Was full of wealth, as well of its own inhabitants, as of thofe in the neighbourhood, who had retired into it as to a place of fafety. The array deftroyed many churches, committed great wafte, and would have done much more, if the earl had not for-bidden, under pain of death, that either church or houfe Ihould be fet on fire ; for he was defirous of remaining there ten or twelve days. Part of the diforders were flopped, but much thieving ftili con-tinued. ' The earl remained in the city twelve days : he -might have ftaid longer, had he chofen it, for no one came to oppofe him, and the whole country trembled : none dared to lhevv themfelves out of their ftrong garrifons. He left Poitiers empty, for its fize rendered it untenable. The army, at its departure, was fo laden with the riches they had found there, that they rpade no account of cloths, unlefs they were of gold or filver, or trimmed with furs. They returned by_eafy marches, to St. Jean d'Angely, where they remained for fome time. The earl, during his ftay, made handfome prefents. to the ladies and damfels of the town, and almoft every day gave them grand dinners or fuppers. He enlivened them fo much that he acquired great po-pularity : and they publicly faid, he-was the moft noble prince that ever mounted fteed.. On his taking leave of them, he made the mayor and prin-cipal citizens renew their oath, that they would. keep and defend the town, as tie legal inheritance of the king of England. The earl then rode on, with his whole army, to Bourdeaux, pafiing by the ' - fortreffes 184