The Deeds of Louis le Gros by Suger is in Early Medieval Books.
Indeed it was commonly said that that proud and impetuous king was aspiring to the kingdom of the Franks, because he was a famous young man, the only son of his father by a most noble wife, the sister of Robert, Count of Flanders. For the two who remained, Philip and Florus, had been born of Bertrada, Countess of Anjou, taken later as wife, and their succession was not considered of value, if the first and only son should happen to die by any misfortune. But because it is neither lawful nor natural that the Franks be subjected to the English, or rather the English to the Franks, the outcome mocked the repulsive hope of the matter. For when for three years or more he had vexed himself and his followers with this madness, and could neither through the English nor through the Franks bound to him by homage make progress so as to satisfy his will, he desisted. And when he had crossed over into England, given over to wantonness and the desires of his spirit, when on a certain day he was engaged in hunting in the New Forest, he was suddenly struck by an unexpected arrow and perished.
Dicebatur equidem vulgo regem illum superbum et impetuosum aspirare ad regnum Francorum, quia famosus juvenis unicus patri erat de nobilissima conjuge, Roberti Flandrensis comitis sorore. Qui enim duo supererant, Phylippus et Florus, de superducta Andegavensi comitissa Bertrada geniti erant®, nec illorum apreciabatur successionem, si unicum primum decedere quocumque infortunio contingeret. Verum, quia nec fas nec naturale est Francos Anglis, immo Anglos Francis subici, spem repulsivam rei delusit eventus. Nam, cum per triennium aut eo amplius hac insania se et suos exagitasset, nec per Anglos nec per Francos hominio obligatos proficiendo voluntati sue satisfacere valeret, subsedit. Cumque in Angliam transfretasset, lascivie et animi desideriis deditus, cum quadam die in Nova Silva venacionibus insisteret, subito inopinata sagitta percussusé interiit.
It was judged that the man had been struck by divine vengeance, the argument of truth being taken from this, that he had proved an intolerable oppressor of the poor, a cruel exacter of the churches, and that whenever bishops or prelates died, he was a most irreverent retainer and squanderer of their goods. By some it was laid upon a most noble man, Walter Tirel, that he had pierced him with an arrow. Him, since he neither feared nor hoped, we have often heard, with an oath, and as if in a sacred manner, assert, that on that day he had neither come into that part of the forest in which the king was hunting, nor had he seen him at all in the forest. Whence it is clear that so great a madness of so great a man vanished so suddenly into ashes by divine power, so that he who needlessly disturbed others is disturbed infinitely more grievously, and he who desired everything is ingloriously stripped of everything. For to God, who loosens the belt of kings, kingdoms and the rights of kingdoms are subject.
Divinatum est virum divina ultione percussum, assumpto veritatis argumento eo quod pauperum extiterat intolerabilis oppressor, ecclesiarum crudelis exactor, et, si quando episcopi vel prelati decederent, irreverentissimus retentor et dissipator. Imponebatur a quibusdam cuidam nobilissimo viro Galterio Tirello quod eum sagitta perfoderat. Quem, cum nec timeret nec speraret, jurejurando sepius audivimus et quasi sacrosanctum asserere quod, ea die, nec in eam partem silve, in qua rex venabatur, venerit, nec eum in silva omnino viderit. Unde constat tantam tam subito tanti [viri] divina potencia in favillam evanuisse insaniam, ut, qui alios supervacanee inquietabat, gravius infinite inquietetur, et, qui omnia appetebat, inglorius omnibus exuatur. Deo enim, qui balteum regum discingit, regna et regnorum jura subiciuntur.
To that same William there succeeded very quickly in the kingdom his younger brother, since Robert, the elder, was engaged in that great expedition of the Holy Sepulchre, the most prudent man Henry, whose strength of mind and body and learning, as admirable as they are worthy of praise, would offer pleasing material. But this concerns us in no way, unless perhaps something incidental should at some time need to be turned to our own purposes, just as also concerning the kingdom of the Lotharingians we must touch briefly; for we have proposed to commit to written memory certain deeds of the Franks, not of the English.
Successit eidem Guilelmo quam celeriter in regno frater minor natu, quoniam Robertus major in illa magna expedicione sancti Sepulchri agebat, vir prudentissimus Henricus, cujus tam admiranda quam predicanda® animi et corporis strenuitas et scientia gratam offerrenté materiam!. Sed nil nostra refert, nisi si aliquid incidenter nostris convertibile aliquando nos oporteat, sicut et de regno Lotharingorum, summatim prelibare; Francorum enim, non Anglorum, gesta quedam scripto memorie mandare proposuimus.
