Place the mouse over images to see a larger image. If the image is a painting click to see the painter's Biography Page. Move the mouse off the image to close the popup.
Place the mouse over links to see a preview of the Page. Move the mouse off the link to close the popup.
Text this colour links to Pages. Text this colour links to Family Trees.
Chronicle of England by Jean de Waurin is in Late Medieval Books.
We have published our translation of the Chronicle of England by Jean de Waurin. Volume 6 Books 3-6. Selected Chapters describing the Wars of the Roses. Waurin is a contemporary chronicler; an original source. Waurin's chronicle is a first hand description of events in some cases, and second-hand in others; he knew Warwick the Kingmaker personally, with whom he once spent nine days in Calais, before Warwick and Clarance travelled to England to begin their rebellion. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
Late Medieval Books, Chronicle of England by Jean de Waurin 1429
Late Medieval Books, Chronicle of England by Jean de Waurin 1429 Chapter VII
How the Duke of Bedford made a great assemblage of troope to send to the siege of Orléans.
In these days, about Mid-Lent, after the regent was informed of the death of the good earl of Salisbury, and also that the besieged in Orléans had been reinforced with troops and artillery besides a great quantity of provisions, he, being then at Paris, took measures to have collected in Normandy and in the Isle of France from four to five hundred waggons and carts, which, by the diligence of some merchants, were loaded and all filled with various provisions and merchandizes, with plenty of artillery, to take to the English before the city of Orléans. When the said waggons and all these things were made ready, the whole was given into the charge and conduct of sir John Fastolf, who was very wise and prudent in arms, in whom the duke of Bedford the regent trusted greatly for he was his chief chamberlain and grand master of his household: with him were sent the provost of Paris named sir Simon Morhier, the bastard of Thyan a knight and bailly of Senlis, the provost of Melun and many other officers from about the Isle of France, accompanied by sixteen hmidred combatants and fully a thousand men of the common people, with whom the said Fastolf set out from the city of Paris at the beginning of Lent; and he conducted his men and baggage in good order for some days as far as a village called Rouvray-en-Beauce where he lodged; and this village is situated between Jenville and Orléans.
And there came thither some French captains to fight him, who for a good while before were well aware of his coming, such as Charles duke of Bourbon, the two marshals of France, the constable of Scotland and his son, the lord of La Tour, the lord of Chauvigny, the lord of Graville, sir William d'Albret, the viscount of Thouars, the bastard of Orléans, sir James de Chabannes, the lord of La Fayette, Pothon de Saintrailles, La Hire, sir Théaulde de Valpergue and many other noble men, who all together were from three to four thousand combatants of good stuff. Of their coming the said English were informed beforehand by some of their men who were in garrison thereabouts in the fortresses holding their party, on account of which news these English, like men full of confidence, put themselves in good order with great diligence, and with their waggons formed a large enclosure in the open fields in which they left two entrances open, and there all together they placed themselves in the manner following, that is to say, the archers guarding those entrances and the men-at-arms very near in the necessary places; and on one of the sides in the strongest place were the merchants, waggoners, pages, and other people with little power of defence, with the horses and mares.
In the way you have heard the English waited for their enemies for the space of full two hours, who came with great tumult and formed themselves in battle array before the said enclosure out of reach of the arrows; and it seemed to them, considering their noble quality and their great number, and that they had only to do with men gathered from many levies, of whom but from five to six hundred were English, natives of the country of England, that they could not escape from their hands, but would be very soon vanquished; nevertheless there were some wise persons who had great doubt lest the contrary should happen to them, especially because the intentions of the said French captains were not well accordant one with the other, for some, especially the Scots, wished to fight on foot, and others wished to remain on horseback.
There were made new knights, by the hand of the lord of La Fayette. Charles de Bourbon and some others; but meanwhile the said constable of Scotland, his son and his men dismounted and then very shortly they went to attack their enemies, some on foot and others on horseback, and were received by them very courageously; and their archers who were very well shielded by their waggons began to shoot very sharply, in such manner that at the onset they made their enemies fall back before them, fully two to three hundred horsemen who had come to fight at one of the entrances of the said enclosure. And there the said constable of Scotland, thinking he was well followed up by the French, was discomfited and slain on the spot1, with him died his son and sir William d'Albret, the lord of Orval, the lord of Chasteau-Brun, the lord of Monpipel, sir John de Larget, the lord of Verduisant, the lord of Yvri, the lord of La Greve, sir Anthony de Prully, and full six score gentlemen, and others to the number of five hundred combatants or more, much the greater part of whom were Scots: the other captains seeing this departed thence and went away, flying in great confusion, so that one did not wait for another, and they returned to the places whence they had come. And the English, filled with very great gladness on account of the fair victory that they had gained with so little loss, praised their Creator aloud, and then, after the dead were despoiled, they refreshed themselves and rested that night in the said village of Rouvray, and on the next day departing thence sir John Fastolf and all his men, of whom he was supreme captain, took the road towards Orléans, and they and their waggons made such good progress that a few days after, exhibiting great joy, they arrived at the siege, where they were received with great gladness by their people, who, when they knew of their good fortune, heartily praised God for it, making a great noise with trumpets and clarions, and they were also very well refreshed by the victuals which they brought to them: and the said conflict from that day forward was commonly named the battle of the Herrings, and the reason of this name was because a great part of the waggons of the said English were loaded with herrings and other victuals for Lent. For this ill fortune of the French which had thus befallen, king Charles was very sad at heart, seeing that on all sides his affairs turned out contrary to his desire, and continued going on from bad to worse. This battle of the Herrings happened on the eve of Behourdis ^ about three o'clock in the afternoon; and on the side of the English there died, of people of name, but one single man called Besautrau, a very handsome esquire and valiant man in arms, a nephew of sir Simon Morhier, provost of Paris; and there were made knights among the English, Le Gallois Damay lord of Orville, Gerard Kollin, and Louis de Lurieu, a Savoyard. And the said English might be about sixteen hundred combatants of good stuff besides the common people, and the French were six thousand men, all trained and expert in arms; many noble men also were made knights there with the duke of Bourbon, all of whose names I have not been able to learn, except those which follow, that is to say, the lord of Chasteau-Brun and Yvonet de Clichon; and there were no prisoners but one Scot. Thus then as you have heard sir John Fastolf master of the household of the regent arrived gloriously at the siege before Orléans with a great quantity of provisions and other things necessary for those who were at the said siege, the account of which we will leave until it be the time to return to it.
