Amye Robsart and the Earl of Leycester; a critical inquiry into the authenticity of the various statements in relation to the death of Amye Robsart

Front matter

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AMYE ROBSART.

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Table Of Contents

AMYE EOBSAET.

PAGE

Introductory Chapter. — Mr. Pettigrew's quotation from Dryden. — False estimate of the Character of Dudley, Varney, and others. — Sir "Walter Scott's departure from historical truth in his Romance of " Kenil worth ;" — some particulars in relation to same. — Mrs. Muhlbach on Historical Romance "Writing. — Mystery connected with the Death of Amye Robsart. — Statements in " Leycester's Commonwealth " copied by subsequent writers. — Coroner's Inquest, and discovery of the Correspondence in reference thereto. — Queen Elizabeth's Proclamation and Sir Philip Sydney's Defence of the Earl of Leycester. — Character of Sir Richard Varney. — Original Letters in reference to Kenilworth and Sir Robert Dudley. — Yon Raumer's Sketch of the Life of the Earl of Leycester . . . . . i to xi

Appendix

John Apple yard, various Orders from the Privy Council in

Amye Dudley's Visit to Lord Robert in the Tower . 338

Sir John Robs art's "Will, from the Norwich Register . 339 Sedistern, in possession of Lord Robert in 1554 . . ib.

Staneield Hall. — Notice of Sir James Altham . . 340

Rainthorp Hall, in possession of Hon. Frederick Walpole ib. Cousin Blount. — Who was Cousin Thomas Blount ? . ib.

Edmund Lodge. — Addition to Authors cited . . 341

Mrs. Hyde, a Connection of the Family . . . ib.

Verney Family, some particulars . ib.

Dictum de Kenilworth, particulars of . . 342

Kenilworth. — Attendance on occasion of the Queen's

Marriage of Lady Essex at Kenilworth Castle . . ib.

Ground Plan oe Kenilworth Castle at the time of the

Queen's Visit in 1575 . . . . . ib.

Rooms of State. — The Splendid Hall and Chimney-

Piece, description of . . . . 343

Wood's 'Athene Oxoniensis,' as to Sir Robert Dudley's

Legitimacy . . . . . . 344

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Old Staneield Hall {front and bach view), the birthplace of Amte Robsaet. From a drawing contributed by the Hon. Mrs. Walpole, of Rainthorpe Hall, Norfolk .... {Face p. 1

Kenilworth Castle, in Ruins .... {Face p. 101

Portrait of Robert Dudley, Earl oe Letcester . -,

Ground Plan of Kenilworth Castle in 1575, at the time of V [Face p. 106 the Kenilworth Festivities ... -*

Kenilworth Castle, Ruins of the Great Hall, Presence Chamber,

and Oriel Window ..... [Face p. Ill

The Porch or Entrance to the Gate-House . . -,

The Letcester Chimney- Piece, removed from the Great I {Face p. 112 Hall to the Gate-House ... - 1

Portrait of Sir Robert Dudley, Son of the Earl of Leycester. From a Miniature by Nicholas Hilliard, in the possession of Lord De L'Isle and Dudley, at Penshurst, in Kent. Engraved by J. Brown, from a drawing the exact size of the original by G. P. Harding . [Face p. 276

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

" He who unfolds to his fellow-men one single truth that has heretofore laid hidden, has not lived in vain." — Totjlmin Smith.

Me. Pettigrew, in his inquiry into the particulars connected with the death of Arrive Eobsart, 1 thus aptly quotes from Dryden : — " We find but few historians, of all ages, who have been diligent enough in their search for truth ; it is their common method to take on trust what they distribute to the public, by which means a falsehood once received from a famed writer becomes traditional to posterity."

It is the false estimate of the character of Lord Sobert Dudley, of Sir Eichard Tarney, and others, and the doubtful statements as to the cause of the death of Amye Eobsart, that have led to the present investigation.

Unfortunately for the admirers of Sir Walter Scott's romance of ' Kenilworth,' the historical interest in that work is entirely marred by the fact that the leading incidents, in that otherwise interesting novel, are at variance with historical truth.

Amye Eobsart never was Countess of Leycester, inasmuch as her husband was not created an Earl till three years after her

1 'Inquiry read at the Congress of the British Archseological Association, held at Newbury in 1859, being a refutation of the calumnies charged against Sir Robert Dudley, K.G., Anthony Forster, and otbers.' 8vo. London, J. Russell Smith, 1859.

