And in this manner his Battail consisting of 400 Men of Arms marched up towards the English They pretty well escaped the Archers by that sudden Device but Sr. Eustace received them so sharply that at the first Brunt he slew of them more than Threescore and had well-nigh totally discomfited the whole Body when of a sudden the second fresh Battail of equal Number with the former came on with great Resolution and at the same time the third Battail came on a Wing at their Lest hand both a Defence and Comfort to the other two The French were almost Four to One viz. 1200 Spears against 400 and 900 Foot against 200 but however the English played their Part gallantly and Sr. Eustace presently with his own hands slew four of the most Hardy among his Enemies When Sr. Broquart beheld this his Prowess he strack at his Vizor over other Mens heads till he beat out three of his Teeth but Sr. Eustace left not off fighting for the pain he then began to make his Enemies feel more severe effects of his Anger And still the English were so united in a close Phalanx that the French could as yet make no Impression upon them and the Archers of England shot so thick on the Enemies left Flank that they earst not approach to break them Then the French Men of Arms began to wheel about to the Left and as they went the English Battail faced them without once breaking their Order For all the File-leaders and Bringers-up were the Choicest Men in Front Flank and Reer But at that instant the 900 French Infantry came into the Field well covered with broad Targets who marching directly against the Archers wholly brake their Array for their Shot gave them but little trouble they were so well protected with the mutual Defence of their Shields When thus the Archers were broken the second Battail of the French Men of Arms rode in among them and took or slew most of them but a very few escaped After which they went against the English Valets and won all the Horses except those which the Valets carried away upon the Spur. The mean while the two remaining Battails of Men of Arms entertained the English on one side and the Fourth Battail of Footmen after they had beaten the Archers on the other side so that at last all their Array was broken and Sr. Eustace his Standard beaten down and torn in pieces and most of his Men taken or slain The Lord Eustace himself fell into the hands of a worthy Gentleman called Sr. Henry de Quingey a Burgundian who had much ado to save his Life for the Commons of Troye would fain have had him sacrificed because of the terrible Havock he had made among them in the Country of Champaigne With him were taken alive Sr. John of Paris and Sr. Martin of Spain with many other Knights and Esquires and those that escaped gat into the Fortress of Nogent but they were not many the greater Part not being able to quit the Field in any time because their Horses were all taken The Couragious Manny was left for dead among others in the Field but a while after the Battle when the Enemy was marched off thô grievously wounded and almost exhausted for want of Blood he chanced to open his Eyes and then being something reviv'd with the fresh Air he lifted up his Head a little but saw nothing about him except Dead Men lying on the Ground By and by he enforced himself so far as to rise as well as he could half way and so sat down a while and look'd about and found he was not far from the Castle of Nogent which was an English Garrison Hereupon he never left creeping by little and little till at last with much difficulty and much danger of Relapsing he came to the Foot of the Tower Where making signs to them that look'd down that he was a Friend he was received into the Fortress and had his Wounds presently dressed and carried himself so regularly and temperately that within a few Weeks he was perfectly healed This Battle was thus fought ſ Frois ibid. in the Year of our Lord MCCCLIX on the Vigil of St. John Baptist or the twenty third of June VII After this Discomfiture of the Englishmen near Nogent sur Seyne the French Lords and Men of Arms return'd to the City of Troye with all their Booty but they durst not bring thither any of their Prisoners for fear of the Common People who sought to kill them wherefore they sent them to be kept in other French Garrisons But when Sr. Eustace Dambreticourts Men whom he had left in the Garrison of Pougny heard of this their Loss they presently trussed up Bag and Baggage and marched off into better Quatters for they were not enough to maintain the Place The same did those who held other Fortresses which depended on the Lord Eustance For they greatly doubted the Bishop of Troye and the Lord of Fenestrages But Sr. Peter Audley thô he had lost a good Neighbour of Sr. Eustace held his Garrison still at Beaufort Sr. John Segar at Nogent and the Lord de la Brett at Gye upon the Seyne About that time some of Sr. Peter Audley's Men rode forth and took a Neighbouring Town called Rosnay t Frois c. 200. while the Curate was at Mass an English Esquire is said to have gone into the Church and to have taken the Chalice wherein the Priest should have consecrated from the Altar Which Wine he poured out on the ground and being therefore with much Christian Gravity blamed by the Priest he strack him over the Face with his Gauntlet that the Blood gush'd out upon the Altar and so went his way with the Chalice and Patine along with him It is affirmed and I dare not omit so memorable an Instance of God's Judgments tho it displease never so many that this same Esquire being presently after mounted in the Field his Horse began suddenly to turn about and flounce and curvet so fiercely that none durst come near him till at last he and his sacrilegious Master fell both together Dead on the ground and soon after they crumbled away to Powder Whereupon all the other Souldiers that were eye-witnesses of this dreadfull Judgment were so terrified that they vow'd never more to violate any Church or Holy Place while they lived VIII In these days as if it pleased Almighty God to afford some short Breathing to the afflicted Realm of France before King Edward came over to add to her Afflictions the greater part of these licentious Plunderers of a sudden fell to decay and declin'd so fast that it was miraculous And first u Frois c. 200. in the strong Castle of le Herelle within four Leagues from Amiens the Lord John of Picquigny who had been so perfidious to his Lord and Master the French King was now in God's just Judgment repaid by his own Servant his Chamberlain by whom as
z Pelyd Virg. l. 19. p. 360. n. 10. Others add to this that a little before their flight the King resolving to send two considerable Detachments from his Army to intercept the passage of the Scots on each Flank himself intending to pass over against them by that time the rest might be up with the Enemy certain from the Lord Mortimer be like gave them a sign of their Danger which might have been privately agreed on before whereupon they escaped as we have declared However King Edward had such good Advice and such Success even in this unhappy Journey as to be able to rid the Land of its Enemy without any considerable Loss but what no humane Industry or Wisdom could foresee or prevent I confess to use the words of Mr a p. 645. Ashmole that the first Actions of Princes are Generally look'd upon by all Eyes and not seldom by many Critical Observators taken as the Radix whence to calculate their future either Successes or Miscarriages Now as he goes on if a full age entitle them to the sole management of Affairs we are enclin'd to think that a judicious Eye may partly discern the strength of their Fortune from such their beginnings But while they remain under Tutorage and their Designs are carried on by the Conduct of others the Event of things will manifest a dependency upon the strength or weakness of the genius of those Persons who are the Chief Managers of their Concerns And this was fully made out in this Prince whose Martial undertakings succeeded little or nothing while the Government of the Kigndom remain'd in other Hands and sometimes after also when he was tyed up and hamper'd by his Allies in Flanders but He no sooner arrived at full Age and had the Dispose of publique