ed
them to declare against the king himself; and being instigated by John
Achamber, a seditious fellow of low birth, they chose Sir John Egremond
their leader, and prepared themselves for a vigorous resistance. Henry
was not dismayed with an insurrection so precipitate and ill supported.
He immediately levied a force, which he put under the command of the
earl of Surrey, whom he had freed from confinement and received into
favor. His intention was to send down these troops, in order to check
the progress of the rebels; while he himself should follow with a
greater body, which would absolutely insure success. But Surrey thought
himself strong enough to encounter alone a raw and unarmed multitude;
and he succeeded in the attempt. The rebels were dissipated; John
Achamber was taken prisoner, and afterwards executed with some of his
accomplices; Sir John Egremond fled to the duchess of Burgundy, who gave
him protection; the greater number of the rebels received a pardon.

Henry had probably expected, when he obtained this grant from
parliament, that he should be able to terminate the affair of Brittany
by negotiation, and that he might thereby fill his coffers with the
money levied by the imposition. But as the distresses of the Bretons
still multiplied, and became every day more urgent, he found himself
under the necessity of taking more vigorous measures, in order to
support them. On the death of the duke, the French had revived some
antiquated claims to the dominion of the duchy; and as the duke of
Orleans was now captive in France, their former pretence for hostilities
could no longer serve as a cover to their ambition. The king resolved
therefore to engage as auxiliary to Brittany; and to consult the
interests, as well as desires of his people, by opposing himself to
the progress of the French power. Besides entering into a league with
Maximilian, and another with Ferdinand, which were distant resources,
he levied a body of troops, to the number of six thousand men, with an
intention of transporting them into Brittany.

{1489.} Still anxious, however, for the repayment of his expenses, he
concluded a treaty with the young duchess, by which she engaged to
deliver into his hands two seaport towns, there to remain till she
should entirely refund the charges of the armament.[*]

* Du Tillet, Recueil des Traites.

Though he engaged for the service of these troops during the space of
ten months only, yet was the duc