the
king according to the conclusions that had
been drawn up against him.
The duke of Burgundy shortly answered,
that in regard to the first point, he was willing,
as was right for him to do, to obey the king’s
orders, but that his brother-in-law, John of
Bavaria, who had married his sister, had most
earnestly solicited his assistance against the
commonalty and his subjects of Liege, who
had rebelled, and even held him besieged.
Similar requests had been made to duke
William, count of Hainault, his brother in
law, and also brother-in-law to John of
Bavaria: wherefore the armaments could not
now be broken up, since during the time the
ambassadors would be negotiating between the
two parties, John of Bavaria, their bishop and
lord, might be in great danger from his
rebellious subjects, and their success might
serve for an example and inducement for
other subjects to resist their lords, and give
rise to an universal rebellion. He added, that
the king and his council might, without any
prejudice to themselves, have refrained from
so readily listening to such requests, as none
of the aforesaid parties were subjects to the
kingdom of France.
In regard to the second point, he, John
duke of Burgundy, made answer, that instantly
on his return from this expedition he would
wait on the king of France, and act towards
him, and all others, in a manner becoming a
good subject, and the near relationship in which
he stood to the king.
The ambassadors, finding they could not
obtain more satisfactory answers to the points
on which they were sent, were obliged to be
contented. They resolved, however, to wait
the event of this expedition against the Liegeois;
and during that time there came to the duke of
Burgundy, from the country of Hainault, his
brother-in-law duke William, accompanied by
the counts de Conversan, de Namur, and de
Salines, in Ardennes, with many notable lords,
as well knights as esquires, from Hainault,
Holland, Zealand, Ostrevant, and other places,
to the number of twelve hundred helmets3, or
thereabout, and two thousand infantry well
equipped, with from five to six hundred
carriages laden with provision and military
stores.
Many councils were held at Flourines,
and in that neighbourhood, as to their future
conduct, and whither they might march their
army with the greatest probability of success.
It was determined that duke William should
command the van, and, as he advanced,
destroy the whole country with fire and sword;
that the duke of Burgundy, with the earl of
Mar and the main body, should direct their
march along the causeway of Branchaut, which
leads strait to Tongres and Maestricht. In the
last place, the lord de Pier-Yves4 and the
Liegeois had, as has been before said, besieged
their bishop and lord, John of Bavaria.
In consequence of this resolution, the two
dukes began their march by different roads,
and destroyed all the country on the Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday, and met on the
Saturday evening, about vespers, in the town
of Montenach, situated on the above causeway.
In this place and neighbourhood was the whole
army lodged, forming but one body; and two
marshals were appointed to command and find
quarters for it;—on the part of the duke of
Burgundy, the lord de Vergy5,—and on that
of duke William, the lord de Jeumont. They
had under their immediate orders five hundred
helmets, seven hundred cross-bows, and fifteen
hundred archers, all men of tried courage, with
sixteen hundred carriages, as well carts as
waggons, laden with arms, ammunition and
provision, and all other necessaries for such an
expedition.
On this Saturday, the lord de Pier-Yves,
and his son the newly-elected bishop of Liege,
as they were besieging Maestricht, learnt from
their spies, that the two before-mentioned
dukes were rapidly advancing against them,
and burning the country on their line of
march. They instantly raised the siege, and
retreated to the city of Liege with full forty
thousand combatants, where they fixed their
quarters, Liege being only five leagues distant
from Maestricht. The commanders there
held a council, with such of the inhabitants as
had not been at the siege; and at its close it
was proclaimed through different parts of the
town, by orders of the governor and his son,
the bishop, that every man capable of bearing
arms should, on the morrow-morning, at the
sound of a bell, be ready equipped to follow
their commanders out of the town whithersoever
they might lead them.
In consequence of this order, on the
morrow, the 22d day of September 1408, there
issued out of Liege, according to computation,
about fifty thousand armed men. In this
number were from five to six hundred well
armed, in the french manner, on horseback,
and from one hundred to six score english
archers, in their pay. They were followed by
infinite numbers of carts and other carriages,
and a mob of people dressed in various manners,
according to their own fancies.
The bell tolled at break of day, and they
then sallied forth in good array, following their
governor and bishop, very eager to offer combat
to the enemy. Their governor had frequently
warned them of the dangers that might ensue
from a battle, as their enemies were, for the
greater part, nobles or gentlemen accustomed
to war and obedience to their commanders,
which was not the case with them; and that
it would be more to their advantage to remain
within well-inclosed towns and castles harrassing
the enemy by various means, and so tiring him
out that he should be forced to quit their
country.
