Vigiles de Charles VII, fol. 57v, Prise d'Orléans (1429)

The Siege of Orleans was a major military campaign during the Hundred Years' War between France and England. It lasted from 12 October 1428 to 8 May 1429 and was a pivotal moment in the war. At the time, Orleans was one of the last remaining strongholds under French control and its fall would have been a major blow to the French resistance. The English, led by the Duke of Bedford, besieged the city in an attempt to capture it. The French were led by Joan of Arc, a young peasant girl who claimed to have received divine guidance to help liberate France. She played a crucial role in the defence of Orleans, inspiring and leading the French troops. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the French defenders managed to hold out against the English for several months. Joan of Arc's leadership and military strategies proved instrumental in the defence of the city. On 8 May 1429, the siege was finally lifted when a relief force led by the French commander Jean de Dunois arrived to help Orleans. This victory was a turning point in the war as it boosted French morale and marked the beginning of a series of French successes against the English. The Siege of Orleans is often seen as a symbol of French resistance, and Joan of Arc's role in it is considered one of her greatest achievements. It is remembered as a significant event in both French and English history.