Froissart Book 4: 1346-1356

[323] In that year he had made and created his cousin, the Earl Henry of Derby, Duke of Lancaster, and the Baron of Stamford, Earl of Stamford; and they were with him in that fleet, as also were his two sons, the Prince of Wales and John, Earl of Richmond. But he was still so young that he did not yet bear arms, though the prince had him with him in his ship, because he loved him dearly. There too were the Earl of Arundel, the Earl of Northampton, the Earl of Hereford, the Earl of Suffolk, the Earl of Warwick, Sir Reynold Cobham, Sir Walter de Mauny, Sir Thomas Holland, Sir Louis de Beauchamp, Sir James Audley, Sir Bartholomew Burghersh, the Lord Percy, the Lord Mowbray, the Lord Neville, the Lord Clifford, the Lord Ros, the Lord Greystock, the Lord Berkeley, and many others. And the king was there accompanied by four hundred knights; never had he had so many great lords together in an enterprise where he was, as he had there. So the king and his men remained at sea in their ships, fully provisioned and made ready to await their enemies; for they had been informed that they would be returning, and that they would not tarry long. And they lay at anchor three days between Dover and Calais.

En celle anée avoit il fait et creé son cousin, le conte Henri Derbi, duch de Lancastre, et le baron de Stanfort, conte de Stanfort; si estoient avoecques li en celle armée, et si doi fil, li princes de Galles et Jehans, contes de Ricemont: mès cilz estoit encores si jones que point il ne s'armoit, mais l'avoit li princes avoecques lui en sa nef, pour ce que moult l'amoit. Là estoient li contes d'Arondiel, li contes de Norhantonne, li contes de Herfort, li contes de Sufforch, li contes de Warvich, messires Renaulz de Gobehen, messires Gautiers de Mauni, messires Thumas de Hollandes, messires Loeis de Biaucamp, messires James d'Audelée, messires Bietremieus de Brues, li sires de Persi, li sires de Moutbrai, li sires de Nuefville, li sires de Clifford, li sires de Ros, li sires de Grastoch, li sires de Bercler et moult d'aultres. Et estoit li rois là acompagniés de quatre cens chevaliers; ne onques n'eut tant de grans signeurs ensamble, en besongne où il fust, comme il ot là. Si se tinrent li rois et ses gens sus mer en leurs vaissiaus, tous fretés et appareilliés pour attendre leurs ennemis; car ilz estoient enfourmé que il devoient rapasser, et point n'attenderoient longement; et se tinrent à l'ancre trois jours entre Douvres et Calais.

324. When the Spaniards had finished their business and their trade, and had loaded their ships with cloth, linen, and everything that seemed good and profitable to take back to their country, they knew well that they would be met by the English, but they gave no thought to it. They came then to the town of Sluys and boarded their ships. And they had already supplied them so greatly and heavily with all manner of artillery that it would be astonishing to describe: great iron bars forged and fashioned ready to be hurled so as to sink ships, along with endless stones and pebbles to throw. When they perceived they had the wind in their favor, they weighed anchor. There were forty great ships all in a line, so strong and so fine that it was a delight to see and behold them. Upon their masts were castles with battlements, stocked with stones and pebbles to hurl, and brigands to guard them. And still upon those masts were streamers and banners bearing their devices, fluttering, waving, and crackling in the wind: it was a great beauty to see and imagine. And it seemed to me that if the English had had a great desire to find them, the Spaniards had an even greater one, as could be plainly seen, and as I will tell you hereafter. Those Spaniards numbered well ten thousand, counting also the mercenaries they had taken on and hired in Flanders. So they felt and held themselves strong enough to fight at sea against the King of England and his power. And with that intent they came on, rowing and sailing full before the wind, for it was with them, in the direction of Calais.

