empty of men at arms attached* to the Englifh, and the few who were there* fled towards Bourdeaux. When they had finiihed their expeditions, they re-turned to the urmy. • • : The inhabitants of St. Macaire knew well that they could not hold out for a long time : and the befiegers promifed them every day, that if they, fbffered themfelves to be taken by ftorm, they fliould all without mercy be put to death. They began to be doubtful left their career might ter* minate in this cruel manner, and fecretly opened a treaty with the French to furrender, on their livçs and fortunes being fpared. The men at arms in St. Macaire had intelligence, of this, and fufpe&ing thé inhabitants might per-haps form fome treaty inimical to them, they re-tired into the caftle, which was, large • and ftrong, and tpuilt to ftand a good fiege, taking with them all their own wealth, and a good deal of pillage from the town. Upon this, the inhabitants fur-rendered their town to the king of France. ' • The duke of Anjou received intelligence during the fiege of St. Macaire, that his lady the duchefs had been brought to bed of a fon at Touloufe. The duke and the whole army were much re-joiced at this event, and thçir warlike hesbifm was greatly incrcafed. • The men at arms entered the town, for. it had large and handfome houfes, in which they reftefticd themfelves, as they had wherewithal, the town being well provided with every fort of pro-vifioru Y 3 The 325