lords de Sully, du Pons, de Cliflbn, de Beàu-tnanoir, and tie other barons and knights of France were informed of it, they quitted Berry, Anjou and Limoufin, where they had made their quar-ters, and took the direft road for Poitiers, where the conftable refided. In their march; thefe lords took a town in Poitou called St. Maixaifc*, which furrendcrcd as fbon as they came before it. The caftle was taken by aflault, and all in it put to the .fword. * They afterward took the caftle of Merle, the caftle of Aunay, and feveral other forts in their toad. When they were arrived at Poitiers, they fent mef-fengcrs to treat with the Rochellers, but they would not open their gates to them. They told the mef-fengers, that the inhabitants would not furrender themfelves in fo eafy a manner,- but that if the idukic of Betty and the before~mentioned lords Were willing to agree, within fix days to fend them pafsports to come to Poiriers, they would then declare to them their intentions, and fully explain what they meant to do. The meflengers returned, and told what the in-habitants had faid. 1 Paftports were granted, and fome of the but-. geffes came to Poitiers, when they declared to the lords that it was their intention to place them-felves under the obedience of the king of France j bu£ that they would not allow of any caftle, and • St. Maixant,—in the road between Saintes and Poitiers, 11 leagues from the latter. - . - - . the J§4