Affairs in his own Hands but all things shew'd themselves as disposed by his own Happy Genius And the first remarkable Experiment hereof was verified even upon the Scots themselves from whom before He had received some affronts and indignities as we shall see hereafter Thus this Expedition ended as it was the b Frois c. 18. fol. 10. next day the English Army return'd homeward and about noon they came to a great Abby within two miles of Durham where the King lodged with all his Host about him in the Field Here they found good forage for their Horses and refreshment for Themselves Next day the King leaving the Gross of the Army there still went to Durham to visit the famous Church of St. Cuthbert and to offer at his Shrine In this City were found all the Carriages which were left by the Army about a Month ago in the Wood one Morning when they marched towards the Tyne to intercept the Scots as we c p. 9. shew'd before For the Mayor and Burgesses of Durham having found them order'd them for their better security to be brought into the City at their own costs and charges where they were placed safe in empty Barnes and Granges the Name or Arms or other Cognisance of each Owner being before left on every Man's Carriage that the several Proprietors might be known It extreamly satisfied the Lords and Gentlemen when thus unexpectedly they had recover'd what they lately looked on as no better than lost Here and about the City the whole Army refreshed themselves well for two days all the Horses were new shod and what was amiss corrected The third day they marched towards the City of York which they easily reached in three days after and there the King found his Lady-Mother who received him with great joy with all her Ladies and the whole City Here after great thanks given to all the Barons and Knights that had attended the King for their prompt Advice and loyal Assistance in this Expedition he dismist the greater part of the Army but Sr. John of Heinalt with his Company was still retained because they had not as yet their promised Wages After some time spent in Jollity and Feasting for the Queen and her Ladies made them very good Cheer the Lords and Captains of Sr. Johns Retinue drew up Bills of what was due unto them reckoning in also the Horses and other Stuff they had lost or spoiled in this Journey and deliver'd them in to the Kings Council But then the noble John Lord Beaumont out of the Trust he reposed in the Kings Promise bound himself freely to all his Followers undertaking to content them as to all their particulars within a certain time for all their Losses and Charges contained in the said Bills besides their promised Wages For he well saw that the King could not possibly at that time spare so much Mony Thô with much ado he made shift to allow them for their present Charges and what might be sufficient to carry them handsomly into their own several Countries Yet before the Year was quite ended they were all satisfied in full Then they provided little Naggs for their Lacquies and Pages to ride on and two Ships were lent them by the King to convey their Servants and Stuff to Sluce in Flanders After which the Lord John of Heinalt and his Warlike Company took their leave of the King and the Queen his Mother of the Earls of Norfolk and of Kent the Kings Uncles and of the Earl of Lancaster his Cozen with the Lord Mortimer and the rest of the Barons all whom he found very courteous and honourable to Him and his Followers especially the Queen and her Confident Roger Lord Mortimer for these besides their open Gratuities privately heaped upon Sr. John and his Retinue d Knighton p. 2552. n. 40. such and so many rich Presents as proved much to the detriment of the King and the impoverishing of his Kingdom But upon their parting for fear of the English Archers whom they had in this War so highly incensed the King appointed the e Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 530. Lord William Clinton and eleven other Knights with two f Frois c. 18. fol. 11. hundred Men of Arms to bear them company thrô Lincolnshire Thus at last they all came safe to Dover where they found Vessels ready provided for them and theirs whereby they were carried with a prosperous wind to the place they were bound for VII But now 't is time to look nearer home and enquire what becomes of the Old King whom we left deposed and imprison'd with the promise of an honourable Pension during life He was not so unhappy in the want of his Subjects affections as some imagine and indeed almost all Writers seem to averr For in very truth he was rather depos'd by the deep contrivances of a few subtle Enemies and the despair to which their trayterous Demeanour had already reduc'd them together with his own oversight than thrô any Ill-will that the Generality of his People had to his Person or Government And therefore his Queen and her partakers to gain Popularity upon their first coming into England g Speed ex
as it were in a Net they alighted on foot and began to defend themselves like Men insomuch that for all their great Disadvantage they slew and hurt many of their Enemies But the Men of Lille were now both behind and before and they were enclosed in a narrow straight Passage beside so that on each Flank also they lay open to the Enemies shot among bushes hedges and ditches that they could neither turn backward nor forward nor yet have convenient Ground to fight it out on And however well they might behave themselves 't was impossible they should get off because perpetually fresh Men flow'd in upon them under the Conduct of the x Charles Allâ—yne in Câ—efty 〈◊〉 p. 7. Lord of Rambois so after some Resistance they were all taken of necessity and with them a young Esquire of Limosin named Raymund Rogerii Nephew to Peter Rogerii then Cardinal and shortly after Pope of Rome by the Name of Clement VI. This young Gentleman having yielded himself prisoner was afterwards slain in Cool blood by the Frenchmen for greediness of his rich Arms and costly Apparel This is the manner of the taking of the Earl of Salisbury and the Earl of Suffolks y Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 48. b. eldest Son not as is commonly said of the Earl of Suffolk himself as Froisard hath deliver'd and truly it would not seem improbable neither but upon these accounts that it is hardly credible two such Great Captains as these were known to be should erre so much against the Rules of War in being so rash and careless and besides the way from Ipres to Greetsberg by Ryssel or Lille is the farthest way about by much and shews that Sr. Vauflart had rather a mind to expose them to their Enemies both of Lille and Tournay than to guide them the nearest and safest way Which had been by passing from Ipre to cross the Skell about Courtray a Garrison of their Friends to keep the left hand till they came to the place of Rendezvous which was not above 4 leagues beneath Aelst or Alost on another Arm of the Skell Wherefore having a more probable Account elsewhere of the taking of these Men I shall set that down also leaving the Reader to judge which Opinion seems most preferable Immediately after Easter the Earl of Salisbury and the Earl of Suffolks Eldest Son called Robert Vfford le Fitz went and laid Siege to the Town of Lille in Flanders z 〈…〉 4 Vol. p. 244. so called from its Scituation among Lakes which are now dri'd up that Town holding then for the French and being furnished with a good Garrison Hereupon full of Courage one Day they made a vigorous a Walsingh 〈◊〉 p. 133. Stâ—n 236 Sally upon the Besiegers but whether really overpower'd by the English or only in Policy pretending so to be they at last retir'd in great seeming Confusion much faster than they issued out The two English Lords as the Nature of Man is presuming belike on their late frequent Successes hoped by pursuing them close to enter with them Pell-mell and so to be Masters of the Place With this Design they follow'd the Townsmen close at their heels themselves being follow'd but by a few of their Troops that were then in readiness thô greater Numbers were hasting on to second them But as soon as ever the two Lords with a few about them were got within the Gates down fell the Armed Portcullis from