[1] [2] [3] But when the Britains were nothing pacified, but rather kindled more vehementlie to worke all the mischeefe they could deuise, in reuenge of their souereignes death, there was no remedie but to sig|nifie abroad againe, that Arthur was as yet liuing and in health. Now when the king heard the truth of all this matter, he was nothing displeased for that his commandement was not executed, sith there were diuerse of his capteins which vttered in plaine words, that he should not find knights to keepe his castels, if he dealt so cruellie with his nephue. For if it chanced any of them to be taken by the king of France or other their aduersaries, they should be sure to tast of the like cup. ¶But now touching the maner in verie deed of the end of this Arthur, wri|ters make sundrie reports. Neuerthelesse certeine it is, that in the yeare next insuing, he was remooued from Falais vnto the castell or tower of Rouen, out of the which there was not any that would confesse that euer he saw him go aliue. Some haue written, that as he assaied to haue escaped out of prison, and proouing to clime ouer the wals of the castell, he fell into the riuer of Saine, and so was drowned. Other write, that through verie gréefe and languor he pined awaie, and died of naturall sicknesse. But some af|firme, that king Iohn secretlie caused him to be mur|thered and made awaie, so as it is not throughlie agréed vpon, in what sort he finished his daies: but verelie king Iohn was had in great suspicion, [...]ether worthilie or not, the lord knoweth. Yet how extreamelie soeuer he delt with his nephue, he relea|sed and set at libertie diuerse of those lords that were [page 166] taken prisoners with him, namelie Hugh le Brun, and Sauerie de Mauleon, the one to his great trou|ble and hinderance, and the other to his gaine: for Hugh le Brun afterwards leuied and occasioned sore warres against him, but Sauerie de Mauleon continued euer after his loiall subiect, dooing to him verie agréeable seruice, as hereafter may appeare.