and fquires who had crofled the fea with them, re-turned from Gafcoqy. The earl of Flanders was for along time in dan-ger from the Flemings, and, being a prifoner, was perfectly weary of it. He therefore made them un-derftand, that he was willing to follow their advice, for he could receive more advantages from them than from thofe in any other country. Thefe words pleafed the Flemings much : they gave him hi* liberty, and allowed him to partake of one of his favourite amufements,' hawking, of which he was very fond. ' However, when he weat to follow this fport, they fet a good watch over him, that he -did not efcape, nor was ftolen from thofe who had un-dertaken to guard him, on pain of death. Thefe guards were of the king of England's party ; and watched him fd clofely that they would fcarcely al-low him to make water. • This condu6t lafted lb long, and was fo offeniivc to the earl, that he agreed to marry the king of England's daughter. The Flemings immediately informed the king of it, and defired that the king and queen would come to the monaftery at Bergues, accompanied by - their daughter, and they would bring their earl there, ' and conclude the marriage. You may eafily imagine how pleafed the king and queen were with this news : they faid, the FJemings were very good fort of people. A day was fixed on for all parties to be at Bergues St. Vinox, between Newport and Gravelines. The moil powerful and leading men of the prin-cipal towns of Flanders came hither in great pomj| . bringing 205