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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 was sounded from the belfry. But, notwithstanding

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

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on her route Jeanne la Pucelle, accompanied by a great number of lords, knights, esquires, and men at war, supplied with provisions and with artillery : and she took her leave of the king, who expressly commanded the lords and the men at war, that they should be obedient unto her as to himself, and in such sort did they act.

The following Friday, the eleventh day of the said month of March, was rung the tocsin from the belfry; because the English being at Saint Loup ran as far as Saint Euverte; and there, near unto the vineyards, took several labourers at their vines, and led them away prisoners.

The ensuing day sallied forth several from the garrison of Orleans, and at their return brought in six prisoners.

Tuesday ensuing, the fifteenth of the said month, arrived at night, within the city, the Bastard de Lange, who brought with him six horses laden with powder for cannon. And on the same day thirty English quitted the bastille of Saint Loup, being disguised as women, pretending to come for the purpose of collecting wood and the faggots of vine branches, with many other women, who conveyed some into Orleans. But, when they perceived their advantage, they sallied forth hastily upon the labourers then cultivating the vines in the vicinity of Saint Marc and La Borde aux Mignons; and there acted in such sort, that they sent nine or ten prisoners into their bastille.

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