CHAP. II. Of SOME OF THE PREDECESSORS OF KING EDWARD OF ENGL AN β. H E better to underftand the honourable and eventful hiftory of the noble king Edward of England, who was crowned in London on Chriftmas-day, in the year 1326, in the lifetime of the king and queen his parents, we muft remark a commori opinion of the Engliih, of which there have been proofs fince the time of the gallant king Arthur, ,that between two valiant kings of England there is always one weak in mind and body ; and this is apparent in the example of the gallant king Edward of whom I now fpeak ; for true it is that his grandfather, called the good king Edward the Firft, was brave, wife, very entèrprifing, and fortunate in war. He was much engaged againft the Scots. He conquered them three or four times without their being able to gain any advantage over him. When he died, his fon by his firft marriage fucceeded to the crown, but not to the underftanding or prowefs of Ms father, for he governed his kingdom very unwifely, through thç evil counfels of others, the ill confequences of which he afterward fuffered feverely, as you will fee ; for, fpon after his coronation, Robert Bruce, king of Scotland, who had given fo ïùuch and fuch frequent trouble to king Edward above mentioned, and who well knew his valour, reconquered all 6ççtl^j4, and B took 4