Sirs, this Edward, who was waging war on France, inflicted many ills upon the land throughout his reign. He challenged King Philip's right to the realm, and laid siege to the city of Tournai along with many great lords with whom he'd forged alliances, and a great force from Flanders, too. Hainaulters and Brabançons all honoured him, and he had the support of Germans and English alike. The king of France advanced to Bouvines to confront him with a force of four thousand men; the good duke of Brittany went with him, as did other dukes, counts, knights and commons who were dear to him. Now, there was a worthy countess who'd reigned in Hainault but had retired from the world and become the abbess of Fontenelle. She was King Philip's sister, both of them being the issue of Charles duke of Valois, so I understand; and she earnestly desired peace both on her brother's account and on King Edward's, for Edward had married her daughter. And that most worthy lady, to whom she'd given birth, likewise yearned for peace between her lord and the king of France, since one was her husband and the other her uncle. The efforts of this lady of Hainault secured a truce, agreed by both sides, and King Philip withdrew to France and granted leave to his supporters; and he thanked the duke of Brittany deeply for the help he'd given, for when the duke responded to his call he'd been very close to the king, lodging close beside him.

So the noble duke returned to his land, to Brittany, where he was honoured by all. But the very next year he was seized by the sickness which led to his passing from this world; it was the greatest misfortune for five hundred years, for it led to a war that cost the lives of many men.

After the death, sirs, of this good, wise, cultured duke, the duchy of Brittany was contested by two heirs, each claiming to be the nearest in succession. One of them was a lady, the wife of Charles of Blois (who's now being called a saint); she claimed to be closer in line than the count of Montfort.