speaks when he says that it gladdens the heart of man. Meantime the English hoisted their flags at the poop, and formed in line of battle, the larger ballingers in front, the smaller behind: these vessels are here described as low-built and long, and some of them as using both oars and sails. They had ten large ships to support them; and the Spaniard admired the appearance of the archers and men-at-arms as they were drawn up for action. Pero Niño was provided with viretons dipt in some combustible composition, which were, when kindled, to be discharged from crossbows, in order to set the enemy's sails on fire. With these he had little success, his people not having the same inclination for coming to close quarters that he himself displayed. Nor was he more fortunate in endeavouring to direct what may be called a fire-boat against the English ballingers, by thrusting it towards them with a long pole or yard from the head of his own galley; for the English kept it off with their long spears, and drove it back upon him, so that it proved alike dangerous, or rather alike harmless, to both parties. Presently, as M. Charles had forewarned his eager associate, the wind sprung up; it filled the sails of the English; the French made all speed toward their own shore; and the other Spanish galleys, seeing their danger, waited not for orders to take the same course; only Niño himself and his crew were so intent upon their fire-boat and the interchange of quarrels and arrows which was kept up the while, that the ships were bearing down upon him before he was informed it was time to think of escaping. With more of bravado than of true bravery, he exclaimed that he would either be carried into England, or carry the enemy into France, or die, as it might please God: his men were wise enough to perceive that in this case it was a false honour which would have prevented them from living to fight another day; and, without contradicting him, or losing any time in words, they veered the galley round, and pulled off with all their strength. His angry emotions did not last long when he saw that his own galleys as well

:

ACTION WITH AN ENGLISH SQUADRON.

37

as the French had forsaken him, and that he was left without support. When, however, ten of the enemy's lighter vessels came up with his galley, and, not venturing to close with it, sought to detain it till more force should come up, one of the French ballingers manoeuvred with great skill and courage for its relief, and having got the weather-gage, bore down upon the enemy, passed safely through them, ran against one of the vessels which was pressing upon Niño, so as to carry away her bowsprit and render her unmanageable, and, though not without some injury from the shock, passed on and saved itself, having singly ventured upon what the whole squadron had feared to undertake. Luckily for Pero Niño, the wind lulled as he drew nearer the shore, and he got into Gravelines, flattering himself with the assertion that, if the calm had continued another hour he should have captured that whole fleet, and have had, among his prisoners, the king of England's daughter, who was on board with her suite and her riches, on the way to her marriage with the duke of Bavaria; and, what would have gratified still more the Spaniard's feeling, Arripay himself, who was the admiral.*

Pero Niño had now learned by experience that galleys were as little adapted + for the climate and the tide harbours of the British Channel as camels are for travelling up and down hill. Having coasted along to Crotoy, he waited a month there in vain expectation of such weather as might render it prudent for him to make another expedition to the English coast. Hitherto he had been so little successful in the way of profit, that his comrade, M. Charles, having consumed all his own means, was compelled to part company with him, and

* Cronica del Conde D. Pero Niño, part ii. c. 38.

+ La mar de poniente es muy brava, demás para las galeras. En todas las costas, tambien de Francia, como de Inglaterra, non hay cala nin reparo, por quanto contesce, que tomando la galera buen reparo, asi de mar, como de viento, llegando á la tierra, á poco de rato viene la menguante, é si non se guarda, fallase en seco: conviene que con hora vaya á buscar re paro, ó se meta a la mar larga, que es muy peligrosa para las galeras, por. que nunca en ella dura mucho la calma. La galera, si ser pudiere, querria que nunca oviese viento.-P. 164.

*

give up what had proved a luckless pursuit. The French would no longer serve without pay; Niño had no money with which to assist them; so they parted with mutual regret. The Spaniard then, with his own galleys and the few ballingers which he had engaged, proceeded along the coast of Normandy, and fell in with six large and well armed ballingers coming from Harfleur on a cruise against the English. They proposed to join company with him, and on they went towards Bretagne. There they came up with a large fleet of French vessels bound to Brouage † for salt: their new comrades advised Pero Niño to detain these vessels as transports, and, as the opportunity was then in his power, to invite the Breton lords of the adjacent country to join him in an expedition against Jersey, a rich island, where he might gain great honour, and, moreover, levy a large contribution. The traders were willing enough to take their part in an adventure in which plunder was to be gained, and nothing on their part but the expense of a few days' time was risked. The Breton lords were easily persuaded. Pero Niño told them, that as the Spanish fleet had refused to act with him, his own force was not strong enough to make another attempt upon the English coast, where the people were every where prepared for resistance; or even if he had ships and men enough, the season was now too late, but Jersey

Moreri says, "Il commandoit, en 1405, les forces navales du royaume, et tint des vaisseaux armés sur les côtes de Normandie et de Picardie. This must refer to his adventures with Pero Niño, in all which, however, it is evident that he was acting on his own account, and held no command in the king's service. Monstrelet makes no mention of his naval exploits, but says that he lived for some time, greatly dispirited, in foreign countries, where he conducted himself so discreetly and honourably, that, through the queen and some great lords, he made his peace with the university, and with their approbation returned to the king's household.