This advice, however, was not agreeable
to the Liegeois, for it seemed to them that
their numbers were so great that the enemy
could not resist them; and they were not well
pleased with what their governor had told
them. The governor, perceiving the Liegeois
determined on battle, led them into the plain,
and drew them up in handsome array. He
frequently exhorted them to behave themselves
valiantly, and with one accord, this day against
the enemy, who was marching to attack them,
and to defend with courage their lives and
liberties.
They marched near to Tongres, which is
five leagues distant from Liege, whither the
two dukes had advanced on the Saturday; for
they had already heard the siege of Maestricht
was broken up, and that the men of Liege
were intending to offer them battle. After
some councils had been holden with the
captains and the most experienced in their
army, they sent off, very early on the Sunday
morning, two hundred light troops, under the
command of Robert le Roux and some other
noblemen of the country, to inquire into the
truth of what they had heard, and to see what
the enemy was about. They shortly returned,
and told the dukes, that the intelligence they
had received was true, for that they had seen
the Liegeois in great numbers marching in
battle-array. The dukes, on hearing this,
commanded their men to arm, and to draw
up in order of battle. When this was done,
they marched to meet the Liegeois, and
scarcely had they advanced half a league when
they appeared in sight.
The Liegeois also saw them, for they were
near to Tongres. Both armies advancing, the
dukes then posted themselves and all their
infantry on a very advantageous spot; and
thinking the enemy would attempt to dislodge
them, they formed their army into one battalion,
the better to support the attack, and placed
their baggage in their rear. They posted the
greater part of their archers and cross-bows on
their right and left as wings. The lord de
Miraumont this day commanded the archers,
by orders of the duke of Burgundy, and with
great credit to himself. The duke of Burgundy
was on the right, and duke William on the left
of the army, each attended by his own people.
After the proper orders had been given,
and every arrangement made according to the
advice of the most experienced officers, very
many new knights were created. The men of
Liege, swelled with pride, and arrogantly
considering the army of their opponents as
infinitely inferior to them, marched on the
right for an eminence called the heights of
Hasbane, where they halted in handsome
array. They had with them the standard of
St Lambert, and those of their different guilds;
and the reason why they had halted on this
spot was, that some of their old men had told
them that it was there their ancestors had
gained a victory, and they flattered themselves
with similar success.
They then formed their army in handsome
order, and played off many cannons against
their enemies, which annoyed them very much.
It should be known, that between the two
armies was a narrow valley, at the bottom of
which was a ditch to carry off the water in
times of rain.
The two dukes having with their army
remained stationary, observing that the Liegeois
did not seem inclined to quit their position, and
begin the battle, held a short council with their
ablest officers, and thinking success was more
likely to follow the most courageous, determined
to advance slowly toward them in battle-array,
on account of the weight of their arms, and
attack them where they were, before they could
fortify themselves, or increase their numbers
by reinforcements.
In consequence, five hundred men at arms,
on horseback, were ordered to attack the army
of Liege on its rear, and about a thousand
infantry, under the command of the lords de
Croy, de Helly, de Neufville and de Raise,
knights, with Enguerrand de Bournouville,
esquire, on the part of the duke of Burgundy;
and by the lords de Hamette and de Ligne,
knights, with Robert le Roux, esquire, who
instantly advanced into the plain according to
their orders.
The Liegeois, observing so large a
detachment quit the duke’s army, and march
away, as it were, thought they were running
off from fear of their great numbers, and
began shouting, in their language, ‘Fuyo,
fuyo!’ and repeating this word many times.
The lord de Pier-Yves, the governor, like an
able man, well versed in war, frequently, but
gently, checked them for making this noise,
saying, ‘My very dear friends, that troop on
horseback which you see, are not running away,
as you suppose; but when that other body of
infantry, much greater, as you may observe,
shall be advanced near enough to begin the
attack, those on horseback will instantly wheel
about, like skilful soldiers, and charge your
rear, with a design to divide your army,
while the others shall attack you in front.
Notwithstanding we have every appearance
of a successful issue to our battle, I have
always advised you to the contrary; and
though your hearts are set upon it, as if
already sure of victory, I remain still in the
same opinion,—because you are not so well
used to warfare, nor armed like to your
adversaries, who have learnt all military
exercises from their childhood. This was
the reason why I proposed avoiding a battle;
for it would have been more to your advantage
to have defended your towns and fortresses, and
whenever a favourable opportunity offered, to
have fallen on your enemies, so that they would
have been forced to have quitted your country.
