407 • plates and helmets very neatly, and, with vizors down and pfefented lances, marched to us very boldly; in good truth, there were the flower of chivalry and fquirefhip, as was very apparent. c Between us was a ditch, not fo wide but a knight could leap over it, which was of fome advantage to us; for our wings lanced very (harp darts as the enemy attempted to pafs it, which wounded feveral fo forely they were checked in the attempt. When they had alt crofled it, the battle raged ; for they imagined the king of Caftille, with the main body, _ were clofe behind them, but it was not fo, and they were all flain before his arrival. The manner of this happening was as follows : • ' They were furrounded, as it were, by thofe' called the commonalty of our country, who, coming on their rear, attacked them fharply with axes, whilft our men at arms, that were quite frefh, charged them in front, and drove them back into the ditch they had crofled. In lefs than half an hour the bufinefs was over, and all this body, of four thoufand good men ' at arms, were put to death : none were rànfomed -? for Whenever any of ours wiftied to fliew quarter to his prifoner, he was flain while in ' his hands. Thus did this (laughter befal the van battaKon : not one efcaped. " ' v € Shortly after, the king of Caftille and his army, confifting of thirty thoufand men well mounted, came up, but it was now night, and they were ignorant of the lofs of their van.