imself
declining through age and infirmities; and having no issue, he was
solicitous to prevent those disorders to which, on the event of his
demise, a disputed succession might expose his subjects. His younger
brother, the count of Penthiev had left only one daughter, whom the duke
deemed his heir; and as his family had inherited the duchy by a female
succession, he thought her title preferable to that of the count of
Mountfort, who, being his brother by a second marriage, was the male
heir of that principality.[*] He accordingly purposed to bestow his
niece in marriage on some person who might be able to defend her rights;
and he cast his eye on Charles of Blois, nephew of the king of France,
by his mother, Margaret of Valois, sister to that monarch. But as he
both loved his subjects and was beloved by them, he determined not to
take this important step without their approbation; and having assembled
the states of Brittany, he represented to them the advantages of that
alliance, and the prospect which it gave of an entire settlement of the
succession. The Bretons willingly concurred in his choice: the marriage
was concluded: all his vassals, and among the rest the count of
Mountfort, swore fealty to Charles and to his consort, as to their
future sovereigns; and every danger of civil commotions seemed to be
obviated, as far as human prudence could provide a remedy against them.

But on the death of this good prince, the ambition of the count of
Mountfort broke through all these regulations, and kindled a war, not
only dangerous to Brittany, but to a great part of Europe. While Charles
of Blois was soliciting at the court of France the investiture of the
duchy, Mountfort was active in acquiring immediate possession of it;
and by force or intrigue he made himself master of Rennes, Nantz, Brest
Hennebonne, and all the most important fortresses, and engaged many
considerable barons to acknowledge his authority.[**] Sensible that
he could expect no favor from Philip, he made a voyage to England, on
pretence of soliciting his claim to the earldom of Richmond, which had
devolved to him by his brother's death; and there, offering to do homage
to Edward, as king of France, for the duchy of Brittany, he proposed a
strict alliance for the support of their mutual pretensions.

* Froissard, liv. i. chap. 64.

** Froissard, liv. i. chap. 65, 66, 67, 68.

Edward saw immediately the advantages attending this treaty: Mount