The Englilh lords were fo aftive in Flanders, that Jacob von Artaveld alTembled feveral times the chiefs of the principal cities to confer with them on the bufinefs they were come about, as well as on thefranchifes and friendfhip which the king of England offered to them. The matter being fully difcuffed, was brought to this conclufion ; the chiefs of the principal towns gave their confent that the king of England and his army might paf& through Flanders whenever he pleafed ; but as they were fo much obliged to the * king of France, they could not annoy him, or enter his kingdom, without fuffering too heavy a penalty in a large fum offlorins, and entreated the ambaffadors to be i'atisfied with this anfwer for the prefent. They returned to Valenciennes much1 pleafed with what they had done. They frequently informed the king, their mailer4, how things were going ; and he fent them large fums of money, as well for their own expences, as to diftribute among the lords of Germany, who did not wifh for any thing more agreeable. About this time the gallant William earl of Hainault died, on the fixth day of June 1337. He was buried in the chuich of Cordeliers, at Valenciennes ;—the bifhop of Cambray performed the funeral fervice, andfung the mafs. There was a great attendance of dukes, earls, and barons, for he was exceedingly honoured during his life by all ranks of men. After his deceafe, the lord William Ms fon, entered upon the countries of Hainault, Holfand, and