y in
numbers, he resolved to open a passage through them. Having ordered all
his ships to be in readiness, he placed the strongest in the front, and
filled those which were at each end of the line with archers. Also
between every two ships of archers he placed one filled with
men-at-arms. He likewise ordered another line to be formed on the side,
as a body of reserve, and filled those ships also with archers, that
they might be ready to support or relieve any most requiring aid.

The English fleet approaching the haven of Sluys in the manner
described, found the French already lying in order of battle, in three
divisions, waiting for them. The English having gained the advantage of
the wind and sun by their dexterity and management, the king ordered the
signal for engaging to be given. The Normans, perceiving the English to
tack as they did to get the wind, thought that they were taking to their
heels, and began to triumph. But they soon found out their mistake,
and, being able seamen and brave combatants, prepared for the fight.
They began the battle by advancing with the _Great Christopher_, and,
with a vast noise of trumpets and other instruments, attempted to break
the line, to come at the ship in which they supposed the British king to
be. They were received with a general shout, and during continual
huzzas the English poured such showers of arrows from their long bows
into the enemy's ships as soon covered their decks with dead and wounded
men, and put the whole fleet into general consternation. The _Great
Christopher_ was taken in the beginning of the battle, and all who were
in her were either killed or made prisoners. The English, on this,
filled her with archers, and sent her to annoy the Genoese ships, which
formed part of the French fleet. And now death and destruction appeared
on every side in their most terrible array. The very air was darkened
with arrows, and the hostile ships rushing together, the men-at-arms
engaged in close fight.

The English, taking advantage of the confusion into which they had put
the French at the beginning of the fight, soon boarded them with the
help of their grappling-irons, and pursuing their good fortune, obtained
a complete victory, though a most bloody one, as their loss amounted to
4000 men killed and wounded. Great numbers of the French sailors
desperately threw themselves into the sea, and submitted to a certain
death rather than abide the repeated showers