About this time, the most pious and accomplished king of France, being moved by the spirit of mercy and peace, offered the lord the king of England excellent conditions of peace, because he was his kinsman, and because the queen, his wife, was sister of the queen of England. But the king of England, being led away by the false promisee of the count de la Marche, utterly refused them, asserting that he would never reject the advice of the said count, whom, according to his usual custom, he called his father. And immediately, in a rash and hostile manner, he defied the king of France himself. Therefore, the king of France repented of having thus humbled himself to the king of England, and unfolding the orifiamme, he made a vigorous attack on all the territories which belonged to the count de la Marche ; and in a short time the war was so successful in his hand, that he had crushed his enemies, and brought hostilities to a wished-for end ; for he had already occupied the castle of Frontignac, which appeared to the Poitevins to be impregnable, and in it he took prisoners, the son of the count de la Marche, and a hundred knights. After that, he took the castle called Movent. And after that, day after day, he took other castles and cities, and all their inhabitants, illustrious citizens and knights, voluntarily submitted to his power. At last he came to a city very rich in vineyards, which is called Taillebourg, and which rejoices in a river, which is called the Tarente ; and while the king of France was there, the king of England came in close order of battle to the other side of the river, and the two armies were so near that they could see one another's flags and standards, and there the king of England was saved from the danger of a disorderly battle by the energy of earl Richard. Accordingly, king Henry fled with prudence and good fortune, and came to Saintonges; but the king of France pursued him without delay, and a very fierce battle took place between the French and English, outside of the city, in which the French, though against their will, were forced to confess that the English gained the most honour. But as the army of the king of France was increasing every day, like a lake which grows in consequence of torrents which pour into it, a sedition arose in the city, in consequence of which evil reports got abroad, and so the king of England fled disgracefully, and retreated with all expedition to Blaye, where for some days he was detained by illness. So when VOL. II. p