They lost five hundred men and many prisoners, amongst others Philip Strozzi, whom Charles IX.

had just made colonel-general of the infantry.

They took their revenge on the 7th of September, 1569, by forcing Coligny to raise the siege of Poitiers, which he had been pushing forward for more than two months, and on the 3d of October following, at the battle of Moncontour in Poitou, the most important of the campaign, which they won brilliantly, and in which the Protestant army lost five or six thousand men and a great part of their baggage.

Before the action began, "two gentlemen on the side of the Catholics, being in an out-of-the-way spot, came to speech," says La Noue, "with some of the (Protestant) religion, there being certain ditches between them.
[Illustration: Parley before the Battle of Moncontour----337] 'Sirs,' said they, 'we bear the marks of enemies, but we do not hate you in any wise, or your party.

Warn the admiral to be very careful not to fight, for our army is marvellously strong by reason of re-enforcements that have come in to it, and it is very determined withal.