Hainault, or had fent his foldiers upon the lands of the earl, and upon what title this had been done, as there had not been any defiance or challçnge fent to the earl or to the country. Others were for revenging this outrage in afimilar manner, as the French had begun. Upon thefe propofals there was much argument and debating ; but it was at laft determined, that neither the earl nor the country could get clear of this bufinefs without declaring war againft the kingdom of France, as well for the burning of the lands of Chimay, as for their outrages commkted at Hafpres : it was therefore refolved, that a challenge fhould be fent to the king of France, and that afterwards they ihould enter his kingdom with a large body of men. Thefe letters of defiance were written and fealed by the earl and all the barons ; and the abbot Thibaut de St. Crifpin was ordered to carry them. The earl then returned thanks to all his lords for the good difpofition he faw them in, for they had promifed him aid and affiftance in every fituation. The abbot of St. Crifpin carried this challenge to the king, who made but light of it, faying, that his nephew was an outrageous madman, and was bargaining to have his country burnt and deftroyed. The abbot, upon this, returned home, and related to the earl and his council what had happened, to him, with the anfwers he had received. The earl immediately collefted men at arms, fummoned all his knights and efquires in Brabant and Flanders, as well as in his own country, and exerted