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death, nor did she appear at the Kenilworth revels, for the reason that that splendid castle was not possessed by her husband till he became an earl, and the Kenilworth revels did not take place till fifteen years after her death. Nor was her marriage with Lord Robert Dudley kept secret, as related by Scott; on the contrary, her marriage was publicly solemnized in the presence of the youthful king Edward VI, and the incidents connected with the event were noted down by him in his diary, the original of which, among other numerous relics of the past, is to be found stored in the manuscript department of the British Museum.

It is much to be regretted that Sir "Walter Scott should, in professing to write a historical romance, have so seriously perverted historical facts. If, as probably was the case, he conceived the idea that a secret marriage would add to the interest of his work, he might have chosen an actual, instead of a supposed, secret marriage, as the former did exist at the period of Elizabeth's visit to Kenilworth,

In 1573, thirteen years after the death of Lady Amye Dudley, and two years previous to the Kenilworth revels, Leycester had privately married Douglas Howard, Lady Sheffield, which marriage was kept a profound secret. In 1574 a son was born as the fruit of that marriage, and in the year following (1575) Elizabeth made her celebrated visit to Kenilworth. This, therefore, might have formed a real and legitimate plea for Sir Walter to have worked up his secret marriage, without sacrificing to the object he had in view the memory of poor Amye, who had been in her grave for fifteen years.

A celebrated German authoress of the' present day thus writes as to the importance of adhering to historical truth in compiling historical romances : — " It is of very little consequence whether the personages of the historical romance actually spoke the words, or performed the acts, attributed to them, it is only necessary that those words and deeds should be in accordance with the spirit and character of such historical personages, and that the

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. Ill

writer should not attribute to them what they could not have spoken or done. In historical romance, when circumstances or events are presented in accordance with historical tradition ; when the characters are naturally described, they bear with them their own justification, and historical romance has need of no further defence.

" Historical romance should be nothing but an illustration of history. If the drawing, grouping, colouring, and style of such an illustration of any given historical epoch is admitted to be true, then the illustration rises to the elevation of works of art, worthy of a place beside the historical picture, and as equally useful." 1

"While adopting the above critical remarks, the writer would not be supposed to be insensible to the great charm evinced in Scott's delightful romance of ' Kenil worth '■ — the effect of which cannot be better portrayed than in the words of Dr. Beattie :

" The romance of ' Kenilworth,' it is probable, has brought within the last [forty] years more pilgrims to this town and neighbourhood — pilgrims of the highest rank — than ever resorted to its ancient shrine of the virgin, more knights and dames than ever figured in its tilts and tournaments." 2

It is, perhaps, not too much to say that the mystery connected with the death of Amye Eobsart will probably never be cleared up. Conjectures only may be started. The coroner's inquest, that was assembled immediately after her decease, failed to elicit mere than that she met with an untimely death, by some " mischaunce ;" further, that inquest did not succeed in unravelling the mystery, though every effort appears to have been then made. There was no undue haste, nor does there appear to have been any undue influence exercised to bias or to thwart the investigation.

Mrs. Muhlbach in her Introduction to "Henry VIII, and Catherine Parr." Dr. Beattic's ' Castles of England.' Imperial 8vo, Lond., 18J2.

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Till within a few years past we have been left in entire ignorance on the subject, nothing but the scurrilous reports promulgated by the most "virulent and pestilent book " ever written, under the title of ' Leycester's Commonwealth,' supplying all the information, in the shape of atrocious falsehoods, that authors and writers have subsequently availed themselves of so freely in their attacks on the character of Leycester. "Written by the noted Jesuit Parsons, who, in connection with the still more notorious Edward Campion, was constantly prowling about in search of means to subvert the Protestant faith, and to create all the mischief he could in the endeavour to restore the powers that had been driven out. Parsons's book was not published till twenty-four years after the occurrences took place, which it so minutely describes, fresh as if they had occurred within the day or year of its publication.

