Calais bareheaded and barefooted, with ropes round their necks, and with the keys of the town and castle in their hands. These six persons shall be at my absolute disposal: the rest of the inhabitants shall be pardoned."

Sir Walter returned to the Lord de Vienne, who was waiting for him on the battlements, and told him all that he had been able to gain from the King. As soon as he had finished speaking, the governor said, "I beg of you to remain here while I go and tell the townspeople what has passed: for as they have desired me to undertake this negotiation, it is but proper that they should hear the result." He then went to the market-place, and caused the bell to be rung, at the sound of which all the inhabitants, both men and women, assembled in the town hall. He related to them what he had said, and the answer which he had received, telling them that he could not obtain any more favourable conditions, and that they must give a short and immediate answer. This announcement caused the greatest despair: the Lord de Vienne wept bitterly, and indeed the hardest heart would have had compassion on the poor Calesians. After a short silence, the most wealthy citizen of the town, by name Sir Eustace de S. Pierre, rose up and said, Gentlemen, both high and low, it would be a sad pity to suffer so many people to die through famine, if any means could be found to prevent it; and it would be highly meritorious in the eyes of our SAVIOUR if such a calamity could be averted. I have

1

such faith and trust that it will be acceptable to GOD if I die to save my townsmen, that I name myself as first of the six."

When Eustace had done speaking, all rose up, and almost worshipped him; many cast themselves at his feet in tears. Another rich and respectable citizen, by name John Daire, immediately said that he would be second to accompany Eustace. After him followed two brothers, James and Peter Wisant, and two others soon presented themselves, which completed the number demanded by the King of England. The Lord John de Vienne then mounted a small hackney, and conducted these noble citizens to the gate, which, amidst the greatest sorrow and lamentation, was ordered to be opened. He then led them to the barriers, and said to Sir Walter Manny, who was there waiting to receive him, "As Governor of Calais, I deliver up to you, with the consent of the inhabitants, these six citizens; and I swear to you that they were, and are this day, the most wealthy and respectable inhabitants of Calais. I beg of you, gentle sir, that you would have the goodness to beseech the King that they may not be put to death." "I cannot answer for what the King will do with them," replied Sir Walter; "but you may depend upon it that I will do all in my power to save them." The barriers were then opened; the six citizens advanced to the pavilion of the King, while the Lord de Vienne re-entered the town.

As soon as Sir Walter Manny had conducted these

K

six citizens into the presence of the King, they fell upon their knees, and with uplifted hands said, "Most gallant King, you see before you six citizens of Calais, the principal merchants of the place, who bring you the keys of the castle and the town. To your absolute will and pleasure we surrender ourselves, in order to save the remainder of the inhabitants of Calais, who have already suffered much misery and distress. Condescend, therefore, out of your nobleness of mind to have mercy and compassion upon us."

All the barons, knights, and squires who were assembled there in great numbers, wept at the sight. The King, however, eyeing the citizens with angry looks, ordered their heads to be struck off. All present entreated him to have mercy; but he so much hated the people of Calais, because of the great losses he had formerly suffered from them, that he would not listen to the request. Sir Walter Manny interfered, and said, "Let me beseech you, gentle King, to restrain your anger: you have a reputation for great nobleness of soul; do not tarnish it by such an act as this. All the world will say you have acted cruelly, if you put to death six such respectable persons as these, who, of their own free will, in order to save their fellow-citizens, have surrendered themselves to your mercy." Still the King would not be prevailed upon, but ordered the executioner to be sent for; the Calesians, he said, had done him so much damage, that it was proper they should suffer for it.

Philippa, Queen of England, who was present, and

66

heard this, now fell upon her knees before her husband, and most affectionately entreated him, saying, Ah, gentle Sir, since I crossed the sea with much danger to see you, I have never asked you one favour; and now I most humbly beg as a gift, for the sake of the SON of the blessed Mary, and for the love you have to me, that you will be merciful to these six men." The King was moved; he looked on the Queen for some time in silence, and then said, "Ah, Lady, I wish you had been anywhere but here. You have entreated me in such a manner that I cannot refuse you. I give up these citizens to you; do with them as you please."

As you may well suppose, all were much rejoiced at hearing this: the good Queen commanded the six citizens to be conducted to her own apartment, and the halters taken from their necks: after which she gave them new clothes, and entertained them sumptuously; she then presented each with six nobles, and had them escorted in safety out of the camp. In this manner, after a twelvemonth's siege, was the strong town of Calais surrendered to the English, about the end of August, 1347.

As soon as the good town of Calais had come into the possession of the English in the manner we have just mentioned, King Edward appointed Sir Aymery de Pavie, a Lombard, governor of it, and himself returned with his Queen to England. At this time Sir Geoffry de Chargny, who had command of the French forces, was stationed at S. Omer to defend the frontiers. Now this Sir Geoffry, in every thing touching war, acted as if he had been king, and being very desirous to recover Calais, he entered into a secret treaty with Sir Aymery, which succeeded so far, that the latter promised to deliver up the town on receiving twenty thousand crowns. The King of England by some means or other got intelligence of this, and immediately sent to Sir Avmerv. the Lombard. desiring him