[1] [2] Ambassadors were appointed to go into England which on the behalfe of the French king, might de|mand of king Edward restitution of those ships and goods thus taken by his subiects, and conueied into his realme, without all delaie, if he minded to haue any fauour in the French court touching his affairs that belonged to his countrie of Gascoigne. The king of England hearing this message,The bishop of London sent with an an|swer vnto the French king. tooke there|in deliberation to answer, and then sent the bishop of London, accompaned with other wise and discréet persons into France, to declare for answer vnto the French king and his councell as followeth; that is,

Whereas the king of England hath his regall court without subiection to any man, if there were there|fore any persons that found themselues hurt or in|damaged by his people, they might come to his court, and vpon declaration of their receiued iniu|ries, they should haue speedie iustice, and to the end they might thus doo without all danger, whosoeuer minded to complaine, he would giue vnto them a safe conduct to come and go in safetie thorough his land: but if this waie pleased not the French king, then he was content there should be arbitrators cho|sen on both sides, who weieng the losses on both parts, might prouide how to satisfie the complaints: and the king of England would for his part enter in|to bonds by obligation to stand to and abide their or|der and iudgement herein, so that the French king would likewise be bound for his part, and if any such doubt fortuned to arise, which could not be decided by the said arbitrators, let the same be reserued vnto the kings themselues to discusse and determine, and the king of England vpon a sufficient safe conduct had, would come ouer to the French K. if he would come downe vnto any hauen towne néere to the sea coast, that by mutuall assent an end might bée had in the businesse: but if neither this waie should please the French king nor the other, then let the matter be committed to the order of the pope, to whom it apperteined to nourish concord among christian princes; or bicause the see was as then void, let the whole colledge of cardinals or part of them take order therein, as should be thought necessarie, that strife and discord being taken awaie and remo|ued, peace might againe flourish betwixt them and their people, as before time it had doone, and bring with it the blessings therevpon depending; namelie, althings that may make an happie & fortunat state, according to the nature of peace, whereof it is said,

Pax est cunctorum mater veneranda bonorum,

Fit sub pace forum, fit felix cultus agrorum,

Pax pietas mentis, pax est pincerna salutis.