Note 1. M.S. H. adds that the constable's name was sir John Stuart,
Late Medieval Books, Chronicle of England by Jean de Waurin Volume 5
Late Medieval Books, Chronicle of England by Jean de Waurin Volume 5 Book 2
Late Medieval Books, Chronicle of England by Jean de Waurin Volume 5 Book 2 Chapter 29
31 Aug 1422. Here it makes, mention of the death of Henry King of England.
The King of England, feeling that he was worn out by his illness, called round his bed his brother the Duke of Bedford, his uncle the Duke of Exeter gran(j master of his household, the Earl of Warwick, Sir Louis de Robersart, and some others to the number of seven or eight of those he trusted most among all his intimates; and these he told sadly enough that it was the pleasure of God his Creator he should close his life and leave this present world. Then he said to the Duke of Bedford: "John, fair brother, I beseech you by all the loyalty and love et you have ever shown towards me, that you will always be kind and faithful to the fair child Henry, your nephew; and I charge you that you a fail not that so long as you live you will not, whatever may happen, suffer any treaty to be made with our adversary Charles de Valois, by which the cl Duchy of Normandy shall not remain freely in possession of the said fair child; and in case our brother-in-law Burgundy shall be willing to undertake the government of the kingdom of France, I advise you to give it to him, but in case he refuses it, take it yourself. And as for you, fair uncle of Exeter, I leave to you alone entirely the government of the Kingdom of England; for I am certain you know well how to rule it; and I beg that from the hour you reach England you will never return more to France for any affair whatever that may turn up. Besides, I appoint you to be in all things the governor of the fair child Henry your nephew; and request that as you love me you will visit him often in person. And you, fair cousin, I wish that you be his tutor, and remain quietly with him to educate him in what belongs to his position, for I know not how better to provide for him. And again I pray you all as much as I can, and that you fail not in disobeying this, that you will have no quarrel with our brother-in-law Burgundy, and this I forbid expressly to my fair brother Humphrey: for if it happened, which God forbid! that there should be any bad feeling between you and him, the affairs of this kingdom, which are prospering for our party, might be greatly damaged l thereby. Also beware of freeing from prison our fair cousin of Orleans, the Count of Eu, the Lord of Gaucourt, or Guichard de Sissay, till the fair child Henry be of competent age; but as for all the others, do as it seems good to you." After these words, and some others much the same, the aforesaid lords replied most humbly, each one for himself, having great sadness at heart, that they would fulfil to the utmost of their power all that he ordered them, and that they knew to be his pleasure, without contravening it in anywise; and that they were all very sorry to see him in so poor a state of health.
Soon afterwards, some of these left the chamber, and Sir Hugh de Lannoy, who had been sent to Henry by the Duke of Burgundy, after he had fulfilled his mission and had some speech with the king, went away to make his report.
Then the said king called his physicians before him, and very pressingly requested them to tell him their opinion, according to what they could see, as to how long he might still have to live. At which request they delayed a while telling him the truth, even if they could give him no hope, saying it was still in the power of God to restore him to health. But he was not pleased with this, and anew requested as we have said, that they would speak the truth about his inquiry. Upon this they consulted together, and then he was answered by one who humbly knelt down before the king's bed: "Sire, think upon your case, for it seems to us that except by the favour of God, it is hardly possible that you live more than two hours". Then the king summoned his confessor, and some other ecclesiastics of his household, whom he ordered to recite the seven [penitential] psalms; and when they came to "benigne fae, Domine" where there is at the end of the verse,"miiri Jherusalem" he made them stop, and said aloud, that by the death he was now expecting, he had intended after he had settled the kingdom of France in peace, to go and conquer Jerusalem, if it had been the pleasure of his Creator to let him live his term of years. After the king had said this he made them depart, and soon afterwards according to the time the physicians had said, he yielded up his spirit to God, on the last day of August. Duke John of Bedford his brother, with the other princes, and generally all the people of his English kingdom, made great weeping and lamentation for his death, and remained in much sadness. Immediately afterwards his inward parts were buried within the church and monastery of St. Maur-des-Fosse's [Map], and his body, well embalmed, was placed in a leaden coffin.
At this time the Duke of Burgundy came to the said place of the wood of Vincennes to visit the Duke of Bedford, brother of King Henry, and the other princes remaining there, with whom he held some brief conversation; then departed and came to Paris to lodge at his Hotel of Artois.
The body of the said deceased, King Henry, was carried with great pomp, and nobly attended, into the church of Notre Dame in the city of Paris, in which place a very solemn funeral service was performed; then it was taken to the city of Rouen, where it remained a good while, during which the princes met at Paris for consultation, that is to say, the Dukes of Burgundy, Bedford, and Exeter, besides several other great lords, in order to consider and maturely deliberate together on the government and maintenance of the kingdom of France; and there it was decided and promised anew by them that the final peace which had been promised and sworn between the parties should be maintained in the form and manner that had been settled between the two kings of France and England in the town of Troyes in Champagne.
