=Source.=--Monstrelet's _Chronicles_, translated by Johnes, vol.
ii., pp. 495, 496. (Hafod Press, 1809.)
The regent duke of Bedford, while at Paris, had collected about
five hundred carts and cars from the borders of Normandy and from
the Isle of France, which different merchants were ordered to load
with provisions, stores and other things, and to have conveyed to
the English army before Orleans.... This armament left Paris on Ash
Wednesday, under the command of Sir John Falstaff, who conducted the
convoy with his forces in good order, by short marches, until he came
near the village of Rouvroi in Beauce, situated between Genville
and Orleans. Many French captains, having long before heard of his
coming, were there assembled to wait his arrival, namely Charles duke
of Bourbon, the two marshals of France, the constable of Scotland and
his son ... and others of the nobility, having with them from three to
four thousand men. The English had been informed of this force being
assembled from different garrisons which they had in those parts,
and lost no time in forming a square with their carts and carriages,
leaving but two openings, in which square they enclosed themselves,
posting their archers as guards to these entrances, and the men-at-arms
hard by to support them. On the strongest side of this enclosure
were the merchants, pages, carters, and those incapable of defending
themselves, with their horses. The English, thus situated, waited two
hours for the coming of the enemy, who at length arrived with much
noise, and drew up out of bowshot in front of the enclosure. It seemed
to them that, considering their superior numbers, the state of the
convoy, and that there were not more than six hundred real Englishmen,
the rest being composed of all nations, they could not escape falling
into their hands, and must be speedily conquered. Others, however, had
their fears of the contrary happening, for the French captains did
not well agree together as to their mode of fighting, for the Scots
would combat on foot, and the others on horseback.... In the meantime
the constable of Scotland, his son and all their men, dismounted and
advanced to attack their adversaries, by whom they were received
with great courage. The English archers, under the shelter of their
carriages, shot so well and stiffly that all on horseback within their
reach were glad to retreat with their men-at-arms. The constable of
Scotland and his men attacked one of the entrances of the enclosure,
but they were soon slain on the spot.... The other French captains
retreated with their men to the places whence they had come. The
English, on their departure, refreshed themselves and then marched away
in haste for their town of Rouvroi, where they halted for the night.
On the morrow they departed in handsome array with their convoy and
artillery, and in a few days arrived before Orleans, very much rejoiced
at their good fortune in the late attack from the French, and at having
so successfully brought provision to their countrymen.
This battle was ever afterward called the Battle of Herrings, because
great part of the convoy consisted of herrings and other articles of
food suitable to Lent.