At this time, duke John of Brabant espoused his cousin-german Jacquelina of Bavaria, countess of Hainault, Holland, Zealand and Ostrevant: she was his god-mother. This marriage had been managed by his mother Margaret of Burgundy, with the three estates of those countries, in the good intention and hope that, as these countries joined those of the duke of Brabant, greater concord and peace would subsist between them. Notwithstanding the countess had given her consent, she was not very well satisfied with the match; for she knew the duke to be weak in body and mind, and unfit for the government of her country or person, which was handsome and well made; and she herself was well informed in various matters. On the accomplishment of this marriage, the war between the countess and her uncle John of Bavaria was put an end to by means of a negotiation that took place on that subject. It happened, that while the duke and duchess were at Mons in Hainault, and whilst he was gone to hunt and amuse himself without the town, sir Evrard, bastard of Hainault, and brother to the duchess, with some others came purposely to the hôtel de Nactre, the residence of William le Begue, the confidential adviser of the duke, and put him to death when lying ill in bed. Sir William de Sars, bailiff of Hainault, was present when this murder was committed; but they forbade him to stir; and when it was accomplished, they departed without any hindrance, and left Mons. When the duke heard of this murder, he was much troubled; for he loved him in preference to all his other counsellors; but in the end, his duchess pacified him,--for, according to the reports of the time, she was not averse to the above deed being done. CHAP. IX. THE KING AND THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY SEND CAPTAINS FOR THE DEFENCE OF ROUEN.--OF A ROBBER CALLED TABARY. In these days, several captains were ordered by the king and the duke of Burgundy to Rouen, to aid the inhabitants in the defence of their town against the king of England, by whom they daily expected to be besieged. In their number were the lord de Gapennes, sir John de Neuf-châtel lord de Montagu, sir Anthony de Toulongeon, sir Andrew des Roches, Henry de Chaufour, the bastard de Thian, le Grand Jacques, a native of Lombardy, Guerard bastard de Brimeu, and many others renowned in arms. Sir Guy le Bouteiller, a Norman, was captain-general of the town, having under him Langnon, bastard of Arly. The whole of the men at arms were selected for their courage, and amounted to about four thousand; and the citizens, well armed and clothed suitably to their degree, were full fifteen thousand, ready and eager to defend themselves against all who might wish to injure them.