lemn assurances of eternal
and inviolable fidelity. At length he embarked with a fair wind, and
landing at Totness, in Devonshire, proceeded towards Exeter. The king of
this district had an only daughter, heiress of his dominions; and,
having refused to bestow her on a neighbouring prince, was at that time
involved in a most distressful war, and besieged in his capital. Eliduc
went no further: he sent a message to the distressed king, offering his
assistance; and requesting, should the proposal be rejected, a safe
conduct through the country. The king most gladly accepted the offer,
and ordered his constable to prepare a house for the reception of the
welcome guests, and issue a suitable sum of money, with a supply of
provisions for their monthly expenditure. Eliduc and his attendants were
magnificently entertained. His inn was the house of the richest burgess
in the town, and _the grand tapestry room_[83] was surrendered to the
knight by its proprietor. Eliduc on his part was equally liberal. He
issued strict orders to his attendants, that during the first forty
days, none of them should accept either pay or provisions from the
court; and during this time kept, at his own expence, a profuse table
for the accommodation of such knights as were unprovided with other
means of subsistence. On the third day, an alarm was spread that the
enemy had again over-run the country, and might shortly be expected at
the gates. Eliduc flew to arms; and, having assembled his ten knights,
was soon after joined by fourteen more from different parts of the city,
who declared themselves ready to encounter, under his commands, any
inequality of numbers. Eliduc praised their zeal; but observed, that
this intemperate valour was more fitted for the lists of a tournament
than for useful service; and requested that they, who knew the country,
would shew him some defile in which he could hope to attack the enemy on
equal terms. They pointed out a hollow way in the neighbouring forest,
by which the invaders usually passed and returned; and Eliduc, while
hastening there, described the measures he meant to pursue, and exhorted
them to follow him with vigour. All was so well planned and executed,
that the foe were surprized laden with booty; and their commander, with
thirty principal officers, seized on his palfrey, and made prisoners
almost without resistance. The squires and other attendants at the same
time secured a large quantity of baggage, and th