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of one another, for both sides were eager for a peace. At last, the demands of the English terminated in 70,000 crowns, to be paid down before they marched off. That Lewis the Eleventh's son should be married to King Edward's daughter, and that the duchy of Guienne should be given to King Edward, or 50,000 crowns paid him annually, in the Tower of London, for nine years; after which, Guienne was to be peaceably enjoyed by the prince and princess above-mentioned. Some other articles there were, relating to trade, &c. which are not worth mentioning; and there was room left for the allies on both sides to come into this treaty, if they pleased. Nay, the King of England was so forward, that he offered to give the French King an account in writing, of several of his own subjects, who were traytors to his crown and dignity.

The French ambassadors having reported these things to Lewis the Eleventh, he was extremely rejoiced, and called a council upon it; at which Comines was present. Some were of opinion that the English dissembled, and that there was fraud couched under the proposals; which proceeded, I suppose, from the extraordinary forwardness that appeared in the English court towards a peace. But the King of France was of another opinion, because of the advanced season, that the English had not one place of retreat in their hands. That there was a misunderstanding betwixt them and the Duke of Burgundy, and that the King knew our Edward the Fourth was wholly given up to his ease and pleasures; and as to the constable of France, though the King knew him to be a trickster, yet he was sure he would deliver up none of the places he had promised to the Duke of Burgundy and the English, because the King, being jealous of him, kept fair with him, and was continually sending messengers, with fine words and large promises, to keep him from doing any mischief. Therefore it was concluded to raise the money demanded by the English with all possible speed, and to borrow it from those that were able to lend; for the King was resolved to be rid of the English at any rate, and rather to hazard all, than to suffer them to get get footing in the kingdom of France, which they were just ready to enter.

Comines, being sensible that this was a very mean submission on the part of the French King, excuses it thus: That he knew what mischiefs the English had formerly done in France, and knowing the danger of his own circumstances from the Duke of Britany, and others, that were ready to raise commotions in the bowels of the kingdom, he wisely chose this part, as the only means left him to disappoint the designs of the Duke of Burgundy, and the other confederates.

The constable of France perceiving the treaty to be near concluded, and being sensible that he had tricked with all sides, he sent his secretary, and one of his gentlemen, to the King, with proposals to break off the treaty, At the same time one of the Duke of Burgundy's gentlemen, who had been taken before Arras, was let go on his parole to procure his ransom, and promised a great sum by the French King, besides being let go ransom-free, if he could bring his master to a peace. He happened to return the very same time when the constable sent his servants to the King of France, who improved the opportunity thus. He put

the Duke of Burgundy's gentleman and Comines, behind a large screen in his own chamber, and called in the constable's secretary and gentleman, that the Duke of Burgundy's servant might hear their proposals, and report them to his master, which he doubted not would have a good effect. The constable's servants began their discourse, and told the French King that their master had sent several times to persuade the Duke of Burgundy to break with the English, and found him so much incensed against the King of England, that he had almost gained him not only to desert them, but to fall upon them as they retired; and, the better to please the King, one of the constable's servants acted the Duke of Burgundy before him, stamped with his foot against the ground, swore by St. George, which was the duke's usual oath, and called the King of England Blayborgne, the bastard of a beef-cater of that name, and all the other reproachful names which he could invent. The French King laughed heartily, and, pretending to be thick of hearing, bid the fellow repeat it, and speak out louder; which he did with a very good grace. The conclusion of their message was, that the constable advised his Majesty to make a truce with the English, to avoid the dangers which otherwise threatened him from the allies, and to grant the King of England a little town or two for winter-quarters, pointing at Eu and St. Valery; and added, That the constable was sure this would please the English; and for his part he would be guarantee they should keep the treaty. The French King having gained his end, which was to let the allies know the constable's knavery, he answered his messengers very civilly, told them he would in a little time let his brother the constable know his mind, for so he thought fit to call him, because he had married a daughter of Savoy, sister to the Queen of France; and then dismiss'd them, after one of them had taken his oath that he would discover every thing that he knew to be transacted against his Majesty's interest. The King had much ado to dissemble his wrath at the constable's proposal to give the English those two towns, because he knew it was made on purpose to excuse himself at their hands for not delivering them St. Quintin, &c. according as he had promised to the King of England and the Duke of Burgundy; but he concealed his displeasure, and sent a civil answer to the constable to keep him in suspense, and prevent his delivering up the towns under his government. When the constable's messengers were gone, the King called the Duke of Burgundy's gentleman (who had much ado to keep his patience when he heard his master so much abused) and Comines, from behind the screen. The King laughed heartily, and was very merry, while the Duke's gentleman was in such a rage, that he could scarce be kept from taking horse immediately to acquaint his master with the constable's treachery. But the King prevailed with him to stay till he wrote down with his own hand what passed; and the King writ to the duke, assuring him of the truth of what his gentleman Seigneur de Contay (for that was his name) had writ. The truce with England was concluded before this, on the terms above-mentioned, and an interview agreed on betwixt the two Kings; after which the King of England, upon receiving his money, was to return to his own country, and to leave the Lord Howard and Mr. Cheyney, who was master of his horse, as hostages behind him.

