the very gates of that city. Sir
Walter marched back with his force to the ships, but finding the wind
unfavourable returned to Hennebon by land, capturing by the way the
castle of Goy la Foret. Their return was joyfully welcomed, not only
for the victory which they had achieved, but because the enemy was again
drawing near to the town. Auray had fallen. The brave garrison, after
existing for some time upon the flesh of their horses, had endeavoured
to cut their way through the besiegers. Most of them were killed in the
attempt, but a few escaped and made their way to Hennebon.

Vannes, an important town, and Carhaix quickly surrendered, and the
French force was daily receiving considerable reinforcements. This arose
from the fact that large numbers of French nobles and knights had, with
their followers, taken part with Alfonso, King of Castile and Leon, in
his war with the Moors. This had just terminated with the expulsion of
the latter from Spain, and the French knights and nobles on their way
home for the most part joined at once in the war which their countrymen
were waging in Bretagne.

Seeing the great force which was gathering for a fresh siege of
Hennebon, Sir Walter Manny and the Countess of Montford sent an urgent
message to King Edward for further support. The king was not yet ready,
but at the beginning of August he despatched a force under the command
of the Earl of Northampton and Robert of Artois. It consisted of
twenty-seven knights bannerets and 2000 men-at-arms. Before, however, it
could reach Hennebon the second siege of that city had begun. Charles of
Blois had approached it with a far larger army than that with which he
had on the first occasion sat down before it. Hennebon was, however,
much better prepared than at first for resistance. The walls had
been repaired, provisions and military stores laid up, and machines
constructed. The garrison was very much larger, and was commanded by
one of the most gallant knights of the age, and the citizens beheld
undaunted the approach of the great French army.

Four days after the French had arrived before Hennebon they were joined
by Don Louis, who had been severely wounded in the fight near Quimperle,
and had lain for six weeks at Rennes. Sixteen great engines at once
began to cast stones against the walls, but Sir Walter caused sandbags
to be lowered, and so protected the walls from the attack that little
damage was done. The garrison confident in their