The writers who have since taken up the subject have all followed in the same path, reiterating, under different phases, the same scurrilous untruths, only varying them under different disguises—first, "it is stated," "it is related;" then as "secret memoirs," all derived from the same source ; and in their zeal to establish the apparent truth of their falsehoods, multiplying the number of authorities in justification of their statements, quoting, for instance, John Aubrey, as one of their authorities, who, it would be difficult for them to find, had ever written a line on the subject; the principal works by which that author is known, being the ' History of Wiltshire,' and the ' Natural History of the County of Surrey.'

Much stress has been laid by previous writers on the narrative given in Ashmole's * History of Berkshire' as an authority worthy of belief. Wow when we consider that that statement was not made till a century after the occurrences took place, and that no authority whatever is given by Ashmole, we should at least pause before we give credence to his detail. In the present work will be found (see pages 47 to 51) a comparative detail of the state-

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. V

ments given by Ashmole, and those given in Leycester's Commonwealth ; the candid reader cannot fail to discover that the former is taken (in many instances verbatim) from the libellous publication of Parsons.

"Writers who have preceded us attach an importance to Ashmole's narrative which we think, on very little reflection, is without justification. The fact that no authority whatever is given by him, ought naturally to create a doubt ; that doubt is further increased by the plagiarism already referred to.

Mr. Pettigeew, in his i Inquiry/ says : " Every production issuing from the pen of Elias Ashmole and "Walter Scott must be deemed entitled to our best consideration, and any attempt to invalidate what has been recorded on their authority, must be regarded worthy of the most intimate scrutiny."

"With regard to Sir "Walter Scott, his total perversion of historical facts must certainly condemn his authority for the statements given. We question whether Ashmole would himself have ventured to compromise his reputation by inserting such a statement in his County history, a work in which, of all others, we expect to find nothing but what can be substantiated from known or reputable authority. Ashmole's history was not published during his lifetime. That scurrilous statement in reference to the death of Amye Robsart we may well conceive may have been found among his " Collections " for the County history, and published by those who undertook the work after his death.

The finding of such a statement among Ashmole's papers, we conceive was the sole authority for its publication.

To show the mischief arising from the promulgation of such false statements, Mr. Pettigrew alludes to a recent writer in the ' Quarterly Eeview ' (vol. 106, p. 211), in an article expressly on Berkshire, in which the writer says: — "The story of the murder of the poor young Countess, as told in Kenilivorth, is, for the most part, faithful;" (!) and this in the face of Amye

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Eobsart having been in her grave fifteen years previous to the occurrences so graphically described by Scott. Poor Amye, who probably had never even been at Kenilworth Castle during her life.

The writer of that article also alludes to the statement of the Countess's (!) father having caused the body of his daughter to be taken up, and the coroner to sit upon it. Sir John Eobsart, her father, died several years previous to the death of his daughter (!).

We had written thus far when, having occasion to refer to Ltsons's History of Berkshire, in the Magna Britannia, we found the following, in corroboration of what we had premised : —

" Elias Ashmole, the Herald and Antiquary, whose Collections for this county have been published since his decease.

" The work called ' Ashmole's Antiquities oe Berkshire ' is improperly so termed. It was published after his death, and has no other pretension to being called by his name than that it consists chiefly of church notes copied from such as were collected by that industrious herald and antiquary, and by him deposited in the Heralds' College. The scanty information which it contains of other matters was collected by the Editor.'''' l

Wow, after this, who will venture to quote either Ashmole or Scott as authority for the statements set forth and copied by writer after writer ? "What remains then to guide us in our investigations after the truth ? Certainly not the scurrilous publication of Parsons.

The only evidence that has been handed down to us, upon which any reliance can be placed, is the correspondence that took

1 ' Magna Britannia, Berkshire,' p. 216.

