Happy indeed was Jeanne made by the coming of her brothers. It seemed like bringing her home to her. Now with Jean and Pierre with her, and the love and
blessing of her parents she could proceed on her appointed way with light heart.
By the twenty-fifth of April everything was ready for the march to Orléans.
Jeanne now left Tours and went to Blois to meet the captains and soldiers. She
found a busy scene at the little town. The roads were full of oxen, cows, sheep and swine all gathered for the victualling of Orléans. What with the lowing of the cattle, the bleating of the sheep, and the riotous noise of the soldiers in camp everything was in an uproar. Jeanne established her Household, and then sent for the captains to come to her. Officers of wide renown were they: De Gaucourt, the old commander of Orléans, whom she had already met; Rais and Boussac, two marshals of France; Culent, the Lord admiral; and La Hire, the Gascon freebooter. They revered her as a saintly child, but left her declaring among themselves that the Maid would inspire the army with courage, but as for war––
When had there been a woman since the time of Deborah who had known aught
of its art? This Jeanne found out afterwards.
After this meeting Jeanne sent by a herald to the English a letter which she had dictated at Poictiers just after the decision of the Doctors:
“JHESUS MARIA
“King of England, and you, Duke of Bedford, calling yourself Regent of
France, you, William de la Poule, Comte de Sulford, John, Lord of
Talbot, and you, Thomas, Lord of Scales, who call yourselves
lieutenants of the said Bedford, listen to the King of Heaven: Give back205
to the Maid who is here sent on the part of God the King of Heaven, the
keys of all the good towns which you have taken by violence in His France. She is sent on the part of God to redeem the royal rights. She is
ready to make peace if you will hear reason and be just towards France,
and pay for what you have taken. And you Archers, brothers-in-arms,
gentiles, and others who are before the town of Orléans, go into your own country, at God’s command; but if you do not, look to hear news of
the Maid, who will shortly go to see you to your great hurt. King of England, if you will not do this, I am the head of the army, and wherever
I meet your people in France I will make them flee, whether they will or
no, and if they will not obey, I will kill them all. I am sent from God, King of Heaven, body for body, to drive you all out of France; but if the
soldiers obey, I will have mercy on them. Be not obstinate, therefore, for
you shall not hold the kingdom of France from God, the King of
Heaven, Son of Saint Mary; from him shall Charles hold it, the true heir,
for God, the King of Heaven, wills it so, and so has it been revealed by
the Maid. If you do not heed the word of God and the Maid, in whatever
place we find you, we will put you to a greater rout than has been known
in France for a thousand years, if you will not hear reason. And be sure
that the King of Heaven will send greater strength to the Maid and to her
good soldiers than you can bring with all your might, and then we shall
see who has the better right, the King of Heaven or you. The Maid begs
you and bids you, Duke of Bedford, not to bring destruction on yourself.
If you will heed her you may come in her company where the French
shall do the greatest work that has ever been done for Christianity.206
Answer then if you will still continue against the city of Orléans. If you
do so you will soon recall it to yourself to your great misfortune.
“JEANNE THE MAID.”
Then into every part of the camp this girl of seventeen penetrated. Armies of the time were full of brutal license, and gambling, blasphemy, and other vices were prevalent. Wickedness of all kinds was the rule. But rude, rough, and lawless
though the soldiers were they had their adorations, and reverenced holy things.
To them the fair young girl was a saint. They adored her, and talked freely among themselves about her habits of life. She was good to the poor, she confessed daily, oftentimes she heard mass three times a day; there was too a grace of purity about her such as one might bear who descended from Heaven.
