Froissart Book 3: 1342-1346 is in Froissart.
203. At this time King Edward of England conceived and resolved that he would have rebuilt and newly established the great castle of Windsor, which King Arthur had once caused to be made and founded, where first had been begun and held the noble Round Table, from which so many good and valiant knights had issued, laboring in arms and in prowess throughout the world. And the said king would make an ordinance of knights, of himself and of his sons and of the worthiest of his land; and they should in number be up to forty, and they should be called the Knights of the Blue Garter, and the feast should be held and maintained from year to year, and solemnized at Windsor Castle on the day of Saint George. And to begin this feast, the King of England assembled from all his land earls, barons, and knights, and told them of his intention and the great desire he had to undertake the feast. They gladly agreed, for it seemed to them an honorable matter, and one wherein all fellowship should be nourished. Then were chosen forty knights, by judgment and by renown the most valiant of all the others. And they sealed and bound themselves, upon their faith and by oath, together with the king, to hold and pursue the feast and the ordinances such as they had been agreed and devised. And the king caused to be founded and built a chapel of Saint George in the said castle of Windsor. And there he established and placed canons to serve God, and endowed and provided them well and richly. And so that the feast should be known and proclaimed in all the marches, the King of England sent his heralds to publish and announce it in France, in Scotland, in Burgundy, in Hainaut, in Flanders, in Brabant, and also in the empire of Germany. And he granted to all knights and squires who wished to come fifteen days of safe-conduct after the feast.
203. En ce temps vint en pourpos et en volenté au roy Edouwart d'Engleterre que il feroit refaire et reedefiier le grant chastiel de Windesore, que li rois Artus fist jadis faire et fonder, là où premierement fu commencie et estorée la noble Table Reonde, dont tant de bons et vaillans chevaliers issirent et travillièrent en armes et en proèce par le monde; et feroit li dis rois une ordenance de chevaliers, de lui et de ses enfans et des plus preus de sa terre; et seroient en somme jusques à quarante, et les nommeroit on les chevaliers dou Bleu Gartier, et la feste à tenir et à durer d'an en an et à solennisier ou chastiel de Windesore, le jour Saint George. Et pour ceste feste commencier, li rois d'Engleterre assambla de tout son pays contes, barons et chevaliers; et leur dist sen intention et le grant desir qu'il avoit de la feste entreprendre. Se li accordèrent liement, pour tant que ce leur sambloit une cose honnourable, et où toute amour se nouriroit. Adonc furent esleu quarante chevalier, par avis et par renommée les plus preus de tous les aultres. Et seelèrent et se oblegièrent, sus foy et par sierement, avoech le roy à tenir et à poursievir la feste et les ordenances, tèles que elles estoient acordées et devisées. Et fist li rois fonder et edefiier une capelle de Saint Jorge ou dit chastiel de Windesore. Et y establi et mist canonnes pour Dieu servir, et les arrenta et aprouvenda bien et largement. Et pour ce que la feste fust sceue et cogneue en toutes marces, li rois d'Engleterre l'envoia publiier et denoncier par ses hiraus en France, en Escoce, en Bourgongne, en Haynau, en Flandres et en Braibant, et ossi en l'empire d'Alemagne. Et donnoit à tous chevaliers et escuiers qui venir y voloient, quinze jours de saufconduit après le feste. Et devoient estre à ceste feste unes joustes de quarante chevaliers de par dedens, attendans tous aultres, et de quarante ossi escuiers. Et devoit seoir ceste feste le jour Saint Gorge proçain venant, que on compteroit l'an de grasce mil trois cens quarante quatre, ens ou chastiel de Windesore. Et devoit estre la royne d'Engleterre acompagnie de trois cens dames et damoiselles, toutes nobles et gentilz dames, et parées d'uns paremens semblables. At this time King Edward of England conceived and resolved that he would have rebuilt and newly established the great castle of Windsor, which King Arthur had once caused to be made and founded, where first had been begun and held the noble Round Table, from which so many good and valiant knights had issued, laboring in arms and in prowess throughout the world. And the said king would make an ordinance of knights, of himself and of his sons and of the worthiest of his land; and they should in number be up to forty, and they should be called the Knights of the Blue Garter, and the feast should be held and maintained from year to year, and solemnized at Windsor Castle on the day of Saint George. And to begin this feast, the King of England assembled from all his land earls, barons, and knights, and told them of his intention and the great desire he had to undertake the feast. They gladly agreed, for it seemed to them an honorable matter, and one wherein all fellowship should be nourished. Then were chosen forty knights, by judgment and by renown the most valiant of all the others. And they sealed and bound themselves, upon their faith and by oath, together with the king, to hold and pursue the feast and the ordinances such as they had been agreed and devised. And the king caused to be founded and built a chapel of Saint George in the said castle of Windsor. And there he established and placed canons to serve God, and endowed and provided them well and richly. And so that the feast should be known and proclaimed in all the marches, the King of England sent his heralds to publish and announce it in France, in Scotland, in Burgundy, in Hainaut, in Flanders, in Brabant, and also in the empire of Germany. And he granted to all knights and squires who wished to come fifteen days of safe-conduct after the feast.
210. At sunrise the English, who had been ordered to make the assault by water in their ships, were fully prepared. The captains among them were the Earl of Pembroke and the Earl of Hereford. With them were many young knights and squires who had come there of their own eager will, to advance themselves in arms. In that fleet there was a great number of archers. They advanced swiftly and came up to a great barrier that stood before the palisade, which was soon broken down and cast to the ground.
210. Droit à heure de soleil levant, furent li Englès, qui ordonné estoient pour assallir par aigue en leur navie, tout apparillé. Et en estoient chapitainne li contes de Pennebruch et li contes de Kenfort. Là avoit avoecques eulz pluiseurs jones chevaliers et escuiers qui s’i estoient trait de grant volenté, pour leurs corps avancier. En celle navie avoit grant fuison d’arciers. Si approcièrent vistement, et vinrent jusques à un grant roulleis qui estoit devant les palis, li quelz fu tantost rompus et jettés par terre.
[210] The men of Bergerac and the commonalty of the town perceived that in no way could they endure against that assault. They began to lose heart and went to the Count of L’Isle and to the knights who were there, and said to them: "My lords, consider what you wish to do. We are in danger of being utterly lost. If this town is taken, we shall lose our goods and our lives as well. It would be better for us to surrender it to the Earl of Derby than to suffer greater harm." Then the Count of L’Isle answered and said: "Come, let us go where you say the danger lies, for we will not surrender it in this manner." Thereupon the knights and squires of Gascony who were there came forward toward the palisades and set themselves to the defense with great courage. The archers, who were in their barges, shot so thickly and so straight that scarcely anyone could appear without putting himself in danger of being slain or grievously wounded. Within the town, together with the Gascons, there were some two hundred Genoese crossbowmen, who did them great service; for they were well shielded against the shooting of the English and sorely troubled the English archers throughout that day. There were many wounded on both sides. At length the English, who were in their ships, pressed the attack so vigorously that they broke down a great section of the palisade. When those of Bergerac saw the peril, they came forward and asked for a truce, that they might take counsel concerning their surrender. It was granted to them for the remainder of the day and the following night until sunrise, on condition that they should not strengthen themselves in any way. Thus each side withdrew to its lodgings.
