nnd, with part of their arpy, overrun it ; he complied with their requeft. • The duke of Gueldres, I know not whether by fpies or otherwife, gained information that the lBrabanters intended entering his territories by the bridge of Raveftein, through the compliance of the lord de Bourne.. He Was much caft down when he firft learnt this, as his force was not near fufficienMo meet that of Brabant, which con-lifted of more than forty thoufand men. He formed various plans how to act, and at last de-termined that, if the Brabanters entered his country, he would retaliate by the bridge of Grave, for hé was refolved not to be ftuit up in any town. He confulted the lord de Ghefme, a great baron in Gueldrelartd, and his principal advifer, who would not at firft agree to his taking the field, on account of the fmallnefs of his numbers. * And what muft I do then?* faid the duke. Would you,have me (hut myfelf up in one of my towns* while they are plundering and burn-ing my country ? This would be too great a lofs. I vow to GOD and our Lady/ added the duke, « that I will take the field to meet my enemies, and follow the beft meafures I can devife that the event may be favourable.' This plan he executed ; and, on the morrow, after he had paid his devotions in the church, and made his offering at the altar of the virgin, he drank fome wine, and, mounting his horfe, fet out from Nimeguen. He was accompanied by only three hundred fpears, or indeed lefs, and VOL. IX. • P .... ' ' they 209