The Sun.
London, England, 1849-10-17 00:00:00

THE BATTLE OF TEE SPURS.

" When, on the 2d of August, Henry joined his army
before 'I e.-ouenne, he was received with loud acclama-
tions; and a few days subsequently he was joined by the
Emperor Maximilian, with some thousands of Hain-
aulters and Burgundians; nor had a week elapsed ere a
number of Flemish and other nobles from the Low
Countries, despite the neutrality declared by Marguerite,
flocked to his banners as volunteers.

" Meanwhile, moreover, the garrison of the beseiged
city saw themselves threatened by famine; their provi-
sions were nearly exhausted, and Louis XII., aware of
this circumstance, instructed M. de Piennes that T 6 ou-
enne must bo victualled at any risk. Surrounded as it
was on all sides by the enemy, this enterprise was, how-
ever, one of immense difficulty and certain danger; and,
after mature consideration, it was decided that the Sire
de Piennes and the Duke de Longueville should march a
body of fourteen hundred horsemen to the heights of
Guinegatte, to distract the attention of the enemy;
while Fontrailles, with his Albanian light-horse (or
stradiots) should charge the English troops at a particu-
lar point, and fling into the most of the city the salted
provisions and powder which they carried before them.
'The attempt was skilfully made and vigorously carricd
out. At the head of eight hundred men, the young
commander charged so resolutely that he broke through
the ranks of the besiegers; and, riding directly to the
fosse, each man east down the bit; of powder and the
pork which ho -bore upon his horse; and then, making
face upon the enemy, succeeded in regaining the main
body with a gallantry as daring as it was successeul.
This was, however, the only favourable moment for the
French arms; and even this had Intl its counterpoise on
the heights of Guinegatte, which the gendarmes had no
sooner attained than they saw in their rear ten thousand
English archers, four thousand litsquenets, and eight
pieces of artillery. Maximilian had been apprised of
their intended stratagem by his spies, numbers of whom
were employed in both the adverse Camps; while, in
many instances, there were double traitors among them,
who alternately served or betrayed either, as their in-
terest prompted.

" The French soldiery, who were aware that they had
not beea ordered to that point to come to an engage-
ment with the enemy, retrograded at the command of
their leaders, but so confusedly, that, from a trot, they
soon broke into a gallop, and threw themselves pell-mell
upon a rearguard of cavalry, headed by the Duke de
Longueville and the Marquis de la Malice, which they
scattered; and, passing through the midst, continued to
fly until they reached Blandy, w here the infantry were
encamped, who were nearly driven, in their turn, from
their position by the impetuosity of this unexpected
charge. An attempt was made by a few of their leaders
to make head, with a handful of men, against the Ger-
man cavalry, who were in pursuit of the fugitives; and
among these the foremost were the Sire do la Pa-

lice aiid the Duke de Longueville. In vain, however, did
the former shout, Turn, men-at-arms, turn; this is
nothing!' The alarm had spread through the whole
body; the terrified troops passed on, regardless of his
cry; and, although he still strove to cover the disorderly
retreat of the infatuated troops, supported by some of
the most gallant spirits of the army, his self-devotion,
although it tended to save the French army, was unfor-
tunate for himself and his friends, as they were nearly
all taken prisoners; among others, Longueville, La Po-
lice, Bayard, La Fayette, Clermont, d'Anjou, and Busy
d'Amboise.

" This flight from Guinegatte, which took place on the
15th April, 1513, obtained for the encounter the name of
the Battle of the Spurs; these having been the only
efficient weapons made use of by the
.hostile armies;
very few lives were sacrificed on either side; but of the
principal prisoners, M. de la Plaice alone succeeded in
effecting his retreat; while Bayard won his ransom in so
gallant a manner that we must, to do it ample justice,
give the episode in the very words of his biographer:—
' The good knight without fear and without reproach re-
tired very sorrowfully, and ever and anon turned upon
his enemies with fourteen or fifteen gendarmes who had
stood by him. In retreating he came to a little bridge,
whereon no more than two men could pass abreast; and
there was a great ditch, full of water, which came from a
distance of more than half a league, and turned a mill
three furlongs further on. When ho was upon the
bridge he said to thoso that were with him:—. Gentle-
men, let us stop here; for thu enemy will not gain this
bridge from us in the space of an hour.' Then he called
one of his archers, and raid co him:—'llie you to our
camp, and tell my .Lord de la Yahoo that I have stopped
the enemy short for at least half-an-hour; that during
that interval be must make the forces draw up in order
of battle; and let them not be alarmed, but march hither
slowly; fcr, should the adversaries advance to the camp,
and and them in this confusion, they would infallibly
be defeated.'

" The archer goes straight to the camp, and leaves the
good knight with the inconsiderable number of men by
whom he was accompanied, guarding that little bridge,
where he did all that prowess could achieve. The Bur-
gundians and Hainaulters arrived, but were obliged to
fight on the hither side of the bridge, as they could not
very easily effect a passage. This gave the French, who
had returned to their camp, leisure to place themselves
in order, and in a posture of defence, in the event of its
proving necessary. When the Burgundians found them-
selves withstood by such a handful of men, they cried
out that archers should be sent for with all speed, and
some went to hasten them. Meanwhile about two hun-
dred cavaliers followed the course of the stream until
they discovered the mill, by which they crossed. The
good knight, thus enclosed on both sides, then said to his
people Sirs, let us surrender to these gentlemen, for
all the daring we might display would avail us nothing.
Our horses are weary; our adversaries are ten to one
against us, and our forces full three leagues off ; so that,
if we tarry but a short while longer, and the English
archers come up, they will cut us to pi. ces.' At these
words the aforesaid Burgundian. and Hainaulters arrived,
shouting, Burgundy! Burgundy!' and made alhightv
onset upon the French, who, having no further means of
resistance, surrendered, one here, another there, to those
of most seeming consideration. While each was en-
deavouring to take his prisoner, the good knight espied,
under some dwarf trees, a gentleman in goodly attire,
who, by reason of the excessive heat ho was in, whereby
ho was completely overcome, had taken off his helmet,
and was so turmoiled and weary that he cared not to be
at the trouble of taking prisoners. He spurred straight
up to this person, grasping his sword, which ho pointed
at the other's throat, and exclaimed. Surrender, cava-
lier, or you die.' ferribly dismayed was this gentle-
man, for he thought that his whole company were made
prisoners, and being in fear of his life, he said, I give
myself up, then, since I am taken in this manner : but
who are you?' 'I am Captain Bayard;' replied the
good knight; ' who surrender to you. Here is ray
sword ; I pray you be pleased to carry me away with
you. But do me this kindness: should we meet with
any English on the road who may offer to take our lives,
let me have it back again.' This the gentleman promised
and fulfilled; for, as they drew towards the camp, they
were both obliged to use their weapons against certain