[210] Li homme de Bregerach et li communaultés de le ville regardèrent que nullement il ne pooient durer contre cel assaut; si se commencièrent à esbahir, et vinrent au conte de [Lille] et as chevaliers qui là estoient, et leur disent: «Signeur, regardés que vous volés faire: nous sommes en aventure de estre tout perdu. Se ceste ville est prise, nous perderons le nostre et nos vies ossi. Si vaurroit mieus que nous le rendissions au conte Derbi que donc que nous euissions plus grant damage.» Adonc respondi li contes de [Lille] et dist: «Alons, alons celle part où vous dittes que li perilz est, car nous ne le renderons 5pas ensi.» Lors s’en vinrent li chevalier et li escuier de Gascongne qui là estoient, contre ces pallis, et se misent tout au deffendre de grant corage. Li arcier, qui estoient en leurs barges, traioient si ouniement et si roit que à painnes se pooit nulz apparoir, se il ne se voloit mettre en aventure d’estre mors ou trop malement bleciés. Par dedens le ville, avoech les Gascons, avoit bien deux cens arbalestriers geneuois, qui trop grant pourfit leur fisent; car il estoient bien paveschiet contre le tret des Englès, et ensonnièrent tout ce jour grandement les arciers d’Engleterre. Si en y eut pluiseurs bleciés, d’une part et d’aultre. Finablement li Englès, qui estoient en leur navie, s’esploitièrent telement qu’il rompirent un grant pan dou palis. Quant cil de Bregerach veirent le meschief, il se traisent avant et requisent à avoir respit, tant qu’il fuissent consilliet pour yaus rendre. Il leur fu acordé le parfait dou jour et le nuit ensievant jusques à soleil levant, sauf tant qu’il ne se devoient de riens fortefiier. Ensi se retrest cescuns à son logeis.
That night the barons of Gascony who were there held a great council, to determine how they might conduct themselves. When they had taken counsel, they had their horses saddled and their goods loaded, mounted, and departed about midnight. They rode toward the town of La Réole, which is not far from there. The gates were opened to them; they entered within and lodged and quartered themselves throughout the town. Now we shall tell of those of Bergerac and how matters ended for them.
[210] Celle nuit furent en grant conseil li baron de Gascongne qui là estoient, à savoir comment il se maintenroient. Iaus bien consilliet, il fisent ensieller lors chevaus et cargier de leur avoir, et montèrent et se partirent environ mienuit. Et chevaucièrent vers le ville de le Riolle, qui n’est mies lonch de là. On leur ouvri les portes; si entrèrent ens et se logièrent et herbergièrent parmi le ville. Or, vous dirons de chiaus de Bregerac comment il finèrent.
211. When morning came, the English, who were fully resolved to enter the town of Bergerac, whether peacefully or otherwise, re-embarked in their ships and rowed back to the place where they had broken the palisade. There they found a great number of the townspeople, who were wholly minded to surrender, and they begged the knights who were present to entreat the Earl of Derby that he would receive them to mercy, saving their bodies and their goods, and that henceforth they would place themselves in the obedience of the King of England. The Earl of Pembroke and the Earl of Hereford replied that they would gladly speak of it; and then they asked where the Count of L’Isle and the other barons were. The townsmen answered: "In truth, we do not know; for they loaded and packed all their goods about midnight and departed, but they did not tell us in what direction they would go."
211. Quant ce vint au matin, li Englès qui estoient tout conforté d’entrer en le ville de Bregerach, 5fust bellement ou aultrement, entrèrent de recief en leur navie, et vinrent tout nagant à cel endroit où il avoient rompu les palis. Si trouvèrent illuech grant fuison de chiaus de le ville qui estoient tout avisé d’yaus rendre, et priièrent as chevaliers qui là estoient 10qu’il volsissent priier au conte Derbi qu’il les volsist prendre à merci, salve leurs corps et leurs biens, et en avant il se metteroient en l’obeissance dou roy d’Engleterre. Li contes de Pennebruch et li contes de Kenfort respondirent qu’il en parleroient 15volentiers; et puis demandèrent il où li contes de [Lille] et li aultre baron estoient. Il respondirent: «Certainnement nous ne savons, car il cargièrent et toursèrent très le mienuit tout le leur et se partirent, mès point ne nous disent quel part il se trairoient.»
At these words the two earls above named departed and went to the Earl of Derby, who was not far from there, and told him all that the people of Bergerac were willing to do. The said Earl of Derby, who was very noble and most gracious of heart, replied: "He who asks mercy ought to have mercy. Tell them to open their town and let us enter; we assure them of ourselves and of our men." Then the two lords returned and reported to those of Bergerac all that you have heard. They were greatly rejoiced when they saw that they might come to peace. They went into the square and rang the bells, and all assembled, men and women alike. They caused the gates to be opened and came in great procession and with much humility to meet the Earl of Derby and his men, and led him to the great church. There they swore to him fealty and homage and acknowledged him as lord, in the name of the King of England, by virtue of the authority he bore. Thus at that time the Earl of Derby gained the good town of Bergerac, which remained thereafter English. Now we shall speak of the lords of Gascony who had withdrawn into the town and castle of La Réole, and tell how they conducted themselves.
Sus ces parolles, se partirent li doi conte dessus nommet, et vinrent au conte Derbi, qui n’estoit mies loing de là, et li moustrèrent tout ce que les gens de Bregerach voloient faire. Li dis contes Derbi, qui fu moult nobles et très gentilz de coer, respondi: «Qui merci prie, merci doit avoir. Dittes leur qu’il oevrent leur ville et nous laissent ens: nous les assegurons de nous et des nostres.» Adonc retournèrent li doi signeur dessus dit, et recordèrent à chiaus de Bregerach tout ce que vous avés oy: dont il furent moult joiant, quant il veirent qu’il pooient venir à pais. Si vinrent ou le place et sonnèrent les sains, et se assamblèrent tout, hommes et femmes, et fisent ouvrir leurs portes, et vinrent à grant pourcession et moult humlement contre le conte Derbi et ses gens, et le menèrent à le grant eglise. Et là li jurèrent il feaulté 5et hommage et le recogneurent à signeur, ou nom dou roy d’Engleterre, par le vertu de le procuration qu’il en portoit. Ensi eut en ce temps li contes Derbi le bonne ville de Bregerach, qui se tint toutdis depuis englesce. Or, parlerons nous des signeurs de Gascongne qui estoient retrait en le ville et ou chastiel de le Riolle, et vous conterons comment il se maintinrent.
219. All the words, the signals, and the condition of the messenger, how he had been taken before Auberoche, the contents of his letter, and the desperate state of those in the castle, were learnt and reported at Bordeaux to the Earl of Derby and to Sir Walter de Manny by a spy they had sent into the host. He told them: "My lord, from what I can understand, if your knights are not reinforced within three days they will be either dead or taken. And gladly would they surrender, if they could be received to mercy; but it seems to me they will not." When the Earl of Derby and Sir Walter de Manny heard this news they were not at all pleased, and said between themselves: "It would be cowardice and villainy if we let three such fine knights perish as they are, who have so bravely held Auberoche. We will go there at once and put ourselves in motion, and first send word to the Count of Périgord, who is at Bergerac, that he come to us at that hour, and likewise to Sir Richard de Stafford and to Sir Estienne de Tombi, who are at Libourne."
