turn to them that sent you and say that I
command them to let the boy win his spurs, for I am determined that, if
it please God, all the glory of this day shall be given to him and to
those to whose care I have entrusted him."

[Illustration]

This message cheered the Prince mightily, and he and the English won the
battle of Crecy.

And the battle of Crecy, one of the most glorious in English History,
was won by the common people of England, yeomen and archers, foot
soldiers against the knights and squires of France with their swords and
horses.

In this battle the blind king of Bohemia took part with the French.

"I pray you," he said to his friends, "lead me into the battle that I
may strike one more stroke with this good sword of mine."

So they led him in and he was killed.

[Sidenote: A.D. 1356.]

The battle of Poictiers was fought entirely under the direction of the
Black Prince, and this was another splendid victory to England; and in
this battle the French king was taken. The king was brought to the Black
Prince as he was resting in his tent, and he behaved like the true
gentleman he was. He showed the deepest respect and sympathy for his
vanquished foe. He ordered the best of suppers to be served to the king,
and would not sit with him to eat, but stood behind his chair and waited
on him like a servant, saying--"I am only a prince. It is not fitting I
should sit in the presence of the king of France." And King John said--

"Since it has pleased Heaven that I am a captive, I thank my God I have
fallen into the hands of the most generous and valiant prince alive."

King John was taken as a prisoner to London. They rode into the city,
King John mounted on a beautiful white horse that belonged to the Black
Prince, while Prince Edward himself, riding on a black pony, was ready
to wait on him, and to do his bidding.

It was this generous temper which made the Black Prince beloved by all
who knew him; it was only during his last illness that his character
seemed to be changed by the great sufferings that he underwent, and it
was only during the last year of his life that he did anything of which
a king and an Englishman need be ashamed.

He seems to have inherited his skill in war from his father, and from
his mother, Queen Philippa, he inherited gentleness, goodness, and true
courtesy. There are many stories told of the goodness and courage of
this lady. Among others, this:--

[Sidenote: A.D. 1347.]