fort donfented to every thing, for which the richeft and moft difcreet mfcn paid,very dearly afterwards. They were no longer matters in the town, and dared neither fpeak nor aft but as the white hoods pleafed. They faid, that neither for John Lyon nor for Gilbert Matthewj nor for their wars and hatreds would they take part,- but they were united in one point, the preferving and defending the fran-chifefc of the citizens of Ghent, which they after-Ward/ demoriftfated, for they made a war which laftcd for feven years ; and, during that time, there Were no quarrels in the town, which was their great caufe of defence both at home and abroad. They were fo much united together that there were not any diftra&ions among them, but each fub-fcribed his money and jewels to the general fund ; and thofe among them who had the greateft abun-dance gaVe it to this (lock, ' as you fhall hear re-lated. Not long after the earl of Flanders' departure from Ghent, and fixing his refidencc at Lille, Oliver d'Autermc, coufin-german to Roger d'Au-terme whom the men of Ghent murdered, fent his defiance to that town, in revenge for his death. Sir Philip de Mamines did the fame, as well as feveral others*. After thefe challenges had been delivered, they met about fifty boats, with their crews, de-fending the Scheld, laden with corn for Ghent, on whom they retaliated for the death of their coufin : having feized the mariners, they put oift their eyes, and in this maimed and miferable ftatc they fent them to Ghent. • VOL. V. 1 M . * The 1«1