in Normandy and dividing his Forces into three Bodies he marched into the Country and took several considerable Towns In the French Army were 60000 men of whom 3000 were Barons Knights and Gentlemen The Duke d'Alanson led the Van The Earl of Savoy commanded the Rear and the King of France himself was in the main Battel But the English Army was brought up the Vanguard by the Prince the main Body by King Edward and the Rear by the Earls of Arundel and Northampton the Lords Ross Willoughby St. Albans and Multon In the French Army some remarkable passages happened in the beginning of the Fight which gave a great discouragement to the French Forces They had in their Army 1500 Cross-Bows Genoueses stout and valiant Men. These had beeen placed in the front of the Duke of Alansoas Battel by a wise Commander in the Army but the Duke envying the Honour of that place to those Strangers caused them to be removed to another This discontented these Italians and made some disorder to be in that Battel which being taken notice of by King Edward he immediately commanded the Prince to advance and charge which was performed with that resolution that the French were routed King Philip seeing his Brother worsted by the English came into his Assistance with his Body The Fight was fierce bloudy and doubtful a great while till Philips Horse being killed under him he was conveyed out of the Battel This disdiscouraged all the rest and put them to a retreat When the Prince was engaged in the midst of his Enemies he sent to King Edward to come in but the King refused and bid him expect no help which made the English fight more desperately so that 30000 French were killed of which about 12000 were of great quality with the King of Bohemia and the Earl of Flanders After this great Victory King Edward besieged Chalice and took it In the same year the Queen obtained a great Victory over the Scots commanded by King David 15000 Scots were there slain with many Earls and Lords of Scotland After the winning of Chalice the King understanding the Governour intended to betray the Town for a great sum of Money goes over receives the Money and marched out to encounter with the French Forces in a disguise He was twice dismounted by one Ribomount who being taken Prisoner the King for his Valour released him without ransom CHAP. XXXIX Of the Famous Battel of Poictiers THe English Skill and Courage in War never appeared more in any Fight than in this of Poictiers The Prince had in his Army 2000 Horse and 8000 Archers with some Auxiliaries drawn out of the French Provinces with these Forces he marched out of Bourdeaux towards Poicton and Berry to draw King John out of Normandy When he heard of the Princes March he went to meet him with 30000 Horse and Foot The English wisely entrenched themselves amongst the Vineyards and might have been in time starved there by the French who with their numbers were able to inclose and besiege them round but the Kings Courage and the French fury could not suffer the sight of so small a party without a present Assault 300 of the ablest men of the French Army were ordered to begin and draw the English to a Battel but their defeat encouraged the English to encounter with three Bodies of the French Army the right Wing was commanded by the Constable the left by the Dolphin the main Battle was conducted by King John of France All three Battels were overthrown one after another 5000 were slain The King himself and his Son Philip were taken Prisoners honourably entertain'd and carryed to Bourdeaux and from thence into England The Wisdom and Courage of the Prince was here very remarkable in chusing such a ground to fight as rendred the French's chief strength of Horse useless in sending seasonable Supplies to such as were overpowred and in the disorder of the French Army in falling on with his whole strength How Glorious did the English Valour appear to all Foreign Nations when our Princes and our Gentry were so nobly employed in Foreign Countries and with such wonderful success that two of the greatest Monarchs of Europe commanding over the most Warlike People were at one time taken Prisoners and forced to submit to the Crown of England CHAP. XL. The brave Exploits of Robert Bruce King of Scotland AFter the death of Alexander King of Scotland Baliol and Bruce were Competitors for the Crown To save the Christian Blood the difference was left to the Arbitration of King Edward of England lately returned from the Holy Land Edward minding the encrease of the Honour of the English Crown more than the justness of the Cause grants the Royal Dignity of Scotland to King Baliol upon condition that he would do him homage for it When Baliol had yielded to this he was Crowned at Scone But Bruce with his Party held out in opposition to him and would by no