HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 223 



they did upon all advantages set upon them with 

 their light horse ; wherein nevertheless they received 

 commonly loss, especially by means of the English 

 archers. 



But upon these achievements Francis, duke of 

 Britain, deceased ; an accident that the king might 

 easily have foreseen, and ought to have reckoned 

 upon and provided for, but that the point of reputa 

 tion, when news first came of the battle lost, that 

 somewhat must be done, did overbear the reason 

 of war. 



After the duke s decease, the principal persons of 

 Britain, partly bought, partly through faction, put 

 all things into confusion ; so as the English not find 

 ing head or body with whom to join their forces, and 

 being in jealousy of friends, as well as in danger of 

 enemies, and the winter begun, returned home five 

 months after their landing. So the battle of St. 

 Alban, the death of the duke, and the retire of the 

 English succours, were, after some time, the causes 

 of the loss of that duchy ; which action some ac 

 counted as a blemish of the king s judgement, but 

 most but as the misfortune of his times. 



But howsoever the temporary fruit of the parlia 

 ment, in their aid and advice given for Britain, took 

 not, nor prospered not ; yet the lasting fruit of par 

 liament, which is good and wholesome laws, did 

 prosper, and doth yet continue to this day. For, 

 according to the Lord Chancellor s admonition, 

 there were that parliament divers excellent laws 

 ordained concerning the points which the king re~ 

 commended. 