219. Toutes le[s] parolles et les devises et le couvenant dou messagier, comment il avoit esté pris devant Auberoce, et l'estat de la lettre, et le neccessité de chiaus dou chastiel furent sceues et raportées à Bourdiaus au conte Derbi et à monsigneur Gautier de Mauni, par une leur espie qu'il avoient envoiiet en l'ost, et qui leur dist: "Mi signeur, à ce que j'ai pout entendre, se vo chevalier ne sont conforté dedens trois jours, il seront ou mort ou pris. Et volentiers se renderoient, se on les voloit prendre à merci, mès il me samble que nennil." De ces nouvelles ne furent mies li contes Derbi et messires Gautiers de Mauni bien joiant, et disent entre yaus: "Ce seroit lasqueté et villonnie, se nous [laissons] perdre trois si bons chevaliers que cil sont, qui si franchement se sont tenu dedens Auberoce. Nous irons ceste part et nous esmouverons tout premièrement, et manderons au conte de Pennebruch, qui se tient à Bregerach, qu'il soit dalés nous à cèle heure, et ossi à monsigneur Richart de Stanfort et à monsigneur Estievene de Tombi qui se tient à Liebrone."
[219] Then the Earl of Derby made great haste, and sent his messengers and letters to the Earl of Pembroke. And he departed from Bordeaux with the men he had, and rode secretly toward Auberoche, well guided by those who knew the country. The Earl of Derby came to Libourne, and there he stayed one day, awaiting the Earl of Pembroke, but he did not come. When he saw that he would not come at all, he was greatly angered, and set out on the road again, moved by the strong desire he had to aid his knights who were holding themselves within Auberoche, for he well knew they were in great need.
[219] [Adoncques ly contes Derby se hasta durement, et envoia ses messages et ses lettres devers le conte de Pennebruk. Et se parti de Bourdiaux à ce qu'il avoit de gens, et chevaucha tout couvertement devers Auberoche; bien avoit qui le menoit et qui congnissoit le pais. Si vint ly contes Derby à Liebrone] et là sejourna un jour, attendans le conte de Pennebruch, et point ne vint. Quant il vei qu'il ne venroit point, si fu tous courouciés et se mist au chemin, pour le grant desir qu'il avoit de conforter ses chevaliers qui en Auberoce se tenoient, car bien [sçavoit] qu'il en avoient grant mestier.
[219] Then from Libourne set out the Earl of Derby, the Earl of Renfort [Richmond], Sir Walter de Manny, Sir Richard de Stafford, Sir Hugh Hastings, Sir Estienne de Tombi, the lord of Ferrières, and the other companions. They rode all night and the next day came within two small leagues of Auberoche. They halted in a wood and dismounted; they tied their horses to the trees and bushes and let them pasture on the grass, all the while waiting for the Earl of Pembroke. They remained there the whole morning, even until noon. They were greatly astonished that they had heard no news of that earl. When the hour for mounting returned, and seeing that the earl did not come, they said among themselves, "What shall we do? Shall we go assault our enemies, or shall we return?" They were much in doubt what to do, for they did not see themselves strong enough to fight such a host as was before Auberoche, for they were no more than three hundred lances and six hundred archers. The French might number between ten and eleven thousand men. Yet they could not leave it; for well they knew that if they departed without raising the siege they would lose the castle of Auberoche and the knights who were their companions inside.
[219] Si issirent de Liebrone li contes [Derbi] li contes de Renfort, messires Gautiers de Mauni, messires Richars de Stanfort, messires Hues de Hastinghes, messires Estievenes de Tombi, li sires de Ferrières et li aultre compagnon. Et chevaucièrent toute nuit, et vinrent à l'endemain à deux petites liewes d'Auberoce. Si se boutèrent en un bois, et descendirent de leurs chevaus; et les alloiièrent as arbres et as foellies, et les laissièrent pasturer en l'erbe, toutdis attendans le conte de Pennebruch. Et furent là toute la matinée, et jusques à nonne. Si s'esmervilloient trop durement de ce qu'il n'ooient nulle nouvelle dou dit conte. Quant ce vint sus l'eure de remontière, et il veirent que point ne venoit li contes, si disent entre yaus: "Que ferons nous? Irons nous assallir nos ennemis, ou nous retourons?" Là furent en grant imagination quel cose il en feroient, car ilz ne se veoient mies gens pour combatre une tèle hoost qu'il y avoit devant Auberoce, car il n'estoient non plus de trois cens lances et de six cens arciers. Et li François pooient estre entre dix mille et onze mille hommes. A envis ossi le la[i]ssoient, car bien savoient, se il se partoient sans le siège lever, il perd[r]oient le chastiel d'Auberoce et les chevaliers leurs compagnons qui dedens estoient.
The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel Volume 2 Chapters 61-109 1342-1361
The Chronicle of Jean le Bel, Volume 2 continues one of the most important fourteenth-century accounts of the early Hundred Years’ War. Written by the Liège chronicler Jean le Bel, this vivid narrative follows the fortunes of Edward III, Jean II of France, the Black Prince, the great nobles of France and England, and the soldiers, captains and companies who shaped the conflict. This volume covers some of the most dramatic events of the period, including the battles of Crécy and Poitiers, the siege and capture of Calais, the captivity of King John, the rise of the Jacquerie, the turmoil in Paris under Étienne Marcel and Charles of Navarre, the devastation caused by the free companies, Edward III’s great campaign of 1359–1360, and the negotiations leading to the Treaty of Brétigny. Jean le Bel’s chronicle is especially valuable for its lively detail, its interest in chivalry, warfare, politics and reputation, and its influence on later chroniclers, most famously Froissart. This English translation presents the text in clear, readable British English while preserving the force and character of the original narrative. The translation includes extensive notes to help the reader better understand Jean le Bel's text. Volume 2 also includes translated appendices drawn from royal and administrative records, many from the English Record Office, which illuminate Edward III’s campaigns in Brittany, the siege and occupation of Calais, naval preparations, military finance, appointments, safe conducts and related affairs.
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Finally, after considering everything and weighing the good against the bad, they agreed that, in the name of God and Saint George, they would go and fight their enemies. Then they took counsel on how it should be done; and the plan which pleased them most came from Sir Walter de Manny, who said: "My lords, we shall all mount our horses and skirt along under cover of this wood where we are now, until we come out on the other side, quite near to their camp. And when we are close, we shall strike our spurs into our horses and cry our war-cries aloud. We shall fall upon them just at the hour of supper. You will see them so taken by surprise and so astonished at our coming that they will be thrown into confusion of their own accord." Then the knights who were called to this council replied: "We will do as you have ordered." So each man remounted his horse and tightened his girths; they strapped their armor close, and ordered all their pages, squires, and baggage to remain behind. Then they rode quietly along the edge of the wood, until they came out on the other side, where the French host was encamped nearby, in a great valley by a small river. When they were come there, they unfurled their banners and pennons, spurred their horses, and rode straight forward in line upon the broad meadow, charging into the camp of those lords of Gascony, who were completely taken by surprise, as were their men; for of this ambush they had no suspicion, and they were even then about to sit down to supper. And many were already seated, feeling safe and at ease, for they had never imagined that the Earl of Derby would come upon them at such an hour.
