before her, crying:
“Room! Room for the Maid of Orléans!”
She was no longer the holy Maid from Vaucouleurs or Domremy, she was their
Maid; the Heaven-sent deliverer of their city; their Maid whom God had raised
from among His poor for their salvation; their Maid, and so she has remained, and always will remain––The Maid of Orléans.
Through all the delirious joy Jeanne rode in a maze of happiness, fatigue, languor, pain, and profound pity for the souls of those who had gone unshriven
to their maker. She stopped only to return thanks in the Church of St. Paul, and then rode to her lodgings, and went to bed.
On Sunday morning she arose and, weak from her wound, put on a coat of armour lighter than she had worn, and with Dunois and the captains marched out
of the Regnart Gate, for the English had come out of their fortresses and were drawn up outside in battle array. The confident French soldiers were eager to attack them, but Jeanne was reluctant to do so.
“Let us not attack them, for it is Sunday,” she said. “But if they attack you, fight bravely, and you will get the better of them.”
She then sent for an altar and a priest, and bade him celebrate mass in front of both armies. When one mass was done, she bade him celebrate another, both of
which she and the French and English soldiers heard with devotion.
“Now look,” she said, “and see if their faces are set toward us.”
“No,” was the answer. “They have turned their backs and are retreating toward
Meung.”
“In God’s name, let them go,” she said. “Our Lord does not wish us to fight them to-day. You shall have them another time.”
La Hire with a hundred lances followed the English and found that the retreat was genuine. They had collected their prisoners and all the property they could carry, leaving their sick, their heavy guns and ammunition, huge shields and provisions behind them. Jeanne’s first herald, Guienne, was found bound to a stake preparatory to burning him. The English but waited for the decision of the University at Paris before the execution. Before it had time to arrive the siege was raised.
The army of the French returned to the city and gave thanks, and made a procession; for they were delivered of the ancient enemies of the realm. [11]
That which had been declared impossible was done. The siege of Orléans was raised. Jeanne D’Arc had shown her sign.
[9]
Leech: surgeon.
[10]
Percéval de Cagny.
[11]
This was the foundation of the festival that has been held ever since at Orléans on the eighth of May. It was suspended for a short time during the French Revolution, but resumed afterward. Since 1429 the day has been considered as belonging to the Maid, and so throughout the centuries it has been observed. Orléans does not forget Jeanne D’Arc.
CHAPTER XXI
A WEEK OF WONDERS
“The goodness of her life proves that Jeanne possesses
the grace of God.... She goeth forth capturing towns
and castles. She is the first captain of our host. Such
power had not Hector or Achilles. But God, who leads
her, does all. ”
JACQUES GÉLU, Archbishop of Embrun. 1429
After a few days’ rest Jeanne set forth for Chinon, where the King still remained.
To raise the siege of Orléans and to lead the Dauphin to his crowning and anointing were the two charges laid upon her. She had performed the first, and
wished now to accomplish the latter. There was too a lack of provisions and money, the troops were dispersing, and the help of Charles was needed if the army were to be kept together. After the fall of each bastille news had been sent to the King by the citizens, and he in turn forwarded the tidings to all the good towns that held for him. “The Maid, who was always there in person at the doing of these things,” is the only leader mentioned in the dispatches.
Consequently a royal welcome awaited Jeanne at all the towns through which she and her company passed. As she drew near to Tours she was amazed to 2s
4 e
4 e
the King, accompanied by some of the courtiers, ride forth to meet her. As soon as she saw him the maiden set forth at speed to greet him, bowing low in her saddle. But Charles reached forth his hand and lifted her, bowing in turn before her as though she were a queen.
