éonfiftèd cMely of Gafcons ; and they might, in the Whole, amount to three thoufand ; but they had again divided themfelves into companies of three and four hundreds, and thus ' advanced towards Touloufe and Montauban. At this time, there was a knight of France high fteward of Touloufe, whiofe name was Guy d'Afai *. When he learnt that thefe companies were near at hand, that they were advancing in divifions, and did not amount, in the whole, to more than three thoufahd combatants, who were pinched by hunger, badly armed and mounted, and ftill worfe clothed and fhod, he declared that no fuch perfons fhould enter Touloufe, nor the kingdom of France, to re* cruit themfelves; and that, if it pleafed God, he would march out, to'offer them battle. He dire&ly gave notice of his intentions to the lord Ahneri, vifcount of Narbonne, to the high ftewards of Carcaflbnne and of Beaucaire, and to all knights, fquires and officers in that quarter, commanding them to give him aid and affifiance to defend the borders againft thefe wicked companions. Thofe who had been fent to, obeyed, and came with all fpeed to the city of Touloufe. They amounted * Gay d9 Alal. When Bertrand faw the duke d'Anjou at Montpellier, he requeiled htm to. prevent thofe companies from returning to Acqukatne ; he thereupon alTembled the militia of the country, and collected a force of five hundred lances and four thoufand archers. He gave the command pf this army to Guy d'Afai fénéfchal de Touloufe, A mould /i'Efpagpe fénéfchal de Carca (Tonne, Guy de Prohins fé-péfçhal de Beaucaire, and Aimeri vifcount de Narbonne. Bift. de Languedoc, vol. iv. p. 332. to