Charles was not inclined to relinquish his scheme, but the weather came to the aid of the besieged.  Heavy rains forced the troops to change camp.  More men were lost in skirmishes and mimic assaults, losses that Charles could ill afford at the moment.  Finally at the end of three fruitless weeks, the siege was raised and the Burgundians marched on to try to redeem their reputation in Normandy.  Had Beauvais fallen, it would have been possible to relieve the Duke of Brittany, against whom Louis had marched with all his forces and whom he had enveloped as in a net.  This reverse was the first serious rebuff that had happened to Charles, and it marked a turn in his fortunes.

Louis fully appreciated the enormous advantage to himself, and was not stinting in his reward to the plucky little town.  Privileges and a reduction of taxes were bestowed on Beauvais.  An annual procession was inaugurated in which women were to have precedence as a special recognition of their services with boiling water and other irregular weapons, while a special gift was bestowed on one particular girl, Jeanne Laisne, who had wrested a Burgundian standard from a soldier just as he was about to plant it on the wall.  Not only was she endowed from the royal purse, but she and her husband and their descendants were declared tax free for ever.[29]

Charles to the Duke of Brittany

“My good brother, I recommend myself to you with good heart.  I rather hoped to be able to march through Rouen, but the whole strength of the foe was on the frontier, where was the grand master, of whose loyalty I have not the least doubt, so that the project could not be effected.  I do not know what will happen.  Realising this, I have given subject for thought elsewhere and I have pitched my camp between Rouen and Neufchatel, intending, however, to return speedily.  If not I will exploit the war in another quarter more injurious to the enemy, and I will exert myself to keep them from your route.  My Burgundians and Luxemburgers have done bravely in Champagne.  I know, too, that you have done well on your part, for which I rejoice.  I have burned the territory of Caux in a fashion so that it will not injure you, nor us, nor others, and I will not lay down arms without you, as I am certain you will not without me.  I will pursue the work commenced by your advice at the pleasure of Our Lord, may He give you good and long life with a fruitful victory.

    “Written at my camp near Boscise, September 4th.

    “Your loyal brother,

    “CHARLES."[30]

The duke’s course was marked by waste and devastation from the walls of Rouen to those of Dieppe, but nothing was gained from this desolation.  By September, keen anxiety about his territories led him to fear staying so far from his own boundaries, and he decided to return.  Through Picardy he marched eastward burning and laying waste as before.