The mutineers, after having accomplished their victory at Tisnacq, had been earnestly solicited to come to the relief of this citadel.

They had refused and returned to Alost.

Meantime, the siege was warmly pressed by the states.

There being, however, a deficiency of troops, application for assistance was formally made to the Prince of Orange.

Count Reulx, governor of Flanders; commissioned the Seigneur d'Haussy, brother of Count Bossu, who, to obtain the liberation of that long-imprisoned and distinguished nobleman, was about visiting the Prince in Zealand, to make a request for an auxiliary force.