of the French nobility were there : no knight nor fquire, for fear of difhdnour, dared to remain at home. , • '• By the advice of the conftable and the marlhals, the army was divided into three battalions, each confifting of fixteën thoufand men at arms, who had before (hewn themfelves men of tried courage. • The duke of Orleans commanded the firft bat-talion, where there were thirty-fix banners and twice as many pennons. ' The fécond was under the command of the duke of Normandy, and hjs two brothers, the lord Lewis and lord John. The king of France commanded the third. * Whilft thefe three battalions were forming, the king called to him the lord Euftace de Ribeaumont, the lord John de Landas, and the lord Guifcard de Beaujeu, and faid to them ; € Ride forward, as near the Engliih army as you can, and obferve their Countenance, taking notice of their numbers, and examine which wiH be • the ' moft advantageous manner for us.to combat them, whether on horfe-back or on foot,' The three knights left the king to obey his commands. The king was mounted upon % white palfrey, and, riding to the head of his array, faid aloud ; € You, men of Paris,, Chartres, Rouen and Orleans, have been ufed tQ threaten what you would do to the Engliih, if you could find them, and wiflied much to meet them4n arms : now, that wifli (hall be gratified : I will lead you to them ; and let us fee how you will revenge your-felves for all the mifçhief and damage they have done you;; be aJQTufed we will not part without ' ' fighting.' 808