econd, Charles himself the third, and
the Lords of Roye and Rieux the reserve. The ducal arms of Brittany were
displayed on both sides.

By slow degrees the two armies closed with each other in deadly strife.
Both parties had dismounted and fought on foot with lances shortened
to five feet. Du Guesclin and his division attacked that of Knolles.
Auxerre fell upon De Clisson, while the divisions of the two rival
princes closed with each other. After desperate fighting numbers
prevailed. De Montford was driven back, but Calverley advanced to his
aid, fell upon the rear of the French, threw them into disorder, and
then having rallied De Montford's men, retired to his former position in
readiness to give succour again where it might be needed.

In the meantime Clisson had been engaged in a desperate struggle with
the Count of Auxerre, but was obtaining no advantage. Clisson himself
had received the blow of a battle-axe which had dashed in the vizor of
his helmet and blinded for ever one of his eyes. He was still leading
his men, but the enemies' superior numbers were pressing him back,
when Chandos, the instant the assistance of Calverley had relieved De
Montford's division, perceiving his danger, drew off a few men-at-arms,
and with them fell upon the rear of the Count of Auxerre, and dashing
all who opposed him to the ground with his battle-axe, cleft his way to
the very centre of the enemy. Pressed by De Clisson in front and broken
by the sudden attack of Chandos in the rear, the French division gave
way in every direction. Auxerre was desperately wounded, and he and
Joigny both taken prisoners.

Chandos then returned to De Montford, who had gallantly followed up the
advantage gained by the confusion into which Charles's division had been
thrown by the attack of Calverley. Charles was routed; he himself struck
down and slain by an English soldier, and the division defeated with
great slaughter. De Montford's whole force now gathered round Du
Guesclin's division, which now alone remained, and after fighting
gallantly until all hope was gone, the brave French knight and his
companions yielded themselves as prisoners.

The battle of Auray terminated the struggle between the houses of Blois
and Montford. More than 1000 French men-at-arms died on the field, among
whom were many of the noblest in Brittany. Two counts, 27 lords, and
1500 men-at-arms were made prisoners. De Montford now took possession of
the whole of Britt