They reached the river and bridge of Nieullay a little after midnight, and messengers were sent on to the governor, who was prepared to receive them.

On their report De Charny advanced still nearer to the town, leaving the bridge and passages to the river guarded by a large body of crossbow-men under the command of the Lord De Fiennes and a number of other knights.

At a little distance from the castle he was met by Almeric de Pavia, who yielded his son as a hostage according to his promise, calculating, as was the case, that he would be recaptured by the English.

Then, having received the greater portion of the money agreed upon, he led a party of the French over the castle to satisfy them of his sincerity.

Upon receiving their report that all was quiet De Charny detached twelve knights and a hundred men-at-arms to take possession of the castle, while he himself waited at one of the gates of the town with the principal portion of his force.
No sooner had the French entered the castle than the drawbridge was raised.