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place immediately after the death of Ainye Dudley, between Lord Robert Dudley and his cousin Blount, in reference to the coroner's inquest that was summoned to inquire into the cause of her death. For this correspondence we are indebted to George Lillie Craik, who, in his 'Romance .of the Peerage, 5 has given us these letters, which he discovered in the Pepysian Library at Oxford, where a contemporary copy of the correspondence has been preserved. Lord Braybrooke, also, about the same time, made the discovery of these letters, and he has printed them in the Appendix to his edition of 'Pepys's Diary and Correspondence.' They may also be found in ' Bartlett's History of Cumnor Place.' These letters are inserted in the present work, and, though they open to us no light as to the immediate cause of Amye's death, they give us all the information we are likely to obtain. They serve to evince, however, on the part of Leycester, but little regret at the loss he had sustained, and tend to show that he was only tenacious how far the occurrence might lead to suspicion, and throw obloquy on himself by implication. Instead of going immediately to Cumnor to inquire into the circumstances connected with her death, he coolly writes to his Cousin Blount, and requests him to make the investigation. Instead of paying the least regard to her remains by attending the funeral, he deputes that duty to others, and contents himself at the Court in attendance upon the queen. Pirst he writes from "Windsor, the day following the death of his wife ; three days afterwards from Kew, where he had a mansion, given to him by the queen, and which was probably his domicile, while his wife was staying at Cumnor under the charge or care of Sir Anthony Poster. That she had been living in great distress of mind may be inferred from the tenor of her letter to Mr. Plowerdew, the only letter of hers known to have been preserved.

It is a somewhat singular coincidence that the opinion formed by the writer (as expressed on page 63 of this work), as to the immediate cause of the death of Amve Robsart, will be found to

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coincide with that given by Mr. Pettigrew in his ' Inquiry.' It may be as well here to state that the writer had committed that opinion to paper several years before Mr. Pettigrew's publication ; the investigation made by the writer having occurred at least ten years previous thereto. It is gratifying, however, to find, after the able and thorough research on the subject made by Mr. Pettigrew, that the views entertained by the writer were not at all singular in this respect.

"With this inquiry into the evidences before us, is given Queen Elizabeth's proclamation, vindicating Leycester from the aspersions cast upon him by Parsons' slanderous publication ; and also Sir Philip Sydney's defence of his uncle — the latter, it is believed, having never been printed, except in the ' Sydney Papers,' edited by Collins, the author of the ' Peerage.' These documents cannot fail to be of interest.

The reader will also find some interesting facts connected with Amye Eobsart's family — apparently overlooked by previous writers on this subject, and certainly not hitherto published — which have been discovered by the writer in a Pedigree in one of the Heralds' Visitations at the College of Arms, London.

Another topic, immediately connected with the main subject, and respecting which no little misapprehension has long prevailed, namely, the character of Sib Eichaed Vabney, or, more correctly, Veekey, will likewise appear (it is thought) in a new and very different aspect, as illustrated in the following pages.

Moreover, not a few striking incidents and illustrations in regard to the history of Kenilworth Castle, subsequent to the Earl of Leycester' s death, together with original letters never before given to the public, connected with Leycester's son, Sir Eobert Dudley, have also been embodied in the present work, together with a biographical sketch of Sir Eobert Dudley and of his second wife, Alice Leigh, who was created Duchess Dudley by Charles I.

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A very interesting volume in royal quarto entitled 'Kenilwoeth Illustrated ; or, the History of the Castle, Priory, and Church of Kenil worth,' appeared in 1821, from the press of Charles Whittingham, of Chiswick, in which were included " Laneham's Letter," and " Gascoigne's Princely Pleasures." Numerous engravings embellished the volume in the first style of art of that period.

In the same year a republication of Laneham and Gascoigne appeared, in post octavo, published by J. H. Burn, of London.

In 1825 appeared 'Kenilworth Festivities,' comprising "Laneham's Description of the Pageantry," and " Gascoigne's Princely Pleasures," post octavo, published by Merridew, Coventry, with a frontispiece representing Elizabeth's entry into the castle. This volume is composed of the two tracts reprinted by Burn in 1821, bound together, with new title-page and frontispiece.

In 1859 appeared an 8vo pamphlet, ' The Military Architecture oe the Middle Ages, as illustrated by Ketsilworth, Warwick, and Maxtoke Castles. By Geo. T. Robinson, Architect.'

' Kenilworth Bueeet,' a pamphlet in extra super-royal quarto, appeared in 1851, descriptive of elaborately carved relievos of a Buffet, in Oak, manufactured by Cookes and Sons, of Warwick, from an ancient oak, which formerly stood on the grounds of Kenilworth. On the centre panel is represented Queen Elizabeth's entry into Kenilworth Castle ; the discovery by the queen of Amy e Robsart taking shelter in an alcove on the grounds of Kenilworth ; and the queen reproaching Leycester for his duplicity towards her in keeping secret his marriage with Amye on the panel of the door on either side — the subjects taken from Scott's romance of l Kenilworth,' forming a striking illustration of the ill effects produced by the perversion of historical truth — perpetuating the historical untruths contained in that work — and misleading the public mind in what might otherwise have proved a highly interesting illustration of history. Four richly carved

