was as quickly informed of what was doing in France, relative to the great armament that was to inyade England, by his merchants on their re-turn home, as the duke of Lancafter ; for the king refided, at that feafon, at Oporto, which is onç of the largeft cities and the moft frequented port of his realm* He was rejoiced to hear it was at an end, for he had been told England would be ruined;. and this had made him hefitate as to the conclufton of bis marriage, amufing the duke and duchefs with fine words and compliments. When he learnt for certain, that the king of France and his nobles were returned home, he fummon^d his council, and faid,—* My fair firs, you know that the duke and duchefs of Lancafter are in Galicia ; you $lfo know, a great affe&iou fubfifts between us, and that we have had feveral conferences ; ig one of which it has been pro* pofed by our councils, that I fhould take the lady Philippa to wife/ I mean ta perfevere in this bufindfs, and to make an honourable demand of her, as is becoming two fuch princes as the duke of Lancafter and myfelf ; for I will have her for my queen/ 6 Sir,' replied thofe to whom he had adr dreffed himfelf, « you are in the right, for fo you have folemnly promifed and fworn/ % Now, whom fhall we fend to conduct the lady hither?' The archbifhop of Braganza and fir John Radighes de Sar were named ; and, as they were not prefent, they were fent for, and informed how they were |q aft. They undertook the bufinefs with pleafure, mi 16*