perswasion quit his claim Baliol after his Coronation being discontented with King Edward upon an affront offered to him revolts from the English and takes up Arms but being overcome and taken Prisoner King Edward subdues most part of Scotland and resolves to unite it to the Crown of England The Scotch were soon weary of a Foreign Government they joyn themselves therefore with Bruce and encourage his Title that they might shake off the English Yoak Bruce begins with a small Party but finds Victory and Success which quickly drew to him all his discontented Countrymen John Cuinin Earl of Buchan first gathered an Army to oppose him but durst not venture a Battel which made him desire a Truce shortly after Bruce fell sick and Earl Cuinin taking this opportunity resolved to recover from him what was lost and to fall upon his Army Bruce though so weak that he could not sit on Horseback without being supported by two Servants encourageth his Men by his presence and Conduct for the sight and courage of a chief Commander is of great moment in War Bruce's Forces were so animated by the Kings presence though sick and weak that fearing no danger they fought desperately and routed their Enemies at Ennerury After this Victory Bruce recovered the Country of Arguile and all Galloway with all the Forts held by the English in Scotland and then invaded England from whence he carryed away much plunder and spoil King Edward to be revenged provided an Army of 100000 Men with which he marched into Scotland and at Bannocharn two Miles from Sterling met King Bruce with 30000 Scots The English had some discouragement the day before the Battel for they sent 800 Horse to Sterling but 500 Scots commanded by James Dowglass met with them and overthrew them The night before the Battel the Scots digged many pits and holes in the even ground which was design'd for the Field where they were to fight and in the Pits fixed sharp stakes headed with Irons covered them over with
sayled away for fear Cardonius a Spanish Captain coming then in to the rescue of his Fellows pursued him but was set upon by 15 Turks Gallies that turned back upon him slew him and most part of his Soldiers and Marriners and had undoubtedly taken his Gally had not Don John Columnius and Venerius been near at hand This Fight lasted five hours in which about 20000 Turks were slain amongst which were Haly Bassa the General Chiroche Cassanes Malamur Gider Cassambeius Proni Aga Mustapha Zelibi Caracoza a Famous Pyrat were chief 3500 were taken Prisoners the chief were Achmat and Mahomet the Sons of Haly and Nephews to Sultan Selimus with others of great account There were 161 Gallies taken and about 40 sunk of other Vessels were taken about 60. The Admiral Gally of the Turks was the most beautiful The Christians lost 7566. who were killed and about 7000 wounded This great Victory recovered about 12000 Christians out of Captivity and caused great rejoycing in Italy in Spain and all over the Christian Countries It was the greatest overthrow that the Turks have ever had at Sea But one of the Turkish Prisoners hearing some compare it to the loss of Cyprus which had been but a little before taken from the Venetians he affirmed that it was not so great as the Venetians loss for said he by the taking of Cyprus from them they have lost a Limb of their State which will never be recovered but this loss at Sea is like the shaving of the Sultans Beard which will grow again in a little while This overthrow so troubled Selimus that he commanded all the Christians of his Dominions to be flain but was disswaded from this barbarous Cruelty by Mahomet Bassa CHAP. XXXV The Brave Exploits of Sigismundus Bator against the Turks in Transilvania THis Prince was one of the Noblest and most Fortunate Generals of our late years When the Turks his unquiet neighbours together with the Tartars invaded his Dominions he set upon them and made a great slaughter of them He recovered Valachia and Moldavia from the Turks with the assistance of the two Princes of that Country Sinan was sent with a vast Army into Valachia where the Prince met him and in a great Battel which lasted from morning till night overthrew the Turks Army with a wonderful slaughter Sinan fled and left all his Tents and Great Guns with Rich Spoils to the Christian Army To revenge this great Loss Sinan Bassa the Turks chief General raised 70000 men to drive the Prince out of Valachia He came to Tergovista where he encamped with his Army but at the report of the Princes coming the Turks were so terrified that they fled and Sinan himself dreaded a second Encounter with so successful and valiant a General who pursued him from place to place as far as Tergovista where the Prince cut in pieces 4000 Turks who had bin plundring the Country and recovered 60000 Head