Next came the cavalry, advancing in squadrons, glittering and resplendent in their steel casings; 2,500 of these were in full heavy armour, wielding iron maces and the ponderous lances that were usual also in Italy.

Every man-at-arms had with him three horses, mounted by a squire and two valets (four men going to the lance in France).

Some 5,000 of the cavalry were more lightly armed, in corselets and head-piece only, and they carried long wooden bows in the English fashion; whilst some were armed with pikes, intended to complete the work of the heavier cavalry.

These were followed by 200 knights--the very flower of French chivalry for birth and valour--shouldering their heavy iron maces, their armour covered by purple, gold-embroidered surcoats.

Behind them came 400 mounted archers forming the bodyguard of the king.
The misshapen monarch himself was the very caricature of a man, hideous and grotesque as a gargoyle.