However, the day you have so ardently wished
for is now come; and I beg of you to put your
hopes in God, and boldly and steadily exert
yourselves in the defence of your country against
the enemy now marching to attack you.’
Having finished this speech, he wanted to
mount some of his most determined men on
horseback to oppose the detachment then on
the plain; but in truth the commonalty would
not suffer it to be done, and uttered against him
many reproaches, calling him a traitor.
He patiently suffered their rude ignorance,
and hastily commanded the army to be formed
into a square, in the front of which was a body
drawn up in the form of a triangle,—and the
carts and baggage were towards the rear, on
the right and left of his army, handsomely
arranged: their horses were in the rear, on
one of the wings, intermixed with their archers
and cross-bows,—but they were of little value,
except the english archers, who were better
disposed of in other places.
The lord de Pier-Yves, accompanied by
his son the bishop and some of his best
companions in arms, like a good commander,
posted himself at the head of his army, fronting
the enemy.
During this time, the two dukes began
their march, gaily exhorting their men to
behave themselves gallantly against the enemy,
a rude and ignorant people, who had rebelled
against their lord, and who confidently trusted
in their superior numbers for success,—telling
their men, that if they acted as they expected
they would, victory would infallibly be theirs,
and they would gain everlasting honour.
When the dukes had made such like
speeches, they retired to their posts, and under
their banners, and advanced slowly toward the
enemy, who kept up a heavy fire against them
with their cannons.
The banner-bearer of the duke of
Burgundy was a very valiant knight, called
sir James de Courtjambe, who, accidentally
falling on his knees as he marched, alarmed
many, who thought it was an unfavourable
omen of their success; but he was soon raised
by the help of those of his guard, and behaved
himself honourably the whole day. This knight
was a native of Burgundy. The banner of duke
William was that day borne by a gallant knight,
called sir Hoste d’Escaussines, who behaved
himself right well.
When the two armies met, the conflict
became very severe on each side, and lasted
for upwards of an hour, when many deadly
blows were given by both parties. At this
moment, the detachment on horseback, with
the infantry, according to their orders, advanced
to the rear of the Liegeois; but from the position
of their baggage-waggons, they had much
difficulty to force their way. At length, by
dint of courage, they succeeded, and, having
gained an entrance, began to lay about them
so vigorously that the army of the enemy
was divided,—and they saw full six thousand
Liegeois quit their ranks, with their guns and
the banners of their guilds, and take flight with
all speed towards a village half a league from
the field of battle.
When the detachment perceived this, they
left off the attack they had begun, and pursued
the runaways, whom they charged, not once,
but several times, beating down and slaying
them without mercy,—and, in short, routed
them so effectually that, through fear of death,
they fled here and there, into woods and other
places, to hide themselves.
This party of the Liegeois being either
killed, dispersed, or taken prisoners, the
horsemen returned to their main body,
gallantly fighting the enemy, who, it must
be said, defended themselves courageously.
In truth, the event of this battle was some
time doubtful,—for, during one half hour, it
could not be known which side would be
victorious. The noise of their war-cries was
frightful:—the Burgundians and Hainaulters
shouted under their banners, ‘Our Lady for
Burgundy! Our Lady for Hainault!’ and the
Liegeois, in their turn, shouted, ‘St Lambert
for Pier-Yves!’
The men of Liege would perhaps have
conquered, if this detachment on horseback,
when returned from the defeat of the runaways,
had not again fallen on their rear, and behaved
so marvellously well that those who opposed
them were pierced through, and all attempts
to check them were vain. A great slaughter
was made by them in a short time, for none
were admitted to ransom; and by their vigour
whole ranks fell one over the other, for now
all the weight and power of the infantry were
brought against them.
The defeat once begun, there were such
heaps of dead and wounded that it was
melancholy to behold, for they were thicker
in many places than stooks of corn in harvest.
This ought not to occasion surprise; for when
the common people are assembled, badly armed,
and puffed up with their extravagant desires,
although they be in great numbers, yet shall
they hardly be able to resist an army composed
of noblemen well tried in arms, even when God
shall permit it so to be. At this period of the
battle, and near to the banner of the duke of
Burgundy, where the conflict was the strongest,
fell the lord de Pierre-Yves and his two sons,—namely,
the one who had been elected bishop
of Liege and his brother: they were instantly
put to death.
The heir of Salmes6, who bore the
standard of St Lambert, namely, the eldest
son to the count de Salmes6, who was in the
army of the two dukes; sir John Collet, and
many other knights and esquires to the amount
of upwards of five hundred; all the english
archers, and about twenty-eight thousand of
the commonalty, were left dead on the field,—and
more perished by arrow-shots than by any
other weapon.
