numbers of men at arms in France then idle, on account of the truce between the French and Englifh, he entreated the king to aflift him in ob-taining the free companies of Bretons, ~who were overrunning and harafling the kingdom, for him to lead them into Auftria. The king, who wilhed thefe Companies any where but in his kingdom, feadily aflented to his requeft. He lent, or gave, I know not which, fixty thoufand francs, in order to get rid of thefe companions. They began their march towards Auftria about Michaelmas, com-mitting many ravages wherever they pafled. Many barons, knights and fquires of France, Artois, Vermandois, Hainault and Picardy, fuch. as the vifcounts de Mcaux and d*Aunay, fir Raoul de Coucy, the baron de Roye, Pierre de Bar, and feveral others offered their fervices to the lord dc Coucy. His army was increafed by all thofe who wifhcd to advance themfelves in honour. •175 CHAP.