any one, being a great marvel. So they entered sains et saufs into the city, and proceeded to render grace unto our Lord, who had preserved them from injury.

Wednesday, the twenty-sixth of the said January, was a great skirmish before the boulevard of Bannier gate; because the English cautiously thought that the sun shone in the faces of the French who were without the boulevard to skirmish. And there sallied from out their host a mighty power, showing great appearance of hardihood; and acted in such wise, that they caused the French to fall back to the edge of the fosse of the boulevard of the city; whereto they approached so near that they bore away one of their standards and a lance near the boulevard; but they continued only for a short space, because those of Orleans, and on the boulevard, thickly discharged against them cannons, bombs, culverins, and other arrows. And it was said, that in this skirmish were killed twenty English, not counting the wounded. But of the French died only one archer of the Marshal of Saint Severe, who fell by a shot from a cannon of Orleans itself, whereat his master, and the other lords, were mightily chagrined.

The day following, being Sunday the twentyninth of the said month of January, safeguard was accorded on either side to La Hire, and Messire Launcelot de l'Isle, to hold conference together. This took place about the hour of closing the gates.

But after they had spoken together, and that the hour of safeguard was passed, as each of them returned towards his people, those of Orleans discharged a cannon, which struck Messire Launcelot, in such wise, that his head was carried off, whereat those of his party were very dolorous; for he was their Marshal and a right valiant man.

The following, which was Sunday, a very great skirmish took place; because the English carried off the sticks, that is, vine stakes, from the vineyards in the environs of Saint Lardre, and Saint John de la Ruelle, near Orleans, and conveyed them to their camp to warm themselves therewith. Wherefore the Marshal of Saint Severe, La Hire, Poton, Messire Jacques de Chabanes, Messire Denis de Chailly, Messire Gervais, Arragonese, and many others of Orleans, sallied forth, rushing among them, and valiantly assailing them, in such sort, that they killed seven, and brought fourteen prisoners into the city. And this same day departed this world a valiant citizen and a native, named Simon de Baugener, who had been wounded in the throat by one of the enemy's arrows. And the following day, being Monday the thirty-first and last of the said month of January, arrived in Orleans, eight horses charged with oil and grease.

Thursday following, the third day of February, issued from Orleans, the Marshal of Saint Severe, Messire James de Chabanes, La Hire, Couras, and

many other knights and esquires, proceeding as far as the boulevard of Saint Lawrence. Wherefore the English cried to arms, unfurling twelve of their banners, and placing themselves in battle array throughout their host, without coming forth from their boulevards and barriers. So that the French, perceiving they did not sally out, returned in good order into the city, without other thing being done.

Saturday, fifth of the said month, came to Orleans at night-fall, as the gates were closing, twenty-six combatants, very valiant men of war and well equipped; who had journeyed from Sauloigne, belonging to the Marshal of Saint Severe; the which conducted themselves right gallantly, as long as they continued in the garrison.

The following day, being Sunday, about vesper time, sallied from Orleans the Marshal of Saint Severe, Chabanes, La Hire, Poton, and Chailly, with two hundred combatants, who ran as far as the Magdalen; where they found the lord of Escalles (Scales), and thirty combatants with him, who retired in great haste to their camp and bastille of Saint Lawrence; so that in the end were only killed and made prisoners, fourteen of the English.

The Monday, seventh of the said month, arrived in Orleans, Messire Theaulde de Valpergne, Messire Jean de Lescot, of Gascony, and other ambassadors, who came from having conference with the king,

bringing news of succour that was to arrive and cause the raising of the siege.

The following Tuesday, entered into the city of Orleans many very valiant men at war well armed, and among others, Messire Guillaume Estuart (Stewart), brother of the Constable of Scotland, the lord de Saucourt, the lord de Verduran, with many other knights and esquires, accompanied by one thousand combatants, being in such sort clothed for feats of war, that it was a right comely sight to behold them.

This same day, towards night, came two hundred combatants, belonging to Messire Guillaume d'Alebret, and shortly after six hundred others of the suite of La Hire.

About these days, there was a young Pucelle named Jeanne, native of a village in Barrois, called Domprebemy, (Dom Remy) near unto another called Gras, under the lordship of Vaucouleurs. To whom, while formerly watching around the dwelling of her father and her mother a few sheep which they had, and other times sewing and spinning, appeared our Lord several times in a vision. And he commanded, that she should go and raise the siege of Orleans, and cause the king to be anointed at Rheims: for that he would be with her, and would cause her, by his divine aid and by force of arms, to accomplish this enterprise. Wherefore, she went before Messire Robert de Baudricourt, then captain of the said place

A

of Vaucouleurs, and narrated to him her vision; praying and requiring him, that for the great good and profit of the kingdom, he would cause her to be arrayed in the habiliments of a man, mounted on horseback, and after conducted to the king, according as God had commanded her to go. But, for that time, nor for many days, would he believe her; so that he only mocked and esteemed her vision as a fantasy and a bewildered imagination; yet, thinking to use her in regard to his people, as a carnal sin, he retained her. To which none of them, nor any after, could in such sort make her turn. For, so soon as they fixedly looked upon her, they were all cooled of their luxury.

The Wednesday, ninth day of the said month, departed from Orleans Messire Jacques de Chabanes, Messire Regnault de Fratames, and le Bourg de Bar, accompanied by twenty or twenty-five combatants, in order to proceed to Blois to the Count de Clermont; but they were met on the road by a power of English and Burgundians, who secured le Bourg de Bar, and carried him off prisoner to the tower of Marchesvoir, and the two other lords fled. On which day, arrived within the city of Orleans, Messire Gilbert de Faicte, native of Bourbonnois and Marshal of France, who conducted with him three hundred combatants.

The next day, which was Thursday, quitted Orleans, the Bastard of Orleans and two hundred