Before the English could fortify their quarters, many sallies were made on them, and several severe skirmishes passed on both sides. But the English, so soon as they could, dug deep ditches between the town and them, on the top of which they planted a thick hedge of thorns, so that they could not otherwise be annoyed than by cannon shot and arrows. They also built a jette on the banks of the Seine, about a cannon shot distant from the town, to which they fastened their chains, one of them half a foot under the water, another level with it, and a third two feet above the stream, so that no boats could bring provision to the town, nor could any escape from it that way. They likewise dug deep galleries of communication from one quarter to another, which completely sheltered those in them from cannon or other warlike machines. The garrison in the fort of St Catherine, at the end of a month, surrendered it to the English from want of provision, and were allowed to depart in safety, but without baggage. The king of England had in his army numbers of Irish, the greater part of whom were on foot, having only a stocking and shoe on one leg and foot, with the other quite naked. They had targets, short javelins, and a strange sort of knives. Those who were on horseback had no saddles, but rode excellently well on small mountain horses, and were mounted on such paniers as are used by the carriers of corn in parts of France. They were, however, miserably accoutred, in comparison with the English, and without any arms that could much hurt the French whenever they might meet them. These Irish made frequent excursions, during the siege, over Normandy, and did infinite mischiefs, bringing back to their camp large booties. Those on foot took men, and even children from the cradle, with beds and furniture, and, placing them on cows, drove all these things before them; for they were often met thus by the French. By such means was the country of Normandy wasted, and its poor inhabitants ruined, by English, Irish, Burgundians and Dauphinois. The king of England, during this siege of Rouen, had the gates and walls of the town battered by bombards and other engines to destroy them; but to relate the whole, and the many sallies that were made, would occupy too much time. Suffice it to say, that the besieged behaved with the utmost courage.