Yet the said
Sir Godfrey could not get there in time, and the count died there, as did the
count of Aumale his nephew. Elsewhere the
count of Alençon and the
count of Flanders were fighting most valiantly, each under his banner and amongst his men, yet they could not endure and were killed on the spot, as were a great many fine knights and squires who served with them. The
count of Blois and the
duke of Lorraine were fighting courageously with their men elsewhere on the field, surrounded by a troop of
English and Welshmen who showed mercy to none. There they performed many great deeds of arms, for they were very courageous knights and fine combatants. But eventually they fell there on the field, as did the
count of Auxerre, the
count of Saint-Pol, and so many others that it beggars belief.
SHF 1-283 syncAt Vespers, quite late, just as the day was completely fading,
king Philippe departed in defeat - and there was good reason - with only five barons to accompany him:
Sir Jean de Hainault was the first, then the
lord of Montmorency, the
lord of Beaujeu, the
lord of Aubigny and the
lord of Montsault. And so the
king rode away, lamenting and mourning his men, to the
castle of La Broye. On reaching the gate he found it closed and the drawbridge raised, for it was now completely dark and the dead of night. He had the castellan summoned, for he wished to enter. He was roused and came to the battlements and demanded,
"Who is this come knocking at this hour?"
The
king, hearing the voice, replied, "Open up, open up! It is the unfortunate
king of France."
The castellan started forward immediately, recognising the word of the
king of France and well aware that their side had been defeated, having learnt of it from several fleeing men who had passed below the castle. So he lowered the drawbridge and opened the gate, and the
king went inside along with his escort. They stayed until midnight but the
king was advised not to remain there. He took a drink, as did those who were with him, then they departed, taking guides to lead them who were well acquainted with the country. They rode until they arrived in
Amiens at daybreak. There the
king came to a halt and lodged at an abbey, declaring that he would go no further until he knew the fate of his men, and of those who had remained behind.
Now let us return to the defeat at
Crécy and to the dispositions of the
English and how they persevered.
SHF 1-284 sync
How the English slaughtered those who came to the aid of the king of France. And of the great feasting and merrymaking they initiated for the victory they had won.
You should know that the defeat and losses suffered by the
French were vast and terrible, for in the fields there lay a great many noble dukes, counts, barons, knights and others, without whom the kingdom was severely weakened in honour and strength. And if the
English had pursued them as they would later do at
Poitiers, many more would have fallen, even the
king of France himself. But that did not happen, for that Saturday none left their battle lines in pursuit of any man.
pb 140 v