heraldryofyorkmi01custuoft

64 THE HERALDRY OF YORK MINSTER.
with John of Gaunt (who afterwards married his daughter) and a large
body of men.
The great name of the Black Prince acted like magic, and 10,000 men
of the Free Companies deserted and joined his standard ; the Lord of
Albret offered 1,000 lances, and the Comte de Foix promised support. The
high tide of popularity which had carried Don Henry to the summit of
power began to ebb and when Du Guesclin and the Black Prince confronted
each other at Najarra, the former had but a collection of 60,000
;
men to face 30,000 trained and disciplined warriors of the latter.
The battle was obstinately contested on both sides, and at last decided
for the English. At the close of the day Don Pedro, heated with pursuit,
and dripping with gore, galloped up to the Black Prince, and springing
from his charger to the ground, thanked him for a victory which would
restore him to his throne. " Give thanks and praise to God, and not to me,"
replied the chivalrous Prince, " for from Him, not me, you have received
" the victory."
Amongst many prisoners whom Don Pedro, but for the interference
of the Black Prince, would have immediately massacred, was Bertrand du
Guesclin. In Meyrick's Ancient Armour (vol.
i.
p. 106) the following stanza
is given : " Bertrand de Glayequin
fie ou champ pleiner
Ou il assaut Anglois a un martel d'acier
Tout ainsy les about come fait le Bouchier."
" Bertrand de Glayequin was everywhere in the field, where he assaulted
" the English with a martel of steel, and beat them down as a butcher
" would." The "martel de fer" had one blunt projection, while the other was
sharpened to an edge, often to a point.
Some days after, seeing Du Guesclin standing near, the Black Prince
called him, and asked after his health.
" I never was better, my Lord,"
replied the Breton, " and well I ought to be, for though I am your prisoner,
" I feel myself the most honoured knight in the world ;
and I will tell you
" why. They say in France, and other countries too, that you
" of me, and dare not set me free."
are afraid
" Ha, Sir Bertrand," replied the Prince, " do " you think, then, for your
renown I keep you in prison ? No, by St. George Pay a ransom of
!
" 100,000 francs," he continued, laughing, "and you are free."
His councillors, standing near, and knowing the power of Du Guesclin,
thought that the jest need not be carried any further ; but the Prince was
firm, declined to swerve from his word, and allowed the bold Breton to
depart, in order to seek his ransom in his own country.
Bertrand du Guesclin was himself poor, and his countrymen terribly
reduced by the war. The joy of their faces changed into blank despair