The good king of Navarre[46], in consequence, demanded succour from the king of France, to recover the places he had lost. Louis XII., considering how faithful an ally he had always been, ordered a large body of men at arms and infantry to his assistance, under the command of the duke of Longueville and Dunois. This war was very expensive to the king of France, for the army remained long without striking a blow. In addition to this, the English, excited by the king of Arragon, as well as by a desire to regain Guienne, which they claimed as an inheritance, made a landing near to Roncevaux and St John Pied du Port,--but not being able to effect a junction with the Spaniards, they returned[47]. In the year 1513, Henry king of England, son to king Henry VII. who, by the aid of Charles VIII. king of France, succeeded peaceably to the crown of England after the death of Richard of York, instead of being grateful, for such services, to the king of France, although his late father had charged him, on his deathbed, to do nothing against that king, if he wished to prosper, instantly on the death of his father acted directly contrary. King Henry, equally eager with his subjects to invade France, sent an embassy to the lady Margaret, governess of Flanders, to obtain armour, stores, and artillery, particularly thirteen large cannons, which he had ordered to be cast in Flanders. These articles were immediately delivered, in return for a large sum of angels that remained behind,--for it had been long since they had circulated in any other country than their own. A secret treaty was, at the same time, concluded between Henry and the archduke,--which having secured him the aid of the Flemings, he continued to make his preparations for the invasion of France without interruption. He sent his fleet, under the command of the lord admiral[48] to cruize on the coasts of Brittany, who was himself on board a vessel of prodigious size. The french saw this armament with sorrow, for they had not a fleet able to cope with it; but a valiant sea-captain, named Primaugay, embarked on board a large ship called La Cordeliere, which the queen of France had lately built at an immense expense. He put to sea, and boldly attacked the english admiral in the great ship called The Regent, when a bloody combat took place. After some time, the Cordeliere set the Regent on fire, which having gained the powder-magazine, she blew up, with all within her. Primaugay, seeing it impossible to save his ship, as they were grappled together, leapt into the sea, armed as he was, and perished: it was a pity, for he was a bold and enterprising man[49]. These two large ships were burnt; but the rest of the fleet returned in safety to England, to report the unfortunate news to the king, who was much vexed thereat, and not without reason. FOOTNOTES: