After the taking of Calais there were other campaigns and battles, and more victories, some upon one side and some upon the other; and then, when both parties were so exhausted that their strength was gone, while yet their hostility and hate continued unappeased, a truce was made. Then after the truce came new wars, and thus years rolled on. During all this time the Black Prince distinguished himself greatly as one of the chief of his father's generals. He grew up to full manhood; and while, like the other warlike chieftains of those days, his life was devoted to deeds of rapine and murder, there was in his demeanor toward those with whom he was at peace, and toward enemies who were entirely subdued, a certain high-toned nobleness and generosity of character, which, combined with his undaunted courage, and his extraordinary strength and prowess on the field of battle, made him one of the greatest lights of chivalry of his age. CHAPTER IV. THE BATTLE OF POICTIERS. A.D. 1356-1360 The Black Prince sets out for France.--Plymouth.--The ships of those days.--The prince ravages the country.--Progress of the Black Prince.--The country laid waste.--The King of France comes to meet the Black Prince.--Ambuscade near Romorantin.--Reconnoitring party.--The English troop surprised.--The French surprised in their turn.--The French retreat to the castle.--The castle besieged.--Crossing the ditch.--Engines.--The castle taken.--King John and his four sons.--Attempt of the Pope's legate to make peace.--Negotiations of the Pope's legate.--The English camp.--The cardinal obtains a truce.--The king's pavilion.--King John's demands.--Prince Edward will not yield to them.--Story of the two knights.--Coats of arms.--Quarrel between the two knights.--Preparations for the battle.--English position.--The horses and the barbed arrows.--The English victorious.--Fate of the king's sons.--The victory announced to the prince.--The men called in.--Gathering at the prince's tent.--Two barons sent to look for the king.--The King of France and his son taken prisoners.--Quarrel about them.--The two barons take possession of the prisoners.--Denys.--His previous adventures.--The king's surrender to him.--Prince Edward makes a supper for his prisoners.--Generous demeanor of the prince.--Disposition of the prisoners.--English prisoners.--Douglas's extraordinary escape from his captors.--Prince Edward conveys the King of France to London.--Entrance into London.--Magnanimous treatment of the prisoner.--The war ended.--The king ransomed.--Prince Edward's renown.--Edward the heir apparent to the crown.