No. 7.
Letter from Henry V to the City informing the citizens of his movements in France. Dated Mantes, 12 July [1421].
Letter Book I, fo. 263.
Trusty and welbeloved we grete yow wel And for asmuch as we be certein that ye wol be joyful to here good tiding of oure estat and welfare we signiffie unto yow that we be in good heele and prosperite of oure personne and so been oure brother of Gloucestre oure beluncle of Excestre and al the Remenant of lordes and other personnes of oure oost blessed be oure lorde whiche graunte yow soo for to bee witting moreover that in oure comyng by Picardy we hadde disposed us for to have taried sumwhat in the cuntre for to have sette hit with goddes help in better gouvernance and whils we were besy to entende therto come tidinges unto us that he that clepeth hym Daulphin was commen doun with a greet puissance unto Chartres and thoos parties purposinge hym for to leye siege as we were enfourmed unto the saide toun of Chartres. Wherefor we drow us in al haste unto Paris as wel for to sette oure fader of France as the saide good toune of Paris in seure gouvernance and from them unto this oure toun of Mante at whiche jolace we arrived on Wodnesday last to thentente for to have yeven secours with goddes grace unto the saide toun of Chartres and hider comme unto us oure brother of Burgoigne with a faire felaship for to have goon with us to the saide secours the whiche oure brother of Burgoigne we fynde right a trusty lovyng and faithful brother unto us in al thinges. But in oure comyng from Paris unto this oure toun of Mante we were certified uppon the weye by certain lettres that were sent unto us that the saide pretense Daulphin for certein causes that meved hym hath reised the saide siege and is goon in to the cuntre of Touraine in greet haste as hit is saide and we truste fully unto oure lord that þorow his grace and mercy al thinges here that we shall have to doo with shall goo wel from hensforth to his plesance and worship whom we beseche devoutely that hit soo may bee and to have yow in his keping. Yeven under oure signet in oure oost at oure toun of Mante the xij day of July.