King Charles, knowing that his ancient and inveterate enemies, the English, were desirous to gain the city of Orleans, had resolved in council, before they came before it, to defend the place to the last, believing that should it be conquered, it would be the finishing stroke to himself and his kingdom. For this reason, he had sent thither his most expert and faithful officers, namely, Boussac, the lord d'Eu, the bastard of Orleans, the lords de Gaucourt, de Graville, de Vilain, Poton de Saintrailles, la Hire, sir Theolde de Valperghe, sir Louis de Vaucourt, with others renowned in arms, and of great authority. They had under their daily command from twelve to fourteen hundred combatants, well tried and enterprising; but sometimes more and sometimes less,--for the town was not so completely surrounded but that the besieged could replenish themselves with provision or stores whenever they pleased. Very many sallies and skirmishes took place during the siege, but it would be tiresome to relate the various successes that attended them; but from what I have heard from well-informed persons, I do not find that the besieged did any great damage to the enemy, except with their cannon and other like instruments from their walls. By one of these was slain sir Lancelot de Lisle, a very valiant english knight and renowned in arms. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 16: Sir Thomas Gargrave.] CHAP. LIV. A PREACHER CALLED FRIAR THOMAS, CONVERTS MANY PERSONS, AND INVEIGHS AGAINST THE EXTRAVAGANT DRESSES OF THE WOMEN, IN DIFFERENT PLACES. In this year, a friar called Thomas Conecte, a native of Brittany, and of the carmelite order, was much celebrated through parts of Flanders, the Tournesis, Artois, Cambresis, Ternois, in the countries of Amiens and Ponthieu, for his preachings. In those towns where it was known he intended to preach, the chief burghers and inhabitants had erected for him in the handsomest square, a large scaffold, ornamented with the richest cloths and tapestries, on which was placed an altar, whereon he said mass, attended by some monks of his order, and his disciples. The greater part of these last followed him on foot wherever he went, he himself riding on a small mule.