Poitou and Saintonge, the lords de Touars, dé PuilTances, fir James de Surgeres, fir Perceval de Coulogne, fir Reginald de Gomers, fir Hugh dc Vivonnc, and feveral other knights and fquires, all well inclined to meet and combat their enemies. Thefe lords had had information that Heliot de Plaifac was on his march towards la Rochelle, in - fearch of prey. They gave their orders accord-ingly, and faUied out in the evening well armed and mounted. On their departure, they directed that the cattle fhould, on the morrow, be driven out to the fields to take their chance -, which was % obeyed. When the morrow came, Heliot de Plaifac and his troop arrived before la Rochelle, whilft their foragers colle&ed the cattle, and had them driven away by the peafants of the country. • They had not gone more than a league before the French (who were upwards of two hundred lances) fell upon their wing, quite unexpectedly, and charged them vigoroufly $ fothat at this firft onfet, feveral were unhorfed. Jieliot de Plaifac cried out ; cOn foot, on foot ! let no man fly, but fend away the horfès j fbr,? if the day be ours, we fhall have horfes enow, and, if we lofe it, we fhall not want any/ The EngHfh apd Gafcons, of Heliot's party, drew up on foot, aq4 in good order, The French did the fame, for they were afraid of their horfes being wounded by. the fpéars and fwords of the enemy. The battle then commenced. It was fçvere, and of long continuance $ for they fought hand to E 4. ^ Jt " hand, 66