It
is broken by one road where only four horsemen could ride abreast,
which leads through the position. It is clear then that if we are
to drive them back we must cross the great hedge, and I am very
sure that the horses will not face it with such a storm of arrows
beating from behind it. Therefore, it is my council that we fight
upon foot, as the English did at Crecy, for indeed we may find
that our horses will be more hindrance than help to us this day."
"The same thought was in my own mind, sire," said Arnold
d'Andreghen the veteran Marshal. "At Crecy the bravest had to
turn their backs, for what can a man do with a horse which is mad
with pain and fear? If we advance upon foot we are our own
masters, and if we stop the shame is ours."
"The counsel is good," said the Duke of Athens, turning his shrewd
wizened face to the King; "but one thing only I would add to it.
The strength of these people lies in their archers, and if we
could throw them into disorder, were it only for a short time, we
should win the hedge; else they will shoot so strongly that we
must lose many men before we reach it, for indeed we have learned
that no armor will keep out their shafts when they are close."
"Your words, fair sir, are both good and wise," said the King,
"but I pray you to tell us how you would throw these archers into
disorder?"
"I would choose three hundred horsemen, sire, the best and most
forward in the army.
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