The king was desirous of crossing the Somme at Abbeville, and the duke of Burgundy advanced to that town to negotiate the king's passage, which was obtained, but very unwillingly, on the duke promising that every expense should be fully discharged. While the duke was absent, the king and his nobles amused themselves in hunting in the forest of Cressy, and the following day fixed their quarters at St Riquier, near to which place was a small fort called La Ferté, garrisoned by about sixty of sir James de Harcourt's men, under the command of the bastard de Bellay, who, on a formal summons, surrendered the place. A gentleman of the country, called Nycaise de Boufflers, was appointed by the king and the duke governor, who shortly after yielded it to the Dauphinois (as will be hereafter related), by whom it had before been held. From St Riquier, king Henry came to Abbeville, where he was most honourably received, and many handsome presents were made him, in compliment to the duke of Burgundy. The army and baggage passed very peaceably through the town; and on the morrow, when all the expenses had been paid, the king took leave of the duke, on his promising that he would speedily join him with his whole force. King Henry continued his march through Beauvais and Gisors, to the castle of Vincennes, where were the king and queen of France, whom he saluted most respectfully, and was by them received with great joy. Thither came his uncle the duke of Exeter, with several of the council of the king of France, and many conferences were held on the present state of the kingdom. Among other things, it was ordered, that the florettes, a coin of the king, which was current for sixteen deniers, should be reduced to three deniers; but when this ordinance was proclaimed throughout the kingdom, it created great murmurings against the ministers among the commonalty of Paris, and in other places, but without obtaining any redress. Their murmurings were soon after much increased by the coin being still lowered in currency. The king of England now assembled a very large army; and in conjunction with that he had brought with him from England, he marched toward Mantes to offer battle to the dauphin, who had been already seven weeks before Chartres. He sent to the duke of Burgundy to join him instantly with as many men as he could raise, that he might be in time for the day of battle. The duke made all haste to comply, and advanced to the town of Amiens with about three thousand combatants, and thence, marching through Beauvais and Gisors, came to the town of Mantes. He, however, left his army at a large village, and went himself, with few attendants, to wait on the king of England, who was well pleased with his diligence. In the interim, the dauphin, when he was informed of the great army that was marching against him, broke up his siege of Chartres, and retreated to Tours.