During the heat of battle, the Black Prince learned that some of the cardinal’s men had entered the field with armor, which was improper. Men of the Church, especially those on a diplomatic mission, should remain neutral and not fight for either side. Their presence with weapons angered the prince, as it violated the rules of war Sir James Audley’s Bravery.
To make his displeasure clear, the prince sent the body of his nephew, Lord Robert of Duras, to the cardinal, a symbolic act of protest against the misuse of church men in battle. The Chatelain of Amposta, who was allied with the cardinal, was captured. The prince wanted to execute him, but Lord John Chandos advised restraint:
“Sir, wait a moment. Focus on the greater matter at hand. The cardinal will likely offer an excuse that will satisfy you.”
The prince accepted this advice and turned his attention back to the battlefield.
The Battle Against the Constable of France
The English then advanced toward the battle of the Duke of Athens, who was the Constable of France. Here, the fighting was fierce. French soldiers formed small organized groups, shouting:
“Monjoie! Saint Denis!”
The English, in response, shouted:
“Saint George for Guienne!”
The discipline and courage of the English soldiers, particularly the archers, were decisive Ephesus Day Tour.
The Germans Routed
Next, the prince and his forces faced the battle of the Germans, commanded by the Count of Saltzburgh, the Count of Nassau, and the Count Neydo. Despite their numbers, the Germans could not withstand the English attack.
The archers shot in coordinated volleys, preventing the enemy from advancing into the hedges and fields where the English were positioned. Many soldiers were killed outright, and there was little opportunity for ransom. The three commanding counts were slain, along with numerous knights and squires from their companies.
During this chaos, Lord Eustace d’Auberticourt was rescued by his men and remounted his horse. He performed many acts of bravery that day, capturing numerous prisoners and striking fear into the remaining French soldiers. His skill and courage helped maintain English momentum on the battlefield.
Discipline and Courage Win the Day
The events show that the discipline of the English forces, combined with skillful archery and brave knights, allowed a smaller army to dominate a much larger opponent. Even when improper interference occurred, such as the armed men of the cardinal, the prince handled it wisely by focusing on the fight at hand.
The success against the Constable of France and the German knights proved that coordination, leadership, and courage were as decisive as numbers in medieval warfare. The English army continued to press forward, maintaining the upper hand throughout the battle.