Biography of Aymon "Peaceful" Savoy Count Savoy 1291-1343

Deeds of King Edward III by Robert of Avesbury. "To all those who these present letters shall see or hear, John, by the grace of God king of Bohemia and count of Luxemburg, Adolphus bishop of Liége, Ralph duke of Lorraine, Aymon count of Savoy [aged 48], and John count of Armagnac, greeting and knowledge of the truth. Be it known to all that, to give and grant truce and respite between the high and mighty princes, the two kings of France and England, for them, their helpers and allies, whether prince, prelate, baron or other manner of men whatever, of holy church or secular, the which truce and respite the high and mighty lords, the duke of Brabant, the duke of Guelders, the marquis of Juliers, and the lord John of Hainault, lord of Beaumont, of the one party, and we the five abovesaid, of the other party, by power to us and to the others abovenamed given by the said kings, have granted, covenanted, and pledged by our faith, with hand in hand, on behalf of the said kings, their helpers, and allies, whoever they be, each on his side, from this day even to the day of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist next coming, and through that day to the morrow even to sunrise, it hath been treated, granted, covenanted, agreed, and plighted, by advice of the said kings, by us in form and manner following:"

"Firstly, that, during the said truce, no innovation nor misprision be done by the one party upon the other, to the prejudice of the said truce and respite."

"Also, it is agreed in the said truce that the said lords, their aiders, helpers, and allies, whoever they be, remain in such possession and such seisin as they are in at this day of all the goods, lands, and possessions which they hold and have in what manner soever, during the said truce."

"Also, it is agreed that, during the said truce, the said lords, their aiders, helpers, and allies, whoever they be, shall be able to go in safety from the one country to the other; and all merchants with all their merchandise, and all manner of people, and purveyance of goods, as well by land as by sea and water, as freely as they were wont to come and go in time of the ancestors of the said kings: paying poisages and wine dues as hath been anciently accustomed; excepting the outlaws, which are banished from the said realms or either of them, for other cause than for the war of the said kings. Bat the barons of Gascony and of the duchy of Guienne, and other persons of Gascony and of the said duchy, be they banished or others, shall be included in the said truce, and shall be able to go and come from the one country to the other, during the said truce."

"Also, it is agreed that the two kings procure not, nor cause to be procured, by them nor by other, that any innovation or grievance be done by the church of Rome or by others of holy church, whoever they be, on either of the said kings, his helpers or allies, whoever they be, nor on their lands nor those of their subjects, by reason of the said war or for other cause, nor for service that the said ally or helper hath done to the said kings or either of them. And, if our most holy father the pope or others will do that, the two kings shall prevent it, as far as in them lies, without evil intent, during the said truce."

"Also, be it known that from now be the truce cried in the two hosts, and be they bound to hold and keep it, all who are present and others who can and ought to have knowledge thereof."

"Also, it is agreed that, within twenty days, reckoned from this day, each of the kings shall cause proclaim it in Gascony and in the duchy of Guienne, in the land which he doth hold, to the end that it be notoriously known."

"Also, it is agreed that, if by either of the said kings, by their people, their allies, or helpers, any siege be laid in Gascony, in the duchy of Guienne, or in other islands of the sea, in Guernsey, in Jersey, or elsewhere, the sieges shall be raised so soon as the truce shall come to their knowledge. And fourteen persons, to wit seven persons on behalf of either of the said kings, shall enter into the towns, castles, or strong-holds, where the sieges shall be, and shall view the garrisons, as well of men as of victuals, that shall be therein, to this end that, on the day of the ceasing of this truce, the said towns, castles, and strongholds which shall be besieged be set in such number and store of victuals and of men as they shall be found with by the said fourteen persons."

"Also, it is agreed that the thieves and runaways of the land of Flanders, which have been with the king of France, shall not be able, during the truce, to enter nor come into Flanders. And, if they do that any of such go, counter to the truce, within the realm and its power, justice shall be done on them, and what they have in Flanders shall be forfeit."

"Also, it is agreed that the debts due at Arras, to the Crespinois, or to others in the realm of France, be not sued nor executed, during the said truce."

