THE GARRISON OF NOYON MAKE THE ENOMSlf PRISONERS WHO HAD SET FIRS TO PONT* I/EVE$UI.^-THE KING Of FRANCE SENDS FOR SIR B1RTRANO DU OyESCtlN. QIR Robert Knoîïes and his army, on their de-parture from the town of Noyon, fet fire to Pontl'Evêque on the river Oife, where there were feveral handfome hôtels. Thofe knights and fquires in the town of Noyon were exceedingly angry at this proceeding, and, underftanding that fir Robert and his forces had proceeded, left the city of Noyon with about fifty lances, and came fo well in time to the town of Pont PEveqtfe, that they found there thofe who had burnt it, and others occupied in the pillage. They were at-tacked moft furioufly, and the greater part of them fiain or made prifoners. The French took more than flxty horfes, and refcued many prifoners whom the enemy intended carrying off. Several good houfes would have been burnt if they had not come there fo ' opportunely. They returned to Noyon with upwards of fifteen Englifh prifoners, whom they beheaded. The Englifh continued their march in battle array, intending to enter the Laonnois, and to croft 88 CHAP. XVII.