ry
their complaints to Charles, as to their lord paramount, against these
oppressions of the English government.[*]

In the treaty of Bretigm it had been stipulated, that the two kings
should make renunciations; Edward, of his claim to the crown of France,
and to the provinces of Normandy, Maine, and Anjou; John, of the homage
and fealty due for Guienne and the other provinces ceded to the English.
But when that treaty was confirmed and renewed at Calais, it was found
necessary, as Edward was not yet in possession of all the territories,
that the mutual renunciations should for some time be deferred; and it
was agreed, that the parties, meanwhile, should make no use of their
respective claims against each other.[**] Though the failure in
exchanging these renunciations had still proceeded from France,[***]
Edward appears to have taken no umbrage at it; both because this clause
seemed to give him entire security, and because some reasonable apology
had probably been made to him for each delay. It was, however, on this
pretence, though directly contrary to treaty, that Charles resolved to
ground his claim of still considering himself as superior lord of those
provinces, and of receiving the appeals of his sub-vassals.[****]

* Froissard, liv. i. chap. 244.

** Rymer, vol. vi. p. 219, 230, 234, 237, 243.

*** Rot. Franc. 35, Edward III. from Tyrrel, vol. iii
p. 643.

**** Froissard. liv. i. chap. 245.

{1369.} But as views of policy, more than those of justice, enter into
the deliberations of princes; and as the mortal injuries received from
the English, the pride of their triumphs, the severe terms imposed by
the treaty of peace, seemed to render every prudent means of revenge
honorable against them; Charles was determined to take this measure,
less by the reasonings of his civilians and lawyers, than by the present
situation of the two monarchies. He considered the declining years
of Edward, the languishing state of the prince of Wales's health, the
affection which the inhabitants of all these provinces bore to their
ancient master, their distance from England, their vicinity to France,
the extreme animosity expressed by his own subjects against these
invaders, and their ardent thirst of vengeance; and having silently made
all the necessary preparations, he sent to the prince of Wales a summons
to appear in his court at Paris, and there to justify his conduct
towards his vassals. The prince