Finablement, tout consideret, et peset le bien contre le mal, il s'acordèrent à ce que, ou nom de Dieu et de saint Jorge, il iroient combatre leurs ennemis. Or avisèrent il comment; et l'avis là où le plus il s'arrestèrent, il leur vint de monsigneur Gautier de Mauni, qui dist ensi: «Signeur, nous monterons tout à cheval, et costierons à le couverte ce bois où nous sommes à present, tant que nous serons sus l'autre cornée, au lés delà qui joint moult priès de leur host. Et quant nous serons priès, nous feri[r]ons chevaus des esporons et escrierons nos cris hautement; nous y enterons droit sus l'eure dou souper: vous les verés si souspris et si esbahis de nous, qu'il se desconfiront d'eulz meismes.» Adonc respondirent li chevalier qui furent appellet à ce conseil: «Nous le ferons ensi que vous l'ordonnés.» Si reprist cescuns son cheval, et les recenglèrent estroitement; et fisent restraindre leurs armeures, et ordonnèrent tous leurs pages, leurs varlès et leurs malètes à là demorer. Et puis chevaucièrent tout souef au loing dou bois, tant qu'il vinrent sus l'autre cornée où li hos françoise estoit logie assés priès, en un grant val, sus une petite rivière. Lors qu'il furent là venu, il desvolepèrent leurs banières et leurs pennons, et ferirent chevaus des esperons, et s'en vinrent tout de front sus le large planter et ferir en l'ost de ces signeurs de Gascongne, qui furent bien souspris, et leurs gens ossi; car de celle embusche ne se donnoient il nulle garde, et se devoient tantos seoir au souper. Et li pluiseur y estoient jà assis comme gent asseguret, car il ne cuidaissent jamais que li contes Derbi deuist là venir ensi à tèle heure.
220. [21st October 1345] And behold, the English came striking into that host, well prepared and foreseeing what they had to do, crying out: "Derby! Derby for the count!" and "Manny! Manny for the lord!" Then they began to cut down and hew apart the tents, chests, and pavilions, overturning one upon another, striking down, killing, and maiming men, throwing all into great confusion; and the French knew not to whom to turn, they were so bewildered and taken by surprise. And when they tried to draw up in the fields to rally and assemble, they found archers all ready, who shot at them, struck them, and killed them without mercy or pity. Then there fell suddenly upon those knights of Gascony a great misfortune; for they had no leisure to arm themselves nor to form ranks. The Count of Lille was taken in his pavilion and grievously wounded; the Count of Périgord likewise was captured in his own, and Sir Roger, his uncle; and were slain the Lord of Duras and Sir Aymar de Poitiers, while his brother the Count of Valentinois was taken. In short, never was so great a number of good men, knights and squires who were there, lost in so short a time; for each fled as best he might. It is true that the Count of Comminges, the Viscount of Carmain, the Lord of Villemur, the Lord of Brunquiel, the Lord of La Barde, and the Lord of Taride, who were encamped on the other side of the castle, rallied together, raised their banners, and advanced valiantly into the fields. But the English, who had already defeated the greater part of the host, came up shouting their cries that way, and fell in upon them in full career, like men wholly encouraged and who saw well that, unless fortune turned too much against them, the day was theirs. There were performed many fine feats of arms, many captures and rescues. When Sir Frank de Halle, Sir Alain de Finefroide, and Sir John de Lindehalle, who were inside the castle of Auberoche, heard the noise and shouting, and recognized the banners and pennons of their own men, they armed themselves and made all those who were with them arm likewise. Then they mounted their horses, issued out of the fortress of Auberoche, and charged straight into the thickest of the battle. This greatly refreshed and reinvigorated the English.
220. Evous les Englès venant frapant en celle host, pourveus et avisés de ce qu'il devoient faire, en escriant: «[D]erbi, [D]erbi au conte!» et «Mauni, Mauni au signeur!» Puis commencièrent à coper et à decoper tentes, trés et pavillons, et reverser l'un sus l'autre, et abatre et occire et mehagnier gens, et mettre en grant meschief; ne [les François] ne savoient auquel entendre, tant estoient il quoitiet et fort hastet. Et quant il se traioient sus les camps pour yaus recueillier et assambler, il trouvoient arciers tous appareilliés qui les traioient et bersoient et occioient sans merci et sans pité. Là avint soudainnement sus ces chevaliers de Gascongne uns grans meschiés, car il n'eurent nul loisir d'yaus armer ne traire sus les camps. Mais fu li contes de [Lille] pris en son pavillon et moult durement navrés, et li contes de Pieregorch ossi dedens le sien, et messires Rogiers, ses oncles, et occis li sires de Duras et messires Aymars de Poitiers, et pris li contes de Valentinois ses frères. Briefment, on ne vit onques tant de bonnes gens, chevaliers et escuiers qui là estoient, perdu à si peu de fait, car cescuns fuioit que mieulz mieulz. Bien est verité que li contes de Commignes et li viscontes de Quarmaing et cil de Villemur et cils de Brunikiel et li sires de la Barde et li sires de Taride, qui estoient logiet d'autre part le chastiel, se recueillièrent et misent leurs banières hors, et se traisent vassaument sus les camps. Mais li Englès, qui avoient jà desconfis le plus grant partie de l'ost, s'en vinrent en escriant leurs cris celle part, et se boutèrent e[n]s de plains eslais, ensi que gens tous reconfortés et qui veoient bien, se fortune ne leur estoit trop contraire, que li journée estoit pour yaus. Là eut fait mainte belle apertise d'armes, mainte prise et mainte rescousse. Quant messires Franke de Halle et messires Alains de Finefroide [et messires Jehans de Lindehalle], qui estoient ens ou chastiel [de Auberoche], entendirent le noise et le hue, et recogneurent les banières et les pennons de leurs gens, si s'armèrent et fisent armer tous chiaus qui avoecques euls estoient. Et puis montèrent à cheval, et issirent de le forterèce d'Auberoce, et s'en vinrent sus les camps et se boutèrent ou plus fort de le bataille: ce rafresci et resvigura grandement les Englès.
268. After this order had been made, King Philip, who greatly desired to find the English and to fight them, departed from Amiens with all his force and rode toward Airaines, and came there about the hour of midday; but the king of England had already departed at early prime (about 6 a.m.). And still the French found great plenty of provisions: carts in haste, loaves and pastries in the ovens, wines in tuns and barrels, and many tables laid, all of which the English had left, for they had departed thence in great haste. So soon as the king of France was come to Airaines, he took counsel whether to lodge there. And it was said to him: 'Sire, lodge yourself, and wait here for your barony. Truly, the English cannot escape you.' Then the king lodged himself in the town itself, and as the lords arrived, so they too took their lodgings.
Apriès ceste ordonance, li rois Phelippes, qui durement desiroit à trouver les Englès et yaus combatre, se departi d'Amiens o tout son effort, et chevauça vers Arainnes, et vint là à heure de miediou environ; et li rois d'Engleterre s'en estoit partis à petite prime. Et encores trouvèrent li François grant fuison de pourveances, chars en hastiers, pains et pastes en fours, vins en tonniaus et en barilz, et moult de tables mises, que li Englès avoient laissiet,car il s'estoient de là parti en grant haste. Si tretos que li rois de France fu à Arainnes, il eut conseil de lui logier. Et li dist on: "Sire, logiés vous, et attendés chi vostre baronnie. Il est vrai que li Englès ne vous poeent escaper." Donc se loga li rois en le villemeismement; et tout ensi que li signeur venoient, il se logoient.
[268] Now let us speak of the king of England, who was in the town of Oisemont, and well knew that the king of France was following him with all his force, and with great desire to fight him. So King Edward of England would gladly have seen himself and his people across the river Somme. When evening came, and his two marshals had returned, who had ridden through all the country as far as the gates of Abbeville, and had been before Saint-Valery and there made a great skirmish, he called his council together. And he had brought before him several prisoners from the land of Ponthieu and of Vimeu, whom his men had taken. And the king asked them very courteously whether there was among them any man who knew of a passage lying below Abbeville, where he and his host might cross without peril. 'If there be any who will show us such a way,' said he, 'we will release him from his prison, and twenty of his companions with him, for love of him.'
