The boy's Froissart : $b being Sir John Froissart's Chronicles of adventures, battle, and custom in England, France, Spain, etc.Froissart, Jean
History
The boy's Froissart : $b being Sir John Froissart's Chronicles of adventures, battle, and custom in England, France, Spain, etc.
Froissart, Jean
France -- History -- House of Valois, 1328-1589; Great Britain -- History -- 14th century; Hundred Years' War, 1339-1453
When they had passed over, each took up his lodging on its banks, as he
could; and at this time the sun was set. There were few among them that
had any hatchets, wedges, or other instruments, to cut down trees to
make themselves huts; many of them had lost their companions, and even
the foot had remained behind, not knowing what road to ask for. They
were forced to lie this night on the banks of the river in their armor,
and at the same time hold their horses by their bridles, for there was
not any place where they could tie them. Thus the horses had nothing to
eat, neither oats nor any forage; and the men had only their loaf that
was tied behind them, which was wetted by the sweat of the horses. They
had no other beverage but the water of the river, except some great
lords who had bottles among their baggage; nor had they any fire or
light, not having any thing to make them of, except some few lords who
had some torches which they had brought on sumpter-horses. In such a
melancholy manner did they pass the night, without taking the saddles
from off the horses, or disarming themselves. And when the long-expected
day appeared, when they hoped to find some comfort for themselves and
horses, or to fight the Scots, which they very much wished for, to get
out of their disagreeable situation, it began to rain, and continued all
the day, insomuch that the river was so increased by noon that no one
could pass over, nor could any one be sent to know where they were, or
to get forage and litter for their horses, or bread and wine for their
own sustenance: they were therefore obliged to fast another night. The
horses had nothing to subsist on but the leaves of the trees, and grass.
They cut down with their swords young trees, and tied their horses to
them. They also cut down brushwood to make huts for themselves.
Having continued a whole week without hearing any tidings of the Scots,
who they imagined must pass that way, or very near it, on their return
home, great murmurs arose in the army; and many laid the fault on those
who had given such advice, adding that it was done in order to betray
the king and his host. Upon which, the lords of council ordered the army
to make ready to march, and cross the river seven leagues higher up,
where the ford was better; and it was proclaimed, that every one was to
be in readiness to march the next day, and to follow his banners. There
was another proclamation made, that whoever chose to take pains and find
out where the Scots were, and should bring certain intelligence of it to
the king, the messenger of such news should have one hundred pounds a
year in land, and be made a knight by the king himself. When this was
made known among the host, many knights and esquires, to the number of
fifteen or sixteen, eager to gain such rewards, passed the river with
much danger, ascended the mountains, and then separated, each taking
different routes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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