To the great disappointment of the French, however, he declared that he would take no step in the general assault until the arrival of Richard; and although the French had given some assistance to the besiegers, the army had really remained passive for many weeks.
Now, however, that the English had arrived, little time was lost; for the moment the dissensions and jealousies between the monarchs were patched up, the two hosts naturally imitated the example of their sovereigns, and French and English worked side by side in throwing up trenches against the walls, in building movable towers for the attack, and in preparing for the great onslaught.
The French were the first to finish their preparations, and they delivered a tremendous assault upon the walls.

The besieged, however, did not lose heart, and with the greatest bravery repulsed every attempt.

The scaling ladders were hurled backwards, the towers were destroyed by Greek fire; boiling oil was hurled down upon the men who advanced under the shelter of machines to undermine the walls; and after desperate fighting the French fell back, baffled and beaten.
There was some quiet exultation in the English lines at the defeat of the French, for they believed that a better fortune would crown their own efforts.

Such, however, to their surprise and mortification, was not the case.

When their preparations were completed, they attacked with splendid bravery.