Λ.η. ]2)7.] DEFEAT OF THF. ΙΚΙ'.ΜΊΙ. weapons against the chargers of tho barons levelling boises and riders together to the earth, so that in the twinkling ,,(• an eye thev made up a large force of foot-soldiers, knights, and nobles. Fnlcnsius then, seeing a great many o|' the more noble of the enemy struck to the earth, boldly bnr.-t forth with his followers from the castle into the midst of the enemy ; he was, however, made prisoner by the number who rushed on him, and carried away, until he wa- rescued by the bravery of his cross-bowmen and knights. The great body of the king's army having in the meantime forced the gates, entered the city and boldly rushed on the eneinv. Then sparks of fire were seen to dart, and sounds as of dreadful thunder were heard to burst forth from the blows of swords against helnieted beads : but at length, by means of the cross-bowmen, by whose skill the horses of the barons were mown down and killed like pigs, the party of the barons was greatly weakened, for, when the horses fell to the earth slain, their riders were taken prisoners, as there was no one to rescue them. At length, when the barons were thus weakened, and great numbers of their soldiers had been inaile prisoners and safely secured, the king's knights rushed in a (dose body on tho count of Perche, entirely surrounding him ; and as he could not withstand their force as they rushed against him. they called on him to surrender, that he might escape with life. He, however, swore that he would not surrender to the English, who were traitors to their lawful king. On hearing this, a knight rushed on him, and striking him in the eye, pierced his brain, on which he fell to the ground without uttering another word. Then the French battalions, seeing the fall of their commander, took to (light, both horse and foot-soldiers, with great loss ; for the flail of the southern gate through which they took their flight had been replaced in a transverse way across the gate, which greatly impeded their flight ; for when any one came up and wished to go out at that gate, he was obliged to dismount from his horse and open it, ami after he had passed the gate was again (dosed, and the flail again fell across it as before, and thus this gate was a great trouble to tin' fugitives. The king's troops pursued the firing barons and French, but although several were made prisoners in their flight, yet the king's men only feigned to pursue them, and it' it bail not been