Mount along the fhore to Dieppe, Saint Valéry, and even Crotoy in Ponthieu, were much alarm-ed, and uncertain at what place they would dif-embark. All thefe fea-pprt towns were well provided with men at arms, by orders from the king of France, to oppofe any invafion. The marfhal de Blainville, who commanded on the coaft, fent the lord de Coucy, and the lord ' de Hambre, two great Norman barons, to the town of Carentan, which is fituated on the fea-fhore, and formerly belonged to Charles king of Navarre. The conftable of France took poflef-fion of the towns of Saint Malo, and Saint M^t-thieu de Fine Poterne; and, as foon as he learnt the Englifti were at fea, he placed fufficient garrifons in both, in the name of the king of France. It was thought in France, that war would be declared againft the duke of Brittany. The knights and fquires faid, that this appearance of the Èngliih fleet was another inflance of the duke's perfidy ; for, by their continued hover-ing along his coafts, it was clear that he had in-vited them thither. They never quitted their ftations, unlefc forced by firefs of weather, and, when favourable, returned to them again. ,155 CHAP.