here for this day, and lodge our army, fhould it arrive, as jrell as yyç are able ; aud that we fend to to feek fpr boats and hurdles, that may come dpifn fhe river, frith which to-morrow we c^n thrpvjr a bridge frofp thefe fine meads an4 crP& aYen for \ye have no other alterna-tive.' Upop fhis, fir JqfTe de Hajuyn faid,—c My Iprd, we have been informed that there will be great difficulties between this and Lille ; for the river Menyp, on which alî boats muft pafs to come hither, has been obftructed by largt. |eapas thrown acrofs it by the Flemings who are in thofe parts: they h^ve befides totally deT ftroyed tfye bridge, and we learn it is impofli-ble for $^y veffels or boats to pafs/ c I kpow not tfcen,' added the conftable,c what ye can now do. It will be better for us to take the road to ^ire, and crofs the Lis at that place, fince we are unable to do fo here/ During the time the conftable and marfhalf of France and Burgundy were in this dilemma at the bridge of Çommines, feverai knights and fquires filently withdrew, with the intent to hazard fomç gallant deeds of arms and attempt to crofs the river, whatever it might coft them. They meant likewife to combat the Flemings in their entrenchments and open a paflage, as I shall now relate. While the van-guard was on its march from • Lille to Çommines, the lord de St. Py, and fome other knights from Hainault, Flanders, Artois, apd eyen France, had held a council ' ' • without