Attila had already arrived before Orleans, and was laying siege to it.

The bishop, St.Anianus, sustained a while the courage of the besieged, by promising them aid from Aetius and his allies.

The aid was slow to come; and the bishop sent to Aetius a message: "If thou be not here this very day, my son, it will be too late." Still Aetius came not.

The people of Orleans determined to surrender; the gates flew open; the Huns entered; the plundering began without much disorder; "wagons were stationed to receive the booty as it was taken from the houses, and the captives, arranged in groups, were divided by lot between the victorious chieftains." Suddenly a shout re-echoed through the streets: it was Aetius, Theodoric, and Thorismund, his son, who were coming with the eagles of the Roman legions and with the banners of the Visigoths.

A fight took place between them and the Huns, at first on the banks of the Loire, and then in the streets of the city.