The Prince [of Wales] asked them [his marshals] if they knew any thing
of the king of France; they replied, "No, sir, not for a certainty;
but we believe he must be either killed or made prisoner, since he has
never quitted his batallion." The prince then, addressing the Earl of
Warwick and Lord Cobham, said: "I beg of you to mount your horses, and
ride over the field so that on your return you may bring me some
certain intelligence of him." The two barons, immediately mounting
their horses, left the prince, and made for a small hillock, that they
might look about them. From their stand they perceived a crowd of
men-at-arms on foot, who were advancing very slowly. The king of
France was in the midst of them, and in great danger; for the English
and Gascons had taken him from Sir Denys de Morbeque, and were
disputing who should have him, the stoutest bawling out, "It is I that
have got him." "No, no," replied the others, "we have him." The king,
to escape from this peril, said: "Gentlemen, gentlemen, I pray you
conduct me and my son in a courteous manner to my cousin the prince;
and do not make such a riot about my capture, for I am so great a lord
that I can make all sufficiently rich." These words, and others which
fell from the king, appeased them a little; but the disputes were
always beginning again, and they did not move a step without rioting.
When the two barons saw this troop of people, they descended from the
hillock, and, sticking spurs into their horses, made up to them. On
their arrival, they asked what was the matter. They were answered,
that it was the king of France, who had been made prisoner, and that
upward of ten knights and squires challenged him at the same time, as
belonging to each of them. The two barons then pushed through the
crowd by main force, and ordered all to draw aside. They commanded, in
the name of the prince, and under pain of instant death, that every
one should keep his distance, and not approach unless ordered or
desired so to do. They all retreated behind the king; and the two
barons, dismounting, advanced to the king with profound reverences,
and conducted him in a peaceable manner to the Prince of Wales.
We continue our citation from Froissart with the brief chapter in which
the admiring chronicler tells the gallant story of the Black Prince's
behavior as host toward his royal captive, King John of France (it was
the evening after the battle):
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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