Quant li Espagnol eurent fait leur emploite et leur marcheandise, et il eurent cargiet leurs vaissiaus de draps, de toilles et de tout ce que bon et pourfitable leur sambloit pour remener en leur pays, et bien savoient que il seroient rencontré des Englès, mais de tout ce ne faisoient il compte, il s'en vinrent en le ville de l'Escluse, et entrèrent en leurs vaissiaus. Et jà les avoient il pourveus telement et si grossement de toute artillerie que merveilles seroit à penser, et ossi de gros barriaus de fer forgiés et fais tous faitis pour lancier et pour effondrer nefs, en lançant de pières et de cailliaus sans nombre. Quant il perçurent qu'il avoient le vent pour yaus, il se desancrèrent. Et estoient quarante grosses nefs tout d'un train, si fortes et si belles que plaisant les faisoit veoir et regarder. Et avoient à mont ces mas chastiaus breteskiés, pourveus de pières et de cailliaus pour jetter, et brigant qui les gardoient. Là estoient encores sus ces mas ces estramières armoiies et ensegnies de leurs ensengnes qui baulioient au vent et venteloient et freteloient: c'estoit grans biautés dou veoir et imaginer. Et me samble que, se li Englès avoient grant desir d'yaus trouver, encores l'avoient il grignour, ensi que on en vei l'apparant, et que je vous dirai ci apriès. Cil Espagnol estoient bien dix mil, uns c'autres, parmi les saudoiiers que il avoient pris et retenus à gages en Flandres. Si se sentoient et tenoient fort assés pour combatre sus mer le roy d'Engleterre et se poissance. Et en celle entente s'en venoient il tout nagant et singlant à plain vent, car il l'avoient pour yaus, par devers Calais.

[324] While the king was thus at his enjoyment, and all the knights were very glad to see him so joyful, the lookout, who had sighted the Spanish fleet, said: 'Ho! I see one coming, and it seems to me a ship of Spain.' Then the minstrels fell silent; and he was asked again whether he saw more. Soon after he replied and said: 'Yes, I see two, and then three, and then four.' And then, when he saw the great fleet, he said: 'I see so many, so help me God, that I cannot count them.' Then the king and his men knew well that these were the Spaniards. So the king had his trumpets sounded, and all their ships drew together and assembled to be in better order and to lie more securely, for they knew well that they would have battle, since the Spaniards came in so great a fleet. It was already late, about the hour of vespers or thereabouts. Then the king had wine brought, and drank, and so did all his knights; and then he set his bascinet upon his head, and the others did likewise. Soon the Spaniards drew near, who might very well have gone on without fighting if they had wished, for being so well loaded, in great ships, and having the wind in their favor, they need never have spoken to the English, had they chosen; but out of pride and presumption, they disdained to pass before them without engaging. And so they came straight on, in great order, to begin the battle.

Ensi que li rois estoit en ce deduit, et que tout li chevalier estoit moult liet de ce que il le veoient si joieus, li gette, qui perçut nestre la navie des Espagnolz, dist: "Ho! j'en voi une venir, et me samble une nef d'Espagne." Lors s'apaisièrent li menestrel; et li fu de recief demandé se il en veoit plus. Assés tost apriès, il respondi et dist: "Oil, j'en voi deus, et puis trois, et puis quatre." Et puis dist, quant il vey la grosse flote: "J'en voy tant, se Diex m'ayt, que je ne les puis compter." Adonc cogneurent bien li rois et ses gens que c'estoient li Espagnol. Si fist li rois sonner ses trompètes, et se remisent et recueillièrent ensamble toutes leurs nefs pour estre en milleur ordenance et jesir plus segurement, car bien savoient que il aroient la bataille, puisque li Espagnol venoient en si grant flote. Jà estoit tard, ensi que sus l'eure de vespres ou environ. Si fist li rois aporter le vin, et but, et tout si chevalier, et puis mist le bacinet en la tieste, et ossi fisent tout li aultre. Tantost approcièrent li Espagnol qui s'en fuissent bien alé sans combatre, se il volsissent, car selonch ce que il estoient bien freté et en grans vaissiaus et avoient le vent pour yaus, il n'euissent jà parlé as Englès, se il vosissent; mès, par orgueil et par presumption, il ne daignièrent passer devant yaus qu'il ne parlaissent. Et s'en vinrent tout de fait et par grant ordenance commencier la bataille.

