eommiflioned fo to do by the king of France, He ordered the fcnçfchal of Bcaucaire to fhut up all the pafles to Avignon, as well on the Rhôrte as by land, that nothing might enter that place, nor be fent thither from the Pont du Saint Efprit, for he was particularly anxious that it Ihould not be ftipplied with provifions or flores. The fum-tnons of the marfhal was readily obeyed, by fome through attachment, but by many in the expedi-tion of plundering Avignon. Sir Raymond de Touraine came with pleafure to the marfhal,_ who was ready to march, in com-pany with the lords de la Both, de Tournon, de Monclau and d'Usés and others, fo numerous* that the marfhal fent a herald with his defiance to the pope in his palace, arid to his cardinals m Avignon. This was a fevere blow to the cardinals, and to the inhabitants, for. they knew well they could not long çffe&uaUy withftand the power of the king of France. They called a. council of the cardinals and principal perfons in the town, and, in confe-quence, waited on Benedict, and temperately remon-ffcatçd with him, that they were unable and unwilling to fupport a war againft the king of France, • for it was necefTary they fhould carry on their com-merce, by land and water, to live. Benedict, like a madman, replied,—c Your city is ftrong, and well provided with, flores and provifions. I will fend to Genoa and elfewhere for men at arms ; and write to my fon the king of Arragon, who is the ftandard-bearer of the church, to come to my 76