'I should sooner have replied to your letter on this subject, had I not been delayed by several concerns of high import that have retarded me.
'That you may be assured this letter is mine, I have signed it with my own hand, and affixed my signet.
'Written the 3rd day of March, in the year 1424.'
This letter was read by the duke of Glocester with great attention, in the presence of his council: in reply, he sent the following letter.
COPY OF THE SECOND LETTER SENT BY THE DUKE OF GLOCESTER TO THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.
'High and mighty prince, Philip duke of Burgundy, earl of Flanders, of Artois, and of Burgundy,—I Humphrey duke of Glocester, son, brother and uncle to the kings of England, count of Hainault, of Holland, of Zealand, lord of Frizeland, and high chamberlain to the king of England, have received your letter in form of a placart, addressed to me, and written on the 3rd day of this month; which letter, that it may appear to be from yourself, you have signed with your own hand, and sealed with your signet. The contents of the greater part thereof concern me as little as those of mine did you, addressed and written in my good town of Mons in Hainault, under my signet, the 12th day of January last past, excepting what you say of my refusing to agree to terms of pacification between me and my cousin the duke of Brabant, which is not true; for my very dear and well-beloved brother the regent of France and the whole of the french council, as well as yourself, know how I have acted therein. Should you wish to be ignorant thereof, it is not in your power.
'You say, that I have in my letter wrongfully and falsely offended your honour, by charges therein made, and that you were sufficiently hurt at my attempts against my said cousin the duke of Brabant, without my having attacked your honour and fame. You therefore summon and require of me to recant what I have thus written in my letter, or else you are ready to defend your honour in a personal combat with me. I make known to you, that I hold for true the whole of the contents of my said letter, and shall remain in the firm belief thereof, which has indeed been confirmed by what your people have done and perpetrated in my country of Hainault conformably to the tenour of your summons; nor shall you nor any one force me to recal my words, but with the aid of God, of our lady, and of my lord St George, I will, by personal combat, oblige you to own their truth, before either of the judges you have named, for they are both of them to me indifferent.