that he had sufficient strength left not only to meet, but to conquer such
an opponent as he was; and that if he did not make his appearance in the
lists at the time appointed, he would publish him every where as a man
unworthy to be called a knight, or to wear an honourable sword by his
side. Troussel carried this haughty message to the Duke of Lancaster, who
immediately gave permission for the battle.

On the day appointed, the two combatants appeared in the lists, in the
presence of several thousand spectators. Du Guesclin was attended by the
flower of the French nobility, including the Marshal de Beaumanoir,
Olivier de Mauny, Bertrand de Saint Pern, and the Viscount de la Belliere;
while the Englishman appeared with no more than the customary retinue of
two seconds, two squires, two coutilliers or daggermen, and two
trumpeters. The first onset was unfavourable to the Constable. He received
so heavy a blow on his shield-arm, that he fell forward to the left upon
his horse's neck; and being weakened by his fever, was nearly thrown to
the ground. All his friends thought he could never recover himself, and
began to deplore his ill fortune; but Du Guesclin collected his energies
for a decisive effort, and at the second charge aimed a blow at the
shoulder of his enemy, which felled him to the earth, mortally wounded. He
then sprang from his horse, sword in hand, with the intention of cutting
off the head of his fallen foe, when the Marshal d'Andreghem threw a
golden wand into the arena as a signal that hostilities should cease. Du
Guesclin was proclaimed the victor amid the joyous acclamations of the
crowd, and retiring, left the field to the meaner combatants, who were
afterwards to make sport for the people. Four English and as many French
squires fought for some time with pointless lances, when the French
gaining the advantage, the sports were declared at an end.

In the time of Charles VI., about the beginning of the fifteenth century,
a famous duel was ordered by the parliament of Paris. The Sieur de
Carrouges being absent in the Holy Land, his lady was violated by the
Sieur Legris. Carrouges, on his return, challenged Legris to mortal combat
for the twofold crime of violation and slander, inasmuch as he had denied
his guilt by asserting that the lady was a willing party. The lady's
asseverations of innocence were held to be no evidence by the parliament,
and the duel was commanded, with all the ceremonies. "On the