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Translation of Book II
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pb 22 r
There were many wounded on each side, but more Flemings than noblemen, as they risked themselves too foolishly. The attacks went on without pause from daybreak until late in the afternoon. One of the count's knights named Sir Hugues de Regny, a Burgundian, met his end there, which was a pity and he was greatly mourned, for his daring and recklessness were the death of him. Rasse van Herzeele also conducted himself valiantly, and his words together with his actions did much to revitalise the Ghenters. SHF 2-120 sync Of the attacks which took place outside Oudenaarde, and of the peace established between the Flemish and the count of Flanders by means of the duke of Burgundy and good sense. The attacks halted some time after 3 o'clock, because Rasse came to realise that they were labouring in vain, and that there were such outstanding men within Dendermonde that it could not be captured. His men were rapidly beginning to tire and so he sounded the retreat. Then the Ghenters withdrew in orderly fashion along the river bank and recalled their entire navy, returning that evening to the place from which they had departed in the morning. The following day they returned to the army outside Oudenaarde. So Dendermonde remained in peace during this period, but the siege of Oudenaarde lasted for a very long time. The Flemish, who were posted there, were lords of the fields and rivers, which meant that no supplies entered Oudenaarde from the side towards Hainault, without great risks being taken.
Occasionally, some merchants prepared to endanger themselves in the pursuit of gain would gather while the host was sleeping and go to the barricades of Oudenaarde where they would be let into the town. Of the assaults made on Oudenaarde there was a particularly furious one which lasted a whole day. There were created knights from Hainault, Flanders and Artois, who wished for it, and in their new status of knighthood the gate towards Ghent was opened and these new knights went to engage the Ghenters at the barriers where there was a fine skirmish, great deeds of arms being performed, and many Flemish were killed or wounded, yet they took so little notice and were so unafraid of death that they threw themselves in without hesitation, and when those who were in the front were slain or injured, the others who were behind pulled them out and placed themselves in front, maintaining a strong countenance. This attack continued, lasting until the evening when those of Oudenaarde withdrew into their town and shut the gates and barriers, and the Flemish returned to their lodgings. They then attended to burying the dead and to treating the wounded and mutilated. SHF 2-121 syncThe Flemish, who were occupied at the siege of Oudenaarde, hoped to conquer the town by the siege and those within either by famine or assault, because they knew that they had them so well surrounded by way of the river and by land that nothing could reach them. pb 22 v