Even had l'Hopital known the news that had been received by Enghien, he would have been powerless to check or control him.

A courier had indeed the day before brought the young duke a despatch containing the news of the king's death and peremptory orders not to fight.

Enghien simply put the letter in his pocket, and the contents were known only to Gassion and a few of his most intimate friends.
De Malo was as anxious to bring on a general engagement as was his fiery opponent.

He was kept well informed of what was going on in Paris, and knew that the king's death was imminent.

His position on a plain, surrounded on all sides by woods and marshes with but one approach, and that through a narrow defile, was practically impregnable; and by occupying the defile he could have kept the French at bay without the slightest difficulty until Rocroi surrendered.