Great stones were hurled down, and boiling oil poured upon them.

The ladders were flung back, and many crushed by the fall, and in none of the assaults did they gain any footing in the town.

Machines were used, but these were not sufficiently powerful to batter down the walls, and at the end of April the city was as far from being captured as it was on the day of the commencement of the siege.
Walter bore his full share in the fighting, but he had no opportunity of especially distinguishing himself, although Sir John several times commended him for his coolness when the bolts of the crossbow-men and the stones from the machines were flying most thickly.

But although as yet uninjured by the enemy's attacks, the prospect of the city holding out was not bright.

The burghers, who had at first fought valiantly, were soon wearied of the strife, and of the hardships it entailed upon them.