He remained on his courser, lance in hand and shield at his neck, and asked to joust for the love of his lady. There was one who heard him and accepted at once, for with the
English there were just as many knights inspired by love. I believe it was
Sir John Copeland, a vigorous knight, who approached him. They spurred their horses and hurtled towards one another at full speed, landing great blows on shields.
Sir Lancelot was caught by the English
knight in such a way that he pierced his shield and armour, his lance passing straight through his body so that he was fatally wounded. This was a shame for he was a skilled knight; young, gallant and loving, and he was thereafter greatly mourned there and elsewhere.
Now the
French and
English charged into each other and fought at length with their lances, then with axes hand to hand. There were fine knights in the French party;
Sir Guillaume des Bordes,
the seneschal of Eu,
Sir Guillaume Martel,
Braque de Braquemont and all of the others, who fought bravely. As did the
English, including
Sir John Harleston,
Sir Philip Pickworth,
Sir John Burley,
Sir John Copeland and the others, and finally they had fought so well that they won the day and gained the field. The knights and squires were all either killed or taken prisoner. A squire from
Hainault was captured named
Guillaume de Beaulieu, as was
Sir Guillaume des Bordes.
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