329. Then Sir Geoffrey did not neglect this business, but secretly raised an assembly of men-at-arms in Saint-Omer, and took with him the crossbowmen of that town. And he set out from Saint-Omer one evening, and rode with his men all night, until at daybreak they came to Fretin. They surrounded the little castle, which was not large; and the men on foot entered into the ditches, and worked until they were across. The household within awoke at the commotion and came to their master, who was asleep, and said to him: 'Sire, rise up at once, for there are many men-at-arms outside who are striving greatly to get in here.' Aymeri was struck with terror, and rose as quickly as he could; but he could not make himself ready before the courtyard was full of men-at-arms. So he was taken by force, and his mistress only with him; nothing else in the castle was violated, for there was truce between the French and the English. And likewise Sir Geoffrey desired no one but Aymeri himself; so he had great joy when he held him, and had him brought to the town of Saint-Omer. Nor did he keep him long thereafter, before he caused him to die in great torment in the marketplace, in the presence of the knights and squires of the country who were summoned there, and of the common people. Thus ended Aymeri of Pavia; but his mistress was not spared, for they cut her to death, and afterwards the damsel was given to a French squire.

Adonc li messires Joffrois ne mist mies en non caloir ceste besongne, mès fist en Saint Omer une assamblée de gens d'armes tout secretement, et prist les arbalestriers de le ditte ville avoech lui, et se parti de Saint Omer sus un vespre; et chemina tant toute nuit avoecques ses gens que, droitement au point dou jour, il vinrent à Fretin. Si environnèrent le chastelet qui n'estoit mies grans; et entrèrent chil de piet ens ès fossés, et fisent tant qu'il furent oultre. Les mesnies de laiens s'esvillièrent pour le friente, et vinrent à leur mestre qui se dormoit, et li disent: "Sire, or tos levés vous sus, car il y a là dehors grans gens d'armes qui mettent grant entente à entrer ceens." Aymeris fu tous effraés, et se leva dou plus tost qu'il peut; mès il ne sceut onques si tost avoir fait que se cours fu plainne de gens d'armes. Si fu pris à mains, et sen amie tant seulement: on ne viola onques de plus riens le chastiel, car triewes estoient entre les François et les Englès. Et ossi messires Joffrois ne voloit aultrui que cel Aymeri; si en ot grant joie, quant il le tint et le fist amener en le ville de Saint Omer. Et ne le garda gaires depuis longement, quant il le fist morir à grant martire ens ou marchiet, present les chevaliers et escuiers dou pays qui mandé y furent et le commun peuple. Ensi fina Aymeris de Pavie, mès sen amie n'eut garde, car il le descoupa à le mort, et depuis se mist la damoiselle avoecques un escuier de France.

Now I shall tell you of the French and how they had arrayed themselves. They well understood that the English had arrived at Bordeaux and were gathering there to come and raise the siege and resupply the town of Saint-Jean. So the marshals had ordered that Sir Jean de Saintré, Sir Guichard d’Angle, Sir Boucicaut, Sir Guy de Nesle, the Lord of Pons, the Lord of Parthenay, the Lord of Puyane, the Lord of Tannay-Bouton, the Lord of Surgères, the Lord of Craon, the Lord of Linières, the Lord of Mathefelon, and a great number of barons and knights, up to five hundred lances, all chosen men of prowess, should come and guard the bridge over the river Charente, by which the English must pass. So the lords aforesaid came there and encamped along the river. The English had already taken the road to the bridge; but the Gascons, who were riding that way, knew nothing of this, for if they had known, they would have acted by another plan. Yet they were altogether resolved to pass the river at the bridge below the castle of Taillebourg. And so one morning they came in good order, their provisions all driven before them, and rode until they came near the bridge. Then they sent their scouts forward toward the bridge. And those who were sent returned to their lords with the report that the French were all drawn up and arrayed at the bridge, and held it so strongly that it could not be passed.

