The 16th day of November, the army resolved to send deputies to Ghent and to the towns within its jurisdictions, to know how they would wish them to proceed,--and to inform them, that if they advised marching against Bruges, it would be necessary to send them reinforcements equal to the present state of the army. The council at Ghent thought, that as provisions were now so dear, and winter at hand, it would be of more advantage not then to send any supplies, but disband the army; for the greater number were of the same opinion, and sought to diminish it. The army, therefore, marched from Ardembourg to Ekeloo. While there, one of the private men of that castlewick having on his shoulders some stakes which he had taken from a hedge to dress his victuals, some ghent men would take them from him by force, when he defended himself and shouted out for aid to his countrymen,--and the ghent men shouted, 'Ghent!' both parties assembled with arms, and a grand battle would have taken place, had not Pierre Simon, sheriff of Ghent, by gentle words and with much courage, put an end to the affray. He suffered a good deal by thus interfering, but was not seriously hurt from the goodness of his armour. Many were much wounded, which caused loud murmurings among the ghent men,--for one of them, a strong active boatman of Ghent, died of his wounds. Two, who had first struck the sheriff, were banished Ghent. On the eve of St Andrew's day, the ghent army returned home: they had taken up arms inconsiderately, and were come back with little satisfaction. Those within their jurisdictions, who had marched against their inclinations, returned cheerfully home. Shortly after, their captain-general, Rasse Rouven, was deposed, and the six persons set at liberty, on promise made to the magistracy that they would answer any interrogations, and obey any sentences that might be passed on them, within three days after they should be summoned to appear. In the month of December, proclamations were made throughout Flanders, by order of the prince, forbidding all persons to obey Rasse Rouven, for that he had recalled his commission of captain-general. On the eve of Christmas-day, it was ordered, by the magistracy of Ghent in full assembly, that sir Roland de Hautekerque, sir Colart de Comines, Jean de la Damme, Gilles de la Voustine, Girard de Mal-digen, Jean de Papegen, Pierre Gougebur, Pierre Bris, Josse de Beys, Martin de Sinimes and Jean de Crique, who had been banished Ghent and Flanders, might return thither. It was also agreed, that one Coppin Coppon, who had for five years past absented himself from Ghent, and had robbed so many passengers on the high roads in Flanders that travellers were afraid of him, might return,--Coppin, thinking that every thing was pardoned, did come back; but he was arrested and condemned to be beheaded, with two others who had committed robberies on two persons near to the town of Dendermonde. FOOTNOTES: