Λ.η. 1217.] Λ" A VAI. ΕΝί» Λ (i KM ΚΧ Τ. Ζ90 his excommunicated son, as lie limi been often severely rebukeil by the pope for granting his consent, he lai'I the burden of the business on the wife of Louis, who was not slow in fulfilling the duty imposed on her, but sent oil'to her husband's assistance three hundred brave knights, well equipped with supplies for war, and attended by a large body of soldiers. Hut all this could not be concealed from the king of Kngland, who, having now recovered his courage, had, with a large army, taken possession of the southern coasts, and had determined to lay siege to the city of London; he therefore, by the advice of the grand marshal, deputed Philip dc Alliiney and .John Marshall, with the sailors of the cinque ports and a large body of troops, to watch the seas carefully, and to look out for and prevent the approach of the French. On the day of the apostle St. Bartholomew, the. French licet was entrusted to the command of Kiistace the monk, a most disgraceful man and a wicked pirate, to conduct it in safety to London, and to deliver it to Louis. The abovementioned troops then put to sea with a swelling fair wind, which drove them quickly towards Kngland, but they were entirely unaware of the preparations which were, made for them. When therefore they had proceeded a good way on their course, the commanders of the king of England's licet came on an oblique course with eighty ships to oppose them, on which account the French were afraid to engage with them at sea with only their few ships, which did not exceed forty in number, galleys and ships together ; but by the. event which had taken place at Lincoln, in which a few had triumphed over a great many, they were inspirited and boldlv attacked the rear of the enemy; when the French discovered this, they flew to their arms ami made a bold resistance against them. Philip do Albiney with his cross-bow men and archers sending their missiles amongst the French, soon caused great slaughter amongst those who opposed them. They had moreover galleys peaked with iron, with which they pierced the ships of their adversaries and sank many of them in an instant; they also threw hot lime-dii-t on the sea,' which, being borne by the wind, blinded the eves of the have, then, no tears for my son.' From this, William Marshall was e\er alter bruiulctl as a traitor."