of twelve hundred fighting men, and ftudied night and day by what means they could take, gain by furprife or otherwife, any towns, caftles or fortreffes in Poitou. From thefe meafures it happened that they took by fcalado a caftle called la Roche Pofay, at the entrance of Poitou, on the river Creufe, two leagues diftant from la Haye * in Touraine, and tole-rably near to Châtelheraut on the fame river. The whole country was exceedingly alarmed at this ; for the French placed a large garrifon in it, repaired the walls, and amply provided it with all forts of provifion, ammunition and artillery. , When this news was brought to the prince, he was much difpleafed ; but he could not prevent it. He fent orders to fir Guifcard d'Angle, fir Louis de Harcourt, the lord de Partenay, the lord de Pinane, and feveral others who were at Montai*-ban with fir John Chandos, to return to him dire&ly, as he wanted to employ them in another part of the country. The aforefaid lords, in confequence of this com-mand, left Montauban, and journeyed to An-goulcme, where the prince was, who immediately fent them to Poitiers, to guard that city and defend the frontiers againft the French. There had lately turned to the French party a great baron of Poitou, called the lord de Chauvigny, vifcount de Brux. This town had followed his example, which he had filled with Bretons and men * La H:iye,—four leagues from Châtelheraut. at