erests the
people above all others, it is war and conquests, with their dates and
circumstances]

[Footnote 7: NOTE G, p. 233. This story of the six burgesses of Calais,
like all other extraordinary stories, is somewhat to be suspected;
and so much the more as Avesbury, (p. 167,) who is particular in his
narration of the surrender of Calais, says nothing of it; and, on the
contrary, extols in general the king's generosity and lenity to the
inhabitants. The numberless mistakes of Froissard, proceeding either
from negligence, credulity, or love of the marvellous, invalidate very
much his testimony, even though he was a contemporary, and though his
history was dedicated to Queen Philippa herself. It is a mistake to
imagine, that the patrons of dedications read the books, much less vouch
for all the contents of them. It is not a slight testimony that should
make us give credit to a story so dishonorable to Edward, especially
after that proof of his humanity, in allowing a free passage to all the
women, children, and infirm people, at the beginning of the siege:
at least, it is scarcely to be believed, that, if the story has any
foundation, he seriously meant to execute his menaces against the six
townsmen of Calais.]

[Footnote 8: NOTE H, p. 236. There was a singular instance, About this
time, of the prevalence of chivalry and gallantry in the nations of
Europe. A solemn duel of thirty knights against thirty was fought
between Bembrwigh, as Englishman, and Beaumanoir, a Breton, of the party
of Charles of Blois, The knights of the two nations came into the field;
and before the combat began, Beaumanoir called out, that it would be
seen that day who had the fairest mistresses. After a bloody combat, the
Bretons prevailed; and gained for their prize, full liberty to boast
of their mistresses' beauty. It is remarkable, that two such famous
generals as Sir Robert Knolles and Sir Hugh Calverley drew their swords
in this ridiculous contest. See Pere Daniel, vol. ii. p.536, 537, etc.
The women not only instigated the champions to those rough, if not
bloody frays of tournament, but also frequented the tournaments during
all the reign of Edward, whose spirit of gallantry encouraged this
practice. See Knyghton, p. 2597.]

[Footnote 9: NOTE I, p. 253. This is a prodigious sum, and probably near
the half of what the king received from the parliament during the whole
course of his reign. It must be remarked, that a tenth and fif