. • " . : . • . t . « * -i i "CHAP. CUX. , • . THE CARDINAL DE PERIGOHD ENDEAVOURS fO . #AÇE PEACE BETWEEN THE 1UNG OF Fit AN CE AND THE PRINCE OF WAIES, PREVIOUS. TO THE ffATTLE OF POITIERS, ^fHEN the battalions of the king of France were drawn up, and each lord polled under his proper banner, $nd informed bow they were to aéi, it was ordered, that all thofe who were armed with lances ihould • ihorten them to the leiigth of five feet, that they might be the more manageable, fnd that every one ihould take off his fpurs. . • As the French were on the point of marching to their enemies, the cardinal de Perigord, who half left Poitiers that morning early, came full gallop up to the king, making a low reverence, and intreated him, with juplifted hands, for the love of God, to halt a moment, that he might fpeak to him: he thus began ; € Moft dear fire, yon have here with you all the flower of knighthood of your kingdom againft a handful of people, fuch as the Englilh are, when compared to your army ; you may have them upon other terms than by a battle ; and it will be more honorable and profitable to you to gain tbem by this means than to rilk fuch a fine army, and fuch noble perfons as you have now with you. I therefore befeech you, in all humility, and by the love of God, that you will permit me to go to the prince, and remonftrate with him on the dangerous . fituation