"
The Lord Clermont was leaning angrily forward with some hot reply
when King John intervened. "Enough, enough!" he said. "It is for
you to give your opinions, and for me to tell you what you will
do. Lord Clermont, and you, Arnold, you will choose three hundred
of the bravest cavaliers in the army and you will endeavor to
break these archers. As to you and your Germans, my Lord Nassau,
you will remain upon horseback, since you desire it, and you will
follow the Marshals and support them as best you may. The rest of
the army will advance upon foot, in three other divisions as
arranged: yours, Charles," and he patted his son, the Duke of
Normandy, affectionately upon the hand; "yours, Philip," he
glanced at the Duke of Orleans; "and the main battle which is my
own. To you, Geoffrey de Chargny, I intrust the oriflamme this
day. But who is this knight and what does he desire?"
A young knight, ruddy-bearded and tall, a red griffin upon his
surcoat, had appeared in the opening of the tent. His flushed
face and disheveled dress showed that he had come in haste.
"Sire," said he, "I am Robert de Duras, of the household of the
Cardinal de Perigord. I have told you yesterday all that I have
learned of the English camp. This morning I was again admitted to
it, and I have seen their wagons moving to the rear. Sire, they
are in flight for Bordeaux.
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