I have since been truly informed concerning the principal disease by which the said king was brought to his death, namely that it was by an inflammation which seized him in the fundament, and which is called the disease of St. Anthony.
After those princes had formed their conclusions about the government of France, as you have heard above in the city of Paris, the Duke of Burgundy departed thence, and returned with his Picards into his country of Artois and into Flanders; while the Duke of Bedford with the other English princes went to Rouen to put in order the affairs of the Duchy of Normandy, and thither in great state they brought the Queen of England, who as yet knew nothing of her husband's death.
After the princes of the blood royal of the said king had placed him on a chariot drawn by four large horses, they made his likeness and representation in boiled leather, very finely moulded, bearing on his head a crown of gold, very precious, and holding in his right hand the sceptre or royal baton, in the left hand a golden apple, and lying in a bed on the aforesaid chariot, the face uncovered and turned towards the sky. The coverlet of this bed was of scarlet silk embroidered with gold, and besides this in passing through the large towns there was carried aloft over the chariot a rich canopy of silk, like what is usually borne above1 the holy Sacrament. Proceeding thus, and grandly attended by his princes and the chivalry of his household he was taken by the straight road from Rouen to Abbeville, and placed in the church of St. Affrain. There were many clergymen on the right hand and on the left, who night and day, one after the other, whether, riding, walking, or stopping, chanted and read the office for the dead; and masses were celebrated for him every day in the churches where they lodged from the dawn until none.
Note 1. The sacred body of Jeans Christ. II.
From Abbeville they went to Hesdin, from Hesdin to Monterau, and thence to Calais by Boulogne; and while thus proceeding there were always on the road round the chariot several men, robed in white, carrying lighted torches in their hands, behind came those of the king's family and household, attired in black, and afterwards followed those of his lineage clothed in vestments of wailing and tears. After all these and about a league behind came the queen, with a large company, following her lord and husband, who, as we have said, was brought to Calais, where there was great sorrow for his death. Thence they went by sea to Dover in England, then by Canterbury and Rochester to London, where they arrived on the night of St. Martin in the Winter.
To meet the king there issued from the city of London fifteen bishops clothed in pontifical chasubles, and many mitred abbots, and other clergy in great numbers, with a great multitude of burgesses and others of the common people. These ecclesiastics all together took the body of the deceased king within the city, chanting the office for the dead; then took it by London Bridge and Lombard Street to the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, the princes of his lineage being nearest the chariot weeping and lamenting. Moreover the first of the four horses which drew the chariot in which lay the said king's corpse, wore a collar emblazoned with the ancient arms of England; on the collar of the second horse were painted the arms of England and France quarterly, which he bore himself while living; on the collar of the third horse were painted plainljT the arms of France without difference; and on the collar of the fourth horse were painted the arms which were borne while he lived in this world by the noble King Arthur, so powerful that none could conquer him; which arms were an azure shield with three golden crowns.
After the service for the said King Henry had been performed, royally as was meet, they carried him to be buried in Westminster Abbey, near his predecessors the kings of England, at which interment everything generally was performed in grander style than had been seen for any king of England for two hundred years. And even to him, dead and lying in his tomb, they daily paid as great reverence and honour as if they were assured that he was or might be a saint in paradise.
Thus then as you have heard, this noble King Henry lost and finished his life in the flower of his age, for he might be about forty years old. He was a wise man, skilful in everything he undertook, and of very imperious will. In the seven or eight years that his reign lasted he had made great conquests in the kingdom of France, indeed more than any of his predecessors had done before, and he was so feared and dreaded by his princes and knights, captains, and all kinds of people, that there was no one, especially of the English, ever so near or favoured by him that durst transgress his orders; and likewise to the same state were reduced the people of the kingdom of France, whatever might be their rank, who were under his authority or domination; and the principal reason was that he punished with death without any mercy those who went contrary to and infringed his commands or orders, and he fully maintained the discipline of chivalrv as the Romans did of old.
After all the business of the king's obsequies was finished the three estates of England met, and there came together a great number of various people to consider and decide what was proper to be doce about the rule and government of the kingdom. In the end they agreed to this, that they would bring up as king the only son of the said King Henry lately deceased. He was then only sixteen months old or thereabouts, yet all sorts of people submitted entirely to his authority notwithstanding his great youth; so they presently granted him kingly rank, and the Earl of Warwick with some others began to guide and govern him.
Late Medieval Books, Chronicle of England by Jean de Waurin Volume 5 Book 3
Late Medieval Books, Chronicle of England by Jean de Waurin Volume 5 Book 3 Chapter 29
How the duke of Bedford, regent of France, fought and conquered the French before Verneuil.
