Sources on Guillaume le Berger, Guillaume de Mende, Le Petit Berger viz William the Shepherd
This page contains a collecton of accounts about the "Little Shepherd," Guillaume de Mende, or Guillaume le Berger. We note that none of these accounts, including the earliest, from the Bourgeois de Paris from an entry in his journal in early August, 1429.
See Letter of Archbishop Regnault de Chartres to the people of Reims on the capture of Joan of Arc
Chronique du Bourgeois de Paris
From Journal d’un Bourgeois de Paris, ed. Tuetey (1881), p. 272
581. Item, celle année fut la Sainct Dominique au dimenche; et ce jour revint le régent à Paris, lequel avoit esté espié des Arminalx. Quant il cuida passer Mante, ilz le cuiderent prendre; mais, comme bien advisé, repassa la rivière, et vint jour et nuyt, tant qu’il fut à Paris, et vint par la porte Sainct-Jacques le jour Sainct-Dominique; et ses gens tindrent pié à leurs ennemis, tant que de toutes pars en demoura plus que mestier ne fust.
La nouvelle de ce courut jusques à ceulx de l’ost qui estoient devant Loviers; si laissèrent deux ou trois cappitaines le siège à toutes leurs gens, qui cuidoient que le régent fust prins. Quant ilz sorent que non estoit, si s’enhardirent et allèrent jusques devant Beauvays, et s’ embuscherent; si fut dit à ceulx de la cité, si se hasterent d’yssir qui mieulx mieulx.
Les gens du régent sorent leur manière par leurs espies; si en yssit une partie qui se mirent entre la ville et les Arminalx, et les autres vindrent par devant et les assaillirent moult asprement1; et eulx se deffendirent moult bien, mais quant ilz virent venir par darrière les autres, si cuiderent que plus fussent trop qu’ilz n’estoient; si se desconfirent d’eulx mesmes, et furent prins les plus gros cappitaines ou tuez.
Et entre les autres avoit ung meschant nommé Guillaume le Berger2 qui faisoit les gens ydolatres en luy, et chevaulchoit de costé, et monstroit de foys en autres ses mains et ses piez et son costé, et estoient tachez de sanc comme Saint Françoys.
Et fut prins ung cappitaine nommé Poton de Sainct-Traille, de moult grant renommée, et autres assez, et furent [menez] à Rouen.
footnotes p. 272
1. Cette rencontre entre les Anglais commandés par les comtes de Warwick, d'Arondel, de Salisbury, de Suffolk, et les Français sous les ordres du maréchal de Boussac, de Poton de Saintrailles, de Louis de Waucourt et de La Hire eut lieu vers le 12 août entre Beauvais et Savignies; elle est connue dans l'histoire sous le nom de bataille du Berger (v. Lefèvre de Saint-Remy, édit. Buchon, c. CCXXII).
2. Guillaume de Mende, dit le Petit Berger, visionnaire idiot substitué à la Pucelle par Renaud de Chartres, archevêque de Reims, eut une piteuse odyssée : tombé au pouvoir des Anglais, conduit d'abord à Rouen, puis ramené à Paris pour être donné en spectacle lors de l'entrée du roi d'Angleterre , il finit par disparaître sans laisser de traces. Suivant un chroniqueur bourguignon, Lefèvre de Saint-Remy (édit. Buchon, p. 526), « le pauvre bregier fut gecté en la rivière de Seine » et noyé sans autre forme de procès.
English
581. Item, that year Saint-Dominic’s Day fell on a Sunday; and on that day the Regent returned to Paris, he who had been spied upon by the Armagnacs.
When he thought to pass by Mantes, they tried to take him; but, being well-advised, he recrossed the river, and traveled day and night until he reached Paris, and he entered by the Saint-Jacques gate on Saint-Dominic’s Day; and his men held their ground against their enemies, so that on all sides more of them fell than was necessary.
The news of this ran to those of the host who were before Louviers, so that two or three captains left the siege to all their men, who believed that the Regent had been taken. When they learned it was not so, they took courage and went as far as before Beauvais, and set themselves in ambush. And word of this came to those of the city, so they hastened to come out, each striving to be first.
The Regent’s men learned their plan through their spies; so a part of them went out and placed themselves between the town and the Armagnacs, and the others came from the front and attacked them very fiercely1; and they defended themselves very well, but when they saw the others coming from behind, they thought they were far more in number than they really were; so they lost heart of themselves, and the greatest captains were taken or killed.
And among the others there was a wicked (miscreant) fellow named Guillaume le Berger2, who made the people idolize him, and he rode sideways on a horse, and at times showed his hands and his feet and his side, and they were stained with blood like Saint Francis.
