Bayard, Pierre

DU TERRAIL, SEIGNEUR DE, (bai'yar,) the Bon Chevalier sans Peur et sans Reproche, "Good Knight without fear and reproach," and from whom is derived the proverbial saying, "Brave as Bayard," was B., 1476, of an ancient and noble French family of Dauphiné. He early displayed the indomitable resolution, courage, military skill, and chivalrous generosity, continence, and honor, which made him the model of knighthood, and caused his sovereign, Francis I., to covet as an honor the ceremony of being dubbed a knight by his hands. As was the practice in the 15th century with those who were designed for the profe ion of arms, B. , at 13 years old, was placed as a page in the house of the Duke of Savoy, where he remained for five years. On the completion of his eighteenth year he entered upon the actual duties of a soldier. The first battle at which he fought was that of Fornovo, in 1494, under the banner of Charles VIII. Two horses were killed under him in that field; and he himself performed feats that procured him the approbation of all who beheld him. Several years after this he was engaged in the Italian wars of Louis XII., when, on one occasion, it is said that he held a bridge over the Garigliano, single-handed, against 200 Spaniards, and enabled the main body of the French to make good their retreat. In 1513 he fought at the famous battle of the Spurs, in Picardy, where his valor saved the disgrace of the whole French army. In this field, also, fought Henry VIII. of England, then a young man, but commanding in person the English forces. On this occasion B. surrendered to an English knight, but was soon exchanged. In the battle of Marignano, fought September 13, 1515, B. displayed his usual prowe ; and in 1522 he defended Mezières, a frontier town of France, against the Count of Na au, with a force of 35,000 men, a isted by powerful artillery. B. was as conspicuous for military skill as for bravery; yet being unfitted for, or disdaining, the arts of the courtier, he was never appointed to the command of armies, or entrusted with the conduct of a campaign. Neverthele , in, moments of danger and difficulty. he was always looked up to for advice. His death was of a piece with his heroic life. In 1524, he served under Admiral Bonnivet in Italy against the Imperialists under the Constable de Bourbon, and at the pa age of the Sesia received his mortal wound. He refused to be carried off the field, saying he would not then, for the first time, turn his back on the enemy. Reclining at the foot of a tree, he still urged on his comrades, ki ed the cro of his sword-hilt, and confe ed himself to his esquire. The constable coming up was affected at the sight, and the noble B. , with almost his last breath, is said to have uttered the rebuke, "It is not me you should mourn for, but yourself fighting against your king and your country," after which he died. His life was written by his "loyal serviteur," or secretary, and has pa ed through many editions.