One of the reasons kings of the period were so often adverse to pitched battles was the fact that they travelled as an itinerant government and nomadic treasury, which were too valuable to lose on the battlefield.[11] And since kings of this period often travelled as peripatetic courts, Philip's baggage train contained not just personal effects, such as household furniture[12] but the necessary paraphernalia for government and tax collecting.[13] Among the French king's luggage, captured by the English, were his personal seal,[14] and important archival documents such as financial records, domanial charters, payment inventories, and rent and toll receipts.[6][15] Also captured was a great quantity of treasure, 'whose value was immense,' said one French chronicler.[16] Philip beat a hasty retreat across the River Epte, and in doing so, the bridge collapsed under the weight of the retreating army.[17] This apparently resulted in the French king getting soaked through, which one writer has described as 'a condition which delighted Richard.'[18] The English King may have come 'within minutes' of capturing Philip,[19] but, being overly-enthusiastic in his attempt to capture Philip, rode a great distance past the chapel where Philip was actually hiding, allowing him to escape.[20]