These warriors were doubtless acquainted with many measures for the succour of a besieged town, but they were all measures of surprise.[529] Their only devices were sallies, ambuscades, skirmishes, and other such valiant feats of arms.

Should they fail in raising a siege by surprise, then they remained inactive,--at the end of their ideas and of their resources.
Their most experienced captains were incapable of any common effort,--of any concerted action, of any enterprise in short, requiring a continuous mental effort and the subordination of all to one.

Each was for his own hand and thought of nothing but booty.

The defence of Orleans was altogether beyond their intelligence.
[Footnote 529: _Le jouvencel_, vol.i, p.

142.] For twenty-one days Captain Glasdale remained entrenched, with his five hundred Norman horse, under the battered walls of Les Tourelles, between his earthworks on Le Portereau side, which couldn't have become very formidable as yet, and his barrier on the bridge, which being but wood, a spark could easily have set on fire.
Meanwhile the citizens were at work.