This is one of the most carefully executed pictures in the volume; and the arrangement of the figures at the sides, combined with the impressive and characteristic simplicity of the central group, could scarcely be surpassed by modern artists; indeed, in symmetrical arrangement, they appear to be borrowing ideas from these illuminations of the middle ages, as may be perceived in some recent modern pictures. The account of this marriage is omitted in some of the MSS. of Froissart. [Illustration: Proclamation of the renewal of the truce between the Kings of France and England, after the King of France’s recovery.] PLATE III. THE PROCLAMATION OF THE TRUCE BETWEEN RICHARD II. OF ENGLAND AND CHARLES VI. OF FRANCE. This truce (long delayed on account of the temporary insanity and sickness of the French king) between Richard II. of England and Charles VI. of France, was agreed should last from Michaelmas to St. John Baptist’s day, 1392, and one year longer. The drawing evidently represents a French town, as the provincial towns of France, even earlier than that period, had lofty houses of stone, many of which endure perfect to the present day, whilst in England the common houses of the towns of the same period were mostly built of timber and plaster, and were of very rude construction. This plate is also interesting on account of exhibiting so accurately the dress and general appearance of French citizens of the fourteenth century. [Illustration: The expedition of the French and English to the coast of Africa, at the request of the Genoese.] PLATE IV. THE EXPEDITION OF THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH TO THE COAST OF AFRICA, AT THE REQUEST OF THE GENOESE.