An event more powerful than any human eloquence occurred to give the _dauphin_ and his partisans earlier hopes.

Towards the end of August, 1422, Henry V.

fell ill; and, too stout-hearted to delude himself as to his condition, he thought no longer of anything but preparing himself for death.

He had himself removed to Vincennes, called his councillors about him, and gave them his last royal instructions.

"I leave you the government of France," said he to his brother, the Duke of Bedford, "unless our brother of Burgundy have a mind to undertake it; for, above all things, I conjure you not to have any dissension with him.