He then returned to the siege of
Mauvezin where the
duke of Anjou was investing the place.
Sir Garsis du Chastel and his men had already returned and had reported their successful exploits to the
duke.'
'The siege of the
castle of Mauvezin lasted about six weeks, and there were almost daily skirmishes between the two forces at the wooden barriers in front of the castle.
Mauvezin could, I believe, have held out longer for the castle would have been impregnable had it not been for their siege, but it so happened that the besiegers deprived them of the water they were accustomed to drawing from a well situated outside the castle. The cisterns within the walls dried up, for it was so hot and dry that not a single drop of rain fell from the sky during the entire six weeks. Whereas the besieging army were at ease on the banks of the fine and clear
river Arros, which they made good use of both for themselves and their horses.'
'When the companions of the Mauvezin garrison found themselves in this predicament they became alarmed, for they could not hold out much longer. They had plenty of wine but lacked fresh water. They resolved to make a treaty with the
duke, which they duly did. Their captain,
Raymonnet de Lespès, requested a safe conduct to go and speak to the
duke. He obtained this easily enough and came to speak to the
duke saying,
"My lord, if you will treat my companions and myself with courtesy then I shall surrender the
castle of Mauvezin."
"And what courtesy, pray, do you wish me to pay you?" replied the
duke. "Go your way, each of you to his own country, and make sure you do not enter any fortress holding out against us, for if you do and I catch you, I will hand you over to
Jaucelin and he will trim your beards without a razor."
"My lord," said
Raymonnet, "if we leave like this and return to our own countries, we must none the less take with us what is ours, for we have gained it by arms, in travail and at great risk."
The
duke thought about this for a short time and replied, "I consent to you taking everything which you can carry before you in trunks and on packhorses, but not otherwise. If you have any prisoners, they must be given up to us."
"I accept," said
Raymonnet.
Such was the nature of their agreement, as you have heard me relate it. All those inside departed, surrendering the castle to the
duke of Anjou and carrying what they could in front of them. They each returned to their own countries or sought their fortune elsewhere, but
Raymonnet went over to the
French and served the
duke of Anjou for a long time after that. He went across into
Italy with him and died in a skirmish outside the city of
Naples when the
duke of Anjou and the
count of Savoy made their journey there.'
SHF 3-10 sync
Third Book, Chapter 9 [1388-(1374)-1388-(1383)]
The reasons on account of which the count of Foix built up his treasury, and how the companions of Bigorre fought against the garrison of Lourdes.
'Just as I have told you, my dear sir, did the
duke of Anjou gain the
castle of Mauvezin in those days. He was immensely pleased with the acquisition and had it guarded by a knight from Bigorre by the name of
Sir Chiquart de la Perrière. He later gave it to the
count of Foix, who still holds it and will do for as long as he lives, for he has it well guarded by a knight of Bigorre, a relation of his whom we call
Sir Raymond de Lanne. Once the
duke of Anjou had gained possession of
Mauvezin and delivered the country and the entire
Lande de Bourg from the
English and from the pillagers, he proceeded to lay siege to the
town and castle of Lourdes.
pb 212 r