Godemar du Fay, however, threw away part of his advantage by advancing into the stream.

The English archers lined the banks, and poured showers of arrows into the ranks of the enemy, while the Genoese bowmen on their side were able to give comparatively little assistance to the French.
King Edward shouted to his knights, "Let those who love me follow me," and spurred his horse into the water.

Behind him followed his most valiant knights, and Walter riding close to the Prince of Wales was one of the foremost.
The French resisted valiantly and a desperate battle took place on the narrow ford, but the impetuosity of the English prevailed, and step by step they drove the French back to the other side of the river.

The whole army poured after their leaders, and the French were soon entirely routed and fled, leaving two thousand men-at-arms dead on the field.
King Edward, having now freed himself from the difficulties which had encompassed him on the other side of the river, prepared to choose a ground to give battle to the whole French army.
Louis had advanced slowly, feeling confident that the English would be unable to cross the river, and that he should catch them hemmed in by it.

His mortification and surprise on finding, when he approached La Blanche Tache, that twelve thousand men had been insufficient to hold a ford by which but twelve could cross abreast, and that his enemy had escaped from his grasp, were great.