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cefs had taken the vows in a convent, and had abandoned the world, fhe left her retreat on fo interesting an occafion, and employed all her pious efforts to allay those animofities which had taken place between perfons fo nearly related to her, and to each other. Her humane endeavours fo far fucceeded, as to bring the hoftile Kings to consent to a truce till the Midsummer following; and each difmiffing his forces, retired to their refpective dominions.

During this interval of peace, King Edward employed his time in the regulation of the internal police' of his kingdom; till another incident aroufed his warlike inclinations, and excited anew that refentment against the King of France which had not been totally eradicated, but only lay flumbering in his breast.

John, the third Duke of Brittany, finding himself fome years before his death gradually finking under the weight of age and

infirmities,

infirmities, and having no iffue, was folicitous to prevent the diforders attendant on a difputed fucceffion. His younger brother

the Count de Penthievre had left only one child, which was a daughter, and whom the Duke deemed his heir. As his family had inherited the duchy by a female fucceffion, he thought her title preferable to that of the Count de Mountfort, who' being his brother only by a fecond marriage, though the next male heir, was not the prefumptive fucceffor to that principality. Propofing therefore to beftow her on fome perfon who might be able to defend her rights, he caft his eyes on Charles de Blois, nephew to the King of France, being the fon of Margaret de Valois, fifter of that Monarch. But as he loved his fubjects, and was beloved by them, he determined not to take this important ftep without their approbation he accordingly affembled the States of Brittany, and representing to them the advantages which would attend this alliance, found that they willingly con

:

curred

curred in his choice.

The marriage was

foon after concluded, and all his vaffals, among whom was the Count de Mountfort

himself, fwore fealty to Charles and his confort as their future fovereign. Thus every danger of civil commotions feemed to be obviated, as far as human prudence could find a remedy against them.

But on the death of this good Prince, the ambition of the Count de Mountfort broke through all these prudent regulations. Whilft Charles de Blois was foliciting at the court of France the inveftiture of the duchy, Mountfort was active in gaining poffeffion of it. By force or intrigue he made himself master of several ftrong fortreffes, and engaged many confiderable Barons to acknowledge his authority. Senfible that he could expect no favour from the King of France, he made a voyage to England on pretence of foliciting his claim to the Earldom of Richmond, which had devolved to him by his brother's death; but

his

his real intention was to procure affistance from King Edward. He accordingly propofed an alliance between that Prince and himself; offering at the fame time to do homage to him as King of France for the duchy of Brittany. of Brittany. The English Monarch immediately faw the advantages that would attend this treaty, and accepted the conditions, as they correfponded fo well with his favourite wifhes. It was however neceffary to keep this union as yet a fecret; and Mountfort on his return ventured to appear at Paris to defend his caufe: but obferving the French King to be prejudiced against him, he suddenly made his escape, and hoftilities immediately commenced between him and Charles de Blois.

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In the course of the war, during which King Edward had privately given him afsistance, the Count de Mountfort being befieged in the city of Nantz and made prifoner, he was fhut up in the Tower of the Louvre. After his captivity, Jane of Flan

ders

ders his Countefs, the most extraordinary woman of that age, fupported for a while the fading honours of her family at length finding her heroic efforts ineffectual, fhe failed to England in hopes of obtaining further fuccours from King Edward. That Prince liftened to her fupplications, and granted her a confiderable reinforcement under Robert d'Artois. On their paffage they were met by the enemy's fleet, and an engagement enfued, in which the Countess behaved with more than female intrepidity, charging her foes fword in hand, and animating her own forces by her example. Whilft the victory remained doubtful a storm arofe, and the fleets being separated, that of the English arrived fafe in Brittany.

For a fhort time fuccefs feemed to attend the arms of the Countefs; but Robert d'Artois being flain, and Fortune, ever fickle, deferting her, King Edward found it neceffary to undertake in perfon the fupport of that lady. The truce which had been con

cluded

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