Page:Conquest of France (1).pdf/12

 12     The Life and glorious Actions which battle gained, would ever quell the Engliſh claim to the French dia- dem. With theſe hopes, he drew all his forces near King Edward's army, in a ſpa- cious field; near the town of Creſſy: King Edward and the Black Prince proceeded with all diligence to put their army in rea- dineſs, that he might save the order of bat- tle: to this the King conſented. The whole army immediately upon this, was divided into three battles, which the Prince cauſed to be ſo barrocaded behind, with the car- riages and carts, that the enemy ſhould not be able, if they encloſed them with their numbers, to break into the rear. Being thus ordered, the approach of the night hindered their joining in battle; ſo they ſpent the night in prayers and mode- rate refreſhment whilſt the King and Prince in diſguiſe, went from tent to tent, aſking the private ſoldiers, what they thought of   the number of the French army, with ma- ny ſuch queſtions, how the King and Prince stood affected? The ſoldiers replied, as for the French numbers they minded them not, for they ſhould ſoon be lefſened, and brought to con- fuſion. The next morning the ſignal for battle was given on both ſides, to begin the fight, but either for want of ſkill, or making more haſte than good ſpeed, they were put into