s; but when she was
preparing to return, she found that she was intercepted, and that a
considerable body of the enemy had thrown themselves between her and
the gates. She instantly took her resolution; she ordered her men to
disband, and to make the best of their way by flight to Brest; she met
them at the appointed place of rendezvous, collected another body of
five hundred horse, returned to Hennebonne, broke unexpectedly through
the enemy's camp, and was received with shouts and acclamations by
the garrison, who, encouraged by this reenforcement, and by so rare an
example of female valor, determined to defend themselves to the last
extremity.

The reiterated attacks, however, of the besiegers had at length made
several breaches in the walls; and it was apprehended that a general
assault, which was every hour expected would overpower the garrison,
diminished in numbers, and extremely weakened with watching and fatigue.
It became necessary to treat of a capitulation; and the bishop of Leon
was already engaged, for that purpose, in a conference with Charles
of Blois, when the countess, who had mounted to a high tower, and was
looking towards the sea with great impatience, descried some sails at
a distance. She immediately exclaimed, "Behold the succors! the
English succors! No capitulation!"[*] This fleet had on board a body of
heavy-armed cavalry, and six thousand archers, whom Edward had prepared
for the relief of Hennebonne, but who had been long detained by contrary
winds. They entered the harbor under the command of Sir Walter Manny,
one of the bravest captains of England: and having inspired fresh
courage into the garrison, immediately sallied forth, beat the besiegers
from all their posts, and obliged them to decamp.

* Froissard, liv. i. chap. 81.

But notwithstanding this success, the countess of Mountfort found that
her party, overpowered by numbers, was declining in every quarter;
and she went over to solicit more effectual succors from the king of
England. Edward granted her a considerable reenforcement under Robert of
Artois, who embarked on board a fleet of forty-five ships, and sailed
to Brittany. He was met in his passage by the enemy; an action ensued,
where the countess behaved with her wonted valor, and charged the
enemy sword in hand; but the hostile fleets, after a sharp action, were
separated by a storm, and the English arrived safely in Brittany. The
first exploit of Robert was the taking