2: A town in the Low Countries, three leagues from Mons, and four from Maubeuge.
During these times of which I am speaking, there were great dissensions between the earl of Flanders and the Flemings; for they would not obey him; nor could he venture to remain in Flanders without great danger to himself.
There was in Ghent a man that had formerly been a brewer of Metheglin, called Jacob Von Artaveld, who had gained so much popular favor and power over the Flemings, that every thing was done according to his will. He commanded all in Flanders, from one end to the other, with such authority, that no one dared contradict his will. Whenever he went out into the city of Ghent, he was accompanied by three or four score armed men on foot, among whom were two or three that were in his secrets; if he met any man whom he hated or suspected, he was instantly killed; for he had ordered those who were in his confidence to remark whenever he should make a particular sign on meeting any person, and to murder him directly without fail, or awaiting further orders, of whatever rank he might be. This happened very frequently, so that many principal men were killed; and he was so dreaded, that none dared speak against his actions, or scarce to contradict him, but all were forced to entertain him handsomely.
When his companions before mentioned had conducted him to his hotel, each went home to his dinner, and immediately after returned to the street before his house, where they remained making a noise and brawling, until he pleased to come out and go round the town. to pass his time and amuse himself; and thus he was escorted until he chose to go to supper. Each of these soldiers had four Flemish groats a day, as wages, and for his expenses, which he had paid to him very regularly every week. He had also in every town and castlewick, through Flanders, sergeants and soldiers in his pay, to execute his orders, and serve him as spies, to find out if any were inclined to rebel against him, and to give him information. The instant he knew of any such being in a town, he was banished or killed without delay, and none were so great as to be exempted, for so early did he take such measures to guard himself. At the same time he banished all the most powerful knights and esquires from Flanders, and such citizens from the principal towns as he thought were in the least favorable to the earl; seized one half of their rents, giving the other moiety for the dower of their wives and support of their children. Those that were banished, of which the number was very considerable, resided for the most part at St. Omer, and were called les avolez. To speak the truth, there was never in Flanders, or in any other country, count, duke or prince, who had such perfect command as Jacob von Artaveld. He collected the rents, the duties on wines, and other taxes belonging to the earl, though they were the earls' lawful revenue, in whatever part of the county of Flanders he might reside; he raised also the extraordinary subsidies, which he spent and gave away, without rendering account to anyone. When he said he was in need of money he was immediately believed - and well it was for them who did believe him - for it was perilous to contradict him; and if he wished to borrow money of any of the citizens, there was no one that dared to refuse him.
The ambassadors from England, and who kept such honourable state at Valenciennes, as you have before heard, thought amongst themselves, that it would give their king great comfort and assistance in what he was anxious to undertake, if they could get the aid of the Flemings, who were at that time ill with the king of France, and with the earl their lord. They consulted the earl of Hainault on the subject; who told them, that, in truth, it would be the greatest support they could get; but he did not see how it could be obtained, unless they previously could obtain the friendship of Jacob von Artaveld. They replied, that they would directly do all within their power to obtain it, and soon after set out from Valenciennes for Flanders, by three or four different roads. One party of them went to Bruges, another to Ypres,; but the largest went to Ghent, where they spent such sums, that gold and silver seemed to fly out of their hands. They sought friendship from all, promised largely to some, flattered others, where they thought it would have more effect in gaining their ends. The bishop of Lincoln, however, and his companions, acted their part so well in Ghent, that by fine speeches and otherwise, they acquired the friendship of Jacob von Artaveld, and great favour in the city, particularly with an old knight the lived in Ghent, where he was much beloved: he was called my lord le Courtisien 1, and was a banneret, and was looked on as the most gallant and warlike man in all Flanders, who had served his lords right valiantly. This lord having kept company with the English lords, and much honoured them (and every loyal knight should honour strangers), he was criminally accused to the king of France for the distinctions he had paid to the English, who instantly sent an order to the earl of Flanders, commanding him by some means or other to get hold of this knight, and to cut off his head. The earl, who dared not refuse obedience to this command, managed so that Courtisien, coming to the pace which he had appointed, was immediately arrested and beheaded. This caused infinite grief to many, for he was much beloved by the gentry of the country, and it created much ill will against the earl. The English lords were so active in Flanders, that Jacob von Artaveld assembled several times the chiefs of the principal cities to confer with them on the business they were come about, as well as the franchises and friendship which the king of England offered to them. The matter being fully discussed, was brought to this conclusion; the chiefs of the principal towns gave their consent that the king of England and his army might pass through Flanders whenever he pleased; but as they were so much obliged to the king of France, they could not annoy him, or enter his kingdom, without suffering too heavy a penalty in large sums of florins, and entreated the ambassadors to be satisfied with this answer for the present. They returned to Valenciennes much pleased with what they had done. They frequently informed the king, their master, how things were going; and he sent them large sums of money, as well for their own expenses, as to distribute among the lords of Germany, who did not wish for anything more agreeable.
About this time the gallant William, earl of Hainault, died, on the sixth day of June, 1337. He was buried in the church of Cordeliers, at Valenciennes; - the bishop of Cambray performed the funeral service, and sang the mass. There was a great attendance of dukes, earls, and barons, for he was exceedingly honoured during during his life by all ranks of men. After his decease, the lord William, his son, entered upon the countries of Hainault, Holland, and Zeeland: he had to wife the daughter of duke John of Brabant; her name was Joan, heiress of the rich and valuable lands of Binch 2. The lady Joan, her mother, went and resided at the monastery of Fontenelles upon the Scheld, where she passed her days in a devout and charitable manner.
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