2nd August 1100. So he [King William II of England [aged 44]] crossed back into England and gave himself over lustfully to the desires of his heart. And one day while he was hotly pursuing game in the New Forest, he was struck suddenly by an untimely arrow and died. Some people, believing their opinion to be true, judged that divine vengeance had struck the man down, for he had burdened the poor beyond endurance and had cruelly extorted from churches. Whenever bishops or prelates died, he kept their possessions for himself and squandered them, showing no respect. Several people claimed that the very noble Walter Tirel shot him with the arrow; but we have quite often heard Walter Tirel, when he had nothing to fear or gain, affirm on oath as if he were swearing on a holy relic, that he had not come into that part of the forest where the king was hunting on that day, and that he had never even seen the king in the forest! How fitting it was that the great madness of so great a man was reduced to ashes by the divine power so suddenly, and that he who needlessly harassed others was even more endlessly harassed, and that he who coveted all was himself shamefully despoiled of all. Kingdoms and their laws are under the power of God, who loosens the sword belts of kings.
Chapter 11.
XI. De Captione Castri Gornaci.
When therefore the day had been appointed on which the aforesaid Count Theobald would bring reinforcements and remove the siege by force of arms, the lord king gathered the army he could, not at a distance but close at hand, and, mindful of the excellence of royal dignity, boldly eager for battle, leaving the tents and their defenders behind, advanced joyfully to meet him. Sending someone ahead to report that they were coming and wished to fight, he himself summoned the barons, arranged the cavalry and infantry in battle order, and set the archers and spearmen in their proper places 1. When they caught sight of one another, the trumpets sounded, the courage of horses and riders was stirred, and battle was joined very quickly. The Franks, however, continually trained in war, attacked the men of Brie, unused to fighting because of long peace, drove them back, overthrew them with lances and swords, pressed on with the victory, and did not cease to attack them vigorously both with cavalry and infantry until they turned their backs and sought safety in flight. The count himself, preferring to be first rather than last in fleeing, so that he might not be captured, tried to escape and return home, abandoning his army.
Designata igitur die qua predictus comes Theobaldus et presidia ferret et obsidionem manu militari removeret, dominus designatus non eminus sed comminus quem potuit collegit exercitum et, regie memor excellentie, macte virtutis, relictis tentoriis et eorum defensoribus, letabundus occurrit, et, premisso qui eos venire aut eos velle dimicare renuntiet, ipse barones asciscit, acies ordinat militarem et pedestrem, sagittarios et lancearios suo loco sequestrat. Ut ergo se conspicantur, classica intonant, equitum et equorum animositas incitatur, citissime committitur. Verum Franci, marte continuo exercitati, Brienses longa pace solutos aggressi cedunt, lanceis et gladiis precipitant, victorie insistunt, nec eos impugnare viriliter tam militari quam pedestri manu desistunt, donec terga vertentes fuge presidium arripuerunt. Ipse vero comes, malens primus quam extremus in fuga, ne caperetur, repperiri, relicto exercitu, repatriare contendit.
Note 1. Orderic Vital (Ecclesiastical History, ed. Leprévost and Delisle, vol. IV, p. 280) tells us that the battle was fought on the banks of the stream of Torcy, west of Lagny and east of Gournay.
1. Orderic Vital (Histoire ecclésiastique, éd. Leprévost et De- lisle, t. IV, p. 280) nous apprend que le combat se livra sur les bords du ruisseau de Torcy, à l’ouest de Lagny et à l'est de Gournay.
Note 2. Guy of Rochefort died the following year.
2. Gui de Rochefort mourut l’année suivante.
In that engagement some were killed, many were wounded, and many more were captured, making the victory famous and celebrated everywhere. Having thus obtained so great and timely a victory, Lord Louis returned to his camp, drove out the townsmen who had been deceived by false hopes, kept the castle for himself, and entrusted it to the men of the house of Garlande.
Qua congressione quidam interfecti, multi vulnerati, plures capti famosam ubique terrarum celeberrimam fecerunt victoriam. Potitus itaque tanta et tam oportuna dominus Ludovicus victoria, tentoria repetit, oppidanos vana spe frustratos eicit, castellum sibi retinens Garlandensibus committit.
Chapter 30. What vengeance he took for the murder of Charles, Count of Flanders.
XXX. Meurtre de Charles le Bon, comte de Flandre.
We have resolved to recount briefly, so as to avoid tedium, a noble deed, than which he accomplished none more illustrious from his youth to the end of his life; although it would require much detail, we shall indicate not how he acted, but what he did1.
