sies and civil commotions with which both
nations were disturbed, kept each of them from taking advantage of the
unhappy situation of its neighbor. But as the abilities and good fortune
of Henry had sooner been able to compose the English factions, this
prince began, in the latter part of his reign, to look abroad, and to
foment the animosities between the families of Burgundy and Orleans,
by which the government of France was, during that period, so much
distracted. He knew that one great source of the national discontent
against his predecessor was the inactivity of his reign; and he hoped,
by giving a new direction to the restless and unquiet spirits of his
people, to prevent their breaking out in domestic wars and disorders.

{1411.} That he might unite policy with force, he first entered into
treaty with the duke of Burgundy, and sent that prince a small body
of troops, which supported him against his enemies.[*] Soon after,
he hearkened to more advantageous proposals made him by the duke of
Orleans, and despatched a greater body to support that party.

{1412.} But the leaders of the opposite factions having made a temporary
accommodation, the interests of the English were sacrificed; and this
effort of Henry proved, in the issue, entirely vain and fruitless. The
declining state of his health, and the shortness of his reign, prevented
him from renewing the attempt, which his more fortunate son carried to
so great a length against the French monarchy.

Such were the military and foreign transactions of this reign: the civil
and parliamentary are somewhat more memorable, and more worthy of our
attention. During the two last reigns, the elections of the commons had
appeared a circumstance of government not to be neglected; and Richard
was even accused of using unwarrantable methods for procuring to his
partisans a seat in that house. This practice formed one considerable
article of charge against him in his deposition; yet Henry scrupled
not to tread in his footsteps, and to encourage the same abuses in
elections. Laws were enacted against such undue influence; and even a
sheriff was punished for an iniquitous return which he had made:[**] but
laws were commonly at that time very ill executed; and the liberties of
the people, such as they were, stood on a surer basis than on laws and
parliamentary elections.

* Walsing. p. 380.

** Cotton, p. 429.

Though the house of commons was little able to withsta