The king was advifed to grant paffports to twelve of the citizens and an abbot (who being at Ypres had interfered in this bufinefs) to come to the camp, and explain more fully what their intentions were. The friars returned to the town, when the ( twelve citizens elected by the council and inhabitants, and the abbot, went to mount Ypres, where, calling themfelves on their knees, they offered to place the town under the king's obedience for ever, and without any terms of reservation. The king of France following the good advice which was given him, to gain the country by gentle means, and not wifhing to fhew any ill will or cruelty, received them kindly, and ac-cepted their offer ; on condition that the town would pay forty thoufand francs, to defray the fmaller expenfes which this expedition had hi-therto coït The inhabitants of Ypres were much rejoiced at this event, and never afterwards rebelled. Thus were the citizens pardoned. They en-treated the king and his uncles would be pleafed to, partake of fome refrefhments in their town, •which would give great joy to the inhabitants: A promife was in truth made them, that the king fhould come thither, when he fhould be fiirther advanced in Flanders. Upon this the de-putation returned to the town, mightily pleafed to find themfelves at peace with the king of France. The forty thoufand francs were in-stantly raifed among themfelves, and paid to the king, or to his commifiioners, before he made his entry into Ypres. • • CHAP- 199