advantage of the people of England. It is called "the war which our lord
the king has undertaken against his adversary of France by common assent
of all the lords and commons of his realm in divers parliaments."[125]
And he several times referred it to them to advise upon the subject of
peace. But the commons showed their humility or discretion by treating
this as an invitation which it would show good manners to decline,
though in the eighteenth of the king's reign they had joined with the
lords in imploring the king to make an end of the war by a battle or by
a suitable peace.[126] "Most dreaded lord," they say upon one occasion,
"as to your war, and the equipment necessary for it, we are so ignorant
and simple that we know not how, nor have the power, to devise;
wherefore we pray your grace to excuse us in this matter, and that it
please you, with advice of the great and wise persons of your council,
to ordain what seems best to you for the honour and profit of yourself
and your kingdom; and whatever shall be thus ordained by assent and
agreement for you and your lords we readily assent to, and will hold it
firmly established."[127] At another time, after their petitions had
been answered, "it was shewed to the lords and commons by Bartholomew de
Burghersh, the king's chamberlain, how a treaty had been set on foot
between the king and his adversary of France; and how he had good hope
of a final and agreeable issue with God's help; to which he would not
come without assent of the lords and commons. Wherefore the said
chamberlain inquired on the king's part of the said lords and commons
whether they would assent and agree to the peace, in case it might be
had by treaty between the parties. To which the said commons with one
voice replied, that whatever end it should please the king and lords to
make of the treaty would be agreeable to them. On which answer the
chamberlain said to the commons, Then you will assent to a perpetual
treaty of peace if it can be had. And the said commons answered at once
and unanimously, Yes, yes."[128] The lords were not so diffident. Their
great station as hereditary councillors gave them weight in all
deliberations of government; and they seem to have pretended to a
negative voice in the question of peace. At least they answer, upon the
proposals made by David king of Scots in 1368, which were submitted to
them in parliament, that, "saving to the said David and his heirs the
articles conta