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A private pension of 16,000 crowns per annum was also promised to the King of England's servants. 'The Lord Hastings had 2000 per annum, the Lord Howard, the master of the horse, Mr. Chalanger, the Lord Montgomery, and others, had the remainder, besides good sums in hand, and presents of plate to others of King Edward's servants.

The Duke of Burgundy, being informed of this negotiation, came from Luxemburg in all haste, attended only by sixteen horse, to the English camp. King Edward was very much surprised at his coming in that manner, and, perceiving by his countenance that he was in a rage, asked him the reason. The Duke told him he came to speak with him, and asked if he had made a peace. The King answered, he had made a truce for nine years, which he prayed him to agree to, since there was room left for him, and the other allies, to enter into it. The Duke upbraided him, as Hollinshed tells us, with this shameful treaty, and that he had not so much as killed a fly, or burnt a sheepcote for his coming to France. That his glorious ancestor, King Edward the Third, behaved himself otherwise, and would never make peace till he conquered France, was made regent of it, and declared heir apparent. That the said victorious prince was as near a-kin to him, the Duke of Burgundy, as the King of England was to King Henry the Fifth, whose blood he charged him with having destroyed; and told him, that he had agreed to a peace not worth a pease-cod.' That he did not invite him beyond sea, for any need he had of him, since he was able to revenge his own quarrel, but only to give him an opportunity to recover what had been unjustly taken from him; and, to let the King of England see that he did not value his assistance, he scorned to enter into his truce, or to make any league with the French King till three months after King Edward was returned home; and, throwing down his chair in a rage, would have been gone. But the King stopped him, and answering his reproaches with others, for which I refer to Hollinshed; the Duke left him in a fury. Some of the King of England's council, who were against the peace, approved very much of what the Duke of Burgundy had said.

I return now to the tricking constable. He, being afraid of the consequences of this treaty, sent his confessor, as Comines and Hollinshed agree, with a letter to King Edward, praying him, for God's sake, not to believe the French King, who would break his promise as soon as the King of England was returned; and, rather than he should conclude a peace for want of money, he would lend him fifty-thousand crowns, Therefore he advised him to take Eu and St. Valery for winter-quarters, and, before two months were over, he promised that he would take care his quarters should be enlarged. King Edward answered, he had already agreed with the French King, and so left the constable in despair.

I come next to the interview between the Kings of England and France, and the circumstances which preceded it. The King of England, to ratify this peace, came with his army within half a league of Amiens, but they marched in such disorder, says Comines, as shewed they did not understand discipline, The French King viewed them from the gate of the town, and, though they were very numerous, he night easily have defeated them, had he thought it for his purpose; but

