d Troyes, January 27, 1420, declared that Charles,
Count of Ponthieu, condemned and cursed by God, by nature, and his own
parents, could have no title to the throne; and that it was just and
expedient, for the peace of the nation, that Henry, King of England,
should be established Regent of France.

Henry at this time seems to have been exceedingly apprehensive lest,
by the escape of the princes and nobles of France, his prisoners in
England, the prospect of securing his conquests by a treaty of peace
might be interrupted. An original letter, addressed by him to his
Chancellor, dated Gisors, October 1, 1419, acquaints us with his
anxiety on this subject; whilst it affords another interesting
specimen of the English language at that time, and Henry's own style.

"Worshipful Father in God, right trusty and well-beloved, we
greet you well.

"And we wol and pray you, and also charge you, that as we trust
unto you, and as ye look to have our good lordship, ye see and
ordain that good heed be taken unto the sure keeping of our
French prisoners within our realm, and in especial the Duke of
Orleans, and after to the Duke of Bourbon. For their escaping,
and principally the said Duke of Orleans, might never have (p. 261)
been so harmful nor prejudicial to us as it might be now if
any of them escaped, and namely [especially] the said Duke of
Orleans, which God forbid! And therefore, as we trust, you seeth
that Robert Waterton, for no trust, fair speech, nor promises
that might be made unto him, nor for none other manner of cause,
be so blinded by the said Duke that he be the more reckless of
his keeping; but that, in eschewing of all perils that may befal,
he take as good heed unto the sure keeping of his person as
possible.

"And inquire if Robert of Waterton use any reckless governance
about the keeping of the said Duke, and writeth to him thereof
that it may be amended. And God have you in his keeping!--Given
under our signet, at Gizors, the first day of October.
"To the worshipful Father in God,[193] and right
trusty and well-beloved, the Bishop of
Durham, our Chancellor of England."

[Footnote 193: This was Thomas Langley, who was
elected Bishop of Durham in 1406. He succeeded
Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, as