THE Chronicles of England, France, Spain, &c. &c. BY SIR JOHN FROISSART. CHAPTER I. Sir John Froissart undertakes to write the history of the times of Edward III.-Early years and coronation of King Edward-Message of defiance from King Robert of Scotland to Edward-Scots under Sir James Douglas invade England-English, in pursuit, enter Scotland-Marriage of King Edward-Death of King Robert -his commission on his death-bed to Lord James Douglas-its event, and the death of Lord James-Philip of Valois proclaimed king of France-Dispute concerning Berwick-upon-Tweed-Dissensions in Flanders--Jacob von Artaveld-English expedition into Flanders-King of France prepares to oppose the EnglishChallenges-Route of the English army, and sieges-Sir Walter Manny-Lord Henry of Flanders knighted-Story of the Abbot of Hennecourt-Meeting of the armies of France and England-their respective forces-separate without a battle-Edward assumes arms and title of King of France, and returns to England-Ship Christopher-Duke of Normandy carries on the war-Edward again repairs to Flanders-Solemn Treaty between Flanders, Brabant, and Hainault-Siege of Tournay-Truce, and return of King Edward-Scots again invade England-Bold action of Sir William Douglas-Death of the Duke of Brittany-Disputes about right of succession between Charles de Blois and the Duke de Montfort-Scots advance to Newcastle, and destroy DurhamWark Castle besieged-Countess of Salisbury-Edward pursues the Scottish army. encourage all valorous hearts, and to show them honourable examples, I, John Froissart,' will begin to relate the actions of the noble King Edward of England, who so potently reigned, and who was engaged in so many battles and perilous adventures, from the year of grace 1326, when he was crowned king. Although he (1) For the first twenty years of his history, Froissart's authorities are the documents and papers of Master John Le Bel, formerly Canon of St. Lambert's, at Liege. 44 EARLY YEARS AND PARENTAGE and all those who were with him in his battles and fortunate rencounters, or with his army when he was not there in person, which you shall hear as we go on, ought to be accounted right valiant; yet, of these, some should be esteemed super-eminent-such as the Prince of Wales, the king's son, the Duke of Lancaster, Sir Reginald Lord Cobham, Sir Walter Manny of Hainault, Sir John Chandos, Sir Fulke Harley, and many others who are recorded in this book for their worth and prowess. In France, also, was found good chivalry, strong of limb, and stout of heart, in great abundance-such as King Philip of Valois, and his son, King John; also John, King of Bohemia, and Charles, Count of Alençon, his son; the Count of Foix, and others that I cannot now name. The better to understand the honourable and eventful history of King Edward we must remark a common opinion in England, of which there have been proofs since the time of King Arthur, that between two valiant kings there is always one weak in mind and body; and most true it is, that this is apparent in the example of the gallant King Edward, of whom I am now to speak; for his father, King Edward the Second, was weak, unwise, and cowardly, while his grandfather, called the good King Edward the First, was wise, brave, very enterprising, and fortunate in war. King Edward the Second had two brothers; one was the Earl Marshal, of a wild and disagreeable temper; the other Lord Edmund of Kent, who was wise, affable, and much beloved. This king had married the daughter of Philip the Fair, King of France, who was one of the greatest beauties of her time; and by her had two sons and two daughters. The elder son was our noble king, Edward; the other, named John, died young. Of the two daughters, Isabella, the elder, was married to King David of Scotland; and the younger to the Count Reginald, subsequently called Duke of Guelderland. History tells us that Philip the Fair had three sons, besides his beautiful daughter, Isabella, who, as we have said, was married to King Edward the Second of England. These all in turn became kings of France, and died without male issue. Whereupon the princes and barons of France, holding the opinion that no woman ought to reign in so noble a kingdom, determined to pass by Queen Isabella and her son, and to confer the govern CH. I.] OF EDWARD III. KING OF ENGLAND. 45 ment on Philip of Valois; which exclusion of Isabella from the right of succession to the throne of France became the occasion of the most devastating wars, as well in France as elsewhere and the real object of this history is to relate the great enterprises and deeds of arms achieved in these wars. It has been remarked that Edward the Second was a weak and unwise king. Having no head for government, he suffered the kingdom to be ruled by one Sir Hugh Spencer, a favourite. This Sir Hugh so managed matters, that his father and himself were the great masters of the realm. By his overbearing conduct, however, he soon contracted the hatred of the barons and nobles; and on one occasion, when he found it necessary to check the opposition which these were raising against him, he informed the king that they had entered into an alliance, and that unless he caused certain of them to be arrested, they would very shortly drive him from his kingdom. Whereupon, such was the influence of Sir Hugh, that twenty-two of the chief barons of England were seized in one day, and had their heads struck off without any cause or reason being assigned. He also succeeded, by his wicked counsels, in fomenting variance between the king and queen, until the latter was compelled secretly to retire to France, in company with her young son, Edward, the Earl of Kent, and Sir Roger Mortimer. The queen embarked by night from Winchelsea, and having a fair wind, landed the next morning at Boulogne, where she was handsomely entertained by the governor of the town and the abbot, and on the third day after her arrival continued her route to Paris. Here her brother, the noble King Charles, most graciously received her; and after listening to her lamentation and distress-" Fair cousin," he said, "be appeased; for by the faith I owe to God and to St. Denis, I will provide a remedy." To this the queen, on her knees, replied, "My dear lord and brother, I pray God may second your intentions." Charles then, taking his sister by the hand, conducted her to an apartment which had been richly furnished for her reception, and gave orders that everything becoming her state should be provided for her from his own treasury. Very shortly after this, Charles assembled his great lords and barons to consult what was best to be done in the business of the Queen of England, his sister; and |