themfelves în a magnificent ftyle, and were well re* ceived and feafted wherever they came. The duke of Brabant went to Louvain, and made a longftay there ; thence he fent (as he had done before) frequently to the king of France, tp entreat that he would not pay attention to any reports that were injurious to him, for he fhould be very forry to form any connection or alliance contrary to his interefts ; but the king of England being his coufin german, he could not forbid hispaffing through his country. The day came when the king expe&ed the anfwers from the above mentioned lords : they fent excufes, faying, they were not quite ready, neither themfelves nor their men ; that he muft exert himfelf to make the duke of Brabant prepare to aft with them, as he was much nearer to France, and feemed to them very indifferent in the matter ; and that as foon as they fhould for a certainty be informed that the duke was ready, they would put themfelves in motion, and be as foon in adion as he ihould be. Upon this the king of England had a conference with the duke of Brabant, and fhowed him the anfwers he had received, and begged of him,4* by his friendfhip and his kindred, that no delay might come from him, for he fufpe&ed that he was not warmly inclined to the caufe, and added, that, if he were fo cool and indifferent, he much feared he ihould lofe the aid of thefe German lords. The duke replied, that he would fummon his council. After long deliberations, he told the king, that