The battell of Poictiers when it was.
The prince suppeth the prisoners.
Thus was the prince of Wales victor in that notable battell fought in the fields of Beauuoir and Malpertuse, two leagues from Poictiers, the ninetéenth day of September being monday, in the yéere a thousand, thrée hundred, fiftie and six, which began in the morning and ended at noone. But bicause the Englishmen were scattered abroad in chase of their enimies, the princes banner was set vp in a bush, to draw all his men togither. It was almost night yer they were all returned from the chase. The prince made a great supper in his lodging that night to the French king, and to the most part of his nobles that were taken prisoners, and did all the honour that he could deuise to the king. And where he perceiued by his chéere and countenance, that his heart was full of pensiue gréefe, carefull thought and heauinesse, he comforted him in the best maner that he might, and said to him: as followeth.
[The méeke and comfortable oration of the English prince to the French king being taken prisoner.]
Most noble king, there is no cause wherefore your grace should be pensiue, though God this day did not consent to follow your will. For your noble prowes and dignitie roiall, with the supreme type of your kinglie maiestie, remaineth whole and inuiolate, and what soeuer may rightlie be called yours; so that no violent force of time shall blot out or diminish the same. The almightie God hath determined that the chance of war shall rest in his disposition and will, as all other things. Your elders haue atchiued both by land & sea manie noble enterprises. The whole compasse of Europe, all the east parts of the world, all places and countries, both far & néere, are full of monuments, witnessing the noble victories atteined by the French people.
The cause of godlie liuing and religion, the dignitie and preheminence of christianitie hath béene defended and augmented by you, against the most mightie and puissant capteins of the infidels, enimies to the said christian religion. All ages shall make mention of your worthie praises, no nation there is but shall confesse it selfe bounden at one time or other for benefits receiued at your hands; neither is there any people but such as hope to be hereafter bounden to you for reliefe and benefits, to procéed from you in time to come. One or two battels happilie haue chanced among so manie triumphs otherwise than you would haue wished; chance would it should be so, which may inféeble and make weake the power of horsses, armor, and weapon: your inuincible courage and roiall magnanimitie lieth in your power to reteine: neither shall this day take any thing from you or yours. And this realme of France which hath procreat and brought foorth and norished so many of my noble progenitors, shall perceiue my good meaning towards hir, as not forgetfull of mine elders, and toward your maiestie (if you will vouchsafe that I should glorie of that name) a most humble kinsman. There are manie occasions of loue and fréendship betwixt you and my father, which I trust shall take place, for I know all his thoughts and inward meanings: you shall agrée and come to an attonement right easilie togither, & I praie God he neuer take me for his sonne, except I haue you in the same degrée of honor, reuerence, and faithfull loue, which I owe towards him.
The French king thanketh the prince.
The prince returneth to Burdeaux.