lag that he would be ready the moment the bufinefs re quired it—but that he muftfirft fee thefe lords ; to whom he wrote, to delire they would meet him at whatever place was the mod agreeable to them. The day for this conference was fixed for the middle of Auguft, and it was unanimoufly agreed to be held at Halle, on account of the young earl of Hainault, who was to be there, as well as. the lord, John, his uncle. When all thefe lords of the Empire were affembled in the city of Halle, they had long deliberations together, and faid to the king of England, * Dear fir, we do not fee any caufe for us to challenge the king of France, all things confidered, unlefs you can procure the confent of the emperor, and that he will command us fo to do, on his account, which may eafily be done ; for there is an ordinance of a very old date, fealed, that no king of France ihould take and keep poffelfion of any thing that belongs to the Empire. Now^king Philip has gotten poffeflion of the caftles of Crevecoeur, in Cambrefis, and of Arleux in Artois, as well as the city of Cambray, for which the emperor has good grounds to challenge him through us, if you will have the goodnefs to obtain it from him, in order to lave our honour/ 1 The king of England replied, that he would very cheerfully conform himfelf to their advice. It was then determined, that the marquis of Juliers Ihould go to the emperor, and with him knights and counsellorsfrom the king, and fome from the duke of Gueldres ; but the duke of Bra- VOL. I., Κ bant