[1] Now whilest he laie here at Blaie, there came vn|to him the countesse of Bierne (a woman mon|struous big of bodie) bringing with hir to serue the king, Matth. Paris. The countesse of Bierne. hir sonne, and three score knights, in hope to get some of his sterling monie, whereof she knew him to haue plentie: and so couenanting for hir intertein|ment, remained still with him, and receiued euerie daie 13 pounds sterling, and yet she neuer pleasured him the woorth of a groat, but rather hindered him, in making him bare of monie, which she receiued, purssed vp and tooke awaie with hir when she depar|ted from him.The reuol|ting of other French lords But if to hir making and stature she had bin indued with the courage of Uoadicia, whom she exceeded (as it should soome) in proportion,Sée pag. 42, 43, 44. & pag. 152. of the historie of England. or with the prowesse of Elfleda, hir seruice had béene no lesse beneficiall to the K. than anie skilfull capteins mar|ching vnder his banner. So that we sée in this wo|man a desire rather to satisffe hir hydropicall humor of couetousnesse, than anie true affection to set for|ward the kings affaires; therefore it may well be said of hir in respect of hir greedinesse to get from the king for hir owne commodities sake, that she was

Vt mare, quod das deuorat, nunquam abundat,

Nunquam rependit.