Aquila. The king himself, hearing this, was
seized with so great pangs that in the night season he set forth with
a few of the host in his company, and came to Aquila that same night,
and causing the guards at the gates to be asked for whom they held the
city, they answered, For King Charles: who, having entered in without
dismounting from his horse, having exhorted them to good watch,
immediately returned to the host, and was there early in the morning:
and because of the weariness of going and returning by night from
Aquila, King Charles laid him down and slept.

Sec. 27.--_How Conradino and his people were defeated by King Charles._

[Sidenote: 1268 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xxviii. 17, 18.]

Now Conradino and his host were puffed up with the vain hope that
Aquila had rebelled against King Charles, and therefore, all drawn up
in battle array, they raised their battle cry, and made a vigorous
rush to force the passages of the river and engage with King Charles.
King Charles, albeit he was reposing, as we have said, hearing the din
of the enemy, and how they were in arms and ready for battle,
immediately caused his followers to arm and array themselves after the
order and fashion whereof we before made mention. And the troop of the
Provencals, which was led by M. Henry of Cosance, being at guard on
the bridge to hinder the passing of Don Henry of Spain and his people,
the Spaniards set themselves to ford the river, which was not very
great, and began to enclose the troop of Provencals which were
defending the bridge. Conradino and the rest of his host, seeing the
Spaniards had crossed, began to pass the river, and with great fury
assailed the followers of King Charles, and in a short time had routed
and defeated the Provencal troop; and the said M. Henry of Cosance;
and the standard of King Charles was beaten down, and M. Henry himself
was slain. Don Henry and the Germans, believing they had got King
Charles in person, inasmuch as he wore the royal insignia, all fell
upon him at once. And the said Provencal troop being routed, they
dealt in like fashion with the French and the Italian troop, which was
led by M. Jean de Clery and M. William, the standard-bearer, because
the followers of Conradino were two to one against those of King
Charles, and very fierce and violent in battle; and the followers of
King Charles, seeing themselves thus sore bestead, took to flight, and
abandoned the field. The Germans believed the