Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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1330-1339 Edward III and Scottish Independence is in 14th Century Events.
On 25th August 1330 James "Black" Douglas [aged 44] was killed during the Battle of Teba at Teba whilst en route to the Holy Land with the heart of King Robert the Bruce I of Scotland.
Froissart Book 1: 1307-1340. [41] It happened, soon after [25th August 1330] Sir William [James] Douglas [aged 44] had arrived there, that the King of Spain came out from the camps to move closer to his enemies. The King of Granada also came out on his side, so that one king could see the other with all his banners. And they began to draw up their battle lines, one against the other. Sir William Douglas withdrew to one of the flanks with all his company, to better carry out his task and to better show his valor. When he saw all the battle lines arranged on both sides, and saw the royal battle line stir a little, he believed they were about to engage. He, who preferred to be among the first rather than the last, spurred his horse forward and all his company with him, straight to the battle line of the King of Granada, and went to engage the enemy. He believed that the King of Spain and all his battle lines would follow him, but they did not, by which he was shamefully deceived, for they did not move at all that day. There, the noble knight Sir William Douglas and all his company were surrounded by the enemy. They performed feats of great valor, but in the end, they could not hold out, and not a single man escaped on foot, all were slain in great misfortune. This was a sorrowful and grievous loss and a great shame for the Spaniards, and they were much blamed by all who heard of it, for they could well have rescued the knight and part of his men, had they wished. Such was the fate of the adventure and journey of Sir William Douglas.
[41] Avint, assés tost apriès çou que li di messires Guillaumes de Douglas fu là venus, que li rois d'Espagne issi hors as camps, pour plus approcier ses ennemis. Li rois de Grenate issi hors ossi d'autre part, si ques li uns rois veoit l'autre à tout ses banières. Et se commencièrent à rengier leurs batailles, li un contre l'autre. Li dis messires Guillaumes de Douglas se traist à l'un des costés, à toute se route, pour miex faire se besongne, et pour miex moustrer son effort. Quant il vei toutes les batailles rengies d'une part et d'autre, et vei la bataille le roy un petit esmouvoir, il cuida que elle alast assambler. Il, qui miex voloit estre des premiers que des daarrains, feri des esporons, et toute se compagnie avoech lui, jusques à le bataille le roy de Grenate, et ala as ennemis assambler. Et pensoit ensi que li rois d'Espagne et toutes ses batailles le sievissent, mès non fisent, dont il en fu laidement deceus, car onques celi jour ne s'en esmurent. Là fu li gentilz chevaliers, messires Guillaumes de Douglas enclos, et toute se route, des ennemis. Et y fisent merveilles d'armes, mès finablement il ne peurent durer, ne onques piés n'en escapa, que tout ne fuissent occis à grant meschief. De quoi ce fu pités et damages et grant lasqueté pour les Espagnolz, et moult en furent blasmet de tous chiaus qui en oïrent parler, car bien ewissent rescous le chevalier et une partie des siens, s'il vosissent. Ensi ala de ceste aventure et dou voiage monsigneur Guillaume de Douglas.
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Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. After the coronation and the aforementioned marriage had been celebrated at Berwick, the said William [James] Douglas journeyed to the frontiers of Spain,1 toward Granada, where he, as a noble knight, most commendably displayed his valour against the Moorish Saracens. And after many victories, which God granted to the Christians under his leadership, he fought alone against five Saracens, and though he was slain by them with five mortal wounds, he also slew them, as testified by Brother Thomas of Lavington, a Carmelite who was then still a layman and served under his command in the Christian army to the best of his ability. He [James Douglas] had a pious and twofold motive. For when Robert the Bruce was dying, he entrusted him with this charge in the following words: "I have vowed to God," he said, "that I would fight in person against the enemies of Christ. But since I will not be able to do so while alive, I implore you, the most proven man of the Scots, whom I love dearly, to carry my heart against the enemies of Christ's name, to the frontier of Granada." To which James replied: "By the invoked heart of Jesus Christ, I will, as you ask, carry your heart, and I will die fighting against the damned foes."
