Part 87 (2/2)
[Footnote 1998: _Trial_, vol. i, p. 114. Perceval de Cagny, p. 174.
Extract from a note concerning G. de Flavy, in _Trial_, vol. v, p.
176. Morosini, vol. iii, p. 296, note 1.]
They were all on the other side of the river. There meadowland extends for some three-quarters of a mile, while beyond rises the slope of Picardy. Because this meadow was low, damp and frequently flooded, a causeway had been built leading from the bridge to the village of Margny, which rose on the steep slope of the hill. Some two miles up the river there towered the belfry of Clairoix, at the junction of the Aronde and the Oise. On the opposite bank rose the belfry of Venette, about a mile and a quarter lower down, towards Pont-Sainte-Maxence.[1999]
[Footnote 1999: Ma.n.u.script map of Compiegne in 1509, in Debout, _Jeanne d'Arc_, vol. ii, p. 293. Plan of the town of Compiegne, engraved by Aveline in the 17th century, reduction published by _La Societe historique de Compiegne_, May, 1877. Lambert de Ballyhier, _Compiegne historique et monumental_, 1842, 2 vols. in 8vo, engravings. Plan of the rest.i.tution of the town of Compiegne in 1430, in A. Sorel, _La prise de Jeanne d'Arc_. P. Champion, _Guillaume de Flavy_, p. 43.]
A little band of Burgundians commanded by a knight, Messire Baudot de Noyelles, occupied the high ground of the village of Margny. Most renowned among the men of war of the Burgundian party was Messire Jean de Luxembourg. He with his Picards was posted at Clairoix, on the banks of the Aronde, at the foot of Mount Ganelon. The five hundred English of Lord Montgomery watched the Oise at Venette. Duke Philip occupied Coudun, a good two and a half miles from the town, towards Picardy.[2000] Such dispositions were in accordance with the precepts of the most experienced captains. It was their rule that when besieging a fortified town a large number of men-at-arms should never be concentrated in one spot, in one camp, as they said. In case of a sudden attack, it was thought that a large company, if it has but one base, will be surprised and routed just as easily as a lesser number, and the disaster will be grievous. Wherefore it is better to divide the besiegers into small companies and to place them not far apart, in order that they may aid one another. In this wise, when those of one body are discomfited those of another have time to put themselves in battle array for their succour. While the a.s.sailants are sore aghast at seeing fresh troops come down upon them, those who are being attacked take heart of grace. At any rate such was the opinion of Messire Jean de Bueil.[2001]
[Footnote 2000: Monstrelet, vol. iv, pp. 383, 384.]
[Footnote 2001: _Le Jouvencel_, vol. ii, p. 196.]
That same day, the 23rd of May, towards five o'clock in the evening[2002] riding a fine dapple-grey horse, Jeanne sallied forth, across the bridge, on to the causeway over the meadow. With her were her standard-bearer and her company of Lombards, Captain Baretta and his three or four hundred men, both horse and foot, who had entered Compiegne by night. She was girt with the Burgundian sword, found at Lagny, and over her armour she wore a surcoat of cloth of gold.[2003]
Such attire would have better beseemed a parade than a sortie; but in the simplicity of her rustic and religious soul she loved all the pompous show of chivalry.
[Footnote 2002: _Trial_, vol. i, p. 116. Letter from Philippe le Bon to the inhabitants of Saint-Quentin, _Trial_, vol. v, p. 166. Letter from Philippe le Bon to Amedee, Duke of Savoy in P. Champion, _loc. cit._ Proofs and ill.u.s.trations, x.x.xvii. Falconbridge, in _Trial_, vol. iv, p. 458. William Worcester, in _Trial_, vol. iv, p. 475, and _Le Journal d'un bourgeois de Paris_, p. 255.]
[Footnote 2003: _Trial_, vol. i, pp. 78, 223, 224. Chastellain, vol.
ii, p. 49. The Clerk of the Brabant _Chambre des Comptes_, in _Trial_, vol. iv, p. 428.]
The enterprise had been concerted between Captain Baretta, the other leaders of the party and Messire Guillaume de Flavy. The last-named, in order to protect the line of retreat for the French, had posted archers, cross-bowmen, and cannoneers at the head of the bridge, while on the river he launched a number of small covered boats, intended if need were to bring back as many men as possible.[2004] Jeanne was not consulted in the matter; her advice was never asked. Without being told anything she was taken with the army as a bringer of good luck; she was exhibited to the enemy as a powerful enchantress, and they, especially if they were in mortal sin, feared lest she should cast a spell over them. Certain there were doubtless on both sides, who perceived that she did not greatly differ from other women;[2005] but they were folk who believed in nothing, and that manner of person is always outside public opinion.
