Oudenarde bfeing thus furrounded, the Flem-ings thought they fhould ftarve thofe within it ; but the garrifon made frequent fallies, in which fometimes they gained the advantage, and at - others loft it, as in fuch cafes muft happen. However, there were not any attempts made to ftorm it. Philip would not ralhly rifk the lives of his men, and faid he would have it other-wife than by ftorm ; and that it could not hold out much longer, fin ce there was not a poffibi-lity of its being reinforced. A bird could fcarce-ly fly into Oudeharde without being feen by the befieging army, fo completely was it in veil-ed on all fides. CHAP. XXVIII. KING CHARLES ORDERS COMMISSIONERS TO EN-TER INTO CERTAIN TREATIES WITH THE FLEMINGS.—THEIR MESSENGERS ARE IMPRI-SONED AT THE MOMENT THEY DEMANDED PASSPORTS. . WE will now return to the king of France. His uncles and council thought it pru-dent to fend to Tournay fome knights and per-lâtes of the realm to treat with the Flemings, and to learn more clearly their intentions. They therefore ordered fir Milles de Dorm ans bifhop of Beauvis, the bifhop of Auxerre, the bishop of Laon, fir Guy de Harcourt and fir Triftan - du Bois, to Tournay as commiflioners from the VOL. VI. 1 L king • 145