The battle began almost at once.

Count de Moret, natural son of Henry IV.

and Jacqueline de Bueil, fired the first shot.

Hearing the noise, Montmorency, who commanded the right wing, takes a squadron of cavalry, and, "urged on by that impetuosity which takes possession of all brave men at the like juncture, he spurs his horse forward, leaps the ditch which was across the road, rides over the musketeers, and, the mishap of finding himself alone causing him to feel more indignation than fear, he makes up his mind to signalize by his resistance a death which he cannot avoid." Only a few gentlemen had followed him, amongst others an old officer named Count de Rieux, who had promised to die at his feet and he kept his word.
In vain had Montmorency called to him his men-at-arms and the regiment of Ventadour; the rest of the cavalry did not budge.

Count de Moret had been killed; terror was everywhere taking possession of the men.