What the french initially expected was that after the gate fell, they would be able to celebrate their victory and claim the city of Cosenza as their own. However, they were faced with a horrifying sight that washed away any hope they may have still harbored. In front of them was no easy entrance to the city, but a daunting line of pointy sticks, over which a dry trench had been constructed and behind which an additional wooden wall had been built. Archer soldiers were already perched atop the new wall, aiming their arrows at any advancing French soldiers. The battlefield had been transformed into a deadly obstacle course for the French invaders. The soldiers stayed frozen , and their excitement fell like a heavy weight. The reality of the situation sank in as they realized that the battle was still not over.
