*lo what you fay ; for the country of Flanders k u. dépendance on the domain of France; and you have fwom, and we alfo for you, that you will fupport in their rights your valais and liege men: the earl is alfo your coufin, you therefore owe him affection. Now, fince you are in fuch' good inclinations, do not change them, but lay the fame to all who shall fpeak to you on this fubject ; fot we will affemble in hafte the pre-lates and barons of your realm, and in your pre-sence lay before them this bufmefs. Do you fpeak your mind then, as clearly and as loudly as you have done to us, and they all will fay we have an enterprifing and well-intentioned king/ * On my faith, my fair uncle, 1 wish every thing were ready for us to march thither to-morrow; for from henceforward the greateft pleafure I shall have will be to abafe the pride of thefe Flemings/ • The two dukes were well pleafed at hearing the king thus fpeak out. . The duke of Bourbon now came, having been fent for by them; and they related to him all you have heard, and how eager the king was to march to Flanders, with which he was much pleafed. Things remained in this ftate. The king and his uncles wrote letters to all the lords of the council, ordering them to come to Compiegne on a certain day, when there would be a council held •n the affairs of the realm. Every one obeyed, as wm