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statuettes, representing Sir Philip Sydney, Sir "Walter Raleigh, Shakspeare, and Sir Francis Drake, also embellished the work. As a work of art great credit is due to the artists employed, as well as to Messrs. Cookes and Sons, of Warwick, from whom the work originated. It was exhibited in the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London, and is now preserved in Warwick Castle, it having been purchased by the inhabitants of the Town and County of Warwick, and presented to the Lord Brooke (now Earl of Warwick) on his marriage.

A short sketch of Eobert Dudley, Earl of Leycester, from the pen of a foreign writer, may form a not inappropriate conclusion of these preliminary remarks.

" Robert Dudley, born in 1533, the fifth son of the Duke of Northumberland, who was executed, and grandson of Dudley, who, at the accession of Henry VIII, was accused and put to death as an unfaithful minister of finance, had rendered Elizabeth much service during the reign of Mary, and thereby, perhaps, laid the foundation for his future elevation. At this time, when Elizabeth created him Earl of Leicester, he was in the prime of life, was very handsome, danced admirably, and was considered as a model of a perfect courtier. Even his adversaries also confess that he was courageous in danger, condescending to inferiors, courteous to his rivals, a patron of learning, generous on all occasions, and very skilful in perceiving and taking advantage of favorable opportunities. But if this is the case, opportunities of obtaining the hand of Elizabeth cannot have been offered him ; and indeed, notwithstanding he was so high in her favour, she always kept him at a due distance, and repeatedly said in private to her most confidential minister, Cecil, " That she would never give her hand to a subject." But as Leicester was in many respects inferior to other men whom Elizabeth had elevated, many persons believed (when meaner motives, and thoughts of marriage were rejected) in the influence of the stars, and others,

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in their anger at the favour shown to Leicester, accused him of being a hypocrite, arrogant, selfish, immoral, indifferent to the choice of means to attain his ends, nay, they affirmed, that in the hope to obtain the hand of Elizabeth he had caused the death of his own wife, and perhaps of many other persons. This censure of the envied favourite (like praise in similar cases) is doubtless exaggerated, and it is difficult to find the just medium. Leicester certainly never understood how to gain public opinion ; though he had much penetration and ability in some points, he wanted the simple dignity of his opponent Sussex; and still more the superior understanding of Cecil ; his way of life did not entirely coincide with the strict puritanical principles which he professed. But shall Elizabeth be so severely blamed for desiring, besides the great statesman whom she honoured, to have an amiable and ccomplished courtier about her? The opinion which she expressed to the French Ambassador Castelnau, "That Leicester was the most virtuous and perfect man that she knew," may be founded in error, but she added, in the consciousness of her dignity, "Yet she would never marry him." x

1 Von Raumer. ' Political History of England during the 16th and 17th Centuries,' translated by Lloyd. 8vo, Lond., 1837, vol. i, pp. 194-6.

SOME ACCOUNT

OF THE

ROBSART FAMILY.

"The father of Sir John Robsart, or Robsert, Knight Baronet and K.Gr. (who was famed for his valour and conduct in several actions in France in the reigns of Hen. IV. V. VI., and who was great-grandfather to Amie Robsart), was Robert, Baron of Cannon, in Heinalt, on which account he is mentioned in our historians by the name of Cannon Robsart, and was the son of John Robsart, who, in 14 Edw. III., was one of those expert captains that (with Richard Verchin, Lord High Seneschal of Heinalt) surprised John, Duke of Normandy, eldest son of King Philip of France, in his quarters at Montais, on the river Selle. The Lord Robert Robsart was likewise very serviceable to the English nation ; and when King Edward lay at the siege of Rheims, a.d. 1359, signalised himself in taking the castle of Commercy, and the defeat of the Lord Gomeignes, being then governor of the young Earl of Coucy, and manager of his lands. He also behaved himself with great bravery and conduct in several other actions in that reign ; and, accompanying the Duke of Lancaster and divers of the English nobility into France, in 47 Edw. III., landed with them at Calais; and, continuing in our service, took divers castles in Spain, in 5 Rich. II.

