CHAP. LXXX.
AMBASSADORS FROM THE KING OF ENGLAND ARRIVE AT ARRAS TO ATTEND THE CONVENTION.
At this time, the ambassadors from the king of England arrived at Arras, to attend the convention with the council of the duke of Burgundy. They were about two hundred knights, the principal of whom were the archbishop of York, the earl of Suffolk, the bishop of St David's, sir John Radcliffe, keeper of the king's privy seal, the lord Hungerford, master Raoul le Saige, official to the archbishop of Canterbury, and some other theologians.
They were lodged within the city of Arras, and cheerfully attended to in whatever they might be in want of by the servants of the duke of Burgundy. At the same time, there came from divers nations other ambassadors and mediators. The duke of Gueldres, the count Nassau, the bishop of Cambray, the count de Vernambourg, the bishop of Liege, the count de Vaudemont, the count de Nevers, the count de Salines, the duke of Bar, and in general all the higher nobility of the countries of the duke of Burgundy, came thither to support his claims and pretensions. They were all grandly dressed,—and soon after the counts of St Pol and of Ligny arrived with a handsome retinue.
On the 28th day of July, the duke of Burgundy entered Arras: he had lain the preceding night at his town of Lens in Artois. The whole company in Arras, attached to the embassy from England, went out a league beyond the walls to meet him,—as did the attendants of the two cardinals,—and when they met the duke, every one was most honourably received by him.
The duke's entrance into Arras was well ordered, he having the archers of his body-guard, all dressed in a rich uniform, to precede him,—and wherever he passed, the people sang carols for his arrival. In this state, he went to pay his compliments to the cardinal de Santa Croce, and then to the cardinal of Cyprus, whence he retired to his lodgings in his hôtel at La Cour-le-Comte.