Memoirs of Lady Alais du Pleshey de Bouchier, Countess of Cheshire, Somerset, Lowlands and Anjou
The years of battles. Who can describe the infinite terror of war and at the same time infinite joy of a true warrior? I would rather attempt to line up the events and people whom I knew personally or from words of my brother Sir William or his memoirs or memoirs of Sir Robert, my grandfather.
The first entry of Bouchiers in the war happened in 1350s when England was losing bad. This was a time of perpetual defeat. Lord Graily forgone his feudal obligations to Plantagenets and landed in England with a grand army aiding another enemy of the Crown - His Grace Robert I, Bruce. The war that was supposed to be won in couple of years and end in Paris with coronation of Good Edward, became the war for the very existence of the dynasty of Plantagenets. The king was distraught and spend time in prayers in remote monastery in Ireland. Lords Talbot and Norfolk Plantagenet assumed the leadership and command aided by few but resolute lords loyal to the Crown. The war on the isle was going on with reciprocating success, but in France English possessions kept shrinking steadily.
Finally Edward III stood up and assumed full command as he was supposed to leading two-prong assault on the continent. The North and the South armies lead by Marshal Clifford and the king himself respectively landed in early 60s. One of the Northern armies was lead by my grandfather Sir Robert de Bouchier, baron Pleshey. Unfortunately by that time Valois consolidated great resources, and sturdy but small English armies were met by enormous French forces. Sir Robert alone was captured 2 times during that period. That was the time when he was given a surname Bull for persistence with which he kept returning back. That was the time when he was given a post of the Chancellor - a title that is now imbedded in Bouchier's names J He was honored for loyalty and readiness to fight, for there were others, who served better than him - Talbot, Clifford, Bohun…
The situation was grim indeed. In his last attempt to save Aquitaine King Edward was captured in battle. Just before the timer ended Sir Robert landed in hope to capture a single strong fief and there he succeeded, but same season the fief was retaken by glorious French general Coucy, and Robert was captured again. The irony of the situation was that Sir Robert miscalculated time when the timer started, and his heroic but desperate attempt was in vane. Such was the end of the first period of the war where the French shone given such great commanders as Dauphine, Bar, Chalon, Lyon, Rouchechouart and many others.
Here some words should be said of French and English outlaws and allies of England. There were 3 French outlaws at this point – Monsignor de Sigean, Monsignor de Mountabon, and Lady du Guesclin. At this point their participation in war was limited and did not have any profound effect on the situation as a whole. Their rebellions were suppressed in a matter of couple of years. Both Mountabon and Guesclin fled to Ireland with their entire families. Lady Guesclin and Sigean even asked forgiveness from Philippe the Great de Valois and were granted mercy. Likewise rebellious Lord Montequte and Mowbry did not succeed in England. Montequte was executed in Holland where he sought refuge and Mowbry withdrew from the battle after all his possessions in England were taken.
What or who saved England those days? Partly such lords as Talbot and the king's cousin Plantagenet of Norfolk, who managed to contain the yet worst enemy of the Crown - Bruce. Bruce was put on defensive and Marches was reduced to rubble. Unfortunately a gross atrocity was committed by Lady Norfolk then - once of Bruce's kids was executed. After several bitter battles lost by Bruce, he agreed to the peace treaty offered by Edward and kept his promises for 20 years. Partly that was the French reluctance to capitalize on success. There was a small attempt to invade England - Monsignor Foix landed on the beaches of Cornwall, but was met with forces of Bouchier. Another army under command of Admiral d'Armagnac was dealt with by lord Bohun, the Senechal then, in Wells. King Edward scraped finances and ransomed himself. He lacked resources (especially when the Crown Prince was captured at the battle of la Rochelle), but he had a capital to behold - loyal lords. That was the beginning of the second era - Overlord Operation (the name of the private English message group).
Many new English lords came to the scene as active participants in the war. They needed leadership and money. At this point Good Edward was in deep depression again, but he appointed Sir Robert the supreme commander giving him funds necessary to support English expeditionary forces in France. Armies of Lord Hastings, lord Montequte (a son of executed traitor, who remedied the deeds of his father by his own loyalty) and Ufford were sponsored by de Bouchier and landed on the continent. The fight sparkled again. Gradually King Edward overcame depression and once again assumed full command again.
