160, 161.] The walls, except those along the river, were devoid of breastwork; but in the shops were stakes and cross-beams intended for the manufacture of balustrades.

These were put up on the fortifications to form parapets, with barbicans of a pent-house shape so as to provide with cover the defenders firing from the walls.[493] At the entrance to each suburb wooden barriers were erected, with a lodge for the porter whose duty it was to open and shut them.

On the tops of the ramparts and in the towers were seventy-one pieces of artillery, including cannons and mortars, without counting culverins.

The quarry of Montmaillard, three leagues from the town, produced stones which were made into cannon balls.

At great expense there were brought into the city lead, powder, and sulphur which the women prepared for use in the cannons and culverins.