Ï5 ^ The earl of Pembroke and the knights fhut up with him, inftead of fleeping, had fortified them-felves with whatever they could find, making ufc even of benches and ftones, which they had car-ried to the top of the walls. They found the French were preparing to renew the attack, and comforted each other upon it. Some time before fun-rife, the French were ready, when they marched by companies, and with great vigour, - to the aflault of the hôtel. They acquitted themfelves too well, arid having brought fcaling ladders, placed them againft the walls, mounting them with the utmoft eagernefs, covered by their fhields, otherwife they would not have ventured : it was held highly honourable to thofe who mounted the firft, as in truth it was a very brave aft* The Englifh were not idle nor faint-hearted in their own defence, but fought marvelloufly well, and flung down upon the fhields of the aflailants ftones and great beams of wood, with which they beat them fo feverely, that they killed or wounded feveral. They did their duty excellendy well, and fo fmall a fort was never feen to hold out fo long againft fnch a force. • This aflault continued from early dawn until fix o'clock. CHAP.