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Webbed by Steven Proctor
When the king of England and the lords, his allies, had quitted the conference at Halle, the king returned to the castle at Louvain, which he set about preparing for his residence. At the same time he sent to his queen, to inform her of his intentions, and that if she would come see him, it would give him much pleasure, for he should not be able to repass the sea this year. He sent back many of his knights to guard the country, particularly the borders of Scotland. While these things were going forward, the English knights remaining with the king in Brabant spread themselves all over the countries of Flanders and Hainault, living most sumptuously, and giving princely presents and entertainments to the lords and ladies, in order to acquire their good will and favour. Their behaviour was such, that they were beloved by those of both sexes, and even by the common people, who were pleased with their state and magnificence. The marquis of Juliers and his company returned from the empire about All Saints Day; and when he sent to inform the king of this, he congratulated him on the good success of his mission. The king wrote him for answer, that he should come to him on the feast of St. Martin and demanded of the duke of Brabant to name the place where he wished this conference to be holden, who replied at Arques, in the county of Los1, near to his own country. Upon this, the king gave notice of it, that all of his allies might be there.
The town-hall of Arques was hung with rich and fine cloths, like to the presence-chamber of the king. His majesty was seated five feet higher that the rest of the company, and had on his head a rich crown of gold. The letters from the emperor to the king were publicly read, by which the king was constituted his vicar and lieutenant, and full powers granted to him to do all acts of law and justice to every one, in his name, and also to coin money in gold and silver. These letters commanded all those in the empire, and all his other subjects, to obey his vicar as himself, and that they should do fealty and homage to him as vicar of the empire. Several knights and lords swore fealty and homage before him, and some took advantage of the opportunity of pleading their causes, as if before the emperor, and they were judged as lawfully as if in his presence.
On this occasion an ancient statute was renewed and confirmed, which had been made in former times at the court of the emperor; it directed, that any one meaning to hurt or annoy another should send him a sufficient defiance three days before he committed a hostile act; and that whoever should act otherwise should be degraded as an evil doer. When all this was completed, the lords took their leave, and gave each other their mutual promises to be fully equipped, without delay, three weeks from the feast of St. John, to sit down before the city of Cambray, which of right belonged to the emperor, but had turned to the French. The lords then set out each for his home, and king Edward, as vicar of the empire, returned to Louvain to his queen, who had safely arrived there with many of the nobility, and well accompanied by ladies and damsels, from England. The king and the queen kept their courts there in great state during all the winter, and caused plenty of gold and silver coin to be struck at Antwerp.
The duke of Brabant, however, was not neglectful in sending frequent messages to king Phillip of France by the lord Lewis de Travehen, his special counsellor, to excuse himself; for which purpose this knight had made many different journeys; and at last he was commanded to remain near the person of the king, in order to exculpate his master, and contradict any reports that might be circulated against him. The knight did everything in his power, and becoming his duty.