The French, without loss of time, after their late victory, marched to besiege the town of Vire, in which was a garrison of three or four stout english combatants: their captain was sir Henry Norbury, then a prisoner, in consequence of the defeat at Fourmigny. The siege did not last long before the commandant capitulated to surrender, on being allowed to march away in safety with the garrison and baggage to Caen. The french army was now divided: one part, under the count de Clermont, marched toward Bayeux,--and the other, with the constable, returned to the duke of Brittany, to lay siege to Avranches[85]. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 79: St Clement,--a village near to Bayeux.] [Footnote 80: Trevieres,---a market-town near Bayeux.] [Footnote 81: Anthony. He is called _Thomas_ before.] [Footnote 82: Norbery. Before Morbery. Probably Norbury.] [Footnote 83: Drieut. Q. Trivet?] [Footnote 84: See the english historians for a more correct account of the end of the duke of Suffolk.] [Footnote 85: Avranches,--a bishoprick in Normandy, 75 leagues from Paris, 50 from Rouen.] CHAP. XIX. THE DUKE OF BRITTANY BESIEGES AVRANCHES, WITH HIS WHOLE FORCE.--IT SURRENDERS TO HIM.--HE TAKES TOMBELAINE[86].--BAYEUX IS WON.--THE CONSTABLE GAINS BRICQUEBEC[87], VALOGNES[88], ST SAUVEUR LE VICOMTE[89],--OTHER INCIDENTS. When the duke of Brittany's army was returned to him, and had taken some rest, he mustered his men, and without delay began his march, well attended by artillery, to besiege the town of Avranches, which was garrisoned by four or five hundred English under the command of a captain called Lampet[90]. The duke displayed great ability and courage in forming the siege, during which many skirmishes took place between the parties. This siege lasted three weeks, when the walls were so battered that the captain and garrison were reduced to surrender; but although they proposed different terms of capitulation, they could only obtain permission to march away in safety, but without arms or baggage; so that, when the place was given up, they departed with staves in their hands. On the reduction of Avranches, the duke of Brittany advanced with his army to Tombelaine, which is impregnable, so long as provision and stores last; for it is seated on a rock in the sea, near to St Michael's Mount. There was in it an english garrison of from four score to one hundred men,--but they no sooner perceived the great force that was brought against them than they capitulated to surrender the place, on being permitted to march to Cherbourg in safety with their baggage and effects.