THE BRITISH CRITIC, For JANUARY, 1805. Καιρὸν εἰ φθέγξαιο, πολλῶν Εν βραχεῖ· μείων ἕπεται PINDAR, With vivid words your juft conceptions grace, ART. I. Sir John Froiffart's Chronicles of England, France, and the adjoining Countries, from the latter Part of the Reign of Edward II. to the Coronation of Henry IV. newly tranflated from the beft French Editions, with Variations and Additions from many celebrated Manufcripts. By Thomas Johnes. Vol. I. 4to. 835 PP. 41. 4s. At the Hafod Prefs; fold by White. 1803. A SKETCH of the life of Froiffart has fo recently been published by Mr. Johnes, the prefent tranflator of his Chronicles, that it feems only neceffary to refer those who may have any particular curiofity concerning him, to that work, or to our account of it in the British Critic, vol. xix. p. 429. There has appeared one, and only one, prior tranflation of Froillart's Chronicles in our language. This was performed by John Bourchier, Lord Berners, a Knight.of the Bath in the reign of Henry VII. He was alfo Chancellor of the Exchequer, and had, as Walpole obferves, the rare felicity of continuing for eighteen years in the favour of Henry VIII. A BRIT. CRIT. VOL. XXV. JAN. 1805. He He tranflated Froiffart by the command of Henry, and it was printed by Pinfon, the fcholar of Caxton, in 1625. The extreme rarity of this work, its obfolete language, and the misrepresentation of the names of perfons, and places, by which it is disfigured, were the principal inducements with Mr. Johnes for undertaking a new tranflation. It seems hardly neceflary to ob ferve, that the work is well performed, Mr. Johnes being univerfally known as an elegant and accomplished fcholar, who has dedicated the labour of many years to the fuccessful accomplishment of his purpose. Perhaps we cannot render either the tranflator or our readers greater juftice, than by subjoining fpecimens of the former and of the prefent work, by which means an accurate judgment may be formed of the expediency of the undertaking, and the merits which it may reasonably claim. Lord Berners's work has this title: "Here begynnith the firfte volum of Syr John Froiffart: of the Cronycles of Englande, Fraunce, Spayne, Portyngale, Scotlande, Bretaine, Flaunders, and other places adjoyninge. Tranflated oute of Frenche into oure materall Englyfhe tongue, by John Bouchier, Knyghte, Lorde Berners: at the comaundement of oure mofte Hyghe redouted Soveraygne Lorde Kynge Henrye the VIII. Kynge of Englande, Fraunce and Irelande, defendour of the faith and of the Church of Englande and also of Irelande, in earth the fupreme heade." If the above fpecimen of the obfolete ftyle of the old translation does not prove the neceffity of a new one, that which is fubjoined will place it beyond all doubt. "In this season a frerre minor full of great clergye was in the cytie of Avigno, called frere Johan of Rochetayllad, the whiche frere Pope Innocent the vi' helde in prifon in the caftell of Baignoux for fhewinge of many mervailes after to come, principally he fhewed many thinges To fall on the prelates of the church for the greate fuperfuitye and pride, that was as then used amonge them. And alfo he fpake many thinges to fall of the realme of Fraunce and of the greate lordes of Chriftendome for the oppreffions that they dyd to the pore como people. This frere fayde he wolde prove al his fayynges by the auctorie of the Apocalippys, and by other bokes of holy fayntes, and prophettes the whiche were opened to hym by the grace of the holy ghofte he fhewed many thinges harde to beleve, & many thinges fell after as he fayde. He fayd them not as a prophette, but he fhewed them by auctorite of aunciet fcriptures, and by the grace of the holy ghoste, who gave him understanding to declare the auncient prophicies and to fhew to all chriften people the yeres and tyme whan fuche thinges fhulde fall, he made dyverfe bokes founded on greate fciences and clergye, whereof one was made the yeare of our lorde M.CCC.xlvi, wherein were wrytten fuch mervailes, that it were hard to beleve them howe be it many thinges accordynge therto fell after. And whan he was demauded of the warres of France, he said that all that had ben fene was net not lyke that fhulde be fene after. For he fayde that the warres in Fraunce fhulde not be ended tyll the realme were utterly wafted and exyled in every parte. The whiche fayenge was well fene after, for the noble realme of Fraunce was fore wasted and exyled and specially in y terme that the fayde frere had fette. The whiche was in the yeares of our lorde M.ccc.lvi, lvii, lviii, & lix. He fayde in those yeares the princes and gentylmen of the realme fhuld not for feare thewe themfelfe against