The experiment was also tried of throwing balls of Greek fire down upon the wood; but as this was green and freshly felled it would not take fire, but the flames dropping through, with much boiling pitch and other materials, did grievously burn and scald the soldiers working below it.

Upon both sides every device was tried.

The crossbowmen among the mercenaries kept up a fire upon the walls to hinder the defenders from interfering with the operations, while the archers above shot steadily, and killed many of those who ventured within range of their bows.
After ten days' labor a portion of the moat some twenty yards in length was filled with bags of earth, and all was ready for the assault.

The besiegers had prepared great numbers of strong ladders, and these were brought up under shelter of the screens.

Then, all being ready, the trumpets sounded for the assault, and the troops moved forward in a close body, covering themselves with their shields so that no man's head or body was visible, each protecting the one before him with his shield held over him.