[Footnote 2004: Notes concerning G. de Flavy, in _Trial_, vol. v, p.
177. _Chronique de Tournai_, in _Recueil des Chroniques de Flandre_, 1856, vol. iii, pp. 415, 416.]
[Footnote 2005: Chastellain, vol. ii, p. 49.]
This time she had not the remotest idea of what was to be done. With her head full of dreams, she imagined she was setting forth for some great and n.o.ble emprise. It is said that she had promised to discomfit the Burgundians and bring back Duke Philip prisoner. But there was no question of that; Captain Baretta and those who commanded the soldiers of fortune proposed to surprise and plunder the little Burgundian outpost, which was nearest the town and most accessible. That was Margny, and there on a steep hill, which might be reached in twenty or twenty-five minutes along the causeway, was stationed Messire Baudot de Noyelles. The attempt was worth making. The taking of outposts const.i.tuted the perquisites of men-at-arms. And, albeit the enemy's positions were very wisely chosen, the a.s.sailants if they proceeded with extreme swiftness had a chance of success. The Burgundians at Margny were very few. Having but lately arrived, they had erected neither bastion nor bulwark, and their only defences were the outbuildings of the village.
It was five o'clock in the afternoon when the French set out on the march. The days being at their longest, they did not depend on the darkness for success. In those times indeed, men-at-arms were chary of venturing much in the darkness. They deemed the night treacherous, capable of serving the fool's turn as well as the wise man's, and thus ran the saw: ”Night never blushes at her deed.”[2006]
[Footnote 2006: _Le Jouvencel_, vol. i, p. 91.]
Having climbed up to Margny, the a.s.sailants found the Burgundians scattered and unarmed. They took them by surprise; and the French set to work to strike here and there haphazard. The Maid, for her part, overthrew everything before her.
Now just at this time Sire Jean de Luxembourg and the Sire de Crequy had ridden over from their camp at Clairoix.[2007] Wearing no armour, and accompanied by eight or ten gentlemen-at-arms, they were climbing the Margny hill. They were on their way to visit Messire Baudot de Noyelles, and all unsuspecting, they were thinking to reconnoitre the defences of the town from this elevated spot, as the Earl of Salisbury had formerly done from Les Tourelles at Orleans. Having fallen into a regular skirmish, they sent to Clairoix in all haste for their arms and to summon their company, which would take a good half hour to reach the scene of battle. Meanwhile, all unarmed as they were, they joined Messire Baudot's little band, to help it to hold out against the enemy.[2008] Thus to surprise my Lord of Luxembourg might be a stroke of good luck and certainly could not be bad; for in any event the Margny men would have straightway summoned their comrades of Clairoix to their aid, as they did in very deed summon the English from Venette and the Burgundians from Coudun.
[Footnote 2007: Monstrelet, vol. iv, p. 387. Lefevre de Saint-Remy, vol. ii, p. 179. Chastellain, vol. ii, p. 48. Note concerning G. de Flavy, in _Trial_, vol. v, p. 176.]
[Footnote 2008: Letter from the Duke of Burgundy to the inhabitants of Saint-Quentin, in _Trial_, vol. v, p. 166. Monstrelet, Lefevre de Saint-Remy, Chastellain. Notes concerning G. de Flavy, _loc. cit._]
Having stormed the camp and pillaged it, the a.s.sailants should in all haste have fallen back on the town with their booty; but they dallied at Margny, for what reason is not difficult to guess: that reason which so often transformed the robber into the robbed. The wearers of the white cross as well as those of the red, no matter what danger threatened them, never quitted a place as long as anything remained to be carried away.
If the mercenaries of Compiegne incurred peril by their greed, the Maid on her side by her valour and prowess ran much greater risk; never would she consent to leave a battle; she must be wounded, pierced with bolts and arrows, before she would give in.
Meanwhile, having recovered from so sudden an alarm, Messire Baudot's men armed as best they might and endeavoured to win back the village.
Now they drove out the French, now they themselves were forced to retreat with great loss. The Seigneur de Crequy, among others, was sorely wounded in the face. But the hope of being reinforced gave them courage. The men of Clairoix appeared. Duke Philip himself came up with the band from Coudun. The French, outnumbered, abandoned Margny, and retreated slowly. It may be that their booty impeded their march.
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