apd peril of his coufin, the king of trance^ had fent long before letters, moil earneflly to requefl: king Philip and his council never to give battle to the Engliih when king Edward ihotild be there in perfon. Thefe doubts, and this letter from the king of Sicily, made many of the lorda of France fore disheartened, of which thé king was informed, who, notwithftanding, was very.eager for the combat) but he was ίοftrongly diffuaded from it, that the day pafled quietly, and each man retired to his quarters. * When the earl of Hainault faw that there was no likelihood of a battle, he departed with all hi* people, and returned to Quefnoy. The king of England, the duke of Brabant, and the other lords, began to prepare for their return, packed up their baggage, and came that Friday night to Avefnes, in Hainault, where they took up their quarters, and in its neighbourhood. The next day the Germans and Brabanters took their leave, and returned to their homes. The king of England went to Brabant with the duke, his coufin. The king of France, the Friday afternoon that the two armies had been drawn out in order of battle retired to his lodgings, very angry that the combat had not taken place ; but thofe of bis council told him he had atted right well, and had valiantly purfued his enemies, infomuch that he had driven them out of his kingdom, and the king of England muft make many fuch expeditions before he could conquer the kingdom of France* VOL.Ì. M The