"Certes," exclaimed the veteran Lord Camoys to the Constable of Portchester, as his gaze travelled from the seemingly countless multitude of Frenchmen to the six thousand Englishmen standing motionless in the ranks. "What would some of the good knights who have remained in England give to be here?"
"What sayest thou, my lord Camoys?" asked the King, who had overheard the knight's remark. "Dost wish for more good Englishmen to be here? Nay, I would not have a single man more. If God give us the victory we know that we owe it to His goodness. If He does not, the fewer we are the less will be the loss to England. But let us fight with our usual courage, and God and the justice of our cause will protect us."
Having completed his inspection the King took up his position at the head of the second line, with the Duke of Gloucester, Mowbray, the Earl Marshal, and the Earls of Oxford and Suffolk, while above him fluttered the Royal Standard, leaving no doubt as to the identity of the King of England.
Meanwhile, the French had been mustering in dense masses across the valley, till their three divisions, each ten files deep, seemed to resemble a solid wall of steel, dominated by a forest of banners. At length their preparations were complete, but there seemed no inclination on their part to open the battle.
Suddenly, to the surprise of the English, three French knights, armed cap-à-pied, rode fearlessly across the intervening plain. Some of the archers began to bend their bows, but were restrained by their officers.
"They bear a message," shouted Lord Camoys to those nearest him. "Open ranks and let them pass, but take heed that they see not the pointed stakes."
Haughtily the three Frenchmen rode through the gap in the front rank and reined in before the Royal Standard, where Henry, now on foot, awaited them.
"Sire," exclaimed the foremost knight. "I am Jacques de Helly, Maréchal of France."
"That we do perceive," replied the King curtly, "both by thy cognizance and by reason of the fact that thou wert, and still ought to be, our prisoner in England."
"'Tis on that matter that I am come," replied de Helly. "'Tis reported that I have broken my parole. Let it be known to all men that 'tis false. To all or any who would gainsay me, I hereby offer to meet them in single combat, here betwixt the armies."