Chronicle and Romance | Page 6

constable and other lords of France that night watched well the
town of Caen, and in the morning armed them with all them of the
town: then the constable ordained that none should issue out, but keep
their defences on the walls, gate, bridge and river, and left the suburbs
void, because they were not closed; for they thought they should have
enough to do to defend the town, because it was not closed but with the
river. They of the town said how they would issue out, for they were
strong enough to fight with the king of England. When the constable
saw their good wills, he said: 'In the name of God be it, ye shall not
fight without me,' Then they issued out in good order and made good
face to fight and to defend them and to put their lives in adventure.

OF THE BATTLE OF CAEN, AND HOW THE ENGLISHMEN
TOOK THE TOWN
The same day the Englishmen rose early and apparelled them ready to
go to Caen.[1] The king heard mass before the sun-rising and then took
his horse, and the prince his son, with sir Godfrey of Harcourt marshal
and leader of the host, whose counsel the king much followed. Then
they drew toward Caen with their battles in good array, and so
approached the good town of Caen. When they of the town, who were
ready in the field, saw these three battles coming in good order, with
their banners and standards waving in the wind, and the archers, the
which they had not been accustomed to see, they were sore afraid and
fled away toward the town without any order or good array, for all that
the constable could do: then the Englishmen pursued them eagerly.
When the constable and the earl Tancarville saw that, they took a gate

at the entry and saved themselves[2] and certain with them, for the
Englishmen were entered into the town. Some of the knights and
squires of France, such as knew the way to the castle, went thither, and
the captain there received them all, for the castle was large. The
Englishmen in the chase slew many, for they took none to mercy.
[1] This was 26th July. Edward arrived at Poissy on 12th August. Philip
of Valois left Paris on the 14th, the English crossed the Seine at Poissy
on the 16th, and the Somme at Blanche-taque on the 24th.
[2] 'Set themselves for safety in a gate at the entry of the bridge.'
Then the constable and the earl of Tancarville, being in the little tower
at the bridge foot, looked along the street and saw their men slain
without mercy: they doubted to fall in their hands. At last they saw an
English knight with one eye called sir Thomas Holland, and a five or
six other knights with him: they knew them, for they had seen them
before in Pruce, in Granade, and in other viages. Then they called to sir
Thomas and said how they would yield themselves prisoners. Then sir
Thomas came thither with his company and mounted up into the gate,
and there found the said lords with twenty-five knights with them, who
yielded them to sir Thomas, and he took them for his prisoners and left
company to keep them, and then mounted again on his horse and rode
into the streets, and saved many lives of ladies, damosels, and
cloisterers from defoiling, for the soldiers were without mercy. It fell so
well the same season for the Englishmen, that the river, which was able
to bear ships, at that time was so low, that men went in and out beside
the bridge. They of the town were entered into their houses, and cast
down into the street stones, timber and iron, and slew and hurt more
than five hundred Englishmen, wherewith the king was sore displeased.
At night when he heard thereof, he commanded that the next day all
should be put to the sword and the town brent; but then sir Godfrey of
Harcourt said: 'Dear sir, for God's sake assuage somewhat your courage,
and let it suffice you that ye have done. Ye have yet a great voyage to
do or ye come before Calais, whither ye purpose to go; and, sir, in this
town there is much people who will defend their houses, and it will cost
many of your men their lives, or ye have all at your will; whereby
peradventure ye shall not keep your purpose to Calais, the which
should redound to your rack. Sir, save your people, for ye shall have
need of them or this month pass; for I think verily your adversary king

Philip will meet with you to fight, and ye shall find many straight
passages