their opinion was, that he should undertake the reconquest more and more, because the power of the English had not dared to deliver him battle. Wherefore, he caused them to return to Chateau Thierry, and from thence to Cressy in Vallois, from the which place he repaired and lodged his army in the open fields near adjoining to Dampmartin in Gonelle; when, in order to meet him, ran the Frenchmen from all quarters, crying, “ Christmas!” and singing, "Te Deum laudamus," with devout anthems, verses, and responses; keeping marvellous feastings, and above all regarding much the Pucelle; the which, observing their conduct, wept most amply, and turning herself aside, said unto the count Dunois,

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"In the name of God, there live here good and "devout people, and I wish I might die in this "country, when it is fitting I should die."

And then the said count demanded of her: "Jeanne, do you know when you shall die, and " in what place?"

To the which she made answer:

"No, for every thing resteth with the will of "God." And then continued, addressing herself to him and the other lords:

"I have accomplished all that Messires com"manded me, which was to raise the siege of Or"leans, and cause the king to be crowned; I wish "it would now so please him, to cause me to return

"back unto my father and my mother, in order "that I might watch over my sheep and my cattle, "and do that which it behoveth me to do.”

And then rendering up thanks unto the Lord, she raised her eyes with much humility unto heaven. By the which words that they knew to be true, and by her manner, did they firmly believe that she was the Saint Pucelle sent by God, and the which for a surety she was.

When the duke of Bedford, uncle and lieutenantgeneral of king Henry, and governing for him the cities, towns, and places, holding for him in the kingdom, knew that the king was in the plains in the vicinity of Dampmartin, he marched forth from Paris with a great number of men at war, and came and encamped near unto Nuctry, close to the said Dampmartin, and joined his army, which he ranged in good order of battle, and in an advantageous situation: the which was announced unto the king; and he forthwith, in like manner, gave orders unto his people, with intention to await and receive the battle of his adversaries, or to advance and attack them, if they should encamp, or were to be found in a suitable situation. But the English showed no signs whatsoever of wishing to assail them; but, on the contrary, they had occupied a ground very advantageous and well fortified; as was perceived, and made known by La Hire and many other valiant captains and men at arms, who, upon this

same day, in order to behold their array, and if it were right to attack them, proceeded in order to give them a grand skirmish, in manifold places and at sundry times, from the morning until night. However, no injury was there done either on the one side or on the other. After the which skirmishes the duke of Bedford returned with his army into Paris and the king approached unto Cressy in Vallois, from whence he sent forward his heralds to summon and require that those of Compiegne should place themselves in obedience to him; the which sent for answer that they were right willing to do the same.

At about this period proceeded many French lords unto the city of Beauvais, whereof was bishop and count Peter Cochon; very much inclined to the English party, notwithstanding he was a native of the environs of Rheims. But notwithstanding this, those of the city entered into full obedience to the king, as soon as they beheld his heralds bearing his arms; and they all cried in great joy, Long live Charles King of France! and they chanted Te Deum, and made great rejoicings. And this done, they permitted to go forth all those who would not enter into such obedience, and suffered them to depart peaceably with their goods and chattels.

Some few days after, the duke of Bedford on a sudden sallied forth from Paris, in order to march

to Senlis, his former army being augmented with four thousand English, which his uncle the cardinal of England had transported from thence by sea, under the pretext of marching them against the Bohemian heretics, but belying his promises, set them to work against the most Christian Frenchmen, although they had been subsidized with money of the church. The which came unto the knowledge of the king, who had entered on his route, marching his host for the city of Compiegne, and was lodged at a village named Barron, two leagues distant from the city of Senlis, the which held on the side of the English and the Burgundians. Wherefore orders. were issued, that Messire Ambroise de Loré, after prevost of Paris, and the lord of Sainctes-trailles, should proceed well mounted towards Paris, or elsewhere, as should seem meet unto them, in order truly to survey the duke of Bedford and his army. The which, having with them many of their people mounted in the best manner, soon departed, and acted in such sort, as to approach so near unto the English host, that they saw and perceived upon the grand route, between Paris and Senlis, a great rising of dust: whereby knew they of their approach; so that they despatched one of their men in haste unto the king, signifying the coming of his adversaries. And notwithstanding this they awaited so long that they perceived, and ascertained for a truth, the whole army, and to what number it might amount,

and how its course was directed towards the said city of Senlis; wherefore, by another of their followers, did they forthwith send hastily unto the king. And he issued orders for the ranging his force in battle array, and advanced in all diligence with his whole army, marching through the plains towards Senlis; taking his road between the river which runs through Barron, and a mountain called Mont Piloer. In another quarter, at the hour of vesper chant, arrived the duke of Bedford with all his army near unto Senlis, and proceeded to pass a small river running from that city to Barron; so that the passage whereby he thus caused his army to pass was so narrow that there might only go two horses abreast at the same time. Therefore when the lords of Loré and of Sainctes-trailles saw them thus begin to enter this dangerous passage, they returned with all the speed in their power unto the king, and proved to him for a certainty what they had seen; whereat he was mighty joyful, and ordered his battle, marching directly towards the English, thinking to attack them at this same passage. And in this manner did the two armies so nearly approach that they perceived one another, and truly were they distant but a very short league the one from the other. And from either force, towards the setting of the sun, departed many valiant lords and men at war, who skirmished together at divers times, so that many noble feats of arms were performed.