Egregie factum, quo nobilius ab adolescentia usque ad vite limitem nullum perpetravit, vitando fastidium, cum multa egeat, brevi narratione memorare, non quomodo sed quid fecerit significantes, proposuimus.
Note 1. Cf. History of the Murder of Charles the Good, Count of Flanders, by Galbert of Bruges, published by H. Pirenne (Paris, 1891, Collection of Texts for the Study and Teaching of History), and Vita Karoli comitis Flandriæ, by Walter, archdeacon of Thérouanne, published by Köpke in the Monumenta Germaniae, Scriptores, vol. XII, p. 537 and following.
1. Cf. Histoire du meurtre de Charles le Bon, comte de Flandre, par Galbert de Bruges, publiée par H. Pirenne (Paris, 1891, Collection de textes pour servir à l’étude et à l’enseignement de l’histoire), et Vita Karoli comitis Flandrie, par Gautier, archidiacre de Thérouanne, publiée par Kôpke dans les Monumenta Germaniæ, Scriptores, t. XII, p. 537 et suiv.
The famous count, a most powerful man, Charles, son of the king of the Danes by the aunt of King Louis, after succeeding by right of kinship the very valiant Count Baldwin, son of Robert of Jerusalem, governed the very populous land of Flanders with both vigor and diligence, an illustrious defender of the Church of God, notable for the liberality of his alms, and a distinguished guardian of justice. When, as the duty of the honor he had received required, he sought by judgment of the court to restrain certain powerful men, low in birth but raised by wealth, who proudly tried to withdraw from his authority under the pretext of a line of kinship (for they were of the dregs of servile condition), the provost of the church of Bruges and his associates, men most arrogant and notorious traitors, began to plot most cruelly against him1.
Famosus comes vir potentissimus Karolus, de amita domini regis Ludovici Danorum regis filius, cum successisset Jure consanguinitatis fortissimo comiti Balduino, Jlerosolimitani Roberti filio, Flandrie terram valde populosam tam strenue quam diligenter administrabat, ecclesie Dei illustris defensor, elemosinarum liberalitate conspicuus, justicie tutor insignis. Qui cum debitor honoris adepti, potentes quosdam genere humiles, opibus elatos, dominio ejus lineam consanguinitatis absentare superbe innitentes — erant enim de fece condicionis servilis, — judicio curie convenienter satis repeteret, ipsi, videlicet Brugensis ecclesie prepositus et sui, viri superbissimi et famosi proditores*, crudelissime ei insidiabantur.
Note 1. One cannot accept the hypothesis of A. Molinier, according to whom Louis VI would have "known the plan of the conspirators" (ed. Molinier, p. 111, note 2). It is not correct that Charles had been allied with the king of England "for several years already." He took part in 1126 in the campaign of Louis VI in Auvergne.
1. On ne saurait admettre l’hypothèse d’A. Molinier, suivant qui Louis VI aurait « connu le projet des conjurés » (éd. Molinier, p. 111, note 2). Il n’est pas exact que Charles ait été allié du roi d'Angleterre « depuis déjà plusieurs années ». Il participait en 1126 à la campagne de Louis VI en Auvergne.
When therefore he had come to Bruges1 one day and, early in the morning, was present in the church of God, lying prostrate on the pavement and holding a book of prayers in his hand, he was praying when suddenly a certain Burchard, nephew of the aforementioned provost, a savage henchman, together with others of the same most wicked stock and other accomplices in that vile treachery, silently approached him from behind as he prayed, indeed as he spoke with God. Carefully drawing his sword, he gently touched the count’s neck as it lay bowed to the ground so that, when it was raised slightly, it might unexpectedly meet the striker’s blade; placing the sword against him, with a single blow the impious man most wickedly beheaded the pious one, the servant his lord.
Cum igitur quadam die Brugas venisset, summo mane ecclesie Dei assistens, pavimento prostratus, librum orationum manu tenens orabat, cum subito Buchardus quidam, nepos prepositi prefati, satelles truculentus, cum aliis de eadem sceleratissima radice et aliis tradicionis pessime complicibus oranti, immo Deo loquenti, tacite retrocedit, et caute gladio evaginato, collum terre prostratum comitis suavissime tangens, ut paululum erectum ferientis gladio se inopinate dirigeret, ensem ei applicans, uno ictu impius pium, servus dominum sceleratissime detruncat.
Note 1. On 2nd March 1127., in the church of Saint-Donatian, which communicated with the count’s house by a gallery (Galbert of Bruges, ed. Pirenne, p. 20).
1. Le 2 mars 1127, dans l'église Saint-Donatien, qui communiquait avec la maison du comte par une galerie (Galbert de Bruges, éd. Pirenne, p. 20).