Or vous dirai des François et comment il s’estoient ordonné. Bien avoient il entendu que li Englès estoient arivet à Bourdiaus, et faisoient là leur amas pour venir lever le siège et rafreschir la ville de Saint Jehan. Si avoient ordonné li mareschal que messires Jehans de Saintré, messires Guichars d’Angle, messires Boucicaus, messires Guis de Neelle, li sires de Pons, li sires de Partenay, li sires de Puiane, li sires de Tannai Bouton, li sires de Surgières, li sires de Crusances, li sires de Linières, li sires de Matefelon et grant fuison de barons et de chevaliers jusques à cinq cens lances, toutes bonnes gens à l’eslite, s’en venissent garder le pont sus le rivière de le Charente par où li Englès devoient passer. Si estoient là venu li dessus dit et logiet tout contreval le rivière. Et avoient pris le pont li Englès; et li Gascon qui chevauçoient celle part ne savoient riens de cela, car, se il le sceuissent, il euissent ouvré par aultre ordenance; mès estoient tout conforté de passer le rivière au pont desous le chastiel de Taillebourch. Si s’en venoient une matinée par bonne ordenance, leur vitaille toute arroutée, par devant yaus, et chevaucièrent tant que il vinrent assés priès dou pont, et envoiièrent leurs coureurs courir devers le pont. Si reportèrent chil qui envoiiet y furent, à leurs signeurs, que li François estoient tout rengiet et ordonnet au pont, et le gardoient telement que on ne le pooit passer.

[332] There was then a good battle, hard and stoutly fought, and many great feats of arms were done, for they were the very flower of chivalry on one side and on the other. For a long time they wheeled about the fields, fighting most skillfully, before anyone could know or judge which would have the advantage, and which not. And it happened at times that the English wavered and were near to being discomfited, and then they recovered themselves and gained the upper hand, and by bold and valiant fighting broke their enemies and defeated them. There were taken there all those knights of Poitou and Saintonge named above, and Sir Guy de Nesle. No man of honour escaped. And the English and the Gascons had there good prisoners, who were worth to them a hundred thousand moutons, besides the great gain of horses and armor that they had upon the field. So it seemed to them that for this expedition they had done enough. Then they turned to securing their prisoners, and since the town of Saint-Jean could not by them, at that time, be revictualled or reinforced, they returned toward the city of Bordeaux, and so well did they journey that they arrived there, where they were received with great joy.

Là eut bonne bataille et dure et bien combatue, et fait tamainte grant apertise d’armes, car il estoient droite fleur de chevalerie, d’un costé et d’aultre. Si furent un grant temps tournoiant sus les camps et combatant moult ablement, ançois que on peuist savoir ne cognoistre liquel en aroient le milleur, et liquel non. Et fu tel fois que li Englès branlèrent, et furent priès desconfi, et puis se recouvrèrent et se misent au dessus, et desrompirent, par bien combatre et hardiement, leurs ennemis, et les desconfirent. Là furent pris tout cil chevalier de Poito et de Saintonge dessus nommé, et messires Guis de Neelle. Nulz homs d’onneur ne s’en parti. Et eurent là li Englès et li Gascon de bons prisonniers qui leur vallirent cent mille moutons, sans le grant conquès des chevaus et des armeures que il avoient eu sus le place. Si leur sambla que, pour ce voiage, il en avoient assés fait. Si entendirent au sauver leurs prisonniers, et que la ville de Saint Jehan ne pooit par yaus, tant c’à celle fois, estre ravitaillie et rafreschie. Si s’en retournèrent vers le cité de Bourdiaus, et fisent tant par leurs journées que il y parvinrent; si y furent recueilliet à grant joie.

347. When the King of England, who had stationed himself on the frontiers of Normandy, on the island of Guernsey, and had remained there for a full seven weeks, during which time he had received no reliable news from the King of Navarre that would have given him reason to advance and when he learned that the King of Navarre had come to terms with the King of France, and that a firm peace had been sworn between them, he was deeply angered. But there was nothing he could do about it at the time, and so he was forced to endure and bear the treachery of his cousin, the King of Navarre. He then resolved to weigh anchor and return to England, which he did, coming back with his entire fleet to Southampton. There, the king and his men disembarked from their ships and came ashore, solely to refresh themselves, for they had been at sea for a full twelve weeks, and were completely worn out from it. So the King of England gave leave to his men-at-arms and archers to withdraw to London or elsewhere in England, wherever it best pleased them, in order to rest and renew their clothing, armour, and all other equipment necessary for their bodies. Otherwise, he gave no one permission to leave, since he still intended to enter France, in the region near Calais. The said king had his entire fleet brought together and assembled at Dover, numbering about three hundred ships of various types, and held it there ready.

