| During the time the English and their allied were in the Isle de France, they besieged the town of St. Denis with a very powerful force. The principal commanders of this enterprise were the marshal de l'Isel-Adam, the lords Talbot, Willoughby, and Scales, George de Richammes, Waleran de Moreul, sir John bastard of St, Pol, his brother Louis de Luxembourg, sir Ferry de Mailly, Robert de Neufville, the bastard de Thian, a French knight, the Arragonian, with other notable and expert men-at-arms of France and England, having under them about six hundred combatants. They carried their attacks with great diligence, and pointed many cannons against the walls and gates to better them down. They were frequently visited by Louis de Luxembourg, bishop of Therouenne, chancellor of France for king Henry, and governor of Paris and the surrounding country, who was their chief advisor, and urged them on to the completion of the business. |
| Within the town, on the part of the king of France, were the marshall de Rieux, sir John Foucault, sir Louis de Vaucort, sir Regnault de Saint Jean, Artus de la Tour, and many more valiant men-at-arms, together with six hundred combatants. on the approach of their enemies they made every preparation for resistance; and the greater part lodged themselves on the walls, where they remained day and night, to be always ready for their defense. The walls and gates, however, were greatly damaged by the cannon of the English in so many places that their captains resolved to make several attacks on the town at the same time, with the hope of gaining it by storm. In consequence, having armed their men, they formed several divisions, and marched, with scaling ladders and other warlike instruments, to the ditches, which were filled with water. These the men-at-arms crossed, though the water was up to their necks, and, carrying their ladders with them, places them against the walls, which they ascended without fear. The besieged seeing this, and considering that if the place were taken by storm, they should not only loose th town but their lives also, began to prepare for a vigorous defense. |
| The marshal de Reiux had posted on different parts of the ramparts detachments under captains, with orders not to quit their poses whatever they might see or hear, - and he had a body of men-at-arms ready to succor such places as should be distressed. The attack was very fierce and bloody, and lasted for two hours, when many gallant acts were done on both sides. The new knights created on this occasion were Louis de Luxembourg, bastard of St. Pol, who behaved excellently well, Jean de Humieres, Robert de Neufville, and some others.When the assailants had about four score men, or more, slain in the ditches and under the walls, they perceived they carry the point without too serious a loss, and their captains sounded a retreat, carrying off their dead and wounded. The besieged suffered also greatly, and were much alarmed lest the enemy, by continuing the attack, should constrain them more. They nevertheless, in hopes of succor from the constable of France, who was attending the conference at Arras, with many of his officers, repaired the walls and gates, that had been broken, and prepared to defend themselves as well as circumstances would permit. |
| The constable, on the conclusion of the peace at Arras, departed thence, accompanied by members of the nobility, and went to Senlis. He was anxious to collect a sufficient force to raise the siege of St. Denis; but when he examined his powers, he found that he was unable to do so. The marshal de Reiux, therefore, knowing that the constable was unable to afford him relief, entered into negotiations with the English that he and his captains would surrender the place, on having their lives and their fortunes spared, and would also give up the prisoners they had made, among whom was the new knight sir Jean de Humieres. This offer was acceded to, - and the French marched off, escorted by about sixteen hundred cavalry. The English likewise broke up, and returned to different towns under their obedience, leaving behind such of their captains and men as had been killed in St. Denis. Among the first were sir Louis de Vaucourt, sir Regnault de St. Jean, Artus de la Tour, one called Josselin, and others, whose deaths caused great grief. The town of St. Denis was now under the governance of king Henry. |
| Shortly after this event, the Picards, who had been informed of the peace concluded between the duke of Burgundy and king Charles, took leave of the English captains as soon as they could, and returned without loss to their own country. At the same time, the French took by storm the bridge of Melun, and put to death about twenty English, who guarded it. The success much vexed the Parisians, because it cut off communication with Normandy, and would prevent them from receiving hence any provisions. |