soi ; • than of peaée. During the reign of king Edward, of happy memory, and in the lifetime of his fon the prince of Wales, they made fuch grand conquefts in France, and by their victories and ranfoms of towns, caftles and men, gained fuch wealth that the pooreft knights became rich j and thofe who were not gentlemen by birth, by gallantly hazard-ing themfelves in thefe wars, were ennobled for their valour and wealth. Thofe who came after them were defirous of following the fame road, although fir Bertrand du Guefclin and many other knights of France, as has been related in this hiftory, by tfheir valour and prudence had greatly changed the face of the Englifh pofleffions in France fince the times of king Edward and his fon. Even the duke of Gloeefter, fon to king Ed* ward, inclined to the opinion of the commons, as did many other knights and fquires who were de* / firous of war to enable them to fupport their ftate. This caufed great difficulties in forming any treaty of final peace, notwithftanding the king of Eng-land was earneft about it. „ By him 'and the duke of Lancafter were thefe conferences holden in the city of Amiens; but they were fearful of angering the commons of England : they • indeed would have confented to a peace, if the French would have reftored all that had been given them by the treaty of Bretigny, and paid the arrears of four* teen hundred thoufand francs, which were un-fettled when they recommenced the: war. CHAP*