347. Quant li rois d'Engleterre, qui se tenoit sus les frontiéres de Normendie en I'isle de Grenesée et estoit tenus bien sept sepmainnes, car la en dedens il n'avoit oy nulles nouvelles estables dou roy de Navare pour quoi il euist eu cause de traire avant, entendi que li rois de Navare estoit acordés au roy de France et que bonne pais estoit jurée entre yaus, si fu durement courouciés; mes amender ne le peut tant qu'a celle fois, et li couvint souffrir et porter les dangiers son cousin le roy de Navare. Si eut volenté de desancrer de la et de retourner en Engleterre, ensi qu'il fist, et s'en revint o toute sa navie a Hantonne. Si issirent la des vaissiaus et prisent terre li rois et leurs gens, pour yaus rafreschir tant seulement, car il avoient estet bien douze sepmainnes sus le mer, dont il estoient tout travilliet. Si donna li rois d'Engleterre grasce a ses gens d'armes et arciers de retraire vers Londres ou en Engleterre, la ou le mieulz leur plaisoit, pour yaus rafreschir et renouveler de vesteure, d'armeures et de tous aultres ostilz neccessaires pour leurs corps, car aultrement il ne donna nullui congiet, angois avoit entention d'entrer en France au és devers Calais. Et fist li dis rois venir et amener toute sa navie, ou bien avoit trois cens vaissiaus, uns c'autres, a Douvres et 1a arester.

When the King of England had stayed in the town of Calais for a short time, he decided to depart and ride into France. He appointed the Earl of Salisbury as constable of his entire host, and made Lord Percy and Lord Neufville the marshals. They left Calais in very orderly fashion, in great array, with banners unfurled, and rode toward Saint-Omer. They passed in front of Ardres, then in front of Le Montoire, and camped along the river Oske. The next day, the marshals of the king's host rode ahead toward Saint-Omer, whose commander was Sir Louis of Namur. They came right up to the gates and outer barriers, but did nothing more.

Quant li rois d'Engleterre eut sejourné en le ville de Calais un petit de terme, si eut volenté de partir et de chevaucier en France. Si fist connestable de toute son host le conte de Sallebrin, et mareschaus le signeur de Persi et le signeur de Nuefville. Si se departirent de Calais moult ordonneement en grant arroy, banieres desploiies, et chevauciérent vers Saint Omer. Et passérent devant Arde et puis devant le Montoire, et se logicrent sus le riviere d'Oske. Et a lendemain li marescal de "host le roy coururent devant Saint Omer, dont messires Loeis de Namur estoit chapitains. Si vinrent jusques as barriéres, més il n'i fisent aultre cose.

Ms. d'Amiens: The King of England, having been informed of the peace (between the kings of France and Navarre), was anchored at sea, opposite the Isle of Guernsey. Upon hearing the news, he withdrew toward England. But since he had already assembled his forces, he wanted to make use of them and had his entire fleet redirected to Calais, where he landed. The English disembarked from their ships and went to lodge in Calais, while the king stayed in the castle.

News of this reached France—that the King of England and his host had arrived in Calais—and it was supposed that he would launch a chevauchée into France. The King of France immediately sent a large force of men-at-arms to Saint-Omer, under the command of Sir Louis of Namur and the Count of Porcien. He also issued a general order throughout his kingdom that all men should be ready with arms and horses to resist the enemy. Furthermore, the King of France sent large forces of men-at-arms to Ardres, Boulogne, Le Montoire, Bavelinghem, Audruicq, Hames, and into the French garrisons along the frontiers of Calais.

