May: Henry of Lancaster departs for the north to take command of the English campaign in Scotland. Edward III appoints admirals to requisition ships for coastal defence. Early June: Henry of Lancaster reaches Perth. Edward III receives detailed information on Philip VI's plans in Scotland. A small force under Sir Thomas Rosslyn is sent to fortify the ruined castle of Dunnottar 11 June: Edward III departs for Scotland via Newcastle with a force of 400 men. 25 June: The Great Council of England assembles at Northampton. They eventually decide to send a new embassy to France. 7 July: The bishops of Durham and Winchester and two others are appointed English ambassadors to France. 11 July: In case brought before the Parlement of Paris by Garcie Arnaud, lord of Navailles Edward III is found to be in default and ordered to deliver the bastide of Puymirol. The English government refuses. The French begin preparations for the seizure of the Duchy of Aquitaine. 12 July: Edward III moves north from Perth with an additional 400 men from Henry of Lancaster's troops. 17 July: Edward III reaches Moray Firth. 22 July: Edward arrives at Aberdeen from the north and burns the town to the ground. 24 July: The English embassy to France embarks at Dover. Late July: John of Eltham, Earl of Cornwall enters Scotland with several thousand men to ravage Carrick and the Clyde valley. With the arrival of the Mediterranean fleet French naval strength in the Channel ports numbers 26 galleys. August: The bishops of Durham and Winchester have a series of fruitless meetings with Philip VI and his Council in Paris. Edward III forbids all exports of wool and leather. 20 August: Philip VI gives the English ambassadors his final answer. He intends to invade England and Scotland immediately with the fleet and army he has gathered. The ambassadors send a clerk, William Tickhill, to warn the Council of England. 22 August: Four French privateers attack the English town of Orford. 24 August: Tickhill arrives at Northampton. The chancellor, John de Stratford, issues writs to convene another Great Council at Nottingham and sends Tichkhill to report to Edward III in Scotland. French privateers capture several royal ships and load merchantmen anchored at the Isle of Wight. 6 September: The combined fleets of the two English Admiralties are ordered to attack the retreating French galleys, but by now they have returned