The marshal instantly set clerks and messengers to work in summoning the knights, squires, and men-at-arms in the Viverais, Auvergne, and from the countries as far as Montpellier; for he was commissioned so to do by the king of France. The summons of the marshal was readily obeyed, by some through attachment, but by many in the expectation of plundering Avignon. This was a severe blow to the cardinals and to the inhabitants; for they knew well they could not long effectually withstand the power of the king of France.
They called a council of the cardinals and principal persons in the town, and, in consequence, waited on Benedict, and temperately remonstrated with him, that they were unable and unwilling to support a war against the king of France, for it was necessary they should carry on their commerce by land and water, to live. I will send to Genoa and elsewhere for men-at-arms, and write to my son the king of Arragon, who is the standard-bearer of the church, to come to my assistance, which he will do, for he is bound to it by two reasons; I am his kinsman, and he owes obedient to the pope.
Do you depart hence and guard your town, and I will defend my palace, for you are alarmed at trifles. The pope, whom I call Benedict, had, for a long time before laid up in his palace great quantities of wines, corn, salted meat, and of every necessary store for a fortress.
He himself was a bold and determined character, not easily dismayed. The marshal Boucicaut marched from the town of St. Esprit, and, with the consent of the Prince of Orange, passed through Orange with his army, and entered the Comtat Venaissin, belonging to the Church, which was soon overrun.
The marshal left some men in the town to guard it and defend the passage, and oppose the garrison of Noues, that held out for the pope. He then fixed his head-quarters at Saint Versin, near Avignon, and his army was daily increasing. The city of Avignon was now so completely surrounded, that nothing could enter by land or water without leave.
