BAYARD, PIERRE DU TERRAIL, SEIGNEUR DE (bi-yar'), the Bon Chevalier sans Peur et sans Reproche (good knight without fear and without reproach), and from whom is derived the proverbial saying, "Brave as Bay ard," was born in 1476, of an ancient and noble French family of Dauphine. He early displayed the indomitable reso lution, courage, military skill, and honor which made him the model of knight hood, and caused his sovereign, Francis I., to covet as an honor the ceremony of being dubbed a knight by his hands. Bayard, 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 18th year he became a soldier. The first battle at which he fought was that of Fornovo, in 1494, under the banner of Charles VIII., when he distinguished himself. He fought in the Italian wars of Louis XII. and once held a bridge single-handed enabling the French to retreat. In 1513 he fought at the famous battle of the Spurs, in Picardy, where his valor saved the dis grace of the whole French army. On this occasion Bayard surrendered to an English knight, but was soon exchanged. In the battle of Marignano, fought Sept.
13, 1515, Bayard displayed his usual prowess; and in 1521 he defended Me zieres, a frontier town of France, against the Count of Nassau, with a force of 35,000 men. Bayard was as conspicuous for military skill as for bravery; but lacking the arts of the courtier, he was never appointed to the command of armies. Nevertheless, in moments of danger and difficulty, he was always looked up to for advice. In 1524, he served under Admiral Bonnivet in Italy against the Imperialists under the Con stable de Bourbon, and at the passage 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. Re clining at the foot of a tree, he still urged on his comrades. The Constable coming up was affected at the sight, and the noble Bayard, with almost his last breath, is said to have uttered the re buke, "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 passed through many editions.