wing his
full demand, proposes other terms, unreasonable, no doubt, as we (p. 103)
may view them now, but, if regarded as a substitute for the fair
kingdom of France, far from stamping on Henry the brand of hypocrisy,
when he made a profession of moderation and a love of peace.[80]

[Footnote 79: Among the records of the council, the
minutes of one of their meetings held at
Westminster in the second year of Henry's reign
deserve especial attention. The manuscript is much
damaged, but the general meaning is clearly
intelligible. The minutes first rehearse that "the
Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the true and
humble lieges and knights of the King's noble
realm, were there present, gathered by his royal
command." It then proceeds: "Ye, our noble and
righteous Lord and King, have in your chivalrous
heart and desire determined to stir and labour in
your recovery and redintegration of the old rights
of your crown, as well as for your righteous
heritage ... desiring upon this knightful intent
and purpose to have the good and high advice and
true meaning of us, your true knights and humble
lieges aforesaid. Whereupon, our sovereign Lord, as
well our Lords as we have communed by your high
commandment in these matters: and known well among
us all without [doubt ye are] so Christian a Prince
that ye would in so high a matter begin nothing but
that were to God's pleasance, and to eschew by all
ways the shedding of Christian blood; and that, if
algate [at all events] ye should do it, that
denying of right and reason were the cause [rather]
than wilfulheadedness. Wherefore, our sovereign and
gracious high Lord, it thinks, as well our Lords as
us in our own hearts, that it were speedful to send
such ambassadors to every party as [your] claim
requireth, sufficiently instructed for the right
and recovery of that is above said. And if y