Page "Siege of Orléans" Paragraph 20

The threat to Orleans had prompted the partisans of Richemont and La Trémoille to make a quick temporary truce in October, 1428.

In early 1429, Charles de Bourbon ( Count of Clermont ) assembled a French-Scottish force in Blois for the relief of Orleans.

Hearing of the dispatch of an English supply convoy from Paris, under the command of Sir John Fastolf for the English siege troops, Clermont decided to take a detour to intercept it.

He was joined by a force from Orleans under John of Dunois, which had managed to slip past the English lines.

The forces made junction at Janville and attacked the English convoy at Rouvray of 12 February, in an encounter known as the Battle of the Herrings, on account of the convoy being laden with a large supply of fish for the forthcoming Lenten season.

The English, aware of their approach, formed a " laager " with the supply wagons, lining the circumference with bowmen.

Clermont ordered the French to hold back, and let their cannon do the damage.

But the Scottish regiments, led by John Stewart of Darnley, dissatisfied with the missile duel, decided to move in.

The French lines hesitated, uncertain of whether to follow or remain back as ordered.

Seeing the French immobilized or only timidly following, the English sensed an opportunity.

The English cavalry burst out of the wagon fort, overwhelmed the isolated Scots, and threw back the hesitant French.

Disorder and panic set in, and the French fell into retreat.

Stewart of Darnley was killed, John of Dunois wounded.

Fastolf brought the supplies in triumph to the English soldiers at Orleans three days later.