This is one of the finest Illuminations of the splendid MS. in the Bibliothèque Royale, and exhibits, in a most striking manner, the great features of a naval combat of the period. The immense number of figures, all in appropriate and energetic action, and the general effect of multitude and movement, forcibly call to mind the celebrated, though uncompleted, picture of Raphael, of the Battle of Constantine and Maxentius, so ably finished by his great pupil, Julio. But it is impossible, in a plate coloured in by hand in large numbers, to convey an adequate idea of the extreme beauty and careful execution of every minute part of this beautiful Illumination; though our Plate will convey an excellent general idea of the composition and effect. The Earl of Pembroke was appointed by King Edward III., in 1372, to command an expedition sent to the assistance of the Gascons and Poitevins.[3] [Illustration: <f>Sir Godfrey de Harcourt encounters the men of Amiens on their way to Paris.</f>] PLATE IX. SIR GODFREY DE HARCOURT ENCOUNTERING THE MEN OF AMIENS. Sir Godfrey de Harcourt, who had espoused the cause of the English, in consequence of his disgrace and banishment by the court of France, performed many deeds of great bravery, but was eventually defeated and slain at the battle of Coutantin. Froissart gives the following spirited account of his death:--“The army of Sir Godfrey would not keep the order he had appointed, according to the promise made to him; but the greater part fled, and could not withstand the French. Sir Godfrey, on seeing this, declared, that he would prefer death to being taken; and arming himself with a battle-axe, halted where he was; he placed one foot before the other, to be firmer; for he was lame of one leg, though very strong in his arms. In this position he fought a long time most valiantly, so that few dared to encounter his blows: when two Frenchmen mounted their horses, and placing their lances in their rests, charged him at the same time, and struck him to the ground: some men-at-arms immediately rushed upon him with their swords, which they ran through his body, and killed him on the spot. The greater part of his army were slain or made prisoners, and those who were able to escape returned to Saint Sauveur le Viscomte. This happened in the winter of 1356, about Martinmas.” The Illumination (one of the most beautifully drawn and executed of the MS.), represents the defeat, by Sir Godfrey, of a body of men from Amiens, on their march to join the King of France. [Illustration: <f>Froissart in his Study.</f>] PLATE X. FROISSART IN HIS STUDY.