JJuckingham when he heard of it I will explain to you what it was, Humphry earl of Hereford find Northampton, and conftable of England, was one of the greateft lords and landholders in that country ; for it was faid, and I, the author of this book, heard it when I refided in England, that hiç revenue was valued at fifty thoufand nobles a-year. From this earl of Hereford there remained only two daughters as his heirefles ; Blanche the eldeft, and Ifabella*, her filler. The eldeft was married to Thomas of Woodftock, earl of Buckingham. The youngeft was unmarried, and the earl of Bucking-ham would willingly have had her remain fo, ' for then he would have enjoyed the whole of the earl of Hereford's fortune. Upon his marriage with Eleanor, he went to refide at his handfome caftle of Flefhy, in the county of Efîèx, thirty miles from London, which he poffefled in right of his wife. He took on himfelf the tutelage of his fifter-in-law, and had her inftru&ed in dodrine ; for it was his intention (he Ihould be profefied a nun of the order of St. Clare, which had a very rich and large con-vent in England. In this manner was fhe educated during the time the earl remained in England, be-fore his expedition into France. She was alfo con? ftantly attended by nuns from this convent, who tutored her in matters of religion, continually blaming the married ftate. The young lady feemed to incline to their dodrine, and thought not of marriage. . * Froiflart miflakes : their names were Eleanor and Mary. Vol V. • R Delect * , . 241