When the duke of Bedford was veritably informed by the said earl of Suffolk that the French were in great force before the town of Verneuil and thereabout, he deliberated with his people, and swore by Saint George never to rest or halt until he should have fought his enemies, unless they fled shamefully; and he immediately had published with sound of trumpet that every one should turn out and make ready to follow him; then he commanded the lord of Lisle-Adam and the lord of Montagu that they and their men should return to their siege of Nelle, of which they were the chiefs, on behalf of king Henry, and [said] that he had men enough at this time to obviate the designs of the French, so that he was well able to spare them. The lords above named, that is to say Lisle-Adam and Montagu obeyed the command of the regent, as was right, although they would have liked better to remain with him to accompany him to the battle; yet they had great need and very legitimate cause for returning to their said siege of Nelle; so they took leave of the said duke regent and went away from the company with great regret; but the lord of Montagu left there sir Theobald de Neufchastel, his bastard son, a knight much esteemed, at whose remaining the regent was well pleased; and then after hearing mass, and when he had drunk a cup, he had the trumpet sounded for departure; then he mounted his horse, as did those of his company, which was large, fair, and greatly to be feared, for they were all chosen men. So he set out from this town of Evreux, and went into the open country, taking the straight road towards Verneuil on a Wednesday, the sixteenth day of August, and there, as he rode, he made many line exhortations and expositions to the lords and captains around him, admonishing them to do well, having in remembrance that for the service of the king their sovereign lord they had left country, lands, fathers, mothers, wives, and children, and that they should fight bravely for a just and lawful cause, for France was their true heritage, which Charles of Valois, at present calling himself king of France, occupied and withheld from them. So that day passed in such or like exhortations; and they encamped early on that day, in order to have more time to make ready their affairs to await the adventure of the desired battle; and they nearly all set in order their consciences that evening and in the morning, according to the custom of the English when they are awaiting the time for going into battle, for of their own nature they are very devout, especially before drinking. Then on the morrow, when it was time, the duke of Bedford, the regent, took the field in very fair array, and rode on until he had passed the woods near Verneuil; and when he found himself in the plain he beheld the town and all the force of the French arranged and set in order of battle, which was a very fair thing to see; for without doubt I the author of this work had never seen a fairer company nor one where there were so many of the nobility as there were there, nor set in better order, nor showing greater appearance of a desire to fight: I saw the assembly at Azincourt, where there were many more princes and troops, and also that at Crevant, which was a very fine affair, but certainly that at Verneuil was of all the most formidable and the best fought.
17 Aug 1424. Now then to return to our narrative, the duke of Bedford and his princes seeing their enemies who were there quietly waiting for them all arranged in one body rode a little forward; then when they were near enough in the opinion of the leaders of the expedition, it was ordered on the part of the lord regent, upon pain of death, that every one should dismount, and that all archers should be furnished with sharpened stakes to set before them, according to the English fashion when it should come to the attack and conflict, which command was accomplished as it was ordered; then it was proclaimed on the part of the king of France and England that all the horses should be coupled and fastened together, with the pages and varlets on their backs, and the waggons somewhat toward the flank, notwithstanding that there were scarcely any except those which were loaded with victuals, and some little artillery; and there were appointed to guard the baggage and horses two thousand archers, in order that their army might not be attacked in the rear or thrown into any confusion; then after these regulations were thus made, the English, raising a great shout, began to march and go forward in good order, the archers on the two wings. And on the other side the French, who had been aware since the evening before that they would be fought on the morrow, when the day had come and they knew in truth that the English were drawing near them, whom they perceived from afar by the dust raised by the men and horses; and also were assured thereof by their spies and skirmishers, whom they had on the plains; immediately and without delay put themselves in order for fighting without forming vanguard or rearguard, but placed themselves all together in one large body, except that they appointed a certain number of horsemen, the greater part of whom were Lombards and the others Gascons, whose guides and leaders were Le Borgne Quaquetan, sir Theaulde de Valpergue, and some other Gascon captains, such as La Hire, Pothon, and others, and this for the purpose of dashing into their enemies in the rear, either right through them or otherwise, so as to their greatest advantage they might be able to do them damage; and the rest, all on foot, arranged themselves, as has been said, in a single body; then they began to march very proudly against their enemies, their lances lowered; which attitude being seen by the English, they rushed very vigorously upon them. At the onset there was a great noise and great shouting with tumultuous sounds of the trumpets and clarions; the one side cried, " Saint Denis! " and the others " Saint George! " And so horrible was the shouting that there was no man so brave or confident that he was not in fear of death; they began to strike with axes and to thrust with lances, then they put their hands to their swords, with which they gave each other great blows and deadly strokes; the archers of England and the Scots who were with the French began to shoot one against the other so murderously that it was a horror to look upon them, for they carried death to those whom they struck with full force. After the shooting, the opponents attacked each othervery furiously, hand to hand; and this battle was on a Thursday, the seventeenth^ day of August, commencing about two hours after noon. But you should know that before the attack many new knights were made, both on the one side and on the other, who valiantly approved themselves that day. Many a capture and many a rescue was made there, and many a drop of blood shed, which was a great horror and irreparable pity to see Christian people so destroy one another, for during this pitiable and deadly battle mercy had no place there, so much did the parties hate each other: the blood of the slain stretched upon the ground, and that of the wounded, ran in great streams about the field. This battle lasted about three-quarters of an hour, very terrible and sanguinary, and it was not then in the memory of man to have seen two parties so mighty for such a space of time in like manner fight