of those who defended it, were either killed or taken, and the banner was torn down and dragged upon the ground. Sir John Jouel, by whom the combat was begun, performed that day many astonishing feats of arms, and never once deigned to retreat: at last, being most sadly wounded in the head and body, he was made prisoner by a squire of Brittany, under Sir Bertrand du Guesclin. The French at length gained the field, but it was with very great loss to themselves. It is said by those who witnessed it, that there never had been a battle with a like number of combatants, so well fought on both sides: all were on foot, and engaged hand to hand, generally with battle-axes, which gave such sadly fatal blows. Sir John Jouel died in the course of the day, and in addition to the Captal de Buch, there were many prisoners: indeed, few of the Navarrois escaped being slain or taken.

You have before heard that Lord Charles de Blois and the Earl of Montfort disputed the succession to the Duchy of Brittany,-the Earl of Montfort died a prisoner in France, and his son, the Lord John, renewed the claim. This dispute, you must know, lasted a long time, and because of it there were many hard fought battles and sieges; the battle of Auray, which I am now going to tell you about, was the last of these; at least, the last in which Lord Charles de Blois took part; for he was there slain. The French, as usual, assisted the Lord Charles, and the English, under the renowned Sir John Chandos supported the Lord John de Montfort. On Saturday, the 8th of October, 1364, the two armies drew up facing each other on a handsome plain near to Auray in Brittany. It was a grand sight: there were banners and pennons flying, and the richest armour on both sides. While the battalions were being formed, the Lord of Beau

manoir, a very rich baron of Brittany, laboured hard to bring about a peace; but Sir John Chandos and his party were bent upon fighting, and all that could be agreed to was a truce between the two armies for that day and the night following, until the morrow at sunrise.

When the morrow came, which was Sunday, each army made itself ready. Many masses were said in the army of the Lord Charles, and the holy sacrament administered to all who wished it: the same was also done in the army of the Lord John de Montfort; and a little before sunrise all posted themselves in battle array. The Lord of Beaumanoir made one more effort for peace; he came galloping towards Sir John Chandos, who, as soon as he perceived him, left his battalion, and advanced to meet him. When they met, De Beaumanoir saluted Sir John, and said, “I entreat you, Sir John Chandos, in GoD's name, to assist me in bringing these two lords to an agreement. It is a sad pity that so many good men should slaughter each other in support of their opinions." "Lord de Beaumanoir," replied Sir John, "I advise you to make no more attempts at peace to-day, for our men declare, that if they can enclose you within their ranks they will kill you. Tell Lord Charles de Blois that, happen what may, the Lord John de Montfort is determined to risk the event of a battle. Away then with all ideas of peace. He will be Duke of Brittany, or die in the attempt." At this reply, the Lord de Beaumanoir was greatly enraged, and abruptly

broke off the interview, saying, "Chandos, Chandos, my lord has as good a will to fight as the Lord John de Montfort, and his men are of the same mind."

It was now quite clear that the day would not pass over without a battle, and a little before eight, the two armies approached each other. It must have been a fine sight, as I have heard it related by those who saw it; for the French were in such close order, that one could scarcely throw an apple among them without its falling on a helmet or a lance. Each man-atarms carried before him a spear about five feet long; he had also, either at his side or hung round his neck, a battle-axe, sharp, strong, and well steeled, with a short handle: they advanced at a foot's pace, each lord in array and among his own people, with his banner or pennon before him. The English also were drawn up in the handsomest order possible. The battle began with the Bretons under the command of Sir Bertrand du Guesclin, who engaged the English battalion of Sir Robert Knolles and Sir Walter Huet. In this first onset, there were many hard blows between lancemen, and a very sharp scuffle. The English archers shot admirably, but the French were so well shielded that the arrows could do but little harm, and at last they flung their bows aside, and being light and able men, mixed with the men-at-arms of their own party, and attacked the enemy with battle-axes, which they seized from several of them. Many a gallant feat of arms was now performed, many a struggle, many a capture, many a rescue. Those who had the

misfortune to fall, had a hard matter to rise up again. Lord Charles' battalion marched straight to that of the Lord John de Montfort, which was very strong and deep: the struggle between these two battalions was desperate, both fought well: that belonging to the Lord de Montfort was first thrown into confusion; but Sir Hugh Calverly, who was upon its wing with a good battalion of gallant men, perceiving them give way and opening their ranks, drove the enemy back, and by main force recovered them. The Lord Charles showed himself a marvellously good knight, eagerly seeking for, and engaging the enemy: and his adversary the Lord John de Montfort was by no means inferior.

The battle was so warmly contested that all the battalions were engaged, except the rear-guard of English, which was commanded by Sir Hugh Calverly, and this kept always on one wing, never engaging with any; but occupying itself solely in recovering and bringing back to the ranks, those who were thrown into confusion. Among other knights, Sir Olivier de Clisson played his part handsomely, and did marvels with his battle-axe, opening and cutting through the ranks, so that no one dared to approach him. On one occasion, his eagerness brought him into great peril, for he went so far forward, that he had the battalion of the Earls of Auxerre and Joigny upon him, and had hard work to extricate himself. In this encounter the visor of his helmet was struck off by a blow from a battle-axe, the point of which entered his eye, and caused him the