Or parlerons dou roy d'Engleterre, qui estoit en le ville de Oisemont, et savoit bien que li rois de France le sievoit o tout son effort, et en grant desir de lui combatre. Si euist volentiers veu li rois d'Engleterreque il et ses gens euissent passet le rivière de Somme. Quant ce vint au soir, et si doi mareschal furent revenu, qui avoient couru tout le pays jusques ès portes d'Abbeville, et esté devant Saint Waleri, et là fait une grande escarmuce, il mist sonconseil ensamble, et fist venir devant li pluiseurs prisonniers dou pays de Pontieu et de Vismeu, que ses gens avoient pris. Et leur demanda li rois moult courtoisement se il y avoit entre yaus homme nul qui sewist un passage, qui seoit desous Abbeville, oùnous porions et nostre host passer sans peril. "Se il en y a nul qui le nous voelle ensengnier, nous le quitterons de sa prison, et vingt de ses compagnons, pour l'amour de lui."
[23rd August 1346] [268] Then there was a servant, called Gobin Agace, who stepped forward to speak, for he knew the passage of the Blanchetaque better than any other, for he was born and raised nearby, and had crossed and recrossed it several times that year. So he said to the king: 'Yes, in the name of God. I promise you, upon the forfeit of my head, that I shall lead you well to such a ford, where you and your host may pass the river Somme without peril. And there are certain limits of the passage where twelve men may well cross abreast, twice between night and day, and the water will come no higher than the knees. For when the tide of the sea is rising, it flows back into the river so strongly that no one could pass it. But when that tide, which comes twice between night and day, has fully ebbed, the river remains there so shallow that one may cross easily, on foot and on horseback. This cannot be done anywhere else save at the bridge at Abbeville, which is a strong and great town, well furnished with men-at-arms. And at this passage, my lord, which I name to you, there is gravel of white marl, hard and firm, on which carts may safely travel; and for this reason the ford is called the Blanchetaque.'
When the king of England heard the words of the servant, he was not so glad as if someone had given him twenty thousand écus. And he said to him: 'Companion, if I find true that which you tell us, I will release you from your prison, and all your companions as well, for love of you, and I will have a hundred nobles given to you.' And Gobin Agace replied: 'Sire, yes, upon peril of my head. But arrange this, that you be there upon the riverbank before the sun rises.' Said the king: 'Willingly.' Then he caused it to be proclaimed throughout his host that each man should be armed and made ready at the sound of the trumpet, to march forth and depart thence, to go elsewhere.
Là eut un varlet, que on clamoit Gobin Agace,qui s'avança de parler, car il cognissoit le passage de le Blanke Take mieulz que nulz aultres, car il estoit nés et nouris de là priés, et l'avoit passet et rapasset en ceste anée par pluiseurs fois. Si dist au roy: "Oil, en nom Dieu. Je vous prommeth, sus l'abandon dema tieste, que je vous menrai bien à tel pas, où vous passerés le rivière de Somme, et vostre host, sans peril. Et y a certainnes mètes de passage, où douze hommes le passeroient bien de front, deux fois entre nuit et jour, et n'aroient de l'aigue plus avant quejusques as genoulz. Car quant li fluns de le mer est en venant, il regorge le rivière si contremont que nuls ne le poroit passer. Mais quant cilz fluns, qui vient deux fois entre nuit et jour, s'en est tous ralés, la rivière demeure là endroit si petite que on y passe bien aise, à piet et à cheval. Ce ne poet on faire aultre part que là, fors au pont à Abbeville, qui estforte ville et grande, et bien garnie de gens d'armes. Et au dit passage, monsigneur, que je vous nomme, a gravier de blanke marle, forte et dure, sur quoi on poet seurement chariier, et pour ce appelle on ce pas le Blanke Take."
Quant li rois d'Engleterre oy les parolles dou varlet, il n'euist mies estet si liés qui li euist donné vingt mil escus, et li dist: "Compains, si je trueve en vrai ce que tu nous dis, je te quitterai ta prison et tous tes compagnons, pour l'amour de ti, et te feraidelivrer cent nobles." Et Gobins Agace respondi: "Sire, oil, en peril de ma tieste. Mais ordenés vous sur ce, pour estre là sur la rive devant soleil levant." Dist li rois: "Volentiers." Puis fist savoir par tout son host que cescuns fust armés etappareilliés au son de le trompète, pour mouvoir et partir de là pour aler ailleurs.
269. The king of England did not sleep much that night; rather he rose at midnight and had the trumpet sounded, as a sign to break camp. Each man was quickly made ready, packhorses loaded, carts charged. So they departed, at the point of daybreak [24th August 1346], from the town of Oisemont, and rode under the guidance of that servant who led them. And they rode so far and so well that they came, about sunrise, close enough to the ford that is called the Blanchetaque; but the tide of the sea was then so full that they could not pass. And indeed it was needful that the king wait for his men, who were coming after him. So he tarried there until after prime [around 9 a.m.], when the tide had fully ebbed away.
And before the tide had fully ebbed, there came from the other side Sir Godemar du Fay to the ford of the Blanchetaque, with a great company of men-at-arms sent by the king of France, as you have already heard recounted above. And this same Sir Godemar, as he came to the Blanchetaque, had gathered a great number of the people of the countryside, so that they were well twelve thousand in all, who straightway arrayed themselves upon the ford of the river to guard and defend the passage. But King Edward of England did not forbear from crossing for that; rather he commanded his marshals at once to strike into the water, and his archers to shoot fiercely at the French, who were in the river and upon the bank. Then the two marshals of England caused their banners to advance, in the name of God and of Saint George, and they themselves after them; and they dashed into the water at full charge, the boldest and best mounted riding in the forefront. There in the very river were many jousts made, and many a man overthrown on one side and the other. There began a fierce struggle, for Sir Godemar and his men defended the passage valiantly. And there were some knights and squires of France, of Artois and of Picardy, and of the charge of my lord Godemar, who, to advance their honor, spurred into the said ford, and would not be found upon the banks, but chose rather to joust in the water than upon the land. And there, I tell you, were done many jousts and many fine feats of arms.
And there the English, at the first, had a very hard encounter. For all those who were with my lord Godemar, sent thither to defend and guard the passage, were men of choice, and they stood all well arrayed upon the narrow ground of the river crossing. So the English were sorely met when they came out of the water to gain the land. And there were Genoese, who with their shooting did them great harm. But the archers of England shot so strongly and so steadily that it was a marvel; and all the while, as they harassed the French, the men-at-arms kept passing over. And know that the English set themselves right eagerly to the fight, for it was openly said among them that the king of France was following after them with more than a hundred thousand men. And already some scouting companions from the French side had come as far as the English, who carried back true signs to the king of France, as you shall hear.
Li rois d'Engleterre ne dormi mies gramment celle nuit; ains se leva à mienuit, et fist sonner le trompette, en signe de deslogier. Cescuns fu'tantost appareilliés, sommier toursés, chars chargiés. Si se partirent, sour le point dou jour, de le ville de Oisemont; et chevaucièrent sur le conduit de ce varlet qui les menoit. Et fisent tant et si bien s'esploitièrent qu'il vinrent, environ soleil levant, assés'priès de ce gué que on claime le Blanche Take; mès li fluns de le mer estoit adonc si plains qu'il ne'peurent passer. Ossi bien couvenoit il au roy attendre ses gens, qui venoient apriès lui. Si demora là endroit jusques apriès prime, que li fluns s'en fu tous ralés.
