ness
to those in misfortune being among the leading characteristics of
his nature. Pedro, cruel and ruthless as he was, was a man of great
eloquence and insinuating manners, and giving his own version of
affairs, he completely won over the prince, who felt himself, moreover,
bound in some degree to support him, inasmuch as he, an ally of England,
had been dethroned by an army composed partly of English. Pedro made the
most magnificent promises to the prince in return for his aid, ceding
him the whole of the province of Biscay, and agreeing to pay the British
troops engaged in his service when he regained his throne, the Black
Prince engaging to pay them in the meantime.

King Edward aided his son by raising an army in England, which sailed
for Bordeaux under the command of the prince's brother, John of Gaunt,
Duke of Lancaster. Walter formed part of this expedition. The king had
issued his writs to him and other barons of the southern counties, and
the Black Prince had himself written to ask him to join him, in memory
of their former deeds of arms together.

As it was now some years since he had taken the field, Walter did not
hesitate, but with thirty retainers, headed by Ralph, joined the army of
John of Gaunt.

The Black Prince's first step was to endeavour to recall the Englishmen
of the free companies, estimated to amount to at least 30,000 men.
The news that he was taking up arms and would himself command the army
caused Calverley and the whole of the other English knights to return
at once, and 10,000 of the English men-at-arms with the great companies
also left Don Henry and marched to Aquitaine. The road led through the
territory of the King of Navarre, and the Black Prince advanced 56,000
florins of gold to pay this grasping and treacherous king for the right
of passage of the army.

By Christmas, 1366, the preparations were complete, but the severity of
the weather delayed the advance for some weeks. Fresh difficulties were
encountered with Charles the Bad, of Navarre, who, having obtained the
price for the passage, had now opened negotiations with Don Henry, and
the governors of the frontier towns refused to allow Sir Hugh Calverley
and the free companies, who formed the advance, to pass. These were
not, however, the men to stand on ceremony, and without hesitation
they attacked and captured the towns, when the King of Navarre at once
apologized for his officers, and renewed his engagements. As, however,