the English one more courteous and more full of every virtue and good quality. Sir John, indeed, was sincerely regretted by all who knew him. The Earls of Cambridge and Pembroke, and the other English knights who were in Guienne at the time and heard of the event, were so completely disconcerted that they declared they had now lost everything on both sides of the sea since Sir John Chandos was no more. Even many of the French lords bewailed his loss. Thus it had happened to him through life. The English loved him for the many excellent qualities he possessed, and the French hated him only because they were afraid of him. At the time I heard his death regretted by many renowned knights in France, who said that it was a great pity he was not taken prisoner instead of being killed, for they acknowledged that he was so wise and so full of devices, that he would have found out some means of establishing a peace between France and England. Thus were the French and English both great losers by the death of this brave man. The English, however, far more so than their opponents; for had he lived, he would have recovered for them, by his valour and prudence, the province of Guienne.

Bold conduct of Sir John Assueton,

A SCOTTISH KNIGHT.

THE Dukes of Anjou and Berry had formed two grand expeditions, and invaded at two different places the principality of the Prince of Wales, who kept his court at Angouleme. To assist the Prince in this emergency it had been determined by the King of England and his council, that men-at-arms should be sent across the sea to invade France; and that the command of them should be given to a valiant knight, by name Sir Robert Knolles.

Just as Sir Robert was about to leave England there were many councils held between the English and the Scots, for these two people though such near neighbours were continually at war with each other. These councils were so well conducted by the able ministers of both kingdoms, that a truce for nine years was established between them. By the terms of this

truce the Scots were at liberty to take arms and hire themselves out to either the French or English as they might choose, by which means Sir Robert was enabled to add one hundred lances to his army; and among them was the Scotch knight, Sir John Assueton, of whose bold conduct I am going to tell you.

When Sir Robert and all his companions were ready, they embarked from Dover and landed at Calais, where the governor and his brother soldiers received them with much joy. At Calais they refreshed themselves for seven days, and then having formed their plans with respect to the parts of France into which they should carry their attacks, ordered their baggage and stores to advance, and took the field in a most handsome manner. They were in number about fifteen hundred lances and four thousand archers. But it is not my intention to tell you of all they did upon the march: the dangers they encountered, and the sieges they engaged in, suffice it to say that they overran, burnt, and ravaged the whole countries of Picardy and the Vermandois.

In the course of their ravages in the former of these two parts they came to the good town of Noyon, which was very strongly fortified and well provided with menat-arms. They made their approaches very near to the place, to see if it were possible to take it by assault; but found it quite able to defend itself against any attack which they could make. Sir Robert lodged in an abbey close to the town, and his men were quartered in the neighbourhood. Now it was at this town of

Noyon that the Scotch knight, Sir John Assueton, a very valiant man and perfectly master of his profession, performed a most gallant deed of arms. Mounted on his courser, and with his lance in its rest, he quitted his troop attended only by a page. In this manner he advanced to the town of Noyon; on reaching the barriers of which he dismounted and gave his horse to his page, bidding him not leave the spot : then grasping his spear, he cleared the barriers with a leap. There were inside the barriers some good knights of the country, such as Sir John de Roye, Sir Launcelot de Lorris, and ten or twelve others, who were much amazed, as well they might be, at the boldness of the action, and wondered what the knight would do next; however, they gave him a polite reception. "Gentlemen," said Sir John Assueton, addressing them, "I am come to see you, for as you do not vouchsafe to come beyond your barriers, I condescend to pay you a visit. I wish to try my knighthood against yours, and you shall conquer me if you can." As soon as he had thus spoken he gave many grand strokes with his lance, which were returned to him in the same style.

In this situation did he continue alone against them all, fighting and skirmishing most gallantly for upwards of an hour. One or two of the knights he wounded, and they had so much pleasure in the combat that no one thought of taking any undue advantage of Sir John. The inhabitants looked on from the gates and tops of the walls with wonder. Had they

so willed they might have done him much injury with their arrows; but no, the French knights would not permit it. While Sir John was thus engaged, his page, who was much alarmed for his safety, mounted the courser, and rode up to the barriers. On seeing his master, he called to him in his own language— "My lord, you had better come away: it is now quite time, for our army is on its march." The knight, on hearing him, made ready to follow his advice: he gave two or three thrusts in order to clear his way, then seizing his spear leaped again over the barriers, without having received the slightest injury; and armed as he was jumped up behind the page on his courser. As he rode away he turned to the French and said, "Adieu, gentlemen; many thanks to you:" then, spurring his horse, soon joined his companions.

All must allow that this was a very gallant feat on the part of Sir John Assueton; and for it he was highly praised by his companions, and all who heard of it.