Sir Baldwin de Montgardin, knight, to
save his life, surrendered himself to the duke
of Burgundy:—he was led out of the
engagement, and afterward given by the
duke to sir Wicart de Bours.
I have no need to particularise the great
courage and coolness of the duke of Burgundy,
nor how he galloped to different parts of the
army, exhorting them to act well,—nor how,
until the end of the battle, he most gallantly
behaved himself,—for in truth, his conduct
was such that he was praised and spoken of
by all knights and others; and although he
was frequently covered with arrows and other
missile weapons, he did not on that day lose
one drop of blood.
When he was asked after the defeat, if
they should cease from slaying the Liegeois,
he replied, ‘Let them all die together! for
I will not that any prisoners be made, nor that
any be ransomed!!’
In the like gallant manner did duke
William, the other princes, and in general the
whole body of the chivalry and nobility of the
two dukes behave themselves. There were
slain from five to six hundred of their men;
and among the number were, John de la
Chapelle, knight to the above duke,—sir
Flourimont de Brimeu, John de la Trimouille,
who on this day had been made a knight,—Hugotin
de Nambon, John de Theune,
viscount de Brimequet, a native of Hainault,—Rollant
de la Mote, and others, to the amount
of one hundred and six score gentlemen: the
rest were varlets7.
Just as the dukes had gained the victory,
about two thousand men made a sally from
Tongres, to assist the Liegemen. When they
saw they were defeated, they retreated to their
town, but were so closely pursued by the body
of horse that had done such essential service
that very many of them were killed.
The two dukes, seeing their victory was
now complete, met, and returned thanks to
the Creator, congratulating with one another
for their success. They had tents pitched on
the field of battle, and remained there for three
days and three nights.
The french ambassadors, having now
taken their leave, departed for Tournay, and
continued their road to Paris to the king and
his council; but prior to their departure, the
duke of Burgundy had dispatched a messenger
to the king of France, with letters to inform
him and his good friends in Paris of the
fortunate event of the battle. This news was
not very agreeable to many who were intending
to urge the king to prosecute the duke of
Burgundy for the murder of the late duke of
Orleans,—and on the contrary, it gave great
joy to his friends.
On Monday, the morrow of the battle,
about the hour of twelve, John of Bavaria,
bishop of Liege, attended by the heir of
Heinseberg, and several others, nobles and
not nobles, to the number of six hundred
helmets, or thereabout, came from the town of
Maestricht, wherein they had been besieged,
to the camp of the two dukes, and most
humbly thanked them for the succour they
had afforded him. He and his party were
received with much joy; and, on his arrival,
he was presented with the head of the lord de
Pier-Yves, which had been found among the
dead, with his two sons, and was fixed to the
top of a lance, that all who pleased might
see it!
On the following Tuesday, the feast of
St Fremin, a martyr, the inhabitants of Liege,
Huy, Dinant and Tongres, and of all the
other good towns in the bishoprick of Liege,
excepting the castle of Bouillon, hearing of
the great destruction of their countrymen, and
the power of their enemies, were panic-struck,
and, seeing no probability of any assistance,
surrendered themselves to the obedience of the
dukes of Burgundy and of Holland. They
sent to them ambassadors to this effect, and
also to supplicate John of Bavaria, their bishop
and lord, that he would graciously have pity
upon them, and grant them his pardon.
The bishop, through the intercession of
the two dukes, complied with their request,
on condition that such as had been most active
in promoting the rebellion, many of whom
were still alive, whose names they would set
down, should be given up to the two dukes,
to do by them as they in their justice should
think right; and each of the towns gave
sufficient hostages for the due performance of
the terms.
On the ensuing Thursday, the two
dukes and the bishop, with the whole army,
broke up the camp, and advanced toward the
town of Liege. The duke of Burgundy was
quartered in the town of Flauye, on the river
Meuse, one league distant from Liege, and
duke William among the mountains.
On the following Sunday, the dukes and
the bishop held a full council, to which all
their ministers were admitted, on the present
state of affairs. Other councils were continued
until the Tuesday, when the bishop made his
entry into Liege, and was received with great
humility by the remnant of its inhabitants.
The most culpable in the late rebellion had
been before arrested and thrown into prison in
this and in all the other towns.
The bishop went first to the cathedral
church of St Lambert to offer his prayers, and
reconcile himself with the chapter: after this
he went to his palace, when he was most
humbly entreated by the people to have mercy
on them, which he granted; and, shortly after,
he returned to the camp of the two dukes.
