rched
through the Forest of Guise, to the besieged town and entered it on
the 23rd, at daybreak, without having encountered any Burgundians.
There were none in the neighbourhood of the Forest, on the left bank
of the Oise.[1998]

[Footnote 1998: _Trial_, vol. i, p. 114. Perceval de Cagny, p. 174.
Extract from a note concerning G. de Flavy, in _Trial_, vol. v, p.
176. Morosini, vol. iii, p. 296, note 1.]

They were all on the other side of the river. There meadowland extends
for some three-quarters of a mile, while beyond rises the slope of
Picardy. Because this meadow was low, damp and frequently flooded, a
causeway had been built leading from the bridge to the village of
Margny, which rose on the steep slope of the hill. Some two miles up
the river there towered the belfry of Clairoix, at the junction of the
Aronde and the Oise. On the opposite bank rose the belfry of Venette,
about a mile and a quarter lower down, towards Pont-Sainte-Maxence.[1999]

[Footnote 1999: Manuscript map of Compiegne in 1509, in Debout, _Jeanne
d'Arc_, vol. ii, p. 293. Plan of the town of Compiegne, engraved by
Aveline in the 17th century, reduction published by _La Societe
historique de Compiegne_, May, 1877. Lambert de Ballyhier, _Compiegne
historique et monumental_, 1842, 2 vols. in 8vo, engravings. Plan of
the restitution of the town of Compiegne in 1430, in A. Sorel, _La
prise de Jeanne d'Arc_. P. Champion, _Guillaume de Flavy_, p. 43.]

A little band of Burgundians commanded by a knight, Messire Baudot de
Noyelles, occupied the high ground of the village of Margny. Most
renowned among the men of war of the Burgundian party was Messire Jean
de Luxembourg. He with his Picards was posted at Clairoix, on the
banks of the Aronde, at the foot of Mount Ganelon. The five hundred
English of Lord Montgomery watched the Oise at Venette. Duke Philip
occupied Coudun, a good two and a half miles from the town, towards
Picardy.[2000] Such dispositions were in accordance with the precepts
of the most experienced captains. It was their rule that when
besieging a fortified town a large number of men-at-arms should never
be concentrated in one spot, in one camp, as they said. In case of a
sudden attack, it was thought that a large company, if it has but one
base, will be surprised and routed just as easily as a lesser number,
and the disaster will be grievous. Wherefore it is better to divide
the besiegers into small companies and to place them not fa