It wasn't a plan of the Crown to recapture Aquitaine but the activity there called for such a step and it was taken. In early 70s the first English timer on Aquitaine was initiated. It lasted for 4 seasons, but was broken. During this battle for Aquitaine Sir Robert died at the age of 75. His son William became the heir to Pleshey at the age of 14. As soon as he reached his manhood he married a Plantagenet princess, became the Chancellor and landed in France to continue fight started by his father. My brother Sir William gradually became the pillar on which the Crown rested. His name was revered by both friends and enemies.
Interesting enough though not surprisingly, as soon as English became resolute and willing to fight, so became the French. Some new French lords such as Bourbon de LaMarche who later became the Senechal of France and old military leaders reentered the war. The second timer on Aquitane lasted even less than the first one. Whereas the English believed the tide was turning, in reality nothing really changed but the fact that now that was the French side who was on defencive. Lord d'Adly secretly aided by Dampier of Flanders thretened Paris extracting enormous money from its inhabitans (as much as 2,000,000 ducats once), but never took it. Toulouse fell to Edward III himself, but held out for just several month. Moreover, the king was trapped within the walls and captured again. That wasn't a tragedy though since by that time the Crown accumulated big resources extracted from France and borrowed from Italian bankers. For the first time the English believed in the possibility of the final victory despite occasional draw-back and lack of material gain (in terms of territories). That was the time of many diplomatic efforts targeting new alliances. Berenguer, the rich Spaniard was playing diplomatic games trying to maintain neutrality in the big war, but at the same time grabbing new territories in Navarre, France and even Low Countries far in the North. His ambitious plans of becoming the Emperor were never implemented as by his exceptional greed he managed to alienate the entire Europe whose sympathy turned towards Rei Navarra who received help from both England and France. Eventually Navarra became the ally of France to disgust of England outraged by such a treason.
On the French side a new glorious commander shone those days - Comte d'Armagnac who scored numerous victories over English armies in many battles. He lived by the sword and died by the sword. His successor Marius was less successful but nevertheless still skillful and dangerous. Yet jubilant French did not know that the ultimate weapon of their demise had been forged secretly. I am referring to Rohan families - secret admirers of Plantagenets who despised Salic Law seeing in it a destructive force that could bury the feudal system. Both families (Vicomte de Ponthivy and Vicomte de Rohan) gained territories and funds. They provided money and refuge to the English as well as important intelligence. Eventually Vicomte de Rohan became the second to Philippe de Valois landowner in France. His voice in parliament would mean death to Valois rule.
The history of the papacy requires more attention on this pages than the author can afford, but one story needs to be told - the story of the Damned Raniero the Cruel of Grimaldy family, Principe Monaco, whip of the Christianity. Grimaldy started with declaration of war on France lured into alliance by Sir William. However Seignior Raniero was a beast, paradigm of cruelty who would kill his captives himself with an ax or misercordia - his favorite weapons. For numerous atrocities he was excommunicated, but not humbled. A crusade against him was called by the Pope. In several years best lords of France were trying to get him. The siege of his stronghold Pudget it seemed never stopped, but he always managed to break the siege defeating army after army. Even Monsignor d'Armagnac did not escape defeat at the walls of his mighty fortress. Monsignor Sigean, now a loyal pro-Valois lord died in battle with Grimaldy. Grimaldy boasted he himself inflicted a fatal blow by his terrible ax. Once the Holy Father himself lead the crusade, but his army was virtually pulverized. 25 knights of the Holy Order were captured and executed during a Satanist ceremony. Grimaldy spewed obscenities in his pamphlets circulating in Europe from Italy to the Low Countries and even found a follower Damned du Pin (the family of Pin was strangely prone to worst imaginable heresies over the course of the war - 2 more lords of this family were excommunicated later on). Raniero died in his own bed undefeated, but damned by both friends and enemies. And Hell swallowed him.
