ttans, dont il y
avoit la plus grand partie archiers, alla frapper en eux et faire tirer
les dessusdits archiers au travers desdites communes: pourquoy tant par
la cremeur dudict traict, comme par le commandement qu'il leur feit de
par le Roy, se retrahirent assez brief en leurs maisons: et ledit
seigneur de l'Isle Adam fut (comme dit est) mis prisonnier, et y
demoura durant la vie du roy Henry d'Angleterre, lequel l'eust faict
mourir, ce n'eust este la requeste du duc de Bourgongne." (Chroniques
de Monstrelet, vol. i. chap. ccxxxviii.)

[17] It is very remarkable how entirely these statements correspond with
some passages of Commines, (book iv. chap. xviii.) in which he describes
the conduct of tyrannical princes, and the way in which France especially
suffered from quartering soldiers. "To the common people they leave little
or nothing, though their taxes be greater than they ought to be; nor do
they take any care to restrain the licentiousness of their soldiers, who
are constantly quartered throughout the country without paying anything,
and commit all manner of excesses and insolencies, as everybody knows; for,
not contented with the ordinary provisions with which they are supplied,
they beat and abuse the poor country people, and force them to bring bread,
wine, and other dainties, on purpose for their eating; and if the goodman's
wife or daughter happens to be good-looking, his wisest course is to keep
her out of their sight. And yet, where money is abundant, it would be no
difficult matter to prevent this disorder and confusion, by paying them
every two months at furthest, which would obviate the pretence of want of
pay, and leave them without excuse, and cause no inconvenience to the
prince, because his money is raised punctually every year. I say this in
compassion to this kingdom, which certainly is more oppressed and harassed
in quartering soldiers than any in all Europe."

[18] This word, or "obeissauntis," which was used in the same sense, may be
taken as the original reading of the erasure in p. 73, in the place of
"predecessours," which is an alteration for the worse.

[19] Chaucer says of his Franklin--

At sessions there was he lord and sire,
Full often time he was Knight of the shire,
A Sheriff had he been, and a Countour.

The countour--a term which has been involved in some doubt, was probably a
commissioner of taxes, who had to return his accompt to the roya