While the siege was going on, Langnon bastard d'Arly, one of the principal captains in the town, and in whom the inhabitants placed their greatest confidence, had the charge of guarding the gate of Caux. One day, an English knight, called sir John le Blanc, governor of Harfleur under the earl of Dorset, came before this gate, and demanded of Langnon to break three lances with him, which he granted,--and, having quickly armed himself, sallied out with about thirty companions on foot. In front of the barriers, they attacked each other gallantly; but it happened, that at the first thrust, the english knight was run through the body, and unhorsed: he was then dragged by force into the town, and soon after died. Langnon received four hundred nobles on returning the body, and was universally applauded by the townsmen for the address and valour he had shewn on this occasion. CHAP. XI. THE SENTENCE THAT HAD BEEN FORMERLY PASSED ON MASTER JOHN PETIT IS PUBLICLY REVERSED.--THE CAPTURE OF LAIGNY-SUR-MARNE.--THE ARRIVAL OF THE DUKE OF BRITTANY,--AND OTHER MATTERS. In these days, a public procession was made from all the churches in Paris, and mass was chaunted in that of Nôtre Dame. While mass was celebrating, a friar minorite, doctor in theology, preached a solemn sermon in the square before the church,--at which were present the king's ministers, such as the chancellor and others, the rector and principal heads of the university, several great lords, the provost of Paris, and some of the chief citizens. There were also present the vicars and officials of the bishop of Paris, who, having received an especial commission for the purpose from the bishop, then very ill at St Maur des Fossés, reversed, in his name, the sentence which he and others had formerly pronounced contrary to the honour of the duke of Burgundy, and against the proposition avowed by this duke through the organ of master John Petit, as has been before related, and now made every possible reparation in regard to the honour and loyalty of the said duke, as the true champion of the crown of France. The preacher, in his sermon, compared him to the prop that supports the vine, and explained the legality of the powers granted by the bishop to his vicars to annul this sentence, at the same time making excuses for the bishop's absence on account of his illness. In short, every thing was done to the satisfaction of the duke of Burgundy, and the sentence was annulled in the middle of the sermon.