The Agincourt King (The Plantagenet Legacy Book 5) by Rochelle Mercedes

Author:Rochelle, Mercedes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sergeant Press
Published: 2024-04-08T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

THE FRENCH RESPONSE

Contrary to King Charles' hopes, the Duke of Burgundy did not join the French as they gathered against their common enemy. His suspected policy of non-interference certainly aided the English cause. While professing his loyalty to the throne, John the Fearless continued to insist that the insult offered to him was unendurable. How dare the king exclude him when all the other peers were summoned to aid their country? On the day Harfleur surrendered, Burgundy was hunting in the forests of the Côte d'Or and making plans to travel to Dijon, where he would attend the christening of his nephew. But his mind was not far from thoughts of the English. He made sure to command that his lords in Picardy do nothing without his direct orders. At the same time, he arranged for his nineteen-year-old son Philip, Count of Charolais, to be removed to the castle of Aire. This was in the opposite direction from Rouen where the army was collecting. Philip was to be kept in isolation by his guardians, at the cost of their lives, until the crisis was over. It was said that Philip was locked in a room, crying in vexation when he learned of the deception.

​The Dauphin duly ignored King Henry’s challenge to single combat, actually refusing to give an interview to de Gaucourt, who rode away despondently after delivering the letter. Neither he nor the king were in residence at Rouen; Louis waited in Vernon for his father, who finally arrived on 7 October. Since nobody was sure what King Henry was going to do next, it was safer to stay out of danger.

​It was just as well. Marshal Boucicaut and Constable d’Albret knew what needed to be done. Leaving nothing to chance, they dispatched spies to the English camp, who returned five days after Harfleur’s fall.

​Both the leaders sat with long faces as the first spy took a long draught of wine. Like most of his kind, he exhibited a careless disrespect for his betters. He put down the cup and sat at a table before them.

​"The English are in bad shape," he said. "A good third of the army has been struck down with the bloody flux. They are already sending shiploads of sick men home." He wiped his mouth. "Regardless, King Henry has determined on marching to Calais."

​"Hmm. That sounds just like him." Boucicaut leaned toward the constable. "The English king gave the Dauphin eight days to respond to his challenge. That gives us three days to get ahead of them if we leave right away." He turned his head toward the spy. "How many are fit to march, do you think?"

​The other shrugged. "No more than nine or ten thousand. Maybe less."

​"And we have ten thousand already. With more coming every day."

​"And we're fresh," said d'Albret with satisfaction. "Our men are chomping at the bit to take revenge for poor Harfleur."

​"One more thing," said the spy. "I understand they will be carrying eight day's rations."

​"If we

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