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was built and finished a very handsome and a strong bastille, very well made, between Saint Povair and Saint Lardre, in a spot which comprised a great space, wherein were placed and remained many lords and English gentlemen, together with numerous other men at war, who were desirous of guarding on that side, to prevent any provisions from being conveyed into Orleans, as they had before witnessed upon divers occasions, in spite of the forces which were in their other bastilles.

On the following day, came from Blois to Orleans, by the road of Fleury aux Choux, a quantity of cattle and other provisions, which the English thought to take possession of, and therefore advanced accordingly, but too late, for the tocsin of the belfry was rung to afford succour for the provisions; which was done, in such sort that they arrived in safety within the city.

This same day, came running before the tournelles about fifty French men at arms, being part of the garrison of Sauloigne, and they brought full fifteen English prisoners. And on the night after this same day, some French departed from the city, who had killed three English that were keeping watch near L'Orbecte.

The following Sunday, being the seventeenth of the same month of April, arrived within Orleans, Poton de Sainctestrailles and other ambassadors, who had repaired to the duke of Burgundy and the Count de

Ligny, bringing with them the trumpeter of the said duke of Burgundy. The which, as soon as he had learned the request of those of Orleans, took his departure, and with him Messire John de Luxembourg, to join the duke of Bedford, calling himself Regent of this kingdom for the king of England; then making known unto him, what sorrow it was to the duke of Orleans; and required and prayed of him very earnestly, that it would please him to raise and cause the siege to be removed from before his principal city of Orleans; to the which would not acquiesce in any sort, to either of them, the duke of Bedford. Wherefore the duke of Burgundy was not content; and upon this occasion sent with the ambassadors his trumpeter, who, on his part, commanded all those of his lands and cities subject unto him, and being at the said siege, that they would go and take their departure, and that they should in nowise do evil unto those of Orleans. In obedience to the which commandment in great haste went away and departed many Burgundians, Picards, Champenois, and numerous others of the countries and under obedience to the said duke of Burgundy.

The following day in the morning, about four of the clock after midnight, sallied out the French against the camp of the English, and so conducted themselves, that at their entrance they killed a part of their watch and gained one of their standards,

and there continued for a long space of time; during which they did great injury to their adversaries, the which cried, much affrighted, to arms, and ranged themselves in order of battle the best they could, turning against the French; who knowing that they were preparing to arm in great force, issued forth from their camp, where they had gained several silver cups, many robes of martern skins, and a great number of bows, quivers, arrows and other accoutrements of war. Nevertheless the English followed them, and came up so near that a very great and smart skirmish took place, wherein many were killed and wounded, as well on the one side as on the other. And specially was killed, from the discharge of a culverin, him who carried the standard of the English; notwithstanding those of the city were not without sustaining great injury, the which was fully apparent upon their return, by the mourning performed by the women of Orleans, crying and lamenting their fathers, husbands, brothers, and relations, killed and wounded in this skirmish. And this same day were given up the bodies upon either side, the which were interred in holy ground.

The Tuesday following, and the nineteenth day of the month of April, about the hour of vespers, arrived in the camp and bastilles of the English, a great quantity of provisions and other necessaries for war, and with them many men at arms who escorted them.

The ensuing day, about the fourth hour of the morning, departed from Orleans a captain named Amadie, and sixteen men at arms on horseback accompanying him, who went in the direction of Fleury aux Choux, at which place the English were stationed, who had conducted the last provisions, and they acted in such wise, that they escorted six English prisoners, whom they took, with several horses, bows, quivers, and other accoutrements for

war.

About this same period, the English fortified Sainct John le Blanc ou Val de Loire, and there stationed a watch to guard the passage.

The Thursday next ensuing, arrived within Orleans, three horses laden with powder for cannon, and many other things. In another direction, on this same day, those of Orleans pointed several cannon in order to fire against the English; because they thought that it was their duty to prepare a smart skirmish, for their welcome; and they discharged marvellously against them, being assailed, wherefore they returned back into their camp; but many of them departed on the following night, to go to the rencounter of provisions transporting towards the city, wishing to conquer and to seize them.

The Saturday, being the twenty-third of the same month of April, arrived within Orleans, four horses charged with powder for cannon and provisions.

And upon the ensuing day, entered Le Bourg de Mascaran, accompanied by forty combatants. And the next approaching day, which was Tuesday the twenty-sixth day of the same month, entered also Alain Degiron, accompanied by one hundred combatants.

The following Wednesday, the French sallied forth, and proceeded in mighty great haste and in comely array as far as the Cross of Fleury, to render assistance to any dealers, bringing provisions from the environs of Blois for victualling the city; because they had received news of their having hindrance; but they did not proceed further, on account of their having been there before, and it was told them that they would do nothing there, for that the English had already unburthened them. However, from another part, there came to them a reinforcement of sixty combatants advancing from Beaune in Gastinois, who brought them other hogs.

The day following, being Thursday the twentyeighth day of the said month of April, arrived within Orleans after mid-day, a very renowned captain, named Messire Fleurentin d'Illiers, and with him the brother of La Hire, accompanied by four hundred combatants, who came from Chasteaudun. And upon this same day was a strong and a smart skirmish; because that the English came to skirmish before the boulevards of Orleans. But the men at war, and many citizens of Orleans, sallied

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