"Also, it is agreed that, during the said truce, all prisoners taken in this war shall be released from their prison, to return thither, on their troth and oath, if so be that they be not ransomed before the date of this present truce; save also that the said prisoners come back, plighting their troth to return on failure of the said truce. And if it happened that any prisoner were in default, refusing to return to prison, the lord under whom he should be should constrain him to return to prison."

"Also, it is agreed that all levies, whatever they be, made before the said truce in time of war, be they on goods spiritual or otherwise, be levied, without restitution, during the said truce."

"Also, it is agreed that a truce be taken forthwith between the English and the Scots, their lords, their aiders and allies, on sufferance of the war which they have between them, to last even to the said Nativity of St. John; and that certain persons be deputed by the said parties to be at a certain day and place upon the marches of England and Scotland, in order to affirm the said truce upon such conditions as aforetime hath been accustomed in those parts; also that, during the said truce, the French nor their lord shall not comfort them with men of arms. And in case that the people of Scotland nor their lord wish not to assent unto the said truce, or should infringe the same, then shall not the French nor their lord comfort them, during the said truce."

"Also, it is agreed that this present truce be notified in England and in Scotland within six and twenty days from the date thereof."

"Also, it is agreed that in this truce be included the people of Spain, of Castille, of Genoa, and of Provence, the bishop and chapter of Cambray, the city of Cambray, the castles of Cambresis and all Cambresis, and also the lord of Albret, the viscount of Fronsac, Gaston de Lisle, the lord of Treubon, the lord John of Vervin, and the lord of Roye."

"In witness whereof we have sealed these present letters with our seals. Done, granted, and given in the church of Esplechin, on Monday, the 25th day of September, in the year of grace 1340."

Moreover, the king sent as earnestly as he could to the most noble King of Bohemia¹, to Sir Adolphe de la Marck, Bishop of Liège², to the Bishop of Metz, to the Duke of Lorraine, to the Count of Bar, to the Count of Savoy³, to the Count of Geneva⁴, to the Count of Saarbrücken⁵, to the Count of Montbéliard⁶, to the lord of Montfaucon⁷, and to Sir John of Chalon⁸, all of whom belonged to the Empire and not to his kingdom, and he so strongly requested them that they all came to Arras with as great a force as each could muster.

Et avecques ce, ledit roy envoya si affectueusement qu'il pœut envers le trés noble roy de Bohème et messire Adoulphe de la Marche, evesque de Liege, à l'evesque de Mès, au duc de Lorehaine, au conte de Bar, au conte de Savoy, au conte de Geneve, au conte de Sallebruge, au conte de Montbliaut, au seigneur de Montfaucon t et à messire Jehan de Chalon, qui tous sont de l'Empire, non pas de son royaume, et tant les requist qu'ilz vinrent tous à Arras à telle puissance que chascun peut avoir.

Note 1. We see in the accounts of Barthélemy du Drach for the host of Bouvines that Philip VI made to John, King of Bohemia, a gift of 3,000 livres "for the good and agreeable services" he rendered to him. (Bibliothèque nationale, ms. fr. nouv. acq. 9239, fol. 282v. Cf. Chronographia, vol. II, p. 149, and Grandes Chroniques, vol. V, p. 402.)

1. Nous voyons, dans les comptes de Barthélemy du Drach pour l'ost de Bouvines, que Philippe VI fit à Jean, roi de Bohême, nn don de 3,000 livres «pour les bons et agreables services» qu'il lui rendit. (Bibl. nat., ms. fr. nouv. acq. 9239, fol. 282 v^o. Cf. Chronographia, t. II, p. 149, et Grandes Chroniques, t. V, p. 402.)

Note 2. Adolf, Bishop of Liège, served Philip of Valois with 500 men-at-arms for three months, that is, ninety days counted from the moment he left his country until the day he returned there. (Bibliothèque nationale, ms. fr. nouv. acq. 9239, fols. 246v–247.)

2. Adolphe, évêque de Liège, servit Philippe de Valois, avec 500 hommes d'armes, pendant trois mois, soit quatre-vingtdix jours comptés du moment où il quitta son pays jusqu'au jour où il y retourna. (Bibl. nat., ms. fr. nouv. acq. 9239, fol. 246 v^o et 247.)

