by which means they failed, and returned to Mon* taiiban. " The earl of Perigord, the earl de Comminges, the earl de I/ifle, the vifcount de Carmaing, the vifcount de Brunikel, the vifcount de Tatar, the vifcount de Murendon, the vifcount de Lauftre, fir Bertrand de Tharide, thç lord de la Barde, the lord de Pincornet, fir Perducas d'Albret, the little Mechin, the bourg de Breteuil, Aimemon d'Ortige, Jacquet de Bray, Perrot de Savoye and Arnaudon de Pans, took the field about this period. There were among thefe free companies full ten thou-fand fighting men. By orders from the duke of Anjou, who at that time refided in Touloufe, they entered Quercy in great force, where they brought on much tribulation by burning and deftroying the whole country. They advanced to Réalville, wherein they befieged the high fteward of Quercy, who had before provided it with every thing necef-fary for the defence of a town, and with good En-IjUfh foldiers, who had refolved never to fuiTender but with their lives : notwithftanding the inhabi-tants were well inclined to the French. During the time thefe knights and barons of France were befieging this town, they fent to Tou-loufe for four great engines, which were immedi-ately brought thither. They were pointed againft the walls of Réalville, into which they flung night and day large ftones and pieces of timber that did much mifchief, and weakened it. They had alfo miners with them, whom they fet to work, and who boafted that in a Ihort time they, would take. the town. 412