And there was taken a captain named Poton de Saint-Trailles, of very great renown, and many others, and they were brought to Rouen.
Footnotes:
1.This encounter between the English, commanded by the Earls of Warwick, Arundel, Salisbury, and Suffolk, and the French, under the orders of Marshal de Boussac, Poton de Saintrailles, Louis de Waucourt, and La Hire, took place around August 12 between Beauvais and Savignies; it is known in history as the Battle of Berger (see Lefèvre de Saint-Remy, ed. Buchon, ch. CCXXII)
2. Guillaume de Mende, known as the Little Shepherd, an idiot visionary who was substituted for the Maid by Renaud de Chartres, Archbishop of Reims, had a pitiful odyssey: having fallen into the hands of the English, he was first taken to Rouen, then brought back to Paris to be exhibited during the entry of the King of England, and ultimately disappeared without a trace. According to a Burgundian chronicler, Lefèvre de Saint-Remy (Buchon edition, p. 526), "the poor shepherd was thrown into the River Seine" and drowned without any further trial.
Chronique de Jean Le Fevre
Morand edition
CHAPITRE CLXXX.
De la bataille du bregier, où les François furent desconfitz des Anglois.
Bien advez ouy parler comment aucuns, de léger entendement et créance voulage, se bouttèrent à croire que les faiz de la Pucelle estoient choses miraculeuses et permises de par Dieu, et fort y furent enclins plusieurs de ce croire. Or, advint après la mort de Jehenne la Pucelle que aucuns, aussi de folle créance, mirent sus ung fol et innocent bregier, lequel, comme avoit dict Jehenne la Pucelle, disoit qu’il avoit révélation divine, affin qu’il se meïst sus en armes pour aidier ce noble roy de France : icelle folie fut expérimentée à la charge, déshonneur et perte du royaulme.
Et advint que plusieurs notables seigneurs et capitaines, eulx confiants en iceluy bregier, se mirent aux champs. Et quant les Anglois le sceurent, ilz firent une grant assemblée pour résister allencontre d’eux ; et tant exploittèrent les François qu’ilz vinrent assez près de la cité de Beauvais.
De la part des François estoient le maerschal de Boussac, Pothon de Saint-Trailles, La Hire et plusieurs aultres capitaines en leur compaignie. Et le chief estoit ce meschant homme, le bregier.
De la part des Anglois estoient le conte d’Arondel, le seigneur de Talebot, et plusieurs autres.
English
CHAPTER 180
On the battle of the Shepherd, where the French were defeated by the English.
You have indeed heard how some people, of light understanding and fickle belief, threw themselves into believing that the deeds of the Maid were miraculous and permitted by God, and many were greatly inclined to believe this.
Now, it happened after the death of Jeanne the Maid that some, also of foolish belief, put forward a foolish and innocent shepherd, who, as Jeanne the Maid had said, claimed that he had divine revelation so that he might put himself into arms to aid this noble king of France.
This folly was tested at the cost, dishonor, and loss of the kingdom.
And it happened that several notable lords and captains, trusting themselves in this shepherd, took the field. And when the English learned of it, they made a great assembly to resist them; and the French pushed their exploits so far that they came quite near the city of Beauvais.
On the side of the French were the marshal of Boussac, Poton de Sainte-Trailles, La Hire, and several other captains in their company. And the leader was this wicked man, the shepherd.
On the side of the English were the Earl of Arundel, the Lord Talbot, and several others.
Bouchon edition
Choix de chroniques et mémoires sur l'histoire de France, 6: avec notes et ... - Google Books
De la bataille du Bregier où les François furent desconfits des Anglois
Or advint, après la mort de Jehanne la Pucelle — bien avez ouï parler comment aucuns de léger et créance voulurent se boutter à croire que les fais de la Pucelle estoient choses miraculeuses et permises de par Dieu — et fort y furent plusieurs enclins de le croire ; que aussi aucuns, de folle créance, mirent sus un fol Bregier, lequel, comme avoit dit la Pucelle Jehanne, disoit qu’il avoit révélation divine afin qu’il se mist sus en armes, afin d’aidier ce noble roy de France.
Icelle folie fut expérimentée à la charge, perte et déshonneur du royaulme.
Et advint que plusieurs nottables seigneurs et cappitaines, eux confiants en iceluy Bregier, se mirent aux champs ; et quand les Anglois le sceurent, ils firent une grant assemblée pour résister à l’encontre d’eux.
De la part des François estoient le mareschal de Boussac, Pothon de Sainte-Trailles, La Hire, et plusieurs aultres cappitaines en leur compaignie ; le chief, ce meschant Bregier.
