were very anxious for the return of their lord, to ^frhom they had already fent letters and mcflengers: but he was fearfiil of trufting to them, until the, prelates and barons of Brittany and the great towns began to murmur, and fay ; f- We fend every week letters of invitation to the duke » but, inftead of coming, he only returns us excufes/ € In God's name/ faid fome of them, ' there muft be a reafon for this : we fend to him in too fimple a manner. We ought to fend him a knight or two of rank, in whom he may truft, and who will fully explain to him the true ft ate of the country/ This propofal was agreed to i and two valiant knights, fir Geoffry de Querimel and fir Euftace de la Houffaye, were entreated to go to England, at the joint felicitations of the prelates, barons and principal towns in Brittany*. Thefe two knights made preparations for their voyage to England, and, embarking on board a vefiel at Canof, had weather and wind according to their wifh. They made fail for Southampton* and there difembarked : continuing their journey to London, they found the duke and duchefs of Brittany and fir Robert Knolles, who received them with great joy, and handfomely entertained them. The knights then related to the duke the ftate and dilpofition of his country, and how very ar- • The hiûoire de la Bretagne mentloas three other perfons as deputies, and cites the public acts for authority* Geoffry 4e Qaerimel was a favourite of the duke. f Gaûo. % Coucarneaa. dendy 146