The onslaught was more furious than any which had preceded it.

The Danes had provided themselves with large numbers of mangonels and catapults.
Every man capable of bearing arms was upon the walls; but so furious was the attack, so vast the number of the assailants, so prodigious were the clouds of missiles which they rained upon the walls, that the besieged almost lost heart.
The relics of St.Genevieve were taken round the walls.

In several places the Danes had formed breaches in the walls, and although the besieged still struggled, hope had well-nigh left them, and abject terror reigned in the city.

Women ran about the streets screaming, and crying that the end was at hand.

The church bells tolled dismally, and the shouts of the exultant Danes rose higher and higher.