=Source.=--Waurin's _Chronicles_, 1422-1431, pp. 171,172. (Rolls
Series.)
... The troops in Orleans then seeing that they were very strongly
pressed by the diligence of the besiegers, both by their engines and
by the towers which they had made around the town, to the number of
twenty-two, and that by the continuance thereof they were in danger of
being placed in servitude and obedience to their enemies the English,
prepared themselves for all risks and decided to resist with all their
power and in all the ways that they well could, so that, the better to
help, they sent to King Charles to obtain aid in men and provisions;
and there were then sent to them from four to five hundred combatants,
and soon after fully seven thousand were sent to them, and some boats
loaded with provisions coming down the river under the guidance and
protection of these men-at-arms, in which company was the maid Joan,
who had not yet done anything for which she was held in much esteem.
Then the English captains holding the siege, knowing of the coming of
the said boats and of those who convoyed them, at once and in haste
endeavoured to resist by force in order to prevent them from landing
in the town of Orleans, and on the other hand the French exerted
themselves to bring them in by force of arms. On the vessels coming up
to pass there was many a lance broken, many an arrow shot, and many
a bolt shot by the engines, and so great a noise was made both by
the besieged and by the besiegers, both by defenders and assailants,
that it was horrible to hear them; but whatever force or resistance
the English could make there, the French in spite of them brought
their boats in safety into the town, at which the said English were
much troubled and the French joyful at their good fortune, so they
also entered the said town, where they were welcomed as well for the
provisions they had brought as for the maid whom they had taken back
with them, great rejoicings being made everywhere for the good succour
King Charles sent them, whence they plainly perceived the good will
that he had towards them, at which the inhabitants of the city rejoiced
greatly, making such a clamour that they were heard quite plainly by
the besiegers.
Then when the next day came, which was Thursday, when every one was
refreshed, the maid Joan, rising early in the morning, spoke in council
to some captains and chiefs of squadrons, to whom she showed by
forcible arguments how they had come there on purpose to defend that
city against the ancient enemies of the kingdom of France, who were
greatly oppressing it, and to such a degree that she saw that it was in
great danger if good provision were not speedily made for it; so she
admonished them to go and arm themselves, and effected so much by her
words that she induced them to do so, and said to them that if they
would follow her she doubted not that she would cause such damage that
it would ever be remembered, and that the enemy would curse the hour of
her coming.
The maid preached so well to them that they all went to arm themselves
with her; then they sallied out of the town in very fair array, and
setting out she said to the captains: "Lords, take courage and good
hope; before four days have passed your enemies will be vanquished."
And the captains and men-of-war who were there could not wonder
sufficiently at her words.
So they marched forward and came very fiercely to attack one of the
towers of their enemies that was called the tower of Saint Leu,
which was very strong, and therein were from three to four hundred
combatants, who in a very short time were overcome, captured, or slain,
and the tower burnt and demolished; then, this done, the maid and
her people returned joyfully into the city of Orleans where she was
generally honoured and praised by all kinds of people. Again the next
day, which was Friday she and her men sallied from the town, and she
went to attack the second tower which was also taken by a fine assault,
and those within all slain or captured; and after she had caused the
said tower to be broken down, set on fire, and entirely annihilated,
she withdrew into the town, where she was honoured and exalted more
than before by all the inhabitants thereof. The Saturday following, the
maid sallied forth again and went to attack the tower at the end of the
bridge, which was marvellously large and strong, and besides occupied
by a great number of the best and most tried combatants among the
besiegers, who long and valiantly defended themselves, but it availed
them nothing, for at last, like the others, they were discomfited,
taken, and slain; among whom died there the lord of Molines, Glacedale,
a very valiant esquire, the bailly of Evreux and many other noble men
of high rank.
After this brilliant conquest the French returned joyfully into the
town.