I believe that if they had done so they would have done well and could easily have forged a peace, but they did not and have since paid for it, as has the whole of
Flanders. The situation was not as bad then as it would become later, nor were the misfortunes of
Flanders at their worst, as I will relate to you further on in this history. After the defeat that day at
Nevele which left
Rasse van Herzeele and
Jean de Lannoy dead, the
count of Flanders heard that
Pieter van den Bossche and a battalion of
Ghenters were in the fields and making their way back to
Ghent. The
count came to a halt and sought counsel from his knights whether they should pursue combat with them, and they advised that they had done enough for one day and that his men were all worn out and should rest.
"However, my lord, it may be wise to send five or six hundred well-mounted men-at-arms after them to observe their circumstances. They might lodge somewhere tonight so that we could be there when they departed."
The
count consented to this suggestion and did so. Those who were to form this expedition party immediately received orders and the
lord of Enghien was appointed their commander-in-chief. About five hundred lance mounted up, took their leave of
Nevele and the
count and took to the fields, riding along furtively, the better to observe the
Ghenters, and continuing so far that they saw them descend a small hill in close ranks and good order, marching at a brisk pace without breaking their formation.
The
lord of Enghien and his company followed them at a distance and on their flank.
Pieter van den Bossche and the
Ghenters were well aware of them but showed no sign of scattering, and
Pieter van den Bossche said,
"Let us go our way in good order and not break ranks. If they attack us we shall face them, but I do not believe they have any desire to do that."
And so they each marched on without taking any action until they reached
Ghent, where the
lord of Enghien and his force went back to the
count, and
Pieter van den Bossche and his men returned to
Ghent.
Pieter van den Bossche was subjected to questioning and on the point of being killed for not having come to the aid of
Rasse and his men.
Pieter exculpated himself, and truthfully so, saying that he had sent a message to
Rasse that he should under no circumstances engage in combat without him, for the
count was too strong in the field, but that he had done the opposite.
"If he has come a cropper, I cannot remedy it. I can assure you that I am as deeply affected as anyone by Rasse's death, for the town of
Ghent has lost a valiant and astute captain there. Now we must find another or else lay everything at the will and behest of the
count, who will condemn us all to a terrible death. Consider what you would rather do, either persevere in what you have begun, or put yourselves at the mercy of my
lord."
Pieter did not receive a response to this but, regarding the
battle of Nevele and the death of
Rasse, he was cleared and exonerated.
pb 64 v