That part of it near to the quarters of the count de St Pol was so courageously attacked that it was carried by storm, notwithstanding the very gallant defence of the English. Many brilliant acts were done by the count de Dunois' men, who entered the place at the same time with the others, crossing the ditches with water up to their necks.
Four hundred and twenty English retreated into a strong house at the end of the town under their captains, Montfort, treasurer of Normandy, and Foucques Ebon, who surrendered themselves prisoners to the counts de Dunois and de St Pol.
Twenty-two new knights were made on this occasion, such as the lord de Moy, the son of the vidame of Amiens, the son of the lord de Rambures, and others. Thus was Pont Audemer replaced under the obedience of the king of France.
King Charles came to Vendôme on this day, the 12th, and remained there until the 18th day of August, when he marched for Chartres, and arrived there on the 22d.
FOOTNOTES:
[4] Four hundred. In the original it is four thousand,—but this number appeared to me too great.
CHAP. III.
THE ENGLISH INVADE SCOTLAND TWICE, AND ARE AS MANY TIMES REPULSED[5].—THE TOWER OF VERNEUIL SURRENDERS TO THE KING OF FRANCE.—OTHER MATTERS.
It was evident that Heaven was against the English,—and they were deserving of it, for it is a fact that they have alway encroached on their Christian eighbours, as well in the kingdom of France as in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and elsewhere. Many violences have most unjustly been done by them, by reason of their not having the words of our Saviour Jesus Christ before their eyes, 'Render unto Cæsar the things that be Cæsar's and unto God the things that be God's.'
Among their various plans of annoyance to their neighbours, they carried one about this time into effect, namely, an invasion of Scotland. The earl of Salisbury sent two lords of great renown, natives of England, sir Thomas de Hanton, knight, and the lord Percy, son to the earl of Northumberland, to wage war against Scotland. They had with them fifteen thousand combatants and a numerous body of peasants, and, crossing the river Solway, entered Scotland, where they remained three days, having advanced six miles of that country, equal to three french leagues.