rough and crushed to pieces,
and the rest were forced to fly, our men began to move those
heaps, and to separate the living from the dead. And behold,
suddenly, with what angry dispensation of Providence it is not
known, (nescitur in qua ira Dei,) a shout is made that the
cavalry of the enemy in an overwhelming and fresh body were
rallying, and forming themselves to attack our men, few in
number, and worn out with fatigue. And the captives, without any
respect of persons, (except the Dukes of Orleans and Bourbon, and
certain other illustrious men, and a few besides,) were put the
sword, to prevent their becoming our ruin in the approaching
struggle. And, after a little while, the enemy, (by the
Almighty's will,) having tasted the sharpness of our arrows, and
seeing that our King was approaching them, left us a field of
blood, with chariots and many other carriages filled (p. 178)
with provisions and weapons, lances and bows."

Jean Le Fevre, Seigneur de St. Remy, who was also an eye-witness,
being present in the English camp, records the event, and his own
opinion of it, thus:

"Then there befel them a very great misfortune; for a large body
of the rear-guard, in which were many French, Bretons, Gascons,
and others, who had betaken themselves to flight, and had with
them a large number of standards and flags, showed signs of an
intention to fight, and were marching in order. When the English
perceived them thus congregated, orders were given by the King of
England for every one to slay his prisoners; but those who had
taken them were unwilling to put them to death, because they had
taken those only who could give a high ransom. On the King being
apprised that they would not kill their prisoners, he gave in
charge to a gentleman with two hundred archers to put them all to
death. The order of the King was obeyed by this esquire, which
was a lamentable affair; for all that body of French nobility
were _in cold blood_ cut and hewed, head and face,--a wonderful
thing to see. THAT ACCURSED BAND OF FRENCHMEN, WHO THUS CAUSED
THAT NOBLE CHIVALRY TO BE MURDERED, when they saw that the
English were ready to receive them and give them battle, betook
themselves to flight suddenly; and those who could, saved
themselves; and the greater part of those who w