Et ançois que li fluns s'en fust tous ralés, vint d'autre part messires Godemars dou Fay sus le pas de le Blanke Take, à grant fuison de gens d'armes envoiiés de par le roy de France, si com vous avés oy recorder chi dessus. Si avoit li dis messires Godemars,en venant à le Blanke Take, rassamblé grant fuison des gens dou pays, tant qu'il estoient bien douze mil, uns c'autres, qui tantos se rengièrent sus le pas de le rivière, pour garder et deffendre le passage. Mais li rois Edowars d'Engleterre ne laissa mies'à passer pour ce; ains commanda à ses mareschaus tantost ferir en l'aigue, et ses arciers traire fortement as François, qui estoient en l'aigue et sus le rivage. Lors fisent li doi mareschal d'Engleterre chevaucier leurs banières, ou nom de Dieu et de saint Gorge, et yaus apriès; si se ferirent en l'aigue de plains eslais, li plus bacelereus et li mieulz monté devant. Là eut en le meisme rivière fait mainte jouste, et maint homme reversé d'une part et d'aultre. Là commença uns fors hustins, car messires Godemars et li sien'deffendoient vassaument le passage. Là y eut aucuns chevaliers et escuiers françois, d'Artois et de Pikardie et de le carge monsigneur Godemar, qui pour leur honneur avancier se feroient ou dit gués, et ne voloient mies estre trouvé sus les camps, mès avoient'plus chier à jouster en l'aigue que sus terre. Si y eut, je vous di, là fait mainte jouste et mainte belle apertise d'armes.
Et eurent là li Englès, de premiers, un moult dur rencontre. Car tout cil, qui estoient avoecques monsigneur'Godemar là envoiiet pour deffendre et garder le passage, estoient gens d'eslitte; et se tenoient tout bien rengiet sus le destroit dou passage de le rivière: dont li Englès estoient dur rencontré, quant il venoient à l'issue de l'aigue, pour prendre terre.'Et y avoit Geneuois qui dou tret leur faisoient moult de maulz. Mais li arcier d'Engleterre traioient si fort et si ouniement c'à merveilles; et toutdis, entrues qu'il ensonnioient les François, gens d'armes passoient. Et sachiés que li Englès se prendoient bien'priés d'yaus combatre, car il leur estoit dit notorement que li rois de France les sievoit à plus de cent mil hommes. Et jà estoient aucun compagnon coureur, de le partie des François, venu jusques as Englès, li quel en reportèrent vraies ensengnes au roy'de France, si com vous orés dire.
270. At the ford of the Blanchetaque the battle was hard and fierce, and right well held and defended by the French. And many fine feats of arms were done that day, on one side and the other; but in the end the English passed over, at whatever cost it might be, and as they crossed they pressed their enemies back upon the fields. So passed the king, and the Prince of Wales his son, and all the lords. After that the French kept little order, and those who could depart from the said passage withdrew, as men discomfited. When Sir Godemar saw the misfortune, he saved himself as fast as he might, and so too did many of his company. Some took the road toward Abbeville, and others that toward Saint-Riquier. There was great slaughter and many slain, for those who were on foot could not escape. And there was a great plenty of dead and taken, men from Abbeville, from Montreuil, from Rue, and from Saint-Riquier; and the chase endured for more than a full league. And yet the English were not wholly across upon the bank, when certain squires of the lords of France, who wished to adventure themselves, especially some of those of the Empire, of the king of Bohemia and of my lord John of Hainaut, came upon them, and captured from the rearguard some horses and harness, and killed and wounded several upon the riverbank, who were laboring to pass, so that they all might be over.
The news came to King Philip of France, who was riding hard that morning, having departed from Airaines. And it was told him that the English had crossed the Blanchetaque, and had discomfited Sir Godemar du Fay and his company. At this news the king of France was greatly angered, for he had thought to find the English upon the bank of the Somme and to fight them there. So he halted upon the fields, and asked his marshals what it were best to do, and bade them say. They answered: 'Sire, you cannot pass, save at the bridge at Abbeville, for the tide of the sea has already come fully in again.' Then the king of France turned back, all angered, and that Thursday came to lodge at Abbeville. And all his people followed in his train, and the prince and the great lords lodged in the said town, while their men were quartered in the villages round about, for all could not be lodged there, so great was the multitude. Now let us speak of the king of England, and how he fared, since he had won from Sir Godemar du Fay the passage of the Blanchetaque.
Sus le pas de le Blanke Take fu la bataille dure et forte, et assés bien gardée et deffendue des François. Et mainte belle apertise d'armes y eut ce jour fait, d'un lés et d'aultre; mès finablement li Englès'passèrent oultre, à quel meschief que ce fust, et se traisent, ensi qu'il passoient, tout sus les camps. Si passa li rois et li princes de Galles ses filz, et tout li signeur. Depuis ne tinrent li François gaires de conroy et se partirent, qui partir s'en peut, dou dit'passage, comme desconfit. Quant messires Godemars vey le meschief, il se sauva au plus tost qu'il peut, et ossi fisent tamaint de se route. Et prisent li aucun le chemin de Abbeville, et li aultre celui de Saint Rikier. Là eut grant occision et maint homme mort, car cil qui estoient à piet ne pooient fuir. Si en y'eut grant plenté de chiaus de Abbeville, de Moustruel, de Rue et de Saint Rikier, mort et pris; et dura la cace plus d'une grosse liewe. Encores n'estoient mies li Englès tout oultre sus le rivage, quant aucun escuier as signeurs de France, qui enventurer se voloient,'especialement des chiaus de l'Empire, dou roy de Behagne et de monsigneur Jehan de Haynau, vinrent sus yaus, et conquisent sus les darrainniers aucuns chevaus et harnas, et en tuèrent et blecièrent pluiseurs sus le rivage, qui mettoient painne à passer, afin qu'il fuissent tout oultre.
Les nouvelles vinrent au roy Phelippe de France, qui chevauçoit fortement celle matinée, et estoit partis d'Arainnes. Et li fu dit que li Englès avoient passet le Blanke Take, et desconfit monsigneur Godemar'dou Fay et se route. De ces nouvelles fu li rois de France moult courouciés, car il cuidoit bien trouver les Englès sus le rivage de Somme, et là combatre. Si s'arresta sus les camps, et demanda à ses mareschaus qu'il en estoit bon à faire, et qu'il le desissent.'Il respondirent: «Sire, vous ne poés passer, fors au pont à Abbeville, car li fluns de le mer est jà tous revenus.» Donc retourna li rois de France tous courouciés, et s'en vint ce joedi jesir à Abbeville. Et toutes ses gens sievirent son train, et vinrent li'prince et li corps des grans signeurs logier en le ditte ville, et leurs gens ens ès villiaus d'environ; car tout n'i peuissent mies estre logiet, tant en y avoit grant fuison. Or parlerons dou roy d'Engleterre, comment il persevera, depuis qu'il eut conquis sus monsigneur Godemar dou Fay le passage de Blanke Take.
273. All day Friday, the King of France remained in the good town of Abbeville, awaiting his forces who were still arriving from all sides. He also sent some of them beyond the town to move toward the fields, so they would be better prepared for the next day, for it was his firm intention to go out and engage his enemies in battle, whatever might come. That same Friday, the king sent out his marshals, the Lord of Saint-Venant and Sir Charles of Montmorency, from Abbeville to scout the countryside and learn the true position of the English. They reported back to the king at the hour of vespers (around evening) that the English were camped in the open fields, quite near to Crécy in Ponthieu, and, judging by their formation and disposition, they intended to stand and wait for their enemies there.
