OF THE GIFT THAT THE PRINCE GAVE TO THE LORD
AUDLEY AFTER THE BATTLE OF POITIERS
As soon as the earl of Warwick and the lord Cobham were
departed from the prince, as ye have heard before, then the
prince demanded of the knights that were about him for the
lord Audley, if any knew anything of him. Some knights
that were there answered and said: 'Sir, he is sore hurt
and lieth in a litter here beside.' 'By my faith,' said the
prince, 'of his hurts I am right sorry: go and know if he
may be brought hither, or else I will go and see him thereas
he is.' Then two knights came to the lord Audley and said:
'Sir, the prince desireth greatly to see you, other ye must
go to him or else he will come to you.' 'Ah, sir,' said the
knight, 'I thank the prince when he thinketh on so poor
a knight as I am.' Then he called eight of his servants and
caused them to bear him in his litter to the place whereas
the prince was. Then the prince took him in his arms and
kissed him and made him great cheer and said: 'Sir James,
I ought greatly to honour you, for by your valiance ye have
this day achieved the grace and renown of us all, and ye
are reputed for the most valiant of all other.' 'Ah, sir,'
said the knight, 'ye say as it pleaseth you: I would it were
so: and if I have this day anything advanced myself to
serve you and to accomplish the vow that I made, it ought
not to be reputed to me any prowess.' 'Sir James,' said the
prince, 'I and all ours take you in this journey for the best
doer in arms, and to the intent to furnish you the better
to pursue the wars, I retain you for ever to be my knight
with five hundred marks of yearly revenues, the which I
shall assign you on mine heritage in England.' 'Sir,' said
the knight, 'God grant me to deserve the great goodness
that ye shew me': and so he took his leave of the prince,
for he was right feeble, and so his servants brought him to
his lodging. And as soon as he was gone, the earl of Warwick
and the lord Cobham returned to the prince and presented
to him the French king. The prince made lowly
reverence to the king and caused wine and spices to be
brought forth, and himself served the king in sign of great
love.