would prefer being taxed every year one half of what they were worth, rather than be in the hands of the Englifh. The king of France (who knew their good will and loyalty, and had frequently received their ex-cufes) felt great pity for them ; he wrote, therefore, very affe&ionate letters, and fent to inform them, that it was neceffary they fhould obey, or otherwife the peace would be infringed, which would be too prejudicial to the kingdom of France. When the inhabitants of la Rochelle received thefe letters, and faw the fituation they were in, that neither excufes, prayers nor intreaties were of any avail, they obeyed ; but it was fore againft their in-clinations. The principal perfons of the town faid, 4 We will honor and obey the Englifh, but our hearts fhall never change.* Thus had the king of England feifin and pof-feffion of the duchy of Aquitaine, the counties of Poitou and Guignes, and of all thofe lands which he was to have beyond fea, that is to fay in the kingdom of France, which were given to him by the articles. of the peace. This year fir John Chandos croffed the fea, as regent and lieutenant of the king of England, to take poffeffion of all the lands aforefaid, and receive the faith, fidelity and homage of the counts, vifcounts, barons, knights, towns and caftles : he inftituted every where fenefchals, bailiffs and officers according to his will, and fixed his reiidence at Niort. Sir John kept a noble and great eftablifhment ; and he had the means of doing it ; for the king of F 4 Eng. 71