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SIR JOHN FROISSART
Chronicles of England, France, Spain and the adjoining countries
from the latter part of the reign of Edward II to the coronation of Henry IV. Vol.8
page 54
in the memory of man, nor is there any written account of fuch. Money was no more fpared than if it rained gold, or was pumped up from the fea. The great barons of France had fent their fervants to Sluys to embark every thing they might have occafion for in this expedition ; for all were impatient to crofs over ; and the king, young as he was, fhewed greater impatience than any.
Each lord ftrove to have his veflel the beft fup-plied, and the moft ornamented with painting and gilding, with their arms emblazoned on'them and on the flags. Painters made a good harveft, for they were paid whatever they afked, and even, with •ihm there were not a fufficiency. The mafls were painted from top to bottom j and fome, by way of magnificence, were even covered with 4beet3 of fine gold, above which were emblazoned the ferms of the different lords to whom the veflels belonged. It was told me, particularly, that fir iGûy de la Tremouille expended fuch fums in or-namenting and painting his own fhip that they amounted to upwards of two thoufand francs. Their banners, pennons -and ftandards were fo very and,. as to furprife all who faw them. No ornament nor decoration could be imagined, but thefe lords employed it on their veflels. The poor of France paid for all : the taxes were fo grievous in that country, that the rich complained, and the poorer forts ran away.
All which was going forward in France,Flanders, Bruges, Damme and^Siuys.was known in England, #n*I wijthjnany,. addiflons to the real truth. The
people
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