So great did the scarcity of money become in the country that all goods
fell to less than half their value. Thus a vast army was raised, and with
this King Edward prepared to try his strength with France."

"Phillip on his part was making great preparations. While Edward had
purchased the assistance of many of the German nobles Phillip raised large
armaments in the maritime states of Italy. Spain also contributed a number
of naval adventurers, and squadrons were fitted out by his vassals on the
sea coasts of Normandy, Brittany, and Picardy. King Edward had crossed
over into Belgium, and after vast delays in consequence of the slowness of
the German allies, at last prepared to enter France at the end of
September, 1339. Such, my lad, is the story, as far as I know, of the
beginning of that war with France which is now raging, and whose events you
know as well as I do, seeing that they are all of late occurrence. So far,
although the English have had the best of it, and have sorely mauled the
French both in the north and south, we have not gained any such advantages
as would lead to a belief that there is any likelihood of an early
termination, or that King Edward will succeed for a long time in winning
back his inheritance of the throne of France."

"There is no doubt that the war weighs heavily upon the people at large.
The taxes are doubled, and the drain of men is heavy. We armourers, of
course, have a busy time of it, and all trades which have to do with the
furnishing of an army flourish exceedingly. Moreover, men of mettle and
valour have an opportunity of showing what they are composed of, and
England rings with the tales of martial deeds. There are some, Walter, who
think that peace is the greatest of blessings, and in some ways, lad, they
are no doubt right; but there are many compensations in war. It brings out
the noble qualities; it raises men to think that valour and fortitude and
endurance and honour are qualities which are something above the mere