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
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Chapter 31. How he destroyed Thomas of Marle.
XXXI. Quo mono Thomam De Marna Exstinxerit.
He also carried out another similar vengeance, pleasing to God and famous on another occasion, when he swiftly extinguished with a strong hand the utterly wicked man Thomas of Marle, who was harassing the Church of God and showing respect neither to God nor to man, like a smoking brand.
Sed et aliam consimilem et Deo gratam et alia vice famosam fecit ultionem, cum hominem perditissimum Thomam de Marna, ecclesiam Dei terebrantem nec Deum nec hominem reverentem, in manu forti celeriter tanquam ticionem fumigantem extinxit.
Compelled by the lamentable complaints of the churches, he came to Laon to take vengeance. At the urging of the bishops and the great men of the kingdom, and especially by the counsel of the noble count of Vermandois, Raoul, who after the king was the most powerful in those regions, it was decided to lead the army against him at Coucy. When the king hastened toward the castle, the scouts who had been sent to examine a suitable approach reported that it was entirely difficult and inaccessible. As many pressed him, on the basis of what they had heard, to change his plan, the king, stirred with indignation, declared: "This plan was settled at Laon. What was resolved there we shall change neither for life nor for death. The magnificence of the royal majesty would deservedly be brought low if we were mocked because we shrank back in fear of a criminal."
Querulo siquidem ecclesiarum planctu compulsus, cum Laudunum ad ulciscendum adventasset, episcoporum et regni optimatum persuasione et maxime egregii comitis Viromandensis Radulfi, qui potencior aliis post regem in partibus illis erat, consilio, in eum ducere exercitum Cotiacum deliberatum est. Festinante autem rege ad castrum, cum qui missi fuerant oportunum explorare accessum, importunum omnino et inaccessibile renunciassent et a multis angariaretur juxta audita consilium mutare debere, rex ipsa indignatus animositate : « Lauduni, inquit, hoc remansit » consilium. Quod enim ibi deliberatum est, nec pro » morte nec pro vita mutabimus. Vilesceret merito regie » majestatis magnificentia, si scelerati hominis formi» dine refugi derideremur. »
Having said this, and with remarkable boldness, though heavy in body, he advanced with his army through steep places and forest-choked paths, though at great risk. When he had come near the castle, it was reported to the very valiant Count Ralph, who was moving about on another side of the fortress, that ambushes were being prepared against the army and that their destruction was being urgently plotted. Immediately arming himself and making his way there by a hidden path with a few companions, he perceived, after sending some of his knights ahead, that Thomas had already been struck and had fallen. Spurring his horse, he rushed upon him and, boldly striking with his sword, inflicted a mortal wound, and would have struck again had he not been restrained. Thus captured and mortally wounded, he was presented to King Louis and, by his command, was carried to Laon, to the praise of almost everyone, both his own men and ours.
Hec ait et mira animositate, licet corpore gravis, per abrupta et nemoribus obtrusas vias, licet periculose, cum exercitu penetrans, cum prope castrum pervenisset, nunciatum est strenuissimo comiti Radulfo, ex alia parte castri vaganti, exercitui insidias parari et ruine eorum instantissime demoliri. Qui ilicoarmatus, cum paucis sociorum illuc via opaca tendens, conspicatus, premissis quibusdam militibus suis, Jam percussum illum cecidisse, equum calcaribus urgens, irruit in eum et audacter gladio percutiens, letale vulnus infligit, nec nisi prohiberetur repetendum foret. Captus itaque et ad mortem sauciatus regique Ludovico presentatus, ejus imperio Laudunum, laude omnium fere et suorum et nostrorum, est deportatus.
On the following day, after his lands in the open country had been laid waste and the fishponds broken open, though the king spared the soil itself because it had a rightful lord, King Louis departed for Laon. Yet the utterly wicked man [Thomas [aged 45]] could be compelled neither by wounds, nor by imprisonment, nor by threats, nor by entreaties to restore the merchants whom he had treacherously robbed under safe-conduct and kept imprisoned with all their goods. When, by royal permission, he had summoned his wife [Ida of Hainaut], he seemed to grieve more over the restitution demanded for the merchants than over the loss of his life. And when, already almost pressed to death by the extreme pain of his wounds, many urged him to confess and receive the viaticum, he scarcely consented. But when the Body of the Lord was brought by the priest into the chamber where the wretched man lay, as though the Lord Jesus himself would not in any way enter the miserable vessel of a man who did not repent, no sooner had that wicked man raised his neck than it suddenly snapped back broken, and he breathed out his foul spirit deprived of the divine Eucharist1. The king, disdaining to pursue further either the dead man or the dead man’s lands, compelled his wife and sons to free the merchants and to surrender the greater part of his treasures; and, peace having been restored to the churches by the death of the tyrant, he returned victoriously to Paris2.
