The garrison in Falaise consisted of fifteen hundred English, the very best of that nation that now remained in Normandy, under the command of two english gentlemen, named Andrew Troslet[101] and Thomas Cathon[102], lieutenants to the governor the lord Talbot. When they saw the multitude of men at arms, archers, and cross-bowmen, that were drawn up before them, they demanded a parley with the count de Dunois, who, by the king's orders, sent them passports, that they might explain what they required. They met on the 10th, and asked to capitulate, which the king granted; when they appointed the 22nd day of July to surrender the place, unless they should, before that day, receive reinforcements to enable them to offer battle,--and on condition that the lord Talbot, who was their governor for the king of England, and who at that moment was the king of France's prisoner in the castle of Dreux, should be set at liberty, on making certain promises to the king of France. A truce was now proclaimed, to last from the 10th to the 22nd, and twelve hostages were delivered for its observance. The English were to march away with arms and baggage, in safety, for England, in case they should not be relieved on the day appointed. As no succours came to them they departed, according to the tenour of the capitulation, and delivered up the town and castle to the king, who made governor thereof Poton de Saintrailles, his master of the horse and bailiff of Berry. On the 24th of July, after the reduction of Falaise, the lord Charles de Culant, grand master of the household, the lord de Blainville, the lord John Bureau, treasurer of France, who always had the command of the artillery, with fifteen hundred franc archers, marched to lay siege to the town and castle of Domfront. The english garrison amounted to seven or eight hundred; but when they heard of the great body of chivalry and archers that were then in Normandy, they surrendered the place on the 2d day of August, on condition that they might depart in safety, with arms and baggage, for England, as, I have already recounted, many of their countrymen had before done from different towns and castles. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 99: Falaise,--nine leagues from Caen.] [Footnote 100: Domfront,--twelve leagues from Mayenne, eight from Alençon.] [Footnote 101: Andrew Troslet. Q. Truslow.] [Footnote 102: Thomas Cathon. Q. Cawthorn.] CHAP. XXII. THE DECEASE OF THE DUKE OF BRITTANY,--AND OF THE LORD GILES HIS BROTHER, WHOM HE HAD CRUELLY PUT TO DEATH BEFORE HIS DECEASE.--CHERBOURG IS BESIEGED BY SEA AND LAND, AND IS TAKEN BY THE FRENCH.