But to returne to the earle of Buckingham where we left. The English
armie drew still towards Britaine, but with so small doubt of their
aduersaries, that they laie three or foure daies sometimes still in one
place. At their approching to the marches of Britaine, they came to
Vitrie, a towne situate at the first entring into that countrie, and
from thence went to Chateau Briant, and there rested, whither came to
them certeine knights sent from the duke of Britaine, which signified
to the erle of Buckingham what the dukes meaning was. Indéed by the
death of the French king, the dukes malice was greatlie abated towards
the Frenchmen, so that he had not much passed if the Englishmen had
béene at home againe. Moreouer, his townes were not determined to
receiue the Englishmen, as enimies to the crown of France: so that
he was in a perplexitie how to order his businesse. At length, to
shew himselfe a stedfast fréend to the Englishmen, and one that was
no changeling, he determined by their support, to force all those to
allow the league which he had established with the Englishmen, who had
denied to beare armour against the crowne of France. And first, bicause
they of Naunts were the ringleaders of that rebellious demeanour, he
appointed first to besiege their citie. They hauing knowledge thereof,
sent into France for aid.
[Sidenote: The siege at Naunts broken vp.]
The dukes of Aniou, Berrie, Burgognie, and Burbon, brethren to the late
king, and vncle to his sonne the yoong king, hauing the gouernance
of the realme vnder him, sent six hundred speares with all spéed to
strengthen them of Naunts, which defended the citie in such wise from
the puissance of the Englishmen, who enuironed the same with a strong
siege, that in the end, bicause the duke came not to them (according
to his promise) the siege was raised the morrow after New yeares
daie, two moneths and foure daies after the same was first laid. The
duke of Britaine would gladlie haue come to the siege of Naunts, in
strengthening of the English host, but he could not persuade his lords
to aid him in anie such enterprise. And therefore now that the earle of
Buckingham had broken vp his siege, he caused him to be lodged in the
citie of Vannes, & his men abroad in the countrie, some here, and some
there, acquiting himselfe as well towards them as he might.
[Sidenote: A peace betwixt the French king and the duke of Britaine.