This town was then besieged by the king of the Romans, the king of England, and a number of flemish lords, and particularly by a body of Hainaulters, who had posted themselves in a fort near the town, and thence battered it with heavy artillery. The garrison and townsmen defended the place valiantly, but they were in the utmost distress from want of provision, and a convoy was ordered to supply their necessities, under the command of the lord de Longueville. He executed this order punctually by throwing in all his supplies; but on his retreat, he fell unexpectedly into an ambuscade,--for his men, not suspecting any such stratagem, were marching very disorderly, and amusing themselves by playing in the fields. On the enemy sallying from their ambush, the French were panicstruck, and began to fly, notwithstanding all attempts of their officers to prevent them. In consequence, the lord de Longueville, the captain Bayard, the lord de Bussy, and many more captains of renown were made prisoners, some of whom were carried to England, and their liberty set at a very high ransom[50]. During this time, the king of France sent orders to the governor of Paris to have all the companies of tradesmen, and of other descriptions, mustered. This was done, and several companies were richly accoutred, well armed, and in uniforms. The numbers were found to be very great, according to the report made by the commissaries who had been sent thither for this purpose. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 50: This was called The Battle of Spurs from the French making more use of them than of their swords.] CHAP. XXXI. THE KING OF SCOTLAND ENTERS ENGLAND WITH A POWERFUL ARMY.--HE IS SLAIN.--PEACE CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE KING OF FRANCE AND THE VENETIANS. While king Henry of England was engaged in his war abroad, the noble and gallant king of Scotland invaded England with a large army, on pretence of a claim to that crown in right of his queen, and also from his alliance with the king of France, to make a diversion in his favour, now he was attacked, and force his enemies to quit France to avoid greater inconveniences. The king of Scotland, on entering England, did great mischiefs. A battle took place, in which very many English fell, as well as Scots,--but the greatest loss to France was the death of the king of Scotland, who was killed valiantly fighting. It is rare to find such friends as will put their lives and fortunes to the chance of war in the support of a friend, especially when absent[51]. The Scots gained the field, although numbers of them were slain,--for as both nations had been long desirous of coming to blows, it may be supposed that hard ones were exchanged on each side. May God pardon those who fell![52]