Parker explained the disposition of the two armies, and the varying fortunes of the battle. Aurelle, who was not listening, admired the woods, the quiet villages, the yellowing grass of the fields, and saw in imagination swarms of men and horses riding up to the assault of this peaceful hill.
"Finally," concluded the major, "when the King of France and his army had left the field of battle, Edward invited the principal corps commanders to dinner, and they all ate and drank with great rejoicings because of the good luck which had befallen them."
"How very English, that invitation to dine with the King," said Aurelle.
"Then," continued Parker, "he ordered one Renaud de Ghehoben to take all the knights and clerks who knew heraldry——"
"The units," said the doctor, "ought to send up this evening to His Majesty's H.Q. a statement of all barons with armorial bearings."
"And commanded them to count the dead, and to write down the names of all the knights whom they could recognize."
"The adjutant-general will start a numbered list of lords who have been killed, including their rank," said the doctor.
"Renaud found eleven princes, thirteen hundred knights and sixteen thousand foot soldiers."
Heavy black clouds were showing up against the brilliant sunshine: a storm was coming over the hill. By the valley of Renaud's clerks, they climbed up on to the summit and Parker looked for the tower from which Edward had watched the battle.
"I thought," he said, "that it had been made into a mill, but I don't see one on the horizon."