Thus informed of the enemy's presence, the French scouts halt and straightway despatch certain of their company to go and tell the army that they have surprised the _Godons_ and that it is time to set to work.[1283] [Footnote 1283: Monstrelet, vol.iv, p.

328.] Now this is what had been happening among the English.

They were retreating in good order on Janville, their vanguard commanded by a knight bearing a white standard.[1284] Then came the artillery and the victuals in waggons driven by merchants; then the main body of the army, commanded by Sir John Talbot and Sir John Fastolf.

The rear-guard, which was likely to bear the brunt of the attack, consisted only of Englishmen from England.[1285] It followed at some distance from the rest.

Its scouts, having seen the French without being seen by them, informed Sir John Talbot, who was then between the hamlet of Saint-Peravy and the town of Patay.