the people of lowe eftate, affembled of all countreis without heed or Capitayne, and they shulde do as they lyfte in the realme of Fraunce, the whiche felle after as ye have herde, howe the companyons affembled the together, and by reafon of theyr robbery and pyllage waxed ryche and became greate capitaynes." It would be agreeable to us, entertaining to our readers, and no more than juftice to Mr. Johnes, to introduce many and various fpecimens of the fkill and taste which he has demonfirated. We fhall, however, be fatisfied with one, both from confideration of the limits which convenience prescribes, and because there can be little apprehenfion, but that all who are curious in the hiftory of their country, and at all inclined to make useful or entertaining collections, will be ready to add this publication to their libraries. "About this period, a Francifcan friar, full of knowledge and understanding, was at Avignon: his name was John de Rochetaillade: and Pope Innocent VI kept him a prifoner in the cattle of Baignoux, not only on account of the great prophecies he made of the times to come, chiefly and principally relating to the heads and prelates of the holy church, by reafon of their pride, and the expenfive life they led, but alfo concerning the kingdom of France, and the great Lords of Christendom for their heavy oppreffions on the common people. The above-mentioned John was willing to prove all he faid from the Apocalypfe, and by the ancient books of the holy prophets, which were opened to him by the grace of the Holy Ghost, by which he uttered things that were difficult to be credited. Some of the predictions he had made were feen to come to pafs within the time; which he never could have foretold as a prophet, but by means of the Holy Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit that had given him the power of understanding thefe ancient prophecies, and of announcing to all Chriftians the year and time when they were to be fulfilled. He made many books, full of much science and learning; one was written in the year 1346, which contained many marvellous things, difficult of belief, but of which fome had come to país already. When he was questioned concerning the war against France, he answered, that what they had seen was nothing to what was to happen; for there would be no peace until the realm of France was destroyed and ruined from one end to the other. This indeed happened afterwards: for that kingdom was completely spoiled at the time the friar had fixed, in the years 1356, 1357, 1358, and 1359: infomuch, that none of its princes or gentlemen dared to fhew themselves against thofe of the low eltate, collected from all parts, and who had arrived, one after the other, without leader pr chief, whilst the country had not any means of refifting them. They elected (as you have before feen) in different parts of the country captains from among themselves, to whom they paid obedience. The captains when they enrolled any man in their companies, made certain agreements with them, refpecting their thares of booty, and the ranfoms of prifoners: they found fo much pillage that all the leaders became rich from the great wealth they amaffed. King Edward was lodged at Bourg la Reine, two fhort leagues from Paris, and his army in different parts between thut and Montllery. He fent from thence his heralds to the Duke of Normandy in Paris, who had with him a great number of men at arms, to offer him battle: but the Duke would not accede to it. His meffengers therefore returned without having done any thing. When the King found that his enemies would not venture out of Paris, he was mightily enraged: upon which that good Knight, Sir Walter Manny ftepped forth and befought his Lord, that he would permit him to make an excurfion, and affault as far as the barriers of Paris. The King confented to his request, and named himself those Knights that should accompany him. He made alfo many new Knights on the occafion: among whom were, the Lord Delaware, the Lord de Silvacier, Sir Thomas Banatter, Sir William Torceaux, Sir Thomas le Defpenfier, Sir John Neville, Sir Richard Doft may, and many others. Colart d'Ambicticourt, fon of Sir Nicholas, would have been of the number; for the King was defirous of it, as he was attached to his perfon, and Squire of his body; but the young man excufed himself, by laying he could not find his helmet. Sir Walter Manny fet out on his enterprife, and carried with him thefe new Knights to fkirmish and make an attack on the barriers at Paris. Many hard blows were given and received, for there were within the city feveral valiant Knights and Squires, who would willingly have fallied forth, if