*eo The befiegers by their engines flung dead horfes and other carrion into the caille, to poifon the garrifon by their fmeil ; and this diftreffed it more than any thing elfe, for the air was as hot as in the mid* die or fummer: they therefore having coniidered their fituâtion, and that they could not long hold out, from the horrible flench, propoféd a treaty for a truce to lafl fifteen days, during which time they would let fir John of Hainault, who was regent and governor of the country, be informed of their diflrefs, and, if they were not then relieved, they would furrender the place. This treaty was accepted, which gave great comfort to thofe within the caftle. The garriion fent off an efquire, named Eftralart de Sommain, according to the terms of the treaty, who came to Mons, in Hainault, where he found the lord of Beaumont, who had had intelligence from his nephew the earl of Hainault, that he was returning to his own country, after having been Uk Germany, where he had made alliances with the emperor and other lords of the empire, who were friendly to the king of England* The lord of Beaumont allured the efquire Eftra* lart de Sommain, that* the garrifon of Thin fliould very fhortly be relieved, but that his nephew muft firft return. Before this truce expired, the earl arrived hi Hainault, which caufed great joy to the inhabitants, as he had been impatiently wifhed for. The lord of Beaumont related to him all that had paffed fince his departure, and with what a power* fai