The garrison gallantly sallied out on foot to meet him, and a sharp skirmish began, during which sir John fell from his horse, by reason of the girth breaking, but was soon raised up again by his men, and instantly most courageously, and in a violent passion, attacked the Dauphinois lance in hand: they were fewer in number than the assailants, and therefore retreated in disorder, and closed their bulwark. Sir John, on this, sent for the remainder of his force, whom he had placed in ambush, and they made so grand an attack on the bulwark, that it was taken by storm, and set on fire,--but in this action many were killed and wounded. Sir John then returned with his men to duke Philip of Burgundy in Troyes, at which place great preparations were making for the reception of king Henry of England, who was shortly expected there to confirm the articles of the peace, and solemnise his marriage with the lady Catherine of France. While these things were passing, the dauphin and his council were at Bourges in Berry. He was exceedingly uneasy when he heard of the alliance that had been concluded with England, and anxious to form plans of resistance against the king of England and the duke of Burgundy, knowing that unless he could effectually oppose them, he was in great peril of losing the kingdom and his expectations of succeeding to the crown of France. He was not therefore negligent to provide against the danger, and established garrisons in all the principal places on the frontiers toward his adversaries, and appointed to the command of them the most loyal of his party. He placed as governor at Melun the lord de Barbasan, with a large force; at Montereau, the lord de Guitry: sir Robert de Loire at Montargis; the bastard de Vaurus and Pierron de Lupel at Meaux in Brie; the lord de Gamaches at Compiegne, and so on at other towns and forts. He assembled a large body of men at arms to be alway near his person, and ready for any event that might happen to him. [A.D. 1420.] CHAP. XXXVII. THE COUNT DE CONVERSAN, WITH HIS BROTHER SIR JOHN DE LUXEMBOURG, THE LORD DE CROY, AND OTHER CAPTAINS, LAY SIEGE TO ALIBAUDIERES.--THE CONSEQUENCES THEREOF. At the beginning of this year, the duke of Burgundy ordered Pierre de Luxembourg count de Conversan and de Brienne, sir John de Luxembourg his brother, and several of his captains, such as the marshal de l'Isle-Adam, the vidame of Amiens, Anthony lord of Croy, Hector de Saveuses, sir Mauroy de St Leger, the bastard de Thian, and a number of others, to lay siege to the castle of Alibaudieres, mentioned in the preceding chapter.