A.D. Λ197. THE KING OF FRANCE IS PLACED IN A DILEMMA. 399 stroyed the monks that were there in the service of God, carried away with him into Normandy the shrine, with the relics of Saint Valéry : in that harbour he also found some ships, which had come from England, laden with corn and provisions, on which he seized them and ordered the sailors in them to be hanged, and then burned the ships, and distributed the corn and provisions among his people. In the same year, the people of Champagne and Elanders, and the Bretons, deserting the king of France, "became adherents of the king of England, hostages being given on either side that they would not come to a reconciliation, nor make peace with the king of France, unless with the common consent of both parties. For the king of England had brought over them, and nearly all the most powerful men of the kingdom of France, with presents ; as his bounteous hand in its gifts surpassed all other gifts. " Nor yet in giving does he go beyond all bounds ; nay rather, to each he assigns a purpose fixed and definite."56 Accordingly, he gave to Baldwin, earl of Flanders, for his assistance five thousand marks of silver ; and he gave hostages that he would not make peace with the king of France, unless with the consent [of the king of England, and the king of England did the same with him. After this, William Crespin, constable of Anjou, being compelled by force, surrendered to Richard, king of England, the castle of Anjou, which the king immediately placed in a sufficient state of defence with men, arms, and provisions ; and the king of France shortly after assembling a large army laid siege to it. While these things were going on, Richard, king of England, proceeded to Auvergne, and took ten of the castles of the king of France and of his followers. But before the king of England could return to Normandy, the king of France took the castle of Anjou, granting to the knights and men-at-arms therein safety to life and limb ; and after he had levied.from them five hundred marks of silver for their ransom, he gave them liberty to depart, and fortified the castle and retained it in his own hands. In the meantime, Baldwin, earl of Flanders, laid siege to the castle of Arras ; on hearing of which, the king of France came thither with a numerous army. Upon his approach, the earl of Flanders raising the siege, returned into his own " Nec tamen in dando mensuram deserit, immo, Singula describit certo moderamine finis."