Celebratis apud Berewicum coronacione et nupciis predictis, predictus Jacobus Dowglas adivit fronterium Ispanie versus Grenatum, ubi miles strefluus suam probitatem contra Mauros Saracenos laudabiliter ostendebat, et post multasvictorias, quas ipso duce Christianis Deus commisit, simul contra v Saracenos solus dimicans, v letalibus wineribus ab ipsis est occisus, set et ipsos occidit, teste fratre Thoma de Lavyngtone Carmelita, qui pro tunc secularis sub suo ducatu in exercitu Christianorum ut potuit laboravit. Habuit occasionem piam duplicem. Moriens nempe Robertus le Bruys ipsum honeravit sub tali forma: 'Vovi, inquit, 'Deo, quod contra inimicos Christi forem corporaliter militaturus, quod, quia vivus non potero, te, tamquam Scotorum, quos summe diligo, virum probatissimum, exoro, ut cor meum contra inimicos nominis Christi deportes ad fronterium Granardianum. Cui Iacobus: 'Turo, inquiens, 'per invocatum cor Christi Iesu, cor tuum, ut rogasti, me delaturum, et contra predamnatos hostes moriturum.
Note 1. The romantic story of the delivery of Bruce's heart to the keeping of Douglas and of Douglas's death is well known from the pages of Froissart who follows Jehan le Bel, and from Barbour's Brus. The closing scene may be quoted from Froissart 41.
It will be noticed that Froissart persistently gives Douglas the Christian name of William, a blunder which he adopts from le Bel.
In January 1337 King Edward III of England [aged 24] created a number of new Earldom's probably in preparation for his forthcoming war against France...
William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury [aged 36] was created 1st Earl Salisbury. Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury [aged 33] by marriage Countess Salisbury.
William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton [aged 27] was created 1st Earl of Northampton. Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton [aged 24] by marriage Countess of Northampton.
Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester [aged 46] was created 1st Earl Gloucester probably as compensation for his daughter Margaret Audley Countess Stafford [aged 19] having been abducted by Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford [aged 35].
Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 38] was created 1st Earl Suffolk. Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk [aged 51] by marriage Countess Suffolk.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. A parliament was then convened in London for the Monday following the feast of Saint Matthias the Apostle and the First Sunday of Lent. There, the king created1 his eldest son, Lord Edward, Duke of Cornwall; Lord Henry of Lancaster, his cousin, Earl of Derby; Lord William de Bohun, Earl of Northampton; Lord William de Montagu, Earl of Salisbury; Lord Robert d'Ufford, Earl of Suffolk; Lord Hugh Daudeley, Earl of Gloucester; and Lord William de Clinton, Earl of Huntingdon. Together with these, the king also appointed twenty-four knights.
Et, convocato Londoniis parliamento ad diem Lune post festum sancti Mathie apostoli et Dominica Quadragesime, fecit dominum Edwardum filium suum primogenitum ducem Cornubie, et dominum Henricum de Lancastria, filium, comitem Derbie, dominum Willelmum de Bohun comitem Norhamptonie, dominum Willelmum de Monte acuto comitem Sarisburie, dominum Robertum Dofford comitem Suffolchie, dominum Hugonem Daudele comitem Gloucestrie, dominum Willelmum de Clyntone comitem Huntyngdonie; et cum illis XXIIIJ milites ordinavit.
Note 1. The six new earls were:
Henry 'of Grosmont,' son of Henry, earl of Lancaster, born about 1299; summoned to parliament as Henry de Lancaster, 3rd February 1335; created earl of Derby, 16th March 1337; succeeded as 4th earl of Lancaster, 22nd September 1345; created earl of Lincoln, 20th August 1349; and duke of Lancaster, 6th March 1352; died 13th March 1361.
William de Bohun, son of Humphrey, 4th earl of Hereford, born about 1314; created earl of Northampton, 16th March 1337; constable of England, 12th June 1338; died 16th September 1360.
William de Montagu, son of William, baron Montagu, born in 1301; succeeded as 3rd baron Montagu, 6th November 1319; created earl of Salisbury, 16th March 1337; marshal of England, 20th September 1338; died 30th January 1344.
Robert de Ufford, son of Robert, baron Ufford, born in 1298; succeeded as 2nd baron Ufford, 9th September 1316; created earl of Suffolk, 16th March 1337; died 4th November 1369.
Hugh de Audley, son of Hugh, baron Audley, born before 1298; succeeded as 2nd baron Audley in 1326; created earl of Gloucester, 16th March 1337; died 10th November 1347.
William de Clinton, son of John, 5th baron Clinton, born about 1304; created earl of Huntingdon, 16th March 1337; died 31st August 1354. Doyle, Baronage.
In 1337 Stirling Castle [Map], then under English control, was besieged by Andrew Murray [aged 39] but failed to take it.
William Keith of Galston [aged 37] was killed.
