Siege of Orléans

Siege of Orléans, siege undertaken by the English in 1428 during the later phase of the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) against France. The English blockade of Orléans by means of a series of surrounding forts was never complete, and under the inspiration of Saint Joan of Arc a French army was able to raise the siege in May 1429. This was the turning point of the Hundred Years’ War; it made possible the coronation of Charles VII (of France) at Reims in July 1429. The English then began a retreat that ended 20 years later with expulsion of the English from all of France except Calais.