Battle of Cravant. 31st July 1423
In the year fourteen hundred and twenty-three,
The late king reigning in Champagne,
Valiant French captains
To conquer beneath his banner.
Then the Earl of Salisbury,
Sir John of Luxembourg,
Fell upon them boldly in great force
And drove them swiftly from the field.
To give them aid there was sent
Buchan, Constable of Scotland.
Who later devoted himself to it,
With a great force of men-at-arms.
Then, as he was passing by Cravant,
Some sent word to him
That he should come swiftly to Cravant
To aid the French there.
He was given to understand
That the tower was held by the French,
And that, by waiting a little,
He would take the town at his ease.
There he assaulted it for a long time,
Maintaining the siege before the town.
And then the English, hotly,
Came there on foot, in haste.
The late king, wishing to strengthen
His men, holding firm nearby,
Caused to go and be transported there
Four hundred Spanish men-at-arms,
Whom the Count of Ventadour,
The lords of Bellin and Fontaines,
Found thereabouts,
Together with other captains.
The Burgundians and the English,
Against this supporting force,
Boldly crossed the ford
And charged them fiercely.
There were blows and heavy strokes
In the assault that was made.
But the English and Burgundians
Won that day.
There was a defeat
Of the French, of whom there died
About a thousand in the battle,
Besides the prisoners who were taken.
The aforesaid Constable of Scotland,
Ventadour, Gravaches and Bellin,
Surrendered, and were compelled
To submit themselves to ransom without delay.
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