The men-at-arms rode straight for the enemy's camp, which was undefended, the whole army being within their tents at dinner.

Dashing into their midst the English and Breton men-at-arms began to overthrow the tents and spear all that were in them.

Not knowing the extent of the danger or the smallness of the attacking force, the French knights sprang up from table, mounted, and rode to encounter the assailants.
For some time these maintained their ground against all assaults until, finding that the whole army was upon them, Almeric de Clisson gave order for his troop to retire slowly upon the town.

Fighting every step of the ground and resisting obstinately the repeated onslaught of the French, Clisson approached the gate.

Here he was joined by the archers, who with bent bows prepared to resist the advance of the French.