the fortrelfes of ihe Navarrois, and that which bad moft harafled the inhabitants of Noyon and the country of Vermandois. The bilhop of Noyon, the lord Raoul de Coucy, the lord de Rtvenal, the lord de Chauny, the lord de Raye, and fir Matthew de Royé his brother, Were the captains and leaders of thefe men at arms and the other troops, Thefe lords had with them many Dther knights and fquires from Picardy and Vermandois, who, laying fiege to Mauconfeil, made many aflaults on it, and hardly prefied the garrifon; who, when they could not hold out much longer, fent to inform fir John de Piquigny of their dif~ trefled fituation. He then refided in the caftle of la Herielle. All thefe garrifons and places were under his command. He made halle therefore f fuccour his good friends in Mauconfeil, and fent orders privately to the garrifon of Creil, to arm themfelves dire6tly, and to march to a certain fpojt * which be pointed out to them; for he iheant to make an excurfion through the country with all the men at arms under his command. When they were all aflembled, they amounted to one thoufand lances at leaft. They rode on, under the direction of guides, all that night, without halting, and camq before the caftle of Mauconfeil at day-break. There was fo thick a fog that morning, that they could not fee the length of an acre of ground. Imme-diately on their arrival, they fell fuddenly on the French army, who, not expecting them, nor having a fbfficient guard, were fleeping as if in perfeft fafety. The Navarrois fet up their cry, and began ' . • ' • ' ' f p 4M