At other tables were many knights from Beam Sir Efpaign du Lyon, fir Siquart du Bois Verdun, fir Nouvans de Nouvailles, and fir Peter de Vaux, in Béarn, were chief ftewards _ of the hall. The count's baftard-brothers, fir Ernaut Guillaume and fir Peter de Béarne, waited, and * his two baftard-fons; fir Evan de l'Efchelle placed the difhes, and fir Gracien ferved him. with wine. There were very many minftrels in the hall, as well thofe belonging to the count, as to the ftrangers, who, at their leifure, played away their minftrelfy. This day the count gave to the minftrels and heralds five hundred francs among them; and he clothed the minftrels of the duke de Touraine, who were there, with cloth of gold, trimmed with ermine, which drefles were valued at two hundred francs. The dinner lafted until four o'clock in the afternoon. I willingly like to talk of the handfome eftablifhment* of the gallant count de Foix, for I was twelve weeks of his houfehold, and generoufly treated, in all re-flects. During my refidence at Orthès, it was my own fault if I did not collect information from every country, for the gentle knfght, fir Efpaign du Lyon, with whom I had entered the country, and to whom I told all my wants, made me acquainted with fuch knights and fquires as were well able to inform me juftly of all the things I was defirous of knowing. I there learnt much concerning Portugal and Caftille : how their affairs were going on, and the battles which two kings and their allies had fought, of 11 will give a true account. ' ' •' CHAP. 23«