The historie of Philip de Commines Knight, Lord of Argenton

The Notes.

1. The Earle of S. Paul had betrothed his daughter to the L. of Croys sonne, but seeing the Earle of Charalois hatred against the said Croy, he would haue broken off the mariage againe, but Croy in whose house the said daughter remained, contrarie to hir fathers wil made vp the match, for the which cause the Earle of S. Paul hated the said Croy to the death, Annal. Burgund.

2. The Earle of Charolois besides this matter heere alleaged charged Iohn L. of Croy, that he had called him great diuell, threatned him, and sought to poison him. Meyer.

3. Euery French man of armes is allowed three men to accompanie him in the wars, one to beare his headpeece, called in Latin Ferentarius, and two archers. La Marche. but the Burgundians had heere some 5. some 6.

4 These archers were bow-men mounted on horsebacke, as harquebusiers on horsebacke are now.

5 He that maketh such offer of himselfe, secketh pray not seruice, wherefore this re∣iecting of so many, was done according to the rules of the art of war.

6 Of the excesse of this house of Burgundie, Annal. Burgund. write thus, lib. 3. pa. 917. and 918. All fashions of apparell were growne in vse among the subiects of this house of Burgundie, and those so indecent and dissolute, that none could be more. The Ladies and gentle women ware vpon their head a strange kinde of attire, fashioned in pyramidal form, the top thereof halfe an ell good from the crowne of their head, and thereupon a carchef of lawne or some other fine linnen hanging downe to the very ground: a fond attire and vvoorthy to be derided. The men disguised themselues no lesse than the vvomen, some vvare their clothes so short, that they hardly couered those parts that nature hir selfe sha∣meth to discouer: their haire vvas curled and of such length that it hindred their sight:

vpon their heads they ware felt-hats copletanked, a quarter of an ell high or more: they stuffed their dublets about the shouldens and brest maruellous full of bombast, to the end they might seeme square and broad brested, a thing greatly displeasing God: their clokes were not so short but their gownes were as long, for they trained after them vpon the ground. To be short, the whole world could not deuise stranger kinds of disguising than they had, and that was woorst of all is this, that euery rascall and euery woman in beggers estate would be apparelled princelike, and imitate the fashion of Court, without regarde either of cost or calling. Compare this with the excesse of England at these daies, and we shall see in a glasse our owne vanities, and haue iust cause to looke for the same miseries that fell vpon this house of Burgundy after this excesse.

7 The 15. of May saith Meyer, but the 25. Annal. Burgund. the Earle departed from his father.

8 The Earle of Charolois as he passed named himselfe the Duke of Berries lieutenant, for the which cause the townes heere mentioned the willinglyer receiued him. Annales Burgund.

9 The Earles armie shewed it selfe before Paris about the 12. or 13. of Iuly, at which time all the princes should haue met him there. Meyer.

10 The Earle of S. Paule tooke a great bote vpon the riuer of Seine, in the which he pas∣sed the riuer, and tooke Pont S. Clou. Annal. Burgund.

11 Reade a letter written by the King to the Duke of Bourbon and his answere therunto. Annal. Burgund. pag. 889.

12 This Cardinall of Bourbon was Archbishop of Lyons, and brother to the Duke of Bourbon, Annal. Burgund. for the which cause I thinke it best in the French to reade freres for frere, bicause the Earle of Beauieu and this Cardinall were both brethren to the Duke of Bourbon.