A sharp conflict ensued, where Prince William behaved with great bravery, and the king himself was in the most imminent danger.

He was wounded in the head by Crispin, a gallant Norman officer, who had followed the fortunes of William;[*] but being rather animated than terrified by the blow, he immediately beat his antagonist to the ground, and so encouraged his troops by the example, that they put the French to total rout, and had very nearly taken their king prisoner.

The dignity of the persons engaged in this skirmish rendered it the most memorable action of the war; for in other respects it was not of great importance.
There were nine hundred horsemen who fought on both sides, yet were there only two persons slain.

The rest were defended by that heavy armor worn by the cavalry in those times.[**] An accommodation soon after ensued between the kings of France and England, and the interests of young William were entirely neglected in it.
[* H.Hunting, p.381.

M.Paris, p 47.