Dunstable.
The French writers affirme, that king Lewes recouered out of the Englishmens hands the townes of Niort, S. Iohns d'Angeli, & Rochell, before Sauerie de Mauleon reuolted from the French part. In déed, the chronicle of Dunstable saith, that after the truce tooke end, this yeare the French king raised an armie, and tooke Niort, and after they of S. Iohn d'Angeli submitted themselues vnto him. From whence he went to Rochell, within the which at that present was the said Sauerie de Mauleon with seuentie knights, and Richard Graie, with Geffrey Neuill, who had in their retinue sixtie knights. These with the forces of the towne sallied foorth, & encountring with the French armie, slue manie of their aduersaries, and lost some of their owne people. Yet after this, the French K. besieged the towne, and in the end wan it, whilest the king of England being occupied about the besieging of Bedford castell, neglected to send them within Rochell necessarie succours.
The Poictouins send to king Henrie.
Rochel woon.
But Polydor Virgil writeth, that now after that Sauerie de Mauleon was become the French king his man, the Poictouins sent vnto king Henrie, signifieng, that they were readie to reuolt from the French kings subiection, and yéeld themselues vnto him, if he would send vnto them a power of men to defend their countrie from the French men. Now king Henrie hauing receiued these letters, interteined them that brought this message verie courteouslie, and promising them to send ouer aid with all expedition, he caused his nauie to be made readie for that voiage. In the meane time the French king sent foorth an armie vnder the leading of Sauerie de Mauleon, who then tooke Niort and Rochell, placing in the same sundrie garrisons of souldiers, but chéefelie he fortified Rochell, which had béene long in the Englishmens hands, and alwaies serued them to verie good purpose, for the handsome landing of their people, when any occasion required. The French king therefore hauing got it, fortified it, and meant to kéepe it, to the intent the Englishmen should not haue hereafter in time of warre, so necessarie a place for their arriuall in those coasts.
Matth. Paris.
An. Reg. 9.
A parlement.
1225.
A fiftéenth granted to the king.