* Order the Genoefe forward; and begin the bâttlèi in the name of God and St. Denis/ There were about fifteen thoufand Genoefe crofs-bowmen ; but they were quite fatigued, having marched on foot that day fix leagues, completely armed, and with their crofs^bows, They told the conftable, they were not in a fit condition to do any great things that day in battle. The earl of Alençon, hearing this, faid, ' This it what one gets by employing fuch fcoundrels, who fall off when there is any need for them/ During this time, a heavy rain fell, accompanied by thunder and a very terrible eclipfe of the fun ; and before this rain a great flight of crows hovered in the air over all thofe battalions, making a loud noife. Shortly afterwards it cleared up, and the fun ihone very bright ; but the Frenchmen had it in their faces, and the Englifh in their backs. When the Genoefe were fomewhat in order, and approached the Englifh, they fet up a loud fhout, in order to frighten them; but they remained quite ftill, and did not feem to attend to it. They then fet up a fécond fhout, and advanced a little for-ward; but the Englifh never moved. They hooted a third time, advancing with their crofs-bows pre-sented, and began to fhoot. The Englifh archers then advanced one ftep forward, and fhot their ar- rows with fuch force and quicknefs, that it feemed as if it fnowed. When the Genoefe felt thefe arrows,, which' pierced their arms, heads, and through their ar-mour, fpmQ of them cut the firings of their crois- M 2 'bows. 163