"I will prove myself a true knight," exclaimed the prince. "My
father is right. I need no aid. My men will hold their post as
long as they have strength to stand."
Then he rode where the battle was still furiously raging, and
encouraged his men. The king of France led his force a number of
times against the prince's line, but could not break it and was at
last compelled to retire.
The battle now went steadily against the French, although they
far outnumbered the English. Finally, forty thousand of Philip's
soldiers lay dead upon the field and nearly all the remainder of
his army was captured. Philip gave up the struggle and fled. Among
those who fought on the side of the French at Crecy was the blind
king of Bohemia, who always wore three white feathers in his helmet.
When the battle was at its height the blind king had his followers
lead him into the thick of the fight, and he dealt heavy blows upon
his unseen foes until he fell mortally wounded. The three white
feathers were taken from his helmet by the Black Prince, who ever
after wore them himself.
As soon as he could King Edward rode over the field to meet his
son.
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