thought
himself assured of peace with the line of Lancaster. But he feared
the Earl of Warwick, neither knew he how to content him that was
to come to him, I mean King Edward, whose sister he had married
and who was also brother-in-arms, for the king wore the Golden
Fleece and the duke the Garter.

"Straightway then the duke sent me back to Calais accompanied by
a gentleman or two of this new faction of Henry, and gave me
instructions how to deal with this new world, urging me to
go because it was important for him to be well served in the
matter.[29] I went as far as Tournehem, a castle near to Guisnes,
and then dared not proceed because I found people fleeing for fear
of the English who were devastating the country.... Never before
had I needed a safe-conduct for the English are very honourable.
All this seemed very strange to me for I had never seen these
mutations in the world."

Commines was uncertain as to what he had better do and wanted
instructions. "The duke sent me a ring from his finger, bidding me go
forward with the promise that if I were taken prisoner he would redeem
me." New surprises met the envoy at Calais. None of the well-known
faces were to be seen. "Further, upon the gate of my lodgings and
the very door of my chamber were a hundred white crosses and rhymes
signifying that the King of France and Earl of Warwick were one--all
of which seemed strange to me." Well received was Commines and
entertained at dinner. It was told at table how within a quarter of an
hour after the arrival of news from England every man wore this livery
(the ragged staff of Warwick), so speedy and sudden was the change.
"This is the first time that I ever knew how little stable are these
mundane affairs."

"In all communications that passed between them and me, I repeated
that King Edward was dead, of which fact I said I was well
assured, notwithstanding that I knew the contrary, adding further
that though it were not so, yet was the league between the Duke of
Burgundy and the king and realm of England such that this accident
could not infringe it--whomever they would acknowledge as king him
would we recognise.... Thus it was agreed that the league should
remain firm and inviolate between us and the king and realm of
England save that for Edward we named Henry."

Commines explains further that the wool trade was what made am