behind them and in their Face they met with a great number of Men of Arms besides that those who lately fled from them return'd upon them now with greater vigour So that immediately they were both taken and sworn Prisoners with their Men and then clapt in Irons and laid in the Town-Hall Prison or common Goal till it might be resolv'd what to do with them At last it was determin'd that these two Illustrious Captives being fetter'd and shackled with Iron should be sent and presented to the French King as a lucky Hansel of his future Success As they were b Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 64â— b. convey'd to Paris they were drawn in a Cart thrô the midst of every Town Village or Hamlet in their way with great shouts and cries of the Vulgar and scoffs and railings of the rascal sort of People Being c Stâ—â— p. 236. at last brought into the King of France's Presence he most unworthily commanded they should be put to Death but to this the most Noble King of Bohemia John of Luxemburgh oppos'd himself with words to this effect Sir if these Gentlemen your Prisoners were not Persons of as high Merit as Quality I should not take much notice of them at this time thô I should hardly allow of putting the most mean or undeserving Enemy to Death in cold blood They are indeed as Matters now stand open Enemies to your Majesty but they are Honourable Enemies however and such as never fought against you but in their Liege Masters Quarrel nor then till open Defiance had been made Nor were they taken so much by the Valour of your Subjects as thrô an excess of their own and that too by a subtle Contrivance of their Adversaries nor even then perhaps had they so tamely yielded but that they believ'd they should not fail of being used like Prisoners of War. Let not the most Christian King of France prove more severe and less just or honourable than even his Enemies suppos'd him to be Beside the Event of War is uncertain and the King of England is not only himself of great Puissance but has gained strong Allies in the Empire so that he may be suppos'd able to return like for like If these Men therefore should now die who of your Lords would willingly fight in your Quarrel since if taken they must never expect to be put to Ransom but in Revenge of these Mens Blood to inevitable Death Nor are your Enemies only like to resent this Action if you proceed severely but the better Part of your Friends also as you may guess from Me who am the First that blame this Resolution of yours against them To kill those that resist is Valour and Justice but to put those to the Sword who have laid down theirs is both cruel and ungenerous It may be any Mans fortune to be taken Prisoner but it will be an eternal Blot to that Conqueror who destroys those in cold Blood whom the Law of Arms makes only Prisoners of War. My Royal Friend and Brother let us resolve to be valiant Enemies but Mercifull Victors at least let us forbear these unreasonable Severities till we are first provoked by the example of the English to use them King Philip being convinced by these Reasons of his Old Friend the Heroick King of Bohemia revoak'd the Sentence of their Death but however d Walsingh hist p. 134. committed them to close Prison He sent also to thank the Garrison of Lille for this agreeable piece of Service and promis'd them
Marches and burnt and beat down the Mills on the River Rouelle and so came by Chartreux to their Host again But certain of their Company tarried behind at Marley to get store of Forage for their Horses Now there was a considerable Castle not far off formerly belonging to the Lord Robert of Namur in Right of the Lady Isabella his Wife who was one of the Sisters of the Present Earl of Hainault but now by exchange it was again reverted to the Earl. The Garrison within this Castle perceiving how these Frenchmen loytred thus behind their fellows in great Security and that the Army was now very far off before them made upon them a sudden and vigorous Sally wherein they slew the greater part of them recover'd all their Prey and without any loss return'd in Triumph to their Castle All this g Frois c. 47. fol. 28. while the Great Battail of the French was still on the Mount Casteres till now at last that all their Detachments were return'd from all Parts thô as we have shew'd not without loss they enter'd Consultation how they should proceed farther In the end it was resolved that since they were not sufficiently numerous to Storm so Great and Populous a City as Valenciennes they should content themselves for the present with what they had already done and so return to Cambray So that Night they reach'd Monchau and Fontaine au Tertre and the Abbey pertaining to the Lady Jane of Valois Countess Dowager of Hainault There they lodged that Night keeping good Watch as being still in the Enemies Country But the next Morning they decamped betimes some of those in the Rear upon their departure setting fire on Monchau and Fontaine together with the foresaid Abbey thô it belonged to the said Lady Jane Sister to King Philip of France This when Duke John her Nephew understood he was so displeased that he commanded those who began the Fire to be hang'd up immediately After this they burnt the Town and Castle of Tryche so lately rescued to no purpose and beat down the Mills also they set fire on Prony Romeny Thyaulx and all the plain Country between Valenciennes and Cambray Then the Duke proceeded to Escandure a strong Frontier Castle of the Earl of Hainalts standing on the River Skell the Garrison whereof had been a great Plague to the City of Cambray Sr. Gerard van Sanctius being the Captain But when the Duke of Normandy had lain before the Place six days it was deliver'd up unto him not without the Admiration of all who knew its strength and therefore vehemently suspected the Captain Sr. Gerard and an Esquire of his named Robert of Marmeaulx to have play'd the Traytors in this Matter However shortly after they both suffer'd a shamefull Death upon this account at Mons in Hainalt But the Garrison of Cambray rased the Castle to the ground conveying the Stones and Timber thereof into their own Town to help them in their Necessary Reparations IX After h Frois c. 48. this Desolation of Escandure Duke John return'd to Cambray where for the present he disbanded some of his Men and others he sent to reinforce the Garrisons of Doway Lille and other places As soon as these fresh Aids came to Doway the Garrison was so encouraged that they sent forth together with them of Lille 300 Spears whose Leaders were the Lord Lewis of Savoy Amè Earl of Geneva the Earl of Villers Sr. Galeas of Bausine the Lord of Vaurain and the Lord of Vasiers All these overran with fire and sword the fruitfull Country of Ostervandt in Hainault so that they left nothing untouch'd but the strong Castles At this the Three Brethren Captains of Bouchain were extreamly concerned as those who daily saw the fire and smoak and other ill effects of the Enemies Rage but were not strong enough to oppose it Wherefore they sent to Valenciennes to tell the Governour that if in the Night he would send forth 600 Spears to joyn him they would most certainly take a Notable Revenge upon the Frenchmen who lay scatter'd abroad without any Retiring place or shelter in the plain Country But whatever they alledged those of Valenciennes durst not stir out of the Town because the Earl had strictly enjoyn'd the contrary during his absence Wherefore the French meeting with no Opposition took great Booties and fired the Town of Nyche Descoux Escaudan Hery Monteney Senain Verlain Vargny Ambreticourt Lourge Salx Ruette Neville Lieu St. Amand and all the Villages of that Country from whence they brought off much plunder But as soon as they were return'd into Garrison those of the Garrison of Bouchain went forth and burnt a Moiety of Descon which was French and the Town of Desquerchine and all the Villages that held with France as far as to the Gates of Doway Thus on both sides were the Garrisons furnished with Men of War and daily mutual Advantages and Losses were exchanged between both Parties At the same time there was a Garrison of Germans in the Fortress of Mal-Maison which was but two Leagues from the Castle