2«0 - fentcd to it, from their defire to rid the kingdom of fo many pillagers which had of late fo grievoufly haralfed it, (he did not remain idle, but inftantly ^rote letters to the count de Vertus to give notice of it, that he might provide himfelf accordingly. The duke of Milan was already informed of this intention of the count d'Armagnac, and had col-lected men at arms wherever he could find them, and reinforced his towns and caftles with men, flores and provifion, concluding be fhould have a war to fupport againft this count d'Armagnac. About the middle of March, the greater part of the men at arms were affembled in the country near Avignon : between that place and Lyons, on the banks of the Rhône, were fifteen thoufand horfe. They croffed that river where it was the eafieft to pafs, and, entering Dauphiny, took up their quarters in the villages or fields. Others continued their route, the more fpeedily to-clear the paffes of the mountains, which are dangerous for man and horfe* The count d'Armagnac, his brother, with pther knights, vifited pope Clement and his cardinals at Avignon, and offered to ferve them and the church againft the tyrant of Lombardy, fur which they felt themfelves obliged and returned many thanks. They ftaid at Avignon eight days, while their troops paffed: they then took leave of the pope and cardinals, and made ready to follow chem. The two brothers, fir John and fir Ber- ' dArmagnac, here feparated, and thus fir dreffed him: c Fair brother, you wilLnout return