About two o’clock in the afternoon, on
the morrow, the dukes and the bishop, with
several nobles of the army, assembled on an
elevated spot near the camp, whither sir John
de Jeumont, marshal to duke William, by the
commands of the two dukes and the bishop,
had ordered the heir of Rochefort, a rich
nobleman, John de Saramie8, knight, and
fifteen other citizens, to be brought from the
town, and had their heads cut off, one after
another, by the executioner. Many churchmen,
and some women, were also drowned in the
Meuse for having been concerned in the
rebellion!
On the morrow, the dukes and the bishop
moved with the army to a town three leagues
distant, called Beaucloquet, where many
conferences were held, on the state of the
country. The count de Nevers joined his
brother, the duke of Burgundy, at this place,
with four hundred combatants. Hither also
sir John de Jeumont ordered nineteen citizens
from the town of Huy to be brought, who
underwent a similar punishment to those of
Liege, and for the same cause; and, as before,
many churchmen and women were drowned9.
Amé de Viry, a Savoyard, a nobleman
well experienced in war, came hither also to
aid the duke of Burgundy, and accompanied
by three hundred helmets from that country.
When the dukes and the bishop had for several
days consulted together on the affairs of Liege,
it was at length concluded, with the approbation
of John of Bavaria, now surnamed John the
Pitiless, that they should all meet again in
the city of Tournay, on St Luke’s day next
ensuing, to determine finally on the measures
to be pursued touching these matters.
After many executions had taken place
in the bishoprick of Liege on those who had
been concerned in the rebellion, and when the
fortifications of the towns of Huy, Dinant and
others, had been destroyed, the two dukes
began their march homeward, taking with
them a number of persons from Liege, who
had been given as hostages for the observance
of all the articles of the treaty that should be
made with them. Some of them were sent by
duke William to Mons and Valenciennes, and
some to Lille, Arras, and other places belonging
to the duke of Burgundy, who went to his
county of Flanders, and duke William to
Hainault, after they had disbanded their men
at arms. The greater part returned to their
homes much enriched by the plunder of the
Liegeois, who, thunderstruck by the misfortune
that had befallen them, became stupified and
indolent.
Many great lords attended the duke of
Burgundy on this expedition: among them
were, from Burgundy, sir John de Châlons10,
sir Gaultier de Ruples, the lord de Vergy11,
marshal of Burgundy, the lord de St George,
sir John de la Balme12, sir William de
Champ-divers, sir James de Courtjambe, the
lord de Montagu, and many more. From
Picardy, the lords de Croy13, de Heilly, de
Fosseux, de Vaurin, sir Bort Guieret and his
brothers, the lord of Inchy, the lord of Raisse,
the lord de Brimeu, sir Regnault de Crequy
lord of Comtes14, Enguerrand de Bournouville,
the lord de Ront, sir Raoul de Flandres, the
lord de Poix, sir Wincart de Bours, the lord
d’Auxy, the lord de Mailly, the lord de
Thiennes and the lord d’Azincourt. From
Flanders, sir John and sir Louis de Guystelle,
the lord de Hames, sir John de Bailleul, sir
Collart de Fosseux, and others, the principal
nobles of the country.
In like manner, duke William had
assembled his nobles, with many others, his
allies; among whom was sir John de Bethune,
brother to the viscount de Meaux. Common
report said, that Anthony duke of Brabant,
brother to the duke of Burgundy, and Waleran
de Luxembourg count de St Pol, had refused
their assistance, because they had not been
made acquainted with the terms and agreements
entered into by John of Bavaria on the one
part, and the lord de Pier-Yves on the other,
for the resignation of the bishoprick of Liege.
They also made other excuses.
When the day appointed for the meeting
of the duke of Burgundy, duke William and
the bishop of Liege, in the town of Tournay,
for the final settlement of the affairs of Liege
drew near, the inhabitants of that town sent
them a petition, by ambassadors chosen from
among the principal citizens, to request they
would fix on some other town, as the numbers
of their attendants would greatly harrass and
impoverish them, considering the very small
stock of provision that was in Tournay.
Their request was granted,—and the town of
Lille was chosen for their meeting on the day
that had before been fixed on.
Thither all the hostages from Liege were
conducted, and brought into the presence of
the aforesaid dukes and bishop, with several
more that had been deputed to hear what
judgment should be given, which was as
follows:
‘The dukes of Burgundy and Holland
declare, that this their judgment shall be
punctually fulfilled in every respect, with
regard to the present time, reserving to
themselves the power of making any future
alterations in it as often as, and in what
manner, they shall please.
