In 1426, during the Hundred Years’ War, a French army laid siege to the town of Saint-James in Normandy, where a small English garrison was stationed. The English had been raiding into Brittany, until recently an ally but now backing the Dauphin Charles, and the Duke of Brittany’s brother Arthur, Earl of Richmond, was determined to stop the raids.

There were barely six hundred in the English garrison, and the besiegers had many times that number. At last, the English sallied forth from the town fighting and shouting as if they expected reinforcements to join them at any moment. The French were completely taken in, and abandoned the siege in disorder, leaving behind valuable provisions and military gear.

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