were three or four thoufand good men at arms, "as able and understanding in war as any could be found, whether to plan an engagement, to feize a proper moment to ftglit, or to Airpriffe and scale towns and caftles, and well inured to war ; •• which indeed wè fhewed at the battle ofBrignais, • where we overpowered the conftable of France, the count de Forêts, with full two thoufand lances, knights and fquires. This battle was of ' great advantage to the companions, for thev were poor, and they then enriched themfelvés by good prifoners, and by the towns and caftles which they took in the arehbifhoprick of Lyons, on the river Rhône. They carried on their war., fare Until they Lad gained the Pont du St. Bfprit : and the pope and cardinals would not have been • freed from them until they had deftroyed every thing, if they had not thought of a good expe-dient, by fending to Lombardy for the marquis de Montferrat, ' who was a gallant knight, and at that time at war with the lord of Milan. On •his arrival at Avignon, the pope and cardinals •had a conference with him y and he negotiated - with the Englifh, - Gafcon and German troops fortbeirférvices,for Ixty thoufand francs, which the pope and cardinals paid to* different leaders • of thefe companies ; fuch as fir John Hawk-wood, a valiant Englifh knight, fir Robert Bric-qiiet, Carsuelle, Naiidon le Bagerant, le bourg Camus and many more. They marched into Lombardy, having furrendered the Pont du St. Efprit, and carried with them fix parts of the companies ; but fir Sequin de Batefol, fir John JewcL 217