a madman ; that he had never confulted him re-fpecting this challenge, nor indeed in any thing elfe, but always acted for himfelf. He offered his fervices to the king, and, faid,—* My lord, with your permiffion, I will go to him, and fharply remonftrate with him on his follies, and order him to come and make his apology to you and to your council. If he refufe to follow my advice, and continue to act from his own head-ftrong will, I offer to give you poffeffion of all my inclofed towns and caftles, for you to garrifon with men at arms, and carry on the war againft him until he fhall fubmit himfelf to your mercy.' The king, on this, looked at his brother, his uncles and council, as it feemed to him, and to many who were prefent, a very fair offer. He made the duke rife, who had hitherto continued on his knees, and faid,—€ We will confider what you have offered, and the promifes you make us.* The duke, having rifen, remained with the two prelates who had brought him thither ; and the king retired with his uncles and privy coun-fellors, to difcufs the propofal that had been made them. 1 • This council lafted fome time, and various proportions were made, each preffing his diffe-rent plan. The duke of Burgundy was the moft active, as indeed the matter more effentially af-fected him, on account his being heir, in right of his duchef, to the fuceeffion of the duchefs of Brabant, and it was in truth owing to him that the king had undertaken this expedition. Mm was therefore very anxious that the quarrel ; • -{houM 290 . .