Sequente autem die, publicata terra plana ejus ruptisque stangnis, quia dominum terre habebat terre parcens, Laudunum fegressus dominus rex Ludovicus, hominem perditissimum nec vulneribus, nec carcere, nec minis, nec prece ad reddicionem mercatorum, quos mira prodicione in conductu spoliatos omnibus suis carcere detinebat, cogere valebat. Qui cum conjugem ex regia permissione sibi ascivisset, magis videbatur de mercatorum, qui ab eo exigebantur, quam de vite amissione dolere. Cumque jam plagarum dolore gravissimo pene ad mortem constrictus, a multis etiam confiteri et viaticum suscipere rogaretur, vix concessit. Cum autem corpus Domini manu sacerdotis in eam quam miser inhabitabat cameram deportatum esset, sicut siipse dominus Jesus miserrimum vas hominis minime penitentis nullo modo ingredi sustineret, mox, ut nequam ille collum erexit, ilico confractum retorsité, et spiritum teterrimum divine expers Eucharistieexalavit. Rex autem ulterius aut mortuum aut mortui terram persequi dedignatus, mercatorum emancipationem et thesaurorum ejus maximam partem a conjuge et filiis extorsit et, pace ecclesiis morte tiranni restituta, victor Parisius remeavit.
Note 1. On 9 November [1118], according to the obituary of Prémontré.
Le 9 novembre, d’après l’obituaire de Prémontré.
Note 2. Enguerrand, son of Thomas, succeeded his father without opposition from the king, on the condition that he would make all possible restitutions. Nevertheless, he soon in turn displeased Louis VI who, in the spring of 1132, on the advice of Raoul of Vermandois, took up arms against him and came to besiege La Fère. The siege lasted two months, from 6 May to 8 July, without any success. Finally matters were settled by the marriage of Enguerrand to a niece of Raoul (A. Luchaire, Annales, no. 491).
2. Enguerrand, fils de Thomas, succéda à son père sans opposition de la part du roi, en s’engageant à effectuer toutes les restitutions possibles. D’ailleurs, il ne tarda pas à son tour à mécontenter Louis VI, qui, au printemps de 1132, sur le conseil de Raoul de Vermandois, prit les armes contre lui et vint assiéger La Fère. Le siège dura deux mois, du 6 mai au 8 juillet, sans aucun succès. Finalement les choses s’arrangèrent par le mariage d'EÉnguerrand avec une nièce de Raoul (A. Luchaire, Annales, n° 491).
At another time, when a great dispute arose between the lord king and Amalric of Montfort, a distinguished man, over the office of seneschal, urged on by Stephen of Garlande, and when Amalric was supported by both the king of England and Count Theobald, the king quickly raised an army and besieged the castle of Livry. Setting up siege engines and attacking repeatedly with frequent assaults, he very bravely captured it by force. And because the noble count and close kinsman Ralph of Vermandois, while most eager in the assault, was struck by a crossbow bolt and lost an eye, the king completely destroyed the very strong castle. Moreover, he pressed them with such severe warfare that they renounced both the seneschalship and the hereditary claim to that office, leaving it in peace. In that war the king himself, since he was a man of war and always ready against his enemies, was struck in the leg by a crossbow bolt. Though badly wounded, he bore it with great courage and treated it with contempt, as if the throne of royal majesty disdained the pain of the wound; and he sternly endured the suffering as though he did not feel it.
Sed et alio tempore, cum occasione dapiferatus emersisset inter dominum regem et Amalricum de Monte Forti, virum illustrem, stimulante Stephano Garlandensi, grandis altercacio, et tam regis anglici quam comitis Theobaldi fulciretur suffragio, festinato exercitu Livriacum obsedit castrum et, erectis impugnatoriis machinis, frequenti invasione, crebro aggrediens: impetu, fortissime expugnavit. Et quoniam egregius comes et cognatus germanus Radulfus Viromandensis balistarii quadro, in assultu promptissimus, oculo est privatus, fortissimum castrum funditus subvertit. Sed et tanto guerrarum bello eos affecit, quod et dapiferatum et dapiferatus hereditatem bona pace relinquentes abdicaverunt. Qua guerra ipse etiam rex, quia militaris vir erat, semper promptus in hostes, balistarii immissione quadri crure perforatus, lesus valde, multa animositate vilipendebat et, tanquam si regie majestatis thronus vulneris dolorem dedignaretur, rigide angustiam quasi non sustinens sustinebat.
Chapter 32.
32.