[105] Helman. Lomaigne.—Du Cange.
[106] Chalenton. Chalencon.—Du Cange.
[107] Pennesach. Vennensach.—Du Cange.
[108] Meillan,—a small town in Gascony, near Tartas.
CHAP. LVI.
THE KING OF FRANCE, AFTER GAINING TARTAS, COMES BEFORE SAINT SEVERE, AND CONQUERS THAT TOWN AND CASTLE, WITH SOME OTHERS IN GASCONY.
On the Wednesday following the surrender of Tartas, the king of France marched his army before the town of Saint Severe[109], whither, as it was very strongly fortified with five bastions, the whole country had withdrawn with their cattle and effects. The dauphin's men, on their arrival, made an attack on two of these bastions with such success that they gained them, and lodged themselves therein.
Within a few days, another was won by the king's division, who ordered an immediate attack on the fourth: the English made a vigorous defence, but were driven thence, and pursued as far as the gate of the principal bastion. The French continued their attacks on this place, without having had any orders from the king or his captains,—and they lasted for a long time with great valour on both sides; but at length the French gained the victory, and conquered the place by storm, putting to death about eight hundred English, with the loss of from twenty to thirty of their own men, but in that number was the little Blanchefort.
The town was won on the side where the constable attacked it, when on the part of the English, sir Thomas Rampstone and a few more were made prisoners. The king after this conquest, remained there for twelve days, and thence marched to besiege the town of Dax, which occupied him for the space of five weeks, as there was a strong fortification in front of one of the gates. When the battering cannon had partly demolished the walls of the town, orders were given for storming this fortification which held out most obstinately for five hours, but was at last won about nightfall. Ten or twelve English were killed and very many of the French wounded.