ol. ii. p. 79.

** Forbes, vol. ii. p. 158.

From the force, and dispositions, and situation of both sides it was
expected that the siege would be attended with some memorable event; yet
did France make a much easier acquisition of this important place
than was at first apprehended. The plague crept in among the English
soldiers; and being increased by their fatigue and bad diet, (for they
were but ill supplied with provisions,[*]) it made such ravages, that
sometimes a hundred men a day died of it; and there remained not, at
last, fifteen hundred in a condition to do duty.[**] The French, meeting
with such feeble resistance, carried on their attacks successfully; and
having made two breaches, each of them sixty feet wide, they prepared
for a general assault, which must have terminated in the slaughter of
the whole garrison.[***] Warwick, who had frequently warned the English
council of the danger, and who had loudly demanded a supply of men and
provisions, found himself obliged to capitulate, and to content himself
with the liberty of withdrawing his garrison. The articles were no
sooner signed, than Lord Clinton, the admiral, who had been detained by
contrary winds, appeared off the harbor with a reenforcement of three
thousand men; and found the place surrendered to the enemy. To increase
the misfortune, the infected army brought the plague with them into
England, where it swept off great multitudes, particularly in the
city of London. Above twenty thousand persons there died of it in one
year.[****] [6]

* Forbes, vol. ii. p. 377, 498.

** Forbes, vol. ii. p. 450, 458.

*** Forbes, vol. ii. p. 498.

**** See note F, at the end of the volume.

Elizabeth, whose usual vigor and foresight had not appeared in this
transaction, was now glad to compound matters; and as the queen
regent desired to obtain leisure, in order to prepare measures for the
extermination of the Hugonots, she readily hearkened to any reasonable
terms of accommodation with England.[*]

* Davila, lib. iii.

{1564.} It was agreed, that the hostages which the French had given for
the restitution of Calais, should be restored for two hundred and twenty
thousand crowns; and that both sides should retain all their claims and
pretensions.

The peace still continued with Scotland and even a cordial friendship
seemed to have been cemented between Elizabeth and Mary. These
princesses made profession of the most entire