Sir John then marched his forces toward Gamaches, where he was joined by three hundred english combatants under the command of sir Raoul le Bouteiller; and he subjected to the obedience of the kings of France and of England certain fortresses in Vimeu, as Louvroy[10], Hericourt, and others. In the mean time, the men of the lord de Gamaches who were posted at Compiègne, took by storm the castle of Mortemer near Mondidier, belonging to Conherrard de Brimeu, then absent with the army of sir John de Luxembourg in Vimeu. They placed a strong garrison within it, which much oppressed the country round. In another part, a company of Dauphinois quartered at Marcoussy, to the amount of two hundred combatants, with their captain, secretly marched by night to the bridge of Meulan, to which they did great mischief. Their plan was to establish a garrison there to defend it; but the king of England sent thither the count de Conversan, with a number of men at arms, who having besieged them, they soon surrendered on having their lives and fortunes spared. CHAP. LXXIII. THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY RAISES THIS YEAR AN ARMY AGAINST THE HERETICS OF PRAGUE.--SIMILAR HERESIES ARE DISCOVERED NEAR TO DOUAY.--THE SIEGE OF D'AIRAINES. In this year, the emperor of Germany assembled a large body of men at arms from all parts of Christendom, to combat and oppose the false and stinking heretics that had arisen within the city of Prague and in the adjoining country from two to three days journey around it. This armament was composed of many princes, prelates, knights, esquires, and others, as well on foot as on horseback, from parts of Germany, Liege, Holland, Zealand, Hainault and elsewhere. Their numbers were so great they could scarcely be counted; but the heretics defended themselves courageously in Prague that they could not do much harm to them, except in some skirmishes, when many were put to death. They were firmly united, and the country so strong, that the Christians were forced to retreat for want of provisions; and these accursed people were obstinate in their errors, and not afraid of any punishments which might be inflicted on them: they even armed their women, who were very devils in cruelty,--for several, dressed as men, were found among the slain in different engagements. Similar heretics of both sexes were also discovered near to Douay, who held their meetings at the village of Sains, and were carried prisoners to the court of the bishop of Arras. Some of them recanted, and were pardoned; but the rest, having been preached to by the bishop and inquisitor, were publicly burnt at Douay, Arras and Valenciennes.