A.D. 1214.] IÌATTLK OK KO U VINES. il'.t'J position in those regions by sparing neither the female s χ nor the young children. King .John bad appointed his brother William earl of Salisbury, marshal over that army, and over the knights of the kingdom, to light in conjunction with them, and also to give the pay from the treasury to the other soldiers. These warriors were moreover assisted ami favoured by Olhn the Roman emperor, with all the forces of the dukes of Louvaine and Brabant, who wen; equally exasperated against the French. When all these proceedings came, to the knowledge of l'hilip king of the French, he was much alarmed lest he should be unable to defend that part of the country, having lately sent his son Louis with a large army into Poicton to oppose the Knglish king, and to check his hostile incursions there; and although the said king often thought on the common proverb— '* Whose mind te manv schemes is bent, On each can scarcely be intent." He however collected an army of carls, barons, knights, and soldiers, horse anil foot, together with the commoners of the cities and towns, and advanced in great force to meet his enemies, giving orders to the priests, religious men. clerks ami nuns, to give alms, to offer prayers to God, and to perform services for the firm standing of his kingdom ; after which he boldly marched with his army against the onemv. Hearing that the latter had already arrived as far as the bridge of lioviues in the territory of I'untoise, he led his forces in that direction, and arriving at the aforesaid bridge, he crossed the river with his army, and there pitched his camp. The beat of the sun was very great, as is usual in the month of July, on which account the French determined to halt near the river for the sake of refreshing the men as well as horses. They arrived at the before-mentioned river on a Saturday, about the hour of evening : and. having arranged the carts, waggons, anil all the vehicles in which they conveyed their food and arms, engines of war and weapons; to the right and left they appointed watches all round, and rested there for the night. When morning caini', and the linglish commanders were informed that the French king bad arrived, they held a council, ami unanimously determined to give open battle to the enemy: but, as it was