One of them swore to the king, that whatever secret he might be intrusted with that concerned his majesty’s affairs, he would certainly discover it to him. The king could scarce dissemble his resentment at their advising him to give the English the towns; but, fearing lest it might provoke the Constable to do worse, he would not make such a reply as might lead them to suspect that he disliked the proposition; but he sent a messenger of his own to the Constable, for the way was but short, and it took up no great time to go thither and return. When the ambassadors were gone out, the Lord of Contay and I came from behind the screen, and found the king very pleasant, and laughing heartily; but the Lord of Contay was out of all patience to hear such fellows speak so disrespectfully of his master the Duke of Burgundy, especially considering the great transactions which were at that time pending between the Constable and him. The Lord of Contay was impatient to be on horseback, and to make a relation of it to his master; and he therefore was immediately despatched, with a copy of instructions written with his own hand, and a letter of credence under the king’s hand. Our negotiation with the English was already concluded, as you have heard, and all these intrigues were carried on at one time. The King of France’s commissioners, who had had a conference with the English, reported their proposals, and the King of England’s envoys returned to their camp. At last it was agreed upon by the ambassadors on both sides, that the two kings should have an interview, and swear mutually to the performance of the articles; after which the King of England should return into his own country, upon the receipt of 72,000 crowns, and that the Lord Howard and Sir John Chene[456], his Master of the Horse, should be left as hostages till he was arrived in England. Lastly, a pension of 16,000 crowns a year was promised to the privy councillors of the King of England—viz., to the Lord Hastings, 2000 crowns a year, who would never give an acquittance for it[457]; to the Chancellor[458], 2000; and the rest to the Lord Howard, the Master of the Horse, Chalanger, Sir Thomas Montgomery[459], and several others; besides a great deal of ready money and plate that was distributed among the rest of the King of England’s retinue.