Ribemont, who exerted himself with fingular vigour and bravery: as no man more admired valour, or poffeffed a greater share of it than himself, he was inflamed with a defire of trying a fingle combat with him; he therefore stepped forth from the battalion in which he fought, and challenging him by name (for he was known to him) began a fharp encounter: the conteft was long and obftinate, and the English Monarch found in the French Knight a combatant worthy his puiffant arm. Twice was he beaten to the ground, and each time inftantly recovering himself like Antæus, he preffed on his foe with redoubled vigour ; till Sir Euftace, finding himfelf almost left alone, cried out, "Brave Knight, I yield "to your fuperior prowess; nor blush to "be overcome by ftrength like yours." He then gave up his fword to his unknown antagonist, and became his prifoner.

By this time the defeat was general, and of the whole French army few escaped either death

H

death or captivity. The Prince of Wales fell not short of his Royal Father in the valorous tranfactions of that day. Lord Geoffrey Charni being previously wounded, was taken prifoner with feveral other Noblemen.

After this victory, which was happily completed on the first of January 1349, by ten in the morning, King Edward returned with his prifoners to Calais, where he treated them with the greatest courtesy, and invited them to a magnificent entertainment. On the refumption of his ftate the French first knew that his Majefty had been perfonally in this exploit; and Sir Eustace de Ribemont difcovered, with pleasure, to what a noble antagonist he had delivered up

his sword.

When the banquet was prepared, the King fat at a table by himself, the Prince his Son, with the Lords and Knights of Engind, attending at the firft courfe; but

at

at the second they all fat down at tables placed on each fide of the hall: the French Knights were feated at one long table in the middle of it; and the viands being removed, the King arofe and entered graciously into conversation with them.

Geoffrey

As he approached Lord Charni, he looked at him for a moment with fome difpleafure; but that magnanimity for which his Majefty was famed foon refumed its empire in his heart, and he addreffed him with complacence and familiarity. Lord Geoffrey, though fenfible of the King's condefcenfion, was unable from his wounds, and a confcioufnefs of his intended treachery, to return any answer.

He then moved towards Sir Euftace de Ribemont, and with a friendly countenance thus fpoke his approbation of the noble ftand he had made against him in the field: "Of all men living, Sir Euftace, you are "the Knight whom I have found moft,

"as well in offending your enemies, as in "defending yourfelf; and I never, in my

66

life, met with that man that gave me fo "much ado, body to body, as you have "done this day: wherefore I adjudge the prize of Knighthood unto you, by right “sentence, above all the Knights of my He then took off a chaplet of pearls from his head, and presenting it to his prifoner, thus continued to addrefs him : "I give you, Sir Euftace, this

• court

chaplet, for the best doer in arms at this "last battle of either party, whether French

or English; and I defire you to wear it this year at festivals for my fake. You

* I have given my Readers this fpeech in the language of the times, as it will convey to them fome idea of the rough and unlettered manners of that age. The intrepid and generous deeds of thofe unpolifhed Sons of War wanted not the aid of rhetoric to point out their merit, or to blazon them to the world. Even the language of Love was then fimple and unadorned; it was the language of the heart, nor needed any fallacious explanations to enfure belief, or to render it perfuafive.

"are a perfonable Gentleman, young and amorous and well accepted among the "Ladies; wherefore if you will wear it in "all public balls, and declare unto them, "that the King of England gave this as

''

a teftimony of your valour, I will now "release you, quitting you wholly of your "ranfom." Sir Euftace expreffed his gratitude for this honourable acknowledgment; and not only wore the chaplet whilst he lived, but in memory of this royal gift from fo renowned a Prince, his family ever after bore for their arms three chaplets garnished with pearls.

This treachery of the French, attempted whilst yet the truce exifted, juftly rebounded on their own heads. But the King of France was fo enraged at the dif appointment, that, having betrayed Sir Emeric de Pavia into his hands, he put him to death with every mark of infamy: he