Bourgeois de Valenciennes. And it was not long afterward that King Edward sent the Bishop of Lincoln1, the Earl of Northampton, and my lord Walter of Mauny with a great number of archers and men-at-arms and many ships, laden with wool, to carry into Flanders and to speak with the Flemings on the king’s behalf. The bishop and his company made ready, embarked upon the sea, and sailed so swiftly that they came before Ghent. When the Bastard of Flanders and his men perceived them, they cried to arms. When the bishop heard this, who well knew the way, he and his men disembarked. The archers were placed on one side a little ahead of them and began to shoot strongly and thickly; and the men-at-arms struck together and fought boldly and fiercely. There was great slaughter, and the battle lasted long. In the end the Flemings were defeated. Louis the Bastard of Flanders was wounded and taken and carried to the ships. There were well eleven thousand men slain, and the rest fled. This was on Saint Martin’s night [10th November] in winter, in the year 1337. Then the Bishop of Lincoln and his men returned to their ships and turned their course toward Antwerp. There the bishop had the wool and sacks unloaded, and afterward they returned to England and told the king how they had acted. Soon afterward the king forbade at all the ports of England that any goods should go into Flanders. The people of Flanders were greatly astonished and distressed, and suffered severe hardship for a long time, for the common folk had nothing to live by, and were forced to leave the country.
Et ne demeura gaires que le roy Édouart envoia l'évesque de Nicole, le comte de Norantone et monseigneur Gaultier de Mausny à tout grant plenté d'archiers et de gens d'armes et grant plenté de nefs, oîi il y avoit plenté de laynes, pour mener en Flandres et pour parler aux Flamens de par le roy. Et s'aparilla l'évesque et ses gens, et montèrent en mer, et singlèrent tant et sy raderaent qu'ils vindrent contre Gagant. Et quant le bastard de Flandres et ses gens les appercliurent, ils cryèrent aux armes. Et quant l'évesque l'entendy, qui bien sçavoif la voie, luy et ses gens descendirent à terre, et les archiers à l'un des lés ung peu devant eulx, et commenchèrent fort à traire moult druement, et les gens d'armes à férir ensamble et à combatre bien et hardiment, et là eult grande ochision et longuement dura. Et en la fin, les Flamens furent desconfis, et y fust Loys le bastard de Flandres navrés et priiis et menés es nefs, et y eult bien de mors XI mil hommes, et le remanant s'enfuy. Ce fut la nuit Saint-Martin en yver l'an mil CCC et XXXVII. Dont rentra levesque de Nicole et ses gens en leurs nefs, et tournèrent leur chemin vers Anvers, et là fist l'évesque deschargier les laynes et les sacqs, et puis retournèrent en Engleterre et contèrent au roy comment ils avoient ouvré. Adont n'attendy gaires le roy qu'il ne fesist deffendre à tous les pors d'Engleterre que riens ne venist en Flandres •. dont ceulx de Flandres furent moult esbahis et moult desconfortës, et moult eurent grant disette, grande espasse de tamps, car les gens de commune n'avoient que gaingnier, et leur en convenoit widier le pays.
Note 1. The Bishop of Lincoln, Henry Burghesh, 1292-1340, Lord Treasurer and Lord Chancellor. The Earl of Northampton William Bohun, 1309-1361. Walter of Mauny, 1310-1372, of Hainaut who came to England with Queen Philippa.
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Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 24th March 1338 a large fleet of small French coastal ships sailed across the Channel from Cales [Map] and into the Solent where they landed and burnt the town of Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map].
On 23rd September 1338 a French fleet attacked an English fleet unloading cargo at Walcheren. Five large and powerful English cogs, including Edward III's [aged 25] flagships the Cog Edward and the Christopher were captured. The captured crews were executed and the ships added to the French fleet.
On 24th March 1339 a French fleet raided Harwich, Essex [Map].
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. On the eve [24th March 1339] of the Annunciation,1 eleven galleys set fire to the town of Harwich, but the wind blowing contrary prevented the flames from spreading and causing greater harm. Later that year,2 around Pentecost, Norman and Genoese pirates, appearing again at sea near the port of Southampton in galleys and pinnaces, threatened to land through their messengers, whom they sent to scout the town's defences. And when they perceived the inhabitants to be ready for resistance, they turned instead to the Isle of Wight; but they did not enter it, deterred by the resistance of the locals. They then moved to other coastal places that were less well fortified, where, in the manner of robbers, they committed many crimes; and afterwards, on the feast of Corpus Christi, at Hastings,3 they burned some fishermen's huts and their boats, killing the people.
