1273] [**** Rymer, vol.i.p.

109, 110.] {1199.} Vidomar, viscount of Limoges, a vassal of the king, had found a treasure, of which he sent part to that prince as a present.

Richard, as superior lord, claimed the whole; and, at the head of some Brabancons, besieged the viscount in the castle of Chalus, near Limoges, in order to make him comply with his demand.[*] The garrison offered to surrender; but the king replied, that since he had taken the pains to come thither and besiege the place in person, he would take it by force, and would hang every one of them.

The same day Richard, accompanied by Marcadee, leader of his Brabancons, approached the castle in order to survey it, when one Bertrand de Gourdon, an archer, took aim at him, and pierced his shoulder with an arrow.

The king, however, gave orders for the assault, took the place, and hanged all the garrison, except Gourdon, who had wounded him, and whom he reserved for a more deliberate and more cruel execution.[**] The wound was not in itself dangerous; but the unskilfulness of the surgeon made it mortal; he so rankled Richard's shoulder in pulling out the arrow, that a gangrene ensued; and that prince was now sensible that his life was drawing towards a period.