One day, for instance, towards the end of January, when it was bitterly cold, a little band of English marauders entered the vineyards of Saint-Ladre and Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle to gather sticks for firewood.

The watchman no sooner announces them than behold all the banners flying to the wind.

Marshal de Boussac, Messire Jacques de Chabannes, Seneschal of Bourbonnais, Messire Denis de Chailly, and many another baron, and with them captains and free-lances, make forth into the fields.

Not one of them can have commanded as many as twenty men.[546] [Footnote 546: _Ibid._, p.

32.] The King's council was making every effort to succour Orleans.