had been
thrown, Philip commanded them to give battle at once. They murmured,
but were about to comply, when nature unexpectedly conspired to help
the English forces.

The sky, a few moments before blue and cloudless, became overcast, a
tremendous storm gathered from the west, broke in all its fury of rain,
hail and thunder and lightning--even a partial eclipse of the sun
occurred. There was a terrible downpour, and to the horror of the
moment was added the hoarse cries of crows and ravens which fluttered
before the storm, and in the gathering darkness, circled around the
heads of the army, terrifying the Italian bowmen who were
superstitious, and not accustomed to the severity of Northern storms.

At last the sky cleared, the clouds lifted and the sun shone out again
in dazzling brightness, shining directly in the eyes of the Italians,
and not only were they blinded by it, but their bows had become so wet
by the rain that when they attempted to draw them, they found it
impossible.

The sun was shining at the back of the English archers, who could
consequently see just where to aim, and as they had kept their bows in
cases during the storm, they were perfectly dry, and now the English
began to shoot--shot so well and so fast that their arrows poured down
like rain on the Genoese, who had never before encountered such archers
as these. Unable to stand the storm of shots, they turned and fled
ignominiously and from the moment of their flight the panic of the
French army was so great that the day was lost.

Seeing the uselessness of the fleeing archers, King Philip was enraged
at them and ordered the soldiers to kill them, as they were simply
barring the way of his other men to no purpose. So the poor archers
were cut down by the swords of their own comrades, and the French
horsemen waded through their blood and approached the English.

The confusion among the ranks of the French increased. The old King of
Bohemia who was blind, but filled with zeal for the cause, being
surrounded by his followers, asked how the battle was progressing. When
told the truth he begged to be led forward that he might strike one
blow with his sword for the deliverance of France. His followers
consented to his wish, but fearing that they might lose him in the
press of battle, they tied the reins of their bridles together, with
him in their midst, but alas, all were killed together. The crest of
the King of Bohemia which consisted of three