without being able to perceive to whom the loss or victory would turn. Thus the two parties fought with all their might, each striving to conquer his enemy. The French, who as I have said had been appointed before the battle to remain on horseback to attack the English in the rear, or in flank, in order to break their ranks and to throw them into disorder, came to attack at this part, thinking to enter there without resistance, making a very great uproar, but they found there barriers and opposition, that is to say, the waggons and the horses of their enemies coupled together by the halters and by the tails, and they also found there two thousand stalwart archers, who received them vigorously and put them to flight; and the said French made there no other profit than to snatch up what they were able to take, such as some baggage and horses, killing the pages and varlets who were mounted on them and guarded them. Just at this time the battle was very fell and bloody, so that there was no one wdio did not try to the utmost his valour and his strength; and I the author know truly that that day the earl of Salisbury sustained the greatest brunt, notwithstanding that he wavered greatly and had very much to do to maintain his position, and certainly if it had not been for the skill and great valour and conduct of his single person in the midst of the valiant men who fought under his banner after his example very vigorously, there is no doubt that the matter, which was in great uncertainty, would have gone very badly for the English, for never in all this war did the French fight more valiantly. Elsewhere, the duke of Bedford, as I hear related, for I could not see or comprehend the whole since I was sufficiently occupied in defending myself, did that day wonderful feats of arms, and killed many a man, for with an axe which he held in his two hands he reached no one whom he did not punish,since he was large in body and stout in limb, wise and brave in arms; but he was very greatly harassed by the Scots, especially by the earl of Douglas and his troop, insomuch that one knew not what to think nor to imagine how the affair would terminate, for the French, who had more men by one-half than the English, fought only to conquer; and they applied themselves vigorously to the work, and I believe truly that if it had not been for the misfortune and ill adventure which was about to happen to them, the English would not have been able to withstand them or to endure so long; but according to what I can understand, and I have also since heard many of this opinion about it, the two thousand English archers, who as was said had repulsed the French cavalry whose chief was Le Borgne Kaquetan^ a Lombard knight, when they saw their enemies flee, gathered strength, and were a great cause of the victory; for seeing the conflict so decided, they, fresh and new as they were, raising a wonderful shout, came wheeling round and put themselves in the front before their army, where at their coming they began to inflict great chastisement on the French, who were much wearied with fighting, wherefore, much amazed at this new incident, they began a little to lose heart and to fall back; and on the contrary the English seeing that now was the time for it, exerted themselves, all at once recovering strength, and fought so well that in many places they broke through the line of the French with this onslaught, and thrust themselves in, crying aloud, " Saint George! " beginning to kill and cruelly put to death all those whom they were able to overtake, without having smy pity; which thing was not done without great effusion of blood. Then the French began to be dismayed, losing altogether the hope of victory which a little while before they thought was in their hands, but each one of them sought a place where YiQ could save himself, taking flight as best he might, and abandoning the rest; some drew towards the town and others took the fields; and the English, who pursued them with great difficulty, put to death especially those who took the road towards the town, for the French, who were within, would not open the gate for the fear they had lest the English, their enemies, should enter in with the fugitives; so there were many of them who threw themselves into the moats to save themselves, where there was a great slaughter of those who were striving to put themselves in safety. Finally, the English pursued the French so, that they obtained the complete victory on that day and gained the battle, but not without great effusion of their own blood. And it was known for certain by the officers of arms, heralds, pursuivants and other persons worthy of credence that there died there of the French party more than six thousand men, and the greater part men distinguished in arms, of whom there were a great number of Scots; and about two hundred [were] prisoners; and of the English party there died about sixteen hundred combatants, as well of the nation of England as of Normandy, the principal captains of whorn were named, the one Dudley, and the other Charlton. • And on the side of the French there were slain of men of note the following, that is to say, John count of Aumale son to the count of Harcourt; the count of Tonnoirre; the count of Ventadour; the earl of Douglas, a Scot, and sir James, his son; the earl of Buchan, who at that time was constable of France for king Charles; the count of Maroy; the old lord of Graville; the lord of Montenay; sir Anthony de Beausault and Hugh de Beausault, his brother, and the sire de Belloy, with one of his brothers; the lord of Mauny; the lord of Combrest; the lord of Fontenay; the lord of Brimeu; the lord of Thumble; the lord of Pressy in Dosme; the lord of Marche; the lord of Ramibelle in Languedoc; sir Walter Lindsay; sir Giles de Gamaches; Geoffrey de Mallestrem; James Douglas; sir Charles de Booini; sir John de Bretasse; Giles Martel; the younger Harpedaine; sir Brunet d'Auvergne; sir Ralph de la Treille; Guy de Fourchonniere; sir Pothard de Vyane; sir John Murat; the lord of Bertois; sir Charles de Gerasmes; Dragon de La Salle; the lord of Romboulet; the bastard of Langlam, the viscount of Narbonne who, lying dead among the others, by order and command of the duke of Bedford was taken and quartered, and his body hanged on the gibbet, for the treason that he had done in having been consenting to, and one of the actors in putting to death dul^e John of Burgundy, deceased; there died moreover Mondet de Narbonne; sir Francis de Gaugeaulz; sir Robert de Loirre; sir Louis de Troyes; the lord of Fourigny; Morant de la Motte; sir Carlot d'Amenat and Robinet, his brother; Peter de Courcelles; sir Andrew de la Greseille; sir Andrew de Clermont; Gabriel du Boscage; sir Tristran Coignon; Collinet Le Visconte; William Remon; sir Louis de Champaigne; Peron Du Lupel; sire Louis de Braquemont; the lord of Tygnonville; the lord of Rochebaron; sir Philip de la Tour; sir Antisselin de la Tour, and many others whose names I know not. And now, since I have spoken of the dead on the side of the French, I will mention a part of the prisoners who were taken in this battle, at least the principal ones: first, the duke of Alengon the bastard of Alen^on; the lord of La Fayette; the lord of Homet; sir Peter de Herison; sir Louis de Wancourt; the lord of Guitry; Rogelet Treset; Hugh de Saint Marc; Yvon du Puch, and many other noble men.
