The count obeyed the king's orders, and left Paris for Touloufe, where he made his preparations to fulfil his commiifion, as you will fee in its proper • time and place. The king of France fent large reinforcements to the armament he had at fea, and ordered his captains to watch the coait of Flanders attentively, and upon no account to fuffer the king of England to pafs over or land in Flanders ; for, if he did fo by their fault, he would certainly punifh them with death. When king Philip heard, that the Flemings had done homage to the king of England, he fent to them a prelate, as from the pope, to fay, that^ if they would acknowledge -him as king of France, arid abandon the king of England, who* had enchanted them, he would forgive them all their mifdomgs, releafe them from the large fum of florins, which, by an old obligation, was due to him; and moreover grant them, under hisfëal, many profitablefranchifes in France. The Flemings returned for anfwer, that they held themfelves quit and abfolved from every thing, which they owed the king of France. Upon this, the king made heavy complaints to the pope, Clè : ment VI., who iflued fo tremendous aa excommunication againft them, that no* prieft was daring •enough *'to celebrate divine fervice there. The -Flemingfrrnade remonftrances on this to the king of England ; who, to appeafe them, laid, that the firft "lime Jie Ihould crofs the fea, he would bring with him priefts from his own country, who îhould fay **· " * mafit