¶ This is that Charles the French K. in whose time France was all aflant, Abr. Fl. ex Gu [...]. page 13. for the state of that realme is said, that then it was verie populous in multitudes of men, for wealth and riches euerie particular regi|on most fertile and plentifull, for glorie in armes most florishing & renowmed, a policie well directed, discipline administred, an authoritie dreadfull, and EEBO page image 749 in opinion and hope most mightie; lastlie their gene|rall conditions and faculties so well furnished, as perhaps it was not more happie in these mortall fe|licities since the daies of Charlemaine. It was new|lie amplified in euerie one of the three parts wherein all Gall stood diuided by the ancients: for fortie yéeres before vnder Charles the seuenth (a prince for his victories obteined with great dangers called Happie) Normandie and the duchie of Guien, holden by the Englishmen, were reduced to the obedience of the French crowne. And in the last daies of Lewes the eleuenth, the earldome of Prouince, the dukedome of Burgognie, almost all Picardie, togither with the duchie of Britaine, were by a new mariage inuested in the power of Charles the eight.]

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Sir Iohn Uere earle of Oxford get|teth out of pri|son, & he with others go to the earle of Richmond.While the earle was thus attendant in the French court, Iohn Uere earle of Oxford, which (as you haue heard before) was by king Edward kept in prison within the castell of Hammes, so persuaded Iames Blunt capteine of the same fortresse, and sir Iohn Fortescue porter of the towne of Calis, that he himselfe was not onelie dismissed and set at liber|tie; but they also abandoning and leaning their fruit|full offices, did condescend to go with him into France to the earle of Richmond, and to take his part. But Iames Blunt, like a wise capteine, bi|cause he left his wife remaining in the castell before his departure, did fortifie the same both with new munitions, and fresh souldiers. [And here bicause the names of Uere and Fortescus are remembred, it shall not be amisse, somewhat out of due place, yet better a little out of order than altogither to omit the same, to adde a supplement for the further perfecting of a report recorded in page 693, and adding some light also to this present place touching the said per|sons, with others.]

Abr Fl. ex I.S. p [...]g. 733.¶Know you the refore, that this sir Iohn Uere earle of Oxford (that withdrew himselfe from Barnet field, and with all spéed fled into Scotland) in the yere 1473, and the thirtéenth of Edward the fourth, did (after he had sometime soiourned there) saile into France, about the borders whereof he was continu|allie houering, as hoping to win some preie (to sup|port his estate) of such passengers as for merchan|dize cause or otherwise must keepe their course a long the sea.The earle of Oxford leuieth a power and commeth into England. Whose good successe therein did not deceiue his mind. For in the end (what of one and other) hée got such riches and other furniture, as he was able to support a chosen number of followers. Wherwith he (being reléeued and incouraged to aduenture to set foot in his countrie in despite of king Edward) did with his companie of 397 persons, and with his saile of ships land in the west countrie the last of september, where (partlie by force of his, and part|lie through feare of the inhabitants, but mostlie by a subtill shift) he gat and entered the castell of saint Michaels mount, a place of strength, and such an harborough, as he determined to kéepe the same a|gainst all assailants. During the time of his remaine there, he would with his companie manie times des|cend the hill, and come abrode in the countrie, where (for his loue, for his honour, and for the hatred they bare to king Edward) he was well interteined of manie gentlemen and others of the countrie.