es, and without our licence have in great
multitudes falsely and traitorously withdrawn and returned to our
kingdom of England, and are still daily withdrawing and
returning; which, if suffered to continue, would manifestly turn,
not only to the continual prejudice of us, but to the serious
injury and peril of our faithful lieges accompanying us (which
God avert!) We, desirous, as we are bound, to provide and ordain
a fitting remedy in this matter, do command and strictly enjoin
you to arrest and take into custody without delay all and each of
those whom by inquiry, information, or other means whatsoever,
you shall discover to have been with us in our said kingdom of
France, in our company, or in that of others, and who have
withdrawn themselves thence without our licence under our signet,
or that of the Constable of our army, and to deliver them as soon
as taken to our very dear brother, John Duke of Bedford, Guardian
of England. And, upon the fealty and allegiance wherein ye are
bound to us, let this by no means be neglected. Witness the King,
at his castle of Caen, in his duchy of Normandy, the 29th day of
September.--By the King himself."

The most important siege in this campaign was that of Caen;[165] (p. 217)
at the taking of which, after a tremendous conflict and loss of life,
Henry behaved towards the vanquished with so much mercy and kindness,
that the governors of many neighbouring towns sent to him the keys of
their gates.

[Footnote 165: Henry's own letter to the Mayor and
Aldermen of London (Liber F. fol. 200), written on
the 5th of September, the day after the surrender
of Caen, represents the loss on the part of the
English to have been very trifling. "On St.
Cuthbert's day, God, of his high grace, sent unto
our hands our town of Caen by assault, and with
right little death of our people, whereof we thank
our Saviour as lowly as we can; praying that ye do
the same, and as devoutly as ye can. Certifying you
also that we and our host be in good prosperity and
health, thanked be God of his mercy! who have you
in his holy keeping."]

So great was his success that the Frenc