quires. 1 When this junAion wis' formed, there was plenty of men it arms, ' * The duke of Berry, in company with the con-" fable, reconnoitred St, Severe : their force was about four thoufand men at arms: they direftly laid lege to the place, declaring they would not depart until they had poffeffion of it. They began the lege with great vigour, and fir William Percy and his companions defended themfelvcs equally well. • News was brought to fir John Devereux in the city of Poiriers, how the duke of Berry, the dau-phin d'Auvergne, the conftable of France, the lord de Clifibn, the vifeount de Rohan, with four thou- find men at arms, were beficging his cattle of St. Severe. • Hearas very penfive on hearing this, and fpoke \to lord Thomas Percy, who was prefent when the intelligence came : c Lord Thomas, you are fencf-chal of this country, and have fufficient influence and power to do what I am about to requeft of you ; which is, that you would advife andaffift me m fuccouring my people, for unlefs they arc rein-forced they muft be taken by Maul t.* « ]$y my fapth/ replied lord Thomas, * I have every inclination and good wifh to affift you : and through love to you, I well fet out, and fpeak to Jhy lord the captai de Buch, who is not far diftant. I will do all in my power to induce him to accom-pany us, to raife the lege, and to offer battle to the French.* ' . . - . • They 'flu.... 178 *