of Cattle which they had taken out of Valachia The Castle of Tergovista which was secured by Sinan with a Guard of 4000 Turks commanded by Hassan Bassa was taken and all the Soldiers put to the Sword The Prince following the chase took Bucaresta forsaken by the Turks and overtook the Rear of their Army at a Bridge made over the Danubius Sinan who to stop the Princes course burnt the farther end of the Bridge and exposed many of his men to the fury of the Christian Army or to the unmerciful Waves of the River He marched next to a Castle which defended another passage over the same River where 700 Turks were in Garrison The Castle he took and put them all to the Sword for refusing to yield upon Summons This Prince blasted the Glory of Sinan Bassa which he had many years gotten by his skill in War and recovered three fruitful Provinces from the Turks Transilvania Valachia and Moldavia a greater loss they never received at one time by Land CHAP. XXXVI How Zellaly the Turkish Rebel overcame the Bassa of Bosna by Craft MAhomet the 3d. was grievously troubled by his Rebellious Subjects in Asia who had got together in such considerable numbers and had such brave Generals to command them that all his Forces were not able to subdue them They overcame and cut in pieces several of his best Captains At last he was advised to circumvent them and by fair means to draw them into his Service and into such places as he might take them off at his pleasure Zellaly was one of the most considerable to him he caused the Government of Bosna a rich Province to be offered if he would come over with 12000 men which he had under his command into Europe to assist in the Wars of Hungary Zellaly suffered himself to be perswaded by this great Preferment and to satisfie the expectation of his Lord did him wonderful service in Hungary But when the Great Bassa was departed towards Constantinople Zellaly withdrew himself into his promised Government to take possession of it and came to the chief Town of that Province named Bagualue only with 3000 men and encamped in a meadow before the Town Zeffer Bassa being then Governour and having no orders from Mahomet to depart from his Government fretted to see the boldness of the Rebel and resolved to correct him He called therefore together his Soldiers and marched out against Zellaly in hopes to cut him in pieces with his Slender and weak Company When Zellaly understood his purpose and saw how unable he was to withstand him he in the night caused several Fires to be made round about his Camp and then departed with his Forces Zeffer hearing of his Flight imagined that fear had obliged him to withdraw himself therefore he hasted to Zellalies Camp which he gave to be plundred by his Soldiers whilst they were plundring and carrying away the Spoils Zellaly returns with his 3000 stout and valiant Horsemen who finding them in disorder and secure slew 6000 of the Bassa's men and obliged him to fly away with many of his Followers After this Victory to improve it to his best advantage he marched speedily to all the chief places of the Province and forced the Inhabitants to swear unto him Allegiance from every corner he gathered many brave Horses Armour and Money to serve him in time of need All this he secured in the strong Town of Balnaluc and though he had been often sent for to Constantinople by the Sultan with promises of great Honour and Advantage he would never suffer himself to be perswaded to go so near his offended Lord or within his reach but excused himself in the best manner he could CHAP. XXXVIII Of the Battel of Crescy between King Edward the 3d. of England and King Philip of France Ann. Dom. 1343. IN the English Army were 4000 men at Arms 10000 Archers with some Welsh and Irish Auxiliaries All commanded by the King in person and Edward Prince of Wales The whole Army consisted of 30000 Men. He landed
Turves and Hurdles This Policy was very useful to them for the English Horse ignorant of this Stratagem sell into these Pits where the Scots encountred them in a great disorder The English were forced to retreat though the Scots pursued the Victory furiously the English had rallyed and were again going to try their fortune but the sight of the Scotch Carriages left upon the Hills with their Cattle and Servants making a great noise and shewing the appearance of another Army coming down to the assistance of their Fellows discouraged and put them to flight 10000 were here killed 700 Knights and Gentlemen and many Prisoners taken but King Edward escaped to York After this the Scots subdued and plundred all the Northern Countries as far as York and routed 10000 English in another Battel with the loss of 3000. there slain The King returned toward Scotland with another Army but King Bruce forced him to retreat with the loss