De la part des Anglois estoient le comte d’Arondel, le seigneur de Talbot, et plusieurs aultres.
Lesquels François et Anglois assemblèrent à bataille et combattirent très vaillamment les ungs et les aultres. Touteffois la fortune tourna sur les François, et là furent plusieurs mors et prins.
Le vaillant Pothon de Sainte-Trailles, qui depuis fut mareschal de France, y fut prins ; et se y fut prins le pauvre Bregier, sur lequel estoit l’espérance des François.
Le mareschal de Boussac, La Hire, et aultres se retrairent à Beauvais ; et les Anglois, à grant honneur, triomphe et gloire, s’en retournèrent atout leurs proies et conquestes, et là fut mené le Bregier.
Qu’il devint depuis, je ne sçay ; mais j’ouy dire qu’il avoit esté gecté en la rivière de Seine et noyé.
Icelle bataille fut appellée « la bataille du Bregier », laquelle bataille est plus au long escripte ès livres de ceulx qui en ont cronicqué.
Et atant je m’en passe et me souffist d’en faire mencion.
English translation
Now it happened, after the death of Jeanne the Maid —you have indeed heard how some people of light judgment and credulity wanted to throw themselves into believing that the deeds of the Maid were miraculous things and permitted by God, and many were strongly inclined to believe it— that likewise some, in foolish belief, put forward a foolish Shepherd, who, as the Maid Jeanne had said, declared that he had divine revelation so that he should take up arms in order to help this noble king of France.
This folly was tested at the cost, loss, and dishonor of the kingdom.
And it happened that several notable lords and captains, trusting themselves in this Shepherd, took the field; and when the English learned of it, they made a great assembly to resist them.
On the side of the French were the Marshal de Boussac, Poton de Sainte-Trailles, La Hire, and several other captains in their company; the leader, this wicked Shepherd.
On the side of the English were the Earl of Arundel, the Lord Talbot, and several others.
These French and English assembled for battle and fought very valiantly on both sides.
Nevertheless fortune turned against the French, and there many were killed and taken.
The valiant Poton de Sainte-Trailles, who afterward became Marshal of France, was taken there; and there too was taken the poor Shepherd, upon whom the hope of the French had rested.
The Marshal de Boussac, La Hire, and others withdrew to Beauvais; and the English, with great honor, triumph, and glory, returned with their booty and conquests, and there was led the Shepherd.
What became of him afterward, I do not know; but I heard say that he had been thrown into the river Seine and drowned.
This battle was called “the Battle of the Shepherd,” which battle is written more fully in the books of those who have chronicled it.
And with that I pass on, and it suffices me to make mention of it.
Chronique de Charles VII by Jean Chartier
Chronique de Charles VII, roi de france : Chartier, Jean : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive; pp. 132-133
Chapitre 76.
[Affaire de Beauvoiz. Poton de Saintrailles et Le Berger sont pris par les Anglais.]
Environ ce temps, le conte d’Arondel, Anglois, à tout bien deux mille combatans ou environ, s’aproucha de Beauvoiz à une lieue près ou environ, et envoya ses coureurs courir devant icelle ville de Beauvoiz.
En laquelle estoient le sire de Boussac, mareschal de France, ung cappitaine gascon nommé Poton de Santrailles, et bien de huit cens à mille combatans. Et saillirent après iceulx coureurs lesdits mareschal, Poton et leurs gens, avec plusieurs gens de ladite ville, à pié, en chassant iceulx coureurs anglois.
Et quant ilz furent loing de ladite ville comme environ demye lieue, soudainement vindrent saillir d’une vallée ledit conte d’Arondel et ses gens. Et lors fut dit par lesdits mareschal et Poton qu’il estoit de nécessité de eulx mettre en bataille et ordonnance, et en prenant conseil sur ce qu’ilz avoient à faire, venoient tousjours iceulx Anglois à pié et à cheval, et sans point marchander vindrent iceulx Anglois frapper sur iceulx François.
Lesquelz n’estoient pas du tout arrêtez en leur conclusion, et de quoy la plus grant part avoit jà le pié levé. Et finalement furent iceulx François desconfilz par ledit conte d’Arondel, et y en ot plusieurs mors et prins, et principaument y furent mors plusieurs gens de ladite ville qui estoient allez à pié.
Et y fut prins ledit Poton de Saintrailles et ung valleton qui se nommoit Le Bergier, qui disoit qu’il venoit de par Dieu, lequel on réputoit pour fol.
Et se retira audit lieu de Beauvoiz ledit mareschal, avec grand nombre d’icelle compaignie.
