ί82 RoiJFH OF WEXDOVEH. [Λ.» . Ι2·2ϋ. extent that tliey had ever enjoyed them. To tliis the messengers replied, that they would on no account surrender themselves to live under the dominion of the French, whose pride and fierce insolence they had often experienced. After much disputing on both sides, the legate at length asked permission to go into the city-with the prelates who were present, to put the faith of the inhabitants to the lest, declaring on oath that he had prolonged the siege only to provide for the safety of their souls; he also added, that the cry of infidelity, which had gained power in the city, had reached the pope, and he therefore desired to know whether they supported this cry by their actions. The citizens then, trusting to the promises of the legate, and having no suspicions of treachery, after an oath had been taken on both sides, on the above-named condition, gave permission to the legate and the prelates to enter the city without any others, and in company with them. But, as had been pre-arranged, as soon as the gates were open, the French treacherously, and in disgraceful disregard of the oath which had been made by the legate, forced their way into the city and made prisoners of the inhabitants, and having thus treacherously gained a victory they destroyed the towers and walls of this noble place. The legate then consigned the city to the charge of the French, and raising the siege he ordered the body of the king to be carried to Paris by the priests assembled, to be buried amongst his ancestors as was the custom with kings. The king died, as they say, in the month of September, but they concealed bis death for a month or more. Of those who went to the siege; with the king, twenty-two thousand died at the place, including those who were slain and drowned, as well as those who died of tin; pestilence or by natural death, and thus left great cause of tears and sorrow to their wives and children ; hence it seems (dearly evident that an unjust war had been undertaken, of which covetousness was the cause rather than the wish to exterminate heresy. Of the coronation of Louis king of Ihr French, sun of the late Louis. On the death then of Louis the French king, his queen the lady Blanche, summoned the archbishops, bishops, and other prelates of the churches, as well us the nobles who owed allegiance to tin; crown, to assemble at Paris on the