of all his Treasure Edward Bruce the Kings Brother was likewise sent over into Ireland and subdued almost all that Kingdom to the Crown of Scotland This Robert Bruce enjoyed Scotland many years and then bequeathed it to his Son David and if he dyed without Issue to Robert Stuart his Sisters Son who was Granchild to Alexander Stuart who about the year 1255. defeared Atho King of Norway who had invaded the West part of Scotland with 20000 Danes and 120 Ships He killed 16000 in the Field and freed his Country from the cruelty and oppression of these Northern People and forced them to sue to the Scots for peace CHAP. XLI Of some of the most remarkable Persons for their Valour of that most Honourable and most Noble Family of the Stuarts THis Family for Antiquity may contend with any in Europe being derived from some of the most Antient British Kings of this Island And I am certain that in all Ages since it hath been taken notice of in History none hath been more fruitful of excellent Men for their Wisdom Valoua and other Abilities of Body and Mind Besides the fore-named Alexander Stuart who by his wise Conduct and Courage deliver'd his Native Country from a dangerous Invasion his Granchild Robert Suart who succeeded to the Crown of Scotland after David Bruce his Unkle and was the first of his name King of that Warlike People became one of the most famous Princes of his time for his Victories over his English Enemies He was no sooner promoted but a War broke out between England and Scotland for the killing of a Friend of George Dunbar by the English at a Fair. Dunbar to be revenged plundred the Fair and burnt the Town with the slaughter of all Opposers The Gentlemen Borderers on both sides invaded the Lands of one another At last Henry Pierce Earl of Northumberland gathers together 7000 Soldiers with whom he marched into Scotland as far as Dunce The Scots in the night instead of their Swords made use of their Rattles with which they commonly drive away the Deer from their Corn to encounter with their English Enemies and having the advantage of the Hills and Vallies to receive and increase the sound The noise was so great that the Eearls Horse turned back and fled and the rest of the Army fearing more danger than there was followed after leaving their Baggage to the Scots who got an easie Victory without drawing a Sword At the same time one Gordon lay in Ambush and defeated Thomas Musgrave Governour of Berwick and his Troops and took him Prisoner The English entred Scotland again under the Lord Talbot with fifteen thousand but in their return only 500 Horse in the Night assaulted and overthrew them because they imagined them to be a greater number King Richard of England invaded Scotland with 60000 men and a great Fleet but King Robert by entring and spoiling England dispersed this great Tempest without much loss to his own Kingdom In this Kings time the Scots took part of Ireland and the Isle of Man and had many notable Victories over the English so that after he had governed his Kingdom and defended it against all Invasions he left it to his eldest Son John who was perswaded by his Parliament to change his name into the fortunate name of Robert he had two Sons David and Robert the first was created Duke of Rothsay the second Duke of Albany David incurr'd his Fathers displeasure by his youthful pranks and was confin'd to the keeping and inspection of his younger Brother Robert who made him a close Prisoner and resolved to starve him to death but a Country Maid found means to preserve his Life for a while with thin Oat Cakes which she gave him through a Window and a certain Nurse caused him to suck her Breasts at a distance by a long Cane To King Robert succeeded his youngest Son James after a long Captivivity in England He deliver'd his Kingdom from many intestine Enemies Alexander Lord of the Isles was by him subdued and all the little Tyrants that plundred and robbed his People He commissioned several Judges to make a Circuit about his Kingdom and to hear the Complaints of his Subjects He was as great a Lover of Learning as of Justice and as careful to promote the publick good by inviting many skilful Persons in Manufactures His reputation was so great that he was earnestly courted by the Embassadours of the Kings of England and France to joyn with them in League and Affinity but at last he was so unhappy that a Conspiracy being made against him he was basely murthered at Perth by the Earl of Athol and his wicked Associates who within forty days after were deservedly tortured to death The Earl was Crowned with a burning Crown of Iron his Joynts dislocated by the Strapado the next day he was drawn through the streets of Edinburg upon a hurdle and executed for High Treason To King James the I. succeeded his Son James the II. yet