of Cambresis on the Selle being placed there by the Bishop of Cambray who held with France This Fortress on the side toward Hainault look'd directly upon Landrecy whereof the Lord of Poitrel was Captain for thô the Earl of Blois own'd it once yet on certain considerations he had lately parted with it to the Earl of Hainault before the Earl had broke with France These Germans of Mal-Maison aforesaid came one day to the Barriers of Landrecy and in sight of the Town began to drive away a great Booty of Cattle that grased thereabout The Lord of Poitrel understanding thus much Arm'd himself and all his Company and rode forth to the Rescue in the Head of his Men with his Spear in his Rest still crying after the Enemy Sirs it is a shame to fly away Now the Germans of the French side had among them an Hardy and Couragious Esquire of Almain named Albert of Colen who not enduring those biting Words immediately turn'd his Horse couched his Spear and ran furiously against the Lord of Poitrel giving him such a stroak on the Target that the Spear flew all to pieces but having presently recover'd another he redoubled his stroak with so much Fury that the Spear enter'd quite thrô his Armour into his Body just to the Heart so that the Lord Poitrel fell dead from his Horse But his Companions the Lord of Bausiers Sr. Gerard Mastin and Sr. John his Brother with their Troops renew'd the Chace against the Frenchmen so briskly that most of them were slain all the Prey rescued and their own Prisoners recover'd but a very few having the Good Fortune to escape So the Hainalders return'd again to Landrecy bringing along with them as a Qualification of their Victory the Dead Body of their Captain the Lord of Poitrel in whose place succeeded the Lord of Floron Thus various were the Rencounters between the Hainalders
the Daughter of St. Iewis King of France Whose Sons were put by the Crown by their Uncle Alphenso that row Keigned Odoric Raynald ad an 1344 §. 47. Lewis of Spain Nephew to King Alphonso the XI who continu'd the Siege before Hennebond had so broken and shatter'd the Walls of the Town with his Engines that the Besieged began to doubt extreamly One day among others the Pishop of Leon having had some Communication in the Camp with Sr. Henry du Leâ—s his Nephew after much arguing for the Bishop was sent forth to obtain some short respite it was at last agreed that the Bishop should endeavour to perswade them within to yield up the Town and Castle to Sr. Charles of Blois and Sr. Henry du Leon on the other side engag'd to obtain of the Lord Charles a full freedom and liberty for them all that they should receive no Damage either in Body or Goods Upon this conclusion the Bishop enter'd the Town again immediately whereupon the Countess who suspected his Errand after she had heard of his conference with Sr. Henry beg'd earnestly of the Lords and Knights who were with her in Council that for the love of God they would all take heart and hold out a little longer For she said she was confident that within three days the Succours from England would arrive But yet the Bishop spake so effectually and gave so many Reasons for what he said that all their Minds were mightily perplexed and they remain'd in doubt all that Night The next Morning they met in Council again And at last they began to agree about yielding and had accordingly then done it had Sr. Henry been near with his Forces to enter and take possession Then the Countess ran to a Window in great Agony and look'd down along the Sea from the Castle with her heart aking while her Lords were left debating of these unpleasant matters Of a sudden she leap'd for joy and cry'd out aloud I see I see the Succours of England coming There 's the Cross of St George God has heard our Prayers He has heard Us Then all the Lords and others ran to the Window and to the Walls and up to the High Tower whence they beheld a Fleet of Ships Great and Small freshly deck'd making up to the Port. They presently knew it to be the English Fleet as indeed it was and had been detain'd above 40 days at Sea by ill-weather but now happily came in the very Golden Opportunity to save the Countess and the Town Now k Frois c. 81. when the Governour of Guingand Sr. Pierce of Triguier Galeran Lord of Landerneau and other Knights of Bretagne saw these Succours coming they said to the Bishop Sir you may e'n leave off this pious Harangue about Peace for we are not at present disposed to follow your Doctrine Then said the Bishop if so Gentlemen we must e'n part Stakes For I will go to that Side which hath most Right Having so said he went out of Town and defi'd the Countess and all her Abettors and being brought to Sr. Henry du Leon shew'd him how Matters stood Sr. Henry was wonderfully displeas'd and gave Command that the very greatest of the Engines which were rais'd against the Castle should be pli'd Day and Night without ceasing And so he led his Uncle the Bishop to Don Lewis of Spain who in the Name of Sr. Charles of Blois received him kindly as well for the Accession of so considerable a Person as for Sr. Henry his Nephew's sake VII The mean while the Countess of Montford made ready Halls and Chambers to entertain the Lords and Captains of England that were coming and she sent out the Chief of her Court to welcome them in the Haven upon their Landing When they were landed she her self went forth to meet them and shew'd all along great Respect to the Captains and feasted them highly and gave them hearty Thanks and lodged all the Knights and Others at their Ease in the Castle and the Town The next day she made them a very noble Dinner in the Castle now all the night before and all that morning the great Engines cast mighty Stones against the Castle wherefore after Dinner the Lord Walter Manny who was General of all the English Forces enquired of the condition of the Town and of the Army without and having heard a full Account of all he said Surely Gentlemen I have a desire to sally out and break down this Great Engine that stands so near us if any man will follow me Then Sr. Pierce of Triguier and the Lord of Landerneau said they would not fail to follow him in this his first Adventure So they immediately arm'd themselves and went out privily at a certain Postern with 300 Archers and about 40 Men of Arms. The Archers shot so thick altogether that those who kept the Engine fled away and the Men of Arms who came after the Archers pursu'd and slew many of those that fled and then with Axes they beat down the Engine to the ground and brake it all to pieces Nor content herewith they ran in among the Tents and Lodgings that stood nearest setting Fire in divers Places and killing and wounding till the whole Army began to stirr Then they put themselves in good Order and withdrew fair and softly they of the Host running after them like Mad-men Hereupon Sr. Walter-Manny said aloud Let me never be beloved of my Lady if I refuse to take a Turn with one or two of these Pursuers And therewithall he couched his Spear and faced about to his Enemies so did the two Brethren of Landale Sr. Hayes of Brabant Sr. Pierce of Triguier and the Lord of Landerneau with the other Knights of Bretagne and of England that were there Then might have been seen a fierce Medley indeed Spears shivering to pieces Horses falling down and Men revers'd upon the Earth But those from the Camp encreasing upon the Others continually it behoved the English by little and little to endeavour to recover the Town In this bonourable Retreat it was a gallant fight to behold how here a Prisoner was taken and immediately rescued again here a Knight was unhorsed and forthwith remounted upon his Enemies Beast The Lord Walter Manny shew'd himself both a Wise Captain and a valiant Knight For all the while he fought couragiously in the Reer of his Men as he retired discreetly to the Ditches Where the Archers being planted on each Flank he made a stand with his choice Captains about him till he saw all the rest in safety By which time almost all the Men of Arms within the Town sallied forth with great clamour to rescue their Friends and about 3000 Archers more came out and ranged themselves on each side the Dike in order to receive the Enemy But they for their part prudently retired finding it a vain Attempt to force them upon such Disadvantage and the English returned all safe and victorious into the
