400 IÎOCKU OF ÌVK.NDOVF.n. [A.D . 1-217. French. Λ severe engouement took place between the fleets, but that of the French, who were not well skilled in naval warfare, was soon defeated ; for the crews were struck down bv the weapons and arrows of the English sailors, who were used to naval fights, pierced them with their javelins and arrows, or cut them down with swords and lances, whilst others bored boles in their ships' bottoms anil sank them : therefore the French having no hopes of escape, threw themselves of their own accord into the waves, that they might not be taken alive by their enemies, for they preferred death to being taken prisoners by the English. The French nobles who survived, were taken prisoners, and the victorious English, towing after them the captured vessels, set sail after their glorious victory for Dover. The garrison of that place, m beholding this unexpected goodness of God, went out to meet their approaching fellow countrymen, and put into closer ward the unlucky French prisoners. Amongst other prisoners, that traitor to the king of England and wicked pirate Eustace the monk, after being long searched for was at length found, and dragged forth from the hold of one of the ships; and when he found himself a prisoner, he offered a large sum of money for his life and bodily safety, and promised for the future to fight faithfully under the English king : Richard, the illegitimate son of king John, who seized bini, said to him. "Never again in this world, wicked traitor, shall you deceive any one with your false promises;" and with these words he drew his sword anil cut off his bead. The king's followers then collected all the spoil from the French ships consisting of gold, silver, silk cloths, and arms; and the prisoners having been committed to safe custody, Philip de Albiney told the king what bail been done, who immediately gave praise for this heaven-sent victory to the Lord, who is always and every where wonderful in his works amongst men. When this event came to the knowledge of Louis, he was more concerned for it than for his misfortune at Lincoln.* * C. inserts here, " When Hubert île lïurgh vvns informed of the arrival of such a formidable host, lie said to the bishop of Winchester, the marshal, anil other nobles, * If those people come to Kngiand unopposed, the kingdom is lost. ΙΛ Ί us therefore meet them with courage, for Cod is with os, whi.st they arc excommunicated.' To thia they replied, ' We are not