no written evidence, instead working through servants. Robert Stuart, who had been suspected of involvement in the assassination of President Minard was brought to Amboise and tortured in the hope he knew the date of the operation. In preparation for the attack much of the high nobility was invited to Amboise, including Coligny and Condé on 21 February, and they duly arrived at the castle. Tumult Pre-emptive strike The first action occurred on 11 March, when a group sent out from Amboise, under the count of Sancerre to Tours where they were able to pick up and arrest around ten of the plotters, including the baron de Castelnau and captain Mazères who were waiting for the delivery of money for the operation. A further 25 conspirators were picked up while they were walking outside the chateau de Noizay a small distance from Amboise castle, and the whole group were taken in to the fortress. Most of the captured men would however be released, after a stern rebuke from chancellor François Olivier, once it was determined they had largely joined the conspiracy over oaths of loyalty or lack of pay. The main body On the morning of 15 March, a new panic set in as 200 horsemen were sighted by boatman on the Loire, making their way down the Blois road to Amboise, wearing white sashes to symbolise their Protestant purity. A several hour fight began in the suburbs between these men and the defenders, ending in their scattering. Condé could do little but watch them flee from the battlements of the castle. In the aftermath of the battle, La Renaudie was hunted down in the woods, and killed, his corpse being taken back to Amboise for display. He would be hung from the gates with a placard which read "La Renaudie also known as la Forest, author of the conspiracy, chief and leader of the rebels." Mopping up It was now that a fanning out of arrest parties took place. Jacques d'Albon, Seigneur de Saint André was dispatched with 200 horsemen to Tours, Paul de Thermes was dispatched to Blois, François de Scépeaux to Orléans, and Louis, Duke of Montpensier to Angers. They conducted further arrests during the day, with some of their targets retreating into houses to continue fighting and having to be burned out. On 17 March, Francis II made the duke of Guise lieutenant-general of the kingdom,