could not pacify them, and being disheartened at the approach of winter, they seemed by their expressions to be more inclinable to peace than war. CH. VII.—How the King of France disguised one of his menial Servants in a Herald’s Coat, and sent him with a Message to the King of England, who gave him a favourable Answer.—1475. In the meantime, even at the very moment of the duke’s taking his leave, the English took a gentleman’s servant belonging to the King of France’s court, named James de Grassé.[441] This servant was brought immediately before the King of England and the Duke of Burgundy; and being ordered into a tent, after some slight examination of him, the Duke of Burgundy took his leave, and set out by the way of Brabant for Mazières[442], where part of his army lay. The King of England ordered the servant to be released, as being the first prisoner they had taken. Upon his departure, the Lords Howard and Stanley gave him a noble, and desired him “to present their most humble service to the king his master, when he had an opportunity of speaking to him.” The servant came with all speed to Compiègne (where the court was at that time) to give the king an account of their message; but his majesty was afraid of him, and suspected him to be a spy, because his master’s brother Gilbert de Grassé[443] was then in Bretagne, and a great favourite of that duke. The servant had irons clapped upon him immediately, and a guard was set to watch him that night; yet several courtiers talked with him by the king’s orders, and told his majesty that by his discourse he seemed a very honest fellow, and that he might venture to see him without any manner of danger.