‘First, They consent that the inhabitants
of Liege, of the towns and country of that
bishoprick, situated within the district of
Liege, the country of Los, the countries of
Hasbane, St Tron, the territory of Bouillon,
shall enjoy their customary franchises and
privileges. They order, that the citizens of
Liege, and of the other towns above named,
do bring to the monastery des Escolliers, in
the town of Mons in Hainault, on the morrow
of Martinmas-day next ensuing, all the letters
patent and charters of their laws and privileges,
which they possess,—which they will deliver
into the hands of such as may be commissioned
by the said dukes to receive them. Those who
bring them shall make oath, on the salvation
of their own souls, and of the souls of them
who sent them, that they have not fraudulently
left behind any charters of their laws and
privileges.
‘Item, the dukes aforesaid declare, that
should the city of Liege, or any other town,
neglect to send, or fraudulently retain, any of
their charters, that town so retaining them
shall be for ever deprived of its privileges and
particular laws.
‘Item, the lords aforesaid will, that these
charters and letters patent be delivered to the
commissioners punctually on the morrow of
Martinmas-day.
‘Item, they likewise ordain, that when
these charters and privileges shall have been
duly examined, and new ones drawn up and
delivered, neither the bishop of Liege nor his
chapter shall grant any new privileges to the
inhabitants, without the consent of the two
dukes or their successors.
‘Item, they also ordain, that henceforward
the commonalty shall not appoint or nominate,
in the aforesaid towns and bishoprick, any
officers, such as governors, masters of trades,
doctors of arts,—but that from this day all
such offices be annulled.
‘Item, they ordain, that all bailiffs,
provosts, mayors, and others bearing similar
titles, shall be nominated by the bishop of
Liege and the count de Los;—and also, that
the sheriffs in such towns as claim the right of
shrievalty shall be renewed yearly, and a certain
number appointed according to the exigency
of the case and size of the towns. In no large
town shall father and son, two brothers-in-law,
two cousins-german, the uncle and nephew, nor
anyone who has married the mother of another,
be appointed sheriffs at the same time, in order
that no improper favours be shewn from
partiality of kindred. All officers shall swear
solemnly on their creation, to preserve and
abide by every article and point contained in
the constitution delivered to them.
‘Item, they ordain, that the bishop of
Liege may, each year, at the expiration of the
shrievalty, appoint such sheriffs as he shall
please, or re-appoint those of the preceding
year, or others according to his good pleasure,
provided they are not any way connected by
blood, as has been before mentioned. All
disputes respecting the persons or fortunes
of the inhabitants of the different towns
having sheriffs, shall be brought before their
jurisdictions,—and at the end of the year,
the sheriffs shall be bound to render an
account of their administration before their
lord, the bishop of Liege, or his deputies,
and before one commissary deputed by the
chapter, and another on the part of the
different churches.
‘Item, they ordain, that all guilds and
fraternities in the city of Liege, and in all the
other towns, shall henceforth cease and be
annulled; and that the banners of the above
guilds in Liege shall be delivered up to
commissaries, on an appointed day that shall
be made known to them; and the banners
of the other towns shall be brought by the
inhabitants to a certain place on an appointed
day, to the commissioners named to receive
them, and who shall do with them as they
may judge expedient.
‘Item, they also ordain, that in the above
city, and in the towns within the said bishoprick,
no one shall be reputed a citizen unless he shall
have really resided within such town in which
he shall claim his right of citizenship. And
all such rights of citizenship are for the present
annulled; for although there may be resident
citizens in the aforesaid towns, they cannot, in
such right, claim any moveables by reason of
inheritance, without the cognizance of the
lords under whom such persons have lived,
and in whose territory such inheritances are
situated.
‘Item, they ordain, that from this
moment, and in times to come, the towns of
Huy, Dinant, and others within the territory
of Liege, the country of Los, the country of
Hasbane, and all within the jurisdiction of
Liege, shall no longer call together any
assembly, or congregation of people, under
pretence of holding councils or otherwise,
without the consent of their aforesaid bishop
and lord, or of the chapter of Liege, should
the bishoprick at the time be vacant.
‘Item, they ordain, that the bishop of
Liege, or any others having the government
of the said territory and its dependancies, shall
never bear arms against the king or kings of
France, their successors; nor against the two
said dukes, their successors in the said duchies
and counties; nor against the count de Namur
for the time being, or his successors; nor against
any of the countries, of the aforesaid, except
when ordered by the emperor, and only when
the emperor shall be himself present: provided,
nevertheless, that the king of France and the
above-mentioned persons do not invade the
territories of the bishop and chapter of Liege.
‘Item, they likewise ordain, that in
perpetual remembrance of this victory, and
the conquest made over them by the above
two dukes, they and their successors shall have
a free passage, whenever they may choose to
cross the river Meuse, through all towns in the
territory of Liege, fortified or not, and with
a body of men at arms or with few attendants
according to their pleasure,—provided they do
not permit any of the inhabitants of the said
towns, villages, or country through which they
shall pass, to be any way molested by their
men,—and provisions shall be found them for
their money, without demanding higher prices
for the articles than they are usually sold for.
‘Item, they ordain, that the coin of the
aforesaid dukes and their successors shall have
free currency throughout the territories and
dependancies of the bishop and chapter of
Liege.
‘Item, they ordain, that a chapel shall
be erected on the spot where the last victory
was gained, and funds allotted for the support
of four chaplains and two priests; and the
said chapels shall be furnished with chasubles,
chalices, and other ornaments for celebrating
mass and such other divine services as shall be
thought advisable for the eternal welfare of the
souls of those who were slain in that battle.
The nomination to the above benefices shall
remain with the two dukes, according to
regulations which they shall hereafter make
between themselves,—the Liegeois only to be
once at the expense of providing this chapel
with sacred vessels and ornaments. The bishop
of Liege shall allot from his revenues two
hundred golden crowns of annual rent for the
support of the four chaplains and two priests;
that is to say, for each chaplain forty crowns,
for each priest ten crowns, and for the repairs
of the chapel twenty crowns.
‘Item, the said dukes will, that on the
twenty-third day of every month of September,
on which day the battle took place, a mass shall
be celebrated to the blessed Virgin, with great
solemnity, by the provost or dean of the church
of St Lambert, in Liege, who shall chaunt
it in the choir and at the grand altar, in
commemoration of this victory, and for the
welfare of the souls of those who fell in
battle. The same shall be required of all the
churches and chapels to monasteries, as well
for men as women, within the said town of
Liege, as of all others within its jurisdiction.
‘Item, the said dukes require from the
bishop of Liege and the chapter, that they
strictly enjoin such services to be regularly
performed on every twenty-third day of
September throughout the diocese; and that
all priests, after the performing of this service,
shall be suffered peaceably to return to their
homes.
‘Item, they ordain, that the bishop of
Liege and his successors, and such as may
have the government of the country in times
of a vacancy in the see, and the members of
the chapter of Liege, shall appoint such
governor of the castle of Huy as they shall
approve of: in which castle, likewise, they
shall not place a greater garrison, nor more
stores of provision, than they shall judge
expedient, like as an upright lord shall
determine. They also insist on having a free
ingress and regress into and from the town of
Huy and the adjacent country. They likewise
ordain the same regulations respecting the
castles of Escoquehen15 and Bouillon, as to
their governors, garrisons and stores.
‘Item, the aforesaid dukes ordain, that
should any one, however high his rank,
attempt, by force, or otherwise, to deprive
those of such gifts and preferments in the
church, or any other offices for life, as have
been usually granted by the bishops of Liege
and their predecessors, the members of the
chapter of Liege shall be bound to restore, and
defend them in, their possessions to the utmost
of their power, without any fraud whatever.
‘Item, as there are still living many
perverse conspirators, who are now fugitives
from the territories of Liege and county of
Los, and have retired into the neighbouring
countries, where they have been received,
the dukes aforesaid will appoint proper
commissioners to make inquiry whither such
wicked persons have gone, and publish their
names. On the discovery of the places to
which they have withdrawn, applications shall
be made to the princes and lords thereof, that
they may be surrendered to the bishop of
Liege, for him to inflict on them the
punishments due to their deserts, or at least
that such princes and lords may drive them
out of their respective countries. But should
these lords refuse to comply, or to do justice
on such conspirators, they shall be for ever
banished from the bishoprick of Liege, the
county of Los, and their dependancies, as
conspirators and movers of sedition; and it
shall be proclaimed throughout the above
countries, that no one receive them within
their houses, but deliver them up to justice,
should any attempt to return, demanding
assistance from their lord, should there be a
necessity for it. Should they be unable to
arrest them, they shall denounce them to the
nearest officers of justice, under pain of suffering
corporal punishment, and having their fortunes
confiscated, as would have been done to such
conspirators and rebels. While exerting
themselves in the performance of this duty,
should they accidentally put to death any of
such rebels, no consequences shall ensue to
their loss.
