they returned in great haste within their camp as well as the bastilles of Saint Lawrence and others in the environs.

The Tuesday following, February the twentysecond, the earl of Suffolk and the lords Talbot and Escalles (Scales) sent by a herald, as a present to the Bastard of Orleans, a dish full of figs, raisins and dates; praying him at the same time, that he would be pleased to send to the said earl of Suffolk some black Pane wherewith to line a robe, the which he did most freely, for he sent him some by the same herald, whereat the earl felt much good will towards him.

Friday, the twenty-fifth day of the said month, arrived within Orleans nine horses laden with corn, herrings, and other provisions.

The Sunday immediately following, being the last day of the said month of February, the river increased in such wise, and so greatly, that the French within Orleans firmly believed that the two boulevards constructed by the English on the said river, to the right of Saint Lawrence, as well as that of the Tournelles, were undermined and beaten down; for it rose as high as the cannoneers on the boulevards, and the current was so strong and so rapid, that it was difficult to believe. But the

The only explanation to be found of this word is, that it constituted a part of the ancient costume which covered the side from the girdle downwards; being derived from Pannus.

English applied themselves with so much diligence by day as well as by night, that the boulevards continued in the same state, and the river also in a short time went down. And notwithstanding this, the English threw several bombs and discharged cannons, which did much harm to the houses and the edifices of the city.

This same day, the bombarding machines of the city, which were placed at the cross of the mills at the Postern Chesneau to discharge against the Tournelles, fired so terribly against them, that they beat down a great portion of the wall.

The Thursday, being the third day of March, the French sallied forth in the morning against the English, constructing upon this occasion a fosse, for the purpose of proceeding under cover from their boulevard of the wooden cross to Saint Lardre of Orleans, in order that the English might not see them, nor plant cannon nor bombs. This sally caused great injury to the English; for nine of them were there taken prisoners. And besides, there were killed by Master John five men by two discharges from his culverin. Of which five was the lord de Grez, nephew of the defunct earl of Salisbury, who was captain of Yenuville, and mightily regretted by the English, because he was of great hardihood and valour.

This same day was there also a very grand skirmish. For the French sallied out of Orleans, and advanced nigh unto the boulevard of the English,

being at the wooden cross; and gained a cannon which discharged stones as large as a bowl. And besides, they conveyed into the city two silver cups, a robe furred with martern skins, and several hatchets, javelins, quivers, arrows, and other implements of war. But immediately afterwards sallied the English from their camp and their bastilles, bearing nine standards, which they unfurled, and drove the French until very near the boulevard of Banier gate; and this done they retired. But almost incontinent, they returned and charged so strongly and with such animosity upon the French, and so closely pursued them, that many of them precipitated themselves into the fosse of the aforesaid gate. Against them those of Orleans hurled stones in great quantities, wherefore among others who there fell, was one Stephen Fauveau, native of Orleans town, the which took place, because he could not run. In this skirmish did the English kill, wound, and take many prisoners; and in particular, they took a right valiant squire of Gascony, named Regnault Guillaume de Vernade, who was grievously wounded.

The ensuing day, which was Friday, departed about three hundred English combatants, who went to collect together vine-stakes in the vineyards that were in the neighbourhood of Saint Lardre and of Saint John de la Ruelle; wherefore the tocsin But, notwithstanding

was sounded from the belfry.

this, they seized and conducted as prisoners some poor labouring men who were cultivating their vines. And on this same day arrived within Orleans, twelve horses laden with corn, herrings, and other provisions.

The Saturday after, fifth of the said month of March, was fired off from a culverin of Orleans, a ball which killed a lord of England, for whom the English performed great mourning.

The ensuing day, which was Sunday, arrived within Orleans seven horses laden with herrings and other provisions.

Monday following, the seventh of the said month of March, arrived six horses charged with herrings. From another quarter the English discharged many bombs and fired off cannon, which fell in the street of Hostelleries, and did great injury in divers places. And there arrived also in their camp about forty Englishmen from England.

The ensuing Tuesday, sallied forth many French, and they met six tradesmen and a demoisel, conveying to the camp nine horses laden with provisions, which they seized and escorted into Orleans. This same day there came two hundred English who had left Jargeau; and in like manner arrived also in their camp and their bastilles many others coming from the garrison of Beausse. And upon this account did the French think that it was their intention to attack one of their boulevards. Therefore did they keep themselves upon their guard, getting all neces

sary things in readiness for their defence, according to the ruse de guerre.

The following day, which was Wednesday, and no Frenchman being there found, was an hole nearly pierced through the wall of the Almonry of Orleans, to the right of Paris gate, so that an opening had been made there to pass a man at arms. Besides this, there was found a wall all newly raised, where there were two cannoneers. And it was not known why it was so constructed; some presuming that it was for good, and others for evil. Nevertheless, be it as it may, the master of the said Almonry ran away, as soon as he perceived that it was discovered. For, in the first instance, he was in great peril from the popular commotion which happened on that day, as a great stir and noise in consequence took place in the said Almonry.

The following day, which was Thursday, the Bastard of Orleans caused to be hanged to a tree, in the suburbs and near the ruins of Burgundy gate, two Frenchmen at arms, being at Gallois de Villiers, because they had broken their parole. But as soon as they were dead, he caused them to be cut down and interred in the same suburbs.

In another direction the English proceeded this same day to Saint Loup of Orleans, and there began to erect a bastille, which they fortified; still determined to continue their siege against Orleans.

For the raising of the same, incontinent, proceeded