In late 70s a dark night fell upon Europe - famine and plague that yet again aroused from the bottom of Hell (ooc: AOL new rates). Most lords locked themselves in monasteries or even traveled to the Holy Lands to pray for salvation of the mankind. 2 English commanders: Sir William and Courtne, and Vicomte de Rohan by then outlawed for declaration of fealty to Edward exploited the situation to the fullest. They concentrated on Normandy that unlike Aquitane wasn't ravaged by war. The opposition was weak since Lord Courtney managed to turn attention of yet active English lords to his campaign in the South. Over 2 years Bouchier and Rohan fought in Normandy virtually unopposed until the province became ripe for timer. First timer however failed. Moreover Louis de Rohan died (his heir became Marcus Aurelius de Rohan) Besides Bruce once again broke peace mumbling something about his destiny to lead the Celtic world. Sir William, and Senechal Courtney returned to England. In just 60 days the mighty fortress Lowlands fell to the Chancellor's arms. Marches was taken by Courtney. However at Highland Sir William boldly met Bruce and accepted battle at odds favorable to the enemy. He was defeated, but Bruce did not have time to celebrate victory. At the battle of Marches Edward III himself charged him. Bruce died without a single heir. In a year the Good Edward was crowned as the king of Scotland (as a political consideration for help this title was given by Edward's son to Duc of Brittany de Dreux - who was also elected as the Emperor of HRE). Sadly that was the last victory of Good Edward. He died the year after being anointed to the throne of Scotland. Edward IV became the new king. Yet again Sir Willam was appointed Chancellor and by his request sent to Normandy to finish the conquest. Hand by hand Bouchier and Marcus Aurelius de Rohan fought scoring numerous victories over French armies trying to break second timer while Courtney and Norfolk fought in the South. Once he even managed to beat usually evasive Roi Philippe. This battle for Normandy was the first total success of England. Normandy formally became a possession of Edward IV. This very year Duc Bourbon joind the alliance against Philippe. This prolonged campaign was called True Wind.
Anjou, a rich and densely populated province became second target for the Crown. This time lords Clifford, Ufford, Bouchier and king Edward himself besieged the fiefs in the province whereas Courtney continued pounding the French in the South aided by the Crown Prince and of course Lady Plantagenet of Norfolk who provided the Crown with funds earned on lucrative pillages. Anjou and Aquitaine fell almost simultaneously. There is no place to describe every battle won by the English and their war-like ally Robert de Bourbon-Bourbon. There were many. Likewise there were many sieges successfully laid on many strong fiefs. Sir William shone during this period and was feared greatly. Soon no French army ventured to stay in the open for long. This time of the war an ambitious project - siege of Paris was executed. The walls of Paris were strong (75-level keep), but so was the determination of the Crown to take the city. The siege under command of Sir William took over a year. It was broken several times, as Bourbon de LaMarche several times managed to assemble a huge army, and resumed again with Bouchier's persistence. Eventually Paris fell and Roi Philippe captured. This was the highest point at this stage of war.
Gradually Roi Philippe managed to organize defenses. Such French lords as Rohan (yet another Bretagne family), LaMarche, Bourgogne, Chatillion, many more others and allies of Philippe: Grimaldy, Dampiere, Lothier and Paleologo actively participated in French defenses. An attempt to take Langedoc failed, Philippe triumphal journey through France brought numerous French fiefs to rebellions and English garrisons were expelled from many cities. Owain de Rohan (the one loyal to Philippe) even ventured to campaign in England where he, a Celtic speaker, could raise troops in Wells. The campaign had no real success though. So it went on for some years. The French managed to take offensive actions in Normandy where Bourgogne and Rohan clenched in battle over smaller cities (by Edward IV Marcus de Rohan was granted with all Normandy fiefs previously won) and Aquitane where French tried to retake what they had lost before and heavily pillaged Edward's ancestral lands. A triumphant entry of Valois to Paris and Potiers filled English hearts with sorrow. Robert de Bourbon who himself laid a claim to the Crown of Light was captured in a small skirmish and executed by Rutger Bourgogne.
