“In all communications that passed between them and me, I repeated that King Edward was dead, of which fact I said I was well assured, notwithstanding that I knew the contrary, adding further that though it were not so, yet was the league between the Duke of Burgundy and the king and realm of England such that this accident could not infringe it—­whomever they would acknowledge as king him would we recognise....  Thus it was agreed that the league should remain firm and inviolate between us and the king and realm of England save that for Edward we named Henry.”

Commines explains further that the wool trade was what made amity with England necessary to Flanders and Holland, “which is the principal cause that moved the merchants to labour earnestly for peace.”

Charles made vague promises to his uninvited guest, declaring ostentatiously that his blood was Lancastrian.  Nevertheless he finally consented to an interview with him of York, in spite of the remonstrances of the Lancastrians, Somerset and Exeter.  “The duke could not tell whom to please and either party he feared to displease.  But in the end, because sharp war was upon him face to face, he inclined to the English dukes, accepting their promises against the Earl of Warwick, their ancient enemy.”  King Edward, “who was on the spot and very ill at ease,” was quieted by secret assurances that the duke was obliged to dissimulate.  “Seeing that he could not keep the king but that he was bound to return to England and fearing for divers considerations altogether to discontent him, Charles pretended that he could not aid the king and forbade his subjects to enter his service.”  Privately, however, he gave him fifty thousand florins of St. Andrew’s cross, and had two or three ships fitted out at Vere in Zealand, a harbour where all nations were received.  Besides this he secretly hired fourteen well appointed “ships of the Easterlings, which promised to serve him till he landed in England and for fifteen days after, “great aid considering the times.”

King Edward departed out of Flanders in the year 1471, when the Duke of Burgundy went to wrest Amiens and St. Quentin back from the king.[30] “The said duke thought now howsoever the world went in England he could not speed amiss because he had friends on both sides."[31]

Edward’s adventures in England proved that he had not lost his hold there.  Warwick’s extraordinary brief success was but a flash in the pan.  London opened her gates and then the pitched battle at Barnet gave a final verdict between the rival Houses which England accepted.  This battle was fought on April 14th, when the thick fog and the like speech of the two bodies caused hopeless confusion.  Many friends slew each other unwittingly, and among the slain was the indefatigable, energetic Warwick who had hoped to play with his royal puppets.  Only forty-four was he and worthy of a better and more statesmanlike career.