An epitome of all the lives of the kings of France from Pharamond the First, to the now most Christian King Levvis the thirteenth : with a relation of the famous battailes of the two kings of England, who were the first victorious princes that conquered France / translated out of the French coppy by R.B. Esq.

Philip of Valois the 6. and 50. King of France. Anno 133.

[illustration] depiction of Philip VI

THis Philip Count of Valois, the Sonne of the late Count Charles, and Cousen german to the three

precedent Kings, succeeded to the Crowne by title of his favour, excluding Lewis of Evreux his Vncle (who at that time, as it is thought was already dead) and was confirmed by the States, not∣withstanding that Edward King of Eng∣land pretended the Crowne by his Mo∣thers right, who was the onely daugh∣ter of Philip the Faire. He recovered a faire battaile against the Flemings, who had revolted against their Duke, and enforced the King of England to doe homage for the Dutchy of Guienne, and other lands which he held of the Crowne; who in revenge thereof enter∣tained Robert of Artois, Count of Beau∣mont, who was banished out of France through a false accusation; by whose perswasion the King of England beeing allyed to all the Princes of the Empire, whereof hee had already obtained the Vicariate, beganne to warre against Phi∣lip in Nantonge, Anno Domini 1336. Afterwards he caused the Flemings to revolt against their Duke, by the means

of one James Artivel, an Artisan. The French that were in the Towne of L'Isle, and first discomfited the English and Fle∣mings, but afterwards they were shame∣fully overthrowne at the Sluce Port, when they laboured to hinder the Eng∣lish from joyning with the Flemings. And after this victory he encamped be∣fore Tournay, where he continued du∣ring fifty dayes; during which time, the Mother of the Count of Hainault, wrought a Truce between the Kings of England and France, which continued not long, because the warres were re∣nued shortly after betweene them, be∣cause the King of France caused Oliver de Clisson to bee executed for Treason: In which warre the French lost the me∣morable battaile of Crecy, neare Abe∣ville, wherein the greatest part of the Nobility and flower of all France was slaine, and the Towne of Calais taken. After this, the King having marryed in a second wedlocke the Lady Blanche, daughter of the late Philip, King of

Navarre, and received the Danphinate of Humbert, together with the City and Countrey of Montpelier, for a purchase of the King of Maillorque, he retired to Nogent, there to conclude his daies the 23. or 28. of August 1350. leaving Iohn Duke of Normandy, and Philip Duke of Orleans.

He was an ingenious wity Prince, as appeareth by his justification of the Salique Law, by these words of Scrip∣ture. Consider the Lillies of the field, how they doe grow, and doe neither labour nor spinne: intimating (whose Armes are Lillies or Flower de Lyces) should not fall to the Distaffe. Also he taxed the unfaithfulnesse of King Edward of Eng∣land, in these two Verses by himselfe composed.

Anglicus Angelus est, cui nunquam ere∣dere fas est. Dum tibi dicit Ave, tanquam ab hoste cave.

The Englishman an Angell is, which trusted will deceive thee; Beware of him as of a Foe, when he doth say God save thee.

After his marriage with Blanch, daughter of Philip of Evreux, he lived not long after he had tyed this knot, this new wife being an unnecessary trouble in his old age; so that sickning at Nogent, advising his two sonnes to live in peace, and bee carefull of the Realme, which he resigned to the eldest, he concluded his reigne, and dyed. He was a King in whom vertues and vices were equally mingled; for he was vali∣ant in danger, and couragious in affli∣ction, just and loving to his subjects. But his rash valour, whereon hee presumed often, engaged him and his subjects in many miseries.