Yet a new plan was designed by king Edward - an assault in Flanders. For years the English tried to secure wool trade there, but fortresses there were prohibiting as, however, could be said of most France where over years the owners raised effective fortifications. His Grace was impatient and made some tactical mistakes (from the time of beginning of his assault in Flanders till the end of the war he was captured two times). Nevertheless he possessed an insight, an intuitive knowledge that South-bound campaigns were doomed and North was the place where the major English activity should take place. The attack in Flanders was successful. Lord Hastings earned special honor for his valor and skills. Then Paris fell again to the arms of king Edward himself. Unfortunately lord Chandos who was appointed the commandant of the City failed to reach it in time to prevent ancestral rebellion and Lilies of France once again flue over the battlements. Great rage filled the heart of Sir William and the famous siege of Paris commenced. Here is his authentic letter to the king written immediately after the siege:
Sire, as you know I have spent considerable amount of time under the walls of Paris. Perhaps too much time as after first three months of the siege I bacame a source of amuzement for French nobility. I admit eccellent skills of the French commander Fevrier. Indeed, my engineer Maaster Ernaut Revel, a flegmatic flemish squire knows his craft very well, but if he is good, Monseigneur Fevrier is excellent. First 170 days were spent in building siege towers, digging mines and bombardment the city with catapults. God knows how many dramatic encounters happened in narrow tunnels, for Fevrier always seemed to know where the mines were dug and met them with coutermines. So it went in underground skirmishes and negotiations almost uninterrupted let aside a major battle with monstrous hord led by glorious general Connetable Bourbon de LaMarche. That was a mother of all battles if you forgive me boasting. Silnce my camp over time became fortified with moats, trenches and earthwork-walls the French could not use their numerical superiority to the full extend. Glorious knights should go into battle on foot. However, I too missed my good Essex yeomen. Instead I had stout vallons under my command. These men proved to be a miracle weapon in right hands. I would suggest any commander to have them in one's army. The French charged headlong and luckely for them were met with forest of pikes instead of cloud of long-shaft arrows. The approached, however was stalled. This stage of the battle was going on for several hours when suddenly a heavy cavalry charge was executed by my brave commander Captain Ludwig Valenciennes. The knights had been hiding in the nearby woods. I do not know how they happened to be unnoticed by the French scouts. Perhaps a young age of the Connetable played role or his army commander Sir Hawkwood was more concerned with breaking trough my fortification than with possible cunning, but my knights went through the body of the French army like a knife through butter. In 30 minutes the battle was over. I hadn't seen so many dead bodies in my life despite all my grim experience. After another boring month a reinforcement came with reliable Lord Chandos. They brought heavy siege cannons, a new inventions by good Italian craftsmen. By the end of the Summer the cannons were installed, and in the Fall they started pounding the walls. I couldn't even imagine the effect. In 2 months we considerably reduced the fortifications and the French were having a hard time holding at the breeches. However one last attempt to convince Senechal de LaMarche in futility of his stubborn opposition was met with silence. The storm I commanded. That was an image to behold. Thousands men were climbing siege ladders, thousands more were fighting at breeches. But the first storm was warded off with heavy casualtiies on our side. But how could I let down Your Grace? Next siege was likewise bloody but successfull. Afrter the battle Senechal was brought to me. He was sullen and silent. "Look what you have done, stubborn man" -- I told him showing thousands of corpses covering every square foot around us. Silence......
Earl Paris
LHC
From now on a Levy of France would gather almost every year. One such army under command of Monsignor Rutger de Bourgogne defeated and captured king Edward. He immediately sent his noble captives to the Roi, but his joy did not last for long. An army of John Smith (that was an incognito of the brother to the previously executed Duc Bourbon-Bourbon) charged Sir Rutger and pulverized his forces. Sir Rutger was captured and executed on the spot. This was a revenge of course. That's why despite a surname Murderer John escaped excommunication. After this deed John de Bourbon (the title to the duchy was however taken from him by parliamentary vote) revealed his true identity and managed to bring several important French magnates on his side. They were Duc de Bar, Seignior Ponse, Comte d'Armagnac, Comte de Foix, and some others who joined the newly founded anti-Valois coalition later on. Navarra, Dreux and d'Anjou, Rei Naples were brought to the alliance likewise. Lord Bohun finally left England well-prepared for great sieges (he took Orleans and Blois). Old Clifford and Earl Oxford of de Vere family joined the fight as well as a bright English engineer and commander Earl Arundel (Fitzalan) who years ago earned honor for glorious sieges in Aquitane. Fief after fief grand cities of France were falling. Paris was retaken once more, but Fitzalan reduced it to rubble. Sir William took Narbonne and Toulouse as well as Amiens in Picardy where Earl Kent took the rest. A plan to take highly-populated fiefs largely designed by Earl Norfolk was implemented successfully. The English would take great city-fortresses whereas their French allies would take populated but less fortified cities and garrison most important fiefs ancestral to Valois. The fight over numerous population centers was especially dramatic. Some cities changed hands as many as 10 times! And not in some particular province but all over France. The war became truly global.
One of the last battles won by Sir William before his siege of Paris (described above). In narrow Dutch valleys his army charged the French Dauphin denying him escape to wide-open fields of Brabant. After 3 or 4 battles Dauphin was captured. After this point on Sir William grew more and more careless defying even levy armies. Eventually he met his death after his encounter with enormous forces lead by lord Richmond. A mortal wound in the head of old warrior brought his life to the tragic but anticipated end. Even though our family had male heirs I was chosen among all to became the head of it in Sir William's will. Perhaps that was due to my inclination to things more proper for man as Sir William often took me to his military camp and taught many things only men are supposed to know. Secretly under phony name I would even take part in jousting tournaments, and Sir William encouraged me!!! He feared nothing indeed, either battle nor public opinion. However not me only, - for years Lady Norfolk roamed the fields of France with her army.