" He left issue three sons — John, Lewis, 1 and Theodorick (or Terrey as we write the name) — who all engaged in the English service, and were commanders of the greatest note

1 Lodowicus, in the ' Inquisitiones post mortem.'

in their time ; but I shall confine myself to the actions of John, the eldest son. 1

" The said Sir John Robsart distinguished himself in the wars with the Saracens in the reign of Richard II., and was knighted before the reign of Hen. IV., which king, out of his especial grace, and for the good services of his beloved and faithful knight, Sir John Robsart, grants to him, for term of his life, j§100 per annum out of his exchequer, by letters patent dated 17th November, 1399 ; and Hen. V., in consideration of his good services, confirms to him the said annuity, by letters patent dated at Westminster, 12th June, 1413. He attended on Hen. V. at his first landing in France, and after being at the siege of Caen, in Normandy (as was also his brother Sir Lewis Robsart), he became one of the principal commanders under the Duke of Gloucester, the king's brother, who in 5 Hen. V. especially appointed him to treat with the governors of the castles of Vire, Hambye, St. Lo., and Clarenton, for the surrender thereof, which in that year were at several times delivered to him. In 6 Hen. V. he was also specially appointed by the said duke to treat with the governor of Pont Down, as also with the governor, knights, esquires, burgesses, and inhabitants of Chierburgh, and with Mons. Robert de Frevile, Knight, governor of the castle of St. Saviour le Visconte; all which places being surrendered by agreement made with him, he was constituted governor of the castle of St. Saviour le Visconte, and on the decease of the Duke of Holland was elected a Knight Companion of the most noble Order of the Garter, but, continuing abroad, was installed at Windsor by his proxy, Sir Thomas Bar, 17 February, 1418-19. At the siege of Rohan he was one of the commissioners assigned by the king to confer with the French commissioners about the surrender of that city ; and when eight days had been spent without concluding on one article, which induced the English commissioners to break off the treaty, and thereupon the townsmen, mutinying, had forced the magistrates to alter their opinions, they came to

1 For the authorities whence these statements are taken, the reader is referred to Collins's ' Peerage,' hy Sir Egerton Brydges, vol. v, pp. 644, &c.

the tent of Sir John Robsart, desiring him to move the king that the truce might be prolonged for four days, which being assented to, they surrendered that city on articles agreed on by the said Sir John Robsart, the Earls of Warwick, Salisbury, and others. In 7 Hen. V. he had, in recompense of his services, a grant of the castle and lordships of St. Saviour le Visconte, Neahou and Danvers. In 8 Hen. V. he was appointed, with the Duke of Exeter and others of the greatest note, to confer with the French king at Troys concerning the title of King Henry to the crown of France, and his marriage with the Lady Catharine, daughter of the said king. And when it was concluded on that King Henry should come to Troys and marry the said Lady Catharine, and the French king should make him heir of his realm, crown, and dignity, after his decease, Sir John Robsart was left to give his attendance on the said princess till the King of England should come to Troys to celebrate his nuptials. In 9 Hen. V. he returned with the king and his queen to England, and was present with his majesty in a chapter of the Garter held at Windsor on May 23rd, but being absent in a chapter held in the next ensuing year, his excuse was allowed by being abroad in the wars. On the death of his royal master he attended on his corpse into England, and, being Keeper of the Seal of the Order of the Garter, was present at the feast of St. George, held at Windsor in 1 Hen. VI., but returned to France the same year, and, being a knight banneret as well as a Knight of the Garter, was retained, with his brother, Sir Terrey Robsart, Captain of Hamby, to serve the regent, John, Duke of Bedford, in that kingdom, who made him Captain of Candebeck, and (after the death of his brother, Sir Terrey) of St. Saviour de Ive, in Normandy. In 7 Hen. VI. he was with the king in Normandy. In the eighth year of that king the Duke of Bedford sent the Earl of Huntingdon and this Sir John Robsart to the assistance of the Duke of Burgundy, then besieging Compeigne, who (as my author observes) were two as expert in all warlike affairs as valiant in all bold attempts ; and they were so active in carrying on the siege that the gaining of the town in a short time was not doubted of; but the death of Philip, Duke of Brabant, happening in the interval, occasioned the Duke of Burgundy to leave the siege and the command to Lord John of Luxemburgh, who marched off when the town was reduced to despair, without the consent of the English commanders.