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punctuality any plan he fhould lay down, The King only infifted that he should in

form him as foon as the day was fixed, and 4..

then difmiffed him,

The laft night in December being agreed on between Lord Geoffrey and the Governor for the delivery of the town, the latter punctually fent notice to the King, who was then keeping his Christmas at Havering in Effex, without interrupting the festivity of his court, he marched privately to Dover, with a felect body of men whom he had kept near him for that purpose, and arrived on the appointed evening at Calais. This was done with so much dispatch and secrefy, that only a few of his principal Officers knew that he was himself arrived. Having difpofed of his men in different parts of the town, he appointed Sir Walter Manny to the command of the enterprize, telling him, that he would grace him with the honour of it, as both himself and the Prince of Wales intended to fight under his banner.

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The Lord Geoffrey Charni having furnished himself with a chofen body of troops approached Calais about midnight: he immediately drew up his men near the walls, and fent two 'Squires to the gate appointed, to know if Sir Emeric was ready: finding that he was there, expecting the completion of their agreement, Lord Charni dispatched twelve Knights with two hundred men to take poffeffion of the Castle, and at the fame time to deliver the gold to the Governor but they had scarcely entered the gates, when they were furrounded and made prifoners. Sir Walter and his forces, among whom were the King and the Prince of Wales, disguised in plain armour, now rushed out with fhouts of victory. The French, finding themfelves betrayed, were at firft in fome confufion; but they instantly recovered from their aftonishment, and a fierce and bloody engagement enfued,

As the morning broke the King remarked a French Knight, named Sir Euftace de Ribemont,

Ribemont, who exerted himself with fingular vigour and bravery: as no man more admired valour, or poffeffed a greater fhare 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 Eustace, finding himself almost left alone, cried out, "Brave Knight, I yield "to your fuperior prowefs; 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 efcaped either death

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death or captivity. The Prince of Wales fell not fhort of his Royal Father in the valorous tranfactions of that day. Lord Geoffrey Charni being previoufly wounded, was taken prisoner with several other Noblemen.

After this victory, which was happily completed on the firft of January 1349, by ten in the morning, King Edward returned with his prifoners to Calais, where he treated them with the greateft 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 Eustacé de Ribemont discovered, with pleasure, to what a noble antagonist he had delivered up his fword.

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

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

As he approached Lord Lord Geoffrey Charni, he looked at him for a moment with some displeasure; 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 condescension, was unable from his wounds, and a confciousness of his intended treachery, to return any anfwer.

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 Eustace, you are "the Knight whom I have found most,

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