Page "Siege of Orléans" Paragraph 19

Orleans's position seemed gloomy.

Although the French still held isolated citadels like Montargis to the northeast and Gien upriver, any relief would have to come from Blois, to the southwest, exactly where the English had concentrated their forces.

Provisions convoys had to follow dangerous circuitous routes swinging around to reach the city from the northeast.

Few made it through, and the city soon began to feel the pinch.

Should Orleans fall, it would effectively make the recovery of the northern half of France all but impossible, and prove fatal to the Dauphin Charles's bid for the crown.

When the French Estates met at Chinon in September 1428, they pressed the Dauphin to make peace with Philip III of Burgundy " at any price ".