safe-conduct, which was in a little box hung at his belt, and handed
it to the Englishman, who read it from one end to the other. And, as is
customary, there was written on the safe-conduct, "Forbidden to carry
any implements of warfare."

The Englishman noted this, and saw that there were _esguillettes_ on
the Frenchman's doublet. (**) He imagined that these straps were real
implements of war, so he said,

"I make you my prisoner, because you have broken your safe-conduct."

"By my faith, I have not," replied the Frenchman, "saving your grace.
You see in what condition I am."

"No! no!" said the Englishman. "By Saint John you have broken your
safe-conduct. Surrender, or I will kill you."

The poor Frenchman, who had only his page with him, and was quite
unprovided with weapons, whilst the other was accompanied by three
or four archers, did the best thing he could, and surrendered. The
Englishman led him to a place near there, and put him in prison.

(*) It had virtually finished, and the English only retained
the town of Calais when this tale was written (about 1465)
but they had not relinquished their claim to the French
Crown, and hostilities were expected to recommence.

(**) _Esguillettes_ were small straps or laces, used to
fasten the cuirass to the doublet.