This seems but a small army considering the efforts which had been made;but it was necessary to leave a considerable force behind for the defence of the Scottish frontier, and England had already armies in Guienne and Brittany.Lionel, Edward's second son, was appointed regent during his father's absence.On board Edward's own ship were Godfrey of Harcourt and the Prince of Wales.Walter, as one of the personal squires of the prince, was also on board.
The prince had been greatly interested in the details of Walter's escape from Van Artevelde's house, the king himself expressed his approval of his conduct, and Walter was generally regarded as one of the most promising young aspirants to the court.His modesty and good temper rendered him a general favourite, and many even of the higher nobles noticed him by their friendly attentions, for it was felt that he stood so high in the goodwill of the prince that he might some day become a person of great influence with him, and one whose goodwill would be valuable.
It was generally supposed, when the fleet started, that Guienne was their destination, but they had not gone far when a signal was made to change the direction in which they were sailing and to make for La Hogue in Normandy.
Godfrey of Harcourt had great influence in that province, and his persuasions had much effect in determining the king to direct his course thither.There was the further advantage that the King of France, who was well aware of the coming invasion, would have made his preparations to receive him in Guienne.Furthermore, Normandy was the richest and most prosperous province in France.It had for a long time been untouched by war, and offered great abundance of spoil.It had made itself particularly obnoxious to the English by having recently made an offer to the King of France to fit out an expedition and conquer England with its own resources.
The voyage was short and favourable, and the expedition landed at La Hogue, on the small peninsula of Cotentin, without opposition.Six days were spent at La Hogue disembarking the men, horses, and stores, and baking bread for the use of the army on the march.A detachment advanced and pillaged and burnt Barileur and Cherbourg and a number of small towns and castles.
In accordance with custom, at the commencement of the campaign a court was held, at which the Prince of Wales was dubbed a knight by his father.Asimilar honour was bestowed upon a number of other young aspirants, among whom was Walter Somers, who had been highly recommended for that honour to the king by Sir Walter Manny.
The force was now formed into three divisions - the one commanded by the king himself, the second by the Earl of Warwick, and the third by Godfrey of Harcourt.The Earl of Arundel acted as Lord High Constable, and the Earl of Huntingdon, who was in command of the fleet, followed the army along the sea- coast.Valognes, Carentan, and St.Lo were captured without difficulty, and the English army advanced by rapid marches upon Caen, plundering the country for six or seven leagues on each side of the line of march.An immense quantity of booty was obtained.As soon as the news of Edward's landing in Normandy reached Paris, Phillip despatched the Count d'Eu, Constable of France, with the Count of Tankerville and 600men-at-arms, to oppose Edward at Caen.The Bishop of Bayeux had thrown himself into that city, which was already garrisoned by 300 Genoese.The town was not defensible, and the only chance of resistance was by opposing the passage of the river Horn, which flowed between the suburbs and the city.The bridge was barricaded, strong wooden towers were erected, and such was the confidence of the inhabitants and their leaders that Edward's promise of protection for the person and property of the citizens was rejected with scorn, and the whole male population joined the garrison in the defence of the bridge.Marching through the deserted suburbs the English army attacked the bridge with such vehemence that although the enemy defended the barricades gallantly they were speedily forced, and the English poured into the town.Before the first fury of the attack was over near 5000 persons were slain.The Count of Tankerville, 140 knights, and as many squires were made prisoners.The plunder was so enormous as to be sufficient to cover the whole expenses of the expedition, and this with the booty which had been previously acquired was placed on board ship and despatched to England, while the king marched forward with his army.At Lisieux he was met by two cardinals sent by the pope to negotiate a truce;but Edward had learned the fallacy of truces made with King Phillip, and declined to enter into negotiations.Finding that Rouen had been placed in a state of defence and could not be taken without a long siege he left it behind him and marched along the valley of the Eure, gathering rich booty at every step.
But while he was marching forward a great army was gathering in his rear.
The Count of Harcourt brother of Godfrey, called all Normandy to arms.
Every feudal lord and vassal answered to the summons, and before Edward reached the banks of the Seine a formidable army had assembled.
The whole of the vassals of France were gathering by the orders of the king at St.Denis.The English fleet had now left the coast, and Edward had only the choice of retreating through Normandy into Brittany or of attempting to force the passage of the Seine, and to fight his way through France to Flanders.He chose the latter alternative, and marched along the left bank of the river towards Paris, seeking in vain to find a passage.The enemy followed him step by step on the opposite bank, and all the bridges were broken down and the fords destroyed.
Edward marched on, burning the towns and ravaging the country until he reached Poissy.The bridge was as usual destroyed, but the piles on which it stood were still standing, and he determined to endeavour to cross here.
