Siege of Orléans (1428–1429) facts for kids

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Siege of Orléans

Joan of Arc at the Siege of Orléans by Jules Eugène Lenepveu, painted 1886–1890

Date	12 October 1428 – 8 May 1429 (6 months, 3 weeks and 5 days)
Location	Orléans, central France
Result	French victory

Belligerents

Kingdom of England
Burgundian State

Kingdom of France
Kingdom of Scotland

Commanders and leaders

Thomas Montagu (DOW)
William de la Pole
John Talbot
William Glasdale †

Jean de Dunois
Joan of Arc (WIA)
La Hire

Strength

5,300
• c. 3,263–3,800 English
• 1,500 Burgundians

6,400 soldiers
3,000 armed citizens

Casualties and losses

More than 4,000 killed

2,000 killed

The siege of Orléans was a major event in the Hundred Years' War between France and England. It happened from October 12, 1428, to May 8, 1429. This siege was a turning point in the war. At first, England was very powerful and seemed close to winning. But French forces, inspired by Joan of Arc, fought back. After this victory, France started to win back lands that England had taken.

The city of Orléans was very important for both sides. Many people believed that if Orléans fell, England would conquer all of France. For about six months, the English and their allies, the Burgundians, almost captured the city. However, the siege ended just nine days after Joan of Arc arrived.

The Siege of Orléans: A Turning Point

The Hundred Years' War Explained

The siege of Orléans happened during the Hundred Years' War. This long conflict was a dispute over who should be the king of France. It started in 1337 when King Edward III of England claimed the French throne. His claim came from his mother, Isabella of France, who was part of the French royal family.

France, 1428–1429. The map shows areas loyal to England, Burgundy, and France. France loyal to Henry VI (II) of England (& France) Lands of Philip III of Burgundy France loyal to Charles VII of France ★ Main battles --- Battle of Agincourt, 1415 --- Journey to Chinon, 1429 --- March to Reims, 1429

After a big victory at Agincourt in 1415, England controlled much of northern France. In 1420, the Treaty of Troyes made Henry V of England the future ruler of France. He married Catherine of Valois, the daughter of the French king, Charles VI. This treaty also said that Charles, the son of the French king, would not become king.

Why Orléans Was So Important

Orléans is located on the Loire river in central France. At the time of the siege, it was the most northern city still loyal to the French king. The English and their allies, the Burgundians, controlled the rest of northern France, including Paris. Orléans was the last major obstacle for the English to move into central France.

The city was also important because it was the home of the Duke of Orléans. The dukes of Orléans led a group called the Armagnacs. This group did not accept the Treaty of Troyes. They supported Dauphin Charles as the rightful heir to the French throne. The Duke of Orléans himself was a prisoner of the English.

In those days, if a city surrendered without a fight, its people were often treated kindly. But if a city resisted, it could expect harsh treatment. The people of Orléans knew this. Because the city was linked to the Armagnacs, it was unlikely to be spared if it fell to the English.

Preparing for Battle

After some disagreements, English and Burgundian forces renewed their alliance in 1427. They began attacking French lands again. The area around Orléans was very important. It controlled the Loire river and connected English and Burgundian territories. French forces had struggled until late 1427. They successfully defended Montargis, which gave them some hope.

However, the French leaders were fighting among themselves. This made it hard for them to take advantage of their small victory. Meanwhile, the English brought in more soldiers in early 1428. About 2,700 new troops arrived from England, led by Thomas Montagu, 4th Earl of Salisbury. These forces, along with others, grew to possibly 10,000 soldiers.

English Strategy and Salisbury's Plan

In the spring of 1428, the English leader, John, Duke of Bedford, planned to attack western France. Orléans was not originally part of this plan. However, Bedford changed his mind after Salisbury arrived. It seems Salisbury suggested attacking Orléans.

Orléans in 1428–9, the time of the siege.

Between July and October, Salisbury's army moved through the countryside. Instead of going west, he turned southeast towards Orléans. He reached the Loire river at Meung-sur-Loire and captured it. Then he took the bridge and castle of Beaugency. Salisbury crossed the river and approached Orléans from the south. He arrived at Olivet, just south of Orléans, on October 7. Other English forces captured towns east of Orléans. Soon, Orléans was completely surrounded.

