Siege of Orléans

Overview

The siege of Orléans marked a turning point of the Hundred Years' War between France and England. The siege took place at the pinnacle of English power during the later stages of the war, but was repulsed by French forces inspired by the arrival of Joan of Arc. The French would then regain the initiative in the conflict and begin to recapture territories previously occupied by the English.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Siege of Orléans was a major engagement of the Hundred Years' War, pitting an English force of approximately 5,300 against a French garrison and relief force of around 6,400. English commanders included Thomas Montagu, William de la Pole, John Talbot, and William Glasdale, while the French side was led by Jean de Dunois, La Hire, and Joan of Arc. Recorded casualties — approximately 4,000 on the English side and 2,000 on the French — indicate that the siege ended at considerable cost to the English. The presence of Joan of Arc among the French commanders places this engagement at one of the pivotal moments of the later Hundred Years' War, when French fortunes in the conflict were substantially at stake.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (7)