When this skirmish had lasted some time, both parties retreated to their main army. Sir Louis Bourdon and others were quartered during the siege in the abbey of Mount-St-Eloy, two leagues off Arras: it was surrounded by a strong wall, and consisted of handsome buildings,--the whole, or the greater part of which, were destroyed by them, the gratings, iron, lead, bells, and every thing portable being carried away. Thus at this time was the county of Artois most severely oppressed by the army of the king of France. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 7: Vailly,--a town in Picardy, near Abbeville.] [Footnote 8: Lucheux,--a town in Picardy, election of Peronne.] [Footnote 9: Hesdin,--a strong town in Artois on the Canche, thirteen leagues from Arras.] [Footnote 10: Lens,--a town in Artois, on the confines of Flanders.] [Footnote 11: Maizerolles,--a village in Artois.] CHAP. X. THE DUKE OF BRABANT AND THE COUNTESS OF HAINAULT VISIT THE KING OF FRANCE WHEN BEFORE ARRAS, AND NEGOTIATE A PEACE FOR THEIR BROTHER THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY AND HIS ALLIES. On the morrow of St John the Baptist's day, the duke of Brabant, the countess of Hainault, and some deputies from the three estates of Flanders, came to the king, to negotiate a peace between him and the duke of Acquitaine, and their brother and lord the duke of Burgundy. They arrived about two o'clock in the morning, and were graciously received by the king, the duke of Acquitaine and others. Prior to the negotiation, an armistice was agreed on between the besiegers and besieged, which lasted until the treaty was concluded. This treaty of peace was publicly proclaimed, by sound of trumpet, in front of the king's tent, at eight o'clock in the evening of Tuesday the 4th day of September; and it was strictly ordered, that all persons, under heavy penalties, should lay aside their badges, whether of the party of the king or of the duke of Burgundy, who had worn a St Andrew's cross, which was instantly done. On the conclusion of the peace, some lords, who were suffering under a flux, left the king's army, namely, Louis of Bavaria, brother to the queen, the lord Charles d'Albreth, constable of France, and several more. Sir Aymé de Sellebruche and an infinite number of others, had died of this disorder; and it was this sickness that had caused the king and the princes to listen to terms of peace, that they might return to France.