Some days after, he waited on king Charles, who received him very kindly, and made him kingly presents. He thence took his way to visit the lord de Partenay, uncle to his lady, who was attached to the Burgundy interest. When the lord de Partenay had shewn him much honour and liberal entertainment, sir James required his uncle to give up his castle to his guard, and that he would quit the duke of Burgundy, whose quarrels he had hitherto espoused, and he (sir James) would make his peace with king Charles, so that he should keep up his usual state. The lord de Partenay replied, that it was his intention to remain lord of his own castle and lands, and that those to whom they would belong after his decease might then do with them as they listed. Upon this, sir James, having formed his plan so that it could not fail, laid hands on the lord de Partenay, and made him prisoner in the name of king Charles. Sir James's people raised the drawbridge of the castle; but in doing so, they made a noise which alarmed the townsmen, who hastened in crowds to enquire what was the matter,--and as the bridge was neither fastened by bolt nor latch, they pulled it down again, and entered the castle so suddenly that they put to death sir James, Jean de Huselames, Jean de Frousieres, Philip de Neufville, and others of his men. Thus did sir James de Harcourt find a sudden and cruel death through somewhat too much covetousness,--although this has been related in various other manners. CHAP. XIV. SEVERAL EVENTS BRIEFLY TOUCHED UPON. In these days, the county of Hainault was in great alarm and tribulation for fear of a war between the dukes of Glocester and of Brabant, which now seemed very probable, for both of them had espoused the heiress of these territories; and each styled himself lord of the country as a matter of right. The lords of these parts were also divided, some declaring for the duke of Brabant, and others for the duke of Glocester, notwithstanding they had all sworn fidelity to the duke of Brabant, and had, for a long time acknowledged him for their legal lord. The dukes of Bedford and of Burgundy met at Amiens, having with them many of their council, to adjust the differences between these two dukes; but not being able to do so, they adjourned the business for final determination at Paris, and fixed a day for meeting there.