Note 3. Aymon, Count of Savoy, had brought with him, from Chambéry to Thun-l’Évêque and to the bridge of Bouvines, 17 bannerets, 47 bachelor knights, 537 squires mounted at full pay, and 19 mounted at lesser pay. All these men served until 27th September, some beginning from 16th June, others from various dates extending up to 20th September. (Bibliothèque nationale, ms. fr. nouv. acq. 9299, fol. 246r.)

3. Amé, comte de Savoie, avait amené avec lui, de Chambéry à Thun-l'Évêque et au pont de Bouvines, 17 bannerets, 47 chevaliers bacheliers, 537 écuyers montés au prix et 19 montés à moins de prix. Tous ces hommes servirent jusqu'au 27 septembre, les uns à partir du 16 juin, les autres à partir d'autres dates s'échelonnant jusqu'au 20 septembre. (Bibl. nat., ms. fr. nouv. acq. 9299, fol. 246 r^o.)

Note 4. Amadeus, Count of Geneva, formed part of the company of the Count of Savoy. He had brought with him, from Annecy to Thun-l’Évêque and to the bridge of Bouvines, 6 banneret knights, 3 bachelor knights, 3 squires bannerets paid as bachelors, and 252 squires, who served from 16th June to 27th September. Some additional squires arrived at dates closer to 27th September. (Bibliothèque nationale, ms. fr. nouv. acq. 9239, fol. 246v.)

4. Amé, comte de Genève, faisait partie de la compagnie du comte de Savoie. Il avait amené avec lui, d'Annecy à Thunl'Évéque et au pont de Bouvines, 6 chevaliers bannerets, 3 chevaliers bacheliers, 3 écuyers bannerets, payés comme bacheliers, et 252 écuyers, qui servirent du 16 juin au 27 septembre. Quelques écuyers vinrent encore à des dates plus rapprochées du 27. (Bibl. nat., ms. fr. nouv. acq. 9239, fol. 246 ve.)

Note 5. Jean, Count of Saarbrücken, served in the "battle" of the Duke of Normandy with 3 bachelor knights and 28 squires, from 26th May to 27th September 1340. He came from Commercy to Escaudœuvres and returned from Bouvines to Commercy. (Bibliothèque nationale, ms. fr. nouv. acq. 9239, fol. 224v.)

5. Jean, comte de Sarrebrück, servit en «la bataille» du duc de Normandie avec 3 chevaliers bacheliers et 28 écuyers, du 26 mai au 27 septembre 1340. Il vint de Commercy à Escaudœuyres et retourna de Bouvines à Commercy. (Bibl. nat., ms. fr. nouv. acq. 9239, fol. 224 w.)

Note 6. Henri, Count of Montbéliard, served in the "battle" of Eudes, Duke of Burgundy, Count of Artois, with 5 bachelor knights and 51 squires, from 19 April to 27 September. Others joined him later, on 12 May and 2 July. (Bibliothèque nationale, ms. fr. nouv. acq. 9239, fol. 214r.)

6. Henri, comte de Montbéliard, servit dans «la bataille» d'Eudes, duc de Bourgogne, comte d'Artois, avec 5 chevaliers bacheliers et 51 écuvers, du 19 avril au 27 septembre. D'autres vinrent encore le rejoindre au 12 mai et au 2 juillet. (Bibl. nat., ms. fr, nouv. acq. 9239, fol. 214 r^o.)

Note 7. Girard de Montfaucon, a banneret knight, served in the company of Louis de Poitiers, Count of Valentinois. (Ibid., fol. 283v.)

7. Girart de Montfaucon, chevalier banneret, servit en la compagnie de Louis de Poitiers, comte de Valentinois. (Ibid., fol, 283 ve.)

Note 8. Jean de Châlon, lord of Arlay, came in the company of the Duke of Burgundy and served under his command with 2 bannerets, 23 bachelor knights, and 111 squires. (Ibid., fol. 225r; see also fols. 214v and 215.)

8. Jean de Châlon, sire d'Arlay, vint en la compagnie du duc de Bourgogne et servit sous ses ordres, avec 2 bannerets, 23 chevaliers bacheliers et III écuyers. (Ibid., fol. 225 r^o; voy. aussi fol, 214 ve et 215: