Bethune, vifcount ie Meaux: there were alfo with him fir John de Roye, the lord de Clary, fir John de Bethnne Ms brother, the lord de Mon-tigny, fir Pdrdncas" de Pont Saint, fir John de Cfaatogny and fir Florehs his fon, with feveral more ; fo that there were ab#tt fix fcore lancet of good men at arms, knights and fquires. • Wîien the bishop of Norwich, fir Hugh Cal-verley, fir Henry de Beaumont, fir Thomas Tri-vet, fir William Helmon, fir Matthew Redman and the reft were advanced to a place near Aire, called the New Ditch, they formed themfelves in battle-array, and thus marched on in clofe order with banners and pennons fluttering in the wind; for they knew not what intentions the vifcount end his companions might have. • The vifcount with his knights and fqùires were handfomély drawn uj on the caafeway before the barriers of Aire, and plainly faw the Englifh march befide them, on the road to St. Venant; but, as they were not in numbers fufficient to bar that paffage, they remained quiet at their post to deferid themfelves If attacked. The English marched by, and took up their quarters two leagues from St. Venant: the governor of that {dace was a knight of Picardy called fir William de Melle, who had fortified the church of the town to ferve asa place of retreat fhould it be neoeffary : he found it fo, for the town was only inekfed by fmalbpalifadoes and ditches. The attack did not laft long before the Englifh entered it, when the French retreatec1., fome to the caftle, " ' ' others 485