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DIARY

OF THE

SIEGE OF ORLEANS.

As the language of the following Diary may appear obsolete, it is necessary to acquaint the reader that this phraseology was purposely adopted, in order

to convey the style of the Original Manuscript with the least possible variation.

DIARY,

ETC. ETC.

THE earl of Salisbury, a great lord and the most renowned in feats of arms of all the English; and the which for Henry, king of England, to whom he was related, and as his lieutenant and chief of his army in this kingdom, had been present at many battles as well as divers rencounters and conquests against the French, where he had valiantly conducted himself; thinking to take the city of Orleans by force, which maintained the cause of the king, its sovereign lord Charles, seventh of that name, came to besiege it on Tuesday the twelfth day of October, one thousand four hundred and twenty-eight, with great host and army, which he encamped on the side of Sauloïgne, and near one of the suburbs called Portereau. In which host and army and in his company were, Messire William de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk, and Messire John de la Pole, his brother, the lord of Escales (Scales), the lord Faulconberg,

B

the bailiff of Evreux, the lord d'Egres, the lord de Moulins, the lord de Pomus, Glacidas (William Glasdale or Gladdisdale)* of high renown, Messire Launcelot de l'Isle, Marshal of the host, and many other lords and men of war as well English as others, false French, maintaining their cause. But the men of war there in garrison, had, on the same day and before the arrival of the English, by the advice and aid of the citizens of Orleans, caused the church to be destroyed, the convent of the Augustins of Orleans, and all the houses which were then standing at the foresaid Portereau, in order that their enemies might not be lodged there, nor construct any fortification against the city.

On the ensuing Sunday the English threw into the city two hundred and four bombarding stones from large cannons, of which there were some stones that weighed one hundred and sixteen pounds. And among others was placed near to the Turcie Sainct Jean le Blanc, between the wine-press of Faviere and Portereau, a great cannon which they named Passe-volant (Beyond-flying); the which threw stones weighing eighty pounds, doing much damage to the houses and edifices of Orleans, not however killing or wounding any one but a woman named Belles, living near the postern Chesneau.

According to one of our Chroniclers.

This same week also did the cannons of the English beat down twelve windmills situated on the banks of the Loire, between the city and the new town. Therefore those of Orleans caused to be built, within the city, eleven mills for horses, which greatly comforted them. Notwithstanding the cannons and engines of the English, the French who were in Orleans made several sallies and skirmishes against them, between the Tournelles of the bridge of Saint Jean le Blanc, from the Sunday until Thursday the twenty-first day of the same month; upon which day the English attacked the boulevard, made of faggots and earth, placed in front of the Tournelles, which assault continued incessantly for four hours: for they began at ten in the morning and did not cease until two hours after mid-day, many valiant feats of arms being performed on either side. Of the principal French who defended the boulevard, were, the lord of Villars, captain of Montargis; Messire Matthias, an Arragonese; the lord of Guitry; the lord de Couras, of Gascony; the lord of Sainctes Trailles and his brother Poton de Sainctes Trailles, also of Gascony; Peter de la Chapelle, a gentleman of Beausse, and many other knights and esquires, besides the citizens of Orleans, all of whom conducted themselves very valiantly. In like manner the women of Orleans afforded great succour; for they never ceased to furnish with diligence to those who defended the boulevard,

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