He placed the Iofd of Beaujeu in Mortaigne, to guard the frontiers toward Hainault, and fent ftrong bodies of çien at arms to St. Omer, Aire, and St. Venant ; he a)fo formed fufficient magazines in the countries bordering upon Flanders. At this time Sicily was governed by a king named Robert, who was much renowned as a great aftrolo^er; he had prohibited the king of France and his council for ever engaging the Engliih when commanded by their king, for in fuch cafes he was ever to be unfortunate. This king was very defirous of bringing about a reconciliation between thofe of France and England, being fo. ftrongly attached to the crown of France, thathè would have been much hurt at any calamity which might have impaired its. luftre.* The above mentioned king went to Avignon to reprefent to pope Clement, and his college of cardinals, the great evils, which might befal the realm of France from the quarrels of the two kings, and entreat of them to undertake the part of mediators in appealing this difaftrous war. The pope and. the college replied, they would very willingly do their beft endeavours, provided the two kings would liften to them. ' CHAP. LI, THE KING OF ENGLAND AND HIS ALLIES HOLD A CONFERENCE AT' VILVOJRDE, fJ 1 H E conference holden at Vilvprde was attended by the following perfonages ; firft, the king of England, the duke of Brabant, the earl of Hainault Ρ 3 and