¶Howe sir Iohn̄ Froyssart auctour of this cronycle / departed out of Fraunce and wente to the erle of Foiz / and the maner of his voyage. Cap. xxi. (Book 21)
IT is longe nowe sith I made any mencion of the busynesses of farre Coun∣treis / for the busynesses ne∣rer home hath ben so fresshe that I lafte all other maters to write therof: Howe be it all this season valyant men desyring to auaūce them selfe on the realme of Castell and Portyn¦gale: In Gascoyne / in Rouergue / in Quercy / in Lymosyn / and in Bygore: Euery day they ymagined / by what subteltie they coulde gette one of another by dedes of armes / or by stea∣lyng of townes / castels / & fortresses. And ther∣fore I Iohn̄ Froyssart / who haue taken on me to cronycle this present hystorie / at the req̄st of the highe renomed prince sir Guy of Chatellon erle of Bloyse / lorde of Dauesnes / Beauuoys / Destonhon / & of la Guede / my souerayne may¦ster & good lorde. Cōsydring in my selfe / howe there was no great dedes of armes likely to∣warde in the parties of Picardy or Flaūders / Seyng the peace was made bytwene the duke and them of Gaunt. And it greatly anoyed me to be ydell / for I knewe well that after my deth this noble and highe hystorie shulde haue his course / wherin dyuers noble men shulde haue great pleasure and delyte. And as yet / I thāke god I haue vnderstandyng and remembraūce of all thynges passed / and my wyt quicke and sharpe ynough to conceyue all thinges shewed vnto me / touchyng my princypall mater / & my body as yet able to endure and to suffre payne. All thynges cōsydred / I thought I wolde nat lette to pursue my sayde first purpose. And to