ed the English
forces, passed over to Calais. He was attended by the lords Montacute,
Herbert, Ferrars, Morney, Sandys, Berkeley, Powis, and many other
noblemen and gentlemen.[***]

* Memoires du Bellai, liv. ii.

** Belcarius, lib. xvii.

*** Herbert.

The English army, reenforced by some troops drawn from the garrison
of Calais, amounted to about twelve thousand men; and having joined an
equal number of Flemings under the count de Buren, they prepared for an
invasion of France. The siege of Boulogne was first proposed; but that
enterprise appearing difficult, it was thought more advisable to leave
this town behind them. The frontier of Picardy was very ill provided
with troops; and the only defence of that province was the activity of
the French officers, who infested the allied army in their march,
and threw garrisons, with great expedition, into every town which
was threatened by them. After coasting the Somme, and passing Hedin,
Montreuil, Dourlens, the English and Flemings presented themselves
before Bray, a place of small force, which commanded a bridge over that
river. Here they were resolved to pass, and, if possible, to take up
winter quarters in France; but Crequi threw himself into the town and
seemed resolute to defend it. The allies attacked him with vigor and
success; and when he retreated over the bridge, they pursued him so
hotly, that they allowed him not time to break it down, but passed
it along with him, and totally routed his army. They next advanced to
Montdidier, which they besieged, and took by capitulation. Meeting with
no opposition, they proceeded to the River Oise, within eleven leagues
of Paris, and threw that city into great consternation; till the duke
of Vendome hastened with some forces to its relief. The confederates,
afraid of being surrounded, and of being reduced to extremities
during so advanced a season, thought proper to retreat. Montdidier was
abandoned; and the English and Flemings, without effecting any thing,
retired into their respective countries.

France defended herself from the other invasions with equal facility
and equal good fortune. Twelve thousand Lansquenets broke into Burgundy
under the command of the count of Furstenberg. The count of Guise, who
defended that frontier, had nothing to oppose to them but some militia,
and about nine hundred heavy-armed cavalry. He threw the militia into
the garrison towns; and with his cavalry he kept the field