faid the commifiioners : c we cannot wait fo |ong, and {hall aft more expeditioufly/ On fay*, ing this, they ordered, in the king's name, which prote&ed them from harm, ten or twelve of the riçheft inhabitants to prifon, unlefs they fhould find the money. Thefe, being afraid of the king's difpleafure^ foon brought the fum required, which they afterwards collected from the townfmen. The taxes were fo frequent, that one was fçarcely paid, before another was called for. Thus was the noble kingdom of France go» verned, and the poor oppreffed ; which çaufed numbers to fell their houfes and lands, and retire to Hainault, or the bilhoprick of Liege, where no fuch taxes exifted. • ^ The leaders of the troops deftined to Caftille were pext thought of. The gallant duke of Bour* bon was chofen commander in chief ; but, before he left France, it was refolved to appoint two other commanders, to attend tç the men at arms, and inftruft thofe who had never been in Caftille. The duke was to have two thoufand lances, of knights and fquires, for his rear-ward, of as good men as could be found. The two knights appointed to lead the van, and to command the firft divifion, Were fir William de Lignaç and fir Walter de PafTac ; and, on receiving their orders, they made every preparation fuitable to their rank. Knights and fquires were fummoned, throughout France, to go on this expedition ; and all the .paffes into Caftille were thrown open, as well fhrough Arragon as through Navarre. Many, therefore, 155