Orléans Gets Ready to Defend

Inside Orléans, Jean de Dunois, a French commander, prepared the city for the siege. He knew the English would target the long bridge that crossed the Loire into the city. At the southern end of the bridge was a gatehouse called Les Tourelles. Dunois quickly built a strong earthwork fort, called a Boulevart, on the south bank. This fort was filled with many French soldiers to protect the bridge. Dunois also ordered the southern suburbs to be emptied and all buildings destroyed. This prevented the English from using them for shelter.

Early Days of the Siege

The Fight for the Tourelles

The siege officially began on October 12, 1428. English cannons started firing on October 17. On October 21, the English attacked the Boulevart. But the French defenders fought them off with arrows, hot oil, and other defenses. The English then tried to dig tunnels under the fort. The French dug their own tunnels and set fire to the wooden supports. They then retreated to the Tourelles on October 23. The Tourelles itself was captured the next day, October 24. As they left, the French blew up parts of the bridge to stop the English from crossing.

Thomas Montagu, 4th Earl of Salisbury is fatally injured (illustration from Vigiles de Charles VII).

With the Tourelles gone, Orléans seemed lost. But French reinforcements arrived, stopping the English from crossing the damaged bridge. Two days later, the English suffered another blow. Earl of Salisbury was hit in the face by cannon debris while inspecting the Tourelles. He was taken away and died from his injuries about a week later.

Surrounding the City

The pause in fighting after Salisbury's death gave Orléans time to destroy more of the bridge. This made a quick English attack impossible. The new English commander, Earl of Suffolk, decided to surround the city and starve it. He built a series of small forts, called bastides, around Orléans. Over the next few months, seven forts were built on the north bank and four on the south bank.

In the winter, about 1,500 Burgundian soldiers joined the English. The French garrison often attacked the English builders. They also destroyed buildings in the suburbs to prevent the English from using them. By spring 1429, the English forts covered the south and west of the city. The northeast was mostly open, but English patrols were everywhere. French soldiers could move in and out, but supplies were mostly blocked.

English outworks during the siege of Orléans.

On the south bank, the main English position was the bridge complex. This included the Tourelles-Boulevart and a fortified monastery called the Augustins. Other forts guarded the approaches to the bridge. On the north bank, the largest English fort was St. Laurent. Several smaller forts, nicknamed "London," "Rouen," and "Paris," were also built. Farther east, there was an isolated fort called St. Loup.

The situation for Orléans looked grim. Supplies were running low, and the city was feeling the pressure. If Orléans fell, it would be very hard for France to regain its northern lands. It would also be a huge blow to Dauphin Charles's claim to the crown.

The Battle of the Herrings

A 15th-century painting showing the Battle of Rouvray.

In early 1429, French and Scottish forces gathered at Blois to bring supplies to Orléans. They heard that an English supply convoy was coming from Paris, led by Sir John Fastolf. The French commander, Count of Clermont, decided to intercept it. He was joined by Jean de Dunois and his men from Orléans. They attacked the English convoy at Rouvray on February 12. This fight became known as the Battle of the Herrings. The convoy was carrying a lot of fish for the upcoming Lent season.

The English formed a strong defense with their supply wagons, surrounded by archers. Clermont ordered the French to use their cannons. But the Scottish soldiers, led by John Stewart of Darnley, charged forward. The French lines hesitated. Seeing this, the English cavalry burst out of their defenses. They overwhelmed the Scots and pushed back the French. The French army fell into a panicked retreat. Stewart of Darnley was killed, and Dunois was wounded. Fastolf successfully delivered the supplies to the English at Orléans.

This defeat was terrible for French morale. The French leaders blamed each other, and their internal conflicts grew worse. Clermont left the field, refusing to fight further. Some even suggested that Dauphin Charles should give up his claim to the throne.

Joan of Arc's Arrival

A Special Mission

On the very day of the Battle of the Herrings, a young French peasant girl named Joan of Arc met with Robert de Baudricourt. She told him about her divine mission to help Dauphin Charles become king. She had tried to convince Baudricourt twice before. This time, he agreed to take her to the Dauphin's court in Chinon. It is said that Joan knew about the French defeat near Orléans before the news even arrived. This convinced Baudricourt of her special abilities. Joan left for Chinon on February 23.

