Some skirmishes took place on each side; but at length, for certain considerations, they promised to withdraw from the duke's territories and make for Santois, and for the lands of sir John de Luxembourg, threatening to carry thither fire and sword. Sir John was, however, so well provided with troops to resist them that they were happy to pass quietly through his possessions,--for the count de St Pol was hard on their rear, with a very numerous body of men, ready to succour his uncle should there be any need of it. They advanced into Champagne, doing great waste to all the poor people whose countries they passed through, and who were unable to oppose them. The lord de Rambures concluded a treaty with the earl of Somerset and the other english captains for the surrender of Harfleur, that the inhabitants might depart in safety, each with a white staff in his hand. In like manner was Montivilliers reduced, for it was forced to surrender from want of provisions. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 60: The following note, having been mislaid, was omitted at p. 177, line 7. 'Mortaigne.' The count de Mortain was going on an expedition to France, when he was counter-ordered to Calais, on account of the duke of Burgundy besieging it. Sir John Radcliffe was lieutenant of the town of Calais, and baron Dudley of the castle. This count de Mortain is styled, in the treaty of Harcourt between the French and English, A.D. 1438, 'Edmond comte de Dorset, et de Mortain, et de Harcourt, captaine general et governeur de par monseigneur le roi du pays d'Anjou, du Maine, &c.' Dumont, Corps Universel de Diplomatique.] [Footnote 61: Cousay. Contay.--_Du Cange._] [Footnote 62: Eu,--a considerable town in Normandy, eight leagues from Abbeville.] [Footnote 63: Le Bourg-d'Un,--a village in Normandy, near St Valery en Caux.] [Footnote 64: St Aubin en Caux,--a village in Normandy, near Dieppe.] [Footnote 65: Neufchâtel,--on the road from Amiens to Rouen, 16 leagues from Amiens.] [Footnote 66: Fauville,--a market-town in Normandy, in the country of Caux, four leagues from Fêcamp.] [Footnote 67: Montivilliers,--a town in Normandy, in Caux, two leagues from Harfleur.] [Footnote 68: Rue,--a town in Picardy, two leagues from St Valery.] CHAP. XXXVIII. A VERY GREAT LORD IN BRITTANY, CALLED THE LORD OF RETZ, IS ACCUSED AND CONVICTED OF SORCERY. In this year, a very extraordinary event happened in Brittany. The lord of Retz, then marshal of France and of a very noble birth, and a great landed proprietor, was accused and convicted of sorcery, which he had long followed, by the instigation of the devil and his adherents. He confessed having put to death many young children and women with child, with the intent of arriving at great fortunes and honours,--and that with the blood of these victims to his superstition, whom he had violently murdered, were written divers books of diabolical conjurations, and other things contrary to the catholic faith.