[1] [2] The Frenchmen beholding them in this wise to flée, rode after amaine, and as they followed in chase, they came on the princes battell before they were a|ware. The lord Raoull of Coucie went so far for|ward with his banner,The lord Ra|oull de Cou|cie taken. that he entred vnder the prin|ces banner, and fought right valiantlie, but yet he was there taken, and the earle of Ioignie, also the vi|count of Bruce, the lord Chauuignie, and diuerse o|ther, so that the most part of those Frenchmen were either taken or slaine,Frenchmen distressed. and verie few escaped. The prince vnderstood by the prisoners, that the French king was so farre aduanced forward in pursute of him, that he could not auoid the battell. Then he as|sembled his men togither, and commanded them to kéepe order, and so rode that day being saturdaie from morning till it was toward night, & then came within two leagues of Poictiers: and herewith sen|ding foorth certeine capteins, to search if they could heare where the king was, he incamped himselfe that night in a strong place amongst hedges, vines, and bushes. They that were sent to discouer the countrie, rode so far, that they saw where the French king with his great battell was marching, and setting vp|on the taile of the Frenchmen, caused all the host to stir: whereof knowledge being giuen to the king, the which as then was entring into Poictiers, he retur|ned againe, and made all his host to doo the like, so that it was verie late yer he and his people were be|stowed in their lodgings that night. The English currours returning to the prince, declared what they had séene and doone. So, that night, the two armies being lodged within a small distance either of other, kept strong and sure watch about their campes.