arding the English conquests; and that, as the provinces of
France, already subdued, lay between the dominions of these two princes,
he could never hope for any security without preserving his connections
with them; he was very intent on strengthening himself also from that
quarter. The duke of Brittany, having received many just reasons of
displeasure from the ministers of Charles, had already acceded to the
treaty of Troye, and had, with other vassals of the crown, done homage
to Henry V. in quality of heir to the kingdom: but as the regent knew
that the duke was much governed by his brother, the count of Richemont,
he endeavored to fix his friendship, by paying court and doing services
to this haughty and ambitious prince.

Arthur, count of Richemont, had been taken prisoner at the battle of
Azincour, had been treated with great indulgence by the late king, and
had even been permitted on his parole to take a journey into Brittany,
where the state of affairs required his presence. The death of that
victorious monarch happened before Richemont's return; and this prince
pretended that, as his word was given personally to Henry V., he was not
bound to fulfil it towards his son and successor; a chicane which the
regent, as he could not force him to compliance, deemed it prudent
to overlook. An interview was settled at Amiens between the dukes of
Bedford, Burgundy, and Brittany, at which the count of Richemont was
also present:[*] the alliance was renewed between these princes: and
the regent persuaded Philip to give in marriage to Richemont his eldest
sister, widow of the deceased dauphin, Lewis, the elder brother of
Charles. Thus Arthur was connected both with the regent and the duke of
Burgundy, and seemed engaged by interest to prosecute the same object,
in forwarding the success of the English arms.

* Hall. fol. 84. Monstrelet, vol. i. p 4. Stowe, p. 364.

While the vigilance of the duke of Bedford was employed in gaining or
confirming these allies, whose vicinity rendered them so important, he
did not overlook the state of more remote countries. The duke of Albany,
regent of Scotland, had died: and his power had devolved on Murdac, his
son, a prince of a weak understanding and indolent disposition; who, far
from possessing the talents requisite for the government of that
fierce people, was not even able to maintain authority in his own
family, or restrain the petulance and insolence of his sons. The ardor
of