The councils of all the great towns of Flanders assembled at Sluys, and for several days great festivities were held.Then a great assembly was held, and Van Artevelde rose and addressed his countrymen.He set forth to them the virtues of the Prince of Wales, whose courtesy and bearing had so captivated them; he pointed out the obligations which Flanders was under towards King Edward, and the advantages which would arise from a nearer connection with England.With this he contrasted the weakness of their count, the many ills which his adherence to France had brought upon the country, and the danger which menaced them should his power be ever renewed.He then boldly proposed to them that they should at once cast off their allegiance to the count and bestow the vacant coronet upon the Prince of Wales, who, as Duke of Flanders, would undertake the defence and government of the country with the aid of a Flemish council.This wholly unexpected proposition took the Flemish burghers by surprise.Artevelde had calculated upon his eloquence and influence carrying them away, but his power had diminished, and many of his hearers had already been gained to the cause of France.The burgher councils had for a long time had absolute power in their own towns, and the prospect of a powerful prince at their head foredoomed a curtailment of those powers.When Artevelde ceased, therefore, instead of the enthusiastic shouts with which he hoped his oration would be greeted, a confused murmur arose.At last several got up and said that, greatly attached as they were to the king, much as they admired the noble young prince proposed for their acceptance, they felt themselves unable to give an answer upon an affair of such moment without consulting their fellow countrymen and learning their opinions.They therefore promised that they would return on a certain day and give a decided answer.
The Flemish burghers then took their leave.Van Artevelde, after a consultation with the king, started at once to use his influence among the various towns.
After leaving the king he bade adieu to the Prince of Wales."Would you like," the young prince said, "that one of my esquires should ride with you? His presence might show the people how entirely I am with you; and should you have tidings to send me he could ride hither with them.I have one with me who is prudent and wise, and who possesses all the confidence of that wise and valiant knight, Sir Walter de Manny.""I will gladly take him, your royal highness," Van Artevelde said, "and hope to despatch him to you very shortly with the news that the great towns of Flanders all gladly receive you as their lord."In a few minutes Walter had mounted his horse, accompanied by Ralph, and, joining Van Artevelde, rode to Bruges.Here and at Ypres Van Artevelde's efforts were crowned with success.His eloquence carried away the people with him, and both these cities agreed to accept the Prince of Wales as their lord; but the hardest task yet remained.Ghent was the largest and most powerful of the Flemish towns, and here his enemies were in the ascendant.Gerard Denis and the weavers had been stirring up the people against him.All kinds of accusations had been spread, and he was accused of robbing and selling his country.The news of the hostile feeling of the population reached Van Artevelde, and he despatched Walter with the request to the king for a force of five hundred English soldiers as a guard against his enemies.
Had Artevelde asked for a large force, Edward would have disembarked his army and marched at their head into Ghent.As the rest of the country was already won, there can be little doubt that this step would at once have silenced all opposition, and would have annexed Flanders to the British crown.Van Artevelde, however, believed himself to be stronger than he really was, and thought with a small party of soldiers he could seize his principal opponents, and that the people would then rally round him.
Upon the arrival of the five hundred men he started for Ghent; but as he feared that the gates would be shut if he presented himself with an armed force, he left the soldiers in concealment a short distance from the town and entered it, accompanied only by his usual suite.At his invitation, however, Walter, followed of course by Ralph, rode beside him.No sooner was he within the gates than Van Artevelde saw how strong was the popular feeling against him.He had been accustomed to be received with bows of reverence; now men turned aside as he approached, or scowled at him from their doors.
"Methinks, sir," Walter said, "that it would be wiser did we ride back, and, joining the soldiers, enter at their head, or as that number would be scarce sufficient should so large a town rise in tumult, to send to King Edward for a larger force and await their coming.Even should they shut the gates, we can reduce the town, and as all the rest of Flanders is with you, surely a short delay will not matter.""You know not these Flemings as well as I do," Van Artevelde replied; "they are surly dogs, but they always listen to my voice, and are ready enough to do my bidding.When I once speak to them you will see how they will smooth their backs and do as I ask them."Walter said no more, but as he saw everywhere lowering brows from window and doorway as they rode through the streets he had doubts whether the power of Van Artevelde's eloquence would have the magical potency he had expected from it.
When the party arrived at the splendid dwelling of the great demagogue, messengers were instantly sent out to all his friends and retainers.Ahundred and forty persons soon assembled, and while Van Artevelde was debating with them as to the best steps to be taken, Walter opened the casement and looked out into the street.It was already crowded with the people, whose silent and quiet demeanor seemed to bode no good.Arms were freely displayed among them, and Walter saw men passing to and fro evidently giving instructions.