273. Le venredi tout le jour, se tint li rois de France dedens la bonne ville d'Abbeville, attendans ses gens qui toutdis li venoient de tous costés. Et faisoit ossi passer les aucuns oultre le ditte ville, et traire as camps, pour estre plus apparilliés à lendemain, car c'estoit sen entention que de issir hors et combatre ses ennemis, comment qu'il fust. Et envoia li dis rois che venredi ses mareschaus, le signeur de Saint Venant et monsigneur Charle de Montmorensi, hors de Abbeville descouvrir sus le pays, pour aprendre et savoir le vérité des Englès. Si raportèrent li dessus dit au roy, à heure de viespres, que li Englès estoient logiet sus les camps, assés priès de Creci en Pontieu, et moustroient, selonch leur ordenance et leur couvenant, qu'il attenderoient là leurs ennemis.
The King of France was greatly pleased by this report and said that, God willing, they would fight the next day. That Friday evening, he invited to supper with him all the high princes who were then with him in Abbeville, foremost among them the King of Bohemia, his brother the Count of Alençon, his nephew the Count of Blois, the Count of Flanders, the Duke of Lorraine, the Count of Auxerre, the Count of Saarbrücken (Sanssoire), the Count of Harcourt, Sir John of Hainaut, and many others. That evening was spent in great camaraderie and much discussion of arms. After supper, the king requested of all the lords that they be friendly and courteous to one another, without envy, without hatred, and without pride, and each of them gave him that assurance. The king was still awaiting the arrival of the Count of Savoy and his brother Sir Louis of Savoy, who were expected to bring with them a thousand lances from Savoy and the Dauphiné, for they had been summoned, retained, and paid their wages in Troyes in Champagne, for a term of three months. Now let us return to the King of England, and tell you part of his arrangement.
De ce raport fu li rois de France moult liés et dist, se il plaisoit à Dieu, que l'endemain il seroient combatu.Si pria li dis rois au souper, ce venredi, dalés lui tous les haus princes, qui adonc estoient dalés lui dedens Abbeville, le roy de Behagne premierement, le conte d'Alençon son frère, le conte de Blois son neveu, le conte de Flandres, le duch de Loeraingne,le conte d'Auçoirre, le conte de Sanssoire, le conte de Harcourt, monsigneur Jehan de Haynau, et fuison d'autres. Et fu ce soir en grant recreation et en grant parlement d'armes. Et pria apriès souper à tous les signeurs que il fuissent li uns à l'autre amit et courtois,sans envie, sans hayne et sans orgueil; et cescuns li eut en couvent. Encores attendoit li dis rois le conte de Savoie et monsigneur Loeis de Savoie son frère, qui devoient venir à bien mil lances de Savoiiens et de le Dauffinet, car ensi estoient il mandet et retenu et paiiet de leurs gages, à Troies enCampagne, pour trois mois. Or retourrons nous au roy d'Engleterre, et vous compterons une partie de son convenant.
The King of France was greatly pleased by this report and said that, God willing, they would engage in battle the following day. That Friday evening at supper, the king requested the company of all the high princes who were then with him in Abbeville, the King of Bohemia first of all, the Count of Alençon (his brother), the Count of Blois (his nephew), the Count of Flanders, the Duke of Lorraine, the Count of Auxerre, the Count of Saarbrücken, the Count of Harcourt, Lord John of Hainaut, and many others. That evening was spent in great merriment and extensive discussion of arms. After supper, the king asked all the lords to be friendly and courteous to one another, without envy, hatred, or pride and each of them pledged to do so. The king was still awaiting the Count of Savoy and Lord Louis of Savoy, his brother, who were expected to arrive with a thousand lances from Savoy and the Dauphiné, for they had been summoned, retained, and paid their wages at Troyes in Champagne, for a term of three months. Now let us return to the King of England, and recount part of his arrangements.
[274] De ce raport fu li rois de France moult liés et dist, se il plaisoit à Dieu, que l'endemain il seroient combatu. Si pria li dis rois au souper, ce venredi, dalés lui tous les haus princes, qui adonc estoient dalés lui dedens Abbeville, le roy de Behagne premierement, le conte d'Alençon son frère, le conte de Blois son neveu, le conte de Flandres, le duch de Loeraingne, le conte d'Auçoirre, le conte de Sanssoire, le conte de Harcourt, monsigneur Jehan de Haynau, et fuison d'autres. Et fu ce soir en grant recreation et en grant parlement d'armes. Et pria apriès souper à tous les signeurs que il fuissent li uns à l'autre amit et courtois, sans envie, sans hayne et sans orgueil; et cescuns li eut en couvent. Encores attendoit li dis rois le conte de Savoie et monsigneur Loeis de Savoie son frère, qui devoient venir à bien mil lances de Savoiiens et de le Dauffinet, car ensi estoient il mandet et retenu et paiiet de leurs gages, à Troies en Campagne, pour trois mois. Or retourrons nous au roy d'Engleterre, et vous compterons une partie de son convenant.
274 That Friday, as I have told you, the King of England camped in open fields with all his host. They made do with what they had but they were well supplied, for they had found the land rich and abundant in all provisions, in wine and meats. And, in anticipation of potential shortages, large supply trains followed them with ample provisions. That evening, the king hosted a supper for the earls and barons of his army, showing them great courtesy and hospitality. Afterward, he dismissed them to rest, which they did.
274 Ce venredi, si com je vous ay dit, se loga li dis rois d'Engleterre à plains camps o toute son host. Et se aisièrent de ce qu'il eurent: il avoient bien de quoi, car il trouvèrent le pays gras et plentiveus de tous vivres, de vins et de viandes. Et ossi pour les fautes qui pooient venir, grans pourveances à charoi les sievoient. Si donna li dis rois à souper les contes et les barons de son host, et leur fist moult grant cière; et puis leur donna congiet d'aler reposer, si com il fisent.
[274] That very same night, as I later heard it told, after all his men had taken their leave and only the knights of his household and his chamber remained with him, the King entered his private chapel. There, he knelt in devotion and prayer before his altar, earnestly asking God that, if he were to fight the next day, He might allow him to emerge from the battle with honor. After these prayers, around midnight, he went to sleep; and the next morning, at a reasonable hour, he rose early and heard Mass, as did his son, the Prince of Wales. They both received communion, and likewise did the greater part of his household: they confessed and prepared themselves spiritually, putting themselves in a state of grace.
