PLATE IX.
SIR GODFREY DE HARCOURT ENCOUNTERING THE MEN OF AMIENS.
Sir Godfrey de Harcourt, who had espoused the cause of the English, in consequence of his disgrace and banishment by the court of France, performed many deeds of great bravery, but was eventually defeated and slain at the battle of Coutantin. Froissart gives the following spirited account of his death:—“The army of Sir Godfrey would not keep the order he had appointed, according to the promise made to him; but the greater part fled, and could not withstand the French. Sir Godfrey, on seeing this, declared, that he would prefer death to being taken; and arming himself with a battle-axe, halted where he was; he placed one foot before the other, to be firmer; for he was lame of one leg, though very strong in his arms. In this position he fought a long time most valiantly, so that few dared to encounter his blows: when two Frenchmen mounted their horses, and placing their lances in their rests, charged him at the same time, and struck him to the ground: some men-at-arms immediately rushed upon him with their swords, which they ran through his body, and killed him on the spot. The greater part of his army were slain or made prisoners, and those who were able to escape returned to Saint Sauveur le Viscomte. This happened in the winter of 1356, about Martinmas.”
The Illumination (one of the most beautifully drawn and executed of the MS.), represents the defeat, by Sir Godfrey, of a body of men from Amiens, on their march to join the King of France.
Froissart in his Study.