men perished ; and as the dog-days were just at hand, those who were sick laid down, and speedily died, being destitute of all comfort and rest, and having no attendance or medicine. And in this way upwards of eighty nobles of the French army, who were entitled to bear standards, died, and of the infantry about twenty thousand. And as the king of France at the same time was very ill, great fear and despair seized upon the French, who said that the alms of the king of England had undone them. For they were greatly afraid that their own king, because he was tender and delicate, and, indeed, that they themselves, too, might be overwhelmed with sudden death, and the example of strong men who were overtaken by death ; increased their fear. For at the same time there died Robert Malet, a baron of Normandy, a man of the greatest valour in arms, and worthy of extraordinary praise. There also died at the same place, and of the same pestilence, Richard de Beaumont, one of the most nobly born of all the French, and greatly distinguished by gallant exploits. Therefore, as the fates were adverse to him, the king of France was compelled to beg a truce of five years from the king of England, being desirous to return with all speed into France, where he might be able to enjoy a better climate, and the truce was accordingly, and, indeed, joyfully granted to him when he requested it. Having, therefore, received the homage of the nobles of Poitou, and having placed garrisons of his own natural and loyal subjects in their castles and cities, to command them, and keep them for him, the king returned to France ; and being soon restored to perfect health, he commanded the men of Poitou, who had been surrendered on conditions of extremity, to be kept in close custody, and while there a condition was imposed upon them that they should not give their daughters in marriage, not go from one city to another, without leave of the French. Also the count de la Marche, being accused and impeached of treason that same year, before the king of France, was with difficulty saved from the infliction of an ignominious death. But he became a sort of prodigy in the eyes of all men ; a sign that is to be pointed at and ridiculed, and hissed at by all men, because he had so wickedly betrayed the king of England, who rashly trusted in him. From that time forth, then, the prodigal anxiety of the king of England was released from its burthens, though before that time he was accustomed foolishly to die