THE FRENCH OVERRUN THE LANDS OF NEEL, BELONGING TO SIR JOHN DE LUXEMBOURG. In the month of July, of this year, while sir John de Luxembourg count de Ligny was at Neel in the Vermandois, the garrisons of Crespy in Valois[57], of Ver[58], and other places, to the amount of about one hundred combatants, advanced thither having crossed the Oise at the bridge of Saint Maixence, under the command of Gilbert de la Roche, a companion of arms to sir John de Luxembourg. They overran the country round Neel, belonging to the count de Ligny, and made great prizes of peasants, cattle, horses, and of all they could seize,--after which, they set out with their plunder, on their return home. Intelligence of this was carried to sir John de Luxembourg, who was very indignant thereat,--for it was not the first time such pillaging had taken place. He instantly assembled, from his nearest towns and castles, about a hundred fighting men, whom he sent in pursuit of them. The principal captains were sir David de Poix governor of Guise, Guyot de Bethune, Antoine de la Baniere governor of Ham, Antoine du Belloy, and other gentlemen, who, riding full speed, overtook them below Compiégne, opposite to Royaulieu[59], where they had sent across the river, by means of a boat which they had found there, good part of the cattle and horses,--and about twenty were in the boat crossing, when they saw their adversaries arrive, and vigourously attack those who had remained behind. Wishing therefore, to assist their companions, they turned the boat toward the shore they had come from, but it was useless; for no sooner did it approach than such numbers, from fright and surprise, leaped into it that it overset, and many were drowned and their effects lost. The rest were defeated, and several slain: in this number was Gilbert de la Roche. Rassillé saved himself by flight, with only about eight or ten of his men. The conquerors now crossed the river to seek for the plunder,--and, by another road, drove the cattle, &c. to Neel, where sir John de Luxembourg came out to meet them, much rejoiced at their good success. They brought with them five prisoners, the majority of whom were hanged. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 57: Crespy in Valois--capital of the Valois, six leagues from Senlis.] [Footnote 58: Ver,--a village in Picardy, diocese of Senlis.] [Footnote 59: Royaulieu,--a convent in the diocese of Soissons, near Compiégne.] CHAP. XXXVII. THE EARL OF SOMERSET BESIEGES HARFLEUR WITH A POWERFUL ARMY OF ENGLISH. About the end of April, in this year, six thousand english combatants were assembled near to Rouen, under the command of the earls of Somerset, of Dorset[60], and of Falconbridge, they having with them the lord Talbot, sir Francis the Arragonian, Matago, Jacquemin, Vacquier, Thomas Heniton, the bailiff of Rouen, and some other captains, who marched thence, and besieged Harfleur by sea and land.