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SIR JOHN FROISSART
Chronicles of England, France, Spain and the adjoining countries
from the latter part of the reign of Edward II to the coronation of Henry IV. Vol.10
page 203
pain of death, for the army to attack or fkirmifh with the Chriftians on the fea-fhore, but they were ordered to remain quietly in their quarters, and fuffer them to land and encamp themfelves without any oppofition. None dared infringe thefe orders. They fent a body of their archers into the town of Africa, to affift in its defence, and never made any movement until the morrow, fo that the country feemed uninhabited.
The Chriftians having lain this night, as I have faid, at anchor at the moulh of the harbour, made themfelves ready the next day, which was a clear bright morning, for approaching the town, being very deflrous to land. Trumpets and clarions began to found and make a loud noife on board the dif-ferent galleys and (hips. When it was about nine o'clock, and the Chriftians had drank a cup, and partaken of foup made of Grecian or Malmfey wines, with which they had abundantly provided themfelves, to cheer their hearts and raife their fpirits, they began to execute the plan they had laid down while at the ifland of Comino. They fent, as it feems to me, fome light veffels called brigandines, armed with bricolles and canons, firft towards the harbour. When they were properly drawn up in array, they entered the haven, and faluted the town with arrows and ftones ; but the walls were hung with wet -carpeting to deaden their blows. Thefe brigandines entered the port without damage, and were followed by the galleys and other veffels in fuch handfome order as to make a pleafant (how. " ' "
la
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