of the town, condu#kl him and all his men into it with great rejoicings *. The Bretons remained there four days to re-cover themfelves;; when they departed in great array, with* about fourteen hundred lances, for Lufignan f* which furrendered upon condition the garrifon ïhould march out unhurt, carrying away all they were able, and with a paffport ' for the conftable to conduft them to Bourdeaux. The French gained this caftle, which was very grand and handfome, and all the lordlhip dependant on it, whofe vaffals became lieg* men to the king of France. ' After this, the Bretons marched to Châtel 1'Archer, when the conftable fent immediately to the lady de Plainmartin, who was the wife of fir Guifcard d'Angle, and refided in it. She entreat-ed he would grant her an efcort, that ihe might Jpeak with the duke of Berry at Poitiers. The conftable complied with her requeft, and ordered one of his knights to conduét her. When ihe came before the duke fhe proftrated herfelf to the ground. The duke caufed her to rife, and de-manded what,fhe wifhed to fay : ( My lord,' replied • Niort is faid to have been gained by a ftratagem. After the defeat at Ciyray the conftable ordered Ms knights to drefs themfelves in the emblazoned furcoats of his prifoners, which caufed the garrifon at Niort to open their gates, believing them the Englifh knights returning victorious from Civray.—Hifi. dt firetagne. . . . - f l^ufignan,—a town m Poitou, twelve leagues frtm Niort, % . - fhea • 214