The knights replied that they would do no such thing for they had been stationed there by the
count of Flanders to defend the town, and they would do all in their power to protect it. It was not in the power of the
Ghenters to get in, except by treachery. Words were increasingly thrown back and forth between noblemen and the deans of the minor trades that these last shrieked at them,
"Death to you! You will not be masters of our town."
Then they were violently attacked and forced back down the street, for numbers were not on their side, and five knights were killed, including
Sir Jean de Roubaix and
Sir Hovard de la Hovarderie, which was a terrible pity.
Sir Henri d'Antoing was in great danger of his life and several of the wealthy townsmen were only barely able to rescue him. In any case he was saved, along with a great many others, but the gate was opened and the
Ghenters surged in, becoming lords and masters of the town without any of them doing any damage. And when they had been there two days and had secured a sound agreement with the town and its people, who swore oaths to them in the same manner as those of
Bruges,
Kortrijk,
Geraardsbergen and
Damme had done, that they would keep it, and had delivered up hostages for the same purpose, they departed courteously and returned to
Ghent, passing through
Kortrijk on their way.
SHF 2-117 sync
How the Ghenters besieged the town of Oudenaarde from all sides, and of the fierce attack they launched on Dendermonde where the count of Flanders was residing.
The
count of Flanders, who was residing at
Lille, heard that the citizens of
Ypres had defected and that all this had been done by the minor trades.
He was furious, as much for the death of his knights who had been killed within the town, as for other things. Nevertheless, he consoled himself and said,
"If we have lost
Ypres this time, we will recover it at another to their great detriment, for I will strike off so many heads both there and elsewhere that all others will be appalled."
The
count was especially intent on providing the town of
Oudenaarde with supplies and good men-at-arms to defend it, because he expected the
Ghenters to come and lay siege to it with their armed men. If they became its lords it would be a terrible blow to him, because they would have the fine
river Scheldt and the navigation of it at their disposal and under their control. So he deliberately sent there a great many knights and squires of
Flanders,
Hainault, and
Artois, who gathered and installed themselves and became masters of it, whether the townspeople liked it or not. The captains of
Ghent, who had withdrawn to their town, heard how the
count was stationing a large garrison in the town of
Oudenaarde and so they resolved that they would go and besiege it, and would not leave until they had conquered it and all those within were dead, and the gates and walls battered down. Orders were issued in
Ghent for every man to make preparations, as befitted him, to depart and go wherever they were led. None disobeyed this command; they organised themselves loading tents, pavilions and provisions, and departed
Ghent.
pb 21 r