The pursuit continued even to the gates of Poitiers, the place there was much slaughter and overthrow of males and horses; for the inhabitants of Poitiers had shut their gates and would undergo none to enter; upon which account there was nice butchery on the causeway before the gate, where such numbers have been killed or wounded that several surrendered themselves the moment they spied an Englishman; and there have been many English archers who had 4, five, or six prisoners. The English archers shot so nicely that none dared to come within reach of their arrows, and they put to death many who couldn’t ransom themselves. The battalion of the marshals was soon after put to the rout by the arrows of the archers and the assistance of the men-at-arms, who rushed among them as they have been struck down and seized and slew them at their pleasure. God will today put it in your hand. I beg, subsequently, most earnestly, as a reward for any services I could have completed, that you would grant me permission honorably to quit you, that I might publish myself in such sensible to perform my vow.” The prince granted this request, and, holding out his hand to him, mentioned: “Sir James, God grant that at the present time it’s possible you’ll shine in valor above all other knights.” The knight then set off, and posted himself on the front of the battalion, with only four squires whom he had detained with him to guard his particular person.
Soon after the earl of Warwick and the lord Reginald Cobham had left the prince, as has been above related, he inquired from those knights round him of lord James Audley, and asked if any one knew what was turn out to be of him. The lord James was a prudent and valiant knight; and by his recommendation the military had thus been drawn up in order of battle. And when the prince of Wales noticed, from the departure of the cardinal without being able to obtain any honorable phrases, that a battle was inevitable, and that the king of France held each him and his military in nice contempt, he thus addressed himself to them: “Now, my gallant fellows, what though we be a small physique when in comparison with the military of our enemies; do not allow us to be cast down on that account, for victory doesn’t all the time comply with numbers, however the place the Almighty God pleases to bestow it. Dear sir, I have to now acquaint you that previously I made a vow, if ever I must be engaged in any battle where the king, your father, or any of his sons have been, that I can be the foremost in the attack, and one of the best combatant on his facet, or die within the try.
They replied, “No, sir, not for a certainty; but we believe he have to be either killed or taken prisoner, since he has by no means quitted his battalion.” The prince then, addressing the earl of Warwick and lord Cobham, stated, “I beg of you to mount your horses and journey over the sphere, in order that on your return it’s possible you’ll deliver me some certain intelligence of him.” The 2 barons, immediately mounting their horses, left the prince and made for a small hillock, that they could look about them. “Sire, I’m Denys de Morbeque, a knight from Artois, however I serve the king of England as a result of I can not belong to France, having forfeited all I possess there.” The king then gave him his right-hand glove, and stated, “I surrender myself to you.” There was a lot crowding and pushing about, for every one was wanting to cry out, “I have taken him.” Neither the king nor his youngest son Philip had been in a position to get forward, and free themselves from the throng. “Yes, sir,” replied a few of the corporate, “he may be very badly wounded, and is lying in a litter onerous by.” “By my troth,” replied the prince, “I am sore vexed that he is so wounded.
See, I beg of you, if he be capable of bear being carried hither; otherwise I’ll come and go to him.” Two knights directly left the prince, and, coming to lord James, instructed him how desirous the prince was of seeing him. “A thousand due to the prince,” answered Lord James, “for condescending to recollect so poor a knight as myself.” He then known as eight of his servants and had himself borne in his litter to where the prince was. It fortunately happened for this knight that he was at the time close to to the king of France when he was a lot pulled about. In a short while this battalion of the marshals was completely discomfited; for they fell back so much on each other that the military could not advance, and those who were in the rear, not with the ability to get forward, fell back upon the battalion commanded by the duke of Normandy, which was broad and thick in the front, but it was soon skinny enough in the rear; for once they learnt that the marshals had been defeated, they mounted their horses and set off. The lord James started to advance, with the intention to combat with the battalion of the marshals.