The English soldiers poured out from their places of concealment, and the party which had entered the castle were forced to lay down their arms.

In the meantime the Black Prince issued with a small body of troops from a gate near the sea, while De Manny, with the king under his banner, marched by the sally-port which led into the fields.

A considerable detachment of the division was despatched to dislodge the enemy at the bridge of Nieullay, and the rest, joining the party of the Black Prince, advanced rapidly upon the forces of Jeffrey de Charny which, in point of numbers, was double their own strength.
Although taken in turn by surprise the French prepared steadily for the attack.

De Charny ordered them all to dismount and to shorten their lances to pikes five feet in length.

The English also dismounted and rushing forward on foot a furious contest commenced.