 With the outbreak of the Hundred Years ' War in <unk> , Grosmont 's attention was turned towards France . He took part in several diplomatic missions and minor campaigns and was present at the great English victory in the naval Battle of <unk> in <unk> . Later the same year , he was required to commit himself as hostage in the Low Countries for the king 's considerable debts . He remained hostage until the next year and had to pay a large ransom for his own release . On his return he was made the king 's lieutenant in the north and stayed at <unk> until <unk> . The next years he spent in diplomatic negotiations in the Low Countries , Castile and Avignon . 