of the Day till they came before Bergerac to the Barriers which were not easie to be won because part of the great and rapid River of Dordogne runs about them But sometimes the rashness of Men themselves contributes more to their own Ruine than either the Force or Malice of their Enemies For when these Frenchmen saw the English come so forward to assail them in less Numbers than they had expected they issued out against them in very good Order saying among themselves how they should soon be driven back again with a Vengeance But they did not consider that most of their Foot were Country Bores and poor-spirited Peasants of small Courage and less Skill undisciplin'd and but ill-armed Who when now they saw the English approaching them undauntedly and felt and saw how fiercely the Archers shot among them and beheld the dreadfull appearance of shining steel glittering Banners and Standards waving in the wind to which they had been but little accustomed they presently turned their Backs and fell foul among their own Men of Arms the English at the same time with a terrible shout falling in upon them and beating them down on every side As for the French Men of Arms they could neither move forward for the Confusion of them that fled nor backward for others of their own Footmen who were behind and recoyled now without any Array The Archers of England were on each Wing and shot so thick together on the Flank of the Enemy that neither was there any safety on that part and the mean while the Men of Arms in very good Order made a terrible havock among the confused Ranks of the Frenchmen So that with wonderfull loss and in much disorder they were utterly beaten back into the Suburbs of Bergerac but so unfortunately that the first Bridge and Barrs were won by fine force for the English fell in with them pell mell and there upon the Causey were many Knights beaten down slain and wounded and not a few taken Prisoners of them who hoped in that narrow Passage to beat the English back Among others the Lord of Mirepoix was slain under the Banner of Sr. Walter Manny who pursuing the matter was the first that enter'd the Suburbs When the Lord of Laille saw the Faux-bourg enter'd and that his Men were broken disorder'd and in utter confusion then he thought it high time to Retreat into the City and save himself and as many as he might So in haste he passed the second Bridge thô not without much difficulty for before the Bridge there was a fierce Skirmish the Lords and Knights on both sides fighting there Hand to Hand and still the Lord Manny advanced himself with singular Courage among the thickest and the foremost that he was in great Danger of being taken or slain But his Incomparable Valour and the terrour that possest the French together with his good Fortune preserved him to more Honourable Actions There the Lord of Chasteauneufe the Lord of Chastillon the Lord of Bouquentine and the Lord of Lescun and many other Persons of the greatest Rank and Valour were taken others slain and the rest with much adoe were brought off into the Town when presently they let down the◠Portcullis closed their Gates and so mounted the Walls to defend them This Bickering was not ended till late in the Evening when the English being very weary and tired with the heat of the Day and of the Action drew back into the Suburbs which they had entirely won And here they found such plenty of Wine and other Provision as was sufficient to serve their whole Army for two Moneths The next Morning the Earl of Darby sounded his Trumpets order'd his Battails approached the Town and began a terrible Assault which lasted till Noon When seeing nothing was to be got that way for the place was strong and well defended the Assault ceased and the Lords of England went to Council There they determin'd to Assault the Town by Water for they found that on that side it was only closed with Pales whereupon the Earl of Darby sent to the Navy at Bourdeaux for Ships and had accordingly 60 Ships and Barges brought to him The next Day in the Evening they order'd their Land Battails and the Morning following by Sun-rise the Navy was ready under the Command of Ralph Lord Stafford to begin the Assault by Water The English Men of Arms adventur'd themselves boldly under the Protection of the Archers and came to the great Barrs before the Pales which they presently began to hew down with Axes and then the Townsmen sent to the Earl of Laille and his Captains desiting them well to consider their Condition for they were all in Danger to be lost And that if the Town was once enter'd by force their Lives were all forfeited Wherefore they conceiv'd it better to yield to the Earl of Darby than to put all to the hazard by remaining obstinate too long Well said the Earl of Laille let us then go where this great Danger is For we will not yield up this Place so tamely and saying so with a choice Company of Men of Arms and 200 Crossbows of Genoua he went to defend the Pales The English Archers shot so close together that none could appear at the Defence of the Pales without imminent Danger but the Genonese Crossbows who were all fenced with Targets against their shot held them hard at Work all that Day so that many were hurt on both sides But at last in the very close of the Day the English resolving to overcome all Difficulties contended so Couragiously that they brake down a great Pane of the Pales at which the Besieged retiring back desired to come to a Treaty Whereupon because it was late a Truce was granted for the Remainder of that Day and the Night following on Condition that the Men of Bergerac should not fortifie or mend up their Pales in the mean time So either Party withdrew but the French Lords went together to consult what was best to do in this exigence And the Result was that about Midnight they trussed up bag and baggage and secretly left the Town taking the way to Is Reole a strong Town upon the Garonne about 11 French Miles from Bergerac The next Morning early the English came again in their Barks and Boats under the Command of the Lord Ralph Stafford before the Pales of the Town where they had broken down that large Pane the Day before Here they found certain of the greatest Burgesses in a Suppliant Manner who desired of the Lord Stafford and the other English Captains that they would intreat the Earl of Darby of his wonted Goodness to receive them to Mercy granting them their Lives and Goods and that from thenceforward they would be good Subjects to the King of England The Earls of Oxford and Pembroke promised to do their best for them and so leaving the Lord Stafford there still with his Vessels went to the Earl of
and came though not without much Loss on the Right Side of the English Archers where they fell to Handy-strokes with the Prince's Battail right fiercely VII King Philip saw their Banners and would willingly have come on to their Assistance but if he had coasted after their manner all his Battails had been disorder'd and he thought it impossible yet to force a way thrô that great Hedge of Archers So that after much Valour shew'd in vain the Prince of Wales prevailed against this Battail of the French and there all their Men of Arms were beaten down to the Ground and cut in pieces by the obstinate Prowess of the English and Welchmen with the Prince Scarce was this done when three Fresh Squadrons of French and Germane Gentlemen rushing forward with great fury forced the Archers Battail to open and so came full upon the Prince with such Violence and such a Number of Men of Arms that the Young Prince was very hard put to it But then the Archers joyning their Ranks again and stepping several Paces forward the Earls of Arundel and Northampton sent out a strong Brigade of Men of Arms to help the Prince who falling in at their Reer and on their Flank the Enemy was almost enclosed while in the Front the Couragious Prince and his Men laid about them most furiously with Spear and Shield When first these Men broke thrô the Archers the Earl of Warwick doubting the worst and that the whole French Army follow'd them at the Heels dispatched a