The messenger reached Guy in Bruges on the 5th of July, 1302, and made him acquainted with the melancholy condition of the city, and its urgent need of aid. The Count was deeply moved by the account they gave, and determined to hasten without delay to the hapless city. As William van Gulick 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 prince's castle, and 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 deliberation. Deconinck and Breydel, as leaders of the two most powerful Guilds, occupied the foremost place. Count Guy sat in a rich armchair at the upper end of the hall; near him stood Messire John van Lichterwelde and Messire van Heyne, both peers of Flanders. There were four noble families in Flanders, of which the heads were called Beers, or peers; when the race of the Count became extinct, the new prince was to be chosen from among these Beers. The other gentlemen attending the Count were: Messire van Gavem, whose father had been slain by the French at Furnes; Messire van Bornhem, a knight templar; Robert van Leeuererghem; Baldwin van Raveschoot; Ivo van Belleghem; Henry, Lord of Lonchyn, in Luxemburg; Gorwyer van Goetzenhove and Jan van Cuyck of Brabant; Peter and Louis van Lichterwelde; Peter and Louis Goethals of Ghent; and Henry van Petershem. Adolf van Nieuwland was standing on the right hand of the Count, and engaged in confidential conversation with him.
In the centre of the vacant space, between the Deans and the knights, stood the herald of Courtrai. As soon as each had taken his place, Guy commanded him to repeat his tidings in presence of the Deans; and the herald obeyed, and began:
"The good citizens of Courtrai 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 houses, so that the fairest portion of the city is already reduced to ashes. Messire Arnold van Oudenarde has brought them Sonne succors, yet is the number of the enemy too great. In this their need and distress, they beseech the Count Guy in particular, and you, friendly citizens of Bruges, in general, to send them aid; and they hope that you will not delay a single day the rescue of your distressed brothers. Such is the message which the good citizens of Courtrai send to you by my mouth."
"You have heard. Deans," said Guy, "that one of our noblest cities is in peril of utter destruction; I do not think that the cry of distress 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 I pray you all instantly to summon your Guilds to arms. How long time do you require to prepare your comrades to set forth?"
The Dean of the Clothworkers replied: "This afternoon, most illustrious Count, four thousand Clothworkers will stand full armed on the Friday Market-place: I will lead them whithersoever you command."
"And you, Master Breydel, you will be there also?"
Breydel advanced proudly, and replied: "Your servant Breydel will place at your disposition, my Lord Count, not less than eight thousand of his craftsmen."
A cry of astonishment ran along the circle of knights. "Eight thousand!" said they, all at once.
"Yes, truly, messires," continued the Dean of the Butchers; "eight thousand and more. All the Guilds of Bruges, except that of the Clothworkers, have elected me their captain; and God knows how I can repay this honor. This very afternoon, if you will it so, the Friday Market-place shall be filled with your trusty townsmen; and I can assure you that in my butchers you have a thousand lions in your host; the sooner the better, noble Count; our axes are beginning to rust."
"Master Breydel," said Guy, "you are a brave and a worthy vassal of my father. The land in which such men live can never long remain enslaved. I thank you for your hearty good-will."
A smile of satisfaction showed how much pleasure Breydel's words had given to the circle of knights; but the Dean turned back again, and whispered in Deconinck's ear: "I pray you, master, be not angry with me for speaking thus to the Count. You are and will ever be my superior; for without your counsel I should do but little good. My words have not caused you displeasure?"
The Dean of the Clothworkers pressed Breydel's hand in sign of friendship and perfect accord.
"Master Deconinck," inquired Guy, "have you made known to the Guilds my former request? Will the requisite gold be provided for me?"
"The Guilds of Bruges place all their wealth at your disposal, noble Count," was the answer. "If you will but send some of your servants with a command in writing to the Guildhall, as many marks of silver will be delivered to them as you may require. The Guilds
