Page:Conquest of France (1).pdf/11

 of Edward the Black Prince. 11 found it defended by 12,000 French, yet when the ſea was ebb’d, he, with the Prince and the whole army, put themſelves into the water, as likewiſe on the other ſide did the French, ſo that the fight was doubtful; but the Engliſh at length prevailing, with great ſlaughter of the enemy, purſued them in full chaſe a league: and ſo the Engliſh army ha- ving paſſed the river, reſolved to abide the whole power of France, tho' ſix times their number, and dare them to a battle. King Edward to his immortal honour, ſent a challenge to the French King, to fight him in ſingle combate, but he excuſed it cun- ningly, by alledging it was ſent to him, by the name of Philip de Vallois, and not by the title of King of France, and therefore he ſhould betray his royal dignity in accepe- ing it.

C H A P.   III.

How King Edward marched with a ſmall ar- my into France, and met Philip the French King, with an army of 100,000 men; how the battle was fought, and the French rout- ed by the Black Prince. THE French King relying on his num- bers, thinking the Engliſh thus entan- gled in the heart of his country, were en- traped in a ſnare, and could not avoid deſtruction,