News was carried to fir John Holland, that one t)f fir Ralph Stafford's archers had murdered his favourite fquire ; and that it had happened through the fault of the foreign knight, fir Meles. Sir John, on hearing it, was like a mad man, and faid he would neither eat nor drink until he had revenged it. He inftantly mounted his horfe, ordering his men to do the fame, though it was now very late, and, having gained the fields, he inquired for the lodgings of fir Meles : he was told that he was lodged at the rear-guard with the earl d'Euurenieres* and the earl of Stafford, and ivith their people. Sir John Holland took that road, riding up and down to find fir Meles. As he was thus riding along a very narrow lane, he met the lord Ralph Stafford; but, being night, they could not diftinguifh each other. He called out, '* Who comes here ?* He was answered, * I am Stafford £ c And I am Holland.' Then fir John added, ç Stafford, I was enquiring after you. Thy fervants have murdered my fquire, whom I loved fo much.' On faying this, he drew bis fword • and ftruck lord Ralph fuch a" blow as felled him dead, which was a great* pity. Sir John continued his road, but knew not then that he had killed him, though he was well aware he had ftrucken him down. The fervants of the lord Ralph were exceedingly wrath, as was na-tural, on feeing their mafter dead: they began to cry out, c Holland,- you have murdered the fon of * Earl d'Euusexùeres* Q. Earl of Devonfhire. •Jhe 61