ips from various other ports, and proceed to sea in
charge of Sir William Trussel by the middle of March to intercept, if
possible, the enemy's fleet.(513)

(M292)

By Easter time the danger appeared more imminent, and the mayor and
aldermen met hurriedly in the Guildhall, on Easter Sunday afternoon after
dinner. An immediate attack up the Thames was expected. The mayor and
aldermen agreed to take it in turns to watch the river night and day. On
the following Wednesday, each alderman was ordered to enquire as to the
number of arbalesters, archers, and men capable of bearing arms in his
ward. A number of carpenters were sworn on the same day to safe-guard the
engines of war laid up in the new house near Petywales.(514) This new
house appears to have been known as "La Bretaske," and was used for
storing springalds, quarels, and other war material.(515)

(M293)

At this period there were kept in the chamber of the Guildhall six
instruments called "gonnes," which were made of latten, a metal closely
resembling brass, five "teleres" or stocks for supporting the guns, four
cwt. and a half of pellets of lead, and thirty-two pounds of gunpowder by
way of ammunition.(516) The mention of "teleres" and the small amount of
ammunition favours the assumption that the instruments were rather
hand-guns than heavy pieces, as has been supposed.(517) A "telere" or
tiller was a common name for the stock of a cross-bow,(518) and the
earliest hand-guns or fire-arms known consisted of a simple tube of metal
with touch-hole, fixed on a straight stick or shaft, which when used was
passed under the arm so as to afford a better grip of the weapon.

(M294)

The danger blew over, and before the close of the year the king was
expected to return to England.(519) He did not return however before
February, 1340, having intimated his intention to the mayor of London, by
letter from Sluys, dated Sunday the 20th.(520) Notwithstanding his long
absence, he had accomplished little or nothing.

(M295)

He had come to the end of his resources and was in want of money to carry
on the war. The City was asked to lend him L20,000. It offered 5,000
marks. This was contemptuously refused, and the municipal authorities were
bidden to re-consider the matter, or in the alternative to furnish the
king with the names of the wealthier inhabitants of the City. At length
the City agreed to advance the sum of L5,000 for a fixed period, and this
offer the king was f