In this year, several french commanders assembled a body of men on the frontiers of Normandy, to the amount of eight hundred or a thousand, namely, La Hire, Poton de Santrailles, the lord de Fontaines, Lavagan, Philip de la Tour, and others. They marched toward Rouen with the expectation of entering it by means of some of the inhabitants, who had promised them admittance,--but failed, from a considerable reinforcement of English having lately arrived in the town. The french captains, finding their enterprise could not be accomplished although they were close to Rouen, retreated with their men to refresh and quarter themselves at a large village called Ris, only four leagues distant from it. While they were there, the lord Scales, lord Talbot, sir Thomas Kiriel and other english captains, having had information where they were, collected about a thousand combatants and instantly pursued them,--and, before they were aware, attacked them on different sides, having surprised their quarters. The French unable to collect together were very soon defeated. La Hire, however, having mounted a horse belonging to one of his men at arms, attempted to rally them, but in vain, and then fled. He was briskly pursued, and severely wounded in several places, but escaped by the aid of some of his men. The lord de Fontaines, Alain Geron, Louis de Basle, Alardin de Mousay, John de Lon, were made prisoners; and the other nobles, with the rest of the army, saved themselves chiefly in the woods, but they lost all their baggage and the greater part of their horses. With regard to the killed, they did not amount to more than eight or ten. [A.D. 1437.] CHAP. III. THE TOWN OF BRUGES REBELS AGAINST ITS LORD AND HIS OFFICERS.--A GREAT CONFLICT AND SLAUGHTER IS THE CONSEQUENCE. At the beginning of this year, the populace of Bruges revolted against the officers of their lord the duke of Burgundy, and suddenly put to death Maurice de Versenaire, and his brother, James de Versenaire, sheriffs and magistrates of the town, because they had gone to wait on the duke at Arras. They were sought for in the houses in which they had hidden themselves, on hearing that the mob intended to murder them; and this event greatly alarmed the principal inhabitants. The duke of Burgundy was much vexed on hearing what had passed at Bruges, and held many councils to consider how he could most effectually punish this outrage against his authority. He was advised to send secretly some trusty persons to Bruges, to learn from those supposed to be attached to his party how he could punish the offenders. Those of the highest rank wrote letters, in consequence to the duke, to excuse themselves from having been any way concerned in the late business, and to offer their services to assist him in punishing those who had done these murders.