1217.] A.D.IIATTLF. A T LINCOLN. accomplices and abettors, and especially all those who were carrying on the siege of Lincoln against the king of England, together with the whole provinces, inclusive and included. And to those who had undertaken to assist in this war personally, he, by the power granted to him from the omnipotent God and the apostolic see, granted full pardon for their sins, of which they had made true confession, and ILS a reward to the just he promised the reward of eternal salvation. Then, after all had received absolution and the blessing of God, they Hew to arms, mounted their horses at once and struck their camp rejoicing. On their arrival at Stowe, eight miles from Lincoln, they there passed the night without tear. In the morning, seven dense and well appointed battalions were formed, and they marched against the enemy, only fearing that the latter would take to flight before they reached the city; the cross-bow men all the time kept in advance of the army almost a mile ; the baggage waggons and sumpter-horses followed altogether in the rear with the provisions and necessaries, whilst the standards and bucklers glittered in all directions, antl struck terror into those who beheld them. //ufi* tlte barons went out of the city of Lincoln antl reconnoitred the king's army. The barons who were in the city and the Trench felt such great confidence of success in their cause, that when their messengers told them of the approach of their adversaries they only laughed at them, and continued to hurl missiles from their mangonells, to destroy the walls of the castle. But Robert Fitz-Walter, and S. earl of Winchester, when they heard that the enemy were approaching the. city, went out to watch their approach and to count their numbers ; and when they bad made a careful survey of the approaching enemy they returned to the city to their companions, telling them. '· The enemy are coming against us in good order, but we are much more numerous than thev are ; then fore, our advice is that we sally forth to the ascent of the, bill to meet them, for, if we do, we shall catch them like larks." In reply to them, the count of l'orche and the. uiarcsclial said, "Yo u have reckoned them according to your own opinion; we al.-o will now go out and count them in the French