a Minor Anno 1537 The Regency of the King and Kingdom was committed to Alexander Leviston The Queen a subtile Woman seeing distempers of the Kingdom encrease through the imperiousness and ill government of the Chancellour Chrichton resolved to get the King out of his Custody by this Invention She obtained leave to lodge with her Son in Edinburg Castle at last she found a means to convey him out of the Castle to Leith in her Trunk where her Linen was used to be kept This King when he came to be of Age obtained a notable Victory over the English at a place called Sarc and killed 3000 of his Enemies with the loss of 600 Scots The Earl Douglass was then too Potent for the King and Kingdom and too haughty for a Subject The King therefore weakens that powerful Family brought them upon their knees after many sierce Skirmishes and Battels and such as continued in their Rebellion he banished out of the Kingdom At last he raised an Army to assist the Duke of York against King
Henry the VI. of England After this Kings overthrow the Lords sent to King James to desire him to disband his Army and not to molest the English Borders threarning him that if he did otherwise they would meet him in the Field He answered the Messengers That he was resolved to take the Town and Castle of Roxburg which he had besieged and that he was not to be driven away from thence by Words As King James was storming the Castle of Roxburg he gave fire to one of the great Guns himself and was suddenly struck dead The Queen then in the Army desired the Lords not to be dejected by the Kings death nor to forsake the Siege and told them that she would provide another King for them her Son James then about nine years old who was brought into the Camp and saluted King by the Army who never left off till they had taken the Castle and demolished it Thus this Couragious Queen undaunted at the unexpected death of her Husband continued in the Field to hearten the Soldiers and force the Enemy to surrender this strong Castle to the Scots King James the III. succeeding to his Father wanted not his Courage though he suffered himself to be too much govern'd by his passions which brought him at last to an untimely end To him succeeded James the IV. who in the year 1500 proclaimed a War against England in favour of the French and sent a great Fleet to their Assistance He was so resolved that when he was disswaded from a Battel with the English because of his small and weak number he declared to the Earl of Angus he would fight them if they were one hundred thousand strong The Scots according to the example of their King fought stoutly and though there were 5000 of them killed they slew as many of the English But the King lost his life in this Battel of Fluddon Field He was so zealous for the Christian Religion that he obtained from the Pope the stile of Protector of the Faith James the V. a Child succeeds his Father under several Regents At last the distractions of the Kingdom forced the Nobility to invite over from France John Stuart Duke of Albany 1514. to take upon him the Government of the King and Kingdom He was a wise and moderate man but much addicted to the French faction and interest He was a Nephew of King James the III. by his Brother Alexander It was the unhappiness of this and several of the former Kings to come to their Crown before they had knowledge and ability to bear them therefore divisions and factions in the State between great and Ambitious Men did miserably tear that poor Kingdom of Scotland and caused many calamities to fall upon the innocent Inhabitants When King James the V. came to be of Age he visited with a fleet all the Islands and punished such disorderly Rebels as regarded not his Predecessors commands He went over into France and marryed first Magdalen the French Kings Daughter but she dyed suddenly He marryed next with Mary of the House of Guise of whom was born that excellent Queen Mary of Scotland whose Rebellious Subjects and over-jealous Kinswoman brought her after much affliction and a long imprisonment to an undeserved Death She was conveyed into France and marryed to the Dolphin and her mother declared Regent in Scotland About this time happened great troubles all over that Kingdom by the bringing in of the Protestant Reformation which was opposed by the Queen Regent and her French Faction with the Roman Clergy but much encouraged by the People the Gentry and Nobility and especially by James a Bastard Son of James the V. who leaving the command of his Cloyster was created by his Sister Queen Mary Earl of Murrey Queen Elizabeth of England was not wanting to the Protestant party in Scotland she sent them both Men and Money and by the assistance of the English the French were driven out of Scotland Queen Mary after the death of her Husband the