more, that the conftable of France ftiould have pafled Calais, from Treguier to Sluys, without their having met him. They were defirous of engaging him, though he had ; many veflels as themfelves ; but he failed through Uhem in the night, with a favourable wind and tide* The fleet, after this, anchored in Margate-roads, at the mouth of the Thames, to wait for the re-turn of the Flemings from la Rochelle, which they knew would foon happen. The merchants-from Flanders, Hainault and feveral other parts, who had failed in a body for fear of the Engliih, having, loaded their veflels again with wines, fet fail from the port of la Rochelle, with a favourable wind, for Flanders and for Sluys, from whence they had come. They had pafled the Ras-St.-Matthieu*, in Brittany, and coafted the fhores of Normandy and England, until they came to the mouth of the Thames, where the Englifh fleet were lying at anchor. The Flemings defcried their mafts; and thofe aloft faid,—€ Gentlemen, prepare yourfelves, for we fhall meet the englifh fleet : they have feen us, and will take advantage of thç wind and tide to give us battle before night.' This intelligence was not very agreeable to feveral of the merchants from Hainault and other countries, who, having their goods on board, would have wifhed to have fheered off. However, as a com- * Res-St.-Matthieu, I fuppofe, muft mean Raa-de-Blanquet, which is a narrow lirait of the fea between Alderney and Cape la Hogue, . . , ' bat 157-