Many overtures and bargains were made between the Kings of England and France; among the rest the King of France offered, that if he would join with him, and come over in person, and invade the Low Countries, which belonged to the Princess of Burgundy, his majesty would consent that the King of England should have all Flanders for his share, and hold it without homage, and the province of Brabant besides, in which the King of France would engage to reduce four of the chief towns at his own expense, and afterwards deliver them up to the King of England. Besides, he proffered (to lessen his charge in the war), to pay ten thousand of the King of England’s troops for four months; and to lend him a large train of artillery, horses, and carriages, for their conveyance, upon condition the King of England would invade Flanders, whilst he made war upon Burgundy in another place. The King of England’s answer was, that the towns in Flanders were large and strong, and not easy to be kept when they were taken, and that Brabant was the same; besides which, the English had no great inclination to undertake such a war, upon account of the commerce that was betwixt them and the Low Countries; but since the king was so generously inclined, as to allow him a share in his conquests, he desired he would give him some of the places he had conquered already in Picardy, such as Boulogne, and others; upon surrendering up of which, he would be ready to declare on his side, and would send an army to his assistance if he would engage to pay it. CH. II.—Of the Conclusion of the Marriage between the Princess of Burgundy, and Maximilian Duke of Austria, and since Emperor.—1477.