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of Assur, in safety, to the river Rochetailie.

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Itinerary
175
On the third day, about nine oÕclock, our army marched in battle
array from the Salt River; for there was a rumour that the Turks were lying
in ambush for them in the forest of Assur, and that they intended to set the
wood on fire to prevent our troops from crossing it. But our men,
advancing in order, passed the place where the ambuscade was said to be,
unmolested; and on quitting the wood, they came to a large plain that ran
along it, and there they pitched their tents, near the river commonly called
Rochetailie. Here they sent spies to reconnoitre, who brought back news
that the Turks were awaiting their approach in countless numbers; for their
multitudes covered the whole face of the earth around, and were estimated
at 300,000 men, while the Christians were only 100,000 strong. The
Christian army arrived at the river Rochetailie on the Thursday before the
Nativity of the blessed Virgin Mary, and tarried there until the morrow.
Chapter XVII. Ñ How our army, on advancing from the river Rochetailie
towards Assur, prepared for battle with the Turks, whom they had vowed to attack
on that day with all their might.
On the Saturday, the eve of the Nativity of the blessed Virgin Mary,
at earliest dawn, our men armed themselves with great care to receive the
Turks, who were known to have preceded their march, and whose
insolence nothing but a battle could check. The enemy had ranged
themselves in order, drawing gradually nearer and nearer; and our men
also took the utmost care to place themselves in as good order as possible.
King Richard, who was most experienced in military affairs, arranged the
army in squadrons, and directed who should march in front, and who in
the rear. He divided the army into twelve companies, and these again into
five divisions, marshalled according as the men ranked in military
discipline; and none could be found more warlike, if they had only had
confidence in God, who is the giver of all good things. On that day, the
Templars formed the first rank, and after them came in due order the
Bretons and men of Anjou; then followed King Guy, with the men of
Poictou; and in the fourth line were the Normans and English, who had the
care of the royal standard; and last of all, marched the Hospitallers: this

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Itinerary
176
line was composed of chosen warriors, divided into companies. They kept
together so closely, that an apple, if thrown, would not have fallen to the
ground, without touching a man or a horse; and the army stretched from
the army of the Saracens to the sea-shore. There you might have seen their
most appropriate distinctions,standards, and ensigns of various forms, and
hardy soldiers, fresh, and full of spirits, and well fitted for war. There was
the earl of Leicester, Hugh de Gurnay, William de Borriz, Walkin do
Ferrars, Roger de Toony, James dÕAvennes, Robert count of Druell, the
bishop of Beauvais, and William des Barres his brother, William de
Garlande, Drogo de Mirle, and many of his kinsmen. Henry count of
Champagne kept guard on the mountainÕs side, maintaining a constant
look-out on the flank: the foot-soldiers, bowmen and arbalesters, were on
the outside, and the rear of the army was closed by the pack-horses and
waggons, which carried provisions and other things, and journeyed along
between the army and the sea, to avoid an attack from the enemy. This was
the order of the army, as it advanced gradually, to prevent separation; for
the less close the line of battle, the less effective was it for resistance. King
Richard and the duke of Burgundy, with a chosen retinue of warriors, rode
up and down, narrowly watching the position and manner of the Turks, to
correct any thing in their own troops, if they saw occasion; for they had
need, at that moment, of the utmost circumspection.
Chapter XVIII. Ñ How our armies were much harassed by the Turks, who