The ghent men, on seeing the Picards, advanced from their intrenchments in handsome array, well furnished with pikes and cannons, to give them battle; but they no sooner felt the arrows of the Picards, which, by reason of their being badly armed, pierced their bellies and backs, than they instantly gave way and fled. The Picards pursued them, and slaughtered so many that few escaped. It was commonly reported that upwards of three thousand were killed, while the count d'Estampes lost only one man, called Jean d'Athies, a man at arms, and a native of Arras, who was slain through his own breach of duty. During this time, the noble duke of Burgundy had left Grammont grandly accompanied, as I have said, to raise the siege of Oudenarde. He had learnt that the ghent men had, on the opposite side of the river, been forced to raise the siege, and that the division on this, through fear, were on their march back to Ghent. In consequence of this intelligence, he pushed forward, and soon overtook them,--and the pursuit lasted to the gates of Ghent, killing and wounding all that came in his way, until the night forced him to give it over. The duke lay on the field this night, and on the morrow, early, entered Oudenarde, where great rejoicings and feasts took place between the duke, the count, and their companions. The artillery the men of Ghent had left behind them was secured in the town of Oudenarde, and their baggage plundered. Among those who escaped to Ghent were their three Hoguemans[138],--but they had scarcely entered the town when the populace seized them, beheaded them without mercy, and elected five new ones. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 138: Hogueman--should be, according to du Cange's glossary, Hocquemant, Hoga, captain, governor.] CHAP. XXXI. THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY ESTABLISHES GARRISONS ROUND GHENT.--HE MAKES SEVERAL INROADS INTO THE COUNTRY OF WAES[139]. The siege of Oudenarde being raised, the duke of Burgundy, nobly attended, went to Dendermonde,--the count d'Estampes remained in Oudenarde,--the count de St Pol was sent to Alost, and the marshal of Burgundy, with some picardy gentlemen, to Courtray. Shortly after, the count d'Estampes sallied out of Oudenarde, with the intent of advancing to Ghent; and passing by the castle of Gave, he attacked it, but was forced to retire, as it was too strong, and the garrison outnumbered his force. He then continued his march toward Ghent, where a sharp skirmish took effect, but without much loss on either side--the ghent men re-entered the town--except, indeed, that sir John de Miraumont was struck so severely with a cross-bow bolt that he died of it soon after: the Picards marched back to Oudenarde.