Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/455

At length, however, so many breaches were made in the walls by reiterated assaults, that the place was deemed no longer tenable, and the bishop of Leon, notwithstanding the prayers and remonstrances of the countess, had determined to capitulate; he was actually engaged in a conference respecting it with Charles of Blois, when the countess, who had ascended a lofty tower, and was casting an eager look towards the sea, descried a fleet at a distance. She instantly ran into the streets, and exclaimed, in a transport of joy—"Succours! succours! the English succours! no capitulation!" Nor was she mistaken: the English fleet soon after entered the harbour, and the troops, under the command of Sir Walter Manny, sallied from the city, attacked the camp of the besiegers, and reduced it to ashes. "On Sir Walter's return from this successful expedition," says Froissard, "the countess went forth meet him with a joyful countenance, and kissed him and his companions two or three times, like a valiant lady." Edward himself afterwards undertook her defence. The count, who had been released through a treaty between England and Philip, still attempting to defend his rights, was slain, and Edward undertook the cause of his son. Afterwards, in 1346, Charles of Blois having come with his troops to the assistance of a fortress she had reduced, she attacked him in his entrenchments in the night, dangerously wounded, and took him prisoner.

Gifford's France. Modern Europe, &c.

JANE,