ebts. A certain number of aldermen and
commoners were at the same time appointed to confer with the king's
council touching the sending of ships of war beyond the seas. The result
of the interview was made known to the citizens at a meeting held later on
in the same month. A further grievous burden (_vehemens onus_) was to be
laid upon them; they were called upon to provide no less than twenty-six
ships, fully equipped and victualled at their own cost.(535)

(M303)

The ships were probably wanted for conveying forces over to Brittany under
the command of Sir Walter de Maunay, in the following year. The king
himself made an expedition to that country in October, 1342, having
previously succeeded in borrowing the sum of L1,000 from the citizens. He
had asked for L2,000, but was fain to be content with the lesser sum,
security for repayment of which was demanded and granted.(536)

(M304)

In March, 1343, Edward returned to England, having made a truce with
France for three years.(537) He was beginning to learn the value of the
English longbow and the cloth-yard shaft in the field of battle. Hitherto
he, like others before him, had placed too much reliance on charges by
knights on horseback. What the longbow could effect, under proper
management, had been experienced at Falkirk in 1298. It had proved a
failure at Bannockburn in 1314 through bad strategy, but at Halidon Hill
twenty years later (1333) it was again effective. It was destined soon to
work a complete reform in English warfare; and the yeoman and archer were
to supersede the noble and knight. The London burgess and apprentice were
especially apt with the weapon from constant practice in Finsbury fields.
Edward realised the necessity of fostering the martial spirit of the
Londoners, and on one occasion (January, 1344) invited the wives of the
burgesses to witness a tournament at Windsor, where they were entertained
right royally.(538)

(M305)

Before the expiration of the truce Edward was busy with preparations for a
renewal of the war. Four hundred London archers were to be got ready by
Midsummer of 1344, as the king was soon to cross the sea; and 100
men-at-arms and 200 horsemen were to be despatched to Portsmouth.(539) In
1345, a royal commission was issued for the seizure for the king's use of
all vessels lying in the river.(540) A further contingent of 160 archers
was ordered to Sandwich by Whitsuntide, and in August the city received
another order for