One aspect of the war on its later stages deserves special attention. No one can deny military and political genius and wisdom of Philippe de Valois. But I claim in the end of the war he did a mistake that proved fatal to the crown. It all began with the entry of d'Anjou to the war. Rei Naples believed in final English victory and even agreed to the marriage of his daughter to the English Crown Price, but continued to play political games. First he attacked French allies Grimaldy and Paleologo scoring victories over them. The Roi demanded explanations, and d'Anjou blackmailed him requesting money in exchange for neutrality. The request was denied and 4 French armies and one of Grimaldy himself started campaign in Anjou bringing devastation to this land (and great profit from pillages). This was a fatal trap. One Summer Europe witnessed an unsurpassed anabasis skillfully executed by lord Clifford. From shores of Flanders he marched through France to the valleys of Anjou and totally destroyed all 5 armies there. Even this lesson did not turn French attention from this front of the great war (all this time rebellious French continued to gain territories preparing for the final parliamentary session). Dauphin himself took an opportunity of easy loot and situated himself at a base in an average-fortified (by present standards - 35-level keep) in close proximity of Anjou. Earl Oxford de Vere laid a siege on this base. Grimaldy (he was pounded numerous times by Oxford, but always managed to retreat keeping his army intact) hurried to the rescue with enormous forces but was defeated and captured. He never reentered the war again as well as lord Chatillon. The siege was broken by lord Le Roy but not until the fortifications were largely reduced. Same season Earl Oxford resumed the siege and despite skillful defenses by the French commandant took the city by storm and two noble prisoners including Dauphin. A season after that lord Richmond was blocked from the battle by Clifford. Needless to say by this time the Crown was taken from Valois and parliament voted for new Roi. It was essential for the French to keep retaking populated fiefs, but strange notion of reaching a quick victory in one or two grand battles prevailed (unlike previous time when notion to take the throne from Philippe failed due to valiant French actions - 15 cities were retaken in the Fall before final votes were counted). Two times lord Le Roy attacked Clifford and once myself and all 3 times failed. He surrendered in London after Edward was named Roi of France by the overwhelming French majority and was executed by the king who knew no mercy. An there was a reason for this. Marcus de Rohan was a close friend of Edward. I have never seen more different people and yet their friendship was evident. For years Philippe tried to get Marcus offering a good fortune for his head. The day France was taken from Philippe two French armies besieged Toulouse where Rohan took charge over the garrison. This happened before and several times Rohan managed to sally and defeat the attackers. And this time the enemy armies were defeated twice by the sallying Rohan's army, but in the third battle he lost. Then his army was charged in the open field and destroyed by overwhelming forces. Marcus fled but was arrested and executed on the spot as an outlaw. The dark irony of the situation was that his captors were outlaws in couple of days. 2 of them were arrested by Marcus' vengeful sister Cassandra and hung. Philippe himself did not escape punishment. He was seized and beheaded by direct orders of His Grace Edward, now king of 3 kingdoms.
In the end only 3 lords left who were loyal to Valois. Yet the last days of war were spent in battles. Dauphin managed to through Brittany to rebellion. Almost entire duchy fell under his control. This could be the beginning of the end for the English domination. But yet again the coalition proved worthwhile. In a season over a half of the duchy returned to English allies. Three English armies landed on the shores of Brittany and successfully blocked all 3 Dauphin's henchmen inside keeps of their castles (once of them escaped losing men and armor, but other two were captured and executed) Duc de Dreux successfully rebelled his possessions. Richmond was finally captured by Clifford. Dauphin rebelled Potiers but realized he was outnumbered greatly. His will as will of most French loyal to Valois to the bitter end was broken. Surrender! Edward IV was anointed to the throne of Europe by the pope. The Emperor of Europe. Even my grandfather loyal to Plantagenets like an old dog could not imagine this.
Lure of Glory. Joy of Battle. Cry of Pain. Who could describe the war?
I shall finish with words that over years of war became a night prayer in my family:
God Save the King!
Lady Alais
Written by Vpronchenk
From : New York
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