walls with pick-axes and iron crows, with which they worked fo effectually that a large breach was made, through which they might eafily enter. The caftle was taken, and all within put to the fword. The conftable had it repaired and new gar-' rifoned. He then advanced towards Marans, the garrifon of which furrendered on having their lives and properties faved. He next came to Surgeres, which alfo put itfelf under the obedience of the king of France ; for the Englifh garrifon had gone away, being afraid to wait the arrival of the con-ftable. He marched after this to the caftle of Fontenay le ' Comte*, where the lady of fir John Harpcdon refidcd. He afiaulted both town and caftle frequendy : at laft, the garrifon left it on capitulation, and retreated to Thouars with the lady, under paflports from the conftable. ' The French therefore took poffeffion of the caftle and town, and halted there to reft themfelves. Sir Bertrand and the lords of France marched to befiege Thouars, whither the greater part of the knights of Poitou had retired, namely, ' the vifcount de Thouars, the lords de Partenay, de Poufanges, de Cors, de Crupignac, fir Louis dc Harcourt, fir Geoffry d'Argenton, fir James de Surgeres. fir Percival de Coulogne. They had caufed to he made at Poitiers and at la Rochelle large machines and cannons, with which they much • Fontfnay le Çomte,«—a city in la Vendee, bifhoprick of la Rochelle, harrafied 198