El Obispo de Arras a Simon Renard

The Camp (near Renty),

I am sending off this courier in the hope that he may come up with a gentleman of the Duke of Florence who is carrying to the King, our Prince, news of Peter Strozzi's defeat, and that the same gentleman may carry to you the enclosed from the Duke of Savoy, which he tells me is a report to the King on what is happening at camp; so I pray you to deliver it promptly.

I will take the opportunity of informing you that Villey has just arrived with yours of the 8th, which his Majesty has read and is sending on to the Queen. He has also given me the one you wrote to me, the contents of which show that you and I are of one opinion, namely that we do not care who manages affairs, nor desire to take a share in their conduct, provided they are carried on in the manner required by our master's interests. Still, as we have been entrusted with this labour, we must do our duty to the end, and I am sure you will continue to fulfil yours over there, as his Majesty has decided that you shall stay some time longer.

As for your affection for me, I am sure of it, as you may be of mine for you. I suppose you will hear what the Duke is writing to our Prince, but I wish to tell you that the King of France, believing Renty to be weak, has decided to lay siege to it. Now, although in truth the place is in such a condition that it had been decided to dismantle it, we are not without hope that the King may not find his undertaking as easy as he had expected, for he has been there four days with his artillery and our own camp is now so near that unless he makes haste I trust we may force him to raise the siege, for to-day we have taken up a position from which Renty and the French camp are well in view.

It seems to me impossible that the two armies, having drawn so near one to another, should separate without bloodshed, and as far as I can see the encounter will take place in the next few days.Holograph. French.