rms was a scourge, of which
the citizens were as much afraid as of the Black Death.[1469] King
Charles, being careful to spare the citizens, took measures to control
this scourge. By his command the heralds cried that under pain of
hanging no soldier must enter the houses or take anything against the
will of the townsfolk.[1470]

[Footnote 1469: T. Babeau, _Le guet et la milice bourgeoise a Troyes_,
pp. 4 _et seq._]

[Footnote 1470: _Relation du greffier de La Rochelle_, p. 342.
_Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 319. _Journal du siege_, p. 112. Th.
Boutiot, _Histoire de la ville de Troyes_, vol. ii, p. 505. A.
Roserot, _Le plus ancien registre des deliberations du conseil de
Troyes_ in _Coll. des documents inedits de la ville de Troyes_, vol.
iii, pp. 175 _et seq._]

CHAPTER XVIII

THE SURRENDER OF CHALONS AND OF REIMS--THE CORONATION

Leaving Troyes, the royal army entered into the poorer part of
Champagne, crossed the Aube near Arcis, and took up its quarters at
Lettree, twelve and a half miles from Chalons. From Lettree the King
sent his herald Montjoie to the people of Chalons to ask them to
receive him and render him obedience.[1471]

[Footnote 1471: J. Rogier, in _Trial_, vol. iv, p. 298. Morosini, vol.
iii, p. 179. Edition Barthelemy of _L'histoire de la ville de
Chalons-sur-Marne_, proofs and illustrations no. 25, pp. 334, 335.]

The towns of Champagne were as closely related as the fingers of one
hand. When the Dauphin was at Brinion-l'Archeveque, the people of
Chalons had heard of it from their friends of Troyes. The latter had
even told them that Friar Richard, the preacher, had brought them a
letter from Jeanne the Maid. Whereupon the folk of Chalons wrote to
those of Reims:

"We are amazed at Friar Richard. We esteemed him a man right worthy.
But he has turned sorcerer. We announce unto you that the citizens of
Troyes are making war against the Dauphin's men. We are resolved to
resist the enemy with all our strength."[1472]

[Footnote 1472: J. Rogier, in _Trial_, vol. iv, pp. 290, 291. Varin,
_Archives legislatives de la ville de Reims, Statuts_, vol. 1, pp. 596
_et seq._ (_Coll. des documents inedits sur l'histoire de France_,
1845).]

They thought not one word of what they wrote, and they knew that the
citizens of Reims would believe none of it. But it was important to
display great loyalty to the Duke of Burgundy before receiving another
master.

The Count Bishop of Chalons came out t