St. George for England

by G. A. Henty

  Walter, fighting close beside the prince, parried more than one blowintended for him, and the prince himself slew the Count of Blois, whosefollowers all fell around him. The Count of Flanders was also slain, andconfusion began to reign among the assailants, whose leaders had nowall fallen. Phillip himself strove to advance with his division intothe fight, but the struggle between the Genoese and the men-at-arms wasstill continuing, and the very multitude of his troops in the narrow anddifficult field which the English had chosen for the battle embarrassedhis movements.

  Charles of Luxembourg, King of the Romans, and afterwards Emperor ofGermany, son of the old King of Bohemia, with a large body of German andFrench cavalry, now assailed the English archers, and in spite of theirflights of arrows came to close quarters, and cutting their way throughthem joined in the assault upon the men-at-arms of the Black Prince.Nearly 40,000 men were now pressing round the little body, and the Earlsof Northampton and Arundel moved forward with their divisions to hissupport, while the Earl of Warwick, who was with the prince, despatchedSir Thomas of Norwich to the king, who still remained with his powerfulreserve, to ask for aid.

  "Sir Thomas," demanded the king, "is my son killed, overthrown, orwounded beyond help?"

  "Not so, sire," replied the knight, "but he is in a rude fight, and muchneeds your aid."

  "Go back, Sir Thomas, to those who sent you and tell them from me thatwhatsoever happens they require no aid from me so long as my son is inlife. Tell them also that I command them to let the boy win his spurs,for, God willing, the day shall be his, and the honour shall rest withhim and those into whose charge I have given him."

  The prince and those around him were filled with fresh ardour whenthey received this message. Each man redoubled his efforts to repel theforces that were incessantly poured down upon them by the French. On allsides these pressed around them, striving desperately, but ever in vain,to break through the solid ranks of the English. The French men-at-armssuffered, moreover, terribly from the attacks of the Welsh infantry.These men, clad in thick leather jerkins, nimble of foot, accustomed toa life of activity, were armed with shortened lances and knives, mingledfearlessly among the confused mass of French cavalry, creeping beneaththe horses' bellies, standing up when they got a chance, and stabbinghorses and men with their knives and pikes. Many were trampled upon orstruck down, but numbering, as they did, 6000, they pervaded the wholemass of the enemy, and did terrible execution, adding in no small degreeto the confusion caused by the shower of arrows from the archers withinthe circle of the men-at-arms. The instant a French knight fell, struckfrom his horse with a battle-axe or arrow, or by the fall of a woundedsteed, the half-wild Welsh were upon him, and slew him before he couldregain his feet.

  The slaughter was immense. The Count of Harcourt, with his nephew theCount D'Aumale and his two gallant sons, fell together, and at lastCharles of Luxembourg, seeing his banner down, his troops routed, hisfriends slain, and the day irreparably lost, and being himself severelywounded in three places, turned his horse and fled, casting off hisrich emblazoned surcoat to avoid recognition. In the meantime PrinceCharles's father, the veteran King of Bohemia, once one of the mostfamous warriors of Europe, but now old and blind, sat on horseback ata little distance from the fight; the knights around him told him theevents as they happened, and the old monarch soon saw that the day waslost. He asked them for tidings of his son Charles of Luxembourg, butthey were forced to reply that the banner of the King of the Romans wasno longer in sight, but that, doubtless, he was somewhere engaged in themelee.

  "Lords," said the old man, "you are my vassals, my friends, and mycompanions, and on this day I command and beseech you to lead me forwardso far that I may deal one blow of my sword in the battle."

  His faithful friends obeyed him, a number of knights arranged themselvesaround him, and lest they should lose him in the fight they tied theirhorses together by the bridles and charged down into the fray. Advancingdirectly against the banner of the Prince of Wales, the blind monarchwas carried into the midst of the thickest strife.

  There the little group of knights fought gallantly, and after thebattle was over, the bodies of the king and his friends were found lyingtogether, their dead horses still linked by the bridles.