After this glorious victory which the English obtained against these French the duke of Bedford assembled around him all his princes and barons, and with great humility gave thanks to his Creator, with eyes turned towards heaven and hands clasped, for the good success which He had sent him: and as soon as the dead were despoiled by the varlets and archers, who took from them all that they had of value, the lord regent went away to encamp for the night around the town of Verneuil; and he had a very good watch kept about his army, and good scouts appointed, in order that no inconvenience should happen to them, and to guard against the possibility of his enemies collecting themselves together and making an attack unexpectedly on the encampment of his men to do him damage. The next day those who were before lodged in the town and fortress of Verneuil, and those who had retreated thither after the discomfiture of the battle were constrained by great terror, and summoned on behalf of the regent to yield up the town and fortress into the obedience of king Henry; these, seized with fear at having seen the great mortality befallen the men of their party, even upon the princes and noble men, as wise and well advised, made treaty with the lord regent, yielding up to him the town and fortress of Verneuil on such condition that they were to go away safely, bodies and goods; and the Icrd of Rambures was there. Then, after the lord regent had taken possession of the said town of Verneuil, and refurnished it well with fresh men, victuals, and artillery, he departed in triumph and in very great joy, and returned to the country of Normandy with his prisoners until he came to Pont de I'Arche, at which place the bastard of Alencon, who was very badly wounded, became grievously afflicted by the pain of his wounds, and yielded up his soul to Him who had lent it to him, at which event the duke of Alencon was much grieved at heart, for he loved him exceedingly. From thence the duke of Bedford, regent of France, and with him the greater part of all his princes and captains, set out by the most direct road that they could take to go to Rouen. But before I tell you further of what happened to the said duke of Bedford, I will relate to you how the very night before the deadly battle above related, there departed from the army of the English and from their company, some base knights and esquires of Normandy, with a certain number of men whom they seduced and led away; which knights and esquires were from the marches conquered from the country of Caux and thereabout, who had formerly made oath of loyalty and fidelity to the said duke of Bedford, the regent, for and in the name of the king of England; and they went to join the army of the French, hoping that they would gain the battle that day on account of the great number which they saw that they were in comparison to the English; for which offence some of them were punished as criminals by the said regent, as well by corporal punishment, when they could afterwards be caught, as in their lands and movable goods which were taken and confiscated and put fully into the hands of the king of England to add to his domain, or to give in recompense to any who should have deserved it by their loyalty and good service; amongst those were the lord of Torsy and sir Charles de Longueval, lord of Augmont. The duke of Bedford, at his departure from Pont de I'Arche, gave leave to some of his captains to return to the garrisons of the towns, castles, and fortresses that they had in guard; but when he was come to Rouen he was honourably received by the lady regent his wife, by the burgesses, commonalty, and garrisons of the town, and also the clergy went reverently to meet him, all robed, singing in the manner of a procession; moreover the streets were decorated with hangings, and at all the cross- ways where he was to pass there were platforms erected where persons represented historical scenes; and there also went to meet him the young people and children of the city in fair companies, showing a high degree of joy for his glorious and fair victory. When the duke came to the ga.te of the town he lighted down from his horse and went on foot as far as the church of Notre Dame, where he knelt before the altar, and so rendered thanks and praises to his blessed Creator and to the glorious Virgin Mary His mother for the good fortune that he had had against the French, his enemies; then after his orisons and offerings were thus made he went into his lodging, where he was welcomed as pertained to his person and he said to the lady regent, his wife, after the salutations: "My love, see here your cousin of Alençon, our prisoner;" and she answered him that he was welcome, and she embraced and kissed him; then after some days following were past the said duke of Alençon was taken to the castle of Le Crotoy, where he was kept prisoner a space of time.
Late Medieval Books, Chronicle of England by Jean de Waurin Volume 6
Jean de Waurin’s Chronicle of England Volume Six: Books 3-6: 1450-1471 The Wars of the Roses published by Twenty Trees.
Available on Amazon in paperback and Ebook.
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474.
Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
23rd September 1459. Battle of Blore Heath. See note below.
When the Earl of Salisbury, the Earl of Warwick, and their troops approached towards a point at daybreak where the army of Exeter and Lord Beaumont were positioned behind a great forest hedge, with only the tips of their banners visible, they stationed themselves on foot behind a forest that formed a barrier on one side, while on the other side they had placed their wagons and their horses tied together, and behind them they had made a good trench for security, and in front of them they had set up their shields in the English fashion. Once they had arranged themselves in battle formation, the army of Exeter, all mounted, came to face them, eagerly planning to catch Warwick and his company by surprise, with little effort and danger. Warwick and his retinue, after confessing and being prepared to die, kissed the ground they had walked on, from which they ate, deciding that they would both live and die on it. When the lords of Exeter and Beaumont found themselves so close to their enemies that they could use their arrows, they began shooting so swiftly and mercilessly that it was horrifying, and so rapidly that wherever their arrows landed, they attached themselves firmly so that they killed many horses and about twenty or twenty-two men from Warwick's company, and from Exeter's company, five to six hundred.
The men of Exeter retreated about the length of an archer's shot, but shortly after, they fiercely charged impetuously upon the said Warwick. During this charge, about a hundred men from Exeter's side and ten from Warwick's side were killed. Then Lord Beaumont and his company, considering that fighting on horseback brought little honour and even less advantage, dismounted about four thousand men who joined the battle against Warwick. They fought hand to hand for a good half hour, hoping to be reinforced by their mounted troops. However, seeing the resistance faced by their foot soldiers, the mounted troops withdrew from the field, leaving those on foot to face the enemy alone. Consequently, a knight from Beaumont's retinue, who commanded about five hundred men, began shouting with his men: "Warwick, Warwick!" and attacked Beaumont's own company, causing them to retreat further. At this moment, Warwick, seeing this turn of events, ordered his men to advance, which they did. Eventually, the forces of Lord Beaumont were defeated. According to the reports of the heralds, about two thousand men from Beaumont's side were killed in this engagement, and fifty-six from Warwick's side. Lord Beaumont himself, Lord Welles , and twelve other knights were captured, while the rest fled. This battle took place in the month of September, three or four days before the feast of Saint Michael .
