excuïfions from the garri^ns, until the duke of Bourbon arrived. The two knights faid; *Sen£ for fir Oliver du'Guefclin, fir Peter de Viilaines, fir Barrois des Barres, Châtelmorant, and the other companions, who are better acquainted with this country 4h«n ourfelves, for they have come hither before us, and we will then confer together ; and, if it pleafe God, your kingdom fhall, from our coun-sels, acquire both profit and renown.' The king faid, they had fpoken openly and loyally, and he was willing thdr advice fhould be followed. Secretaries were iffl&ntly employed in writing preffieg letters to the different knights and others, whom they wifhed tox fee, which were fent off by meffengers to the different parts whefe they refided. When it was knowç to them that fir Wil-liam de Lignac and fir Walter dePaffac were come, and had |ent for them, they were tnuch pleafed* They left the towns and cailles in which they were garrifoned, under the command of fuch as they could depend on, and haflened to Burgos, where* ina fhort time, good part of the chivalry of Prance were colle&ed. The king of Caftille held a grand council with the barons and knights of France, on the manner of commencing the campaign, for they knew the enemy had taken the field. He was defirous of afting in a manner becoming the honour of a king, and for the benefit of his country. Many were the debates, and the amount of the force in Caftille was eftimated. It was faid that the king could fummon into the field thirty jhoufand horfe, with , . their 815