entrance at first, and he was forced to take up his quarters in a little abbey not far from one of the gates, with about fifty men-at-arms (of which number I myself was one), and perhaps 200 soldiers in all. The Duke of Burgundy sent him word to continue in that post, if he thought himself secure: but if not, that he should retire to him, for the difficulty of the way would not permit him to send a reinforcement easily, because all that side of the country was full of rocks. The Lord of Humbercourt resolved not to abandon the abbey where he was posted, it being sufficiently strong, but he detained five or six of the citizens who came to present the duke with the keys, to assist him, as you shall hear. When the clock struck nine at night, we heard their bells ring, at which the people assembled in the town, and the Lord of Humbercourt was afraid it might be a signal to fall upon us; for he had certain intelligence that the Lord Rasse de Lintre and several others had openly declared against the peace; and his apprehension was just and true, for they met to that purpose, and were ready to attack us. The Lord of Humbercourt told those who were with him, “If we can but amuse the enemy till midnight, we are safe enough; for they will be weary, and impatient to sleep, and then those who are our adversaries will leave the town, since they have miscarried in their design.” In order to effect that, he despatched two of the citizens, whom (as I said) he had detained, with certain articles very friendly and amicable, that he had caused to be drawn up for no other purpose, but only to give them an occasion of assembling the people, and to gain time; for they always had a custom, and they retain it to this very day, upon any news of importance, to flock together to the bishop’s palace upon the sounding of a bell that is within it.