Chapter 5

CLIFF CASTLES. THE ROUTIERS

The seigneural castle--Protection sought against the foes without and against the peasant in revolt--Instance of the Château Les Eyzies-- Independence of the petty nobles--Condition of the country in France-- In Germany--Weakness of the Emperor--The Raubritter--Italy--The nobles brought into the towns--Their towers--Division of the subject-- Difference between the English manor-house and the foreign feudal castle--The English in France--The Hundred Years' War--Hopeless condition of the people--The Free Companies--How recruited--Crusade against the Albigenses--Barons no better than Routiers--Death of chivalry--Routiers were rarely Englishmen--Had no scruples as to whom they served--Disregarded treaties--The captains were Gascons or French --The nobles of the south on the English side--Nests in the rock-- Depopulation and devastation--Insolence of the Companies--Bigaroque-- Roc de Tayac--Corn--Roquefort--Brengues--The Bishop of Cahors dies there--Château du Diable at Cabrerets--Défilé des Anglais--Peyrousse-- Les Roches du Tailleur--Trosky--The scolding women--The English not forgotten in Guyenne . . . . . 117-141