The chronicles of Enguerrand de Monstrelet, Vol. 05 [of 13]

In Short

This volume is an eyewitness-style historical narrative chronicling the mid-fifteenth-century power struggle between the French Dauphin, the Duke of Burgundy, and the invading English crown. Through a series of rapid-fire reports, it tracks the shifting control of Paris, the brutal siege of Rouen, and the ultimate diplomatic and military maneuvers that lead to the Treaty of Troyes. It endures as a primary source for understanding the tactical realities and administrative chaos of the House of Valois, offering a stark, objective look at a kingdom tearing itself apart.

The Story

The narrative opens in a state of deep instability: the French crown is paralyzed by internal division, leaving the country vulnerable to English territorial expansion. The Duke of Burgundy, seeking to consolidate his own power, aligns with the English against the Dauphin. The early chapters focus on the fall of Paris to Burgundian forces, an event that triggers cycles of summary executions and violent reprisals between the rival Armagnac and Burgundian factions. As the English king, Henry V, systematically captures Norman towns, the narrative shifts to the desperate, starvation-driven defense of Rouen, which serves as a centerpiece for the military attrition characterizing the era.

Diplomacy proves as deadly as the battlefield. The text details the failed conferences between the English and French parties, where the demand for the hand of Catherine of France becomes a bargaining chip for sovereignty. The hope for peace is irrevocably shattered at Montereau, where the Duke of Burgundy is assassinated during a meeting with the Dauphin. This betrayal transforms the conflict, driving the Burgundians fully into the English camp and cementing the humiliation of the French royal house.

As the narrative progresses, the focus expands to include the complex administrative machinery of the occupation. We see the English crown formalizing its authority through the appointment of regents and the swearing of oaths by the three estates. The story of the war continues through a series of skirmishes and sieges, such as the defense of Meaux and the tactical maneuvers around the Loire. The narrative arc moves inexorably toward the end of Henry V’s life. The final segments are marked by a somber tone, detailing the king’s final instructions to his brother, the Duke of Exeter, and his advisors, as he attempts to secure his son’s inheritance despite the persistent instability of his conquered realm. The book concludes not with a final victory, but with the fragile transition of power and the continuation of a war that has by now outlived its primary architects.

How It Unfolds

The struggle for Paris The book begins by documenting the infiltration of Paris by Burgundian forces and the subsequent, bloody street skirmishes that force the Dauphin’s supporters to retreat to nearby strongholds like the Bastille.

The siege of Rouen Henry V isolates the city of Rouen by blocking the Seine with chains and digging extensive trenches, effectively starving the garrison into surrender while French councils debate futilely about how to break the blockade.

The betrayal at Montereau The diplomatic efforts to unify the fractured French house collapse when the Duke of Burgundy is murdered at a bridge meeting, an act that guarantees a long and bitter continuation of the civil war.

The consolidation of power The English crown forces the three estates of France to swear oaths of allegiance, shifting the focus from active combat to the administrative control of occupied territory and the enforcement of new taxes.

The final days of the conqueror The narrative concludes by detailing the physical decline of King Henry V, who spends his final hours meticulously dictating the future governance of both England and France to his closest lords.

The People

The book presents a cast of figures driven by rigid notions of honor and political survival. King Henry V of England appears as a focused, implacable strategist whose primary goal is the French throne; he is defined by his military efficiency and his preoccupation with securing a dynastic legacy. In contrast, the Duke of Burgundy acts as a tragic, mercurial figure, balancing his influence over the French royal court against the rising power of the English, ultimately finding that his alliance with Henry V does not protect him from assassination. The Dauphin remains a shadow throughout much of the text, an elusive and embattled figure who justifies the murder of his rivals as necessary for his own preservation. Supporting characters, such as Sir John de Cornwall and the opportunistic Tabary, offer glimpses into the daily lives of captains and minor figures who profit or suffer according to the whims of their superiors.

In Its Own Voice

"King Henry of England marched a most powerful army, accompanied by a large train of artillery and warlike stores, in the month of June, before the noble and potent town of Rouen, to prevent the inhabitants and garrison from being supplied with new corn."

This description captures the cold, tactical precision of the English campaign against one of France's most critical strongholds.

"He was dissatisfied with this answer, and repeated his request, begging of them to tell him the truth."

This moment captures the desperation of the dying King Henry V as he confronts his physicians regarding his remaining time.

What It's Really About

At its core, the text is a study of power and legitimacy in a world where alliances are transient and civil order is a luxury. It explores the tension between dynastic right and the brutal reality of military conquest. The narrative constantly questions the value of oaths and treaties, suggesting that in the absence of a strong, central authority, the "commonalty" and the nobility alike are subject to the whims of whoever controls the immediate machinery of violence. It is an argument for the fragility of states, highlighting how quickly a kingdom can be dismantled when its leaders prioritize factional revenge over the preservation of the realm.

Why Read It Today

Readers with an interest in military history or the gritty, unromanticized realities of the Hundred Years' War will find this a fascinating, if demanding, primary document. It is not written for the modern reader; it lacks the psychological interiority of a novel, focusing instead on the movement of troops, the naming of knights, and the formal text of legal agreements. For those who enjoy "the weeds" of history—the specific dates, the names of minor castles, and the precise inventory of supplies—it offers an immersive, if dry, experience.

The prose is functional and reportorial, reflecting the atmosphere of a chronicle rather than a memoir. You will encounter a dizzying array of names and titles that require patience, as the book assumes an intimate knowledge of the French and English noble houses of the period. However, for those willing to navigate its dense detail, it provides an authentic, unfiltered window into a world of siege warfare and dynastic chess. It stays with you not because of its beauty, but because of its startling proximity to the mechanics of power and its stark portrayal of the medieval world in a state of total, grinding transformation.