Knight away to King Edward who saw all the manner of the Fight from the Windmill desiring him to move forward and succour his Son. Sir said the Knight the Earl of Warwick the Earl of Oxford Sr. John Chandos and Sr. Reginald Cobham are so fiercely fought withall and so hard put to it by the French that they are in much danger wherefore they desire that You would please to set forward to their Aid For they are now disputing with the main Strength of the Enemy so that if any more Troops should break through upon them both They and the Prince your Son would go nigh to miscarry Well said the King is my Son Dead or Wounded or Fell'd to the Ground For I see the French Standards drop and conclude no otherwise but that things are yet in good Case No Sir replied the Knight Thanks be to God our Prince is yet well but he begins to want your Assistance Go you back said the King and bid them that sent you take care to trouble me no further while my Son is alive But let him take pains to win his own Spurs and to deserve the Honour of Knighthood which I so lately confer'd upon Him. For I am resolved by the Grace of God that the Reputation of this Glorious Day shall fall to his Portion and to those that are with Him. This Answer being brought back to the Prince's Captains they were wonderfully encouraged thereby being displeased with themselves that ever they should send so mean a Message to the King. But by this time the three Squadrons were utterly broken beaten down and slain by the Prince and his brave Companions That Morning King Philip had given a lusty black Courser to the Lord John of Hainalt who appointed his Standard-Bearer Sr. John Fussels to ride thereon This mettlesome Horse in the Heat of the Battle at the same time that the Archers were broken taking the Bridle in his Teeth carried his Master by force thrô the English Van between the Prince's Battail and the Earl of Arundels on the left Hand and as Sr. John thought to return he fell Horse and Man into the great Ditch which the English had made and there had perished had it not been for his faithfull Esquire who having followed him thrô the Archers saw now this Mischance of his Masters thô he was in no other Danger but what he might receive from his Horse For the Englishmen would never stirr that day out of their Ranks to take any Prisoner whatsoever Wherefore the Esquire securely alighted and relieved his Master from under the Horse but they went not back the same way they came but coasted far about and so at last came again in safety to the Lord John of Hainalt VIII And now the Prince and his Men being throughly chafed and enflamed with Courage began to March sorward the Archers being order'd to fall into a Wing on each Side and the Earls of Arundel and Northampton joyning the Prince The Frenchmen met them with equal Courage being refreshed with the Thoughts that now their Deaths should not be sent them at a Distance but that they might contend hand to hand for the Mastery And first the Marquess Charles Elect Emperour resisted the Prince with great Courage but his Banner was beaten to the ground his Men slain miserably about him and himself wounded in k Villani p. 878 Mezerâ—y p. 27. Three places of his Body wherefore thô not without much Difficulty he turned his Horse and rode out of the Field having cast away his Coat-Armour that he might not be known The mean while his Father John King of Bohemia who was Son to the Noble Emperour Henry of Luxemburgh althô he was near blind with Age when he understood how the Day was like to go asked of his Captains what was become of the Lord Charles his Son They told him they knew not but that they supposed him somewhere in the Heat of Action Then the good Old King resolving by no means to Disgrace his former Victories and Cancell the Glory of his Youth by a degenerous Old Age said unto them Gentlemen you are my Men my Companions and Friends in this Expedition I only now desire this last piece of Service from You that You would bring me forward so near to these Englishmen that I may deal among them One good Stroak with my Sword. They all said they would obey him to the Death and lest by any Extremity they should be separated from him they all with one Consent tied the Reins of their Horses one to another and so attended their Royal Master into Battle There this Valiant Old Heroe had his Desire and came boldly up to the Prince of Wales and gave more than one or four or five good Stroaks and fought couragiously as also did all his Lords and Others about him but they engaged themselves so far that there they were all slain and the next Day found dead about the Body of their King and their Horses bridles tied together Then were the Arms of that Noble King being the Ostrich Feathers with the Motto IGH DIEN signifying I SERVE taken and won l Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 182 by the Prince of Wales in whose Memory they have ever since been called the Princes Arms being also from that time worn by his Successors Princes of Wales Eldest Sons to the Kings of England With him also fell the Unhappy King of Majorica named James by the Hands of
River make any Resistance for the Defence of his Country and People And so our King proceeding forward came to Poissy where the French King had likewise broken down the Bridge and keeping on the other side would rest in no certain Place Dat. apud Pusiacum Festo Assumptionis B. Mariae Virginis c. The other Letter of the said Michael Northborough begins where this ends and proceeds even to the Siege of Calais in this manner n Rob. Avesbury Fox Acts and Mâ—n p. 504. Hâ—liashead Eng. Chron. p. 930. Salutations premised we give you to understand that our Sovereign Lord the King came to the Town of Poissy on the Vigil of the Assumption of our Lady where was a certain Bridge over the Water of Seyne broken down by the Enemy But the King tarried there so long till the Bridge was made again And whilst the Bridge was in Repairing there came thither a great Number of Men of Arms and other Souldiers to hinder the same But the Earl of Northampton went out against them and slew of them more than a Thousand the rest fled away Thanks be to God. And at another time our Men passed the Water althô with much Difficulty and slew a great Number of the Common Souldiers of France about the City of Paris and Country adjoyning being part of the French Kings Army well and throughly appointed So that our People had soon made other good Bridges in spight of our Enemies God be thanked without any great Loss or Dammage on our Part. On the Morrow after the Assumption of our Lady the King passed the Water of Seyne and marched toward Pont-Oyse which is a Town of great Defence and strongly immured being also furnished with a marvellous strong Castle which our Enemies kept And when our Van-guard was passed the Town the Reer made an Assault thereto and took the same where more than 300 Men of Arms on the Enemies Part were slain And the next Day following the Earl of Suffolk and Sr. Hugh Spencer marched forth against the Commons of the Country who were assembled together and well-armed and in fine slew of them more than o o 1200 hîc lego non ut Fox c. 200 ex Frois Ashmole Martin aliis ita corrigendâ— vid. l. 2. c. 2. §. 10. p 348. 