'215- m was about to begin, it perched on one of the king's banners this was confidered as a fortu-nate omen. The Flemings advanced fo near that they com-menced a cannonade with bars of iron, and quar-rels headed with brafs. Thus was the battle be-gun by Philip and his men againft the king's battalion, which at the outfet was very (harp ; for the Flemings, inflamed with pride and cou* rage, came on with vigour, and, pufliing with ihoulders and breads like enraged wild boars, they were fo ftrongly interlaced one with - the other, that they could not be broken, nor their ranks forced. By this attack, of cannons and bombardes, the lord d'Albaruin, banneret, Morlet de Haruin, and J ames Doré, on the fide of the French, were firft flain»and the king's battalion obliged to fall back. But the van and rear guards pulhed for^ ward, and, by inclofing the Flemings/ (iraitend-ed them much. Upon the two wings thefe men at arms made their attack : and, with their well tempered lances of Bourdeaux, pierced,through their coats of mail, to the flefli. All who were aflailed by them drew,back to avoid the blows, for never would thofe that efcaped return to the combat: by this means, the Flemings were fo .ftraitened that they could not ,ufe their ftaves .to defend themfelves. They loft both ftrength _ and breath, and, falling upon ope another, were ilifled to death without ûriking a blow. Philip von Artaveld was furrounded, wounded by fpears, and beaten down, with numbers of the Ghent men wjio were his guards,. When . VOL. VI. _ , Q Philip's