Rouen, Siege of

Siege of Rouen, the capital of Normandy, France, by Henry V of England from 30 July 1418 to 19 January 1419. There were no assaults, but the slow strangulation of blockade; Henry received the city's surrender when the defenders were reduced to starvation.

Henry crossed the River Seine at Pont de l'Arche on a bridge of boats and was able to besiege the large and well‐fortified city, held for the Burgundians since January. He had the river blocked upstream, towards Paris, by piles driven into its bed and linked by a chain. Downstream, the French garrison of Caudebec promised not to send relief. On land a circumvallation of trenches spiked with stakes prevented a way out. Eventually, despairing of relief from Duke John the Fearless, the defenders surrendered.