Joan of Arc enters Orléans (painting by Jean-Jacques Scherrer, 1887).

For years, prophecies had spoken of an armored maiden who would save France. Many believed she would come from the region of Lorraine, where Joan was born. So, when news of Joan's journey reached Orléans, people had high hopes.

Joan arrived in Chinon on March 6, 1429. She met with the Dauphin Charles, who was at first skeptical. After a private meeting, Charles became convinced of her "powers" or at least her usefulness. He sent her to Poitiers to be examined by church leaders. They found no harm in her, and Charles officially accepted her help on March 22. She was given armor, a banner, and a pageboy.

Joan's first task was to join a supply convoy heading to Orléans from Blois. From Blois, Joan sent messages to the English commanders. She called herself "the Maiden" (La Pucelle) and ordered them to leave Orléans in God's name.

Joan Enters Orléans

The supply convoy, with about 400–500 soldiers, left Blois on April 27 or 28. Joan wanted to approach Orléans from the north, where the English were strongest, to fight them directly. But the commanders took a longer route around the south. They reached the Loire river east of the city. Jean de Dunois met them. Joan was upset about the deception. She wanted to attack the nearest English fort, St. Jean-le-Blanc. But Dunois convinced her to let the city be resupplied first.

The convoy approached a landing point across the river from the English fort of Saint-Loup. While French soldiers kept the English busy, boats from Orléans sailed to pick up supplies, Joan, and 200 soldiers. A famous story says that the wind, which had been blowing against the boats, suddenly changed direction. This allowed them to sail smoothly back to Orléans in the dark. Joan of Arc entered Orléans triumphantly on April 29, around 8:00 PM, to great celebration. The rest of the convoy returned to Blois.

Lifting the Siege: French Victories

Over the next few days, Joan toured the streets of Orléans. She gave food to the people and paid the soldiers. She also sent more messages to the English forts, demanding they leave. The English commanders laughed and even threatened to kill her messengers, calling them "emissaries of a witch."

Joan had several discussions with Jean de Dunois, who was leading the city's defense. On May 1, Dunois left the city to arrange for more soldiers from Blois. During this time, Joan went outside the city walls. She personally inspected all the English forts. She even exchanged words with the English commander, William Glasdale.

On May 3, Dunois's reinforcements left Blois for Orléans. Other troops also came from Montargis and Gien. Dunois's convoy arrived on the north bank of the river on May 4. The English at St. Laurent saw them but did not attack because the French force was too strong. Joan rode out to escort them in.

Taking St. Loup

At noon on May 4, Dunois launched an attack on the English fort of St. Loup, on the eastern side. He was joined by the troops from Montargis and Gien. Joan, who had been napping, quickly joined the fight. The English garrison of 400 was greatly outnumbered by 1,500 French attackers. The English commander, Lord John Talbot, tried to distract the French by attacking from St. Pouair in the north. But a French counter-attack stopped him. After a few hours, St. Loup fell. About 140 English soldiers were killed, and 40 were taken prisoner. Joan asked for the lives of some English defenders to be spared. Talbot then called off his northern attack.

The Battle for the Augustins

The next day, May 5, was Ascension Day. Joan wanted to attack the largest English fort, St. Laurent, in the west. But the French captains convinced her to let their men rest and honor the holy day. That night, they decided to attack the weaker English forts on the south bank.

The attack began early on May 6. Many citizens of Orléans, inspired by Joan, joined the fight. The French crossed the river by boat and landed on the south bank. Their plan was to capture St. Jean-le-Blanc. However, the English commander, William Glasdale, had already destroyed that fort. He moved his troops to the main Boulevart-Tourelles-Augustins complex.

Before the French had fully landed, La Hire reportedly launched a quick attack on the Boulevart. This almost ended in disaster. The French were exposed to English fire from the Augustins. There were shouts that English reinforcements were coming. Panic spread, and the French retreated, taking Joan with them. Glasdale's soldiers chased them. But, according to legend, Joan turned around alone, raised her banner, and cried, "In the name of God!" This reportedly made the English stop their pursuit. The fleeing French soldiers rallied around her.

