CHAP. XXX. LAST CAMPAIGN OF THE BLACK PRINCE.-CON- XXX. 1370. escheated by the chamber peers of France. THE transactions of the campaign of 1370 CHAP. began with a memorable proceeding, which, while it ought to have revolted the hearts of Aquitaine mankind against Charles V, tended, by a singular inconsistency characteristic of the of the human mind, essentially to serve his cause. His first open step in the prosecution of the war was, as we have seen, to summon the Black Prince to answer before him, as his lawful superior, the complaints and allegations of the malcontent lords of Aquitaine. This summons was received, as he expected, with indignation and contempt. A citation of this sort seemed calculated to lead to a solemn and open trial, or rather to the mockery CHAP. of a trial. XXX. 1370. Charles however was not of a temper to wait the dilatory steps of a legal process. He saw his advantage for taking possession of the English provinces in the north of France in their unprovided condition; and, with that contempt of justice which marked all his proceedings, immediately seized it. He at the same time marched a considerable army against the frontiers of Aquitaine. But these military measures did not suspend the prosecution of the other part of his plan. He knew how to unite the cold and tedious formalities of justice with all the violence and rapacity of plunder. He brought the cause to a public hearing before the chamber of peers in Paris, and in the beginning of the year 1370 caused a sentence to be pronounced, declaring the Black Prince to have forfeited his rights in the duchy of Aquitaine, and confiscating all the English possessions in France to the use of the • Duchesne, Histoire d'Angleterre ad ann. Henault Abrégé Chronologique, ad ann. XXX. 1370. A sentence of this sort, had all the inha- CHAP. bitants of Aquitaine been well affected and loyal, would have united them as one man in resentment of so atrocious an insult. But Charles, in the dark and insidious conceptions of his crafty spirit, had well known how to time his affront. The hearth-money had first given the signal of discontent in Aquitaine. Many of the feudatory lords of that province, before the commencement of hostilities, had retired to the court of France. Charles was subtle and indefatigable in his endeavours to corrupt the rest. Repeated instances of treachery and rebellion had driven the Black Prince and his ministers to some measures of legal severity and retributory justice". This, in the spirit of disaffection which had been artfully propagated against him, did but increase the evil. It was at that moment that his adversary issued his Froissart, Vol. II, Chap. i. The historian refers these acts of severity to the year 1375; but what is related by him, Vol. I, Chap. cclxxviii, makes this the more probable date. See Barnes, Book IV, Chap. vii, §. 2. CHAP. decree of forfeiture against him, and the con XXX. 1370. invaded by two French armies. sequences which resulted were in some degree what that adversary had foreseen and desired. The malcontents, who wanted but a pretext to colour their revolt, alleged that they could no longer in duty adhere to the English standard, but were obliged to submit to the sovereign lord of all France, who had been compelled by imperious necessity to sign an act of alienation, which he had no power to execute. The sentence of confiscation being thus issued, Charles V. dispatched two considerable armies under his brothers, the dukes of Anjou and Berry, to enter Aquitaine in opposite directions. The Black Prince however appears to have taken his measures só well, that they were not able to make any considerable impression upon his garrisons. The principal exploit of the French on this Limoges side was the capture of Limoges; and even this success they owed to the treachery of Revolt of the bishop of that city, whom the Black CHAP. XXX. Prince marches against it. Prince had particularly honoured with his 1370. confidence. The prince was therefore highly Black exasperated at this occurrence; and, postponing every other consideration, resolved, whatever it cost him, to reduce this unfaithful city to his obedience. His health however was now so infirm that, in undertaking this expedition, he was obliged to be carried in a litter. Beside other persons of distinction who served under him, were his brothers, the duke of Lancaster, and Edmund of Langley now earl of Cambridge". The city made Limoges a desperate resistance; but the walls were at length thrown down by mines, and the place entered by storm. The prince, rendered irritable by sickness, chagrined by the unprosperous state of his affairs, and deeply wounded by the infidelity of the treacherous bishop, stained the honour of his name by issuing orders for a general massacre. The soldiers who served under him appear to have too taken by storm. Froissart, Vol. I, Chap. cclxxxvi, cclxxxvii. VOL. II. с с |