y two noble
maidens carrying a heron, which, as you know, Walter, is considered the
most cowardly of birds. Then in loud tones he called upon the knights
present each to swear on the bird to perform some deed of chivalrous
daring. First he presented it to King Edward himself, giving him to
understand that he regarded him but as little braver than the heron for
resigning without a blow the fair heritage of France."

"The moment was well chosen, for Edward was smarting under the answer
he had just received from Phillip. He at once rose and took an oath to
enter France in arms; to wait there a month in order to give Phillip
time to offer him battle, and to accept the combat, even should the
French outnumber him ten to one. Every knight present followed the
example of the king, and so the war with France, which had been for
years a mere question of time, was at last suddenly decided upon.
You yourself, Walter, can remember the preparations which were made
throughout England: men were enrolled and arms prepared. We armourers
were busy night and day, and every man felt that his own honour, as well
as that of the country, was concerned in winning for King Edward the
heritage of which he had been unlawfully robbed by the King of France."

"On the 17th of March, 1337, at the parliament at Westminster, the king
created the little prince, then seven years of age, Duke of Cornwall;
and the prince immediately, in exercise of his new dignity, bestowed
upon twenty of the most distinguished aspirants the honour of
knighthood. Immense supplies were voted by the parliaments held at
Nottingham, Westminster, and Northamton. Half the wool shorn in the
summer following was granted to the king, with a variety of other
taxes, customs, and duties. The revenues of all the foreign priories in
England, a hundred and ten in number, were appropriated to the crown.
Provisions of bacon, wheat, and oats were granted, and the king pawned
his own jewels, and even the crown itself, to hire soldiers, and
purchase him allies on the Continent. So great did the scarcity of money
become in the country that all goods fell to less than half their value.
Thus a vast army was raised, and with this King Edward prepared to try
his strength with France."

"Phillip on his part was making great preparations. While Edward had
purchased the assistance of many of the German nobles Phillip raised
large armaments in the maritime states of Italy. Spain also contributed
a