The count de Dunois then marched his army to besiege the town and castle of Argentan. The English opened a parley, although they had not any intentions to surrender; but when the townsmen saw that they were only laughing at the French by these pretended parleys, and knew their intention of holding out to the last, and that what they were saying to the French was the farthest from their thoughts, they called some of their countrymen aside, and bade them have no more parleys with the English, for that they would hold out as long as they could. At the same time, they asked for a banner or pennon, which they would display from a certain part of the walls,--and that when they should see it they should advance thither with courage, and they would admit them into the town, which was done. The English, perceiving themselves betrayed, retreated into the castle; but a large bombard was instantly pointed against the walls, and made a breach wide enough for a cart to pass. The French, on this success, attacked the castle, and entered the breach,--but the English retired into the dungeon, which they soon surrendered, fearing to be taken by storm; and although they demanded a capitulation, they were marched away with only staves in their hands. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 41: Alençon,--a handsome city in lower Normandy, 47 leagues from Paris.] [Footnote 42: Mauléon. Q. Mauléon de Soule? a town in Gascony, eight leagues from Pau.] [Footnote 43: Argentan,--seven leagues and a half from Alençon.] [Footnote 44: D'Estract. In the MS. from Du Cange's copy, it is changed to _d'Estrar_. I suspect that it ought to be _de la Trane_; for the souldich de la Trane was of that country, and one of Edward the IIId's great captains. He is frequently mentioned by Froissart.] [Footnote 45: Basques,--a small country near the Pyrenées, surrounded by Spain, the ocean, Béarn and the river Adour.] [Footnote 46: De Luce. Luxe.----MS. Du Cange.] [Footnote 47: Yemmes. Q. if not Yesme, a village in Maine?] CHAP. X. THE KING OF SICILY WAITS ON THE KING OF FRANCE AT LOUVIERS.--FRESNOY[48] SURRENDERS TO THE DUKE OF ALENÇON.--GISORS[49] CAPITULATES.--THE CASTLE OF GALLON[50] IS BESIEGED. At this season, the king of Sicily came to the king of France at Louviers, where he was very joyfully received. He had with him his brother the count du Maine, and a long train of nobles, knights and esquires, whose names it would be tedious to relate, to the number of more than two hundred lances, and archers, without including those from the army of the duke d'Alençon, the duke of Brittany, the count de Dunois lieutenant-general, the count de Clermont, nor those of the count d'Eu, or of the count de St Pol, who all had with them very many men of note.