However, by the prudent conduct of the french commanders, the English were very much straitened for provision, for the greater part of the stores they had brought with them had been spoiled at sea. Add to this, that an epidemical bowel-complaint raged in their camp, of which upwards of two thousand died. The principal persons thus carried off were, the earl of Stafford, the bishop of Norwich, the lords Beaumonte, Willoughby of Trompington, Burnel and many other noblemen. The king of England, nevertheless, pushed on the siege with great diligence and labour. He had caused three mines to be carried under the walls, and his engines had nearly demolished the gates, which being made known to the inhabitants, and that they were daily liable to be stormed, they offered to surrender themselves to the king, provided they were not within three days succoured from France: they gave hostages for the due performance of this treaty, and thereby saved their lives by paying ransoms. The lord de Bacqueville was sent by the captains in Harfleur to the king of France and the duke of Acquitaine, who were at Vernon sur Seine, to make them acquainted with their situation, and to tell them, that unless they were succoured within three days, they would lose their town, and all within it. He was in reply told, that the king's forces were not yet assembled, or prepared to give such speedy succour: upon which, the lord de Bacqueville returned to Harfleur,--and it was surrendered to the king of England, on St Maurice's day, to the great sorrow and loss of the inhabitants, and displeasure of the French; for, as I have said, it was the principal sea port of that part of Normandy. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 25: Probably Quillebouef.] [Footnote 26: Graville,--a small town in Normandy near Harfleur.] [Footnote 27: Molliflac. Q. Molins.] CHAP. XXVII. THE CANONS OF ST GERY IN CAMBRAY QUARREL WITH THE INHABITANTS.--THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, IN CONSEQUENCE, MAKES WAR ON CAMBRAY. At this time, there was a great quarrel between the citizens and inhabitants of Cambray and the canons of the chapter of St Gery, within that town. The inhabitants, foreseeing that the present war between England and France might be carried on near their country, determined for the greater security of themselves and their town, to repair and enlarge its walls and bulwarks; and consequently, they demolished, by force or otherwise, many walls of the gardens of the townsmen, which had encroached too near them. They particularly destroyed the gardens belonging to the aforesaid canons, taking a large portion of their land without intending to make them any recompence for what they had done.