During this time, the kings of France and of Sicily arrived at Darnetal[52]; but when they saw that the attempt had failed, and that the citizens of Rouen were not unanimous to assist them, they returned, on the 16th day of October, to Pont de l'Arche. The army was quartered in the villages on the banks of the Seine, according to their former disposition.
On the 17th day of October, sir Richard Merbury, the english knight before mentioned, fulfilled his engagement, and delivered the town and castle of Gisors to the lord de Gaucourt, for the king of France. In consequence, his children were restored to him, and all the articles agreed on fulfilled; after which, he departed. He, however, sent away, previously to yielding up the place, an english captain called Regnéfort[53], who had been his lieutenant in the command of the garrison, and in the guard of the castle.
At this period, the duke of Brittany left lower Normandy, where he had taken many places, on his return to besiege the town of Fougeres, held by sir Francis de Surienne, called the Arragonian.
The French, at this time, won the town of Condé sur Noireau[54] through neglect of the guard at the gate; and therein was taken the lady of sir Francis de Surienne, who had been driven from her lord's own residence, and forced to shelter herself in Condé. The French plundered every thing within the town, and also carried away the English prisoners.
FOOTNOTES:
[51] Neufbourg,—a town in Normandy, between the Seine and Rille, 8 leagues from Rouen.
[52] Darnetal,—a town very near to Rouen.
[53] Regnéfort. Q. Rainford.
[54] Condé sur Noireau,—in the valley of Noireau, diocese of Bayeux.