forgery.[*] The detection of this crime covered
him with shame and confusion: his brother-in-law not only abandoned him,
but prosecuted him with violence: Robert, incapable of bearing disgrace,
left the kingdom, and hid himself in the Low Countries: chased from that
retreat by the authority of Philip, he came over to England; in spite of
the French king's menaces and remonstrances, he was favorably received
by Edward; [**] and was soon admitted into the councils and shared the
confidence of that monarch. Abandoning himself to all the movements of
rage and despair, he endeavored to revive the prepossession entertained
by Edward in favor of his title to the crown of France, and even
flattered him that it was not impossible for a prince of his valor and
abilities to render his claim effectual.

* Froissard, liv. i. chap. 29.

** Rymer, vol. iv. p. 747. Froissard, liv. i. chap. 27.

The king was the more disposed to hearken to suggestions of this nature,
because he had, in several particulars, found reason to complain of
Philip's conduct with regard to Guienne, and because that prince had
both given protection to the exiled David Bruce, and supported, at
least encouraged, the Scots in their struggles for independence. Thus
resentment gradually filled the breasts of both monarchs, and made them
incapable of hearkening to any terms of accommodation proposed by the
pope, who never ceased interposing his good offices between them. Philip
thought that he should be wanting to the first principles of policy
if he abandoned Scotland: Edward affirmed that he must relinquish all
pretensions to generosity if he withdrew his protection from Robert.
The former, informed of some preparations for hostilities which had been
made by his rival, issued a sentence of felony and attainder against
Robert, and declared that every vassal of the crown, whether within
or without the kingdom, who gave countenance to that traitor, would
be involved in the same sentence; a menace easy to be understood: the
latter, resolute not to yield, endeavored to form alliances in the Low
Countries and on the frontiers of Germany, the only places from which
he either could make an effectual attack upon France, or produce such
a diversion as might save the province of Guienne, which lay so much
exposed to the power of Philip.

The king began with opening his intentions to the count of Hainault, his
father-in-law; and having engaged him in his interests,