• Sir John Hàrpedon, fénéfchal of Bordeaux* and the fénéfchal des Landes, with other gen-* tlemén of the country, fuch as the lord de Mu* cident, the lords de Duras, de Rofem, de Lan- -duras, de Chaumont, de TEfparre, de- Copane, and feveral more of the principal barons and knights, paid their compliments to the duke. He received them kindly as they came, for they arrived feparately. All offered him fuch fervices and affection as are due to a lord. The duke refided this feafon at Bayonne. He frequently wrote to the king of England and to his brothers ; but, for whatever he could urge* he had not any reinforcement of men at arms of archers; and, as things were then fituated, the duke of Lancafter and his concerns were totally difregarded. Thofe who had returned from Caftille gave fuch accounts as difcouraged others from going thither. They faid, ' The voyage % was fo long, a war with France would be far more advantageous. France has a rich country and temperate climate, with fine rivers ; but Caftille has nothing but rocks and high moun-tains, a (harp air, muddy riyers, bad meat, and wines fo hot and harfh there is no drinking ' them. The inhabitants are poor and filthy, badly clothed and lodged, and quite different in their manners to us, fo that it would be foHy to go thither. When you enter a large city or town, you expect to find every thing, but you will meet with nothing but wines, lard, and empty coffers. • It is quite the contrary in France; for there we have many a time found, in the cities and towns, when the fortune of war 14« # '