  During this terrible battle, which had been raging since three o'clock,Phillip had made strenuous efforts to aid his troops engaged in thefront by continually sending fresh bodies to the assault. It was nowgrowing dark, terror and confusion had already spread among the French,and many were flying in all directions, and the unremitting showers ofEnglish arrows still flew like hail among their ranks. As the king madehis way forward, surrounded by his personal attendants to take parthimself in the fight, his followers fell thick around him, and his horsewas slain by an arrow. John of Hainault, who had remained by his sideduring the whole day, mounted upon a fresh horse and urged him to fly,as the day was lost. Phillip, however, persisted, and made his way intothe melee, where he fought for some time with extreme courage, untilalmost all around him were slain, the royal standard bearer killed, andhimself wounded in two places. John of Hainault then seized his bridleexclaiming "Come away, sire, it is full time; do not throw your lifeaway foolishly; if you have lost this day you will win another," and soalmost forced the unwilling king from the field. Phillip, accompanied bythe lords of Montmorency, Beaujeu, Aubigny, and Mansault, with John ofHainault, and sixty men-at-arms, rode to the Castle of Broye, and therehalted for a few hours. At midnight he again set out, and in the morningarrived safely at Amiens.

  The Black Prince held his station until night without yielding asingle step to all the efforts of the French. Gradually, however, theassailants became less and less numerous, the banners disappeared,and the shouts of the leaders and the clang of arms died away, andthe silence which prevailed over the field at once announced that thevictory was complete and the enemy in full flight. An immense numberof torches were now lighted through the English lines, and the king,quitting for the first time his station on the hill, came down toembrace his gallant son. Edward and his host rejoiced in a spiritof humility over the victory. No songs of triumph, no feastings ormerriment were permitted, but a solemn service of the church was held,and the king and his soldiers offered their thanks to God for thevictory He had given them. The English army lay all night under arms,and a number of scattered parties of the French, wandering about in thedarkness, entered the lines and were slain or taken prisoners.

  The dawn of the next morning was thick and foggy, and intelligencecoming in that a large body of the enemy were advancing upon them, theEarls of Northampton, Warwick, and Norfolk, with 500 men-at-arms and2000 archers, went out to reconnoitre, and came in the misty twilightupon an immense force composed of the citizens of Beauvais, Rouen, andsome other towns, led by the Grand Prior of France and the Archbishop ofRouen, who were approaching the field.

  By some extraordinary accident they had not met any of the fugitivesflying from Cressy, and were ignorant that a battle had been fought.The English charged them at once. Their advance-guard, consisting ofburghers, was easily overthrown. The second division, which was composedof men-at-arms, fought bravely, but was unable to withstand the chargeof the triumphant English, and was completely broken and defeated.The Grand Prior was killed and a vast number of his followers slain orcaptured. During the whole of the morning detached parties from Edward'sarmy scoured the country, dispersing and slaughtering bands of Frenchwho still remained together, and towards night the Earl of Northamptonreturned to the camp with the news that no enemy remained in thevicinity that could offer a show of resistance to the English force.

  It is said that a far greater number of French were killed upon thesecond day than upon the first. This can be accounted for by the factthat on the first day but a small portion of the English army wereengaged, and that upon the second the English were fresh and vigorous,and their enemy exhausted and dispirited.

  The greater number of the French nobles and knights who fell, died intheir attempts to
break through the Black Prince's array. Besides theKing of Bohemia, nine sovereign princes and eighty great nobles werekilled, with 1200 knights, 1500 men-at-arms, and 30,000 foot; while onthe English side only three knights and a small number of men-at-armsand infantry were killed.

  The body of the King of Bohemia and those of the other great leaderswere carried in solemn pomp to the Abbey of Maintenay. Edward himselfand his son accompanied them as mourners. On the Monday followingEdward marched with his army against Calais, and summoned the town tosurrender. John of Vienne, who commanded the garrison, refused to complywith the demand. The fortifications of the town were extremely strongand the garrison numerous, and Edward perceived that an assault would bevery unlikely to succeed, and would entail great loss, while a repulsewould have dimmed the lustre of the success which he had gained. Hetherefore determined to reduce it by famine, and the troops were set towork to build huts. So permanently and strongly were these constructedthat it seemed to the enemy that King Edward was determined to remainbefore Calais even should he have to stay there for ten years.

