with a powerful force, were to reinforce them the enfuing fummer. For which reafons, he required from the king, in conformity with the treaties Between France and Spain, and their mutual af-fection, that fufficient forces should be fept to him in the courfe of the fpring and1 fummer, to enable him to oppofe his enemies with effect. The king's council affented to this, for they clearly faw the king of Spain had a right to de-mand it. Permiflion was granted to all knights and fquires defirous of advancing themfelves to join don John : and the king of France lent them wherJWith to perform their journey. It feems to me, that fir Oliver du Guefclin, brother to the late conftable of France, made preparations to go thither in the fpring. Many knights and fquires from Brittany, Beauce, Picardy, Anjou, Berry, Blois and Maine didfo likewife, and went thither in companies to perform the journey more comfortably. A paffage was open to them through Arragon, and all kinds of provifion were ' prepared for them, for ready money. But you muft know they did not pay for all they took in the low countries, which made the poor inhabi-tants fuffer great loffes. CH A.P» 29