Retreat now became the last resource of the army of the Duke d’Aigremont and the order was given and the battalions that had started out so brilliantly in the morning commenced to retire in good order. Charlemagne at once saw the movement, and calling to him the Duke de Naimes, Godefroy de Frise, Gallerand and many others, he ordered them to pursue the Duke d’Aigremont and his brothers without relaxation, and if possible take them alive that he might visit upon them the direst vengeance. These brave knights immediately started in pursuit of the enemy, but the falling of night prevented their carrying out the orders of Charlemagne. After the terrible exertions of the day both armies needed rest. The Duke d’Aigremont was much chagrined at his defeat. His brother Gerard, in particular, who had been annoyed at the death of Lothaire, could not conceal his discontent; he could not resist making the complaint that he had made his promise to assist D’Aigremont in all things, but nevertheless, he desired to resume the attack upon the king the next day with all the force they could command and avenge their defeat and Nanteuil dissuaded them. “I think,” said he, “that we are not defending a just cause, and that it would be better to send a deputation of our knights to Charlemagne and ask for peace. Are we not his subjects? Besides to prevail, we must attack him unaware. And suppose we do succeed in destroying his army, it will only follow that we shall again be opposed by a force more considerable than any we can assemble? No! I think the wisest course for us to pursue is to submit.” The advice of Nanteuil prevailed. It was agreed that the following morning ambassadors were to be sent to Charlemagne to make terms of peace. Accordingly, at sunrise the next day, thirty knights, chosen from the most experienced and from those of the highest rank, after having received the instructions of D’Aigremont, mounted their horses and proceeded to the camp of Charlemagne. The king being informed of their approach assembled his army in battle array and received them at the door of his tent. The messengers of D’Aigremont came forward, bearing an olive branch as a sign of peace, and kneeling before him bowed down to the earth. “Rise!” commanded Charlemagne. “Sire,” said Henri de Brienne, “we have come in the name of the Duke de Beuves d’Aigremont to implore your clemency. We recognize the enormity of our crime, and here before your majesty we would place ourselves into your hands. We supplicate you, above all, to spare the poor people we compelled to obey us and who were forced into complicity in our crime. If your majesty will but say the word, the Duke d’Aigremont and his brothers will come and submit themselves to any punishment you may see fit to impose upon them.”