  Proclamations were issued in England and Flanders inviting traders toestablish stores and to bring articles of trade of all kinds, and in ashort time a complete town sprang up which was named by Edward "New-Townthe Bold". The English fleet held complete possession of the sea,cutting off the besieged from all succour by ship, and enabling abundantsupplies for the army to be brought from England and Flanders. Strongparties were sent out in all directions. The northern provinces ofFrance were scoured, and the army was amply provided with necessariesand even luxuries.

  After the first terrible shock caused by the crushing defeat of Cressy,King Phillip began at once to take measures for the relief of Calais,and made immense efforts again to put a great army in the field. Heendeavoured by all means in his power to gain fresh allies. The youngCount of Flanders, who, at the death of his father at Cressy, wassixteen years of age, was naturally even more hostile to the Englishthan the late prince had been, and he strove to win over his subjects tothe French alliance, while Phillip made them magnificent offers if theywould join him. The Flemings, however, remained stanch to the Englishalliance, and held their prince in duresse until he at last consentedto marry the daughter of Edward. A week before the date fixed for thenuptials, however, he managed to escape from the vigilance of his guardswhen out hawking, and fled to the court of France.

  In Scotland Phillip was more successful, and David Bruce, instead ofemploying the time given him by the absence of Edward with his armies indriving out the English garrisons from the strong places they still heldin Scotland, raised an army of 50,000 men and marched across the borderinto England plundering and ravaging. Queen Philippa, however, raisingan army, marched against him, and the Scotch were completely defeatedat Neville's Cross, 15,000 being killed and their king himself takenprisoner.

  Walter's conduct at the battle of Cressy gained him still further thefavour of the Black Prince. The valour with which he had fought wasconspicuous even on a field where all fought gallantly, and the princefelt that more than once he would have been smitten down had notWalter's sword interposed. Ralph too had fought with reckless bravery,and many French knights and gentlemen had gone down before thetremendous blows of his heavy mace, against which the stoutest armouravailed nothing. After the battle the prince offered to make him anesquire in spite of the absence of gentle blood in his veins, but Ralphdeclined the honour.

  "An it please you, Sir Prince," he said, "but I should feel morecomfortable among the men-at-arms, my fellows. In the day of battle Itrust that I should do no discredit to my squirehood, but at other timesI should feel woefully out of my element, and should find nought for myhands to do, therefore if it so pleases your Royal Highness, I would farrather remain a simple man-at-arms."

  Ralph did not, however, refuse the heavy purse which the prince gavehim, although indeed he, as well as all the soldiers, was well suppliedwith money, so great were the spoils which the army had gathered in itsmarch before Cressy, and which they now swept off in their raids amongthe northern provinces of France.

  One evening Walter was returning from a banquet at the pavilion of thePrince of Wales, with Ralph as usual following at a little distance,when from a corner of the street a man darted suddenly out and struck adagger with all his force between his shoulders. Well was it for Walterthat he had taken Geoffrey's advice, and had never laid aside the shirtof mail, night or day. Fine as was its temper, two or three links of theouter fold were broken, but the point did not penetrate the second fold,and the dagger snapped in the hand of the striker. The force of thesudden blow, however, hurled Walter to the ground. With a loud cry Ralphrushed forward. The man instantly fled. Ralph pursued him but a shortdistance and then hastened back to Walter.

  "Are you hurt, Sir Walter?" he exclaimed.

  "In no way, Ralph, thanks to my shirt of mail. Well, indeed, was it forme that I was wearing it, or I should assuredly have been a dead man. Ihad almost begun to forget that I was a threatened man; but I shall beon guard for the future."

  "I wish I had followed the fellow," Ralph said. "I would not have slainhim could I have helped it, but would have left it for the hangman toextort from him the name of his employer; but, in truth, he struck sohard, and you fell so straight before the blow, that I feared the mailhad given way, and that you were sorely wounded if not killed. You haveoft told me that I was over-careful of you, but you see that I was notcareful enough, however, you may be assured that if another attempt bemade those who attempt it shall not get off scot free. Do you think oflaying a complaint before the provost against him you suspect?"