1200 and besides others took 60 Gentlemen Prisoners After that the King marched toward Grandvillers and while he was there encamped his Van-guard was descried by the King of Bohemia's Men of Arms Whereupon certain of our Men issued forth in great haste and began to joyn Battle with them but were enforced to retire notwithstanding thanks be to God the Earl of Northampton issued out and rescued the Horsemen with other Souldiers so that few or none of them were either taken or slain saving only Thomas Talbot but had again the Enemy in Chace till within two Leagues of Amiens of whom we took 8 and slew 12 of their best Men of Arms the rest being well horsed got to the Town of Amiens After this the King of England marched towards Ponthieu upon the p p A. Lit. Dom. 24 Aug. Thurs Feast of St. Bartholomew and came unto the Water of Somme where the French had posted 500 Men of Arms and 3000 Footmen with design to keep and defend that Passage against us but Thanks be to God the next Morning the King of England and his Host entred the same Water of Somme where never Man passed before without the loss of any of our Men And after that encounter'd with the Enemy and slew of them more than 2000 the rest fled toward Abbeville but in the Chace many Knights Esquires and Men of Arms were taken The same Day Sr. Hugh Spencer took the Town of Crotoy where He and his Men slew 400 Men of Arms and kept the Town wherein they found good store of Provision That same Night the King of England encamped in the Forest of Cressy bordering upon the same Water For that the French Kings Host came on the other side of the Town near unto our Passage but declining to take the Water of us he marched back to Abbeville And upon the Saturday the King being still encamped in the said Forest our Van-currours descried the French King who marched toward us in Four Great Battails And having by this means as it pleased God understanding of our Enemies a little before Even-song We set our Battails in Array and presently the Fight began which was sore and cruel and endured long For our Enemies behaved themselves right Nobly But Thanks be to God the Victory fell on our Side and the King our Adversary was discomfited with all his Host and put to Flight Where also was slain the King of Bohemia the Duke of Lorrain the Earl of Alenson the Earl of Flanders the Earl of Blois the Earl of Harcourt with his two Sons the Earl of Aumale the Earl of Nevers and his Brother the Lord of Thonon the Archbishop of Nismes the Archbishop of Sennes the Grand Prior of France the Lord of Marle the Lord of Guise the Lord of St. Venant the Lord of Rosemburgh with six Earls of Almain and divers other Earls Barons Knights and Esquires whose Names are unknown But Philip of Valois himself with another Marquess who was called Lord Elector of the Romans escaped from the Battle The Number of the Men of Arms which were found dead in the Field besides the Common Souldiers and Footmen came to 1542 And all that Night the King with his Host abode armed in the Field where the Battle was fought On the next Morning before the Sun-rise there marched towards us another huge Host of Frenchmen mighty and strong But the Earl of Northampton and the Earl of q q Ita lego pro illorum Norfolk nam nullus his diebus erat Comes Norfolâ—â— Suffolk went out against them in three Battalions and after a long and terrible Fight discomfited them likewise by Gods great Help and Grace for otherwise it could not have been done where they took of Knights and Esquires a good Number and slew above 2000 following the Chace three Leagues from the place where the Battle was fought The same Night also the King encamped still in the Forest of Cressy and on the Morrow marched towards Boulogne and by the way took the Town of Estaples and from thence he marched toward Calais where he intendeth to plant his Siege and lay Battery to the same Wherefore our Sovereign Lord the King willeth and commandeth you in all that ever you may to send unto the said Siege Victuals convenient For from the time of our departing from Caen we have travelled thrô the Country in great peril and hazard of our People but yet always had Plenty of Victuals Thanks be to God for it But now as the Case stands we partly stand in need of your Help to be refreshed with Victuals Thus fare you well Dated at the Siege before the Town of Calais
till they came to Sangate-Hill between Calais and Wissant G. Lit. Dom. within a little Mile of the English Camp. They came thither on the Monday after St. James being the 30 of July in very good Order and Array with Trumpets sounding and Banners displayed that it was a Delightsom Terrour to behold so gallant and dreadfull an Appearance When the Calisians saw them encamping it seem'd to them as if another Siege was going to be laid But the sight of the French Lillies made them indeed look upon it as an Army sent from Heaven for their Deliverance Now f Frois c. 144. King Edward had before this built an high and strong Tower at Risban to close up the way between the Town and the Sea which he had fortifi'd with g Vid. Skinner's Eâ—ymol a Will. Conq. ex Chancers Romant of the Rose Springolds Bows and other Artillery And in the Place were 60 Men of Arms and 200 Archers besides Engineers who kept the Haven that nothing could come in or out Wherefore of necessity the Place must soon be reduced by Famine But when King Edward saw and knew h Frois c. 145. that the French King was come with such great Forces to raise the Siege and that if he should go forth out of his Trenches to fight him the mean while the City would be plentifully recruited with Provision of all sorts so that it might hold out as long again it grieved him to think of Leaving what he was just then upon the point of Obtaining For he knew very well the extream Scarcity and Famine that raged in the City Wherefore as he was of a good ready Capacity and Presence of Mind he consider'd with himself that the Enemy could neither come to him nor to the Town any other way but in two Places the one on the Downs by the Sea-side the other by the High-way where yet because of the many Ditches Rocks and Marisheâ— there was but one Passage and that was over New-land Bridge For a Remedy therefore in the first place he gave Order for his Navy to draw along by the Sea-side to command the Downs every Ship well-provided with Archers Crossbows Springolds Bombards and other Artillery whereby it was not possible for the French to pass that way without apparently exposing themselves in Flank to the Shot of the Enemy And then as for New-land Bridge he sent thither in good Time the Valiant and Thrice-noble Earl of Lancaster and Darby with a sufficient Number of Archers and Men of Arms to make good that Passage So that the Bridge being thus defended there was no way on that side left free for the French unless they would venture over the Marishes which was no way seasible Now on the other side toward Calais the King of England had built a Sconse wherein he had set certain Archers and Others to defend the Entrance of the Passage that way by the Downs from the Frenchmen To this Bulwark while King Philip was lodged on Sangate Hill there advanced 1500 of the Commons of Tournay at whom the Defendants shot Arrows and cast Stones but however they passed the Ditches and came to the Foot of the Wall with Pick-axes and other Instruments and while some fell to Digging at the Wall others began to Assault where they received a severe Welcome and lost many of their most forward Men But by obstinate Contending at last they gain'd the Place and slew all they found within and beat the Tower down to the Ground But still the Navy being spread along the shoar in most formidable manner that way was as difficult as ever for those that offer'd to pass that way laid themselves open in Flank to be by them galled at their Mercy Then King Philip sent forth the Marshals of his Host to view the Siege and to consider which way he might best approach either to relieve the Town or to give the English Battle These Men having view'd the manner of King Edwards Entrenching and how well he had provided for all the Avenues return'd with this Answer to the King their Master That it was impossible to come to Handy Stroaks with the English against their Wills without apparently exposing his Men to many fatal Disadvantages Thus for that Day things rested King Philip being much troubled that after all his vast and expensive Preparations it was still so difficult to bring his Purpose about But the next Morning after Mass he sent by Advice of his Council the Lord Geoffry Charny the Lord Eustace Ribemont the Lord Guy de Nesle and the Lord of Beaujeu to King Edward to demand Battle of him affirming in his Name that he would be ready i M. S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 228. to give him a Meeting in the Field the Third day next after or the Second of August for this Message was sent on the Last of July about the time of Even-song if he durst come forth from the Siege and abide it These four Gentlemen were Persons of great Worth and Experience in the Wars and they went by the way of New-land Bridge which they found to be a very difficult Passage for an Army They highly applauded among