Chapter 38

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
EDWARD THE BLACK PRINCE. "ICH DIEN". THE last hero of English chivalry with whom we have to do is
Edward the Black Prince. And as the most characteristic part of the
knighthood of this most knightly of English princes, we have
selected the battles of Crecy and of Poitiers. THE BATTLE OF CRECY. The English, who were drawn up in three divisions, and seated on the
ground, on seeing their enemies advance, rose undauntedly up, and fell
into their ranks. That of the prince* was the first to do so, whose
archers were formed in the manner of a portcullis or harrow, and the
men-at-arms in the rear. The earls of Northumberland and Arundel,
who commanded the second division, had posted themselves in good order
on his wing, to assist and succor the prince if necessary. * Edward the Black Prince; son of Edward III. You must know that these kings, earls, barons, and lords of France
did not advance in any regular order, but one after the other, or
anyway most pleasing to themselves. As soon as the king of France came
in sight of the English, his blood began to boil, and he cried out
to his marshals, "Order the Genoese forward, and begin the battle,
in the name of God and St. Denis." There were about fifteen thousand
Genoese cross-bowmen, but they were quite fatigued, having marched
on foot that day six leagues, completely armed and with their
cross-bows. They told the constable they were not in a fit condition
to do any great things that day in battle. The earl of Alencon,
hearing this, said, "This is what one gets by employing such
scoundrels, who fall off when there is any need of them." During
this time a heavy rain fell, accompanied by thunder and a very
terrible eclipse of the sun; and before this rain a great flight of
crows hovered in the air over all those battalions, making a loud
noise. Shortly afterwards it cleared up, and the sun shone very
bright, but the Frenchmen had it in their faces, and the Englishmen in
their backs. When the Genoese were somewhat in order, and approached
the English, they set up a loud shout, in order to frighten them;
but they remained quite still, and did not seem to attend to it.
Then they set up a second shout, and advanced a little forward, but
the English never moved. They hooted a third time, advancing with
their crossbows presented, and began to shoot. The English archers
then advanced one step forward, and shot their arrows with such
force and quickness that it seemed as if it snowed. When the Genoese
felt these arrows, which pierced their arms, heads, and through
their armor, some of them cut the strings of their crossbows, others
flung them on the ground, and all turned about and retreated quite
discomfited. The French had a large body of men-at-arms on