After the King of England and his forces had rested and refreshed themselves in Calais for five days, they organized themselves to depart and to ride into France. They departed from Calais in great array, with a large number of wagons and pack animals, numbering around 2,000 men-at-arms and 4,000 archers. They took the road toward Thérouanne, and on the first day, the English raided as far as Montreuil-sur-Mer, and around Saint-Pol and the Ternois region. They burned all the surrounding countryside, and then returned to their main host.

Ms. d'Amiens: Li roys d'Engleterre fu enfourmés de celle paix, qui gisoit sur mer à l'ancre à l'encontre de l'ille de Grenesie; si se retraist adonc vers Engleterre; mès pour ce que il avoit ses gens assamblés, il lez vot emploiier et fist tourner toutte se navie à Calais, et là ariva. Si yssirent li Englès de lors vaissiaux et sen vinrent logier à Callais, et li roys ou castiel.

Ces nouvellez vinrent en Franche que li roys d'Engleterre et ses hoos estoient arivet à Calais, et suposoit on que il feroit une chevauchie en France. Si envoya tantost li dis roys de Franche grant fuisson de gens d'armes à Saint Omer, desquelx messire Loeys de Namur et li comtez de Porsiien furent cappittainne; et 357fist ung coumandement par tout son royaumme que touttes gens fuissent priès as armes et as chevaux pour resister contre leurs ennemis. Encorres envoya li roys de Franche grant gent d'armes à Arde, à Bouloingne, à le Montoire, à Bavelingehen, à Oudruich, à Hamez et ens ès garnisons françoisses sus lez frontierres de Callais.

Quant li roys d'Engleterre et ses gens se furent cinq jours reposet et rafresci à Callais, il s'ordonnèrent pour partir et de chevauchier en Franche. Si se departirent de Callais en grant arroy et grant fuisson de chars et de sommiers, et estoient environ deus mil hommes d'armes et quatre mil archiers. Si prissent le chemin de Tieruanne, et coururent li Englès le premier jour jusques à Moustroel sus Mer et environ Saint Pol et Tierrenois. Si ardirent tout le pays là environ, puis retournèrent à leur grant ost. Fº 100.

[355] That very day, the weather was foul, cold, and rainy, and so harsh for riding, with wind and freezing conditions, that none could imagine worse. The English, who were riding in separate groups, had no idea that the Scots were so close, hidden in ambush. The Scots let the first, the second, and the third group pass, and then hurled themselves upon the fourth, crying out: "Douglas! Douglas!" For they were certainly convinced that the King of England was in that group, because their spies had told them that he rode in the fourth battle. But the night before, the English, through cunning, had reorganized their order, and had divided themselves into seven groups, in order to pass more easily through the narrow passes, which in that land are called the passes of Tweedon. And from these mountains is born the River Tweed, which in ancient times served to divide Scotland and England. The river winds through many places, passing through both Scotland and England, and at its end, beneath Berwick, it flows into the sea, and there it is very large.

[355] Ce propre jour faisoit lait et froit et plouvieus, et si mauvais chevaucier, pour le vent et pour le froit, que il ne pooit faire pieur. Li Englès, qui chevauçoient par routes, ne savoient mies que li Escot fuissent si priès d'yaus mis en embusce. Et laissièrent li Escot passer le première, le seconde et le tierce route, et se boutèrent en le quarte, en escriant: "Douglas! Douglas!" Et cuidoient certainnement que li rois d'Engleterre fust en celle compagnie, car leur espie leur avoit dit qu'il faisoit le quarte bataille. Mais le soir devant, li Englès, par soutilleté, avoient renouvelé leurs ordenances; et avoient fait sept routes pour passer plus aise ces destrois, qu'il appellent ou pays les destrois de Tuydon. Et de ces montagnes nest la rivière de Tuyde, qui anciennement suelt departir Escoce et Engleterre; et tournie celle rivière en pluiseurs lieus en Escoce et en Engleterre. Et sus se fin, desous Bervich, elle s'en vient ferir en le mer, et là est elle moult grosse.