French King returns by shipping to Scotland where she found the Religion of the Country changed by an Act of Parliament and the Roman Faith abolished Though the Queen had the liberty of the Mass in her own Chappel the furious Zeal of the reformed party was scandalous and unsufferable for they offered many affronts to the Queens Domesticks of the Roman persuasion Therefore to strengthen her self against a contrary faction she calls home Mathew Stuart Earl of Lenox out of England where he had lived in Exile This Noble Man brought with him a Son named Henry commonly called the Lord Darly to the Court of Scotland where as soon as the Queen fixed her Eyes upon him she chose him for her Husband and dignified him with the Dukedom of Rothesay and Earldom of Ross to make him a fitter match for a Queen He was a person of admirable and comely presence and a zealous Roman Catholick After he was marryed and proclaimed King many of the Nobility grew discontented and fell into several parties labouring to breed a difference between the King and Queen which they found means to effect after the King had caused David Riz her French Secretary to be violently carryed away from the Queens presence and murdered she being then big with Child Afterwards she was brought to bed in Edinburg Castle of a Son named James who after the decease of Queen Elizabeth united both Kingdoms and put an end to the quarrels of both Nations The Queens Husband was afterwards inhumanely murdered by Earl Bothwel and other Conspirators The distressed Queen after many hazards and troubles flies for shelter into England where instead of a Sanctuary she finds a Prison and Death King James though Crowned young and governed by his Unkle Murrey proved one of the most excellent Princes for Wisdom Learning and all other Princely Endowments that ever any Nation was blessed with He was first govern'd by his Unkle Murrey but he being shot by one Hamilton in the Streets of Lithgo and killed Mathew Lenox the young Kings Grandfather was made Regent of Scotland during his Minority but he being also killed at Sterlin the Earls Morton and Mar were appointed to succeed But when the King was twelve years of Age he took upon him the Government and was assisted by twelve Noble Men as Councellours Then his Kinsman Esmerus Stuart the Son of John the Brother of Mathew late Earl of Lenox came over from France to visit his Cousin King James and was by him highly advanced made Lord Chamberlain of Scotland Captain of Dunbritton and Duke of Lenox His Father for his extraordinary Valour at the Battel of Baugy against the English had the Noble seat of Aubigny bestowed upon him by the French King Charles the VII King James met with many difficulties and snares out of which Providence and his own discretion led him safe to the Crown of England to the great Joy and Happiness of both Kingdoms He marryed with Anne Daughter
to the King of Denmark and by her had two Sons Prince Henry who was the great expectation of the Enlish Nation but suddenly snatcht away by death Prince Charles and the Lady Elizabeth marryed to the Prince Palatine of the Rhine Prince Charles Successour to his Father and Heir of three flourishing Kingdoms after many Battels where he shewed his undaunted Courage as well as Piety in his Afflictions was by a most unnatural most devillish and unparalell'd Rebellion murdered by his Subjects Never any Prince was better qualified for a Crown never any more patient in distress Instead of the Imperial Crown of these Realms Providence bestowed upon him the Crown of Martyrdom and his memory will ever continue precious in the remembrance of all his Loyal Subjects He was too much a Christian to continue long in Peace Governour over such a tumultuous People This Nation hath been happy many years in excellent wise and valiant Princes who have protected us and our Estates from forrein and intestine Enemies Our late King Charles the II. of ever blessed Memory was drawn into the Field betimes to contend with Cruelty Rebellion and Tyranny when to the loss of his Patrimony was added the loss of so good a Father and the Banishment of his Friends his excellent Courage was not dejected but under so many aggravations of Sorrow under so many pressing and grievous Afflictions as were sent to welcom him into the World he endeavour'd to recover by his Valour and Conduct his Kingdoms and Crowns In Scotland when he was to struggle with a seditious and troublesome Generation and was to encounter with a Victorious Army of Enemies his Wisdom preserved his divided party from that ruine into which they were falling by their needless Factions and at the unhappy Battel of Worcester King Charles shewed himself to be a wise and diligent Commander and an undaunted Soldier by the confession of his greatest Enemies But that