his design was to treat them nobly, and to make peace with them at any tate, in order to dissolve the alliance. He sent the King of England three-hundred waggon load of the best wine he could get, which, with their convoy, made as great a shew as the English army; and, besides this, he ordered two very large tables to be placed at the entrance of the gate, with all sorts of provisions that would make them drink, and at each table there was the strongest wine in France, with six or seven French men of quality, of the fattest and largest that were in the kingdom, to entertain and please the English, who loved jolly companions and good cheer. The English came in great numbers, with their horse and arms to the town, without observing any order; and as soon as they approached the gate, there were Frenchmen who 'took them by the bridle, and, pleasantly asking them to run at the lance with them, brought them to the tables, where they made them eat and drink en passant, and told them they might go into the town, and call for what they would, but should pay for nothing. This pleased them mightily, and thus they were treated for three or four days successively. They came in such numbers, that the Lord de Torcy and Comines told the French King, it was dangerous to have so many enemies in the town, for they were at least nine-thousand. Upon which Comines was ordered to mount on horse-back, and to speak to the English captains about it, for the Kng would seem to take no notice of it himself. Comines did so, but, for one that the captains sent back, there were twenty came in their places; so` that the King sent Comines again with a mareschal of France, to view their posture in the town, where they found most of them drinking, or asleep in the publick houses, and reported it to the King; who, though he thought there was no great danger, from men who observed so little order, commanded troops to be privately armed, placed some of them at the gate, and came himself to the porter's lodge, where he invited the chief of the English to dine with him. The King of England, being informed of these disorders, was ashamed of it, and sent to the French King to suffer no more of them to enter the town; to which Lewis the Eleventh answered, that he would never do só, but if the King of England pleased, he might send his own guards to keep the gates, and to let none in but whom they thought fit. This was accordingly done, and the town cleared of the English.

To put an end to those disorders, the place of interview was agreed on, by gentlemen deputed on both sides. A wooden bridge was made. on purpose over the Soame, with an apartment for the two Kings in the middle, and a barrier betwixt them. Comines observes, that the road by which the King of England came to the bridge was a straight causeway, with a dangerous morass on both sides, whereas the French King had the country open on his side; from whence that author remarks, that the English are nothing so subtle as the French, and go very aukwardly about treaties; but, being cholerick, those that deal with them must have patience, and not give them hard words.' I shall not insist upon the further particulars, but the interview was made. The French King came first to the barrier, and, leaning against it, the King of England came up, tock off his black velvet cap, adorned with a great flower-de-luce set in jewels, and kneeled to the French King, who returned

him a very low bow, and said to him, ' Cousin, you are very welcome. There's no man in the world I desired to see so much as yourself; and, thank God, that we are met here in so friendly a manner.' The King of England, who spoke French well, made a suitable return in that language; and then the Bishop of Ely, who was chancellor of England, began his speech with a prophecy, (for the English are never without one, says Comines) the import of which was, that Merlin had foretold there should be a remarkable peace concluded between England and France at that place. After this, the articles were read and sworn on both sides. Then the French King said smilingly to King Edward, that 'he must come to Paris, and feast with the ladies, and he would give him the Cardinal de Bourbon for confessor, who would readily pardon him, if he happened to commit any slip.' King Edward laughed, for he knew the Cardinal was a boon companion. Some farther discourse of this nature having passed, the French King ordered his own courtiers to retire, for he would speak with the King of England alone. The English courtiers retired, says Comines, at the same time, without expecting their King's orders; and when those princes had spoke a while together, the French King called for Comines, presented him to the King of England, and asked his Majesty if he did not know him? King Edward owned that he did, and remembered the services he had formerly done him at Calais. The French King asked King Edward what he would advise him to do, if the Duke of Burgundy, who had so haughtily rejected the treaty, continued in that mind? King Edward answered, he would offer it him once more, and, if he did not comply, they would consult about it. Then the French King asked him the same question, about the Duke of Britany. To which King Edward replied, that he desired his Majesty not to make war upon him, since he had been his chief friend, when he was forced to retire from England. Upon this they parted after very fine compliments, the French King to Amiens, and King Edward to his army. The Duke of Gloucester, the King of England's brother, and several others, who did not like this peace, would not assist at the conference; but they were induced to wait upon the French King afterwards, who presented them with plate and fine horses nobly accoutred. On the road to Amiens, the French King told Comines, that he did not like King Edward's being so willing to come to Paris, for he was a handsome prince, and loved women, so that he was afraid, if he came thither, he might find some lady that would tempt him to return again; that his predecessors had been too often in Paris and Normandy, and that he did not care for their company on that side the sca, though he loved to have them his friends in England. He was likewise displeased that he would not abandon the Duke of Britany, but urged it no further, lest he should have provoked him. When the French King returned to Amiens, three or four Englishmen of quality, who had promoted the treaty, came and supped with him, during which, the Lord Howard whispered him in the car, that, if his Majesty pleased, he believed he could prevail with the King of England to come and make merry with him at Amiens, if not at Paris. The French King received the message with a pleasant countenance, but put it off by saying, that he must make haste to observe the Duke of Burgundy. The next

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