The castle did not hold out more than eight days after this, when the governor offered to surrender it on condition that the lives and fortunes of the garrison should be spared, and that they should march freely away, with the exception of any who had been concerned in the murder of duke John of Burgundy, who were to remain until the king's pleasure should be known. The lord de Guitry was much blamed by both parties for having suffered the prisoners to be put to death, and holding out so few days after. He was also accused of being concerned in the murder of the duke of Burgundy, but offered to prove his innocence by combating a gentleman of duke Philip's household called William de Biere. In the end, Guitry exculpated himself, and nothing further was done. He carried away his garrison to the dauphin. So soon as the king of England had regarrisoned and supplied the town and castle of Montereau with stores and provision, he made preparations to lay siege to the town of Melun, and while these things were passing, the king and queen of France and the queen of England resided at Bray sur Seine, with their households. CHAP. XLI. THE TOWN OF VILLENEUVE-LE-ROI IS TAKEN BY SCALADO.--THE SIEGE OF THE PONT ST ESPRIT.--THE CROISADE UNDERTAKEN BY THE POPE,--AND MANY OTHER MATTERS. In these days, the town of Villeneuve-le-Roi, seated on the river Yonne, was surprised by scalado, by a party of Burgundians; in which place were killed and taken many who supported the dauphin's party. At this time also, the duke of Bedford joined his brother the king of England with eight hundred men at arms and two thousand archers. They were joyfully received by the king, his brothers, and the duke of Burgundy, whose army was greatly strengthened by this reinforcement. The dauphin was not idle on his side: he had marched a considerable force into Languedoc, and laid siege to the town of the Pont du St Esprit, on the Rhône, which was garrisoned by the prince of Orange's men for the duke of Burgundy. He pointed against it many engines that had been sent him from Avignon and Provence, and pressed the place so much that it surrendered. In like manner, he subdued the greater part of the towns and castles in Languedoc that were attached to the burgundian party through the influence of the prince of Orange; and having placed therein sufficient garrisons and expert commanders, he returned to Bourges in Berry, where he assembled a very large army to enable him to oppose the king of England and the duke of Burgundy, who he knew were preparing to conquer all towns and castles that were attached to him.