which this brave Prince attempted to obtain by his just Arms Providence procured to him by a Miracle I mean the Restauration of the Royal Family to their Dignities and Estates without any effusion of Bloud when there were so many Enemies both at home and abroad to oppose them In this short summary of the Heroes of the Royal Family I cannot but mention our present King James the II. whose great Courage undaunted Spirit and Noble Mind hath been sufficiently tryed both at at home and abroad both by Sea and Land against Foreign Enemies in the Field and furious and unreasonable Combitations of sactious Spirits within the Kingdom Victory and success hath always attended upon him and may this most Excellent Prince long continue over us in all prosperity and happiness and may his Enemies lick the dust CHAP. XLIV Of the Conquest of France by King Henry the V. and several other Remarkable Passages in that famous War KIng Henry the V. for the recovering of his Right to the Crown of France which was denyed to him upon the pretence of the Salick Law sent over the Duke of Exeter his Unkle with several Noble Men and 500 Horse to Charles the VI. of France to demand the Crown and with it the Princess Catherine the French Kings Daughter The Dolphin in contempt of King Henry's youthful days sent him in scorn a Tunn of Tennis Balls to play with The King was so sensible of this scornful present that he swore That he would toss so many Iron Balls in France that the strongest Rackets in that Kingdom should not be able to return them back It is no Wisdom to provoke the weakest Enemy nor safe to contemn the meanest Power for that which is wanting in Ability may be made good by diligence and policy King Henry for the obtaining of his purpose transported over an Army into France Harflew was besieged and within six Weeks taken The Soldiers had liberty to plunder it A sudden distemper happened in the English Army which destroyed many of the stoutest Soldiers who are as much subject to death in their Tents as in the midst of the Enemies Swords and the showres of shot The King left a Garrison in Harflew and resolved by land to march to Chalice with Two Thousand Horse and Thirteen Thousand Archers The Dolphin with above Thirty Thousand at Rohan resolved in Council to sight the English At Agencourt the Constable of France came to the Dolphin with Ten Thousand Horse and some Foot The French as their manner is boasted of the Victory before they had got it but they presumed so much upon their numbers that they thought to swallow up the English King Henry had wisely provided all things for a Fight He had got a number of Stakes strengthned with sharp Irons at each end with them he fences in his Foot that they might find in case of necessity some defence against the multitudes of the Enemies Horse The French Army was divided into three Battalions the first consisting of 16000. was lead by the Constable the second by the Dukes of Alanson and Barr the third was commanded by the Earls of Mark and Damp. The English Vanguard was brought up by the Duke of York the main Battel in which were the strongest Bill-men by the King assisted by the Duke of Glocester the Earls of Oxford and Suffolk The Rear was marshalled by the Duke of Exeter the Kings Unkle An Ambush of English Archers was placed within a new hedge to receive and surprize the French at their first approach They did such good service with their showres of Arrows which fell upon the Van of the French Army consisting for the most part of Horse that they were overthrown and helped to trample upon and disorder their Foot In that hurly burly the English Bill-men fell upon them with such fury that they were forced to fly but at the coming in of the French main Battel the English retreated in order within their Stakes and where then followed by the French Horse with more hast than discretion for they found themselves so entangled that many of the most furious lost their Lives Here the King fought hand to hand with the Duke of Alanson and beat him down and would have spared his Life had not his Guard killed him before he was aware When the two first Battalions were overthrown the third had no stomack to go on to the charge and though they were the greater number they fled and craved quarter which was granted but when a dreadful noise was heard from the English Camp occasioned by 600 Horse that fell in to plunder the English behind their Backs the King imagining that another Army was coming on to assault him and that so many thousand Prisoners might rise up and endanger his Army in the Rear commanded them all to be flain for which he ever after was heartily sorry In this Battel sell the Constable and Admiral of France the Dukes of Alanson Brabant and Barre many Earls 25 Barons 8000 Knights Esquires and Gentlemen and many