[1] Matth. West. The merchants of Flanders procured the earle to conclude this league with king Edward, as some write, the rather in respect of the great commodities which rose to their countrie, by reason of the inter|course of merchandize vsed betwixt England and Flanders, and for that through aid of the English|men, they might the better withstand the malice, both of the French and of all other their enimies. This league being proclaimed in England, there were sent ouer into Flanders, the treasurer of the exche|ker, and diuerse other noble men, to fetch hostages from thence, and to giue to the earle fifteene thousand pounds of siluer, toward the fortifieng of his castels and holds. King Philip being hereof aduertised, by counsell of the peeres of his realme, sent two honora|ble personages, as the capteine of Mounstrell, and the capteine of Belquerke, which should attach the earle of Flanders by his bodie, and summon him to yéeld himselfe prisoner at Paris, within the space of fifteene daies next insuing.