In this state of affairs, the king of France determined with his ministers to send his men at arms, as well french as foreigners, to take up their quarters in Germany during the truce, under the command of the dauphin. In consequence the dauphin marched from Troyes in the month of July, and, by short marches, came before the town of Montbelliart in Germany, bordering on the country of Burgundy, which he laid siege to, because the bailiff of that place had made an inroad as far as the city of Langres in France, had carried away men and cattle, and done many other mischiefs, which had greatly displeased the king. The town and castle of Montbelliart surrendered on capitulation. The king shortly after, followed the dauphin with a large army, by slow marches, to the city of Langres, whence he detached his van to a castle called Arlay, on the borders of Lorraine, held by the bastard of Vergy, who had done from thence, and others of his forts, great damages to the country of Champagne. All these castles the bastard yielded up to the king except that of Arlay, which he said he possessed as a pledge for money advanced to Réné king of Sicily: it was very strong, in excellent repair, and well victualled. The king advanced his army to a town called Espinal, on the frontiers of Lorraine and Germany, which was held by the bishop of Metz, and the castle by the commonalty: both surrendered to the king on his appearing before them. He thence marched to Nancy. While he was there, Réné king of Sicily earnestly entreated that he would assist him to conquer the city of Metz and other towns in Lorraine, which, although his own personal domain, were in rebellion against him. The king, in compliance with his request, sent to summon Metz to surrender, otherwise he would march his army to besiege it. The inhabitants having remonstrated on this, and declared that they were independant of the king of Sicily and of any other lord, they were closely besieged for the space of five months or more, when they concluded a treaty with the king, and the blockade was raised. During this siege, a great lord from Germany, called the lord Bourgalemoine[124], came thither, having been sent by the emperor to the dauphin, as his guide to the countries round Basil, Montbelliart, Coulombaria[125], Selestat[126], Strasbourg, Hagenau, in the district of Aussays[127], to conquer the Swiss and Germans, who had thrown off their dependance on the emperor.