s in search
of the advancing enemy, so eager was he to take part in a real battle.

At midnight, when all the army had been cared for and suitably arranged
in their tents, King Edward lay down for a much needed rest, but was up
again at dawn, when he and the young prince, not only heard mass but
also received the sacrament, and we can fancy how that solemn preface
to a day which proved so momentous to the Black Prince, must have
lingered long in his memory as a sacred recollection.

It was Saturday, the 26th of August, 1346 when King Edward drew his men
up in three divisions--one commanded by the prince, assisted by the
Earls of Warwick and Oxford, which division consisted of eight hundred
men at arms, two thousand archers and one thousand Welsh-men. The
second division under Lords Arundel and Northampton had only eight
hundred men at arms, twelve hundred archers, while the third division,
under the king's own command, had seven hundred men at arms and two
thousand archers. This division occupied the summit of the hill, from
which the king watched the entire battle, never engaging in it--and for
this reason.

King Philip was so determined to destroy the English army, that he had
hoisted the sacred banner of France, the great scarlet flag,
embroidered with the gold lily which was the emblem of France, as a
sign that no mercy whatever would be shown to the English, under any
conditions. When this Oriflamme, as it was called, was raised, and King
Edward saw it, he realised how great the chances of his death would be,
should he engage in the battle, and that this would expose, not only
the army, but the whole kingdom to the gravest danger, so throughout
the entire battle he remained in the tower of a wind-mill on the ridge
overlooking the battle-field, while the young prince, who had only been
knighted a month before, was practically left in command of the entire
army, and went forward into the very heat of the combat.

When the army had been suitably arranged and every earl, baron and
knight knew what he was to do in the hour of battle, King Edward
mounted his small white horse and rode slowly from line to line among
his men, talking earnestly to them of their duty as warriors, and
urging them to defend his rights with all their strength. His words and
smile were so stimulating that the men were filled with courage as they
listened to him, and every man promised to do as the king wished. Then
he ordered them all to eat