engaged under the command of
the King of England or any of his children. The prince at once
acceded to his request to be allowed to fight in the van, and Audley,
accompanied by four chosen squires, took his place in front of the
English line of battle. Not far from him, also in advance of the line,
was Sir Eustace D'Arnbrecicourt on horseback, also eager to distinguish
himself.

As Sir James rode off the prince turned to Walter. "As Audley must needs
fight as a knight-errant, Sir Walter Somers, do you take your place by
my side, for there is no more valiant knight in my army than you have
often proved yourself to be."

Three hundred chosen French men-at-arms mounted on the strongest
horses covered with steel armour, led the way under the command of the
Marechals D'Audeham and De Clermont; while behind them were a large body
of German cavalry under the Counts of Nassau, Saarbruck, and Nidau, to
support them in their attack on the English archers. On the right was
the Duke of Orleans with 16,000 men-at-arms; on the left the Dauphin and
his two brothers with an equal force; while King John himself led on the
rear-guard.

When the three hundred elite of the French army reached the narrow way
between the hedges, knowing that these were lined with archers they
charged through at a gallop to fall upon the main body of bowmen
covering the front of the English men-at-arms. The moment they were
fairly in the hollow road the British archers rose on either side to
their feet and poured such a flight of arrows among them that in an
instant all was confusion and disarray. Through every joint and crevice
of the armour of knights and horses the arrows found their way, and the
lane was almost choked with the bodies of men and horses. A considerable
number, nevertheless, made their way through and approached the first
line of archers beyond. Here they were met by Sir James Audley, who,
with his four squires, plunged into their ranks and overthrew the
Marechal D'Audeham, and then fought his way onward. Regardless of the
rest of the battle he pressed ever forward, until at the end of the day,
wounded in a hundred places and fainting from loss of blood, he fell
from his horse almost at the gates of Poitiers, and was borne from the
field by the four faithful squires who had fought beside him throughout
the day.

Less fortunate was Sir Eustace D'Ambrecicourt, who spurred headlong upon
the German cavalry. A German knight rode out to meet