A STORY OF THE BATTLE OF ARRAS
Told by Father John of Canterbury
As of year 1364 of our Lord Winter was cold and the weather inclement immensely. This year Sir Humphrey, 5th Earl of Essex was carrying his banner in the service of King Lionel of four kingdoms.
In the midst of winter a messenger came to Sir Humphrey's quarters. "Lord Graily loyal to our king is being trapped within the city of Arras whilst Lord du Verny "The Bull" is staying without laying a tight siege upon the castle," - the messenger spoke, -- "several messengers were sent out to seek relief." "Sire," -- captain Greg Stonehead of the yeomen spoke, -- "it is a long way in high snow, and may not it be prudent to go that far to fight the French whilst our supplies are sparse and the weather nasty. Nay, ye art to stay in close quarters to wait for the spring to come." "Whilst I am waiting here in comfort, Arras falls," - Sir Humphrey spoke, -- "what wilst thou tell to our king if his fine castles taken and his lord taken, and his enemy celebrates? I shall not wait, but go now even if I'm to go alone with my small band of loyal knights."
"Aye, Sire, doest not thou speak ill of thy men, for we shall all go with thee," - was captain's reply. And off they went through the blizzard. And their way was long and painful, but their hearts were those of true soldiers, for no one complained of bad food, which was sparse, nor of cold, which was bitter.
When they finally reached the city a gruesome sight was presented to them to behold, -- hundreds of English men running about in confusion, their weapons lost, heir ranks in disarray.
"What happened here," - Sir Humphrey asked a sad squire who was riding his horse, head on his chest, his eyes cast down to the snow. "Battle, Sire. Battle and disaster, for Earl Lancaster lost the field to The Bull. There were too many of damn French waiting for us at the breastwork around the castle. Aye, Sire there were 2 for each of the rankers and 5 for each gentleman. The longbows were useless, for the strong wind was opposing our advance.
Many a yeoman dropped dead 10 yards before the fortifications whilst the French cavalry charged." Sir Humphrey's spirit was not damped, however, but rather angered he was to see such a disaster. "Aye, good Englishry shall not shy of the danger, but rather rush in with gallantry.
There are 3 of them for each of us and many a man drops dead before he reaches the breastwork. But I shall do what few have done before. I shall attack on the horseback." - Sir Humphrey said to his men to their much astonishment, for indeed that was unheard of to charge the enemy enclosed in a breastwork keep on the horseback, -- "Best marksmen shall seat themselves on the horses - each behind a man at arms or a noble knight. Best runners shall hold onto the horse - two of them at each side. Thus, we shall approach the enemy in minutes rather than die in the snow before ever seeing him. Thus, let us pray our lord and off we go."
Your humble storyteller served a short mess, after which horns blew hoarse and drums beat dry, and Essex's men went on the enemy with speed astonishing. And such was a surprise to the Frenchmen, that few shots were made orderly, but rather confusion gripped their ranks, for as much the French are undoubtedly brave, and always ready to see danger face to face, especially on offensive, they are likewise unstable in defense and prone to sudden panic whilst confusion settles. And at such a time many a Frenchman loses his heart and rashes for safety, and afterwards speaks of treachery.
That was the only cause of the bitter defeat. So, in vane the mighty Bull du Verny was trying to stop his men. Few were left, and many were slaughtered until Sir Humphrey finally forced his way to the bearer of the Bull Shield and claimed his captive, which was a great relief to good lord du Verny, for otherwise he would have been killed, as our yeomenry is unfamiliar with gallant war of chivalry.
In such a way the battle of Arras was fought in the year 1364 of Our Savior.
Written by Edinburg VonReihtov@aol.com
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