A messenger came before Bertrand and the count of Auxerre and the other afore-named barons and said:

‘May almighty God born in Bethlehem protect from harm, by His gracious will, the lordly Bertrand du Guesclin, whom the king of France has made Marshal of Normandy to take his place in the conduct of battle with loyalty and daring both in field and town. And all you good lords I see here present, may Jesus give you the will to lend aid to my lord in this time of urgent need: I pray you all, give him help and protection – may all, of every degree, have pity on him! Be his support in upholding his right, for some who should be protectors of his person and his right are doing him great wrong.’

‘What's this you're saying, friend?’ said Bertrand. ‘Who's your master, tell me: what's his name?’

‘Truly, sir,’ said the messenger, ‘his name is Charles of Blois. The count of Montfort has laid heavy siege to the castle called Auray – a noble and most valued stronghold. And my lord prays you and all who follow you, of every degree, to go and join him, for he is set upon engaging the count of Montfort and raising the siege of Auray. If you'll come to my good lord he'll be indebted to you all: he sends word that he'll make you rich – he'll give you a share in all his wealth.’

‘You've spoken well, friend,’ Bertrand said. ‘And I pledge before you all that all of us assembled in this field will go and place ourselves at his command: come life, come death, we shan't fail him. Take this destrier I present to you and tell your lord to make ready: we'll join him soon at Guingamp.’

The messenger departed then, and Bertrand called his lords together and spoke to them most courteously.

‘Sirs,’ he said, ‘if it be God's will the year has come when honour will be ours! For we shall do battle in the broad land of Brittany outside Auray, a well-fortified place indeed – a battle between two lords who're competing for the country: the count of Montfort has offered battle and Charles of Blois has not declined! He's summoned an army to go and do battle and we must go at once.’