In vigilia Annunciacionis undecim galee immiserunt ignem ville de Herewych, cuius ardorem ventus contrarius proibuit crescere in nocumentum. Ulterius in anno, circa Pentecosten, pirate Normannici et Ianuenses, in galeys et spinaciis circa portum Hamptonis iterato in mari se ostendentes, se velle applicare comminati sunt per suos nuncios, quos jusserunt apparatum ville explorare. Et, quia paratos incolas ad resistendum perceperunt, ad insulam de Vecta migraverunt; set in illam non intrarunt, cedentes proibicioni incolarum; set se transtulerunt ad alia loca maritima minus bene munita, in quibus, more latrunculorum, multa mala commiserunt; et postea, in festo Corporis Christi, apud Hastinghe, quedam tuguria piscatorum combusserunt cum eorum scaphis, hominibus occisis.
Note 1. Stow Annales 366.
Note 2. Knighton 2573.
Note 3. According to Knighton 2573.
Annales of England by John Stow. On the even [24th March 1339] of the Annunciation of our Lady, eleven gallies approching to the towne of Harwich, they cast fire therein: the force whereof by a contrary wind was staied, so that no great harm was done thereby. Furthermore, in the same yeere, about the feast of Pentecost, certaine pyrats of Normandie and Genoa (shipped in gallyes and pinnaces) made a shew on the sea about South-hampton, as they would have come aland, and threatened sore to spoile the town againe, but, perceiving the townsmen ready to resist them, they returned to the He of Wight, but entred not, being put backe by the inhabitants: whereupon they sailed about the coasts, seeking to land in places lesse defended, and after came to Hastings, where they brent fishers cottages, with their boats, and slew many men. Also, they made great shewes many times against the Isle of Thanet, Dover, and Fulkestone, but in those places they did little harme, except to poore fishermen: thence they sailed about to the havens of Cornwall and Devonshire, doing in all places much harme to the fishermen, and such ships as they found unmanned they fiered. At length they entred Plimmouth Haven, where they brent certaine great ships and a great part of the towne. These were met by Hugh Courtney, earle of Devonshire, a knight of fourescore yeeres old, being accompanied with many souldiours of his countrey, who, having lost at the first front a fewe of his men which were slaine by the quarels of the French, joyned to fight with them hand to hand, and, slaying many of the pyrates upon drie land, chased the residue which fledde to take their gallyes, and, being not able to come nigh them by wading, they were drowned in the sea to the number of five hundred.
On 20th May 1339 a French fleet raided Plymouth, Devon [Map].
On 10th October 1339 Thomas Poynings 1st Baron Poynings [aged 45] was killed at the 1339 Attack on Honnecourt.
Bourgeois de Valenciennes. On Sunday the lord of Fauquemont and the men of the Marquis of Jülich assaulted the castle of Honnecourt. Those within defended themselves vigorously, for there were many good men inside who guarded it, and strong men-at-arms. A valiant knight of the party of my lord of Fauquemont was slain there, called my lord Vinant of Rodes, and many others were struck and wounded by stones and great rocks. The assault was fierce and perilous, but they achieved little, for the castle was too strongly garrisoned with good men-at-arms. So they were forced to withdraw on the Saturday night, which was the night of Saint Luke [18th October 1339].
Et le dimencho assally le sire de Faucquemont et les gens du marquis de Juîlers le chastel de Honnecourt; et ceulx du chastel se defFendirent vigoreusement, car il y avoit moult de bonnes gens dedens qui le gardoient et de bons gens d'armes. Et y eult uhg vaillant chevalier tué de la partye monseigneur de Faucquemont, qu'on appelloit monseigneur Vinaiit de Rodes. Et sy y eult grant plenté d'aultres blechiés et navrés de pierres et de gros caillaux. Sy y eult grant assault et périlleux; mais petit y fîsrent de leur esploit, car trop estoit le chastel fort garnis de bons gens d'armes. Sy les en convint partir le samedi aunuit qui fut la nuit Saint-Luc.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough. That same day [18th October 1339] the English made a fierce assault on the castle of Honnecourt, where Sir Thomas Poynings, knight, was killed, together with some other Germans and Englishmen. On the vigil of Saint Wilfrid, the cardinals returned with their replies. On the feast of Saint Callistus, he [Edward III] came to a place called Origny-Sainte-Benoîte, two leagues from Saint-Quentin, and caused it to be proclaimed throughout the army that all who would come into his peace, under such a condition, should have their lives, limbs, lands, and tenements secured to them; but those who did not should be placed outside that condition. For nearly ten miles around the army the countryside was burned. On the vigil of Saint Luke the Evangelist, the duke of Brabant came to the king, alleging a shortage of provisions and declaring that, with the winter cold now nearly upon them, it was not convenient to remain longer with his army. The king, greatly saddened, said: "Most beloved cousin, I beg you, let us go on to complete the enterprise we have begun; for as God has begun with us, so He will continue to aid us. All my store of provisions I give to you and yours, my carts, and the great burden of carriage we have, I leave to you; we will make knights of the foot soldiers, and until we have met our enemies we should hasten each day by riding, and thus, God willing, we shall find abundance of provisions." But the duke and the other magnates, after taking counsel, said among themselves that to proceed further would be in no way profitable.
