and at their eafe, for fuch were his wifhes. Sir . Reginald acted in a manner to fatisfy them. The ftate of the king's affairs continued the fame during the time he remained at Santaren* and while his army was in and near to that town, which confisted of four thoufand men at arms and thirty thoufand others. He called the barons of France to his council, to confider of the best means to carry on the war ; for he had lain a longtime, and with great expenfes, before Lifbon, and had done nothing. It was imagined, if the Gafcons had not by their arrival encourag-ed the king to proceed, he would have retreated from Santaren to Burgos, or into Galicia, for his men were weary with being fo long in the field. . - When the knights of France and Beam were admitted to the council, the king thus addreffed them : My fair firs, you are intelligent and active, in war : I therefore wifh to have your advice how I may most ' advantageoufly continue my war against the Portuguefe and Lifboners : they have maintained their ground against me up-wards of a year, and I have done nothing. I was in hopes to have drawn them out of Lifbon, and have fought them, but they would not accept my challenge. My friends have advifed me to difmifs my army, and permit every man to re-turn to his home. I therefore wifh to know what your opinions may be on this fubject/ * The knights from France and Béarn, being just arrived at the army, were eager for battle ; for, though they had as yet been idle, they werq . - " " defirous S55