over the winter of 1676/1677, the french blockaded the garrison; on 4 december 1676, louis signed an order forbidding the sale of grain or forage to cambrai, with large fines for any village found to have done so. the comte de montal, french governor of charleroi, was ordered to stop supplies or personnel from namur reaching the garrison. spanish officers disguised themselves as peasants; a french commander was reprimanded for allowing one to enter cambrai in late january.