HOW THEY HELD RICHARD OFF FROM HIS FATHER'S THROAT Long before the pink flush on the almond announced the earth a bride, on all Gaulish roads had been heard the tramp of armed men, the ring of steel on steel.

This new war splintered Gaul.

Aquitaine held for Richard, who, though he had quelled and afterwards governed that great duchy with an iron whip, had made himself respected there.

So the Count of Provence sent him a company, the Count of Toulouse and Dauphin of Auvergne each brought a company; from Perigord, from Bertram Count of Roussillon, from Bearn, and (for reasons) from the wise King of Navarre, came pikemen and slingers, and long-bowmen, and knights with their esquires and banner-bearers.

The Duke of Burgundy and Count of Champagne came from the east to fill the battles of King Philip; in the west the Countess of Brittany sent about the war-torch.