fpread themfelves all over the countries of Flanders and Hainault, living mod fumptuoufly, and giving princely prefents and entertainments to the lords and ladies, in order to acquire their good will and favour. Their behaviour was fuch, that they were beloved by thofe of both fexes, and even by the common people, who were pleafed with their ftate and magnificence. The marquis of Juliers and his company returned from the Empire about All Saints day ; and when he fent to inform the king of this, he congratulated him on the good fuccefs of his million. The king wrote him for anfwer, that he lhould come to him on the feaft of Saint Martin, and demanded of the duke of Brabant to name the place where he wilhed this conference to be holden, who replied at Arques, in the County of Los*, near to his own country. Upon this, the king gave notice of it, that all his allies might be there* The town-hall of Arques was hung with rich and fine cloths, like to the prefence chamber to the king His majeity was feated five feet higher than the reft of the company, and had on his head a rich crown of gold. The letters from the emperor to the king were publicly read, by which the king of England was conftjtuted and eftabjilhed hisyicar and lieutenant, and full powers granted to him to do * The county of Lot had formerly its particular counts, and made part of the territories of the biihopric of Liege ; it is comprehended in the French Republic under the name of tbf département de la Meujc Inférieurs. K 3 all