and neuer ceasse till he had recouered his ancient right and lawfull patrimonie. The king auowed the archbishops saieng, and in the word of a prince promised to performe it to the vttermost.

The archbishop of Burges much gréeued, that his ambassage was no more regarded, after certeine brags blustered out with impatience, as more presuming vpon his prelasie, than respecting his dutie of considerance to whom he spake and what became him to saie, he praied safe conduct to depart. Which the king gentlie granted, and added withall to this effect: "I little estéeme your French brags, & lesse set by your power and strength; I know perfectlie my right to my region, which you vsurpe; & except you denie the apparant truth, so doo your selues also; if you neither doo nor will know it, yet God and the world knoweth it. The power of your master you sée, but my puissance ye haue not yet tasted. If he haue louing subiects, I am (I thanke God) not vnstored of the same: and I saie this vnto you, that before one yeare passe, I trust to make the highest crowne of your countrie to stoope, and the proudest miter to learne his humiliatedo. In the meane time tell this to the vsurper your master, that within thrée moneths, I will enter into France, as into mine owne true and lawfull patrimonie, appointing to acquire the same, not with brag of words, but with déeds of men, and dint of sword, by the aid of God, in whome is my whole trust and confidence. Further matter at this present I impart not vnto you, sauing that with warrant you maie depart suerlie and safelie into your countrie, where I trust sooner to visit you, than you shall haue cause to bid me welcome." With this answer the ambassadors sore displeased in their minds (although they were highlie interteined and liberallie rewarded) departed into their countrie, reporting to the Dolphin how they had sped.

After the French ambassadors were departed, the king like a prouident prince, thought good to take order for the resisting of the Scots, if (according to their maner) they should attempt anie thing against his subiects in his absence. For that point appointed he the earle of Westmerland, the lord Scroope, the baron of Greistocke, sir Robert Umfreuill, & diuerse other valiant capteins to kéepe the frontiers & marches of Scotland, which sir Robert Umfreuill on the daie of Marie Madgdalen fought with the Scots at the towne of Gedering, hauing in his companie onelie thrée hundred archers, and seuen score spears, where he (after long conflict) slue of his enimies sixtie and odde, tooke thrée hundred and sixtie prisoners, discomfited and put to flight one thousand and more, whome he followed in chace aboue twelue miles, but their hands full of preies and prisoners, retired homeward (not vnhurt) to the castell of Rockesborough, of the which he was capteine.

When the king had all prouisions readie, and ordered all things for the defense of his realme, he leauing behind him for gouernour of the realme, the quéene his moother in law, departed to Southampton, to take ship into France. And first princelie appointing to aduertise the French king of his comming, therefore dispatched Antelope his purseuant at armes with letters to him for restitution of that which he wrongfully withheld, contrarie to the lawes of God and man: the king further declaring how sorie he was that he should be thus compelled for repeating of his right and iust title of inheritance, to make warre to the distruction of christian people, but sithens he had offered peace which could not be receiued, now for fault of iustice, he was forced to take armes. Neuerthelesse exhorted the French king in the bowels of Iesu Christ, to render him that which was his owne, whereby effusion of Christian bloud might be auoided. These letters chéeflie to this effect and purpose, were written and dated from Hampton the fift of August. When the same were presented to the French King, and by his councell well perused, answer was made, that he would take aduise, and prouide therein as time and place should be conuenient, so the messenger licenced to depart at his pleasure.