Between himself and his great rival, Edward III., King of England, there was only such a peace as was fatal and hateful to France.

To escape some day from the treaty of Bretigny, and recover some of the provinces which had been lost by it--this was what king and country secretly desired and labored for.

Pending a favorable opportunity for promoting this higher interest, war went on in Brittany between John of Montfort and Charles of Blois, who continued to be encouraged and patronized, covertly, one by the King of England, the other by the King of France.

Almost immediately after the accession of Charles V.it broke out again between him and his brother-in-law, Charles the Bad, King of Navarre, the former being profoundly mistrustful, and the latter brazen-facedly perfidious, and both detesting one another, and watching to seize the moment for taking advantage one of the other.

The states bordering on France, amongst others Spain and Italy, were a prey to discord and even civil wars, which could not fail to be a source of trouble or serious embarrassment to France.