Note. Waurin's account of the Battle of Blore Heath is confusing. The Lancastrian army was commanded by James Tuchet, 5th Baron Audley, who was killed, and John Sutton, 1st Baron Dudley, who was captured, rather than the Duke of Exeter and Lord Beaumont. The Earl of Warwick was not present at the Battle of Blore Heath. The mid battle change of allegiance "Warwick, Warwick!" appears to be an event from the Battle of Northampton, at which the Earl of Warwick and the Lord Beaumont fought.
[22 May 1455]. Then the two forces, seeing each other and advancing, began to march, and each side fired so accurately that from the arrows and gunpowder the horses kicked up, the air became so thick that the sun lost its brightness. The battle was so terrible that there was no one who spared brother or cousin, so much so that in the end the King lost the day. Some say, as I was informed, that the King was wounded by an arrow in the arm, and the Duke of Somerset (age 49), the Earl of Northumberland (age 62), Lord Clifford (age 41), and many other great lords and gentlemen died in the battle.
And the King was taken by some of his men towards London, but the Duke of York (age 43) did not pursue him; rather, very pleased with his victory, he returned to York with the two earls mentioned above.
Chapter 3.40. How the Duke of York (age 49) and the Earl of Salisbury (age 60) were defeated and killed through the treachery of Andrew Trollope and several other noble men.
The Duke of York, therefore, being retreated to Wakefield, upon hearing news that Queen Margaret was coming with a great force of armed men to fight him, accompanied by the Duke of Somerset, was greatly astonished, as he did not have sufficient troops at the moment to resist such great power. He and the Earl of Salisbury, along with others in their company, spoke together to conclude their affairs. They sent for men from all sides, fortifying themselves to the best of their ability within the town. However, all this was in vain because at the moment they were attacked, most of their men had gone out for foraging. Additionally, Andrew Trollope, who was a very cunning military man, told the Duke of Somerset that he knew well that they could not force the Duke of York out of the town without a great loss of men. He found a way throughout the night to dress his men in coats bearing the badge of the Ragged Staff, which belonged to the Earl of Warwick (age 32) and were recognized as such, thus they appeared to be four hundred of the bravest men, well-instructed in what they had to do secretly. Their plan was to go straight to the town and tell the Duke of York that they came from the county of Lancashire to aid him.
When the Duke of York, who never suspected treachery, saw these companions approaching, he was very joyful and allowed them inside the town. That same night, the Duke of York ordered a strong guard because he knew well that the Duke of Somerset was in the fields, intending to confront him with all his might.
But when day broke, Andrew Trollope, accompanied by other soldiers all wearing the badge of the Ragged Staff, sent word to the Duke of York, without revealing his identity, that they were a large force come to his aid. The Duke was overjoyed and marched out of the town with the intention of engaging his enemies. At that moment, Andrew Trollope, the traitor, knowing that the Duke of Somerset was nearby, initiated the skirmish, and the Duke of Somerset, ready for action, charged fiercely upon the Duke of York and his men. Quickly, Andrew Trollope and his group, as well as those who had been sent by him into the town that night, turned against the Duke of York and his followers. In this battle, the Duke of York, the Earl of Rutland his son (age 17), the Earl of Salisbury, Sir Thomas Neville (age 30) his son, and many other noble men of their company were killed. This battle took place outside the town of Wakefield on the penultimate day of December in the year fourteen sixty. Queen Margaret was very joyful upon hearing this news, as were all those supporting her cause. On the other hand, the Earls of March and Warwick, who had lost their fathers in this battle, were deeply saddened and angered, but for the time being, they could not rectify the situation.
[02 Feb 1461] And the Earl of March knew well that the Earl of Wiltshire had assembled a large force to join the Queen's army. To prevent this, the Earl of March deployed his troops to the fields and went to the place where the Earl of Wiltshire was encamped. He charged straight at him [Battle of Mortimer's Cross], and six to seven thousand men died on the spot. The queen was greatly displeased by this, as she held great affection for the Earl of Wiltshire.
17 Feb 1461. At St Albans, the Duke of Somerset caused a great alarm. Soon after, Lovelace approached the King and said, "Sire, all our men are in disarray." He asked where his cousin Warwick was, to which Lovelace replied that he had left. Sir Thomas Kyriell then asked where his men were, and Lovelace answered that they had all fled. Sir Thomas Kyriell, a very brave knight and experienced in such matters due to his extensive experience in warfare, became very suspicious of the apparent betrayal, seeing the great confusion among the parties. When the Earl of Warwick heard the commotion and realized that things were turning bad, he tried to turn towards the King, but he couldn't due to the people fleeing. Thus, the King was found beneath a large oak tree, where he laughed heartily at the turn of events. He asked those who came to him not to maltreat Sir Thomas Kyriell, which they promised to do. However, Lovelace, the treacherous traitor, led his lord the King, Sir Thomas, and his son to the Queen, who was very pleased with the King's arrival, as she hoped to achieve her goal of having the Kingdom under her control.
