=Source.=--"Chronicle of King Henry V.," printed in Nicolas's
_Battle of Agincourt_, pp. viii-ix. (London: 1827.)
And his lords gave him [Henry V.] counsel, to send ambassadors unto
the King of France and his council, and that he should give up to him
his right heritage, that is to say Normandy, Gascony, and Guienne, the
which his predecessors had held before him, or else he would it win
with dint of sword, in short time, with the help of Almighty God. And
then the Dauphin of France answered our ambassadors, and said in this
manner, that the King was over young and too tender of age to make war
against him, and was not like yet to be no good warrior to do and to
make such a conquest there upon him; and somewhat in scorn and despite
he sent to him a tonne full of tennis balls because he would have
somewhat for to play withal for him and for his lords, and that became
him better than to maintain any war; and then anon our lords that was
ambassadors took their leave and came to England again, and told
the King and his Council of the ungoodly answer that they had of the
Dauphin, and of the present the which he had sent unto the King; and
when the King had heard their words and the answer of the Dauphin, he
was wondrous sore aggrieved ... and thought to avenge him upon them as
soon as God would send him grace and might, and anon made tennis balls
for the Dauphin, in all haste; and they were great gun-stones for the
Dauphin to play withal.