In the mean time those who had dismounted were surrounded by the French before they had time to fortify themselves, as usual, with sharp pointed stakes in their front; and, without doing any great mischief to the French, they were soon completely defeated.
About eighteen hundred English were left dead on the field, and from one hundred to six score made prisoners, the principal of whom were the lords Scales, Talbot, Hungerford, sir Thomas Rampstone and several more. Some of the great lords were killed, and the rest were people of low degree, of the same sort as those whom they were accustomed to bring from their own country to die in France.
When the business was over, which was about two o'clock in the afternoon, all the french captains assembled together, and devoutly and humbly returned thanks to their Creator for the victory. They were very gay on their good fortune and lodged that night in the village of Pataye, which is two leagues distant from Anville in Beauce; and this battle will bear the name of that town for ever.
On the morrow, the French returned to Orleans, and the adjacent parts, with their prisoners. They were every where received with the utmost joy; but the Maid especially seemed to have acquired so great renown, it was believed that the king's enemies could not resist her, and that by her means he would soon be acknowledged throughout his kingdom. She accompanied the other captains to the king, who was much rejoiced at their success, and gave them a gracious reception.
Several councils were held in the presence of the king; and it was resolved to collect as many men at arms as possible from all parts under his dominion to pursue his enemies.
On the day of the battle of Pataye before the English knew that their enemies were so near, sir John Fastolfe one of the chief captains, and who fled without striking a blow, assembled a council when he remonstrated on the losses they had suffered before Orleans, at Gergeau and other places, which had greatly lowered the courage of their men, and on the contrary, raised that of the French, and which made him now advise that they should retire to some of their strong towns in the neighbourhood, and not think of combating the enemy until their men were more reconciled to their late defeats, and until the reinforcements should be sent them which the regent was expecting from England.
This language was not very agreeable to some of the captains, more especially to lord Talbot, who declared, that if the enemy came, he would fight them.
Sir John Fastolfe was bitterly reproached by the duke of Bedford for having thus fled from the battle,—and he was deprived of the order of the Garter: however, in time, the remonstrances he had made in council, previously to the battle, were considered as reasonable; and this, with other circumstances and excuses he made, regained him the order of the Garter. Nevertheless, great quarrels arose between him and lord Talbot on this business, when the latter was returned from his captivity.
Prior to the battle of Pataye, Jacques de Milly, Gilles de St Simon, Louis de Marconnay, Jean de la Haye and other valiant men, were made knights by the French.