Wales took the opportunity of their meeting at his court to make peace between them, his obliging carriage and convincing arguments bringing them to reafon, though before they were not inclinable to admit of an accommodation.

to the

But it was not in the power of the Prince to reconcile the minds of all his new fubjects to this change of government. Some of the towns transferred English Monarch by the late treaty of peace expreffed extreme reluctance against fubmitting to the dominion of the English: the King of France therefore took a refolution of coming over himself to England, in order to adjust thefe differences with the greater readinefs: his Council endeavoured to diffuade him from this rafh design, and probably advised him to make this a pretext for breaking a treaty fo disadvantageous to his nation; but the King, among many other virtues, poffeffed a nice fense of ho nour, and a fcrupulous punctuality in fulfilling

filling every obligation he had entered into: he confequently told them, "That

though good faith was banished from the "reft of the earth, fhe ought notwithstand"ing to retain her habitation in the breafts "of Princes." A declaration which will ever do him honour, and, exclufive of his valour and humanity, will make his name respected

On his arrival in England he was received by King Edward with the greatest cordiality, and had the Savoy palace again allotted for his refidence; but he lived not long enough either to enjoy the hofpitable reception of Edward, or to finish the bufi

* Some Hiftorians, unwilling to allow the French King the merit of fuch a noble conduct,impute his readiness to vifit England not to his punctuality but, to Love: they affert, that being enamoured with a Lady of that kingdom during his abode there, he made these disputes a pretext for paying her a vifit. But this appears improbable from the age of that Prince, who was now in his fiftyfixth year, when it is natural to fuppofe the violence of paffion must be moderated by Reafon and Prudence.

nefs

hefs which brought him over, for he foon fickened and died. This Prince lived an instance that bravery, goodness of heart, and unspotted honour, cannot always fecure the poffeffor from the frowns of Fortune, though merited only by flight imprudences. His too hafty and ill-judged attack of the English army at Poitiers, notwithstanding the number of his forces warranted the most defperate attempt, tumbled him from 'a fplendid throne to captivity, and wrefted from him a large portion of his dominions. But though both the reign of King John and that of his Father proved unfortunate to their kingdom, the French crown acquired, during their time, the provinces of Dauphiny and Burgundy, valuable acquifitions.

Charles the Dauphin fucceeded his Father to the throne; a Prince educated in the school of Adverfity, and well qualified by his prudence and experience to repair the loffes which the nation had fuftained from

from the errors of his Predeceffors. Before Charles could think of opposing the power of England, or endeavour to recover the provinces his Father had dismembered, it was neceffary to repair the many disorders to which his own kingdom was exposed. Instead of commanding his armies himself, as his Ancestors had always done, he chofe Sir Bertrand du Guefclin, a Knight of Brittany, to fight his battles; referving to himself the more important duties of a King-Policy, Forefight, and Judgment. This Gentleman was one of the moft accomplished characters of the age; Charles had difcernment enough to diftinguish his talents, and to employ them to advantage.

He first directed his arms against the King of Navarre, who had long fecretly affifted the enemies of France, and given that kingdom continual disturbance; Sir Bertrand attacked him with fuccefs, and obliged him to accept of peace on disadvantageous terms.

The

The wars in Brittany ftill continuing, notwithstanding the mediation of France and England, Sir Bertrand was fent to the affiftance of Charles de Blois, to whofe intereft the French had always been attached; but the Knight found himself unable to cope with the valiant Lord John Chandos, who fought on the fide of the Count de Mountford: Du Guefclin was taken prifoner, and Charles de Blois being flain, the young Count got poffeffion of that duchy. The French King, by his policy, guarded against any hostile confequences that might have arisen from this event; for fubmitting to the decifion of Fortune, he acknowledged the title of de Mountford, and received as Sovereign the profferred homage for his dominions.

Another embarraffment now called for all the exertion of King Charles's policy. On the conclufion of the peace of Bretigny, the many military adventurers who had followed the fortunes of King Edward, being

dispersed