CHAP. XXV. THE LORD DE COUCY AND OTHER BARONS OF FRANCE ARE SENT TO THE DUKE OF BRIT-TANY.—BEFORE THEIR ARRIVAL HE HAD RE-STORED TO THE OFFICERS OF THE CONSTABLE THE PLACES HE HAD TAKEN FROM HIM. the duke of Berry's arrival at Paris, many councils were held by thofe moft in the confidence of the king and his uncles, ,fuch as the bifhops of Langres and Laon, the lord de Coucy and other privy counsellors, as well on the affairs of Gueldres, whither the king was ftill very defirous of going, as of Brittany; fqr the duke would not accept of the advances that had been made him towards a reconciliation with France. They knew not whom they could fend to make another attempt, fince the for-mer negotiators had failed. The council were much troubled on this account, for they had learnt that the duke of Brittany had been bufily employed during the winter in victualling again and reinforcing all his towns ànd cailles, which plainly indicated his wifh to have been for war.t The wifeft of the council faid,—c You talk of ?'»ing to Germany: you fhould rather go to Brittnny, and deflroy that infolent duke, who holds in contempt the crown of France and re-t'uf*.-s to obey its orders. You will not obtain any thing from him by treaty : and his prefump-lion is fo great, he muft be taught his duty: he neither 162