St.
Severe was more vigorously defended by Hugh de Vere, son of the earl of Oxford; but was at last obliged to capitulate.

The French king, not content with these successes in Gascony, threatened England with an invasion; and, by a sudden attempt, his troops took and burnt Dover,[**] but were obliged soon after to retire.

And in order to make a greater diversion of the English force, and engage Edward in dangerous and important wars, he formed a secret alliance with John Baliol, king of Scotland; the commencement of that strict union which, during so many centuries, was maintained, by mutual interests and necessities, between the French and Scottish nations.

John confirmed this alliance by stipulating a marriage between his eldest son and the daughter of Charles de Valois.[***] * Heming.

vol.i.p.