Therefore immediatlie after the deceasse of the said Charles le Beau, by ambassadours sent vnto the péeres of France, he published to them his right, requiring that they would admit him king according therevnto: but his ambassadours could neuer be quietlie heard, and therefore returned home without anie towardlie answer, which mooued him in the end to attempt the recouerie of his lawfull inheritance by force, sith by law he could not preuaile, and now by aduise of his fréends to take vpon him both the title and armes of France, to signifie to the world what right he had to the same. After that this league therefore was concluded with them of Flanders, and that king Edward had taken vpon him the name of king of France with the armes; the duke of Gelderland and Iaques van Arteueld went vnto all the good townes and iurisdictions of Flanders, to receiue their oths of fidelitie vnto king Edward, persuading with the people, that the supreme rule belonged vnto him, sauing to the townes their ancient lawes and liberties, and to their earle his right of proprietie. [Sidenote: Additions to _Nic. Triuet._] [Sidenote: Iohn of Gaunt borne.] About the latter end of this thirtéenth yeare of K. Edwards reigne, the mariners and sea-men of the cinque ports, getting them aboord into a number of small ships and balingers, well trimmed and appointed for the purpose, passed ouer to Bullongne, where they tooke land one day in a thicke foggie weather, and setting on the Base towne, they burnt ninetéene gallies, foure great ships, and to the number of twentie smaller vessels, togither with their tackle and furniture. They set fire also on the houses that stood néere to the water side, and namelie they burnt one great house, wherein laie such a number of oares, sailes, armour, and crossebowes, as might haue sufficed to furnish so manie men as could be well aboord in ninetéene gallies. There were manie slaine on both parts in atchiuing this enterprise, but more of the Frenchmen than of the Englishmen. About the same time the quéene of England was deliuered of hir fourth sonne in the towne of Gaunt, the which was named Iohn, first created earle of Richmond, and after duke of Lancaster. He was borne about Christmasse, in the thirtéenth yere of king Edwards reigne. [Sidenote: 1340.] [Sidenote: An. Reg. 14.] [Sidenote: A parlement.] [Sidenote: _Hen. Marl._] [Sidenote: _Polydor._] [Sidenote: A subsidie.]