Not long after, the Duke of Lancaster, who was staying near Pontorson, was notified by the King of England, his lord and cousin, that he should provide all the support and aid he could to the sons of Navarre and to those of Harcourt and their allies, in retaliation for the insults and wrongs their adversary of Valois (King John II of France) had inflicted on them. The Duke of Lancaster at once considered himself fully informed of this matter, and wished to obey the command of his lord the king, as was right. So he gathered all his men, of whom there were at least 500 lances (men-at-arms) and 1,000 archers. He then set out on the road toward Normandy and in the direction of Cherbourg.

On that campaign was Sir Robert Knolles, who was already greatly distinguishing and advancing himself; and he was very renowned in the wars of Brittany as the most capable and cunning man-at-arms in all the companies, and the most beloved by all the poor companions, as he was the one who did the most good for them.

The Duke of Lancaster, Sir Philip of Navarre, Sir Geoffrey de Harcourt, and their men all joined together, along with the Lord of Ros and the Lord of Neufville, who had crossed the sea with them. They managed to gather twelve hundred lances, sixteen hundred archers, and two thousand brigands armed with lances and pavises, and they assembled in the city of Évreux.

There were present Sir Louis of Navarre, the young Count of Harcourt, Sir Robert Knolles, Sir Basque de Mareuil, Sir Peter of Sacquainville, Sir William of Gauvillle, Sir John Carbeniaus, Sir Sanche Lopins, Sir John Jeuiel, Sir William Bonnemare, Sir Foudrigais, John de Ségure, Fallemont, Hanekin François, and many other good knights and squires, valiant men-at-arms, who desired nothing but war. So these men-at-arms departed from Évreux in great order and fine array, with banners and pennons unfurled, and rode toward Vernon. They passed through Acquigny and then to Pacy, and began to plunder, rob, and burn the whole countryside before them, and to wage the greatest havoc and fiercest war in the world.

Depuis ne demora gaires de temps que li dus de Lancastre, qui se tenoit viers Pontourson, fu segnefiiés dou roy d'Engleterre, son signeur et son cousin, que tout le confort et ayde que il pooit faire as enfans de Navare et à chiaus de Harcourt et leurs alliiés, il le fesist, en contrevengant les despis que son adversaire de Valois leur avoit fais. Li dus de Lancastre se tint tantost pour tous enfourmés de ceste besongne et volt obeir au commandement son signeur le roy, ce fu raisons; et recueilla toutes ses gens, où il avoit bien cinq cens lances et mil arciers. Si se mist au chemin par devers Normendie et devers Chierebourch.

En se route estoit messires Robers Canolle, qui se commençoit jà grandement à faire et à avancier; et estoit moult renommés ens [ès] guerres de Bretagne pour le plus able et soubtil homme d'armes qui fust en toutes les routes, et le mieulz amés de tous povres compagnons, et qui plus de biens leur faisoit.

Li dus de Lancastre, messires Phelippes de Navare, messires Godefrois de Harcourt et leurs gens se misent tout ensamble, et li sires de Ros et li sires de Nuefville, qui avoient passet le mer avoech yaus; et firent tant qu'il se trouvèrent douze cens lances, seize cens archiers et deus mil brigans à lances et à pavais, et fisent leur assamblée en le cité d'Evrues.

Là estoient messires Loeis de Navare, li jones contes de Harcourt, messires Robers Canolles, messires li Bascles de Maruel, messires Pières de Sakenville, messires Guillaumes de Gauville, messires Jehans Carbeniaus, messires Sanses Lopins, messires Jehans Jeuiel, messires Guillaumes Bonnemare, messires Foudrigais, Jehans de Segure, Fallemont, Hanekin François et pluiseurs bons chevaliers et escuiers, appert homme d'armes, qui ne desiroient fors que le guerre. Si se departirent ces gens d'armes d'Evrues en grant ordenance, et bon arroi, banières et pennons desploiiés; et chevaucièrent devers Vernon. Si passèrent à Aquegni et puis à Pasci, et commencièrent à pillier, à rober et à ardoir tout le pays par devant yaus, et à faire le plus grant essil et le plus forte guerre dou monde.