Sir John Powis and his party repulsed over and over again the efforts of the assailants against that part of the wall entrusted to them, but at other points the French gained a footing, and swarming up rushed along the walls, slaying all whom they encountered.
"All is lost," Sir John exclaimed; "let us fall back to the castle and die fighting there." Descending from the wall the party made their way through the streets.
The French were already in the town; every house was closed and barred, and from the upper windows the burghers hurled down stones and bricks upon the fugitives, while parties of the French soldiers fell upon them fiercely.

Many threw down their arms and cried for quarter, but were instantly slain.
For a while the streets were a scene of wild confusion; here and there little knots of Englishmen stood together and defended themselves until the last, others ran through the streets chased by their exulting foes, some tried in vain to gain shelter in the houses.

Sir John Powis's band was soon broken and scattered, and their leader slain by a heavy stone from a housetop.

Walter fought his way blindly forward towards the castle although he well knew that no refuge would be found there.

Ralph Smith kept close beside him, levelling many of his assailants with the tremendous blows of a huge mace.