very seemly to behold; the churches of Saint Michael and Saint Aux, the chapel of Martroy, the church of Saint Victor, situated in the suburbs of the gate of Burgundy; the church of Saint Michael above the fosses, the Jacobins, the Cordeliers, the Carmelites; Saint Mathurin, the Almonry of Saint Povair and Saint Lawrence; besides these, they burned and destroyed all the suburbs surrounding the city, structures very rich and beautiful to behold before they were beaten down. For there were sundry grand and rich edifices, insomuch so, that they were esteemed the most beautiful suburbs in the kingdom; notwithstanding which the French garrison burned and threw them down. All which was done with the consent and aid of the citizens of Orleans, in order that the English might not lodge therein, which would have been very prejudicial to the city.

The first day of December following, arrived at the Tournelles of the bridge several English lords; amongst whom of highest renown were, Messires John Talbot, first Baron in England, and the lord of Escalle (lord Scales), accompanied by three hundred combatants; who conveyed thither provisions, cannon, bombs and other implements of war, from which they fired against the walls and within Orleans, more incessantly and strongly than had been done before, during the lifetime of the earl of Salisbury; for, they threw stones that weighed eighty-four pounds, which

did great evil and damage to the city, as well as to many houses and beautiful edifices of the same, without killing or wounding any one, which was regarded as a great marvel. For, among others, in the street of the Petits Souliers (Little Shoes) one fell in the hotel and upon the table of a man who was at dinner (he being the fifth person then present) without killing or hurting any one; which is said to have been a miracle performed by our Lord, at the request of Monsieur Saint Aignan, the patron of Orleans.

The following Tuesday, at three o'clock in the morning, was rung the alarm-bell in the belfry, because the French thought that the English wanted to attack the boulevard of the beautiful Cross on the bridge. And already had two scaled it, advancing as far as one of the cannoneers; but they presently returned back to their Tournelles. And while observing, they perceived that the English were upon the watch, having arranged all things, such as cannon, cross-bows, stick-slings, culverins, stones, and other implements of war, necessary for their defence, in case they were assailed.

On Thursday the twenty-third day of the month of December, began the bombarding by throwing of stones that weighed an hundred and twenty pounds, the bombs all newly made by one named William Duisy, a very subtle workman; the same being placed at the cross of the mills of the postern Chesneau, in

order to fire against the Tournelles ; near which were posted two cannons, the one called Montargis, the other Rifflard, which, during the siege, played against the English, doing them much injury.

On the following Christmas-day, was a truce agreed upon on either side, lasting from nine in the morning till three in the evening: during this truce, Glacidas, (Glasdale) and other lords of England invited the Bastard of Orleans, and the lord of Saint Severe, Marshal of France, that they might play a tune of grand minstrelsy, with trumpets and clarions; which was done accordingly; so that they played on the instruments for a long space of time, producing great melody; but no sooner was the truce ended, than every one took care of himself. During the festival of Christmas there were horrible discharges from bombs and cannon; but above all was great injury done by a cannoneer, native of Loraine, being then of the garrison of Orleans, named Master John, who was said to be the most expert at the said business. And well did he show it; for he had a large culverin, from which he often fired from between the pillars of the bridge near the boulevard of the beautiful Cross, in such wise, that he killed and wounded a multitude of English. And to scoff them, he often threw himself upon the ground, feigning to be dead or wounded, and caused himself to be borne into the city. But incontinent he returned to the skirmish, and so

conducted himself, that the English knew him to be alive, to their great cost and displeasure.

Wednesday, the twenty-ninth day of the month of December, were burned and destroyed several other churches and houses which were still left standing near Orleans; namely, Saint Loup, Saint Marc, Saint Gervais, Saint Euverte, the chapel Saint Aignan, Saint Vincent of the Vines, Saint Lardre, Saint Povair, and also the Magdalen, in order that the English might not lodge there, or retreat and fortify themselves against the city. The last day of the said month arrived about two thousand five hundred English fighting men, at Saint Lawrence des Orgerilz, near Orleans, in order to invest the same; among whom were captains, the earls of Suffolk and Talbot, Messire John de la Pole, lord of Escalles, (lord Scales) Messire Launcelot de L'Isle, and many others. But, at their coming, great skirmishing took place; for the Bastard of Orleans, the lord of Saint Severe, Messire James de Chabanes, and many other knights, esquires and citizens of Orleans, who valiantly conducted themselves, went to meet them and receive them as their enemies. And there were enacted many noble feats of arms on either side. In these skirmishes was wounded in the foot by an arrow from the English, Messire James de Chabanes, and his horse killed, by a like adventure.

On the same day, were also performed many gallant feats of arms on either side, by the wooden cross

near Saint Lawrence; and during the whole of this day, Master John did great damage with his culverin.

This Friday the last day of the year, at four o'clock in the evening, two Frenchmen so sagely defended themselves from the cannon and other warlike implements, that the English retired into the bastilles of Saint Lawrence.

The following Wednesday came Messire Louis Deculan, admiral of France, and with him two hundred combatants, repairing to the Portereau before the Tournelles, where was the garrison of the English; and in spite of them passed the Loire, at the gate of Saint Loup, himself and his men entering into the city to learn news concerning the government of the same and of the French therein; who, with his men, was much feasted and mightily extolled. For right valiantly had they conducted themselves against the English at the skirmish of the Portereau.

On the following Thursday, being the festival of Epiphany, that is of the kings, sallied forth from Orleans the lords of Saint Severe and Deculan, Messire Theaulde de Valpergne, and many other men at war and citizens; performing a great skirmish, where they conducted themselves right gallantly against the English; who also defended themselves well and stoutly. Many English lords were also there, as well as knights and esquires, but their names are not known. During this skirmish also did Master John gallantly conduct himself with his culverin.