de Charny, two loyal knights who
were in Paris, obtained information of the plan a few minutes before
the time appointed for its execution. Arming themselves instantly,
and collecting a few followers, they rushed to the houses of the chief
conspirators, but found them empty, Marcel and his companions having
already gone to the gates. Passing by the hotel-de-ville, the knights
entered, snatched down the royal banner which was kept there, and
unfurling it mounted their horses and rode through the streets, calling
all men to arms. They reached the Port St. Antoine just at the moment
when Marcel was in the act of opening it in order to give admission to
the Navarrese. When he heard the shouts he tried with his friends to
make his way into the bastille, but his retreat was intercepted, and a
severe and bloody struggle took place between the two parties. Stephen
Marcel, however, was himself slain by Sir John de Charny, and almost all
his principal companions fell with him. The inhabitants then threw open
their gates and the Duke of Normandy entered.

Walter Somers had, with his companions, joined the army of the duke,
and placed his sword at his disposal; but when the French prince entered
Paris without the necessity of fighting, he took leave of him, and with
the Captal returned to England. Rare, indeed, were the jewels which
Walter brought home to his wife, for the three hundred noble ladies
rescued at Meaux from dishonour and death had insisted upon bestowing
tokens of their regard and gratitude upon the rescuers, and as many of
them belonged to the richest as well as the noblest families in France
the presents which Walter thus received from the grateful ladies were of
immense value.

He was welcomed by the king and Prince of Wales with great honour, for
the battle at Meaux had excited the admiration and astonishment of all
Europe. The Jacquerie was considered as a common danger in all civilized
countries; for if successful it might have spread far beyond the
boundaries of France, and constituted a danger to chivalry, and indeed
to society universally.

Thus King Edward gave the highest marks of his satisfaction to the
Captal and Walter, added considerable grants of land to the estates of
the latter, and raised him to the dignity of Baron Somers of Westerham.

It has always been a matter of wonder that King Edward did not take
advantage of the utter state of confusion and anarchy which prevailed
in France to complete