themselves the Order that the Earl of Lancaster kept at the Bridge and so they rode forward with the same Earl in their Company till they came to the King who stood at his Tent door well attended with a Noble Company of his Chief Peers and Captains At sight of the King they all alighted from their Horses and came up to him and kneeled the Lord Eustace Ribemont delivering the Message in these Words Sir the King our Master sendeth you word by us that he is come to Sangate-Hill to give you Battle But because he can find no convenient way to come to You he desires that You would come forth and fight with him for he will not fail to meet You on the Second of August about Even-song Or that You would appoint certain Lords of your Council as he also will of His and that among these Lords of both Parties a convenient Place and Time for Battle be agreed on to which he promises to stand King Edward knew well his own Business and without any long Tarrying or great Deliberation replied in this Manner Lords of France I have well understood what you demand of me in behalf of my Adversary who unjustly detains my Inheritance from me whereat I am not a little displeased You may tell him from Me that here I am and here have been almost now an whole Year and he might have found me here before this if so he had pleased But since he hath allow'd me so much Time to my great Expence and Trouble that now at last I have reduced the Town of Calais into my Power I must beg his Pardon if I determine not so easily by the advice of an Enemy to forego what otherwise I am in a manner sure to win and which I always
which was u Dugd. 2 Vol. Bar. p. 151. ex Clâ—â—s 23. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. â— born in this Adventure by a Noble and Valiant Young Baron of England called Sr. Guy Brian Besides which Lord Mâ—â—ny there were present divers other English Lords who had their Banners in the Fold as Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk Ralph Lord Stafford the Lord John Montagu Brother to William Earl of Salisbury the Lord John Beauchamp Brother to Thomas Earl of Warwick the young Lord Roger de la Ware the Lord Thomas Berkley the Lord William x Dugd. Bar. 1 Vol. p. 550. ex Bet. Franc. 23 Ed. 3. m 4. Rous the Younger and there were no more Lords that bore Banners in this Exploit All these being come on Horseback in great silence to the Gate that respects Boulogne the Gates were presently set open and they all issued forth in good Order of Battle When the Frenchmen saw them come forth against them and heard them cry a Manny a Manny to the Rescue they saw well the Lombard had betray'd them and began to be in some Confusion But then the Lord Geoffry Charny like a wise and hardy Captain said aloud Messieurs if we turn our Backs we are all lost without Remedy 'T is more safe to expect our Enemies with a good Courage and then we shall obtain the Day The Front of the English hearing these Words said By Saint George You say well A shame on them that turn their Backs first And then the Frenchmen began to light off their Horses and order'd themselves for a standing Fight Whereupon King Edward spake to the Lord Manny Let us also get on Foot for the Enemy I see will expect us And at the same time he order'd a Detachment to go to Newland Bridge For he had heard that a good Body of Frenchmon were just sent thither to make good the Retreat besides a Considerable Party left there at first by St. Geoffry Charny Accordingly there went thither six Banners of England and 300 Archers on Horseback and there they found the Lord Moreaux de Frennes and the Lord of Crequy and others ready to keep the Bridge and before them between the Bidge and Calais stood ready ranged a Brigade of Arbalisters and Cross-bows Here began a terrible Medley the Archers of England piercing and breaking their Ranks thro and thro with their thick Flights of deadly Arrows so that presently there were more than six hundred Frenchmen slain or drown'd and stisted for they were easily beaten away by the Archers slain discomfited and chaced into the Water on each hand This was early in the Morning before Day-break when all things being rendred-undertain those who are set upon are usually the most fearfull However the French Men of Arms kept their Ground and for a while fought gallantly enough and did many proper Feats of Arms but the Englishmen from Calais perpetually flow'd in upon them and the French decreased as fast wherefore the rest seeing they could no longer maintain the Bridge such as had Horses by mounted and shew'd their Backs the English following after them on the Spurr while others were gleaning the Reliques of the Field at the Bridge and slaying and taking those Frenchmen who could not recover their Horses There the Lord of Fiennes the Lord of Crequy the Lord Dâ—deauville and Others that were well horsed saved themselves But far more were beaten and overthrown and many were taken thrô their own indiscreet Hardiness that might else have saved themselves not dishonourably But when at last it was Day light and the Frenchmen could plainly see all about them they began to look back and beheld that the Pursuers was far inferiour to them in Number wherefore they boldly faced about and began to order themselves for Battle and to call upon their fellows to come back and joyn them And here as some y Walsing hist p. 159. Stow p. 249. will have it was the King of England in this Party among the Pursuers eager of Honour thô to the great hazard of his Person and that being at first because unknown follow'd but by a Few namely 16 Men of Arms and about an 100 Archers on Horseback when he saw the Resolution of his Enemies who perceiving his small Numbers turned back upon him he as resolutely dismounted and put away his Horse from him cast away the scabbard of his Sword and set his Men in the best Order he might placing the Archers on the dry hills encompassed with Quagmires and Marshes to preserve them from the fury of the Enemies Horse at which instant lifting up the Visor of his Helmet a little to shew himself unto his Men he exhorted them aloud to play the Game of Honour lustily telling them that he was Edward of Windsor and would bear a part with them in this adventure So that the Hearts of the English were wonderfully exalted beyond their usual height of Courage being as well animated by the Example and Presence of their King as also by Honour and Necessity it self The Archers especially stripping up their sleeves to the shoulder to have the more liberty for Action stood ready to bestow their home-drawn Arrows with such judgement and concernedness that not one of them might fail of due Execution Then the Armed Men on both sides met furiously and the King in the Head of his Men did Marvels taging as z Walsing ibid. M. S. Vet. Angl. in â—â—bl C.C.C. c. 228. One says like a Wild Boar and crying out for Indignation as his usual Manner was Ha! St. Edward Ha! St. George the Archers all this while doing great Execution on the Enemies flank till at last the English being well-nigh opprest by the too unequal Numbers of the Enemy the Young Prince of Wales came opportunely to the Rescue But let who will be of this Opinion I cannot cordially embrace it my self not only because it makes so Great a Captain against decorum too inconsiderate and rash for that Character but also because it seems utterly improbable that the Prince of Wales the Lord Manny and those other Lords who knew of the Kings being there should suffer him to be so lightly attended in so hazardous a juncture or that thô disguised to the rest he was not yet remarkable enough to them Not to say that it is scarce credible the King who had such a zeal for the safety of Calais should leave the Head of the Enemy fighting at the Gates and run forth after Matters of far less Moment leaving the Place in danger of being taken From all which we are enclin'd to believe that when the Causey and Bridge was clear'd by that Detachment which the King had sent thither one Moiety might remain there still to clear the field of the French who could not recover their Horses or who sled not so fast and the other in the mean time follow'd the Chace upon the Spur And perhaps here and there did meet with some resistance till