agreed to a provision which was to be observed upon oath, to the observance of which you also bound me and my son by a similar oath. But now I have experienced beyond a doubt, that you are desirous not so much of the advantage of the king and kingdom as of your own, and that you are altogether receding from your agreements, and that you have reduced me, not as your lord but as your servant under your authority. Moreover, my treasury is exhausted to an unusual degree ; my debt increases in every direction, and the liberality and power of the king is almost overthrown and put down. On which account, I desire you not to wonder if I do not walk any more by your counsel, but leave you to yourselves for the future, and allow myself to seek a remedy for the existing state of affairs." And when he had said this, having sent ministers to Rome to procure absolution, the king wrote a special letter to the king of France, and to his son Edward, entreating them to furnish him with assistance. And the king of France promised him a large army, which he would support at bis own expense for seven years, if it should be necessary ; and Edward exerted himself, as it was said, in col lecting forces of every description; endeavouring to release Henry, who was no longer a youth, but a veteran, from the confinement in which he was kept, and to make him master of his kingdom, as he had been used to be. In the meantime, the king having neglected the statute made by his nobles, and being deceived by flattering counsels, entered the Tower of London, and having forced open the bolts, seized the treasure which was deposited there, and spent and dissipated it. Moreover, he hired workmen, and caused the Tower to be strengthened in every part, and he ordered the whole city of London to have its locks and barriers strengthened, and to be fortified all Tound. And having convoked all the citizens of twelve years old and upwards, he caused them all to swear to maintain their fidelity to him, the crier making proclamation that all who were willing to serve the king should come to receive pay from him. And when they heard this, the nobles flocked in from all quarters with their forces, encamping without the walls, since all entertainment within was entirely denied to them. And so a deadly war was expected on every side, which, indeed, had never been so near in past years. About the same time, it was generally known all around the kingdom, that all the bishops of England were designing to