heir right to them, he excepts those only who
bore arms with him at Agincourt. To commemorate this victory with more
especial honour, he created a King-at-arms, called "Agincourt." (p. 193)

[Footnote 145: See "Battle of Agincourt."]

Our reformed views of Christian truth must not make us undervalue the
testimony borne to Henry's gratitude towards his companions in arms,
though they were removed by death from all earthly favours and
rewards. He did for them what he could; and though we believe him to
have been performing a vain office, and profitless to those whom it
was intended to benefit, in the prevailing superstition of those days
we see traces of the kindness and grateful spirit of the hero.[146]

[Footnote 146: Various entries occur in the Pell
Rolls of money paid for masses for the souls of
those who fell in these wars. Among the rest are
specified (26th September 1418) Lord Grey of Codnor
and Sir John Blount. Two thousand masses were
ordered for the souls of Lord Talbot and another.
See extracts in English, translated lately, from
the Pell Rolls, by Mr. F. Devon. This work, whilst
it acquaints the student with the sort of
information and evidence which the Pell Rolls may
supply, will in other respects assist him in his
inquiries; for many valuable and interesting facts
are presented to him in the volume: but, to
ascertain what those documents really do contain,
it is necessary (as in all other cases) to apply at
the fountain-head.]

Many of the French princes taken at Agincourt remained prisoners in
England for many years. The Duke of Bourbon died in confinement. The
Duke of Orleans was not released for five-and-twenty years. Whilst a
captive in the Tower of London, he had recourse to the solace of
literature; and composed many pieces of poetry, still preserved in the
British Museum, which indicate genius and cultivated taste. (p. 194)

* * * * *

How highly the people of England valued this victory is seen in very
many particulars. The superstition of those times was also made to
contribute to its celebrity. The victory of Agincourt was gained on