At that time Gaston was a vassal of Edward III of England who was then making a Crusade in the East. On his return he found this "_château-noble_" already built, and his surprise was great, for he knew not what it portended. He concluded that it could only mean the rebellion of his vassal, and he ordered the Seneschal of Gascony to demand the surrender of the property. When this was refused Edward seized it and all the domains of Béarn, and sent Gerard de Laon as envoy to put the new political machinery in running order. The envoy entered Orthez without the least obstacle being put in his way, but in an instant the gates were closed and he was made a prisoner. Irritated by this outrage, Edward, at the head of an imposing army, marched on Orthez. Gaston, seized with fear, lost his head, and made up his mind to surrender before he was attacked. No protestations of future devotion to his overlord would, however, be accepted, and Edward made him prisoner on the spot. To regain his liberty, Gaston promised to turn over the "Fortresse d'Orthez" but, when he was set free, he established himself with a doubled garrison behind his walls and prepared for resistance. Edward pleaded for justice and honourable dealing, and a quarrel, long and animated, followed. The affair took on such proportions that the Pope sent his legate, as an intermediary, to make peace. Gaston would hear of no compromise, and called upon the king of France to take his part. A sort of council was finally arranged, during which Gaston became so exasperated that he threw his glove in the face of the English king. He begged the king's pardon afterwards, and an agreement was reached whereby everything was left as it had been before the quarrel began. Many imperishable souvenirs are left of the reign at Orthez of the brilliant Gaston de Foix, when tourneys and fêtes followed in rapid succession. It was Orthez' most brilliant epoch. It was here, to the court of Gaston Phoebus, that Messire Jehan Froissart came, in 1388, and stayed three weeks and some of his most brilliant pages relate to this visit. Of his host, the chronicler said: "_De toutes choses il est si parfait_." Gaston Phoebus was so powerful and magnificent a seigneur in his own right, and his castle at Orthez was such a landmark of history that Louis XI--who conceded little enough to others as a usual thing--said to his followers as he was passing through Béarnais territory on a pilgrimage: "_Messeigneurs, laissez l'epée de France, nous sortons ici du royaume_." Gaston Phoebus was the most accomplished seigneur of his time, and he had for his motto "_Toquos-y se gaasos_"--"Attack who dares."