indefatigable King haftened thither, but found Gondemar pofted on the opposite shore. He deliberated not a moment, but attended. by his brave fon threw himself into the stream, and being properly fupported, drove his oppofers from their station. His rear guard had fcarcely gained the shore, when King Philip's army arrived; they were however prevented from overtaking them by the return of the tide. Thus did the English Monarch by his prudence and celerity escape a danger, which, from his fituation and the fuperior number of his enemies, appeared inevitable. As Philip, by this incident, was obliged to take a confiderable circuit, it gave Edward time to encamp on the field of Creffy; and to make the most proper difpofition of his army for the reception of fo formidable an enemy.

When King Edward had iffued out his orders, he invited his principal Officers to an entertainment in his tent; and during the whole evening appeared fo cheerful and ferene,

E 4

serene, that a calm intrepidity diffused itfelf through every breaft, and made them rather expect the morning with impatience, though fo greatly out-numbered, than be hold its approach with dread.

*

The Prince of Wales, not yet arrived at the age of manhood, being at this time but fixteen years and two months old, fat amidst the furrounding Nobles with the composure of a veteran. In the paffage over the Somme he had, for the first time, ftained his fword in blood; but as the conteft was of a fhort duration, he had an opportunity only of fhewing a small part of that ftrength and valour which the next day enabled him to perform incredible acts of heroifm.

As foon as the morning dawned the King and his fon arofe, and immediately proceeded to the performance of their religious duties. Courage was not a furer effervefcence of knighthood than piety; nor could it be more genuine and fincere than

in

in the hearts of thefe truly heroic Princes. The confequent tranquillity which fat in their countenances infpired the whole army with confidence, and made them obey the orders that were iffued out with the greatest cheerfulness and alacrity. His Majesty * not doubting but that a battle would foon enfue, then furveyed the ground, and derived every poffible advantage from it. He drew his forces upon a gentle afcent near the village of Creffy, and divided them into three bodies. The first he gave the command of to the Prince of Wales; but left his Son's youth and inexperience might render him unequal to fo important a ftation, he appointed the Earl of Warwick and Lord

Though I have made ufe of the word Majefty and other modern appellations throughout this work, yet that title was not given to the Kings of England till many years after this period. The ftyle of Grace was firft given to them about the time of Henry the Fourth; to Henry the Sixth Excellent Grace; to Edward the Fourth High and Mighty Prince; to Henry the Seventh fometimes Grace, fometimes Highnefs; to Henry the Eighth first Highness, then Majefty, and to all the Kings fince Sacred or Most Excellent Majefty.

John

John Chandos to affift and direct him, should their advice be neceffary: the second divifion was led by the Earls of Arundel and Northampton: and the King himself took the command of the third; which he drew up at fome diftance from the main body, intending with this corps to fuccour the other battalions, or to fecure a retreat, as he fhould fee needful. He likewife prudently threw up intrenchments an the flank of his little army, to defend it from the fuperior numbers of the enemy; and placed all his carriages and baggage in the rear, inclosing them with a rampart,

This admirable difpofition being made, and the troops having taken their proper ftations, he rode through the ranks, pointing out to them the inevitable deftruction that awaited them, if they did not exert their utmost courage on this trying occafion : he reminded them of the fuccefs which had hitherto attended their arms, notwithstanding they had been always

greatly

greatly out-numbered by their foes; and affured them, that regularity and order would compenfate for the prefent difadvantage in that refpect: he then concluded his fhort oration by telling them, that all required from them was, that they would imitate his own example and that of his Son, who would partake with them of every danger, The intrepidity which still appeared in his Majefty's face, and the compofure with which he addreffed them, warmed every heart, and made his troops think the hours tedious till the approach of their foes gave them an opportunity of proving by their actions, what impreffion his harangue had made on their minds, After a fhort repaft they laid themselves on the grafs with their arms by their fides, and in this posture awaited the approach of their enemies.

The French army, which had paffed the. night at Abbeville about four leagues diftant, began their march at fun-rife in hafte and confufion,