In the Abby the Flemmings shall be slashed,
The two younger sons half a stonished with blows,
The followers oppressed, and the Guards all cut in pieces.
ANNOT.
This is a peculiar accident that happened before the taking of the Town of Saint Quentin by the Spaniard in the year 1557. and fell out thus. News being come to the King of France, that the powerful Army of the Spaniard was gone to Besiege St. Quentin, he made all imaginable diligence to succour it; the Spaniards to hinder the relief had seized upon an ancient Abby of the Vermandois, which is in the next Forrest, that was anciently called the Forrest Bourlis, and is at present called the Forrest of the Abbay Vermandois, called in Latine Augusta Veromanduorum, builded by an ancient Hungarian Captain called Vermandig. In process of time it was all ruinated, and only one Abby left, wherein was the Episcopal See, which afterwards was transferred into the City of Noyon. After the ruine of this Town, that of St. Quentin next to it became the chief City of Vermandois; It was named St. Quentin, because the Emperor Dioclesian having sent St. Quentin a Roman Senator to be Governour of it, he did convert the Inhabitants to the Christian Faith, and after he himself did suffer there Martyrdom.
In that Abby a great many Flemmings had intranched themselves, but the French going to relieve the Town, did force their Trenches and Fortifications, and in the heat of the fight the two younger Sons of the Captain being armed Cap a pée, though they were not killed, yet were astonished with blows they did receive upon their heads, their followers and Guards being all cut in pieces.
XLI.
French.
Le grand Chyren soy saisir d’Avignon,
De Rome Lettres en miel plein d’amertume,