But my Lord Grey, at my departure, bade me tell the Duke, that the Almains were about to break into the Castle, and to set the gate afire: and my Lord said, "He would shoot off his great ordnance among them; if the Law of Arms were not better observed!"
But, in the meantime, at another place was entered Monsieur De Tre [D'Estrees] Master of the [French] Ordnance; and [Sir Arthur] the Lord Grey that now is, was sent to the Camp, for the pawn [security] of Monsieur D'Estrees.
But I was come to Monsieur De Guise before those things were finished: and had told him my message. And he, like a noble Prince and faithful Captain, rode to the gate (causing me to mount behind Master Harry Dudley); where the Almains were busily occupied about some naughty practice: and, with a great truncheon, he stroke divers of the Almains and others, to make them retire; and laying a load [i.e., of blows] about him, he made such way, that the gate was free, and the capitulation was, at leisure, talked of.
But I was not suffered to enter any more into the Castle; and so stayed as a prisoner.
Notwithstanding, look what promise Monsieur De Guise made, it was so well kept and observed that our soldiers marched away, with all their wealth, money, and weapons. And great wealth was borne by them from Guisnes: insomuch that divers poor soldiers were made thereby, for all [the] days of their life after. And this is to be noted. There was great honour in the Duke of Guise. For the Bands [originally 1,300 p. [207]; but now about 500, having lost 800, see below] that parted [departed] (either sick or sound, hurt or whole) were honestly conveyed, and truly dealt withal; even as long as they were in any danger, albeit they had great sums of money and treasure with them: and the General with his Captains and Officers were courteously used, so long as they were in the Duke of Guise his camp.
And, to say the truth, I think our peace was not so dishonourable, as some report. For
Succour, had we no hope of.
The next assault had overthrown us.
The whole members [i.e., the external fortifications] of the Castle were cut off from us.
There remained but the bare body of the Castle in our custody.