Conde, however, with his usual rashness, declined to fall back; exclaiming that a Bourbon never fled from a foe.
The troop of Francois de Laville was with a large body of horse, commanded by the Count de la Noue.

Life had passed quietly at the chateau, after the repulse of the attack; for the occupation of Niort by a large force, under the Admiral, secured Laville from any risk of a repetition of the attack.
The garrison and the whole of the tenantry, after they had erected huts for their families, devoted themselves to the work of strengthening the defences.

Flanking towers were erected at the angles of the walls.

The moat was doubled in width, and a work erected beyond it, to guard the approach across the drawbridge.

The windows on the unprotected side were all partially closed with brickwork, leaving only loopholes through which the defenders could fire.