that the king was in Normandy, whence lie came to Crecy and Calais ; and they laid fiege to Bethune. They had chofen, for their commander, the lord Oudart de Renty, who had beeft banifhed from France, and had clofely befieged the town, and much damaged it by their attacks : but there were within four knights for the king of France, wbe well defended it; their naines were, fir Geoffry de Chargny, the lord Euftace de Ribeaumont, the lord Baudoin d'Anequin, and lord John de Landas. The town of Bethune was fo well defended, thai the Flemings conquered nothing : tbey returned therefore to Flanders, not having been more fac* ee&ful than before. When the king of England was come to Calais, ha did not ceafe fending flattering meflengers, and promifes, to the municipalities of Flanders, to pre* ferve their friendfhip, and leffen their opinion of the king of France, who was taking great pains to ac-quire their affeftions. The king of England would have gladly feen the earl Lewis of Flanders, who at that time was but fifteen years old, married to hit daughter Ifabella, and fet fo many engines to work among the Flemings that they acceded to it, which mightily rejoiced the king ; for he imagined, that by this marriage he would eafily govern that coun-try. The Flemings mlfo thought, that ibis alliance vould enable them more effectually to reflft the French ; and that it would be more profitable to be eonneâed with the king of England than with the king of France. 2 Their