duced, who, after the conference at Oxford, which has been mentioned before, were commissioned by the king to see to the protection of those districts. And when the king, who was in the northern provinces of the kingdom, heard this, he in great haste directed his steps back again, and hastened thither with the object of compelling the raising of the siege, which he effected. For when they learnt that the king was coming up with his army, they at once abandoned the siege of the town, which was one of great strength, but which, as it had been almost subdued already, by frequent assaults, and blows of military engines, and subterranean mines, they would have taken the next day, and so they returned to London. Therefore, the king, now that his nobles were delivered from this hostile attack, went down to the sea coast, and ravaged in every direction, with plunder and conflagration, the manors and possessions of those who had conspired against him, both on the right and on the left. He also took the castle of Gilbert de Clare, which is called Tunbridge. And of the barons of the Cinque Ports, some submitted themselves to the king, and some did not, and these last withdrew themselves by sea, having loaded some vessels with their property. While these events were taking place on the coast, Simon de Montfort, the illustrious earl of Leicester, and the barons, having assembled their forces from all quarters, and collected troops, both of the Londoners, whose army had increased to fifteen thousand men, and of men from other parts in countless numbers, marched thither with great impetuosity and courage. Accordingly, they encamped at Flexinge, in Sussex, which is about six miles from Lewes, and three days before the battle, they addressed a message of the following tenor to their lord the king :—' " To the most excellent lord Henry, by the grace of God, king of England, &c. The barons and others, his faithful subjects, wishing to observe their oaths and the fidelity due to God and to him, wish health, and tender their lawful service with all respect and honour. As it is plain from much experience * that those who are present with you have suggested to your highness many falsehoods respecting us, intending all the mischief that they can do, not only to you but also to us, and to your whole kingdom, we wish your excellency to know that we wish to preserve the safety and security of your person with all our might, as the fidelity which we owe to yoja demands,