. 9 . garrifons were (lain, and the càftles given up to thofe of the adjacent countries, who inftantly razed them to the ground. • The fiege of Taillebourg was now formed, and four block-houses were erected before it. . Near Taillebourg was a bridge over the Charente, which the Engliih and Gafcpns had fortified, fo that no veffels from la Rochelle or Saintonge could pafs without great danger, unlefs by pay: ing toll. The French lords determined to gain this bridge, to facilitate their other attacks, and to be in greater fecurity in their block-houfes-They ordered veffels teady prepared and armed to afcend the Charente from la Rochelle, in which they had placed large bodies of crofs-bows and Genoefe, to ikirmifli with thofe at the bridge. The attack was fevere, for the Englifli and Gafcons had well fortified the bridge, and they defended it twith fpirit, as it behoved them to do, for they were vigoroufly attacked by land and water. The eideft fon'of the count de Har-court, named John, was made a knight at this af-fault, by his uncle the duke of Bourbon, and difplayed his banner. * This attack on the bridge of Taillebourg was long continued: many gallant actions were per-formed; but the crofs-bows and Genoefe in the veffels (hot fo ably that thofe on the bridge fcarcely dared to appear and defend themfelves. Why fhould I make a long tale of this ? - The bridge was carried by ftorm, and all found there flain or drowned : not one escaped. . Thus did the French gain the bridge of Taillebourg. Their