A sentiment of nationality became, from day to day, more keen and more general in France.

At the commencement of hostilities, it burst forth particularly in the North; the burghers of Abbeville opened their gates to the Count of St.Poi, and in a single week St.Valery, Crotoy, and all the places in the countship of Ponthieu followed this example.

The movement made progress before long in the South.

Montauban and Milhau hoisted on their walls the royal standard; the Archbishop of Toulouse "went riding through the whole of Quercy, preaching and demonstrating the good cause of the King of France; and he converted, without striking a blow, Cahors and more than sixty towns, castles, or fortresses." Charles V.neglected no means of encouraging and keeping up the public impulse.

It has been remarked that, as early as the 9th of May, 1369, he had convoked the states-general, declaring to them in person that "if they considered that he had done anything he ought not, they should say so, and he would amend it, for there was still time for reparation if he had done too much or not enough." He called a new meeting on the 7th of December, 1369, after the explosion of hostilities, and obtained from them the most extensive subsidies they had ever granted.