So the English betook them back to Paris, after certain light skirmishes only.

Meanwhile some of his good towns that had been in the hands of the English yielded to the King, or rather to the Maid.

Among these the most notable was Compiegne, a city as great as Orleans.

Many a time it had been taken and retaken in the wars, but now the burgesses swore that they would rather all die, with their wives and children, than open their gates again to the English.

And this oath they kept well, as shall be seen in the end..