[274] Ceste meisme nuit, si com je l'ay depuis oy recorder, quant toutes ses gens se furent partis de lui, et qu'il fu demorés dalés les chevaliers de son corps et de sa cambre, il entra en son oratore. Et fu là en geroulz et en orisons devant son autel, en priant devotement à Dieu que il le laiast à l'endemain, se il se combatoit, issir de le besongne à son honneur. Apriès ces orisons, environ mienuit, il ala coucier; et se leva l'endemain assés matin par raison, et oy messe, et li princes de Galles ses filz; et se acumeniièrent, et en tel manière la plus grant partie de ses sens: si se confessèrent et misent en bon estat.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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[274] After Mass, the king ordered all his men to arm themselves, to come out of their lodgings, and to draw up in the fields at the very place they had reconnoitered the day before. The king had a large enclosure made near a wood, behind his army, into which all wagons and carts were withdrawn; he also had all the horses brought inside, so that every man-at-arms and archer remained on foot. This enclosure had only one entrance. Next, the king, through his constable and marshals, had the army organized into three battles. In the first division, he placed his young son, the Prince of Wales. Assigned to remain with the prince were: the Earl of Warwick, the Earl of Hereford, Sir Godfrey de Harcourt, Sir Reginald de Cobham, Sir Thomas Holland, Sir Richard Stafford, the Lord of Manne, the Lord of la Warre, Sir John Chandos, Sir Bartholomew de Burghersh, Sir Robert Nevill, Sir Thomas Clifford, the Lord of Bourchier, the Lord Latimer and many other good knights and squires whom I cannot all name. In the prince's division there were about 800 men-at-arms, 2,000 archers, and 1,000 light infantry (brigans), including Welshmen. This battle line was drawn up in excellent order across the fields, each lord under his own banner or pennon and among his men. In the second division were: the Earl of Northampton the Earl of Arundel the Lord Ros the Lord Lucy the Lord Willoughby the Lord Basset the Lord Saint-Aubin Sir Lewis Tuchet the Lord Moulton the Lord of Lawshall (Alassellée) and many others. This division comprised about 500 men-at-arms and 1,200 archers. The third division was led by the king himself, with a great number of good knights and squires according to the ease and readiness he had. In his own contingent there were about 700 men-at-arms and 2,000 archers.
[274] Apriès les messes, li rois commanda à toutes ses gens armer, et issir hors de leurs logeis, et à traire sus les camps en le propre place que il avoient le jour devant aviset. Et fist faire li dis rois un grant parch près d'un bois, derrière son host, et là mettre et retraire tous chars et charettes; et fist entrer dedens ce parch tous les chevaus, et demora cescuns homs d'armes et arciers à piet; et n'i avoit en ce dit parch que une seule entrée. En apriès, il fist faire et ordonner par son connestable et ses mareschaus jusques à trois batailles. Si fu mis et ordonnés en le première ses jones filz li princes de Galles. Et dalés le dit prince furent esleu pour demorer, li contes de Warvich, li contes de Kenfort, messires Godefrois de Harcourt, messires Renaulz de Gobehen, messires Thumas de Hollandes, messires Richars de Stanfort, li sires de Manne, li sires de le Ware, messires Jehans Chandos, messires Bietremieus de Broues, messires Robers de Nuefville, messires Thumas Cliffors, li sires de Boursier, li sires Latimiers, et pluiseur aultre bon chevalier et escuier, les quelz je ne puis mies tous nommer. Si pooient estre en le bataille dou prince environ huit cens hommes d'armes et deux mil arciers et mil brigans, parmi les Galois. Si se traist moult ordonneement ceste bataille sus les camps, cescuns sires desous se banière ou son pennon et entre ses gens. En le seconde bataille furent li contes de Norhantonne, li contes d'Arondiel, li sires de Ros, li sires de Luzi, li sires de Willebi, li sires de Basset, li sires de Saint Aubin, messires Loeis Tueton, li sires de Multonne, li sires Alassellée et pluiseur aultre. Et estoient en ceste bataille environ cinq cens hommes d'armes et douze cens arciers. La tierce bataille eut li rois pour son corps et grant fuison, selonch l'aisement où il estoit, de bons chevaliers et escuiers. Si pooient estre en se route et arroy environ sept cens hommes d'armes et deux mil arciers.
Then the king replied and asked the knight, who was called Sir Thomas of Norwich: "Sir Thomas, is my son dead or wounded, or so injured that he cannot help himself?" The knight replied: "No, my lord, God willing, but he is in a hard fight and would greatly need your help." Then the king said: "Sir Thomas, return to him and to those who sent you here, and tell them from me not to send for me again today for any chance that may befall them, as long as my son is still alive. And tell them that I command them to let the boy earn his spurs; for I wish, if it please God, that the day may be his, and that the honor may remain with him and those to whom I have entrusted his charge."
Lors respondi li rois et demanda au chevalier, qui s'appelloit messires Thumas de Nordvich: "Messires Thumas, mes filz est il ne mors ne atierés, ou si bleciés qu'il ne se puist aidier?" Cilz respondi: "Nennil, monsigneur, se Dieu plaist, mais il est en dur parti d'armes: si aroit bien mestier de vostre ayde." "Messire Thumas, dist li rois, or retournés devers lui et devers chiaus qui ci vous envoient; et leur dittes de par moy qu'il ne m'envoient meshui requerre pour aventure qui leur aviegne, tant que mes filz soit en vie. Et dittes leur que je leur mande que il laissent à l'enfant gaegnier ses esporons; car je voel, se Diex l'a ordonné, que la journée soit sienne, et que li honneur l'en demeure et à chiaus en qui carge je l'ai bailliet."
[286] Then the king took counsel and decided that he would send men to search among the dead, to learn which lords had remained on the battlefield. So two very valiant knights were appointed to go, accompanied by three heralds to identify the arms, and two clerks to record and write down the names of those they found. The two knights were Sir Reginald de Cobham and Sir Richard Stafford. They departed from the king and his lodging and set themselves to the task of examining and inspecting all the dead. They found such a great number that they were astonished, and spent the whole day, as carefully as they could, searching across the field of battle, continuing until vespers (evening prayers). In the evening, just as the King of England was preparing to go to supper, the two knights returned to the king and gave a full and accurate report of everything they had seen and found. They said that eleven princes had fallen on the field, along with eighty bannered lords and twelve hundred knights bearing coats of arms, and around thirty thousand men of other ranks. Then the King of England, his son the Prince, and all the lords gave great praise and heartfelt thanks to God for the fine day He had granted them, that a mere handful of men, compared to the French host, had so utterly defeated their enemies. The king and his son especially mourned deeply the death of the valiant King of Bohemia, and greatly commended him and those who had remained at his side. They remained there that night, and on Monday morning they gave orders to depart.
[286] Adonc eut conseil li rois qu'il envoieroit cercier les mors, à savoir quel signeur estoient là demoret. Si furent ordonné doi moult vaillant chevalier pour là aler, et en lor compagnie troi hiraut pour recognoistre les armes, et doi clerch pour registrer et escrire les noms de chiaus qu'il trouveroient. Li doi chevalier, ce furent messires Renaulz de Gobehem et messires Richars de Stanfort. Si se partirent dou roy et de son logeis, et se misent en painne de veoir et viseter tous les occis. Si en trouvèrent si grant fuison que il en furent tout esmervilliet, et cerchièrent au plus justement qu'il peurent ce jour tous les camps, et y misent jusques as vespres bien bas. Au soir, ensi que li rois d'Engleterre devoit aller au souper, retournèrent li doi chevalier devers le roy, et fisent juste raport de tout ce que il avoient veu et trouvé. Si disent que onze chiés de princes estoient demoret sus le place, quatre vingt banerés et douze cens chevaliers d'un escut, et environ trente mil hommes d'autres gens. Si loèrent li rois d'Engleterre, li Princes ses filz et tout li signeur grandement Dieu, et de bon corage, de le belle journée que il leur avoit envoiie, que une puignie de gens que il estoient, ens ou regart des François, avoient ensi desconfis leurs ennemis. Et par especial li rois d'Engleterre et ses filz complaindirent longement le mort dou vaillan roy de Behagne, et le recommendèrent grandement et chiaus qui dalés lui estoient demoret. Si arrestèrent encores là celle nuit, et le lundi au matin il ordonnèrent dou partir.