THE SCENE: Suger, the Abbot of St. Denis, describes a dramatic battle whereby the troops of Louis VI lay siege on an island paradise.
THE TEXT: Close to the castle lies a charming little island where a fair number of horses and cattle graze in pleasant pasturage. Its moderate width and greater length are particularly helpful to the men of the garrison. Its flowing waters put radiant smiles on their faces as they stroll about, and its meadows, sometimes flower covered, sometimes green, present their eyes with a delightful and brilliant sight. The river itself, which flows around the island, provides them with a safe place to live. The lord Louis therefore assembled a flotilla and swiftly launched his attack. He made some of his knights and many foot soldiers strip down so that they could enter the water freely and spring up quickly should they happen to sink. Boldly entering the river himself, he ordered his men to seize the island, instructing some to swim and other to ride across as best they could, even though the deep waters made this dangerous. Then men of the garrison fought back bravely; and being higher up on a steep bank, they hurled down rocks, lances, and even stakes as they forcibly drove back those who were beneath them in the boats amid the waves. The attackers were just driven back, but they regained their fighting spirit and strove to drive back those who had driven them back. They forced the crossbowmen and archers to stop firing and fought hand-to-hand when they could engage the enemy. Wearing hauberks and helmets and fighting daringly like pirates, the men in the flotilla joined battle and drove back the very men who had earlier been driving them back. And as the valorous do not allow themselves to be shamed, they captured and took control of the island by armed might, forcing the defenders to withdraw under duress into the castle.
– The Deeds of Louis the Fat, Suger, 12th Century AD
