loss of it. However, notwithstanding this, he fought bravely the whole of the day.

Battalions and banners rushed against each other, were overthrown and then up again. Sir John Chandos advanced to attack the battalion of the Earl of Auxerre and the French: and he and his people behaved with so much courage, that they drove it before them, and threw it into such disorder that it was quite discomfited. All the banners and pennons belonging to it were thrown upon the ground, torn and broken; the lords and captains were in the greatest danger; for their people were so fully engaged in fighting and defending themselves, that they were quite unable to render any assistance. Again and again, they and the banner bearers shouted their war-cry, and some few who heard them, answered; but the greater part were too much hemmed in by the crowd to be enabled to advance. The Earl of Auxerre was desperately wounded and taken prisoner under the pennon of Sir John Chandos. The other battalion also fought valiantly, and the Bretons especially made a good appearance; however, to speak truly of this battle, it must be allowed, that they did not keep the line, nor array as well as the English and Bretons on the side of the Lord Montfort, to whom the wing, commanded by Sir Hugh Calverly, was of the greatest service. After a hard encounter with Sir John Chandos and his company, Sir Bertrand du Guesclin was made prisoner by an English squire, and Sir John received the pledge as

a prisoner also from the Lord of Raix, a baron of Brittany, a wonderfully hardy knight.

The Bretons were now as good as defeated, and the other ranks being in disorder, took to flight, all in the best way they could to save themselves, except some good knights and squires of Brittany, who preferring death to reproach, would not quit the Lord Charles de Blois. They collected themselves together, rallied round him, and he and these brave companions kept their ground a long time; however, it was of no avail, for they were defeated and put to the rout by the superior numbers that were against them. The banner of the Lord Charles was cast upon the ground, and the bearer of it slain : he himself was also killed facing his enemies, as was also his natural son the Lord John de Blois, and many other knights and squires of Brittany. I believe that orders had been given to the English army, that if they should gain the battle, and the Lord Charles was made prisoner, no ransom should be taken for him; but he should be killed. A similar order was likewise given to the French and Bretons, respecting the Lord John de Montfort, for it was the desire of each party this day to put an end to the dispute. Great slaughter and much mischief happened in the pursuit. Indeed, the whole flower of chivalry who on this occasion had taken the side of Lord Charles de Blois, were either made prisoners or slain. In a word, the defeat and loss was immense, and a variety of accidents happened which never came to my knowledge. Numbers were slain on the field of battle, and numbers also

in the pursuit, which was continued for eight good leagues, even as far as Vannes.

After this total defeat of Lord Charles's army, the principal leaders of the English and Bretons gathered round the Lord John de Montfort—near to a hedge, when they began to disburden themselves of their armour, knowing that the day was theirs. Some of them placed their banners and pennons in the hedge with the arms of Brittany on high above all to form a rallying post for the army. Sir John Chandos, Sir Robert Knolles, and a few others then approached the Lord de Montfort, saying, "My lord, give thanks to GOD, and make good cheer, for you have this day gained the inheritance of Brittany." The Lord de Montfort bowed, and in a tone of voice loud enough to be heard by all, replied, "Sir John, it is to your valour and prudence I am indebted for the good fortune of this day. This I know of a truth, as do also all those who are with me. Drink, I pray you, out of my cup." He then held to him a flagon of wine, and the cup out of which he had just been drinking, adding, "after GOD, I owe more thanks to you than all the world besides."

As he finished speaking, the Lord de Clisson came up quite out of breath and very hot. He had pursued the enemy a long way and gained many prisoners. On reaching the Lord de Montfort and his party, he leaped from his horse and refreshed himself with them.

As they were all talking together, two knights and two heralds returned, who had been sent to examine the dead on the field of battle, and to ascertain what

was become of the Lord Charles de Blois, for as yet they were uncertain whether he was among the slain or not. "My lord," they said, "be of good cheer, for we have seen among the dead your adversary the Lord Charles de Blois." The Lord de Montfort expressed a wish to see his body: and all the knights then present accompanied him to the spot where it was lying apart from the rest, and covered with a shield. He ordered the shield to be removed, and looking sorrowfully at the deceased lord exclaimed, "Ah, my Lord Charles, how much mischief has happened to Brittany from your having supported your pretensions by arms. GOD help me, I am truly unhappy at finding you in this situation." He then burst into tears, and Sir John Chandos, seeing how deeply he was affected, led him away, saying, "My lord, let us go hence, and return thanks to GOD for the success of this day, for without the death of this person, you never would have gained your inheritance." Orders were then given that the body of the Lord Charles should be carried to Guingamp, at which town it was most honourably interred. Indeed, this mark of respect was but his due, for he was a good and valiant knight.

The Death of Don Pedro,

King of Castile.

BEFORE I attempt to give you an account of the circumstances attending the death of Don Pedro, King of Castile, I must tell you something about him. He was, you must know, a very wicked King, rebellious and refractory to all the regulations and commands of the Holy Church; of strange opinions, and very ambitious. Moreover, he was so extremely cruel, that all his subjects hated him, though they feared to show it. Now, after a time, his cruelties, especially to the Clergy, arrived at such a height, that complaints were daily made to Pope Urban, entreating him to put a stop to them. The Pope, in consequence, sent ambassadors to Don Pedro, ordering him to come forthwith in person to the Court of Rome, to clear himself from all the villanous actions with which he was charged but proud and presumptuous as he was, he not only refused to obey the mandate, but even in