The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-12-20
LION OF FLANDERS;
OR THE
BATTLE OF THE GOLDEN SPURS.
THE
OR THE
BY HENDRIX CONSCIENCE.
CONTINUED |

Continued
The messenger reached Guy in Bruges on the
9Th of July, 1909, and made him acquainted
with the melancholy condition Of the city, and
it's urgent need of aid. The Count was deeply
moved by the account they gave, and deter
mined to hasten without delay to the hapless
city. As William van Gulck had taken all the
troops with him to Cassel, Guy had no other
resource than to call together the guildsmen'
He caused all the deans to be Immediately
summoned to the upper-hall of the princes
castle, aud betook himself thither with the
few knights who were about him. An hour
later, all the deans, thirty in number, were
assembled, and awaited, with uncovered heads
and in silence, the subject to be proposed for
their elaboration. Deconinck and Breydea, as
leaders of the two most powerful guilds, occu-
pied the foremost place. Count Guy sat in q
rich armchair at the upper end OF the hall )
around him stood Messire John van LIGHTER
welde and Messire van Heyne, both peers OF
Flanders; Messire van Cavern, whose father
had been slain by the French ut Furnes; Mes
sire van Bornhem, knight templar; Robert
van Leeuererghem Baldwin van Raveschoot F;
Two van Bellegheni; Henry, Lord OF Lonchyn,
in Luxembourg; Gorwyer van Goetzenhove
aud Jan van Cuyck- of Brabant; Peter and
Louis Cocktails of Client; and Henry van
Petershem. Adolf van Nieuwland was stand
ing on the right hand of the Count, and en-
gagged in confidential conversation with him.
In the center of the vacant space, between
the deans and the knights. stood the herald OF
Courtrai. As soon as each bad taken his place,
Guy commanded him to repeat his tidiDgs in
nresepce of the deans; and the herald obeyed,
aud began:
"The good citizens of Courtra greet you by
me. noble lords, and inform you that they
have driven the French from their city, and
that FIVE hundred of them have bitten the
dust. But now the city is in the greatest
straits. The traitor Van Lens has fallen back
on the citadel, and daily discharges burning
arrows upon the hoRses, 30 that the fairest
norton of the city is already reduced to ashes
Messire Arnold van Oudenarde has brought
them some succors, yet is the number OF the
enemy TOO great. In this their need and dis
tress. they besesch the Count Guy in particu-
lar. and you friendly citizens of Bruges, in
,,eneraI IN send them aid and they hope that
Won will not delay o single day the rescue OF
,,onr distressed brothers Such 10 tho message
which the good citizens of Courtrai send to
you by my mouth"
"You have heard, Deans" said Coy, that
one of our nobest cities is in peril Of utter de-
struction; do not think that the cry of dis
tress from your brothers of Courtrai will fall
in vain on your ears. The matter demands
haste: your aid alone can deliver them from
their danger; wherefore 1 pray you all in
staptIy summon your guilds to arms. How
long time do you require to prepare your com
rades 20 set forthp
The Dean of the ClothwOrkers replied;
{. This afternoon, most illuStrious Count, four
tbousand clothworkers will stand full armed
on the Friday Market place: will lead them
whitbersoever you command"
Aud you, Master BreydeI, you will be there
also Z"
Brevdel advanced proudly, and replied
!. Your servant Breydel will place At your dis
position, my Lord Count, not less than eight
tbousapd Of his craftsmen"
A CIV of establishment ran along the circle Of
Knights. Eight thousand RI said they, all at
once.
ayes, truly, measures" continued the Dean
Of the Butchers; "eight Thousand, and more.
All the guilds Of Bruges, except that Of the
80 - s,a,,.g a1eeeaa ma THAR captain