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SIR JOHN FROISSART
Chronicles of England, France, Spain and the adjoining countries
from the latter part of the reign of Edward II to the coronation of Henry IV. Vol.5
page 24
ûs/ ' But they had no fuch inclination, and were afraid of trying the chance s for their leaders would% not allow them to advance to the combat. -
During thefe frequent difplays on each fide, the carl of Cambridge, being fatigued With their in-utility, declared with ah oath, that if he faw them continued without any further advance made to-wards a battle, he would engage the French him-felf, whatever might be the confequence.
The van-guard, compofed of numbers of able, men under the command of the conftable, who well knew the hot and impatient temper of the Englifh, were ordered to draw up their battalions on foot, on the fands as near to the river as pofli-ble. The earl of Cambridge, who faw this ma-nœuvre, cried out,4 Let them who lové me follow me, for I am going to engage !' He then dafhed into the liver, which was low, but the tide was re-turning, and he began to crofs it with his banner : the Englifh. commenced fhooting at the French, when the conftable ordered his men to retreat to. the fields, in hopes the Englifh would have crofied ; for very willingly would he have feen them do fo, and have had them on the other fide of the water.
The "duke of Lancafter was prepared, with a very ftrong battalion, to follow his brother, fhould there have been occafion. He faid to Gerard de Brees, a fquire from Hainault who was near him y 4 Gerard, fee how my brother ventures : he, fhews the French by his example his willingnefs for the combat, but they have no fuch inclination/
# Thui
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