‘Item, they ordain that the walls of the
castle of Thuin, with its gates and towers, be
razed, as well the part toward the town as that
toward the mountain, and the ditches filled up.
‘Item, the same to be done to the town
of Fosse and to the town and castle of
Commun,—which towns shall not be repaired.
And in like manner shall all the posts on the
river Sambre be destroyed, the ditches filled,
and neither they nor the towns shall be ever
again repaired, so that they may serve for
places of defence to the inhabitants, on any
pretence, in future times.
‘Item, the gates, walls and towers of
Dinant shall be pulled down, as well on the
opposite side of the Meuse as on this; and the
inhabitants shall never rebuild them again.
‘Item, the inhabitants of the said towns
of Thuin, Fosse, Commun and Dinant, or any
persons from other towns, shall not rebuild or
repair the fortified places between or on the
two rivers Sambre and Meuse, on the road to
Namur.
‘Item, one of the gates of Tongres shall
also be razed, namely, that which leads to
Maestricht, with forty feet of wall on each
side of the said gate, without a possibility of its
ever being re-erected. The town of Tongres
shall likewise, at its own expense, cause to be
filled up the trenches they had opened before
the said town, when they besieged their lord
within it, because they had put the country of
Liege under heavy taxes, and had subjugated it.
‘And whereas it is notorious, that very
great losses have attended this subjugation, the
aforesaid dukes will, that an aid be levied on
this city, and the towns before mentioned, to
the amount of two hundred and twenty
thousand golden crowns, which shall be raised
as soon as may be, being levied in proportion
to the comparative riches of each inhabitant.
‘Item, in case any of the hostages shall
die before all the articles of this treaty are
completed, the aforesaid lords will, that the
town or district whence such hostage or
hostages shall have been sent, do instantly
furnish others of the same rank and property
as those who have died.
‘Item, they ordain, that when this treaty
shall be properly engrossed, the bishop of Liege,
his chapter, and the principal inhabitants, shall
come to sign it, and engage, that should any
articles of it be not completed according to the
exact tenor of the terms, then for each omission
or neglect the bishop, his successors, the chapter
and chief towns shall forfeit two hundred
thousand golden crowns of the coin of the
king of France, or other florins of gold of
France, of the value of the aforesaid crowns.
That is to say, fifty thousand to the then
emperor or king of the Romans; to the king
of France fifty thousand; and to each of the
said dukes the like sum;—the whole to be
levied on the lands and moveables of the said
Liegeois, by seizure of their goods and bodies
wherever they may be.
‘They are likewise to signify their consent,
that should obstacles be thrown in the way by
any of the said towns to prevent the articles of
the said treaty from being carried into effect,
the bishop of Liege, and the archbishop of
Cologne for the time being, shall be the
arbitrators between such towns,—and their
decision shall be final.
‘When a legal pope shall be elected, and
his authority over the whole church of God be
acknowledged, then such as make opposition
to the execution of the above treaty shall be
laid under an interdict, which shall not be
taken off, until sufficient reparation be made,
and the aforesaid pecuniary forfeitures be paid.
‘Should any of the towns, or their
inhabitants, offer any insult, in contradiction
to the above treaty, to either of the said dukes
or their successors, the bishop of Liege, or his
vicar in his absence, the chapter and citizens
shall be required to constrain the offenders to
make full reparation within one month from
the time of complaint being made. And
should such reparation not be made within the
month, as aforesaid, after the summons to that
effect has been delivered, the country shall be
liable to the same fines as before mentioned.
‘The dukes of Burgundy and of Holland
order, that all these articles be fairly engrossed,
and then sealed with their seals, and then given
to the lord bishop of Liege, or to his chapter,
with a copy for the city of Liege and one for
each principal town. In return, the bishop
and the towns shall give to the dukes
aforesaid letters signed with their great seals
acknowledging the receipt of the above treaty,
and promising obedience to all the articles of
it, and binding themselves to the fines therein
mentioned.
‘As many noble persons and others, as
well secular as ecclesiastic, have presented
many petitions to complain of the great losses
they have suffered during the late rebellion,
and specifying their particular grievances,—the
dukes aforesaid, not having had time to
examine them with the attention they deserve,
will have them examined with all possible
speed, and will attend to each of them.’
The whole of the above, having been
written out fair, was, by the command of the
two dukes aforesaid, publicly proclaimed in
the great hall at Lille, and in their presence,
the 24th day of October, in the year 1408.