Eodem die ad castrum de Hunycourt dirum fecerunt Anglici insultum, ubi interfectus fuit dominus Thomas Pounynges miles, cum aliquibus aliis Almannis et Anglis. In vigilia Sancti Wilfridi domini cardinales cum suis responsis redierunt. Die Sancti Calixti venit ad quendam locum qui dicitur Orny Sancti Benedicti, ad duas leucas de Sancto Quintino, et fecit per exercitum proclamari quod omnes qui ad pacem suam venirent, per conditionem illam, vitam et membra, terras et tenementa sua eis conferret, et qui non venirent extra conditionem illam positi forent. Per decem quasi milliaria circumquaque ab exercitu patria fuit combusta. In vigilia Sancti Lucæ Evangelistæ venit ad regem dux Brabantiæ victualium allegans penuriam, simul frigus hyemale quasi præsens amplius morari suum army. non esse commodum asserebat. Cui rex, tristis valde effectus, dixit, "Dilectissime consanguinee, procedamus ad perficiendum negotium inceptum supplico; Deus enim sicut incepit ita et auxilium nobiscum continuabit. Copiam victualium nostrorum omnem tibi tuisque conferimus, carectas nostras, onusque grande caragii, quod habemus, relinquimus, de peditibus equites faciemus, et quousque inimicis nostris obviaverimus, equitando indies festinare debemus, et sic victualium abundantiam Deo propitio reperiemus." Dux vero cæterique magnates, habito consilio, ulterius procedere suum nequaquam fore proficuum communiter inter se dicebant.
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William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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Thus, while they argued and disputed over these differing opinions, the day passed until nearly high noon without any firm agreement. On the other side, King Edward and the other lords, who since morning had stood drawn up on foot in the open fields until noon without drink or food, clearly saw that the King of France and his men would not give battle and had no desire to do so. They withdrew together to take counsel as to how they should conduct themselves. Many opinions and words were exchanged among them. At last it was agreed by common consent that they could incur no blame nor reproach, in the judgment of any reasonable man, if they withdrew; for at their entry into the kingdom of France they had offered battle to the king before doing harm to the land, and thereafter had remained within it for the space of seven days, burning and laying waste everything in sight of the king with all his power, something no man had ever before seen. Moreover, they had waited there the whole day for battle, and the king was but two short leagues from them, in open country, without river or stronghold to hinder him; yet he did not come against them, nor show himself, nor make any sign of moving. Besides this, they lacked provisions, wine and bread, and did not know whence any might come to them. Therefore, all things considered, they agreed together to depart. They broke camp and came, very late that night, to lodge about Avesnes, with all their baggage and their spoil.
Ainsy combatant et estrivant sur ces diverses opinions, le jour passa jusques prez de haulte nonne sans nul certain acord. D'aultre part, le roy Edowart et les aultres seigneurs qui avoient esté dès la matinée rengiez à pyé enmy les champs jusques à nonne sans boire ne sans mengier, veirent bien que le roy de France et ses gens ne se combateroiïent point et que talent n'en avoient; ilz se trayrent ensemble pour avoir advis comment ilz se maintendroïent. Pluseurs opinions et parolles furent entre eulx. Au derrain, fut acordé de commun consentement que ilz ne pouoient avoir blasme ne reprœuche, de tous bons entendeurs, du partir, car ilz avoient à l'entrée du royaume de France offert bataille au roy, ainchoys qu'ilz eussent fait dommage au pays, et sy avoient depuis demouré dedens par l'espace de VII jours, ardans et gastans tout, voyant le roy à toute sa puissance, que oncques n'avoit homme veu la chose pareille; et sy avoient là attendu tout le jour pour avoir bataille, et estoit le roy à deux petites liewes d'eulx, à plain pays, sans riviere et sans empeschement de fortresse, et toutesfois il ne venoit point à eulx et point ne se monstroit, ne ne faisoit semblant de se mouvoir; et d'aultre, vitaille, vin et pain leur faloit, et ne sçavoient dont venir leur en pourroit. Pour quoy, tout consideré, ilz s'acorderrent communement à la departie; si se deslogerrent et vindrent, la nuit bien tart, gesir entour Avennes! à tout leur chariage et leur gaigne.
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