' ^ 179 ' They immediately fet out from Poitiers, leavpê the city under the guard of the mayor of the place, whofe name was John Regnault, a good and loyal man. Thefe knights xrode until they met the cap-tai de Buch, in the plain, advancing towards St. Jean d'Angely. They remonftrated with him in a courteous manner, how the French had taken Monmorillon, near Poitiers, as well as the ftrong cattle of Moncontour ; and that they were now em-ployed at the fiege of St. Severe, which belonged to fir John Devereux, to whom certainly fomc good lèrvices were due. Befides, there were fliut up in the cattle, fir William Percy, Richard Gill and Richard Orme, who were too valiant men to be loft. The captai de Such, having confidered a mo-ment, replied, * Gentlemen, what is it you wifh me to do ?' Some knights who were near had been called to this council, and they replied ; c It is now a long time fince ' we have heard jou exprefs a ftrong defire for an opportunity of fighting with the French, you can never find a more favourable one than by battening to St. Severe ; and, if you will iffue your fummons to Anjou and Poitou, we jhall have a fufficient number to combat the French with the good will we have p meet with them.* € By my faith/, anfwered the captai $ * I wifh no-thing better ; and we will foon meafure our ftrerigth with theirs, if it pleafe God and my lord St. George/ The captai immediately iffued his fummons to all barons, knights and fquires of Poitou and • • *• N 2 . Sain-