and Éed to (are themfelves and fortune in the -caftle, but few were allowed to enter it ; for, when the governor heard the Englifh had furprifed the town, for fear of confequences, he would not lower the draw-bridge. He received, indeed, fome of his friends at the firft moment, by means of a plank; but when he heard the cries of the women and children, he withdrew the plank, and would never replace it, but made his preparations for defence, in cafe the caftle 'fhould be attacked. I have faid how the firft gate was opened: the fécond was cut down with axes, and the captains, with their companions, marched into the town without any oppofition. They did not, at firft, enter a houfe, for they knew not if any bodies of men were collecting to refill them, but went through the town to be affured of it. They only found a few who were attempting to enter the caftle, that made any refiftance; but they were foon either fiain or made prifoners. Why fhould I make a long ftory of it ? The town of Mont-ferrant was thus furprifed, on a Thurfday night, the thirteenth day of February, by Perrot le Béarnois and his accomplices. When they faw • themfelves matters of the place, they took up their lodgings at different hotels, without'doing violence to any ope; for Perrot had ordered, under pain of death, that neither woman nor damfel fhould be violated, that no houfes (hould beburpt, nor any prifoners made without his knowledge ; and that no oûe, under the fame penalty, fhould hurt church or churchman, nor take 118