Master Girault, an engineer, had the management and direction of this affair, who was of opinion, that the trench which the enemy had thrown up to defend themselves, would be of great advantage to the Burgundians when once they had passed the river; for the king’s forces would find themselves as it were under us in their trenches, and would not dare to march out for fear of our cannon; which opinion greatly encouraged and animated our soldiers, and made them impatient to begin the attack. Thus the bridge was finished and made ready, all but the last two boats, which were there ready to complete it, and all the other boats for transportation brought together, and when it was ready, one of the king’s heralds came to tell us we had broken the truce, which was made for that day and the day before, and that he was come to see the meaning of these preparations. By accident he met Monsieur de Bueil and some others on the bridge, to whom he delivered his message. That night the truce ended. Our bridge was so large that three of our men-at-arms, with their lances in rest, might pass easily abreast; besides we had got six great vessels, each of which would carry over a thousand men at a time, and several smaller for the artillery, which we were to make use of in that expedition. The draught of such troops as were to be employed in this enterprise was already made; and the Count of St. Paul and the Lord Haultbourdin were appointed to command them. Those who were of the party began to prepare themselves about midnight, and before day all of them were ready, some of them hearing mass till day appeared, or employing themselves as good Christians ought to do, upon such an occasion. I was that night in a great tent in the middle of our army, where the guard was posted, and to speak truth, I was one of the guard (for nobody was exempted), which was commanded by Monsieur de Chastel Guyon[132] (slain afterwards at the battle of Granson). And as we stood there, expecting when the attack would begin, on a sudden we heard those who were in the French trenches, cry out as loud as they could, “Farewell, neighbours, farewell;” and immediately they set fire to their tents, and drew off their artillery. About day-break the detachment that was to make this attack had already gained the banks of the river on the other side, at least in part, and they could descry the French at a good distance, retiring towards Paris; upon which all of our men disarmed, and were extremely glad of their retreat. Without dispute the king had sent that body of troops thither, only to disturb and cannonade us in our camp, without the least intention of a battle; for, as I said before, it was not his way to risk anything on a hazard, though otherwise his army was strong enough to have engaged the united forces of all the princes together: but his purpose, as he plainly showed, was still to make peace, and divide the forces of the confederates, without being willing