  "It would be useless, Ralph. We may have suspicion of the man from whomthe blow came, but have no manner of proof. It might have been doneby any ruffian camp-follower who struck the blow only with the hope ofcarrying off my chain and purse. The camp swarms with such fellows, andwe have no clue which could lead to his detection, unless," he added,stooping and picking a piece of steel which lay at his feet, "thisbroken dagger may some day furnish us with one. No; we will say noughtabout it. Sir James Carnegie is not now in camp, having left a weeksince on business in England. We exchange no words when we meet, but Iheard that he had been called away. Fortunately the young prince likeshim not, and I therefore have seldom occasion to meet him. I have nodoubt that he credits me with the disfavour in which he is held by theprince; but I have never even mentioned his name before him, and theprince's misliking is but the feeling which a noble and generous hearthas, as though by instinct, against one who is false and treacherous.At the same time we must grant that this traitor knight is a bold andfearless man-at-arms; he fought well at La Blanche Tache and Cressy,and he is much liked and trusted by my lord of Northampton, in whosefollowing he mostly rides; 'tis a pity that one so brave should have sofoul and treacherous a heart. Here we are at my hut, and you can sleepsoundly tonight, Ralph, for there is little fear that the fellow, whohas failed tonight, will repeat his attempt for some time. He thinks,no doubt, that he has killed me, for with a blow so strongly struckhe would scarcely have felt the snapping of the weapon, and is likelyenough already on board one of the ships which ply to and fro fromEngland on his way to acquaint his employer that I am removed from hispath."

  The next morning Walter mentioned to the Black Prince the venture whichhad befallen him, and the narrow escape he had had of his life. Theprince was extremely exasperated, and gave orders that an inquisitionshould be made through the camp, and that all men found there not beingable to give a good account of themselves as having reasonable andlawful calling there should be forthwith put on board ship and sent toEngland. He questioned Walter closely whether he deemed that the attackwas for the purpose of plunder only, or whether he had any reason tobelieve that he had private enemies.

  "There is a knight who is evilly disposed toward me, your highness,"Walter said; "but seeing that I have no proof whatever that he had ahand in this affair, however strongly I may suspect it, I would fain,with your leave, avoid mentio
ning his name."

  "But think you that there is any knight in this camp capable of so foulan action?"

  "I have had proofs, your highness, that he is capable of such an act;but in this matter my tongue is tied, as the wrong he attempted was notagainst myself, but against others who have so far forgiven him thatthey would fain the matter should drop. He owes me ill-will, seeing thatI am aware of his conduct, and that it was my intervention which causedhis schemes to fail. Should this attempt against me be repeated it canscarce be the effect of chance, but would show premeditated design, andI would then, both in defence of my own life, and because I think thatsuch deeds should not go unpunished, not hesitate to name him to you,and if proof be wanting to defy him to open combat."

  "I regret, Sir Walter, that your scruples should hinder you from at oncedenouncing him; but seeing how grave a matter it is to charge a knightwith so foul a crime, I will not lay stress upon you; but be assuredthat should any repetition of the attempt be made I shall take thematter in hand, and will see that this caitiff knight receives hisdesserts."

  A short time afterwards Walter accompanied the prince in an excursionwhich he made with a portion of the army, sweeping the French provincesas far as the river Somme. Upon their way back they passed through thevillage of Pres, hard by which stood a small castle. It was situatedsome forty miles from Calais, and standing upon rising ground, itcommanded a very extensive view over the country.

  "What say you, Sir Walter?" the prince said to the young knight who wasriding near him. "That castle would make a good advanced post, anda messenger riding in could bring news of any large movements of theenemy." Walter assented. "Then, Sir Walter, I name you chatelain. Ishall be sorry to lose your good company; but the post is one of peril,and I know that you are ever longing to distinguish yourself. Take fortymen-at-arms and sixty archers. With that force you may make shift toresist any attack until help reaches you from camp. You may be sure thatI shall not be slack in spurring to your rescue should you be assailed."

  Walter received the proposal with delight. He was weary of the monotonyof life in New Town, and this post in which vigilance and activity wouldbe required was just to his taste; so, taking the force named by theprince, with a store of provision, he drew off from the column andentered the castle.