SLIXGSBY. 





245 



prince. Philip de Comities, the French historian 

 of those times, and who knew him well, speaking of 

 the Lord Hastings, observes, that he was a person 

 of singular virtue and wisdom ; in great authority 

 with his master, and not without cause having ever 

 served him faithfully. And making mention of the 

 liberal bounty of the then king of France to 

 Edward IV.'s officers, says that he gave to this 

 Lord Hastings, at one time, a present of plate to 

 the value of 10,000 marks. Moreover he saith, 

 that the Lord Hastings was long ere he could be 

 induced to become the king of France's pensioner ; 

 and that he himself was the onlv man that wrought 



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him thereto. Instancing that he first won him to 

 the friendship of the duke of Burgundy, (whom 

 he served ) and that he advertized the king of 

 France thereof, saying that he would in like manner 

 make him his friend and pensioner : adding, that 

 lie thereupon began his friendship by letters; where- 

 upon that king gave him a pension of 2000 crowns 

 per annum ; which was double to \vhat he had 

 from the duke of Burgundy : and that upon the 

 payment thereof, he not only refused to give any 

 acquittance, but to give him three lines in writing^ 

 to testify the receipt of the money, saving, " Put if 

 here, (it being in gold,) into my sleeve / for other 

 testimonial you get none of me: for no man shall say ', 

 that king Edward's Lord Chamberlain hath been 

 pensioner to the French king ; nor that my acquittance 

 be found in his chamber of accompts" He further 

 saith, that the king of France more esteemed him 

 than all the king of England's other servants ; and 



