se great honors which he
afterwards attained.

But the regent, soon after his arrival, revived the reputation of the
English arms by an important enterprise which he happily achieved. He
secretly brought together, in separate detachments, a considerable
army to the frontiers of Brittany; and fell so unexpectedly upon that
province, that the duke, unable to make resistance, yielded to all the
terms required of him. he renounced the French alliance; he engaged to
maintain the treaty of Troye; he acknowledged the duke of Bedford
for regent of France; and promised to do homage for his duchy to King
Henry.[**] And the English prince, having thus freed himself from a
dangerous enemy who lay behind him, resolved on an undertaking, which,
if successful, would, he hoped, cast the balance between the two
nations, and prepare the way for the final conquest of France.

{1428.} The city of Orleans was so situated between the provinces
commanded by Henry, and those possessed by Charles, that it opened an
easy entrance to either; and as the duke of Bedford intended to make a
great effort for penetrating into the south of France, it behoved him to
begin with this place, which, in the present circumstances, was become
the most important in the kingdom. He committed the conduct of the
enterprise to the earl of Salisbury, who had newly brought him a
reenforcement of six thousand men from England, and who had much
distinguished himself by his abilities during the course of the present
war. Salisbury, passing the Loire, made himself master of several
small places, which surrounded Orleans on that side;[***] and as his
intentions were thereby known, the French king used every expedient
to supply the city with a garrison and provisions, and enable it to
maintain a long and obstinate siege.

* Monstrelet, vol. ii. p. 32, 33. Holingshed, p. 597.

** Monstrelet, vol. ii. p. 35, 36.

*** Monstrelet, vol. ii. p. 38, 39. Polyd. Virg. p. 468.

The lord of Gaucour, a brave and experienced captain, was appointed
governor: many officers of distinction threw themselves into the place:
the troops which they conducted were inured to war, and were determined
to make the most obstinate resistance: and even the inhabitants,
disciplined by the long continuance of hostilities, were well qualified,
in their own defence, to second the efforts of the most veteran forces.
The eyes of all Europe were turned towards this scene; where, it was
re