the Duke of Normandy had given his confent. They however guarded the gates and barriers fo well, that no damage was done to them; this skirmish lafted until twelve o'clock, and many were killed on both fides. Sir Walter then retreated with his people to their quarters, where they remained together that day and the following night. On the morrow, the King diflodged and took the road to Montlhery. When the camp was breaking up, fome English and Gafcon Knights planned the following enterprite. They thought, that as there were fo many Knights in Paris, fome of them would fally out after them; and fome young adventurers would endeavour to gain, by their valor, both honor and booty. They therefore placed two hundred picked men, well armed, in an old empty houfe, three leagues from Paris; the chiefs of the Gafcon party were, the Capial de Buch, Sir Aymery de Pommiers, and the Lord Couton; of the English, the Lord Neville, the Lord Mowbray, and Sir Richard de Pontchardon. These fix Knights were the leaders of this ambufcade. When the French, who were within Paris, perceived that the King of England was decamping, fome young Knights collected together, and faid among themselves, "It will be a good thing for us to fally out fecretly, and follow awhile the army of England, to fee if we cannot gain fomething." They were all inftantly of this opinion; fo that Sir Raoul de Coucy, Sir Raoul de Ravenal, the Lord de Montfault, the Lord de Helay, the Constable of Beauvais, le Bégue de Villaines, the the Lord of Beaufiers, the Lord of Ulbarin, Sir Gauvaix de Valouel, Sir Flamant de Roye, Sir Azelles de Cavilly, Sir Peter de Fermoifes, Peter de Savoifes, and upwards of a hundred lances with them, fallied out, well mounted, with a thorough good will to do fomething; but they must find the occafion. They took the road to Bourg la Reine, which they paffed, and gained the open fields, when they followed the track of the cavalry and army of England, and rode beyond the ambuf cade of the Captal and his company. "They were no fooner paffed, than the English and Gafcons marched out of it after them, with their lances in their refts, fhouting their war cry. The French turned about, wondering who they could be; but they foon found they were enemies. They immediately halted, and drew themfelves up in battle-array; and, with couched fpears, prepared to meet the English and Gafcons, who foon joined them, At this firft onfet, many were unhorsed on each fide, for both parties were well mounted. After this tilting-bout, they drew their fwords; and, attacking each other more closely, many hard blows were given, and many gallant deeds performed. This attack lafted a confiderable time; and was fo well fought, that it was difficult to fay which of the two would be conqueror. The Captal de Buch fhone particularly, and did with his hand many deeds worthy fo good a Knight, In the end, however, the English and Gafcons fought fo valiantly, the field remained to them; they were upwards of half as many again as the French. "The Lord of Campreny fhowed himself a valiant Knight on the fide of the French, and fought gallantly under his banner, the bearer of which was flain: his banner was argent, a buckle gules, between fix martlets fable, three above and three below. The Lord of Cam. preny was made prifoner. The other French Knights and Squires, who faw the ill fuccefs of their attempt, and that they could not recover themselves, took the road toward Paris, fighting as they retreated, and the English purfuing them moft eagerly. In this retreat, which continued beyond Bourg la Reine, nine Knights, as well Ban nerets as others, were made prifoners; and, if the English and Gafcons, who purfued them, had not been afraid that others might fally out of Paris to their affistance, not one would have escaped being killed or taken. "When this enterprife was finished, they returned towards Montlhery, where the King was. They carried their prifoners with them, to whom they behaved very courteoufly, and ranfomed them handfomely that fame evening, allowing them to return to Paris, or wherever elfe they chose, taking readily their words for their ran foms, "The intention of the King of England was to enter the fertile country of Beauce, and follow the courfe of the Loire all the fummer, to recruit and refresh his army in Britanny until after August; and, as foon as the vintage was over, which from the appearances promised to be abundant, to return again and lay fiege to France, that is to fay, to Paris, for he wished not to return to England, as he had fo publicly declared, on fetting out, his determination to conquer that kingdom, and to leave garrifons of thofe who were carrying on |