After this incounter, by reason the French armie increased by new bands still resorting to their king, the earle of March secretlie sought meanes to be reconciled vnto him: and finallie by the helpe of the duke of Britaine, his old acquaintance and fréend at néed, his peace was purchased, so that he had his lands againe to him restored, except certeine castels; which for further assurance the French king reteined in his hands by the space of thrée yeares. The king of England, perceiuing himselfe too much deceiued in that he had put such confidence in the earle of March and others of that countrie, which should haue aided him at this present, and againe aduertised, that the French king meant to besiege him within the citie of Xainctes, departed with all spéed from thence, and came to Blaie, a towne in Gascoigne, situat néere to the riuer of Garon, & distant seuen leagues from Burdeaux. [Sidenote: _Matth. Paris._] [Sidenote: The countesse of Bierne.] [Sidenote: Sée Vol. I. pag. 495, 496, 497, 498, & pag. 681, of the historie of England.] Now whilest he laie here at Blaie, there came vnto him the countesse of Bierne (a woman monstruous big of bodie) bringing with hir to serue the king, hir sonne, and thrée score knights, in hope to get some of his sterling monie, whereof she knew him to haue plentie: and so couenanting for hir interteinment, remained still with him, and receiued euerie daie 13 pounds sterling, and yet she neuer pleasured him the woorth of a groat, but rather hindered him, in making him bare of monie, which she receiued, purssed vp and tooke awaie with hir when she departed from him. But if to hir making and stature she had bin indued with the courage of Voadicia, whom she excéeded (as it should seeme) in proportion, or with the prowesse of Elfleda, hir seruice had béene no lesse beneficiall to the K. than anie skilfull capteins marching vnder his banner. So that we sée in this woman a desire rather to satisfie hir hydropicall humour of couetousnesse, than anie true affection to set forward the kings affaires; therefore it may well be said of hir in respect of hir gréedinesse to get from the king for hir owne commodities sake, that she was Vt mare, quod das deuorat, nunquam abundat, Nunquam rependit. [Sidenote: The reuolting of other French lords.] [Sidenote: Death in the French camp.] [Sidenote: Truce renued betwixt the two kings.] [Sidenote: _Polydor._]