him—c Coufin, I have been confidering my fitu-ation, which is miferable enough, and I have no longer any thoughts of wearing my crown or governing my people. As God may have my foul, I wifh I were at this moment dead of a natu-ral death, and the king of France had his daughter again -, for we have never enjoyed any great hap-pinefs together, nor fince I have brought her hither have I had the love my people bore me formerly. Coufin of Lancafter, when I look back, I am convinced I have behaved very ill to you, and to other nobles of my blood, .for which I cannot expeft peace nor pardon. All things, therefore, confidered, I am willing freely to refign to you the crown of England ; and I beg you will accept the refignatiqn as a gift.* The duke replied, c that It would be nccelfary the three eftates of the rçalm fhould hear this. I have ïflfbçd ibmmonfes for the aflfcmbling the nobles, prelates and deputies, from the principal towns ; and within three days a fufficiency will be collected for you to make your refignation in due form. By this aft, you will* greatly appeafe the hatred of the nation againft you. To obviate the mifchiefs that had arifen from the courts of juftice being fhut, and which had created an almoft uni-verfal anarchy, was I fent for from beyond fca. The people wanted to crown me, for the common report in the country is, that I have a better right to the crown than you have. This was told to our grandfather, king Edward of happy memory, when he educated you, and had you acknowledged heir 154