CHAP. XXVI. THE AMBASSADORS FROM GHENT FAIL IN FORfft ING AN ALLIANCE WITfl ENGLAND, WHEN thefe Ghent men were come to Lon* don, their arrival was foon known, and information of it carried to the king and his. council, who fent to them to know what they wanted. They came in a body to the palace of Westminster, where they were met first by the duke of Lancaster, the earl of Buckingham^ the earl of Salifbury and the greater pari of the council ; but the king was not prefent at this firi interview. Thefe ambafladors having made their obeifances to the Englifli lords, the bifhop elect of Ghent fpoke for them all, faying, * My lords, we are come hither by orders from the town of Ghent, and from all Flanders, to re- • queft counfel, comfort, and affiftance from the king of England, on. account of certain arti-cles, and for reafon of ancient alliances which fubfifted between England and Flanders, We wifli to renew " them, as the country of. Flan-ders now Hands in need of afliftance, being at this moment without a lord. The principal towns and the country have chofen a regent,-named Philip von Artaveld, who recommends himfelf particularly to the king, and to you all who are of his council. He entreats you to re* ceive this commendation ip good part j for if * " *\ V ' tht