to bespeak the good offices of Henry
for the preservation of their rights and liberties.[204] Henry's
ambassadors made many objections to the terms of the proposed treaty,
chiefly on the ground that, by accepting them, Henry would injure his
then title to the throne of France. But he saw himself that all
essentials were provided for; and desirous of terminating the war, and
more anxious (we may believe) to make the beloved Princess his own
wife, left Rouen on his journey to Troyes, where the French court and
the Duke of Burgundy were. Henry passed so near to the walls of Paris,
that the people hastened out of the city to see him; and they (p. 278)
greeted him with joyous and welcoming acclamations.

[Footnote 204: About this time, John, Duke of
Bedford, the King's brother, had an offer of the
reversion of the crown of Naples; but the
negociations ended in no successful issue.]

Henry, arriving at Troyes, made an immediate visit to the King, the
Queen, and the Princess. How far the love of Henry towards Katharine
expedited the negociations we cannot tell. Every difficulty, however,
vanished; and a final agreement and perpetual peace was made and sworn
to "by Charles, King of France, and his dearest and most beloved son,
Henry, King of England, constituted heir of the crown and Regent of
France." Henry having consented during Charles's life not to assume
the title of King of France, Charles promised always to style Henry
"our most illustrious son, Henry, King of England, heir of France."
After Charles's death, the two kingdoms of England and France were to
be for ever united under one King. Many other articles swell this
solemn league, which are all subservient to these leading provisions.

This treaty was signed at Troyes, May 21, 1420, in the presence of the
Emperor Sigismund and many of the Continental princes, all of whom
became parties thereto. On the same day Katharine and Henry were
affianced before the high altar of St. Peter's Church, in Troyes; in
which city proclamation of the peace[205] was made both in the French
and the English tongue. It was afterwards proclaimed at Paris, (p. 279)
and the principal cities of France; and, on June 24, it was proclaimed
in London, after a solemn procession and a sermon at St. Paul's Cross:
and an ordinance was made for breaking the great seal of England, and
making another, on which to the