Auquel lieu de Saint Albon ledit duc de Sombresset vint faire une grosse alarme, et tantost ycellui Louvelet vint au roy et luy dist: "Sire, tous nos gens sont mis en desroy" et il luy demanda ou estoit son cousin de Warewic, a quoy Louvelet respondy quil sen estoit allez. Fut. messire Thomas Quiriel demanda ou estoient ses gens; il respondy quilz sen estoient tous fuys. Alors messire Thomas Quiriel, quy estoit ung moult vaillant chevallier, bien congnoissant en telz matieres comme cellui quy avoit beaucop experemente du fait de la guerre, se doubta moult de la trahison que il veoit estre aparant, voiant la grant desrision qui estoit entre les parties. Quant le comte de Warewic oy le bruit et quil aparcheut que la chose tournoit a mal, il se cuida tourner devers le roy, mais il ne polt pour le peuple qui sen fuyoit. Et ainsi fut le roy prins desoubz uns gros chesne ou il se ryoit moult fort de la chose advenue et prya a ceulz qui vindrent devers luy que audit messire Quiriel ne feissent nul destourbier de son corpz ce quiiz promisrent de faire, mais Louvelet, le desloial trahitre, mena son seigneur le roy, messire Thomas et son filz devers la royne qui fut moult joieuse de la venue du roy, parcequelle cuida bien parvenir a son entente davoir le royaulme en sa subgection.
The queen then had a long conversation with Lovelace, and then spoke to Sir Thomas Kyriell and his son, whom she repeatedly called traitors. To this, the noble knight replied, "My most revered lady, I never once thought of, or committed, treason, nor has anyone ever been able to accuse me of any villainous deed; it would greatly grieve me to be marked as such in my old age." At these words, the Queen looked at him very sternly, swearing by the faith she owed to the King that she would take vengeance. She then called for her son, the Prince of Wales, to judge what manner of death these two knights, Sir Thomas Kyriell and his son, should face. The young prince, who had already been introduced, came before his mother the Queen, who asked him, "My dear son, how should these two knights you see here meet their end?" referring to Sir Thomas Kyriell and his son. The young prince replied that their heads should be chopped off. To this, Sir Thomas replied, "May God bring misfortune upon the one who has taught you to speak in such a manner." Immediately after, they were beheaded, which was a great pity.
Si eut lors la royne de grans devises audit Louvelet, puis parla a messire Thomas Quirel et a son filz, lesquelz elle nomma plusieurs fois trahittres, a quoy le bon chevallier respondy: "Ma tres redoubtee dame, oncques ne pensay ne fich trahison, ne oncques de nul villain reproche on ne me sceut attaindre; si me feroit grant mal que en mes vielz jours jen feusse notte."Ausquelz motz la royne le regarda moult fierement, jurant la foy quelle devoit au roy que vengance en prenderoit, si fist appeler son filz le prince de Galles pour jugier de quel mort on le feroit morir, et lenfant qui ja estoit introduit vint audevant de la royne sa mere, qui luy demanda: "Beau filz de quel mort finiront ces deux chevalliers que la veez?" a scavoir messire Thomas Quirel et son filz; et le jenne prince respondy que len leur trencheroit les testes. A quoy resplicqua messire Thomas, disant: "Dieu met en mal an qui ainsi ta aprins ainsi a parler" et tantost aprez on leur trencha les testes, dont ce fut pitie.
And to speak of the defeat of that day, not many people died, as most of them fled due to the great disorder that had occurred, all because of the treachery of Lovelace who led the vanguard. The Earl of Warwick was greatly troubled by this event, for never had such great disorder, nor so sudden, been seen to happen by the machinations of the traitor Lovelace, who had thus caused his master to fall.
Et pour parler de la descomfiture de ceste journee il ny morut gueres des gens, car pour la pluspart ilz sen fuyrent ou grant desroy quil y avoit eu, et tout par la trahittre Louvelet qui menoit lavantgarde. De laquele chose ainsi advenue fut le comte de Warewic moult trouble, car jamais plus grant desroy, ne plus soubdain, on navoit veu advenir par le pourchas du trahittre Louvelet qui ainsi avoit son maistre decheu.
[15 May 1464]. Chapter 4.30. Of a battle that took place quite near Newcastle upon Tyne where the Duke of Somerset (age 28) was captured, along with several other great lords captured and killed by the Earl of Northumberland (age 33).
It so happened around this time that between Scotland and Northumberland, the Duke of Somerset, the principal governor of Queen Margaret, had assembled a large force to raid and inflict damage upon the Kingdom of England, particularly targeting those loyal to King Edward. Although the said Duke of Somerset had recently received a pardon from the King and returned to his court, he could not hold himself back. Instead, he preferred to return to King Henry's side rather than remain with King Edward's party. He clearly recognized that King Henry's faction lacked the strength to resist against King Edward's power, who had previously shown him great honour and respect. Despite this, he abandoned King Edward's side to rejoin King Henry and support those who had no power to benefit him, as he had previously experienced.
It so happened that in that season, about fifteen miles from Newcastle upon Tyme or Tyne, the brother of the Earl of Warwick, then known as the Earl of Northumberland, accompanied by the Baron of Greystoke, the Lord of Crup, the Lord of Welles, and Sir John Buckingham, was informed that there were the Duke of Somerset, the Lord Ros, the Earl of Helmsley, Sir Thomas Fiderme, and the Lord of Talbot. They rode in that direction and encountered each other in such a way that there was a great slaughter and many men were killed. But eventually, the Earl of Northumberland, brother to the Earl of Warwick, led them all to complete defeat and on the same day captured the Duke of Somerset, who was promptly beheaded. Also captured were those from his party who were there at Newcastle upon Tyne, namely the Earl of Helmsley, the Lords of Ros and Talbot, along with Sir John Fiderme, in the year 1463.