Mr. Johnes adds, in a note from Paradin, that during his exile he signalised himself against the Moors, of whom he brought back to France so many prisoners, that he constructed his magnificent castle of Seignelay without the aid of other labourers.

It appears that he was in the action of 1406, against the English fleet; but this must have been as an adventurer-after his separation from Niño, and before his success in the Mediterranean.-Monstrelet, c. 28.

+ La Bachia, in the original; but no doubt Brouage is meant.

In the preceding year, Jersey and the adjacent isles had been seized into the king's hands, upon the arrest of Edward, duke of York, to whom they belonged. Rymer, voce, 387.

was close at hand: with the aid of their valour much might be done there; and he trusted in the Lord and our Lady for victory and honour. *

In two days, a Breton force well equipped for such service was embarked: a few hours sufficed for the passage; they reached the island at evening; and some two or three score men, without waiting for orders, or asking leave, landed to pick up shell fish, and any thing else they might find. The islanders attacked them, and they received a wholesome reproof when they were brought off by the boats. Orders were given that no person should leave the fleet without orders on pain of death; nor move from their ranks, when they were drawn up for battle, till the trumpet sounded. The check which they had received was sufficient to make them understand the necessity of discipline, and submit to it. There was an islet near, with a chapel upon it. dedicated to the Virgin Mary, a place convenient for the invaders, because they could land there by laying a plank from the ship's side to the shore, and because it was easily defensible against superior numbers, though the space which separated it from the island was left dry at low water. There they landed; and, with the advice of the leaders, Pero Niño ordered the ships to put off, that his people might have no thought of escaping by their help. Good watch was kept, lest any attempt should be made upon them during the ebb: the men were instructed to be in readiness two hours before day; and three boats, with some arbalisters on board, were appointed to keep near the shore, and shoot any, whether French or Spaniards, who might fly to the water-side in hope of being taken off.

At day-break all were ready; the tide was then falling; the trumpets sounded, and they crossed the sands. Pero Niño, to whom the whole management of this enterprise had been committed by the Bretons, as his standard bearer says, "in God's name," for they went piously about their work, placed the men-at-arins in * Cronica del Conde D. Pero Niño, part ii. c. 39.

66

order, with his banner in the midst of them, and bade them remain quiet till he should have arrayed the other part of his force. Some forty paces in advance he drew up the archers and crossbow-men in two wings: with each was a man-at-arms bearing a banner with his armorial ensigns; and in front of each wing he formed a pavaisade of sixty pavaises. Here, too, he stationed those who were called by the significant appellation of Pillards*, and other ill-armed men, who were more likely to distinguish themselves in the spoil than in the battle. Friends," said he to these fellows, "take notice, that ye are now in an enemy's land! look at them! There they are, well-armed, and in battle array, as ready to meet us as we are to meet them; and there are enough of them, but they are neither so strong as we are, nor so brave. Remember that you have the sea behind you, and there are none in the ships to help you, so that you must place no trust there. You are between two enemies, the sea and the land; there is no escaping by flight; if you run into the sea you must perish there, and if you yield yourself to prison, you know how the English deal with the Castillians, and that they are without compassion. But if you stand firm and fight well, there will be the glory for you, and plenty of spoil; for, as you see, this is a rich and beautiful country. Keep your ground, and let not a man move till they approach you. upon Santiago, who is the patron of Spain, and he will aid us!" Spaniards, Normans, and Bretons, there were not less than 1000 men-at-arms in the expedition; and may well be supposed, says Gutierre Diez, what labour a single knight must have gone through in ordering and arraying such a body, he, too, being armed at all points, except his head. There was not a single person, knight or footman, on whom he did not put his hand, instructing them twice or thrice, and informing them what they were to do.

it

Call

The Jersey men, who, by the Spaniard's account, were about 3000, besides 200 horse, came on bravely;

* Pillartes,