With keen eyes the English party had watched the armorial blazonry
of their antagonists, for those fluttering pennons and brilliant
surcoats carried a language which all men could read. In front
was the banner of Beaumanoir, blue with silver frets. His motto
"J'ayme qui m'ayme" was carried on a second flag by a little page.
"Whose is the shield behind him--silver with scarlet drops?"
asked Knolles.
"It is his Squire, William of Montaubon," Calverly answered. "And
there are the golden lion of Rochefort and the silver cross of Du
Bois the Strong. I would not wish to meet a better company than
are before us this day. See, there are the blue rings of young
Tintiniac, who slew my Squire Hubert last Lammastide. With the
aid of Saint George I will avenge him ere nightfall."
"By the three kings of Almain," growled Croquart, "we will need to
fight hard this day, for never have I seen so many good soldiers
gathered together. Yonder is Yves Cheruel, whom they call the man
of iron, Caro de Bodegat also with whom I have had more than one
bickering--that is he with the three ermine circles on the
scarlet shield. There too is left-handed Alain de Karanais; bear
in mind that his stroke comes on the side where there is no
shield."
"Who is the small stout man"--asked Nigel--"he with the black
and silver shield? By Saint Paul! he seems a very worthy person
and one from whom much might be gained, for he is nigh as broad as
he is long.
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