King Harry led the van in a carrack with purple sails, on which were embroidered the arms of England and France. The sun glinted on the armour and shields of the knights of his household, while to add to the almost barbaric splendour of the royal ship musicians blew trumpets and clarions, with all the energy left at their command after a stormy passage across the Channel.
In the wake of the King's carrack, and stretching in irregular lines far to the east and west, lumbered the rest of the fleet of fifteen hundred vessels, till the wide estuary seemed choked with floating fortresses.
On the towering forecastle of the Rose of Hampshire, Sir Thomas Carberry's own cog, a knot of squires and men-at-arms were eagerly scanning the walls and towers of the still distant town of Harfleur.
"I' faith, 'tis a vast difference since the time when we crawled in thither in the old Grâce à Dieu," observed Gripwell.
"Ay," assented Geoffrey. "But what thinkest thou—will the citizens of Harfleur offer resistance?"
"Not to our landing, young sir. Were they ten times as strong they could not hold the vast stretch of shore. But methinks all this host will not frighten them into letting go of their riches without a tough struggle. Mark ye the Jumelles—those twin towers guarding the harbour? Unless mine eyes deceive me, I perceive the glint of steel behind the battlements."
"I heard it mentioned that five of our largest galleys were to make a dash into the harbour," remarked Oswald.
"Foolish talk," ejaculated the old man-at-arms contemptuously. "When we were last within this part didst thou not mark two great chains trailing from embrasures in either tower? Ere now, I'll warrant, those chains have been drawn up, so that no vessel can pass in or out. Certes! Swept by stones, bolts, and arrows, to say nought of those new-fashioned bombards, no craft will remain afloat for five minutes. Nay, Master Oswald, therein thou hast been misinformed, for a leader like King Harry, for all that he be young and daring, would not hazard a main on such a vain enterprise."
As Gripwell had foretold, the English host landed without opposition, at a spot barely a league from the town of Harfleur. Altogether the arduous task of disembarking the stores and munitions of war occupied another three days, at the end of which time Henry commenced a strict blockade of the doomed town.
Nor did he merely sit down before Harfleur. A double line of trenches and batteries at the most salient points were constructed; bombards, firing a thirty-pound stone shot, were secured to their cumbersome carriages, and a heavy fire was directed against the walls.