The French commanders then attacked the fortified monastery of "Les Augustins." They finally captured it just before nightfall. With the Augustins in French hands, Glasdale's garrison was trapped in the Tourelles complex. That same night, the remaining English soldiers at St. Privé left their fort and moved north of the river. Glasdale and his 700–800 soldiers were now isolated.

The Final Attack on the Tourelles

A 15th-century painting showing French troops attacking an English fort at the siege of Orléans.

Joan had been wounded in the foot during the attack on the Augustins. She was taken back to Orléans to recover. She did not attend the war council that evening. The next morning, May 7, she was asked to rest. But she refused and joined the French camp on the south bank. The people of Orléans were overjoyed. Citizens helped repair the bridge with beams, allowing for an attack on the Tourelles from two sides. Cannons were placed on the island of Saint-Antoine.

Early in the morning, Joan was hit by an arrow between her neck and left shoulder while in a trench. She was quickly taken away. Rumors of her death boosted English morale and lowered French spirits. But, according to witnesses, she returned later that evening. She told the soldiers that one final attack would capture the fort. Joan's chaplain later said that Joan had known she would be wounded that day. Further attacks on the Tourelles were pushed back. As evening approached, Jean de Dunois decided to wait until the next day. Joan went to pray. Then she returned, telling the troops that when her banner touched the fort wall, the place would be theirs. When a soldier shouted, "It's touching the wall!", Joan replied, "All is yours, – go in!" The French soldiers rushed forward, climbing ladders into the fort.

The French won the day. They pushed the English out of the Boulevart and into the last part of the Tourelles. But the drawbridge connecting them broke, and Glasdale fell into the river and died. The French then stormed the Tourelles itself from both sides, as the bridge was now repaired. The Tourelles, partly burning, was finally captured that evening. English losses were heavy, with nearly a thousand killed and 600 prisoners. About 200 French prisoners were freed from the complex.

The Siege Ends

With the Tourelles complex captured, the English had lost control of the south bank of the Loire. There was no longer any reason to continue the siege. Orléans could now easily receive supplies.

On the morning of May 8, the English troops on the north bank, led by the Earl of Suffolk and Lord John Talbot, destroyed their forts. They gathered in battle formation near St. Laurent. The French army, led by Dunois, lined up opposite them. They stood facing each other for about an hour. Then, the English withdrew and marched away to join other English units. Some French commanders wanted to attack the English army right then. But Joan of Arc reportedly forbade it, because it was Sunday.

What Happened Next: The Loire Campaign

The English did not consider themselves defeated. Even though they had lost at Orléans, they still held surrounding towns like Beaugency, Meung, Janville, and Jargeau. They could have reorganized and tried to besiege Orléans again.

The French commanders understood this. Joan met Dauphin Charles outside of Tours on May 13 to report her victory. She immediately called for a march towards Reims for his coronation. But the French commanders knew they first had to clear the English from their strong positions on the Loire.

The Loire Campaign began a few weeks later. Many volunteers joined the French army, eager to fight under Joan of Arc's banner. After a series of quick sieges and battles at Jargeau (June 12), Meung (June 15), and Beaugency (June 17), the Loire river was back in French hands. An English army rushing from Paris was defeated at the Battle of Patay (June 18). This was the first major French victory in years. The English commanders, the Earl of Suffolk and Lord Talbot, were captured. Only then did the French feel safe enough to march on Reims.

The march on Reims began on June 29. Dauphin Charles followed Joan and the French army through dangerous territory. Several towns, like Saint-Florentin, Troyes, and Châlons-sur-Marne, surrendered. They reached Reims on July 16. The next day, July 17, Dauphin Charles was finally crowned King Charles VII of France, with Joan by his side.

Remembering the Victory

The city of Orléans celebrates the lifting of the siege every year. This annual festival includes both modern and medieval events. A woman representing Joan of Arc rides a horse in full armor. On May 8, Orléans also celebrates Victory in Europe Day, which marks the end of World War II in Europe.