A.D. 1226-40.^ DISTURBANCES IN BRITTANY. The count Peter of Brittany, and the French barons, in opposition to the king of France, were waiting for the count of Champagne at Valsene ; and perceiving that he had de ceived them, in the first burst of their rage against him, they sent for the queen of Cyprus, who shortly afterward joined them. Immediately on her arrival, they, with one accord, having discussed the matter, sent each of them to collect as many men at-arms as they possibly could, and resolved to make an in road by way of France into the territories of Count Thibaut, even into Champagne and Brie. They had a good understanding with the duke of Burgundy, who had for his wife the daughter of Robert, count de Dreux ; and who likewise engaged, on his part, to enter the county of Champagne from Burgundy. A day was appointed for their assembling all together before the city of Troyes, in order to take it ; but all this was known to good King Louis, who, in like manner, summoned his men at arms to accompany him to the aid of Count Thibaut de Champagne. The barons, in fact, burnt and pillaged the whole country they marched through, as did their ally the duke of Burgundy. When the count of Champagne thus saw himself and his country attacked on all sides, he burnt and destroyed several of his towns, such as Epernay, Vertus, and Sezanne, that his enemies might not find them well furnished with provisions and stores, and turn them against him. The citizens of Troyes, finding their good master and lord, the count of Champagne, had left their town, instantly sent to Simon, lord of Joinville, father to the lord de Joinville of the present day, and whose name is inscribed in the prologue of this book, to desire that he would come to their assistance. That good gentleman did so. His people were immediately informed of the intelligence that bad been brought him, and before day they were in the city of Troyes, where, for his part, he performed such wonders in aiding the citizens, that the barons failed to take it The barons were forced to march beyond the town, and fix their quarters in the meads with the duke of Burgundy. When the king of France knew where they were lodged, he marched his army straight to combat them ; which the barons learning, they sent to entreat that he would withdraw his