Chapter 133 - 128: Battle of the Trent River

"God is with Normandy!"

"Brittany, now is the moment!"

"Fight on, Chateillon!"

"..."

On the Trent River Bridge, Knights from both sides charged into each other, their war cries echoing.

The builders of this narrow bridge could perhaps never have imagined that this small crossing, meant only for travelers, would one day become a battlefield for foreign Knights.

The bridge was not large—it could even be described as cramped, with only enough room for three horses to pass abreast.

Thus, despite the earth-shaking din of battle and the hoarse screams of war cries, only the three Knights at the very front of each side were actually fighting.

The rest of the Knights on both sides, not engaged in the fighting, were merely acting as a hype crew, shouting their war cries without actually joining the fray.

Although the King’s Army reacted quickly, responding shortly after Robert’s men charged onto the bridge, they were ultimately half a beat too slow.

The Knights from Robert’s side at the front of the bridge were now barely three or four paces from the opposite bank. And since Robert’s Knights fought fiercely, this short distance was rapidly closing.

Furthermore, as the attackers, Robert’s side held the initiative. As the Knights began their charge onto the bridge, the Genoese Crossbowmen and Flemish Spear Soldiers moved in close behind, quickly forming ranks along the riverbank and spreading out from east to west.

After all, the Genoese Crossbowmen and Flemish Spear Soldiers did not need to wear heavy Chain Armor, and Robert had positioned them at the very front of his formation from the start.

The Flemish Spear Soldiers planted their Heavy Shields—large enough to cover a man—into the ground. Raising their Long Spears, they protected the Genoese Crossbowmen behind them. The Crossbowmen quickly loaded their Arrows and fired at the Knights on the opposite bank who were rushing toward the bridge.

Soon, a good number of the enemy Knights who had been eagerly charging the bridge lost their Warhorses.

The King’s Army reacted as well, dispatching Archers to advance and trade fire with the Genoese Crossbowmen on the other side. However, most of their Archers were hastily assembled militia, and their archery and formation discipline could not compare to the well-trained Genoese Crossbowmen.

But soon, another group of Archers, dressed completely differently from the people around them, moved to the front. They all had fiery red hair, and the bows in their hands were nearly the height of a man. These were the Longbowmen from South Wales.

They were renowned for their superb archery. In terms of skill with a bow, few in the entire Catholic World could surpass them. Their Arrows were fast and accurate, with greater range and power than the Crossbow Arrows of the Genoese Crossbowmen.

Many of the Arrows they loosed in high arcs successfully sailed over the Heavy Shields of the Flemish Spear Soldiers, striking several Genoese Crossbowmen.

Fortunately, however, their numbers were small. Furthermore, they had no interest in the outcome of this war and little enthusiasm for killing the enemy. After quickly firing their Arrows, they retreated to the rear.

After all, to them, this was nothing more than a squabble between Normans.

They were men under Kaldog, the master of Glamorgan and ruler of South Wales. Kaldog was extremely dissatisfied with William’s handling of the Earl of Hereford and had therefore sent only a small number of Longbowmen.

Because the Longbowmen were "phoning it in," the Genoese Crossbowmen were causing great trouble for the King’s Army.

Of course, there were some discordant episodes as well—the Arrows of a few Genoese Crossbowmen struck the Warhorses of several of their own Knights.

Just as the King’s Army’s attention was fully focused on the front—on the Genoese Crossbowmen and the enemy Knights on the bridge—the flank led by Hugh suffered a devastating blow.

Hugh, who was greatly displeased by Beaumont’s attitude toward him, had failed to carry out Beaumont’s orders to guard the flank and watch for an attack from Robert.

As a result, the attack on the King’s Army’s flank, led by Arno and his Knights, was doubly effective, directly shattering the flank commanded by Hugh.

Hugh tried to rally his formation, but no matter how he roared, it was useless. Arno’s Speed was too great, his attack too sudden. He had torn right through the formation of Knights, and Hugh’s voice was quickly drowned out by the sounds of the charge.

And so, the shattered Knights of the King’s Army could only launch scattered, individual attacks against Arno’s Knights, all to no avail.

Arno had no time to deal with Hugh, for he had spotted the "King" not far away.

He suddenly recalled the day Eric had shown him the King’s armor and Crown.

’The magnificent performance is about to end. I shall be the one to deliver the closing remarks.’

At that very moment, the battle on the bridge also concluded.

With the support of the Genoese Crossbowmen, Robert’s Knights successfully broke through the defensive line of the King’s Army Knights. They surged onto the opposite bank and charged toward the King’s Army camp with unstoppable momentum.

The King’s Army now heard that their flank was under attack, and panic began to spread. Many started to lose their composure, especially the English Infantry positioned at the rear.

When Robert’s third division also advanced in disciplined order to join the battle, this fresh wave of reinforcements became the last straw for the King’s Army. The King’s Army fell into complete chaos, and soldiers began to scatter and flee.

The rout of the King’s Army completely shattered their formation. They were caught in a pincer movement by Robert’s army, and many soldiers of the King’s Army were trapped between Robert’s three divisions, unable to escape.

Arno successfully charged to the front of the "King’s" position. Swinging his already-broken Lance, he knocked the "King" from his horse. Then, he drew his Longsword and finished off Beaumont, who was beside the "King."

The Knights behind him immediately leaped from their saddles and pinned down the fallen "King."

"The King has been taken alive! The King has been taken alive!" a few Knights couldn’t help but shout.

"The finale! God’s blessing! King Robert!"

Arno couldn’t help but laugh. He picked up Beaumont’s head and swung it around.

Like Hugh, he too despised the self-important fool.

"God’s blessing! King Robert!"

"God’s blessing! King Robert!"

"..."

The Knights cheered. The battle was decided.

The Knights remounted their horses. Now it was time to claim more spoils of war for themselves.

Some Knights gave chase to the scattered, fleeing soldiers, but of course, most were more eager to start looting the King’s Army’s camp.

The Infantry were relatively slower. Since most of them had no horses and no great ambitions, all they wanted was a full meal.

Due to scarce rations, many of them hadn’t had a proper meal in days.

Many soldiers rushed into the King’s Army camp and began to eat right then and there.

The scene descended into chaos.

Just as Arno was about to breathe a sigh of relief, he noticed the "King" struggling on the ground.

’After all, the man is my uncle. He has to be "welcomed" properly.’

He waved at the Knights holding down the "King," and they lifted the "King" to his feet.

As the "King" struggled fiercely, his Helmet fell off.

It was a completely unfamiliar face.