English
Chapter 76
[The affair of Beauvais. Poton de Saintrailles and “Le Berger” are taken by the English]
Around this time, the Earl of Arundel, an Englishman, with some two thousand combatants or so, approached Beauvais within about a league or thereabout, and sent his foragers to ride out before that town of Beauvais.
In that town were the Sire de Boussac, Marshal of France, a Gascon captain named Poton de Saintrailles, and well eight hundred to a thousand combatants. And those same marshal, Poton, and their men went out after those foragers, together with several men of that town, on foot, chasing those English foragers.
And when they were far from the town, about half a league, suddenly the said Earl of Arundel and his men sprang out from a valley. And then it was said by the said marshal and Poton that it was necessary to put themselves in battle order and array; and while they were taking counsel on what they should do, those English came on continually, on foot and on horseback, and without hesitation came to strike upon those French.
These latter were not at all settled in their decision, and most of them already had one foot lifted (i.e. were in retreat). And finally those French were defeated by the said Earl of Arundel, and many were killed and taken, and especially many of the people of that town who had gone out on foot.
And there were taken the said Poton de Saintrailles, and a youth (valleton) who was called “Le Bergier,” who said that he came on God’s behalf, whom people considered to be mad (fol).
And the said marshal withdrew to that place of Beauvais with a great number of that company.
Chronique de la Pucelle by Monstrelet
CHAPITRE CI
Comment Pothon de Sainte-Treille et messire Louis de Vaucourt furent pris des Anglois.
En l’an dessus dit, le maréchal de Boussac, Pothon de Sainte-Treille, messire Louis de Vaucourt et aucuns autres capitaines tenant le parti du roi Charles, accompagnés de huit cents combattants ou environ, se partirent de la ville de Beauvais pour aller querir leurs aventures et fourrer le pays envers Gournay en Normandie.
Avec lesquels y étoit un qu’ils (les Français) nommoient Pastourel, et le vouloient exhausser en renommée comme et par telle manière que, par avant, avoit été Jeanne la Pucelle.
Si fut sue leur entreprise et rapportée au comte de Warwick, lequel en grand diligence assembla jusqu’à six cents combattants, et chevaucha en tirant de Gournay à Beauvais, et rencontra ses ennemis, qui point ne se doutoient de sa venue, auprès d’une ville nommée Gournay; lesquels il et les Anglois furent âprement assaillis; et enfin, sans ce que par eux fût faite grande défense, furent déconfits et mis en déroi.
Et furent pris à la première venue Pothon de Sainte-Treille, messire Louis de Vaucourt, et avec eux soixante combattants ou environ; et les autres, réservés huit ou dix qui furent morts, se sauvèrent avec ledit maréchal en retournant à Beauvais.
Auprès duquel lieu furent iceux Anglois poursuivis et chassés moult vivement; et après, ledit comte de Warwick rassembla ses gens et retourna à Gournay, moult joyeux de sa bonne aventure; et depuis à Rouen, devers le duc de Bedford, duquel ils furent joyeusement reçus.
English
CHAPTER CI
How Poton de Sainte-Treille and Sir Louis de Vaucourt were taken by the English
In the above-said year, the Marshal de Boussac, Poton de Sainte-Treille, Sir Louis de Vaucourt, and some other captains holding the party of King Charles, accompanied by eight hundred combatants or thereabout, departed from the town of Beauvais to go seek their adventures and forage the countryside toward Gournay in Normandy.
With them there was one whom the French called Pastourel, and whom they wanted to exalt in renown in the same and such manner as Jeanne the Maid had been before.
But their enterprise was discovered and reported to the Earl of Warwick, who with great haste assembled up to six hundred combatants, and rode from Gournay toward Beauvais, and encountered his enemies, who in no way suspected his coming, near a town called Gournay.
These were sharply attacked by him and the English; and finally, without making any great defense, they were defeated and put to rout.
And at the first onset were taken Poton de Sainte-Treille, Sir Louis de Vaucourt, and with them about sixty combatants; and the others, except eight or ten who were killed, saved themselves with the said Marshal in returning to Beauvais.
Near that place the English were vigorously pursued and chased; and afterwards the said Earl of Warwick gathered his men and returned to Gournay, very joyful of his good fortune, and afterward to Rouen, to the Duke of Bedford, by whom they were joyfully received.
what's this:
Here for Bouchon's edition: Collection des chroniques nationales françaises écrites en langue vulgaire du 13me au 16me siècle : avec notes et éclaircissements : Buchon, J. A. C. (Jean Alexandre C.), 1791-1846 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive; p. 427-428