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1587

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On the one and twentith daie of September the king remooued his campe toward Tornaie, and lod|ged within thrée miles of the citie, on a corne ground by the riuer. On which night came to the king the emperour and the Palsgraue, which were lodged in rich tents, and noblie serued of all viands and things necessarie. The people about Tornaie were with their goods fled to the citie, and yet the citie had no men of warre to defend it, but with multitude of in|habitants the same was well replenished. The king commanded sir Rice and his horssemen to view one quarter, and the earle of Essex and his companie an|other quarter; and the lord Wallon and the lord Lignie the other quarters. Then the two and twen|tith daie of September, these foure capteins at one time were soone openlie with banners displaied be|fore the towne, and there made a long stale, and re|turned.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Then the king sent Gartier king of armes to sum|mon them to yeeld it ouer into his hands,Tornaie sum|moned by Gartier king of armes. to whome they made answer, that they receiued no citie of the king of England to kéepe, nor anie would they ren|der him, with which answer he departed. Then they fortified their wals, and made prouision for vittels, corne, wine, and artillerie, and for all fortifications that might be gotten. And the citie of it selfe was strong, well walled, and turrited with good bul|works and defenses. But when they saw the king with such a puissance draw néere the citie, they were sore abashed, and called a generall councell. Then the prouost said; Brethren,The prouost of Tornaies words to the distressed townesmen. you know how that the king of England sent an herald to summon vs to render vp to him this citie, or else he would put it and vs to the sword, fier, and bloud. We answered we would be at defense.

Now he is come in our sight to fulfill the message sent by the herald, & now is come the time of our defense.

Howbeit in this matter standeth thrée mischéefs, one is our bounden duetie and allegiance that we owe to our souereigne lord king Lewes of France; the second the liues of vs, our wiues, children, and neighbors; the third how to defend the finall destruc|tion of this ancient citie, now likelie to fall, which citie was neuer conquered. Now our citie is whole, your liues in safetie, your goods your owne; deter|mine whether you will haue war or peace. Then the common people cried all; War, war, war. Then said the prouost, Take compassion of wiues and children and of the old folke; consider if you haue no quicke rescue, you cannot continue against yonder puis|sance, although your courages were neuer so great, this the wisest of the citie and I haue considered.

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