CHAP. VI I. j 



DECLINE OF FE JDALISM. 



211 



The disorder was much augmented by the continued 

 Hight of arrows which the English archers kept inces- 

 santly pouring in. The Welsh and Irish infantry, with 

 long knives, mingled in the mMee and slew many, their 

 weapons being particularly well suited for a close, irregular 

 struggle.' 



The French horsemen, according to Froissart, seem to 

 have extended beyond the front of the English archers 

 and to have gone around them and attacked the men-at- 

 arms in their rear. This attack was so vigorous that the 

 second English line came to the Prince's assistance, and 

 messages were even sent to bring up the third line, which 

 King Edward refused to do, partly because he could see 

 that the result was secure, and partly also to encourage 

 his army by a show of extreme confidence.^ 



The result of the battle was a most decisive victory to 

 the English, and to the archers belongs the credit. The 

 men-at-arms on foot, using their lances as pikes, had also 

 proved that they were able to hold their own in that 

 way against the best horsemen of the day. 



The real revival of the infantry force may fairly be 

 said to date from the day of Crecy. Morgarten, fought 

 some years previously, and of great influence no doubt 

 in its way, was not so striking an example as Crecy, and 

 could not have had so much effect upon the art of war. 



The difference in the manner in which the infantry 

 were treated by the English is in marked contrast to the 

 conduct of the French nobility. It had for a long time 

 been customary in France to place the feudal infantry in 

 front, not with any idea that they could perform any real 

 service, but to take the edge, as it were, off the freshness 

 of the opposing chivalry. When the foot-soldiers were 

 driven back, the knights had no compunction in riding 

 through them, or over them, and treated them, with 

 great neglect, and greater cruelty. If they fought gal- 

 lantly, and maintained their position too long, it equally 

 brought down upon them the anger of the haughty 

 nobles, who punished them as severely for gaining 



' Froissart, i. ch. 129. 



Ibid. 



P 2 



